First we want you to scream....YOU ARE NOT YOUR HAIR!! You are beautiful no matter how you choose to rock your hair!Welcome my sisters to the dawn of a new era! I know many of you have heard whisperings like this: "Girl, I am transitioning", "Its all about conditioning" "Natural hair is healthy hair" "I wear my hair natural so I can work out".
Do the following terms make your head spin: Twist-Out, Locs, Dreds, Coil-Outs, Shingling?
Confused about how to take care of your hair when you work out (permed or natural)? Well never you fear P.O.S.H Life is here! Let us give you a general overview and any questions you have we are glad to answer!!
All hair is biologially the same, but black hair is naturally more dry than that of other ethnicities. Your hair is made up of the cuticle, cortex, melanin, and sebaceous glands (oil producers). Our hair needs....you guessed it MOISTURE! Relaxers, color, and every day handling robs our hair of the precious moisture we desperately need. Just because we are black doesn't mean we all share the same hair texture. Many of us have a multitude of ethicities in our backgrounds and there may even be different textures of hair on your scalp. There for there is no Magic Potion to determine what products to put on your hair. Determine your hair type here and additional information. http://www.ourhair.net/
Relaxers---Don't get us wrong, you CAN have healthy hair with a relaxer, provided you put forth the effort to take care of your hair. Relaxer does not equal lazy. Relaxed hair is weaker than natural hair and more prone to problems and breakage.
Going Natural - This involves a process called transitioning if you previously had your hair relaxed. This means letting your relaxed hair grow out and not applying chemicals to your hair. The whole process sounds scary I know but there are methods which can assist in this process. You can try a weave, braids, twists, coil outs, twists outs (where the hair is twisted and then let out to make the hair all look one texture). Your stylist can best assess your needs.
- DEEP CONDITION!! We cannot stress this enough. You should try and deep condition your hair at least once a week. Include some olive oil in your regime to seal the cuticle and hydrate!
- PROTEIN IS GOOD FOR THE HAIR- Include a protein conditioner in your regime. Aveda makes a wonderful reconditioner which includes organic proteins. Unlike animal proteins which build up and calcify on the hair with repetitive useage, Aveda's protien conditioner only absorbs what you need and the rest is washed away. Fabulous!!
- WRAP THE HAIR AT NIGHT- Just because you aren't rocking it straight every day doesn't mean you don't need protection while you are sleep. If you opt not to wrap, get a satin pillow case.
- DO NOT TRY AND DETANGLE DRY HAIR- put some oil in, detangle in the shower while washing the hair.
- TRY NOT TO PUT HEAT ON THE HAIR OFTEN - We know you heard us....back away from the flat iron with your hands up! Constant pressing is a definite No No, we don't care if you are relaxed or natural. If you are pressing your hair try and limit your heat useage to a few times a month. Heat breaks the hair down and weakens it. Also, too much pressing can change the curl pattern of your hair.
Products- Like we said above our hair LOVES moisture. Growing your hair out, transitioning, being natural takes finding the potion which fits YOUR hair. We know this can be an expensive venture. We recommend buying sample sizes or trial versions to see if the products work for you.
We Love Carol's Daughter! If you have never tried any of the hair/skin products stop on in to Sephora. They will provide you a small sample to take the products home to test. http://www.carolsdaughter.com/
- Hair Milk - Provides that needed moisture especially during these dry summer months. We can't stress enough how great this product is
- Black Vanilla Leave-in Moisturizer- A great leave in conditioner while rocking that natural. Relaxed kids love it too!
Kinky-Curly! Love this products for twisting the hair. Perfect for twist outs and also provides great moisture.
Miss Jessie's -slightly more expensive than Kinky Curly and provides an array of products for twist outs, shingling, and deep conditioning. (Product review forthcoming)
- Curly Meringue
- Curly Pudding
- Baby Buttercreme
Lastly, this article regarding 20 Things I wish I knew before I went Natural is a cute read!
http://www.nappturality.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=197
Tell us your hair stories. How do you care for your hair? Are you interested in transitioning? Got a product you love? Email us any product reviews you wish to see and we will provide product reviews as we move along. Let P.O.S.H. help!
The Methods
BONDING - a popular temporary weaving method to add tracks to your hair. Tracks of hair are glued to the roots of your own hair with a special adhesive. This method is the most damaging to your natural hair. Glue is definitely not a way to grow healthy hair.
TRACKS - This method depends on how the stylist chooses to braid the hair. Think of these as singular corn rows braided horizontally across your scalp. Then a track of hair is sewn directly on to the braid. This method is used so when your hair grows out it looks natural and not bulky. Portions at the crown or front of the head can be left out to cover the tracks and blend the hair.
NET/OR CAP - By far the best method!! The hair is braided into a continuous circle around the head starting from the outer edge of the scalp. This technique involves braiding natural tresses under a thin, breathable net that serves as a flat surface onto which stylists can weave extensions. The extensions are sewn onto the cap and not the hair allowing optimal growth. This style can last for up to three months if properly maintained. This style must be dried under a hair dryer to make sure the scalp is completely dry.
We highly recommend the cap method- Las Vegans who want a recommendation please let me know!!
Types of Hair
Remy Hair/Indian Hair - This is the best for your money. This hair is also popularly referred to as ‘virgin hair’, and of premium quality and can be reused for years with proper care. Remy Hair is directly shaved so the roots are matched with roots and ends with ends. Since all the hairs are placed in the same direction, the hairs remain undisturbed , making them more durable and long lasting. This hair is usually not available in stores. Trust us the expense is worth it. You keep the hair forever instead of buying new hair with every weave. It also requires minimal styling which allows your natural hair to grow undisturbed beneath the cap.
Non Remy - This is the regular hair you see available for purchase in stores. When this hair is shaved from the head all pieces are allowed to fall to the floor. So roots are matched with ends. This is what causes the matted bad weave look. The hair is not stored in its natural growth pattern. There are many categories to this type of hair.
Weave Maintenance Tips
Cocoa Diva
I wore a weave to transition into my nautral. Having a weave allowed me to play with color and not deal with the in between stage. I removed my weave every 3 months for maintenance of my hair. I also used the cap method along with Indian Remy Hair. Ladies don't be cheap. I know
I am currently a happy natural chick! My hair is longer and more healthy than it has ever been and is well below my shoulders. Don't let folks tell you weaves are not for transitioning. They are! Only if you find the right stylist and know the right questions.
(This is a picture of me with my net and color a few months ago)
Please let us know if you have any questions. Here is to healthy hair !! Read More......