Transitions...to be or not to be.

 

Transition

The very start for some of us that desire to wear natural hairstyles, and, for those that are truly considering the health of their hair and total well-being, is the transition phase of it all. 

 I am sure that I am not speaking for just myself when I say that the decision to wear my hair natural was that of health for my strands and to preserve my hair and scalp .  My hair was not the same as it was in high school or even as it was during my younger twenties. I realized that I could no longer treat my hair with color, relaxer, blow dryers and curling irons, all at once- i

my hair was getting weaker and thinner.  This regimen of constant abuse had taken  its toll on my hair and follicles over the years and a change was what I needed.  

 So I did the Big-Chop, the road less traveled.  I don't mind short hair, short and nappy hair, short and nappy with a little gray. I loved it. And so did a lot of admirers, for it was the beginning of my natural hair care business.  I embraced myself as I am, and was ready to face the world.  It was/is cute, easy, quick to style, shampoo, condition-I feel free and am happy to help those that want it. 

This was my preference and I've come to terms with the fact that the Big-Chop is not an option for others.  Some of my clients would rather take the long route of Transitioning.  This is their compass toward the "natural hair" destination. One customer in a consultation interview asked, "how long does the transition take?"  The transition from relaxed hair to natural hair can take the 45 minutes for the hair cut, or up to several years, depending on your decision of when to trim/cut off the relaxer. It doesn't disappear, the relaxer must be cut.  In doing so you can experience the beautifully versatile looks of natural hair styles, and the rapid growth if taken care of properly. TLC and patience with the process is what it will take.

 In the salon I have a few style options for the clients that choose the Transition Phase as opposed to a Big-chop/hair cut:  Roller Set, Rod Sets, Cornrows, Flat-twists, Extensions of sorts... and Style- Cuts/shaping. Maintenance is a breeze with these options, all you need is a good oil moisturizer and a night wrap.  If you are looking to preserve the health of your hair, I always suggest to limit heat treatments.  That is flat Irons, hot combs, blow drying and curling irons.  But if you want to wear straight styles, minus the relaxer, these are options for you.  But in doing so you lessen your choices for the kinky, nappy, and natural-hair styles. The heat styling will compromise/weaken your natural curls/hair texture, then the transition phase will have to begin again to rid the heat damaged hair.   For service description and prices go to:  www.hair2hopefour.com

Changes

Changes are inevitable.
  The best way to deal with changes but maybe not so easy as to embrace those changes are in fact to accept them. 

 Time seems to move along so fast that we may forget where we are in life.

 Taking inventory and re-evaluating. Letting go of the old to welcome in the new with excitement and open arms is the movement of transition.

Transition - movement, passage or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.

Indigenous Beauty Concepts Salon has been in the business of transformation and effectively making strides towards personal goals and unique beauty aspects of each client.

Let me help you create a healthy hair care regimen uniquely for you.  I would like to help in taking you to the next level of transition. 

What is the reason for your fight?
 what product do I use?   My style does not look like the YouTube model.  What style would flatter my features?  What happened to my curl pattern?  I don't have time to style my hair.....

Changes are inevitable... Let Go of the old, Embrace the New.

www.hair2hopefour.com
571-330-5109
Jacquie

Inspiration/Rejuvenation...

Where does inspiration come from, that thing that influences all forms of action, creativity and good works?  For myself, inspiration comes from within.  It begins on the inside of me, from all of my life experiences good and bad, from nature, in how it changes and how I view it. The amazement of structures, along with its details and often complex expression.  Inspiration for me also comes from words and their definition.  My perceptions, theories, philosophy- viewpoints on interested subject matters, as well as the features and meaning of those views.  I can be  inspired by color and its ability to cause a new project to emerge.  I also get inspiration from attitudes, individual gestures, complications, chaos...just to name a few.  Just give me something, and on a good day I will discover to uncover beauty beyond my imagination.
The above wordle game reminds me of my mission and constant work in life for myself first, and then for others.  I need strengthened to do the things that I believe I am here to do- and those words have allowed me to revisit my past present and future work.  The words have inspired another project and task for Indigenous Beauty Concepts and Myself.  It is time to reconnect with our bi-weekly blogspot.  The intention is to provide information, good haircare tips, inspiration, personal care tips, salon updates and virtual conversation on haircare for all types & textures.  Please feel free to ask questions, give advice, share in your personal inspirations and or all feedback.  We are in this personal care/healthy lifestyle mission together.  Go to: www.hair2hopefour.com and make sure you do not miss any great deals or promotions listed from the site.  Have a fabulous and inspirational day.

Thank you
Jacquie

HairColor Make Over....

 Hair color is what's trending in the hair care industry and the colors,  techniques, and various tones are bold, edgy, beautiful and "in your face".  If you want to try a new thing to match  your creative side (we all have one) and edgy persona, (that too) let's talk hair color.

 Okay, if your going to stay color-shy about it then let's try a subtle change of hair color with warm low- lights or small chunks of color on your tips for that "something is different" effect...

Of course with permanent hair color and possible pre-lightening comes a special and different hair regimen.  We all know that beauty and the maintenance that come with it takes time, patience and
 TLC. But you don't need to concern yourselves with that, I got you! Let IBC continue to take good care of your hair......

For my Loclovers!

You know who you are....

You know what you like

• Loc charms
  
• Loc cuffs
• Loc accessories             indigenousbeau571@gmail.com/www.hair2hopefour.com           

Transition/transformation....

Taking a leap into the new.

There is a war going on inside my mind that is constant.

 A change is about to take place, or it has already taken place and I'm becoming aware of it.

  I'm in  labor, about to give birth to a new a side of me that has been dormant, shackled in darkness and or in Purgatory.

  I'm at the verge of a transformation and I feel burdened down, a little shy and almost always sure.

 I have to keep moving forward toward where I believe I'll meet  my  destiny, my new level of being.

  The thought of it gives me joy, a strange excitement and a will to keep pressing forward. 

But the unease of it and the unfamiliarity makes me want to go back and rest with satisfaction and comfort.

 This transition is a fight to the finish, a fight against the old and for the new in me- I'm using all that I have left in me, which at times doesn't feel like much at all.

  I've used up a lot of my resources, if I had known better I would have done better.

 A lot have been stolen and/or destroyed, but I've also earned some mighty useful resources as well.

 I believe I'm going to make it, I believe that I'm already there....

 

Co-Wash? Or Shampoo?

     There are some naturally curly/coily/kinky hair wearers with a belief that "co-washing" is a better alternative to cleanse their hair than the traditional "shampoo".  The claim is that shampoos with sulfates in them are extremely drying to the hair, leaving it hard and will literally strip the oils from the hair.  I will show how this new hair care phenomenon of "co-washing" is a myth and will need to be obliterated from natural curly hair websites and blogs.  For those of you that may be unfamiliar with the term of "co-washing" hair, let me tell you what it is.  "Co-Washing is: "using conditioners to cleanse the hair instead of shampoo.  The shampoo step is omitted to go straight to conditioning" (Walton).  Is this co-washing technique an effective alternative to cleansing curly/kinky hair or some made-up aspect of trying to "fix" these hair types?  I would have to say that it is not an alternative or a "fixative" and I will share with you several reasons why.

      This "co-washing" procedure causes many problems.  If done for a long period of time without a suitable cleansing shampoo it will cause breakage, but before it gets to that stage, you will experience tangled/hard to manage hair.  Most times when our hair gets tangled it is for several reasons, one is that it has become damaged, very dry and that it has build-up on the surface.  Co-washing causes all three and also an excessive amount of itching of the scalp.  

     When there is heavy stubborn build-up on the hair and scalp, it is difficult to know where to go in treating the hair and making it ready for styling; it's almost impossible to realize what you're working with.  The residue that has accumulated on the scalp appears as dandruff but is in fact build-up and dead skin cells.  This residue clogs the pores and stunts hair growth. Because of the weight from the excessive amount of grit absorbed into strands from co-washing, hair styles are short lived, lifeless and flat.

      "Conditioners are of primary importance for the hair, shampoos are of primary importance for the scalp.  Shampoos help remove styling products, to massage and cleanse the scalp, remove dead skin cells, sweat, pollution, and excessive oil while encouraging the flow of nutrient rich blood to the hair roots" (Janseen108).

    There are alternative ways we can care for our hair in an attempt to keep, maintain and achieve the healthiest hair that we possibly can.  In efforts of doing so, our first priority is to seek consultation from an experienced professional hair care provider.  All that naturally curly/ coily/kinky hair textures need is some TLC, a knowledgeable hair care provider to enhance its beauty and to keep it healthy and clean.

Jacquie

www.hair2hopefour.c

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