Elasta QP Contest Winners!

Whew! Sifting through 95 comments is no joke! Lucky for me, the Elasta QP peeps were ready and available with helpful answers to your most troublesome hair dilemmas.

So without further ado… the winners arrrrrre… (drumroll, please!) Megan, Keisha, and Bridgette. Hooray! Look out for an e mail from me, and as soon as you send me your addresses, Elasta QP will mail you the $50 gift package you see before you. So many interesting and complex hair dilemmas came up, I’m going to delve into some of them with some Ask Afrobella questions soon, so look out for those. For now, here are the winning answers to those summertime hair blues from the professionals at Elasta QP, and an extra two-cents thrown in by me for good measure!

Megan Says: June 8th, 2007 at 1:04 am I love color on my hair cause it gives me a different look. I recently put a light brown color on my hair, something that compliments the summer. We know colored hair has to stay moisturized not only to keep your hair’s shine but to manage breakage. Problem is my hair has to suffer this hot Texas sun. What can I do or use to insure my hair is receiving proper treatment even if it has to bare summer rays with my color?

Elasta QP says: Color is a great way to change up our look. This summer we’re going to see women become really bold with color, however it can cause dryness which leads to breakage. We recommend using Elasta QP Crème Conditioning Shampoo and Intense Conditioner. Our shampoo and conditioner will condition without the weight for shiny, bouncy hair that’s sure to turn heads! For daily shine we recommend Reflect sheen spray.

Afrobella says: Hair color can do a number on your hair, especially if you’ve got natural hair that isn’t used to chemical treatments anymore. I’m with the Elasta QP stylists on this one, a good cleansing regimen is very important, and regular deep conditioning treatments are key. I’d definitely recommend weekly use of a steam cap, or a nourishing at-home hair recipe every other weekend. Mi amiga Motown Girl has some great ones. I’ve personally tried the Honey/Olive Oil recipe and the protein conditioner, and they help to restore nourishment to your tresses.

Keisha Says: June 7th, 2007 at 2:49 pm I am a recent convert back to my natural hair. I never thought the day would come when I would end the torture of getting a relaxer and maintaining it. That being said, I have no idea how to care for my hair. Sad isn’t it? I’ve been scouring the market place and asking any friends that will listen about natural hair products. Now that summer is here, I am starting to notice a change daily in the texture of my hair. Generic oils that I once used with my relaxer do not work. I don’t know what shampoo or conditioner to use. Please help me!!

Elasta QP says: In your gift bag you will find our Elasta QP Intensive Treatments line – a great regimen for natural hair textures. For those who frequently wash their hair (2-3 times per week), the Scalp Stimulating Shampoo will invigorate the scalp. ALWAYS follow up shampooing with a conditioner for moisturizing benefits. The additional two products to complete the system, Breakage Control Serum will work like a band-aid to protect hair from splitting and Mango Butter, which contains olive and coconut oils will address dry ends and prevent damage. You can also consider a leave-in conditioner like H-Two or an oil moisturizer like Recovery.

Afrobella says: Hooray for another Afrobella in the family! Transitioning ain’t easy, I’ve done many a post on the trauma of learning to deal with newly natural hair. The important thing is, don’t give up on your resolve to stay natural, and through trial and error, you’ll learn what works for you. I personally don’t wash my hair two to three times a week, the low-poo method works best for my natural wash-and-go style. But summertime means sweaty scalps, and perhaps an increased need for washing with shampoo. On the days when your hair feels dry and frazzled, I’d say just go for a conditioner wash, and follow up with some nurturing styling products. I do like the Mango Butter for days like those. Hang in there!

Bridgette Says: June 10th, 2007 at 10:24 pm I’ve had hot weather dilemmas for almost 30 years now. I have yet to figure out how to style and moisturize my hair in hot and humid climates. I’ve moved from FL to TX and now to CA. FL and TX summers were brutal on my hair because of the intense heat and humidity. By the end of the day, my hair is one big curly afro. I don’t know how the CA summer will be. I love to wear my hair in its natural state but sometimes want to straighten it just for a little change. I usually do that during winter because the weather is easier to deal with. How can I wear different styles in summer also?

Elasta QP says: Elasta QP Cr̬me Conditioning Shampoo and H -Two Leave РIn conditioner are two products your curly hair will love. QP Cr̬me Conditioning Shampoo gently cleanses and adds extra conditioning to leave the hair frizz Рfree and velvety soft. H РTwo is a lightweight leave-in conditioner for relaxed or natural hair that leaves the hair feeling soft and manageable with incredible shine. We also have an array of styling and finishing aids that are humidity-resistant. Some of our favorites include Reflect and Glaze (pomade).

Afrobella says: What I’m wondering, Bridgette, is about HOW you straighten your hair in winter. Do you use a chemical treatment, or heat? Both can be damaging to your hair, and especially in summer, it can be difficult to mantain a straight style because your scalp and roots get so sweaty with just being outside, much less working out or doing a physical activity. My advice for different summer styles is, stay natural and work with what you’ve got. It’s a great time for easy, breezy wash-n-go styles with beautiful hair accessories. Twists and twist-outs also look fly in the summer – go ahead and rock a twist-out with some bright thread earrings and work it for the summer! The key to combating the heat and humidity is using the right styling products. Once you find a leave-in you can believe in, you’ll find that your summertime hair blues will drift away.

Thank you all for entering, and thanks so much to the professionals at Elasta QP.  I hope those answered some of your hair questions. I’ll try my best to answer the rest of them in upcoming posts. Stay tuned for even more summertime giveaways!