Archive for April, 2011
Hair Protection During the Summer’s Heat
During warmer weather we tend to participate in a lot of outdoor activities because it just feels good to be outside. But with all of the fun in the sun sometimes we forget about our hair. Chlorine damage and sun over exposure are two main culprits that can wreck serious havoc on our curls. To protect your tresses from the Summer’s heat, below are a few tips to use throughout the hot clammy days.
Use a Shampoo/Conditioner with SPF: To help protect hair from sun elements, choose a shampoo/conditioner that contains an SPF. You may be able to find such products at Whole Foods or a health food store. As we are outside more during the warmer months, it is important to protect our hair from the sun’s strong rays.
Take a Cold Shower: As Summer months might lead to more showers due to muggy weather and increased outdoor activity, beware as showering can damage hair because there is chlorine in household water. If you do not have a shower filter, please note when taking a traditional shower, hot chlorine is being activated and this has a higher intensity level than cold chlorine. A cold slightly warm shower is best to further protect your hair.
Conditioner to the Rescue: Deep moisturizing and leave-in conditioners are great for curly hair during the warmer months to help control the frizzies, restore hair’s natural healthy elements and protect color treatments.
Don’t Forget the Scalp: Be sure to apply an SPF treatment to the scalp and hair. This is especially great for those with very short hair as scalp areas might be more exposed to the sun.
The Green Products Expo
As a member of the press I was excited to be invited to attend the Green Products Expo that was held in New York City on April 13. The Green Products Expo is designed to facilitate conversations between media and exhibitors about environmentally friendly products and trends in the marketplace.
I decided to become a vegan in 2000 and since then I have continuously incorporated new elements to help me maintain a natural lifestyle. I still have a lot to learn and with events such as The Green Products Expo I discover new items to assist me sustain a lifestyle I desire.
Check out the photos from the event. There was a little bit of everything present.
The gift bag was an Eco-Chic “The Give Bag” which features reuseable gift tags.
Free products. I just love the Indiana Jones looking “The Real Deal” hat that was crafted from recycled tarps of Brazilian cargo trucks in an attempt to cut down on the wasting of resources.
More free items
Hair and skin care products by Australian Scent
Soaps by Australian Scent
The Real Deal hats and bags
Sporting my Real Deal hat
Zippit Doo’s is a hair care system for children with lice. It is paraben and SLS free and pediatrician approved
2011 Spring Favorites
According to the calendar we are currently in the midst of the Spring season. But in New York, Spring’s comfortable warm weather has not really presented itself. I think I need to move to a warmer climate. I think? No. I am sure. Anyway, even though I am not presently experiencing the sweet scent of the season, I do have a few Spring favorite hair care items I recently discovered and would like to share them with you.
- BWC – Beauty Without Cruelty – provides 100% vegan or vegetarian hair care and styling products. BWC creations are Organic, Paraben Free, SLS Free, has 100% Organic Essential Oils and No Synthetic Fragrances. BWC has been making quality items for consumption since 1963 and I am all in love with their Premium Aromatherapy Shampoo with Lavender Highland; Organic Aromatherapy Conditioner with Lavender Highland and the Botanical Formula Spray Gel Volume Plus.
- The Artisanal Kitchen’s Three Olives Olive Oil features a moisturizing blend of three olives that can be used in your hair. Why? Because, while 99% of the worlds olive oil comes from imported fruit, Three Olives Olive Oil is made from 100% California olives that produces plenty of natural oil which is perfect for dry textured hair. I used the oil on wet and dry hair and I like it a lot because my hair was noticeably shiny the entire day. Oh, and also, Three Olives Olive Oil taste good too and can be use with any recipe.
- One of the best ways to start of the Spring season is to smell good, and since I am a big fan of Kimora Lee Simmons, I had to try her dazzling new fragrance portfolio called Baby Phat L♥V ME by Kimora Lee Simmons. It’s confident and playful highlighting aromas of vanilla, apricot and tangerine. I sprayed a little bit in my hair. It was perfect for the crisp Spring air. Baby Phat L♥V ME (1.0 oz) retails for $28 in select stores nationwide, such as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Kohl’s and Kmart.
Braid-Out Afro
On clean blown-out hair, using my Homemade Hair Cream, Giovanni’s Leave-In Hair Treatment, Sunset Styling Lotion and Strong Hold Styling Gel, this is my braid-out afro.
Good Housekeeping TV
During my transitioning days, in the Summer of 2010, I was selected by Kmart and Good Housekeeping magazine to appear in a fashion segment for Good Housekeeping TV. I modeled actress Jaclyn Smith’s clothes that are available at Kmart.
Check out some of the photos from the taping that day. I had loads of fun.
Waiting to get our make up done
In the make up chair
Actress Jaclyn Smith making sure I look okay
Okay I think I am ready
With Rosemary Ellis editor in chief of Good Housekeeping magazine and Jaclyn
Jaclyn and I are comparing braclets
Jaclyn placing a necklace belt around my waist
All the models happy with Jaclyn Smith
I Want Thickness
As well as length but right now my thin hair needs to fluff up.
However as I age, my hair does too, and I am desperately trying to figure out a way to reverse the thinning process.
I have experimented with many tricks including trimming on a full moon and making potions to promote thicker hair. Now I am applying Shea Moisture’s Thickening Moisture Mist in hopes of achieveing one of my hair goals.
I used the product for the first time last weekend. I wonder how long it will take to provide any type of volume. I wonder if it does work will I have to always use it for maintenance. I wonder if it will only give the illusion that my hair is thick but in realty it is still thin. I wonder if I can really change the texture of my hair. Well… based on personal experience with perms, changing the texture of the hair is very possible.
So, over all, I guess I will just have to wait and see.
Homemade Hair Rinse
In a previous post I included Horsetail and Nettle herb tea in my homemade shampoo in place of water. Now that I am using over the counter products instead of my own concoction I decided to add the herb mixture to my weekly ritual as a rinse before shampooing or co-washing.
Horsetail and Nettle are excellent elements for hair care. You can find them in many store bought products and they can also be purchased in the form of a supplement, powder, tincture or leaf. I bought my leafs from an herb store in the East village in New York City called Flower Power.
Horsetail has been used as a remedy for hair growth and to prevent hair loss for thousands of years. Horsetail is rich in silica which is what the body needs to naturally stimulate thick, long, healthy and strong hair.
Nettle, also known as Stinging Nettle because of its tingling sensation that irritates the skin to increase blood flow and nourishment, has been used to achieve healthy hair since the ancient times. Applying a Nettle solution can increase the blood flow to the scalp. It also oxygenates hair follicles and strengthens hair fibers, promoting healthier, shinier, fuller hair. The results of Nettle do not happen overnight, but continued use will eventually produce excellent results.
In addition to achieving healthy long hair, I am on a quest to make my hair thick and full, so Horsetail and Nettle are perfect plants for me to use. During my weekly ritual on Saturday, I combined the two herbs and used them as a hair rinse. This is what I did:
One teaspoon of Horsetail (l). One teaspoon of Nettle (r).
Two cups of water.
Pour the water in a pot and boil. Make sure the water is at a bubbly boil before adding the herbs.
Turn off the fire and add the plant mixture.
Steep the leafs. I steeped for 24 hours. The longer it steeps the stronger the rinse.
Strain the liquid.
The rinse is ready!
On dry hair, bending over a sink, I poured on the Horsetail and Nettle rinse. I put on a plastic cap (have a towel handy because the liquid will run down your face and neck) and left it in for approximately 45 minutes. I rinsed it out then proceeded with my weekly hair care regiment.
Meet Shalonda
What inspired you to go natural?
It started at work. A co-worker told me of her journey and I was interested in trying it. I hated having to go to the salon and sit there all day just to have a scoop of “creamy crack” applied to my hair. I’ve always had thick long hair and I was beginning to see how thin my hair was getting because of the relaxer. I didn’t perm my hair during my pregnancy so I decided to keep with it after I had my son.
Original Curls
Did you transition or did you do the Big Chop? Why did you choose your selected method?
I decided to chop it off. I cut it into a bob at first, then I went to Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City for them to cut it off but I left a piece in the front long. It looked ridiculous so I cut the last piece off myself. I knew that if I transitioned I would have permed it.
Was this your first attempt going from permed to natural hair?
Yes this was my first and only attempt.
Back in the day hair
Why do you think natural hair is popular right now? Do you think it is a fad?
I think women are coming to terms with who they are. Some people have bad stories with perms. I got scabs and burns all of the time. You just think it is part of the process. There is so much you can do with your natural hair. You don’t have to be curly, you can go short and color it just like permed hair. More women are embracing their natural textures and enjoying the journey.
What is your favorite hairstyle(s)?
I like it really, really big and I’m trying to get more length now. I’m researching on how to make my own extensions for color, length and fullness.
Naturally Curly
Which products do you like to use?
I use Kinky-Curly Curling Custard and Deva Curl. I’ve tried a lot of products from low end to high end but I think these work for me.
I wash my hair at least twice a week. I also co-wash. According to my hairstylist I wash it too much but I like for my hair to look fresh. I put in all of my products in the shower. I don’t use shampoos that have sulfates in them. I dry my hair with a diffuser and hooded dryer and then I fluff to make it bigger. I get my hair cut at The Devachan Salon also in New York City approximately once a year.
What do you want Permed to Natural readers to take with them after reading your story?
It’s a journey and nothing is a quick fix. You must touch your hair to know which textures you have and what works for you. You have to love what you have. Your outcome may not be long luscious curls but what you have is your own style and it is important to embrace that.
