Stronger, Longer Hair Challenge

Sponsored by:

Take the Healthy Hair Survey

Do you mix any of your existing products that are meant to be used alone?

I am a big believer in (1) not throwing away products because I don’t like them and (2) finding a new purpose for products. I just say remix them! I love remixing products by adding great ingredients to them or even mixing two different products.

If I don’t like a product because of different reasons like it not being moisturizing enough, I add some moisturizing ingredients like essential oils. Sure that may sound like a lot of work- but I end up not wasting money.

So pull out your blender or mixing bowl and get started! Sometimes, all you need is a bottle to shake it up!

Shampoo/Conditioner mix – I literally take some of my favorite shampoos and mix them with my favorite conditioner and put it in a bottle with a nozzle attachment. From there, I can get it on my scalp and throughout my hair and it has both the cleanser and conditioning agents and it saves me some time!

Leave In Conditioner mix- I will put some nice thick conditioner in a bottle and add in all of my favorite essential and carrier oils like Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil, or EVOO. I literally just eye ball it and don’t measure. I also add a little Peppermint oil to give it a yummy scent! Sometimes it is still too thick so I have to add some water to it. I shake up the bottle really well and start spraying. This is great for in between washes, especially in the summertime. (Tip: You will have to shake it up each time because the oil and product will separate.)

Shea/Oil Styler – Now for this one, I don’t mix any manufactured products in. I just remix plain ol’ shea butter. I take refined shea butter and coconut oil as the base. They both come in a hard texture and not soft. I then put them on the stove until it forms a liquid. From there, I add all of my other favorite oils and then I mix them together. I let it sit overnight and in the morning, it’s a nice soft styler I can use to have shiny, frizz free hair!

Define/Moisturizing Cream- I take some of my favorite cream moisturizers and my favorite frizz fighting serum and mix them up in a jar: 2 to 1. This doesn’t take any heating up or mixing. A fairly simple way is to literally use a spoon to mix the two products together and instead of having to apply both products separately, you have a one stop shop to defined and moisturized hair!

There are many products you can make at home by remixing! Try it out!

_________________________________________

Join the Optimum Stronger, Longer Hair Challenge! Complete the Hair Survey and share your experience in the challenge by commenting below or tweeting us @MadameNoire with the hashtag #StrongerLonger for your chance to be our weekly winner and score amazing Optimum Care products!.

We are looking for the most engaged users. Participate in the challenge, send us your questions… and we could feature YOU on Madame Noire! At the end of the challenge, three Grand Prize winners will receive a salon experience, tons of Optimum Care product, and the opportunity to serve as an Optimum Care blogger. Join us!

Feel free to e-mail us at HealthyHair@madamenoire.com

By Chrissi J

To Po or Not to Po? Is it okay to not shampoo my hair?
“Can I not shampoo my hair?” is a commonly asked question from some of my clients. The answer is: no.
It is important that your hair is shampooed at least once or twice every month. ‘Co-Washing’ or only using conditioner, can be great for in-between shampoos. Co-washing can definitely eliminate the need to comb your hair so often, and it also leaves your hair soft just the way you love it. I definitely recommend it.

However, with time, hair accumulates dirt and lint from outside, as well as build-up from products. Too much dirt or build up can lead to an offensive smell, breakage, and/or Malassezia (a fungal-type dandruff that develops in the presence of lipids, oils, waxes, etc). Shampooing your hair is a must, but for curly hair it isn’t necessary to do it so often. Just make sure when you do shampoo, as you must shampoo, to use conditioner afterwards.

When it comes to what conditioners you should try and how often is too often to wash your hair, these are the most common questions I get:

Q: What conditioners would you recommend?
A: I personally really like Organic Root Stimulator’s ‘Replenishing Conditioner’ & Aveda ‘Shampure’ Conditioner. Why? Well, because they work well with a lot of different hair types, which is always a great thing…but there are a lot of really great conditioners out there. Find which works best for you!

Q: If I shampoo & condition my hair twice in one month can it dry my hair out?
A: Not necessarily, it’s important that you always condition/hot oil treat your hair after you shampoo to replace the moisture in your hair. Everyone and their hair is different, so it’s important for you to consciously notice your hair and patterns that form as a result of using different products and trying different shampoo and styling routines. Do what makes your hair happy & healthy.

Q: What can I use in my homemade conditioner?
A:  Before you start, I suggest that you are aware of what type of hair you have and the condition your hair and scalp is in. Do research on products that will cater to you and what is best for your hair and scalp. The following is a list of some of my favorite conditioning ingredients…

Whether it’s long, short, curly, or straight, all women derive a great sense of esteem and confidence from their hair. I wear my hair naturally, and I love my hair- with all its kinks and curls. African American women have one of the most delicate grades of hair, and a woman’s hair is often regarded as her crown and glory. The most healthy hair is hair worn in its natural state. But whether you wear your hair naturally or processed, here are some simple, yet crucial steps for black women to achieve healthier, more beautiful hair.

Labor Day Madames, signals the end of all-white bashes, boat rides, Sunday brunches, and with it comes time to hit the books with the briskness of Autumn. That’s right kiddies, it’s back to school time. Excited? We understand the arrival of fall leaves much to be desired, but we have a ton of beauty buys to put a smile on your face. Allow us to divert your attention from the upset of an abrupt summer ending to the fall beauty forecast. Ahead are shorter days and blistering winds, which can do serious damage to skin and hair. As you head back to work or school be prepared with our favorite beauty picks to face the fall.

Read the rest of this entry »