Have a hair dilemma? We are your #1 source for beautiful & healthy hair. Send us your hair questions at strandtherapy@gmail.com!

Many women return to their natural hair texture after years of relaxing expecting a wonderful journey, only to discover a new set of hair woes they thought they’d left behind with the relaxer. Design Essentials® gathers the numbers, through in-house data of women who are relaxed and natural, but the number of women going back to relaxing is a reality not often addressed.

The transitioning process for those who are ceasing to straighten their hair through chemical means as well as the management process for those who have been natural for longer periods can be eased through the education process. As women embrace their texture and learn more about the personality of their hair type, curl pattern product preference, and internal and external factors, they will find empowerment.

Here are some of the chief surprises along with solutions for naturals seeking to embrace and enhance their natural textures.

Tangles: Knots, snags and snarls stemming from highly textured hair can cause frustration from even the most patient naturalista! Tangles occur when the shaft of the hair’s cuticle is raised. These raised cuticles snag each other and cause friction. Smoothing the cuticle allows hair to slip freely with less snags.

Varying Curl Patterns: Due to genetics as well as hair that has been over processed or previously chemically altered, there may be multiple curl patterns in a single head of hair. Women who opt to transition from relaxers may see a marked difference between relaxed hair, which has been permanently altered and new natural roots. By strengthening the entire hair strand and adding a filler such as micro-fine proteins, previously relaxed hair regains its strength and can easily be styled to blend with varying curl patterns.

Dullness and Breakage: Strands that crackle and pop aren’t restored from surface applications of pomades and moisturizers. By using ingredients that penetrate the hair shaft and infuse moisture from within, highly-textured hair can attain luster. Also, when straightened, the hair usually will not need additional gloss and shine products, due to the smoothness of the strands themselves.

Shrinkage: Depending on the curl pattern of your natural hair, you may have beautiful curls, but the length isn’t there unless you stretch it. The relaxing process breaks hair bonds in order to straighten the hair. But curl elongation can occur without permanently breaking the hair’s bonds. Through strengthening treatments plus thermal styling, temporary elongation of the curls can yield longer strands, fuller styles and more defined curls.

Frizz: Encounters with humidity foster previously-styled hair to revert to its original state. A shield or barrier that locks moisture into the hair shaft, preventing the need for your hair to draw it from the environment is the best fix for frizzy hair. This process can also be done on a treatment level, with temporary products designed to fight reversion.

In order for naturalistas to ensure the style they leave the salon with remains the style they go home with, they need to partner with their stylist to learn how to address their chief hair concerns. Not only does a treatment system like Design Essentials® Strengthening Therapy help to straighten, stretch and strengthen the hair, it also delivers up to 12 weeks of frizz free and humidity resistant lasting style. Ultimate shine and manageability is also achieved through naturally-occurring ingredients such as micro-fine amino acids and a botanical blend of honey, sweet almond oil, rose hip oil and panthenol.

For more information about Design Essentials® www.designessentials.com.

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Are you natural, thinking about going natural, or currently transitioning to natural hair?  If so, and you’re wondering, “What do I do with my hair”, then you are not alone.  In fact, styling and maintaining natural hair is one of the hottest topics in hair care.  Thousands of women have made the transition; either through the B.C. (the big chop) or by growing out their tresses.  For most, this requires them to “relearn” their hair since natural hair opens up a whole new world of discoveries.

First, there’s re-discovering your texture: fine, medium, or coarse.  Then, you have to understand your curl pattern: wavy, curly, tightly curled, coiled, and tightly coiled.  And of course, the biggest challenge is often finding (and maintaining) the right styles for your hair, personality, and lifestyle.  Sound a little exhausting?  Well it can be.  But this is why “Ask Natalie” is here-to help you get through it, and discover your naturalista!

May is all about natural hair.  So we’ve got an entire month to answer all things related to natural hair.  Here are a few tips to get us started:

1. Determine your hair goals. Think about why you went natural.  Are you looking for styling versatility, texture definition, volume, or easy maintenance? Your goals will help you find the right products and styles.  They’ll also help you to connect with your hair and the natural hair experience.
2. Consult a professional hair stylist.  A professional stylist will help you understand your hair type and texture.  They’ll also be able to recommend products and styles based on your hair care needs.  Remember, natural hair requires tender, loving care; often in the form of trims, conditioning treatments, or special styles.
3. Embrace your texture! Your curls and coils may take some getting used to if you haven’t seen your natural texture in years.  But, you must learn to embrace your natural roots, especially if staying natural is one of your goals.  Everyone’s texture is unique, and there is beauty in diversity.

Speaking of embracing your texture, The World Natural Hair, Healthy, & Beauty Show, held in Atlanta April 30^th-May 1^st, had a sea of beautiful, funky natural hair.  Ladies and gents from all over the country came out to rock their natural hair, and to learn about the biggest movement in hair in decades. Design Essentials was there and I was one of their educators.  The event was FABULOUS of course!!!   View the photos on the Design Essentials Facebook Page.

Be sure to send me all your natural hair questions at DEasknatalie@gmail.com

Bye Beautiful!

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The Natural Sister is a group for the Black woman who wears her hair natural, transitioning to the natural, or thinking about going natural. As well as for the men who love to see a Black woman sporting her natural do. Check it out here.

Whew, we’ve been waiting for this day to come for years…Tyra Banks has announced that she’ll show her real hair for “The Tyra Banks Show” season premiere!!!!

The talk show host said:

“This season on The Tyra Show we’re taking it to the next level and getting more real than ever before by encouraging women everywhere to own and rock what they’ve got and be proud! For the Season 5 premiere, I will be doing just that – no fake hair, I’m rocking my REAL hair. This will all be going down on September 8, 2009, which we’re declaring National Real Hair Day! We welcome everyone to go natural with me!”

We wonder if Oprah will follow suit and do the same???

Check out Tyra and her tumble weave:

Tyra Banks investigates good hair

Many of us are eating natural foods and buying more-natural body care products, but have you given any thought to natural deodorants.

Here are 5 natural alternatives to freshen up in the summer heat:

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Beyonce was spotted out with absolutely no make up on a lunch date with hubby Jay-Z. Take a look and tell us what you think!

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Click here for more Bey & Jay sightings!

See photos from Beyonce’s new movie Obsessed here!

Every woman knows that no single thing makes multiple statements about her more than her choice of hairstyle. When confronted with the European standard of beauty daily the choice to rock a natural hairdo is bound to raise eyebrows and questions. How do you deal with the transition from permed, pressed, or curled to all natural?

The BlackPlanet Group “The Natural Sister” lets you express yourself, share hair care tips to keep you looking your best, and lends support to those who choose to display their ethnicity through the crown on their heads. Hello Beautiful you are not alone. Click the link to check it out. http://groups.blackplanet.com/naturalhair