Marvelous Monday!

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of video games and comics. Yes it’s true; my favorite pass time just so happens to be playing Mass effect and by far my all time favorite series of comics is X-Men.
So in celebration of the newest Marvel flick we have decided to focus this week’s posts on the hair of superheroes and giveaway two free movie passes!
Each day we will give a hint as to which avenger’s hero we will be blogging about on Friday! Winners will be contacted through email and announced on Friday

Today we will be looking at Rouge of the X-Men comics. Many of you who have only seen the x-men movies know rouge as a shy southern teenager who does not quite know the strength of her powers or her place in the world.  She struggles to control the changes in her life and her abilities yet somehow she always manages to play a crucial role in saving the day.zWhen I think rouge I think a 1990’s southern seductress with sassy, sexy flare and killer attitude. Rouge is a power house of a Mutant Just like our featured hero she wields super strength, the ability to fly and drain the power of anyone and any mutant that gets in her way, and I mean have you seen the guns on this woman, who would get in her way?  Unbeknownst to some people, unlike most of the other X-men Rouges real name and full back story were not released until almost twenty years after her first appearance, just adding to her charm and mystery.  

Rouge has a thick 3B Organic hair type, with amazing drive and courage to boot! If you would like to get rouges style or if you have rouges hair try these tips!

-Add shine and moister to your hair with natural cleansers.

-If you don’t have big hair, try leaving your hair in big curlers over night and style in the morning as needed.

-Revive your rebellious curls with leave in conditioner

-Use a gel to maintain your looks all day long! 

Read More

Weekend Post!

By Jc of The Natural Haven Bloom

Does your hair appear to be stuck or stagnant at a particular length? Some people with natural hair can continuously gain length but for others it can be tricky. A hair plateau is basically a point where your hair breaks at the same rate as it is growing. The length therefore appears static and this leads some people to incorrectly say ‘my hair is not growing’.

Getting over hair plateaus requires some understanding of your hair. There is no straight forward and simple route for everyone, the real remedy lies in finding out why your hair is breaking. This is my experience and observation:

1. Necklength Plateau (4-6 inches)

It may seem quite odd to some but for hair that has a lot of kinks
or hair with small curls, the fact is a necklength plateau is very possible even with the most gentle care. The reason is that the curls are very small and the kinks within the hair add continuous points of stress which break with handling. My observation is that neck length plateaus tend to be related to combing and brushing.
People with thicker hair strands (individual) tend to fair quite well with gentle combing but if a fine tooth comb is used, then breakage can arise. For some, changing from dry combing to conditioner combing is a remedy rather than changing from a fine comb to a wide comb.

However, for fine and kinky hair, combing and brushing is sometimes just not an option. Some naturals can only progress from a necklength plateau by eliminating combing and brushing. The finger detangling method is indeed slow and painstaking for some but is a guaranteed way to ensure that the comb does not rip through the complex tangles in kinky hair. Feeling these tangles out with fingers is usually ideal.

The general measure I would use to determine whether combing is suitable to your hair is to first finger detangle your hair and follow up with a wide tooth comb. If the comb persistently gets stuck in your hair and you cannot run the comb from root to tip AFTER detangling, then combing is probably not something your hair likes.

2. Midlength plateaus (shoulder to armpit length – 9-12 inches)

If you got over an early plateau or were lucky enough never to have one, it is still possible to experience another stagnant phase. Some naturals spend ages at shoulder to armpit length when they would like their hair to grow longer. My observation is that mid length plateaus tend to be related to styling and/or trimming schedules.

Protective styling is a guaranteed method to get over plateaus. However the protective styling method has to be productive. This means it has to reduce knots, tangling, splitting, breakage due to handling and importantly you must not lose hair when undoing the style. Not all protective styles are suitable for everybody. For example, if your hair easily tangles up when free, a bun which is considered a protective style may not be suitable for you. If your hair easily untwists or strands tend to mesh when twisted, then a twist style which is considered protective may not be for you. If you are not patient enough to take down minibraids, then this style is not ideal for getting over a plateau. The bottom line is that you must pick a protective style that you can keep for a significant time (3-4 weeks) and rest your hair for a few days in between before reinstalling the style. Make sure it is a productive protective style.
In regards to trimming, you have to bear in mind that hair at 12 inches is old. It is 2-3 years old depending on your growth rate. The cuticle layers gradually deplete and this is what causes split ends to form. If you find several split ends on your hair, the answer to your plateau problems may lie in establishing a trimming routine. This can mean a search and destroy where you find and cut split ends only or a regular cut every few months . Ideally you should not need to cut your hair more often than once every 2-3 months. If you are exceeding this level then you need to look at ways to protect your ends (See protective styling above).

3. Hair strengthening

For some naturals products and routines make a real difference to hair and help them either get over or not experience plateaus. As always, there is no set formula, the guide for what you use to strengthen your hair is what your hair itself responds to. This is what I have observed from natural blogs,vlogs and forums
alternating with a protein conditioner or adding hydrolysed protein to conditioner (for others though eliminating protein is useful when they find that it makes their hair hard/stiff and therefore easier to break)
using a preconditioning step to protect hair while it is washed
washing hair in braids or twists or using section clips (i.e making hair more manageable when washing, reducing shrinkage and therefore possible knotting)
choosing to either deep condition or to eliminate deep conditioning (for some, deep conditioning is a must and users say that it makes hair softer and more manageable, for others it makes no difference and is unnecessary time spent with wet hair).
stretching hair gently (i.e using twists, braids etc to stop the full effects of shrinkage and therefore reducing tangling and knotting).

Read More

Food and Hair Concluded!

 

Here is the conclusion of our hair and food feature week. I myself am glad its Friday! I'm so tired and I just can't wait to relax over the weekend! Be sure to join our nest on Twitter and like us on Facebook for recipes and other fantastic hair tips!

Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains

Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you've still got hours to go before dinner.

Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters

Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair -- and who doesn't love that?

The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc -- a powerful antioxidant.

If oysters don't make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don't despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

Low-fat Shamrock shake

Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

For some healthy hair foods "to-go," try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.

Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you'd be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

The Big Picture: A Balanced Diet for Healthy Hair

When it comes to foods for healthy hair and beauty, variety is the best way to go.

"An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy," Giancoli says.

If you're tempted to drop pounds fast with the latest fad diet, it could leave you with less-than-healthy hair -- along with a growling stomach. Low-calorie diets are often low in some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair, including omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A. In addition to stunting hair growth and leading to dullness, super-low calorie plans may even cause hair loss.

"Crash diets can affect the hair cycle," Mirmirani tells WebMD. "Losing a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time can affect that normal hair rhythm. Two to three months later, you might notice a significant increase in shedding. This is a temporary problem that you recover from with a well-rounded diet."

Read More

Hair Foods Continued

Yesterday we went over three foods that you can eat that will make for really great looking hair. Today we will go over another three. Enjoy!

Mixed Nuts

Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts

Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should.

Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

This roasted chicken is paired with another hair food, Asparagus

Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry

Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave.

"Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color," Giancoli tells WebMD.

Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.

Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs

When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn't matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they're served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.

They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

REMEMBER TO CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THIS SERIES

Read More

Foods That Help Hair

In this little series of articles we will look at the top 10 foods to eat for healthy hair! Here are the first three. Enjoy!

~

"Lather, rinse, repeat" may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won't give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you'll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen.

"Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat," says Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, a Chicago-based dietitian. "If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body -- inside and out."
If you were born with fine, thin hair, you'll never have rope-thick tresses -- no matter what you eat -- but a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of growth-promoting protein and iron can make a difference, say nutrition and hair experts.

And beware of dietary supplements often marketed to thicken hair or make it grow faster. Though there are natural oils that you can place into the hair to thicken it. supplements may backfire.

"Even though you can find beauty supplements on the shelves of most stores, try to get the nutrients you need from foods whenever possible," Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist in Vallejo, Calif., tells WebMD. "In rare instances, excess supplementation of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, has been linked to hair loss."

Beautiful egg and salmon rolls.

Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon

When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it's hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

"Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health," says Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a dietitian in Los Angeles and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "A deficiency can result in a dry scalp and thus hair, giving it a dull look."

Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

Amazing kale Greek salad

Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables

Popeye the Sailor Man didn't eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner.

Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.


Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans
Beans, beans, they're good for your ... hair?

This couscous three bean salad looks redonk!

Yes, it's true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

Blatner, who is also a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, recommends three or more cups of lentils or beans each week.

Check back the rest of this week to learn the other foods!

By Hilary Parker
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Read More

Tuesdye hair Tips

Though most dyes are not at all in the least bit natural, if one wishes to eccentuate their natural beauty with a splash of color it can be liberating and exciting! Here are a few dye tips forwarded to me by Cerise Fairfx
Enjoy!

~

Hair Dyes

Whether your color is blonde, red, black or brown, you should know what you're getting into when you use hair dyes. The jury is still out on whether hair dyes cause long-term health problems, but it still pays to be cautious by following these tips:
 Try to postpone the decision to dye your hair permanently for as long as possible. Learn to make the most of your natural color.

 Dye your hair as little as possible, not just because you're sick of the last color. The more you use permanent dyes or go from one wild extreme to the next, the more likely you are to damage your hair.

 Read hair dye instructions carefully. Leave the product on only as long as the instructions indicate and use it only in the amounts indicated.

 Try highlights or streaking instead of coloring your entire head.

 Talk with a cosmetologist who specializes in hair coloring. He or she may be able to give you some tips related to problem products.

 Consider going to a professional hairdresser or "haircolorist" if you must dye your hair. They are the pros and will have a lot more experience than you or your friends.




Author Hair: Learn to Love your hair

Read More

Monday hair Tips!

This small post was sent to me by Cerise Fairfax. It contains a few little tips and tricks, more to come tomorrow! Enjoy-Nol

~

Hair Tips
Here are some tips to keep your hair in shape:
   Use conditioners. They won't necessarily give your hair a radiant glow, but they can coat the hair with a lubricant or synthetic that replaces the stripped out sebum. Some conditioners bond to the hair, helping to smooth the cuticle and restore sheen to the hair. Others cut down the static charges of flyaway hair.
    

Go easy on coloring, hot rollers and dryers -- especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

   Remember, "perm" is short for "permanent" and although it is not permanent it can take a long time to grow out. If you really want to have it done, have a hairdresser do it and make sure they tell you the different options for your hairtype.

   Wear a hat in the sun. The sun dries your hair out, as it bleaches it too. Hats can be cute, fun and change your look.

   Wear a bathing cap in pools or in salt water. Comb conditioner into your hair before you put the cap on and then wash your hair afterward. I know you think you will look like a dork, but chlorinated pool water can change your hair color. I know, I live in Florida and the water here is very chlorinated. So, it lightens and damages everyone's hair!

   Dry your hair gently, by blotting and squeezing, not wringing or rubbing. Never brush wet hair. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb.

Read More

Weekend Post!

   
  Here is a beautiful poem I thought id share, titled Washing My Hair. I enjoy this poem; it’s sultry, playful and a little gothic. It invokes the transcending nature of water and reveals the existential thoughts one may have while completely vulnerable.

Washing My Hair

BY ANNE STEVENSON

Contending against a restless shower-head,

         I lather my own.

The hot tap, without a mind, decides

         to scald me;

The cold, without a will, would rather

         freeze me.

Turning them to suit me is an act of flesh

         I know as mine.

Here I am: scalp, neck, back, breasts,

         armpits, spine,

Parts I've long been part of, never

         treasured much,

Since I absorb them not by touch, more

         because of touch.

It's my mind, with its hoard of horribles,

         that's me.

Or is it really? I fantasise it bodiless,

         set free:

No bones, no skin, no hair, no nerves,

         just memory,

Untouchable, unwashable, and not, I guess,

         my own.

Read More

The Benefits of Hemp Oil on Hair

In light of it being April twentieth, a day with a massive sub-cultural following, thought I would post an article on the benefits of hemp oil on the hair. Enjoy!

Photo Credit hemp image by Dmitri MIkitenko from Fotolia.com 

Hemp oil can be used to beautify your hair from within, as well as from without. The oil is rich in essential fatty acids, along with vitamins and protein. Hemp oil is good for people with all hair and skin types, though its nutty scent can take some getting used to, authors Lauren Cox and Janice Cox advise in their book "Ecobeauty." While some folks confuse it with marijuana, hemp oil is legal and does not contain the compound THC that gives people a "high." Though the plants are both classified Cannabis sativa L., they are scientifically different. Industrial hemp is cultivated for its oil, fiber and seed content, whereas marijuana is grown for its THC content. You can purchase hemp oil at health food stores and online.
Conditioning Agent

Use hemp oil to condition your hair and your scalp, recommend the Coxes. Hemp oil has vitamin E, along with a high essential fatty acid content, naturopathic author Linda Page notes in her book, "Linda Page's Healthy Healing." Fatty acids provide emollient action, meaning they prevent water loss and have a softening effect, says Paula Begoun, author of "The Original Beauty Bible." The oil is also a natural moisturizer that boosts scalp health, shoring up the intercellular matrix, which protects against moisture loss, according to Begoun. Keeping the scalp healthy can help prevent dry scalp and minimize irritation. Hemp oil is especially good to use in the winter, when the outdoor air is cold and indoor heating systems are cranked up, say the Coxes, because both of these factors dry out your hair and skin.

Rihanna sporting curly hair
at Coachella 

Nutritional Value
Hemp oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids and omega-9 fatty acids, Page writes in "Cooking for Healthy Healing." Consuming such polyunsaturated fatty acids stimulates hair and skin growth, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Hemp oil also has gamma linolenic acid, which is good for combating hair dryness, Page notes. Hemp oil can be used as you would use olive oil or flaxseed oil in dips and salad dressings.

Protein Value
The quality protein in hemp oil improves the feel and appearance of your hair. Your hair is 97 percent protein, Page says. Hemp oil is 25 percent protein. Protein improves the condition of your hair, especially when it has been damaged. In addition to strengthening the hair, protein has emollient and water-binding properties that boost hair health, says Begoun

References
"Ecobeauty;" Lauren Cox and Janice Cox; 2009
"Cooking for Healthy Healing;" Linda Page; 2002
"Linda Page's Healthy Healing;" Linda Page; 2004
"Diets for Healthy Living;" Linda Page; 2005
"Hair Care;" Zoe Diana Draelos; 2005

Article reviewed by Amy Richards Last updated on: Mar 28, 2011

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/189783-the-benefits-of-hemp-oil-on-hair/#ixzz1sabbxPtf

Read More

Thursday ~

Here is another great article forwarded to me by Cerise Fairfax. Its very informative and helpful. Enjoy!

~

Is anyone ever happy with their hair? It doesn't seem like it! Either their hair is too wavy, too straight, too thin, too brittle, or some strange combination of those factors. Then, to make matters worse, the things people do to their hair to solve a problem often seem to create another hair crisis.

The first step to sanity is to accept reality. Most hair characteristics, such as texture and color, are genetic. You can't do much to change them, so you just have to learn to live with them -- at least for a while. What you can do is to make some decisions about the way you treat your hair. Learn about common hair problems and do whatever you can to keep your hair healthy and in good condition. FYI... Shampoos today are very effective, but the manufacturers instruct you to wash and repeat simply so you use more of their product.

OILY HAIR
After dandruff, the main complaint of most teenagers is oily, greasy, or stringy hair. Unfortunately, your hair needs that oil. Glands in the scalp secrete oil for each of the hair's follicles. This oil actually allows the hair to slide through the scalp and protects the hair from the elements. The key is finding ways to cut down on some of those nasty oil spills. Wash your hair as often as you like, but use a mild shampoo and wash only once. You do not need to add a conditioner to oily hair. If you really want it drier, you can make it drier by having it permed or tinted.

DRY HAIR
If you have dry hair, your scalp is producing less sebum than it should and you end up with dry, brittle hair. When the layer of oil in the hair is broken down, the moisture trapped below evaporates, leaving the hair to dry out and become more prone to damage. It isn't long before you end up with dry, unmanageable areas complete with split ends and broken shafts. You should wash it as infrequently as you can and use a mild shampoo with a cream conditioner afterwards. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing. Don't brush your hair out too much, try to comb it gently. Dry hair is fragile hair!!!

The good news about hair is that it is programmed and designed to battle the elements. The cells in your hair shaft's thin outer layer, or cuticle, overlap like scales to protect the shaft's inner mass of fiber, called the cortex. This shaft is usually covered with a lubricant called sebum; that is the oily stuff. 

Read More

Hair and Character

Here is a Great article that was forwarded to me by Cerise Fairfax (mom =D) it has a few awesome suggestions on how to enhance you overall character with simple changes to your hair. Enjoy!

~

Throughout the course of history, hair styles have been a way of distinguishing people of different groups. It may show that the person belongs to a social, ethnical, racial or a sub-cultural group.
Nowadays, our society has generally blended together and there are no formal social classes in the sense that there have been, say, 100 years ago or more, therefore a hairtype and/or style have become more of a statement about one's character.

A person with curly hair, for example, is typically thought to be nervous, energetic and impulsive. A stereotype, originating from the images of a sea or ocean : when there are waves in the sea, people tend to call it "raging" or "uncalm" due to it's dynamic nature. Hence, the more curly the hair, the more nervous the person is considered to be.
Curling your hair is a good idea if you want to make yourself look spicy or, perhaps, just a little bit on the wild side. Going on a date with a person who you believe likes impulsive people is a great occasion to curl your hair.

Straight hair is reminiscent of a flat surface or a calm sea and represents peace, making it the complete opposite of curly hair. A person with straight hair will give off an impression of being peaceful, perhaps even serene, reserved and generally one that doesn't give in to emotion quite as much. For this reason, straightening your hair may be a good idea for business meetings and other such formal endeavors, where emotion is not required or even unfavorable.
There are, of course, ways to enhance the impression your hair gives off or add some kind of flavor to it by using color.
A red or reddish color will give you a fiery look, drastically changing the image of someone with straight hair, or enhancing the impression if the hair is curly.
The color yellow is often associated with happiness and peace, thus making blond hair an interesting combination for someone with curly hair.

Brown is generally a neutral color, when it comes to hair so it is probably the easiest way out if you are not sure about what statement you want to make using your looks.
Other hair colors, ones that don't exist in nature will typically mark you as part of some sub-culture, but may still be a good idea if one manages to do it with style.

Author: jurgita.com

Read More

Cooking with...Shea butter??

You would say 'ew' but if you try it you'll be saying 'yum'! The smoky taste of Shea goes great with pork and is used in the chocolate industry all the time! You may have already eaten it without knowing and loved the taste. here is an article taken from ehow.com on how to prepare regular unrefined Shea butter (the yellow stuff that smells like bacon :D) for consumption. Enjoy!

With love
Nol

How to Cook Using Unrefined Shea Butter

By Chris Ciolli, eHow Contributor | updated July 05, 2011

Shea butter is an appropriate vegan substitute for dairy butter.

Unrefined shea butter is derived from the seed of the shea tree. Also known as galam butter or karite butter, it's used in cosmetic products, chocolate production and as a cooking oil. At room temperature shea butter should be a creamy solid that easily spreads like dairy butter on bread. Shea butter has a characteristic smoky, nutty smell and should be between cream, beige and yellow in appearance. Unrefined shea butter is an all-natural, vegan-friendly butter and lard substitute that can be used in baked goods -- or just spread on toast. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1.        

1

Spread shea butter on tea sandwiches, toast or pancakes instead of dairy butter or margarine for a healthy, vegan substitute.

2

Substitute shea butter for lard, margarine, dairy butter or cocoa butter in cookie and cake recipes in the quantities called for by the recipe. If you're unsure about liking the smoky taste of shea butter, substitute it a little at a time in recipes. For instance, use a half cup each of shea and dairy butter in a recipe that calls for a cup of dairy butter.

3

Liquify shea butter at medium heat in a skillet to pan-fry sweet and savory dishes or saute fresh vegetables and meat.

4

Use shea butter instead of dairy butter or olive oil as a basis for sauce to pour over pasta, rice, meat or vegetables. Shea butter, garlic and green onions make a simple but tasty sauce that dresses up many dishes.

Read more: How to Cook Using Unrefined Shea Butter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4700478_cook-using-unrefined-shea-butter.html#ixzz1sIwjLuNy

Read More

Monday, Monday

Currently listening too: Monday, Monday- the Mamas and the Papas

Hey there everyone! Nol, here with a quick little tidbit. Over the weekend I got some interesting questions and thought I would blog about them! Enjoy!

“Natural vs chemical....?” When you hear the word natural you may think hemp, recycled goods and soy beans you may even think of the shredded wheat that your grandmother served you as a child. Or you may think of someone who is going through their “Big Chop”. When we say “natural” we mean “without artificial chemicals or enhancers.”

“What is natural hair?” Natural hair is pretty much hair that is real and not treated by chemicals or altered by hot tools (ie flat ironing, hot combing, etc). That can be anything from dye to perm. Natural hair isn’t hair that has NEVER been treated but rather hair that is not currently treated.

“How it is better?” Where do I start? It is my firm belief that accepting yourself for who you are, is the first step to loving the world, and what better place to start then the top of your head? Maintaining your hair without chemicals is always the better way for the simple fact that you are not putting anything not found in nature in or around your body – I mean what would you rather put in your hair aminomethylpropanol or Aloe?

   Also, not only is it better for you but it’s also better for the environment as well.  Did you know that “there are currently 10,500 ingredients documented by the FDA as being used in personal care products. Only 11% (1,155) have been assessed for safety by the cosmetic industry”? When you hear something like that it kind of makes you reconsider what you are putting on your body every day. Think of it like this: if I were to ask you to pay me to place your own hands in a tank of 10,500 snakes and only 1,155 of them were proven not to be poisonous, would you still put your hands in the tank? It just makes sense to go with the nature of things.

“Who can go Natural?” ANYBODY! It does not matter what ethnicity you are, hair type you have or whether or not you have chemically treated your hair. Deciding to go natural is a winning move for all people of all ages!

“Can I still dye my hair if I'm going natural?” Look, no one is going to tell you what you can and cannot do here. If you want to go blonde then by all means shine like the sun J! There are MANY natural ways of dying and bringing out the hairs natural color, that have been around for centuries (in fact we offer a few =D!) if you want to accentuate your natural beauty with a splash of color, who is anybody to tell you not to be yourself? Remember: those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.

Do I have to do a “Big Chop” to start going natural? It is our belief that anyone can start going natural at any moment they chose. Being someone who has done the big chop and went back to the creamy crack (perm) very soon after, I can say that for me it had the adverse effect it was supposed to. Because I was so young I was more or less worried about the views and opinions of others and not what was really good for me. Though some people prefer to do a “big chop” we believe it is not a necessity. The “Big Chop” is something that is supposed to be empowering to women. You are cutting of the hair society grew and starting over fresh and new for YOU! If it is something you wish to do I congratulate you on your choice and ask you to share your journey with us. If, like myself, you decide against a big chop not I still ask that you share your natural journey with D&A and also the best on your path.

Hope this answered some of the questions about natural hair that you have, and remember you can always email, tweet, facebook or comment here with any quaetions about hair you may have!

With Love 

Nol  

Read More

Its Friday the thirteenth!

So, in light of it being Friday the thirteenth I decided to share a couple of my hair horror stories. A few little tidbits if you will, from before my natural hair journey, enjoy!

    A few years ago I was at my splits end with my hair (get it splits end?), it was out of control! The texture was like straw from so much dying and relaxing and I had no other solution but to smother it in Blue Magic hair conditioner and relax again once the texture of my real hair started to come in.

   One day I was relaxing my hair in a friend of mines bathroom, I began sectioning and combing the product through as usual. The box said the relaxer would take effect in about 20minutes, which was pretty quick in my opinion. After 20 minutes I washed out my hair, styled and moisturised as I usually did and went back into the living room to show the finished product to my buddy. At first everything was ok I turned to show the back and got great responses.

    After about five minutes my friend’s mother said to me “Noli...your hair is on smoking....” I looked at her face to see of she was joking but to my dismay she was completely serious! I jumped up and grabbed the phone “I'm gonna call 911 in that case.” I warned jokingly trying to call her bluff “go right ahead I'm serious”. I RAN to the bathroom and sure enough my hair was FUMING! There were literally yellow gas clouds coming off of my head! I grabbed a bottle of conditioner to try and smother the fumes and wrapped my hair in a hot towel. Thank fully I was not burned and my hair was ok (well if you call crispy hair ok).  

  I’d like to say that after that day I no longer used chemical relaxers, however foolishly I did continue until I decided enough was enough, and started down the natural path!

  If you have hair horror stories, share them in the comments below and you could win and exclusive pre-launch gift!

With Love

Nol

Read More

Whats all this ??

          Dagger & Arrow is a natural organic hair product company started by Nolisha and Cerise Fairfax.  Both mother and daughter having naturally curly hair have struggled in the western world to find products that WORK. With maturity Cerise learned many fundamental hair care techniques and Nolisha has learned many scientific organic hair treatments together they are ready to share their wealth of knowledge with the world.

    Dagger & Arrow researches “new” cutting edge, organic hair tech in the hope of harnessing the power of nature to benefit our hair. D&A produce shampoo, conditioner, gel, butter, pomade, spray, masks and dye. All of our products are made of 100% natural ingredients and hand bottled in Toronto, Ontario.  

Read More