All About Hair: 5 BIG Tips For Shiny Hair NOW!

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Before we get started, I want to announce the winner of our Affirmation Bracelet Giveaway Sponsored by Brace Yourself Boutique!! There were so many inspiring entries, I wish we could offer a bracelet to everyone! - I am pleased to announce that the winner is Cottony Curls! Cottony Curls said;

 These are super cute and though I'd love to wear them all, if I were to choose one, it would definately be 'Love'. Reason: I've been on an amazing journey throughout the past few years. Stemming from a desire to learn, Love and understand 'me' better, my journey has taught me to embrace all of the experiences placed in front of me (the positive and the challenges). The biggest underlying theme has been: I am Love; everyone is Love. When I began to understand that I am Love and that I am 'innately good,' my perception of this voyage we call life changed tremendously. I now know that because of Love, I am the creator of my destiny. I'm filled with magnitudes of positivity, appreciation, confidence and patience these days. I've learned that Love is more than just a feeling you can have for a friend, family member or signifcant other. It's a divine presence, a way of life that can only lead to contentment. I've learned that we are all on this Earth to serve a great purpose and that Love will bring out great potential in every person, no matter his/her circumstances. With that said :)... I'd Love to win the 'Love' bracelet. When people comment on how cute it is, I'll prbly reply: 'Thanks... Love is a beautiful thing'.

Please email me via nikole@themoptopmaven to claim your prize [please also include your full name + address]! Thank you to everyone who entered! There will be many more opportunities to win in the future, as I have a more few lined up!!

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Now on to the deets; I receive a lot of comments about my hair regimen in relation to the sheen, so I thought I would touch on it in this post!  These are all methods that I implement regularly, and they all contribute to "the shine factor"

1. Shampoo Thoroughly - Don't underestimate the importance of thorough shampooing! Product residue is a hindrance to shine, and makes for dull, lackluster hair that may also lack body. I generally part my hair in four sections and thoroughly shampoo each section whilst in front of a mirror, vs standing over a sink

What To Do: 

Depending on how much product you use daily/weekly; it may be best to clarify the hair at least twice monthly, and then follow up with a moisturizing shampoo. Following up with a moisturizing shampoo deposits nutrients, and moisture into the hair shaft, and also restores the PH Balance of the hair; which prevents that stiff, dry, brittle feeling that may sometimes happen after clarifying.

Why Should I Clarify That Much?

If you use an excessive amount of product [and more importantly non-water soluble silicones], your regular shampoo may not be able to cleanse your strands of leftover creme's, butter's, oils, glycerin, etc. This results in product buildup on the scalp as well as the strands of your hair.

Natural Alternatives To Clarifying Shampoo's:

Bentonite Clay: 1/2 cup Bentonite clay + 1/2 cup water, mix well; then apply the mixture to hair with an applicator brush. Leave on for about 30 minutes, then rinse!

Apple Cider Vinegar: [1/2 cup ACV + 1 cup water, spritz hair with mixture, then cover with plastic cap] for about 20 minutes prior to shampooing, as this will gently clarify the hair.

2. Rinse Cool -  When you rinse out your conditioner, rinse it old using COLD water; as this closes the cuticle. This is extremely important as a closed cuticle reflects light much better than an open cuticle. Closed Cuticle = Shine. Using warm/hot warm water to rinse out your conditioner should be a no-no as heat tends to OPEN the cuticle. 

More Facts:                                                                                                                                                

If your cuticles are closed, your hair is less prone to frizz, tangles and matting

Styling your hair with raised cuticles can lead to breakage, and split ends

3. Always Use A Leave-In Conditioner + Seal In The Moisture - This helps keep the cuticle closed, and also makes for properly hydrated hair. It is also imperative that you use a water based solution as your leave-in of choice [water based molecules are smaller, therefore more permeable], and use an oil to seal in the moisture [the larger oil molecules acts as a barrier to help keep water molecules trapped inside of the hair-shaft].

My Leave-In Conditioner Recommendations:

Paul Mitchell The Conditioner [most professional beauty supply stores]

Oyin's Honey Hemp [online only]

Giovanni Direct Leave In [most health food stores, as well as ULTA and Rite Aid]

My Oil Recommendations:                                                                                                                       

Jojoba Oil - Perfect for those with fine hair [yet suitable for all hair types], this oil absorbs easily and doesn't leave a greasy residue

Coconut Oil - One of my favorite oils for sealing in moisture. Be careful as a little does go a long way, too much can leave your hands, hair, face, and clothes greasy

Olive Oil - Great for highly textured thick hair

4. Seek Ingredients That Enhance Shine - Skip the silicone's, and look for products that contain some of the following ingredients, as they are water-soluble [which means they don't "stick" to your hair like silicones], and lightweight [won't weight your hair down].

Look For These Ingredients:                                                                                                                    

Silk Amino Acids - This is a water soluble protein that binds to the keratin in the hair which protects the shaft and also helps seal in moisture. Products containing Silk Amino Acids imparts shine to the hair, and also increases manageability. >>Transitioners should seek out conditioners and styling products with Silk Amino Acids as it is also beneficial in strengthening chemically processed hair.

Lecithin - This multi-purpose ingredient imparts shine, strengthens hair, maximizes hair growth, and restores hair texture.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: This is another natural product that helps close the cuticle, and restores the PH balance of the hair. This is also a good rinse to implement if you have hard water, as this gently removes mineral deposits left behind from tap water.

How to Use It:                                                                                                                                            

After rinsing out your condish, do a final rinse with TWO TABLESPOONS of Apple Cider Vinegar per THREE CUPS of bottled spring water [Start off with this formula, then up the ante with the ACV as needed]. Simply pour this mixture throughout your hair [be cautious of your eyes, this stuff burns], and voila. 

There is no need to rinse out the ACV.  You will notice a distinct smell, however as your hair dries the smell dissipates. 

For an added treat, add 1 teaspoon of honey to your ACV rinse for additional shine and moisture

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