Maintaining beautiful and healthy hair need not be expensive, providing you follow a few smart strategies to achieve the desired tresses on a budget.

Here is my guide to happy hair care tips, with minimal effort, for stronger healthier hair without having to spend a lot of money.

Choose affordable, high quality hair care products

You don’t need to buy the most expensive hair care products as there are many affordable ones available in the market these days.

Experiment with one that is suitable to your hair type, like moisturizing shampoos for dry hair and those that add volume for fine hair.

Wash your hair less frequently

You don’t want to wash your hair too often or you will strip it of its natural oils which are essential for hair nourishment. The resulting dryness can lead to breakage, dandruff and annoying tangles.

So wash your hair not once, but twice a week with a moisturizing momo hydrating shampoo. To hold out between washes use an invisible dry shampoo.This will clean the hair without leaving any residue.

Apply coconut oil once a week

Coconut oil is one of the most affordable and best DIY beauty and hair care product. Lather up your hair with coconut oil at night once a week preferably on Saturdays, till all the hair feels slick and wet. Tie it up in a bun, cover your pillow with a towel and rest your head on it.

To avoid the hair becoming waxy, rub a shampoo through the hair without any water at first. As the shampoo soaks in, work up a lather by adding handfuls of water and then rinse it all out. Do a second shampoo and follow up with a conditioner and another rinse.

Use an old shirt to dry your hair

Traditional cotton towels can be tough on the hair and the ones made of silk are pretty expensive. So swap your towel with an old shirt to dry your hair with it.The cloth of the shirt is much more softer and gentle on the fragile wet locks

After drying the hair with a shirt rub a small amount of a leave-in conditioner between the fingers and apply it evenly through the hair ends, but not rubbing it in the scalp. Finish with a quick brush with a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair breakage.

Shop smart for hair care

Look out for sales, discounts and coupons when buying hair care products. Buying in bulk can also save you a lot of money. Consider investing in store-brand of your favorite products as they offer the same quality, but at a much lower price.

Healthy diet is important for hair care

Stick to a balanced diet which is rich in minerals and proteins to promote hair growth and add strength to the strands.

Include high protein foods, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A,C and E as well as iron in your diet. This is not only beneficial for hair but overall body health as well.

Limit hair styling

Excessive use of heat styling tools can lead to breakage and hair damage. In order to save money and protect your hair at the same time, use a heat protectant spray to create a barrier between the heat and your hair.

Reduce the use of curling irons and hair blowers and instead opt for heat-free styling methods like braiding or using a microfiber towel to dry your hair and then apply a hair smoother.Then comb the hair straight and let it air dry.

Key takeaways

• Choose affordable but good quality hair care products.
• Trim regularly
• Limit heat styling
• Incorporate a healthy diet
• Adopt a gentle hair care routine
• Smart shop for hair care