All About Heat Damage!

There's alot of debate surrounding heat damage. I am here only to offer my own opinion and personal experience.

What is Heat Damage? Heat Damage can be caused by a variety of styling tools including blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. What happens is heat breaks down the hydrogen bonds that are found in the hair shaft. This causes the hair to be able to be "shaped" while hot, and retain that shape when cooled, or until it comes in contact while another hydrogen process (i.e. more heat or water/humidity).

What Causes Heat Damage? A couple of things can cause heat damage. The prolonged or daily use of styling tools or even one instance of extreme heat.

Prevention & Care - Personally, I take both preventative and after-care steps whenever I choose to use heat on my hair, which is not often. I generally do not flat iron more than 2-3 times a year, or I at least wait 2 months between times. I take extreme care with my hair PRIOR to heat styling. I deep condition overnight before hand, and I then use a small amount of Giovanni Direct Leave In, and alot of Grapeseed Oil (I like the NOW brand, so far). Grapeseed Oil, I have found gives me the best straight results and and heat protectant. It helps to smooth my hair cuticle and gives me glossier, sleek straight hair and also offer heat protection well over 400 degrees, though I never use anything over 392 degrees on my hair, and that is one pass only. After I am done with a straight style I then steam my hair with the Huetiful Hair steamer and apply some sort of Intense Moisture AND Protein treatments. This is imperative to re-balance the hair and get your curls back popping! Also, don't be alarmed if your curls are a LITTLE loose after heat styling; after using protein and moisture you could shingle then with a Denman brush or fingercoil them and the curls should re-form. Personally, (especially when using Grapeseed oil & recently trying Aveda's Smooth Infusion products) I have found that after straightening my hair  it has actually added more uniformity to my curls and taken away some of the frizz that resulted from coloring it blonde. 

Finally, heat damage is still very unpredictable and everyone's experience could differ. But taking the extra pre-cautions and caring correctly for your hair after should result well, for most. Please comment below about your own experiences with heat, tips and tricks!

Let me know if you have any questions! I will be straightening my hair again sometime this winter, so stay tuned!

Today's Happy Client!

Weave extensions installed, cut, and styled by me.

Introducing The Kinky Kouture Kit!

Available in the boutique kinkykouture.bigcartel.com

Also available unique jewelry. Email kinkykouturehair@gmail.com for customer orders!

Protective Style of the Week: Two Strand Twists and My Vitamin Packed Mega Growth Oil Infusion

How I went from this:

To this:

I decided to put my hair up for the week. I am SO pleased with the results of my two strand twists. They are super soft, moisturized and have a nice shine to them. Though they did shrink quite a bit, they are extremely fluffy and bouncy. Now, for how I got the style. I didn't wash my hair to achieve my twists. I literally went from the above style in the first pic of my 3 day old wash and go, right into the twists. I started by filling my spray bottle with water, a little conditioner, and a good amount of my Homemade Infusion. The product is pictured below. I make it on my own using a multitude of ingredients. It is FULL of essential oils, vitamins, and raw organic ingredients and is a Mega Growth Potion that aides with healthy hair. The bottle below is the same type that I have for sale, you can purchase it by emailing me, it will later be included on my website.

I then began parting my hair in sections, each section I sprayed down with my the mix and then detangled with my knock-off Denman brush (it gets the job done for a fraction of the price). I added a tiny bit of Olive Oil Ecostyler gel to the ends of section before twisting. I am out of town, which is why I used the OOEcostyler, Otherwise, I would have used my Homemade, Healthy Hair Gel, that I will be offering for sale as well. It is made of all natural ingredients and is great for length retention. Then, I simply twisted my hair in small sections and coiled the ends aroung my fingers. It is still drying as we speak (only the roots are still damp). I plan to wear these twists all week starting out by dressing them up with headbands and scarves, and as they get older I will pull them into a bun/ponytail. I will post update pics in a few days!

Common Misconceptions About Natural Hair

I asked, You Answered! ..And now I'm commenting!

I posed the question on my Instagram(Genetra), "What do you think are some common misconceptions about Natural Hair? Below are your answers, and a few of my own. Note that these statements are MISCONCEPTIONS, meaning they are not true (or not entirely true in some cases):

-- "You can't comb through it". Dry combing is neither easy nor healthy for natural kinks and coils, however, I find my hair extremely easy to comb through anytime it is damp/wet and has some sort of product in it(i.e. conditioner).
-- "Natural hair isn't versatile". False. Natural hair is even more versatile than chemically processed hairor any type.
-- "It doesn't fit everyone's features". How can the hair you were born with, that grows out of your head not fit your features?!
-- "It doesn't look good". Once again, its the hair that grows out of your head. Without proper care and maintenance any hair will look "bad". Natural hair that is cared for, is beyond beautiful.
-- "Your hair will be nappy". This is actually true, however, we need to take the negative connotation off of the word "nappy". Why does the word "nappy", which is only associated with the tresses of ethnic women, considered something unattractive or to be ashamed of? In my opinion, if you call my hair nappy, it is a compliment, a part of who I am and a staple to my identity. Yes, as a natural your hair may be nappy, but does that automatically mean dry, unkept, and unmanageable (which is often the image meant to be portrayed by the term)? Let's stop conforming to the "white is right" mentality and be concerned about the health of our scalp and hair. RANT OVER :)
-- "It's not professional". Again, what standard of beauty and professionalism are we conforming to? I wear a puff, twist out, or turban/head scarf to work any day! How I wear my hair, should not detract from my credentials.

These are all that I am going to comment on, for now. If you have any topics for discussion please let me know by commenting here or emailing me at kinkykouturehair@gmail.com

Curlz Next Door: Meet Sho!

This week's Curlz Next Door is here! Meet Miss Sho!

·        Instagram: Misssho21 ; Twitter: @ShoUp_N_ShoOut
·        Arlington, TX
·        I decided to go natural because I was intrigued by the versatility of being natural. Your hair, although in its natural state,can conform to pretty much any curly or straight style. I love that fact. I transitioned for 8 months before I BC'd November 8, 2010!
·        My favorite products (since doing the CG method)are: TRESemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner, L’Oreal EverCreme CleansingConditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave In, Whipped Shea Butter, Shea Moisture CurlEnhancing Smoothie & Hair Milk, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Carrot Oil, and Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer.  My go to styles are: My Puff with a flattwist or small hump, Half pinned up, w/the top flowing to the side, and a Banana clipped Mohawkwith a textured hump.
·        Hardest: 1) Sticking to a Regimen. 2) Patience. 3)Detangling. Easiest: 1) Finding your Texture 2) Versatility 3)Hair Growth
·        What I love most about natural hair goes hand inhand with why I decided to go natural. I love the fact that it’s versatile. I also love the fact that it’s healthier than relaxed hair causing it to grow fast.
·        The question I want answered is, if there is aproduct out there that actually elongates curls and doesn’t cause extremeshrinkage for 3C/4A hair texture once it dries? I don’t want to have to band or tension dry in order to elongate my wash and goes or twist out styles.

How to: Wash And Go Style

For this particular wash and go I started by doing a steam treatment. Then I cowashed in the shower. After that I applied Giovanni Direct leave in conditioner and Grapeseed oil. Distributed the product throughout with my (off brand) Denman brush and set the style with Olive Oil EcoStyler gel! Results are below:

Box Braids I just completed for a client!

Our Very First Featured "Curlz Next Door"!

Meet Ebone!

 The following were standard questions I asked Ebone...
- Instagram and Twitter name (if you have one)
- Location (city and state, or just state is fine)
- How long you transitioned (or if you are currently)
- Why you decided to go natural
- Your favorite products and Go-to style
- 3 of the hardest things about natural hair and 3 of the easiest
- What you love most about natural hair
- One question you want answered most about natural hair

...And her responses:

- vanity_fro (instagram)
- Tampa, Fl
- I transitioned for a year for my first big chop. (I have BC'ed twice)
- I decided to go natural because I was natural my whole life except for two years. And in those two years I noticed that my hair wasn't nearly as healthy, long, or thick as it was when I was natural.
- My favorite products are Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Cantu Leave-in Conditioner, Aussie Moist Conditioner, Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo, and Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-in. My go-to styles are dry braid-outs or cornrow-outs and puffs with a pompadour or twist in the front.
- 3 of the hardest things about natural hair are keeping people from touching my hair, the in-between stage (which I am currently in),  and having people say "Do something with your hair!" when it's actually in a braid-out or twist-out lol. 3 of the easiest are styling my hair because I can always do a quick wash-n-go or puff when all else fails, hearing at least one compliment everyday, and being able to wear my hair out in the humidity because I like the frizzy hair look.
- What I love most about natural hair is that it's so versatile. I can have straight hair one day, shoulder length curls another, or a shrunken twa the next.
- Why are so many naturals becoming judgmental on how other naturals care for or style their own hair?

Texas Natural Hair Meet Up!

Hey tHAIR ladies! I am in the process of trying to organize a Texas Natural Hair Meet Up. The event would be a Friday and Saturday long affair with forums, contests, giveaways, product swaps, etc! Please comment below to let me know if you are interested and also include your city and feel free to email any ideas you have for the event to kinkykouturehair@gmail.com

Wash Day Routine, DIY Sea Salt Facial Scrub, & Two-Strand Twists

Store Launch Coming Soon!

Launch of the Kinky Kouture Boutique Coming Soon! Check out a preview of some our the inventory!

http://kinkykouture.bigcartel.com/

The Many Wonders of Grapeseed Oil

If you follow me on any social network (Twitter, Instagram), then you by now know my both newfound and undying love for Grapeseed Oil. What I love most about it, is its versatility. I adore products that have multiple purposes, as I am into the health of both my hair and my skin. Before I get into the many ways I use GS Oil, let's explore some of the science behind this miracle elixir.

Grapeseed Oil, is extracted from the seeds of grapes. For the most part, it is affordable. Previously I have purchased my GS oil from Whole foods, 16oz for $9.99. Just yesterday, however, I found a bottle at HEB for $3.87!! (I will be doing a review on that particular brand soon). It contains high amounts of antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids. It's super light and odorless, and I like that as well (never been a big fan of the smeel of olive oil).

Now, on to the good stuff! Are you aware of the many purposes that one single bottle of Grapeseed Oil in your cabinet can serve at any givven time?

Yum. Yum. Yum. --The obvious, and most widespread use of GS Oil is for cooking, of course. Try substituting it to make your favorite dressing, instead of using Olive oil. It is known to contain up to 25% of our daily Vitamin E intake!

Heating up. --GS oil is my definite go-to as a heat protectant for my natural hair. Different sources account it's smoke point of being generally between 420-475 degrees( I know, that's a big gap, but some bottles of it will list the smoke point on it for better reference).

Smooth it out. --Whether when flat ironing, twisting, or wash and going, GS oil smooths my hair cuticle and takes away a little of the God-awful frizz I so commonly experience.

Let yo souuuul glo. --That right, GS oil is an excellent source for that non-greasy shine, every natural desires.

Dive Deep. --Need a hot oil treatment, or a carrier oil to add to your favorite conditioner? Great for deep conditioning treatments.

Blemish, Be gone. --GS oil, is great for the skin. It's especially good for sensitive skin. I have conbination skin (oily in some spots, dry in others) and I find that when I use it in my homemade Sea Salt Scrub (details later), it really evens my complexion and provides the perfect level of moisture.

Take it off. --Why buy expensive, sometimes harsh make up removers? A little GS oil on a cotton ball and viola!

All over. --I love to add a little Olive & Grapeseed Oil to my bath water, talk about baby smooooof skin! GS is also said to make a good sunscreen!

Pucker up. --after exfoliating my lips, I apply a light moisturizer and seal with GS oil, before bed...and in the morning, I'm simply kissable!

I Straightened My Hair!

Hey tHAIR my fellow and aspiring Naturals! So, I straightened my hair for the first time in 6 months and I am LOVING the results! After wearing my hair in a pony/puff from an old twist out for a week, it was time for something different. I started by shampooing my hair, then I applied Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration (I SWEAR BY this conditioner, about $3.84 at Walmart), I sealed the conditioner with GrapeSeed Oil (purchased from Whole Foods, 16oz for $9.99). Then, I baggied and proceeded to watch 2 episodes of Pretty Little Liars…After that I detangled and then rinsed the conditioner/oil with Cold water. I sectioned my hair in 3 parts, applied Giovanni Direct Leave In and Grapeseed Oil and combed both through each section. I then banded it and let it air dry for another episode of PLL (Gotta love Netflix). Before blowdrying, I applied a little MORE GrapeSeed Oil and did each section with the tension method. Once blowdried I proceeded the flat iron small sections on 392 degrees, adding GS Oil to each section again before passing the flat iron. GS Oil is VERY light and it really smoothed my hair cuticle. I didn’t not experience any sizzling or smoking from the oil. I loved it! My hair is silky, shiny, light and fluffy! I wrap my hair each night for maintenance. I am 3 days into this style and this is the longest my hair has stayed straight! I will update you all when I am ready to wash and detail a post on how much hair reverts. Feel free to ask me any questions and follow me on Twitter/Instagram!

A Natural Hair MUST: Moisturize and Seal!

It is no secret that healthy, moisturized hair is something that every Natural covets. However, at times moisturized hair can seem almost unattainable. This is largely due to the fact that many Naturals hold the common misconception that applying Oils moisturizes our hair. Wrong. Oils are actually "Sealants", meaning they are used to smooth the hair cuticle and lock in existing moisture. In order to truly benefit from the use of oils they should be applied AFTER a leave in conditioner or moisturizer. Naturals should be sure to moisturize and seal hair DAILY. M&Sing should be a staple to any Naturals routine.

Some great moisturizers to try are:

-WATER (that's right, water is the most natural/greatest source of moisture for our hair, Natural tresses LOVE water!)

-Aloe Vera Juice/Gel (see one of my previous posts for information on AV)

- Curls Creme Brule (see one of my previous posts for a product review)

- Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner

- Cantu Shea Butter Leave In

These are just a few!

Some beneficial Sealants are:

- EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, this can be found at your local grocery store)

- Coconut Oil (Also can be found at your grocery store, or Organic grocer)

- Shea Butter (Most Beauty Supply Stores now carry shea butter, or it can be ordered online)

- Grapeseed, Safflower, Almond Oil

Most of these above are called Essential Oils and your hair can benefit differently from each one. When starting out, I would note that a little goes a long way with these oils, you want to test out and gage the right amount for your hair as not to become greasy.

Please Comment below with any questions, I would love to help you on your Natural hair journey!

Interview Outfit + Twist Out

I had an interview this week and I struggled for a few days with what to do with my hair. Then  I asked myself why was I stressing so much over it and decided to just try something new and go with it! So, eventhough I am NOT a fan of twist outs on myself, I decided to do a chunky twist out and coil the ends. I set my hair before bed.

I woke up the next morning, got dressed, did my make up and took off my satin head scarf. The twists were still only about 87% dry. I set my blowdryer to the cool shot and went around my head twice. Then i unraveled the twists.

After that, I shook and fluffed until I got this:

And...I got the job!

Full video of my outfit on my Youtube channel. Also, follow me on Instagram: Genetra

Saturday Night: Blow out!!

This was the first time I've put any heat on my hair in months. I blow dried my hair on Low with as little heat on each piece as possible I used a wide tooth comb and my hands to pull the hair. Then I pinned one side with two bow tie clips and fluffed the rest out more! It was a HIT!

Friday Night: Wash, Fluff, Pin, and Go!

For this particulate style I used Giovanni Direct Leave in on freshly washed and conditioned hair. The tricky thing with GDLI is that it almost feels like shampoo when putting it on and it suds up for a minute but you just have to let it set. I then scrunched Castor Oil into my hair (my fav!). After that, I diffused while holding the cold shot button the whole time, and then I fluffed... ALOT. Next, I took a small piece of one side and secured it with one of my bowtie clips (another fav!)

Miss Jessie's Product Review

Miss Jessie's Product Review

I requested to try Miss Jessie's Product's and they obliged to send me 2 samples. I preferred to try their deep treatments, but they indicated they did not offer those in samples and that they would send me the Curly Pudding and Baby Butter Creme.

For more information you can view my Youtube review on this product. Overall, I was not impressed by either one. At the price of a should-be miracle product, neither of these wow'd me! In fact, I did not like the waxy coating I felt the Curly Pudding gave my hair (or the next day crunchiness), or the way the Baby Butter Creme seemed to just sit on top of my tresses and....do nothing. Though, I don't think I will becoming a fan of their styling products, I would still consider giving their deep treatments a try in the future. This is my own, general, unbiased review. I do thank Miss Jessie's for supplying me with samples of their product and as well all know Natural hair is different and what doesn't work for me, may very well work for someone else!

Beauty Store Product Find: Sally's!

So, as usual I decided to go product lurking on my lunch break. And what did I find? One of my staple products on sale at Sally's!

I haven't tried the entire Curls line, yet,but one of my staple every day products to use on my hair is their Creme Brule moisturizer! It does well for moisturizing and making my hair soft. It's really light and doesn't cause build up. I love that it's water based, as we all know water based products are best for moisturizing and water is our hairs best friend (or should be!)... Normally priced at $10.99 I found it for $5.47 at Sally's today. I also found it last month on sale at Target for $5.48, but it has gone back up now. I want to try the entire line, but today I only got the Creme Brule and the Goddess Curls, which is a water based gel that claims to combat frizz and provide curl definition. Regularly $7.99, this product was only $3.97! I will do a review on this after I take my current protective style down.