To Color or Not to Color

If your anything like me, you change your hair every three seconds. So in considering something new, I'm sure hair color has crossed your mind.

So what affect do hair dyes have on our tresses and our health?

There are different kinds of hair dyes: Permanent, Demi-Permanent, Semi-Permanent, Gradual/Rinses & Temporary Dyes.

So what's the difference?

Chemical Ingredients...

Ammonia and hydrogen peroxide are the main ingredients that keeps the color bonded to the hair. They are able to seep inside the hair follicles, taking the color with them. That is how the color stays on the hair for longer periods of time. So depending on the "level" of dye used determines the amount of these chemical ingredients.

There has been some research to suggest that certain chemicals in hair dye can lead to certain cancers.

Temporary Dyes are the only dyes where there is no bonding of molecules. As a result it can be very messy.

Natural Alternative?

Henna is a great natural alternative! It comes from ground henna plants. Henna will condition and color the hair. As a conditioner, henna strengthens the hair, slightly loosens the curl pattern, helps to detangle and make hair more manageable and provides a natural and healthy sheen and shine to hair. Henna does not color hair like chemical dyes. It coats the hair shaft with a transparent red coloring. Not a cherry, bright red but a deep mahogany type red. As applications of henna are repeated, the color deepens. Henna does not and cannot lighten hair. On black and dark brown hair it will eventually become dark auburn to burgundy/black with red highlights in sunlight. A benefit to using this natural "dye" is that it will both condition and color your hair in a way that is both natural and safe.

WARNING: Be sure you have the real thing, some companies add chemicals to deepen the color. Most Indian stores carry the real, natural Henna. Always do a strand test before proceeding with your entire head!

Weekend Wave: Special Edition II

Truth About Trimming

Good day good people! This is a Special Edition Weekend Wave. The heat of summer is upon us and some are thinking of cutting & triming those tresses for a fresh look. Well GrowOrganic is here to give you the scoop on trimming those ends!

Some have the misconception that trimming makes your hair grow at a faster rate. FALSE! The truth about trimming is that it may allow your hair to grow longer because you are removing the damaged ends or breakage. When you have breakage and do NOT trim... the problem only worsens and gets closer and closer to the root of your hair, which prevents length. Our hair is very fragile & tends to break... that is why when you loc your hair it seems to grow drastically, because your ends are not breaking off from heat, dryness, manipulation, etc. It's important to care for the ends of your natural tresses. Especially if you are looking for length, be sure to moisturize and protect the ends as much as possible. Maybe a good trim will do you well, so you can start fresh!

PLEASE be sure you hand this over to a professional, if you decide to do this yourself, use professional scissors meant for trimming (however, I don't recommend cutting your own hair)! So {GO} ahead get your trim on! It may result in length, healthier looking and feeling hair... & who doesn't want that?

A Few Do's & Don'ts when cutting curly hair:

• 
  
  DO NOT use a razor!! Scissors are much sharper and will not leave frazzled ends like a razor would.
• 
  
  DO cut hair when it's dry! We know curly hair is much different when it is straight & dry. If you try to cut it wet u will end up with all different lengths all over your head.
• 
  
  DO NOT over do the layers. Our hair naturally has layers, if you trim or cut your hair in layers the result can be an extra puffy do that lacks definition.

Enjoy your weekend with a fresh trim!

Weekend Wave

HATS!

We all have bad hair days... weeks! And sometimes you just want to add a lil flare to your look. Hats are a great way to occassionally switch it up & when transistioning can be a lifesaver!

When picking a hat be sure that it will not catch & pull on your tender curls. You may even want to put a silk or satin scarf in the roof of the hat or put on a wave cap to protect your hair.

We see miss YaYa out on the town rocking a chic hat covering her beautiful braided kinks.Find what works for you: brim, no brim, knit, straw, kango, top hat to baseball cap.

The suggestion I have with hats is that you not wear them on a consistant basis. If you wear them day in and day out it can create baldness from rubbing the same spot on your scalp and also prevents your hair from breathing. But on occassion HATS are definitely a {GO} girls way to switch up things with a chic flare.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Weekend Wave

The Powerful Puff!

This is one of my personal favorite styles. It's super easy and quick.

What you need:

*Ouchless ponytail holder or

small head band

*As always your fave moisturizer

Be sure to work with well moisturizered hair, especially the area where the ponytail holder will rest. This will prevent breakage. PLEASE use "ouchless" or holders without any metal or hard plastic.

Work all your lovely kinks and curls through the holder and fluff your stuff!

QUICK TIP: if you have lil loose curls popping out of the sides, either wet or moisturize those areas, smooth them down and wrap a satin/silk scarf around the base of your head and wait a few moments for them to lay down!

AND OFF YOU {GO} WITH YOUR PUFF PONYTAIL!

Enjoy your weekend!

Hair Food: Recipes!

Don't you just love food! I mean good food... that tastes so good you want to savor it & makes you feel good after you eat it! Well guess what? You can have that experience while helping to cultivate healthy hair. Here are a few GOgirl favorites:

GOgirl#2 Breakfast Berry Smoothie

• 
  
  Crushed ice
• 
  
  6 - 8 oz of berry yogurt
• 
  
  scoop of energy supplements
• 
  
  8 oz apple juice or something similar (no sugar added)

Then just blend it all together! You can even top it off with fresh berries and walnuts to your own liking. It's a great way to jump off your morning or even an afternoon boost to keep you going.

Feta Salsa over Baked Salmon

Salmon:

• 
  
  4 salmon fillets
• 2 lemons (juiced)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• garlic, crushed red pepper & salt to taste

Pre-heat oven to 325degrees F. Combine lemon juice, olive oil & seasoning. Wisk together. Coat the bottom of your pan with a little of the olive oil and place fillets in pan. Pour mixture on top of fillets and cover with foil. Bake for 10 mins, uncover, baste and bake for another 10 mins.
Salsa:

• 1/2 lb. feta
• 2/3 cup sundried tomatoes in oil
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill
• 3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
• 2 scallions
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Crumble the feta into a bowl. Chop the tomatoes and olives, dill and parsley and thinly slice the scallions. Gently mix the ingredients together and drizzle with a few tablespoons of olive oi, or to taste. Pour salsa over salmon or use as a side dish! Add a nice leafy ceasar salad & flat bread.. you've got a great meal!
Have fun in the kitchen, find what you like and jazz it up a bit with different spices or veggies! EAT UP!

Natural Hair ... Trend or Lifestyle?

Which is it for you . . . ?

We at Grow Organic hope it is a lifestyle. There are so many benefits to natural hair. It would benefit your mind, body and pocketbook.

Even some celebrities are trying it out...

What are your reasons for going natural?
We at Grow Organic or {GO} want to hear from you. Tell us about your Natural journey.

If you are transitioning into a natural style or just want information about the process, we want to hear from you too.

Weekend Wave

Braid-Out

This is an easy style to tame those curly kinky tresses.

What you need:

• 
  
  Moisturizer &/or holding substance

Not much is needed to create this style, just several plaits all of your head. Depending on how "wavy" you want the hair to appear the more plaits you would need to start with. If you want looser looking waves maybe 5 to 6 plaits will do the job.

Start with damp hair, moisturize well and part hair for each plait.

WHAT IS A PLAIT? You say??

Take three strands of hair and intertwin them by a braiding method, strand over strand. See the picture to the left: Got it?? OK!



Each section you part off for your plait use a small amount of holding stubstance, nothing too stiff so you get a softer look and easier to blend the hair together to get the look you desire. Once you get all your plaits braided. Let it set until dry. Once dry, unleash your waves with a touch of oil to give it a little shine. Play around with it until you get the look you want!

TIP:

Are your parts showing?? Using a spary bottle spritz your roots with water and gently massage your scalp where the parts are....VOLIA! No more parts!

Work your Weekend Wave with the easy BRAID OUT!