MAJOR Hair Improvement Since I Stopped Moisturizing & Sealing

[@gemruby41]

I don't moisturize and seal at all. I see no use for it if you use the right conditioner. KZbinrs have convinced people that they cannot retain length if they don't moisturize and seal. To me that is just nonsense. I also blow dry and flat once a week which seems to be a no no in the KZbin community. Just do what works for your hair and stop following all of these hair "rules".

[@samminu]

Exactly love. I flat iron and blow dry too once a week. Which is all you really need.

[@Babyluv_]

I just relaxed my hair on Monday. I moisturized and sealed my hair last night and I immediately realized that was a mistake

[@samminu]

@@Babyluv_ Start using the glossing polisher love. I love IC Fantasia and Proclaim.

[@lisa8084u]

@@Babyluv_ same thing happened to me a year ago. Then I found her video and I stopped. That saved my hair

[@christophernolan4539]

Hey plz help me iam new to hair care i have dry hair iam confused with my porosiy, my hair air dried within 20 mins and my hair is dry even after the shampoo and conditioner and oil , am i high porosiy i used protein products but still my hair is dry lkz help me

[@MrsFooshay]

I'm glad people are listening to their hair and stop listening to every "guru." I stopped moisturizing because I learned I was creating hygral fatigue with moisturizing with water based moisturizers. My hair was dryer and dryer. I now use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner weekly and seal with a serum. My hair has greatly improved!

[@samminu]

I know that right!!!! Thank you for validating this love. ❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕😍😍

[@ebonymachelle4086]

This! if you make sure to moisturize correctly when washing and conditioning then you wont need to constantly moisturize your hair in between washes. I just use a serum weekly too.

[@celestielsigh]

What products do you use? I notice my hair is getting worse and worse and I really need to make a change but unsure of what to use

[@MrsFooshay]

@@celestielsigh I use Olaplex products. And KeraCare hydrating detangling sulfate free shampoo is the BEST. Their KeraCare Humecto conditioner is also what I use. I seal with Chi Silk Infusion. These are the best products I've found, and I've tried a lot

[@officialsyddinpretty]

I love how everybody is realizing how a lot of the things these “gurus” recommend are arbitrary. Not based on fundamental knowledge of hair. Good for you for finding what works for you.

[@samminu]

So true love. So misleading! Thank you 😊❤️❤️💕

[@CC-lo8jj]

Absolutely love this! My hairdresser said that my hair was straw like, and I couldn’t believe it. Not with all the oils I was putting in my hair! I then bought a moisturiser and tried the moisturiser and seal method and hated how greasy and limp my hair looked. I was also thinking why do I have to do put all this oil in my hair when I deep condition it every week! I agree, we need to learn how to enjoy our relaxed hair. All this twisting and low buns: no good. My hairdresser even said, have you considered having it down? What a thought!? We need to stop over complicating things, making the process unmanageable. Yes, we need to take care of our hair, but some of us are just doing the most and we’re not getting the results to match the effort! Thanks for doing this video. It’s exactly what I needed to see!

[@samminu]

Exactly!!! Doing the absolute most and only to have heavy unattractive hair. Like when do they really enjoy their hair. Like you said, you deep conditioned every week. So no need for all of that nonsense.

[@krystenvanvuuren2913]

Yes ma’am! I thought the same about why have relaxed hair, if your always having it in protective styles or tucking it away. I want to enjoy MY relaxed hair. Love you!

[@samminu]

Exactly!! Makes no sense.

[@valeriastokes504]

Agreed!! The drier my hair seemed the more I moisturized and sealed, it was limp, always in bun, shredding got horrible and a set back. Went to a stylist who specialized in relaxed hair, had to trim the thin dry ends, about 5 inches to get to the healthy length which was a bob neck length. Stopped that moist and seal, use a gloss serum. Hair has grown in two months to just above shoulder blade. I stopped stretching and I decided to have monthly appointments, and it is worth my investment. I plan to get relaxer touch up at 14 weeks by the hair stylist. Hair is healthy and bouncy. Got rid of all those you tube products.

[@samminu]

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾Yay love!!!! So happy you switched things up. Look at the major improvement, I love it!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍💕💕💕

[@ebonymachelle4086]

Same my hair has grown a tremendous amount from a serum. My hair hates too much product. So I go for my touch up relaxer every 4-6 months and in between I do silk presses. I just make sure when i wash my hair that I deep condition and seal the moisture in after that I just use a serum on my hair every other day. And my hair is very moisturized and healthy

[@samminu]

@@ebonymachelle4086 Awesome ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕😍😍😍😍. Love it.

[@CherylTooy96]

May i know which gloss serum you use?

[@rosemarybidemi5765]

@@CherylTooy96 co-asked

[@robinrhoden5450]

Totally with you!! For me my relaxed hair was thin, lifeless and breaking horribly. I found your channel a year ago and stopped the moisturizer/seal routine. I also found a new stylist who totally agreed with you. She has worked wonders for me. No relaxer in a year. She does a keratin treatment every six months. I see her every two weeks for a wash and condition. She is a Dominican stylist who is well trained In textured hair. I’ve seen exceptional results and have cleaned out my cabinet of all oils and heavy pomade type treatments. I’m keeping my proclaim glossing polish….that I use lightly. I put a few drops of peppermint oil in it to massage my scalp before wash day. Ladies…. Stop the madness and stop the moisturizing-seal routine. Massage your scalp with a light oil (if you really need it) and let your scalp breathe and produce its own natural oil.

[@samminu]

Whoop Whoop!! This made my day. Glad your hair is thriving as it should. 😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕

[@sandrae4470]

Yes!! Well said.. Stopped moisturizing and sealing for over 2 years now, never looked back

[@samminu]

You know the deal love ❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕

[@robinblack7883]

Child I just figured out that’s was my issue… too much moisturizing and sealing cause my hair to thin. I stopped and starting monthly protein treatments and saw a difference

[@samminu]

Oh no!!! Glad you found out in time love. All the best with your new journey. ❤️❤️💕💕

[@hrhsophiathefirst4060]

I moisturize my hair with shampoo, deep condition, leave-in a bit of moisturizer and seal with Joico serum. I do this every two weeks and my hair stays soft, shiny and long.

[@samminu]

Amazing ❤️❤️💕💕

[@GailFuhlman]

I have fine hair and I used to moisturize and seal my hair. It was making it too oily, and once I stopped doing that. My hair starts growing and not breaking off. Also, I realize that I was leaving the relaxer on too long for my hair. Now I leave it on for no more than 10 minutes. I was following what the instructions said on the box. But really those instructions aren't for people who have fine hair like mine. Thank you for continuing to give us another way to make our hair better.

[@samminu]

Glad i can help love. So true about fine hair. That's why when relaxing my hair i do it half and half so i have more time and not rushing

[@domingo8882]

i hardly use moisturizers anymore cause i hate how they change how my hair feels. i mainly at times just use a serum on my hair and leave it at that..moisturizinf and sealing is overrated..as you rightly state using a deep conditioner consistently is essential and that will help the hair the most

[@samminu]

Absolutely love. You know your stuff. 😍😍😍💕💕💕❤️❤️❤️

[@tam.b9651]

omgggg girl i feel validated! years ago i started to just use serums and my hairdresser at the time shamed me when i told him i only used serums and said i needed to moisturize and seal even though my hair was feeling very good. so i listened to him and kept trying moisturizer after moisturizer and never found anything that works. so i'm just going back to keeping up with a regular wash routine and sticking with serums

[@samminu]

So sorry love that you were being mislead 💔💔. Glad you are going to the polishers. All you need is a great deep conditioner and leave in.

[@user-vy3jy8he3q]

girl i saw this video a while back when it was first posted and balked at this thinking,, what in the world this can’t be true and basically ignored it,,anyways here i am and decided to try out something new since i was getting bored of my routine and had a feeling my hair could look better than what it did ,,i decided to try out using a sulfate shampoo, deep conditioned and used biosilk & garneir sleek and shine leave in while my hair was wet ,,It dried down soooo much better compared to using non silicone products, ( i can’t believe i’ve been misled thinking silicones and sulfates are bad ) i then decided to not use any moisturizing and sealing products to maintain my braid out and just use the new serums i purchased & my hair is softer it’s smoother and it’s frizz free! It looks so much better compared to how it looked when i would moisturize and seal, it would be dry by now. i’m in shock, you can’t find a relaxed youtuber on here that doesn’t promote moisturizing and sealing and that definitely played a part in my relaxed hair journey. This video is nothing but facts ,,,maintaining the hair instead of moisturizing and sealing,,,game changer i can’t wait to see how my hair thrives using this new method,,,and your delivery is very comedic i love it lol.

[@samminu]

I am so happy to went out of your comfort zone! Glad me advice is working for you< I was just as shocked when i finally gave in to my friends advice.

[@anissacooper7672]

I truly agree with you because I've noticed when I just use oil I didn't see alot of shedding but soon as I started using moisturizer I saw way more shedding. Now it makes sense that you've said that

[@anissacooper7672]

My stylist told me not to moisturize but use oil and I do see a difference

[@samminu]

It's sad that we had to ruin our hair to learn 💔💔💔💔

[@samminu]

@@anissacooper7672 You have a great stylist. ❤❤❤❤❤💕💕💕

[@anissacooper7672]

Yesss youre riggt its very sad!! Yesss she's amazing!! She has really turned my hair around

[@anissacooper7672]

I'm sooo glad I came across your page!! 💞💞💞💖💖💖

[@tanyas1644]

You are cracking me up!!! LOL! Honestly, until pandemic and I was forced to do my own hair, I’d never heard of moisturizing and sealing….so I tried it, repeatedly thinking that I was doing it wrong… boy was that an epic failure… lol! So I stopped and my hair is HAPPY!!! Hot oil treatments and deep conditioning has been my life savers… shedding has stopped. Thank you for confirming what I learned… good to know I’m not alone.

[@samminu]

YAY 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾I am so happy your hair doing better. love. I use to feel the same way, like nothing was working with that method. So happy we stepped in the light.

[@Nina-qg5ry]

You’re right. Too much moisture leads to hygral fatigue and that keeps the cuticles lifted and hair strands swollen… eventually weakens hair and breaks off. It’s best to use a good deep conditioner or mask once a week and the rest of the week just light hair oils / hair polish or a tiny bit of grease every few days. Till the next wash. My hair is at its best health now.

[@cloudydays6277]

Omg so true. Recently I neglected my hair meaning I washed but forgot to moisturise for like 2 weeks. By time I detangled and moisturised my hard new growth of 6months + relaxed bits I assumed I was gonna have a pool of broken hair. To my surprise very little breakage unlike the shedding I got when I moisturised and sealed daily/twice wkly etc I believe my hair is stronger without all that excess moisture.

[@samminu]

Good for you love!! Continue doing what’s working. 😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕

[@mimigracious6886]

I use my moisturiser and herbal oil on my relaxed hair but not the same way I did it when my hair was unrelaxed. Relaxed hair needs even more moisture but not with the same application as natural hair. So yes! You are right. It is in the application.

[@samminu]

All in the application, you know your stuff ❤❤💕💕💕💕

[@LolaBunniee1]

Girl you are PREACHING. I wash and deep condition (under a hydration machine) every week and my hair is thriving. I stopped moisturizing and sealing everyday about a year ago

[@samminu]

YAAAAAYYYYY. I am happy to hear this love. ❤❤❤💕💕💕😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@bbh3617]

girl leave in conditioner IS moisturizer. its best to use it on damp hair, it keeps the right amount of hydration in (water) and moisturizes the surface of the hair. Then style it. After styled you seal it with silicone/oil to keep the moisture in even more and protect the hair from friction, seal the hair cuticle and prevent damage & tangles because it is smooth shiny and slippery. The silicone & oil in sealing products create a protective layer on the styled hair that protect it until you wash it again. This is definitely the way to go!

[@securedfuture6649]

I also like the look of my hair when I use gloss compared to oil

[@samminu]

Right! Game changer 😍😍😍😍

[@Ms_Lyn33]

That's why my hair I breaking... I'm stopping today

[@samminu]

Give me your feedback when you do love. ❤️❤️💕💕💕

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

I'm natural but one thing I've stopped doing is washing weekly. It has made a huge difference. My hair is a lot less dry.

[@samminu]

When I was natural I used to wash my hair every 2 weeks. Glad you found what works for you.

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

@@samminu thank you. I think that schedule works best for me.

[@samminu]

@@TheCarnivoreSoprano Love it ❤️❤️❤️💕

[@kalishajnz]

I stopped moisturizing and sealing years ago, lol. Depending on what style I'm doing I'll use a cream and a serum but I got tired of my hair feeling greasy. I only use oils in my deep conditioners and I feel like if you have good lightweight leave-ins then a heavy moisturizer and oil is just unnecessary. I don't want my flat ironed hair to be weighed down. Great video!! 💜

[@samminu]

Thank you love. Definitely unnecessary if you do a weekly deep conditioning treatment.

[@debbiedebeaux]

We are on the same page!! I stopped moisturizing and sealing too. I either flat iron only 1x per week or rollerset. I'm working with these roller sets, it's a process 😆. Love your videos!

[@samminu]

Love this. You are some welcome love. Maybe you can teach me how to do the roller when you become a pro at it. I am a hot mess with those rollers 😫😫😫

[@lisa8084u]

Thank you for doing a follow up video. I stopped moisturize and sealing as well and my relaxed hair has flourished 😎

[@samminu]

YAY. I am so happy to hear this love!! ❤💕💕💕💕😍😍😍😍

[@___Victoria_sunny]

dolce dawn is a KZbinr that doesn't moisturize and seal either and her hair is gorgeous!

[@samminu]

Love it!!! Gotta check her out. ❤❤💕💕💕

[@tanyapollar3931]

Omg I’m not a subscriber however I stop doing that moisturize and seal and invested in a good leave in conditioner. And let me tell u I don’t shed anymore. I was always using a deep conditioner but that obviously wasn’t enough. But the moisture I retain is perfect. I love it. I stoped watching contact creators for hair advice and stared listening to cosmetologist and all they say is shampoo deep condition and a leave in. And oil for the mid to ends of your hair until u shampoo again.

[@samminu]

Hey love. Thank you for stopping by. Glad you stopped moisturizing and sealing. Best decision ever ❤❤💕💕

[@jacquelinejonaschirwa3744]

Lol my hair is texlaxed and i DONT do all that stuff just deep condition, heat monthly, hair gloss oil lightly coz i hate limp, weighed down hair, relax every 5 months and my hair is mid back length.

[@samminu]

Amazing!!!!!!! So it is safe to say it is not even for texlaxed hair lol.

[@chelsea638]

I’m so glad I’m seeing this because I’m relaxed and I want to grow my hair and I’ve commented on several videos on how do you put all this oil and lotion on your hair and it not be heavy and stiff lol thank you for this video

[@skatergurljubulee]

Not gonna lie, when I was younger, I had hair down my back. It was relaxed! And guess what? I blow dried it every week and used Pink moisturizer every couple of days if at all. And I wore it down every day! Ever since I started all these "relaxed hair routines" my hair hasn't grown past my shoulders. A couple of months ago I stopped all that stuff and my hair is thriving lol

[@samminu]

Right! Sometimes we gotta just leave it alone. Haha

[@Tyansofficial84]

Omg this comment is so funny and true i just started using pink oil light a month ago and my hair was happy for 3 almost 4 days. I keep i simple and alternate styling every 30-90 days

[@shernetbrown4883]

finally was waiting for this video, I actually got the hair polish because of one of your previous videos and yes I hate when my hair is weighed down it really looks dead

[@samminu]

Appreciate you love. Thank you so much 😍😍😊 ❤️💕💕💕. How are you liking the polisher? Yeah those moisturizers weigh down our hair so much and dead looking.

[@tishalee140]

Like literally I watched your past video on this and I said I am gonna try it cause my hair was blah! I stopped and my hair is doing so good! It looks and feels great! Wash, condition and gloss my hair stays moisturized all week. And my hair does not like a lot protein anytime I use a product with it my hair seem super dry.

[@samminu]

This comment made my day!!! I am so happy love!!! Yay ❤️💕💕💕😍😍😍😍😍🙌🏾. I only do one protein treatment a month. If your hair seems dry using it once a month, maybe you can try once every 2 months.

[@Michael.Shayne]

I literally only use 2 products in my and my clients hair. Shampoo and #k18.

[@samminu]

I am going to check that product out. ❤️💕💕💕💕

[@Niikisparks]

I've been relaxed for 18 years and started moisturizing and sealing like 3 years ago, prior to that I never moisturized and sealed I had no idea that existed lol and my hair was always very healthy , when I wash my hair I roller set, then do the Dominican blow out cause I'm Dominican, and as long as my hair is down on a blow out I do not moisturize or seal my hair, i only use the shine serum sometimes and moisturize and seal once or twice a week when I no longer having my hair down or on a bun and that's fine for me .

[@samminu]

Awesome love. Glad you found a routine that works for you and you are enjoying your hair.

[@officialsyddinpretty]

Relaxed hair influencers still have the toxic/annoying natural mentality. I don’t even watch them.

[@samminu]

It is definitely time to evolve. Change is good.

[@carrielewis6213]

I have fine/thin hair I can’t put all those oils in it and my hair makes it’s own natural oils. My hair will be a greasy mess.

[@samminu]

A word sis. Too greasy!

[@suzzy9993]

Totally agree I have relaxed hair and I tried so many moisturizers GOD MY HAIR WAS A MESS I REALIZED MY hair DO NOT LIKE oil 😊

[@samminu]

Sure don't! Glad you found what works. 😍😍❤️❤️❤️

[@Babyboo97ish]

Moisturizing and sealing only benefit high porosity hair

[@dorismensah8912]

Hi Sammi thanks for sharing.I pls wanna know how you air dry your hair on the days you don't flat iron, and how to manage new growth.I am kinda new to this hair journey.Thanks

[@samminu]

Hey love, I don't air dry. I apply heat protectant and blow also flat iron once a week. For new growth, I make sure not to miss my weekly deep conditioning treatment. Also not to stretch my relaxer and I relax my hair every 2 months.

[@dorismensah8912]

@@samminu thanks for your reply.💕💕

[@samminu]

@@dorismensah8912 Anytime love. ❤️ 💕 💗 💘 🥰 🧡 💓

[@saiimariee7]

what affordable leave ins would you recommend that works really well ?

[@samminu]

Try Aussie leave In. Do your research though because there is a lot of fakes on Amazon. Try buying it elsewhere if you can.

[@tigerlee007]

@@samminu you meant to write fakes not faves, yes?

[@samminu]

@@tigerlee007 Yes fakes lol. thanks love for spotting that. I fixed it.

[@traceylennon1204]

Wow I really bought into that "moisture and seal" trend!

[@samminu]

Likewise, unfortunately. but I am so glad I know better.

[@officialsyddinpretty]

1:39 BIG OL FACTS

[@samminu]

Right!! We are on the same page haha

[@officialsyddinpretty]

I subbed

[@samminu]

@@officialsyddinpretty Thank you so much love. I appreciate it. ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕

[@indiphilenonjaca4804]

Hey, I just came across your channel and I’m glad I did, is polishing serum the same as glossing polish

[@samminu]

Hey! Thanks for watching. Yes they are the same. ❤️❤️❤️

[@indiphilenonjaca4804]

@@samminu Thank you so much, much love from South Africa. I did not think you’d reply 🤭. The excitement in me right 😂

[@samminu]

@@indiphilenonjaca4804 🥰🥰🥰. Thanks for the love all the way from South Africa! Hopefully one day I can visit. 💕💕💕

[@omgitsnishaaa]

Where do you buy your clip ins? Xx

[@samminu]

I have a video that i made them using hair from my hair company nusecretshair.com. It's 100% virgin hair and it blends beautifully with my relaxed hair.

[@omgitsnishaaa]

@@samminu thank you. I’ll have a look

[@samminu]

@@omgitsnishaaa Thank you love

[@rukaiyadauda142]

pls can you list some serum that are good? i live in Nigeria so finding serum is difficult, moisturizing and sealing is not working for me, am at the verge of giving up, so let me try your method. thanks

[@samminu]

Try anything with the title glossing polisher. I use proclaim & IC fantasia. I just researched and ORS has a polisher, see if you can find that one love.

[@marierey1196]

I agree!

[@samminu]

Thank you for your feedback love ❤️ 💕 💗 💘 🧡 💓

[@joan2087]

Hey Sammi, I tried to this method and started using the glossing polish and I must say my breakage magically reduced so much that am shocked. I doubted you at first but it works! But I didn't totally stop moisturizing, I still moisturize and seal a little but I always apply the glossing polish whenever I do. (What do you think about this?)

[@samminu]

Glad you like my method. Does the moisturizer make it wet?

[@joan2087]

@@samminu sorry it's leave in conditioner, but it makes it a little wet except I use a very very small amount

[@samminu]

@@joan2087 To be honest, I would save the leave in for when you wash your hair weekly. Maintain the hair with the polisher. Relax hair hates being wet. Be careful though even if you are using a tiny amount.

[@Jbelly275]

Do you mean that you stopped moisturizing and sealing together like in a two-step process (adding a leave in and then an oil to follow up right after) or do you mean you stopped moisturizing and sealing your hair entirely? (No longer using leave ins or oils)

[@samminu]

Definitely use your leave ins after you wash your hair right before blowdrying. But stop using the moisturizers in your hair and sealing with oils. Those 2 step methods everybody is using on youtube. Your hair is already moisturized from the deep Conditioning and leave in from your wash day. Just use a serum throughout the week to maintain your hair.

[@Jbelly275]

@@samminu ok thanks 😊

[@samminu]

@@Jbelly275 You’re so welcome love. ❤❤❤❤

[@paulaphillips1264]

Love your video. I am also in Jamaica. Where do you buy the Crecepelo deep conditioner? New subscriber here.

[@samminu]

Hey Yardie ❤️🙌🏾🙌🏾😍😍😍😍. I got it from Amazon. I have a link in the description box of this video.

[@nomshadongidi6855]

You are hilarious lol!!! I laughed so much!!!! I totally totally agree with you.

[@samminu]

Haha. Thank you love. 😄😆

[@c.w6593]

So helpful!

[@rowenasolomon3673]

You are my kinda girl, you just gained a follower

[@samminu]

Thank you sweet cheeks for the support ❤❤❤❤😍😍😍😍

[@0tismadaline]

Thanks for sharing dear ❤

[@samminu]

Thank you beautiful. 😍 💕💕❤️❤️❤️

[@tomieddens2544]

I know you being serious but you are cracking me up! 😂 love the video

[@samminu]

😂😂😂😂. Glad I made you laughed. I love it! ❤💕💕

[@merlecalderajoseph5405]

Do we need to clarify every wash day when using serums or?

[@samminu]

No, you don't. I don't use it, and my hair is fine.

[@urnkimshouse]

Moisturizing and relaxers becomes moisture OVERLOAD!

[@terryanyango9804]

Thanks though informative

[@musicalsapphire9456]

7:24 👏🏽

[@JLRGee45]

Thank you for sharing

[@samminu]

You are so welcome love

[@TheDreamer279]

Do you use a heat protectant?

[@samminu]

Yes I use Patene Heat Protectant. My glossing polisher also acts as a protectant. ❤️❤️💕💕

[@TheDreamer279]

@@samminu OK thank you so much for answering ❤️❤️ I am trying to perfect my hair routine. The moisturizing with hair lotions and what not was leaving my hair weirdly wet, tangled, stringy, and breaking off. After washing I’d like to use a leave in, heat protectant, and a finishing gloss like you mentioned, so my hair will feel moisturized but not weighed down. Gonna experiment tonight lol

[@samminu]

@@TheDreamer279 Yay!!! I am so happy to hear that your hair is improving. This is major ❤️❤️❤️. All the best with your journey and keep me posted love.

[@officialsyddinpretty]

1:19 she said since the Bible days 🤣

[@samminu]

😂😂😂😭😭😫😫😫Girrrrlllll

[@ginaallen8866]

Amen!! 😭😭😭

[@samminu]

😭❤️😍😍😍

[@terryanyango9804]

Too much argument justification than the message.

[@zfaith6545]

I like you and your content I will see you in your next video

[@samminu]

Thank you so much love. I appreciate you. 😍😍🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕

[@Tahiha]

Why did you put on an accent for this video? lol.

[@samminu]

Accent? I am Jamaican. what accent did you hear?