HELPFUL TIPS

No matter what your hair is like, loose, tight, dry, oily, soft, coarse, there are some tips you need to know about.

1. Hair growth is not the same thing as length retention. Hair grows at a set rate per person. How long you retain that length depends on how you treat the hair that is growing out of your scalp. If you use heat, rough brushing, chemicals, and rubber bands you will not retain the length you are getting because you are breaking your hair off. Don't be fooled into thinking your hair is not growing. It is. The problem is that you are breaking it off by doing the wrong things.
2. Water is important! Not the water you put ON your hair, but the water you put INTO your body. Hydration is essential to healthy, strong hair. If you don't drink enough water, your hair will dry out. The same thing goes for eating healthy. Junk food adds nothing to the health of your hair. Try to minimize your intake and you and your hair will reap the benefits.
3. HARD water is BAD water. You may be doing all the right things.. eating right, not using heat, not using petroleum products on your hair -- hyet your hair is still dry and hard. It could be your water. Invest in a water filter for your shower to strip the calciium, fluroride, chlorine and copper out of your water and you will see an amazing difference within one wash. Be sure to use a clarifier first time after your filter, to eliminate any buildup already present on your hair.
4. Combing from scalp to ends is bad. If you want to retain any length whatsoever, do not comb your hair from the scalp. Grip the hair at the scalp and comb the ends. Gradually move up until you get to your scalp, holding the hair all the time. Do not PULL your hair.
5. Combing/brushing while wet with conditioner on is GOOD. It minimizes breakage and helps distribute the conditioner throughout your hair.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar is GOOD. As a final rinse, with a ratio of 10:1, 10 being water, and 1 being the ACV, you will close the hair cuticle and find it easier to detangle and style your hair. Using llavender in this mix will help dilute any smell of vinegar you may have lingering afterwards.
7. UV's are BAD. Try to cover your hair if you will be spending lots of time in the sun. This will prevent drying out and breakage. Scarves are your friend.
8. HEAT styling is BAD. Period. If it burns your skin, it will burn your hair.
9. Split ends cannot be repaired. Split ends need to be cut off. If you don't cut them off, they will split up the hair shaft causing rough and dry hair. If you have split ends, visit the hairdresser and have them cut off. If you cut off yourself, use hairdresser scissors that have never been used to cut anything but hair. Otherwise you could be setting yourself up for more split ends!
10. Overuse of glycerine will cause your hair to dry out. Glycerin attracts moisture to itself. If the air is not humid, it will draw the moisture OUT of your hair to itself. It does not absorb. It sits on top of your hair. After it is shampooed out, your hair will be left without elasticity and dry. Use sparingly!