10 Factors To Consider When Choosing Hair Products.

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCTS.

Have you ever been frustrated because you follow a product recommendation or a YouTube tutorial exactly and you don’t get the same results? I sure have.

I am here to remind you of something I have learned from much trial and error.

WE ARE UNIQUE!

From our heads to our toes we are unique. Even if we share DNA with someone else we are STILL unique.

Why is that important to know? What does that have to do with our hair?

It is a fact that explains why RESULTS CAN VARY.

You can try the same product as me and have different results. You can try the same technique as me and have different results.

I don’t try to “sell” a one size fits all solution for hair problems or concerns. I share what has worked for me personally and leave you with recommendations that MAY work for you.

10 Factors that can affect your hair results.

1.Curl or Gray Hair Pattern

Your curl pattern can tell you things like shrinkage rates. If your curls are tight you may want products to give you more hang. If your hair is salt and pepper the gray strands may be more wiry and feel out of control or if you have all white hair it could be more frizzy than salt and pepper hair, which can affect how the product will affect your hair.

2.Hair porosity

Porosity determines how easily moisture can reach your hair. Higher porosity means moisture has no problem going into the hair but it also leaves quickly as well. Lower porosity means it’s difficult to get into the hair but it stays in longer.

3. Hair density- is your hair thin or thick?

Thinner hair can be weighed down by certain products while thicker hair may be able to handle heavier products. Thinner hair in twists will also look VERY different than someone with thicker hair.

4.Preference-

Gel makes give great hold but you personally may not like gel and that’s ok. I love gel for my wash and go, you may prefer a cream moisturizer for your’s and that’s ok. You also may want more natural products or to use fewer products in your routine and that’s ok too.

5.Hair Sensitivities

Are you protein sensitive? Does your hair like coconut oil? Some ingredients can make or break the results.

6. How do you like to style your hair?

Wash n go twist out, flattwist, perm rods. Sometimes the styles you wear can affect the choice of product you use. For example, gels work best for my wash and go. Also, the length of your hair can determine how a style will look on your hair.

7.Product Use

How much product did you use? I tend to be heavy-handed with gel for someone else that can affect how the style comes out. I have also learned the order of how I put the products also affects the outcome.

8.Weather

Do you live in the desert or a humid climate? That can affect how dry your hair can be and how humectants (ingredients that help pull moisture from the air) will behave in your hair.

9.Health

Are you taking medications? How is your diet? Are you drinking enough water? Are you deficient in vitamins (iron) How is your thyroid? Did you just have a baby? How are your hormones? Are you in menopause?

10.Age

Just like our body and skin change as we age so does our hair.

I am saying all this to say that when you see my videos and favorite product recommendations please look at them with a grain of salt. This journey is a lot of trial and error. I want you to have realistic expectations.

How do I know if a product works for me?

A simple answer is your scalp and hair will let you know.

Some factors for me in choosing products are:

(Your’s may be different based on your preferences and that’s ok. )

1.Good Slip

Am I able to detangle my hair easily with my fingers when using this product?

2.Moisture.

Does my hair feel soft and manageable after using this product?

3. Hold

How long can my hairstyle last when using this product?

4.Staining

Does it stain my hair? Now the caveat to this one is that while I know oils can stain my hair I am willing to take some staining because the benefits for oil for my hair outweigh the yellowing.

5.Shrinkage

How much shrinkage does this product give me?

6.Definition

Are my curls popping?

More questions you can ask yourself are:

• How does my scalp and hair strands feel after using this product? For example, after a shampoo does your hair feel stripped. A product feels moisturizing for me when it has LOTS of slip.

• Does it cause build-up or flaking? This question can help you ask how much product did you use or how did you layer the product. (Will do a future post on this.)

• Do I like products with strong fragrance?

• Do I like the consistency of this product?

• Does this product work well with other products?

My natural hair journey taught me so many new terms. Two of them being ‘product junkie’ and ‘curl envy’.

What is a product junkie?

Someone who has their own beauty supply store in their home. We see a new product on Instagram or YouTube and go out and get it. We can’t stop ourselves from trying the next new thing.

What is curl envy?

When you see someone’s texture or curl pattern and wish you had their hair.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

If you are minding your own business and see my favorite product videos and list and think oh gosh I have to get more or I don’t have enough, I want you to know this. If you don’t currently use oils or your hair hates oils then don’t use oils. What I suggest is not a hard and fast rule and I want that to give you comfort. You aren’t doing anything wrong.

If you are having issues that you need help with and you want direction or want to know what products you can try then I am your girl. If you are a minimalist and what I offer is overwhelming remember you don’t have to get it all at one time. These are things I have tried over time and it is nice to have options. I also like to try products so you can see how they work in hair similar to mine.

Besides helping you practically with how-tos and product recommendations my ultimate goal is to help you to embrace your hair at whatever it’s curl pattern, gray hair pattern, porosity, and density. I want you to know your beauty is not defined by any of those characteristics of your hair. I want you to feel loved by the hair you have.

Now that that is out of the way my next series of posts will be some product recommendations for my gray hair.

BOOK a 1:1 consultation with me to answer your gray hair concerns and questions.

Keep shining and flying with the wings you have been given 🦋