The Mind of Hair Care

Hmmm, the mind of hair care.

Blogging about hair care is a lot of fun. I get to share my experiences about providing hair, nail and skin care. I also get to meet some fascinating people who often times ask me some very interesting questions. As a matter of fact, I think it is the questions that keeps me blogging. And the question that keeps me blogging the most is, how to care for hair.

I must admit, I do find it somewhat of an enigma of how so many women are looking for ways to not have to care for their hair. There are also a large portion of women who also want to know how spend the least amount of time caring for it. The questions of " no hair care, limited hair care or quick hair care" is something of a conundrum oxymoron. Confusing, huh? 

The truth of the matter is, "quick hair care" is like using mouthwash instead of taking the time to effectively care for your teeth. "Quick hair care" is like washing your private parts in lieu of a shower or bath. Exactly what is the conundrum of a oxymoron that makes the quest of "quick hair care" confusing and problematic? Well, it's the word "care." I don't know about you, but to me the word "care" kind of, sort of implies a person who has time to show it. 

A person trying to remove themselves from the equation of hair care is headed for a quick way to a bad hairstyle. I teach every person I serve that when it comes to hair care, they have to do what the hair calls for. There are textures that require very little time to care for it and very little effort to do what it takes to make it look nice. Then there are textures that require more time and more things for you to do to make you look nice. Whatever the case, rather your hair requires a lot of maintenance or not; what it really translate into is how nice to you really want to look and what are you willing to do about it.

Real life hair

The mind of "hair care" is somehow separating you from understanding the very crucial connection you have to doing your hair and how that affects your TOTAL image. Image to many women is very perplexing. The best way for me to produce a beautiful hairstyle for the clients I serve is for me to get a clear picture of their definition of image and NOT a hairstyle. For what is a hairstyle without image? The best way for me to capture what they have in mind is to have them either bring in a picture or select a picture out of a magazine/internet of what they would like. It is during that process that I can begin to capture THEIR mind of hair care. 

When women look at pictures of hairstyles or they begin to graphically explain the hairstyle they want, what they are in fact is selecting or describing is a what I call a "total image." A total image encompasses a total look that is put together by way of fashion, facial care (that includes a spectrum of facial care that is very made up to no make up at all), accessories and attitude that goes with the environment they are currently living in or going to (i.e. work, date, court, red carpet and the likes). However, the disconnect happens when in their mind, they focus on "hair style."

Confidence is beauty

For example, the myriad of hairstyles worn by Halle Berry are often the hairstyles that many women choose. When I ask them what is it about the hairstyle they like, they do verbally point out the layers, or the curl or the part. But when I point out what really makes the haircut is the stylist ability to mesh together all what makes Halle so very Halle.

The truth of the matter is, I have rarely seen a case of a hairstyle, in any facet, that is primarily based on the hairstyle itself. Hair, like jewelry or a scarf, is an accessory. It is part of the total package of one's definition of well kempt. When you think of hair care, think of your total image. Do not separate your hairstyle from you and your image and what you need to do to bring about a desired image. Instead, I suggest you consider bringing together YOURSELF, your hygiene, your hairstyle, your image and your attitude to give you the hairstyle you really want. 

In other words be very deliberate knowing the power that flow, continuity and inclusiveness has to do with the entire scope of the hairstyle that you think will make you pretty. You can not have any part of a beautiful anything, without you.

To rid yourself of this dilemma, understand that the hairstyle alone will not make you pretty. Refrain from going to the hair salon to "get yo hair done." It is a combination of all of you in the mind of hair care. 

Thee oh so very, Ms. Halle Berry

It will take more than a TJ Maxxinista outfit, designer shoes, a Michael Kors purse, an iPhone and some Sephora lip gloss to make that hair cut and style like Halle Berry's. Go the extra mile. Give yourself a facial, put on a smile. suck your gut in and stand up a little bit taller. Get rid of the frown and angst from the trials and tribulations of life. Our beauty inspires others and more importantly it inspires you. If you do not like what you see in the mirror, change it.

The mind of hair care is that the hairstyle is not the cure-all to what you do not like about your hair or want to do with it.

You are!

Let's Get Physical

Being a professional cosmetologist has its pros and cons like any other career. Like most careers, the more you do something, receive training and get more training; the better you become at it. But, as good as I think I am, there is this one thing in my career that gets my goat every time. That one thing is the great debate about a hairstyle (image) versus exercise. 

Are you a chump or a champion?

As a professional who makes an honest living off of looking cute, presentable to the public and having a great hair day every day, I will make this Blog Ndogo even more short and sweet. First things first. There is no versus. The hair style will loose the debate every time because looking good is something that always starts from the inside.

There are many of days that I stand behind the salon chair and I get countless inquiries about this debate. Now, I don't know if you can tell, but-ter-rumm; I'm no fitness instructor! Nonetheless, I can not think of one fitness instructor who would support any able bodied person compromising their health over their hair. I know, I know; ya gotta get up early to get the kids ready, get ready for work, walk the dog, feed the husband (lol) and so on and so forth. I can see you now reading this blog thinking, "Umph, I bet that fitness instructor has locs or extension braids and does not know a thing or two about a hair style." Well, they may not. Yet, they can tell you that the more you exercise the more hair you will have. And if looking cute with great hair is what you are after; then the gym (or exercising at home) is the place to make it happen. Not the hair salon. 

Let's get physical!

I actually reward every customer who sits in my chair that chooses fitness/health over their hair! I have come up with the top 3 benefits that exercise does for hair to encourage the skeptics to do so. Drum roll please. Working my way back, the third reason one should choose fitness over a hair style is because there is a strong correlation between physical activity and GROWING hair. Yep, ya know it! Exercising gets the blood flowing something fierce. When blood flows hair grows. The best way to nourish your hair is from within. It's free and you do not have to sit under the dryer for a treatment. The second benefit of choosing fitness over a hairstyle is your beautiful glowing skin. Remember when the blood flows, hair grows and skin glows! (hey I'm on a roll here!)  Yes, exercising definitely promotes healthy glowing, acne free and blemish free skin as well.  Just look around; thick hair, blemish free and glowing skin goes hand in hand. Can you say, "Philly Weeden, Jane Fonda or Miesha Wilson!" They look good, don't they? I mean don't just look at their bodies; look at their hair and skin. Lastly, the number one reason to choose fitness over a hair style is because it saves you money! When you exercise you will not waste money on frivolous purchases at the grocery store, clothing store or hair salon. Well, you might buy more gear, but you catch my drift!

Okay now, real talk; if you are wearing any form of braided styles or a pixie cut, you will have to get those hair styling services more frequently. Compared to when you were more sedentary your hair growth was doing the bare minimum. Now that you are exercising you are getting the maximum and again, that blood flow promotes hair growth. So you are not tripping if you find yourself paying more frequently for those braided styles and pixie cuts. But at least you will have hair.

Yes you can!

In the end, I understand that looking cute and presentable in the public eye is very important to us image conscious folk; but I can tell you from personal experience, exercising as needed rules over a hair style any day! I can not think of any better advice to give to any person wanting to look good from the outside in or the inside out than telling them the honest truth of choosing health over hair. When you feel good, you will look good no matter how much hair you have, do not have and rather it is real or fake. 

I look the part of what I promote as a professional cosmetologist. I have a good hair day every day. One would be hard pressed to catch my hair looking cray, unless your name is Hattie Mae a.k.a LaKeisha (my colorist) or Malika (my back up colorist)! Like many, I too had to address my physical and mental health. I chose exercising. I do it at least 5 times a week for 45 minutes a day. I try it all. Some exercising makes me sweat more than others. And whenever I am asked, "What do you to your hair when you exercise and it messes up?" I realistically respond, "I do it over." My school of thought is, it's all about sanity; not about vanity. 

It's just hair people. Get up, get out, get to moving. Eat a balanced diet. Drink plenty of water. Be sure to boo boo; oh and think really good thoughts! The same effort you put into your hair, clothes, nails, shoes, make up, going out to dinner, going to social gatherings and all that goes with it; put it into your physical and mental health. In the words of my boy George Clinton of the Parliament/Funkadelic, "Free your mind and your ass will follow!" 

Let's get physical!