Hair Tip # 29: Removing and Preventing Knots and Tangles

I have knots, big knots!

I have tangles I can't get out!

I have single strand knots!

HELP!!!

Single strand knots, dry ends and tangles are very common. Especially with curly hair. However, you can remove them without cutting/ripping them out. 

How to avoid and prevent single strand knots:
 

• Invest in a good deep conditioner. Deep condition your hair once a week and specifically focus on your ends.


• Be GENTLE on your ends! It is the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. It must be handled with care.


• Stretched styles are much better than curly styles because they help prevent tangles, and knots. Women who wear wash and go styles are more likely to have single strand knots.


• Stretched styles are styles that elongate your hair so that it is not in its curliest state. Examples are: twist outs, braid outs, curls sets, etc.


• Use a leave in conditioner with a lot of slip and use a denmen brush (or one like it) to brush through your hair after detangling with a wide toothed comb.


• Be sure to always remove shed hair from your combs and brushes. Likewise, make sure when you are detangling that you remove shed hair from each section. If not, shed hair can cause knots!

How to safely remove knots and tangles without cutting or ripping them out:

• When I come across a knots:

•  In the shower - Run the section under water until it is saturated. They apply a large amount of conditioner and work it out with your hands first. If that doesn’t work, try a wide toothed comb. If that doesn’t work use a denmen brush.


• Out of the shower - Wet the hair with a spray bottle. Apply a large amount of leave in conditioner and try to work it out.

 What is my experience with knots and tangles?

I have never had one so bad that I had to cut or rip it out. Most of the time, its shed hair causing the knot. With the right amount of conditioner with slip, I can work it out. Water makes our hair very pliable as well. So a lot of times, allowing the water to run through my hair in the shower, I can work out knots with my fingers!

<3



Hair Tip # 28: Spice Up Your Conditioner

Do you have a...

• cheap conditioner?
• watery conditioner?
• uneffective conditioner?
• annoying because it won't work conditioner?

Its time to SPICE IT UP! You can add several difference elements to your conditioner in order to make it work better for you. Before you throw it out, try these methods!

To Make Your Regular Conditioner into a better Conditioner:

ADD oils! Your conditioner is most likely lacking the moisturizing properties that a conditioner needs. You can fix this issue by adding oils. Whether it be coconut, jojoba, olive, grape seed, or any other kind of oil, use what works for you!

ADD protein! Your conditioner could also be lacking the protein that you need. Add mayo, or avocado. If you use avocado, it needs to be blended or you will end up with bits left in your hair. You can also use coconut milk for these purposes.

ADD shine! You expect your shampoo to give your hari luster and shine, as it should. Add honey! It will not make your hair sticky :) It is a wonderful additive.

ADD something to make it soft. Remember the banana mask? Add a jar or banana baby food to soften your tresses! It will also add a yummy smell.

**NOTE: Keep in mind that if you add perishable contents to your conditioner, you will want to refrigerate it and mix in small amounts! **

Hair Tip #25: Tying Up Your Hair at Night

Tying up your hair at night is extremely important! It is hard to keep up with this practice if you have a busy and hectic schedule- but the long run results are well worth the extra 2-3 minutes.

5 Reasons why its worth it to tie up your hair!

1. Reduces breakage on your edges
2. Reduces dry and brittle hair strands
3. Keeps your hair fresh
4. Maintains your style
5. Helps keep your hair moisturized

How should I tie up my hair?

There are various options depending on the style you are wearing, the amount of hair your have and your overall preference.

Silk Scarves





 Large Silk Scarves are widely used method for tying up your hair.

• Pros: It preserves almost any style. In addition you can choose from a variety of colors and sizes.
• Cons: The main disadvantage is that if you are a crazy sleeper or you move around a lot at night- you will have a hard time keeping the scarf on your head all night.



 

 

Skinny Silk Scarves are great to tie down your edges when you are wearing a style where your hair is pulled back.

• Pros: They work well in combination with a silk bonnet or wave cap because they hold your edges down for a slick look in the morning.
• Cons: They can slide off in the middle of the night and cause headaches if tied too tightly  

Silk Bonnet







Silk Bonnet's are great for almost any style.

• Pros: This is a good option especially if you are a crazy sleeper. It stays on very well. They make several types: one with elastic (like the one in the picture above) and adjustable, tyeable ones.
• Cons: You will find that silk bonnets will preserve your style well, unless it is a hanging style.

Wave Caps

 

Wave Caps  are convenient for pulled back styles such as a low bun.

• Pros: They are an ideal option when you have short hair that doesn't fall past then nape of your neck.
• Cons: They are not recommended for hanging styles such as twists or braids because it leaves a line.

 Silk/Satin Pillow Case

If you do not prefer to tie up your hair, you can always sleep on a silk/satin pillow case.

• Pros: It protects your hair because it prevents breakage and thinning. But if your are wearing a bun, ponytail on top of your hair or something that you will put up anyway, it won't matter! If all else fails and you are exhausted, this is a great fall back on option.
• Cons: However it won't preserve your style too well. You will end up with flat curls. 

So remember to tie up your hair every night!

Hair Tip #24: Making your own leave in conditioner

Hello ladies, I want to explain how you can make a well balanced and beneficial leave in conditioner for your hair. It is very easy to make! I made mine in 1 minute :)

You will need:

• A spray bottle- you can pick them up from Wal-Mart, Target, a local dollar store, etc. They are very inexpensive from the travel section. I believe I paid $0.88 for mine :)
• Purified water - we have a water dispenser so that is what I use. You can pick up a gallon for less than a dollar at your local grocery store.
• Why do you use purified water? What is wrong with tap water? Tap water is very hard and harsh on your hair. There are many chemicals such as chlorine that dry your hair. Besides, we really don’t know what is really in tap water. Yuck! If I could afford to wash my hair with buckets of purified water, you betcha I would! So when it comes to styling my hair, tap water doesn’t touch it. I have written several posts about water, read them here and   here 
• Glycerin - you can pick it up from your local beauty supply. Mine was around $6 for a 12 oz. bottle. I have used it for 4-5 months and I have 1/3 of a bottle left. It lasts because you use it in small amounts.
• Why do you use glycerin? Personally I enjoy the shine and moisture it gives my hair. It helps to absorb water and keep the hair moisturized. There is a very in depth article about glycerin , you can read it here
• Essential oil - the type of oil you choose is up to you. I have been using jojoba oil that I purchased from Trader Joes for $6.99. It is pure jojoba oil. Other oils I like are: olive oil and tee tree oil.
• Why do you use jojoba oil?  Jojoba oil is very close the sebum your hair produces naturally to moisturize your scalp and hair strands. Therefore jojoba oil helps to regulate the production of sebum on your scalp. This is a great benefit because your scalp produces too much sebum, it will clog your pores and if your scalp does not produce enough, you will have a dry and itchy scalp. Jojoba oil is a great cleanser so it helps to get rid of excess build up on your scalp. Especially if you use it to massage your scalp! It is said to add glow and shine to your hair, which is always a plus.
• Aloe Vera Gel - i picked up a bottle from Trader Joes for $2.99. Want to save money? Grow your own aloe vera plant and use the pure gel from the middle of the plant leaf.
• What can Aloe Vera gel do for my hair? It promotes hair growth by helping to maintain the natural pH balance of your hair. It also helps combat frizz! In addition, it has moisturizing properties that will help to prevent split ends.
• A creme based leave in conditioner - I use bioinfusion olive oil leave in conditioner. I purchased it from Walgreens at $11.99 for 2 bottles. Way worth the price! It is lightweight but lets off an amazing smell and gives me great moisture! While you are at it, select one with organic ingredients. Not sure what to avoid? Read the post I wrote about harmful chemicals here! 

 How to make it:

1. Fill the bottle 3/4 of the way with purified water
2. Add about 1/2 oz. of glycerin
3. Add about 1 oz. of aloe vera gel
4. Add about 1 1/2 oz. of leave in conditioner
5. Add about 1/2 oz. of essential oil

Clearly these measurements are estimations based on just mixing. As a general rule you want the majority of the mixture to be in this order:

• Purified water 
• Leave in conditioner
• Aloe Vera gel
• Essential oil and Glycerin

Enjoy!!!

*Note: My inspiration came from Kimmay Love on youtube. She gives great information when it comes to hair! She has an excellent online store for hair products, www.luvnaturals.com