I hope you all are having a wonderful Christmas celebration/holiday. All the dinners, church services, parties, beach limes has kept us all very busy. However, that packed schedule during this season challenges our style, hair, and make up regime a little more than usual. When speaking about hair specifically, we tend to use more manipulation and quick/extravagant styling both of which (often) involves heat in high frequencies including blow drying, flat ironing, and every thing else in between.
Ladies, let's be honest. The usual hair care regimen tends to be neglected. I do want to enter 2015 with healthy tresses, so here are a few of my tips that I use to guide me through the season.
Protective Styling
Now is a good time to pull out your favourite wig, install your braids or those bundles and give your hair a rest. Wigs, weaves, cornrows, and braids are all great options for protective styling and when used correctly can reduce stress on your hair. Don't forget a good ol' fashion bun or braid out still doesn't hurt.
Heat Protection
If you must use your heat tools, please remember to use your heat protectant. The use of a good heat protectant reduces the damage caused by heat tools such as flat irons and curling irons. Still try to use a moderate heat setting on your tools and not otherwise fry your hair.
I currently use the CHI Iron Guard 44 as my go to heat protectant. I have been using this product as a staple heat protectant for the past 4 years with no problems.
Low Manipulation
Gentle combing and brushing goes a long way. Reduce styles that put stress on your hairline such as that extra tight ponytail. Always use boar bristle brush and a wide tooth comb when styling.
Moisturize
That holding spray or styling gel may seem like its worth it right now, but you may end up paying for it later when your hair dries out and more hair is left of your back and on the floor than on your head resulting on your first setback for 2015. Find a holding spray that does not have that extra strong hold as these tend to leave your hair less dry and crunchy and the hold is removed at the stroke of a brush. I also prefer a styling/finishing paste for my edges than styling gels. My edges lay smoother never feel dry at the end of the day.
My go to edge paste is the Chi Twisted Fabric.
Love it! It is wax based and is filled with emollients that leaves my edges soft, a little goes a long way and it is an absolute staple!
The list above is by no means exhaustive. So, feel free to share a few of yours. Let's grow together!
Until next time...happy growing :)
