Solutions for snapping hair

[MiaWallace]

I'm trying to grow my hair but it keeps snapping.

I used to have my hair dyed blonde, but have gone back to my natural colour to limit the damage.

I tend to leave my hair dry naturally, and only use my GHDs about once a week.

My hair is so badly damaged that I tend to pull it back in a bobble, I know this is probably making the problem worse, but my hair look terrible if I leave it down.

I use Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner.

Please help with any advice.

what kind of bobble are you using?
have you asked your hairdresser about it?
Is it the Herbal Essences for dry / damaged hair?
A deep conditioning treatment every so often can really help, even if it's just your normal cnditioner slathered on really thick, pinned up in a clip and left on for 20min while you clean the bathroom.

the bobbles I use tend to be just the cover elastic band types.

When I asked my hairdresser she just tried to sell me some very expensive products from the salon (I know she's on commision for them so was reluctant to buy them)

Yes the Herbal Essence is the dry/damaged one. Is there any other good products worth trying?

Gentler bobbles may help - ones cut from old pairs of tights are good because not only do they not break the strands, you can't pull them so tight that they break the hair at the root too. The plastic 'claw' grips are good as well.

Whatever you use, putting it up in the same style every day means the same bits of the hair get stressed - vary between high or low ponytails or try a plait so the band's near the end.
Would an alice band or a scarf-type band (good cheap ones in Primark etc) help it look better when it's loose?

Maybe also try a wide toothed comb rather than a brush and don't brush it when it's wet.
I like the Boots Henna and Horsechestnut intensive conditioner because it comes in a huge bucket so you don't feel bad about losing lots, but lots of people swear by the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle stuff even though it's expensive. Might be worth doing a 99p sachet every couple of weeks if you can't run to the bottles.

Although you are growing it having it trimmed regularly will help keep it healthy. You may well find that if damage from the bleaching is quite bad you may not be able to grow it as long as you'd like until it grows out. You don't need to buy expensive products - there are loads of deep conditioning products on the market. Use a mild everyday shampoo or a moisturising one designed for coloured/ damaged hair and,if you can, don't wash it every day as this strips it of the natural oils that keep it healthy. I also recommend you try a larger softer hairband like a small scrunchy.

Some great tips there, thanks.

I do tend to wear it in the same style everyday, and of course the damage is where the bobble holds the hair.

I'm also guilty of brushing my hair when it's wet, plus I wash it everyday.

Think I will invest in the Aussie conditioner, a wide toothed comb and some hair clips.

Thanks again.

Get some of the butterfly-style clips, they're great for twisting it all up out of the way. You just stick 3 or 4 in at the top using trial and error and voila: scruffy glam!
PS they don't have to be pink from Claire's Accessories, Boots and Superdrug do nice brown tortoiseshell effect ones.
Or try a low plait instead of a bunch.