A:  You’re definitely on the road to more luster and shine, using a glaze color.

Glaze hair colors  also known as a shine gloss for your strands, has become one of the least harmful ways to boost your hair’s natural shine.

Unlike other damaging hair colors, glazes tend to be ammonia-free, so there’s no need to worry about hair breakage caused by over-processing.

Products that help give shines like oils, sprays, and greases leave your hair with product buildup and no movement or body.

We recommend using a simple clear-colored glaze since it can be used on all shades of natural, color-treated, or highlighted hair. Our favorite is JOHN FRIEDA’S Luminous Glaze Clear Shine Gloss, 6.5oz, $9, available at drug stores and mass retailers.

This affordable DIY gel-creme formula will give your hair vibrancy and shine while saving you a trip to the beauty salon.  Simply shampoo, condition, and apply glaze for 3 minutes, then rinse.

JOHN FRIEDA recommends using the glaze a minimum of three times a week.  However, we realize that most Juicy girls only shampoo their strands weekly or bi-weekly, so instead use this product as a weekly shine-surge treatment;  in which once a week  you would apply Clear Shine Luminous Glaze on dry, unwashed hair for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Believe us, you will be amazed at how healthy, shiny, and vibrant your strands look after just one use!

Q: Dear Hair Trauma, My hair constantly gets matted at the nape of my head, and sometimes I have to cut out small knots because I can’t get them detangled. How can I stop this from happening?

A: Believe it or not, it’s very common to experience tangling and matting at the back of your nape, because this part of the hair constantly rubs against your clothing and is a result of the curliest strands spiraling around each other. Often times this section is neglected when it comes to daily brushing or combing.

While, it’s more common for women with curlier wave patterns to experience tangling more than those with straight hair don’t get it “twisted” – straight hair can be just as prone to excess knots, tangles, and matting if not properly cared for.

And although we’re not quite sure what type of hair texture your rocking, Juicy still has a few helpful tips to make your detangling process less frustrating:

Q: Dear Hair Trauma, I have natural hair and I’m so tired of single strand knots and split ends. I’ve been contemplating giving my hair a trim but I’m not sure how to do it and I’m scared that if I get it done professionally they’ll take too much off. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do?

A: Knots, tangles, and split ends are any natural Juicy girls nightmare.

No matter how much we moisturize, condition, and care for our hair some minimal damage is inevitable. Which is why to lessen the damage, trimming is extremely important to the maintenance of your hair.

Q: Dear Hair Trauma, I just started wearing weaves and I like them, but not being able to scratch or cleanse my scalp regularly is a problem. Are there any products that you can recommend besides me washing my hair every 2 weeks?

A: Say no more! Juicy has a few promising products that will help ease this common problem for all weave wearers.

When adorning a weave, most hair professionals do recommend shampooing your hair and scalp at least every 2 weeks. However depending on your hair needs and daily lifestyle, you may need to cleanse more frequently. In this case, we recommend skipping the water and sud routine and opt for a dry shampoo instead.

Try OSCAR BLANDI PRONTO DRY SHAMPOO POWDER, 2.5oz, $21, available at Ulta Beauty or Sephora. Made with tea tree oil, natural rice, and oat & tapioca Starches this dry shampoo absorbs oil, dirt, and product build-up to effectively cleanse the hair and scalp. Not to mention the bottle also has a pointed cap, which fits perfectly in-between wefts and hard to reach braid patterns.

Another great way to cleanse…

Q:Dear Hair Trauma, How do I maintain moisture in my hair?

A: It’s actually normal for natural hair to feel dry.

Your hair’s behavior at low or high levels of moisture is very predictable. You cannot change it, but you can work with it by understanding that things like weather contribute to change in texture of your hair. The level of moisture in your hair is dependent on how dry or wet the air is (humidity).

Although it is possible to live with dry hair, it is critical to have moisturized hair when you are manipulating the hair physically. For example: When undoing a braided/twisted style, when combing or detangling hair, or when manipulating the hair in different styles. Relaxed or natural, dry hair is prone to breakage which can create other hair problems if it ever becomes susceptible to it.

Substances that retain and help absorb moisture are called humectants. Honey and vegetable glycerin are natural humectants and have been used widely to aid in sealing in moisture in your hair. When using humectants, it is important to use them in temperatures with warmer temperatures, because in colder months they can steal moisture from your hair, making it drier. .

Misting your tresses with water is also usually helpful, or using products like Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie,$20 HSN.com, to give your dry, stressed hair the moisture it craves.

A: In the words of MICHAEL JACKSON, “you are not alone.” Tons of Juicy girls are ditching their relaxers and rocking their hair in its natural state.

The first thing you need to know is, just because you decide to transition from chemically processed hair to natural hair doesn’t mean you have to BC (big chop, big cut) over night. Some natural gals take the short road and big chop after weeks or months without a relaxer while others wait years to part ways with their chemically relaxed ends.

Protective styles are extremely helpful when transitioning to natural hair. Because natural hair takes time and needs extra special care, protective styles are a quick fix that, when used properly, can improve hair health and help hair growth. Braids, weaves, and wigs are protective styles many transitioners use.

The next thing you need to remember is MOISTURE! Locking in moisture is an essential part of maintaining healthy hair. Your hair will be in a very vulnerable state while transitioning so the more moisture you use the less likely you are to have dry, unhealthy hair. Deep conditioning and baggying, are two key ways natural girls seal in the most moisture.

Minimal heat styling is essential during one’s transition because too much heat can leave hair limp, lifeless, and damaged which is the last thing someone trying to grow out their hair needs. A good way to combat heat usage is to wear heat free hairstyles like curling rods and bantu knots.

Lastly know before you decide to go natural it’s your personal decision. Friends, family, co-workers, and sometimes significant others may not welcome your new natural look, but stick by it and wear it with confidence.

A: With the recent popularity of natural hair styles and transitioning, you would think seeking a style that fits would be effectively filtered and way less overwhelming.

The information is endless, but for someone who has straightened their natural curl texture with thermal heat for the last 5 years, the one thing to remember is to continue to  stay relaxer free.

You will also need to give your hair a break from constant heat from time to time by implementing protective styles, styles that help prevent your hair from excessive heat damage.

Curly and kinky hair textures have various bonds in them that, when altered by chemicals or thermal heating, can cause irreversible damage (straight ends) and breakage.

Curly hair requires very different styling regimens and products than natural kinky hair or other natural textures.

Juicy has chosen 8 thermal free natural styles with step-by-step tutorials, that we’re confident you can achieve with ease:

Read more inside...

Q: Dear Hair Trauma, I’m a Juicy girl with natural hair and I’ve been dying to use henna in my hair but I’m a little confused. Can you give me some pointers?

A: First and foremost, pay attention to what your stylist uses and does to your hair when you are at the salon.

Start by finding shampoos and conditioners that work for your hair. It wouldn’t hurt to ask your stylist for suggestions and possibly cheaper alternatives to professional products they may use at your salon.

When it comes to detangling hair, be sure to  always use a wide tooth comb. Be gentle and start combing from the ends working your way up to your roots to avoid unnecessary breakage. Parting your hair into sections makes this process easier as well.

When blow drying and/or flat ironing hair, a heat protectant is an absolute must. If your hair is colored or relaxed use the lowest heat setting possible, natural girls can bear a little more heat.

Keep hair moisturized daily with a creme moisturizer followed by an oil sealant. Don’t use black gels or holding sprays with alcohol. Anything that may dry out your hair must be avoided.

Try low maintenance styles like ponytails and buns secured by anything other than rubber bands, which aid in the breakage of your hair.

Lastly tie down your hair at night with a satin scarf.

By following these tips your hair should stay healthy and your stylist will be impressed by your effort to upkeep, making their job a little easier.

- Natelege Whaley