Protective Styles

Protective Styles

Basically, any hairstyle that doesn't brush up against your clothes is a protective style.

OK, so right now I have Shoulder Length hair. Its at that critical length where I have to be extra conscious of my ends, so I don't have any breakage or split ends. I have been trying out up-do's, braids, and braid outs as styles to help protect my hair. I don't put my hair in Buns because I don't like the way they look on me but that is also one style that is considered a protective style.

Wearing scarves and head wraps are beneficial in protecting your hair. Straw hats that allow your scalp to breathe during the humidity, and wearing a straw hat throughout the summer seasons are also protective styles. Braids extensions protect the hair and will be a good hair growth investment if the extensions are not put in very tight.

When your hair reaches shoulder length, it's the most vulnerable, since your hair will be making contact with your clothes. This is the time to wear your hair off the shoulders. When the hair grows at least 3-4 inches past the shoulders, it is not so vulnerable to break.
The ends of your hair will not be sweeping against your clothing but will be lying on your clothing. This is less friction against your hair.

Deep Conditioning

The main purpose of any conditioner is to restore the balance of the hair. Conditioners also smooth the scales of the cuticle, making the hair less liable to tangle, and give hair a better sheen when dry. Conditioners can bring bounce, body, shine, and manageability back to hair that would otherwise be dull. They can also help to seal each hair, guarding against water evaporation, which is the major cause of dryness.

Deep conditioners CANNOT heal damaged hair or improve the quality of new hair grown. It is valuable however, because it can minimize any damage done to your hair, it can restore shine and manageability to hair, and can add strength to hair until damaged hair grows long enough to be cut off. In other words, it is not a cure, but rather a preventative, to help protect the damaged hair from any further damage, until it gets to a length that you feel comfortable cutting it to. The only TRUE way to cure damaged hair is to cut it off and let new hair grow in.

Steps to Deep Condition

1.Wash the hair with an appropriate shampoo and dry your appropriately

2.After that take the conditioner in your hands and apply it throughout the hair. Run the comb through the hair to distribute the conditioner properly through the entire hair.

3.Now, relax for a while and let the conditioner stay on the hair for the time indicated in the instructions with the conditioner pack.

4.Thereafter, rinse the hair with cold water.


Some items that I like to Deep Condition with is Cholesterol, Mizani Moisturefuse, GVP Conditioning Balm. You can also use an oil of your choice ( I prefer Olive Oil) to add, or to condition alone.

Aphogee 2 min Reconstructor

One of my fave items that has never let me down is the Aphogee 2min Reconstructor.

The product description states:

To treat brittle hair with cuticle damage and moderate breakage. ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute

Reconstructor is a powerful, one step treatment that should be used for home use, between

salon visits. This concentrated blend of keratin amino acids, botanical oils, and vitamins does wonders to restore strength and softness to hair that requires a deep, penetrating treatment. It is recommended on tinted, bleached or relaxed hair. ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor helps repair damage caused by chlorine and hard water. It soothes irritated scalp and may be applied following each shampooing until the healthy condition of the hair is restored. .7 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz.

When ever I feel that my hair is getting over -moisturized (yes your hair can get too much moisture), I simply use the 2 min reconstructor for about 5 mins with a shower cap ,no heat.

I have also used this product with one egg, beaten . I mixed the egg and the reconstructor together, placed on hair for 15 mins no heat ( never use heat when using a egg treatment) and washed out. My hair always come out very strong and but not hard like other protein treatments.

Always follow up your protein treatments with a moisturizer. I like to use the Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship Leave -In and then Coconut Oil to seal.

This is one item that always has a place in my regimen !!!!

Yoga

Feeling stressed lately? I know I have. I just moved to a new state, got married, and quit my job all in 3 months. Well life is too short to feel down and depressed. So I've been pulling out my yoga mat more often now.

What is Yoga?

A system of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind.

Why do Yoga?

The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up -- all at the same time.





What's more, yoga:

• Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
  


• Reduces stress and tension
  


• Boosts self esteem
  


• Improves concentration and creativity
  


• Lowers fat
  


• Improves circulation
  


• Stimulates the immune system
  


• Creates sense of well being and calm.

Yoga has many other benefits, and these benefits vary among poses and different categories of poses. Some poses are stimulating; some are relaxing: some take more effort than others. But overall, a yoga session tends to leave you rejuvenated and gives you more awareness of your body in your daily life.

Be kind to yourself when you practice yoga. Go slowly, especially in the beginning, and listen to your body. It knows what it can do. If it says "stop," stop. Don't push it. Yoga is not a competitive sport. If you push too hard, you probably won't enjoy it, and you may hurt yourself.

Coconut Oil

One of my favorite oils is Coconut. I love the scent, its easy to apply , and has many uses.

Hair Use: Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shinny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry.It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair use.

Stress Relief: Coconut oil is very soothing and hence it helps in removing stress. Applying coconut oil to the head followed with a gentle massage helps in removing mental fatigue.

Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin.It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc.,

used for skin care.

I use Coconut Oil as pre-poo's, mixed with my Deep Conditioners, and as a sealant after I moisturize my hair. It is definitely a staple in my hair regimen. What are some of your uses for it?

Molasses Treatment

Have dry hair? Experiencing some breakage? Hair seems to be shedding?

Well here is an item that may be right in your cupboard that can solve these issues

It can help:

• Darken the hair and define natural color
  
• Add softness and sheen
  
• Strengthen weak and thinning hair

How to Use:

As a Pre-Treatment - Wet hair and apply 1/4 cup of molasses from root to tip. Leave on for at least 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Then shampoo and condition. Hair should feel soft and shiny.

As a Deep Conditioning Pak - Mix 1/4 cup of molasses with an equal part of a thick oil, i.e. olive or avocado oil, and add to a conditioner. Apply to hair, concentrating on the ends and let penetrate for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and style.

I've tried this a pre-treatment and I can say it honestly works. The next morning no breakage or shedding after i took out my braidout !!!!

Tips To Healthy Hair

Women spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on hair care a year. Some of us will spend hundreds of dollars on Lace Front Wigs. Rush to the store to buy that next big hair item that everyone raves about. Sit in a beautician's chair to have that silky straight relaxed hair, or spend countless hours getting your hair braided. I believe of the importance in maintaining the health tresses that you have and still able to get the do' that you want.

HERE ARE JUST SIMPLE TIPS TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY HAIR:

1. CHOOSE HAIR STYLES THAT PROTECT THE HAIR AND KEEP IT HEALTHY

Never wear hair styles that are too tight. Some of the hairstyles that are too tight include braids, weaves and ponytails. Also, wearing braided hair or weaved hair for too long can cause a condition called alopecia areata

2. DO NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE HEAT TO THE HAIR

Do not apply excessive heat to the hair. Excessive heat from the hot comb, hot curl and flat irons, and blow dryers can cause breakage, dryness and split ends. Because heat is very damaging to the hair, look for tools that have a thermostatic setting and will allow you to use "low" heat when styling

3. DEEP PROTEIN OR MOISTURIZING CONDITIONERS

Deep protein or moisturizing conditioners protect the hair against breakage. Apply the protein or moisturizing conditioner to the hair using a heating cap, set the daily on "medium" or "high" 30 minutes then wash out the conditioner and style the hair as usual. This technique should be applied to the hair at least once every two weeks. If you have dry hair, use this technique once a week.

4. CUT THE DAMAGED HAIR TIPS
Most people don’t like cutting the damaged hair tip because of losing some length of their hair. The damaged hair is useless and makes the hardness in hair setting. Also the split ends will continue and travel up the hair shaft, causing more breakage and damage. Smooth, silky, healthy hair is better than long, ragged ,split hair in my opinion

5. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SCALP

A healthy scalp is the foundation of your healthy hair care journey. It is helpful to think of your scalp as the "fertile ground" from which your hair will sprout and grow. If properly tended to, your hair will thrive and grow. Maintaining a healthy scalp is very important for acheiving optimal hair growth

So I hope these simple tips are helpful to you, and Happy Hair Growing !!!