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Holiday Hair Styles

It’s that time of the year where your social schedule is packed with events to celebrate!

New dresses, cute shoes, and maybe a little something extra for your hair?

My personal favorite are jeweled hair combs. They are easy to use, simply push hair back (away from the face or tuck behind your ear) and insert a comb; smaller combs work better in pairs. Get creative, express your unique personal style…I’ve seen some FashionNistas create super-funky styles with their hair combs!

I’d love to see your Holiday Hairstyles, so take a minute and post your pictures HERE before the holiday season is gone!


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Keratin Hair Treatments

Some hair salons are starting to take precautions against possible formaldehyde in hair straightening products like the Brazilian Blowout.

Concerns that the popular hair smoothing solution, known generically as Brazilian or Keratin treatments, could expose hair stylists to health risks. Investigations into the product in the United States and Canada led to product being pulled from shelves in Canada along with a warning issued to stylists and consumers who used it. In the US, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission are still conducting their investigations.

Stories of those who have suffered ill effects from the Brazilian Blowout started in 2007, including an article in Allure magazine piece titled “Scared Straight”. The magazine collected samples of the treatments and them to an FDA-registered lab for testing where it was determined that they contained ten times more formaldehyde than the .2 percent that is determined to be safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to large amounts of the chemical can cause serious health problems, including cancer.

OSHA, the Agency responsible for workplace safety and health in the US, issued an alert warning September 30, 2010 that samples of the Brazilian Blowout and Acai Professional Smoothing Solution (both sold by the same company) contained between 4.85 and 10.6 percent formaldehyde. When Canada’s health agency tested Brazilian Blowout, it found 12 percent formaldehyde.

BEWARE and do your homework on all new products!!

Love your hair!


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Solutions - Hair Tips for Winter Weather

The dry and cold winter weather can be very damaging to your hair. The drop in temperature and increased use of central heating causes it to dry far more easily. Effective preventative measures are required during this season to ensure your hair is not damaged. Here are great tips to keep your hair healthy while enjoying the Winter season:


Replace Lost Moisture
Just like your skin, your hair needs more moisture in winter, so make sure you look after it properly and invest in a good shampoo and conditioner. Preventing moisture-loss will help you avoid frizz and static. Use a hydrating hairspray which will help to replace the moisture lost during styling, and hydrate the hair to give a soft, supple feel.

Try a Cool Shower
After using a moisturizing conditioner, lock in that moisture by running cool or lukewarm water through your hair.  The cool water will quickly close your hair cuticle, allowing it to keep the moisture inside.  This also gives your hair extra shine.

Make Sure Your Hair Is Dry
Don't go outside with your hair wet. If it's cold enough outside, your hair will freeze and may actually break!

Wear A Cashmere Hat
When you're out and about this winter, wear a hat, not only to keep you warm, but also to protect your hair from the cold weather. Invest in a hat made of cashmere rather than wool. Wool is very absorbent and will suck the moisture out of your hair, leaving it dry and prone to static. Also, the raw texture of wool is harsh on your hair, while cashmere will ensure that it stays looking beautiful and healthy when you go inside from the cold.  Treat yourself to a cashmere hat-----you're worth it!


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8 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health

8 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health

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Solutions - Protein For Your Hair

Protein is what gives the hair its strength and structure. Hair is about 70% keratin protein by nature. There are a wide variety of proteins that serve different functions and roles in hair care. Some enhance elasticity, while others reduce it. These proteins bind to the hair cuticle and help temporarily rebuild any weakened areas. Protein-based products reinforce the hair shaft, and help it remain strong enough to fight breakage.

Some proteins are stronger than others, but daily or even weekly use of even the milder protein treatments may result in an imbalance between the protein and moisture levels within the hair strands in some people. This is where product percent composition really plays an important role. For example, every product that contains keratin protein is not going to feel the same way across the board, and every product that contains glycerin or water is not going to feel the same either! The protein in question could make up 30% of the product or 0.3%! Who knows! You have to play around with different products to know how strong they are on your particular hair. Your hair protein tolerance will vary from product to product, not necessarily protein to protein.

Protein is found most prevalently in products like instant conditioners (HipHopz' Deep N' Conditioner), leave-in conditioners, protein reconstructor conditioner treatments, and even some moisturizers.


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Soutions - All About Hair Oils

Let's get this false myth out of the way: Oils do NOT moisturize the hair. Oils nourish the outside of the hair strands.

Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is also naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is a difficult task. Providing additional sources of outside moisture, or external moisture supplementation, is a must for black hair care. Water molecules and moisture from these supplemental moisturizing products easily pass into the hair shaft, but they pass out just as easily. We've got to seal that moisture in. The way to do it is by using oil.

Natural oils like jojoba, olive, carrot, or coconut oil seem to work best. The key is to use the oil to "lock in the moisture."

A light coating of oil after your daily moisturizer will help seal the moisture inside. Oils are made of large molecules. These molecules are too large to absorbed by the hair strand. Applying oils to the hair and scalp will coat them and trap the moisture that is inside on the inside and the moisture that is outside on the outside. If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture OUT of the hair strand and lead to a coated feel and eventual dryness.

Oil alone will not and cannot moisturize within the hair shaft. An oil (grease) can only coat the outside of the strand, and give it shine- the illusion of moisture. Oil molecules are hydrophobic which means they repel and do not readily mix with water. Remember, if you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate.

This technique of moisturizing and sealing has really been helpful to me and is the most important part of my haircare regimen. Fighting hair breakage and achieving moisturizing success is all about what order you apply your products.

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Solutions - Moisture and Protein

The balance of protein and moisture in hair is a fine art. Hair needs water to maintain its elasticity, or ability to stretch. Since water is the ultimate moisturizer, water-based products are best for really getting the greatest moisture benefit.

Moisturizers are simply products that are water-based and nourish your hair deep within the strand. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be your conditioners and other specific moisturizer sprays or creams. Moisturizers may also contain large amounts of protein, but these protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that moisture-based moisturizers have. Check labels to gauge protein content. Good moisturizers will not contain cheap, filler ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, or lanolin. Avoid products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients. There is nothing moisturizing about them! Petrolatum and mineral oil are sealants that seal out the precious moisture our hair needs.

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Solutions - Hair Breakage and Shedding

It is normal to lose 100-150 hairs a day. However, if you are experiencing abnormal hair loss, you should consider being evaluated by a licensed Trichologist or Dermatologist. If your hair only grows to a particular length and then breaks off, then you might work with your hair stylist and try to address the cause. Dryness could be the cause, so you might have to use a wetting agent, or if it breaks because you are rough in brushing it, use a thicker wide-tooth comb and be more gentle. At Healthy Hair Source, we advice combing wet hair only after applying your conditioner! The conditioner serves to soften the hair, and pretty much eliminating tangles so that the hair shaft is not under the stress it would be while damp. Try various shampoos and conditioners, as there are many out there that may help.

Breakage
If your problem is hair breakage, you must pinpoint the cause of the breakage and treat the hair accordingly. You'll simply need to increase the moisture you give your hair if your breakage is from an overuse of protein, or increase the protein if your breakage is a result of over-conditioning.

The most common cause of breakage is damage to the hair shaft from straightening and chemicals used on the hair. Dyes are also in that category. The easiest approach is to stopping doing those things that will damage the hair. It may mean going back to your original color if your hair cannot take the dye. Dry and damaged hair comes from over-processing and lack of conditioning, so using a good conditioner will help by returning the natural oils to your hair.

Try a few different ones and look for those that claim to stop breakage. Check with your stylist, as he/she will likely know what is best on the market. Be sure that your diet is good, that your protein intake is adequate, and that you keep yourself hydrated. The dry hair shaft brakes easier — and the longer you let your hair grow, the more it is exposed to air and heat, which may make the ends more fragile.


Shedding
If your problem is shedding, don't worry because shedding is a natural process. Be patient and let nature do what it needs to do first. Some have had success with garlic shampoo treatments for shedding problems, but because shedding is a response to natural, hormonal processes, topical treatments may not work.

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Solutions

For the next few weeks, we'll be publishing posts related to solutions for hair issues...we're calling it "The Solution Series". This series is applicable to both chemically-altered hair and natural hair. It also fits well with our main objective as a vibrant and effective Healthy Hair Source. Feel free to comment and add your own pros/cons and solutions related to these posts. Here we go!

Let's begin with the obvious: chemical hair relaxing is a very stressful process on the hair. Because of the aggressive nature of these straightening chemicals and the extreme consequences that may arise from improper usage, careful thought and consideration should be given to preparing the hair for this process. After much trial, error, destruction of and transition back to my natural hair pattern, my bottom line is this: Never relax your hair to "solve" a hair problem. You should always correct the problem first with the proper treatment.

Only when your hair and scalp have returned to normal should you proceed with your relaxer service. Relaxing your hair will only aggravate the condition you are facing by making your hair weaker and more vulnerable to damage. These strong chemicals could cause you even more breakage, shedding, or permanent hair loss if done to fix an existing hair problem. Again, relaxing is never the "answer" to correct any hair issue. We MUST solve the problems of shedding, dryness, or breakage BEFORE relaxing our hair. Stay tuned for our Solutions Series!

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Easy Steps for Hair Repair

Millions of women who have damaged hair have been trying to find ways to repair it. We all love for our hair to look good, but we have to remember that healthy hair is the ultimate goal because healthy hair always looks good, whether it's short, long, straight or curly.

In some cases, you will probably be told that in order for your hair to start growing again, the damaged ends will need to be cut. Once the hair is cut, it's important to make sure that it's not damaged further because it will not grow back properly.

One thing that you don't want to do is over-process your hair. Find a style that will not require using a curling iron or blow dryer on a daily basis.

Avoid putting too many chemicals in your hair. Try to use only natural creams and gels for styling. Even with the natural products, avoid using too much, since this may end up clogging your pores.

Use a brush that is appropriate for your hair type. If you use the wrong brush, you'll be causing more damage to your hair.

Avoid using curlers for a while; they're known to break and damage the hair also. You should also make sure that you wear a scarf at night, and never sleep with your hair exposed.

These are just a few suggestions that you may find helpful when trying to get your damaged hair to grow again. Sure it takes a lot of effort on your part, but you're worth it, right? Of course you are.




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No Stress Hair Styles

Black hair is more fragile than most, requiring tender, loving care. The follicles and hair shaft are tightly curved, creating a naturally curly or kinky texture. With less oil production, Black hair also tends to become dry and easily knotted.

Whether you opt for a retro Afro, classic pageboy, braids or locs, be sure to use the right products when styling your hair.

Cornrow braiding, glues used to apply extensions, use of hair relaxers and other popular services may lead to hair and scalp problems that require a visit to the dermatologist.

"The frequent use of chemical hair relaxers to straighten the waves of African-American hair weakens the hair, even when done properly," says Dr. Gary J. Brauner, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York City.

For women who favor Afros for a natural look, use of a pick to lift hair at its bushiest spots can cause damage. If braids are pulled too tightly, hair may fracture and break, leading to bald spots and hair loss. Women who regularly use a hot comb to relax their hair may suffer progressive, irreversible hair loss, beginning at the crown and spreading across the entire head.

Jenyne M. Raines, a former associate beauty editor at Essence magazine, encourages Black women to make peace with their hair in her new book, Beautylicious! The Black Girl’s Guide to the Fabulous Life. She outlines six basic hairstyles for women of African heritage, with chic updates. (“The rest is just a riff on a theme,” she writes.)

1. The Afro was designed to form a perfect circle during the 1970s. Today, aim for a textured, free "fro", perhaps parted to one side.

2. The classic pageboy, meant for straightened hair, is now a modern, layered bob.

3. The "slicked-back" style for short hair was generously “lubed” and brushed back when you were younger. Today, it’s texturized to highlight the natural curl pattern.

4. Long, straight hair will never go out of style, but we recommend angling it at the face or fashioning a riot of natural curls.

5. Ponytails are always a sensible standby when you’re pressed for time, but Raines believes buying an "I Dream of Jeannie" style hairpiece confers a more sophisticated look.

6. Braids are always pleasing to the eye, and Raines urges women to aim for Janet Jackson’s look in the film Poetic Justice.

Locs are another popular style, particularly during the summer, when hair feels heavy and you want to reduce its contact with your neck. For the uninitiated, locs are not braids. Rather, the hair is tightly twisted, tangled and knotted (“locked”) into place (think of Reggae great Bob Marley). Locs are difficult to undo, so select this style only if you’re comfortable with a long-term commitment.

You don’t need long hair to wear locs. A length of 3” will suffice. Some women will lock their own hair, but it’s advisable to use an experienced stylist.

Some women erroneously believe that locs are maintenance-free. The style can be worn without problems if you follow these specific guidelines:

*Your shampooing schedule should be based on your scalp condition and lifestyle. When locs are new, experts often recommend shampooing them through nylon mesh to prevent loosening. (A pair of clean pantyhose works well.)

*Use the right shampoo-—one designed for Black hair, which won’t leave residue. Many stylists recommend GNatural's "Oh-So-Clean" Shampoo (click here for info) which contains no colored dyes, fragrances, animal products or chemicals that compromise locks. Always rinse well after shampooing, and dry locs thoroughly with a towel, followed by air-drying. Tight locs that retain water may actually form mildew.

*Use of the GNatural Black Ice Medicated Spray is a fantastic product specifically formulated to use between shampoo days to reduce any buildup of excess oil on the scalp.

*Moisturize regularly with appropriate products. Carla Jenkins-Barber, a respected Trichologist at GSBeauty in Washington, DC, recommends two items manufactured by GNatural Herbal Products: Essential Oil, Twist & Loc Styling Gel, as well as the hydrating Black Ice Medicated Sheen Spray.

*Avoid product buildup by alternating use of the Essential Oil and the Twist & Loc Styling Gel. This will also help eliminate frizz.

*Wear a silk or satin scarf when you sleep to prevent frizz, dryness and breakage.

*When starting your new loc style, maintain those beautiful locs by replacing rubber bands, as needed. Otherwise, locks will loosen. Never tug or pull at them.

*Exercise caution when coloring or bleaching locs. Seek the assistance of a qualified stylist to avoid hair breakage.

To find a qualified stylist, fill in the contact form found on this page, and we'll put provide you with information to locate hair salons, spas, services and suppliers in your geographic area.


The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. Thanks for reading; check back soon for our latest review on another interesting HEALTHY HAIR topic!

Hair Care - Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes that are directly related to less than desired growth and health of our hair:

1. NOT TRIMMING YOUR HAIR EVERY 6 WEEKS.

The tip of each hair is weaker then the root, making it more vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Having the tips trimmed every 6 weeks helps to maintain the condition of your hair and its style.

2. WASHING HAIR ON A DAILY BASIS.

Regularly washing your hair strips it of essential oils and can leave it dry and brittle. If you have naturally oily hair, use a mild, pH-balanced shampoo. When washing your hair don't rub the scalp vigorously as this will stimulate the oil glands to produce more sebum.

3. RUBBING YOUR HAIR VIGOROUSLY WITH A TOWEL.

The action of rubbing you hair with a towel actually roughens the hair cuticle, which can lead to frizzy, flyaway hair.

4. LEAVING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER IN YOUR HAIR.

Shampoo and conditioner that is not thoroughly rinsed out of the hair is the worst culprit for bad hair days. It counteracts styling products, leaves your hair looking dull, limp and unmanageable. Try to rinse your hair for an extra couple of minutes after shampooing and conditioning.

5. BLOW-DRYING HAIR UNTIL COMPLETELY DRY.

Overheating your hair makes it susceptible to breakage and strips it of shine. A better idea is to blow-dry hair until its 80% dry and then let it air dry, naturally. Alternatively use a leave-in conditioner or styling product that protects your hair from heat styling. Also, hold the hair dryer at least 30 centimeters (6 inches) away from your hair.

6. NOT USING PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE.

Many people misdiagnose their hair type and subsequently purchase the wrong hair products to style hair. Using the right product will help to recreate that special salon style.

7. NOT USING A CLARIFYING SHAMPOO ONCE A WEEK.

Everyday pollutants cling to hair and leave a thin coat of grime that dulls and weighs down the hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will give hair a residue free fresh start.

8. THINKING THE LATEST FASHION HAIR CUT WILL SUIT YOU.

Let's face it; we're not all beautiful models. Not all of us can get away with the latest, trendiest, most fashionable hair cut. May be that fashion cut can give you a worst look.

It all depends on individual, their texture, their lifestyle, their quality of hair.

Drastic haircuts take a long time to grow out, so be sure you want to take the risk before sitting in the char and letting your hairdresser go to work. Be specific and take lots of photographs to ensure you are getting the look you want.

The above article was written by Nadeem, who holds the national record (Limca book of record holder) in Candle hair cut, blindfolded hair cut, hair cut with glass and papercutter. He has been featured on various TV channels, Newspapers and he has also been highlighted in the Guiness Book of world records. He works as a hair stylist at REX Salon, Chandigarh (India).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com


The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed in this blog, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page. We do not tolerate SPAM.

Hair Life Cycles

Everyone of us has a different life cycle for the hairs on our heads.  Which is one great reason for NOT getting your hair permed or dyed just because "everyone else is doing it".

Hair growth comes in three stages:
1)  The Growing Phase
2)  The Transitional Phase
3)  The Resting Phase

Growing - The professional name for this phase is the Anagen Stage.  The growing stage can last up to 1000 days or more before this stage is complete. This is the first stage and each strand must come from a hair bulb that lies deep inside the scalp. Over time as the hair grows out it grows up and later through the scalp and continues to grow. This particular phase can last anywhere between two to six years.

Transitional -   The professional name of the next phase is the Catagen phase, where the hair has grown out of the scalp and continues to grow long.  This stage generally lasts about two to three weeks.  During this time, one to two percent of scalp hairs are in this phase of moving from the base of the follicle bulb to the surface of the scalp.  This is a crucial time when your hair needs healthy maintenance products.

Resting - The Telogen phase (professional name) lasts for 100 days. This is the new hair stage where you can notice new growth on your hair. During this phase, the old hair is pushed out so the new hair can grow to its fullest potential.  At any given time, ten to fifteen percent of the scalp hairs are in this phase.

Each stage of hair growth is important to each strand of hair. This natural cycle can be stopped when the follicle becomes blocked or if hair growth is not promoted in some way.  At any given time about 85 percent of hair is growing and 15 percent is resting, but as people age, their rate of hair growth slows.  The average adult head has about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs and loses up to 100 of them a day; so finding a few stray hairs in your comb or on your hairbrush is not necessarily cause for alarm.


The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Hair Parts

Hair growth is something that we take for granted until we start noticing a tremendous difference in our appearance. Understanding hair loss starts with understanding the many different parts of the hair, and HOW it grows. Hair growth starts while the baby is still in the mother's womb and continues until death. But in between that time a lot can happen and hair growth can stop for several different reasons including:

- the types of shampoo/conditioner used
- blow dryer
- too much sun and wind exposure
- perms, bleach, highlights, and hot oil treatments
- poor nutrition
- illness, condition, or disease

Hair grows everywhere on the human body except on the palms of our hands and the soles of our feet, but many hairs are so fine they're virtually invisible. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin (the same protein in nails) produced in hair follicles in the outer layer of skin; as follicles produce new hair cells, old cells are being pushed out through the surface of the skin at the rate of about six inches a year.

Hair has two separate parts: the root and the hair shaft. The root is the part of the hair located just under the skin surface. The hair follicle houses the entire hair root. The follicle lies below the scalp and produces the hair strand that you see growing out of your head. The follicle is alive.

At the root, the papilla is where all of the action takes place; it is a rich blood and nerve supply that nourishes the hair shaft and produces hair cells. The bulb is a white sack located on the lower part of the hair that covers the papilla.

The hair shaft is what is grows out of the hair follicle and is what we consider to be our "hair". It has three parts; the cuticle, cortex and medulla. The inner layer is called the medulla and may not be present (because of chemical damage).

The next layer is the cortex and the outer layer is the cuticle. The cortex makes up the majority of the hair shaft. There are pigment cells that are distributed throughout the cortex and medulla giving the hair its characteristic color.

The cuticle makes up the largest section of your hair and protects the cortex. The cuticle is formed by tightly packed scales in an overlapping structure similar to roof shingles, which holds your hair together. The cuticle is made of long, molecular chains of amino acids (protein).

The hair shaft is dead, and is simply made up of fragile, dead keratin cells that have no regenerative properties. Hair grows from the follicle at an average rate of half an inch per month. Each hair grows for about four to seven years, after which it enters a "resting phase" and then falls out.

A new hair begins growing in its place anywhere between three weeks and three months later. At any one time, about 90% of the hair on a person's scalp is growing. Each follicle has its own life cycle that can be influenced by age, disease, and a wide variety of other factors.

This life cycle is divided into three phases that each strand of hair must go through during its cycle. These phases are the subject of our next posting, entitled "Hair Life Cycles".



The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Hair Conditioners - Defined

What is a " Hair Conditioner"---really?

The term " hair conditioner" is vague. Hair conditioners fall into different groups according to what you want to accomplish with your hair. People with thin hair need a specific kind of "conditioner", people with thick, dry hair need another...

Conditioners fall into six major categories:

1. Moisturizers
2. Reconstructors
3. Acidifiers
4. Detanglers
5. Thermal Protectors
6. Glossers
7. Oils (E.F.A.'s- essential fatty acids)

Moisturizers - Are concentrated with humectants. Humectants are compounds that attract and hold moisture into the hair. They may not necessarily contain botanicals or protein, but some often do.

Recommendation: GNatural DeepN Conditioner



Reconstructors - Normally contain protein. Hydrolyzed human hair keratin protein is the best source, because it contains all 19 amino acids found in the hair. Human hair keratin protein has a low molecular weight. This enables the it to penetrate the hair shaft (the cortex). The main purpose of a reconstructor is to strengthen the hair.

Recommendation: GNatural Mint Fortress Conditioner



Acidifiers - The key word here is "acid". Yes, is is good to put acid on your hair. When a product carries a pH of 2.5 to 3.5 it is normally termed an acidifier. This pH will close (compact) the cuticle layer of the hair. The result is shiny, bouncy hair. This pH range will adjust the beta bonds to alpha bonds (hydrogen bonds). Acidifiers do not weigh the hair. They do create shine, and add elasticity. This conditioner category is great for people with fine textured hair.

Recommendation: GNatural DeepN Conditioner



Detanglers - Most detanglers are acidifiers (see above). Most have low pH's 2.5 to 3.5. They close the cuticle of the hair which cause tangles. Some "shield" the hair shaft with polymers (polymers are strings of "like" molecules- a chain). Some detanglers are instant, some take 1-5 minutes to work.

Recommendation: GNatural DeepN Conditioner



Thermal Protectors - Thermal protectors safeguard the hair against heat. Using thermal protectors are one of the best things you can do to your hair if you blow dry, use curling irons, or hot rollers. They normally use heat absorbing polymers that distribute the heat, so your hair does not get heat damage (a major cause of hair damage).

Recommendation: GNatural Oh Sunshine! Sheen Spray




Glossers - Glossers simply reflect light. The light-reflecting capability comes from the dimethicone or cyclomethicone (oils derived from silicone) included as base ingredients of any glosser. Also, they are one of the best products to control the "frizzies."

Recommendation: Gnatural Black Diamond Spray



Oils (E.F.A.'s)- If you have dry hair (esp. if you have chemicals on your hair color-perm-relaxer} you need to add oil to your hair. The scalp produces a natural oil called sebum. EFA's are the closest thing to natural sebum (sebum contain EFA'S). EFA's can take very dry and porous hair and transform it into soft pliable hair.

Recommendations:
Safflower Oil (use sparingly)
Peppermint Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil
GNatural Essential Oil



The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Truth About MSM and Hair Growth

Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane (M.S.M.) is an organic sulfur compound available in powder or supplement forms.

It is widely regarded for helping to ease pain and stiffness in joints. Many bodybuilders take it for this reason. It also promotes healthier and faster growth of hair follicles and nails since all of these are made up of similar materials. The great thing is that MSM is not expensive and can be found in nearly any health food store, vitamin shop, grocery store, or drug store in the U.S.

MSM does absolutely nothing to help regrow hair or even maintain hair counts for people who suffer hair loss. But what it does do is help speed hair follicle growth.

The hair follicle houses (protects & feeds) the entire hair root. The follicle lies below the scalp and produces the hair strand that you see growing out of your head. The follicle is alive; the rest of the hair shaft isn't. Because MSM is a natural product, it easily absorbs into the skin and scalp to provide nutrients to the hair follicle. (See our postings about "Hair Parts" and "Hair Cycles").

I have used MSM for 10 years off and on, and I can vouch that it certainly seems to accelerate the rate of my hair and nail growth, especially when my hair is in it's "growing" stage. I don't choose to take the tablet form of MSM, but faithfully use my very own "hair moisterizer", which I make with the following ingredients:

10 ounces of distilled water
1 heaping tablespoons of pure 100% MSM powder (any brand as long as it's 100 percent! )
2 ounces of Aloe Vera gel or juice (provides nutrients, volume and scalp healing)
2 ounces of Vegetable Glycerin (provides moisture)
2 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (preserves the other ingredients)
2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (stimulates the scalp)

I mix all ingredients in a 16 ounce (or larger) spray bottle, and spray my hair twice daily, making sure that I spray my scalp also.  This amount lasts me approximately two weeks.

Truth is, MSM can be a useful for speeding up the hair growth process. It does this by providing optimum conditions for the hair follicle to do it's "job" of protecting and feeding the hair root.

MSM is readily available and inexpensive enough to at least give it a shot; just remember that it will not help grow new hair or maintain hair counts; it simply speeds the rate of growth. Check out the related video on MSM on this site for further discussion.

Have you tried MSM before? What were your results? Do you have any hair growth, or hair maintenance rituals to share?



The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Review - Hair Conditioners

Using conditioner for dry hair can be difficult depending on the texture and length of the hair. First you need to buy the right conditioner, then you have to know how to use it. You may even need two different types of conditioner on one head of hair, especially with very long hair. This is because long hair has at least 3 different textures of hair. The hair at the scalp, middle and ends are all different and have different levels of porosity.

This means that the hair at the scalp is the healthy hair, so it isn't as porous as the hair in the middle; and the hair in the middle isn't as porous as the hair at the end. In other words, the oldest hair is the most damaged or dry, so it soaks up anything you put on it.

This is basic information that many people don't know and is why they continue to waste money and time using wrong products, the wrong way. Since the hair closest to the scalp is very healthy, it needs very little or no conditioner, yet that is exactly where most people put the majority of the hair conditioner.

The best way is to rub the conditioner in palm of hands, then run it through the hair from middle to ends combing the hair with fingers. Once this is done press conditioner into ends of the hair gently with fingertips. Using conditioner for dry hair correctly takes time and care.

If the hair is very damaged and dry, then you need to first detangle it, then comb conditioner through to the ends. Rinse and then spray a leave-in conditioner, especially if you use a blow dryer and curling iron. You should also use either mouse or gel as a styling aid as well for thermal protection of the hair.

When it comes to conditioner for dry hair, quality really does matter. This is true for shampoo as well, however the styling aids don't matter as much. I use GNatural's moisturizing Well-To-Do shampoo, and follow it up with the GNatural Breeze Conditioner (I love the peppermint tingle on my scalp!), and then the GNatural Deep N Conditioner, which detangles my hair and adds body and sheen. For thermal protection when I blow dry, my styling aid of choice is the GNatural Hair and Scalp conditioner. It protects my hair by sealing the moisture inside my hair shaft.

As mentioned above, long hair needs more care than shorter hair. Short hair doesn't get the chance to get old, it gets cut off, therefore, it's usually healthy, unless you do a lot of chemical damage, such as bleaching or double chemical services like perm and color.

The main reason I recommend professional shampoos and conditioners from GNatural is because I know and trust the quality. Many conditioners use wax to add shine to hair. Over time the wax build up makes hair heavy and lifeless. In addition, when you apply color or perm it's difficult to penetrate the wax and makes them less effective.

Even if you don't do chemical services who wants dull lifeless hair? It's also a good idea to alternate shampoos and conditioners as the hair gets used to them and doesn't respond anymore. That's why when people first use a new product their hair responds so well. The GNatural product line includes 6 different shampoos and 10 different conditioners.

If you use conditioner for dry hair every day then it's important that you know how to do it or else you pay by having bad hair days! From shampoo to deep conditioning, you're guaranteed to enjoy using GNatural herbal-based products no matter if your hair is dry, normal or oily.

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

The Dream

I get several calls every week from curious individuals who want information on "How to open an online beauty supply store". After speaking with some people, I can tell they are still just..... "thinking about it".

"It" is their DREAM, yet they are not ready to make it come true due to fear, lack of support from family, or a perceived lack of funds. How do you encourage someone who paralyzed by fear? My feedback is that the longer you wait,

Hair Breakage-1

Hair breakage is an extremely common problem.  It is really unpleasant if you have long hair that you take time and trouble over.  But there are a few standard causes for hair breakage.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is tying hair too tightly.  If you have been doing this for a long time – and by a long time here we are speaking in terms of years as opposed to a few days – then your hair will get pulled from the roots.   In all likelihood, the weakest point of the hair strand would be between the point where the rubber band is tied and the scalp, since this is where the maximum tension between the two points lies. So you would find that the hair has broken and has probably become frizzy as well.

This is also a normal thing, because when you break hair by pulling it, you are pushing it beyond its natural limit of elasticity, so as a result, the remainder of the hair strand will frizz up. You need to completely stop tying your hair---this is the only solution if you want to stop further breakage. Because the hair strands that have been broken half-way are weak, they may take more time than usual to grow back.  And YES,  you can be assured that they will definitely grow back, providing that you do not tie your hair back.  This would be a preventive measure as well as the best treatment!


The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Hair Breakage 2

In our previous post, Hair Breakage-1, we discussed one of the main causes of hair breakage--too much pulling.  Another standard cause of hair breakage is excessive heat. 

Using curling irons and dryers are a surefire way of ensuring that your hair strands are so weak that they simply snap into two.  Once again, you would need to go easy on using these.  If possible, try avoiding high-heat styling tools for a few months.  You will find this helpful in restoring the natural structure of the hair. 

Alongside these measures, which are more preventive than anything else, you can also soothe your broken hair strands by regular warm oil applications to them.  GNatural Herbal Hair Oil is excellent as it is light and full of healing herbs that immediately begin to penetrate the inner hair shaft.   This herbal hair oil delivers nutrients to the scalp and stimulates hair growth.  The restorative properties will help to put your hair in better shape.  GNatural Herbal Hair Oil is also a highly nourishing oil, and your hair will need all the nourishment it can get since it has been weakened considerably over time. A combination of these methods will be helpful when allowed time to work.

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

Dry Hair Answers

Frizzy hair is a common problem characterized by dry and unmanageable hair. Hair that is frizzy tends to get tangled easily, leading to several other related hair problems like split ends, hair breakage, hair loss and sometimes a dry and itchy scalp.  Hair that is frizzy suffers from an inability to retain moisture or, a lack of sufficient moisture.  This results in weak and brittle hair that is easily prone to damage. Frizzy hair is primarily the result of improper hair care and a lack of nutrition. 

You can treat frizzy hair at home with the help of a few simple hair care tips.  Keep in mind that dry and frizzy hair is most often the results of  improper hair care.  First, make sure that you don’t shampoo your hair too often as this will strip your hair of essential moisture, thereby making it dry and frizzy.  

Second, choose your hair care products like shampoo carefully as they often contain ingredients that may be too harsh for your hair type.  For instance, you should avoid buying shampoos that are very strongly perfumed as they may contain harmful chemicals that strip your hair of essential moisture. Choose a shampoo that is mild and suited for your hair type and don’t wash your hair more than twice a week. This will help your hair retain some of its naturally produced moisture.

Third, make sure that you condition your hair regularly to avoid dry and frizzy hair.  Your hair grooming routine should account for the fact that your hair is dry and frizzy.  Therefore, you should ensure that you avoid styling techniques and products that use excessive heat---this includes hair straightening irons, hair curlers and blow driers.  If you do blow dry your hair, then you've got to make sure that the dryer is set to a cooler setting and keep moving it around to avoid heating up only one section of the hair.  Avoid keeping the blow drier too close to the hair as this may also aggravate your hair even more!

Most important is to choose your hair grooming products well to keep your hair from drying out and becoming frizzy.  Use a wide toothed comb to disentangle your hair or just use your fingers to help keep your hair damage free.  After washing your hair, to help retain moisture, gently squeeze the excess moisture and pat dry with a towel.  Don’t rub your hair with the towel to dry it as this generates friction and damages the hair.

Do you have any rituals you do at home to put more moisture in your hair?  Add your recommendations here and let the world know!

The Dolle House has got you covered from inside out. For more info about any products or samples reviewed on this website, please submit your email in the contact form found on this page.

The Background

Hair Care Activist Roger Gore is the author and publisher of "No More Weave, Please! --A Road Map to Get Your Hair Back In Shape".   A former award-winning hair Stylist, Mr. Gore is Founder and CEO of GNatural Herbal Products.

Established in 1986, the company is based in Capital Heights, Maryland.  Like The Dolle House, Roger Gore is a dynamic and energetic champion of healthy hair growth and maintenance.  Mr. Gore, a native Washingtonian, started his beauty career at Robert Lewis Beauty School.  As a Stylist, his clients included top local officials and professionals, as well as celebrities.  The Dolle House is honored to be affiliated with Roger Gore and his GNatural Herbal Product line.

For more information about GNatural Hair and Skincare Products, fill in the contact form found on this website.

The Basics

Welcome to the Dolle House GNatural-Pro Healthy Hair site. If you are concerned about having strong, thick and beautiful hair, then you are in for a pleasant surprise.

GNatural Herbal Products is a line of herbal-based, healthy products for highly-textured hair of all ethnicities.

Did you know that only the roots of hair are actually alive, while the visible part (hair shaft) is really just dead tissue? (After all, it never hurts when you have your hair cut, does it?)

Our natural hair care products have been carefully formulated to restore--and maintain--- moisture in the hair shaft, and to pamper and condition hair that is dry from chemical treatments or, simply too much heat.

The GNatural Herbal Product company has recently addressed concerns about hair loss as a result of "internal" conditions. Contrary to popular belief, hair doesn't get thinner or fall out just because of "external" factors. As a matter of fact, more than 90 percent of the hair's health is due to what happens inside the body, including nutritional habits and hormonal environment.

That's one reason why we're so excited about the results of our colon cleansing product, GoGo Naturals. This cleanser gets rid of all the toxic build-up of waste material that may have been stuck in the folds of your digestive system for years. Our formula not only keeps your colon clean, it also keeps all waste matter moving efficiently and rapidly out of your body.

GoGo Naturals is more than just a routine colon cleaner. The ingredients--19 herbs and vitamins--all work together to give you overall increased energy and promotes better health by:
  • increasing memory and emotional stability
  • breaking down fats and carbohydrates
  • increasing healthy red blood cells
  • increasing circulation and promoting secretion of bile from the liver
  • promoting healthy brain and nerve functions
So, once our GoGo Naturals help you to get everything working fine on the inside, our GNatural Herbal Hair products can provide the roots of your hair with the nourishment they need to keep that head of hair full, healthy, manageable and beautiful!

GNatural has got you covered from inside out! For more information about GNatural Herbal Products, enter your email address in the upper left of this page.