I’m an African American who has lupus. I have a relaxer and color in my hair and i want to know what can i use to get my hair growing again and stop it from shedding and being so dry. I’m allergic to anything that has sulfur in it. Also, the edges are very thin or there is nothing there. Please help. I’ve tried everything and am still not getting the results I want.
Focus on babying your hair as much as possible. Soak it with Rejuvenating Oil and, at least to begin with, sleep with the oil in your hair overnight. From there, my African Shea Butter Shampoo and Lightweight Deep Conditioning Creme would be perfect for you. (The latter is super-healing, lightweight, and smells wonderful: It’s infused with Pure Orange Rind Oil, Lemon Rind Oil and a hint of Gardenia.) If your hair is breaking and brittle, use the Lovin’ Leave-In Conditioner, too. For extra credit, you can add the Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo and/or Conditioner to your regimen. Both are terrific at rebuilding damaged hair. Thanks for writing in!
I just had my hair colored yesterday and have heard that you shouldn’t use oil shortly after a color treatment. How long should I wait before using the Rejuvenating Oil? Also, is the Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo okay to use regularly even though it soulds clarifying? I have fine hair.
Smart question. Yes, if you’ve just had your hair colored, you should skip any kind of oil treatment for 4-5 days. Otherwise, you run the risk of loosening dye molecules before they fully set. Instead, always do an oil treatment the day before you color. It can make a huge difference, because it only protects your hair from damage but paves the way for more luminous, dimensional, healthier-looking color. And yes, using the Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo is loaded with light botanical conditioning agents, so while it’s clarifying, it’s also gentle enough to use every day. It’s especially good at lending bounce and lift to fine hair like yours. I love the Russian Amber shampoo for thin hair, too — it gives it loads of texture and shine. You just need a tiny bit on fine hair.
Do you have any sulfate-free shampoos? My hairdresser has told me I need to use only sulfate-free shampoos, because sulfate will wash out my red color.
Your colorist is correct: In many cases, shampoos that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can be too harsh for chemically treated hair. But it’s all about balance. I buffer down the SLS in our shampoos with such a high level of essential oils that it becomes gentle and creamy — the best possible way to clear away any dirt or build-up while distributing conditioning oils throughout your hair, even to the ends. In some cases, I use so many plant and flower oils that the SLS is rendered all but inactive: It’s just there to carry the oils and help you lather up. That’s because my shampoos aren’t the conventional detergent-water-fragrance mix. They’re made from intensely conditioning oils used at active, therapeutic levels and gathered from exotic places around the world. So, in this case, fear not. The sulfates we do use are specifically designed to deliver nutrients and potent conditioning agents to your hair, not to counteract their effects. For you, I’d recommend the African Shea Butter Gentle & Conditioning Shampoo, the White Truffle Shampoo or Russian Amber — all super nurturing and supremely hair-color-friendly.
I would like to order some products but I do not know which ones to try. I have long dyed hair (blonde) and the ends of my hair are spliced. Overall, my hair is dry.
True fact: It’s not only safe for bleached hair, it’s good for it. The light, texturizing mix of aloe vera and healing oils (orchid, Tahitian gardenia, kukui and coconut) nourish and protect chemically-treated hair. So you get conditioning benefits, more vibrant color and a sexy, perfectly piece-y look all at once.
Hi! I recently ordered Pepperment & Avocado shampoo-and it doesn’t lather. Any suggestions? I have fine, color-treated hair that’s graying. Product suggestions? Thanks so much!
Thanks for writing. I should start by pointing out that none of our shampoos lather excessively, because they’re made with such high concentrations of botanical extracts. This is a good thing: Unlike cheap detergents, my shampoos cleanse your hair without stripping — they actually leave your hair healthier and shinier. (That said, make sure you’re shampooing properly. No matter what shampoo you use, it’s important to saturate your hair first, and focus the cleansing at the roots of your hair.) Given your hair type, I’d start with a Rejuvenating Oil treatment. Apply it liberally, especially through the ends, and blow-dry your hair to help the oil sink into your hair. It’s not like a standard hot-oil treatment: The plant- and flower-oils in my formula are made of such tiny molecules that they actually slip inside each strand and plump it up from the inside — rather than lying on top of your hair and leaving it flat and limp. The oil also helps remove buildup to let your scalp breathe and leave your hair supremely clean. Follow the oil treatment with the Peppermint Shampoo (use it twice, if necessary) to lift away any excess from the surface of your hair. You’ll see the difference right away — it’s a miracle worker for fine, dry hair.
Is it safe to use the Rejuvenating Oil treatment the day before getting hair color?
Definitely. In fact, I highly recommend it. Pre-color oil treatments — along with weekly oil treatments thereafter — will help strengthen your hair and and keep your shade more vibrant and luminous. Here’s the trick: After you get your color, be sure to wait about 5 days until your next oil treatment. You need to give the color molecules time to embed in the hair shaft; otherwise, the oil might loosen the color molecules from the hair shaft. After that, you’re good to go.
I’m an African-American woman with chemically-treated hair. My hair feels dry all the time, and my scalp itches in the center. I’m constantly rubbing it to stop the itching, and as a result, I have a lot of breakage and my hair is falling out. What type of regiment do you recommend?
You can’t believe how often I see this situation – I’m so sorry to hear of your struggles. The good news is that I have the perfect remedy. It involves three steps:
Coat your hair with my Rejuvenating Oil and work it into your scalp to loosen any dead cells and flaky patches. Let it sit for 20 minutes or so.
Put a dollop of the Peppermint & Avocado Clarifying & Volumizing Shampoo on your hair, work it into a lather and let IT sit for 2-3 minutes. You’ll feel your scalp tingling as the therapeutic levels of peppermint oil in the formula do their healing work. Rinse.
Immediately apply the Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo, work it into a lather, and let IT sit for another 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
If you like, you run some conditioner through the ends of your hair, or apply a leave-in conditioner – avoiding your scalp. Repeat the 3 steps as needed. You should see a huge improvement in your scalp and your hair within a week.
