My holistic and amazing London hair stylist Amanda shares her 8 secrets for healthy hair with us – and why we should really care!

Amanda Jami is a minimalist hairstylist with a passion for sustainable beauty and expert for natural looking, healthy hair. Her aim is to empower women to feel confident with their hair.

“Hair is way beyond the superficial. There is a deep psychological connection between our grooming, self care and how we go about our daily lives. The more we care for ourselves and take the time to feel beautiful, whatever that means for you as an individual, the stronger we feel when we go out into the world.” She says.

1. Holistic Hair Health 

A holistic approach to hair care takes all things into consideration, from what we consume to the roots and tips of our hair. Proper nutrition, our pillowcase, the products and even the water we use all contribute to our hair health. As conscious consumers, we ask questions about the source of the products, the ingredients used and the effect our products have on the environment, because ultimately what is best for the environment is often best for our health too. 

2. Water Filters

Hard water causes a build up of calcium and magnesium compounds on our hair. This results in dull, brittle hair that is more likely to be frizzy and fragile. This problem is really easy to resolve by installing a hard water filter in your shower. The difference to your hair and skin will be immediately noticeable, it will stay cleaner for longer and be softer and more vibrant. 

3. Silk Pillow Cases & Hair Ties 

Switching over to a silk pillowcase and silk hair ties have enormous benefits to our hair. Silk is less absorbent than cotton and won’t soak up our hair’s natural oils which are essential for our hair health. Silk is also less abrasive, causing less knots and friction on our hair during the night. Fewer knots mean less brushing, which in turn results in less breakage. 

4. Organic Hair Color & Products 

Harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens and many other unpronounceable ingredients are commonly found in shampoos. These chemicals are often very abrasive and damaging, causing frizzy and brittle hair as well as allergic reactions. Not only do organic products benefit our hair as they are made with natural ingredients, they are also better for the environment as less chemicals are washed out of our hair and into our water systems. 

5. Heat Protection 

If there is one product that one should never skip, it’s this one. Heat styling and thermal stress is one of the leading causes of damage, color fade and even breakage. Heat protection spray is the safety belt of hair products and for anyone who uses hot tools an absolute must. One should also use professional heat styling tools. Ceramic irons are the least damaging to the hair with an even heat distribution, while supermarket grade hairdryers tend to be too hot and not fast enough. 

6. SPF Protection

SPF protection for our hair and scalp is often overlooked. We are so used to applying it to our face and body, but forget about our hair. Excessive sun exposure can cause our hair color to fade and can result in dry and brittle hair, not to mention that a sunburned scalp is no fun! I recommend O-way Sun Protective Elixir. 

7. Choices of Salon

When searching for a hair salon, I advise asking what products they use and if they take a sustainable approach to beauty. Organic products contain natural ingredients that are less damaging to the hair. At SMUK London we use O-way, an organic and ammonia free color line. We also use paper not foil, which is a sustainable replacement for foils made from recycled materials which we wash and reuse. An average salon uses 2km of tin foil each month, which ends up in landfills and takes over 400 years to degrade. 

8. Regular Cuts for Healthy Hair 

How often to trim will depend on whether your hair is chemically processed and the general condition. For natural hair that is in good condition, a trim every three to four months is usually enough. For more damaged, dry or chemically treated hair one should aim to trim approximately every eight to ten weeks. The important thing to remember is that once your hair is split at the ends, the split will travel up the hair shaft and worsen if not cut away. 

I met Amanda at SMUK London 2 years ago. She’s currently based at the chic eco-friendly beauty and lifestyle studio in Belgravia. SMUK London’s accessible luxury services are done in a design-led and relaxing interior that contributes to wellbeing as per the Hygge concept of life. Hygge refers to finding comfort, well-being, pleasure, and warmth in simple, soothing things such as a cozy atmosphere or the feeling of friendship and cherishing the little things.

Follow Amanda here: amandajami.com –  instagram.com/amandadoeshair

Book an appointment with her here: www.smuklondon.com