Product Review from HarMoni Speaks: Getting back to basics with Essentious

Essentious delivers the best without all the mess! No petroleum, no sulfates, no mineral oil, no silicones, and no parabens! Who could ask for anything sweeter? And while we’re on the subject of sweet, Essentious fragrance is reminiscent of delicious butterscotch candy. So you can smell sweet and have sweet looking hair too. Essentious offers a power-packed team of products that are sure to restore the thirstiest, most damaged tresses. The lineup includes the Essentious Exonerate Moisturizing Shampoo. The Exonerate shampoo ingredients: Aqua (Water), Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Jojoba Oil, Calcium d-Pantothenate (Pro-Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Proteins, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, and Fragrance. Essentious Rejuvenate Protein Conditioner ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Hydrolized Keratin, Collagen Amino Acids, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Fragrance. Essentious Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ricinus communis (Castor Seed) Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, d-Calcium Pantothenate (Panthenol Vitamin B5), Hydrolized Wheat Protein, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Honey, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Oil, Fragrance. And last but not least, Essentious Shine Daily Moisturizer ingredients: Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Fragrance.. Now as with all products, we know results may vary, and Essentious is no different. After using the full line of products on my two daughters, my son, and myself, I am glad to say that each of us was very pleased with our individual results. In my oldest daughter’s coarse 3c/4a hair, Exonerate delivered much needed moisture and smoothness. While for my youngest daughter, a badly damaged 4b, with scalp issues Exonerate thoroughly removed the visible residue on her scalp without stripping her hair of moisture. My young son was left with a nice clean scalp and the shiniest oil-free hair. For me, Exonerate helped to soothe my scalp and remove all residue from my weekly castor oil treatments. Since the demise of my beloved Cream of Nature, I have been on the prowl for a new love and I think Exonerate is my star player. But my true love is the dynamic duo – Rejuvenate & Hydrate. These two products deliver just the right balance of strength and moisture. I noticed fewer hairs in the shower even after the first use; these two have stolen my heart. The only downside is the small size. My hair is protein friendly and I’m a bit heavy handed, so the small size doesn’t last too long. Still, everyone knows, a good cake needs a good icing and Essentious has that covered too! The Shine Daily Moisturizer kept it simple, fragrant, and, yes, shiny! With just four ingredients, this oil leaves your hair feeling buttery smooth and blinging in the sun. While many may think these products are a bit pricey, I think my crown and glory is worth the investment. So if you’re looking to step up your hair care game and move to more natural products, don’t miss out on the many benefits of Essentious. You can order by dialing 1-877-621-7843.

What’s in Your Arsenal? Arming for Growth

So you’ve finally decided to lay down the brush, nix the gels, pull of the wigs, and give the weave a rest…you’re ready to grow your own beautiful head of hair! But you’re wondering how to gear up for your quest. What route to take to get you on the growing path? Well look no more! Before embarking on your journey, we’ll share with you some basic essentials every hair soldier needs in her survival kit. And yes, keeping it simple can and will get the job done!

First, finding the shampoo that works best for your hair type is going to be very important. You want to make it sure that it thoroughly cleanses the scalp without robbing your hair of its vital moisture balance. Look for natural soaps or less harsh soaps that do not contain drying sulfates. Or for you militant chics who just can’t give up that favorite shampoo, bathe your hair strands in light natural oils for up to 24 hours before shampooing to help lessen the drying effects.

Second, you’ll find that leaving out your deep conditioner is a lot like leaving your gun in the holster during the shoot out. Look for conditioners that direct you to leave on hair for 8 or more minutes or to apply heat. Deep conditioning weekly is the single most effective and quickest way to steer your hair back to the path of blissful health. Deep conditioning for as little as 15-20 minutes with heat every week will help to heal damaged strands and restore vital nutrients to the hair. The trick is keeping it balanced. Hair is made of keratin protein, it’s the thing that keeps fragile hair strong, and thick hair shiny and resilient. While everyone may not need protein weekly, by incorporating it into your regimen bi-monthly, you’ll begin to notice stronger, thicker hair in no time. And don’t forget the moisture. Moisturizing conditioners help to restore the smoothness and pliability to the hair after a protein treatment. During the hair growth phase, many women believe that our hair requires different degrees of each of these to reach our hair goals. For example, consistent moisture treatments may help the slowest hair grower get passed the shoulder length hump, while those reaching beyond arm pit length may require more protein to keep those old hair ends strong and free of splits.

Next, you need to stock up on a good water-based moisturizer. Moisturizing your hair in-between conditioning treatments will help retain both moisture and hair length. Some women prefer creamy moisturizers or sprays, but whatever you choose, make sure water is the #1 ingredient. Remember to moisturize your hair in sections so nothing gets left out. Concentrate on keeping your ends hydrated because this is where most breakage occurs and length is lost.

Lastly, seal it up! Sealing in your moisture with a good natural oil is imperative. As water evaporates from hair and can leave it feeling dry as the Sahara, you must always remember to lightly coat your hair with oil to help lock that moisture into your hair shaft. Some natural ladies even choose to seal with pure shea butter. The variety of oils available is endless, so find the one that works for your hair. However, for the beginners, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are great ones to start with.

Bald Edges

Hey Ladies I have found a problem that some of us suffer with, and that's balding edges. Some may think they have tried everything but some of the simplest things can prevent and even help those edges to grow back. If you love micro braids or braids of any kind for that matter just don't do it. Braids causes stress on edges from the pulling. In some cases the hair can actually be pulled from the scalp from the excessive stress. Another thing give up the phony pony. Usually when trying to put hair into a pony tail we try to get it as smooth as possible, which means tugging until all parts lay down. Stop. You are hurting your edges. You also do not need to keep putting gel on the thinning hair, while it may give you a satisfying appearance, your edges are still suffering. Try to refrain from getting a touch up while your edges are in a weak state. Adding chemicals to an already thinning hair will just speed up the process. While not having a touch up may seem like a hard task you should not turn to the flat iron. A flat iron can be just as bad as using chemicals, because of the high temperatures involved in flat ironing. Show your edges you care by massaging the affected area. Make sure to massage and not rub, because rubbing the affected area will further the problem. Moisturize the area and wear styles that require little to no stress on the edges. Remember you must maintain your regime to get your edges back, because if you don't then the hairline will keep receding. Getting back those edges takes time and patience, and chances are it will take several weeks before you begin to see improvement. However, do not be discouraged, because in the end you will have a head full of healthy locs.

Silicones

African American women are known for having dry hair. If you are natural then you should know that although your hair maybe be stronger, it is susceptible to breakage at every point the hair bends. The coils of the hair makes it almost impossible for the sebum from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair. The looser the coils makes it alot easier for the sebum to nourish the ends of the hair, thus maintaining a balanced pH. Those that choose to relax their hair also have to worry about the end of their hair being nourished along with the overall strength. The chemicals in relaxers not only weaken the hair, but it also dries it out. So what does breakage lead to? It leads to the notorious split ends. Everyday we are bombarded with ads that claim to mend split ends. Alot of products that is said to mend split ends contain silicones.
When most of us hear the word silicone we think of them as being used on the body. However, silicones are used in some of our everyday hair products, especially in those claming to mend split ends. Anyone that knows how hair grows and functions also knows there is no way to repair damaged hair. Once the hair has broken it will remain that way until those scraggly ends are chopped off. Silicones act a glue, and temporarily seal the split ends of the hair. The silicone causes the hair to look healthy, because it not only falsely mend the ends but it also give the hair shine. Once the product wears off the breaking ends will fall off, and sustain damage. The best way to prevent damage is to keep the end moisturized. If you get split ends just get rid of them, because it improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.

Exotic/Natural Hair Ingredients: What’s it all about?

Everywhere we look new products tout some new tropical oil, fruit, or veggie that’s guaranteed to make our hair 100% better. Well, what’s really up with all these “nature’s finest” products? What does it mean when new see things like pearl extract, oyster shells, green tea, algae, kelp, papaya, sugar cane, babbassou or Abyssinian oils? What do we know about these products and what is the true significance of them on our hair? Many of today’s products contain a blend of natural oils, exotic extracts, and hydrating humectants needed to create healthy supple hair. Let’s look at few and try to decipher their special purposes in hair care:

• Aloe Vera - Vitamin rich moisturizer (B1, B2, B6, C, Choline, + 18 amino acids)
• Green Tea Extract – Soothes and moisturizes dry hair and scalp.
• Calendula Extract - Increases hair shaft elasticity and flexibility to prevent breakage. Penetrates the core of the hair shaft to help restore keratin levels.
• Chamomile - Strengthens hair, adds sheen.
• Coconut Oil -Rehydrates hair, and restores shine and bounce.Also offers protection from sun damage.
• Soy Protein – Reinforces and strengthens hair. Stimulates hair growth.
• Coconut Milk - Natural curl moisturizer that softens, moisturizes and defrizzes hair.
• Mango & Shea Butter - Ultra rich emollients that provide intense conditioning from cortex to cuticle.
• Avocado Oil - A natural moisturizer is an excellent conditioning oil and contains large amounts of vitamins A, D, & E. The purest oil provided by mother nature! Naturally protects hair from ultraviolet rays.
• Kukui Nut Oil - An emollient obtained from the Hawaiian kukui nut. Helps deter moisture loss.
• Algae Extract -Rich in minerals, and very moisturizing.
• Lecithin - helps maximize hair growth and strength.
• Oyster Shells & Pearl Extract – Used for their mild protein. Strengthen the hair, while increasing elasticity and porosity.

Our list only gives you a peak at the ever expanding list of natural and exotic ingredients found in many commercial and all-natural products today. So don’t be uninformed! Know your hair products and what they offer for your hair. Happy growing!

Heat-LESS Hairstyles for the Summer

If you want to keep your healthy beautiful hair, frequent use of your curling iron or straightening iron is a big NO NO!! Many of us need to ease-up on excessive use of heat stylers, and give our hair a much deserved break. Our suggestions are actually quicker and easier than heat styling! So if your hair is damaged or suffering from sun exposure, the less additional heat you apply, the better your hair will be. Check out these simple solutions:

• Loose Braids: These easy to do braids create volume and wonderful waves on any hair type. They can be done on damp or dry hair. Just apply your favorite water-based moisturizer or styling cream. Form 2-4 loose braids around your head. Keep the braids loose at the top (so there isn’t a pronounced kink where the braid begins), and tighter from the middle down. When hair is almost dry, take out the braids, shape the waves with your fingers, and let hair dry the rest of the way.

• Tight Braids/Crimping: These braids yield a beautiful “z” shaped curls. Separate hair into sections—make medium-tight braids on the top and bottom layers. This one works well overnight, to help produce some serious crimps.

• Rag Curls: I bet your grandma did it too! Rag curls may take some time to get the hang of, but next to foam rollers, nothing gives your longer lasting curls. Cut an old t-shirt or satin cloth into 6-inch strips. Take a small piece of hair, place the rag strip at the bottom, and roll your hair up towards your scalp. Secure the twist by tying the two ends of the cloth, so the twist is snugly held near your scalp. Leave in overnight for a head full of wonderful curls in the morning.

• Bantu Knot Curls: Want a roller set look without rollers?. Apply a bit of cream moisturizer or setting lotion ( conditioner works great too!), and start twirling sections of your hair around your finger. Forming your hair into a few large twisted sections. Continue twirling as you wrap hair around itself and secure with bobby pins or an ouchless ponytail holder. Let them dry completely, then finger comb for volumous curls!

So give that hair a break and spend more time having fun, with these simple quick heat-less styles!

Shea Butter: A Hair Treasure

Shea butter, an ivory colored fat, is produced from the kernel of the fruit of the Karite tree that grows wild and abundantly throughout the savannah of central and West Africa. The healing properties of unrefined shea butter are extensive. To get the full benefits of shea butter, use only unrefined shea butter. Unrefined shea butter comes in blocks or can be bought already packed in jars. It is odorless if 100% pure or can be bought ready fragranced with essential oils. Shea butter can be applied directly to the scalp as a moisturizing treatment for dry, itchy scalp & dandruff, and the butter can be applied to the length if the hair shaft to moisturize, add shine, and strengthen the shaft.

Shea Butter is an excellent deep conditioning treatment for dry hair. This thick and super rich emollient is great for parched dry hair. Melt shea butter, and apply to hair as a hot oil treatment after shampooing. Comb through and rinse for silky soft tresses. It moisturizes hair from roots to ends, and adds shine and healthy luster. It helps stop hair breakage and split ends. Although it can be applied directly to the hair, it tends to be a bit hard in its natural state. You can also make shea butter easier to apply by melting it on a low heat, adding natural oils like extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil and stirring until thoroughly mixed. The natural oil should make up about ¼ the amount of the shea butter. Pour the mixture back into a jar. By adding the additional oil, the shea butter will remain relatively soft when completely cooled and be easier to apply to the hair.

You can also make a wonderful shea butter cream by melting unrefined shea butter and combining it with an equal amount of natural oil. Cool the mixture over a bowl full of ice, while you whip it with an electric mixer. Whipping it as it cools will yield a velvety smooth cream that can be used for your hair and body. This recipe also makes an excellent hair moisturizer and sealer for both natural and relaxed black hair.