Beachy Haircare
It's not a hobby, it's a Lifestyle
Hair Care Tips for People with an outdoorsy, active lifestyle of recreational sports
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5 Beach Ready Mane Tips for Curly, Color treated hair
Happy Spring Sun Tribe, it's time to get our hair beach ready! For those of you that have textured or curly hair , this is where I can give my best advice since that's been my specialty over the past 30 years of being a natural hairstylist. I repeat that often so you know I'm not here just making up stuff, I'm at expert level over here. So as we get prepared to be back outside here are some simple hair care tips but if you'd like more extensive step by step guide, check out my blog section on the menu.
Before going to the Beach
Before going to the beach, protect your hair by applying a leave in conditioner or a hair oil to your hair. This creates a barrier against saltwater and prevents stripping away our natural oils.
Apply Sunscreen to your hair just like you would your skin, especially if you have color treated hair so your hair won't get damaged by the Sun. A glamorous beach hat works too.
While at the Beach
Now although saltwater is good for enhancing curls, it can dry out color treated hair so rinse your hair after spending time in the Ocean thoroughly with freshwater. Saltwater can cause it to tangle making it difficult to manage. Don't forget to stay hydrated. Growing hair is like growing grass, the more you water it, the healthier it will look and grow.
After the Beach
Hydrate your hair with a deep conditioning mask once a week to keep it hydrated and nourished. Also keep your ends trimmed regularly because those UV rays from the sun may cause them to get brittle and split more which makes the hair look more frizzy.
Avoid heat styling after exposure to the sun and saltwater. Limit your hot tolls and opt for more natural styles like braids and buns so to not cause damage from the excessive heat.
Here's what growing up in Detroit's Hair Culture was like for me
Growing up in Detroit, the hair Capital of the World, I was exposed to some of the greatest hairstylist in the US. My west side community was a place of revolutionary trend setting style that have inspired me for 3 decades.
In the 70's when I was born, Detroit had ended the riots and was at the forefront of the Afro and cornrow braiding with beaded adornments that were designed into a Nefertiti headdress style.
History of Racial Injustice towards Afro Hair textures
It was a time when Black Americans were fighting for racial equality in the workplace. They were refusing to have their hair be at risk for potential harmful chemicals that were being put out on the market at the time because they were required to have straightened hair to obtain promotions or employment.
So the Afro was the resistance to maintaining a standard that did not fit their natural hair texture.
That's how the mantra that James Brown song "Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" stimmed from. It was an act of self love, self acceptance and self worth to dismantle the discriminatory practices that were the very fabric of our being.
It was at that moment, I knew I wanted to be a Hairstylist
So our hair history and embracing the many Afrocentric styles of those times were very amazing to witness. I can remember riding my bike down the street on a Saturday morning after I got my hair washed, plaited then pressed after it dried, then braided again watching other families on my block do the same.
Moms and teenage girls would be sitting on their front porches with a big black comb oiling their kids scalp with some of that grease in the red and silver jar. There was this 16 year old teenager who's house I would ride down to watch her do all the fine boys hair in the neighborhood.
They would be rapping and pop lockin' to Sugar Hill Gang's music who's eight track playing in the big boom box while sitting between her legs getting their hair plaited to their scalp. She was making money, having fun, dancing and listening to great music, she was my Role Model. I was completely mesmerized and wanted to be just like her when I grew up.
After she was done, I'd go home sit on my porch and practice on my dolls, my sisters and eventually some of the kids on my block. We would cornrow each others hair into a beehive like Cisely Tyson and women singers were wearing at the time, it was the trend.
Although no one where I came from had formally been taught, it was something we just picked up naturally. I believe through our spiritual connection to our Ancestors.
Competition made me a better Hairstylist
After High School, I wanted to become a Professional Hairstylist but was intimidated by the fascinating Hair Entertainers Detroit was known for. There was a Hair Show every week, it was the opening to any event or club premiere. We had a full blown culture and hairstylist were looked at as Celebs. So I had to do a lot of practicing, studying and making sure my talent was tight before I stepped on the scene or you would get ran out of the shop if you were only half way good. It's an all or nothing kind of City.
Eventually, I enrolled into Beauty College after divorcing, raising 3 Children in my early 20's. It was very difficult for me to keep a regular job so I had to learn ways to become self employed. Ms. Jones, my Cosmetology Instructor, told me I had a natural talent and encouraged me to get into hair competitions, taking us students to see them and guiding us on what to do.
Winning Hair Competitions
I won a trophy the first time I entered and it was on from there. After graduating, I competed for the next 15 years of my Career, at least once or twice a year. It kept me up to date with the latest trends, got me in magazines from the very start of building my clientele and helped me gage what demographic of People liked my work.
So the picture above was a Worlds Best Braiding Competition where I won 2nd place in Atlanta at the Georgia Worlds Natural Hair Convention. For 22 years of my 30 year's in the business, I lived and breathed nothing but hair culture.
Moving to California straight to Hollywood
From doing the Shows to being recruited by Top Brands like Sensationnel, Outré, Shake n Go, Eve Hair Trading, Farouk Systems (Chic Hair Color) and Avalon Industries (Affirm Relaxers). Having opportunities to travel the Country with becoming an Educator, Brand Ambassador then Project Manager marketing and Image Consulting. I was obsessed. Up until 12 years ago, that was my only hobby turned Career.
After I relocated to Los Angeles because my dream was to live in a Coastal City, by way of Vegas after moving out of Michigan where my first job here was behind the scenes of a popular reality show on MTV from other industry professionals I was styling in Nevada.
Bye Bye Hollywood, Hello Beach Life!
Then a few years later I had my own private room salon suite in Paramount Studios in the heart of Hollywood but by then my life was starting to change. I was introduced to the surf life and being in doors for long periods of times, especially when I did set work was not aligned with my new quest.
I had spent most of my life providing services to other People, making People look and feel good which can take a toll on your own spirit after a while.
Even though I have absolutely no regrets about that, I've mostly had a very awesome clientele except for about 3 years out of 20, my self love reserve tanks were drastically depleted and I needed to fill them up.
I left Hollywood and got a private room salon suite in Marina Del Rey near Venice Beach so that I could surf before or after work or during my lunch break. The balance of work and well-being does wonders for me as well as the good vibes I exude to my Clients, who wouldn't want that?
The Crown Act
To conclude as you all know The Crown Act which gave Black Americans to not be discriminated against wearing our own natural hair only passed in 2019 and 2020 Nationwide. Isn't that something? But I am certainly happy to living in an era where we've seen phenomenal progress and change to make it a more inclusive society of appreciating diversity.
So Remember, Love your Hair!!
Braiding your Hair to Surf? Here's 10 super useful tips you need to know.
I've been braiding hair so long that I remember when there were only 2 Brands in the Beauty Supply Stores back in the day. Of course with the changing times, I have stayed up to date with new techniques (which aren't really that new, just a tweaked version of what's been done before.
My specialties have been in working with natural curly textures of hair, braids, locs and protective styles. Most of my clients lead active, outdoor lifestyles. And, with me being a swimmer, I've learned quite a few valuable tips through the years that I hope you'll find useful.
Here are some basic Protective Style Tips that are super useful but People who wear braids often forget...
First thing I want to tell you when wearing a protective style like braids to surf is they are going to get heavy, so having smaller individual braids then cornrowing them into 2 braids with a scrunchy wrapped around both is ideal so they wont' be getting in your eye at the last minute making you miss the wave or when attempting to pop up on your surfboard if they're really long, accidentally getting them caught on the palm of your hand, yanking them straight out of the ones braided across your hairline (trust me, I've been there, done that and it sucks).
Always rinse out the salt water at the beach shower or have a jug of warm water in your car which what most of us surfers keep in the car.
Do not ever get a relaxer or touch up before you are getting your braids done and surfing on a regular basis. Not the day, week or month before. When those UV Rays and the salt water mixes with those chemicals, it's going to cause excessive dryness and fall out, Period. Don't do it.
Use Sulfate free cleanses to protect against environmental aggressors. Cleanses are made to gently wash your hair and not strip away all the oils which regular shampoos will make it tangle when you're ready to take your braids out.
But before cleansing use an ACV spray or tea tree oil (mixed with equal parts of water to sit on your hair for about 5 to 15 minutes to deeply penetrate the surface and remove dirt, oil and impurities on the scalp. Also helps remove dandruff and bacteria. Both are Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, making it a naturally good clarifying tonic.
When ready to cleanse, leave your sulfate free shampoo on your hair for a couple of minutes then take bunces of braids and squeeze them up and down to help the cleansing process. As you're rinsing wring them out from top to bottom. This will minimize frizz and fraying of your braids.
After rinsing use a Detangling Spray to saturate through out your hair. In fact you should always be using a detangling spray with all protective styles so that your hair it will reduce shedding and breakage.
While damp, put a moisturizing plant based oil or a light moisturizing cream between your scalp and down the braid until where your hair stops in them if you have braiding hair added to keep your hair healthy. Get into a regular routine of applying this like Monday, Wed and Friday or Tues, Thurs and Saturday.
Then use a natural Aloe Vera gel they sell in the more natural product section you'll probably find online or in a grocery store that sells more organic foods.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillow case or wear a silk or satin scarf to minimize frizz.
Also, just know by being in water regularly will shorten the time of your braids looking like new. So if you're used to wearing them 2 or 3 months, that'll probably cut down into half the time because hair naturally loosens in water but you can try different styles or updos to wear them longer.
The causes of Premature Hair loss and what you can do right now
There are Different factors that can affect your hair growth and texture changes.
Unprescribed and prescribed medications you may taking,
excessive alcohol consumption which robs the body of zinc, folic acid and B vitamins.
Toxins (bacterial or environmental such as smoking, air pollution and yeast in the body.
hormonal changes.
dehydration
overworked
overstressed
allergies, nutritional deficiencies
unhygienic food that cause bacterial parasites
sugary diets, endocrine disorders, infectious diseases
household products, cosmetics and using abrasive hair products
This type of hair loss is an attack on the body that will show signs of aging on the scalp regardless of age and gender. Toxins can live in our body for one hour or for the rest of our lives and after we are gone.
What can you do?
It's absolutely vital that we take measures to detoxify our bodies through diet, exercise, sweating it out our pores through vigorous workouts and flushing out toxins by eliminating waste that builds up in our colon.
Restoring the bodies alkalinity by eliminating inflammation producing food after cleansing your internal system with the help of your holistic or health care professional is how you restore your body's vitality.
Find ways to eliminate stress like changing jobs, keeping a journal, getting online therapy sessions, working out more and calling 211 for resources.
Drinking lots of water for dehydration, try infusing it with mint, lime, cucumbers and a few slices of fruit. Also eating water dense foods like broccoli, bell peppers, celery, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, apples, watercress, zucchini and asparagus.
Having your hormones checked and overall vitals are very important too.
Properly washing your raw foods, storing them properly in containers, eating at clean restaurants and washing your hands frequently will help as well as cooking in a clean, kitchen avoiding cross contamination of your food is a must for good health.
These are the most common for premature hair loss as an experienced Cosmetologist with what I've learned. Stay Safe and be well.
10 ways to Ruin your Hair
Do you watch a lot of those hair tutorial videos on YouTube? Sometimes seeing stuff that makes you say, hmm is that right? Sometimes, I see some practices that if we're not careful can ruin our hair, especially for those who lead a more active lifestyle outdoors who may require more hydration in your hair or replenishing deep conditioning treatments.
It's hard to hear what the right thing to do with so much content online these days so I this video above is in response to ineffective ways I've seen that could cause damage. I'm offering my professional advice so that you can make the best choice with all the endless options you have for styling now.