Without great-looking hair, your day is often shot. Bad hair days can make your life miserable, and make you wonder what you spend all that money for. If you want to get the best from your hair, and maintain the life of it, read ahead for some excellent tips.

When you are using a hair dryer to dry your hair you should not keep it in one place on your hair for any amount of time. The focused heat on that part of the hair can cause damage and dry your hair out unnecessarily. Keep it moving!

When choosing a brush to use on your hair, choose one with soft bristles, instead of hard ones. There are brushes available that are made of animal fibers or soft bristles that will be easier on your hair and not cause any type of damage to your beautiful hair!

Eat a healthy diet to get beautiful hair. Hair is organic and alive, and therefore requires nourishment to grow. Vitamin deficiencies are often the cause of split ends and breakage. A more serious nutrient deficiency may even cause hair loss So ensure you are taking great care of your hair by eating the proper foods.

Many people believe that a new shampoo switch makes their hair look more healthy. Your hair doesn’t know the difference between any given product, nor does it build up a tolerance. If you have a shampoo that has worked for you over time, your hair does not build up a tolerance to it. If you use heavy waxes on your hair, a clarifying shampoo every few weeks can remove any built-up residue.

It’s important to make sure your hair and scalp get enough natural oil. For even distribution of your hair’s natural oil, try bending over and brushing your scalp and hair back to front. Keep doing this until your scalp begins to tingle. Follow up with a gentle massage using your fingertips.

Only wash your hair as often as you think it needs washed. Everyone’s hair is different but a good way to go about it is to wash it and condition it every other day or around 2-3 days a week depending on your daily activities and your body’s physiology.

If you use a blow dryer to dry your hair, be sure not to keep it on the same spot for too long. This movement decreases the chance your hair will sustain damage from too much heat.

During the summer months, it’s crucial that you put extra effort into caring for your hair. Always take the time to wash your hair after swimming or spending time in the sun. It’s also a good idea to keep your hair covered with a bandanna or a loose cap, if you plan on being out all day.

Do not get accustomed to always using the same brand of shampoo or conditioner. If you switch the brand every now and then, you will see your hair react positively. While one brand may get rid of buildup, another can cleanse the scalp.

Keep your hair care tools clean. Use shampoo or body soap to clean them each week. It will keep your hair cleaner as you brush it. Use a comb to clean your brushes out thoroughly. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before using them.

Don’t use salt spray on your hair. While salt spray is great for creating beach waves and minimizing grease on your hair, it is also very damaging to your hair. After all, salt is a drying agent, so it will take all of the moisture out of your hair and leave it dry and brittle.

Make an effort to keep some of the oil in your hair when you shampoo. Even if you have oily hair, using a harsh shampoo that removes all traces of oil can actually create rebound oiliness in your hair. Rather, you should use the gentlest shampoos possible. Some people also just use conditioner about one or two times every week.

Try to avoid using hair products with alcohol as a main ingredient. The alcohol will dry out your hair. You should also be sure not to apply a hair product right onto your scalp. Doing this can irritate your scalp, and can clog up the pores on your head. Whether your scalp is too dry to oily, the end result will always be hair that isn’t its best.

If you find yourself free of dandruff after using a shampoo for that purpose, keep on using it. If you stop using that shampoo, it is likely that dandruff could reoccur because of the fact that there is no cure for dandruff. The shampoo you are using is keeping it away, so you should keep using it.

Beware of cotton pillowcases. Cotton pillowcases can cause your hair damage through the night when you toss and turn. The hair catches on the cotton and breaks and splits. You can try wearing a silk or satin head wrap on your head when you are sleeping at night to protect your hair from damage.

Braiding wet hair and letting it air dry can add instant texture, volume and style that costs nothing but a few minutes of your time. If you find wet hair a challenge to braid, work on dry hair and mist your hair well with water, when done with your plaits.

Use hair gel to smooth down any hair that is loose or out of control, when you braid your hair or put it up. Put some gel on your fingertips and rub in onto the hair that does not want to stay in place. Direct the hair where you want it to go.

There is no better feeling than the confidence that goes along with a great head of hair, and the right style. Using the help from this article, you should now be armed with the knowledge to make strides in your hair care routine. You will love the feel and look of your hair, every day.