There’s nothing worse than dull, flat, lifeless hair. No matter how much you spend on cutting, styling and colouring, when your hair has lost its natural bounce, it can never look good. Don’t despair though, as there are plenty of natural ways to add body to your hair.
Go for the right cut
A bob or layered cut can give an illusion of much more volume, so do consult your hairdresser for advice on cutting and styling. Be sure to get the ends trimmed every 6 – 8 weeks. That removes split ends and gives the hair lots more natural movement.
Feed your hair when you feed your body
Eat a diet rich in protein and calcium to boost natural hair growth and volume. Dairy products, poultry, beans and pulses and green leafy vegetables like as cabbage and sprouts rank as the top hair healthy foods. Vitamins A, C, and E, and the B group of vitamins are also vital for healthy hair. Eat a varied diet, with lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. That really is the best natural boost you can give to dull, lifeless hair.
Massage the scalp
Massage helps to boost the circulation and therefore stimulates blood flow to the scalp. So the nutrients you’re eating for overall health will find their way to your scalp and hair follicles. Do a massage whenever you have a few moments spare, and particularly when you shampoo your hair. Use a little castor oil occasionally to give your hair more volume. Apply the oil before shampooing, massage for 2 – 3 minutes then shampoo to remove the oil.
Get to work with an egg
Protein treatments are one of the best ways to add volume and shine to your hair. Don’t spend money on expensive treatments – just whip up a large egg and massage into your hair. Leave on the 5 – 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. Repeat this treatment once a week for shiny, healthy hair.
Dry your hair naturally
For extra body, it’s better to let your hair dry naturally. Pat the hair dry with a towel, then put your head forward so your hair falls towards your knees. Ease your fingers through the hair to remove tangles, then toss your head back and allow the hair to fall into place. Using this method, the hair will have more body when it’s dry. If you have time and your hair is long enough, twist it around the top of your head like a crown while it’s still wet and let it dry like that. Shake your hair out when it’s dry then comb it with a wide-toothed comb to give it extra bounce and volume.
Blow drying can weaken and thin the hair. If time constraints mean you really must blow dry, don’t dry your hair completely. Let the last section near the roots dry naturally for extra lift and body.
These simple, natural tricks will all help to give your hair more bounce and body. You could also try volumising shampoos and conditioners. However, don’t rely on products like styling gels and sprays which are left on the hair. If you use too much it will weigh down your hair and rob it of natural body and movement, and often these products contain chemicals which can be harmful in the long term. In most cases, natural is always best.
