Hair Wellness.
I recently spoke with The West Australian regarding healthy hair, the importance of protecting your scalp plus Tips & Tricks to achieve the best hair possible
“I’ve seen a lot about scalp care recently & the importance of adding something like a scrub to your hair routine.
Are products like this a fad, or should people consider adding them to their routine? If so, how often?”
This is absolutely not a fad at all! I frequently get asked questions like how can I get my hair to grow? What products can I buy to make my hair more shiny? Why is my hair so thin? How can I make my curl stay for longer?
The first thing clients think of is how to get their desired results from the outside, without thinking of the internal health of your hair. It's like someone painting a crumbling wall without thinking of the internal structure.
I personally love the Scalp Scrub by SACHAJUAN, it's like taking your hair to a wellness retreat for the weekend - or the scaffolding to repair that crumbling wall.
With a Scalp Care Product like the Christian Robin Scrub or the SACHAJUAN Scalp Scrub, you are essentially allowing your scalp (the birthing space for your hair) to breathe, be cleansed & allow all the mineral goodies to get in.
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Using these products firstly exfoliates your scalp, removing dead skin aka the villainous dandruff, oil & product build up which people don't even realise they have!
* If you ever look at your scalp with a microscope you would be shocked at what you see *
Removing these substances allows your scalp to promote new cell growth, reduces irritation & scratching that makes it harder for your healthy hair to grow (longer hair = scalp care) & allows your scalp to be nourished & moisturized WITHOUT getting greasy.
There are so many people who have 'normal' skin when it comes to facial skincare, who experience tingling and irritated skin after having their hair coloured.
My friend can use the most intense skin-care products on her face, however after a normal colour service experiences an itchy scalp - which has now been alleviated through the miracle of a scalp scrub once a week.
“What do you look for in a shampoo & conditioner, & what kind of ingredients should people stay away from in these products?”
This was something very important to me that I had to really think about before opening my new space. As I mentioned before the health of your hair is ultimately what is going to give you the aesthetic results you are searching for.
A lot of people don't know this & it's a bit of a hairdressing 'party-trick' but depending on what haircare you are using at home, you can actually scrape the silicone off your hair much like a waxed apple.
We use this to show the client first hand that it genuinely isn't hairdressing 'mumbo jumbo' but real chemicals that build up on your hair over time depending on what you're using at home.
I promise you there genuinely is a big difference between professional haircare you buy from a salon & supermarket products.
Parabens may be an unfamiliar word, but these are the ingredients that basically increase the shelf-life of a product (good for companies) & decrease the health of your hair (bad for you)
I would look for products that include natural ingredients, & I don't mean a supermarket product that has a pomegranate or aloe vera on the front of the bottle - but products that actually utilise the healing properties of natural ingredients - they don't just make your hair smell good.
Alcohol, Artificial Fragrances, Ammonium and specific Sulfates are all words to avoid when choosing hair care. I would be especially cautious when choosing a 'smoothing' or 'keratin' hair care product as these often include formaldehyde which is absorbed by the skin & definitely not good for you.
The products I trust in my salon are SACHAJUAN hair care which utilise natural marine based ingredients including Rhodophycea & Chondrus. These ingredients focus not only on a surface level, but internally which is, again - a wellness retreat for your hair.
“What is your favourite luxury/boujee product that you splurge on for your hair?”
SUCH a hard question, as you can imagine a boojee hair product for me is like a boojee skincare or make-up product for someone else!
I would have to say for special 'me' time I would indulge in my SACHAJUAN Overnight Hair Repair. Not only is the product amazing for someone like me who has a crazy amount of long naturally curly / frizzy hair - but the ritual of it is really special for me.
Imagine having a fresh shower, laying out all of your little creams, lotions & just really spending a moment pampering your whole self - I feel like your hair always gets left out!
Trust me your hair will feel amazing the next morning.
I would also recommend the SACHAJUAN Intensive Hair Oil. Works on all Hair types, smells & feels amazing & it just adds a little moment of luxury anywhere, anytime!
My last little boujee product would be the Protective Hair Perfume by SACHAJUAN - & this is definitely a boojee product as it is the most expensive of the list.
So think birthday gift or when you really need it! I love it because it reduces static - so as soon as there is a drop of moisture in the air, my hair doesn't 'lose the smooth'. It has UV protection from the harsh Australian sun & gives your hair a beautiful gentle shine.
I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but if you're like me & are sensitive to smells you'll love it's anti-odour technology.
So basically if someone hugs you wearing a perfume that you don't ALSO want to wear for the rest of the day, or walk through a group of smokers & want to remain fresh - this is the boujee product for you!
“Are there any simple tips or tricks that people should, or shouldn’t, be doing in order to keep their hair healthy?”
Firstly, chat to your stylist or google what your issues are to try and pinpoint what areas need some love. Start out with a really good hair care regime - I'm talking shampoo, conditioner, mask (once a week/ fortnight) & leave in treatment such as an oil or creme.
Your styling tools are also an overlooked problem / solution as well.
If you brush your hair wet, are you using a product like a Tangle Teezer that doesn't damage the hair? If you frequently use heat tools are the temperature settings appropriate for your hair type & are you using a heat protector prior? I always say if you are willing to invest in a heat tool, make sure you are also willing to invest in a product to protect your hair from the damage it causes.
Make sure you are applying your products correctly to get the best use out of them. Think of your haircare like your skincare, you would remove your make-up first and then cleanse your skin - do the same in the shower and shampoo twice.
You wouldn't apply your moisturiser to a wet face & focus on areas that didn't need it - ring out excess moisture from your hair & apply conditioner or mask to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair first, then spread what's left over the top sections.
A helpful tip is using a wide tooth comb in the shower to distribute the product evenly through your hair.
We occasionally exfoliate our face or give it a facial - your scalp is skin too, give it a scalp scrub or use nourishing droplets to give it some extra love.
It IS the architect behind beautiful hair.
