Right from my teenage hood, I always wished to have vibrant, super silky hair just like those in shampoo television advertisements. As expected, I did all that could be done and my hair was still out of control, a ball of frizz.
After months, maybe years of research and practice, lots of victories and defeats, I have found the way to the emission of hair I always wanted.
Let me take you through my experience as I change my course to get rid of my dry, rough and uninspiring hair.
The First Step: Hydrating Shampoos and Conditioners
The first thing I decided to alter in my hair care regime was choosing the hair product that I use for cleaning my hair, shampoo and conditioner. My prior products used to contain terrible substances which eliminated the natural sebum in the hair leading to dry and lifeless hair. In my research, I learnt that hydrating formulas are required for the silkiness and softness of the hair. There are many products like argan oil that are extremely useful when heroic interventions are needed to guard against heat and split ends. As early as now, I noticed that my hair is becoming more and more moisturized and healthier.
Finding Balance: Reassessing My Hair-Washing Schedule
It did not take me long to discover that even the finest shampoos and conditioners can only do their job properly if they are utilised properly. Washing the hair too often was robbing off the hair shaft of its natural oils and hence, left the hair dry and frizzy. As anyone with straight hair will know, this was never a massive issue, but for those who have wavy or curly hair these natural oils are not able to get to the tips as quickly, making hair feel like it is not sufficiently shielded. I then realised that washing my hair every two days and trying out the co-washing technique, that is, using conditioner as one wash, every few shampoos was a good way of retaining those natural oils and giving my hair more of a sheen.
The Magic of Microfiber Towels
Drying my hair used to involve vigorously rubbing it with a regular cotton towel, which only led to more frizz and breakage. The only thing I did change had a giant impact: I started using a microfiber towel. Such towels cause less friction on hair, and they also are quick in the absorption of moisture. Rather than pulling my hair over the water, I pat my wet hair, which also aligned the cuticle and left my hair incredibly soft as well as shiny.
Never Skip Heat Protectant
Before I knew it I was pulling out my blow dryer or a straightener and using it as though my life depended on it. However sometimes the necessity to wash my hair at least in two or three days caused me some disturbances, on the namely, my hair became smooth but rough and rather brittle. It was then that I realised how much heat protectant can really save our hair. These products as create a shield between your hair and the heat from the stylists thus protecting the outer layer of hair. Heat protectants are of different types—spray, cream, and serum—but hair serums are wonder products with a twofold use. I use them to safeguard my hair against heat styling while at the same time getting some slip and luster. So now, for any style I am targeting, this is not a step I would wish to ignore.
Cool Shot Feature: The Unsung Hero
One day I decided to blow dry my hair, and my friend asked if I had ever used the cool shot feature on the dryer. Frankly speaking, before that, I used to simply neglect it. As it happens, one cannot afford to skip this step if one wants to have hair as smooth as silk. The blast of cool air after drying contributes to strengthening your style and closing hair cuticles to give shiny and reduce frizzy hair. That seemingly minuscule button ‘did it,’ and I would encourage everyone to familiarize him/herself with the cool shot setting of his/her blow dryer.
Weekly Mask Magic
Sleeping on Silk
In fact, one of the little-known but magical changes I made was replacing my cotton pillowcases with silk ones. Cotton for instance, just like the regular towel, is abrasive towards the hair and results in breakage due to the friction. To my hair, silk provokes it to slide thus reducing morning tangled hair and ensuring that cuticles which are responsible for soft and silky hair are in place. For the specific case of the hair and for the health of the hair in particular, the use of a silk pillowcase is not a waste of money.
Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair
It is also important to know that what one ingests is reflected in the outside appearance and your hair in particular. The search for soft and shiny hair saw me look for a solution in places that are relatively strange to most especially the kitchen. I decided to pay much more attention to the intake of good fats such as those in nuts, salmon and avocado which are rich sources of omega’s important for a good lipid profile of hair. In addition to enough fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins and antioxidants; in addition to drinking enough water throughout the day, I observed the kind of change in my hair that I never imagined. As much as getting silky smooth hair was a dream I wanted to come to reality, it was not an easy process, and this called for change and consistency in the way I took my meals but most importantly, having to balance my meals diet plan.
Turn Down the Heat in the Shower
Though a good shower helps me relax by having it steamy hot, I began to understand that it was very bad for my hair. Using hot water, you wash off the natural oils from your hair leaving the hair very dry. Rather, I decided that I had to embrace cooler rinses, especially in the last rinse. This aids in the procedure of closing the hair cuticles which in return retains moisture and opens up the door for that all-important shine.
The Right Leave-In Products
Another unsung hero in my hair care routine has been leave-in conditioners and hair serums. These products keep my hair wet not only on wash days but on other days as well thus keeping my hair moisturized and easy to handle. They have come in handy in helping me get the silky scalp I have always desired. In one way they have locked in hydration and in the other, they have actually added another element of smoothness to it.
Careful with Styles: Less Heat, More Health
Oh, how I have been guilty of overdoing heat styling but no, cutting it back is actually beneficial. What I have changed since then is not avoiding hair styling at all but using it much more productively. This entails using the lowest possible temperatures I can while always ensuring that my hair is protected with the heat protectant I have come to regard as my protector against hair damage. As a matter of fact, I later found out that heat worked well in smooth the cuticle area as well as the style if of course; done rightly. As such, despite still fixing with styling tools from time to time, the way one does it is a lot more cautious.
Natural Oils and Hair Oils: The Nourishing Duo
Other than all these commercial products, natural oils such as olive oil have also been included in use. Again, a little does a lot and these oils assist in locking in moisture into the hair, so as to make it look better and feel silkier. I have also tried different hair oils and over the years I tested the ones that should suit my type of hair. These provide an extra level of nurturing and shielding of the hair and give one of the essential qualities – silkiness.
Consider Salon Treatments for an Extra Boost
Final Thoughts
The process of getting natural silky hair has been one of trial and error and time. As simple as switching to moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, washing my hair less often, using a microfiber towel, and always using heat protectants my hair care routine has come a long way. The effects of weekly hair masks, alteration in diet, and proper usage of hair styling appliances have not been left out on this new look.
But perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned is that achieving soft and silky hair isn’t about one magic product or a single change in routine. It’s about a holistic approach—caring for your hair from the inside out, protecting it from everyday damage, and being consistent with your hair care regime.
Through trial and error, and by sharing tips and tricks with fellow hair enthusiasts, I’ve come to enjoy every step of my routine, appreciating the little changes that bring me closer to my hair goals. Today, my hair is not just healthier; it’s a reflection of the care and attention I’ve invested in myself.
So, to anyone on the same quest for that elusive silky smooth hair—don’t lose hope. With dedication and the right approach, you can turn your hair around just like I did.
Here’s to soft, shiny, and beautiful hair!
