Hair Care

Here are some tips on braiding your hair, from my Essence magazine:

1. Before getting extension braids, your hair should be cleansed, conditioned and trimmed by a professional.
   
2. Be sure your hair specialist uses no more tension than necessary; you should not feel tugging or tightness. The strands at you hairline are delicate, and pulling can cause irreversible hair loss.
   
3. Cleanse your scalp with witch hazel and cotton cloth once a week. Be sure to nourish yoir scalp with s product containing essential oils.
4. Don't wear your extensions beyond six weeks. It's best to remove them and pamper your hair with a thorough cleasing regimen.


5. Sleep with a rayon or silk scarf every night to keep your style frizz-free and long-lasting.


6. Once your extensions have been removed, mist hair with water from a spray bottle to detangle. This allows you to comb your hair more easily, preventing unnecessary breakage or loss.
   
7. Give your own hair its proper rest. Wait three to four months before getting new extensions, to keep your hair in healthy condition.

Taking care of your hair is tough, especially if you're a black girl, like me. I've struggled with my hair since I was younger, and I finally think I've got it, I know how to care for my hair now. Generally my siblings and I all have good hair, especially those of us who've inherited it from my dad, it grows strong and quickly, but maintaining it's been the hard job. When I reflect on what I put my hair through, I feel bad. All the chemicals, the extensions, the combing, the straightening, geez!

Not saying that doing those things to your hair is that bad, once in a while, but give your head a gift and let it breathe!

The only tip that I have to black girls is to wash your hair. It's not true what people say that "you're not supposed to wash your hair that much if your black", b.s! I was my hair at least once a week of even every two weeks, I don't straighten it, I barely comb it, and it's down to my back now. Black girls need to break out of the myths about their hair, and find out the truth!

The following are some hair products suggested by Essence

1. Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
2. Mizani Rose H2O
3. Aveda Anti-Humectant Brilliant Pomade
4. Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme
5. Witch Hazel
6. Let's Jame Shining & Conditioning Gel Lite Hold