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A Trip Down Memory Lane: Looking Back to Previous Products and Their Great Alternatives
As a brand that cares, Shiny Leaf always strives to find the best we can offer. Part of our mission is to constantly search for high-quality ingredients and come up with great products that our customers need—and eventually fall in love with. Making things better is an inevitable thing for us. That’s why over the years, our collection has gone through a series of metamorphosis. In terms of packaging, ingredients, labels, and to the very product we offer. We have made conscious decisions to change things up for a better and stronger Shiny Leaf that you can trust. In our 5-year existence in the industry of natural haircare and skincare, we’ve had a series of goodbyes and hellos. We welcomed new products to our collection. And there were also a few others we had to let go and replace with better ones. Join us in this blog as we take a trip down memory lane, to look back on the previous products that were once part of our collection and the items we replaced them with. Bye Pomegranate Oil, Hello Coconut Oil When Shiny Leaf was launched in August 2016, one of our pioneer products was the Pomegranate Seed Oil. Touted as a superfood, pomegranate is a popular fruit believed to carry antioxidant-rich nutrients that account for its many benefits. It is known to help lower inflammation and improve overall health. The oil is often cold-pressed from the fruit’s seeds. It is used in cosmetic products like serums and creams. Pomegranate seed oil is best for DIY skincare recipes. It contains vitamin C, which offers regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The good news is we found a better alternative that provides the same benefits, plus more! The Fractionated Coconut Oil is a new item in our natural oils collection. It is a lightweight oil that cares gently for your hair and skin. It has incredible hydrating and moisturizing benefits that helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles just like the anti-aging benefits that pomegranate seed oil offers. Coconut oil is also an excellent hair treatment that stimulates hair follicles. And it also works perfectly as a carrier oil in massage aromatherapy. Bye Rose Absolute Oil, Hello Sweet Almond Oil Another pioneer product, the Rose Absolute Oil was replaced by our Sweet Almond Oil. The Rose Absolute Oil was an absolute favorite when it comes to skincare. It provides the skin moisturizing benefits with the passionate aroma of roses. The smell has a calming effect. That’s why rose absolute oil is also a staple for aromatherapy. With just a few drops, this oil can make your room smell like a thousand roses. The rose absolute oil is also super lightweight and evaporates easily. For this reason, skincare junkies wanted something richer in texture when applied to the skin. That’s why we searched an alternative. It took us a while but the wait is worth it when we finally introduced the Sweet Almond Oil in November 2020. Our Sweet Almond Oil is as heavenly as the Rose Absolute Oil. It has a sweet nutty aroma and a medium to light consistency, which feels luxurious on the skin but does not leave a greasy feeling. It absorbs fast and can also be used for a relaxing body massage. It blends well with other types of oils, so you can use it for various DIY hair and skin recipes at home. Bye Argan Oil Products, Hello DHT Blocker Set We can’t deny that our argan oil product line was a surefire hit among our customers. The line consisted of an argan oil-infused shampoo, conditioner, and argan oil in its pure form. We introduced this line as our anti-hair loss solution but it didn’t take long when we finally decided to replace it with a stronger hair loss treatment line – the DHT Blocker Set. The DHT Blocker Set includes a shampoo and conditioner, both infused with DHT-blocking ingredients such as rosemary leaf oil and asparagus cochinchinensis extract. These ingredients are far more potent than argan oil when it comes to preventing hair loss. They work by targeting hair loss at the roots—literally—because DHT blockers work on the hair follicles. DHT or Dihydrotestosterone is a male hormone that can accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks blood flow to the hair follicles, preventing nutrients from coming in. As a result, the hair follicles starve, shrink, and fall out without growing back. The purpose of DHT blockers is to prevent this from happening. With the DHT Blocker Shampoo and Conditioner, you get the benefits of anti-hair loss in combination with the benefits of other nourishing ingredients. Our DHT Blocker set also contains biotin and castor oil, which are known ingredients to help with hair growth. So, your hair stays shiny and strong as it grows thicker and fuller. But wait, there’s more! We know you really miss the argan oil product collection. That’s why they are returning soon as a new and improved set, to be launched early next year. Bye Tea Tree Oil Set, Hello Castor Oil Super Set Our Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner Set was referred to as the anti-dandruff set of our collection. But it was in September of the year 2020 that we decided to discontinue this set to focus on improving our Castor Oil Super Set. The Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Super Set is composed of three amazing products: Castor Oil Shampoo, Castor Oil Conditioner, and the Organic Castor Oil. We made the shampoo and conditioner an even better pair together. The new formula of the shampoo contains higher amounts of castor oil for better hair growth and shine. For the conditioner, we worked on making its Hair Rescue Formula stronger by adding more hair-caring ingredients like honey extract and coconut oil. All these hydrating ingredients help with dry scalp to reduce flaking. The keratin amino acids in the conditioner also help strengthen the strands to manage hair fall. Bye ActivHair, Hello enHAIRgy Remember our ActivHair Supplement? Now, it’s called the enHAIRgy Supplement. They provide the same benefits for anti-hair loss and hair growth boost, but with significant difference in the ingredients. The enHAIRgy Supplement contains higher amounts of active ingredients known to block DHT. These are natural ingredients like saw palmetto, horsetail, stinging nettle, fo-ti root, pygeum bark, and green tea leaf. It also contains higher amounts of vitamins A and B7 (also known as Biotin). This supplement has no fillers inside and is made with a veggie capsule. It is 100% vegetarian formula, gluten-free, and digests fast in the stomach. EnHAIRgy became available for everyone on September 2020 as part of the Shiny Leaf Wellness line. Keeps Getting Better, Stronger, Shinier! The Shiny Leaf story began with a mission to provide effective and high-quality natural products that fit your lifestyle and your budget. At the same time, we didn’t want to diminish your confidence in the products that we provide. So, we always try to find a happy medium between effectivity and price, to offer you the best products that will satisfy both conditions. With every product we develop, our customers, and how it will benefit them, is at the core of our efforts. We keep improving because we want to give you the best care that you deserve. With your trust at stake, we continue to strive for what is stronger, what works better, and what helps you achieve your goals when it comes caring and loving yourself. We promise that the Shiny Leaf collection will continue it’s top of the line product offers in the years ahead.
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Ditching Chemical-Based Haircare Products for Healthier Hair and Ocean
Ask any haircare expert what kind of shampoo and/or conditioner is the best choice for keeping hair healthy, and they would all say the same thing: a sulfate-free and paraben-free one. And that’s because sulfates, parabens, and other chemical-based ingredients like hexane and silicones can be damaging to hair. Most of these ingredients are not only harsh, they can also irritate the scalp/skin. They can wash down our drains and end up in marine communities, causing water contamination and affecting marine life. When picking the right shampoo, the most commercially popular brand is not typically the best. With the growing awareness of the bad effects of certain cosmetic ingredients, beauty companies have become determined more than ever to discover the best sulfate-free and paraben-free formula of their shampoos and conditioners. Sulfate-free and paraben-free hair care products have become in demand and are now readily available in the market. No worries because they don’t cost a fortune. But before you make the switch, take a closer look at each harmful ingredient to understand why you should avoid them. What are Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane, and Silicone? Sulfates If shampoo ads featuring women shampooing their hair with seemingly endless foam easily wins you over, you really have to think twice. The ingredient behind that rich lather is sulfate. Rather than leading to healthy, shiny hair, using a shampoo that is not sulfate-free actually strips away the natural oils and moisture from your hair. Sulfates are synthetic ingredients based on sulfur, which is derived from petrolatum or other sources. Common sulfates found in shampoos and conditioners are sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES). The main thing about sulfates is that these are detergents or cleansers that deliberately remove dirt and excess oil. But they are extremely strong that they can strip away that natural moisture, which keeps your hair shiny and soft. Bad Effects of Sulfates: Causes hair and skin to go dry and damaged in the long run On a deeper level, have the potential to cause hormonal disruption in humans and animals Can corrode and damage the hair follicles, leading to hair loss Major contaminant in natural waters Parabens An easy way to remember what parabens are for is to take note of its first letter (the letter P). P is for preservative. Parabens are most frequently used in personal care products to preserve them from growing fungus, bacteria or microbes. They are commonly found in some lotions, makeup, food, and pharmaceuticals. By knowing the negative effects of parabens, you would prefer more a paraben-free shampoo and conditioner every time you shop. Bad Effects of Parabens: Unwanted health problems such as increased risk of developing cancer May disrupt hormones in the body and affect fertility, reproductive organs, and birth outcomes Poses potential health risks to marine animals such as polar bears and dolphins Can also cause skin irritation Linked to ecological harm especially to corals Hexane Hexane in beauty products is not actually used as an ingredient, rather it is used to extract an ingredient from its raw materials. For example, natural oils taken from seeds, nuts, or vegetables may be extracted using hexane as a solvent. Some manufactures of products like castor oil or almond oil prefer to use hexane for economic reasons. To help preserve the purity of our castor oil products, we make sure that we use castor oil that is cold-pressed, certified organic, and hexane-free. Bad Effects of Hexane: Severe exposure may affect the nervous system Inhalation may cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even unconsciousness If swallowed, may cause abdominal pain and impact the respiratory system Eye and skin contact may cause irritation Silicone Silicones are synthetic polymers – substances with properties similar to plastics and resins. They are usually added to haircare products to give hair extra shine and smoothness. There are many types of silicones and a great way to know if your shampoo or conditioner contains them is to look for words ending in ‘cone’ on the ingredient list like “dimethicone”. Because of the hair benefits of silicone, there’s little debate whether it’s good or bad. It is not necessarily harmful (because silicone isn’t a toxic chemical) but if you have a curly or wavy hair – whether natural or permed – it would be best to look for a silicone-free shampoo and conditioner. Bad Effects of Silicone: Hair gets weighed down and appear greasy Forms a layer around the hair shaft which can prevent moisture and nutrients from penetrating Quite difficult to wash off and can create a buildup over time, leading to dry and brittle hair How Bad Ingredients Can Affect Marine Life Ingredients toxic to human health eventually wind up in aquatic ecosystems. Scientists have raised awareness about personal care products like shower gels, facial washes, sunscreens, including shampoos and conditioners containing sulfates and parabens can be bad for environment. When we rinse off our hair every time we use a shampoo and conditioner, the products are washed down the drain with the water. Water waste treatment plants don’t usually break down all these ingredients and some make their way to the marine environment. This causes toxicity in water, hurting the marine ecosystem. Corals become in danger due to induced bleaching, damage, and deformation. Fishes and other water animals accumulate toxins that can impair growth, decrease fertility and reproduction, and damage their immune system. Although measures have been put in place over the years, a throng of bad ingredients are still present in everyday personal care products. It is now up to all of us to make the right choices to avoid upsetting our marine ecosystems and polluting the world’s oceans. Shiny Leaf Natural Products Do Not Contain Any Sulfates, Parabens, Hexane nor Silicone With an overwhelming number of choices for shampoos and conditioners, it’s easy to get lost and end up picking the ones that are potentially harmful. As it is always said in the cosmetics industry, “not all products are created equal.” Therefore, looking closely at the ingredients of the product is a fair step in avoiding products filled with ingredients that are bad for you and the marine life. Choose Haircare Products Made with Natural Ingredients Most brands in the cosmetics and personal care industry have taken action by releasing organic or all-natural lines. The smartest move is to choose these types of products. Just make sure to always check the label before you check out. By doing so, you can avoid buying products that contain major marine life culprits such as sulfates and parabens. Other harmful ingredients are triclosan, UV filters, and saponins. Use only products that contain certified all-natural and organic ingredients. They are caring for you (your skin, hair, and health) and they don’t harm our beloved ocean. In Shiny Leaf, we use oils and plant extracts along with other safe alternatives in creating our natural products. Oils and Extracts If you want to embark on a chemical-free hair care routine, opt for products infused with plant-based ingredients with natural hydrating properties. Great examples are castor oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, almond oil, and nourishing extracts from coconut, aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea. These are often found in silicone-free conditioner and shampoo products. They offer a natural way to nourish hair, leaving it with the same shiny look. Other Safer Ingredients Shampooing is more enjoyable when you feel the suds working through your hair and scalp. You can still get that lather that you want using a shampoo with sulfate-free formula. Usually, sulfate-free shampoos would use safer alternatives such as coco glucosides and sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, which are derived from coconut. A paraben-free conditioner or shampoo would usually contain phenoxyethanol as a much safer alternative. Similarly, sodium benzoate (and benzoic acid), sodium benzoate (and potassium sorbate) and benzyl alcohol are valid alternatives. By making smart choices, you can greatly help to care for the ocean while keeping your hair beautiful. And when summer comes, you can enjoy the carefree time on the beach because you know our marine life is healthy, safe, and protected. ALSO REMEMBER: Did you know that plastics used for product packaging such as bottles and sachets can also harm the oceans? And we all know that plastics don’t go away just like that. Plastic packaging can block water ways and can cause water pollution. It is good to know that Shiny Leaf shampoo and conditioner bottles are recyclable. Remember to do recycling in your household to help save our oceans and our planet!
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Get Idol-Worthy Hair with Korean Scalp Care Routine
The Korean 10-step skin care method has taken over the West. Many have tried this method and have attested to its effects of healthier and suppler skin. But did you know there’s a 10-step method for your hair too? The secret to healthy hair lies in your scalp. That’s the main focus of the Korean hair care routine. This method consists of removing dead skin cells and layering hydrating products. Read on more on how to get luscious tresses like your favorite K-Pop idol. What the Korean Scalp Care Routine Does for Your Hair Want to take your hair care game up a notch? Try the method Koreans use for their hair. The Korean hair care method uses an approach that’s similar to treating your complexion. This approach focuses mainly on keeping pH levels balanced when cleansing your skin and hair. To do this you’ll need products formulated for your scalp such as exfoliators, serums, and masks. What is pH and Why is it Important? pH, or potential hydrogen, is a measure used to find out if liquids are acidic or basic. This measure ranges from 1-14 with 1 being highly acidic while 14 indicating the product as alkaline or basic. Liquids with a pH level of 7 are known as neutral. Both human skin and scalp are fairly acidic. They fall within the 4.5-5.5 range. Your skin has an acid barrier that helps prevent bacterial and fungal growth. It is essential to maintain your scalp’s natural pH level by using the right products. A compound that’s too alkaline, or too acidic, opens or closes your cuticles respectively. Your hair fibers are prone to damage if your pH levels are unbalanced. The Benefits and Importance of Scalp Care Your scalp and skin are composed of the same proteins and fats. They both have oil glands that produce an oily substance called sebum. Sebum spreads through your strands and keeps them shiny and moisturized. When your scalp is unhealthy, you experience dry or greasy hair. You may experience hair issues such as hair loss or dandruff. Taking care of your scalp the same way you would care for your skin keeps hair healthy. Doing this also promotes hair growth and strength. Regularly cleansing your scalp prevents clogged follicles and buildup. Applying products that protect your scalp helps prevent hair damage from external stressors, such as UV rays and chemicals. Scalp Types and Conditions You Need to Know Your sebaceous glands help determine what type of scalp you have. These glands produce an oily substance, called sebum. Knowing which type of scalp you have helps you choose the right products with the best ingredients. Dry Scalp Dry scalp usually means you have small oil glands. The sebum from these oil glands isn’t able to coat your tresses with the moisture it needs. Your hair is prone to breakage and dryness for the lack of moisture. Chances are your scalp has a high pH level or too alkaline. Look for products with ingredients that have pH levels that range from 6-7. Use a product that contains acidic ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar and citrus extracts. Oily Scalp If you have oily skin, chances are you naturally have greasy hair. Your scalp has large pores that produce too much sebum, which leads to limp hair. Excess oils mean your scalp’s pH is level is low or acidic. Some factors, such as hormonal changes and diet, are the causes of an oily scalp. Choose products with a regular pH level of 7. These hair products help rebalance your scalp and hair’s pH level. Water-based plant extracts are ideal ingredients to look for to counteract the oiliness. Normal Scalp Your hair is easy to manage if you have a normal scalp. Your natural oils are balanced, which means you have soft and shiny locks. Keeping your hair’s state is important even if you don’t have any issues. Choose gentle products to maintain the pH level of your scalp. Combination Scalp You most likely have a mix of an oily scalp, frizzy strands, and dry ends if you have combination hair. Sebum from your oil glands doesn’t spread through your strands effectively. Your scalp traps the oil and creates a greasy appearance while you have dull strands. People with curly, frizzy, or long hair usually have combination hair. For curly hair, choose products that are slightly acidic since your cuticles are already a bit open. The 10-Step Korean Scalp Care Routine You have heard of the glass skin trend, but have you heard of glass hair? The focus of the Korean scalp care routine is all about cleansing, hydrating and rebalancing pH levels. Here are the steps to follow to get shiny and manageable hair. Step 1: Do a Scalp Treatment A healthy scalp promotes the growth of soft, smooth, and shiny hair. When dirt, oil, pollutants, and dead skin cells form on your scalp, they make hair look dull and lifeless. Cleansing with a scalp treatment removes these impurities and residue. This step prevents clogged follicles and other scalp issues. Look for a product with a gentle formula. Apply a scalp treatment once a week before shampooing your tresses. Do not apply treatment every day to avoid irritating your scalp. Step 2: Lather on Shampoo After cleansing with a scalp treatment, follow up with shampoo. Choose a shampoo that contains natural ingredients. Avoid harsh chemical-based ingredients that strip off your natural oils. You want a product that hydrates your hair while keeping your scalp clean. Shiny Leaf Castor Oil Shampoo is an excellent product that works for different scalp types. It’s packed with healthy fatty acids that keep hair and scalp clean as it hydrates. This shampoo removes dirt and excess oils without stripping your hair off its natural oils. Lather on a quarter-sized amount of shampoo. Massage gently and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing. Step 3: Massage Your Scalp Massaging your scalp offers benefits for your hair. It helps stimulate follicles, which improves blood circulation on your scalp. Doing this encourages hair growth and thickness. You can use a scalp brush or your fingers. Massage your scalp in gentle, circular motions with your fingers or brush massager. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes while shampooing your hair. Step 4: Apply Conditioner Conditioning your hair is an important step after cleansing your tresses. Applying conditioner helps restore moisture to your strands. Look for a conditioning product that has natural ingredients, such as plant extracts. Take a dollop-sized amount of conditioner and apply two-thirds up from the ends of your hair. Use more if your hair feels dry and damaged. Let conditioner sit for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Step 5: Do Weekly Hair Mask Treatment Deep conditioning masks nourish and add strength to your tresses. They contain active ingredients that help strengthen and repair damaged hair. Use a hydrating hair mask if you have coarse and dry strands. For fine and oily hair, look for masks that have strengthening and lightweight ingredients. Apply a hair mask once or twice a week on damp hair as a substitute for conditioner. Leave the mask on for 15 or 30 minutes before rinsing. Step 6: Rinse Your Hair with Vinegar Apple cider vinegar has a lot of beneficial nutrients. It has antimicrobial properties that provide relief for inflamed areas in your scalp. It also helps restore your scalp’s pH levels, resulting in less frizzy and dull hair. Apple cider vinegar is ideal for different hair types as it counteracts dryness and prevents excess oil production. Mix one part apple cider vinegar and water. Rinse your scalp with the mixture after shampooing and conditioning your tresses. Massage the solution on your scalp for two minutes. Use cold water to rinse out the vinegar afterward. Do this process once or twice a week. Step 7: Apply Scalp Serum Scalp serums contain a high concentration of ingredients that care for your scalp. This hair care product repairs and moisturizes your scalp by penetrating through your follicles. They prevent dryness and excess oiliness on your scalp. Use a light and oil-free serum if you have a greasy scalp. Use a serum with a dense consistency and hydrating properties if you have dry scalp. Apply a quarter-sized amount of serum on your scalp after you shower. Gently massage the product into your scalp to let the nutrients absorb. Step 8: Apply Hair Serum Hair serums tame flyaways and add shine to your tresses. Some hair serums protect your hair from heat while you use styling tools. Water-based serums are ideal for oily hair. Serums packed with oils work for coarse and dry hair. After applying a scalp serum, place a few drops of serum on the palm of your hands. Apply serum on your hair. No need to rinse serum. Step 9: Apply Hair Mist or Hair Oil You want to prevent your hair from losing shine and moisture. Hair mists and oils create a protective layer on your hair to seal in water. Spray on some water-based hair mist if you have oily hair. Apply a few drops of hair oil if you have dry strands. Step 10: Do an Overnight Treatment Overnight treatments help strengthen and hydrate your strands overnight while you sleep. They target frizzy and damaged hair. These treatments nourish your hair while you sleep, leaving you with smooth, soft, and shiny tresses. Apply an overnight treatment on your hair before going to bed. Wear a shower cap or wrap your head in cling film to prevent any messy stains on your pillows and sheets. The key to a great hair care routine is balancing out oils and restoring moisture to your scalp. Doing this Korean 10-step scalp care routine seems intimidating at first but it will benefit your hair in the long run. Make sure to choose the right products suitable for your scalp and hair type to avoid hair issues from occurring.
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Top 13 Challenges for Curly Girls and the Best Solutions
Are your curls being too stubborn? Going natural is very liberating and very frustrating too especially if your hair is just too frizzy and dry. It’s not easy to take care of curly hair, but when you see how gorgeous your tresses look, the effort is definitely worth it. There are many challenges in taking care of curly hair. You have to fight against frizz and brittleness of the strands. You also have to battle humidity and external factors too. Your hair is so unpredictable that you won’t know how it’s going to look in the morning. Some days, you’ll wake up with puffy hair that seems all over the place. There are also days when your hair looks as if you’re ready to walk the runway. Your hair behaves differently every day, you ask yourself if it is still worth it. Having great hair these days has nothing to do with chance. The products you use, your hair care routine, your habits, and the environment are the factors that affect how amazing or awful your curls will turn out. Embrace your curls and deal with these challenges head-on. Don’t worry, we’ve got tips that will help make it easier for you. #1 Fighting frizziness All curly hair has the potential to be a ball of frizziness. Frizziness makes your hair fly away, forming a halo of stringy strands. Many factors can affect the state of your hair. For frizziness, humidity and lack of moisture are major catalysts. Frizz happens when the cuticles of your hair are raised, allowing moisture from the environment to swell the strands. Your hair becomes curlier or frizzier the more it swells. Hair loses its smooth texture and shape, giving you puffy hair. Frizzy hair is dry and has a static appearance too. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Use oils before and after blow-drying. Oils smooth out your cuticles to prevent them from lifting up. Using oils before blow-drying will protect your hair from the heat as well. The oil you apply after conditions your hair so it stays soft and moisturized all day long. TIP 2: Choose cool air instead of warm hair when you blow dry. The heat from the blow-dryer will remove the moisture from your hair, leaving it vulnerable to frizziness. It can make your hair dryer than usual too. Cool air will dry your hair as fast, without causing hair damage. #2 Achieving consistency Sometimes you get great hair, and there are also days when you can’t seem to tame your hair. The lack of consistency will push you into a love-hate relationship with your curls. However, you don’t have to worry about having good hair once you know the trick to keeping it soft and manageable. Keeping your hair healthy will help control hair damage and prevent hair concerns from happening. Using suitable products for your hair will help too. Achieve consistency and wake up to beautiful curls. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Sleep on silk sheets and pillowcases. Cotton and other types of fabric can cause friction on your hair. They can lift up cuticles, cause breakage, and lead to frizzy hair. Silk is gentle on your hair, even if you move a lot, it will not cause as much damage. TIP 2: Don’t touch your hair too much. We know it’s tempting to fix your hair when you feel it’s out of place. Even so, touching your hair frequently can actually make it more unruly than before. Combing, touching, and scrunching your hair often, disrupts the cuticles, which leaves your hair prone to frizziness. #3 Finding the balance between protein and moisture Is your hair dry and very brittle? It must have high porosity. Porous hair is more likely to break and get damaged. Your hair gets porous due to the frequent contraction and swelling of the hair shaft. It’s quite common for curly hair to be weak and brittle. However, frequent breakage is a sign of hair damage. This happens when you moisturize your hair with conditioners that do not provide protein to hair. Hair shaft swells when it is wet or when it absorbs moisture. It contracts as it gets dry. The ability of the hair to expand as it absorbs moisture is called hygral property. When you continue to moisturize your hair frequently, it will develop into hygral fatigue. Your hair loses elasticity and proteins, making it break easily. It is important to prevent hygral fatigue to strengthen hair. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Try pre-poo conditioning. Oils that have great moisturizing ability protect hair from getting dry when you shampoo it. It is important, especially for curly hair, to apply pre-poo oils. These oils will absorb right into the hair shaft without making it expand too much. TIP 2: Alternate a moisture-rich conditioner and protein-rich conditioner every week. Protein strengthens the hair strands to reduce breakage. It restores the elasticity and resilience of hair so your tresses won’t suffer from hygral fatigue. #4 Getting rid of knots and tangles Curly girls don’t want you touching their hair. Other than messing with the perfectly styled ringlets, curly hair is often full of knots and tangles that your fingers are sure to catch on one. These tangles are precursors to breakage. Forcefully removing them will not only hurt. They cause hair breakage that may develop into split ends and other kinds of hair damage too. Brushing your hair with the wrong tools can also worsen the damage. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Detangle your hair after applying conditioner and before you rinse hair. Your hair is more elastic when it is wet. The conditioner smooths out the cuticles as well to prevent them from lifting up from the shaft. TIP 2: Detangle your hair in sections, starting from the tips going upwards. This helps minimize the damage of detangling hair. Brushing your hair in one sweep from the roots to tips can break the strands or make them fall. #5 Trying to keep moisture in One of the main problems of curly girls is that no matter how much conditioner you apply to hair, it will still feel rough and dry. Curly hair is naturally dry and brittle compared to wavy hair or straight hair. In order to condition this hair type, you need rich moisturizers that seal the water content to the hair shaft. Porous hair is more likely to get dry faster compared to normal curly hair. You can improve the porosity of hair by using protein-rich conditioners. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Use sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfate is an ingredient that acts as a surfactant in shampoos. It can dry your hair by removing the moisture from the strands. Sulfate-free shampoos cleanse your hair and scalp without making it dry. They use organic or natural ingredients that are good for your curls too. TIP 2: Try to cut back on shampooing. Even when you use sulfate-free shampoos, washing your hair every day with cleansing formulas can still make it dry. You should limit the number of times you shampoo your hair in a week. Try shampooing your hair only 3 days in one week to see the difference. #6 Cutting back on long styling hours Combing hair is a painful experience, using too many styling products make your hair crusty, and cutting your hair short is a risk you’re never willing to take. Just drying your hair takes a lot of effort. Styling it into the form that you want will take you hours. Too many hours if you ask the experts. Instead of investing hours on styling your hair, ditch the products and tools you won't need. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Twirl your hair and diffuse it. Instead of using curling irons or applying holding formulas all over your hair, you can instead try this easy styling method. Twirling your hair brings out its natural form. To diffuse your hair, you just need to attach a diffuser tool at the end of a hairdryer. This tool spreads the flow of air to reduce the damage caused by heat. TIP 2: Mix and match. Applying products to hair takes too much time especially if you need to wait for them to get absorbed. The best way to tackle this problem is to mix products that complement each other. You can even use this method to achieve your styling needs. For example, mixing a serum with a mousse reduces the crustiness or dryness of hair. #7 Using suitable hair products for curly hair Regular shampoos and conditioners will damage curly hair. Your hair needs specific formulas that can help prevent hair concerns such as breakage, damage, and frizziness. You should also keep in mind that not all curly hair products work for you. Your hair has different components and needs that you have to consider before using a product. Sometimes, buying products especially for curly hair can be expensive. You can buy from brands that cater to your curly hair needs without ripping a hole through your wallet. These tips will save you money and effort too. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Try using shampoos that contain oils. Oils are highly-nourishing for your hair. Argan oil and castor oil are two of the notable oils experts recommend for curly girls. They improve the overall health and strength of hair so you don’t have to worry about brittleness and breakage. If you have dandruff or a flaky scalp, you can use a shampoo that contains a blend of tea tree oil and other organic oils. They help control dandruff to keep your curls flake-free without drying your hair.TIP 2: Use leave-in conditioners. Leave-in conditioners can save you from spending lots on creams, serums, and oils. They have thick and rich formulas that seal the moisture to hair while making it softer and shinier. Leave-in conditioner saves you from the trouble of buying and applying several moisturizing products. #8 Protecting curly hair from weather changes Say hello to humid and rainy days with a smile. Anyone who has curly hair knows how frustrating it is to style your hair only to lose its shape during rainy days or when humidity rises. Moisture in the air is a great thing for your skin, but not for your curls. Weather it out by using the right product that will hold your curls, rain or shine. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Bring a bottle of hair moisturizing spray with you. A few spritzes on your hair will moisturize the strands so they don’t get frizzy and fly all over the place. You should apply it before and after going outside.TIP 2: Secure your hair in a loose low bun with bobby pins. This helps maintain the shape of your hair so you can still get defined curls after you take the pins out. A few twirls and a small amount of leave-in conditioner or moisturizer bring your hair back to life. #9 Improving stringy ends Straw should not be a word that describes your hair. However, the tips of your hair often lack in attention and care that it ends feeling like straw. Curly hair, aside from being really dry, is also very frizzy. Especially for the tips of your hair that doesn’t receive enough moisture. Stringy ends make your hair look frizzy and damaged. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Get a trim every month. Trimming your hair controls the damage by preventing them from spreading upwards. It helps remove the damaged ends of your hair as well, so you’re left with healthier and smoother ends. Always go to a professional salon because they know how to handle and cut your hair.TIP 2: Apply a second layer of moisturizing products on the tips of your hair. It will not only help moisturize the tips, this method is effective in preventing flyaways too. #10 Looking for the perfect wash and go method Curly girls are well-versed about wash and go. This is a practice of wearing your natural hair without using styling tools or products. With this method, you only need to wash and condition your hair without shaping and styling. Finding the perfect method and products takes time. It all depends on your hair and the shape that you want. If you want fluff, then go for moisturizing products. If you want definition, curl-defining formulas are the best choices. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Keep it simple. The fewer products you use, the better. Unless they are for moisturizing your curls, don’t use too much product or they will leave residues on hair and scalp. A simple wash and condition system is enough to bring out the natural shape of your hair. TIP 2: Find your own method. You can try the method that other people use. You can even experiment with their recommended products. Just because it works for other people, it doesn’t mean that it will work for you. You can find formulas that work best for your hair and its needs. #11 Defining the shape of your curls Curls without definition look like a messy bunch of static hair. Your hair has a natural shape. Various factors like lack of moisture and humidity make your hair loose and undefined. Even when hair is not frizzy, curls can still lose shape. Styling your hair can sometimes disturb the natural twists of your hair. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Try a mix of air drying and diffusing. It is healthier for your hair to dry naturally as much as possible. However, to preserve the defined shape of your curls, you should use a diffuser. Diffusing your hair right after can increase the frizziness, while air drying loosens the shape of your curls.TIP 2: Dry your hair properly. Lots of curly girls notice how curls look sleek and defined when wet. However, as hair dries, it loses its shape. The problem lies in how you dry your hair. Rubbing your hair is a big no-no. It causes friction that increases the frizziness of hair. The towel you are using can also affect your curls. Use a microfiber towel to gently pat your hair dry. #12 Growing curly hair out Big curly hair sure is sexy. However, you will notice that for some reason, it doesn’t seem to grow long. A possible cause could be stunted hair growth. Hair grows at its optimum rate with enough nourishment. A healthy scalp grows strong and shiny hair. It might seem like your hair does not grow, but it does. The problem with curly hair is that it’s so brittle that breakage is almost normal. This prevents your hair from growing long. If you want longer and stronger hair, make sure to use the right products that will stimulate its growth. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Apply hair treatment masks every week. Hair masks provide extra moisture and nourishment to hair. They help repair hair damage as well and fortify it in order to reduce the risks of frizziness and brittleness. Diffusing and air drying can make is the perfect combination for defined curls.TIP 2: Use protein-rich hair products. Your hair is made up of protein. Applying products rich in protein helps to strengthen hair and improve its resilience. It increases the elasticity of your hair too in order to reduce breakage. Start with your shampoo, as it is your hair’s main source of nourishment. #13 Increasing the volume of thin curly hair Volume is not a problem for curly hair unless your roots are over-conditioned. Yes, that can happen even for curly hair. A common misconception in hair care is that moisture = oil. The moisture that your hair needs is actually water. The oil that your scalp produces smooths out your hair and seals the moisture in the shaft. This is why some curly hair looks so thin and limp. You can bring back hair volume with quick hacks. How to Deal With It TIP 1: Use water-based hair products instead of oil-based ones. Ditch your oil-based conditioners, shampoos, and creams. Water-based formulas are better for your hair. They improve the thickness of the strands while making sure that your hair stays hydrated and healthy. TIP 2: Try the L.O.C method. Liquid, oil, cream method is a great way to seal moisture to hair and increase its volume without making it puffy. This works by trapping the moisture to the hair shaft and sealing all cuticles. The cream and oil work together to improve the shine of hair too. It’s never too late to wear your natural hair. Those gorgeous curls that bounce are worth the effort. After all, curly hair is a blessing. With these tips and the best hair products, you can easily achieve the hairstyle that you desire. For all curly girls out there, be proud and let your curls free. Give your curly hair the best care it deserves with Shiny Leaf Shampoos and Conditioners. Get them here.
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