Our Hair Our Glory
The salons and barbershops are closed. The nail salons are closed. Most beauty supply stores are closed. What are you supposed to do? If you’re frequent the salon or barbershop I’m pretty sure you’re about to lose it. Calm down and try not to let your hair stress you out, believe me it can. Looking good on the outside makes us feel good on the inside. I spoke with Eunice Mingo, Psychotherapist and Emotional Wellness Coach in Mobile, Al. and here’s what she had to say about hair and mental health:
“The way we style and care for our hair is an investment in the way we see ourselves and our overall happiness. A bad hair day can affect our mood and self-esteem. Let’s face it, we can tell a lot about a person just by observing their grooming and especially their hair. Signs of decreased mental health will definitely show up by observing one’s overall appearance. Symptoms of depression, increased anxiety and other emotional issues can often be detected by the lack of attention that is given to their hair. When we feel good, we look good or vice versa.”
Hair Depression
How To Survive The Pandemic
I spoke with celebrity hairstylist Shakira V. Clark on how women can maintain healthy hair through the quarantine. She not only gave some great advise to clients but also to hairstylist on how to survive these trying times. Shakira advised women to keep their hair clean and moisturized. Make sure that the products you’re using says hydrating and moisturizing. Here are some of the products she suggested:
She also suggested to use the old school cholesterol that is sold in Walmart . I know you guys remember that cholesterol because all black households had a jar under the sink lol. Shakira says this is the best time to try things that you wouldn’t do because of fear. 
This is the best time to take those fake lashes off and grow your real eyelashes back. Shakira suggested using argan oil on your lashes twice a day. She said it worked wonders on her lashes.
If you’re a licensed hairstylist Shakira advised offering hair care packages to your clients. You can also do video tutorials to assist your clients with their hair. Thank you Shakira!
I also spoke with salon owner/hairstylist Brenda Rich of Next Level Hair Salon Suites. We spoke about non-professional products that are good to use right now. Brenda is offering video tutorials to her clients to help them through this tough hair depression. Brenda also says that the most important thing to do while maintaining your hair at home is to keep the hair moisturized!
Here are a few products Brenda suggested:
Thank you Brenda! Follow her on Instagram @nextlevelhairstudios @iamthatrichgirl
I found a great article on Allure.com on how to keep your hair healthy.
RULE #1
Get it wet less often.
RULE #2
Stock your shower.
On those days when you do wash your hair, add a pre-shampoo—yep, that’s a thing now—to your routine. It works like a sealant, “smoothing the hair’s cuticle before it gets wet so there’s less damage,” says cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson, who recommends this for all hair types except fine. It also protects against friction from massaging in shampoo. “When your hair rubs together, the edges fray,” she explains.
RULE #3
Get smarter about your shampoo.
Don’t worry about sulfates or no sulfates. “We tested sulfates against other cleansers and didn’t see any difference in terms of damage or fading color,” says Schueller. “All shampoos have detergents that strip oil and color from hair.” And don’t even think of touching a clarifying formula since they’re meant to strip your hair of anything and everything. What you want is a shampoo that says “damage repairing” on the label and has proteins to strengthen hair which has the lowest concentration of detergents. One word of warning to fans of hair spray, silicone serum, or mousse: You’ll need to alternate a cleansing conditioner with regular shampoo. “Cleansing conditioners can’t remove all that product residue that makes hair less flexible and leads to breakage,” says Wilson.
RULE #4
Change the way you think about conditioner.
We all know they smooth frizz and make your hair softer and shinier. But if you own a blow-dryer or flatiron, you should also know that conditioners are critical to heat protection. “It’s just as important as heat-protectant spray, if not more, because conditioner is better at coating the hair,” says Wilson. Skim labels for ingredients that won’t rinse off—words with “methicone” or “polyquaternium” in them—or just get one of our favorites: Dove Quench Absolute Conditioner. Leave it on for at least five minutes, and then rinse with cool water. “This allows for more residual conditioner to be left on the hair,” she says.
RULE #5
Add layers.
Since heat is the worst thing for your hair, double down with a heat-protectant spray. But recognize that if it’s going to work, you’ve got to apply it the legit hairstylist way: Grab small sections of damp hair and mist each one up and down the length (two or three spritzes per section). When you’re finished, comb your hair to distribute the formula—heat protectants are pretty useless if they’re not applied all over, says Wilson, and getting there takes only a few seconds. Look for one that protects hair up to 450 degrees (it’ll say so on the label).
RULE #6
Move things along.
Anything that speeds up a blowout is good—less heat means less damage—so humor us with an experiment. Blot (don’t rub) your hair with a towel, then do the same with paper towels. You’ll be shocked at how much more water comes out of your hair and how it makes blowouts take half the time, says hairstylist Adir Abergel. Add a quick-dry spray and you’ll be watching the Today show again in no time.
RULE #7
Save your old shirts.
We kid you not: Your cotton Madonna Virgin Tour tee is gentler on your hair than a Frette towel for drying. It’s why top hairstylists, including Mark Townsend, keep them on hand. “They don’t rough up the cuticle as much, so you don’t have to work as hard to smooth the hair and make it look healthy,” he says.
RULE #8
Cool your head.
If your hair feels hot after you blow-dry or flatiron it, that means it’s still frying. “If you remove a steak from the grill, it still continues to cook, and it’s the same thing with heat retention from a blow-dryer, flatiron, or curling iron,” says Wilson. Hit the cold-shot button on your dryer.
RULE #9
Get creative.
If you air-dry your hair overnight, you can minimize damage and free up time for snoozing, coffee, whatever in the morning. One trick that works for all hair types: Sleep with damp hair in two loose braids. “It smooths frizz, loosens curls, and gives straight hair beachy waves,” says hairstylist Mara Roszak.
RULE #10
Treat yourself.
Weekly scalp treatments make a bigger difference in the long run than you’d think. “Keeping the hair follicles clean prevents the blockage and inflammation that leads to thinning hair later in life,” says dermatologist Neil Sadick. Try Sachajuan Scalp Treatment with salicylic acid, which is better at cleaning the hair follicle than the cleansers in shampoo. If you’re pressed for time, “dandruff shampoos are great for cleaning the scalp, even if you don’t have dandruff,” says Sadick, who recommends Head & Shoulders Instant Relief Shampoo.
RULE #11
Boost the shine factor.
Sure, you could use shine sprays and serums, but they’re like fake boobs—they change things, but they don’t always look so natural. Dry oils, which contain the lightest silicones and oils, create the most believable shine. “They smooth the hair’s cuticle, which is the hallmark of healthy hair,” says Wilson.
If you’re interested in a live video tutorial please feel free to email me @ head2toemag.com
