Let's Talk Hair.
Here’s another awesome post from one of our fave influencers, Nneka Shelton and today she is talking hair!
Check out some of her hair tips below!
First things first, I’ve put my hair through it over the past 10 years. So this “Healthy Hair Cheat Sheet” is my guide to bring life back to my hair. Whether it needs to be fuller, stronger or longer these four steps are how I reset.
Myths that I’ve debunked….
Don’t spend your coins on expensive products or expensive cuts. If you’re looking for a certain look, feel or result, I promise somewhere out there a $15 product will work just as well as a $75 product. Be sure to get your trims in and if you’re battling real damage from heat or chemicals go big (with the trim).
I don’t suggest a big chop but whatever you’re most comfortable with, then cut an additional half of an inch.
Okay, on to the cheat sheet:
1. Mask On: Do a hair mask bi-weekly but natural masks are key. I’d rather oversaturate my hair with something natural than some expensive manmade product that mimics what grows naturally.
My favorite masks are a mix of these ingredients: olive oil or coconut oil, honey, mayonnaise or raw eggs. I’ll leave this mixture on my hair for 30min or so and rinse it out with either a co-wash or leave-in. Results are bomb for texture, feel and look. See recipes here.
2. Snip-Snip: Hair cut or trim. I think of it this way, my hair will grow because I drink plenty of water and I do my best to eat well. So the shorter I cut my hair the healthier the grow back will be, as long as I take care of it. So the more you brush comb or put heat on your hair, the more you should pay attention to your trim schedule. I trim once every two months.
3. Go Natural: Wear your hair natural as often as possible and use the right products and don’t over comb or brush it. Using the right products are key. I have a few curl creams that I couldn’t live without (see below); but the key here is checking the ingredients. No matter what it says it does or is supposed to do, don’t use a leave in or curl cream for an extended period of time that has alcohol as one of the main ingredients. No really, I did this for a month and had to cut a few inches off my hair. Using products that dried my hair out and brushing my hair / styling it differently every two days caused unnecessary breakage and shedding.
4. Say No To Heat: Put heat on your hair just once! Then leave it alone, no touch ups! In general minimize the heat and chemical treatments you use. But if you like both, pick one and stay on it. I dyed my hair blonde, from a box dye kit for 6+ years! The only way my hair lasted and stayed healthy was because I wore it natural at least once a month for a couple days and put heat on my hair once every (1-2) weeks when my hair was washed and clean. I like wearing my hair straight and when I do I put a lot of heat on it (450 degrees); it makes my hair super shiny. But I only put heat on it once every two weeks. No in between touch ups, no extra heat at all. If my hair starts to look messy or humidified I’ll put it in a protective style, like Bantu knots or flat twists.
products I use that work well on my natural hair (under $15):
Here’s what I do to revitalize my hair in two months:
Week One: Use a natural mask, wash and blow dry/straighten hair. Trim or cut hair so the damaged areas are gone.
Week Two: Keep hair straight but don’t add any extra heat.
Week Three: Try Bantu knots or flat twists for a big curly natural look.
Week Four: Wash hair, use homemade mask and wear your hair curly or in a heat-less style. Your hair should have decent bounce and the curl pattern should look bomb since you just got it trimmed. Keep it moisturized with oil and a leave-in or curl cream.
Week Five: If you’re tired of the natural look straighten your hair. If not, keep the curly style going (or any natural protective style) add moisture! Don’t over comb your hair, try leaving in the natural or protective style for 3-5 days.
Week Six: if you’ve straightened your hair don’t add any extra heat to it. If you haven’t try another protective style use really good products to keep your hair moisturized and try not to brush or comb it too often.
Week Seven: you’re almost there. Wash your hair and use a new homemade mask and style your hair in a way that won’t stress it out with excessive brushing or styling not more than two times this week.
Week Eight: Wash hair and straighten it try a length check and take a look at the ends. There should be a noticeable difference.
Disclaimer: My hair is curly/wavy and I’ve never gone to cosmetology school. I just know what works for me!
xoxo
Nneka
More from Nneka Here!
About me
Nneka Shelton
Blogger & Influencer : @ps.nneka
Owner of PrivatelySampled
PrivatelySampled shares shopping, styling and saving tips on high-to-low brands.
PrivatelySampled began its journey as a sample sale reseller. Rummaging through sample sale treasures with the hopes to resell to friends, family and social media followers. With experience and success under her wing, she decided to take this fun flip on the e-road. Building a website and purchasing larger amounts of inventory allowed her to build an e-commerce site that provided new sales and discounted items to shoppers.
As a designer sale shopper, Nneka expanded her site to partner with designer retailers to display a larger variety of sale items. As this idea gained momentum PrivatelySampled acquired partnerships with over 20 different national and international retailers.
Today, the PrivatelySampled team works diligently to increase the user experience of the shopping platform. Our goal is to engage our audience and offer tips that fit shopping and styling needs.