Throughout my hair journey, I've discovered a couple techniques and methods, that I swear by, when it comes to retaining length. Retaining length is probably one of the hardest goals to achieve. I've come across many ladies who are convinced that their hair doesn't grow, but the truth is, your hair will forever grow, you're just not retaining length!
Below are 4 key factors that have contributed to my length retention. They are simple tasks that anyone can incorporate into their hair regimen.
1. Moisturize - Extremely essential in any hair care regimen! Hair that is dry and brittle will snap and break off, thus leading to shorter hair. Hydrated moisturized hair has elasticity, so when stretched (due to manipulation i.e. combing, brushing, etc.) it will return to it's original state, without breaking off. Sealing moisturized hair with an oil (applying a dime size amount of oil on the ends) locks in the moisture into the hair. Highly textured hair tends to be very porous (moisture escaping the hair quickly), therefore, sealing helps prevent the moisture from escaping the strands. The natural oil (olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil etc.) will help improve the shine and pliability of the hair. Moisturizing and sealing should be done daily!
2. Protect - Protect the hair! Reduce hair manipulation/combing, cut back on heat use, or keep the hair up and off of the shoulders. Incorporate buns, braids, clipped up/updo's, weaves, wigs etc. into your regimen. Keeping the ends protected from the elements is essential for hair health and length retention. I suggest protective styling 5-6 days out of the week. In the category of protection, wearing a satin/silk scarf, satin/silk bonnet or sleeping on a satin/silk pillow case prevents dryness in the hair. Cotton tends to suck the moisture out of the hair. Dryness = breakage = shorter hair.
3. Low Manipulation - Leave your hair alone! They say "when you comb your hair often, it's as if you are giving yourself a hair cut, each time". Put down the comb, hot comb, flat iron, blow dryer and just let your hair be. The less you do to it, the better. Try finger combing, that way you don't loose hair unnecessarily. If you need to detangle, use a wide tooth shower comb to do so, but finger detangle first. In a week, you should detangle from root to tip 2-3x max! Finger comb in between. Also. opt for styles that require no heat i.e. buns, braid outs, twist outs etc. Give your hair a break and it will thank you for it.
4. Deep condition - At least once a week! Deep conditioning is essential in any hair regimen in order to have healthy hair. It prevents dryness, frizz and breakage. Deep conditioning restores strength and elasticity making the strands more resilient. Strong hair = less breakage = length retention. Deep conditioning is best done with heat (heating cap, steamer, hooded dryer) for 20-30mins or 1hr without heat. Heat allows the cuticles to swell open, thus allowing the conditioner to penetrate the strands and nourish the hair from the inside out.
Overall...
Be consistent!
Have patience :)
Below are 4 key factors that have contributed to my length retention. They are simple tasks that anyone can incorporate into their hair regimen.
1. Moisturize - Extremely essential in any hair care regimen! Hair that is dry and brittle will snap and break off, thus leading to shorter hair. Hydrated moisturized hair has elasticity, so when stretched (due to manipulation i.e. combing, brushing, etc.) it will return to it's original state, without breaking off. Sealing moisturized hair with an oil (applying a dime size amount of oil on the ends) locks in the moisture into the hair. Highly textured hair tends to be very porous (moisture escaping the hair quickly), therefore, sealing helps prevent the moisture from escaping the strands. The natural oil (olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil etc.) will help improve the shine and pliability of the hair. Moisturizing and sealing should be done daily!
2. Protect - Protect the hair! Reduce hair manipulation/combing, cut back on heat use, or keep the hair up and off of the shoulders. Incorporate buns, braids, clipped up/updo's, weaves, wigs etc. into your regimen. Keeping the ends protected from the elements is essential for hair health and length retention. I suggest protective styling 5-6 days out of the week. In the category of protection, wearing a satin/silk scarf, satin/silk bonnet or sleeping on a satin/silk pillow case prevents dryness in the hair. Cotton tends to suck the moisture out of the hair. Dryness = breakage = shorter hair.
3. Low Manipulation - Leave your hair alone! They say "when you comb your hair often, it's as if you are giving yourself a hair cut, each time". Put down the comb, hot comb, flat iron, blow dryer and just let your hair be. The less you do to it, the better. Try finger combing, that way you don't loose hair unnecessarily. If you need to detangle, use a wide tooth shower comb to do so, but finger detangle first. In a week, you should detangle from root to tip 2-3x max! Finger comb in between. Also. opt for styles that require no heat i.e. buns, braid outs, twist outs etc. Give your hair a break and it will thank you for it.
4. Deep condition - At least once a week! Deep conditioning is essential in any hair regimen in order to have healthy hair. It prevents dryness, frizz and breakage. Deep conditioning restores strength and elasticity making the strands more resilient. Strong hair = less breakage = length retention. Deep conditioning is best done with heat (heating cap, steamer, hooded dryer) for 20-30mins or 1hr without heat. Heat allows the cuticles to swell open, thus allowing the conditioner to penetrate the strands and nourish the hair from the inside out.
Overall...
Be consistent!
Have patience :)
We’ve been sharing tips to help you
prep your tresses for the season’s change on our Facebook page, but have you
been paying extra attention to your skin as well? It is the largest organ on
our bodies after all! Here are some great ways to make sure your skin stays
consistently beautiful, the T.I.L. way!
Co-owner
Tropic Isle Living
1.
Cut
your shower time: While hot showers
can be relaxing (and the drop in temperature can make a nice long steam session
even more tempting) to avoid unduly drying out your skin, use lukewarm water
and keep them short. Instead of using a soap or shower gel with harsh, drying
detergents (and unnecessary perfumes that can cause itchiness)-try an all
natural oil or cleanser, like or new line of Bush Bath and Shower Gels. They’re
available in 4 luscious (all natural) scents: Cerassee (with Chlorophyll and
other natural oils to leave your skin clean, soft, and smooth), Lemon Grass
Mint (for a relaxing, therapeutic experience), Island Spice (for a warm,
Caribbean experience without even leaving your bathroom), and Ginger (stimulate
your senses, draw out toxins, and relax your muscles).
2.
Exfoliate
Regularly: Make sure to do it gently! As the
temperature drops outside, the heating systems indoors will be working
overtime, which can be devastating to your skin (they tend to suck all the
moisture out of the air). Try adding some sugar to one of our gels to make your
own custom exfoliating scrub and use it twice a week to slough off dead skin.
3.
HYDRATE,
HYDRATE, HYDRATE! : After bathing DO NOT
rub your skin dry with a towel, gently pat dry and leave your skin damp. Skin
absorbs moisture better when it is wet; right after the shower is the perfect
time to add a rich moisturizer. We suggest our Khus Khus Body Butter (with
Jamaican Black Castor Oil).
4.
Hydrate
(this time from within): You can’t have
great, healthy skin without a great, healthy diet! Make sure you’re eating a
diet rich with leafy greens, and colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as
drinking enough water (you need at least eight glasses a day).
So now there’s no excuse to let your
skin become anything less than beautiful, regardless of what the weather is
like! Just follow these simple tips, and you’ll be on your way to being a
healthy, beautiful you, the natural and traditional T.I.L. way!
Lois Reid-HinesCo-owner
Tropic Isle Living
Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Edge Control vs Creme of Nature Perfect Edges (Video)
Product Review Monday, October 15, 2012Hey everyone!
Here is my video comparing both the ORS Olive oil edge control verses the CON Perfect Edges. I love these products and I use them equally, however, there are pros and cons with both products.
Enjoy!
Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion - Ingredients Changed!
Hair Health Monday, October 08, 2012
Promises: Quenches Dry, Thirsty Hair. Provide Long-Lasting Softness and Shine. Excellent for Permanent Waved and Natural Hair.
Directions: Apply the desired amount of lotion into palm of hand. Apply evenly throughout hair, massaging thoroughly. Gently comb through the hair and style as usual.




