This post is in partnership with Pantene. All thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Do you feel like the older you get, the more you want to be like your mom? When I think back on my early 20s now, I wish I had listened to my mama on SO many things (yes don't chase that boy, focus on myself, education and hard work will pay off… the list goes on). My mom is truly a hard worker and always taught me to take care of my body and mind first! Growing up in China, I never saw her wear make-up, but one thing she did do was stress the importance of healthy hair. This coming from a woman who had hair all the way down to her hips! I remember growing up wishing I had beautiful long, thick locks like hers. I have vivid memories of her letting me brush her long locks and we would laugh and bond over hair styles. Today, I am sharing my mom's 4 tried and true Chinese “hairitage” secrets, while answering a few commonly asked questions about my haircare routine!

1. Hydration – We hear it all the time; drink lots of water! Our bodies are made up of about 60% of water so it’s so important to stay hydrated. My mom used to boil pear and hydrate us with yummy pear water. My kids love this! Your body, hair skin all respond to the amount of water you take in. This is why hydrating your locks and sealing in the moisture in the ends is so important! I love melting the Pantene Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Serum into dry or wet hair! It instantly makes my locks easier to manage. My ends just DRINK THIS UP! I even pass it down to Kai and keep one in our pool bag for those hard to manage tangles out of the chlorine water.

2. You Are What You Eat – Did you know your body and hair can be healed from within? In the Chinese culture, soup is an important part of our diet. For example, during postpartum recovery, you are supposed to eat 30 days of soups which helps replenish the body with collagen and vitamins. Same goes for postpartum hair loss. We eat and drink lots of liquids and nutritious soups like chicken broth with tofu that is full of vitamin + protein rich goodies. When you are looking for a hair product, what you put in your hair matters. I am a huge advocate for more chemical free ingredients for better results. The new Pantene Nutrients Blends Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Collection is free of sulfates, parabens, dye, and mineral oil. It's all the moisture, rich goodness without the extra chemicals.

3. More Natural the Better – One of the things my mom used to do was use egg on my hair as a mask for my hair to help achieve that glossy hair appearance. At the time, I hated the way it felt but now I understand why she used to do that. While I don’t use egg treatments on my hair anymore, now I look for products that will help soothe and give me that same glossy hair. The new Pantene Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Shampoo + Conditioner have a nourishing formula with a blend of pro vitamin B5, antioxidants and Baobab Essence that gently cleanses without stripping for a healthy natural glow. Thanks to its hydrating properties, baobab essence has been used by Tanzanian women to treat skin issues, hydrate and elongate curls and protect skin and hair from the sun for centuries. Talk about all natural!

4. Sun Protection – With the hot days of summer upon us, UV protection is so important. We wear hats and use sunscreen to protect our skin. But what about our hair? My hair gets so dry and damaged being exposed to the summer heat. With the Pantene Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Serum, its hydrating formula melts in your hands to weightlessly quench parched locks and noticeably repair split ends for a healthy glow. If you take a dip in the pool, make sure to not skip the rinse!

When people say you got it from your mama, I will confidently and happily say I sure did! I am so grateful for my mom's Chinese hair wisdom and am so excited to pass them down to Kai! Learn more about the Pantene Nutrient Blends Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Collection at HEB here.