UPDATE

Even though I am a hair fanatic, I will be posting different things on my page that I find interesting. Yes you are on the right page

More Reliable

Guest post from: Kent Lara

I was sick and tired of our cable going out midway through one of my favorite television shows, so I decided to get satellite at our house for more reliable service as well as a bunch of additional channels. It's worked out really well so far, and I'm really happy with my clear tv bundlesince I get all the channels everyone has been talking about and I also have Internet at home which helps me stay abreast of the news and also allows me to work from home when I need to. I don't know how I survived for so long with basic cable and no wireless Internet, but it's totally worth the cost now that I'm actually paying for it! I've actually started doing a little bit of online shopping, which is obviously better done from home than my work computer, so that's another reason to like it! I don't think I'm going to regret getting service anytime soon, but only time will really tell… I'm optimistic about it though!

Onions

Oh my goodness look what I found out. An onion.. Yes you read that right an onion

can help combat baldness. Onions contain sulphur which is an growth aid.Well isnt that something. I was just looking at Valerie's Potion Concoction and it said Onion Seed Oil and Garlic Seed Oil. We all know Garlic helps with shedding but I was kinda skeptical about Onions in my hair. Come to find out it is a growth aid. Wow I really didn't know that.

Lace Front Wigs

I am  Anti Lace Front Wigs. Not because it looks like a bad style but because they are horrible on your hair's edges. Using Lace Fronts, you either have to tape or glue it down along your hair line. That is a bigggg NO NO. I have seen many women have thin edges from a result from this.

Detangling

Never detangle your hair with a fine tooth comb

This is a bigggg No No. Detangling your hair with a fine tooth comb SCREAMSS hair abuse. Always use a wide tooth comb for detangling

Using this comb ensures that you will not be pulling out your hair during the detangling process. When detangling always start with your ends and work your way up to your scalp taking it inch by inch.

Bed Time

The number one rule at bed time is don't go to sleep with out anything on your head. Meaning you need to always tie your hair down with something  silk or satin. You can use a satin or silk scarf, a bonnet or if you really can't take anything on your head at night just sleep with a satin or silk pillow case. Sleeping with a cotton pillow case is bad on the hair. Not only does it take away from the hair's moisture but also the hair can get snagged and break because of the cotton pillow case. Before my hair journey, I never slept with my hair tied down and I mean instantly after trying this it was a big difference. This is also a STAPLE to me

Hair Growth Stimulants

There are many hair growth aids you can use to stimulate growth.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)- you can use this either alone or you can dilute it with other oils
Monistat (MN)- I mix mine with oils and cayenne pepper
Cayenne Pepper- growth stimulant
Peppermint Oil- Have you ever put something in your hair and it gave you like a tingling sensation??? If you have it was the peppermint oil. Add a few drops to your mixture and you will be on your way to a tingly head
Mega Teck- when people use mega teck they make sure to balance it by taking garlic pills.

Using Monistat on the Hair

I know it seems like a weird thing to do to put yeast infection cream in your hair. However; by using Monistat, it will stimulate hair growth. This is a growth aid. In my mix, I always added a few different oils of my choice, but I made sure I added Cayenne Pepper.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I know it seems bizzare to put castor oil in your hair but it actually stimulates hair growth. I've been using this since the beginning of my journey. I swear by it. Not only does it stimulate growth, it makes the hair so thick and beautiful. A little goes a long way when using this product. I actually keep mine in an applicator bottle for an easier application process. I've also found that using the applicator bottle, I do not waste as much of the product than I did when I used my finger tips. I was able to use my JBCO without mixing it with oils and I did not have any side affects. But in some people it caused headaches, and made there scalp itch. All you have to do is dilute, it mix it with another oil like the EVOO and you should be fine

Tip #6

Moisturizing and Sealing

When it is time to M&S, it is quite simple. All you have to do is find a moisturizer be it: S curl, Wave Nouveau, Neutrogena Triple Moisture (NTM) etc etc. There are so many things out there that you can use. After you find your moisturizer you will need to find a sealing. Meaning you need to find an oil to seal in the moisture. An oil can range from Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO), Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (CO), Hot 6 oil etc.

What you are going to need to do first is separate your hair in sections. Take a piece of hair, apply the moisturizer to it and then on the same piece on top of it apply the sealant (the oil). By doing this method, you are locking in that good moisture that your hair needs to keep it healthy.

Tip #5

The CHEAPEST way to grow hair

That is right WATER. Drinking your 8 glasses of water a day will help in aiding you along with hair maintenance in growing long hair. 

Myth #2

Black Women Cannot Grow Long Hair

This statement is not accurate. The main problem when it come to hair growth for black women is not enough of us know how to care for our own hair.We are looking for the quick fix: Relaxers, Braids, Sew-ins, Quick weaves. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with using those items but when you not caring for your hair while using the products you are setting yourself further back.Using Braids or a Sew-in can be a great protective style. If you are still performing maintenance to your actual hair. We, as women of color, need to put more of an effort in getting to know what our hair needs to be able to retain length.

Reading Product Ingredients

Before purchasing anything to start your hair journey you need to read the ingredients on the bottle or container. Here are some ingredients to stay away from:

Isopropyl alcohol: dries and breaks
Propylene glycol: strips the hair
Sodium Laurel Sulphate: drying
Sodium Laureth Sulphate: drying
Fragrance
Mineral Oil/ Petrolatum: prevents moisture from penetrating


When choosing a good moisturizing product it should start with the word WATER. Not stuff you cannot pronounce. LOL

The Cathy Howse Method

If I do not use my Split Ender, I use the Cathy Howse Method. In her book, she states that trimming your hair has nothing to do with the growth. Your hair grows from the scalp not the ends. So as long as you are taking care of your ends you will retain your length while your hair is growing from the scalp. I find this true because if you are steading chopping off your hair, how will you ever see your progress. I'm not saying if your ends are raggedy that you do not need to trim them off. If your ends are split and you do nothing about it, they will continue to split all the way up until it breaks off. However; if you are taking care of your ends and you don't see any problems, I don't see the point to take the scissors to your head. It is unnecessary and hurting your progress

Split Ender

The Split Ender is the way that I trim my hair. I am no longer afraid to go to the Beauty Shop and get a trim. I can you my Split Ender from the privacy of my own home. For instruction I have a you tube video go here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/hairjunkiez2011#p/a/u/1/Djae9FFoxD0

Deep Conditioner review

I ♥ this deep conditioner it is call Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep conditioner. I cannot get enough of it. It is CHEAP only like $6 and it does the job. After my hair washing process, I always use this.

A Staple (must have) in my book

This is a Hair Therapy Wrap. I actually have the exact one. It is a STAPLE in my book. It is important to deep condition the hair. I prefer to deep condition using heat. So instead of sitting under my hooded dryer for an hour all I have to do is warm this up in the microwave and put it on my head and I can deep condition on the go. I love this

Tip #4

Do the Balance Test.

♥ WET YOUR HAIR

It is best to do this test after you have shampooed your hair. While it is still wet you will need to grip about an inch of your hair between your fingers.

♥STRETCH THE WET STRANDS OF HAIR

Take the inch of wet hair and run a comb through it. Make sure that it is not tangled when you do this - you don't want to harm your hair. And remember, it is always best to use a wide-tooth comb in black hair

♥OBSERVE

Pay close attention to the way that the hair strands react after they have been combed. Healthy black hair strands will stretch, but they will not break unless they are under an extreme amount of stress. Again, what you are looking for in this step is to see how your hair reacts to the wet stretch

♥DIAGNOSE

If your hair stretches just a little, then returns to its normal length without breakage, your hair is balanced. Good job, you're done!

If your hair exhibits any of the following tendencies, you need to focus on moisturizng:

* Does not stretch at all, then breaks
* Is extremely rough and brittle

If your hair exhibits any of the following tendencies, you need to focus on protein:

* Is limp and gummy feeling/looking
* Stretches a long way then proceeds to break off

♥TREAT

After you have found out which problem is affecting your hair, you will need to address it. Any stylist will tell you that lack of moisture is usually the problem for black hair. But, there are times when lack of protein is the issue. In either case, here is how you can solve each problem:

Lack of MOISTURE:

This one is simple. Black hair needs a great deal of moisture because it is very porous. Look for moisturizing conditioners or moisturizing creams, then make sure to seal in the moisture with a light oil sheen.

Lack of PROTEIN:

There are many protein treatments for black hair. You can also get protein based leave in conditioners as well

Tip #3

What is your hair type?

When trying to figure out your hair type you need to remember two things. The first thing is hair subtypes, and your hair number

First there are subtypes

A - fine and thin
B - medium-textured
C - thick and coarse

Which is judge over all by how your hair feels

Then there is your hair number

Type 1- Straight Hair

Type 2- Wavy Hair

Type 3- Curly Hair

Type 4- Kinky Hair

So when you put the two together it should look something like this. Going by the picture above of Erika Badu, you will notice her hair number is 4 and her grade will be either B or C depending on how it feels. So she would be a 4B or a 4C

Tip #2

Learn your hair lingo. There are many helpful tips via web and you tube. If you know your lingo it will go a long way.

EL – Ear Length

NL – Neck Length

SL - Shoulder Length

APL – Arm Pit Length

BSL – Bra Strap Length

MBL – Mid back Length

WSL – Waist Length Hair

NG – New Growth

BC – Big Chop

DC – Deep Condition

NTM – Neutrogena Triple Moisture

MNT - Mane N Tail

CW- Conditioner Wash

CWC - Conditioner, Wash, Conditioner

ACV – Apple Cider Vinegar

CON – Creme of Nature

BSS – Beauty Supply Store

PJ – Product Junkie

Slip – When the comb easily glides through the hair

HHG – Happy Hair Growing

EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVCO – Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

JBCO - Jamaican Black Castor Oil

HTH - Hope This Helps

HE - Herbal Essences

MMF - Mizani Moisturefuse.

MT - Mega Tek

MN - Miconazole Nitrate

EO - Essential Oil

SAA - Silk Amino Acid

S&D - Search & Destory (Method for Triming off Spilt Ends)

ALS - Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

SLS - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth

Sulfate Cones - Silicones

GHE- Green House Effect

Tip #1

Basic Start up Regimen

Below are products you are going to need, when starting your regimen. I think it is important to start out with something basic because you do not know how the items are going to work for your hair, by doing it this way you can at least pin point the products you are using. 

Moisturizing Shampoo
Clarifiying Shampoo
protein Conditioner
Moisturizing Conditioner
Leave-In Conditioner
Moisturizer
Oils
Heat Protectant