Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Top cleansers for 4C Afro coily hair



Hair grows best on a clean scalp, therefore cleaning the hair on a frequent basis is important to the health of your hair.




Those with coily curly hair should stay away from cleansers which dry the hair out. Stay away from sulfates and alcohols, as they dry and tangle coily curly hair. When you get ready to purchase your cleansers look for non sulfate shampoos, conditioning cleansers or co wash products.


IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT LONG TERM USE OF SULFATES LEADS TO HAIR LOSS

Here are some cleansers that perform well on Afro coily hair. These cleansers leave the hair clean without creating excess tangles during the wash session.

Shea Moisture curl & shine shampoo
  • A non sulfate shampoo
  • Delivers a rich lather
  • Cleanses good in one lathers if you like
  • Lasts a long time
  • Leaves your hair soft and does not tangle the hair




Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo
  • Contains no sulfates
  • Rich thick lather
  • Product lasts a long time
  • Strengthens damaged  hair 
  • Helps very dry hair

 

Shea Moisture black soap shampoo
  • Use only when you need a deep cleansing (once per month)
  • Cleanses in one lather if needed
  • Deep cleanses really good without tangling the hair
  • Great clarifying shampoo 

 


Lisa Rachel conditioning cleanser
  • Non sulfate cleanser
  • Cleans and conditions in one step
  • Leaves your hair soft and easy to untangle
  • Comes with a pump so it is easy to use in the shower
  • A little goes a long way
  • PH balance of 4  



As I am Curl Clarity Shampoo
  • PH 5.5
  • Sulfate free
  • Safe for color treated hair
  • Removes buildup gently

 

As I am Coconut Co Wash
  • PH 5.5
  • Adds moisture to the hair
  • Makes detangling a breeze
  • Eliminates DHT from the scalp
  • Great for those dealing with hair loss

 

Eden Bodyworks Cleansing CoWash
  • A moisturizing cleansing conditioner
  • Gently cleans hair
  • All natural
  • Sulfate free 




Whichever product you choose to use be sure it is formulated to clean the hair. Conditioners are not made to clean the hair, unless it says cleansing conditioner on the product.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

How to repair heat damaged hair!




Help I straightened my hair a week ago and now some parts of my hair are not as curly as the rest of my hair. Do I have heat damage? If so can I repair it? I am afraid, I will have to cut my hair, help!!!

What is heat damage?
When hair has been melted by a heat source and it reaches the cortex. The cortex is the deep inner part of each hair strand. Each hair strand is made up of many layers. The outer layer is the hair cuticle and it provides protection to all the other layers. When you use a flat iron over 250 degrees the hair becomes smooth by melting the hair cuticle. This is usually temporary. Heat damage normally occurs when you use excessive heat, high heat or you apply heat to already damaged hair.

 
Do you really have heat damage?
Every time you use harsh heat you weaken your hair cuticle. Whether you have damaged it to the point that it will not revert back to its original shape, will have to be seen once you shampoo and condition your hair.

How to get your curls back.
Cleanse your hair with a conditioning cleanser or non sulfate shampoo. Deep condition your hair with a moisturizing conditioner, add honey for more conditioning. Sit under the dryer for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, follow with a ACV rinse.

What to do when the hair does not revert back.
Once you have shampooed, deep conditioned, ACV rinse and styled, your coils should return. If that does not happen, no need to panic. Each night for 3 nights in a row apply a leave in conditioner, cover with a plastic cap, until the next day. Use your fingers to scrunch and shape the troubled areas. At this point you do not know how deep the heat went. Just because your curls are not fully back does not mean you have heat damage. For the next four weeks you will do the cleanse, DC and ACV regimen twice a week. So if you start on a Monday you will then repeat the process on Friday. After week one, you will baggy every other night. So this equals 6 treatment sessions within a months time.  Each week you complete the routine you should see more curls appear. By week 4 your curls should be back.

How to straighten your hair without getting heat damage.
When you decide to use harsh heat such as flat irons and pressing combs, you must make sure your hair is strong and very moisturized. If you are having dry hair issues do not straighten your hair. Always schedule your straightening sessions 4 weeks in advance. Weeks 1-3 you should deep condition your hair really well. Week 4 do a good protein treatment a few days before you straighten your hair. The protein will help to protect your hair from the harsh heat you are going to put on it. The day of your straightening routine, be sure to use a silicone based heat protectant. Make sure your hair is moisturized but not wet when you straighten it.
If a 4 week treatment does not fit your schedule check here for the 9 day heat preparation treatment.

When you should never straighten your hair

To do a length check
It is a waste of time to straighten hair only for the purpose of checking the length. Why risk the damage?
When your hair is damaged
Never straighten damaged hair. As stated above each time you use harsh heat you make the hair weaker. 
When you have hair color
Hair dyes make your hair dry and difficult to keep moisturized. Never straighten hair that is having issues retaining moisture.
When your hair is extra dry
Straightening dry brittle hair is the main cause of heat damage.  
In the Summer time
What is the point it will not last anyway. You will then use more heat to try to get your press to last longer. This is a recipe for heat damage.
When your hair is dirty
Always start with freshly washed hair no older than 2 days. 
When you are crunched for time
When you use harsh heat you need to take small sections and take your time. The process can take hours, rushing it will cause you to make mistakes which can leave you with heat damage. 
When you are getting it braided 
Hair does not need to be blown out nor flat ironed, when you are getting extensions. If your braider cannot work with your natural hair, find another braider. Your hair needs moisture when you are getting extensions. Straightening the hair removes the moisture, so this is a bad thing to do before getting braids.



 

REMEMBER PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE!

 
BE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR LIFE NOT REACTIVE ALL THE TIME!


Saturday, January 10, 2015

Faster hair growth with New Moon Trimming (Jan-Feb)



Start the New Year off with a New Moon phase trim. Out with those old jagged ends, and welcome in the new hair growth that will sprout from your hair roots. New Moon phase trimming uses the energy of the moon to increase your normal rate of hair growth. People report their growth rate doubling and even tripling. 

SO WHAT WILL A NEW MOON TRIM DO FOR YOU?



THE ONLY THING YOU HAVE TO LOSE ARE THOSE BAD ENDS.
TRY THE 40 DAY NEW MOON CHALLENGE, YOU MAYBE SURPRISED AT THE RESULTS.

BEST DAYS TO TRIM FOR HAIR GROWTH INCREASE IN JANUARY
20th
23rd
24th
27th 
28th
31st

BEST DAYS TO TRIM FOR HAIR GROWTH INCREASE IN FEBRUARY
1st
2nd
19th
20th
23rd
24th
28th 


My trim dates vary from the dates you may find on other sites. I have the best dates for growth increase, this is for sure. Want to know how I pick my dates each month?