Hair Affair

Love your fabulous self!

There comes a time in every persons life when they want something exciting, challenging and rewarding. They want that "something" to be something they can share with loved ones, co-workers and friends. They want to show that “something” off. They want that “something” to be something that will remain with them for sometime to come because they are very proud of it.

Typically that “something” would usually be a person, a goal or a thing. In this instance that “something” is your hair. Yep, your hair. Prior to becoming a licensed cosmetologist, I was a social worker. Back then, I had to come up with some pretty unique and cool ideas to help families modify their behaviors. I had to teach them new functioning behaviors to replace the dysfunctional behaviors. Now one might think I would have been teaching families how to shop, do time management and all that jazz? Actually, I taught the families how to have a love affair with their hair!

How is one to have a love affair with their hair? I suggests five simple steps to get that flat iron heated so you can smooth things out with your hair and let the love begin.

To begin this love affair with your hair, the first thing you need is hair. This hair does not need to be long, wavy, curly, kinky, straight or real. It just need to be hair. Rather you have some peach fuzz coming in, short, mid-length, long, very long or fake hair; you can get started.

Second, you need some time. How much time? That depends on how much love you want to give or receive. In the matter of having a love affair with your it is all about you. Considering you are the most special, set aside at least one day a week for one hour to do whatever you like to your hair. You could comb it, shampoo it, braid it, twist it, flip it curl it and the likes.

Third, you will need styling tools and hair care products. Remember, you get what you pay for. So invest in quality combs, brushes, shampoos, conditioners and other styling agents. Please do not confuse quality with expensive. The best place to start is with a little research or your hair stylist. Oh, and do not for get grandma! Grandma’s are full of hair care secrets.

Fourth, you will need some flexibility. Refrain from being rigid. It is only a hair style. If you do not like it, you can wash it out. Play it safe and do not put your love affair in jeopardy by using chemicals that you are not familiar with. The purpose of the love affair with your hair is self preservation. If you end with unwanted results from using chemicals, the love for your hair will quickly turn to hate. So play it safe. Make some time to get to know your hair first. Find out what it needs, what it likes and what makes it perform before you compromise that with chemicals.

Lastly, you will need a great attitude complimented by a clean and polished image. In my line of work, I am constantly informing women they need to tend the “total you.” The total you is mind, body, spirit and image. Start your mornings off and end your nights with a positive affirmation of how much you love you. Feed your body whole foods and drink lots of water. Exercise, dance, stretch; do something! Make sure your attire, face and the rest of your body is clean. It does not matter how much money you have or what fancy clothes, shoes or make up you wear; what is most important is that you are clean.

When you make the time and actually take the time to have this affair with your hair. You will be pleasantly amazed by how people notice how great you look. They will also notice that you are missing in action. They will want to know who you are with and what are you doing that leaves you looking spectacular. You also will not have any time for moping or unnecessary hanky panky. Think of it this way, once you get started with your hair; you will have very little time for nonsense and pouting.

I wish you love, peace and happiness with your new found love. If you incorporate the above mentioned ideas into your quest for love and happiness, I am certain you will reap the many many rewards for having a true love affair with your hair.

Hmph, you never know where that love may take you!

Pillow Talk

"I sure hope this cotton pillow don't mess up my hair!"

Those of us who work in the beauty industry are use to hearing all sorts of old wives tales when it comes to the do's and dont's of hair, nails and skin care. Wikipedia explains, "Old wives’ tales originate in the oral tradition of storytelling. They were generally propagated by illiterate women, telling stories to each other or to children. The stories did not attempt to moralize  but to teach lessons and make difficult concepts like death or coming of age easy for children to understand. Also these stories are used to scare children so they don't do certain things.

So now that we have a clearer understanding of what old wives tales are. Let me share with you   some funny old wives tales that I have heard while servicing my customers. Starting with cutting hair. I have heard, "Get your hair cut often because cutting your hair makes it grow." I have also heard,"Soak your nails in Jello to make them stronger." Another funny one that I  have heard, "If you are Black do not shampoo your hair frequently (like 1-3 times per week). Black people can not shampoo their hair as much as white people." But the funniest one of them all that I most recently heard, "Don't sleep on cotton pillow cases because they cause your hair to break and come out."

Typically when I write blogs, I make it a point to do a lot of research on my topic to ensure the information that I am writing about is not one sided. The challenge in writing this blog was that I could not find a expert of any sort who had done "pillow and hair" research. Hmmm!

In my professional opinion, thee old wives tale cotton pillow cases being the culprit to hair breakage and falling out is just that, another old wives tale. When I teach my customers about hair care, I always ask them to look in the mirror. I am certain to give them a hand held mirror to show them that they walked into the salon and sat in my chair hair WITH on their head! I remind them that the objective in the beauty industry (beauty supply stores included) is to make money. So they will tell you a lot to get your money. Do not fall for the "buy a satin pillow case" pitch. Many people grew up sleeping on cotton pillow cases and had heads full of hair. Many even went on to have fun at sleep overs, survived pillow fights and prop their heads up while nursing a cold; believe it or not, all this was done on pillow cases. Cotton pillow cases at that.

Sooooo, to make a long blog short. Do not run to the beauty supply or linen store to replace your cotton pillow cases with fancy satin or silk pillow cases. I guarantee no matter what kind of pillow case you sleep on your hair will be the same. And if you take the time to look, you will see some strands of hair. I can also guarantee you that cotton pillow cases work best if you sweat a lot in your head. Cotton absorbs moisture better than the other fancier fabrics. Also for the record, wrapping your hair in any kind of fabric is simply to preserve the hair style or to cut down on styling time the next day. If you want to reduce breakage and hair loss; drink more water, exercise, eat  balanced meals, get some sleep, be sure to have nice bowel movements :-) and keep your hair clean, conditioned and combed (where applicable).

How is that for some "COTTON" pillow talk!