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Don't Dilute Your Jamaican Black Castor Oil

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At least not too much with other oils. A major complaint with using Jamaican Black Castor Oil is the thickness of the oil. The oil is so thick that some people mix or dilute with other oils to thin the castor oil out before use. Others also find their  scalp too itchy when the Jamaican Black Castor Oil is used directly on the Scalp. Well,  every product is made to operate at its optimum best thus when you dilute it,  you tend to reduce the potency. After making this discovery,  it's better to rethink about how to get the most out of the Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

What Might Be Causing Your Dandruff?

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Today's post is dedicated  to dandruff, a common hair woe that most of us battle with. If you are an exception, then you must count yourself lucky! So what is dandruff? Dandruff is a scalp condition that causes the skin cells on your scalp to flake and itch. Although it's not contagious, it is sometimes very irritating and quite embarrassing. What causes dandruff? The direct cause of dandruff is a rapid renewal of the skin cells on the scalp. The human skin is composed of layers. The epidermis which is the outermost layer sheds off as new skin cells grow. As this process continues, the old skin cells fall out and  die off. This physiological process produces an amount of flaking which is normal and is usually invisible to the naked eyes. However, in certain people, this process is exaggerated and leads to excessive shedding of skin cells that accumulate on the scalp and clump together with the natural hair oils. The result is unsightly visible flakes that hover their way down t

Ways To Protect Your Hair This Harmattan Without Protective Styles

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If you are like me and don't see harmattan as the time to wear wigs and weaves nor braids  then,  you have to develop a regimen that can provide you with moisture and fortify your hair against the  harsh winds and weather.  The first thing I recommend is decide on how you'll protect your ends from the harsh  weather. You can wear buns or roll and tuck in styles. You can also do halo braids with or ponytail with extensions to keep the ends from breakage.  You should also increase the moisture routines such as deep conditioning twice a week and sealing the hair with butters. Another way to protect your hair without weaves and wigs is to do green house effect or baggying about thrice a month.  My intention is to stop braiding when I can pull the hair into a good pony so if that  happens by December, then,  I definitely be weave and wig free for the harmattan like I used to do. 

How To Prepare Your Hair For Braids

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I did a post on preparing your hair for weaves a while ago and today, I want to specifically touch on how to prepare your hair for braids especially for this harmattan. Basically, the routine for the preparation doesn't differ from that of getting a weave on. 1. Detangle your hair before going to the salon so the stylist doesn't mishandle the hair or use the wrong comb to detangle. This is especially crucial for natural hair. In addition to that, you have to also stretch your natural hair before getting to the salon because experience has shown that some stylist can't stretch your hair without charging extra or even creating more mess by using a hot tool to stretch without proper protection. 2. Deep conditioning before braids will provide the moisture your hair needs. Since your ow hair is going into hiding, it's best to give it a lot of moisture. 3.Choose the correct braid size for your hair. If you have thin hair and decided to get large plaits, you

Protect Your Hair Before Swimming

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If you happen to love the beach side or pool side, then, you may have had salty or extremely dry hair after taking a dip in the water. To protect your hair from the chlorine in the pool water,  you can use sheabutter or petroleum jelly to  prevent the water from getting into the strands - the kind of protection you give your hair prior to a touch up.  I prefer Vaseline since it's very thick. I put some in  my supplies and add a rinse out conditioner. This is to wash the hair after swimming  before getting home.  There are swimmers conditioners too -  saw some at max mart and other shops at the malls. How do you protect your hair before swimming even when wearing a cap? 

HOW TO USE ALOE VERA FOR HAIR GROWTH

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Aloe vera  is a short stemmed, succulent plant mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates. It has thick spiky leaves with a gel in the center.  Aloe Vera  is a household name that has gained so many accolades in the beauty industry. It is popularly known for its numerous benefits on health, skin and hair. Aloe vera, apart from  being made of 99 percent of water, is rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins needed to aid hair growth and prevent breakage.  Aloe vera gel cleanses, nourishes, conditions and strengthens the hair. It hydrates the hair by trapping in moisture (humectant). Glycoproteins found in this miracle plant help speed up healing by stopping pain and reducing inflammation. It is therefore helpful in battling scalp inflammation. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties help improve scalp health, help control dandruff and reduce hair fall. If it's harvested at home in its natural  form, prepare a quantity that will be used right away and keep any leftover fo

How To Prepare Your Hair For Harmattan

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I have a post on the best protective styles for harmattan and 3 tips for harmattan. In today's post, I rather want to focus on how to prepare your hair for harmattan so you won't have any need to stress over your hair. These tips are what I also intend to do though some are applicable to those with longer hair than mine.  Baggying your ends at leat three times a week will provide the ends with moisture. My hair isn't long so I rather fold the ends into the pony to protect it. By December, I'll be using the baggying method too. You can also use green house effect to provide moisture for your hair. The  September 2016 challenge is green house effect so join it. I'll be wearing  cornrows beneath my wigs but will still make use of Green  House Effect for optimum moisture.  Get your moisturizing and sealing game on right  now ! I've discovered the Cantu sheabutter gel oil as a very moisturizing oil for my hair so I won't be dependent on the Cantu sheabu

How To Finger Detangle Relaxed or Natural Hair

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Detangling shouldn't be a hassle if you know how to use your fingers to aid you. I often talk about this technique and so decided to demonstrate it. Apart from  using conditioner and oils in the detangling process,  your fingers will not only guide you to remove knots quickly,  they will also help you separate the intertwined strands.

3 Tips For Extremely Dry Hair

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As we make our way into harmattan, I'm sure we are going to see the resurrection of weaves, Senegalese twist, braids, wigs and more which will mean the battle against dry hair will begin. Eventually, it's going to be the battle with extremely dry hair. Extremely dry hair can  be the worst nightmare the quest for long hair because it leads to breakage and thereby causing loss of length. If this habit of extremely dry hair isn't curbed , you'll end up cutting off all your hair! In the video,  I give you some tips to help with extremely dry hair. These are tips I'll also be using at when I get to wear my hair out in a couple of months time. Yes, my hair is going to be hidden for the rest of the year. More on that later.

How To Treat Relaxer Burns

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When you relax your hair and get relaxer burns , what do you do? Allow the hair to be, wash it again or just complain?  In today's video,  you'll know the immediate steps to take when you get a relaxer burn,  the products to apply and how to treat the  sore.  

10 Ways To Use Hair Oils

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There are a variety of hair oils one can use on the hair to achieve healthy hair. From Coconut oil, castor oil, grape seed oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, Avocado oil, and also essential oils. In the video, I share 10  Ways you can use your hair oils and derive maximum benefit.

How To Choose A Relaxer

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When you decide to relax your hair,  you may have these questions on your mind Which relaxer is best for me?  Which relaxer can get me the texture I want?  Which relaxer  can I afford?  Most relaxers are labeled normal to fine to  medium and coarse  hair. For coarse hair, you usually see 'Super' strength indicated on the box. The mistake is choosing a relaxed is assuming you have coarse hair when you actually just have dry, unmoisturised hair!  When you begin your journey, I always recommend you wait for at least 8 weeks before you do your first touch up no matter how long you had gone before beginning the treatment. This time frame allows your hair to get the moisture it needs which will then determine your true texture.  Does the price determine the quality? I don't think so! There are a lot of factors to consider in knowing the quality of the relaxer and the first is to check reviews online. If your stylist is good, you can easily select one for your

How to Prevent RELAXER BURNS

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Relaxers are chemicals meant to straighten our hair but we have to take measures to ensure that this doesn't damage our hair at the  same time.  One of the effects of relaxers is getting  a relaxer burn which can be quite a painful incident. Relaxer Burns can be caused by either scratching your scalp before application of the relaxer, a relaxer too Strong for your hair or even a scratch from the convenience used in the relaxer application.  In the video,  you'll get some tips on how to prevent relaxer burns.  Watch the video for more details.

How To Moisturize Cornrows (under wigs)

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Wigs afford us a simple way of protective  Styling  with ease. When wearing  wigs,  we usually braid cornrows beneath them to make it easy to wear as well as reduce manipulation.  When you wear wigs,  the cornrows must also be taken care of. One of the things to do is to moisturize it. Moisturizing your cornrowed hair will sure that your hair remains soft and strengthen even after take down.  In the video,  I show how I apply moisture to the cornrows. Be sure to subscribe if you've not :). 

Easy DIY Coconut Water Leave In Conditioner

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Coconut water tastes great and you can equally allow your hair to also benefit from its nutrients.  Coconut oil is very popular in the hair care world. However, it doesn't work for everyone so there has to be a way to enjoy the benefits of coconut oil without suffering any damages. Coconut water is the alternative way to get the benefit of coconut oil.  In Ghana, coconut water shouldn't be difficult to get since we have sellers all over the place.  Watch the video to see how I prepared the coconut water leave in conditioner. 

5 Ways To Increase Hair Growth

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 Who doesn't want long hair and won't go the extra length to grow the hair within  a short period too? Hair growth occurs but there are some measures you can put in place to for the hair to grow at its maximum best. In the video,  I share a few ways you can increase hair growth.

Post Braids, Weaves and Cornrows Take Down Tips

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We all love to keep the hair in braids once in a while to either enable us take a break from constantly manipulating  our hair or styling.  Braids in themselves aren't the problem when it comes to the caring of the hair after take down. The problem  is with the take down and after take down of the braids.  In the video,  I provide some techniques to reduce breakage and tangles after taking down your braid whether Senegalese twist, cornrows or box braids. Watch the full video

Guava Leaves To Combat Hair Loss

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​When it comes to hair loss, you have tried out everything. From getting expensive hair rituals at the salon to home remedies, and still nothing works for you. There are various contributing factors to hair loss we can never eliminate, but what we can certainly do away with is the condition. The answer lies in the leaves of the superfruit ‘guava’. Why guava leaves for your hair Growing in abundance at your friendly neighbourhood park, guava leaves have a miraculous ability to stop hair loss and make it grow back with vigour, believe scientists. Owing to their richness in vitamin B, an important vitamin for hair growth, guava leaves are a boon for those suffering year round hair loss. Also, the guava leaves are most effective in improving the platelet count of a Dengue patient. How to use guava leaves on your hair Growing aplenty in your colony, a guava leaf potion is actually even simpler to make. Take about a handful of guava leaves and boil them in a litre of water for about 20 minut

How I Use Forever Clair Exfoliating Toner

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This isn't a review but a short note on how I use the FC exfoliating toner in my facial regimen. Cleanse the face with a cleanser or a wash Use facial scrub  Rinse with water at normal temperature Pour exfoliating toner in a small towel and use it to clean the face. I make sure I do the cleaning in sections starting from the right cheek and ending at the chin.  I allow the toner to dry on the skin before applying serum or facial moisturizer.  I use the toner twice a day; morning and evening.  So far, this toner is the only one I use but I have plans of getting alcohol free toners as well as cleansing water. 

Can You Wash Relaxed Hair Once A Month?

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When naturals go for weeks without wash, it seems to be the norm. A few years ago, I wondered if I could skip washing my relaxed hair for a month due to the stressful schedule I had. Well, it's sad to say that I was too scared to try it and with time, I eventually cut the hair due to improper care.  Today,  though,  I have a different mindset. I do think you can go a month without washing but it depends on the regimen you have,  the state of your hair as well as how you protect your hair. I mean it's easy to skip washing if you ask in weaves but if you wear your hair out daily,  how can that be possible?  I though of a few products that can help with this.  Dry shampoo can help clean the hair and stretch your wash days.  Moisturize and seal with light products. For me,  I'll be using a bit of  the Cantu sheabutter anti frizz foam leave in conditioner and seal with oil mix once a day.  Green House Effect or baggying method can also keep your hair moisturized