I Need Your Opinion

 

Ok so I'm not getting a relaxer but I NEED to do something to my hair or I will LOOSE my mind! With that being said, some extreme color is about to come into play. I've done some searching on other blogs and here are the colors I'm considering.

 

From the top left lets number them 1-4 where the scarf is (1), XXI is (2), glasses is (3), and the close up is (4).

Which one would you guys choose?

Is It Just Me…

 

Am I really the only black female that cannot flat twist or cornrow her hair? I mean I haven’t actually tried in years but right about now I NEED to learn how.

*Lets take a moment to thank God for YouTube*

I found to really good videos with close ups. I’m going to try this on my next hair wash day (probably Friday). Wish me Luck!

Cornrow Video

Flat Twist Video

Phuck What You’ve Heard

 

What’s your hair type? For a while now I’ve been trying to figure out how I could possibly be classified as a type 4 hair. I’ve seen SO many different typed of Black hair around and I don’t think that all of us can be thrown into this type 4 box.

I found a NEW hair type listing on MIzani and I think it’s a little more accurate when I comes to classifying Black hair.

I am type 6:

 

TEXTURE: Thin to thick or combination

GROWTH PATTERN: Grows up and away from the scalp, then curls

BODY / VOLUME: Some volume. Likely to be compact, less movement.

ELASTICITY: Stretching with minimal return

POROSITY: Raised cuticle. Some frizz, tangled.

 

When my hair is wet the description sounds like type five but when it’s dry it sounds like type six. I may be somewhere in-between but this is a MUCH better description that the type four.

SOURCE

One Year Natural (LOTS OF PICS)

 

I waited until January to post this because I cannot remember when I actually did my big chop. I know it was in December but I don’t remember the actual date. With that being said:

I loved my perm. I really did. I got a really bad perm one day, got chemical burns, some hair fell out and the rest was history.

I transitioned with braids and a sew in for 12 months. I remember trying to play with the natural hair that would slip out of the braids just to see how it was LOL!!

I remember taking out my last set of braids before my big chop and I was looking in the mirror like what am I supposed to do with this?? The perm was literally dead hair and it looked STOOPID!! Sooooo…

MopTop Maven Healthy Hair Challenge

MTM is having healthy hair challenge for 2011 and I have already joined! If anyone is interested I have pasted her blog post below. If you enter let me know so we can do this together and make sure that we're keeping with our goals!

Whether your goal is "bra strap" length hair, or growing out your TWA, join me for the healthy hair in 2011 challenge! No matter the state of your hair, you can turn it around by practicing healthy hair care techniques and keeping an air tight regimen [which sounds harder than it actually is]. Healthy hair isn't limited to just wearing your hair in a natural state. You can have healthy heat straightened hair and healthy relaxed as well. The key is to do everything in moderation.

In order to get the best results, it's best to start your personal hair care challenge with a trim. If your ends are in good condition you can skip this step. Trimming your hair is essential to retaining length. Here's why; ends that are split will eventually break off, and you will gradually lose length this way. Couple healthy ends and care when handling your hair and you will be able to retain that 1/2 inch of growth monthly.

There are many ways you can care for your hair during this challenge. You can go with a traditional regimen using some of your favorite products, you can opt for all natural products, and you can even take the Ayurvedic route. No matter which regimen you choose, the things you must remember are:

Proper Detangling Techniques

Keep the stress low on the hair follicles [avoid tight buns, pony's and tight braids]:

Keep your hair moisturized

Lay off the excessive heat: Excessive heat breaks down the Keratin bonds in your hair which could cause breakage and overly porous hair [overly porous hair does not retain moisture well]



Monitor temperatures if you use heat: Always make sure you are using the appropriate heat setting for your hair type.

Go easy on the products that contain alcohol [gels, setting lotions, hair spray]: These products can dry out your hair leaving it brittle, the ends split, and your strands lacking moisture.

Keep your hair protected at night: Sleep with the use of a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillowcase, not only will this help protect your strands from breakage, but it will also help stretch the life of your hair style.

Deep conditioning regularly: Hair that is highly textured needs regular conditioning intervals to help replenish lost moisture and nutrients to keep it healthy and promote hair growth.

Keeping these basic principles in mind will foster healthy hair and also keep you motivated as you start to see the health of your hair improve and also start to notice growth. Some essential tools you need on your journey are:

Wide tooth comb: For detangling



Soft/hard bonnet dryer: For deep conditioning



Conditioner

Ouchless rubberbands

Moisturizing Shampoo

Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo

Natural Oil: For sealing moisture in your hair, I recommend Grapeseed, Jojoba or Coconut.



Styling aid: For doing styles like twist outs or braid outs. You can use hair butters like Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter, or puddings like Miss Jessie's

How the challenge works: The first session of this challenge will last for six months. Every month I will hold two virtual check-ins where I create a post geared towards answering questions, concerns, and talking about products. One check in will be via LiveStream, so that I can answer your questions real time, and the other check in will be via blog post for those that are unable to log on to get their questions answered.

The goal is to create a community that encourages women to start taking better care of their hair, and get questions answered about products, setbacks, general self esteem issues, and regimens so that they feel good about themselves and their journey.

The healthy hair care challenge is open to anyone who wants to ring in the New Year with a healthier approach to hair care. It doesn't matter if you are relaxed, natural, transitioning, or heat straightened.


To participate in the challenge, please list your starting length and your goal length [in the comment section]. Please also list the type of regimen your going to follow. Choose from Traditional [using regular products/methods], Natural [consisting mostly of DIY and natural products] or Ayurvedic [consisting mostly of Ayurvedic Herbs/Oils]. Starting Monday, December 27th, I will list product recommendations and sample regimens for each category.

To kick it off, my starting length is mid back length, my goal is waist-length, and I will maintain a regimen that is a combination of traditional, natural, and Ayurvedic!

The challenge will start Jan 1st, and will run for six months! If you're looking to turn your hair around and you don't know where to start, or you're lost in your hair journey, or simply want a little motivation, let's go!

If you would like to be notified of the check-in dates ahead of time, and receive a newsletter [one newsletter will go out once monthly and will cover a range of topics from protective styling options, to product recommendations, DIY hair care recipes etc], please send an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: mtmhealthyhairchallenge@gmail.com

SOURCE

The Aftermath…

 

Hi everyone! Remember this post I put up about my sew in and this one about the effects of the flat iron and my hair? Well here’s the aftermath…

I’m kinda blown because the coil was my go to style and it’s looking like I can’t go to it but hey. What can you do….

To CHI or not to CHI…

 

I’ve never been good at using a flat iron but all I’ve ever heard of using is a CHI iron. Best thing since sliced bread. NOT!! 

I purchased the Glacier Ice CHI iron from Overstock and I thought it was all good but little did I know…

One of the “advantages” of this flat iron is that it heats up to a fixed temperature of 302-356°F. WHO NEEDS THAT?! The worst part is that I don’t even know what to do now. I mean, what temperature is best for my hair? Now that the hair around my edges is straight, will it ever curl again?? DO I HAVE TO CUT MY HAIR ALL OVER AGAIN?!?!?! I went searching to one of my fav blogs Mop Top Maven and went searching for heat information and here’s her take on it:

Hair Are You These Days?

I was keeping this blog do document my hair at one point so I’m going to dedicate this post to show the different styles I have been wearing. I used a standard set of products on my hair and it never really varies.

Washing/Conditioning:

• Deva Poo Shampoo – this shampoo doesn’t lather (which is why I usually use too much) but it doesn’t leave my hair feeling like a clean glass table.
• Mixed Chicks Conditioner – At first I was like I’m 100% Negro but it turned out to be a pretty good conditioner
• BeeMine Conditioner – My FAVORITE conditioner!!
• Miss Jessies Baby Butter Crème – I don’t think there’s a better moisturizer but it’s expensive as hell. Every Christmas they have a buy one get one sale and the best (and only time) to get the products. It lasts so you don’t have to go broke trying to stock Miss Jessies.
• Bee Mine Herbal Serum with Sulfur (Kiwi Strawberry) – Sulfur doesn’t bother me and this smells like strawberry kiwi with a HINT of sulfur. I bought a squirt top so I can apply it straight to my hair.

Now on to the styles:

I usually wear my hair twisted

*Please excuse the one too many and really shouldn’t be driving look* It is INCREDIBLY time consuming but once it’s done my hand are out of my hair for at least three weeks. I am not a trained professional so I can’t really explain how I twist my hair; I just roll it around my fingers when it’s wet and it stays. I didn’t even know it had a name until someone asked me how to do it lol. It’s called a coil out. When I twist my hair I either use:

• Miss Jessies Curly Puddy (I wish I could eat that stuff) or
• Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter – This product isn’t heavy so it usually leaves me with a frizzy look after about two weeks and I cool with that.

Here’s a link for the people who are interested in the proper way to do a “coil out”: The Proper Way to Do the Coil Out Method.

If my hair isn’t coiled, I usually blow-dry my hair and put a few slave plats in my hair and the next morning I have:

This is a favorite for the older generation of men. They love to tell me stories about the days were their hair looked like this. They always say: “Leave you hair just like this; never change.” Before I blow-dry my hair I use Jane Carter leave-in conditioner and when I plat it I use Jane Carter moisturizer.

Last but not least:

When I first got it straightened I felt so strange. I felt like I looked like everyone else and it kind of freaked me out. My hair felt too close my face and it just looked flat and dead….until I whipped my hair back and forth!! LOL! I usually just deep condition my hair, use a heat protectant (is that a word) and flat iron it.

My Stock is Like the DOW Jones…

Men are visual creatures and I get that; they’re shallow.  With that being said, I didn’t realize JUST how shallow visual they were.  I use myself as the example:

When I started college I was 5’1”, 95 pounds soaking wet and by every definition I was skinny. I would post a picture but who REALLY wants to go back that far. Anywho…fast forward to Summer 2008 when I moved down to Atlanta. For the first 8 months I ate at any restaurant whose name sounded like “Big Mama’s ____ _____”, “Southern Fried ____”, etc.  I toped off at 131 lbs and by all definition I was thick…and proud of it!! Life was grand!! I didn’t have to pay for anything, do anything, hell I’ve never been so lazy. AND if I put in a 10” Remy, ninjas would buck a U turn JUST do I didn’t have to pump my own gas #truestory. But when I got PHAT in the back I also got…..

FAT in the front and that was a problem that needed to be handled.

Two things happened after that: I went natural and I lost weight due to exercise and nutrition (S/O Bleeding Onions). These days all I can get are opinions instead of compliments; suggestions instead of valentines and although my hair is different and I’m lost TWO (or three lol) inches in my hips I just don’t know what’s different. The person hasn’t changed a bit; I’m still the same ‘ol GEE but I guess life is just a hot or not contest.  Now I still believe that I am nothing short of amazing (O_o) but I just say this to let the ladies know that the “beauty is skin deep” is a bunch of bull shit because even though I’m currently shaped like this:

(32-25-36) they really want you to look like this.

 

Does it bother me that I apparently look like shit now; yes. But hey….you can’t please everyone.

Ten Ingredients to Keep Out of You Hair Care Cabinet!!

Hello all! I've been MIA (again) mainly because I've been obsessed with my hair but I'm going to try my best to me more regular with posting. I've been doing a lot of research about ingredients because as I've been become a [hair] product whore I've wondering what I'm actually buying! Here are ten products you will want to avoid:

10 INGREDIENTS TO AVOID PUTTING ON YOUR HAIR!

Most of the commercially available hair care products today use harmful, potentially carcinogenic ingredients. In the interest of good napptural health, I list below, what are in my opinion, the 10 worst commonly found product ingredients thngs you can put on your hair (and body). Check the list of ingredients on your hair products. The more of a particular ingredient you have in a product, the closer it is to the top of the list of ingredients on the bottle:


1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off. According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure,
and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers.

8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home). For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. 

I Finally Did It!!!!

I did my BC this past Friday and now I'm 100% natural. I hated it on Friday. I felt like I'd made the BIGGEST mistake of my LIFE and that I looked like the bottom of someone's shoe but now I love it!

Here's a pic of me from before:

And now (drumroll please)..............

This is me with one year's worth of natural hair! I don't really know what to do with it but in time I will. I totally think I'm awesome right now.

Till next time...

Co-Wash

Am I the only person that doesn't know what a co-wash is? If so, here's a really good explination:

If you wear your hair natural, you are probably familiar with co-washing, or washing the hair with conditioner only. Conditioner washing avoids harsh results from frequent washing with shampoos and helps to keep natural black hair soft and manageable. Co-washing can be done as often as you'd like, even several times a day (this is a plus for natural hair wearers in the hot days of summer).





Oftentimes the question of "How do I co-wash my hair?" comes up. The answer would seem simple, but there are some steps you can take to get the most benefit from this technique and do it with ease.


* First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. Search online for keywords "hair types" and narrow your hair type down to one or two close categories. You may be a combo 3c and 4a. This will help you better understand which type of conditioner to purchase among the many available.


* Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found HERE.

* Recommended: Purchase an extended shower head/hose. Handheld shower heads with variable sprays offer the best control for rinsing the hair and are often well worth the investment.


* Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it's too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.


* Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.


(1) Pour a line of conditioner into your hand (as opposed to pouring a dollop) and apply each line onto parted hair sections. Work the conditioner from the roots to the tips. Continue until all the hair is covered.

(2) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large bowl, preferably plastic. With the shower head, add water to the bowl and mix the water and conditioner well with your hands. Bend your head over the bowl. With a cup or other small container, scoop up some of the mix and pour it onto your hair. You can then lean further over into the bowl and wash your hair with your hands directly over the bowl if you'd like. This allows for even coverage, but note that the conditioner will be more dilute.


(3) Squeeze your normal amount of conditioner into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water. Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. Again, this mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. This method is great for those who only have minutes to spare in the mornings. Make a large batch of diluted conditioner, spray your hair and rinse out after bathing.


* Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth. This step is optional, as there remains a debate as to whether combing while wet does more damage to hair than combing while dry. It has been said that combing while wet can stretch the hair past it's longest point, thereby causing breakage. However, many who wear their hair natural report that combing while the hair is fully conditioned is the best time for them, as the hair is soft and pliable, leading to less breakage. In either case, comb hair gently by grabbing one small section at a time. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. It's ok if you cannot comb from root to tip in one stroke. The main idea is to ease tangles and distribute the conditioner evenly.


* Allow the conditioner to set on your hair for at least a few minutes if possible. Both steam from the shower and the conditioner itself will work on your hair during this time. Give yourself a nice salt or sugar scrub while your hair is being conditioned.


* Rinse your hair well, again with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner.


* Optional: Apply your hair products at this step -- while your hair is dripping wet. Many naturals swear by this technique and believe the best absorption is gained at this time. At the least, your product(s) can be more evenly distributed throughout your hair while it is sopping wet.


* It's time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.


(1) Dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your scalp and hair with a towel at all costs! Instead, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the towel.


(2) Shake and go. Lay your towel across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the towel and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman's cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the towel raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is what I call the "no touch" method. Sometimes drying the hair directly with a towel can remove products you've just applied, even helping to separate your freshly-formed coils and spirals. You want your coils to group together to avoid the frizzies. This method is perfect for the warmer months when you possibly can afford to go longer periods with damp hair.


(3) Blow dry, but with care. When blow drying, the use of a diffuser is best. A diffuser will spread the heat from your dryer more evenly and minimize potential heat damage. You can find diffusers at most beauty supply stores at a minimal cost. If you do not have a diffuser, use the low heat or cool setting and blow dry from at least six inches from the furthest part of your hair. Remember, you are not trying to get the hair bone dry -- just dry enough to style and go out.


In summary, with the above methods you'll find shampooing your hair by co-washing is a great alternative to traditional shampooing which can strip your hair of much needed oils and moisture. With just a touch of practice, getting in and out of the shower with a clean head of hair will take less time than applying your makeup, and your hair will benefit greatly from it.




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Tips for Growing Your Hair

I was searching for new natural blogs to subcribe to and came across this bit of advice:

1. The most important thing you can do is be consistent. You won’t see any progress or know what’s helping or hurting your hair if you’re jumping on every bandwagon. Keep a hair journal with pictures, come up with a regimen that’s suited to YOUR hair needs, and then stick with it.



2. Moisturize your hair!!! I cannot stress this enough. I used to be crazy enough to think grease equated to moisture, which is WRONG!!! You need to find a good water based moisturizer and an oil( I like Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to seal with.


3. Deep condition your hair at least once a week! African American hair is notoriously dry. It craves extra moisture (or at least mine does) therefore deep conditioning at least 1x per week will be extremely beneficial to your hair health.


4. Search and Destroy. If you’re hair is not damaged….meaning no brittle, burnt, split ends, there’s no need to cut it. Just doing regular search and destroys is enough. You do this by sectioning your hair in four parts and searching each section for split ends. Clip only the ends that are actually split. You can also keep your ends looking nice by dusting them (only trimming 1/4 of an inch).


5. Limit your use of direct heat. Direct heat is the devil!!! Excessive heat causes split ends which hinders retention. Your hair is always growing, but if you aren’t retaining any length then you’re not gonna see any progress. If you must use direct heat, please use a heat protectant.


6. Protect your hair at night. Cotton dries your hair out. Dry hair is prone to breakage. Sleeping wild with your hair uncovered also leads to tangles. Find a good silk or satin scarf.


7. Shampoo your scalp only. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp, but excessively cleaning your hair will only lead to dryness. Also, don’t gather your hair up on top of your head when washing, because that leads to tangles.


8. Limit manipulation of your hair. Try not to comb and brush your hair everyday. Even the healthiest head of hair can be sabotaged by excessive manipulation.


9. Stretch your relaxers. Only relax when you have at least an inch of growth This way you don’t risk overprocessing hair that was previously relaxed.


10. Stay away from jealous hair stylists. You’ll never see any growth if they’re constantly chopping it off and ruining it.

SOURCE


BTW: I Googled "Long Hair + African American" and when I went to the images all I saw was pictures of Beoyonce, Ashanti, Tyra, etc. Picture that. LLS.
 
 

Brazilian Keratin Treatment

I have been trying to learn about this Brazilian Keratin Treatment! This all I keep hearing over and over again: "straight hair with no chemicals that last for months." I had to find out what it is because if it's true that's a sure ringer for a summer hairstyle! Oh how research can kill a sistah's dream...

A Brazilian Keratin hair treatment (BKT), also known as “escova progressiva”, is a considerably costly salon procedure that promises to transform frizzy, dull, dry hair into silky smooth, shiny strands that last for up to 4 months and runs from $250 to $600 depending on the length of the hair. . Sound too good to be true? It is. Unless you like wearing a gas mask at the salon.



Wildly popular in all the blogs and a hot topic in those social networking forums I love to hangout in, everyone seems to be thinking about getting one. Wait! I type. Before you call your stylist to book your salon appointment, make sure you have all the info you need to make your choice. Silky hair is good, but with a Brazilian Keratin Treatment you might be getting more than you planned.


What you and your stylist may not know is that the active ingredient in these BKT “wonder” treatments is formaldehyde, which is a dangerous chemical, especially if you breathe it in. Hence the protective equipment – face masks, gloves, ventilation fans – as a safety precaution when giving or getting a treatment. Is straight hair worth wearing a gas mask? Now THAT’S something to consider.


According to Allure Magazine (we love them!) “some of the most popular BKT treatments contain at least ten times more formaldehyde than the .2 percent considered safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. The FDA doesn’t currently regulate cosmetics, but they are investigating the safety of escova progressiva treatments.” Now, I’m no expert, and I have considered a BKT when I originally heard about them, but ten times more formaldehyde really sounds like a bad idea. Very bad. There’s no way that’s good for you.


The best, or I should say worst part about the Allure Magazine expose? I’ll loosely paraphrase here, but the gist is: “Keratin has nothing to do with straightening. Nada. There is nothing in Keratin that will change the structure of the hair, it’s the formaldehyde that makes the treatment work. Keratin is window dressing and provides a good marketing story.” Sounds like a sham to me. And really, who wants that kind of toxic treatment? BUT if you're still interested check them out at Brazilian Keratin Treatment.





SOURCE

Winter Hair

Hola Chicas,

Not too long ago, I posted Keneesha Hudson's (CEO of Urbanbella) tips for winterizing your curls. It was an excellent article with great product recommendations--check it out if you missed it! Regimen tweaks are truly something to consider as the seasons change-- your curls, which are already prone to dryness, crave even more moisture the cooler and dryer it gets.


What will I do to moisturize my situation, you ask? I plan to incorporate weekly deep treatments (haha, maybe), and shea butter for sealing. During the summer months I alternate between Devacurl Set it Free (SIF) and shea to seal my wet, conditioner laden ends. In the winter, my hair seems to crave the heaviness of shea so I usually shelf the SIF. As for styling, I will continue to do Twist-n-Curls and plan to dibble and dabble in protective styles, utilizing Curlformer sets.


According to The Curl Whisperer, our resident curly expert, we should avoid humectancts in the winter:


In very low moisture areas, dry climates, or during the wintertime, humectants can actually dry the hair out further by absorbing water from the hair itself when there is no moisture in the surrounding atmosphere. Because the sole purpose of a humectant is to find and absorb moisture, it will find it and take it wherever it can get it--and that includes yanking out the moisture from inside your curly locks, leaving you with a dry, frizzy mess.--Tiffany, The Curl Whisperer


Examples of humectants (taken from NaturallyCurly.com):


• Diols and Triols: propylene glycol 1,2,6, hexanetriol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, Glycerin, triethylene glycol, erythritol capryl glycol, phytantriol hexanediol or -triol, beeswax
• Humectants of biological origin: panthenol, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, inositol, glycogen
• Sugars and modified sugars: sorbitol, polyglyceryl sorbitol, glucose, fructose, xylitol, honey
• Hydrolyzed proteins: elastin, collagen, silk keratin, hydrolized wheat
• Ethers: Isoceteth-x, Isolaureth-x, Laneth-x, Laureth-x, Steareth-x, PEG-x (polyethylene glycol), Silicone copolyols
*I bolded the one's I run into the most, for your convenience!


TRY:


-Curl Junkie Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
-DevaCare One Condition
-Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner
-Jessicurl Too Shea
-Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment
-Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
-Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration or Totally Twisted (Walmart)
-Generic Value Paul Mitchell the Detangler (Sallys)

SHELF:
-Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
-Curl Junkie Hibiscus and Banana
-Miss Jessies Creme de la Creme
-Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner
-Elucence
-Generic Value Matrix Conditioning Balm (Sallys)


As the temperature falls, and the humidity lessens, what will you add to (or omit from) your current routine to promote healthy growth, and beautiful, shiny curls?


SOURCE

Hair Products

Here is a video from one of the ladies I subscribe to on YouTube with list of her product do's and don'ts!

Good = LANOLIN = Bad

I've been trying to find information about Lanolin and how it effects Black hair. If you didn't know, Lanolin is also called Adeps Lanae, wool wax, wool fat, anhydrous wool fat or wool grease, is a greasy yellow substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals, with the vast majority of it used by humans coming from domestic sheep. (Eew). Its been getting mixed reviews from some of the sites I've been researching but here are some excerpts you can use to make you own decisions:

1. "I am curious about the lanolin oil in the hollywood beauty castor oil. I've been reading that lanolin is a bad ingredient to have in any of your hair care products, so what about the hollywood beauty castor oil with mink oil? Is that ok to use ?"

Advice:

Lanolin is a very greasy material produced by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Lanolin is a mixture of fatty acids, wax esters, and a complex mixture of other organic compounds. In its natural state, lanolin contains about 25-30% water by weight. When applied to skin or hair, it is very effective at penetrating the surface and enhancing moisture retention. Lanolin is also beneficial because it continues to absorb moisture from the air, and can thus act as a humectant for the skin or hair.

Lanolin is sometimes considered to be too thick and greasy to be used liberally on curly hair, as it can really weigh down the curls and create frizz, but this is really dependent upon the degree of curl. A person with extremely curly hair would find it very beneficial to their hair. Its unique and complex chemical composition should make it very easily removed from the hair with a gentle shampoo or conditioner wash.

In summary, lanolin is an excellent conditioning agent for hair, but consideration of hair type should be used when selecting products for hair. People with extremely curly hair (such as those with 3C, and the 4’s) can most likely use lanolin-containing products in their regimen and enjoy soft, smooth hair without losing curl or gaining frizz. Those with wavy or slightly curly hair (such as 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B type) may find products containing lanolin to be too heavy.

SOURCE

2. My hair is too oily. How can I make it appear less greasy?

 Many conditioners and styling products formulated for the African American market contain greasy ingredients like lanolin, petrolatum, cocoa butter, waxes and oils. These quickly build up on the scalp and hair and can even stunt future hair growth. If you do use one of these heavy products, apply just a little; keep it on the hair and off the scalp. Wash your hair at least twice a week with a mild clarifying shampoo to remove the residue. Then use a conditioner, but keep it off the roots and be sure to rinse thoroughly. Avoid two-in-one products. Follow this same advice if it's just your scalp producing excess oil, and not buildup that's the problem.


SOURCE

Gotta Hate That Breakage!!

At work today one of my co-workers mentioned that she was having some breakage at the back of her neck. I remembered that my hair used to do that because of my head scarf all the time. We started talking about it and I realized that I have no idea how you're supposed to wear a head scarf. It was hard to find some really clear information, but here is an article I found:

1. 
   
   
   1. 
      
      Step1
      
      Comb your hair in a normal style. I normally part my hair slightly off to the right. Comb all strands down. If you use a moisturizer, apply it, and then comb hair normally. Brushing your hair is a good way to stimulate your scalp and promote hair growth, especially before bedtime.
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      Step2
      
      Part your hair on the side. With a brush, begin to "sweep" your hair around your head. Avoid brushing to hard. Use your non-brushing hand to help you with your sweep.
      
      
      
      
   3. 
      
      
      Step3
      
      Continue the process of sweeping your hair around your head until you have all of your hair in a neat cone. Make sure no stray hairs are sticking out. (Beginners may think this process is a little cumbersome. I did initially, but once your hair is "trained", wrapping your hair gets easier and easier.) The advantage is that your strands will become smoother and smoother.
      
      
      
      
   4. 
      
      
      Step4
      
      Now that your hair is securely wrapped around your head, if you would like to apply any additional moisturizer, now would be a good time to do so.
      
      
      
      
   5. 
      
      
      Step5
      
      Take your long scarf and tie it around your head. Position the middle of the scarf at your forehead, and tie the scarf around your head, then either secure a knot or a bow to hold scarf in place. Gently push the scarf up off of your forehead.
      
      
      
      
   6. 
      
      
      Step6
      
      Secure the scarf by placing an elastic bonnet cap over your head. (This is an optional step, but helps keep the scarf on during sleep.)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

SOURCE


I'm not to happy with this information so I will be doing another post on this once I consult with a few hair stylists.

What Does NATURAL Mean To You?

To be or not to be? That is the questions. What does natural REALLY mean? I have noticed that ladies who decide to go natural almost do a 180 when it comes to lifestlye. The acryllic comes of, the pork stays at the grocery store, and all of a sudden they're homes smell like insence. L0L. Is natural a way to wear your hair or is it a state of mind? Is it instyle or is it a lifestyle?

What are your thoughts?

I'm Just Sayin...

Good Hair opened today and if I wasn't at work today I would've been the first person in the theatre! Whoever checks it out make sure to leave your movie reviews on CCB!!!

LISTINGS