Dry, brittle, or dull hair
Chances are, you have thick and most likely long hair.

The first step you need to take is change your diet (see previous blog entry). No matter what you put on your hair, it grows from your scalp and needs the proper nutrition to be healthy...just like you. Cut out the fast food burgers. Have one every once in awhile. You'll see a huge difference before you even try the second and third step. Try working more salmon into your diet (not fish burgers). If you are not a huge fan of salmon, try getting more dark leafy greens, nuts, chicken, eggs and whole grains in your diet.

Second step, you got to stop blow drying and straightening so often. Each strand of hair is very thin and made of dead protein, it can only take so much. So go to the salon, or nearest TGIF (try a cosmetology school if you're really on a budget) and get at least an inch taken off, and wear your hair in a cute up do for a couple of days out of the week. Don't worry so much about your roots, you have to take care of your ends, that is the most vulnerable area and the first place your hair starts to show damage.

*Tip: Spray some leave in condition when you put it up for an all day softener.

Which leads me to the third step. Deep condition and use hot oil treatments frequently. Everyone loves a day at the spa, and your hair will appreciate it as well. These things can be inexpensive and you can also go the homemade way (try using EVOO!). You also want to use products designed for your hair type. My favorite picks are Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo and Herbal Essences Hydralicious. They have worked wonders on my hair and those who have tried them.

*Tip: Leave in the conditioner for 5 minutes every time you wash

Oily hair
Actually its not your hair that's oily, its your scalp. And just so you know, there is nothing wrong with your scalp. Usually those who complain to have oily hair, have straight, and sometimes thin hair.

The best thing to do is to wash your hair with a good shampoo for your hair type, I recommend Garnier Fructis Balanced Care or Herbal Essences Drama Clean Twice if you didn't get a sudsy lather the first time, that's how you can tell its really oily. Really massage your scalp and leave the shampoo in for 5 minute . Try using a cottonball soaked witch hazel on your roots that get oily the quickest after you shower, its a natural astringent to balance the oil and it will also stimulate your follicles.

*Tip: Most people will tell you to skip conditioning, I would advise that you only condition the ends and as far up as your ears.

If you have to be somewhere in a hurry and don't have time to take a shower, get some inexpensive powder (try dollar store) and brush on to the visibly oily roots with a face brush. The power will absorb the oil and make it look less shiny. Just start slow, you don't want to look like you have a powder wig on :)

*Tip: Lessen the amount you touch your scalp to eliminate any additional oils from your fingers.