The Power of Hair

I have a baseball cap, somewhat like the one pictured here. that has embroidered across the front "Bad Hair Day"

I haven't worn it lately because where I now live there is relatively no humidity and for my hair, that's very good. Growing up on Long Island, where the humidity is unbearable during the summer, was not good for my hair. I would have needed to wear the hat everyday as my hair turned into a horrible, unmanageable frizzy mess all the time.

And we all know that a bad hair day can literally equate to a bad day in general whereas a good hair makes you feel like you can take on the world!

Hair can change the way we look. The way we feel about ourselves and the way we are perceived. Going from long hair to short hair or blonde to brunette to red and embracing gray can literally change our appearance. Something that powerful deserves special attention. When it's too fine, or too frizzy, too gray, too dull, too dry, too curly or plain falling out, we search for remedies to fix the problem.

Well, I've done some research on all of it and here it is!

What's the first thing our hair needs? Nutrition. Proper nutrition has a lot to do with the condition of our hair. Hair is primarily made up of protein so sufficient protein is essential. Lack of protein leads to increased shedding of hair and hair loss. Existing hair can become finer and thinner over time and hair growth can slow down or completely stop because of lack of protein. Hair strands may become weak and brittle, dull and lifeless, lose shine and vibrancy. And we can lose hair color due to lack of protein, causing hair to be more prone to turning gray.

So, this is an easy fix. Eat more protein. Next, hair needs iron. Hair follicles need iron to support the growth and repair of our hair. Good old Vitamin C, just like the serum we use on our face encourages collagen, Vitamin C in our diet encourage collagen production in our body which strengthens our hair. Omega - fatty acids, support thickening, Vitamin A keeps our scalp moisturized, Zinc supports growth and repair, Biotin, Vitamin D, all the B Vitamins contribute to the same things. So, a healthy diet is the basis of strong, healthy hair.

Can you add supplements to make sure you're getting everything you need? Sure. I think I eat pretty healthy, but I take a daily vitamin my doc told me about, SmartyPants. I also take a collagen supplement called Vital Proteins and a Biotin supplement by Nature's Bounty and a Sports Research Triple Strength Omega 3 Fish Oil(burpless) to ensure get enough of Omega-fatty acids. I may not need all of these, but I figure it can't hurt and this way I'm definitely covering all the bases.

OK. Now that I've got nutrition out of the way, what products are out there for specific needs we want to address and to keep our crowning glory healthy and looking good.

Let's start with shampoos.

One of my favorites is Living Proof. Both Kal and I have used this forever. The brand has

lots of different shampoos for different needs, but the one that we have continually used is Living Proof Perfect Hair Day. It removes all that build up not only on the hair but the scalp, which is so important for hair growth, and it leaves our hair shiny, and, the company says, stronger after one wash. It has a citric fragrance that smells clean and fresh. I follow this up with their conditioner, Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner. It adds shine, controls the frizz and helps with detangling. Also great for color treated hair. Living Proof also has

a Volumizing Shampoo, which leaves hair softer, fuller and shinier. There is also a Curl Shampoo which helps define the curl as you step out of the shower. Each of these specialized shampoos have an accompanying conditioner and if you go that route, I suggest getting that as well to get the best performance.

There are some other products in this line that are defiantly worth mentioning and that I have personally used. The first is their 5 in one styling treatment. It's a one-step all in one treatment for smoothness, volume, conditioning, strength, and polish. It defiantly helps with the frizz and flyaway hairs and it's really all I need to get a great blow out. Kal uses it too! The full volume and texturizing spray is another great product If thinning, fine hair is the problem. It adds instant volume without being sticky. There are some comments regarding the fragrance, but it was not at all bothersome for me. There are so many products in this line, something that addresses every hair problem and I have to honestly say that everything I have tried from Living Proof I have loved and will keep on using.

Recently I came across another line that I am wild about. It's called WOW. I had been using their Root Cover Up powder for years. What I love about it is that is works. And it stays on between shampoos, so I don't need to keep reapplying it. I use the medium brown and it's a perfect match for my base color. For me its invaluable for getting through the time until my next color appointment. I also find that it helps disguise the "thinning" in my center part. There are lots of colors to choose from. All around, it's a clear winner.

A couple of months ago Ely, my stylist, introduced me to another WOW product called COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. There really is only one word to describe this and its WOW! This is a heat activated product that literally gets rid of any frizz!

When Ely used it on my hair, the finished result was that my hair looked like glass; very glossy and ultra smooth. In fact, it looked so great I ordered it while I was still sitting in her chair! I love it and I think you will too. It comes in three different formulas, the original Dreamcoat which is what I have, the Extra Strength Dream Coat for extremely dry hair, and a Dreamcoat for curly hair. I will never be without this stuff. It's that good!

Next up is WOW Money Mist, which is a light leave-in conditioner. I just started using this as my hair is very dry and this definitely helps. I use this and then the Dream Coat and my hair has never looked better!

Because I was so impressed with these WOW products, I decided to try WOW Shampoo and Conditioner and it's another winner! It's recommended for colored hair or hair that is not and in either case, it leaves the hair clean, silky and just beautiful! I love it and am now alternating between my all-time favorite Living Proof and WOW! But I can honestly say that the hype with WOW is real. And although I've not tried WOW Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer, given the reviews and what I already know about the products I've tried, I just put this one in my cart!

Pantene Silver Expressions, Purple Shampoo makes gray hairs beautifully silver and brightens up whites by reducing dullness and eliminating brassy tones. I had never heard of purple pigment in shampoo until I tried becoming blond. My stylist suggested a purple shampoo to get rid of the brassiness which it did. Gray hair can sometimes develop a yellowish tint, and purple shampoo neutralizes the gray giving it a cooler, more silvery appearance. Needless to say, the total blond look was not good for me, and I went back to brunette with highlights.

What about tools of the trade, like hair dryers, flat irons and curly devices? I have tried a lot of them and here's what I think. It's all individual preference. Many of today's dryers have advanced technology with the ability to protect hair against heat damage. The top of the line in dryers is the iconic Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer. Ely used this to blow dry my hair and I was hooked. I have long hair with extensions (yes, I'm going on 79 with extensions) and it usually takes a lot of time to get my hair dry. Normally it would take me at least 10-20 minutes when drying right out the shower.

The Dyson Supersonic dries my hair out the shower in 5 MINUTES. Yes 5 MINUTES. It was pretty unbelievable. The heat settings are well programmed, as to not get the scalp hot. The weight of the dryer is easy to handle. I love the attachments especially the fly away attachment which I use almost every day to touch my touch up my hair. I didn't want to love this dryer, but I do. It's a major investment and definitely part of one's estate:) Yes, it's pricey but hands down, worth it!

REVLON One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler is a completely different dryer that has amazing reviews. It's a two in one tool, dries and styles basically at the same time. It's recommended for all hair lengths, has three heat and speed settings and the price is definitely right.

T3 Aire Luxe Digital Ionic Professional Blow Hair Dryer. It's a high-speed dryer that users say dries hair fast with smooth, shiny results. It uses negative ion technology. Negative ions in hair dryers help reduce frizz and static in the hair. They also help in drying hair faster, sealing the cuticle resulting in a smooth and shiner finish. All good stuff and this one has great reviews and a great price.

BaBylissPRO Hair Dryer, Nano Titanium 2000-Watt Blow Dryer. That's a mouthful! It's light in weight, has 2000-watt power, and also has the iconic technology. The price is right, the reviews are great. A good one to try.

Harry Josh Women's Pro Dryer 2000. This dryer is known for its powerful motor and long lifespan. It definitely has a cult following. Customers like the power, shine it give the hair, and its effectiveness. They also mention it's reliable, classy looking, and dries hair quickly. It's definitely pricier than some of the others, but some users say, "it's worth every penny". Like most things, it all subjective and we need to be the ultimate judge. It has a strong following; many say it gives professional level performance and results.

What about flat irons and curling tools? Here are some of the top ones and the ones that I personally have.

For curls, Dyson's Air Wrap Styler has high marks. Pricer than most but has rave reviews. CHI Spin N Curls, which is what I have, is beyond easy to use. If I can do this with great results, anyone can! It's quick, the curls hold and it's fun to use! For me, the Beachwaver was a little too difficult, so I gave it to my granddaughter Gabi, and she loves it! So, again, individual preference. I also own GHD Curve Creative Curl wand. Different type of tool for making curls but easy to use and works great. I love GHD products. They are durable, hold up, have cutting edge technology and deliver. I also have their Platinum plus professional straighener or flat iron. It heats up fast and gets the job done in minutes. Other highly rated flat irons are the BabyBliss Ultra thin straightening iron, Chi original ceramic iron as well as the T3 Singlepass X. All have excellent reviews, and I can personally attest to the one I have.

If hair could talk, what would it say? Take care of me. Keep me strong and healthy. Feed me and nourish me. And in return, I will be strong and shiny, soft and luxurious.

Afterall, I am your personal crown so wear me well:)

Liz ❤️

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