Search Results: Jenell Stewart
After the hustle and bustle of a rigorous morning routine with two children under 5 I have little to no patience for styling my daughter’s hair. I think to myself “Why does she have to have so much hair?” — Does that make me a bad mom?
Girl Bye!
The tendency to want to be perfect at everything we do as moms makes us more stressed out than we really need to be. My daughter Elle (pronounced el like the letter “L””> is two years old and still at an age where I have to assist her in most of her day to day tasks. I needed a morning routine that was simple, easy, and stress free on both me and her hair. I’ve come up with a quick and easy daily moisturizing routine that restores hydration to my daughters natural hair and only takes all of 5 minutes to do. These tips have helped me keep “momster” in the closet and I’m passing them onto you.
Our nighttime routine
When working with Elle’s natural hair, I know no matter how much I prep her hair at night, I’m still going to have to work with her hair in some way in the morning. It’s unrealistic to expect a toddler to sleep in one position like sleeping beauty–heck I don’t even sleep in the same spot all night. To keep Elle’s hair from drying out completely, I introduced a satin bonnet to her night time routine when she was 1 year old. Over time she’s gotten much better at sleeping with it on the entire night and because we’ve made wearing her bonnet a strong part of her night routine she never forgets to wear it. I highly recommend a bonnet for your little ones to maintain moisture overnight.
What if their bonnet keeps falling off?
If your little one won’t sleep with the bonnet or it keeps falling off during the night, put a satin pillowcase over their pillow–problem solved and no bonnet needed (once they are sleeping on a satin pillowcase”>.
Do you twist or braid at night?
The answer is “if I have the energy.” You’re a mom so I know you understand how little energy I have at the end of the day. With that said, I usually put Elle’s hair up in a high pineapple with a satin scrunchy, she puts her bonnet on her head and she hops in the bed for a bedtime story.
Our comb-free morning routine
Now onto the morning, the goal is to moisturize and style as quickly as possible but to also avoid hair damage and pain. I don’t use combs on Elle’s hair in the morning, to be quite honest I almost never use combs on Elle’s hair at all. My main reason for this is a simple equation: toddler + natural hair + combs = pain. You can’t fight the science. You know what I’m talking about mom, no matter how gentle you think you are your little one is “oohing” and “ahhing” or full on crying. So why bother? Oh don’t give me that story about knots and tangles, because you and I both know the minute that comb leaves that section of hair it is knotted and tangled again. I’m not saying I don’t ever use a comb I just don’t use them as a part of the morning routine because I’m not concerned with detangling. I save the combs for wash days where I destroy those tangles.
5 minutes to moisture
In the morning I saturate Elle’s hair with water and begin using my hands to distribute the water around her hair evenly. I can immediately feel the life being restored back into her hair as I gently pull at her hair loosening the shrunken areas of her hair. When her hair feels soft like a cloud I massage an ample amount of leave in conditioner to her hair in sections still using my hands very gently to stretch out the hair while simultaneously distributing the product throughout her hair.
Following the leave in conditioner I massage a rich hair butter to Elle’s hair to seal in the moisture. After applying the moisturizer I use an edge control product and massage it on her hairline. This will help control any flyaways for a few hours while she’s at daycare. Finally, I use a boar bristle brush to smooth out the outer layer of Elle’s hair and then use elastic bands to put her hair up in one, two or three puffs.
The finished look is healthy moisturized hair that I completed in less time than it takes to prepare a cup of coffee. To see how Elle and I complete this morning routine tune into the video below.
How long does your toddler hair care routine take in the morning?
Sterilization
Always sterilize your containers, even though you may think that they are pre-sterilized when coming from the company. First, wash the containers using an eco friendly soap, proceed to boil the containers, and then allow them to completely dry before adding any product to them. It is important to be cautious when making your own products.
Preservation
Whether you have concocted an Ayurvedic tea rinse or whipped up a moisturizing shea butter recipe, your homemade mixes will have this in common—they need to be properly stored and preserved. It is exciting to create and blend your own conditioners and moisturizers—it is not so exciting if their potency declines and they become overridden with bacterial growth or mold. There are several methods to storing and preserving your rinses and mixes so that you can maintain the longest shelf life possible and protect yourself against harmful bacteria. One common method is to refrigerate your mixture for five to seven days (and then discard any remaining portion”>. Just as if you were storing food, storing your mixture in this manner will help preserve it for a few days. If you are looking to make larger batches that last a few months, you will need to add preservatives such as ascorbic acid (a form of vitamin C”>, tocopherol (vitamin E“>, grapefruit seed extract, and essential oils that are known to be antibacterial and antiseptic. Before adding preservatives, you will need to research and find the proper ratios of preservative to batch mix.
Lumps and Chunks
As you explore new foods and ingredients to mix and create, you may learn the hard way that not everything mixes very well. Avocado, banana, and many veggies do not turn into a creamy rich texture. All the elbow grease in the world will not save you from the horrible nightmare of removing banana chunks or avocado fibers out of your hair for the next few weeks. The best way to avoid lumps and chunks in your hair is to use a blender. This will allow for your ingredients to blend together better, creating a rich and creamy texture that will evenly coat your hair and rinse off with ease. For extra measure, use a rice strainer to catch any remaining lumps that are not visible.
Is it Worth It?
Your homemade products can be a healthier alternative to commercial products, if you are smart about how you use and store them. For me, the ultimate goal is not to replace every commercial product with a new one; it is about simplifying my life so that all I need are a few essentials. I can make room in my fridge, work in small batches, and be sure to add some natural preservatives to keep them safe, but at the end of the day, I am not able to make every single thing that my hair needs.
The easiest way for me to explain the benefit of protein treatments without scientific jargon is this: our hair is made up of over 90 percent of the protein best known as keratin. When our hair gets damaged by normal weathering, chemical treatments, sun exposure, pollution, washing, drying, combing, and styling heat use, it can be only temporarily mended by protein. A protein treatment works by filling in gaps present on your hair strand and forming a temporary bond. In order for a protein treatment to be effective it must contain hydrolyzed proteins, which just means the size of the protein must be small enough to attach to the hair shaft. Because the mending of your hair is only temporary, you can’t do just one protein treatment a year. Your hair will thrive if you regularly incorporate protein treatments in your hair regimen. I suggest anywhere from 1-6 weeks depending on your hair and the type of protein treatment you are using. I’ll delve further into this momentarily.
Protein treatments are good for your hair, so there is no harm done is using them as a part of your hair regimen. In fact, I encourage everyone to give them a try, especially if you are a naturalista who frequently uses heat or is color treated. Protein enriched products help to strengthen the hair follicle.
When caring for your hair, you should use a protein treatment every 30 days to continue to reap the benefits.” -Tameeka McNeil-Johnson, Hairstylist
How does it work?
A protein treatment has different protein properties that attach directly to the hair follicle and harden the cuticle layer. This places a barrier around the follicle, which protects it from further damage. I’ve noticed four main types of protein conditioner treatments: protein packs, reconstructors, deep penetrating treatments, and light protein treatments. The hair’s current condition will decide the type of protein conditioner needed for treatment. Use a reconstructor for severely damaged hair. For moderately damaged hair, use a deep penetrating treatment. For slight damage and routine treatments, use protein packs or light treatments.
Protein pack: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack
Reconstructor: ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
Deep penetrating treatment: Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise
Light protein treatment: Hydratherma Naturals Protein Leave In Conditioner
My regimen
Protein is very much a part of my regimen. I primarily use it during my washday. On a biweekly basis I use the Organic Root Stimulator (ORS”> Hair Mayonnaise after shampooing with the SheaMoisture Yucca and Baobab Thickening Shampoo. The ORS Hair Mayonnaise gives my hair a protein boost, leaving it soft and supple until the next treatment. It’s easy to use and the product is very affordable. On a monthly or bimonthly basis, I will use the ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor. This product is a bit more intensive, thus I don’t need to use it often, but when I use it my hair is so happy.
During your next wash session I want you to give a protein treatment a try. Evaluate the type of damage you have and select the appropriate protein treatment that is suitable for your hair and then come back and share your results with me!
Do you incorporate protein treatments in your regimen? Which are your favorites?
I always tell my patients that their hair will be the best it’s ever been — lush, full. Enjoy it!” says Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist with Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo, Cal.
Hair normally grows in three phases: active growth, resting, and shedding. During these phases, people typically shed 100 hairs every day. When you’re pregnant, the extra hormones spreading through your body shift your hair cycle. Your hair grows without shedding. This is why your hair seems longer and thicker than usual. For me, because my energy was so low, the last thing I wanted to do was worry about my hair. Let’s be real, when your back is hurting, you’re running to the bathroom every few minutes, and you’re nauseated, are you really going to care about your hair?
If caring for your hair is becoming too difficult because all you have energy for is eating and sleeping, then follow my lead and put your hair away for a while. During my pregnancy I put my hair into multiple protective styles including extensions like Senegalese twists, puffy twists, and Havana twists (which were my favorite”>, but there are so many protective style options for you to choose from. If you’re not into extensions, try styles that can last beyond a few days like buns, mini twists, and the roll, tuck, & pin to allow you more rest time.
Even though you’re not focusing on your hair, there are still a few things you should and should not do. I would highly suggest you schedule all your color treatments and keratin treatments for after your baby is born. While there is no scientific data proving that these chemical hair treatments can actually cause harm to the baby, hair colors can trigger certain allergies and can cause infections, so it is good to avoid potential complications while pregnant.
Now, when it comes to maintaining your hair during pregnancy you can continue to use all your same products and tools, but I found that the fragrance of some of my favorite products made me want to upchuck. My products with less perfume and natural oils were a win for me. If you notice the aromas of your products are overwhelming you can always try the following:
- Use only a small amount in your hair, so you don’t smell it all day
- Revisit some of your older products from the back of the cabinet
- Make your own products with ingredients that you can stomach
- Purchase new products to use as a part of your pregnancy regimen.
Because of the mega increase in hormones, your hair may be dryer or oiler than usual. If your hair is drying out quickly, I suggest you do a weekly deep conditioning treatment. The SheaMoisture Deep Treatment Masque was a staple for me during my pregnancy because it hydrated and softened my hair while being lightly scented. You may also want to introduce hot oil treatments with the steamer to restore moisture to your thirsty hair. Simply set up your steamer and while you wait for it to warm up, wet your hair with warm water and evenly massage your favorite oil throughout your hair. Sit under the steamer for the recommended time and then shampoo.
If your pregnancy is leaving your hair oilier then usual, opt for lighter creams when moisturizing and/or styling versus the heavier butters you’re used to. You also can skip sealing with oil. This extra step isn’t needed if your scalp is over producing your natural oils. If you have enough energy to wash your hair more frequently, I suggest adding a midweek co-wash like the As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner. It contains a special blend of natural ingredients for healthy hair growth and removes product build-up from your hair between regular washing.
Obviously the main focus of your pregnancy is your health as well as the baby’s health. Low maintenance hair care is all you need because your body will do the rest. Eat right, sleep tight, and enjoy your pregnancy!
What tips can you share about your hair care regimen when you were pregnant? If you are currently expecting, how is your hair responding?
[prodmod]
Trim wet or dry? That is the question
There is much debate about whether your hair should be wet or dry when trimming. Even amongst the professionals, there is no true consensus. Here is something for you to ponder: Your hair appears longer when it’s wet due to the weight of the water. I mean, we all know about the shrinkage we experience when our hair is dry and not stretched, therefore cutting your hair while wet could leave you highly disappointed about your final length and shape when your hair returns to its dry state. If your hair shrinks above 50% of your true length, every inch trimmed will leave your hair shorter. Trimming your dry hair will give you a better visual of the length and a better idea of the finished result.
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to get my hair trimmed and styled by celebrity hairstylist Diane Bailey who prefers cutting hair while it’s dry because she has better control over it. While blow drying my hair she explained that when she’s trimming and/or cutting hair while it’s dry, she can see the lines that the hair forms. Hair has more of a definite shape when dry, so cutting it in this state makes the trimming or cutting process more accurate and leaves the client satisfied.How often do I need to trim?
Your hair should be trimmed to maintain it’s length, but the frequency is always a big discussion. We all take care of our hair differently and our lifestyles vary. Manipulation from hair tools and even your own hands impact your hair negatively, weakening it with every use. For the woman who wears her hair loose in an afro, twist outs, and braid outs, she needs trims more regularly (3 months”> because her hair is manipulated more often and not protected from the environment. However, the woman who keeps her hair in twisted styles or pulled away in buns experiences less manipulation and can go much longer without a trim (4-5 months”>.
When I visited the very talented celebrity stylist Tameeka McNeil of Jaded Tresses, she advised using protein treatments like the Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment to restore the protein in your hair, keeping it strong. Giving your hair proper protein treatments reduces the frequency in which you’ll need a trim.
Trim with the best
When trimming your hair you can’t just use any pair of scissors. Normal scissors will gnaw through your hair and cause even more split ends. You should invest in a pair of good quality, sharp shears. Dull blades can damage the hair causing split ends and rough lines. This is counterintuitive to your healthy hair regimen. A sharper cutting blade is more efficient and results in smooth lines, which is your goal with trimming your hair. There are thousands of shears to select from, and I highly suggest you read consumer reviews to help you make a decision.
Don’t stunt seeing your growth by growing in fear of trims. Trims are a very necessary part of seeing the progress of your hair growth and the sooner you accept this, the closer you are to longer, healthy hair.
Are you worried about your slow hair growth? Does it seem like everyone else’s hair is growing faster than yours? What gives? Have you evaluated your diet?
It would be nice if the solution to the health and growth of our hair was bottled up in some miracle-working product that you could find at your local beauty supply store, but it’s not about what we put on our tresses that counts — it’s about the overall way we take care of ourselves. Did you know that there are many foods that stimulate hair growth by providing your body with vitamins, minerals and many nutrients? Improving your diet will boost the health of your hair, encourage growth and the rest of your body will benefit as well.
Improve Your Diet
The foundation of all new hair growth is the nutrients that we eat. For maximum hair growth and health, step out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. Now, let’s be real — if you were born with fine, thin hair, you’ll never have super thick hair no matter what you eat. But a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference. Eat more beans — they are a great source of biotin, which is known to combat hair loss and promote the growth of healthy hair. Incorporate leafy, green vegetables into your diet. They are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which work together to produce sebum. By keeping hair conditioned, sebum prevents hair from breaking off so that it can grow longer. Nuts are a natural source of zinc, a mineral that promotes scalp health, which in turn can help hair grow longer faster.
When it comes to healthy hair, what we put IN our bodies is just as important as what we put ON our hair. Many of the nutrients essential to healthy hair are found in fruits and vegetables. But, why worry about if produce is in season or not? Frankly, “fresh” fruits and vegetables aren’t always fresh. By this time that out of season fruit or vegetable has traveled hundreds of miles to your grocer’s shelves, the nutritional value has greatly diminished or disappeared.
Eat Fresh Foods
When it comes to healthy
hair, what we put IN our bodies
is just as important as what
we put ON our hair.
The advantages of seasonal eating are that you eat foods that are picked when they are ripe or very close to the peak of ripening. They spend less time on their way to the supermarket, so they are at their optimal nutritional value. It is also budget-friendly, because you buy the food without the shipping cost.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is rich in protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folic acid. It also contains fiber and iron. Asparagus stimulates hair production and is also a good source of silicon for healthy hair. vitamin E also works toward healthy hair and can be found in asparagus.
- Broccoli: Ounce for ounce, broccoli contains more vitamin C than an orange. Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. Vitamin C is great for your hair as it aids in circulation to your scalp.
- Collard Greens: Collard greens are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, iron, copper, and calcium. Incorporating these greens will give your body the extra boost it needs, and in turn allows you to improve the chances of growing hair.
- Honeydew: Deficiencies in folic acid can cause hair loss, so it is vital to hair growth that you consume folic acid in your diet. Honeydew melons contain folic acid.
- Mango: Ripe mangos hold the largest amount of beta carotene. Mangos contain sources of vitamin E, which improves circulation to the scalp by enhancing oxygen uptake.
Final thoughts
The list of foods that will help your hair and body could go on and on. These are just a few of my favorites. The most important lesson here is that you understand the importance of your health for the growth your hair.
Are you on a healthy hair diet? What healthy hair habits do you practice?
