Q & A

Q: Is hair shedding the same as hair breakage?

A:   No, there is a big difference. Shedding is natural and is all a part of your hair cycle. The life span of every hair strand on your head is between 2 to 6 years. So, it is possible to shed between 60-100 old hairs per day. Hair sheds from the ROOT and hair sheds in long strands of hair. So, if long strands of hair are coming out your hair, then that's normal.
       However, hair breakage occurs at your HAIR ENDS and is noticeable. Your hair ends is the oldest part of your hair. Our hair ends usually break because they are dry, damaged, and not taken cared of. So,when you comb your hair and see little tiny pieces of hair in the comb and in the sink, that's not hair shedding, that's hair breakage.

Hair Budget Tips

 Hey BHC! Even though, it's a recession, women are still not hesitant to spend a lot of money at the hair salon. Now, I'm not saying there's something wrong with that, but there's nothing wrong with trying to save money too. Here are a couple of  tips to help you save money and how you can skip some salon trips.
  Tip#1 - Try Student Services: Whether you want a hair cut, style, or color, every now and then, consider going to a cosmetology school. Don't worry, licensed cosmetologist watch over the students as they style your hair. Hair services are a lot cheaper too.
  Tip#2 - Color Touch Ups: Every 6 weeks, new growth starts to show again. Let's think, if a hairstylist can learn how to do our hair, why can't we? While doing a color touch up, make sure you put a protective gel around your hair line and ears. Wear gloves, follow all the instructions, and keep track of time.

Hair Tip Of The Day!

 Apply a protein treatment to your hair every month. A protein treatment helps stop severe hair breakage. It hardens your hair so your hair can become stronger. This is very important to apply to your hair because remember, if our hair keeps breaking, then our hair will never gain length.
  I use Aphogee's 2 Step Protein Treatment. Step 1 is the protein treatment. Step 2 is the balancing moisturizer. The balancing moisturizer is really good to use after a protein treatment because it softens your hair. I apply a protein treatment to my hair every month before I deep condition my hair.

Hair Tip of The Day!

  There are two types of conditioners which are instant conditioners and deep conditioners. Instant conditioners are the ones you put in your hair, then rinse out in 2 minutes. They appear as if they did something to your hair but really does nothing to improve the condition of your hair. A deep conditioner is what you should use instead because they contain protein that strengthens your hair and ingredients actually work into your hair shaft to increase scalp circulation. This leads to hair growth. Also, they provide lubrication for our dry hair.
   After shampooing hair, squeeze off excess water out your hair with your hands. Put deep conditioner on hair and rub your fingers through your hair. This evenly distributes the deep conditioner through hair. Put on a plastic cap and sit under a hood dryer for 20 minutes. Heat causes hair shaft to swell open so the ingredients can work into the hair. Without heat, the deep conditioner won't be able to fully work in your hair. Rinse conditioner out afterwards. After rinse, apply a leave in conditioner to hair to soften and detangle hair. Then apply a hair moisturizer while hair is still wet to lock in moisture. Air dry or blow dry with the dryer on medium or cool and style hair afterwards. A deep conditioner should be applied to your hair once a week.

Black Hair Types

Whether you're all black or mixed, all black hair is naturally curly. All black hair types have their own curl size. You can notice what type of hair texture you have when you finish washing your hair. When hair is wet, curls stretch out. But as black hair dries, it absorbs water. Hair then turns kinky ( tight curl state). Here is a list so you can know your hair type.

Type 1 - Hair is naturally bone straight with no curl pattern. Hair flows and shines. White people tend to have this hair. Hairstyle for hair type = Can flat iron and create more sleek shiny hair.

Type 2 - Hair is naturally wavy. There are different types of wave patterns and are categorized as 2a, 2b, and 2c. 2a - fine wavy, 2b - medium wavy hair, and 2c - thick and coarse wavy hair. Some hair styles for hair type = Can wear it naturally wavy. Can blow dry or flat iron hair straight. Up top is a picture of singer Chilli from TLC. She has type 2a hair. Picture from: http://newyorkcharityblog.files.wordpress.com/

Type 3 - Hair is naturally curly. Hair has a tighter curl state. Hair type is categorized as 3a, 3b, and 3c. 3a - looser curl pattern, 3b - tighter curl pattern, 3c - more tighter curl pattern ( may appear kinky). At times, hair can be hard to straighten. Some hair styles for hair type = Can wear hair naturally curly. Can blow dry or flat iron hair straight. Here is a picture of actress from My wife and kids show, Jennifer Freeman. She has type 3a hair. Picture from : http://www.perfectpeople.net/

 Hair is naturally coarse and coiled. Hair may appear tight and strong but hair is really fragile. Tends to break easily and more prone to damage. This hair is the driest and is categorized as 4a, 4b/c. 4a - looser coil shaped hair and 4b/c- tighter coarse zig-zag shaped hair. Some hair styles for hair type= afros, cornrows, twists, braids,and flat ironing. Here is a picture of singer, Macy Gray. She has type 4b/c hair. Picture from: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/

I have type 4b/c hair. So what type of hair do you have? Don't be shame lol

Protective Hair Styles

Protective hair styles are good when you're trying to prevent hair breakage, split ends, hair damage, and the continuous use of heat. If you continue to wear your hair in protective hair styles, your hair will grow. It is especially good for women who have shoulder length hair because you will be preventing hair from causing friction against your clothes. Some protective hair style options are hair buns, micro braids, hair weaves, wigs, fake pontails, and cornrows.

Rocking The Hair Trend : Half wig

A halfwig is a wig that covers half of your head. It gives you a natural look because all you have to do is leave some of your real hair out in the front and blend it in with the halfwig. Make sure you straighten the hair you left out in the front. Apply some hair polish to hair so hair will easily blend in with wig. In minutes, it will look as if you just got a good hair weave. Halfwigs come in handy if you're not ready to wear a full wig or lacefront. Here's comedian, Monique rocking the hair trend.

Picture from: http://hotspotatl.com

Hair Tip of The Day!

No Hair Brushes! Did you know that brushing your hair causes your hairline to receed? Back in the day, there used to be this myth going around that brushing your hair 100 times a day can increase blood flow leading to hair growth. Well, that's not true. Brushing harms the hair. Did you ever feel discomfort when somebody brushed your hair? Well that's because the hair brush was actually pulling out your hair. No, hair brushes should be used, this also includes wig brushes. Hair brushes especially the ones with the bristles should never be used to get the kinks out. That's what a comb is for. You should have 2 combs: a standard small teeth comb and a wide tooth comb. A comb with small teeth is for daily combing. A wide tooth comb is for combing hair after washing your hair, so you won't easily pull out hair.

Black Hair Recipe

Egg Shampoo Recipe: Yup ladies, eggs are not only a good protein to eat but also good for our hair. They also add shine to hair. I know this idea sounds gewy but again it's a good protein for hair.

What you will need: 1 egg, 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of your shampoo of choice, 1 tsp of vegetable oil.

Directions: Whisk the egg throughly and then add it to the shampoo, water, and vegetable oil. Pour mixed ingredients into a empty water bottle. After using shampoo, store it in the refrigerator. This shampoo lasts for 2 weeks.

Hair Tip of The Day!

The key to maintaining length to your hair is to protect your hair ends. Hair ends are the oldest hair on your head. If you don't protect your hair ends, your hair will never gain length. One of the sad things about black women is that some of us don't think that our hair grows. Our hair does grow, but since some of us don't protect our hair ends, of course our hair is going to look as if it is not growing. Black hair grows 1/2 inch each month just like other races. We just have to realize that our hair is the driest especially our hair ends. That's why we have to protect all of our hair ends throughout our entire head. We have to constantly moisturize our hair and hair ends daily, limit heat styling, and wear protective hair styles. Stay posted for my next post on protective hair styles to try.

Essence Music Festival 2010

I know I'm kinda late for posting this but here are some pictures of celebrities that performed at the Essence Music festival. Here is a picture of Janet during one of her killer performances that night. Oh by the way, I know this is off topic, but she did one hell of a job in Why Did I Get Married Too? You go Janet lol  Picture from: http://www.harobaro.com/

                        

     Here's Mary. Love the outfit.

 Alicia Keys looks so beautiful pregnant. And if you are still wondering, I watched the Essence Music Festival and no she did not fall. To me, there is nothing wrong with performing while pregnant. It just shows you how talented she really is. Picture from:  http://projectduh.com/I officially like the hair color on Keri Hilson. Picture from: http://fashionbombdaily.com/

Here's Gladys Gladys lol. Gladys Knight also gave an incredible performance. Picture from: http://gumbumper.com/

Hair Product to try for Hair Edges

Ladies, this is the hair tool to use instead of running a pressing comb through your hair edges. It is called the R Session Runway Series, RSR-734RS, Ceramic Root Control Styler 1/2" Barrel & Pressing Comb Duo, 1, Black Rubberized & Red. Tool is used to straighten the roots of the hair. Unlike the intense heat from a hot comb, this tool protects the scalp from iron's high heat while straightening hair roots. Tool can be used all over head.

Q & A

Q: Does non-satin pillowcases cause hair breakage?

A: No. Hair breaks because it is dry,damaged,brittle, or dull. That's why a lot of people tell you if you're not going to wear a satin scarf to bed, sleep on a satin pillowcase. Satin pillowcases are silky and they prevent hair from easily breaking.

Let's Talk : The In Styler

Picture from: http://www.la-story.com/
The Instyler has been talked about for a while now. It claims that it works on all hair textures to straighten, curl, and style hair...I don't know. I'm still skeptical. Has anyone tried it? Did it really straighten your hair? Did it really curl and style your hair? Let us know.

Hair Tip of The Day!

 Always apply a leave-in conditioner and cream moisturizer to your hair when air drying your hair. This is very important because air drying your hair without putting anything on it will make your hair feel rough and hard to comb through. Applying a leave-in conditioner will soften and detangle your hair while air drying. Applying a cream moisturizer will lock in hair moisture to prevent hair dryness preventing hair breakage. Also, while air drying your hair, comb your hair every 5 minutes with a wide tooth comb to prevent hair from tangling. Or if you prefer not to use a wide tooth comb, run your fingers through your hair every 5 minutes.