Working Out + Relaxed Hair

I always get so many women asking me, how to preserve their hairstyle when they work out. Up until now I didn't have a great answer, I personally don't work out like crazy and when I do it's about the time when it's time to get my hair done again. But now I have a new product to help preserve your 'do even when I work out.

Product Description: The new and improved Dri Sweat line of active wear products was designed for men and women who live active lifestyles and especially for African-American casual and serious exercise enthusiasts. We all know that sweat can be damaging to your hairstyle, and many women have for years had to make a choice between starting a healthy exercise routine or ruining their fresh new hairstyles. Dri Sweat® is an opportunity to have both! Firstline’s Dri Sweat Edge Headband and Dri Sweat Fit Cap allow women to keep their style intact as the sweat is absorbed during their workout.

What do you think? Will you try it?!

Dri Sweat is available at Wal-mart, CVS, and Food Lion.

EXCLUSIVE: Relaxer Tips from Will Williams

Will Williams is a master level hair stylist and barber as well as the Director of Education at M&M Products Company, the parent company of Sofn'free GroHealthy. Here he shares his tips on prevent relaxer irritation, including one interesting question I've never had asked by any stylist. Williams also explains how you can prevent irritation even if you've been scratching your scalp pre-relaxer.

William asks, "have you had any anesthesia (local or general) since your last visit or in the last 3 weeks?" and "have you used any permanent hair color since I last saw you?"

I never even thought that anesthesia would have an effect on the hair, and this is important for all you ladies out there who wait until after delivering your baby (with an epidural or via c/s) to get a relaxer. Williams explains that anesthesia and permanent hair color can, "mean that your hair is structurally compromised and the relaxer should be delayed until the medications is removed by shampooing. In the case of permanent color we need to wait until new growth appears that hasn't been colored or relaxed before applying relaxer."

Williams also digs deeper, wanting to know from a client if she has been scratching unintentionally (removing dandruff flakes, targeting an itch with a comb, pen, pencil or other pointed item). Even including, wanting to know if she brushes the hairline trying to hold it down so the new growth of the hairline doesn't appear to be out of texture with the more relaxed look of the interior. These are ways to irritate the scalp without even realizing that you've been doing so. If you have been irritating your scalp without knowing it, Williams takes special care to base the entire scalp.

Williams continues the questioning, "If she tells me she doesn't scratch or brush or didn't shampoo vigorously in the last three days, I ask if she inadvertently scratches her scalp in her sleep. That's my "trick question" to make sure I better understand the condition of her scalp."

Then offers up some assistance for the problem: "For women I know who have a chronic itch/scratch cycle, I recommend a pre-shampoo treatment the week prior to relaxer. This helps to guard against the de-fatting of the scalp during the relaxer service. Naturally, I recommend the oil that you like in our lineup, Sofn'free GroHealthy Three-Layer Growth Oil. Just saturate the scalp, massage gently, let it set for at least five minutes (more if you like to penetrate the scalp and reach sub-dermal areas) to keep the scalp calm during the week before relaxer. Also, our Three-Layer Growth Oil or Strengthening Creme can be used on the scalp prior to salon visit the day before or even the day of the relaxer to help guard against possible scalp dryness and de- fatting."

The big message: Always cover the scalp with base protection, because the same process that is reducing curls in the hair is also reducing corresponding elements in the skin.

Protective Style: Runway to Real Life

After a busy New York Fashion Week, Redken Creative Consultant Guido is across the pond in Milan getting ready for a week of innovative styles, before heading to Paris to finish Fashion Month. Guido kicked off his week in Milan with the Alberta Ferretti show, and created a very 60s chignon with a boyish swoop over the eye and small pieces left out just in front of the ears.

"Alberta has a very strong opinion about the woman she wants to send down the runway each season. This season we decided on a look that was simple 60s feel, yet stylized. Almost twiggy- like but with a boyish feel."
Create the look:
- Create a low side part on the left. Wet hair and apply velvet gelatine 07 cushioning blow-dry gel and blow dry in

- Spray quick dry 18 instant finishing spray in sections and back comb to create the "Bardot-like" height at the crown

- Pull all hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck. Coil ponytail around itself into a chic chignon and pin with hairpins

- Pull pieces out at either side in front of the ear with a tail comb as not to disturb the rest of the hair

- Finish entire look with shine flash 02 glistening mist for extra sheen on the runway (and for your personal runway)!