COCO for Coconut Oil: 5 Uses for This Wonder Oil

Happy Sunday Lovelies!

It's March already. Y-E-S. Let's go Summer! I can't wait until the temperature hits 20+ degrees outside. I am not a winter person, and these snowstorms have been reeking havoc on my sanity (and my hair).

Now for today's post on: Coconut Oil.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh how I LOVE this oil. Here are 5 ways in which I use coconut oil in my daily life.

Note: Make sure you buy virgin coconut oil - which is cold pressed and less refined than regular coconut oil.

  1. Sealant

Coconut oil is one of my favourite hair oils. I use it to seal in the moisture after a wash and/or leave-in. Coconut oil is one of the only oils that can absorb into the hair shaft, making it a perfect sealant which aids in retaining moisture in the hair.

2. Pre-Poo

I've started dry-detangling my hair before washing. I'll take a large dollop of coconut oil and work it into my hair while I detangle. A good detangle normally takes me an hour...while watching Vampire Diaries. Yes, I watch Vampire Diaries. Team Damon!

If you have highly porous hair, coconut oil is great as a pre-poo. It works it way into the hair shaft and prevents excessive water absorption and swelling of the hair shaft, which can cause breakage while washing.

How can you determine how porous your hair is? Check out --> "Girl, your hair is so POROUS!!"

3. Face Cleanser

I've been using coconut oil to cleanse my face for the past few months now. I got the idea from Hey Fran Hey (love her)! It actually works quite well. It gently lifts all the dirt and makeup off your face as good as a harsh cleansers, but without all drying effects.

How To: Take a dab of coconut oil and rub it between your palms. Apply to your face in a circular motion. Using warm/hot water, gentling wash the oil off your face. Use a clean wash cloth to dry your face after.

For more details check out her video here --> Maintaining Clear & Healthy Skin - The Oil Cleansing Method

4. Skin

Who needs lotion!? Coconut oil works even better. I use coconut oil on my skin after showering.

5. Lips

I started using this on my lips before bed time. I don't really walk around with the big jar during the day lol but after I cleanse my face (#3) I just add a dab to my lips and voila! Bed time.


So as you can see, my huge jar goes a long way! How do you use coconut oil in your daily regime? How do you find it has helped with your hair? Skin?


xxoo
Peace. Love. and Coconuts.

J

It's shea butter! Actually...PSYCH: It's petrolatum.

Now, we've all done it. Gone into the beauty supply store and gravitated towards the prettiest container or to the one that captures our attention:

".....Contains Shea Butter!....."

"....with Natural Oils!"

"....with added Argan Oil!..."

Excited by promises of natural oils and butters, that will promote healthy hair growth....well...PSYCH!! Many companies promise the world in order to get you to purchase their product, but when you read the ingredient list, there are next to no natural ingredients listed. The words are there to grab your attention...it's called Marketing.

It's important to read beyond the label, and look at the ingredients. You may be surprised at what you find...

Things to Avoid:

1. Lanolim, Petrolatum and Mineral Oil - these are cheap fillers that are commonly used in many hair products and offer no true moisturizing benefits. I repeat, they DO NOT moisturize the hair. They form a barrier on the hair shaft (contributing to product build up), and seal moisture out. Not to mention it clogs your pores and can contribute to dandruff and scalp issues.

2. Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS) - used in products that have foaming qualities (i.e., shampoo). It strips the hair of natural oils leaving it dry and brittle. It can also irritate the scalp.

3. Alcohol (i.e., ethonol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol)- Products with alcohol can dry out your hair. 

I could go on about all the bad ingredients found in many "natural" hair products, but the list could go on for a while. I've listed some major ones. Generally, my rule of thumb is that if I can't pronounce, or don't know what it is then it's probably not good for my hair.


What to Look For?

Look for natural ingredients like oils and butters (i.e., coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba, castor) and do your research before you purchase. Understand what's in your favourite products and what you're putting on your hair. It's important to be a smart shopper :)



Until next time!


J -

Peace. Love. Summer.

(Yes, summer....please come back soon!)

Omega 3-6-9...damnnn your hair fine!

What is Omega 3?

- Omega 3 (and 6 and 9) are the good types of fat!
- The 3 essential fatty acids in Omega 3 are: alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)


A Life WITHOUT Omega 3 fatty acids can...

- in extreme cases cause hair loss and less growth
- promote dry scalp
- result in dull hair (lacking shine and luster)
- promote dry brittle hair


A life WITH Omega 3 fatty acids can...

- help relieve scalp issues (i.e., eczema, dry/flaky scalp and dandruff)
- aid in stronger healthier hair
- promote hair growth 
- help hair loss
- result in shinier hair


It's not just about the hair....

- can help relieve dry skin symptoms
- helps reduce the risk of heart disease
- helps lower cholesterol levels
- can help inflammatory conditions (i.e., arthritis)
- helps with skin care (i.e., acne)
- good for the brain, eyes, and joints


Sources of Omega 3 fatty acids...

- Fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel
- Flax seed
- Cod Liver Oil
- Hazelnut, walnuts, avocado,
- Omega 3-6-9 supplement
- Soy beans
- Eggs


My mom use to spoon feed me cod liver oil growing up and I hated it! From the taste to the after breath. So I prefer to take the supplements! 2 tablets, quick and easy with my meal. I have been taking supplements for a year now and I have definitely noticed a difference in my hair and skin. I also incorporate foods into my diet such as fish and and I always add flax seeds to my oatmeal in the morning. It's not hard and it's worth it!

So go on and start taking your Omegas!
Btw, YES,  the title of this post was inspired by that Lil Jon song :P


xx

J
Peace. Love. More Love. & Healthy Hair.

5 Tips on Winterizing Your Hair Regime

  Source

Welcome to October, the month of my birthday, Halloween and the beginning of winter. Maybe I am overreacting, but it's only October and already it's frigid!!! I hate being cold. I am a summer girl all the way....I mentally clock out between Sept and April each year. 

So why is it important to winterize your hair regime? The cold air and harsh winds can dry out your hair and stress your ends, leading to damage and breakage: a big no no.

So here are 5 tips on updating your hair regime in anticipation for Mr. Winter!

1. Up Your Moisture

Make sure you replenish the moisture in your strands to prevent your hair from drying out. Spritzing a simple water & glycerin mixture onto your strands can help replenish some of the lost moisture. For added moisture, use a leave in conditioner (with water listed as the first ingredient). Co-washes are also a great way to add moisture mid week.

Make sure to show some additional love to your ends, as they are the oldest part of the hair and therefore the driest.

For additional tips check out: Moisturizing Tips 101


2. Heavy Butters/Oils

Use heavier butters and oils to help seal in the moisture from step #1 i.e., castor oil and shea butter.

It's also the perfect time to bring out those hair creams that were too heavy for the summer!


3. Deep Condition

This is very important! DC once a week as it will help to repair damaged hair and add back some of the lost moisture.

 
4. Get a hat

I hate hats, I really do...when you have a big head, nothing looks good! But...it will help to protect your hair and your ends from Mr. Winter (and it keeps your ears warm). I look horrible in them, but I'm willing to make the sacrifice. 

You can buy hats with silk liners (so that the hats don't rub against your hair and do damage), but they can be a little bit pricey. So tip: take an old silk night cap and sew it into your favourite hate. Voila!


5. Protective Styles

Protective styles (i.e., braids, buns, corn rows, up dos) help to protect your ends from the cold. They also don't require you to man handle your hair every day, so you can give your hair a break.




It's not much of a change from your regular routine and your hair will thank you come Summer!


:)


J
Peace. Love. & Afro's.

Wash & Go Success + Turkey Dinner

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!


Tonight I had an AH-MAZING dinner. Complete with rice and peas, oxtail, salmon, turkey and dessert! I was in heaven and the itis set in shortly after :P

I also wanted to share with you my first Wash and Go (WnG) success!

I use to hate WnG's. My hair shrinks up terribly and tangles horribly. It never ends up shaping the way I want it to and then looks more like a blob.

I got home earlier and was getting ready to go to Thanksgiving dinner with my family. I was going to throw my hair in a poof, but after dancing/performing/taking workshops all weekend (Canada Salsa Congress!) my hair needed a good rinsing!

So I said...let me try a wash and go. I was in a rush and with the state of my hair after this weeks congress..it couldn't have got much worse. So tentatively I stepped in the shower...and the results were awesome!! I surprised myself.

How I Did It

1. I put my hair into 5 quick braids (braiding the hair in the direction I wanted it to fall).

2. I drenched my hair with water - with the braids in.

3. I undid each section and co-washed with Yes to Carrots, Pampering Conditioner.

4. After I washed out each section, I applied more of the conditioner and a dollop of Kinky-Curly Curling Custard (I had the KCCC with me in the shower). I would then twist each section and move on to the next!

5. Once out of the shower, I  blotted each braid with a t-shirt to help remove excess water and product. I then used a blow drier on medium heat to help it dry a little quicker. Because my hair has low porosity it takes FOREVER to dry. I didn't dry it fully but left it slightly damp to finish air drying on it's own.

6. I applied a little bit of coconut oil, released the braids, shook out my fro and VOILA: the final result!

Why I Think It Worked This Time

I think the creaminess of the conditioner  helped my hair to clump my curls together and bring out the definition. Applying the KCCC right after helped to lock those curls in.

Washing and partially drying my hair in braids helped to keep my hair stretched to prevent horrible tangles but without ruining my curl pattern.

The only issue is that because my hair has low porosity, it can take forever to dry, so aiding with the blow drier was necessary. The whole process took me about a half an hour, so it may not necessarily work in the morning before work. Unless I wake up even early...and given that I can work so late...that's not going to happen lol. So I had to aid with a blow drier.

Also, because of the low porosity if I use too much product, product will sit on my hair if I apply it on drenched hair and leave white ish looking residue (as it is not absorbed easily into the hair strands). That was the case this time but blotting off excess product helped and using the blow drier.


How do you find WnG's? Do you like them? Hate them? Have a method that works for you?


xx J

Peace. Love. & Small Successes.

Healthy Hair Smoothie: Green Monster

Hello lovelies!

You might remember an old post wrote entitled --> "Why Big Mac's Don't Grow Hair"

 It's important to remember physical hair care maintenance (i.e., your regime) is only a part of what promotes healthy hair. Healthy hair starts from the inside out. So, yes, it is true. Big Mac's don't grow hair...but Green Monsters do!!


WHAT YOU NEED

1 handful of Spinach

Why it's Awesome: Dark green veggies are good sources of iron and calcium, which help in the production of sebum (natural oil produced by the scalp).

 

1 cup of Almond Milk

Why it's Awesome: How is it NOT awesome?! Almond milk is the ish :D But for real, it's a great source of protein (and hair needs protein), fatty acids, zinc, potassium and the list goes on...

1 Banana

Why it's Awesome: It contains a whole host of vitamins, including Vitamin B and iron which are good for the hair.

Tip: Instead of using ice cubes, I'll freeze my banana's and use them in my smoothies. It also saves me from throwing out bananas as they turn brown, I just peel them and pop them in the freezer until I am ready to use them.

1 Apple

Why it's Awesome: It has vitamin A (that also helps in the production of sebum), vitamin E and B.

A dash of Flax Seeds

Why it's Awesome: Fatty acids in the flax seeds help to promote a healthy scalp and hydrate hair follicles.

Throw everything in a blender and voila: GREEN MONSTER!  It's good for your hair, taste good, and it doesn't scare kids.

Until next time, drink up!

:)

xx

J

Moisturizing Tips 101

A family member recently asked me about tips for combating dry hair. So that meant: blog post! :)

Curly hair is drier that our straight-haired counterparts because the natural oils produced by our scalp don't travel as easily down the curly hair shaft as it does the straight one. Think of it as it's easier to drive down a straight road than a winding one. Makes sense?

So how do I kick dry hair to the curb?

1. Moisturize and Seal

Coconut Oil is a great sealant!

I can't preach this enough. We do not have to be scared of WATER. Our hair loves it and it is the best moisturizer (it's also free!) 

Mist your hair with water (to moisturize) and use an oil to lock that moisture in (sealing). Oil alone does not moisturize, so DO NOT apply oil to dry hair. Moisturize as often as your hair needs it ... I moisturize daily because my kinky hair gets super dry.

Helpful Posts:

Moisturizing vs Sealing (The Difference)

Are you LOCing it?!? (Liquid, Oil, Cream)

2. Leave-in!


My favourite leave-in is Kinky Curly Knot Today



For added moisturize add a leave-in conditioner after you mist your hair. Water should be the first ingredient. A little goes a long way, so often times a dollar size amount will do. Too much can make the hair greasy. Avoid products that contain petroleum or mineral oil as they do not moisturize.

If you apply stylers or gel, apply them AFTER you moisturize your hair.

3. Deep condition!

Once a week. Our hair can get dry easily, so it needs the help! Apply a deep conditioner to your hair, throw on a shower cap or plastic bag (my fav) and sit under a hooded drier (or use a blow drier or hot towel) to apply heat for 15 or so min. The heat opens up the hair follicles to let the magic in....and then rinse and tada!

Helpful Posts

Condition Dem

Remix your Conditioner!

4. Hot oil treatments

Simple and easy. Take a combination of all the natural oils you have (I.e, EVOO, Coconut, castor, avocado) and heat them up. After you wash your hair, apply the oil mixture to damp hair. Throw on a plastic bag and let it sit for a few hours. Rinse and voila! Moisturized softness! Apply a leave in and you're ready to roll!

5. Conditioner Wash (Co-wash)

My Co-Wash of the moment... Yes To Carrots Pampering Conditioner

If you're hair is super dry it could be do to excessive shampooing. Shampoos are designed to strip the hair of dirt and oil. And this can leave the hair very dry.

Unless you're using A LOT of products such as gel or styling aids, there's no need to shampoo your hair weekly.

I shampoo my hair once a month if that. And I co-wash instead. Rinsing your hair thoroughly with water and using conditioner like you would shampoo can remove a lot if dirt etc. I co-wash once a week.

However, if you do use a lot of product it's important to cleanse your hair and scalp to prevent product build up. Healthy hair starts with healthy scalp. And make sure you condition to prevent excessive dryness.

6. Baggy method

To help retain moisture as you sleep, throw on a plastic bag or plastic shower cap on your hair. Often times we lose a lot of natural hair oil and moisture to our pillow! After all that hard work...you don't want that.

This can also help to be achieved by wrapping hair with a silk scarf.

7. Porosity

Understanding the porosity of your hair will go a long way in using the right methods to moisturize your locks.

Helpful Posts:

"Girl, your hair is so POROUS!"



Hope this helps! Do you have any tips for keeping your locks moisturized? I'd love to hear them!


Until next time.

xx J

El amor mira no con los ojos, sino con la mente

Moisturizing vs. Sealing (The Difference)

via http://www.capitalmagazine.ca



 Hola lovelies!

So today's lesson is about the difference between moisturizing and sealing.

STEP 1: MOISTURIZING

A moisturizers job is to add moisture to the hair.

For example:

Water - the best moisturizer: hands down.

Leave in Conditioners - have conditioning and moisturizing properties. Look for products with water as the first ingredient. Avoid products that contain petroleum and mineral oil (bad bad bad).

STEP 2: SEALING.

If you don't seal in the moisture mentioned above, it'll dry out of your strands and your hair will remain dry.
Likewise, if you apply oil without water it won't moisturize, your hair will stay dry because oils don't moisturize. They act as a barrier, they seal water in but they can also seal them out. So the pomade your Mom would apply on your dry hair as a child ...ya, it wasn't moisturizing.

Oils and butters help to seal in the moisture from Step 1.

For example:

Coconut oil

Olive oil

Castor oil

Shea butter
Jojoba

It's a two step process that will lead to happier hair.

Peace. Love. and More Love.

:) J

Wash Day: ACV Rinse!

Hey lovelies!

So I just got back from Detroit today - was dancing/performing salsa this weekend :) Much fun!

After all the gel I used in my hair this weekend and with my scalp being slightly itchy...I decided to finally try an ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) rinse. I bought the bottle a month ago and never got around to it.

Some benefits of ACV:

- helps remove build up from hair products (i.e., stylers, conditioners, shampoos)

- helps to kill bacteria that causes dandruff and itchiness (scalp is too alkaline)

- Helps to balance the pH in hair. The pH in our hair is thrown off by many of the different hair products we use that are more alkaline or acidic in nature. Hair has an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to that of ACV pH of 2.9 (mildly acidic).

Why you should care about balancing the pH in your hair:

More alkaline products ((i.e., hair coloring, relaxers) open up the cuticles on the hair shaft in order for the product to be able to penetrate the hair shaft. A "neutralizer" is then applied to flatten the hair shaft again, but often times the damage has already been done. This can lead to highly porous hair which can be damaging to hair health. For more on the porosity of hair, check out the post --> "Girl, your hair is so POROUS!"

More acidic products (i.e shampoos) help the cuticle to lie flat so it's easier to remove the oils and dirt.

If you don't care about the science behind it all lol just remember it's important to look for products that help balance the pH in your hair.

What you'll need:

(This recipe is from Naptural85)

1/4 cup of ACV

1 cup of water

Measuring cups

Squeeze or Spray bottle

1. I measured everything and mixed it all together in a squeeze bottle. Next time I'll use a spray bottle for easier application.

2. I cleansed my hair with DevaCurl No-Poo.

 

3. I then applied the ACV rinse all over my hair and scalp, massaged it in for about a minute and then rinsed.

My thoughts:

Holy clarifying! It definitely removed all product build up from my hair. It's like using a clarifying shampoo but natural.

It smells horrible by the way but a good rinse got ride of most of the smell. I applied my deep conditioner as usual after.

I loved it though and I was so surprised by how well it worked as a clarifier. I don't shampoo my hair regularly anyway because it's drying and I'll definitely be using this mixture in replace of shampoos in the future. I can't see myself doing it more than once a month or when my hair has build up because it is extremely clarifying.

Have you tried an ACV rinse? What are your thoughts?




Peace. Love. and Afros

:)

J

Salsa y Cabello Natural! (Salsa and Natural Hair)

 

Hola Todos!

For those of you readers who don't know: I LOVE to dance. Accounting I do for a living...but it's dancing that I'm passionate about :) I danced Latin and Ballroom for 4 years and now I mainly dance Latin. I am currently a part of a Salsa team in Toronto. Apart from the ballroom dances, I also love Bachata, Kizomba and Zouk.



Salsa Performance - That's me on the far right.



So this post is entitled Salsa y Cabello Natural (Salsa and Natural Hair). I don't ever straighten my hair for dance, because it's too much of a hassle. It'll just start to frizz and go back to afro after a 3 minute salsa dance. I dance 2-3 times a week and I do yoga once a week, so I my styles have to be quick and simple. This post is tips for naturals on dealing with natural hair while maintaining a consistent exercise regime.



Pick a Style!

Twists: Simple and easy! I'll wear these during team practice or when I do hot yoga. It helps to keep it stretched during my most extreme sweating sessions (lol), so I don't have to deal with a tangled shrunken mess when I return home.

Twist Outs: I love my 'fro and I'll normally wear a twist out when I'm performing or when I go out; the bigger the better! My afro doesn't really shrink too much when I dance and in any case if it does I don't mind. However, I could never wear my afro to a hot yoga session...oh the shrinkage and tangles that would result!

 

There are tons of other protective styles: braids, cornrows, buns, ponytails, poofs, etc. The most important thing is you want something that's simple, quick and easy, but also protective. Pick the style that's best for your work out and when it doubt, put it up! Or try wrapping your hair with a scarf or wrap.

  

Salsa Performance

Co-Washing

Co-washing is like my best friend. I'll co-wash my hair after a hot yoga session or extreme night of dancing.

Build your regime around your work-outs

 

If I have twists in, I'll co-wash with the twists in my hair. Often times I'll come home from a Salsa night (i.e., late Friday night) and I'll have to go out the Saturday morning. I'll co-wash my hair, and add leave-in, oil and gel. I'll then put my hair into approx ten braids and I'll go about my business the next day with the braids in. I have the process down, so I can be in bed in less than an hour! When I'm ready to go dancing again on Saturday night, I'll remove the braids, fluff and go! It might take me an extra hour on Friday night before bed, but it'll cut down my styling time the next night.  Or sometimes if my curls are doing good, I'll just throw it in a poof the next day.



Poof - Salsa Dancing



Since I dance mostly on weekends (Friday-Sunday), I'll normally do my wash and DC on a Sunday or Monday evening. This way, I'm good to go for the next week!

If you're sweating a lot, it's important to cleanse your scalp frequently to avoid buildup and remove impurities. I only shampoo once a month, but I find that rinsing my hair and scalp thoroughly with water and then co-washing works well for me.



Twist Out - Afro Cuban Routine



It's important to plan your regime around your work outs, so that way neither your hair or your workout has to get compromised :)

 
What style do wear when you work-out? How do you fit your exercise in around your weekly hair regime?

xx

J

"Free your hair and the rest will follow."

Twist Out - Zouking



Bread and Butter Hair Routine!

Hey m'loves!

So I have a few people in my life who recently did a BC (big chop) and went natural. I am so proud of them! I get a lot of questions, such as: How do I keep my hair moisturized? What should I do with it? How often should I wash it?

This post describes what I like to call a Bread and Butter Hair Routine. The bare essentials. Perfect for a new natural, or someone looking to establish a hair routine.

Before I start, I have a few tips.

1. DO NOT SHOP BLINDLY

Read the ingredients before you buy products and not just the labels. Labels promise false miracles and are designed to grab your attention. It's important to look at the ingredients as well. The label might say: "Contains 100% Shea Butter!" but when you look at the ingredients, 90% of it is petrolatum and other cheap fillers. Aim for more natural oils and butters!

2. Stay Consistent

Remember, you're not going to notice results over night. But if you stay consistent, you'll have healthy hair in the long run.

3. Be patient!

Be patient with your hair and show it some TLC. Curly hair is fragile and more susceptible to breakage, so if you don't have the patience to deal with your hair, save it for another day!
 

DAILY

1. MOISTURIZE

[Or every other day, depending on how dry your hair is. You can either do this at night or the morning]

Moisturizing is ohhh-so very important, especially for curly hair as it can be very dry. This is because the natural oils produced by the scalp don't travel as easily down a curly hair shaft in comparison to straight hair.

How?
1. Mist your hair with water.

2. Apply a leave-in conditioner.

3. Use an oil or butter to help seal in the moisture (i.e., coconut oil, shea butter)

Posts to check out:
Girl, your hair is so POROUS!
Are you LOCing it?!?

2. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Remember it's not all about what you put on your hair, it starts from the inside out!

Check out the post: Why Big Mac's Don't Grow Hair
  

AT NIGHT

1. You can moisturize as above.

2. Give your scalp a 2 min massage, it will help to promote hair growth. For some added kick, add castor oil to your scalp and massage. It'll help thicken your hair.

2. Sleep with a silk cap or silk pillowcase. This helps to protect your hair and prevent breakage.

WEEKLY

1. DEEP CONDITION (DC)

[Or every two weeks. My hair can get very dry, so I DC every week.]

Deep conditioning is very important, it helps infuse much needed moisture into your strands.

Posts to check out:
Remix your Conditioner
Condition Dem

2. CO-WASH

As per below, you don't need to shampoo every week. A co-wash is a "conditioner only" wash. Do this instead of your shampoo.

How?
1. Rinse your hair thoroughly with water (water alone will help to remove a lot of dirt).

2. Apply the conditioner like you would a shampoo and rub through hair and scalp.

3. Rinse

4. Follow the Moisturizing steps above and voila!

MONTHLY

SHAMPOO

You do NOT need to shampoo your hair every week. Shampoo-ing can dry out your strands. Do this maybe once a month or when you feel product buildup. I'll sometimes go 6 weeks without shampooing. I find that co-washes do a lot to help cleanse my hair and keep the moisture.
  

IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR ARSENAL

1. Leave in Conditioner.

2. Deep Conditioner

3. Natural Oils and Butters

4. Spray bottle with water.

5. Brushes and Combs with wide tooths (or use your fingers!)

6. Cute head bands and accessories :)




Hope that helps!!

xx

 

"Girl, your hair is so POROUS!"

The first time someone described my hair as porous, I responded...like a boss ... ."What did you just say about my hair??!!" >:O

Then I learned it's not an insult.

What is Porosity? Porosity is your hairs ability to absorb water. Think of it as how easily water passes into and out of the hair shaft. In general, curly hair is more porous that straight hair. Chemical processing, excessive manipulation (i.e., harsh combing, friction) and excessive heat treatments can also cause damage to the cuticle layer (increasing porosity of the hair).

Normal Porosity: The cuticle layer is neither flat nor completely raised, it allows water into the hair shaft as needed.

Low Porosity: The cuticle layer lies flat and therefore it is more difficult for water to enter or leave the hair shaft. Low porosity hair holds moisture well but it is not easily absorbed. As a result most products will sit on the hair shaft, causing a white sheen or easy build up. 

High Porosity: As the cuticle layer is raised and open, the hair absorbs water easily but loses it just as fast. Highly porous hair becomes dry quickly, can break easily when soaking wet and is easily damaged.

From left to right: normal, low, highly porous.
Photo from hairfinder.com

 

How do I know if my hair is porous?

You'll need a glass of water and a clean strand of your hair.

Allow the water to still and drop the strand of hair into the glass.

If the hair sinks after after 3-5 minutes, your hair is highly porous.

If your hair takes a while to sink your hair has low porosity.


Now that I know...how do I care for Low Porosity Hair?

1. Apply product to damp hair. After a wash, your hair is thoroughly saturated with water. So allow it to air dry and release some of the water before applying product. This way your hair shaft has room to absorb the product.

2. Using heat to open up the cuticle. When applying your deep conditioner, using heat is very important to help open up the cuticle to let the moisture get in.

3. Squeeze out the excess. Sometimes when I apply too much product, it turns my hair white or takes a long time to dry. I'll use a paper towel to blot off the excess. Or run your fingers down sections of your hair (sandwiching it) to remove the excess.

4. You LOVE products that contain humectants. Humectents (i.e., glycerin) help to draw in and retain moisture to your locs. I mix water and glycerin in a spray bottle, to dampen my hair before I seal it.

[Note: I have low porosity hair and I always use to get frustrated with product application because my hair never seemed to absorb it. I use to get product build so quickly! Ever since I learned about the porosity of my hair, I am able to better care for it. All of these tips have helped to make the biggest difference! My hair is better moisturized and stays moisturized longer.]

Click here, to read more on how to care for low porosity hair.

Now that I know...how do I care for High Porosity Hair?


Highly porous hair
Photo from: naturallycurly.com

 1. Layers, layers, layers! As water evaporates quickly from highly porous hair, it's important to use oils and butters to help seal in the moisture. Check out my post on the LOC method: Are you LOCing it?!?

2. Moisture and protein treatments. Protein treatments help to repair the hair and patch up the cuticle. Moisturizing conditioning treatments are also very important as well.

3. You DON'T LOVE humectants. Try and avoid products with humectants in humid climates, as it'll aid in taking water in from the atmosphere and contribute to frizziness.

4. Don't detangle hair when soaking wet. This can lead to breakage from the weight of the water absorbed.

Click here, to read more on how to care for high porosity hair.

Now that I know...how do I care for Normal Porosity hair?

Be happy!  :)

It will require less maintenance, as your hair is absorbing water into the hair shaft as needed. However, continue to keep a good moisture/protein balance!

End Note

Knowing the porosity of your hair is very important in terms of adapting your regime and maintaining a good moisture balance in your hair. Hope this helped!



Peace. Love. and Afro's.
:)
xx
J