Featuring Joy

Photo by Joy

What is your name? Joy.

How old are you? 42 years young.

Where are you from? All over the place but have lived in New England for the past 20 years.

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do: I’m a pedi nurse and single mom of 2 (now college aged) boys. I love to try new things, to travel and be outdoors when I can.

What are you currently doing for hair health and care? Overall, just taking care of my health and well being, trying to eat right, etc. I do take a hair, skin and nail supplement and multivitamin.

Are you using any natural hair products (if yes, what are they and what do you like or not like about them)? I use a mix of products. I use what works for me. Unfortunately price can be an obstacle when it comes to good natural products. Right now I’m using OGX Thick and Full shampoo and conditioner. Every third wash I use Lush Montalbano shampoo bar for brightening/clarifying. I also use a rinse made from Lush henna/coco butter bars every once in a while if I feel the gray hairs are threatening.

What works well for you and what doesn’t? I only wash my hair 2-3 times week or it feels over worked. Seriously, it’s ok to wear a classy pony or a sleek bun. I’ve found over the years that I can’t use many styling products due to having fine hair, they make my hair look dirty. I have opted to use a curl iron and a light hair spray only when needed. Using hair dyes or high lighting my hair as I started to see changes in my hair color didn’t work for me either, led to broken/damaged hair and hair loss, that’s why I started using a rinse made from the Lush henna bars when needed.

What do you like about your hair and what has taken some time for you to accept about your hair? I like the color of my hair, reddish brown with lighter streaks, it goes darker in winter months and lighter with natural highlights in summer months. The duplicity of my hair is a challenge, sometimes wavy and frizzy and other times straight and flat, and when I’m really lucky some insane combo of both. Ha ha. It has taken some time to learn to accept and work with my very fine hair.

What are some helpful tips you can share with other readers? First and foremost: do what works for you! Your hair is unique just like you. For me avoiding certain styling products and avoiding the over use of heat and hairdryers made a huge difference in my hair health. I do swear by a couple home remedies such as using a virgin olive oil or natural mayonnaise hair mask for deep conditioning, especially in the cold, dry months. Also, for anyone whose hair can’t make up its mind between wavy and straight, I suggest using a medium to larger curling iron just to curl everything in one direction and then brush out when cooled for a gentle wave. This worked better for me than a brush and hair dryer or a straightener.