Hair Color Care

If your hair is chemically treated it is very important that you take EXTRA care of your strands. Hair color is fun and fabulous until your hair starts breaking off in your sink due to lack of attention, NO BUENO! Since my hair is dyed now, many of you want to know if my regimen has changed. No, it hasn't but the products I use to wash my hair have shifted. I also try and be VERY gentle with my strands. I actually just gave myself a nice little trim today, that was WAY overdue. My ends were gross! Even though the TGHBPSC has ended protective styling has REALLY been my best friend these days. Length retention, when your hair is colored can be hard so I try to keep my hair in styles that don't need to be manipulated much, i.e. the bun. 




(I used the grapeseed oil as a heat protectant for my blow out so that I could trim my ends.)


As far as washing goes, I think I've washed my hair maybe 3x since having it dyed red. I started off using Garnier's shampoo/condish for colored hair but found that it was way too harsh for my curls. My hair felt clean after washing but it also felt like straw! I ended up switching to Desert Essence's Italian Red Grape products which are much better and gentler on my hair. I am able to purchase my DE products on the ground at Roots Market but you can probably find them a tad cheaper online. Each product is close to $7 a tube versus the $4 I was paying for the drugstore brand. In this case I am paying for quality and I don't mind.


Side note: DE's products are sulfate free, paraben free and VEGAN! Just an FYI for my vegetarian/vegan readers.




As you all know, I don't wash my hair much. It's stressful *insert dramatic voice here* but I do co-wash from time to time. I don't think washing with shampoo, at least for my hair, is needed more than twice a month. Since being dyed I have DCd almost twice a week with Miss. Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment. That stuff is AMAZEBALLS and gives me the best slip in the universe. No exaggeration.  Deep conditioning when your hair is color treated is essential to maintaining a healthy head of hair. Keeping your hair moisturized to prevent excess breakage or splitting of the ends is a big part in color care. I would also recommend doing a protein treatment 1 or 2 times a month to help aide in your overall hair strength. 







If you have color treated hair like me and you do your hair yourself the majority of the time, I would suggest investing in a good shampoo and conditioner set that is formulated for dyed hair. Overtime (naturally) hair color can fade and start to look ashy so you want to make sure that you are using products that won't contribute to that issue. Keeping your hair's color vibrant and beautiful all comes down to maintenance. Desert Essentials has a great line of products! Not only are they made without those extra "not so good" chemicals but they are eco friendly. You can click here to find DE's products at a discounted cost. Clearly, I should have ordered online and saved a few bucks but *shrugs* oh, well! 






Is your hair color treated? 
If so and you have any tricks and tips on how you care for your colored curls, please leave
a comment below.


xoxo,
Alex

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Hair Color Care

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Puff Saver: Mane Message

All images are from ManeMessage online.
Use code "GOODHAIR20" to get 20% off your order.


I think I found the cure to afro puff headaches, Mane Message hair ties! I stumbled across Mane Message's Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago and instantly wanted to try the super cute, handmade accessories. Since I've been wearing puffs it's been hard to find a hair tie or head band that doesn't end up giving me headaches or cutting off my blood circulation. I am sure my fellow puff wearers know that feeling. It's not only uncomfortable but it can be pretty painful too. That also may be contributed to wearing my puff too tight. I have tried everything, shoelaces, pantyhose, Goody hair ties... you name it I have given it a go. They all work for a few days and then those dreadful headaches creep back around.







I was drawn to Mane Message because of the unique design and beautiful colors. However, I wasn't sure if the hair ties would be large enough to fit around my fro. I decided to contact the owner Olivia and send her a picture of my hair to see if she could possible create a custom order for me. She was willing and I ordered a set of the Dusk Headbands. She made them in a variety of sizes (20",22",24") so I could see what worked best for holding up my puff. 



3 for $9





When I got my items in the mail I was beyond excited! I immediately washed my hair a prepped it for a wash and go puff. The hair ties have a lot of stretch and are made out of a soft material that won't suck any moisture from the strands. They are also "ouchless," which means they don't snag and pull your hair out. Mane Message describes the accessories as:


"These headbands are made out of elastic and are soft and stretchy. They don't slip around while you're on the go or give you the dreaded "headband headache". Perfect for working out, keeping your bangs out of your face and just adding some color to your everyday hair-do."


I was really satisfied with these hair ties. So much so that I ordered more, a lot more! I also purchased some smaller ones for CharBaby's hair. I wore my puff all day and overnight, with no headache, tension or anything! Mane Message is the afro puff God send. My hair headaches have been resolved. I had to share this great news with you all! If you decide to shop with Mane Message, please make sure you say "Alex from The Good Hair Blog" sent you at checkout. I want Olivia to know that the natural hair, curly girls support her! 


 
My puff ball wrapped with my Mane Message hair tie. It's easily camouflaged as well, which is a good thing!

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Puff Saver: Mane Message

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Oyin Saves the Day: Hair Grease Alternative

(image credit)


The above product is a great alternative to "grease" for those of you skeptical about trying DAX, Murray's, Doo Grow or any of the other old school, "not so good for your hair" products. I live by Oyin and I love their stuff. The Burnt Sugar Pomade is an amazing grease alternative and it's all natural. The product is described as:


"Similar in texture to an old school 'hair grease,' This blend of oils, butters, and veggie waxes acts as a humectant and protectant for hair, increasing shine to a high glossy sheen and locking in moisture. It's packed with essential fatty acids to nourish scalp, and actually sinks into your hair and skin for a long lasting, non-greasy feeling. It's great for braids, imparts shine and moisture to loose hair, brushes nicely into the hairline for a glossy finish, and adds luster to locks!" -Oyin


I love the feel of Burnt Sugar, it does have the old school grease feel minus the not so good ingredients.  Burnt Sugar Pomade smells awesome and gives my twist outs definition, shine and softness. The only complaint I have is that my hair will eventually shrink, revert and frizz as the day goes on. I know that is contributed to the natural ingredients, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, I didn't have that issue with DAX because my strands were coated in gook, I know, that sounds bad, LOL! 


So, if you are like "Uh, uh! No way am I trying Dax" then Burnt Sugar may be a great alternative for your curlies! I mean, you can't go wrong with the yummy ingredients it has...


Burnt Sugar contains: castor oil, soy wax, organic virgin coconut oil, mango seed oil, olive oil, unrefined hempseed oil, cocoa butter, broccoli seed oil, and fragrance.


The smell is DIVINE!
What's your grease substitute? Please share below.


xoxo,
Alex

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Oyin Saves the Day: Hair Grease Alternative

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In Review: Pura Body Naturals

As many of you know, I had the chance to go to the Koils by Nature event last weekend with a few of my friends and fellow bloggers. While I was there I came across the Pura Body Naturals booth and decided to take advantage of the 3 (full size products) for $20 special they were having. Not too long ago I purchased a sample of the Cupuacu Hair Butter which I loved, so seeing the booth and the GREAT deal offered I had to restock. 






I purchased the following:
Cupuacu Hair Butter (4oz)
Murumuru Moisture Milk (12 oz)
Chocolate Hair Smoothie (8oz)


The main reason why I LOVE these products is because the ingredients are wholesome and natural. I also like that the scent choices smell great without being over powering. I made video on my experience with the line along with a quick flat twist out tutorial. Click the jump to watch!

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In Review: Pura Body Naturals

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Natural Hair is Not a Fad Event

I really had a ball today at Koil's by Nature's "Natural Hair is Not a Fad" event! I bought some goodies and made a quick haul video to share with you ladies. You can find the video under the jump! The earrings above can be found HERE by the way. 






Dee, Jocelyn of Curly Nu Growth, Me.









xoxo,
Alex

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Natural Hair is Not a Fad Event

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