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How to Determine Hair Porosity — And How to Care For It

How to Determine Hair Porosity — And How to Care For It

Porosity describes the measurement of your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. While like most factors, porosity is largely determined by genetics, it’s important to remember that your hair porosity can change due to external factors within your control, from heat to continual hair dyeing or chemical processing. When measuring your hair porosity, you’ll likely fall into one of three common categories: low porosity, medium (or “normal”) porosity, and high porosity. How do you test hair porosity at home? Thankfully, you don’t need to make any appointments to determine your hair porosity, and doing so at home is fairly simple. While they might not give you an exact result, there are a handful of quick tests that will help you become familiar with how porosity works and where you likely fall on the spectrum — below is our OurX favorite. The Float Test: For this, all you’ll need is a clear glass of water and a strand(s) of hair. (Instead of plucking hair out of your head for this specific purpose, comb your hair to release shed-prone strands.) That said, it’s also recommended to try this specific test after washing any product and build-up from your hair to get the most accurate at-home results possible. Grab a clear glass of water and a strand(s) of hair. Drop strand(s) of hair in water. Hair with low porosity will float at the top of the water. Hair with medium porosity will float, and slowly settle to the middle glass, and hair with high porosity will sink to the bottom immediately. What are the characteristics of low porosity hair? Hair with low porosity is known to be moisture resistant — so while it may be difficult to get moisture into the hair, you’ll have an easier time maintaining that moisture and won’t have to worry as much about your hair getting too dry too fast. When it comes to maintenance, you’ll want to use richer products less frequently, or use in sparring amounts, as low porosity hair can be prone to excess product build-up. Opt for lighter products and serum-based stylers to keep the hair from feeling weighed down. What are the characteristics of medium porosity hair? If you have medium porosity hair, you’ll have the easiest time maintaining your hair health and day-to-day styling, as the type features a looser curl cuticle, which allows for a consistent flow of moisture penetration. With this type, maintenance is really the goal. You’ll want to prioritize using products that will keep moisture continual (think leave-ins!), and avoid frequent coloring, and chemical processes that can alter your hair’s porosity. What are the characteristics of high porosity hair? Those with high porosity hair are more likely to experience severe dryness, frizz, and breakage. This is because this type features a porous cuticle that can easily absorb water but can’t retain it. Naturally, high-porosity hair benefits from excessive nourishment and moisture, so look into prioritizing richer, moisture-boosting products to help lock in hydration. As with all things hair,

OurX

August 15, 2024 - 2 min

4 Reasons to Use a Custom Haircare Regimen

4 Reasons to Use a Custom Haircare Regimen

From experience, we know that textured hair is not a one-size-fits all. With so many hair care products on the market, it can be challenging to find the right one that works for your hair type, lifestyle, and current needs. This is where a personalized hair care regimen comes in. In this blog post, we’ll explore why you should consider using a personalized hair care regimen and how it can benefit your hair. What is a personalized hair care regimen? A personalized hair care regimen is a customized approach to hair care that takes into account your hair type, texture, and specific needs. It involves using a combination of products that are tailored to your hair’s unique needs and instructions for use on what order to use them in, what days to use them, and how much of each product to use. Why should you use a personalized hair care regimen? 1. Address your hair concerns: A personalized hair care regimen allows you to address your specific hair concerns. Whether you’re struggling with dryness, breakage, growth, or scalp issues, a personalized regimen can help to target these concerns directly. 2. Optimize your hair health: By using products that are tailored to your hair’s unique needs, you can optimize your hair health. This means that you can improve the overall condition of your hair, making it healthier, stronger, and more hydrated. 3. Save time and money: Using a personalized hair care regimen can actually save you time and money in the long run. By using the right products for your hair, you can avoid wasting money on products that don’t work for you or cause damage to your hair. Plus, a personalized regimen can streamline your hair care routine, making it more efficient and effective. 4. Boost confidence: When your hair looks and feels its best, it can give you a confidence boost. Using a personalized hair care regimen can help you achieve your hair goals, whether it’s to have more defined curls or to reduce breakage. When you’re confident in your hair and how to take care of it, you can feel more confident overall. How to create a personalized hair care regimen? Creating a personalized hair care regimen involves a few steps: Identify your hair type and concerns: Start by identifying your hair type and specific concerns. Do you have curly hair that tends to frizz? Or do you have dry hair that needs extra moisture? The OurX hair assessment will walk you through how to answer these questions. Choose the right products: Look for products that are formulated for your hair type and concerns. This might include a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, and styling products. While OurX custom regimens are wash day products, your Hair Coach can provide additional tips on what ingredients to look for and avoid in your styling products. Experiment and adjust: Once you’ve selected your products, it’s important to experiment and adjust as needed. Pay attention to how your hair responds to each product and adjust your regimen accordingly. Check in with a dedicated Hair Coach to ensure you stay on track with your goals and your regimen can adjust as your needs change. In conclusion, using a personalized hair care regimen can benefit your hair in many ways. By addressing your specific hair concerns and using products that are tailored to your hair’s unique needs, you can improve the overall health and appearance of your hair. So take the time to create a personalized hair care regimen that works for you and enjoy the benefits of healthy hair.

OurX

August 15, 2024 - 2 min

Ingredient Deep Dive: Squalane + Hair

Ingredient Deep Dive: Squalane + Hair

Welcome to Ingredient Deep Dive — an OurX-led look into the skincare-beloved ingredients that have proven to be just as powerful in the world of haircare. In this article, we dive into the world of Squalane and why its been formulated as a hero ingredient within our treatment assortment. What is squalane? A derivative of squalene, squalene is a natural lipid in the skin that’s found in the skin’s natural oil, and as an ingredient, works as a powerful moisturizer. How does squalane support hair specifically? While most commonly discussed when talking about skincare, squalane is also an MVP in hair care thanks to the ways in which it coats and lubricates strands, locking in hydration and supporting the overall health of the scalp to boot. Additional benefits include: Increased shine Protection from heat Strengthening hair Smoothness Is squalane best for any specific hair type? Squalane’s benefits shine through regardless of hair type, but the ingredient is particularly helpful when it comes to those with damaged or extremely dry-to-brittle hair. *Where you’ll find squalane within OurX treatments: OurX Detox Cleanser.

OurX

August 15, 2024 - 1 min

Get Your Hair Vacation-Ready

Get Your Hair Vacation-Ready

As vacation season rolls around, it’s not just about packing the right clothes—it’s also crucial to think about protecting your hair from the sun. Whether you’re heading to a sunny beach destination or exploring a new city, keeping your hair safe from UV damage is essential for maintaining its health and vibrancy. Why Protect Your Hair from the Sun? Just like your skin, your hair is vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV rays. Prolonged exposure can lead to faded hair color, dryness, and brittle strands. To keep your hair looking its best, it’s important to shield it from these harmful elements. Tips for Sun Protection Cover Up: Wearing hats or scarves can greatly reduce your hair’s exposure to direct sunlight, offering additional protection. Seek Shade: Limit your hair’s exposure to the sun, especially during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Hydrate, hydrate! Replenish parched strands with a high-performance conditioner.The OurX Intensive Conditioning Compound delivers long-lasting hydration to repair dry, weak, or damaged hair. OurX Solutions for Curly and Coily Hair Sun Protection OurX Detox Cleanser: Infused with squalane, this cleanser not only purifies your scalp but also offers a protective barrier against environmental stressors, including UV rays. Squalane is excellent for adding hydration and shine, which is particularly beneficial for curly and coily hair. OurX Scalp Serum: This serum contains niacinamide, which supports scalp health by enhancing its barrier function and improving its resilience against external stressors like the sun. OurX Intensive Conditioning Compound: Perfect for deep conditioning, using this treatment before sun exposure helps ensure your hair remains hydrated and less susceptible to sun damage. OurX Treatment Leave-In: Apply this leave-in treatment before styling to protect your hair from UV rays. It helps to lock in moisture and keep your curls and coils defined and protected throughout your outdoor adventures. For those with curly and coily hair, taking extra steps to protect your strands from the sun is as important as any other part of your skincare routine. With OurX products, you can enjoy your vacation without worrying about the health of your hair. Keep your curls and coils safe and vibrant, and they’ll keep you looking fabulous all vacation long!

OurX

August 15, 2024 - 1 min

The Truth About “Tingling” Hair Products

The Truth About “Tingling” Hair Products

A lot of what the everyday consumer knows about hair products is anecdotal — even more so when it comes to textured hair. That said, it’s important to always ensure the tips you actually implement into your routine are backed by science. Case in point? The tingle-activated hair product. It’s long been communicated in curly-and-coily circles that when a product makes your scalp tingle or experience a cooling sensation that it’s a sign of the product “really” working. The most popular ingredients to evoke those feelings are peppermint oil and tea tree oil, and they happen to also be extremely common in textured hair products. Outside of natural oils, menthol is known to cause similar sensations. But are those activated feelings always a good sign? Not always. While the tingling feeling can represent the stimulating properties of products that are properly diluted, it can also be a sign of irritation. In the latter case, when your skin is irritated or experiences a trauma, your body increases blood flow to the area and sends healing cells to fix the damage. This can cause additional and unecessary inflammatory response and damage to the scalp. To avoid this, it’s important to ensure any “stimulating” or “tingling” oils are diluted in a carrier product, like a conditioner or mask, unless a physcian or lisecened cosmetologist instructs otherwise. The real — and truly safe — way to determine whether a product is or isn’t working all comes down to the results once you step out of the shower, not how the product makes your scalp feel while its still atop your head. To do that comes consistency and a open line of communication between you and your stylist — or in our case, a coach — that is intune with what your hair goals are and can help you work through which products are working for you, and which ones are actually working against you.

OurX

August 15, 2024 - 1 min

Show us your healthy hair hack—and win!

Show us your healthy hair hack—and win!

Show us your healthy hair hack—and win! Ok, we need to know your healthy hair secret. Join the #ourxhealthyhairchallenge and show off your best healthy hair hack for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card and a full OurX regimen. We know you have some amazing healthy hair tips and tricks, but if you need some inspo, you could: Reveal your go-to product that you use to protect your hair Show off a protective hairstyle you love Show off a protective hair routine, like using a sleep bonnet at night Give us your best before and after Join the challenge How to enter the challenge Use our custom audio and #ourxhealthyhairchallenge to post your healthy hair hack video to TikTok or Instagram. The more entries, the better your chance of winning! Gain 1 entry for each video you post Gain 1 bonus entry for sharing the OurX challenge announcement video on your feed or stories Enter for your chance to win We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you! Grand prize selected at random: $1,000 Amazon gift card and a full OurX regimen Runner-up prize selected by the OurX team based on our favorite submitted hack: OurX Healthy Hair Regimen, Canopy filtered showerhead, protective accessories See the official contest rules. No OurX purchase required.

OurX

July 15, 2024 - 1 min

The 101 on OurX Refillable Packaging.

The 101 on OurX Refillable Packaging.

A system that echoes our regimen-driven POV. At OurX, it was our goal to innovate across the entire user experience, from first landing on our website to refilling your products, and our packaging system is reflective of that. We kept core non-negotiables at the front of our minds in design, including on sustainability and low waste options, as well as what impacts you at home — from consumer ease to a display worthy look. The system itself echoes our regimen-driven POV, with every pump, cap, and closure representing dozens of thoughtful choices and never-ending beta tests. Vessel: The vessel is where you’ll store your products for use, designed to consider not only shower and shelf storage but also for the best hand feel, product delivery, and ease of real-time (in-shower) use. Meant to be reused again and again, the vessel is to be refilled with every pouch and is labeled with a removable band. You can rinse the vessel and put it directly in your dishwater to remove any residue. To recyle, check your local recycling and put the clean vessel directly into your recycling bin Pouch: Each formula comes in a pouch that is designed to fill a vessel in a neat and easy way. See below for a step-by-step visual look at how to use both the OurX pouch and vessel with ease. ![Refill Vessel Video] Remove vessel cap Open pouch Pour product into vessel Reseal vessel cap Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to us at info@ourx.com.

OurX

July 15, 2024 - 1 min

Scalp SOS: Identifying and Addressing Common Scalp Conditions

Scalp SOS: Identifying and Addressing Common Scalp Conditions

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, but sometimes it requires a bit of extra attention. Scalp conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis can lead to discomfort and also get in the way of your hair goals. In this article, we’ll explore how to identify and address these common scalp concerns. It’s crucial to note that while we offer general hair care tips, consulting a dermatologist or your OurX dedicated hair coach for accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment is paramount, as making medical claims requires professional expertise. Identifying and Addressing Common Scalp Conditions Dandruff: Dandruff is one of the most prevalent scalp conditions, characterized by flaky, itchy skin on the scalp. It’s often caused by an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. Over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos containing ingredients like pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole can be effective in managing mild cases. However, persistent or severe dandruff may require professional attention. Scalp Psoriasis: Scalp psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by rapid skin cell turnover, resulting in silvery scales on the scalp. While there are various over-the-counter products designed for psoriasis, seeking professional advice is essential. Dermatologists can prescribe specific treatments, including medicated shampoos, topical steroids, or systemic medications, based on the severity of the condition. Emphasizing the Importance of Consulting a Dermatologist Self-diagnosing and self-treating scalp conditions may lead to ineffective or inappropriate solutions. A dermatologist is a qualified medical professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend a tailored treatment plan based on your specific needs. If you notice persistent symptoms, such as excessive itching, redness, or flaking, seeking professional help is the first and most crucial step towards a healthier scalp. General Hair Care Tips for Managing Scalp Conditions with Textured Hair Managing scalp conditions becomes a unique challenge for individuals with textured hair. Curls and coils require special care to maintain both the health of the scalp and the integrity of the curls. Here are some general hair care tips for those dealing with scalp conditions and textured hair: Moisture is Key: Textured hair tends to be drier, and certain scalp conditions can exacerbate this. Hydrate your hair with moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Avoid Harsh Ingredients: Some ingredients commonly found in hair products, such as sulfates and alcohol, can be harsh on both the scalp and textured hair. Opt for sulfate-free shampoos and alcohol-free styling products to avoid unnecessary dryness and irritation. Protective Styling: Consider protective styles that do not exert excessive tension on the scalp. Braids or twists can be a great way to manage curly hair while allowing the scalp to breathe. Avoid tight hairstyles that may contribute to traction alopecia. Nurturing Your Scalp and Curls Scalp conditions may present challenges, but with the right approach and professional guidance, you can maintain a healthy scalp and beautiful curls simultaneously. Remember, your hair is unique, and so is your scalp. Prioritize both by consulting a dermatologist for a personalized care plan and embracing general hair care tips tailored to your textured locks. Nurturing your scalp and curls hand in hand will ensure that you radiate confidence and beauty from head to toe.

OurX

July 15, 2024 - 2 min

Never Go to a Stylist Who Does These 4 Things

Never Go to a Stylist Who Does These 4 Things

1: Stylists Who Don’t Do Consultations If your stylist isn’t doing a consultation, you should leave. The relationship with your stylist starts with a great consultation. A consultation allows you and your stylist to get to know each other, and gives you the opportunity to express your hair challenges and goals. It’s also important for your stylist to understand more about your lifestyle so that they can give you a cut or style that you can easily care for at home. 2: Stylists Who Don’t Focus On Hair Health For any style you’re rocking, healthy hair is the foundation. Your appointment should start with a shampoo so the stylist can get to know your natural texture and assess your hair’s condition. A great stylist will know how to properly detangle, section, and take care of your hair and help teach you how to do it at home, too. Look out for stylists that don’t keep your hair health in mind as they are styling- like keeping the tension too tight on your braids or not using protection before heat styling. Even if they are good at styling, the lack of attention to hair health will have negative long-term effects on your hair. 3: Stylists Who Don’t Say No In all relationships, effective communication and trust is critical. A good stylist will let you know when it’s time to give your hair a break, for example, when your hair may not be healthy enough for color. Although most stylists want their clients to be satisfied, a good stylist will ensure that you’re getting your desired style without damage, and reaching your long-term goals along the way. 4: Stylists Who Gatekeep and Don’t Share Tips A sign of a great stylist is one who is an active listener and can help you create a haircare plan to maintain at home. They should be able to recommend an at-home care routine that takes your hair’s specific needs into account. Curl pattern, porosity, density and other lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to the right product regimen that will give your hair the care it deserves. Don’t be afraid to ask stylists for their opinion on how to care for the style or service you’re considering before even booking that appointment How to Find a Great Stylist At OurX, our goal is to help you achieve your strongest, healthiest hair through a daily care program personalized just for you. That is why we are so excited to partner with Swivel Beauty, a platform for booking vetted hairstylists you can trust with your kinks, coils, and curls. OurX Partners with Swivel Beauty to Integrate Stylists Into Their Haircare Experience We know that what happens in the salon goes hand-in-hand with what happens at home during wash day and throughout the course of everyday styling. A great hairstylist is one important part to reaching your hair goals. Swivel Beauty is building the largest, global network of hairstylists who are pros at textured hair, natural or relaxed. By creating a best-in-class marketplace that serves both sides of the chair, Swivel helps talented stylists grow their business by connecting them with more clients, while also providing the experience women of color deserve when it comes to finding a stylist they can trust. Swivel offers a lot for clients, including the ability to search for stylists who can work with their texture, read reviews (filtered by the hair type of the reviewer), manage different stylists for different services, and book all in one place. For stylists, they’re the perfect complement to back-office scheduling software, thanks to their new integrations with Square Appointments and Acuity/Squarespace Scheduling, which makes it easy for them to accept bookings directly from Swivel. “We’re thrilled to see the Swivel experience integrated into OurX’s tools for their customers,” says Jihan Thompson, founder and CEO of Swivel. “We believe that everyone should have a great hairstylist as part of their haircare team so they can have their healthiest, happiest hair days.”

OurX

July 15, 2024 - 3 min

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