Dear Madame Patriot,

Lately my hair has been extremely frizzy and dull looking. It looks dead at the ends and just cannot be tamed. I have always had thick, wavy hair, but it has never been this bad. Please help me bring my locks back to life!

Sincerely,

Mourning for my Mane

Dear Mourning,

No need to fear! The dryness of the air in the winter can often cause brittle hair and result in dullness. There are a few simple fixes to this problem. The first would be hydrating your body by drinking a lot of fluids. During the winter it is very cold out and we often forget to drink because the heat doesn’t remind us to. Make it a goal each day to drink at least 64 ounces of water to keep your skin and hair looking healthy. Another important factor in keeping your hair shiny and bouncy is to avoiding heated styling tools. When used every day, tools like blow dryers and flat irons can kill your hair due to high heat and improper use. Try to keep your hair natural more often to maintain a vibrant look. Yet another way to bring your hair back to life is to not wash it so often. It seems foreign to us to not wash our hair every day, because in our society that is seen as dirty or gross. On the contrary, not shampooing every day is actually better for your hair. Your scalp produces natural oils that enrich the hair with the nutrients it needs. If you are washing every day, you are actually stripping the scalp of its oils and not allowing it to do its job, which is to make your hair look beautiful! Shampoo every other day, and if you are prone to greasy hair, use dry shampoo to eliminate the unwanted shine. My final suggestion for your lovely locks is a hot oil treatment. To hydrate the hair even further, heat up about a quarter cup of the oil of your choice in the microwave. You can use coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or any other type that you have on hand. The oil should be warm, not hot. Apply the oil to hair and wrap in a towel. Keep your hair up for about a half hour and then wash it out in the shower and massage using circular motions to stimulate growth in the scalp. Best of luck, I hope my tips help you to find the perfect recipe for Rapunzel hair!

Yours Truly,

Madame Patriot