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The weekend is the perfect time to give your tresses a rest. (Photo: PeopleImages/Getty Images:)

Got a little time on your hands this weekend? Then you can make your hair silkier, softer, healthier and more manageable. It’s a great time of year to pamper your locks since falls dryer air is on its way.

When it comes to our hair, the first thing to remember is less is more. That’s why the weekend is the perfect time to give your tresses a rest. While you are napping, enjoying a movie or kicking back free of your workday gear, you can give your hair a break, too. Here are a few simple ways to use natural products to give hair a boost:

  1. Turn off the heat. Put away the hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons. Heat — even the lowest setting on the most expensive iron — dries and breaks hair. Declare this a heat-free weekend.
  2. Pick a protective style. Select a simple bun, braid, ponytail or afro puff for a couple of days. A style that can be achieved by just brushing your hair up or back without styling products or irons or any stress.
  3. Join the no-poo crew. Shampoos, no matter how gentle, strip your hair of oils. That’s why it’s best to at least occasionally replace your shampoo with a pure, gentle conditioner, especially one that’s free of synthetic chemicals and toxins.

Just massage the conditioner into your hair and coat your strands, paying special attention to your scalp, and rinse. You won’t miss your shampoo. If you are a purist and you are not worried about your hair color, you can use pure aloe vera juice. Or, try Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner; it’s especially kind to dry hair. If you want a fabulous, organic color-safe product, nothing beats Intelligent Nutrients Harmonics Conditioner; its rich in anti-oxidants and an anti-aging treatment for hair.

  1. Put away the products. Styling products can be drying and the chemicals can irritate your scalp. This weekend make your own, super-rich, moisturizer from Mother Nature and put the rest of your gels and sprays away. Food-grade coconut oil is one of the best oils for hair; it penetrates the shaft, making is softer and stronger. Use it alone or mix in jojoba, avocado or grapeseed. Massage a generous amount of oil treatment into damp hair and style.
  2. Feed your scalp and strands. Foods rich in vitamins B, A, C and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for soft, strong hair and a healthy scalp. Plan weekend menus filled with kale, spinach, salmon, pineapple, carrots, oranges, and other fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water and fresh vegetable or fruit juices instead of your weekend cocktail. Alcohol dries out hair and depletes your body’s store of vitamins and minerals.
  3. Get some rest. Sleep loss is a form of stress and it has a terrible effect on your hair. When you are in deep sleep, your body regenerates and balances your hormones (key to hair growth and health). If you are exhausted, your locks will eventually suffer, so turn in early for the next few days and plan to get at least seven hours each night.