The Inputs for Outputs- How Inputting Vitamins Can Output Results!

Hello Glams and Geeks! In the last 5 days, I have created and provided a series pertaining to various hair care concerns and topics. Today, I will be talking about the one subject I have not covered yet, concluding my hair-series, and that is essential vitamins and nourishment for your hair. I’m sure you too, received the lectures from your parents about how important it was for you to eat your fruits and veggies. And I’m also sure, that most of you were not huge fans of your meal times because of them. But today’s the day you’re going to wish you had listened to your parents, as you’re going to learn about which foods are rich in these vitamins, and provide the best results for healthy, shining hair. So, let’s get to it!

The first vitamin I will be discussing is the one that reaps the most benefits for your hair: Biotin! Biotin is a B-Complex vitamin, meaning that it is part of several vitamins combined that work together to provide essential nutrients for the body. Biotin in particular provides excellent results for hair, such as restoring shine to the hair cuticle, adding thickness to your strands, accelerating hair growth and promoting new growth to occur, and also work to reduce the hair follicle from losing its pigment (it delays grey hair growth!). So, now that we understand how amazingly important this vitamin is, now we will discuss which foods you can find it in: Legumes (lots of green veggies!), Eggs (their protein is a great source), Whole Grains, Avocados, Berries (Strawberries and Raspberries are rich in Biotin), Milk, Nuts (Such as Almonds and Walnuts), and Carrots. These are not the only sources for this vitamin, but are very rich in Biotin. There are many online sources that can provide a full list of foods that contain it, so you may want to do some research and figure out which foods you’d prefer to add to your diet to increase your intake of this nutrient.

For informational purposes, I have given you a list of the vitamins that are part of B-Complex to ensure that you do not take any separate forms of these vitamins: Biotin, Folic Acid, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cobalamin.

Up next, we will take a look at another wonderful vitamin that gives you gorgeous hair: Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays such a big role for not just your hair, but for your entire body. It assists in the formation of new cell growth, bone development, immune functions and much, much more. But in regards to your hair, it helps your hair’s natural process of hair follicle cycling. This is a process in which your follicle releases old hair, and brings forth new strands of hair. This is a very ordinary, healthy process and occurs daily as it is normal for the average person to lose up to 100 strands a day. So don’t be worried if you notice some hair has fallen out. That just reassures you that your body is functioning properly. Other than the sun, you can get your nourishment of vitamin D from a large quantity of foods, including, but not limited to Fish, Eggs, Dairy, Mushrooms, Ham, and Soy Products. I recommend trying Fish Oil supplements as an alternative for people who do not like to eat fish. I am one who hates the taste and smell of seafood and fish dishes, so I take Fish Oil instead. It has been so great for my hair and nails, so I encourage even those who love to eat seafood to include these to your daily vitamin intake.

Let’s move forward, and take a look at another beneficial nutrient for your hair’s health: Iron. Today, more and more young girls have made the choice to become vegetarian. Now, there is nothing wrong with this decision, as everyone is entitled to making decisions like this one for their overall well-being. But, one risk factor that comes with this decision is iron-deficiency. This comes from a few different health concerns such as excessive blood loss, inability in your bodies iron absorption, and from lack of iron in your diet. Red meat in your diet gives you dense amounts of iron, helping your body in many ways. But for those of you who wish to go meat-free, let me recommend Irons supplements! Iron’s role in your hair’s health is that is carries oxygen to your hairs follicles and encourages growth to occur. Without it, hair becomes weak, fragile, and easily breakable. It assists in the normal processes for your hairs life-span and should be consumed in whichever way you prefer. For those who wish to include it in their diet, some foods are egg yolk, spinach, chicken, and lentils. For a full list of foods, search online and see which one agrees with your lifestyle and eating preferences.

Now, we’ve looked at some pretty important nutrients that play huge roles for your hair, but here’s another that really does all of the labor in your hair’s lifespan: vitamin A. Vitamin A does all the muscle work as it serves multiple purposes for your strands. Most importantly, it fights free radicals that attempt to weaken your hair. It resists pollutants from being absorbed into your hair shaft and causing damage to your strands, resulting in bouncy, flowing hair. Next, it provides strength and thickness to your hair, preventing the strands from snapping and ripping easily during our daily styling processes such as combing and drying, etc. Due to this strength, your hair is able to grow longer and faster, so next time you notice just how long your hair has gotten, thank Vitamin A! The last, but essential purpose that vitamin A has for your hair, is that it contains antioxidants that help in conditioning and moisturizing the sebum in your scalp. This is the leading cause behind your soft, shiny hair, of course with the help of the other vitamins and minerals you are taking. Some foods that you can eat to include Vitamin A into your diet are cantaloupe, dark leafy greens, spices such as paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili powder, sweet potatoes are loaded with this vitamin, and so are carrots!

Last, but definitely not least: Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an essential necessity for you as it does wonderful things for your hair, your skin, your nails, and inner body functions. For your hair, Vitamin E increases the blood flow and circulation in your scalp, causing less split ends, healthier hair cuticles, no flakes, frizz-free hair, and overall moisture and shine. It really is a wonder-nutrient for your hairs health, so try to eat foods like spinach, nuts, avocados, and fish to increase your vitamin E intake, and get that blood flow going!

Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits each and every vitamin offer you, let’s talk a bit about a brand that I personally use and definitely love, Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails. I started taking these about 5 years ago and have never allowed myself to run out of these as they have really helped improve the overall health of my thin hair. These vitamins not only offer you the nourishment of the ones mentioned above, but bunch of others that work to improve your hair as well. I have provided a photo, and have listed the ingredients beneath it with all of the vitamins that are in these tablets.

 This product contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese, PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid), Choline Bitartrate, Inositol, Citrus Bioflavonoid, Horsetail powder, and Collagen.

This concludes my 5-post hair series! I’d like to thank you so much for reading and I hope this week has given you some newfound knowledge in regards to caring for your hair. I encourage you to try some of the DIY remedies I listed in my second post, to try some of the tips I provided in all of my posts, and to please feel free to provide any feedback you may have. Did my tips work for you? Is there something you would have liked me to have included? Whatever it is, let me know! I hope you have enjoyed my 5-post hair series and I am glad if this was beneficial to you!

Styling Tools, Tips, and Products That Will Change The Way You Style Your Hair!

Hey Glams and Geeks! Today’s post is all about how to style your locks without frying them, as we take a look at some great tools and products that will help you during the styling process! There is nothing better than completing your look with a sleek, bouncy blow out, or gorgeous, frizz-free waves, or a shiny up-do. But nothing kills your look more than those super obvious flyaway’s from broken strands, or those very scorched ends. What about that super stiff look your hair gets from all the products you used to hold your hair in place? Well, no more! Today, you will read about products that will save your hair while you style it! So, let’s begin!

I’m about to share with you the most important piece of information that will be a life saver for your hair. The key to preventing your hair from frying while styling is to ALWAYS apply a good heat protector to your hair prior to using any styling tools! This is a must-do step in hair care, as you’re applying direct heat to your hair, damaging your hair shaft, which then leads to other concerns such as split ends, dry hair, dull hair, etc.  

So, here is something to keep in mind when you know you will be styling your hair. It is best to apply a heat protector to your hair after you get out of the shower. The reason for this is your hair is clean, and your hair shafts are open and still soaking in the moisture from your still-wet hair. At this time, you should apply a dime to quarter sized amount of product, depending on thickness and length of your hair, of heat protecting serum, running it through from root to tip, ensuring that your strands are completely coated. By doing this, you have created a protective barrier between your hair, and the heat. I suggest letting this product really settle into your hair, maybe 5 to 10 minutes, to allow it to saturate your hair and fully protect it from heat damage.

There are a few variations of heat protecting serums. There are cream based protectors, silicone based, oil based, and many other formulas. My favorite is a cream based formula, as the others leave my fine hair somewhat oily. I use Got 2B’s Smooth Operating Lustre Lotion. It is infused with cashmere, and leaves hair feeling super soft and adds immense shine to your hair! It retails for about $6 in drugstores or wherever Got 2B products are sold.

Now, let’s take a look at some styling tools that will assist in keeping your hair healthy and beautiful.

Blow dryers are an essential styling tool, and without them, our hair would be a frizzy mess. But, as great and as useful as they can be, they also are part of the cause to our dry, split ends. Some advice when drying your hair with a blow dryer is to always keep the nozzle on as this will give some distance between your hair and the heat, so that it will not burn your scalp or hair. I’m sure this is something most of you already knew, but I feel that it is so important for people to not forget this step.

Now, if you’re in the market for a new blow dryer, then take notes on this next section. If you suffer from frizzy, lack luster, dull hair, then you should definitely consider switching to an Ionic blow dryer. These dryers will give you that salon dried hair that you love so much, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and sleek, free of frizz and burnt ends. Ionic blow dryers release heat that contains negatively-charged ions, meaning that as you’re drying, the heat constricts the cuticle layers in your hair, and allowing for your hair to absorb moisture as it seals it in. This is what prevents your hair from becoming frizzy as you dry. A great ionic blow dryer that won’t hurt your budget is the Infiniti Pro by Conair 259X Hair Dryer. It retails for $29.99 at Walgreens.com.

The next tool we’re going to talk about is straightening irons. These are the most harmful to your hair, especially your ends as you are consistently passing it over your hair to achieve sleek, straight hair. But, I have found a new take on this tool that may save your hair from becoming damaged: Oil Infused Flat Irons! There are a few types of these oil based irons on the market such as Argan oil, Keratin oil, Macadamia oil, and a few others. I think these are great as they provide nourishment as you style your hair. The irons are coated with the oil, releasing the oil as it heats up. It is not excessive, nor does it leave a residue. It just moisturizes and shines your hair as you pass the iron over it, leaving hair sleek and luminous. An iron that received great reviews from various owners is the Conair Infiniti Pro Oil-Infused Ceramic Iron. It’s infused with Argan oil and comes with a free bottle of the oil as well. This product is sold at Target.com for $28.

The last tool we will talk about is pearl infused curling wands. These wands are awesome as you can achieve loose, high shine curls with minimal effort. No more tight, old-fashioned curls, or having to hold your hair with tons of spray to maintain your curl, you just wrap the section of hair around the barrel, hold for a few seconds, and ta-da! Amazing hair! The benefits of using a pearl-infused barrel is that you can get super soft, crunch free curls without damaging your hair. The other benefit is that the ceramic barrel does not singe hair when wrapped around the barrel. Instead, it enhances shine in your hair, giving you soft, touchable curls. The iron that I absolutely love and use on a constant basis is the Remington T Studio Curling Wand, Pearl Ceramic, 1-1 ½ inch barrel. This product retails for $22 at Walmart, and various sizes are sold.

Now that we’ve talked about styling tools, let’s move onto some styling products that are less likely to damage your hair.

So, as I’ve mentioned in my previous hair posts, the main ingredient in hair products that really takes a toll on your hair are ones filled with alcohol. Now, this isn’t the only ingredient that does damage, but it definitely is the most used ingredient in gels, hairsprays, and mousse. So, I have done some research to find the best affordable, alcohol-free brand that you can find almost anywhere!

The brand that offers a full line of hairsprays, gels, mousse and any other hair essentials that are alcohol and paraben-free, 100% vegan, and resistant to frizz is L’Oreal’s EverStyle Alcohol Free line. This line is available almost anywhere (Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, etc.) and each product retails for under $10. I think it’s great that we have cleaner products available to us as such affordable prices, as these little changes can really make a difference in the quality and health of our hair. So, when you run out of your hairspray, or gel, consider making the switch and see the difference.

 Thanks for reading the 4th post in my 5-post hair series! Check back tomorrow for my last post in the series: The Inputs for Outputs- How Inputting Vitamins Can Output Results!

Color Maintenance and Other Alternatives to Achieving Gorgeous Color

Hello Glams and Geeks! For today’s post, I will be talking all about hair color- from dying, to glossing, to maintaining, I will go over some great information to help you find safer products, and alternatives to achieve your best color yet!

Dying your hair is such a delicate matter- from searching for the perfect shade, to finding the best hair color specialist to apply it, or finding a brand that carries it, it’s quite a process, and one that should be handled with care. Your color represents you, as it reflects your personality, as well as pulls together your entire look and identity. Color is quite a powerful thing when it comes to your hair, and if not considered properly, you may have a beauty crisis on your hands. We are all familiar with the pricey visit to the salon to revamp our look, or the more affordable option of going out to buy a box of hair dye in hopes your hair will appear just like the color on the front. But why not consider other alternatives? Options that may be healthier to your well-being and your pockets? I’d like to introduce you to 3 color-friendly options, ranging from permanent, to semi-permanent, to temporary. These may just change the way you view and choose to dye your hair!

The first option I want to talk about is one that can be purchased online as it is a professional-quality product. It’s a new brand called INOA by L’Oreal. What it is, is a new formula, free of Ammonia (which causes that super harsh scent and feel in your hair), and is a cream-based dye to prevent any irritation to your scalp. The formula is designed to give hair intense shine and softness, unlike most hair dyes that tend to give hair a dry, coarse feel after applications. The brand promises 6 weeks of luxurious, hydrated hair, as well as a gorgeous vibrant color, even after several washes. The dye is said to “Respect the essential amino acids and lipid balance of natural hair”. They offer a wide range of gorgeous colors to choose from and they also feature products to help maintain your color with such as Protective Shampoo and Conditioner and a Protective Hair Masque. All of this information can be found online on their website, Inoa-Us.com and can be purchased online at Drugstore.com for $17 or on Amazon.com for varying prices. Before purchasing, I recommend researching your color online, as well as ensuring you purchase the right mix to go with your color. Information regarding what to mix can be found on their website.

The second option is one that I find best for people who are conscious of what they use on their bodies, and wish to use the most natural and organic option available to achieve the best color results. Henna hair dye comes in various forms, such as a powder or a pressed brick that can be dissolved and melted with water, and it colors your hair, delivering a healthy tint that gives hair a brilliant shine. Now, with this option, there are some pros and cons. The pros are that you won’t be inhaling and applying harmful chemicals and fumes to your body. Instead, this alternative will be free of harsh scents, as the dye comes from a plant called Lawsonia inermis, so you will smell more of a fresh, leafy aroma. Another awesome pro is that henna will not leave your hair feeling coarse or dry like hair dye does. It will actually soften your hair and give it shine, while it gives you color. Now, for the cons. This alternative can get very messy, so be sure to use gloves when you apply this, wear old clothes to prevent good ones from being damaged, and lay out a towel beneath you in case it drips onto your floor. A second con, is that like normal hair dye, henna may stain your skin, so consider using baby oil or Vaseline around your hairline to prevent color from staining. Another con, henna is a semi-permanent option for dying hair as it lasts just a few washes before you may need to redo the process. Lastly, this dye is only available in very limited colors, such as black, red, medium to deep blonde, and deep brown, so if you do not achieve the color you desired, you cannot go over it with permanent hair dye, as the mixture of the henna with the permanent dye will create a streaky mess of color, as the henna will prevent the permanent color from taking. So, I encourage you to do your research prior to choosing this option to guarantee you will know what to expect. The brand that I love due to its fresh, handmade products is Lush. They offer all four shades I mentioned before, and each Henna brick retails for $26 and lasts for quite some time. You can purchase this product online at LushUsa.com or at your local Lush retailer. Also, for more information on this alternative, I have provided a link to a page that gives very thorough information on henna:

http://www.hennaforhair.com/faq/

 

My last, and personal favorite option for coloring your hair, is color glazing. Color glazing is a great option for those of you who have your natural hair color, and wish to make it shine and pop! It can also be a great option for anyone looking to balance and tone their hair color or highlights. What a glaze does is, it coats the hair shafts with subtle color, giving your hair a freshly-dyed look, and adding immense amounts of shine in the process. It is temporary, as it lasts only a few washes, and must be redone every so often to maintain color and shine. This is great also for anyone who is between hair colorings, and just wants to boost their color prior to an event or just to hold you over in the meantime. The brand that I prefer most for this option is John Frieda’s Color Glaze. It retails for about $10 and is available in drugstores or wherever John Frieda is carried. There are 4 color options to choose from: Blonde, Red, Brunette, or Clear Glaze. I use the Brunette glaze on my hair every other week, and while the directions recommend to apply in the shower, you can also apply to dry hair as you would a regular hair dye. I apply from root to tip, put on a shower cap, and let the glaze work its magic for 20 minutes, followed by shampoo and condition as normal. I then use the glaze as intended to maintain my shine, applying it while in the shower every 2 to 3 days, leaving it for about 3 to 5 minutes, then rinsing. This is great to have on hand, as you can always use a little boost for your color and shine.

Now that we’ve seen these alternatives (Ammonia-Free hair dye, Henna Dye, and Color Glazing), let’s talk about how you can maintain your colored tresses.

In my first post, I talked about shampooing and conditioning, and I’m about to touch on that subject again, only for a brief period to share with you some great tips to maintaining color while you wash. A shampoo and conditioner I recommend for Blondes, Brunettes, and Redheads is John Frieda’s line made just for these three color options. Each one contains a tinted shampoo according to which color option you need, depositing a bit of color with each wash, and ensuring your color doesn’t fade. Also, for any brassy-toned colors, make sure to use a purple-based shampoo to control the amount of brass in your color. The purple tends to neutralize the tone, evening out your color, and making it look more subtle and natural. For this, I will once again recommend John Frieda as this brand really is great for colored-haired beauties, use the Sheer Blonde Tone Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner.

Now, for a completely natural alternative to enhancing your hair color, I give you 3 DIY Color Intensifying Masks!

For Brunettes:

How It Works: Cocoa powder’s brown color will work to deepen and intensify your brown hair, giving you a fresh, rich color. The honey will moisturize your hair, softening it and adding shine. The yogurt and apple cider vinegars both contain acids. The acids will work to help the cocoa transfer its pigment to your hair, giving you a gorgeous, radiant brown color to your hair!

What you’ll need: ½ cup Cocoa Powder, ½ cup Plain Yogurt, 1 teaspoon of Honey, and 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.

What to Do: Start by combining and mixing your ingredients into a bowl. Apply this mask to freshly washed, towel-dried hair. Let this mask saturate your hair for 5 minutes, while keeping a towel around your neck to prevent any staining. After your time is up, rinse thoroughly and style as usual. The color should last a few washes and can be done once a week or as often as you see fit.

For Blondes:   

How It Works: Chamomile Tea, Lemon, and Potatoes have properties that have the potential to enhance blonde shades. Therefore, when combined, they act as the ultimate blonde-intensifying solution. Chamomile tea and lemon perform as whitening agents for your hair. The lemon juice helps the potato enzymes to penetrate the hair shaft, to further enhance your color.

What You’ll Need: Juice from 1 lemon, ½ raw grated potato, ½ cup of room temperature chamomile tea, and a shower cap.

What to Do: Blend the grated potato and lemon juice until it becomes pasty. Once you have your paste, pour in your ½ cup of room temp. Chamomile tea and stir until the ingredients are well blended. Apply mixture to freshly washed, towel-dried hair. Massage into roots and ends thoroughly. Apply a shower cap and heat your hair with a dryer on a warm setting for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and style as usual. The color should last a few washes and can be done once a week or as often as you see fit.

For Red Heads:

How It Works: Carrots and Cranberries contain red juices that boost the natural red tones in your hair. The lactic acid in the yogurt helps the red antioxidants penetrate the hair shaft and saturate hair with the fresh, red color. The honey acts as a moisturizer, and softens your strands.

What You’ll Need: 3 medium sized raw carrots, ½ cup of cranberries (if you wish to have copper undertones), 3 tablespoons of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey, and a blender.

What to Do: Add all 3 bananas to a blender and mix until a paste is made. Add in your cranberries to this mix, and continue to blend. Now, toss in your yogurt and honey, and blend, once again. Once you have your paste ready, apply to freshly washed and towel-dried hair. Massage into scalp and ends to spread mask throughout your hair. Keep it on for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and style as usual. The color should last a few washes and can be done once a week or as often as you see fit.

That concludes my hair color post and I hope you’ve all enjoyed! Feel free to leave feedback or ask any questions you may have. Stay tuned for tomorrows post on Styling Tools and Products: Looking Gorgeous without Getting Fried!

Treatments- Products and DIY Remedies For All of Your Hair Concerns

Hello Glams and Geeks! Hope everyone enjoyed yesterday’s post, and as mentioned, today will be focusing on treatments that will cater to all of your hair needs and concerns.

Every day, our hair endures so much damage during our styling processes that eventually, it starts to show. From excessive heat contact, to being slathered in chemical-filled hair products like gel and hair spray to maintain our looks. Our tresses are always feeling the effects of these drying products and styles. So today, we are going to focus on how we can give back to our hair, feed it the proper nourishment it needs to keep doing its job in helping us achieve gorgeous hairstyles, and how we can continue to prevent these effects from taking over our hair.

Before we begin, I wanted to mention that for the DIY sections of this post, I have tried most of them, and tried the ones that didn’t pertain to my hair type on my mom who has thick, naturally curly hair. So, I know how well each one works, and have listed them here due to their effectiveness. I also wanted to mention that when it comes to natural hair care, the essentials that everyone should try and keep on hand are honey, apple cider vinegar, avocados for their endless benefits in fighting frizz, adding moisture, preventing breakage, promoting hair growth, etc., and the following oils for their amazing properties: Castor Oil, coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil. These are oils that really can work miracles for your hair when used, so I encourage you to find the purest form of these oils possible, and at the best price for your budget. I purchased mines at Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods during sales and always keep them on hand. Also, with all of these masks and rinses, I encourage you to massage them into your scalp and ends for a few minutes to help the ingredients penetrate your hair. Now, let’s get started!

DRY/DAMAGED HAIR

Dry hair can come from many different things, including excessive styling and heating, over washing your hair, and the environment (harsh, dry weathers). When looking for hair products, try avoiding those containing alcohol and try not to choose clear-based shampoos as they contain harsh ingredients that can lead to extreme dehydration in your strands. Instead, opt for creamy shampoos, as they help retain moisture in hair. So, let’s take a look at two options for treating this hair type:

To Buy: Neutrogena’s Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. It retails for about $4.99 and can be found at your local drugstore. It contains Olive Oil, Meadow foam Seed, and Sweet Almond Oil, each one acting together to restore each and every hair strand from the inside, out.

To DIY: Damage Repairing and Vitamin Replenishing Avocado Hair Mask- This mask is packed with vitamins, loaded with moisture, and contains fatty acids (from the avocado) that will repair and restore your strands, making your hair feel new again!  

What You’ll Need: 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ ripe Avocado, 2 oz. of water, a mixing bowl, a wide tooth comb, and a shower cap.

What to Do: Begin by mashing the Avocado into a soft paste. It should not have any clumps in it, as these clumps can be difficult to remove from your hair. Once you have your avocado paste, whisk the two eggs and mix both ingredients together into a bowl. Now, add the olive oil and water, and blend until the water and oil has dissolved into the paste. Once your hair mask is ready, apply to dry hair, ensuring that each strand is coated in the mixture. I recommend using a wide tooth comb to make sure the mix spreads evenly from root to tip! Massage into scalp and ends. Then, apply a shower cap and leave this mask in your hair 10-20 minutes, followed by thoroughly rinsing out the mix. Shampoo and condition your hair, and style as you normally would. Your hair should look and feel soft and silky and super shiny! This treatment can be done every other week or as often as you see fit!

FRIZZY HAIR

We’ve all been here: Those annoying strands that we can’t seem to tame no matter what. Frizzy hair is the number one reason behind our bad hair days. It’s caused by our environment (humidity), dehydration (frizz occurs when our hair’s cuticles open up, trying to absorb moisture from the air into our strands), and from using chemical filled products in our hair (alcohol based products like gel and hairspray). For my frizzy haired glams and geeks, worry no more! I have found two treatments to help you banish your bad hair days for good!

To Buy: Got 2B Glossy Anti-Frizz Shine Serum. It retails for about $6 and can be found at your local drugstore. It is intended to be applied to hair while damp, so during and after styling or air-drying, your hair will take in the moisture from the product, rather than open up and try to hydrate itself from the moisture in the air. So, now you can achieve your desired style without having to fight off those stray strands!

To DIY: Olive Oil Hot Rinse Treatment- Olive Oil is known for is super moisturizing abilities when applied to hair, so this is perfect for this hair type! Your hair will be frizz-free as your strands soak in the moisture from the oil. It also delivers multiple benefits such as dandruff prevention, boosts shine, promotes hair growth, and softens the cuticle to maintain manageable hair.

What You Need: ½ Cup of Extra Virgin or Virgin Olive Oil, a mixing bowl and a shower cap.

What to Do: First, measure the amount of olive oil needed for this treatment. Then, put the oil into a microwave-safe bowl or cup, as you’ll need something that will be easy to pour the oil into your hair. Microwave the oil for no longer than 20-30 seconds. This should feel warm enough that it is still comfortable to the touch, otherwise you could experience burning on your scalp! Once it’s warm, find a place where you can tilt your head back and pour the oil into your hair. I usually do this in the shower, tilting my head as far back as possible, and also making the clean-up process super easy. Once the oil is in your hair, ensure that all of it is coated in the oil, and massage into your scalp and ends. Twist your ends lightly to release any excess oil and clip it up, followed by applying a shower cap. Leave the oil in for 30 minutes to an hour, then shampoo and condition. Whenever I do this, I shampoo my scalp twice, making sure not to rub the second dose of shampoo into my ends as I want to keep the left over oil in my ends. For the conditioner, I recommend doing only your ends. This treatment can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

BREAKAGE

Breakage is so common now with all of the heating and chemicals in products, as I’ve mentioned before. But breakage can also come from the way you brush. Here are a few tips to help! To prevent breakage in wet hair, never use a bristled-brush as it tends to pull on hair, causing wet hair to snap. This happens because wet hair is too soft to prevent itself from breaking when a bristled brush passes through it. Try using a wide tooth comb, as I’ve recommended in each of the treatments above. It’s very gentle on hair, detangling as it combs and separating knots without tearing the strands. With dry hair, try a boar haired bristle brush. Unlike plastic bristles, boar hair bristles are gentler and snag less on the strands, while delivering shine and distributing your natural oils throughout your strands. Here’s a second tip: Whenever you are putting hair into a pony tail, I recommend hair ties that do not have little metal pieces holding the tie together. Preferably, look for ones that are metal-free or ones that have cotton material, like the scrunchies from the 90’s! These are great for bed time and do not tug on hair while you sleep. Also, try not to tie hair too tightly, as your hair can break while in a ponytail much faster than when hair is worn down. Now, onto the treatments!

To Buy: Organix Anti Breakage Keratin Oil Instant Repair Spray. It retails for about $8 and can be found at your local drugstore. The oil is infused with Keratin Oil, which strengthens the strands preventing breakage, and Argan oil, softening and conditioning your hair, and adding shine. It is meant to be applied to damp hair, preventing breakage as you comb and style. This is part of my hair routine as I have very fine, breakage-prone hair, and since I started using this a few months ago, I can see a difference in the strength of my hair.

To DIY: A Coconut Milk, Honey, and Avocado Hair Mask. Coconut Milk’s high protein content works fast to restore strength and moisture in hair while Avocado’s fatty acids start to deliver moisture to your hair. Honey, as sweet as it is, has some sweet benefits for your hair, such as infusing your strands with high shine, and acts as a natural humectant to keep your hair frizz-free while absorbing moisture from the air.

What You Need: ½ cup of Coconut Milk (preferably unsweetened), ½ peeled Avocado, 2 tablespoons of honey, a mixing bowl, a wide tooth comb, and a shower cap.

What to Do: Start by mashing Avocado into a paste in your mixing bowl. Make sure there are no clumps of avocado as they can be difficult to remove. Once it’s completely mashed, add the coconut milk and honey into the paste, and mix until it appears well blended. Apply this paste to dry hair, ensuring that hair is completely coated in the mask. Use a wide tooth comb to completely distribute in hair. Massage into scalp and ends. Once done, put on a shower cap and let the mask saturate your hair for 20 to 30 minutes. Follow this by thoroughly rinsing, then shampoo and condition hair.  This treatment can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

SPLIT ENDS

After long, harsh winters, or scorching, hot summers, our ends take such a beating that it’s impossible for our strands to stay intact. Some common knowledge to treat this hair catastrophe is to get your ends trimmed every 8 to 12 weeks. But in between trims, it is possible for ends to become fried and damaged, so how to do maintain your ends healthy in the meantime? I have found two alternatives for this hair concern that will help your ends stay nice and strong!

To Buy: Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender. It retails for about $6 and can be found at your local drugstore. It contains coconut oil, silk, and keratin proteins to repair split ends, while coconut milk and egg whites repair damaged cuticles and retain frizziness. Perfect for frizzy, dry, and damaged hair types as well.

To DIY: 30 Minute Hair Repair Rinse- A combination of Honey, Almond oil, and Apple Cider Vinegar to restore your ends! The Honey moisturizes the hair shaft, preventing further breakage, while almond oil strengthens and conditions the hair shaft and ends. The Apple Cider Vinegar is great for mending the hair’s cuticle while the acids in it cleanse the scalp of build-up and oils. This treatment is great for the overall health and restoration of your hair.

What You Need: 2 tablespoons of Honey, 1 tablespoon of Almond Oil, and 1-2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (depending on hair length and thickness), a mixing bowl, and a shower cap.

What to Do: Pour ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until well blended. Apply mixture to hair over a sink or in the shower, ensuring hair gets soaked in this rinse. Massage into your scalp and ends. Twist ends lightly to rid of excess liquid in hair, clip it up and put on a shower cap. Leave this in your hair for 30 minutes to let the ingredients saturate and restore your hair. Rinse thoroughly with water, then follow by shampoo and conditioner. This treatment can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

FINE HAIR

I have fine hair myself, so I know just how to care for the very limited strands that I have. Fine hair does not mean that you have less hair than other people. It just means that your individual hair strands are thinner, and that's okay. It's best for people who have thin hair to focus less on trying to thicken their hair, as this isn't possible to expand each individual strand and follicle, but to learn how to take care of your fine, delicate hair. The most important thing to keep in mind is that this hair type can become oily very fast, as well as fall out very easy. I recommend using sulfate-free shampoos, as ones with sulfate cause fall out, and steer clear of alcohol based products as they dry up and strip hair of their moisture and nutrients. The best products for fine hair are ones that are oil-free or that absorb oil, while delivering volume to your roots. Here are my recommendations for fine hair:

To Buy: Suave’s Volumizing Mousse. It retails for $3 and can be found at your local drugstore. It gives great volume to your hair and leaves hair soft and bouncy, unlike most volumizing mousses’ that leaves your hair feeling crunchy and stiff.

To DIY: Banana, Egg, Castor Oil, and Olive Oil Hair Mask. This mask will not only give you extreme shine and moisture, but volume as well, while giving your strands strength and promoting hair to grow. Banana has some great benefits for hair, such as softening, boosting shine, and restoring hair. Eggs have protein which help to strengthen the hair. Castor Oil is like magic for promoting hair growth due to the amounts of vitamin E, omega-6, and other essential nutrients that it contains. The olive oil helps to bring moisture to your hair, while providing an easy removal process later on, when trying to get the bits of banana out of your hair.

What You Need: 1 Banana, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of Castor oil, and 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil, a mixing bowl, a wide tooth comb, and a shower cap.

What to Do: Start by mashing the banana into a paste. Make sure it does not have any clumps as these can become very difficult to remove later on. Once you have your paste, whisk your egg, and add it into the mix. Now, you can add both the castor and olive oils, and blend this into the hair mask. Once it’s ready, you can proceed to apply it to dry hair, making sure it gets distributed throughout your entire head. You can use a wide tooth comb to spread it evenly. Then, massage into scalp and ends. Clip up your hair, and apply a shower cap. Leave mask on 15-20 minutes to let it deeply saturate your hair. Rinse thoroughly, then follow with shampoo (which I recommend to do this twice), then condition ends only (to prevent greasy scalp). This treatment can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

OILY HAIR

This also qualifies as my hair type, as I mentioned before, fine hair has a tendency to become oily. The reason for this is because the hair is so thin, that is absorbs what it can, and the rest sits on the scalp, giving your roots a moist or sleek appearance. Thick hair, on the other hand, absorbs everything that the scalp produces, and sometimes needs more, giving thick hair a dry or coarse appearance, as it constantly requires moisture. So, now that we’ve learned a bit about this hair type, let’s look at some alternatives to help these hair types look less oily.

To Buy: Suave’s Volumizing Dry Shampoo. This product retails for $3 and can be found at your local drugstore. This product is pretty awesome because it doubles as a volume-booster and an oil absorber, making your hair look amazing! It does not leave a powdery look to hair as some dry shampoos tend to do, and it’s easy to blend into your roots, so it goes undetected. Also, this can be applied to clean hair after it is styled, preventing the oils from being released throughout the day.

To DIY: Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Water Rinse- This rinse is great for preventing  oils from being released too soon or throughout the day, and keeps your hair cleaner, for longer periods of time. The acid from the vinegar eats up the oils and build up on your scalp while the acid from the citrus temporarily closes the pores on your scalp to prevent the production of oils. Now, the acids in this combination can be dehydrating, which is why water is recommended to dilute it. Also, bear in mind, if this treatment is done too frequently, your hair can lighten in color. I recommend doing this once a month to prevent this from happening.

What You Need: 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, and the juice from ½ lemon, a mixing bowl, and a shower cap.

What To Do: Start by getting the cup of water, then add the vinegar to it. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the mix, ensuring seeds don’t fall in. Stir until well blended. This mix should be applied to shampooed hair, so wash first, then run rinse through your clean, towel-dried hair. Ensure that the rinse is evenly distributed to your hair, and massage into roots and ends. Let the mixture sit in hair for 20 minutes, followed by a cool water rinse, and condition ends (optional). This treatment should not be done too frequently, so ensure at least a month has passed before repeating this treatment in hair.

DULL HAIR

Dull hair can happen to anyone, at any time, and from anything. It could be the weather, it could be your shampoo, it can even come from needing a haircut. But don’t be too quick to run to the clippers. I have two coconut-based solutions for your dull hair that will make you feel brand new!

To Buy: Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Instant Repair Treatment. It retails for about $7 and can be found at your local drugstore. This deep conditioning treatment is intended to revive lifeless, dull hair, and nourish it back to health with its coconut oil, coconut milk, and whipped egg white ingredients.

To DIY: Coconut Hair Revival Mask- This mask, made with coconut oil, coconut cream, egg whites, and honey, will revive your tired strands with its fresh ingredients and its penetrating oils. The coconut cream coats the hair with all of the vitamins and minerals that coconuts are best known for while the coconut oil seeps into your strands to deliver even more nourishment, and works on restoring the inside of your hair follicles. The egg whites strengthen your strands with protein while the honey softens your hair and boosts shine

What You Need: ½ cup of Coconut Cream (Canned or Bottled), 2 tablespoons of virgin Coconut oil, 2 whipped egg whites, 2 tablespoons of honey, a mixing bowl, and a shower cap.

 (Note: If you cannot find/use coconut cream, that’s ok. It is intended to add a fluffy, conditioning base for this mask. If you wish to do this treatment without the coconut cream, use 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 3 egg whites, and 3 tablespoons of honey.)

What to Do: Start by putting coconut cream into a mixing bowl and use a whisk to fluff it a little. Once it starts to look fluffy, pour in the coconut oil and honey. Mix in until it is well blended into the fluff. Now, take both eggs and pour in egg whites into a separate bowl. Throw away yolks. Whisk the egg whites until it starts to turn into a froth. Now pour the egg froth into the coconut fluff and blend together. Apply this mix into washed, towel-dried hair, and blend in, ensuring it coats hair evenly. Massage into roots and ends. Clip up hair and apply shower cap. Let this sit for 20-40 minutes, followed by rinsing and conditioning ends.

Alternative Option: Pour coconut oil and honey into a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, add egg whites to bowl. Throw away egg yolk. Whisk egg whites into a froth and pour into coconut oil and honey mix. Blend all three together until well blended. This should be applied to dry hair and should be poured into hair over a sink or in the shower for easy clean up. Massage into roots and ends, and twist ends lightly to remove excess oil. Apply shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Follow with shampoo and conditioner.

Either option can be done once a week, or as often as you see fit.

DANDRUFF/ITCHY SCALP

 Dandruff is caused by dry skin on the scalp from lack of moisture on the scalp and hair follicles. This is a tedious skin problem to get rid of, but with the following two options, you are on your way to a flake-free scalp!

To Buy: Head and Shoulders Shampoos and Conditioners. They retail for about $5 and can be found at your local drugstore. The brand is known for its abilities to successfully remove and prevent flakes from occurring.

To DIY: We have two options, choose which you prefer:

 Tea Tree Oil Treatment- Unlike the masks and rinses we’ve discussed, this one is quite simple. Just soak cotton balls with tea tree oil, and dab onto your entire scalp and massage it in. Let it sit for 20 minutes then rinse, followed by shampoo and conditioner. Or you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to your shampoo, wash as you normally would, and rinse. Followed by regular conditioning.

The second option is an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. This rinse works to remove any build up on the scalp while removing flakes. This works fairly quick, and results can occur within the first rinse.

What You Need: ½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar, ½ cup Water, a cup or mixing bowl.

What to Do: Mix both the vinegar and water into a cup or mixing bowl. Stir until the two are completely mixed. Apply this rinse to clean, towel-dried hair and pour rinse in hair over a sink or in the shower for easy clean up. Massage into scalp and ends and twist ends lightly to release excess liquid. Clip up hair and let sit for 20 minutes, followed by a cold water rinse and conditioner. This treatment can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

GROWTH

We all desire gorgeous, long, shiny locks of hair, but we know how long it takes for our hair to get there. Here are two alternatives to give your growth process a little boost!

To Buy: Baby Face Pure Protein. It retails for $21 and can be purchased on Amazon.com. I have been using this myself for the last 2 months and am very pleased with the results. My hair has grown an inch and a half since my first treatment, which is a lot for me as my hair grows very slowly. It leaves my hair super soft, and very shiny! It also is very potent, so it should be mixed with a moisturizing conditioner prior to application.

To DIY: Hair Growth Oil Blend. This is a blend I use myself between treatments from the product mentioned above. I did some research on oils that promote healthy hair growth and purchased them, mixing them together and putting the blend into a spray bottle. The oil blend is packed with vitamins and nutrients that are necessary for hair growth, to prevent breakage and fall outs, to restore the hair shaft and follicles, and to seal in moisture to prevent split ends. The mix requires Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Argan Oil. This may seem like an over load, but each one has a specific purpose, and are safe to be mixed and used together.

What You Need: 2 tablespoons of each oil, a mixing bowl, and a shower cap. (This is enough for one use. If you wish to make a long-term supply, triple the measurements for each oil).

What to Do: First, start by measuring and pouring each of the oils into your mixing bowl. Once each one is measured and in your bowl, stir the contents. Now, apply the oils into dry hair. Ensure your hair is completely covered in this blend and massage into scalp and ends. Twist ends to release any excess oils. Clip up hair and put on a shower cap. Leave this blend in for an hour, or overnight (the hair can fully absorb the nutrients and vitamins while you sleep, allowing for full saturation of these oils in your hair). Follow with shampoo and conditioner. This can be done once a week or as often as you see fit!

I hope I covered each and every hair concern possible, and hope you found this super helpful and informative. I thank you sincerely for reading, and encourage everyone to ask any questions they have, to share any tips they may have regarding hair care and their favorite DIY treatments, or if you have any requests for hair care, to please leave them in a comment below the post. Thanks again and stay tuned for tomorrows post on Color Maintenance and Other Alternatives to Coloring your Hair!