Getting ready in the morning can be a tedious endeavour for many women; there are simply too many things to do and too little time.
You have to make your bed, press your clothes, prepare breakfast and do a million other things before you even think about walking out that door.
But one of the more labour-intensive parts of your morning routine is probably dealing with your hair.
If you’re a mum, there may be even less time for you to properly tame that mane.
After all, you need to make sure your kids are dressed and ready first.
Here’s how to style those tresses with minutes to spare on the clock.
Try Some Dry Shampoo
The one thing that women with long hair can’t afford to do is wash their hair every day.
First, it’s impractical and time-consuming.
And second, it’s damaging to your follicles.
And some women tend to bring out their hairdryers when they’re pressed for time.
Which may further weaken your hair, causing breakage and split-ends.
But just like every other place on our body with skin, our scalp produces natural oils on a daily basis.
These oils protect the skin from pathogens and other contaminants, and keeps it moisturised.
But they naturally build up overtime, giving your hair a greasy feel, which no one wants.
So instead of washing your hair, use some dry shampoo, which contain ingredients like plant starch and alcohols that absorb grease from your scalp.
They clean your hair without you needing to introduce even a drop of water.
Bring On the Baby Powder
If you don’t have any dry shampoo on hand, some baby powder will do the trick.
Baby powder is made from talc which is a natural oil-absorbing compound.
However, just like with any other commercial dry shampoo, you shouldn’t be using baby powder on your hair more than two times per week.
Not because it will damage your hair, but because inhaling too much talc, and too often can cause upper respiratory problems like coughing and chest pains.
But other alternatives exist that are much safer for daily use.
Rice flour or rice starch, oatmeal powder, clay powder, and arrowroot powder all make wonderful dry shampoo alternatives.
If you’re worried that they may leave a residue on your luscious locks, then use a hairdryer (with the ‘cool’ setting) to blow the excess away.
You don’t want to walk around looking like a ghost.
Use the Right Brush
It’s important to pick and use the right kind of hairbrush for your locks.
The general rule of thumb is to always use a wide tooth comb instead of a fine-tooth comb.
A paddle brush or a roller brush are good options.
But the ideal type of brush is the bristle brush which is ideal for detangling hair, loosening kinks, and distributing product evenly.
They’re also much gentler on the scalp than normal brushes.
However, if you are a Muslim, be careful when buying bristle brushes. Because some of them may be manufactured from boar hair.
Another good tip about brush hair is to avoid doing so on wet or damp hair.
This can often weaken follicles and cause breakage, which you don’t want.
While you’re at it, decide on some simple, easy hairstyles for your go-to everyday look. It’ll save you so much time.
Use a Leave-on Hair Conditioner
You don’t need to wait for your weekly wash to give your hair some well-needed TLC.
A leave-in hair conditioner will keep your tresses soft, healthy and manageable throughout the day.
Some good ingredients to look for include coconut or argan oil, aloe vera and shea butter.
But make sure to not overdo it.
Too much can leave your hair a bit greasy.
So, make sure to always use your dry shampoo before using any styling products in your hair, including things like leave-in conditioner.
If you lead an active lifestyle or if you are fitness junkie, you may need to find a good oil-free product.
Because hair products do tend to build up overtime, you definitely have to wash out your hair at least once or twice a week.
Pay close attention to your scalp as that is where the product buildup naturally accumulates.
Invest In a Good Sleeping Cap
One good way of making sure your hair requires less prep-time in the morning is by wearing sleeping caps.
Depending on the manufacturer, sleeping caps can look like normal shower caps or elegant turbans.
Silk is usually the recommended material for these kinds of accessories.
But satin, chiffon or other soft fabric is ideal too.
Now, you may be wondering how sleeping caps saves you time.
Well, aside from keeping your hair in place throughout the night, they also prevent frizziness and split ends.
Most women will make do with a hair band but this doesn’t entirely protect your hair from literally being slept on.
Your hair also tends to get snagged on the covers as you toss and turn.
So, a sleeping cap will ensure your hair is protected, so you wake up with fresh, perfect locks every time.
Treat Your Hair Well
While more of a prevention than a cure, giving your hair regular treatments ensures that it behaves throughout the week.
This is especially true if you have frizzy or textured hair.
Or when you’re going through hormonal changes such as from your menstrual cycle.
It’s so important not to mistreat your hair, which we all tend to do when we’re in a rush to get ready or when we’re impatient.
So, during the weekends when you do shampoo your hair, make sure to add some extra TLC as well.
And this should not only include conditioners. Consider other healing treatments too like herbal or botanical hair wash and a hair tonic or hair oil.
You can also DIY your own hair mask to treat specific problems like oiliness, dandruff or dryness.
Yoghurt, for instance, helps with frizzy hair; avocado helps with damaged or dry hair; and banana gives you a nice, healthy shine.
Tame That Mane
Wrangling your hair in the morning doesn’t have to be a chore, especially if you take the correct preventative measures.
While these quick cures will help you in a pinch, taking the long road will yield much better results going forward.
Some women breeze through life without a single bad hair day to speak of.
But others may need some extra help taming their frizz.
For those of you who fall in the latter category, it’s important to make sure you pay close attention to the two final tips.
So, take the weekends to really show your locks some tender loving care.
You’ll end up with a well-behaved head of hair in no time.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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