Questions... Answers!

I love that you are reading my blog! And I love that you are asking questions :). After my last post, I had a friend ask a few very good questions that I thought deserved a post of their very own! So, here we go... and don't be shy about asking any questions YOU may have... questions are very welcome around here!

1) How many times a week do you wash your hair?
Confession time: I am an everyday washer. I know, I know... I should be shunned as a hair guru! Here's the deal (and obviously this is JUST my opinion/position. I am no professional and don't have any scientific evidence to back up my words.)... everyone's hair is different. While everyday washing may do wonders for some heads, it may do not so wonderful things for others. I have avidly tried multiple times to become an every other day washer, but all it did for me was leave me feeling gross at about 2pm on the second day. My hair is rebellious, it has a mind of its own and doesn't want to be washed every other day! This doesn't mean anything other than my hair is abnormally "moist" on its own. If you are ok with washing every other day and don't notice any difference from day 1 to day 2, GO for it! That's how your hair works and I greatly envy you! However, if you are an everyday washer and are noticing some dryness there are a few things you can do:

-Invest in a good leave in conditioner. However, just as with any other product, don't overdo it or your hair has the potential for greaseball, and we already know that nobody wants that. I like:

Pravana Hydrating Intensive Leave In Treatment, $18 (find it at your salon or you can order it online - I saw it on Amazon) *note: this is a little pricey, but it lasts a good bit of time. I have very long hair and mine lasts me for at least 6 months - it doesn't take more than a few spritzes each use.

-Make sure you are protecting your hair from the heat from all the blowdrying/flattening/curling we love to do to our hair. There are multiple ways to do this (just peruse your local Target shampoo aisle - you'll see what I mean) but I love my trusty Frizz-Ease:

Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat, $5.39 (find it at Target)
Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum, $7.99 (find it at Target)

-See below for some more tips :)

2) Do you have any products you would recommend to get the moisture back into your hair?
A good way to put moisture back into your hair is to do a deep conditioner treatment or hot oil treatment. There are also good shampoo/conditioner combos that help restore moisture. Here are my favorites:

Deep Conditioning Treatment

L'oreal Everstrong Deep Replenishing Mask, $7.74 (find it at Target)
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Hair Mask, $6.04 (find it at Target)*note: the best way to go about a deep conditioning treatment is on a day you don't have much going on: shampoo as normal, apply deep conditioner liberally, let set for several minutes (sometimes I even get out of the shower and let it set on my hair for 15-20 minutes) and then wash. Keep in mind your hair may be a little "moisture rich" after the treatment (ie - look a little greasy)

Hot Oil TreatmentVO5 Hot Oil, $10.68 (find it at WalMart)*note: follow instructions on package - it's pretty easy :)

My favorite Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner (as well as my everyday shamp/cond for the time being)

Dove Therapy Intense Shamp/Cond, $4.99 each (find it at Target)

3)Would you suggest the same brands of color brightening shampoos for brunette hair?
The Drama Clean and Hair Cleansing Cream will do wonders for brunettes as well as blondes. For a warming brunette specific product, I love this (well, I did when I was a brownie!):

John Freida Brilliant Brunette Light Reflecting Shamp/Cond, $4.97 each (find it at WalMart)

I hope my answers have been at least somewhat helpful. Keep the questions coming!

Much love!