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hair ideas hair products hair type

What type of hair do I have? Let me help you find out with this information

About 20 years ago, the natural hair movement was started and people started trying to understand their own hair. Before that time, most people resolved to using relaxers which made hair more manageable. For those that are wondering what natural hair is, its just when your hair does not have any chemicals and you don’t use anything to manipulate it.

How it used to be

Before people started finding out what type of hair they had or how to look after it around that time, there were not many options for curly hair. Most people even individuals with curly hair used to straighten it. It’s actually interesting at that time that there were no products that people with curly hair could use. It seemed that straightening your hair was the answer to everything.

It’s interesting how times have changed, so many individuals have learned to embrace their hair the way it is.

My journey

I remember my journey like it was yesterday. At that time, I did not know what to do with my hair. I would constantly blow dry it every time I washed it and I did not realize that it causes damage. Apart from the fact that I resolved not to use a relaxer on my hair at that time, should I ever consider it in the future, I will get it done professionally.

I was addicted to blow drying my hair, I did not know anything else. The first time I left my hair as it was, I was extremely frustrated. At that time, there were not too many silk bonnets or pillow cases and you just used what you had. Frizz free was non-existent so you just had your hair as it was. I remember walking around at that time with may hair and the comments I received, were quite hurtful.

I was fortunate that nobody in the family really said much, however whenever I went to the hairdresser at that time, I was never a priority, because my hair was deemed too difficult.

I persevered for the next 10 years and went to do a hairdressing course where I learned how to manage my hair. However, there was nothing on natural hair at that time.

20 years later, and now people understand and are more knowledgeable about their hair type. There are so many options when it comes to products that its difficult to miss out on anything.

Now this obviously leads to the questions, what is your hair type?

When I started discovering the various hair strands at that time, I considered my hair 4c, I did not even think much about it. I managed to convince my sister somehow to keep her hair natural and its a lot coarser than mine is. I helped her during the transition but like I said, we both did not have any product options.

Definition of hair types

Oprah Winfery’s stylist Andre Walker, came up with the definition of hair types in the 1990s and that started being used as a measure on the type of hair individuals had. (source: Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair )

As you can see from the list below, there were various other hair types that were discovered, because individuals started realizing that some descriptions mentioned were not accurate about their hair, therefore 3c and 4c were included in the list.

Andre Walker hair types
Type 1: Straight
1a Straight (Fine/Thin) Hair tends to be very soft, thin, shiny, oily, poor at holding curls, difficult to damage.
1b Straight (Medium) Hair characterized by volume and body.
1c Straight (Coarse) Hair tends to be bone-straight, coarse, difficult to curl.
Type 2: Wavy
2a Wavy (Fine/Thin) Hair has definite “S” pattern, can easily be straightened or curled, usually receptive to a variety of styles.
2b Wavy (Medium) Can tend to be frizzy and a little resistant to styling.
2c Wavy (Coarse) Fairly coarse, frizzy or very frizzy with thicker waves, often more resistant to styling.
Type 3: Curly
3a Curly (Loose) Presents a definite “S” pattern, tends to combine thickness, volume, and/or frizziness.
3b Curly (Tight) Presents a definite “S” pattern, curls ranging from spirals to spiral-shaped corkscrew
Type 4: Kinky
4a Kinky (Soft) Hair tends to be very wiry and fragile, tightly coiled and can feature curly patterning.
4b Kinky (Wiry) As 4a but with less defined pattern of curls, looks more like a “Z” with sharp angles

Source: Wikipedia

It was around this time that various brands and some individuals decided to start experimenting with various products to help their hair look presentable with less frizz and more coils.

If you look at the list below its easy to identify what your hair type is. It’s also good to use it for selecting products that are good for you rather than just selecting any type of shampoo and conditioner.

Looking back

If anyone at that time had asked me why I had my hair natural, I always had a response but I did not know the advantages of keeping it in its natural state. The main reason was due to the fact that it was more convenient to have relaxed hair.

Now, that I know my hair type and I am aware what products I should use, I find that its a lot easier to look after my hair and I don’t have to worry about the tangles as I know how to deal with it. I remember spending a whole day looking after my hair every single week, now I can spend up to 30 minutes and go about what I need to do.

There is no hair that is too difficult to look after, the main thing is that you need to understand your hair type and once you do, it will be a lot easier to find the right products to help in maintaining your hair.

Do you know your hair type from the list above? are you using that to help you when you select product. Stop wasting time on the wrong products and start using what is best for your hair.

Have a look through the various pages and see some activities you can do.

 

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hair products

3 of the best hair and scalp products for dry hair

In this article, I will be speaking of specific products that I have used for my hair and dry scalp. Why would an individual get a dry scalp, there are many reasons, it could hereditary, sometimes if you shampoo too often your scalp can get dry. If you are not washing your hair often, that could be another reason for you to get a dry scalp. However this is another amazing article that will help you in finding products that may potentially be great for your dry scalp. I looked for products that can be used by any individual and I have compiled a list of all the benefits and challenges of using the products. I will not be recommending any particular brand because I think sometimes it’s up to you which you think would work well on your scalp. As written in other blogs, I did mention that it’s good to have an idea what type of hair you have if you have high porosity or low porosity hair. It’s good to know what type of hair you have in order to avoid using the wrong type of products on your hair.

1. Avlon Keracare dry and itchy scalp shampoo

I will not put the price of Avlon Keracare on this as it ranges from $15.95 AUD – $ 25.12 AUD. Therefore, one bottle on it’s own is quite pricey.

How to use it

Make sure that you rinse your hair with water, apply the shampoo like you would an ordinary shampoo, however for more effect, leave the shampoo on your scalp for about 2 mins as that will help in cleansing your scalp. Once you rinse it off, apply the conditioner which you can leave for about 5 mins before your rinse it out. Once you have rinsed your hair, it’s best to apply the glossifer which will help keep your scalp and hair moisturised.

Ingredients

In terms of the ingredients, Avlon Keracare dry and itchy scalp would be considered a more cleansing shampoo due to the fact that it does strip your hair of all the oils or buildup. If you have problems with sulfate, then this would not be right shampoo for you. The shampoo does not contain silicones though which is great for individuals that cannot use products with silione. If your hair is relaxed keracare works really well on it. Once you use it, it’s ideal to use the Avalon keracare glossifer or if you have any light oils that may be suitable then it would be great to use.

The great thing about keracare, it is suitable for all hairtypes therefore it works for most individuals. This would be considered one of the better treatments for a dry and itchy scalp. Now when I say treatment, that means that it will not cure the condition, it will just make it more manageable.

2. Moroccan dry scalp treatment

Moroccan oil has been trending in the past few years, through commercialism, however it has been used for decades. The cost of Moroccan oil ranges from $ 35.16  AUD – $ 43.95 AUD. Now depending on how well you do your research you will find various prices.

How to use it

As this is an oil, it’s best to apply it in sections. If you can part your hair into four different sections, each part can get 3-6 drops of oil and rubbed into the scalp for maximum impact. Once you apply it leave it on your scalp for 5- 10 minutes and rinse it off. Follow up using the Moroccan shampoo and conditioner. It’s best to use it weekly so that you can see if you have any improvement before you minimise using it. If you want, you can use the oil overnight and wash your hair the next morning.

Ingredients

This is a lightweight oil that contains argan-oil, lavendar and geranium oils. The benefit of the product is that it moisturises your scalp and minimizes the flaking. It works well on all hair types. It absorbs easily into the scalp and it has a little applicator that makes it easy for you to target any dryer areas. Moroccan oil can last up to six months depending on how often you are using it for your scalp.

If price is a factor for you them, it may be quite expensive and something that you use sparingly depending on your budget. However I would recommend this in a heart beat because it works extremely well.

3. Petal fresh pure scalp treatment (tea tree) conditioner

Petal Fresh pure scalp treatment shampoo, is quite new to me, however the price range for this is from $15.52 AUD to $49.95 AUD. This is just for one bottle therefore it would be wise to make a selection depending on what your budget allows.

How do you use it

It works as a typical shampoo and conditioner if you had a specific one that you were using. You will need the shampoo and conditioner in order to get the best outcome. The consistency of the product is quite thick, therefore you just have to be careful when getting it out of the bottle that you don’t get too much of it. It really cleanses, soothes and invigorates the scalp after use, therefore it’s advisable to massage your scalp when you are using it. It has a pleasant smell even after you rinse it out of your hair.

Ingredients

It does not contain sulfates or silicones making it suitable for individuals that do get reactions to those ingredients. It can be used on coloured hair. Everything has been sourced sustainablly, therefore if that is important to you, then this would be a great product to select. As it contains tea-tree oil it will nourish and restore hair that is dry and damaged and it is also great for replenishing the scalp.

Most individuals complain that for the price they pay, the product comes in a rather small bottle. Others complain that the product may not be as effective. This can also be used on all hair types. By this I mean from curly to straight.

One of the main things that I discovered as I was going through these shampoos, conditioners and treatments is that the market seems to have a lot of products with tea tree oil in it. The best thing to minimize any dissapointments is to ensure that you understand what works for your hair. Save yourself time and money by being strategic about what is best for you.

Have you tried any of the following shampoos and if you did, can you inform me how they worked for you?  If you have any suggestions as to the best products for dry scalp it would be great to hear from you as well.

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hair care hair moisture minimize hair breakage

Ways to minimize hair-breakage on afro hair

The best way to wash your hair especially with curls is to make sure that it’s washed as it should be at the salon. Now as a normal individual washing your hair everytime at a hairdressers may not necessarity be possible. However, there are techniques that you can use to ensure that when you wash your hair you have less tangles.

Washing with braids

Most individuals that I have met are always curious how hair with braids can be washed. It’s very simple, however if you have curls in your hair and are doing your own hair, it’s best to section it into four and loosely braid each part. The main reason is that it will help you in keeping your hair together and reducing the friction that you lead to breakage between your hair strands. When you are in the process of washing it, when it’s all braided together, the tangling process is reduced. This is the reason why braided hair can still be washed without any trouble. If you have longer hair, it’s one of the best techniques as you will struggle less with tangles and breakage. Now imagine you utilise the deep conditioning method mentioned earlier with this technique, you will be pleasantly surprised. I challenge anyone with 4c hair type to try this technique and see how much better for your hair it will be.

Now in order to make sure that you rinse out the shampoo and conditioner, I normally tend to undo one section at a time and just make sure that all the shampoo and conditioner has been removed, then I will braid it up again. You can use a loose twist or a three strand braid method.

Washing shorter hair

If you hair is shorter and you still do not want it to get tangled, ensure that you use a hair tie or clips if that is possible. If your hair is too short to put in sections, wash it as it is but use a treatment such as hot oil or even conditioner. When you wash use the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp. When you first apply your shampoo, give it a minute to penetrate into the hair shaft and remove any dirt or debris before your wash it off and rinse it. If you feel that your scalp is not clean enough you can repeat the process until you are done.

Finally, apply the conditioner. Now sometimes I normally want to make sure that when I apply the conditioner my hair get’s really moisturised, therefore sometimes I leave it on my scalp for about 5-10 minutes.You can also do other chores and then rinse it out if you want. Always rinse your scalp with warm-cool water but not hot water.

This method is very effective for helping you have less breakage and easier way to detangle your hair.

Deep conditioning process

Deep conditioning is a method that you can use to soften your hair depending on the texture. If your hair is a lot tougher, it’s best to leave the deep conditioner a little longer on  your hair so that it can help in the process of softening. A good indicator of times is from 5 – 15 minutes. If you can add heat,  it’s a lot easier if not, then ensure that you put it on your hair for atleast 10 minutes.

Drying your hair

The process of drying your hair also plays a part in minimising breakage. Microfiber towels or old cotton t-shirts work best in minimising breakage. Your hair will dry faster, it will also be beneficial to blot the hair instead of scrunching it as that will form tension and tanlges once more. If you have a diffuser, it can be a great way to dry your curls as well without manipulating them. If you don’t have a diffuser, you can use string and wind it down either in the four sections or by dividing into smaller sections.

Moisturising process

Before you apply the string, make sure that you moisturise your hair, you can use a water-based cream moisturiser or lighter oil depending on your hair type. always oil the ends of your hair and move towards the root. You don’t have to put too much, just make sure it’s enough to keep the hair in good condition. I always use shea butter or coconut oil on my hair as that works well, however when I have braided hair, I use the ligher oils because I normally use a stray to condition my scalp.

These are some ways in making sure that the process of washing and moisturising your hair are done in the best way without causing unecessary breakage. Note that if you are in a hurry, it’s advisable not to wash your hair as you will definintely do a poor job. The more you repeat this process, the easier and faster you will get.

What is your wash routine, and how do you ensure that you minimise breakage?

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hair products

Best detangling hair products for afro hair

This article is for all the individuals that know how life used to be before detanglers came into the picture. Do you remember the days when you knew that if your hair was brushed you would be in pain because you had a lot of tangles with your hair. Your scalp would sometimes be sore for days and you would not want anyone to touch it. Well those days are long gone and if you are still suffering in silence, then pay attention as this article could be life-changing for those that are not using these products.

If you want to ensure that your course and tightly coiled hair experience after a braid-out is smoother, then you want to use a pre-shampoo treatment to detangle your hair. If you are still confused about this and have no idea what I am saying. Test this little theory out. If you have not purchased any pre-shampoo treatment, get some olive oil if you have some, mix it with a little bit of water and as you remove the tangles from your hair, provide some feedback on your experience.

I will be writing about detangling products from the cheapest ones to the most costly ones. If you would like to try out detangling products, I have a list of a few that I have used which are great, however there are so many in the market nowadays. If you have not mastered the type of hair that you have please feel free to go back to my hair type article as it will assist you in selecting the right type for your hair.

1. Mane ‘n Tail detangler spray

Cost: $8.07

I only came across this detangler last year and did not know much about it. What I like about it is that this product is pH balanced, it’s more alkaline than acidic. It’s great for tangled hair and great for conditioning hair.

This product was originally used for horses, to help them have less split ends and thick lucious silky hair. They expanded their range and started including individuals products as well.

As mentioned in my previous blog, I have low-porosity hair and it also tends to be a little dryer, so it’s great to have Mane ‘n tail as it helps keep it well conditioned.

The process of detangling involves parting hair into sections in order to make sure that the product is evenly distributed. Wet your hair with water and add the product and start the process of detangling.

Disadvantage is that you have to use quite a lot of it to make sure that you get it through the section which you want to detangle.

2. Noughty, Thirst Aid Conditioning & Detangling Spray

Cost: $ 16.15

This one is light weight, it’s not as creamy as the other detanglers which may be suitable for individuals with thick hair, however it is quite greasy, which is perfect for me. Some individuals may find that it’s too much.

The trick with detangler, you have to check the consistency first before placing it on your head, therefore always take a small sample and add it to a little section of your head which you have added some water. If you find that it’s a little too heavy, you may have put too much products, you just have to use your discretion depending on how tangled your hair may be.

The process of putting Thirst aid on your hair is exactly the same as using mane ‘n tail. This one is a little different as it’s quite greasy, but with my low porosity hair it works just well as it stays moisturised after I use it and even when I wash and condition, my hair stays quite healthy.

3. As I Am Coconut Cowash cleansing conditioner

Cost: $18.38

Don’t let the name fool you that it’s only used as a conditioner. This product is one of the best when it comes to detangling your hair. It helps with product build-up if you have had your hair braided and it’s just amazing.

The first thing you do before you comb out your hair is to apply the cleansing conditioner. Section the hair into four parts or more, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. Make sure you wet your sectioned hair first with a spray of water. Once your hair is wet enough, you put a blob of the As I Am Coconut Cowash cleansing conditioner. You can start detangling that section and what would normally take you hours to do will be cut down to less time. This depends on the length and thickness of hair. It will be pain free and once the individual goes to wash the hair, it will be a quick process.

Some individuals may have reaction to Coconut and therefore if this is not the type of product for you, then it’s best to check around for other detanglers with different ingredients.


4. Coconut and Argan Leave-in Conditioner + shine

Cost: $23.50

This was also a new one for me as I only thought that it was a leave in conditioner. The process of detangling has to be the same as the detangler above.

The great benefit of the Coconut and Argan is that it will work for any hair type and will also leave your hair soft and shiny without frizz. The good thing about it is that if you constantly use a detangler everytime you are doing your hair, it will have less knots and that means that your hair will grow healthy and stronger.

Again it may not be suitable for an individual that cannot use coconut on their hair.

If you have never used detangler, and this is the first time that you have tried it, you will not regret it.

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braid maintenance hair braiding scalp care

Scalp care on braided afro-hair to keep it healthy

Happy new year, I hope 2020 will bring perfect vision into your life. Throughout this holiday, I had the comfort or rather the luxury of getting my hair braided for the holidays. Normally depending on the length of time I have available I tend not to do it as much as I would when I was a lot younger.

Getting hair braided

Now depending on how often you get your hair into a protective styling which is what is often common especially on afro hair, I decided to have it styled for the Christmas period. I ended up doing a hairstyle, which I had not done in a long time which typically I would do when going to school. I would say that it’s quite similar to the style below, however it was just with my own hair. After washing it with a wonderful shampoo, that smelled amazing which my sister wanted me to try as we were both doing our hair together, I had to get it blow-dried for the styling.

Getting the hair braided was quick and it took about 45 mins to 1 hour. I had to wait in the salon for my sister as we had gone together. After three hours at the hair-dressers, we ended up going home and got complimented on our looks, we both had different styles. To give a description of my hairdo, I had my hair braided up to the middle of my scalp and also a few braids hanging towards the front of my face. My sister had a simple braid back as she wanted to put a wig on and did not really want anything fancy.

Now one thing I did not mention was that before the hair was braided, I asked the lady to oil my hair but I did not check to see if the ingredients would be problematic to my scalp. In the first week all was well, however I started feeling slightly itchy on my scalp. By the second week, my scalp actually got really itchy. I was trying not to scratch it unecessarily, however there was no relief in sight.

Scalp care

Normally, after hair is braided, different individuals normally maintain their scalps in many ways. Some individuals try to avoid washing their scalps as that would loosen the braid and therefore causing their hair to look unkempt. Due to the fact that I had just braided my own hair I knew that by washing it, It would get frizzy. Therefore I took some olive oil spray which I had and used it to ensure that my scalp stayed well moisturised. It seemed to work for a few days, however after some time it also became a little ineffective. I needed some type of solution and for me using the harsher shampoos with sulfate it would have an impact on my hair by causing it to be too dry.

I dared to leave my hair for two weeks, however by the end of the second week it was quite flaky and I had to do something about it. Therefore I ended up getting some tea tree oil conditioner and one of my favourite himalaya shampoo. When I washed my scalp, I put the shampoo in place twice as I kept scrubbing and rinsing it. Once I had the conditioner on my scalp, I left it for about 5 mins in order to feel the impact. It felt really clean. I ended up rinsing my hair and my scalp was in great condition. The only thing I ended up doing was putting some oil on my scalp to ensure that it does not get dry.

Now sometimes for the sake of ensuring that the braid stays intact an individual can decided to forgo washing, however from that moment, I learnt that I cannot do that on my scalp, it’s just too sensitive to be left as it is.

I think it’s normal to have an itchy scalp after you braid and basically it’s because your hair is being pulled from the scalp. Additionally, some individuals tend to leave their braids without worrying about how to moisturise it.

Moisture

It’s very important to make sure that even though you have your hair in a protective style that you are maintaining it. There is still growth and your hair will keep shedding regardless of the fact that you are not combing it everyday. Although your braids  can get a little loose, it’s nothing to worry about as the condition of your scalp is important to stimulate your cuticles to help your hair in growing. You don’t want to have your hair braided and once you remove your braids, your hair is also coming off with the braids.

A clean scalp will help in getting your hair to grow. I have also listed a few products at the bottom that are great for braided hair in ensuring that it remains moisturised. If you are allergic to some of the ingredients, make sure that you use something that will suit you. A lot of individuals use what others tell them but not everything will work for you.

Some of the sprays that help when hair is braided are:

  1. Sulfur 8 braid spray medicated anti-dandruff treatment
  2. Jamaican Mango and lime maximum  no more itch gro spray
  3. African royale brx braid and extension sheen spray
  4. Dudu-Osun anti-itch braiding spray
  5. Parnevu T tree braid spray
  6. Ashea braiding and lock spray

I have not listed all of them, however there are quite a few brands that provide these types of products that can be useful for your scalp. The benefit of most of these products is that they minimize itchiness and maximize your hair growth.

Through this little experiment that I tried over the holiday period, I realised how important it was for me to maintain a clean scalp as I mentioned earlier I don’t really braid my hair too much.  Be careful to keep your scalp clean no matter how  frizzy your hair will look. Additionally, if your hair does not hold a braid for a long time, there is no use in keeping it on your scalp for too long.

Has anyone ever put in braids for far too long on their scalp? If you did, what did you do about it?