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Showing posts from 2013

L.O.C or L.C.O Method for Moisturizing Hair

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The Liquid, Oil, Cream or the Liquid, Cream, Oil techniques have become quite popular among fellow hair bloggers as well as readers. The two methods all aim at keeping moisture locked in the hair. Liquid: any water based leave in Cream: moisturizing creams Oils: what you use for sealing in the leave in and moisturizer. Whereas the L.O.C stands for Liquid, Oil and Cream, the L. C. O represents Liquid, Cream and Oil. Basically, after you apply the liquid, you can either use a cream and seal with oil or use oil and seal with cream. Check out my video showing how I do this method. The L.C.O is considered an offspring of the L.O.C because it was only when some ladies realised that cream before oil works better for them. Personally, I haven't consciously tried both techniques but intend to dedicate two months to experiment with them. Because our weather tends to be dry most often, finding a method that helps the hair retain more moisture is an excellent idea. At the end of

The Search And Destroy Method

--> This is a great technique to get your hair more even without relying on getting the ends tirmmed all the time. I can now incorporate it into my regimen as prettywitty77 does a great job at demonstrating this technique

Product Review: Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner!

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Want to know my thoughts about the Keracare Humecto Creme conditioner? Watch my review video!  -->

Product Review:Kuza Indian Hemp Cholesterol

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--> At last! My review of the hyped kuza cholesterol!

Product Review: Queen Helene Cholesterol With Ginseng!

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You maybe familiar with Queen Helene cholesterol for your hair but do you know there is one with ginseng called Queen Helene Cholesterol with Ginseng?  I purchased the one with the ginseng to try and after a few weeks, I think it's time to give you my review. In the video, I talk about the price, the consistency, how I use it and how my hair responds to it. Please subscribe for more videos!

New Protective Style: Cornrows

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--> I got the cornrows installed two days ago and it wasn't an easy task for the stylist.My new growth at 9 weeks post relaxer is awesome  but getting the comb through for the parts was a great challenge. If I'll get another braid, I will blow dry the roots to stretch it. That was my first time with this stylist and I'm hoping to "tune" her to healthy hair practices.com when it comes to handling my hair. I've finally discovered why I can't keep braid styles for more than 2 weeks; The pulling I feel on my head days after braiding even though the braid won't be hurting. Let me describe it; the feeling you get when you turn your head a day after braiding or the pull even days later, is just not fun for me! I get more conscious of something being on my head! Once I get that, which takes days to go away, all I want to do is get that style down! I have that going on right now and since I can't do my braids, it's going to be difficult solving

5 Worst Ways To Moisturize Hair

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Moisturizing and sealing is a big deal if you want to retain length and increase moisture in your hair. You'll find a lot of articles on products that can provide moisture, products to seal in moisture and also to prevent dryness. Whatever you use in moisturizing and sealing, the key thing is the technique. Having the tool doesn't mean you know how to use it. You can buy all the sheamoisture, the Carols Daughter, Aunt Jackie, We Naturals, Eya Naturals and what have you but you won't still have the moisturized hair you want. The method or technique for moisturizing and sealing is an essential step in the process. What product do you use first? How do you apply it? What do you use last? What shouldn't be used and why? How long should you use a particular product in moisturizing? Youtuber  rlinzy  discusses five worst ways to moisturize hair!

Hair Tutorial: Upside Down FishTail Braid

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The fish braid style looks complicated to create but it's quite a simple one. This hair style can be created without extensions if your hair is long. If you want to protect your ends without relying on buns and braids, the fish tail braid does a great job of protecting your ends. DessyQT creates a gorgeous style and I know you'll love to do it especially for a special occasion. If you can't do it yourself, show it to your hair dresser.

Product Review: Roux Porosity Control Conditioner

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The Roux porosity Conditioner has become a household name in hair care for the reason that it helps restore your porosity to the normal level. At least that's the rationale for purchasing it. For relaxed hair, restoring the pH of your hair after relaxer application is an essential part of the routine.You have to close the cuticles to prevent damage.  Apart from using the neutralizing shampoo, a porosity control allows for the restoration of the pH.                                                 In this review, I talk about the consistency, its effectiveness, how my hair responds to the ingredients and whether I'll keep using it! Have you used Roux porosity control conditioner before? What are your thoughts? Emprezz

Do You Have To Chelate Or Clarify?

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  One of my readers asked this question after seeing a conversation about chelating after relaxer and why it had to be done. To the best of my knowledge, chelating and clarifying are two different processes. Chelating From what I know, chelating shampoos cleanse the hair of mineral deposits. When you use a no-lye relaxer aka box cream, the no-lye leaves calcium deposits and this contributes to the dryness you get after relaxer. In addition, hard water can leave mineral deposits in the hair. Take, for example, our tap water!

Product Review: Cantu Shea Butter Leave In

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Full name:  Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream. Price : 35-45 depending on the store (ghanaianemprezz shop:call 0541458372) How I use it: After air drying: I use it on 70% dry hair Before roller setting: Apply it after rinsing out deep conditioner and before roller set Moisturizer: Use it on totally dry hair and seal with oil sometimes at night and others, morning. Leave in treatment: Apply on dry hair, cover with shower cap overnight. Likes: Description Ingredients: Directions : Great SMELL!!! I love the smell of this product; not too strong and not so mild too.  Very moisturizing: my hair responded so well to it the first time I used it which was at the salon; it got my stylist to request for on!! On nights I use it for Green House Effect, I woke up with very soft, moisturized hair! Thickness: Not too thick, creamy so you don't have to worry about it pouring away in your back:)  A little goes a long way even tho

Product Review: One Step Leave In

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  Full name : One Step Corrective Nourishing Leave-in Conditioner Cost : 8gh Cosmetic shops What it claims : One Step Corrective Nourishing Leave-in Conditioner is a must leave in styling conditioner for natural and chemically treated hair. This is multi-action formula leaves hair softer, easy to comb, smoother cuticles, stronger and vibrant. It repairs hair where needed most, leaving it healthy looking, shiny and manageable. Directions : for daily use- pour a generous amount into palm, rub hands together and work from roots to ends, style as desired. After shampooing, relaxing, or colouring-towel dry hair and apply a generous amount to wet hair. comb through. Do not rinse out. Ingredients: (first five) water, gylcerin, olive oil, mineral oil, polyquaternum-32 etc How I use it when moisturizing, daily or once every two days, I apply it to dry hair and seal with my oils After washing the hair, I apply it as a leave in to either wet hair if am at the salon or semi dry hair

Create A Hair Band With A Scarf

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If you are a millennial, there is the tendency not to understand the intricacies of a head scarf in your mom's stash of clothing LOL. For us, we've been privileged to see our mothers and grandmothers adorn their hair with scarves for church and funerals. In fact, my granny insists on wearing a scarf to any funeral ground. But do you know that what we've looked down on all these years has become a great hair accessory for ladies abroad ? That's what happens when we are so clued to the so-called modern trends and fashion! The scarf you look down on can save your hair on bad hair days, it can add a new dimension to your styling routine and also make you stand out. So, how do you use your scarf? Here's a fabulous hair scarf tutorial from  CoCogLam22 . I'm most certainly turning my scarves into hair bands! Enjoy!

10-Co-Washing Problems (10): When Do You Stop Co-washing?

This is the last of the the "10-Co-washing problems series" though that doesn't exhaust other problems that come with conditioner wash. For me, I haven't ceased co-washing; I do it when I feel the need for it though not as regular as when I visited the gym daily. Also, when I had protein overload from using a protein based conditioner for co-washing, I simply quit using it and switched to a moisturizing conditioner. The only time you may have to stop co-washing is if you catch cold as a result of it! see previous posts below! 1.  Does Your Hair Needs Co-Washing? 2.  What Type of Conditioner To Use 3.  Should You Do Pure Co-Washing? 4.  When And How Often To Co-Wash? 5.  How Do You Dry Your Hair After Co-Washing? 6.  What Style To Wear After Co-Washing 7.  Dealing With Damp Hair In The Morning 8.  Sleeping With Wet Hair 9.   The Case of Build Up

10 Co-Washing Problems (9): The Case Of Build Up!

--> Co-washing is fun until you realize your hair doesn't absorb products or the products just sit on the surface of the hair! Other times, the hair feels weighed down and no product seems to help! After co-washing for a while, the conditioners tend to leave residues on the hair! How?  According to JC of thenaturalhavenbloom , h air carries a slight negative charge which is enhanced when you use a shampoo with a negative charge. Hair will adsorb the conditioner better because the positive charge in the conditioner is attracted to the negative charge on the surface of hair . Also,m ost ingredients in hair conditioner attach to the surface of hair Based on this, I believe that the ingredients in c onditioners, in the process of moisturizing, , repairing damage, smoothing cuticles will continue to pill up on the surface of the hair.

10 Co-Washing Problems (8): Issues With Sleeping With Wet Hair

--> Sometimes, going to bed with the damp hair becomes the last option. However, it comes with its some complications. Wet pillows can make sleeping uncomfortable if you are the pillow type You might be inconveniencing your partner if your hair is not in a satin cap and you rather use a satin pillow case; there is the tendency of your partner coming into contact with the hair which is not comfortable!! experience. On your part, you may catch cold- I have seen several bloggers complain about this.  The possible solution is to co-wash early enough to give the hair more time to dry. If all fails, then, you may have to quit co-washing . Your health is more important. How do you deal with wet hair for bed?

My Facial Care Starter Pack!

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Since leaving undergrad about 5 years ago, I've been battling with acne, dark spots and rough skin on the face. I've become more conscious about how  other ladies  are diversifying their focus by taking care of the whole body. Now that I've had a better workout schedule, I've done some reading on handling facial issues and have taken steps to implement a basic skin care routine to obtain the "perfect " face I want. Upon scanning through my stuff, I, actually, had basic skin care products but just wasn't utilizing them at all or appropriately!

10 Co-Washing Problems (7): What If Your Hair Is Damp After Morning?

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A major concern for those who co-wash at night is that of damp hair in the morning and what to do with it. I find that I can do a roll and tuck on damp hair so l get to be fly! I can also get away with a pompadour plus bun style, a simple bun or ponytail or as a last resort, blow dry on cool. With this our sunshine,  I could have four twists in my head which will dry up by the time I finish preparing for work if I step out two or three times. However, if you don’t want any of this, wigs might be your friend; keeps the moisture in the hair anyway. I know that Green house effect also gives a similar problem in the mornings. Here are what you've missed! 10 Co-Washing Problems: (1) Does your hair really need co-washing? 10 Co-Washing Problems : (2) What Type Of Conditioner To Use? 10 Co-Washing Problems: (3) Should You Do "Pure" Co-Washing? 10 Co-Washing Problems: (4) When And How Often To Co-wash? 10 Co-Washing Problems (6):What Style Can You Wear After Co

10 Co-Washing Problems (6):What Style Can You Wear After Co-washing?

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--> What style to wear after conditioner washing is dependent on your schedule. If you have the morning to yourself, you can do a braid or twist for braidout or twist out .  I've been wearing braid outs a lot these days.

10 Co-Washing Problem (5): How Do You Dry Hair After Co-washing?

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--> Ok,  after co-washing what next?  If you are co-washing in the night, then, you may have to Use a hooded dryer if you have one Blow dry on cool setting Use a T-shirt to wrap the hair and go to bed. By morning, the shirt would have absorbed all the excess water in the hair. Air dry till bed time Hooded dryer  for roller set or dry under it before bed time.

Pre-Poos: A different Perspective

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--> I was reading on Pre-Poos by    Temitayo Giwa  on letsgrownaijahair . com  (See post here )  and something caught my attention.  It's the word DRENCH which the Merriam Webster online dictionary defines as to wet thoroughly (as by immersing or   soaking in a liquid). When I saw that word, I pondered over my Pre-poos and whether I've been drenching my hair properly with the oils. So, during  one of my co-washing, I saturated my hair with sheabutter and went under the dryer.  Just then, another idea crossed my mind. Why not check to see if the oil has sunk deep into the strands or just sitting on the hair. Well, some of the oil was still on the surface after 10 minutes! I recalled how you have to stir your sugar into your beverage to ensure that the sugar dissolved well; I ran my hands through the hair, massaging the oil into it again.  The end results were awesome!!  I decided to share this with you so you get full benefits of Pre-Poos. What do you think?

10 Co-Washing Problems: (4) When And How Often To Co-wash?

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--> Today, we look at the issue of how much is too much? How many times can you co-wash in a week or month or even daily? There are three angles to this stumbling block: The amount of time you have at your disposal How much conditioner you have How clean you want your scalp

Product Review: Vatika Coconut Oil

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It's finally here! I talk about the consistency (thickness), smell, how I use it and the results I get from it plus whether I'd continue using it or not! Don't forget to subscribe, comment, share for more videos!! What are your thoughts? Emprezz

10 Co-Washing Problems: (3) Should You Do "Pure" Co-Washing?

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 You've got your conditioner and you are ready to start using it for washing.  The problem is, "do you have to do pre-poo before Co-Wash  or DC after Co-wash?", do you do tea rinses/apple cider vinegar rinses after co-washing? or would the wash be solely just a conditioner wash?

10 Co-Washing Problems : (2) What Type Of Conditioner To Use?

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--> (Click  here for problem 1  ) On to another tedious and serious decision making in embarking on co-washing; whether to use a protein conditioner or moisturizing conditioner! :( My experience with conditioners have taught me to have a balance of the two. If you want to use protein conditioners, then, your wash day should have more moisture based products to prevent protein overload. If you choose to use only protein conditioners, then, you have to constantly have moisturizing products.

10 Co-Washing Problems: (1) Does your hair really need co-washing?

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So, you've visited one of your favourite blogs( like this one) and you have learnt about conditioner wash aka co-wash (CW). You want to try it but... I'll be doing a series on 10 conditioner wash (Co-wash/CW) problems that you encounter and how to deal with them. Enjoy each post and be sure to leave your questions, comments and suggestions! First question that pops up in your head when you decide to join the CW train is whether your hair really need it! which can be a headache which will get your brains to switch to thinking mood for days!

Growth Aid: Onions

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Onions are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Germanium and Sulphur!! Yes, lots and lots of Sulpur !!  Onions can therefore; Cure scalp infections:  Onion juice can fight bacteria and fungal infections which can cause damage to scalp and hair.  Reduces hair fall:  Onion juice is rich in Sulphur which increases blood circulation when massaged onto the scalp and strengthens hair.  Relieves scalp itchiness and dandruff:  The juice from onion can be mixed with lemon juice and is very effective for curing dandruff and relieving itchiness.    How to Use onions to grow hair Wash and peel the onions Cut the onions into small pieces and blend it. Strain and massage the water on the scalp, cover with a shower cap for about 30 minutes before shampooing your hair. Another way to prepare onion juice is to grate it and then add to your prepoo mixture and massage on your scalp.  Be sure to wash thoroughly to remove the smell from your hair. Do this

Personal Hair care: Can A Student Do It?

--> I’ve had a post (see   here  and here ) on this topic but I decided to do one related to the context of Africa/West Africa/Ghana where a majority of my readers are in tertiary institutions. I started my hair journey whilst I was in school (University of Cape Coast) so I can relate to challenges that come up. How do you combine hair care with studies?   First of all, create a budget- see my post on how Imanage my products . Having a budget is crucial in preventing and avoiding frustrations with handling your hair whether on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. How much do you have to spend on hair? What are your wants and needs? How long will you be in school and will the budget be a one time or monthly thing?   Are those products easily available on campus, if not, get alternatives! Have protective styles you want to wear? For weaves and braids, you may choose to wash monthly. If wigs, you can get corn rows for as long as you intend to wear them. If you want to wear out 50% of

Let's Talk: Is It Just Hair?

  A cherished reader left this comment on the post  The History of Black /African Hair(It's not just Hair) .  Now, this is going to be perhaps our longest post so kindly grab a glass of juice, sit down comfortably and read on! I think people put too much thought into the black hair/natural hair thing. Truly at the end of the day - it really is just hair. But then again, the lives and history we Africans in Africa have and the lives and history of Black Americans are very different. I think Black Americans have a lot of legitimate issues with their hair based on their history. However these are issues which are largely nonexistent to us black africans in Africa, (Rosina from Zambia, Southern Africa)

Product Review: Dark and Lovely Anti Breakage Healing Treatment!

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My views concerning the Dark and Lovely Anti Breakage Healing Treatment. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, comment or share!!! Thanks for watching! Emprezz

How I Manage My Regimen

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--> If you missed my post on how I manage my hair care products , then, kindly check it out.   I know we are accustomed to hair dressers attending to all our needs thus we tend to complain of our inability to do our own hair. However, the advent of hair care videos and blogs/websites have revolutionized the reliance on hair dressers. I have developed a system to manage my regimen for each process of my hair care: Washing   Shampoo wash Most of my washes are on Fridays into Saturdays since am mostly at home by 4pm on Friday and available on Saturday morning by which time I’d have dried hair

Hair Oils In Ghana: Mustard Oil

--> Window shopping is one of my chief means of obtaining info on products before purchasing them. I discovered mustard oil at AnC shopping mall- I use the mall and Madina market a lot because it's easy for me to get there without battling with traffic! Anyways, I purchased mustard oil for less than 10 gh and the size is enough to last a full year even if you are heavy handed. Why? This oil is thick like regular castor oil so you are forced to mix it with other oils to have an even spread lol.

Realistic Expectations for 4C (Coarse) Hair

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As someone with the 4C hair texture, I found jouelzy 's video very educative. I do know that a lot of ladies fear to go natural because of this kind of texture but is it really that bad?  4C natural hair by nature can not be forced to be what it can't be. What happens when you purchase a curl cream and all you get is a hot mess? Is it really that difficult to manage 4C natural hair? No! Watch and share what you think!

Product Review: Creme Of Nature Detangling Shampoo

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For my friends who want the written version, just scroll down; below the video! Full name: Crème of Nature Sunflower and Coconut Detangling shampoo

Preparing for that Special Day (Graduation Time!!)

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I know we have all had times when we had a special occasion to attend, be it a wedding,graduation, a formal event and any other special occassion. We have our dresses, our shoes and other ornaments ready. But for some reason, we dont know what to do to our hair especially when its natural. So for my graduation, I knew, I definately did not want to put on a weave or braid. I just wanted my hair and only that. But then, what to do, what to do? Twist out?, Twist?Braid outs?Flat iron? So 3 weeks to the day, I started trying out styles since I had my cap and gown. I watched a couple of videos but I still wasn't satisfied.