The Hair Care Lair

Celebrities Without Their Wigs & Weaves!

2011-11-05T03:47:00.011Z

Jada Pinkett Smith

Celebrities live very hectic lifestyles where keeping up appearances are everything, especially when it comes to their hair.

From film sets, to magazine shoots to the red carpet their hair must be on point...styled, dyed and laid to the side. To avoid the 'frying' element of this, like most women these celebrities opt for wigs and weaves to protect their hair from the continuous daily styling.

For some celebrities protecting their hair has worked wonders, for others it looks like not a lot of care was taken whilst their hair was being protected underneath weaves and wigs.

Take a look below and see for yourself.

Long Hair Watch: 'Sydney Tamiia Poitier'

2011-11-04T14:47:00.001Z

Poitier in Tarantino's Death Proof

Sydney Tamiia Poitier is the daughter of Hollywood screen actor legend Sidney Poitier. Born in 1973 to her famous Bahamian father and Lithuanian-Canadian mother, Sydney is the youngest of five sisters.

Like her father, Sydney also ventured into acting starring in both TV and film roles such as 'Joan of Arcadia' and Quentin Tarantino's 'Death Proof'.

Now onto the hair...

Style Watch: Celebrities Who Have Wrapped It Up

2011-11-01T15:00:00.002Z

Looking for some inspiration when you really want to give your hair a break from weaves, wigs, braids etc without exposing your hair?

Sometimes we forget about one practical yet beautiful option...the head wrap.

Hair Products I'm Loving Right Now!

2011-10-31T17:08:00.000Z

I decided to curb the PJ (product junkie) inside of me and delve into my box of hair products to see what could be used rather than head straight to the shop and replenish my supply.

I find that certain hair products work differently on my hair depending on what 'hair stage' I'm at. When I'm freshly relaxed certain products work better on my hair, compared to when my hair is 5 months post relaxer.

Check In Results: 30 Day Challenge...How Much Growth Did I Get?

2011-09-06T16:43:00.001+01:00

If you missed it...Read all about the 30 Day Challenge here.

I officially started the challenge on July 31st. I failed with not being consistent, but succeeded with regard to increasing my hair growth by THREE times the usual amount. Imagine what would have happened if I was actually consistent throughout the month?

Long Hair Watch: 'Marie'

2011-08-07T11:00:00.001+01:00

Marie and her classic length mane

Whether you want your hair shoulder length, armpit length, mid back length, waist length or you want to sit on it, it always helps to be and remain inspired.

Today's LHW features a young lady called Marie, a friend of MissGlamourGirl1992 on You Tube.

Video: How NOT To Handle Your Hair, Wet Or Dry!

2011-08-06T11:00:00.024+01:00

Ateyaaa 6 months post relaxer about to go IN on her hair!

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh!!!

When I first saw this video I winced and covered my eyes. If you're a hair care enthusiast/expert then you'll know that this is not the way to handle your hair when wet, or especially when you are 6 month post relaxer.

This video was uploaded in November 2010 by popular hair and make-up vlogger Ateyaaa. You've probably heard of her, followed her channel or just occasionally taken a peek at her videos.

If you haven't you will now!

8 Month Picture Comparison Using FAST Shampoo & Conditioner

2011-08-02T18:47:00.001+01:00

Dorrina on You Tube took the time to document her 8 month journey on You Tube.

I sometimes find You Tube comparisons very hard to compare, so came up with the idea of compiling screen shots of her progress and putting them in one image.

If you haven't followed Dorrina's journey whilst using FAST I need to let you know a few things.

Video: What I Use To Wash, Condition &Grow My Hair Daily

2011-08-02T11:15:00.006+01:00

Does it work? It does for me!

If you've been reading my blog over the past week or even followed me on Twitter, you would have seen me make many references to washing my hair very frequently.

For the past two months I became very lazy with my hair care from the washing to the supplement taking, but now I'm back on it harder than ever. The break is over and I'm back on the serious mission of growing and maintaining my hair.

When I shampoo and condition my hair daily, the product that I am using is called F.A.S.T.

Long Hair Watch: 'Sonia Braga'

2011-08-02T11:00:00.011+01:00

Sonia Braga

I was watching The Cosby Show on DVD and there was an episode called 'Mrs Westlake' in season 2 where Theo Huxtable's teacher Mrs Westlake comes to the family house for dinner.

I tweeted a few pictures on @TheHairCareLair and knew that I had to feature the Brazilian actress (61) on Long Hair Watch.

My Real Hair. My Fake Hair.

2011-08-01T11:00:00.008+01:00

Meet Diana [my REAL hair], named after the Motown legend Ms Ross and
her trademark wigs. Yes she has a name dammit! I'm working with some
DIVA HAIR!!

This picture was taken at the end of May 2011 after 5 months of no relaxer touch up.

Yes, believe it or not, this thick mop of hair is texlaxed (texturised with a relaxer) and I do it only 2-3 times a year using Mizani Butter Blends.

To texlax, you leave the relaxer on for only a few minutes to loosen the texture. The aim is to NOT get the hair bone straight, but to have some body left in the hair.

I self relax/texlax myself and always have since I first used a relaxer at 16 years old. I have been natural and loc'd in between that time. I do have a picture tutorial for those interested in learning how to self relax coming up later in the week.

How To ALWAYS Remain Consistent When Taking Your Supplements

2011-07-31T11:30:00.002+01:00

Eradicate the thought process of having to remember WHEN
to take your supplements.

If it's one thing that gets on my nerves, it's taking my supplements and remembering when to take them.

Out of the tiresome and mundane task of popping capsules comes the reward of glowing skin, healthier insides and longer, thicker hair to name a few. A lot of us never get to reap the benefits as we can't stay on schedule long enough when it comes to taking our supplements. We lose precious inches off our annual hair goals and wasted money goes straight down the toilet drain.

Long Hair Watch: 'LeobodyC5' & 'Longhairdontcare2011'

2011-07-31T11:00:00.009+01:00

The stunning LeoBodyC5

A 'hair inspiration/idol' may mean one of two things or even both to some people:

A person whose hair you just wish to have and constantly swoon over.
A person who has a similar hair type to yours and are actively pursing your goal to getting your hair to their length.

I don't wish to have my hair inspiration's' hair 'type' at all, their length is my first goal, which if I actively keep going the way that I am now with my regimen, then 'Diana' (my hair, named after the diva Ms Ross, paying homage to her long & bushy wigs) could be there in the next 12 months or less.

Supplement Regimen For Faster Growth + 30 Day Challenge

2011-07-30T21:55:00.001+01:00

Vitamins, minerals and an amino acid (protein) supplements works just fine for me and seems to work great for a lot of people in general who take supplements in order to grow and thicken their hair. Last year I did a VERY extensive and thorough ingredient comparison of the combination that I was looking to take and compared it to the following hair growth supplements.

Hairfinity
Step 1 of Hair Formula 37
Exotic Allure

At-a-Glance ingredient comparison

Video: How Do Head Massages, Scalp Massages & Scratching Aid In Hair Growth?

2011-07-29T10:00:00.018+01:00

Head & scalp massages have many health benefits.

Scratching is a term used to lightly yet vigorously scratch the surface of the scalp to cause stimulation and bring blood flow to the follicles which help aid in hair growth.

"A properly done scalp massage can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, increase relaxation, decrease stress, condition the scalp, and boost the strength of the hair roots.

The kneading pressure applied by massage warms the skin and opens up blood vessels to increase flow and boost circulation. Increased circulation means that the cells of the hair follicle will receive more of the nutrients necessary to optimal hair growth function.

The rubbing motion promotes relaxation and feels good, thus increasing the production of "feel good" chemicals that work to lower levels of stress hormone in the body. Lower stress levels allow your organs to function more efficiently, thus boosting your hair follicle's ability to grow hair.

PART 1: Can Black Women Wash Their Hair Daily?

2011-07-28T16:56:00.000+01:00

Can Black women was their hair daily?

I'm a frequent hair washer and wash my hair everyday or every other day depending on my mood and my schedule. I also wash it everyday as I use a growth aid shampoo and this is part of the requirement. Prior to using this particular shampoo and conditioner combination (which I'll get around to mentioning at some point) I was a frequent hair washer anyway.

Our White and Asian counterparts could wash their hair daily and this was considered the norm. As Black hair doesn't have that whole 'wash n go' element to it, once a week or once every two weeks became the routine amongst girls and women which we rarely questioned growing up.

Long Hair Watch: 'HairCrush'

2011-07-28T14:11:00.000+01:00

Chime aka HairCrush

Image Source:

Chime, goes by the You Tube name of HairCrush and has been growing her hair for over 4 years and has been natural for about 2 and a half years as stated on her channel. If you wanted PROOF that a Black woman with NATURAL hair can grow it, then you need to make a cup of tea, take a sip and peep this young lady's hair on her channel.

'Can I touch it?' The Fascination With Touching Black Hair

2011-07-28T01:24:00.001+01:00

"...you'd best move your hand away from me." - Tamara Winfrey

I changed the title from 'The fascination with natural, African-American hair' to The Fascination With Touching Black Hair' as I'm not an African-American woman and neither are all of the readers of this blog. Do I change it to Afro hair or Black (as in race, not colour) hair? I decided to opt for Black hair as my own hair is not natural although I have had people still want to touch it and felt it was more of a fitting title to encompass all.

Let Me Introduce Myself!

2011-07-28T00:05:00.001+01:00

Having a camera shy moment!

Who are you?

Some of you may know me via my blog ‘I Am…LondonDiva’

Some may remember me as a former member of LHCF (Long Hair Care Forum) as LondonDiva.

Some of you may follow me on Twitter as LondonDiva.

I think that answers the question…online I go by the name LondonDiva.

Where are you from?

Born and raised Brit since 1979 in London, United Kingdom.

Welcome to 'The Hair Care Lair'

2011-07-27T21:45:00.002+01:00

'Good hair' is Healthy hair!

I have always been serious when it comes to growing my hair longer and healthier, but I’ve made a personal decision starting from NOW to get more serious with my hair growth over the coming days, weeks, months and years.

A few things you should be aware of:

Please do NOT be under the illusion that black hair cannot grow. I have managed to grow my own hair [with setbacks and successes along the way], as well as many other women of colour around the world.

#MYTH: You do not need to be mixed with any other race in order to achieve long hair.

#FACT: The curliest of Afro strands can grow down to your waist and beyond with patience, care and maintenance.