5 Ways to Fix Damaged Hair

Has your hair been feeling damaged or dry? Does your hair look nice but towards the ends, it bulges out and appears dry and frizzy? If so, you may be a normal person and have managed to damage your hair, haha. Damaged hair takes time to repair, however, it's not difficult. Thankfully, it's not the end of the world, so here you go:

1. Cut those Ends:

The first place that your hair shows signs of damage is on your ends. Cutting your split ends are a great way to fix the appearance of your hair. There's a reason why hairstylists always tell you to get a trim every 3-4 months and that is to avoid getting split ends. Split ends eventually travel up the root of your hair and cause your hair to become frizzy and have a barbed-wire look, which is not cute. Cut your split ends regularly to maintain healthy and frizzless hair.

2. Read those Ingredients:

Girls love putting products in their hair. Especially if you have curly hair, you know that applying products is a necessity. Whatever your poison is, make sure it that contains healthy ingredients for your hair. We tend to overlook what is in the stuff that we buy but when it comes down to hair products, it's important if you want to maintain healthy hair. Avoid any hair products that contain sulfates, parabens, alcohol, synthetic colors and mineral oils. These ingredients will strip your hair of all of it's natural oils and are essentially killing your hair slowly. So make sure you pick up all natural, sulfate and paraben free products. A lot of the good lines are in the ethnic section of your drugstore.

3. Stop Applying Heat:

I know, I know. I used to hate hearing this as a child. I used to hate my curls and would blow dry and straighten my hair regularly. Any form of heat is not good for our hair and creates damaged and dry hair. If you need to use your blow dryer, put it on the cold setting. It may take slightly longer but it won't damage your hair. Even when rinsing your hair, applying cold water is ideal for those who want to minimize the frizz in their hair. Heat is not your friend, even though you may love to curl or straighten your hair.

4. Deep Condition:

Deep conditioning is a step that many girls overlook. Deep conditioning is great for those who need that extra boost in moisture. Applying a deep conditioner is a great way to fix your damaged or color treated hair. I usually deep condition 2-3x a month, sometimes 4x if I feel like my curls have been drier than usual. For those who are into DIY projects or all natural remedies, creating your own deep conditioner or mask for your hair is a great alternative to buying one and it's easy.

5. Moisturize

Moisturize that hair, girl! Moisture is your hair's best friend. Regardless of the hair type that you may have, dry hair is a no-go. Some hair may need more moisture than others but all hair needs moisture. Apply a leave-in conditioner in your hair to give it that extra boost. Deep conditioners give a great amount of moisture to the hair. Apply moisturizing masks as well. One of my favorite ingredients to apply in my hair is coconut oil. Coconut oil has many different benefits for your hair, it's a super product. 

Any tips or tricks that I haven't mentioned? Tell me all about them. 

"Curly Girl" Styling Products That you Need in Your Life

Having curly hair is a blessing. However, sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find the perfect products for your hair. After trying out so many hair products, I almost have it down to a science. I can finally say that I know what styling products I like and which ones work best for my hair. Here's a list of some of my favorite hair products to style my hair with. 

1. Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie - I love this stuff. This defines your curls, reduces frizz and smooths your hair. This is perfect for those with thicker hair. It smells amazing and it leaves my curls bouncy and frizzless. It also has silk protein and coconut oil to promote healthy hair. 

2. Cantu Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream - This is one of my favorite leave in conditioners. This has shea butter in it to keep your hair moisturized which is ideal for curly hair since it can get dry and brittle. It feels great in your hair and I use it when my hair is feeling dry. 

3. DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel - This is one of the only gels that I own because most gels aren't good for curly hair. However, this product is not harmful or damaging to your hair. It has a lot of hold and it is very moisturizing. It defines your curls, leaving your hair looking bomb. 

4. Shea Moisture Strengthen Grow & Restore Leave-in Conditioner - This product is amazing. It contains Shea Butter, Keratin and Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This restorative leave-in conditioner helps soften and detangle your curls. This also reduces frizz in your hair. And it just feels, good. 

5. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner - This is a leave in conditioner that helps you with detangling your hair, throughout the day, hence the "Knot Today." It smells really good and it makes your curls feel great. It doesn't weigh down your curls which is a quality that I'm always on the hunt for.  It also leaves your hair feeling conditioned and soft. 

6. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk - Okay, I know. Another Shea Moisture product. But this one is one of my favorite of all these products. This was one of my first hair products that I have tried and I still use it daily. It smells so good and leaves your curls defined and healthy. 

7. DevaCurl Styling Cream - This cream is amazing for enhancing and defining your curls. It's a great product and is really lightweight on the hair. It has hold and is resistant to humidity and heat. 

Most of the products that I use are natural and paraben and sulfate free. This is really important for curly hair because it prevents frizz and helps curly hair stay moisturized. When looking for new products, always search in the Natural or "ethnic" section of the drugstore because this is where all of the healthy hair products are. 

Ombre vs. Balayage

For those who do not know, Ombre and Balayage are terms for two popular hair coloring techniques. They both receive similar results through coloring but they both have distinct differences that will help you determine whether you'd like ombre or balayage for your hair. They are often confused but there are some important differences to note. It is possible to do this yourself but unless you are a professional, I personally wouldn't recommend doing your own hair. To achieve the look you want, I would go to a salon. 

Ombre 

Ombre is the gradual lightening of your hair. Ombre hair typically has darker roots and gradually lightens towards the ends of your hair. It has become quite popular in recent years. It can be a subtle ombre or more drastic, depending on your preference. The looks that you can achieve depend on many different  factors such as how light you would like to go to or the technique. Ombre is for those who want a drastic change but don't like high maintenance styles. It is perfect for those who don't want to go to a salon frequently since touch-ups aren't needed often. Ombre looks beautiful on different hair types and textures and even the curly girl can get ombre hair and it will still look great.

Balayage

The word Balayage comes from the French word, "to sweep." It describes the freehand technique that is done by the stylist as she paints on the color with the hands instead of using foil. The brush strokes should be vertically with the tip of the brush. The stylist will freehand where the light strands should be to create a more natural look of sun kissed highlights throughout the hair. There are typically dark pieces left in the bottom of the hair to create dimension to the hair and also to creat a more natural look. Balayage is also low maintenance and gives off a subtle amount of color and dimension to the hair. You won't have a demarcation line like you would have with an Ombre style. Balayage can be used with all hair types but looks great with those with straighter hair. Another benefit of Balayage is that you usually will not need bleach so for those who would rather not bleach their hair should look for Balayage. 

10 Curly Girl Hair Care Tips to Healthy, Frizzless Curls

If you have curly hair, you know that your hair is different everyday. Some days, our curls come out perfect and other days, our curls look more like a lion's mane than actual curls. What helps achieve the ugly mane is frizz. Curly hair is extremely prone for frizz and frizz is a curly girl's worst nightmare and is pretty frustrating.  But, there are tips to help reduce that unwanted frizz. This is my list of some useful tips for curly hair to avoiding frizz.

1. Trim those Ends, Girl!

It is really easy for girls with curly hair to neglect their ends. Bu it is imperative to trim your dead-ends every 3-4 months. Trimming your dead ends helps with the growth of your hair and also the volume of your hair. Keeping your dead ends weighs down your hair, reducing the volume of your hair. Split ends are the key to frizzy hair. Cut those ends regularly and you'll help with reducing your  frizz. 

2. Rarely Shampoo & Use Tons of Conditioner

Curly, kinky and even wavy hair needs the natural oils from our scalps to avoid frizz. Shampoo'ing your hair strips your scalp of all of it's natural oils, which leaves our hair frizzy and also dry. It is best to shampoo your hair only 3-4 times a week. Regular conditioning, however, is extremely important. The more we condition our hairs, the healthier and more moisturized our hair is. Never, ever, skip conditioning. Curls succumb to dryness very easily so that conditioner is very much needed. 

3. Don't Neglect Those Deep Conditioners

Curly hair is the most healthy and moisturized when we deep condition regularly. I like to deep condition my hair twice a month. Deep conditioning gives our hair that extra boost, whenever we need it. It helps with reducing frizz and giving us the best curls we can get. 

4. Rinse With Cold Water

When rinsing out your hair, avoid rinsing with hot water because it dries out our hair and helps the frizz. Cold water seals our hair cuticles, smooths the hair cuticles, helps with hair shine and flyaway frizz. 

5. NO Brushing!

Before you freak out, I don't mean to not detangle your hair. But, curly hair should only be detangled using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Now, I'm not a fan of using my fingers because it takes quite a while, but all power to those who can! A wide-toothed comb is the best tool to detangle curly hair because it doesn't rip our your hair or help create split-ends like other brushes do. Also, when styling your hair, don't try to brush or even comb your hair. Leave any detangling of your hair to while your hair is wet or damp. 

6. Keep Those Curls Curly 

I know, I know. You've probably already heard this one already and tried to ignore it but you just can't. Stay away from the blow-dryer or hair straighteners! Anything with heat will fry your hair and shouldn't be used with curls. Curly hair is not resistant to heat like wavy or straight hair and is really, really vulnerable to becoming dry, frizzy and dead. I always get compliments on my curls from my fellow curly girls who straighten their hair. Stay..away. 

7. Sleep on Satin 

This is a minor tip but it has really helped my hair from the frizz and is just a couple dollars. Buying a Satin pillowcase and using that to lay your head on while you sleep is one of the best investments you can get for your hair. Cotton pillowcases create frizz while you sleep. You can find cheap ones on Amazon. 

8. Styling While Wet 

Styling your hair is easiest and best if you do it while your hair is at least damp. Trying to style your hair while it's dry won't leave you with the best look, trust me. 

9. Use a Micro Fiber Towel 

A Micro fiber towel is the best towel for avoiding frizz. When you dry your hair, stay away from the regular towels because it creates friction and then frizz with your hair. You can also opt for using a cotton t-shirt if you don't want to buy the towel.

10.  Use a Diffuser 

I've had plenty of times where I took a shower, washed my hair and needed to run out into the cold. No one wants to go out with wet hair and risk getting sick right? Use a diffuser on your blow dryer to avoid getting frizz from drying your hair. Make sure your blow dryer is on high and cold & the diffuser will work wonders. The  diffuser minimizes frizz while evenly distributing the heat throughout your hair. 

Why You Should Love Your Curls

Growing up, I never quite knew how to deal with my hair in the proper way. So the amount of times that I left the house with my curls in a messy, frizzy fro are endless, seriously. I hated my hair for most of my adolescent years, wishing that my hair was more like my friends' hair. Why couldn't I have those nice loose waves or straight hair? Up until a couple years ago, I had no idea what to do with my curls so I drenched them with gel, mousse and hairspray and hoped for the best..

One thing that I have learned through the last 5 years is that my hair is b e a u t i f u l, in every sense of the word. My hair always got tons of compliments daily, but until I started to take care of my curls naturally, I never understood why.

Whether you have loose waves or tight kinks, your hair is beautiful and here's why:

1. It's unique: Let's face it, curls are not common and most of the time, you will stand out in a crowd. Take that opportunity and run with it. Realize and love that people will constantly be staring at your hair and might even be wishing they owned that curly mane. No two curls are the same, and two curly-haired girls will not have the same curls. Each head of curls have different curl patterns and textures and that makes you unique.

2. It's versatile: You can do almost anything with your curls, which makes the amount of hairstyles possible endless. Many styling options are not available for those with straight hair. The  texture of your curls will allow you to style your hair into almost  every type of 'do possible. Wear it natural, style it up, soften those curls into waves, straighten your hair if that's your prerogative. It's all up to you and that's the beauty of it!

3. It's voluminous: No need to look for products that will help you achieve voluminous hair. Your hair is the epitome of volume and will never look flat and dull. This is every girl with thin and straight hair's dream, so embrace it!

4. It helps your personality stand out: Apparently, people with curly hair tend to appear more carefree, fun and adventurous. I don't know how true this stands, but it doesn't hurt to have people relate positive attributes to your hair, am I right?

5. You don't have to brush or wash it as often: Now unless you're styling your hair in a particular up-do, you most likely won't be brushing your hair in any way on a daily basis. Brushing curls before you leave the house is a huge mistake as it leaves your hair in a frizzy, puffy mess. Also, curly hair doesn't need to be washed daily. In fact, it is healthiest for curly hair to be washed 2-3 times a week because constant washing causes curly hair to lose moisture and become dry. Therefore, in a way, if you minus the styling products that we put in our hair, curly hair is low maintenance, day to day. Wash-n-go girl, wash-n-go!

Go curly hair, go!

Know Your Curl Type

As a member of the "curly haired squad", I've gone through so many different hair phases in my life. As of two years now, I've decided to go the all natural route with my curls(no more heat, no more harmful products, etc) and I've never been more satisfied with my hair than I am now. With going the all natural route, I've learned so many different tips and tricks on how to deal with my personal hair type and with others as well.

One thing that I've learned for sure is that all curls are different and there are many different curl types. And according to your curl type, you can learn how your hair reacts to heat, moisture and which products work best for you. It is so important to learn what's your curl type to make sure that you're treating it right so you can make your hair more healthy & look waaay better. So, below is a picture of the different hair types. They are categorized from 2A to 4C. The 2's represent wavy hair, the 3's represent curls and the 4's represent kinky hair. Below is a brief description of each hair type below. Let me know if you guys would be interested in learning more about a specific hair type!

Wavy:

Wavy hair lies somewhere between straight hair and curly hair. It is more prone to frizz than straight hair and it has less sheen than straight hair. However, it has more sheen than curly hair, get it? Frizz and humidity protective products are key for wavy hair. It's usually very easy to straighten and curl and typically has a loose 'S' pattern to it. If you have wavy hair, you know that it is prone to damage as well.

Curly:

Curly hair has a more defined 'S' pattern to it or even corkscrew pattern with curls that are tight and springy. Curly hair typically has a lot of volume and body. Curly hair is very prone to frizz and damage and can become dry very easily if not taken care of. It is important with curly hair to use natural products, stay away from heat and regularly deep-condition to maintain healthy curls.

Kinky:

Kinky hair is very tightly curled, sometimes with no visible curl pattern. Kinky hair is very densely packed and typically has a lot of volume, similar to curly hair. Kinky hair is sometimes resistant to moisture and becomes easily damaged and prone to extreme dryness. It can appear dull because sebum has difficulty flowing throughout the hair. Requires a gentle touch and is very important to avoid harsh chemical-filled products and cleanse and moisturize gently.