Lies, Fairytales and Fallacies

 5 hair myths

Just like urban legends  hair myths and rumors tend to run rampant, one person hears then spreads it along and the next thing you know your friends aunts next door neighbors boyfriends great niece is swearing up and down that it's true! I created a podcast that addresses some of the myths that I have heard over the years from my own friends and family, maybe you've heard of them and maybe you haven't but never the less I did my best to dispel them.










 

Brush. Brush, Brush

I have a question. When you need a brush do you just run to the store and grab any old thing? I mean they are all basically the same right? Wrong! Not all brushes are created equal and I'm going to tell you why.

If you're like me then you might gravitate to the stronger brush that can catch all those little hairs on your nape and create that sleek and polished look, more than likely it's a brush that is made with stiff plastic bristles but did you know that those brushes are hard on the hair? There are a ton of brushes out there that can give you the same results and are much gentler on your hair, here are my top 3.

1. The wide tooth paddle brush is amazing for detangling! I wouldn't suggest using this one dry hair but it can make dentangling on wet hair painless and drama free, not to mention the fact that the wide set and flexible bristles are much easier on the hair.

2. I like to use a round boar bristle brush to style my hair because of the soft and pliable bristles, it is also good for distributing oils throughout the hair, it's important to pay attention to see if your brush is 100% boar bristle because there are some brushes that have a mixture of plastic and synthetic bristles. This one from Conair is available for $15.99, kind of pricey but worth it. 

3. Now I have personally never used the Denman brush but I have read about it on a lot of other blogs, the main consenus seems to be that this is a great brush for detangling and especially for those with curly hair. The one thing that might scare most people off is the price, it ranges from $10-$19 dollars. 

Is this the magic pill?

Last week I mentioned a hair pill called hairfinity, now I have heard a few different reviews on this product but I personally LOVE it. It is filled with ingredients that support faster hair growth and promote  thickness and health, now this is not to say that all the ingredients are top notch and I have seen cheaper hair pills at the dollar store but I have been using this product on and off for the past 5 years and it has never let me down.

I first heard of it while searching google for ways to make your hair grow faster, it was a new product and one that no one else had ever heard of, I'm the type of person that loves to try to new things so I figured WHAT THE HECK! why not?? I had just cut my hair and for someone who has had long hair their whole life I was traumatized at the fact that I couldn't even make a ponytail with what was left, all bad!

So what makes these pills so special? It's the ingredients, it has a huge amount of biotin which is necessary for hair growth, it also contains MSM  which naturally increases the hair growth rate. Here is a full run down of the ingredients and what they do.

Essential Oils

If you haven't figured it out by now I'm all about natural remedies and hair care, one of my favorite things to put in my hair is coconut oil. It's actually one of the only oils that penetrate the hair shaft and it smells AMAZING!!!!  I'm going to give you guys a little info on different types of oils and their benefits, there is definitely one for everybody!


Coconut oil- This oil is a deep penetrating oil that goes straight into the hair shaft to deliver much needed moisture, for those with a tighter curl texture it can be used to aid in straightening and to keep the hair soft and manageable. It is also be used as a scalp stimulate and to rid the scalp of dandruff , I consider this the holy grail of oils!

Peppermint oil-  This is another strong moisturizer but I can also be an irritant so it's recommended that you pair it with a carrier oil, the interesting thing about peppermint oil is that it helps to regulate oil production on the scalp. If you struggle with a dry scalp or an oily scalp it can help to balance it, pretty neat!  It also promotes hair growth by penetrating and stimulating the hair follicle, definitely an oil for those who are looking for a extra boost in hair growth.

Jojoba oil- This oil is neat in that it breaks up sebum in the hair follicle, sebum is a hardened build up that can block the hair follicles and cause scaling. This oil penetrates the scalp and assists the follicle in functioning as it should. It's also used as a great carrier oil and moisturizer.

These never let me down!

 A lot of my friends and family come to me and ask questions about hair and while I don't profess to be a professional I do know where to go if I don't know the answer, it takes some time and research but taking the time to find others who have used tried and true methods and products is the best way to begin your own healthy hair journey.

 My absolute favorite and go to site for relevant information is the Long Hair Care Forum, this is an amazing online community of women who are dedicated to growing long and healthy hair, the amount of information can be a little overwhelming but if you can dedicate a little time you can find the answer to almost any hair issue.

My second favorite hair related site is Black Hair Media, this website is more for those who like to wear extensions, they have detailed reviews and pictures from almost every extension company there is. If you're the type of person who likes to wear extensions then I definitely suggest checking out this site for advice on braiding techniques, styles and advice on how to keep your own hair healthy underneath.

Lastly I suggest checking out the Hairfinity site, this site is for some AMAZING hair pills but they also have vital and useful information, you can fill out a short questionnaire and they will provide a detailed healthy hair regimen even if you don't purchase the pills.

Organic shampoos and Conditioners

Earlier this week I posted about ingredients to watch out for in your hair care products and some of the damage that they can cause, I didn't want to leave anyone without any other alternatives so I have a few suggestions for those of you who would like to go the natural route when it comes to your hair care products. I myself am in LOVE with the ORGANIX line of shampoos and conditioners, they are a bit pricey but smell amazing and have ingredients that you don't have pull out the Google search for. Score!


My personal favorite from this brand is the coconut milk line, I have dry hair that is prone to breakage but this shampoo and conditioner gives my hair a gentle cleanse without stripping away the natural oils that it needs. It also has egg protein in it for those of you who need a little extra help with breakage. The great thing about this line is that ALL of their shampoos are sulfate free but you still come away with that clean and fresh feeling, the line has also expanded over the years so they offer more than just the basic shampoo and conditioner.

Some of my other favorite's include the argan oil of morocco, 

Graprefruite mango butter

Sea mineral moisture

I won't lie, these are a little bit on the pricey side at about $5.99 a bottle but it is definitely worth a try. If you're still skeptical then here is a video with a small review on some of the best sulfate free cleansers. 

About Me

Hello!

I'm Joy, born and raised here in Topeka, Ks; I've always thought Topeka was a really interesting place and you have to be creative if you want to keep yourself entertained. I love to travel and I won't hesitate to take off down the road whenever I'm so inclined. I'm all about new places and people.

  I am currently a senior at Washburn majoring in Corporate communication and working on a minor in PR, it took me FOREVER to figure out what I wanted to study in school but I have to say that I really enjoy the path I am now on. I plan on moving to Dallas after graduation and find a job in public relations or something else within the communication field.

What the heck is Sodium lauryl sulfate?

 Have you ever read the back of a shampoo bottle and wondered what the heck you were reading? I know I have. It's easy to get caught up in the promises of fuller, thicker, glossier hair but have you ever taken the time to find out if the ingredients are good for your hair? 

Knowing what's in your hair care products is one of the first steps in improving the health of your hair, using a leave-in that is full of alcohol is like a double negative if you're using it for the purpose of adding moisture to your hair. I want to give you all a list of some of the more popular ingredients and hopefully you can become better educated on what is best for your hair :)

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate- Drying detergent cleanser. May strip hair color by causing hair shaft to swell, increasing the chances of pigment being released. “Rumors were circulating at one time that sulfates were causing cancer. According to snopes.com, SLS does not cause cancer. But it can be an irritant if left on the skin” This is the ingredient that produces the bubbles and suds that we all love, but this is also the active ingredient used in engine degreasers, scary huh? It's ok as an occasional clarifying treatment but when used regularly it can damage and dry out your hair, definitely one to avoid.

Isopropyl/ Isopropyl alcohol- A ingredient that is used to cut the oil in your hair but it also strips it of some of the needed natural oils, its basically rubbing alcohol, which is extremely drying and damaging for your hair. 

Diethanolamine- Another popular cleaner and lather producer, its also used to produce a creamy or sudsy product. In low doses it's deemed safe but when paired with formaldehyde it can create nitrosamines which is a known carcinogen. Scary. 


Triethanolamine- Used to keep oil and water from separating in products but it can irritate the scalp and aggravate allergies . It can also  deplete the natural keratin in your hair which in turn causes your hair to become hard  and brittle


Propylene Glycol- Another common ingredient found in shampoos and beauty products, its used to keep the products from freezing during shipping and handling. Fun/Gross fact- It's also the antifreeze that we use in our cars. Delightful. 


Stay tuned for a list of shampoos that are actually good for your hair. :)

Natural hair is not for me

I have heard this statement several times and it always makes me pause; how can the hair you're born with not be for you? Now I know it's no walk in the park and for some people they prefer the manageability that chemical processes allow them but I would implore them to let go of those reservations and explore the options that come with having natural hair.

The first step to going natural is research, research, research. Why? If you don't know what your hair likes and what products are best them you will fall right back into the clutches of the creamy crack and the process will start all over again.  The research that you conduct should include finding out what curl pattern you have, Those with a coarser texture can create beautiful  locs, twists,braid outs and puffs. If you have a looser curl texture your hair may not be able to style your hair in the same manner, but that doesn't mean you can't rock a wash & go or a sleek curly ponytail.

The next step is deciding whether you want to go all out and do the big chop or transition into your natural hair; I wasn't brave enough to chop all my hair off so I went the slower route and transitioned but once again research, research, research! Find what's best for you before proclaiming that natural hair is not for you.

Natural Hair journey

Natural hair is something that has been gaining a lot of popularity over the last few years, it fell out of popularity in the 1980"s but if you rocked a natural fro in the 60's & 70's then not only were you making a political statement then you were also at the height of fashion. 

In this day and age its not quite a political statement but many people have found it to be an important change in their life. I chose this to be the focus of my blog because I believe that it is a lot more than just hair. Each week I will explore a different facet of hair care and hair styles and discuss some of the history of natural hair within the African-American community.