The Beauty Thesis : hair care

Showing posts with label hair care. Show all posts

It pains me to see people being counterproductive. For example, there are women natural and relaxed that are feeling bad about their edges. It's all well and good when we joke about having our "edges snatched" but take it from me, when your hairline has density behind your ears, it's quite humbling.
Let me share a few things so others can learn from my trials and tribulations.

Stop laying the edges down. When you Spackle your hair down and brush it so it's intertwined with your skull and then tie a wrap around it so tight your brain is seeping through your ears, you are cutting off circulation. It's very hard for the blood to flow from your heart to your head when it's so constricted. Try getting one of those hand massagers

for massaging temples!

you can find them in the skincare aisle or any chemist/drugstore.
Stop with the heavy pomades on your edges. The hair at your nape is softer and breaks easily. Much like the skin on your face, it gets clogged. Be gentle and use a lighter oil. Pumpkin oil is good for hair loss. There's also Castor, Coconut and several other oils. Use what's best for you.
Be aware of the cleansers you use on your face. We aren't born with a perfect circle for a face so it is worth noting that our temples are subjected to the harsh ingredients used to wash our face. This doesn't require a regimen of concealing your hair with a shower cap to wash your makeup off or cleanse your face, just be aware and look for dryness or brittle spots that may be a result.
Be patient! Watching and stressing about your thin hairline will only cause you stress. Watching grass grow would be faster because we get very obsessed and anxious about our hair. Protective hairstyles, hydration, circulation, nutrition, and a few weeks of tlc and your edges will grow. If mine can, so can yours and I was a hot mess. I still have a long way to go, but straight edges and kinky hair? Right.

I have baby hair and side burns....oy!

Grow Your Edges Back!

by The Beauty Thesis on 1:17 AM

It pains me to see people being counterproductive. For example, there are women natural and relaxed that are feeling bad about their edges. ...

red hair cool skin tone

I've been asked about my hair color many times. Even though I color it often, my hair doesn't want to remain jet black. I now know it's because of my mum. She's a ginger. As a result, my hair has a lot of red hues which force themselves into an appearance far too soon.
I've never understood the disdain for redheads. Gingers have no souls (CopperCab) aka and why are they always labeled "step child?" Blonds have fun, Brunettes are exotic, but if you have read hair you're somehow an outcast. Personally, I find red hair to be gorgeous. Natural redheads especially! In America there aren't a lot of natural redheads about, but in European countries as well as people of Celtic origin red hair is common.
If you are considering the transformation, read on...
Make sure you know your skin tones/undertones. Nothing looks worse than a warm color on a cool face and vice versa. It's not uncommon to fall into a neutral category or have surface redness, but don't get too caught up in the intricacies. Speak to a licensed colorist. Do your homework and read, research and ask questions. Read reviews, contact the Better Business or licensing in your town before your appointment. No changing your hair color should not be so difficult, but many people start having a long term hair war due to poor chemical processing. Hair can become dry, brittle and dull. Yelp is a great place as well.
Even natural redheads lose their bright coppery locks to an auburn over time.

I liked the original Victoria better but the hair is lovely!

Red hair is the hardest to maintain. I don't know of any color that is resistant as red. Each day it fades and with each wash, it loses it's initial pigmentation. There are things you can do to prolong your color, but make no mistake, you will have to work to keep the intensity of the color. Professionals also have access to better products to color your hair in addition to skill, knowledge and expertise (do your homework).
Should you choose to do so on your own, take some precautions:

Buy a good at home color kit, if you can go to Sally's
Ensure you really want to change your hair permanently or go with a demi
Know the condition of your hair prior to change if it's damaged work on that first!
Purchase products for deep conditioning chemically treated/colored hair
Do a strand test before going all the way.

red hair with warm skin tone

Have someone help you apply the hair, I've seen some go quite blotch (no bueno). You want to ensure even and thorough coverage. The great thing about hair is it's always growing. You can always start over, but once you've dyed it permanently, despite all the stories, the only way to undo it is by cutting the hair off.
Good luck!
xoxo

So, you want to be a "Ginger" eh?

by The Beauty Thesis on 5:57 PM

red hair cool skin tone I've been asked about my hair color many times. Even though I color it often, my hair doesn't want to re...

Wouldn't it be nice if we all had hair like Rapunzel? I don't know that I would have some man using it to climb up a tower, but yeah. We don't and neither did she. Granted, there are those people who are genetically gifted with thick, long and strong hair. The rest of us? Duh! We buy it! There used to be a lot of shame and embarrassment surrounding "fake hair" but we got over it, and now, like false nails, hair is no exception. Sure, there are many, many naysayers, but that's their opinion and sure their entitled but likewise you don't have to listen to them.
Many people don't really know what their doing when they buy hair from what I've observed. I'd like to give some suggestions and then follow up with some advice on caring for the hair.
First, make sure you have researched the type of hair you want to purchase. Synthetic? Cheap, but looks like doll hair. It's made from synthetic fibers, and isn't heat resistant *unless specified* Synthetic hair holds its shape well, but there aren't many options, and don't expect to get months of wear from them, even with the best of care you will eventually have a tumbleweed. It will matt, tangle and frizz up no matter how expensive the products you use are. This leads me to the next point. Do not waste money on expensive products if you have synthetic hair! There was a lady bragging about how much she spent on her "synthetic wefts." Sometimes you just have to let people feel they are all knowing. I've been there so, I didn't fault her. Too bad that Pureology had no chance of doing anything to that synthetic fiber. She would have been better if she had washed her "purse dog" with that ~~shit~~ stuff.
Now, when you get to the human hair, you become a small fish in a huge pond. There are so many types of hair but the most common are: Indian Remi, Yaki, Virgin and Virgin Cuticle. Depending on your own hair's texture it will determine what's most natural in terms of blending. The good thing about human hair, is that you can customize it. It can be permed, colored, relaxed, and flat ironed. The best hair, in my opinion, is virgin cuticle. This is hair that has not been treated at all. You know when you donate hair and they don't want processed hair. That's an example of virgin hair. The cuticle intact helps to prevent frizz. The unattached hair is good, but because it isn't aligned (same direction) it's more susceptible to tangling, which means shedding.
How you care for your extensions should mirror how you take care of ~~your~~ healthy hair. You will wash, condition, deep condition (microwave+plastic bag+deep conditioner+essential oil) and seal the hair shaft.

(you too can have this hair)

Tips and Tricks:

Detangle the hair with a large tooth comb prior to washing.
Wash the hair ONLY when necessary (product buildup, dirt, sweat).
Don't manipulate the hair when you wash it. Use a basin and swish the hair around.
Baking soda is a good method of cleaning extensions due to product buildup.
Never put the hair in the microwave longer than 30 second intervals. Check before adding more time, and don't leave unattended (uh-oh!)
Use cold water to rinse your "hair" and let the water run in the same direction of the hair. If possible, don't use hard water.
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture! The hair is not attached to a scalp, so it won't get any oils, so whatever products you use, make sure there is adequate moisture or you will see the demarcation where your hair and the dry hot mess attached separates. Not a pretty look, but it happens.
Air dry whenever possible. Use a hanger, some clips or a hanger for slips/skirts and let the hair air dry. If you plan to curl or straighten, this will be beneficial in ensuring less damage and split ends.
Don't buy hair just because the store clerk said "Everyone in Hollywood..." Secret? It all from China, India, etc. Some hair isn't even what it's sold as. Try going to this forum. This is grad school for extensions. There isn't a trick, technique, brand of hair that they don't know about. *Warning* Civilians must have thick skin here. Lurk, learn, log off.

Remember, it's just hair, it doesn't define you, you wear the hair not the other way around. Life is too short to think your hair is all you have. Sure it sucks having alopecia, baby fine hair or just stagnant growth, but there's help and alternatives. Confidence is always beautiful!
xoxo