Bathroom Essentials | How I've Been Caring for My Fine Hair in Quarantine

Guys, can you believe I haven't had my hair cut in nearly ONE WHOLE YEAR? Thanks to a really great result from my last trip to Civello and my low-maintenance haircare routine, I just haven't felt the need. Thennnn quarantine happened... and on day 5 I was wondering why my hair felt a little crispy at the ends. This made me take a closer look at my "bathroom essentials" so I'm here to share a few goodies that will keep your personal hygiene routine on point.

Perioe Himalaya Pink Salt Ice Mint Toothpaste $7

Vegan and fluoride-free formula with mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt, a natural ingredient that effectively helps to clean teeth, remove plaque and stains.
Available in two flavours ice mint and floral mint, this higher-end toothpaste also comes in a pump format - $14. I’ve never seen a pump toothpaste before. It's revolutionary! I personally prefer the pump version because it's a cream formula, whereas the tube is a gel and has aloe vera essence beads. The ice mint flavour is great, I haven't tried the floral mint. I do need to comment on the ingredients: this fluoride-free formula uses mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt to help clean teeth. I don’t think it’s necessary, or even better, to use fluoride-free toothpaste on a regular basis, so I'll use this in the morning or afternoon for a quick freshen up. At night I still use my fluoride toothpaste for my big clean.

Elastine PropoliThera Haircare Collection

Propolis is tree sap mixed with beeswax, which contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to help restore brittle hair. Honey also helps to bring in moisture and Royal jelly restores natural lustre in hair.
This sulfate and paraben-free shampoo is my favourite right now. It adds weightless volume without drying. And I don't even have the volume collection!

I’ve been using a lot of go blonder spray from John Freida and that tends to leave my hair feeling quite gritty and dry. I used the hair mask (made in Korea, by the way) in between the shampoo and conditioner this week and it transformed my crispy ends into the softest and silkiest they’ve ever felt. I also find that this shampoo routine has been making my hair feel a lot more strong, and frizz-free. You could add in their hair oil serum if you need a little bit of extra help in the frizz/styling department.

Scalp Care: Briogeo Scalp Brush $21

This hand-held massager helps to increase scalp circulation and stimulation, supporting a healthy scalp. The Briogeo Scalp Massager can be used alone on a dry scalp or paired with shampoo, oil, or treatment for a massage therapy experience in or out of the shower.After purchasing this life-changing scalp brush from The Detox Market last year, I have used it religiously on a weekly basis to stimulate hair growth and deep clean/exfoliate my scalp. Sometimes I'll even use it in conjunction with my scalp scrubs, reviewed here. For the price, I'd recommend buying this specific one vs. cheap versions from Amazon since they may not work as well and could harbour mould. This one has remained so pristine. I make sure to brush my hair with a wide-tooth comb right after applying my hair mask or conditioner since this brush sometimes causes tangles. I use it in small circular motions all over my head to really dig in and massage the scalp. I enjoy using some of the Aveda Pramsana Protective Scalp Concentrate serum if I've had a ton of dry shampoo on my head, after being out in the sun, or in the dry winter months. Note that this usually makes my oily hair get oily quicker.

The Best Foods for Hair Growth

Maintaining healthy hair is more than just using the right shampoos, conditioners and styling products. Like most tissues in your body, the state of your hair is closely related to your overall physical health, which in turn is affected heavily by your diet and lifestyle. Diet in particular is a major factor when it comes to maintaining healthy hair, hair growth, and the condition of your scalp. Here are some delicious foods that also help with healthy hair growth:

Salmon

Aside from being one of the leanest and healthiest fish available, salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids feed the oil glands around the hair follicle, ensuring that hair retains shine and lustre.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a natural source of vitamin C and rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the scalp, while vitamin C boosts blood circulation and improves production of collagen, which in turn strengthens capillaries that feed the hair shaft.

Spinach

High in folic acid, vitamin A and C, beta carotene, and most importantly iron, spinach is a truly powerful food for hair growth. A high level of iron encourages hair growth and prevents it from becoming brittle and weak. If you have an iron deficiency, your body is unable to grow and repair the cells in the body, including those that affect hair growth.

Oysters

Due to their high zinc content – a mineral that aids in the process of cell reproduction, hormone regulation, and nutrient absorption – oysters are also a great source of protein. Because there is a link between zinc deficiency and hair loss, oysters are a great way to combat thinning hair.

Avocados

Lauded as one of nature’s super foods, avocados are an excellent source of over twenty vitamins and minerals including vitamins B, C, E and K, as well as beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, potassium, magnesium, and folic acid. Incorporating avocados into your diet is one of the easiest ways to ensure your hair shines and is well-nourished and is easily one of the best foods for hair growth. - Nioxin

Happy hair washing!
xx

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