Straightening Brushes / Comb -Chase Method

Straightening Brushes

Blow Dryers & Irons at Folica.com
Blow Dryers & Irons by Denman

The comb-chase method is using literally what it implies. Using a flatiron to chase a fine-tooth comb (isn't that right?) and smooth the hair shaft. I would love to try one of these brushes. I currently use a boar bristle brush to achieve this method of straightening. While it does the trick, I still want to try one of these. As for using a fine-tooth comb to chase, I tried it with unsuccessful results, I much more prefer the smoothness that the brush delivers.

Click the pictures, to be taken to the retailer of each brush...

WANT LONG HAIR IN A HURRY?

1.Low/No direct heat


2.Low manipulation - Only comb/brush on wash days

3.Deep Conditioning weekly.

4.Protective Styles - half wigs, phony ponies, braids, lace fronts, sew ins and crochets. Anything that protects your real hair from you, and everyday styling.

5.No trimming - only dust as needed.

6.Moisturizing and sealing.

7.Last but not least, constantly gaining knowledge and inspiration

oops!

Ok, so after telling you guys that I had tried black tea rinses to assist in these shedding issues that Ive been having for the past 2 months or so. i knew about the successful benefits that had been reported by many ladies of these rinses, but my total understanding of reaping the maximum benefits was a tad bit off. The term is "Black Tea RINSE", with the key word here being rinse. A final rinse of black tea should be applied to the hair (for me) to reap the most benefits. Meaning I was basically rinsing away the tea before giving it time to do its job. This is also the case for ACV rinses. My final rinse has always been water! So after twisting my hair 2 days ago and sighing everytime I saw more hair come out, I decided to get back on the hair board and THOROUGHLY read the thread. After reading for a while there it was... this is to be done as a FINAL rinse. Needless to say after doing this I FINALLY saw the results I have been after, well sorta, my hair is still in twists that I've been co-washing everyday after working out, followed by (you guessed it), a black tea rinse! So I'll really get to see if it worked this weekend when i take my twists down. YAY!!!

Steps:
boil 2 cups of water
remove from heat
steep 2 bags of tea for 20 mins (1 green for conditioning & 1 black for shedding)
remove bags and let tea cool (warm tea feels good on the scalp NOT hot)
co-wash (while I shower)
rinse with water
rinse with tea
moisturise & seal

Tis all!

**side note
I've read many different ways of doing the BTRs. Some ladies let their tea steep longer, some ladies do it as a conditioning treatment with a plastic bag and then rinse it out. some ladies use alot more tea bags than I do. I cant handle caffeine in high doses so this is the simplest most effective way for me and my lifestyle.

Making it Work

Ive been expereincing a bit more breakage than I'm comfortable with and Im without my beloved Nexxus Emergencee Treatment, so I just whipped up 2 eggs and a little bit of olive oil. For me hard-core treatments such as this are done every 4-5 weeks, and using regular protein conditioners and leave-ins in between. I parted my hair into 4 sections and applied the mixture all throughout my hair. Im letting it stay on until it dries, and then I will rinse (making sure not to move my hair around too much which could cause breakage), apply some conditioner (which will be left on overnight), do an avc rinse, and twist my hair for a twistout later in the week.

I've found that I'm in a minority of ladies whose hair loves protien, so if you are sensitive to protien please use your own hair judgement, and as always use a moisturizing deep conditioner afterwards.

4 Things Your Hair Can Tell You About Your Health

By: Sarah Jio

Split ends, itchy scalp, dandruff, thinning locks--whatever the hair issue, your mane may be trying to tell you something about your health--5 clues ...

1. Flakes: Got dandruff? They could be innocent--in other words, dandruff doesn't always signal a health problem. But some experts point out that a persistently flaky scalp could be a sign of fungus overgrowth, excema or psoriasis. Worried? See a dermatologist and have your scalp checked out.




2. "Yellow" dandruff: Some people have what dermatologists describe as "greasy" and "yellow" dandruff, which is actually something called seborrheic dermatitis. "It’s an inflammatory skin condition that can occur where there are lots of oil glands, like the scalp and face," reports WebMD. "Though seborrheic dermatitis is related to hormones, fungus, and even some neurological problems, it’s treated the same as dandruff: with anti-dandruff shampoos. Severe cases may need a prescription steroid or antifungal medicine."



3. Thinning, limp hair: If this describes your locks, check your diet. Just like you, your hair needs iron, protein, zinc, vitamin A, and omega-3 fatty acids to stay strong and lustrous. Your hair can actually fall out (common for those who suffer from eating disorders) if you're not eating a nutritious diet (I know people who have had this happen to them in times of stress when they haven't eaten well!).



4. Hair loss: Shockingly, some medications can cause hair loss, including Coumadin (warfarin); Lopid (gemfibrozil); antidepressants; beta-blockers; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); and drugs for gout, arthritis, birth control, and high blood pressure, reports WebMD. Worried? Check with your doc.

Article Source: Click to be redirected to Glamour.

Clairol::: Natural Instincts & Beautiful Collections Reviews

So… after wondering why I wasn’t ‘feeling’ my hair, I looked at some old pics and figured that it was the color. Near the end of 2008 I began using a colored rinse to cover up my relaxed/colored ends. I used Clairol Beautiful Collection in Dark Warm Brown. I never really kept track of how long it lasted, because it’s a rinse and I don’t think doing one every 8-10 weeks is a big deal. I couldn’t find the Beautiful Collection anywhere in this town, and after prowling the hair color section at CVS, I found this. It was the only Semi-Permanent color on the aisle, so that eased me a bit, seeing as though I don’t want to make a commitment to any color right now. Originally I wanted to go with a natural black color, but after looking at the results indicator on the top of the box, I decided against it. Just because I had never used this brand and I don’t want the color to get stuck, and if I do have to be stuck I’d rather it be with a dark brown. This made me go with Rick Darkest Brown. It has an extra step of mixing the color and a developer which I didn’t appreciate, but seeing as though my options were limited it was alright. I followed the instructions and did a braid n’ curl afterwards. My hair was shiny and soft, and today (1 week later), my hair is still very dark. This color boost was just what the doctor ordered seeing as though my natural color is kind of brassy brownish color. It makes me feel a lot better about my hair that’s for sure. I will keep this in mind for when my options are limited and there aren’t any beauty supply stores open, the Natural Instincts is sold at many drugstores that are open 24 hours. Seeing as though the weather is cooling, I think the darker color falls right in place with the season.


Back of the Bottle: Natural Instincts is enriched with a unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins C and E - it's haircolor that improves the healthy look of your hair! Your hair will radiate with rich, natural-looking color and luminescent shine.

o Rich color crème is an ammonia free crème that give you beautiful rich color in just 10 minutes.

o Last through 28 shampoos

o It's perfect for you if you are looking for:

 Rich, healthier color with brilliant shine*.

 Protection against dryness

 No visible roots!

 Natural looking gray coverage ( for up to 50% gray) for color that lasts up to six weeks

 Easy no dry, no-mess application

o Plus 6 weekly treatments of our nourishing Once a Week Color Treat™ conditioner for shiny, soft hair.

o This shade is recommended if your current color is: Dark brown-black

o For best gray coverage, choose shades with neutral tones.

o If you are not sure which shade to choose, start with a lighter shade.

o Shades that are darker than your current color will take longer than 28 shampoos to wash out.

o Enhances color and shine but does not lighten hair.

*versus the leading level 3.

Made in Mexico

Set You Back: $9

Ingredients: Creme Colorant: Water , Cetearyl Alcohol , Ethanolamine , Laureth-3 , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Glyceryl Stearate SE , Toluene-2,5-Diamine Sulfate , Sodium Sulfate , Decyltetradecanol , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Beeswax , Resorcinol , Fragrance , Sodium Sulfite , Hydroxyethyl-3 , 4-Methylenedioxyaniline HCL , m-Aminophenol , Ascorbic Acid , Etidronic Acid , Hydrolyzed Keratin , 2-Methylresorcinol , Gentle Activating Creme: Water , Hydrogen Peroxide , Cetearyl Alcohol , Lanolin Alcohol , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Fragrance , Salicylic Acid , Phosphoric Acid , Disodium Phosphate , Etidronic Acid , Once A Week Color Treat Color Conditioning Treatment: Water , Amodimethicone , Stearyl Alcohol , Cetyl Alcohol , Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine , Glutamic Acid , Fragrance , Benzyl Alcohol , Panthenyl Ethyl Ether , EDTA , Panthenol , Trimethylsiloxysilicate , Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil (Safflower) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf

Beautiful Collection Semi-Permanent Haircolor

Back of the Bottle: Clairol Beautiful Collection Gentle Semi-Permanent Haircolor is perfect for relaxed or textured hair. It enhances natural color, blends gray and comes in 15 gorgeous shades.

• Clairol Beautiful Collection Gentle Semi-Permanent Haircolor gives long lasting, deep conditioning results and fade-resistance. Contains Aloe Vera and vitamin E for superior conditioning.

• All tones are excellent for refreshing color treated hair.

• No ammonia formula allows use immediately after relaxers

Set You Back: $6

Ingredients: Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Triethylsilylamodimethicone, PEG-50 Tallow Amide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Fragrance, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Tocopherol Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glycerin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside, Erythorbic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, HC Blue No.2, HC Red No.3, Disperse Blue 377, Disperse Black 9, HC Yellow No.2, Disperse Violet 1, HC Orange No.1, HC Red No.1, HC Yellow No.4, Yellow 6, Disperse Blue 3.,

Directions: For longer lasting results or enhancing gray, cover with a plastic bag and process Clairol Beautiful Collection Gentle Semi-Permanent Haircolor under a warm dryer for 10 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes then rinse.

Nexxus Emergencée Strengthening Polymeric Reconstructor

I started using this for my protein treatments after I became EXTREMELY frustrated with Mendex Hair Repair Treatment not being available on the ground (larger sizes). After reading tons of reviews I decided to just try the Emergencee. The reviews I read got the best results by not following the instructions to the T and I followed suite. I clarified my hair (I love to do this when I really need a clean slate), so the treatment could fully work. Applied the treatment in sections and sat under a dryer to allow the treatment to get hard. I used to use Aphogee 2 Step so I knew this hardening process very well, and I was comfortable with it. After it dried I deep conditioned with Redken Real Control Intense Renewal Mask for about 30 minutes. The directions also don’t mention anything about a DC but I suggest there not even being a question about it…. YOUHAVE TO USE A MOISTURIZING DC AFTER A PROTEIN TREATMENT! If not your hair will break off something serious. After rinsing the treatment your hair will be crisp. I don’t even bother with real parting to apply the DC because I don’t want to risk any breakage. After this treatment my hair is ready to face the most beastly of heat tools, so I usually do them every 4-6 weeks in the winter when I flatiron a lot, and a lot less in the summer when I rock more texture styles.


Back of the Bottle: unsurpassed in repairing and strengthening hopelessly damaged hair. Emergencée is unmatched in stopping hair breakage. This exceptional formulation contains a renewing blend of Polymers, Elastins, Amino Acids and Collagen, creating an internal framework within the hair shaft to restore integrity. Use once every two weeks to structurally reinforce hair that has been chemically damaged or abused by thermal styling appliances. Each treatment will dramatically improve hair's health, condition and shine.

Set You Back: $20

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Collagen Amino Acids, Polyacrylamidomethylpropane Sulfonic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Gelatin, Methylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Directions: Shampoo with shampoo for hair type. Apply an ample amount of Emergencee to completely cover the hair. Work through. Leave on for 1-2 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Shampoo with Therappe Luxury Moisturizing Shampoo and follow with Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner to maintain moisture balance. Proceed with styling. Emergencee is an excellent pre-treatment for delicate hair prior to chemical services.

Nail Strengtheners and Other Tips for Growing Long Nails

By: Theresa Hall

Well cared for hands help everyone make a great first impression. If you've tried growing longer nails with minimal results, you may want to look to your diet or another underlying medical condition. If you and your diet are healthy, you may want to consider using a nail strengthener before making a commitment to artificial nails or resigning yourself to rough looking hands.


How Do You Know If You Need a Nail Strengthener?

Before you use a nail strengthener, consider potential medical causes for weak nails. You could be having trouble with your nails due to an infection or from poor circulation. It's important to get a doctor's opinion if your nails peel and crack. If your fingernails are discolored, they may be infected, and you may need an antibacterial prescription from your doctor. Circulation problems may be improved with extra massaging of the nail bed or by adjusting your diet, but they can be signs of more serious problems.

Once you have ruled out any health problems, you can look at the two most common reasons for weak fingernails: poor nail protection and poor hydration of the nails. We often think of using a nail strengthener, but it is important that the nail be well hydrated as well. Moisturize your nails often by applying lotions and cuticle oils. Massage the lotion in well to encourage absorption and to stimulate the circulation in the nail. Make sure your diet has enough essential fatty acids and enough protein and B vitamins.

Also get in the habit of protecting your fingernails. When you are using cleaning products, wear gloves to protect your hands and nails. Your fingernails will soften as they are exposed to water, and they will be more prone to tearing. Your hands are exposed to sunlight and chemicals, so it is important to protect them. Always wear sunscreen on your hands and nails when you are outside. Sun damage can harm your fingernails in much the same way as it harms your hair.

If you are following these types of precautions and you still have soft, weak nails, it's time to start using a nail strengthener. You can choose from different types of products. Some are available as a polish, and some can be found in the form of a nail strengthener cream. The form you use is not nearly as important as finding the most effective product for you.

Choosing a Nail Strengthener

Nail strengtheners do not cause your nails to grow. Instead, they protect your nails against splitting and cracking. The best nail strengthener for you will moisturize as well as harden the nail, as both conditions are necessary for healthy nails. Because your nails will be more resistant to damage, it is more likely that they can grow longer.

One type of nail strengthener is a protein strengthener. Check the ingredient list for hydrolyzed collagen or proteins. These proteins help form a protective barrier that prevents the nail from losing moisture. A protein strengthener is usually safe for those with allergies, but you should always test the product on one nail first to check for a reaction.

If your nails aren't overly dry, you can try a nail strengthener with nylon. This type of strengthener is especially good for soft and damaged nails. It bonds with the nail to strengthen the texture of the fingernail. Nylon has a very low risk of allergies as well.

Some nail strengtheners will contain formaldehyde. This kind of nail strengthener is powerful, but it can have harsh side effects. If you experience an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately. See your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen. It is easy to avoid formaldehyde, as companies offer formaldehyde-free nail strengthening formulas.

Many nail strengtheners are in a polish form that should be applied twice a week. Use thin coats, and apply it as a layer underneath your regular polish. Avoid removing nail strengtheners with acetone polish removers. Always use a non-acetone remover to prevent damage from overdrying. You can also use a nail strengthening cream, which can be applied daily.

What About Diet?

Eating a healthy diet is certainly helpful for strengthening nails. Several nutrients are particularly beneficial to strong nails. Eat plenty of protein from sources like yogurt, meat, eggs, soy and nuts. B vitamins, especially biotin, are good for nail growth. Soy and eggs are both rich in biotin, as well as whole grains and liver. Sulphur minerals like apples, grapes, garlic and onions are especially good for strong fingernails. Calcium is also important to healthy nails and is found in dairy products and broccoli.

Last of all, make sure your diet contains plenty of water. Moisture loss will cause your nails to be brittle and break easily. Believe it or not, your daily coffee may be affecting your nails. Avoid caffeinated beverages because they can leave you dehydrated.

Article Source: http://www.life123.com/beauty/grooming/nail-care/do-you-need-a-nail-strengthener.shtml - Nail Strengtheners and Other Tips for Growing Long Nails

My Nails...

Im on a new mission to have longer nails that dont break from the slightest bump. My nails are fully manicured once a week. My manicure consists of...

1. Removing any old nail polish
2. Trim and file (glass file from Walgreens)
3. Smooth nail beds with a Buffer Block
4. Remove cuticles with this...

5. Soaking my nails in Grapeseed Oil (scalp massages with oil help with this as well)
6. Scrub my hands with a mixture of sugar and grapeseed oil
7. Parrifin Treatment

 8. Snip any access skin around my nail beds
9. Apply nail treatment
10. Polish nails

Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment STRENGTH Formula REVIEW

Lately I've been lusting after longer nails. It could very well be just a phase I'm going through but for whatever reason I am growing them out. My nails grow pretty quick, and they arent weak my any means, but I always get chips, cracks, and tears, so I went to walgreens yesterday and bought a nail strengthner after reading this article.

The most important info I got from this article was either using a nylon or protien strengthener. If your nails and hands are not suffering from dryness, use the protien because it will lock in the moisture you already have in there. If you need moisture, buy a great cuticle pen and hand moisturizer.
I use one by beautiControl, which works great, but when it runs out I plan to switch to the Sally Hansen brand, because its more readily available to me.

Back of the Bottle: The Power of Continuous Treatment takes nails to an infinitely healthier and more beautiful-looking place


Exclusive Pearl Protein Formula creates a powerful, support shield that fortifies nails for 10 continuous days to stop severe, problem nails from breaking.

Patented Vita-Release Technology™ Formula with encapsulated micro-tubes and Exclusive Pearl Protein Formula continuously releases a nourishing vitamin complex.

Patented Time-Release Technology continuously strengthens and treats nails.

Special Ingredients:
Patented Vita-Release Technology Formula with encapsulated micro-tubes and Exclusive Pearl Protein Formula continuously releases a nourishing vitamin complex.

Set you Back: $9

Ingredients: ETHYL ACETATE, BUTYL ACETATE, NITROCELLULOSE, ADIPIC ACID/ NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, MEK, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE, AQUA/WATER/EAU, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE, ETOCRYLENE, HALLOYSITE NATURAL TUBULES, TRIMETHYLPENTANEDIYL DIBENZOATE, PHOSPHORIC ACID, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYVINYL BUTYRAL.


Directions: Apply 1-2 coats to bare nails alone or as a base coat; let dry. Re-apply as needed. If desired, apply Sally Hansen nail color over treatment.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioner

I saw a blogger that uses this for her wash and gos (which look amazing, I think its SpicedHoney), and I went out and bought it. I was trying to perfect my wash and go since I am completely natural. After a tremendous fail, I put this product aside and never thought about it again. One night I decided to try it for a braid out and I was fully surprised by the results. This is now my go to for defined braidouts. LOVE IT!!!


Back of the Bottle: Get the strength to fight frizz with Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine. It's specially created to smooth dry, unmanageable hair and contains Nutritive Fruit Micro-Oils - an innovative combination of apricot and avocado oils, and vitamins B3 and B6.



Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream improves manageability, adds moisture and controls frizz. Leave it in to lock in vital moisture from root to tip.

Set You Back: $3

Ingredients: Water, cetearyl alchol, amodimethicone, cetyl esters, behentrimonium chloride, fragrance, methylparaben, avocado oil, trdeceth 12, citric acid, apricot kernel oil, cetrimonium chloride, chlorhexamine dihydrochloride, linalool, butylphenyl methyl proprional, citronellol

Directions: Apply a quarter-sized portion to damp or dry hair. Use fingers or a comb to distribute throughout hair. Do not rinse. Perfect for everyday use. For best results use the Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine System.

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING WITH MY HAIR:

When I'm working out I have to co-wash everyday (I'm a heavy sweater). I co-wash with LA Bella: Conditioner w/Olive Coconut & Castor Oil Los Caballos, Skala Avocado or Skala G3 conditioner. After that I use some Garnier Fructis Leave In Conditioning Cream and Carol's Daughter Some of Maugarites Magic, to do a braid and curl creating at least 15. I let it air dry and when I took it down, it looked really defined and shiny. No pictures because my charger is nowhere to be found. At night I re-braid about 8 sections using a little Garnier and SOMM, sealed with grape seed oil. I braid a little past half way down, smooth the ends with more Garnier and finally put a flexi-rod on the end. The next morning I fluff my hair out go. For me the braid and curl stretches my hair out and allows it to hang better. 3-4 times a week I do a scalp message with a mixture of oils. The braid and curl usually lasts a week to a week and a half.

I cant wait for the weather to cool so I can go back to flatironing my hair.