May Q&A - Your Hair Questions Answered!
Monday, June 28, 2021Happy Monday, sis!
Great news.
Q&A is back in session and it's a good one. As always, I like to host Instagram Hair Care Question and Answer sessions each month and the questions that I don't get a chance to answer on IG, I answer here on the blog. It's something I always look forward to, so let's get to it!
DO YOU MOISTURIZE AND SEAL EVERY NIGHT OR EVERY OTHER NIGHT?
Typically, I moisturize and seal every other day. But if my hair feels like it needs a slight moisture boost, I will moisturize. Always listen to your hair. If it needs moisture, moisturize it.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR ENDS MOISTURIZED? MINE SEEM TO NEED LOC DAY/NIGHT?
I moisturize using my water-based moisturizer and oil to seal. Perhaps you need to change your method (instead of LOC, try LCO) or the products you are using. I find that doing the LCO method (Liquid, Creme, Oil) instead of LOC locks in MUCH more moisture and you won't feel the need to moisturize twice daily. If you're still noticing extreme dryness, try clarifying your hair and ends using a clarifying shampoo (2x lather), use a sulfate-free shampoo (1x lather), then follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner (zero protein) and see if that helps to restore moisture. Ensure that you are using quality deep conditioners to help restore hydration into your strands.
ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SWIMMER'S SHAMPOO OR SHAMPOO WITH EDTA? NEVER HEARD BEFORE NOW.
Sally Beauty and Amazon.com carries ION Swimmer's Shampoo which is great for removing chlorine build up and mineral deposits off of the hair. It's perfect for pool or beach days.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE CLARIFYING SHAMPOO? REGULAR SHAMPOO AFTER?
Lather 2x/ with Clarifying shampoo (focus on scalp, hair and ends), then follow up with a sulfate-free shampoo - lather 1x. You'll see and feel the difference!
HOW OFTEN DO YOU CLARIFY YOUR HAIR?
Once a month.
IS IT ADVISABLE TO USE DIFFERENT SHAMPOOS IN ONE WASH DAY?
It depends. If I'm clarifying my hair, then I will use two different shampoo's. Otherwise, I stick to using ONE shampoo each wash day.
HOW DO I RELAX MY HAIR TO CORRECT UNDER PROCESSED HAIR FROM MY LAST RELAXER PLEASE?
I haven't done a corrective relaxer at home, however, based on what I've read and seen, you would apply the relaxer to your new growth as you normally would for a touch-up. Your new growth requires more time to process, so tackle that area first. Then, you would focus on the under processed areas by specifically applying relaxer to any area that seems under processed - kind of like a spot treatment. Smooth the relaxer on those specific areas - as needed - until you've reached your desired straightness, rinse, neutralize etc.
DO YOU HAVE AN OUTLINE REGIME OF YOUR WASH DAYS AND RELAXER DAYS?
Everything I do is here on my blog!
BONNET OR NO BONNET? SORRY BUT I REALLY AM CURIOUS.
I like double security, so I rock my satin scarf AND bonnet to bed - you won't catch me outside with it though :) LOL
CAN YOU RECOMMEND SOME MOISTURIZING LEAVE-INS?
Sure. Grab a pen and jot these down:
Creme of Nature Moisture Recovery Leave-in
As I Am Leave-in Conditioner
Shea Moisture Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Leave-in
Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-in
TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-in
WHEN DO YOU BLOW DRY YOUR HAIR?
I rarely blow dry my hair. I only use heat when I'm freshly relaxed and at that point, I skip the blow drying step and go straight to flat ironing. I don't see the need for double the heat. However, I may try blow drying instead of flat ironing when I'm freshly relaxed - I'm curious to see the results.
WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU LIKE FROM MIELLE?
I love the Mongongo Oil Hydrating Conditioner - Protein Free. Amazing and smells divine.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU DO A PROTEIN TREATMENT?
I use a light protein every other week.
PROTEIN TREATMENTS (EX. APHOGEE 2 STEP VS. ORS HAIR MAYO) WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
I don't use hard protein treatments like Aphogee 2 Step. I had a horrible experience with it years back and I refuse to relive it. I prefer ORS Hair Mayo because it provides great strength and softness to my hair.
WHAT TYPE OF MOISTURIZING DEEP CONDITIONERS DO YOU RECOMMEND?
There's so many great ones:
TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask
Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner
Aussie 3 Minute Deep Conditioner
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hair Mask
As I Am Hydration Elation
DO YOU DC EVERY WASH DAY AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU WASH YOUR HAIR?
Yes, once a week - faithfully.
WHAT'S YOUR ABSOLUTE FAV HAIR MASK ONLY ONE PICK?
TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask!!
BEST MOISTURIZER - PROTEIN FREE?
For me, As I Am So Much Moisture Hair Lotion.
DO YOU SELF-TRIM?
No, I go to the salon for trims.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RELAXED?
Since grade 6.
THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, MANY NATURALS HAVE BEEN REVERTING BACK TO RELAXED HAIR? WHY SO?
I made a video about this back in 2020 when I first noticed the trend. Based on the comments that I receive - almost daily - many naturals are fed up of the endless detangling, long wash days, lack of length retention etc. Too, many were unaware of how to properly take care of their relaxed hair, years back, so naturals are revisiting relaxed hair as more healthy hair care information is now available. Honestly, I'm loving the growth of the Relaxed Hair Community right now!
HOW LONG DO YOU STRETCH YOUR RELAXER?
Usually 10-12 weeks.
AFTER I MOISTURIZE MY HAIR ALWAYS FEELS SO WEIGHED DOWN - ANY TIPS?
It could be the moisturizer or the amount that you're using - maybe the product or your application is too heavy for your hair type. If your moisturizer is too heavy, opt for light moisturizers, perhaps even a leave-in conditioner i.e. As I Am Leave-in, TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave-in etc., and a light weight oil i.e. grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil to seal, would be best. Also, try spacing out your moisturize and seal sessions - every other day or every 3 days.
WHAT IS THE LONGEST YOU HAVE STRETCHED YOUR RELAXER?
14/15 weeks was the longest I've stretched my relaxer.
HAVE YOU EVER USED THE MANE CHOICE BOOSTING KIT?
Never tried it.
IS IT OKAY TO LEAVE ON A PROTECTIVE STYLE FOR LIKE THREE WEEKS MAX?
It depends on the amount of manipulation. For example, if it's box braids for 3 weeks, I don't think the protective style is worth it for that short duration of time. You're better off using a wig.
DO YOU CONSIDER BRAIDS A PROTECTIVE STYLE, WHEN STRETCHING RELAXERS?
Again, it depends on how the braids are installed, the size, the tightness etc. Some protective styles can do the exact opposite and cause a setback rather than encourage length retention. Overall, braids are a great protective style but be cautious of how the braids are installed and amount of manipulation required for it. Safe and effective protective styling is key!
WHAT SHAMPOOS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
Keracare Hydrating and Detangling Shampoo
TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo
ORS Sulfate Free Shampoo
As I Am Long and Luxe Strengthening Shampoo
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
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