Monday, June 30, 2014

Hair Care Practices that Transitioners Need More than Naturals

Women who are transitioning from treated to natural hair have different hair compared to women with completely natural hair. The first rule of effective hair care and management is using natural hair care products, and having a hair care regime that is specific to the nature and condition of the hair. Transitioning hair is even more vulnerable and weak than natural hair. It also develops dual textures as the treated hair grows out. It is for this reason that there are some hair care practices that transitioners need more than naturals.

Hair care practices that transitioners should do more frequently

  • Trims – Women with natural hair can afford to avoid the scissors as long as they do not develop split ends, but this is not the case with transitioners. The idea for them is to get rid of the treated hair as soon as possible. Hair grows at an average rate of half an inch every month, and transitioners should get a trim every two months to eliminate damaged hair while still keeping their regular length. Treated hair has a higher tendency to develop split ends, causing hair breakage. Cutting off the weak bits is wiser in the long run. 


  • Deep conditioning – Deep conditioning is a practice that can mend damaged hair cuticles in addition to being helpful in strengthening and conditioning the hair. Naturals deep condition intermittently to maintain healthy hair and take care of dry hair woes. But for transitioners it is a matter of hair survival. It has been seen that cleansing can be beneficial for transitioners and if the hair has to be washed more frequently, deep conditioning is a must. It helps them retain their regular hair length while preventing further damage.


  • Change in products – Choosing the right products for transitioning hair can be a critical process. As the new hair starts to grow, the hair develops two kinds of textures that are very different from one another. Chemically treated hair requires completely different kinds of hair products as compared to natural hair. Transitioners need to gradually move to products for natural hair as and when they get rid of the treated hair through trims. In addition to this, transitioners do not know for sure the real texture and nature of their natural hair. This may require frequent changes in hair products to discover a product that suits their hair the best.

In short, the entire hair care approach for transitioners should be different from that of naturals. Having a natural hair care routine is simply not going to get you any visible results.    

Thursday, June 26, 2014

When should you not Trim?

Regular trimming of the hair is a healthy practice that can go a long way to make your hair grow and retain length in a healthy manner. But having noticed the benefits of trimming hair, a lot of people can get caught up in a vicious whirlpool of over trimming their hair – a practice that will not be helpful if long hair is what you want.

Specific instances and times when you do not have to go for a trim

Here is a look at some pointers to remind you that it is too soon to get a trim again:
  • Unequal length - The main and only object of a trim is to get rid of the damaged and dead bits of the hair. It is for this reason that going for a trim once in four months is sufficient for most naturals. Going for a trim to constantly make the length of hair strands even is absolutely not required. It is natural for different parts of your hair to grow faster than the other parts. Let them be and make sure that your curls do not let the heterogeneous lengths show.
  • Ransom split ends - You absolutely do not have to go for a trim within a couple of weeks after your previous trim. The split ends that you notice in your hair might just be a few that have been overlooked during the last trim. Just remove the ones that you can see and do not get a whole trim for at least a couple of months.
  • Older hair strand ends - The hair strand ends and tips are the oldest part of your hair, and just like everything else, tends to lose health and substance. It is natural for the hair ends to look a little dry and be difficult to style. But if you are trying to grow your hair longer, let them be if you do not see split ends or experience breakage.
  • See through hair - If you are one of those people who concentrate on trimming off only the damaged and extremely dry ends, it is quite possible that your hair might seem thinner in certain parts. Do not rush to the nearest salon to get that fixed.
Going conservative with trims and knowing its purpose will maximize its benefits. Unnecessary trimming can make you give up on your hair, believing that it is just not growing while it is actually your over-regular trims that are the culprit. 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Learning how to Enjoy your Hair while Transitioning

Transitioning is one of the toughest decisions to make, but also one of the best things that you can do for your hair. Managing dual textured hair is one of the greatest challenges faced by transitioners. It is also one of the primary reasons for transitioners to go back to chemical or heat use.

Women who are transitioning to healthier natural hair have to wait for months for the damaged and chemically treated hair to grow out. Meanwhile new large Afro-American hair co-exists with artificially treated flat and flaky hair. But there is no reason to worry. Here are a few ways in which you can dress your curls and enjoy your hair while transitioning.

Enjoy your transitioning hair
  • Twist-out Bantu knot combination- Try different hairstyles to make your hair look even. Most women with loose curls find that twist-outs, much popular within the natural hair community just don’t look good on their transitioning hair. One way to remedy that is to combine the flat twist-out styling with Bantu styling. Use leave-in conditioners and hair setting products before you start twisting your hair. Remove the twists/knots only after your hair is completely dry for getting the fluffy curls.
  • Straw set - If you have shorter transitioning hair, you will fall in love with the big curls that the straw sets give you. All you need is a few hours in hand and a few dozen straws. Wrap your hair around the straws and fix them with bobby pins. Remove once the hair is completely dry.
  • Satin weaving - When transitioning, you need a style that does not look awkward when used with the dual textured hair. Braid-outs with the help of satin cloth strips is the way to go. Braid strips of soft satin in your hair and remove once completely dry. The wavy look created by this styling will make your hair last for a week.
  • Big Chop - There are many women who do not have the patience to grow out their damaged hair while there are some who are very busy and cannot devote enough time to take care of the extremely fragile transitioning hair. For such women, however radical it may seem, the big chop is a good option. Contrary to what you may believe, it can prove to look highly feminine and even highlight the fantastic bone structure that Afro-Americans have!
It is not easy to go natural after years and years of artificially treating your hair. Keep positive role models around you and you will regain faith on your journey each day. 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Difference Between Moisture and Hydration

If you have been following the blog posts on this site, then one thing is for sure, you have no doubts about the importance of moisturizing for healthy and glossy hair. Moisturizing is an essential step in almost all African American hair care routines and can help overcome most issues that you would typically face in maintaining healthy hair.

But have you ever wondered about the difference between moisturization and hydration? Do you think there is a difference? Lets find out.

What are hydrating substances?

Hydrating substances are basically elements used in your hair care or even skin products that help increase the water content within the cell membrane of the hair or skin. This important function is achieved through the use of humectants and hygroscopic substances that absorb water available in the surroundings. Humectants are substances that stick to water while hygroscopic substances absorb water. Some examples of hydrating substances include panthenol, specific vitamins, water, glycerin, amino acids and honey.

What is moisturizing?

Moisturizing is the use of substances that proactively prevent the evaporation of water from the skin and hair, helping in the retention of water within the cell membrane. These substances create a barrier between the skin and the environment and comprise of hydrophobic substances. Hydrophobic substances are used to lock in moisture within the skin or hair. Oils and butters are two commonly used examples of moisturizing agents. Moisturizing products usually contain hydrating substances, but definitely contain hydrophobic substances as well.

How to know what to do and when to do?

Now that the difference between moisturizing and hydrating has been established, it will be easy for you to understand what your hair needs, if you listen closely enough.

If your hair seems very dull, or it has become prone to breakage, is extremely frizzy and lacks luster, the first thing that you need to do is concentrate on establishing a proper hair wash routine using deep conditioners. But even if this does not seem to work, it is probably time to re-evaluate your hair products and use them differently after understanding the difference between moisturizing and hydrating.


Hydrate your hair with pre poo treatments that are water based, enriched with amino acids and certain vitamins. After washing do not forget to apply moisturizer for moisture lock in and gradually you will notice that your hair is on a path of revival.  

Monday, June 16, 2014

Butter, Oils and Natural Ingredients for Natural Hair Care

Butter, Oils and Natural Ingredients for Natural Hair Care

With so many black hair care products available in the market today, targeted especially for Afro-American hair care, it is very easy to end up following a trial and error method. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but you might just end up taking months to determine what suits your hair the best.

It is for this reason that it is essential to know about the various butters, oils and natural ingredients easily available in your kitchen and what do they do to your hair in order to maximize their advantages .

Essential butters and oils

Let us take a look at some of the most common ones that are easy to find and source:
  • Oils for moisturizing
Use oils like grape-seed, avocado, soybean, castor, almond and olive oil as sealants to retain moisture in your hair. Olive oil is best used directly in its pure form. Apply directly onto your scalp and hair or mix them with the moisturizer that you usually use.
  • Shea butter for moisturizing
Use shea butter when your hair is extremely dry and you need a heavier sealant to lock the moisture in. You can easily melt the butter to apply directly or mix it with any oil of your choice.
  • Other natural hair products for dry hair
    Use substances like honey, glycerin and aloe-vera to attract moisture to your hair. They function as humectants and stick to water available in the environment that is then absorbed by your hair. You can apply them and leave them on for 30 to 45 minutes before washing. Mixing with moisturizers is also a good idea.
  • Light oils for moisturizing
    Use jojoba oil when your hair is looking flat, but still requires some moisture. These substances act like light sealants that can be applied directly or mixed with other oils.
  • Natural remedies for an itchy scalp
Use aloe-vera or tea tree oil if you have been having problems of an itchy scalp. These substances are great soothers and can take of mild infections and allergies that you may have. Mix the tea tree oil with another oil before applying. You just need a few drops .
  • Oils for lustrous hair

    Use oils like coconut, castor, and avocado or even apple cider vinegar to add that lustrous and beautiful sheen and gloss to your hair. They are the best things that girls with natural hair can use and are very easy to apply – directly or with another oil or moisturizer.
These are just a few that work wonders for your hair. The same butters, oils and natural ingredients have multiple uses and visible benefits.



Thursday, June 12, 2014

How to Resist Heat Styling your Hair?

One of the primary reasons why the hair gets damaged, is the excessive use of direct heat for styling, with the help of blow dryer and flat irons. Hair loses all its moisture and elasticity and becomes brittle and hence prone to breakage if treated with heat. Heat damaged hair has a very dull appearance that no hair product can set right.

A lot of women have benefited by avoiding the use of direct heat for styling their hair, and although it may seem difficult, it is quite possible to resist its temptation.

Ways to resist heat styling your hair
  • Always think about the long-term repercussions of your action. Hair damaged by heat cannot be reversed to a large extent and the only way to get normal healthy hair is to do away with the damaged bits. Keep that in mind every time you are planning to blow-dry or flat iron your hair.
  • Once you have made the decision to stop heat styling your hair, hide or give away styling aids like blow dryers, flat irons and heat curlers. In most cases out of sight is also out of mind.
  • Learn how to style your hair without the use of heat with the help of cool Afro-American natural hairstyles and hair dos that look even better than heat styled hair. Get inspired by celebrities who are going natural with no heat styling. Natural is the new healthy trend. Do not be afraid to be a part of this revolution.
  • Form good natural hair care habits like post-shampoo conditioning, deep conditioning treatments and wet disentangling with wide toothed combs. Following these will automatically make your hair more manageable and your hair will fall with a bounce and shine you have never experienced before.
  • Make sure that you use hair products that have natural ingredients that are moisturizing and hydrating for the hair. Moisturized hair does not frizz and no frizz will lead to no direct heat styling.
  • Do not expect your hair to behave differently . Curls are a part of you and your identity. The day you embrace it, your hair will embrace you back and reward you with healthy hair.
Protect your hair from damage when styling

If you must use direct heat styling once in a while, make sure that you use hair products that protect the hair from too much damage. It is better to be safe than sorry.  

Monday, June 9, 2014

Hair Care Principles for Afro-American Women with Natural Hair

You hair needs as much care as your body and skin, this is true especially for Afro-American women who have fragile hair. Hair is not just a part of your body, but is truly in a way an extension of your personality.

It is for this reason that one should consider the following air-tight hair care principles for natural hair. After all, who does not want hair that is gorgeous and luminous with health.

Hair care principles
  • Make a plan – Visualizing what you want to do to improve the state of your hair or even to maintain it, is one of the first things that you should do. Make a plan and chart out the steps that you will take in order to achieve your goal. Start with small steps like being conscious about water intake, discouraging heat styling and moisturizing on a regular basis. Having monthly or bi-monthly plans work the best.
  • Always listen to what your hair is saying – There is a lot of material out there on the internet about the dos and donts of black hair care. However, you will have to listen to your hair. Its telling you to moisturize and deep condition when it feels rough and looks dull. It is telling you to go for a protein treatment when it starts to fall and it is telling you to stop using chemicals when it starts to break.
  • Be constant with good hair care habits – Once you see good results for your hair after adopting good hair care habits, make it a point to stick to them and be consistent. Make your hair feel that you care. Do not give up on habits like sleeping with a stain pillow cover, deep conditioning at least once a week, letting your hair air dry and a host of other things that you may have experimented and benefited from.
  • Do not go over-board with bought products – It is not necessary for you to spend a lot of money on hair care products available in the market. Be wise and choose a few good hair care products that contains natural ingredients and stick to them. There are many ways to provide tender loving care to your hair with things that are always there in your kitchen.
Success with hair is not about luck and not always about genetics. Good hair care principles can always do that for you.  

Thursday, June 5, 2014

The Right Time for a Trim

‘Trim’ is one of the most dreaded words for women who are trying to grow their hair longer. At first sight, cutting off hair seems to go against the purpose of growing it long. But this is one of the common myths Afro-American women have to grapple with.

Trimming is nothing but the removal of hair that is unhealthy, damaged or dead. Having such ends not only put you at risk of spoiling the quality of all your hair, but in actuality inhibits hair retention, which is essential for growing your hair long.

Signs that tell you get a trim

  • As soon as your hair ends develop split ends, is also the right time for you to go for a trim. Split ends are basically extremely dry and damaged part of your hair that has split into two and are highly prone to breakage. There is no cure or method to reverse this condition and the only way to deal with it is to get a trim. Split ends easily travel from the tips of the hair to the entire length of the hair strand, making them look frizzy, damaged and unhealthy while inhibiting hair retention. 

  • You hairstyle does not look like a style at all! Every hair style has a shelf life and grows out of shape and look after a few months time. This can make your hair look unkempt even if they are healthy and prevent you from doing up your hair in effortless and easy styles. It may take a lot of hair styling products, natural conditioners and the use of direct heat to make them look nice, something that is highly discouraged for healthy and long hair. So when the shape does not show anymore, get yourself ready for a trim. 

  • If you notice that your hair tangles quite easily and seems to have small knots all over on closer inspection, it is time for a trim. These are just indications of hair damaged due to the use of excessive direct heat for styling and in some cases extreme exposure to the sun. Ignoring a deep conditioning hair care routine for too long can also give rise to such a situation. There is no way to deal with hair that is damaged in this manner, and the best thing to do is to get rid of them bit by bit through regular trims. Also, it is usually the ends of the hair strands that get damaged the most since they are also the oldest part of the hair.

It is better to have shorter but healthy hair than to have long but unhealthy hair.  

Monday, June 2, 2014

Factors that Decide Your Hair Wash Routine


One of the most common problems Afro-American women are faced with is establishing a hair wash routine. Most women are not sure about the frequency of hair washes and end up washing their hair either too often or not enough, both being equally unhealthy for the hair.

Afro-American hair being dry and sensitive requires a well thought out hair wash routine. Too much shampoo can make your hair excessively dry while too little shampoo can cause hair fall and dandruff issues due to build up of grime and grease.

This is how you should decide your hair wash routine:
  • Remember not to follow any set prescribed rules about the number of times that you should be washing your hair. There are multiple hair types and kinds even within the Afro-American community and each type needs a hair wash routine of its own. The best way to decide is to pay close attention to your hair and listen to it. Wash it with shampoo when they seem extremely dull and have an oily looking sheen on them. Over a period of a few months, a hair wash routine that is required by your hair will naturally emerge and then all you have to do is stick to it.

  • Once you know the frequency of hair washes that you need, try and match it with days that you have time to really pamper your hair. Make use of pre-shampoo deep conditioning treatments for hair that will increasingly become healthier. One of the best things that you can do for your hair is to give it time, love and care. 

  • The climate and the environment that you are living in is also a major determining factor for your hair wash routine. Hot weather with a lot of dust and pollution may require you to wash your more often that otherwise in order to keep your scalp and hair free from dust and grime buildup that can eventually start to clog your scalp pores and lead to hair fall and breakage.
Always remember that over-washing your hair is a bad practice. It can strip your hair of natural oils that are good for your hair and make it dry and brittle. But having said that, never forget to listen to your hair. Even after you have established a routine, you may have to break it sometimes if you are listening close enough.