What I stopped doing to my hair, and what I'm using instead

SELFCARE & BEAUTY

4/24/20253 min read

🚫 Don’t: Overuse heat styling tools

✅ Do: Embrace low-heat alternatives

Flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers used to be a non-negotiable part of my routine. I loved the sleek look but my hair didn’t. Over time, I noticed more breakage, dryness, and frizz that just wouldn’t go away. Once I started cutting back on heat, the difference was huge.

One tool that helped me transition? The Dyson Airwrap. Pricy, I know. But I used it every other day. It styles with controlled airflow instead of damaging heat, so I still get the bounce and polish I want—without frying my ends. I also started air-drying more often, especially when I’m just working from home or heading out casually. My hair’s texture improved, and it finally started to grow stronger and longer.

🚫 Don't: using one-size-fits-all products

✅ Do: choosing products made for my hair

For years, I picked shampoos and conditioners based on smell (seriously) or whatever was trending. But generic products don’t cater to what your hair actually needs and mine was suffering for it. I’ve got fine, slightly wavy hair that tends to get oily at the roots and dry at the ends, so heavy moisturizers just weighed it down.

Now, I choose products formulated specifically for my hair type, which is fine and thin. So my go-to thickening products are:

Kevin Murphy Plumping.Wash and Plumping.Rinse
Redken Extreme Length Shampoo & Conditioner.

If your hair is curly, you’ll likely need richer, more hydrating formulas. If it’s fine like mine, volumizing and lightweight is key. This small change made styling easier and helped reduce buildup and breakage. Bonus: it gives my hair that fresh, bouncy feeling for days.

🚫 Don't: skipping oils and serums

✅ Do: hydrating from root to tip

Hydration is everything when it comes to healthy hair. I used to think oils would make my hair greasy, but the right formula changed everything. Dry strands? Frizz? Dullness? Gone.

Now, I regularly massage my scalp with a nourishing oil (like argan or jojoba), and I use a lightweight serum on my ends after every wash. My go-to favorites are:

Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil - keeps my hair shiny without that heavy, coated feel.
Kerastase Genesis - this made my hair grow like crazy, in a strong and healthy way.
Shisheido Fino Hair Oil - I love all things Japanese, and this hair oil made my hair so soft.

Scalp health = hair health, and these little rituals help stimulate growth and lock in moisture. Plus, it’s such a relaxing selfcare moment to add to your routine.

A gentler, smarter haircare mindset

Making these changes didn’t just transform my hair, it changed the way I care for myself. Ditching daily heat, switching to products that get my hair, and treating it with moisture and patience helped me fall back in love with my hair’s natural texture and flow.

If you’re on a journey to healthier hair too, I’d love to hear what’s working for you. We’re in this glow-up together.