Sassy ' N ' New York

Showing posts with label Natural Hair Care. Show all posts

Yes, I love a good wig! Ladies, this is the easiest hairstyle you could ever have, just slap it on and slap it off - what more could you ask for? Wigs are great, but you can't purchase any old wig... the whole idea behind wigs is that you want them to look as natural as possible. The last thing you need is a shiny ass wig or something that doesn't frame your face...that's a mess.

Tips for selecting your wig

Read reviews! - Despite the fact that opinions vary, feedback from people who've tried the product is extremely helpful - especially if you're ordering online. YouTube is your best friend. You can watch reviews and get to see what the unit (wig) looks like - packaging and initial openings as well as the quality of the unit. I prefer to watch video reviews as opposed to reading comments because, I am able to see the hair in motion - pictures can present a completely different view i.e. lighting, background etc.

Select textures that are similar to your own hair - It's fairly easy to find a curly wig that resembles natural hair, but if you are aiming for a sleek look you should look for wigs that have some texture to it - meaning it will look like straightened afro textured hair.

Make sure the unit has combs - I'm sure we've all seen Sister Pat in church with her wig leaning to the left... The last thing you should have to worry about is whether or not someone could easily knock your wig off. Combs are life savers, they hang on for dear life! Always secure, and comfortable. :o)

Half wigs are cool too - These aren't necessarily considered a protective style because a good amount of your hair is out. However, due to the leave out the wig looks much more convincing.

Can't find any styles that you like? Make your own wig! - I actually came across a product called the Hookie Do yesterday - It's perfect for people who have absolutely no weaving skills...like me. The Hookie Do is a wig cap with hooks on it! You simply hook hair wefts onto the cap. No gluing or sewing involved (thank god). The great thing about this product is that when your hair extensions retire and look "worn out" you can just replace the hair. BOOM!

My go to wig website - Best Lace Wigs I absolutely love this site! They have great customer service, and their units are beautiful. They're a bit pricey, but the quality of their wigs are excellent.

Well, there you have it ladies, 5 tips for the proper wig selection. Hope you enjoyed.

Happy Hair Hunting!

"You have to know that you are totally gorgeous, and not just from the forehead down." - Unknown

Love,

- Sassy ' N ' New York

(Images: dailymail)

Braids are an evolutionary style and, this summer/fall, they're not going anywhere!

With a classic look such as this, keeping your hair style flawless is key. Braids tend to get a bit on the raggedy side, but only because YOU allow them to do so. You have to show those braids who's in charge! Let me hook you up real quick!

Here are a few tips to keep your braids - and scalp - feeling and looking fresh.

5 simple rules to help keep your braids fresh and long lasting!

* Try to wash your braids every week or bi-weekly to add extra moisture to your hair. Mix half a cup of shampoo (sulfate free) with three cups of water - boom, problem solved. :o)

* Stop your stylist from braiding too tightly and avoid constantly keeping your braids in tight updo's. I know its hella hot outside and the last thing you want is to have all that hair on your neck and shoulders - but keeping your hair in high buns or tight ponytails can damage your hairline! You plan on keeping your edges...or nah?

*If you suffer from dry scalp, or your scalp tends to be malnourished from time to time, massage in a natural oil like - extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, etc.

* Create your own moisturizing serum, or use braid spray to moisturize your hair daily and keep it from locking while in the protective style- especially if you plan on keeping them in for longer than 4 weeks. I don't really like braid spray, so I make my own moisturizer (water, extra virgin olive oil, any shea moisture conditioner) or use the Karen Body Beautiful Hair Blossom Moisture Mist. - It smells amazing.

* This is optional - You can walk with a soft-bristled brush, or a toothbrush - go with the toothbrush, they're cheaper and they get in the hard to reach places. Use the brush of your choosing to tidy your baby hairs aka edges. Edge control does nothing for me ...my hair has a mind of its own. Cantu leave in conditioner, on the other hand, works magic!

FYI: After long wear, braids won't look as fresh as they did when they were first installed. If you do your own hair then you have an advantage. I do the braids around my hairline looser than the rest of my head, because of how fragile my edges are. Due to the looseness they tend to frizz more than the other braids - so I take them out, gently snatch my edges and slap them right back in. #flawless

How to lay down your edges

I'm sure most of you know how to do this but in case you don't - here's a "how - to"

1. Brush & smooth hair in the direction you would like your edges to lay. Most people aim for their hair to go in a swooping upward motion. If that's not your thing that's fine, do whatever makes you happy.

2. Apply either your edge control, conditioner, gel, etc. to the edges and brush them with the toothbrush in whichever motion you like.

3. While brushing your edges use a finger or fingers to smooth down the hair you've just brushed. This helps prevent clumping!

4. When you're done and the hair is smooth and in place, tie a satin scarf around your head - sort of like a headband. You can keep that on overnight or for about 10-15 mins - that's what I do. This summer has been brutal so when flattening your edges (with your scarf) be sure to be by some sort of air supply - i.e. AC, fan, whatever. Otherwise, you'll start to sweat, and laying down your edges will be a complete bust.

No Edges?

It is possible that your hairline has receded or your edges have been snatched off. It's stressful when your edges decided to leave you for dead, but no worries! There are a bunch of different products you can use to encourage them to come back.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil - Strength and Grow Restore Hair Serum - Girl listen, when my edges went on vacation and didn't tell me - I used this baby to bring them right the hell back. Honestly, this serum had my hair growing like weeds! My edges came in back in record time. At the time of my regrowth process, I used this product three times a week for about 2 months. My edges are long enough to wrap around my fingers... umm thank you, Jesus!

Jane Carter Solutions - Scalp Nourishing Serum - This serum is made specifically for people who have dry /flaky scalps. A lot of the time flakes and dryness can be the reason for slow hair growth. This product helps to cleanse the scalp AND improves circulation which promotes hair growth! Yes, you'll be flake-free in no time!

And there you have it, 5 simple rules for fabulous braids.

Love your hair, and the skin you're in!

Happy Moisturizing!

Love,

- Sassy ' N ' New York

Weave 101: Before you install your weave

Weaves have been and probably always will be a staple in African American culture. Though some women opt for twists or braids as a protective style others may prefer bundles of hair in a variety of lengths, and there is nothing wrong with that. If you're going to rock a weave, make sure you're fabulous and confident with your weave choice. The key is to rock your hair PROPERLY while taking care of your main priority...your natural hair.

Applying the proper braid pattern

Before installation be sure to research different braid patterns and figure out which one will work best with the type of style you desire. For example, if you know that you want to be able to part your hair on the left & right side of your head, along with the middle, then you must have a braiding pattern that allows you to do so. Otherwise, your tracks will be showing left and right - and that's not cute. If you have no idea where to start try to find a stylist who specializes in weaving and braiding.

Finding the right texture

If having a leave out is your thing - choose a textured hair that resembles your own, try to be as precise as possible. A few sites that offer natural hair textured hair are as follows

www.fingercomber.com
heatfreehair.com

Upkeep & Maintenance Tips

Some of these tips are things that I've learned recently. I used to wear weaves back in high school (God that was so long ago...) and I would literally take the hair out of the pack and hand it to my stylist. No preparation was done on my end. Just slapped it in and strolled out of the salon. BUT my hair was poppin nonetheless :o)

Check out some of these handy tips below:

1. Shampoo, deep condition and spray hair with a moisturizing leave in before installation.- Your natural hair.

2. Find a texture that is similar to your natural hair - this will allow you to have a leave out that looks great, and doesn't require much heat styling.

3. Shampoo weave extensions BEFORE installation. Sometimes virgin hair has an odd smell to it, so it's best to wash and condition the hair before installation to get all of the funky stuff out. You can do the same with your wigs. I'll cover that in another post.

4. Use an applicator bottle filled with castile soap a mild shampoo and regular shampoo (sulfate free) at least once every 2-3 weeks. You MUST cleanse your scalp. Follow this same method for conditioning.

5. Reach in between the tracks, and apply a leave in conditioner, allow braids and weave to dry properly. If you fail to do so it can lead to mold or fungus growth.

6. Try to use virgin hair - it's a higher quality of hair - plus it will last for a while depending on how well you take care of it.

7. Wear your installation for no more than 8 weeks. If you push the limits you could risk breakage and hair locking.

Now listen, I am no weaveologist, but I am certain that keeping your hair moisturized is one of the fundamental rules in maintaining healthy hair. The weave might be popping on the outside, but your natural hair still needs to be cared for. If you neglect the hair under the tracks, by the time you remove your extensions your hair will be brittle and struggling.

Make sure you moisturize!

Good luck Divas, happy weaving!

Love,

- Sassy ' N' New York

Images: (hairstylicious,Youtube - Brianna Rutter)

Despite the fact that my washdays take entirely too long to end, the Pre-Poo is definitely the best part, especially creating your own recipes or drawing inspiration from others. I love the fact that this treatment is applied prior to shampooing. It helps the hair retain moisture which means I won't walk out of my shower looking like a Chia pet when I'm done - Thank you Jesus!

A Pre-Poo (Don't forget to Pre-poo!) is a simple treatment that is applied to the hair before shampooing to prevent your hair from drying out too much.

Check out some fun DIY recipes below! Included are some of my faves, as well as recipes I plan on trying. Enjoy!

1. Coconut Oil, Mayo, avocado, vodka, & honey

Listen, vodka isn't forever one; a perfect substitute is apple cider vinegar. Vodka mixed with avocado and mayo = a perfect mixture for shiny hair! Go Vodka! Both apple cider vinegar & vodka remove buildup and brighten the hair - but which ingredient sounds more exciting...humm?

Instructions:

1 shot vodka or apple cider vinegar to a blender

Half an avocado

One tablespoon of mayo

Two tablespoons of honey

Two tablespoons of coconut oil.

Mix well and apply to your hair.

30 minutes after application, shampoo and condition as you usually do.

2. shea butter, mango butter, honey and olive oil

I love this mixture it smells like heaven...well, if Heaven had a smell...maybe it does, I don't know. BUT this mixture is everything. For this recipe, you can melt all of the hard butters - shea and mango, in a double boiler (if you're fancy enough to have one) or a microwave oven. For each ingredient you will need two tablespoons, if your hair is fairly long then you'll need just a touch more.

If you want to spice it up to get a fresh tingly feeling, add a few drops of peppermint oil - who doesn't love peppermint? Apply the mixture to your hair and cover with a plastic bag or cap. You can either wrap a dry towel around your head to help produce your own body heat, or you can sit under a heat source. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

This is an awesome hot oil treatment, it smells yummy and the oils coat the hair, which protects it from any stripping agents that might be found in your shampoo.

3. Banana, yogurt, wheat germ oil, honey, condensed milk

Anyone who knows me knows, that I hate bananas - they smell weird and taste even worse. Despite my weird banana dislikage (yes, I made that up) this Pre-Poo is pretty effective.

You will need

1 medium to large banana or banana baby food - just get the fruit it'll be cheaper.

4 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons yogurt (full fat)

3 tablespoons condensed milk (every Jamaican has at least 4 cans in the pantry lol #bullet)

2 tablespoons wheat germ oil

Warning: Do not, I repeat DO NOT use a spoon to mix. Blend everything in a blender until the mix is completely smooth. If not, the annoying chunks of banana in your hair will ruin your pre-poo high! Make sure you mush those things up!

As for the condensed milk, it tastes GREAT and is an awesome conditioner and adds moisture and shine, the same goes for regular milk.

Wheat germ oil is pretty cool also, it is known for its vitamin B, which increases circulation to the scalp and thickens hair. It also helps the cracks in your cuticles - which means stronger hair!

4. Greek Yogurt

Who knew that your hair could benefit from yogurt. This recipe doesn't seem as exciting as the others, but when you're done that's when the excitement happens.

Take your Greek Yogurt, section your dry or damp hair and apply. This magical Pre-Poo will continue to save your strands for days after application. You will notice how easy it is to detangle and your hair will be softer and shinier, because of the protein in your yummy yogurt...the possibilities are endless.

All you need is some Chobani or Fage - put it in the fridge and give it a whirl! If you need an extra boost you can add olive oil of honey.

Enjoy the recipes!!

Don't forget to share and comment. Let me know about your pre-poo experiences!

Love,

-Sassy ' N' New York

Images: (fairtradeusa)