Sulfate Security

Okay, so there are a few small tips that I have for your hair that will have a positive impact on both the short and long term appearance. These little tidbits are very helpful and affordable so you won’t have to break your bank in order to look gorgeous.

When washing your hair, try to use sulfate free shampoos. This is because sulfate is an agent that has been know to irritate skin and damage hair follicles which causes the structure of your hair to become weak and tampers with its growth. Now, there is a precautionary action that you MUST take when it comes to the “sulfate-freeness” of your hair care products because it may not have the same outcome for you as it did for the next person. Before you run out and buy all the sulfate-free products man has to offer, check the container to see if there are any ingredients like oils and extracts that nourish & replenish the hair. The reason for this is because though sulfate-free products are known to be good for you, they also have alternative ingredients in the products that can take away from the all around health of your hair.

*side note: Sulfate in shampoos and other soapy products is a main component in the amount of “sudziness” that the product gives off. This helps with the cleaning of the hair (yeah, I know…double standards S U C K!). Thus, when using a sulfate-free shampoo, there won’t be NEARLY as  many suds as you are used to.

I, personally, am unable to use shampoos with sulfates in them for a different reason than other hair and beauty advocates. I am allergic to anything with sulfa, so if I do use these types of products on my hair, my scalp with dry out terribly leaving my hair dirtier than it was before. For this, I use products like Organix , which is around $5 at Walmart, and Mixed Chicks, which is a more expensive product (Mixed Chicks has products with A N D without sulfate).

For The Heat Damaged Hotties

Okay, like I stated before in the previous post, my hair and I have gone thru the M O S T! after my last mishap of not blow drying my hair before attempting to straighten it, my hair did not have he natural curl and bounce that it once had. I was upset one because I allowed myself to do that to my hair, and two because I did not know where to start looking for a solution to my dilemma until one day, when I posted an old photo on Instagram of what my hair used to look like and how much I wished it would go back to that state. One of my high school friends posted a comment talking about how protein treatments and beer renses would help me restore my hair back to the way it was. Of course, willing to try ALMOST anything that has multiple positive reviews, I looked into both processes. I ended up trying both and liking them, but the beer rense stuck with me the most because of how natural and healthy it was for my hair. Here is a helpful video on how to restore your curls and get soft, healthy locs!

My Journey

Since about the 2nd grade, my hair has gone through almost any and everything- ALMOST. From “the big chop”, sew-ins, and dyes to presses, rinses, and relaxers, my hair and I have had many ups and downs. The only things I haven’t done are shaved any portion of my head or gotten a texturizer. I even attempted at dreadlocks once, but the way my patience and hair texture are set up, I wouldn’t see the results I wanted as soon as I wanted them.

Unfortunately, I am currently between the stage of heat damage and cutting my hair because of the poor decision making I did over the summer. Nevertheless, I have tried different things to gain back my natural curl and have found that there are a few methods that have worked for me, so luckily you all will benefit from my mistakes and travel with me on my journey back to natural, healthy hair.

Bonjour Blog Beauties!

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to AFROdite’s Corner! This is the blog that is ALL about natural hair and beauty for the African American community. Here you will find affordable products for hair and skin (including makeup) that won’t damage or dry out. We will talk about which products to use based on the seasons as well as styles to help protect, maintain, and repair your hair for continuous growth and retention. There will also be demonstrations and tips on skin care and upkeep for both sensitive and normal skin PLUS little remedies I have found or created that have worked for me and some of my friends and family. Again, welcome and may the light of your outer beauty shine just as bright as that of your inner beauty!