3 Secrets to Longer, Shinier, Softer Hair

Up until the end of high school, I had thick, shiny (albeit unruly), long hair. In college, I experimented with coloring, highlighting, dying, lowlighting my hair – I mean really everything. Any time I needed any kind of change – low score on a midterm, boredom, celebration – I went straight for my hair. Let’s just say, my hair has never been the same.

I stopped messing with my hair soon after graduating college, but it has taken long strides to get it back to its shiny, healthy self. I struggle with anemia (an iron deficiency), which tends to cause hair thinning as well.

But there’s hope!

I did tons of research and, through trial and error, have narrowed it down to the three things I do to get back the soft, shiny, long hair I once had (naturally, of course!).

While I’ve tried different things, I’m going to share the trick that I use most often because it’s simple and easy 🙂

Ready for my three secrets that never cease to keep the compliments coming?!

Secret #1:

Castor oil

I had heard about this oil with its many healing benefits from my parents, who were both born in India. Apparently the plants that this oil comes from are grown out there and in tropical areas. Although it is used as a laxative when ingested, topically it has great benefits for hair and skin.

This is because castor oil contains Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, and ricinoleic acid, which intensifies circulation to the scalp – both of which help your hair grow faster. Combine this with its beneficial fatty acids, proteins, and minerals and it’s no wonder that this stuff is great for your hair!

I took the leap and purchased a bottle of organic, cold-pressed, hexane free castor oil. This stuff is great for growing not only the hair on your head, but also your eyebrows and eyelashes!

I was one of those girls that went through the super skinny eyebrows phase, and they never seemed to grow back to their fullness. I used it consistently on my eyebrows for six months before my wedding, and even my makeup artist (who I did a trial with 11 months before my wedding) noticed the difference in that short time! Even this gap (which I lovingly deemed my “bald spot,” in my right eyebrow) that I had for years of over-plucking/threading disappeared!

It works the same wonders for the hair on your scalp.

Secret #2:

Coconut oil

You’ve probably heard of this one. I use coconut oil for everything from cooking, baking, getting make-up off my face, a lotion substitute and, of course, my hair! For all external uses, I use unrefined, virgin coconut oil..

Studies have proven that because coconut oil has a low molecular weight, it is able to easily enter into the hair shaft. Coconut oil is a triglyceride of lauric acid, which is a major fatty acid, and is therefore attracted to hair proteins, helping to maintain healthy hair growth.

Personally, it has helped make my hair super soft!

Secret #3:

Cold Water

Again with the anemia – I’m always cold! I love me a hot shower even in the hot California summers. But I use this trick as often as possible, and I can honestly say that I notice the difference when I muster up the strength to do so :). It’s really not so bad.

According to the Hair Care Manual, washing your hair with cold water makes your hair shinier, reduces frizz, makes your scalp cleaner and improves the blood circulation to your scalp.

So it may be a bit painful, but I’ve found it to be worth it.

How do you put it all together?

I’m glad you asked!

You can try this a couple different ways.

When I feel like getting it in quickly, I use this process:

Step 1: Brush your hair so it’ll be easier to get the oil in smoothly.

Step 2: Start with running coconut oil through your hair with your fingers. Get into all the nooks and crannies and don’t be afraid to really massage it in.

Step 3: Now that your hair is nice and oily, the thickness of the castor oil can be added. Now remember that castor oil is great for your scalp so, again, really get into the massaging practice. It should be easier despite its thick texture with the coconut oil already in your hair. Don’t forget to get your ends!

• Keep in mind this oil is really thick and sticky, so only use a little at a time.

Step 4:  Time to shampoo and conditioner! Ah, the dreaded cold water. So here’s my personal trick: I take my relaxing warm water shower, but for the last five minutes I make the water as cold as I can handle it. In my experience, that’s really all it takes! If you can handle more, start off with a warm shower for about five minutes, then move on to cold.

This process also helps open up your pores, so win-win! Had to share some love for the skin, too.

Alternatively:

If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, another method you can try is to dip a fine-tooth comb into a mix of coconut and castor oil (in a 2:1 coconut oil to castor oil ratio). The exact amount will depend on the length and thickness of your hair, so feel free to experiment a bit. Work the mixture into your hair from root to tip until your hair is fully oiled.

And that’s all! I’ll post different techniques soon, but this is the one I use most often for keeping my hair shiny, healthy, long, and soft!

Important Tips:

*If you’re really massaging it in, I suggest waiting a few hours before washing it out. I usually leave the oils in my hair overnight and sleep with a towel over my pillow.

*If you’re leaving it in for a few hours (I suggest over 2 hours), I suggest tying your hair up in a bun or covering it because the oil will go everywhere! Also, do a little less massaging or you’ll have to lather, rinse, repeat a couple times.

*I use this process 1 to 2 times a week. I don’t wash my hair more than twice a week as I’ve noticed it damages my hair more texture-wise, so I don’t utilize the oiling process more than twice a week either.

*Be sure to use shampoos and conditioners with no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates as these things not only wreak havoc on your hair, but are terrible for you! I use this brand for my shampoo and this for my conditioner. I’ve tried a bunch of different natural shampoos, but this is the only one that still creates a familiar lather!

Let me know if you try this, use any variations of this process, or if you have something new! I’d love to hear from you! 🙂