Category: Fit Hair

Fit Hair

5 Quick Tips for Summer & Fall Travel

August 21, 2017

5 Quick Tips for Summer Travel It’s officially the summer travel season. If you have been keeping up with me on Instagram or the #whereisalex hashtag you will see I have been hitting the road in the past few weeks. I was asked by Weight Watchers® Ice Cream to create some unique tips celebrating the anticipation of the summer season so here are my five super easy and fun quick tips for summer travel. Switch it Up If you are looking for cheap flights for the summer, make sure you take a look at a variety of destinations within your budget. There are tons of great deals happening to the cities of Dallas, Chicago, D.C. Caribbean and Mexico. Instead of going to Disneyland or Vegas, try going to a new destination in another country or take a cruise. This year, I opted to switch from a traditional cruise trip, which allowed me to island hop and ended up hopping within one island – the famous island of Jamaica. Bring Snacks No matter when or where I go, I always bring snacks. Nothing is worse than being delayed and being famished and irritable. I pack a variety of snacks with me so I can munch on just in case I am not able to buy food or when hunger strikes! A few of my favorites are trail mix, Larabars, Garden of Life Raw Protein and greens and fresh fruit, Make sure to rinse and clean your fruits and veggies before packing or grab an Eat Cleaner wipe to not only clean but prolong shelf life. Stay Hydrated When traveling out of the states, I have learned bottled water is very expensive. I often will bring my filtered water bottled like from lifestraw to have filtered water within seconds. But don’t forget about your hair. Make sure you have a hydrating spray, moisturizing products and daily cream to keep tresses in tact. I love the Brita Water filter water sports bottle, which saves money and offers clean water within seconds. Shop Smart If you’re going to travel, know the best days to buy tickets. According to FareCompare.com, the best days to buy is Tuesday at 3 pm. Don’t forget to compare airfare and fees on a variety of websites. Comparing fares and fees can save you tons of cash. Keep Cool When I don’t travel with this, I also make sure to have loads of foods that are cold. From frozen fruit, smoothies to desserts and low-fat yogurt and popsicles, you’ll appreciate not only the taste but also cooling off with some of my summertime’s favorites. Now that you have a few tips. I want to hear from you on how your getting ready for the summer. Let me know if your traveling anywhere or need to get away.

Crotchet Braids with Faux Locs | Moisturizing Routine

July 26, 2017

I am so in love with faux locs. I have had them for a few weeks and cannot get enough of them. I have had several questions about how I am maintaining them and keeping my hair moisturized. With so much training and working out, especially in the summer sun, the hair can become very dry and brittle. It is important to protect both your hair and scalp when having any protective hairstyle such as braids, twist, and sew-ins. As such, I made a unique moisturizing routine for my hair with faux locs, which aids in hydrating and preserving the hair and scalp. You can use the products of your choice that best suits your needs. The biggest key in this moisture routine is the use of steam to penetrate the shaft and stimulate the scalp. Items Used The Mane Choice Hair Growth Oil The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Daily Restorative Spray Q-redrew hair steamer This ultra moisturizing routine is focused primarily for women who work out or are suffering from dry hair due to hotter temperatures. When working out sweating and heat play a big part in losing moisturizer, so it’s critical to add moisture back into the hair on a regular basis. This routine has helped me a lot, and it’s straightforward, relaxing and doesn’t take a lot of time. Night Time Regimen for Faux Locs Bonus: I often do my moisturizing routine before going to bed or in the evenings, so in the video, I also show you how I lock in the moisture at night and reduce frizz or static. My Evolve Satin Hair Wraps is the biggest key to keeping my hair off my face, in place and aid keeping moisture through the night.

Five Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body

July 20, 2017

I am trying to simplify my life and make sure I am only using items I need and love. I try to invest in products that will save me time and help me as I work, train and frankly just live. I hate having a bunch of products in my gym bag as it takes up to much space and I often don’t use them all. If you are like me and are trying to simplify your life or just find some new products that are the best bang for your buck, I am listing five product that are great multi purpose products you gotta have. I picked five hair, beauty and/or body products that tackle two (or more) things at once thus saving you time, money and frankly space in your gym bag or carry on if you are traveling. Check out the video below and or hit the links to get ya shop on! Multi Purpose Products For Hair, Skin & Body Items Mentioned Dr. Bronner Hand Soap Brita Sports Bottle Q-Redew Steamer Olay Facial Wipes Rivers et Roses Candle

From Gym to Glam

June 8, 2017

This week I had a really hard workout and I just couldn’t deal with another wash-and-go yal! I am for real. I just couldn’t. So, I decided to switch it up and hit up a beauty supply store with a few bucks and came home to tame the mane and give me a new look. If you are struggling with your hair, I adore wigs as a great way to keep your hair moisturized and as a quick and easy style. Wigs, Gym, and Quick Hair Style The magic key is to pick out the right wig for your hair texture. I was in a rush so I stopped a local small beauty supply store and found this hidden gem for $19.99! You cannot beat that at all! Most natural hair wigs cost at least 4x this price. This is a BohemiuamWig by Pure Natural Samba #2. It’s about the same price online so still a steal for those of you who can’t find it in the local store. You can catch out the details of how I styled it in 10 minutes on my youtube video but I wanted to show you a close up of the wig with my actual hair. You can’t tell my actual hair from the wig so it looks super natural. After styling and cutting in the video, I put some makeup and bam!! Glammed up! See what $20, 10 minutes and a pair of scissors can do for a girl.

Top Five Vitamins & Supplements for Healthy Hair

May 12, 2017

I love supplements for a variety of reason but I preach laying the proper foundations for healthy hair from the inside out. There are a ton of vitamins and supplements aimed to help your overall well-being but not every vitamin or brand is created equal nor has the same formula. It can become overwhelming so here are my top five essential vitamins that are great for healthy hair from the inside out. Top 5 Vitamins & Supplements for Healthy Hair Multi-vitamins: Since many folks don’t gather the right amount of nutrients in a day, multivitamins are a great way to cover the basic vitamins you are missing. This is a non-negotiable vitamin for me. Every day one-a-day. B-complex: These vitamins assist with keeping our bodies running on a daily base. For example, B12 helps oxygenate the blood vessels, which leads; while B6 helps stop thinning hair. These vitamins directly assist in our energy levels and the conversion of food to fuel. Omegas: Lack of proper amount and ratio of omega fats in your diet could not only cause issues with hair loss but also the entire body. For example, a deficiency in omega-3 can cause brittle nails, change in skin condition, mental concentration, depression and much more. Probiotics: Gut health is the foundation for overall health and thus good gut health will help your body produce healthier hair. Probiotics help improve intestinal flora balance, inhibit harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. Fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are some options fo natural probiotics. Vitamin D: This is an uncommon and an overlooked vitamin because the body naturally produces it when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. Vitamin d helps with depression, weight loss, blood pressure, fighting diseases and much more. Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular and neurological disease, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Yes, lack of vitamin D can even cause hair loss as one of its symptoms. These are the basic essentials not just to hair but also overall health. Not every vitamin is created equal so make sure you compare the amount, sources and various types of supplements and vitamins that are best for you. Other supplements may vary on your daily lifestyle needs. Grab Your FREE E-Guide to learn more! WANT MORE TIPS ON HEALTHY HAIR FROM THE INSIDE OUT? CHECK OUT MY FIRST BOOK – FITHAIR FOUNDATIONS, NOW ON SALE AT AMAZON.COM. GRAB THE PRINTED VERSION AND GET THE DIGITAL FOR FREE-99

Toxic Chemicals & Hair Growth

April 18, 2017

It’s spring time and if you are like me, you are full of cleaning and purging mode. As you are working to clean your house, I wanted to recommend taking another look at the cleaning supplies you are using on a daily basis. Household Toxic Chemicals According to Organic Consumers “the chemicals in cleaners foam, bleach, and disinfect to make our dishes, bathtubs, and countertops gleaming and germ-free, many also contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched. In fact, some cleaners are among the most toxic products found in the home. In 2000, cleaning products were responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers, accounting for 206,636 calls. Of these, 120,434 exposures involved children under six, who can swallow or spill cleaners stored or left open inside the home.” Toxic Chemicals Affect On Skin and Hair As you look into the chemicals you use in your household, it is important to note these chemicals could also affect your skin, hair and overall health. There are hundreds of chemicals in these cleaning products, which a lot of them could be absorbed into your body. Additionally, these products could cause skin irritation, breakouts and affect your body, hair, scalp and overall health. Where To Buy Green Products Spring cleaning your home doesn’t have to be dirty work or potentially harm your overall health. The Grove Collaborative has some of the best natural products at great prices, delivered right to your door. It’s my favorite online site to shop for organic, eco-friendly and sustainable items like Dr. Bronner’s, Meyer’s and Seventh Generation. On my first order, I grabbed a special filled with 4 free products. Yeah! I got all this for free-99! Don’t be jealous though because as a result of joining, I can share with you $10 to spend online. Yep! So click and get to shopping and replace your toxic chemicals without the stress or harmful chemicals.

Big Chop & Hair Cut Tips

April 6, 2017

Surprise. I did my second big chop a few days ago. This honestly started off as a hair cut but somehow changed into a big chop. #YOLO I have been wanting to do something different with my hair for awhile because I was becoming VERY very lazy when it came to styling it and was frankly bored. As I am training for the New York Marathon, I realized I was spending more time and money on my hair. It was hard to see how much time I was spending wash and style my hair up to twice a week. This time and money could be used on other important things. Anytime I read the instruction on a product, it always says one pump or a dime size. For me and this mane, this meant at least 3-5x the amount of my hair. Do yal see all this hair?!! Let’s not discuss what it took to keep it moisturized with the Texas Summer. I can assure you the next 4 months with being EXTRA KRISPY SATAN HOT. Truthfully, my hair was becoming a barrier and I just wanted to start over and try something new. Deep down, I have been through a lot (wheww.. child.. if yal only knew) and I felt my hair was yelling for a major change for the new era for where I am going this year. I was a bit afraid, however, that’s a part of the process. I didn’t have much to fear because I know how to grow healthy hair from the inside out so this is a great time to practice and show you guys what I preach. I really am enjoying it and already love the styling (or lack thereof) my hair. For the first time in 6 years, I was able to use the suggested amount of product for my hair. #Winning For the first time in 6 years, I was able to use the suggested amount of product for my hair. Anywho.. If you are thinking of making a change like I did, for whatever your reasons, here are three easy tips to consider before you cut your hair. Before You Cut Do These Three Things Become Inspired: I searched a lot on pinterest, instagram and youtube videos with a variety of styles and textures. It was important to find women who had a similar texture to mine and or colors that would compliment my own. I used these as the base. I don’t copy but find inspiration. Know Your Facial Features: There are a lot of styles but frankly, a lot of them do not compliment my face. A hair cut on a person with a round face may look totally different on a person with a heart shape face. Skin tone, eye color, and cheek bones also play a part in how a style will look on you. Know what your best features are and find one that compliments the best of you. Consult with a professional: My stylist, Ashley has been amazing and part of the reason why my hair is staying healthy. When I made this decision we discussed our options and my inspiration. Since I am in Ashley’s hair every 6-8ish weeks, we didn’t have to do much on the consulting part. She walked me through everything and let me play some Beyonce while she was cutting it. This is the most important part as cutting hair is partially creating a masterpiece. Let me know what you guys think!

Common Mistakes By Beginner Runners

March 30, 2017

If you are following me on Instagram, you know I am geeked out as I have been accepted to run the 2017 New York Marathon. Woohoo! As such you can expect more fitness, training and personal post as I work on achieving one of my life long goals. As an RRCA Certified Coach, I am often asked what are some tips for beginner runners. Below are 13 Common Mistakes By Beginner Runners. Running too Fast: Everyone wants to be faster, but it takes time, conditioning and proper planning to be consistent. Many runners run too fast too soon. Running 13min miles on Tuesday for 3 miles and then increasing to a 9min mile the following day is not beneficial. I recommend having a running coach, joining a local running program. If these are unavailable, I recommend testing various paces to see what is a comfortable pace and to increase after a few weeks gradually. Running too Much: This is probably the number one mistake I see as many runners think they should run every day of the week. Running 3-4x a week while incorporating cross-training such as yoga, cycling, and weight training is vital. Improper Footwear: Small minor injuries often are the result of not having the proper footwear. Most people just buy a pair of shoe that is the cheapest or looks good. My actual running shoes are at least two sizes larger than my actual foot due to the expanding of my foot and have ample support for my pronation. Just as I go annually to the doctor for a checkup, I make sure to do a foot analysis and review my running shoes. Things change within a year and models are often replaced and may not fit the same. My running shoes vary depending on the season and mile. This is an excellent time to for what I consider a running tune-up. Not Properly Training: A lot of runners just lack proper training. I cringe when I see people sign up for a half-marathon and the have never run more than 5 or 6 miles. There are a lot of training plans on the net, but these may not work for you and your schedule. It is important to have a running coach or a certified RRCA running club for training. Not Properly Moisturizing Hair: Women forget their hair is battling the elements such as heat, dirt, and sweat while running. It is vital to keep hair moisturized before, during and post workouts. I always keep a daily moisturizing spray like the Mane Choice in my gym bag and car to ensure my hair isn’t dry. Not Listening to Your Body: Many runners simply ignore the pain or medicate signals the body is saying. Popping over-the-counter medications or adding KT tape on a sore muscle consistently is a recipe for disaster. I recommend keeping a running log and noting daily how your body is feeling so that you can discuss with your team of doctors what is going on. There are hundreds of races each year, so if your doctor recommends some off time, you should take it. Not Listening to the Professionals: Too often I see runners asking in forums or social media for advice on if they should push through an injury or should they ignore their doctor’s advice on not running. It’s always great to discuss with your doctor your training. Not Incorporating Chiropractic and Massages into Training: Adjustments and Massages often are overlooked when training. As runners hit the pavements, the body can be sent out of alignment causing multiple issues if left untreated. It is important to schedule adjustments, treatments, and massages as a regular part of training and healthy lifestyle Lack of Proper Hair Regimen: Every morning, I see women sweat for 60-90 mins only to apply heat just a few minutes later with no heat protector or suitable products. Many women do not have a proper hair regimen while training or working out, which can help you avoid hair loss or damage follicles. Make sure you create a custom hair regimen that includes the proper hair accessories, products, and regularly scheduled hair appoints to keep hair healthy. Not Resting: The “No Days Off” movement distorts the important that a rest day is a part of training. Resting is one of the most days of the training plan. Runners should adjust rest days to his or her personal schedule, Lack of Proper Nutrition: Most runners don’t understand the direct connection between performance and nutrition. Eating too much or not enough can directly impact a run or on race day. Make sure in the early part of the training you learn what meals, snacks, and fluids work best during base training. Once you find what works, stick to it. Avoiding Stretching: Stretching keeps the muscles in the body flexible allowing muscles to utilize their full range of motion. Many runners avoid stretching and Avoiding Foam Rolling: I honestly hate foam rolling, but it’s vital for anyone who exercises especially runners. According to Breaking Muscles, “By applying pressure to specific points on your body, you can aid in the recovery of muscles and assist in returning them to normal function. Normal function means your muscles are elastic, healthy, and ready to perform at a moment’s notice.”

Five Cheap Foods to Eat for Healthy Hair

March 16, 2017

Think it’s impossible to feed your family on a budget and also get nutritious foods? Being budget conscious or cheap doesn’t mean you have to forgo healthy fruits and vegetables either. Here are a five cheap and affordable foods that aid in growing healthy hair from the inside out. Carrots: From carrot juice to soup, carrots are a hair best friend thanks to their being an excellent source of vitamin A, which assist in scalp health. Carrots also play a role in sebum production, which directly helps hair growth. Bell peppers: Bell peppers are notoriously high vitamin C. Vitamin C is vital to hair growth as it helps in the process of carrying oxygen to hair follicles and even form collagen. Low levels of vitamin C deficiencies can lead to dry, splitting hair that breaks easily. Pumpkin Seeds: They are powerful seeds packed with vitamins B and K, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, potassium and copper. Pumpkin seeds also contain vitamin E and A, which helps improves the skin tone and aid in the production of new skin cells and repair. Pears: Pears contain antioxidants, Vitamin K, and copper, which help prevent line formation, tone skin and keep it moisturized. Spinach: One of The FitHair tops greens for hair growth as it contains high amounts of vitamins. Like carrots, it also plays a role in sebum production. Click For This Free E-Guide For More…. Want More?

My Book Release Recap

March 7, 2017

If you didn’t know, I wrote a book and I think it’s pretty amazing. It has been a dream of mine for some time and I am still pinching myself. I am so grateful for all who attended, those who have purchased the book and the virtual hugs. If you missed out, make sure you check out the highlights above in the gallery. You can also check out the album on my facebook page. We had a great time at Roots on Tap as attendees sipped on the juice of the day – “The FitHair Juice” and got a chance to get a signed copy of the book. Special thank you to Phoenix Michele Photography for snapping the pictures and The Garb Dynasty for styling.