You are what you eat…honest! When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not only what you apply to your hair and scalp, that’s important…but what you put into your body. Take a moment to step away from the mirror and into your kitchen!

Like your body, hair grows faster and stays healthier when it’s nourished by a well-rounded diet full of unprocessed foods. A “healthy” hair and body diet should include foods high in protein, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, B and C, and Omega 3 oils.

Here are the Top 10 Foods that you should add to your diet:

1. Seaweed

2. Citrus Fruit (oranges and grapefruits)

3. Blueberries

4. Sardines and Salmon

5. Lentils

6. Eggs

7. Wheat Bran and Wheat Germ

8. Watercress, Spinach, Kale

9. Brown Rice

10. Cantaloupe

For additional information on growing, keeping and maintaining your healthy hair, download my free eBook, The Three Simple Secrets To Growing Great Hair.

Love you Hair,

Say goodbye to cold winds and hello to the warm sunshine! Spring and Summer is the perfect time for a new hair color! 2010 Spring/Summer hair color trends are warm and natural looking, nothing too extreme or harsh.

Blondes - Golden tresses with warm highlights that are well blended. Platinum blond can be hot if done right and kept from looking brassy.

Reds - Natural looking shades of red hair, if you prefer a bolder red go for shades of plum and copper.

Brunettes - Shades of hazelnut, coffee, and caramel with highlights are seamless and well blended.

Color treated hair requires tender loving care…and MOISTURE! Remember, moisture means water not “grease”. Jane Carter Solution has what you need, try:

• Moisture Nourishing Shampoo
• Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
• Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner
• Hair Nourishing Serum
• Hair Nourishing Cream

Did you try a fabulous new hair color this summer or add some highlights? I’d love to see, post your picture on my Facebook page!

Love Your Hair,

Summer is officially here! Join me on the Ask Jane Blog as we launched our Summer Hair Series on Tuesday, July 6^th. I’ll help you navigate your way through the scorching summer months by discussing how to keep your hair healthy and stylishly carefree. We’ll talk about protecting your hair from salt and chlorine, curl control, caring for colored tresses and much more!

Our Featured Product of the Month is Natural Hold Spray Gel; an alcohol free, water based spritz that provides soft hold for curls. It serves as heat protectant when using a flat-iron or curling iron and smoothes the hair cuticle for a frizz-free finish! Spread the word about our 20% off coupon on your next purchase of Natural Hold Spray Gel (coupon code: freed0m).

Stay tuned for more information about our amazing new product, Curl Defining Cream, plus information about events that I’ll be attending during July. I look forward to seeing you!

Love your SUMMER hair,

Braids are a popular, low maintenance style during the sizzling summer months. Notice that I said low maintenance – not NO maintenance! Braids require maintenance – which includes washing every other week.

It’s a common misconception that braids cannot be washed without slippage…some men and women go two months without washing their scalp! This leads to a build up of dirt and sebum which clogs hair follicles resulting in dry, flakey scalp. You simply cannot maintain good hair and scalp health under these conditions.

Before braiding, use Scalp Renew , our pre-shampoo treatment, which is formulated to exfoliate debris from the scalp, detoxify the scalp and soften sebum. This will ensure that your scalp is clean prior and lessen the chance of scalp problems associated with braids.

How to wash your braids:

1. Apply net
2. Dilute one cap full of Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo SLS Free in a spray bottle filled with water
3. Mist scalp thru the net
4. Rinse
5. Mist hair with Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner
6. Apply Nourish & Shine to the scalp and hair
7. Dry

Mist hair daily with Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner for rehydration and massage a small amount of Scalp Nourishing Serum into your scalp every other day to combat dryness and maintain scalp health.

Love Your Hair,

Conditioning is extremely important for African-American and/or multi-ethnic hair as it adds the much needed moisture to dry, brittle hair. Using conditioning treatments regularly gives hair the extra flexibility it needs so stay strong in harsh weather. It also makes combing it easier. Try Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner under a heated dryer to maximize your conditioning experience, detangle, and rinse with cool water.

The reason for the cold water is that it seals in the moisture and closes the cuticle. This also helps to prevent frizziness and adds shine to hair. Follow with Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, style as usual.

Love your Hair,

My favorite time of the year is approaching - summer! I love a bit of summer fun, ESPECIALLY in the water. There is nothing better than taking a dip in the pool or having a family day at the beach…wherever I choose to play; my hair cocktail will keep damage away.

Hair needs to be protected from chlorine, sea salt, and the sun. Chlorine and salt water will dry, discolor, and damage your hair - chlorine binds to your hair, filling in gaps in the hair shaft while the minerals in salt water can make your hair brassy and brittle. The results? SEVERE DEHYDRATION!

The following steps will protect your hair until you get home or back to your hotel room if vacationing.

Summer Hydration Cocktail

1. Before diving in, completely wet hair with water and Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner.
2. Apply a thin layer of Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner.
3. Dive in!
4. Immediately rinse hair thoroughly with water and rehydrate with Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner until you are able to shampoo and condition later that same day.

After a day of sun and swimming, I recommend doing the following to take care of your hair and scalp:

• Shampoo twice with Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo SLS Free
• Follow with Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner under a conditioning cap and apply heat for deeper conditioning
• Rehydrate with Leave-In Conditioner and style as usual.

Remember to moisturize daily with Hair Nourishing Cream or Nourish & Shine to restore and maintain moisture balance (for your hair and your skin).

The goal is to hydrate, hydrate, and then hydrate some more! It’s imperative to steer clear of synthetic oils such as mineral and/or petrolatum oil, as they further dehydrate hair. Also avoid products that contain drying alcohol and sulfates. Remember, hydration is essential in protecting your crowning glory!

Love your Hair,