My Hair Care Routine

This blog post has been a highly requested one for the longest while, so I'm happy to finally have the time to write it during a layover as I sit in Seoul Incheon airport in South Korea, awaiting my flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

First of all, I have to disclaim that if you're expecting a long list of fancy products, you will be very disappointed in this blog post. What I'm here to write about is not the products so much, but the application, maintenance and TLC (Tender Loving Care) that goes into it. I know, it sounds crazy. But, I have a full head of healthy jet black virgin (never been dyed) hair reaching my butt, and never had a single gray hair yet at almost 30 years old, and I always get complimented on my hair and asked about it...so I might be onto something.

In fact, many people thought my hair was a wig/had extensions in my Clouds photoshoot two months ago... which was very flattering.

The Products I Use.

The shampoo and conditioner I use are... drumroll... Garnier Fructis. I kid you not. Before this I used to use VO5 and it worked just the same, until I moved onto Garnier and my hair seems to not want to go back to VO5. LOL. I have tried more expensive shampoos and conditioners before, as many people have urged me to experiment with the possibilities of what my hair could be like if I did invest more into it and experiment more. But I am a firm believer in, "If it's not broken, don't fix it."

Aside from shampoo and conditioner, I have started hair oiling about 8 months ago with coconut oil and found that this is the HOLY GRAIL for hair care. That's about as far as I go with product.

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Now, let's get into the application, TLC and maintenance.

No matter what kind of shampoo and conditioner you are using on your hair, the way you wash your hair is what matters. For me, if I oil and wash my hair poohar (half way and mindlessly) that's how my hair will behave until the next washing cycle. However, if I oil and wash it with intention, it loves me right back and I have the sexiest mane all the way through until my next cycle. I'll explain.

BRUSH IT OUT

When brushing my hair, I always hold the hair in a bundle with my fist to prevent tugging on my scalp and hair falling out. I hold it, and then I brush out the lower sections, and then I move up in sections with many small fast strokes, and before you know it, my whole head of hair is brushed out and it was far from agonizing, but enjoyable even. Once that is done, I then brush from my scalp, well after the hair has been detangled. This helps the circulation in my scalp. When you brush your hair, especially using gentle strokes with a soft-bristle brush or a scalp brush, it stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles. Improved circulation can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the scalp, promoting healthier hair growth and a more nourished scalp.

In fact, I brush my hair at least twice per day, and walk with a hair brush in my handbag for whenever I feel the urge to brush my hair again which is usually a couple more times per day. Brushing you hair regularly has benefits such as helping to spread the natural oils from your scalp along the length of your hair, keeping it moisturized and shiny. It also helps exfoliate and removed dead skin cells and buildup from the scalp, and at night time especially, I find that it has such a soothing effect, reducing my stress and tension.

HAIR OILING

Oiling your hair with coconut oil is a simple and effective way to nourish and strengthen your locks. The coconut oil I was using at first had some rosemary in it. Rosemary is known for its ability to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, which can promote healthier hair growth and potentially reduce hair thinning. Its natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help maintain a clean, healthy scalp, addressing issues like dandruff or irritation. When combined with coconut oil, which is deeply moisturizing and rich in lauric acid, the mixture penetrates the hair shaft to strengthen and condition hair from within.

Rosemary oil also contains antioxidants that combat free radical damage, potentially slowing down premature graying and preserving hair color. This blend creates a nourishing, therapeutic experience that not only improves the health of your hair but also leaves it feeling soft, shiny, and revitalized. Regular use of this combination can result in thicker, healthier hair and a scalp that feels refreshed and balanced. However, the one I am using right now is pure coconut oil...because I'm too lazy in this very moment to find rosemary to add to it lol. I bought the last one with rosemary already in it.

To start, warm a small amount of coconut oil (about 1-2 tablespoons, depending on your hair length) by rubbing it between your palms or placing the jar in warm water to liquefy it. Begin applying the oil to your scalp using your fingertips, massaging gently in circular motions to stimulate blood circulation and ensure the oil penetrates deeply. Work your way through the roots, then move to the mid-lengths and ends, where hair tends to be driest. For added hydration, leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes or overnight, wrapping your hair in a towel or shower cap to prevent mess. (I usually just wash my pillow cases because I can't sleep with my head wrapped up, it feels weird). Finally, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner, and repeat the process once or twice a week for soft, shiny, and healthy hair.

SHAMPOOING AND CONDITIONING

Sounds simple, but really, I soak my whole scalp and body of hair thoroughly with water (sucks during winter when hot water runs out), and I then put shampoo in. We have all had moments of quick, mindless shampooing. Hell, even I do it from time to time, and I always regret when I don't pay attention. PAY ATTENTION. Take the pads of your fingers and really rub into your scalp and massage it. Really get the circulation going. LOVE the process. Then, move down to the body of your hair. Sometimes, I shampoo twice if I realize I didn't pay attention the first time because the more you do this, the more you crave how good it feels afterwards. It is so soothing to massage your scalp properly while shampooing. I then rinse and pour conditioner on. When I was 14 years old I took a beauty culture course sponsored by the ministry of community development in my village's community center, and in this course I learned about deep conditioning. I don't always deep condition with a hair cap to trap the heat in, but I do have enough hair now to generate a natural heat when I condition my hair and pile it on top of my head. Once again, I massage my scalp deeply, and when I wash it off, depending on how dry my hair is based on the time of the year, I may go in for second conditioning to leave it extra soft and shiny.

AVOID HEAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

I try to avoid putting heat into my hair as much as possible. If the weather is good and it's daylight, I just let it dry naturally. However, this isn't always practical. Sometimes it's late at night and night time was the only chance I had to wash it, or sometimes it's winter and my hair is so long it would keep my body cold so I just blow-dry it. But, as much as possible, I let it air dry. I also don't style my hair very often with heat. During photoshoots and high value production seasons where I have hair stylists, sure, heat is used for styling, with protective serums of course (whatever type is laying around). Aside from this, once in a blue moon I may straighten it.

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The language I use on my hair.

Some may call me crazy for this one, but I genuinely believe that the language you use on your hair and body affects the way your hair and body looks. If you constantly say, "I hate my hair and my hair doesn't behave." Well, guess what? Your hair won't behave.

The idea that the language you use toward your hair can influence its behavior and appearance is not directly supported by scientific evidence in terms of physical or biological effects on the hair itself, as hair is composed of dead cells. However, there is growing interest in the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and holistic wellness, suggesting that the way you think and speak about yourself—including your hair—may have indirect effects on its health and appearance through your behavior and mindset.

Indirect Ways Language and Mindset May Influence Hair:

1. Stress and Hair Health:

- Chronic stress can contribute to hair loss (e.g., telogen effluvium) and poor scalp health.

- Positive affirmations and self-compassion may reduce stress, potentially improving hair health over time.

2. Behavioral Changes:

- Speaking positively about your hair may encourage better self-care habits (e.g., regular washing, conditioning, and protecting it from damage).

- Negative self-talk might lead to neglect or harsher treatments, potentially causing breakage or damage.

3. The Placebo Effect:

- If you believe that speaking kindly to your hair will improve its condition, you might feel more confident and notice positive changes, even if they result from improved care routines rather than direct language effects.

4. Mind-Body Connection:

- Practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and affirmations can influence overall well-being, including how you perceive and treat your hair.

Evidence from Related Fields:

- Water Crystal Experiments: Masaru Emoto's controversial experiments suggested that positive words could influence the formation of beautiful water crystals. While this has been criticized for lacking rigorous scientific backing, it has inspired ideas about how intention might affect matter.

- Epigenetics: While not directly linked to hair, this field explores how behavior and environment can influence gene expression, hinting at complex connections between mindset and physical outcomes.

On a hair wash day, from the hair oiling which would have happened the night before, all the way to the hair drying whether it's naturally or with a blow drier, I am looking at myself in the mirror the entire time whenever I'm in front of one, and calling my hair a sexy mane, calling myself a sexy beast, a lioness, a vixen, and I am gassing myself up! When I can't see myself, in the shower, I am literally talking to my hair, "I love my hair, I am so happy I made the time to do this today, I deserve this TLC." And best believe, those sessions result in the sexiest mane for literally a week. And when I am rushing and mindless, not so much.

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Night care.

At night time, I take preventative measures such as brushing my hair thoroughly and putting it in a protective hairstyle such as a simple braid. I have found that since I started sleeping with it in a protective style, I have had way less breakage, and since I started brushing and braiding at night, my hair has been growing much faster. Also, I have found that this habit now cues and signals my mind to fall asleep. Since I developed this habit I know that once I brush my hair and my scalp feels soothed and stimulated in all the right ways, I fall asleep so much more peacefully and easily. I have yet to graduate into the heatless curls overnight, I have tried but I think I need more practice and to try again with the the actual tool and not a pair of my leggings...which was an epic fail the last time!

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ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS

Yeah, I hate to disappoint you here but I don't use any. Ever so often, if the hair near my scalp is too oily and I have no time to wash and dry, I may spray some dry shampoo to help it become a bit fluffier and give me volume on top. If my hair is too dry, sometimes I'll just add a teeny tiny bit of coconut oil to my palms and apply it only to the lower half of my hair/the ends, because that's the section of hair which gets the natural oils from my scalp the least as my hair is very, very long.

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FREQUENCY

I wash my hair 1-2 times per week.

I oil my hair 2-3 times per month.

I blow dry my hair maybe a handful of times per month, and can go a couple of months at a time with no heat in my hair at all.

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TRIMMING AND HAIR DUSTING

I own a pair of haircutting scissors (please never cut your hair with regular scissors...you will only further damage your hair). I use these scissors to trim the very ends of my hair every month to two months because I don't necessarily need a haircut every month. I also do some light hair dusting whenever I find that there is an increase in the amount of split ends I see arising, and I know that an appointment with my trusted hairdresser is not on the horizon anytime soon, I take matters into my own hands and dust it myself. You can simply youtube how to hair dust, I'd rather you do that than learn from my written word so you can see and understand how to do it without severing off too many grains of hair.

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HAIRCUTS

Getting a haircut every 2-3 months for maintenance is so very important. Now, it's crucial that you have a hairdresser you trust, especially if you're in it for the long haul (like myself) and want a very nice head of long hair with a hair body shape that suits you. I have found that by using a celebrity hairstylist, I am able to be as picky, particular and detailed as I want, and I always get exactly what I want. I actually recorded my last haircut and have it on my editing block to demonstrate just how particular I can be. In my people pleasing days, I would be afraid to open my mouth and describe exactly what I wanted, but now, I verbalize that shit like it's nobody's business. It's my hair. I deserve to have the hairstyle and look that I want.

As for the instructions I give during each hair cut, this is more or less what I say: "Trim the ends, not more than necessary, because I love my hair long. Take off only what's unhealthy. Trim the body lightly and take off dead ends on my layers. DO NOT GIVE ME A V CUT, I DON'T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A TADPOLE. As for my bangs, give me asymmetrical curtain bangs, and face frame the hair on both sides to complement the curtain bangs. These have been my instructions for the last 4.5 years after I made a big chop and deeply regretted it.

Now, my hair is finally back to THAT length, so it's a game of maintenance. In fact, my haircuts are designed to be so subtle that when I get a haircut, no one can really tell :) Not even my boyfriend. I just always look a certain way, and my loved ones almost never notice. It's that subtle. In fact, most of my maintenance in my beauty regimen is so subtle that people think I just naturally look that way (like my eyebrows- they get plucked every 4 days, and for the last 2 years my nails were done every 10-14 days...though they are natural now).

So there you have it- my hair care routine. I hope it was helpful.

It takes years to grow a tree, but it takes only seconds to cut it down. I hope these tips help you grow a tall, mighty, majestic tree.

Love, Vanita.