You're Beautiful!

Stepping outside the bathroom with wet hair on a day when US East Coast was battling severe heat wave, I walked towards the bedroom window and soaked some fresh air. The tiny drops of water falling from my hair were keeping me cool and the confidence of having healthy hair was keeping me content. I put some iced tea in my glass and a thought crossed my mind, I took few wet strands in my hand and asked them, ‘Are you happy now?’

Three years back when I was living in my hometown Ambala, I had gorgeous hair; but after my marriage, things changed...or should I say I stopped caring about them? A newlywed who was busy adjusting to the new city and new life, forgot even her hair was coping with some adjustment. With no care and devotion from my side, they started losing shine and bounce. I blamed it on Bangalore and its monsoon. I started oiling my hair more often, thinking it would end my woes, but I failed to pay attention to the actual problem.

Oiling should be done in moderation in monsoon; don’t leave oil on your hair for a long time. Apply oil, leave it for 2 to 3 hours and wash; it will condition your hair and they won’t be dry. With proper oiling method, my hair was manageable but it didn’t gain the earlier texture. I accepted the status quo, believing age was playing its role. And before I could have deliberated more, I moved to Noida. I should take a pause here!

Think of hard water and Noida comes to my mind. Drinking that water is out of question, using it for daily chores equals depreciating your property and bathing with it is awful. It was the most dreaded autumn of my life...my hair became omnipresent; under the couch, on the cushions and wherever I went I left few strands behind. My husband started teasing me, ‘You leave your DNA wherever you go!’ I would smile at my own misery. One day while combing my hair I noticed my skin was unaffected by the water; my hands were smooth as silk. I was using the same water. ‘What’s wrong with my hair?’ I moaned. I gazed at the glass counter where I proudly displayed my face wash, lotions and creams and realised where I was wrong! I knew my skin...I talked to it, felt it, and pampered it; daily, weekly, monthly. I didn’t do that with my hair, I was indifferent towards them.

I, then realised, that with constant change in location, I needed a product that answered to all my problems. I had to choose a shampoo that suits my hair, like I choose a lotion that suits my skin type. I worked over, asked myself some questions and picked Dove Hair Fall Rescue Range.

Five Questions You Must Answer Before Choosing The Right Shampoo

1 What kind of hair you have?  a) Normal  b) Dry  c) Oily  d) Colored

2 What is your primary hair problem?  a) Hair Fall  b) Dandruff  c) Split ends  d) Rough and Frizzy Hair

3 How often you wash your hair?  a) Daily  b) Once a week  c) Twice or Thrice a week

4 What type of weather affects your hair the most?  a) Summer  b) Winter  c) Monsoon

5 Are you allergic to any chemical/drug?  a) Yes  b) No www.sarusinghal.com

I felt the difference after the first wash itself. I coupled my Dove products with other treatments; applied yogurt once a week, oiled them before wash and went for some extra pampering in the spa. It ended my losing streak and my locks were back on the old shiner self. They seemed happy and healthy. I was overjoyed. The transition from good to bad to ugly and then back to good and beautiful was a learning experience. Flaunting my beautiful tresses, I moved to another country this time.

When I came to Boston, I brought my personal care supplies that lasted a month. Boston has a perfect weather and water, and with no hair fall I was no longer required to use the Dove Hair Fall Rescue Range. Sticking to the same brand, I shifted gears to a different range – Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner. And I didn’t stop indulging in oiling and pampering my hair, I understood even my hair needed extra care. My stay in Boston was the best - perfect weather, water and hair. But sadly my perfect hair stint lasted only six months...

Hackensack, NJ shattered my perfect hair image within a couple of weeks. Water quality in Hackensack has been ranked 40 out of 100, though the US average is 55 (statistics as per US Environmental Protection Agency); as a result my hair became frizzy, brittle and started falling. I shifted to Dove Intensive Repair Range and as expected it worked again. I also learnt that I was not very particular about my comb - I worked on that flaw as well; choosing the right comb and knowing how and when to use it is very crucial in maintaining your hair - after all it’s the most important hair tool.

Comb - The Right Hair Tool

Use your own comb. Don't share it with anyone.

Choose the right comb for your hair.

Never use close teeth comb on wet hair.

Use comb that don't have sharp ends, like we do it with our toothbrush.

Keep your comb clean. Soak it in vinegar and lemon to get rid of dirt. www.sarusinghal.com

My confidence in Dove has increased over the years...whenever I have had hair problems; Dove has always been to my rescue. And for me, who shifts base every few months, it’s a blessing. I need not wander store to store looking for my hair care products; from Indian Kiryana stores to Amazon, Dove is available everywhere. Without doubt, your eating habits, lifestyle and personal care defines your hair but which hair product you use to clean it is also very important. It’s all about making the right start. I switched to Dove and that was the end of my hair problems!

I was still lost in my thoughts when my husband moved his fingers between my hair and said, ‘You’re beautiful!’ As a poet and a wife, I can say that a thousand words woven to recite your beauty fall short in front of an honest compliment from your spouse after three years of marriage.

I smiled.

I was happy and beautiful, like my hair.

That was My Beautiful Hair Story; start writing yours at dove hair-aware app.

*This post is for 'Dove - My beautiful hair story' contest on Indiblogger.