Quick Moisturizing Tip of The Week--No More Dry Hair!!

I've heard of conditioners being put on dry hair, and even tried it. I find that the conditioner just "sits" on top of the hair strands without any benefit of moisture. I find that putting the conditioning moisture on top of the "real" moisture (WATER) is the best bet. Natural hair has a tight cuticle (outside) layer, and seems to block out products that are applied to dry hair. The water opens the cuticle and lets it get moisture more readily. This process may even make your styles last longer!

How to Get The Best Braidouts Using Aloe Vera Gel & Castor Oil!

I don't know what it is about Aloe Vera Gel and Castor Oil when they get together, but let me just share with you my personal experience. When I use this mixture for my braidouts on my all natural hair, the definition maximum, and the softness is supreme! My hair feels so soft and pliable, that these two products are my natural hair staples for styling and moisture. Known to balance the scalp and hair's ph, Aloe Vera Gel has many other healthy uses. Some folks drink Aloe Vera Gel to benefit their digestive system, others use it in their shampoo, on their skin--there are just so many benefits to this wonderfully natural source. 

But lets get back to the hair uses. For my Braid Outs or Twist Outs

1. After I wash my hair (usually with a moisturizing shampoo, unless it was so dirty that it needed clarifying), I have my spray bottle with Aloe Vera Gel mixed with some Castor oil ready to go. 
2.  I typically de tangle in the shower during my condition or after my deep conditioner. So by the time I get ready to style, I can just take a section of hair, spray with the mix, and brush through with my paddle brush or detangling tool of choice. Ideally, the tool used will smooth out the hair while distributing the Aloe Vera Gel mixture throughout.
3. Then I will twist or braid. That's IT.

Besides definition, shine, moisture, softness, pliability, and stretch, the Aloe Vera Gel is said to balance the ph of my hair and scalp, which in turn will help lay down the cuticles of my hair. 

Natural Hair Fall Care Fun with Flat Ironed Hair & Ralph Lauren Comfort!

Ralph Lauren Equestrian Horse Puffer Jacket

By now, most places have started to "feel" the Season of Fall. I'm pretty sure that I can smell it!! I can't describe it, but as a Florida Native, you feel any and every change in the normally humid air. Even though the sun is shining bright, we can feel a slight drop in the temperature (so what it only goes from 80 degrees down to 74)! I love it! So as natural hair divas, we've decided to utilize the reduction of humidity in the air and play with the flat iron a little bit.

After a 3 hour session of blow drying with heat protectant, and flat ironing with grape seed oil, we sectioned 1/2 inch long pieces and got to work. The trick is to work with small sections of hair, and break those down into1/2 inch long by a quarter inch thick pieces and use your oil on the sections. The heat setting that you use will be dependent on the tightness of your coil, the thickness of your hair, and other important factors. I would say that if your hair has a looser coil, start at a lower temperature and work your way up after seeing the effects. Somewhere in the 300's would be a good place to start. Tighter coils can start in the later 300's, and work your way up based on the outcome. Use a small tooth comb to "chase" the flat iron (put the small tooth comb in front of where your flat iron is headed), and this will assist in laying down your ends. This should be the solution for "crinkly" or thickened ends. Use of the small tooth comb is only once your hair has been properly sectioned and detangled.

Minimize breakage with delicate care of your ends, and it will reward you with length retention! Especially since your hair is in it's straight state, remember to moisturize those ends on a daily basis. Use a product that does not have water as it's first ingredients. I like to use shea butter mixed with oils on my ends while I wear my hair straigh. Enjoy your straight hair without concern for quick reversion back to curly! This new Fall weather brings fresh new colors (clothing and foliage)! It's great weather to exercise in! Get out and Run around! Your body will thank you too. Those of you gearing up to face some weather that calls for heavier gear to keep warm, check out the Ralph Lauren Equestrian Line, or Bubble Jacket selections! The use of Fall colors and quilting, combined with down filling will keep you warm and "Fall Ready"!

Using Two Strand Twists To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Hair!!

 

You ever notice how long loc'ed hair gets--and how quickly? I think the same growth/length maintenance rules apply to two strand twists. This "low manipulation" styling is the perfect storm for length retention. Lets establish that your hair is growing. It was easy to see all of that "new growth" when your hair was relaxed! But why isn't the hair length going down my back? Mostly because of the hair ends. The hair ends have been on the head for the longest time as compared to the rest of the hair. It's been subjected to the environment (sun, wind, clothing, etc). It snags easily with each comb/brush friction. It's pretty much being beat down daily. BUT two strand twists require that your ends are twisted together (forming a thicker bond). 

With this thicker bond, your ends are better equipped to sustain the environmental abuse. Also, when you wear two strand twists, you don't comb through or brush through at all during that time. If you keep the twists moisturized, alternate with protective styles, then you can pretty much be assured of seeing growth over a two month period of time. A few challenges are: 

1. Keeping them moisturized  
2. Having the patience to take down all of the twists safely  
3. Re-doing the twists again in another 2-3 weeks.

The longest I've ever kept my two strand twists in for is about 3 weeks. I co wash my hair approximately 2 times a week while I have my twists in. Once your twists are wet, they are suseptible to "loc'ing". Many people who are beginning dreadlocs often begin with two strand twists! So be watchful of your twists during the time you wear them. Watch the roots for tangling. Some two strand twist wearers "refresh" their twists on a daily basis by re-doing a section at a time. Do whatever works best for your hair.

The Flip Side of Hair Color

 

Just a touch of hair color can add flavor to your buns, braid outs, twist outs, you get my point! About 1'' of hair was sectioned off at the nape and color was applied. We used Dark & Lovely in Honey Blond. Since her hair is dark, it didn't lighten up to the actual color on the box, but it went a few shades lighter. Always follow the instructions on the box for the safest results. A weekly deep conditioning treatment will be added to her regimen to ensure moisturized hair. Chunking color to the back section of the hair shows up mostly when your hair is placed in a high bun (as shown here). It also peeks through when your hair is worn down while straight. It's a really fun option!

African American Boys Merge Fashion With Their Natural Hair

Maintain Style with Lengthy Afro Textured Hair--Boys Too!

African American Men and Healthy Hair Growth

Looking like a million bucks without too much effort is what it's all about these days! Simple braided style on natural hair pairs real well with the right seasonal attire. You've got enough going on with school and don't need the added hassle of daily hair maintenance. Now don't get me wrong, these braids require moisture daily. Simply use your favorite leave in moisturizer alongside some water in a spray bottle, add some jojoba oil, and spritz your hair daily. This will combat dryness that is often caused by day to day sun exposure, and normal daily wear n tear. These low fuss braids compliment pretty much any outfit. Throw on a simple t shirt by Obey, paired with jeans--put your books in a backpack from Baggu--out the door. No fuss, no muss. When keeping it simple just looks good.

Quick Tips For Men Who Are Growing Out Their Hair!

Are you a guy trying to grow out your natural hair? You can change your whole appearance by just growing some length to your hair! There are "awkward" phases to this process, but it's well worth it. The truth of the matter is that if you're going to go through the process of growing hair that is healthy, you're gonna have to "step up" your hair care game! Especially during the upcoming dry winter season. What is required to grow healthy hair you ask? Plenty of moisture. This way, your length will maintain because your hair ends are not breaking off. Dry hair acts like dry grass. It dries up and is easily broken. I know you guys want to keep it simple, so I'll break it down for you.

• Switch up your bar soap shampoo (you know, the one you use on your body too)! Exchange that for a shampoo that adds moisture (it will state moisturizing on the bottle). A good one that I know of is the Shea Moisture moisturizing shampoo. It's pretty creamy, has no sulphates, and provides a good cleansing. 
• Some guys like to skip the fancy conditioning process--that is a no-no. Find a conditioner that provides moisture and "slip". The "slip" makes it easy for the hair to be detangled (either by finger, comb, or brush). 
• Find a good leave-in moisturizer, and a good oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, grape seed oil) to "lock in" that moisturizer. It's really that simple--the daily maintain. How much you wash your hair depends on how quickly your hair gets dirty. This simple routine will maximize your hair's true "self", and discourage dry, ashy, frizzy hair. 

While you're at it guys, just rub some of that oil on your knees, feet, and rub your hands together. Just joking, you know I loves you. No, seriously.

A Quick Pre-Poo: Moisture For Your Week!!

Do you think you have dry hair? How do you know it's dry? Okay, so it's hard to the touch. It looks ashy. It's hard to style. I'm a firm believer that dry hair is not something that has to be accepted with natural hair. There are numerous ways to infuse/maintain moisture into natural curly hair. This week, I'll just start with the pre-poo (or pre shampoo) treatment. Before you shampoo, you can opt to put your favorite conditioner, also followed up by your favorite oil(s) on your hair. If you want to leave this on for 15 minutes with a shower cap or overnight...it's up to you.

The benefits to this are: minimize the drying effects of harsh shampoos, infuses moisture, encourages moisture retention, minimizes breakage, conditions hair, softens hair, etc. The benefits are numerous. So if you find that your hair constantly feels and looks dry, you can add a pre-poo treatment to your shampoo regimen! Stay tuned for more dry hair solutions!