My #1 beauty secret

AFRICAN SHEA BUTTER !!!

Yes, pure African Shea butter, I am talking about the real stuff. Not the cheap, diluted imitations that you find in stores.

AFRICAN SHEA BUTTER is made from the nut of the African Shea Tree. It contains a rich amount of fatty acid which renders it far superior to Cocoa Butter and other natural vegetable butters. This fatty acid is crucial to rejuvenating and moisturizing the skin. Shea Butter provides all the essential vitamins needed to make skin look and feel smoother, softer and most importantly, healthier, its therapeutic properties protect the skin from wind, cold, sun and it helps heal wounds faster. Shea Butter stimulates cellular activity, fights the effects of aging and repairs rough, damaged skin.

I use Shea butter all year around. I use it for my body and hair.


Here are a few tricks that I do with my Shea butter



How to Pimp your Shea Butter

1. Your body absorbs Shea butter best when you skin is damp. It is best to use Shea butter right when you get out of the shower or bath.

2. Another method is to mix it with your lotion. Melt your Shea butter (don’t microwave it ) and simply mix it up with your lotion. Use more or less according to your skin type.


3. I have dry skin and Shea butter is the only thing that works for me especially during the winter when my skin is even drier and extra sensitive. Shea butter keeps it moisturized and soothes it all day long. I seldom have to go back and re-apply, one application is all I need all day long.


I use Shea butter in my hair

Here again, Shea butter comes to my rescue. To keep my locs moisturized and from over drying because of hair color. I use Shea butter

As a hot oil treatment once a month. Melt 3-4 tablespoons of Shea butter (more if needed) and massage it into your scalp and hair. Cover your head with a plastic shower cap or a warm towel. The heat will help the oil penetrate your hair shaft. Shampoo ONCE with a mild shampoo and apply a conditioner. Your hair or locs will feel soft, moisturized and healthy.


Shea butter has so many properties. You can also use it for the following :

Usage:

1. Treatment of dry skin, eczema, and minor burns.

2. Pain relief from swelling and arthritis.

3. Improves muscle relaxation and stiffness.

4. Sunscreen, due to its rich content of vitamins E & F.

5. Treats dark spots, skin discolorations, stretch marks,

wrinkles and blemishes.

6. Massages, diaper rash, and as a hair conditioner.

Shea Butter does not expire. Store in a cool place.

Available at http://www.afriktrends.com/

http://www.afriktrends.com/

Self-Inflicted Alopecia ?

One of the thing that a black woman has going on for herself is her ability to turn her hair into a piece of art. You name it, she can wear it.
Unfortunately, the relaxing, bleaching, curling, pressing, braiding, weaving can take a toll on her beautiful crown.

In the USA, traction alopecia is most common in African-American women due to their hair styles
The culprits
* Relaxers
* Chemical treatments, Hair dyes, bleaches
* Poor and continuous wear of micro braids
* Tight cornrows
* Tight ponytails (especially with rubber bands )
* Any styles that would put stress on the hairline

How to stop Alopecia before it becomes irreversible?
The key to stopping traction alopecia is detecting it early. Hairstyles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for "looser, more gentle hair style.

* Wear you hair natural
* Switch to larger size braids
* Don’t wear braids for more than two months
* Wear your hair down as much as possible, so you’re not putting any stress on your hairline
* Opt for sewn-in weaves instead of weaves with glue; and leave out the hair around your edges

Alopecia is serious business; please do not sacrifice the health of your hair for a cute hairstyle. Unfortunately, no medical treatment is available to reverse late-stage traction alopecia. Hair grafts have been identified as the only practical solution.

If you have severe hair loss, wearing a wig is not your only option. I helped hundred of women with hairstyles that would camouflage bald spots and make them look natural and beautiful. I would love to help. Call me Roufie (901) 363-3201 or visit my website at http://www.afriktrends.com/

WHEN TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOUR LOCKS

I know , I know . . . you’ve spent years and money growing your locks. You are attached to them and can’t bare to cut them off even when you know deep down that it’s time to say goodbye.
clues it’s time to cut off or trim your locks

1. You’re embarrassed of them. If you’re camouflaging your locks with scarves and wraps so people can’t see how bad they really are, it’s time to take action.
2. The idea of cutting them freaks you out (it’s just hair, it’ll grow back )
3. They are your social security blanket (are you hiding behind your locs)
4. They make you look worse than you are
5. People offer you money to cut them (if that’s not a clue, I don’t know what is)
6. You colored them to death ( color can enhance the look of your locks but unfortunately some people take that idea to the extreme and color their locks so often that they are dry and dull
7. They are NOT a conversation starter. (People are taking about your locs, BEHIND your back !)
Your locs should be your crown and glory, when they no longer represent that, don’t be afraid to cut them off and start over. Remember that it’s just hair, it grows back !

Synthetic or Human Hair ?

Is buying human hair extensions putting a strain on your pocket? The cost of human hair extensions has risen throughout the years and my clients are feeling the pinch! A great alternative to human hair are the good old synthetic extensions. They are a lot less expensive and are much easier to maintain. They run from $2.99 - $5.99 and are easily available at your local beauty supply store. The micro braids shown in the picture are done using synthetic hair extensions! Can you tell the difference ? :-)

Selecting Hair Extensions for Your Braids

There are several good hair extension brands on the market, you can easily find quality hair extensions at your local beauty supply store. For braiding, Milky Way, Beverly Johnson, Zury, Sensationnel, Outre, Rodeo, Hollywood, Janet. . . are just a few good brand names for human hair extensions. Pre-packaged human hair is usually less expensive than human hair sold by the pound. Look for: Gold, Platinum, Premium on the package, it is usually a sign of quality. The price of human has gone up in the recent years. The price is also a good indication of quality, pre-packaged human hair will cost $25-$50 a bag, usually you'll need 2 bags to complete a full head.
Human hair is best used for micro braids or single braids, weaving, hair replacements or additions. Use synthetic hair for cornrow styles and single braids. Kanekalon works best for style braids that require singeing, it burns safely and seals quickly and unlike other synthetic fibers kanekalon can also be manipulated with heat, the hair can be set in rollers and dipped in hot water or curled with a Marcel iron.

Finding A Good Braider

How to find a good hair braider

The first thing to care for your braids is to make sure your braids are put in properly.
Find a good braider.
Although you can find many braiders working from home, I recommend going to a professional who works from a shop. Because this is what she does for a living, she will most likely get started on your hair on time, will have few interruptions other than lunch or bathroom breaks, she will complete the work in one day. Another advantage is that you can go back to the shop if there is any problem. A good braider should guarantee her work for 7 to 14 days, should you need any braids put back in, it should be done free of charge. Braids that are put in properly should not become undone within two weeks. Beware of salons that put signs stating that they are not responsible for any repairs once the clients leave their shops. This is not good customer service.

Surfing through the phone book can be a good way to find a good hair braider. Many braiding shops are operated by African braiders. Look under “Braiders “ or “Natural Hair Salons” in phone listings. The internet makes it easier to find a braider, many stylists now have their own websites to showcase their work, be sure that the pictures shown are the actual stylist’s work . Another great way (probably the best way) to find a good braider is through referral. Ask someone whose braids you admire to refer you to their braider. Be sure to get the braider’s name and not just the shop information.

Once you locate a braider, always stop by for a face to face person consultation. During the consultation ask all the questions that you might have. If satisfied with the consultation, you can then schedule an appointment. Be sure to ask the following questions:
1. How long have you been braiding?
2. Do you have pictures of your work?
3. How many people will be working on my head?
4. Do you offer maintenance services : shampoo, touch-ups ?
5. If I loose some braids within a week or two, would you put them back in free of charge? Do you guarantee your work?
6. Will the service be completed in one day?

Removing Your Braids

Many people often cause severe damage to their hair while attempting to take out their braids. It is normal to experience shedding while removing your braids, keep in mind that your hair has not been combed or brushed for a significant period of time and hair that normally sheds, remains in the braid. Therefore, it's important to be careful comb out all knots out of your hair before washing or relaxing the hair.

To start removing your braids. First reduce the length of the braid by cutting the hair extension to the length of your natural hair, this will make your work easier and faster. Most removing sprays work well with human hair, or simply use some leave-in conditioner to soften the braids. Divide your braids in several sections and work each section individually until you have successfully removed all the braids.
Be sure to hold the hair close to the scalp with one hand and beginning at the ends, GENTLY comb your hair with the other. Continue to undo, spray and comb the hair until the first section is complete and then move onto the next.

Depending on the size of your braids and how long you have worn your braids, you may have knots in your hair (this often happens when the braids are been worn for a long time and have not been washed, conditioned and oiled). It is VERY IMPORTANT to comb all knots and tangles out before shampooing or relaxing the hair. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to your hair.


Removing your braids yourself can be frustrating, very often you will get tired and impatient. It is best to have your stylist remove your braids if you have micro braids to avoid damage to your hair.