Beauty Solutions
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Got any burning questions? Not sure how to manage your hair or skin? Have a look at some of our Frequently Asked Questions! |  |
General
- Q: Can people who aren’t African-descent use hair care and styling products formulated for African-type hair?
- A: Absolutely! These products are specifically targeted for anyone with thick, curly or frizzy hair.
Straightening / Relaxing
- Q: I can’t live without my hair straightener! Is it ok to use hair straightening irons every day?
- A: No. The constant use of excessive heat can weaken and permanently alter your natural curls making them limp and wavy instead of curly. It is best to use the hair straightener occassionally and use the African Kings & Queens Leave in Cream or African Kings & Queens Gel Activator to keep your natural curls soft and manageable on the alternate days.
- Q: I’m interested in having my hair chemically straightened, but I don’t completely understand the process. Exactly what does relaxing involve?
- A: When a person’s hair is relaxed, it is chemically straightened. A relaxer works by penetrating into the cortex and breaking the strong chemical bonds that make hair curly. Relaxing hair begins by protecting the skin around the scalp with a protective cream or oil (such as petroleum jelly). A relaxer chemical is then applied to dry hair a section at a time and hair is processed for a specified time. Then, a rinse and neutralizing shampoo is applied to stop the relaxing process. Since relaxing can leave hair in weakened condition, a deep-penetrating treatment is often the final step. A mild straightening solution should be used on fine hair.
Hair that is thicker and more coarse can take a stronger solution. For touch ups, relaxer is applied only to new growth about every six weeks to three months depending on type of hair. Relaxers are strong chemicals that are best used by your stylist.
- Q: How do I decide which relaxer to use for my type of hair?
- A: If your hair is fine use Regular Strength relaxer. If your hair is normal / resistant or coarse resistant (most Pacific Island hair) use Super Strength relaxer. However if you have colour in your hair always use Regular Strength but once hair is bleached or lightened, never apply Relaxer on hair.
- Q: How often should I relax or perm my hair?
- A: Some hair types grow faster than others, therefore we recommend at least every 4 – 6 weeks for Afro / Frizzy hair (African / Fijian descent) and every 8 to 9 weeks for curly to wavy hair
- Q: Can a relaxer be used on hair that has a curly perm put through it?
- A: No, you should not use any relaxer over hair that has been permanently or “cold” waved. This can lead to excessive dryness and probable hair breakage and loss.
- Q: How often should I shampoo and condition my relaxed hair?
- A: Shampoo your hair at least once a week to prevent build-up of dirt and oils. Also, deep condition twice a month and use an instant or Leave-in conditioner after every shampoo such as Dark and Lovely Range.
- Q: How can I prevent over-processing my hair?
- A: It is important that you choose the right kind of relaxer for your hair type and texture. Also you must carefully follow the directions given on the instruction guide and pay special attention to the processing time. Dark & Lovely Relaxers contain quodro conditioner and so very genglt to the hair. Always avoid overlapping any relaxer or hair which has been previously relaxed when retouching new growth.
- Q: I relaxed my hair, but as soon as I shampooed it, the curls came right back. What happened?
- A: The relaxing process may have been stopped too soon. When that happens, it can look like the hair is completely relaxed, but when it is rinsed and shampooed, the natural curl is still there. The process must be correctly timed. Look for instructions that might indicate how long you should wait to shampoo.
Styling & Maintenance
- Q: How can I prevent my hair from being dry and brittle?
- A : Wash hair with a moisturizing shampoo such as Dark & Lovely Moisture Seal 3 N 1 Conditioning Shampoo. Follow with a deep-conditioning moisturizing treatment like Dark & Lovely Cholesterol Treatment or Dark & Lovely Dry Hair Healer, or hot oil treatment like Kings & Queens Conditioning Hot Oil, and a leave-in treatment such as Dark & Lovely Oil Moisture Cream. Avoid styling products with high levels of alcohol, and use a cream hairdressing daily, like Dark & Lovely’s Oil Moisturizer.
Another reason could be that the strength of relaxer used on your hair was incorrect. Make sure you use Regular Strength on fine or coloured hair and Super Strength on normal / resistant or coarse / resistant hair.
- Q: How do I make my curls look soft and bouncy?
Curly hair doesn’t retain moisture as much as naturally straight hair, so it is prone to dryness. Therefore it is very important that you use the right hair care system. African Kings & Queens products are an excellent system developed specifically for curly hair types.
For dry hair you need to consistently do a deep treatment every week for at least one month. Deep Treatment is the single most important step in restoring and maintaining your hair’s health and beauty. Due to a curl’s tendency to lose nutrients and moisture, frequent deep conditioning is necessary to replenish strength, build body and minimize the tendency to frizz. Heat is an important part of the deep conditioning process. In order to be effective, the protein molecules must “melt” and bond together to restore the hair.
Deep Treatment Instructions:
- Begin with clean, damp hair. Prep the ends of hair with a little daily conditioner.
- Completely saturate damp hair with African Kings & Queens Hot Oil Treatment (NB. Dilute 1 oz of Hot Oil Treatment with 1 oz of Water).
- Cover hair with a shower cap and heat with a blow dryer on low heat until hair is warm. Allow warm product to remain on hair for 10 minutes. It is important to heat thoroughly to allow the absorption of key proteins to restore the hair’s inner strength and weight.
- After rinsing, apply African Kings & Queens Enriched Conditioner and leave for 3 – 5 mins.
- Style hair as usual. The Hot Oil Treatment will not over-condition hair because it does not build up or weigh hair down.
Deep Treatment Tips:
- Allow the treatment to continue to work by waiting a few days or a week to shampoo.
- Use African Kings & Queens Hot Oil Treatment once a month to keep hair stay healthy or every week if it is damaged or extremely dry.
To Style Your Hair:
- Gently squeeze excess water out of wet hair and blot with a towel to pull out additional moisture. Tip: Do not rub hair briskly or flip head over. Both methods fragment curls and cause frizz.
- Using outstretched fingers or a wide tooth comb through a leave-in conditioning spray such as African Kings & Queens Comb Out Spray 250ml or Hair & Scalp Spray 473ml to seal in moisture.
- Divide hair into 4-6 sections.
- Dispense a 50c Coin sized dollop of African Kings & Queens Leave in Cream OR African Kings & Queens Gel Activator to palms and rub hands together. Working one section at a time, separate fingers on one hand like a “rake” and rake the section from scalp to ends, spreading the styling gel throughout the section.
- When you reach the end of the hair, gently “shake” hair back and forth to create curl in the hair.
- Let go of the section and allow hair to fall.
- Repeat the above steps for all sections using a dollop of styling product for each section.
- Diffuse hair or let it dry naturally. Tip: To break up any crunchy or stiff sections, rub a bit of African Kings & Queens Super Grow Nutrient OR African Kings & Queens Gel Activator between your palms and in one motion smooth your hands over your hair from front to back as if you’re creating a ponytail.
Colour
- Q: Is it safe to use a permanent hair colour on my relaxed hair?
- A: Yes, however you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. First, the hair should be healthy. Second, we strongly recommend a “skin allergy test” be taken as directed on the instruction sheet. Finally, we recommend that you take a strand test before applying the hair color to your hair, then “preview” the colour results.
Do not use permanent hair colour on the same day that you relax your hair. When applying permanent hair colour, you must wait 2-weeks before or after applying a relaxer. Semi-permanent hair colour can be applied on the same day that a relaxer is applied as it does not contain peroixide. Again, once hair is lightened or bleached, relaxer should never be applied.
- Q: How soon after I relax my hair can I use permanent hair colour?
- A: Permanent hair colour should be applied no sooner than two weeks after the relaxer application. Apply Dark & Lovely Permanent Hair Colour after applying the Dark & Lovely No-Lye Relaxer for Colour-Treated Hair.
Make-up
Before applying any make-up, clean your face with water which has a pinch of Soda Bicarbonate in it. Then apply ice cubes on the face. This enables the make-up to stay longer.
Concealer such as Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer is used to hide dark circles around the eyes and it is also used to cover Blemishes and Scars.
A Beige Concealer is ideal for dark skin and one with natural tones for fairer skin. This should be spread evenly using a dry sponge or your fingers.
Now, apply the foundation. Foundation such as Black Opal is used to enhance the colour of the complexion.
Three basic types of Foundations may be used depending upon your Skin type. LIQUID,CREAM TO POWDER AND LOOSE POWDER.
According to US Make-up Artist Kevin Aucion, “make-up should blend with the colour of the neck not the face”
Foundations can be applied with a sponge or finger tips and blended into the hairline and along the jaw for natural finish. For a lighter coverage, dampen the applicator before dipping into the Foundation. Loose powder is best applied with a big brush.
For people with Oily Skin, use Black Opal OIL-FREE LIQUID FOUNDATION. It gives light coverage, leaves a matte finish and looks totally natural.
Black Opal Creme to Powder Foundation SPF 8 is Silky creme, leaves a long lasting, smooth flawless finish.
Translucent Powder such as Black Opal Delux Finishing Loose Powder is used to dust the face. This helps the Foundation to stay longer and any excess powder should be brushed off. Black Opal Oil Absorbing Pressed Powder is available in shades to compliment our foundations.
Finally, a Foundation works best with a good concealer. Make sure your concealer matches your skin tone perfectly. It is best to dab on your concealer lightly before applying your foundation, that way the Foundation will not wipe off the concealer. You can apply a Translucent Powder after - to conceal the Concealer.
And Blusher should then be blended evenly along the cheek bones.
