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WELCOME TO MY WORLD

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Caring for WEFT hair and Frontals

REMEMBER I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL... THESE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS!!!!

I love the shampoo and conditioner and the curl enhancer!

I also use a little Moroccan Oil whenever I wash the hair; it helps to speed up the drying process.
I wash my hair every two to three days to avoid product buildups and to further define curls

To wash:

  • Brush hair while dry
  • Wet hair completely before applying shampoo
  • Apply diluted shampoo ( mix some water with your shampoo)
  • Do not mix hair all over your head as it will cause tangles
  • Brush the shampoo through the hair to make sure its distributed all over
  • Rinse, Rinse, Rinse, Rinse, make sure you rinse all the shampoo out! Rinse with a brush to make sure all product are cleaned.

To Condition:

  • Once you have rinse the hair completely; apply conditioner
  • Apply conditioner from roots to ends, in sections,
  • Brush conditioner through the hair to make sure product is distributed
  • Let the conditioner sit for about 5-10 minutes
  • Brush through
  • Rinse the conditioner thoroughly

To Style:

  • Once the conditioner is rinsed out.. Use your hands to wring out excess water
  • Apply a little Moroccan oil or any Frizz ease product – I also like Chi Silk Infusiumaveda
  • Bend your head towards a towel- wrap the towels on your head – let the hair sit in the towel for about 15 minutes
  • Apply the Aveeda Curl Enhancer while scrunching hair up to define the curls - before hair is completely dry
  • You can either allow hair to air dry or use a diffuser to dry the hair ( when using a diffuser i normally tilt my head down and scrunch the hair)

Days when I do not wash or completely wet the hair, I have a spray bottle with apple cider Vinegar and distilled water that I spray completely on my hair.

To purchase Aveda products go here:

www.aveda.com

Color Tips

There are tons of ways to lighten/ darken your hair — here are some advice and recommendations

1. Consult with a professional colorist -
2. Also do a test – color a small sample
3. DO NOT use box colors- the colors on the box are hardly what you will get

I strongly suggests using a demi-permanent hair color to color your extensions. This type of color is softer and gentler on your extensions.
We recommend (available at Sally’s):

1. L’Oreal Color Gems

2. Wella Color Charms

3. Clairol Complements

ceylon-cinnamon
Here is a tip I found online..
Lighten your hair with Cinnamon!
You can lighten your hair using cinnamon and condition your strands at the same time.

Tools:

  • Cinnamon of course!
  • Conditioner (use a moisturizing Conditioner- I recommend Abba or Giovanni)
  • Olive Oil or coconut oil – as an added conditioner
  • Plastic cap
  • Scarf

Steps:

  • Dampen hair with water
  • Brush thoroughly
  • Mix conditioner and cinnamon to a paste
  • Apply the paste on your hair
  • Seal with the oil
  • Cover head completely with plastic cap
  • Use a scarf to secure

Results:
The process takes about 6-7 hours to work, you can sleep on it and watch hair in the AM.
You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to get your desired color
Cinnamon will tingle but will not burn, test the mixture on your hands before you proceed to do your whole head

If you start out with:
Blond: lighter blond with brown highlights
Black: lighter brown with red tints
Light Brown: lighter shades of brown with red tints
Red: red highlights, brown tints
Light brown: lighter brown with red tints.

Have a fab hair day!

What do I use to seal my wefts?

I’m often asked about weft sealing and the products I prefer. So here they are (in my personal order of preference)
  1. Hair Extensions 101 sealer
  2. FrayBlock and Fray Check

Both of these products work well for sealing wefts. The Hair Extensions 101 product is my favorite because of it’s fast drying and because it requires no additional cure time once applied.

Once either of these products dries, the wefts are secure and still very flexible.

What about using other glues as a weft sealer?

I would be careful of using any other glues as a weft sealer for the following reasons:

  • Not all of these glues will stand up to exposure to oils, heat, or water (in my opinion a good sealer must stand up to all three)
  • I am SUPER cautious about using some of these toxic glues next to my hair/scalp (This is ESPECIALLY true for me if they cannot withstand exposure to heat, oils, or water)
Bonding Glues as a Weft Sealer

Additionally bonding glues should not be used as a sealant as nearly all of these glues will wear off over time, and the black bonding glue in particular will eventually turn to a sticky mess on your wefts..

Straightening Curly

Straightening Curly Hair

(I do not advise that you straighten process curls like Kinky Kurls)

Most people are afraid of straightening curly hair,however, the task is not as daunting once you know what you are doing.. a few tips!

The most important thing is that you do not want to damage
your pretty curls! And you do not want to end up with a
head full of frizzy straight/wavy/curly hair!

The Tools:
Ceramic Iron – To get your curls super straight without
damaging the hair you need a ceramic flat iron.

iron1
Recommendations:

  • GVP at Sally’s is very effective and goes for about $60!
  • Chi Ceramic Iron
  • FHI Ceramic Iron

Heat Protection: this is to protect your hair from the heat.
Recommendations:protectant

  • GVP Heat protection at sallys
  • Nexxus Heat Protectant
  • IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector Straightening Serum

Humidity Control- this is so that your straight hair lasts
you!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

How can I prevent my lace wig from shedding?

This information is to help you learn how you can prevent and avoid your lace wig from shedding.

I can not stress enough how important it is to follow the directions that came with your wig to increase its longevity.

And most important - Reseal your Knots after EVERY WASH.

Second, we advise to STAY AWAY from putting products directly in the hair that contain high levels of alcohol ie. Hair Sprays, Spritz, etc.. As these products can damage the hair and cause shedding or breakage.


Third, you MUST clean all the glue residue off your wig when you remove it. Letting glue or other adhesives build up on your lace will cause shedding.


Fourth, do not scratch your scalp through your unit as this will cause shedding. Instead, pat your head with your hand or remove your unit and treat your scalp with an anti-itch shampoo and conditioner and then moisturize your scalp with an oil or hair grease to prevent itching.


Fifth, comb your unit from the tip up, holding the hair above as you comb so that it won't pull on your knots. Use a ventilated wig brush to comb your wig, not a bristle brush.


Sixth, do not comb your wig when its wet. Prior to washing your unit make sure you comb it out thoroughly and that its nice and smooth before you start to wash it.


Seventh, do not Blow Dry or Sit Under a Dryer with heat, you should let your unit air dry. If you must blow dry, make sure it is on the cool setting. Blow Dryer heat will damage/split the knots and cause shedding.

Sleeping in Your Unit:

When sleeping in your unit it is best to either braid up your hair or put it in a ponytail so it does not tangle while you sleep. You should comb your unit out each night prior to wrapping it up in the scarf. Also it is very IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE you wrap a silk or satin scarf or bonnet around your head, this will help to prevent the hair from breakage and/or shedding. These things are mandatory.

Swimming in Your Unit:

You are able to swim in your unit if you use the extended wear adhesives. However, please keep in mind that Chlorine and Salt Water can be damaging to your own hair let alone your lace wig that you have invested in. Therefore, please take extra care of your unit when swimming in it. It would be best to wear a swim cap. However, if you do not wear a cap, MAKE SURE you wash your unit based on our instructions after each swim. DO NOT let chlorine or salt water build up in your hair as it can damage it.

How to Re-Seal the Knots on Your Unit to Prevent Shedding

Some shedding is normal, however, it should not shed anymore then our own hair would. If you experience any shedding, your knots may need to be resealed. This method will eliminate shedding. This should be done immediately once you notice any shedding and also AFTER EACH WASH. Re-sealing your knots along with Deep Conditioning your unit is a crucial part in assuring the longevity of your unit.

Step 1: Wash and condition unit as per our care instructions.

Step 2: Wait until the unit is completely dry

Step 3: Once dry, Re-Seal the Knots with our Full Lace Wig Knot Sealer which you can purchase on our website.

Follow These Instructions:

  • Turn your wig inside out so that the lace side is showing.
  • You will be spraying the lace only. Place your wig on the mannequin head and wrap a towel securing it with a safety pin around the hair that is hanging down. This is to protect the hair. (DO NOT get the spray in the hair)
  • Spray a light mist of the Knot Sealer over your entire cap.
  • Leave wig on mannequin head and allow to dry completely (approximately 30 minutes)
  • Do not remove from mannequin head prior to the lace drying
  • You do not need to re-wash the unit. Once the lace is dry, it is ready to wear.

How Can I eliminate matting and/or tangling of my unit?

How to Perform Bleach Bath : All Textures

For Curly and Wavy Units: Occasionally the perm process may cause the cuticles to become flat. Therefore, your unit may or may not need a bleach bath prior to wearing. If you wear the unit, and notice that it is tangling at the nape or in any other area, then do the bleach bath to detangle and prevent future tangling.

For Straight or Yaki Units: After a few washes, your cuticles may become flat. Therefore if you notice tangling or need to soften your Yaki hair, you can use the bleach bath to detangle, soften and restore the hair.

Bleach Bath Instructions:

Professional Detangling Process for full lace wigs

For the severely tangled/mangled unit that you believe there is no help for:....

The following process is identical to the one commonly used by professionals in the hair replacement industry for detangling most human hair systems.

Although it is a relatively simple process, if executed improperly, may result in permanent damage to your hair system.

You Will Need:

Large sink with access to hot water.
At least 2 gallons of hot tap water.
2 oz. of Clorox™ bleach (must be Clorox™ brand).
2 oz. of regular household ammonia.
Wide tooth comb or brush (Vent Brush).


Instructions:

Step 1: Setup for Clorox™ Scrub
Draw one gallon of hot tap water into the sink. Next, pour the 2 oz. of Clorox™ bleach into the sink with the hot tap water.

Finally, place the tangled hair into the water carefully and begin the next step promptly.

CAUTION: DO NOT allow the hair to be in contact with the Clorox™ & hot water mixture for more than 2 mintures!

Step 2: Clorox™ Tangle Scrub....

Clorox has a ph of like 11.5 and Ammonia is like 10. These are bases which causes the cuticles to flatten.
Using the wide tooth comb or vent brush, gently brush through the hair from top to bottom. Concentrate on the most tangled and knotted area of the hair.

The tangles should come out while brushing and the hair will become silky. Be careful NOT to brush more than 2 minutes while the hair system is in the Clorox™ mixture.


Step 3: Rinse Hair System
Drain the Clorox™ and hot water from the sink. Then begin to thoroughly rinse warm water through the hair system. While rinsing, keep the weft of the hair facing up. This will prevent the hair from inverting and tangling again.

Step 4: Ammonia Scrub
Draw another gallon of hot tap water into the sink. Pour the 2 oz. of ammonia into the sink with the hot tap water. Place hair in sink.

Start brushing the hair system again, same as before. Use a wide tooth or vent brush and gently comb hair for 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Final Rinse
Drain the ammonia and hot water from the sink. Then begin to thoroughly rinse warm water through the hair system again. Remember, while rinsing keep the weft of the hair facing up.


After the final rinse, your hair replacement system should be silky smooth and tangle free.


Wash with Silicon Mix Shampoo. Deep Condition with Silicon Mix Conditioner and let it air dry.....

....

Tie your hair up at night! For curls, comb through it thoroughly and then French braid it in 4 big braids to maintain the curl over night.....