GRAPESEED OIL - The Natural Heat Protectant Alternative

It is always a quest of mine to find Natural alternatives to sometimes damaging hair products that are on the market. Many Heat Protectants contain alcohol and tend to have a drying effect on your hair.
Grapeseed oil is a great heat protectant because it has a high burn point. It has the ability to withstand heat up to about 420 Degrees (F). Unlike many over the counter protectants, Grapeseed Oil offers a bonus benefit in that it also supplies your hair with sheen and moisture which will ultimately reduce brittleness, strengthen your hair strands and protect against split ends. The oil is very light and is easily absorbed into the hair. It is also packed with antioxidants which helps protect your hair from various free radicals. The best thing about Grapeseed oil is that it can be safely applied to all hair types.
I am not an advocate for using heat, and in fact I have been "Heat-Free" for almost two years, but if you must use heat, then my advice is to give your hair the best possible protection. It is not advisable to turn the heat up on your curling iron above 420 degrees as it will not effectively protect your hair from heat levels above that. Grapeseed Oil offers a simple solution for more healthy, radiant hair.

NATURAL CELEBRITY OF THE MONTH - ACTRESS VIOLA DAVIS

I was just watching the Academy Awards Red Carpet Show and was pleasantly surprised to see that my girl Viola Davis was rocking a new look (or at least new to me). She rocked that red carpet in her new low cut natural hair. She looked absolutely fabulous and she was just glowing with confidence and radiant with beauty. She has always been a very strong black woman and I admire her roles that she always play with such passion and authority.

I am yet to see one of her latest films, The Help which I hear was a huge success. I have no doubt that she was already a confident woman of color but I can just feel the added empowerment that emanated from her as a result of her new found crown of glory. In her interview on the red carpet she chuckles and said her mom did her hair. I am always pleased to see Hollywood stars

step out of the box and choose to embrace their natural roots. Kudos to you Viola, you've always looked fabulous, and you are known for wearing those wigs well, but I must say that this is indeed a winning look for you. Looking forward to see how your natural hair journey progresses.

TRANSITIONING TIPS

For many people, the hardest part about the journey to becoming natural is dealing with the transition process that is involved with growing your hair out. It is often a very unpleasant sight to see the new growth and it is always a major challenge to find ways to style the hair so as not to look hideous. For the most part, wearing your own hair during the process is not the answer. It is advisable to find creative and lasting transitioning hairstyles that you can sport during this period prior to the BIG CHOP.

Some suggested styles that you can wear during the transition are: Afro Twist, Rope Twist, Sew Ins, Cornrows, Twist Outs, Bantu Knots etc. I personally preferred the styles that allowed my hair to breathe and gave me the liberty to shampoo my hair on a regular basis and also apply nourishing oils to my roots. I wore the Afro Twist for the most part, as it is not heavy on the head and it is not too long.

Each time I removed my transitioning style I would trim an inch or so of the permed ends off. This made it easier for me as I wasn't faced with the dramatic feat of chopping off all 10 inches of my hair in one go. After a couple months of wearing the braids, I eventually thought, what the heck, and just made one BIG CHOP of the remaining 4 or 5 inches.

I had lots of fun playing around with the different styles I wore during my transition. If ever you feel discouraged and think that you are unable to tolerate how your hair looks during this
phase, just experiment with different braiding or sew in styles and before you know it you would have recorded enough new growth to go ahead and kiss that perm goodbye.

How Aloe Vera Solved my Wedding Dilemma.

I was blogging about Aloe Vera recently and had a flashback of how I had to use it as a saving grace 13 years ago when I was getting married. You see what had happened was, I was a week away from my wedding date and I decided to visit the spa to get my brows and upper lip waxed in preparation for the big day. In retrospect, it is somewhat weird to have had that done a whole week in advance but I believe it was divine intervention that caused me to decide to do it that early. Anyway, I had the waxing done and went on my merry way feeling all excited. Little did I know that I was in for a rude awakening (no pun intended) as upon awaking the following morning I almost had a heart attack after looking in the mirror. I was very distraught to see what appeared to be two sets of eyebrows and a pair of mustache. I freaked out, I was scared, I was horrified. I thought to myself that I could never get married in a week with my face in this horrible condition. After calming myself down a bit I called the spa and told them what had happened. It was then that she asked me if I was using medicated face products prior to my waxing and I recalled that I was prescribed and had been using Retin A which is an awesome skin treatment. It is known however to make your skin sensitive, especially when exposed to the sun. The sensitivity of my skin caused a layer of my skin to get peeled off where the wax and tape were applied. What it left were dark marks where the skin had been lifted from. Somewhere along the way some genius told me to just use Aloe Vera plant to rub on the scarred area everyday and that by the wedding day the marks would be gone. I kid you not, I used it and by three days later my skin was back to normal with no signs of scarring. I was in pleasant disbelief. Aloe Vera had saved my day, my BIG day, and I was able to walk down the isle as a proud bride. I am thankful that I didn't decide to leave the waxing until the eve of the wedding because that would have been another story, with a disastrous ending. As in every area of my life, God always have mi back!!!!

Aloe Vera Plant - The answer to my hair washing problems.

I have been having problems finding a shampoo that doesn't leave my hair feeling totally stripped of its natural moisture. I have tried many natural shampoos and have found that they left my hair feeling lacking in softness and somewhat like a stack of hay, for want of a better description. Recently a friend of mine told me that she had a lil secret she wanted to share with me that could solve my much complained about hair woe. I was more than excited to know so having given my undivided attention and all three ears, she proceeded to tell me the secret that would change the life of my hair forever. She told me to get a piece of Aloe Vera plant and scrape the gel from the center of it into a container and then add it to my shampoo before I wash my hair. I Hung on to her every word, and as if her million dollar tip was not enough she even rooted up one of her very own Aloe Vera plants from her front yard and gave it to me to plant. I couldn't wait to try it. I washed my hair yesterday and did as she said but I decided to blend the Aloe Vera with a little water first before adding it to my shampoo just to ensure that it had the same consistency as the shampoo and that it was properly incoporated. Can I tell you.. ....The results were ASTOUNDING!!! Not only did it leave my hair feeling very soft and moisturized, but it gave the shampoo a richer lather. I don't know about y'all, but achieving sud when shampooing my hair is very important to me, so that was a welcomed plus. I will forever use aloe Vera in my shampoo from now on and if you have had any such hair stripping concerns, I would advise you to try it too. The Aloe plant is available in the produce section at the local grocery store if you can't grow your own. Thanks Aunty Cherry for your hair changing tip. Will love you forever for it!!
P.S. Guys you can rub it on your face while you are at it, aloe is great for your skin and will give you a beautiful complexion and young, healthy looking skin.

Willow Smith "Whipped" her Hair OFF.

"I whip my hair back and forth" will not be a possibility for childhood star Willow Smith, (at least for now) who recently shaved her head. She has always had a unique style and experimented a bit with head shaving when she sported her varied versions of the mohawk. I have no idea what prompted her decision to make this drastic move but whatever it was I applaud her bravery and individuality. It would be nice to know that  she did it as a Big Chop on a journey to becoming a naturalista, but there is no such evidence. Whatever the reason I still think she is a beautiful little girl and that she is living proof that hair doesn't define a person. I am curious to know what her hair plans are but until then, stay tuned.    

PONYTAIL PRECAUTIONS

Ponytails can be very cute, easy and convenient to wear but we need to exercise precautions when deciding how often and the way in which we wear this hairstyle. Ponytails were a favorite of mine especially in high school where finances didn't permit me to explore most of those hip, high-maintenance hairdos and in college because I worked and studied full time so it was virtually impossible to find the time necessary to properly groom my hair. In both cases the ponytail often proved to be a faithful life saver for me, as it allowed me to be able to look presentable with little time or resources. Now that I know better, wearing ponytails are no longer a norm but an absolute necessity. While many people may find themselves in that predicament, I would advise everyone to minimize the frequency with which you expose your hair to this potentially damaging hairstyle. The thing about it is that, most times we wear ponytails it is worn with the hair very tightly slicked back and fastened with a clip, scrunchie, rubber band etc. and this usually puts excessive tension on the hair especially the hair line. Many persons who wear this hairstyle too often has indicated that they have recorded hair thinning at the hair line. More technically speaking, Ponytails cause traction alopecia, which occurs when tension is placed on the scalp because the hair is pulled back too tightly. The tighter the ponytail is worn, the more likely it is for you to experience hair loss. Try to avoid wearing tight ponytails too frequently or for long periods. Receding hairline is not cute, so do your hair a favor and loosen up or avoid wearing this cute style too often. As naturals if we don't care our hair the proper way by doing the necessary protective styling, we sometimes find it easier to just use this style as a cop out. I am not saying it should be totally avoided but try to keep it to a bare minimum and preserve those edges.
In the event that you are already experiencing traction alopecia, you may want to reconsider wearing ponytails altogether or explore other less damaging ways of wearing one. Instead of wearing tight ponytails close to the top of the head where there is more tension, try wearing it looser towards the back of the neck. Hair loss due to ponytail is usually temporary but can be permanent if the ponytail hairstyle is worn long enough to damage the hair follicles. Make the best decision for the sake of your tresses.

How I styled my hair with two headbands.

Natural Hair Growth Strategies - The External Approach

Having long flowing hair seem to be an unattainable goal for many, and there is a common misconception that black hair cannot grow very long. Below are strategies that can be applied to your hair care regimen or routine, to achieve longer, healthier hair.


DAILY SCALP MASSAGE 
Massaging the scalp daily with your finger tips (never your nails) will encourage circulation and stimulate hair growth. A good scalp massage helps hair root make better use of nutrients by loosening dirt and oil that may cause clogged hair follicles. Massage for three to four minutes, it is very relaxing and tranquilizing.

USE NATURAL OILS
Using cold pressed vegetable oils directly on your hair can make a world of difference. Choosing the proper oil is a matter of experimentation . A light oil may be used for thin, fine hair, while someone with naturally curly and coarse hair might find a heavier oil preferable.Unrefined oils are always healthier as they retain their natural vitamins and minerals although their aroma can be somewhat pungent. Refined  oils tend to have a lighter color and little or no odor, while the unrefined retains a darker, nuttier aroma. Natural oils provide necessary nourishment for the hair and scalp thus making it less susceptible to damage and more likely to grow.

KEEP HAIR CLEAN
Keeping hair and scalp clean and healthy allows hair to continue growing and reduces breakage and loss. Wash your hair regularly to keep your hair follicles from clogging with dirt and excess sebum (i.e. natural oils produced by the scalp). Using a mild sulfate free shampoo is advisable. Deep conditioning your hair is very important for repairing and preventing damage and also for providing moisture. Your hair however has to be at its cleanest state to reap the benefits of your deep conditioning treatment. If your hair is not very clean then the deep conditioner or moisturizers will not penetrate the strands as there will be a layer of buildup blocking maximum absorption.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Exercising, getting enough sleep (8 hrs recommended) and staying stress free can cause your hair to grow faster and longer. It has been observed that factors like stress, depression and sleep deprivation actually contribute to hair loss. Getting the required amount of sleep can aid in hair growth as growth hormones are secreted during sleep. Exercise stimulates the blood to flow. The nutrient rich blood nourishes each hair follicle, promoting healthy hair growth. Lack of sufficient blood flow would yield the growth of duller, more brittle hair.Apart from supplying the follicle with nutrient-rich blood, exercise also helps to alleviate stress, which is a known cause of hair loss.

PROTECT YOUR HAIR ENDS
It is often said that trimming your hair ends regularly will cause the hair to grow, now that I DON'T believe as there is no explainable co-relation. What I do know is that if you protect your hair ends from damage and breakage then that will prevent you from having to cut them all the time and as such you will be able to record and maintain length. Protecting your ends involves keeping them moisturized. Moisture can be sealed into the hair by using a sealant such as Shea Butter. Keeping your hair in a protective style like two strand twists or bantu knots especially at bedtime is an excellent way to protect your ends. Try not to manipulate your hair too much as this can lead to split ends. Heat or excessive combing and brushing can lead to breakage. In essence, if you don't get split ends very often, then you wont need to trim your hair very often, and as such you will be able to realize a lot  more growth.

My personal and unproven hair growth tip: Be Positive, Happy and Laugh like you are silly.    


N.B. Stay tuned for the follow Up blog - Natural Hair Growth Strategies - The Internal Approach.

CURLY AFRO DONE ON THE GO.........(How I literally styled my hair in the car)

THROW IN THE TOWEL....Why It Is Better To Dry Your Hair With A Cotton T-Shirt.

One of the biggest challenges faced by most naturals is Moisture Retention. We will travel the world over and back in pursuit of  secrets to maintain moisturized tresses. One process that poses a threat to accomplishing this feat is that of drying your hair. The common practice is to use a regular towel to vigorously rub the excess water from the hair. This can prove very damaging as the towel not only soaks up most of the moisture from the hair but it also can cause damage and FRIZZ. Terry Cloth has a rough weave and its constant use can cause split ends. Microfiber towels are gentler on the hair than the regular Terry Cloth Towels that we commonly use but they are also more expensive. A wayyy cheaper and ingenious alternative is to use an old (clean) T-Shirt to dry your hair. This provides a softer, more gentle interaction with your hair and leaves it smoother and with more defined curls. Whether you are Natural or have relaxed hair, drying your hair with a T-Shirt will assist in achieving healthier hair.