January 25, 2012

"Soft & Bouncy" -Another satisfied reader shares her KeraPro experience (Pics Included)

Not long after I posted my comparison review post on KeraPro , the low cost version of Kerastase , I received the following email from a rea... thumbnail 1 summary
Not long after I posted my comparison review post on KeraPro, the low cost version of Kerastase, I received the following email from a reader.

"Hi,

I've followed your blog for the last few months and have really enjoyed it. Someone who has a whole beauty shops worth of hair care products in her bathroom just like me. I never send comments but after reading your blog on Kera Pro I had to.

I had read your raves about Kerastase and decided to try it...only I couldn't find it in any local stores. Since I had to try it I wasn't going to be happy until it was in my hands, I hate to wait for shipping. Just when I was wondering how far I'd have to drive to find it, I looked on the Sally website and saw Kera Pro. I wondered if I should try it and then i went to your blog and what was on it but Kera Pro vs Kerastase!

How funny is that, you read my mind. I ran out and purchased the Kera Pro Intense treatment. I'm very funny about what i put on my hair and if it makes my hair feel dry while I'm washing or conditioning...its out. I've used Mixed Chicks shampoo and deep conditioner for about a year with great results. I shampoo with MC and then tried Kera Pro, left it on about an hour and roller set on Sunday. I have to say I'm very impressed with it and will use it again. My hair is soft and bouncy anyway but I feel like I could be in a commercial after using Kera Pro.

I just thought I'd say thank you for your thoughts on Kera Pro, which was my deciding factor in trying it. I will try Kerastase now and see what its like also. I attached a pic of my hair after using Kera Pro"...








When I received her email and pics, I couldn't help but to reply back wanting to learn more about her gorgeous tresses. She was gracious enough to reply back with some details of how she cares for her perfect relaxed hair.

"I've had a relaxer since I was 5 when my mother decided enough was enough. I've always had long thick hair and washing it as a child wasn't a fun experience for either of us. I've only had 2 stylists in my life, I'm very particular as to who touches my hair. I only went to a new person when my first passed away. I do tend to stretch out my relaxers not for any particular reason other than because I just do. My stylist, Jo, teases that she'd never make any money relying on me as her only client.

She uses a Mizani mild relaxer every 6-7 months. Last year was the first time I'd ever had any color process in my hair. I do get highlights but even that is once a year. I get jumpy whenever scissors are around but I do get trims when I go to the salon. Every so often I will snip the ends myself at home. I will say the more often I trim the more growth I notice.

My hair is very thick, but rather fine. I do have Jo layer my hair these days to remove some of the bulk. I know...people want thick but for me it's just a little too much. I usually roller set my hair with the big hard rollers and it takes about 2 hours or more to dry it all.
On occasion I will flat iron it but usually if I want it straight I will just wrap it after the roller set. Sadly, I don't do anything preventive to it at night other than put it in a loose bun.

I usually wash once a week (depending on weather and exercise) unless it's summer when I like to just wash and go since it's wavy when wet (just tried Uncle Funky's Daughter for wash and go. I do have a ridiculous amount of hair products, but lately I love Mixed Chicks shampoo and deep conditioner. I still love the KeraPro restorative intense treatment. Usually add the conditioners and let it work for at least 30 minutes or overnight when I have time."

I also like as my staples:
- olive oil,
-Patene's relaxed and natural daily oil cream moisturizer,
-KeraCare high sheen glossifer (used as an oil),
-KeraCare oil sheen with humidity block,
Mixed Chicks straightening serum (even when I roller set)

I'm always trying new things and love to experiment, which I think is why I follow you. I've always had long thick hair so I don't really think I do anything special to keep it that way. My "mane" thing is to keep it healthy. But this year I am going to eat healthier and see what effect it has on my hair."

January 19, 2012

Optimum Care Heat Protection Polisher Giveaway!

It's been much too long since I hosted a giveaway. This time I'm featuring a product from Soft Sheen Carson's new Optimum Care s... thumbnail 1 summary



It's been much too long since I hosted a giveaway. This time I'm featuring a product from Soft Sheen Carson's new Optimum Care salon collection. I was first introduced to these new products at the Bronner Brother's Hair Show in Atlanta. I sat in their section mesmerized as the stylist completed the finishing touches on a model who'd just received a relaxer on her virgin tresses. When onlookers, such as myself, were finally granted permission to touch her hair, I honestly could not believe how soft, and silky her strands felt. Others felt her hair and moved on, I (being the crazy hair loon that I am) went back for seconds.

One of the products used to preserve the integrity of the model's hair was the Heat Protection Polisher that I'm giving away today. I made a connection with one of the folks from Soft Sheen Carson who graciously offered to host a giveaway for you lovely ladies. The Heat Protection Polisher claims to provide a "lightweight gloss that helps protect the hair from heat styling (while) maintaining smooth styles, even in moisture & all day humidity. Since I'm deep into a stretch, I've turned to heat a few times to help keep my textures manageable. After using this product, I can say that their claim of light-weightness does hold true. I also like the fact that product contains coconut oil in the ingredients which will offer up some protein protection to the hair during the heat styling process.

I know you want to get your hands on some of this so here are the details on how to enter:

  • Send an email to relaxedhairhealth@gmail.com with the subject: Optimum Heat Protector Giveaway
  • Follow the blog!

I'll randomly select a winner and notify the lucky person via email on Monday January 30, 2012. This giveaway is open to U.S. and International participants. That's all. Two simple actions will get you one step closer to having your very own bottle of the New Soft Sheen Carson product.

If you missed it, check out the footage I shot of the Bronner Brothers hair show. You'll see what I mean regarding the SoftSheen Carson styling booth at 3:11 in the video.

January 16, 2012

Monday Motivation: "Yesterday you said tomorrow."

When I came across this picture the other day, it nearly stopped me in my tracks. The message is so powerful and so relevant to me that I f... thumbnail 1 summary

When I came across this picture the other day, it nearly stopped me in my tracks. The message is so powerful and so relevant to me that I felt it appropriate that I share with you on this blog. The number of times I promised myself that I would do something tomorrow is immeasurable. It seems like I'm a master of saying "no" today and saying "yes" tomorrow. Here's the problem with that.....there is no such thing as tomorrow.

Sure, tomorrow exists as a future point in time, but when we say, we'll do something starting tomorrow, we aren't really saying that a "future point in time" presents a more favorable condition for us to make things happen. What we're really saying "I'm not willing to do this now so I'll make myself feel better by telling myself that I'll do it in the "future." My brother and I were having a conversation once and he said something that I'll never forget. We were on this topic of procrastination when he shared that he "no longer trusted the future him." A little confused, I asked him to explain what he meant. "Future me", he explained "is the guy I trust to take action whenever I say that I'll do something tomorrow." "But the problem is that future me seems to always let me down." "So from now own, I can only trust me, at this moment, to do what I say I'll do."

That's when I realized that I too was entrusting the fate of my happiness to "future me." And just like his version, future me was also letting me down. Here's the worst part, secretly, I know that future me isn't going to do it either. Why? Because I'm pretty much the same person now and tomorrow. Twenty four hours is not going to make a difference in my ability. If I'm not willing to take even the smallest step forward towards creating what I want now, future me isn't going to come in and save the day tomorrow.

So why don't we take an action when we say we want to do something? My best guess is because we view the goal/action as daunting (or too much for us). We focus on the miserableness that comes with starting something new. Especially if the new action is completely different from what we've done in the past. On the one hand, we want the result that comes with taking that action, but on the other hand, we see it as too much for us. So we put it off. And we put it off in the worst way possible, by telling untruths to ourselves. Then time passes and we have to come face to face with the reality that once again "future me" has let us down.

The other day I was taking a 2 hour road trip with a co-worker. During the conversation, he talked about the intentions/goals he once had back in college. I too shared mine. The difference between us was that mine were in progress while his seemed more like memories. During our conversation, he shared his admiration for the results I was producing. That's when I felt like I needed to share my secret for making things happen. My secret is so simple and obvious that I'm a little embarrassed to even call it a "secret."

Understanding that future me is pretty much useless unless I do something today, I always try to take immediate action whenever I'm inspired by an intention. Sometimes the action is just doing a Google search and gaining information, other times, it's putting something down on a to-do list. I'm careful, though, not to spend an eternity collecting information because that too can feed procrastination. Once I have the information I need, I take small (and I mean small) actions. Why small? Because when I do it, the action is easy and I don't have to overcome too many limiting thoughts. Plus I can reward myself once the action is completed and I'm more likely to repeat the action which moves me forward in my goal. This great secret I shared with my coworker was "no matter what, keep moving forward." Never stop! Even if it takes years to get where you want, never, ever stop! I guess I should clarify and say, "never give up." There are times in my journey where I've stopped for a period of time, but I pick up where I've left off and progress begins again. This idea of never stopping is what has created the most results for me.

I'd like to invite you to think about all the things you would like to do but you're putting off. Is there anything you can do today to take that first step forward? Even a teeny, tiny step is better than nothing at all. If you are really serious about your intentions, I invite you to keep record of your progress using a some sort of a tracker. Before you know it, you'll find yourself creating a habit of taking consistent actions and not having to count on "future you" to make things happen.

January 11, 2012

New 30 Day Supply of Bamboo Tea Available!

It was July 2011 when I first introduced Bamboo Tea to you on this blog. Since then multitudes have been enjoying silica filled tea as par... thumbnail 1 summary
It was July 2011 when I first introduced Bamboo Tea to you on this blog. Since then multitudes have been enjoying silica filled tea as part of their overall healthy hair regimen. Winter time is upon us and many of us are trying to brave the cold weather with warm coffee, hot chocolate or tea. Three posts ago I wrote about Five Tips actions we can take to promote healthy hair growth this winter. I'm not sure how I could forget to mention warm, delicious bamboo tea as a winter growth tonic. In any case, I bring you some good news regarding a new addition to the bamboo tea products. Bamboo tea bags are now offered in a box of 30 for a fantastic price! What's great about this is that we can maintain consistency with our silica consumption. I remember when I first was researching the benefits of silica, I remember reading about a study where the hair actually grew in thicker after six months of silica consumption. That means that all of the hard work we put in now will be paying off for us this summer. I don't know about you guys, but I can wait!

January 5, 2012

Four Healthy Hair Tips we relaxed heads can learn from naturals

Has this ever happened to you? You're watching Youtube videos or browsing a hair forum where someone is sharing their progress pics a... thumbnail 1 summary
Has this ever happened to you? You're watching Youtube videos or browsing a hair forum where someone is sharing their progress pics after a big chop which seems like it was just yesterday. All of the sudden they have a head full of thick, healthy, beautiful, long hair. It's as if every millimeter of hair growth is retained. How does that happen?! Sure, the most obvious reason for the amazing progress is due to the fact that the hair isn't compromised but I think it goes a little deeper then that. Some of us know some women who've worn their natural hair for many years without attaining much length so what do those who do retain length have in common?



-Naturals tend to use natural hair products
If you check out the ingredient list of most products geared towards naturals, what similarity do they all seem to share? They focus on natural ingredients. As a matter of fact, many of these products are 100% natural without additives or artificial fillers. So what benefit are there in using natural ingredients? Think about our bodies and the way it absorbs nutrients from foods. Fruits and veggies assimilate easily into through digestive system bringing valuable ingredients into the bloodstream. If we ate a diet full of processed, nutrient deficient, foods, our bodies start to suffer. Giving your hair only processed, artificial ingredients, all the time doesn't create healthier hair. We know our hair strands have the ability to absorb natural oils, respond to ACV by sealing the cuticle, etc so providing our strands with some natural based products is a must.
So here's the first tip we can learn from our natural haired sisters.

Tip #1: Seek out natural products to incorporate into your regimen!

-Moisture, Moisture Moisture
One topic that is constantly on the minds of naturals is maintaining moisture levels. Some of them even co-wash several times a week or daily to make sure their hair is receiving adequate levels of moisture. Humectants rank high on the list of products they prefer. Many of them swear by the benefits of using of hair steamers on a regular basis. It's not surprising to hear talks of spray bottles with natural moisturizers that are used daily to keep the hair hydrated. So basically, anything that draws moisture into the hair scores high points for women with naturally curly hair. Virgin hair tends to have adequate strength levels adequately, but moisture must be provided otherwise the hair suffers. If women with naturally healthy hair seem to obsess with moisture, shouldn't we do the same (if not more)? They understand that excessively dry hair appears unhealthy and can cause breakage or can tangle up during manipulation. This is what separates the naturals who successfully retain length from those who seem to have setbacks and little progress. Sometimes we look at our breakage and think "I need more protein" but perhaps more moisture is what our hair is asking for. So take a lesson from the rule book of healthy haired naturals and manage your moisture!

Tip #2: Obsess with moisture!

-Their hair is whole
Yes. One of the the most obvious benefits of natural hair is that, by definition, the hair is essentially healthy. No chemical processes where done that compromise the integrity of the follicle. So the hair is healthy by definition. Obviously, the hair still needs to be cared for but it's safe to say that part of the reason why retention levels are high is due to the natural strength levels of the hair. We women with relaxed hair should strive to recreate the integrity of hair that is whole, to the best of our ability. This means having an array of products that nurture the hair at all levels. It's not just protein that we need to be concerned about, we need to focus on moisture, protein, ceramides, and sealing the strand. We should also consider varying the types of proteins we incorporate in our regimen since they have varying molecular weights which means they are assimilated into the strand at various levels. So switch it up between keratin products, wheat protein, silk amino acids, coconut oil, etc. You guys are always hearing me stress the importance of drinking water, taking fish oils, and eating healthy. This is because my aim is to grow hair as healthy as possible so it can better hold up to the stress I put my hair through. If an illegal drug can show up in a hair strand months after someone's consumed it, why not put beneficial ingredients inside you so it can benefit you months later in your new growth.

Tip# 3: Strive to bring the hair back as close to whole as possible!



Tip #4-Keep things simple and limit the amount of manipulation to your hair!

Some of the similarities in the regimens of naturals I've noticed are that they always air dry. Simple styles like wash n gos or twist outs are pretty much the staples of curly haired women. I've glanced over the regimen of one of my hair idols "Hair Crush" way before she had a Youtube chanel. She admitted it herself that she pretty much washes and twists the hair to air dry......and that's it. No roller setting, no flat ironing, just a twist out air dry. If you studied the regimen of other naturals, you won't find much difference in the technique. Once they've achieved curl definition with a product or by twisting, they leave their hair alone for fear of tampering with a perfect twistout. And, for the most part, many naturals reserve the heat of a curling/flat iron for very special occasions. Naturals are notorious for protective styling which does a world of good for retention. Even a twist out protects the hair from excessive manipulation. So what I learned from this is not to over manipulate. I try to finger comb whenever possible and this does a decent job of removing shed hairs throughout the week. The real detangling comes on wash days when I have the help of oils and conditioners to preserve my hair. Take a moment to assess your weekly regimen. Would you describe it as a fairly simple routine that preserves the health of your hair? If not, then work to simplify it without cutting out the most beneficial aspects of your regimen.

January 1, 2012

Bringing in 2012 with lessons and learnings from 2011

What a year 2011 was! I really enjoy writing posts for this blog but I must say that my favorite post (other than the features) is the end... thumbnail 1 summary
What a year 2011 was! I really enjoy writing posts for this blog but I must say that my favorite post (other than the features) is the end of the year wrap up post where I recap some of my learning and areas of focus throughout the year. I have to admit that I sometimes forget some of the little gems I tend to find during the course of the year. So let's take a walk down memory lane and take a look back over the highs and lows of 2011.

Who could forget the commencement of a great year with my stumble upon silica in February. I can't believe we're nearing two years since silica my first post on the benefits of silica. I plunged in with both feet when I learned of the benefits of silica to my hair, skin and nails. First I started taking silica supplements, then I graduated to Hubner's silica gel which was said to be very effective and easily assimilated into the body. The benefits I received were almost instant. My skin and nails were singing the praises of silica. This stuff instantly became part of my beauty rituals. The Law of Attraction states that we attract the things we think about the most. Is there any question as to why I was able to attract silica in the form bamboo tea in my life last year? Bamboo tea is pretty amazing. It's light, delicious and contains up to 350 mg of silica per 8 ounce cup. Luckily for us, the vendor graciously offered to partner with the blog to offer bamboo tea at a great price and many of you have taken advantage. My intention is to continue to offer the bamboo tea into 2012 since many of you have requested that "I never stop selling the tea."

A huge focus back in 2010 was on my scalp health. Plagued with shedding like you wouldn't believe, I decided that the only way to address this issue was by dealing with the root cause....my scalp. In 2010 I began to discover some solutions to what seemed like an impossible situation. In 2011, I also had some pretty powerful breakthroughs when I discussed the types of carrier oils that work best with our favorite essential oils. Possibly my favorite post of 2011 was a candid look at a 72 year old man's hair regimen and what we could learn from good 'ole Mr. Sanford. I still use his technique to this day.

In 2011 I was inspired by the beautiful ladies featured on the blog. It all started with our conversation with Ms. NJOY who reminded us that the use of our minds powerful is just as powerful to our hair journey as a healthy regimen. Pretty much all of our features were a hit but I think the most popular features to date has got to be of Pink Pearls who introduced us to the world of Kerastase. After interviewing her, one thing led to another and I was able have the wonderful MircoMist experience. Next year I hope to really capture the hair journeys of many more beautiful heads of hair because I am just as much of a hair porn fiend as you are.

Looking ahead to 2012, I am more than excited about what lays ahead. Just this week, I made available the first in a series of topic specific hair guides as resources with detailed information on how to address hair related issues such as moisture, strength, dealing with setbacks, etc. I should also mention that I'm considering evolving the blog which may include a name and design change. There's so much I want to share on the blog but I sometimes feel is if I'm a bit limited to discussing only hair related subjects. I received lots of positive comments on the posts I made on daily habits and personal growth and I feel like there's so much more to share on various other topics. Also, I do have it as a goal of mine to finally create and release a moisturizer compliment to Gleau Argan Oil Blend. What's kept me from doing so all this time is a fear that if this thing isn't absolutely flawless, I will not allow it to see the light of day. The dream of this product I've created in my mind is so perfect that I don't know if such a product could actually exist in real life.....I know that I must let my desire for perfectionism go and bring this product into existence so you guys can give me the feedback I need to make the product even better.

As far as my hair is concerned, my primary focus in 2012 will be on the health and strength of my ends. It's been a while now since I started using Affirm Fiberguard (mild) which has inadvertently led to a transition from fully relaxed hair to texlaxed. My ends are still fully relaxed straight which makes them a little thinner than I'd like them to be. This year is all about thick, healthy, ends.

New Years is my absolute favorite time of year because, with it comes the infinite number of possibilities for our lives. The are millions of paths our lives can take this year and we get to be a part of the creation process by putting intention to what we want with our written goals. So that's what I'll do today...Today I'm writing down the new and amazing experiences I would like to bring into my life in 2012.

Happy New Year Everyone!
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