Thursday, November 19, 2015

How Analyze Your Hair to Determine When it Needs Protein, and When it Needs Moisture by Egypt Lawson: Hairline Illusions

Because the hair that grows from our scalps is no longer living once it passes from the follicle, it is very important to keep it balanced with proper levels of moisture and protein. In order to keep each stand intact, you must have enough moisture and protein, but never too much; too much of either can harm your hair. It is essential to keep a good routine of conditioning treatments based upon your individual needs.

If too much moisture is given, the hair can become oily and greasy, and the follicles can become clogged with sebum. This often prompts the hair strands to fall out, as the scalp is often unhealthy when the scalp becomes too oily. Just like the skin on your face or the rest of your body, your scalp can get acne and other skin conditions like eczema. It is important to keep the hair and scalp clear of excessive oil and product buildup, as too much of these things can cause damage during heat styling, instead of protecting the hair. Determining the best products to use to give your hair enough moisture without overdoing it can be difficult.

Protein is an important element in fortifying your hair. For damaged hair, protein can be used to attach itself to the damaged areas that are more likely to break. The protein molecules are able to bond with areas within the cortex that are damaged, allowing vulnerable strands of hair to be filled. Too much protein can cause the hair to be rigid and stiff. If there is too much protein and not enough oil to lubricate the hair, it becomes more likely to break and splinter. This is usually what you are trying to avoid. Proper use of protein products can seal split ends temporarily, so if you carefully rotate moisturizing products with protein-rich ones, you can find a balance.

Different hair textures requires different things, and the needs can shift each season, or depending upon what processes your hair endures; coloring, relaxing, perming, or lightening the hair can be important factors in your hair's condition. Using tap water and heat styling are also relevant, and can have a big impact in both moisture and protein. Understanding how to analyze your hair can help you determine the texture, resilience, and density of your hair so that you can determine what products to use and how frequently. It is also important to advise your stylist of all of these things so that they can be familiar with why your hair texture is the way it is so that they can avoid further damaging vulnerable hair.

Different hair textures need different things, so looking at your hair and carefully analyzing it is something that you should do periodically to check in on the needs of your hair.  This analysis is an easy four step process that determines three major things. First, you will determine the overall density of your hair, which will give you an idea of how densely packed the hairs on your head are. Second, you will examine the texture of your hair to determine how thick or fine it is. Next, you will examine the strands to understand how strong and resilient they are.

To understand your hair's density, you'll need to closely examine an area on the top of your head. Density is defined by how much hair you have on your head. Can you see the scalp easily, or are these hairs so closely packed that it is difficult to see the scalp? If you have thick or high density, you will notice that the hairs are closely bundled together. If you have thin or low density, you will see more of the skin on your head. You might also fall somewhere in the middle, as many have medium density.

Texture is the second factor that you will want to examine. Compared to other people you know, do the strands of your hair seem thin or thick? It is easiest to determine this when looking at the hair of a friend (nonrelative). Thick hair will be wider, thicker, and typically stronger. Thin hair is skinnier and easier to break. Your hair's thickness determines its texture, and this is often related to your curl pattern.

The strength of your hair is determined by how porous and elastic it is. To figure out how porous your hair is, think about how your hair feels after you wash it. When you blot out the moisture from your hair initially, does it feel extremely saturated, or not so much? Does it take a very long time to dry naturally, or does it have the feeling and appearance of being mostly dry fairly quickly? If it feels as though your hair dries very quickly, your hair is less porous;  if water doesn't penetrate the hair easily, it will dry faster. If your hair feels damp but not overly wet or heavy, you are on the normal end of porousness. If the hair is extremely wet, heavy, or even slightly sticky, that means it has higher porosity, which means it accepts a great amount of water into each strand.

The final factor in determining the strength of your hair should be examined when the hair is dry. The overall elasticity will give you a more complete understanding of your hair's strength. This is done by simply grabbing a single strand of hair and steadily stretching it. You should do this slowly and without the intention of breaking it, although it can snap. If it snaps and breaks immediately, it is less elastic. If it stretches visibly before breaking, it has more elasticity. The length of your hair and how many inches it stretches will tell you if your hair is of average elasticity, or higher elasticity.

The reason that elasticity and porousness and important factors in determining strength is because they go hand in hand; more porous hair will snap more quickly since there may be small micro-gaps within the shaft where water can easily enter, or while dry, small amounts of stress can cause it to snap.

It is possible to have a number of different combinations when it comes to density, texture, and strength, as well as different types of curl patterns. Curl pattern does not determine the texture or density of the hair, so taking care to choose products that fit your hair well is important. For example, any curly hair products are made with thick hair in mind, and many products created for low-density hair are made with thin hair in mind. Being aware of your hair type will allow you to choose the best products and treatments.

Popular moisturizing ingredients are broken up into two categories; humectants—products that seal in moisture, and those that actually penetrate the hair and bring added moisture where it is absent. Glycerin (which can work as a moisturizer when it is somewhat diluted) and silicones are humectants—also commonly referred to as sealants. They seal in the moisture to prevent moisture loss and increased vulnerability. Too much of these products can make the hair feel weighed down. Other popular ingredients include cetearyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and urea. While many people associate alcohols with drying, these are valuable components of moisturizing formulas.

Some natural butters and oils work better at actually bringing moisture to the hair. Shea and cocoa butters—when blended properly to fit your hair texture and porousness—moisturizes the hair quite effectively. Dry hair and porous hair will accept more, and fine hair will accept less. Knowing your hair type will stop you from over-saturating your strands.

Protein can be replenished with natural oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, and sweet almond oil. If you're looking for ingredients in pre-made products, there are many ingredients to look out for in the top 5 items in the list of ingredients. You'll want to pick products that have natural organic oils like Root Rehab. Other popular products include silk or soy proteins, wheat or oat proteins, amino acids, collagen, and pathenol.


When in doubt, your stylist should be able to guide you toward the best products for your hair type, as well as how frequently they should be used. With a bit of patience in determining your hair type and best routine, you can better balance protein and moisture for healthy, vital hair.

©2015 Egypt Lawson / Hairline Illusions 


Hairline Illusions Celebrating Over 10 Years in Business!
Our goal is to provide 100% client satisfaction! Your privacy is guaranteed!
5 Penn Plaza, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(866) 777-7567
http://www.hairlineillusions.com
info@hairlineillusions.com
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Friday, November 13, 2015

More Tips for Optimal Hair and Scalp Health While Wearing Wigs and Weaves by Egypt Lawson / Hairline Illusions

For many women, wearing a wig or a weave is a style choice that allows them to provide protection for their hair and minimize the length of their hair routine each day. While wigs can be a big commitment, the flexibility that they provide offers many individuals a creative outlet for self expression; a way of styling their hair more easily and without as much damage to the natural hair. For those who are trying to grow their hair and preserve it during that period, a wig can either make or break that period while the hair and scalp heal from prior damage.  With proper care, the hair and scalp can be healthy and experience normal growth beneath a wig. You can enjoy your favorite hair styles without the damage that can shorten the hair and prevent it from experiencing the growth you desire. Since your own hair will not be subject to breakage caused by styling and manipulation, it can become easier to manage over time.

However, improper use and wearing of wigs and weaves can cause harm to the hair and scalp. If you don't take the necessary measures to care for the health of your scalp, you could find that growth will slow, hair may become dry and damaged, and other issues can occur. No matter the reason that you choose to wear a wig, proper care and maintenance is very important. It is a process that can require a good deal of attention, but ultimately, a good regimen will promote hair growth and overall health. There are a number of steps that you should consider taking to ensure that you avoid the pitfalls of wearing a wig or weave.

Tips for Optimal Hair and Scalp Health While Wearing Wigs

First, the way that you wear your wig is important. Making sure that your hair is arranged properly will allow it to sit the way it is meant to, as it will not fit right if your hair is bunched up or folded beneath your wig. Bunching your hair causes a great deal of breakage, and it is less comfortable that neatly wrapping or braiding it. While braiding takes more time, it is ideal, especially for those with longer hair. Inverted braids for hair that reaches the shoulder is typically ideal, and more dense hair requires small braids that allow the wig to sit flat on the scalp. Additionally, making sure that your wig is professionally fitted to your head will keep it from causing damage to your hair from an uncomfortable or incorrect fit.

Choosing a wig that allows your scalp to breathe is also important. Proper breatheability in the materials will keep your scalp comfortable and dry. This is important to keeping the scalp healthy; there must be some air flow. Netted wig caps  and integrated holes are great options that will not dry the hair as cotton and nylon do. Proper hygiene and keeping the scalp dry is important; wet or damp hair can cause bacteria and fungus to grow, which can cause irritating conditions and unpleasant odor. Those who sweat more often will need to take care to shampoo their hair more frequently, allowing it to dry thoroughly.

While it is important to keep the scalp dry and free of excessive product buildup, it is incredibly important to keep the hair well moisturized. This can be done naturally and with minimal product, which is ideal to prevent buildup on the scalp. Scalp buildup can clog the pores, which is not healthy for hair growth.

Build up on the scalp can be managed with an occasional rinse with apple cider vinegar, or a Scalp Cleaner designed for use with weaves and wigs. Keeping the scalp build up free and using Scalp Stimulant products will keep your hair growing steadily. Your hair stylist should be able to guide you to the procedures that you need.

Periodically, you will need to do protein and deep moisturizing treatments. This should be done approximately every four to six weeks, and these treatments will serve to reinforce the strength of your hair and keep it manageable. Strong, healthy hair encourages growth, so keeping these treatments in your routine will ensure that breakage is minimized and the scalp is active.  You will also want to establish a hair trimming schedule, which should be between six and eight weeks.

The Benefits of Wearing Weaves

Wearing a weave allows you to preserve the health—and length—of your hair while giving you the option to easily experiment with other styles. For those that wish to sport a longer style, weaves can provide the added length you want while your natural hair grows underneath. You can also try on a shorter style, allowing you to transition from short to longer styles seamlessly without the anxiety or drastic change. It also gives your hair a chance to grow while taking the focus off of your natural hair growth, for those that are less patient.

If you want the flexibility to style and manipulate the hair more frequently than once a week, wearing a weave is an ideal option that limits the stress upon your hair. This offers much more variety, especially if your weave is made entirely of human hair that can be heat styled. Most weaves will be easier and less time consuming to style as well.

Wearing a weave also allows you to wear your hair loose without having to wear a protective hairstyle. The freedom of wearing these styles can be very appealing, but for those that prefer up-dos and ponytails, care should be taken to keep these styles loose so they will not pull on the tracks.

Suggestions For Wearing and Caring for You Hair With a Weave

Finding the right stylist to help you put in your weave and help you care for it will be beneficial for your natural hair and the longevity of your weave. An expert will be able to show you examples of their work with confidence, so choose carefully.

Application method used is very important, and asking your stylist about their methods is key. Some people use glue instead of thread to anchor the wig as a weave, which is not recommended, especially where scalp health is concerned. Glue can cause stress to the scalp, temporary hair loss, and even traction alopecia, which is caused by pulling. If you ever experience scalp irritation, it must be addressed.

The quality of your tracks should also be considered. Tracks that are stiffer tend to cause more irritation and even hair loss, so softer tracks are ideal. Lesser quality tracks can cause scabbing and scarring over time, so choosing good quality tracks from the beginning is important. The bulk of the wefts applied to your hair should never be too dense or heavy, and should always be done with the health and strength of your hair in mind. Too densely applied wefts can weigh down the hair, causing headaches and hair loss

For the health of your weave, you will want to treat it with the same care as natural hair when combing. Begin at the ends and work slowly to the root of each track gently to prevent breakage and shedding. Using products like you would on your natural hair is important as well, especially if your weave is human hair. You will want to make sure that it doesn't become dry or tangled. While weaves are less susceptible to breakage than natural hair, it is still helpful to sleep with a scarf or hair cap and a satin pillowcase to reduce friction on the hair during the night.

To keep your scalp healthy, and free of mildew and bacteria, tea tree oil, vinegar, and grapefruit see oils can kill and unpleasant growth. Because the scalp doesn't get the same circulation that it would normally get, it is important to monitor the scalp and treat where necessary.


While wearing a weave can protect the hair, it is important to consider giving the weave a break from time to time to reduce stress on your hair. Excessive weave use is hard to maintain, even when you make all of the proper measures. Wigs can be a less stressful option, while they can also be quite a commitment care wise.

©2015 Egypt Lawson / Hairline Illusions 

Hairline Illusions Celebrating Over 10 Years in Business!
Our goal is to provide 100% client satisfaction! Your privacy is guaranteed!
5 Penn Plaza, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(866) 777-7567
http://www.hairlineillusions.com
info@hairlineillusions.com
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Egypt Lawson / Hairline Illusions Prepares Hair Stylists and Designers to Become Certified Hairline Illusions Experts


Hairline Illusions Ateliers Have the Opportunity to Send Their Professional Stylists and Hair Designers for Training and Certification for Mastering Care, Application, Rooting, and Custom Design of Hairline Illusions Hairpieces and Wigs.

In an ongoing effort to assist haircare professionals to become certified Hairline Illusions experts, Hairline Illusions is proudly offering a new series of workshops. In these workshops, hair designers will learn how to provide care for applications, customizing stock wigs, and the coloring of roots for hairpieces and wigs manufactured by Hairline Illusions.

The first four-course workshop will take place in January 2016 at the Hairline Illusions office in Alpharetta, GA with many more workshops anticipated for the future. The workshop will take place over the course of three days, with courses lasting two hours each. Those in attendance will be given a binder with much of the information taught in the workshops, contents include examination of wig hair samples shown under a microscope. The purpose of this is to show the microscopic differences of healthy hair resulting from proper care and maintenance of our custom wigs.

 Those uneducated in the proper procedures for handling wigs and hairpieces can expect to be trained in the necessary skills that they may not have encountered in other salons. During The Wig Care Workshop,  all issues related to wig care will be discussed. Those in attendance will learn about wig specific issues, demonstrating the best techniques for shampooing and conditioning, brushing, drying, styling, and storing wigs. You will also learn about diverse types of hair as well as the problem zones to look for, as it relates to wig application.

 In the Customization course, you will learn to  provide unique options to fit each client's style with custom adjustments that you can make from a Hairline Illusions Stock Size Wig. You will also learn how to treat a clients
roots without staining the wig cap, as well as how to provide appealing and natural highlights for added dimension.

The three day workshop will also include an award ceremony recognizing the skills and professionalism needed in order to excel in each course. Attendees will be able to purchase consultation books which included samples of wig bases, hair texture samples, and forms needed to order from Hairline Illusions.

 The cost for the workshops is $1,500, with a price of $1,150 for additional attendees from the same business. Those wishing to attend will be responsible for the cost of travel and lodging. During the workshop, lunch will be provided by Hairline Illusions each afternoon.

The workshops will be led by the expert wig builders who have designed these courses with the help of a professional educator, to help you master all of the skills and information needed.

 Hairline Illusions President and Founder Egypt Lawson is proud to offer this unique course for hair professionals “This workshop provides a fantastic opportunity for those in the haircare world to take on additional skills. We look forward to sharing the advanced techniques and secrets of customization of Hairline Illusions hairpieces and wigs. From rooting and customizing to caring for these pieces, those who attend will learn everything that a wig and hair replacement specialist will need to know. We are thrilled to provide Nature's Most Beautiful Hair, with hand crafted collections straight from the Hairline Illusions factory. For the first time ever, we are letting professionals learn straight from the source, with the opportunity to take our in-depth resources home with you to share with your salon staff.”

 Hairline Illusions products are professional grade and world-class, with high acclaim from customers in The United States, Europe, and around the world. As a leader in premium wig and hairpiece application, Hairline Illusions emphasizes the use of pure 100%  high quality human hair for “When Only The Best Will Do”, as their company motto boasts. Created with discerning customers in mind, Hairline Illusions offers premium products that have made them an industry leader. With the skills and knowledge offered in these workshops, you and your salon staff will gain the opportunity to join their ranks. Give yourself the education you deserve, and giving your clients the service and premium products that they desire. All participating salons enrolling in the Hairline Illusions workshop will be listed on its website.
©2015 Hairline Illusions, LLC
Hairline Illusions Celebrating Over 10 Years in Business!
Our goal is to provide 100% client satisfaction! Your privacy is guaranteed!
5 Penn Plaza, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(866) 777-7567
http://www.hairlineillusions.com
info@hairlineillusions.com
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