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The 9 Hair Commandments For Healthy, Happy Hair

18th November 2020

18th November 2020

By Shivraj Bassi

Your hair is a barometer of how you’re doing in life. Tangled, unwashed, and in a messy bun? You’re either hungover or skipped a shower after your gym sesh this morning. Shiny, styled and smelling fresh? Someone’s having a good day! 

There are so many things in life constantly demanding your attention that hair care can slip down the list. But you deserve a fabulously healthy head of hair that makes you smile when you look in the mirror and doesn’t clog your shower drain. We’ve put together a simple list of hair commandments that won’t eat into your self-care time, but will ensure happy hair and a happy you. 

Check your hair type

First things first. It’s impossible to be sure of the best way to care for your hair unless you’re sure of what you’re dealing with. Luckily, there’s a simple way to do it. 

Hair classification runs from 1a, which is completely straight, to 4c, which is tightly coiled. What pattern you are will determine how you should wash and condition your hair and the best products to style and care for it. Are you blessed with the s-shaped curls of a 2c? You’ll need a moisturising shampoo and a wide-toothed comb. Stick straight 1a? Consider skipping the conditioner if you want lots of volume. 

Rethink how you wash

Whatever your curl pattern (or lack of one), washing your hair too much isn’t good for it. A daily shampoo can strip the natural oils away from your scalp which make your hair shiny and soft. If you’re prone to grease, consider investing in a good dry shampoo and stretching the number of days between washes, which will save you both time and energy. 

If your hair is curly, you may be able to cut washing it down to once a week or even less. Consider wearing a protective hairstyle, many of which actually work better on hair that has some grip to it - buns, braids and topknots are all cute choices. 

Condition correctly

For curly guys and gals, a deep conditioner is a must. And no two minutes jobs here - it’s important to give your hair time to absorb the precious moisture that conditioner gives your locks. Try applying a conditioner before you work out and wearing your hair up, then rinsing it out in the shower afterwards. Who doesn’t want a toned body and soft, silky mane?

If dryness isn’t something you struggle with, it’s important to only apply conditioner to the ends of your strands not the roots, as this can lead to grease and slipperiness which will ruin your ambition to have a flawless crown braid. 

Choose your style carefully

Switching up your styles is a great way to care for your hair. Just as you wouldn’t wear the same clothes every day, a daily blast of heat and strong styling products isn’t the way to go. You can still bring out your hairdryer when you want to look your best, but consider air drying your hair to ensure that it stays healthy. As a bonus, using less heat will mean your colour will stay looking fresh and bright for longer. 

Always use protection

Hair can be damaged by heated tools and UV light, so spray some on before plugging in your straighteners. When drying your hair with a hairdryer, never hold the nozzle too close to your ends as it can cause them to split and look fluffy. And if you’re spending lots of time in the sun, a hair sunscreen prevents scalp sunburn (never a good look) and prevents crispy, dried out strands. 

Brush gently

Yes, we know you’re in a rush to shower because you’re hungry for your deliciously nourishing protein shake breakfast. But tugging and pulling on tangled hair just leads to breakage. To avoid having a matted mess for a mane, brush gently and slowly from the bottom up, and resist the urge to drag through any knots. 

Avoid brushing when wet, as hair stretches more when it’s sopping and that could mean more strands snapping. A wide-toothed comb or brush such as the Tangle Teezer is a great investment if you wake up looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards. 

Trim often

We know it’s annoying to have to sit still in a salon chair when you’d rather be smashing your personal best run time or perfecting your swan dive into the pool. However, regular trims are undeniably the best way to keep hair looking thick and healthy, as well as keeping your colour looking on point. While the myth that trimming regularly makes hair grow faster is a myth, it does create the illusion of more growth by eliminating straggling ends and uneven layers. Every six to eight weeks is a good guideline. 

Luscious locks start from within

We know that you know this already, but the saying that you are what you eat really is true when it comes to hair. Nutritionally speaking, hair cells are the last tissue your body prioritises, hence why hair falling out is a common symptom of stress. Staying hydrated and eating foods high in proteins and amino acids will give your hair the best chance of staying healthy and happy.  

Eggs, berries, nuts, fish, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes are all on the list, as well as any of Innermost’s protein blends. We'd recommend The Health Protein for its dark berries packed with antioxidants or The Fit Protein for its rehydrating minerals, which could make all the difference to your hair post-workout.

Be consistent 

As with exercise, it’s what you do every day that counts, rather than what you do on special occasions. Maintenance is key - find a routine and products that work for you, then stick to it. You’ll be swishing your way to having a good hair day every day before you can say shampoo. 

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When it comes to improving your fitness levels, lifestyle and nutrition are key. From the number of hours of sleep you get each night to your daily nutrition and everything in between, each is as important as the other. This extends to finding the right protein powder to fuel your workout routine. Yet today more than ever, what goes into that shaker bottle now goes beyond macros and muscle; more and more people are asking themselves – ‘how does this protein powder align with my religious values and beliefs?’ While we’ve spoken before about our clean, research based and ethically sourced ingredients here at Innermost, this time we want to get a little more specific with a focus on halal and halal protein powder. With so many voices and fluff information around, it can be difficult to know exactly what protein is and isn’t halal friendly. That’s why we’ve put together this nifty guide. We’re going to break down all the myths and everything you need to know about halal protein. What you should be looking out for, what makes proteins like whey halal friendly as well as the benefits that halal friendly protein can offer to your body.  Right, let’s get into it. What is halal protein? I’m sure most of you are already aware of halal, but for the 1% of you that might not be, let’s take a step back and ask: what is halal protein? Halal – meaning ‘permissible’ in Arabic – refers to any food product that complies with Islamic dietary laws as stated within the Qur’an and Islamic jurisprudence. This makes it a core element of Islamic faith and a key cornerstone of their commitment to leading a pure and disciplined life under the guidance of Allah. Some of the key guidelines for halal foods include: Halal friendly ingredients – certain ingredients are not permissible under a halal diet, including pork (and any byproducts), alcohol and blood. Other animal products can be halal as long as they are killed in accordance with the ethical treatment guidelines below. Ethical treatment of animals – For non-pork meats to be considered halal, animals must be treated humanly and responsibly during their life. This includes: Having access to clean water and nutritious food. Being raised in a free-range and stress-free environment. Not being subjected to cruelty, abuse, or unnecessary suffering. The process of killing any animal must also be quick and humane to be considered halal, with any suffering kept to the complete minimum. Importantly, to be considered halal, the name of Allah must be pronounced during the humane killing to ensure the sanctity of life is recognised throughout the process. No cross contamination - During the preparation process, halal foods must never come into contact with non halal foods. This means no cross contamination between preparation surfaces, equipment used, the handling of foods and storage. As such, ingredients such as milk can be halal however it depends on the production process and if additional non-halal additives (such as gelatin) are added. So, what does this mean for protein?  Essentially any animal protein is halal as long as it adheres to the guidelines we’ve mentioned. The best way to tell is that products – such as Innermost proteins - will be certified halal friendly on the packaging. Is protein powder halal? So, with that said you might be wondering: is my choice of protein powder halal? The truth is that protein powder can absolutely be halal, however it entirely depends on the ingredients used as well as the overall production process. Common protein sources like whey, casein, egg white, and plant-based proteins (such as pea, soy, or rice) can all be halal if they are sourced and manufactured in compliance with halal standards. While many of the larger brands do not meet these standards and cannot claim to offer halal protein, our range of Innermost protein powders and supplements are all certified halal, emphasising our dedication to ethical sourcing our use of clean sourcing without additives. From our pea protein fuelled (and vegan) The Health Protein, The Fit Protein, to our whey protein powered The Strong Protein and The Lean Protein, all our products are sourced in a halal-compliant manner. Benefits of halal protein powder You hear it all the time when it comes to ethical and dietary beliefs – ‘a vegan diet isn’t good for you’ or ‘a vegetarian mix can’t possibly have the nutrients you need. The reality is, that adhering to these sorts of values within your fitness routine and diet can have great benefits for the body. Halal protein powders are no different; they offer a range of benefits for individuals who are conscious of both their health and dietary requirements. Just some of the benefits of halal protein powder are: Clean ingredients: With halal protein powders, you can be confident that there will be no harmful or questionable ingredients/ additives such as silica. What does this mean? Your body has an easier job digesting and absorbing all the good stuff, ensuring you get the most out of your supplements. Quality protein: Halal protein powders use complete protein sources, ensuring your body gets all the amino acids it needs for effective muscle repair and growth.  Ethical production: We’ve mentioned plenty of times already, but that’s just how key ethical and clean production is to making protein halal. By avoiding things such as additional additives and cross contamination, your body is fuelled with a safer and more trustworthy supplement. Supports fitness and wellness goals: Whatever your fitness goals; halal protein has you covered. From building muscle to losing weight, the absence of excess sugars or fillers ensures you are best placed to smash your targets. Common misconceptions about halal protein powders With so much noise and no real answers around halal proteins, we thought it would be helpful to list of some of the key misconceptions regarding the diet and what the actual truths are. All vegan protein powders are halal Given that so much of halal is driven by animals and their ethical treatment, you might just assume every vegan protein powder is halal because it is made of.. well, plants. The reality however is that vegan proteins aren’t necessarily halal – it all comes down to the production process. While Innermost vegan proteins are proudly halal certified, other protein powders can be produced with alcohol-based flavourings, non-halal emulsifiers, or might be processed in facilities that handle haram products – leading to cross contamination – not good! Is whey protein halal? On the other side of the spectrum, whey protein – being a byproduct of milk – is generally considered to be haram. Again, the truth is that whey protein can be halal provided that the milk is taken from cows that were treated ethically and within halal principles. Today, there are many halal-certified whey protein powders that are safe and effective for Muslim consumers. Halal certification doesn’t matter There is often an assumption made that if the ingredients look clean then the protein must be halal – regardless of certification. The truth is that what makes something halal goes beyond ingredients. Production and sourcing our also key factors that many companies do not consider. With halal certification on your favourite protein powders, you can be sure that every step—from sourcing and production to packaging and distribution—has been reviewed and approved according to strict halal standards.  Is Innermost protein powder halal? In short, yes. We at Innermost make it our mission to not only aid in muscle growth and recovery, but also to create protein supplements that are ethically sourced and rigorously tested to ensure individuals of any faith can smash their fitness goals.  Unlike competitors, our proteins are clean and built with the highest quality of ingredients and free from unnecessary additives and artificial ingredients.   We are proud to say that all our products are officially halal certified making them a suitable choice for those following the halal beliefs. This certification ensures that all ingredients and manufacturing processes meet Islamic dietary laws, with no use of haram substances such as pork derivatives or alcohol. With this in mind, why not check out our range of Innermost supplements to find out more about our halal proteins?     Read more
Why Creatine is Having a Moment
If you said “creatine” ten years ago, most people would’ve pictured a guy at the gym, slamming a protein shake the size of a fire extinguisher. Fast forward to today, and creatine is gaining more traction than ever – but not for the reasons you'd expect. It’s not just about size or strength anymore. It’s about mental sharpness. Recovery. Longevity. Hormonal support. Healthy ageing. And while it’s long been the most studied supplement in sports nutrition, new research is changing how we think about it – and who it’s for. Let’s break it down. First: What actually is Creatine? Creatine is a naturally occurring compound your body produces (and you get in small amounts from red meat and fish). It’s stored mostly in your muscles and brain, where it helps regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – your body’s main energy currency. In plain English? It helps you produce energy faster and more efficiently. That’s why creatine’s been a staple for athletes and weightlifters for decades – because it enhances performance, power, and recovery. But that’s just scratching the surface. Reason 1: The science has evolved The benefits of creatine aren’t limited to physical performance anymore. In recent years, researchers have started to uncover its role in cognitive function, mental fatigue, and neuroprotection – especially under stress or during sleep deprivation. A 2021 systematic review published in Nutrients found that creatine supplementation “may improve short-term memory and intelligence/reasoning” – particularly in people who are sleep-deprived, stressed, or ageing . Another study in Psychopharmacology found that supplementing with creatine significantly improved working memory and information processing speed in healthy adults . We're also seeing promising links between creatine and age-related cognitive decline. There’s emerging evidence suggesting it may support brain health in older adults – acting as a protective buffer against neurological degeneration . In short: creatine is no longer just a “performance” supplement. It’s increasingly viewed as a daily health essential – especially for your brain. Reason 2: Women are in – and rightly so Historically, creatine marketing catered almost exclusively to men. The packaging was aggressive, the messaging all about muscle mass, and there was a persistent myth that creatine would cause bloating or bulkiness. It’s no surprise women stayed away. But now? That narrative is breaking down fast – and the science is doing the talking. Studies show that creatine may be especially important for women – particularly through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Research published in Nutrients highlights that creatine supplementation can support muscle strength, bone density, and mood regulation in women during and after menopause . It’s also been shown to help maintain lean muscle mass and support cognitive function during hormonal fluctuations – making it a powerful ally for long-term wellbeing. And no, it won’t make you puffy. The “bloating” myth comes from a misunderstanding: creatine draws water into your muscle cells (where it belongs), which actually supports performance, hydration, and cell integrity. This isn’t about bulking. It’s about feeling energised, strong, and supported in your body – no matter your life stage. Reason 3: It’s not just for the gym anymore The old creatine image was all about barbells and bench presses. But modern life demands more than just gym gains. We want to feel good, stay sharp, move well, and perform in life – not just during workouts. Creatine helps with all of it. Whether you're training hard, working late, chasing your kids around, or trying to keep brain fog at bay – creatine supports energy production, improves recovery, and sharpens your thinking. Even endurance athletes, office workers, and biohackers are getting in on the action. One study found that creatine enhanced oxygen consumption and reduced fatigue during long bouts of aerobic exercise . Put simply: creatine helps you show up as the best version of yourself, wherever life takes you. Reason 4: You’ve got options now Here’s the good news – the supplement industry is finally catching up. Gone are the days of industrial-sized tubs and confusing dosing instructions. At Innermost, we’ve reimagined creatine in a way that’s clean, purposeful, and fits into real life. At innermost, you’ve got two simple options: The Power Booster – our pure, pharmaceutical-grade creatine monohydrate. Zero additives. Just high-quality creatine in its most effective form.The Strong Protein – our intelligent protein blend for strength and recovery, with creatine built-in alongside nootropics, anti-inflammatory ingredients, and functional adaptogens. One blend, multiple benefits. Both options are designed for people who care about their health, performance, and clarity – not just their biceps. FINAL THOUGHTS Creatine isn’t new. But the way we understand it - and who it’s for - absolutely is. It’s not just about muscle. It’s about mood. Memory. Mental sharpness. Movement. And supporting your body through every season of life. Whether you’re lifting, learning, leading, or just looking to feel a little more like yourself again - creatine could be one of the smartest additions to your daily routine. Read more