Category / All about Hair

In this category you will find knowledge of how to care for your hair along with other knowledge about hair. This also includes recipes to achieve your goals or needs.

by Chantel Chansa

The Cosmetology Industry

Castor Oil Infused with Mint

I have chatted about how I got started in cosmetology, but this post will be in a different direction of cosmetology. That post was about me, personally. This post is about the industry and how it works and what I was taught 13 years ago. I know some things have changed, like, now they are monitoring barbers and they have to be licensed to cut hair, just like a hairstylist. The last time I checked, you could get a simple license just to shampoo hair. A few years back, a college classmate told me that they had taken away the Instructors’ License level and is now the same as a regular hairstylist license. I felt bad for her because she spent money on those extra hours and extra money to receive that special license. This goes to show you how corporations can change the rules in a heartbeat whether you think it’s fair or not. However, I am glad that the Barber shops are now regulated.

This industry is all about the Cosmetic appearance of a person. What this means is things like make-up, haircuts, updos, hair colors, products to use to achieve what you want for your hair, skin, nails (fake or real), body lotions, scrubs, scents, and more. I was taught so many things, in depth, about hair, skin, and nails. How to identify infections, conditions, and problems of the skin, scalp and nails. We are not allowed to give a diagnosis, although we may know what it is, we have to refuse service and refer them to a specialist that is suitable for that condition. In cosmetics, we are to try our best to achieve what our client wants or has in mind. We may not get that identical look in the picture shown to us, but, that we try to do our best.

We are taught how to identify hair types and the care requirements to upkeep the elasticity of healthy hair and the products to use to achieve this. We are taught what hues go best with skin types, weather it is hair colors, make-up, or clothing. You just wouldn’t believe how much we are taught in just a one short, year of full-time student cosmetology college course. We are taught how to make a person look absolutely beautiful or handsome. This industry can make a cosmetologist well to do financially.

Now, what we were not taught, all the chemicals that are used to achieve these gorgeous looks comes with health risks. Not only are your commercial shampoos harmful, but the hair colors, face creams, nail polish, and makeups are harmful if they are not made from a natural source. Those chemicals can cause hair loss, scalp or skin conditions, thyroid problems, heart issues, and even cancer. The list of problems that these chemicals can cause is not limited to what I have listed. I have done research on several of the ingredients of shampoos and body washes and was astounded at all the unnecessary chemicals that are in our everyday products that we love to use. Even the fragrance of your hair or body products can cause you harm. I stumbled on a site about toothpaste and decided to look at the ingredients and was shocked to find a couple ingredients used in the toothpaste also used in shampoo. Now why is that???

So, after digging and researching these chemicals, it made me decide to start making my own shampoo, conditioners, body washes, lotions, hair, and oral care products. Let me tell you, I love making my own because I know what’s in my products,, plus most of the time it’s cheaper and I can create my own scent using essential oils or plant-based flavor oils, which is so, so, so, much healthier. I have been on this journey for a year now and am loving it and I want to tell everyone about it. Here is what I feel a cosmetologist should do for their client: yes, make them look absolutely beautiful, but also using healthier products. Not giving them harmful tips of products to use or use products that are going to harm them at any given time. Whether it be in just one month’s time or five years down the road. This is my goal as an honest cosmetologist because I know and have searched for healthier options, not only for myself, but for future clients who want this option. I can say I do learn new natural alternatives each time I research and create a new natural product.

The products I have made are not many, yet, but my list of experience and formulation is expanding as I learn. Below is a list of the items I have made.

  • Hair Growth Oils
  • 3 Ingredient Lavender Shampoo
  • Peppermint Shampoo
  • Lip Scrub
  • Coffee Hand & Body Scrub
  • Basic Castile Soap Shampoo & Body Wash
  • 3 Ingredient Toothpaste
  • Rosemary Hair Rinse
  • Rice Water Rinse
  • Coffee Infused Oils
  • Castor Oil Infusion
  • Oatmeal Body Scrub
  • ACV ( Apple Cider Vinegar) Hair Rinse
  • Lip Balm (with lanolin)
  • Coconut Milk Shampoo
  • Whipped Shea Butter Lotion
  • Turmeric Face Scrub

I did add some additional ingredients, like glycerin and vitamin E oil, in most of the shampoos. I did this to help improve moisture retention and as a preservative. I can tell a difference when I use these ingredients than when I don’t. After using any of these natural homemade shampoos, I use the ACV Rinse as my conditioner. Doing this leaves my hair soft and it balances my hair and scalp ph.

I know I still have lots more to learn as I travel along this natural journey of cosmetology. My heart’s desire is to educate you with what I know so I can help you find healthier alternatives to live a healthier life. The more people know about these options, the more you could possibly save on doctor’s visits, medications, and possibly surgeries. One day you should just take one of your beauty products and research the ingredients and see for yourself just what I found. That is if you are curious enough to do this.

I now love cosmetology even more now than I did in the beginning. I have always found cutting hair, styling, and giving Updos so much fun, but it just was not a passion of mine as it is for others. The reason I love it more now is because I love to create and learn. And most importantly, I love helping people by teaching them whatever knowledge I can pass along.

by Chantel Chansa

A quick recipe for hair loss with great benefits

This concoction I found by accident online during some research on the names of chemicals that we find in our commercial products, so I decided to write it down. I have no need for hair growth, but these ingredients are very good for just hair and scalp health. A few days later, I was speaking with a couple of coworkers who were telling me they both were trying to regrow their hair and the results from what they both were doing just was not productive enough for them. I offered to make this for the ladies to see if it would get them the better and quicker results that they were wanting. After I gave the oils to them, I decided to give it a try myself, just to experiment with my own hair. I applied it twice a week and left on for about an hour. As the beginning of the third week came, I noticed major results with my hair growth and hair health. I did not apply anymore after those applications. Why? Because it made my hair grow too fast and made it thicker. I liked that because my hair is fine and feels like silk. I have Type 1 hair.

This recipe has only three ingredients, but you can add or replace whatever oils you want to fit your need. I know this combination works, not because I have the education, but from experience from myself and others. One tip I can give is, if you do not like the smell of Tea Tree oil, replace it with Rosemary oil. Rosemary is another great natural hair growth ingredient to add or replace with. You can store any remaining oils in any type of container, but preferably glass and in a cool dry place.

3- Ingredient Hair Growth Oils

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 2 Tablespoons castor oil
  • 5 drops tea tree oil
  • makes about 4oz

How to make and use

Mix all ingredients together and apply to scalp. Massage scalp with pads of fingers working the oils into the hair strands.

Leave on for 20-30 minutes. You can also use a shower cap to help the oils penetrate into your scalp and hair strands. This can be done prior to showering or after showering. Rinse and dry your hair has you normally would.

This treatment can also be used as an overnight hair mask. Apply as directed and wrap hair in a silk wrap or a shower cap.

These oils can also be used on the body after showering as a great dry skin moisturizer and will smell amazing if you replace the Tea Tree oil with Lavender oil or any oil that you wish.

My suggestion on how often to do this would depend on the severity of your hair loss, hair damage, and hair type. If you are using this just to make your hair look and feel healthier, shiny, and soft, use once a week. For those who are needing help with regrowth or chemical/heat damage, use 2-3 times a week.

****Important tip****

When rinsing hair of oils, especially coconut oil, make sure you allow your water to run as hot as you can for 2-3 minutes. This will help the coconut oil to wash completely down the drain. If you do not do this then you risk a hefty plumbing procedure to be done. Continued use of coconut oil down the drain will clog the drains.

If you make this and use it, please share your experience with me and others.

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