And of course we’re celebrating with our entire Shedavi Hive! We have a limited edition Birthday Weekend Bundle which has all of Elizabeth’s Favorites for Hair growth, Styling and Deep Conditioning!
A Little Girl’s Healthy Hair Dreams
Obsessed with hairstyling, Elizabeth used to practice hairstyles on her mom and sister’s hair as well as other friends and family. Throughout her childhood exploration, she loved to try new hairstyles on herself. This fascination led her down the rabbit hole of learning and exploring ingredients from various cultures and traditions that promote healthy hair for everyone.
The Quest to Find a Holistic Hair Care Solution
Working as a project engineer in a building construction firm, she gathered skills and experience in management from the company. Even while working her favorite pastime was learning about growing her hair. She received tons of compliments from friends and strangers alike about her long, thick hair & they wondered how she achieved it.
She realized that hectic schedules and lack of knowledge made it tough for people to grow out their own hair and since she valued creativity, she needed to find a solution. This realization led to her sharing styling and hair growth tips as a creative outlet which then fueled her passion for finding a holistic hair care solution that was 100% Cruelty free, Vegan and Natural!
Revolutionary Hair Care that Works Inside and Out!
Upon her quest, Elizabeth noticed that the market only had either topical products or ingestibles but never a combination that supported hair growth. She also noticed that the formulas on the market heavily relied on synthetic vitamins and low-grade oils. She knew exactly what to create to revolutionize the market of hair growth solutions.This led her to create a unique blend of over 20 different oils from traditions like African Culture, Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, which she then gathered into a concentrated, life-changing formula. Ensuring that no harm comes to the body and no compromises on health, these oils along with superfoods like Amla, stood as a powerhouse not just for hair growth but for every customer to look good and feel good. She also used this research to develop the hair vitamin with essential herbs from around the world to promote hair growth and a healthy body.
Fun Fact: The first batch of our Hair Growth Elixir was made by Elizabeth herself in her kitchen with the help of her roommate!!
Success and Praise
Shedavi launched 6 years ago with the first Hair Growth Duo. The excitement was indescribable for those in search of a complete hair growth system. The first year of sales? MASSIVE! She knew that this was something the world needed. All her hard work within the black beauty industry and her desire to help others grow hair faster was paying off and gaining traction. Ever since, the brand has been growing its product offerings and garnering praise from well known institutions like Forbes & Oprah magazine where thousands of women became familiar with and trusted in Shedavi.
We’re still one of the most trusted names in natural hair growth and hair care with thousands of reviews from women around the world!
Fun Fact: Recently, she attended Cosmetology school in order to learn more about the science behind hair care.
My Journey with Shedavi is Lifelong
As a black business woman, Elizabeth knew that Shedavi could go much further, being a holistic hair care solution for all and a pillar for the textured hair community. Since inception, many women wanting longer hair or experiencing hair loss, have started their journey to healthy hair with Shedavi.
“When I first began my hair journey, I struggled with growth and retaining length. This affected my confidence in knowing that I could actually reach my hair goals. I researched and learned more about my hair type and what personally worked for me. I started experimenting with ingredients, products and styles. This allowed me to know more about myself and in turn retain length. Once I did this I was able to accomplish the goals I had set forth and my confidence grew. I encourage anyone who uses Shedavi products to apply these steps towards their hair, health and life in order to confidently move towards the goals they aspire to.” - Elizabeth
Elizabeth continues to be an inspiration to the entire Shedavi community. Happy Birthday!
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If you find your hair breaking off, then the issue is probably that your hair is malnourished and doesn’t contain enough moisture. You can’t go wrong with any of the Shedavi products if you’re needing to stop breakage. Gently cleanse and revitalize your hair with the Shedavi Crowned Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner. Use the Shedavi Crowned CoWash in between shampoo days to add more moisture to your tresses. Use the Shedavi Elixir to help retain the moisture.
While some scalp issues can be hereditary, other times it can be prevented. The Elixir is your best option because it contains several natural oils and nutrients that are meant to fortify the hair and moisturize your scalp without leaving it greasy.
If your hair isn’t growing, then you need to find subtle ways to stimulate your follicles while also ensuring that the hair that is coming out is as healthy as possible. Using the Shedavi Vitamins and Shedavi Elixir together is a great way to start your healthy hair growth journey. While the vitamins will nourish your hair from the inside, the elixir will make sure that the strands outside the hair look and feel healthy.
We have an entire bundle dedicated to promoting thicker, healthier hair. In the thinning hair bundle, you’ll find the Elixir, Crowned Revitalizing Mist, Crowned CoWash, and Vitamins. Each and every one of these items will help you saturate your tresses and thicken up your hair.
Some of your frizz is due to over manipulation of the hair. Other times, it’s because you need to upgrade your products. Only natural products like what you can find in our collection will make your hair look healthy while still maintaining a flawless style. Use the Crowned Wash + Go Gel to reduce frizz while adding definition.
If your hair looks dull, chances are it’s time for a deep conditioning treatment to add back that natural luster. Give your hair some extra love and use the Crowned Protein Masque to deep condition bringing life to dull hair. If you’re rocking a natural style, you can even use the Crowned Styling Revitalizing Mist to bring some extra oomph to your hair without messing with the style.
I think we’ve all been there at some point. Fresh color, then it slowly starts to look more and more washed out. If you don’t want to have to rush back to the salon, we have an entire bundle dedicated to color-treated hair called the chemically treated bundle. This bundle is all about keeping the moisture while maintaining the color. The Crowned Moisturizing Conditioner, Leave-In Conditioner, Shedavi Elixir, and Crowned Protein Masque are your best options for vibrant hair.
What other hair issues do you have questions about? Let us know in the comments so we can address them in the next blog!
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Many people make the claim that a certain essential oil was responsible for their hair growing. Unfortunately, essential oils do not quite work that way. Essential oils work together to create stronger and healthier hair. Whenever your hair is strong and healthy, then there is less chance that you will experience any breakage. And when there is no breakage, then you can see your hair growth.
So, what exactly is an essential oil and how should you use them in your haircare routine? Keep reading to get the scoop on the truth about essential oils.
First, let’s start by describing what an essential oil is. Essential oils are concentrated versions of of different flowers, seeds, bark, roots, stems, and even leaves from certain plants. They are the extracted versions of these plants which people can use for different purposes.
Some of the most commonly used essential oils in haircare include peppermint, ylang ylang, tea tree, and clary sage. Peppermint is good for scalp stimulation and clarifying. ylang ylang is best for improving cellular metabolism, and also improves thickness. Tea tree is best for scalp health. Clary sage strengthens hair follicles.
Most essential oils are toxic in high doses when ingested. They are meant only to be used topically, so don’t go trying to drink a shot of lavender and think it’s going to help you!
As a matter of fact, it’s best to use what’s called a carrier oil in addition to your essential oil to get the full benefit. Why? Because essential oils by themselves are quite potent, and they can cause a lot of irritation if not diluted properly with a carrier oil. Carrier oils names are derived from the fact that they’re used to “carry” or spread to all areas of the skin.
Popular carrier oils includes coconut oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. Each one has a unique scent and are lightweight which makes it easy to work through your hair.
Shedavi’s Best-selling Elixir contains a mixture of essential oils and carrier oils which have been carefully crafted to encourage healthy hair. Have you tried the Elixir yet? Tell us about it in the comments.
]]>Not too long ago I told you about one of the super ingredients in the Shedavi vitamins called baobab. It’s one of the not-so-popular plants which can cause your hair to grown incredibly beautiful and super healthy. Well sis, I have another one for you that I know you’ve probably never heard of: saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is actually seen in abundance in the southeastern portion of the U.S., so chances are if you’ve ever gone to Florida then you’ve seen it before. However, you may not realize that you should be adding it to your haircare regimen. Take a look below to find out the power of saw palmetto.
Like I mentioned earlier, saw palmetto is local to the southern region of North America, in fact, locals have been using it for its medicinal properties for several years. The secret to their juice (no pun intended) rests in its berries. Researchers claim that saw palmetto works by affecting the same enzyme that causes both men and women to start losing their hair by blocking the DHT that causes hair thinning.
As you might have guessed, there are many benefits to saw palmetto. The first being to prevent or reverse hair loss in both men and women. The saw palmetto helps to balance the hormones which is one of the main reasons that hair thinning and baldness occurs in the first place.
Now for the men, another major benefit is that it supports a healthier prostate and urinary tract, so if you suffer from any issues in that realm, you’ll get an added bonus on top of thicker hair.
Many topical products contain saw palmetto, but you know that we want to be sure that you get all the benefits. That’s why it’s one of the ingredients in the Shedavi hair vitamins. All you have to do is take one vitamin twice a day to make your hair and body healthier.
Have you ever heard of saw palmetto? Tell us in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Wig R’ Us
In case you haven’t hopped on the wig train, you may want to consider picking up a few so that the only reason you’d need to go to the salon is for a trim. I know it’s hot outside, but that doesn’t mean that a wig can’t be the solution to your problems. Try to select wigs that look full but aren’t too heavy. Also, make sure you have some combs in place in case the wind decides to not allow you to be great. You might be thinking, “But who has money to dish out for an expensive wig when I can just spend my money at the salon?” Sis…your time is precious and so are your hard earned coins. You don’t have to buy virgin hair in order to get a natural looking wig. Amazon has really upped its game over the past few years, and there are several vendors who are selling excellent high quality wigs (not necessarily human) for under $40. Just take the time to sift through the reviews of your fellow hair sisters, and you’ll find one in no time.
Ponytail It Out
There may be just south of 100 different styles that you can do with a ponytail that take less than 10 minutes of your time. Switching up the color, adding a bang, and even throwing in some cute beads or other accessories can dress up a ponytail hairstyle. All you need is a hair tie, Shedavi Leave-In Conditioner, some edge control, and a brush to get the job done plus any other accessories. No salon required!
Quick Weaves Can Save Lives
Now quick weaves tend to get a bad rap because the glue is definitely not a good thing to add to your hair on a regular basis. However, if you take the proper precautions, a quick weave can save you the trouble of going to the salon and even allow you to test drive different looks. The key thing to remember about quick weaves is that you need to 1) not leave them in too long and 2) not apply the glue directly to your head. I’ll talk more about this in a couple of weeks, but the idea is to limit the longevity and amount of glue that you allow for your real tresses to be exposed to. Prepping you hair ahead of time is easy and doesn’t take up a lot of your time.
Shedavi Crowned Collection
If you wear your real hair on a regular basis, you may find yourself frequenting the salon because your hair starts looking lifeless after only a week or two. That’s the beauty of the new Shedavi Crowned collection. Both the shampoo and conditioner are fused with moisturizing ingredients with the sole purpose of keeping your hair looking luscious to prolong the need to visit the salon. After using the shampoo and conditioner combo, you have other items like the Shedavi Elixir which combats frizz and keeps your ends healthy. If it’s one thing we know best, it’s how to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
What are some other ways that you get your hair life together so you don’t have to spend too much time in the salon? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Baobab - Nature’s Secret Weapon
Baobab is a tree that is often produced as an oil that is jam-packed with a host of nutrients and vitamins that can be used to improve your overall beauty regimen. Native to Africa, Australia, and the Middle East, the fruit from the baobab tree is typically taken then allowed to dry before being eaten or put into a powder. From there, people tend to add it to their food or smoothies so that they can get the benefits of it instantly. Whether as a fruit or a powder, baobab is heavy in vitamin C, potassium, iron, and other important nutrients.
Benefits of baobab
So now that you have the skinny on what baobab is and where it comes from, the next question is what does it actually do to help you? For one, it boosts the antioxidants in your body. You know antioxidants are useful for fighting those free radicals in your cells that cause you to age faster. Many believe that baobab has the highest concentration of antioxidant per serving--even more than matcha or goji berries.
Another great benefit is that it soothes dry skin. Those of you who are like me and suffer from scalp issues such as eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, you already know how annoying it can be to walk around with snowflakes on your clothes. Baobab is to our problems for it can help to eliminate those dry skin and scalp problems that cause discomfort and embarrassment.
Also, the plant helps by giving your hair and nails all the goodness it needs to grow healthier and silkier. Those days where your nails start to look brittle and crack? Forget about them. How about your hair appearing lackluster and unhealthy? Not when you’re using baobab. This is mostly due to the fact that it contains an exceptional amount of collagen-producing and moisturizing elements that make it great for treating hair and nails that have experienced damage.
How to use baobabIf you want to reap the benefits of this amazing ingredient, all you have to do is get your Shedavi Elixir and use it on your hair and scalp every day. Yes, ladies. Shedavi has already made it easy for you to get your Rapunzel on and start making your hair healthier. Whether you have a protective style or you’re rocking your real hair, you can add a few drops of Elixir to your hair and/or scalp to see how the baobab works for you.
Have you ever used baobab before? Tell us in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
]]>Like I mentioned earlier, having healthy hair is a journey. And it all starts with you making the decision that you’re going to take your haircare seriously and get it back on track and take a look below at the steps for a healthy hair regimen routine that you can follow each month.
Arguably, this is one of the more important things you need to start your healthy hair regimen is to have the correct products at your disposal. Everyone’s hair is different, so it might take a little trial and error before you can finally get a combination of products together that maximizes your hair’s health and growth. At minimum, you need a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, oil, and moisturizer. Luckily, Shedavi has every single product that you need at your fingertips.
Not only is the outside of your hair important, but what’s inside it will be a big part of your healthy hair regimen too. Greasy, sugary foods are no good for your body, just like they’re no good for your health. Clean eating and drinking lots of water will need to become the norm, and ensuring that you’re getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals in your diet will also be essential. The Shedavi Vitamins help you with half the battle of keeping your diet in check. Make sure you have creative ways to take them every day, so you can stay consistent.
Once you got all the right tools in your bucket, then you need to decide how you’re going to use everything. While you don’t have to wash your hair every day, you do need to make sure that it’s moisturized. Also, you want to incorporate your LOC or LCO method every time you decide to shampoo and condition. Everyone has a routine that works for them, and mine looks something like this:
See how I have a system in place to keep my hair healthy on the outside? You want to evaluate your lifestyle and commit to something that works for you. You may need to deep condition more or wash less often and replace with a cowash depending on your hair type.
Now that you have a plan in place, all you have to do is execute it. Like all good habits, they take some time to develop. Just stay committed to your cause and keep it up so that you can have healthy hair in no time.
Written by Bianca Scott
]]>If I said it once, I’ve said it a million times. You need to keep your hair moisturized if you want to ensure that it is healthy, growing, and at its maximum potential. Now, if you’re one of those people who are looking at this thinking, “Yeah, I know I need to be keeping my hair moisturized, but my hair just won’t do right, sis.” Well, I hear you. And I think I might have the solution. If you feel like no matter how much you try to keep moisture in your hair it still goes limp, then you’re in for a treat. There is a little secret that can help your hair to look healthier, grow faster, and hold on to all the goodness that you put into it. Your solution: the maximum hydration method.
The maximum hydration method is a process credited to a woman named Pinkcube back in 2013. The idea is that when you follow this 5-step process, any hair texture will have the ability to hold on to moisture no matter how bad it might have been beforehand. This method is best for women with type 4 hair and lower porosity; however, everyone who needs an extra moisture boost can benefit. When done correctly, not only will it bring moisture to your hair immediately, but it will also keep it in. Sound too good to be true? It’s actually a lot easier than you think as long as you have the right products.
There are a handful of ingredients that you need to ensure that your maximum hydration method applications is a success which includes the following:
While the first two ingredients can be picked up at your local grocery store, the sulfate-free conditioner, leave-in conditioner, and hair gel can all be found right here on the Shedavi Crowned collection. Using the Shedavi Crowned Moisturizing Conditioner, Shedavi Crowned Leave-In Conditioner, and Shedavi Crowned Wash+Go Gel with the other ingredients will give you all that you need to achieve maximum hydration in no time.
Once you get all your ingredients, the process takes about an hour to complete.
You want to repeat this method every single day for a week, then once every other day for 3 more to get the best results.
Have you tried the maximum hydration method? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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The Shedavi Crowned Refreshing Mist is a light-weight gold in a bottle. In a nutshell, it has a collection of oils, extracts, and nutrients that revitalize your hair with just one simple spritz. Like the other products int he Shedavi collection, it’s vegan and paraben free-- perfect for those who are looking for natural ways to keep their hair in check.
As you probably already guessed, the biggest benefit of using the mist is to moisturize the hair. Think about hen you have braids or twists in your hair. Who has time to sit there and get globs of moisturizer in their hands and rub all of it into the scalp? I know I don’t. That’s where this mist comes in handy.
Or, let’s say that you’re rocking a sew-in. You want your hair to look lively, but you don’t want it to look too shiny or heavy. This is where the mist can help you out.
Let’s go even further and say that you’re wearing your natural hair in a bomb twist out and it finally cooperated and the curls are flawless. It’s day 3 and your hair still looks good, but it’s starting to get a little dry. Here comes the mist to the rescue without you having to worry about messing up your curl pattern.
What am I trying to say with all these scenarios? You get a lot of benefits from using the mist including bringing life to your weaves and braids, adding well-needed moisture to prevent breakage, and even giving your real hair a little oomph without jeopardizing the curl pattern.
You see the benefits. Now how do you use it? That depends on what your target is. If it’s to moisturize your scalp, simply part your hair and spray with your hand about 6-8 inches away from your head. If you’re trying to bring your braids or locs back to life, just spray directly onto the hair. It’s that simple! If you’re putting it on your real hair, just lightly spray, shake, and go.
For best results, you can massage it in a bit to make sure it’s spread evenly. To be honest, you won’t have to do much as long as your sprat evenly.
How often do you use the Shedavi Crowned Refreshing Mist? Tell us in the comments!
Juicing is one of the best ways to take your vitamins because they are so simple to take on the go. By now, you’ve probably heard about all the benefits of juicing, so I won’t go into much detail. What I will say is that next to smoothies, juicing is by far the simplest way to add in extra vitamins without having to worry about the taste. Just pop open your capsule after you finish juicing, shake it up, and enjoy.
The beauty of smoothies is that you actually might get to feel full or replace a whole meal depending on what it is that you put into it. Smoothies are a more filling way to take your vitamins and can be taken just as easily as the juices.
Did this one shock you? Well believe it or not it’s a great way to take your vitamins because of the fact that the tomato cancels out any taste of the actual vitamins. All you have to do is sprinkle the capsule on top of the sauce on your plate and dig in. You can also sprinkle the ingredients into other sauces like alfredo or pesto.
Last but not least, you have your beloved soups and chili. When you’re making soup, dip or chili, it’s easy to dump everything in there except for the kitchen sink. Why not make your vitamins one of the things that you dump in? The reason that soups and chilis are great bases for vitamin-taking is that the taste is already going to be potent. Think about how long it takes the seasonings to simmer when you’re making a soup, dip or chili. Do you really think that a little vitamin capsule is going to take away from that taste? Trust me, it won’t. Just like you poured your capsule into your serving of pasta, you can do the exact same thing in your bowl of soup or chili.
As you can see, adding your vitamin to your food regimen doesn’t have to be difficult. Other ways include adding it to a cup of tea, coffee or yogurt. What other ways do you make sure you get your vitamins in? Tell us in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
]]>I’ve heard this so many times, and the fact is that it’s just not true. There are things you can do to your hair and your body to encourage it to grow longer and healthier. In the same breath, there are things you can do to see the exact opposite. While genetics will definitely play a role in your texture, your hair can grow and keep the length if you take care of it regardless of your genetic background. Granted, it may take you longer than others because of your genetics, but make no mistake-- it can be done if you’re patient and follow the steps.
I’ve seen product junkies swear that they have to use a combination of 12 different products to get length results. I hate to break it to you, but they’re considered junkies for a reason. Truth is, you only need one of each of the following product types to get your hair to be healthy- shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, protein conditioner, leave-in moisturizer, and oil. Everything else is just a treat for your tresses. Luckily, the Shedavi Collection has each of these products available to you, so you won’t need to mix and match!
This may be the dumbest myth that I’ve ever run across. Not trimming your hair is counterproductive to length retention because the longer you try to hold on to scraggly looking ends, the more that the split ends can creep up the shaft and make your hair resemble a mangy puppy. There’s nothing cute about crusty ends, and keeping them clipped will ensure that your hair continues to look healthy and the length of your hair stays long.
Unless you sweat a lot or use a lot of product, there really is no need to wash your hair every single week. The more you wash, the more potential it is for your hair to dry out, which leads to breakage-- the cause of our inability to have length retention. Try to space out your washes to be less frequent - every two weeks is good. If your hair starts to look lifeless, you can just do a co-wash to return to its natural luster. Shedavi Crown Co-Wash is an excellent in-between washes solution, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of frequent wash days.
The final myth we’re going to debunk is that you have to do something to your hair every day if you want to see growth. In actuality, less is more. This is why women who use protective styles like our CEO Elizabeth have such long, beautiful tresses. In addition to using Shedavi products, she also keeps her hair protected at all times-- limiting the amount of manipulation and allowing her hair to thrive naturally.
If you adopt a similar process, I guarantee that you will get the results you’re looking for with hair length retention.
What are some other myths that you’ve seen floating around concerning length retention? Tell us about them in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Mistake #1 You’re using the wrong kind of comb
Using the wrong type of comb is a common mistake that woman with curly hair make on a regular basis. Growing up, you probably were accustomed to using the comb that had the tiny teeth that were really close together. Although this is all well and good when you have straight hair, curly tresses are a lot different. Not only will it hurt, but it will also tear out your hair. Just because it’s look thick and ugly does not make it any less fragile. Therefore, you should use a wide tooth comb when styling your hair to prevent breakage.
Mistake #2 You’re not keeping your hair moisturized
I feel like I preach this to you enough, so I won’t spend too much time reiterating how important it is to keep your curly hair moisturized at all times. Curly hair has a hard time getting the moisture it needs from the scalp which makes it the most fragile and prone to breakage. Therefore, keep your Shedavi Elixir Oil & Leave In Conditioner on deck at all times.
Mistake #3 You’re detangling when your hair is soaking wet
I know it seems like your hair is so much easier to work with when it’s soaking wet. However, this is not in the best interest of your tresses because the hair is pretty weak when it’s wet. Therefore, make sure that you at minimum towel pat dry your hair before you start your detangling process. You don’t want to crate split ends as a result of trying to comb your hair while it’s still too wet.
Mistake #4 You’re using too much product to tame your curls
Product buildup is probably the worst thing you can do for your hair because it makes the tresses heavy and can cause an unpleasant odor if you don’t clarify regularly. Limit your products to only 2 or 3 per week topics which will conclude your leave in conditioner, moisturizer, and maybe a hair gel. If you need a full set, check out our Shedavi Crowned collection.
Mistake #5 You keep touching your hair
The final mistake your probably making is that you cannot keep your hands out of your hair. I know I’m pretty guilty of this myself. As our hair starts to grow, we are too ready to try different hairstyles and ultimately play with these curls! Come too find out, keeping your hair in your head will stunt the growth. Without going through all the physics, the important thing to know is that over manipulation is bad. Therefore, you should only style your hair twice a week max and leave it alone every day in between.
What are some mistakes that you’ve made when dealing with your curly hair? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Test #1 Hair Density
First things first: let’s take a moment to talk about hair density. Density is pretty straight forward and refers to how much hair you have on your head or its overall thickness. Testing this is simple: take the hair from the front section of your crown and move it all to one side. How well can you see your scalp through your hair? If you can see it very well, then your hair is on the thinner side. If you don’t see your hair at all, then your hair is thicker. Once you determined whether or not you have thin or thick hair, then you can move on to porosity.
Test #2 Hair Porosity
Knowing the porosity of your hair is arguably one of the most important things that you can determine when going through your hair journey. Hair porosity is just the fancy way of saying how well your hair holds on to moisture. Remember, maintaining the moisture is the key to hair growth. Those with lower porosity have a hard time keep their hair moisturized because the cuticles of the hair do not open enough to allow for oils and water to really get into it. Low porosity hair takes forever to dry because the water sits on the hair, not to mention the fact that they get frequent product buildup. Next we have those that have high porosity hair. High porosity hair is sometimes interchanged with hair that is damaged because the hair has holes in the cuticle which prevents it from maintaining the moisture that it takes in. The final type is normal porosity hair which maintains moisture and is by far the easiest to manage.
If you want to determine your hair’s porosity, you have a couple of options. The easiest way is the infamous strand in the water test. Take a strand of your hair that has shed, and place it into a glass of room temperature, clean water. If the hair floats, the porosity is low. If it sinks slowly, then the porosity is normal. If the hair sinks as soon as you put it in, then the hair porosity is high.
Test #3 Hair Texture
The third and final test also involves looking at one strand of hair. The texture of your hair can fall along a continuum composed of both a number (1-4) and a letter (A-C). The number refers to whether or not there is a curl pattern present in the hair while the letters represent the diameter of the said curl. The first set are those with the 1 texture. 1’s have straight hair that is difficult to curl and usually harder to damage. 2’s have hair that is wavy and tends to get the most frizzy. 3’s have curly hair, and 4’s have kinky hair. Most women of color fall in the 3 and 4 categories.
To determine your hair’s texture, take a freshly plucked strand of hair and put it onto a white sheet of paper. Look closely at its circumference and the direction that the hair bends. Use the chart below to help you to distinguish between which hair type you fall under.
Now that you know your density, porosity, and texture, you can better pick the right products that can help you to grow strong, healthy hair. No matter what your hair type, Shedavi has the solution.
After taking this 3-part test, I found out that I have medium density hair, normal porosity, and a 4B texture. What did you discover about your hair type? Tell us about it in the comments.
Written by Bianca Scott
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Cover up
The best advice is to keep your summer festivities to the mornings and evenings, but that’s not realistic. If you plan to be out and about during the heat of the day, make hats and scarves your best friend. By covering up, you’re protecting your scalp from getting burned, looking out for your hair cuticles, and also caring for your skin.
Lay off
Your hair is already getting plenty of heat from the sun. The sun’s rays alone can cause frizz, dullness, and damage, so take it easy on heat styling. Opt for low manipulation styles that won’t exacerbate the sun’s impact. Shedavi’s Crowned Styling Bundle will help you achieve a variety of looks without need to reach for a blow dryer or flat iron.
Show love
Give your hair extra TLC in the summer months. Use Shedavi’s Hair + Scalp Growth Elixir to keep your scalp moisturized. Take your Hair Growth Vitamins, and deep condition with the Protein Masque regularly. The sun’s rays won’t stand a chance against your intentional self-care.
Don’t dye
Rethink your hair color choices for the summer. Any color that requires bleach could be asking for trouble. The combination of lightening and sun is a recipe for breakage, which will definitely set back your hair growth journey. If you want to go lighter, consider weaves, wigs, and feed-in hair for your summer styles.
Swim safely
Chlorine and sun rays are another not-so dynamic duo. Seek out fresh water or salt water if you can. If swimming in a pool is your only option, make sure to thoroughly wash and condition your hair after each swim.
Now you’ve got the knowledge to enjoy summer without experiencing the dark side of the sun. Cheers to another season of growing our hair long and strong. Show us how you use Shedavi for your summer looks using #shedavi for a chance to be featured.
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Tip #1 Look at the Reviews
It’s so easy to get excited about a hairstyle, that we forget to do basic due diligence on the people that we allow into our hair. Take the time to look at the other reviews that are visible on their website and social media pages. While there are many people who only leave reviews when they have a negative experience, there are others like myself who leave reviews no matter what. If you look hard enough, you’ll get all the information you need about the stylist’s customer service, punctuality, etc.
Tip #2 Reach Out to Other Clients
If you’re having trouble finding reviews organically, then go straight to the source. Think about it. Most stylist tag the “models” who rock their hair creations. Reach out to them and ask them about their experience. Most will be more than happy to give you the run down about the stylist. Believe me when u say that if the experience was a bad one, people will be very much inclined to share details.
Tip #3 Request a Consult
If you are serious about maintaining the integrity of your tresses, you should always request having a consultation with your stylist to make sure that they understand the needs of your hair and yours alone. Although we can group our hair into textures, the truth is that everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for you, and a good stylist will take the time to understand exactly what your goals are. There are many stylists that will say anything to get you into their chair. Don’t fall victim to these money hungry individuals, and instead make sure that you stylists gets you .
Tip #4 Ask What Type of Products They Use
Again, if you’re serious about your hair’s health, you have to know what you’re exposing it to. This includes not only hands, but also the different things that stylist are putting into your hair. If you know you don’t like sulfate-infused products, then you need to make sure that your stylist does not use those types of products in your hair. As a matter of fact, it would not be a bad idea to ask if you can bring you Shedavi Crowned shampoo and conditioner with you to make sure that they are only using top tier products in your hair.
Tip #5 Get A Quote Upfront
Our final tip is to make sure that you get an honest quote upfront when taking the time to select a stylist. Remember that you get what you pay for, however, there are some who overcharge just for the sake of overcharging. A good stylist will understand that everyone is on different budgets, so they need to be able to give you a range of +/- $10 when quoting you for services. Now, it’s up to you to ask the correct questions. For example, if you’re going to get a sew-in bob, make sure you know if the stylist charges extra to curl, to wash your natural hair, to apply a closure or frontal, etc. Don’t let there be any surprises while you’re in the chair. If you come across someone who says it might be this but I don’t know…consider that as a sign that they are not quite experienced enough to provide a proper estimate which means that you should look for someone else.
BONUS TIP: Pay Attention to How (S)he Handles Your Hair
Sometimes, everything starts to check out with the stylist until you actually get into the chair. During this time, take a moment to notice how she handles your hair. Is she pulling your edges too tight? Kindly advise her that you don’t want tight edges and think twice about using her next time. Is she leaving that flat iron on your hair too long instead of just letting it pass through? Politely ask her to keep it moving because you’re a little apprehensive about damage. Stylist who treat your hair any kind of way do not have your hair's best interest at heart, ad you do not need those type of people to aid you in your hair journey.
Do not ever feel embarrassed or like you’re doing too much when it comes to your hair. When it’s all said and done, your hair is your crown. You must do your due diligence to ensure that your crown is well-maintained.
What are some ways that you pick your stylist? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written By: Bianca Scott
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Scalp Detox
Doing a scalp detox is basically a fancy way of saying that you're going to do a deep, intense cleansing of your scalp. Whenever you wear weaves or even walk outside, there is a potential for your scalp to get excess build up. You ever notice how much dirt and gunk gets under your braids when you leave your tracks or crochet styles in for a few weeks? Well, sometimes shampoo and conditioner just doesn't quite cut it. You'll need something a little stronger to make sure that your scalp is squeeky clean and creating an environment to grow beautiful tresses. There are several ways that you can go about doing a scalp detox, and we're going to give you a couple of ideas below.
Benefits of Detoxing Your Scalp
Before telling you how to detox your scalp, you may be wondering what the benefits are besides just giving you a clean scalp. For one, it will get rid of the toxins that are on your hair which could be preventing you from growing the healthy hair that you want. Like I alluded to earlier, just walking outside can give you build up on your scalp depending on what area that you live in. If you live in the city like I do, please believe that the air has toxins which are clinging to your hair and scalp on a daily.
Another benefit of detoxing the scalp is improved circulation. Awhile ago, we talked about how circulating the blood flow on your scalp is one of the best ways to stimulate hair growth. When you detox your scalp, you're actually allowing you oxygen and nutrients to get to your roots. More oxygen leads to more blood flow which gives you scalp more circulation. Yay for science!
The final benefit that's worth mentioning is that detoxing your scalp aids in getting rid of dryness, flakiness, and overall irritation. When you decide to detox your scalp, you're basically going to unclog your hair follicles so that your hair can grow healthily without having any problems. Things like dryness and flakiness are signs of scalp that isn't healthy. When you do a detox, you diminish these symptoms. It's as simple as that
How to Detox Your Scalp
So, now that you have an idea of what it is and how you can benefit, let me tell you how you can start adding scalp detoxing to your hair care regimen. The easiest way to detox your scalp is with a DIY home regimen comprised of baking soda, olive oil, and cinnamon. Each of these ingredients serves a specific antifungal purpose, so make sure you use all three. All you have to do is mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder into a bowl. Next, part your hair and vigorously apply your mixture to every piece of your scalp. Massage for a minute or two, then put a cap on your head for at least 10 minutes. Use your Shedavi Crowned Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner to remove the mixture and you're all set.
Have you tried detoxing your scalp? Tell us how you did it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Reason #1 Less Irrelevant Ingredients
One of the more noticeable differences between vegan hair products and regular hair products is the number of ingredients that are on the back of the label. Have you ever checked out the back of an old, mainstream shampoo bottle and realized that you couldn’t pronounce half the ingredients? Part of that is because many of these brands pack their beauty products with preservatives and fillers. Vegan hair products like what can be found in the Shedavi Crowned Collection are fortified with plant-based ingredients like marshmallow root, aloe, and other natural vitamins and minerals that moisturize the scalp and stimulate growth. In other words, they are good for your hair health, as well as your overall health.
Reason #2 Environment-Friendly Packaging
As much as we hate to admit it, the world is in shambles. Any little thing we can do to help is 100% worth the effort long term. Vegan hair products are usually packaged in materials that have been recycled, which makes for an environment-friendly product. Using vegan products means that you not only get an item that is healthy for your tresses, but you also reduce your carbon footprint and play your part in helping to save the planet.
Reason #3 Vegan Hair Products Have Added Minerals and Natural Oils
If we’ve said it once, we’ll say it a million times: if you want your hair to grow and be healthy, you must keep it moisturized. Vegan hair products contain natural oils, vitamins, and minerals which were put into the product strictly for helping you to maintain moisture. These shampoos promote and stimulate the hair follicles, making it easier for you to experience new growth.
Reason #4 Vegan Hair Products Are Free of the Things that are Known for Damaging the Follicles
Like we alluded to before, vegan hair products do not have any of those harsh chemicals that are known for damaging the hair over time like parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Parabens are those preservatives that I mentioned early which are typically used in the regular shampoos that you see on the shelf. Although parabens make the shampoo last longer, your hair suffers in the process. Sodium lauryl sulfate is the culprit behind the hair loss that many people experience on a regular basis. In fact, there are studies out there that suggest that SLS can potentially cause blindness or other types of eye damage in kids. If you’re using the Shedavi Crowned Collection, you’ll have nothing to worry about. All products are silicone, sulfate, mineral oil, gluten, petroleum, and paraben free.
Reason #5 Vegan Hair Products Smell Better
Okay, so this one may not be super important, but if you’re natural like me and know that whatever product you put into your hair is going to provide a lingering fragrance wherever you go, then you always go for the vegan hair products. Because vegan hair products are full of natural ingredients, you get all the smoke and all those yummy smells. Mainstream hair products tend to smell like chemicals. Ew. I’ll take my Shedavi Crowned Collection any day of the week.
What are some of the reasons that you like to use vegan hair products? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
Customer Results Using Shedavi Products
First things first, you need to be consistent.
The Shedavi collection has literally everything you need nurture your hair inside and out from your wash days and beyond. All of these items mean absolutely nothing if you're not consistent. The only way that your hair will grow is if you commit to taking care of it on a daily basis.
You know how when you're trying to get your body healthy that people say that you can't out-exercise a bad diet? Well, the same can be said for your tresses as well. You can't just take your vitamins once or only shampoo your hair one time and expect for your hair to grow waist-length overnight. You have to create a hair routine that will become a habit that you incorporate into your everyday activities. So, the first step in making your hair grow is to actually use them on a more consistent.
Second thing is you need to do is get rid of things that you don't need.
Let's go back to the working out analogy for a second. You know how you have to cut back on the sweets, soda, and other foods if you want to get results quickly? Well, the same thing can be said for your tresses, sis. Cleanse your bathroom of anything that contributes to taking your hair out or making it dry. Sprits, black gel, and anything else that doesn’t contribute to your hair health has got to go. Instead, add products from the Crowned Collection which are full of ingredients that were created with you in mind like the Leave-in Conditioner, Revitalizing Mist, and Styling Wash and Go Gel. Each of these products are made with moisture-rich ingredients that both keep your hair styled and add hydration so that it can grow. If you have a couple of great products, there’s no need to be using 10-12 at a time. Your Shedavi products can give you this level of satisfaction.
Customer Results Using Shedavi Products
The third thing you need to do to make your hair grow with Shedavi products is to use the products correctly.
While this is very similar to being consistent, the truth is that 9 times out of 10 if you're not seeing growth, then you're probably not using the product the way that it was meant to be used. For example, let's say you use your Crowned Shampoo and Conditioner one day, but you never follow up with the Leave-In Conditioner, you never take your vitamins, and your hair has never even seen the Elixir. On top of that, you only wash and condition your hair one day out of the month. If this sounds anything like you, I can just about guarantee that you will not get the result you're looking for. The beauty of the Shedavi Collection is that when you use everything consistently, then you'll start seeing the result fast.
Customer Results Using Shedavi Products
The fourth and final thing is to make sure you're keeping things up on your end.
It brings us nothing but pure joy to see how well Shedavi products can help make your hair healthier and longer, but you have to be sure to do your part if you truly want to see results. For example, your hair will not grow if you constantly have split ends that keep your hair breaking off. It will not grow if you do not take care of what you put into your body. It will also not grow if you're constantly agitating the hair with dyes or other types of manipulation. When you start using Shedavi products to make your hair grow, be sure that you keep up with your trims, eat right, drink water, and ease up on the amount of manipulation that you use on your tresses.
It's not luck for your hair to grow. It takes consistency, getting rid of old products that don’t work, and using your Shedavi products the right way. Have you tried to consistently use your products to make your hair grow? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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Why do people like passion twists so much?
Finally, they moment you’ve been waiting for: the simple how-to to get the perfect passion twists . First thing you want to do is start with freshly washed hair. When it’s damp, add your Shedavi Crowned Styling Wash and Go Gel to prevent frizz and divide your section of hair into two sections. Next, section off the hair from the water wave packs, and run your fingers through the ends to fluff the hair out. Insert the lock of water wave hair by placing the middle of the hair flat in between your two sections you made for your twist. Twist one end in the other direction and the other in the opposite. If done correctly, you’ll feel tension on the scalp as its get tighter. Once you have the hair taunt, start twisting one piece over the other as if you were doing a two strand twist out. Make sure to pull the hair after every 3-4 twists to make the hair wrap back up on itself. When you finish, you will have a bouncy, spirally curl that is twisted! Continue this same pattern until you complete your entire head.
Have you tried passion twists yet? Tell us about it in the comments!
Written by Bianca Scott
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