LaToya Jones

5 Things That Cause Your Hair To Be Dry

2023-10-31T01:30:00.000-05:00

5 Things That Cause Your Hair To Be Dry

If there is one thing more annoying than waiting for your hair to get longer, it's having dry hair. No one likes it or the way it makes the hair look and feel. The only good thing about dry hair is that it can easily be corrected. All it takes is knowing what caused the dry hair in the first place, then knowing what to do to correct it. Today I will solve both of these issues for you! Here are a five things that cause your hair to be dry.

dry hair due to too much heat, permanent color, and neglect.

Permanent chemicals- If you are not careful, getting permanent color, especially if it is too light as well as relaxers can cause the hair to dry out. That's why a lot of the time women with chemicals, especially if they have both of these, complain about the dryness of their hair. You can keep your chemically treated hair properly moisturized by using the by L. Jones Extreme Moisture Shampoo, Leave-In Conditioner, and Intense Moisturizing Treatment. The shampoo adds moisture and silk to the hair and does not contain sulfates or parabens, so it will not strip the hair. The Intense Moisture Treatment has ten moisturizing agents in it to keep the hair from being brittle and dry, and the Leave-In Conditioner adds an extra layer of moisture to the hair while also acting as a heat protectant. Adding a Pre Poo Mud Mask treatment to your shampoo routine as well as using a moisturizer during the week like the Satin Moisture Cream will also add tons of moisture to the hair.
Too much heat- Besides causing breakage, using too much heat on the hair will also dry it out. Only use heat in your hair once per week or less to avoid this, and use a heat protectant that won't weigh the hair down like the by L. Jones Silky Serum Oil.
Using too much protein- Many women tend to overload on the protein when their hair starts breaking in order to stop the breakage. The problem is that too much protein leads to not enough moisture which leads to dry hair. Healthy hair has an equal balance of protein and moisture. Use the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment to get the perfect balance of both protein AND moisture.
Overexposure to the sun- Being out in the sun for long periods of time can lead to your hair drying out. When you plan on being out in the sun for extended periods, try pulling the hair up or putting a hat on to protect your hair. You can also apply the Leave In Conditioner to the hair without it being weighed down or becoming frizzy.
Not drinking enough water- Not drinking enough water not only causes dry hair, but dry skin as well. Drinking at least 48oz per day does wonders for the hair.

Healthy, relaxed, and moisturized hair. (Moisture was achieved by using the by L. Jones product line)

Dry hair is definitely not a good look for anyone. But luckily it can be easily taken care of by getting to the root of the problem and using the right hair products. One thing to remember is that if your hair is extremely dry, it will not become fully moisturized by using moisturizing products only once. Consistency is the key so it is important to always incorporate healthy hair care practices in your routine.

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5 Practical Things You Can Do To Help Your Hair Grow Longer In 6 Months

2023-09-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

If you are reading this article, you probably feel like you want longer hair, and you want it RIGHT NOW, correct? And why shouldn't you? After all, when you get inspired by a hairstyle you see on someone else, don't you instantly want it? Unfortunately, hair grows at what I refer to as a snail's pace, only averaging about 1/2 inch per month. And that is if your hair is healthy. Damaged and unhealthy hair can grow even slower. At that rate, it would take the average person with healthy hair about one year or more to grow six inches of hair. In six months you should have at least three inches of growth. So what exactly can be done to hair to make it grow faster? You can use growth oils like the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil to speed up the growth slightly. However, the key to longer hair is length retention, not growth.

The good news is that your hair is always growing. Even as you are reading this your hair is growing. However, much of the time we have to cut everything we grew for reasons like, split ends, damage, etc. Here are a few ways to not only help your hair grow longer, but to also retain all of your new growth.

Grow your hair longer with 5 steps

Eat a well-balanced diet- Believe it or not, eating a well-balanced diet is very important for the hair because it allows you to get the proper nutrients in your body. If your body is properly nourished, your blood circulates better in your body, including your scalp. Increased blood circulation equals better hair growth. Get where I'm going here? The bottom line is eat up on those fruits and veggies and your hair will also see the benefits.
Drink water- This ties into #1 but I have seen the benefits of drinking the recommended amount of water firsthand. The recommended amount of water to drink daily is about half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink about 100 ounces of water daily. When I did my water challenge I saw changes in my hair very quickly. It seemed to need less oil, and I noticed that I had new growth faster than usual.
Wrap your hair- Wrapping your hair helps your ends not split as fast which means that you retain more of your length as your hair grows. So make sure you wrap it every single night, even if you know you are getting it done the next day! Using the by L. Jones Satin Wrap Cap combined with the by L. Jones Satin Scarf ensures that your scarf will remain on your head all night. A bonnet also helps to preserve your ends as well as a satin pillowcase, however, those items may not help as much in keeping your style looking as good as wrapping or rolling.
Trim your ends regularly- Trimming your ends on a regular basis does NOT help your hair grow, but it does keep your split ends at bay so that you only have to get a little cut each time. There are so many women who hate getting their ends trimmed and by the time they do, they end up cutting as much as they grew because the ends had traveled so far up the hair shaft. Don't be scared to get your ends trimmed. Split ends do make the hair appear longer, but it's not healthy nor does it look good to have long hair but see-through ends. They also prevent the hair from having body and bounce. Keep a consistent schedule with it and you will notice more of your new growth being retained thus making your hair longer.
Watch the heat- I recommend only using heat in your hair once per week or less. Not only that, only use the temperature that your hair requires. Never use the highest heat setting unless your hair is extremely thick and chemical-free. That type of hair can take more heat but most women have average hair which can take between 375-400 degrees. The Toi Primo flat iron goes up to 480 degrees but using it on a temp that high is not required nor recommended for the majority of people. I personally use my Toi Primo at a temp of about 400-420. Constantly putting heat on your hair or using your heating tool at a temp that is too high will result in heat damage that leads to hair breakage which leads to SHORTER hair! Heat can be your friend when used correctly.
BONUS** Use high-quality products- Using only high-quality products (like these) is imperative for your hair growth journey. High-quality products simply means that no ingredients that are harsh on the hair are included in the formula.

Easy ways to grow your hair in 6 months

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How Often Should You Oil Your Scalp?

2023-08-01T13:34:00.000-05:00

How often should you oil your scalp

As a professional hairstylist, I get asked all of the time how often should you oil your scalp. Today is the day that you will get this question answered! When it comes to oiling the scalp, relaxed hair is a bit different than natural hair, and let me tell you why.

Oil tends to weigh the hair down. The more you use, the heavier your hair will be. For someone with relaxed hair (like myself) that likes for their hair to have lots of body and bounce, your hair will not move like you want it to if it has tons of oil and product on it. For this reason, I always encourage lightweight products (like these) that do not weigh the hair down. However, oiling the scalp is a good practice to add to your hair care routine, especially when you are trying to grow your hair a bit faster than normal. Also, relaxed hair has a tendency to be dry so adding oil can be a great way to stop dryness.

When wearing braids, I oil my scalp more...

Now I'll get to the question at hand. When it comes to how often you should oil your scalp, technically there is no right or wrong answer. That is because, no amount of oil will damage your hair, cause it to break, or cause your hair to fall out or shed prematurely. The more often you add oil though, be sure to use a clarifying shampoo during shampoo day to prevent buildup. So, it is totally up to you on how much should you oil your scalp. For those like me who like body and bounce, I would recommend oiling your scalp about 1-2 times a week, preferably towards the end of the week when you are about to shampoo your hair anyway. I like to oil my scalp the day before I'm going to shampoo it and let it sit overnight as a hot oil treatment. Or, you can also sit under the steamer with the oil on your scalp. Both of these are acceptable.

When wearing protective styles I oil my scalp much more frequently because I'm not concerned with it weighing my hair down. So, when my hair is braided I oil my scalp 5-7 times per week. This also helps to prevent your braided hair from becoming dry, especially if you leave your braids in for more than three weeks at a time. If your goal is to grow your hair then you should oil your scalp at least every other day to help increase circulation in the scalp which is what leads to faster growth. The trade-off will be that your hair may be a bit heavier. I always recommend using oil sparingly because your hair naturally creates its own oils as well.

If you're looking for a great oil to use to help your hair grow, I recommend this one from the by L. Jones line. It also helps with dandruff and itchy scalp as well!

If you want a step-by-step guide on how you should be taking care of your relaxed hair, grab this book, The Ultimate Guide To Healthy Relaxed Hair and it will walk you through how to be more confident on your relaxed hair journey.

How To Stop Your Hair From Being So Dry

2023-07-25T05:59:00.011-05:00

I get asked all of the time how to fix the issue of dry hair. As a relaxed hair blogger. this is a frequently asked question because some relaxers can dry the hair out. The truth is that dry hair needs moisture. But in my opinion, adding the moisture is the easy part. Getting the moisture to stay inside the hair can be a bit more tricky. The first step in knowing how to stop your hair from being so dry is to identify the root cause of the dryness.

Dryness could be caused by a multitude of things from not drinking enough water, to taking certain medications, to simply not using the right products, and many other reasons. Once the root cause is determined, then an effective plan of action can be taken to correct it. One thing that always helps get the hair more moisturized is using quality hair products (like these) that will add tons of moisture in your hair. But, using them once will more than likely not be enough. They need to be used consistently in order to see consistent results.

Once you moisturize your hair, the next step is to seal that moisture in. Sealing the moisture in traps the moisture inside of your hair and this is a crucial step in stopping the hair from being so dry. Many times people will use sealant only without having moisturized first and this causes the hair to become drier than it was before. Sealants are oils and serums that coat the hair. One sealant that many people are familiar with is grease. Grease is an excellent sealant, however, it is very heavy. Some people are fooled into thinking grease is a moisturizer because it makes the hair shine. However, that is not the case. If you have ever put grease on your hair without actually moisturizing first, then feel like your hair "eats the grease up" or it seems like your hair is right back dry the next day, it is because all you are doing is sealing the hair without adding any moisture. So, in essence, you are sealing the dryness into your hair. The grease locks the dryness in and keeps the moisture out. Therefore you are in a constant cycle of always thinking your hair is just extremely dry.

If you would like to know how to properly moisturize AND seal, click here.

How to moisturize and seal your hair tutorial

I like to add a small amount of leave-in conditioner, then a small amount of Satin Moisture Cream for moisture. To seal the moisture in your hair, I recommend the by L. Jones Silky Serum Oil. Only a small amount is needed and if used correctly, it will not weigh your hair down. It also gives your hair a natural shine!

Use the Silky Serum Oil to seal moisture in the hair

So, from now on, moisturize AND seal and you'll notice the dryness in your hair disappear!

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Relaxer Stretching Tips

2023-07-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

Many people have asked me how I manage to get my relaxed hair to be so healthy. The main key to having healthy relaxed hair is relaxer stretching. The definition of relaxer stretching is basically going longer than the standard of six to eight weeks when it comes to getting a touch-up. So, why is it important to relaxer stretch? Because when getting a relaxer touch-up, about an average of two inches of hair gets processed. That means that in order for you to avoid overlapping and over-processing, you should grow two inches of hair before getting another relaxer touch-up. It takes an average of four months (sixteen weeks) to grow two inches of hair. This is why I recommend going at least sixteen weeks before getting a touch-up or until you have two inches of hair.

When you start relaxer stretching you will see a drastic change in the health of your relaxed hair. It will look thicker and it will be much stronger. Your styles will even look better. I want to give you some tips for relaxer stretching that will make it easier for you to stretch. If you are new to relaxer stretching, it could be tough at first. But once you get the hang of it, and once you see your hair become healthier, it will get much easier for you to manage your hair even when you have lots of new growth. Here are 5 tips to help you stretch your relaxer.

Stop saying that you can't!- Whether you know it or not, you have the power of life and death in your tongue according to the bible. When you constantly say you can't do something, guess what? You won't! First, start telling yourself that you can and will make an effort to get healthier hair by stretching your relaxers way past six weeks.
Start slowly- If you are in the habit of getting your relaxers at a certain amount of time it isn't easy to break that habit, but it can be done. Stop thinking about the entirety of sixteen weeks and simply take it week to week.
Soften your new growth- It will be much easier to manage your new growth when it is softened. You can soften it with conditioners (like this one and this one) and leave-in conditioner like this.
Do protective styles- Don't be afraid of protective styles to help get you to the two-inch mark. They are lifesavers when you feel like you can't handle your new growth.
Incorporate reconstructive treatments- If you feel like your hair breaks when you stretch it out, then your hair needs extra strength. Protein gives your hair strength so reconstructive treatments like this one will make your hair much stronger and help you to stretch much longer without losing lots of hair.

Remember, you can do anything you put your mind to! Try to focus on the fact that your overall goal is healthier hair. And make sure you keep me posted on your progress!

How To Take Care of Your Knotless Braids

2023-07-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite protective styles is knotless braids. I get them every year around the summertime for three reasons. One, they help me to stretch my relaxer. Relaxer stretching is crucial for having healthy relaxed hair. Having braids is like putting in the "cheat code" when you are having a hard time stretching your relaxer on your own. Two, they are the perfect style to have to give your hair a break from heat styling. And three, they are an excellent vacation hairstyle because they can get wet without ruining your entire hairstyle and having to spend your vacation time doing your hair.

While braids are a very low-maintenance hairstyle, they are not a NO-maintenance hairstyle. Many women get braids and literally forget about their hair. Although this is tempting to do, this is a no-no. Your hair still needs to be cared for, even while it's braided. Don't worry, the care that your hair receives in the braids will hardly take any time at all! Today I am going to share with you how to take care of your braids by giving you my routine that I personally use every two weeks while my hair is braided.

Step 1.- Shampoo using a deep cleansing shampoo. Using a deep cleansing shampoo (I prefer this one or this one) will remove all buildup and residue off the hair. It is not necessary to shampoo the entire length of the braids unless your hair is the same length as your braids. After all, the goal is not to keep the synthetic braid hair healthy, only your own REAL hair. Plus, you don't want to waste any good shampoo on some $1.99 hair!

Step 2.- Condition. Conditioning will help to keep your real hair soft and moisturized even while it is braided. This will prevent breakage from occurring when you take the braids down. Again, only apply the conditioner from the roots of your hair until you get to approximately where the ends of your hair are. Avoid conditioning the entire length of the braid unless your hair is the same length as the braids. Here is a conditioner that I recommend.

Step 3.-Apply Leave-In Conditioner. Leave-in conditioner is a great asset when you have braids. I recommend spraying them 4-7 times a week to give them some extra moisture, especially at the roots and towards the ends of your real hair. For the roots of the hair, it will help keep your new growth soft and avoid matting and tangling when taking the braids down. For the ends of the hair, it will help keep your ends from splitting. I prefer a liquid-based conditioner (like this one) instead of the cream-based one in order for you to get better coverage and to avoid too much product build-up.

Up until this point we have gone over what to do with your hair while shampooing. I recommend shampooing your braids every two weeks. This will prevent itching and dandruff and will keep your scalp nice and clean. Warning, when you shampoo your braids they will get very heavy! I suggest putting them up in a bun and allow them to air dry. You could also sit under a hooded dryer and allow them to dry that way as well. Before the dry though, here are two more steps to add to the routine.

Step 4. Oil your scalp. If you use a really good oil on your scalp (like this one) you can help your hair to grow a bit faster while it's braided. The oil also helps to prevent dandruff and helps circulate blood flow in the scalp. I love oiling my scalp while it is braided because it is so easy to do. The hair is already parted so you can literally apply it directly to your scalp instead of getting it all on your hair. Also, you don't have to only oil your scalp on shampoo day. You can do it every day if you want, especially if there are areas where you have thinning or baldness.

Step 5-Apply foam wrap. Foam wrap (like this one) is a setting lotion in the form of a foam. It is my secret weapon to helping keep my braids from looking old. All you need to do is simply apply foam wrap to the braids, tie them down with your satin scarf (like this one), and wait for it to dry before removing the scarf. Once you take the scarf off you'll see that your braids look nice and neat with no frizz.

You may be asking how often you have to do these steps. I recommend doing them at least once per week so they can look as fresh as possible. You can oil your scalp daily if you choose to. I do suggest oiling your scalp in the morning vs at night to avoid your scarf soaking up all of the oil instead of your scalp. The great thing about having braids is that the maintenance is truly a minimum. You can shampoo them while you are in the shower and let them air dry while you Netflix and chill! They are definitely a staple with me and one of my top go-to summer styles.

Check out the ToyaJTV video below on how I take care of my braids. Be sure to subscribe to the channel while you are there!

7 Reasons Why Your Ends Are Splitting

2023-07-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

Just about every client I have does not like split ends. And, they don't like getting trims either. This often prompts the question of what causes the ends to split anyway. Well, I will say that once the ends have split, there is only one way to fix them, and that is to get them cut. There are no products that will mend the hairs back together permanently. It is also important to get your hair trimmed on a regular basis to avoid the hair continuing to split up the hair shaft. Split ends may not be avoidable, but there are some things you can do to prolong them from coming so fast, which means fewer trims are required. Here are seven reasons why your ends are splitting.

1. Vigorous rubbing- When shampooing your hair, be very gentle when drying your hair with a towel. Vigorous rubbing can cause the ends to split. Even if you use a t-shirt to dry your hair, the same principle applies. Be gentle! Wrap the towel around your wet hair and gently squeeze the hair to remove excess moisture.

2. Tangled hair- Improperly detangling the hair is another cause of split ends. Avoid pulling the hair when detangling. Instead, use a wide tooth comb and start from the ends of the hair and gently work your way up to the roots. Also, use a great detangler (like this one) to help make the process easier.

3. Dry hair- Dry hair causes split ends AND breakage. Two things that no one wants! To avoid dry hair, deep condition regularly and consistently, not just when you think your hair is dry. I recommend deep conditioning at least twice per month (with this deep conditioner). If you have damaged hair that needs to be repaired in addition to being moisturized, try this treatment. Also, applying by L. Jones Satin Moisture Treatment lightly to your ends will prevent them from splitting as fast by preventing them from drying out.

4. Improper heat usage- Heat is not your hair's enemy, but using it the wrong way is. Using heat the wrong way includes flat ironing the same piece of hair more than twice, having the heating tool up too high, using heat more than once per week, and constantly blow-drying the hair. To avoid this, be sure to use a flat iron (like this one) with really good plates and one that you can control the heat. And always use heat protectant (like this one) before applying heat directly to the hair. Also either sit under a hooded dryer or let your hair air dry versus blow drying it all of the time.

5. Frequent brushing/combing- Back in the day people used to say that if you brush your hair at least 100 times a day that it would grow faster. This is wrong. In fact, frequent brushing can cause your ends to split. After you have styled your hair, leave it alone. Also, avoid constantly playing in your hair, and remember to only touch your hair with clean hands.

6. Not wrapping- When you do not wrap your hair, that means that your hair is rubbing against whatever you lay on, lean on, or lounge on. This constant rubbing causes friction that results in split ends. Instead of waiting until bedtime to wrap your hair, go ahead and do it as soon as you get home and know that you are not going anywhere else. Working from home? Even better! Simply keep your hair tied up until you are ready to leave the house. Honestly speaking, my hair thrived when we were on lockdown because I actually had plenty of time to give it the tlc it needed. After the lockdown, I made the time. Don't have everything you need? Don't worry, scarves, bonnets, wrap caps, etc are all available here.

7. Frequent chemical services- Getting chemical services too soon causes overlapping. This includes both relaxers and permanent color. Over time, that overlapped hair makes its way to the ends of your hair and by the time it gets there, split ends have occurred. To avoid this, space out relaxer AND color services. I recommend waiting for at least 14-16 weeks for relaxers or until you have at least two inches of new growth. Be sure to also take care of any chemically treated hair with these products.

Now that you know seven reasons why your ends are splitting, is there any reason listed above that you are guilty of doing? If so, it's ok, simply change your routine so that you can prevent/prolong your ends from splitting and keep more of your length.

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5 Things To Consider Before Going Back To Relaxed Hair

2023-06-26T10:50:00.001-05:00

So, you had been getting a relaxer for who knows how long, then decided to go natural. However, you really have no interest in wearing your hair in its natural state because you prefer it to be straight. Yet, a silk press does not last because you sweat in your scalp from trying to work out (or from just being hot period). Now you are missing your relaxed hair and are thinking about taking the plunge again. Does this sound familiar? But wait! If the relaxer was causing your hair to be damaged in the first place, why would you want to experience that all over again? Well, I am here to tell you that a relaxer does not necessarily equal damaged hair. However, there are a few things to consider before relaxing your hair again if you want your relaxed hair to actually be healthy this time. I have put together a list of five things to consider before going back to a relaxer.

1. Stop relaxing every 6-8 weeks. If you decide to go back to your relaxer, wrap your mind around the fact that in order for your relaxed hair to actually be healthy, you will have to stretch your relaxers from every six to eight weeks to about every four months (sixteen weeks). Getting them every six to eight weeks is what causes your hair to become damaged in the first place. You know the saying "If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got"? That is very true in this case. If you are not willing to stretch your relaxer, you might as well stay natural. To help you stretch your relaxer, you will need to make your new growth manageable. This will not only prevent any breakage from occurring but will also help you to avoid any overlapping. Using the by L. Jones Intense Moisturizing Treatment will soften and moisturize your hair so that you can comb straight through your new growth even while it is wet. If your hair is already breaking as a result of you stretching your relaxer out, use the by L. Jones Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment. This will stop breakage and any further damage from occurring in addition to adding moisture. Both of them should be applied generously, combed through the hair, and be sure to apply to the ends of the hair as well. Let sit at least 30 min (preferably under heat) before rinsing. After you have towel dried the hair, add another layer of moisture to your hair with the Leave-In Conditioner. Use the Vanilla Milk Leave-In Conditioner if you are already experiencing breakage, or if you use a lot of heat. Spray all over the hair and comb through. Do not rinse. Using these two products regularly has helped me to be able to stretch my relaxer to every six months.

2. Let a professional do it. I can not stress this enough. Hairstylists have been taught and properly trained on how to correctly apply relaxers. I know that when you are constantly going to a hair salon and actually look at what the hairstylists are doing that we make it look very easy. But you have to keep in mind that this is something that we do pretty much on a daily basis and we know exactly what we are doing! So, leave the chemicals to the professionals and be sure to see a hairstylist that actually cares about the growth and health of your hair. DISCLAIMER- I know that many "professional hairstylists" have ruined many of their client's hair. It is important to find an actual hair care specialist, not just anyone with a license. (**tip- if your hairstylist will give you a relaxer whenever you ask for one, RUN!)

3. Pick which chemical you want. Do you want a relaxer or do you want permanent color? I advise my clients to pick whichever one means the most to them. Why? Because two chemicals is A LOT of stress on the hair and without the proper care the hair is at a higher risk of getting damaged. Semi-permanent color and rinses are perfectly safe for relaxed hair (they can actually be done on the same day as your relaxer service) if you are simply trying to cover gray, but they will not lighten your hair. **Tip- If you have both a relaxer and permanent color, I recommend doing alternating between the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment and the Intense Moisturizing Treatment every week.

4. Heat usage will be minimized. Heat and hair can be like oil and water in many cases, they just do not always mix well. Always use a flat iron or curling iron that has an adjustable temperature gauge so you can control how much heat your hair receives. Heat usage with relaxed hair should be kept to once per week or less. Also, relaxed hair is already chemically straightened so whatever heat tool you use should not be on a very high setting. Using heat more than once per week or having the heat tool up to high can lead to hair breakage. To avoid heat damage, always use a heat protectant first. The by L. Jones Silky Serum Oil not only provides heat protection, but it also adds shine and helps with frizz.

5. Be prepared for the maintenance. Once you get a relaxer again, it does not stop there. You must also maintain your relaxed hair with the proper treatments to keep it moisturized and strong. I recommend steam treatments and/or deep conditioning at least twice per month. Keep in mind that the treatments you receive may cost extra money so you have to include that as well and not just the cost to get the actual relaxer. If you are maintaining your own hair in between salon visits, use the by L. Jones Protein Strengthening & Repair Collection. These products were formulated to keep chemically treated hair healthy and strong. Also, use the Intense Moisturizing Treatment at least once per month for deep conditioning. Alternate with the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment and do those once per month also. This will help your hair maintain an equal balance of both protein AND moisture, which is critical for the hair to remain healthy. Proper maintenance is very important to the health of your hair when you have a chemical. What you do at home is what determines how healthy your hair will be even more than your salon visit because your hairstylist may only see you twice a month versus you seeing and caring for your own hair every single day.

Your relaxed hair can absolutely be healthy! The key is to consistently take care of it instead of only taking care of it after it receives damage. If you are willing to do these five things, then you can rest assured that your relaxed hair will be healthy if you choose to go that route.

5 Ways To Tell If Your Hair Is Damaged

2023-06-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a professional hairstylist is how can they tell if their hair is damaged. Most of the time it is pretty obvious if your hair is damaged or not. You can literally see it. To be completely honest, most people that are extremely concerned with the health of their hair do NOT have damaged hair, at least it is not nearly as bad as they think. Even before I became a professional hairstylist, I learned a lot of things about my hair the hard way. Now, as a hair care specialist, I can easily spot damaged hair, on my own head as well as on someone else.

I myself have had heat damage, color damage, damage from neglect. You name it, I've probably experienced it first hand. Just another reason why I'm thankful for having thick hair and even more thankful for still having edges. Today I'm going to give you a five hair tips so that you will be able to know for sure if your hair is damaged or not.

1. Your hair falls out/ you have bald spots- This is as obvious as it can get. If you have severe damage to your hair, the worst possible outcome is hair loss. If your hair suddenly starts coming out after getting a particular service done, it's safe to say you have damage. This does not include hair loss due to medications being taken or medical procedures being done. This is strictly pertaining to hair loss as a direct result of a service done to your hair (i.e bad relaxer, color gone wrong, braids too tight, etc). As long as the actual hair follicle is not damaged, the hair will grow back. In the meantime, you'll want to nurture your hair back to health by making it stronger. Stronger strands don't break easily. You can strengthen your strands with products that have protein. The by L. Jones Protein Strengthening & Repair Collection has products with protein in them and are formulated to reverse damage done to your hair. The Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment and Honey Oat Moisture Shampoo will help. Simply use them in your hair care routine weekly, and try to avoid lots of heat.

2. Hair starts breaking off in certain areas- This can occur for many reasons including wearing excessive ponytails, over-processing relaxers, and the most popular, permanent color gone wrong. When you notice your hair breaking after doing any of these things, more than likely you have received damage. To treat this, use the by L. Jones Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment weekly in addition to eliminating the cause of the root problem. If you constantly wear ponytails a lot, this is the time to stop. As your hair no longer has that extra tension, it will start to grow back. Using the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment will keep it nice and strong, preventing it from having any further damage. Also use the Vanilla Milk Leave-In Conditioner as an extra layer of moisture and protection, especially if you use heat on your hair.

Your hair is significantly thinner in spots- I have had clients whose hair was thick from the root of the hair to about the middle of the hair shaft, then got noticeably thinner. The first client that I experienced like that really puzzled me because I was just so curious as to why the hair would do that. I still do not know the cause of this. My client didn't know what the previous stylist was using on her hair, but if I had to guess I would say usage of a certain type of product did this. I know a shampoo or conditioner couldn't have caused it so I'm assuming it may have been improper usage of a relaxer (getting them too frequently). Anyway, once she started coming to me the hair thickened up all the way down to the ends. What I do know is that when she started coming to me, we started stretching her relaxer to sixteen weeks versus six. If you are relaxed and notice that your hair is very thin, that is even more reason to relaxer stretch. If you are unable to manage your new growth past six weeks, use the by L. Jones Intense Moisturizing Treatment, and Leave-In Conditioner. These two things will soften them up, making your new growth easier to manage. Use the Whipped Honey Foam Wrap to lay your edges and your roots down, making it easier for you to get a freshly relaxed look without having to use a lot of heat.

Split ends- Split ends are a form of damage and can be easily fixed by simply cutting them. If you don't cut your split ends off, the hair will continue to split up the hair shaft resulting in having to cut more of the hair later. There is no product on the market (not even by L. Jones) that will repair split ends. Products that claim they can repair split ends only give the hair the illusion of mending the split ends together. Once the hair gets wet again and the product is shampooed from the hair, you will clearly be able to see that they are still splitting. Even though you can't fix split ends, you can prevent them by using the Satin Moisture Cream. Applying just a drop to the ends at least three times a week will lengthen the time between trims, allowing you to see more length.

Your hair seems permanently frizzy- This mostly happens the hair has been heat damaged and is often followed by excessive shedding. Having too much heat on the hair can open the cuticle layer on the hair and to the naked eye, this appears as frizz. Once the hair is nursed back to health, the cuticle of the hair will then close back up making the hair appear smooth again. Use the by L. Jones Prepoo Mud Mask to help any porosity issues and use the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment for the frizz. And, anytime you use heat, use the Silky Serum Oil as a heat protectant.

If you notice any of the above changes to your hair it is safe to say that you have some form of damage to your hair. But the good news is that most damage can be reversed and your hair can be healthy again! Check out this video below.

How To Tell If Your Ends Need To Be Trimmed

2023-06-12T00:00:00.001-05:00

A lot of women ask me if their hair is damaged when really all they need is a good trim. Don't get me wrong, split ends does equal damage. But, when the hair is extremely damaged, most of the time you will notice it throughout the hair, not just on the ends. For instance, when you get damage from color or relaxers, you will notice breakage or damage as far up the hair shaft as the actual root sometimes. And other times it may be in the middle of the hair shaft, or both. If only your ends look very frizzy and wild, while the rest of your hair looks normal, it is safe to say that a trim is your solution.

And never be afraid to get your ends trimmed. No, it doesn't help your hair grow any faster if you trim your ends because your hair grows from your scalp, not from the ends. But, it does help your hair to be healthier when it does grow because the longer you wait to get your ends trimmed, the more you will have to get trimmed later. Basically, your trim, which I consider to be an inch or less, becomes a cut when you continue to prolong removing the split ends. The only thing not trimming your hair does is allow it to continue to split up the hair shaft. Split ends do make your hair appear to be longer but it does not contribute to the health of the hair at all. If your goal is long hair, be sure that it is long AND healthy.

Hair that is trimmed on a consistent basis always looks better and is healthier. Any style that you choose to get never looks good or lays right when split ends are present. I recommend getting trims at least once every three months (or every 12 weeks) in order to retain your length and keep your hair healthy.

You can tell when your hair needs to be trimmed by taking a good look at it. If you see one hair strand that turns into two strands on the ends that means it is split. It will need to be cut right where it starts to turn into two strands. It is harder for natural girls to see their split ends because the hair is curly all the way to the ends making it harder to see the split. However, natural girls can notice that their ends get really tangled on the ends when trying to detangle. Even when I am doing a silk press I immediately notice when the hair needs to be trimmed by if I can blow it out easily or not. Hair that needs to be trimmed is extremely tangled on the ends. And once the hair is flat ironed and has not been trimmed, it looks very frizzy. You should have your ends trimmed at least every 10-12 weeks.

And remember, good hair equals healthy hair! And be sure to get your hair products from www.byljonesproducts.com. See the video below about this post.

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10 Shocking Secrets That You Didn't Know About Dandruff

2023-06-07T05:30:00.000-05:00

10 shocking secrets you didn't know about dandruff

Many of the clients in my salon have asked me what causes dandruff and how to get rid of it. The truth is that a lot of women, myself included, have suffered from dandruff and/or flaking at some point or another. But what exactly is dandruff anyway? Dandruff, also technically known as Pityriasis simplex capillitii, is a common issue among both women and men. It is a common myth that dandruff comes from having dry scalp, but that is not necessarily true. Dry scalp can result in flaking, but most forms of dandruff are not caused by dry scalp. It is very possible to have an oily scalp and have dandruff. The definition for dandruff is small pieces of dead skin in a person's hair. It is actually the shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. The scalp is also considered to be skin, and skin cells are constantly renewing themselves. Therefore, when the new skin cells emerge, the old ones are pushed to the surface of the scalp, causing dandruff appear. Some people shed more dead skin cells than others, which results in more dandruff appearing. Dandruff often causes itching, but most dandruff can be cured or kept under control with more frequent shampooing, sometimes with a shampoo formulated especially for dandruff. I recommend my clients with mild cases of dandruff shampoo weekly with a clarifying shampoo (like this one), and follow up with a moisturizing shampoo (like this one)

what causes dandruff and how to get rid of it.

Now that we know exactly what dandruff is, I want to go over ten shocking secrets that you didn't know about dandruff. You may notice that your dandruff is not what you would consider to be mild. In that case, there are different kinds of dandruff or you may have an underlying condition. Excessive flaking could be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, a fungal infection, psoriasis, or possibly head lice. Let's take a closer look at each of these that you may not know about dandruff.

Seborrheic dermatitis- This is a more severe type of dandruff in which the skin becomes inflamed and flaky. People with seborrheic dermatitis notice larger, greasier flakes. It can also affect the skin in other areas such as ears, eyebrows, forehead, cheeks, and armpits. You may also notice that the head feels tight, tingly, sore, and/or itchy. If you notice that your scalp becomes red, swollen, and none of your home remedies have worked, it may be best to see your doctor.
Cradle cap- is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis that only affects infants. It normally clears by the time the baby reaches age 1.
Malassezia (fungal infection)- This is a yeast-like fungus that lives on the scalp and can be caused by an allergic reaction, stress, illness, changes in hormones, or just not shampooing often enough. It feeds on oils secreted by your hair follicles (sebum) and can irritate your scalp. It can resemble seborrheic dermatitis in the way it looks.
Psoriasis- Psoriasis can lead to the most serious form of dandruff. It is accompanied by an accumulation of dead skin cells that appear as thick, silvery scales. Psoriasis can also occur on the knees and lower back, but most often happens on the scalp. It results in a very rapid shedding of skin cells, and when this happens on the scalp, dandruff appears. However, unlike seborrheic dermatitis and malassezia, it is not contagious.
Head lice- Head lice is NOT dandruff, however, they can appear to look similar. Head lice attach their eggs to the person's strands of hair. The eggs are tiny like dandruff, but it is not a form of dandruff. If you try to brush the hair or shake the head and item easily comes out, most likely this is dandruff. If the item is mostly uniform and looks oval-shaped, it is most likely head lice. Dandruff flakes are not uniform, instead they are all shapes and sizes. Head lice on the other hand is uniform and oval-shaped. Lastly, if the item is mostly only close to the root of the hair, it is most likely lice. Dandruff can be located at the root as well as further down the hair shaft. If you suspect you have head lice, treat this immediately at home! Don't go to your stylist asking them to treat if for you..

how to get rid of dandruff

Other facts about dandruff:

It's contagious!- It is not wise to share combs and/or brushes with anyone because dandruff can spread. Also if you have dandruff, wash your combs and brushes with hot water and soap.
It can be worse in winter, extreme temps can aggravate dandruff- Winter months have much less moisture in the hair. If your flaking is caused by dry scalp, winter months will make it much worse, but you can keep it controlled by shampooing it every week. Use a deep cleansing shampoo like the by L. Jones Extreme Clean Shampoo. But first, use the Prepoo Hair Mud Mask. It will remove dead skin cells and toxins from your scalp. After following up with the Extreme Clean Shampoo, use the Extreme Moisture Shampoo. Using these three things before you condition can drastically help your dandruff. If you have extremely bad flaking, you can also add the Silky Growth Oil to your scalp and do a hot oil treatment.
Kids can have dandruff also-Yes your kids can have dandruff and you can spread it to them if you share combs and brushes.
Keeping the scalp covered does not reduce the chance of getting dandruff- Some people believe that if you keep your hair wrapped or covered that it will help with your dandruff. This is false!
You may need to see your doctor for severe cases- If your dandruff seems abnormal to you head to your dermatologist to get to the bottom of the issue.

Dandruff is very common, I even experience it myself sometimes. But I find that shampooing my hair weekly keeps it to a bare minimum. So the good news is that it can be cured! Now that you have been introduced to what causes dandruff, you can more clearly identify which case yours falls under, fight it, and get rid of it for good.

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Top 10 Reasons Why Your Hair Won't Grow

2023-06-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had a goal for your hair to grow but it just seemed like no matter what you tried, things were not working out the way you planned? I get it! Many women have asked me how they can grow their hair faster, longer, thicker, etc so today I'm here to answer this question. As a relaxed hair blogger and professional hair care specialist, hopefully I'll be able to give you more insight and help you to reach your hair goals. Today I'll be giving my top 10 reasons why your hair won't grow. This is not an exhaustive list, meaning these are not the only reasons why your hair may not be growing, but the ones I'm going over today are the most popular and more than likely cover the issues you may be having.

Here is my professional list of reasons as to why your hair won't grow:

Not trimming- Not trimming your hair is one surefire way to feel like your hair is not growing. Why? Because when split ends occur, and they always occur, they need to be cut immediately. When this is not done, they continue to split up the hair shaft. If split ends continue to split that means you will have to get more cut, which of course makes your hair even shorter than you originally planned. Cutting off your split ends is the only way to "fix" them. If this is done on a consistent basis, you'll be able to keep most of your length and see more growth. Even though split ends can not be fixed, there are a few things you can do to prolong, or prevent them. Always using a heat protectant like the Silky Serum Oil, especially on the ends of the hair, can help. Also, keeping the ends moisturized with a hair lotion, like the Satin Moisture Cream, can help you extend your trims from every 6 weeks to every 12-14 weeks.
Not using high-quality products- Believe it or not, the products you use play a major role in your hair care journey. Products that contain things that are harmful to your hair can cause it to dry out and break. Use products like these and stay away from products that include sulfates, parabens, etc.
Too much heat- When flat ironing and/or curling your hair, it is important to do it correctly. You should only be flat ironing your hair with 1-2 passes only. Going over the same piece of hair multiple times, even with the heat on low, can cause premature breakage. Instead cut the flat iron up to a higher temperature that will allow you to go over the hair only once to get the desired look.
Trimming too much- If you are having to get a trim every time you get your hair done, then you are essentially cutting off everything that you grew. Therefore you'll be in a constant state of feeling like your hair isn't growing. It is always growing, but if you are constantly cutting off your growth, you'll always be at the same length or shorter.
Having the heat tools up too high- In addition to going over the hair with multiple passes with the flat iron, it is also just as important to not have the heat up too high. This will cause the hair to burn, get weaker, and eventually break. One way to tell if the heat is up too high is if you smell burnt hair. If it smells like it's burning, try cutting the heat down a bit.
Constant rubbing in hair- Do you have a habit of rubbing or always playing in your hair? It could be that you always are getting your side-swept bangs out of your face. Or you may be always pulling your hair over to one side. You may not even notice that you do it. Either way, doing this constantly can cause breakage in that area. I had a client who always rubbed her edges with her fingers but never could figure out why they were always much thinner than the rest of her hair. Once I pointed it out to her (because I actually saw her doing it), she became aware of it and started to change.
Avoiding protective styles- When trying to make your hair reach a new level of length, protective styles are a great thing to help. Braids, for instance, can be left in for sometimes twelve weeks at a time and allow your hair to grow at least an inch and a half without you interfering. This is because with protective styles, you are not touching your hair at all and are simply allowing it to do its own thing, which is grow. This is why many women who wear protective styles all the time have hair down their backs.
Using heat too often- Heat can be your hair's friend if used correctly. Heat should only be used once per week or less. There is never a time when using heat daily is acceptable. Doing this always, always, always leads to breakage.
Not stretching your relaxer- I always stress relaxer stretching. In short, when you don't, some of your hair that has already been relaxed gets overlapped and that leads to.... you guessed it. BREAKAGE! If you are relaxed and are not stretching, I encourage you to start. You'll see a major difference. Try to stretch at least sixteen weeks in between relaxer services, or until you have at least two inches of new growth.
Not protecting your ends- When your ends aren't protected, they split faster, which means you'll have to get it cut sooner. The best way to protect your split ends is by wrapping your hair every night. You can also roll it, or put a satin cap on. And don't forget that the by L. Jones Satin Moisture Cream also helps protect them against dryness.

Once you are able to look at the list above and see what you may or may not be doing to your hair, you'll be well on your way to making the necessary changes to growing your hair and becoming your own hair goals!

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How to avoid heat damage

2023-05-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

How to avoid heat damage

Many relaxed hair bloggers will tell you to stay away from heat. It's no secret that heat can destroy your hair. However, heat does not have to be your hair's enemy. I have clients in my salon that get heat on their hair weekly (with this flat iron) and has grown past their bra straps. When heat is used correctly it will not harm your hair, but the opposite is true as well. Heat used incorrectly can cause severe damage. Today I want to show you how to avoid heat damage to your hair.

Flat ironing with Toi Primo flat iron

Here are my top tips to avoiding heat damage:

Use heat protectant!- This is the most important tip of them all. Protecting your hair from heat can save it from a lot of damage. Use the by L. Jones Silky Serum Oil before flat ironing to not only protect from heat but to also add amazing shine as well. This leave-in conditioner also has a heat protectant in it as well.
Only use the heat you need.- Your flat iron should always have a temperature gauge that you can change. It should not just have an on/off button. You should be able to control the heat so you can customize it to your hair.
Only use heat once per week or less- The frequency of which you use heat is important. You should never use heat in your hair more than once per week.

Silky Serum Oil from by L. Jones for heat protectant

Again, be sure that you are using heat protectant (like this and this) to avoid heat damage to you hair IN ADDITION TO controlling not only the temperature of the heat but the frequency as well.

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Professionally Recommended Hair Care Routine For Dry Hair

2023-05-25T10:44:00.001-05:00

Having dry hair is no fun at all! No one likes having hair that looks brittle and dry, so if your hair is prone to dryness you definitely want to handle that immediately. Here are a few signs that you are experiencing dry scalp/hair:

Your hair visibly looks dull and dry
Your hair looks/feels brittle
You have mild flaking on your scalp
Your hair seems like it soaks up any oil or moisture that you put in it

Dry hair should always be kept moisturized

If you are experiencing some or all of the signs listed above here is my recommended regimen for your hair:

Shampoo first with a clarifying shampoo (like this one). The by L Jones Extreme Clean Clarifying Shampoo is great to use even on dry hair because it is sulfate free, so it will not strip the hair. Although there are not many oils in your hair, it is still important to start with a clean slate. Only do this on the first lather. Rinse thoroughly.
On the next shampoo, use a deep conditioning or moisturizing shampoo (like this one). Pay close attention to cleansing your scalp, because if your scalp is properly nourished your hair will reap the benefits. Avoid balling your hair up when shampooing. When using a great moisturizing shampoo, (like this one) you will immediately feel your hair being nourished afterwards.
Apply a deep moisturizing conditioner (like this one) and let sit for about 20-45 minutes, preferably under a hooded dryer. Allow to cool for 5 additional minutes and rinse with lukewarm or room temperature water. The colder the water is when you rinse the conditioner out, the better.
Apply a leave-in conditioner (I prefer a spray like this one instead of the cream), comb through, and style as usual. Leave-in conditioners give your hair an extra layer of moisture, which is extremely important when trying to get your hair to be more moisturized. Cream-based leave-in conditioners are acceptable when doing styles that don't require a lot of body and movement like twist outs, braid outs, wash and go's, and even rod sets. When wearing styles like silk press, and roller sets, a liquid-based leave-in is best because it won't weigh the hair down.
Apply moisture cream. Just like your skin needs moisture, our hair does as well. This moisture cream is basically like a lotion for the hair. All you need is a small drop (pea size amount) to see a difference. This can be applied as often necessary. Your hair may only need moisture cream 1-2 times a week while others may need it more often. Look and feel your hair to get a better idea of what will work for you. Keep in mind that the more products you apply to your hair, the heavier your hair will become, so always start with less product than you think you need and increase the amount if necessary.
Repeat weekly. You will see a little bit of a difference after doing this routine for the first time, but you'll see more results by being consistent with this routine. Over time you will see and feel your hair become more and more moisturized.

Using great products is key when combating dry hair. If you are using the right shampoo and conditioner, you will notice that you don't need to use a lot of extra products, like oils and serums, to make your hair shine. Of course, I recommend my own professional line of salon-quality hair care products, by L. Jones, because they were designed to help those with dry hair. Here are a few additional instructions to help you to banish that dry hair:

Never shampoo your hair with scalding hot water. This only opens up your cuticle allowing any moisture that is in there to slide right out.
Avoid direct heat, or heat from styling tools, if possible. If this is not possible for you, limit your usage of your styling tools to once per week. Too much heat has the same effect as using water that is too hot.
When using your styling tools (especially flat irons), make sure they are on the right temperature. They should not be on the highest setting, especially when you are already suffering from dry hair.
Repeat your regimen until you see results. If your hair still seems dry, add a protein treatment (like this one) to your routine every fourth week.

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Hair Shedding vs Hair Breakage | Knowing the Difference

2023-05-15T14:27:00.001-05:00

Hair breakage and hair shedding may look similar when you see the strands of hair on your bathroom floor but they are two totally different things. Hair shedding is a normal process of the growth cycle, while hair breakage is cause for concern. If you are not able to tell the difference, don't worry because you are in the right place! Let's take a look at the difference between the two below:

Hair that is shedding is normally long strands and often has a bulb on the ends. If this is what the hair on your floor resembles, you should be in the clear. Breakage looks more like shorter hairs, but they could sometimes be longer depending on the cause of the breakage and where the breakage happened. Hair that is breaking will never have a bulb on the ends.

There are a few reasons why your hair will suffer from breakage and how to stop it.

Overlapping of chemicals- This is one of the main reasons why I do not recommend anyone do their own relaxers, as it almost always results in overlapping. Overlapping is when you apply relaxer or color to hair that has already been relaxed or colored. This results in weakening the hair, and can cause the hair to be damaged. The end result is hair breakage. When applying your own relaxers it is very hard to see the line of demarcation (line where the new growth meets the already processed hair). This line is the weakest spot in the hair and overlapping causes hair to be more prone to breakage in that spot. While you may not experience hair breakage the first time you overlap, you are still causing damage and over time breakage can occur. To prevent and fix damage caused by chemicals, use the by L. Jones Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment. The protein inside makes the hair stronger and can stop additional breakage from occurring, while the moisture inside keeps the hair soft and manageable.
Heat damage- Too much exposure to flat irons and curling irons, as well as having the temperature up too high is another cause for breakage. I recommend using heat on the hair no more than once per week after it has been shampooed. Also, always use a styling tool with an adjustable temperature gauge (like this one) and keep it on the lowest setting that your hair will allow. Having the tool up too high can cause hair breakage even when you only use heat once per week. When using heat, be sure to use a heat protectant (like this one). It is also a good idea to opt for styles where no heat is required when possible.
Dry hair- When hair is dry it becomes brittle and is much more prone to damage. Always keep your hair moisturized by deep conditioning, using leave-in, and even using moisture creams, and drink at least 48 ounces of water daily! After all, water is the number one hydrator, so drink up!
Straining hair styles- Any hairstyle that puts strain on your hair by pulling it too tight causes hair breakage. Braids, sew-ins, and ponytails are notorious for causing breakage around the edges. Be extra careful to the sides and edges of the hair when wearing these styles as the edges are the weakest part of the hair. It doesn't take much for them to break, and takes even longer for them to grow back. Continuous trauma to the edges of the hair can lead to alopecia, in which the hair may never come back. When wearing any type of protective style, be sure to use the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil as well as the Cooling Hair Mister Braid Spray around the edges to keep them moisturized which reduces chances of breaking.

Hair breakage is 100% preventable. Taking better care of your hair will prevent it and can also stop it. So the next time you see excessive amounts of hair on your floor, analyze it to see if your hair is shedding or breaking, then take the proper action to get your hair back to its healthiest state.

Here is the video to go with this post:

Why Does It Seem Like My Hair Isn't Growing?

2023-05-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thanks.

Have you been trying and trying to grow your hair and still are not seeing the results you want? Well, you are not alone. There are many women, with relaxed hair and natural hair, who try and try to grow their hair out and it seems like for whatever reason that it just isn't happening. For others, it seems like their hair will grow to a certain length and then stop. Today I'm going to help you push past that point so you can grow your hair longer.

Make sure you wrap your hair to help protect your ends

Believe it or not, our hair is constantly growing, despite the fact that it seems like it is not. As a matter of fact, your hair is growing right now as you read this. It does, however, grow at a very slow rate of only half of an inch per month on average. This means that it would take the average person an entire year to grow only six inches of hair. And, on top of that, you more than likely will not see all six of those inches if you get your trims regularly. I would say that on average, you can expect to see a maximum of four of those six inches. But don't let that discourage you! As long as you have a hair routine that consists of healthy hair habits, you will definitely see more length.

The issue is not that your hair is not growing. The actual issue is that many women are not able to retain their length. Think of it like this, if someone is giving you $500 every month but you spend $499 of it each month, the problem is not that you are not getting any money. The problem is that you are spending it every single time you get it. The same concept applies when it comes to your hair. You are growing it, but for whatever reason you are having to trim more hair than you actually grew, so you are not seeing any length. Don't get me wrong, trims are very important. But if you take care of your ends, you will not have to get them as often and when you do, you won't have to trim very much.

As your hair grows it is imperative that you take care of it in order to retain all of the length you get. Anytime the hair gets damaged or the ends become split, that requires you to cut your hair. Simple things like wrapping your hair every night and getting trims on a regular basis will help you keep all the length you waited so long for. As you get into the habit of wrapping your hair every night and moisturizing and sealing your ends, they will not become split as often because you are protecting them.

Here are some things you can do to protect your ends:

Deep condition- Deep condition your hair at least 1-2 times per month and be sure that your ends get plenty of the deep conditioner on them. Many people focus on the roots of the hair when deep conditioning, but your ends need it the most. This will keep them moisturized and stop excessive breakage and shedding. Recommended Deep Conditioner: by L. Jones Intense Moisturizing Treatment
Use leave-in conditioner- Leave-in conditioners are another way to add an extra layer of moisture to the hair, especially the ends. The by L. Jones Original Collection Leave-In Conditioner is a liquid leave-in instead of a cream, so you can use as much as needed and it will not weigh the hair down.
Moisturize- Throughout the week it is recommended to add just a little bit of moisturizer to your ends, especially if you tend to use heat and manipulate your hair often. The by L. Jones Satin Moisture Cream is hair lotion that instantly adds moisture to dry hair. It can be used right before wrapping and/or rolling the hair at night or you can use it in the mornings by just putting a small amount on your ends and styling as usual.
Wrap- Wrapping your hair nightly is an excellent way to protect your ends. Rolling the hair at night is acceptable also. Be sure to use a satin bonnet, wrap cap, and/or scarf. You can also sleep on a satin pillowcase.
Use heat correctly- Using heat correctly means using the right temperature and not using heat more than once per week. Having the temp up too high can dry the hair out and cause breakage and the ends will be the first to break since they are the oldest part of the hair and the most fragile. Use the by L. Jones Silky Serum for your heat protectant before using heat to protect the hair from any heat damage.
Incorporate protective styles- Protective styles are a great way to prolong the ends from splitting. The trick is to get a fresh trim right before getting your protective style. That way, once you remove your protective style, your ends will still be healthy. Doing this will also help you retain more length.
Leave your hair alone!- Constantly doing things like playing in your hair, and always manipulating it can cause breakage. Leave your hair alone and let it do it's thing, which is grow and be healthy!

And never skip getting your trims, get them consistently. I recommend getting your trims every ten to twelve weeks. This means you would be getting a trim every two and a half to three months. If hair grows half an inch per month, most people would have about one to one and a half inches of new growth at that point. If you trim your ends right as they begin to split, you may only have to cut 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch meaning you would still have .75 to 1.25 inches of new growth. This equates to you still getting about 4-5 inches of new growth per year. If you are not getting at least 3-4 inches of new growth every year, here are a few causes for this problem:

Not wrapping every night- As I said before, wrapping is one of the most important things you can do to help your ends not split as often. When you don't wrap your hair your ends begin to split faster due to the friction of your hair rubbing against the pillow night after night. Even if you are not necessarily sleeping but just lounging around make sure you wrap your hair to protect your ends (if you need a satin scarf, get one here). If for whatever reason wrapping your hair is not an option for you at least get a satin pillowcase (like these) and it will protect your hair more than a cotton pillowcase would.
Getting relaxers too soon- Getting your relaxer too soon (less than 16 weeks) does not help when you are trying to grow your hair. Stretching them out allows you to get and retain more length because you are maximizing the amount of new growth which helps to ensure that no overlapping will occur. Overlapping of relaxer causes your hair to grow slower than it normally would and can often cause damage that leads to you having to cut more of your hair than you prefer.
Too much heat- Putting too much heat on your hair causes your hair to break, especially towards the ends. I would suggest only putting heat on it once per week or less.

Having a consistent schedule of healthy hair habits will help you be able to retain more length and see your hair get longer.

Check out the video for this post here:

Toya's Hair Tips || What Causes The Hair To Be So Dry?

2023-05-03T04:00:00.002-05:00

Toya's hair tips: what causes the hair to be so dry?

Today my tip comes from the question "what causes the hair to be so dry?" I get asked this question all the time! This question is actually what made me decide to create by L. Jones Products. I wanted to create something for women to be able to use at home that would give their hair the proper amounts of moisture. The truth is that many women, especially black women have oil glands in our scalp that are not very active. What this means is that it could take up to two weeks before our hair starts getting oily on its own which is why many black women shampoo their hair every two weeks. Then you have other ethnicities where the women have to shampoo their hair daily. That is because the oil glands in their scalp are much more active. While we cannot control the activity level of our oil glands, there are a few adjustments we can make in order for our hair to be more moisturized.

causes of dry hair varies, but there are some things you can do

Drink enough water: This is the easiest thing you can do. Our bodies are made up of about 75-80 percent water so if we do not receive enough, our skin and scalp will become dry. Drink half of your body weight in ounces per day. This is the only way to properly hydrate your body from the inside. Being properly hydrated will help all of your moisturizing hair products work much better.

Use moisturizing products: If your hair is extremely dry it is very important to use moisturizing products (like these) on your hair so that it won't become even more dry. The process of moisturizing the hair using products includes layering the moisture.

This is how you layer the moisture in your hair. Start with a moisturizing shampoo. The by L. Jones Extreme Moisture Shampoo is sulfate and paraben free, and is the first step in the layering. While gently cleansing the hair, this shampoo includes moisturizers and silk.

The next step is to use a deep conditioner. The Intense Moisturizing Deep Conditioner is what I recommend if you are seeking only extra moisture. This conditioner contains a multitude of oils and moisturizers that make the hair extremely soft and easier to manage. If you're looking for both extra moisture AND protein to reverse damage, use the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment.

The next step in the layering is to add leave-in conditioner. The by L. Jones Original Collection Leave-In Conditioner is very lightweight and gives the hair an additional layer of moisture, as well as it also helps you to detangle much easier. The Vanilla Milk Leave-In is very much like the Original Collection Leave-In, but in addition to providing moisture it also has a hint of protein to help hair with chemicals and damage become much stronger.

Weather changes: In cases of extreme cold, the hair tends to be more dry simply because there is not much moisture in the air. In the summer months, the hair is much more moisturized because there is so much more moisture in the air. Be sure to always deep condition in the winter as well as apply leave-in conditioner.

Medication: Many medications have adverse reactions on the hair and one of them is that it can dry the hair out. If this is the case for you please speak with your doctor about alternative solutions. Do not just stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor first!

There are many reasons for the cause of dry hair, but you can fix it!

Keeping your hair properly nourished and moisturized is not as hard as you think. You just need to know what to do to get it back on the right track. But don't worry, that's why I'm here to help!

Check out the video for this post here:

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10 Hair Statements You've Always Believed That Are Actually NOT True

2023-04-25T02:00:00.001-05:00

There are many hair myths out there. And with a lot of people longing for that thick, long, beautiful hair, some women will try just about anything to get it. I've heard of women doing lots of things to their hair, from making their own products using ingredients in the fridge to not cleaning their hair for months on end all because they "heard" it would help their hair grow. Here are some common hair myths exposed.

1. Cutting/Trimming your hair will make it grow- This myth in particular never made sense to me. If your hair grows from the root, how will cutting it from the ends make it grow? The fact is that your hair will grow whether you trim your hair or not. Trimming your ends helps you control your split ends and allows your hair to be healthier. Not trimming your ends means once the ends begin to split, it will just continue up the hair shaft, resulting in you having to trim more than you would necessarily want to. To cut down on the number of trims you receive, there are some things you can do to prevent your ends from splitting as fast. Apply a small amount of lightweight leave-in conditioner (like this one) and a moisture cream (like this one) to your ends at least 2-3 times a week. This way, you will see more of your length and cut the number of trims you get in half.

2. You can fix your split ends- Let's finally put this myth to rest! The only way to fix split ends is to cut them off. There is no product that will magically mend your split ends back together. The best thing to do is have them trimmed on a regular basis or as soon as you notice that they are splitting. To retain your length, you can only take preventative action to prevent your ends from splitting in the first place. The best way to do this is to keep your hair moisturized. Deep condition 1-2 times a month, always use leave-in conditioner, and use heat protectant every time you use heat. Also, if your ends have split an inch from the ends, don't waste your time only cutting half an inch, getting a "baby" trim, or just "dusting" your ends. Your hair may appear even, but you will still have split ends and they will continue to split until you cut them ALL off. Go ahead and have them all cut the first time and from then on, maintain a regular schedule of 12-14 weeks for your trims.

3. Stress causes the hair to turn grey- Sorry ladies, but you can't blame your kids, jobs, men, etc for your greys. In fact, grey hair is hereditary. If the women in your family got grey hair early, you more than likely will too.

4. If you pull one grey hair, two will grow back in its place- If you pull your grey hair out, only one will come back in its place (I've tested this theory on myself). You won't see double the number grow back and it won't be any coarser than the first.

5. Greasing your scalp makes your hair grow- Where do I begin with this one? Grease does NOT, I repeat, does NOT make your hair grow! Greasing your scalp actually clogs the pores making it more difficult for the hair to grow. It also causes the hair to become super oily and weighs it down. Leave the grease alone ladies. Instead, apply something lighter to your scalp like a growth oil (this is a great one) that contains essential oils that stimulate growth.

6. Frequent brushing causes your hair to grow- Brushing your hair often does not help it grow. In fact, brushing your hair too often can actually weaken the follicle making it more prone to breakage. Limit brushing your hair to only brushing when styling and never brush vigorously while wet.

7. Taking vitamins (prenatal, hair & nails, etc) will make the hair grow faster- Pregnant women often see their hair grow faster and longer while they are pregnant due to hormones, not vitamins. There are vitamins that help aid in hair growth when used in combination with proper diet, drinking enough water, and taking care of your hair, but don't start taking vitamins with the false perception that your hair will be 2 inches longer next week. Prenatal vitamins contain enough nutrients for two people, so if you are taking these and are not pregnant, you are receiving more than the recommended dosage which can actually be harmful in some instances. If you want faster growth, try this growth oil and apply it directly to the scalp 3-4 times a week.

8. If you use the same shampoo over and over, it will be less effective- We've all heard the saying that if you continue to do the same thing you will get the same results. Using the same shampoo over and over will continue to produce clean hair over and over. Our hair doesn't get used to one product and then develop a tolerance for it. Sometimes your hair can go through changes, which may require a different hair care routine and if that is the case, what you were doing in the past may not be effective at the moment. For example, if your hair is normally pretty moisturized, then all of a sudden it becomes more dry, you may have to switch the products you are using to include products that contain lots of moisture. Things like changes in the weather, pregnancy, and certain medications can create changes in your hair.

9. Shampooing your hair too often dries the hair out- This is only partly true. Shampooing frequently with certain products can cause your hair to become drier. However, if you are using sulfate-free, paraben-free, and moisturizing products (like these) they will not dry your hair out. On the contrary, if you abuse using clarifying, deep cleansing shampoos or frequently use shampoos that contain sulfates and parabens, you will notice that your hair feels stripped and dried out as these products can be harsh are specifically made to strip the hair. Most ethnic hair can be shampooed weekly because ethnic hair tends to be drier and does not need shampoo on a daily basis. If your hair is very oily, shampooing it more frequently will not hurt it because your hair makes oils so fast that your hair needs extra shampooing. Use your hair as a guide and it will give you clues on what to do.

10. Dandruff is caused by dry scalp- Dandruff is actually caused by a fungus which feeds off the oils in the hair. Therefore, it is very possible to have oily scalp and still have dandruff. Cleansing your hair and scalp regularly and using the right products will make (mild cases of) dandruff disappear. Using a deep cleansing shampoo (like this one), a mud mask that also contains clay (like this one), and certain oils (like this one) all get rid of dandruff.

Check out the video here:

5 Ways To Retain Your Length & Have Longer Hair

2023-03-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Many women often ask how can they get their hair to grow. But, the truth is that the hair is growing all of the time. As a matter of fact, your hair is growing as you read this. Growing the hair is the easy part. Actually retaining the length so you can see that your hair grew is the hard part. Length retention is very important because if you are unable to retain your length, you will think that your hair is not growing. The ends of the hair are the oldest so if they are not taken care of, they will have to be cut. If you are continuously cutting your ends, especially if you are having to cut more than you have grown, you will always feel like your hair is stuck at the same length. Today I will be showing you five ways to retain your length and have longer hair.

1. Prepoo- Pre-pooing is a great way to retain length. For instance, the Hydrating Pre Poo Hair Mud Mask from by L. Jones pre-softens the hair, encourages more hair growth, and retains moisture in the hair. When moisture is retained in the ends of the hair, they don't split as fast, which helps you actually keep your length. I would recommend pre-pooing at least twice per month if you are wanting to help your hair grow faster AND keep/retain the length that you grow.

2. Moisturize- Dry hair breaks much faster, especially at the ends. In order to keep your ends moisturized and strong, it is important to use high-quality moisturizing shampoo (like this one). Using a moisturizing shampoo on a regular basis will greatly help to strengthen your ends and help you retain them. It is my professional recommendation that you use a moisturizing shampoo each time you shampoo your hair.

3. Deep condition- While we are talking about moisturizing, deep conditioning is also another way to keep your ends and the rest of your hair moisturized. If you consisitently deep condition (I recommend this one) your hair instead of only doing so when your hair is dry, you will retain significantly more length and experience less breakage.

4. Leave-in- I use this leave-in conditioner every single time I shampoo my hair, which is weekly. Using leave-in conditioner helps to add another layer of moisture to your hair in addition to using the moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioning. This particular leave-in conditioner also helps provide heat protection and helps to detangle as well, both which help reduce breakage so you can retain your ends.

5. Seal- Even when you moisturize your hair, it is important to seal it in. Using a sealant helps lock the moisture inside the hair so that you don't feel like your moisturizing efforts are for nothing. The by L. Jones Satin Moisture Cream is a daily hair moisturizer that can be used to seal the moisture in the hair as well as the Silky Serum Oil.

All of these five things will help you retain your length when done on a consistent basis. When you incorporate these things in your hair care routine, you will absolutely see more length.

Check out the video below, and be sure to subscribe to ToyaJTV!

10 Reasons To Deep Condition Your Hair

2023-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

10 reasons to deep condition your hair

Being a relaxed hair blogger and also a professional hairstylist, I get asked on quite a regular basis how to manage dry hair. I also get asked a lot what you should put on your hair daily. Today I want to talk all about this. First, I want to address the question of what you should put on your hair daily. The truth is that you should not have to put product on your hair daily. If you are using the right shampoos and conditioners for your hair, a daily hair dress is not necessary. And, speaking of conditioners, that is how you manage dry hair.

Deep conditioning is the answer to dry hair. Especially if you have relaxed hair, you should be deep conditioning at least twice a month, but weekly is highly encouraged if your hair is dry. I recommend that women with relaxed hair alternate between moisturizing treatments and reconstructive treatments weekly. Doing this does wonders for your hair! Here are ten reasons why you should be deep conditioning your hair:

Improves wet combing (detangles)- Deep conditioning is great for wet combing. I recommend applying a generous amount of deep conditioner to your hair then gently combing your hair from the ends and working your way up.
Gives the hair body- Have you ever wondered why your hair does not move the way you want it to? It needs body. Deep conditioning will do that because it increases the moisture.
Reduces frizz- Often, frizz is the result of lack of moisture. Deep conditioning reduces frizz drastically.
Softens hair- Dry hair is often very brittle and hard. Deep conditioning will soften the hair. If you are using a great deep conditioner (like this one) you'll notice your hair become softer even while it is still wet.
Adds moisture- Chemically treated hair, whether it is from a relaxer, permanent color, or both, is prone to more dryness. When you deep condition you are adding moisture back inside the hair, making it healthier.
Adds slip- Slip is how your hair feels when wet. The more slip you have when wet, the better your hair feels dry. Deep conditioning increases the amount of slip you have.
Increases elasticity- Elasticity is your hair's ability to stretch. When your hair is dry, it does not have much elasticity, therefore it breaks much easier. The hair has lots of elasticity when it is properly moisturized.
Restores shine- Dullness is a result of lack of moisture. Deep conditioning puts the shine back in your hair.
Adds volume- If your hair always seems flat, that is because you don't have a lot of volume. Volume also helps the hair to have more body. When you deep condition, the volume in your hair increases.
Slows split ends- No one likes to trim their ends, however, it is not something you should avoid. You can, however, prolong the time in between your trims when you deep condition.

These are some of the many reasons why you should always deep condition your hair. The deep conditioner I use and recommend is the by L. Jones Intense Moisturizing Treatment. It does all ten things on this list. Also, the Creamy Custard Reconstructive Treatment is great for damaged hair because it helps restore and repair damage. Whether your hair is damaged or not, it should be getting deep conditioned. If your hair is already healthy, deep conditioning will help maintain its healthy state. Deep conditioning is definitely a great addition to your healthy hair care routine.

Check out the video for this post below:

How To Do A Hot Oil Treatment & 10 Reasons Why You Should

2023-01-23T00:00:00.001-06:00

If you are experiencing dry scalp, frizzy hair, or even hair loss, a hot oil treatment may be exactly what you need. Hot oil treatments are a well-kept little secret when it comes to having a healthy hair routine. When you hear most people talking about hair care routines, you hear a lot about deep conditioning, moisturizing, etc., but adding hot oil treatments to your hair care routine are definitely an added bonus. Today I will highlight ten reasons why you should do hot oil treatments, and how to do them.

Let's jump right into the benefits of doing hot oil treatments. I use the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil when doing whether I'm doing hot oil treatments, or simply oiling my scalp. It contains a customized blend of ten different essential oils that, when combined together, create an amazing scalp concoction with numerous benefits. Here are the top ten benefits:

Promotes hair growth- Just about everyone wants to know how to get their hair to grow longer. One way is with hot oil treatments. Your hair will grow just fine on its own, but the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil will encourage it to grow faster than the average half an inch per month.
Prevents & reduces hair loss- Shedding is normal, but there are occasions when you can experience hair loss that has nothing to do with your normal growth cycle. Hot oil treatments can prevent this abnormal hair loss.
Helps with scalp irritation- Scalp irritation can occur when you have a reaction to certain ingredients in products, or even in certain foods. When this happens, a hot oil treatment can reduce and/or eliminate the irritation that you are experiencing.
Adds shine- If your hair is looking dry, doing a hot oil treatment can help because the heat can allow the oil to go inside the cuticle to moisturize the hair. This results in shinier hair.
Reduces frizz- If you have tried everything you can possibly think of and still are experiencing frizz, a hot oil treatment may be the answer. It helps to seal your cuticle so that your hair strands are laying flat versus sticking straight up, which is what happens when your hair becomes frizzy.
Prevents itching- One benefit of hot oil treatments is that they can prevent your hair from itching. This is definitely an added benefit when you are wearing protective styles. Things like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, allergies, and psoriasis can all contribute towards itchy scalp, and hot oil treatments can help. By L. Jones Silky Growth Oil contains lavender oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and peppermint oil, which all help with itching and dandruff.
Promotes thickness- When doing hot oil treatments, the heat allows the oil to penetrate your cuticle and fill in any holes in your hair shaft, giving the hair a slightly thicker appearance. This does not mean your super fine hair will all of a sudden become extremely thick. But, it does help.
Helps with dandruff- As mentioned with reason no. 6, the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil includes essential oils that combat the fungus that creates dandruff and helps get rid of it naturally when doing hot oil treatments.
Prevents split ends- Hot oil treatments not only keep your scalp nourished, but the oil that trickles down to your ends helps keep them moisturized. Moisturized ends split less and the less your ends split, the more length you are able to retain.
Makes hair stronger- Many of the oils in the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil, like argan oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil, helps to strengthen the hair, which reduces breakage and premature hair loss.

I just listed ten reasons why you should incorporate hot oil treatments into your hair care routine. Now let's talk about how often they should be done. I recommend hot oil treatments be done 1-2 times per month and they are more beneficial when done in combination with a deep conditioning treatment. So, I recommend doing your hot oil treatment and your deep conditioning treatments on the same day. If you shampoo your hair weekly (like I do) it is also ok to do a hot oil treatment with every shampoo. It will not harm your hair if you do them more often, however, doing them monthly is just as fine. Need a great deep conditioner? Try this one.

Now that we have discussed the benefits of doing hot oil treatments, and how often you do them, now it's time to go over how to do them. Check out this video (be sure to subscribe to the channel) to see how to do a hot oil treatment on yourself.

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11 Tips To Having Healthy Hair Even While Wearing Protective Styles

2023-01-17T00:00:00.001-06:00

When it comes to wearing protective styles, we often look at them as a carefree, low maintenance way to keep your hair cute while not having to worry about your real hair. With protective styles, you don't have to worry about your hair frizzing up or going flat as soon as humidity hits. You can also switch up the color of your protective styles without having to actually color your real hair.

As much as we love protective styles, it is very easy to forget about our real hair. DO.NOT.DO.THIS! You can actually grow your very long if you take care of your hair while wearing your protective styles. Today I'll give you eleven tips on how to continue to care for your real hair while wearing your protective style.

Clarify- Before getting your protective style of choice, clarify your hair first. Often when we wear protective styles, we leave them in for a few weeks. In that time your real hair can accumulate a lot of buildup, residue, and even dirt. Clarifying with a deep cleansing shampoo will thoroughly cleanse your hair and scalp and let you start with a clean slate. I recommend using a sulfate and paraben free like this one that won't strip your hair.
Moisturize- After you clarify, it is important to start layering your hair with moisture. Start doing this with your moisturizing shampoo. So, you'll clarify on your first lather of shampooing and use a moisturizing shampoo on your second lather. This is a great one to use.
Condition- Now that you have shampooed, it is time to condition. Dry hair can break very easily, so I recommend deep conditioning before getting protective styles. A deep conditioner like this one will help keep your hair moisturized and prevent it from drying out. This will allow your hair to still flourish under your protective style. I recommend sitting under a hooded dryer like this one for at least 30 minutes with your deep conditioner before rinsing.
Add leave-in- Continuing with the conditioning, you always want to add leave-in conditioner, especially when doing protective styles. This helps to add even more moisture to your hair. The last thing you want is for your hair to dry out while wearing your protective styles which can end in actually having breakage when you take your protective styles down. I recommend this leave-in conditioner because it is very lightweight and I also recommend spraying it on your real hair even while wearing your protective styles.
Moisture cream- After blow drying your hair or sitting under the hooded dryer, add a small amount of moisture cream (this is a great one) to your hair. Make sure you put it on your ends because they dry out the fastest. You want to keep your ends moisturized to also prolong your trims.
Trim your ends- Speaking of trimming, get your ends trimmed before your protective style. If you are wearing your protective styles for 2-3 months, definitely get your ends trimmed before each protective style. If you get your ends trimmed regularly, you will not have to get much trimmed at all and you will see a lot of length.
Oil your scalp- Oiling your scalp helps encourage growth and helps your scalp. This is a great oil to use and you literally only need a little, so use sparingly. Remember, you want to get the oil directly on your scalp, not your hair, and massage it in.
Use braid spray- You will more than likely have your hair braided down if you are wearing a wig, but even if you are wearing braids, crochets, etc, you can spray your scalp with braid spray to stop and also prevent itching, This would be a better option than constantly digging in your scalp with your nails. This braid spray is a great one and will also nourish your scalp as well.

After you have done all of these things, you are now ready for your protective style, but the care of your hair doesn't stop there. The next few tips are what you will need to do while you are actually wearing your protective styles.

9. Continue the moisture- If you are wearing any kind of braided style that you plan on wearing for more than two weeks, or if you are wearing wigs and have your hair braided down, continue to add moisture. I usually do this by spraying my braids with leave-in conditioner. Only spray the length of your real hair, not the length of your entire braid. There is no point in moisturizing the synthetic braid hair. You only want to keep YOUR hair moisturized. Spraying your hair with some leave in conditioner will prevent your hair from drying out so there will be no breakage nor excessive shedding when taking your braids down. This will also be helpful when taking the braids down because it will make detangling much easier.
10. Continue oiling your scalp- While you have your hair braided, take advantage of being able to take great care of your scalp. Adding this growth oil to your hair will help your scalp will help your hair grow faster. Simply add to your scalp and massage it in. You can oil your scalp as often as you see fit, whether that be daily or a few times a week.
11. Shampoo & condition your braids- If you are wearing knotless or box braids, be sure to shampoo and condition them at least every two weeks. This will prevent scalp buildup. And be sure to use this setting foam on the hair to keep your braids looking fresh. Use this shampoo and conditioner on your braids. If you are wearing crochet braids or faux locs you will not be able to shampoo your hair but you can still oil your scalp, apply leave-in conditioner to your hair and also apply braid spray to your scalp.

And that's it! Repeat this routine each time you get a protective style and watch your real hair flourish!

Be sure to check out the video on this post on ToyaJTV.

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While I Deep Condition | Fall Patio Decor

2022-09-26T22:27:00.000-05:00

It is very rare that I sit under the dryer when I am deep conditioning. Instead, I do other things that require my attention around the house. Today I decided to decorate my patio for the fall which involved a quick trip to my amazon storefront! For the deep conditioning, I used the by L. Jones Intense Moisturizing Treatment. Since I have relaxed hair, I deep condition with this at least twice per month in order to prevent breakage, add moisture, and keep my hair full of body and bounce. If I were to sit under the dryer, I would sit for 30-45 minutes. Instead, I'll be letting my body heat do the work and allow the Intense Moisturizing Treatment to sit for a few hours while I decorate my patio.

For the patio, I wanted to make it look like I was at a vacation home. The goal was to create a warm and inviting, yet relaxing atmosphere. I also wanted to have a place where my husband and I could possibly have a nice romantic dinner.

First I started with the seating area. I originally had the entire area spread out but decided to have all of the pieces in a row and got a larger rug to make the area look larger. I originally had a 5x7 rug, but got this 8x10 and it made a huge difference. And this is a very similar seating area that complimented the rug very well. I love the fact that ottomans come with the set so we can sit back and put our feet up. I also preferred a couch with neutral-colored cushions so that I could always change out the decorative pillows to my liking. I like my burnt orange color because it is the perfect fall color.

Next, I wanted the centerpiece for the table to pop. I got this round serving tray and added a large candle pillar that could add three flameless candles (remote included). As for the vase and the florals, I'm unsure where I purchased them but I had them around the house and saw that they would be perfect on the serving tray. But I also added this decorative ashtray just in case we may have guests that want to smoke. And of course I had to get this comfy egg chair, although I added my own decorative pillow.

When being on the patio, our pups like to join us so of course I had to get a pet bed for them as well. I got mine from Home Goods, but here is a similar one. Also, I added this cooler (that actually matched the pet bed) so we won't have to go in and out of the house to grab something cold to drink.

For the seating area, I already had this outdoor bar, so all I had to do was get these bar chairs and they matched perfectly! Then for a little extra razzle dazzle, I decided to add this tabletop firepit. And because a plain tabletop firepit just won't do, I added these rose gold fire rocks to elevate the look. Now I have the perfect table to enjoy a nice dinner.

Here is a better view of the entire table.

And to top everything off, I had to add these string patio lights and I got this remote control/dimmer to go with it. I had to also get these hooks to hold the lights up. Here is the overall look. I love the way everything turned out because the end result turned out to be exactly as I imagined!

Now, I can go finish my hair!

5 Things To Do Before You Get Braids

2022-07-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Braids can be a great option for protective styling, especially if you have a relaxer and are trying to stretch your relaxers out. Even though braids allow your hair to rest, and are very low maintenance, it's still important that you take care of your REAL hair, even before the braids are installed. Remember, your real hair and its healthiness is the top priority. Here are five things you should consider doing before getting your hair braided.

1. Clarify/Deep Cleanse- Clarifying your hair will allow you to get all dirt, oil, product buildup, and residue off of the hair. This gives your hair a clean slate and preps it for braids. Be sure to use one like this that is sulfate-free and paraben-free.

2. Moisturize- After you deep cleanse, you want to start adding moisture to your hair. This is where the moisturizing shampoo comes in. It still cleanses your hair but adds moisture at the time. Again, only use sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoos (like this) so they won't strip your hair of its natural oils.

3. Deep condition- After shampooing, deep condition your hair with a good deep conditioner. This one has lots of oils that penetrate the hair and leave it very soft and completely moisturized. Deep conditioning helps reduce breakage that can come from the hair being dry. If you plan on having your hair braided for two weeks or more, deep conditioning is absolutely necessary.

4. Add leave-in- Even after you rinse your deep conditioner, it is also good to apply a leave-in conditioner. A water-based leave-in conditioner (like this one) will give your hair an extra layer of moisture and will help your hair to be more manageable. It also helps your hair with tangles!

5. Seal in moisture- After your hair is has been thoroughly moisturized, you want to seal the moisture inside the hair. This moisture cream helps, especially on the ends and the edges where the hair is the most fragile. This also helps your hair reduce breakage because it retains all of the moisture you just put in your hair. That way, when you take your braids down, your hair will not be dry and brittle.

The goal of braids is to give your hair a break and to help keep it healthy. Hence the name "protective style". Doing the things listed will help your hair stay healthy while it is braided up.

Check out the video for this post below:

The Top 10 Essential Oils That You Didn't Know Actually Grow Your Hair

2022-07-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

One common thing that a lot women need in their hair is moisture. There are several ways to give your hair the moisture it needs, from deep conditioning, to moisturizing treatments, to daily conditioners. While I'm flat out opposed to greasing the scalp (see why here), I am however, a big fan of oil, especially oils that actually help the hair grow. Hot oil treatments and just applying oil when needed can be fantastic for the hair. Here is my list of the top 10 essential oils to apply to the hair and the benefits of each.

Coconut Oil- Coconut oil has a lot of anti-fungus, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties so it fights fungus and infections and aids in scalp health and hair growth. It can actually penetrate the hair shaft due to it containing lauric acid and improve the overall health of the hair. In addition to helping the hair grow longer and thicker, coconut oil is also great for dandruff, itchy scalp, and lice prevention. It is also a great oil for breakage, as it can bind itself to weak spots in the hair, temporarily making it stronger.

Lavender Oil- Lavender oil is a great oil for normal hair, dandruff, and is an alternative treatment for lice. When massaged in the scalp, it helps to improve blood circulation which aids in faster hair growth. Lavender oil also helps to stop hair loss.

Rosemary Oil- Rosemary oil helps with scalp stimulation and increased blood circulation in the scalp as well which helps the hair to grow faster. It is also said to prevent premature graying! Rosemary oil is also great for flaky and itchy scalps as it helps with dandruff.

Argan Oil-Argan oil is very beneficial to the hair. It helps stimulate the scalp causing more hair to grow that is actually shed. Other uses include taming frizz, stopping dandruff, protecting the hair from heat tools, adding moisture to the hair, protecting the hair from the sun, and more.

Peppermint Oil- Peppermint oil is said to help improve blood circulation to the hair follicles which can help prevent hair loss an improve hair growth. It also helps with dry and itchy scalp. A little peppermint oil goes a long way as it is the most concentrated of all the essential oils. Peppermint oil is also great for aromatherapy.

Ylang ylang Oil- Ylang ylang oil does not necessarily help promote hair growth, but it does help fight things that prevent your hair from growing. For instance, it has antiseptic properties that help kill irritants and germs that cause hair loss. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the scalp which can cause hair loss. Ylang ylang oil is also said to help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Lowered stress equals less stress related hair loss!

Castor Oil- Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial properties making it beneficial for hair growth and preventing hair loss. It is used regularly to help grow hair thicker, longer, and make the scalp healthier by keeping it nourished. There are many studies that have shown a direct link between castor oil and hair growth.

Burdock Root Oil-Burdock root oil helps to increase hair growth and help stop hair loss and even help with hair that is thinning. It also contains vitamin A and other essential fatty acids which help strengthen your scalp.

Jojoba Oil- Jojoba oil can help hair cells reproduce themselves very quickly, causing the hair to grow faster. It is a great hair softener and detangler. Extremely dry hair will crave this oil for moisture as it can mimic sebum which is produced by our own bodies. Jojoba oil can moisturize the hair without leaving an oil residue so it is good for all hair types.

Almond Oil- Almond oil is said to aid in hair growth, sometimes resulting in up to four inches in three months with regular, continued usage. It contains vitamin E, which provides nourishment to the scalp.

All of the oils mentioned help aid in hair growth. So what would happen if someone made a master blend of all of the mentioned oils above to create a super oil that grew your hair naturally? Well I have done just that with the by L. Jones Silky Growth Oil! It is a combination of all of the oils listed above. You can use this on your hair three times per week if you are trying to grow your hair longer by applying it directly to your scalp and massaging it in. CAUTION- If you wear your hair down a lot it can and will cause your hair to be heavy if it is not applied to the scalp only. I personally use it when the day before I am about to shampoo my hair by applying to scalp and letting it sit overnight to ensure follicle penetration. The next day, I shampoo as usual (with these products). Order this Silky Growth Oil today if you are interested in naturally growing your hair faster.

See the video on the Silky Growth Oil here:

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