Di Dumbs It Down

I have to admit that... this time, a couple of years ago, I had NO idea what a buff was. I had to Google so much to figure out what those crazy curlies of Instagram were yammering on about. But over time, I learned, so I hope this can be of use to you. Basically, a buff is a tube of cloth. What is a buff used for? You can protect curly hair at night (or when you're out and about) by placing your hair in this tube. Because it's tight and stretchy, a buff usually holds itself into place. Buffs are also popular among bikers and hikers to keep air and dirt out of their faces, or keep their necks warm, or to keep sweat out of their eyes. It really has so many uses and protecting hair at night is only one of them. Where can I buy a buff? Costco Amazon Any outdoor store (ie Mountain Equipment Co-op) The sport and outdoor department of most stores Dollar stores  How do I put it on?

It took me a long time to figure out that I need to clarify my hair every so often. But, what does that actually mean? Clarifying is a deep cleanse of your hair and scalp. When you clarify, you're removing or stripping away dirt, oil and product buildup. How do I know I need to clarify? Your products aren't working the way they used to Your hair feels weighed down Your scalp is dry, itchy and/or flaky Your hair is dull and filmy How does buildup happen? Gel, mousse, conditioner, and even shampoo gradually accumulate over time and leave buildup on your scalp Hard water Chlorine (hello, swimmers) Benefits to clarifying Hair is bouncy Hair is easier to style Hair grows faster Hair is thicker How often should I clarify? Use a clarifying shampoo no more than once or twice a month - otherwise, you risk drying out your hair. You may need to clarify more often if you swim frequently.  Always deep condition after clarifying. If you feel you need...

Itchy... What? These refer to preservatives, usually listed near the end of an ingredient list, that are long and start with the letter "M." The common ones are Methylchlorioisothiaolinone and Methylisothiazolinone. Basically... if it begins with Meth  and ends with One , it's an Itchy M. What do they do? They are preservatives that keep your products from going bad. They are anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so they keep your conditioner and other bath products safe in a hot and humid climate. But, they can seriously irritate your skin . Many people get scalp itch, irritation and pain from using products with Itchy Ms. If you have skin allergies, it can be quite serious. So, what should I do? It's generally a good idea to avoid co-washing with Itchy M ingredients. I don't use them as a co-wash, as I have psoriasis. But, I do occasionally use them as a conditioner (Suave Essentials and Beauty & Planet, for example). If you use them as a condition...

Flax seed gel is a DIY, homemade and CHEAP hair gel. It is all natural and organic. You can add extra ingredients to it for extra hair care. It has a bit of a snotty consistency, so be prepared for that. Benefits Gives good hold Hair is shiny, soft and moisturized Doesn't dry out or damage hair Defines curls and clumps Cheap! (it costs pennies per batch) Healthy! It contains Omega 3, Vitamin E, copper, magnesium, folate, B6, zinc, potassium, and protein... which the hair loves! This maybe $2 from Bulk Barn? And it will last forever. How to make it Boil two cups of water Add 1/4 cup of whole flax seeds (can be golden or brown) Boil for a few minutes Once foam thickens at the surface, immediately remove from heat Strain into a bowl (through clean pantyhose, cheesecloth or a metal strainer) Keep refrigerated (because it's all natural and has no preservatives, it will only last a few days on the counter and one to two weeks in the fridge). ...

The difference between wet plopping and regular plopping is with wet plopping, you plop your wet hair on top of your head in a shower cap instead of a cotton t-shirt, leggings, or micro fiber towel. Why wet plop? It encourages hair hydration It defines curls It reduces frizz ... and more. How do I do it? After you wash and condition, apply your leave in, curl cream and/or stylers to soaking wet hair with praying hands and rope each clump Squish out excess water with your hands Dip your clumps into a shower cap Wrap a towel around your head and the shower cap to keep water from dripping all over you, OR just keep a towel around your shoulders, OR wrap a headband around the shower cap Plop for 10-20 minutes Remove the shower cap, remove excess moisture by squishing with your hands, a microfiber towel or a cotton tshirt (some prefer to regular plop at this stage) I learned about this method from @powerdomi on Instagram - she is the queen of hydration for wavy hair,...

Praying hands is a good way to apply product to your hair. You know what it looks like when you pray and your palms touch each other? Now, put your hair between those hands! Apply your conditioner (and afterwards, styler) into one palm, rub your hands together and hang your hair over your head, or to each side. Now, place your hands together with your hair between them, and rub the product on, from the root to the tip. Then you can finger come to detangle, STC, etc. Why praying hands? It helps apply product more evenly across your entire hair, it smooths your hair and reduces frizz. VIDEO HERE.

Did you know that curly hair is drier than straight hair? Regular conditioner coats and sits on the hair, so every now and then, us curlies need something more intense to penetrate the hair shaft. Regular deep conditioning is a necessity for curly hair. It nourishes, strengthens and moisturizes curly hair. It also improves the texture, reduces breakage and improves the hair's health. It also helps improve the hair's elasticity, which means it is more flexible and can stretch more before it breaks. Deep conditioners can be specially formulated, a boosted regular conditioner or a DIY concoction. How long? How often? If your hair is extremely dry or damaged, you should condition twice a week. To maintain good hair health, once a week or every two weeks may suffice. Leave the deep conditioner in anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour (20-30 minutes seems to be the consensus as some curly bloggers are saying that it won't work anymore after 20 minutes) before rinsing. ...