BEST MOISTURE SHAMPOOS: 

Beautiful Textures – Tangle Taming Moisturizing Shampoo

Shea Moisture’s Moisture Retention Shampoo

BEST CLARIFYING SHAMPOOS:

Eden Body Works – Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo – works great on getting rid of build-up in Locs

Sofn’Free GroHealthy – Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo

BEST CO-WASH SHAMPOOS:

Sofn’free GroHealthy – Nothing But Cleansing Conditioner for Co-Washing

BEST DANDRUFF SHAMPOO:

Shea Moisture’s  African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo

BEST SHAMPOO FOR THINNING & FINE HAIR:

Shea Moisture’s Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo

BEST SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER FOR SWIMMERS & PEOPLE WHO EXCESSIVELY WORK OUT:

Aubrey Organics Normalizing Shampoo & Conditioner for a Active Lifestyles

 

BEST CONDITIONERS FOR DEEP CONDITIONING, DETANGLING & MOISTURE:

Beautiful Textures – Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner

Curls – Coconut Sublime Hydrating Conditioner – instant conditioning

JessiCurl – Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing  Conditioner

Kinky Curly – Knot Today Detangling/Leave in Conditioner

Koils by Nature – Shealoe Conditioner – Very moisturizing

Free Your Mane – Intensive Hydrating Hair Masque

Shea Moistures Anti-Breakage Masque for hair that needs more strength & support.  For hair that is shedding or excessive breakage.

BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS:

Koils by Nature – Shealoe Leave-In Conditioner

Jane Carter Solution – Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner

Beautiful Textures – Tangle Taming Leave-In Conditioner

LRC – Leave In Conditioner – Works well to soften Locs

 

BEST HAIR GROWTH TREATMENTS: TAKES  5MONTHS FOR HAIR TO GROW OUT.

Ovation Cell Therapy – Trio Package/ shampoo, conditioner & daily leave-in

Hairfinity Supplements

Viviscal Supplements – Works well with you daily regimen of vitamins, also improves the cuticle layers of the hair

 

BEST MOISTURIZING STYLING PRODUCTS: (for twisting, coiling, setting & wetting)

Komaza Hair Care – Coconut Hair Pudding – All Natural Styling Gel – works great on all textures of hair

Beautiful Textures – Moisture Butter & BT  Curly Control Defining Pudding – works great on types 2 & 3 – a, b,& c Hair

Darcy Botanicals – Curl Styling Cream - works great on type 4′s thick kinky curly hair

Jane Carter Solution – Curl Defining Cream – works great on  all hair textures

Curls Unleased – Set it Off Curl Boosting Jelly – works great on type 2,3,4 – a,b,c, textures & fine/thin hair  also wash& go styles

 

PRODUCTS FOR EDGES/HAIRLINE:

Free Your Mane – Conditioning Pomade – works great to lay down hairline edges and fly-away hairs

Organic Root Stimulator – Temple Balm – Grows back edges in 6-8wks.

Black Jamaican Castor Oil – Promote Hair Growth & helps edges grow back

 

BEST SCALP CONDITIONING OILS:

Nature’s Blessings

Beautiful Textures – Shine & Silken Growth Oil

Simplicity Hair Oil Blend

Shea Moisture – Reconstructive Elixir

 

BEST NATURAL HAIR DYE:

Naturtint – Vegetable Dye – found at health food stores or online

 

BEST BLOW DRYER FOR KINKY CURLY HAIR:

RED by KISS – Tourmaline 1900 watt Ceramic Blow dryer with 3 attachments – cuts down on frizz and split ends

 

Here are some of my top picks & how to use them, for the “Product Junkie” inside of all of us!

Best Shampoo & Conditioner for fine and thin hair - Shea Moistures’s Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo & Volumizing Conditioner

Best Shampoo & Conditioner for dandruff  and itchy scalp – (1)Shea Moisture’s African Black Soap Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner (2) Nizoral Shampoo

Best Moisturizing Shampoo’s (1)Afiya Vanilla Pomegranate Moisturizing Shampoo (2) Shea Moisture’s Moisture Rentention Shampoo

Best Sulfate Free Shampoo’s -( 1)Jane Carter Solution’s Sulfate Free Shampoo  (2)Curl’s  Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream 

Best Clarifying Shampoo - Hair Rules Aloe Grapefruit Purifying Shampoo

Best Hydrating Conditioners – (1)Curl’s Coconut Sublime Super Hydrating Instant Rinse Off Conditioner – Best results after you’ve already conditioned and need an extra kick!  (2) Oyinhandmade Honey Hemp Conditioner  (3) Koils by Nature’s Shealoe Conditioner

Best Leave-In Conditioners, that also act as a heat protectant, when using a blow dryer – (1) Lawrence Ray Concepts Mega Bounce & Body leave-in  (2) Jane Carter Solution’s Nourish & Shine spray Leave-in  (3) Koils by Nature Shealoe Leave-in Conditioner

Best Styling Products for non-frizzy twist-outs, Loc Maintenance & dealing with Humidity Hair! (1) Komaza Cares Coconut Hair Pudding (2) Afiya’s Loc & Twist Gel Coconut (3) Oyinhandmade”s Shine & Define Styling Serum

Best Styling Butters & Creams - (1) Created by Nature’s Almond Pomade  (2) Komaza Care’s Califia Moisturizing Cream (3) Jane Carter’s Curl Defining Cream

Best Product to grow back hairline/edges – Organic Root Stimulators “Temple Balm,” grows edges back in 6-8wks.

Best Hair Growth System: (1)Topically – Ovation Cell Therapy System   (2)Orally – Viviscal Hair Loss Treatment.  You will see significant grow within 4months, using either product.

Best Oils to use on scalp for moisturizing (1) Shea Mositures Reconstructive Elixir  (2) Created by Nature’s Almond Oil

OK, so that’s all I have for now.  Just remember everything is not for everyone, but if you enjoy trying new things and testing to see what would works for you…you might just find your favorites!  The above products listed  can all be found online via google or facebook search.  Good Luck!

How to Dye Your Hair the Healthy Way!

Here are tips for the safest and healthiest ways to dye your hair!

The first thing you need to know about hair dye is that not all hair dye products are made safe.  Permanent dyes that use peroxide penetrate the shaft and last the longest on your hair, but depending on what you use, may not be as safe as dyes that do not contain harsh ingredients.  There are other options which are better and healthier for your hair.
You can choose demi permanent(begins to wear off after about a month and a half), or semi permanent(lasts for about 6 shampoos). You also have the most healthy option for your hair, which is a natural or herbal dye. These types of dyes are derived from plant pigments. (Another thing that I personally like to take into consideration is that the herbal dyes make MUCH less of a mess on clothes. With permanent and semi permanent dyes that are mixed with peroxide, just one drop of dye on any clothing can ruin it.)

Some tips to dye your hair in the best and most healthy way:

-Use a sulfate free shampoo or color treated shampoo after coloring, to cut down on color fading.

-Don’t try to make dramatic hair changes, the closer you stay to your natural hair color, the easier it is to keep it healthy when using dye   regularly.  If you want to go from dark to light, I suggest you lift your hair color 1 step at a time.  Just take your color up in stages, instead of making a drastic change so fast.

-Do follow an at home hair care routine recommended by a professional hairdresser.

-Take extra care of your color treated hair when in the sun. Use natural products that have sunscreen protection, i.e., Carol’s Daughter, Phytoplage, etc. and if you want to keep it all natural, you can rub 4-5 drops of sesame oil on your palms and finger and apply to your hair. Pay more attention to the  ends. Sesame oil, not only blocks sun rays, but also keeps your hair smooth and shiny.

-Be sure to deep condition at least twice a month when shampooing hair.

-Make sure you shampoo your hair 3times to get the color out.
-And of course, the less often you use chemicals on your hair the more healthy it will remain!  You should only be coloring every 4-6weeks and in between, if you have darker hair color; use a mascara wand or dark hair mascara to cover gray in the front of head, until it’s time to color your hair again.

My favorite Natural Dye is “Naturtint”(found online or at WholeFood), it’s a vegetable dye, which is much safer to use on your hair or if you like henna’s, go for it!

This is why I like vegetable dyes and they are safer to use at home as a do-it-yourself color…Some women have health concerns about using hair dyes. Certain forms of cancer have been linked to some of the chemicals found in harsh colors. Others have allergic reactions to the chemical ingredients in permanent hair coloring products. If you are pregnant, you may worry about the safety to your baby’s health. Vegetable dyes are a safe alternative to chemical coloring products.

Vegetable hair dyes have been used for thousands of years. They are completely safe, even for use in pregnancy. There is some evidence that these ingredients were used to color hair back in Ancient Egyptian times. Although the methods of preparation are very different today, many of the same basic ingredients are still used.

There are many benefits to these types of dyes. They don’t alter the structure of the hair as traditional coloring products do. They don’t contain the harsh products that can cause damage to your hair. In fact, many actually do the opposite. They contain ingredients that condition the hair. This results in hair that has more shine after being treated with vegetable products.

Weigh the good vs. the bad when it comes to the health of your hair.  Sometimes we get caught up in the outcome or the look of a particular style and we leave out proper care for our hair.  You can have both, good hair care regimens and beautiful healthy hair!

Love Your Hair Care as well as Your Hair!

Photo’s courtesy of:  Thirsty Roots &  Naturally Curly

What Carrot cans do for the hair…

Sebum is a natural body oil produced by the sebaceous glands, which are found everywhere on the body except on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sebum oil is needed in moderate amounts to promote healthy skin  and hair, however, it can cause problems if too much is produced. Problematic sebaceous glands are found on the forehead, chin, mid-back and scalp where a build-up of oil can result in acne breakouts or oily, f lanky hair. Mild overproduction of sebum can be treated quite easily, but severe cases may need referral to a physician for treatment with antibiotics or vitamin therapy.

Include vitamin A-containing foods in your diet to naturally fight excess sebum production. Carrots, tomatoes, eggs, green leafy veggies and dairy are rich in vitamin A. If the production of sebum is very high, a physician can prescribe a course of vitamin A supplements, but these should only be taken under medical supervision and never when pregnant.

Read more: How do I Get Rid of Sebum Oil?
Rinse oily hair and scalp with a 1:2 ratio of lemon juice to water. A half-cup of lemon juice to a cup of water is sufficient for medium-length hair. Rinse well.

Read more: How do I Get Rid of Sebum Oil?
Tips & Advice
Applying lemon juice to the hair can lighten the hair shade, particularly if you go in the sun, a cheap and natural highlight for some, disaster for those who love their dark locks.
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Now I know, I’ve said in the past , present and future, that I’m not a fan of the smell of Apple Cider Vinegar, thus causing me to stay away from it, buuuutttt~I can’t dismiss the benefits of it!  So at the end of the day, follow the smell of it with something a little more pleasant to the nose and make sure your condition the scalp with some coconut oil after you’ve styled your hair.  So here is a recipe I got from Ehow.com, that you can use for controlling dandruff and sebum build up, using apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar and getting rid of too much Sebum on the scalp.
It is possible to get rid of dandruff with apple cider vinegar. Dandruff is caused by a buildup of your skin’s  natural oils called sebum. If you have dandruff, you’re probably tried every dandruff shampoo on the market without very good results. For an easy fast solution to dandruff that does not come out of an expensive shampoo bottle, follow these tips.

The alpha hydroxy acids in apple cider vinegar loosen dandruff from your scalp giving you a flake-free head of hair.

Apply one half cup of apple cider vinegar to clean hair. Massage for a few minutes into scalp, and rinse with cool water. In a day or two you will be dandruff free.

Dry and style  your hair as usual. Don’t be obsessed anymore about flakes on your shoulders. Be happy that you are saving so much money on expensive dandruff shampoos and spending very little money on apple cider vinegar to get rid of your dandruff.
Enjoy your dandruff free natural hair!

courtesy of Ehow.com
Side notes by Loving Your Hairwith Natural Care

I recently tested some top shelf products that happen to be my top favorites and found out that it doesn’t matter if you have curly hair or kinky hair or wavy hair the product you want to look for is the one that moisturizes and and protects the hair from harsh elements.  So Here are my top “Product Junkie” picks.

1) Shea Moisture’s Moisture Retention Shampoo & Balancing Conditioner – I love the way it makes hair feel and the shine is amazing!

2)Jane Carter’s Curly Defining Cream – Great for Twist Outs and  Coil Outs

3)Carol’s Daughter’s Healthy Hair Butter – For giving dry kinky curly hair length and moisture on dry Twist Outs

4)Karen’s Body Beautiful – Jojoba Lavender Vanilla Hair Oil – For conditioning and oiling the scalp – smells great too!

5)Curls Sulfate Free Shampoo – Great natural lather, detangler and helps balance the pH of the scalp

6)Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Mist – Need to add a little shine before going out into the elements, this is the perfect shine spray. Gives shine and also provides sunscreen protection.  helps dry looking hair, revive!

 

So I finally did the Big Chop and not because my hair had any type of chemical on it or was damaged in any way, but mostly because it was time!  It was time for me to release a lot of unwanted negativity and slow moving energy.  Don’t know if any of yall can relate, but sometimes you just have to release and let go.

I found myself starting to become…what I call “hair obsessed.”  I starting changing my hair a lot and still not being satisfied with any one hairstyle.  I started feeling restless and that’s when I discovered that my issue was deeper than the hair, it was more about what’s going on, on the inside, instead of the outside.   So, what did I do?  I chopped it!  I chopped it to get back to myself.  I lessened what I was making the issue be about and found out that I was thriving for so much more than the perfect hairstyle.  I was thriving for perfectionism and security.  Bad combination…you can’t be a perfectionist and feel security, if you’re always trying to find fought.  So now that I’ve finally gotten down to the nitty-gritty of it, I’m able to get freedom and love myself from a different place.  I absolutely Love my new look and my beautiful hair, no matter long or short.

This look has gained me more confidence, security and I don’t think about being so perfect, cause I am loved just the way I am!

Sometimes we gotta take inventory and make sure that the very thing we need to change is our attitude or frame of mind and not always our hairstyle!

So as we come to the close of another year, we find ourselves asking did we accomplish all that we set out to do at the beginning of this year???  And usually the answer is no!  We still have a few things on our list that didn’t happen and for whatever reason didn’t get around to doing it.  So has your hair been one of the things that you didn’t get around to doing?  Did your hair suffer in anyway from neglect this pass year and if so, what will you be doing differently?  One thing I would suggest to get the ball rolling toward a healthier hair care regimen, is to keep a daily or weekly journal of your hair care practices and your diet.  Write down what products you used and what you ate in that week, see if what goes in your body is having an effect on what you hair is doing.  Keeping  a hair journal is also a really good way to show yourself and your hair, that you actually do care enough to keep track and work toward better habits.

Happy New Year and good luck with better hair habits!

Sweet Potatoes
Usually when you think of sweet potatoes, you think of  holidays and pies!  But did you know that by incorporating sweet potatoes into your diet on a regular basis is actually really good for you, minus the sugar and butter.  Here’s what sweet potatoes provide your body and hair with.  Beta-carotene, beta-carotene in foods is converted to vitamin A in the body, and vitamin A is necessary for all cell growth, including hair. A deficiency can lead to dry, dull, lifeless hair and dry skin, which can flake off into dandruff. Be aware that you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to vitamin A: Too much can cause hair loss. My advice is to add more beta-carotene-rich foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, butternut squash, cantaloupe, dark green lettuces, asparagus, and pumpkin to your meals rather than take vitamin A supplements. If you should choose to take a multivitamin, check the label to make sure that your brand supplies no more than 50 percent DV of vitamin A in the form of retinol. Retinol is listed on supplement labels as palmitate or acetate, and should never exceed 2,000 IU. The other 50 percent or more should come in the form of beta-carotene (or carotenoids), which is converted to vitamin A only as we need it.

You can always simply bake a sweet potato in olive oil in the oven for 45min. until soft and then add a little honey or maple syrup instead of sugar, or you can make french fries with them.  Sweet potatoes go well by themselves or with chicken and broccoli or asparagus.  Eat well for you mind, body & hair!

When you think of the hair salon, you picture a place where you can go and relax and enjoy getting pampered.  But those days are long gone and now what you end up getting is feeling like cattle call… Whatever happened to being able to spend time talking to your hairdresser, after all she was like your best temporary friend/therapist at least every other week or once a month.  A lot of women complain that they end up spending a lot of time and money for something they could of done themselves or if you’re one who ended up like a friend of mine named Jennifer.  She spent  6hrs at the salon just to have someone tell her in a derogatory way, that her hair is extremely nappy and hard to comb and then tried to convince her that she should perm it for more manageability.  In the end, Jennifer’s hair looked like one big frizz puff ball and it was more dry and tangled then when she went in the salon.

I told her that it sounds like they used the wrong products and attitude to do her doo.

So, let’s talk about what to look for in a natural stylist;  you need someone who will allow you to meet with them beforehand to do a hair  consultation.  That way you will be able to check their surroundings and see if you even vibe with the hairstylist and feel comfortable spending time in their space. You also need a hairstylist who will put the needs of your hair and your request before their own personal feelings.  Some hairstylist forget that customer service is key in having repeat clientele. Another thing to consider is, what kind of products do they recommend(do you agree with the ingredients or the brand). Ask what they recommend when it comes to trimming hair and what is the process of the trim(see if you agree or at least are learning from their feedback). Lastly, you want a stylist who is helpful and can educate you about your natural hair.  It also helps if they take pride in their work, because, my motto as a hairstylist is, “if my name is on it, it’s got to look good!”

So now you have a little something to work with, when looking for someone who will love your hair, just as much as you do.

Keep loving your hair with natural care and hopefully, you will find a hairstylist who will do the same!