The Grow Out That Isn’t Grueling

Hair relaxers - they are, without a doubt, a chore to maintain. Once every six to eight weeks, a woman shells out chunk of cash to spend several hours (all day even!) cooped up in a hair salon having the treatment done. Her scalp itches like crazy, but she dare not indulge the instinct to take her longest fingernail and dig in GOOD. Those chemicals are no joke, and there's no going back. There's no covering it or waiting for it to wear off. Once you start relaxing you keep relaxing, and that's why they call it "the creamy crack".

Growing out a relaxer is a challenge, and it takes a lot of thought and some definite moxie to make that move. Is it worth it? Many women do not have the kind of disposable income necessary to maintain a professional salon religon. They have no idea how to treat and care for their textured tresses properly. Their hair is straight, and that's all that can be said for it, as it has no shine or body or movement.

The Straight Up on Straightening

Naturally coarse and kinky hair can be worn straight without chemical treatment. The advances in hair tool technology leave a dizzying array of options for flat irons and blow dryers with far infrared heat, ceramic heaters, tourmaline gem infusion, titanium treatments, and more, all of which make hair straightening easier and healthier than it's ever been. It's a far cry from the days of running a smoking hot pressing comb fresh off the stove top through your locks. There are many temporary straightening balms that help seal in the style so that it lasts to the next wash. It requires an investment in good tools and products, but it's an option.

Co-Washing

Perhaps the single most important change you can make in your hair care is the way you cleanse it. Many women get relaxers to make their hair more manageable. Relaxed hair behaves better with shampoo. This thinking is backwards. You buy a product to clean your hair and make it healthier, shouldn't it be expected to work with your hair? Is it too much to ask for a product that doesn't cause your hair to knot, tangle, and break? Many natural hair women have adopted a co-washing routine for this reason. Co-washing is washing with conditioner. Conditioner has enough mild detergents to emulsify dirt and excess oil and take it out in the rinse. Sectioning your hair makes cleansing much more manageable. Use a lightweight, daily conditioner like AG Conditioner Light Daily Conditioner or ISO Daily Condition. For times when you a have a lot of product build up or excess dirt and oil, try a clarifier that is free of sulfates and other harsh detergents like Mastey Le Remouver Clarifier.

Is Your Hair Care Summer Ready?

Summer heat and humidity presents it's own set of hair care challenges. Our lifestyles change as we venture outdoors more often with trips to the beach, dips in the pool, hiking, and biking. We've waited all year for summer fun, but it's quite an adjustment for our skin and hair. To keep your tresses healthy in the sunny months consider these tips.

Beat the Humidity

If your hair is frizz prone, summer humidity can be a losing battle. Now is not the time to work against your natural curl. Give the flat irons a bit of rest. Go for humectant products that draw the moisture from the air. Olive oil is a great home remedy. Work a bit into naturally curly and ethnic hair to bust the poof. If you want something more lightweight, try Deva Curl "Mirror Curls" Reflective Shine Serum.



Pre-Pool Protection

Don't let chlorine spoil the pool party. Before you take that dip, wet hair with tap water and work in a leave-in conditioner to create a barrier between your hair and the harsh chemicals. L'anza Healing HairCare Leave-In Conditioner has the added bonus of UV protection.



Don't Fade Away

Between the sun rays and swimming, your hair color can take a serious beating, fading or becoming brassy Enlist the help of color depositing shampoos and conditioners. Try Goldwell Color Glow Bright Shine Full Blonde Shampoo, Goldwell Color Glow Deep Reflects Conditioner Warm Brown, or Goldwell Color Glow Bright Shine Gloss Infusion Full Blonde.

Protection from Rays

Protect your hair from damaging UV rays with products that contain UV filters. Spritz a bit of Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Sun Guardian UV Protection Spray before venturing out in the sun.

Many shampoos and conditioners contain UV filters. Joico K-PAK Sun Therapy two step regimen repairs, restores, and protects sun exposed hair with Hydroxy Sun Complex and Covabsorb EW, a powerful UV-protectant. Start with K-Pak Sun Therapy Nourishing Shampoo and then treat and deep condition with K-Pak Sun Therapy Treatment Masque. K-Pak Sun Therapy Protective Sun Milk keeps the hair hydrated during long periods of sun exposure.

Summer Sunnin' & Hot Hair

Summertime!!! Have you been waiting all year for this? Beaches and bikinis, icy margaritas, and vacay!

It's time for summer style, and hair that is easy and breezy. Summer hair is all about low maintenance 'dos. You want looks that can be done after a dip in the pool with a minimum of fuss. You also want to beat the heat and keep the hair off off your face (sweaty bangs plastered to your forehead are not in this season). Put the curling iron on the shelf for a moment and consider these fuss-free options.

Beachy Waves - It doesn't get much easier. Start by working some texturizer into damp or dry hair like AG Style DV8 Texture Spray or KMS California Hair Play Sea Salt Spray and then twist or braid the hair. Let it set in while you mani-pedi or sip some lemonade. Then, undo your twists and shake it out with your fingers - instant sexy!



Pinned-Back Braids - Go out Pocahontas style. Girly braids are in right now. Start by giving your hair a smooth finish with Bed Head TIGI After Party Smoothing Cream or Bed Head TIGI Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff. Then part the hair down the middle and make two small braids with the front sections of your hair. Pin the braids back and you're ready to go.

Homemade Highlights

Summer is the time to get those highlights you've been longing for without the expensive trip to the salon. Lemon juice accelerates the sun's natural highlighting. It takes a bit of time - you need to rinse your hair with the solution before going out in the sun several times. But the results will last you clear through winter! Lemon juice mixed with water gives you subtle streaks while straight juice gives you more drama. You can also mix juice with marigold tea or chamomile tea - Chamomile tea is a great choice for darker hair. Cranberry juice and olive oil are also great hair lighteners.

Keep your new lights looking fresh and brilliant with Goldwell Color Glow Highlights Brilliant Contrasts Gloss Infusion.

Dry Shampoo - Hair Help in a Hurry

Living and good looking hair don't always peacefully co-exist. There are some women who sport fabulous hair with no effort and nothing to get in the way. They are sitting in salon chairs right now (very likely on the boyfriend's dime) and not reading this blog. If you are between sugar daddies and busy being a sweet mommy or a working gal or keeping up your workout, it can be tough to keep up appearances. You sweat, you run errands (literally RUN!), you hit the snooze button one time too many (or two), you work a little too late (translation - all night) and then, WHOOPS! You DON'T have time to be catwalk ready. Add to that the fact that your hair skills were not honed and perfected at The Oscar Blandi School (or any hair school), and you're really at a loss. What's a girl to do???

Dry shampoos can be a really handy tool. They are multi-purpose and easy to use. Next time you need hair help in a hurry consider these tips.

Dry shampoo is great for summer.

Summer heat means it's time to revamp your hair routine. Make adjustments for increase in hair oiliness and sweat. Keep a small can of Batiste Dry Shampoo On-the-Go handy when you feel the heat.

Use dry shampoo to tame frizzy curls.

Coarse and curly hair is typically dry in nature. Even with the most gentle and nourishing cleansing you will lose hydration and natural oils and your hair will need to be coaxed back to smoothness. Dry shampoo gives you a refresher, removing only excess sebum and environmental debris, leaving your natural oils intact. Use it to stretch the time out between washes.

Use dry shampoo to fix product overkill.

If you find that you went a little too far with oils and conditioner, dry shampoo can soak up the excess to keep your hair from feeling weighed down and limp, restoring body and volume.

Use dry shampoo to hide roots.

Dry shampoos are often tinted, so in addition to the hair looking healthier, they also help disguise the need for a touchup. Many non-tinted kinds impart a lighter sheen to the hair, which is helpful between highlight touchups.


Batiste Dry Shampoo - Brunette


Kenra Platinum Color Care Dry Shampoo

Use dry shampoo for a fresh clean smell.

A lightly scented dry shampoo keeps your hair smelling good... helpful when you want to get up close and personal.


Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo


Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo

Brand Spotlight: Enjoy Haircare, Enjoy Life

Enjoy Professional Haircare is a hairdressers' brand. The company is for the hairdresser, by the hairdresser, and of the hairdresser. The explosion of drugstore brands on the market has made it increasingly difficult for stylists to find the respect they deserve for their knowledge and expertise as well as the means to create a sustainable living. It is very exciting for everyday consumers to have the power to walk into a drugstore and purchase the means to straighten, color, and treat their own hair. What doesn't enter into their decision making process is that the manufacturers are not really concerned with whether or not the consumer is qualified or capable. The primary motivation is selling and profits. The results are often disastrous. Many African American women have found themselves on the business end of a DIY relaxer gone terribly wrong; many people of all ethnicities have bleached their hair in the hopes of achieving platinum locks, only to find that hair sliding off their heads and into the sink.

Enjoy Haircare has a passion for empowering hairdressers, offering them the absolute finest tools, products, and programs to compete in the ever-changing marketplace. In addition to cutting edge professional only products, they provide hairdressers with the knowledge and power to prescribe hair care to their clients that precisely addresses their needs and desires. This company truly understands what it takes to partner with a salon.



This line was developed by Patrick Dockry, who entered the beauty industry in 1978-79 as an upstart manufacturer on nail design products. He then turned to cosmetology school, salon ownership, and hair care distribution. Finally, he came to develop Enjoy, a line of impeccable quality with sulfate free and pH balanced products.



When straightening coarse hair, a styling aid that repels humidity and prevents reversion is key to the longevity of the style. Enjoy Professional Hair Care Straightener applied before blow drying does much of the work for you.





Enjoy Professional Hair Care Conditioning Spray applied to damp hair makes detangling easy.


Enjoy Hair Care Spray Gel on wet hair adds texture and separation.


Use Enjoy Hair Care Texture Creme on dry hair to mold and shape the hair to your desired style.



Finish your look with Enjoy Hair Care Hairspray for shine and hold.

Brand Spotlight: KMS California

Every so often, a company will emerge that takes the pulse of an industry and truly meets the needs of the marketplace. KMS California is that kind of company. Since it's inception, it has developed a wide array of stylers, conditioners, shampoos, and treatments that enable their customers to wear their hair in any and every modern way while maintaining the vibrance and health of their hair.

Founded by biochemist Jamey Mazzotta, the line is based in Jamey's passion for creating innovative hair care and his drive for researching and keeping up with technology while incorporating natural hair care. This led to the line achieving international distribution only one year after its founding.

If you are someone who enjoys experimenting with your hair - spiking out one day, slicking it back the next, and going soft and natural sometimes for a change of pace, you know how challenging it can be to find products that respond to your aesthetic needs without damaging your hair and making maintenance difficult. KMS is one brand that handles both flawlessly.

If you are fine haired and sporting a layered edgy cut to give your tresses fullness, try out some of these products to give your hair shape and hold.

KMS California Add Volume Styling Foam is light as air and adds texture to the hair. Work through with the blow dryer.

Follow with Hair Play Clay Creme for superior hold with a matte finish.

You can also use Hair Play Dry Wax for extra lift and volume.



For those days when you want to go for a softer look, KMS Moist Repair Revival Creme will automatically restore the moisture balance and make hair easier to comb.



One of the lines standout products is KMS Hair Play Makeover Spray. On those days when you just have to skip the wash, this will absorb excess oil, increase root volume, and leave the hair refreshed and clean. This product is universal for all hair types.