No, this post is not about a hunk. It is about my latest purchase…a huetiful steamer.
As I have stated before on this blog, the best thing you can do for your hair is to supply it with moisture. Water is great, but steam is even better. I bought this steamer because
- I got tired of going to the salon to get my hair steamed. Anything I can do to avoid leaving my house is usually my preferred choice.
- Is it just me or do salons charge an exorbitant fee for steaming hair?
- This steamer can be set up on a table such that it does not require any floor space (which I don’t even have).
- It comes with a facial attachment so I can steam my face as well. Works well with my OCM method.
I had watched and read a lot of reviews on the internet about how great this steamer is so I bought one for my daughter and I. I haven’t set it up or used it because I have been away from home, working. Thankfully I get to go home next week (thank you Lord) so I guess I will finally be able to use my new steamer.
I will probably do a review and let you know if it is really worth all the hullabaloo.
I have to say though that I am not at all pleased with huetiful’s customer service. I contacted them in January about getting me a 220v model that I could use in Nigeria and they responded to tell me that it would be available in February 2011– which meant waiting several weeks. I waited and in February, I contacted them and got no repsonse. I contacted them again at least 2 times (even as late as April) but never got a response. So I am stuck with the 110v model in a 220v country. I guess its time to go and buy a portable transformer :(. I would have bought any other ol’ steamer but still went for this one because it is so portable.
So you are probably wondering why I wanted steam so badly that I still bought a 110v model? That is because steam is hair’s best friend (my relaxed friends, this applies to you as well). Here are some reasons why:
- Hair that has been steamed sees a drastic reduction in frizz.
- Steaming reduces the dryness that afro hair is naturally prone to. This works with relaxed hair too.
- The steam opens the outer layer of the hair shaft and allows your conditioner to go in and do its work. All the benefits of your conditioner are delivered straight to its intended destination (just as the OCM method opens the pores and allows the oil to sink in).
- Hair is more easily detangled after a steam treatment. In fact, you actually get less tangles.
- Steaming leaves hair soft and manageable (yes that word that is constantly used in the “un-“ version when afro hair is being discussed).
I would advice that everyone gets periodic steam treatments (the natural haired girls need more frequent steaming than the relaxed girls).
This post’s title also mentions commenting. I have been having a hard time leaving comments on people’s blogs. WordPress is not a problem but blogger is another matter.
Please if you have a blogger (blogspot) account, it would be really helpful if edited your settings to allow those of us that have a Name and URL to leave a comment. Corner shop, yes I’m talking to you, lol! I actually have a blogger account but I find that with some blogs I can’t leave comments even when using that blogger account. So this is my appeal to you. Thanks!
All pictures from: http://www.behuetiful.com/
Rhapsody
Blessings….
I tend to stay away from purchasing too much things that require more usage of electricity, having been a hairstylist eons ago I go the low tech way when it comes to steams and hot oil treatments and yes even facials.
quickly…..hair steam or hot oil treatments the low tech (budget way). Done mostly on Saturdays – Shampoo and rinse hair, apply conditioner, wrap with a plastic bag and proceed with my days chores, if I have to go to the grocery store then I get one of my beautiful wraps and wrap my head (lol, lol no one knows whats under there). After a few hours the head is good and steamed, sounds crazy but it works. For hot oil treatments, i was and condition then use a hot oil treatment or create my own and do the same procedure. Wrap head in plastic and proceed with my daily chores then rinse out. Works wonders. I can almost see the incredulous look on your face and hear the laughter, its all good, laughter is good for the soul, plus how do you think the come up with a micro way of doing it – invent the steam machine or the hair dryer, so one can accomplish the same things in a short time span. Am not in a hurry, I got work to do around the house that would occupy me for at least few hours. hehe..
Low tech facials (budget friendly) – cleanse the face, using as clean towel fill a bowl with warm water as warm as you can stand, soak the towel in it, squeeze out some of the moisture and apply to face holding it there for a few minutes. Repeat process a few times and you get the same results. Steaming opens the pores. To close back the pores do the same procedure only with cold water. Cold water closes the pores.
In case you were wondering. I have long natural hair-mid back and no it is not is not lock. People are often surprised when I let my hair down, the reaction I get is “Oh damn girl, I didn’t know your hair is so long.” Yes its kinky hair. In regards to my face, I have no pimples and years and God has been good to me.
Don’t give take me wrong, I loves me the fang dangle gadgets. I just love paying less hydro (electric bill) better.
Thanks for the ear, ha ve a fabulous one….
Rhapsody
Natural Nigerian
You caught me….I am a lover of all things electronic so I do the high tech way if I can. I use high tech when I am in a bit of a rush (and there is not power) and the other method when I am just chilling.
However, the methods that you described are quite correct. I use the low tech steaming method as well (see here) and the low tech method here.
Like you said, both methods work.
Thanks for going into detail…that is exactly the sort of comment I like.
Afrouts
Okay…I’m a rather innovative person and I like trying out stuff…when you called this a steamer, I thought of other uses for it.
lol…Don’t ask me what oh…
Natural Nigerian
Okay, I’ll bite, lol…what other use?
chizy k
hmm nice, i’ve learnt something new today
http://chizys-spyware.blogspot.com/
Chizy
Natural Nigerian
Hey Chizy…I am glad
Culturesoup
What a great post, i learnt something too. I’d never heard of this way of getting moisture in the hair before. Rhapsody’s comment was also very enlightening.
Natural Nigerian
Hey Culturesoup, I am glad you learnt something new.
Titi's passion
Thanks for the information, wow you have so much detailed information and useful information about hair care. i’m bookmarking you.
Natural Nigerian
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Natmane
Great post!! Most of us overlook the importance of getting a good steam treatment. I agree with all points except for the first. I think frizz has a lot to do with weather. Fighting frizz in a humid country like Nigeria is a battle hardly won.
Natural Nigerian
Thanks! Steaming works for me…no frizz whatsoever. In fact, I think the humidity in Nigeria allows my hair to flourish. Whenever I travel and it is dry my hair suffers. I guess it is a matter of what works for one does not always work for others.
Natmane
Thats what I tell most Ladies who tell me that the weather abroad makes hair grow… O_o…like really?
About your hair…wow…please share how you avoid frizz. I love my hair big and puffy…i’m not really big on defined hair but i’ll love to learn how you do it.
Natural Girl
Hi Margaret, can you give me tips on making a home-made leave-in conditioner.. What do you use?
Natural Nigerian
Hi Natural Girl. You can refer to my post on making a rich deep conditioner here . By the way, my name is not Margaret. That was another reader that responded to you on another post.
Natural Girl
Oh My Bad, Thanks anyway
Natural Nigerian
It’s alright. I hope you find the post helpful.
Adiya
I’ve never actually known what steaming does exactly. Thanks for this. Really, how do those people do business then? :s
Natural Nigerian
You are welcome. I was not impressed by them at all…
lola
Can one buy the steamer in Nigeria? and where? Thanks for your reply
Natural Nigerian
Hi Lola. I don’t believe it is. Like I said in the post they don’t even have the 220v version.
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