Invisible part sew in (no glue)

Using this technique is the best solution to achieve the desired effects of having an invisible part with out using hair damaging  glue.   Hair glue became popular in the early nineties with all the fads and convenience of having longer and or fuller hair instantly.  It was a quick fix, but a hair killer.  I always have considered hair weaving twisting and braiding an art.  It's not something that has only  been around for years, it has been around since black man has walked the earth.  Although many people know the art such as myself not many people practice it.

Invisible part with a sew in is done by braiding the hair  and also including the part in the desired location. Then sew in the hair just as you would when starting a weave.  The front is where you would switch up to include this technique because you want to make sure all the tracks are covered and the part looks natural and not too spaced out.   Watch this video to see how its done.

Baby hair

I have decided to start this post after a client of mine asked me what did I put on my son's hair.  Well she wasn't the first person to ask.  However what actually made me decide to create  this is because on the separate occasions I had different types of oil in his hair.  I don't like putting anything in his hair with harsh ingredients like alcohol and sulfates.  So to be on the safe side, I tend to stick to natural oils.  People don't like to use shea butter too much because of consistency.  What I do is mush the shea butter into an empty water bottle and then I would add extra virgin olive oil to smooth it out.  Next I would shake it up real good until it is liquidity, not too running, but like lotion.  I don't even buy lotion, I use this concoction and the next oil I'm about to mention which is pure coconut oil.  Here in the states coconut oil caught on real good over the last few years.  But I learned about coconut oil from a former client of mine in 2006.  She told me she gets hers from the Caribbean store we have here in town.  On this particular day when I was doing her hair, I told her that I like the coconut grease from soft touch, and she told me I should use the pure oil that you cook with.  I was like hmmmm.  Good idea.  So ever since then I was hooked.  No matter how many products I buy, the main ones I always have in my collection is shea/ olive oil and organic coconut oil Here is a picture of my baby.

As you can see he has curly African American hair, so I have to be gentle because it is delicate.

Here is a picture of my daughters.  I have been using coconut oil on their hair since they were a baby too.  I find that shea/olive is too heavy for their hair.  Their hair texture is more fine and straight/wavy.  The best coconut oil to use is organic, which I too use on my hair amongst the other many hair products for black women that I use, especially when I straighten it with a blow dryer and flat iron.  I love what it does to my hair, how it feels.  I love the high luster and a little goes a long way.   

African Braid Shops, Bad Business?

Did you all know that in Killeen braid shops are popping up everywhere in town?  That's fine, the problem is, in many of these shops they are getting over not just by ripping customers hair out but also  because the only licensed operators are the owners.  I just found out by a reliable source that they have their family members which are not licensed and do not even have papers to work in this country, assisting in helping to service customers, which in the state of Texas is a big no no!You must have a valid braiding license to touch anyone's hair in a place of business according to Texas law.  We have a right to defend our selves speak up and tell them "You don't have to braid my damn hair so tight!".  Now, when I see ladies that have been victimized by the African braid shops, it then becomes my business.  I have to be the bearer of the bad news and tell them that the damage is permanent or will take a long time to grow back.   It's kind of similar to those people seeking out someone to enlarge their butts only to end of very ill and even dying because the person in operation injected these desperate people (they all were not women) with FIX A FLAT and sealed wound with CRAZY GLUE!! I CAN NOT stress enough that if they are braiding your hair and it is hurting to the point that you wanna crying (because if you're crying it's too late)YOU need to tell them to STOP!!  Because I'm going to tell you this- it is only going to get worst.  Look at the photo below- beautiful huh? NOT!!  The good part is you can sue them and win! But the bad part is we never take that kind of action, but live with the consequences and give them the opportunity to do the same to someone else.  In my opinion- I can't let someone in my hair that can't stand where I'm from. Im just saying That is just crazy! Are we that desperate in Killeen.  Where I'm from we don't even go to Africans,( I learn my skills from my aunty in the hood) I mean really does it mean that much to us to get our hair done to only end up bald at the top and all around our edges?

Is this attractive to you?

Why would you pay someone to do this to you?

Why would we pay someone to do this to our hair?  the main cause of traction alopecia is too much tension on the scalp cause by the operator.  So tension is the main cuprit.  It upsets me that we let it go this far.  I know we have many responsibilities that sometime we are to busy to worry about our hair.  But to neglect it?  I am so appalled at the audacity these shops have, to continue to ignore the many complaints of their customers.  We have to take control and stay in control, have better self image, better self esteem, know that our hair is apart of us and to respect it!  Our hair very is delicate and we have to be gentle with it:-)

MSM changed my hair texture

Okay, here I go again talking about MSM, I always mention this to my clients that are looking for a solution.  I'm not going to go all scientist here.  I just want to state the facts and show why women  get MSM and take them at least once a day FAITHFULLY! You will see the results almost instantly. As I stated before I love MSM! I take mine in pill form, other people take it in powder form.  MSM stands for methylsulfonylmethane (METH-əl-sul-FON-il-METH-ane) and provides sulfur, a vital building block of joints, cartilage, skin, hair and nails, and methyl groups, which support many vital biochemical processes in the body, including energy production. MSM is a naturally-occurring nutrient found in small amounts of many foods.  With all the good benefits of MSM it also comes an added bonus. In a nut shell.  It does wonders for the hair including a good aid in growing hair.   My nails already grow great but that's an added bonus  and also what I have noticed is my hair texture has change very noticeably.  It's soft and more defined not so frizzy and my curl pattern went from tight curls to a looser curl and wavy pattern. I am amongst those that take MSM faithfully,  I guess I will have to continue to educate women about the benefits of MSM.  I'm on a mission because I care and want to see all women with beautiful hair.

A Foodie for Good Hair

Don't eat this don't eat that! this is good for you, this isn't!  Gosh I mean really as much as I would like to eat organic and all natural all the time.  It just isn't always available.  I guess they figure if you really want to eat good you would go out of your way, pay good money and get little for a lot, or starve! ha.   I am serious about my hair and skin, but I will go thru the drive thru of Mcdonalds at least once a week for the kiddos and sometime while waiting in that long line, I think about ordering a salad or just a smoothie.  However half way to order, I am half way in between healthy and the big mac.  I would then order the fish fillet meal with a unsweet ice tea.  What can I say, sista loves to eat!I  At least I got the fish instead of the big mac. So anyway I went and got the flax seeds and oil.  I have soy powder sitting in my pantry that I don't know what to do with.  I am hoping one day I will remember to get the rest of the ingredients to make my red bean sherbet that I usually from Omart ( oriental market)

yummy!

I also have tapioca pearls, lots of jello, beets for my juicer to juice with my carrots.  I love that drink.  I think I need to invest in that ninja juicer. Isn't that the one that Montell is the spokeman for in the infomercial?  Yeah cause I have that big bulky Jack Lalanne juice man juicer.  That was the ish when it first came out until I bought it.  I was like no way in hell will be going thru that cleaning process every day let alone twice a day!  Oh but I'm tracking, I always ask someone I see with long beautiful hair "what do you eat" and take mental notes.   I know some people I ask that are of a different ethnicity from me look and think to their self "black people don't grow long hair.  UM EXCUSE MEEE!!!

 

 And yes it's all hers and relaxed too!

So before anyone speaks they need to not think ignorant!  Anyway, so at one time I was obsessed with the mamey that I even wanted to grow the tree to harvest fruit.  A tender in 8b climate zone here in Texas? Ha... That's a gas and was a waste of money.  So I got real excited when I found the fruit at our local super red neck market only here in Texas.  I was so happy, mamey sapote is packed with antioxidant poly-phenolic compounds which help prevent cancer and heart disease.   Oh there is this purple yam.  If you have tried a taro boba drink then you have tasted the purple yam.  I don't know why they call if taro drink but any who.  This is what it looks like

It's good and good for you

 

They make all sorts of treats with this yam for its distinctive color. You go ube!!

The purple yam also known as the ube is very popular in Hawaii and with my husband getting stationed in Hawaii, I get sample some delicious the tropical cuisines.  Yummy!  Can anyone say SEAFOOD GALORE.  I'm in need of some good sea food.  Central Texas sucks when it come to FRESH seafood.  No I have to get  beach  ready and my hair on point, haha!  It's late I wish I could go on.  But I just can't.  I think I will start adding quotes from Buddha.  I will end this post on this note:  Hair will radiate with good health starting with a good diet.  As someone that has been doing hair for many hairs, I can read someone by the head.  I can tell if they are mentally or physically ill.  Take good care of yourself within and your body will thank you by blessing you with beautiful hair  And while eating healthy think out of the box.  Don't be so boring get exotic, you'll stick to it!;-). 

What Castor Can do for Your Hair

Castor Oil for Hair:  A popular hair growth oil is the Jamaican Black unrefined applied to roots and scalp regularly.  Keep reading to find out more.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil is the best kind to use for your hair.  You can typically find castor oil at any grocery store or drugstore.  You may remember getting castor oil as a child as a regular daily supplement.  I sure do and I don't have pleasant memories of it!

But, castor oil is a wonderful oil to use for hair treatments and the benefits to your hair are astounding and well worth it.

However, if you have difficulties in finding jamaican castor oil in a drugstore, you can check out online retailers to get the purest form of this oil.  The reasoning behind looking for black castor oil is to have an unrefined oil.

Using the unrefined or purest form of castor oil for hair will ensure that you get the best results because the oil is still closest to its natural state.  The color will typically be darker and the scent will be much richer.  It generally does not have a scent.  Now, let's find out the benefits of this oil.

Benefits of Castor Oil

• Castor oil contains Omega-9 fatty acids which help moisturize the hair and the scalp preventing both from becoming dry.

• Does castor oil help hair grow?  It sure does.  Regularly applying castor oil to your scalp and roots to eliminate dry hair and promote regrowth of hair within months. It will also help to thicken hair that is thinning out.

• Helps reduce and prevent damage.  Also can hide the appearance of damage while trying to improve your hair's health leading to thicker, fuller hair over time.  

• You can also experiment with adding some castor oil to your conditioners for a deep conditioning treatment.  You'll have to experiment with the amount of castor oil to use to avoid greasy hair.  I would start off with a small amount like a teaspoon or less.

• Castor oil is versatile in that you can mix it with other oils to still receive the benefits but avoid the super-thick consistency.  Try mixing it with sweet almond oil to make it a lighter oil that is much easier to spread and gives it a nice scent.

• You can also experiment with castor oil for hair on your ends. This rich, thick oil will help your ends becomes shiny and hide the appearance of frizzy, damaged, and split ends.  Over time, as you trim damage away, you'll notice your hair won't develop split ends as easily. Since it is so thick, you may want to mix it first.

Unique Hair and Exotics Looks Around the World

I love hair and unique looks so I'm gonna share some from around the world. 

Japan

Taregami

The taregami hair was a product of the Heian period. According to the British Museum, this period marked the rise of courtly culture centered around nobility and the end of Chinese influence on Japanese culture. The Japanese noblewomen began wearing their hair as long as possible without binding it. Long, flowing hair was considered the height of Japanese beauty during this time because noblewomen were expected to remain sedentary most of the time. The novel "The Tale of Genji," written by a Japanese noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu, describes women wearing the taregami hairstyle.

Chonmage

With the decline of the Heian court came the rise of the samurai military class, who took over Japanese culture. The Kamakura, Muromachi and Sengoku periods, or height of the samurai class from 1194 to 1600, saw simpler and more practical hairstyles. The distinctive hairstyle of the samurai was the chonmage, or topknot. Several varieties of chonmage existed, ranging from the simple Chinese-inspired ponytail half-loop topknot to the mitsu-ori, or a topknot folded forward onto the head. The mitsu-ori was popular during the late 16th century. In the 21st century, the only common wearers of the chonmage are sumo wrestlers.

Shimada

With the unification of Japan in the early 1600s came the rise of civilian culture. One of the most distinctive cultural figures of the Edo period was the geisha, or hired entertainer/artist. All geisha wore their hair in one of several hairstyles collectively called shimada. The most commonly seen hairstyle is known as the momoware, or split peach, and is worn by apprentice geisha known as maiko, according to Beauty and the Bath. The momoware is a high bun that splits in two along the middle.

Brazil 

I would like to have more to say about Brazil and traditional style,   However I Chose to post the women with the tignons.  Made me think of Carmen Miranda- MAMÃE EU QUERO.  

It was the mandatory head-wear for Creole women in Louisiana during the Spanish colonial period, and the style was adopted throughout the Caribbean island communities as well. This headdress was required by Louisiana laws in 1785. Called the tignon laws, they prescribed appropriate public dress for females of color in colonial society, where some women of color & some white women tried to outdo each other in beauty, dress, ostentation and manners.

In an effort to maintain class distinctions in his Spanish colony at the beginning of his term, Governor Esteban Rodriguez Miró (1785 - 1791) decreed that women of color, slave or free, should cover their heads with a knotted headdress and refrain from "excessive attention to dress."

Panama

The traditional women's costume of Panama, the "pollera," would be incomplete without the intricately decorative hairstyle. There are three types of pollera: the pollera de gala, for special occasions; the pollera montuna, for everyday wear; and the pollera de boda, or wedding dress. Each of these traditional costumes is topped with appropriately elaborate hair ornaments.

 

France

 ( well the French braid and roll) I liked this picture because if you look at the lady's hair is the back, it touches the ground....wow!!

                                                                   The West Indies

Rastafarian Dreadlocks often come to mind when mentioning the West Indies.  The reason I added the white lady with the locs is to show that not only do they where locs as a culture in the West Indies(particularly Jamaica) they also where them as a fashion statement around the world as well.

Polynesia/ Melanesia- I wanted to post them together to show the diversity in the South Pacific.

India

It always amazes me how dark Indians can be and how straight their hair is.  

Australia

Aborigines have beautiful hair, thank God for the hair right? I mean if it wasn't for their hair... well that's all I will say about that lol. 

The things we do for health and beauty.  It all fascinates me. Someone would call me vain but I am no more vain than someone that goes to the shop faithfully to get their hair and nails done or puts on make up.  I call what I do "celebrating beauty" and me addressing the "dos and don'ts"

HENNA,CASSIA,INDIGO, ALMA OH MY!

Damaged hair can be the end result of frequently using heated styling tools. Hair coloring, perming and relaxing can also render you hair dry, lifeless and dull. Once your hair is damaged, it can be a challenge to bring back the bounce, body and luster. Henna is a natural way to deep condition and repair some of the damage, making your hair healthy, shiny and full, reports The Henna Page.

Henna

Henna is a plant that grows in Egypt, Sudan, India and Pakistan. Women of these countries were the first to use henna to keep their hair healthy, reports The Henna Page. Henna stains your hair red but if you mix henna with other plants, such as indigo, buxus, cassia or alma, the stain will range from dark black to light brown, reports the Mehandi website. Perform a patch test to your arm before using henna to see if you have an allergic reaction to it.

Neutral Henna

Neutral Henna, known as cassia obovata, grows in Egypt and Nubia. When powdered cassia is mixed with water and applied to damaged hair, it may make your hair thick, full, glossy and healthy. If cassia is mixed with an acidic solution, such as orange juice instead of water, it may stain your light hair a blonde to golden color, reports Henna for Hair.

Indigo, Alma and Buxus

Indigo is a plant that will stain your hair a deep, rich auburn color when mixed with henna. If indigo is applied to your hair after the henna is rinsed out, it will stain your hair black. Alma, a fruit, adds gloss and curl to damaged hair when mixed with henna or indigo, reports Henna for Hair. Buxus, also a plant, will stain your hair brown when mixed with henna or dark blond if mixed with cassia, reports the Mehandi website.

How Henna Works

Henna works by penetrating the hair shaft and binding to the keratin protein bonds. Henna strengthens and smooths the cuticle, thickens your hair and makes it resistant to breakage. Henna contains hennotannic acid, a natural astringent that tightens the surface of your scalp and strengthens the follicles grasp on each hair, reports Henna for Hair.

Use Only Pure Henna Products

Only use pure henna products. Some henna products contain metallic compounds that may react badly with ammonia in synthetic hair dyes, resulting in fried, brittle hair, green hair or even worse, melting your hair.

How to Henna Your Hair

Mix powdered henna with vinegar or lemon juice in a glass bowl. Using a plastic or wooden spoon mix until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes. Cover with saran wrap and allow it to sit over night. The next day apply the henna to dry clean hair, thoroughly saturating all of your hair. Cover your hair with saran wrap or a plastic cap and allow the henna to stay on for a minimum or three hours or overnight. Rinse out the henna with warm water and then end with a conditioner to get all of the henna out of your hair, reports the website Mehandi.

Livestrong.com

My Hair Journey

It's been so long since I've posted on my blog. I have been doing a lot since my last post, which has been like what seems like forever! With a new baby and no longer working on a full time basis allows me the time to do a lot of other things that I like, including coming here to share what some of my hair passions and remedies that I had to discover and not talk so some much about the business. The biz is the biz but it's not why I do hair. I do it because I love to do hair! I am steadily traveling this journey called life. While not only discovering my true self but also what is truly working for my hair lol. My hair business have never failed me if anything I can say there are many of time that I didn't have time for my many clients. But the two things that have always remained is I'm a true entrepreneur to the heart and the many challenges I go thru with my own hair. I've done a lot of research on hair care, hair growth and products for my clients and myself that it's mind blowing. The education and knowledge that is out there is endless. So many of my sisters do not understand the importance to have the want to learn about our hair and the threat it poses to our pocket books to not have this knowledge. I mean there is youtube, personal websites and forums. I think we should be walking around here with hair down to our butts if we so choose. Yet many of us still rely on weaves and what these Koreans tell us whats good for our own hair so we can continue to fill their pockets. I have discovered some unconventional remedies for my hair texture. I know that people would say its a no no to leave conditioner in your hair as a styling product. But I have to say "it works for me". It softens my hair and allows my oils to penetrate better without just laying on the top, but the magic is my hair growing due to the fact that is isn't breaking with I comb it. I have been going natural for some time now, and I have to say that it has not been easy. I have been very tempted to relax it but not anymore. I love my hair! I should not want to change my strand structure at all. But it's not for everyone. I would not encourage it unless you are willing and truly really ready to invest in your hair. I'm not just talking products, I'm also talking "TLC". Our hair is very delicate and we have to be very gentle. Although we can find good products that make it easy to care for kinky hair. We have to keep in mind that all hair is not alike,obviously. A true straight hair strand is round(I'm not talking permed hair by heat)ie.. Caucasian hair. Most of us with African ancestry have either oval shaped or flat strands of hair, or both. The curlier the hair the more flat shaped the strands are. Oval hair is wavy.. bellismo! I love wavy hair it is so soft and appealing. I know I shouldn't judge it that way. But real talk lets be honest it is very attractive
However my favorite is natural curly, I fall closer to the curlier side.
Now let's talk supplements. On doing some research on the different vitamins and hair potions and lotions that are out there. The one that stood out to me the most was MSM. MSM stands for Methylsulfonylmethane and is one of the most important elements in our body that is part of our hairs composition "sulfur". The majority if not all of the hair nail and skin pills on the market lists MSM as one of their active ingredients. I have also used biotin. Biotin is the first supplement that I have taken in addition to my prenatal pills, and is also a listed ingredient in the majority of hair skin and nail pills... Love them! Now the catch is you have to drink plenty of water or you will breakout. The good thing about biotin, they are water soluble. So you CAN NOT over dose. Your body will expel what it doesn't need, hence the face breaking out. That's why it is important to drink plenty of water, so it doesn't cause break-outs but instead flush out. Back to the MSM because I love them so much. and the fact that my hair texture actually changed to a soft wavy coil texture. I thought I was tripping because I have gone months with out a relaxer so I knew it was time for a retouch but I couldn't tell. My hair is thick and is growing longer and looser curls and wavy. the only straight part is at the ends where the relaxer is. I had to research this occurrence. What I have uncovered is that many ladies on different forums said that this has happened to them on MSM. So, my belief was confirmed. MSM did change the texture of my hair. Now the other question is how and why? that is soon to be revealed.... Now I know what you are thinking. What's up with her and her hair? Well for one I have a passion for hair. Two, I miss my long hair. Years ago it was to my bra but then started shedding due to this dye I used because I thought was all natural so I left it on all night. So I had to cut it so it wouldn't look so thin. Now I am basically starting over...I was so stupid!! If I knew then what I know now and I would have discovered biotin and msm and my hair would be to my ass! And finally number three I told my husband I would gain 5 inches by the time he came home from Afghanistan. I think I am there with three more months to go. I will post pictures soon. I continue to still assure myself that it's only hair and it will grow back. The saga continue....