HEALTHY HAIR CARE TIPS WITH MIKELIA SEWELL
Mikelia Sewell, seven-year beauty industry veteran
These past 6+ weeks have been interesting for those of us who missed out on one last hair appointment due to salon owners having to cancel appointments and temporarily close as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown. Even though I’ve been rocking a bun lately, I contacted my favorite DMV-based hairstylist and make-up artist Mikelia Sewell of EDGE by Mikelia for some quick tips on managing our manes through the crisis (and easily accessible products to make the process easier). Below, she offers a few budget-friendly options for women based on a variety of hair types. And as you’ll see, she’s a chameleon who knows how to rock a hairstyle—bald, short, long, curly or straight. #HairGoals
RELAXED HAIR
Tips
Wash hair weekly if you can
“I find that washing relaxed hair weekly paired with a hot oil treatment has great benefits. The scalp stays healthy and moisturized, which in turn promotes healthy hair growth!
Avoid heat as much as possible
The less heat used on the hair the better. Heat has a tendency to dry the hair out leaving it brittle (and adding heat to dirty hair may result in smelly hair, which nobody wants).
If you’re adding daily moisture to your hair and then adding heat, this can also result in heat damage. Think about it...adding heat to oil is literally frying your hair. DON’T DO IT!”
Take your vitamins and drink your water**
Favorite easy-to-access beauty products:
Tresemmé Shampoos and Conditioners (especially for thick hair)
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Conditioner (works for any type of hair)
Garnier Fructis Finishing Serum is GREAT!
CURLY+NATURAL HAIR
“Some natural hair girls don't realize that natural hair butter can help keep their hair naturally soft, silky and healthy. Using natural butter allows you to avoid the hard-to- pronounce and unknown chemicals in most popular hair care products. Hair butter can help with keeping your hair stronger, preventing split ends, reducing damage from coloring your hair, helping the color stay locked into your hair longer and renewing damaged hair.”
Tips
Deep conditioning bi-weekly is recommended!
Steam treatments are great for opening up hair follicles for natural oils and moisture.
Avoid heat as much as possible.
Use silk bonnets to maintain moisture at night.
You can never go wrong with deep hot oil treatments with your favorite oils. Mix them all together and let sit on your hair all day if you please before shampooing.
**Take your vitamins and drink your water**
Favorite easy-to-access beauty products:
Shea Moisture Shampoos and Conditioners (select based on what your hair needs at the moment)
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in Conditioner
Design Essentials Almond Butter Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner
BLOW-OUTS
“In short, a blowout is the art of drying hair after a wash to achieve a smooth and sleek look, style and feel—no curling or flat iron involved (those are added for a “finished look”). From my experience, Kenra Professional hair care products have been excellent for blowouts. Their products are not too oily but leave the hair looking shiny, silky and smooth!”
Tips
Avoid all products the first day of your blowout.
Use anti-humidity spray the next few days.
Twist hair up into a loose bun or high ponytail while you're sleeping.
Sleep on a satin or silk pillow.
Avoid touching your hair as much as possible.
Keep dry shampoo handy (for my ladies whose hair gets oily really fast)
**Take your vitamins and drink your water**
Favorite easy-to-access beauty products:
“Pixie cuts are bold, beautiful and so on trend and simply perfect for seeing in the new spring season in style. Opting for a pixie cut gives you a look which is both flirty and feminine, allowing you to show off your facial features to perfection. However, pixies also come with some maintenance!”
Tips:
Before completely cutting, find a style that suits your face.
Be sure you have a great cut! The better the cut, the lower the maintenance…trust me.
Invest in a satin scarf and satin pillow case.
Add a drop of moisture each night before bed
**Take your vitamins and drink your water**
Favorite easy-to-access beauty products:
Design Essentials Moisture Shampoos and Conditioners (select based on your hair type)
Nairobi Wrapp-it Foaming Lotion for molding your hair to perfection
Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus oil (my personal favorite product to use at night…a small drop goes a long way and it smells great).
*The products recommended by Mikelia can also be found at Ulta Beauty, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Kirei Beauty and most drugstores. I’m sure there are many others, but these are places that I buy my hair supplies. Where applicable, I included links directly to the brand’s website as some actually demonstrate how to use certain products.
converse + connect
How’s your hair holding up (and what are your favorite go-to products)?
Do you have other questions about hair care? Since I’ve received a lot of good feedback on this post, I’ve decided to make this an ongoing series.
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