(Translates to dry, dead hair in Filipino lingo. )
^The typical Pinoy Hairy situation and we MUST stop this trend!
Question...
HOW do you have gorgeous shiny locks?
Don't worry sister, I think I have the solution.
The Story of my Hair
I've had the Walis hair since I was in elementary.
Root cause? I was just sooooooo lazy combing my hair so I just twist them to a bun straight out of the shower and leave it on for the rest of the day. Ultimate laziness! Since then, till I reached highschool, I've always tied my hair up in a bun or in a ponytail just to hide the monster that has become of my hair. Really frustrating for an aspiring fashionista. Realizing my mistake, I put an end to my lazy days and started to comb my hair and do the same old things I've done before. I've tried having my haircut every three months hoping that my old hair would grow back, but it just wouldn't. :(
Because my hair looked like a dry wavy bunch of ultra skinny twigs, I've had my hair chemically straightened (relaxed), twice. Straight is nice but honestly, I wasn't happy with it because...
* My hair crimped whenever I tied my hair up
* It made my hair strands break off like the "silhig pinaypay"
* Broke off easily especially during shampooing and has a stretchy kind of feel to it.
* My hair crimped weirdly at the roots (natural hair growing out), but stick straight at the ends. Just weird!
* And I knew it was destroying my hair even more.
The Turn-around
Going back to my old ways wasn't an option anymore. I just had to find the right direction. And then, like an answered prayer, I saw and episode on F (that lifestyle TV show on ABS-CBN with Angel Aquino, Daphne Osena & Amanda Griffin) that featured on how to take care of your hair. Everything that transpired between me & the TV turned me around 360 degrees. It was an "Everything I know is lie!" moment. But I'm just so proud of myself to have had the good sense to follow their advice. Knowing that I'm never going back to straightening chemicals again, I know that I just had to turn over a new leaf au naturale style!
The Culprit
What did I really do to my hair?
Most of my friends have one common denominator that always lead to the ruination of their natural hair. I figured that most Pinays really do this horrible crime! Brace yourself...
All crimes against hair were committed during Pre- + Post- Shower!
Shocking right?
"So what should I do, D?", you ask.
Don't you worry your pretty little mind, honey. I'm presenting to you my tips to achieving a Happier Hair. Finally!
The Hairy Secrets
The Hairy Secrets must be applied soon as you get your hair WET.
Apply shampoo on your scalp. Yes, the SCALP NOT THE HAIR!
Any brand as long as you're comfortable with it. Just to clarify, apply it on the SCALP NOT THE HAIR! Shampoo contains chemicals that strip off your hair's natural oils. And you want those natural oils because they keep your hair naturally soft and shiny.
MASSAGE, do NOT CLAW.
Why not? Clawing hurts your scalp. And again, you want your natural oils to come out. Massaging induces these oils to come out and keep your hair soft and shiny throughout the day.
Treat your hair like a baby.
When our hair is wet, it's at its fragile state. When we treat it rashly, it'll feel rash on our hands too. It'll be dry like the Sahara. One article about haircare says to treat your hair like kid gloves. This means no scrubbing, rubbing, bending, folding, swirling, pulling, or whatever! Just be gentle.
Apply conditioner on your ENDS NOT THE ROOTS.
This is second to the most common mistake alongside applying shampoo. If you've got limp hair, avoid the roots at all times. The conditioner will drag your hair down and your hair will look limp because of the product.
Apply it to the ends, (just the hair strands) then slowly and gently, part the tangles with your fingers. No force is required here since the conditioner will ease it out for you.
Squeezing the water out doesn't mean twisting and pulling
You remember how you usually rub the towel against your hair in between your hands like making fire with twigs? Well, you guessed it... Your hair will get too dry till it catches fire!
Part your hair into sections then wrap the ends with a towel. Squeeze it between clenched fingers. Do not twist and turn. Just squeeze it out until no great amount of water comes out.
Change your towel-wrapping habits
See the picture on the left? Scratch it off your list of haircare habits. I know. I know. The glamour and elegance of twisted towel wrapped hair is so addictive. But honey, no amount of twisted towel wrapping can hide your dry hair. So, I suggest you to let your hair drip instead. Turn your towel into a cape and let the towel do the absorbing. If you really want to cover your hair, do it salon style. Put the towel over your shoulders like a cape and then fold one end over the top of your head and then the other end on top.
7. Choose air-drying never towel-drying
If you can't handle going to work with wet hair then practice this on weekends. But I definitely recommend letting your hair breathe every once in awhile. I know the pollution doesn't make it sound appealing so I suggest wearing a scarf around your head for protection.
Note: Filipinas are not against wet hair. It's actually an indication of cleanliness and neatness since it will mean you just took a bath.
Use a widetooth comb or just a simple comb. No brushes please!
Be gentle when combing. Don't force tangles to part. Just be patient in pulling them apart.
Don't tie your hair while still wet.
Sounds familiar right? Your mother or grandma or aunt may have told you this a bazillion times but age comes with wisdom. Tying your hair will slowly ruin your hair like it did mine.
Lay your hair down girl.
Whenever you're just chilling out at home, lay your hair down. Give your hair a breather from the pollution, heat, and stress from hairstyling. Let your hair be itself from time to time. It'll ease in eventually to it's natural beautiful self.
Now remember, all these tips apply to all typical Filipina hair even to chemically straightened hair. I know for sure you'll feel a change to your hair coming!
--xoxo, D
Additional Note: When choosing a shampoo or conditioner, there are certain products that will affect your hair as well. Volumizing products are needed by limp hair but curly hair do not. It'll make your hair look even bigger. Unless that's what you would prefer then it would be alright.
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