Help Tip Tuesday

Hey Guys

I am going to try and bring back helpful tip Tuesday. So here is a couple of helpful makeup tips!

Helpful Tip Tuesday

KEEP CONDITIONING

Just as your body needs water to survive, your hair must replenish its moisture to stay healthy. "Conditioner for hair is like water for the body: You're always going to need it," says hairstylist Lorraine Massey. So if you're a dry-shampoo fan, add moisture, even if you're not washing. The time-saving formulas of dry shampoos are designed to soak up oil, leaving hair lackluster. To rehydrate without wetting, spritz a dry conditioner on thirsty ends every two days.

HHJ

Hair Tip Tuesday on Thursday

Hey guys!

Sorry for the late post. But with the kids and school my days feel like they a mushed togather and I don't realize it's the next day until late at night when I'm thinking what I have to do for the next day! 

Here's my tip for the day:

MOISTURE, POROSITY, AND ELASTICITY OF BLACK HAIR

Black hair care must address the main components that make up condition of black hair. These are moisture, porosity, and elasticity.

Moisture is the amount of moisture water contained in the hair's cortex. It is greater in humid areas, and less in drier areas.

Porosity is the hair's ability to absorb water and chemicals. If porosity is normal, it keeps the hair from absorbing or releasing too much moisture. Overly porous hair cannot hold its moisture; it is much like a sponge. It easily sucks up moisture, but cannot hold it.

Elasticity is the hair's ability to stretch and return to its normal length. Wet hair should be able to stretch about half of its length without breaking. If your hair's elasticity is low, it will break when stretched.

Black hair that is relaxed will often be over porous, have low elasticity, and have low moisture content. For this reason, it is necessary to take special steps to keep black hair healthy so that it can grow its longest.

- See more at: http://www.hairfinity.com/black-hair-care.htm#sthash.GPREQKUH.dpuf

Helpful Tip Tuesday on Wednesday!

FIGHTING HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is common for men and women and there are many causes of hair loss. There are now believed to be two categories of hair loss. The first is hair loss that occurs with skin shedding. This type of hair loss is also called scaling and results from a skin disorder. The other type is hair loss that occurs without skin shedding. The cause is not known, but the problem affects men and women, regardless of age, race or health. There are many causes of hair loss. The problem can be hereditary, related to a poor diet or lifestyle, medications and other health conditions. There are many hair loss products on the market and hair loss vitamins to nourish the follicles and encourage hair growth. Be careful when choosing hair loss treatment products. look for a natural hair loss treatment that contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and other natural ingredients to prevent damage and heal the hair and scalp. Avoid chemical laden products that cause the hair to become dry and brittle. Hair loss is a problem on the exterior and interior areas of the body, so you need to address the problem and look for hair thinning solutions that work on the inside and the outside. A healthy diet with quality protein and other healthy foods will provide the nutrients you need for healthy hair. To make sure your nutritional needs are covered, hair loss vitamins are formulated to provide the essential nutrients needed for healthy hair growth. In addition to protein, you need B vitamins, vitamin C, D and E and several minerals and amino acids. Avoid sugar and caffeine and drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses. The water will flush the impurities from the body and hydrate the skin and hair. For best results, combine a quality natural hair loss product with a healthy diet. Choose products that contain vitamins, minerals, natural herbs and essential oils. Look at the label for ingredients like aloe, jojoba, citrus fruits, sage or rosemary. Hairobics offers products that work equally well as a hair loss treatment for men and hair loss treatment for women and are designed for all hair types. Keep the hair clean and soft by shampooing and conditioning the hair at least once a week. This removes dirt and grease from the hair and scalp, making the hair smooth and keeping the pores of the scalp clean. Proper hair care and maintenance helps to repair damage and stimulate hair growth.

Helpful Tip Tuesday

Good Alcohols

Cetyl Alcohol- This is a fatty alcohol that is derived from coconut and palm oils. Far from drying, this alcohol is actually an emollient (makes hair and skin softer).

Stearyl Alcohol- another fatty alcohol. It is nothing like ethanol, it is is actually a white solid and is insoluble in water. Stearyl alcohol is often used in conditioners and shampoos and acts as an emollient (softener).

Fatty alcohols provide an emollient effect, and bind water and oil to give our favorite conditioners their slip and creaminess.  Cetyl and/or Sterayl alcohols are present in most  of my favorite handmade  products.

Here's a list of good Alcohols:

Behenyl alcohol
Cetearyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol
Isocetyl alcohol
Isostearyl alcohol
Lauryl alcohol
Myristyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol
C30-50 Alcohols
Lanolin alcohol

Helpful Tip Tuesday

Beneficial oils:

Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil: Helps to induce hair growth

Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is loaded with nutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, B, D, and E. And it’s excellent for moisturizing, deep conditioning, improving hair strength, strengthening hair, and boosting shine.

Castor Oil
Castor oil thickens hair, promotes hair growth, prevents thinning, moisturizes, helps reduce split ends, helps to tame frizz, and prevents scalp infections.

Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for preventing dandruff, promoting hair growth, moisturizing, strengthening hair, thickening hair, and preventing damage.

Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is great for moisturizing, deep conditioning, improving hair strength, eliminating dandruff, and also has powerful antioxidants that can help fight hair loss.

Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil is great for stimulating hair follicles for hair growth, preventing hair loss and greying, preventing dandruff, strengthening hair, and boosting shine.

Safflower Oil
Safflower oil protects hair, nourishes hair follicles, moisturizes, and stimulates blood circulation to promote hair growth and thickness. And it is extremely beneficial for natural as well as dry chemically treated hair.

Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil works great as a “sealant.”  Sweet almond oil also nourishes hair, smoothes hair cuticles to control shedding, promotes hair growth and thickness, prevents hair loss, and boosts shine.

Hair Tip Tuesday

*DISCLAIMER* I DID NOT write this post. This is to inform you on healthy hair care while keeping braids.

Hey guys

This post was written but a natural hair guru WestNDNbeauty!!!

Original Post HERE

10 Do's & Don'ts While Wear Braids/Twist Extensions!

Now that warmer weather is upon us, many ladies — myself included! — are looking into braids and twists with extensions. This low-maintenance protective style can offer the styling versatility of long hair without the commitment (you can remove them and be back to TWA status within hours) or the upkeep (no detangling while they are installed?! HELLO!) Those who wear braid extensions can retain a significant amount of growth, if they are properly maintained. Incorporate these tips into your braided hair regimen to maximize the health and growth of your natural hair!

1. DO make sure your natural hair is in tip-top shape before installing braids or twists. Deep condition your hair on a weekly basis for at least 3-4 weeks prior to installing braid or twist extensions to ensure that your hair is moisturized and strong from the inside out. Consider doing a strong protein treatment (followup with a moisturizing DC to prevent brittle and/or dry hair) the week before your install. Remember to moisturize your hair daily and seal in the moisture with your favorite oil or butter!

2. DON’T braid the hair around your edges too tightly. Redness or white bulbs visible at the scalp OR headaches after your install are signs that your follicles are being damaged by tight braids. Try leaving out some of the hair, especially at the temples, or use larger sections with less braiding hair to lessen the damage.

3. DO use large, diamond-shaped parts if you are braiding your own hair. 
Pencil-sized parts are the perfect size to avoid too much stress on your strands, and the diagonal parts will help the braids lay flatter.

4. DON’T use braiding hair straight from the pack. Braiding hair contains an alkaline base over the fibers that can cause mild itching or even hives on the skin/scalp in many braid wearers. This base is easily removed by soaking the hair in a sink full of water with one cup of vinegar added for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to dry the hair by laying it out on a towel before installing.

5. DO keep your hair and scalp clean and buildup-free while wearing braids.
Witch hazel or apple cider vinegar can be applied to a cotton ball and then dabbed in the parts between braids, or for a more thorough cleansing, add diluted shampoo to a spray bottle and thoroughly soak the scalp and braids. Clip or tie up the braids to avoid breakage from the weight of the wet hair, and leave the shampoo on the hair for 20-30 minutes. Rinse well with warm water.

6. DON’T forget to deep condition with your braids installed!
 Use your fingers or a relaxer brush to “paint” deep conditioner onto the roots of your hair (NOT your scalp) and down the length of your braids. Cover with a conditioning cap or plastic bag and let the conditioner stay on your hair for 30 minutes or so. Rinse well, ensuring all the conditioner is removed from your hair. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of oils to “prepoo” before cleansing the braids as detailed above — simply mix your favorites, such as olive oil, jojoba oil or Jamaican black castor oil and apply to both the scalp and braids. Rinse and proceed with cleansing.

7. DO run a light oil (such as sweet almond, jojoba or coconut oil) down the length of each braid after cleansing them to seal in moisture. 
If your hair feels especially dry, you can add a creamy leave-in to them as well. It is essential to also keep them moisturized between washes. Use a braid spray or leave-in every 3-4 days to keep hair supple and healthy. You can also make a braid spray from a 50/50 mix of water and aloe vera juice — feel free to add tea tree oil if your scalp is itchy or dry.

8. DON’T go to bed without covering your braids with a satin scarf or bonnet!
 Just as you do when your hair is loose, continue to tie your hair up nightly, or at least sleep on a satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can draw moisture from your hair whether it is loose or braided. Bun the braids, tucking in the ends, if you opt for the pillowcase.

9. DO indulge in regular scalp massages to soothe your scalp (and nerves!) and promote hair growth.
 Jojoba oil most closely matches our own naturally occurring sebum, so it makes a wonderful carrier oil for your favorite essential oils, such as tea tree (soothing), peppermint (stimulating) or lavender (moisturizing/antibacterial) EO. Jamaican black castor oil is equally as healing and is especially good for promoting growth — see my list of its benefits here.

10. Most importantly…DON’T keep your braids in too long!!! 
Loose braids caused by new growth and/or accumulating shed hair can cause the hair to become severely tangled or matted, resulting in extreme breakage or the need for a large cut. Get a touch-up (or redo your braids in sections, if you self-install) every 4-6 weeks if you plan on keeping your braids in for longer than 2-3 months.Following these tips can not only help your braids look newer longer, but will also ensure that your hair thrives while protected from the elements.

If you have any tips or product suggestions that have helped you retain significant length while braided up, please feel free to share below!

Helpful Tip Tuesday

Hey Guys

There are many things you can do to keep your hair strong and healthy and to encourage natural hair growth.

The needs of your hair change throughout the year and this includes your natural hair products. Change your brand of shampoo for each season to keep the hair and scalp healthy and prevent shedding. 

 Getting enough protein is important to strengthen the cells of the body, including the scalp. Some good sources of protein include chicken, fish and other lean protein sources. When protein intake is not sufficient, the cells are weakened and the hair is not replaced as it is shed, which leads to thinning hair. The best hair loss remedies include taking care of your hair with a healthy diet. Include foods that are rich in iron, as iron deficiency anemia causes hair loss. Other sources of iron include steamed clams, lean red meat, soybeans, broccoli, tofu, dried fruit and cream of wheat. Hair shedding can be greatly reduced by including 100 mg of Vitamin B6, but don’t take too much more than this amount, as it can become toxic over a long period of time.

Choose natural hair products that include beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Beta Carotene is transformed to vitamin A in the body. This is an essential vitamin for the skin and hair. Others include vitamin C, zinc and L Cysteine to keep the hair and skin healthy and vibrant. As you begin to implement these healthy hair tips, you will notice a slow, but steady change in the health of your hair and scalp, as well as the rate of hair loss. It will take a few months for the hair and scalp to absorb the nutrients, but the change will be steady and your hair will regain its healthy appearance. 

Referenced From- http://www.hairobicsallnatural.com/Homemade_remedies.php

Helpful Tip Tuesday

Hair Tip for Transitioners!

Treat your hair like its already Natural.

That includes doing protective styles that blend your two textured hair types!

Using all natural hair care products!

Trying new methods like baggy-ing your ends, LOC/LCO Method, or simple ones like the no poo/curly girl method. But don't forget somethings we my not be ready for like a wash n go....lol.

Happ Tuesday!

Hair Tip