Friday

"Today is another opportunity."

Happy Friday! We’re wrapping up this week of self-care with:

• If box dye is more damaging to your hair than other options

• How to care for your hair in the winter

• We found it! The world’s first (actually) affordable eco-store

• Nighttime habits to keep your hair healthy

Is Box Dye More Damaging to Your Hair?

Coloring your hair can be a fun way to experiment with self-expression and personal style. However, is it safe to do at home?

Home, or “box” dye, is a popular method, long loved for its affordability — especially when compared to salon prices. However, it often gets a bad rap for damaging hair.

So what do experts say — is box dye really that much worse for your hair?

Box dyes typically have harsher formulas. They generally contain higher levels of ammonia, which can be more damaging to your hair, Real Simple notes.

While box dyes were historically much harsher than salon options, experts note they’ve improved significantly in recent years.

One factor where salon dyes have a leg up, however, is expert customizability. Box dyes are designed to be one formula that can work on a range of hair types, while when you go to a salon, they’ll custom mix a color formula for you.

This one-size-fits-all approach with box dyes means that the formulas are stronger. Some people may also end up dyeing their hair multiple times to achieve their desired result.

When all this is done without expert knowledge, it can be more damaging. However, experts also note that all dyes are technically damaging to your hair.

For example, most permanent hair dyes contain hydrogen peroxide and paraphenylenediamine (PPDA).

If you do your research, follow instructions, and are good about caring for your hair, box dye can give you solid results! However, if you’re at all worried about the turnout, it may be best to leave it to a professional.

How to Care for Your Hair During the Winter

With the winter months comes colder, dryer air — and that air can wreak havoc on our skin and hair.

Luckily, being proactive and taking steps to care for your strands can help prevent dryness and keep your hair soft year-round.

First and foremost, be gentle with your hair. With the lack of moisture in the air, your strands will be weaker and more prone to breakage. Take brushing slow, avoid tight styles, and try to avoid excessive heat.

You’ll also want to be selective with your products. Try a mild shampoo and look for those that promote moisturizing and hydration. Conditioner and hair oils will be your friend to prevent dryness!

While it may be tempting to warm up with a hot shower, avoid running scalding water over your strands and instead use lukewarm water. Hot water can dry out your hair.

Lastly, when heading out into the elements, protect your hair with hats, hoods, and scarves. This will minimize moisture loss from the cold and other elements!

Having a humidifier in your home can also help ensure the environment isn’t dry, and prevent your strands from feeling the effects of winter!

The World's First (Actually) Affordable Eco Store?

What if sustainable living didn’t have to come with a high price tag? That’s the idea behind Ecoternatives—a store dedicated to making eco-friendly living more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Unlike traditional zero-waste stores, Ecoternatives offers high-quality, plastic-free home products AT COST, without sacrificing ethics or sustainability. For example, their “Essentials” bundle, which costs $160 at leading zero-waste retailers, is available for just $79.95 at Ecoternatives.

And for the next 7 days only, you can save even more: Use code SELF5 for an extra 5% off.

If you’re looking for a meaningful holiday gift, Ecoternatives’ thoughtful, eco-friendly bundles are perfect for showing you care—both for loved ones and the planet.

This holiday season, give a gift that’s kind to the earth and your wallet. Don’t wait—shop now and use code SELF5 to save an extra 5% before the sale ends in 7 days!

Nighttime Habits to Keep Your Hair Healthy

When we go to bed, we may lay our heads down without giving a thought to our hair.

However, our nighttime habits — or a lack of them — can have a big impact on our strands’ health.

Here are a few tips to keep your hair healthy while you sleep:

• Avoid tight updos: Don’t go to bed with tight buns, ponytails, and elastics, which can cause damage and breakage.

• Choose a protective style: Lean for soft braids tied with a ribbon, a loose ponytail with a scrunchie, or a protected style in a bonnet or scarf.

• Consider your pillowcase: Pillowcases made from materials like cotton and linen can not only be rough on your hair, but they may also take moisture away from your strands. Materials like silk and satin will be softer and allow your hair to glide, keeping it sleeker and avoiding moisture loss.

• Don’t go to bed with wet hair: Your hair is in a weaker state while you sleep, and tossing and turning on it can cause pulling and lead to damage, including breakage.

These small, mindful habits can go a long way to contribute to your hair health!

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Hair can stretch 30% when wet! It's more fragile when wet, so it's important to care for your strands in this state.

• 🎁 Our Holiday Self-Care Picks: Don’t forget to check out our 2024 gift guide, a collection of thoughtful, wellness-focused products that help you feel your best, inside and out. Shop our gift guide here!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Consider what nighttime habits you can add to better care for your hair!

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!