When I arrived at BonneGueule, I only wanted one thing: to share with you my passion for fashion and clothing. But if there is one thing that I care about more than all the clothes in my wardrobe, it's my hair!
As long as I can remember, I've had them relatively long. To tell you the truth, when I was little, I was more afraid of going to the hairdresser than to the dentist...
We had already cleared up the question of hair in a previous article . This one is more intended to be a complement, guiding you on the specific maintenance of your beautiful mane. Because you are worth it...
The basics of hair care
“Cleanse, nourish and enhance your hair, yes. But how?
The shampoo
Shampoo is the basis of hair care. It allows you to wash your hair thoroughly and remove many impurities. Although its primary purpose is not to nourish your hair, depending on its composition, it can also play this role.
How often should you wash your hair?
This is the million dollar question. There is no single answer, it will depend mostly on their nature.
Except for special cases that I will detail below, I recommend that you do not wash them too often. Bad habits die hard and far too many men still think that the more you shampoo, the cleaner and healthier your hair will be. Wrong!
Most hairdressers recommend shampooing once a day at most , although shampooing every other day is sufficient. . Beyond that, you risk damaging them.
Practical side...
Take a small amount of product and apply more to the lengths than to the scalp itself. There is no need to strip your scalp every time you shampoo: gently massage your head to activate your blood circulation, which will accelerate and strengthen growth.
Also avoid using water that is too hot : it softens the hair, weakens it and, above all, risks making it greasy by causing a reaction from the sebaceous gland (responsible for the production of sebum). Also be sure to rinse it thoroughly, as shampoo residue can damage it.
Although we prefer to bask in hot water, it is not always good for our hair...
Conditioner
Conditioner, as its name suggests, comes right after the shampoo. "Logical!" you might say. Yes and no, because you can also use it alone between two shampoos — especially if you wash them less often — in order to put less strain on the scalp while ensuring that it stays clean.
Its effect is twofold: generally more nourishing than the basic shampoo, it also acts as a detangler. Here too, we will be careful to apply it more on the lengths and ends.
Exfoliation and mask
The scalp is alive, being nothing more and nothing less than the skin of our skull. Linked to the sebaceous glands that feed the roots of our hair follicles with nutrients, it is also responsible for their hydration.
Opinions on scalp exfoliation are divided. If done incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good : irritation, dryness, and even dandruff. .
On the other hand, a good exfoliation will remove all the dead skin (and any dandruff) which, as they build up, clog the pores of the scalp. After a good exfoliating treatment, your scalp will be stimulated, oxygenated, and your roots freed, which will have the effect of restoring shine to your hair.
While there are few purely exfoliating products for hair like there are for skin, you will still find some interesting products to try.
The mask, on the other hand, is more intended to nourish and hydrate your hair. Apply once a week or every two weeks depending on the type, to give it a little boost of vitality.
The food question
“ Health begins on the plate ,” as the adage tells us.
As we have seen, nutrients pass through the scalp. And as you know, the nutrients present in our blood are determined by what we eat...
A balanced diet can only improve the quality of your hair . Conversely, a poor diet could result in dull, fragile hair, or even accentuate the "greasy" effect. .
Of course, there is no specific diet dedicated to the proper care of hair. However, for those who would like to provide them with more nutrients, it is rather recommended to consume foods rich in proteins, vitamins A, B and C, iron and zinc.
There are also some dietary supplements which have a good reputation for promoting hair growth and strength. Among them, brewer's yeast, spirulina, soy lecithin and even royal jelly.
From left to right, an example of royal jelly from Naturaforce , natural spirulina from Naturaforce and brewer's yeast from Naturalforme .
The different types of hair
As with skin, there are several types of hair.
It is defined by the person's DNA heritage. The latter determines on the one hand the implantation of the hair under the epidermis, and their fineness on the other hand. Often, the wider the implantation , the more likely it is to grow straight — and vice versa.
These characteristics are also linked to ethnic origin, which can have an impact on each person's genetic heritage.
Straight hair
If you have straight hair, it is because initially, your hair follicle directs the growth of your hair in a straight manner. All the cells that make up the hair stack perfectly on top of each other, without deviating to form curls.
Although hair thickness is not related to hair growth, straight hair tends to be flatter, with a vertical fall.
How to maintain them?
Straight hair is often more resistant than other hair types, thanks to its more homogeneous composition and no breakage during growth.
That being said, adopting a regular hygiene routine remains essential . A shampoo and conditioner every two days, and a mask plus exfoliation every two weeks are suitable, unless contraindicated due to the nature of the hair. .
Wavy to curly hair
Whether you have curly, frizzy or simply wavy hair, you actually have asymmetrical follicles. The hair will therefore tend to turn into an oval (more or less regularly), unlike straight hair which grows in a straight line.
The results can be very different depending on the degree of wave. However, the more curly the hair, the drier it is. It will therefore be more brittle and difficult to style on a daily basis.
Hair Care Tips for Wavy to Curly Hair
While beautiful curly hair can cause more than one person to fall out, it can cause you some inconvenience if not properly maintained.
In order to maintain good ventilation, it is wise to comb your hair regularly with a suitable comb , in order to define your curls and prevent them from tangling together and suffocating your hair.
Opt for more nourishing and moisturizing products . Using oils can be a good option . Then leave it on slightly damp hair, distributing it over the length and focusing on the ends. For effective treatment, allow thirty minutes. You can also leave it on overnight for better penetration.
Frizzy hair
Kinky hair is very curly by nature. It is also fine but very close at the roots, which gives this relatively dense appearance, especially when there is length.
Frizzy hair is dry, therefore more fragile, and likely to break if not properly maintained.
Maintaining frizzy hair
If you have frizzy hair, you will have to space out your shampoos normally so as not to damage the hair too much, but do not hesitate to nourish it by increasing the frequency of masks to one per week . These should be composed of ultra-nutritious elements such as shea butter, avocado extract, coconut oil or aloe vera for example.
Using oils can also be a very effective way, as explained just above!
The different types of hair
Hair is not defined solely by its type. Its nature will also be decisive in its maintenance.
Normal hair
So-called "normal" hair has a silky appearance. It is also easier to style.
In fact, the sebaceous glands function "normally", that is, they produce a sufficient quantity of sebum to fulfill their function of protecting the hair, without giving it an oily appearance.
It is considered that normal hair will only start to get greasy after three days without shampooing.
Care instructions
In terms of maintenance, you who have normal hair - lucky you! - are in good hands. You will only need to devote a little time to it . As explained above, a shampoo and conditioner every two days will be enough, as well as a mask every two weeks to enhance your hair a little more.
Recommended products
- Shampoos: Davines classic shampoo, Sachajuan shampoo.
- Conditioners: Lush Neutral Conditioner, Baxter of California Enriched Conditioner.
- Additional care: pre-shampoo scrub on Melvita .
Oily hair
A real problem for many, oily hair is often the result of poor diet, too much stress, poor daily maintenance or, more problematic, a hormonal issue.
In fact, it is hyperseborrhea, or excessive secretion of sebum, which will clog the hair root and gradually spread throughout the hair follicle.
Care instructions
When caring for an oily scalp, you need to be gentle and careful not to mistreat it. . Otherwise, it will produce even more sebum to protect itself ...
In terms of frequency of care, you will need to focus on it more often than for normal hair. A shampoo (and a possible conditioner if you have long hair) every day, as well as a weekly mask are also recommended. If you feel up to a scrub, it can be useful here.
Recommended products
When you have oily hair, certain products and treatments should be favored, which will aim to regulate sebum production.
- Shampoos: Davines rebalancing shampoo, Lush dry shampoo.
- Conditioners: Natura Siberica white infusion conditioner.
- Additional care: Christophe Robin sea salt cleansing scrub ; Leonor Greyl no-rinse toning treatment.
Dry hair
Unlike oily hair, dry hair is characterized by low sebum production. Less protected, it is more fragile and loses its vitality. The result is clear: the hair rubs and irrevocably ends up breaking or falling out.
Care instructions
Dry hair will need to be treated in a suitable way to compensate for its lack of natural hydration .
It is then recommended to use products whose composition does not aggravate dryness (presence of alcohol or sulfates, for example).
You can, despite your dry hair, wash it only once every two days, making sure to use products that are rich in nutrients and sufficiently moisturizing.
Recommended products
- Shampoos: Christophe Robin regenerating shampoo; Leonor Greyl shampoo for dehydrated hair from Comptoir de l'Homme .
- Conditioners: Davines Nounou Conditionner Conditioner; Crabtree & Evelyn Revitalising Conditioner at Mencorner .
- Additional care: Natura Siberica sea buckthorn scrub, Aesop rose hydrating mask.
In my kit I have...
In addition to care products, becoming a master in treating our hair involves equipping ourselves properly.
Hair combs and brushes
While it is not necessary, when you are a man, to invest in a bunch of accessories of all kinds, it is good to at least equip yourself with a brush and a hair comb . This way, you distribute the sebum from the scalp to the ends. This is what will give your hair shine and resistance.
Using a comb instead of a brush depends on your hair type, although often their use is complementary. Trust me, your hair will thank you.
Handmade Highness Horn Comb with Closely Spaced Teeth: The curlier your hair, the further apart your comb should be.
For curly or frizzy hair, use a wide-toothed comb which will snag less and will detangle it effectively without breaking it.
For straight hair, you should use a brush with spaced bristles. Choose materials such as wood or horn and avoid plastic, which can damage your hair.
The boar bristle brush: the essential that does not damage the hair during your daily maintenance.
Finally, I especially recommend using a boar bristle brush (or other natural bristles). Similar to the composition of our hair — therefore containing keratin — it allows you to detangle and brush your hair effectively and gently. It will rather complement an initial detangling with a comb or a brush with spaced pins.
It is not recommended to brush your hair directly after showering . More fragile and softer , they will break more easily. However, it may be convenient to use a comb to help you apply your mask. But be sure to do so carefully.
For those looking for some references, take a look at brands like Mason Pearson , Thomas Liorac or the Artisan Brossier France website, for example.
Hair styling products
Many of you frequently use styling products. Whether it's to tame curls, lift a flat hairstyle, or give a particular shape to your hairstyle, there are many reasons...
Here is a small selection for fans of styling products who have not yet found what they are looking for.
Horace Styling Salt Spray
This salt spray gives a fairly natural, “post-surf” beach effect, in order to texture the hair.
Baxter of California Clay Pomade
This natural-effect styling wax strongly fixes even the most unruly hair and is quickly removed when rinsed.
American Crew Modeling Paste
Styling paste that remains malleable all day and gives a fairly natural shiny appearance.
Davines Invisible Serum
This light hold styling serum is very malleable and invisible. It is best applied to wet hair to create beautiful locks. It also has an anti-frizz effect.
The final word...
In order to maintain your hair in the best possible way, it is essential to determine its type and nature. Depending on this, you can adapt the care you give it.
The material chosen is also important, choose it carefully in order to preserve your hair.
When it comes to styling products, there's no point in using too many. Besides, it's up to you!
