We all have those days where our hair feels dull and lifeless and there’s nothing we can do to help it. Hair is essentially dead cells (gross I know), but it’s an important part of life. Not only does it keep our heads warm, it is an expression of individuality. It makes us who we are, even though it can be a struggle to maintain sometimes. Thankfully, I’m here to help! Follow these 10 tips for healthier looking hair in no time.

Tip #1 – Water is your best friend

This rule is the very foundation that healthy hair is built on. Water helps flush out toxins which leads to healthier, stronger and shinier hair. A good rule of thumb is to drink around eight cups of water per day. An increase in daily water intake also clears acne, helps fight off infection, prevents migraines and headaches and makes the skin glow.

Tip #2 – Stick to a routine

Hair will thrive under a daily routine. It helps to know the type of hair to buy products for. People with thicker hair types should steer toward heavier, more moisturizing products, while thinner hair should stick to products that advertise volume and weightlessness. Once the perfect regimen has been concocted, stick to it, otherwise the ultimate goal of long, luscious hair won’t be achieved.

Tip #3 – Avoid ponytails and buns

Ponytails are a great way to hide bad hair days, but they do more harm than good. Continuously tying hair up in the same spot, especially with an elastic hair tie, causes fraying on the hair shaft, leading to bad breakage. Unfortunately, the same thing applies to buns. Opt for a french braid or two small braids instead; however, don’t make the braid too tight because this also causes damage.

Tip #4 – Heat protectant is a necessity

Think about it. Your hair is coming in contact with 400 degree heat – damage is inevitable. Reduce the amount of damage by using a heat protectant before doing any type of heat styling.  I recommend Aussie Hair Insurance Heat Protecting Shine Spray. It’s affordable, easily accessible and all heat protectants essentially do the same job . Further, I highly advise against applying heat every single day. Even with a heat protectant, damage to the hair shaft will still occur. Embrace the natural hair.

Tip #5 – Condition first, shampoo last

Let me explain. Conditioning first adds volume for people with thinner hair, primes the hair to allow the shampoo to distribute more evenly, and smooths out tangles. Hair care brands have come out with their own lines of shampoo and conditioner specially made for this regimen, but any regular shampoo and conditioner combo will do the trick.

Tip #6 – Don’t wash your hair every day

One of the healthiest things to do is to skip a wash every other day or every two days if manageable. Shampooing every day strips the hair shaft of its natural oils, causing the scalp to become dry. An alternative to washing every day is to massage the scalp in the shower, mimicking the same process of shampooing. This distributes the oils down the hair shaft, resulting in a less oily looking scalp.

Tip #7 – Wide-tooth combs for wet hair

When hair is wet, it is fragile and more susceptible to breakage. Because a regular hair brush is too harsh for the weakened hair, use a wide-tooth comb starting at the ends and working upward toward the roots. This prevents tangles which can cause further damage. For curly hair, use an even wider comb to account for the thickness and texture.

Tip #8 – Microfiber towels

We all know that signature look of the teenage girl getting out of the shower in a robe with her hair tied up in a bath towel in those cliche chick flicks. Unfortunately, she is practicing a bad beauty technique. As I said previously, hair is very fragile when it is wet, and regular old bath towels are too coarse. Instead, try a microfiber head wrap. As a cheaper alternative, a really soft, old cotton T-shirt works just as well. I personally prefer drying my hair with an old T-shirt because my hair’s too long for the headwrap – it just works better for me.

Tip #9 – Satin pillow covers

Satin is smoother than cotton, so hair just glides across the satin pillow case. The roughness of cotton creates friction with the hair which in turn leads to breakage. An added plus of sleeping on satin is that I wake up every morning feeling like a rich princess.

Tip #10 – Treat yourself

Hair masks are great for adding moisture back from the dryness of everyday life. Also, they’re a great excuse to sit back, relax and destress, all while achieving great hair. I recommend using a hair mask every two to three weeks, switching to a different kind of hair mask every three months or so. See above for my tutorial on a quick and easy DIY hair mask.