NOW CLOSED What are your top hair care tips? Share them with Aveda and you could win a personalised three step hair care system worth at least £50

[KatieBMumsnet]

The folks at Aveda would like to know Mumsnetters' top hair care tips for different types of hair. Here's what they say: "Here at Aveda research is key to developing the best products for our customers and talking to men and women across the world about how their hair looks feels and changes through life. We'd now like to know what Mumsnetters think about their hair - be it a crowning glory or something you'd rather hide under a hat."

What are your best hair care tips? What problems does your hair type cause? Do you wish you had a different type of hair or are you happy with what you have? What's the best piece of advice you've been given with regards to keeping your hair healthy?

Also, you may have seen recently on MN that some MNers are trying out the new Invati range from Aveda, specifically designed to help thinner hair look fuller. If you have thin hair, do you have any tips to make it look thicker? Maybe you have a special drying technique or a use weird and wonderful hair mask? Have you tried any old wives tales that have worked wonders or failed miserably?

Whatever type of hair you have, Aveda want to know your top hair care tips. Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a personalised three step hair care system worth at least £50.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[HaggisMcNeeps]

Always rinse with very cold water -or as cold as you can manage- super shiny hair!

[CMOTDibbler]

I've got fine hair, but huge amounts of it. I wash 2-3 times a week, never use straighteners, and always wrap in a microfibre turban after initial towel drying so it is as dry as possible before blow drying.
I'm a great believer in trying to give your hair a day a week when you don't do anything past brushing it, and a deep cleanse and deep condition once a month

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

I have long, wavy, thick hair which is prone to frizz when our lovely weather isnt in the height of summer or not tied up.

After many years of battling with straighteners and perms (back in the early 90s) I have found Keratin - the non toxic Brazilian Blowdry. It is truly amazing.

A good haircut is worth its weight in gold and if you colour your hair then a shampoo suited to that particular colour helps the colour last.

My hairdresser is brilliant, it took me years to find one that could cut and style my hair to my liking.

[ThePortlyPinUp]

I find that switching the brand of shampoo and conditioner each time we finish one lot works for me, I was told to do this by a hairdresser friend and I don't know why it works but it does. If I stick to a brand for a couple of months my hair doesn't feel as good as if I switch brands.

[CheeryCherry]

I have thin but very curly hair, gets very dry and coarse on the ends. I. Have to wash it every day to untangle it and make it look half decent. I use frizz ease serum, its the only one that works for me.I would love thicker hair, and shiny hair...because it is curly it never seems shiny. I love it when it's straightned because it feels so smooth to touch...though it doesn't suit me as it looks so flat! It needs a trim every 6-8 weeks to get rid of the tatty ends. Best tip...when in the sun/sea/pool, wet your hair then put conditioner on as protection. It really helps me. As a youngster my mum and I used to wash our hair in dads failed home brew...made it nice and shiny!! Used to squeeze lemon juice in our hair in summer to 'bleach' it blonde...no wonder my hair is wrecked ;)

[RedKites]

I have dry, curly hair. After reading about the Curly Girl method, I have been doing my own version using sulphate-free shampoo, and avoiding silicones in conditioners and styling products. I have been pregnant most of the time I have been trying it, so it's a little too early to tell if I'll be sticking with it yet, but I am happy so far.

[Asinine]

My hair is drier now that I'm older, it used to be greasy. I think the main thing is to be gentle with it, don't over dry with heat, and avoid cheap colouring products. I use plenty conditioner and leave it on while I have a long bath.

[Mayisout]

I agree with changing your shampoo to a different one when you finish a bottle. Also with washing twice before and rinsing thoroughly before conditioning and drying.

My tip would be to waft your fringe with the hairdrier each morning then spray it with hairspray for a softer more flattering look.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

I have very thick straight hair. Higlights and heat styling have made the ends rather dry. So I use a very thick coniditoner on the ends only, not on the roots. I am not loyal to any brand of shampooh and conditioner though and change frequeently.

I swim every day so wear two swim hats to keep the chlorine out of the highlights!

[Lavenderhoney]

I have very very thick naturally curly brown hair which is layered gently and highlighted blonde and comes down past my shoulders. I have a wonderful hairdresser who cuts and colours which is a top tip- i found him as he stopped me in the street and handed me his card saying he would love to do my hair. But I have asked anyone whos hair is like mine and looks great where to get it done.

I wash it with colour shampoo and condition it with colour conditioner and half dry then leave it unless straightening it. I never let the shower rain down on the top of my head as a hairdresser years ago said it would force out the colour. Top tip- always wear a headscarf at a waterpark. Wrecks your highlights:) I found out the hard way.

My hair has always been the same, andi noticed no difference to getting older or pregnant apart from less bounce to the curl and it is a bit coarser, according to my hairdresser.

My mum is the same, no grey and thick as anything, but hers is a short bob.

I use a serum to help detangle it, a tangle teaser, and squirt with coconut oil to keep it shiny. If I put gels on it it goes clumpy. I also squirt it with whatever perfumer I am wearing.. I would pay for a hair perfume - roses or something:)

I keep emergency Vaseline in my bag for lips and eyebrows, and have been known to use it to hold the curls by smearing it on my palms and scrunching if out - I don't carry hair products round, my bag is too full with kids stuff!

I love my hair when it's straight as well, and swishy, but it's best when done by a salon, I struggle with straighteners:(

[bluebump]

My hair is long but very fine, a lot of products weigh it down and make the roots greasy. I tend to wash it every day but don't do any real styling during the week, I just put it up in a bun after blow drying.

At the weekends I use straightners or my Babyliss Big Hair and I tend to use my nicer more expensive shampoos/conditioners at the weekends too, at the moment i'm using the Umberto Gianinni Glam Hair range. I really like the styling products in this range as it makes my hair look bigger and thicker - the backcomb in a bottle is great and it smells nice too. I need to invest in a heat styling product next.

I tend to cut my hair myself - I do the MN hair cut! I am too impatient to go and get it cut and never seem to have a lot of time to go. I used to have highlights but now dye my hair brown myself but I still lose as much hair which surprises me as I assumed it was the peroxide making it fall out.

[TheHumancatapult]

I have very long red hair ( butt level ) and thick

One try not to use any heat on it and hair dryer a no no

Also don't use shampoo every time as it strips the hair just condition it ( I use shampoo probably once or twice a week )

I also found as its thick and wavy that products designed for Afro carribean hair works better . Though often to heavy for most it works fab on mine am fortunate that we have fab shop /hairdressers aimed for Afro hair who more than happy to give advice ( they were ones who said to try it )

[BellaVida]

I have long, straight hair. The hairs are fine, but I have a lot of it! It tangles easily, so a decent sized paddle brush is the only thing that gets through it.
It gets greasy at the roots, so I wash it daily with a mild cleansing shampoo and just condition the ends.
I rarely , if ever, use a hair dryer. I just wash it at night and let it dry naturally.
I stretch out my visits to the hairdresser as it can be expensive, but I do have a hair mask applied to keep it in good condition when it is coloured.
I have lost a lot of hair after each pregnancy, so I do worry about it thinning. If is starts to look straggly, I will try products and/or go for a shorter style.

[amarylisnightandday]

Drying my haut naturally means it sticks together at the ends and gets shockingly dry . I don't recommend this for coloured curly hair too often. This happens even if I use serum.

My best hair care tips for my hair type is for the colour - use dry shampoo do you don't wash it too often - twice a week tops for me even though it gets bit greasy - batiste will sort it out.
For the curls I use frizz ease liberally and Toni and guy salt spray which is quite gentle but boosts the curls enough

If I want it straight I wash the night before, use a lot of serum and blow dry them use ghds in the morning - all the fluff has been squashed over night and my hair comes out sleek and straight. I used to wash my hair and try and straighten it right before a night out - fool!
Lastly use a silver shampoo periodically if you have blonde hair, especially if you swim often it stops it going yellow

[Roseformeplease]

My hair is long and thick and takes ages to dry. It is coloured 2-3 times per year by a hairdresser and I have fair highlights added to my English mouse hair. It is cut in long layers, meaning it curls a little at the ends and is easy to manage. Occasionally, I consider a fringe to cover up my 11s but reject it as it would be high maintenance. I wash my hair daily as appalling dandruff results if I don't. I use Nizoral shampoo about twice a week and every other morning I use Body Shop Ginger shampoo. Because of eczema, I have to be careful of new products but this regime seems to help. I condition the ends and am more fickle about my conditioner. I then towel dry and tip my head upside down and blast it with the hairdryer, brush it through and I'm done. I own straighteners but use them very rarely. I am fairly lazy and, fortunately, don't have the kind of job that requires immaculate grooming.

Love my hair, however, tis still my crowning glory, even at 40+.

[SunshinePanda]

For my very thick hair I find the best way is to wash my hair in the evening (definitely not just before going out). Then when I dry a section I straighten that section before drying the next layer. By doing this my hair is much straighter than drying it all and then straightening afterwards. I also find a nights sleep flattens it even more.

[Grohlsgirl]

My best tip is to reduce frizz - I always end up using too much serum so these days I don't bother. Instead I give my hair a blast of cold air with the dryer once it's dry, this seems to prevent the frizz I used to get as soon as I step outside! People often comment on how shiny and healthy my hair is and I think that's because I rarely straighten it and only blow dry when absolutely necessary.

[rathlin]

What are your best hair care tips?

Dont put conditioner on top of head as it makes it greasy and limp
Hairdriers and hair straightners ruin your hair


What problems does your hair type cause?

None in particular

Do you wish you had a different type of hair or are you happy with what you have?

Wish I had curls!

What's the best piece of advice you've been given with regards to keeping your hair healthy?

Your diet affects your hair so eat well!

[GetKnitted]

don't blow dry curly hair :)

[MakeTeaNotWar]

I definitely see a difference in my hair depending on how hydrated I am - so it's no secret but 2 litres of water a day and my hair is in good nick, less and it is limp and dull looking. Also I use a tangle teaser to comb conditioner through my hair every day and it stops the ends from breaking.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Drink plenty of water, eat well, use a product with Keratin. Regular cuts.

[Elkieb]

My top hair care tips are; I always wash and lightly condition my hair. I use real hair hairbrushes like a denman as they cause less damage and last forever. I use a good product such as bed head 'rock' paste to create texture and volume. And I would actually cry if my hairdresser ever left. I'm not girly at all, but I love my hair!

[WeaselSoup]

Coconut oil!

I am evangelical about the stuff - it's cheap, has no nasty chemicals, has made my fine hair thicker, left it beautifully shiny and got rid of (or sealed them anyway) my split ends.

My hairdresser noticed the difference immediately when I saw her last month and I'd only used it twice at that point.

Was hair as normal, apply liberally to towel dried hair, wrap hair in towel (I use one of those turbi-towel things you can pick up in the pound shop) and leave for as long as I possible. I leave mine overnight.

Shampoo out - may need to shampoo twice to get it all out - and condition as normal. Tis amazing stuff!

I have long, fine hair with ighlights and this is keeping my hair in amazing condition. Am using it twice a week and I wash my every day or every other day depending on whether I have done any sport that day or not.

I used to tolerate my hair, a combination of good subtle highlights, good cut and now improved condition, mean I love my hair!

[Meglet]

I have wavy / curly shoulder length hair.

Loads of conditioner. I have never found a perfect brand but usually prefer the mid-range brands instead of the ultra-cheap and cheerful supermarket brands.

Wash it every evening and let it dry naturally, sometimes clipped back or tied in bunches. It hasn't been blow dried in over 10yrs. Sometimes use Argan oil and I think it has improved the condition over time, nothing stops the frizzes on my hair through.

Don't put colour on it, ever. I am not going to spend time and money fiddling about with hair dye. When I'm 60 I want to look like one of those cool old lady models who have fantastic grey hair .

Be very strict when at the hairdressers. Ensure they do not put big layers in as the shorter hair will PING up much curlier than the longer pieces. And refuse to let them near it with a diffuser as it always looks shit when they do, do hairdressers not usually deal with curly hair .

[Gentleness]

What are your best hair care tips?
How to deal with oily, limp hair? Counter-intuitive but a moisturising shampoo works wonders. I can also tell if I've not been drinking enough healthy fluids or had a poor diet over the past month - my hair becomes dull. Also, if your hair smells great, you can forgive it a lot!

What problems does your hair type cause?
My hair is fine and curly at the ends, so if it isn't in good condition and clean it looks limp and straggly AND frizzy.

Do you wish you had a different type of hair or are you happy with what you have?
I would prefer my hair to be just a little bit thicker and less oily so I could wash it every other day.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given with regards to keeping your hair healthy?
I no longer use any kind of hot drying - just a wide-tooth comb when wet and leave to dry. I rarely use any kind of styling product because my hair is just too fine. That's not from advice but from observing countless hairdressers recommending a product and showing me how to use it at an appointment before I buy. Within an hour my hair is limp and the curls are draggled and another product goes into the "don't buy" category. I've saved a fortune by insisting on this! Instead I concentrate on keeping my scalp in good condition. I use Scalp Benefits for a week every so often and it is a restorative but too heavy for constant use. And before I was pregnant I used Invati (?) to improve the thickness, and even just using the shampoo and conditioner really made a difference that lasted.