How to have long, healthy and ageless hair

The fashion designer Carolina Herrera said that women over 40 should not have long hair as they look messy and ridiculous. “Women need to learn to age gracefully” -she added.

Well, like any human being in this planet, she is entitled to her own opinion but I completely disagree.

If you have nice healthy hair , then long hair at any age is wonderful and it will actually make you look youthful and slightly edgy. Salma Hayek has long hair in her 50’s, so does Catherine Middleton who is almost 40 and so do many women all over the world.

Over 40’s and long hair? Yes, please. Oh and someone should have reminded Carolina that people are entitled to their own views but not to their own facts.

If there is one compliment I get from strangers whenever I am in the world, it is “you have such nice hair!.What do you do?”.

My hair is natural and it is pretty much a genetic thing as both my parents have good quality hair. Aside from the good genes which was just luck, I also do look after my hair and in this post I’m sharing some tips on how to keep your long hair shiny, healthy, smooth and bouncy.

Like many women, the day I wash my hair, it is quite the ritual. The night before, I soak the hair in coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil and the morning after, I wash it with lukewarm water and add conditioner too.

Then, whenever I can, I go out and dry it naturally. Afterwards, once it is dry, I do a basic hair braid, and keep it like that for a few hours.

This makes my hair bouncy, curly and really soft. So here are some tips to keep your hair strong and voluminous for as long as possible whatever your age.

Use a Paraben free Shampoo and Conditioner

No chemicals, no nasty stuff. If you can’t find a Paraben free shampoo and conditioner in your local pharmacy or supermarket, then go for a “baby shampoo”, as they are soft and kind to your scalp and hair.

Many shampoos have a lot of chemicals and that is something you do not want in your hair. These days, you can find low cost “Paraben-free” shampoos pretty much everywhere.

Dry it in the sun

Wash it in the morning, ideally on a sunny day so you can dry it naturally in the sun.During winter, there will be days when you will need a hairdryer if outside is raining or damp but it is okay to occasionally use it , just make sure it is not on a weekly basis to avoid that much heat on your hair.

Avoid using hair straighteners or any other sources of heat

Have you noticed some celebrities with all the money in the world but awful hair? Hair that has been styled over the years so much that not only it looks unhealthy but stringy.

Overusing straighteners, curlers, hairdryers damages your hair. Period.Try to use them once a month or avoid altogether.

Hairdressers themselves tend to have hair that is quite damaged from the hair dyes, the heat, the blow-dries, the Brazilian keratin disasters.

You can do natural styling that won’t damage your hair at all , or add a bit of serum if you want to control frizzy hair.

Long hair is fine regardless of your age

If your hair is healthy and you love long hair, then go for it. Don’t listen to fashion magazines telling you long hair is only for teenagers.

What are we gonna do? Cut our hairs and hide because we are past 30?Never! Long hair rebels are exactly that, rebels!.

Beautiful women in many countries have long hair way into their seventies.

In Bolivia, the indigenous women have shiny and thick black plaits that look fabulous.

Indian women also have fantastic healthy hair way into their 70’s.

My mum herself, a beautiful blond woman, has always had long hair and it makes her look not only younger but fun, carefree and full of personality.

Add olive oil , or coconut oil for smooth hair

Since I was young, my mum used to soak my hair in an olive oil/egg yolk mixture at least once a moth. The result? The softest conditioner you could wish for and hair feeling silky and smooth.

Coconut oil or olive oil both work wonders and moreover, they are chemical free and 100% natural.

Avoid hot water, wash it with lukewarm water instead

It is hard in winter but if you can , make sure the water is not too hot as this can damage the hair follicles. In the summer I try to wash it in cold water as much as I can but in winter, lukewarm will do. The same applies to the skin.

And yes, I understand past a certain age, women get white hairs and whereas some are totally embracing their whites, majority of women like to cover them so hair dyeing is unavoidable.

Hair dyes can badly damage your hair and make it less smooth and shinny so ensure you condition, apply hair mask and look after this type of hair as much as you can.

If lucky, you will not get white hairs until your late thirties so avoid damaging your hair for as long as you can by embracing your colour, your hair and whatever mane mother nature gave you.

When it comes to hair, less is more and the less chemicals, the less heat, and less styling ; the better. Same as your skin has to breathe and needs a make up free day a few times a month, your hair needs a break too. Even if you don’t have that much hair, it will at least remain as healthy as it can for longer .

Fin

Never a bad hair day