Understanding your hairs porosity

All hair is porous, meaning that products, in particular water, can penetrate its surface. Some peoples hair is more porous than others, and hair on the same head can be overly porous one day the next month less porous. Products, hair care habits and elements greatly effect our hairs porosity. If you are on a journey towards growing longer healthier hair your first step should be to get your hairs cuticle to open and close properly. The goal is to have normal porosity, this is when your hair cuticle closes when it should and opens when it should.

Understand that overly porous or under porous is not a hair type, it is a hair condition. Unlike hair types, conditions are subject to change. Most people have overly porous hair due to their improper shampoo habits or using products which are not PH balanced for the hair. Most women think this is just the way their hair is, and adopts being overly porous or under porous as a hair type, when it is a hair condition. Again the goal is to have a healthy working cuticle that closes when it should and opens when it should. This goal is easily attainable, by following a specific regimen for 30 days. Remember this is the first thing you need to do when starting a healthy hair regimen.

30 day correction for overly porous hair:
Products needed: PH balance strips, non sulfate PH balanced shampoo, organic apple cider vinegar, a deep moisturizing conditioner, plastic caps, hooded dryer, bottled or filtered water and a leave in conditioner.
Steps to take:
Shampoo your hair twice a week with a non sulfate shampoo. Be sure the shampoo has a PH b/n 5.5 and 6.0. (purchase PH balance strips to test all of your products this is the only way to know for sure)

1. After you shampoo and deep conditioned your hair. Always rinse your shampoo out with warm water, this ensures the cuticle is opened to receive the moisturizing benefits of your deep conditioner.  Once you rinse out your deep conditioner you then need to do a ACV rinse.
Apple Cider Vinegar rinse recipe:
1/4 cup of ACV
2 cups of filtered or bottled water

2. Pour this ACV rinse over all your hair/scalp saturate really good. You should use at least 1/2 of your mixture or all. Allow to soak into your hair for 3 minutes then rinse for 3 minutes with the coldest water you can stand.

3. Apply your leave in conditioner and style. Do not use a blow dryer or any type of heat during the 30 days. Let your hair air dry.

1, 2, 3 that is it! 

Shampoo your hair again in 3 days after your first shampoo/ACV rinse
But this time do not use the ACV rinse, but remember to ALWAYS RINSE YOUR DEEP CONDITIONER OUT WITH COLD WATER.

Shampoo again after another 3 days this time you can use the ACV rinse. 
Following the above instructions.

 You will do a  ACV rinse every 6 days.

After two weeks of this regimen you will notice that your hair retains moisture better and you will not have to apply  a leave in conditioner everyday, so you will start to save a lot of money.

Your steps in 30 days: Easy, inexpensive and simple to follow!
Day 1: Shampoo, DC follow with ACV rinse
Day 4: Shampoo, DC rinse out DC with cold, cold water. Skip ACV rinse part
Day 7: Shampoo, DC, follow with ACV rinse
Day 10: Shampoo, DC rinse out with cold, cold water, Skip ACV rinse part
Day 13: Shampoo, DC follow with ACV rinse
Day 16: Shampoo, DC rinse out with cold, cold water, Skip ACV rinse part
Day 19: Shampoo, DC follow with ACV rinse
Day 21: Shampoo, DC rinse out with cold, cold water, Skip ACV rinse part
Day 24: Shampoo, DC follow with ACV rinse
Day 27:  Shampoo, DC rinse out with cold, cold water, Skip ACV rinse part
Day 30: Shampoo, DC follow with ACV rinse

Remember no direct heat for 30 days. Only heat you will use is when you sit under a hooded dryer with a plastic cap for 20 minutes twice a week. No blow dryers, flat irons or curling irons. For best results. Remember to rinse shampoo out with warm water, but rinse deep conditioner out with cold water.

Join the hair growth 30 day healthy hair bootcamp

Gain and inch in 30 days by joining and successfully completing this challenge! 

Click this link to sign up! https://www.facebook.com/missvee.holistichaircare?ref=tn_tnmn
 Send your email request for the 30 days hair growth challenge.

As of this date there are 10 spots available!

Help my scalp is sore!

A sore scalp is common occurrence  amongst all people, at one time or another in their lifetime.  The average person  will have a sore scalp on occasion but usually it goes away after a few hours or 2 days. A constant sore scalp is not normal and should be looked at by your doctor, to ensure that the sore scalp is not indicative of a underlying serious health condition.  Some people keep a sore scalp and label themselves as tender headed and think nothing of it.

There are many causes of a sore scalp some common ones are: allergies to products in particular sulfates, hair pulled to tightly from styling, sinus issues, inflammation of the scalp, tense tired scalp muscles, older age and more. Whatever the root cause, know that if a sore scalp persists more than 3 days, then you should tell your primary care doctor.

Sore scalp solutions:

• Eliminate products which contain:  sulfates, alcohols and parabens .(these ingredients are strong and many have allergic reactions to them and do not even realize it)
• Be sure there are no bad teeth in your mouth, so it could be time to a dental checkup. (wisdom teeth, impacted teeth and cavities can create all sorts of extra pain within your body)
• Do not braid, twist or pull your hair to tightly.(extension braids should be able to be bent back and forth without your cringing the first day of your style. If you have to take a pain pill and cannot bend your extension back and forth without pain then they are to tight, remove them ASAP or spray your scalp area with a warm water solution to try and loosen them up)
• Drink 64 ounces of water daily (water helps to keep inflammation out of the body) 

Two natural remedies for a sore spots on scalp

 
Ice pack on sore area for 15 minutes only, then you can wait an hour and do another 15 minutes until the pain stops.
Massage scalp for 10 minutes twice a day, concentrating more on the sore areas

                       

  Sore scalp oil mix:

 One tablespoon of pure jojoba oil

 2 drops of  pure tea tree oil

 4 drops citronella essential oil

 3 drops of pure argan oil

 Jojoba oil improves the texture of  your skin while removing excess cholestrol from your scalp. The tea tree is anti bacterial while the citronella and argan act as the inflammatory agent.

Mix these oils together in a bowl and apply to the sore areas first, and with your finger pads (not your fingernails) massage area as deep as you can stand it) Apply oil mixture a little at a time all over the entire scalp. Massage for at least 10-15 minutes, concentrate more on the sore areas of your scalp. You can also hang your head over the sink (as though you were going to wash your hair) and massage it this way, this will encourage better blood circulation. If you are able to hang your head off the side of a bed that is even better. Caution if you use either one of the last two techniques only do them for 3 minutes and stop if you get dizzy or feel weird in any way.

Test your scalp

The scalp contains muscles and muscles become tense and sore.  A healthy scalp moves very easily. Test your scalp, palm you head as you would a basketball, then with your hand firmly on each side of your head move your whole scalp back and forth. How easily did your scalp move?  Did your scalp feel loose or tight and tensed?  When you do this test you want your scalp to move back and forth easily and loose, not tight and tensed. Hair does not reach its full monthly growth potential if the scalp is tight.  Practice daily massage with  natural oils to keep the scalp loose and to stimulate  healthier blood flow.

Baggying 101

Baggying:  the process of applying a plastic cap over your hair and allowing it to sit from 20 minutes to overnight, with or without product. 
 by Vee

Baggying done correctly can be a great way to impart much needed moisture into excessively dry brittle hair. Baggying also creates a steam effect on the scalp, which stimulates the hair follicles to produce better hair growth. Steaming your hair removes toxins, improves elasticity and unclogs the hair follicles. Using an actual hair steamer or receiving a professional steam treatment is much better than baggying, however for those who cannot afford a hair steamer this is an inexpensive alternative.

You can baggy with product or without product. Some people baggy without applying

Change clear conditioning caps after each use

conditioner or oil because they are trying to stimulate their hair follicles to produce more natural sebum. This is good for people who have a very dry scalp due to low sebum production. Understand that poor diet and age can greatly decrease sebum production. Healthy hair needs adequate sebum production, not to much and not to little.

Baggy method #1
After you have shampooed and applied your deep conditioner cover your hair with a plastic conditioning cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 20 minutes. If a hooded dryer is not available, leave conditioner and plastic cap on while doing household chores. You body will create its own natural heat from moving around doing your cleaning, this heat allows the oils to penetrate down to the hair root. The goal is to create as much natural heat as possible in the absence of the hooded dryer.

*Silver conditioning caps

Baggy method #2
Aka the GHE method: You massage  a stimulating oil or growth oil into your hair and scalp, cover with a plastic conditioning cap, add a scarf and leave overnight. The ideal is to use your body heat to create a steam effect on your scalp, getting the stimulating oil to penetrate and stimulate blood flow to the hair follicles. Some people add a extra beenie over the scarf, the more heat your create the better the blood flow.  Better blood flow distributes the nutrients to the hair follicles and this increases hair growth. For this reason your body must have good nutrients present in order to feed the hair follicles, thus a healthy diet is mandatory. This technique should only be done 3-5 nights per week. The next morning after doing this method your hair should be damp and moisturized. You remove the scarf and plastic cap, allow your hair to dry a little then style as desired

Baggy method #3

You can put your hair into a ponytail and only baggy the actual ponytail itself. With this method some are able to maintain their daily style better. This also helps those who seem to only experience dryness on the ends of their hair. Note, this method does nothing for the hair roots to stimulate growth, it only helps to moisturize the ends and helps you keep your style a little better. 

Baggy method #4

At bedtime very lightly spritz with water add no extra product to your scalp (however your hair should have some oil or conditioner on it from earlier in the day) cover your hair with a plastic cap and tight scarf. This method creates the steam effect on the scalp, increases blood flow to the scalp which stimulates the sebaceous glands. This method is for those who wish to correct their sebum production. One must also improve their diet to have healthy sebum production. Healthy sebum production produces better hair growth. 
The silver conditioning cap is recommended for this method

Baggy method #5

COILYQUEENS SAUNA METHOD
This method will double your hair growth if you are one who only receives 1/8 to 1/4 inch per

month of hair growth. This can be done on wet or dry hair 3 times per week . Apply a leave

in conditioner to your hair strands only, cover with a plastic conditioning cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 7 minutes. The heat from the dryer will open your hair follicles to receive the growth oil. Before you sit under the dryer take your stimulating oil and warm it inside a bowl of hot water for about 3 minutes. You oil should be warm not hot. After siting under hooded dryer for 7 minutes massage the oil into your scalp for 7 additional minutes. Massage holding your head down, starting with the nape area. Heat a towel in hot water, cover hair with towel and reapply the plastic conditioning cap, then tie down with a scarf. Relax for at least 15 minutes. You can leave the oil on your hair or rinse it out. If you choose to rinse it out then rinse with cold water to close the cuticles. If you choose to leave it in then remove the wet towel and plastic cap and sit under dryer on cool setting for 5 minutes.

*Silver conditioning caps for color are self warming caps that work better than clear plastic or saran wrap when doing any of the methods overnight and not sitting under the  hooded dryer



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Using grocery bags is a no no!
It may be cheap but never use a grocery store plastic bag over your hair. Why?  Because these bags have been treated with chemicals and they were not made for the purpose of covering your hair. You do not want this to sit on your hair over night Yes they carry food but remember the food is in packages. Love your hair more, purchase the clear plastic conditioning caps.

A no no!

So do you baggy?

What baggy method do you use?

If so, leave a comment.

Vmack Products Copyright©2013

Smoothing down tightly coily 4c hair

A big issue which women with tightly coily hair have, is the challenge of finding products which will lay our hair down smooth with shine and hold.

Gel is not always the answer for the 4C woman because gel contains larger amounts of water. Gel has a tendency to draw coily hair up tighter than it naturally is, this makes it difficult to achieve or maintain a sleek back bun or ponytail. As with every woman there are times that coily hair women want to wear a simple ponytail or a professional bun. However finding the right product to achieve this look makes it difficult.

One product I recommend for tightly coily or 4C hair ladies is a curl control paste by Curls. This product will smooth down your tightly coily hair. At first glance and feel it will remind you of the product Jam, but this product beats Jam by a thousand percent. 

• smells good
• non sticky  
• non flaking. 
• Mixes well with other leave in conditioners. 
• non drying
• silicone free 
• paraben free.

 
My hair  after shampooing with no product on it, as you can see. my edges coil up and separate greatly. It has been a task to find a product that would smooth down my    edges.









Curls control paste was applied and my hair smoothed back with my hands. No brush was used. You just keep smoothing and smoothing until you hair lays flat. It takes longer because you are not using a brush. But in the long run it is healthier to smooth with your palms on tightly coily hair, this will keep your breakage to a minimum. A soft bristle tooth brush was used very lightly to smooth down edges. 

Notice my hair gives the appearance of the 3C curl pattern using this product. Benefits last for 3-5 days, I only reapply a natural oil daily. This paste gives your hair shine and hold. My pictures do not convey the true shine this product gives your hair. 

This is how much product I used after two uses, it does not take a lot. My hold lasted for 3 days. At night I wrapped it in a scarf and in the morning I applied: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil or grapeseed oil. On day two I applied a little more paste to my edges only. 

Shine

 Hold

Curl pattern enhanced

last for 3-5 days

No flaking

No build up

When you take your bun down your hair is still soft and moisturized.

This product is a Royal yes!

So tell me have you tried this product on your tightly coily hair?

Did you like it?

If not, have you found a product which is good for smoothing down tightly coily hair?

Share with other CoilyQueens.

Gain One Inch of New Growth in 30 days (2nd round)

Are you a part of the slow growers club, as far as hair growth is concerned?

Would you love to double your normal hair growth rate?

Always desired to grow and retain one inch of new growth in a month?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then I have a challenge opportunity for you.

I have developed a jump start regimen that has enabled me to grow one inch of new growth in the first 30 days of this regimen. Yes one whole inch! My normal rate of hair growth is 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch per month, so I consider myself to be part of the slow growers club. This is only if I do nothing extra to enhance my normal growth rate.

2011

First let me say that this challenge is not for everyone, because not all will want to follow the strict regimen to achieve maximum results. This regimen is not for the lazy and it is not for those who do not like to wash their hair frequently. This regimen is also not for those who afraid to let their hair look a little frizzy at times. Lastly this regimen is not for those who do not like wearing their hair twisted or braided.

This challenge will  be opened to the first 50 people who sign up and fulfill all the rule requirements. There are no exceptions to any of the rules. If you are not able to fulfill any of them please do not sign up.

This challenge is private once it begins.

How do I sign up for the Gain one inch of new growth in 30 days challenge?

1. Follow this blog, in the right hand column go down and find the box that says follow this blog, then choose follow, must have a google account to participate, no exceptions.

January 2013

2. Send me a message on Facebook, title it 30-day one inch hair growth challenge and list the name in which you are following this blog under. https://www.facebook.com/missvee.holistichaircare  You must have a FB profile with a profile picture to participate no exceptions. Once I receive your FB message I will send you a challenge prep list. On May 9th you will be sent an invite  to the secret Facebook group. Once you accept you will have access to the challenge full rules and instructions. Please read all the rules and instructions carefully

3. Sign up begins today and will close on May 3rd or when all the slots have filled up.         

4. Most products needed should already be in your beauty cabinet. No products will try to be sold to you

5. All participants are required to wear your hair in extension box braids or extension twists, or your natural hair twisted or braided, a wig or TWA, no exceptions. This challenge is NOT for those wearing weaves, loose hair(unless its a TWA) or cornrows, please do not ask. You must be able to show your hair in a starting length shot picture, no exceptions.

Any additional questions leave them below, but if you plan to participate sign up asap.

Again some important rules to consider before you sign up:

You must have a google account and "follow" this blog.
You must have a FB page with a profile picture.
You must be able to show your hair in a starting length shot picture.
You must wear your hair in braid extensions, twist extensions, natural twist/braids, a wig or TWA, during the 40 days of the challenge.
All other rules must be followed as given.
You must be 18 years old to participate. 
You must send me the name you "follow" this blog under.
There are no exceptions to any of these rules. 

You sign up using the link above do not leave a message below. Sign up only if you are serious, so this doesn't take a spot from someone else.

Please read: When you email to request a space in this challenge, email me the profile name you use to "follow" this blog under. If you look in the right hand column 5 boxes down,  you will see the box labeled "followers" your profile name will show up in this box. Your email will not be answered if you do not list the profile name you have "followed" this blog under.

Let's Grow!!!!!!!!

Styling products for 4C hair or women with tightly coily hair

Often women with tightly coily and 4C hair have a hard time finding products which work on their coil pattern. Allow CoilyQueens to make your search for products easier.

4 products which work great on 4C hair.

Curl control paste by Curls is great for twist outs and smoothing down 4C hair for a nice bun.


Twist outs
 Braids outs

 Non-flaking 



No stickiness






Buns

 Shea
Moisture
Curl
Enhancing
Smoothie


No mineral oil, no petroleum or silicones 98% natural ingredients. Functions as a leave in conditioner and styling aid. This product will create definition for your twists and hold.

Cantu shea butter leave in conditioner creates beautiful soft  twistouts with hold and without making your hair hard. Moisturizes and conditions tightly coily hair.

This conditioner is of medium consistency.
The product lasts for 3-5 days before you need to re-apply.
No buildup unless you apply to much a little goes a long way with this leave in conditioner.

Very inexpensive
Large container

I also found another product from the Curls product line, its called goddess curls. Its a botanical curl get that defines, defrizzes and holds your curls. I used this product alone over a leave in conditoner. Its like a gel serum. I was really impressed it provides hold without the stiffness. 

 This gel give you great hold but leaves your hair feeling soft. The price is moderate but a little of this product goes a long way. So I think the bottle will last you a good while.No flakiness and your hair is not left with the gooey feeling you get with gels.

So tell us what is your coil pattern and have you found a favorite product you would like to share with other ladies?