Growth Update! Monday, February 08, 2010 |
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It's been two months since the last update! Sorry for the hiatus, lovelies. We'll be updating more frequently now. Anyway, I am one month away from my first year ful...
I've been seeing ads, reading reviews, skimming through testimonials about it. So, I haaaave to try it. I'm talking about the Janelle Beauty Diva Smooth Kit. It's similar to the old Carmel treatment, but includes a serum. I just got my shipment and plan to try this product Monday or Tuesday, so look out for the review and pictures!
What it Does:
Helps prevent Hair loss and Breakage
This can be an alternative to chemically straightened hair
This can be used on ALL textures of hair – if you want polished smooth hair – this is for you
What else you need to know:
You can finally go natural without fussing about the grow out phase. Diva Smooth will smooth out your roots while waiting for your hair to grow out
Diva Smooth can be used on hair that is chemically relaxed or processed – it ups the luster factor
You can color your hair with Diva Smooth – it adds shine
Diva Smooth is a completely natural product - no synthetics of any kind, no mineral oil, no parabens. To see a complete list of ALL ingredients in our hair care line click here.
It’s Easy to go from dull to wow…Apply- Wash - Dry - Flat Iron - WOW!
Many of us have used a reconstructor without really knowing what it does and why it works so well. A reconstructor is basically a deep conditioner that contains polymers. Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units (or building blocks) often connected by covalent chemical bonds (the process that attracts atoms and molecules). A popular type of polymer is protein, of course!
So, how does a reconstructor work, you say? It works by penetrating and filling in the gaps on the surface of the hair strand (see the image above). Temporarily, of course. It's sort of like putting ointment on a fresh cut. It only protects it temporarily before dissolving away because of wear and tear, right? That's how a reconstructor works!
My name is B. and I’m currently a sophomore in college. I’m writing because I’ve been searching your website for hair tips and I’m really trying to figure out a regimen to set up for my hair care.
In high school, I went to the salon religiously every two weeks, getting a simple wash and press so I never really had to mess in my hair. My beautician grew my hair from mid NL to a little past SL and growing—and that took two years for that growth. Then I went to school out of state, with no idea how to take care of my own hair and with no go-to beautician. By the end of that year, needless to say there was a lot of breakage and steps taken back!
Now, half way through my sophomore year, I’m tired of trying to depend on someone to grow my hair for me, and I’ve found plenty of tips online, but I don’t know how to put them all together to get good results… so could you give me any ideas?
I get a relaxer about every 8 weeks; right now my hair is approaching SL—I chopped off the broken ends in September; and also, my left side is much thinner than my right so my hair is very uneven! I also get my ends trimmed with every relaxer—and I don’t do my own relaxers!
Thank you so much for your time and help in advance!!
- B.
Hey B.!
I'm glad you e-mailed me. First, I want you to invest in a good shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner (moisture & protein balanced), moisturizer, and oil. For the shampoo, make sure it's pH balanced (4.5 - 5.5). KeraCare has great shampoos that are pH-balanced.
Before washing the hair, start off by finger combing the hair to gently remove any tangles. When you're done finger combing, take a large tooth comb and comb the hair thoroughly to make sure that there are no tangles or knots. If there are tangles or knots, rub on them with your index finger and thumb. Make sure to always start from ends to roots!
When washing your hair, rinse your hair with warm water for a few minutes to get rid of any dirt or debris before shampooing. Use your fingers to detangle the hair even more to prevent tangles. Then, commence to the shampooing. Apply the shampoo in sections (3 or 4 sections) and finger comb it throughout your hair. Rinse for about a minute and repeat.
After shampooing your hair, blot the excess water out and apply a conditioner of your choice. Let it sit for two minutes before combing it through and rinsing it out.
Next, blot the excess water out and apply a moisture & protein balanced conditioner. Let it sit for two minutes before combing it through and put on a plastic cap. Sit under a dryer for half an hour. Make sure that you apply more conditioner to the more damaged parts halfway through.
After deep conditioning, rinse for one minute and apply a leave-in. Comb through and air dry in a wet wrap, braids, a bun, twists, or a ponytail. Braids and twists are better in my opinion.
Before bed, apply moisturizer and rub a light coating of oil (Coconut, Jojoba, or Olive oil). Tie your hair up in a satin or silk scarf.
Throughout the week, when your hair feels a little dry, apply moisturizer (thicker moisturizers are great for kinkier hair types) and seal with oil. Then, once a week, detangle, shampoo, condition, and deep condition the same way I described above.
Within a month or two, you should see improvements. Just make sure to drink water and keep deep conditioning weekly.
We want to know where you are at in your journey to healthy hair. Feel free to discuss it further in the comments. We'd love to hear from you! For the "Chemically Treated" choice, we mean Relaxed, Texturized, Texlaxed, or Silkened... Not color.
We are absolutely lovin' Mopshots. They have posted some pretty hot hair styles that I do plan to try. Now, some people might say that it's not diverse enough or they don't show enough African American women, but YOU can. You can submit your fresh-out-of-the-salon look and have dictators (like yours truly) discuss it.
The style featured in this post is by Biana of B. Freestyle Beauty Lounge Atlanta, Georgia. The client had highlights done and cut some bangs. I love this look!
Here's what Biana had to say:
Glad you guys like it! Christofer is my model and she actually has naturally curly hair that I’ve straightened with a flat iron (no relaxer). Relaxer free hair makes for a vibrant color and leaves a healthy shine on the hair as well. I will be submitting shots regularly, so get used to seeing my name! Thanks Mopshots!
Make sure you and your stylist start sending in pictures to inspire women who need a new style.
As you may know, I've been doing the "No-Shampoo" method. In my quest to find great cleansing conditioners, I happened upon Hair One. I was reading a review on WEN Hair Care and some suggested Hair One as a great knock-off. I haven't tried any of the products, but they do look interesting! And they're priced at $9.99 right now!
Sulfate Free
An all natural approach to hair care
No damaging detergents or harsh chemicals
Formulated with an elixir of natural herbs and oils
Cleans with an astringent and antibacterial properties
Introducing Hair One ... a salon quality product that provides a new all natural approach to hair care and hair detox that leaves hair cleansed, conditioned and in optimum shape. This conditioner has no damaging detergents or harsh chemicals. It's made with an elixir of natural herbs and oils that clean with astringent and antibacterial properties through a luxurious, penetrating cream without the stripping of detergents. Hair is left with remarkable shine, moisture, manageability and polish. With continued use, Hair One Cleanser Conditioner will stimulate the scalp, promoting better blood circulation, allowing for healthier hair growth and prevention of hair loss. Available in four formulations.
Normal Hair: Designed for normal problem free hair. Color Treated: Prevents premature fading of color. Dry, Damaged: Repairs damage from chemical treatments. Dry Scalp: Helps heal scalp damage while restoring suppleness and manageability.
I'm really loving my CURLS Cleansing Cream and SDBSF Purifying Conditioner but I have to know... Has anyone tried Hair One or any good cleansing conditioner?
Hayley Marie Norman is an actress and a briefcase girl for Deal or No Deal. I love her hair! She rocks it curly and combs it out for a kinky look. And apparently, she's a big fan of Kinky Curly products.
Product Name: Moroccan Hair Mask Troubled Hair Revitalizer Price Range: $18.50 (8 oz) Company: Skin Delicious Body So Fine (http://www.bodysofine.biz) Catch Phrase: This super rich mineral miracle, vitalizes and fortifies troubled hair with an infusion of Magnesium and Calcium. Enhanced with organic coconut oil, Moroccan Rhassoul Clay (rich in minerals) and Meadowfoam to deeply moisturize your hair and scalp! The conditioning ingredients in our hair Mask form a protective layer over the cortex where the cuticle cells have broken away, which creates a protective barrier smoothing over these rough edges sealing in moisture adding body, flex and reducing static electricity.
What I Say: This was a good product. I really liked how clean my hair felt after using it. It has Rhassoul and Kaolin clay in it and both are great for removing toxins from the hair. It has moisturizers in it so it left both my new growth and relaxed hair soft, but not as soft as I hoped. I will use this monthly.
Product Tip: For Relaxed heads, follow up with a moisturizing conditioner. Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (4/5)
Look at that gorgeous head of hair! The lovely lady you're looking at is actress Vanessa A. Williams. You may recognize her from the Soul Food series and various shows.
Product Name: Blended Beauty Kick For Curls Price Range: $16.00 (250 ml) Company: Blended Beauty (http://www.blendedbeauty.com) Catch Phrase: An original spritz leave-in conditioner and detangler. Tame bedhead or freshen up squished and frizzed up curls, with a kick! Natural moisturizers revive the bounce in your curl, while satiny conditioners leave curls feeling soft and smooth. Use on top of any of our other leave-in products or use alone.
What I Say: I really like this product. It soften up my hair nicely and has a great cinnamon smell to it. I will say this though... It doesn't soften up the crown area (which is why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5) like Happy Nappy Styles. My crown area is much more coarse and only creamy moisturizers work on it anyway. This product would be great as a daily moisturizer and braid spray!
Product Tip: Follow up with Happy Nappy Styles for a great moisturizing experience! Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (4/5)
You read what they loved about their lovely hair, now you can vote for your favorite finalist! The poll changes the order, so that it is fair for everyone. Also, let us in on why you voted for who you voted for!
Product Name: Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles Price Range: $19.00 (250 ml) Company: Blended Beauty (http://www.blendedbeauty.com) Catch Phrase: A rich and moisturizing styling cream for kinky curls and dreads, or highly textured hair. Style and define your curls or twist locs, while naturally hydrating. Perfect for finger twisting curls! Create defined curls, with maximum moisture and softness. Drys touchably soft and satiny, not sticky or greasy.
What I Say: Wow. This product is the ish at moisturizing kinky hair. I applied the product last night and my hair STILL feels moisturized. Usually, with an moisturizer (including my beloved CURLS Milkshake), I have to re-apply again. It smells good, works great, and worth the price. I will definitely keep this as a staple moisturizer along with my two CURLS moisturizers. I plan to use this on my sister's natural hair for a twistout.
Product Tip: A little goes a long way! Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (5/5)
Product Name: Purifying Rinse Cleansing Conditioner Price Range: $16.00 (8 oz) Company: Skin Delicious Body So Fine (http://www.bodysofine.biz) Catch Phrase: Created for ALL textures, this super charged cleansing conditioner is awesome!
What I Say: As you guys may already know, I've been testing out the "No-Shampoo" method for some time. So far, so good. I received this conditioner and have been using it every other day since. My hair feels great after using it and I don't even have to use another conditioner afterward. I love, love, love the fact that it has Castor oil, aloe vera juice, MSM, and panthenol in it. I honestly feel like my hair growth will be impressive with this product. I'll keep you guys posted on that.
Garlic is rich in vitamins, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, can reduce cholesterol accumulated in the arteries, and can bring down blood pressure. And as an added bonus, it's been known to halt the shedding of the hair.
If there's one thing we girls here at TCHD love, it has to be jewelry! Right now, we're really feeling the jewelry line from Jenny Dayco. Don't know Jenny Dayco? Well, you might! Her jewelry has been worn by Rihanna, Meagan Good, Beyonce, Eva, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Tyra Banks, Venus & Serena Williams, Danity Kane, and other celebrities. Be sure to check out all her jewelry on her website at http://www.jennydayco.com!
Oh, boy! I am a product junkie indeed! I just got a jar of Blended Beauty's Happy Nappy Styles and I'm super excited. I can't wait to start using it. Just look at the ingredients; it sounds like a super moisturizer for my hair. And the best part is, Blended Beauty recommends this product for the kinkier hair types. I'll keep you guys updated on how it works out. Oh, one more thing... Blended Beauty was gracious enough to send me samples of their Soy Cream Shampoo, Curl Quenching Conditioner, Kick For Curls, SilkShake, Curly Frizz Pudding.
A rich and moisturizing styling cream for kinky curls and dreads, or highly textured hair. Style and define your curls or twist locs, while naturally hydrating. Perfect for finger twisting curls! Create defined curls, with maximum moisture and softness. Drys touchably soft and satiny, not sticky or greasy.
Look at the lovely Nik from the ghost of ANTM past. Ford Artists' Johnny Lavoy shows you how to re-create this look at home. I'm pretty sure you can do this look faster with Sally's Bumpits... Just my two cents.
As much as I love my FHI Blow Dryer, I hate the fact that I have to use a brush to get my hair straight. I want to try the following dryer (or something similar). It's ionic and comes with three attachments: A boar bristle brush, wide tooth comb, and fine tooth comb. And the best part is that it's less than $21.00! Talk about reasonable prices!
Vidal Sassoon 1875W Pro Ionic Styler Dryer Hair conditioning Ions infuse moisture, control fly-aways and enhance shine.
Birth control pills (and yes, Emergency Contraception too) can actually cause hair loss. Although it doesn't happen to every woman on birth control, it is still a possible side effect. Be careful!
Why haven't we done a Celebrity Hair segment on Tanika Ray? Her mane is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! She was on tonight's Chelsea Lately and I was just in awe of her hair. I love how free her hair looks and the color is gorgeous. If you want to see more of the lovely Tanika Ray, catch her on her show on HSN.
According to MPB Research, Emu oil has been proven to help grow hair in the frontal area (the edges) far better than topical treatments such as Rogaine and Propecia. I've been using Emu Oil for a few weeks now and I'm loving the results.
So, what exactly is going on with my progress? I am currently about an inch or two away from bra-strap length and will be wearing protective styles such as weaves and braids until I feel comfortable with my length. I am close to four months post, but since my last relaxer reverted, it feels more like six. And I am wearing a sew-in (Bobbi Boss 10" Yaky cut into a bob).
I think that's it. Oh, I am also taking garlic pills to minimize shedding. I will post pictures when I take out my install. Happy hair growing!
The hair growth cycle is controlled by a chemical signal called the epidermal growth factor or EGF. EGF plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation (when a cell becomes specialized). Human EGF is made up of protein, amino acid residues, and disulfide bonds (what holds hair proteins together).
"During pregnancy the increased levels of estrogen in your body freezes hair in the growing (or "resting") phase of the cycle. Hair that would normally fall out stays put, resulting in thicker hair. After you give birth and your estrogen levels decline, however, all that hair that was resting starts to fall out. This usually starts the third or fourth postpartum and ends by six months, says Joanne Stone, MD, an ob-gyn at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and coauthor of Pregnancy for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons). But some women say it can last for a year. This temporary hair loss doesn't mean you're deficient in nutrition or vitamins, says Dr. Stone. It's simply hormonal."
The minerals in hard water can actually cause hair loss. Selenium, mercury, lead, zinc, and aluminum are usually found in hard water and contribute to hair loss. So, keep your hair healthy by getting a water filter!
And...
"Even some brands of bottled water have been found to contain high levels of contaminants in addition to plastics chemical leaching from the bottle." (Source)
1. Joetta H-S What I love most about it is simple: I neglected and abused it for 10 years and it never turned its back on me...it just waited for me to see the light.
2. Rachel I love the fact that my hair has a mind of its own. It's like I have 2 personalities! Not in a creepy crazy way though ;) It says something about me and the decisions I make, the way I like to live and shows my fun loving, laid back spirit before I utter a word.
3. Necolia what I love most about my hair is the fact that it's uniquely mine. That God took the time to code each strand specifically for me and that no one else has the same. I love being able to wear twist outs and puffs and two strand twists and wear them confidently because may hair may not be what society holds as a standard, it is what I want it to be and I wear it with pride.
4. Cynthia I think its the fact that I've learned to love my hair is the reason why I love my hair so much. When I was younger, I didn't appreciate it as much as I do now, maybe because back then, having natural hair was just not an option. If you had naps, you weren't pretty. I've been the ugly duckling for such a long time, so when I got my perm, it gave me my self esteem. That was in 7th grade. As soon as sophomore year of high school rolled around, my hair was shorter due to breakage, and I was getting bored. So my mother suggested going back to natural hair. I was skeptical, and worried that I wouldn't feel pretty anymore. But I was already bored with the hair I had. I had to try something different. Well, when I went natural, I got great responses. People I had never spoken to came up to me in school and said my hair was beautiful, and that built my confidence. Now, I can't get enough of my hair. I can do many things with it, and I feel different. Nowadays its all about wigs and weaves. I'm starting from the roots I was born with. My hair has a waviness to it, and a kinky/curly vibe that makes me feel all giddy inside. Not only that, but I have blogs such as Coarse Hair to thank keep my hair healthy. To think, I hated the beautiful tresses that I have now. Tsk tsk tsk. Shame on me.
5. Camille What I love most about my hair is its thickness. Even short, it is very thick and instead of trying to make it appear thin, I'm proud to embrace it as is. Thick and full of life!
We'll add the poll later and you can commence to voting for your favorite finalist!
Product Name: Oyin Handmade Greg Juice Price Range: $11.00 (8 oz) Company: Oyin Handmade (http://www.oyinhandmade.com/) Catch Phrase: Greg Juice is an oil-free mixture of vegetable moisturizers and herbal essences combined in a beautiful amber pump spray bottle. It feeds hair like a sala...
The Coarse Hair Diary is a hair care website for Women of Color. Founded in 2007, TCHD has become a great resource for product reviews, hair care articles, how-to tutorials, and other informative items pertaining to Black hair care.
I've been seeing ads, reading reviews, skimming through testimonials about it. So, I haaaave to try it. I'm talking about the Janelle Beauty Diva Smooth Kit. It's similar to the old Carmel treatment, but includes a serum. I just got my shipment and plan to try this product Monday or Tuesday, so look out for the review and pictures!
Garcelle Beauvais at an Oscars after party look elegant.
One of our favorite looks from Serena Williams.
If you're prone to sweating under the dryer when in a rollerset, try drinking water or any ice cold beverage to keep your body temperature normal.
Halle Berry at a private party in Beverly Hills.
Tracee Ellis Ross, Kimberly Elise, Regina Hall and Regina King were also there with fab hair all around.
We are absolutely lovin' 
As you may know, I've been doing the "No-Shampoo" method. In my quest to find great cleansing conditioners, I happened upon Hair One. I was reading a review on WEN Hair Care and some suggested Hair One as a great knock-off. I haven't tried any of the products, but they do look interesting! And they're priced at $9.99 right now!
Hayley Marie Norman is an actress and a briefcase girl for 
Just wondering...
Look at that gorgeous head of hair! The lovely lady you're looking at is actress Vanessa A. Williams. You may recognize her from the 
Product Name: Blended Beauty Kick For Curls
Beyonce with the Simmons sisters.
Taraji P. Henson, Rosario Dawson, and Sanaa Lathan.
You read 
Product Name: Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles.gif)
I was listening to the radio yesterday morning and the topic was how guys preferred long, straight hair over anything else (Kinky, curly, wavy, etc.).
Product Name: Purifying Rinse Cleansing Conditioner
Solange and Janelle Monae at the Grammys earlier this evening.
LeToya Luckett at the Grammys earlier this evening.
Shaun Robinson and Kim Kardashian.
Leona Lewis and Karina Pasian.
If there's one thing we girls here at TCHD love, it has to be jewelry! Right now, we're really feeling the jewelry line from Jenny Dayco. Don't know Jenny Dayco? Well, you might! Her jewelry has been worn by Rihanna, Meagan Good, Beyonce, Eva, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Tyra Banks, Venus & Serena Williams, Danity Kane, and other celebrities. Be sure to check out all her jewelry on her website at 
Oh, boy! I am a product junkie indeed! I just got a jar of 
Christina Milian sporting a fierce bun at a Pre-Grammy party in L.A. We like!
As much as I love my FHI Blow Dryer, I hate the fact that I have to use a brush to get my hair straight. I want to try the following dryer (or something similar). It's ionic and comes with three attachments: A boar bristle brush, wide tooth comb, and fine tooth comb. And the best part is that it's less than $21.00! Talk about reasonable prices!
Why haven't we done a 
"During pregnancy the increased levels of estrogen in your body freezes hair in the growing (or "resting") phase of the cycle. Hair that would normally fall out stays put, resulting in thicker hair. After you give birth and your estrogen levels decline, however, all that hair that was resting starts to fall out. This usually starts the third or fourth postpartum and ends by six months, says Joanne Stone, MD, an ob-gyn at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and coauthor of 
Right now, I am loving my CURLS products. The CURLS Quenched Moisturizer + the CURLS Milkshake combo is perfect. My hair is loving me right now.
Product Name: Oyin Handmade Greg Juice
