Two weeks ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, seven-year-old Tiana Parker was forced to choose between her hair — adorable, short dreadlocks held back with a bow — and her school, which deemed her hairstyle “unacceptable.” Tulsa’s Deborah Brown Community School sent Tiana home in tears for not being presentable for having dreadlocks. Rather than cut off her hair, she decided to switch schools. I wish this could have ended differently, with all parties recognizing that was an opportunity to introduce a very important dialogue about awareness, differences, equality, tolerance and self-love; explaining the difference in hair textures while emphasizing the beauty in all textures! Schools offer a safe, welcoming climate for children and should focus on the promotion of understanding the culturally diverse world we live in.

As your children have headed back-to-school and are getting settled into new classes, it’s important to reinforce that they are beautiful – exactly as they are. There is no better time to initiate the discussion than when doing hair before school, you only need 5 minutes! Hydrate nourish and style your little one’s hair with these quick back-to-school styling tips; long enough to reinforce self-esteem but quick enough to get them out the door on time:

Wavy Hair Styling – buoyant, light curls

Locks Styling – maintain hydration

Straight Hair Styling – reduce dullness

Twists – fight dryness

Curly Wash n’ Wear – define curls

Coiled Wash n’ Wear – control frizz

To celebrate the vast yet absolutely beautiful differences, please enjoy our Jane Carter Solution Back-to-School Sale:

Buy Any (2):
Restore Moisture Mist
Hydrate Seal & Shine
Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
Creamy Leave in Styling Smoother
Scalp Nourishing Serum
Scalp Renew
Curl Defining Cream 6oz.

Then, Choose (1) for Free:
Wrap & Roll
Natural Hold Spray Gel
Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo
Hydrate Quench

Valid on orders $35 or greater. Offer valid thru 9/20-9/23 3am PDT. Must buy any (2) of selected JCS products to receive (1) free item of lesser value. Be sure to add your FREE item to your purchase in order to receive it!

Please share, how do you encourage your children to love the skin that they are in? Join the discussion on Facebook and Twitter!

Love Your Hair,

Jane

The phenomenon continues….buns and top knots will dominate for Fall 2013! The explosion of these fun styles as a way to put your hair up or pull it back is perfectly in tune with chic fashion and not taking yourself, or your style, too seriously. It’s also the fastest and easiest way to achieve sophistication.

Buns and top knots are not only simple to create but they also allow you to get creative and form a unique look. Perfect for all hair types, the focus of these styles is to make sure your bun or knot is secure and to eliminate frizz and fly-aways.

1. Snag-free ponytail holder (they will not tangle in your hair or cause pulling)
2. Hair pins with coated tips (they will not scratch your scalp)
3. A soft bristle brush
4. Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream to smooth hair into your bun or top knot; use Jane Carter Solution Condition & Sculpt if you desire a firmer hold
5. Hair accessories to complete your look; scarf, barrette or braid
6. Jane Carter Solution Natural Hold Spray Gel to set and finish the style

How do you like to wear your bun or top knot? Please share your favorite updo images on our Facebook page or tweet us on Twitter, using hash tag #JCSupdoForFall.

Love Your Hair,

Jane

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that count — it’s what you put in your body, too. The days of cooler temperatures and fashionably warm hats are near; the combination of brittleness from the sun and lack of moisture from the chlorine/saltwater can give you unlimited bad hair days. The colder months can be brutal, and not just on your heating bill…our hair takes a beating too!

A diet that’s centered on fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, moderate amounts of red meat and whole grains is beneficial for both your hair and your body. Eating a healthy diet will keep your scalp healthy and moisturized, eliminating your nippy weather hair woes. Start your pre-Autumn hair care prep with these 4 tips to maintain healthy hair growth during the chill:

Drink lots of water. If you don’t hydrate your body, your hair follicles will not be healthy enough to produce the keratin you need to grow healthy hair.

Drink green tea. The more green tea you drink the more DHT blockers you get into your system and the more you reduce your chances of your hair shedding.

Massage your scalp. Just as little as 5-minutes at night stimulates your scalp, increases blood flow and can increase the rate of hair growth.

Consume protein. Protein will help your hair follicles produce keratin and give your strands strength.

What additional chilly weather hair tips do you use to maintain healthy hair?

Love Your Hair,

Jane

Proper inner and outer health is very important in the hair growth process; exercise and eating the right foods are the keys to a healthy lifestyle. Have you ever wondered how does exercise affect your hair health, hair loss, or hair regrowth?

In general, exercise can help you maintain a healthy head of hair and even help your body regrow hair; one of the best ways to maintain the body that will eventually assist hair growth is to carry out exercise, daily! Regular exercise increases general health and circulation in your body. Increased circulation can stimulate growth in hair follicles. Also, exercise helps reduce stress in your life, and reduced stress helps with overall scalp health.

Along with exercising, you should increase your daily water intake. Water is essential for proper hair growth; when the body becomes dehydrated, which directly impacts hair growth. Water makes up approximately one fourth of the weight of a strand of hair and when hair has the proper amount of water, it will respond by being supple, and shiny. Drink 64-80 ounces of water a day to get gleaming healthy tresses…and keep sweating it out!

Love Your Hair,

Jane

There is a common misconception out there that wealth equals success; real success has nothing to do with monetary value…rather the quality of life you create for yourself. Monetary value is the easiest thing to calculate…but…it only shows the face value of someone’s life. Unfortunately, true success is not measured by a dollar value. True success is defined by the individual as they go through life looking, searching and bleeding for the happiest and healthiest way to take each waking step.

The ability to communicate effectively and lovingly share what is your heart and in your mind, to share what is important to you; to me, what is a priority in your life is a measure of success. The ability to listen attentively to another while they express themselves and feelings without getting all worked up, because they too, have a right to have the feelings that they have. Being gracious to others, augmenting lives, being thoughtful, compassionate, gentle, charitable, forgiving, loving, patient, encouraging others and giving support as they continue to learn and grow, encouraging others to closely examine ever evolving and growing belief systems and what they want to accomplish in it before it is over – that’s success!

Success is not measured by what we have; success is measured by how we treat others. How do you define success in your life?

There is a long living myth that women with natural hair cannot grow healthy, long hair. Contrary to popular belief, natural hair does grow and grow just as quickly as other hair types. Hair growth isn’t determined by hair type, it’s determined by how you treat you hair.

There’s no miracle pill or moon cycle that you need to time you hair trimming around that will help you achieve and retain length; all that is required is your commitment to healthy hair practices. Follow these 4 tips for longer and stronger hair:

1. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle

Since your hair grows directly from your body, when you treat your body well, your skin, nails and hair benefit, too. Before we get to the outside, we need to take care of the inside. Yes, what you eat, drink and how you treat your body has an effect on your hair. You need to eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables, drink enough water and exercise regularly for your body’s overall health.

2. Just Say NO to Heat

Eliminate heat! (or at least drastically reduce) Blow drying, hot combs, pressing combs… It all dries natural hair out, which can lead to brittle, breaking hair. More breakage means less hair and more trimming. Be fair to your hair! See how long you can go without all the heat, your hair will thank you.

3. Become a Protective Style-nista

Protective styles are your best friend! Twists, braids, cornrows, updos, whatever you can think of to avoid daily manipulation, will help you retain length. Be careful of using hair accessories such as bobby pins or ponytail holders as they can cause breakage if worn for extended periods of time.

4. MOISTURE

Soft, moisturized hair doesn’t break as easily as dry, tangled hair will. Moisture is essential to healthy hair growth and length retention. The products you use in your hair make all the difference; from shampoo and conditioner to styling products, they should contain ingredients to replenish the moisture your hair naturally loses and to nourish hair for strength.

Like I said, it just takes a commitment to your hair and a bit of TLC.

Love Your Hair,

Jane