I've been a "natural" since 1999.  Support such as YouTube and v/bloggers were not in existence back then.  I immediately decided to wear head wraps because they were very fashionable at the time.  You could find me on any given weekend raking through the remnants of fabric at a fabric store to find something nice to match an outfit for the office. I knew I could get through my transition period by alternating the head wraps with braiding my hair.  My skills as a Braider came in handy and I was able to braid my own hair which was very convenient. 

Over time I grew tired of my two options and really wanted to wear my own hair.  I decided to loc it.  I discovered Sister Locks TM and decided I didn't want to travel to New York or Jamaica to have them installed (this was in 2001) although I thought they were beautiful but these were the only places people were referring me to to get them.  I settled for traditional locs and feel in love with them.  I wore them for approximately 9 years before deciding to wear my loose natural hair gain.  

Contrary to popular belief my locs needed regular maintenance. I would wash and condition them weekly and add moisture to the new growth.  I didn't add much moisture to the mature loc as much. I did this to reduce build up. I built a strong clientle due to the health of my own locs that attracted them.  My regimen for my locs then and my natural loose hair now is relatively simple.  It does not take an excessive regimen to have healthy hair.  However, it does take commitment.

Daily regimen:
Drink 50 to 60 ounces of water daily
Eat 3 to 4 pieces of fruit daily
Eat 2-4 green veggies daily
Limit processed foods in my daily intake (to include fast food)
Cover head at bed time with silk or silky cloth or bonnet 

Weekly regimen:
Wash and condition weekly with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
Leave my conditioner in after wash
Add my favorite moisturizing cream
Add my favorite hair lotion
Add my favorite 100% oil of choice

Quarterly regimen:
Clarify wash every 3 months (being sure to replenish the moisture)
Deep condition and Oil treatment every 2 to 3 months
Trim ends every 3 months


Ciao for now!
Charmaine
Natural Tresses NHS

The winter is a great time to showcase some very innovative yet appropriate styles to wear from day to day, mostly protective styles.  Our hair is now in need of protection from the harsher elements that are onset by the bitter cold days during the winter. Don't think that our summer weekly regimen of wash, condition, and moisturizing will be the answer to it all.  Depending on where in the region you reside, you may need to add moisture to your hair as often as every other day.  Don't take your protective style for granted, still add moisture often (but don't be come a juice head, lol). 

When adding moisture to protective styles you have a few simple daily options.  You can mist your hair with a mixture of rosemary water, glycerin, and an oil of your choice, or add a light coconut hair lotion to it.  I sometimes opt to use conditioning as a daily moisturizing option. Don't assume that tucked away hair means automatic reserved hair moisture.  Be sure to choose head coverings that will not dry the hair.  It is good to invest in hats with linings that are smooth/silky to the touch that will not extract moisture from the hair when it is covered. 

Stay moist my Naturals!
Ciao for now!
Charmaine

Shampooing and Co-Washing:
I have used Elucence moisturizing shampoo and
conditioner for over 8 years.  I have found this botantical product to be
the most effective on my hair both locked and loose  (natural hair). 
I have never had a client complain about this product. In my opinion, it is as
close to a universal cleansing solution as one may come. Meaning, it works well
on all hair textures and curl patterns.  I most recently invited Wen
cleansing shampoo into the shower with me for a fast easy co-wash
cleanser and I am in love with the results but can't say the same about the price.
I am a natural stylist who ISN'T anti-sulfate  or
parbean. This is because I find that my hair (type 3 and 4) needs these non-traditonal
cleansing, sythentic agents from time to time and all the while it remains healthy.  Again, I prefer Elucence
when having to use a product that contains some synthetic agents but their
botanical ingredents help to lever the contents of the product. I haven't found a distributor for the product in Californina but many other states have distribtors; I order online.  Feel free to let me know how this product fairs with you once you've tried it at [email protected] or simply post your response to this blog in the contact area.  Ciao for now!

Many have chosen to take the journey down "Natural Lane" only to find that upon arrival their hair is super dry and doesn't retain moisture.  Well don't fear, your Natural Tressel Designer is here (Charmaine)!  There could be many reasons why your hair is not retaining moisture. 1) the water that your washing your hair with (is it hard water?); 2) the shampoo (is it moisturizing or clarifying?); 3)conditioner (do I condition regularly and what about deep conditioning); and 4) my diet and water intake (do I drink water regularly and eat nourshing foods?).

WATER
To research the hardness and alkalinity of the water supplied in your area please place USGS Water-Quality Information Water Hardness and Alkalinity into your favorite search engine and you will find the results. If you find that the water supply in your area is in fact hard, you should consider using spring or purified water to cleanse your hair with. 

SHAMPOO
Don't use clarifying shampoos for regular washing of the hair.  Clarifying shampoo will strip your hair of the natural oils which are needed to keep the hair in a healthy state.  You may want to consider the following for regular shampooing: using a moisturizing shampoo, adding three teaspoons of your favorite oil to your 16oz bottle of shampoo i.e. olive, coconut, grape seed, or almond oil.  Be sure to give the bottle a good shake prior to each use.   You may also consider co-washing with your favorite conditioner. Clarifying shampoo should be used once every 7 to 8 weeks to cleanse your hair of product build up and thereafter a deep conditioning and oil treatment will be much appreciated by your now very thirsty tresses.

CONDITIONER
Condition, condition, condition!  Our hair loves this, it's like feeding it dessert and it says yum, yum, yummy!  You can do a leave in after regualr washes or use for co-washing.  Many organic heads are choosing to use plain greek yogurt, avacodo, and other natural alternatives to condition the hair.  I say go for it, it conditions and taste good.....Winner!

DIET
So many times we can't figure out what is going on with our hair, why is it dry?  Well, we have to take a good look at what our food intake is like.  Do you like fast food and eat it regularly or do you like good healthy home cooked meals with lots of veggies and a good water intake? Well if the answer is no, I suggest you start or except that this may be part of the reason your hair is dry.  A good diet not only nourishes our body but it also helps to nourish our hair.

Try these few suggestions and let us know how and what worked for you.

Ciao for now,
Natural Tresses Natural Hair Studio