Summer is a harsh time for hair, especially African American hair. In some climates, the humidity in the air causes hair to become frizzy and unmanageable. In other climates, the air is so dry it leads to breakage. Proper hair care techniques can help you avoid some of the pitfalls associated with summertime locks.
Shampooing
African American hair is naturally very curly. The tight corkscrew curls make it difficult for natural oils from the scalp to travel down the entire length of the hair, causing African American hair to become overly dry. Dry hair is hard to manage and unhealthy. Dry hair can be frizzy and unruly, and it is more prone to breaking apart from the shaft.
During the warm summer months, avoid shampooing hair more than once or twice a week. Shampooing strips hair of its natural oils, causing it to dry out. In the summer, when the air is already dry, shampooing is even more detrimental to African American hair. In addition to limiting the number of times a week you shampoo your hair, use a moisturizing shampoo that contains amino acids, panthenol and keratin every time you wash. A moisturizing shampoo will help your hair retain some moisture necessary to keep it looking healthy and shiny.
Conditioning
African American hair needs a lot of conditioning, particularly in the summer. Proper conditioning can help prevent breakage and frizz. A good conditioner will coat and protect the hair shaft from humidity.
Use a conditioner that contains shea or cocoa butter on your locks daily. You can use a leave-in conditioner or a regular conditioner that must be rinsed out. Wet hair slightly so that it is damp and apply the conditioner from roots to tips. If you're using a conditioner that must be rinsed out, leave it in your hair for about three minutes before washing it out.
Once a month, use a hot oil treatment or deep conditioner. These treatments are designed to fully immerse hair in moisture to fight frizz and breakage. These treatments are especially necessary if you continue to undergo chemical processing such as relaxing or dyeing during the summer months.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Newbies start here
Here is the information need to start you hair care regimen :
Basic Regimen
1. Shampoo (1 moisturizing, 1 clarifying)
2. Conditioner (1 moisture, 1 protein)
3. leave-in (1moisture 1 protein)
4. water based moisturizer
5. oil (any oil to seal in water based moisturizer)
6. Hair tools (wide tooth comb, satin scarf, satin pillowcase (optional),hair dryer,rollers and pins)
This is a very basic regimen to get you started. Later you can add a tweak your regimen to keep what is working for your hair and get rid of those things that are not working for your hair.
Acronyms
EL - Ear Length
NL - Neck Length
SL - Shoulder Length
APL - Arm Pit Length
BSL - BraStrap Length
WSL - Waist Length
NG - New Growth
BC - Big Chop
TU - Touch Up
DC - Deep Conditioner
NTM - Neutorgena Triple Moisture
CW - Conditioner Wash
co-wash -washing hair with conditioner instead shampoo
pre-poo - applying oil on hair to condition before washing, 20 minutes to overnight
CWC - Conditioner, Wash, Conditioner
ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar
CON - Creme Of Nature
WRTC - White Rain Tropical Coconut Conditioner
BSS - Beauty Supply Store
PJ - Product Junkie
Slip - when the comb easily glides through hair
IMO - In My Opinion
LMAO - Laughing My Ass Off
HHG - Happy Hair Growing
BHM - Black Hair Media
LHCF - Long Hair Care Forum
EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
EVCO - Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil
DIY - Do It Yourself
HTH - Hope This Helps
ETA - Edited To Add
TTA - Thanks In Advance
ITA - I Totally Agree
IA - I Agree
SMH - Shakes My Head
SO - Significant Other
DH - Dear Husband
DD - Dear Daugther
BRB - Be Right Back
BTW - By The Way
HE - Herbal Essences
MMF - Mizani Moisturefuse
MT - Mega Tek
MN - Miconazole Nitrate
EO - Essential Oil
SAA - Silk Amino Acid
S & D - Search and Destroy (trimming off split ends)
Dusting - trimming the very ends of hair, trimmed off ends look like dust
FFOTD - Fab Foto Of The Day
LOTD - Look Of The Day
ALS - Ammonium Laurl Sulfate/Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cones - Silicones
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regimen Building for Newbies
The most important key to building a solid regimen is finding your own hair tolerance. Everyone's hair is unique. What works for someone may not work for you. Hair can be moisturized, supple one day and dry and brittle the next. It's important that you build your regimen around these factors and address these circumstances within your regimen.
Tip: The more you do to your hair chemically the more moisture and protein the hair will need.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 Moisturizing Shampoo. This should be used 1-2x/week depending on your schedule. Choose a shampoo that is Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate free. These ingredients tend to strip the hair making it feel squeaky clean. These shampoo's listed below, leave the hair detangled and soft. Here are some examples:
Creme of Nature (red and green label) Shampoo, Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo, Elucence Moisture Benefits, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo, Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo
1 Clarifying Shampoo. A clarifying shampoo should be used 1-2x/month if you are heavy handed with your products/oils etc. By using this shampoo you will remove dirt, build up. It's a great way of starting your hair off fresh for the month. Your hair should feel squeaky clean. Here are some examples:
Pantene Pro-V Purity Shampoo, Suave Shampoos, Nexxus aloe rid shampoo, Avalon Organics Lemon and shea butter, Ion clarifying shampoo
1 Moisturizing Conditioner & 1 Protein Conditioner. You should follow up with one of these conditioners after every wash. Use either one depending on what your hair needs at the time. I would recommend deep conditioning the hair for 30-45mins preferably with heat (hooded dryer). Protein conditioners are used for rebuilding the hair and giving it strength. Protein conditioners should be followed by a moisturizing deep conditioner to restore moisture and elasticity to the hair. Here are some examples of moisturizing conditioners:
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment, KeraCare Humecto, Mizani Moisturefuse, Elasta QP DPR-11, Creme of Nature Nourishing Conditioner, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
Here are some examples of Protein Conditioners:
ORS Hair Mayo, Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, Nexxus Keraphix, Affirm 5 n 1, Aphogee 2 Step, Nexxus Emergencee, Motions CPR, Elasta QP Anti Breakage Serum
1 Leave-in conditioner. This should be used after washes or as a daily moisturizer. Here are some examples:
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in, Elasta QP H-Two Leave-in, Infusium 23, Cantu Shea Butter, Salerm 21, Lacio Lacio
Water based moisturizer (1 Moisturizing 1 Protein). Use daily to hydrate the hair. Avoid moisturizers that contain mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum. I recommend using your moisturizer 1-2x/day (morning & night). Here are some examples:
Moisturizing: S-Curl, Hollywood Beauty Olive & Carrot Oil, ORS Olive Oil, ORS Carrot Oil, Wave Nouveau Finishing Lotion Protein: Cantu Shea butter, Elasta QP Mango Butter, Profective Healthy ends
are used for sealing in water based moisturizers. Add a light coating of oil to the ends of the hair and work your way up. Don't over do it now!!
Here are some examples: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Safflower Oil, Castor Oil
That's it!! Remember to take a step back and re-evaluate your hair and your methods. LISTEN to your hair. It will tell you when something is not working well for you (i.e. Dryness, breakage etc.) Give your hair time to get adjusted. It's all about trial and error until you realize what your hair likes, then you'll see improvement.
Original Article by SistaSlick
Basic Regimen
1. Shampoo (1 moisturizing, 1 clarifying)
2. Conditioner (1 moisture, 1 protein)
3. leave-in (1moisture 1 protein)
4. water based moisturizer
5. oil (any oil to seal in water based moisturizer)
6. Hair tools (wide tooth comb, satin scarf, satin pillowcase (optional),hair dryer,rollers and pins)
This is a very basic regimen to get you started. Later you can add a tweak your regimen to keep what is working for your hair and get rid of those things that are not working for your hair.
Acronyms
EL - Ear Length
NL - Neck Length
SL - Shoulder Length
APL - Arm Pit Length
BSL - BraStrap Length
WSL - Waist Length
NG - New Growth
BC - Big Chop
TU - Touch Up
DC - Deep Conditioner
NTM - Neutorgena Triple Moisture
CW - Conditioner Wash
co-wash -washing hair with conditioner instead shampoo
pre-poo - applying oil on hair to condition before washing, 20 minutes to overnight
CWC - Conditioner, Wash, Conditioner
ACV - Apple Cider Vinegar
CON - Creme Of Nature
WRTC - White Rain Tropical Coconut Conditioner
BSS - Beauty Supply Store
PJ - Product Junkie
Slip - when the comb easily glides through hair
IMO - In My Opinion
LMAO - Laughing My Ass Off
HHG - Happy Hair Growing
BHM - Black Hair Media
LHCF - Long Hair Care Forum
EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
EVCO - Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil
DIY - Do It Yourself
HTH - Hope This Helps
ETA - Edited To Add
TTA - Thanks In Advance
ITA - I Totally Agree
IA - I Agree
SMH - Shakes My Head
SO - Significant Other
DH - Dear Husband
DD - Dear Daugther
BRB - Be Right Back
BTW - By The Way
HE - Herbal Essences
MMF - Mizani Moisturefuse
MT - Mega Tek
MN - Miconazole Nitrate
EO - Essential Oil
SAA - Silk Amino Acid
S & D - Search and Destroy (trimming off split ends)
Dusting - trimming the very ends of hair, trimmed off ends look like dust
FFOTD - Fab Foto Of The Day
LOTD - Look Of The Day
ALS - Ammonium Laurl Sulfate/Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Cones - Silicones
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regimen Building for Newbies
The most important key to building a solid regimen is finding your own hair tolerance. Everyone's hair is unique. What works for someone may not work for you. Hair can be moisturized, supple one day and dry and brittle the next. It's important that you build your regimen around these factors and address these circumstances within your regimen.
Tip: The more you do to your hair chemically the more moisture and protein the hair will need.
YOU WILL NEED:
1 Moisturizing Shampoo. This should be used 1-2x/week depending on your schedule. Choose a shampoo that is Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate free. These ingredients tend to strip the hair making it feel squeaky clean. These shampoo's listed below, leave the hair detangled and soft. Here are some examples:
Creme of Nature (red and green label) Shampoo, Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo, Elucence Moisture Benefits, Neutrogena Triple Moisture Cream Lather Shampoo, Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo
1 Clarifying Shampoo. A clarifying shampoo should be used 1-2x/month if you are heavy handed with your products/oils etc. By using this shampoo you will remove dirt, build up. It's a great way of starting your hair off fresh for the month. Your hair should feel squeaky clean. Here are some examples:
Pantene Pro-V Purity Shampoo, Suave Shampoos, Nexxus aloe rid shampoo, Avalon Organics Lemon and shea butter, Ion clarifying shampoo
1 Moisturizing Conditioner & 1 Protein Conditioner. You should follow up with one of these conditioners after every wash. Use either one depending on what your hair needs at the time. I would recommend deep conditioning the hair for 30-45mins preferably with heat (hooded dryer). Protein conditioners are used for rebuilding the hair and giving it strength. Protein conditioners should be followed by a moisturizing deep conditioner to restore moisture and elasticity to the hair. Here are some examples of moisturizing conditioners:
Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Silk Elements Moisturizing Treatment, KeraCare Humecto, Mizani Moisturefuse, Elasta QP DPR-11, Creme of Nature Nourishing Conditioner, Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner
Here are some examples of Protein Conditioners:
ORS Hair Mayo, Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, Nexxus Keraphix, Affirm 5 n 1, Aphogee 2 Step, Nexxus Emergencee, Motions CPR, Elasta QP Anti Breakage Serum
1 Leave-in conditioner. This should be used after washes or as a daily moisturizer. Here are some examples:
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in, Elasta QP H-Two Leave-in, Infusium 23, Cantu Shea Butter, Salerm 21, Lacio Lacio
Water based moisturizer (1 Moisturizing 1 Protein). Use daily to hydrate the hair. Avoid moisturizers that contain mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum. I recommend using your moisturizer 1-2x/day (morning & night). Here are some examples:
Moisturizing: S-Curl, Hollywood Beauty Olive & Carrot Oil, ORS Olive Oil, ORS Carrot Oil, Wave Nouveau Finishing Lotion Protein: Cantu Shea butter, Elasta QP Mango Butter, Profective Healthy ends
are used for sealing in water based moisturizers. Add a light coating of oil to the ends of the hair and work your way up. Don't over do it now!!
Here are some examples: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Safflower Oil, Castor Oil
That's it!! Remember to take a step back and re-evaluate your hair and your methods. LISTEN to your hair. It will tell you when something is not working well for you (i.e. Dryness, breakage etc.) Give your hair time to get adjusted. It's all about trial and error until you realize what your hair likes, then you'll see improvement.
Original Article by SistaSlick
Starting a new hair journey? Start here
1. A fresh cut will be nice (or a trim)
I know for me, I trimmed my hair (cut rather) and started fresh. I did it because my hair was severly damaged. No sense in keeping damaged ends so cut those bad boys off!!
2. Keep track by taking lots of pictures
Taking pictures is always a way to motivate yourself. You get to see your progress and how far you've come since you begin your hair journey. You can also jot down your feelings as far as what you wish to accomplish.
3. Keep your ends clean
A nice trim every other month or so will prevent split ends. Trimming about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch every other month will still allow you to retain length! And the rewards will be so nice!
4. Keep a clean scalp! Shampooing once or twice a week can never hurt!
Keep in mind that the type of shampoo that you choose to use should be a moisturizing shampoo which means sulfate free!! Dry hair needs moisture and Water is the best route!! Also, in order to promote growth, you have to have a clean and healthy scalp! I shampoo in the shower to prevent my hair from getting all tangled!! IT has not let me down as of yet!!!
5. Find you a high quality protien or a moisturizing conditoner weekly!
I DC at least 2 times a week. It has helped my hair a lot since it was damaged. A good protien conditioner will strenghten the hair by penetrating the cortex and adding amino acids to the weak strands. A good moisturizing conditioner will make you hair feel and look so soft! And does wonders on those broken hairs! I choose to use ORS hair mayo because it is both a moisturizing condish and a protien condish!!
6. LEAVE IN LEAVE IN LEAVE IN condish!
Very important! Get you a good leave in that will moisturize, detangle, and protect the hair. These conditioners are good to protect hair from weather damage!
7. Check ya products!
Be sure to always check to see what you are putting in your hair. This means to read the ingredients. Just because the product says it is good does not mean it is whats best for your hair!! Stay away from anything that contains mineral oil and petrolatum! This will only coat your hair and will not allow the moisture to penetrate! Also, please stay away from alcohol based products!
8. Always keep your hair moisturized!
I have always had this problem in the past. I never added enough moisture therefor, my hair constantly broke off. It can be best to moisturize the hair while it is wet and seal with a light oil! Be sure to take care of those ends as well!
9. DONT BRUSH YOUR WET HAIR!
I tend to do this from time to time so i need to practice what I preach!!
11. If you don't have to, stay away from heat!
Heat is not your friend! But if you have to, limit the amount of heat that you use and always use a heat protectant!!!
12. PROTECTIVE STYLES!!
Protective styles will not only protect your ends but will allow your hair to grow!! Twists, braids, buns, up dos. Anything that will refrain your ends from drying out is always a plus!! And try styles that do not require heat!
13.The difference between breakage and shedding.
You are supposed to shed any where between 50-100 strands daily. However be sure that it is actually shedding and not your hair breaking. If it is the usual shedding, you will see the white bulb on the end. If you dont, then you know your hair is breaking and lacking something....or you may be munipulating your hair a bit too much.
14. Protect your hair at night.
It is best to sleep in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. Or you can invest in a silk pillow case. Cotton will obsorb the moisture from your hair.
15. Hair stylist do not know everything
Be mindful that because they work in a salon, does not mean they know how to maintain healthy hair. Watch what they do and choose wisely. One salon I went to ended up making my hair fall out because the lack of moisture and protien...
16. Last but not least!
Find a regimine that works for you. Start off small and add things as you begin to feel comfy with what youo are doing.
hair. You'll experience less breakage.
I know for me, I trimmed my hair (cut rather) and started fresh. I did it because my hair was severly damaged. No sense in keeping damaged ends so cut those bad boys off!!
2. Keep track by taking lots of pictures
Taking pictures is always a way to motivate yourself. You get to see your progress and how far you've come since you begin your hair journey. You can also jot down your feelings as far as what you wish to accomplish.
3. Keep your ends clean
A nice trim every other month or so will prevent split ends. Trimming about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch every other month will still allow you to retain length! And the rewards will be so nice!
4. Keep a clean scalp! Shampooing once or twice a week can never hurt!
Keep in mind that the type of shampoo that you choose to use should be a moisturizing shampoo which means sulfate free!! Dry hair needs moisture and Water is the best route!! Also, in order to promote growth, you have to have a clean and healthy scalp! I shampoo in the shower to prevent my hair from getting all tangled!! IT has not let me down as of yet!!!
5. Find you a high quality protien or a moisturizing conditoner weekly!
I DC at least 2 times a week. It has helped my hair a lot since it was damaged. A good protien conditioner will strenghten the hair by penetrating the cortex and adding amino acids to the weak strands. A good moisturizing conditioner will make you hair feel and look so soft! And does wonders on those broken hairs! I choose to use ORS hair mayo because it is both a moisturizing condish and a protien condish!!
6. LEAVE IN LEAVE IN LEAVE IN condish!
Very important! Get you a good leave in that will moisturize, detangle, and protect the hair. These conditioners are good to protect hair from weather damage!
7. Check ya products!
Be sure to always check to see what you are putting in your hair. This means to read the ingredients. Just because the product says it is good does not mean it is whats best for your hair!! Stay away from anything that contains mineral oil and petrolatum! This will only coat your hair and will not allow the moisture to penetrate! Also, please stay away from alcohol based products!
8. Always keep your hair moisturized!
I have always had this problem in the past. I never added enough moisture therefor, my hair constantly broke off. It can be best to moisturize the hair while it is wet and seal with a light oil! Be sure to take care of those ends as well!
9. DONT BRUSH YOUR WET HAIR!
I tend to do this from time to time so i need to practice what I preach!!
11. If you don't have to, stay away from heat!
Heat is not your friend! But if you have to, limit the amount of heat that you use and always use a heat protectant!!!
12. PROTECTIVE STYLES!!
Protective styles will not only protect your ends but will allow your hair to grow!! Twists, braids, buns, up dos. Anything that will refrain your ends from drying out is always a plus!! And try styles that do not require heat!
13.The difference between breakage and shedding.
You are supposed to shed any where between 50-100 strands daily. However be sure that it is actually shedding and not your hair breaking. If it is the usual shedding, you will see the white bulb on the end. If you dont, then you know your hair is breaking and lacking something....or you may be munipulating your hair a bit too much.
14. Protect your hair at night.
It is best to sleep in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. Or you can invest in a silk pillow case. Cotton will obsorb the moisture from your hair.
15. Hair stylist do not know everything
Be mindful that because they work in a salon, does not mean they know how to maintain healthy hair. Watch what they do and choose wisely. One salon I went to ended up making my hair fall out because the lack of moisture and protien...
16. Last but not least!
Find a regimine that works for you. Start off small and add things as you begin to feel comfy with what youo are doing.
hair. You'll experience less breakage.
Jojoba and its benefits
Jojoba Oil in Hair Care
The use of Jojoba oil in hair care products is very common and those who suffer from dry, damaged hair or scaly, flaky scalp will benefit greatly from Jojoba’s ability to deeply penetrate the scalp and hair shaft. Jojoba oil dissolves sticky build-up on the scalp that can form from daily use of other hair products such as mousse, hair spray and hair gel. Many scalp problems occur as a result of such build-up, which can keep the hair follicles from functioning - ultimately killing the follicle - resulting in damaged hair.
With continued use, Jojoba oil ensures that hair stays healthy and clean, with a natural shine. In addition to Jojoba oil’s use as a scalp treatment, many hair conditioners, shampoos and herbal products contain Jojoba oil as its key ingredient. As with skin care, Jojoba oil can also be used on its own as a homemade treatment. As a leave-in conditioner, simply pour some Jojoba onto your hands and run them through your hair and comb through with a big-toothed comb until it is evenly distributed, or add one teaspoon of Jojoba to a cup of water in a spray bottle for a more convenient conditioning hair spray.
With its endless possibilities, you can enrich your life with Jojoba oil in just about any way imaginable.
Jojoba Oil in Skin Care
One of the most intriguing things about this oil is that it operates almost the same way human sebum (oil) does. Even more interesting, Jojoba oil has been shown to work well with acne prone skin. When applied to the skin, Jojoba oil balances sebum levels and also possesses anti-bacterial properties that prevent breakouts. Its ability to prevent moisture loss makes Jojoba oil ideal for use on dry skin, eczema and other problematic skin conditions. You can find Jojoba oil in wrinkle reduction treatments, moisturizers, acne control products and a number of other skin care items. For a homemade treat, you can purchase a bottle of pure Jojoba oil to make your own moisturizing cream or add a few drops to your favorite lotion. Jojoba oil is widely used in natural skin care products as well.
The next time you want to pamper yourself, reach for massage oil that contains Jojoba oil. The liquid wax makes for a lasting massage experience and protects the skin while providing relief
The use of Jojoba oil in hair care products is very common and those who suffer from dry, damaged hair or scaly, flaky scalp will benefit greatly from Jojoba’s ability to deeply penetrate the scalp and hair shaft. Jojoba oil dissolves sticky build-up on the scalp that can form from daily use of other hair products such as mousse, hair spray and hair gel. Many scalp problems occur as a result of such build-up, which can keep the hair follicles from functioning - ultimately killing the follicle - resulting in damaged hair.
With continued use, Jojoba oil ensures that hair stays healthy and clean, with a natural shine. In addition to Jojoba oil’s use as a scalp treatment, many hair conditioners, shampoos and herbal products contain Jojoba oil as its key ingredient. As with skin care, Jojoba oil can also be used on its own as a homemade treatment. As a leave-in conditioner, simply pour some Jojoba onto your hands and run them through your hair and comb through with a big-toothed comb until it is evenly distributed, or add one teaspoon of Jojoba to a cup of water in a spray bottle for a more convenient conditioning hair spray.
With its endless possibilities, you can enrich your life with Jojoba oil in just about any way imaginable.
Jojoba Oil in Skin Care
One of the most intriguing things about this oil is that it operates almost the same way human sebum (oil) does. Even more interesting, Jojoba oil has been shown to work well with acne prone skin. When applied to the skin, Jojoba oil balances sebum levels and also possesses anti-bacterial properties that prevent breakouts. Its ability to prevent moisture loss makes Jojoba oil ideal for use on dry skin, eczema and other problematic skin conditions. You can find Jojoba oil in wrinkle reduction treatments, moisturizers, acne control products and a number of other skin care items. For a homemade treat, you can purchase a bottle of pure Jojoba oil to make your own moisturizing cream or add a few drops to your favorite lotion. Jojoba oil is widely used in natural skin care products as well.
The next time you want to pamper yourself, reach for massage oil that contains Jojoba oil. The liquid wax makes for a lasting massage experience and protects the skin while providing relief
Selecting hair care
Buy moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for very dry hair. They restore moisture lost in blow-drying. Products containing aloe, seed oils or shea butter are especially rich. They are generally too heavy for oily or fine hair, though, but can be used just on the ends.
Buy clarifying shampoos or conditioners and buildup removers for clean hair that's dulled by too much build-up. they can help greasy hair if used periodically. It can be drying, however, so limited use is recommended. Special anti-dandruff shampoos are far more effective for flaking or itchy scalps.
To preserve color and natural oils to your hair, get color-fading shampoos and conditioners are gentle and moisturizing products that won't strip color or oils. It's easy to confuse color-protecting products with color-boosting or color-enhancing products. The latter two deposit color (and can stain highlights)and thus might be more than you bargained for, especially on dry or processed hair.
Look for dimethicone, a mineral emollient, which helps smooth and straighten a mop of thick hair before blow-drying. Regular conditioners often contain chemicals such as panthenol, which is a cosmetic coverup and can be found in most grocery store products. A light conditioner tames static and untangles normal to oily hair. Deep, rich conditioners resuscitates dry or damaged hair, but using too much can flatten thin, fine or oily hair, so use on midshaft and ends. If your hair is very fine, use very little to create shine and smoothness.
Create shine and body for straight hair and tame frizz with leave-in conditioners and reconstructive detanglers. It also defines curls in wavy hair.
Indulge yourself and your hair with a 20-minute treatment that rejuvenates and replenishes lost moisture, protein and shine. Hair masks, hot oil treatments and deep-conditioning protein packs restore softness and shine by penetrating into the hair shaft and filling in "pockets" of missing protein.
Apply volume-enhancing sprays and root-lifting products to damp roots, then again when dry to add volume to flat, limp, thin or very straight hair. You should not use it if you have bushy or thick curly hair.
Use gels and cremes sparingly and experiment with different effects. Hair gels and cremes add texture and shape to your hair. They're good for defining curls and holding styles. Cremes can be softer and lighter while gels are harder and stiffer.
Stop static, flyaway hair with styling cremes or pomades. It tames frizz when worked into dry curls with fingers, but can be too greasy and weigh down hair. It's best to start with a coffee bean-size amount and add more later if needed.
Calm curls and fix frizzies on dry, processed (colored or permed) or curly hair. Shine-enhancing gels or sprays and glossing cremes can be used to. It will also add shine to your hair. Look for silicone in the ingredients list to help hair reflect light and look shinier. Too much product weighs down oily hair, so use it very lightly or just on the ends. Sprays are the least oily; simply spray on your hands and smooth over your hair.
Touch-up frizzies or fly-aways with hair balms. They're a cosmetic cover-up and don't restore moisture, but give a healthier look to your hair.
Use at-home products sparingly and monitor how they affect your hair. Straighteners, spray relaxers and relaxing cremes can be used to straighten all hair types for people of all skin colors. It can transform curls into waves. Temporary products often contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, coconut oil and plant extracts. Permanent straighteners and relaxers are serious business and should always be applied by professionals.
Try spraying hair spray on a brush and then brush through your hair. Hair sprays tame fly-aways, add volume and seal coiffure. Use light varieties for a natural-looking hold. Firm-hold sprays can give a bulletproof, rigid look.
Buy clarifying shampoos or conditioners and buildup removers for clean hair that's dulled by too much build-up. they can help greasy hair if used periodically. It can be drying, however, so limited use is recommended. Special anti-dandruff shampoos are far more effective for flaking or itchy scalps.
To preserve color and natural oils to your hair, get color-fading shampoos and conditioners are gentle and moisturizing products that won't strip color or oils. It's easy to confuse color-protecting products with color-boosting or color-enhancing products. The latter two deposit color (and can stain highlights)and thus might be more than you bargained for, especially on dry or processed hair.
Look for dimethicone, a mineral emollient, which helps smooth and straighten a mop of thick hair before blow-drying. Regular conditioners often contain chemicals such as panthenol, which is a cosmetic coverup and can be found in most grocery store products. A light conditioner tames static and untangles normal to oily hair. Deep, rich conditioners resuscitates dry or damaged hair, but using too much can flatten thin, fine or oily hair, so use on midshaft and ends. If your hair is very fine, use very little to create shine and smoothness.
Create shine and body for straight hair and tame frizz with leave-in conditioners and reconstructive detanglers. It also defines curls in wavy hair.
Indulge yourself and your hair with a 20-minute treatment that rejuvenates and replenishes lost moisture, protein and shine. Hair masks, hot oil treatments and deep-conditioning protein packs restore softness and shine by penetrating into the hair shaft and filling in "pockets" of missing protein.
Apply volume-enhancing sprays and root-lifting products to damp roots, then again when dry to add volume to flat, limp, thin or very straight hair. You should not use it if you have bushy or thick curly hair.
Use gels and cremes sparingly and experiment with different effects. Hair gels and cremes add texture and shape to your hair. They're good for defining curls and holding styles. Cremes can be softer and lighter while gels are harder and stiffer.
Stop static, flyaway hair with styling cremes or pomades. It tames frizz when worked into dry curls with fingers, but can be too greasy and weigh down hair. It's best to start with a coffee bean-size amount and add more later if needed.
Calm curls and fix frizzies on dry, processed (colored or permed) or curly hair. Shine-enhancing gels or sprays and glossing cremes can be used to. It will also add shine to your hair. Look for silicone in the ingredients list to help hair reflect light and look shinier. Too much product weighs down oily hair, so use it very lightly or just on the ends. Sprays are the least oily; simply spray on your hands and smooth over your hair.
Touch-up frizzies or fly-aways with hair balms. They're a cosmetic cover-up and don't restore moisture, but give a healthier look to your hair.
Use at-home products sparingly and monitor how they affect your hair. Straighteners, spray relaxers and relaxing cremes can be used to straighten all hair types for people of all skin colors. It can transform curls into waves. Temporary products often contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, coconut oil and plant extracts. Permanent straighteners and relaxers are serious business and should always be applied by professionals.
Try spraying hair spray on a brush and then brush through your hair. Hair sprays tame fly-aways, add volume and seal coiffure. Use light varieties for a natural-looking hold. Firm-hold sprays can give a bulletproof, rigid look.
How to winterize your hair
With hundreds of hair care products on the market, making the right choice can be confusing. But caring for ethnic hair comes with its own challenges.
African-American hair is more prone to breakage and dryness — especially in the winter. It may look tougher, but it's actually more fragile than Caucasian hair.
Trying to find the right products, choosing the right styles and sticking to a maintenance schedule can prove a hassle.
And some of the "tried-and-true" advice for other ethnic groups is just plain wrong for African-American hair.
So let's demystify some of those common misconceptions:
Heavy, oily products are best for my hair because it's so dry in winter.
Back away from the heavy products. It makes sense that people want to grab the heavy body lotions and creams to soothe their dry skin during the winter, but it doesn't work for their hair.
Greasy products may actually [clog hair follicles and] cause other problems including scalp folliculitis and acne on the forehead and temples
I can wash my hair every day.
It depends on the hair type and texture. Very kinky to curly hair tends to be drier. If your hair is natural — no chemical process has been added to your hair — it's OK to rinse it everyday in the shower as long as a light conditioner is used. Natural hair loves water, but it's still important to keep it protected," she says. The extra curly hair cuticle — or outer layer — makes it more difficult for the oil secreted from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair, so don't forget to moisturize the hair. For relaxed hair — chemically processed for a straighter look — washing the hair once weekly is recommended. That's why it's important to lay off the heavy, petrolatum-based (petroleum jelly) products. Excessive washing can dry out relaxed hair, but you don't want to weigh it down with heavy product," he adds. Use light moisturizers and avoid excessive heat. And when you do wash it, make sure you use a deep conditioner.
Greasing the scalp will help with "dry-scalp" syndrome.
No, it won't. If your scalp is excessively dry, applying oil to it will not help — you may have a different problem. A flaky scalp is sometimes caused by a type of yeast overgrowth on the skin, resulting in a condition known as sebhorreic dermatitis.
It's cold outside, so I have to wear a hat almost everyday.
Hats can and will damage your hair. It is important to keep it moisturized with a light oil if you choose to wear one. If you can also find a hat with natural fibers, that is better than the typical wool hat.
If my hair is braided, I don't have to do anything to it.
We all know that this is definitely a myth! You have to keep your hair moisturized even with braids!! Stylists recommend a protein treatment, followed by a good conditioner to repair damaged hair before braiding it. If you do wear braids, be sure to wash your hair at least once a week. It's not OK to go longer than a week. Because you're not brushing or combing your hair on a daily basis, dirt and oil have more time to build up.
Braids are a good alternative when you want to give your hair a break from constant heat styling — curling irons and flat irons — but don't overdo it! Depending on the style, most experts recommend wearing your braids anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.
I work out, so I have to use a curling iron every day.
Take a time-out from frequent heat styling, which can severely damage your hair. Check out these styles to help your hair recover.
African-American hair is more prone to breakage and dryness — especially in the winter. It may look tougher, but it's actually more fragile than Caucasian hair.
Trying to find the right products, choosing the right styles and sticking to a maintenance schedule can prove a hassle.
And some of the "tried-and-true" advice for other ethnic groups is just plain wrong for African-American hair.
So let's demystify some of those common misconceptions:
Heavy, oily products are best for my hair because it's so dry in winter.
Back away from the heavy products. It makes sense that people want to grab the heavy body lotions and creams to soothe their dry skin during the winter, but it doesn't work for their hair.
Greasy products may actually [clog hair follicles and] cause other problems including scalp folliculitis and acne on the forehead and temples
I can wash my hair every day.
It depends on the hair type and texture. Very kinky to curly hair tends to be drier. If your hair is natural — no chemical process has been added to your hair — it's OK to rinse it everyday in the shower as long as a light conditioner is used. Natural hair loves water, but it's still important to keep it protected," she says. The extra curly hair cuticle — or outer layer — makes it more difficult for the oil secreted from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair, so don't forget to moisturize the hair. For relaxed hair — chemically processed for a straighter look — washing the hair once weekly is recommended. That's why it's important to lay off the heavy, petrolatum-based (petroleum jelly) products. Excessive washing can dry out relaxed hair, but you don't want to weigh it down with heavy product," he adds. Use light moisturizers and avoid excessive heat. And when you do wash it, make sure you use a deep conditioner.
Greasing the scalp will help with "dry-scalp" syndrome.
No, it won't. If your scalp is excessively dry, applying oil to it will not help — you may have a different problem. A flaky scalp is sometimes caused by a type of yeast overgrowth on the skin, resulting in a condition known as sebhorreic dermatitis.
It's cold outside, so I have to wear a hat almost everyday.
Hats can and will damage your hair. It is important to keep it moisturized with a light oil if you choose to wear one. If you can also find a hat with natural fibers, that is better than the typical wool hat.
If my hair is braided, I don't have to do anything to it.
We all know that this is definitely a myth! You have to keep your hair moisturized even with braids!! Stylists recommend a protein treatment, followed by a good conditioner to repair damaged hair before braiding it. If you do wear braids, be sure to wash your hair at least once a week. It's not OK to go longer than a week. Because you're not brushing or combing your hair on a daily basis, dirt and oil have more time to build up.
Braids are a good alternative when you want to give your hair a break from constant heat styling — curling irons and flat irons — but don't overdo it! Depending on the style, most experts recommend wearing your braids anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.
I work out, so I have to use a curling iron every day.
Take a time-out from frequent heat styling, which can severely damage your hair. Check out these styles to help your hair recover.
Induldge in weekly/biweekly deep conditioners
Remember water is your friend
Always protect your hair. Tie it up while sleeping and always protect your hair from the cold.Sleep with a satin/scarf pillow case.
NO MUNIPULATION! In other words, just leave it alone, no matter how hard it may be.
Either limit or cut out your heat usage! The less the better!
Do not use any products that may strip or dry your hair.
Don't comb dry hair. That's just looking for trouble if you ask me! Try combing while wet, or damp, while conditoner is in your hair, with a wide tooth comb. *Remember to work from ends of hair to the scalp.
For longer hair, do everything in sections.
Do not rub your hair with a towel when its wet...Hair is fragile in this state so try to squeeze it instead
Take care of your ends. This is the oldest and more fragile part of your hair. Oil them down at night.
Is your hair tangled towards the ends when you comb them?? That is a sign that it is time for a trim.
Holding on to split ends will only damage your hair in the end. Get trims as needed.
We all may have different textures on our heads...get use to the textures and learn how to deal with them
Experiment! The only way to know what is good for your hair is if you try different things!
Drink plenty of water. Heres a tip, if you have a 16oz cup, you can fill this up 4 times a day and pick the times that you want to drink them. EX. one cup when you wake up, one before lunch, one before dinner and last glass before bed. It'll not only do your hair some justice but your skin and body will benefit from this as well!
Last but not least, maintianing your natural hair shouldn't be a difficult task. Just accept your hair for the way it is and learn to do different styles,
Remember water is your friend
Always protect your hair. Tie it up while sleeping and always protect your hair from the cold.Sleep with a satin/scarf pillow case.
NO MUNIPULATION! In other words, just leave it alone, no matter how hard it may be.
Either limit or cut out your heat usage! The less the better!
Do not use any products that may strip or dry your hair.
Don't comb dry hair. That's just looking for trouble if you ask me! Try combing while wet, or damp, while conditoner is in your hair, with a wide tooth comb. *Remember to work from ends of hair to the scalp.
For longer hair, do everything in sections.
Do not rub your hair with a towel when its wet...Hair is fragile in this state so try to squeeze it instead
Take care of your ends. This is the oldest and more fragile part of your hair. Oil them down at night.
Is your hair tangled towards the ends when you comb them?? That is a sign that it is time for a trim.
Holding on to split ends will only damage your hair in the end. Get trims as needed.
We all may have different textures on our heads...get use to the textures and learn how to deal with them
Experiment! The only way to know what is good for your hair is if you try different things!
Drink plenty of water. Heres a tip, if you have a 16oz cup, you can fill this up 4 times a day and pick the times that you want to drink them. EX. one cup when you wake up, one before lunch, one before dinner and last glass before bed. It'll not only do your hair some justice but your skin and body will benefit from this as well!
Last but not least, maintianing your natural hair shouldn't be a difficult task. Just accept your hair for the way it is and learn to do different styles,
Monday, July 5, 2010
Online Hair Care Product Vendors
www.hairveda.com
www.oyinhandmade.com
www.curlsbysisterssmith.com
www.beemineproducts.com
www.afroveda.com
www.karensbodybeautiful.com
www.komazacare.com
www.darcysbotanicals.com or www.etsy.com/shop/darcysbotanicals www.qhemetbiologics.com
www.jasminesbathandbeautyproducts.com
www.shescentit.com
www.beautybydonnamarie.com
www.carolsdaughter.com
www.missjessies.com
www.janecartersolution.com
www.curls.biz
www.blendedbeauty.com
www.mixedchicks.net
www.myhoneychild.com
koilsbynature.com
mozekeproducts.com
www.oyinhandmade.com
www.curlsbysisterssmith.com
www.beemineproducts.com
www.afroveda.com
www.karensbodybeautiful.com
www.komazacare.com
www.darcysbotanicals.com or www.etsy.com/shop/darcysbotanicals www.qhemetbiologics.com
www.jasminesbathandbeautyproducts.com
www.shescentit.com
www.beautybydonnamarie.com
www.carolsdaughter.com
www.missjessies.com
www.janecartersolution.com
www.curls.biz
www.blendedbeauty.com
www.mixedchicks.net
www.myhoneychild.com
koilsbynature.com
mozekeproducts.com
Natural Sea Sponges for Skin Care
I was browsing www.sheaessentials.com the other day and l came across natural sea wool sponges in their accessories section. The following is a description and more details about the sea sponges from www.sheaessentials.com:
Product Description
The sea wool sea sponge is the finest sponge you can get for bath and home use. They are extremely durable, and can easily last 10 years or more with normal care. They also naturally inhibit the growth of bacteria unlike normal washcloths. All of our sponges are freshly harvested from the Gulf of Mexico in the waters outside Tarpon Springs, Florida. This area is known to be the worlds best location for natural sea sponges. When wet, natural sea wool sponges can be compared to the feel of silk yet can clean like no other washcloth can. Natural Sea Sponges are NOT vegan, they are animal in origin.
Natural Skin Care Recipes
The following are some recipes l found online:
For skin:
Fruit Mask Exfoliator
Ingredients:
1 papaya
1 tsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice in blender.
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in blender. Apply and then wash off after 20 mins.
Sweet Olive Face Scrub
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Brown sugar
Instructions:
Blend ingredients in a bowl. Apply to clean face in a circular motion for 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Skin will be silky smooth!
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Banana Mask
Ingredients:
2 medium bananas
*honey optional
Instructions:
Mash bananas. Add honey if desired. Smooth over skin, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water
Cucumber Avocado Facial Mask
Ingredients:
½ cup chopped cucumber
½ cup chopped avocado
1 egg white
2 tsp. powdered milk
Instructions:
Apply 2 tablespoons of the cucumber avocado mask to your face and neck in circular upward motions. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. To remove the mask simply rinse your face and neck with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse. Finally, pat dry your face and neck
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Cucumber Facial Mask
Ingredients:
1 tbsp instant nonfat dry milk
1/2 peeled cucumber
1 tsp plain yogurt
Instructions
Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to your face (avoid your eyes). Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off.
Apple Pore Toner
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of natural apple juice
2 small cucumbers.
Instructions:
Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off
Toning Mask
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. of sea salt
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup of yogurt
Instructions:
Add all ingredients, apply to face and let dry. This is an exfoliating, tightening and soothing facial application
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Blackhead remover and pore closer
Ingredients:
1 Egg white
1 medium tomato
Instructions:
Remove seeds from tomato. Mash in a small bowl, then add egg white. Mix together. Apply to clean face, let sit for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm, then cool water.
For skin:
Fruit Mask Exfoliator
Ingredients:
1 papaya
1 tsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice in blender.
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in blender. Apply and then wash off after 20 mins.
Sweet Olive Face Scrub
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Brown sugar
Instructions:
Blend ingredients in a bowl. Apply to clean face in a circular motion for 3 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Skin will be silky smooth!
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Banana Mask
Ingredients:
2 medium bananas
*honey optional
Instructions:
Mash bananas. Add honey if desired. Smooth over skin, let sit for 10 minutes, rinse off with cool water
Cucumber Avocado Facial Mask
Ingredients:
½ cup chopped cucumber
½ cup chopped avocado
1 egg white
2 tsp. powdered milk
Instructions:
Apply 2 tablespoons of the cucumber avocado mask to your face and neck in circular upward motions. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. To remove the mask simply rinse your face and neck with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse. Finally, pat dry your face and neck
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Cucumber Facial Mask
Ingredients:
1 tbsp instant nonfat dry milk
1/2 peeled cucumber
1 tsp plain yogurt
Instructions
Put all ingredients into a blender and mix well until smooth. Apply to your face (avoid your eyes). Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off.
Apple Pore Toner
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of natural apple juice
2 small cucumbers.
Instructions:
Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse off
Toning Mask
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. of sea salt
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup of yogurt
Instructions:
Add all ingredients, apply to face and let dry. This is an exfoliating, tightening and soothing facial application
Courtesy of http://naturalfacialrecipes.homestead.com/
Blackhead remover and pore closer
Ingredients:
1 Egg white
1 medium tomato
Instructions:
Remove seeds from tomato. Mash in a small bowl, then add egg white. Mix together. Apply to clean face, let sit for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm, then cool water.
Some Things To Think About
"Harsh words have an indefinite shelf life."
~ Unknown Author ~
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you cannot change.
Courtesy of Frisky from Long Hair Care Forum
Living as becomes you with complete lowliness of mind(humility) and meekness(unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.(Taken from amplified version of the Bible)
Ephesians 4:2
Expecting the world to treat you kindly because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.
Courtesy of LillyBBBW from Nappturality
Worry about your character and not your reputation, because your character is who you are and your reputation is just what people think about you.
Courtesy of cerendipity from Nappturality
"Negative situations are not permanent, so why should we allow our minds to be permanently ruled by them?"
Courtesy of QT from Long Hair Care Forum
"Never argue with a fool. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience every time."
Courtesy of Ozma from Long Hair Care Forum
Train up a child in the way he should go(and in keeping with his individual gift or bent), and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6(Taken from the Amplified Bible)
For length of days and years of a life(worth living) and tranquility(inward and outward and continuing through old age till death), these shall they add to you. Let not mercy and kindness(shutting out all hatred and selfishness) and truth(shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood) forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, acknowledge him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Proverbs 3:2-6
The best way to get from dark to light is to lay down your expectations.
Always regard God in your preparations.
Do not rely on your own powers and policies sufficient for us.
(Thoughts from reading the Bible)
We are creations of God...why let man define us when man did not create us?
Courtesy of Bella 13 from Nappturality
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will l deliver him; l will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name(has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness - trusts and relies on Me, knowing l will never forsake him, no, never). He shall call upon Me, and l will answer him; l will be with him in trouble, l will deliver him and honor him. With long life will l satisfy him and show him My salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16
And therefore the Lord(earnestly) waits(expecting, looking, and longing) to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts himself up. That He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed(happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who(earnestly) wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him(for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship! Isaiah 30:18
It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His (tender) compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being(my inner self); therefore will l hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him(inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word).
Lamentations 3:22-25
"I've walked with Jesus enough yesterdays to trust Him with my tomorrows" -PCG
Courtesy of GAN from Nappturality
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalm 27:1)
Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole"
Courtesy of OHRhonda from Nappturality
"Authenticity is TRUE beauty."
Courtesy of CoilyHairedBeauty from Nappturality
Stand For Something, or You'll Fall For Anything
Courtesy of chocodoll from Nappturality
~Beauty Tips~
For attractive lips
Speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed;
Never throw out anybody.
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.
And the beauty of a woman, with passing years, only grows!
Courtesy of Virtuousjewel from Fotki.com
~ Unknown Author ~
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you cannot change.
Courtesy of Frisky from Long Hair Care Forum
Living as becomes you with complete lowliness of mind(humility) and meekness(unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.(Taken from amplified version of the Bible)
Ephesians 4:2
Expecting the world to treat you kindly because you are a good person is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.
Courtesy of LillyBBBW from Nappturality
Worry about your character and not your reputation, because your character is who you are and your reputation is just what people think about you.
Courtesy of cerendipity from Nappturality
"Negative situations are not permanent, so why should we allow our minds to be permanently ruled by them?"
Courtesy of QT from Long Hair Care Forum
"Never argue with a fool. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience every time."
Courtesy of Ozma from Long Hair Care Forum
Train up a child in the way he should go(and in keeping with his individual gift or bent), and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6(Taken from the Amplified Bible)
For length of days and years of a life(worth living) and tranquility(inward and outward and continuing through old age till death), these shall they add to you. Let not mercy and kindness(shutting out all hatred and selfishness) and truth(shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood) forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, acknowledge him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Proverbs 3:2-6
The best way to get from dark to light is to lay down your expectations.
Always regard God in your preparations.
Do not rely on your own powers and policies sufficient for us.
(Thoughts from reading the Bible)
We are creations of God...why let man define us when man did not create us?
Courtesy of Bella 13 from Nappturality
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will l deliver him; l will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name(has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness - trusts and relies on Me, knowing l will never forsake him, no, never). He shall call upon Me, and l will answer him; l will be with him in trouble, l will deliver him and honor him. With long life will l satisfy him and show him My salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16
And therefore the Lord(earnestly) waits(expecting, looking, and longing) to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts himself up. That He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed(happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who(earnestly) wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him(for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship! Isaiah 30:18
It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His (tender) compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness. The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being(my inner self); therefore will l hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him(inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word).
Lamentations 3:22-25
"I've walked with Jesus enough yesterdays to trust Him with my tomorrows" -PCG
Courtesy of GAN from Nappturality
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalm 27:1)
Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole"
Courtesy of OHRhonda from Nappturality
"Authenticity is TRUE beauty."
Courtesy of CoilyHairedBeauty from Nappturality
Stand For Something, or You'll Fall For Anything
Courtesy of chocodoll from Nappturality
~Beauty Tips~
For attractive lips
Speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed;
Never throw out anybody.
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows.
And the beauty of a woman, with passing years, only grows!
Courtesy of Virtuousjewel from Fotki.com
How To Trim Curly Hair
Perfectly shaped Afros and split-free ends have graced the pages of countless magazine pages. Maybe you have thought perfect looking hair is inaccessible on a budget. Flawless beauty without the expensive price is as close as your nearest pair of hair scissors.
Trimming your ends, especially those dry dull tips, will help to keep natural hair looking neat and healthy - especially when you want that nice wash-and-go look. You don’t need a stylist to maintain healthy ends. All you need to do is master the simple technique called ‘dusting’.
Dusting is by far the easiest and fastest way to trim your hair and is ideal for women who want to retain length. It’s called dusting because you snip just a little bit off the ends of the hair and the removed bits look just like a little dust. Here is an easy no-fail guide on how to trim your own hair using the dusting technique
Tools Needed
Large and small teeth combs for detangling.
Sharp, professional cutting scissors. (These can be found at your neighborhood beauty supply store and in some pharmacies.)
Mirror
What To Do
Thoroughly detangle your hair. (Optional - lightly blow-dry your hair for a more precise result)
Put your hair in medium sized plaits/twists. I suggest at least 18 plaits over your head. The more plaits you do the better result you will receive.
Feel for the little bulbs and dry bits of your hair ends and snip them off at angle using a sharp pair of scissors while looking in the mirror.
Warning Cutting ends too bluntly will make twists and plaits unravel too easily causing your styles to loosen. Always clip at an angle.
Stop. Why? You’re finished!
Bonus Leave the plaits or twists in overnight and you may just have a fabulous braid-out or twist-out the next day with beautiful healthy ends.
It’s that easy. Now if you did the job right, the hair that you cut off is very minimal and you still have lots of hair left on your head. Trim your hair regularly before major damage is done to your ends and you should be able to avoid an expensive trip to the salon for a big cut to get rid of inches of damaged hair. Happy trimming!
Courtesy of mynhcg
Trimming your ends, especially those dry dull tips, will help to keep natural hair looking neat and healthy - especially when you want that nice wash-and-go look. You don’t need a stylist to maintain healthy ends. All you need to do is master the simple technique called ‘dusting’.
Dusting is by far the easiest and fastest way to trim your hair and is ideal for women who want to retain length. It’s called dusting because you snip just a little bit off the ends of the hair and the removed bits look just like a little dust. Here is an easy no-fail guide on how to trim your own hair using the dusting technique
Tools Needed
Large and small teeth combs for detangling.
Sharp, professional cutting scissors. (These can be found at your neighborhood beauty supply store and in some pharmacies.)
Mirror
What To Do
Thoroughly detangle your hair. (Optional - lightly blow-dry your hair for a more precise result)
Put your hair in medium sized plaits/twists. I suggest at least 18 plaits over your head. The more plaits you do the better result you will receive.
Feel for the little bulbs and dry bits of your hair ends and snip them off at angle using a sharp pair of scissors while looking in the mirror.
Warning Cutting ends too bluntly will make twists and plaits unravel too easily causing your styles to loosen. Always clip at an angle.
Stop. Why? You’re finished!
Bonus Leave the plaits or twists in overnight and you may just have a fabulous braid-out or twist-out the next day with beautiful healthy ends.
It’s that easy. Now if you did the job right, the hair that you cut off is very minimal and you still have lots of hair left on your head. Trim your hair regularly before major damage is done to your ends and you should be able to avoid an expensive trip to the salon for a big cut to get rid of inches of damaged hair. Happy trimming!
Courtesy of mynhcg
Jilbere de Paris Combs
The following are details about Jilbere de Paris Combs courtesy of www.sallybeauty.com. I purchased the Jilbere de Paris Shower Comb about a year ago and it's the best comb l've ever used!
Jilbere Pastel Shower Comb is a wide-toothed shower comb designed for detangling.
Evenly distributes conditioner through wet hair
Nylon ball tips are extra gentle on scalp
12 wide-spaced teeth easily detangles curls and snarls
Convenient arched handle for easy hanging
Available in assorted pastel colors: pink, blue, green and purple
Ideal for use when hair is wet. Nylon ball tips help comb glide easily through hair without damaging scalp. Jilbere de Paris has offered superior, top quality products for over 30 years and continues to set the benchmark for professional styling products.
Jilbere de Paris Mini Pastel Comb
Jilbere Mini Pastel Comb is an approximately 6" long comb that adds volume to medium and long hair lengths.
Nylon ball tips help comb glide through hair easily
Durable
Available in assorted pastel colors
Detangles hair
This mini comb comes in a fun vareity of pastel colors for every mood and personality. It will smooth out hair adn reduce breakage. Gives expert styling and is gentle enough for the scalp. Adds fullness and sheen to hair and is ideal for long and medium hair lengths.
Denman Brush
The Denman Brush is the greatest tool ever for natural and transitioning hair. And can be found at most beauty supply stores including Sally's.
-Denman Brush
This unique brush is great for styling, detangling and smoothing hair shaft to avoid frizz. Most use this tool in defining natural curl or wave pattern. It also works well for making neat Afro puff or ponytails. For those transitioning to natural this brush helps to detangle those stubborn roots for more manageable styling.
Courtesy of NaturalHairRules
Rose Water for Hair
Imagine the pleasant scent of fresh roses lacing your strands, while infusing your hair with moisture as it coats the tresses. Rose water is one of the earth’s best kept secrets. Many fail to realize just how many healing properties that rose water has.
Rose water can be recognized first and foremost for its lovely scent! Refresh day old hair with a rose water spritz; it has the potential to make your hair look, feel, and smell a new!
The porosity of your hair will stabilize as well with one of nature’s fine elements. The pH value of rose water is closer to that of the hair in its optimal state, therefore, it works to repair the porosity. This allows the hair to retain the proper amount of moisture in; and the cuticle will remain smooth.
Rose water is made from soaking rose petals in distilled water. This extracts the nutrients from the roses and puts them into the water. There are no artificial ingredients in pure rose water.
Rose water can be found at your local grocery store in the international food isle. Don’t hesitate to try rose water, this is safe for use on natural or relaxed hair; you will love it for at least one of its nourishing properties! Happy Healthy Hair Growing!
Courtesy of Amina from BlackHairCareBlog
How to use Virgin Coconut Oil for Hair Moisturizing and Deep Conditioning
Before beginning this treatment, you'll need a couple of items to prepare. You'll also need about one hour to do this deep conditioning hair treatment. Pick a good time when you can sit at home and don't need to go out.
You'll need the following items:
- One jar of virgin coconut oil
- Plastic shower cap
Follow these simple steps to thicker and healthier hair:
Shampoo your hair and let dry until slightly damp.
Apply a quarter-sized amount of virgin coconut oil to your palms and rub hands together. The heat from your hands will instantly melt the coconut oil, coating your palms and fingers with the oil. If you have longer hair, you'll probably need to use more oil.
Run your fingers through your hair. Concentrate on coating your hair with the oil. Your hair will look slick and shiny from the oil. Using too much oil will take longer to rinse out.
Take the plastic shower cap and cover your hair. This keeps your hair in place. It also helps retain heat to increase absorption.
Leave on for about one hour, then remove the plastic shower cap and rinse your hair. Your hair will feel thick and full right after this 60 minute treatment
Courtesy of healthy-oil-planet
Ways To Transition To Natural Hair
When making the decision to stop using relaxers, you have several options:
Cut it all off and start from scratch
Wear wigs, falls and protect your from styling while it grows out
Wear braids/twists until your hair grows out
Wear buns and up dos until your hair grows out
Wear straw curls
Do twist/braid outs. Braid/twist your hair while wet and then remove braids/twists when your hair has dried
Wear cornrows/flat twists
Rollerset and straighten (flatiron or blowout).
Courtesy of Mane & Chic
Cut it all off and start from scratch
Wear wigs, falls and protect your from styling while it grows out
Wear braids/twists until your hair grows out
Wear buns and up dos until your hair grows out
Wear straw curls
Do twist/braid outs. Braid/twist your hair while wet and then remove braids/twists when your hair has dried
Wear cornrows/flat twists
Rollerset and straighten (flatiron or blowout).
Courtesy of Mane & Chic
Do You Know The Difference..Natural vs. Organic Products
Even the most savvy and ingredient-conscious buyers can run into a bit of confusion when trying to shop natural. In addition, the whole “go green” movement has made it even harder for us ladies to distinguish what is labeled natural, and what actually is natural.
The first step to becoming a natural shopper is in distinguishing the difference between natural and organic products.
Here’s an excerpt from Twirlit.com that briefly breaks down some important differences:
Natural products, be it skin care, makeup or products for the body, are usually made with ingredients derived from fruit, sugars, and vitamins. When a product says it has glycolic acid, that comes from sugar cane. Products that say they have vitamin B, C, or E, that’s usually considered natural. Also, products that say they have lemon or green apple extracts, they are also natural.
Organic products have to not just say they are organic on the label, but must be certified organic by the USDA or Ecocert (Canadian/UK organization). This certification means those products meet the organic standards of those organization. If you do not see that label, chances are those products are not organic. By having that label, it means there are no pesticides or chemicals such as paraben-free and petroleum-free.
::Note::
If a product is labeled “natural” or “100% natural” that doesn’t mean it is so! The product just may contain some natural ingredient(s), since the regulations for labeling “natural” are pretty loose. (Although there’s definitely nothing wrong with most natural products that are correctly labeled so.) “Organic” on the other hand, if marked with the sufficient and certified label, is about as pure as it gets!
So when scouting for you’re beauty products next time, make sure to look at the ingredients or ask a sales associate if you are unsure of a product’s contents. If going natural (in every aspect) is your goal, it never hurts to do your homework!
Wanna read the full Twirlit.com article? Follow the link:
Natural vs. Organic Beauty
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
The first step to becoming a natural shopper is in distinguishing the difference between natural and organic products.
Here’s an excerpt from Twirlit.com that briefly breaks down some important differences:
Natural products, be it skin care, makeup or products for the body, are usually made with ingredients derived from fruit, sugars, and vitamins. When a product says it has glycolic acid, that comes from sugar cane. Products that say they have vitamin B, C, or E, that’s usually considered natural. Also, products that say they have lemon or green apple extracts, they are also natural.
Organic products have to not just say they are organic on the label, but must be certified organic by the USDA or Ecocert (Canadian/UK organization). This certification means those products meet the organic standards of those organization. If you do not see that label, chances are those products are not organic. By having that label, it means there are no pesticides or chemicals such as paraben-free and petroleum-free.
::Note::
If a product is labeled “natural” or “100% natural” that doesn’t mean it is so! The product just may contain some natural ingredient(s), since the regulations for labeling “natural” are pretty loose. (Although there’s definitely nothing wrong with most natural products that are correctly labeled so.) “Organic” on the other hand, if marked with the sufficient and certified label, is about as pure as it gets!
So when scouting for you’re beauty products next time, make sure to look at the ingredients or ask a sales associate if you are unsure of a product’s contents. If going natural (in every aspect) is your goal, it never hurts to do your homework!
Wanna read the full Twirlit.com article? Follow the link:
Natural vs. Organic Beauty
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
Guide to Purchasing Essential Oils
Essential oils are readily available from many health food and aromatherapy stores, via mail-order, and via companies that have Web sites. Although readily available, the quality of essential oils from one vendor to another can vary drastically whether you buy them locally or not. Additionally, the price charged is not necessarily an indication of the quality of the vendor’s oils.
Poor quality oils (oils that have been distilled from poor crops, have been handled improperly, are old, etc.) or adulterated oils (oils that have chemicals or other oils added to them) lack the therapeutic benefit of good quality oils. Additionally essential oils that have been adulterated can cause harmful side effects, or at best provide only minimal therapeutic benefit.
Below are tips that can help you select vendors of pure, high quality essential oils:
Watch out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These words indicate that what you see is not a pure, single essential oil. Many vendors label fragrance oils (that can be combinations of essential oils and chemicals or just plain chemicals) and perfume oils as “aromatherapy.” Countless vendors of strictly fragrance oils have written me to ask for advertising of their “aromatherapy oils.” Beginners need to watch out for these vendors who inaccurately use the alternative medicine term aromatherapy for their own sales gain.
The term “pure essential oil” is overused in the aromatherapy industry. Pure essential oils can be distilled from poor quality crops, be sitting in someone’s inventory or on a store’s shelves for years, be stored in a way that damages the oils, or be mishandled by vendors so that oils are accidentally mixed during bottling. So, don't get overly impressed by a vendor that labels their oils as "pure."
Avoid oils that are sold in clear glass bottles as the clear glass can allow light to damage the essential oils. Instead, buy oils that are stored in amber (brown) or other dark colored glass bottles. Some vendors sell oils in aluminum bottles. Aluminum is said to be acceptable if the inside of the bottle is lined.
Avoid buying essential oils in plastic bottles as the essential oil can dissolve the plastic. In turn, the dissolved plastic will contaminate the oil.
Avoid buying essential oils that have a rubber eyedropper bulb in the top because the oil can dissolve the rubber dropper and become contaminated.
Seek out vendors that promote that they test all their oils, supply samples that you can try before you buy, and that give you confidence in their knowledge (often by providing detailed information on each oil they sell and provide other aromatherapy information that instills confidence).
If you are comparing online vendors, send e-mail to them asking questions that you have. If you don't have any, think of something to ask so that you have a reason to write them. Find out how helpful and knowledgeable they seem. My biggest rant about aromatherapy vendors is that very few have good oils as well as good customer service.
Watch out for vendors that sell all their oils for the same price. This doesn’t mean the oils are not pure or of good quality, but it often does. Neroli, Jasmine and Rose, for instance, should cost a lot more than geranium and Ylang Ylang. A good quality patchouli usually costs more than eucalyptus. The basic citrus oils such as grapefruit, lemon and sweet orange oils are some of the least expensive oils.
When buying essential oils locally, watch for oils that have dust on the top of the bottles. This is an indication that the oils have been sitting around. As time passes, many oils lose their therapeutic properties, and their aroma diminishes. The bottles should be sealed so that the oil couldn't be contaminated by other cutomers. Be sure they have tester bottles of the EOs so that you can sample the oils.
Try to avoid buying oils from catalogs or Web sites that don’t list the essential oil’s botanical (Latin name), country of origin or method of extraction. I’ve bought good quality oils from companies that don’t bother listing this information, but I often wonder why any truly knowledgeable vendor would not realize the importance of including this information. For instance, there are multiple varieties of Bay, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, and so on. Each has different therapeutic properties. The country of origin for oils is also important because the climate and soil conditions can affect the resulting properties of the oil. Is that rose oil steam distilled or is it an absolute? Any good aromatherapy vendor should realize the necessity for providing this information, so I can only assume vendors that don’t bother to include it are lazy, unknowledgeable about the importance of supplying this information or buy their oils from different distributors and don’t want to have to update their catalogs/web sites anytime they find a different source.
Organic oils may be superior to non-organic oils.
Be careful when buying essential oils from companies that primarily sell to the food & beverage or perfumery industries. Some vendors that primarily sell to these industries may have different goals in the purchase and sale of their essential oils than the goals of vendors that sell therapeutic-grade oils specifically for aromatherapy use. The restaurant and perfumery industries desire essential oils that have a standardized (consistent) aroma or flavor. The oils sold by these sources may be redistilled to remove or add specific constituents (natural chemicals found in the oils). These re-distillations or adulterations may harm the therapeutic use of the oils. If desiring to buy from such a vendor, inquire first to ask about their methods.
Most of us need to watch how much we spend. It’s very tempting to buy essential oils from the companies that sell them for the lowest price. Price alone isn’t an indication of quality, but it can be. Knowledgeable vendors that spend countless hours locating quality oils, pay the expensive fees to test their oils and provide free samples upon request should rightfully be charging more for their oils than retailers that stock oils that they’ve sourced from the cheapest sources.
When choosing to try a particular vendor, place a small first order and ask for additional samples (don't ask for a sample of everything, honestly ask for 2-4 samples of oils that you are sincerely interested in purchasing). The goal is to find out if this is a vendor that you are pleased with without wasting your money on large orders that you might not be happy with.
Be cautious about purchasing oils from vendors at street fairs, craft shows, festivals or other limited-time events. Many of these vendors are selling products as a hobby, and unfortunately some vendors at these events may know their customers have no recourse against them after the event is over. This is not to say that there are not highly reputable sellers at such events, but this is a caution for beginners who are not able to reliably judge quality at first.
Reputable Vendors/Suppliers
GNC ( in store and online)
Vitamin Shoppe
Trader Joe's
Lowes Food
Whole Foods
www.iherb.com
www.amazon.com
www.100pureessentialoils.com
www.herbalremedies.com
www.YoungLiving.org
www.Target.com
www.wlnaturalhealth.com
www.www.RockyMountainOils.com
www.mountainroseherbs.com
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
Poor quality oils (oils that have been distilled from poor crops, have been handled improperly, are old, etc.) or adulterated oils (oils that have chemicals or other oils added to them) lack the therapeutic benefit of good quality oils. Additionally essential oils that have been adulterated can cause harmful side effects, or at best provide only minimal therapeutic benefit.
Below are tips that can help you select vendors of pure, high quality essential oils:
Watch out for words such as “fragrance oil,” “nature identical oil,” or “perfume oil.” These words indicate that what you see is not a pure, single essential oil. Many vendors label fragrance oils (that can be combinations of essential oils and chemicals or just plain chemicals) and perfume oils as “aromatherapy.” Countless vendors of strictly fragrance oils have written me to ask for advertising of their “aromatherapy oils.” Beginners need to watch out for these vendors who inaccurately use the alternative medicine term aromatherapy for their own sales gain.
The term “pure essential oil” is overused in the aromatherapy industry. Pure essential oils can be distilled from poor quality crops, be sitting in someone’s inventory or on a store’s shelves for years, be stored in a way that damages the oils, or be mishandled by vendors so that oils are accidentally mixed during bottling. So, don't get overly impressed by a vendor that labels their oils as "pure."
Avoid oils that are sold in clear glass bottles as the clear glass can allow light to damage the essential oils. Instead, buy oils that are stored in amber (brown) or other dark colored glass bottles. Some vendors sell oils in aluminum bottles. Aluminum is said to be acceptable if the inside of the bottle is lined.
Avoid buying essential oils in plastic bottles as the essential oil can dissolve the plastic. In turn, the dissolved plastic will contaminate the oil.
Avoid buying essential oils that have a rubber eyedropper bulb in the top because the oil can dissolve the rubber dropper and become contaminated.
Seek out vendors that promote that they test all their oils, supply samples that you can try before you buy, and that give you confidence in their knowledge (often by providing detailed information on each oil they sell and provide other aromatherapy information that instills confidence).
If you are comparing online vendors, send e-mail to them asking questions that you have. If you don't have any, think of something to ask so that you have a reason to write them. Find out how helpful and knowledgeable they seem. My biggest rant about aromatherapy vendors is that very few have good oils as well as good customer service.
Watch out for vendors that sell all their oils for the same price. This doesn’t mean the oils are not pure or of good quality, but it often does. Neroli, Jasmine and Rose, for instance, should cost a lot more than geranium and Ylang Ylang. A good quality patchouli usually costs more than eucalyptus. The basic citrus oils such as grapefruit, lemon and sweet orange oils are some of the least expensive oils.
When buying essential oils locally, watch for oils that have dust on the top of the bottles. This is an indication that the oils have been sitting around. As time passes, many oils lose their therapeutic properties, and their aroma diminishes. The bottles should be sealed so that the oil couldn't be contaminated by other cutomers. Be sure they have tester bottles of the EOs so that you can sample the oils.
Try to avoid buying oils from catalogs or Web sites that don’t list the essential oil’s botanical (Latin name), country of origin or method of extraction. I’ve bought good quality oils from companies that don’t bother listing this information, but I often wonder why any truly knowledgeable vendor would not realize the importance of including this information. For instance, there are multiple varieties of Bay, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, and so on. Each has different therapeutic properties. The country of origin for oils is also important because the climate and soil conditions can affect the resulting properties of the oil. Is that rose oil steam distilled or is it an absolute? Any good aromatherapy vendor should realize the necessity for providing this information, so I can only assume vendors that don’t bother to include it are lazy, unknowledgeable about the importance of supplying this information or buy their oils from different distributors and don’t want to have to update their catalogs/web sites anytime they find a different source.
Organic oils may be superior to non-organic oils.
Be careful when buying essential oils from companies that primarily sell to the food & beverage or perfumery industries. Some vendors that primarily sell to these industries may have different goals in the purchase and sale of their essential oils than the goals of vendors that sell therapeutic-grade oils specifically for aromatherapy use. The restaurant and perfumery industries desire essential oils that have a standardized (consistent) aroma or flavor. The oils sold by these sources may be redistilled to remove or add specific constituents (natural chemicals found in the oils). These re-distillations or adulterations may harm the therapeutic use of the oils. If desiring to buy from such a vendor, inquire first to ask about their methods.
Most of us need to watch how much we spend. It’s very tempting to buy essential oils from the companies that sell them for the lowest price. Price alone isn’t an indication of quality, but it can be. Knowledgeable vendors that spend countless hours locating quality oils, pay the expensive fees to test their oils and provide free samples upon request should rightfully be charging more for their oils than retailers that stock oils that they’ve sourced from the cheapest sources.
When choosing to try a particular vendor, place a small first order and ask for additional samples (don't ask for a sample of everything, honestly ask for 2-4 samples of oils that you are sincerely interested in purchasing). The goal is to find out if this is a vendor that you are pleased with without wasting your money on large orders that you might not be happy with.
Be cautious about purchasing oils from vendors at street fairs, craft shows, festivals or other limited-time events. Many of these vendors are selling products as a hobby, and unfortunately some vendors at these events may know their customers have no recourse against them after the event is over. This is not to say that there are not highly reputable sellers at such events, but this is a caution for beginners who are not able to reliably judge quality at first.
Reputable Vendors/Suppliers
GNC ( in store and online)
Vitamin Shoppe
Trader Joe's
Lowes Food
Whole Foods
www.iherb.com
www.amazon.com
www.100pureessentialoils.com
www.herbalremedies.com
www.YoungLiving.org
www.Target.com
www.wlnaturalhealth.com
www.www.RockyMountainOils.com
www.mountainroseherbs.com
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
Essentials Oils & Carrier Oils for Natural Hair
Essential Oils & Carrier Oils
This is a guide to essential oils & carrier oils for nappy, napptural, or natural hair of African descent. Your hair can benefit from two types of oils. These two types of oils are essential oils and carrier oils. Essential oils are fragrant oils that are actually the concentrated essence, or 'life force' of a plant. Essential oils are light and do not feel like an oil. They evaporate quickly. You would mix essential oils with a carrier oil before you put it on your hair to prevent skin irritation. Carrier oils are oily in consistency. They can be oil from a vegetable, a fruit, a nut, or even a seed.
Essential Oils for Natural Hair
All essential oils are not created equal. Look for the highest grade you can find. Only buy Complete Essential Oils or Genuine Grade A Essential Oils. These are oils that contain the most natural oil and the least amount of additives and chemicals. Some essential oils for the hair are:
Basil which stimulates the scalp.
Cedarwood which is an astringent, antiseptic, balances production of sebum, and stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Chamomile which adds sheen and conditions the hair.
Eucalyptus which removes dandruff and has antiseptic properties.
Frankincense which is used to get rid of dry scalp.
Jasmine which is often used for fragrance.
Lavender which is used for dandruff and fragrance.
Lemon which cleanses the hair and scalp and improves hair elasticity.
Myrrh which is used for dry hair and scalp.
Orange Oil which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Palmarosa which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Patchouli which treats dandruff and oily hair.
Peppermint which stimulates the scalp.
Rose Oil which is used as fragrance and to sooth the scalp.
Rosemary Oil (DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!) which stimulates the scalp and treats dandruff.
Sandalwood Oil which is an astringent, an anti-inflammatory, as well as an antiseptic. Use sandalwood oil to soothe a dry and irritated scalp.
Tea Tree Oil which is used to treat dandruff and kill lice. Tea tree oil balances production of sebum and stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Ylang-Ylang which balances production of sebum, stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Carrier Oils for Natural Hair
You can use carrier oils with essential oils or by themselves. A popular, readily available, and inexpensive carrier oil is extra virgin olive oil. Other carrier oils for the hair are:
Almond Oil which is a light, non greasy, fast absorbing hair conditioner.
Apricot Kernel Oil which is used for dry hair. It makes your hair shiny and moisture rich. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Avocado Oil which is a light, protein and vitamin rich. It include vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and potassium.
Castor Oil which is a humectant. Humectants attract moisture into your hair.
Grapeseed Oil which is odorless and vitamin rich. It makes your hair shiny and moisture rich. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Hazelnut Oil which is fast absorbing and medium weight. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Jojoba Oil which is simular to sebum, which is your hair's natural oil. It can be used with or without an essential oil. It is often used 50/50 with another carrier oil to massage the scalp.
Additional Popular Carrier Oils
Aloe Vera Oil
Calendula Oil
Carrot Oil
Coconut Oil
Emu Oil
Neem Oil
Papaya Oil
Rosehip Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil
Vitamin E Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheatgerm OilMixing Essential and Carrier Oils
When you mix your essential and carrier oils, as a general rule, use a one (1) drop essential oil per four (4) tablespoons of carrier oil.
Using Essential and Carrier Oils Mixtures
Mix only the amount you are planning to use. This is because essential oils do not have a very long shelf life. Adding a couple of drops of wheatgerm oil to the mixture will extend the shelf life. As an added benefit, wheatgerm oil also has healing properties.
There are Four (4) Grades of Essential Oils:
Pure Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not diluted with a lesser quality essential oil. Be aware, however, that it could be 80% vegetable oil & 20% essential oil and still be labeled '100% Pure.'
Natural Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not altered with vegetable oils, SD Alcohol 40, propylene glycol, or other chemicals.
Complete Essential Oils: This means that the oil was distilled at low heat and low pressure in order to preserve its therapeutic properties. This means that the oil has not been rectified or purified (which means stripped or redistilled). Rectifying and purifying is like reusing a tea bag. It makes more tea, but the quality and potency suffers. This process decreases the essential oil's therapeutic properties.
Genuine, Authentic, or Grade A Essential Oils: These are the best of the best. Great care is taken at every step of the process. Chemicals are never used on the plants. Great care is taking in choosing each plant, time spent in the distillation process, harvesting process, gas chromatograph readings, etc. A gas chromatograph is a chemical analysis instrument used to separate chemicals.
Essential oil is also known as volatile oil and ethereal oil. They may also be referred to as "oil of" the raw plant material from which it was extracted. For example, Oil of Clove.
Do realize that fragrance oils and perfumes are not the same as essential oils.
A Word about Hair Grease, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, and Petroleum
Approximately 99.9% of Black hair care products use mineral oil, petrolatum, or petroleum as its main ingredient because they are cheap to produce. Mineral oil comes from petroleum or crude oil. Yes, same as the motor oil under your hood. Yes, the same as 'grease'. Yes, the same as Vaseline. Yes, the same products your family has used for generations.
Grease does NOT moisturize your hair. It actually coats your hair, like plastic wrap, which prevents moisture from getting in. Grease basically causes your hair to die of thirst!
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
This is a guide to essential oils & carrier oils for nappy, napptural, or natural hair of African descent. Your hair can benefit from two types of oils. These two types of oils are essential oils and carrier oils. Essential oils are fragrant oils that are actually the concentrated essence, or 'life force' of a plant. Essential oils are light and do not feel like an oil. They evaporate quickly. You would mix essential oils with a carrier oil before you put it on your hair to prevent skin irritation. Carrier oils are oily in consistency. They can be oil from a vegetable, a fruit, a nut, or even a seed.
Essential Oils for Natural Hair
All essential oils are not created equal. Look for the highest grade you can find. Only buy Complete Essential Oils or Genuine Grade A Essential Oils. These are oils that contain the most natural oil and the least amount of additives and chemicals. Some essential oils for the hair are:
Basil which stimulates the scalp.
Cedarwood which is an astringent, antiseptic, balances production of sebum, and stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Chamomile which adds sheen and conditions the hair.
Eucalyptus which removes dandruff and has antiseptic properties.
Frankincense which is used to get rid of dry scalp.
Jasmine which is often used for fragrance.
Lavender which is used for dandruff and fragrance.
Lemon which cleanses the hair and scalp and improves hair elasticity.
Myrrh which is used for dry hair and scalp.
Orange Oil which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Palmarosa which helps the hair by regulating the production of sebum. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Patchouli which treats dandruff and oily hair.
Peppermint which stimulates the scalp.
Rose Oil which is used as fragrance and to sooth the scalp.
Rosemary Oil (DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!) which stimulates the scalp and treats dandruff.
Sandalwood Oil which is an astringent, an anti-inflammatory, as well as an antiseptic. Use sandalwood oil to soothe a dry and irritated scalp.
Tea Tree Oil which is used to treat dandruff and kill lice. Tea tree oil balances production of sebum and stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Ylang-Ylang which balances production of sebum, stimulates the scalp. Sebum is your hair’s natural oil.
Carrier Oils for Natural Hair
You can use carrier oils with essential oils or by themselves. A popular, readily available, and inexpensive carrier oil is extra virgin olive oil. Other carrier oils for the hair are:
Almond Oil which is a light, non greasy, fast absorbing hair conditioner.
Apricot Kernel Oil which is used for dry hair. It makes your hair shiny and moisture rich. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Avocado Oil which is a light, protein and vitamin rich. It include vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and potassium.
Castor Oil which is a humectant. Humectants attract moisture into your hair.
Grapeseed Oil which is odorless and vitamin rich. It makes your hair shiny and moisture rich. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Hazelnut Oil which is fast absorbing and medium weight. It contain a large amount of linoleic acid which is essential for cell health.
Jojoba Oil which is simular to sebum, which is your hair's natural oil. It can be used with or without an essential oil. It is often used 50/50 with another carrier oil to massage the scalp.
Additional Popular Carrier Oils
Aloe Vera Oil
Calendula Oil
Carrot Oil
Coconut Oil
Emu Oil
Neem Oil
Papaya Oil
Rosehip Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil
Vitamin E Oil
Walnut Oil
Wheatgerm OilMixing Essential and Carrier Oils
When you mix your essential and carrier oils, as a general rule, use a one (1) drop essential oil per four (4) tablespoons of carrier oil.
Using Essential and Carrier Oils Mixtures
Mix only the amount you are planning to use. This is because essential oils do not have a very long shelf life. Adding a couple of drops of wheatgerm oil to the mixture will extend the shelf life. As an added benefit, wheatgerm oil also has healing properties.
There are Four (4) Grades of Essential Oils:
Pure Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not diluted with a lesser quality essential oil. Be aware, however, that it could be 80% vegetable oil & 20% essential oil and still be labeled '100% Pure.'
Natural Essential Oils: This means that the oil was not altered with vegetable oils, SD Alcohol 40, propylene glycol, or other chemicals.
Complete Essential Oils: This means that the oil was distilled at low heat and low pressure in order to preserve its therapeutic properties. This means that the oil has not been rectified or purified (which means stripped or redistilled). Rectifying and purifying is like reusing a tea bag. It makes more tea, but the quality and potency suffers. This process decreases the essential oil's therapeutic properties.
Genuine, Authentic, or Grade A Essential Oils: These are the best of the best. Great care is taken at every step of the process. Chemicals are never used on the plants. Great care is taking in choosing each plant, time spent in the distillation process, harvesting process, gas chromatograph readings, etc. A gas chromatograph is a chemical analysis instrument used to separate chemicals.
Essential oil is also known as volatile oil and ethereal oil. They may also be referred to as "oil of" the raw plant material from which it was extracted. For example, Oil of Clove.
Do realize that fragrance oils and perfumes are not the same as essential oils.
A Word about Hair Grease, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, and Petroleum
Approximately 99.9% of Black hair care products use mineral oil, petrolatum, or petroleum as its main ingredient because they are cheap to produce. Mineral oil comes from petroleum or crude oil. Yes, same as the motor oil under your hood. Yes, the same as 'grease'. Yes, the same as Vaseline. Yes, the same products your family has used for generations.
Grease does NOT moisturize your hair. It actually coats your hair, like plastic wrap, which prevents moisture from getting in. Grease basically causes your hair to die of thirst!
Courtesy of Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
How do you use coconut milk in your hair?
How do you use coconut milk in your hair??
1. Coconut milk soaks. This involves no other ingredient other than
coconut milk coming into contact with your hair. You douse your hair
in coconut using the whole can and leave on your hair for about an
hour. I have not done this because most people comment that it is so
drippy while your are waiting that hour..but they do say it makes
their hair feel nice!
2. Coconut milk+Conditioner mixtures. I do this very frequently,
about every other week to ensure that I do not have hair protein
overload. I mix coconut milk with my moisturizing deep conditioners
(not protein conditioners because coconut milk is a protein
remember!!). The conditioners that I have had great success with
coconut milk are Lustrasilk Sheabutter Cholesterol (in the bottle)
and Proclaim Aloe&Shea all of which you can find at your Sally's
beauty supply. I mix coconut milk with these conditioners and add
other natural ingredients including coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and
castor oil. You can change your recipes based on what your hair
wants. The general recipe for the coconut milk+conditioner mixture is
as so:
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup conditioner
Mix all of these ingredients and let sit on your hair for about an
hour and rinse out! Strong fluffy hair for the rest of the week!
** Courtesy of Moni from Au_naturale@yahoogroups.com ** and Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
1. Coconut milk soaks. This involves no other ingredient other than
coconut milk coming into contact with your hair. You douse your hair
in coconut using the whole can and leave on your hair for about an
hour. I have not done this because most people comment that it is so
drippy while your are waiting that hour..but they do say it makes
their hair feel nice!
2. Coconut milk+Conditioner mixtures. I do this very frequently,
about every other week to ensure that I do not have hair protein
overload. I mix coconut milk with my moisturizing deep conditioners
(not protein conditioners because coconut milk is a protein
remember!!). The conditioners that I have had great success with
coconut milk are Lustrasilk Sheabutter Cholesterol (in the bottle)
and Proclaim Aloe&Shea all of which you can find at your Sally's
beauty supply. I mix coconut milk with these conditioners and add
other natural ingredients including coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and
castor oil. You can change your recipes based on what your hair
wants. The general recipe for the coconut milk+conditioner mixture is
as so:
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup conditioner
Mix all of these ingredients and let sit on your hair for about an
hour and rinse out! Strong fluffy hair for the rest of the week!
** Courtesy of Moni from Au_naturale@yahoogroups.com ** and Au Naturale by Miss Sixx
Plastic Wrap?
While I am sure most of you know this already, this post is for the ones who are quite new to styling their natural hair and learning as they go. Detangling your natural hair can sometimes be a labor of love. As your hair gets longer, it will become even more important for you to take your time with it in order to avoid breakage.
You will need
- Many naturals swear by the Denman brush. It is not a guarantee that this will in fact work for you. MsHeatherNicole recently put out a video where she actually speaks against using this tool. In her case, it resulted in breakage that for a while she couldn’t quite explain. See her story on Youtube. OR
- The Denman comb. This is actually new to me as well. I found out that there is actually a comb that is friendly to naturals on Newly Natural’s website. I am anxiously waiting for her review of this comb. OR
- Fingers My favorite tool in the shower to detangle my hair. I fingercomb my hair in the shower unless my hair is so tangled that I need to actually use a brush.
- Conditioner, LOTS of conditioner—it can be a cheaper brand that you use solely for this purpose but please do not try to detangle your hair without conditioner. The reason for using conditioner is that it provides slip and makes detangling your hair much easier.
and
Section your hair
- Hair is much easier to detangle in small sections. In my case, four parts are necessary. If you have more hair, then you might need to separate it into even smaller parts.
When my hair is seriously tangled from poor styling throughout the week, I use a deep conditioner prior to detangling and allow the deep conditioner to set in my hair first. A oil treatment will have the same effect in most cases.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Detangling Natural Hair
While I am sure most of you know this already, this post is for the ones who are quite new to styling their natural hair and learning as they go. Detangling your natural hair can sometimes be a labor of love. As your hair gets longer, it will become even more important for you to take your time with it in order to avoid breakage.
You will need
- Many naturals swear by the Denman brush. It is not a guarantee that this will in fact work for you. MsHeatherNicole recently put out a video where she actually speaks against using this tool. In her case, it resulted in breakage that for a while she couldn’t quite explain. See her story on Youtube. OR
- The Denman comb. This is actually new to me as well. I found out that there is actually a comb that is friendly to naturals on Newly Natural’s website. I am anxiously waiting for her review of this comb. OR
- Fingers My favorite tool in the shower to detangle my hair. I fingercomb my hair in the shower unless my hair is so tangled that I need to actually use a brush.
- Conditioner, LOTS of conditioner—it can be a cheaper brand that you use solely for this purpose but please do not try to detangle your hair without conditioner. The reason for using conditioner is that it provides slip and makes detangling your hair much easier.
and
Section your hair
- Hair is much easier to detangle in small sections. In my case, four parts are necessary. If you have more hair, then you might need to separate it into even smaller parts.
When my hair is seriously tangled from poor styling throughout the week, I use a deep conditioner prior to detangling and allow the deep conditioner to set in my hair first. A oil treatment will have the same effect in most cases.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
You will need
- Many naturals swear by the Denman brush. It is not a guarantee that this will in fact work for you. MsHeatherNicole recently put out a video where she actually speaks against using this tool. In her case, it resulted in breakage that for a while she couldn’t quite explain. See her story on Youtube. OR
- The Denman comb. This is actually new to me as well. I found out that there is actually a comb that is friendly to naturals on Newly Natural’s website. I am anxiously waiting for her review of this comb. OR
- Fingers My favorite tool in the shower to detangle my hair. I fingercomb my hair in the shower unless my hair is so tangled that I need to actually use a brush.
- Conditioner, LOTS of conditioner—it can be a cheaper brand that you use solely for this purpose but please do not try to detangle your hair without conditioner. The reason for using conditioner is that it provides slip and makes detangling your hair much easier.
and
Section your hair
- Hair is much easier to detangle in small sections. In my case, four parts are necessary. If you have more hair, then you might need to separate it into even smaller parts.
When my hair is seriously tangled from poor styling throughout the week, I use a deep conditioner prior to detangling and allow the deep conditioner to set in my hair first. A oil treatment will have the same effect in most cases.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Shaping your Hair
Shaping your hair
Ladies, I know we are all interested in growing our hair and seeing great results that before we did not even know were possible with our natural hair. However, natural hair is about the journey and the enjoyment of your hair, not just the destination. Even though your main objective at this stage of your hair might be growth, it is still important to keep your hair at its healthiest and looking its best. One way to achieve great looking hair is by shaping it.
Shaping can give your hair more movement and flexibility. Hence, it looks better, behave better and you feel more confident in return with the look of your natural hair. When shaping your hair, you should pay close attention to your facial structure and the styles that you want to achieve. If your goal is to wear a shoulder length bob then you can shape it evenly all around. On the other end, if you want to reduce bulk, you can shape your hair in layers and enjoy hair that hangs better. Another advantage of shaping is that paying attention to the condition of your hair and ends can definitely facilitate catching hair problems that could if left unattended result in breakage and splitting ends riding up the hair shaft. Pay attention to your hair and you’ll come to realize exactly how often you need to shape and reshape your hair.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Ladies, I know we are all interested in growing our hair and seeing great results that before we did not even know were possible with our natural hair. However, natural hair is about the journey and the enjoyment of your hair, not just the destination. Even though your main objective at this stage of your hair might be growth, it is still important to keep your hair at its healthiest and looking its best. One way to achieve great looking hair is by shaping it.
Shaping can give your hair more movement and flexibility. Hence, it looks better, behave better and you feel more confident in return with the look of your natural hair. When shaping your hair, you should pay close attention to your facial structure and the styles that you want to achieve. If your goal is to wear a shoulder length bob then you can shape it evenly all around. On the other end, if you want to reduce bulk, you can shape your hair in layers and enjoy hair that hangs better. Another advantage of shaping is that paying attention to the condition of your hair and ends can definitely facilitate catching hair problems that could if left unattended result in breakage and splitting ends riding up the hair shaft. Pay attention to your hair and you’ll come to realize exactly how often you need to shape and reshape your hair.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Protect Your Hairline
In the journey to grow hair, there are many factors to be mindful of. Understanding your hair, knowing the factors that help promote growth or hinder it, as well as the processes that benefit your hair best are the major culprits. I have covered many of these areas on the blog so far and will continue to present beneficial information to you ladies (and gents) that I have acquired over the years or have come across while researching.
Among the key elements to growing your hair lies protecting your edges. The hairline tends to be very fragile and therefore can be affected by various factors. What nonmedical and non-hormonal factors can cause your hair to thin around the edges you ask?
First is the use of chemicals and thermal styling. This is not strictly related chemical relaxers, though many women reporting hair loss have hair that is chemically straightened. This is not anti-straightening message or an attempt to scare anyone off relaxers. However, chemical treatments hold the risk of damage to the hair follicle. Actually, according to an article printed in the FDA magazine in January-February 2001 issue, chemical straighteners, aka relaxers and hair dyes are among the department’s top complaint area. Obviously hair dyes can present a problem also when used incorrectly. Limit or eliminate the use of these items if you become concerned about your hair and any changes to it. Heat styling, though not a chemical and permanent procedure can result in irreversible damage, so take safety measures when using heating tools as well.
Second, look at your styling choices. If your styles require constant manipulation to your edges, the long term consequence of that could be thinning hair. Ponytails, buns and cornrows are at times associated with receding hair lines. In that instance, choose looser styles and alternate styles. Learn how to create loose buns for example, where you can get the protective benefit for your hairline and ends at the same time or twists the edges of your hair (see pictures).
Third, a poor diet can reflect in the condition of your hair, with some symptoms being hair loss and excessive shedding. If you suspect that your hair problems might be related to what you’re eating, make changes to your diet and observe whether your hair improves as a result of the improvements you’ve made.
Fourth, what are you sleeping on? Satin and silk are your hair’s best fabric. Pamper your hair by sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase or by wearing a satin/silk scarf at night. The softer fabric causes less friction overnight as your slides across. Plus, it makes for a great night sleep.
This one is also related to sleep. Change sides regularly. Some people only notice that one side is thinning. If you pay close attention, you might realize that it is the side that you sleep on. This is a particularly hard one for me, but I force myself to switch sides and avoid sleep and tear in one area as I had in the past.
What you can do? Well, the first thing is obviously to rectify the behavior you deem at the cause of your thinning edges. Assuming you can pinpoint the exact cause. Next, take proactive steps to remedy the problem. If your hair loss is severe enough to cause you to worry, the first step is to schedule an appointment to see a dermatologist. The jury is still out on whether growth serums help prevent breakage and promote return of hair. Some women swear by them and others feel it is a waste of time and money. There are herbs and essential oils (such as ylang ylang, rosemary, nettles and sage) that have been used historically to promote hair growth and strengthen the hair. Many companies have formulations using these essential oils. You can also research individual ingredients and make your own mix. Essential oils need to be well diluted and should never be applied to the skin prior to dilution, so research, research, research. Also, if you suffer from certain medical conditions or are expecting, there are certain essential oils not recommended for your use. Scalp massages can be useful to help stimulate circulation and help nutrients get to the hair follicles faster. It is also extremely helpful as a means of relaxation, so nothing to lose there. Remember to be gentle whenever you hands get in contact with your hair.
Disclaimer: The information from this post is not meant to diagnose or treat hair loss of any kind. As I mentioned earlier, if you experience severe thinning or hair loss around your edges or elsewhere, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can assist you in finding a solution suited for you.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Among the key elements to growing your hair lies protecting your edges. The hairline tends to be very fragile and therefore can be affected by various factors. What nonmedical and non-hormonal factors can cause your hair to thin around the edges you ask?
First is the use of chemicals and thermal styling. This is not strictly related chemical relaxers, though many women reporting hair loss have hair that is chemically straightened. This is not anti-straightening message or an attempt to scare anyone off relaxers. However, chemical treatments hold the risk of damage to the hair follicle. Actually, according to an article printed in the FDA magazine in January-February 2001 issue, chemical straighteners, aka relaxers and hair dyes are among the department’s top complaint area. Obviously hair dyes can present a problem also when used incorrectly. Limit or eliminate the use of these items if you become concerned about your hair and any changes to it. Heat styling, though not a chemical and permanent procedure can result in irreversible damage, so take safety measures when using heating tools as well.
Second, look at your styling choices. If your styles require constant manipulation to your edges, the long term consequence of that could be thinning hair. Ponytails, buns and cornrows are at times associated with receding hair lines. In that instance, choose looser styles and alternate styles. Learn how to create loose buns for example, where you can get the protective benefit for your hairline and ends at the same time or twists the edges of your hair (see pictures).
Third, a poor diet can reflect in the condition of your hair, with some symptoms being hair loss and excessive shedding. If you suspect that your hair problems might be related to what you’re eating, make changes to your diet and observe whether your hair improves as a result of the improvements you’ve made.
Fourth, what are you sleeping on? Satin and silk are your hair’s best fabric. Pamper your hair by sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase or by wearing a satin/silk scarf at night. The softer fabric causes less friction overnight as your slides across. Plus, it makes for a great night sleep.
This one is also related to sleep. Change sides regularly. Some people only notice that one side is thinning. If you pay close attention, you might realize that it is the side that you sleep on. This is a particularly hard one for me, but I force myself to switch sides and avoid sleep and tear in one area as I had in the past.
What you can do? Well, the first thing is obviously to rectify the behavior you deem at the cause of your thinning edges. Assuming you can pinpoint the exact cause. Next, take proactive steps to remedy the problem. If your hair loss is severe enough to cause you to worry, the first step is to schedule an appointment to see a dermatologist. The jury is still out on whether growth serums help prevent breakage and promote return of hair. Some women swear by them and others feel it is a waste of time and money. There are herbs and essential oils (such as ylang ylang, rosemary, nettles and sage) that have been used historically to promote hair growth and strengthen the hair. Many companies have formulations using these essential oils. You can also research individual ingredients and make your own mix. Essential oils need to be well diluted and should never be applied to the skin prior to dilution, so research, research, research. Also, if you suffer from certain medical conditions or are expecting, there are certain essential oils not recommended for your use. Scalp massages can be useful to help stimulate circulation and help nutrients get to the hair follicles faster. It is also extremely helpful as a means of relaxation, so nothing to lose there. Remember to be gentle whenever you hands get in contact with your hair.
Disclaimer: The information from this post is not meant to diagnose or treat hair loss of any kind. As I mentioned earlier, if you experience severe thinning or hair loss around your edges or elsewhere, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can assist you in finding a solution suited for you.
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Developing a Good Routine
Everyone with healthy hair has one of those, even the product junkie who is constantly changing products. Even if you don’t realize it, there are a number of things that you do to your hair on a regular basis. Simply put, a routine is a series of activities that you adhere to when it comes to your hair. The point of this post is for you to become aware of your routine and how you can further develop it to increase its effectiveness and better your hair.
The first step is to assess your current practices. Do you wash your hair every week? Do you co-wash? Do you always follow with a deep conditioner? You get the idea! Force yourself to realize how you treat your hair regularly.
Second, decide your goals for your hair. Do you want stronger hair? Are you aiming for health, length, volume, etc.? These questions will help you develop your goals for your hair and inspire you to follow your regimen once it is created. Also note that these can be short term or long term goals.
Now you have a starting point and an objective. The next step is to develop a plan that will take you from your starting point to your goal. This plan is personal to you. Each person has a different starting point, goal, personality and allocated time in which to improve their hair, therefore your have to keep yourself in mind when determining how to go about your routine.
As stated, a routine is a guideline, a footprint for your hair. It does not need to be product bound, but rather should cover various important elements of hair care, such as frequency of washes, conditioning, when to deep condition your hair, how often to moisturize and how best to protect your hair. Consider how often will you do each of the activities listed above. Do you need to schedule a set time in a week that you can dedicate to make sure that this is done? Play around with these practices to determine the best route for you.
A Sample Routine
Wash Condition Deep Condition Moisturize Styling Other
Daily or Every other day Rinse with a conditioner - Ends with butter or pomade -Leave-in conditioner
-Styling gel for hold
- Vitamins daily
- Silk scarf every night
Weekly - Mild conditioner diluted with water - Tea rinses - Deep conditioner for 30-45 minutes with a plastic cap and towel - Use butter to seal moisture into the hair - Leave-in conditioner
- Styling gel for hold
- Steam treatment
Monthly -Pre-wash with oil
- Use a clarifying shampoo or a homemade clarifying mix to remove build up
- Tea rinses - Deep conditioner for 30-45 minutes with a plastic cap and towel - Use oil mix and massage the roots
- Butter the ends to seal in moisture
- Leave in conditioner
- Styling gel for hold
- Trim ends every other month (as needed)
- Length check
Courtesy of Texture Playground
The first step is to assess your current practices. Do you wash your hair every week? Do you co-wash? Do you always follow with a deep conditioner? You get the idea! Force yourself to realize how you treat your hair regularly.
Second, decide your goals for your hair. Do you want stronger hair? Are you aiming for health, length, volume, etc.? These questions will help you develop your goals for your hair and inspire you to follow your regimen once it is created. Also note that these can be short term or long term goals.
Now you have a starting point and an objective. The next step is to develop a plan that will take you from your starting point to your goal. This plan is personal to you. Each person has a different starting point, goal, personality and allocated time in which to improve their hair, therefore your have to keep yourself in mind when determining how to go about your routine.
As stated, a routine is a guideline, a footprint for your hair. It does not need to be product bound, but rather should cover various important elements of hair care, such as frequency of washes, conditioning, when to deep condition your hair, how often to moisturize and how best to protect your hair. Consider how often will you do each of the activities listed above. Do you need to schedule a set time in a week that you can dedicate to make sure that this is done? Play around with these practices to determine the best route for you.
A Sample Routine
Wash Condition Deep Condition Moisturize Styling Other
Daily or Every other day Rinse with a conditioner - Ends with butter or pomade -Leave-in conditioner
-Styling gel for hold
- Vitamins daily
- Silk scarf every night
Weekly - Mild conditioner diluted with water - Tea rinses - Deep conditioner for 30-45 minutes with a plastic cap and towel - Use butter to seal moisture into the hair - Leave-in conditioner
- Styling gel for hold
- Steam treatment
Monthly -Pre-wash with oil
- Use a clarifying shampoo or a homemade clarifying mix to remove build up
- Tea rinses - Deep conditioner for 30-45 minutes with a plastic cap and towel - Use oil mix and massage the roots
- Butter the ends to seal in moisture
- Leave in conditioner
- Styling gel for hold
- Trim ends every other month (as needed)
- Length check
Courtesy of Texture Playground
Hair Breakage 101
Breakage and Shedding
Understanding the difference between breakage and shedding is an important part of any healthy hair regimen. Many people use these terms interchangeably to refer to any hair that falls from the head. In its truest sense, shed hair is hair that has reached the end of its growing cycle and naturally falls from the scalp along with its root attached. The root is a tiny white bulb on the scalp originating end. If a hair does not possess this white bulb, then it is not a naturally shed hair, rather, a broken one. Shed hair tends to be longer in length than broken hairs which are generally short pieces of varying lengths. If you have stretched your relaxer for a great number of weeks, your shed hair will have the curly new growth present on the area next to the bulb, and you will be able to see where the relaxed hair begins. Some find that garlic shampoos or products with garlic extracts help curb shedding. But remember, shedding is a natural, internal process and may not respond to topical, external treatments. So don't be alarmed if nothing works for you. Changes in diet, hormone imbalances, birth control pills, and pregnancy can also affect the rate at which hair is shed.
Breakage on the other hand is not natural, and is an indication of an imbalance of important forces within the hair strand. Broken hairs do not fall naturally from the head, but are typically a sign of mishandling or abuse. The proper treatments, will help stop breakage in its tracks.
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Protein and Moisture
Scenario 1: Kim's hair is breaking like crazy and feels like a brillo pad. Every time she touches it, pieces seem to just pop right off. Snap, crackle, pop. Combing is impossible without tons of little hairs covering her sink and back. Her hair feels hard and rough even when wet. She's given it protein treatments because the product says its supposed to stop breakage in its tracks and rebuild the hair, but so far nothing is working and her problem is getting worse.
Scenario 2: Trina's hair is breaking like crazy as well. Her hair feels dry, looks dull, and is very weak. Her hair is too weak to withstand simple combing. It feels extra stretchy when wet and almost follows the comb as she pulls through to detangle. She has deep conditioned and done hot oil treatments on her hair once a week. Since her breakage began, she?s stepped up the conditioning but her problem has gotten worse.
Both of these women have issues with breakage, but the solutions to their individual problems require two very different approaches. Before you go shopping for your hair care product arsenal, you must understand the difference between protein and moisture and what they mean for your hair. Protein and moisture are the key cornerstones of great hair care. Maintaining a proper balance between these two entities is critical for the healthiest hair growth possible. The two scenarios above perfectly illustrate what happens when the balance between protein and moisture is tipped too far in either direction. This section will teach you to effectively recognize the difference between protein based and moisture based problems and help you can organize your hair regimen to effectively combat these issues as the arise.
Protein
Protein is what gives the hair its strength and structure. Hair is about 70% keratin protein by nature. Protein is found most prevalently in products like instant conditioners (bargain brands like Suave and V05), leave in conditioners, protein conditioner treatments, and even some moisturizers.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are products that are water-based and nourish your hair deep within the strand. Water is the ultimate moisturizer so waterbased products are best for really getting the best moisture benefit. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be your conditioners and other water-based products. Moisturizers may also be protein-based, but these protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that moisture-based moisturizers have. Good moisturizers will not contain ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin. These are cheap product fillers. Be wary of products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients. There is nothing moisturizing about them! Petrolatum and mineral oil are sealants and have the potential to suffocate the hair and scalp and seal out the moisture it needs.
Sealing in your Moisturizers:
Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is also naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is a difficult task. Sources of outside moisture, or external moisture supplementation, are a must for black hair. Water molecules and moisture from these supplemental moisturizing products easily pass into the hair shaft, but they pass out just as easily. The moisture you apply needs to held in by something. Oil.
A light coating of oil on top will help seal the moisture inside. Oils are made of large molecules. These molecules are too large to absorbed by the hair strand. Applying oils to the hair and scalp will coat them and trap moisture that is inside on the inside and moisture that is outside on the outside. The key is to lock in the moisture within the strands with your oil. If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture out of the hair strand and lead to eventual dryness. This technique of moisturizing and sealing has really been helpful to me and is a resonating hallmark of my regimen. Moisturizing success is all in the order in which you apply your products.
REMEMBER! Oils DO NOT Moisturize.
Perhaps a words like "nourish" would be better than moisturize. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me to recommend a good oil that moisturizes, I would be rich! Oil alone will not and cannot moisturize within the hair shaft. An oil can only coat the outside of the strand, and give it shine- the illusion of moisture. Again, the molecules that make oil are much too large to penetrate through all of the cuticle layers. The cuticle layers can be as few as 6 layers or many as 15 or more layers thick. Oil molecules are hydro-phobic which means they repel and do not readily mix with water. Remember, if you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate.
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When the Balance Tips, You Must Wet Assess
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Hair is not exempt from this old adage. Growing out your hair is a constant battle between maintaining an even protein and moisture balance. Breakage is the result of the hair chemistry being thrown off balance. Remember Kim and Trina from the beginning of the section? Hair that is shifted too far on either side of the balance (too much protein or too much moisture) will break.
The Importance of Wet Assessment
Though health assessments can be performed on dry hair, determining your cause of breakage is often easiest on wet hair. Hair in its wet state exudes the basic properties of hair---elasticity and strength, excellently. In fact, these qualities are often exaggerated on wet hair. Thorough and frequent wet assessments will help you maintain your hair's health and condition.
Hair in its optimal condition will not break when wet unless undue stress is placed upon it through aggressive combing or detangling. A balanced and healthy hair strand will stretch and break only under undue, or unusual types of pulling stress. Balanced hair will feel soft and supple, yet strong while wet. When you comb through it when wet, it should resist excess stretching and will hardly break if you are careful. Over time, and with trial and error, you will be able to tell what is normal stress for your hair.
If your hair does indeed break when wet, the way the hair breaks under these conditions will give you a sure indication of whether more moisture or protein is required to regain the proper balance.
How Do I Perform a Proper Wet Assessment?
It will be difficult for you to wet assess your hair by holding a single strand and pulling on both ends. That type of stress would be considered "undue" stress, because no single hair is ever really subjected to that sort of tension at one time. Any strand of hair (healthy or not) that you pull on by both ends has the potential to snap depending on the pressure you apply to it. Hair should be wet assessed by the normal act of combing though it or touching-testing it.
Wet Assessment Break Down
If your hair:
(Wet or Dry) Stretches slighty/returns to original length /no breaking= you are balanced just stick with maintaining!
(Wet ot Dry) Stretching a little more than normal then breaks= more protein
(Wet or Dry)Stretching, stretching, stretching/no breakage yet= more protein
(Wet)- Weak, gummy, mushy, limp hair= more protein
(Wet or Dry) Very little/no stretching then breakage= more moisture
(Dry) Rough/tough/hard/tangly/brittle hair= more moisture
Unsure= err on the side of moisture
For those of you just starting out on your journey to healthier head of hair, I recommend you begin with a more moisture friendly regimen before you incorporate the protein aspect. The reason being, many of us (before our hair care awakening) have naturally moisture deficient hair care routines and regimens- especially those with no regimen at all. Rarely have I seen a woman have hair problems that are a result of over-conditioning her hair and too much moisture. I can guarantee you that almost 99% of the time, poor moisturizing and conditioning are the issues that spawn our hair care interventions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Balance is thrown off by too much protein:
Hair that is shifted too far on the protein side will break easier, both wet and dry, because it lacks elasticity. Hair that breaks with very little tension or stretching is moisture deficient. Any type of stretching or tension will break it because the protein goes in and adds structure to the hair. Too much structure will make the hair rigid, decrease its elasticity, leave it brittle and prone to breakage. This was the issue with Kim's hair. She was feeding her hair more protein than she needed to maintain a healthy balance. If this describes your hair at any time listen up! To correct this imbalance, you will need to go into a simple deep conditioning and moisturizing regimen. You may not be doing "protein treatments" per se, but you may be using other products that are protein heavy ingredient wise. I would watch out for protein in common products like leave in conditioners, moisturizers,gels, and instant conditioners like Suave and V05. Protein hides in alot of everyday products- so avoid those for a few weeks until your moisture balance is corrected. This will give your hair a chance to even out the protein/moisture balance.
Should I schedule my protein treatments in advance?
I do not advise "protein-ing" on a specific schedule, simply because our hair is seasonal. Setting aside a week or two in your regimen for protein conditioning is just not effective at addressing your hair needs as they arise. It doesn't know or understand our "schedules." Its needs and wants change from day to day, week to week. The only product you must adhere to a schedule is the Aphogee Treatment for Damaged Hair because it can only be used every 6 weeks or so because of its strength. The other treatments in between that one should only be done as you need them. Sometimes that might be weekly, other times it may be every 2 or 3 weeks! Only your hair can dictate that to you. I'm sure you've seen the threads where I discuss how to tell when your hair needs more protein- or when it needs more moisture. There are very specific ways to tell =) Once you get to know your hair more and more, it will be like second nature! Scheduling is good for when you are just starting out and getting into the groove, but you'll soon start to see that your hair often has its own plan for when you need different things for it! Then, scheduling kind of becomes useless in the grand scheme of hair care things. It also prevents you from truly developing an understanding of your own hair because instead of looking for certain cues and signs, you are looking at the calendar. Protein-ing on a schedule can eventually lead to protein overload if you aren't careful! It is so much harder to bounce back from an overload of protein than it is an overload of moisture/conditioning.
How much is too much?
I totally agree that relaxed ladies need more protein. If you are relaxed or color treated, those processes have compromised the protein structure of your hair--so you kinda need the supplemental protein. Not everyone needs protein though, some naturals can live without it...
For the relaxed ladies though, It's like we've all sustained different degrees of "damage" from the relaxing processes. Some people's hair is more protein deficient by nature (from the coloring/relaxing) so they require more to keep the balance in tact. Relaxing and coloring breaks protein bonds so depending on the type and degree of relaxer and level on bond breakage you will need more or less protein than someone else. So you can't say weekly, daily, or monthly protein is too much or too little because we do not know the true condition and specific needs of your hair to start with. At the end of the day, you must experiment and get to know your own head of hair.
Some proteins are stronger than others, but daily or even weekly use of even the milder protein treatments may result in an imbalance between the protein and moisture levels within the hair strands in some people. Honestly, it's almost too hard to even go by the "types of proteins." You never know the percent composition of these products so though it may have a specific protein down the ingredient list, it might not be as strong as if it were higher on the ingredient list(greater percent composition). The protein in question could be 30% of the product or 0.3%! Who knows! You have to play around with different products to know how strong it is on your hair. You can't really say "Oh this is wheat protein so its gonna very light!" Or "this is animal protein, so its gonna be very heavy." It would be nice if that were true all the time, but because the product percent composition really plays such an important role, label reading can only do so much. For example, every product with keratin isn't going to feel the same way across the board. Just like every product that contains glycerine or water isn't going to feel the same! You must experiment and find your hair tolerance and it will vary from product to product, not necessarily protein to protein.
Another example, some people think Aphogee 2 minute is a mild to tough protein, but my hair tends to laugh at it and feel the exact same after using it. For me, I just experimented using different combinations of products to find out what my hair tolerance is.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Balance is thrown off by too much moisture:
Yes! There is such a thing as "over-conditioning" the hair and Trina found that out the hard way. Hair that is shifted too far on the moisture side will be "super-elastic" and stretch more because it lacks a sound protein structure. Many ladies describe the feel of over-conditioned/over-moisturized hair as ?"mush-like" or "overly soft" when wet. It almost has a weak, limp spongy feel to it. Protein deficient hair will tend to pull and stretch along with the comb and then break. It will always stretch first then break which is the result of very low supplemental protein in the regimen. When this is the case, you will need some kind of protein to give the hair structure which will make it feel rigid (stronger) again. If your hair is stretching without returning, even if its not breaking you should use a light protein to correct this. When your hair stretches, the strand "thins" and becomes weaker across the cross section. It may not break right then at that very point in time, but stretched out of and beyond its shape, it is compromised and will eventually break at some other point. Your hair should be springing back to position. If it's stretching and stretching without breaking it may be your hair's way of telling you, "Hey, I need a little structure (protein) here! I'm getting waaaay too elastic, but not yet enough to break-- so do something now!" This is where a preventive maintenance protein application would come in. You don't have to wait for breakage to act. Your hair is telling you now! Start light, and work from there. You may not need a heavy treatment just yet.
And, you don't have to get all of your protein from a "treatment" per se or conditioner either. You can always throw in protein based leave in conditioners like (Infusium23) or waterbased moisturizers like (Cantu's Breakcure/or Elasta QP mango butter) to help you maintain the balance within your regimen. This way you can get a little or a lot without relying on one product.
I'm Balanced- Now What?
Now once your hair is balanced and the breakage has minimized you can try to maintain the balance for as long as you can by interchanging your products. It doesn't have to be on a particular schedule. It is a constant struggle to balance these two. Ladies, I remember when I first started trying to get a growth regimen going- I planned out all my treatments on the calendar. Now, I've found that this method just doesn't work. Sometimes you need more protein, sometimes none at all. Sometimes its more moisture! You have to listen to your hair to know what do when. So you could say, I'll use protein every other week...but what do you do when your hair decides hey! I want to act brittle and dry and break (a sign of too much protein) the week you are due for more protein? Balance is the word! You'll know how to handle it as you gain experience.
Courtesy of Sistaslick from Long Hair Care Forum
Understanding the difference between breakage and shedding is an important part of any healthy hair regimen. Many people use these terms interchangeably to refer to any hair that falls from the head. In its truest sense, shed hair is hair that has reached the end of its growing cycle and naturally falls from the scalp along with its root attached. The root is a tiny white bulb on the scalp originating end. If a hair does not possess this white bulb, then it is not a naturally shed hair, rather, a broken one. Shed hair tends to be longer in length than broken hairs which are generally short pieces of varying lengths. If you have stretched your relaxer for a great number of weeks, your shed hair will have the curly new growth present on the area next to the bulb, and you will be able to see where the relaxed hair begins. Some find that garlic shampoos or products with garlic extracts help curb shedding. But remember, shedding is a natural, internal process and may not respond to topical, external treatments. So don't be alarmed if nothing works for you. Changes in diet, hormone imbalances, birth control pills, and pregnancy can also affect the rate at which hair is shed.
Breakage on the other hand is not natural, and is an indication of an imbalance of important forces within the hair strand. Broken hairs do not fall naturally from the head, but are typically a sign of mishandling or abuse. The proper treatments, will help stop breakage in its tracks.
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Protein and Moisture
Scenario 1: Kim's hair is breaking like crazy and feels like a brillo pad. Every time she touches it, pieces seem to just pop right off. Snap, crackle, pop. Combing is impossible without tons of little hairs covering her sink and back. Her hair feels hard and rough even when wet. She's given it protein treatments because the product says its supposed to stop breakage in its tracks and rebuild the hair, but so far nothing is working and her problem is getting worse.
Scenario 2: Trina's hair is breaking like crazy as well. Her hair feels dry, looks dull, and is very weak. Her hair is too weak to withstand simple combing. It feels extra stretchy when wet and almost follows the comb as she pulls through to detangle. She has deep conditioned and done hot oil treatments on her hair once a week. Since her breakage began, she?s stepped up the conditioning but her problem has gotten worse.
Both of these women have issues with breakage, but the solutions to their individual problems require two very different approaches. Before you go shopping for your hair care product arsenal, you must understand the difference between protein and moisture and what they mean for your hair. Protein and moisture are the key cornerstones of great hair care. Maintaining a proper balance between these two entities is critical for the healthiest hair growth possible. The two scenarios above perfectly illustrate what happens when the balance between protein and moisture is tipped too far in either direction. This section will teach you to effectively recognize the difference between protein based and moisture based problems and help you can organize your hair regimen to effectively combat these issues as the arise.
Protein
Protein is what gives the hair its strength and structure. Hair is about 70% keratin protein by nature. Protein is found most prevalently in products like instant conditioners (bargain brands like Suave and V05), leave in conditioners, protein conditioner treatments, and even some moisturizers.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers are products that are water-based and nourish your hair deep within the strand. Water is the ultimate moisturizer so waterbased products are best for really getting the best moisture benefit. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be your conditioners and other water-based products. Moisturizers may also be protein-based, but these protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that moisture-based moisturizers have. Good moisturizers will not contain ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin. These are cheap product fillers. Be wary of products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients. There is nothing moisturizing about them! Petrolatum and mineral oil are sealants and have the potential to suffocate the hair and scalp and seal out the moisture it needs.
Sealing in your Moisturizers:
Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is also naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is a difficult task. Sources of outside moisture, or external moisture supplementation, are a must for black hair. Water molecules and moisture from these supplemental moisturizing products easily pass into the hair shaft, but they pass out just as easily. The moisture you apply needs to held in by something. Oil.
A light coating of oil on top will help seal the moisture inside. Oils are made of large molecules. These molecules are too large to absorbed by the hair strand. Applying oils to the hair and scalp will coat them and trap moisture that is inside on the inside and moisture that is outside on the outside. The key is to lock in the moisture within the strands with your oil. If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture out of the hair strand and lead to eventual dryness. This technique of moisturizing and sealing has really been helpful to me and is a resonating hallmark of my regimen. Moisturizing success is all in the order in which you apply your products.
REMEMBER! Oils DO NOT Moisturize.
Perhaps a words like "nourish" would be better than moisturize. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me to recommend a good oil that moisturizes, I would be rich! Oil alone will not and cannot moisturize within the hair shaft. An oil can only coat the outside of the strand, and give it shine- the illusion of moisture. Again, the molecules that make oil are much too large to penetrate through all of the cuticle layers. The cuticle layers can be as few as 6 layers or many as 15 or more layers thick. Oil molecules are hydro-phobic which means they repel and do not readily mix with water. Remember, if you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Balance Tips, You Must Wet Assess
Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Hair is not exempt from this old adage. Growing out your hair is a constant battle between maintaining an even protein and moisture balance. Breakage is the result of the hair chemistry being thrown off balance. Remember Kim and Trina from the beginning of the section? Hair that is shifted too far on either side of the balance (too much protein or too much moisture) will break.
The Importance of Wet Assessment
Though health assessments can be performed on dry hair, determining your cause of breakage is often easiest on wet hair. Hair in its wet state exudes the basic properties of hair---elasticity and strength, excellently. In fact, these qualities are often exaggerated on wet hair. Thorough and frequent wet assessments will help you maintain your hair's health and condition.
Hair in its optimal condition will not break when wet unless undue stress is placed upon it through aggressive combing or detangling. A balanced and healthy hair strand will stretch and break only under undue, or unusual types of pulling stress. Balanced hair will feel soft and supple, yet strong while wet. When you comb through it when wet, it should resist excess stretching and will hardly break if you are careful. Over time, and with trial and error, you will be able to tell what is normal stress for your hair.
If your hair does indeed break when wet, the way the hair breaks under these conditions will give you a sure indication of whether more moisture or protein is required to regain the proper balance.
How Do I Perform a Proper Wet Assessment?
It will be difficult for you to wet assess your hair by holding a single strand and pulling on both ends. That type of stress would be considered "undue" stress, because no single hair is ever really subjected to that sort of tension at one time. Any strand of hair (healthy or not) that you pull on by both ends has the potential to snap depending on the pressure you apply to it. Hair should be wet assessed by the normal act of combing though it or touching-testing it.
Wet Assessment Break Down
If your hair:
(Wet or Dry) Stretches slighty/returns to original length /no breaking= you are balanced just stick with maintaining!
(Wet ot Dry) Stretching a little more than normal then breaks= more protein
(Wet or Dry)Stretching, stretching, stretching/no breakage yet= more protein
(Wet)- Weak, gummy, mushy, limp hair= more protein
(Wet or Dry) Very little/no stretching then breakage= more moisture
(Dry) Rough/tough/hard/tangly/brittle hair= more moisture
Unsure= err on the side of moisture
For those of you just starting out on your journey to healthier head of hair, I recommend you begin with a more moisture friendly regimen before you incorporate the protein aspect. The reason being, many of us (before our hair care awakening) have naturally moisture deficient hair care routines and regimens- especially those with no regimen at all. Rarely have I seen a woman have hair problems that are a result of over-conditioning her hair and too much moisture. I can guarantee you that almost 99% of the time, poor moisturizing and conditioning are the issues that spawn our hair care interventions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Balance is thrown off by too much protein:
Hair that is shifted too far on the protein side will break easier, both wet and dry, because it lacks elasticity. Hair that breaks with very little tension or stretching is moisture deficient. Any type of stretching or tension will break it because the protein goes in and adds structure to the hair. Too much structure will make the hair rigid, decrease its elasticity, leave it brittle and prone to breakage. This was the issue with Kim's hair. She was feeding her hair more protein than she needed to maintain a healthy balance. If this describes your hair at any time listen up! To correct this imbalance, you will need to go into a simple deep conditioning and moisturizing regimen. You may not be doing "protein treatments" per se, but you may be using other products that are protein heavy ingredient wise. I would watch out for protein in common products like leave in conditioners, moisturizers,gels, and instant conditioners like Suave and V05. Protein hides in alot of everyday products- so avoid those for a few weeks until your moisture balance is corrected. This will give your hair a chance to even out the protein/moisture balance.
Should I schedule my protein treatments in advance?
I do not advise "protein-ing" on a specific schedule, simply because our hair is seasonal. Setting aside a week or two in your regimen for protein conditioning is just not effective at addressing your hair needs as they arise. It doesn't know or understand our "schedules." Its needs and wants change from day to day, week to week. The only product you must adhere to a schedule is the Aphogee Treatment for Damaged Hair because it can only be used every 6 weeks or so because of its strength. The other treatments in between that one should only be done as you need them. Sometimes that might be weekly, other times it may be every 2 or 3 weeks! Only your hair can dictate that to you. I'm sure you've seen the threads where I discuss how to tell when your hair needs more protein- or when it needs more moisture. There are very specific ways to tell =) Once you get to know your hair more and more, it will be like second nature! Scheduling is good for when you are just starting out and getting into the groove, but you'll soon start to see that your hair often has its own plan for when you need different things for it! Then, scheduling kind of becomes useless in the grand scheme of hair care things. It also prevents you from truly developing an understanding of your own hair because instead of looking for certain cues and signs, you are looking at the calendar. Protein-ing on a schedule can eventually lead to protein overload if you aren't careful! It is so much harder to bounce back from an overload of protein than it is an overload of moisture/conditioning.
How much is too much?
I totally agree that relaxed ladies need more protein. If you are relaxed or color treated, those processes have compromised the protein structure of your hair--so you kinda need the supplemental protein. Not everyone needs protein though, some naturals can live without it...
For the relaxed ladies though, It's like we've all sustained different degrees of "damage" from the relaxing processes. Some people's hair is more protein deficient by nature (from the coloring/relaxing) so they require more to keep the balance in tact. Relaxing and coloring breaks protein bonds so depending on the type and degree of relaxer and level on bond breakage you will need more or less protein than someone else. So you can't say weekly, daily, or monthly protein is too much or too little because we do not know the true condition and specific needs of your hair to start with. At the end of the day, you must experiment and get to know your own head of hair.
Some proteins are stronger than others, but daily or even weekly use of even the milder protein treatments may result in an imbalance between the protein and moisture levels within the hair strands in some people. Honestly, it's almost too hard to even go by the "types of proteins." You never know the percent composition of these products so though it may have a specific protein down the ingredient list, it might not be as strong as if it were higher on the ingredient list(greater percent composition). The protein in question could be 30% of the product or 0.3%! Who knows! You have to play around with different products to know how strong it is on your hair. You can't really say "Oh this is wheat protein so its gonna very light!" Or "this is animal protein, so its gonna be very heavy." It would be nice if that were true all the time, but because the product percent composition really plays such an important role, label reading can only do so much. For example, every product with keratin isn't going to feel the same way across the board. Just like every product that contains glycerine or water isn't going to feel the same! You must experiment and find your hair tolerance and it will vary from product to product, not necessarily protein to protein.
Another example, some people think Aphogee 2 minute is a mild to tough protein, but my hair tends to laugh at it and feel the exact same after using it. For me, I just experimented using different combinations of products to find out what my hair tolerance is.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the Balance is thrown off by too much moisture:
Yes! There is such a thing as "over-conditioning" the hair and Trina found that out the hard way. Hair that is shifted too far on the moisture side will be "super-elastic" and stretch more because it lacks a sound protein structure. Many ladies describe the feel of over-conditioned/over-moisturized hair as ?"mush-like" or "overly soft" when wet. It almost has a weak, limp spongy feel to it. Protein deficient hair will tend to pull and stretch along with the comb and then break. It will always stretch first then break which is the result of very low supplemental protein in the regimen. When this is the case, you will need some kind of protein to give the hair structure which will make it feel rigid (stronger) again. If your hair is stretching without returning, even if its not breaking you should use a light protein to correct this. When your hair stretches, the strand "thins" and becomes weaker across the cross section. It may not break right then at that very point in time, but stretched out of and beyond its shape, it is compromised and will eventually break at some other point. Your hair should be springing back to position. If it's stretching and stretching without breaking it may be your hair's way of telling you, "Hey, I need a little structure (protein) here! I'm getting waaaay too elastic, but not yet enough to break-- so do something now!" This is where a preventive maintenance protein application would come in. You don't have to wait for breakage to act. Your hair is telling you now! Start light, and work from there. You may not need a heavy treatment just yet.
And, you don't have to get all of your protein from a "treatment" per se or conditioner either. You can always throw in protein based leave in conditioners like (Infusium23) or waterbased moisturizers like (Cantu's Breakcure/or Elasta QP mango butter) to help you maintain the balance within your regimen. This way you can get a little or a lot without relying on one product.
I'm Balanced- Now What?
Now once your hair is balanced and the breakage has minimized you can try to maintain the balance for as long as you can by interchanging your products. It doesn't have to be on a particular schedule. It is a constant struggle to balance these two. Ladies, I remember when I first started trying to get a growth regimen going- I planned out all my treatments on the calendar. Now, I've found that this method just doesn't work. Sometimes you need more protein, sometimes none at all. Sometimes its more moisture! You have to listen to your hair to know what do when. So you could say, I'll use protein every other week...but what do you do when your hair decides hey! I want to act brittle and dry and break (a sign of too much protein) the week you are due for more protein? Balance is the word! You'll know how to handle it as you gain experience.
Courtesy of Sistaslick from Long Hair Care Forum
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