BHP Life Blog

Messy Bun Crochet Hats are warm and fun. Go for a morning or evening stroll and keep your head warm and look cute at the same time.

Show your long gorgeous ponytail as it peaks out the 'top window" of your warm and thick hat. Wear your ponytail down or tuck it under. You choose.

Made-to-order one-of-a-kind "open" crochet hat. Choose from over 20 different vibrant colors. Your very own Messy Bun Crochet Hat will be handmade and delivered to you in no time!

Watch This Quick Tutorial

 Click Here to see all the available colors

"Leigh" is a straight short Bob-cut Lace Front 100% Malaysian Human Hair Wig with Bangs. She is 130% density for a natural look and feel. 

RTBY wigs are for those who are choosing to wear a beautiful head covering just for the fun of changing hairstyles, or because you suffer from hair loss due to Alopecia, Chemotherapy, hair thinning, or a medical condition. "Leigh" is a beautiful and versatile choice.

One thing about me is that I love music. This is Frankie's best ever concert and I didn't even have a ticket! I was feeling this concert, so I want to share it with you...

You have to have fun in life or it's not worth living~

Enjoy!!!

Ready To Be You^TM

Since the inception of my company in the year 2000, my passion and focus have been on naturally kinky hair care for people of color. I am a former Certified Sisterlocks^TM Consultant and a natural hair enthusiast. Over the span of 25+ years of specializing in natural hair care, I’ve come to realize that my knowledge base is quite sizable.

After many years of caring for and styling hair, I began feeling like it was time to retire from “doing” hair and redirect my focus towards marketing my hair care products.

Forced into early retirement from a broken ankle, I began unwinding and clearing my mind and changing my perspective on this thing called, “hair.”

I began seeing others that didn’t necessarily have a full head of hair. They were experiencing hair loss for one reason or another-either from the effects of Chemotherapy, stress, health, and medical reasons, hair thinning, balding or from some form of Alopecia.

It seems like everywhere I’d look, I seen these issues in full effect; women feeling almost worthless because of their hair falling out, thinning, or being diagnosed with Alopecia.

It was then, that I began realizing that not everybody has hair that they can style as they choose. Some of these women (and men) longed for hair on their head again-something that many of us have taken for granted.

As I began listening to these women (and men’s) stories, of how devastating it is to look at themselves in the mirror and see their ‘clean’ or ‘spotted’ head staring back at them, my heart poured out with compassion. I soon learned that their struggle didn’t stop there. For those seeking to find a dignified way of ‘covering’ their head with hair again through the use of wig-wearing, they described their experiences as quite daunting, to say the least.

Many years ago I used to wear wigs. It was always challenging finding just the right one at just the right price and not have my wig look so wiggy if that makes sense. Anyway, I know the struggle.

It was from my research, listening and watching these women (and men) right before my eyes, struggle through making sense of it all (hair loss), that I saw the need to offer Ready To Be You^TM  wig collections.

Our wig collections are for those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and who’ve experienced broken promises, feeling cheated and taken advantage of just because of their “hair loss issue.”

Ready To Be You^TM is a collection of wigs and hairpieces with YOU in mind.

It is my mission to help you rediscover who you are one amazing hairpiece at a time especially if you’re suffering from the effects of Alopecia and Chemotherapy. In fact, my NEW (job) title is, “Hair and Image Consultant.”

What I Do For Women

I help AMAZING WOMEN re-discover who they already are but just need a little reminder.

I am here to serve you and your needs in a deeper, more meaningful way, than just selling you some hair. I sell you POSSIBILITY- It is possible to get your life back and transforming your life towards a new beginning that will serve you better- your hair loss may be a little inconvenient right now, and is a situation that is beyond your control; but just know that it is possible to manage your hair loss issue and manage it well.

You can be anything you’ve ever wanted to be. Whatever form of hair loss you’re suffering through right now is rightfully devastating, no doubt, but I’m here to encourage you in getting back in alignment with your life and with who you are- getting re-focused on the things that truly matter the most in your life and to keep pushing through the devastation of your hair loss issue. You will make it on the other side—hopefully, sooner than later.

With my 25+ years of hair care experience, coupled with hair and wig products, this can make all the difference in how you view yourself and in how you feel about yourself in the outside world, my passion is to somehow help you through this hiccup in your life’s journey.

I am here to offer you support and products that will help you get back to normalcy, feeling beautiful again and in possibly having a brand-new outlook on life; besides, those that choose to wear a beautiful head-covering, called a wig, many times see wearing a wig as getting a “makeover.” You have the freedom to change your look whenever you get ready and not have any regrets- if you don’t like the way one style (wig) looks, snatch the dang wig off, and go for another look-you are in charge!!

I Don’t Know What It’s Like

It’s true that I do not know what it is like to suffer from hair loss, however, I am a woman and I know how important hair is to us. This is the reason I take such care in making selections for my ready-to-wear-  Ready To Be You^TM wigs that will be both, appealing and comfortable-something you will be proud to wear and feel good in while doing so.

Ready To Be You^TM wigs are for EVERYONE.

Our RTBY wig collections are not just for one type of woman. Our Beautiful Hair Products & Accessories store carry wig pieces that compliment black women and those that desire a curlier texture of hair.

Many times, black women are left out in the cold when it comes to finding decent wigs in a texture they can call their own. That problem will be nonexistent at Beautiful Hair Products & Accessories store.

I work with a couple of wig designers that specialize in custom-made-to-order hand-tied human hair wigs. These wigs are considered High-end Premium Human Hair Wigs. They are custom to fit ONLY YOU and are well worth your investment.

CLICK HERE If you are interested in the opportunity to order your very own custom wig

For the average person on a budget, Beautiful Hair Products & Accessories store carry affordable high-quality human hair wigs. The collections include Full Lace Wigs, Lace Front wigs, 360 Lace frontal human hair wigs, Human hair wigs, synthetic wigs, wigs for black women, wigs for white women, long wigs, short wigs, curly wigs, straight wigs, wavy wigs, deep body wave wigs and anything in between.

Because most of the wigs I carry in my store are ‘human hair’ wigs, Beautiful Hair Products is highly recommended for the care of your new beautiful wig unit.

As our RTBY wig line expands, I am sure I will, in the future, carry wigs for children and men.

Thank you in advance for your patience as we grow and expand.

P.S. (click here>>) Take our Ready To Be You^TM wig survey. Let's see where you are in the process! 

Sodium Lauryl SULFOacetate vs. Sodium Laureth SULFATE

So, what's the difference?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is derived from coconut and palm oils; a safe, skin-friendly surfactant (foaming agent) for both skin and hair. This mild plant-derived surfactant creates a rich, luxurious lather that effectively removes surface oil, dirt, and bacteria without stripping or drying sensitive skin or hair.

Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate is also hydrophilic. This means it is attracted to water, which enables it to dissolve more readily in water, thus providing superior rinse-ability.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is synthetic cleansing agents that are small molecule ingredients. They are capable of penetrating the skin, which can increase the occurrence of skin irritation.

Although an ingredient's name may sound similar to another, it does not mean that the molecules are similar with respect to shape, size, performance or even function. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate sounds similar to Sodium laureth sulfate, however, the two molecules are quite different from each other.

Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate is a large molecule ingredient. Large molecule ingredients are considered to be mild, gentle, and non-irritating, as they cannot penetrate the skin. In contrast, sodium laureth sulfate is a small molecule ingredient and is capable of penetrating the skin, which can increase the occurrence of skin irritation. (source: AvalonOrganics.com)

*Beautiful Hair Products are made with all natural organic ingredients. No harsh chemicals. pH balanced for sensitive scalp and optimal results 

Beautiful Hair comes as a result of having a healthy scalp. We are proud to present hair care products that do just that--care for the scalp first which results in beautiful hair. There are no chemicals in our products that will harm your scalp or dry out your hair. BHP is rich in ingredients like lanolin, jojoba, essential oils and Pure Argan oil.

Our family of products includes

 Hair care sets

 Super Absorbent Towel Caps

 eBooks + Hair care sets

 Beautiful Hair Products are all hand mixed and hand poured to the highest standards and are shipped off to our happy customers around the world.

You can find Beautiful Hair Products on Amazon, here on our website and at my Etsy store.

Ready To Be You wig collections are a hit! Take a visit to see for yourself.

Hair is merely dead protein filaments, with each follicle being placed deep within the dermis or the inner layer of the skin.

Only the cells that lie beneath the surface of the skin and inside the follicles are alive.

The main component of hair is known as Keratin. Long and lustrous hair has been always regarded as a sign of health and vitality, and the secret behind it lies in eating a healthy clean diet and having a proper hair care regimen.

Proper hair care basically includes moisturizing and cleansing the hair and scalp regularly, which helps to eradicate some of the more common problems like, hair breakage, split ends, thinning hair, excessive hair fall, dandruff etc.

The benefits of natural oils, including coconut Oil, has been experienced by millions to alleviate these problems. The benefits include:

• Softer more supple shiny hair
• Saves hair from stripping protein out of the hair from harsh shampoos
• Has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties
• Heals common scalp problems such as pimples of the scalp
• Heals insect bites
• Effective in keeping lice away from the scalp (yes, black people can get lice too!)
• An excellent emollient because of the rich source of fatty acids like oleic, linoleic lauric, capric, caprylic, myristic and palmitic acids
• Provides moisture to the scalp and hair and is ideal for dry crunchy hair
• Rich in Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant
• Anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties

I personally massage coconut oil into my scalp at least two times per week. It soothes my scalp and does wonders for my hair. I do not experience breakage and my Sisterlocks (tm) have a sheen that you rarely get from other products. I highly recommend ANYONE to try Coconut Oil for their hair care needs.

See and feel the difference for yourself!

What is your opinion? How do you feel about using natural oils versus commercial pomades? Have you ever used Coconut Oil for your hair before? What was your experience?

Hair—the strands are made of, Medulla (core) Keratin (inner layer) and Cuticle (outer layer).

Each strand of hair has its’ own DNA. There are no two strands alike; and as various and diverse as human beings are, so is your hair—its’ texture, color and grade.

The Anatomy of Hair

Hair is quite simply defined as a form of a protein called Keratin.

Hair grows from hair follicles located in the dermis~

Dermis= the skin; the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis that forms the true skin.

Papilla= the structure at the base of the hair follicle; deep at the dermal layer, papilla is also described as a small nipple-like projection at the root of a hair.

Hair Follicles= hair follicles are responsible for the production of hair. They (follicles) produce hair fibers in a regular cycle. Hair follicles, as part of the hair-producing role, retain stem cells, promote cell growth, tissue invasion and induce angiogenesis. Hair follicles also work closely with the immune systems of the skin and neuroendocrine systems.

Hair follicles support immune-surveillance against pathogens and aid in sensory perception. Hair follicles have been proven to metabolically be one of the most rapidly proliferating units of the skin system. Only cells in the stomach proliferate more quickly than hair follicles.

While hair is growing beneath the epidermis, its’ outer covering is soft. Once it goes past the epidermis, the outside layer hardens into keratin.

Inside the follicle, the hair is growing and is ‘connected’ to blood vessels and nerves.

Outside the skin, the hair is essentially DEAD!

Keratin= keratin refers to a family of fibrous structural proteins. Keratin is the key of structural material making up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the key structural component of hair and nails.

Keratin monomers assemble into bundles to form intermediate filaments, which are tough and insoluble and form strong unmineralized tissues.

Hair Composition= hair is primarily made up of protein which occurs as the result of linking together of amino acids. The cortex of the hair is made up of a series of chains that form the shape of a coil.

The amino acid chains coil around each other and become proto-fibrils. The proto-fibrils then twist around each other to become micro-fibrils. Micro-fibrils follow the same process and become macro-fibrils that also spiral together.

This process when complete forms the cortex of the hair. The cortex is then covered with the cuticle scales which also contain protein. This twisting gives hair the ability to stretch like a spring without breaking.

Cortex= the center part of the hair, called the cortex, makes up most of the hair shaft. It is the cortex that gives hair its special qualities such as elasticity and curl. The cortex is packed with strands of keratin (protein), lying along the length of the hair.

All its moisture lays in its center, behind a tough outer layer of protective bark (sort to speak).

If the 'bark' of the hair is well taken care of the whole hair remains in good condition. If the 'bark' is stripped off to expose the center, the hair may break.

Sebaceous Gland= next to each hair is a sebaceous gland which secretes sebum (oily secretion) which lubricates the hair and provides each hair with an element of protection. If the sebaceous glands are overactive, greasy or oily hair will result. If the glands are under-active dry hair may result including breakage.

For hair that is kinky nappy coily curly (whatever you choose to call it), this Helix spiral (below) resembles its 'curl pattern'

Parts of the hair

There are three main regions of what makes up an hair: Root, Shaft, and Tip

Root= the part that was growing in the follicle. This is the widest part of the hair.

Shaft= the middle of the length of the hair (from the root to the tip). This is where the hair tapers.

Tip= the end of the hair farthest away from the root. The hair is narrowest at the tip.

Three major layers to the hair

From the outside in cuticle, cortex, and the medulla (middle)

Cuticle= the outermost layer of the hair. It is made of keratin. The cuticle is really a series of overlapping scales- very resistant to chemical decomposition.

Cortex= the intervening layer of the hair (i.e., between the cuticle and the medulla). It is made of spindle-shaped cells and pigment granules (these give color to the hair). You may also find ovoid bodies (look like large pigment granules) and cortical fusi (small bubble-like structures) in the cortex.

Medulla= (from the Latin for ‘marrow’) the innermost layer of the hair. It is made of cells that form a shaft through the middle of the hair. Different amounts of medulla may be present in the hair.

Growth Stages of the hair

3 major growth stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen

Anagen Stage= the active growth phase of the hair follicle.

Catagen Stage= the transition period between growth and rest. Hair continues to grow but at a decreasing rate. The root bulb looks elongated from being pushed out of the follicle.

Telogen Stage= the rest period for the follicle. The current hair is shed and no new growth takes place for a period of time.

So, What is Hair Anyway?

Hair is a fiber that we all have…kinky curly straight. Its function is a protective covering for your head. We can style it, cut it, braid it—the possibilities are numerous.

Some have very dense hair (thick), while others have sparse (not so thick) amounts of hair. Whatever the case, once it hits the surface, it’s dead!

This brings me to my point—the skin called scalp, which house our hair, is ‘key’ in the ultimate beauty of our hair once it hits the surface.

This means that the decisions we make in terms of the products we use to style our hair, whether that be chemicals like perms and other substances that ‘alter’ the natural texture and structure of your hair—it makes up for the overall health of our scalp and ultimately the look and feel of our hair.

The dermis and epidermis (skin) of the scalp is very porous and the products we use directly of that skin can have a very positive or negative effect on the health of our hair (and general health as well).

Many chemicals, which include perms and color kits have a very adverse effect on the overall health, look and feel of the hair. Many chemicals used in the traditional products that most of us grew up using have ingredients that are known to cause cancer.

We must be mindful and sensitive to ALL products we use—from oils, shampoos, conditioners, gels, sprays etc. etc. we need to become label readers and commit to only using the most natural and safest products available—this usually mean—‘green’ or organic, simple products.

Less is more!

In Conclusion

As people of color, we can celebrate the fact that we have been blessed with a wonderful protectant for our skin called Melanin. Our hair also is a blessing. The coil and bend in your hair act as a wire conductor, storing and transmitting electromagnetic energy!

All energy is in the form of a coil and we have the coil in our hair naturally and innately!

Our hair has the same spiral as an electrical current, tornado, and whirlwinds. All hair has its own DNA! What a history!

This special quality allows your hair to absorb light, information, sound, nature and simple life! This has a positive effect on our ability to be balanced with the universe which is energy itself!

Coily, kinky hair has limited growth potential ONLY when it is not allowed to stay in its natural formation—spiraling coils. If allowed to stay in its natural state, the hair not only grows but exponentially grows beyond your imagination!

We must be re-taught to love our natural beautiful selves and stop trying to be who we’re not.

Once we embrace our cultural identity, we will be able to make a meaningful contribution to ourselves—to love and accept ourselves from head to toe—we then will be able to reach out to our family, community, and others and lift each other up and celebrate our uniqueness with gratitude and thanksgiving!

Have you ever wondered what the differences are in the various lace wig caps and why one costs more than the other? Well, take a look at the differences in the construction of the caps.

Differences

Most human hair wigs are custom made with a lace wig cap. Some synthetic wigs are also made with a lace wig cap. Usually, these are your higher end synthetic wigs. (Take a look at this human hair wigs collection)

Lace wig caps are usually made of a soft stretchy Swiss or French lace. Swiss lace is a finer more fragile lace. Swiss lace is the most preferred lace because it is not as visible against the scalp/skin as the thicker French lace. It is lightweight and feels comfortable on your head and against your scalp (for those with no hair).

French lace is a thicker lace and a little more durable than the finer Swiss lace- which makes it great for first-time wearers. But, if you are careful, even if you are a first-time buyer, you should be able to get away with handling a Swiss lace wig. However, because of its slightly thicker texture, french lace might reveal its true colors. Depending on the style of your wig, the lace might slightly show through.

As for the U-Part wig cap, it uses basically the same materials as the full and lace front wigs, however, the parting is different. You can take a section of your own hair from under the wig cap and blend it with the wig hairs to give you a more natural look.

What's Your Color

The great thing about the wig caps is, you can have it dyed to the color you prefer. The most popular colors among Black women are medium brown and dark brown. For the lighter skin tone, a lighter brown or transparent color is used.

Construction

From the examples provided, you can see how the wig caps are constructed. The full lace wig cap has lots of space to part your wig in any direction. The lace can go back as far as to the crown of your head,  giving you more styling options. The lace front wig cap reaches back about 2-4 inches and is not as versatile as the full lace cap, however, you can still work with this type of cap. And for the U-Part wig cap, you have the most styling options, especially if you have enough hair to complement your wig by blending your own hair with the wig hair.

The process of making a wig is very tedious and time-consuming.  It takes a true professional to hand tie each little hair to the mesh, plus constructing the wig in such a manner that it looks flattering, plus making it last a long time.

The Cost Difference

The difference in cost that a full lace cap, lace front cap, and a U-Part lace cap wig can be, varies depending on, of course, the type of hair used and the length of the wig. On average, though, a Full Lace Cap wig normally costs more. Sometimes, the cost can be as high as 10%-20% more.

It goes to show that when you purchase a Full Lace Human Hair wig, you are making an investment. Not only in the wig piece, but in yourself as well.

Now I Know

Having a little more knowledge as to what goes into making a "head covering" (wig), helps me to appreciate the 'investment' that I spend on a nicely constructed wig that fits well, feels comfortable, is beautiful and that helps to build my confidence and that makes me feel beautiful. What about you?

Question: What type of lace is your favorite, Swiss or French? And Why? Leave your comment below.

Rosemary oil, obtained from the Rosmarinus officinalis plant leaves, is well-known for its therapeutic benefits and has been in use for several years now.

This herb is grown on a large-scale in countries like Morocco, France, and Spain, and the oil is obtained by steam distilling the leaves and flowers.

Mainly used as an aromatherapy oil, it is known to be extremely beneficial for the hair and skin besides its numerous health benefits.

Using rosemary oil can rid you of the various hair related problems like hair fall, dandruff, and thinning hair.

Listed below are various benefits you will find in Rosemary oil:

• Stimulate blood circulation in the scalp and thus promotes healthy hair growth
• Does not clog the pores of the scalp
• Help in preventing hair loss due to its stimulating effects on the hair follicles
• Help with premature graying
• Helps cure dandruff and hair fall—very good for thinning hair, dry, brittle hair, frizzy hair and oily scalp
• Helps cleanse the scalp of all impurities and dirt which enables the hair to grow more speedily
• Hot oil treatment
• Soothes dry itchy scalp

It is recommended that you mix Rosemary oil with a carrier oil, such as olive, coconut or sweet almond oil. Massage into the scalp as part of your pre-poo regimen. Follow, by shampoo and conditioning your hair. The scalp should feel invigorating and fresh!

What is your opinion: Have you ever used Rosemary oil for stimulating your scalp? How do you feel about its medicinal smell? Do you find it too strong to wear during the day? How do you use Rosemary oil?

Moroccan oil is extracted from the nuts of the Argan tree that grows in Morocco. Moroccan people have been using it for centuries, and recent research has brought to light its unique properties that make Argan oil a treasure trove for treating various skin as well as hair problems.

Moroccan Argan oil is very rich in Vitamin E, Omega 3 and Omega 9 fatty acids; it also contains linoleic and oleic acid that helps hydrate and moisturizes hair and scalp and repair damaged hair.

For those who have damaged their hair with too many hair straighteners and other chemical treatments, Argan oil can help in restoring the lost luster and increasing the shine of dull dry hair by locking in the moisture.

The oil penetrates the hair shaft and repair damaged hair follicles. Argan oil is non-greasy and non-oily and therefore it does not weigh hair down- making it limp.

Many people with color treated hair complain of rough hair and color fading. Regular application of Argan oil on color treated hair can help in keeping the color intact for a greater duration and it would also prevent any dryness.

Here are a few more benefits of Moroccan Argan Oil:

• It is ideal for taming rough, dry, frizzy and unmanageable hair.
• It is light and almost weightless so there is less probability of build-up.
• It has moisturizing and hydration properties
• Unsaturated fatty acids provide nutrition to the hair and scalp
• Argan oil is immediately absorbed by the hair and it restores the lost moisture.
• It also acts as a shield for harmful UV rays and protects the hair from environmental pollution.

Because of its high content of vitamin E, Argan oil is very effective for hair growth and it helps to repair as well as inhibit the occurrence of split ends. It nourishes hair from the root; strengthening it, therefore preventing hair loss.

What is your opinion: Have you ever used Moroccan (Argan) Oil? What do you think about its superior properties? What is your favorite oil—Moroccan Oil or Jojoba Oil?