Image courtesy of mixedchicks.net

It’s impossible to give your hair the best care and not need to trim it. The long manes that you see and drool over only achieved that length because they worked to retain it: meaning they trimmed away dead, damaged ends. If you pay careful attention to your hair, it will tell you when it’s ready for a trim.

1. Your detangling sessions have become more difficult using the same tried, tested and true approach you always use
2. Your ends catch every passing spec of lint
3. Your ends feel like brillo pads
4. You can see the what appear be little tree branches at the ends
5. You find short broken hairs in your comb or shower instead of hairs the length of your hair with white bulbs on the end
6. Your twist/braid outs are sheer perfection, until you get to the ends and find them painfully frizzy
7. You find yourself wishing night after night that Idris Elba comes to cut your fairy knots in your sleep

Skipping trimming may seem like the best way to retain your length, but the opposite is true. Trimming prevents split ends from continuing to split up the hair shaft, which weakens it and eventually leads to breakage. This is what makes it appear that your hair isn’t growing. Hair grows at an average rate of ½ inch per month, so it is in fact growing. When you’re not seeing length, it’s likely because you’re losing the length from the ends.

When’s the last time you trimmed your ends? Do you trim them regularly? Can you tell when you’ve neglected your ends? You can confess here, this is a safe space

Image courtesy of http://cinnamonchic.com

Ethnic women may have a variety of different skin types, just like women of all varying heritages. Your skin might be oily, normal, dry, combination, or even sensitive. Ethnic women, however, must use different methods of treating these skin types. Today, we’re going to take a look at the different ways you can take care of your ethnic skin based upon which type of skin your have.

Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you absolutely must keep a pack of face blotting papers close at hand. Anytime you notice your skin building up excessive oil, use these blotting papers to, well, blot your face. One thing that many oily skinned people do wrong is over wash their face. Don’t do it. Over washing your face can cause your skin to dry out, which causes your skin to produce even more oil to compensate. Here are a few other things that you can do for your oily skin:

• Drink more water, which will help to keep your internal temperature lower, thus causing less sweat.
• Keep your hands off of your face. Don’t touch!
• Change or wash your pillow case at least every other day. Do it every day if you  have the time.
• Always clean your cell phone. It is always right up by your face, after all.
• Use products specifically designed for oily skin.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is the easiest to take care of, because basically, normal skin is the type of skin that every woman wishes she had. Normal skin types should wash their faces once a day with a very gentle acne wash, keep their skin protected, moisturize once a day, and drink plenty of water- simple as that.

Dry Skin

Preventive measures can be taken in order to avoid or lessen dry skin. Make sure that you avoid hot showers, instead taking warm or cool ones. On the same note, make sure you only shower once a day unless completely necessary. You should also avoid harsh soaps, instead choosing moisturizing soaps that have a thick, creamy consistency. If possible, also try to avoid prolonged skin exposure to chemicals (like chlorine), or heating devices (like fireplaces).

If your skin is already dry, or becoming that way, there also things you can do to care for it. Remember to use moisturizers that are petrolatum based. Use these moisturizers two to three times a day, and always remember to apply just after toweling dry as this helps the outer layer of skin to retain moisture.

Combination Skin

Combination skin can be taken care of and treated by taking care of each part of your skin differently. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a bunch of different treatments, however, because a lot of washes, facials, and makeups are designed specifically for combination skin. What I do mean is that you should be aware of how your skin differs. For example, if you have an oily T-zone and the rest of your skin is dry, then you should use blotting papers on your T-zone, and moisturize the rest of your face.

Combination skin types should avoid hot or long showers, drink plenty of water, and protect their skin from the sun’s rays with sunblock or protective covering.

Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin often have one of the above mentioned skin types in addition to this. The key is to treat your skin as mentioned above, but watch out for anything harsh. If something in particular bothers your skin, make sure you check all ingredients in anything you buy to make sure that specific item is not included. If you stick to gentle washes, facials, etc. then you should have no problem with your sensitive skin.

Do you have anything you might want to add to what we have already said? Tell us all about it in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say!

Questions or comments for Amanda? Feel free to connect with her @Skincare_HQ on Twitter!

Evening primrose is an often overlook beauty supplement that can help improve the look and feel of your hair, skin and nails. The oil comes from the seeds of the evening primrose which is a deep yellow colored wildflower.    It is a significant source for the amino acids gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid.  Both those acids belong in the Omega-6 acid family.  These acids helps stimulate healthy hair, skin and nail growth. The oil also has other significant health benefits for women at various stages in life.

Five benefits of using evening primrose oil:

• Encourages hair growth : helps to increase blood circulation in turn increasing healthy new growth
• Increase hair density (thickness) : helps increase the density or thickness of hair on the head
• Decreases skin inflammation: helps alleviate redness and inflammation related to acne, rosacea and other types of dermatitis
• Decreases menopausal symptoms: helps shorten or alleviate completely hot flashes and mood swings
• Encourages labor to begin/speed up: causes the uterus to contract more effectively (therefore not recommended for use at any time before labor)

Evening primrose oil can be taken orally daily by capsule or incorporated into your hair care routine via oil for massage or added to your shampoo or conditioner. This oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy, or if you have a blood disorder or epilepsy.  Before introducing a new supplement into your body it is always recommended to consult with your doctor.  This oil is not recommended for use during pregnancy, or if you have a blood disorder or epilepsy.

Take a look at the label of some of your favorite beauty items and you might just find evening primrose is already incorporated into your routine. Let us know what you find, or where in your regimen you plan to add it.

You love your curls. You look at them in awe. You see each individual coil as its own unique embodiment. And when you touch them, you’re amazed at how soft they feel. How they spring back perfectly. How they feel coiled around your finger. You have HIH: Hand in Hair Syndrome (otherwise known as Hand in Fro or HIF Syndrome). It’s common to naturalistas, new and seasoned alike. Because even on our worst hair day, we love how our hair feels. It’s fun to play in. It’s comforting to tug, pull, twist and stroke. It’s also not the best thing to keep our hair healthy.

Why is Hand in Hair (Fro) Syndrome so bad anyway?

• Causes excess frizz
• Messes up styles and definition
• Leads to breakage
• Gets product in places it shouldn’t be
• Leads to acne
• Makes hair dirtier, spreading dirt from hands to hair
• Sucks natural oils away from hair

So if touching it frequently is so bad then when is the right time to handle it?

• Detangling – This should always be done gently with LOTS of care and patience. If you’re on a bad mood, irritated, or in a rush, this is not the time to detangle your hair. These tips will help you have a stress-free detangling session
• Massage – Massaging your scalp should be a regular part of your routine. When done correctly, scalp massage is harmless to your scalp and relaxing for the soul.
• Normal styling – Normal, routine styling without excessive tugging and pulling is not going to cause major damage to your hair. As always, be sure any manipulation you’re doing is done gently and carefully.

It seems so harmless to play with that one curl, but how hard did you work to keep that curl healthy? Is the instant gratification worth the headache? Don’t let Hand In Hair Syndrome have a negative impact on the growth that you’re working towards.

It’s well known that a spritz or spray bottle is natural haired woman’s best friend in between washes/ co-washes. While water is the ultimate ingredient that your natural hair loves and needs, there are plenty of other beneficial ingredients that you can add to your spray bottle to help enhance your hair.

My staple items are water and aloe juice. I have been a huge fan of the benefits of aloe since the very beginning of my hair journey. It’s a staple not only in my hair care, but my skin care regimen. In my 8 oz spray bottle I use 4 ozs of water and 3 ozs of aloe juice.

For my spring/summer hair, I’ve added a tablespoon of glycerin. Because Houston is so humid, I like to make use of the humidity and draw the moisture from the air to my hair. It also contributes to my growing 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th day big hair. I add a vitamin E capsule to my bottle to boost the strengthening that the aloe provides. I also add 12 drops of lemon and 12 drops of tangerine essential oils. These essential oils boost my hair’s natural shine, helps prevent excess shedding and enhances natural highlights from sun exposure.

Because I only co-wash once, maybe twice a week, I use this spritz on those off days. It does the job I need, which is to provide a general coating of water without completely saturating it. Because I’m pregnant, I use this spritz instead of my usual Herbal Hair Tea spritz to twist up my hair when I set it for bed at night or when I am doing the occasional twist out or mini twists.

These ingredients work well for all natural hair types, fine or course, thin or dense. I don’t add any natural (carrier) oils, so I don’t have oily hair when I use this.

What’s in your spray bottle?

You’re busy, funds are limited, and your face has taken on a life of it’s own. Luckily for you, hidden in your kitchen is a facial just waiting for you to whip it up. Not sure what to use? Here are a few staple items that will always work for you:

• Yogurt – The lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt can help remove dead cells, exfoliating your skin. Be sure to use yogurt with live active cultures.
• Honey – Honey is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains water to help keep the skin soft and moisturized. It also functions as an antimicrobial agent, making it beneficial for those with acne prone skin. Honey is so great that there have been honey washing challenges!
• EVOO – Extra virgin olive oil is an all-purpose moisturizer, full of antioxidants, vitamins A and E that helps keep skin smooth, and promote elasticity, preventing wrinkles. EVOO is a common oil used with oil washing.
• Coffee – The antioxidant properties in coffee have the ability to mend broken skin, soothe irritation. It is also a gentle exfoliant.
• Lemon – Lemon juice has astringent and antiseptic properties that help reduce oil and fight bacteria. It’s a natural alpha hydroxyl acid that effectively removes dead skin cells.
• Oatmeal – Oatmeal is a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and exfoliant. It has anti-inflammatory properties making it great for red, blotchy, irritated skin.

These staple ingredients can be used in any combination that suits your skin’s needs. Enjoy experimenting with each individually and in combination to find what your skin loves. Come back and share your recipes with us!

The Q Redew is about the size of a regular hand held blow dryer, but has a bit more weight to it. When you pick it up you definitely know you’re holding an appliance. It’s amazingly easy to use. Simply fill the reservoir with water and plug it in. The red indicator light blinks until it’s ready for use, which takes no time at all. Placing the prongs into your hair where you want to start steaming, hold the lever down, and the steam will be released. Moving the steamer around will prevent you from burning your scalp. The beauty of the Q Redew is that it provides moist steam, yet does not leave you with damp hair. This is perfect for refreshing your curls in colder weather.

According to the website, the Q Redew is recommended for use on dry hair. Because I’m a rule breaker I tried this on my hair both completely dry as well as on damp hair (about 50% still wet)

On dry hair

I initially used the steamer the very next day after it arrived to refresh my 3^rd day wash n go hair. Expecting to receive a burst more like mist that damped my hair, I was presented with pure steam that left my hair as dry (to the touch) as when I started. A bit hesitant, I continued working my way, section by section over one side of my head. To compare the results, I used my normal refreshing method (spray bottle) on the other side. The results were obviously different. The Q Redew side had much more volume and was much softer that the manually refreshed side.

Refreshed with Q Redew

Refreshed with spray bottle

On damp hair

To compare, I used the steamer on hair freshly washed and conditioned with Herbal Shampoo Bar and Aloe Conditioner. Working in sections, I worked the wand over my tshirt dried curls to allow the steam to let the conditioner penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. I then sealed my hair with grapeseed oil and let it air dry. The result was softer, more springy curls that I normally hair with a regular wash n go.

I also tried working the steamer over freshly washed and conditioned chunky twists. Each section was individually twisted with a very small amount of Herbal Styling Balm and Shea Smoothie. When untwisted, the sections were well defined, yet still soft to the touch.

Steamed twist out

Whether used on dry or damp hair, the end result  is well hydrated, softer hair. If you’re looking for an improvement in the level of moisture your hair receives and retains, this is your go to appliance. If you’re aiming for soft, full, big hair without the extra work, this is your tool. If you are looking for easily refreshed, springy curls, this is what you want to invest in.

And if you are looking to win a Q Redew and a bottle of our Aloe Conditioner, enter our giveaway below. Come back every day for new entries. The winner will be selected on April 24^th, and will have 48 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This product was provided to me by the manufacturer for review, I received no other compensation. The amazing hair I receive from the steamer is enough compensation for me!

The hormonal changes that take place in a woman’s body during and after pregnancy cause for a lot of ups and downs, and one very common issue is hair loss.  Most hair loss begins at about 3 months after the birth of the baby and can continue up to even a year after.  There are a few things that you can do to make this stressful but common issue go by more smoothly:

• Keep hair-dos as natural and low stress as possible.  Low manipulation styles like twists and braids are helpful.
• Limit the use of blow dryers, straighteners and curling irons.
• Avoid styles that cause tension on the hairline, such as ponytails, weaves and braids.
• Incorporate weekly deep conditioning treatments into your regimen
• Continue with taking vitamins, especially ones to promote healthy hair.
• Make sure to remove all hair that has shed while combing.  The hair that remains unattached can cause tangles and knots, which makes your detangling process a lot more difficult and time consuming.
• Eat a well-balanced diet rich in proteins, B-vitamins, fatty acids and other essential dietary nutrients that are crucial building blocks of hair
• Maintain a steady intake of water equal to half your body’s weight

Remember post-partum hair loss is a very common downside of pregnancy, but it is temporary.  Even keeping this mind, if you are feeling uncomfortable or concerned about the amount of hair you are losing, consult with your doctor to make sure that amount of hair being lost is normal.  Most importantly; take care of yourself, stress less about your hair and enjoy your new baby.

Below is a list of essential oils that are safe to use during pregnancy. Keep this list handy when searching for new products or crafting your own blends, as your hair goes through the ups and downs that come with pregnancy and post-partum.

Bergamot- Bergamot has antibacterial, antiseptic, deodorant and astringent properties. It keeps the scalp healthy and drives away any infection. It also helps strengthen hair follicles and keeps hair shiny.

Chamomile- Chamomile has excellent soothing and restorative properties. It helps in reducing and may also completely stop hair loss. The brightness and shine of hair is restored by its continuous usage.

Cypress- Cypress has very effective astringent and anti-septic properties. Its beneficial effects on the scalp results in hair that is healthy due to reduced breakage. It gently cleans the scalp without drying it out, and also helps in hair regeneration and increases blood circulation to the hair follicles.

Eucalyptus- Eucalyptus is very effective for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and stimulant properties. It promotes healthy hair and also aids in its growth. It also improves blood circulation to the scalp, making hair stronger and helps control dandruff.

Geranium- Geranium has antiseptic, hemostatic, astringent properties and balances hormonal levels. It reduces hair fall and breakage by soothing the scalp and improving blood circulation. It also repairs dry and damaged hair, making it healthy.

Lemon- Lemon is well known for its stimulating, antibacterial, astringent, detoxifying and antiseptic properties. It works well to make hair healthy and strong. It keeps the scalp moisturized and helps get rid of dryness and dandruff.

Lemongrass- Lemongrass Oil has proven anti-microbial, anti-septic, astringent, bactericidal, and stimulant properties. It helps blood circulation in the scalp, and also causes blood vessel contraction, thereby preventing hair loss. Its strong astringent action keeps scalp healthy.

Orange- Orange Oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing properties. It is used in the treatment of scalp irritation and infections, and can relieve dandruff to a large extent. It also stimulates hair growth.

Patchouli- Patchouli has astringent, antibacterial and conditioning properties. It treats dry scalps, as well as brittle hair making it stronger. It also alleviates dandruff and treats fungal infections of the scalp.

Sandalwood- Sandalwood is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent herb and is also an effective emollient. It soothes dry and irritated scalp and promotes hair growth.

Tea Tree- Tea Tree Oils have natural antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps keep hair healthy by removing the build-up of dirt and harsh hair products. It also restores hair colour and shine and keeps the scalp healthy.

Thyme- Thyme has very effective stimulant, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Its extract is very effective in improving blood circulation and stimulating hair growth.

Ylang Ylang- Ylang Ylang is an effective anti-seborrhoeic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herb. It facilitates hair growth, keeps hair healthy and corrects sebum production of the scalp. It therefore helps in the treatment of dandruff and other scalp infections.

You’ll notice when shopping our products, the Vanilla Mint scent is not pregnancy safe. In fact, the Citrus Fusion scent was developed during my last pregnancy when I could no longer use Vanilla Mint. Many customers have thanked me for it, and I thank myself being once again pregnant.  Enjoy!