Healthy Textures

Update - The New HT is Now Live!

The new HT is now live at www.healthytextures.com.

I just want to congratulate everyone on a successful launch! And thank you to all of our New HT members!

Logging on to the New HT!

Thank you for all the support and understanding during the site transition. The new HT will be available on Nov.1st at www.healthytextures.com

To join the new site, log on healthytextures.com on Nov.1st (the site is not yet live) and click join now. That's it! You will then be able to access the Member's Only content and the new forum.

Again, thank you for all of your support during this transition. We look forward to taking HT in an entirely new direction!

Current Monthly Contributors of the New Site!

We are proud to announce four contributors joining us on the new HT site. We look forward to their contributions this November.

Audrey Sivasothy (aka Sistaslick)
Audrey is a highly respected Home Hair Care Guru. She has published over dozens of educational articles on healthy hair care. She will be contributing a variety of informative articles, including topics like self-relaxing and color-treated hair maintenance.

Salmeeh Carthwright
Saleemah is the owner of Hydratherma Naturals LLC and is a natural hair enthusiast. She will be contributing articles on natural hair care. We will also be retailing Hydratherma Naturals products on our site in November/December 2008!

Kena Brewer
Kena is a professional stylist and salon owner with over 20 years of hair styling experience. She is dedicated to helping women of color achieve strong healthy hair and will be contributing articles on a variety of subjects like healthy color-treated hair and hair growth techniques.

Danielle Gibbs
Danielle is a professional make-up artist and licensed esthetician. She is a ceritfied AVEDA instructor and owner of a mobile spa company. Danielle will contribute skin care articles to our new site.

New Opportunities on HT!

We are now looking for:

-Editors to edit about 5-10 one page articles a week
-Research assistants to help with research, interviewing and article creation
-Contributors with expertise in hair or skin care. Stylists, product manufacturers and those who have conquered damaged hair conditions would be great!

Great opportunities for journalism students, stay at home moms, teachers, small businesses with a background in writing, editing and research. Benefits will include free membership to our new membership site. If you are interested, please PM me on our social network www.healthytextures.ning.com!

Important Announcement - The NEW Healthy Textures!

Healthy Textures has been very busy! We want to let you know that we have listened to your comments and concerns and have been hard at work over the last 8 months developing a new project.

After blogging and running a forum for over two years, I noticed the overwhelming need for a "one stop" shop website that was highly organized and consistently updated with new and relevant content. A website that serves as a database of information as well as an interactive environment for people to communicate with the experts and share their own tips and techniques.

On November 1st, Healthy Textures will launch a new comprehensive healthy hair resource for women of color seeking healthier hair.  This resource will be comprised of:

• A new website chock full of articles, videos, interviews and downloads on a wide range of hair care issues including, color treated, relaxed and natural hair.
• An E-store with a “Member’s Only” discount on products and styling resources.
• A brand new, state-of-the-art Member’s Only Forum where women can interact with the experts and share tips with each other in a private environment.

Daily Discussion - Embarassing Hair Moments?

Have you ever had an embarrassing hair moment?

Has your phony pony fallen off in the middle of the street or have you ever avoided someone you knew because you were having a bad hair day?

What did you do and how did you fix your hair?

Natural Henna Coloring Tutorial from Essential Balms!

Daily Discussion - SO v. Your Hair

What does your SO (significant other) think about your healthy hair goals?

Are they supportive? Confused? Frustrated?

Have they helped fund your at home beauty supply store, started using some of your products, or in the case of my SO, left the house on "hair day"?

Do share!

Pregnancy and Hair Loss

Many women experience post-pregnancy hair loss. This article will outline the cause of this condition and some possible solutions.

Causes of Postpartum Shedding

During pregnancy, the levels of progesterone and estrogen are very high. The increase in estrogen often stimulates hair growth and reduces the amount of hair shed during pregnancy.

After birth, these hormone levels will drop to their normal state and many women will experience Telogen Effluvium, which is excessive postpartum shedding. This condition is temporary and will usually last one to four months after pregnancy.

When should you see a doctor?

If the condition lasts longer than 6-12 months, check with your doctor. In addition, if you are also experiencing brittle nails, fatigue, prolonged colds and weight gain, consult with your doctor as you may have a hypothyroid condition.

Daily Discussion - Protein and Your Hair

How does your hair react to protein based products?

Do they make your hair feel strong and healthy or dry and brittle?

If your hair hates protein, do you still try to incorporate it into your hair care regimen? If so, how?

Product Review - Simply Healthy Hair Hydrating Shine Cream

Product: Simply Healthy Hair Grapeseed Oil Hydrating Shine Cream
Price: around $ 8 for 6.5 fl oz.
Company: Beauty Genesis International

Promises:

This advanced time-release formula simultaneously delivers deep moisturizing, conditioning and shine agents for longer lasting hydration and softness. Ultra rich, supple and lightweight for quick absorption. Helps strengthen to prevent shedding, split ends and breakage.

Instructions:

On wet or dry hair: Simply apply a small amount into your hand and evenly distribute throughout hair; and/or apply directly to the scalp to help relieve dry scalp.

Product Review - Simply Healthy Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Product: Simply Healthy Hair
Price: around $8 for 8.5 fl. Oz (shampoo) and 6.7 fl.oz (conditioner)
Company: Beauty Genesis International

Promises:

Shampoo – The hydrating and detangling shampoo has rich moisturizers and anti-oxidants that give hair sustainable health, agility and suppleness from the first use; while gently cleansing the hair and scalp of excess oil and build-up without over-stripping. Infused with Biotin to help promote faster, healthier hair growth. Helps repair and prevent future breakage and split ends.

Conditioner – This advanced formula is a deep penetrating healthy hair treat that attaches to dry, potentially weak areas helping nourish and repair damage caused by chemicals, heat styling and environmental impurities in seconds. Blended with rich natural hair strengtheners, replenishing oils and protective anti-oxidants to instantly restore softness, integrity and natural shine. Helps to repair and prevent future breakage and split ends.

Daily Discussion - Love the Product, Hate the Smell

Have you ever found an amazing product but stopped using it because it smelled awful?

What was the product and what was it about the scent that offended you?

For me, I think its Aubrey GPB. I love the product. It makes my hair soo soft and silky...but the whole cinnamon spice smell drives me nuts!! I tried to ignore it for a long time but eventually I stopped buying it. 

What about you guys??

Kids Hair - How to Reduce Tangles!

For a lot of mothers and fathers, washing and styling their kid's hair can be quite an ordeal. Detangling alone can be tedious and time-consuming. Here are a few tips to help reduce the amount of tangles in your child's hair.

1) Apply oil or conditioner to the hair before washing. This will help keep their hair soft and manageable during the washing cycle. Apply to dry hair and comb the hair to distribute the oil and work out any pre-existing knots or tangles.

2) Next, divide the hair into four sections. Wash and rinse one individual section at a time.

3) Focus on washing the roots, not the hair and massaging the product into the scalp in circular motions. Squeeze the product down the length of the hair.

Spotlight on... Strengthening Hair Products!

Looking to add some strength to your hair? Does your hair feel a bit limp or lackluster?

The first thing most people do is run to the store and buy a whole line of "strengthening products". But with textured hair, these products can dry out our hair and increase breakage and shedding.

When it comes to strengthening shampoo, always follow with a moisturizing conditioner to smooth the hair shaft and add moisture to the hair.

When it comes to strengthening conditioners, always remember that less is more. Start off by applying a quarter size amount and see how your hair reacts to the product. A quarter size amount that is well-distributed might be all you need.

Or, take the product to your stylist and let he or she apply it to your hair. Your stylist may be better able to concentrate the product on the areas that need it the most.