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Xoxo

Hey hun! 

I received this question from one of my Instagram followers this week and it's a great one to share here on my blog as I know many are probably wondering the same thing.

Finding your holy grail products can be an exhausting task! But only through the process of trial and error are we able to find our 'tried and true' products.

Now the question is, "how will you know when your hair likes a product?"

As simple as this question is, the answer is a little complex.

Sometimes, when we try new products for a few days, it can be hard to 'hear' what our hair is saying to us. But if you pay close attention to the appearance and feel of your hair, you will begin to 'listen' and act accordingly.

It really boils down to results! The results you receive when you try a particular hair product.

For instance, if you try a moisture based product that claims to 'hydrate, smooth and moisturize damaged strands' yet every time you use it your hair appears dull, dry, rough, and you notice breakage! Chances are your hair does NOT like that particular product. No need to repeat the process, sis.


Is this product doing what it's intended to do? How does my hair look after using this product? How does it feel? How does my scalp feel? Is it clean? Is there any product build up on my strands or scalp? Has my breakage decreased? Has my shedding decreased?

Mini hair assessments, pre and post product usage, will allow you to understand your hair better and what it likes! Below are the 5 signs to look out for when trying to figure out if your hair likes a product.

5 Signs Indicating Your Hair Likes A Product:

1. Increase In Moisture Levels - Soft moisturized hair is a big indicator that your hair has responded well to a product. An easy yet effective way to tell if your hair is 'moisturized' is by touching it. Your hair will feel much more manageable, soft and slightly cool-to-the-touch indicating that moisture has been locked in to the strands. Nothing like a product that effectively hydrates the hair!

2. Less Breakage - It's important to know that breakage is inevitable, it will happen. However, the focus needs to shift to ensuring it doesn't go out of control or happen often - minimizing breakage is key! Wait a few days after using a product to see if you notice a change in the amount of breakage you receive. If you notice far less breakage, then you normally would experience, then you know that the product is working to restore balance in your strands. Less breakage equates to length retention over time!

3. Less Tangles - If you notice less tangles, knots and matting - after using a haircare product -  there's a 99% chance that your hair is responding positively and it's a keeper! Less tangles means less friction between your strands. The cuticles are laying flat as they should! Less friction leads to less breakage. 

4. Increase in Shine - Shine in the hair is a result of closed cuticles, which means your strands are sitting at the right pH level to effectively lock in moisture. Closed cuticles reflect light; therefore, your hair will give off a sheen/shine after using products that your hair loves. If you notice a subtle shine/sheen to your hair after using a certain product, it's a good thing!

5. Calm Scalp - Scalp irritation and sensitivity is no fun. Using a product that causes itchiness, dryness, flakes, soreness or even shedding is a big indicator that it's not for you. Your scalp is the foundation of your hair, so keeping it in tip-top shape is crucial for healthy hair growth. An easy way to assess if a product is working for you (and agrees with your scalp), is if your scalp is displaying the opposite of everything I mentioned above. No, honestly!  If a product is in fact working, your scalp will be calm, hydrated, clear of any flakes, no excessive itching, and free of build up etc.

Again, pay close attention to how your hair is looking and feeling after using new products. Don't ignore the signs and cues your hair gives you. Always listen to your hair!

New Year. New Hair Dryer.

Still in shock! 

Quick back story...

Late last year, my Gold N Hot hooded dryer of 10+ years cracked in half. It was done. The end. To Be honest, I sensed it was coming. It was pretty much on its last leg. It was such a chore to use on wash days. I would forever be struggling to open it and when it was open, I would fight to prevent it from collapsing. 

Hot-mess wasn't even the word - okayyy?!

Regardless of the antics I went through, it always had a special place in my heart. That dryer was one of the very first hair tools I purchased when I started my hair journey. It's been there since day ONE.  

So it's kinda bitter sweet.

Now, the hubs definitely had his eyes and ears open to the hair dryer tragedy that went down and surprised me with this beauty. Not only was I shocked that he picked out a professional dryer but when I asked him "how did you know to pick this particular dryer?" he said "I looked it up on Long Hair Care Forum". 

Sis. 

I was floored (it's the research, time and thought for me!).

Beyond gratefulll.

Alright, let's get into this dryer shall we...

This pro-1028 professional hair dryer from lclbeauty.com sits on wheels for mobility and is equipped with an adjustable height. It heats up to 165 degrees. There are 3 knobs at the top of the dryer that allow you to control the time, temperature, and speed of your drying/deep conditioning session. Not to mention, it was a simple set up. It literally took him less than 10 mins to put together.

One of the main features I already love about this dryer is the timer with automatic shut off. No more using the timer on my phone. I can sit back and relax without counting down the time or struggling to hear the timer go off because of the loud Gold N Hot vent. If you know, you know.

Of course, I had to turn on the dryer (just to see what it's like) and I must say it's MUCH quieter than the Gold N Hot hooded dryer - which is a huge plus. Also, the air flow is pretty powerful so the heat circulates very well. If I'm not mistaken, I think there's a 'cool air' setting too - perfect for heat free drying.

As you probably already know, I'm super excited for wash day! Who knows, I may even attempt a roller set someday with this kind of machinery. LOL. Who am I kidding though?! But at least the option is there *wink*.

So in terms of deep conditioning heat sources, I have: my steamer, heat cap and now my hair dryer.

Welcome to the fam♡