Sometimes your hair just needs a little more help. Yes, using a regular hair conditioner can still do wonders for your hair; but you should also indulge in deep repair treatments too. Why? Using a thicker conditioner and going deeper helps to smooth the shaft of your hair and restore your strands natural shine. One product to definitely try in this area is by Tracee Ellis Ross; her Pattern Intensive Conditioner!
This conditioner is a super thick formulation that will get in there and kick some serious hair butt. With Ross having some of the most beautiful natural curls in the business; it is clear that she knows the black hair market well and what exactly is needed to achieve a healthy head of hair.
Pattern Intensive Conditioner -Get Control of Breakage +Dryness
What’s all in Tracee’s must have hair conditioner? TONS! In regards to their amazing conditioner the Pattern hair brand reveals,
“Our Intensive Conditioner, the richest of Pattern’s ultra hydrating formulas –where porous, tight textures can seriously indulge. [Is] perfect for high porosity hair that craves all the moisture it can get. [Plus it is a] powerful formula packed with ingredients like Avocado Oil, Shea Butter; Safflower Oil and Acacia Decurrens Flower.
[Our conditioner] helps to protect against breakage and dryness while leaving definition behind after rinse out. Restore your curl pattern with this extra buttery, ultra hydrating deep conditioning experience.
Shop our Intensive Conditioner, our best conditioner when you are looking for a rich and ultra hydrating conditioner. Perfect for coily and tight textures (also known as 4a hair, 4b hair and 4c hair type).”
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STIFF WHERE?! Those are the words actress, Keke Palmer heralded as she shook her full head of curls around for the camera; and all we could do is feel her on a personal level. For any one out there who has ever gone natural you know better than anyone that stiff curls can happen after any set, twist out or hairstyling time period. Which is why it is important to discuss How to Soften Natural Hair.
With natural hair YOU HAVE to use products. There’s no getting around it. Doesn’t matter what texture you are rocking with you will need products get achieve your final look. Whether it’s just shampoo and conditioner plus a little leave-in conditioner. Or a full on wash and go routine with molding cream, spray, gel or pomades. Products are products and we all must use them.
The issue though is simple. Fact is that the more we use, the more weight is added to our strands. The more weight also results in less bounce and freely moving hair. So what can be done?
How to Soften Natural Hair- No Stiffness Allowed!
Just as removing weights off a strength machine at a gym can make the work load lighter and more manageable. The same principle applies to our hair. Remove some of the weight and you will achieve tresses that are able to move more freely and be more manageable.
Now after reading that you’re probably thinking but I NEED my cocktail of products in order to get my hair to act right. Honey keep your cocktail (Lol). If it’s working it’s working. However, to make even a slight change all you need to do is make sure you’re applying “lighter” versions of the products that you are already using.
For instance, do you use Hair oil? Many natural hair enthusiasts do because of its ability not only to nourish strands on a deeper level; but to also lock in moisture. Moisture is major key to adding more bounce and life to your hair, like Keke’s; but more on that in just a second.
Back to using hair oil. The object here is to not STOP using Hair oil. If it is doing wonders for your hair, your hair obviously needs it. It’s just about REPLACING it with one that is lighter and won’t weigh it down so much. Try replacing heavy hair oils with lighter ones such as: Argan, Jojoba, Grapeseed, Almond or Rosehip Seed Oil.
Therefore, the goal should be to utilize light oils for day to day use. Then, use heavier hair oils for more deep hair treatments; such as hot oil treatments. Deeper treatments are usually rinsed out afterwards; so then using them at such times will not add any additional weight to hair. They will instead just be used to help keep tresses healthy on a deeper level.
Make sense? So you will want to do this with all your hair products. Take a good look at what you’re using. Especially, if you are finding that your natural hair is seeming to be quite stiff. 9 times out 10 it’s one of your products that is the culprit.
Nevertheless, there are other ways to help ensure that your curls stay soft and gorgeous. Let’s get into that real quick.
Softening Natural Hair -Demolish Build Up
Build up can be another enemy to natural hair. And it really kinda is unfair because it happens because we are using products daily to look great. It’s also not fair because us natural hair squad normally only wash our hair once a week or every few days.
So during the that time period; during washes or shampoos build up can come creeping in. So we ask what once more what can be done? Well, when we DO cleanse our hair we have to make it really count.
Remember build up can cause the hair to be stiff and hard; so want to remove every bit of it every chance you get. So when you shampoo be sure scrub every bit of your scalp really well. And make sure to get every inch of product out.
Additionally, please RINSE WELL! Sometimes build up is an issue only because someone isn’t rinsing out the dirt and built of products well enough. Don’t let that happen to you. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly after every shampoo and when you condition.
Whew! Child… a lot of information huh? Welp.. we got a little more before we can let you go (Lol). So hang tight and keep reading for just a moment more.
How to Soften Natural Hair- No Stiffness Thanks to Proper Washing
Since we are on the topic of washing the hair; there’s one more important thing to keep in mind. And that’s frequency. If you want softer curls you can’t over wash your hair.
Skip daily washes and opt for once a week or about every 4 days. Doing so will help you retain moisture. Why is retaining moisture important? It’s like the lifeblood of insanely touchable, beautiful natural hair.
Moisture is what keeps our hair flexible and pliable. Otherwise, it will morph into dry, brittle strands that will look lifeless and damaged. No good.
So instead what you want to do keep your natural hair well moisturized. When you do that, water molecules have the opportunity to bind to the protein that is present in your strands. This process will improve hair elasticity and help prevent breakage.
Think of your head of hair as plants in a garden. Without regular watering the plants will dry out. The same thing can happen to your hair! So then, if you make sure your hair is “well-watered” your hair follicles can soak up the moisture and then stimulate hair growth.
At the same time we don’t want to do anything that can zap our hair moisture. Therefore, avoid shampooing too often and use a shampoo that has protein and humectants. Your strands are made of protein, so introducing more to them can only help. Humectants are simply molecules, a substance that attracts water.
Since we just discussed the importance of hair and moisture, using a shampoo product that attract moisture will help keep your hair healthy, soft and not stiff! Hope the above tips are helpful to your hair journey and be sure to check out our other fabulous articles on how to have celebrity level hair!
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Thoughts on How to Soften Natural Hair- No Stiffness Allowed?Well let’s connect then! Join the discussion and talk all things fashion as well as celebrity related with us by dropping a comment like its hot down low. Or also hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram (1966mag), Tumblr, Pinterest or tweet us @1966magazine.
Is wash day a pain in the butt? Tired of losing more hair than you think you should during detangling? Sick of frizz not letting your wash and go be great? Stop the hair madness! Get your hands on the new OGX Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil Collection that is formulated to moisturize and save you time!
This collection is coming in strong with four amazing products. Designed to help you wash, condition and style your natural hair with ease. There is a:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Combing Cream
And Moisture Treatment that is said to work in just 60 seconds!
OGX Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil Collection for Hydration
Any other details? Of course! We went straight to OGX to get you guys more hair intel on this kickbutt collection. In regards to the OGX Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil lineup the brand reveals,
Introducing our NEW Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil collection! This line, with shampoo, conditioner, combing cream; and 60 second moisture treatment are infused with pracaxi oil and murumuru butter and are made to quench and hydrate hair.
[Our] Pracax Oil Combing Cream helps detangle curls while enhancing softness; boosting curls, and saying bye to frizz. To use, we recommend dispensing some product onto your palm. Rub your hands together. And apply evenly to damp hair and work through to the ends. Diffuse or let mother nature air dry your curls!
[Furthermore] our Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil is perfect for thirsty hair. Especially, curls! Also, our Pracaxi Oil collection is scented with floral notes, hints of citrusy bergamot, and sweet peach. We know you’ll be obsessed too.”
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Thoughts on OGX Deeply Restoring + Pracaxi Recovery Oil Collection for Hydration?Well let’s connect then! Join the discussion and talk all things hair as well as haircare product related with us by dropping a comment like its hot down low. Or also hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram (1966mag), Tumblr, Pinterest or tweet us @1966magazine.
Does your extensions or natural hair look like they have seen better days? Are you looking for premium quality hair products for hair extensions and/or 100% percent human or natural hair? Well then, look no further than Magic Hair Company Hair Products! A line specifically created to care for such hair needs.
So what’s all in this haircare lineup? Four products that will help you style and bring your tresses back to their former glory. You’ll find shampoo and conditioner, an edge control as well as curl definer.
Nonetheless, as any natural-lista knows it’s not about what a product supposedly does; it’s what inside that counts. Does it contain harmful ingredients? Will it work on a wide range of hair types? We went to the source to get the skinny on this haircare collection.
Magic Hair Company Hair Products -Restore Your Own Hair and Extensions
Alright, so straight from the mouth of Magic Hair Company, here is what this cool, LA-based collection can do for you! The hair brand says,
“Now available in our Culver City store and at www.magichaircompany.com. We have specially created our very own shampoo and conditioner to use on human hair extensions and natural hair. They are antioxidant and keratin protein enriched; made with the best: soy protein, sage and coconut. And of course, they are sulfate and paraben free.
Don’t forget to also pick up our curl definer and amplifier. The curl definer will leave your hair perfectly defined and smelling great. The curl definer is made with the best jojoba seed oil and sunflower extract.
Before and After Using Curl Definer Amplifier
Our edge tamer will lay your edges down without being greasy or flaking. The edge control is a made with shea butter, olive oil, and aloe vera. This product will work on all hair types and last all day. Trust [us] when [we] say this is the best edge tamer ever.
We now include a spray bottle with all in-store purchases of our amazing curl definer. We will also include the spray bottle with all online purchases of our full product line. [Additional] product line details can be found in the link.”
**Want Even More Natural Hair as well as Black Haircare Product News, Insights as well as Trends? Download Our New Shiny App! Click HERE**
Thoughts on Magic Hair Company Hair Products -Restore Your Own Hair and Extensions? Well let’s connect then! Join the discussion and talk all things black haircare products as well as natural hair related with us by dropping a comment like its hot down low. Or also hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram (1966mag), Tumblr, Pinterest or tweet us @1966magazine.
When it comes to hair growth, it’s not the growing part that is hard; it’s the maintaining length. You see, your hair NEVER stops growing. The only reason things may appear to be stagnant or going backwards is due to breakage. If you hair is constantly breaking off or falling right out of your head you probably are not going to notice much of a difference. Therefore, fix this hair issue once and for all and maintain your hard-earned hair growth by using Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle!
Pantene’s fast acting deep conditioner goes hand in hand with their Gold Series line. A collection which includes eight products with one thing as well as goal in common. To give you the strongest hair!
There is a cowash, hydrating butter crème, detangling milk, curl defining pudding and much more. Plus, the 3 minute Minute Miracle product comes in several awesome formulas. Such as a Smooth & Sleek Deep Conditioner, Daily Moisture as well as Radiant Color Deep Conditioner. So then, whether your tresses are curly/wavy, straightened or color-treated; in 3 minutes your hair can be revived to stay as healthy as possible.
Pantene Pro-V recently shared more details in regards to their quick time conditioner as well as Gold Series. The hair brand states,
“Healthy, hydrated hair in just 3 minutes? That’s got to be some kind of miracle. Refresh your summer routine. Pantene Gold Series is formulated to prevent damage and give your textured hair the moisture it needs. Use [it] to keep textured hair soft, manageable and easy to style.
[Furthermore] the sun is no match for our 3 Minute Miracle deep conditioner. It repairs even extreme hair damage in just 3 minutes! Reviewed as one of the best hair masks out there. You’ve got the magic of 3 Minute Miracle in your hands. Now apply it root to tip.”
Lastly, another thing that we love about this conditioner is that it is SO affordable! Get your own by spending between $3-$5.”
**Want Even More Hair as well as Hair Product News, Insights as well as Trends? Download Our New Shiny App! Click HERE**
Thoughts on Hair Products: Pantene Pro-V 3 Minute Miracle – Get Stronger Strands?Well let’s connect then! Join the discussion and talk all things hair as well as haircare product related with us by dropping a comment like its hot down low. Or also hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram (1966mag), Tumblr, Pinterest or tweet us @1966magazine.
Hair Quickie: Should Conditioner Only Be Used On the Ends Of Strands? That is a common hair question because for many years hair experts have heralded that opinion far and wide. However, is that truly the best method for keeping tresses well-nourished? Ignore the roots and focus on mainly the tips? There are plenty of healthy hair tips out there and we hope that you will keep this particular one in this feature in mind. Conditioner was made to be applied from roots to tips. See short and sweet.
Healthy Hair Tips: Should Conditioner Only Be Used On the Ends?
The origin of the whole conditioner only being worked into the ends theory came about due to developing a method for those with thinner hair. Conditioner tends to weigh strands down. As a result those with strands that are thin can experience limp looking tresses. If you have ever over greased your hair you probably have experienced this look.
Nevertheless, we are all blessed with various textures and that’s what makes the world go round. Therefore, there are some healthy hair tips that will do marvelous things for some and prove to be disastrous for others.
Yet, here is the kicker, rather you have thin or thicker hair this conditioner method does not work. By only applying conditioner mainly at the ends you are not giving your hair the strength it needs. When hair is wet it is at its weakest point. Science has shown that strands can even stretch up to 30% more which can make them susceptible to breakage.
Therefore, this means hair is fragile and requires extra support that conditioner can provide. Make sure to work your conditioner in from the roots to the tips. If you have thinner hair opt for a light formula conditioner. By ensuring the entire strand is well-conditioned your overall head of hair will be stronger and healthier.
Thoughts on Healthy Hair Tips: Should Conditioner Only Be Used On the Ends? Gab away with us and talk all things hair related by dropping a comment like its hot down low. Or also hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest or tweet us @1966magazine.
If you are an avid user of conditioner it may seem quite pointless to use a deep conditioning treatment. Isn’t conditioning your hair after shampooing or using a daily leave-in conditioner enough? Many gals do not use a daily conditioner or if they do they may not be utilizing it correctly. For this reason, it is a good idea to add a deep conditioning treatment to your hair routine in order to compensate for any missed opportunities of keeping hair healthy and strong.
What exactly will a deep conditioning treatment do for the hair? Such treatments help to fill in any gaps or holes in other words it will repair your hair. If you were to look under a magnifying glass you would notice that every strand of hair is built similarly to a tiled rooftop. Hair strands are made up of overlapping cuticles and when these become damaged they lift up or can even break completely off. Kind of how like tiles of roofs are ripped away during a major storm. This results in hair looking dull, beyond frizzy with noticeable damage.
Deep conditioning treatments are like hair strand repairmen that fix up any rough patches found along strands thus making them smooth, shiny, soft and more manageable. So yes, it is not written on any hair stone that thou must use a deep conditioner. However, it will not hurt one bit to use one if your goal is maintain a head full of lush, healthy hair.
One question I’ve been asked numerous times is how I grew my hair down my back and how long did it take. Well, to be completely honest it has been different every single time. I have taken my hair out several times in different ways (more on that in my next post).
Nevertheless, the methods I used all seemed to yield great results so I will briefly share them with you.
I have employed “going natural,” hair straightening, vitamins and even wearing wigs. When I went natural I basically just worked with my hair’s natural curl pattern.
This was tough because I wasn’t quite sure which products to utilize because previously the flat iron or pressing comb had always been a girl’s best friend. Products that proved to be a lifesaver were:
non-alcohol hair gel/pomade
leave-in conditioner
hair oil
sulfate free shampoo and conditioners
mayonnaise (for deep conditioning)
hair ties and foil
Every time I cleansed my strands I would always follow up with a leave-in conditioner and hair oil. The conditioner gave my locks vital nutrients and moisture while the hair oil would literally lock it all in, basically sealing in all of the good stuff.
One of my favorite conditioners that I have used for years is by Mane and Tail. Many shy away from their products because Mane and Tail is actually used on animals such as horses to keep their mane looking pristine. Now I’ve seen some horses with hair I’d love to detach and place upon my head, so what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
Moreover, my natural hair tends to be quite unruly, so to keep it in line I would apply a hair gel or pomade. Braids also helped to achieve wavy hairstyles as well as foil rollers.
In another post, I promise to show not only how to make the roller, but an easy hairstyle to achieve with it as well.
Another method I used was simply straightening my hair every two weeks.
I would also apply a hair mask after cleansing my hair and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. Daily maintenance would include wrapping my hair up with a satin scarf at night not only to reduce friction created while at rest but also to help give my hair a slight bend so that using a curler would be unnecessary.
Also, every day in the morning after combing my hair I would apply a very light hair oil to keep my locks strong. One thing I will stress is that keeping heat to a minimum has always helped my hair to grow faster. I know that may not be the case for everyone, but that is definitely something that helps give my growth cycle a boost.
When it comes to vitamins, I have taken Biotin as well as B vitamins and received great results. To this day I like to take Women’s One A Day multi-vitamin which includes all the vitamins you need for healthy hair, skin and nails.
Lastly, as mentioned I have employed wigs to grow out my hair. I prefer wigs where all of my hair is safely resting underneath; however, half wigs look way more natural so for appearance sake I opt for half wigs or wigs with a movable part.
Out of all methods used my hair grew the fastest using the wig method, it literally only took about 5 months for my hair to go from above my shoulders to down my back. In a future post I will focus specifically on the wig method and tell how I did it.
Thoughts? We love to hear from you all, drop a comment or hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
See more of my personal hair inspiration on Instagram! Search for @1966mag and @misslittle_brownie.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I wish I knew then, what I know now.” Knowledge is truly everything and should not be taken for granted, especially when it comes to taking care of yourself. Keep hair healthy and gorgeous with these 3 tips!
1. Sulfate Free Shampoo- Not only are sulfate free shampoos more gentle on your tresses but they can possibly even clean your hair and scalp better. Some shampoos that cause tons of lather often contain a large amount of moisturizing products that can leave nasty build-up on your hair, the very opposite of what you are trying to accomplish. Gross!
2. Cool It Down- Once the shampoo and conditioning steps have been taken always, always, always rinse your hair with cold water. Cool water will seal the cuticle which add sleeker finish to your locks.
3. 10 Minute Rule- Before you blow dry, curl, roll, twist, braid or straighten your hair, you should aim to apply any protection or styling products 10 minutes before you begin your hair process. Doing so will give the products time to penetrate and absorb into strands so that you can derive the most benefits from said products.
What are your favorite tips to make your hair look gorgeous? Join the discussion on Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram or tweet us @1966magazine.
If you’re unhappy with the way you look, your feelings can seep into many other aspects of your life. That’s why it’s important to take the time to cultivate an appearance you can be proud …
