Summer Hairapy...

Stars,

Issue:

It's that time again! The intense tag team duo Sun & Heat are back!

Have you thought about how you're going to protect your hair,

your color, and your style from the harmful effects of the sun?

Reason:

Were you aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can weaken hair strength, and inflict

complete devastation on your hair? The UV rays from the sun break down the keratin and

melanin in the cuticle and cortex of the hair, and as a result your hair gradually becomes weaker

and drier. This effect will look somewhat like highlights in the hair, which is called sun bleaching.

After extended exposure to the sun, hair will lack moisture and flexibility... especially at the ends

(which we know can be a problem).

My 2 cents:

This doesn't mean you have to cover up or wear hats and scarves everyday... only that you

should take measures to be sure that your hair is properly cared for. So, this summer when

you're applying your spf 30 don't forget about those delicate strands. Make sure you keep a

hydrating spray with you, or grab a fly sun hat! If you're taking a trip to the beach... make sure

you rinse that salt water out with fresh water as soon as possible. Don't let salt dry on your hair.

The salt will absorb the sunscreen, open the cuticle, and allow the sun to bleach out pigment.

If you have colored or tinted hair you should be attentive to this matter. I know that there are

sunscreens for hair (they usually come in the form of leave-ins), but to be honest I haven't

reviewed any. I mainly keep my hydrating spray on hand, and apply it frequently... this is something you

can mix at home! Quick and easy! :-)

Tip:

Sunflower extract protects the structure of hair, provides UVA and UVB protection, and prevents

hair color fade!

Now that you're equipped... Enjoy the sun :-)

~Ceez

Process of elimination...

Issue:

What products will work best for me?

Reason:

I ask because being that I am African American, typically my hair is characterized as delicate, and in my experience, instructions always accompany delicates. But, in this case those instructions vary so much that it's hard to know what, and who to trust.... and I don't play when it comes to my hair! LOL

My 2 cents:

Just like silk, or satin there are special ways to care for your hair. For instance... I wouldn't use my Tide detergent, or my Clorox bleach on a silk shirt, or even throw it in the washing machine for that matter. Would you?

Well, I approach my hair in the same way... it is easier for me to decide what goes into my hair based on what doesn't work for it rather than what does.... Now, that may seem a@@ backwards to some, but in my mind I've set a standard.

For example: If my perfect man has no children, has never been married, and has never been in trouble with the law... then that is my standard. I may not be sure of exactly what I want, but I do know what I don't! I may sound really crazy right now, but I see my hair and it's products as relationships. LOL! Being so close with my hair I understand what it needs, what it wants, and most importantly what it doesn't!

The reason this is a good starting point for me is because I continue to determine what I don't want until I realize what I do! If that makes any since.... LOL... or better yet... Process of elimination!

Example: I know that my hair has a rocky relationship with gels... some are nice to it, other's aren't! When I would use certain gels my hair would look great when I left the house, but over time it became crunchy, flat, and dry. I tried to control this by reducing the amount I used, but this never helped.

One day I decided to examine and compare the makeup of these gel products in order to spot the culprit(s).I found that they all contained some sort of hydrolyzed protein (wheat or plain hydrolyzed). This was funny because I am a Curlynikki reader, and if you have ever read through her site you'd know that she tends to avoid proteins if she can.... I now see what she meant. LOL!

So, now that I know my hair hates this ingredient... out it goes! No ifs, ands, or buts! (I'm strict that way...LOL)

Me personally...I still don't use gels, but if you find that you are having this same problem, and you would like to continue using gels; fortunately there are a few products out there which do not contain this ingredient (AO B5 Design Gel is one).

Summary:

This post is not just about my gels (that's just an example). I apply this method to anything I use... If I get less than stellar results I tend to compare it to something that has worked well for me in the past. I spot possible culprits, research, and eliminate based on information. I actually do the same with products that perform well. Except in this case I spot, research, and incorporate. LOL!

Again... knowing what I don't want helps me to find what I DO!

Hope this helps someone!

~Ceez

Comments...

It was brought to my attention that some aren't able to post comments... That blows! I'm actually not really sure why....., but until I can get the problem resolved feel free to leave your comments on the TagBoard to the right! :-)

~Ceez

Keep it trim...

Star,

Issue:

Up until a year ago my principal objective was to achieve length, so trimming anything on my head was completely out of the question!!!

Reason:

I once read that the idea of trimming was only a myth... that the hair on your head is actually dead, and it grows from the scalp. It said that since hair really grows from the scalp the fact that the ends may be split, broken, or uneven wouldn't inhibit growth.... :-/ ....

To some degree the above (bad advice) is true, but if your goal is to achieve long, luscious, thick, healthy hair..... it would be wise to take the "loss" before you impede your progress....*note: It's funny how much easier it is to believe something that you want to hear over something you need to hear.

My Two Cents:

Typically a trim involves 1/8 of an inch to 1 inch of hair being cut. Trimming also known as dusting (depending on the amount of hair cut) is the most effective way to remove and prevent splits, diminish breakage, and in some cases enhance appearance. If your hair is damaged trimming is necessary to achieve healthy hair!

If you do not trim you will most likely experience thin ends, dryness, frizzy ends, tangles and more!

Summary:

• If there is damage at the ends of your hair, and you refuse to remove it... it will eventually break and remove itself (you do not want this to happen).
• Tangling happens when you have thin ends intermixing with thicker ends... and if you have natural African American hair you may form knots that only add to this problem... that is if you don't keep the ends clean (trimmed).
• Splitting can and most likely will lead to more splitting!
• When the ends are badly damaged dryness will transpire since the ends are no longer able to retain moisture.... think about it have you ever noticed that no matter how much moisture you add .... your ends still appear to be dry? Well, it may be time for a trim!

Advice:

Candidly speaking, trimming has nothing to do with hair growth! Nevertheless, trimming has everything to do with retaining length! If you have bad ends and you never trim them; you will soon become frustrated because it will seem as though your hair just won't grow. Well....I hate to be the one to break it, but you hair is growing, only it's breaking at the ends. Find a great stylist whom you trust (meaning he/she isn't scissor happy). If that hair is bad it's gotta go.... if you keep it healthy there is no need!

~Ceez

.

Find the time...

April 18th here....

Problem...

I recently discovered that my biggest issue with upkeep was finding the time.

My resolve...

1. set a hair schedule
2. bought a planner
3. bought post it's, and...
4. incorporated my hair schedule into my work schedule :-)

Nothing to complicated, just decent time management skills... beat that!

I created a hair schedule that I could stick to

Wrote it in the planner

Put the days and actions on post it's

Then, posted them on my bathroom mirror (just in case).

for example:

Monday is: Co-wash

Wednesday is : Co-wash

and so on....

Once I organized a schedule I was surprised with how much more free time I had! :-)

If you are a curly with the same problem I suggest you try it...

you can thank me later! :-)

~Ceez