Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Making the Hair Appear Thicker

I addressed a question recently regarding – “How to make the hair appear thicker, naturally”.  Here are a few suggestions that I decided to share.

I recommend castor oil and/or henna treatments. Henna makes the hair appear thicker with consistent use. Castor oil has proven to promote growth and thickness with continued use as well.

Stop the use of harsh chemicals. Chemical services (such as relaxers and coloring) can take away from the hair’s natural density and thickness.

Don’t over-manipulate the hair. Constant combing and brushing the hair will often be taxing to the strands and may thin the hair out.

Watch your diet. Take a multivitamin and eat more green leafy veggies. This often helps the overall condition of your hair and wellness. HTH

Natural Hair in the Workplace

The inspiration for this post comes from a video I found via my BFF, and my latest channel subscription on Youtube to ShugaNaps.  This sister engages her viewers in a meaningful dialect describing her experiences as a natural in the labor force, particularly when it comes to job interviews.  I think it’s important to represent yourself how you are most comfortable on an interview.  A true representation of self on the interview (and as a first impression) is always best, but I’m aware that everyone does not feel the same way.  Watch the video and feel free to discuss your thoughts!

Natural Hair on Interviews

Making Natural Hair Appear Longer: Stretching Shrunken Hair

Women have become creative in ways to “stretch” the shrinkage that comes with having true afro-textured hair. Shrinkage is a dilemma that naturals face every time water touches our textured hair. Though shrinkage may be embraced when manipulating the hair into certain styles, often styles requiring length are limited due to the hair drawing up (I’ve seen natural hair with 75% shrinkage). Below are a few ways to stretch shrunken hair, making your natural hair appear to be longer (closer to its true length).

Use a blow dryer. Blow dryers can obviously be used to free the hair from its shrinkage, but they must be used with caution. A low setting and a heat protectant must be coupled with using this tool, because the direct heat has the ability to alter the textures of the hair if not used properly and carefully.

Use rollers under a hooded dryer. This works like a charm for some, giving them length, without compromising the volume of the hair. The indirect heat is not damaging as flat irons or blow dryers would be.

Use the banding method. Many ladies can be found on youtube using this method to stretch the hair by wrapping rubber bands, scrunchies, and small cloths around the hair to extend its position, stretching the afro in result.

Put plaits in the hair and allow it to air dry. Plaits have been known to stretch the hair more than it would if the hair were left to air dry with two-strand twists or without any styling at all.

“Pineapple” the hair by pulling it up into a high pony at the crown of your head. The “pineappling” method stretches the length of the hair up to the crown, by extending it after it has been in that position over time. Be sure not to pull the hair up too tightly, or you will cause tension on the strands.

Transitioning from Relaxed to Natural

Transitioning from relaxed to natural can be one  of the best decisions that you can make for your hair; however, the process is not always easy.  Some decide to transition because of the desire to enjoy the natural curls and coils that they were born with, others are forced to because of the havoc that the relaxer has relinquished on the hair.  Whether you decide to transition for a lifestyle change or if you just decide to do so cold turkey, you can take a few steps to making your journey from relaxed to natural much easier.

Make sure that you have decided to transition to natural, for whatever reason is right for you, and stick to it!  Committing to see the journey through to the end will be a big part of the journey to natural.  There are too many times that we may think that we make decisions to do things and we do not always follow through with them.  Be sure to have plenty of patience and determination in this journey!

Take pride in learning about hair care! Figure out what the right steps are to engage in your healthy hair care journey.  There will be a wealth of information to learn at first, but once you start learning what your hair needs, it will be a real treat!

Have fun with it! Join a forum for support, I got most of my information and support from the blackhairplanet.com forum.  You will find naturals and transitioners on the forums and on YouTube that will have some of the best tips to assist you.  You will have fun meeting new people, making new friends, and learning all there is to know about your hair!

Embrace the true texture of your hair, and experiment with what works for your hair type.  Many hope for soft curls, waves, and coils, but as the old saying goes, you don’t always get what you wish for.  For those that have no idea what your natural texture looks like (from years of relaxing from childhood), do not hesitate to embrace whatever texture the Lord blessed you with.  Trust me, there’s someone out there wishing they had your hair (yes even if it’s the 4a/4b texture like mine)!!!

Remember to take healthy steps to managing the two textures. The hair is very sensitive when it is composed of multiple textures.  The line of demarcation (the point where the relaxed meet the natural hair) is the most fragile point of the strand.  The relaxed hair and natural hair combination may be quite difficult to manage and if one is not careful, it will get a lot more difficult as time progresses.  In order to disguise the difference in textures you must experiment with styles that compliment your features.  You may enjoy styles such as braid outs, twist outs, bantu knot outs, roller sets, and many more styles.  You will not always need to apply heat to conceal the two textures, but when you do, always use the proper techniques including a heat protectant.

Form a regimen that works for you!  This may include low manipulation, washing the hair weekly or bi-weekly, co-washing, etc.  I will give you more information on more in depth tips and techniques to transitioning in style!

Have a great, happy transition everyone!

Co-Washing Natural Hair

The benefits of CO-washing (Conditioner Only Washing) may be recognized far and wide. Co-washing is simply washing the hair with conditioner only. Shampoo is eliminated from the process. Co-washing has been known to help with detangling, combing, and promoting overall growth of the hair by keeping the scalp clean and moisturized without stripping the hair of its natural oils like most sulfate-containing shampoos do. Many naturals have given co-washing two thumbs up, attributing the method of cleansing the scalp to: defining the curl pattern, softening the hair, and making it more manageable.

If you choose to try co-washing it is done best with the cheaper conditioners. For most naturals, moisturizing conditioners (I use VO5 Moisture Milks and love it; review coming soon) work best, as moisture is imperative to our natural curls. All the while, we do not require as much protein as relaxed heads since we don’t have chemicals stripping our hair of the natural protein its infused with. Using a protein based conditioner will actually cause protein overload and result in unwanted breakage.

The conditioner is applied to the hair, slightly massaged into the scalp, left on for a few minutes, then it is rinsed out. You may choose to let the conditioner penetrate the hair shaft by letting it sit on a bit longer, or with a shower cap, however, with the cheap conditioners, you may find that you don’t want some of the ingredients sitting on your hair for too long. Most of us find it beneficial to leave that job to the Deep conditioners. You may repeat the process if you so desire. Naturals may co-wash daily or once a week; the frequency is very flexible, that’s a plus to being natural – the freedom!

A couple of things that you don’t want to forget :

• You still will need to use a shampoo for clarification to remove any product buildup you may experience over time.
• Avoid heavy conditioners, esp those with petrolatum, mineral oil, etc.
• Avoid moisture overload and reduce the frequency of co-washing if you experience such.
• Just b/c you co-wash with a moisture conditioner, don’t totally cut out a heavy protein treatment (every 6-8 weeks more or less) or light protein(1-2x a week), as it’s important for the hair to keep a healthy balance of both.
• You are at liberty to deep condition the same day if you want

Although some naturals (none that I’ve talked to might I add) may not like the co-washing process, when done correctly, co-washing has proven to be very helpful in cleansing and treating our tresses. If you decide to try this process, take heed to the way your hair responds and don’t hesitate to listen! As you will be able to adjust the frequency and overall co-washing routine to its optimal level for your tresses!

Until next time…Happy Healthy Hair Growing!

The Banding Method: How to Stretch Hair Without the use of Heat

The Banding Method is the method of putting ponytail holders on the hair to get it to stretch out.  It counters the notion of shrinkage.  Many naturals have to deal with the shrinkage that comes along with having natural hair.  Some of us embrace it, but even with embracing it, we sometimes like to switch it up by stretching the hair out.  Instead of blow drying the hair, heat styling it or tugging it in frustration, try the banding method.

1. Part into larger sections
2. Place a leave-in in the hair first
3. Moisturize and seal
4. Smooth the hair down
5. Take ouchless bands, put it near the roots of the hair to smooth roots
6. Continue putting the bands on the hair until you work your way down to the ends

Keep in mind, this should be done on wet/damp hair.  The thicker the hair, more sections you should have.  The shorter the hair, you may want to do more sections as well.  Use your better judgment when doing this method and go through the process of trial and error.  Instead of length checking with heat styling use the banding method (a video tutorial is provided for reference and help).  It’s just another method to add to your natural hair arsenal of styling techniques!  Happy Healthy Hair Stretching!

Shedding or Breakage?

Many ladies (and some gents) have difficulties when it comes to recognizing shedding and breakage.  Often, we have no problem actually seeing the hair fall out.  However, sometimes it is difficult to tell whether the hair is constantly breaking, or if it is just going through the shedding phase.  The following aims to provide some help for the issue.

Breakage can be easily recognized.  It is often in the form of shorter pieces of hair (shorter than the length of the hair).  It can be caused by relaxers, chemicals, split ends, excessive dryness, moisture overload, etc.   When you over-manipulate the hair, combing or styling it too much, you may see a heightened occurrence of breakage as well.

Shedding is accompanied by a white bulb on the tip.  This signifies that the hair has come from the root.  Therefore, the strand will be the length of the hair.  Keep in mind that the hair will shed naturally, and this is something that should not alarm you.  On the other hand, excessive shedding comes from something on the inside that has gone wrong.  50-100 strands daily is in the “normal/average” range of shedding.  You may not see this if you do not comb your hair daily (which is common among naturals), in result, you may see more of the shed hair on the day that you actually comb the hair.  The hair goes through a grow, shed, rest phase that we should be conscious of so we do not panic at every hair that we may see.

There are many factors that may lead to excessive shedding.  Stress and anxiety because the stress cuts off the circulation of blood to the scalp.  As stated in the “Does your diet affect your hair?” you need a balanced diet in order to help the hair grow and thrive.  When you switch your diet up dramatically, or when you do not eat correctly, your hair displays it as much as the body does.  Moreover, certain medicines lead to shedding as well.  Frequent travelers may experience more excessive shedding as opposed to those who are in the same climate all the time.  Also, when traveling, make sure that you have a satin pillowcase to prevent dryness and breakage.

Hopefully this has helped you be able to be more mindful of the two different types of hair loss.  Happy Healthy Hair Growing!

Hair accessories add glam and style to your overall look.  However, it is not always easy to choose the hair accessory that is right for your hair. What looks good on one person may not be perfect for your hair. It may not work for your hair type or your hair style. The best way to choose the hair accessory for your hair is to do a little research by reading the instructions. You should see what length of hair is required for the product and the type of hair it works best with. Knowing ahead of time whether or not a product will work for you will save time and money.

Many department stores and grocery stores have a hair accessory aisle. They will carry different types of barrettes, clips and hair bands. Your hair type will require a special type of hair accessory. If you have thick hair you will need barrettes, clips or hair bands that are larger and able to hold the weight of your hair. If you have thinner hair then you will be looking for hair accessories that can hold your fine or thin hair in the clip. These clips are typically smaller and have teeth or combs attached to them to hold in your thin hair. There’s nothing worst than having your hair barrette pop off or slide off when it is not strong enough or too large.

You can add a glamorous style to your hair do by using hair jewelry. These are decorative hair accessories that may need to be used in coordination with other hair accessories to hold your hair in place. Their main function is for beauty. You will find this style of hair accessory at boutiques and even department stores. They even make cute little bobby pins with bling on them to spice up your possibly dull do.

There are also different types of hair jewelry. The traditional barrettes, clips and hair bands are most commonly used by the younger generations, but can be caught every now and then on the red carpet being used by celebrities. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds, to name a few, are great jewel tones to match with an evening wear outfit. There are also stickers that can be placed in the hair for a sparkle look.

When choosing hair accessories for your new do, it is important to choose accessories that compliment the hair and not just perform a function. Wearing a red ponytail holder and a purple outfit just won’t cut it in the world of fashion. When in doubt, choose a hair accessory that matches the natural color of your hair. Not only will your hair be held in place, but the nearly invisible hair accessory will give a more refined look to your style. Neutral or earth colors also add the right touch without going over the top. Less is always more.

You best hair dos will also have to include great hair care products. The hair care products will not only help to hold your style in place but also prevent your hair from being damaged. There are special products designed to reduce damage to the hair from styling. These include no breakage hair bands and hair barrettes that are gentle enough to use on infants and young girls. You may also want to include products like fortifying shampoos, moisturizing conditioners, and frizzy hair tamers. Using the combination of hair accessories and hair styling products will result in great hair dos. So accessorize and have fun with your hair when, just be sure not to go over the top!

What is a lace front wig? Well a lace front wig is a wig that is made with real human hair. This hair rests on a lace backing. A lace front wig only has the lace in the front, there are also wigs that the base is completely covered in lace. These wigs have become very popular and have been used by celebrities and the medical communities for years. They have become more popular in the last few years thanks to celebrities. To make these wigs look natural and seamless you must choose the right density for you.

What is hair density? Well, hair density is the thickness of the hair. Choosing the right hair density for your lace front or full lace wig really is your preference. You want it to look natural but you should also take into consideration how you style your hair. Most women are happy with a light to medium hair density. If you choose to have bigger hair you will want a denser wig.

Your hair naturally grows different from everyone one else’s hair. You hair maybe thin around the hair line but thicker towards the crown of your head. If you have thicker hair your hair maybe a medium thickness around the hair line and be really thick and heavy around the crown. Lace front and full lace wigs are made with this in mind. No two wigs are made the same. They are all using natural hair which makes them unique.

A lace front or full lace wig that is a light density will only have 60 percent of the thickness that a regular person has. This is a wig designed for people with thin hair. This is a wig that is ideal for elderly women. It shows more of the scalp and will look more natural on them.

Now a wig that has a light to medium density to it is 100 percent like that of the average person. Because of this, it is the most popular choice among the different density wigs. This will not show as much of the scalp. This wig will have a light density at the hairline and be thicker to a medium density towards the crown of the head.

If you choose you can also have a heavy density wig. This one has 150 percent of the natural thickness of an average person. This type of wig is not natural looking. It is mainly used by performers. A good example of this type of wig is Dolly Parton. She has worn wigs on and off stage for years. Her performance hair is a heavy density style of wig.
Forget the timely and costly extensions, a lace front or full lace wig can provide you with the hair you desire and it is reusable time and time again. Take a hint from the stars, instant long hair can mean the difference in a good dress and a great outfit.