5 Tips to enhance your natural curls

How to Enhance Your Natural Curls

If you have naturally curly hair, embracing and enhancing your curls can be a game-changer for your hair routine. Whether you have loose waves or tight coils, here are some tips to help you enhance your natural curls and achieve the gorgeous mane you've always wanted.

1. Moisturize Regularly

Curly hair tends to be dry, making moisture a key ingredient in its care. To enhance your natural curls, establish a routine that emphasizes hydration. Using a good shampoo like our Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner formulated for curly hair, as this will help retain moisture and prevent frizz. Additionally, incorporating a weekly deep conditioning treatment will provide that extra boost of moisture your curls need.

2. Detangle Carefully

Gentle detangling is crucial to maintain the integrity of your curls. After cleaning and towel drying your hair begin by using a leave in conditioner like our Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner, a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair, starting from the ends and moving upward. Avoid using brushes or fine-toothed combs, as they can disrupt the natural curl pattern and cause breakage. Detangling your hair while it's wet and coated with conditioner can also make the process smoother.

3. Apply the Right Styling Products

Invest in high-quality styling products that cater specifically to curly hair. We recommend our Daily Curl Revitalizing Spray to define curls, control frizz, and provide long-lasting hold without leaving your hair stiff or crunchy. Depending on your hair's thickness and texture, you may want to experiment with different products such as curl creams, gels, mousses, or serums. Apply the products evenly from roots to ends, scrunching your hair gently to enhance curl definition.

4. Consider the Plopping Method

The plopping method is a popular technique among curly-haired individuals to encourage defined and bouncy curls. After applying styling products, use a microfiber towel, an old t-shirt, or a cotton cloth to plop your hair onto your head, letting gravity do its work. Leave it for around 10-30 minutes to allow the excess water to absorb into the fabric. Once you remove the cloth, your curls should have more definition and less frizz.

5. Embrace Diffusing

To speed up the drying process without sacrificing your curls' shape, opt for diffusing instead of air-drying. Use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to distribute heat gently. Start on the lowest heat and speed settings to

The Truth About Hair Extensions vs. Natural Healthy Hair

It's no secret that hair extensions have been a major epidemic in almost 95% of every woman's beauty regimen.  From Celebrities to your every day women, we all love adding to our look by utilizing extensions occasionally. 

Here Is The Truth About Extensions:

Hair extensions are here to stay and they play a role as an asset in every woman's life. It always baffles me when I hear professional hairstylist state "They wish extensions would disappear or people would stop wearing them". My take on extensions is this especially being a professional, extensions is another form of providing solutions to a problem or challenge. Wearing hair extensions is not a bad thing, and every hairdresser on the planet should know how to professionally apply extensions, create a wig, and maintain natural healthy hair. I don't find it a challenge when a woman comes in to the salon requesting extensions. I find it challenging when professionals fall short in providing education on properly maintaining healthy hair while wearing extensions.  

Now, not to be misconstrue I love this industry whole heartily and I will never deprive what we do, especially with YouTube and people being able to get a 1/4 of a cup of truth about healthy hair and extensions.  However, as professionals we must continue to properly install and  educate women on wearing extensions and having healthy hair!

Hair Extensions, Wigs, and Toupees have been in the market for century's. In my opinion we need them to stay and continuously play a role in the professional industry. Now I'm not oppose to those whom believe that women should embrace their natural beauty. I think this is very true, I also feel that wearing extensions can be a part of embracing your natural beauty. However, due to this industry being based around beauty in all of it many facets, when  person wears extensions or wigs it  does not mean that do not embrace who they are naturally. 

Wigs and Extensions allow women to try various colors, cuts, and styles without altering their hairs natural state. This can be a very important asset for professionals, as well as women who are looking for a change with their hair but are not big risk takers. This can include adding a hue of color, length, and fullness to a persons hair.  If a woman is naturally straight and has a desire to wear her hair curly, extensions or wigs can help stylist and guest achieve this look without chemically altering the hair. 

Extensions and wigs can aid in enhancing the looks of women who may have experienced hair breakage or hair loss.  There are many reason why women can experience hair breakage and hair loss. Some of those reasons include, not properly nourishing the hair, genetics, hormonal imbalance, under-active thyroid glands, insufficient scalp circulation, medication and my all time biggest reason IMPROPER NUTRITIONAL INTAKE. 

Nutritional Intake is the number one source to providing fuller, thicker, longer, healthier hair. It is essential that women ensure they are in taking the following to maintain a balanced PH level of their skin and hair. I am a believer that what you feed into your body is what externalizes in your reality. This includes thoughts as well as the foods that we eat daily.

1. GET ENOUGH ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS:

Essential Fatty Acids are specific fats that are critical to the proper function of our bodies. Our bodies are not able to produce these fatty acids on its own, so it is necessary that we eat foods containing them such as: Walnuts, Flaxseeds, Fish and Avocado.

2.UP YOUR COLLAGEN PRODUCTION WITH VITAMIN C:

Collagen surrounds the hair strands but as we age collagen breaks down, causing hair to be more vulnerable to breaking. The best way to boost collagen is not through some expensive medical procedure, it's by getting more Vitamin C from foods such as: Citrus Fruits, Strawberries, and Red Peppers.

3. BOOST UP YOUR BIOTIN:

Biotin, a water soluble vitamin of the B complex, encourages hair and scalp health. Dietary sources of biotin includes nuts, brown rice and oats.

4.BOOST YOUR KERATIN PRODUCTION

Keratin is a protein in the hair eating green leafy vegetable such as Swiss Chard, Cabbage, Kale, and Watercress can help boost up your keratin production.  Raw vegetables contain a higher amount than cooked vegetables because heat causes some of the MSM in vegetables to volatilize.

5. EAT IRON RICH FOODS

Iron is essential for hair growth and can be found in black strap molasses, green leafy vegetables, leeks, cashews, dried fruits, figs and berries. To help your body absorb iron you need to have a balanced intake of vitamin C

6. GIVE YOUR HAIR A MINERAL BOOST:

The minerals silica and zinc are also critical for hair growth. Food sources of silica include cucumber, mango, green leafs, beans, celery, and  asparagus. Some of the foods high in zinc are pumpkin seeds, fresh oysters, Brazil nuts, eggs, and pecans.

7. REJUVENATE HAIR FOLLICLES WITH B- COMPLEX VITAMINS:

100 MG daily intake of a B-Complex supplement that includes biotin and vitamin B6 can reduce hair thinning by increasing scalp circulation and rejuvenating hair follicles.

8. PREVENT BREAKAGE WITH VITAMIN E:

Vitamin E is required to nourish damaged hair and to prevent breakage.  It aids the bodies ability to produce keratin within hair strands and reduce breakage. Foods high in Vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, dried apricots, cooked spinach and olives.

9. BOOST SCALP CIRCULATION WITH ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL:

Rosemary Essential oil has been traditionally used to increase circulation to the scalp. Add a few drops per shampoo or add a few drops to your scalp regularly and massage.

10. KEEP REGULAR MAINTAINED TRIM OF HAIR ENDS:

Keeping your ends trimmed every six to eight weeks helps aid in the promotion of healthy hair growth and every woman should seek a professional hairdresser to aid them in trimming their ends properly. 

11. DEEP CONDITIONING HAIR MASK :

Deep conditioning hair mask play a major role in providing the hair with it's proper nourishment as well. Deep conditioning treatments should be done and maintained by a professional every six to eight weeks, I highly recommend doing them with your trim.  Rotating between a moisturizing treatment and protein treatment helps ensure the balance of healthy hair and scalp. 

Extensions should be something that is used by choice, not force unless other issues allow you to experience hair loss therefore resulting in extensions being the result you need to enhance your look.

12. SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR WHEN EXTENSIONS ARE INSTALLED:

You want to treat you extensions just like your hair, because remember they are an enhancement and we want to utilize them by choice, not force.  If wearing a sew-in installation or extensions that are attached to your hair other that clip ins you need to shampoo your hair at least every two weeks to maintain an healthy balanced scalp. I would start with a clarifying shampoo to help cleanse the hair of dirt, oils, and other impurities. I typically finish up by spraying a leave in conditioner on my natural hair, braids, as well as my extensions. I wear virgin human hair extensions so I prefer to treat my investment just as if it where my natural hair.

I wear extensions and wigs year round  as my life style changes and is becoming much more fast paced  with travel, I prefer wearing my wigs vs sew ins.  I also take the following steps that I have shared with you all above to keep my hair healthy. 

I think it is important for us to remember that wearing extensions is not a bad thing. However extensions should and can be worn by choice, not by force unless life circumstances cause us to experience hair breakage or loss. Extensions should be used as an enhancement to either provide women variations of style, length, and fullness.

5 Go-To Products for Natural Hair

I've been natural for about 6 years. During those 6 years, I've tried countless amounts of products. Some provided awesome results, some provide horrible results, and some did nothing at all. Over time, I've discovered the products that work for me, and while doing so, I have formed my own hair regimen. These products have given me results such as hair growth, shine, and moisture. They all have served an important purpose.

1. Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Thickening Growth Milk

Photo Credit: Walmart

If you are not familiar with Shea Moisture, it is a hair care company that's known for their affordable natural hair friendly products. This particular product is a leave-in conditioner that not only conditions the hair but also thickens and makes your hair grow. This is perfect for ladies who have thin or fine hair. After a few months of normal use, I started to see results in no time. Note: I've been on the same bottle for about 6 months (a little goes a long way). This product can be found in Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. The average cost is $9.

2) Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strength, Grow & Restore Leave-in Conditioner

Photo Credit: Jamaican Oils

This product is absolutely fabulous. What caught my attention with this product was the fact that it contained castor oil. Castor Oil has been proven to strengthen hair while repairing it and adding shine and moisture. This product, which has a smooth consistency, has repaired my hair from split ends. I cut my hair about a month ago and my hair has grown back drastically with the help of this product. I recommend this for ladies who have split ends or any other hair damage. This can be found in Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. The average cost is $10.29

3) Tea Tree Essential Oil

Photo Credit: Osana

Tea Tree Essential Oil is a must have for healthy hair and scalp. The soothing sensation helps provide relief to any dermatological issues. Its antimicrobial properties helps keep dandruff at bay. It is a good rule of thumb to dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil and/or water. I create a tea tree mixture that includes 10 drops of tea tree to 1 tbsp of olive oil. You can scale the amount to whatever size container you are using.  I use an applicator bottle for easy access to my scalp. Note: A small amount of Tea Tree essential oil goes a long way. This product can be found at Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Amazon.com. The average cost is $6/oz

4) Unrefined Shea Butter

Photo Credit: Crazynatuarlinc

Shea butter is something I've been using on my hair for 8 years. Since I was a young girl, I've had very dry hair. If I do not moisturize my hair enough, I start to have issues with dandruff in the span of a few days. Shea butter is produced from the Shea-Karite tree nut and has many benefits and uses. It is mainly harvested in West Africa.

The Shea Butter has helped with my dandruff a lot and has kept my hair very moisturized without leaving residue or leaving it extremely greasy (like petroleum based products such as hair grease). I order Unrefined Shea Butter from amazon. If you are purchasing online, be sure to read the reviews. Note: Unrefined Shea Butter should not be confused with Refined Shea Butter. Harsh chemicals are used in the manufacturing process for Refined Shea Butter. The average cost is $14/lbs.

5) Water

Photo Credit: The Odyssey

That’s right, the most obvious and the most abundant product of them all is WATER! If you are expecting to see results, you are going to need water. If you aren't internally healthy then your hair won't be either. Water provides your hair with its natural moisture which helps it grow. It's recommended for women to drink about 2 liters of water a day. If you want the best results from your products you should definitely include water in your diet. The average cost is Free if you drink filtered water from your tap.

-J. Marie