I thought it would be nice to have a thread for all the new members that come here in search for hair tips. We can pass on the hair advice we received that has helped us achieve (and to continue to achieve) healthier hair.

My learning process was slow, but once I saw results, I was hooked and thristy to learn more. My hair benefitted from it. First, let me tell you what my hair was like, BEFORE I began taking good care of it:

As a child my hair was always healthy and shiny and even through high school, even though I used 'grease' on my scalp, washed my hair every two weeks, and never really moisturized it. (I thought moisture was oiling my hair) But I started to hot comb it when it was relaxed and curl it on occasion. The salons I went to were not very informative on hair care and just went when my hair began to look bad only to repeat the same destructive process. Then two years ago it was starting to feel like straw and coming out in clumps. (If you could have seen pictures, you would cry for me.) Then I decided to do some research and take care of my hair better. I had to make the brave decision to cut my hair even. I went to the salon and balled like a baby because my hair was sooo damaged it had to be cut up to 1 inch in the back and up to my ear in the front so I had a bob. I had never had my hair shorter than shoulder length so it was quite a shock. But this hair dresser helped me out alot and gave me good info to start with. I got alot of compliments about the cut too. So this is the hair advice I live on now:

1. I try to avoid products with mineral oil and petroleum. If I can't fully avoid it, Ill find a product that has this as one of the last ingredients.

2. I keep my ends protected at all times. When I do wear my hair out, I make sure I'm wearing a hair friendly top and I keep it well moisturized.

3. Moisture, Moisture, Moisture!!! Different from hair oil and mandatory for healthy hair. I moisturize my hair a couple times a day.

4. No Hot Comb on relaxed hair. A big NO NO!! I learned this the hard way. (My mom still does it!)

5. Make sure to use protein in your hair once in a while. While moisture is good, you also need to strengthen your hair. A good protein treatment or protein conditioner is good to use once a month or every 2 weeks. (Some use it more but remember to use a moisturizing conditioner afterwards. Protein has the tendency to make your hair hard.)

6. Drink more water, less of the sweet stuff. I never was a soda drinker (or 'pop'depending on where you are from), but water is tons better for not only your hair but your whole body. Adding more fresh fruits and veggies helps too, not too mention beans, eggs, and whole grains.

7. Exercise. It gets the blood circulating all over. And you might as well look as good as your hair!!

8. Trim your hair on a as-needed basis. Some trim every 8 weeks like clockwork, but if my ends are still in tact, I keep them protected and hold off until they do need them.

9.Less heat, more washing. I've found that if I rollerset my hair and sit under a dryer, I have less breakage. But if you can avoid heat all together your hair will thank you for it. I also wash 2 times a week now and my scalp feels alot better.

10. Comb from the ends to the roots for less breakage.

These are a few tips that were passed on to me when I first started getting my hair together. I hope it helps all of you the way it has helped me. Sorry this is so long but I wanted to share all of this with everyone. Happy Hair!!!

Ok when I was younger a stylist burned my hair with a hotcomb, it had to get cut.  My mom hot combed my hair so much that it started to break off and turn read at the ends, my ends were split almost up to my roots. I didn't know how to take care of my natural hair (in highschool at this time) So i went and got a hair cut, an angled bob and a perm.  I changed to like 5 different stylists and eventually I learned how to do my own hair.  I started wearing buns and keeping my hair moisturized, and lots of braids and ponytails. I would only go to the hair dresser for special styles, but she never made them look like the book so I started doing that too.

When I got to college, hard water made my hair break off what was once down my back was now at my shoulders. It took me a year to find a shampoo and conditioner that made my hair feel great.  I contineud to wear cornrows every week and a half or pontytails because my hair grew:), didn't use heat, sometimes i wet my hair and scrunched it....

College, I tried to transition before but I did not have the support. I would get a perm once every 6 months and trim at least 1 time a month. I decided 2 years later from the last transition that I will transition again, I didn't like the history our people went thru with the relax and so I started growing it out. After 4 months of working with 2 textures I just cut it off. I had about 2 inches but ended up with 1 cause I had to cut the scab hair. I have now been natural for 10 months, I have to deal with negative people cause they can't see the beauty in everyone especially their own people, but that is THEIR PROBLEM NOT MINE. My friends really are supportive, my sister say sly remarks, but o well.

I learned...

*eat right and your body through healthy hair and skin will show it.

* Less heat is better for the hair, especially direct heat.

*comb from ends to roots

* comb when wet, newgrowth or natural hair.  (I always combed my relaxed hair only when wet and styled when wet too).

*try to stay away from clothes that clings to hair, especially velcro or snap ons, other attachmes aren't good.

*some of the best products are right in your kitchen!

* Be happy with what you have now, you can be your own support system.

* Be happy with what you have now, you can be your own support system.

I guess i should add, at the time i got my angel bob cut with a relaxer, i had all kind of people upset with me. People at church that had never spoken to me my whole life saying crap.  But we have to remember at the end it was my hair, just like it is YOUR hair. Only u know your hair most and i rather cut it to let it grow back healthy than to try to hold on to unhealthy hair, that was asking to get off my head.

Point of the story, its about making yourself happy, your hair is yours, you own it, u can't please everyone. So you  have to back yourself up.

Find a good shampoo, a good conditioner, a good deep conditioner, a good leave-in and a good moisturizer(find out whether you hair likes oil or butters).

Shampoo and Deep Condition Weekly.

Condition washes are great for naturals.

Baggie Method- I moisturize at nite and put the thin, plastic cap over my entire head. You can also put a baggie over your ponytail and then cover it with a phony pony or phony bun.

Drink lots of water and take vitamins at least a good hair, skin and nails one as well as a good multivitamin at a minimum.

I only use heat when i deep condition.

that's about it- hope this helps someone out.

Here's a few things I learned from a book called  The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair.

Shampooing:

Start by rinsing your scalp, making small openings or parts in your hair, so the water can rinse through. Focus on the crown, nape, behind your ears, and your hairline. Never dump shampoo onto your head. Instead pour it into your hands, and rub them together, spreading the shampoo down your fingers. Make small parts and openings in your hair and apply the shampoo to your scalp. Then slide or rubb your fingers through the hair alloiwing the shampoo to move tward the strand ends. Never massage on top of your hair, slide your fingers from under your hair directly on your scalp. This will prevent matting, tangles, and damage to the hair shaft. Use the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp

Conditioning: 

Towl-dry your hair before applying conditioner, to allow the conditioner to attact to the hair surface.  Make openings and parts in your hair, then apply conditioner with your fingers so that you can place the conditioner on the hair closest to your scalp. Next, apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair. Then apply to the entire strand. If the hair has tangles, apply extra conditioner directly to the tangled areas, then use your forfinger and thumb to massage the tangles away. Do Not Comb conditioner through, this will cause too much strain on your strangs. Allow the conditioner to work first.  Depenging on the condition of your hair, you can now rinse the conditioner out throughlt, or deep condition.

Deep Conditioning:

In order to have true deep reconditioning of damaged strands you must have maximum penetration of your conditiooner into the cuticle layers of your hair strands. To achieve this it is recommended that you use a deep penetrating, protein-and-moisture rich conditioner in order to stabilize the hair strands.  Use the conditioning method above, instead of rinsing cover your head in a thin plastic cap (i think seran wrap works just as good) and sit under a warm dryer for fifteen minutes (set the dryer to medium). Come out from the dryer, remove the plastic cap, and carefully apply more conditioner to the hairline, the ends, and to any short, weak spots as well as any weak or thinning areas. Cover with the cap as before and sit back under the dryer for ten more minutes. Come out and again apply the conditoner to any weak spots (hairline, thinning spots ect.) Cover with the cap and sit back under the dryer for another 10 minutes. For a total of 35 minutes. Finally rinse your hair in lukewarm water for ateleast sixty seconds.

Leave in Conditioner:

A leave-in will add elasticity to your strands  by placing a positive buildup on the hairshaft. After you rinse the conditioner, towl-blott in a squeezing motion to remoce excess water. Spray on the leave-in taking care to get inside any new-growth and the hairclosest to the scalp and the ends. If there are any tangles use your thumb and forefinger to massage the leave in directly into the tangled area. Next, finger comb through your hair. Do Not comb before tangles are removed, and comb from the bottom up.

Thers is so much more information in this book. but I thought I would just share this stuff.

Hey you guys. I am new to this site. I have been searching for a good place to purchase wigs via the internet if possible. I have had microbraids in my hair for approximately 8 months now, and I am ready to take them out. I need something to do with my hair post-braids though. I am wanting to wear some stylish, cute wigs. I have been unsuccessful in my quest. I am only 24, and want a younger-person's wig. Does anyone have any suggestions or helpful tips for me. They will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Conditioning my hair during my shower also helped me. Before I go in the shower I would put a moisturizer on my hair paying special attention to the ends and hairline. My shower cap acts like a heating cap because of the steam from the shower. I found this to be a quick and easy way of getting a little extra from my moisturizer.

Hi guys

I'm new here,I just joined today,and I'm so glad I did because I'm on a mission!My hair is shoulder length right now,but sometime in the near future,I'd like to have thick,long bra-strap length hair,or maybe longer.But there are many factors that have contributed to my length.I recently got it cut(which has been the 4th time I've had it chopped off since 7th grade.I'm a highschool junior.)Anywho,the reason for this length I think is because of inconsistency.

All throughout elementary school,my mother used heat on my tresses EVERYDAY.There was not a morning that passed when she didn't do it.The ironic thing about it is that she went to school for cosmetology,so I thought she knew better,obviously not.But then when I entered middle school,my hair started to improve,grow,thicker and thicker.This was a result of me getting my hair done at a popular salon in a near mall.My hair was beautiful!I had no complaints.Then upon entering junior high,I had to get it cut,and I threw a fit!But then I had to realize that after all the stress my hair had went through,that was the smartest thing to do.My hair was once again,healthy.Then I enter highschool in the 9th grade,and I had to get it cut again!Same process.Now I'm in the 11th grade,and I recently had my hair cut,and through this process my mother really angered me!She had relaxed my hair,then instead of using a WIDE tooth comb,she used a small one,and combed from the top to the bottom which is a no no!My hair had grown so much,and then I look at this comb,and there were just clumps of hair.I wanted to .All of this occured because of lack of knowledge.Not trimming consistently when my hair needs it,not washing it when it needed to be washed,and using the wrong products for my hair all contributed to my damaged crown and glory.

Some tips that I've learned are:

Love your hair,be patient,and try not to be rough with it.

Drink plenty of water!Drink it until you get sick of it.I know this is annoying but eventually your hair will thank you.

Moisture,Moisture,and more Moisture.As women of color,our hair tends to be drier,so using the correct poos/conditioners will definitely benefit the hair.

NEVER clog your precious pores up with grease,oil,or any other pomades.

Use wide tooth combs instead of the small tooth ones,and NEVER brush hair while it's wet.

Comb from the bottom up.

Never sleep without a satin/silk pillow case or scarf.

And most importantly TRIM!I don't care how long your hair is.Eventually your hair will just split up the hair shaft and you'll be back to round one.

Vitamins don't hurt either!(Biotin,Flaxseed,B-complex etc.)

Sorry this was so long

Welcome FeistyFem!!

You sure did go through some hair changes!! You have some very good tips too. I hope you enjoy your stay here!!

-silk/satin scarf or pillowcase for bed...cotton sucks the moisture from hair

-if you must use heat, use it in the lowest setting possible to straighten hair, and use heat spraringly

-avoid hair styles that pull at the hair to avoid thinning

-when using protein treatments/conditioners, its good to follow with a moisturizing conditioner to keep the hair from becoming brittle from too much protein

-trim as needed (I no longer believe in trimming every 8 weeks, because I was trimming off all my new growth, and I didn't have any split ends)!

-moisturize as much as possible to protect the hair from the elements

Sorry if I sound like a ditz, but what exactly is a "protective hair style"?  Should I ever use rubberbands? They create breakage...right?

Thank  you for answering so quickly!! I just have one quick question.. How can you wear a bun without using a rubberband? Do you need special hair toys?

No, actually I'm still working on mastering 'the bun' but what I know is good to use is an elastic band that is covered in satin or some similar fabric. I have also heard of girls saturating a cloth band in oil to minimize breakage. Maybe someone else on this board can offer alittle more guidance. Actually, if you pm sistaslick for her password, in her fotki she gives directions to making a bun and what supplies to use. Hope this helps.

I am so grateful for this site...it offers so much help. I have a question about the order of things. do i moisterize after flat ironing, do i put oil after or before moisturizing?

Hello everyone! Im new here but i've been looking at this site for months. I remeber when i came across this site and I found it to be very informational. Expecially for me since im young (going to be a high school freshman in september )and not to keen on the world of hair since where I live most African-American girls have perms so I never knew what to do with my natural hair except braiding and holding it. Anyway, I was just wondering about some of the things that you say are big necessities like "trimming' and deep conditioning. Thank you in advance

Love ya'all!!

Hey Everybody!!

I want to thank you all so much for all of this helpful and great information .  I am on a mission to get my hair back in great shape!!

Honeydoo....cmesweet....Princess1.....Sistaslick...Cookiesnk ream....please keep all this good information coming....LOL...bring it on because I am about shoulder length now......but I want my hair down my back (at least to my bra strap !)  It may take a year or so.....but I am in this for the long haul.

Thanks,

~qwick 

Okay, so silly newbie question...is it okay to wash your hair more than once a week? I've learned from reading around that shampoos can be bad for your hair (i don't really understand exactly why yet but i'm learning!) and lately, I've bought a lot of new products that I want to try out. I've been washing my hair about 2x week...one of these times is a "normal" wash, with regular amounts of shampoo and conditioner and the second time is either with no shampoo or with very little shampoo. I then let my hair airdry and then use my ceramic flat iron the next morning. Is this okay or should I cut back on my washings?

Thanks guys!

Hey guys, I'm hoping somebody can help me out. I've added a lot of moisture to my hair routine and it's finally settling down. But, I think I may be missing something -- maybe protein or a hot oil treatment? - because I've noticed lots of shedding lately. This is my plan:

wash hair 1x-2x a week. shampoo: Vo5 Hydrators Shampoo. conditioner: rotate between VO5 Moisture Milks, VO5 Hydrators Conditioner, Suave Humectant

shea butter on hair, especially ends, daily

salerm 21, daily (but thinking about doing it 2x a day).

My hair feels soft, but there's just more hair coming out than I would like. Also, would you suggest that I put products (like my shea butter) directly on my scalp? My scalp doesn't feel itchy or dry but I'm sure it could something. Thanks!

Organic Olive and Clove Therapy I use a little on my slap and hair along with kerakare leave in conditioner after I wash my hair.

Hair Glo is great for the scalp and when doing scalp massages.  Especially after washing hair and the pores in the scalp are open it tingles even more and it feels great.  Feels like its really stimulating the scalp. 

BOTH of these products have all natural ingredients and it feels great.

I started drinking liquid calcium and hemp protein powder mixed in my water and in my juice. 

I will now try to start drinking way more water along with eating more vegetables and fruits.

I want my hair to grow and it is definitely getting there.  Hope my tips can help someone

Hey girls!

Hope everything is going well for you guys. As you can see I am a newbie to hairboutique and I am on a quest to get some no nonsense advice about getting a weave. I am not the type that gets my hair done. I wash, grease, and braid my very natural and very stubborn and kinky hair but I want a totally new look now. This look will be extreme for me because I usually dont get my hair done and dont know anything about anything-- and I mean that.

Anyway here is my situation. As mentioned before my hair is natural and I have the type of hair that doesnt take to relaxers without a fight. Last time I relaxed my hair, at home, a chunk in the back just fell out. That having been said, I am afraid to relax my hair. Honestly I dont really want to. Which is why I am researching how I can have those really cute hair styles, that are weaved without having to perm my considerably short, but not that short hair. (I can put it in a pony tail). I have seen some of those styles where the hair is braided and the extensions are swen into them but I dont really like that style because I dont want my hair to look like I am wearing a wig. Also I want bangs and I dont want to have to be a hair expert in order to keep it looking nice and fresh for a couple months. Add to that, I am a pretty active girl who works out everyday and doesnt really have the time to be sitting up for hours doing my hair.

Any advice? I know I am a mess.

Hi Princess,

Thanks for the response. Well my hair is weird. It is longer in the front and shorter in the very back. Infact tonight I just pressed like a row of my hair near my ear and it was maybe to my jaw. The back is considerably shorter than the front although I can braid it in cronrows. I dont plan on getting my hair done until this summer so imagine that it would have grown somewhat by then.

Right now I just want to get my hair into good condition. I am very interested in "lacing" or I think that is what they call it. Also, as I mentioned above, I would like to have it sewn in to my hair which I really really want to keep natural. I suppose price isnt an issue for me. I am willing to spend atleast $250 and at most $300.

Thanks.

Longido- you can make your own moisturizer. i am natural- i made a homeade spritz which consists of a lil glycerin, liquid aloe vera, water, a lil eo and a few squirts of honey- works great. You could also purchas e care free curl instant moisturizer at the grocery store. Hope this helps.

Thank you carameldiva i will try them out.

Passionsb wrote: Hey you guys. I am new to this site. I have been searching for a good place to purchase wigs via the internet if possible. I have had microbraids in my hair for approximately 8 months now, and I am ready to take them out. I need something to do with my hair post-braids though. I am wanting to wear some stylish, cute wigs. I have been unsuccessful in my quest. I am only 24, and want a younger-person's wig. Does anyone have any suggestions or helpful tips for me. They will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Passion...i'm new here too, but I'd just like to give you a word of advise/caution abotu micros....8 months is a very long time to have them in, so be VERY careful when you are having them taken out as in most instances, micros take your hair out from the roots when you are taking them down, especially after having them in for a very long time. Also, giv eyour hair a breather before getting a wig...condition and treat. Personally, I love micros and I used to wear them, but never more than two months as I realised that the longer they stayed, with all the washing, etc, my hair gets matted at the roots.

Good luck with finding a great wig

cmesweet wrote: Jamgurl welcome to the forum.

Thank you

Try using olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, castor oil(thickness), safflower oil(dryness), grapeseed oil or jojoba oil instead of oils w/ mineral oil/petrooleum. hope this helps.

retagirl wrote: Hello everyone, I'm new and Ive been reading the tips on here. I need some advice on hair oil or grease i should use. I have been using Proclaim (Natural 7 oils) and sometimes Dudleys hair and scalp conditioner with Petrolatum and Mineral oil and the first two ingredients. I recently read that you sholuld stay away from petroleum and mineral oil. Also, what is a regimen and can someone give me some advice on how to start mine?

Mrs.J- if you get extensions and leave them in for six months- your hair will be loc'ed underneath. Unless you are referring to infusions where they do a strand by strand extension. I have only seen it done once- it took 8 hours and cost $1000. If i hadn't seen the girl come in with short hair- you could not have told me that the waist length hair was not hers.

I sounds nice, but due to the sodium laureth sulfates in commercial products, I've been moving toward more natural products.  Perhaps this will help.

Thanks though.