Top of Mind
03.13.20
Hair Care 101
By Crown Affair
In the absence of salons and regular maintenance, the one thing we can do for our hair right now is truly care for it. Our general rule: When creating your roadmap for optimal hair health, look no further than the things that serve your body as a whole. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
True haircare starts from the inside: our hair is made up of keratin that comes from the proteins we eat, and grows from our scalp. A diet rich in protein, vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, and iron (among other things) will give your hair the nutrients it needs to grow shiny and strong; whether you decide to add supplements is up to you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Diet is half the battle; creating a mindful haircare routine is the other. The scalp is the source of all hair growth, so keeping it healthy and debris-free is key. Regular scalp massages stimulate and increase blood flow to your follicles, helping hair grow healthy and relieving tension throughout your body. Depending on your hair type, adding a regular brushing ritual can assist even more by distributing natural oils from your scalp to your strands, and removing dead skin and buildup. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Reducing stress is one of the best things you can do for your body and hair. Among other things, extreme stress can cause temporary hair loss called telogen effluvium. Whenever you feel stress coming on, try to lean into the rituals that help you feel whole, and remember that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
At the end of the day, be realistic about what’s right for you. Occasional heat tools that make you happy, medications that heal your body, and beach days that heal your mind are important, too. Hair health should always coincide with your overall mental and physical wellbeing, not detract from it. Always be patient (and kind) to yourself and your hair.⠀⠀
Alexandre-Jean Dubois-Dragonet 'Female Nude-Back View,' Oil on canvas (1831)
Shop Hair Care
- Where do you live and what do you do?
I live in New York City and work at a skincare company and create content on the side.
- How would you describe your hair?
Fine, silky and straight.
- What is your current haircare routine?
I wash with baby shampoo (I have a sensitive scalp), conditioner with Ouai, brush through with The Brush No. 001, apply The Oil at the ends, and finish by air drying.
"I think taking care of yourself and mental health is extremely important, especially during these times where we are all over consuming information and content."
- How does your hair make you feel?
My hair makes me feel pretty.
- Have you always felt this way about your hair or has it changed over time?
It has changed over time. Growing up, my dad would do my hair. I always had it long because my dad hated short hair. He associated having long, natural hair with being able to find a husband because women in Vietnam had it that way. I used to resent him for never letting me dye or cut my hair like all of my friends. The one time I did cut my hair and got a bob, I was really, really sad. Never again! Sometimes dad knows best.
- What daily rituals (outside of haircare) do you lean into the most?
Skincare, exercising, journalling. meditation, FaceTiming my boyfriend (we are long distance and the Canadian border is currently closed), making a matcha latte. The simplest rituals give me a sense of renewal and balance.
- How have your rituals changed since stay-at-home began?
I’ve been learning to set boundaries to separate my home and work life. I think taking care of yourself and mental health is extremely important, especially during these times where we are all over consuming information and content.