It's thicker, stronger, healthier hair for the win! Try our four-step plan.
By Kayleen Schaefer, SELF
(Photo: Kyle Ericksen/WWD)
Amazing body: It's what you want from head to toe, your hair included. And as with any fitness goal, the right routine can take you there. It all starts with eating well and keeping your scalp healthy. Then, look for styling products that fight flatness, and add in a blowout that doesn't take tons of time but delivers awesome results (exactly like what you want from your workout).
1. Start on the Inside
A healthy diet helps hair grow strong. The superstar ingredient you want: vitamin H, also known as biotin. "It's crucial for building protein, which hair is primarily made of," says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D. Aim to get 30 micrograms a day from foods like eggs, milk, nuts and sweet potatoes. Also, keep stress in check: A stealth hair saboteur, it can destabilize hormones, triggering a cascade of effects that weaken hair over time, Dr. Fusco says. Even a daily 10-minute stretch may help.
2. Focus on Your Scalp
Fuller hair always starts at the roots. Keeping your scalp in good condition will promote circulation to the follicles, which helps minimize shedding and thinning, Dr. Fusco says. Stick with a routine that mimics how you care for your skin. Rub on a hair scrub once a week to exfoliate dead cells, then cleanse with a gentle oil-infused shampoo like Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo for Dry Scalp and Hair ($57). Finish with an antioxidant-based booster, like Groh Ergo Boost Hair & Scalp Conditioning Treatment ($59), to bring on thick, glossy hair.
3. Build More Volume
The next generation of styling products does more than just provide a temporary boost. John Frieda's genius new Luxurious 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment ($10) bulks up hair with polymers and proteins that last through three to five washes. Aveda Thickening Tonic spray ($28) delivers a shot of vitamin-rich herbs to plump your strands from root to tip, while Garnier Fructis Full & Plush Mega Full Thickening Lotion ($4) fluffs up hair with weightless cotton extracts for body that lasts all day.
4. Pump Up Your Blowout
The right blowout can supersize your hairstyle. Celeb stylist Sally Hershberger's tips: Invest in a hair-dryer that won't fry your strands (the $48 Remington TStudio Protect Hair Dryer nozzle emits conditioning particles) and apply mousse for grip. Start blow-drying with a paddle brush (we like the Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Paddle Brush, $72), working from the back to the front of your head to create movement. Finish with a round brush around the crown to add bounce, and spritz on dry shampoo all over (try Arrojo ReFinish Dry Shampoo, $25). "This absorbs any oil so your hair will stay clean and shiny," Hershberger says.
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