Clarifying or cleansing shampoos are typically used when there is product buildup or the hair is oily.  This type of shampoo is perfect for people suffering from oily scalp.  Product buildup causes the hair to look oily or dirty.  Styling the hair becomes harder because the hair is very heavy, making it difficult to curl or have body.  Also with product buildup, dandruff can occur.  Cleansing shampoos are clear and doesn't have a creamy consistency.  The main ingredient is usually acetic acid or a sulfate, which causes the hair to dry out.  This type of shampoo is ideal for people with fine hair because they are prone to oily scalp.  I typically use a clarifying shampoo at least once a month or whenever I want to wear my hair straight.

I really love the way my hair and skin feels whenever I use shea butter, but it's always a pain to use because it's very hard a room temperature.  By whipping the shea butter, it creates an easier application.  For my whipped shea butter, I used 100% African shea butter, organic virgin coconut oil, raw honey, and Cantu Leave-In Conditioning Mist.

Heat up the shea butter for 45 seconds in the microwave.  This melts half of the butter and makes it easier to mix the other ingredients in.

Add the honey, coconut oil, and leave-in mist.

Mix all ingredients together and pour back the mixture into its original container.  The mixture should be very thin.

Place the container in the freezer for 5 minutes, so that it can thicken up a little bit.

After removing the mixture from the freezer, use a fork to whip it.  The consistency should be thick, but creamy.

The finished product!

My go to hairstyle this summer is a mega puff.  It's so effortless and it gives me the big hair look, without having to wear my hair down.  I really enjoy wearing my hair like this because I can go to sleep and wake up the next morning without having to fix my hair.  The only thing I do at night is tie a thin scarf around my head, so that my edges can lie flat the next morning.  It's easier to achieve this style on an old wash-n-go instead of freshly shampooed hair.  Whenever I do it on freshly shampooed hair, It takes two days for my puff to become huge enough the way I like it.

Before starting this style, I apply Eco Styler Olive Oil gel around my edges and brush my hair to the middle of my head.

I use an elastic headband and cut it in half to tie my hair.

I start by wrapping the head band around the edge of my hairline.

Next I cross the two ends of the headband, just like you would when tying a shoe, and begin pulling both ends of the headband tighter in the front of my head so that the majority of my hair is being pulled almost to the top of my head.  Afterwards, I tie a knot in the headband.

Once I've pulled my hair into the desired size of the puff, I push the head band back from the top of my head so that my hair don't rest on my forehead.

And I'm done!!

 

There are several things that contribute to a frizz-free braid out.  For starters, the hair must be moisturized properly. While braiding the hair, remember to comb the pieces of hair with a fine tooth comb to keep the hair smooth.  Leave an inch of hair un-braided and add perm rods to the ends.  Make sure your hair is completely dry before taking it down.

Before adding any products to my hair

After my hair dried

I've been natural since 2009 and it has taken me awhile to figure out how to get a really defined wash-n-go.  I tried many different products, but when it comes to doing a wash-n-go, my hair only loves Cantu's Leave-In Conditioning Cream, Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel, and unrefined organic coconut oil.  I start my wash-n-go on freshly shampooed hair.  Before adding product, I make sure to fully saturate my hair with water and detangle.  Starting from the back of my head, I apply a decent amount of hair cream to a small section and use my fingers to comb the product through.  Afterwards, I add gel and then seal it with coconut oil.  I do this in small sections until my hair is completely saturated with product.  Do not be afraid to go heavy handed with the cream and gel.  If my hair seems like it's still a little dry, I add some water to activate my curls more.  After all of the product is added, my hair feels weighed down and stretched out.  My curls are elongated at this point.  I scrunch my hair to remove some of the water and then I dry my hair on low heat and low speed, using a diffuser.  I always turn my head to the side or put it down so that my hair can fall into the prongs of the diffuser.  Using a diffuser to dry your curls is very important to achieving a defined wash-n-go.  I noticed that my hair doesn't have frizz whenever I dry my hair with a diffuser instead of letting it air dry.  The diffuser is important because it allows air to be dispersed over a larger area, instead of the air being concentrated on one section.  This way, the curl pattern is not interrupted, which in return reduces frizz.  Whenever I do my wash-n-go this way, I get the best results and it lasts five days.  Try this method out and let me know how it works for you.

I've been using a satin pillowcase by Betty Dain, that I purchased from Sally Beauty Supply store for $10.  I am in love with it.  I decided to switch to a satin pillowcase because my bonnet would always fall off during the night and I didn't like how flat my hair looked in the morning.  I tried using the pineapple method, but my hair is not really long enough to stay preserved over night with this method.  Ever since I started using my satin pillowcase, my wash-n-go, twist out, and braid out started to last longer and I did less fluffing of my hair the next morning.  What I love about sleeping on a satin pillowcase is my hair and skin are less dry because the satin material does not absorb oils like that other materials such as cotton.  Also, the satin creates a more smoother surface therefore my skin and hair receives less friction from tossing and turning during the night.  Less friction helps reduce hair breakage as well as reduce skin irritation due to acne.

Have you ever ran water and it smelled as if chemicals were in it? Or have you ever taken a shower and your skin and hair feels less moisturized afterwards?  Chances are, the water in your area is hard. Hard water is filled with lots of calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Another sure sign that you are dealing with hard water is the appearance of white rings or spots around faucets and any metal surface in the sink.  It is also noticeable on plastic shampoo and body wash bottles, that are in contact with the water from the shower.  A constant use of hard water will cause mineral buildup, in your hair. This causes the cuticle layers, in the hair shaft, to remain open.  Hair cuticles that never close are not able to retain water, therefore hair will lose it's sheen, volume, and softness.  Hair also becomes very brittle and grey hair tend to develop a yellow tint. Hard water also causes hair color to fade more quickly, for those with color treated hair. There are a few things you can do to avoid mineral build up such as buy a water softener (but that's expensive), shampoo and wet hair with distilled water, or shampoo hair with a clarifying shampoo.  Look for shampoos that contain Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), which is a chelating agent that binds to minerals so that they can be removed.  EDTA is used in many water treatment plants.  Listed below are the ingredients and steps for a mineral buildup treatment. Try it out because no one wants damaged hair due to water.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• Water
• Baking soda
• Clarifying shampoo

Steps:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water
2. Apply to hair and leave in for 5 minutes and rinse with cold water
3. Shampoo hair normally with clarifying shampoo
4. Make a thick paste with equal parts of baking soda and water and leave in hair for 10 minutes
5. Shampoo hair again with clarifying shampoo

Note:  The vinegar and baking soda loosens and dissolve minerals, in the hair.  Also, the vinegar doesn't leave an odor.

Photo source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Hard_water_and_drop.jpg

During the Summer months, most people engage in long outdoor activities such as visiting beaches and amusement parks, attending barbecues, or just a fun day at the pool.  Skin and hair needs protection from the sun's harmful UV rays.  Although some UV radiation exposure is necessary for the production of Vitamin D, too much can be harmful.  Sunburn is a result of excessive exposure to UV radiation.  As a result of the overexposure, a person is more susceptible to pre-mature skin aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.  Skin cancer can also develop as a result to overexposure of UV radiation.  Not only does your skin needs protection from the sun, but also your hair.  If not properly protected, your hair becomes dry, brittle, and dull.  If your hair is color treated, the sun will change and fade the color.  Here are a few things you can do to protect your hair and skin from the sun.

Genetics is usually the main factor in hair growth, but exercising can also promote hair growth.  Exercising is a great way to maintain a healthy and properly functioning body.  Cardiovascular exercises allows for great circulation of blood throughout your entire body.  Blood circulation allows the transportation of nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles, which is essential for growth.  Also, it's great to exercise because it reduces stress, which also is a factor for stunted hair growth and also hair loss.  Stress increases cortisone, the hormone that is responsible for hair thinning and hair loss. Exercising is also good because it helps reduce stress by releasing serotonin.  Serotonin is a hormone that allows you to feel energized and happy.

No matter if you have relaxed or natural hair, your hair can be easily damaged if not for proper care.  Heat styling, chemical processing, and constant brushing can damage hair.  Hair becomes dry, brittle, and it lacks luster.   Hot oil treatments restore softness, moisture, and luster.  Treatments also helps reduce frizz.  Hot oil treatments can be purchased at many drug and beauty supply stores.  You can also make your own hot oil treatment.  The only ingredients you need are unrefined organic coconut
oil, olive oil, and almond oil.  Below are instructions for applying the hot oil treatment to hair.  Depending on the thickness and length of your hair will determine how much oil you think you need to apply.  Make sure to mix equal parts of the 3 oils. After your hair is washed and conditioned, you can apply the hot oil treatment.

1. In a microwave friendly container, apply coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil, and heat for one minute.
2. Transfer oils to an applicator bottle for easy application.  If no bottle is around, you can still perform the treatment, but it can be messy.
3. While the oils are cooling, part hair into four sections
4. Before applying the oils, make sure it's cool enough to where it won't burn your scalp, but still warm.
5. Take one section and apply oils from scalp to the ends
6. Once application is done, massage the oils in your hair
7. Place a plastic shower cap on your head for 15 min and apply a dryer to it or warm towel
8. Rinse out oils, shampoo with a light shampoo and condition

Hot oil treatments are a great way to restore moisture, reduce frizz and add shine to hair.  Treatments can be done on a monthly basis.  I'm always satisfied with the softness and shine, after a treatment.

There are several health, skin, and hair benefits of lemon juice.  Lemon juice contains vitamin C, vitamin B, proteins, phosphorous, and flavonoid.  It contains antioxidants and can also help with weight loss.  The citric acid in lemon juice helps reduce dandruff on the scalp.  Lemon juice also helps with hair loss, when applied to the scalp.  Lemon juice is used to lighten hair and it also gives hair a natural sheen.  Lemon juice also carry many antiseptic characteristics.  It can be used to treat sunburn, acne, and eczema.  Many anti-aging creams have lemon juice as an ingredients and is helpful in adding a natural glow to the skin.  So next time you go to the grocery store don't look at lemons as just a fruit, but also as a natural remedy for skin and hair care!

If you suffer from dry hair, then humectants can be your best friend.  Humectants are a great way to add moisture to your hair.  It is a hygroscopic molecules, which means it draws moisture in from the atmosphere and also retains existing water.  Humectants also have emollient properties.  Emollients are used to soften things and are used in many cosmetics, such as lotions and lipsticks.  The most common humectant found in hair-care products is glycerin (glycerin or glycerol).  It is an organic compound derived from animal fats and vegetable oils.  It is odorless and colorless when heated.  The compound is non-toxic and is a good preservative in many cosmetics and foods.

Although humectants are a great way to add moisture to your hair, some people don't enjoy using it because the addition of water can cause hair to frizz.  In instances where there is too much humectants, you can combat it with an anti-humectant to balance the two.

Most common humectants used:

• glycerin
• sodium lactate
• urea
• propylene glycol

http://www.realbeauty.com/cm/realbeauty/images/fp/rby-3-pool-water-de.jpg

The term co-wash is used to describe a way to cleanse your hair without the use of shampoos.  Many naturals opt out of using shampoo to wash their hair because it dries out their hair too much, by eliminating any of the natural oils made from the scalp.  Washing with shampoo can also strip the hair of it's natural sheen and color.  I've been co-washing my hair all summer long and have noticed a difference in moisture content.  My hair is more softer and isn't as dry like it was when I washed my hair with shampoo.