Needs of Clarifying Shampoos for Natural Hair

It is almost taboo in the natural hair community to shampoo our tresses let alone use a shampoo that contains sulphates. Immediate thoughts of dryness, dullness, and brittleness pop into our heads. Yet, as with most things in life, some things are good in moderation.

According to The Natural Hair Community, the purpose of clarifying shampoos "is to remove residue, product build-up and dirt from your hair strands." Most naturals use a moisturizing shampoo more often, yet The NHC says "moisturizing shampoos - relatively speaking - aren't as good at cleaning as clarifying shampoos."

Here are some instances when you should use a clarifying shampoo on natural hair:

To remove product build-up

Various oils will eventually build-up on your hair strands and cause your other products to be less effective. Your normal shampoo, which is likely a moisturizing shampoo, won't be able to consistently wash away product build-up.

When you want to try a new set of products

For all the product junkies, this rule is just for you. NHC says, "In order to truly see how a new product will perform on your hair, it's best to clarify before you add a new product to your regimen. Otherwise, you may be applying the new product to hair that has old product in it already. This doesn't really provide you with an accurate assessment of your new product."

When your current products stop working

How many times have you said, "This products no longer works for my hair"? When your product stops working, don't toss or give it away quite yet. As stated earlier, your hair could be experiencing product build-up and clarifying could be the answer to your problems.

When you are a regular swimmer

Prior to swimming, wet your hair with water and apply a leave-in conditioner to provide a barrier between your hair and the chlorine. This step is critical because chlorine and other common chemicals contained in swimming pools can lead to unwanted dryness especially in color-treated hair. After completing your swim, use clarifying shampoo to mitigate any potential chlorine and other chemicals.

After removing braids

Sometimes build up can be around the base of the braid after removing them due to moisture sprays and from dirt and dust that may be trapped within the braid. Clarifying helps remove that build up and give you a fresh start when going back into protective styling for wearing other styles.

Basic advice about clarifying shampoo

• If you don't currently have a good clarifying shampoo, consider adding it to your regimen. There are inexpensive ones such as Suave Natural Daily Clarifying and VO5 Kiwi Lime clarifying shampoos.

• Determine when and how often your hair needs clarifying. There are some set schedules in the natural hair community to follow, such as monthly or every six weeks; however, no one knows your hair like you do. Do what's best for you and your hair!

• A little goes a long way. It doesn't take much to clarify your hair. Keep in mind you are shampooing your scalp and not your hair. Click here for a tutorial.

• If you don't want to strip your hair totally, consider adding carrier oils such as olive or castor to your shampoo prior to using it. Just take a small bowl and mix 1 tablespoon of shampoo with 2 teaspoons of the oil of your choice. Toss any left overs.

• Lastly, don't beat yourself up if you have never clarified. You have to do what works best for your hair. Unlike other industries, there is not a "natural hair police," coming to get you if you don't clarify. At the end of the day, only you and God will know.

Selecting a Perfume

The choice of fragrances and scents seems to grow wider every day, as manufacturers fight for our attention and try ever harder to distinguish their offerings from the competition. With such a selection to choose from, how does one even begin to know where to start when it comes to buying perfume?
Broadly speaking, all perfumes fall into one of six different categories based on their dominant top notes. Different categories will suit different people or occasions.
Earthy or woody type perfumes evoke smells of the forest, and are usually very refreshing. They often tend to appeal to the older generation, and may make ideal gifts.
Oriental fragrances use strong spicy scents, and are ideal for special social occasions, but be cautious giving them to anyone you don't know well - these intense perfumes can be a very personal choice.
The so-called "greens" are much lighter than the orientals, and are well suited to more casual wear. Because they make a less dramatic assault on the nose, they are also safer to give as gifts!
Modern "oceanic" fragrances are becoming more and more popular, particularly among younger people who appreciate the intense but often quite unusual scents, which instantly bring to mind seaside scenes. Naturally these are an excellent choice in the warmer months when thoughts turn to holidays.
Spicy fruity perfumes are also a good warm-weather choice, and can be a good all-round choice for the woman who wants to wear something with some traditional base-notes but is a little different to the classic floral scents.
Finally, those classic floral fragrances are suitable for almost everyone and any occasion. But be wary of cheaper brands; this most feminine of all the main groups works best when the ingredients used are of high quality, and that means less expensive brands can smell exactly that.
Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is a very personal choice, and many women prefer to stick with what they know and buy the same thing year after year. But by trying different fragrances from the same group as your favourite smell, you may just discover a new gem.

Healthy Summer Skin

The days grow longer, we spend more time outdoors and in some cases get a glowing tan: summer is here and it's time to adapt your beauty routine to make the most of the nice and warm weather while preventing skin aging, breakouts and looking like you are sick because you tried for the natural, non-makeup look and your skin wasn't up for it. The following beauty tips for healthy summer skin are a good place to start.

Protect Your Skin

Your skin will still suffer from excess UV exposure, unless you use beauty products with sunscreen, even if you are nowhere near a beach. Save yourself some wrinkles and use a moisturizer or make up with a SPF factor of at least 15 if you have dark skin, or apply sunscreen about half an hour before leaving your home if you know you'll be outdoors for a long time. A hat will not only look cute, it will also protect the delicate skin of your face and your hair from excessive UV radiation when you are walking to the office.

Exchange Foundation for Tinted Moisturizer

Nothing screams more of summer than naked, glowing skin. But it's perfectly understandable if the idea of leaving your foundation on your makeup bag gives you the shivers, so why not change it for a tinted moisturizer or a product with a touch of self-tan? This way you'll be able to pull the "I didn't really use any makeup today" while still looking healthy and glowing. It's also a good moment to update your makeup bag with lipsticks that have a heavy moisturizer component, as your lips will crack with the sun and the heat, especially if you are outdoors in the sun.

Simplify your Makeup

Not only heavy makeup is simply not fashionable in summer, but it can also block your pores more than usual when you take into account the extra heat and potential sweating, leading to spots and skin irritation. Powder foundations can cake with the heat and the sweat and peel off, looking like something went really bad with your skin, but you can use some oily skin cleaning wipes to remove excess shine and gently tap them on the oily areas of your face when required, instead of trying to cover everything up with makeup. Invest in waterproof products such as mascara and a good makeup remover so you can sunbathe in the beach while looking great and forget about your makeup making you look like a panda bear.

Steps to become a natural beauty

Stores and catalogs are full of cosmetic products that promise a natural look. Instead of spending money on makeup and hair color that are designed to appear as if they aren't being used, try just not using them and be a real natural beauty. Read on to learn how to become a natural beauty.
Step 1:Skip the hair color. The natural color of your hair may not be an exciting red or blonde, but it was chosen by your genes the same way your skin tone and eye color were. It's probably the best color for you. Instead of spending money coloring your hair, buy a good shampoo and conditioner that will gently cleanse your hair and keep it healthy.
Step 2:Get a flattering but easy to maintain hairstyle. If you have to spend a lot of time blow-drying, curling, straightening and applying mousse to your hair, it's a sure bet that you won't look good first thing in the morning or late at night. It would be much easier to roll out of bed, run a brush through your hair and go. Keep it trimmed and it will always look great.
Step 3:Wear moisturizer and sunscreen. You don't need an expensive product that will remove the natural oils from your face and another one to add moisture. Instead, gently exfoliate your face and body every day, then apply any inexpensive moisturizer. Add sunscreen to skin that isn't covered by clothing before leaving the house.
Step 4:Throw out your makeup. At first, you'll think you look washed out and splotchy, but soon you'll see that healthy skin provides its own color for your cheeks, lips and eyelids.
Step 5:Apply lip balm to protect your lips from drying out while letting the natural color show through. Most lip balms add a little shine as well.
Step 6:Let your nails go naked. Trim them to a reasonable length and keep them moisturized and clean. A little filing and buffing will give you a natural French manicure without base, polish, top coat and quick-dry. Wear gloves for gardening and housework to keep from damaging your nails.
Step 7:Use tweezers sparingly. Instead of forcing your eyebrows into an unnatural shape, just pluck the stray hairs under and between the brows. A few strokes with an eyebrow brush or your finger is all you'll need.
Step 8:Find a subtle, natural scent. Lavender and vanilla are good choices for scents that seem to be a part of you rather than something you applied. You may even be able to simply use a scented fabric softener. Wear the same scent always, and people will be reminded of you whenever they detect it--even if you're not there.
Step 9:Look after your feet. Scrub your heels to get rid of the hard, dry skin and keep your toenails trimmed.
Step 10:Wear the same jewelry every day. Plain studs in your ears, a ring that has sentimental value or a locket is all you need to complete your look. By choosing a couple of items that mean something to you, you can avoid searching for the right accessories to every outfit.