Figure 8 curling with a marcel iron

I know that most of my readers only wear their hair naturally, but I also know some you of like to have a change every now and then. Using this technique on dry second day hair is a fun and interesting way to switch things up a bit. You do not need to have a Marcel iron to accomplished this same look. However, you will have to adapt it slightly to your curling iron. Remember this is an advanced technique, so don't beat yourself up if it takes you a while to figure it out.

Making the cut

There is nothing that a little haircut won't cure or, in some cases, a lot of haircut. It heals in many ways problems that otherwise would take years to fix. I had to be reminded of this the hard way. An unfortunate side effect of having gone so blonde was that my scalp could no longer endure the process of bleaching. Subsequently, I had to go progressively darker and darker even though my hair was in dire need of a rest from the coloring process. However, beauty does have its consequences. Eventually, I did have to cut off quite a bit of hair. Why you ask? Well not only was it dry and brittle but the curl was all but gone. Even employing my gentle hair techniques were not enough to overcome the damage caused by all the coloring. In the end I had to make a choice. Sad, frumpy, ugly hair or shorter, happier, healing hair. To wrap up just remember that when it seems hard to get your haircut but, because of damage, you need it; it is always worth it! Even though I was, and am still at times, saddened about having to start over in my hair growing process my curls are finaly back! And no amount of length can make up for that.

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A lesson to learn

Have you ever wondered to yourself ifu there is a connection between your hair coloring habits and your limp, dry curls? Well, after my own hair adventure today, I am here to say...absolutely yes there is!

Here is a picture to prove it. Compare to pervious pictures of my curls and you should be able to see how much more limp it looks now.

Folks don't do this at home. I did (again hazard of the profession) and 5 hrs, 3 processes, and a head full of 3rd degree chemical burns later (hey, once you start there is no turning back ... unless you like looking like a freak) I emerged with what you now see.

All I can say is that I am soo glad my hair was in GREAT condition before I started! I don't even want to begin to imagine what it would have been like if it wasn't.

My poor curls! :'( Not to fear though, if you do choose to follow in my footsteps, your curls will bounce back to healthy a whole lot faster, because the methods you use to care for your hair are so much more gentle and strengthening for your hair. From the inside, out.

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Hazards of being a cosmetologist

There are many benefits to being a cosmetologist. You get to work your own hours, meet lots of new people and hopefully make lots of new friends. But there are some some hazards. One being that, because you're always working on everyone else you don't have time to have your own hair cut or colored. And occasionally you get so fed up with it that you do something drastic, but not at the salon like you should, but rather at home in your bathroom.
Let's just say folks don't do this at home...

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Silicone or Not? What’s in a Name?

The link below will lead you to an article I recently read, at naturallycurly.com, about silicones. I found it to be extremely helpful in understanding the nature of silicones and why some are okay while others are not. I hope you find it to be as enlightening.

Silicone or Not? What’s in a Name?

Biking and hair

With spring upon us we've started crawling out of our homes and enjoying the sunshine. Just yesterday I rode my bike 8 miles. It was a beautiful day but also very windy.
That got me thinking, " how can I protect my hair from sun and wind damage?". This is what I came up with;
1. braid it or keep it in a high ponytail
2. keep as much as I can tucked up and hidden under my bicycle helmet
and
3. possibly coat the hair with sunscreen before I begin my ride.
I'm not so sure about the sunscreen but I'll try it out and tell you what I think. In the meantime, please feel free to comment on what's worked for you.

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Using Suave conditioner to Co-wash

Are you co-washing? Have you tried using suave or VO5 conditioners to co-wash with? Not all of the conditioners made by these two labels are suitable (because they have silicones) but their are some that are perfect for the job. My two favorites are Suave Green Apple and Suave Cherry Blossom. Using these conditioners are a very cost effective way the co-wash without having to break the bank. Just substitute the one of these conditioners for your shampoo and save the more expensive conditioners to actually condition with. I think you'll be happy with the results. ** Warning, do not undertake co-washing if you haven't first been taught how to properly do it.**

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