e beauty

The Virgin Hair Company UK Update

2012-07-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

I received some interesting responses from my youtube review of this company. Mostly from people with similar experiences with this company. One of the comments urged me to contact the owner about my issue so I did. The explained to me that she was unhappy with the vendor from that time period and would send replacement bundles. She offered me anything from her stock. I chose to receive a replacement of the hair I originally purchased: 4oz 16" and 4oz 18" Virgin Indian Remy Body Wave. She agreed and explained that she would send out my replacements as soon as her paying orders were processed.

Delivery took a bit longer than I expected but it did arrive. This is the hair straight out of the package:

The hair is very soft out of the package. No funny smell. Not shedding to much, maybe one or two strands. Each bundle is about 1 1/2 inches longer than what the packaging states which is a plus. The hair color is a very dark black, a true #1. I tested the hair and it is true human hair with cuticle intact. The wefts are sturdy and not bulky at all. The beards are about 1 - 1 1/2 inches from the weft. The ends appear healthy.

This is the water after the a few washes:

The water was darker after the first wash which indicates the hair was dyed. there's a debate what makes hair truly "Virgin". Traditionally, after coloring hair is no longer considered virgin. Some believe steam processing removes virgin status. The term "virgin" has been used and misused so much that people don't know what to call what they really want from vendors and vendors don't know how to properly market their hair products. I really don't care what its called as long as its beautiful and behaves well.

I first installed this hair as a sew in. The wefts are very pliable and very easy to work with. I did a partial, middle-part. I use all of the two bundles with about 1 to 2 inch spacing in the back.

The hair is beautiful installed. I didn't experience much shedding. I didn't seal the wefts. By the end of the first week, I noticed my scalp starting to itch. I expected as much since the beards are so long. There was also some tangling at the nape and in the back. Since the wefts are folded over and the cuticle are intact, the misalignment at the bear area will cause some tangling. I kept the hair installed for three weeks and decided to make a u-part. I just couldn't stand the itching. My scalp is sensitive. If your's isn't, that might not be a problem. the hair did much better on the u-part as I was able to remove the wig at night.

I have gotten so many complements on this hair. Its gorgeous! I love it. I've been wearing this hair about 3 months off and on and its still beautiful. I appreciate the owner for replacing my hair after such a long period of time. She did stress that she doesn't normally do this (its been over a year since I made my original purchase). Would I purchase from this company again? Yes! I haven't tried their other textures so I can't say anything about the quality of their other stock. I can say that the "Virgin" Indian Remy Body Wave is good quality. As far as longevity goes, only time will tell. As for now, I love my Indian hair!

Ms. Perfect Hair Buyer Beware

2012-05-23T08:32:00.001-07:00

So much has happened since I posted my initial review on this company. To sum it all up: the "Brazilian" hair turned into a tangled mess, they took thousands of orders and sent out hair to very few, they disappeared and reappeared with pretty pictures, took orders again and didn't send hair again, had a giveaway and didn't even send prizes to the winners etc., I could go on. Why the owner of this company isn't somewhere behind bars is baffling. She blamed losing $100,000+ on UPS and the Tsunami in Japan. Didn't know "Brazilian" hair could be purchased in Japan O_O. This company has a high amount of fraudulent activity. I would NOT recommend them to anyone at this point. This company's grade has been downgraded to F.

The Anatomy of Hair Growth

2011-11-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

I briefly discussed the anatomy of hair in a previous post. That post inspired me to do some research and find out more about the hair on our heads and how it grows.

The hair structure is basically a collection of fibers surrounded by a layer of shingle shaped cells called the cuticle. The fibers are pretty fragile on their own. Together, along with the cuticle they are much stronger. The cuticles naturally grow in the same direction pointing downward toward the tips of the hair shaft. They also overlap to provide even more protection for the delicate hair fibers.

Light reflecting off of the cuticles gives the hair its shine. Some textures of hair are shinier than others but I will get into that in a minute. When the cuticles are laying flat, they reflect the most light giving hair a natural shine. Lifted cuticles reflect less light and gives hair a dull appearance. Lifted cuticles will peel off exposing the

delicate internal fibers and leaving the hair most susceptible to breakage. Eventually, with no protection the delicate fibers will split and break off.

Split End

Sebum, your hair's natural oil, sweat and product buildup can collect under the cuticles and cause them to lift. Shampoo can remove dirt and debris from your hair which is great but some shampoos contain harsh detergents that can strip your hair and cause more dryness. That's a whole other discussion as well. For now, just know that sulfate free is the best, shampoo for all hair types. Using conditioner is also a great way to smooth down the cuticles and return moisture to the hair.

All hair is the same structurally. They differ in shape. Three major hair textures are African/African American, Asian and Caucasian. Latin American hair tends to vary widely and can resemble any of these textures. Asian hair is round, Caucasian hair is oblong and African American hair is kidney shaped.

Asian hair's circular shape helps maintain strength and it optimum for sebum to travel down the shaft and moisturize the hair. Caucasian hair can be either straight or wavy depending on how oblong the shaft it. Sebum is still able to travel down the hair shaft but not as well as in Asian hair. African American hair's kidney bean shape gives it it curly/kinky texture. Oil doesn't travel down the shaft well which is why this texture tends to be dry and more fragile. Keeping these tips in mind should help in choosing hair care products that meet your individual needs.

The Difference Between Virgin and Remy

2011-05-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Indian hair is considered to be superior to other human hair mainly because it blends well with natural ethnic hair types. Remy and Virgin are words that are most commonly related to Indian hair although these words can be applied to other hair as well. Let's start with Remy.

Remy

"Remy" refers to the cuticle layer of the hair being intact and aligned in one direction. The cuticle is the outer layer of a strand of hair. They are an important factor to consider when buying hair extension. Intact, flat cuticles reflect light which gives the hair its shining appearance. When the cuticles are not aligned, the hair strands snag each other causing tangling. Hair that tangles is more likely to shed and break due to the friction caused by detangling. This greatly reduces the length of time the hair can be used. Pictured is a healthy hair strand with cuticle intact.

Misaligned Cuticles

Virgin Hair

Virgin hair is hair that has not been dyed, texturized or chemically treated in any way. Virgin hair is the highest quality hair because it behaves the most like the hair growing out of our heads. It is important to remember that just because the hair is said to be "virgin" does not automatically mean it is remy. This depends upon the manner of collection. If the hair is cut from a single braid, it is more likely to be sold as virgin because the cuticles are all aligned before donation. This hair can be expensive but is good for those who want to reuse the hair for years. If the hair is shaved off, or collected form what is swept up after donation, the cuticles are almost impossible to align and therefore are sold as human hair in local beauty supply stores.

Human Hair

This type of hair is real hair but the cuticles are not aligned due to the collection process. This hair is dipped in an acid bath to remove the cuticles. Since it is virtually impossible to remove all of the cuticles, A silicone is the applied to smooth the hair and give it a shiny look. This silicone is not permanent and is usually washed out within the first or second wash. Once the silicone is washed out, any remaining cuticles snag and create tangling. Without the silicone to smooth the cuticles, the hair can become impossible to detangle and useless very quickly. Human hair is good for those on a budget and that only need a temporary style.

Product Review: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

2011-05-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Everyone raves about how moisturizing the product is and how much they love it. My experience was totally different. The first time I used it, I applied it to towel dried hair and let it sit....... big mistake. The curls in the front of her hair were defined. In the middle and back there was very little definition. It was very difficult to smooth out sections. The product felt a little sticky in her hair. I was not pleased at all and thought maybe I used too much.

On the second attempt, I realized I just don't like it. I blowdried her hair and used a small amount on each section. Granted it does provide moisture but not as much as my softee coconut oil. In order to give give the best review possible, I used this product alone without any other product in my daughter's hair. After letting the product set overnight in twists, I have to admit that her hair was not soft. Her twists weren't defined and by the end of the day her hair looked more like a blowout than a twist out. If your curl pattern is more defined, you will probably like this product. If your hair is dry, you will need and additional moisturizer. I haven't completely given up on this product. Since my curl pattern is more defined I will be trying it on my hair.

Update: The Virgin Hair Company Uk

2011-05-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

I promised pictures.....

My Hairaddicts wefts aren't even this bad. The hair itself has is still beautiful.

Braid Out

2011-05-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

I want my daughter to know exactly how versatile natural hair is so i'm trying different styles on her that appeal to her. She likes free flowing styles and since she's a little too young to manage her own hair at school, I decided to do a braid out. She was wearing afro puffs so I had to co-wash and detangle. I used Hair One to co-wash and Suave Naturals Coconut conditioner to detangle. I just love a conditioner that smells good, moisturizes and is only .87 cents at Target. After detangling, I used a drop of Hair One as a leave-in and CHI Silk Infusion. I then blowdried her hair until it was about 80% dry. After that, I cornrowed her hair going straight back.

I'm teaching myself how to cornrow and i'm proud of how they came out. Don't laugh, i'm not i'm a cornrow expert. I used a little bit of jojoba oil and sweet almond oil to moisturize her scalp and hair, wraped it in a silk scarf and let it set overnight. The next morning I carefully unraveled and this is how it turned out:

She loves it! I love it too. Mission Accomplished :)

Walgreen for Natural Products

2011-05-02T12:10:00.001-07:00

Did you know Walgreens sells Shea Moisture Products? They also sell JASON Natural and ABBA. I live in a.......... "white" area and their stores don't generally carry a large variety of products made for kinky/curly hair. I was so excited when I saw the Shea Moisture line tucked away in the small ethnic hair section most stores have. I have heard good things about the Shea Moisture products and I will be doing a review soon.

I mentioned JASON Naturals shampoo in my favorite products post before realizing how hard to find this product is. I stumbled upon this shampoo looking through my mother's multitude of products. I only used it because it was the only natural shampoo in the house. I'm glad that Walgreens carries it and I will be purchasing a brand new bottle to review. I also mentioned ABBA in the fav products post. They have raised their prices now that they have new packaging. Since ebay is cheaper, I will continue to purchase on ebay until they run out.

They also have a few products from the Dr. Bronner's Magic soap line. My favorite soap, the peppermint soap is available at Walgreens in either a huge bottle or a small bar soap. If you want to be squeaky clean, this is your soap. I have used the liquid version and it is a little intense on sensitive areas but it is a great deep cleaning body soap. I do not use this soap on my hair although I am not opposed to adding it to my shampoo. I might try that some day.

Mixed Chicks Product Review

2011-04-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

I tried the Mixed Chicks sample travel trio back in July! I know, I know i'm late. I moved temporarily and just never got around to writing a review. I first used these products at the very beginning of my healthy hair journey. I figured since i'm a category 3 curl girl and my daughter is a category 4 curly girl I could give a review for a broader range of curlies.

Gentle Clarifying Shampoo

First off, the smell is amazing. All of their products have the same delicious smell. My some 3 some 4 hair: After washing my hair with the shampoo, my hair felt squeaky clean. Since I have dry hair, I probably wouldn't use this conditioner on a regular basis unless I did a pre-poo. Her type 4 hair: Her hair got really clean. I use quite a bit of oil and moisturizers in her hair and I think they acted as a buffer.

Detangling Deep Conditioner

Immediately after shampooing, I used the deep conditioner. I am in LOVE with this conditioner. My hair was soft, and smelled delicious. I was most impressed with how manageable my hair was. Detangling was a breeze and my hair stayed detangled while styling. Her type 4 hair: My daughter's hair was not as soft as mine but it was still soft. It would be a great detangling conditioner for her.

Leave-in Conditioner

The leave-in had the same affect on both our hair types. It froze the curls in place without making them crispy. Although they weren't crispy, I couldn't really run my fingers through them. It definitely felt like a styling cream. I'm not crazy about the results with the leave-in so I won't be using it.

The deep conditioner is the only mixed chicks product I am in love with. The clarifying shampoo doesn't serve my dry hair well and the leave-in is more of a styler. If you are a mixed chick or have a loose curl pattern, these products are worth a try. They sell a travel trio on their website for .99 cents which isn't bad at all in this economy.

Coupon Code: nofrizztweet

Savings: %10 discount

Protein Treatments

2011-04-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

Mayonnaise Treatment (Mild)

The Mayo treatment is convenient and effective. The great thing about this treatment is that you probably already have all the ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup Commercial Mayonnaise
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 egg

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients together in a plastic container. Saturate hair with mixture from roots to ends. Cover with a processing cap and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Rinse out completely

Tip: To remove the mayo smell, follow up with a moisturizing, fragrant conditioner.

ION Reconstructing Treatment (Medium)

This treatment is for seriously damaged and stressed hair. It can also be used once a week for more severe damage. I buy the sample packages at Sally's Beauty Supply. Since my hair is not super thick, I can use this package multiple times.

Ingredients:

ION Reconstructor Treatment

Instructions:

Shampoo and towel dry hair. Apply small amount of solution from roots to ends paying special attention to the ends. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

Tip: Always follow up any protein treatment with a moisturizing conditioner to soften the hair.

My Story: Heat Damage

2011-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

I hadn't noticed damage until I started flat ironing my hair. I was like a heatorexic. My hair was getting thinner and shorter and I was flat ironing it once a week on the highest setting. I should have been at 300 and I was at 410. People around me kept telling me how pretty my hair was and how they thought I had a perm. I was totally oblivious to the split ends, the weak hair shaft and how thin my hair was getting toward the ends. Someone finally bluntly told me, "You're frying your hair out." I was taken back and a little insulted until I took pictures of my hair.

These were taken at the begining of my hair care journey. As you can see my ends were very thin, a result of flat ironing my hair once a week at 410 degrees.

December 2009. My hair was healthy in this picture.

I was only pressing my hair once every three weeks.

I tried natural styles but they almost always failed. You can see through to my scalp in some areas and the thin ends really ruined the style.

These pictures were taken after a protein treatment April 2011.

Close up of my ends which used to be straight.

I got frustrated one day and just cut them off. I'm glad I did :)

I love they way my hair is now. Heat damage has taught me a valuable lesson.

One that I will never have to be taught again.

Hair Growth and Retention

2011-04-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

I'm putting this post in two different sections because I really want to get this information out there to people who need help growing their hair :)

Don't cut corners!
I can't stress this enough. If it takes you two hours to wash and condition your hair then use
that two hours and more if needed.

Detangle
Take your time with this. Invest tools that gently detangle your hair. Also if you hair is in a
kinky state, do not detangle dry. Detangling dry kinky hair will cause breakage and can cause
your hair toknot up. Wet hair with water and conditiner for easier detangling.
Tip: Most grocery stores sell inexpensive versions of denman brushes

Denman Brush

Sulfate-Free Products
Sulfates are harsh detergents that can remove your hair's natural oils. They are usually one of
the first five ingredients found in most name brand shampoos and conditioners. Some people
can use these shampoos without incident. My theory is that if you exercise vigorously and
have an oily scalp you're ok. If your have a dry, itchy scalp or you suffer from dandruff,
sulfates may exacerbate your symptoms. Some products claim to be sulfate free and still have
one listed in the ingredients so always check the label.

Stretch
Stretching you hair makes styling easier and helps ensure hair stays detangled. Here's how I
stretch my hair after a shampoo and condition:

Section into medium sized sections
Tie each section with an ouchless hair band
Twisting each section
Secure the ends with either hair clips or rollers
Air-dry until the hair is completely dry

Trim/Dust
Split ends are fragile and will continue to split. Trims are a good way to quickly eliminate
most split ends. Dusting is simply cutting individual strands of split ends. I prefer dusting to
trimming simply because my hair appears longer.

Reduce Heat
The heat you use, the more damage may occur. If you like to wear your hair straight, try
rollersetting or air-drying hair. I like to air-dry my hair by sectioning my hair off into six
sections with ouchless rubberbands. Then, I twist the hair and let it dry over night.

Hair Vitamins
If your diet isn't exactly the best, supplement with a multivitamin.I take a hair, skin and nails
vitamin that contains MSM. MSM prolongs your hair's growth phase. If you can't afford
Hairfinity, OneSource makes a multivitamin that contains MSM. I mentioned it in my
products I can't live without post.

Low manipulation styles
Leaving your hair alone is the best way to retain length. Last year I had a huge problem with
always wanting to do something to my hair and my hair suffered from it. If you like to wear
your hair straight, weaves and wigs are a great option. You can have the style you want
without putting heat on your own hair. Natural styles are a great option for kinky and curly
hair. Kinky girls, for braid outs instead of sectioning the hair and braiding, try doing a corn-
row out. This provides wave to the root. I love that look and twist outs on 4as.

Care for your scalp
The health of your scalp is just as important as what you do to your hair. I have dandruff and I
know how important it is to address my scalp. Use a scalp treatment that will moisturize
your scalp. This can be either a conditioner or a pre-poo. I have this scalp treatment that my
mom got from Ross of all place. It gives my hair a cool, tingle. Its like a spa treatment for my
scalp. I use a mixture of olive oil, almond oil and tea-tree oil as a pre-poo. This mixture has
been effective for me at relieving dryness and itch.

Review: The Virgin Hair Company UK

2011-04-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

My Review
I came across this company early in my search for affordable hair extensions. Their prices are very reasonable considering how much other companies charge for Virgin Indian hair extensions. Most of the hair pictured is from this company. I have about 2 ounces of my hair addicts right at the top.

How does the hair behave?

This hair isn't silky and it barely tangles however, when it comes to shedding, this hair sheds more than any other hair i've tried. It sheds when you brush it, touch it, run your fingers through it, wash it etc. The trade off for shedding is affordable soft hair. I get complements on this hair whenever I leave the house. My biggest problem with this hair....... the wefts. The wefts are a mess and I didn't even sew through the tracts! It looks like a hair jungle. Everything was fine for the first couple of installs but by the fourth install, it was clear that there was a problem.

Summary

Other than the more than moderate shedding and the jungle wefts, I like the hair. If you just want some Virgin Indian hair and don't want to pay an arm and a leg, this company is good. Since i'm looking for premium virgin hair, i'm going to keep looking :)

Getting Natural Hair Bone Straight

2011-04-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

My Technique For Straightening Natural, Ethnic Hair

Here are the steps:

Wash

Before I shampoo, I put conditioner in my hair and detangle with a large tooth comb. Once the hair is tangle free, rinse the conditioner out and proceed to wash. Use a natural moisturizing shampoo if you have ethnic hair. Massage the shampoo into your hair and scalp. Repeat if necessary.

Deep Condition

Once the hair is clean and the shampoo is rinsed out completely, apply conditioner. My favorite conditioner is ABBA because it is mostly natural. Comb the conditioner into the hair with a wide tooth comb. Apply a splash of water to evenly distribute the conditioner. Cover with a processing cap and either apply medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Moisturize

CHI silk infusion is the best product for softening kinky, curly hair. I use a quarter size amount of CHI and a small amount of Hair One Olive Oil.

Blow-dry

This is what determines how straight you want your hair. For silky, bone-straight hair, use a barrel brush. Blowdry small sections of hair on the medium setting. I also like to use a heat concentrator on my blowdrier.

Flat Iron

By this time, your hair should be soft and have flow. I use just enough coconut oil to coat my palms then I work it through my hair. To straighten your roots effectively, pull the section you're working with. Also, use a small tooth comb in front of the flatiron to detangle and straighten more effectively. This technique has been working for me for years and the results are always the same.

Natural Hair Update

2011-04-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

My Natural Hair Wet

I am very OCD when it comes to my hair. For some reason, I just can't leave it alone especially when it's in a natural state. I tried no-heat hairstyles last year and maybe its me but it just never turns out right! Don't believe me? Ok.....

Hot steaming mess! No, I did NOT go out in public like this nor did I think these styles were cute. The roller set it something I would try again. I know what went wrong with it. Early in my hair journey, I was inspired by many natural hair gurus on youtube and they were very knowledgeable about their own hair. My hair is obviously different and needed a different approach. I either put too much moisture in or not enough plus my scalp was itching constantly.

I have decided to take a new approach to my natural hair........ i'm going to hide it! Not because I don't think it beautiful or because I don't want to deal with it. My hair needs a restraining order against my hands because I can do some serious damage if i'm left with gel, Hawaiian silky and rollers unsupervised. My new strategy it to wear hair extensions and to gently care for my leave-out. I am not a hairstylist. I'm simply a person who can accomplish anything I seriously want to. Plus, I don't have the money to go to the salon and get it done. I do my own weaves and they have turned out much better than my futile attempts a natural no-heat hairstyles.

Blowdried

Flatironed

California, where the #@*% is my nursing license?

2011-03-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

If you've ever had a traffic ticket and you want to be a nurse you might want to read this. I graduated from nursing school June 2010, took the NCLEX-PN in November 2010. In December, I received a letter stating that I passed BUT my application is under review because of my traffic violations?!@* Ok, I understand that you want to ensure the safety of the public, but I do not have a criminal record.......I have a traffic record. All infarctions to boot, no felonies. How is it that an applicant with a DUI or theft charges can get their license before me.? I honestly don't know what the board's criteria is for approving applications but maybe it should be reviewed. They complain about being "backlogged" and yet they nit pick over these minor charges. Here is my suggestion to clear their backlog: IMMEDIATELY APPROVE APPLICANTS WITH ANYTHING LESS THAN A MISDEMEANOR! I'm sure that will clear the backlog considerably! Ugh! I know California was hit hard with the recession but this is ridiculous!

Products I can't live without

2011-03-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

1. ABBA Creame-Masque

What attracted me to this conditioner was the amount of natural ingredients. It contains Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein which is made up of a unique hydrating complex that helps create moisture and gives hair better body control. I first use this conditioner to moisturize my extension. When I tried it on my hair it was like love at first condition. It returned the moisture to my hair very quickly.

Uses

This product can be used an quick conditioner or as a deep conditioning treatment. Apply to clean damp hair and allow to penetrate 5-7 minutes. Rinse with warm water. For a deep conditioning treatment, use a processing cap and sit under a heated dryer for 10-20 minutes.

PRICE: $4.99

Where to buy: eBay

2. Hair One Hair Cleanser and Conditioner

Hair One is a great leave-in conditioner. I use it on everyone's hair. Mom, sister daughter. They all have hair that is more course than mine and hair one moisturizes and makes their hair more manageable. I misplaced it yesterday and I spend about an hour looking for it. I refused to blowdry my hair without it.........yes, it's that good.

Uses

Hair One can be used as either cleansing conditioner or s leave-in. To use as a cleanser, rinse hair for one minute. Apply the conditioner eaqually to the top and back of the head. Leave on for 2-3 minutes. Add a splash of water to evenly distribute. Apply conditioner to mid section of the hair. Comb through with a wide tooth comb. Leave on for at least 3-5 minutes but it can be left in longer if desired. Rinse thoroughly for 1-2 minutes massaging scalp and finger combing hair. To use as a leave in, apply a small amount to wet, clean hair.

PRICE: $12.99

Where to buy: Sally's Beauty Supply

3. One Source Hair, Skin and Nail Vitamins

I found these vitamins at Wal-Mart of all places! I'm very frugal when it comes to shopping and these vitamins fit right into my budget. They contain MSM, one of the ingredients in another popular hair vitamin. MSM is a natural sulfur found in most foods. It also extends your hair's anagen or growth phase. In order to see maximum results it is best to get a trim before you start the vitamins.

PRICE: $5 or $6

Where to buy: Wal-Mart

Ms. Perfect Hair: Is it really Perfect?

2011-03-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Ms. Perfect hair is a hair company that claims to have the "perfect" hair extensions. This company had youtube bizzing with curiosity. A few of the hair gurus even made videos informing their subscribers about the great deals. None of those gurus had purchased the her or even had samples to review which caused even more curiosity. Ms. Perfect hair had designate a few ladies as Ms Perfect Brazilian, Ms Perfect Virgin Indian and Ms Perfect Indian Remy. The ladies were really the only reviews in circulation. I don't know about you, but its hard for me to trust a review done by a company affiliate. I decided to see for myself.

I ordered Virgin Indian Wavy and Virgin Brazilian Wavy. The ordering process was easy and my hair was shipped fast. So far so good. The hair arrived in clear plastic bags. Granted this is better than the rubber band I received from Hairaddicts but it just shows that neither of these companies care to invest in packaging.

The picture above is the Brazilian hair. This hair is soft, thick and wavy. The wave pattern is a natural wave. I washed and conditioned the hair and the pattern returned which is excellent. As far as the color, the brazilian hair is about a 2 or dark brown not black. I would have preferred black but the brown isn't too light. I would give the brazilian hair an A-. Not perfect but great quality hair.

The "Virgin" Indian hair

When the Indian hair came out of the package, it smelled like plastic. Gasp! I don't believe the hair is synthetic. It may have been packaged in plastic at some point. After I washed and conditioned the hair, the pave pattern returned, but much looser. I also noticed that when running my fingers through the hair, the hair kind of stuck together toward the ends. I don't know exactly what this means. I have a theory about this but i'm going to keep it to myself so that I stay out of trouble :)

I give this company B- because the inferior quality of the Virgin Indian (hairaddicts Virgin Indian is superior to this hair). The Brazilian hair is excellent! If you order anything from this company, order Brazilian. If you order anything else, you're taking a gamble.

Product Review: HairAddictsOnline Virgin Indian Wavy Hair

2011-01-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

I decided to review this product mainly because I am teaching myself how to weave and I wanted hair that would last. I came across Hair Addicts Online on youtube and I decided to make them the first I would review. To start off, the prices are great and delivery is super fast. I think I got my hair in about three days. I wanted 14 inch wavy but it wan't available so I chose 12 inch instead. The hair was inside a pretty mesh bag which was nice but when I opened the bag I found this:

A rubber band? Really? I would NEVER tie my own natural hair in a rubber band and since this is supposed to be 100% virgin hair, I would expect it to get the same treatment. Next, when I touched the hair I noticed dryness. Not washed and air dried dryness, but been out in the sun too long and in desperate need of a deep condition dryness. I co-washed the hair with Pantene Pro-V Curly and that cured the dryness for the most part. The ends were a little frayed and just felt terrible.

The site is supposed to have Live Online Support but I visited the site at various times and a live person was never available. I wanted to ensure that I was getting Natural Black because my hair is naturally black. I sent a couple of emails and never received a response. A response could have prepared me for this:

Luckily it was only the ends. The next issue was shedding and tangling. Since this is my first experience with "Virgin Indian Hair" I really can't say what is or isn't a lot of shedding but this hair does shed. All hair sheds or course but this hair sheds a bit more than my natural hair. If my hair was shedding the way this hair sheds, I would do a protein treatment. As far as tangling goes, I haven't had much tangling. Nothing that can't be brushed or combed out. I will admit the hair is beautiful in pictures and it blends well with my nautral hair. I took some pictures right after the installation:

Overall i'll give this company a B+. The shipping and price are excellent but the hair was dry

and the customer service was non existent. I'm definitely going to try our different hair companies

and compare qualities.

Mayonnaise Hair Treatment

2010-10-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

The other day I noticed my hair was dull, dry and brittle and decided I needed a treatment. I did some research on natural treatments and came across mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is a cheap, easy to make treatment. Its basically egg yolks and olive oil. The protein in the eggs fills in spaces in the follicle giving the hair a fuller shinier look. Olive oil is of course a great natural moisturizer. In my recipe, I used three scoops of commercial mayonnaise, one egg and about two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. I must admit that this treatment smells gross! I don't really like mayonnaise as a food so smelling it turned my stomach a little. Although the smell was awful, the results were amazing! My hair was stronger, shiny and my curls were more defined. I did wash the smell out a little gentle shampoo and a small amount of conditioner and the smell came right out. My mom smelled my hair and said it smelled amazing. Will I do a mayonnaise treatment again? Definitely! I'm adding this to my hair care regimen at least once a month. Here are the pictures:

Before

After

Tutorial: Wet Bun

2010-08-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

This is a protective style thats easy to do. In fact, its so easy that these are pictures of my first attempt. So here it is, my first wet bun:

1. Start off with wet hair. You can achieve this right out of the shower or with a spray bottle. I used a spray bottle.

2. Moisturize. This is really important because it makes this style a protective style. Since your ends are hidden, they can retain moisture and in turn be better preserved.

3. Smooth hair into a ponytail. You can either do a low pony or a high pony. (As a side note: I really didn't know how curly my hair was until I saw this picture).

4. Apply bun roll. I like to use sock bun rolls because they are inexpensive and easy to make. Something to think about when making your bun roll, make the roll specific to how thick and long your ponytail is if you're using your own hair. This prevents having to tuck away large chunks of hair if you hair is too thick and long for the bun roll and having the stocking show through or not being able to properly secure your hair if th bun roll is too small. Here's how I make my bun roll. Take any old silk stocking or buy one from the store, they usually run no more than $3 for a pair. Cut a hole into the foot of the stocking. Make sure the hole is not too big but big enough or you will have a hard time rolling. Roll the sock outward starting at the top and keep rolling until you have a tire shaped bun roll.

5. Brush hair around bun roll. You might want to use two mirrors so that you can get a good view of the bun.

6. Finish by securing you hair to the bun with and ouchless hair elastic. You can dress this style up with a colorful scrunchie, a scarf, double headbands, elegant hair pins, the possibilities are endless!

10 Things a new Transitioner should know

2010-07-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

These are just the first ten things I could think of that helped me start off on my journey:

1. The line of demarcation. This is the part of your hair where newgrowth meets relaxed/heat damaged hair. It is very delicate and prone to breakage. This area needs moisture and a delicate hand. Incorporating a protein treatment can minimize breakage and to avoid having to do a big chop before you're ready.

2. Deep Conditioning Treatments. These should be done one to two times per week. They aid in returning moisture to your hair as well as improving manageablility.

3. Use a gentle shampoo. Shampoos can strip your hair of its natural oil. Moisturizing, gentle shampoos can help remove debris without stripping your hair. Many have found that baking soda added to conditioner proves to be a good substitute for shampoo altogether. On the other hand, if you find that some of the products you love aren't working as well, you might want to try a clarifying shampoo.A good clarifying shampoo will gently cleanse your hair.

4.All hair is unique. One person's staple may be in someone esle's trash! Hair needs differ from person to person. Experiment with different products (samples are inexpensive and great) until you find what works for you.

5.You don't have to do the Big Chop. People often B/C out of the frustration of dealing with the different textures. I think the two most important things to think about before doing the B/C are: Will I be comfortable with my new length and am I prepared to style the new length? Your hair is growing so eventually you will trim off the damaged pieces.

6.Healthy hair starts from the inside. These vitamins are essential to healthy hair:

Vitamin B-3 promotes blood circulation to your scalp.

Vitamin B-5 prevents hair loss and helps your hair regrowth

Vitamin B-6 and B-12 aid in healthy hair growth

Vitamin A helps with lubrication of the hair follicle

Vitamin E has recently been found to be beneficial to hair growth

B vitamins can be found in whole grains, fresh fruit, brewer's yeast, eggs, fish, turkey, meat, and milk.Vitamin a can be found in eggs, red, yellow, and veggies, green leafy veggies and liver. Since B vitamins are water soluble, adequate water intake it vital. Since Vitamin E causes more oxygen to reach the blood it may cause blood to thin or clot depending on wheter you're taking too much of it. Consult with a physician before you go on a Vitamin E supplement. Vitamin E oil added directly to hair is a great alternative.

7. Protein/Moisture balance. Chemically processes and coloring deplete hair's protein leaving the hair dry, strawlike and prone to breakage. Protein treatments are great at repairing damaged hair and overall making hair stronger. Major protein treatments should be done every 6 weeks. Keratin treatments are the strongest proteint treatments and should fall into the six week category.Too many of these treatments can make your hair hard and dry so it is always important to follow up with a moisturizer or better yet a conditioner. Eggs, yougrt, mayonaise and avacado are all good mild proteing treatments that can be done once a week.

8. Heat protectant! If you don't already use one, start. They provide an important barrier between your hair and heat. Going natural doesn't mean you can't wear your hair straight, it just requires more protection. Straightening natural hair may take more time but the results will look better and feel better.

9. Do your research! Whatever it is, try to find someone that has tried it before and ask questions. Testing on a small section of hair is also a good way to try something with a minimal amount of risk.

10. Don't get discouraged. Transitioning can be difficult at times but it is also very rewarding. You are on your way to unlocking your hair's full potential! Finding a support systems is also highly beneficial to this journey. If your friends and family aren't on board, there are many

online communities where naturals share tips, stories and techniques to help make your journey easier. These are only a few of the many things new naturals need to know. I hope this is a good starting point for you and please feel free to comment and add any of your own tips.

Naturally change the texture of our hair?

2010-07-13T11:55:00.000-07:00

Can you go from kinky coils to S-curls? Visit the Haircare section to find out.

What's my hair type?

2010-07-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Finding your true hair type can assist you in finding the right haircare regimen. While all hair is made of keratin, a type of protein, our curl pattern determines how much of our natural oils reached the ends of our hair. The most well know hair typing system is the Andre System developed by Andre Walker. While it has received mixed reviews on the hair care boards, I have found it to give a general idea of the hair type you have. I think some of the natural hair boards aren't happy about the fact that the Andre system pretty much lumps African American hair into one category but I don't see it that way. According to the Andre system my hair type is 3 and both of my parents are black. African American hair comes in many different forms from wavy to curly to kinky and all combinations of each. Here is the Andre system:

Type 1

This hair is straight with no discernible curl or wave pattern. This type of hair tends to get oily and is usually shiny.

Type 2

Hair that has some soft waves, but little or no real curl. It doesn't form rings, just waves. It typically is more coarse than Type 1 hair and will cling to the scalp in long "S" shaped waves.

Type 3

Hair has a more definite "S" pattern to it with the "S" being more tightly formed. It will typically be relatively soft and will have less shine than type 1 or 2 hair. It will straighten out or form ringlets when wet but will draw up into a curlier pattern when it dries. This hair type is typical of biracial (African and Caucasian mix) people and of Blacks of a more mixed heritage.

Type 4

Hair will have kinks and twists and possibly coils but does not form an "S" shape. It may be "L" shaped with bends in it. It may form tight coils or "O" shapes (not really the same as the "ringlets"formed by Type 3 hair. This type of hair generally doesn't change shape much wet or dry. It can be wiry and usually is fragile. It tends to be drier than other hair types because the bends and twists not only provide points that are more fragile, they actually make it hard for the natural oil (sebum) produced by the scalp to reach the ends of the hair shaft. Because the cuticles do not lay flat on Type 4 hair, the hair tends to be less shiny than Types 1, 2 and 3 and people will often think natural Black hair is dry or dull looking.

Straightening Tutorial:

2010-07-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Tutorial of my straightening process: