Carol's Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection

I am so excited about trying these new finds the next time I flat iron. I was so afraid to put too much oil onto my hair last week in fear it would weigh my hair down. I think these would have helped!

Macadamia nut oil is a growing trend in the beauty market with many new brands offering this hair treat in a variety of products. It is derived from the macadamia tree, a native of Austrailian nuts and has been used in food as well as cosmetics. Its oil rich and is a fabulous protective oil that is highly absorptive.

Deep Conditioning Series: Part One

Deep conditioning is very important for all hair types...if you are relaxed/texlaxed it is critical! Deep conditioning is the ultimate and needed nutrition for hair health.  Each strand of hair has 3 layers. Deep conditioning affects the outer layer which is called the cuticle. The cuticle resembles shingles on a roof. They overlap each other, and should lay down flat. When your hair becomes dry and damaged, these shingles will stand up away from the hair shaft. This is what gives hair the dull, frizzy look. Deep conditioning the proper way and with the right products will help to smooth the cuticle, making the shingles (hair cuticles) lay down again, giving your hair a smoother, shinier, healthier appearance.


Deep conditioning is different from applying a simple rinse out conditioner with only a couple of ingredients.  It is usually done with a thicker heavier conditioner and left on for a period of time with heat.  This restores oils and moisture deep with in the hair shaft that we loose with exposure to natural elements, washing and styling.  If you are missing this step from your hair care regimen, please add it today!  I cannot stress enough the importance of this to anyone who wishes to maintain longer healthier hair.


I have been deep conditioning every week (sometimes twice a week) without fail for the time I have been on my journey.  It keeps breakage to a minimum, my hair is no longer dry frizzy and porous, it is stronger than ever, and much more manageable.  Split ends are few and far in between and my hair has excellent elasticity.  It is also very important to follow up any protein treatments with deep conditioning to counteract the stiffness or dryness and give the hair its elasticity back. There are tons of options out there for you to choose from.  Just make sure you read the labels before purchasing. Find out what your hair needs and what is best for your hair type.  I prefer deep conditioners with a natural and longer list of ingredients. Others may prefer them with fewer ingredients. Check out my second post to this series for a how to for properly deep condition you hair.

Deep Conditioning Series: Part Two

HOW TO PROPERLY DEEP CONDITION YOUR HAIR

What you will need:

Time — About an hour. I usually deep condition in the late evening or weekends when I don’t have to be anywhere anytime soon. Sometimes I will leave it on my hair for hours after the heating process when I want to give my hair some extra pampering. 

A Deep Conditioner — I really believe that you should invest in a high-quality (not necessarily expensive) deep conditioner. There are so many to choose from. Visit www.curlmart.com for a range of great and hard to find DCs. I personally love, love, love Spiral Solution's Deeply Decadent Conditioner, and Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Mask , which I also love. Drug Store Brands like Suave’s Professional Shea Butter & Almond Conditioner and Suave Professional's Humectant are absolutely awesome in my opinion if you working on a tight budget.

Plastic Cap 

Heating Unit — Hooded Dryer, Hot towel, Heating Pad, Blow Dryer Cap, or a Micro Heat Wrap

How to Deep Condition your hair:

1. If you wish, you can wash your hair first...or like many you can apply to dry hair. I always detangle then braid my hair in 4 sections, before I wash and DC. This minimizes tangles drastically, reduce combing, and I see much less hair in the comb with this method. Saves my precious hair and time!

2. Generously apply your deep conditioner to the hair, and focus on the ends ( this is the oldest and driest part of the hair. Work through with your fingers, or use a wide toothed comb to work through your hair. I would also encourage you to add additional oils to your DC...Extra virgin Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive oil and Jamaican black Castor oil are among my favs. To simplify I have been using Carol's Daughter's Lisa's Hair Elixir to incorporate several different oils in one go. This really enhances the deep conditioning for me.

3. Place the shower cap over hair, and then put the heating device on your head for at least a full 15 minutes ( I personally never go under  30 mins...that's why setting aside time for a DC is critical for me). You need to at minimum allow 15 minutes so the hair cuticle can open fully, and let the conditioner completely permeate and feed your hair. After 15+ minutes or longer, (you could leave the conditioner on at this point, even all night after heating), take off your cap and let your hair cool for at least 5 minutes. This allows your hair shaft to close again.

4. Rinse hair with warm water until about 80% of the conditioner is rinsed out.

5. Do a final rinse with the coldest water you can stand. This is important to seal your hair shaft and get all the benefits of your deep conditioning treatment.

6. Apply a leave-on conditioner (and oil to seal  if you choose) and allow your hair to air dry.

7. Do not wash your hair the next day. Give your hair a break after a deep conditioning for at least 24 hours. 

I suggest deep conditioning at least once weekly. Sunday evenings are the best for me. By doing this, your hair can become healthier, stronger and shinier. It will regain its softness and elasticity. Moisture-robbed hair is more subject to breakage and unmanageability. Remember, deep conditioning regularly is a key step in retaining your length.

Split Ends: What causes them & How to Avoid Them

What are Split Ends and How Do I Get Rid of Them?
Split ends are not completely avoidable, BUT there are ways to prevent them and keep these pesky problems to a minimum. Let me first say, there is NO WAY TO REPAIR split ends. Once the cuticles and cortex are damaged on that strand, there is no lotion, potion, or oil that can repair he split. The only way to rid your hair of split ends is to cut them completely off. If you are trimming or cutting your hair the most important thing you can do to start things off right is to purchase a good pair of hair cutting shears. Please do not use regular household scissors, or the $3.00 pair you purchased form the corner beauty supply. Scissors that are not sufficiently sharp will only cause more split ends! Also remember you can't keep using the same shears for 4 years and expect those to have the same sharpness as the day you purchased them.  Take the time to invest in a good pair and replace them regularly.

Split ends occur when the protective cuticle of the hair is destroyed at the end of the hair. The hair will then split into two or more strands. Keep in mind that splits can occur anywhere along the hair shaft. Once it splits you must cut the damaged part off as the split can continue all the way up the shaft causing further damage. 


What Do Split Ends Look Like?

Preventing Split ends


The ends of your hair are the oldest, and dryer parts of your hair. This is why splits typically occur here. Simply put DRY HAIR BREAKS. This is why moisturizing your hair daily, paying close attention to the ends and sealing the ends with oil is one of most important measures you can take to avoid split ends.  I have minimal splits now because I have removed heat from my hair equation altogether.  Heat drys out your hair.  If you are relaxed and you are using heat on a regular basis you are abusing your hair... your goal of long hair will only be a dream.  I thought because my hair was healthy looking, that is was healthy...but my hair would not grow past shoulder length.  I only used direct heat once a week and of course before my journey adding moisture was a no no because it would make my hair draw up and I would have to re-set it and flat iron again.  So heat plus no moisture, constant manipulation from combing equaled constant split ends for me.  I can remember getting my hair trimmed at the salon and seeing new splits a day later! Below is a list of Do's to preserve those precious ends. The longer you can keep your ends in tact the more length you will retain, and the longer your locks will flow.

To Prevent Split Ends...DO

- Deep Condition (with heat and or a plastic cap) hair often to provide each strand with nourishment and moisture.

- Moisturize your hair daily and lightly seal it with oil to provide a barrier for hair and give it improved elasticity. This will help it to stretch under stress put on hair rather than split and break. Split ends sometimes occur because the protective hair oils do not reach the end of the hair shaft, causing it to split. African American hair is naturally dryer because of the curly nature of our hair. The sebum (oils produced naturally by our bodies) does not easily travel down to the end of the hair shaft which creates much dryer ends for African American hair.

- Trim your hair regularly to prevent splits from traveling up the shaft and stopping future splits before they start.

- Apply a high quality conditioner after shampooing or cleaning scalp to close and seal those raised cuticles and lock moisture into each strand.

- Avoid applying heat to hair at all costs.  I would only apply direct heat for special occasion while on your journey.  You can ease back into heated styles a little more often after you have achieved your goal length. Remember that heat (especially direct heat i.e flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers) will rearrange protein bonds and remove moisture from the hair strands which can cause splitting.

- When using heat on your hair be sure to apply a heat protectant to provide a buffer between your hair and the heat.

- Make sure your moisture protein balance is in check

- Wear protective styles as often as possible. This will help protect those precious ends from exposure to rubbing against cloths, the dry air, and other natural elements which can cause ends to split.

- Minimize combing and manipulating your hair.