Heat Protector...What is that? Where do I start?

Whenever the name "Heat Protector" is stated, persons feel a sense of relief as it is supposed to offer a safer and smoother styling process against heat. So with all this information passed around daily in salons, beauty supplies, homes, etc., why does OXX System refuse to add such a so-called "fantastic" item to their product line?

Trust...we get this question thrown at us all the time and it is one I have so much fun answering. In order to do a thorough explanation, it is best to start with the basics and an analogy.

It is important to remember the hair protruding from your scalp is "DEAD". Yep...no joke..."DEAD". These strands have no blood vessels which is why we are able to "CUT", use "HARSH" chemicals and "HEAT" without screaming for mercy. Think about it for a second. Have you ever coloured your hair and felt your scalp burning? Been doing a straightening service and felt as if your scalp was on fire? Notice I did not say your hair was burning or on fire but your scalp! This is because your scalp is alive and sensitive to touch and feel. NOT your strands! Your hair is absolutely void of sensations.

The scalp is an extension of our skin so I will switch to "skin" for this analogy. Please do NOT try this at home. I am only offering an example as it is literally dangerous and will cause body harm. That said, what do you think would happen if you smeared some "heat-protector" on your arm (skin), turned on your curling or flat-iron to the degree / setting you typically use in your hair and placed it where you applied the product? Needless to say, you would immediately remove the iron as not only will it be painful but you could get badly burnt! Why didn't the "heat-protector" absorb the heat from the iron? What happened to all those promises?

Promises, promises and more promises. If your strands are unable to send warning signals that the product is not lessening the burning, how will you know? Think about it. Makes sense right? This means applying a serum or butter before using heat is basically the same thing as using a heat protector. It helps with a smoother glide of the iron but has absolutely NO ability to reduce the heat. NONE whatsoever.

It is so easy to declare offerings when hard to actually gauge and hair is an easy target. So until there is truly such a thing as a "heat-protector", rest assured it will never be a part of our product line.

Until next time, Stay Safe!

The OXX Family

Why Only Shoulder Length?

So we have not posted a blog for a while but rest assured we are still on top of better hair practices. Hair-care is an ongoing "lifestyle change" that should never take second place. Let's be honest...our hair matters regardless of length or texture and rest assured, OXX will always have your back with advice and solutions.

So we just happened to see an IG post where two older Caucasian women were truly surprised to know this African-American woman's braids were not false. They were so intrigued as they never thought afro textured hair could grow to any remarkable length. The truth is OXX knows the "Black women hair cannot grow long" MYTH all too well and sadly, this belief is also shared by some Black persons. Hopefully one day we can put that ridiculous notion to rest. We keep reminding persons in order to realize length, especially when chemically processed (colour, relaxer, semi-permanents) it boils down to two things - good products and proper regimen / standards.

That's right folks. It will NEVER be just about products. The reason is due to the delicacy of coils/curls. In its natural state, afro textured (Black hair type) is fragile, which is why it breaks easily. So just imagine how much more delicate the strands are when relaxers and other harsh chemicals are added to the mix. The OXX Website has 24/7 Tips and Advice on how best to handle your hair. Not every tool should be used on fragile hair. Think about it...you would not use a needle best suited for satin material on leather right? Well, just as material is texture, so is hair. When it comes to afro-textured coils, things have to be done a little differently.

For example, we do NOT like brushes in afro-textured hair. Okay, some may scoff at this outlook but we are sticking to our philosophy. Why? Because it has too many bristles and they rip through the hair like "What"!!! Trust us...you do NOT need a brush.

Remember, our hands are tools too. Use them at times instead of a comb and if you are going to use a comb, use a wide tooth and be gentle. Practice makes perfect so start today to make that lifestyle change. Long hair is not for everyone, but if you wish longer than shoulder length hair, it does not always have to be false!

Until next time, love your tresses!!!

DIY Pedi's!

I am not sure how many persons feel the way I do about pedicures and the fact that they mess with my patience level. Where many find them relaxing, I truly cannot wait to get out of the chair and get on with my day.

On the flip side, if there is one thing that embarsses me, it is to have my friends say my feet look dry, or rough. Although I dislike the pampering of a pedicure, it is imperative they are looking soft, smooth and properly moisturized. No one would ever know pedi's are not my "thing" by the look of my feet. From ever since, I do my own grooming where that is concerned.

There are quite a few types of foot scrubs on the market. Depending on the condition of your feet, the choices are endless. From my experience, unless there is an underlying medical problem of extremely dry skin or walking barefoot a lot is your thing, there really is no need to use harsh pumice stones or scrubs. Getting back to the basics has always been my "go-to" regime and it works for most.

From ever since, a gentle foot scrub is a staple in my shower. Actually, it is double sided which gives me the option if I feel the need for a bit more sloughing. I tend to prefer the ones with a handle for easier usage and pumice stones feel rather cumbersome. Be careful and not put too much pressure as you do not want to over-slough as it may cause that unnecessary dry, flaky affect. I then follow up with the OXX Body Butter as it lasts and lasts for hours. You have to make sure your moisturizer is emollient without being too slippery. If you do this regimen at least three to four times for the week, you would be surprised how fabulous your feet will look.

Whenever I do my once or twice yearly pedicures, the technician is always surprised I am not getting professional pedis. Plus, the process/service is shorter as the work is less. So try for yourself and experience the amazing results.

Until Next Week,

The OXX Family