Hey! Hey!! Hey!!!
Guess who’s back
from a leave of absence AGAIN??? Yeah I know this is a second time in a row I have
been M.I.A and I sincerely do apologize for leaving my dolls hanging for this
long…had to go battle a bout of malaria and food poisoning…DON’T ASK!!!
Lol…Thank God I’m back now tho and good to go….
Now where were
we? Aha…we were meant to talk about “Shampoos and Shampooing” innit?
Taking care of
your hair is one of the most important parts of your beauty routine and
choosing the correct shampoo for your hair type can make the difference between
great hair and “not-so”-great hair.
Wikipedia defines a shampoo as a hair care product used
for the removal of oils, dirt, skin particles, dandruff, environmental
pollutants and other contaminant particles that gradually build up in hair.
Shampoos contain
detergents, which remove dirt and grease from hair and can be rinsed off with
water. If you are using the right shampoo then you can wash your hair daily
without damaging it. Harsh shampoos will strip your hair off natural oils, so
use mild ones with low percentage of detergent.
The goal of
shampooing is to remove the unwanted oil or grease build-up without stripping out so much oil
as to make hair unmanageable. Also, washing your hair with the right shampoo
can prevent hair loss. Proper cleansing clears the hair follicles of unwanted
debris of dead cells and washes away excess oil from hair and scalp.
Having the right
shampoo and conditioner formulation to match your hair type and its state at
every point in time will help make the most of your natural hair texture. I say
this because there are dozens of different brands to choose from and even more
types within those brands and as I’ve always said with regards to your hair
products, when you find what works for you no matter how cheap or expensive
based on what your hair needs and budget is-stick with it! My personal advice
will be that you also use the same brand of conditioner as well, since most
products that have been properly researched are manufactured within specific,
safe Ph levels.
Today, I shall
attempt to categorize the types of shampoos based on hair types and shampoo
functions. However since there are tons of shampoo products out there that
differ in functions this topic will be broken into two separate posts so some
of us don't start snoring before we get to read about the shampoo for our peculiar
hair needs...lol
Coarse, Curly
Hair
Coarse hair is
the driest of hair types so it would be best to use super hydrating and creamy
shampoos for your thirsty strands. Look for labels that say hydrating, moisturizing, or
other synonyms. Coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, shea butter,
wheat germ oil as well as almond oils are great ingredients in your shampoos that will coat the hair shaft and trap
the water inside. They also help in softening hair and minimizing frizz.
Coarse
hair is usually curly or wavy. Each hair strand is thicker so therefore feels
coarser. Coarse, curly hair need to be constantly hydrated due to the
fact that their strand patterns make it tougher for natural hair oils (sebum)
to travel from the hair follicles up the shaft thereby making these hair types
drier than others. Basically, hydrating shampoos and conditioners are your best
friend. These shampoos are not going to give you perfect hair, but it’s a great
foundation. They will give you more shine and manageability. Most people
in this category can get away with shampooing their hair a couple times a week.
Shampoos
that are labeled as “straightening shampoo” are also great. Most contain
ingredients that will replenish the moisture in your hair. Just ensure they are
not high in wax, paraffin or silicon.
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Extra tip: Curly
hair should not be washed every day. You'll only dehydrate hair and make it
more frizzy and unmanageable. Another alternative to shampoo washings is to
rinse the hair with water and then follow with a conditioner. Also, lay off the
blow dryer (they tend to dry out hair even more) and let curls dry naturally.
Recommendations
for Coarse Hair
Keracare
Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, Miss Jessie's Super Sweet-back Treatment, Philip
Kingsley Moisture Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner.
Recommendations
for Curly Hair
Keracare
Hydrating Detangling Shampoo, Aveda Be Curly Shampoo And Conditioner.
Fine, Oily or
Limp Hair
Fine
hair is most susceptible to looking 'oily' and can get this way after only one
day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones that are made
for our curlier sisters. You will need a gentle shampoo marked for daily or
frequent washing. The secret of the fine hair shampoo lies in a body-building ingredient
called "panthenol". Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle
making each strand thicker.
Another
tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washings. Not only will the
powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well.
A
more general name for the shampoo type appropriate for limp, fine hair is…
Volumizing Shampoo. Sometimes it may say “Bodifying” or other synonyms
referring to volume. Although these shampoos and conditioners are not going to
give you instant volume, (styling products actually give you the extra volume)
they are a good foundation to start with. Volumizing Shampoo will not be too
heavy for fine hair. If you use this shampoo, you will find that your hair is
less “greasy” and weighed down.
Extra tip: Unless
your hair is extra-oily, there's no need to 'rinse and repeat.' One shampoo
will do. You don't have to lather twice as the more you lather and
massage, the more oil your scalp
produces thereby placing you right back where you started-with an oily scalp.
Recommendations
Baby shampoo,
Bumble & Bumble Seaweed Shampoo, Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Detangling
Spray, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.
Medium Hair
Medium hair can
be straight or curly. If your hair is straight, you may still feel like it is
flat, but you will not feel like you have thin hair. If you do not think
your hair is thin and it doesn’t feel coarse… then this is your hair type.
If
your hair doesn’t feel dry or frizzy but tends to be oilier, then “Volumizing
Shampoo” will work great for you. Although, like I said before, volumizing
shampoos and conditioners will not give you volume (styling products actually
do), this shampoo and conditioner will be a great foundation for your hair. Your
hair should feel like it has more life and isn’t weighed down.
Colored or
Chemically-Treated Hair
Hair can be
damaged by chemicals used to color or perm it. Hair treated with chemicals
often become dry, brittle and very difficult to manage. Color care shampoos and
conditioners maintain the chemical balance of the hair and prevent the color from
fading.
If your hair has
gone through highlighting, radical color changes , over-processing or constant
straightening your goal will be to reinforce weak areas in the hair shaft. The
shampoo for you is the “Reconstructive Shampoo”. It may also be labeled Repairing Shampoo.
Reconstructive Shampoos contain vitamins and proteins. They also provide
the much needed moisture. It is also a good idea to get your hair trimmed at
least every six weeks until the damaged parts of your hair are gone.
Reconstructive
Shampoos should have a Ph factor similar to that of your skin and hair, which
lie between 4.5 and 5.5.
If you want to still
retain your hair coloring use “Color-Protecting Shampoos” which will contain
fewer harsh cleansers and prevent fading. The moisturizers in the shampoo will
help restore hair shine and moisture. Look for protein-based shampoos with
ingredients such as wheat and soy extracts or silk amino acids.
Unfortunately,
overly processed hair can suffer from oily roots but dry shaft and ends.
Therefore, washing processed hair can be tricky business. You want to cleanse
the roots while moisturizing the ends. I suggest washing hair every other day
with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Here
are other shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:
- Colored. You can use color-protection shampoos since they tend to contain gentle cleansers and ingredients that preserve color. Alternatively you can use a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo instead of the pricey specialized shampoos. Like I always say “Whatever works for you. Don't mind paying for the fancy stuff? Then do it. If you like it, then stick with it.” Dozens of products on shelves must mean they work for somebody.
- Permed or relaxed. Any moisturizing shampoo will work for your hair type but apply it only to the roots and rub it in well. Then apply a quick burst of water. While the water is running down the hair shaft, massage hair to remove any dirt and grime. Rinse well. You don't want to skip the conditioner. Make sure to keep conditioner from the roots.
Recommendations
Biolage Delicate
Care Shampoo, L'Oreal Ever-Pure UV-Protect
Spray.
Extra tip for
processed hair: Wash your hair only every few days to prevent drying out. You
can use a dry shampoo; or if you're blond, a talcum powder, in between
washings.
Like I said earlier this post has been split into parts one and two so if we haven't
touched your hair type yet do not fret as we will continue with
"Shampoo and Shampooing" next week...join us.
As always feel
free to drop your questions and comments or send us an email (divashairstory@gmail.com). You can also follow us on
twitter (@Diva_Twitts) for tips and tricks and hot gists on what some of our favorite celebrities are up to with their hair.
Enjoy the rest of
your weekend...here's sending you lots of hugs, love and kisses.
xoxo
Diva
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