Whether you’re new to the natural game, want to switch up your style or trying to grow out your relaxed hair, there’s something for you. Here are some of the best bloggers and vloggers out there for every hair need:

Afrobella

Since 2006, Afrobella aka Patrice Grell Yursik, has been dishing advice and style suggestions on her blog for natural-haired divas. She was the keynote speaker at Fro Fashion Week, has been featured in the NYTimes and even attended the 2012 Oscars. If there’s anyone you can trust to give you great hair tips, it’s this lovely lady.

I first went natural back in 2009 when there were more product lines for kinky-haired ladies than ever before, but definitely not as many as there are now. The first company I tried on my freshly done big chop was Carol’s Daughter. I loved the Mimosa Hair Honey, but you know how that ole PJism can creep up on you. As many products and lines emerged, I tried everything I could get my hands on whether something worked for me or not. Since that time I’ve grown my BC out, returned to the relaxer and gone completely natural all over again picking up numerous butters, conditioners and cleansers along the way.

My kinks, coils and curls have been giving me an attitude lately. Due to the sun and my lack of deep conditioning as of late (my fault), my strands are a bit weaker and dryer than I’d like to see them, so I thought I’d find a new product to throw into the mix. For some reason, I was drawn to Carol’s Daughter once again, but instead of the Mimosa Hair Honey, I wound up purchasing the Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Cream Hairdress for $17. I hadn’t tried it before, but it contains wheat germ, soybean oil plus cocoa and shea butters – exactly what my thirsty strands were looking for.

I deep conditioned my hair then applied Marguerite’s Magic. Although I normally would add oils and a leave in conditioner, I wanted to see how this product alone would cooperate with my hair. Ladies, I think that I have fallen in love a second time around with Carol’s Daughter. The Marguerite’s Magic claims to undo the most intense damage, restore natural strength, improve manageability and soften. Rarely do you come across a product that actually does what it says, but my hair says it all. Upon application, I could feel that my hair was smoother and softer, but the next morning I could see that it was also shiny and had a nice hold – an added bonus that I didn’t expect. It truly looks healthier and I’ve received loads of compliments on my bouncy, shiny curls. This is definitely a new staple. The ingredients are beneficial to any hair type and the smell is absolutely heavenly. I highly recommend it to anyone whether relaxed or natural. I’d love to hear if you’ve tried it and what you think!

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It’s one of the biggest questions we have to answer in this life: how do I know if I should trim my hair? Okay, so I was being sarcastic, but it IS pretty important. Some people will tell you not to trim your hair at all if you want it grow. Some will say that you need to trim it every six weeks. Some say a couple times a year. Which one is it? Well, it pretty much boils down to the individual nature of your hair and your goals.

One of the most important things to note is that hair grows an average of one half inch every four weeks. Some people have hair that will grow faster, some slower, but the same rules are applicable whatever the case may be.

If your hair is chemically processed, your hair will probably need to be trimmed more frequently. Processes such as the traditional relaxer, Brazilian keratin treatment and texturizers can make hair brittle and dry, in turn causing split ends. In order to keep them from traveling further up your strands, they will need to be cut. Don’t fret though if you’re trying to grow your hair out; more than an inch cut is usually not necessary and if treated well afterward, another trim will not be needed for a good amount of time.

Natural hair tends to be able to go a bit longer between trims. Some women still feel most comfortable getting trims every six weeks while other natural ladies get their hair trimmed once per year. This may also depend on the porosity of your hair. If your strands have low porosity, it may need fewer trims, while highly porous hair will need them more frequently as this type of hair can be more susceptible to moisture loss and breakage.

Both chemically processed and natural tresses will need trims if constantly subjected to heat from blow-dryers and flat irons. In order to minimize damage, it’s always a good idea to apply a good heat protectant such as the Got2B Guardian Angel or Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide when styling.

Most of all it’s about knowing what to look for. In order to avoid over or under trimming, it’s best to not follow an exact date marked on your calendar for every few weeks. Instead, if your ends feel rough, look ragged, are tougher to curl or are resistant to moisturizing products, it’s probably time to grab a pair of shears or head to your favorite stylist.

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• Party of One Please: Things I’ve Learned To Enjoy By Myself
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• You Are Not The Father! The Most Memorably Ratchet Moments From The Maury Povich Show
• Drop The Flat Iron Like It’s Hot: Summer Hairstyles To Help You Beat the Heat
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Dear Readers, we at Madame Noire have heard your requests.  We know that a lot of our hair articles are about natural hair, and a few of our relaxed hair readers were feeling neglected.  I feel you; therefore, I’m giving you an article on taking care of relaxed hair.  Not only banking from my own personal experiences of things not to do, but I also got tips from a few hair consultants.

Okay, first, let’s talk about the basics of our hair.  I learned in a health class once that while a strand of Caucasian hair averages about three breakage points per strand, our hair has twice that, averaging about six to nine.  Therefore, our hair has a higher likelihood of breakage, but by taking proper care of it, it doesn’t have to.  You can have long hair, it’s within your grasp, and here are a few easy ways for you  to attain it.

Oh, and just because we’ve honored your request for a relaxed hair article, we did not honor your request for an article that you don’t have to click through all the pages.  But I promise, if you just take the few seconds to click, you might find some information that will help shape your hair care regimen.

By Jessica Dufresne

It’s the never-ending black hair debate: which is a safer option, natural or relaxed? Too often, relaxing gets the shaft, mainly because of the age-old assumption that it’s too damaging. (The moral arguments are a whole other topic.) In reality, the only times when relaxing is bad is when it’s not applied correctly, done too often, or you’re simply not taking care of your hair. Contrary to popular belief, you can have perfectly healthy, strong hair with a perm—as long as you know what and what not to do.

Why not relax?

So is it actually possible to have healthy locks despite perming? “Absolutely,” says celebrity hair stylist Tippi Shorter. “It is a chemical that alters the natural structure of your hair, but there is most certainly such a thing as healthy relaxed hair if you’re using it properly.” Shorter, who works on the healthy manes of Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Jada Pinkett-Smith, among others, says any damage experienced is due to “over-relaxing, using products that are too harsh on the hair, and trying to get an unrealistic finish.”

Just like Shorter, hair stylist Winston Scully, a 22-year hair industry veteran and owner of Hair Vibes salon in New York, contends that when it comes to relaxers, it’s all about the process. In fact, he says what causes damage is when a relaxer is left too long on the hair. Its active ingredient, lye (which comes in the form of different types of hydroxides: sodium, calcium, etc) has—as we all know—the power to break down any substance (remember the scene in Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair, where the soda can melts?)—but that’s only if it’s allowed to sit for an extended period of time. So as long as your perm is washed out when it’s supposed to be, you won’t have to worry about your hair melting off your scalp.

Brand matters

When you do decide to perm, it doesn’t pay to shop around or to assume you know which one to use. Shorter says just like all hair types are not equal, neither are all relaxers. “There are brands that I favor because they contain way more essential oils, they’re gentler, they don’t smell, they don’t irritate the scalp, they have a no-lye version, a sensitive-scalp version, or are compatible with hair color.”

According to Scully, while all relaxers contain a type of lye (the chemical that breaks down the curls), the conditioning agent is what separates the Hawaiian Silkys of the world from the Mizanis. “[when deciding which perm to use] I’m looking for one that contains the conditioning agent that is going to be beneficial to the individual’s hair.”
And how do stylists know which is best for you? Both Shorter and Scully agree that’s determined by careful examination of the hair and by experience. That said, both also discourage women from doing home perms. “I’ve seen so many horror stories,” says Shorter. “I know times are tough financially, but it’s hard for me to recommend or suggest someone to do it.” However, she does concede that if self-perming is a woman’s only option, “ I will try and steer [her] the best way possible.”

Time heals all damage

Overprocessing occurs when a relaxer is applied onto already-straightened hair—so it’s imperative to wait before touching up, or risk damage (and in case you think going natural will solve that problem, Shorter and Scully beg to differ). When you visit a new hairdresser, make sure it’s been at least six weeks since your last touch-up. The exact time to wait will depend on your texture and cut, as some women can go as long as 12 weeks in between touch-ups, while others may need them as frequently as every two weeks. Keep in mind that a good hair stylist will not perm your hair if you don’t need it (no matter how much you think you do).

Keep it tight

Regardless of whether or not your hair is chemically treated, the same maintenance rules apply: regular deep conditioning; trims every six to eight weeks; moisturizing your scalp; and even the right kind of roller set. A good set will leave you with a bunch of rollers on your head, as opposed to a few, which occurs when there’s too much hair per curler (and that volume, says Scully, causes stress on the hair). And, of course, your nightly habits matter: wrapping or roller setting and wearing a silk scarf are highly recommended.

How you choose to wear your hair doesn’t speak to the type of person you are, but how you take care of it does. You can use a relaxer for most or all of your life and, if it’s done right, it won’t cause any damage to your health or hair. The bottom line is there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with chemically straightening your hair, and it’s not a question of being addicted to “creamy crack;” if something works for you and doesn’t jeopardize your well-being, stick with it. There’s an old saying that everything ain’t for everybody and the same applies to hair.

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Mother’s Day is here and it’s a great day to pamper your mom and give her a small token of your appreciation. There’s always flowers or chocolates, brunch and a card. But sometimes you want to add a personal touch and give a gift with a bit more meaning. So give the gift of healthy hair!

DIY hair talk is all the rage whether your natural, weaved up or relaxed/straight, but some of our mom’s may be overwhelmed with all the talk and trends, or just stuck in habit when it comes to hair care. Giving a hair care gift is a great way to help them wade through all the hair trends and it’s personal to their hair care needs and style. Nothing makes a good gift like a gift that shows thought.

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Healthy hair is a product of healthy eating. And while some women can get away with eating unhealthy foods without their hair suffering, others aren’t as lucky. It’s almost a no-brainer which foods are probably detrimental to healthy hair (think the same foods that are unhealthy for your figure). Still, just as there are foods bad for your hair there are plenty that are proven to prevent split ends, retain growth, add luster, and improve texture.

So before you re-up on your monthly hair vitamins try adding these foods to your grocery list and begin implementing them into your diet. They naturally provide all the ingredients of hair vitamins, and usually more.

Ultimately when you increase your intake of these healthy foods, you should try to decrease your intake of those tasty, but unhealthy foods full of sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. While there are a variety of foods that provide you with the extra nutrients needed for healthy hair, here are seven key foods to get you started.

Photo: Food Network