Relaxed Hair Health

"Soft & Bouncy" -Another satisfied reader shares her KeraPro experience (Pics Included)

2012-01-25T03:51:00.000-08:00

Not long after I posted my comparison review post on KeraPro, the low cost version of Kerastase, I received the following email from a reader.

"Hi,

I've followed your blog for the last few months and have really enjoyed it. Someone who has a whole beauty shops worth of hair care products in her bathroom just like me. I never send comments but after reading your blog on Kera Pro I had to.

I had read your raves about Kerastase and decided to try it...only I couldn't find it in any local stores. Since I had to try it I wasn't going to be happy until it was in my hands, I hate to wait for shipping. Just when I was wondering how far I'd have to drive to find it, I looked on the Sally website and saw Kera Pro. I wondered if I should try it and then i went to your blog and what was on it but Kera Pro vs Kerastase!

How funny is that, you read my mind. I ran out and purchased the Kera Pro Intense treatment. I'm very funny about what i put on my hair and if it makes my hair feel dry while I'm washing or conditioning...its out. I've used Mixed Chicks shampoo and deep conditioner for about a year with great results. I shampoo with MC and then tried Kera Pro, left it on about an hour and roller set on Sunday. I have to say I'm very impressed with it and will use it again. My hair is soft and bouncy anyway but I feel like I could be in a commercial after using Kera Pro.

I just thought I'd say thank you for your thoughts on Kera Pro, which was my deciding factor in trying it. I will try Kerastase now and see what its like also. I attached a pic of my hair after using Kera Pro"...

When I received her email and pics, I couldn't help but to reply back wanting to learn more about her gorgeous tresses. She was gracious enough to reply back with some details of how she cares for her perfect relaxed hair.

"I've had a relaxer since I was 5 when my mother decided enough was enough. I've always had long thick hair and washing it as a child wasn't a fun experience for either of us. I've only had 2 stylists in my life, I'm very particular as to who touches my hair. I only went to a new person when my first passed away. I do tend to stretch out my relaxers not for any particular reason other than because I just do. My stylist, Jo, teases that she'd never make any money relying on me as her only client.

She uses a Mizani mild relaxer every 6-7 months. Last year was the first time I'd ever had any color process in my hair. I do get highlights but even that is once a year. I get jumpy whenever scissors are around but I do get trims when I go to the salon. Every so often I will snip the ends myself at home. I will say the more often I trim the more growth I notice.

My hair is very thick, but rather fine. I do have Jo layer my hair these days to remove some of the bulk. I know...people want thick but for me it's just a little too much. I usually roller set my hair with the big hard rollers and it takes about 2 hours or more to dry it all.
On occasion I will flat iron it but usually if I want it straight I will just wrap it after the roller set. Sadly, I don't do anything preventive to it at night other than put it in a loose bun.

I usually wash once a week (depending on weather and exercise) unless it's summer when I like to just wash and go since it's wavy when wet (just tried Uncle Funky's Daughter for wash and go. I do have a ridiculous amount of hair products, but lately I love Mixed Chicks shampoo and deep conditioner. I still love the KeraPro restorative intense treatment. Usually add the conditioners and let it work for at least 30 minutes or overnight when I have time."

I also like as my staples:
- olive oil,
-Patene's relaxed and natural daily oil cream moisturizer,
-KeraCare high sheen glossifer (used as an oil),
-KeraCare oil sheen with humidity block,
Mixed Chicks straightening serum (even when I roller set)

I'm always trying new things and love to experiment, which I think is why I follow you. I've always had long thick hair so I don't really think I do anything special to keep it that way. My "mane" thing is to keep it healthy. But this year I am going to eat healthier and see what effect it has on my hair."

Motivation Monday: Create an "every time I" list

2012-01-23T10:36:00.000-08:00

I'm in the midst of a personal transformation. Which means that I'm constantly using my so-called "will power" to take actions that align with my newfound goals. Let me be the first one to tell you that this is not easy. It reminds me of a saying I heard once from a wise man. He was leading a seminar session when he asked the group a question. "When is a seed most vulnerable?" he asked. The audience, not sure of the right answer, decided to remain quiet. Finally the man answered, "when it first sprouts!" A seedling is susceptible to all kinds of external factors that can easily bring about its demise. Too much rain and it could die, not enough rain and the sprout withers. Bugs and other animals may eat the sprout and one person's weight is enough to trample the poor thing.

The lesson I learned that day was to do all I can to protect all new habits from the factors that can destroy it until I'm certain my habits have grown a deeply grounded root system. One of the methods I'm testing to bring me through the "habit infancy stage" is creating an "Every time I"... list. "What in the world is an every time I list," you ask. This is a list you can create (either written down or mentally) of the results you get every time you do something. For every action we take, a myriad of results are created. Typically the results are available to us long term so, more often then not, we quit (and our poor little seedling is trampled) before we see those results. But what we need to remember is we are creating those results even if we don't see them now.

So an every time I list is an inventory of results we [will] get every time we do something. For example, I'm working on creating a long-term habit of regular exercise. As you probably know, it's not that easy to get up on the regular and work out. So in order to get me to do it, I run down my every time I list which will go something like this: "Every time I exercise"

My heart gets stronger
I burn calories efficiently all day long
My muscles are more toned
Clothes fit better
I love looking in the mirror
I make better eating choices
My energy skyrockets
I feel so good about myself
My flat stomach emerges
My skin glows

The list goes on. Notice how the list is stuff I already know but I can't help but to take action after reciting the list to myself. How could I not exercise after acknowledging all these wonderful benefits I'll receive if I just take this one simple step.

Another way to swing this list is to create an "every time I don't list." I use this list for habits I want to break. For instance, I have this habit of checking my email first thing in the morning. There's nothing wrong with this except that there are other (more powerful) actions I could be doing in the morning (like exercising). Also when I start the morning on the computer, hours later I notice I'm browsing various websites while wondering were the time went. So in this case my "every time I don't" list would look like:

"Every time time I don't check my email first in the morning":

I can plan my day.
I can mediate and visualize
I can start my day by going to the gym.
I can invest 20 minutes cleaning my home.

Before writing this post, I put this method to the test while standing in line at Big Lots. There I was unloading my items at the checkout line when I noticed that I picked up a bag of Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili chips. Casually including a bag of chips with my purchase had become a newly acquired habit. As I stared at the bag of chips I silently began saying "every time I chose not to buy chips I......

Next thing you know, I'm leaving the line, chips in hand, placing it back into the display from whence it came. I felt so good about myself afterwards. Since then, this technique has worked for me quite well. Sometimes I can do the list silently, sometimes I gotta say it out loud in order to motivate me. Either way, it works.

Try it and let me know your experience.

Optimum Care Heat Protection Polisher Giveaway!

2012-01-19T01:25:00.000-08:00

It's been much too long since I hosted a giveaway. This time I'm featuring a product from Soft Sheen Carson's new Optimum Care salon collection. I was first introduced to these new products at the Bronner Brother's Hair Show in Atlanta. I sat in their section mesmerized as the stylist completed the finishing touches on a model who'd just received a relaxer on her virgin tresses. When onlookers, such as myself, were finally granted permission to touch her hair, I honestly could not believe how soft, and silky her strands felt. Others felt her hair and moved on, I (being the crazy hair loon that I am) went back for seconds.

One of the products used to preserve the integrity of the model's hair was the Heat Protection Polisher that I'm giving away today. I made a connection with one of the folks from Soft Sheen Carson who graciously offered to host a giveaway for you lovely ladies. The Heat Protection Polisher claims to provide a "lightweight gloss that helps protect the hair from heat styling (while) maintaining smooth styles, even in moisture & all day humidity. Since I'm deep into a stretch, I've turned to heat a few times to help keep my textures manageable. After using this product, I can say that their claim of light-weightness does hold true. I also like the fact that product contains coconut oil in the ingredients which will offer up some protein protection to the hair during the heat styling process.

I know you want to get your hands on some of this so here are the details on how to enter:

Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com with the subject: Optimum Heat Protector Giveaway
Follow the blog!

I'll randomly select a winner and notify the lucky person via email on Monday January 30, 2012. This giveaway is open to U.S. and International participants. That's all. Two simple actions will get you one step closer to having your very own bottle of the New Soft Sheen Carson product.

If you missed it, check out the footage I shot of the Bronner Brothers hair show. You'll see what I mean regarding the SoftSheen Carson styling booth at 3:11 in the video.

Monday Motivation: "Yesterday you said tomorrow."

2012-01-16T03:38:00.000-08:00

When I came across this picture the other day, it nearly stopped me in my tracks. The message is so powerful and so relevant to me that I felt it appropriate that I share with you on this blog. The number of times I promised myself that I would do something tomorrow is immeasurable. It seems like I'm a master of saying "no" today and saying "yes" tomorrow. Here's the problem with that.....there is no such thing as tomorrow.

Sure, tomorrow exists as a future point in time, but when we say, we'll do something starting tomorrow, we aren't really saying that a "future point in time" presents a more favorable condition for us to make things happen. What we're really saying "I'm not willing to do this now so I'll make myself feel better by telling myself that I'll doing in the "future." My brother and I were having a conversation once and he said something that I'll never forget. We were on this topic of procrastination when he shared that he "no longer trusted the future him." A little confused, I asked him to explain what he meant. "Future me", he explained "is the guy I trust to take action whenever I say that I'll do something tomorrow." "But the problem is that future me seems to always let me down." "So from now own, I can only trust me, at this moment, to do what I say I'll do."

That's when I realized that I too was entrusting the fate of my happiness to "future me." And just like his version, future me was also letting me down. Here's the worst part, secretly, I know that future me isn't going to do it either. Why? Because I'm pretty much the same person now and tomorrow. Twenty four hours is not going to make a difference in my ability. If I'm not willing to take even the smallest step forward towards creating what I want now, future me isn't going to come in and save the day tomorrow.

So why don't we take an action when we say we want to do something? My best guess is because we view the goal/action as daunting (or too much for us). We focus on the miserableness that comes with starting something new. Especially if the new action is completely different from what we've done in the past. On the one hand, we want the result that comes with taking that action, but on the other hand, we see it as too much for us. So we put it off. And we put it off in the worst way possible, by telling untruths to ourselves. Then time passes and we have to come face to face with the reality that once again "future me" has let us down.

The other day I was taking a 2 hour road trip with a co-worker. During the conversation, he talked about the intentions/goals he once had back in college. I too shared mine. The difference between us was that mine were in progress while his seemed more like memories. During our conversation, he shared his admiration for the results I was producing. That's when I felt like I needed to share my secret for making things happen. My secret is so simple and obvious that I'm a little embarrassed to even call it a "secret."

Understanding that future me is pretty much useless unless I do something today, I always try to take immediate action whenever I'm inspired by an intention. Sometimes the action is just doing a Google search and gaining information, other times, it's putting something down on a to-do list. I'm careful, though, not to spend an eternity collecting information because that too can feed procrastination. Once I have the information I need, I take small (and I mean small) actions. Why small? Because when I do it, the action is easy and I don't have to overcome too many limiting thoughts. Plus I can reward myself once the action is completed and I'm more likely to repeat the action which moves me forward in my goal. This great secret I shared with my coworker was "no matter what, keep moving forward." Never stop! Even if it takes years to get where you want, never, ever stop! I guess I should clarify and say, "never give up." There are times in my journey where I've stopped for a period of time, but I pick up where I've left off and progress begins again. This idea of never stopping is what has created the most results for me.

I'd like to invite you to think about all the things you would like to do but you're putting off. Is there anything you can do today to take that first step forward? Even a teeny, tiny step is better than nothing at all. If you are really serious about your intentions, I invite you to keep record of your progress using a some sort of a tracker. Before you know it, you'll find yourself creating a habit of taking consistent actions and not having to count on "future you" to make things happen.

New 30 Day Supply of Bamboo Tea Available!

2012-01-11T04:32:00.000-08:00

It was July 2011 when I first introduced Bamboo Tea to you on this blog. Since then multitudes have been enjoying silica filled tea as part of their overall healthy hair regimen. Winter time is upon us and many of us are trying to brave the cold weather with warm coffee, hot chocolate or tea. Three posts ago I wrote about Five Tips actions we can take to promote healthy hair growth this winter. I'm not sure how I could forget to mention warm, delicious bamboo tea as a winter growth tonic. In any case, I bring you some good news regarding a new addition to the bamboo tea products. Bamboo tea bags are now offered in a box of 30 for a fantastic price! What's great about this is that we can maintain consistency with our silica consumption. I remember when I first was researching the benefits of silica, I remember reading about a study where the hair actually grew in thicker after six months of silica consumption. That means that all of the hard work we put in now will be paying off for us this summer. I don't know about you guys, but I can wait!

For those of you who'd like to grab your 30 day supply of Bamboo Tea, you can place your order now for only $13.00 plus shipping.

Motivation Monday: "What gets measured, gets managed."

2012-01-09T01:15:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I want to start this year off with a plan that'll support this year's success. What I'd like to share with you today is a tool that I chose to get serious about my finances. I set up a challenging savings goal and decided to accelerate paying off some debt. It was around that time I was reading Peter Druker's the Effective Executive. Peter's famous quote "what gets measured, gets managed" really struck a chord with me. That's when I decided to measure my financial progress until I reached my goals.

The next action I took was to create an Excel spreadsheet which listed all of my debts and my (liquid) assets. I faithfully updated that spreadsheet monthly for two years making incredible progress during that time. Once I reached my savings goal I slacked off a little bit and my focus hasn't been the same ever since. So now I'm back in the swing of things and there's no time like the present to get started. This time I'm applying this tracker technique to various aspects of my life. I plan on updating on a weekly basis so I can view my progress and stay motivated. Too often, we think we're not making progress so we give up on our efforts way prematurely. I know I do this all the time, only to kick myself mentally later on, for not sticking to my plan. Can't tell you how many times I've asked myself "how far would I be by now if I would have kept going?" My new tracker will now serve as my accountability partner. As backup, I created a weekly electronic reminder so there's no excuse.

If I miss a week or two here and there, I won't get discouraged and I won't give up. I'll simply pick up where I left off. This isn't about perfection, it's about progress. No longer will I wonder if progress is being made or if I'm backsliding, it's all there in black and white.

As you can see from the screenshot above, this tool is not yet complete. I still have to include my written goals in the area next to "2012 Intentions." By doing this, I'll have my written goals in front of me on a weekly basis which will propel my progress. Notice that I'm tracking both results and actions. So in the case of statistical measurements (like my weight or how many fans on Facebook) I track the result, but in other instances, My focus is on taking consistent action. Now you might be saying to yourself, "why is she tracking things like "self-love" or "relationship nourished?" I do this because those areas of my life tend to be the first things that fall on the back burner when life happens. Adding them on the tracker keeps them top of mind for me. This list is by far incomplete as there are other areas I'd like to track my progress. Whenever something comes up that I'd like to include, I'll simply add to my list.

The tool itself is a work in progress. I know that if I'm consistent, I'll make huge progress in the year to come.

So what are some things you'll be trying to stay focused on your intentions for 2012?

Four Healthy Hair Tips we relaxed heads can learn from naturals

2012-01-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

Has this ever happened to you? You're watching Youtube videos or browsing a hair forum where someone is sharing their progress pics after a big chop which seems like it was just yesterday. All of the sudden they have a head full of thick, healthy, beautiful, long hair. It's as if every millimeter of hair growth is retained. How does that happen?! Sure, the most obvious reason for the amazing progress is due to the fact that the hair isn't compromised but I think it goes a little deeper then that. Some of us know some women who've worn their natural hair for many years without attaining much length so what do those who do retain length have in common?

(source)

-Naturals tend to use natural hair products
If you check out the ingredient list of most products geared towards naturals, what similarity do they all seem to share? They focus on natural ingredients. As a matter of fact, many of these products are 100% natural without additives or artificial fillers. So what benefit are there in using natural ingredients? Think about our bodies and the way it absorbs nutrients from foods. Fruits and veggies assimilate easily into through digestive system bringing valuable ingredients into the bloodstream. If we ate a diet full of processed, nutrient deficient, foods, our bodies start to suffer. Giving your hair only processed, artificial ingredients, all the time doesn't create healthier hair. We know our hair strands have the ability to absorb natural oils, respond to ACV by sealing the cuticle, etc so providing our strands with some natural based products is a must.
So here's the first tip we can learn from our natural haired sisters.

Tip #1: Seek out natural products to incorporate into your regimen!

-Moisture, Moisture Moisture
One topic that is constantly on the minds of naturals is maintaining moisture levels. Some of them even co-wash several times a week or daily to make sure their hair is receiving adequate levels of moisture. Humectants rank high on the list of products they prefer. Many of them swear by the benefits of using of hair steamers on a regular basis. It's not surprising to hear talks of spray bottles with natural moisturizers that are used daily to keep the hair hydrated. So basically, anything that draws moisture into the hair scores high points for women with naturally curly hair. Virgin hair tends to have adequate strength levels adequately, but moisture must be provided otherwise the hair suffers. If women with naturally healthy hair seem to obsess with moisture, shouldn't we do the same (if not more)? They understand that excessively dry hair appears unhealthy and can cause breakage or can tangle up during manipulation. This is what separates the naturals who successfully retain length from those who seem to have setbacks and little progress. Sometimes we look at our breakage and think "I need more protein" but perhaps more moisture is what our hair is asking for. So take a lesson from the rule book of healthy haired naturals and manage your moisture!

Tip #2: Obsess with moisture!

(source)

-Their hair is whole
Yes. One of the the most obvious benefits of natural hair is that, by definition, the hair is essentially healthy. No chemical processes where done that compromise the integrity of the follicle. So the hair is healthy by definition. Obviously, the hair still needs to be cared for but it's safe to say that part of the reason why retention levels are high is due to the natural strength levels of the hair. We women with relaxed hair should strive to recreate the integrity of hair that is whole, to the best of our ability. This means having an array of products that nurture the hair at all levels. It's not just protein that we need to be concerned about, we need to focus on moisture, protein, ceramides, and sealing the strand. We should also consider varying the types of proteins we incorporate in our regimen since they have varying molecular weights which means they are assimilated into the strand at various levels. So switch it up between keratin products, wheat protein, silk amino acids, coconut oil, etc. You guys are always hearing me stress the importance of drinking water, taking fish oils, and eating healthy. This is because my aim is to grow hair as healthy as possible so it can better hold up to the stress I put my hair through. If an illegal drug can show up in a hair strand months after someone's consumed it, why not put beneficial ingredients inside you so it can benefit you months later in your new growth.

Tip# 3: Strive to bring the hair back as close to whole as possible!

(source)

-They keep it simple
Some of the similarities in the regimens of naturals I've noticed are that they always air dry. Simple styles like wash n gos or twist outs are pretty much the staples of curly haired women. I've glanced over the regimen of one of my hair idols "Hair Crush" way before she had a Youtube chanel. She admitted it herself that she pretty much washes and twists the hair to air dry......and that's it. No roller setting, no flat ironing, just a twist out air dry. If you studied the regimen of other naturals, you won't find much difference in the technique. Once they've achieved curl definition with a product or by twisting, they leave their hair alone for fear of tampering with a perfect twistout. And, for the most part, many naturals reserve the heat of a curling/flat iron for very special occasions. Naturals are notorious for protective styling which does a world of good for retention. Even a twist out protects the hair from excessive manipulation. So what I learned from this is not to over manipulate. I try to finger comb whenever possible and this does a decent job of removing shed hairs throughout the week. The real detangling comes on wash days when I have the help of oils and conditioners to preserve my hair. Take a moment to assess your weekly regimen. Would you describe it as a fairly simple routine that preserves the health of your hair? If not, then work to simplify it without cutting out the most beneficial aspects of your regimen.

Tip #4-Keep things simple and limit the amount of manipulation to your hair!

Bringing in 2012 with lessons and learnings from 2011

2011-12-31T13:09:00.000-08:00

What a year 2011 was! I really enjoy writing posts for this blog but I must say that my favorite post (other than the features) is the end of the year wrap up post where I recap some of my learning and areas of focus throughout the year. I have to admit that I sometimes forget some of the little gems I tend to find during the course of the year. So let's take a walk down memory lane and take a look back over the highs and lows of 2011.

Who could forget the commencement of a great year with my stumble upon silica in February. I can't believe we're nearing two years since silica my first post on the benefits of silica. I plunged in with both feet when I learned of the benefits of silica to my hair, skin and nails. First I started taking silica supplements, then I graduated to Hubner's silica gel which was said to be very effective and easily assimilated into the body. The benefits I received were almost instant. My skin and nails were singing the praises of silica. This stuff instantly became part of my beauty rituals. The Law of Attraction states that we attract the things we think about the most. Is there any question as to why I was able to attract silica in the form bamboo tea in my life last year? Bamboo tea is pretty amazing. It's light, delicious and contains up to 350 mg of silica per 8 ounce cup. Luckily for us, the vendor graciously offered to partner with the blog to offer bamboo tea at a great price and many of you have taken advantage. My intention is to continue to offer the bamboo tea into 2012 since many of you have requested that "I never stop selling the tea."

A huge focus back in 2010 was on my scalp health. Plagued with shedding like you wouldn't believe, I decided that the only way to address this issue was by dealing with the root cause....my scalp. In 2010 I began to discover some solutions to what seemed like an impossible situation. In 2011, I also had some pretty powerful breakthroughs when I discussed the types of carrier oils that work best with our favorite essential oils. Possibly my favorite post of 2011 was a candid look at a 72 year old man's hair regimen and what we could learn from good 'ole Mr. Sanford. I still use his technique to this day.

In 2011 I was inspired by the beautiful ladies featured on the blog. It all started with our conversation with Ms. NJOY who reminded us that the use of our minds powerful is just as powerful to our hair journey as a healthy regimen. Pretty much all of our features were a hit but I think the most popular features to date has got to be of Pink Pearls who introduced us to the world of Kerastase. After interviewing her, one thing led to another and I was able have the wonderful MircoMist experience. Next year I hope to really capture the hair journeys of many more beautiful heads of hair because I am just as much of a hair porn fiend as you are.

Looking ahead to 2012, I am more than excited about what lays ahead. Just this week, I made available the first in a series of topic specific hair guides as resources with detailed information on how to address hair related issues such as moisture, strength, dealing with setbacks, etc. I should also mention that I'm considering evolving the blog which may include a name and design change. There's so much I want to share on the blog but I sometimes feel is if I'm a bit limited to discussing only hair related subjects. I received lots of positive comments on the posts I made on daily habits and personal growth and I feel like there's so much more to share on various other topics. Also, I do have it as a goal of mine to finally create and release a moisturizer compliment to Gleau Argan Oil Blend. What's kept me from doing so all this time is a fear that if this thing isn't absolutely flawless, I will not allow it to see the light of day. The dream of this product I've created in my mind is so perfect that I don't know if such a product could actually exist in real life.....I know that I must let my desire for perfectionism go and bring this product into existence so you guys can give me the feedback I need to make the product even better.

As far as my hair is concerned, my primary focus in 2012 will be on the health and strength of my ends. It's been a while now since I started using Affirm Fiberguard (mild) which has inadvertently led to a transition from fully relaxed hair to texlaxed. My ends are still fully relaxed straight which makes them a little thinner than I'd like them to be. This year is all about thick, healthy, ends.

New Years is my absolute favorite time of year because, with it comes the infinite number of possibilities for our lives. The are millions of paths our lives can take this year and we get to be a part of the creation process by putting intention to what we want with our written goals. So that's what I'll do today...Today I'm writing down the new and amazing experiences I would like to bring into my life in 2012.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Increase your Hair Growth this winter with these 5 simple techniques

2011-12-28T15:58:00.000-08:00

I'm in the midst of a stretch that I hope will make it until six months. There are two main reasons why this stretch may prove to be successful. First because my new growth seems to be the most tamed it's been in a long while. I've got to go back into the archives to see what I've been doing differently over the past 3-4 months. It's working whatever it is. Secondly, I think my winter growth cycle is yielding less new growth than the summertime. I read an article abstract where hair growth was measured in caucasian males. Researchers discovered that peak growth rates in the warmer months were up to 60% higher than at winter levels.

I believe this has something to do with the decline of overall blood circulation that occurs in our bodies when the weather cools down. You see, as the temperature drops, our body's natural protective responses encourage increased circulation and blood flow to our internal organs. As a result, our extremities are left feeling a bit deprived. Notice how your fingers and toes are the first parts of your body to get really cold? That's partly 'cause the warming blood flow is not as prevalent in your fingertips as it is in other parts of your body. Remember that our scalp is also considered somewhat of an extremity. I suspect the amount of nutrient rich blood to the hair follicle is at below optimum levels in winter months. A picture speaks louder than words. Check out this chart below taken from a study done on hair growth cycles throughout the year.

Since we have a hair journey to attend to, we can't have something as simple as cold weather slow us down. We've got to keep moving! Oh, and by the way, you know that seasonal shedding we always seem to get? I have a hunch that poor circulation to the roots may have something to do with it also. So then let's discuss some methods of promoting much needed circulation even during the winter months.

I did a video on this subject a while ago. It's a habit that I had almost forgotten about until recently. I watched the video again and was reminded of the feeling I would get when I finished a bottle of room temperature water early in the morning. It was as if I could feel the liquid traveling all throughout my body. I felt alive! Even now, whenever I feel sleepy during a mid-day meeting, I instantly swig some water and, moments later, I'm alert and my mood has changed. Water is one of the best methods of promoting internal circulation. Because our bodies are made of water, the liquid flows easily and instantly throughout our bodies. I put water first on this list simply because it's foundational to our health. You can be doing all the other stuff on the list below but if you aren't using water as your leverage, you may be fighting a loosing battle. Let's face it, as the temperature drops, drinking adequate water just isn't a priority for us. Let's get healthier by shifting our focus. So make sure you're drinking plenty of water this winter and start this habit first thing in the morning.

Next on our list is heat. I'm not talking about flat iron/curling iron type of heat. I'm thinking more of the heat that comes from our environment. In the summer time, we have a heat source warming our skin for most of our waking day. I think when heat is exposed to a certain part of our body, it responds with increased blood flow to that area. I was watching a movie once, there was a scene where a little girl removed her cast she wore after breaking her arm. Under the cast she kept wanting to scratch with her pencil and, when the cast finally came off, her arm hair was long and thick like a primate. Long after the scene change I racked my brain about the cause of the wonderful and awkward hair growth. What was it about the cast that created this result? The only answer I could come up with was the heat (and humidity) generated by the cast. The best way I could think of to create heat-promoting circulation is to visit a steam room. In a steam room, you get both heat and humidity to your entire body. If you don't have access to a steam room at your local gym or spa, make sure you are using your steamer (or hooded dryer) while deep conditioning. Another way to help promote heat is through exercise. I know that most of us want to stay all bundled up in the fetal position when it's cold out, but doing that will only promote the results we don't want. Exercise gets the heart beating which guarantees blood flow and increased circulation all over. Physical activity usually requires us to breathe more deeply which fills our body with oxygen which helps feed the hair follicle. Plus if you start exercising now, you are avoiding the dreaded winter fat storage syndrome so you will be ready for shorts and dresses in spring.

One of my circulation powerhouses is the use of cayenne pepper. I've used cayenne in my drink and I also sometimes take supplements orally. Years ago I tried using cayenne on my scalp but I accidentally got some in my eye and I decided that I would never do that again. Nothing like the feeling of getting maced your own shower. Cayenne is such a powerful circulation aid that it's said to have the ability to stop a heart attack in it's tracks. I read online that no other herb moves blood faster than cayenne. Using it can make your other supplements more effective as it helps other nutrients travel in the body faster. Cayenne is an acquired taste so you gotta work up your resistance to it a little slowly.

Finally, the mother of all circulation boosters for healthier hair growth is scalp massage. I've written post, after post, after post on scalp massage so I don't think I need to ramble, but what scalp massage does more than the other circulation-boosters I listed above is have the ability to bring blood flow directly to the hair follicles. There's no guessing if your hair will benefit from scalp massage, you know that your efforts will directly bring extra attention to your roots. And nothing but good can come out of that. Scalp massage is one of those things, like everything else I mentioned above, that must be done consistently as a habit in order to produce desired results for you. So have fun and take control of your hair growth this winter!

Be sure to stop by for my next post when I recap all the learning and focus of 2011.....see you soon!

Conair Flexi Rods: Giving me absolutely perfect curls every time

2011-12-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

It was over a year ago when I posted a quick blurb on the Facebook page about some flexi rods I purchased at my local Target store. I remember standing in the aisle, staring at the package, wondering if these rods were worth the over $12.00 asking price. For years I've paid around $4.00-$5.00 for flexi rods and not a penny more. The only issue I was having was that every so often, I was purchasing a new pair set of flexi rods. One thing I hate, is having to purchase the same item over and over again, because it no longer maintains it's effectiveness. So this time I decided to do something different and take the plunge.

Boy am I glad I did. Fourteen months later and these bad boys are still as firm and bendable as the day I got them! I can't tell you the number of times I've been disappointed by my results in the past when I've used faulty flexi rods that couldn't create or hold a curl. Currently, I'm in the midst of purging my clutter and unnecessary items as I move into the new year and one of the items on the chopping block are my old, worthless, flexi-rods that no longer serve their purpose. So I'm dedicating this post to my new flexi curlers because they never seem to fail me. Take a gander at this look I created today on dry hair with the help of my curlers, leave-in, and some Gleau oil. I slept overnight in the curlers, took them out this morning and voila!

The look I was going for was volume. On my side is four months of new growth plus the fact that I wore by hair in a high bun for the last couple of days. When I took my bun down, my hair was much more voluminous than if I had been wearing my hair down. I used that to my advantage.

The flexi rods have pretty much been my hair's best friend ever since the humidity died down. They help me create wearable looks without (potentially damaging) heat. They're so wonderful.

Merry Christmas!

Finally, a liquid cod liver oil that doesn't make me gag

2011-12-18T03:31:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's a bit instinctual but it seems like every winter I get this strange desire to start consistently taking omega 3 fish oils. Even though I live in the south where I can pretty much wear a light jacket for most of the winter months, I still think about arctic climates where all of the animals are filling up on cold water fish loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.

In previous posts, I've discussed using quality fish oil and even krill oil capsules in my regimen to support my omega 3 dietary requirements. Recently though, I've decided to take it up a notch and go "all liquid" with my omega 3 intake. In the past, I attempted to create a habit of consuming liquid fish oil for at least 30 days. While I was successful at this 30 day challenge, it did translate into a long-term habit. Looking back, I think I set myself up for failure in the long run.

I say this because I purchased a lower quality liquid fish oil from a super-retailer. The cod liver oil was a thick "creamy" liquid opaque in color with a harsh lemon flavor covering the even harsher fish taste. It was not pleasant. This time, I've decided to change my strategy so I can ensure my success in this new daily habit creation attempt. For one, I've decided to upgrade the quality of my liquid cod liver oil. Since I was already taking in Nordic Naturals supplements I was aware of their high quality. The supplements don't give you that fishy burping side effect one may find with lower quality oils. I've heard that fishy burps maybe due to consuming rancid fish oil.

So off I went to Vitamin Shoppe in hopes of coming back with a liquid cod liver oil supplement that I could actually consume on a daily basis (long-term). I picked up a bottle of Nordic Naturals and was on my way. Fast forward two and a half weeks later and I must say that I'm pretty proud of how consistent I've been in taking a spoon full of the lightly flavored lemon fish oil each morning. I attribute my success to how wonderfully light and palatable this stuff is. Sure, in the end, I'm still taking in a spoonful of oil but let me tell you, I can see myself taking this on a regular basis much more consistently than in the past.

In the past, I felt like I was setting myself up for failure before because I wasn't really enjoying the experience. This time around I'm shifting my mindset around the whole "liquid fish oil" thing by creating it as a pleasant experience in my mind vs. a negative one. So now, just prior to consuming the oil, I take a brief moment to reflect on the benefits I'll receive from taking this action and I might silently say to myself "I have flawless, glowing, skin and healthy, shiny hair." Then, right after I've taken the oil, instead of gagging and making faces of disgust, I smile, look in the mirror, and reaffirm the benefits I am receiving. This changes the entire experience to a pleasant one that I don't mind repeating on a daily basis. I've even purchased a second bottle, though I still have half a bottle left, so I can ensure I continue this practice without the possibility of using that fact that I've run out as an excuse to break my routine.

So what's in it for me? One of my intentions is to promote a healthy scalp. More specifically, I'm hoping the omega 3 nourish and lubricate my hair follicles by impacting my dry, itchy scalp. Usually by now, my scalp is a dry, flaky mess but I must say that I've seen some improvement as of late. The amount of shedding I experience is much less than I would normally get this time of year. I know that the full extent of fish oil benefits will only multiply when I continue this habit long-term. Of course I'd like to create hair that is more resistant to breakage due to the increase (or adequate) levels of lipids in the strand. My battle against dry hair is always first priority for me and this habit sets the foundation for battling dry tresses.

For those of you who know you've been slacking a little in supplementing your diet with omega 3s, this is your opportunity to get it right this time with a quality fish oil. Commence this habit today and 3 months from now you will be glad you did. Here's to starting the new year off with beautiful skin and healthier hair!

For those of you who are information nerds, like me, here are a couple of vids describing Nordic Natural's high standards in creating the cod live oil.

Four hair related crazes I have yet to try (until now).

2011-12-11T03:54:00.001-08:00

I've been through many fads and phases during this wonderful hair journey of mine. Over the years I've amassed numerous products and techniques. Some have stayed with me, some a long gone. Although it seems like I've tried just about everything, there are some things I admit I've never tried.

The Long Term Stretch is a powerful pathway to healthier hair for those of us who relax. If you didn't know already, stretching helps preserve health and thickness by reducing the amount of time we have to touch up a year. By minimizing the number of times were are relaxing, we are promoting the integrity of the strands and reducing breakage in the long run. Those who are successful at the long term stretch reap bountiful benefits of gloriously thick hair. Sounds wonderful right? So why haven't I stretched for 6 months or longer? Well in order to stretch successfully, one must overcome the hidden dangers along the way. It's kinda like playing a video game with multiple levels where the "bad guys" get stronger at each level. The "bad guys" of long term stretching include tangles, shedding, and breakage cause by the battling textures. In a couple of weeks, I'll be four months into my stretch. Based on my past experience, four months tends to be my limit. I desperately want to last to six months because I know that once I've done it once or twice, it could become the norm for me. I just have to make sure the reward is greater than the risks. Thanks to the increase moisture levels I've been experiencing from my new deep conditioner, I finally feel as if a six month stretch could actually be possible.

I'm almost ashamed to say that I've never experimented with henna on my hair. This is partially because I heard that quality henna makes all the difference in the results and some women with relaxed hair experienced dryness following application. I remember having dry hair after a tea rinse some time ago. Once that happened, I gave up tea rinses just as quickly as I started. My hair is always searching for moisture so henna was not all that appealing for me to look into much further. Since I first heard of henna, many pioneers have worked to improve the process and end results by adding oils and other goodies to the mix. Now that I have steamers and more powerful moisture creating/promoting products, I can let my henna guard down and actually try it. Of course I'll post a review once I get to experimenting.

I'll never forget the day, several years ago, when a Dominican stylist recommended a keratin treatment to me as I was getting my hair done. After doing a quick search online, I learned that this process would add much needed keratin to my chemically processed hair. Overcome with excitement I posted about my desire to have this process done asap. Then someone posted a comment about the potential dangers of this process because of the use of formaldehyde. After further research I learned of the possible cancer risks associate with this ingredient. Since then, there have been advances in formulation and there are now brands on the market that claim to be formaldehyde free. Luckily for us, the whole keratin treatment phase has created a whole new genre of keratin containing, over the counter, products. It's a 10 Keratin Miracle Leave-In plus Keratin is one of my faves. I've also fallen in love with Coppola Keratin product as well. So ultimately, I haven't felt the need to have this service done. If I ever feel the need to infuse strength into my strands with a heat source, I think I will purchase the Fibre Architecte from Kerastase.

I have to confess and let you know that I had weave sewed in when I was like 19. Back then "wet and wavy" hair was the shiznit. A friend of mine knew this girl who was a "professional dancer" and could install a full head of hair in no time. If memory serves me right, she braided the hair but glued in the tracks versus sewing it in. Peer pressure got the best of me so I caved. Soon I was walking around with a pack & a half of wet and wavy. Let me tell you that I felt like my whole life had changed when I had my new hair. Guys were hollerin' and I got so many compliments from girls on how great "my hair" looked. All was right with the world....that is until it was time to remove it. I don't remember all the details, but what I do remember was having cutting out a partial braid in order to remove the track that was glued to my cornrow instead of my scalp. You should have seen the look on my face when I saw my own braid in my hand. I was mortified. From that day on, I've sworn off all forms of extensions with the exception of synthetic braided hair.

It's kind of sad that I've had this aversion to weaves ever since this once incident because proper use of weaves/wigs can really help protect the hair. How many women have made huge progress on their hair journey from the use of weaves in their protective styling? Nowadays I've seen weaves that look amazing. Girls are even able to pull their extensions into ponytails. It's incredible how natural looking some of these installs look. Honestly, I would love to get a professional (not street professional) install especially in the summer time when humidity and my hair go into all out war against each other.

What I'd like to do is become more open minded to these four things that I've avoided for so long. Or at the very least, I'd like to find alternatives that provide similar benefits without the negative side effects.

KeraPro: How does the low cost version of Kerastase stack up to the original

2011-12-07T03:35:00.000-08:00

So you all know by now that Kerastase products are all I can think about at the moment. After my first review post, I was contacted by miss EbonyPrincess asking whether the version of Kerastase products available at Sally's were any good. I didn't even know that Sally's carried a Kerastase alternative. Come to find they do have a line out created by Naturelle called Kera Pro!

I figured that now is a good to see if I could find another product that could work as effectively as my darling Nutri-Thermique at a fraction of the price. So of course I made a trip to my local Sally's to see if I could get my hands on the product. I thought to myself "even if the Kera Pro isn't exactly like the Nutri-Thermique, as long as it's 75% as effective, I can at least use it to help stretch my Kerastase". I must have paced the store 5 or 6 times before I found the Kera Pro. For some reason I thought it would be packaged like the traditional black and white bottles containing "generic versions" of professional products. Finally I summoned the help of an employee who helped me identify the product once I gave her the name. Within moments I had the product in hand. I glanced at the price and realized that for the price of one 6.8 oz jar of Kerastase was equal in price to about five jars of the Kera Pro.

As part of my review, I'd like to compare the ingredients. "But what had happened was" that Kerastase doesn't actually list the ingredients on the jar but on on the product box the Thermique comes in. Unfortunately, I threw away the Kerastase box shortly after I ripped it open to reveal the contents. Luckily for me, the ingredients were available online. One thing I notice immediately when comparing the two is that Kera Pro actually contain some natural ingredients. Coconut and safflower seed oil to be exact. Kera Pro also has both Hydrolyzed Keratin and Hydrolyzed rice protein. Kerastase contains only Wheat Protein.

What I can say for sure is that the products vary greatly in appearance. The Kera Pro is a solid white conditioner, while the Nutri-Thermique has sort of a beige buttery hue. Another thing that jumps out at me as I check out both products is that the Nutri-Thermque has a glisteny look to it. The Kera Pro looks much more matte than its counterpart. When I pick up both jars and tilt them on their side. The Nutri-Thermique starts to "run" to one side of the jar. The Kera Pro remains completely still. I interpret this as the Nutri-Thermique has a more of a watery texture than the Pro. When I scoop both products with my fingers. The Nutri-Thermique is obviously more creamy. As I rub my fingers together, I feel like the Kera Pro feels like a dry, heavy, lotion more so than a conditioner (the consistency is similar to a body butter). I dunno, it just doesn't scream "moisturizing" when I touch it.

(when I did a finger test, the Kerastase began to slowly travel down my fingers, the Kera Pro remained in place)

The real test, however, comes when the rubber meets the road and the product is applied to my hair. Believe it or not, even though the Kera Pro doesn't look or feel as moisturizing as the Nutri-Thermique, when I massage into my dry hair, it feels almost as moisturizing as the Nutri-Thermique. How can that be? Honestly, I don't know how to explain it. I just don't. Because of its heavier texture, the Kera Pro does take a little more work to massage it into the strand. The Thermique seems to settle into the hair much easier. But once in, I can barely notice the difference between the two, with the exception that Kera Pro is a bit heavier and can leave a white residue if not worked in all the way. But as far as how moisturizing the product feels on the strand, Kera Pro holds its own.

Since our first conversation, EbonyPrincess sent me an email sharing her experience after purchasing the KeraPro shampoo and elixir. Her experience with the products gave her "amazing results." Ebony was gracious enough to give us a detailed account of her experience.

Shampoo - I normally am a die-hard fan for sulfate free shampoos and cleansers, and although I bought the Kerapro shampoo for dry to very dry hair I was skeptical. However, it did feel moisturizing but clean. And if I adopt the Kerapro regimen completely I do think sulfates are necessary because the serum contains a fair amount of cones. One wash got my hair very clean and I do think it is gentle enough to use weekly.

Conditioner - The directions say to apply for five minutes, no mention of using heat. To do a fair review, I tried it with heat, without heat, for five minutes and for longer. It definitely is effective in as little as five to ten minutes but should be used with heat to gain full benefits. Without heat it felt like it coated the hair whereas when I conditioned with my heating cap it felt like it penetrated the strands and made my hair feel soft and moisturized long after it dried.

Elixir - Slightly superior to the other serums I've used, gives the same smooth coating effect but is not as heavy as some of the other -cone laden serums.

All of the products contain both protein (hydrolyzed keratin & rice protein) and ceramides in the way of safflower oil. I lost very little hair while rollersetting and despite them being a little heavy on the protein side, my hair felt VERY soft and moisturized which still has me a little perplexed. However, my results have been amazing and I can't wait to try the conditioner with my new steamer which is on its way (another item I literally couldn't wait to get because of your reviews!).

So there you have it! Ebony sounds like she's one happy camper. My final assessment of the product is that it's definitely worth trying since KeraPro is modeled after such a superior line. I will continue to purchase Kerastase products since I now have a taste for it that will never subside...but I am also elated that there's an alternative for times when I run out and can't afford to drop $60.00 plus on a conditioner (it sounds worse when I see it in writing). I'm grateful that KeraPro is available to us and I'm thankful that Ebony was proactive in giving good feedback so we could try it for ourselves.

My MicroMist Salon Experience: Did it live up to my expecations?

2011-11-30T01:05:00.000-08:00

Shortly after I completed the feature on Miss Pink Pearls, I was excited to locate Kerastase products of my own so I conducted a zip code search online for the nearest retail location. The result that popped up was a salon located not too far from me. So of course I made my way over there to see about picking up some items. Being that it was my first time trying this product line, I requested that a stylist come out and walk me through the benefits of each to see which would best suit my hair needs.

While I waited for someone to surface, I visually browsed the inside of this swanky salon. I've seen it many times before but never had the opportunity to view the inside. As I was taking it all in, something immediately caught my eye. It was this weird looking steamer machine situated near the back of the salon. Intrigued, I immediately wanted to take a picture so I can find out more about this mysterious piece of equipment. After my brief consultation, I proceeded with my purchase. The ever observant receptionist noticed my purchase and graciously shared a special offer of a free (steam) treatment if I purchased a shampoo/conditioner combo. You guys know what happened next......

Fast forward a few weeks and I stumbled upon this salon in West Hollywood offering oxygen scalp therapy. My curiosity got the best of me so I immediately located someone who I could interview to learn about this process. While her answers were a bit veiled, what I got from her was that the Oxygen Therapy machine used technology that influenced the quality of the "oxygen." A little confused, I asked the lady, "so is this like a steamer?" A bit reluctant to use layman's terms, she eventually responded "yes."

That night, the first thing I did was research this magnificent steamer. I learned that it was a MicroMist steamer. Now, all of us by now should be familiar with steamers. We've discussed this topic many times on this blog. This steamer, my dears, is unlike all of them we've been exposed to whether via YouTube, hair forums, or whatever. The MicroMist steamer is the Bentley of the steamer world. Here's a brief summary describing it's benefits that you can check out. Basically, it uses ultrasonic technology to emit microscopic water particles that are better able to penetrate the strands. Plus this bad boy has the ability to release cool mist which we know can help seal the cuticle layer after the moisture has been infused. Immediately upon learning more about the MicroMist, I was ready to explore the option of purchasing one.....that is until I came across the price tag of $2,000. Y'all know I can get a little crazy sometimes with the hair related purchases but $2,000 is where I draw the line. Just before the tears of sorrow were about to well up from deep inside, I remembered that I had free treatment coupon from the Prive Salon.

Literally, the next chance I had, I went to book my appt. Part of the reason I agreed to a service at this Euro salon is because:

#1. The MicroMist steamer and

#2. They have an woman of color stylist on staff.

Prior to securing the appointment, I asked to have a face to face discussion with the stylist. I left the salon that day with a huge smile on my face because Marie was the most pleasant, accommodating stylist I ever met in my life. She put me completely at ease and let me know that my desires to keep my hair healthy during this process was her number one priority as well.

The day of my visit, I felt like I was part of the upper echelon. While sitting in the stylist chair, the salon's owner came by to offer clients chilled Mimosa drinks. Never had this experience in a salon before. Is this what it's normally like in these salons?

Another reason why I was excited for the service is because the salon uses Kerastase products, which means that I know the products will be effective and I could save the use of some of the products I have at home. Prior to my deep conditioning Marie broke out a jar of the Nutri-Thermique (which I've raved about). She used ample product on my thick, course hair and she took the time to part my hair in small sections during application while I sipped my Mimosa. What more can a girl ask for?

Then came the moment that I had been waiting for. It was as if cherubs where singing as she wheeled the MicoMist closer to me. The excitement I was feeling was disgustingly obvious. I couldn't wait to get started.

So she started off by loosely pinning my hair up placing the steamer over my hair. Next she secured the velvet cloth so there was no exit point for the steam. Most (I think all) other steamers I've seen have steaming coming from the hood that escapes out during the process. With the MicroMist, all of the steam stayed exactly where it needed to be.

The machine has numerous settings via a touch control panel located on the back of the machine. These settings could be customized according to the condition of the hair.

Ten minutes later, Marie popped back up and removed the hood to observe my hair. I too had a chance to take a look. Unlike when I do traditional steaming, my hair didn't feel hot. This is likely because the machine boil the water to produce steam like traditional steamers. Marie, decided to do an additional 10 minutes just to make sure my thick, textured hair could receive the full benefits. When she finally removed the steamer a second time, my first observation was how puffy my hair was. If was like each strand was swollen by the steam absorption. Instead of hanging downwards, it grew upwards. I take that as a good sign. Also, sometimes my hair drips when after my traditional steam treatment. This time, no sign of dripping. All the moisture was trapped in the strand. It was fabulous.

Marie then began the painstaking process of blow drying and flat ironing my hair. Mind you, my last relaxed was August and my hair has plenty o' texture in it from my use of mild relaxers. I think roller setting may have saved some time but she opted to use a different method. I was terrified of having my wet hair blow dried with a round brush. It was pretty bad when I had it done on dry hair at the Dominican Salon. I could only imagine how damaging doing it on wet hair would be. After voicing my concerns, Marie immediately switched to using a flat brush. Her blow dry technique was surprisingly gentle. The blow dryer was at a very comfortable temperature. No steam arose during the process. Marie was even gracious enough to provide tips on how I could get my hair straighter at home.

When each section was done, she began to flat iron my hair. Being the awesome stylist she is, she applied a small amount of Kerastase Fibre Architecte to each section prior to flat ironing and she showed me the temperature setting of the iron which was below 400 degrees. I think I actually love her.
When the service was completed, I skipped over to the receptionist desk like a school girl and paid for the experience. Then Marie and I walked over to a neighboring restaurant to order take out. While waiting for our orders, a customer complimented Marie on my hair as I walked to the restroom. The end result appeared similar to when I would go to the Dominican Salon but there were some notable differences.

First, my hair had a natural shine to it that was incredibly obvious. Secondly, it was baby soft to the touch and felt nourished and moisturized. I don't know if it was the steamer, the Kerastase products, or (most likely) the combination. But whatever it is, I liked it! My only concern is that I generally don't enjoy my hair being bone straight. But in this case I'll make an exception because it felt so incredibly healthy. My schedule prevented me from taking pics right away so I apologize to all of you for not fulfilling my duty to post fresh from the salon pics as any decent blogger would do. I believe these was taken a week after my salon experience and my hair still felt incredibly soft. As of today, I'm nearing two weeks and even still my hair is perfectly straight and my hair feels really nice.

I still wish I had my own MicroMist that I could have to use weekly. The salon experience, while great, is still more manipulation and heat that I use on a normal basis. Although I'm extremely grateful to have found Marie, I know getting my hair blow dried wet on a weekly basis will create long term results that don't align with my hair goals. I'm seriously contemplating setting up an account where I can draft a small amount of money on a regular basis so that one day, I'll have my MicroMist money sitting there waiting for me. Or perhaps, I will stumble upon a salon that is selling their equipment online due to closing or upgrading and buy the MicroMist at a fraction of the cost.

A girl can dream can't she?

Black Friday promotion: Enjoy 20% off Gleau!

2011-11-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

I'm very thankful to everyone who has supported both the blog and Gleau Hair Care. As a token of my gratitude to you, I'd like to announce the first every Gleau discount promotion since inception. From November 25th-December 3rd, enjoy a generous 20% discount off your total order. All you need to do is enter Gleau20 when you check out!

For those of you who've always wanted to try Gleau, now here's your chance!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Kelly Rowland, Will Smith and my daily habits

2011-11-17T05:05:00.000-08:00

This past week, I've been really present to something that I'd like to share with you today. As you may or may not know, I'm currently focusing on my fitness routine with the intention of bringing my old body back. For most of my life, I lived under the assumption that when a person enjoyed beautiful skin, a toned body, or gorgeous hair, they were naturally gifted with these fabulous results. Little did I know how wrong I was in this way of thinking.

It all became real for me when I read the fitness routine of a Victoria's Secret model prior to her runway appearance. She worked out 2 times a day for hours and went on a liquid diet a week or two before the actual event. Although her workout and diet was a little extreme, I learned that actual work was put into achieving the result she desired. My guess is that this model was a naturally thin person in general, so exercising and shifting her eating habits is a way of taking her fitness results to the next level.

Take a look at this quick video featuring Kelly Rowland.

Hideous looking wig aside, how many of us have looked at Kelly Rowland's tone figure in a bikini and thought to ourselves "I wish I looked like that." Since Kelly was a teen, she's always been on the slim side. Why would Kelly Rowland need to do 200 sit ups each night? If I looked like Kelly Rowland, would I ever do a sit up? (Could I even look like Kelly Rowland without ever doing a sit up)
Another amazing attribute of Kelly's is her gorgeous, flawless skin. I will never forget a Destiny's Child special I watched many years ago featuring the behind the scenes lives of the all-star girl group. Honestly, I can't remember hardly any of it except for one scene where Kelly was in a spa receiving a treatment. While sitting in the chair, she went on and on about how much she loves getting pampered and receiving skin treatments. Once again I ask myself, if my skin looked like Kelly's, would I feel the need to get skin treatments? One might say to themself, "she's got gorgeous skin, she doesn't need to get skin/spa treatments", but now I wonder, if her perfect skin is the result of how well she's taken care of herself for years.

Yesterday, I spent a few moments watching skin care regimen videos on YouTube. I chose which videos I would watch by selecting the thumbnail pics of the most flawless faces. Secretly, I hoped those glowing faced ladies would say something like "I don't really do much to my face, this comes naturally." Reason why I hoped to hear them say this is because it would give me an excuse to say "oh well, I wasn't born with perfect skin like her so I might as well accept my results." But instead, I listened to intricate daily and weekly regimens geared toward creating perfectly healthy skin and suddenly I was faced with the grim reality of how my inaction has lead to the results that I now experience.

Seriously, this week has been so clear to me how little effort I've been putting into getting what I say I want. It's like I think either it will happen naturally or it wasn't meant to be. Now I realize that I've been horribly mistaken. For me this reality is most obvious in the area of my physical maintenance but I could also see where this type of thinking also applies to any and every area of my life. Will Smith is likely the most highest paid African-American actor in the U.S. One could look at his acting career from the Fresh Prince days and think, "wow, he got a big break with Independence Day, he's one lucky guy." But that thinking is completely inaccurate. That man has a work ethic like you wouldn't believe.

He created his success.

So, I'm now in the creation business. One by one, I'm reviewing the goals/results I say I want and I ask myself "do I think this will magically appear for me or am I willing to put in the work to get there?" As I searched the web for inspiration, one commonality that emerged was that most folks had a daily action they took to get their results. I don't even do 200 sit ups a week, imagine how different my abs would be if I did them nightly? One thing I won't kid myself about is the fact that mastery of anything takes time. Doing anything for a couple of weeks won't create the results I want. Time is required achieve the level of mastery. It has to become a part of my life.

Even in my hair care routine I can do better. Sure, I'm willing to invest in quality products and I'm constantly tweaking my weekly deep conditioning routine to take it to the next level but I don't have a strong daily regimen to support my overall hair goals. What am I doing every day to get what I want?

More thought and planning will go into this and when I create/perfect my optimal daily hair regimen, I will certainly share.

Nutrients. Yet another way to take your deep conditioning to another level

2011-11-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago, while on a Kerastase run in L.A, I stopped the Lounge on Wilshire, a hair salon specializing in the care and treatment of healthy hair. Time constraints, combined with their ultra tight booking schedule prohibited me from securing an appointment. Fortunately for me, they we generous enough to share with me some of their wonderful techniques for creating beautiful hair.

One of the unique treatments they offer are the hair conditioning smoothies fortified with amazing ingredients made specifically to promote beautiful hair. When I checked out the vast selection of "boosters" available for the hair smoothies, I was truly inspired and I wanted to see how I could take this experience and apply to my personal routine. What really got me excited was how nutrients could be added to conditioners directly for the purpose of feeding the follicles. At first I questioned whether simply adding nutrients topically is enough to truly nourish the strand. Then I got to thinking about how permeable the strand is. In high humidity conditions, our hair absorbs water particles in the air. When we add honey, eggs, a vitamin e capsules, an avocado, etc, to our conditioner, our hair responds. Why wouldn't my hair respond to amino acids, spirulina, or other powdered nutrients?

So I immediately got to thinking about the Brewer's Yeast I picked up not too long ago at Vitamin Shoppe. Brewer's Yeast is amazing because it's jam packed with loads of amino acids. On one site I visited, they stated that lackluster, dry hair could be an indicator that the amino acid amounts in the hair may have diminished. That was all I needed to hear to start my experiment. I wanted to create a conditioner "smoothie" of my own. So I skipped over to my kitchen and picked out my jar of Brewer's Yeast along with some green "Super Food" powder I had sitting in the fridge. Minutes later I was scooping out a heaping spoon of Yeast to mix into my conditioner. I used much less of the green powder than the yeast just because I wasn't sure if it would make my hair smell weird or whatever.

The brewers yeast and green powder mixed in quite easily. I didn't use a professional mixer so the final product did have a grainy appearance. As I applied the conditioner, section by section, I couldn't feel the yeast and green powder. So although the mixture looked grainy, it actually felt smooth to the touch.

Not sure what happened but this was the first time in a long time that I only used half of my conditioner mix. Every week I always use the same plastic container to mix my conditioner. I always fill the bowl up to the same level with conditioner (and I use all of it). Sometimes I even run out and have to get more conditioner, but I've never only used half the batch. Each section felt so moisturized that I didn't feel the need to continue adding conditioner to my hair. It just felt like overkill.

Then I steamed for the first time in a couple of months then jumped in the shower to rinse. For some reason I decided to skip the wash with WEN, so after rinsing I proceeded directly to the roller set. Unsure if the amino acids would act as a protein, I opted out of using Kerastase Ciment Thermique this time. While roller setting I noticed that there were less of those small pieces of broken hair that I sometimes tend to get. Perhaps the steam treatment, or the fact that I refreshed my shower filter had something to do with it. Either way, I knew something great happened the moment I started my conditioner application.

Honestly, I don't know if adding these powerful nutrients to my conditioner is making any difference in the strength of my hair but I like how great my hair feels. This will definitely be a treat that will be a part of my regimen from now on. In fact, I plan on adding fresh wheat grass juice to my conditioner in the near future. The possibilities are endless.

My search for an Ultra-Moisturizing Deep Conditioner is finally over!

2011-10-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

Ya'll remember the feature I did with Pink Pearls? Well I couldn't help but to notice that pretty much her entire regimen consisted of Kerastase products. After posting the feature, my curiosity got the best of me and I immediately went on the hunt for at least one product from the Kerastase line just to see what all the commotion is about.

I visited a local high-end salon and asked the stylist to help me identify which product would best work for me. She recommended products from the relax line but I insisted that I wanted an intense moisturizing conditioner over anything else. In the end, I left the salon with this:

The Nutri-Thermique is an ultra-moisturizing, heat activated, deep conditioner. At only 6.8 fl oz, I didn't get much product for the $40.00 I invested. This was especially concerning for me because I'm quite possibly the most heavy handed person I know. Especially when it comes to deep conditioner. I've been known to use an entire bottle of cheapie conditioner in one pre-poo session.

Now that I've had three opportunities to use this product, I must say that this is THEE most moisturizing deep conditioner I own. It's even more powerful than my Aveda Dry Remedy line which fell way below my expectations. The Nutri-Thermique has become an instant staple for me. The product itself is thick like any self-respecting deep conditioner but what makes it special is how it instantly transforms to a watery-moisturizer the moment it touches the strand. My hair feels damp with just a tiny amount. Because it's so powerful, I actually use much less product than expected. I apply small amounts of it to individual sections then overlap it with one of my other "moisturizing" conditioners.

Because my experience was so great, I decided to go back for more by experimenting with other Kerastase products. So far, I've picked up the Voile Nuit, a night time treatment that I absolutely adore! It's a restoring water-based moisturizer spray containing natural oils and ceramides. I'm in love with how fine the mist is. Even when I run out of this product, I'll use the bottle to house my Biolage Leave in tonic. Or maybe even my ACV/H2O blend..... Oh, and did I mention how much I love the Viole Nuit?

I also swooped up the Nutritive Sublimateur Jour as a daily leave in moisturizer and the Ciment Thermique which is a heat activated reconstructor (also contains ceramides). I apply the Ciment to my hair during the rollerset since it's heat activated and sitting under the hair dryer is the only time I really use any heat. Most recently, I purchased Aqua-Oleum vials. I dunno but something about a hair product in vials makes it irresistible to me. The reviews on this product were highly positive so I figured I would give it a go! The sales rep at the Beauty Store where I purchased the Aqua-Oleum also gave me a nifty sprayer attachment that fits perfectly on the vial. This sprayer is worth its weight in gold 'cause I can also use it to top my Biolage Cera Repair Pro vials. Once again, the sprayer gives this ultra-fine mist that I really appreciate. Although I've amassed quite a stash of Kerastase products, I'm still on the hunt for one more item, the Oleo-Fusion. Once I get my hands on it, I will slow down I promise (two fingers crossed behind my back).

When I started writing this post, I was in the beginning of my weekly wash process. Now I've finally completed the roller set take down and I am memorized by my hair. My last relaxer was in August and usually, by this time, my hair would be fighting me every day. Right now you wouldn't believe how soft it feels and how healthy my hair looks. Even hubby came in and said "nice hair" before walking out of the room. If I got his seal of approval, I know something magical had to happen. Yeah for Kerastase!

In these pics,I did a pre-shampoo deep condition with Nutri-Thermique using heat, then washed with WEN. I used the Ciment prior to roller setting then misted individual damp sections with the Aqua-Oleum. Once dry, I rubbed a little Sublimatuer leave-in and Gleau Nourishing Argan oil blend for extra shine and softness.

Let the Games Begin! Wanna play?

2011-10-22T03:44:00.001-07:00

This post is a little off topic but I want to share something with you. Several weeks ago when these images of Melyssa Ford surfaced on the net, my reaction was no different than anyone else's. Her body is spectacular. That goes without saying. Even when I clicked out of the web page displaying those pics, several thoughts continued to run through my mind.

My thoughts went beyond just what has happening in those pictures at that moment. I pondered on how amazing Melyssa felt about herself because of her level of fitness and the body that was a result of it. Think about it, every time she puts on clothes, or takes them off, she's probably holding a positive internal conversation with herself. How do I know? Simply because all of us are constantly holding internal conversations whereby we make comments, good or bad, about what we are experiencing at the moment or what we experienced in the past or what we think we might experience in the future. I reckon, that her internal talk about her body is empowering. And by creating those empowering conversations, she produces positive emotions, which, in turn, help her take inspiring actions.

Then I got to thinking about myself and my lady gut. I flashed back to how I felt the other night when my husband started rubbing it in his sleep as if he were rubbing a lucky buddha. Memories of back in the day, when he used to give me props for my abs flooded my mind. That's when I decided at that my belly has to go. No more excuses. Next came the million dollar question. How?

I've decided to make a game of it. Remember as children when we would craft games out of thin air and our vast imaginations? Games relieved us of boredom and brought excitement to our day. Games made our lives fun. Let me tell you more about this new game I created.

The object of the game: To create a flat stomach, toned legs, thighs and arms.
My winning strategy: Engage in physical activity daily, adjust eating habits, improve digestion.

The Rules:

No less than 15 minutes of daily exercise in the morning. Otherwise, no shower.
An apple a day. 1.5 liters of H20 daily.
Transverse abdominal exercises.

Strengths:

My membership to 24 Hour Fitness.
There's a large park near my neighborhood.
Access to hotel gyms while traveling.

Weaknesses:

My travel schedule which makes difficult to plan meals, exercise regularly and promotes unhealthy eating.
Work related dinners with co-workers occurring after a long day's work.

On the weekend of December 3rd, 2011. My husband and I are planning to head down to Miami for a mini-vacay. I have every intention of having won the game by then. The last thing I want to do is walk around South Beach feeling down about myself. Not when I have a choice. And I do have a choice.
I can already see it now. The warm, low humidity air feeling divine on my skin as I stand in the Miami sun. For the first time in months, I feel spectacular. Maybe my body doesn't look exactly like Melyssa's but I feel as good a she did when on that faithful day when the above pictures were taken. By making a game out of it, I essentially change my outlook on creating my new body. In the past, I viewed making these changes as something difficult and unpleasant. Now that it's a game. I plan to have fun and I plan to win.

#winning

Mizani D'Tangle Leave-In Milk Giveaway!

2011-10-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Who's ready for another giveaway?! I know I am. I've somehow amassed a small arsenal of products from my own giveaway winnings, companies sending me products as gifts, etc. I figured that instead of being a hair product glutton, I would share generously of my bounty. This round I'm featuring a moisturizing leave-in detangler from Mizani's professional line.

Although I haven't yet tried this product, I picked it as a giveaway item because I remember how disgustingly painful it can be to have to deal with stubborn tangles. So let's cover the rules of the give away shall we?

Follow the blog!
Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com titled "Detangle Giveaway"
Say a silent prayer for me that I will reach my hair length goals.
Rub the belly of your puppy three times counter-clockwise while saying "detangle, detangle, detangle!"
Ok, you don't have to do the last two but make sure to follow and send your email to enter!

p.s. This giveaway open to U.S. residents.

Winner will be announced via email on November 6, 2011. Good luck everyone!

***Update***
Congrats to Tiffany, the randomly selected winner of the Giveaway!

"Help! I had cut my hair from mid-back to shoulder length"

2011-10-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

I received a very interesting email the other day from a reader who was seeking help regarding her predicament. She recently cut her hair back from mid-back to neck length due to breakage (for the second time). The writer also mentioned that she deep conditioned regularly, doesn't use too much heat and stretches up to 16 weeks. Sounds like she's doing everything right, so what could be contributing to her breakage?

She and I are still in communication so I don't have all the information needed to help her figure out a root cause yet but her email really made me think. I too have dealt with major set backs that required mini chops. On several occasions I found myself with large sections of hair suffering greatly after reaching decent lengths. How could this happen?

Looking back, I've come to find out that most of it was my fault. In my case, it was my behaviors that lead to the loss of my progress. This revelation was one that didn't come easily. I had to really step back and analyze each and every action (and inaction) related to my hair in order to understand what was happening. My setbacks had nothing to do with the products I used (or needed).

I'll stop sounding all theoretical now and give you some real examples of what I'm actually talking about from my own experience.

Scenario 1:

"One side healthy, the other side damaged"

I was roller setting as usual admiring how thick and even each section of hair I parted. Even as I ran the small toothed comb down the lengths, there was no sign of breakage. I was in heaven. That is until I completed the right side of my hair and moved to the left. All of the sudden, I was dealing with weak, uneven hair so fragile that broken strands appeared with even the slightest touch. "What the?!".... "How did I create such damage to one side of my hair?"

That's when I sat back and silently replayed all my actions over until I could find a cause. Turns out that I my own routine created this. I'm left handed so I naturally feel comfortable using my left hand to take care of the right side of my hair. The right side received all of the care when I applied conditioner and the right side was the first side I set with rollers. By the time I got to the left side of my hair, the right hand was in charge and my patience had run out. With one side of my hair, I was thorough, meticulous and effective. The other side, I was negligent.

Scenerio 2

"What's going on back there?"

Another struggle that I've had to deal with was regarding the back of my hair. After applying consistent focus to bringing health back to the damaged section, I began to see tremendous progress to my left side. Soon, that part of my hair was no longer an issue for me. That's when I noticed the back section of my hair. Turns out that I was neglecting that area of my hair. Why? Because I am one those people that tends to wear her hair over her shoulders. The hair I see when I look in the mirror receives all of my attention. Over time, the back of my hair didn't get as much love as the rest of my strands and so of course eventually, damage began to appear.

I can also share scenarios for thinning hair, breaking ends, and so forth. What's important to focus on is the how we address the issue. It's important that we remain committed to identifying the root cause, and not simply search out products as a cure-all. Sure I could have shelled out money and got more products, but if my behaviors remained the same, progress wouldn't have been made.

The key to effectively overcoming setbacks (especially those ones that show up out of no where) is to analyze our actions. Really take a look at yourself and what you do with regards to your hair. I believe that every action produces a result. Some of those results are immediate, some long-term. Breakage and damage is a result of our past actions. So understanding and identifying those actions is critical.

So take a moment today and think about what you do that could be contributing to any set backs or current issues. If nothing comes to mind then try this exercise again when you are actively engaged in doing your hair. Take notice of everything from how you are feeling at the moment, to how much time you invest, to the techniques you are using. If you are truly present to this experience, you will learn from it and your hair will benefit.

Are you doing these three things each time you deep condition?

2011-10-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

At the ripe age of 10 or 11 years old, I kindly informed my mother that her duties as my hair stylist would come to an end and I would be "caring" (using the term very loosely) for my hair going forward. Fast forward to my high school years and soon my mother no longer held the responsibility of performing my relaxer touch ups. I'll be honest with you and let you know that I struggled mightily with self relaxing. My coarse, resistant hair was not at all impressed with my methods. Often, after an application, my hair looked like I hadn't even done anything to it.

My mom, who saw how I was struggling at times, decided to observe my process and offer some feedback. She gave me two pieces of advice that completely changed my results from that day forward. My momma told me, "apply more product to each section" and "make sure you're smoothing the product into the hair." By adding more relaxer and taking time to thoroughly smooth the product into the hair, I was able to achieve more desirable results. I'm grateful to my mom for those two pieces of advice because now I've begun to utilize those tips in my deep conditioning experience. Think about it, when we apply a relaxer (which is a pretty harsh chemical process), not only do we part our hair in tiny sections, we saturate our new growth with it and we manually "work" it into our hair to make sure the chemical process is working even more deeply to produce desired results. Why do this with a chemical that breaks down the hair and not apply a similar process with conditioners meant to help rebuild the hair?

So what I'm committed to doing, each deep condition session, is to make sure there's enough product to saturate my strands (root to tip) and that I'm massaging the product into the strands for deeper penetration. I have no proof that by massaging, the ingredients in the conditioner are going deeper into the cuticle but I figure there's something about the act of massaging (smoothing) that enables product to work more deeply. Think about it, sports cremes are able to impact the muscle deep beneath the surface simply through the act of massage. Even when I just applied more relaxer during the touch up, my hair still didn't straighten as well as when I applied more product AND smoothed it in.

I'm using the terms "massage" and "smooth" interchangeably in this post. Technically, I think it's a mix of the two. It's not massaging in the traditional way where we use our fingertips to massage our scalp. It's more about working the product in, not moving the hair around. When I smoothed my relaxer in, I would use the back of the rat tail comb to apply pressure to the new growth. With my conditioner, I use my hands to apply some pressure to the conditioner coated strands. I sorta press my hair between my hands. And I do it with each section. So I apply, massage, and move to the next area. Then when I'm all done, I do more smoothing to my entire head. Add heat to this process and you've got a recipe for well conditioned hair. As a matter of fact, I think that instead of just sitting under the dryer passively, I may try massaging my hair to help further penetrate the conditioner as the cuticle layer is opened by the warm air.

The hair strand is highly permeable. I base this on how easily it is able to absorb water from the air and how permanently its structure changes under the pressures of a chemical relaxer. Both humidity in the air and the highly acid nature of the relaxer evoke the cuticle layer to open up like a budding flower. Once open, the inner workings of the hair shaft is highly susceptible to whatever penetrates it. This is exactly why I believe it's important to apply enough product to make an impact to the hair structure, not just to cuticle layer. Adding heat to this equation only helps further promote that deep level of conditioning we so desire. The act of massaging the product into the hair acts as the cherry that sits on top of the proverbial healthy hair milkshake also known as deep conditioning.

And so that is what I learned about deep conditioning from my mama.

Thanks ma....

What wheatgrass juice will do for my skin and hair

2011-10-11T03:47:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to share a video I recorded recently about my wheatgrass juicer experience. For so long I've wanted to have the ability to juice fresh wheatgrass from the comfort of my own home. For a while I tried to maintain the habit of taking a shot of wheatgrass daily but the cost of a shot and the distance I have to drive to get it, got old after a while and my habit stopped.

So I did the next best thing. I went out and got my very own machine. At the cost of around $45.00, this machine equals around two weeks of store bought wheat grass shots (minus the gas needed to get there). I purchase my fresh cut wheatgrass from Whole Foods. Instead of growing the grass, I prefer the store bought bags. I find that the grass lasts pretty well if I keep it in the fridge.

I talk more about it in the video, but what really attracted me to juicing grass are the benefits to my skin and (of course) my hair. Filled with amino acids, vitamins, nutrients, live enzymes and chlorophyll, wheatgrass juice is a powerhouse of nutrition. I've always talked about how liquid nutrition is optimal because it goes straight to the blood stream. The molecular structure of wheatgrass and our blood are very similar. To me this means that our bodies are able to assimilate the wheatgrass nutrients immediately.

Personally, I want to see how long-term consumption of wheatgrass will impact my skin, grey hairs, and overall energy levels. From scouring the internet, I learned that fresh wheatgrass juice can also be applied directly to the hair and scalp. Apparently, it's really beneficial to the scalp. I may even mix a couple of drops into my facial clay mask. I'm excited about the possibilities.

Healthy Relaxed Hair Feature: How does she get such perfect hair?

2011-10-06T02:51:00.000-07:00

I'm ecstatic right now to have the honor of featuring "Pink Pearls", a member of Long Hair Care Forum, on the blog. After glancing at her luscious locks, I knew I had to learn more about what goes into creating a healthy head of hair such as this.......

Lucky for us, she was gracious enough to share all of the details of her hair care routine. So without further adieu, here are your questions answered about Pink's perfect hair.

What is your current length and hair texture?
"I am currently at waist length. It seems my hair has multiple textues: it's coily in some areas and wavy in others. My hair is thick and requires a combination of moisture and smoothing products."

How long did it take to get to your current length?
"With the exception of the time I cut my hair to ear length, it's always been bra strap length or longer. It probably to 2 years to grow from mid back length to waist length. I've never focused on growing my hair any length, just maintain healthy hair. My husband would always use my bra strap as a guide and cut above it. However, once I started trimming less, air drying, stretching and eating healthy, my hair grew more."

Are you relaxed or texlaxed? How often do you touch up, which relaxer do you use? For years I visited the salon. Every 6-8 weeks I would get a touch up until my husband and I were relocated overseas and he volunteered to help with my touch ups. Now I touch up 2-3 times a year with Affirm Sensitive Scalp. I started using Affirm at the recommendation of my cousin who is a salon owner. He suggested using Affirm because it's a great relaxer designed for sensitive scalps. I usually stretch for 5 to 6 month. Currently I am 5 months post.

Tell us about your daily and weekly regimen.
"I've always had a simple regimen.
Daily
In the morning: I use a small amount of coconut oil mixed with avacado oil a few times a week. If my hair is dry, I use Kerastase Sublimateur Jour followed by the oil mix.
Nightly
If my hair is dry, I use Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Nuit, folled by the oil mix. I also massage my scalp a few times a week with the oil mix.
Weekly:
I usually shampoo weekly. I pre-poo overnight with coconut oil, shampoo with Kerastase Dermo-Calmor, Kerastase Bain, Nutri-thermique, deep condition with Kerastase Oleo Relas Slim and Kerastase Masque Nutri-thermique using heat. I also use a mix of apple cider vinegar and spring water as a final rinse. I incorporated the ACV into my regimen after moving to an area here the water is hard. The ACV also leaves my hair smooth and aids in detangling. I mix 3 tablespoons of ACV with 2 cups of Spring Water in a bowl and pour in the mix on my hair. This is my final rinse after deep conditioning. I leave the rinse in my hair and apply my leave-ins. For my leave-ins, I use Kerastase Oleo Relax Slim, Kerastase Nectar Thermique and Kerastase Oleo Relax Serum. I air dry in two ponytails and flat iron or 2-ponytail rollerset or braid out. I apply my leave-ins to wet (not dripping) hair while in the shower.

For my heat protectants, I use Chi Silk Infusion and Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide. In my opinion, the Redken offers more heat protection and the Chi gives my hair a silky, smooth feel. I also use protein and clarify as needed. "

How do you wear your hair throughout the week?
"When I'm home or working out, I wear a loose bun or clipped up with a flexi8. When I'm out I wear my hair down or in a ponytail. Twice a week, at night, I curl my ends with medium size satin covered rollers and cover with a silk scarf. Other nights I sleep with a loose bun and a silk scarf. If I'm wearing a braid-out, I re-braid nightly."

Do you use direct heat? If so, how often?
"Yes I use heat, In fact, I usually experience more dryness and shedding when I wear heat-free styles. I usually alternate between heat styling with braid-out and bantu knot-outs. I try to limit the sue of heat styling by air drying. I flat iron on 300 degrees with my Cloud Nine wide iron using the chase method."

How do you maintain moisture levels and manage breakage?
"Most of the moisture in my hair comes from my diet: drinking lots of water and eating foods containing water. I also use products with moisture and use silk scarves and sleep caps. In the past, I used a hair steamer, which was great at adding moisture. The first time I experienced breakage was recently after my husband and I were relocated to Australia. Since my arrival in June, I've been battling extreme dryness and some breakage. Nothing seemed to work until I tried Kerastase Oleo fusion and a black tea rinse. The Oleo fusion has made my hair soft and mosturized. The black tea risne stopped the breakage. I also have few products from the Kerastase resistance line and will incorporate into my regimen when needed."

Do you do anything internally, such as diet, vitamins, etc, to promote healthy hair?
"Definitely! I love healthy foods, especially Asian food. I eat salmon twice a week, a variety of beans, nuts, fruit and vegetables: kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts, bok choy, kiwi, dragon fruit, and many others. A few months ago, I purchased a large bobble and that has helped me incorporate more water into my diet. Normally, I fill-up my large bobble three times a day which is roughly 102 ounces of water. I drink green tea and take a multivitamin. I try to eliminate the white stuff: sugar, salt, and flour. However, good chocolate is my downfall."

Winter is around the corner, are you doing anything to prepare your hair for the colder weather?
"Winter has come and gone! The winter season in Australia is June-August. When I arrive in June it was the beginning of winter. It seemed like immediately my hair and scalp became dry. I had to add a second shampoo to my regimen, Kerastase Dermo-Calm to help with dry scalp. I also started using coconut oil as a pre-poo and daily nourishment for my hair."

You're stuck on a desert island and you can only have 3 hair related items with you. What would they be and why?
"Oh geez, only 3. Well, I would definitely need coconut oil. It softens my hair and conditions my scalp. Kerastase Oleo Fusion is another one I would need. It leaves my hair silky smooth for weeks. I would also need my seamless combs. When I'm past 8 weeks post, I use a combination of 4 combs to detangle and smooth. The 4 Comb Smooth method involves using multiple combs to detangle and smooth your hair as if you were roller setting. It use this method because the longer I stretch, the thicker my hair becomes. It involves using an extra wide too comb, a wide tooth comb, a medium tooth comb and a fine tooth comb. Depending on the density of your hair, you may only need two or three combs to achieve smooth, detangled hair. "

Some random stranger offers you $1million dollars to help her create healthy hair just like yours within a specific period of time, how would you do it?
"I would begin with making sure they were eating right: getting adequate protein, water, fruit and veggies. This step is not an overnight fix, but eventually eating right will aid in healthy hair. Next I would like at the condition o the hair and scalp. Does the hair have split ends and in need of a trim or cut, is it lacking moisture or protein, is the scalp unhealthy, etc? I would also develop a regimen and make product suggestions based on the hair texture and condition. I would inquire about their hair practices: are they protecting the hair at night, using excessive heat, wearing hair styles that add stress to the hair, improper detangling? And I would evaluate the condition of the hair tools and make recommendations."

Anything else you'd like to add as a word of encouragement or any other hair care tips you'd like to share?
"Don't get discouraged and don't jump on every bandwagon. When you discover what works for you, stick with it! Begin with a simple regimen, selecting products based on your hair texture (porosity, densit, etc). Make a list of products that worked and those that didn't work. Doing this allows you to look at the ingredients in those products that didn't work and avoid them when making future purchases. Most importantly, be patient and allow your regimen to work."

I'm grateful for Pink's sharing. From her feedback, I was reminded of how important it is to start with a great relaxer. I also noticed how she uses quality products in her regimen. I've never tried Kerastase's products before but now she has me intrigued. Her comment about the ACV rinse reminded me of how important it is to do this step every wash day. I vow to be more consistent. Pre-pooing overnight is so beneficial to the hair. No wonder her locks look so healthy. Pink is one of those people who can use heat effectively in her regimen. I can tell from her sharing that she doesn't take any risks when using heat. Lots of heat protectant and a low temp on her flat iron help her avoid heat damage.

Did you notice how Pink's first area of focus, if offered $1million dollars, would be on the wealthy stranger's diet and eating habits? It's the foundation to healthy hair and I'm certain her diet of leafy greens, omega filled seafood, and lots of water are a key component to having a head of hair like hers.

Liquid Keratin Giveaway!

2011-09-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

It's time again for giving. This time I'm really excited to share Liquid Keratin's Filling Leave-In. I stumbled upon this product at the hair show and I was so excited that I bought an extra one just for you!

The giveaway is open to U.S and international contestants. I'll notify the winner via email once that person is selected. The giveaway will be selected on October 15, 2011.

All you have to do to enter is:

Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com titled: Keratin Giveaway
Follow the blog.

Simple as that. Oh, and I will also include a sample of Gleau for who ever wins as an added bonus.

p.s. I've gotten a ton of products either sent to me, or I've won them in giveaways and such. Since I'm downsizing my stuff, I will be doing more frequent giveaways in the upcoming months. Be on the lookout.

Loose Leaf or Tea Bags: How will you get your bamboo silica fix?

2011-09-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to announce that both the loose leaf bamboo tea and the bamboo tea bags are now available. My thanks to you who've tried the tea and shared your feedback about how much you are enjoying the tea. It's got such a wonderful, light and pleasant taste that even those who aren't into herbal teas have quickly become fans.

The moment I stumbled upon this wonderful find I knew I had stock up. I'm just so pleased to have the opportunity to share this amazing treat with each and every one of you. My thanks goes out to the grower of the bamboo leaves who graciously offered to give me special pricing so I can offer the tea at an unbeatable cost.

I've heard from many of you who shared how you are benefiting from the addition of silica into your diet/regimen. Silica supplements are great but they can get a little expensive. Since I now have access to bamboo leaves (which have a higher silica content than horsetail), I can stretch my silica budget much further. Although silica is marketed as a beauty or hair, skin and nails supplement, it's really powerful at impacting our overall health including our joints, bones, organs, etc.

Since having access to bamboo tea, I no longer have the desire to splurge on Figi water for the purpose of increasing my silica intake. All I do is steep a little tea and I'm good. I've been traveling alot lately so I pack a couple tea bags in my purse, pour a little hot water into a cup and I'm good to go. After I've finished my cup of tea, I re-steep the bag and start all over again. Plus, because the tea isn't bitter, I take it straight with no sugar or honey.

What's most amazing about this offer is how fortunate we are to have access to this tea. For those of you who've been searching, you know this tea is not readily available at your local health food store. It's sort of a rare find that I'm fortunate to experience. So now you have a choice, do you prefer tea leaves or loose leaf? Check out the bamboo leaf page to get your silica fix.

Cleaning out my product closet: My way of achieving waist length hair

2011-09-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

It all started when I decided to do a quick protein treatment one day via Aphogee's 2 Minute Reconstructor. I rarely do protein treatments but since I recently touched up my hair, I figured now would be a great time to break out my bottle. So there I am standing in front of my hair product closet scanning the contents over and over again in search of the Aphogee. Nothing. I move a few bottles around, take some and put on the floor for easier viewing, and still I can't find it. Weary from looking, I decide to move on with another protein heavy conditioner that I'm able to easily locate. I know that I haven't ran out of my Aphogee. Which makes this experience that much more frustrating. It's in there buried among years worth of collected hair products stemming from various crazes and numerous product junky relapses. Fed up with the collosal mess I've created, I decided to take an action to clear out this massive clutter disguising itself as my hair product closet.

For a while now, whenever I visited the closet on wash day, I would stand there staring at it blankly as my eyes glazed over. After several moments I'd collect various products into my arms not knowing if there was another, more appropriate, product I should be using that was lurking just behind my 1 liter bottle of conditioner.

I'm a strong believer that if one wants results they've never experienced before, they must take an action (or a series of actions) that signify the belief and desire to get there. I call this "building the ark." When Noah was told that a flood would appear and he began to act on it years before the rains came down. When I wanted to land a job where I could work from home, I decided to create a home office space to symbolize my strong intentions to work from home. That, coupled with other actions, led me to realizing this intention. For me this idea of "building the ark" could also apply to my goal of reaching waist length. Waist length hair is a lofty goal for a constant manipulator like myself. And if I continue to maintain the same habits I have today, waist length may elude me or take much longer than it would otherwise. So I wanted to take an action to signify my desire for longer lengths. My hair product closet was in disarray. Could this chaos also be leaking into my hair regimen and routine?

So I went to work, pulling out years worth of products and laying them on the floor before me. Then I grouped them in order by their similarities. Oils were together in one area, conditioners in another, shampoos in another. When I pulled everything out, wouldn't you know it, my Aphogee 2 minute reconstructer was lurking in the background waiting to be discovered once again. I also found some "oldie but goodies" like my Biolage Cera Repair Pro, my pH strips, and various leave-in products that I haven't used in quite a while.

(The picture below doesn't show all the products I owned at the time of the closet cleaning).

In the end, I threw away numerous bottles of product, both full and empty, that I knew I'd never use again. My end in mind was to create space so I could organize what I would keep. An organized closet gives off a different kind of energy than an over-cluttered, disorganized one. That energy will translate to good feelings for me. Every time I stood in front of my overstuffed closet, I would zone out. Now, when I open the closet, I feel good. I am now present when I'm standing there and I'm making better choices of which products I'll be using. By organizing my closet, and throwing out unproductive hair products, I'm creating a butterfly effect that will hopefully lead to a series of events leading to waist length length tresses.

Since writing this post, I've stumbled on a couple sites that talk of the minimalist lifestyle. I love the idea of everything in my home having a purpose. This way of living is so contrary to who I've been in the past. I'm one of those people who buys 3 of something if I like it. The result of such actions is a plethora of stuff. Don't get me wrong, with the exception of my hair product closet, my house doesn't look like an episode of hoarders, but I would love to deplete my belongs to really owning things that I know I will use.

Test

Video: Bronner Brother's Hair Show 2011.

2011-09-18T06:27:00.001-07:00

From Kinky/Course to Silky/Smooth: Must see pics of Liquid Keratin treatment results

2011-09-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

While at the Bronner Brothers hair show, I came across a booth that immediately gained my interest for several reasons. First off, this booth was quite busy as they had a crowd of fans surrounding them. It took me a little maneuvering to get close enough to see what was going on.

Once I got close enough, I realized this vendor as the folks who created Liquid Keratin. I thought to myself, "how could I have missed this booth when I walked by here several times the day before?" It probably had something to do with the crowd of potential customers who created a barrier keeping the booth concealed.
After a few moments the crowd subsided and I realized what all the commotion was about. Liquid Keratin's hair models were all sporting a half curly/kinky look and a half straight style. They had a mix of relaxed and natural ladies showing of their "half-do's" but there was one model who was the draw of all the attention. This young lady had beautiful, very thick, course type 4 hair that felt someone dry to the touch (and believed me, I touched it). Her other half, on the other hand, was silky, shiny, and soft.
She stood there patiently as random strangers repeated molested her hair. I was probably the worst of all offenders. I would run my fingers through her straighted hair, then touch the natural side, then run my fingers again through the straightened hair, then back to the natural side. I'd also step away and carry on a brief conversation with one of the other models. Soon thereafter, I was behind this model again, staring at her hair, amazed at the wonderful contrast and touching again as if it was the first time. I also had the opportunity to speak with David, the guy who created the product line. He shared with me the story of how Liquid Keratin came into existence. It was after his wive went for a keratin treatment, years ago, that she started having concerns with the potential health issues related to an ingredient found in most keratin treatments at the time, formaldehyde. Soon thereafter, they sought to create their own product which could produce the same amazing results but without the health risk. Plus they wanted to make this treatment available to consumers who wanted to do this at home. After years of testing and formulation, Liquid Keratin was born. My conversation with David was really engaging. This guys passion for healthy hair was undeniable. He talked fervently about all the years of testing to make absolutely sure his products were safe for "even his little girl to use." I admired him for his intensity. He also mentioned that a Professional Line of Liquid Keratin products would be available soon at the salons. My conversation with David influenced me to take a closer look at his products. I've seen Liquid Keratin at the stores before but had yet to try them. So I figured now is my chance since I sitting here talking to the founder. I don't do much blow drying and flat ironing so the straightening product wasn't as attractive to me. What caught my attention, however, was the Liquid Keratin Filling Leave-In. That's why I bought two of them. I love the idea of rubbing a leave-in on dry or damp hair that contains one of the building blocks of healthy hair, keratin. Although my hair doesn't do so well with using too much protein, for some reason, keratin products always seemed to work well for me. I bought two of them, not because I am greedy (which I kind am when it comes to great products) but because I would love for one of you to win one. Yes that's right, I'm giving one away to one of you. Stay tuned for details.

How a pumice stone reminded me of what I need to do to keep my hair healthy.

2011-09-12T03:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I treated myself to a pedicure. In the past, I tended to reserve pedicures for special occasions or once or twice a year. But ever since my gas station experience, one of the commitments I made to myself was to take pride in my appearance. So there I am sitting in the chair, enjoying my experience, when all of the sudden, I realized something. The women sitting in the chairs next to me were all getting their feet "shaved" with a pedicure razor. First off, let me tell you that I've always hated having that razor used on me. My biggest fear was that my pedicurist would inadvertently shave live skin and thus cause massive hemorrhaging. So you can image how elated I was when I realized that my pedicurist had skipped this step. Did she forget? No. The reason I was spared this horrible experience was because there was no need for it. Same goes for my previous pedicure months earlier at a different salon. How could a woman who barely gets her feet done not have to require the use of this specialized tool? The answer to this question is the key to everything.....

It all started nearly a year ago when I stumbled upon a video from youtube user yasjencon aka "yepantherone". In it she describes how regular maintenance keeps us from having to use more extreme measures to get the results we want. She shared a great tip of keeping a pumice stone in the shower so I could scrub every say while in the shower. I immediately took action and moved my stone from my pedicure kit to my shower. Scrubbing my heals in the shower has been a consistent habit since that day and, because of this, I can avoid the unwanted result of having my feet shaved.

I'd like to expand this wonderful learning to other areas in my life. There are so many habits I want to develop but, to be honest, sometimes I'm a little disheartened because of my past cycles of being motivated, starting something new, then stopping. This habit, however, has stayed consistently with me for over a year. When I look to the success achieved in the "pumice stone experience." Here's why I think this method worked for me:

I set myself up for success by moving the stone (my tool) to a place where it was likely to get more use. Since I wasn't really doing at home pedicures consistently, it made no sense that I would use the stone consistently. On the other hand, I take showers daily so if the stone was in my shower, I automatically increase the chances of me using it daily by 100%.
The act of scrubbing my feet daily was not associated with a final result so I didn't loose motivation from not seeing a result. I was scrubbing my feet with the stone for the sake of scrubbing my feet with the stone. There was no goal attached that could demotivate me. Because I wasn't attached to an outcome, it became much easier to continue the habit.
In the beginning, the act of scrubbing my feet daily was a conscious decision. Soon, the process became more of a subconscious act. It never fails, whenever I'm near the end of my shower, I always reach for my pumice stone, without even thinking about it. It became part of my shower ritual.

How do I take the lessons I learned from this and apply to a toner body, beautiful skin, and healthier hair? What are the actions that I can take daily (or every few days), that will lead to the creation of healthier hair? One thing I can do is continue whatever actions I take whenever I have a setback. For example, whenever I notice an area suffering from breakage, I take my sweet time in applying product, whether it be moisturizer or conditioner, to very small sections of my hair. On the other hand, when my hair looks and feels healthy, I start to get a little lazy and apply product to larger sections. This shouldn't be. I don't stop using the pumice stone just because my feet seem to look better. I continue my habit daily no matter the appearance of my feet.

I'm really inspired when I think of the possibilities of taking small, daily actions that allow me to reach my goals. There's so much more I could do daily with regards to moisturizing, massaging my scalp or nurturing my follicles with proper nutrition. Small daily, consistent, actions will create the results I want by next touch up (and going forward).

Video: Creating a smooth sleek look & Protecting your hair during a workout by Johnny Wright

2011-09-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

While attending the BB Hair Show, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar taught by Johnny Wright. He is best known for creating the beautiful, healthy looks on First Lady Michelle Obama! As Johnny shared his story, he told the audience that he's been doing hair since he was a child. By the time he turned 16, he secured an assistant to help manage his ever growing clientele. At the session, he had the stylists in the room mesmerized as he shared how he was able to gain celebrity stylist status. During the question and answer session, most asked about how to increase clients and network with celebrities. I wanted to ask about tips on keeping the hair healthy. Unfortunately I didn't get to ask him any healthy hair tips. The good news is that he has great informational some videos online with some nifty hair tips that I'd like to share with you today. Before you watch the vids, keep in mind that he brought in some hair models during the talk to demonstrate his work. Their hair looked incredibly healthy! This first video is on how to creak a smooth sleek look. I learned a good tip from watching this vid that I can't wait to try.

I never thought to use a comb or brush for tension as I flat iron. I think this tip will help in two ways:
1. The tension will help promote a straighter result which means less passes with the iron.
Less passes=Less heat=Less Damage.
2. The tension provided by the comb may allow for straightening on a lower heat setting than if used without the comb.
Lower heat setting=Less Heat Damage.
The only thing I have to make sure I'm extra careful to use a suitable comb that can glide through the hair without promoting breakage. Did you guys notice the comb she used strarting at 51 seconds into the video? If anyone knows where I can get one of those, plelase leave a comment with the details.

In the next video, Johnny shares tips on how to maintain your hairstyle before and after your workout

I really like the tip of adding a heat protectant to the hair line. It's a new idea to me but it makes sense. When Johnny talked about how our sweat contains salt, I thought about how whenever I first used the steam room at my gym, the salt levels in my sweat were so high they would sting my eyes. But after continuous use, the sweat would no longer have the same level of saltiness. A theory I have is that the less salty my sweat was, the better my hair is able to maintain after a workout. If you don't have access to a steam room, perhaps another option would be to drink lots of water as Johnny suggested in the video. Sweat is one method of detoxing the body, urination is another. The more water you take in, the clearer your urine. This could mean less toxins in your sweat because you're constantly flushing yourself out. Hopefully this will translate to a "purer" sweat that won't be as drying to the hair. Again, it's just a theory so who knows.....

Bronner Brothers: Hair Show Competition

2011-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

What would a hair show be without the infamous Battle of the Hair Styles? Today I'd like to share with you some snapshots taken of some pretty incredible and creative hair art displayed at the recent Bronner Brother's Show. As you view the pictures, remember that the creations you see before you are unique because they are made with synthetic hair.

Notice the hair-fringed shoes....

My favorite of all the entries. This style represented a butterfly. When the announcer asked the audience if any of them wished to see any of the contestants more closely, everyone shouted out "the butterfly!" As she stood up for the audience, the crowd rushed to her to get a closer look.
These pictures do no justice to how mesmorizing this look was in person. I could not take my eyes off of her. She was spectacular.
She just stood there serene and still while we were in awe of how detailed and original the final presentation looked. Although I didn't stick around to find out, I'm sure this look won the final competition.

Bronner Brothers Hair Show: Natural

2011-08-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

While taking some pics at the Bronner Brothers Hair show, I caught some beautiful images of women with natural hair. I hope you enjoying viewing these pics as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Recently released rapper, Da Brat, rocked some cornrow braids and a curly faux hawk.

She makes her own jewelry.

It took all of the energy within me not to run my fingers through this woman's hair as she walked past me.

Just gorgeous.....

This woman stood in front of me in line as I waited for passes into the show. I couldn't keep my eyes off her locks. They were beautiful. Check out her feathered false eyelashes.

Bronner Brothers Hair Show: COLOR

2011-08-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Continuing with my photo journal of the event. Below are some snap shots I took of some of the most colorful hair styles I observed while casually people watching. Color was definitely a theme in this year's hair show.

Stay tuned for more pics including natural hair, celebrities, shoes, and some of the most creative styles entered into the hair competition.

Bronner Brothers Hair Show 2011

2011-08-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Bronner Brothers hair show in Atlanta. Since it was my first time attending, I didn't know what to expect. Overall, I would describe the experience as " visually stimulating." If you're a people watcher like I am, you're going to love my upcoming posts. So join me as I present my photo diary of the Bronner Brothers hair show 2011.

After arriving on day one, I walked the expo floor where the vendors were located. They were mostly selling weaves, feathered "Basketball Wives" type earrings, styling tools and such. Since none of that really interested me, I decided to take a step back from all of the festivities, break out my camera, and capture the moments...

There's plenty more where that came from. I also shot some video as well so hopefully I can edit and get that posted on the youtube page. I can't wait to share the show with you from my perspective.

Bamboo Leaf Tea Giveaway!

2011-08-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

I received lots of great feedback from readers who were interested in a Bamboo Tea Giveaway after reading my first post on the hair benefits of bamboo. I've really been enjoying this tea and I know you will too. So I've opened the giveaway up to two lucky winners.

So here's how to enter:

Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com and title it "bamboo tea."
Let me know if you prefer loose leaf or tea bags.
Follow the blog :)

By the way, the grower of these bamboo plants said she could work with me to make it available for purchase at a special rate for Relaxed Hair Health readers. Would you guys be interested?UPDATED TO ADD: Bamboo Tea is now available at a really great price. Check out this link to find out more!

Living my life like it's Golden!

2011-08-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

The other day a thought came to me suddenly while I was pumping gas. There I was doing something that was routine and mundane when all of the sudden, some young guy pulls up in his flashy car with music blaring. I observed him from my pump and as I watched him complete his transaction I thought to myself, "this guy is probably in his 20's and I'm sure he's living his life like he wants." Would I do anything different if I were able to go back to my early 20's?"

The answer to that question is YES! There are quite a few things I would do differently. I'm not one who likes to dwell in the past so I immediately turned the question into my present experience and asked myself. "When I'm in my 40's & 50's, is there anything about my life now that I would have wished I'd done differently?"

Once again the answer to that question is YES! So immediately I began to rattle off a list of things that I have total control over that I would have wished I done if I looked back 10-15 years from now. We only have 1 life to live and it would be a shame to live under our fullest potential. Especially if we have a choice not to. With that said, I thought I'd share some of these "do differently" things with you all. I'm gonna pretend that it's 15 years into the future and I'm looking back to my life as it is today. What would I wish I had done?

Looking back I would wish that I took more pride in my appearance. I'm sure that as the signs of aging begin to show I will look back at the days when my face was wrinkle free and would have regretted not taking better care of it.
I would wish that I was more diligent in my work out regimen and focused on creating more muscle tone.
I would have regretted not spending more time with my friends and family.
I'd wonder why I wasn't obsessed with growing my business.
I would kick myself for continuing to trade hours for dollars.
I would go back in time and operate with a fearless attitude.
I'd wonder why I didn't make the effort to make sure my hair looked beautiful every day.
If I could go back, I'd be more creative with my fashion choices.
I'd wished I bought by dream car.
I'd be purposeful in not living the same day twice.
I would wish I traveled much, much more.
I would be punishing myself for not expressing more creativity in my daily life.
I would have wished that I prayed and meditated daily.
I would kick myself for spending so much time mindlessly surfing the internet.
I'd wonder why I haven't given more to others.

The list would go on. This is a huge wake up call for me. I could be doing so much more. I don't want any regrets 10 years from now so I'm committed to doing what I can to make some of these things a reality for me. Talking about it is only half the battle. Now I'm ready to put some of these wishes into real action. I learned from one of my co-workers that whenever there is a list of things to tackle, I should look for "levers." Levers are things that I can do that make an impact on several other things on my list. Glancing back over my list of "should haves" I would say that levers include having a fearless attitude and creating passive income steams. This will allow me more time to travel, spend time with my family, become more creative, give more, etc.

Now that I've thought this out. I can now create my next set of goals. I believe that this is the first step to something big. I have a choice in how I want my life to be and I chose to live without regrets. I know what I need to do and I know what my focus should be. There's a clarity that I'm feeling that I haven't had in a while. I will continue to ask myself this question of what would I regret doing (or not doing) 5 or 10 years from now. This will help me keep my priorities in order and keep me focused on living the life I want to live. So now the work begins. Most gurus who tell you about achieving your goals will ask you to start with your why. I've had my why's in the past but somehow I feel like it wasn't strong enough to compel me into consistent action. Knowing that I could possibly regret the choices I am making today is a strong enough WHY to get me into real action.

I know that this entry is a bit off-topic but I felt some strongly about this revelation that I felt I had to share. My intention is that the levers I pull are powerful enough to also make a great impact on this blog as well.

Take a moment to identify you'd do differently in your life if you were looking back. It's not too late to make a difference. Now's the time! No regrets.

A simple recipe for easier scalp massages!

2011-08-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

While experimenting with various scalp massage techniques, I stumbled upon an idea that was born out of frustration. Lately, I've really enjoyed massaging with plant and eucalyptus oil. It's been very therapeutic for my scalp. My only concern was that I found it a little annoying to pour a little coconut oil on my hand, a few drops of eucalyptus on my fingertips and apply. The whole thing seemed a too labor intensive for me.

So I created a compromise where I combined the two ingredients and created a eucalyptus scalp balm.

What I appreciate about coconut oil is it's ability to solidify under certain temperatures. To me, this is the reason why coconut oil makes for a great base. I start off by pouring coconut oil in a container. I then add some eucalyptus oil to the mix ( I don't measure). As a liquid, there is no separation between the coconut oil and essential oil. This leads me to believe the two ingredients are mixed together fairly well. Sometimes I swirl the jar around just to make sure they are one. After the eucalyptus oil and coconut are combined in a container, I place in the fridge until the coconut oil becomes solid. Once firm, both ingredients are combined completely and mixed evenly.

Once solid, I test how well mixed my eucalyptus-coco blend is by sticking my finger into the mix and giving it a try. With each sample I try from the blend, I can smell the eucalyptus oil. I take this as confirmation that, in one motion, I'm able to apply both coconut oil and essential oil to my scalp. I chose to use a solid form of oil because it stays on my finger tips which makes it easier for me to apply to the specific areas of my scalp and exactly where I want it. While on my finger tips, I may give balm a little rub between my fingers to soften slightly prior to application.

This method has been working out for me very well so I thought I'd share. It's simple, quick and takes care of a need. The convenience of it all makes me more likely to massage my scalp more frequently. Maybe someone else could benefit from this simple technique.

Five things I can do to better retain length (other than protective styling)

2011-08-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

As my humble little hair journey continues, I find my focus slowly shifting from creating moisture, dealing with tangles, stopping breakage, etc. Right now I feel pretty good about the overall health of my hair. Now, I'd like to use my brain power to identify ways to improve retention. This wouldn't be such a big deal if I were disciplined about protective styling.

But since protective styling isn't my thing, I'm forced to think of alternate ways to create admirable lengths.

I'd like to document some ideas on what I can do to help promote retention overall but before I do, I must first identify the most beneficial aspects of protective styling to see if I can experience the benefits without having to constantly bun. Protective styling is so impactful for retention because it allows for these key benefits:

-Moisture retention

-Low manipulation

-Ends protection

With that said, here are some of the things I commit to doing to help in my overall retention strategy.

Trim - The other day, I invested in a fancy pair of left-handed hair cutting scissors at Sally's. Why? Because even though I don't like to do it, I am absolutely certain about the benefits of a much needed trim. Whenever I experience too much breakage (especially in my ends), I do a very small trim. Usually, this simple act can help curb my breakage almost instantly. Those who protect their hair on a constant basis don't have to deal much with weak split ends. By trimming, I'm eliminating the weak ends and giving my hair a chance to thrive.

Moisture-Protective stylers are constantly basking their hair in consistent moisture. I've baggied before and the results were quite amazing. It's no wonder that the women who do it are able to easily retain their length. The way I'm addressing this issue is to fight dryness as much as I can (and as frequently as I can). I do this by using a liquid leave-in concoction on a daily basis. Right after I use this moisture mist, I apply Gleau oil blend voila. Before, if my hair felt a little dry, I would let it slide a little before taking any action. Now I'm fully aware that dryness is the enemy of retention. As long as I am able to successfully manage my hair's moisture levels, I can rest assured that I'm doing the right thing to retain length.

Manipulation- Bunning, braiding, or wearing weaves not only protect the hair against the elements, it also protects us against ourselves. I'll be the first one to admit that frequent manipulation is the number one reason why I haven't retained more length than I could have. I realized that I've used my hair as a comforting tool. When I'm bored or stressed, I tend to play with my hair. Over time, all that constant fondling is robbing my hair of possible length. One of the ways I've tried to remedy this is to use scalp massage as a stress reliever as opposed to playing with the length. I think knowing what I do to contribute to my lack of retention is the first step. Once I'm aware, that's when I can start to make great progress.

Growth-Knowing that I'm at an automatic disadvantage with regards to retaining length, I've placed my focus more of promoting strong, healthy new growth. Scalp massages, juicing, silica all help promote growth. My intention is to grow more hair than I lose. That way, even if I haven't been doing well in the other areas, I'm still can make progress.

Do something different-Not too long ago, I was reading a book about doing one thing differently to get different results. The whole premise of the book was about how things change for us when we do even the slightest thing in a different way. There's always a different way to do something. For example, if I always comb my hair the same way every morning, then perhaps I could try:

Using a different comb
Combing with fingers
Spraying comb with hair sheen to help minimize friction
Moisturizing hair before combing
Using flexirods to style hair so I don't need to comb

The list goes on. The point is that if I continue to do the same things, I will continue to get the same results. When I try something different, I ~~can~~ will impact how my hair looks/feels in the future. Even small tweaks in how we do things will make a difference. So today I decided to keep a satin scarf handy near my lounging couch. Whenever I decide to lay down, I'll place the satin over the pillows as a way of protecting my hair. Something small, but I know it will make an impact.

I'd love to hear ideas on what you do to retain length. Feel free to share on our discussion page.

Dark and Lovely Model Search online casting call!

2011-07-30T02:35:00.000-07:00

I received quite a number of responses when I posted the media alert from the Pantene Model search. Unfortunately, that search was a live casting call in New Orleans which meant that many of you interested weren't able to enter.

Well here's your chance to submit your online entry to SoftSheen-Carson's Next Dark and Lovely Fashionista. The contest ends August 8. For those of you who dismiss entering the contest, think back to the feature I did on Najah who simply submitted her picture online for a similar model search and was selected!

Prizes for this contest include:

1rst Place: A trip to NYC for two, a $5,000 dollar shopping spree, a hair makeover by Softsheen stylists and an ad in Essence Magazine.

Five 2nd Place winners will receive $1,000 gift card and new Dark and Lovely products.

Twenty-five 3rd place winners will receive a Dark and Lovely gift pack.

***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***

SoftSheen-Carson® & ESSENCE Magazine Landed in Atlanta To Search for the NEXT Dark and Lovely Fashionista

Special Guest Panelists: Bria Murphy (Dark and Lovely Brand Ambassador), Johnny Wright (Celebrity Hairstylist and SoftSheen-Carson Artistic Director), and Kandi Burruss (Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter & Reality TV Star of Atlanta Housewives)

WHAT: Once again, SoftSheen-Carson® Dark and Lovely® partnered with ESSENCE magazine to search for their next Dark and Lovely Fashionista. The Dark and Lovely Fashionista Model Search started off with a live casting event hosted by Dark and Lovely’s very own Brand Ambassador Bria Murphy and followed with a lively panel discussion. The winner of the 2011 Dark and Lovely Fashionista Model Search will win a trip for two to New York City, as well as a hair makeover by SoftSheen-Carson’s Artistic Director and Celebrity Hairstylist Johnny Wright, plus a $5,000 shopping spree with Celebrity Stylist Carlton Jones.

The live casting call also included an exciting and amusing panel discussion covering the hottest topics on beauty and fashion. Panelists included: Bria Murphy (Dark and Lovely Brand Ambassador), Johnny Wright (SoftSheen-Carson Artistic Style Director and Celebrity Hairstylist to First Lady Michelle Obama), Corynne Corbett (ESSENCE, Beauty Director), Carlton Jones (Celebrity Stylist), and Kandi Burruss (Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter). The participating contestants spoke with our panelists, had their photo taken on site and were asked to express to the panelists Why they are Dark and Lovely?

The contest began May 24, 2011 and ends on August 8, 2011.

Ready to enter? Please visit their website for details

Bamboo Tea! Yet another way to get your silica fix.

2011-07-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

A couple weekends ago, hubby and I were enjoying a leisurely walk downtown. Just as we were completing our rounds, we noticed that several vendor's were setting up a local farmer's market. My interest was immediately peaked as to what possible gem I could find among these local retailers.

We strolled between booths showcasing hand crafted jewelry, home made aprons, specialty pet goodies, etc. Then I saw it, the bamboo booth. It was this humble little stand where a woman and her daughter were offering bamboo plants for sale. We've been looking for bamboo plants forever so we immediately made a beeline to see what the cost of the plants were. The three of us engaged in conversation about how to care for bamboo plants, the cost, and so forth. Then as my husband and the vendor start chatting, her daughter (who was probably 5 years old), comes to me and says this, "my mom drinks a lot of bamboo tea and it made her hair grow." All of the sudden I was brought back to my silica post. You may remember me stating that bamboo is one of the richest sources of silica occurring naturally. In fact, bamboo is a much more potent source of silica than horsetail.

Before the little girl said anything I to me, was only focused on the the plants. I didn't even pay attention to the tea they had available for sale. How did the little girl know that I was a certified hair lush? How did she know.....

Either way, I'm glad she said that cause my very next move was to buy a bag of tea leaves. She even had some tea fresh brewed tea available for consumption. We bought two cups of tea, a bag of leaves and we were on our way.

Bamboo tea is surprisingly light and easy to drink. It's made from the leaves of various bamboo plants. Served chilled, it's a great "summer" tea because of it's light taste. I normally don't sweeten my tea so at times I've had to endure bitterness associated with other teas I've tried. Bamboo tea, to me, has absolutely no bitterness whatsoever. Because of this, I know I'll be consuming tons of this in the days to come.

Because it's a loose tea, I have to employ my little handy dandy loose leaf tea pot. The process is pretty simple, I add the loose leaves to the pot, pour in the hot water and let rest take care of itself. I can usually steep the leaves several times, meaning once I've finished drinking what's in the pot, I just refill with hot water and start the process over.

Along with the rich supply of silica, bamboo tea leaf also contains dietary fiber. It's caffeine free unlike some of the other teas on the market. Plus add the fact that bamboo is a source of antioxidants. All in all, I would say this is a beverage of choice for anyone who is looking to support their skin and hair health. By the way, I just want to say that I've only suffered 2 breakouts since I've taking silica. In the past, I was always battling acne. Now, it's a rare occurrence, it once was the norm for me.

If you aren't into the whole "tea" thing, you can still opt to get your dose of bamboo silica in pill form. To be honest with you, bamboo tea leaves aren't as readily available for purchase as green or other more common leaves. You might be able to find bamboo shoots in a can in the ethnic food section of our local grocer. Either way, I think bamboo is a cost effective way to add silica into your regimen.

Would you guys be interested in a bamboo tea giveaway? Leave a comment below or post in the discussion section of the blog.

My ayruveda hair oil massage experience

2011-07-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

I celebrated a birthday recently by getting special treat for myself that I've wanted ever since I saw an Indian scalp massage youtube video over 2 years ago. You must be sick and tired of reading post after post after post on scalp massages by now but I'm just so intrigued by the possible benefits that I can't stop talking about them.

The massage treatment I received yesterday was an ayruveda massage. Which means that it involves traditional medicinal practices native to India. Prior to my session, I was asked to complete a questionnaire that had some really bizarre questions where I was asked to select one of three options to describe various aspects of my self. Based on these responses, she would identify my dosha. Once determined, she then created a special blend of herbs that aligned most with my body's needs based on the answers I provided.

Next she gave me a brief overview of the massage process and then we began. I laid flat on a massage table/bed face up. She covered my eyes with warm, damp wash cloths and talked me through a guided breathing exercise to help bring on relaxation. Soon after I began to feel the sensation of hot oil being poured to my hairline. The oil was really warm, almost to the point of being uncomfortable. I could tell by the number of times I felt the warm oil, that quite a bit of it was being used. The oil, by the way, was a blend of coconut, sesame, essential oils, turmeric and several other indian herbs.

Prior to the massage I engaged in several coaching conversations with the woman (both over the phone and in person) instructing her on how not to handle my hair during the process. My biggest concern, of course, was around tangling and breakage from over manipulation. Because of this she was really gentle with my hair during the process. I even gave her feedback after the massage that she could use a little more pressure next time. Once the massage was over I was given a towel to wipe off the excess oil from my neck and shoulders. I did as instructed and used the cloth to absorb excess oil from my hair also. Once I got up and looked at the mirror, I saw that my hair was laden with oil. I couldn't believe how saturated it was. My next move was to put in a bun. But no matter how much oil I tried to soak up with the towel, there was more.

We had a brief wrap up conversation at the front desk before I was on my way. I did have a day of shopping planned but that was sunk because I had to back and wash the oil out. I put a plastic cap over my hair to keep the excess oil away from my clothing and to prevent oil from slowly dripping down my neck. Moments before I stepped into the shower, my dogs start barking because a package is left at my door. I bring it in, open it up and smile from ear to ear. Lo and behold, the folks from Heutiful send me a hair steamer for review and it happens to get here on my birthday, seconds before I wash my hair. It's like the stars were aligned or something. I thanked God for a perfect birthday gift and immediately prepared to steam my hair. The full review for the Heutiful steamer will come later. I washed and roller set and styled as usual.

Looking back at the experience, I don't regret it. I'm sure my hair has benefited from deep hot oil treatment it received. The experience got me thinking on how I could replicate and create modified version of the massage. For one thing, she over saturated my hair way to much. Even after the wash, my hair was still slightly oily. Perhaps if I came in with extremely damaged, dry hair, that amount of oil would beneficial. The practitioner told me I experienced no breakage during the process and I examined the floor after the massage was over to validate her claims. Not a single strand was on the floor believe it or not. Overall I enjoyed the massage but I think the oil/herb mixture (while beneficial) was a bit of an overkill based on the amount of oil she used. Fast forward the video to the 50 second mark to get an idea of my experience. During my treatment, less oil was used. It didn't pour continuously like seen in the video. She applied the oil a little at a time manually.

So here's what I'm thinking. "What if I were to pull the benefits of this process and try to create a modified version to do at home?" Next wash day, when I do my dry deep conditioning, I'll seal in the deep conditioner with a layer of warm oil then proceed to sit under the dryer or steam. I bet that will be amazing! As far as the massage is concerned, I'll still continue to massage my scalp several times a week, then set aside a 20-30 minute chunk of time on the weekend to conduct a full massage session. If I do it myself, I know how much pressure I can apply and I definitely won't have to worry about over manipulation or tangles since I know how to handle my hair. I don't regret getting the massage, in fact I learned from the experience. The best part about it was when she told me that my dandruff wasn't that bad, thanks to the eucalyptus/coconut oil combination that I've massaged my scalp with for the past several weeks.

'Till next time!"

Morning by Morning Part 3: Loaded Oatmeal

2011-07-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

Part 3 of my "Morning by Morning" series features a breakfast that I absolutely love. I call it my loaded oatmeal. Because this mix has so many ingredients, I had to strategize a bit on how to consolidate some of them into one container. So I decided to manage my powders by placing them in a dispensing unit. When I saw this cake sprinkles shaker at the store I knew it would be perfect.

After taking it apart I realized that I would be able to store up to four different types of powdered products into one easy to use container.

First I added chia seeds into the mix. These little guys are packed with loads of nutrition such as omega 3s & 6, protein, fiber, calcium, potassium and more.

I also added some powdered fiber to the dispenser since I happen to have some available. This fiber mix tastes slightly sweet so it also helps to sweeten my oatmeal.

Along with the fiber I also included some powdered probiotics as well.

And viola! I still have one section open. I think I may try storing a green powder blend as well. This little shaker sames me tons of time when I'm preparing my oatmeal. Here you can see a pic of the finished product. There's my chia seeds next to macca root powder.

Now that I got that out of the way, I move on to my other ingredients. I put everything in this oatmeal including coconut oil, flax seed oil (tasteless), black strap molassess (iron), sliced almonds (vitamin e).

I start off by adding chia seed to the hot water. Chia expands in water so I put it in first to absorb what it needs to before I add the oatmeal. If I add the chia seeds last, they won't have enough time to soften.

Next I add the oatmeal, macca root powder, fiber/probiotics, oils, and almonds. I also put in a little black strap molasses which drastically changes the color of my loaded oatmeal while adding a nice taste to the mix.

Finally, I may add some dehydrated goji berries to the mix. They start to re-hydrate a little as the mix stand.

I usually don't eat this right away. I allow all the ingredients to get to know each other a little first. When I eat this mix, most of the individual components are undetectable. I was really worried about the macca root powder since it has such a distinct taste. In my loaded oatmeal, I can't taste the difference. Which makes this a great way to add any ingredients that I'm not keen on but I know will give me great benefits.

This meal is probably the most nutritious that I ever created. It's such wonderful a collaboration of healthy ingredients and essential nutrients. Plus, because of it's high fiber content, I'm pretty much full for most of the day when I eat this one bowl. A co-worker of mine saw me eating this blend every morning and was really curious. I told her everything I put in there and she kinda made a slight face. A week later, she told me she started eating oatmeal in the mornings for breakfast. If you are inspired by this post but can't get down with all the wacky ingredients, no worries. Just start with a simple bowl of oatmeal and add extra fruit or nuts. Maybe it's not oatmeal at all. Prior to my loaded oatmeal, I was adding almonds and chia seeds to my favorite cereal. What I love about this mix is how great I feel about what I was able to accomplish first thing in the morning. Even if I have a fast food dinner, I know that my body received an amazing dose of nutrition at the start of the day. I'm still on the lookout for other ingredients to add to my loaded oatmeal so if you have any suggestions, please share.

Morning by Morning Part 2: Protein Beauty Tonic

2011-07-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

I'm continuing a series of 3 posts where I share some healthy options that I have implemented in the mornings to kick off my mornings. Often, it can be difficult to find nutritious meals during the day. Especially for those of us who eat 1 or 2 meals a day outside the home. Most of what is available to us isn't all that exceptional (nutritionally speaking). The truth is, if I were to say to myself, 'I want to have a meal that is packed with vitamins and antioxidents", I'd have to think long and hard before I came up with any viable options. That's why I chose to try and get a healthy meal in before I leave for the day.

Today, I'm sharing with you one of my favorite options. I buy a protein shake that already comes packed with lots of nutrients (according to the back label). But I figured, you can't get enough of a good thing so why not take it to the next level.

I start by opening the bottle and adding my own special ingredients. First, I mix a little flax seed oil into the drink. I love this because (unlike fish oils) flax seed has barely any taste at all! Plus it seems to be an ultra lite oil. After I mix in the flax seed, I shake up the bottle and there's no evidence of the oil. No separation, no oily taste, nothing. It's like I never even put any in there. Meanwhile, my drink is now chock full of omega 3 oils that my hair skin and nails will love.

Next I add my secret recipe for creating an ultra-powerful beauty tonic. You guys may already know about my affiliation with silica after learning about it's powerful benefits to our bodies. I purchased in gel form because I knew that I'd be more consistent mixing the silica in a liquid rather than taking the pill itself. When mixed in water, liquid silica tastes something like gritty chalk. When mixed in my protein shake, silica has no taste. The two make a perfect combination.

I'm one of those people that like everything spicy, even my drinks! Cayenne pepper is the third ingrediant I add to my tonic. Increased circulation is the name of the game and I want the protein, omega 3s and silica circulating all throughout my body as quickly as possible. That's why I always add ample cayenne. Unlike in my lemon water tonic the cayenne is a little less spicy when I add to this drink because the sugar content counter acts the capsaicin a bit. Plus it gives my drink a little bite and I like that....

These protein shakes come in a pack of four so I usually prepare all four at one time for the week. Sometimes I drink one daily, other times I have more than one in a day and there are times when I skip a day or even a week. There are no rules in this game we play, it's all about focusing on our progress. Can you ladies just imagine how beneficial a drink with vitamins, omega 3, and silica is to our health and beauty? I get all excited just thinking about it. As I said earlier, there are no rules so if you become inspired to create your own tonic feel free to experiment with what works for you. If constantly buying the pre-packaged protein shakes gets a bit too pricey, I switch up and substitute with almond milk which is loaded with vitamin e and other amazing awesomeness. If I get the almond milk, I just use my own bottle and add healthy booster just as I would normally.

I can't wait to share my part 3 of this series when I present the healthiest breakfast option I've created to date. Stay tuned....

Morning by Morning Pt 1: Envirgorating Lemon water tonic

2011-07-07T06:10:00.000-07:00

I'm always trying to improve in the area of healthy eating. This desire better my eating habits comes from my love of salty, fried items. I have thing for french fries, fried fish, chips, etc. I've been really focused on balancing my unhealthy ways with better eating choices. A few years ago I decided eliminate chicken and read meat from my diet. You guys are already aware that I recently started juicing in the mornings. But there are times when juicing isn't practical in the mornings because of lack of time or if I don't have fresh veggies on hand. So I've come up with some alternative routines that I can follow that are still very healthy in their own right.

Today, I will share with you my lemon water morning routine. Some of you may have heard of this method before. Basically, on an empty stomach, I pour some room temperature spring water in a glass. When the water is room temperature, the body is better able to assimilate it.

Next I take a lemon and squeeze it into the water. Basically I make a simple lemonade with a bit of a twist.

You might be asking yourself, "what is with all that speckled stuff in the water?" That, my friends, is cayenne pepper. I add the cayenne pepper to help promote stimulation which is very beneficial first thing in the morning.

In the past I would sweeten my drink with a little honey or stevia. Now my palette is strong enough to handle this spicy drink without the help of natural sweeteners. So why would someone in their right mind drink a spicy, bitter, drink at room temperature? Because of all the amazing benefits.

First off, although lemons are acidic in nature, lemon water creates an alkaline environment in the body. Being alkaline is imperative if you want to experience optimal health. It's been said that cancer is unable to survive in an alkaline environment. Stress, toxins and a diet high in sweets, meats, dairy, trans fats, fried foods, white flour, etc, can contribute to acidity in the body. When our body becomes acidic, we start feeling symptoms like fatigue, dry skin and numerous other, more serious, side effects. I've tested my acidity levels in the past using pH strips and the times when I felt the worst, my body tested very acidic. On the other hand, there were times where I was living a healthy lifestyle and felt great! It was no surprise that my pH levels were more alkaline when I tested.

For a while I would invest time and money at a health food store that sold alkaline water by the gallon. That method was a little time consuming. I'd have to keep making runs to the health store because the water would decline in pH levels within a couple of days and lose it's potency. This lemon water mix does the job of alkalizing my body but I also receive nutritional benefits from the lemon like vitamin C, B6, copper, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Things get really interesting when I add the cayenne pepper to the mix. I drink cayenne because of the increased circulation benefits. Greater circulation creates improved blood flow and digestion. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, stimulates hair follicles which promotes hair growth. Starting the day off with a stimulating drink is just what the body needs early in the morning. It's been said that the body works while we sleep to detoxify the body. A glass of stimulating lemon water helps support your body's detoxification system by helping the toxins circulate out of the body.

Inspiration: "How I got into the world of hair modeling."

2011-07-02T12:19:00.001-07:00

A few posts ago, I shared a press release where Pantene was holding a casting call for hair models at the Essence Festival. I got a few questions from a couple of you who were interested in getting into the world of hair modeling. Your inquiries reminded of a conversation I had with a real life hair model I met while attending the Curly Nikki meet up event. Just as I was leaving the venue, I asked this beautiful curly haired woman with perfect skin if I could take a picture of her. We chatted a little bit and she shared, during our conversation, that she was a hair model.

My ears perked up when she mentioned hair modeling so I decided to ask her to share a little bit of her story with us in a brief interview:

How did you get interested in Hair Modeling?

Ironically, I didn’t seek out to do hair modeling. I was very fortunate in having the art of hair modeling find me. I was online entering a hair photo contest for Black Hair Media (BHM). A few months later I received a telephone call from the owner stating that I had won the contest and they wanted to take additional photos of me. Members of BHM took a trip from Atlanta to where I reside in Florida for a full fledged photo shoot consisting of approximately 7,000 photos. It was a lot of hard work, especially for an outside shoot during the heat of the day in Florida, But it was lots of fun!

Do you have any previous experience?

I had no prior modeling experience.

Where have your pictures been featured?

My photos have been featured on my personal blog, Knotty Tresses, Black Hair Media & Curly Nikki. More to come in the very near future ....

Do you have any other projects coming up?

Yes, I have something big upcoming in the next month or so. Look out for details on my personal website at knottytresses.com, which is still under construction.

Do you plan on following this new career path? If so, how?

This is not a career path I intend to pursue full time. I am a careered woman with a regular 9-5 that I enjoy very, very much. I perform hair photo shoots sporadically. While I do take it seriously and enjoy every minute of it, it’s something fun to do on the side.

What advice would you give to someone who would like to become a hair model?

Once you’ve become established, try to practice good hair days as much as you can because you never know who you’re going to run into! I have had a few occasions where people have recognized me from my photos, but didn’t know my name. I felt awkward and even somewhat embarrassed when my hair wasn’t looking my absolute best. (Nadege says: "this is excellent advice that I need to follow more often.")

I also recommend you take professional photos and pay the extra cost for editing if needed. Your portfolio is your license to exposure!

You have fabulous skin, can you share your skincare routine?

Funny you should mention that. The photographers and directors seem to appreciate the smoothness of my skin because it requires very little photo editing. (By the way, Najah did her own makeup in these pics. She looks amazing). Sometimes they use my photos for a quick event that may only last 24 hours or so. To put hours of editorial work into photos that are only going to be utilized for a short timeframe can be costly. Taking care of your skin is just as important as taking care of your hair. I use the following three skin products:

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser

Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin

Neutrogena’s Visibly Even Daily Moisture

Do you eat healthy or drink lots of water or take supplements?

Yes, I eat very healthy foods. I absolutely love dark green leafy vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, spinach and especially broccoli. I’ve recently added fruit to my daily diet regime. My favorite spot to eat is Panera Bread. They’ve got all my money! :-) I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I’ve drunk soda. Don’t like it at all! Not the taste, nor the acidic effects it adds to your skin which can sometimes be seen through your pores. I take a very basic over the counter supplement (but not as often as I should). Unfortunately, I have a strong weakness for sweets, which is where I get into trouble! :-/

Your hair is gorgeous, what is your regimen?

In the beginning, I was somewhat of a product junkie--purchasing almost every cutely labeled or good-smelling product on the shelves. Now that I’ve found a hair recipe that works for me, I tend to stay away from over-purchasing products and sticking to what I know works best for me. That said, I use Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner, which also works as a great detangler. I comb/detangle my hair once per week. The other 6 days of the week I just get up and go, or wash ‘n go. I also like Curl & Style Milk and Curl Enhancing Smoothie by Shea Moisture. All the mentioned products are organic and sold at Target.

Thank you Najah, for sharing your experience with us. I'm sure, if lots of us could have our wish, we too would be showing off our gorgeous hair to the world (and get compensated for it). I learned from you that it's important to keep our hair on point 'cause you never know..... I also looked at your list of skin care products and decided to add a few skin tone evening products to my skin care regimen. I also was encouraged by your healthy diet which contributes to that gorgeous glow. Thanks for inspiring us!

photography credits: SMedia, LLC.

"Rubbing my nails together gave me good results": A Relaxed Hair Health Reader Experience

2011-06-29T01:58:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I wrote a post about rubbing the nails together to promote healthy hair. After writing that entry, I was pleasantly surprised to receive several comments from folks who tried this technique and experienced great results. One such experience comes from a reader who contacted me yesterday telling me all about her nail rubbing experience.

Here's what she shared:

"I was reading about the posting you had about rubbing your fingernails together.
I tried it and it really works. My hairstylist who is Cuban told me about it from
a stylist from India that works with her. And I still do it it's like a habit
now lol. She told me that the women from India would rub their finger tips
together to make their hair grow. She also showed me how it was done. From then on I would do it constantly while sitting in the chair getting my hair done at the shampoo bowl, or sitting under the dryer etc. I would massage my scalp afterwards. It just became a habit. I would feel tingling in my finger then going through my arms then my scalp would get tingley then itchy but I would keep doing it 'til I was tired."

During our email exchanges, she mentioned how over the past five months while continuing this practice, she's gotten good results. She was even gracious enough to share some pics of her gorgeous hair.

For those of you hearing about this technique for the first time, the "science" behind the theory of rubbing nails for healthy hair is linked to the art of reflexology where parts of the body are stimulated to active and heal other, specific areas. If you take a look at this diagram, the finger tips are connected with the top of head and brain. Thus, by rubbing the finger tips (nails), you are able to reach and stimulate the head and scalp.

In her book, Hand Reflexology: Key to Perfect Health, Mildred Carter devotes a chapter to stopping hair loss, growing new hair, and prevent grays through the use fo Reflexology. She shared the advice of another famous reflexologist, Dr Joe Shelby Riley, to rub the fingernails together 2-3 times a day for around 5 minutes a session. We can further enchance the experience by being intentional and visualizing the scalp as we rub our nails together. I'd like to thank the reader who reached out and reminded us of this wonderful practice. I myself saw some great results whenever I was consistently rubbing my nails. Perhaps, I can pair this habit this to my scalp massage practice as my reader did to help me remain consistent.

Here are a couple of the comments I received from other believers in this process. They shared their feedback with me when I first posted on this subject:

Anonymous said...
Hi, I have been rubbing my nails for the past 3 months and I have noticed I don't lose as much hair as I used to. I am 27 years old and my hair started thinning after using hair dyes and perming my hair twice when I was younger. But this technique has helped me in just 3 months my hair has stopped falling a lot and my hair looks healthy/shiny compared to before when it was dry and weak. I had lost some of my baby hairs but even that has come back. I realised this after my mother noticed that my hair doesn't look as thin as it did 3 months ago. I have also changed my diet, which means a lot of fruits and veg is involved, I make sure I drink 2 litres of water daily, massage my scalp for 5 minutes with my finger tips everyday and I do yoga everyday. All this is helping internally therefore I feel it's showing on the outside. Do try keep it up as I stopped few years ago and the hair thinning started showing it's ugly face. It's only after I realized how much I want my thick hair back I have kept it up.
Even I wanted quick results, but you have to be patient and keep it up.

December 21, 2010 11:07 AM

Anonymous said...
Hello there,

I've done this for quite a while, but I've always had great hair even when not doing it. I'm 28 and male, from Ireland. My hair was already Jet-black (always has been) but I am starting to see a blue'ish tint to it which I had when I was younger (around 20ish).

When I was younger I needed my hair cut every two weeks and my nails cut every other day because it grew so fast, it's slowed down as I've gotten older but since I've started doing this again (around 3 months ago) the exact same thing is happening, I'm needing to cut my hair at least once a month and my nails twice weekly.

I can't exactly tell you HOW this works, all I can see is that you will NOTICE considerable improvements. Trust me on this.

I rub my nails when I'm on the bus going into work (10-15 minutes) then at night before nodding off to sleep (around 20-25 minutes). I also rub my nails when I am stationary and not using my hands (I've done this since I was a kid)

Would love to hear about a blonde person doing this, and see'ing if their hair gets darker

Marty

October 10, 2010 8:06 AM

Hair One vs WEN! The battle of all battles!

2011-06-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

This is likely the most long awaited post I've ever done. Yes my friends, it's time for the battle of all battles, WEN vs Hair One. Let the games begin!

First, I need to start off by saying that this battle was supposed to take place months ago when I first experienced WEN's Sweet Almond Mint conditioning cleanser. This opponent, however, was quickly disqualified for not meeting minimum qualifications needed to become a serious contender. I think I used it twice, then quickly proceeded to calling customer service for immediate cancellation of the monthly automatic shipping. I really wanted to like this product but it offered nothing for me in the way of moisture. In fact, I haven't used it since I got off the phone with the customer service rep. I may go back and try to soup it up with some oils or something. Either way this was a first round knock-out against Hair One - no competition.

So let's move on to the real battle shall we? It's what you all came here to see. We all know that you guys have a taste for blood and want to watch as these to contenders fight to the ~~death~~ finish.

"Ding!" "Ding!" "Ding!"

Price
In this corner we have Hair One coming in at only $11.00! Plus because it is sold at Sally's, you can easily take advantage of random sales and discount offers which can further lower the price. Another strength of Hair One is how readily available it is compared to it's contender. At first I could only find it at Sally's, now I have a choice of heading to my local Beauty Supply to pick up a bottle (or two).

WEN, on the other hand, goes for around $36.00 for 16 ounces. Add to that the fact that you can only get the product online. It's almost like they're saying "don't buy me, I'm expensive and hard to get." That's why it took me so long to write this post. I had to push through all the sense I had within me to pay nearly $40.00 for a glorified shampoo product.

So if you were to break it down to cost per ounces, Hair One is going for around $0.92 per ounce ($11.00/12 ounces). Wen is $2.25 per ounce (which still blows my mind by the way). I gonna have to give this round to Hair One. For $36.00 you could purchase 3 of the 4 varieties available and still have money left over for a piece of candy.

Ingredients
Many of the ingredients in both products are comparable. WEN, though, has around 7 fewer ingredients than it's contender. I also noticed that the order of the ingredients they have in common are somewhat different. Hair One has amodimethicone as #4 on the list. This same ingredient falls way lower in WENs composition. High up on WENs ingredient list are the numberous plant extracts which probably account for it's yummy smell. Hair One appears to have a few more harder to pronounce words than WEN. I felt I could make more sense of it's ingredient list than with Hair One. Some of the desirable ingredients I found in both products include: wheat protein, sweet almond oil, and Panthenol. Hair One also included Aloe Leaf Juice and Avocado oil into the mix. Even with the effort Hair One put in by including these oils, I still get the feeling that WEN is a more "natural" product compared to it's rival. So WEN wins this round.

Product
Like I mentioned before, a lot of the ingredients are shared by both products so I figured that there shouldn't be much difference between the two. But boy was I wrong. The moment I got a whiff of the Honey Fig scent, I was hooked. It smells so much like a real fig. It doesn't smell like fragrance, it smells of natural extracts. That's probably why fragrance isn't listed as an ingredient (unlike it's rival). Once I got beyond the smell, I moved on to actually using the product. Just like WEN Sweet Almond Mint, Honey Fig is uber thick. I...like....that... Feels more like a "conditioner", conditioner instead of just a "cleansing" conditioner. The biggest difference between the Fig and Mint version of WEN, is the moisturizing quality. Fig feels good. Hair One feels good to but, honestly, Fig feels better. When I compare the consistency and feel of both products side by side, WEN feels smoother and creamier to touch when I rubbed it between my fingers. The experience is a bit more decadent.

*I do want to mention that the "creaminess test" was conducted with a newer bottle of WEN vs. an older bottle of Hair One.*

So over all, I feel like WEN Fig has an edge over Hair One when I compare the products side by side.

Results
I think both products have the ability to get the job done. Both cleanse the hair without stripping it of it's natural oils etc. I feel like using a cleansing conditioner helps to continue the work of your pre-poo. Those of you familiar with this blog know that I've been signing the praises of Hair One for the longest. In fact, I made my youtube debut by doing a Hair One review. But honestly I feel like I've found a better product. Hair One is good, WEN Fig is better. It's thicker, creamier smells awesome and feels great. This doesn't mean I'll never use Hair One again. It's still a great product. I'm just glad to have access to the original product line that inspired Hair One's existence. WEN is definitely going on the staple list. I need to thank those of you who recommended WEN Fig to me. Good lookin' out.

Which came first the deep condition or the shampoo? My dry deep conditioning experience

2011-06-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Do you guys remember my review of Hair Fixer way back when? During the six weeks I used the product, I had to forgo using conditioner per their usage instructions. After that experience I learned to place a higher value on the pre-poo step. Since I couldn't deep condition as normal, I had to amp up my pre-poo by using higher quality product. Ever since I've paid close attention to maintain a pretty healthy pre-shampoo regimen but this time I decided to take it a step further.

Instead of using conditioners like Long Term Relationship, etc for my pre-poo, I decided to go all out and conduct a full deep conditioning (pre-shampoo) session. On dry hair, I applied a mix of my favorite high quality conditioners like Biolage, Silicon Mix Protein de Perla, Aveda Damage Repair, and other heavy hitters. I also added a little Argan oil and popped open some vitamin e capsules into the mix. Then I proceeded to part my dry hair into small sections and applied liberally.

Next I finished it off as I would any deep conditioning session, with heat. After 30 minutes or so under the dryer, I jumped in the shower and proceeded to cleanse the hair with WEN. Just before I jumped out of the tub, I reapplied some conditioner to the hair and allow it to sit on the hair for a couple of minutes before the final rinse with cold water. After that rinse, I proceeded with styling. The coolest part about this process was that I only had to jump in the shower only once which is way more efficient than my traditional way of doing things.

So the question I have to ask myself is whether or not this method is more beneficial to the hair or is the time savings the only benefit. To better answer this question one has to look at what happens when the hair becomes wet. Water is easily absorbed into our hair strands. In fact, our hair is so attracted to water that it'll readily pull water from the air. That's why we're constantly fighting against frizz in humid weather. The hair strand can expand as much as 30% when exposed to water. When I think about this swelling effect water has on the hair I ask myself, "is it possible that the absorbed water could be taking up valuable space in my strand that should be granted to my conditioner?"

If that's the case, then it would make sense to apply conditioner to dry hair, then utilize heat to open the cuticle layer, and allow the deep conditioning process to happen. I can tell you from my experience that I had less hair loss this wash then in previous sessions. Not only did I realize some great benefits during the wash, I also enjoyed great feeling hair throughout the week. Dry deep conditioning requires more product then normal deep conditioning. I found myself having to apply ample conditioner just to saturate the hair. In the long run, I'm sure it'll be a little more expensive since I use less conditioner during my normal routine. But I think the results will speak for themselves. You should also check out a post a while back sharing the details of a study that supports the importance of applying product to the hair prior to the wash for added protection to the cuticle layer.

Some might be thinking, "isn't having lots water in the strand a good thing?" Yes it can be a good thing but remember that water evaporates. If I can help it, I'd rather have the deep conditioning ingredients swelling up the strand, no just water alone. The key to making this process successful is using heat to open the up cuticle layer so the conditioner can truly penetrate. Once the cuticle is open, your hair is ready for 100% conditioner penetration. No additional water taking up any valuable cuticle space.

I'll be using this method over the next several weeks to see if the benefits are lasting. I really hope this will turn into a permanent change in my regimen. The thought of saving time on wash day and the possibility of a deeper conditioning process gets me all excited. Anyone tried this technique before?

Show off your fabulous mane & become a Pantene Hair Model

2011-06-18T03:39:00.000-07:00

If any of you ladies plan to attend the upcoming Essence Music Festival, go visit the folks from Pantene as they host a casting call for their next round of hair models. You guys may remember Brooke, who won a chance to represent Pantene in their previous champaign. Now it's your turn!

MEDIA ALERT

WHAT: PANTENE PRO-V CASTING CALL AT ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Pantene, known for providing women with healthy, beautiful hair for more than 60 years, is seeking five African-American women to star in its upcoming 2012 print advertising. The search will take place at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

WHEN: FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 1-2, 2011, 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

Sign-ups begin at 10:00 A.M. and are limited to the first 200 people

Callbacks will be held on Sunday, July 3, 2011

WHERE: MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

2^ND FLOOR- ROOM 226

900 CONVENTION CENTER BLVD

WHY: Pantene aims to provide women with healthy, beautiful hair and offers a variety of products for every hair structure, including the Pantene Pro-V Relaxed and Natural collection, designed to help keep African-American hair strong against damage, shiny and moisturized. As part of “My Black is Beautiful,” a campaign that celebrates African-American beauty, Pantene hopes to encourage African-American women to let their beauty shine inside and out. To find out more, women can visit www.pantene.com/womenofcolor.

MORE: Women with relaxed and/or natural hair are able to participate, however those with extensions or weave will not be considered. The winners will be featured in Pantene’s print advertisements beginning in 2012 and will receive an all expense paid trip to the print shoot location. Winners will be announced at a later date.

*If anyone needs more info. Contact me and I can get your questions over to the folks in charge of the event.*

Spotlight on healthy hair: Beautiful Flower!

2011-06-14T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've been drooling over this woman's hair for the longest so I finally reached out to her to find out more about what creates her healthy hair. Check out my interview with Beautiful Flower!

You shared on your blog that you were inspired by some of the greats on LHCF including Syvler77, what were some of the tips you learned that really helped you in your journey?

I based my regimen over the years by mixing and matching the techniques of my relaxed legends. I think some of the main tips I have learned are:
- Air drying doesn’t always look pretty but it will keep the hair on your head
- Make braidouts and buns your default
- Stretch relaxers at least 3 months at a time
- Moisture is your friend
- Low to no heat but sometimes a little heat can make your hair feel a lot better

Your hair is super thick, are you doing long term stretches? When you relax, are you using a milder formula to texlax? How do you maintain your thickness

My only and last long term stretch was before this past relaxer and it lasted from November to May (24 weeks). I usually do 3 months at a time. I think I will do another 24 week stretch.
I have always had thick, dense hair but it has increased in thickness since starting my hair journey. Air drying, stretching, moisturizing, detangling properly, and heat reduction makes a difference in hair density. I suggest going for a blunt cut then adding layaers after you’ve reached your hair goal to add dimension for those with thinner hair. Also your ends will get thin over time so I dust with every relaxer and do a good self-trim once a year. If you can find a stylist you trust to trim you, I recommend going to that person. They can see what you cannot.
I do relax with a regular strength lye relaxer always. I do not consider myself texlax’d. Why? I relax my hair in a way to keep the hair stronger by not killing all my protein bonds. I also fear burning my scalp so I prefer to smooth and rinse as quickly as possible. I don’t relax to keep it thick but it does help maintain volume. If you’ll like at a strand of my hair it’s not straight nor does it have any particular wave/curl pattern. I don’t know if that makes sense. LOL.

Based on the photos from you blog, you don't seem like a consistent protective styler. How do you wear your hair day to day?

I don’t. LOL! But my defaults are braidouts (pinned up, straight-down, half-n-half), buns (all kinds), and ponytails. I do more braidouts now than anything. When I was Mid-back and shorter, I did mostly buns. I do ponytails on old straighten hair or old braidout hair. I have been rollersetting a lot lately so I rock ponytails then morph to braidouts like today. I also LOVE Ez-combs so I wear these alot now. I have 6 and they are super cute and easy to use.

If you're stranded on a desert island. What three products do you take with you?

It would be a good shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in. Currently that would be:
-Crème of Nature Detangling Shampoo
-Queen Helene Cholesterol Conditioner
-Silicon Mix Intensive Leave-in Conditioner (this stuff is AMAZING)
If I could add three tools: a medium tooth comb, scarf, and perm rods.

What's has worked for you to help retain length? Have you dealt with excessive breakage?

I have not dealt with excessive breakage since I started my journey. Regular Breakage? Yes…everyday. I manage it with maintaining my protein-moisture balance. I do that by doing moisture during the week with leave-in and co-washing, a deep condition overnight once a week, and one protein infused conditioner on the weekend. This typically keeps me in check.
I also retain length with low to no heat styles. I may blow dry once a month and flat iron once every 2 to 3 months. DETANGLING PROPERLY and GENTLY. This cannot be stressed enough. This will help or break (literally) your hair progress. Use a proper comb, a lot of leave-in, work from bottom to top, work in sections, and be patient. And I use leave-in of some sort EVERYDAY. If I flat iron, I use a serum EVERYDAY.

Do you support healthy hair nutritionally? If so, how?

I do but it’s not intentionally. I work out 4 days a week and have been doing this off and on the last 6 years. Protein drinks really help nails and hair. I also do not eat a lot of junk but I don’t deny myself either. I practice moderation. I do not take vitamins and I don’t drink as much water as I should. I’m getting better though.

How do you maintain moisture on such a thick head of hair?

I moisturize EVERYDAY and I pay attention the ends. And a lot of times, if my hair feels dry, I just hop in the shower and wet my hair. I love water on my scalp.

Any setbacks?

Twice. It was more like ripped out hair in sections. I tried Curlformers once and never again. My hair was too thick and too many textures for that. Another time I shampoo’d my hair after coming out of a 2 month weave without detangling. BIG NO NO. My hair knotted and matted like nothing before. It took 2 days and a lot of conditioner to remove all the shed and knotted hair. I lost a lot of hair (good and shed hair) but because of patience, conditioner, and a rat tooth comb, I keep a lot of hair too.

Before your recent trim, you were a member of the waist length club, was it like everything you imagined it would be?

Yes and no. Waist length is long to most everyone that sees you and you can play with the length but hip length is yummy. It felt nice to have the hair grazing the bottom of my back after a wash. My air dried hair hung a lot lower and my braid-outs looked crazy long. I am shooting for hip length again. I hope to be there again by the end of this year or early next year and I’ll be maintaining that length.

What are the three pieces of advice for someone just starting in or struggling with their hair journey?

- RESEARCH. I spent hours and days and months researching about hair, hair science, moisture, protein, products, and techniques. Research the regimens of people that have the length you want. Try it out. If it works, keep it. If it doesn’t, dispose of it. Ultimately, you’re making your own regimen. It will take time and your regimen will be ever changing but you’ll find what works if you don’t give up.
- Products only make your hair manageable; they do not grow your hair. Find products that make your hair feel soft, light, strong and smell good.
- Patience. The progress is coming. If it’s not, look at the regimen of some one that has your goal and see what you may be missing. Give your regimen 6 months at least to decide your process isn’t working.

Check out beautifulflower's blog for more about her beautiful hair.

Curly Nikki Mizani Meet Up event Part Deux

2011-06-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

The Curly Nikki/Mizani natural hair meet up was in full force. This fabulous event was hosted at the Blue Martini and there were tons of ladies in attendance.

I got there a little late. When I wandered in the place was pretty much packed. The folks from Mizani and Michelle, from naturallycurly.com were on stage educating the audience on Mizani's new line of products made for curly textures.

At that moment, I looked around and realized that pretty much everyone in the room had a cute little gift back containing samples and product information. Since I was running behind schedule, there were no gift bags left.

That's when my pouting session began. I was like "how come I didn't get a gift bag?" How am I going to sample these potentially amazing products?"

Just then Michelle began announcing winners and lo and behold, my name was announced! Instead of itty bitty samples, I won full sized bottles of the entire line!

Once my taste for hair products had been satisfied, that's when I decided to do what I do best....hair stalking.

Nikki was such a gracious hostess! She made time to take pics and chat with the fabulous ladies in attendance.

For the remainder of the night, I pretty much worked the room asking perfect strangers if I could take pics of their hair. So now I'll step back and allow you to indulge in the barrage of beautiful natural hair porn. Enjoy!

Yeah! Someone recognized me from the blog! She also won a full sized gift back (and so did her mom).

Now back to the glorious hair gazing........

Will definitely do this again! Thanks Nikki/Mizani/Naturally Curly for hosting such a wonderful event. I'm trying to partner with the Mizani folks to host a giveaway. Once it's set I'll share the details.

Curly Nikki Mizani Meet Up event (Pre-party)

2011-06-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Curly Nikki and Mizani were working together to hold an event in Orlando. Prior to the event festivities, Nikki sent out an open invitation to meet up with her for casual conversation. You know I was all over that! In fact, I was the first person to show up. Nikki graciously invited me, and the others who attended, to her hotel room where we could do what we do best...talk about hair. As we all talked, Nikki got up and went to the bathroom to take down her twists. That was my queue to grab my camera and head after her. She was gracious enough to allow me to get all up in her personal space to take these fabulous pics of her twist out take down.

The end result was gorgeous! Once the twists were taken down, she pretty much left them alone so the Orlando humidity could work its magic. She even allowed us to touch her hair which was buttery soft to the touch.

I did a caruso set on dry hair which gave me large waves. This time I added a couple drops of ACV to the water to help with the pH balance and seal the cuticle so I could combat some of the 100% humidity. I was sweating even before I got to the hotel room. At first I waited by the pool, the walked the property to find out where she was staying and I couldn't believe how well my curls handled all of that. Sure the dropped a little but they maintained their dignity the entire night!

Stay tuned for part II of this post where I'm on location at the Mizani Event.........

What I learned from a 72 year old man's hair regimen

2011-06-03T01:59:00.001-07:00

I've written a bit on the topic of scalp massage because I think there's so much to be gained from doing them regularly, especially if you throw some essential oils into the mix. In fact, just the other day, I came up with an idea on how to improve a scalp massagers currently on the market. I won't get into details yet because I hope to make it an actual product one day.

Today I'm here to talk about something else, specifically a new twist on scalp massages that involves hair pulling. Before you get turned off by the idea, let's discuss more in detail. When I talk pulling the hair, I'm not speaking of trichotillomania, which is a compulsive urge to pull out one's hair. No one's going to be pulling out their hair here. Before we actually get into the practice of the gentle pulling technique, let me give you a little background of why I'm even suggesting it.

I was first really introduced to this when I read a book called Old age, its cause and prevention. Written in 1912, this book is about the art of rejuvenation. It's full of valuable insight by a man named Sanford Bennett who, at 72, looked and felt much healthier than he did at 50. Most of his book is on facial toning and physical strength. He did, however include a section in the book related to hair.

Although Sanford has a head of white hair, it appears much healthier at 72 than it did 20 years earlier. I figured, "hey, this guy may have something value to contribute, his hair did make an improvement." Perhaps I too can learn from his hair journey experience. So here's what I learned. In 1895, before his transformation, Sam had a full examination. The the folks who studied him described his hair as "thin, dark, streaked with grey on crown; quite bald." Fast forward to 1906 and the same examination found that "the hair, now gray, has become quite luxuriant [with] no indications of former baldness." So what can we learn from this 72 year old man's hair regimen?

Sanford Bennett at 50 years of age

Sanford Bennett at 72

Sanford understood that every part of the body grow in size and elasticity when exercised. He believed the roots of the hair were no exception. In his book he states that the roots lose quality and deteriorate if not properly exercised. So he created a regimen that focused on a healthier scalp. He described his process as this: As he's lying in bed, he grasps his hair with his fingers, pulling gently in several areas until he has completed the entire head. He alternated between this and traditional scalp massage in the same session. In the end, Sam said he created a "perceptible glow." Sam gives some other hair advice in his book but most of it is pretty dated. This technique seemed to have worked for Sanford. It's obvious, from the pics, that he directly influenced the re-growth of is hair.

When we talk of hair pulling, we really mean more of a scalp lifting. The point is not to put any additional pressure on the strands of the hair, but to create movement and increased circulation in the scalp. WE ARE NOT PULLING ON THE LENGTH OF THE HAIR, WE ARE TUGGING NEAR THE SCALP. And the ~~pulling~~ tugging should not be excessive. Not like the extra-tight braids and buns which produce the opposite results to "luxurious hair." That type of tension is not only excessive but also constant. Think about someone who gets super-tight braids, the stress on the scalp is 24/7. Of course damage is going to take place. That's like lifting and holding a heavy weight for the entire day, your muscles just can't take it. But, if you put a little tension on the muscles for short bursts, great things start to happen.

If you'd like to try out this technique, I don't recommend using your finger tips to do the tugging. This creates too much stress on the strand. Instead keep your fingers extended and horizontal against the scalp with medium sections of hair in between the fingers. Keeping your hands close to your scalp, lift fingers gently tugging the hair upwards (or circular) and hold for a 3 count then release. Do this method over the entire scalp and you'll feel much more energized than a normal scalp massage using just the tips of the fingers. If you feel any pain in the process, you're using too much tension. This type of scalp massage should feel really good. If it doesn't, you're not using the proper technique.

Thank you Sanford Bennett, for inspiring us to create stronger, more luxurious hair.

Could this be the future of chemical relaxers?

2011-05-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

I was on Youtube the other day waiting for my video to load when all of the sudden an ad comes on with several women talking about a new relaxer system from Soft Sheen Carson. I rarely look at box relaxers on the store shelves so this product may not be all that new after all. What really struck me was how loud the message of a "new relaxer system with a low pH that doesn't dry out the hair or promote breakage."

Their whole thing was that a lower pH means less damage to the hair. Which in turn could mean more shine and healthier hair overall. Just so you know, I haven't tried this relaxer and this isn't meant to be an endorsement in any way. I have no idea if this relaxer kit actually lives up to its claims. I was very excited, however, about the meaning of this commercial. To me, this marks the beginning of a new era in relaxed hair care. For decades, women blindly relaxed their hair and suffered incredibly at the hands of damage from these products. Now the focus on healthier hair, along with the choice by thousands of women to sport natural hair, have forced product manufacturers take notice and respond accordingly.

In order to stay in business, companies will have to compete to create the healthiest possible straightening system or quickly become obsolete. I'm enjoying the fact that relaxer manufactures are leveraging the online hair renaissance and learning about the healthy hair care needs of women with textured hair. I think progress will be slow but it'll take just one brand to break out with a new (safe) technology and soon that will soon become the standard. I'm looking forward to the day when relaxers have the power to infuse fatty acids, proteins and ceramides into the strand immediately after the straightening process. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a relaxer that fills in the damaged areas of the strand (while the cuticle layer is lifted) so the hair is actually stronger and healthier after the process and beyond? I will keep my eyes and ears open for new relaxer formulations that will change the game as we know it. I'm not just talking about adding plant oils I'm talking about a new "smart" relaxer system that will take our hair care to the next level.

Sigh, a girl can dream.....

Simple tips on how to create consistency in your daily routines

2011-05-24T02:41:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my last post, I've really struggled in the past to maintain certain habits and routines that are necessary to create the results I want. I gone through the cycle enough times to realize that I'm playing a losing game. So today I'm focused on making some mindset shifts contrary to my traditional way of thinking. The first thing I was doing wrong was not directly associating the necessary actions and the desired results as a duel package. So instead of believing that regular exercise IS what creates and maintains a healthy body, I acted as if exercising would get me there but wasn't necessary once I got to a certain level. Kinda like when the space shuttle releases those jet boosters once it reaches a set altitude.

Now realize how much I need those so-called jet boosters, the actions that propel me directly to my goals, and I need them with me the entire time. For example, if in 6 months from now, I knew I would be appearing on a popular television show in front of millions of people, my daily habits and routines would be so different from what they are today. I'd know exactly what to do to create a tone body, skin like Meagan Good, and I'd focus with intensity on retention and the health of my hair. So the question is, why aren't I consistently doing these things today? Especially since I already know exactly what I need to do.

I think the answer to this question can be found by analyzing my mindset. It really boils down to how I view the actions that I know I need to take. Subconsciously, I've categorized them as extras that I do above and beyond what is part of my "normal" actions. These actions, in my mind, are "goal-actions" because I only associate them with achieving a goal. Because of this way of thinking, my goal-actions take on a new meaning. In my mind, they become something I have to do, like a burden or a chore, which makes it somewhat justifiable to skip a day here and there or stop doing them altogther once the goal has been reached. So now I'm creating a new way of thinking where the actions I should take aren't directly associated with an end result. Sure, I'm aware that doing something on a regular basis creates a result, but I want to shift my thinking from "I'm doing this to get that." This way of thinking is a bit dangerous because I can easily stop "doing this" once I get that or if I percieve that "doing this isn't getting that."

During the real estate boom of a few years ago, people would build these beautiful mini-mansions all over town. As the economy turned, many of these beautiful homes remained vacant. As time went on, some of these luxuary homes remained in prestine condition while other vacant houses started to look like haunted mansions. What's the difference? One house is consistently maintained while the other wasn't. Even though I wasn't a witness to it, I knew that the gorgeous vacant home with perfectly trimmed hedges, thick green grass and sparkling windows was kept up on a regular basis. There was no complacency around consistency, it was an absolute must.

So I want to begin thinking about my goal-actions like how I think about eating or showering. These are daily musts that don't require much thought. I don't have to talk myself into taking a shower every day. I don't have to motivate myself into eating. It's just something that always gets done. I realize that eating is a life/death kinda thing and my not fall into the same category as scalp massages but I think there's a way to shift my thinking so all my desired goal-actions start to become as necessary as eating. Now let's talk about some practical ways to make this real.

When we think about something as basic as eating, there's no denying that we all do a good job of eating on a regular basis. Not just because if we don't do it, we die. It's because we're programmed to do it regularly, even if we aren't hungry. If we know we need to eat, we do it. Even if we have to multitask while watching tv or driving. And if we skip a meal or two, it's a big deal! The thing about eating is that a built in reminder mechanism alerts us when we haven't done it. The longer we avoid the reminder, the louder it gets. If there's a habit that you really want to maintain, it's highly recommended that you create an effective reminder system. One that can get you into action. Maybe that means creating task reminder in your phone or maybe it means joining with an accountability partner.

I really like a system created by Jerry Seinfeld years ago called "don't break the chain." Basically. Jerry would put a big red X on the calender for each day that he wrote stand-up material. Soon he started to creat a chain of red Xs and his focus shifted to maintaining the chain for as long as possible throughout the year. There's actually a website you can visit to track your own "don't break the chain" progress online. Another thing you can do is pair your desired actions up with something you already do on a consistent basis. For example, drinking water every time you put on lotion, moisturizer, or lipgloss. Or you can do some floor exercises every time you watch your favorite show. One thing I've done is pair scalp massages (something I want to do consistently) with tying my hair up at night (something I do daily without fail). So far, that combination works beautifully for me. By combining the two, I take away the "30-day challenge" aspect away from my scalp massages. It's now just something I do every day.

My end goal is to enjoy the long-term benefits of consistently taking the right actions. I think of it as a game that I can "rig" to make sure I win. Rigging is setting up the little sure fail strategies that set you up for success. For example, when I know I wanna get up and work out, I put my cell phone in the other room inside of my running shoes. So I'm forced to physically leave my bed to turn off the alarm and I have to actually touch my sneakers to turn off the alarm.

Finally, I'm no longer gonna be so hard on myself if I miss a day or two here and there. By getting upset for missing a day, I'd subconsciously categorize myself as a failure which would create hesitation of starting and failing once again. Then it became easier to not start rather than face the feeling of not making my personal commitment. Now I will only operate in the present. So what if I didn't apply my night cream last night? I'll just do it now.......no big deal. Now is all that matters anyway. I'm no longer bashing myself for something that happened in the past. Getting upset about not working out yesterday is like getting upset for not eating breakfast yesterday, it makes no sense to fret when you can just eat now.

Once again, thank you ladies for allowing me to spew my thoughts so freely. Hopefully some of this will be helpful to you.

The most important thing you need to be successful in your hair journey

2011-05-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

This hair journey thing has been quite amazing. There's so much to learn about the structure and health of our hair. So many new products and techniques experience. So many bandwagons to jump on and 30-day challenges to join. With all that said, there's still one critical aspect of the hair journey you and I must master in order to see desireable results.

That one thing, my friends, is a little thing I like to call consistency. What I mean by the art of consistency is the ability to continuously execute until desirable results are achieved and beyond. Basically, it's about not stopping before you experience results or even right after the firstfruits of results are starting to appear. Consistency becomes real when we persist even after we've achieved what we desired.

I have struggled to remain consistent in many areas of my life. So many times I get excited about creating a new habit and work fervously to see results. Once the results are there, I get complacent and soon my progress begins to wain. A former co-worker was once telling me about his brother who suffered from several mental disorders. He went on to describe the struggles of his brother who dealt with the fear that his own family wanted to kill him. During this conversation, my co-worker said something that really impacted me. He mentioned that his brother would often stop taking his much needed medicine because he would start to feel normal. Because he was no longer experiencing the paranoid thoughts, he'd get complacent and would fail to take the medicine that gave him those results. Soon after he adjusted his dosage, regression came quickly and he was back to his unusual ways.

My response to my co-worker's comment was that we are all like his brother. We decide to join a gym or start and exercise program and work diligently until we see results. Once we're comfortable with were we are, we decide we no longer need to maintain the routine that got us there. Before we know it, the pounds begin to slowly creep back and we find ourselves right back to where we first began. Lately I've been very aware of my lack of consistency in several areas of my life. Too often I allow the madness of the day to pull me away from the routines that I say are so important to me. Then the results I try to avoid soon resurface and I'm back to working overtime trying to change things again.

I'm through with this never ending cycle. I've decided that consistently enjoying the results is much more important to me than the struggle to get there. I think I've had it backwards the whole time. Before it was all about beginning a challenge and planning out what it would take to get there. There was a certain excitement that came with trying to achieve a goal that really empowered me. After a few weeks or so of doing the same thing over again, the whole idea of maintaining my newfound commitment(s) became less sexy and soon I found myself backsliding.

I get it now! I've bought into the quote that says "certain things must be so other things can be." If I want perfectly clear skin, then there are certain things that I must do! If I want a toned, fit body, there are certain things I must do. If I want long, flowing, healthy hair, certain things must be! Today I give up my resistance to consistently doing what must be done in order to achieve the results I desire. Today I am present to the fact that results don't magically appear out of the sky. Results are what I experience because of what I do (or fail to do) on a consistent basis.

Ok. So now that I've made that clear, I've got to figure out how to make it real. I'll brainstorm some strategies in my next post. How many of you started a new habit and made it stick? I'd love to hear more about it. Leave a comment.