Q: I'd like to purchase a new hairbrush to help wrap my hair at night. I'd like to buy a boar bristle brush but the bristles look like they will be too rough on my relaxed hair. Is it ok to use?

A. People tend to be afraid of these brushes because their bristles are hard and rigid. However, this stiffness allows the bristles to penetrate the hair, stimulate the scalp and distribute natural oils.

The bristles are collected from boars, sterilized to remove bacteria and then fitted into the brush base. The boar hair actually absorbs and carries the oil, distributing it along the hair shaft. This creates shiny hair that will become healthier with consistent use.

Does your hair have trouble holding a style or curl? Does your hair look weighed down and lackluster after a few days? Here are a few tips that can help you achieve thicker, fuller, longer lasting hair!

1. Wash with a Protein Based Shampoo

A protein based shampoo like Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair, will add thickness and luster to the hair. Just make sure to only lather once as this shampoo can be a bit stripping. Follow with a moisturizing conditioner to provide your hair with the right amount of moisture and protein.

2. Work with Air

Before heading out for the day, flip your head over to give your roots an instant lift. Finger comb or smooth hair back into place and you are ready to go!

Looking to add curls to your hair without buying expensive steam rollers and curling irons? Check out these three cheap and easy ways to add soft, long-lasting curls overnight!

1. Rag Rollers

Using an old bed sheet or satin pillowcase, tear or cut strips of material that are about an inch wide and six inches long. Roll one inch sections of hair and tie ends into a knot or bow. Spritz hair with leave-in and hit the sack. Unravel in the morning for soft waves.

2. Twists and Braids

Apply a light moisturizer to the hair and gently detangle with a wide tooth comb. Take two sections of hair and twist or braid tightly. Secure ends with a satin covered roller. Spritz hair with water or a leave-in conditioner. In the morning, unravel, fluff and go!

If you are looking to update your hairstyle for the spring (without a new cut or color), check out the triple barrel waver!

It creates soft, feminine waves that can instantly transform any hairstyle. The iron works great on long, short, natural or relaxed hair.

Just airdry, roller set or blow dry hair and use the iron to create deep, sexy waves. Use a heat protectant before curling and finish with oil sheen or a light oil.

If you look on the back of your shampoo or conditioner bottle, you might have seen words like methyl paraben, propyl paraben or ethyl paraben and wondered what they were.

Parabens are preservatives used to prevent microbial growth and extend a product's shelf life. The FDA considers the amount of parabens used in cosmetics to be safe, however, some people can still develop allergic reactions on the skin or scalp.

If you are suffering from rashes or an irritated scalp, it might be worth it to switch to an organic hair product line that uses natural preservatives like Vitamin A, C and E.

My personal favorite all natural line is Aubrey Organics. The conditioners, in particular, work extremely well on relaxed, natural and transitioning hair and their products are 100% paraben free.

Due to its high lecithin content, eggs have amazing conditioning and moisturizing properties. If used once a month, eggs can make your hair thicker, softer and more voluminous.

Mix one egg to 1/2 ounce of your favorite shampoo, let penetrate for a few minutes and then rinse and condition per usual.

Or, apply a beaten egg to wet hair and let dry for 10-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm (not hot) water and shampoo and condition as usual.

For best results, finish with an apple cider rinse as the egg can leave a light film on the hair.

Your hair will be soft, shiny and full of volume!

Q: I spend a lot of time on my hair and like to wear it out as often as possible. However, as soon as I step outside, the winter wind ruins my style and leaves me with a head full of tangles. Any advice?

A: The harsh winter wind can rough up the cuticle scales on the hair shaft, making it easier for the hair to tangle and knot. To make matter worse, as soon as we step inside, we reach for the comb or brush, ripping it through our tangled tresses in an attempt to salvage our hairstyle. This causes unnecessary breakage and can severely damage our fragile strands.

My first suggestion is to loosely pin up your hair before heading outside. A butterfly clip or loose pony will help protect your hair from the wind and keep your hairstyle intact.

Check out the following tips on how to spice up your hair for the spring without the long term damage!

1) Natural Highlights

To bring out your hair's natural highlights, apply a 1/2 cup of honey to your (dry or wet) unwashed hair. Cover with a hot wet towel and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo and condition.

With 3-4 weeks, you will start to see natural light brown highlights in your hair.

2) Waves

Waves are a great way to soften your hairstyle for the spring. Instead of wrapping your hair nightly, make four vertical sections and braid the hair, securing the ends with a satin roller. Try to make the sections as uniform as possible.

If you are in the market for a new setting lotion, check out Nairobi Foam Wrap!

Unlike most setting lotions, Nairobi's foam wrap does not leave the hair sticky, hard or dull. It helps create super soft, touchable curls that will last all week.

It costs $10 and will last about a month or two (if used weekly). The only downside is that the wrap foam can be hard to find in some areas so you may need to order it online.

So, if you are looking for a new setting lotion or wrap foam, you might want to give Nairobi a try!