On the early Saturday morning when TBGS founder Corynne Corbett asked me to do a blog on “hair care & styling” I felt honored. Corynne has been my client for over 5 years and as a matter of fact, she was my first “editor” client. So I jumped at the chance because I knew I had a ton of experience to share. I have been in the hair industry for over 8 years, three years as hair model for Revlon and almost 6 years as a stylist. I’ve worked in the top salons in New York City and alongside some of the top stylists in the country. All types of people have been in my chair including celebrities from A…Alicia Keys to Z….Zani Suttle, an upcoming actress who also happens to be my client. I’ve worked with women natural and chemically treated hair and helped transform many of them (including Corynne) from short looks of an inch or so to tresses flowing past their shoulders.

I guess since the title of my blog is “Cutting Up with Noël”…..Let us start there.

Topic One: To Cut or Not to Cut……humph that’s easy!

If we’re talking Hair Care…. and we are, GIRL– Cut it!! If it “just stops” growing or it’s been the same length for years; if you think you have long hair, but really…there’s only 20 hairs on your head that agree with you–CUT IT! It’s liberating to say the least, and will look soooo much healthier. Bottom-line… damaged hair is not cute.

So why is there is a “black girl myth” that says if you cut your hair it won’t grow back? I don’t know. But I can get analytical and say, we don’t want anything taken from us. When it comes to hair care it’s not true–cutting your hair stimulates growth. Just like shaving the hair on your legs, underarms or the hair on your face, (for those so fortunate enough to have to share that experience with me. lol.) it grows back the second you shave it. Seriously, cutting your hair can make all the difference in the world. You will see that it will immediately grow.

You really need to take the plunge if you have split ends. Literally look for a split at the end of your hair or along the hair shaft itself, it can be in more than one place. Even if you don’t see any damage, there are signs that unhealthy hair is on the way. Look for a white bulb at the end of the shaft. The white bulb usually suggests your hair is dry and will likely split.

When you do find a split end, snip the end immediately and use a moisture agent to seal the ends. But what you really must do is have your stylist cut what needs to be cut. If won’t help if you cut less. If you don’t deal with your split ends properly you hair will eventually start breaking off.

Once you do cut your hair taking proper care of it is critical.
After you shampoo and condition, blot your hair. DO NOT towel dry. Your hair is at its weakest when wet. Towel drying can cause weak hair to split.
Before you start styling, saturate your ends with leave-in conditioner.
If you plan to use heat, make sure you use a heat protective styling aid. Overuse of heat will eventually cause split ends. Using a ceramic iron can help, but will not prevent the ends from splitting. If you do use heat, use as seldom as possible.

Hair Saving Tips:

-Use a heating appliance with numerical settings. Start on 1 and work your way up.

-Sleep on a silk pillowcase. Cotton will absorb natural oils and make your hair dry, not to mention that they can “grab” hair and break weak points.