Search Results: Shellie Reneé

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There is a spot, on the bottom right side of my head, down at the nape, that simply doesn’t want to cooperate with the rest of my hair. For about two years now, my frustration with it has hindered the progress of gaining as many inches as I would like because I’ve been super consumed with making sure my hair was even (which meant I kept trimming the faster side to keep it on par with the shorter parts”> rather than getting to the root of what the problem was, so that I could put the shears down.

Today, I hope that you can reap from some of my personal experience because, the reality is, although it might seem like there are parts of your hair that aren’t growing, the reality is, so long as your hair follicles aren’t dead, your hair is always making progress. However, some hair flourishes more than others and, as you’re about to see, there are five main reasons why certain spots of your own head may be struggling more than you would like.

1. DNA

Basically, there are four stages of hair growth: anagen (growing”>, catagen (transition”>, telogen (resting”>, and exogen (shedding”>. Between the fact that each hair follicle is unique and people’s growing stage (which is what 90 percent of your hair is currently in”> can last anywhere from 3-7 years, this plays a significant role in how long your hair grows. Unfortunately, as far as genetics go (if your growing phase is three years or seven”>, there’s not much you can do to change that. At the same time, it’s important to remember that your hair is always growing so, while some people you know may gain between 6-10” (maybe more”> in a year while you seem to do about half that, things like a healthy diet (which “feeds” your follicles”>, exercise (which increases blood circulation to your scalp”> and drinking plenty of water (because it hydrates your hair from the inside out”> can all play a role in getting that “stuck spot” to thrive.

2. Stress

Heart disease. Asthma. Obesity. Diabetes. Headaches. Depression. Digestion issues. Wanna know something that all of these health issues have in common? They are all triggered by stress. Guess what else stress can do? It can affect your hair’s progress. That’s right. When you’re all stressed out, it can literally push your hair, prematurely so, into the telogen (resting”> phase. And since there’s only one phase after that (shedding”>, I’m pretty sure you can see how stress works against, not for, you. Meditation. Prayer. Journaling. Exercising. Sex. Chewing gum. Reducing your sugar and caffeine intake. Taking a multivitamin. Hanging out and laughing with some of your favorite people. Getting onto a sleep schedule. These are just some of the things that you can do reduce the amount of stress that may currently be at peak levels in your life, so that you can avoid the resting phase, so that the stagnant part of your hair can continue to grow.

3. Sensitivity

Remember how I said earlier that each hair follicle is unique? This means that each one has its own shape, size, level of thickness and oftentimes texture too (which is why you can have multiple textures on your head”>. This was something else that I had to make peace with, when it came to the back of my head, in general, because it doesn’t grow nearly as fast as the front and my sides (especially my left side”> does. The back also isn’t as strong or thick, so I’ve had to learn how to not treat it the same way as I do the other parts of my hair. It’s far more sensitive (i.e., susceptible to breakage”> which means that I’ve had to handle it with extreme care. This includes on wash days, when I’m styling it and when I get it put into a protective style. In fact, when I’m getting braids or twists in my hair, I have to remind my stylist to go a little easier on the back (especially down on the right side, in my nape area”> because of how sensitive that spot is.

4. Sleep Patterns

One day, I just might get around to writing an article about how much sleep affects hair growth. For now, what I will say is there are studies to support the fact that the natural hormone melatonin not only helps you to sleep soundly but influences hair growth in a positive way as well; that’s because it plays a role in extending your anagen (growing”> phase. Another thing that helps your hair to grow? Not constantly sleeping on the same side. I know this from very up close and personal experience because the area of my hair that I keep mentioning? It’s on the side that I constantly sleep on. Between the putting pressure on these blood vessels for hours at a time and the friction that comes from moving around a lot throughout that night, that can also keep your hair from growing as much as you would like. So yeah, if you can, try and at least start to sleep on your least favorite side and definitely make sure you’ve got some satin pillowcases; that will reduce the fiction that that side experiences, significantly so.

5. Manipulation

This point right here, boy. You know what’s interesting about my own “stuck spot”? Even though I know it’s pretty fragile, even though I know that I sleep on its side too much, there was something in my mind that used to think that if I kept messing with it — constantly styling, adding new products, brushing and combing it — somehow, it would grow faster, when all it actually did was weaken it which caused my tresses to keep breaking off. While there is something to be said for giving the parts of your hair that don’t seem to grow (as fast”> scalp massages, hot oil treatments and deep conditioners, other than those things, try and leave that area alone as much as possible. Because again, since hair is constantly growing, there’s a really big chance that one of the reasons why your own spot seems “stuck” is because you are touching on it too much. And like a rose with petals that can’t stand to be constantly touched, your hair is very similar — beautiful and strong…when left alone. Make sense? Exactly.

 

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Even if many people consider the holiday season to be the most wonderful time of the year, there’s no way around the fact that it can also be the most stressful. In fact, I’ve actually read that stress spikes typically increase somewhere around 44 percent for women and 31 percent for men during the months of November and December. And when we’re all stressed out, that can do a real number, not just on our mental and emotional health but our physical well-being; this includes our hair.

It would be a real shame if, after New Year’s Day comes and goes, you’ve got some excessive shedding, breakage or other issues going on with your own locks. That’s why I wanted to take a moment to share some tips on how to keep your scalp and hair from going through the consequences of stress, so that you can walk into the 2022 with your tresses firmly intact.

1. Get Yourself Some Pine Essential Oil

Ah yes. In the spirit of the holiday season, what would your home — or your health — be without the fresh smell of pine? Here’s the thing about it too: I bet you didn’t know that pine essential oil can actually do wonders for your hair. Yep. That’s because it contains antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and detoxifying properties that can help to rid your scalp of fungus (like the kind that leads to dandruff”>, it can help to soothe any eczema-related scalp breakouts and it’s actually great if you’re looking to give yourself a stress-relieving scalp massage. And since the root of all flourishing hair growth is your scalp, I’m sure you can see why maintaining your own is such a great idea. (You can find pine essential oil where most essential oils are available, by the way.”>

2. Treat Yourself to a Scalp Massage

Speaking of a scalp massage, when’s the last time that you actually treated yourself to one? Now that the holiday season is in full swing, hopefully you’ll get at least a couple of days off and you’ll be able to use that time for a little bit of rest and relaxation. Scalp massages are great because they help to calm your nerves, increase blood circulation to your hair follicles (which helps to make them stronger”>, can help to strengthen the roots of your hair and so much more.

For a walkthrough on how to effectively give yourself one, check out our article “How to Give a Scalp Massage”. Oh, and if you happen to want to forego the pine oil to massage your scalp with, lemongrass is good for treating dandruff, the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of lavender oil can help to improve the health of your scalp over time and rosemary oil increases cellular regeneration so that your hair can growth healthy and strong. If you’d like to learn more about some essential oils that are great for your hair and scalp, check out “8 Essential Oils That Are Great for Curly Hair” that’s also featured on our site.

3. Eat Some Foods That Are Currently in Season

Taking good care of your hair (and de-stressing your system”> means that you’ve got to be intentional about what you eat as well. And while this is the time of year to enjoy some of the homemade goodies that will be sure to make its way to your table, try to not go overboard as far as sugar is concerned. The reason why is because sugar triggers bodily inflammation which can result in damage to your hair follicles and possibly even hair loss over time.

On the flip side, turkey (the signature holiday meat”> is loaded with protein which is something that your tresses do need. Some other foods that are in season around this time of year that are healthy for your hair include apples (they’re loaded with biotin”>; collards (they’re like a multivitamin for your hair”>; cranberries (they’re full of antioxidants and if you put some pure juice into your shampoo, it can actually help to repair your hair follicles”>; pumpkin (the Vitamin A in it can help your scalp to produce more sebum in order to keep it moisturized”>; pears (they’ve got a natural alcohol called sorbitol that aids in feeding your hair follicles”>; sweet potatoes (their beta-carotene can reduce hair thinning”> and even mangos (they contain powerful moisturizing properties”>.

4. Keep Your Cuticles Sealed

While I’m pretty sure that you’re familiar with what hair cuticles are, if you’ve ever been curious about what the word “technically” means, cuticles are simply the outermost part of your hair shaft that’s comprised of dead cells that help to protect the rest of your hair. The reason why it’s so important that your cuticles remain sealed is because, when they’re not, not only does that make the rest of your hair vulnerable to inclement weather and other things that can damage it, it can also result in a significant amounts of frizz and locks that end up looking rather dull.

Some things that you can do to keep your cuticles sealed include adding a teaspoon of olive, avocado or sweet almond oil to your shampoo (the extra moisture can help to protect your cuticles during cold temperatures”>; rinsing your hair with cool water on wash days; blow drying your hair on a cooler setting with the nozzle pointing downwards (which is along the grain of your cuticles”> and clarifying your hair with an apple cider vinegar rinse, every third wash, in order to remove buildup.

5. Amp Up Your Hair Accessories

Personally, I think one of the best things about this time of the year is how it’s perfectly the norm to cover up your hair due to all of the wet (snow, sleet, etc.”> weather. So, on the days (or nights”> when you’re simply not in the mood to fuss with your hair a lot, that’s when you need to pull out those cute hats that are on the top shelf of your closet. Just make sure that they are lined with satin; otherwise, you could end up drying out your tresses or, if your hats are made of wood, your hair could end up snagging on them. Also, if you’re experiencing a bit of a bad hair day (again, because of the weather”>, you can usually remedy that pretty quickly by putting some other kind of hair accessory in. Some that are currently trending include pearl hair pins and barrettes, wide padded headbands, jewel-toned hair clips, hair-kerchiefs (which is basically just another name for tying a scarf around your head”> and, believe it or not, scrunchies.

6. Put It into a Protective Style

Technically, a protective style is any style that literally protects your hair, so that you aren’t manipulating and styling it as much as you usually do. And yes, this means that wigs and weaves most certainly qualify. However, if you want to try a style that is outside of those two options, some looks that are trending right through here include Marley twists, faux locs, knotless braids, large box braids and jumbo twists. All look amazing. All are relatively low-maintenance. And all will keep you less stressed out (at least when it comes to your looks”>, so that you can focus on other things this holiday season. Enjoy!

This Is How to Properly Prep Your Hair for (At-Home”> Hair Color

Let me just say that, before we even get into all of this, if you want the best kind of color, it really is best to see a professional. They are trained in how to not only give you great results but how to treat your hair so that there is as little damage as possible. With all of that being said, because I am someone who enjoys doing my own hair, I’d be lying to you if I said that I haven’t dyed my hair at home far more than I’ve paid someone else to do it. And over the years, through a bit of trial and error, I’ve figured out a few things that absolutely must be done to prep my tresses; that’s what I want to share with you today.

So, if you’re seriously contemplating stopping by your local beauty supply, drug or even grocery store to get some color that comes in a box, here are some things that you absolutely must do if you want your hair to stay healthy once your at-home job is done.

1. Deep Condition Your Hair (the Wash Day Before”>

It’ll be rare for you to see me write an article about how to take care of your hair and I won’t mention the importance of deep conditioning it. One of the main reasons why it’s such a good idea (especially for curly-textured hair”> is because it deeply hydrates your tresses. Since permanent dyes that contain ammonia (more on that in a bit”> can really dry your hair out, you need to prep your strands beforehand, so that there won’t be quite as much damage to them. That’s why you should definitely make sure that you deep condition your hair the wash day prior to the day you plan on dyeing it. And my “deep condition”, I mean, allow the conditioner to penetrate for no less than 90 minutes. That might seem like a long time but after you color-treat your hair, I promise that you’ll notice a real difference because you took this step.

2. Wash Your Hair Three Days Prior

A mistake that I used to make, quite a bit, when it came to coloring my hair at home, was I would attempt to do it when my hair was full of product buildup. This is a huge no-no because that makes it difficult for the color to take and you don’t want to keep dyeing your hair over and over again because that can lead to dryness and severe damage. That’s why it really is best that you wash your hair three days prior to color-treating it (don’t do it any sooner than that because it could leave mild abrasions on your scalp that could cause burning sensations when you do color your hair”>. That way, your hair will be a “clean slate”.

3. Keep Product Out of Your Hair Before Coloring It

It would be pretty counterproductive to wash all of the “gunk” out of your hair, just to put more back in, right? So, if you really rely on product to achieve the styles that you want, prepare to either wear a hat, scarf or to pull your hair up in a ponytail or back in a bun on the couple of days leading into your coloring day. If it’s not really hot or humid, a wig can work as well. Just make sure that you don’t do a lot of sweating because that technically qualifies as buildup too.

4. Dust Your Ends

The oldest parts of your hair are your ends. This means that when it comes to dyeing your hair, if anything is going to take a real beating, it’s going to be them. This is why I’m a huge fan of dusting your ends before coloring your hair. It’s a great way to reduce the chances of frizz, split ends or having super brittle ends altogether. If you’ve never dusted your ends before, while it might seem a bit overwhelming, so long as you have a sharp pair of shears and you really take your time, it’s fairly easy to do. For some tips, check out the video below or this video. You’ll be glad that you did.

5. Speaking of Your Ends, Apply the Color There Last

And since your ends are older, it’s best to apply the color there last. Oh, and if your ends aren’t as healthy as you would like them to be (even after dusting them”>, a cool hack is to not apply any concentrated dye at all. Instead, add a bit of shampoo (2-3 squirts of it should work”> to the little bit of color that’s left in the bottle, shake the bottle up and put that on your ends for about 5-7 minutes or so. The shampoo will make the dye not as harsh while still applying some color to that part of your hair.

6. Avoid Ammonia-Based Brands (and Get More than One Box”>

While there are definitely some hacks that professionals know when it comes to color-treating your hair, one of the biggest reasons why it can be a good idea to see one is because, a lot of times, we make mistakes when it comes to which brand to use when color-treating our hair at home. For instance, if you’re a newbie to the process or you know you’re not the best at moisturizing your hair, it really is best to go with a semi-permanent brand or one that contains absolutely no ammonia. The reason why is because both are a lot gentler on your hair.

Also, make sure to get more than just one box (I typically go with three”>. The reason why is, I can’t tell you if there has ever been a time when one box has thoroughly covered my entire head and length of hair. And you know what? Better to have too much than not enough (especially once you’ve already got the dye on!”>.

7. Prepare for Possibly Needing Some Developer

Another challenge with dyeing your hair at home is the models on those boxes will have you thinking that you can go from off-black to blonde in 30 minutes — and that couldn’t be further from the truth! While it can be pretty easy to go darker when it comes to hair color, it’s quite the project to go lighter. And this is where needing some developer comes in. This is also where the risk of damaging your hair can play a significant role too.

As far as where to get developer, most beauty supply stores carry it. As far as how high you should go, 30 will lift your hair 2-3 shades from where it currently is. Just keep in mind — and this really can’t be said enough — that if your hair is already damaged, you really should stick with semi-permanent, henna or something that won’t be nearly as harsh. Yes, switching up your hair color is great but so is keeping the inches that you’ve worked so hard to get. Right?

8. Get Some Vaseline

As far as the dyeing process itself, definitely use gloves (you might want to buy some latex ones that fight your hands a bit better; beauty supply stores carry them”>. Also, put some Vaseline along your hairline. Otherwise, you could end up dyeing your skin and some dyes stick around longer than others. By the way, if you do happen to get some on your skin, rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover (for skin and nails”> should do the trick.

9. Only Do Your Roots If That’s All That Needs It

Another reason why some people prefer to leave color-treating their hair to the professionals is it’s a lot easier for professionals to only dye the roots. That said, if your hair is already color-treated or this is your second go at it and/or you want to cover up some grays, definitely take your time and avoid coloring your entire head again. All that does is dry your hair out and that is never good. In fact, if you think this is going to be super difficult for you, enlist one of your friends to help you out. They can see the back much easier and that can reduce your chances of ending up with brittle locks.

10. Deep Condition Once You’re Done

Yes, I know that there is a bottle of conditioner that comes in most box dyes. The reason why is because even manufacturers know that color-treating hair can do a real number on it. Still, that little tube or bottle is not even close to being what your hair requires in order to put some moisture and life back into it once your dye job is done. That’s why, just like it’s super important to deep condition your hair on the wash day prior to the time you plan on coloring your hair, it’s a must that you deep condition your hair again, immediately after color-treating your hair. That will make it feel softer, look shiny and be so much easier to care for — so that you can ultimately feel pretty good about dyeing your hair at home.

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Photo by Jessica Felicio on Unsplash

Let’s briefly hold a bit of a science class, shall we? When it comes to having hair that truly thrives, it’s important that you take really good care of your hair follicles. Basically, they are the “foundation” of each strand of hair that you have; they are what anchor your hair into your skin. Within each hair follicle, there is a hair bulb and, inside of that, there are tiny blood vessels that help to provide your strands with the nutrients that they need.

It’s hair follicles that cause your hair to grow. And, as far as the stages of hair development go, there are three of them: anagen (birth”>, catagen (death”>, and telogen (rest”> stages. The anagen phase (where hair grows between ½ inch and one-inch each month”> can last for up to six years, the catagen phase (when hair follicles stop producing the protein keratin that hair needs to grow”> typically lasts around 10 days and the telogen phase (which is when your hair sheds and follicles are able to rest”> can last for a whopping 10 years (it should also go on record that approximately 10 percent of your hair is in this phase at all times”>.

Keeping all of this in mind, I’m sure you can see just why it’s so important to be super proactive when it comes to taking good care of your hair follicles. One way to do that is to stay aware of some of the signs that your follicles are either weak or damaged. If you’re curious about what some of those indicators are, I’ve got seven of them for you below.

1. Excessive Root Shedding

Here’s the thing about hair shedding — we all lose somewhere between 50-100 strands a day and that’s totally normal. So, how do you know if something “abnormal” is going on? One, if you can tell that you are losing way more than that. Two, if every time you gently tug at the ends of your hair, a few strands come out, that’s another red flag. And just what can lead to excessive root shedding? Stress, imbalanced hormones, becoming a new mom (because it shifts your hormones”>, heredity and a poor diet are all the leading causes. So, if this is the issue that you’re noticing, go down the list that I just made and see a doctor, if needed. Sometimes, just a shift in your lifestyle can nip this particular hair (follicle”> issue right in the bud.

2. Dry and Brittle Hair

Something that I personally have to stay on top of is dry hair. While I know that my personal issue is I need to drink more water (because dehydration plays a direct role in our locks not receiving all of the moisture that they need”>, some other culprits include medical conditions (including hypothyroidism”>, heat styling (more on that in a bit”>, not eating right — oh, and a biotin deficiency (although many health professionals consider this to be rare”>. Another thing that dry and brittle hair could be alerting you to is your hair follicles are not producing enough oil because they are damaged in some way. If this is the case, the bad news is if they are too damaged, things might be irreparable (a dermatologist can help to confirm”>. But, if it’s just a case of either not receiving enough nutrients or clogged hair follicles, changing your diet towards eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, exfoliating your scalp (check out “3 Easy Ways to Exfoliate Your Scalp This Fall””> and deep conditioning your hair every wash day can help to restore moisture and stimulate your follicles to produce more sebum (natural oils”>.

3. Dry Scalp

When it comes to this particular topic, it’s important to always remember that hair follicles produce hair fibers and when those fibers are growing out of a moisturized space, it’s easier for them to flourish. That’s why it can also be a not-so-good thing if your scalp is dry. Some of the things that lead to this include washing your hair too much (or using a sulfate-based shampoo or applying too much hot water whenever you do”>, not deep conditioning, using hair products that irritate your scalp and not adjusting to the shifts in seasons. When any of these things happen and you don’t make some necessary adjustments, this also can damage your follicles over time. As far as seasonal shifts go, humidity levels oftentimes drop in the fall and winter months. Plus, we tend to spend more time in dry heat via our HVAC systems in order to keep warm. So, definitely make sure to invest in a humidifier (especially at night”>. Also, it doesn’t hurt to massage your scalp with a soothing oil like sweet almond, avocado or grapeseed to give your scalp and hair follicles the extra pampering that they need.

4. Scalp Acne

Like any other kind of acne, scalp acne is what happens when breakouts occur due to 1″> an overproduction of sebum; 2″> an increase of bacteria that causes acne; 3″> a blocked hair follicle and/or 4″> a build-up of dead cells within your hair follicle. And when a hair follicle is irritated on some level, inflammation can occur. If you happen to see or feel tiny bumps on your scalp, if you notice pimples along your hairline or it feels like you’ve got cysts developing somewhere, this is another good reason to make an appointment with a reputable dermatologist. In the meantime, do your own process of elimination to see if any of your hair products are playing a direct role. You also might want to go with an oil-free shampoo. Oh, and while this should be the case for all of us, change your bedding on a weekly basis, wash your scarves, bonnets, turbans, etc. consistently and massage your scalp with some lavender, rosemary or tea tree oil along with a carrier oil like sweet almond or coconut; this process can help to soothe acne and kill the bacteria that causes it.

5. Unmanageable Hair

When I say “unmanageable hair”, what do I mean? Hair that is super frizzy (which usually means you need to condition it”>. Tangled hair (which usually means that you’ve got a lot of fairy knots or it’s time for a trim”>. Split ends (which often means that you’ve applied too much heat”>. Rough texture (which is oftentimes tied to a hormone imbalance of some sort”>. Raised cuticles (which can be the result of your hair’s pH balance being off; applying an apple cider rinse can seal them”>. When things like these are overlooked, it can cause you to constantly pull and tug at your hair follicles which can lead to traction alopecia, if you’re not careful. That’s why you should never get accustomed to being too rough with your hair. If you feel like you have no other choice, that’s a clue that something is up with your stresses that needs to change as soon as possible.

6. Over-styling

Probably the best way to illustrate this point is, saying that you’ve got a long stem rose in your hand. Because you think it’s so beautiful, you keep touching on the petals; so much that eventually some of them start to fall off. This is your hair in a nutshell. While it can take a fair share of manipulation, hair is not designed to constantly undergo that kind of pressure. If it does, that can weaken your hair follicles and possibly damage them, long-term, for sure. As far as your hair follicles go, heat can dehydrate them. Harsh hair product chemicals can irritate or inflame them. The ammonia in a lot of hair dyes can permanently damage them. A constant protective style with no breaks in between can weigh them down and make them weak. Constantly touching your hair can cause your hair follicles to lose their strength as well. Hairstyling is fun and you should enjoy it. At the same time, if you know that you are a bit “high-maintenance” when it comes to how you care for your hair, try easing up a bit. Your hair follicles will be oh so very grateful if/when you do.

7. No Multivitamin in Your System

Something that is interesting about the points that I just made is the fact that all of them can point to a sign of poor nutrition at the end of the day (including if your hair is super thin or you happen to be experiencing any premature greying”>. That’s the bad news. The good news is ramping up your healthy eating habits could very well be all that you need to do to get your hair follicles — and ultimately your hair overall — back on track. Your hair needs protein because it’s made of mostly protein. Meat is a great source of this yet if you are a vegetarian or vegan, so are lentils, chickpeas, green peas, quinoa, oatmeal, wild rice and Ezekiel bread. Zinc assists with cell growth and tissue repair and foods that are high in it include legumes, pumpkin seeds, cashews, eggs, cheddar cheese, potatoes and whole grains. B vitamins literally carry oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. Foods that are full of them include beef, salmon, dark leafy greens, black beans, poultry, fortified cereal and yogurt. These are just a few examples of how to get your diet where it needs to be; however, even if you are eating right, it can never hurt to take a multivitamin — just be sure that you’re getting vitamins and minerals that you may be lacking in supplement form. If you do this — and follow all of the other things that I mentioned — you will be effectively protecting your hair follicles which your hair will certainly thank you for, for years to come.

Photo by Juan Manuel Merino on Unsplash

Triggers. They are something that we all have, although, I must say that since I’ve personally being putting forth the concerted effort to get to the root of some of mine so that I can deactivate them (which boils down to figuring out how to find ways to not let them get to me as much”>, life has been so much more peace-filled. It’s great.

That’s what we’re gonna explore today. The reason why is because, I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who has days when my hair pisses me all the way off — sometimes to the point where it can shift my focus, in a negative way, all throughout the day, if I’m not careful. If your hair emotionally triggers you and you know it, I just want to take out a moment to offer up a few suggestions on how you can stop that from being a regular occurrence — for your hair’s sake as well as your peace of mind.

1. Get to Know Your Hair Type, Texture and Porosity

I’m here to tell you from very up close and personal experience that if you don’t make the time to understand what your personal hair type, texture and porosity are, you are going to stay frustrated on your hair journey because these three things play a direct role in how you care for your hair in order for you to keep it healthy and retain length. While it’s easy to assume that you know what these things are based on what you may have heard someone else say, please devote a couple of hours to doing some thorough research; especially since it’s not uncommon to have more than one type/texture at the same time. To get you started on your journey, we’ve got an article on our platform entitled, “Seriously. What is Hair Type?!” that can help to give you a few ah-ha moments. Also, YouTube is full of women who can offer up some great insights. Angela C Styles (here“>, lyda Michael (here“> and Breanna Rutter (here“> are just a few curly haired naturalistas who can effectively assist in pointing you into the right direction.

2. Celebrate What You Know

Knowledge is power, right? Know what else? When it comes to getting information on what your hair is all about, that is a call for a true celebration! Hit up YouTube again to search for women in your hair tribe who have a similar type, texture and porosity as yours to see what kind of hair products to invest in (less is more on the product tip, by the way”>. Next, take a picture and post it on your socials to let people know what your type/texture/porosity is and that you are learning how to fall in love with it more and more every day (I guarantee you that some of your followers will join into the conversation which can be the best kind of ego boost and form of affirmation”>. Purchase some hair accessories that will perfectly accentuate your hair. Treat yourself and your hair to a scalp massager, so that you can relax more as your hair and scalp can get the pampering that it needs and deserves. Real talk, sometimes, we get more triggered than we should because we focus more on what we don’t like about something than what we do (hair is not exempt”>. By putting forth the concerted effort to literally praise, revel in and bless your hair — you’ll be amazed how quickly it can put your mind, body and spirit into a much better space.

3. Accept That Envy Is Futile (and a Total Waste of Time”>

My goddaughters are bi-ethnic, so their hair texture basically lands somewhere in “2” world (loose waves”> while my hair is mostly between 3c and 4a and b. Every time my older godchild wants to get some cornrows, she gets frustrated because, due to her hair’s texture, they don’t last very long. Meanwhile, when I was around her age, I remember having moments when I would literally wear a towel on my head in order to look like I had hair like her. Moral to the story — we were blessed with what we were blessed with. There is beauty in all hair types, there is purpose in why we have the kind that we do which means it makes absolutely no sense to wish that your hair was different than what it naturally is. Because I promise you that some of the very things that you are complaining about, someone somewhere is wishing that they could experience. Guaranteed.

4. Take “Some Time Off” from Your Locks

Something that isn’t addressed, nearly enough, is that our “connection” to our hair is much like any other kind of relationship — there are good days and there are bad days. There are times when we’re all about putting a lot of effort in and then there are times when we just need a break. Whether you are transitioning from chemically straightened (or color-treated”> hair to your natural locks, you are trying to grow your hair out or you’re just having a moment when you feel a bit of a “disconnect” as far as your hair is concerned, there is no time like the present to book an appointment with a reputable stylist to put your hair into a protective style. I recently got some twists and when I tell you that they are one of the best things to happen to me because, with all that I have going on, my hair is the last thing that I want to be thinking about right now…whew. Besides, I know me. After a couple of months, I’m going to be more than happy to get them out and focus on styling my hair again. Right now, though, I need a break — so that I can decompress and my hair can get a bit of rest from styling manipulation too. A win/win all the way around.

5. Stop Trying to Control What You Can’t

A wise person once said, “If you try to control everything, and then worry about the things you can’t control, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of frustration and misery.” That said, if you’re really honest with yourself, it’s easy to see that, at least 7 times out of 10, the cause of your hair “emotionally triggering you” is you wanting to control something about it that you simply cannot. So, whether it’s a bad hair day, you wishing something about your hair was different than it is or you can’t wait until you have the time or money to do something different to it — resolve in your mind to control ONLY what you can control. Believe me when I say that surrendering to this alone is a total gamechanger — and definitely a “hair trigger” deactivator.

Anyone who’s on the journey to gain some real inches as far as their hair goes knows that if the saying “patience is a virtue” ever resonates, it’s in this particular situation. That said, if there’s one thing that I have come to adore about having a head of hair that is flourishing, it’s being able to wear my Afro. And if there is one thing that I especially love about the fall season, it’s that I can wear my ‘fro, in all of its fullness and splendor, so much easier during this time of year.

If you’re curious about why I’m someone who will shout from every rooftop that this is probably the best season of all to put protective styling somewhat to the side so that you can let your Afro shine for the world to see, I’ll share with you six reasons why I absolutely believe this is the case.

Less Humidity

I’ll tell you right now that one of the best things about wearing an Afro in the fall is that there is less humidity than there is in the summertime. You know what that means, right? Less shrinkage. Whew! While it’s kind of a myth that colder seasons have no humidity at all (I mean, inclement wet weather definitely puts moisture into the air”>, between temperatures being all over the place and us being inside more often with the central heat (which is dry”> being on, both of these things definitely results in whatever style we put our hair into lasting longer — even if that means stretching it out via braids, twists or even a blowout first. So, if you’ve been hesitant to “let your soul glow” because you want it to remain big and full for longer than just an hour or so, this autumn season has you and your hairstyle preference written all over it!

You Don’t Have to Worry (as Much”> About UV Damage

Another myth that comes with the fall and winter seasons is that you can’t experience UV damage. Listen, so long as the sun is out, it has the ability to affect your skin and your hair. However, when it’s super bright and really hot, that definitely results in a greater chance of ending up with drier strands, weakened cuticles, loss of color, stiffer hair and photochemical degradation (which means that your tresses will lose some of the protein and melanin that it needs to thrive”>. That’s why it can be a really good idea to keep your hair in a protective style during the summer season. But when the weather is much milder (like the fall”>, you can feel better about wearing your natural locks totally. This brings me to my next point, though.

Leave-In Conditioners Help to Protect Your Hair’s Cuticles

I tend to wear my ‘fro quite a bit yet a big mistake that I used to make, when it came to showing it off, is underestimating the purpose and power of leave-in conditioners. Not only is using one an easy way to maintain and/or restore moisture, it also keeps my hair soft; makes it easier to style; protects it from heat damage via styling tools and, it protects my hair from outer elements like sun damage or, when it’s cooler, brisk winds. Plus, when I wake up and I need to add a bit of “life” to my Afro, a palm of leave-in conditioner does an amazing job of “waking it up” too. I think sometimes, a lot of us are hesitant about applying a leave-in because we think it’s too heavy. To that I say, there are all kinds of “versions” that you can use including foams and sprays. So, if you want to give your Afro a solid pick-me-up, a leave-in conditioner definitely has your back (check out our articles “Top 20 Leave-in Conditioners”, “10 Best Water-Based Leave-in Conditioners” and a list of leave-ins that are featured on our site here“>.

Afros Adore Heavy Hair Butters and Creams

When the weather is cooler, it can be a great time of year to go with thicker moisturizers like butters — you know, shea butter (which strengthens hair strands”>; Muru Muru butter (which is rich in omegas that help to deeply moisturize your hair”>; mango butter (which protects your hair from harsh weather elements”> and Cupuacu butter (which helps to keep your scalp healthy”>. Not only will they provide your hair with some extra special protection, they can deeply penetrate your ends, so that your curls will be stronger and shiner from root to tip. Personally, I’m all about applying a blend of shea and mango butter to my hair. The combo makes my ‘fro super soft, it’s non-greasy and it also gives my hair the kind of “bouncy texture” that I want for this type of signature look. An easy DIY recipe can be found below.

Steaming Your Hair Can Create Beautiful Natural Curls

Even though I mentioned that there is probably less humidity in your home during the fall season due to how much you are relying on your HVAC unit to keep you warm, you don’t want your hair to be totally zapped of all moisture. One way to get around this is to invest in a humidifier that you can turn on at night (by the way, some COVID symptoms can be relieved by high humidity conditions, so an elevated amount of it in your house can be beneficial for you when it comes to viruses like it or even colds or the flu”>. Another way to get more moisture (from water”> into your hair is by steaming it. If you happen to have low porosity hair, it’s great at combating that. Steaming can also increase hair elasticity, lubricate your scalp, unclog your hair follicles and keep your hair moisturized in between wash days. For tips on how to properly steam your hair, check out our article, “How to Steam Your Natural Hair the Right Way”. And how do you keep your Afro stretched while using these moisture-inducing options? Stretching it with braids or twists (and then taking them out the following morning”> should work just fine.

Fall Is the Ideal Protein-Consumption Season

Your hair is mostly made up of a protein called keratin. So, of course it makes sense that you would need to eat protein in order to keep it healthy and strong. Since fall brings Thanksgiving our way and Christmas is a month after that, you’ll probably be eating hearty meals — ones that may have meat in them like turkey, chicken and beef. Or, even if you don’t eat meat, you might consume more bowls of oatmeal in the morning, quinoa as a side for your lunch, nuts like pumpkin or sunflower seeds as a snack or black-eyed peas, spinach, portabella mushrooms, sundried tomatoes or Brussels sprouts for dinner. The more that you eat these kinds of foods, the more you’ll be feeding your hair follicles which will lead to more inches on your Afro in no time.

A Good Trim Creates a Great Shape

Your ends are the oldest parts of your hair; no way around that, and if you want a glorious Afro, it’s going to need to be given a great shape. This comes by making sure that you get a professional trim or cut. Not only will it give you the “rounded look” that you desire, it will also help to remove any of the damaged parts of your hair that the summer season may have caused. While I know that it might seem odd to recommend a cut in order to cultivate a beautiful Afro, the less bad ends you have, the less tangling and fairy knots you will have and the less you will need to put your hands in your hair (which can also damage your strands”> to keep it looking the way that you want it to. Your Afro will be full, even and healthy — just in time for the reason that this fall season has in store for you!

Pictured: Mango butter by Whole Elise

Recently, I was having a discussion with someone about how important it is to follow instructions. I mean, just think about how much time (and frustration”> could be saved if more of us took out, just a few moments, to make sure that we were doing things as they were intended to be done. Sealing is no exception.

I’m pretty sure you’ve got at least a vague idea of what sealing your hair is all about. Long story short, it’s the extra couple of steps that we all need to take, after conditioning/moisturizing our hair, in order to make sure that the moisture stays locked in for more than just a few hours or a couple of days.

I’m a huge fan of sealing. Thing is, though, when I speak of the train wreck that (potentially”> comes from overlooking directions, I am coming from very up close and personal experience. No doubt, there have been times when I’ve just pulled out some shea butter, plopped it onto my head and then got mad when my ends still felt dry.

Sometimes, we go through things in order to spare others the drama. That said, if you want to get into the habit of sealing your tresses more often yet you want to avoid doing it “wrong”, here are some steps that can help to make everything turn out, just as you want it to.

1. Wash with Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Remember, the entire purpose of sealing your hair is to lock-in the moisture that you just put into it. This means that you’ve got to make sure that your hair is well-conditioned ahead of time and one thing that isn’t going to make that happen is a shampoo that contains sulfates. While on one hand, they are good to use from time to time in order to deep clean your hair and get rid of build-up, when you’re looking for a shampoo to add to your consistent hair routine, it’s best to go with a sulfate-free brand. Those are the kinds that are great at keeping natural oils in your hair, locking moisture in, strengthening damaged tresses and even keeping your hair color from fading faster. Personally, I am a fan of all-natural shampoo bars; however, with whatever you decide to go with, just make sure that it says sulfate-free on the packaging. It’s definitely the first step that you should take on the days when you want to go all out when it comes to sealing your hair.

2. Deep Condition for at Least an Hour

It’s gonna be rare that you see an article with my byline on it where I don’t sing the praises of deep conditioning. A big part of the reason is because I used to be someone who also plopped some conditioner on my hair, let it sit for 90 seconds and rinsed it off. Boy, can I tell a real difference, now that I let conditioner sit on my hair for no less than an hour (I try and go 3-4, if I can”>. Deep conditioning is a proactive way to prevent split ends (which comes as the result of dry and brittle hair”>, boost hair elasticity, nourish and strengthen your tresses and maintain the pH balance (which should be between 4.5-5.5″> of your hair too. While a lot of people think that sealing is solely about applying an oil or butter to the hair, you’re not really thoroughly doing the job, if you’re not deep conditioning your hair first. Always remember that.

3. Use a Thick Oil and Butter Blend on Your Ends

OK, once your hair is well-moisturized from washing and deep conditioning, it’s then time to start the official sealing process. When it comes to this part, a hack to keep in mind is oils are oftentimes great to use during the warmer months while butters are awesome when it’s cold outside (or you happen to have really thick hair”>. As far as great hair oils, non-GMO soybean oil helps to prevent split ends; grapeseed oil can penetrate your tresses to keep them soft and shiny; avocado oil is loaded with nutrients; apricot oil helps to prevent hair fall, and Jamaican black castor oil is a rich oil that can provide long-lasting sealing protection. Butters? One of my all-time, from head-to-toe favorite oils is shea butter; it’s got properties to protect your hair from UV damage and heat damage while also moisturizing your tresses. Mango butter is filled with vitamins A and E so that your hair is well-conditioned. Muru Muru butter is a lighter butter that helps to increase hair elasticity. Cupuacu butter is one that locks the moisture that is already in your hair extremely well. Tacuma butter works brilliantly if you happen to have high-porosity hair.

4. Customize Your Sealant, Though

With all of what I just said, please make sure that you customize your oils and butters to suit your personal hair needs. What I mean by that is, one of the main ways that a lot of people totally mess up the sealing process is they watch a YouTube video on hair sealing and then automatically put on their hair whatever the host of the channel put on theirs. That can be super counterproductive because your hair could be finer or thicker or it might not respond as well to the oils that they choose (for instance, my hair can’t stand coconut or argan oil; it tends to irritate my scalp and dry my hair out — go figure”>. So, while it might require a little bit of trial and error, play around with oils and butters (or perhaps using even a little bit of both”> until you figure out what truly works best for you. It took me about three wash days to come up with my own failsafe combo (shea butter and an herb-infused oil blend”>.

5. Allow Your Ends to Dry Completely Before Touching Them

Your hair is actually way more fragile when it’s wet than when it’s dry. That’s why, once you’ve applied the oil or butter to your hair (make sure to use about twice as much to your ends as you do to the rest of your hair because your ends are the oldest part of your hair”>, gently twisted them and applied a bit more oil or butter for extra coverage, leave your hair TOTALLY alone until it dries. Not only will this help to prevent breakage but you also stand a far greater chance of locking even more moisture in if you’re not manipulating your hair while it’s still wet or damp.

Tuck Your Ends As Much As Possible

Another mistake that a lot of people make while sealing their hair is forgetting to tuck their ends away. What I mean by that is, even if your ends have all of the moisture in the world in them, once your hair is dry, if you choose to constantly wear your hair out, it runs the risk of snagging on your clothes, drying out from the environment or experiencing a ton of wear and tear due to constant styling manipulation. So, since sealing is ultimately about protecting your ends more than anything else — a protective style is wise. Or at least make sure to put your hair in a bun and/or tie it up with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet at night. If you do, you’ll be able to retain length because your ends will be less damaged.

Do It on a Weekly Basis

And just how often should you be sealing your hair? I know some people who make it a part of their end-of-the-week ritual which is cool. I personally do it on wash days which is every other week. As far as this goes, my bottom line would be not to go any longer than bi-weekly. What I will say, though, is if in between wash days, your ends feel dry or they are frizzing up, that’s a clear sign that you need to seal them again. Trust me, once you get used to doing it — and you do it while treating yourself to watching a movie, binge-watching a show or listening to a podcast — it’ll become one of your absolute favorite things to do; especially once you start to see the results. And I am certainly a living testament of that!

Shellie R. Warren/2021

Image: doterra

For the past few months now, I’ve been into making my own herb-infused oils (check out “Why You Absolutely Need to Try Some DIY Herb-Infused Oil””>. Since I’ve been learning more about how different herbs and essential oils are able to benefit my scalp and hair, it’s been amazing, the progress that my hair has made (not to mention the money that I’ve saved by making my own hair products”>. And while I never thought that I would become an “herb junkie”, it’s actually been kinda fun learning about herbs and oils that I’ve never heard of before.

That’s what today is all about — sharing with you some of the not-so-commonly-discussed herbs and essential oils that are some of the best-kept secrets when it comes to healing and protecting your scalp and getting your hair to flourish.

Where to buy these herbs and oils

Another best-kept secret is Etsy features many merchants who sell just about all of these at an affordable price. Just go to the site and put the name of the herb or oil in the search field.

4 “Uncommon” Herbs to Try

Shikakai

Let’s start with an herb that goes by the scientific name Acacia concinna and the nickname “hair fruit”. As far as your hair goes, it’s kind of crazy that it’s not mentioned more often in hair-related content. The properties in it can help to cleanse your hair, improve its texture and strengthen your hair follicles. Also, because it contains potent antifungal and anti-microbial, Shikakai is great at helping to prevent dandruff and soothe inflamed scalps. What a lot of people like about it is, it’s even the kind of herb that can slow down premature greying. Yeah, it’s definitely an herb to add to your hair care collection, if you ask me.

Bhringraj

This particular herb is a medicinal one that is pretty big in the Ayurveda because of how it helps to keep your liver healthy and strong. Bhringraj makes this hair list because it’s great at treating dry scalp, fighting the yeast that triggers dandruff (which is Malassezia, by the way”>, feeding hair follicles, reducing stress and, when added to your favorite hair conditioner, it can create a lot of sheen to your hair too.

Gotu Kola

One of the best things about this herb is it’s got antibiotics galore inside of it. Also, if you’re looking for one that is basically a multi-vitamin, Gotu Kola will certainly not disappoint because it has vitamins B and C, magnesium, potassium, zinc and even calcium in it. These nutrients work together to feed your hair follicles, reduce hair fall, strengthen your hair strands, increase blood circulation and increase hair growth. It really is great in so many ways.

Sorrel

Sorrel herb is a flower that flourishes in tropical and subtropical climates. It has vitamins A and C in it as well as amino acids and alpha hydroxyl acids too. If you’re looking for the kind of herb that fights hair frizz, reduces itchy scalp, increases hair volume, boosts hair shine and helps to prevent hair breakage and split ends, you need to look no further than this one.

4 “Uncommon” Essential Oils to Try

Elemi Essential Oil

This particular essential oil has a powerful amount of antiseptic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in it which helps to prevent dandruff and scalp-related eczema flare-ups. Since many people use it to detoxify their system, using it as a scalp massage oil can help to remove hair follicle build-up. Other benefits of this oil are it can help to reduce hair fall and strengthen your hair from the root, so that you can maintain length retention, successfully so.

Hinoki Cypress Essential Oil

This herb comes from a tree that is in Japan. If you’re big on reading hair care labels, you may have seen it on the label of shampoos. This is a wonderful addition to your hair regimen if you happen to be someone who is transitioning from chemically straightened hair to your natural texture because the properties in this oil are beneficial when it comes to healing damaged hair follicles and encouraging healthy hair growth. This is an oil that’s also effective as it relates to increasing blood circulation in your scalp and helping to get rid of any scalp infections that you may have.

Mastrante Essential Oil

If you’re looking for an oil that will promote feelings of extreme calm and relaxation, this is the one for you. It’s also got antibacterial, anti-fungal anti-inflammatory properties in it. And it’s an oil that encourages new cell growth. All of this makes it an oil that reduces dandruff, balances the natural oils on your scalp and, because it’s such a stress-reducing oil, it’s wonderful as a scalp massage oil. And the more your massage your scalp, the healthier your hair can become overtime.

Niaouli Essential Oil

Believe it or not, this herb hails from an Australian evergreen tree. Hair-wise, it will help to increase blood circulation, kill bacteria, promote the absorption of nutrients to your hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. Consider putting a few drops of it into your favorite shampoo and watch the results that you get in a couple of months — all because you decided to give an “uncommon” essential oil a try!

©Shellie R. Warren/2021

Photo @myfashionbreak via @4chairchicks

I’ll tell you what — nothing teaches you more about how to be “patient with the process” quite like going through the process of growing out your hair does. For me personally, what I’ve had to really become an expert at is taking really good care of my ends because, the reality is, our hair is always growing (¼” – ½” a month at that”>. At the same time, the reason why some of us don’t see 4-6” of progress each year is because the ends are splitting, breaking, snapping about as quickly as the roots of our hair are growing out.

Let’s take some real steps towards nipping all of this in the bud, shall we? If you’re ready for your hair to flourish and you know that requires extending some extra TLC to the ends of your hair, here are 10 proven ways to do just that.

Deep Condition Your Ends for No Less than an Hour

If you’re someone who’s good for deep conditioning your hair — not once in a while but every time you have a wash day — I salute that. Just make sure that you don’t only focus on where your new growth lies. Your ends are the oldest (and most fragile”> parts of your hair, so they need to be babied the most. And since deep conditioning helps to hydrate your strands, improve moisture retention, increase elasticity, soften your hair and also — and perhaps most importantly in this case — help you to retain length, it definitely needs to be a part of your hair care regimen. Whether you go with a deep conditioning product or you decide to make one yourself, just make sure that you get plenty of it on your ends and that you let it sit on your clean hair for no less than an hour so that the conditioner can deeply penetrate your hair’s cuticles. Then follow that up by rinsing with cold water. You’ll definitely notice a difference if you do. 

Make Your Own Hair Mask

Something that is definitely an enemy of your ends are split ends. Since they typically arise from hair that has either experienced too much heat or is overly dry and brittle, that’s why I recommend a DIY hair mask, at least once a month as well. Since they’ve got a great reputation for reducing frizz, smoothing cuticles and keeping your hair from becoming dry and brittle, they can be a lifesaving treatment for the ends of your hair. Eugenia Kelcy is a YouTuber that has a mask recipe for 4C hair that you can check out below. 

T-Shirt Dry Your Hair

Oftentimes, when I describe Black hair, I say that it’s a lot like silk — very strong and quite fragile at the same time. This is especially the case when it’s wet which is why you should avoid towel drying after washing and conditioning your hair. The material that most towels are made out of is too aggressive on your hair (especially your ends”>. Plus, rubbing your hair a lot with a towel can actually lead to frizzing. The better route is an old T-shirt. The cotton fabric that most of them are made from will be gentler on your hair while still remaining amazingly absorbent. 

Use Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Although my own hair grows at a pretty impressive rate, what kept jacking me up, length-retention wise, was that I wasn’t sealing my ends. If you’re not totally familiar with what that entails, it’s a method that helps the end of your hair to retain moisture for days — even weeks — following your wash day. The details on how to do it is featured in our article, “How to Seal Your Hair for Protective Styles”. However, as far as the kind of oil that you should use in the sealing process, I’m always going to sing the praises of Jamaican black castor oil; that’s because it’s thick, a great moisturizer and it contains properties that are able to strengthen your hair from root to tip. My two cents would be to go with an extra dark brand because that kind of oil is the least refined (which means that you’ll get it in its purest state”>. Tropic Isle Living is one company that I can personally vouch for that has a great brand of it, for sure.

Cream-Based Thermal Heat Protectant

OK, here’s the breakdown about thermal heat protectants. If you’re like me and you prefer to blow out your hair on wash days or you flat iron more than a lil’ bit, applying thermal heat protectants will definitely help shield your hair from the damage that heat can do. At the same time, it’s important to never forget that they aren’t 100 percent effective. In fact, a lot of professional stylists say that heat protectants can only protect your hair from about 50 percent of the drama and trauma that heat can bring. Moral to the story is, when it comes to applying heat, proceed with caution, make sure your hair is at least 60 percent dry when you’re using your blow dryer and, if you’ve got thick or 4-type hair, go with a cream rather than a spray. You’ll get fair better coverage (i.e., protection”> that way.

Remove Fairy Knots

Whew. Fairy knots are so freakin’ annoying! Word on the street is their technical name is “trichonodosis” and they happen mostly for those of us with curly hair because we’re much more subjective to our hair twisting and turning into little knots. If you can totally relate to this triggering reality, a preventative measure that you should do is check out our article, “How Do I Avoid Fairy Knots?”. On the other hand, if it’s too late and you’ve already got some, whatever you do, don’t try and “snap” them off by pulling and tugging with your fingers. All that does is damage your ends and definitely set you up for split ends (ones that you have to cut off to get rid of”>. Instead, take a sharp pair of hair shears and clip them. If it’s only a few strands at a time, it won’t be noticeable; plus, the “clean cut” will keep your ends intact.

Wait Two Weeks Between Chemical Treatments

Back in the day, when I used to relax my hair and turn it a different color, at least once a month, it was nothing for me to chemically treat my hair back-to-back. Since I would wear it pretty short, I didn’t care too much about breakage or anything. Now that I’m on the path to growing my tresses out, I wish I had been more careful because it did more of a number on some of my hair follicles than I thought. Because of that, it’s taken a while to get my hair (and scalp”> back to a healthy state. That’s why I can speak from very personal experience when I say that it’s best to wait at least two weeks in between chemical treatments. Meaning, if you relax your hair, it’s best to wait at least two weeks before color-treating it. Honestly, if you can go a month, you’re even far better off if you want to keep your hair as strong and healthy as possible because you can deep condition your hair which will better prepare it for more chemicals on it; especially when it comes to your ends.

Make the Most Out of Buns, Bantu Knots and Updos

If you hop on YouTube and listen to a lot of naturalistas talk about ways that they maintain inches, something that many of them are going to say is they keep their hair up most days of the week and only wear it out on perhaps the weekends or special occasions. A big reason why is because when your hair is up in a way where your ends are tucked in, that keeps them from snagging on your clothes or getting damaged by weather elements like heat or cold wins. So, definitely make the most out of buns, Bantu knots and other looks where your ends can be protected. The styles are cute and they can keep you own the path to longer hair.

Line Your Hats

I don’t know about y’all but I’m good for rocking at hat — especially during the fall and winter seasons. When it comes to protecting my ends, though, a big mistake that I used to make was wearing wool brims and golf caps that either had no lining or torn lining (I’m a big antique shopper and thrifter, so I’ve got some used hats in my collection”>. That’s why it can’t be said enough that you definitely should make sure that your hats are lined. Oh, and if you wear turbans or headwraps often, they either need to be made out of silk/satin or lined with satin as well. That way, your hair won’t dry out while you have them on. For tips on how to line your own hats, check out this video here.

 

The Less “Manipulation”, the Better

When I first started getting serious about growing out my hair, a mistake that I would make is “over-caring” for it. What I mean by that is I would braid it every day, I would wash it (so that I could condition it”> too over and I would oftentimes let my fingers play with my ends too much. Aristotle once said that the excess of a virtue is a vice and that can definitely apply to length retention. While your hair — definitely your ends — do require some consistent care, it’s important to also remember that balance is key. If it’s in a DIY protective style, try and leave it like that for a week before doing something else. Remember that Black hair leans towards being drier so washing it every other week is usually enough. And, by all means, leave those ends alone.

Low-manipulation is one of the best ways for your ends to stick around so much longer and for your hair to get significantly longer — sooner than later. Good luck!

©Shellie R. Warren/2021

Photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash

If there’s one thing that will trigger me (no matter how much I try and deactivate the trigger”>, it’s the fact that the left side of my hair is so much thicker and grows so much faster than the right. It’s pretty much always been that way, so I know that DNA has something to do with it. Plus, as much as I try to rotate, I prefer to sleep on the right side which doesn’t help (basically because I’m compressing my blood vessels which can hinder those hair follicles from getting all of the nutrients that they need”>. I don’t like it — especially now that I’m more intentional about growing my hair out — yet I know that it’s something that “just is” (meaning it’s the way I was born and there’s not much that I can do to change that fact”>. Plus, it’s not like I’m the only person who goes through this. A lot of us do. 

That’s why I thought it would be a good idea to offer up a bit of support if you’re someone who finds yourself constantly frustrated with hair that seems like it wants to give you a late 80s Salt-N-Pepa asymmetrical look whether you want it to that way or not. If you just read that and you’re nodding your head up and down because you can totally relate, I’m hoping that these tips will help you to make peace with your hair’s so-called lopsided reality. 

Accept That It’s Pretty Normal

So, here’s the deal. There are approximately 100,000 different hair follicles on your head and each one comes with its own individualized blood supply. As you probably already know, the left and right side of your body is not identical — your eyes are not the exactly the same, neither are your eyebrows, your hands, feet, breasts, etc. So, off top, that can be a part of the reason why you’re noticing that one side of your hair grows faster than the other. Then you’ve got to factor in things like genetics, your sleeping patterns, your diet, your hair routine and other factors. While I will get into a few things that could help to “even out” your hair, the main thing to keep in mind is if you do notice some lopsidedness, there’s nothing weird about it. It’s very normal. So much that, people who don’t have this issue fall more into the rare category. Real talk.

Is It Shorter or Thinner?

OK, so when it comes to my hair, if the right side would act like the left, I’d probably have hair down my back by now. But between it being about 1 ½” shorter and even a bit thinner than my left and me being suck a stickler that I don’t always know how to leave well enough alone, I’m constantly cutting my hair to “even things up”. Anyway, when it comes to your own hair not being as even as you want it to be, before coming up with strategies that can help, first figure out if one side is shorter, thinner or both. If it’s shorter, your best bet is going to be to leave it totally alone (other than regular trims”> for a season because if you keep cutting the shorter side, you are never going to see any real progress. If it’s thinner, consuming foods that will give your hair more protein and help to thicken it over time (like meat, poultry, quinoa, avocados, berries, dark leafy greens and mangoes”>, using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, and taking a hair supplement that is high in biotin can prove to be super beneficial.

“Baby” the Shorter Side

The side of your hair that appears to be thriving? You definitely shouldn’t neglect it. However, the side that isn’t flourishing as much as you would like for it to be, you definitely need to “baby it” as much as possible. For the record, this doesn’t mean constantly keeping your hands in it. However, it is important to be gentler to that side when using styling tools, to keep heat off of it as much as possible, to exfoliate that side of your scalp (so that its hair follicles don’t become clogged”> and, when you’re deep conditioning your hair, that you apply some pure Aloe vera to the “weaker” side. It’s great for your hair because it’s high in vitamins A, B12, C, E and folic acid. Regular use of Aloe vera is proven to both repair and strengthen hair strands over time. 

Give Yourself Regular Scalp Massages

Remember how I just said that it’s a good idea to exfoliate the side of your scalp that needs a little more help getting it to where you want it to be? Well, something that is great for your entire scalp is a scalp massage. It triggers blood flow (the more blood your hair follicles get, the healthier your hair will ultimately be”>. It increases the thickness of your hair by stretching out your hair follicles. It helps to remove any build-up from sweat and hair products that might be on your scalp. It fights dandruff. It also relieves stress (for the record, stress can also play a role in weak hair and hair fall”>. For tips on how to give yourself a proper scalp massage, we wrote an article a few years ago entitled, “How to Give a Scalp Massage”. What I will say here is, if you’d prefer to do give yourself one on a non-wash day, warm up an oil that promotes hair growth (like rosemary, grapeseed, peppermint, lavender, argan or a combination of these”>, part your hair into 4-8 sections, apply some of the oil to your fingertips and rub your scalp in a circular motion for 10 minutes while watching television. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day and you’ll be doing your hair a favor by massaging it more than just a couple of times a month.

Avoid Being “Scissor Happy”

When it comes to making peace with having uneven hair, something else that really needs to go on record is the fact that sometimes your hair isn’t lopsided so much as you’ve got more than one texture going on which is also extremely common. This is just one of the reasons why — and yes, I’m totally preaching to the choir when I say this — you need to try and leave your shears alone as much as possible because all of that cutting might be actually contributing to even more unevenness. Not only that but take it from me, constantly “evening up” your hair isn’t really helping you out like you might that that it is. You’ll be far better off just leaving it be in between trim times, so that the weaker side can get more time to make some real progress. Oh, and if you need a visual of someone who can totally get where you are coming from Sista With Real Hair posted a video on her YouTube channel some years back that actually may make you feel like, “OK, I’m not the only one out here with this drama.” You can check it out here.

Get into Some Protective Styles

By far, one of the best ways to be less self-conscious about uneven hair while also leaving your hair alone so that it can grow is to put it into a protective style. It could be braids or twists. It could be a sew-in or a wig. Or it could be like what I do a lot during the week — I braid my hair up and rock a turban. What a lot of us don’t realize is all of the effort and energy that we’re putting into trying to make both sides of our hair look the same could be actually weakening our stands even more because if there’s one thing the weaker (or even stronger”> side doesn’t need, it’s a ton of manipulation. A protective style during the week while being super gentle with the takedown process and wearing it out on the weekends can give the weaker side more time to benefit from some of these other tips so that it can get significantly stronger in a matter of a few months.

Be Patient with the Process

Did you just roll your eyes? Yeah, I hear you. It doesn’t change the facts, though. On average, hair grows between ¼” and ½” each month (regardless of ethnicity, by the way“>. This means that you can gain 4-6 inches on an annual basis. If that’s not happening for you, the main reason could be because you’re not properly caring for your ends so that grow can continue to transpire. Still, no matter how proactive you may be, there are some things that only time can do. So yeah — getting your hair to “even out and grow” is something that you’re going to have to be patient with. Yet if you do all of what I shared and add endurance to it, I’m confident that your weaker side will get stronger and you’ll be more at peace with your hair being…just as it is.

©Shellie R. Warren/2021

Photo by Unsplash

For the past several months now, something that I’ve become a superfan of is herb-infused oil. There are a few reasons why. One, I’ve always enjoyed combining carrier oils and essential oils. Two, in my quest to find the right oils for my hair, I’ve discovered that making my own infused oil is the far better bet. And three, there’s no way around the fact that applying some herb-infused oil to my scalp and hair has taken my hair growth journey to an entire new level.

If you’re curious about what this kind of oil is and how you can make it yourself (which can save you a mini mint”>, this is the article that can hopefully address all of your concerns so that you’ll feel inspired to make some of your own oil — sooner than later.

What Exactly Is Infused Oil?

OK, so when it comes to using infused oil for beauty purposes, what exactly is it? Probably the best way to explain it is, it’s when you use a carrier oil as a “base” and then add some herbs to it in order to get the optimal level of benefits from it.

 

How to Make Your Own Infused Oil

Here’s the thing — there are a lot of companies that sell infused oil. My issue is 1″> you don’t always know if you’re getting what you think that you are and 2″> a lot of them are expensive as all get out. That’s why I prefer to actually purchase fresh dried herbs and a carrier oil on my own and make the oil at home. That way, I can control what goes into it and save a few coins in the process. And just how do I make it all come together?

Step 1. Choose your dried herbs

This can either come from the produce section of your grocery store, a health food store or online. I get a lot of my dried herbs from shops on Etsy. Just go there and put “dried herbs” in the search field to choose the ones you would like (there are a ton!”>. I’ll list my favorites down below.

Step 2. Stop by the arts and crafts store

Once you’ve got your herbs, swing by a Walmart or arts and crafts store to get a few mason (also called canning”> jars and some cheesecloth (it helps you to strain your herbs”>. Oh, also get some plastic bottles that you can put the oil in. I like the kind that have an applicator tip because it’s so much easier to apply that way.

Step 3. Combine your herbs and oil

The next step is to put all of the herbs and oil that you want to use into a mason jar. 

Step 4. Decide which method to go with

Once you’ve got everything in your jar, it’s time to decide if you want to use a double boiler, if you want to put the jar directly into a larger pot of hot water or if you want the jar to sit in a dark space for about 30 days, so that the herbs can really penetrate the oil. Personally, I prefer the second method. I will put my mason jar that’s full of herbs and oil into a large pot of water. I’ll bring it to a boil and then let it sit on simmer for most of the day (6-8 hours”>, although I do have one jar that has been sitting on one of my kitchen cabinets for about 20 days now (I just wanna see how much I like that method too”>. Anyway, if you’re more of a visual learner, there’s an easy DIY video that you can check out here.

Step 5. Strain the herbs and you’re all set

Once your herbs have either simmered for several hours or sat for about a month, it’s time to strain the herbs out so that you can use the oil on your hair and scalp. After the pot has cooled (so that you don’t burn yourself”>, get yourself another mason jar, put some cheesecloth over the top of it and slowly pour the infused oil over it so that the cloth catches the herbs. While some people keep the “oily herbs”, I discard them (I prefer to use “fresh” ones every time”>. Then transfer to a bottle and you’re all set. If you refrigerate your oil, it can easily last for about two months.

5 Carrier Oils to Try

I’ll get into the type of herbs that are great for your hair in a minute. For now, as far as the kind of carrier oils that you should try, there are five that get my top vote.

1. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is awesome because it’s loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, along with biotin and essential fatty acids. If you’re looking for the kind of oil that will help to seal your hair’s cuticles while also not leaving a super greasy feeling behind, this is one that will be super ideal for you.

2. Grapeseed Oil

Personally, I’ve been a fan of grapeseed oil for a hot minute now. It’s also got a ton of antioxidants in it, along with a fatty acid known as linoleic acid which helps to stimulate hair growth and help your hair to retain moisture. Something else that’s great about this oil is it contains properties that effectively fight dandruff while providing your hair with lots of natural sheen.

3. Pumpkin Seed Oil

Goodness, talk about an oil that is literally like a multivitamin for your hair and scalp. Vitamins E and K, zinc, omega-3 and phytosterol (which helps to produce collagen so that your hair has more elasticity”> are all in this oil. And since it’s got a reputation for nourishes hair follicles while strengthening hair, of course, it had to make the list. 

4. Sweet Almond Oil

I also like sweet almond oil a lot. Next to rosemary oil (which is also a pretty good carrier oil; although I’ll be shouting it out in a different way in a second”>, it’s my skin go-to. Anyway, sweet almond makes the list because it’s rich in biotin, has properties that can protect your hair from sun damage and, its antibacterial and fungicidal properties can make it a soothing and healing treatment if you happen to have scalp issues like dandruff or eczema.

5. Olive Oil

Another oil that a lot of infused oil experts are fond of is olive oil. Its antioxidant levels are totally off the charts; plus, thanks to all of the fatty acids that are in it, it’s able to deeply penetrate the shaft of your hair in a way a lot of oils cannot. Another cool thing about olive oil is it can block the production of dihydrotestosterone (DTH”> which is attributed to hair loss. Yeah, olive oil is wonderful on a few levels. My only hesitation is it’s a got a slight smell to it (like olives”>, although, based on the herbs that you choose, that could cease to be as much of an issue.

By the way, if some of y’all are huge coconut oil fans and you’re wondering why I didn’t add it here, it’s because coconut oil usually solidifies at some point and while you can just put the container of your oil into a bowl of hot water to liquify the oil again, the extra step can sometimes be annoying. So, I just go with another kind of oil to avoid the hassle. And now, for the herbs to add to your carrier oil base.

Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash

7 Great Herbs for Your Hair

1. Rosemary

Off the top, did you know that if you massage rosemary into your scalp on a regular basis, it can increase your hair growth when massaged into the scalp? Since it also contains anti-inflammatory properties and it can increase blood flow to your scalp, that’s why it tops the list of herbs that are great for infused oil.

2. Lavender

Lavender can thicken your hair. It’s got antimicrobial properties that can fight dandruff and other forms of fungus and bacteria too. Also, it triggers the growth of hair cells and the scent? There aren’t too many other herbs that are more soft and feminine.

3. Burdock Root

Burdock Root is a great herb because it helps to strengthen the structure of keratin which is the protein that your hair is made of. As if that isn’t awesome enough, it also contains anti-inflammatory properties, is rich in phytosterols, polyphenols and antioxidants and is quite beneficial when it comes to stimulating hair growth.

4. Calendula

Polyphenols are compounds and calendula is an herb that is full of them. This is good to know because, not only can they help to prevent hair fall but they are also great at helping new hair to form where hair fall once occurred. Also, if your hair and scalp happen to be on the drier side, calendula is good for offering up extra moisture, so that your hair is far less dry and brittle.

5. Peppermint

You know how mint gives you that tingling feeling when you brush your teeth with it or apply it to your skin? That’s thanks to the menthol that’s in it and when you apply something like peppermint to your scalp, that sensation gets more blood flowing to your hair follicles which is always a good thing. Word on the street is peppermint can even increase the amount of hair follicles that you have; so, if you’re looking for an herb that can make your hair thicker, this would be the one.

6. Fenugreek

Two of the main nutrients that healthy hair need are iron and protein — fenugreek has plenty of both. It also contains plant compounds like flavonoids and saponins which help to increase hair growth. And, since it also contains vitamins A, K & C, folic acid, calcium and potassium, putting some of this into your infused oil is literally like giving your hair the ultimate multivitamin.

7. Dandelion Root

Speaking of multivitamins for your hair, this herb has vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, choline, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium — and that’s just for starters! As a bonus, if your scalp is sensitive, it contains properties that soothe it. Plus, this herb is really good at helping your scalp to regenerate cells while strengthening the hair that you’ve already got in the process.

So, there’s a mini-tutorial on how to make your own herb-infused oil and now you know how the blend of certain oils and herbs can help your hair. I’d be shocked if after your first bath, you don’t start making it for your hair and skin on a regular basis. It’s one of the best DIY beauty hacks I know and my hair has been looking and feeling amazing because of it!

©Shellie R. Warren/2021

Photo by Marta Filipczyk on Unsplash

 

It all begins with a hair follicle. Around 100,000 of them, to be exact. It’s literally at the bottom of each follicle that each one of your hair strands begin. It’s within the bulb of your follicles that cells divide and blood provides those cells with the vitamins and minerals they need, so that your hair is able to flourish. Yeah, hair follicles are extremely important which is why they need to be handled with extreme care and intention — this includes the foods you eat.

So, let’s dive into nutrition and your hair follicles today. I’m going to share with you eight different foods that provide eight specific nutrients that will keep your hair strong and healthy — thanks to how your follicles are able to get exactly what they need from each one of them.

1. Vitamin A: Collards

Did you know that your hair is one of the fastest growing tissues on your body? And since all of your cells need Vitamin A in order to thrive, I thought it would be a good idea to start here. One of the main benefits that this particular nutrient brings to your locks is it helps your hair follicles and scalp to produce sebum. This, in turn, keeps your hair nice and moisturized. A food that is high in Vitamin A is collard greens. In fact, if you’re looking to basically eat a “multivitamin”, any dark green vegetable has your back, thanks to all of the other vitamins and minerals that are in it. As a bonus, collards are also good for you because they contain fiber to keep you regular. Plus, they can help to lower your cholesterol levels, improve bone health (thanks to the K that’s in them”>, improve the health of your liver, reduce your cancer risk and, due to the choline that’s in them, collards can even help you to sleep better too.

2. Vitamin B12: Salmon

Oftentimes, when the topic of B vitamins that are good for your hair comes up, it’s biotin that’s mentioned. While that is indeed beneficial, what I’m going to shout-out today is Vitamin B12. Not only can it help to slow down premature greying, it also triggers the production of red blood cells so that your hair follicles are able to get the nutrients that they need. Salmon is high in this vitamin. It’s also rich in omega-3 (more on that in a bit”> and protein (which is what your hair is made of”>. If you’re looking for a way to “feed your follicles” while also being able to reduce your risk of heart disease, fight inflammation, improve your brain health, lose some pounds and regulate your thyroid in the process, salmon is definitely a delicious way to do it.

3. Vitamin C: Citrus Fruit 

I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of free radicals before. Still, if there’s a part of you that’s always wondered what they actually are, long story short, they’re unstable atoms that can ultimately lead to illness and aging. A nutrient that helps to keep free radicals at bay is Vitamin C. This is good to know because, since Vitamin C is such a powerful antioxidant, it’s able to protect against the kind of oxidative stress that can cause your hair to age. Vitamin C is also able to help your body to produce collagen which improves the elasticity of your hair which your follicles definitely need. Citrus fruit is loaded with this vitamin. Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons and limes are also beneficial because they’re low in calories, high in water and fiber (both can help to flush out toxins”>, can help to protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases (like Alzheimer’s disease”>, will boost your immunity and, since they’ve got a pretty low glycemic index, citrus fruit can keep your blood sugar levels regulated as well.

4. Vitamin D: Mushrooms

If you want healthy hair follicles, Vitamin D is an absolute must because it’s a vitamin that directly attributes to the production of them. In fact, there are many studies that connect hair loss to a Vitamin D deficiency. While a very popular way to get some natural Vitamin D into your system is spending time in the sun, a food that is rich in this nutrient are mushrooms. This is really cool to know because mushrooms can also help to strengthen your bones, muscles and teeth, treat hypertension, fight depression-related symptoms, reduce the risk of breast cancer and help your body to better absorb calcium, so that you can easily receive all of these benefits.

5. Copper: Dark Chocolate

Remember how I said earlier that Vitamin B12 helps with premature greying? So does copper. It’s a mineral that is also really good for your hair follicles because it helps to stimulate them, so that they’re better equipped to receive the blood and oxygen that they need in order to remain healthy. The really wonderful thing about this particular point is a food that’s loaded with copper is dark chocolate. Some other benefits of copper include the fact that it helps your system to produce red blood cells and collagen. Copper also makes it easier for your body to absorb iron (something else that’s really great for your follicles that I’ll get into next”>, turns the sugar that you consume into energy, assists in keeping your nerves in top condition and, it’s another nutrient that is awesome as it directly relates to keeping your immune system in peak condition.

6. Iron: Quinoa

Another nutrient that’s required if you want to avoid hair loss is iron. Iron is super beneficial as it relates to your hair follicles (and your hair overall”> because it helps to increase blood circulation to your scalp so that your follicles can get the vitamins and minerals that it needs in order to thrive. Other benefits of iron include it keeps your blood in good condition, assists with the production of certain hormones, strengthens your heart, improves your muscle function and it helps to significantly reduce the risk of anemia in women. A food that’s a good source of iron is the whole grain (that’s also gluten-free”> quinoa. Honestly, this particular food is one that could get its own article considering that it’s also rich in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, manganese, magnesium and so much more.

7. Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Chia Seeds and Avocados

In an article on our site entitled, “4 Things You Should Know About Fatty Acids”, it features some of the reasons why your hair definitely needs “omegas”. Two of the reasons why I like them so much is they’re proven to improve hair’s density and diameter. Plus, they can significantly reduce hair fall by playing a role in preventing hair follicle inflammation. Some other reasons to get some omega-3s into your body is they help to maintain eye health, reduce mood swings, increase joint and bone strength, can help you to sleep more soundly and they’re effective when it comes to reducing breakouts and evening out your skin tone. Omega-6s are also good because they help to regulate your metabolism, maintain your reproductive system, boost your immunity, assist with healthy blood clothing and heal skin disorders like dermatitis. Chia seeds can get you your fill of omega-3 while avocados are loaded with omega-6.

8. Zinc: Cashews

When it comes to getting your hair follicles to flourish, zinc is the ultimate nutrient and a food that is loaded with zinc is cashews. Since zinc plays such a significant role in tissue growth and repair and because that is very important when it comes to getting your hair to grow and retain length, you need to get zinc into your system on a daily basis. While we’re here, some other health benefits of zinc are it boosts immunity, decreases inflammation, helps to keep your blood sugar levels balanced, supports a healthy heart and blood vessels and it’s great at reducing breakouts too. So, if you like to snack on nuts, think about all that you’re doing for your hair follicles, the next time you’ve got some cashews in your hand. Enjoy!

 

©Shellie R. Warren/2021

 

PICTURED: @ASHLYDANIELAAA

When you’re on the quest to grow and maintain a head full of healthy hair, there may be no larger culprit than split ends. The ends of your hair are the oldest part of the strand, and split ends happen when they become so dry and brittle that they fray into separate parts. As a result, your hair ends up looking frizzy and becomes unmanageable. That’s why it’s always a good idea to do all that you can to prevent split ends from wreaking havoc in your hair routine.

Today, we’ll be tackling healthy hair practices that you can do to keep split ends from occurring. For starters, I think it’s important to know that there are multiple ways that your ends can actually, well, split. So, what are some practical things that you can do to keep all of the split end varieties from messing with your mane? Here are seven tips that have totally helped me out.

Trim your ends regularly

When you’re in the process of trying to gain some real inches, the last thing you want to do is get a haircut. But the reality is that your ends are the oldest part of your hair and they are most likely to rub against your clothes and pillow, so we simply cannot avoid a trim forever. What’s worse is, if you leave them alone, the split could run up the shaft of your hair and result in all kinds of frizz and overall unhealthiness. Plus, no matter how much hair commercials try and say otherwise, you can’t really mend a split end. Once they are there, they’re there to stay. That’s why, it’s really important to trim them. How often? While a lot of stylists say every 4-6 weeks, depending on how well you take care of your hair, that may not be necessary. Just make sure that, each wash day, you look to see if your ends are frayed. If so, it’s time for a trim—or at least for you to dust your ends. While trimming your ends won’t speed up the growth process, what it will do is make sure that your hair remains in good condition so that you can grow (and keep”> strong hair from root to tip.

Read more: 5 Signs to Know Your Curly Hair Needs a Trim

Deep condition your hair

I’ve said before on this platform that it’s hard to do any type of hair care article and leave the importance of deep conditioning out of it. Deep conditioning is one of the best ways to “baby your ends” because it helps to keep them moisturized which protects them from all of the wear and tear that comes from daily styling and maintenance. In fact, make sure that when you do deep condition your hair that you’re intentional about deeply saturating your ends with your deep conditioner of choice and that you leave the product on for no less than 30 minutes in order to get the most optimal results. If you do this faithfully, you should notice less split ends, every time you wash (and condition”> your hair.

Seal your ends

After you moisturize your hair, it’s really important to seal that moisture in too. Sealing is simply about locking in the moisture that your hair has already obtained with an oil like Jamaican black castor oil or a butter like shea butter. Just make sure that once you’ve applied your “sealant”, that you leave your ends completely alone until your hair has totally dried. Otherwise, some of the product could rub off on your hands and your ends could miss out on the extra moisture that you were trying to give it. While some people only seal their ends on wash day, I sometimes do it once or twice again in between; just to make sure my ends get the extra protection that they need.

Lay off of the heat

While on the quest for length retention, I’m actually someone who has seen better results when I blow dry my hair on wash days than when I don’t. I think it’s because the extra “stretch” makes my hair easier to manage while helping to prevent fairy knots in the process. At the same time, I have to be really delicate when it comes to how I handle my hair during the blow-drying process. I make sure to let my hair air dry at least 50-60 percent first to significantly reduces the chances of it “frying” from the dryer. I definitely make sure to apply a cream-based thermal protectant (cream is thicker”>. I’m also intentional about not going above medium heat. While going hotter might make your hair straighter, what it also does is zap the moisture out of your hair which then makes it so much more vulnerable to becoming super brittle and ultimately fraying. The moral of the story is that with any heating tool, proceed with caution and use as little as possible. The reality is that any time you apply heat, you are subjecting yourself to potential damage. Split ends included.

Keep your ends off of your clothes

One major cause of split ends that I believe doesn’t get enough attention, is that we like to wear our hair out (or down, depending on the length”>. While it’s cute and all, the constant rubbing against the fabric of our clothing can lead to split ends and/or fairy knots (especially when you’re wearing a more “rugged” fabric like wool”>. Aside from the fact that protective styling is a great way to keep your hands out of your hair (more on that in a sec”> and protect your tresses from harsh weather elements (more on this in a sec too”>, it’s also really great at keeping your ends from incurring a lot of friction. So when possible try to keep your hair up off of your shoulders, especially when you’re wearing a fabric that is prone to drying your ends out. A pineapple like @ashlydanielaaa’s above is one cute option to keep your ends tucked up and away. 

Keep your hands out of your hair

There once was a time when I couldn’t stop fairy knots from occurring, and it used to drive me absolutely up the wall. Then I noticed something—whenever my hair was up in box braids, I hardly ever had any. That is because constantly touching and messing with our hair can cause split ends – and let’s be real, we do that more than we should. I don’t know if it’s a stress releaser or we subconsciously think that the more we touch our hair, the faster we’ll feel growth results. But one of the best things that you can do to keep split ends from occurring, is to keep your hands totally out other than when you’re styling your locks. Even then, make sure to use combs and brushes that won’t snag your ends (by the way, if a lot of snagging is happening, that’s another sign that it’s time to trim your ends”>. So opt for a stress ball rather than tugging on your hair if you want to keep your ends intact for as long as possible and avoid the shears. 

Watch the weather

There’s no way around the fact that the weather can lead to split ends too. The summer sun can dry out your hair and there is typically less humidity during the winter which means that your tresses can dry out then as well. So, when you know that you’re going to be outdoors in the sun for a long period of time, consider covering up your hair with a hat. During the winter season, consider sleeping on a satin pillowcase and turning a humidifier on so that moisture won’t get zapped from your hair and your precious ends will remain strong and healthy.

Image Source: @jewejewebee

A YouTube channel that I actually enjoy is nappyheadedjojoba. There are dozens of reasons why, but the reason why I’m bringing the channel up today is because the host of it has a gorgeous head of hair. At the same time, something that she admittedly accepts is her edges are not as full as the rest of her locks are. Sometimes this happens due to genetics (which is what I think she said is the case with her”>. Other times, it’s because we’re not treating our edges and nape (of our neck”> like we should; like they are the most fragile parts of our hair.

If you know that fall into Column B and you’re ready to be more proactive in helping those areas of your head to flourish, I’ve got some tips that, I believe, will totally help you out.

1. Be careful with your protecting styling.

When I’ve got box braids in my hair, you honestly can’t tell me nothin’. I know I’m cute, so just move outta my way. And, while I actually do have a really great braider who is gentle with my ends (which is key”>, I do try and give my hair a break after I’ve worn my braids for 6-8 weeks. While, on one hand, protective styles like braids and twists (and even wigs”> will give your hair a break when it comes to daily styling and manipulation, there’s kind of no way around the fact that they also can add extra tension on the most fragile parts of your hair—your edges and your nape. So, just make sure that when you’re wearing a protective styling that your edges aren’t “snatched” so far back that you look like you’ve gotten a facelift. Even though your edges (and nape”> will look nice for a while, it could result in your hair follicles becoming really weak and you ending up with bald spots. I’m pretty sure you don’t want that.

2. Be careful with “laying your edges” too.

Laid edges. It’s a right of passage for so many of us, but it’s also something that can wear our edges out. Between the pressure that comes from the incessant brushing and the alcohol that is in the edge control product that a lot of us tend to use (and the clogging of the pores that edge control can sometimes cause”>—it’s just not worth it to have your edges totally slicked down 24/7. Styling your edges that way on special occasions or a couple of times a week (preferably not back to back”> is fine. Other than that, be OK with your edges looking…shoot, normal. Baby hairs are called that for a reason. You’re a grown woman now. It’s totally fine for your edges to not be gelled to death. Literally.

3. Oil your edges and nape.

While some naturalistas frown at oiling your scalp (which is where the hair from your edges and nape grow out of, right?”>, I’m a huge fan of it! Not only does oiling (and massaging“> your scalp help it to maintain the natural sebum that is produced from it, but it can also serve as a protective layer when it comes to debris and inclement weather issues (like extreme heat or wintertime snow”> that might try to damage your hair follicles. Just make sure that you go with an oil that doesn’t clog your hair follicles. Some that top the list include jojoba (it soothes an inflamed scalp”>; sweet almond (it moisturizes your scalp”>; clary sage (it stimulates your scalp”>; virgin olive (it nourishes your scalp”>, and grapeseed oil (it relieves an itchy scalp”>.

4. Get regular protein treatments.

Your hair is made up of protein, so it would make sense that you should get protein treatments from time to time, right? This is especially the case when it comes to your edges and nape because they both need protein on a consistent basis. So, how can you know, without question, that your hair could use some extra protein in it? If it feels extra dry, if there’s a lack of elasticity and/or you’re noticing more breakage or shedding than usual. For the record, waiting until these signs pop up isn’t the best approach. You can be proactive about keeping your hair protein-balanced by giving yourself a treatment every six weeks or so. Just make sure to not overdo it. That can also make your hair super dry and literally cause your ends to snap off like twigs.

5. Take a multivitamin.

Did you know that around 31 percent of Americans are deficient when it comes to at least one vitamin that their system regularly needs? That’s problematic, on a few levels. When it comes to your hair specifically, when you’re not getting the nutrients that it needs, not only can it hinder hair retention, it can also cause your edges and the nape of your hair to weaken over time. As far as the vitamins that your hair definitely needs in order to thrive, the list includes vitamins A, B, C, D and E, along with iron (something that a lot of Black women are particularly deficient in”>, calcium, magnesium and zinc. While it’s important to be intentional about eating foods that are high in all of these things, something that can serve as a “back up” is taking a multivitamin. If you need a little help selecting the best one, Prevention has a list that can help you out here.

6. Move your hats and scarves around.

I adore me some scarves and hats. So much, in fact that, other than on a couple of days a week, you’re probably gonna see me with one or the other on my head. I must admit that too much of a good thing can do a real number on your edges and nape, though. For instance, when it came to my scarves, having a knot tied in the same place resulted in some breakage that I didn’t see coming because the knot was putting pressure in the same place, day after day. As far as hats go, the tension from those can rub your edges and nape to death, if you’re not careful too. That’s why, it’s a good idea to take off your scarves, turbans and hats as soon as you get home and, that you try and not position them to be in the exact same spot every time you wear them. The less stress your edges and nape receive from your hair accessories, the better.

7. Wrap your hair up at night.

Friction isn’t our hair’s friend and I doubt there’s a time when our hair experiences more friction than when we’re tossing and turning all night. That’s why it’s so important to “baby” your edges and nape with a little of that oil we already talked about and then to wrap your hair up with a satin scarf at night. Just try and make sure that you don’t tie it on too tight (so that there isn’t too much pressure on your hair follicles”> and that you sleep on a satin pillowcase in case your scarf falls off. If you do all of these things, you should see fuller results with your edges and nape over the course of six weeks or so. Good luck!

How do you protect your edges? Share with us in the comments!

Image:@briciaemilyn

 

Just like it’s important to make certain adjustments to our skincare regimen, each and every time that the seasons change, we actually need to do the same thing when it comes to how we take care of our hair. Now that we are fully into fall, I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the grave mistakes that I’ve made in the past when it comes to my naturally curly tresses, just so that you don’t have to repeat them.

You’ve probably heard before that we each grow anywhere between ¼” and ½” each month. If you want to make sure that you get to retain all of your length during autumn, here are eight mistakes that you should definitely avoid at ALL costs.

 

Not being hydrated enough.

You would think with all of the inclement weather that the fall and winter seasons tend to bring that our hair wouldn’t lack for moisture. Well, that’s partially true. Sure, rain can lead to humidity, but as temperatures drop, cooler air can pull water from the air. Plus, since it is significantly colder outdoors during this time, a lot of us prefer to remain inside. Without a humidifier or switching over to an iconic blow dryer to dry our hair, our locks can end up dry and brittle. One way to get a leg up on this is to stay hydrated. Yes, this should include drinking more water, but during autumn time, there’s also nothing like a cup of warm herbal tea too. As far as the kinds of teas that are perfect for maintaining hair health, check out our article “7 Herbal Teas That Your Hair Will Absolutely Love!”

 

Not sealing your ends.

When it comes to length retention, one of the biggest mistakes that I used to make was not taking good care of my ends. If your hair seems to be plateauing as it relates to hair growth, this very well could be why. One way to “baby your ends” is to seal them on wash day. But another thing that I also do is oil the ends of my hair before turning in every night. One of my personal favorite products is Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil in Rosemary. It’s light enough to where my hair doesn’t feel heavy. Plus, rosemary relieves dry scalp, stimulates hair follicles and increases shine too.

 

Sleeping in flannel.

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely adore cuddling up in my bed with a good book or movie on a cool fall day (or night”>. Although I like how flannel sheets or pajamas feel on my body, they are something that can zap all of the moisture out of my hair. If you’ve got some flannel in your linen and PJ collections, my advice would be to wear flannel bottoms but a different kind of top. And, as far as your bedding goes, keep the sheets but make sure you lay your head down on a satin pillowcase or that you wrap your hair up in a silk or satin scarf. This will give you the best of both worlds. Literally.

 

Using too much protein.

When you’re on the journey to grow strong and healthy natural hair, one of the toughest things to do is find a balance between how much moisture and how much protein your hair needs. As far as protein is concerned, signs that you need more of it, is if your hair feels “gummy” (you know, mushy”>, if it has lost some of its elasticity, if you naturallly have high porosity hair or if you happen to color-treat your hair a lot. All of these are indications that you need to protein-treat your hair about every 4-6 weeks. That said, if you are thinking that all of the extra styling that you’re doing warrants extra protein, avoid the temptation to over-treat. That can result in your hair receiving too much and feeling super-dry and brittle as a direct result.

 

Not deep DEEP conditioning.

Again, since you tend to be indoors more often during this time of year, and there is usually “dry heat” that’s inside, although it’s important to deep condition your hair year-round, it is absolutely imperative that you do it during the fall (and the winter”>. I’m not talking about that run-some-conditioner-through-your-hair-for-five-minutes-and-rinse type of conditioning either. I’m talking about setting aside at least 30 minutes to let your favorite kind of deep conditioner penetrate your hair shaft and then adding a leave-in conditioner once your rinse it out. If you do this every wash day, you’ll be amazed by how soft and manageable your hair will be, no matter what is going on indoors—or out.

 

Forgetting to remove all of that extra build-up.

You’ve probably got all kinds of extra-special functions that are coming up. With that, there will probably be more gels, mousses, edge controls and other styling products in your hair than ever. If you don’t make sure to clarify your hair (which basically means to get rid of product build-up”>, not only could the build-up weigh your hair down and leave flakes, it can also cause bacteria to multiply, it could irritate your scalp, and it could also clog up your hair follicles too. So definitely make sure that on your wash days, you give your hair a clarifying rinse by either applying some apple cider vinegar or giving your natural curls some extra definition by applying a mixture of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. You can learn more about the clay/vinegar combo by watching this video.

 

Eating too much sugar.

As you start to ease into the holiday season, you’re gonna have access to even more sugary foods and drinks. While I’m certainly not one to discourage you from indulging in some hot chocolate or a slice of your auntie’s sweet potato pie, make sure to remember that moderation is key. Overdoing it, as far as sugar is concerned, will not only cause you to pack on the pounds and do a real number when it comes to your energy levels and metabolism, it can wreak havoc on your hair too. How? Well, the long short of it is, when we eat a lot of sugar, it causes our blood sugar levels to increase. Not only does that damage our hair follicles over time, it can lead to moderate hair loss as well. So, enjoy your goodies. Just keep everything in balance, OK? Your hair will certainly thank you for doing so.

 

Not being careful with scarves and hats.

Hats and scarves are cute in the fall. They can also wear your hair out. Between the drying that comes from the materials, the tension that comes from how they sit on your head, and wearing them so much that your hair doesn’t get a chance to rest and breathe—just make sure that your scarves are made out of silk or satin and that your hats are lined with satin too. Also, make sure that at least sometimes you put your hair into a protective style like braids or twists, just so that your ends won’t dry out or snag on your wool hats or the collars of your wool clothing. That way, come springtime, you’ll have a couple of inches to show for all of the fall hair care that you invest into your locks now. Happy Fall, y’all!

Image Source: @himenatural

If one of the hair goals that you currently have is that you want it to become considerably longer over the next several months, then I definitely wrote this with you in mind. While companies literally spend millions of dollars, trying to convince us that what we put on our hair is the key to health and length, the reality is if wour diet sucks, the products we use aren’t going to matter all that much.

That’s why I thought I would take out a couple of minutes to share with you some of the foods that can actually help to play a pivotal role in how strong and long your hair gets. Are you ready to see what to add to your grocery list? Let’s do it.

1. Eggs

Since our hair is made up of somewhere between 80-90 percent protein (the specific kind is keratin”>, that’s why I thought it would be a good idea to start this off with a food that is loaded with protein—eggs. On the overall health tip, eggs are good for you because they are a good source of most Vitamin Bs, selenium and choline. Eggs are also able to raise your good cholesterol levels; can reduce your risk of heart disease; contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that will keep your vision strong, and it is loaded with amino acids too.

When it comes to your hair, eggs are great because the protein that’s in it will help to support healthy hair growth. Plus, the nutrients in eggs will help to improve your hair’s elasticity, improve the texture of your hair, and also help to repair the weakened spots in your hair’s cuticle by supplying it with more protein.

2. Dark Leafy Greens

There honestly aren’t too many things that are healthier for you than dark leafy greens. They’re basically like eating a multivitamin rather than taking a capsule or pill. Kale is loaded with vitamins A, C and K. Collards are an awesome source of calcium and folate. Spinach is also packed with Vitamin K and folate. Romaine is a good source of vitamins A and K. Arugula’s got carotenoids, and turnips are filled with manganese, calcium and folate—not to mention all of these greens have a good amount of iron in them.

Since a lot of Black women are low in iron, and iron plays a real role in hair growth and overall hair health, I’m sure you can see why enjoying a big bowl of greens, at least a couple of times a week, is something that your hair will truly love you for.

3. Sweet Potatoes

C’mon. Is there anything better than a fresh batch of homemade sweet potato fries? Something that consistently tops the list of being a superfood are sweet potatoes because they’ve got plenty of Vitamin A (per serving”> in them, along with vitamins C, manganese and potassium. Sweet potatoes also contain a good amount of copper (which can help to slow down premature greying, by the way”> and antioxidants that help to fight off free radicals. If you’re looking for a food that will keep your gut (where 80 percent of your immunity is”> in good shape, sweet potatoes can do that. Want to maintain your vision? Sweet potatoes can assist with that as well. Also, the anthocyanins (a type of antioxidant”> in sweet potatoes will help to improve your cognitive health, as the beta-carotene in sweet potatoes will work to strengthen your immunity.

Since beta-carotene is also great for cell renewal, consuming sweet potatoes is a wonderfully delicious way to keep your hair healthy while reducing the chances for thinning and breakage in the process.

Image Source: @fris.ee

4. Oatmeal

Did you know that oatmeal is one of the healthiest grains around? A part of the reason why that’s the case is because it’s filled with fiber to keep you regular. Adding to that, oatmeal’s got an unbelievable amount of manganese in it, along with phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron, thiamin and zinc. The antioxidants in it, known as avenanthramides, will help to keep your blood pressure low. And, as an added bonus, oatmeal can help to control your blood sugar levels.

Due to all of the nutrients in oatmeal, it can help to keep your hair soft and manageable. The lipids and proteins in oatmeal can keep dandruff and other scalp irritants at bay. Plus, thanks to the Vitamin B that oatmeal has, if excessively dry hair is something that you struggle with, eating more oatmeal can reduce moisture loss which can ultimately reduce breakage potential in the long run.

5. Blueberries

If you like to snack on blueberries, good for you. They’re also considered to be a superfood, thanks to them being a good source of vitamins C and K, and manganese, antioxidants and fiber. Blueberries are actually so powerful that they can fight off free radicals; reduce the chances of cancer cells developing; fight DNA cellular damage; protect the cholesterol levels in your blood from being damaged; lower your blood pressure, and help to prevent heart disease.

The reason why you should add them to your diet, as far as your hair is concerned, is because blueberries are also able to improve the oxygenation of your blood so that blood circulation is increased to your scalp. The more blood that flows to your hair follicles, the more nutrients they are able to receive and the stronger your hair will become over time.

6. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are great snacks, for a few reasons. For starters, they are both really high in vitamins B and E, along with protein, potassium, calcium, copper, plant iron and zinc. Some other cool things about nuts and seeds is they’re able to help your body to burn energy, they can protect you from getting heart disease and they are super rich in phytochemicals which are a form of antioxidants.

Because many nuts and seeds also contain the amino acid arginine and it is what helps to keep blood vessels in good condition, nuts and seeds are great at increasing blood circulation to your scalp. Also, the zinc in them is essential when it comes to hair tissue repair and growth—which is paramount for gaining inches. So, what nuts and seeds are the healthiest? As far as nuts go, almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans and Brazil nuts are right on up there. On the seeds tip, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds and sunflower seeds are awesome.

Image Source: @wavycurly

7. Red Bell Peppers

Do you like to add red bell peppers to your dishes? If so, whether you realize it or not, this is just one more way that you’re being proactive about your overall health and well-being. Although red peppers consist of 92 percent water, believe it or not, they contain a considerable amount of nutrients too. Red bell peppers have loads of vitamins A, C, B6, E, K, folate and potassium in them. They’ve also got plant compounds which all work together to prevent anemia, improve the condition of your eyes and, thanks to the capsaicin (another plant component”> that’s in red bell peppers, eating them can increase your metabolism as well.

How can red bell peppers help with length retention? The high amount of Vitamin C can produce collagen to support your hair and prevent it from drying out. The Vitamin E can keep your locks moisturized and, there are properties in red bell peppers that can also help to protect you from experiencing hair loss. How cool is that?

8. Fish

If nothing makes you happier than some grilled salmon, good for you because fish is another food that is great for you. It’s definitely high in protein and Vitamin D and is also a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Because of this, the benefits that come from eating fish are numerous. Fish helps to boost brain health. The fatty acids in fish can help to curb depression-related symptoms. Fish can help to reduce your risk of being diagnosed with any autoimmune diseases too. Fish can also help to reduce bodily inflammation and, thanks to the Vitamin D that is in it, it’s been known to improve sleep quality too.

Why it also makes the list of foods that are great for hair growth and retention to become fatty acids lower inflammation of your scalp so that your hair follicles are able to open up and your hair can grow more fully and freely. Plus, since omega-3 is a healthy fat, it can help to keep your scalp from feeling dry, itchy or irritated. So, the next time you go to the grocery store, at the very least, get the ingredients to make a salmon salad. Your taste buds, your hair and every other part of you will be truly grateful if you do.

Know of any foods we might have missed? Share with us in the comments!

Image Source: @sardis.g

There are a lot of myths that continue to fall around about Black women and their hair. If there’s a top one that irks me, to no end, it’s hearing that we don’t grow long hair as much as other ethnicities do. Yeah, that’s a flat-out lie. While genetics definitely play a part and shrinkage (the fact that a lot of us have a tighter curl pattern than other women”> have to be taken into account, the reality is we can grown a long, full and healthy head of hair, just like anyone else (shoot, just go to YouTube and put “4c women with long hair” and have your mind blown!”>. The key is making sure that we do all that we can to retain our hair length once we get it. And just how can that goal be properly and fully achieved. I’d say start with the suggestions that I’ve got for you below.

1. Understand your hair texture.

While your hair grows, on average, somewhere between one-fourth and one-half an inch a month, that doesn’t mean that all hair types and textures are created equal. Matter of fact, if someone were to ask me what the top reason is for why a lot of naturalistas struggle with gaining inches, I would have to say that it’s because either they don’t know what their hair texture/type is or they don’t create a consistent hair regimen that complements it once they figure that all out. If you’re looking at your monitor with a slightly embarrassed look on your face because you can totally relate, no worries. We’ve got articles on our site that can help you to discover more about your specific type/texture. You can click here to learn more about different hair types and here to take a quiz about your hair texture. If you are more of a visual learner, some videos that can offer up some helpful tips are located here, here and here.

2. Stop being a product junkie.

There are literally thousands of hair products out here that promise to give us the kind of healthy hair that we’re after. Problem is, 1″> who’s got a ton of cash to throw around?; 2″> you don’t have enough time, in this lifetime, to try them all; and 3″> based on what your hair needs, certain products can do your own hair more harm than good. That’s why it’s important to resist the temptation to become an all-out product junkie. How do you avoid that? Lean towards products that complement your own hair type (if you need a little help with this, there are YouTube channels that can assist. Go to the site and put your own hair type in, along with the word “product reviews””>. Once you decide to give a certain product a shot, unless your hair immediately “rejects it” (like your hair becomes extra dry or unmanageable”>, try and give the product a good month to see if it compliments your hair. Also, once you find what does work well for your hair, stick with that. After about six months of a little bit of trial and error myself, I have finally found what works for me and mine and it’s super basic. A shampoo bar, a conditioner with some added Chebe powder, a leave-in conditioner and some Jamaican black castor oil. That’s pretty much it. For me, I’ve learned that less is actually more. My wallet is thrilled about it too.

3. Deep condition on every wash day.

For a long time, I used to see deep conditioning as a luxury more than a necessity. Oh, but not anymore! My hair has become so much softer and manageable since I’ve made sure to incorporate this step into my regular hair routine. There are so many reasons why deep conditioning your hair is beneficial when it comes to maintaining hair health and encouraging growth. Deep conditioning is what can keep your hair extra moisturized in between wash days. Not only that but it can also give your locks more elasticity (which reduces breakage”> while adding sheen and providing a protective “coat” to keep your hair from being vulnerable to outer elements (like extreme heat or cold”> that could also result in dryness and potential breakage. For tips on how to properly deep condition your hair, check out our article, “The Dos & Don’ts of Deep Conditioning”.

4. Protect your ends.

When I think of Black women who’ve got inches for days, someone who immediately comes to mind is Seun Okimi (who has a great YouTube channel”>. If there’s one thing that she and so many long-haired naturalistas have in common, it’s the fact that they don’t wear their tresses out all of the time; oftentimes, their hair is in some sort of protective style and then maybe on the weekend, they wear it all out. For years, I used to “whatever” this length retention rule of thumb and I’ll be honest—it wasn’t until I took it seriously that my hair started to make some real progress. The reality is that no matter how much you may want to show all of your hair off, your ends are the oldest part of your hair and the more it’s manipulated with constantly styling, handling and even tugging (due to your strands “catching” on clothes”>, it can cause your ends to become split or even to break. When that happens, you will have to keep cutting your ends so that the damage doesn’t affect your entire hair shaft which prevents you from seeing any real growth. So yeah, finding protective styles that you adore is another way to help your hair to continue to grow with a relative amount of ease.

5. Trim your ends.

It’s one thing to have to put shears to your hair due to damage. It’s something else to do it as a form of maintenance. Trimming your ends is simply a way to make sure that the ends of your hair remains as strong and healthy as the rest of your tresses. How can you know if a trim is exactly what your hair is in need of? If you run your hands up and down your hair and the ends feel rough. If your hair is super frizzy. If your hair can’t hold a style to save its life. If you notice a significant amount of split ends. If your ends are straggly; you know, if they look thinner than the rest of your hair does. If any of this is the case, it’s important to remember that healthy hair should be a bigger goal than having long hair. Clipping an inch or so, even six weeks (or so”> can ultimately result in ending up with several inches that are long, strong and beautiful.

6. Eat foods that nourish your hair.

Gaining and retaining hair length isn’t just about what you do to the hair that’s already on your head; you also need to take care of your tresses from the inside out. One way to do that is by eating foods that will help to keep your hair good and moisturized. How exactly does foods moisturize hair? For one thing, some foods have more water in them. Also, the foods that are high in vitamins A and C, they play a significant role in your scalp and hair being able to get the sebum that they need. So which foods top this list? When it comes to foods that contain mostly water—cucumbers, celery, watermelon, zucchini and lettuce. Vitamin A? Eggs, yellow and orange veggies, fortified cereals, spinach and sweet potatoes. Foods that are rich in Vitamin C include citrus fruits, Brussel sprouts, tomatoes, kiwis and thyme.

7. Massage your scalp.

By the mere fact that they can help to immediately relieve stress and tension, it’s a good idea to give yourself a scalp massage, no less than once a week. But when it comes to encouraging hair growth, there are several other benefits that scalp massages provide. They help to increase blood circulation to your hair follicles (which gives them more nutrients”>. They stimulate the production of sebum to your scalp. They help to strengthen the roots of your hair. They make it easier for your hair’s natural oils to be evenly distributed. Scalp massages can also make your hair more resilient. All you need to do is warm up a favorite carrier oil (coconut, avocado, grapeseed, jojoba and sweet almond oil are all really good”>, one that has a couple of drops of eucalyptus (the menthol will stimulate hair growth”>, lavender (nourishes and literally fights against hair loss”> or rosemary (it’ll help to make your hair thicker”> in it. Then, with your fingertips or a portable scalp massager, gently massage your scalp for 10-15 minutes. Again, if you do this once a week, you should notice real improvement in the quality of your hair within 4-6 weeks.

8. LEAVE YOUR HAIR ALONE.

This final tip will be my shortest, even though I know that it will probably be the most difficult. The more you put your hands or even styling tools in your hair, the weaker that it will become over time. So, unless you are styling your hair for the day or prepping it for the night, please leave it alone. Just simply letting your hair be, as much as possible, can be just what it needs to flourish—so that you can end up with the long and beautiful hair that you’ve always dreamed of!

What are your tips and tricks for natural hair growth? Share them with us in the comments!

Image Source: @mzbiancarenee

When it comes to the reasons why women suffer from hair loss, there is no one (or even five”> simple answers. For some women, it’s hereditary. Sometimes the profound hormonal shifts that transpire during pregnancy and/or menopause can play a significant role. Sometimes it’s due to a medical condition while other times, it has something to do aging. Even stress can be a major culprit. And while there are medications that you can take or apply to your hair and medical treatments that are available too, if your hair loss doesn’t seem major (meaning you don’t have large chunks of hair or huge bald spots”>, but you do seem to be shedding more hair than usual, something that you might want to try are DIY all-natural remedies. Not only are they cost-effective but, if you apply them consistently, you might be pleasantly surprised by the kind of results that you get.

So, are you ready to get onto the path of more hair growth and healthy tresses while you’re at it?

1. Massage your scalp with warm jojoba oil.

Whether you struggle with hair loss, thinning hair or not, one of the best things that you can ever do for your hair and scalp is to give yourself weekly scalp massages. Not only do they help to relieve stress, but they can increase blood circulation to your hair follicles, distribute sebum to your hair shaft and strengthen the roots of your hair as well. This is especially the case if you apply a warmed-up oil to your scalp like jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is awesome because it contains palmitic acid and stearic acids that help to reduce dandruff and itchy scalp; it deeply conditions your hair without leaving a heavy greasy residue behind; its fatty acids work to protect your hair from heat damage, and it’s an oil that also contains vitamins B and C, along with zinc and copper which can help to strengthen your hair follicles. All you need to do is put 1/4 cup of jojoba oil into the microwave for about 15 seconds and then apply the oil to your hair by using your fingertips to gently massage your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes, 1-2 times a week. If you do this regularly, you should start to see results within 4-6 weeks.

2. Make a coconut milk conditioner.

Hands down, one of the best things that you could ever do for your hair is apply coconut milk to it. It’s the kind of milk that is loaded with nutrients like lauric acid (which strengthens hair cuticles”>; protein (which supports the keratin that your hair is made mostly of”>, and vitamins B, C and E, and properties that also support your hair follicles so that hair loss becomes less of an issue. One of the most effective ways to use coconut milk on your hair is to create your own conditioner. You can get some easy tips on how to do that by watching this video here.

3. Clarify with apple cider vinegar.

It’s kind of hard to think of something that apple cider vinegar (one that contains “the mother””> isn’t good for. When it comes to your hair and scalp specifically, it helps to balance the pH levels of your scalp, it contains antimicrobial that help to keep scalp fungi and bacteria at bay, and it even has alpha-hydroxy acid properties in it that will help to gently exfoliate your scalp so that your hair follicles don’t clog up. Plus, if you happen to be someone who uses a lot of product to style your hair, apple cider is one of the best clarifiers around because it will deeply cleanse your tresses without drying them out in the process. One-part distilled water mixed with one-part apple cider vinegar and rinsing your hair after washing it, then letting it sit on our hair/scalp for 15 minutes every other wash day, will give your scalp and hair so much of what it needs in order to heal and strengthen itself.

4. Rinse your hair with licorice tea.

Something that you might not’ve seen coming in a million years is licorice tea. But believe it or not, it’s got a really great reputation when it comes to being an all-natural remedy for hair loss. Not only does it contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that help to bring instant relief to a dry or damaged scalp, licorice is also able to open up your scalp’s pores and strengthen weak hair follicles too. All you need to do is steep two tea bags, let them cool completely and then apply the tea to your hair right after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Allow the tea to sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water (to seal your hair’s cuticles”>.

5. Consume foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Repairing hair and scalp damage is something that needs to happen from the inside out. One way to do that is to consume foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These types of fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties that are able to heal damaged hair follicles, proteins to feed your hair follicles, and properties that help to stimulate blood circulation to your hair follicles. Not to mention that omega-3 is also an oil that is a powerful moisturizer. Foods that are high in this fatty acid include fish, nuts, seeds, flaxseed oil, pastured eggs, spinach and meat from grass-fed animals.

6. Apply some onion juice.

I won’t lie—this isn’t the most pleasant-smelling remedy for hair loss, but it actually is one of the most potent. Onion juice is loaded with protein, amino acids and sulfur (sulfur is actually an element that has amino acids in it”>. Sulfur is really awesome because it helps to promote the production of collagen. When it comes to your hair and scalp health, collagen is what helps to create healthy cells and promote hair growth. However, it’s important to note that if you battle with alopecia, onion juice isn’t a reliable treatment for it. Otherwise, if you’d like to try to see how this all-natural hair loss remedy can work for you, check out this super thorough video here.

7. Oil your scalp with a rosemary, geranium and coconut oil blend.

If you’re looking for a moisturizing hair blend to nourish your scalp, we’ve got the perfect combo. Rosemary is an essential oil that we’re so found of that we wrote an entire article about it (check out “4 Ways to Use Rosemary for Hair Growth””>; a really great thing about this oil is it helps to stimulate the cells on your scalp so that the hair that comes out of your follicles are thicker and stronger. Geranium essential oil is one that’s considered to be a regenerating oil, in part, because it contains the compounds citronellol and geraniol that stimulates your hair follicles’ immunity. Geranium oil also balances the sebum production from your scalp so that your hair is moisturized without your follicles getting clogged up in the process. And coconut oil? Whew…you can check out “8 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Hair” to see why it’s a wonderful carrier oil/base for this kind of hair oil treatment. If you mix all of these together and apply the oil whenever your scalp is feeling dry, you will notice instant relief and thicker hair over time. It’s another great way to restore hair loss so that you can grow strong, healthy, long hair!