The main secret that helps my hair retain moisture during the summer months is the usage of glycerin-based products! I know some may hate it and some love it, but for me, it is the best moisture-enhancing product for my relaxed strands.

The Benefits
Glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid that is hygroscopic and a humectant in nature, meaning when used on the hair, it attracts moisture from the air into the hair. I remember the beginning of my hair journey when my sister first introduced me to glycerin. She stressed how much better her relaxed hair felt after using it, but I was always skeptical because I thought it was for texturized or curly perms. I remember days when my hair was so dry and thirsty it broke off in clumps on a regular basis. I tried everything from water-based moisturizers, butters, to oil based moisturizers. Nothing cured my excessive breakage. I never thought relaxed hair could benefit from glycerin and boy was I wrong!

Hydrated Strands
Once I was introduced to glycerin-based products i.e. moisturizers, leave-ins etc., my hair made a 360 degree change. My breakage minimized substantially, my hair felt moist for once and my hair looked and felt hydrated from the inside out. My hair was happy and so was I! Finally I found a product that worked for my thirsty relaxed strands. I’ll moisturize my hair in the morning, with my glycerin-based moisturizer, and throughout the day, my hair retains moisture easily.

Softer Hair 
My hair feels soft and hydrated with each use. Glycerin helps to draw moisture from the hot humid air right into my strands…all day long. Not to mention, it’s exceptional for my new growth, while stretching my relaxers, as it literally melts my growth making it manageable.

Summertime is the best time to go light not only for your clothing, but also your hair. Who wants weighed down, stiff hair? Not me! Go light and never look back.

Don’t Get Weighed Down 
In the summer, I notice that my relaxed hair responds well to oil mixtures that contain lighter oils like coconut oil, grapeseed oil or sweet almond oils. These oils are lighter in consistency preventing the hair from being weighed down and feeling sticky. Not only do lighter oils promote shine and seal in moisture, but it also helps to give your strands a break to breathe. Using heavy oils such as castor oil or shea oil may suffocate the strands making the hair clump together, feel greasy and weighed down in the heat.


Try Avocado Oils 
I like to use light oils such as avocado oil, olive oil and coconut oil as part of my hair treatments in the summer. Avocado oil acts as a natural SPF for the hair and olive oil is a natural conditioner that adds elasticity.

Add Oils to Conditioners 
Before I wear summer braid-outs, I always use conditioner to wash my hair for extra hydration. While my hair is damp, I spray my leave-ins and then I seal my ends with a light oil mixture. This concoction ensures my braid-outs come out super fluffy, soft and defined.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. Says Light Oils Are Best For Relaxed Hair

We all know that chlorine in pools is so harsh it strips the hair of its natural oils and moisture. What's more, according to Hair Foundation, chlorine “causes severe damage to hair keratins. Thus, chlorine in the swimming pool can both lighten and weaken hair.” Relaxed hair is even more susceptible to keratin damage, as the hair fibers have already been chemically altered. Over time this can cause excessive dryness, increased porosity and breakage.

Before you jump in the pool here are a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned to help protect my relaxed hair from unnecessary damage caused by chlorine and saltwater.

Soak Before Jumping In 
I’ve learned that hair is like a sponge; it will only absorb so much. Before I enter the pool, I saturate my relaxed hair with clean water; at this point my hair is less likely to absorb the chlorinated/salt water.

Apply Product Before Entering 
When I apply a thick creamy conditioner before jumping in it helps to block the absorption of chlorine and saltwater into my hair. Pre-conditioning restores moisture into my hair so it doesn’t feel dehydrated. For extra measures, I’ll seal my hair with oil for added protection.

Shampoo Immediately Afterwards
Immediately after existing the pool or beach, I flush my hair with clean water to help remove the chlorine and salt water from my hair. Take your time, the more thorough you are, the better! Once my hair reaches a certain level of softness and manageability, I proceed with a rich deep shampoo and conditioner to nourish my relaxed strands.

Be sure to check out the original article over at ESSENCE.com | Straight Talk: Hairlicious Inc. Offers Ways to Protect Your Hair From Salt and Chlorine This Summer

• Unrefined/ Not filtered
• Potent with nutrients
• Thicker in consistency
• Tend to be dark green
• Holds/retains moisture 

Be sure to look out for those darker oils that appear "greenish" in colour (Olive oil, Avocado oil, Grapeseed oil etc.)  Your hair will thank you!

Warmer weather is lovely, but for some it can be a complete hair nightmare! With warm weather comes humidity that causes unwanted fly-aways. Damaged hair cuticles often have a dry, brittle, dull appearance due to its inability to retain moisture, and that ultimately leads to frizz. But, fear not. Here are a few ways I learned to manage my relaxed hair.

Porous Hair 
My hair is very porous (meaning permeable to water) so I had excessive tangles, breakage and poufy hair in the early stages of my hair journey. Using a sulfate-free shampoo and deep conditioning on a weekly basis has really helped to reduce dryness and control the frizz

Avoid The Sun (For Long Periods of Time) 
It's hard, but I don’t expose my hair to the sun for long periods of time during the summer months. Heat tends to dry my hair out so I avoid it as often as possible.

Use Acidic Leave in Conditioners 
Another method I swear by is using an acidic leave-in conditioner to help close the lifted hair cuticles that allow moisture to escape the hair shaft. Products with aloe vera juice, citric acid or lactic acid allow my hair to lay flat, smooth and frizz free.

Use a Cotton Shirt For Drying
I always dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt as opposed to a towel. Rubbing my hair while wet with a towel can rough up the cuticles causing tangles and frizz once my hair dries.




 
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