Hair 101: Benefits of Olive Oil

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Olive oil is truly a powerhouse when it comes to hair, skin and beauty applications. Its rich, moisturizing properties make it ideal for use on your hair. While you may immediately think of olive oil for cooking, keeping a bottle of olive oil handy in your bathroom can help your hair look healthier, stronger and shinier. Whether you use it as your regular conditioner, a hot oil treatment or as a hair finishing product, you'll see the great benefits of olive oil on hair.

 

 

Hair 101: Hair Porosity

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Porosity is the measure of the hair's ability to absorb moisture. This is determined by the condition of the hair's cuticle layer (the overlapping scales of the hair shaft), and is rated as low, normal, and high. In normal, healthy hair, the cuticle is compact and inhibits the penetration of the hair shaft by moisture - both moisture going in, and moisture coming out. When the cuticle is overly compact and prevents the penetration of the hair by moisture it has low porosity. Hair with low porosity is harder to process, and is resistant to hair color and perms. Low porosity hair must usually be softened prior to other chemical services. Hair with high porosity is hair whose cuticle layer is open and the hair too-readily absorbs moisture. Overly-porous hair also releases moisture easily and becomes dry and is easily damaged. Acid-balanced conditioning treatments are used to contract the cuticle layer and lock-in moisture on overly-porous hair.

Extreme caution must be used when performing chemical services on overly porous hair to prevent damage. Hair color will take much more quickly and strongly in overly porous hair (and semi-permanent and demi-permanent hair colors will fade much more quickly). Perms and straighteners will process much faster in high-porosity hair as well.

To determine the porosity of your hair, simply feel it - both when wet and when dry. If the hair feels straw-like and rough when dry, or if it feels gummy or slightly rubbery when wet, then you probably have a problem with overly porous hair.

My Two Cents: 

I struggled with overly porous for a number of months before I realized the true issue.  Moisturizers didn't work, conditioning didn't work, I had to lather several times before my hair actually got wet, etc.  

I finally found relief after 2 weeks of almost continuous use of Roux Porosity Control Shampoo and Conditioner.  I now use it 1-2 times a month as needed, along with adding a bit to my deep conditions. 

Also, a natural alternative is to this hair problem is to use an Apple Cider rinse. 

Hair 101: Protective Styles

My Braid Out Twin [source]

I was asked why I only wear ponytails and buns as my protective styles... Is there really anything else left to say?

If you're unfamiliar, protective styling is wearing your hair up in a style that doesn't put strain on your edges/nape and keeps your ends off of your back & protected from outside elements - i.e Buns, Clips, Pony Tails etc.

I've never been a weave person.  I absolutely love wearing my hair and I prefer to be the ONLY person to do my hair.  I've had plenty of great experiences, but I never forget the bad ones.  I've been self sufficient for several years now and I don't plan on changing. 

While I do wear my hair up 95% of the time, there are those special "Show Up and Show Out" scenarios where I'll throw protection out the window.  What's the fun in having healthy, beautiful hair if you can't wear it out?

I'd also like to add that the changing from regular styles to protective style has cut my morning prep time in half!  I'd usually spend 20-30 mins each morning doing my hair, styling it to my liking.  However, you can't really go wrong with a bun or ponytail.  You pull it back, maybe do a part, secure it and you're ready to go.  I'm all for simplicity.