About five years ago, on an idiotic whim, I let my inexperienced friend cut my long hair to about chin length. Since then, my hair has been on a downward spiral. After numerous dye jobs and bleaching blunders, my hair has become a straw like consistency and it is in rough shape, in all manners of the word. Since this bitterly cold weather has hit us, my hair has become even drier and more damaged. 

Which got me to thinking that when my skin becomes parched and dehydrated, I treat it. So why should my hair be any different? Well, it shouldn't! Here is a dry and damaged hair care routine and some tips for keeping your hair at it's very best health! 

Tip #1: Environment and Hot Tools 
Diane Cole Stevens is a Nioxin lead stylist and owner of Washington D.C.’s illustrious Cole Stevens Salon. She let us in on some hair care misconceptions, one of them being that environmental factors are just as harmful as improper or excessive use of hot tools. Direct heat on the hair must be protected with the proper regimen in order to maintain nutrients, volume and moisture. Remember, exposure to sunlight is just as damaging to the hair as it is to the skin. 

Shampooing and Conditioning 
We've mentioned this before but keeping your hair soft has a lot to do with how often and the method which you use to wash your hair. Remember this: there is no shame in not washing your hair for a few days! Hydrating shampoos with ingredients like olive oil, argan, and keratin are all good to use to keep hair soft. 


1. TRESemme Platinum Strength Strengthening Shampoo + Conditioner (C$5.99) 
 
2. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo + Conditioner (C$3.99, each) 

3. Giovanni 2chic Avocado & Olive Oil Ultra-Moist Shampoo + Conditioner (C$9.99, each) 

4. The Body Shop Banana Shampoo + Conditioner (C$8.00, each) 

Masks and Leave- In Treatments
Use a mask and leave-in after washing a few times a week to keep your hair moisturized and tame. 

Pro Tip: Blast your hair with cold water after you shower to get shiny, frizz free hair. 


1. Beyond The Zone Last Call Hair Masque (US$10.39) 

2. Tints of Nature Seal & Shine Leave In Conditioner (C$15.99) 

3. Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment (C$50.00) 

4. Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner (C$28.00) 

5. Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Replenishing Mask (C$9.99)

6. L'Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Leave-In Spray (C$11.79)

Tip #2 Trimming and Healthy Hair 
Diane Cole suggests that if you see a few split ends, it’s best to cut them as soon as you see them rather than to wait for a bunch of split ends to appear. If you wait too long for a trim, you may have to cut even more off to prevent further damage. If you are growing your tresses, get a trim every six weeks. However, the rate or speed of hair growth is not determined by the frequency of trims. Trimming will not make it grow faster, but it will keep your hair healthy so it can grow longer.   

Scalp Treatment
An exfoliated scalp can help deliver nutrients to where they are needed, which in turn helps your hair grow. 


1. Phytopolleine Universal Elixir Scalp Stimulant (C$48.00) 

2. Caviar Clinical Daily Root & Scalp Stimulator (C$42.00) 

3. Nixoin Scalp Renew Density Restoration (US$21.80)

4. Ouiad Mediterranean Bay Leaf Exfoliating Hair & Scalp Treatment (C$43.00) 

How do you keep your hair healthy? Do you have a hair care routine?