3.07.2012

Ask Elle--Beauty Q&A


Have a beauty question you'd like answered? Leave a comment, email, or Tweet me. Here's this week's question:

Jax, "I wash/blowdry/straighten my hair daily. As a result it's dried out, thin, and disgusting. Would it be less damaging to just go out and get a chemical straightening?"


Here's my -long- answer:

  • Don't shampoo every day, if possible. The more you wash, the more your hair will be dry. I can only wash mine 1-2 times a week, on average.
  • Get a sulfate-free shampoo, like L'Oreal Eversleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo. It's around $6 and is great. Sulfates are akin to detergents, which strip hair.
  • I know Jax likes to use several different shampoos, but this is affecting the hair in a negative way. Try just 2 shampoos, sulfate-free, preferably.
  • Condition hair from ears down. Use a conditioning mask weekly. 
  • Don't rub your hair with your towel to get the water out. I squeeze the water out. Don't brush it while wet either. 
  • Try to air dry as long as possible, until your hair is about 70% dry. Use the nozzle to direct air flow--this will help with frizz and cause hair to dry faster=less damage.
  • I love It's a 10 Miracle Leave In. It makes my frizz, dry, coarse hair soft. Any of their products are good.
  • Use a heat protectant every time heat is near your hair. Avoid products with alcohol in them--these dry out hair!
  • If you'd like the drugstore straightening route, there are options, however, I've not tried any of these and cannot vouch for them, so use with caution: John Freida 3-Day Straight Styling SprayGarnier Sleek & Shine Hair Perfector, and Suave Keratin Infusion. I don't like the idea of the formaldehyde in the expensive Brazilian Blowout, but they do work.
  • To get thicker hair, I recommended these supplements last week.
  • Finally, consult your Dr. if none of the methods work. It could be stress, hypothyroidism, etc. 

I can't wait to hear your results. And go ahead and visit her blog. She's funny and I adore her!


Leave a comment below with your own suggestions or beauty questions you'd like answered!



39 comments:

  1. I try nori to shampoo daily either (though I rinse after each gym visit). Thanks for the recs!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great tips, especially for the sulfate-free shampoo!!!
    kisses

    Jelena
    glamfabchameleon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've always wondered that. It's interesting to read your take on it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. fantastic tips! my hair is nasty because i shampoo everyday. i was told to cut down... lol. have a great day!
    xoxo
    jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great tips! I try to do a mask weekly and that really helps my hair.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really enjoy these Beauty Q&A's. I always learn so much from you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great advice! So true that daily shampooing has adverse effects.

    rolala loves

    ReplyDelete
  8. Girl, I love all your tips!! I guilty of almost everything negative above. I blow dry right after the shower and then iron it out until it's perfectly straight. I also dye my hair every other week to keep some red in it. Awful!!

    At the root its thick, but once you get to around ear legnth it thins out from all the chemicals/heat products. :(

    Thanks so much for the tips!
    and I adore you too!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great tips! And you're just the girl I would go to for secrets of beautiful hair. :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have so many friends that complain about this and I try to tell them to stop with the shampooing everyday, but it's so hard for them, they feel "dirty." Not me, I love when my hair is dirty -it does more. Well until that last day and then the hair is up and washed the next day. I wash about every three to four days. Take care,

    Shauna

    ReplyDelete
  11. Really good tip on the sulfate free shampoo - I'm going to have to look at the labels next time!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The not shampooing everday is really a good tip. Helped me a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  13. i started using the signature whole foods shampoos... their very well priced and biodegradable

    ReplyDelete
  14. I only use sulfate-free shampoo! Great recommendation :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great tips - can't wait to try them! I also don't ever rub my hair with a towel and almost 80% of the time I air dry it first

    ReplyDelete
  16. great rules to live by. i have a very different type of hair texture, but i tend to condition once a week and shampoo once a month.

    also, i don't towel dry. instead, i dry with a t-shirt.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for the tips! I need to check out those supplements you listed!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Using a heat protectant is such an important step. I learned that one the hard way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the tips! I wash my hair every other day, but I'd like to go every three days. Maybe this will help!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great tips, I used to wash my hair everyday but now every couple of days...

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great tips! I blow dry/straighten my hair more than I'd like as well, but luckily it's not in too bad shape. I try to use as much heat protection as I can.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great tips! Since I got my new hair cut (and flat iron), I've been using heat on it more often, so these are going to be helpful in keeping my hair from drying out even though it's in pretty good shape, I still worry.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome answer Elle! Thanks for you comment on my post the other day. Blogging is definitely NOT easy. HAHAHA They just don't know. Have a great day girl.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

    ReplyDelete
  24. What do we do if we have to shampoo daily...like not an option?!

    ReplyDelete
  25. i always try to avoid sulfate free, but I go through these phases where I say forget it and buy cheap shampoo - it's a terrible cycle! Lol at least I don't shampoo every day, though <3 hautepinkpretty.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Totally agree about not washing the hair too much. I shampoo my hair about the same number as you, Elle, and it has helped a lot. And now, I really have to try It's a 10...have just read a great review on it, and now that you mentioned it, it's on my wish list.

    ReplyDelete
  27. All thse tips are great.
    What saved my hair that looked like that is the Macadamian deep condioner/deep repair masque, it's great stuff. And also the Keratin Complex Infusion Therapy, before drying your hair, helps a lot.
    Give more Keratine to your hair to help it restore.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful tips. I have been growing my hair out. (I want to wear updos). So I have been trying to practice healthy hair tips.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I really needed to hear this. I've heard that about the conditioning only from the ears down before, I try to do that as much as possible :) Thank you, Elle, for the great tips!
    Thanks also for your sweet comment on my dear journal post!

    SoUtHeRnPiNkY.bLoGsPoT.cOm

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great tips to thicken and build healthy hair! My hair has definitely suffered damage from styling over the years, so I need to take these tips under advisement! xo style, she wrote

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great tips for the hair. I have had some damage done to it over the years due to color change.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Fantastic tips Elle! I love hot oil treatments at the salon. A must for me.

    ReplyDelete
  33. This is some really good advice. I'm glad you were able to give to her such expert help!

    http://stylespotlighted.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am definitely going to try the condition from your ears down tip you provided. I will save SOOOO much conditioner going forward.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great tips, I'm a firm believer in these rules!

    ReplyDelete
  36. great tips and after seeing your amazing hair- you definitely have the cred to talk about it! I don't wash my hair that much either- usually 2 - 3 times a week.

    ReplyDelete
  37. i like your hair tips! i try to shampoo every other day and always air dry my hair. now to find a great shampoo and condition from the ears down :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I picked up some heat protectant after reading a previous post here and it really makes a big difference.

    Off to find some sulfate free shampoo.

    ReplyDelete

I respond to comments via email, so make sure I can respond!
For a faster response, please use Twitter or email: elleseesyou@gmail.com

More ways to keep up with me: Bloglovin, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram , Youtube or email: elleseesyou@gmail.com

You made my day by visiting! See ya tomorrow :)

Disclaimer:

All products mentioned are purchased by me unless stated.
All pics, thoughts, etc, are mine unless otherwise noted. Publishing or redistributing any content from this blog is strictly prohibited. Please seek permission first. Thank you.




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...