Upgrade your deep conditioning regimen

It is time to upgrade your deep conditioning, by investing in a hair steamer!

Hair steamers hydrate your hair 5 times better, than deep conditioning with a hooded or bonnet dryer. The moist steam infuses each of your hair strands with moisture. The steam enhances the benefits of your deep conditioner. 

You can enjoy the amazing benefits of steam conditioning, once a week. You can steam treat your hair for 15 minutes, one day a week. 

Enhances blood flow to the follicles

Holds moisture all day and more

Reduces frizz

Softer hair

Facial steamer

Unclogs pores

Reduces itchiness

Prevents dandruff

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At one time, at home, hair steamers were expensive. But thanks to Amazon, that is no longer the case. I found you one for $44.99! YES, THAT IS RIGHT! What a deal!!!

Hair Steamer Deal!

Never blow dry your hair!

In order to maintain healthy growing natural hair, you must have a routine that keeps your hair moisturized. Using a blow dryer is counterproductive to keeping your hair hydrated. Many naturals use a blow dryer to quickly stretch their coily hair. However, in the process of giving your hair stretch, it sucks all the moisture from the hair. This is the main reason that you should never ever, ever. ever, ever use a blow dryer on your hair. 

When I get my hair braided, my braider uses the blow dryer to stretch my hair. What do I do about this?
Afro hair is perfect for braiding in its natural state. A good braider should not have to blow dry your hair in order to braid it. It should look just as good being braided in its natural perfect state. Always shampoo, deep condition, detangle and moisturize the hair before getting your hair braided. 

Two all natural heat free ways to stretch hair

1.  Braid your hair in  5 to 7 loose plaits, and let it air dry. Your hair will have a very nice healthy stretch. 

2. Roll hair on magnetic rollers, using slim sections. Let hair air dry. Your hair will have awesome stretch, superior to that you get from blow drying.
  

So what is the problem with blow drying the hair,  before getting braid extensions?

As previously stated, blow dryers  suck all the moisture from the hair. Then adding the fake hair on top of your natural hair dries it out, even more.  Fake hair is made up of a type of plastic.  As this plastic lays on top of your hair, it sucks more moisture from your already scorched blow dried hair. The combination of the blow dryer and the plastic fiber is not conducive to keeping your Afro hair hydrated. 

When you remove the fake hair after wearing it for several weeks or months, you lose more hair than you should.  This is due to your coils drying out under the extensions.  As the weight of the fake hair swings back and forth  week after week, your hair begins to weaken. Thus when you remove the extensions, that weakened dried out hair breaks easily. What you think is shed hair, also ends up being breakage. 

What about when I deep condition?
When a deep conditioner tells you to use heat, they are not referring to the harsh heat of a blow dryer. You use a heat cap, steamer or sit under a soft bonnet dryer. Invest in one of those items, for your healthy hair journey.

Christmas gift list:  steamer, heat cap or bonnet dryer.  

Top hair steamers!

If you have an issue with chronic dry hair, you can benefit greatly from hair steaming. Steam enables the conditioner to absorb better into your hair shaft. So if you have a consistent issue with your hair not staying moisturized, even to the end of the day. A steamer is an awesome investment for you. 

Chronically dry hair, ends up being broken hair. Hair which is consistently breaking does not retain length. 

LACK OF LENGTH RETENTION IS THE REASON YOUR HAIR REMAINS THE SAME LENGTH YEAR AFTER YEAR. YOUR HAIR IS GROWING BUT IT IS BREAKING JUST AS FAST. 

Increasing your moisture retention is a huge part of retaining length. For those with chronic dryness a hair steamer can change their moisture retention game. A hair steamer conditions the hair 5 times better than a hair dryer.

Treat your dry hair to a hair steamer.

Invest in your hair! 

Your coils deserve it!

I found you several good hair steamers on Amazon. CHECK THEM OUT!!!

Correcting your chronically dry hair

Are you tired of dealing with dry, brittle hair? 

Does your hair not retain moisture for at least 3 days? 

Do you have to keep a water bottle on standby, to keep your hair from becoming hard and knotted? 

Does your hair not style well? 

Does it snap and pop when it is dry? 

If one or more of these issues applies to your hair, you have severely dehydrated hair. Dehydrated hair does not hold a style well, retain length well and feels hard all the time. The Coily Queens Regimen is your solution to hydrated, soft, fast growing, easy styling hair. The Coily Queens Regimen is a lifestyle for your hair. Created to help you grow your hair to long lengths. 

Long healthy hair can be yours on the CQR

Before you begin the regimen here are 4 steps to correcting your chronically dry hair

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STEP 1: Product overhaul 

• Only cleanse with a non sulfate shampoo or clay wash
• Stop using any products which contain harsh ingredients
• Purchase products which are as close to natural as you can get
• Use natural cold pressed unrefined oils
• No co washing
• No harsh gels, only botanical gels
• Coily Queen approved brands: Camille Rose, Shea Moisture, Alikay Naturals, Mielle Organics, TGIN, Luv Naturals, Jane Carter Solutions.

STEP 2:  Jump start your hydration by choosing plan A or B

Plan A)   If your issue is  hard, brittle hair, then complete the 3 day intensive moisture treatment.  Steps HERE

Plan B)  If your hair issue is dry hair with excessive tangles and knots,  then complete the 
18 day moisture and lubrication treatment. HERE


STEP 3:  THE DRY HAIR CHECKLIST
Go over the tips on the dry hair checklist and adjust your regimen to fit the list. Read more details about the dry hair checklist HERE.

STEP 4: You are ready to begin the Coily Queens Regimen HERE

What to expect on the CQR

Elimination of single strand knots

No more excessive tangles

Better hair growth

Better styling hair

Faster wash regimens

GET STARTED ON THE CQR PROGRAM TODAY

HERE

How to fall in love with your natural hair

We commonly concentrate on finding that perfect product and perfecting our style technique. But we spend little time on dealing with our mindset concerning our natural tresses. This is one of the biggest mistakes some women make when returning back to their natural hair. For most it is discovering their natural curls for the first time. I divide the hair journey into 3 parts. It is 25% the products you use, 25% the techniques you use and 50% your mindset towards your hair. One can see how not addressing such a huge part of your journey can be hindering. 

Not being honest about how your truly feel about your hair many times leads to setbacks. Either the person returns back to the relaxer, continuously rocks fake hair or they experience breakage from bad hair care practices. 

Below are some very common negative mindsets black women have towards their hair. Along side each negative mindset I offer some solutions for you. I want you to have the hair you desire, minus the setbacks. Therefore I offer help via some solutions I have seen help ladies tremendously. 

My 4C curl pattern. Smoothed back into a bun by using curls control passion fruit paste by Curls

NEGATIVE MINDSET #1
"After going natural for a year, I hate my curl pattern"

SOLUTIONS:

• Be sure you are seeing your true curl pattern.  Until your hair is hydrated, consistently you will not see your real curl pattern. Work on your hydration. 
• Do a moisture fusion treatment (Nine day moisture therapy)
• Be sure you are following a consistent healthy regimen.
• If you are continuously rocking fake hair, that will mess up your hydration. Thus lay off the fake hair until your hair is healthier hydration wise. Take a 7 months break from fake hair. 

NEGATIVE MINDSET #2
"I do not like how I look with short hair and my hair appears to grow slow."

SOLUTIONS:

• Examine your cleansing regimen. How often are you cleansing your hair?
• Are you following a consistent healthy hair care regimen with natural products?
• Have you measured how much your hair grows each month?
• Is your shrinkage blinding you to how much your hair is actually growing? For some motivation set your hair on magnetic rollers, for a nice stretch. 
• Are you breaking your hair off by doing bad hair care practices?
• Sometimes you need extra help. Sign up for hair growth coaching and start growing the hair you desire.

NEGATIVE MINDSET #3
"I cannot get past the amount of shrinkage I have. "

SOLUTIONS:

• Want less shrinkage use less product.
• After day two of your style, stop applying any type of water or water based product on your hair.
• Use bands to stretch your hair
• Stretch your hair using magnetic rollers, before you create your styles. 
• Allow your hair to air dry, 70% while in big twists. Then set your twist out, on 70% air dried hair. You will have more elongated styles.  

NEGATIVE MINDSET #4
"I love my hair but it takes so long to achieve styles I love."

SOLUTIONS:

• Perhaps it takes you a long time due to tangles. If this is the issue then work on your hydration to reduce your tangles. Do lots of pre poo treatments to combat excessive tangles. 
• Re-evaluate the styles your are trying to achieve. 
• Work consistently perfecting one style. Afro hair is like memory foam, the more you mold it into the same shape, the easier it molds. 
• Examine areas of your style regimen in which you are making them more lengthy than they need to be. 

NEGATIVE MINDSET #5
After I spend hours creating a style, it frizzes up so quickly. So I rather wear fake hair, it is easier. 

SOLUTIONS:

• Pay attention to the weather. Do not try to compete with mother nature, most likely you will lose.
• On  high humidity days or misty days, wear your hair in a puff, bun, ponytail or roll tuck and pin. 
• Invest in some anti humectants. Anti humectants contain ingredients which help the hair to hold its style longer by blocking out the humidity.  Pomades do this very well. 
• Get use to how your frizzy shrunken hair looks.  Fall in love with the truly natural you. 

TRANSFORM YOUR MINDSET TAKE THE 30 DAY CHALLENGE.

CHALLENGE A:   Rock your hair in it's shrunken undefined state for a whole day. Be sure to leave the house. This experience is liberating for those who do not normally wear their hair in its Afro state. 

CHALLENGE B: Rock your natural texture for 30 days. Make journal entries as to how you feel about your hair experience. It will transform how you see your hair. Concentrate on how you feel not what you think other people are thinking. 

Do not do this

Your natural hair journey may be filled with a few errors, but these should not be one of them. 

UNNECESSARY MISTAKES LOTS OF NATURALS MAKE

1.  Purchasing a product, then asking the purpose of the product.  You want to know the benefits of any product before you invest in it. Without knowing the benefits how do you know if it is necessary for your hair regimen?  Lots of naturals purchase apple cider vinegar, without knowing its benefits. 

2. Not following the directions on the products you buy. A product comes with instructions so that you get the complete benefits from the product. Following the product instructions ensures you reap the full benefits.  At least once a week I will see someone ask how to use the aphogee 2 step treatment, they have recently purchased. The treatment comes with instructions. Always best to follow the manufacturers instructions first. 

3. Rotating back and forth between your real hair and fake hair. Doing this early in your natural hair journey will only keep your hair dehydrated. Spend your first year as a natural getting to know your hair. Consistently working a healthy hair care regimen. Get your hair to a healthy hydrated state, then you can do hair extensions. 

Braid Retain and Grow method

When your hair is healthy enough for extensions, be sure to follow a regimen for extensions, such as Braid, Retain and Grow by Vee. Following this regimen will help your grow more hair and eliminate breakage from your extensions. 

Clarifying your hair

Clarifying the hair involves using a stronger than normal cleanser to remove product build up from your hair.

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5 REASONS TO CLARIFY:

1.  If you do not wash your hair on a weekly basis

2.  If you use gels on a regular basis

3.  If you use petroleum or silicones, on a regular basis

4.  Clarifying before your protein treatments helps to ensure that the protein adheres to your strands better. 

5.  If your hair was styling good then it begins to not style as well, doing a deep cleansing could help to revive your hair. 

PLEASE NOTE!

Deep cleansers and clarifyers have a higher PH than your regular shampoos. 

Clarifyers cleanse the hair deeply. This includes stripping the hair of its natural oils.

For this reason extra care should be taken to deep condition well after using a clarifying deep cleanser.

Here are my tops pick for clarifying deep cleansers. 

Shea Moisture black soap shampoo

Jane Carters Hydrating Invigorating shampoo

As I am clarifying conditioner

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Natural choices:

Moroccan red clay *(PH 8)

Bentonite clay *(PH 8-9)

Black soap *(PH 9)

Castile soap *(PH 11)

*the PH is an estimate it depends on how your natural product is created

Conditioning Afro Coily Hair

Shampoo removes, bacteria, dirt and product build up from the hair. Shampoos also remove your natural sebum coating. Therefore you should always follow every shampoo with some type of conditioner to help re-balance your hair.

Conditioners replace moisture removed during cleansing.  Conditioners also add strength, softness, shine  and elasticity to the hair. 

TYPES OF CONDITIONERS:

Product recommendations

Regular conditioning (aka rinse out conditioners or creme rinses)
These are products formulated to apply to the hair and leave on for 2 to 10 minutes, then rinse off. No heat is needed for this type of conditioning. How long you keep the conditioner own will vary per the product. These conditioners are not formulated to be left on the hair, unless the bottle specifies such. It is very important not to use a rinse out conditioner as a leave in. 

Who should use regular conditoner? 

•  Those with healthy hair 
•  No problems with breakage or moisture
•  Those who shampoo  frequently
•  Those who are short on time

Deep conditioning
Usually a moisturizing conditioner you leave on the hair, cover with a plastic cap for 10 to 20 minutes. This will vary depending on the deep conditioner brand you use. Deep conditioners come in the forms of masques or creams. 

When to deep conditon

•  Extra dry hair
•  Hair that is breaking
•  Before heat straightening

Hair treatments
These come in the form of a liquid, cream or lotion. They will address a specific hair need. Treatments usually add strength to the hair in the form of proteins. Some of them can be used alone while others need to be followed up with a moisturizing conditioning treatment

When to do a treatment

• When you have scalp issues
• To add strength to the hair
• Before or after any type of chemical treatment
• Dehydrated hair

Leave in conditioning 
The leave in conditioner is your most important hair product. Afro curly hair requires continuous conditioning. A leave in comes in the form of liquid, cream or lotion. Creamy leave ins are the most moisturizing and the most popular. These are conditioners formulated with ingredients that can be elft on the hair. A leave in conditioner and a moisturizer provide the same function. A good leave in conditioner will also be a great style product for your hair. So it gives you moisture and hold for your style all day. 

When to use a leave in conditioner or moisturizer

• After each shampoo session
• Twice a week for healthy hair
• Daily for damaged or dehydrated hair

Hair care mistakes to avoid

Heat straightening chronically dry hair

If you've been suffering from dry hair, that is not the time to press or flat iron your hair. Heat straightening hair that is chronically dry is the number one way to get heat damage. Conditioning is more than deep conditioning your hair one time, before a service. In order to properly hydrate your hair you must  consistently condition with moisturizing product over a period of time. Depending on the degree of your dry hair, that conditioning therapy can take between 2 to ten weeks. 

Here is a conditioning boot camp regimen to help prepare  hair for heat straightening. 

Getting braid extension on thinning or balding hair

Your edges are thinning, you found a bald spot or you have extreme breakage. This is not the time to install fake hair. If the hair loss is coming from the hair root then you should not add extra weight to your hair strands. Breakage is usually from lack of moisture and braiding fake hair into your hair will only cause more dry hair. I understand that your hair may not look its best when going through a trauma, so opt for a wig instead. At the end of your day you can remove the wig, so your scalp can breathe. Watch out for the combs which come attached to lacefront wigs. Those combs can cause more thinning to your edges, opt for an elastic band to secure your wig. 

Strengthen your hair and hydrate your hair, then you can install extensions that are not tight or extra small. 

Check the Braid Retain and Grow Method. This method helps you keep your hair while wearing fake hair. 

FLIP FLOPPING BETWEEN NATURAL HAIR AND FAKE HAIR

Many naturals will go back and forth between their natural hair and fake hair. They do so because they are not satisfied with their current length or the way their hair styles. Flip flopping back and forth will continue to dry your hair out. Each time you come out of a set of  braid extensions or weaves, you have to work hard restoring moisture back in your hair strands. This is because the majority of the fake hair is made of  plastic. This plastic sits on top of your hair and dries it out over time. Lots of black women lose way more hair than they should when removing extensions and this is due in part to the hair drying out under the fake hair.  Learn your hair first. Learn how to properly hydrate it and style it. Do not be so quick to hid behind fake hair. Give your hair time to flourish. 

Once you have created a good regimen for your hair and your hair is strong and holding moisture well, then go to the fake hair for style variety. This way you are using the fake hair as a style option and not to hide behind out of frustration. 

The secret to increasing your HAIR GROWTH!

Yes hair grows daily, if  the hair follicle is alive. However, not everyone is receiving their full growth each month. There are many factors which retard your hair growth. 

Curl type 4C with medium density.
Hair partly flat ironed the rest naturally stretched

Find out the number one way to increase your hair growth for sure! Also find out how to retain all that growth.

It is not your genetics nor your hair texture that is holding you back from growing your hair to bra strap, waist length or even hip length!

Join the "Double your hair growth" challenge.

Say bye to slow hair growth.

Curl type does not matter when it comes to growing long hair.

I understand that, reaching bra strap or waist length takes a long time when you only gain 1/4 an inch per month. But also consider that your body might be capable of producing way more growth per month, than you currently are. 

Join and find out your full growth potential. Like many others who have done the challenge you might be surprised. There is certainly a 97% chance that you will be! 

Whether that goal is APL, BSL, WL or other, if your hair root is alive you can achieve your desired length. With the right information. 

Join us today!

"Gain an inch in 30 days" hair growth challenge

Correcting crown breakage and dryness

Lots of black women have a issue with breakage in the crown area. Many complain that their crown area is extra dry, hard and shorter than the rest of their hair. They experience extra tangles and knots in the crown area. Most women have had this issue all of their lives, along with other females in their family. If your crown is not bald, this issue can be corrected. The hair on your crown can be just as healthy as the rest of your hair, just by making a few changes to your hair regimen. 

TWO MAIN REASONS YOUR CROWN IS BRITTLE AND BROKEN

1. Lack of moisture
As your hair follicles secrete sebum, that sebum travels down the hair strands. When one does not produce enough certain areas can go lacking. Sebum is what lubricates your hair strands. The sebum usually settles at the lower part of our neck. You will notice many times that the curl pattern of our lower back hair  is a loser softer texture than the rest of our hair. This is due in part to the sebum settling at the base of your neck, giving that hair extra conditioning. However this also  leaves your crown area lacking sebum.  Usually this issue can be easily corrected within 30 days.

HOW TO CORRECT THE LACK OF MOISTURE IN YOUR CROWN AREA

• Be sure to cleanse hair twice a week or no less than once a week
• Apply extra moisturizer to the crown or dry areas
• Treat area with an organic apple cider vinegar treatment
• Seal moisture into your hair, using one of these products: castor oil, jojoba oil, red palm oil or hemp grease.
• Baggy overnight, 3 times a week

2. Damage under the scalp from  relaxers, hair dye or heat tools
A large portion of women who have relaxed their hair, have scar tissue under the scalp. In most cases you do not know until your scalp starts to give you trouble.  It affects most women in the crown but it can occur anywhere on the scalp. The affected areas tends to be sore, red, itchy, thin or irritated. These symptoms can exists for years before the hair starts to fallout. The hair loss usually starts  with a dime size bald spot. The bald area will become larger, if left untreated.  

If you suspect the above is your issue, you must see a dermatologist asap. Ask the doctor for a scalp biopsy. You need to know what is going on under the scalp. The quicker you seek treatment the more likely you can slow the progression of the hair loss or reverse it.

PREVENTING CROWN BREAKAGE

• Feed that area moisture everyday, even if the rest of your head does not need it. Remain conscious of your problem areas. 
• Get a aphogee 2 step protein treatment once every 4 to 6 weeks.
• You can spot treat with protein treatments. Meaning you can choose to just protein treat your crown area only, if you feel the rest of your hair is not breaking a lot. 
• Never lay down without a satin scarf or bonnet.
• Use both a satin bonnet and a satin pillow case. (works amazingly)
• Do not wear ponytails or apply pulling in that area. 
• Do not use a brush in that area (fingercombing is best)

GET HELP WITH GROWING YOUR HAIRJOIN THE CHALLENGE

False common beliefs about Afro hair

What you believe plays a large part in what you receive. Stop believing common falsehoods concerning black hair. Just because a thing has not happened to you, does not mean it cannot happen. 

Here are 5 common beliefs concerning Afro hair. 

Change your mindset, change your journey. 

1. Afro hair is naturally weak
Afro hair is curly hair. Curly hair is not weak by default. Afro hair is made up of lots of layers of strong keratin. Hair becomes weak when the protein bonds are damaged. This damage comes from bad care or poor health. 


2. Wearing fake hair makes Afro hair grow 
 Fake hair does not make anyone's hair grow faster. Fact is, if your hair root is still open your hair grows daily.  Growth comes from under the scalp. Fake hair cannot control what occurs under the scalp.

3. Afro hair is naturally dry
Afro hair is not naturally dry just because it is curly. If your hair is consistently dry, you need better products and a better regimen. Low sebum production will also make your hair dry. 

How to hydrate your hair

4. In order for Afro hair to thrive it must be covered with fake hair
NOT TRUE! You can grow and retain length without relying on fake hair. A protective style does not have to involve fake hair. Keeping your ends tucked is very effective in preventing breakage. Finger combing is also an excellent way of retaining length. You do not have to wear fake hair in order to retain length. Extensions are an option for length retention but not the only way to retain lots of length. 

When you do choose the hair extensions route, be sure you are doing it the right way. Most people do not grow as much hair as they could with extensions because they are not protecting their real hair. Learn more about the Braid, Retain and Grow method here. 

5. Afro hair naturally grows slow
Lots of black women think that Afro hair grows much slower than white people's hair. This is not true. How fast your hair grows depends a little on genetics, your health and what you eat. If your hair grows slow, there are things you can do to increase your hair growth rate. 

Help with slow hair growth

The best conditioning ingredient for 4C hair or dry hair

Does your hair feel hard?

Dry or brittle? Knots?

Does your hair not hold moisture all day?

If any of these are your hair issues, then you should use products high in glycerin.

Pillow soft twist outs!

Glycerin is a super softener and humectant.

Nothing makes your hair as soft as glycerin.

Glycerin is the best softener, conditioner and detangler for coily hair. Look for glycerin in the top 5 ingredients. Glycerin is okay to use all year round, but it does not mix well with flat ironing.  

A leave in conditioner is any product that contains ingredients which can be left on the hair and provides conditioning to your hair. 

It does not have to be labeled as a "leave in" conditioner. 

TOP GLYCERIN BASED HAIR PRODUCTS 

1. Coily Custard, by Miss Jessie's

2. SCURL Curl activator

3. CQR-Super Detangler, Conditioner

If you rather make a completely natural glycerin leave in, her is an awesome recipe.

This can be used as a detangler and a leave in conditioner

4. Cantu curl activator

5. Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie

CONS:

When using the Scurl or Cantu curl activator, you might find you need to use more of your hold product. The high glycerin content in these products tend to make the hair so soft, that it does not hold a style well. 

If you intend to heat straighten or roller set your hair do not use the scurl product or the cantu curl activator. A large amount of glycerin does not work well with flat irons. It also does not set the hair very well and can make it gummy when mixed with heat from a flat iron.