MopTop Blog
Embracing Natural Beauty: Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance at 17
We love our MopTop customers, and we especially love to hear their stories and follow their hair journeys. Here’s one that particularly touched me from Sarah, who is 17, and coming into her own as she embraces her natural beauty. “Ouch, Mom!” These are two words I remember constantly yelling as a little girl during neighborhood parties as my mother raked through my knotted mess of hair, while all the other little girls began to play. Rarely does one phrase signify so much, but part of me ‘being me’ is the fact that I have extremely curly, strawberry blond hair that twists and turns, and closely resembles ramen noodles. My hair is so big that I break hair ties on a daily basis, and it’s about as frizzy as an old sweater. However, it is mine and it is what I get to work with. I am known for my hair. The very simple idea that my hair is like a fingerprint and unlike anyone else’s has forced me to not only learn how to manage my hair, but also to accept change and the natural me. During the many stages of a girl’s life, insecurities will abound, but many are quickly pushed aside because to everyday people they are not noticeable. For a girl, however, your hair can determine what kind of day you have and how you feel about yourself. I still remember fifth grade vividly because I had to learn how to do my hair by myself. Ordinarily, this would not seem complicated, but I repeatedly messed it up and ended up looking like a lion, and felt embarrassed by my appearance for the rest of the day. Time after time, I sat in front of my mirror and tried to do my hair, however as the years went by and I thought I had figured it out, something would change, like the curl pattern or the texture, and I would have to start completely over again. This was incredibly frustrating, and that frustration was compounded by both personal and outside influences . From the outside looking in, I was just a girl who woke up and cried every day while struggling to make my hair look presentable, but really I was a girl struggling internally to accept who I was and be my natural self. Magazine covers constantly showed girls with beautiful straight hair. One article in particular spoke to me. Although I do not remember the magazine name, I remember the message: all girls look better with straight hair. Immediately, my mindset changed about liking my curly hair and I begged my Mom for the only thing that would make me happier, a Brazilian Blowout. Filled with formaldehyde and harmful chemicals, not only was I begging my Mom to destroy my hair, but I was ultimately asking her to destroy my identity. I was blinded by personal opinions confirming the article, including my best friend and father expressing a preference for my straight hair. Regrettably, I fought against myself to try to be “perfect” for the world, until I realized that having straight hair was not who I was naturally. It has now been two years since I last straightened my hair and although many days begin in frustration, a million tiny strands have taught me that you must work with what you have. Persistence in the face of change is a very valuable lesson and I am grateful that I never gave up on being me. I felt like my body was being pulled in two directions, one by my wild hair and the other by the world, but I eventually discovered more freedom and security in being independent and being myself than conforming to the patterns of society. Trying to be like everyone else never satisfied me, as I had once hoped, but being my authentic self does. I have decided that when people tell me I look like a lion, or pretend to eat my “ramen noodles”, or tell me my hair is SUPER frizzy, that is okay because that is what makes me who I am.
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Start Early: Confidence with Textured Hair
As Thanksgiving approaches with Christmas on its heels, we often reflect upon our accomplishments and our gratitude for what we cherish most. My three lovely daughters always factor high on both my accomplishments AND what I’m most thankful for. My goals are simple – to be present with them, to model integrity, modesty, and confidence, and to hopefully inspire them to embrace who they are, from head (and hair) to toe – minimize the insecurities, maximize the outcome. CristinaC of NaturallyCurly.com recently surveyed eight women (I was honored to be included among them) on how to raise confident daughters with textured hair. Read Cristina C’s article here. Be thankful, be blessed – Happy Thanksgiving!
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Jumpstarting Hair Growth: How Supplements May Help
The Rapunzel Complex When I started the MopTop line, I was experiencing hair loss, and had to really get a grip on what was going on with my hair. I suffer a bit from what I call the “Rapunzel Complex” – this is where I panic at the thought of cutting or losing my hair. I think most women can relate to this sentiment. Typically, hair will grow 1/4 to 1/2 inch per month on average. Not only was my hair not growing, it was thinning. As I researched hair loss, it became evident that one big issue for me was that the silicones in the traditional products I used were “laminating” my hair. Also, co-washing was in vogue, and I was only co-washing rather than using shampoos, and that resulted in sebum build-up (i.e., an oily, waxy substance our body produces). Some degree of product residue on the hair is common for most people. Because almost everyone has residue, I was driven to create a go-to product to clarify, or “super detox”, the hair and scalp.– By removing build-up from the scalp, hair can grow more freely again.– By removing build-up from the hair, the hair is restored to its natural texture, looks healthier, and is easier to manage, style, and hold color or highlights. Clarifying my hair was a great start and a step I repeat every 4-6 weeks. However, that did not address the fact that I wanted my hair to grow back more fully… AND faster… but in a way that supported my natural lifestyle. How to jumpstart the process? Supplements for Hair Growth (ALWAYS consult a physician before taking supplements!) I spent a considerable amount of time skulking about in the supplement aisles of my local natural foods stores. Over time, I discovered a supplement combination for accelerated hair growth that has given me great results. – One (1) scoop of Collagen 1 & 3 in powder form an hour before I eat in the morning (absorbs better with orange juice)– Avoid protein for one hour to maximize absorption– Vegital Silica (taken as directed on bottle) I took this combination for 6 weeks before I saw a noticeable difference. The curlier your texture, the more difficult it may be to “see” hair growth, but when I started getting comments and compliments from friends and family, I knew it wasn’t just wishful thinking – the difference was measurable. Roll on Rapunzel! Upside:– Results!Downside:– Remembering to take them!– Supplements can be expensive.– More frequent shaving. BEFORE AFTER {Disclaimer: Not all supplements work as well or in the same way for all individuals. I am excited to have found something that works for me and to share this information with others, but each individual is different and must research and choose what works for them (one friend swears by shark cartilage, another by horsetail). This blog is purely one person’s perspective, and should not be considered medical advice to cure or treat hair loss, or any other condition. Always consult your physician before taking supplements.}
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Video Blog: How MopTop Was Born (in 3 minutes!)
Kelly gives the 3-minute shorthand version of the MopTop story - what inspired her, how MopTop was born, and what she uses on her own hair!
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Feel Better, Make Better Choices: Write Your Own Story
“If it’s not good, it’s not over.” Granny Caldwell As I was woke up this morning, God brought to mind this phrase and I was reminded of a series of situations in my life. I’m an optimist by nature, but I’ve padded out my optimistic thinking with actions that will help me stay positive. I exercise, I eat thoughtfully, I move constantly, I laugh a lot. I find that the better I feel about myself, the better my day will go and the better choices I’ll make. Even with all the extra effort, I still don’t have the power to write my own story because life happens. Life Is Real I think if we COULD write our own stories without interference from the world, the universal theme would be EASY. No broken hearts. No death. Financial security. And keeping our bikini bod into our twilight years without crunching ourselves into a coma. We’ve all had obstacles flung in our path. Sometimes one significant event at a time to grapple with, other times a series of events that culminate in a mental rockslide that buries us up to our neck. I’ve had a foot in both camps. To give you an example, within a two-year period of my life, I had to deal with the news of a potentially unviable pregnancy to hearing that my unborn child might be riddled with birth defects, months of scary tests and diagnoses, a disabling (for me) birth, physical impairment to the extent of which I was unable to pick-up my child for 18 months, insurance denying coverage, loss of my job, feelings of despondency. Not a great patch and not how I would have written it if I’d been the sole author of my story. At the same time, if I had not been faced with those struggles and challenges, I also may not have taken the same path which has made me stronger, more empathetic toward others, and more rooted in my faith. Or given me the courage to start my own business. Or to have another child. And another! This business of hair products is truly mission work for me. I BELIEVE that people make decisions in life based on how they feel about themselves. For a female, our hair is our “Crowning Glory” and we often identify “who” we are based on how we feel about ourselves from our top (our hair) to our bottom (literally… but we won’t go there). The whole “good hair day” mentality is real. But life isn’t just about good hair days or good hair products. It’s about the opportunities we are given and the choices we make that cobble together the story of our life, to serve, to inspire, and to be kinder than we have to be… because “If it’s not good, it’s not over.”
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Hair Loss & Potential Causes: A Top Down Approach
Getting to the Bottom of Hair Loss At MopTop, we have an “open door” policy and invite you to ask ANY questions you have about hair, and we respond to them all. Most questions are individualized about the application of products or which products are best for different hair textures, but a frequent topic of great interest has been hair loss and how to stem the tide. This issue has become more pervasive among women, and it’s one that really matters because our hair deeply affects how we feel about ourselves. Hair loss could be a symptom of an underlying condition and getting to the bottom of it may take time. I am not an expert on hair loss, so I reached out to Dr. Joyce Stroud, D.O., of Southlake Family Medicine for an informed and balanced perspective. Following is information Dr. Stroud provided to consider if you have experienced hair loss, but this should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician for health-related issues that may concern you. Hair Loss and Thyroid: What Your Hair Could Be Telling You There are many things that affect hair loss. The thyroid gland plays an important role. There are nine main factors to look at if you are experiencing hair loss. Optimal Thyroid Treatment Most cells require thyroid for proper function and that includes hair follicles. There are many forms of thyroid hormones, but T4 and T3 are the most important. If your thyroid is functioning properly, your body will convert T4 to T3. T3 is metabolically more active and is needed in hair growth. If the body is under stress, T4 will not convert to T3 easily. Most people take levothyroxine as a thyroid replacement. Levothyroxine contains only T4. There are other natural thyroid replacements that contain both T3 and T4. If you have a thyroid problem, you should have a complete panel done including TSH, free T4, free T3, T3 reverse and thyroid antibody testing. Low Ferritin (iron stores in the body) This is also a test that is important to have if you have hair loss or thyroid problems. Ferritin is needed in the growing phase in the hair follicle. Adequate levels of iron are needed for proper thyroid functioning. Iron supplements in the plant forms are needed for best absorption and least amount of side effects, as iron can cause constipation problems. Low Stomach Acid If the stomach acid is low naturally or you induce this from taking antacids, you cannot process protein efficiently which is needed for hair growth. Also stomach acid is needed to absorb iron, B12, folate, and many other nutrients such as calcium. A large glass of water with a half of a real lemon twice a day can help improve the acidity of your stomach. Drug-Induced Hair Loss The wrong type of thyroid medication, birth control pills, acne medications, anti-depressants, cholesterol lowering drugs, and steroids (to name a few) all can induce hair loss. Nutrient Deficiencies Nutrient deficiencies can come from medications, low stomach acid, poor diet, large bowel overgrowth with yeast, and abnormal bacteria. Taking a good multiple vitamin that is not synthetic and is plant-based is necessary for you. Make sure the multi-vitamin has the usual necessary vitamins, but also Iodine, B12, Magnesium, selenium and zinc. Anyone with a thyroid problem needs about 5000 IU’s of Vitamin D3 per day. A blood level of over 50 ng/ml is needed for optimum health. Sex Hormone Imbalance Sex hormone imbalances are common through most women’s reproductive lives. Many women are estrogen-dominant which is from too much estrogen related to progesterone. High or low testosterone affects the hair as well. Estrogen affects thyroid binding globulin, which affects how much thyroid you can get into the cell. Blood Glucose Imbalance Blood glucose imbalance affects thyroid and hair growth. Carbohydrates in the form of flour, sugar, pasta and rice cause great fluctuations in your blood glucose and insulin levels. High insulin causes your calories to be taken up by the cell quickly and can cause weight gain, mood changes and hormones. Blood glucose affects the conversion of T4 to T3. Many people with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s, which is an auto immune disorder. People do much better on a gluten-free food plan. Hair Loss Supplements Supplements that have proven to help the most in general are Omega 3 fish oils (2000mg a day) and Gamma Linolenic acid in the form of evening primrose oil (500mg twice a day). Diindolylmethane (100mg a day) helps prevent conversion of your testosterone to DHT, which is the pathway that causes male-pattern baldness. Biotin (1000-2000 mcg per day) is another good supplement. Knowing the cause of your hair problem will help direct which supplements will help the most. Adrenal Issue Your adrenal glands are small organs located above your kidneys. Your adrenal glands respond to your body stressors and there are pathways from your adrenal glands to your brain. Chronic stress can disrupt these pathways and can affect the correct response of cortisol release by the adrenal glands. Cortisol release is supposed to be high in the morning and slowly decrease throughout the day so you can go to sleep. Cortisol testing is best done 4 times a day though saliva testing. Low cortisol can mimic hypothyroidism and vice versa so it’s good to look at your adrenal function if you’re still feeling fatigued and have hair loss after your thyroid has been corrected or ruled out as a cause. Great fluctuations of your cortisol can affect your hair as well.
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Seven Tips to Salon Selection: Find the Best Stylist for You
Embrace Your Natural Beauty – AND Your Stylist Everyone knows my mantra: “Embrace your natural beauty.” Wouldn’t it be great to find a salon who does the same – meets you (and your hair) at the door with an appreciation for what you have to work with and a goal to help you get the best look and performance from your hair? Stylists Matter Bouffant Daddy: Where Even the Flowers Have Great Hair Ten years ago I was contacted by a stylist in St. Louis who was interested in carrying MopTop in his salon. When it comes to hair, Jeff Noble of Bouffant Daddy has a unique approach and it’s such a treat to “talk hair” with him and watch him in action. He’s part-artist, part-engineer, and he has assembled a team that is like the NASA of hair. Not only do they understand hair, but they take the time to demonstrate to the customer how to achieve the style they’re looking for and to teach them HOW TO APPLY PRODUCTS in the salon before they leave. Afterall, the customer is a walking advertisement for a salon – they want you to leave looking and feeling like a rock star, and to be able to maintain the cut, color, or style you’ve requested. They want you to come back. And to tell your friends! Unfortunately, Bouffant Daddy is two states away, so Jeff is not my regular stylist, but he has inspired the way I think about hair maintenance and what to look for in a salon and stylist. Here’s my Salon Seven – seven tips to finding the right salon for you! Salon Seven – Do you feel comfortable in the salon? Is it clean? Busy? Do you like the vibe?– Does the stylist ask you what you are trying to achieve (what you want to look like when you leave)?– Are you realistic in what you are asking of your stylist? Consider lifestyle, time you want to spend on maintenance, weather conditions such as humidity, how radical you can realistically go with color, cut, and style.– Ask what they see as a good style for your face shape and lifestyle. A true artist will try to guide you and help you look your best.– Do they cut hair wet or dry, or a combination of wet and dry? Have they been trained, or train others? There is no absolute right or wrong answer – it will depend on your specific hair texture. What you are looking for is simple – do they know their stuff? Are they listening to you? Do they take the time you need?– Do they train the client in the chair how to apply product? You can have the best products and the best cut in the world, but if you don’t apply the products correctly you will NOT have the best outcome!– Expect to pay a little more for a professional. Typically, since curly hair can go longer between cuts (and you can do a trim on your own if you get a few messy ends), it’s worth it to invest that extra savings and pay a little more for a professional. See Jeff and the Bouffant Daddy team in action: Street view: Bouffant Daddy’s in Maplewood, MO (L. to R.) Andrea, Mary, Draven, Daisy, Dale, Erin & Jeff Draven positions her customer for the best method of cutting curly hair. Draping hair allows gravity to do it’s thing – so the cut will accommodate the length and weight of the hair, and truly be customized to fall naturally. This mosaic from the reception desk reflects the Bouffant Daddy experience – each piece is individualized, stylized, and works to complete the total picture.
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Junk the Junk: Go Natural with Your Haircare!
Busy Doesn’t Have to Mean Surrender Today we know so much more about how to live well. Nutrition and exercise are critical, and most of us strive valiantly to be as healthy as possible and eliminate the junk that holds us back from meeting our full potential. Our time is too precious to be spent reading labels, and with the routine chaos of our increasingly busy lives, it’s hard to always be mindful of how to keep the yucky stuff at bay. Junk-Free Hair Products We’ve done that for you with our junk-free hair products. Our rich, aloe-based line is infused with sea botanicals and honey for maximum moisture, definition and shine. Our natural ingredients are water-soluble, so there’s no damaging build-up. Let Freedom Ring(let) with Natural Products And we are free of the really junky stuff: – NO Silicones– NO Sulfates– NO Parabens– NO Dyes– NO Phthalates– NO Soy– NO Wheat Natural, Affordable, Junk-Free. Embrace Your Natural Beauty!
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Delmar: A Love Story (Why MopTop Doesn’t Test on Animals)
Delmar is the 25 pound miniature schnauzer that wreaks havoc in my household with his unfettered love of trash and the unwelcome “gifts” he strategically deposits when annoyed. This is in direct proportion to the amount of attention he’s receiving, the length of his walks, or the quality of the garbage he’s artfully strewn across the floor, like fragrant abstract art (Picasso he is not!). Delmar is also very cuddly, playful, and smart, and his breed is shed-free, but oftentimes this does little to off-set how crazy he can make me. However, despite his shortcomings and icky habits, I ADORE this dog and would never do anything to intentionally cause him harm. Likewise, we feel that way about all animals, which is why we DO NOT test any of our products on animals. EVER. Beyond that, our ingredients are already known to be safe and natural – honey, aloe, and sea botanicals, so animal testing would be fruitless and frivolous. Embrace your animals and know that we do, too! Kelly
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