The Benefits of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi

April 15, 2019Leave a comment

The more I dig into Paul Mitchell products, I have a new found obsession with the Awapuhi line. It benefits anyone with coarse textured hair/damaged hair/dry hair. It will help hydrate and tame frizz. It’s a great alternative for those curly girls who like to smooth their hair out on occasion.

What is Awapuhi?

Awapuhi or “Shampoo Ginger” is a plant found in Hawaii. Awapuhi was originally from Polynesia, but was brought over during colonization. It is closely related to ginger you would use in cooking. When you squeeze the outer casing of this plant, it releases a clear, ginger scented, liquid. This liquid is sap and is commonly used in shampoos and body soap. Awapuhi is known for its hydrating qualities.

Awapuhi Treatments

The two treatments Awapuhi offers are the Keratriplex treatment and the Hydratriplex Treatment. These are intense treatments for those with color-treated, chemically treated, chemically treated and DRY, dry and frizzy hair. They can be used individually, with the proper corresponding shampoo, or simultaneously to help troubles with breakage AND parched hair. These treatments are for professional use only.

Keratriplex Treatment

The Keratriplex Treatment is completed in two simple steps. It is ideal for anyone who has brittle, fragile hair. It aids in sealing the cuticle to prevent color fading, adding shine and strengthening damaged hair.

We start with the moisturizing lather shampoo which is loaded with keratin and wheat proteins to repair the hair. The KeraTriplex is applied and topped with the Keratin Intensive Treatment. The Keratin Intensive treatment has keratin, white ginger, vegetable protein(which you can purchase at the salon). Next, you will sit under the dryer for 10 minutes and then we rinse out the treatment and style.

Hydratriplex Treatment

This one is one of my all time favorite. It is paired with the mirror smooth shampoo which is why I love it so much. The mirror smooth shampoo(available for purchase in the salon) has abyssinian seed oil, white ginger and lots of keratin. It truly helps to tame frizz and and hydrate hair. I use this shampoo on all of my coarse haired clients.

Back to the HydraTriplex. This treatment is wonderful for those who are struggling with dry or frizzy hair. The treatment contains jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, white ginger, keratin, macadamia seed oil and wheat proteins.

First, we shampoo hair and rinse. We apply the HydraTriplex treatment and you process under heat for 10-15 minutes. Rinse! Style! DONE. Both the KeraTriplex and HydraTriplex treatments are fast and effective.

I have personally had this treatment done and the way my hair feels after is INCREDIBLE. It was silky smooth. Where I have ends that have been lightened multiple times; they are damaged and dry. This treatment helped smooth them out and strengthen them.

Styling Products

The Awapuhi styling products are also just as incredible as the deep conditioning treatments. The Anti-Frizz hair spray is my go to. The conditioning shine spray is also a nice way to add a touch of shine to your hair!

Basically you need to hurry in and get this treatment. Especially all of you who color your hair. An intensive treatment like this should be done every time you get color! If you don’t live in the tri-city area, find yourself a Paul Mitchell Salon!

Your hair will always thank you!

Foods That Aid in Hair Growth

April 4, 2019Leave a comment

Did you know a poor diet can lead to hair loss? The nutrients from foods we eat impacts the health of our hair. With proper nutrition and sulfate free cleansers/conditioners, you will not only have strong, healthy hair, but you will help the growing process! To better understand how hair growth works, I will break down the main phases of the growth cycle.

Three Phases of Hair Growth

The first stage of hair growth is Anagen or the “growth” phase. It occurs in the hair follicle. The hair remains in this stage for approximately 2-8 years and is usually determined by genetics. In this stage, the hair grows around 1 centimeter every 28 days. “The root of the hair is dividing rapidly, adding to the hair shaft.”

Catagen is the next stage. It lasts about 2-3 weeks and completes the active hair growth. The hair becomes “club” hair. “A club hair is formed during the catagen phase when the part of the hair follicle in contact with the lower portion of the hair becomes attached to the hair shaft.” Blood supply ceases at this this point. Once the club hair is completed, on to the telogen phase.

Telogen is known as the “resting phase” and lasts about 3 months. When the body becomes extremely stressed, up to 70% of the hair can enter this stage too early and cause hair loss. The club hair becomes “dead keratinized” hair and completes the telogen phase.

Avocados

Egyptians were known for using avocados in their hair because of their moisturizing qualities. Avocados are an excellent source of fatty acids and vitamins B and E.

Vitamin E is known for its protective qualities when it comes to the skin and scalp. If you are struggling with damage to your scalp, hair growth may be delayed. Your body cannot naturally produce the fatty acids it needs. They are necessary for healthy cells. “A deficiency in fatty acids have been linked to hair loss.”

Bottom line: Eat your guacamole! Avocados provide the essential vitamins and fatty acids your scalp and cells need to promote hair growth!

Sweet Potatoes

My fiance’ and I LIVE off sweet potatoes. They are full of beta-carotene which the body transforms into Vitamin A.

Vitamin A aids in the production of sebum. Sebum as we know is necessary to keep the hair naturally hydrated and healthy. Vitamin A has been thought to speed up the growth process but simultaneously protects the follicle as it does.

A sweet potato at about 114 grams has enough beta-carotene to create four times the amount vitamin A the body requires daily.

Spinach

Spinach is such an amazing, nutrient packed, vegetable. It contains vitamin A, iron, beta-carotene, folate and vitamin c. As previously discussed, vitamin A is great for sebum production. Beta-Carotene helps promote speedy hair growth and the folate and iron help battle brittle hair. If you do not receive enough of your daily iron intake, it can lead to hair loss.

Chicken and Turkey (The Lean Meats)

PROTEIN. Protein is immensely important to maintaining constant and consistent hair growth. When you do not get enough protein, your hair will become stagnant in growth and remain in a resting phase. Chicken and turkey are better options than pork and beef because the saturated fat content is significantly lower.

Eggs

Eggs are high in both protein and biotin. Biotin is a B vitamin. Biotin aids in hair and nail growth. If you are not receiving enough biotin in your diet, it can result in hair loss. If you think about it, your hair is made up of keratin, a protein. Your hair follicle needs that protein to produce healthy, strong hair.

Berries

Berries are full of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants play an important role in keeping the follicle damage free from free radicals that are present in the environment. Vitamin C also is trivial to collagen protection. Collagen is important in fighting brittle hair, preventing breakage in the process.

1 cup of strawberries gives you 141% of your daily vitamin c intake.

Cinnamon

My favorite way to incorporate cinnamon into my diet is by sprinkling some in my coffee. It makes my coffee taste like fall all year round! You can also use a dash of cinnamon on your sweet potatoes! That’s how my fiance’ loves to eat his.

But, in all seriousness, cinnamon has numerous health benefits. Cinnamon is a great aid in circulation, it reduces heart disease and it is such a powerful antioxidant it can be used to preserve food.

By introducing cinnamon into your diet, it will help allow the nutrients and oxygen to reach the follicle because of its ability to enhance circulation.

You Are What You Eat

Eating these healthier, nutritious foods will only benefit you. You can’t expect to eat cheeseburgers and fries every day and have long, luscious, locks. Feeding your body what it needs to create strong, shiny, healthy hair is going to not only make YOU feel better, but make your hair feel like it has never felt before!

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-for-hair-growth#section2

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-foods-healthy-hair

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon#section4

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-hair#1

Deep Conditioning and Avoiding Wet Frizz

March 18, 2019Leave a comment

Frizz. The most annoying, talked about thing when it comes to curly hair. When looking online to find a picture of wet frizz, several suggested links popped up. How do I get rid of my frizz? What products do I need? WHY is my hair frizzy? What is wet frizz?

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, it is the key to kicking out frizz.

You should be deep conditioning your hair once a week EVERY WEEK!! If you have extremely dry, parched hair, you can use it more often. The two deep conditioners I SWEAR by are Heaven In Hair and Melt into Moisture by DevaCurl. Both deliver moisturizing, frizz fighting ingredients to tame your wild mane.

Heaven In Hair

This is one of my all time favorite products, when used correctly It will WORK. The three main ingredients in this incredible product are Cacao Butter, to soften and nourish, Cupuacu Butter, for long-lasting moisture and better elasticity (the bounce back) and Murumuru Butter to add shine and protect your curls. You do not have to rinse all of this product out, but it is recommended. The potential to weigh down your curls is present. If your curls are severely dry, you may want to consider leaving some of this in your hair.

After thoroughly cleansing your hair, take a generous amount of product and finger walk it through sections of your hair. This is the most IMPORTANT step of applying this product. As you finger walk through your curls, make sure they are completely coated in this deep conditioner. You want your curls to feel like silk. If you run your fingers through the section and they still feel dry, or rough when you touch them, add more conditioner and continue to finger walk the product through until your curls are silky, smooth. If you do not thoroughly coat each strand your hair will likely end up with wet frizz. You can rinse out the product after several minutes or leave it in for up to 30 minutes.

Melt Into Moisture

Melt Into Moisture is an INTENSE deep conditioning treatment. If you feel your curls are super dry, brittle and tangled, you need this rich treatment. The three main ingredients in Melt Into Moisture are Matcha Green Tea Butter, to retain moisture and seal the cuticle, Beet Root Extract, to improve elasticity and aid in protecting color and Sweet Almond Oil, to nourish and moisturize your curls.

This is not a leave-in product, but there are some exceptions. You can leave it in for several minutes after thoroughly cleansing your hair or you can leave it in for 15-20 minutes with a processing cap. BUT, the best thing with this product is you can leave it in overnight and wash it out in the morning! This is great for hair that is CRAVING that extra hydration. Use this product once a week, more if you believe you need to. Finger walk it the same as you would Heaven In Hair.

Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

As long as you are thoroughly conditioning and coating each curl, you will avoid any issues with wet frizz. Making sure your curls are hydrated is the best way to avoid frizz all together. The quality of the product you are using is immensely important. Tying in to my last blog about sulfates, silicones and parabens, if your product has any of these, the ability for any moisture to get through to the cuticle and prevent frizz will be blocked. Take your time in the shower, cleanse and condition thoroughly and you will permanently kick frizz right out of your curls!

All About That Hair

The Truth About Hair, Curls and All Things Beauty

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