How To........
- Wash your hair: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zzEjdmXaUUU (This is the lovely Ms. Heather. She is an expert in long hair and care!
- Brush your hair: Always, always, always, (and more always!), start from the bottom and work your way up. Never start from the top going down! This impacts your tangles together causing bigger and more knots. One more tip: Treat your hair like antique lace. Be gentle and don't rake through it! Give yourself plenty of time to brush your hair!
- Insert hair sticks: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vWf4ElyLAAE Another great tutorial by the lovely Ms. Heather!
- Choose a hair stick length: Typically, if you have shorter or finer hair, a 5" FUNCTIONAL length would be best for you. If you have long or very thick hair, a 6" functional length would be best. For example, I have waist length, regular thickness hair and wear a 6" hair stick.
- Choose a hair fork length: This is alittle harder than a hair stick. Most people use about a 4" functional tine (A tine is the term for the ends of the fork.) If you have very long or thick hair, you may need a longer fork. I use a 4" tine.
- Figure out your hair volume: Generally, this is how it works: Put your hair in a low poney tail. Measure your hair circumference right underneath the poney tail holder. 3" or less, fine or thin hair. 3" to 4" is regular thickness. 4" or more is thick hair.
- Wear your hair to bed: Always wear your hair in a braid or bun, never out. If you can manage, invest in a silk sleeping cap or pillow case to protect your hair from friction.
- Wear your hair outside: Always keep your hair under a protective scarf or hood and bundled up. Wind, cold, and sun are bad for your hair!
- Do a coconut oil treatment: Take a small amount of coconut oil and rub it together in your hands to melt. Apply from the ears down only, concentrating on your ends. Leave in 8-12 hours before washing.
- Do my winter hair care routine (Again, this is MY recommendation and what works for MY hair!!! What works for mine may not work for yours based on hair type!) 1. Do a coconut oil treatment 8-12 hours BEFORE washing your hair. You can either sleep in it and wash your hair the next morning or put it in in the morning, wear your hair up, and wash it at night. 2. Wash your hair with an SLS free shampoo (Recommendations on my Products page!) 3. Apply conditioner liberally and let sit for about an hour under a shower cap. Rinse well. 4. Dry hair using a Turbie Twist or T-shirt; never a towel! 5. While hair is still damp, apply 1 drop of an oil of your choice, only to your length blow your ears. I use Nightblooming's Triple Moon Oil. (Link on my Products page!) 6. Braid. 7. After hair is completely dry, apply Nightblooming's Panacea to your length and brush with a Tangle Teezer (Links on my Products page).
- Learn to Braid, Bun, or Whirly Gig your hair: TorrinPaige and Arrowodenn have some wonderful tutorials on youtube! I learned alot of styles from them! Also, check out my hairstyles and buns section for more!
- Make a Paranda Braid: Don't know what a Paranda is? Well, you're in for a treat! A Paranda braid is a great way to add volume and color to your hair without dye! http://youtube.com/watch?v=ORTatPrRWGk
(PLEASE NOTE: Heather and Arrowodenn's tutorials are their own property and were made by them! I had no hand in them! I got permission before using their videos on my site!)