Kim Kardashian: Secrets to the Look!

(Photo credit: www.lastnewsusa.com) Kim Kardashian is famous for being famous! It helps that she looks fabulous, and her hair looks fabulous.

For photo shoots, she adds hair extensions to her hair. More than likely, clip-in hair extensions.

To maintain hair similiar to Kim Kardashian, one should keep "dry shampoo" around to avoid shampooing everyday. Also, smoothing serums are important to keep frizz and flyways down.

Sulfate free shampoo and moisturizing conditioners are also important.

This has to be a stressful time for Kim Kardashian who has filed for divorce from Kris Humphries reportedly 72 days after being married. I am hoping that she keeps a good mental balance. Stress can take a toil on the hair six months from now.

Wishing you peace and happiness Kim!

Healthy Home Market: What's cool on the hair aisle?

Brand: Uncle Funky's Daughter . . . the Supercurl moisturizing creme is on my wish list. This company is Houston, Texas based. They are a competitor of the Miss Jessie's line. Some of their products have also been recognized in magazines such as Essence.








Henna is a metallic dye. It is not compatible with relaxed hair. (i.e. hair can break off) Only use on natural hair to color. Persian Mahogany (Medium Red/Auburn) is pictured here.








Natural hairspray . . . Wow! I purchased the "Weather Control" Hairspray. (orange label) Stay tuned for reviews.

Product Review: Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding

Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Binding Serum does have silicone in it. All hair types can use it; however, I have found that Type 1 (straight hair) benefits the most from this serum. Even Type 2 or Type 3 hair will see better results than type 4 hair.

Wondering about hair types? Please review our other articles on curl patterns.

So if you have naturally straight hair, then this serum will mend split ends caused by lightener, hair bleach, flat irons, and/or haircolor. It is a temporary styling fix until the next shampoo, but straight hair can look sleek again!

Flat Iron Review: Ceramic versus Ionic Showdown!

Which side do you like best? On the left side, you have hair straightened with a $20 (on sale) ceramic only flat iron. On the right side, you have hair straightened with a $120 ionic/ceramic flat iron. Same strand of hair. However, the left side still has more body along with its straightness. The right side looks more stringy to me. It is sleeker but more lifeless. So which side do you like best? The infrared heat in the ionic technology makes a difference. Is this difference good? Healthy? In my opinion, "no."
To eliminate the fact that the cuticle could be upside down with the previous flat iron test on the same strand, I cut three strips of hair wefts. The first curl strip on the left was completed by the ionic flat iron. It was a sleeker, thinner look. The middle curl strip was from a large barrel curling iron. The curl strip on the right was completed by the ceramic curling iron. The curling iron and the ceramic flat iron really delivers more body and thickness than the ionic iron. Some people are trying to eliminate body and volume. For short time, the ionic iron can serve that purpose.
I just purchased this Conair ceramic straightener/flat iron for $18.79 on sale at a CVS drugstore. Regular price around $28.00. I trust this ceramic only flat iron.

If you prefer a flat iron over a curling iron, then look for this ceramic only technology. It is only $20 with 25 heat settings. It takes longer to heat up since it is NOT Ionic. It is a healthier flat iron option.

As far as the Ionic blowdryers, which I still use heavily, I am undecided on whether I should discontinue using them. Since only the air flow is hitting the hair and scalp, I feel the concentrator nozzle is blocking any potential damage that it could cause. Again, I am undecided. I do have a twin turbo hairdryer that is not ionic. I may put it into service as my main hair dryer. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

Please see my flat iron free pledge/article.

Product Review: "First cut" human hair

"First cut" human hair is essentially hair from one person. The cut hair is from a ponytail cut off of someone's head. It is not a blend of human hair and other fillers. It is "first cut." Only specialty companies can process and disinfect this hair. It is so original that it can be colored or permed without damaging it.

When discussing boar bristle brushes, the terminology "first cut" is sometimes used to also describe a higher quality bristle brush.

"First cut" human hair is sold by the ounce in bulk. You pay extra to have this hair wefted. The length of the hair is solid and full. There is no need to pay for extra length just to be cut off. You would purchase the mininum length that you need and add two inches for the hair to be folded for the wefting service.

Because of the decline in the quality of the hair in the beauty supply stores over the years, I am in the process of stocking this "first cut" hair in small quantities.

It will average about $125 per ounce. The average person will need from 3 to 4 ounces to complete a half head of extensions. The hair can be reused for six months to a year.

There is not a "brand" necessarily attached to "first cut" hair. I would purchase from my supplier, and it is sent to me in tissue paper. This supplier does not sell any "junk" hair. They do not have hair at different quality levels. It is either good hair or they DO NOT sell it. < period > They stand behind their hair quality.

Hairdreams, a company that I have been certified with since 2004, also uses first cut hair, but they do not offer wefting service nor bulk hair. However, they offer infusion strands and partial integration units. On a separate note, Hairdreams does have "basic" hair versus their premium hair. For darker color hair, the basic hair is probably just as good of quality as their premium hair.

Because the cost of the hair alone is so expensive, your initial purchase plus extension service labor will start at $600. If you reuse the hair which you should, then in the future, you would be paying for labor only to remove and re-apply the extensions.