ChristiniCalia: Beauty

So chances are you’re either considering buying some virgin hair, already have purchased some virgin, or just curious about what exactly it means for hair to be considered “virgin”. Luckily for you, we’ve got all the details about virgin hair and are telling our secrets on how to maintain this hair.

Now I've had my virgin hair that I purchased from Johann's Virgin Hair back in December and the hair is still quite fabulous (look at my previous post). I purchased 4 bundles '18-'24 and a silk based closure from VH Beauty Bar and make it into a wig and did all of the following thing, and my hair barely looks any different from when I first purchased it (No, it was not a gift for review type thing). So if you want your hair to last for months on end, keep reading.

What is “Virgin Hair”?

Virgin Hair means that the hair has not be chemically processed in any way shape or form (i.e: Bleached, colored, relaxed, permed) from a single donor. Virgin hair can be of any origin, but the most popular kinds are Brazilian, Indian, and Malaysian. “Good” virgin hair has intact cuticles and the hair strands are consistently flowing in the same direction. Virgin Hair trumps any other type of hair extension because of its flexibility and the duration that you can keep it with proper maintenance.

How to maintain Virgin Hair

Virgin Hair maintenance is critical in receiving all the benefits of your investment. No one wants to waste hundreds of dollars right? Right ! So, maintaining your hair is the way to go, and below are a few tips to ensure proper hair maintenance.

Wash and condition your hair

This may seem like a given, but it is imperative that you wash and condition Virgin Hair at least once a month. With virgin hair being “real” hair, it still requires moisture as if it is growing out of your own scalp. Shampoos and conditioners that contain Argan Oil are a great choice, as it helps maintain the hair’s natural luster and volume. If you’re on a budget, Suave Professionals has a pretty good Almond and Shea Butter shampoo and conditioner set, both of which can be found at your local supermarket or you can purchase it here from Amazon.

Do NOT over moisturize your hair

We repeat: Do NOT over moisturize your hair. This can include moisturizing lotions, oils, and hair sprays. Virgin Hair that is over moisturized can appear limp, unable to maintain a curl, and unnaturally shiny. If you are adamant about putting something on your hair, a few drops of argan oil or a few sprays of oil-free hair spray is enough to maintain your hair. Just don’t over moisturize your hair, it is not worth the trouble.

Tie it up at night

Directly sleeping on your virgin hair can cause friction, split ends, dryness, or tangles. Tying your hair up at night will help prevent these problems. The best method of tying up curly or wavy virgin hair up is to section it off into 3 or 4 and twist/braid it downwards, also limiting how many split ends or tangles can occur. Satin head wraps or satin pillowsheets are the most effective with maintaining your hair.

Limit how much you process your hair

Although virgin hair can be chemically processed, limiting how much processing takes place can encourage the longevity of your investment. Bleaching your virgin hair will cause your hair to get more dry than it normally does, so if you’re bleaching your hair try to limit how much you put heat to it, or it can cause breakages. Remember, it is human hair and it does everything that natural hair does.

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Why going natural isn't for everyone

Beauty 9:07 PM

Why Going Natural Isn’t For Everyone

So being natural is a huge movement within the African American community, embodying a sense of pride for ourselves. Our natural hair textures are to be embraced by ourselves, each other, and by european minded society in which long straight or wavy hair is considered the ideal image of beauty. Some of us were introduced to the “Creamy Crack”, hair relaxing products by our parents as children as a way to create more manageable hair styles, and others transitioned to it after being tired of the hassle of maintaining our wonderful natural hair. Hence, why the following opinion exist:

Being natural isn’t for everyone…..

And I mean that in non disrespectful way towards the movement. Obviously being natural is for everyone seeing as that its how our hair grows from our scalps, but it can be a task and a half at times. The movement is great, but it just isn’t for everyone, and i’ll explain why.

Being natural is…..time consuming!

It takes time to be natural. Daily twist outs, weekly wash/conditions, detangling, moisturizing, preparing for the natural life, and so many other factors that we don’t factor in when considering being natural. For women who have a busy lifestyle, being natural may not be beneficial because they don’t have the time to commit to their hair. Of course you could always be natural without putting a lot of time into it,but the best hair comes from maintenance.

Being natural is…...expensive!

Think of all the things that you need to maintain your hair properly. Shampoo, conditioner, combs, moisturizers, supplies, etc. Well being natural is doubly expensive because of all the products that are needed to maintain our hair. I’m talking oils, moisturizers, regular conditioner, deep conditioner, co wash conditioner, curl enhancements….need I go on? And the constant flow of having to re purchase and buy more things to try can become very tedious. Although the trying new products part is fun!

Being natural…..can be disheartening

How many of us have seen poster children of the natural hair community with luscious 3c/4a curl pattern? And how often does this image give a false impression of what a sister’s natural hair will reflect? Quite a bit. You’ll hear “ I didn’t know what my real hair looked like until after I cut it…” or “Why doesn’t my hair look like that?” Reason being, a good percentage of natural African Americans have 4c hair, which is tight. Some people’s hair is thick, others have dense hair. After seeing what your real hair looks like and not liking it, you’re headed to get some weave BUT you have to get a closure because your real hair doesn’t match the texture of the hair? Yea it can be a little much at times.

This is not to discourage ANYONE from going natural, it is to educate you on some things you may not be aware of before going natural. It's more so to help you avoid cutting all of your precious relaxed hair to only determine that natural hair takes work so you want to go back relaxed, like me.

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