Flat Iron VS Relaxer.. A Must Read!!

Something that has been the topic of discussion, what I have come across lately is the Flat Iron vs The Relaxer.  Recently going Natural for African American women, has been the thing to do. Millions of African American women are ditching their relaxers and, growing their Natural hair out. Now, Alot of these Natural women still want sleek, straight hair, so instead of Relaxing their hair, the flat Iron has become apart of their daily routine. Now we all know that Flat ironing your Natural hair, enough times at a high enough temperature can alter your natural curl pattern. So is going Natural actually better than getting a Relaxer if you are the type of women who loves the sleek smooth, tamed look. Better Yet, The real question would be, What do you prefer Heat Damge, or Chemical Damage??

Heat Damaged        
Dry Looking Hair
Straggly Ends
Thinning
Breaking
Shedding
Straight Ends That Will Not Revert Back To Natural Curl Pattern                                                                    

Chemical Damage
Hair Looses Its Natural Moisturizers
Dried-Out, Frizzy Hair
Dull Appearance
Breaking
Shedding
Hair Tangles Often

The main thing to realize is that heat and chemically damaged hair  really cannot be reversed. At some point,the damaged, straight ends would need to be trimmed away so your hair won’t continue to break, look dry, dull and gray and thin out. The same goes for split ends. Split ends are a problem that is common, but there are no productsthat truly remedy split ends, besides the hair cutting shears.

Your goal should be to care for your hair in the best possible way. Always remeber less is always better! Too much of anything can be harmful!

Effects of Hair Color!

Once dyed, hair cannot be restored and will never revert back to its natural, virgin state. Color changes the hair on your head until it grows completely out or is cut away.

When you color your hair, you are essentially removing or adding color pigment depending on whether you want to go lighter or darker.

The hair's cortex layer, or middle layer, houses the hair color

During the coloring process, the cuticle layer is opened so pigment can be removed or added.

                  Once the cuticle layer of the hair has been opened, it never fully closes again.

Once colored, your hair will always be color treated unless you cut off all the hair that has been colored. Many people falsely believe that if they cover over highlights or bleached hair with a darker color, the highlights are no longer present. Color can be a very fun, and one of the purest forms of self expression, but if not used the correct way, it can also have very adverse effects on your hair. Educate yourself, before you use any type of color application.

Helpful Tips for Healthy Hair!!!!

Choose the right shampoo for your type of hair (ask your stylist). Normal, dry or chemically treated hair will benefit from a weekly intensive conditioning treatment. Always comb intensive treatment through to the ends of your hair. Cover with plastic and a towel around the hair for up to 30 minutes (to help trap heat in). If you are short on time look for an instant conditioner to use after each shampoo.

Treatments are a MUST at least twice a month.

Let your hair air dry as often as you can.

A balanced diet including fresh fruit and vegetables help to ensure your hair receives all it's vitamins and minerals which it requires for healthy growth. If you know your diet is not quite as good, supplement with vitamins and minerals. They must both be used together to benefit your hair and body. Consult a nutritionist if you are feeling uncomfortable choosing your own.

Avoid rough towel drying, gently press hair down after washing. If you have long hair use a comb to remove snags, not a brush.
Limit the use of hot blow drying, crimpers, and curling irons. Before using them protect the hair by applying a heat buffering spray such as K.M.S thermal spray.
Rinse shampoo out of your hair thoroughly and wash and condition it well after swimming in a chlorine filled pool.

Whats Your Natural Curl PAttern???

Natural Hair Type Guide: Which Type Are You?

 

Type 4 – Kinky Hair

• Type 4 is kinky, or very tightly curled, with a clearly visible curl pattern
• Circumference: Crochet needle or even smaller
• The hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very, very fragile
• Type 4 hair can range from fine/thin to wiry/coarse with lots and lots of strands densely packed together
• Type 4 hair has fewer cuticle layers than any other hair type, which means that it has less natural protection from the damage you inflict by combing, brushing, curling, blow-drying and straightening it
• Type 4 hair is known to shrink up to 75% of the actual hair length
There are two Type 4 subtypes:
•4b: Has a “Z” pattern, less of a defined curl pattern. Instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter “Z”; has a cotton-like feel
•4a: Tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an “S” pattern, much like curly hair. It tends to have more moisture than 4b; has a definite curl pattern
Tips
• Use styling creams, butters and oils for type 4 hair
• This hair type needs extra moisture and tender-loving care because it can be fragile
• Detangle hair with a lot of conditioner in your hair and use a comb or detangling brush
• Let hair air dry or use a hood dryer
• Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrap hair in a satin cap

Type 3c – Curly Kinky Hair

Subtype 3c is really more than a subtype. It’s a type NaturallyCurly members developed because the original system left out this hair type, which falls between 3b and 4a, having its own special characteristics.
• Type 3c hair has tight curls in corkscrews
• Circumference: Pencil or straw
• The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together
• Getting this type of hair to blow dry straight is more challenging than for 3a or 3b, but it usually can be done
• The very tight curls are usually fine in texture
Tips
• Use styling creams, butters and oils for type 3c hair
• This hair type needs extra moisture and tender-loving care because it can be fragile
• Detangle hair with a lot of conditioner in your hair and use a comb or detangling brush
• Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrap hair in a satin cap

Type 3 – Curly Hair

• There is a definite loopy “S” pattern
• Curls are well-defined and springy
• Type 3 hair has a lot of body; it is easily styled in its natural state or straightened with a blow-dryer
• It isn’t coarse, like many believe, but soft and very fine—there’s just a lot of it
• Combinations of Type 3a and 3b curls are common
There are two Type 3 subtypes:
•3b: Medium amount of curl, from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews.
Circumference: Sharpie size
•3a: Curls are naturally big, loose and usually very shiny.
Circumference: sidewalk-chalk size
Tips
• 3a’s: Use gels and creams that offer light moisture and curl definition
• 3b’s: Use gels and styling creams with extra moisture and serious frizz control
• Use duckbill clips on the crown of your head to lift top curls
• Let hair air dry or use a diffuser
• Once your curls are dry, rub a little pomade into the palm of your hands and smooth over your hair gently
• Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase

Type 2 – Wavy Hair

• The wave or curl forms throughout the hair in the shape of the letter “S”
• Type 2 hair sticks close to the head; it won’t bounce up, even when layered
There are three Type 2 subtypes:
•2c: Thick and coarse and more resistant to styling and will frizz easily
•2c celebrities: Jennifer Nettles, Daisy Fuentes, Brittany Snow
•2b: Medium-textured and a little resistant to styling; has a tendency to frizz
•2b celebrities: Joss Stone, Nelly Furtado, Carrie Underwood
•2a: Fine, thin and very easy to handle; easily straightened or curled
•2a celebrities: Scarlett Johansson, Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett
Tips
• Use lighter products such as mousses or gels that enhance curls, but don’t weigh them down
• Use duckbill clips on the crown of your head to lift top curls
• Let hair air dry or use a diffuser
• Once your curls are dry, rub a little pomade into the palm of your hands and smooth over your hair gently
• Do not use a brush or comb on your dry curls
• Reduce tangles by sleeping on a satin pillowcase

My Work

Bantu Knot Out and Bantu Knot Guide

Bantu Knot Guide Things you will need: Shampoo and Conditioner Wide Tooth Comb                                                              Shea Butter Coconut Oil (optional) Spray Bottle of Water De-tangle your hair by washing and conditioning with your favorite shampoo and conditioner. Apply Shea Butter and coconut oil (optional) for more shiny and manageable hair. Create small or large sections of your hair depending on how you would like it. You can also be creative when parting each section. You can part your sections in a triangle or diamond shape if you’d like. De-tangle your section with a spray bottle of water and a wide tooth comb if need be. Remember to comb from the bottom up. This will prevent unnecessary breakage. Apply less tension as possible when detangling. Tightly twist your section from root to end, and then wrap it around itself into a firm knot. You can also choose to braid or double twist the hair in each section before knotting. This will give your Bantu knots more texture. Repeat this technique on all sections of your hair until complete. Bantu Knot Out Guide: Things you will need: Wide Tooth Comb Shea Butter Coconut Oil (optional) Spray Bottle of Water Elastic Bands (optional) Hair Cap or Hair Scarf It is best to do this before bed and let the Bantu knots stay overnight. You will achieve a nice and completed style for the following day. Apply Shea butter and coconut oil (optional) for more shiny and easier to manage hair. Create a part in the middle or side of your hair. However you’d like your part to be. Create large or small sections of your hair. The larger the section, the fluffier and fuller your hair will be. The smaller the section, the tighter it will be. Take one section and de-tangle with a spray bottle of water and a wide tooth comb. Remember to comb from the bottom up. This will prevent unnecessary breakage. Twist the section tightly from root to end. You also have the option to braid or double twist each section of your hair to give your Bantu knots a more textured look. Wrap the twist around itself into a Bantu knot then tuck the end in. You can also use an elastic band for additional security. Repeat in all sections of your hair. After completion, cover your hair with a hair cap or scarf. The following morning, gently take each Bantu knot apart. Finger style your hair into the shape and movement you prefer. Use bobby pins or accessories to help style your hair as you see fit.