Fashion.Food.Passion.

All posts by Raina

Posted:
May 1, 2012
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Hair Myths Exposed: The Series

             We’ve all grown up hearing so many myths on an array of topics, but when it comes to hair the myths continue from one generation to the next. The number one myth in my opinion that women fall for all the time is, “This product is guaranteed to GROW your hair.” Women go from one product to the next in hopes that maybe this “MAGIC POTION” will grow my hair FASTER. NO hair product is going to grow your hair or grow it at a faster rate. So Here is a list of FACTS & contributing factors on growing healthy hair and start saving your money, time and energy today. ~RaiNa =)

  • Hair grows on average 1/2 an inch each month, 6 inches a year.
  • Hair growth is also determined by genetics.On the other hand “maintaining” hair growth comes as a result of a healthy balanced diet  regular trims/using quality products specifically designed for your hair care needs & not abusing heat appliances (flat irons/blowdryers)* and combing one’s hair from ends to root to avoid breakage while wet or dry.

***Stay tuned for more “Myths Exposed.”***

Posted:
March 21, 2012
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The Dos & Do KNOTS of Natural Hair

Many naturalistas have questions on what products they need to use. I’m going to help you all to narrow your search by telling you what ingredients you need to look for so that you won’t waste your money going thru an array of products. While some products may appear natural because they use the word “NATURAL” does not mean that it is. No two products are created equal. Here is a list of the DOs and DO NOTS when it comes to ingredients you should look for and those you should shy away from.

Natural Hair DOs

Products w/natural oils (or purchase them alone from your local natural health store)*

  • coconut
  • carrot seed oil
  • grape seed oil
  • shea butter
  • cocoa butter

Food derived proteins and essential oils *

  • lemon
  • orange
  • geranium
  • lavender
  • vegetable glycerin

Natural Hair Do NOTS (these ingredients are synthetic and prevent moisture from entering the hair shaft)*
Products that contain

  • Parabens (methyl-propyl-, butyl-paraben, etc)
  • Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS or SLES)
  • Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)
  • Propylene glycol
  • Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethalnolamine (TEA)
  • Imidazoldinyl, urea and diazolidinyl urea
  • Silicone
  • Ethxylated ingridients (those starting with PEG- or ending with -ETH

(me with my naturally curly hair)*

READING LABELS CONCERNING HAIR PRODUCTS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS READING LABELS ON FOOD ITEMS.  PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY TO HEALTHY HAIR =)

~RAINA 

 

Posted:
February 25, 2012
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Naomi-Campbell-Hair-loss

Hair is an important factor for black women around the world. Yet so many of us are losing our hair at an alarming rate. Some of this hair loss can be attributed to genetics, a hormonal imbalance, an increase in prescription drug use in our society, stress . But, for most hair loss is brought on by self-sabotage. What I mean by “self-sabotage” is the continued abuse and over abuse of chemicals such as hair color and relaxers, not to mention the overuse and poor application and maintenance of the hair weave.Too many women are applying home relaxers and going to Sally’s or local beauty supply stores to obtain color to do their own hair. I truly believe that these products should not be readily available for consumer use because they do not

have the training or the theory behind these products in order to know how to use them properly and efficiently. Here are some tips on preventing hair breakage:

1) Consult with a licensed cosmetologist who specializes in healthy hair first and can carry out a plan to ensure that your hair is healthy, gets to a healthy state and stays there.
2) Stop self-administering chemical treatments to your hair. (relaxers/color)
3) Take breaks in between wearing braids and weaves. REMEMBER that a TIGHT weave does not insure that it will last, but it will insure hair breakage. Stay away from bonded weaves and quick weaves (uses glue &/ stocking cap)* The sew-in method is the BEST method.

4) Comb hair with a wide-toothed comb and do not comb excessively when hair is wet. Do not brush hair when it is wet. Wet hair = Fragile hair.  Comb h

air from end to root gently.

5) Follow the instructions of your personal hairstylist to ensure the health of your hair (shampoo/conditioner routine).
6) Wrap your hair at night with a satin scarf/ bonnet. ANY NATURAL FIBERS SUCH AS (cotton/silk) will rob your hair of its moisture and will cause breakage especially across the hairline.

7) Do not wear hair in tight styles such as ponytails on a regular basis.  If wearing braided styles switch it up the style and the direction of the traction. (if you get cornrows going straight back try getting them done on an angle next time)
8)If you experiencing hair breakage tht is resulting in alopecia (balding) please see your dermatologist. And if you are experiencing EXCESSIVE hair breakage visit your doctor for further testing and diagnosis.

Posted:
January 19, 2012
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Winter Hair care: The Natural haircare Edition Part 2

I will continue to stress the importance of moisture when it comes to natural hair and the care of it. Here are a few oils that are beneficial to natural hair:

natural oils (coconut, carrot seed, etc.), natural butters (shea, cocoa, etc.), food-derived proteins and essential oils (lemon, orange, geranium, lavendar, etc.). All which can be found at your local health food store or neighboring street vendors, especially for those is New Orleans, New York City, Chicago and any other major cities with diverse cultures.  STAY AWAY FROM PRODUCTS THAT USE THE FOLLOWING::

Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-paraben, etc.)
> Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate (SLS or SLES)
> Petrolatum (Petroleum Jelly)
> Propylene glycol
> Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethalnolamine (TEA)
> Imidazoldinyl, urea and diazolidinyl urea
> Silicone (
> Ethoxylated ingredients (those starting with PEG- or ending with –ETH) & MINERAL OIL

one product that I’ve discovered witht he help of two of my facebook friends, Toni & Lenice (thank you ladies)*…. is VEGETABLE GLYCERIN. Toni says she mixes Infusium Leave-in- conditioner with the vegetable glycerin and sprays it on her hair while wet.  I’ve tried it and I absolutely adore it. It’s cheap. A huge bottle will run you about $7.00 and you can purchase it at Rite Aid or any Health based store.

Me with my natural hair using VEGETABLE GLYCERIN:) IT REALLY MOISTURIZES MY HAIR & DEFINES MY NATURAL CURL PATTERN

 

This is an introduction to natural haircare. It is a post that is close to my heart because I am au natural myself:) Natural hair has been sweeping the nation among black women over the last 2 years. Black women are going thru a rebirth of embracing OUR beauty. I am not a natural hair militant, but I do advocate it and still believe that the choice is up to you to wear your hair as you please. It does not make you less of a “SISTAH” if you choose to rock extension/weave or a relaxer. This is a free world & you live in it as you please.
Our hair comes in a variety of textures, and on one head alone you can have up to 5 different textures. It could be super curly in the middle and straighter in the back. Getting reacquainted with our hair’s natural texture can be a challenge for some since many of us have been rocking a chemical relaxer since childhood. Here is a product I fully endorse.  Try it you are going to love it!! Remember MOISTURE is key to healthy hair. You can purchase it at Target. Each product is about $9.99.  ”JUST A DAB WILL DO YA.” Enjoy :)

Posted:
November 17, 2011
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Hair Care Simplified Part 3: Heat Protective Styling Aids

Hello and how are you all today. In this post I will be discussing styling aids. These are products that you use to protect your tresses from heat damage and to assist in styling your hair especially during the fall and winter months. It is impertive to apply products to your hair before using any heat appliance, your hair strands are vulnerable to heat damage if the right precautions are not taken into consideration. Here are a few of my favs and ones that I stand 100% behind and use on my personal clients.

1) Mizani ThermaStrength

2)CHI Iron Guard

3)BioSilk  Silk Therapy

 

All of these heat-protecting products can be applied to the hair when wet before you blo dry your hair. The Chi Iron guard can be used on each section of the hair while dry before applying the flatiron. USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF SERUM, ANYWHERE FROM A DIME SIZE TO A QUARTER SIZE. (I highly recommend the CHI iron)* all of these products can be purchased at JC Penny Hair Salons. 

www.JCPenneySalon.com

Posted:
October 4, 2011
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Hair Care Simplified Part 2: Shampoos & Conditioners

The JOURNEY TO HEALTHY HAIR continues and like I mentioned in my earlier blog “I am here to guide you.” So, here we go. Many people may not think like this, but HAIR IS AN ACCESSORY.….but only if it is HEALTHY HAIR. The first step to knowing how to take care of your hair is to know the TEXTURE & the DENSITY of your hair which many people get confused. Texture is the CURLINESS, WAVINESS or STRAIGHTNESS of hair. density how THICK , COARSE or FINE the hair is. When you determine that then you can know what products to use on your hair in between salon visits. In order to get salon results you NEED to use SALON/ PROFESSIONAL products. I cannot stress this enough. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY for. Contrary to popular belief there is NO such thing as “white” hair and “black” hair, GOOD OR BAD HAIR… HEALTHY HAIR IS GOOD HAIR, so let’s unlock the door to it. Curly/Coarse hair requires more moisture, while fine/straight hair require less. Here are a few products that I absolutely love & use on my own clients.

 

BIOLAGE: Has shampoo/conditioners for Fine/Medium& Coarse hair

  • MIZANI: despite popular belief is a product for ALL people. It’s rich in moisture. I recommend it for coarser/wavy/curly hair types

  • NEXXUS    : New organic line imparts moisture w/out weighing the hair down.
  • AMPLIFY: Is specifically designed for finer textures. (be careful as it tends to leave the cuticle open and can dry the hair out, but works to give the hair LOTS of long-lasting body) It is intended for very fine hair.

ALL OF THESE SHAMPOOS CAN BE PURCHASED AT JCPenny Hair Salons, AND most professional corporate salons :)

Posted:
September 27, 2011
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Hair Care Simplified Part 1

Healthy hair….every woman wants it. How to get it is one thing and how to maintain it is another. The first thing you need to do to achieve healthy hair is to find a reputable hair stylist. Word of mouth I find is always the best way to get to a hairstylist who knows what he/she is doing. One who specializes in healthy hair is a MUST! You must also follow the instructions that your stylist gives you to MAINTAIN healthy hair such as, getting your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks, not abusing heat such as flatirons and blow dryers on your mane and what shampoos and conditioners you must use in between salon visits and purchasing the styling aids that are recommended.

But most importantly the health of your hair depends wholeheartedly on your DIET. Drinking 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day is a MUST! Whatever you put inside of your body will manifest on the outside. Getting the proper nutrients (via lean meats, veggies, nuts,etc)* in your body will go thru your bloodstream and will ultimately supply your hair strands with the vitamins that are needed to MAINTAIN healthy strong hair that not only looks healthy but also grows at the rate it should.

No matter how you choose to wear your hair, NATURAL or CHEMICALLY TREATED, I will be here to guide you on the journey to “Healthy Hair.” STAY TUNED :)