Soft and silky locks

Expectations

Reality

We all want that perfect, beautiful, man can't keep his hands off of your... hair.  I have tried several shampoos and conditioners.  I like to call it finding the perfect combination, my mom likes to call it hair ADD.  Within that "never ending" list, I have also purchased shampoos and conditioners containing the controversial Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLS.  SLS is a chemical and is used to make shampoos "lather up".  Some women experience irritated scalps or redness.  Fortunately, I have no experienced these side effects, but I still want to educate.



Below you will find some of my tips and tricks that I use to make sure my hair is healthy, soft, and silky.  I am not a professional by any means, and hair types are very different.   

When I feel like my hair has turned into straw, this is my go-to conditioning treatment: 

Coppola Keratin Complex Vanilla Bean Deep Conditioner, Infusion Therapy

 
I absolutely love this conditioner.  When the weather has been dry and not forgiving, I apply about a quarter-size worth in my hair and let it soak in the shower for about five minutes and rinse as normal.  Your hair will thank you for this trick.






 
As a heat protector from the hairdryer and flat-iron, use Moroccan Oil.  
I have found it to be much lighter in weight than the Chi version, and I also feel like my hair is less oily.  Because I do not want to risk defeating the purpose of a heat protector, I never use the "high" heat setting on my hairdryer.  Don't quote me on this, but I think after around 400 something degrees, there really isn't a point to the heat products.  It is also important to not use the flat iron every day.  Let those lovely locks rest!   

 
Don't use box color.  And half the ladies say, "what?".  Keep in mind that box colors have different shades or hues of each color that go into them, and depending upon your natural hair color, that shade or hue will differ.  Prime example:  My former roommate had very dark brown hair, but wanted to go blonde.  Four boxes of the crazy bleach blonde color later, her hair was orange and then she had to spend additional money to have it fixed.
 Rule of thumb: leave it to the professionals.    

Go easy on the teasing and hairspray.  I know that this is tough for some girls who want that "close to Jesus" look, but let's be real.  
Teasing (or backcombing) breaks hair strands very easily, and adding all of that hairspray product creates a huge rat's nest of a mess.   




 

Clean out your hairbrush at least once a day.  I know this sounds a little silly, but trust me, your hair will thank you for it.  Not only does your brush last longer, but it also helps keep less dirt and oils from being put back into your hair.  






Coming soon: Name brand clothes without the name brand price. 

Hope you have a wonderful and restful Sunday!   

*UPDATE*  Since this post, I decided to take a challenge and try a shampoo without sodium sulfate ingredients.  Long story short, I do not color/cut my hair very often (about 3-4 months).   For about one month prior to getting my hair professionally colored again, I purchased Keratin Complex Smoothing Shampoo.  After expecting to have the dead/split ends of my hair trimmed (yet once again), I was pleasantly surprised that my hair dresser did NOT have to trim my hair, as the shampoo repaired the damaged hair.  My fair feels stronger, and I do not have to use the straightener as often (hence the "smoothing" part of the shampoo).  Plus, my hair has grown so much faster (big plus).