The Hair Chart by Oprah Winfrey's stylist, Andre Walker, illustrates, in great depth, the various types of human hair. Andrew is masterful at his craft, as I think that we can all agree that Oprah has amazing hair. According to him, the trick is to enhance and aid your specific hair type and not try to alter it by using mainstream products that are produced for a strand that may not be compatible to yours. There are distinct classifications for hair types other than the commonly known straight or curly. It clearly defines four main types of human hair with three specific strands in each of the four categories, as seen below:
1. Straight Hair - a) Fine b) Medium c) Coarse
2. Wavy Hair - a) Loose waves b) Defined waves c) Wide waves
3. Curly Hair - a) Loose curls b) Tight curls c) Corkscrews
4. Kinky Hair - a) Defined coil b) Z coil c) Tight coil
Each type has specific characteristics, thus coupled with relevant requirements to maintain overall healthy hair. In researching each feature, there are clearly defined ways of optimising every unique aesthetic. After studying the chart, I was able to fully understand my specific strand and the manner in which to treat it best in achieving my goal of long, luscious locks. I have found that I am a mix of type 2C and 3A as I have wide, loose, wavy curls and am prone to oily roots and dry ends, and therefore I require trims and treatments every 2 to 3 months to maintain shine and volume.
Knowing the level of porosity your hair has also helps in understanding the specific needs of your strand. The natural ability of hair to absorb and retain moisture describes the texture and type of its porosity, which can either be low, medium, or high. You can ascertain your hair's level of porosity by taking the “float test”. Do the test by taking a glass of water and adding some strands of hair found in your brush. If the hair floats to the top, it is considered an indication of high porosity. If the hair sinks to the middle of the water, it means that the porosity is medium. If the hair sinks to the bottom of the glass, the porosity is low. Use products for your level of porosity and hair type to fine-tune the way you treat and cater to your specific needs.
The Kérastase range of products does wonders and I love the moisture and protein boosts. I tint and trim my hair every three months and visit the salon monthly for maintenance. I wash and heat style my hair twice a week and also often use a mask or treatment on my tresses whilst in the steam room or sauna. I appreciate the sulphate-free OGX range, specifically the Argan Oil as well as the Coconut products. Recently, I found HASK, a clean and kind range of hair care products that handles the twists and turns I tend to put my locks through. I am latching onto the concept of clean beauty that is curated in a conscious manner and formulated without sulphates, parabens, phthalates, gluten and aluminium starch. I feel completely confident that there are no questionable or controversial ingredients and that each item is cruelty-free when using HASK, and with their wide selection in the full range, I am always catered to sufficiently. There is also a Brasilian line of products called Inoah that's vegan and cruelty-free, which offers beauty that aligns with great values. It has the golden thread of argan oil running through the entire range and encompasses all that there is to love and expect from quality products such as this.
I don’t use any chemicals on my hair and the most damaging exercise that I undertake is colouring it. I have naturally black hair, and currently it is tiger-eye in colour, which is shades of blonde and brown. It was a gradual process to lighten it and has taken me two years to get it to this multifaceted balayage with minimal damage. I mostly wear my hair loose, as I don’t enjoy the breakage that comes along with using hair ties and clips. Ponytails feel uncomfortable in general and on the rare occasion I opt for a low ponytail or a high bun, using a claw-clip to keep in place. When styling my hair with heated equipment like a hair dryer, I use a therma-protective aid and after a blowout, I use silicone to seal the style.
They say that everything health- and beauty-related is an inside job, and therefore I carefully consider what I consume and take the necessary supplements, such as vitamins. I try to optimise my regime to benefit every area of my life as best as I can, given all the factors that I have to consider in attaining and maintaining terrific tresses.
Terrific Tresses by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo