The Better Blog

As we enter our 50s, our responsibilities and stresses don’t look the same as they did when we were younger. Family dynamics shift, and work and social obligations can change. As the “sandwich generation” tasked with both childcare and eldercare, one in seven of us is financially supporting both a child and a parent. As we adjust to life after 50, we often find ourselves being pulled in many directions, which can take a toll on our health, well-being, stress levels and even our hair! 

When we think about finding balance in our lives, this is usually because we feel like we have become unbalanced in some way. One of the best ways to start the recalibration process is to identify what specifically is not working for us and switch up our routines to address the problem head-on. But this is much easier said than done. 

So, how can we recalibrate? 

We’re here to give you the scoop on four approaches to help you find balance during this transitional time and build resilience in midlife while even rediscovering yourself. Read on to learn more about how small changes to your daily routine can have a huge impact in your life after 50!

We all start new diets for a variety of reasons—trying to lose weight, dealing with inflammation, understanding food allergies and more. But when you go on a diet, a lot of different things happen with your body beyond your digestive system. For example, there’s a link between diet and hair loss and all your new diets will affect your hair—though it’s not always bad.

A lot of weight loss diets, however, can be really harmful to your hair because they’re restrictive. Depriving your body of vitamins and nutrients needed for hair growth means your hair will be crying out for nourishment. On the flip side, a diet for healthy hair can keep your hair strong and shiny. Keep reading for a look at some of the most popular diets and what they can do to your hair, as well as our pick of the best diets for healthy hair.

We’ve all been there: We finally find a sulfate-free shampoo that works wonders for us! Our hair feels clean, manageable and healthy. Friends compliment us and ask what we’re doing differently with our hair. Then slowly, we notice the results start to fade. Or perhaps it’s more an issue of inconsistent results.

Maybe our hair feels dry after we shampoo with our trusty repairing shampoo. Or, our volumizing shampoo gives great boost and sleek shine one day but allows our tresses to fall flat and frizz up the next. Or maybe our hair just never feels clean anymore, in general. 

It might be time to consider rotating your favorite sulfate-free shampoo with another great option. Read on to learn how switching up your shampoo can help address all your hair concerns!

On the first day of Christmas Better Not Younger sent to me, a daily hair-care routine with healthy hair tips and products sulfate-free! In the spirit of this celebrated holiday carol, we curated our very own list of healthy hair-and-scalp essentials to transform your aging tresses just in time for the holiday season.

Girls and their curls—it’s a complicated relationship. When all our styling efforts align, we love our curly hair. At other times, we can’t jump back into the shower or grab our flat iron faster for a hairstyling do-over.

Despite the whimsical ways of our curls, there are still some curly hair girls who embrace their ringlets rain or shine, while others haven’t let their curly locks see the light of day in years!

We caught up with two 40-something women with naturally curly hair. Ivy is a Wall Street exec in Manhattan who loves her tresses smooth and sleek. Annie is a creative marketer for a large nonprofit in Washington D.C. who steps out each and every day with her gorgeous red ringlets on full display.

You may have noticed that your hair grows faster or slower at different times throughout your life. Many factors can contribute to these fluctuations, and when we’re talking about slow hair growth, nutritional deficiencies, stress and hot styling tools are just a few of the culprits. 

But before we dive into all the reasons your hair grows so slow, it’s important to understand the hair growth cycle and how it can impact how fast or slow your hair grows.

Collagen is a protein that makes up our skin, hair, ligaments and bones. It is typically derived from fish or bovine connective tissue. Though collagen can now be made by using genetically modified yeast and bacteria, most collagen taken in supplement form is not vegan.

Many people choose veganism for numerous reasons—to benefit their health, address moral concerns, or even reduce their environmental impact. When practicing veganism, getting essential nutrients like collagen can be challenging at times, but there are alternatives.