Have you ever ran your fingers through your hair and audibly heard that "Please, moisturize me!" sound?

You know what I'm talking about.

It sounds as if you just slid your hand down a piece of cardboard.

Yeah. That sound.

If so, this is for you.

There are four factors at play when we're talking about how to make your hair softer.

Hair Texture

This first factor is obvious. The more coarse your hair is, the more hydration it needs. Sometimes, we can get caught up in thinking that coarse hair is "bad" or unmanageable, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. Each hair texture has its own needs and its own set of rules, if you will, when it comes to keeping it healthy. If your hair is more on the coarse side, cool. You'll just need to hydrate it more often.

Hair Density

While texture refers to the type of hair (curly, kinky, coily, straight, etc.) density refers to how thin or thick it is. Typically, people who grow their hair out from a fade or short cut find that they have to put in a bit more work to keep it hydrated. Thicker hair needs more hydration and more hydration means it'll be softer.

Environment

When the weather is dry, hot, or humid, your hair may mimic those conditions. Upping how often you apply leave-in conditioner during these times will help for sure.

Lifestyle

The more active you are, the more moisturizer your hair needs. When we sweat from running, boxing, or doing other workouts on a regular basis, our hair will need to be replenished. Drinking your fair share of water and eating healthy foods like fruits and green, leafy vegetables play a big part in the health – and consequently the softness – of your hair, too.