What is a protective style? A protective style is a low manipulation and low maintenance style that allows your hair to flourish by minimizing damage and breakage, especially to your delicate ends.

Fall is fast approaching, and it's my favorite time to wear protective styles! I tend to have fun with my hair and throw caution, as well as my strict hair regimen, to the wind during summer months. When the weather starts to get cold and dry, I protect my hair from the elements as much as possible. I'm a New Yorker, so it's pretty much winter from November to April. During the cold months, my mega puff and fab twist outs take a back seat to an array creative protective styles. I used to prefer short term protective styles, like buns and flat twists, over long term styles that are worn for weeks or even months at a time. However, I've found myself wearing crochet braids for up to 8 weeks a few times a year.  Short term styles allow for versatility and easy healthy hair maintenance, but you can also be kind to your hair and retain moisture while wearing long term styles. Check out the protective styling tips below.

1. Be kind your edges - Don't wear protective styles that pull your hairline too tight at the roots. Up do's should only be worn for a week at a time. If you're getting your hair braided by a professional, be sure to communicate any discomfort along your hairline to your stylist. Keeping your edges moisturized with an oil such as, Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, will help maintain full edges, as well.  Don't allow the stylist to detangle your hair with a fine tooth comb.  Our Sandalwood Detangling Comb is great to use on wet or dry hair.

2. Remember to Moisturize - The cold can dry your hair out. Synthetic hair used for braids and other extensions can also contribute to dryness. Spritz your hair daily with a water based leave-in conditioner like our Janomi Citrus Juice Leave-in Conditioner. The water, aloe vera juice, avocado oil, and tamanu oil provide great moisture and conditioning. Steam from the shower or a hair steaming tool are great for adding moisture to your real hair while wearing long term protective styles.

3. Maintain a Healthy Scalp - You might not get to wash your hair as often as you like while wearing long term protective styles, but you can still keep your scalp clean. Rub a wash cloth with a little shampoo on your scalp and in between braids to remove build up.  Diluted apple cider vinegar is also an option for cleansing the scalp.  Apply a natural oil with anti-fungal properties, like Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, to moisturize your scalp and to prevent itching caused by bacteria and build up.

4. Seal your ends - One of the main reasons to wear a protective style is to retain length by protecting your ends. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, so they need the most tlc. Seal the moisture into your ends with an oil (Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil) or cream (Janomi Avomango Styling Butter) to prevent breakage caused by friction against your clothes when wearing two strand twists and braids. Coat your ends with an oil or cream before tucking them away in buns and other up do's.

5. Take a break, and don't over do it - Don't wear box braids, sew-in weaves, and crochet braids for longer than 8 weeks. Even if the style still looks good, you want to avoid the tangling and matting of your real hair that can be caused wearing a style for too long. Give your hair a chance to breathe in between protective styles. It's never a good idea to continuously wear long term protective styles back to back. Lack of proper daily care and the weight of added hair takes a toll on your tresses. Take the time to wash, moisturize, maintain a healthy hair regimen, and assess the overall health of your hair before adding hair for braids or sew-ins again. In the meantime, try a funky short term protective style to switch up your look.

Happy Styling!  Now go retain that length!

I've been busy!  After much success with Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, and the addition of the Janomi Jumbo Bonnet; I'm finally ready to launch a new natural hair product!  Be on the look out for the Janomi Citrus Juice Leave-in Conditioner on our website before Christmas.  Yippee!

Once again, I formulated and observed this all natural product during phase 1 of the product development. Phase 2 involved sending the Citrus Juice Leave-in Conditioner to members of my test group, who are women with different hair types. The feedback has been phenomenal.  I've received written testimonials, pictures, and videos, stating the healthy hair benefits as a result of using Janomi Citrus Juice Leave-In Condtioner.

This product got its name because it smells like a citrus fruit.  With citrus essential oils and extracts alongside exotic oils, like avocado and tamanu, you won't be able to resist smelling and touching your crown.  Janomi Citrus Juice Leave-In Conditioner softens and conditions hair, detangles, penetrates the hair shaft to restore moisture and nourish strands, refreshes curls, reduces shed, soothes itchy scalp, adds shine, and it's light enough for locks.  It can be used on wet and dry hair.  Are you excited yet?

Make sure you sign up for the Janomi News email list to be the first to find out about the official product launch and coupon code!

Hey Janomi Gems!

Just a quick blog post to keep you abreast of the great things happening this fall.  It's September 1, and we are starting the month off with a bang!  Visit our Instagram page, @Janomi_Hair, to enter the TWO give away contests we're sponsoring this week to double your chances of winning a 4 oz. bottle of Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil.  We've aligned ourselves with two other black women entrepreneurs/natural hair bloggers, so be sure to give your support.

Janomi Hair is already on board to sponsor two natural hair events this fall.  One event will be in Long Island, NY (where I was raised), and the other event will be held in Virginia Beach, VA.  In you're in either area, check them out! 

Lastly...drum roll please... I'm currently working on two new products that I hope to launch by Christmas 2015!  Stay tuned for updates on new Janomi products to add to your healthy hair regimen.

Fall is fast approaching, and it's my favorite time to wear protective styles!  I tend to have fun with my hair and throw caution, as well as my strict hair regimen, to the wind during summer months.   When the weather starts to get cold and dry, I protect my hair from the elements as much as possible.  I'm a New Yorker, so it's pretty much winter from November to April.  During the cold months, my mega puff and fab twist outs take a back seat to an array creative protective styles.  I prefer short term protective styles, like buns and flat twists, over long term styles that are worn for weeks or even months at a time.  Short term styles allow for versatility and easy healthy hair maintenance. Check out the protective styling tips below:

1. Be kind your edges - Don't wear protective styles that pull your hairline too tight at the roots.  Up dos should only be worn for a week at a time.   If you're getting your hair braided by a professional, be sure to communicate any discomfort along your hairline your stylist.  Keeping your edges moisturized with an oil such as, Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, will help maintain full edges; as well.

2. Remember to Moisturize - The cold can dry your hair out.  Synthetic hair used for braids and other extensions can also contribute to dryness.  Spritz your hair daily with a good oil and water mixture or leave-in conditioner.  Steam from the shower or a hair steaming tool, is great for adding moisture to your real hair while wearing long term protective styles.

3. Maintain a Healthy Scalp - You might not get to wash your hair as often as you like while wearing long term protective styles, but you can still keep your scalp clean.  Rub a wash cloth with a little shampoo on your scalp and in between braids to remove build up.  Apply a natural oil with anti-fungal properties, like Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, to moisturize your scalp and to prevent itching caused by too much bacteria.

4. Seal your ends - One of the main reasons to wear a  protective style is to retain length by protecting your ends. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, so they need the most tlc.  Seal the moisture into your ends with an oil or cream to prevent breakage caused by friction against your clothes when wearing two strand twists and braids.  Coat your ends with an oil or cream before tucking them away in buns and other up dos.

5. Take a break and don't over do it - Don't wear box braids, sew-in weaves, and crochet braids for longer than 8 weeks. Even if the style still looks good, you want to avoid the tangling and matting of your real hair that can be caused wearing a style for too long. Give your hair a chance to breathe in between protective styles.  It's never a good idea to continuously wear long term protective styles. Lack of proper daily care and the weight of added hair takes a toll on your tresses. Take the time to wash, moisturize, maintain a healthy hair regimen, and assess the overall health of your hair before adding hair for braids or sew-ins again.   In the meantime, try a funky short term protective style to switch up your look.

Now you can get your hair fall ready!  Happy Styling!

Follow @Janomi_Hair on Instagram and Periscope for style inspiration and hair tips!

Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil is great for the following:

Scalp massage to promote growth (You’ll feel an awesome tingle.)- Apply directly to the scalp using the pointed cap. Pay special attention to dry or thinning areas. Massage scalp with finger tips.

Hot Oil treatments- Shampoo/co-wash hair. Heat about 2 tbsp. of the oil in a separate container and apply to wet

hair from root to tip. Cover with a plastic cap for 30 mins. Rinse, condition, and style as usual.

Pre-poo treatments- Apply about 2 tbsp. to dry hair before washing and cover with a plastic cap for 30 minutes or

more. Wash hair and style as usual.

Use it as the oil in the LOC or LCO moisturizing methods- LOC stands for Leave-in, Oil, Cream and LCO is

Leave-in, Cream, Oil.  Apply leave-in conditioner, Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, and cream to damp hair in layers, in the order of your choice to lock in the moisture. 

Oil Rinse- An oil rinse is a great way to retain moisture and reduce wash day tangles.  Shampoo/co-wash hair, apply about 2 tbsp of Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil to wet hair, let sit for 5 mins, rinse out the oil, and condition as usual.

Seal your ends- Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, so they require extra attention to prevent split ends.

Apply the oil to damp ends, especially when twisting or braiding.

Helps prevent dry scalp- See Scalp massage above.

Adds shine- Pour a dime sized amount in your hand and run your hands through wet or dry hair.

Add it to your favorite conditioner deep conditioner for an extra boost- Add a tbsp. to your conditioner or deep

conditioner to give it an extra boost of premium natural ingredients. Deep Conditioning with heat makes it even better!

And many more uses!

Please remember that a little goes a long way!

Janomi Hair... Because Your Crown Deserves Quality!

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Hello Janomi Gems,

Welcome to my first blog post!  As the founder of Janomi Hair, LLC, I'd like to feel close to my clients and to let you know we're on this natural hair journey together.  Thanks for reading my story!

I first returned to natural in 2001. I had been wearing braids (which we now call a protective style) for awhile, and I was starting to like the feel of my new growth.  I took down my braids one day, and decided to do a big chop. Back then there was no natural hair movement, no social media, and there were very little natural hair products. I had no clue how to take care of my natural hair, but I liked it!

I saw my mom that morning, and I expected her to love it.  She has worn short natural hair almost my whole life.  Well, she didn't love it.  She didn't even like it. She preferred my neck length relaxed hair, and she was vocal about it. Strike 1! I visited my long time hair dresser later on that day to even out my cut.  She suggested a texturizer because my sides don't curl.  Strike 2!  My boyfriend at the time suggested that I let his mom press it with a hot comb.  Strike 3!  I liked my hair, but didn't get much support with my decision.  I wore my twa (teeny weeny afro) for 2 days and got braids again.

Fast forward to 2002.  I was still natural, but never wore my hair loose.  I planned on wearing it loose when my hair got longer.   That never happened!  I had a friend help me take down one of my braided styles and she cut my real hair along with the synthetic hair.  My hair was severely uneven, so I decided to relax it again after 18 months of being relaxer free.

I wore a relaxer for years without giving it a second thought.  My hair wasn't damaged or breaking, and it was a pretty good length.  I thought it was pretty healthy.  I relaxed about every 8 weeks, and got a blow out every 2 weeks.  A blow out on top of a relaxer... I'm surprised my hair follicles aren't dead!

I'll skip the almost 10 years in between to keep the story short.  I became curious about my natural hair again around 2010.  The growth of my relaxed hair became stagnant.  It never seemed to grow past my shoulder blades.  I tried a healthy relaxed hair journey that didn't garner any results.  Still, I wasn't ready to return to natural.   

But then I had a baby!  My hormones were all out of wack from becoming a mommy again and breast feeding.  I had terrible night sweats.  I would wrap my bouncy hair at night and wake up with stringy damp hair in the morning.  Keeping up with my relaxer and fresh blow outs also prevented me from exercising and shedding the baby weight.  I had a talk with myself and decided to transition in 2011.  The plan was to transition for a year, gradually cutting the relaxed ends off over time.  After five months, I could no longer deal with two different textures.  I stepped out of the  shower after washing my hair one evening in December 2011 and grabbed the scissors.  Hello twa, I missed you!

By 2011, we were deep into the natural hair movement.  I was in Heaven!  Yay!  The urge to return to our roots was in full effect!  I'm a first generation Liberian American, so I was always in touch with my "Africanness".  I have two sons, so I couldn't pretend that I did it to set an example for my daughter.  I did it for ME, and it is the best hair decision I've ever made.  No more worrying about getting my hair wet.  No more spending half my Saturday mornings in the salon. No more scalp burns.  No more wearing the same 2 styles every day for years.  This time I didn't care what anyone else thought.  It's just hair.  I knew it would grow back, and boy did it!

It's been three and a half years since I big chopped.  My stretched natural hair is now arm pit length, and my hair is healthier than ever.  I embrace every curl, coil, and kink, on my head.  I joke and say I have 4 abcz hair, and I love it! Natural afro hair is so versatile. There is no other hair on the planet like it.  

My hair journey isn't over. l'm still learning my hair as it changes and grows. l posted my brief journey because I want Janomi Hair to represent the modern day naturalista.  She's a mom, she's a wife, she's a student, she's the girl next door, and most of all; she's relatable.  I don't ever want this site or any of Janomi Hair's social media pages to feel like some unreachable corporation that's only after your coin.  I post advice and information, as well as develop products from experience and research. Like most naturalistas, I've gone through lots of trial and error with my hair, but I have had lots of fun along the way. 

The first product, Janomi Essential Hair and Scalp Oil, was formulated as a solution to various hair and scalp needs all in one bottle.  It was tested on women with various hair types.  They provided feedback and made me aware of the uses of the oil that extended beyond its initial purpose.

Thank you for allowing me to introduce Janomi Hair, LLC to you.  Stay tuned, there is much more to come!