0 Want Healthier Hair But, Not Quite Ready To Go Natural? You Have Options!

Okay so you want healthier hair but, don't know where to start. We've all been here and some of us choose to go natural while some might want to try something else. Well, what's something else? Can you have healthier hair without going natural? The answer is yes, if course you can!

One thing I feel strongly about (in regards to natural hair) is, not doing the Big Chop until you're ready. I feel that some women rush into the Big Chop (where you cut off all of your relaxed ends and are often left with a TWA- teeny weeny afro) and regret cutting their hair so short. Going natural and coping with having short hair is enough to have anyone thinking "What in the **** did I just do!?! Where is my perm?!".

Well here are some options! If in the end you decide to go natural, great! But, if you don't, that's fine too. The end goal no matter what you choose should be healthy hair.

Here is a list of some of your options for achieving healthy hair: 

1. Stretching Relaxers- This is when you go longer than your usual time in between relaxing. For example, if you go 6-8 weeks, you would stretch that to 8-10 or 3-6 months. Some women even go 12 months before relaxing again. One benefit of stretching your relaxers is that it gives you more "new growth", which allows you to relax only the new growth and not over process your hair. Over processing is the cause of breakage for a lot of relaxed ladies. Check out KISS- Keep It Simple Sista's Blog for information on stretching relaxers.


2. Weaves- Weaves? Yes, weaves! Weaves, when done properly, are a great way to grow out your hair. Getting weaves installed properly and by a professional "weaveologist" (that's what they're calling them these days...hmm) can help you maintain and grow long healthy hair. This can be expensive due to quality hair costing a pretty penny, from $50-200 a pack or per so many ounces...or whatever it's called. Check out this thread about "The Don'ts of Wearing Weave"


3. Heat Training- Heat training natural hair is when you use heat (blow dryer, flat iron, or pressing comb) on a consistent basis. This often results in a loosening of the curl pattern and allows the hair to stay straighter longer. Usually, heat trained hair acts like relaxed hair because, it doesn't revert back to curly easily. It usually stays straight until wash day. This is a great option for those who want to stretch their relaxers or want to wear straight hair but, don't want to use chemicals to achieve the look. Heat training does take lots of care because, your hair can become damaged and break off from excessive use of heat, if not done properly. Check Out Brittanynic16 on YouTube. She explains how to heat train natural hair and shows her results. 

As with all things, there are rules and the above options have their do and don'ts and pro and cons. Make sure that while you partake in these hair care practices, you pay special attention to your hair to watch for breakage or excessive damage.

Hope this helps some of you who would like some other options besides going 100% natural. 

As always thanks for reading!

Have you tried any of the above methods of growing out your hair? Did you like them?

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit: DIY Hair Care Products

0 Salons Sneaking Relaxers in on Naturals?

So, as always I was on Twitter (Follow Me) and I saw a "Tweet" by Strawberricurls about a natural going to the salon to get a wash and style but, instead the beautician gave her a relaxer by mixing the relaxer in her conditioner.

Here's  some of the story:

"I agreed as long as it didn’t take too long and she promised it wouldn’t. To the back of the salon she goes to mix up a deep condition treatment.. I didn’t find this abnormal. I often mix things together to use as a DT myself. She started to apply to my hair and it smelled weird, I asked her about it and she said it’s one of the ingredients for Ph balance.

Ummm.. okay.

About ten minutes in it started to burn which I found weird but she assured me it was just “tingling” and it was good for my scalp… another 3 minutes and I told her to rinse me because I was having some sort of allergic reaction or something (I have pretty sensitive skin so this was possible). She rinsed me out and moved me to the chair. My hair was noticeably straighter as my hair wet without product is very curly and big and poofy, lol. This time my curls hang straight-ish which wasn’t normal. She assured me that it was temporary from the heavy conditioner..

“Okay…” I said"
Read the rest here: http://strawberricurls.com/2010/06/09/it-happened-to-me-a-stylist-added-relaxer-to-my-conditioning-treatment/

Say what?! Hold up. Hold all the way up. You say what now?

First, the beautician was wrong for putting a chemical in this women's hair without her permission. It doesn't matter if they think it will make the hair more manageable or not, this is not safe or honest. To even THINK to add a chemical to a client's hair without their consent, is wrong. Dead wrong.

Now of course after this post all the natural hair community are a chatter about how they don't go to salons for this very reason and how they just knew folks was trying to relax their hair on the low.

Say what?

First, as a paying customer, you have to have some common sense. You have to ask questions and be aware about what the stylist is doing to YOUR hair. No one is going to care about YOUR hair more than you. Some stylists are out to make a quick buck so, know that some will try to cheat you.

Here is what NOT to allow when visiting a salon:

• Whispering- This is rude. Point blank. Period. If the stylist is whispering, pointing, giggling, etc. about your hair or making you uncomfortable, get up and leave. Don't pay someone to be rude to you. 
• Unknown treatments- Don't let people play mixologist in your hair! If you don't know what they're mixing up, ask them. "Excuse me but, what is that?" Simple question and if they don't/can't answer you tell them to pass on putting that product in your hair. 
• Smells like a perm, look like a perm, it's a perm!- If you smell something funky, ask questions. If you're natural then no conditioners or shampoos need to have a strong chemical smell. Ask what brands they're using on your hair and by all means look at the ingredients! 
• Help them out-Being a natural, sometimes you have to let stylists know what to expect. When calling to make your appointment, ask the stylist how you should prep your hair. Some stylists ask that you blow it out first, shampoo it, detangle it, etc. Not all stylists know how to deal with every type of curl so do your part. 
• Listen up- If the person fixing your hair is talking negatively about it, calling it unmanageable, nappy, etc. Get up and leave! It's obvious they don't respect you and don't care for your hair type/texture. Go somewhere else, where the stylist at the very least.... has manners. 

There comes a time in our lives when we can no longer say "Oh I didn't know!" or "No one taught me!". As a paying customer to any establishment, know that you have the right to ask questions. Don't let the lust for the end result be it, a new hairstyle, manicure, whatever cloud your judgement. Better safe than sorry.

We all make mistakes but, we all also have to take responsibility for our choices. If you sit up in the stylists chair and don't ask questions, don't pay attention and don't use common sense, well then the end disaster is just as much YOUR fault as it is theirs (stylists). 

All of this stuff made my head hurt...I just couldn't even imagine it. A relaxer? Mixed into conditioner? Say what?! 

No. Couldn't be me. 

Have you ever had this experience? Did a stylist try to relax your strands? What do you think about the above woman's experience? 

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit: DIY Hair Care Products

0 Finally Watched "Good Hair"- Relaxers

"Good Hair" is a "documentary" (their words not mine):
"According to Rock, he was prompted to make the movie after his 5-year-old daughter Lola asked him, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?"[3] During the film, Rock delves into the $9 billion black hair industry, and visits such places as beauty salons, barbershops, hair styling conventions and scientific laboratories (to learn the science behind chemical relaxers thatstraighten hair).[3][4]

Rock intended for the film to uphold a sense of seriousness, yet at the same time remain humorous.[4] The movie features interviews from hair care industry businesspeople, stylists (Derek J, Jason Griggers and others) and their consumers, and celebrities such as Ice-T, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, T-Pain, Raven-Symoné, Maya Angelou, KRS-One, Salt-n-Pepa, Kerry Washington, Eve, Reverend Al Sharpton, Tracie Thoms, Lauren London, and Meagan Good[3][5]as they discuss their own experiences with their hair, and how black hair is perceived in the black community."  (source Wikipedia)

Sarenzo Beads Hairtie

This is a movie where you have to really chew up the meat and spit out the bones and there are a lot of bones. In the movie they spoke about relaxers, I believe there was a lot of misinformation or not enough information given about relaxers. There is a right and wrong way to use relaxers.

The Dangers of Relaxers

Noted in the film, was the chemical sodium hydroxide which is a very dangerous chemical and can cause serious injury of not used properly. Yes, if you soak a can in straight sodium hydroxide for 3-4 hours, the can will dissolve into nothing. This is (as Chris Rock failed to note) because cans are made with aluminum. Sodium hydroxide and aluminum cause a reaction that will dissolve aluminum (google it). This is why when working with sodium hydroxide when making soap, it's best to use high grade plastic (yes plastic) or glass to mix the lye and water.

So, the question is then asked, why do people put this on their skin?! Well, no one should be putting a relaxer on their skin. A relaxer when used CORRECTLY should never dissolve the hair or burn the skin. With every box of relaxers, you get a pack of vaseline/ petroleum, this is to be used to "base" or coat the scalp, neck, and forehead and prevent the relaxer from getting on the skin. Scalps burns, alopecia (from scalp burns), etc, are all the result of improper uses of a relaxer. This is all clearly stated on each box and container of relaxer. Though very few will admit it, many people don't use a relaxer correctly. Reckless and improper use is not the fault of the relaxer but, of the person applying the relaxer.

Gloves are also given in each box to keep the person who is applying the relaxer from receiving burns on their hands. It is also advised to work in a well ventilated area as not to directly inhale the fumes.

I hear many women tout that a relaxer is absorbed back into the skin through the scalp, this is false. Hair is dead so the relaxer does not go up the hair shaft and into the scalp. Where you apply the relaxer is where is stays, unless you improperly apply the relaxer and get it on the scalp, this is the only way it can be absorbed into the skin. Hair products are not absorbed into the scalp through the hair. This is how many of us can have moisturized hair but, a dry scalp.

Now, I don't want anyone to think I am saying relaxers are safe or that I endorse them. I just need people to be factual and use common sense. Yes, you can have healthy relaxed hair. Yes, relaxed hair can grow long. Everyone who uses a relaxer does not have chewed up edges and short choppy hair. Sorry.

I do not agree with relaxers for children. This is just wrong. I especially don't agree with relaxers being used improperly on children.

Many relaxed women have YouTubes, blogs, etc. where they explain how to properly apply and maintain relaxed hair.

I'm natural and don't think I will ever go back to relaxers but, I still respect the decision some people have made to relax their hair. Their hair, their choice.

Were you ever relaxed? Did you relax your hair properly? Did you suffer damage?

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit:DIY Hair Care Products

0 Special Report- Going Natural

There is a video out about a reporter who went natural and took the film crew with her. Here is a link to the video if you haven't seen it: Special Report- Going Natural

Okay, I'm about to be a Debbie Downer...so skip this post if you don't want to hear my not to "joyful" views on this report.

You have been warned......

I personally, hated the "Special Report". I am glad that more women are going natural but, I don't like the emphasis that is put on "black women" going natural. There are just as many if not more non-black women who also don't have natural hair.

I hate how the public tries to portray the wig/weave industry as if only black women keep them in business. Last I checked there are a heck of a lot of non-black women who rock clips ins and wigs as well. But this post isn't about white versus black, it's about the lack of self acceptance among all races.

What I would like to see is a report on how women in general need to to accept their outward appearance. We all need to accept who we are no matter what color we are. It's not okay for any "race" of people make a particular feature seem less than and I think this point is constantly ignored.

Black women are not the only women wearing weaves, using bleaching cream, using perms, getting plastic surgery and all around not accepting themselves. So, I think the media and others need to stop making it a "black" issue to accept yourself. This is a universal issue and unless we talk about it and stop sweeping it under the rug, we will always have this issue.

0 My hair routine

Like most women I care a lot about my body (well I should say most humans, right?). I try to keep myself as healthy as possible by constantly learning about and cleansing out toxins. Well, back in 2006-2007 ish (my brain is a little fuzzy, alright...) I started changing my diet; I stopped eating out completely, stopped eating food that I deemed unhealthy for me such as pork, certain sea foods, and other junk. During that time my body went through many changes (with the help of cleanses); my skin became clearer, I lost a lot of weight in certain areas, and my hair changed. Before we get into that part let's get some background info....

My mother started relaxing my hair when I was about 5 or so. I remember my grandmother saying, "I don't know why she put that in your hair!". At the time I didn't really know what was going on but, I do remember thinking I had long hair. My hair was about 2-3 inches past my shoulders and it stayed that length until I was about 9-10 (5th grade). In 5th grade I started to notice my hair had gotten A LOT shorter. It was barely to my shoulders and in the middle it was very thin.

Well, I'm not going to go into all of my hair struggles I went through after that because it includes a "S Curl" (Yes.  horrible, right?), braids and then back to relaxed. We would be here all day if I went through all of that. I hated my hair. I hated it natural (when I had braids my mom didn't relax it) and I hated it with the "S Curl". I wanted my hair back to how it was when I was younger; thick and somewhat long.

My hair always had a little "curl" to it, even after a relaxer. And when I got older (high school) the middle of my hair stopped relaxing. It would never take to the relaxer. Well, I started experiencing the same thing in 2007 after I started changing my diet around; my whole head wouldn't relax. I tried Revlon, African Pride, Supreme, and none of them could relax my curls. I was looking a hot mess because my hair was breaking off and shedding. It wouldn't even straighten with the hot comb! A mess!

So, in December 2007 I decided to go natural. I decided I was going to grow out my hair and stop relaxing. I threw out the conditioners I was using and read up about haircare online. I purchased Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Conditioner and Shampoo.

I got them from my local health food store. I loved them but, a friend of mine told me about Giovanni and I have been using them since. I love them! I have tried the Tea Tree Triple Treat, 50/50, Smooth as Silk and the Direct Leave In.

I have seen Giovanni almost everywhere; Publix, health food stores, Wal-Mart and Target.

Currently, I use Giovanni Smooth as Silk conditioner. It says deep moisture on the back (each hair product shows how moisturizing it is on the back) but, it is also high in protein. So, if you're protein sensitive this product may not be for you or you may need to use it rarely and alternate with a more moisturizing conditioner.

For shampoo I have used the Giovanni brand and I do like it but, for now I am using the Nubian Heritage Black soap.

I know you might be thinking; soap? Yes. Soap. This soap is all natural and contains no harsh ingredients. It is  very moisturizing and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped. When I scrub my scalp really well with this soap, my scalp can go without itching for a little over a week and a half. I also use this soap for my body.

To be continued...

• Leave Ins
• Moisturizers
• Co-washing
• Twists
• Deep Conditioning
• Protein vs. Moisture
• Water, Water, Water
• Wet Buns
• Wigs
• and more....