Source: Shutterstock

As I sit here listening to Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, it’s easy to list the things that many of us love about the holiday season – winter white, cashmere, virgin snow, the smell of spiced cider and good things baking in the oven, and overall, mirth and good cheer.

One thing I am sure we all are less fond of though, particularly if you live in colder climates, is the havoc that cold weather can wreak on our hair. Let’s face it – many of us are already waging a daily battle against dryness and the ensuing problems that it causes: lackluster, dull hair, brittle strands and worst of all, breakage. But don’t fret just yet. There are plenty of things you an do to combat winter dryness so that your tresses are still strong and healthy by the time spring comes around. Check out these winter hair care tips.

Source: Shutterstock

Buy a Satin-Lined Hat

Buying a hat with a satin or silk lining will go a long way to reduce the friction from knits that may threaten delicate nape or hairline hair. It will also help to keep moisture in. This is also the time to make sure that you’re sleeping on a satin pillowcase (but you do that year round anyway, right?).

We all know how difficult it can be to keep up a workout routine and maintain our hair’s vibrancy at the same time. For the non-natural sistas, Mizani stylist Rod Horton offers up tips on how to protect your hair style while exercising.

Let us know what you think of this third episode of our hair series Relaxed & Real.

Want more Madame Noire Hair Videos….check out links below:

NATURAL HAIR

• Noire Naturals – The Natural Twist Out
• Noire Naturals – Maintaining Your Twist-Out Style
• Noire Naturals – Creating A Sophisticated Elegance
• Noire Naturals – Accessorizing a Sophisticated Updo

RELAXED HAIR

• Relaxed & Real – From Daytime To Evening
• Relaxed & Real – How To Prep Your Hair Before A Relaxer
• Relaxed & Real – Protective Styles For Working Out

WEAVES

• Weave Wisdom – How To Prepare For A Good Weave
• Weave Wisdom – How To Install A Hair Weave
• Weave Wisdom – How To Maintain A Hair Weave

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Did you know that you shouldn’t exercise within a day of getting a relaxer? Mizani stylist Rod Horton offers up this tip and others in the second episode of our hair series Relaxed & Real.

Check out the rest of his tips and let us know what you think.

Want more Madame Noire Hair Videos….check out links below:

NATURAL HAIR

• Noire Naturals – The Natural Twist Out
• Noire Naturals – Maintaining Your Twist-Out Style
• Noire Naturals – Creating A Sophisticated Elegance
• Noire Naturals – Accessorizing a Sophisticated Updo

RELAXED HAIR

• Relaxed & Real – From Daytime To Evening
• Relaxed & Real – How To Prep Your Hair Before A Relaxer
• Relaxed & Real – Protective Styles For Working Out

WEAVES

• Weave Wisdom – How To Prepare For A Good Weave
• Weave Wisdom – How To Install A Hair Weave
• Weave Wisdom – How To Maintain A Hair Weave

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Stronger, Longer Hair Challenge

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Take the Healthy Hair Survey

Have you ever tried to do a roller set at home? It’s a little difficult if you don’t have the experience.  If you have a relaxer, it’s fairly easy, but if you have natural hair, it can be a little more difficult. Roller setting is like anything else, practice makes perfect. Start off with all of the proper tools:

• Rollers
• Bobby pins or clips
• Setting lotion
• Rattail comb
• Hooded dryer
• Spray bottle

Make sure your hair is freshly washed with a moisturizing cleanser.  I like using Optimum Care’s Replenishing Shampoo.  Condition the hair thoroughly. 

Detangle your hair with detangler of choice.

Next, take small sections of hair and smooth each section down with a rattail comb prior to rolling to ensure a frizz free curl.

Tip: Your hair needs to be wet. Keep a spray bottle near in case your hair starts to dry.

Take the roller and roll the hair under and make sure it is taut and secure.  Your roots should be as straight as possible. The hair on the roller should be smooth.

Sit under the dryer until your hair is completely dry! Make sure all sections, especially the ones in the back are done. You want to make sure the hair is evenly dry.

Take out the rollers and you can create your own style.

What are some tips you have for roller sets at home?

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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

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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Thick and always shiny, Sanaa Lathan’s hair is gorgeous. (And when you see her on the red carpets, it’s most likely hers too. She says she likes to save extensions for the movies.) It’s no wonder the people at Pantene-Pro V snatched her up to be their celebrity spokeswoman. In light of her new role, this talented actress is sharing some of her hair tips and tricks.

See how she keeps her hair so healthy at StyleBlazer.com.

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• New Documentary Gets ‘In Our Heads About Our Hair’

Lavette with Sherri Shepherd & Varallo-Rowell, VMV US Brand Director. at Holiday Shopping Event

Last week, Emmy Award winning celebrity hair, makeup artist and skincare expert Lavette Slater hosted a holiday shopping event for NYC media and tastemakers at VMV Hypoallergenics boutique in Manhattan. Lavette is known for her trendsetting vision and her extraordinary hair skills seen on the ladies of  ‘The View’ and our very own first lady, Michelle Obama.

We got a chance to catch up with Lavette and she provided some hair and skin tips for the cold, dry winter months. Check them out below:

Skin Care Tips

SPF - SPF is a must all year round for everyone. The damaging rays of the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots and other serious conditions. When searching for moisturizers always look for SPF included. This also pertains to foundation and base creams.

Moisturizers - In order for your skin to look great, it must be hydrated! In the winter, the skin can be extra dry. So using a moisturizer that locks in moisture without being greasy is great. One of my favorite moisturizers from VMV Hypoallergenics is the Re-Everything Face, Hand and Body Lotion. It hydrates my skin and gives it a good shine and works all day protecting the skin.

Exfoliate - It is important to shed dead skin to make room for new skin. Exfoliation should be done once or twice a week. When using an exfoliating cream with beads make sure you are gentle with the skin. Massage in a circular motion very gently. It is not meant to be scrubbed on the face. If used improperly it can do more harm than good.

Eat organic Fruits and Veggies – This may sound cliché’ but fruits and veggies contain anti-oxidants. Everyday our bodies fight off pollutants (smoke, exhaust, byproducts, plastics etc..) all known as free radicals. As we get older, our skin looses firmness, elasticity and moisture, and these free radicals add to that process. The nutrients (anti-oxidants) found in fruits and veggies help the body fight these free radicals and help to renew and build the cells. Anti-oxidants fight against aging skin! So get with it, start with a healthy organic green drink every morning.

Flip the script for some winter haircare tips.

If you’re a round-faced gal, the perfect hairstyle for you will increase height and decrease width.  Hair can only do so much in regards to the depth of your face, which has the tendency to appear flat. Round faces are known for their soft and less angular bone structure, so if your concern is depth related; you should look into contouring with makeup.

Ashanti is one celebrity with a round face and judging from many of the pictures I came across of her, I think her stylist knows it! A lot of her hairstyles aim to give her face some height and that’s a good thing. I did however come across some no no’s that I will be sharing with you.

Stay tuned for more topics, comment or write us at editors@madamenoire.com if you have suggestions!

While pregnant with my first son, I decided to go natural and cut off the majority of my hair. Women told me stories of how pregnancy gave them great skin and healthy hair. My hair looked great and it did grow. In fact, I did not go to the salon for a year. When I did, she only trimmed half an inch of six inches of growth. After birth, I kept up the same routine and noticed the growth was more attributed to a lifestyle and routine change than pregnancy. My hair has grown to be quite long, but, more so than that, it is healthy.

Here are a few practical tips and relatively inexpensive ways to grow healthy hair:

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“Wonder Woman Files” is a weekly career column on Madame Noire. Stay tuned for more topics, comment or write us at editors@madamenoire.com if you have suggestions!

For men, it is the extra suit.  The one kept hanging behind their office door, in their car trunk or folded up into a locker somewhere.  It allows a man to go from looking like hell to Don Draper in point eight seconds after stepping foot in the office. As ladies, we could take a cue from our counterparts and keep some of that instant glam at work overnight.

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