Author Archives: Jennie C

Mistakes are an inevitable part of a life well-lived. If you’re not messing up from time to time, you’re probably not taking risks, living outside your comfort zone, or trying new things. At Straight Ahead Beauty, we believe mistakes are an inherent part of the process, so we believe in failing quickly and learning and growing from our mistakes.

Of course, some mistakes are harder to come back from; spilling a glass of Bordeaux on your white blouse, sleeping through your alarm and being late to an important meeting, or picking the wrong major in college. At the onset, the prospect of making the wrong choice can feel daunting, but remember, you can always cycle backward or find a new road to go down. Don’t feel unnerved when you realize you’ve made a mistake, because you can always reframe the experience in a positive way, as a learning experience.

Today, however, we’re tackling an especially common, though less severe series of mistakes: hair styling mistakes. Sure, messing up your ‘do may not be plaguing you with anxiety, but it sure can put a damper on your mornings, and you know what they say: win your morning, win your day!

To help make life go a little more smoothly—at least in the hair styling department—we’ve compiled a list of common hair pickles many of us have found ourselves in when we’re strapped for time or just too lazy to bother with starting from scratch. Accidentally curled your hair in the wrong direction and now dealing with an unsightly bend? We show you how to fix it. Too much dry shampoo making you look like you’ve got a sudden explosion of dandruff on your scalp? We got you.

Fixing a curling iron bend

Whether you’re a curling iron newbie or a seasoned user, it’s easy to make a mistake from time to time. A curling iron bend is essentially a crimp that occurs in your hair from leaving it in your hair for too long, or more likely, from curling your hair in the wrong direction (against the clamp, rather than in the same direction).

So, what’s a girl to do next time this happens? First off, just let it cool. If you’re in a hurry, resist the urge to try to fix your mistake right away as this will just make the bend harder to correct. When you continue to apply heat to your hair, you’ll find that the section of hair falls flat and becomes harder to curl. Not to mention, you’re putting excess heat on your hair unnecessarily, which in turn, causes more damage.

Instead, simply apply some heat protectant to the section to reset your strands and allow them to cool entirely. Then, a minute or two later, curl the section of hair again, making sure you’re curling the hair away from your face to avoid another annoying bend. It’s that easy!

Applying too much dry shampoo

We’ve all been there: you’re in a rush to get ready for work in the morning with not enough time to wash your hair. So, what do you do? Dry shampoo, of course! But with those pesky pumps and malfunctioning nozzles, it’s easy to end up with too much product on your scalp. Brunettes, we know this can be especially stressful when you suddenly apply too much product and now your roots have adapted a grey hue. So what’s a girl to do?

Before you panic and run your scalp under the tap, take a breather. Start off by patting the area with a damp towel. This should absorb the excess product that’s sitting on the surface of your hair. Avoid brushing through your roots at this stage; you want to avoid pushing the product into your hair further, as this will make it harder to remove.

Although the towel step should get rid of the excess powder, you’ll likely still find that your hair has a white cast. Now, apply a few drops of hair oil to your fingers—a little bit at a time to avoid making your scalp look oily—rub your fingers together and carefully apply to the area of your scalp with too much dry shampoo. The hair oil will mimic the natural oils on your scalp to help absorb the excess product.

Finally, brush through your hair to disperse what is left of the excess product and ta-da! Your hair should look fresh, bouncy, and free of any dry shampoo residue.

Dealing with a hair elastic dent 

You’ve spent hours giving yourself the perfect blowout, but you don’t want to miss that morning workout class you love. We don’t think you should have to sacrifice good hair for good health, but it can be annoying to have to start from scratch each time you hit the gym.

While dry shampoo can definitely help with combating the post-workout sweat, it can’t make up for the dent you get in your hair when you pull it back for your workout. The first step here is prevention. Rather than opting for a standard hair elastic or worse, a rubber hand to secure your bun or ponytail, use a scrunchie. The soft fabric is less likely to create a dent in your hair. Plus, it’s less likely to cause pulling, snagging, and hair breakage.

If you still find your hair has a dent mid-way through your lengths when you take your hair down, simply apply some heat protectant spray or some water to a hairbrush. Next, begin combing through the area while you blow-dry your hair. Remember, you don’t need to re-blowout your hair from root to tip, simply concentrate the heat where the dent is as this will help smooth it out and restore your hair to its former glory.

Now that you know the trade secrets to hair damage control, you can tackle any styling mishap with ease and expertise. Whether you’re strapped for time in the morning or getting ready for a big event, remember that any hair styling problem can be solved relatively quickly.

Do you have any tips for fixing a styling accident? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you!

Ref: https://www.luxyhair.com

We all love natural hair, but it can be overwhelming and tricky. We’ve put together some natural hair tips to help you with your hair journey.

1. Hair Steaming

This treatment is finally gaining the attention it deserves. Just like our bodies, our hair thrives when being supplied with water. To maintain a clumped curl, lasting hairstyles, retain moisture, overall health, and manageability, every Natural should be steaming.

2. Hygral Fatigue

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as too much water. Many Naturals wet their hair every day or every other day to restyle or refresh their hair. If you are someone that has a habit of spraying your hair often and you are noticing your hair is just different, this could be why.

Hygral Fatigue is the constant expansion and contraction of the cuticle when it opens to take in water and closes to dry the water out. Overworking your cuticle will cause damage and could make the hair feel rigid. Your hair may not react to products like it used to and it also may seem like it is not retaining moisture.

Correcting this problem takes weeks but can be done. You would have to avoid wetting your hair many times in a week and get your water from water-based creams like moisturizers. Try achieving styles that will last you about five days to a week so that you do not have to wet your hair to restyle. You would then use a creamy moisturizer to refresh.

3. Pre-Detangle

99.9% of Naturals do not detangle their hair every day. Hundreds of strands try to shed off freely but they are getting caught in our natural styles.

On wash day, it may be easier to detangle your hair before you shampoo it. Detangling before shampooing will get rid of most of the tangles.

You can spray your hair with a leave-in conditioner or use a moisturizer to soften up your hair and protect your ends so that it does not break while detangling. You should not detangle your hair without applying a product to soften it up and give it elasticity.

4. A True Moisturizer

A moisturizer will have water as the first ingredient. If you look at the definition of moisture, water is present; water opens up the cuticle to allow the other ingredients to penetrate and work on a deeper level.

Using oils and butter as moisturizers are not going to be as effective. Oils will nourish, seal and even soften the hair temporarily and so will butter. Using oils and butter daily will repel the moisture your hair is craving, which you can get from your hair steamer as mentioned in tip 1.

If you use a water-based, creamy moisturizer daily or as needed this will be more effective. Using a moisturizer will give you long lasting moisture, even after you cleanse your hair.

5. Cut, Trim, Shape

I know you’re tired of hearing this, but you have to! Sometimes the only thing holding your hair back from being as healthy as possible is getting a professional trim or by cutting off what is damaged. Keeping your hair shaped is important too if you wear your hair out often. Split ends will happen to the best of us which is why trimming your hair 4-6 times a year is recommended for healthy hair.

You want to get your hair trimmed by a professional for two reasons, their shears, and attention to detail. If you trim your hair with scissors, you are already setting your hair up to split because scissors are not sharp enough for a clean cut and if it isn’t a clean cut it will split right after the cut.

Professional hair cutting shears are best for trimming and cutting. You want to cut above where your hair has split, and a good hair stylist can show you exactly where that is. A professional hair stylist will use different angles to get all of the split ends for an even cut.

6. Treat Before You Protect

If you are thinking about doing a protective style, doing the proper treatments will ensure your hair health coming out of the style. A steam hydration treatment and a protein treatment are a great start to prepping your hair for a style that will last longer than two weeks. You want to protect healthy hair not damaged hair.

7. Take A Break From Wash n Go’s

Say what? Yes, you read right! Taking a break is a tip for those that wear this style often. The reason you should take a break from wash n go’s is because this is a style where your ends are always exposed, and it’s nearly impossible to moisturize every strand.

You cannot visibly see when your hair is breaking. Hair that is trying to shed off freely gets caught in the curls stealing moisture. Try twists or other styles that are more controlled and that you can moisturize efficiently.

8. Inside Out

We all know that keeping yourself healthy will translate into your skin, scalp, and hair. If you don’t eat a healthy diet, your hair could suffer.

It’s important to mention and know that your hair doesn’t contain vitamins since it’s not a living structure. If you’re eating a balanced, nutritious diet there is very little benefit gained from taking hair vitamins and supplements.

If you focus on eating proteins, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains you can help your hair reach its full potential without the supplements. However, if you aren’t eating a balanced, nutritious diet, or even have a medical condition, you might need vitamins and supplements to help your hair.

Don’t be afraid to consult with your doctor to determine if a multivitamin is right for you.

9. Product Junkie

To get the most out of hair products you try on wash day, your hair has to be cleansed and already healthy enough to react to the products the way it is supposed to. Use a deep cleanser before switching products and try the other tips mentioned to make sure your hair is healthy.

Many styling products work best on healthy hair. Therefore, it will not give you the results you want if your hair is unhealthy.

10. Using Bonnets and Shower Caps

Protecting your hair is as important as what you put on your hair. You want to use a silk or satin head covering that is not too tight around the hairline. Silk and satin lock in moisture, whereas cotton or other fibers steal the moisture from your hair.

Even protecting your hair in the shower with a shower cap is essential if your bathroom gets steamy and you take hot showers. The water particles from the steam your hair takes in from daily showers can be a form of hygral fatigue mentioned in tip 2.

11. Straight Natural

If you are a Natural but prefer your hair to be straight or blown out it’s all good! Wearing your hair straight does not mean you aren’t a real Natural or that your hair is damaged. Just like your hair can be trained to curl it can be trained to be straight making your silk press last longer and not requiring much heat to achieve your styles.

A heat protectant in the form of a leave-in or a blowout cream will help avoid damage but most of all it is the technique and the tool. You want to go over your hair once or twice with a flat iron. Use a flat iron that is not only ceramic but also has tourmaline or titanium plates that will protect your cuticle Like our Hybrid Titanium Pro flat iron.

12. Hair Butters

Some natural hair girls don’t realize that natural hair butter can help keep their hair naturally soft, silky and healthy. Using natural butter allows you to avoid the hard to pronounce and unknown chemicals in most popular hair-care products.

Hair butter can help with the following, but not limited to:

• Keeping your hair stronger
• Preventing split ends
• Reducing damage from coloring your hair and help the color stay locked into your hair for longer
• Renewing damaged hair
• and much more!

13. Proper Maintenance of Styles

Pineappling is a quick nighttime styling method to preserve your curls allowing them to still be great another day. There are a few things to consider when doing this technique to properly maintain your style. Before doing so, it’s best to use a silk material to hold it in place.

Do’s

• Dry before doing this technique
• Be patient

Dont’s

• Wait to apply a product
• Don’t use a towel to dry hair
• Limit nights of “pineappling”

14. Drying Techniques

There are a few things you can incorporate in your hair care routine or cut out to properly dry natural hair by air drying. Check them out below and see the benefits of air drying your natural hair.

• Cut usage of shampoo
• Detangle with wide tooth comb while in hair is wet
• Nourish your hair to avoid frizz
• Care for your ends, they’re super prone to breakage when drying
• Deep condition faithfully!

Bleaching is high impact, and not just in regards to the look itself—your locks really take a blow when you take them even a few shades lighter. Bleaching hair leaves the cuticle layers open. It leaves it compromised and weak, and because the cuticle is open, that’s why your hair has that rougher texture.

With that being said, there’s no need to change your mind about an awesome blonde color—it just means that with bleached hair comes greater responsibility. (Hopefully, you already knew there was some extra upkeep involved.) Thankfully, with the right approach, you can lighten your locks and have them looking healthier than ever.

DRY SHAMPOO

Dry shampoo is particularly key in the first three weeks after your treatment, as the hair is already weak and susceptible to breakage, and shampoo tends to strip the cuticle even more. Stylist Sheridan Ward, who works with Michelle Williams, recommends shampooing every three to four days, tops. Stretch out washes as long as possible with the dry shampoo.

CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION

This doesn’t mean you should abandon your haircare entirely. In fact, make up for your lack of shampoo with hydrating conditioners and masks. The idea is to fill in the extra porosity of the hair with protein and moisture. This helps to rebuild strength. (And shine, too.) The bottom line is that bleach leaves strands very dry, so don’t skimp on a color-saving conditioner in the shower.

HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN

If you absolutely must wash your hair in some form but find yourself reaching for the shampoo bottle way too often, it’s time to invest in a natural, essential oil-based cleanser. You might know what we’re referring to under the name “no-poo.” It won’t strip your hair in the same way a shampoo will, instead just balancing out the oils on your head.

NOT ALL TOWELS ARE CREATED EQUALLY

Investing in a microfiber towel is never a bad idea for any kind of hair (treated or untreated), since the ultra-soft, absorbent feel helps strands maintain their natural texture without frizzing or damage. But when your hair is especially at risk for breakage, it’s essential.

TONE IT UP

It’s important to use a purple shampoo so your hair doesn’t get brassy, but considering you’ll be going days without washing your hair, you might want to have something else on hand. Enter toners, which you can add to nearly any hair product to get a little toning help. Put them in your conditioner, your mask, your leave-in treatment—wherever you can think of.

HAIR OIL

As both a pre- and post-shower treatment, a great hair oil helps hydrate and protect roughed-up cuticles from the elements—not to mention it’ll help make strands shiny again and keep frizz at bay, since dry strands are typically the culprit behind unwanted kinks (and again, bleach tends to leave hair very dry).

INVEST IN A GLOSS
Not only will it help seal and protect the color, but it helps feign shine when hair isn’t healthy enough to be glossy on its own, by smoothing out rough cuticles and filling in any holes. Typically, stylists will add a glossing treatment at the salon (ask to be sure).

Do you live in a hard-water area? Is your hair giving you daily grief? No amount of conditioners or styling sprays can rescue you, as the root of the problem lies in your tap water.

What is hard water? Hard water is water that has a high mineral content – especially calcium and magnesium – in comparison to soft water. Although it’s not considered as harmful for your health, hard water can cause serious problems to your hair and skin. After many washings, minerals dissolved in the hard water create a film on the hair. This prevents the moisture from entering the hair. The result is dry, dull, tangly, and strange colored hair. Hard water can also cause build up on the scalp, causing a dandruff-like condition to form.

However, do not fret. Hard water need not ruin your hair. For those of you who desire silky and shiny tresses, here are some effective solutions.

8 Ways to Save your Hair from Hard Water

1. VINEGAR RINSE

The acidity of vinegar works to remove calcium build up from your hair. It also balances the pH of your hair, smooths down the cuticles, and leaves your hair feeling soft and silky.

You can use any vinegar, but apple cider vinegar is the best for hair. Mix 1 teaspoons of vinegar to 2 cups of water. (We also like to add a tablespoon of coconut water, it makes the rinse more luxurious). After shampooing, pour this mixture on to your hair. Massage the scalp and work through your hair and leave it for a couple of minutes, then wash it off.

Vinegar rinses also increases shine and gives body to limp hair. Use it once a week, as everyday use will make your hair dry.

2. LEMON RINSE

Like vinegar, the acidic nature of lemon juice will help remove buildup from your hair.

To make the lemon rinse, take a tablespoon of lemon juice and add 3 cups of water, and mix well. After shampooing, pour this rinse on to your hair. Massage the scalp and work through your hair and leave it for a couple of minutes, then wash it off. Lemon rinse will enhance shine and look of your hair. Plus, the antiseptic properties of lemon also remedy dandruff.

3. WATER SOFTNER

A water softener is a good, but expensive way to solve your hard water worries. It removes calcium and magnesium (limescale) and certain other metal cations from the hard water – making the water soft.

When you touch the soft water, it will not look or feel any different, although your skin and hair will be much happier. Also, soft water can be useful for people experiencing hair build up, eczema, dandruff and other hard water-related conditions.

4. SHOWER FILTER

A shower filter is a cheaper alternative to the water softener. It can considerably reduce limescale, chlorine and many other chemicals from hard water. There are many different types of shower filter that attach to your shower unit. You can buy these online, at hardware stores or at home supply stores.

5. BOTTLED WATER OR FILTER JUG

Another option is to use bottled mineral/spring water for final rinse. Although not that expensive, you will have plastic bottles piling up (and one plastic bottle can take up to 400 years to biodegrade). It can be a temporary solution especially if your hair is giving you a hard time, or when you are visiting the hard water area for a few days.

Instead of bottled water, you can also use water from a filter jug, and that may won’t be as much plastic waste.

6. RAIN WATER

Rain is soft water. And it’s free! You can catch rainwater in a wide mouth container and use that to wash your hair. It’s said to make hair really soft and glossy. The only drawback – you can’t have it all the time.

7. CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Market-bought clarifying shampoos can be harsh on hair so use them sparingly. And when buying a clarifying shampoo or any products for that matter always choose products with natural and safer ingredients.

8. LEAVE IN CONDITIONER

This will not remove the buildup, but it will surely pep up your hair. After shampooing and towel drying, when the hair is still damp, apply a few drops of natural leave-in conditioner like coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil or almond oil. It will seal the moisture within the strands and give you that smooth, glossy finish.

Nothing is worse than a dye-job gone wrong. Washing your hair to get a result that is the farthest thing from what you wanted, can throw you, head-first, into panic mode. But calm down. Now, take a deep breath because there is a solution – Baking soda.

Note: These methods will help fade semi-permanent hair colors. If you’ve used permanent hair color and are unhappy with the results, please consult a hair specialist.

1. WASH HAIR WITH BAKING SODA TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp Baking Soda
• 1 1/2 cup Water
• 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Fragrant Essential Oil (whichever you prefer)

Prep Time: 2 Minutes | Process Time: 10 MINUTES

Process

• Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda with half a cup of water.
• Wet your hair and apply this mixture to it.
• Work the mixture into your hair and leave it in for about 10 minutes.
• Rinse your hair with water.
• Combine the vinegar, water, and essential oil in a jug and pour it through your hair as a final rinse.
• Do not rinse your hair any further.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 Consecutive Days

How Does This Work?

Baking soda and vinegar are excellent cleansing agents. This mix is likely to dry out your hair a little but it will also help fade your hair color to a certain extent.

2. DISH SOAP AND BAKING SODA TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 3 tbsp Baking Soda
• 4 tbsp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
• 1 tbsp Dish Washing Soap
• Shower Cap/Plastic Bag

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 20 minute

Process

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl until you get a smooth mixture.
• Apply the mixture onto dry hair until it is completely saturated.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap or a plastic bag and leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes.
• Wash your hair with warm water.
• Condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

2-3 consecutive days

How This Works

This method effectively fades semi-permanent hair color. The dish washing soap’s harsh detergents will considerably strip color after the first wash.

3. BAKING SODA AND SHAMPOO TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp Baking Soda
• 1 tbsp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 20 minutes

Process

• In a bowl, combine the baking soda with a strong anti-dandruff shampoo.
• Dampen your hair with hot water and then shampoo your hair with the baking soda mixture.
• Leave the mixture in for about 20 minutes.
• Wash off with warm water.
• Condition your hair well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

How This Works

Anti-dandruff shampoos have strong clarifying properties which will help strip the color from your hair. In combination with baking soda, it will remove a considerable amount of color without causing as much damage as bleach would.

4. BAKING SODA AND LEMON JUICE TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 2 tbsp Baking Soda

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 20 minutes

Process

• In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
• Apply this mixture onto the colored parts of your hair.
• Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
• Wash your hair with shampoo and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

How This Works

Lemon has strong bleaching properties which will help strip your hair of color. In combination with baking soda, it will help clarify your hair while also fading the color.

5. EPSON SALT & BAKING SODA TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 1 tbsp Baking Soda
• 1 tbsp Epsom Salt
• 1 cup Water

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 20 minutes

Process

• Combine the ingredients in a bowl until they’re well dissolved.
• Saturate your hair with the mixture and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
• Shampoo your hair and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

3-4 consecutive days.

How This Works

Using epsom salt is one of the most effective ways of stripping color from your hair. This method will help strip away a considerable amount of color.

6. VITAMIN C AND BAKING SODA TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 2 tbsp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
• 5-10 Crushed Vitamin C tablets
• 1 tbsp Baking Soda

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 30-60 minutes

Process

• In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
• Apply the mixture to damp hair until it is completely saturated.
• Leave it on for about 30-60 minutes.
• Wash off and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

2-3 consecutive days.

How This Works

Using crushed vitamin C supplements is a popular way of stripping hair color. The presence of anti-dandruff shampoo and baking soda in this method make it all the more effective.

7. BAKING SODA AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO REMOVE HAIR COLOR

You Will Need

• 6 tbsp Baking Soda
• 3 tbsp 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1 tbsp Conditioner
• Shower Cap

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Processing Time: 1 hour

Process

• In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
• Apply this mixture onto your hair and leave it on for about 60 minutes.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap.
• Wash your hair with shampoo and condition well.

How Often Can You Do This?

1-2 times a week.

How This Works

Peroxide is a bleaching agent which will effectively strip most of the dye’s color out of your hair. While this process can dry out your hair, it is not as harsh as using strong hair bleach.

Now that you know how to remove hair color with baking soda, what are you waiting for? Getting rid of an undesirable hair color is no longer a major problem. All you need is one simple ingredient from your pantry—baking soda.

Ref: www.stylecraze.com

Hair masks are an excellent addition to your hair care routine because they seal the hair’s cuticle, preventing damage from entering the innermost layers of the follicles. Sealing the cuticle also adds a smooth, soft, shiny finish to your hair!

One of the biggest determining factors for choosing a mask should be by first understanding your hair and its specific needs. Don’t worry, we will help you figure out what those are…

Identifying your hair type is simple and is based on a combination of: density, strand diameter, porosity, greasiness, elasticity and texture. We’ll break it down for you…

Density– refers to how much hair you have on your scalp. This is one of the most important factors in determining what type of hair mask, so we’ll start here.

You can determine the density of your hair by grabbing a handful and pulling to the side to reveal your scalp:

• If your scalp is highly visible, then you have thin density hair.
• If your scalp is only partially visible, then you have medium density hair.
• If your scalp is hardly visible, then you have thick density hair.

Diameter – is the size of an individual strand of hair.

This can be determined by taking one strand between the pads of two fingers:

• If you can barely feel it, your strands are thin/fine diameter.
• If you can somewhat feel it, your strands are medium diameter.
• If you can definitely feel it, your strands are thick diameter.

Porosity– is the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture (i.e. the products you use on it).

You can determine your hair’s porosity by placing one strand in a cup of water:

• If the strand sinks, your hair has a high porosity, which means it’s more prone to damage and frizz.
• If the strand balances somewhere between floating and sinking, you have normal or medium porosity. Your hair is generally less prone to damage and can hold its style better.
• If the strand floats, you have low porosity. This means there are less holes or gaps in your cuticle, resulting in the hair being less absorptive and will often stay wet for hours after washing. Good news, your hair is pretty healthy!

Greasiness– this one’s pretty obvious, but it refers to the amount of oil production on your scalp.

The day after washing your hair, take a tissue and press it around your scalp:

• If the tissue is saturated with oil, you have greasy hair.
• If the tissue only has oil from specific areas on your scalp, you have combination hair.
• If the tissue is oil-free, then you have dry hair and scalp.

Elasticity– is a great indicator of hair’s health. The more a strand of hair can stretch before returning to its original state (without breaking) refers to how elastic the strands are.

To determine this, pluck a wet strand of hair and stretch it as much as possible. (Think of it like stretching a rubber band.):

• If it stretches a lot, your hair has high elasticity.
• If it stretches a little bit before snapping, you have medium elasticity
• If it hardly stretches before snapping, you have low elasticity.

Texture – this you may be more familiar with. Determining your texture is as easy as looking in the mirror at your hair in its natural state.

• Textures include straight, wavy, curly and coily.

USAGE

Now that you’ve identified the different components of your hair type, it should be easier to pick a hair mask that will give you the most benefits. Once a week is all you need! If possible, carve out an hour, once a week, dedicated to using a hair mask

Pay attention to your hair’s specific needs. If you have damaged ends, but your roots are greasy, only apply the mask to the mid-lengths and ends (avoid the scalp region!). On the contrary, if your hair is parched from root to tip, apply the mask all over.

Apply to wet or dry hair! Make sure to pay attention to the directions and wash off after the recommended amount of time.

Comb the mask through your hair with a wide tooth comb to ensure every strand is saturated (concentrating on the ends). Be extra gentle so as not to tug or break any strands.

Apply the mask in a downward motion so as not to expose or roughen up the cuticle. The idea is to seal it down, keeping your hair sleek and smooth.

Lastly, a Reversible Shower Cap is a masking must-have! Flip it inside out so the terrycloth is on the outside. The nylon lining will help insulate the mask and help it deeply penetrate your hair.

We hope these tips help you to identify your hair type, the perfect mask for you and some tips and tricks to help you get the maximum benefits from your mask!

Do you have any additional tips and tricks you have for using hair masks? We’d love to hear them! And if you still have any questions about choosing the right mask, please let us know!

You may feel like there is no coming back from the damage and dryness your hair is currently suffering, but we’re here to tell you that’s not always the case! Like a glitchy video game, there’s an easy way to reset your hair health and jump back on that bandwagon you fell from.

Here is everything you need to do for healthier hair in under 30 days.

Simplify Your Color

You don’t have to give up color appointments to get healthier strands. Instead of reverting back to pre-dye life, consider paring down your coloring routine for a few months by opting for a gloss treatment.

Colored gloss can revitalize a once vibrant and shiny color, soften grown-out highlights to give you more time before your next coloring appointment, and banish brassiness. Need more convincing? This treatment works on every hair type and texture, can be done by any colorist, and costs far less than a highlight or full color.

Ditch the Dead Weight

Check whether or not a product has expired. Anything that has dried out, separated, or past the ‘period after opening’ time indicated on the bottom of the packaging (if it has one, that is) is ready to be tossed. Why should you care? Using old products will lead to build up — and could even prevent new growth from coming in strong.

Consider ridding your bathroom of more than just the things that have gone bad. Cutting the clutter will help you pick the right products for better hair days, too.

Pick the Right Brush … and Use It!

Sometimes, the simplest thing can be the most beneficial. Regular brushing is a simple step that can help create better, healthier hair.

Why? The right brush helps to detangle, distribute oil, and eliminate residual product. That said, choosing the right brush is very important.

For those with straight or wavy hair, consider a boar bristle/nylon mixture brush. (In general, the thicker the hair, the more beneficial some added nylon bristles will be.) Have curly or textured locks? An all-nylon or plastic bristle option is best to gently detangle.

Moisturize Your Ends

During colder months, moisture is the most important thing to monitor, because it’s the hardest thing to hold on to. Differing temperatures inside and out cause your strands to shrink and expand, leaving your hair more parched than normal.

It is important to use a single drop (or more for thick or long hair) of deeply-penetrative oil each day to help seal moisture in and maintain your style. Application is also important. Apply from the ends towards the middle of the hair shaft and then just a little right on the crown.

Mask, Mask, & Mask Some More

You’ve cleansed and conditioned, but it’s important not to skip deep conditioning. Masking your hair regularly sends important ingredients deep into the hair shaft and continues to promote your hair goals.

While it can feel like the longer, the better, certain products may make your issues worse if left on for longer than the recommended time. Moral of the story? Pay very close attention to the instructions — and follow ’em!

Get A Strategic Hair Cut

In truth, there isn’t a special haircut that will give you healthier hair. However, there are a few things that will allow you to cut down on existing damage and future heat styling, both of which will equate to stronger hair.

First things first — get rid of damage. You can opt for a trim to banish split ends at the ends of hair, or get a “dusting” to eliminate broken tips throughout the lengths of hair. Then, invest in a haircut that will work with your hair texture and type — not against it — so you can air-dry more. Talk to your stylist about the chop best suited for your texture.

Use Protection

Incorporating no-heat and low-manipulation styles into your routine is important for long-term health. Think: A chic bun over head of barrel curls. Also, try adding oils and experimenting with braided styles to give your hair a break from hot tools and pulling.

Girls with natural hair can try a litany of protective styles, from faux dreads to box braids, to lock in moisture and protect delicate ends. If you can’t part ways with heat, wavy and curly girls should try a round-brush blowout for a straighter look that is gentle on the strands. To retain moisture while you snooze, we also suggest sleeping on a satin pillowcase as cotton often draws out water from your hair.

Find A Routine & Stick To It

Going to bed without slathering on your favorite night cream sounds like death to your complexion, right? To reset your hair, you must treat your tresses similarly. Everyone has a face ritual. People need to also establish a hair ritual. Spend 5-10 minutes on your hair by using a mask or oil and you’re set for the next two or three days.

We also suggest breaking down your hair ritual to help you craft a routine for your needs and goals. Determine what your hair type is and decide what you want to change or maintain. Then break it down into steps: cleanse and condition, moisturize and detangle, styling and finally a finishing product.

Choose products within each step that will help you rebuild damaged hair, control frizz, or retain and promote growth.

If you have curly hair and have worked hard to preserve your coils, getting a blowout or silk press every once in a while, may feel like you’re taking a huge risk on a super shaky investment. And to be honest, you kind of are. The good news is that what you do on wash day — both before and after the shower — can help preserve your curl pattern, prevent heat damage, and make the time spent caring for your curls worth the gamble. And it doesn’t mean losing the flexibility to switch things up, either.

First, let’s get the most pressing issue out of the way. It is completely possible to have healthy curls and rock a blowout without totally destroying your hair. What’s most important is the level of heat protection that you use when you’re styling. That, combined with taking a few extra steps during the wash process, ensures that your strands are in optimal shape to withstand heat styling.

How heat styling can affect your curls

If you’ve ever noticed that your curls aren’t 100 percent back in tip-top shape the first time you wash your hair, you’re not imagining things. If you’ve used high heat, up to 450 degrees, the bonds in your hair need time to get back into formation. If the flatiron was really hot, like 450 degrees, then it could take a few washes for the bonds [in your hair] to reorganize, even if your hair isn’t damaged per se.

So, what happens to your curls when you straighten them that makes them not bounce back? When your curls aren’t protected and heat is applied, the structural proteins within each strand are damaged. This repeated damage essentially breaks down the strand. Once the damage is done, there’s no coming back. You’ll have to either let the limp parts grow out before cutting them off, or snip them immediately. It’s important to realize the damage that heat can do to the proteins inside of the hair as well as on the surface. You need to get the benefits of the heat without the direct contact, which can lead to damage. We suggests priming hair with silicone- and dimethicone-based ingredients to protect your strands.

Silicones aren’t the enemy

Although silicones are a bit controversial for some consumers, Wilson says that it’s these ingredients that will create cross-links on the hair strand and form a film that will essentially block out excessive heat and help reduce damage. If you just can’t get behind a silicone-based product, Wilson says that certain proteins and polymers can essentially do the same thing. Look for these on the ingredient labels: hydrolyzed wheat protein, PG-propyl silanetriol, hydrolyzed keratin, PG-propyl methylsilanediol, and hydrolyzed rice protein. Ingredients like sodium laneth-40, maleate/styrene sulfonate copolymer, sodium methoxy PEG-16 maleate/styrene sulfonate copolymer, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate also help form that crucial film.

How to wash your hair before you straighten it

It’s best to start your straightening process in the shower, but before you wash, apply a protein-infused finisher or a thermal spray to help coax your curls into formation once you get under the water. The more hydrated your hair is, the more manageable it will be, which means less wear and tear on vulnerable coils. Any type of moisture, even after hair is already straightened, can help prevent damage. What the moisture does is preserve the elasticity of each strand, which when healthy, bounce back into shape once the straight bonds are broken with water.

Next, it’s on to cleansing. We recommend using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner and then follow that up with a leave-in conditioner to ensure that your curls snap back. We recommend shampoos and conditioners rich in moisturizing ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, proteins, and safflower oil. Moisture is the key factor standing between your strands and serious damage. Also, shopping for shampoos and conditioners geared toward curly hair is a good idea since most of them are created to moisturize naturally drier hair. After the shower, generously apply a leave-in conditioner and a heat-protecting spray. The combo will work in sync to keep hair hydrated and shield it from any excessive heat.

While cleansing, use a product with enough slip so that there is less friction and pulling on the hair while you scrub and detangle. “Many shampoos and conditioners geared towards curls have the right balance of conditioning agents, humectants, and surfactants to help curls bounce back. You can see it immediately when you’re working the shampoo through your hair,” says Wilson.

Caring for your hair while it’s straightened

So, you’ve fully straightened your hair. Cool. It may be tough, but in between straightenings, avoid using heat for touch-ups. If you must, always apply a heat protectant beforehand. It’s an easy step to forget each time, but could make all the difference on the state of your strands. Also, cut down on how often you’re washing. Using too much shampoo on textured hair tends to dry it out. We would recommend washing your hair every five to seven days, especially for those girls who have color.

If your straightening sessions are seasonal and you plan to wear your hair straight for the next few months, incorporate weekly protein treatments into your routine. Protein treatments are great for people who color, relax, texturize, or use high heat on their hair. It helps decrease shedding and breakage by boosting the hair with nutrients that help reconstruct and strengthen damaged hair. But, pay attention to how your hair is responding to both protein treatments and regular conditioner. If your hair is too stretched out when it’s wet, then you need more protein. If your hair snaps too easily and is brittle, then you need more moisture. Maintain a proper balance and you’ll notice stronger curls over time.

The Post Straightening Wash

The first time you wash after you straighten is equally as important as every other step already mentioned. Blowouts can really dry out hair so try to incorporate as much moisture as possible while balancing it with a light protein treatment. You may want to swap out your regular conditioner for that first wash with something that will sink in deeper. Keep in mind that you may have also compromised hair’s ability to hold on to moisture — so you want to add proteins back to the hair that can help restore how well it retains hydration.

We recommend doing a good conditioning mask and a steam treatment right before that first wash. Also, try to stay away from heavy products that can weigh the hair down and stretch out the curls even further. Look for products that specifically say “curl enhancing” or “curl defining. They’ll most likely be lightweight and may even have some ingredients to help reshape each coil.

Now go forth, and straighten your hair without compromising your glorious curls.

Ref: allure.com

Everyone has a hair care routine they have been practicing for years. While some hair care rules you should still swear by, others may actually be a myth. These mythical hair care rules can actually do more damage than good to your hair. We are here to help by breaking down some of these myths and debunking them for good.

Frequent haircuts make hair grow faster

The reason why your hair seems to grow longer after every cut actually has nothing to do with the act of growing. Your hair grows from hair follicles on your scalp, so technically, it is always growing at the same rate, whether or not you have recently cut your hair.

Split dead ends are removed when you get a professional haircut, making hair growth more noticeable. When dead ends are not removed, they grow fragile and break, making hair seem like it is growing slower when, in reality, it is growing at its normal rate.

Brushing makes hair shinier

This myth actually has an adverse effect. If hair is brushed too frequently, the cuticles are damaged, and the hair appears to be duller. To prevent damage from brushing, start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up. Always avoid brushing too hard around the scalp.

Removing one grey hair causes two more to grow in its place

This is a common fear but, luckily, it is a myth. Grey hairs are caused by the hair follicle, so plucking it will make the grey hair temporarily disappear, but it does not affect the surrounding follicles.

Hair grows faster when you sleep with it down

Hair growth remains the same no matter what you do, and it depends on genetics. Although sleeping with your hair down does not change the rate of growth, it does protect hair from damage. If you are concerned your skin will break out by sleeping with your hair down, sleep with a loose braid or ponytail to keep your hair away from your face.

Blow drying causes damage

This myth is only true if you improperly blow-dry your hair. Do not use the highest heat setting or hold the blow dryer too close to the hair. Instead, blow-dry on a low heat and hold the dryer at a distance to prevent excessive damage. Use high-quality moisture to protect your hair from the heat.

Air drying is better than blow drying

Exposing hair for long periods of time to water causes the hair’s interior to swell. This actually proves to be more damaging in the long-term.

Oil makes hair greasy

If you apply oil directly to the scalp then yes, this myth is true. Small amounts of oil applied to the ends of your hair, however, does not make your hair greasy. Instead, it makes it shine.

Coloring during pregnancy is dangerous

The real concern is ammonia inhalation, not absorption through the scalp. Always consult your stylist before considering dying your hair to get a professional opinion, and if pregnant, do not dye your hair at home.

Product immunity

Using the same conditioner and shampoo repeatedly does not cause hair to become immune to its effects. Hair is dead, therefore, it is impossible for it to build immunity to something.

Your mind may actually make this myth seem real. If you use the same product repeatedly, its newness wears off, and your perception changes, making you think it is no longer having a beneficial effect.

Coloring causes damage

This myth does hold some truth, depending on the chemicals in your hair dye. This is why it is vital to see a specialist for your coloring needs; this way they can assess your scalp’s needs and choose a dye that will not damage or burn the scalp.

Dry shampoo is better for your scalp than regular

With the rise in popularity of dry shampoo, it is understandable that a few myths will surface. The reality is that dry shampoo does not clean hair, but makes it appear to be clean.

Your scalp needs hydration, which is accomplished through the use of a proper shampoo. Save the dry shampoo for when you really are in a pinch, but still wash your hair regularly for a healthy scalp.

Baldness in men is inherited from their mother

Researchers suspect that baldness is the result of multiple genes from both parents. The old thought process that baldness is passed on by the mother’s X chromosome has no scientific proof.

Dandruff signifies a dry scalp

Contrary to popular belief, dandruff is actually the result of an oily scalp, not a dry scalp. The yeast which results in dandruff production thrives in an oily environment, so decreasing how often you wash your hair to decrease dandruff has the opposite effect.

If you are struggling with dandruff, then use a specialized anti-dandruff shampoo.

Products made for or marketed to a specific race/ethnicity cannot be used by those of other backgrounds

The ingredients in a product matter much more than to whom the product is marketed. In fact, most products have the same set of three to five base ingredients. Products for “ethnic” hair types tend to be more moisturizing and have more oils and proteins than those for other hair types. Damaged hair needs a good dose of moisture, proteins and oil to regain its healthy appearance.

The same holds true for products marketed to those with color-treated hair. Even if your hair is not dyed, using a product for color-treated hair can be beneficial because these shampoo formulas tend to be gentler (to preserve easily washed away hair color) and conditioners tend to be super-conditioning, but lightweight, to help reduce dryness from the coloring process.

Let’s admit it. We’ve all skipped a workout to keep our hair looking fresh for a little while longer. Sometimes, dealing with a greasy mess of hair just isn’t worth it when you have plans with friends, are off to work, or just can’t bear the thought of going through your entire hair wash routine. No judgement here.

Still, skipping out on a good, sweaty workout sesh to keep your hair clean also isn’t the best solution. That’s why we’ve gathered our favorite ways to get fresh hair after the gym quicky—no washing required. Whether you’re meeting up with friends for brunch post hot yoga, heading out on a date after your favorite SoulCycle class, or making a mad dash to work after your morning workout, read on to learn how to get amazing post-workout hair.

BEFORE THE GYM

APPLY DRY SHAMPOO

AKA the Wonder Woman of haircare products, the Queen B, the Crowning Glory. Whatever you want to call it, dry shampoo is the haircare product every woman has and needs in their hair care arsenal.

Along with properly stretching, a major part of your pre-workout routine should also be applying dry shampoo if washing your hair post-workout isn’t an option. Before tossing your hair into a ponytail or messy bun, begin by sectioning off various pieces of your hair and hitting the roots with dry shampoo. Be sure to pay a little extra attention to the nape of your neck, since that area tends to build up sweat a lot more. Applying dry shampoo pre-workout will help it absorb moisture the minute you break a sweat and will continue to absorb it throughout your workout, keeping it much drier than it would normally be by the time you’re finished. Controlling the amount of moisture in your hair will keep it fresher and helps cut down on the time it takes to style your mane post workout.

Another added benefit of making this your pre-workout hair routine is that you won’t have to wash your hair after every single workout, preserving the natural oils in your hair and preventing dryness.

THINK AHEAD, CHOOSE THE RIGHT GYM HAIRSTYLE

SWEATBAND

Although not the most glamorous, a sweatband will help absorb sweat as it develops around your hairline, helping to minimize how ‘dirty’ your hair gets throughout your workout. Opt for thick, soft bands instead of tight thin ones, as those can leave a stubborn indent right at the top of your head, which is hard to get rid of without a shower.

MESSY LOW BUN

Pulling your hair up and away from the nape of your neck in a loose pony or messy bun is also important as it avoids getting your ends drenched in sweat and minimizes creasing. To avoid those pesky and notorious creases you get from conventional hair elastics, we recommend investing in several spiral hair ties or ribbon hair ties. These work on all hair types and provide a decent hold on your hair without pulling and creasing.

BRAIDS

If you have curly, wavy, or textured hair, braids are a classic way to keep hair from becoming wild and unruly during a workout, enhancing your natural texture. If your hair is straight, the humidity at the gym will lead to heatless waves after your workout.

AFTER THE GYM

2 MINUTE BLOW OUT

Whether you’re popping in a pair of extensions before going out for the night or touching up your roots with mascara because there wasn’t enough time that week for a color touch up, it’s important to know which shortcuts to take and how to take them so that they don’t look like you took the shorter route to get ready.

To get that salon-quality look after the gym, let’s first review everything you need to permanently house in your gym bag for the perfect post-workout hairstyle: Comb, round brush, dry shampoo, and blowout cream.

To achieve that post-workout express blowout without turning into a frazzled hot mess, start by applying the products you know your hair needs; that might look like an extra dusting of dry shampoo along with a blow dry cream that’s applied all through your hair. Next, thoroughly dry your hair. Leaving behind any moisture (especially by the roots) causes hair to become frizzy and puffy. Flip your hair forward so that it is upside down, continue to blow dry hair and brush through various sections with a round brush. An added bonus is that blow drying your hair with your head flipped forward will actually create volume and body for that salon blowout effect.

Next, apply dry shampoo at your temples, and any other areas that require a bit of extra love. Run a comb through your hair to distribute the dry shampoo to any sections you may have accidentally skipped over and will help your mane look neat and polished.

If dry shampoos aren’t really your thing or you’d prefer to avoid loading up products, which can often weigh down hair, try experimenting with different astringents. Products like witch hazel and other toners work to balance the oils on your skin without being too harsh or stripping too much of your body’s natural oils. After you’re done getting zen at hot yoga, a quick and simple way to freshen up your scalp and manage greasy hair is to start by loading up a cotton ball with your favorite astringent, section off the hair like you would when applying dry shampoo and dap the cotton throughout your scalp. Finally, give your hair a blast of air all over using low heat.

EMBRACE THE GRIT: SLICKED BACK PONY TAIL

One of the most underrated and underappreciated hairstyles is the slicked-back bun, which exudes an air of elegance and sophistication. Instead of fighting with your oily hair, why not embrace the grit? Brush your hair back with a paddle brush or comb, and twist it into a low bun or ponytail. Then, apply a few drops of hair oil to exaggerate the sleek look, spritz on a little hairspray to tame fly-aways, and you’re set to head out the door!

WEAR A HAT

Throwing on a hat post workout may seem like an easy way out but realistically the majority of us don’t always have the luxury or the time to spend our mornings beautifying ourselves and styling our hair. Not only that, not everyone is always willing to sacrifice an extra 20 minutes of sleep for time in front of the mirror. Wearing a hat to camouflage a dirty mane is one of the oldest tricks in the book, and with athleisure fashion taking over, you can chalk your new hat up to keeping up with the trends.

HAIR PERFUME MIST

So, you’ve refreshed your body and face with lovely scents, but what about your hair? Fragrant hair mists are specifically designed to load your hair up with a delicious scent, perfect for that post-workout refresh. Different from a perfume designed for the body, hair perfume mists contain essential vitamins and protective qualities to keep your hair not only smelling good, but looking and feeling good from the inside out. Hair perfumes also contain less alcohol than traditional body perfumes, which are known culprits of dry, damaged hair.

CURLY HAIR

If you have wavy or curly hair, use your favorite sulfate-free and alcohol-free styling cream to twist and scrunch the hair to help it maintain the curl. An extra tip is to apply leave-in conditioner before your sesh, to hydrate those curls while you work out.

AIR DRY

If your hair isn’t prone to getting too frizzy, then you can indulge in a quick rinse and let your hair air dry. For a nice touch, twist the front sections of your hair back and pin them down.

There are plenty of clever ways to manage your hair after a sweaty workout. As always, when it comes to hair, it’s about experimenting and figuring out what works best for you. At the end of the day, no one ever regretted working out, so wear your sleek ponytail proudly and know that you’re working on a healthy body and mind from the inside out.

Ref: luxyhair.com