Protective Styles Defined..

The term Protective Styles maybe a bit unfamiliar – but it is something you do unconsciously, because it’s something that we African ladies do often to keep our hair from getting damaged or to “encourage growth”.

I have put the words “encourage growth” because it is a perception more than a fact. Protective styles don't make your hair grow, but they do make it possible to prevent breakage since your hair may be breaking at a faster rate than it grows. What protective styles do, is to keep your ends "protected."

I am currently trending twisted braids, my hair is pretty short and I was getting a bit bored with having the same hairstyle – the braids were a perfect solution especially because of the little maintenance required. The style then got me searching on its benefits, below are some examples of Protective Styles:

1. Two-Strand TwistsTwists work best on natural hair. Relaxed strands are simply too straight and slippery to hold twists in place without unravelling. They work for children and for adults. You can fashion twists in various ways while still protecting your delicate ends.

3. BraidsYou can braid your natural hair or you can opt for braid extensions. Whether your braids are all yours or created with enhancements, you still need to care for your hair and scalp while you're wearing them.

4. WeavesHow many times have you heard a woman say that she got a weave and her hair just grew like weeds? The reason this seems to be so is because a properly cared for weave is a great protective style. If your hair is braided completely beneath it, it's not subject to sun, wind, rain or other weather. For maximum hair growth, however, it's still important to care for the hair beneath the weave.

5. Flat TwistsSimilar to cornrows flat twists are created with two sections of hair instead of three. Flat twists offer more versatility because unlike two-strand twists, flat twists work equally well on relaxed or natural hair. If your hair extends past the nape of your neck, you can gather the ends of flat twists and fashion them into a ponytail or bun.

Powder Foundation vs Liquid Foundation

I’m an avid supporter of the M.A.C fix it powder foundation, I have been using it for almost 2 years now and it gives me that natural flawless look – the one that makes people believe you have beautiful smooth skin without thinking you have make up on – which by the way is how make up is supposed to look on you. A lot of people use make up and end up looking like a totally different person, this could be good or bad – good when people go wow, great transformation  - bad when people go wow, is that a mask she has on!!

Foundation plays a key role in the makeup routine especially for us brown skin sisters, because it is very rare that one has to use primers and conceallers for a day to day look unless you really have bad skin and have tons to hide or you prefer the “Tv make up” look *side eye*. Given the correct colour/tone foundation, one can achieve a very flawless, minimal natural look, and thus it is important that when you buy foundation you make sure it matches your skin tone and is the correct one for your skin type - Do this by either blending a sample on your inner wrist or wipe a part of your face with a clean wipe and test if the foundation gives you the tone you want. Now let’s look at differences between liquid and powder foundations:

Liquid Foundation

Professionals usually refer liquid foundation to people who have normal or dry skin, this is because liquids tend to melt into pores on people with oilier skin. If you have oily skin and use a liquid foundation there is a high chance that after a few hours your skin starts to look like there are small cracks or cakiness hence you are constantly redoing or retouching your make up. But on the upside, it is easier and quicker to apply.

Powder Foundation

Powder foundation is perfect for oily skin or combination skin, they provide light to medium coverage thus achieving the minimalist look that I love so much. If your skin is too oily, the powder can look thick and clumpy and if you have dry skin – the powder will absorb moisture and make your skin drier.

My Experiement..

I have played around with both of the above foundation types and ended up using the M.A.C Fix Powder Foundation as previously mentioned. I recently came across another foundation type that i was not familiar with – Liquid Powder Foundation, which is more of a creamy mixture in a compact. Application of this foundation gives a smooth appearance, like a liquid, with the absorption benefits of a powder. However, you have to be careful when applying this type of foundation, since a heavy hand will give you a caked appearance. It is best recommended for people with normal to oily skin. I am currently trying out Avon’s Cream to Powder Foundation and thus far it’s doing good –makes my face look radiant, and I love radiant :) ...

The M.A.C Studio Fix powder retails for about R260 at some Edgars stores. The Avon Cream to Powder Foundation for R173 - I’m an approved Avon/Justine consultant, so if you want to try it out, let me know and I will get you sorted :) .

Spring Cleaning your Body - Detoxing Demystified...

I have never really understood why people make a fuss about detox, and at some point it almost became a trend or fashion accessory to undergo some sort of a detox programme. The perception is that people use detox as a quick diet fix without really understanding the implications or benefits it offers for the body. So I made it my mission to understand why I should at least once or twice a year undergo some sort of detox programme, and hope this will also help you decide if this is something you should consider. Detoxing is meant to help you cleanse and clear unwanted toxins and waste from your body. It leaves your skin looking healthy, vibrant and rejuvinates the body.

You should consider detox if:

• You are forever feeling tired
• You are experiencing skin problems, aches or digestive problems
• Have been straying from your healthier habits
• Having problems dropping that bit of access weight
Detox methods available:

• 3 day eating plan involving only vegetables, fresh fruit and loads of water

• Using a sauna or steam bath – this helps open pores and assists toxins to leave your body

• Going on a liquid only fast – drinking water and 100% juice for 2-3 days straight

• Commercial Methods:

• Buying detox tablets from a pharmacy, i.e dischem has BePure Detox Liquid which you use for 3 days, it also comes with a eating plan for the 3 days at a mere R89.95

* Body detoxification methods should always include an abundance of water, because this nutrient is essential to good health and the waste elimination process. Without this life sustaining fluid you will dehydrate and this will also make it harder to flush out any poisons and garbage.

* It is advisable to ensure that your state of health is good before undertaking a detox programme as well as seeking medical advice on which one is best for you to avoid getting sick from it.

* You will be continuously visiting the ladies/gents, so be prepared for this

 

 

Here is a link to a sample detox programme taken from Michelle Howard at Freshradiantskin.com:

http://freshradiantskin.com/files/2316087/uploaded/Sample%20Detox%20Schedule.pdf

Hair Grow Tips that Work...

Black hair is very sensitive compared to other races but very rich at the same time. The richness is stripped away when we engage in excessive chemical processing such as relaxing, using heat tools and over washing. These processes strip the hair of its natural oils and nutrients and result in hair thinning, hair loss and sculp dryness – and I am testimony to this as I have personally experienced all of the above mentioned.

Today there are certain steps that you can take in accelerating hair growth in a natural and healthy way and I will be sharing them with you, but please note that if you do decide to go the hair vitamins route – results are visible after an average of 3months daily use of the recommended combination.

VITAMINS
There are 4 types of vitamins that are essential for healthy hair, they contain essential nutrients that help your hair stay healthy and attain maximum growth. These vitamins are effective when they are used together daily and are available at Dischem and other pharmacies:

 •Revite Super B Injection (R53.00 @ Dischem) – For overall hair health
 •VitaForce Biotin (R64.95 @ Dischem) – Makes hair grow faster
 •Extra Strength Silica (R135.95 @ Dischem) – Makes hair grow stronger
 •MSM (R59.95 for the Dischem Gold) – Makes hair growth period last longer and shedding period   shorter

SCULP STIMULATION
You may be familiar with this term, sculp stimulations is something that is greatly overlooked when it comes to hair growth but it plays a big role in accelerating growth and healthy hair. There are various methods in which this can be done as well as tools, but the simplest and cost effective means is done with just the use of your hands. By massaging your scalp for atleast 5 minutes a day you allow more blood to go to the roots of your hair, delivering nutrients and oxygen where it is needed. This will also cause the follicles to produce hair more quickly.

DOs & Dont's
 1.Wash hair only once a week & do not use very hot water when rinsing
 2.Cut the ends of your hair once a month when it is damaged to allow your hair to grow more  strongly
 3.Every morning, stimulate circulation in your scalp
 4.Do not use rubber bands or metal clips on the hair.
 5.Air dry hair whenever possible
 6.Avoid chemical processes.
 7.Use miconzole nitrate (yes, vaginal yeast infection cream like monistat) for thinning edges and bald spots

Daily Facial Skin Care Tips for Sisters..

So this winter is extremely cold, I love it for my winter wardrobe but dread it for my poor skin which tends to get very dry (ashy) and for some reason this year I seem to be getting pimples as well. My facial routine is very basic and is something I adopted from my early varsity days, and it works as I have never had acne problems or maybe its just good genes you might say. I use the Johnsons facial care range - their facial wash and facial moisturiser are my daily saviours and then i use their toner once a week - sometimes once every second month depending on how lazy I feel (taking advantage of the genes bit)..

Anyways, the pimples I have been getting have made me search for basic ethnic skin care guidelines just to confirm if I am or have been on the right route for the past 10 or so years. I came across some simple guidelines that helped me improve my skin regimen, and may also help you should you not be too sure on whether or not you are doing the right thing...some people are lucky enough to have skin that blossoms with just using water, green sunlight bar soap and vaseline but for most of us this ought to assist in getting that flawless skin:

• Adopt a daily facial skin care regimen for healthy ethnic skin: Cleanse, Tone, and Moisturize
• Exfoliate your skin weekly to keep it fresh looking - prevents old skin cell build up
• Keep your hands out of your face, you dont want to transfer germs from your hands to your face as this can cause skin irritation
• Avoid harsh chemicals.  If you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't use it
• Always remove your make up before going to bed

Oil Rinsing..a praised technique for moisturising ethnic hair

I recently came across an article about OIL RINSING, and curiosity led me into doing a bit of research on this technique which receives great praise from those that have used it. After all the reading i did, I cocluded that it would be a good one to share and introduce to those of you who might not be familiar with this treatment..

Oil Rinsing is basically washing your hair with oil before you apply your conditioner, here are some simple steps on how to do this simple process:

Start by shampooing your hair, or just rinse your hair (if not using shampoo) but make sure it gets soaked.
•    Coat your wet hair with about a handful (about ½ cup or so) of your favourite oil like olive, castor etc
•    Rinse the oil off with hot water
•    Proceed to apply conditioner to your strands liberally
•    Rinse with cool water while detangling. This should be quick and painless!
•    Apply your leave in conditioner and seal (seal refers to sealing in moisture by using oil or a serum after a wash)

Note: It works best if you are keeping your hair natural, or in the case of relaxed hair if you wont be flat ironing or blow drying your hair after the wash but letting it air dry...


credits: Alma's Blog

DIY Protein & Moisture Treatments #EthnicHair

To the disbelief of my hairdresser, I've decided that I will be spending the rest of 2011 spotting my fabulously looking bald head and i must say i am loving it!! Come January 2012, I will start growing my hair again and will focus on taking proper care of it. Something I've heard of but have never done partly because I did not see the RandValue of it is conditioning or protein treatment, well turns out you can actually do it yourself in the comfort of your home. This will be part of my weekly regimen when i start growing the hair back. For those of you with relaxed or natural hair here are some pointers on how to give your hair some STRENTH and MOISTURE...

PROTEIN TREATMENTS are used to replace protein lost during chemical treatments. The protein in hair keeps hair strong and helps to prevent breakage. If protein that is lost is not replaced, the hair will become weak and eventually break. This will limit the length the hair can grow. For an effective protein treatment, add a raw egg to your favorite conditioner and apply to wet hair after shampooing. Cover with a plastic cap and allow to sit for 30 to 60 minutes.

MOISTURE TREATMENTS are used to keep hair soft and supple. They must be used when protein treatments are used to combat the dryness that can be caused by too much protein. For an effective moisture treatment, apply virgin coconut oil to wet hair and cover with a plastic cap. Cover with a plastic cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 10 to 15 minutes.

If protein treatments are done without balancing it with moisture, the hair can become dry and break.

Keeping hair moisturized is key to growing black hair long. If black hair is not moisturized properly, it will become dry and eventually break. Black hair care products often contain ingredients which are considered moisturizing. However, many of these ingredients do not moisturize effectively. Petroleum and lanolin are often used in black hair care products, but they are not good for moisture. They only coat the hair with a gloss instead of actually penetrating the hair and moisturizing the hair. To effectively moisturize black hair, you must use a moisture product that can penetrate the hair. Water based moisturizers are capable of penetrating the hair. Coconut oil is the only oil product that can penetrate the hair and moisturize it from the inside. Coconut oil also helps prevent protein losses and keep black hair strong.

Brazilian/Indian Remy Care Tips

when i had my brazilian hair, i battled to find someone to advise on what the hair care process was including my stylist who didnt know much but the basics (she is damn good at putting it on though). I got tips from people who thought Brazilian hair was for the elite and you must pay R250 rand to get it washed every 2nd week - my response was "Really"..Anyways i did a bit of research and found out that a bit of  good quality shampoo and conditioner once a week as well as a touch of hair Serum once a week will keep your Brazilian hair looking fabulously healthy and natural with no shedding either. Big tip though is to not use a handheld blow drier, rather let the hair airdry - keeps the texture and gives it good volume.. here are some proper tips i thought i should share on how to maintain your expensive but great investment:

• Wash your hair at least once per week.
• Use a shampoo with a pH of 7 at the most (neutral pH).
• Apply the shampoo first in your hands and rub them together.
• Distribute the shampoo in the hair, starting with the roots.
• Don't massage. Make movements from the roots downwards to clean your scalp and to bring the foam back to the ends.
• Rinse abundantly.
• Apply the conditioner and comb your hair starting from the ends and by going up gradually to the roots.
• Rinse abundantly.
• Dry your hair with a bath towel without rubbing them. Then finish by letting them dry naturally.
• If you don't have time, use a hair drier set on average heat or even better on cold air. Moreover, hold your hair drier at least 20cm from your hair.
• rub a drop or two of hair serum in your hands and massage it on the hair

should you desire a sleek/wavy look, then do the following when hair has dried:

• Before going to bed, attach your hair in form of a large braid.
• When you wake up, detach your braid. Then comb your hair starting with the ends and going up to the roots

NB: Don't sleep with wet hair. You risk tangling them during the night!!