Want To Maintain Natural Hair

I’ve been pretty open about my natural hair journey, however, it’s taken over 10 years for me to get a grasp on the basics. From detecting scalp drying ingredients on product labels to detangling without pulling out balls of hair, I learn something new everyday about maintaining and styling my thick curls. But if you’re ready to leave behind chemical relaxers and heat styling tools to sport your natural hair, I’ve gathered professional advice that will save you time, money and stress.

Michael Lupo, Carol’s Daughter marketing director, talks below about transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, being heavy handed with products and handling breakage. And scroll down to our slideshow for celebrity inspiration on how to style natural hair.

The first mistake is using too much product. When we change anything about our hair, we always panic, buy a ton of extra styling products and put it all on. Our hair ends up looking greasy or weighed down, so we end up washing our hair too frequently which just dries it out. Be extra judicious with products. You can always add a little more as you go.

Many people are fascinated, yet often frustrated, with the manageability challenges of their new growth and want to go back to relaxing. The first six to eight months of growth are not their true natural curl pattern or hair texture. Their scalp and follicles are still healing, so they need to do everything they can to make it through this "scab hair period" and into your true hair texture. Once they’ve made it through this patch, they’ll have softer, more manageable and even curl patterns.

Curly hair is the driest hair type so no matter how you’re wearing it, you need a really great leave in moisturizer. Most women say they "know" about moisturizing, but stop with rinse out conditioners, hair oils and treatment masks. You need a leave in to ensure hair stays super hydrated.

Can you explain a few of the hair styling issues that generally occur when transitioning to or simply maintaining natural hair?

The further you get in the process, the more breakage you’ll notice since you’ll be continually applying more stress to your already weakened hair.
http://www.tedhair.com/wigs-c-16.html You’ll need to treat your hair with extra care and try techniques that put a lot less heat and stress on your strands. To get your hair straight: Try setting your hair in rollers and going under a hood dryer, but lower the heat and sit a little longer. Also, you can try a wrap foam and use the "Doobie" method, again sitting under a hood dryer or overnight. To wear your hair curly, use two strand twists or Bantu knots, instead of curling irons.

Believe it or not, if your hair is about shoulder length, this is the period that it is most vulnerable to breakage. When your strands are constantly brushing against your shoulders, friction will do its nasty work and the clothes you are wearing, particularly cotton, will sap the moisture from your ends and make them more prone to breakage. Since you’re aware of this problem, you have two really simple options: You can use extensions to have your hair lay past your shoulder or, the best option, try some fun updos where your hair is twisted, braided or pinned up in different styles that never let your hair fall into this problem.

What types of hair products and ingredients should women with natural hair look out for?

You need incredibly moisturizing products that strengthen hair. Olive oil, monoi oil, shea butter, cocoa butter are perfect for this purpose.

Any additional words of wisdom for natural hair beauties?

The first is actually before you transition. Do your research, read about the different ways you can go about this transformation and figure out which one is best for you. If you don’t want to do the "Big Chop," that’s fine, but maybe wearing hair extensions or braids feels more comfortable than doing two strand twist or Bantu knot styles. You want to pick a path you feel most comfortable with so it’ll be that much easier for you to stick to.

The second is that you need to experiment and be okay with it. You’ll need to be ready, willing and able to start wearing you hair in styles you’ve never done before and playing with new hair accessories throughout the transitioning period. The more open to experimentation, the easier you’ll be able to adapt to your new hair texture.

Hairstyle and color trends for Spring 2015

Hair is one of the easiest and fastest things to change when it comes to refreshing your look for a new season. Sure you can get new clothes, or try a new lip color but nothing compares to a brand new haircut.
hair vendors So if you’re feeling yourself caught in a fashion rut, or are ready to update your spring look from head to toe here are some really cool hairstyles to check out for Spring 2015.

Photo courtesy of Hairstyles Design

Embrace your natural texture this spring. Got a head full of curls? Let them run wild and free! This spring we’ll see more and more women loving their natural texture of hair and going with it instead of being a slave to harsh treatments and heating tools.

Love accessories? Don’t be afraid to mix and match a few up in your hair. If you’ve never been a fan before, this is the season to try them out. Whether you chose leather, flowers, metal pieces or accented jewels it all good to add a few ornate accessories to any look to dress it up.

The bob gets an update this spring, just take cue from Coco Rocha. Her most recent hairstyle is one that is a geometric bob with blunt cuts on the ends and bangs. Be wary though, this isn’t a hairstyle for everyone, so before you opt for this look weigh in the texture and feel of your hair. If you have straight or fine hair then this cut is for you.

What to go even shorter than the geometric bob? This is the time to do it then.

Everyone loves the 70s this year according the fashionistas everywhere so why not opt or a 70s inspired hairstyle? Try some feathered bangs instead of blunt ones. When getting them cut make sure that they are shorter in the front, and then taper out on the sides.

Speaking of the 70s, boho waves will still be chic and trendy.

Ponytails are every girl’s go to hairstyle when they’re in a hurry or didn’t have time to wash their
wholesale wigs hair. For Spring 2015, ponytails take on a chic look whether chic and sleek or low and elegant. Don’t be afraid to experiment with ponytails either by incorporating knots, simple twists, plaits and braids.

If you’re more of a sleek and polished gal and not a fan of ponytails, it’s ok. That’s what simple buns, chignons and knots are for. This spring though, experiment with different types of buns like a ‘sumo knot’ that was seen on the runway of Carolina Herrera.

Bedhead continues to rule! The only difference this spring is that bedhead looks more natural instead of a created, somewhat forced look. It’s all about taking what you already have and elevating it a notch.

Tons and tons of layers, called levels, is making its way into beauty salons everywhere. For this look, envision really short layers on the top working its way downward. It’s a great look for woman who don’t like to rely on lots of styling products, so if you have straight hair this look will work for you. If you don’t want to go full on layers, a few choppy layers with plenty of volume is another alternative.

On the opposite track of levels, there are invisible layers. Invisible layers is for women with long hair who don’t really want to lose their length but want to update their style. Instead of going with face framing layers, stylists can now create layers by dry cutting the hair and adding carious lengths throughout the entire head. This way your hair stays long but natural flowing.

If you’re all about embracing your natural texture and curls, this is the time to take them that extra step and create magnificent updos and looks. Don’t be afraid to create fun and interesting shapes with your textures. What you choose to do with your naturalness is all up to you and it’s all good!

Remember the shaggy look? Well, ladies, it’s back! For all the hard rocking, edgy ladies out there, Spring 2015 has a look for you. The androgynous shag a la Mick Jagger for its wash and go adaptability will be a big hit for the ladies who are tired of constantly blowing out their locks and want an easy peasy hairstyle.

Another look for the wash and go girl? Slicked back wet looking hair! Didn’t think you’d see that one coming back did you? Seen on the runways of
facebook besthairbuy Thakoon, Alexander Wang and Temperley, its all about embracing your sporty yet feminine side by slicking your straight hair back and just letting it hang loose.

If you’re a girl who loves her blowout, don’t despair. Spring 2015 has big sexy blowouts for you reminiscent of Hollywood bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. It might be a bit time consuming with having to using lots of rollers to set the hair properly, but it’s all worth it in the end.

Tired of your hair color? Say goodbye to ombre hair, put balayage on the back burner and instead try the ecaille (tortoise shell) method. With ecaille you get a slightly richer and darker version of your natural hair color paired with golden highlights and lots of shine. It’s a more sophisticated version of ombre and incorporates some balayage around the front for a super hot new spring color.

For brunettes who just want a change of color without a lot of processing ask your stylist for foodie colors like salted caramel or chocolate truffle shades. For blondes, platinum and titan blonde is the color of the season. If you like red then go for it! Oxblood is a great color for spring as well as auburn and copper. The hottest color though is purple. We’re not talking about crayon box purple (although that is an option) but shades of purple that cover the entire color spectrum from icy white lilac to purple maroons and deep dark purple blacks. This is a shade that can be worn by just about everyone and depending what shade you go with, it’s a work friendly color to try out.

There’s no time then no to give dip dyed hair a try. Dark hair looks great with shades of dark royal blue, brown hair goes well with sea green and of course pink for blonde hair. For the more daring try an ombre of two colors like turquoise into a mint green or a cotton candy pink into a lilac. As the weather gets warmer, icy and pastel hair colors will become more prevalent like silver gray, pale lilac, mint green, steel blue and cotton candy pink. Go for it if you dare!

No matter what your fashion sense is or what your hair texture is, there’s a look for you this spring. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Remember it’s just hair and it’ll grow back before you know it!Christia M. Torres is the mother of two hipster girls who are always on the cutting edge of the newest and latest products for women of all ages.