My hair journey has been just that, a JOURNEY 😅! Most of you don’t know this (unless maybe you know teenage Sneji), but I was a die-hard blonde for most of my teenage years and early 20s. The constant hair bleaching, coupled with my curly texture, resulted in some major damage. My hair was brittle and dull, and it never really lived up to its curly potential. I eventually chose to embrace my natural hair color and focus on nourishing it with the right products and healthy hair habits. And what 👏 a 👏 transformation 👏! Over the years, I have managed to transform my hair into a silky, shiny mane that I’m incredibly proud of and get complimented on. The Modern Nonna Hair Guide is all about spilling my hair secrets that took my hair from dusty to deluxe 💁🏻‍♀️!

Why Trust The Modern Nonna

You guys already know I am extremely diligent with the research 🧐 I do when it comes to products I use or supplements I take. I won’t endorse anything I haven’t personally tried and tested, because it seriously irks me when people promote products they don’t actually believe in or use themselves 😤.

With that being said, my hair journey (and what eventually became The Modern Nonna Hair Guide) was full of trial and error moments and extremely frustrating at times. Not everything labelled as “healthy” for your hair truly delivers a desirable result. You better believe I read the fine print. I tested and re-tested products. I tried different brands, asked for recommendations and read tons of reviews. Eventually, I found the perfect cocktail of products that not only revived my hair, but gave me the length I always dreamed of sans extensions (no shade to my extended girlies) 🫶.

Things To Keep In Mind

I can’t believe I have to say this, but if I don’t, someone will inevitably come for me claiming my recommendations didn’t work. Say it with me 🗣️: hair type and hair texture differs from person to person. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. Having said that, the suggestions I share in this guide are suitable for all hair types.

For context, I have thick, wavy-to-curly hair with a mix of type 2 and type 3 curl patterns. My strands are fine, but there are a lot of them. I also like to wear my hair both straight and curly, so I gravitate towards products that are versatile and work for both styles. My mindset is, why keep 3769398 hair products 🧴 when a few solid staples can do it all? That’s exactly what The Modern Nonna Hair Guide is about – sharing my healthy hair habits and holy grail products that keep my hair thriving.

Shampoo & Conditioner for Hair Health

Just like flawless makeup starts with proper skin prep (TikTok taught me 😌), sleek, shiny, healthy hair starts in the shower 🚿. When I began living a more low-tox lifestyle, I started really paying attention to the ingredients in my beauty products – shampoo/conditioner included. I looked for shampoos without harsh sulfates, synthetic fragrances, parabens or silicons. You may not think these additives are a big deal, but over time, they can strip natural oils, disrupt hormones and block moisture absorption. Scary stuff 😳!

Choose Better Ingredients

If you want your hair to thrive, focus on ingredient lists that are simple and clean 🧼. Natural shampoos and conditioners have many advantages. Since they don’t contain any harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances they are gentler on the scalp. If you’re someone with a sensitive scalp like me, you know this is a huge deal. In addition, instead of stripping the scalp and hair of their protective oils, natural shampoos help preserve the hair’s natural moisture barrier. This means less frizz, dryness, and breakage over time, which is key for maintaining healthy hair. Reduced chemical exposure also means less irritation, allergic reactions, and negative impact on the environment 🌎. Not to mention that natural ingredients are much gentler and safer for color treated hair because they are less likely to strip away dye, allowing color to last longer.

Ingredients To Look For

When looking at shampoos and conditioners (or hair products in general), look for minimal 🤏 ingredients. A minimal ingredient list means less synthetic nonsense, better quality ingredients, and overall, more transparency. More importantly, look for ingredients that are in line with your specific hair goals. Ingredients like aloe vera 🌱, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and chamomile extract can soothe irritation, combat dandruff, and stimulate blood circulation to promote a healthy scalp. If you struggle with dry, brittle hair, coconut oil, shea butter, argan oil, and jojoba oil are all great for moisture and conditioning. If you want more of a detox effect, look for ingredients like sodium coco-sulfate, coco-glucoside, and decyl glucoside for cleansing without harshness. Strengthening and hair repair? Look for rice water protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein or plant-based keratin for ironclad locks 💪.

Hair Growth 101

My dream was to have that “are those extensions?” length, but years of bleaching left my hair dry, damaged, and breaking before it could get there 🥲. This changed when I began hair oiling. I discovered Amazing Hair Saviour (use code: HAIR for a discount) through my friend Amber, the founder, who created it to regrow her own hair after alopecia areata. Not only did it work, her hair flourished, and she set out to help others achieve thicker, stronger, longer locks. This plant-based blend of rosemary 🌿, black seed oil, almond, and coconut deeply nourishes, hydrates, and revitalizes hair. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and designed to boost density while reducing shedding.

My Hair Oil Glow-Up

When I started using the oil, I noticed that my hair was much softer, shinier, and my scalp itchiness and dryness was completely gone. But after using it weekly for about 8 months, I noticed how much my hair had grown. I’m talking thick hair all the way down my back! Even the thinning parts around my hairline were growing baby hairs 🥹.

I typically use the oil on my hair wash days. I work a dropper into my scalp, massage it in, and leave it on for the day before washing it out. You can also apply it at night, sleep with it in and wash your hair in the morning. The point is, if you use it consistently and stay patient, you will have the locks of your dreams – just be ready for the extension accusations 😏.

Dry Shampoo But Make It All Natural

I was so impressed with Amazing Hair Saviour and Amber’s products that I knew I wanted to collaborate 🤝. We’re both passionate advocates for non-toxic beauty, so an all natural hair product only made sense. And just like that, Amazing Dry Shampoo came to life. A refreshing dry shampoo with aloe vera, rosewater, and mint that hydrates, soothes, and revives hair. It lifts roots, adds volume, and extends your style. The best part? It’s perfect for all hair types.

A…Wet…Dry Shampoo?!?

I know what you’re thinking – but yes! The Modern Nonna Hair Guide is all about sharing hair secrets that prioritize scalp health, and Amazing Dry Shampoo is exactly that. Most conventional dry shampoos use harmful chemicals like talc, synthetic fragrances, preservatives and aerosol propellants. Not to mention they are known to cause clogged follicles, dryness, brittleness and inflammation.

Amazing Dry Shampoo has 3, and ONLY 3 all natural ingredients. No hidden nonsense – just aloe vera, mint and rosewater 🌹💦. This formula hydrates and nourishes the scalp, supports healthy growth, and soothes dryness. It balances pH, adds a fresh natural scent, revitalizes with a cooling feel, and uses natural ingredients to gently absorb excess oil for clean, vibrant hair. Spray the dry shampoo directly on oily parts of your scalp, and for optimal results, blow dry and style hair after use.

But the fun doesn’t stop there 😉. Because this is an all-natural product, you can use it to refresh your curls, or as a natural skin toner or hydrating face mist! Amazing Dry Shampoo is the definition of a holy grail product that does it all!

Game Changing Hair Habits

Aside from the must-try hair products I mentioned in this hair guide, I want to take a moment to talk about some game changing hair habits that truly made a difference for me. Healthy hair isn’t just about what you put on it, it’s also about how you care for it day-to-day. These are some of the habits I’ve adopted (and still stick to) to keep my hair in its best possible shape – the very habits that define The Modern Nonna Hair Guide approach to healthy, happy hair.

1. Give the hair coloring a rest ✋

Who doesn’t love a good hair color transformation? I get it – I miss my blonde hair sometimes too. However, if you’re struggling with dry, brittle hair, and you color it often, it’s time for a break. This doesn’t mean you can never colour your hair again. It just means it’s time to space out those balayage appointments, or let your natural shade grow until your hair feels stronger and healthier. Transitioning from bleach blonde to full brunette wasn’t easy – I went trough 13 stages of awkward ombre. But it was well worth it, and gave me a fresh start to embrace my natural color, love my texture again, and truly revive my hair.

2. Get regular trims 💇🏻‍♀️

A bit counterintuitive, no? If I want long locks, why would I keep trimming my hair? Trust me, I had the same mindset. However, once my hair stylist educated me on why trims are important for hair health, I really understood the assignment. Firstly it prevents split ends from spreading, stopping any hair damage from moving higher and causing breakage. This helps your retain more length over time and keeps your hair looking thick and healthy. I go and get trims every 10 weeks or so. But, how often you should get trims depends on your hair type, length, and goals. Here’s a general guide:

• For very damaged or chemically treated hair: Every 6–8 weeks to prevent breakage from worsening.
• For long hair or growing it out: Every 10–12 weeks to remove split ends without losing too much length.
• For medium-length styles: Every 8–10 weeks to keep the shape fresh and ends healthy.
• For short cuts or precise styles: Every 4–6 weeks to maintain the cut’s structure.

3. Limit heat 🔥

This one is pretty obvious, but I still have to mention it. If you’re on a healthy hair journey, limit the amount of heat you use on your hair. Heat makes your strands more brittle and prone to breakage, strips moisture and causes split ends. Therefore, limit the frequency, or use heatless tools like the viral heatless curling rods. If you absolutely must use heat, or you’re thirsty for a bouncy blowout, use heat protectant and lower the heat setting on your blow dryer and/or curling iron.

4. Do regular hair masks 💆‍♀️

Hair masks are important for reviving your hair because they deliver intense, targeted nourishment that regular conditioners can’t match. I use a hair mask every 1–2 weeks, switching up the type each time. I usually go for natural masks with minimal, all-natural ingredients. If you prefer DIY, here are a few tried-and-true recipes you can make with ingredients you probably already have at home:

• Dryness & Frizz – Coconut oil + honey → deep hydration, locks in moisture
• Brittle/Weak Hair – Avocado + olive oil → repairs, strengthens
• Dullness/Shine Boost – Banana + yogurt → smooths cuticles, adds elasticity & shine
• Scalp Irritation/Itch – Aloe vera + argan oil → soothes scalp, nourishes roots
• Thinning/Fine Hair – Egg + olive oil → protein strength, softens & adds body
• Oily Roots/Dry Ends – Aloe vera + lemon juice + coconut oil → balances oils, hydrates lengths
• Heat Damage/Breakage – Shea butter + jojoba oil → repairs, seals in moisture

5. Use a satin pillowcase 🛌

I always thought satin pillow cases were one of those bougie things that weren’t necessary. But, as a curly haired girlie, I am here to tell you – it’s very much necessary. Cotton pillowcases create more friction, which can cause hair to snag, tangle, and break. Satin’s smooth surface lets hair glide over it, reducing damage. Less friction also means fewer knots in the morning and smoother hair overall, which is especially helpful for curly or textured hair. Also, cotton tends to absorb natural oils and hair products, leaving strands drier. Satin doesn’t pull moisture from your hair, helping it stay hydrated and soft.

6. Getting to the root cause 👩‍⚕️

I am by no means a medical professional, and this is not medical advice – just a girl speaking from experience. Sometimes, hair loss and brittle hair is a sign of something deeper going on in your body. In my opinion, the best way to fix a problem is by addressing the root cause. Visiting a physician or naturopath to examine your hormone levels or identify any vitamin or mineral deficiencies can provide valuable insight into why your hair health might be suffering, and how to go about improving it.

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