Naturally Beautiful Hair-Tips from Elite Pro

You already know that I'm not really one for rules, but really, if I have to think about five things that have transformed my hair in the past year, I can clearly say that they are: 1. Find a professional who can care for your hair. As I said earlier, for me, the most important thing about going to the hair salon is knowing that they're taking care of my hair and that, above all, my hair's health is the most important thing. As you can imagine, many stylists have cut my hair, and most of the time they put the beauty of the cut above what is really best for your hair. That's why I'm so loyal to my salon, because I know that they are going to make sure my hair appears healthier each time, and not just that it has a beautiful color or cut. So this is the first rule: talk with your stylist and make sure you understand what he or she recommends. Your stylist will teach you how to take care of your hair and strengthen it.

2. Use high-quality products.

At my salon they use Joico products, so ever since I've been going there I've been using their product line to take care of my hair. The difference between this brand and others is that your hair can recover from damage in a short period of time. It isn't cheap, but the price is similar to those of other salon brands that I used to use. Here's the best thing of all. Before, when nothing seemed to work, I never stopped trying new products and over time I spent more and more money. Now I use just one shampoo, one hair mask, one conditioner, and one hair protector that strengthens my hair.

3. Protect your hair.

Protect your hair - not only from the obvious styling tools, like curling irons and hairdryers, but also from excessive brushing, vigorous rubbing with a towel, bands that pull your hair too tightly, hairstyles that are too rigid, and products that are too aggressive. Now I know that my hair is as fragile as the skin on my face, so when I brush my hair I'm very careful not to break it. Long ago, I switched to using a natural-bristle brush and, although it takes longer to detangle my hair, it breaks a lot less, so it's worth the effort.

4. Follow a beauty ritual.

Just as you do with your face, follow a beauty ritual for your hair. Since I have dry hair, I wash my hair two or three times each week, and on those days I use a lot of products to care for my hair: I give myself a gentle massage as I apply the shampoo (as is done in hair salons). I put on a hair mask and let it sit for 20 minutes, and I detangle my hair very gently. The rest of the time, if I need to detangle my hair, I do it with a soft brush, without pulling.

5. Strengthen your natural hair.

Finally, make sure that you strengthen your hair. I've spent years straightening my hair each day, but my hair is actually curly. Now, although sometimes I straighten it, most of the time I leave it curly, adding a few touches with a flat iron to "stylize" the part in front, and then I'm ready. And it takes less than half the time needed to straighten my hair. This is another important point: it's time to opt for a haircut that really suits your hair type and not just what's in fashion or what your stylist likes.