…..That is what I’ve been hearing from so many women that ask me about hair care and growth. What they all have in common is excessive HEAT usage.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT: HAIR ALWAYS GROWSSS! THE PROBLEM IS RETAINING THAT GROWTH!

What women fail to realize is all the damage that flat-irons and blow dryers cause. My chemically relaxed friends swear their doesn’t grow. However, every 6 to 8 weeks they are faithfully back at that shop getting a relaxer put on their “new growth”. My natural friends have problems with their texture. One area of their hair curls, while another area has lost its natural curl and looks straight to wavy.

I was a victim to this just last year. I would flat-iron my hair every other day. Just HAD to get those “edges” laying down or do my hair over if I was going out. Not realizing all the breakage that was on the floor. As soon as I eliminated heat usage from my mane is when I saw a drastic change in retaining my length.

But this post isn’t about me. It’s to school you guys on what heat does to our hair and how you can prevent it.

Styling tools (i.e. flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers) apply high levels of heat directly to the hair. Unprotected hair or hair that is subjected to such heat will eventually have its cuticle layer damaged by the excessive heat. The cuticle layer covers the shaft of the hair strand and protects your hair fibers. Once this layer is removed or damaged, it cannot be fixed. Therefore, your hair fibers are exposed and vulnerable. Split ends will look like a “Y” shape at the end of the hair strand, and there can be multiple splits on the same strand.

Healthy Hair Strand

"Y" Shaped Split End

Heat damage also breaks down the chemical structure of your hair. The more structure that is lost, the less elastic your hair becomes. Wet hair can stretch up to 30% its length and still return to its original state if it is healthy and undamaged. Because heat causes structure breakdown as well as dryness, if there is heat damage, you will notice that your hair will snap and break more easily.

Porosity is another factor that is affected by heat. The cuticle layer, as mentioned earlier, protects the hair shaft. Healthy hair is less porous than unhealthy hair, and water is not able to enter or leave as freely.

Damaged Hair Cuticle

Heat, as well as excessive brushing and chemical treatments, open the cuticle layer and eventually damage it. Once this happens, porosity increases and the hair becomes very dry because it loses moisture just as easily as it takes it in.

There is no way to fix this. Once you have split ends or the cuticle has been damaged, its done. Get rid of the bad ends and start adding more deep conditioning and moisture to your regimen.

I know for some women this may be hard to do, but stay away from the heat! Try more heatless styles and see what a difference it can make. For my naturals, try more roller sets, rod sets, twist outs, wash n’ go’s. For my relaxed hunnies try braids, wigs, weaves, or the same styles mentioned above.

If just have to have heat in your regimen, start protecting your hair more. Here are some top-rated heat protectors:

Be sure to use a flat iron that has a control setting on it. The most popular ones are Ghd, Fhi, Chi, & Sedu. Using these flat irons will help you control how much heat is applied on to your hair.

Stop the damage ladies & take care of your beautiful mane!

Thanks for reading!

-Santana Maria

*DISCLAIMER-This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If you have any questions please contact the owner.*

Some information taken from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1135450/preventing_and_correcting_heat_damage_pg2.html?cat=69

Check out my fit…

I thought it was pretty simple.

What I wore:

Shirt: Forever21

Cami: Cotton On

Jeggings: White House Black Market

Boots: Aldo

Purse: Aldo

Beanie: Forever21

After we ate we went to this cute local clothing store and I picked up a watch.

Then on the way home we took a detour to Marshall’s. You can always find deals in there! Here’s what I picked up:

I picked up some Pure Grace lotion, Lucky You Perfume, EO clarifying Shampoo & Conditioner, Giovanni Tea Tree Conditioner, and a little container for my makeup brushes (lol). All I spent was $50 bucks. I like to go to Marshalls for the JUMBO sizes of the Giovanni Conditioners.

They only cost $12.99. At Walmart you pay $7.99. I say that JUMBO bottle is a Stizzzeal!

I hope you guys had a great Thursday! Thanks for reading!!!

-SantanaMaria

I decided to go for a mocha nude lip today. I used MAC’s Fresh Brew lipstick & an old favorite, MAC’s lipglass in Oh Baby.

Try this out and let me know how you guys like it!

Thanks for reading!

-SantanaMaria

6 Twists Of Tartan Eyeshadow Palette

On my arm, from top to bottom, Lady’s Prance (M), Rolled Gold (L), High Spirits (F), Vainglorious (F), Set To Dance (M), Bows & Courtseys (S)

6 Beauties Play It Cool Eyeshadow Palette

On my arm, from top to bottom, Silverware (F), Hold My Glaze (F), To The Ball (S), Altered State (VXP), Magic Moor (VXP), Heather Belles (S)

Enviably Fun Single Eyeshadow

Semi Precious Single Eyeshadow

My Highland Honey Blush (this is my new fav!!)

Her Blooming Cheek (Another fav!)

Undercurrent Pearlglide Eyeliner (Super pretty color, but it irritated my eyes big time.)

Amplified Full Fuchsia

That’s all I snagged guys. Like I said, I will be going back to purchase some more items. Clearly, that’s the PJ in me.

What did you guys pick up from the collection???

-Santana Maria

How did I get this look?

Priming Time

L’oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Sultry Eyes

MAC Her Alter Image

MAC My Dark Magic (the black and purple side)

Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow in Sin (from the Naked palette)

Sugarpill’s Tako

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Eye Pencil in Rockstar

L’oreal Hip Cream Eyeliner in Eggplant

Lancome Definicils mascara in Black

Maybelline’s Define-A-Brow in Dark Brown

The Face

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC44

MAC’s Magically Cool Liquid Powder (as a blush)

The Lips

MAC Amplified Heartless

MAC Resort Life Lipgelee (LOVE LOVE LOVE)

A few pics for the camera whoresssss…..

Thanks for stopping by!!

-Santana Maria

With my new job and all the homework, I’ve been lacking on the blog posts. These are pictures of my looks from the past weeks that I never got around to posting. Hope you enjoy

Thanks for reading!

-Santana Maria

Here I am now October 2010.

My hair hasn’t been this long since I was in high school. All I want to do right now is cut it..lol. I’ve revised my hair regimen for the fall/winter, which I will share later.

What are you guys doing to your hair for the change of season?

-Santana Maria

How did I achieve this look?

Priming Time

Benefit Porefessional Primer

Urban Decay Eye Primer

Sultry Eyes

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Covergirl Eyeshadow Quad (blue)

NYX Eyeshadow in Lime Green

Kat Von D Eyeshadow duo in King Cobra

L’oreal Hip duo In Gunmetal

Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero (not pictured)

Covergirl liquiline blast (lime green color, not pictured)

Maybelline Define-A-Brow in dark brown

Maybelline The Falsies mascara

The Face

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC44

MAC Studio Finish Concealor in NW35

Hard Candy Blush in Living Doll

Lips

MAC Cremesheen in ShyGirl

More pictures for the camera whoresssss….

I hope you guys enjoy!

Thanks for reading

-Santana Maria

About a 2 weeks ago I ordered some 100% Shea Butter and I decided to add it to my moisturizing spritz.  I normally use my spritz to moisturize the hair area closest to my scalp or to just moisturize evenly all over my hair. After adding Shea Butter to the mix, I was completely enamored. My hair fell in Shea Butter love. She stayed moisturized allllllllll day. Which is usually not the case. So my new spritz is here to stay. This is why I LOVE experimenting with new things. You never know what you may come across!

How did I make my spritz?

1/2 tablespoon of melted/warm shea butter

1 tablespoon of aussie moist conditioner

1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil

1 teaspoon of glycerin (not pictured)

& water.

I added all the ingredients together in my bottle and filled the bottle with HOT water. After I shook it up for about a minute or so, this was the outcome….

Look at how thick it is! I find that the more water I added, the more watery the consistency was. I like my spritz rather thick. I also didn’t really care too much for the Shea Butter smell. It’s like super nutty. After adding the aussie moist to it, it was like a super nutty sweet nasty smell. I decided to add some sweet almond oil and I LOVED the smell. I’m in heaven

Do you guys create your own moisturizing spritz?

How do you guys make yours?

-Santana Maria