Take into consideration the style you want. Do you want to wear the hair straight most of the time? (If so, don’t get curly hair).  Do you want hair that you can wear straight and curl?  (You wouldn’t want to buy synthetic hair because usually, you can’t curl it.)  If you want something that gets wavy when wet then you’ll want to buy wet and wavy hair.  Do you want it long or short? (The desired length determines how many inches you buy.)  10-12 inches is about shoulder length on most people.

What is your hair type?  If you plan on leaving some of your hair out and blending it with the weave, that may determine what type of hair you get as well.  Don’t get silky – silky hair if you have type 4Z hair (like me) because it’s going to be a pain to blend.  You’ll end up flat ironing your hair everyday and damaging your hair.  You also want to get a color that is the same color as your hair.  If your hair is black don’t get blonde weave because I guarantee, you will look a mess.  However, if you are getting a closure or a full weave then the texture and color won’t matter.

What is your price range?  That’s easy…how much money are you willing to spend?  In general, you get what you pay for so the more you spend, the better quality.   However, I have had hair I paid $14.99 for that was better than hair I had spent $49.99 on.  Your best bet is to get on a hair forum and ask the ladies about different brands they have used.  Use Google product reviews and see what you can find as well.

How long do you want it to last?  Are you just looking for a cute curly style that you are going to wear a few weeks?  If so, you’d do well to get a pack of Freetress synthetic weave.   It costs about 10 bucks a pack.    If you are looking for something long term you may want to buy 100% human hair or even remy hair if you want it to last even longer.   Very quickly I’ll tell you the difference between Remy and non Remy hair.   Remy hair is collected from a donor (think Chris Rocks “Good Hair” movie and his trip to India.)   The cuticles are not stripped and therefore are aligned in one direction.  That is the difference between hair that stays smooth and lasts, and hair that is on top of your head looking like a bird’s nest after a week.

If you plan on wearing your weave a while and you want it to last through multiple installs you are going to want to go with a higher quality Remy hair from a reputable vendor.  Yes, it’s much more expensive but if all the above qualifications are yours, then this is the route you want to go.   I’ll use myself as an example.   I wrote an article “Yes I wear a weave, it’s called protective styling”.   I knew that I wanted to use weave as a protective style to help grow my hair out.  For me, that means wearing my weave for at least 2 months at a time and giving my hair a 1 – month break in between.  That would mean in a year’s time I would get my weave installed 4 times.   If I buy from the beauty supply each time and spend $25 a pack for hair, (I usually buy 2 packs), I’ve spent $200 by the year’s end.  However, because I knew I would be getting weaves I chose to buy Remy hair that would last.  I spent 200 bucks on hair but I’ve already worn it 3 times and it’s still good.  I am positive I can get 3 more wears out of it because I take care of it.  When you buy good quality Remy hair you’ll be better able to take care of your own hair underneath.  You can wash, condition, and curl it just like you would your own hair.  You don’t have to worry about messing the weave up when you want to wash or moisturize you hair underneath.

Hopefully, this has helped you in your quest for the perfect weave.  Choose what seems right for you.

If you notice darker areas of skin where you normally apply your lace wigs and have yet to encounter any torn skin or scarred tissue, then you are in luck.   The first thing to do is to refrain from wearing any more adhesives for a while.   This may mean refraining for a few weeks or up to a few months.  The amount of time needed to reform the skin depends on a number of factors, however, only you are able to determine a proper time frame for this process.   Regardless of the amount of time you choose, you must stop wearing all adhesives immediately.   This also includes tapes as well as glue adhesives.   During this time, you may want to refrain from wearing full lace wigs altogether or you can opt for alternative application methods including pinning the lace wig, applying wig combs and bands or a combination of several methods at once.   This time is needed to allow the affected area to rest.   Without rest, the skin will never be able to heal properly.

Now that you are taking time from adhesives for healing, you need to address any scarring, tissue tears, and burns.   In the case of scarring, no further action is needed.  Only remember to keep the area clean, dry and free of debris.   You can clean the area with a simple solution of peroxide and water applied with a cotton ball or Q-tip.   If you have broken skin combined with irritation, you need to follow the same protocol for scarred skin; keep the skin clean, dry and free of debris.   You can do this with the same water and peroxide solution.   Burns are another issue.   Burns due to wearing adhesives are somewhat similar in chemical perms from relaxers.   They too should be treated with the same premise of applying ointment to the affected area.   The most suitable type of ointment available for minor cuts and burns is aloe vera gel or aloe very juice.   Aloe vera has soothing properties that encourage burn healing while concurrently soothing irritation.   Another suitable type of ointment is zinc-oxide ointment.   Zinc-Oxide is the active ingredient in many diaper rash products.   If you are not able to find a solid zinc oxide product in your area, any diaper rash product with zinc oxide as an active ingredient will do.  If your burns are more severe, Silvadene is also an  option.   If you opt for aloe vera gel or zinc oxide ointment, gently clean the affected area with a water and hydrogen peroxide solution.   Once the area is dry, apply a light layer of zinc oxide or aloe vera gel until the product is absorbed into the skin.   Silvadene is also applied in the same manner.   Apply ointments several times per day.   Do not proceed to the next step until the skin mended or a new layer of skin has formed over the affected area.

Once the burned skin, broken skin and irritation are resolved, you can begin to treat the remnants of the scarring and irritation.   Usually, burns, rashes, irritation and broken skin leave discoloration around the affected area.   There is a plethora of fading products available, however, the most natural products is an ideal place to start.   The goal here is to remove discoloration without more irritation.   The last thing you want is to repeatedly irritate the skin with chemicals. Refrain from using products that have any hydroquinone or any harsh agents like alcohol.   Start with natural African black soap or Likas Papaya soap and follow up with raw shea butter.   Use this regimen at least twice per day and continue the routine until the affected area is free of discoloration.   Please note that burn marks and hairline discoloration take a lot of time and effort to heal.   Remain steadfast in your routine and pay careful attention to your hairline when opting to wearing full lace wigs during your hairline remediation efforts.

Bull Semen (Protein treatment for Hair)

Therapeutic Benefits:

• Thickens hair
• Adds shine and volume

So this treatment is called “Aberdeen Organic Bull Semen Treatment”.   It is said to leave hair soft and thick.   Stored in a refrigerator prior to use, it is highly sought after because of its organic nature.   It is said to be one of the highest organic sources of protein for hair.   For approximately $100 a session, it is left in the client’s hair to penetrate and assist hair with shine and volume.

My Reaction:  No thanks.   I’ll pass.   I’m not that desperate for protein.   It is hard to believe that people have to resort to this.   I’m sure their clients don’t think twice about it.   But I think that’s bull.

Snake Massage

Therapeutic Benefits:

• Relaxation
• Decrease pain
• Thrilling sensation not unlike sky diving

So apparently this isn’t a new thing.   People find having snakes glide over there bare skin very relaxing.   Tim Mcgirk, a reporter from TIME Magazine, reflects on his first experience with this therapy:

“When Barak plops a writhing tangle of snakes on my belly, their first reaction, and mine, is panic.   They race away in six directions, and she patiently plops them back, braiding them together to slow their getaway.    Once my panic subsides, I can focus on the snakes moving across my skin.”

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1844564,00.html#ixzz1diRAkYrx

See more: http://www.amusingplanet.com/2011/07/snake-massage-spa-in-israel.html

My Reaction:

No way in hell, heaven, or earth would I allow myself to endure such torture.   If I had government secrets this would be the best way to get me to spill my guts!   They wouldn’t even have to put them on me.   All one would have to do is bring the snakes in the same room with me and the keys to the pentagon would be theirs.   Codes, conspiracy plans, heck I’d even dance and sing.   Just don’t cover my coco-licious skin with slithering reptiles.   Needless to say this wouldn’t relax me. But if that is your thing, then don’t worry it is increasing in popularity.

Laser Surgery: From Brown to Blue Eyes

In this procedure a doctor uses a laser to target the melanin in ones eyes. (This is what affects the color) Dr. Gregg Homer is doing the research and has already begun human clinical studies.  Out of his sample group, none have had negative side effects. See More: http://thedailywh.at/2011/11/02/laser-eye-color-surgery-of-the-day/

 There is also a procedure you can have done in Panama.  I need to mention it here as well because it is a very dangerous surgery that many have suffered from.   There you can get disk/implants sealed over your eye to change its color.   This should be illegal because complications are pretty much guaranteed.

 Therapeutic Benefits:

• Change in eye color
• Possible increase in self esteem

 My Reaction:  Let’s take a page from the Book of Daily Affirmation written by Jessica- A Wise Child “I like my hair, I like my hair cuts, I like my pajamas! … I like my whole house!” (see the whole video here: http://tinyurl.com/cftxunj)

This child understands the value of liking what she already has.   There is nothing wrong with changing ones appearance.   But when you have to choose between your health, safety, and color preferences, this decision should be a no brainer.   is not like hair that may grow back, or tattoos that shouldn’t cause diseases.   This surgery is dangerous.    And even though studies say that the risks are minimal, there have been documented cases of things going badly.   I like my eyes.   So this doesn’t appeal to me.  But for the love of all that is holy, if you are going to have permanent adjustments done, do your research and get qualified people who are highly recommended.   Don’t go for discounts or cheap shortcuts because you’ll always get what you pay for.

]]> http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/3-beauty-treatments-id-never-try/feed/ 0 http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/3-beauty-treatments-id-never-try/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-beauty-treatments-id-never-try http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BlackHairMediaBlog/~3/ogQnj9LaJ6I/ http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/five-ways-to-lose-weight-at-home-without-going-to-the-gym/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:00:41 +0000 Brenda Barrett http://blackhairmedia.com/?p=8313

Every year women make a new resolve to keep in shape and to stay healthy.  For some people, these resolutions are usually good for one week out of the New Year and then it is back to the old habits.   The problem with some of these resolutions is that they are nearly impossible to keep, given our schedules or lack of funds.  When it comes to exercise, there are several ways that a person can lose weight from home without having to commute to a gym.  If your goal is to keep in shape, you may have to look around at home to find out how you can do this.

Studies show that 60% of gym attendees who sign up for gym at the beginning of the year drop out by mid-year.

Reasons given for the drop out include:

•  Too busy at work
• Too tired to drive to the gym
• Not enough hours in the day to juggle gym/children/spouse/boss
• Not seeing any results
• Too expensive

No matter the excuse if you really want to lose or maintain weight there are several ways you can accomplish this at home without going to the gym.

1. Gardening to Lose Weight

Many movements in gardening will resemble a typical aerobics class at the gym.   Activities such as digging, raking, weeding, planting, and lifting grass or weeds to put at compost heaps, will have a positive effect on your flexibility and strength.  Gardening helps to maintain muscles, which in turn increase the metabolic rate.   Thirty minutes per day, five days per week is adequate for maintaining weight.

2. Cleaning House to Lose Weight

One of the best aerobic workouts is from cleaning house.  Done vigorously enough, cleaning house can induce sweat and gives the core muscles a workout.   This can be done once or twice per week for forty-five minute periods.

3. Jumping Rope (Skipping) to Lose Weight

For the best overall body toning jump rope offers the best.   Find an even surface at home or in the yard, purchase a skipping rope and start skipping. Start slowly because this exercise is high impact, as it works out your whole body, including your core.   Dedicate at least twenty minutes every other day right at home and get a vigorous workout.

4. Dance to Lose Weight

Dancing increases endorphins and moves the body in the same way that a vigorous aerobic workout would.   If done frequently enough a dance session can help you to lose calories equal to that of a morning jog.  Another bonus is that you can listen to your favorite music and move your body to the beats.

5. Use the Stairs to Lose Weight

Walk up and down the stairs at your home, at your workplace, or at the mall.   Climb one-step at a time and when it gets easier, climb two at a time. Using the stairs is similar to using steps at your favorite fat busting aerobics class.   They are both aerobic activities that give a good cardiovascular workout and burns calories.

Plan your daily schedule around two or three of these activities and you will lose weight if you are consistent.

1. Eggs

This is a no-brainer for most people.  Some have been adding eggs to their regular conditioner for years to give it an extra protein boost.   In case you didn’t know, egg is a super hair food.   It contains several vitamins: A, B, D, E and it is one of the best sources of protein around.   The adage, egg on your face is not necessarily a bad thing if you are doing a facial, since eggs improve blood circulation on the skin, tightens pores and gives skin a more toned look.

You can sweeten your facial recipe with honey or add a drop of lavender oil to the mix for a truly rewarding facial.   Most people use the white of the egg for facials.

For hair, I am a believer in the egg treatment.  The fatty acids in egg makes hair shiny and more manageable, it is especially useful if your hair is begging for protein and you want to give it a quick fix.

To use eggs for your hair, you can add your carrier oil (coconut, olive, almond or castor oil), an essential oil (lavender, rosemary) and your favorite moisturizing conditioner and apply to freshly shampooed hair. Leave on for an hour or more under a plastic cap and you will get really great results.

2. Avocado

Rich in several vitamins, potassium and copper, the avocado is one of the most nutritious vegetables for the care of your body, both internally and externally.   It contains several vitamins, minerals, and natural oils and is good for all types of skin and hair, particular dry skin and hair.

For a super skin treatment:

2 tablespoons ripe avocado pear. (Peel off the skin)

1-teaspoon honey

2 drops lemon juice

Mash the avocado into a paste and add the lemon juice (this will prevent it from getting black).   Add the honey and mix together.   Apply evenly on face, and then leave for 20 to thirty minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water; make your final rinse a cold-water rinse.

For hair, the avocado is really very good.   Adding a tablespoon of carrier oil to mashed avocado and use it as a deep conditioner will really add body and shine to hair.

3. Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper.   It is also a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, selenium and vitamin B6, all very good sources of nourishment to the body and an excellent hair and skin care food.   Black strap molasses softens hair and skin and is rumored to add back the hair’s natural color especially in cases where the hair is prematurely gray.   It is a good conditioner for hair and can be mixed with eggs for a super treatment or added to carrier oils for moisture benefits.

For skin, blackstrap molasses used with cornmeal is an excellent to exfoliate skin.   Just add cornmeal to molasses and gently rub over face and neck.   Leave on for twenty minutes and wash off.

These three super foods are a healthy staple for any ones diet and can be used on hair and skin too for great results.

Marjon Carlos wrote on the Vogue IT website about the struggles of Black models such as Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell suffering from alopecia because of the neglectful/harmful way their hair was treated during their modeling career.  (Imagine having your hair ripped and tugged by someone at a photo shoot and having to sit through it and smile!)  In the article, Marjon celebrated the natural hair trend that is taking place on the runways.  Granted, more progression of naturals on the runway is needed, as there are only a small number of designers using models with natural hair and a small number of models that choose to wear their natural locks instead of wigs or a weave.

Take a look at some of these Black models who have recently strutted down the runway “au natural.”

I use a hair lotion called ORS Carrot Oil and I have a face mask called Yes To Carrots Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask.  Until now, I have not really given it much thought that the main ingredient used in these products is a carrot.  Which means, that carrots should be very beneficial to hair and skin.  It stands to reason that if it is commercially prepared for hair and skin, the little orange vegetables that are available every year from the farmers market are in fact extremely good for the body both internally and externally.

What is so beneficial about this orange veggie that it can be used topically?  Well, internally, carrots contain beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A by the body.  This nutrient wards off cancers, helps prevent heart disease and helps you to see better.   As for your hair and skin, carrots are very useful externally to revitalize dull and tired looking skin and hair, will leave your skin and hair looking youthful and fresh and it helps to prevent hair loss.

So what can you do at home to incorporate carrots into your hair regimen? You can drink the juice of a carrot every day!  Recent research results from Harvard University suggest that people who eat more than five carrots a week are much less likely to suffer a stroke than those who eat only one carrot a month. Besides this study, anecdotal evidence suggests that people who drink carrot juice and other vegetable juices daily can avoid hair issues such hair loss, baldness, hair dryness and oiliness, hair breaking and shedding.

The following are three ways to use carrots at home topically. This way, you can get the direct goodness of your organic carrots topically without buying expensive commercial products:

Carrots For Hair

The following recipe provides multiple benefits for hair care and growth. Using carrots and honey increases hair sheen, reduces dry scalp, minimizes hair loss and preserves natural elasticity.

Ingredients:
2 Carrots
2 Tbsp Honey
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Vitamin E Oil

Directions:

Juice your carrots in a juicer. If you don’t own a juicer, blend the carrots in as little water as possible.   Strain the carrots.   Warm up the honey olive oil and vitamin e oil in a saucepan.   Add this mixture to the carrot juice.   Apply mixture to damp hair, coating it completely from root to ends.   Cover with a plastic cap and leave in your hair for at least an hour or as long as you have the time (overnight will yield great results.)   Wash the mixture from the hair, preferably with a sulfate free shampoo and then rinse well.   Style as usual.

Carrot For Skin

This recipe is especially useful for areas of the body that are especially dry including elbows and knees.

Carrot and Avocado Moisturizing Mask

Ingredients
1-Tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/2 Avocado
1 Medium Sized Carrot
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method: First, grate your carrot preferably on the smallest part of your grater. Remove the skin of your avocado and mash until it is very soft.   Next, mix together the carrot avocado, olive oil and brown sugar.   Stir until all the pieces are thoroughly mix, leave for 20 minutes to ensure all the ingredients are soaked in and mixed well together.

Prepare the area of the body where you will be putting the mask by washing first, preferably with warm water.   Scoop the mixture out and rub it in a circular motion – the sugar will wipe away dead skin and the other ingredients will moisturize.   Let the mask set (20 -30 minutes) and rinse away with warm water.   Finish with cold water.   If done consistently on the elbows and knees, the skin will soften over time.

Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Sheree Whitfield
Sheree has pretty much always worn some type of weave since the show began.  She wears her hair in a variety of styles from the classic straight hair with a part down the middle to a head full of curls or body waves.

Kandi Burrus
Kandi started with a short cut that was very hot and stylish.  Her two-toned ‘do was a sought after look once she debuted on the Housewives of Atlanta.  Her current look is a long layered weave.

Photo by: Quantrell Colbert/Bravo

Phaedra Parks
Ms. Phaedra has pretty much worn her hair the same way each season she has been on the show.  She wears her hair in a medium length layered style.  Dark brown or an off black is the color of choice for Phaedra’s hair.

Cynthia Bailey
The model in the group, Cynthia Bailey has worn her hair in several different styles as well.  We first saw Cynthia with a short spiky hair style.  Later, she began to switch it up and we saw her in long layered weaves, braids, and long straight weave styles.

So who sports the best hairstyles?  I love Phaedra, I think she is very entertaining, however, her hair style is pretty routine.  I have to say, Sheree’s style (and attitude) are not very appealing to me, so that leaves NeNe, Kandi, and Cynthia.  Out of the three, NeNe and Kandi are the real trendsetters when it comes to hair.  They play around with color and lengths so they win hands down in my opinion.  And who is my favorite cast member you may ask?  NeNe, of course, is my favorite.  I love her outspoken, outgoing personality.  Who do you think wears the best hairstyle and why?

]]> http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/housewives-of-atlanta-whose-style-is-best/feed/ 0 http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/housewives-of-atlanta-whose-style-is-best/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=housewives-of-atlanta-whose-style-is-best http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BlackHairMediaBlog/~3/T1r39HkPx30/ http://blackhairmedia.com/articles/five-easy-ways-to-transition/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:00:59 +0000 Kendra Turnquest http://blackhairmedia.com/?p=7348

The most difficult decision in going natural is the transitioning process.  In fact, this process can be so tedious that many women fail to maintain their new natural growth and revert to relaxing.  Most women who have successfully transitioned will all agree that the first year is the most difficult when temptation is greater than ever.  This is largely because it is problematic styling hair with two different textures.  This article will explain various transitioning methods that help make the process much easier.

Option 1: “The Big Chop” or BC

This option is the easiest but is mostly implemented as last resort. It is a difficult thing for a woman who has had a full head of hair her whole life, to cut it all off.   Little girls all over the world are taught that their hair is their beauty; therefore, parting with it suddenly can cause emotional stress.   Some women wait a few months for new growth to appear before they decide to have the BC done. Others decide on a whim and shave from the root.   In both instances, the relaxed hair is trimmed off leaving only the natural and unprocessed hair behind.

Option 2: Braids

Hair Braids provide a viable option for every transitioning woman. When correctly done, braids can provide protection for hair against damage due to everyday styling.   However, it is very important to protect the hairline and edges that can easily be forgotten. Braiding styles such as micro braids offer much more versatility and styling options than cornrows do but they are not always the best choice as far as protective styling goes.  With styling micro braids, the same amount of pulling and tugging at the root is applied as with everyday styling.   Hair loss and damage is seen quite often with micro braids because of the amount of stress that is sometimes applied to the individual braids.   Cornrows are a safer alternative as there is no movement and tugging at the roots, which are safely tucked away under the braid itself.

Option 3: Weaves

Hair weaving is a very popular option because the transitioning woman is comfortably afforded the option of limitless styling.  This option offers the best protective styling as well as complete invisibility throughout the entire transitioning phase. Since Black women are notoriously known to spend a small fortune on hair weaves, it is the easiest and most fun way to transition without even thinking about it.

Option 4: Wigs

Like weaves, wigs cover the entire scalp area.   However all wigs are not easily so removed. Lace wigs can be applied with a thin even layer of adhesive or tape to hold it more securely in place. Other lace wigs include just clips, combs, or nothing at all. The choice is largely up to the wearer, regarding which is more convenient and comfortable.   With wigs, the hair beneath does not need to be braided in order to wear it.   This option is more common with women who opted for a BC, and want a change in styling but do not have enough hair to braid or weave.   With this option, the hair can be easily removed as often as desired, allowing the scalp to breathe in between wearing.

Option 5: Braid Out or Twist Out

For the women who have a difficult time with the concept of the BC, braiding the relaxed ends with the natural roots then carefully loosening them out is a better option.   This is done by braiding wet hair in single braids from root to tip, allowing hair to dry, then carefully loosening out braids to create a curly effect.  While this may seem like a whole lot of work for many women, some actually prefer to do this regularly until their natural hair has grown to a length that can be styled favorably without the relaxed ends.

Whatever route is more favorable, the best thing any transitioning woman can do is to surround herself with positive women who are experiencing the same hair woes as she is.   Countless websites like BHM, blogs, and social groups offer support, tips, and styles that make the transition from relaxed to natural fun and easy.   Join BHM today and enjoy transitioning naturally!