Good News; Bad News

Remember this!

Providing hair care to thousands of women is very interesting. As a licensed cosmetologist, I am very deliberate in setting the tone with each and every woman, teen, child and male I encounter. The tone I am setting is that I am a cosmetologist who cares. I am a cosmetologist who does not want you to be a slave to the hair salon. I am cosmetologist who wants you to know how to care for your hair and I am just the cosmetologist to teach you.

In setting that tone, most people are excited! I often hear, "I have never met a cosmetologist who teaches you how to do your own hair."  For every person I meet who is excited about learning how to care for their hair, I meet meet three times as many who are not. Believe it or not, in this day in time there remains a large portion of women who do not want to have anything to do with their hair; let alone style it. Well, for those of you who are all too familiar about hating to do your hair, "I have some good news and I have some bad news."

As always, since this is a Blog Ndogo, I have to got to make it short and get straight to the point. Would you like the good news first or the bad news? Bad news it is! The bad news is, there is no such thing as care free hair. All hair (locked, twist, natural, long, short, fade, Jheri curl, finger waves, weaves and so on) requires some form of care and maintenance. "Awe man," you say?  My goal in writing this blog today it to debunk this international misnomer that hair care can be care free. To do so, I have to back it with facts. So here goes it.

Product build up leaves white
scaly flakes on scalp and
hair.

Though you may not agree; I must reiterate, Hair care cannot be care free. The question of why and a barrage of "what if" scenarios comes flowing to me. Let me stop you right there with the honest reason why hair care can not be "none." Because hair is skin. And skin has to be cleansed properly with the right cleansing agent for a specific hair type on a regular basis. There that ends the bad news.

Now the good news. The good news about hair care is that inasmuch as it has to be cared for on regular basis with the right products for your unique hair fabric; it can be done so in more ways than I can type in this blog. Hair care fall under hygiene. Hygiene such as brushing your teeth, washing your arm pits, washing other body parts and so. The body has seven orifices (openings) that are self cleansing. The seven orifices are: eyes, ears, nose, mouth, navel, vagina, buttocks and skin which has follicles (those little tiny holes that every hair on your body grows out of). More good news is that we all know what comes out of those orifices and happens when any of them are not cleansed regularly with the right cleansing agent. Need I type more? Of course not! Can we all say, "ewe!"

This how the scalp looks from Co-Washing and infrequent
shampooing. Do not do this to your scalp. This is why hair looks
dull and unhealthy.

I invite anyone reading this blog to either change their mindset that hair style is hair care or lose their hair.  In reality, hair needs to be cared for in order to style it. Any hair stylist, cosmetologist or natural hair care guru who is deliberate in removing you from the equation of caring for your or is encouraging you not cleanse it with shampoo and is encouraging you to replace your shampoo with conditioner to co-wash is wrong. Any hair stylist , cosmetologist or natural hair care guru who tells you or leads you to believe that shampooing your hair every two weeks or longer is ok; is wrong.

More good news?  Licensed cosmetologists and natural hair care gurus all know that hair thins as we age. They also know that as we age; their hair care regimen needs to change with aging. They also know exactly what happens to hair when it is over soften with conditioners, moisturizers, salves, balms and pomades. Every licensed professional and natural hair care guru knows that the above mentioned hair care practices all do one thing; PROMOTE PRE-MATURE HAIR LOSS and DAMAGE.

Find the right product for your
hair type.

Because the good news only gets better and I have to keep this blog short, I can end with three popular simple solutions if you have been traveling down the quick path to hair loss by not shampooing regularly or have been shampooing it with the wrong products. The first thing to do is go ahead on and accept the fact that you have to cleanse your scalp and hair on regular basis (at least 1-2 times per week). Second, select a shampoo that is for your scalp and hair type. If you do not know ask your stylist. A simple strand test can be done by taking on strand of hair and tug on it. If it snaps quick; it is thin. If it takes a little while to snap; it is medium. And if it never snaps; it is coarse. From there that is how you select the right shampoo and make your purchase. Third and last, be sure the shampoo reads that it cleanses your scalp too. If it reads it only cleanses your hair then that is all it will clean. 

When it comes to the matter of scalp disorders such as dandruff, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, dermatitis and the like; please go see a dermatologist. Do not allow your hair stylist or natural hair care guru play doctor on your scalp. Doing so almost always results in worsening the scalp disorder. Your grand mother can not diagnose your dandruff and your hair stylist can not treat it.

Some simple solutions to rid your scalp and hair of build up from infrequent shampooing are:

• Making a mixture of lemon juice and water and misting that on to your hair. Let it sit for about 5-15 minutes and shampoo.
• Add about a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo, rinse and follow with your favorite conditioner.
• Mix one part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water and mist on your hair before you shampoo. Let it sit for 5-15 minutes and shampoo off. Or you can mist it on your hair after you condition it to soften, detangle and add shine to your hair. 

Hair care takes patience and time.

Good news; bad news. Hair care takes time. There is no quick way to hygiene. The body makes waste and emits it through those seven openings. Just as you would brush your teeth after eating something that is gritty or foul in odor; and just as you would wash your arm pits the moment you smell musk; the same prompt response must be made for hair. And just as you know the benefits of washing and caring for those other orifices; understand you will get the exact same results when you give your scalp and hair the same attention and response the moment you noticed it was not clean and smelling fresh. Can we say, relief!

Do the right thing and develop a hair care regimen just as you do for brushing your teeth, bathing, cleaning ears and so on so you can reap the benefits of truly having clean healthy hair.

How's that for good news; bad news?

More Hair!

The mighty moon

In the idea world of hair care, it would be nice if all licensed professionals could agree on how to really achieve longer hair. Unfortunately, as with most professions; that is not the case. Because longer, stronger, fuller and thicker hair is a goal for many, this blog will reveal the simplest, most affordable and sensible way of growing hair rather we all agree or not.

In America when we want to give someone the unadulterated truth we say, "the real deal holyfield." In Britain when it comes to giving someone the real unadulterated truth and everything which is necessary, appropriate or possible, the term they use is the "full monty." As a I type this Blog Ndogo on "More Hair," I find giving you the "full monty" is more befitting than "the real deal holyfield." Why?

Because, in order to truly achieve longer, stronger, fuller and thicker hair, "everything which is necessary,

My actual client with REAL long hair!

appropriate and possible" must be shared with you versus the truth. In hair care, truths most times are twisted and vague. To be necessary, appropriate and possible is distinct. Those words will link you to the best solution. Before I actually typed this blog, I thought, pondered and even meditated. 

Even though the solution is rather unorthodox; it is necessary, appropriate and possible that you do it in order to get the best results. So to make a long blog short, the "full monty" on achieving longer, stronger, thicker and more beautiful hair is to care for it during the waxing and waning phases of the moon. What! Yep. 

For example, having your hair cut during the waxing moon phase is best. It is NECESSARY to do so because during the full moon, the blood flows more. Blood flow is the APPROPRIATE and affordable way of growing hair. Blood flow makes it POSSIBLE for hormones to trigger and do their part. Blood flow influences the vital nutrients and minerals that comes from the food we eat and the water we intake to nourish our hair. "Hmmm," ye say?

How could that be? Well, it is no secret that the moon affects the human body by way of influencing our

The full moon, solstices and equinoxes are BEST for growing hair. 

hormones which are responsible for things such as menstrual cycles, blood flow, fertility, emotions and HAIR! There are not too many producers and growers in the world  who would understate the power of the moon and its influence on humans and the earth. As a matter of fact, in agriculture thee ol' Farmers Almanac is one of many arsenals of "must haves" for agriculturists worldwide. They use it to work to their magic to cultivate crops to feed the masses in every nook an cranny of the universe. Even the writers of the Farmers Almanac also duly note that during the waxing (getting fuller) and waning (getting smaller) of the moon is what equally affects both crops and the human body. Astrologers know this, doctors know this, holistic practitioners know this and some hair care professionals (including me!) know this. 

The Morrocco Method International Hair Care Line

If you are interested in getting more of the "full monty" on this ancient, legendary, traditional and customary practice of what is historically called, "Lunar Haircare," there is no one on this planet (who is alive) that can validate, teach and sell you on this than the Hair Shaman himself, Mr. Anthony Morrocco. Mr. Morrocco is also the founder and developer of the quintessential hair care line, Morocco Method International and the Morrocco Lunar Haircut. 

This hair care line is for thee hair care aficionado' in every sense of the term. I encourage all my readers to

Real deal holyfield!

BOLDLY go where no hair care junky has gone before and introduce yourself and hair to the Morrocco Method's lunar hair care system and lifestyle. In brief, the Morrocco Method encompasses a lifestyle of harmony in sync with the moon, a vegan diet, a vegan hygiene regimen and thoughts that are as pure and open to growth and change. Quite challenging you say? Well, if not a lifestyle change is what you are interested in; then using the Morrooco Method as a means of periodically detoxing is a great option or alternative to the boring hair care treatments, diets, chelating (removing of minerals) and clarifying run of the mill stuff that most salons and natural hair care people commonly promote like hair care remedy drones.

Be it world wide, rich or poor, fat or skinny, tall or short, pretty or ugly, long or short; hair care ranks number one for most because adoring ourselves is innate. Do not allow yourself and your hair to go one day longer into the area of unsatisfied. Make your lifestyle, your mindset, your inner beauty, your outer beauty and of course your hair priority one. Check out Anthony Morrocco's Morrocco Method. Get to that next level of inner peace to radiate just as you should. And in the passionate powerful words of Donna and Bridgette...

"Mo hair!"

"Mo hair!" Donna

Seasons No Reason to Change

Seasons

I hear some pretty quirky things as a cosmetologist. As the Fall season approaches, the quirk around the Fall and Winter season affecting hair to the point of hair loss, damage and breakage is a concern to many.

I am not one to belittle my clients concerns when they sit in my chair no matter how quirky I think it is. After all, it is the quirky myths and concerns that my customers share with me that gives me the inspiration to write my blogs. And since this is my blog Ndogo, I am going to cut the quirk and get straight to the point.

So back to the quirky question, "Does the changing seasons affect hair?' The answer is yes. It is true that seasons affect our hair because when the seasons change so does the sunlight, our hormones, eating and levels of activity. While the changing seasons do affect our hair, they do not do so to the point of severe hair loss, damage or breakage. That should remove some of the quirk.

What I like to do with my customers is show a correlation between the varying benefits of a active life style , healthier eating choices, regular bowel movements, water intake, rest and a sound mind that takes place during the warmer months that results in so much hair growth and performance. The change of seasons alone rarely result in significant changes in the overall feel, integrity and performance of your hair. However, when you couple colder seasons with an increase in eating cooked foods, less movement (i.e. exercising, walking, dancing and the likes); hair will immediately become compromised.

Spring is the real new year!

During the Spring time, mother nature has it where everything that was planted during the earlier seasons can come to full fruition in divine order. Therefore, it is not uncommon for us to notice hair grows a tad bit more as the weather warms and the sun shines more. In addition, as the weather warms we have a tendency to eat more raw foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. We also drink more water. When we eat less processed and cooked foods, our bodies benefit more because our bodies are not busy trying to break down all that cooked and heavy foods. In return for eating fresh whole foods and drinking more water; our hair IMMEDIATELY reaps the benefits. 

In conclusion, the seasons do have some affects on the hair and the growth. However, when it comes to buying more products, getting more treatments, hair falling out and hair breaking; those things are actually a result of change in our diet, lifestyle, water intake, sleep and bowel movements that changes as we change when the seasons change. 

Seasons are no reason to change, but most folk do change. It is the changing of the life style when the seasons change that has more of an impact to what you may not like about what is going on with your hair. Many blame the changing seasons, scarves, hats, coats, sweat and so on. It is not. Granted in the cooler months, wearing a light jacket and eating cold watermelon may not be your number one choice on a cold frigid day; but wrapping the collar of your wool coat in plastic and eating a hearty portion of smothered chicken with mashed potatoes, biscuits and lemonade could prove to be quite compromising when it comes to the integrity of your hair and scalp more so than falling temperatures and less sunshine.

As the seasons change make it your business to continue to eat more fresh uncooked foods, drink plenty of water, stay active, have regular bowel movements and keep thinking those happy thoughts. When the seasons change, as they always do; your hair will be just fine!

Do you see what I'm sayin'?