AN O'NATURAL UPDO

By Dominique Harris
on July 24, 2014
With 0 comments

Ahh, the beauty of updo's! This updo is perfect for work and play and with very few products, it's simple to do and works o'mazingly on an old twist out or braid out.

Check out the details below.

STEP 1:

CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE MOISTURIZER/SEALER OR STYLER.

It's always best to make sure to moisturize your hair before styling. This helps prevent dryness and breakage. For this style, I used our Natty Moist to moisturize, then sealed in the moisture using our Natty Butter. You can also use your Natty Creme as a perfect marriage of both.

STEP 2:

SECTION OFF HAIR

Once your hair is nice and moisturized, place hair into 3 sections: Top, Middle, Back Two strand twist the top portion (see step 3 below) and back section.

STEP 3

FRONT BANG TWIST

2-strand twist front and back section in medium to chunky sized twists, leaving middle section loose. In the front, using bobby pins, randomly pin the section to create a nice textured front layered bang.

STEP 4-5

DETANGLE AND FLAT TWIST

Middle Section..Working one side at a time, detangle and section hair into 3 thin section and flat twist upward towards top center of your head. Leave the lower half of the flat twist loose. Once you have 3 flat twists, repeat on opposite side.

STEP 6

GATHER FLAT TWISTS

Working one side at a time, gather your 3 flat twists and combine into one large two strand twist. Repeat on the opposite side.

STEP 7

PIN IT UP

Working one side at a time, pull the large flat twist to the opposite side and pin using a bobby pin. Repeat on the opposite side.

STEP 8:

RELEASE THE BACK AND FLUFF

To minimize frizz and add shine, apply a natural oil or butter to your hands to remove back twists. I used my Natty Butter to remove my twists and gently separated each twist to achieve the fullness that I liked.

STEP 9:

FLUFF, FLUFF, FLUFF

perfect to your liking, add some fly earrings and ROCK IT OUT!!

Earrings by Yumnah Najah

RAW CACAO VS.. COCOA

By Dominique Harris
on July 23, 2014
With 0 comments

Ahhh, the beauty of healthy super foods.
Lets chat about
Raw Cacao vs. Cocoa

2 ingredients that look similar, but hold VERY different benefits. Check out the differences:

RAW CACAO:

made by cold pressing in roasted cacao beans. This process keeps the living enzymes (the good healthy stuff) in the cocoa. Raw Cacao is known as a 'Superfood' which means they contain higher quantities of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other health boosting anti aging, disease fighting goodness. For hair, raw cacao contains natural occurring sulphur, the beauty secret responsible for providing the correct super growth nutrients. It has 40 times the amount of antioxidants of blueberries. It is one of the highest plant based sources of iron (7.3 mg per 100g). More calcium than cows milk. And, one of the highest plant based sources of magnesium (one of the most deficient minerals in the Western world). Cacao is extremely high in flavanols, which are potent antioxidants that help stop cell destruction and boost collagen and elastin production revealing repaired, plumped and luminous skin. This is one reason we love and include this ingredient in our Cupuacu & Rhassoul Deep Conditioner , Cacao Clay Cleanser.

COCOA:

the yummy goodness many of us grew up with is different from raw cacao in that it has been chemically processed and roasted, which destroys a large amount of the goodness. Much of what is mentioned about the goodness of raw cacao is destroyed and absent from cocoa during processing. Think Raw honey vs processed honey. Raw ACV vs plain ACV.

So add this goodness in smoothies, hot chocolate drinks, deserts, soaps and hair products and your insides and outsides will thank you!

DIY..FAUX SCONCES USING PAPER TOWEL ROLLS

By Dominique Harris
on July 21, 2014
With 0 comments

Greetings, Ladies and Gents!! I pray all is well..

Ok, here is an awesome DIY project that's under $8. My inspiration for these was my longing to have some wall art lighting, but to incorporate true sconces would entail electrical wiring and the Frugal Frieda in me put my mind into action as to how to achieve the look I wanted for little money. So, I finally thought of an awesome way to get what I wanted using basic items I had around the house. Stay tuned below for the details.

WHAT I USED:

Paper Towel and Toilet Paper rolls. This will give the varying sizes I used to create the art.

I had these spray paint colors on hand and to achieve the metal look I wanted, I layered all three.

Blue Lagoon
Metallic Gold
Gloss Black
A hot glue gun will also be handy for securing the pieces.
To adhere the sconce to the wall, I used adhesive dots.

THE HOW TO:

I layered the colors first beginning with the base color of the Blue Lagoon, then the metallic gold, then the black to give it a rusted metal look.
Once the rolls are dry, I placed the rolls in the manner I wanted the design and used my hot glue gun to secure the pieces together. Be sure to layer your rolls at varying heights to create the layered look. I loved the finished look!! They actually turned out better than expected and look O'Mazing on the wall.. So, go, my fellow DIY artists, create beautiful art.

THE FINISHED LOOK:

FRO HAWK IT OUT!!

By Dominique Harris
on July 19, 2014
With 3 comments

Fro Hawk it Out!!!

Here's a great style that's quick, simple and O'So Cute!! It's the perfect look for work or play. Stay tuned for my step by step:

The How To:

Step 1: select a good moisturizer (water based product such as a leave in conditioner) and sealer(butter or natural oil) (use of a styling agent is optional). I moisturized using my Natty Moist and sealed using my Natty Butter. You will also need 2 ouch less metal free bands and 1, 2 or more bobby pins.

Step 2-3: create a front and back bang

Step 4: Moisturize hair and, without creating parts, place top and middle section of hair into ponytails. Creating parts will cause the style to look more like ponytails than the intended faux fro hawk. Once you have your pony tails secured tightly, fluff the hair so the ponytails are seamless and the hair blends together making it look like one seamless fro hawk.

Step 5: twist your front bang beginning half way down twisting to the end to prep for the swooped front.

Step 6: swoop the twisted bang to desired side and pin using bobby pin(s). Tighten up any loose ends,such as loose hairs, fluffing the hair to ensure a seamless style and apply some sheen (I melted my Natty Butter down to an oil and applied to my finished style to add some shine). Enjoy and rock it out!!!!

GOOD EATS..Banana, Almond Pancakes (Gluten Free)

By Dominique Harris
on July 17, 2014
With 2 comments

Greetings my fellow 'good eaters'...After a morning viewing all of the yummy eats in Trader Joes, I was craving some pancakes...but not just any cakes, something hearty and healthy, topped with fruit, almonds, granola and yummy maple syrup..So, why not some Banana Pancakes. Want to know all the 'hows' of this yummy goodness...check it out below!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

3 small bananas (9.5 ounces), mashed (the riper the better, I found..much easier to mash)
2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted ( I used Coconut Oil)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1 small lemon, juiced)
2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
2 eggs (for vegans, you can leave this out or use apple sauce)
1 cup almond flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

LET'S COOK!!

In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, coconut oil (or butter), lemon juice and honey (or maple syrup).
Beat in the eggs, or add the applesauce. (If your coconut oil goes back to its solid state, just warm the mixture for short 20 second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each, until it is melted again.)
In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
Form a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. With a big spoon, stir just until the dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened. Do not overmix!
Let the batter sit for 10 minutes. You may want to thin out the batter a bit with a touch of almond milk or water.
Heat a heavy cast iron skillet/non-stick pan over medium-low heat, or heat an electric griddle to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil the surface with coconut oil, butter or cooking spray. (If you're using a non-stick electric griddle, you might not need any oil at all.)
Once the surface of the pan is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles on it, pour ¼ cup of batter onto the pan. Let the pancake cook for about 3 minutes, until bubbles begin to form around the edges of the cake. (The times can vary, just be sure to allow to cook thoroughly)
Once the underside of the pancake is lightly golden, flip it with a spatula and cook for another 90 seconds or so, until golden brown on both sides. You may need to adjust the heat up or down at this point.
Serve the pancakes immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven.
Add toppings of your choice. I added Fresh blue berries, banana, granola, almond shavings and Grade B Maple Syrup
ENJOY with a smile!!!

GOING STRAIGHT..Flat Ironing My Natural Hair

By Dominique Harris
on July 16, 2014
With 2 comments

Greetings, Everyone!!! I pray all is well with you and your wonderful household.

Ahhh, the versatility of natural hair...Ok, so I decided to do a light blow out and flat iron on my tresses. Now, I've only used heat in my 4th month post BC and a little on my bang in 2012 as a demonstration on how to use heat properly on natural hair. For my complete post on the 'Do's and Don't s on Using Heat', click here . So, it's been quite awhile since the ole gal has had fire to the flame.

I truly wanted to experiment with straight hair this week because as a page operator, I receive questions in regards to caring for natural hair while flat ironed or straightened. And, honestly, I love to speak by experience. So, this week, I want to document how I cared for my tresses while flat ironed: through workout, protecting at night, moisturizing, detangling, you know, the good stuff that helps keep our hair healthy. Now, I will say, I don't think excessive use of heat is a great go, simply because the more heat applied over and over gradually breaks down the protein bond in the hair and overtime, could potentially prevent the hair from reverting back to its normal curly, kinky or coily texture. Excessive heat use can also aid in dryness. So, with everything, I definitely encourage moderation.

MY REGIMEN AND PRODUCTS USED ON DAY 1:

Cleanse: DuDu Osum Shampoo

Deep Condition: Natty Cupuacu & Rhassoul Deep Conditioner

Scalp And Hair Protectant: Natty ACV Hair & Scalp Mist

Leave In: Natty Moist

Seal: Natty Butter

Twist: Once my hair was 70-80% dry, I placed in twists to prep for blow drying and flat ironing the next day. I had 16 total twists.

THE METHOD: DAY 2

On Hair that was completely dry, working one twist at a time, I untwist, dampen just a little using my Natty ACV Hair & Scalp Mist then applied my Natty Butter to lock in the moisture. This helped with retaining more moisture into my hair to avoid dryness. Using a paddle brush, I detangled and Blow dried on medium heat, low setting. Taking smaller sections, I applied a little Natty Butter as my heat protectant then I proceeded to flat iron on temp setting of 325. Hair will burn at a temp of 450 degrees and above, so please be mindful. And because I did not want to risk burning or damaging my hair, I kept the heat setting low for a light flat iron. This allowed my hair to maintain the fullness that I achieved. I repeated until my entire head was done. Took about 3.5 - 4 hours for the entire process (this included resting for 3 minutes..hey, I'm not used to taking this much time on my hair unless I'm mini twisting my hair, which takes a loooonnnngggg time). I also trimmed about 2.5 inches off of my hair to rid my hair of dead ends. I didn't shape my hair or anything, for some reason, my hair grows out in a shaped mode all on its own.

THE RESULTS: I DO LOVE IT!!

HAIR GROWTH..And What Affects It

By Dominique Harris
on July 16, 2014
With 0 comments

24 months post BC

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone. Ok, now talk about a topic that's super popular in the natural hair community and that's 'HAIR GROWTH'. There are loads of products that promise growth, hundreds of techniques that promise growth and more..Now, while we may not all be obssessed with it, we all love to see a little growth here and there within our tresses. However, when that want turns into an obsessed need, that's when we find ourselves trying every product on the market, trying every technique that many have never even thought nor heard of, just to see our tresses move one step further than what it was.. YESTERDAY!! That can definitely get us into some hot water and create bigger issues. So, let's just chat about what actually affects our hair growth. Now this one may get pretty lengthy and I will try to explain as best as possible what affects hair growth to where it may be easier to understand, so if I fall short, don't judge me, lol..kidding!

HAIR GROWTH AND WHAT AFFECTS IT

In order of what affects hair growth from the least to the most effective are:

(1) GENETICS

GENETICS:

determines our hair growth cycles and hair loss cycles, such as balding patterns.

(2) HORMONES

HORMONES:

Birth control and events such as pregnancy

(3) NUTRITION

NUTRITION:

Because any of the nutrients we get from food are FIRST utilized by our bodies, our hair and nails receive any left over proteins, vitamins, water and nutrients after the body has used them. So, if our diets are already poor and our water intake is not so great, any possible vitamins, minerals and nutrients from the food eaten are distributed within our bodies and if none are left for our hair and nails, this affects how the hair and nails grow. So, this is why it is stressed to try as much as possible to feed our bodies great healthy foods and have great water intake.

(4) EXERCISE:

EXERCISE:

Extremely important factor that is many times overlooked in terms of healthy hair growth. Exercise promotes oxygen flow. It also releases endorphins (neurotransmitters , which are chemicals that pass signals along one neuron to the next). They are the pain blockers and are responsible for our feelings of pleasure. Which is why when we exercise or have a great workout, we feel great, pleasurable (they are also released during sex, as it serves as a form of exercise in a sense as well). And, exercise regulates the adrenal glands which are responsible for your body's relation to stress.

5) STRESS

STRESS:

The top dog. Did you know that a stressful event can cause the hair to go into a 'resting phase' known as the TELOGEN PHASE(the resting phase of the hair..this is where our hair sheds and falls out). Now, normal hair shedding is between 75-100 hairs per day, however, excessive shedding can be created by a few things. Now, let me go a little deeper. On average, about 85%-95% of the hairs on our heads are in the growing phase (ANAGEN PHASE), and the others are resting (TELOGEN PHASE). The hair is normally in the Anagen or growing phase for 2-4 years then it enters the resting or Telogen phasefor about 2-4 months, then it falls out and is replaced by a new growing hair. Now, when a stressful event occurs, the hair will enter what is called TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM. This is where some body change or shock pushes MORE hairs into the Telogen (resting phase). So when a person is struggling with Telogen Effluvium, they may lose 300 hairs vs 100 hairs per day. Here is a list of things that can triggerTelogen Effluvium:

(1) Sugery
(2) Major physical trauma
(3) Major psychological stress
(4) High fever, severe infection or other illness
(5) Extreme weight loss
(6) Extreme change in diet
(7) Abrubt hormonal changes, such as childbirth or menopause
(8) Iron defenciency
(9) Hyperthyroidism
(10) Some medications
(11) Poor diet (in some cases)

Now, keep in mind, because the hair rests for 2-4 months, you may not experience the excessive shedding until a few months later, so that will cause you to back track and think about what major stressful event may be the cause..For example, if in February, I begin to experience excessive shedding, I would think back to the surgery (c-section) that I had in October as the potential cause of my excessive shedding. The great news is that normally, no one can tell that your hair is experiencing this excessive shedding but you and the Telogen Effluvium usually runs its course within 6-9 months. (note: see your doc if you begin to experience bald patches or more extreme hair loss, this could be something different).

A few other things that can affect Hair Growth are:

(A) STYLING TECHNIQUES: combs, brushes, use of heat, harsh chemical use (relaxers, color, texturizers)

(B) TRIMMING

(C) SCALP ISSUES: These are created by numerous things and because our scalp is sensitive, it is imperative that we do things to make sure that it functions properly. Try not to use nails or objects such as combs to scratch the scalp. These make tiny microscopic slits on the scalp and forces the scalp to go into a 'repair mode' which can make it malfunction. And because our scalp produces normal sebum (oil) it's usually not necessary to add additional oils to the scalp, which creates clogged pores in the scalp and over time will cause the scalp to malfunction.

(D) WASHING: Many harsh ingredients (sulfates in particular) strip the scalp of it's natural sebum causing some to assume the scalp is dry, which in turn makes us want to 'grease/oil' the scalp, again, potentially creating scalp malfunction which leads to other scalp issues. Our hair's pH range is between 4.5-5.5, so it's best to try to utilize products that fall into that range. Now, cleansers are usually formulated at higher pH, however, this is where a conditioner plays a major part because they are usually formulated at lower pH levels to help close the cuticle , soften and temporarily repair the hair. ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) rinses are great for aiding in scalp issues and for protecting the hair and scalp from harmful contaminants and it helps protect the hair by closing the cuticle preventing further damage to the hair. So, yes, ingredients do matter. For more information on potentially harsh/harmful ingredients, check out this post for 10 things to avoid putting on your hair: click here

NATURAL HAIR GROWTH..Tips On Growing Healthy Hair

By Dominique Harris
on July 16, 2014
With 1 comments

Hola Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone!!

I thought I would drop in and give the scoop on the question I receive quite often, which is 'How do you get your hair to grow so quickly?' Well, I can tell ya one thing..I don't take vitamins, I don't apply any miracle serum and my own products do not contain magical ingredients that would cause my hair to grow any quicker than what it is naturally intended to grow given that I give it a healthy environment to grow in.
So without further ado, Let's recap Natural Hair and HEALTHY GROWTH.. Now, keep in mind, hair grows at a rate of about 1/4-1/2 INCH per month. The rate of our hair growth is determined by a few things, a few are: genetics, diet, and how we treat our hair overall. If we give our hair a nice platform/environment to grow, it will grow. Here's some tips that ensure healthy hair growth, which is the main importance..HEALTHY

MY HEALTHY HAIR TIPS:

(1)KEEP THE SCALP CLEAN . Applying large amounts of oils and butters only clog the pores on our scalp. Our scalp produces natural oils and many times it has an over production or does not produce as much due to a few things. (a) Years of being clogged using clog poring ingredients (silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, oils, butters). (b) lack of water intake..It's very important that we drink plenty of water (c) Improper diet. Certain foods can have allergic reactions in our bodies and many times,we do not know it unless we keep a journal of foods that cause us to have reactions on our scalp, you will normally see scalp issues such as dermatitis, psoriasis, etc (dairy is known to be a major culprit, but not the only culprit)...Ok, so back on track, be sure to keep the scalp clean and healthy. Making sure to thoroughly cleanse at least once per month using a clarifying cleanser and herbal, tea or acv rinses and co-washing..So again, keep the scalp clean, it's a living breathing organ and is easily clogged which causes it to malfunction

(2) PROPER DIET AND WATER INTAKE IS IMPORTANT: Again. Proper diet, Exercise and good water intake. Exercise is an excellent way to get blood circulation flowing which encourages healthy hair growth.

(3) MOISTURE. Be sure to keep the hair moisturized properly. A wonderful way that has ensured that my tresses stay moisturized is..First, apply water or a water based product to the hair...Then, apply a butter or oil to lock/seal in the moisture.

(4) TRIMMING/DUSTING: Trim hair when needed. Because our ends can make or break our hair, it is of the utmost importance to keep them hydrated and trimmed when needed.

(5) HIH (HAND IN HAIR SYNDROME). Try at all possible to keep hands out of hair. I know we love love love our natural and want to rub on it, or our significant other loves to rub on it, but this can cause friction which leads to breakage. If it helps, keep hair in protective styles such as twists or braids/plaits, buns (not too often) so it's less tempting to caress our tresses.

(6) PRODUCTS JUNKY-ISM. Try, if possible, to remain faithful to a few products..When we indulge in many products, we have a harder time to know what may or may not create an issue with our hair. Giving a product time to work is one of the best ways to know if a product is truly working for your hair. What I have found for myself and other naturals who have achieved healthy hair and awesome growth is that we are faithful to the products we use and usually don't succumb to product junkyism..as tempting as it is. (some awesome women who have achieved wonderful healthy hair and use very minimal products besides me (wink) are Naptural85, Chime with Hair Crush, Pam with Koils by Nature)

(7) NIGHT PROTECTION. Protect your hair at night with a satin scarf, bonnet or satin pillowcase, whichever works best for you

(8) DOCUMENT YOUR JOURNEY..Pictures are an awesome way to see your growth. Because we see ourselves daily, it's hard to see our growth. On those days, weeks, months that I wasn't sure my hair was growing, I would look back on pics and see the growth. Those of us who have FB pages, we love for you to post your pics to our page..then revisit those pages a month or two later and look at those pics again.

(9) USE HEAT SPARINGLY OR NOT AT ALL. The use of heat can create a host of issues on the hair. So if at all possible, use as sparingly as possible and should you choose to use heat, be sure to use on clean hair and apply a heat protectant each time.

(10) PATIENCE..No matter how many products promise this, that or the third, hair grows at the rate that it is naturally designed to grow..Have patience, love it, nourish it and take care of it and it will grow..but more importantly it will grow healthy!!

If you love it..It will Grow..Healthy!!

..Have a Happy Natty Day!!!

**Where to find: Tee that I'm rocking is available at Tangles And Beyond

Earrings available at www.nappylife.com

PRODUCT BUILDUP..SAY WHAT!!

By Dominique Harris
on July 16, 2014
With 2 comments

Greetings, Beautiful People...I pray all is well with everyone.

Now, let's chat about one of the culprits that truly aid in dry hair..and that's PRODUCT BUILDUP.

Before we get into the how of how to rid the hair of product buildup, let's chat about how it affects the hair.

PRODUCT BUILDUP...HOW IT AFFECTS THE HAIR

Locks Moisture Out...prevents the hair from receiving moisture which aids in dryness and brittleness.
Greasy/Peasy..Product buildup gives hair a greasy feeling and instead of it being properly moisturized and have a feeling of hydration, it has a feeling of grimy buildup.
Clogs the pores on the scalp...clogs the pores of the scalp thereby aiding in further scalp issues
This new product just didn't work..Product buildup prevents the hair from responding to the use of new products when trying for the 1st time. Note... It's always important to clarify the hair when using a new product for the 1st time to truly see how the product is working.

And be sure to deep condition anytime you shampoo/clarify cleanse your hair.

How To Prevent or Rid the Hair of Product Buildup

In order to prevent product buildup from creating dryness, it's best to do a thorough cleansing of the hair using a cleanser or DIY (do it yourself) treatment to thoroughly cleanse the hair. Many shampoos are not formulated strong enough to remove some natural oils such as castor oil and many synthetic ingredients, so a clarifying poo would be the best way to go. I mention some awesome natural clarifiers below.

CO-WASHING

Co-washing (conditioner washing) is a great way to lightly brush off some dirt and aid in retaining moisture in the hair. However, co-washing is not formulated to be strong enough to remove synthetic ingredients and many oils, so it's a great idea to clarify the hair at least monthly (if using all aural ingredients) and twice per month (if using products with synthetic ingredients). Conditioners are also usually formulated at lower ph levels to help close the cuticle which is mot beneficial for cleansing the hair thoroughly, and they are great for temporarily restoring moisture and temporarily repairing the hair. However, anytime I cleanse (which is usually every 3-4 weeks) I use my Natty ACV Hair and Scalp Mist as a pre cleanse and as a final rinse (as a final rinse, I simply spray the mist onto my scalp and hair after final rinsing). I also use the Natty ACV Mist to keep my scalp clean in between cleansing.

CLEANSING

A great all natural cleansers is our Dudu Osum Black shampoo, Terressentials pure earth wash, the bentonite clay treatment (of course there are tons more). Apple Cider Vinegar is also a great way to help with the cleansing process of removing product buildup. It also help to protect the scalp from fungi, debris, bacteria and other contaminants found in tap water and environmental elements. A simple ACV rinse is to combine 1 TSP of ACV to 8 oz of cool distilled or filtered water and pour onto clean, conditioned and rinsed hair as your final rinse. Do not rinse the mixture out. You can also combine this mixture in a nice applicator bottle and apply to hair and scalp as a pre cleanse for helping to remove buildup. ACV also helps to close the cuticle on the hair helping the hair minimize frizz and impart sheen to the hair. Check out this great video how to of a helpful cleansing method to help rid the hair of product buildup: Cleansing Video .

As always, I hope this tip was helpful and remember, clean hair and scalp = happy hair and scalp.

**For the look above

Earrings by Dope Crochet

Mineral Lipstick in Classic by Motives

Lip Balm by Natty Naturals

NATTY TIPS ON DRYNESS

By Dominique Harris
on July 16, 2014
With 6 comments

Greetings Chicas/Chicos..I pray all is well with everyone!!

Ok, so let's talk about a subject that is a 'much talked about subject' when discussing natural hair. And that is DRYNESS. Now, keep in mind, natural hair is naturally drier that straight hair due to the fact that the oils that are produced by the scalp do not easily 'slide' down the follicle of the hair due to the curls and bends in natural hair. We should also understand that just because hair shines does not necessarily mean that it is healthy. Shine and health do not go hand in hand and sheen/shine is due to how light reflects off of a surface. This is why straighter darker hair appears more shiny than other hues of hair, and when it comes to natural hair, again, the shine is not as prevalent due to how light reflects..or rather, does not reflect due to the curls and bends in the natural pattern of curly, coily and kinky hair. So, when we want our natural healthy hair to have a sheen, we help it along by adding moisturizers and butters and oils to give it the desired look we want. Ok, but now you ask, 'how do I achieve healthy hair that does not feel brittle?' Well, let's discuss that now!!

TIP 1

EXCESSIVE USE OF HEAT: Excessive heat is when we use items such as blow dryers, flat irons and other straightening tools on our hair. Using excessive heat can cause dryness due to the heat pulling the natural moisture from our hair. In addition, you could expose your hair to possible heat damage. When this happens, you melt the protein bond of the hair changing the molecular structure and the once beautiful coil is now damaged and straight, known as 'heat damage'. Unfortunately, there is no way to correct, but treat the ends as you would relaxed ends and either clip them away at once or gradually clip them away. Want to check out my post on using heat to prevent heat damage, click HERE

TIP 2

CHECK YOUR INGREDIENTS: Products that are in many commercial, non natural products as well as some natural products are main culprits of aiding in dryness. Products that contain silicones can block moisture from penetrating the hair and many regular shampoos are not formulated to remove many silicones, which is why a hair detox may be needed to thoroughly remove buildup from the hair and scalp. Silicones give the illusion of a faux sheen that acts as wax buildup that can be difficult to remove, aiding in dryness. This layer of buildup blocks the hair from receiving proper moisture, leaving hair feeling dry and you feeling frustrated. Detoxing the hair requires the use of a strong cleanser, such as Bentonite or Rhassoul Clay Treatments, various black soap shampoos, such as SheaMoisture Black Soap Shampoo and Dudu Osum Black Soap Shampoo and a thorough cleansing of nothing but the shampoo for up to 7 days, known as 'hair detoxing'. Though I do use natural and organic products, I do a hair detox of 3 days once per year to ensure buildup is thoroughly removed, as natural ingredients can buildup over time as well. Be sure to check your ingredients to ensure that your tresses receive nourishment as some of these ingredients are known to be very drying in the long term use of them. If you are ensure of an ingredients, visit the manufacturers website or google the ingredient to stay 'in the know' of what you are putting on your hair and scalp.

TIP 3

IMPROPERLY MOISTURIZING: Dampening hair with water or a water based product are EXCELLENT!! However, water evaporates quickly, so once the hair dries, it is DRY. So, to combat this and ensure the moisture is locked in, first, apply water or a water based product such as our Leave In Conditioner , ACV Hair + Scalp Mist. or even our Rose + Hibiscus Toner Mist loaded with Rose Hydrosol, THEN lock/seal the moisture in with a butter or oil based product. And since our ends are the oldest part of the hair, be sure to pay special attention to them. A helpful tip that I learned from Ciprana of Urban Bush Babes was dip end into water, or mist them thoroughly with water, soak up the excess water with a paper towel or old t-shirt, then apply a heavy butter such as our Hair + Body Butter) or a natural oil, such as castor oil to your ends and protect at night. Protecting the hair at night with a satin/silk bonnet, scarf or pillow case is key to helping the hair to retain moisture as cotton absorbs moisture from the hair.

TIP 4

PRODUCT BUILDUP: it's great to nourish the hair with natural butter based and oil based products, however, not properly cleansing at least monthly will aid in product buildup. At least once per month, try clarifying the hair using a natural clarifying shampoo such as our Dudu Osum Shampoo. When product is constantly built up on the hair, moisture is not allowed to properly penetrate the hair, thereby aiding in dryness and lack luster hair.

TIP 5

HARD WATER: Because normal tap water contains chlorine and other minerals that aid in dryness, it's great to use distilled water to cleanse the hair..OR.. Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are great for aiding in ridding the hair of mineral buildup. The use of Apple Cider Vinegar as a final rinse is great for helping to close the hair's cuticle, which helps the hair hold on to more moisture and gives hair a shinier appearance. It also aids in protecting the scalp from water and environmental contaminants that aid in scalp issues. Water filter systems are excellent as well, just be sure that your system removes chlorine as well. Add our ACV Hair + Scalp Mist to your healthy hair regimen, loaded with herbs infused Apple Cider Vinegar.

TIP 6

LACK OF WATER, IMPROPER DIET AND CERTAIN MEDICATION: 'Let Food Be Thy Medicine' a popular quote by Hippocrates meaning, what we put into our bodies affect what comes out of it. Food is meant to nourish, but as we all know, all foods are not nourishing. So be sure to treat your temple to foods that are healthy and nourishing, especially fruits and veggies. Be sure to get plenty of water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water and we need to ensure to we keep it stocked with water, so bottoms up!! And lastly, certain prescription medication can aid in causing dryness in the hair. Check with your medical professional to find out if hair and skin dryness are side effects of any medication you may be prescribed.