Actress Nawarat says she enjoys changing her hairstyle to play different roles in movies.

WE all have a complex relationship with our hair. Some take pride in their carefully manicured locks, while others seemingly ignore them. Many unfortunate people have no hair left at all.

According to author Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, a man’s hairstyle can even indicate his personality.

“Hair is often an excellent predictor of someone’s self-image and lifestyle,” the author of Reading People: How to Understand People and Predict Their Behavior – Anyplace, Anytime says. “Your hairstyle can reveal how you feel about aging, how extravagant or practical you are, how much importance you attach to impressing others, your socioeconomic background, your overall emotional maturity, and sometimes even the part of the country where you were raised or now live”

For some people, healthy hair is essential for their job. Actress Nawarat says she spends a great deal of time keeping her hair in tip top shape.

“I always use a conditioner that is suitable with my hair and make sure to keep it clean all the time. I’m always consulting with my hair stylist,” she says.

She says she enjoys changing her hairstyle to play new characters.

“Light brown is my favourite colour and I love my current short-cut style. I think that it’s useful for all kinds of roles,” she says.

Actress Lin Zar Ni Zaw says she has always had long hair since she was a teenager and wouldn’t consider cutting it shorter.

“Although I like the trendy hairstyles some other people have, I don’t want to change as I like long hair,” she says.

She admits long hair requires a lot more maintenance and has even had to switch to imported shampoo to save time.

“I used to wash with traditional shampoo but I had to wash it so many times so so, I switched to a foreign-made shampoo made with natural products,” she says.

“And I don’t use coconut hair-oil any more, it’s not really stylish these days. I just apply product at the tip of my hair instead of the root because I have oily hair.”

For those who travel frequently, it can be difficult to get into a regular hair-care regime.

Ma Kay Khine Myo, who is attending a business tourism course and works as a tour guide, says she spends most days outside with clients and sometimes has to go on trips.

She says she makes sure to pack a small kit with her favourite hair products when she travels.

While she doesn’t bother with hair extensions anymore – “they’re difficult to keep and can look silly sometimes” – she said she always keeps an eye on the new trends in hairstyles.

Here are 10 easy tips for keeping your hair healthy, from author Dr Kyaw Thet Khine, Ma Hla Kay Thwe from Hla Kay Thwe Beauty Training School and www.latest-hairstyles.com.

1. Eat nutritious food. Make sure you get enough exercise and sleep

2. Wash your hair at least two or three times a week

3. Apply conditioner after shampooing

4. Rinse your hair thoroughly after applying oxidation cream, conditioner or shampoo

5. If you’re in a dusty or smoky environment, protect your hair with a hat or scarf

6. Regularly wash objects that are in contact with your hair – hats, towels and pillow cases

7. Make sure not to touch you hair when applying cosmetics

8. Avoid brushing or combing your hair too frequently

9. Treat your hair at least two times a month at a salon

10. Choose a hairstyle that suits both your facial shape and your environment.