Tips Relaxed

Q: Is the type of water I use on my hair important?
A: Yes, the type of water used on the hair is important. When caring for the hair, you should always think on a molecular level. That's why you'll find ingredients such as silk amino acids in hair products. Hard water contains rough particles like calcium and lime. These are like molecular stones or pebbles. Combing ability is reduced and more breakage occurs when the comb has to fight through these 'pebbles'. Also the feel of the hair is rougher. Even when styling the hair, the residue remains on the hair and you will not achieve the desired effect of your hair products. If the 'pebbles' are removed with a water softener, you will see better results. With Blended Beauty products a softener will cause a synergistic effect.

Q: Is hair grease good for my scalp?
A: No. Thick solid grease, like petroleum, clogs hair follicles preventing normal hair growth.

Q: Which products can I use to replace my current hair grease?
A: Straight Pearl, Blended Cutie Soft Curls & Swirls or Blended Cutie Butter Me Up would be the best products for this.

Q: Are relaxers damaging to my hair?
A: Straight perms can damage the hair, but with daily moisturizing and weekly reconditioning of the hair and hair ends breakage can be greatly decreased. Relaxers should be applied by a professional with a regular routine to avoid breakage. New growth that gets too long can cause the relaxed hair to break off. The point at which they meet is very fragile, and having the new growth causes more tugging when combing, so more breakage.

Q: Why are products that contain solvent alcohol damaging for my hair?
A: Using products that contain solvent alcohols are very drying. This is the kind of alcohol that smells strongly with that familiar solvent scent.
Note: This does not include cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, or stearyl alcohol. These are not alcohols as you know it they are creamy emollients

Q: What is the benefit to using natural oils in my hair?
A: Natural oils are much better for the hair, as they contain nutrients that synthetic oils don't. For example, Mineral oil is a crude oil like the kind you use in your car. It’s not from a plant and so doesn’t contain organic nutrients.
*hot oil treatments are wonderful for the hair and manageability.

Q: Can I shampoo and conditioner my hair everyday with Blended Beauty products?
A: For optimal growth, and health of the scalp and hair, shampooing twice a week is best. At least once a week for sure. Blended Beauty shampoo is both conditioning and gentle enough to use daily if desired. Wetting or conditioning on any day and as often as desired is just fine. The Cleansing conditioner can be used in place of shampoo and used as often as every day as well.

Q. How often should I moisturize?
A: Always use a leave-in conditioner or cream. Hair should be moisturized with a leave-in conditioner or cream daily, very slightly.

Q: How often should I blow dry my hair?
A: Keep the use of a blow dryer down to about once a week. Don't blow dry the hair unless you are trying to straighten it after having first shampooed and conditioned the hair. Air drying in rollers or a wrap is better for your hair.

Q: Why is air drying better for the hair?
A: Air drying allows your hair to keep moisture in it longer.

Q: How do I get my hair as straight if I let it air dry?
A:

1. Wash with Soy Cream Shampoo or Silky Swirls Shampoo (for a more sensitive scalp)

2. Then condition with Curl Quenching Conditioner

3. Rinse out the conditioner

4. Spray the Straightening Glaze all over the hair and gently massage it through. Add some Straight Pearl to the tips.

5. Set the hair either in big rollers, twists, braids or a wrap for short hair.

6. Let hair air dry. (or sit under a dryer until almost dry then air dry the rest of the time) Use a ceramic iron to smooth the hair through in sections.
Note: For more protection from the humidity, apply an additional small drop of Straight Pearl.

7. Style as usual.

Q: What if I don’t have time to let my hair air dry, is there an alternative to the blow dryer?
A: Using a hood dryer will shorten the drying time and is not as damaging as a blow dryer if there is not enough time to air dry.

Q: Should I use a brush or a comb for daily maintenance of my hair?
A: Wide tooth combs or a pick should be used instead of a brush, to minimize damage caused by brushing at the point where the new growth and relaxed hair meet. Too much pulling will cause breakage. A wide tooth comb will be enough to get tangles out of the hair.

Q: How should I comb my hair?
A: If the hair is tangled, comb the hair in small sections. Start combing from the ends down and work your way up, closer and closer to the roots, combing down. Never start combing from the roots down if the hair has knots. Comb the hair in sections to avoid breakage even when conditioner is in the hair.

Q: How often should I deep condition my hair?
A: Once a week.

Q: What are the benefits of using ceramic and/or ionic hair dryers?
A: Ceramic hair dryers provide even heat transfer where as regular blow dryers have the tendency to generate an uneven transference of heat. Ionic hair dryers help to reduce frizz and make hair more soft to the touch.

Q: What type of curling iron should I use?
A: Ceramic curling irons are a good choice because they prevent hot spots from occurring on the iron giving you a more consistent heat. Hot spots can cause the hair to overheat and possibly burn. The hair can also be curled at a lower heat setting thus preventing damage to the hair follicles and helping to maintain moisture in the hair. Ceramic irons work by heating the hair from the inside out, which is less damaging to the hair. The ceramic irons produce negative ions which counteract the positive ions that are contained in the damaged hair. The negative ions help the hair absorb moisture particles easier and result in smoother, silkier, less damaged hair.

Weekly Maintenance

Q: What should I do to maintain my hair on a weekly basis?
A: Weekly Routine and Spa Treatment Routine

1. To cleanse the hair and scalp, choose either the Soy Cream Shampoo (for a sudsy clean), the Cleansing Conditioner (for a creamy clean) or the Mineral Mud Mask to remove old hair product debris, dirt and oil. Leave the mud on for approximately 30 minutes. Don't let it dry completely.
Note: This replaces a clarifying shampoo. The affects are like a gentle and softening clarifying 'shampoo' (although nothing like shampoo).
This can also be used in place of shampoo if you don't use shampoo, but no more than once a week. The clay may seem to loosen your curls temporarily.

2. Rinse out the cleanser.

3. Next, condition or deep condition, using the Curl Quenching Conditioner or the Herbal Reconditioning Treatment.
a. To Condition: Apply the Curl Quenching Conditioner. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes, then comb through it in sections.
b. To Deep Condition: Apply the Herbal Reconditioning. Place a plastic cap over the hair. Allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes. This product works to strengthen the hair with regular use.

4. Depending on wether you are wearing your hair straight or curly, choose your leave-in products based on the relaxed hair recommendations.
Recommended Products
Setting/Blow Drying: Straightening Glaze
Defrizz/Style/Moisturize: Straigt Pearl, Soft Curls & Swirls, All Natural Hair Oil,
To Wear Curly/Wavy: Curly Frizz Pudding, Styling Lotion.

5. If wearing your hair curly, apply your leave-in products in sections and go to step 10. If wearing your hair straight, spray the Straightening Glaze all over the hair and gently massage it through. Add some Straigt Pearl to the tips.

6. Set the hair either in big rollers, twists, braids or a wrap for short hair.

7. Let hair air dry. (or sit under a dryer until almost dry then air dry the rest of the time) Use a ceramic iron to smooth the hair through in sections.
Note: For more protection from the humidity, apply an additional small drop of Straigt Pearl.

8. Style as usual.

9. At night cover the hair or sleep on a satin pillow.