In our Hair Q&A series with hair experts, we connect Madame Noire readers with various experts and stylists to answer their most pressing questions about hair care. In this edition, Cindy Tawiah, founder of DIVA BY CINDY , responds to reader-submitted questions about jumpstarting curls and flat ironing hair. If you have a hair care issue you’d like to have addressed, Facebook us or email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com. 

Question 1: I was hoping to get some good recommendations for fine curly hair, to keep it hydrated? Also a way to jumpstart the curls after the hair has been straightened a couple weeks in a row, please?

Fine curly hair needs body and volume. Any mousse or wrapping lotion with a foam dispenser should provide you with great results. If you have straightened your hair for weeks, jump start the process with a great deep conditioner. Search for products which don’t rob the hair of moisture and products which contain panthenol ( vitamin B derivative which helps hair retain moisture).

Question 2: I have short natural hair (almost 3 inches long) and I’ve tried a flat iron and a root iron on my hair to straighten it and nothing works. What am I doing wrong or what shall I try? I get better results when I band stretch my hair.

Hair can be straightened with a Marcel iron or by using a hot blow dryer to blow dry hair first. It is about technique and products. Use products which will detangle your hair in order to make the process easier. If all else fails and you need it straightened or a hot pressed for an event,  have a professional straighten it for you and watch the process closely. Good luck.

Cindy Tawiah is the founder of DIVA BY CINDY product line for all women who desire natural based products that will give them longer and healthier hair. A motivational speaker and advocate for women’s rights. Cindy has been featured on WBAL TV, Shecky’s media, Beauty Store business and Hype Hair.

In our new Hair Q&A series with hair experts, we connect Madame Noire readers with various experts and stylists to answer their most pressing questions about hair care. In this edition, celebrity hair stylist Shedelle Holmes responds to reader-submitted questions about heat damage and the best work-out styles. If you have a hair care issue you’d like to have addressed, Facebook us or email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com. 

What would work best for heat damaged hair (products, approach)?

First you need to identify what could be causing your hair to break and stop immediately! Your hair could be damaged from chemicals or even from the excessive use of heat. Start the healing process by deep conditioning your hair on a weekly basis and cut off the dead ends (completely). Make sure to always apply a leave in conditioner before blowdrying and/or setting your hair. Keep the use of heat to a minimum and sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet, this will help maintain your hairs moisture. One of my favorite hair care brands for damaged hair is Macadamia Natural Oil. Their Deep Repair Masque works wonders!

Shedelle Holmes is a celebrity hair stylist whose clients include Alicia Keys, Marsha Ambrosius and more. 

In our new Hair Q&A series with hair experts, we connect Madame Noire readers with various experts and stylists to answer their most pressing questions about hair care. In this edition, Toni Love responds to a reader-submitted question about transitioning to natural hair without having to cut off most of her hair. If you have a hair care issue you’d like to have addressed, Facebook us or email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com. 

Disclaimer: the one question is broken up into two parts:

Reader Question: Is there anyway to transition to natural hair without doing a big chop?

Yes, you can transition to natural hair without doing the “big chop” by wearing wigs, weaves, and extensions for a period of time. Be sure to shampoo your hair, oil the scalp and massage it, and apply a leave-in conditioner on the hair before preparing it for such styles as braids, weave techniques, and wigs. These steps keep the hair hydrated and scalp circulated while lying dormant. After receiving the new style, continue to massage the scalp. Be sure to keep the hair ends clipped in between styles. As the hair is transitioning to it’s natural state, another style option is hair pressing. As the chemical grows out, press only the new growth.

Reader Question: I’ve always had long hair and hair “options”, I’m not familiar with weaves or wigs but I want something different but I’m scared at the thought of not having options and not being able to do anything about it until it grows back. I assume takes years to get to a decent length..

There is a wonderful book on the market entitled “The World of Wigs, Weaves, and Extensions” and it really does an excellent job explaining the different wigs and weaves options. (Walmart.com, Amazon.com, and anywhere books are sold) The book gives background information on the different commercial hair types, application procedures, as well as removal processes. It details how to maintain your hair while wearing commercial hair. I refer this book to help educate you and others. The more educated on commercial hair, the better your selection, and you will be aware of your options. Therefore, you don’t have to be “scared of not having options,” as you have braids, Interlocking weave techniques (No braids, No glue), braid and sew-in weave, dreadlock extensions, hair pressing, and so much more.

It doesn’t take long to get to a decent length, as the hair grows everyday. It depends on how fast your hair grows, the condition of the hair, the texture, etc. So, it does take patience. Being most African-Americans hair usually grow from the scalp kinky or curly, as you are transitioning to natural, it may appear to take longer. But, when the hair is blown dry, you should see the progress. It is very important to keep the ends clipped and the hair shaft hydrated, as you will go from chemically treated hair to natural. The hair in both states need moisture and the hair ends need to be clipped to ensure a successful transition without breakage.

Toni Love is an International educator and published author. She holds a BA in Business Management and a MA in Continuing Education. She has been in the hair industry for over 25 years and is a licensed cosmetologist, instructor, barber, and product owner of Toni Love’s Hair Cleansing System. She also trains licensed professionals on advanced hair techniques, and is celebrating 10 years of owning Toni Love’s Training Center in Atlanta, GA.

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The journey to healthier relaxed hair can seem daunting, especially when it means giving up habits you’ve grown accustomed to over the years. Fortunately, for every bad habit you give up there’s a good one waiting to replace it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common relaxed hair faux pas and what you should be doing instead to keep your head of hair healthy…

If you’re natural, you’re sure to have a number of these annoying single strands knots (aka fairy knots) lurking around your hair. To be honest, they are totally normal due to the structure of afro-textured hair and there is nothing you can do to get rid of all of them—unless, of course, you choose to cut your hair. However, there are ways to keep them at an absolute minimum. Keep reading to find out how!