New year’s resolutions can seem so exciting when you’re creating them — from getting fit and reading more to learning a new language or getting a new job, it always seems like the world is your oyster come January 1 each year. However, some resolutions can be surprisingly hard to achieve. Most take serious motivation, unwavering commitment, and dedicated time. No wonder so many people throw in the towel by February and just make do with the status quo.

But if you’re starting the new year off with specific #hairgoals in mind — whether it’s to add length, increase shine and health, or say goodbye to that annoyingly itchy scalp — then you’re in luck! It’s the perfect time to make a fresh pledge to loving your locks and it’s never been easier to stick to your promise. Are you ready to make 2019 the year of haircare resolutions that actually work?

Simply vow to follow these five tips (no cheating!) and you’ll be well on your way to having the hair you’ve always wanted:

1. Avoid chemicals at all costs.

So many haircare products are filled with dangerous ingredients, such as parabens, harsh sulfates, silicones, phthalates, and artificial dyes. These compounds can irritate your scalp, clog hair follicles, disrupt hormones, irritate skin, contribute to hair loss, and are even linked to cancer. Your hair and skin deserve better treatment than that — they deserve to be bathed in clean ingredients that improve your health instead of harming it. That’s why Briogeo's proprietary "NOVA Complex" — which stands for Natural Oils, Vitamins and Antioxidants — is at the core of every single product formula. This helps establish a foundation for long-term healthy, nourished, and beautiful hair. As part of your 2019 haircare resolutions, say goodbye to any products in your shower or hiding in your bathroom drawers that don’t meet these strict standards and you’ll already be one step closer to luscious locks.

2. Start with your scalp. 

Great hair health begins with great scalp health. If you’ve been using chemical-filled products up until now, you likely have product build-up caking your scalp. So let’s start the new year with a clean slate! Our Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo infuses Binchotan charcoal to draw impurities from the scalp and hair follicle to provide the foundation for optimal scalp health. Its vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators remove dead skin cells and product build-up, while its cooling blend of peppermint and spearmint oils reduces scalp itchiness. We included tea tree oil for its healing properties (which reduce scalp irritation and inflammation), plus the coconut oil for superior moisturization. Be sure to follow-up with its matching conditioner — and if you’re looking to take things to the next level, don’t miss our stimulating therapy massager.

3. Loosen up. 

Yes, those tight ponytails, braids and top knots are oh-so-chic, but they are also putting extra strain on your mane. And the more pulling and harsh accessories you subject your hair to, the more likely your hair is to be damaged — it could even contribute to hair loss. Plus, if you’re prone to headaches, this could also be an underlying factor. Use these sleek styles as a last resort on a truly bad hair day, or just for a couple hours on a hot date or for an IG-worthy social event. Just remember to always let your hair down before you climb into bed so that it can rest while you do.

4. Lay off the heat.

Don’t worry your pretty little head of hair – we aren’t talking about your beloved styling tools (although these don’t do your hair’s health any favors). As part of your haircare resolutions, make sure to apply Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Crème first before applying any heat. In addition, can we also agree to keep things a bit cooler in the shower? Hot water actually revs up your sebaceous glands, which speeds up the production of sebum — and that makes your hair greasy faster (which leads to excessive washing, which is also bad for your hair)! See how it all comes full circle? But don’t worry, you don’t have to stand in the shower shivering. Just choose a warm temperature rather than a scalding hot one for the majority of your shower and then finish with a cold rinse over your hair.

5. Mask and You Shall Receive 

Scheduling deep conditioning hair masks in your routine 2-4 times a month is essential to achieving hair goals. Just remember, as with any dry hair treatment, always check labels and be sure your conditioning hair mask is free of silicone, phthalates and other nasty synthetic additives. We recommend using our award-winning Don't Despair, Repair! deep conditioning mask which is formulated with our unique NOVA Complex. This mask quenches hair with an optimal blend of B-vitamins, rosehip & argan oils, algae, and biotin to replenish damaged hair to its shiny, lustrous glory.

Now you have to admit: These certainly sound more manageable than swearing off pizza or learning Mandarin, right? After a few months of making a concerted effort to follow these haircare resolutions, we know you’ll fall in love with the results and keep up your new habits for a lifetime!