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Understanding Your Hair...1,2,3,4...abc....Types

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM Comments comments (0)

STRAIGHT HAIR: Is pretty self-explanatory…STRAIGHT HAIR…·         WAVY HAIR: there are categories for this type: 2a, 2b, 2c. With wavy hair there is very loose tresses curl pattern; more of a ‘S’ shape.

o   2a is fine, thin – but manageable

o   2b is medium texture -  tendency to frizz

o   2c thick and coarse – resistance to styling – greater tendency to frizz

·         CURLY HAIR: tighter and well-defined curl pattern

§   Absorbs a lot of water and shrinks when wet. When dry, it reverts to curliest state.

§  Prone to frizziness and humidity

o   3a has  loosest curl pattern – tends to be shinier with big curls

o   3b tighter curl pattern – med. To tight curl

o   3c tightly curl look and may look slightly kinky – strands to tend to be densely packed together

·         Kinky/Coarse Hair: tightly curled to kinky hair

§  Less shiny and prone to dryness and frizziness

§  hair texture is delicate and breaks easily

§  extra moisture is needed

o   4a is tightly coiled – when stretched, the curl has an ‘S’ pattern.

o   4b coarsest and requires extra moisture - has more a ‘Z’ pattern

o   4c – WHEWW…(this seems to be me) is the COARSEST of ALL! Requires MOISTURE, MOISTURE, and more MOISTURE – hair is more of a constant loop-like(think, binding on a notebook)

 

 

 

Top 5 Rules to Natural Hair Care

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM Comments comments (0)

5No Stress No Mess: No Stress refers to excessive combing/brushing, blow drying or any other form of heat, or pulling of hair. You should give your hair a BREAK sometimes and let it BREATHE, but please make sure that when you give your hair a break and let it breathe that you are still keeping hair protected and moisturized. A lot of combing, heat, and tight ponytails/braids add stress to the hair and can damage if used excessively. I am the type that has always liked playing with my hair and this is very hard for me! I realize now that it is only best that I comb when needed. Once you get better at maintaining your hair - you wont have to use a comb to part and even detangle.

 

 

4Ingredients: Ingredients is actually very important, but sometimes it is often not considered. We go into a store and see a hair product that has a catchy image and words that say : STIMULATES GROWTH!, GROW THICK & FULL HAIR!, or GIVES PERFECT SHINE! We look at the price and if reasonable enough we will grab the product and head straight to checkout! What is wrong with this picture??? We forgot all about the INGREDIENTS that are in this product!!! Did you check if there was alcohol? What about sulfate? What else is in there that you did not check.... This is very important, it may say it has all these great results but you have to make sure that the ingredients match the greatness! If you are not sure what is harmful to hair or what should not be in products--research online(remember Google is your best friend!)

 

 

 

3Routine:Trim/Hot Oil: There is no particular time frame to trim or do hot oil treatments but this is a MUST! Yes, even with natural hair you will have to trim.This keeps the hair refreshed and healthy. Some do this monthly, bi monthly, or 3 times a year. Just make a habit of checking your ends and trimming when necessary. Yes, you want to retain length but if you go without trimming you will be worse off!!

 

 

*As you get closer to the most important factor of  haircare you will notice that it takes more time and effort.

 

 

 

2Detangle/Protect: Detangle is a NO BRAINER and a MUST! After a wash, after taking out a style, or refreshing a style...DETANGLE!  If you do not want to style after washing, or if you do nightly routines of moisturizing and do not want to style, or if you just don't want to style that day/night then detangle the hair and do a protective style! Never leave your hair out!! It will..I repeat...it WILL get more and more tangled!! Just wearing a silk scarf to bed with your hair out, will not be enough; you have to tuck those ends and make sure hair is not going to tangle. Do twists, braids, bantu knots, or pin--any quick protective style; just don't leave it out!!

 

 

 

1Moisturize: THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR that helps growth and ensure overall healthiness of your hair is keeping your hair moisturized! Having essential oils and good moisturizers that keeps the hair/scalp from being dry and brittle. It can be helpful to do this nightly and then waking up and refreshing the hair again. If its just spraying a mist of water; any form of moisture works. Years ago, when I did not know what I was doing or how to manage my hair (a.k.a just lazy), I barely kept my hair moisturized or greased - having already dry scalp and eczema , this is a NO! I can not afford to be lazy when it comes to moisturizing my hair! YOU CAN NOT EITHER! Your hair needs it just like your body needs food & water!

 

 

**You really can not apply one rule without applying the others! They are all important!

 

 

Love and embrace your journey - the good and the bad :)

 

'Kinky Professional'....Is It?

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM Comments comments (0)

One day, while in a meeting at work, rocking my natural tresses...I began to think, do anyone think my natural hair is inappropriate in the business setting? Do they even recognize that my hair is natural? What do they think of my hair, and some of my creative designs and styles I often wear? Not that I would care as far as to relax my hair or change how I style it. I was just really curious as to what some people were thinking....Just as I was thinking this, a lady walks in with a new short cut, spike-type of style with a weird color in her hair...I then thought, well if I am unprofessional, this has to be just as unprofessional, if not more!!

 

 

--What about gray hair? Wouldn't that be considered unprofessional to have gray hair in the business setting- it is kind of stating that you are aging and may be time for retirement?? haha I don't really think this..but this is just another way of thinking about {hair} and the office/ business setting!

 

 

Viola Davis rocked her natural hair at the Oscars and everyone seemed to have so much to say...negative things of course! Who are you to say that the natural look was not the best fitting look for an elegant or event as such as the Oscars?

 

 

People will have so much to say, good or bad, no matter what your hair looks like...whether relaxed or natural...I refuse to put a wig on just to please the public/society! I love my hair and so everyone else better jump on the wagon or get left behind!

 

 

What if my job did say something about my hair and not thinking it was professional for the setting and the environment...hmm....I would have to do some serious praying, because Lord knows.......... thats all :) haha

 

Reached 5 Month Mark...What I have Learned So Far...

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:20 PM Comments comments (0)

I have been RELAXER FREE for about 5 months! I think there is a lot more relaxed ends and it will take a lot longer than I anticipated for it to grow out! Hmmm..."BC" is not really an option--Im already struggling with styling at the length I am at now, so I can only imagine how hard it will gripping shorter hair! Then again....with my ends being natural and not relaxed--it would hold the style better...I think I am more afraid of it being a lot of my hair needing to be chopped...However, my process will take longer, but I will be able to still do styles that are good for transitioning hair....

 

 

I recently went to a "natural hair seminar" class that helped me understand my hair and styling tips. Karen Wilson-shout out to you- was the instructor, and I was able to understand what styles are better for transitioning hair! Flat twists/out is great because it can blend the relaxed and natural hair better...but there are other styles as well...I hope that I will be able to accomplish the looks! I realized that the products I was using were not best and there were some that I need to use that I didnt know to use! So now I am going on a product adventure-to find the right products!

 

 

It is all about learning, trial-and-error...and sharing techniques.....

 

 

 

 

I have had kinky twist in a little over 6 weeks. I am ready to TAKE THEM OUT! So much growth....build up of dirt...and this is making my scalp itch a little more! I am ready for a hot oil treatment..OH YES!!

 

 

 

 

My natural journey is definitely an experience! I have so much more that I want to do on this journey! I know there are other naturals that are out there that are confused and questioning...and basically LOST! I want to share my knowledge(or what I think I know) about natural hair...I want to discuss what I have learned and we can all learn with each other!! Karen Wilson has inspired me!! I hope that I will be able to do this one day!!

 

Making Reasonable Goals.....LOVE your natural tresses no matter what length!

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:20 PM Comments comments (0)

Starting out on a natural journey, it seems everyone has the same goal - Length.Length.LENGTH! Everyone wants to have this long, poofy Afro! There will be many downfalls but there could be just as much growth and accomplishments! I think you should make short-term goals. Ex.6inch of growth in the first month. <---This could be possible or this may not occur, it really depends on treatment and moisture; how your hair works and the amount of stress put on the hair. So if you make goals that are not set too high, will make you feel more accomplished and more excited about the next goal!

 

 

 

 

Right now, I have had kinky twist for 2 1/2 weeks! I will TRY to keep this in for a full month. If my hair was done professionally, it would usually last about 2-3 months; I could touch up the front and back braids...but it was never my intention to keep this as the style. Unless I feel that the winter months ahead will be too rough, I may change my mind! I do like the easiness of not having to style my hair and also letting the relaxed hair grow out! I did a fairly big trim before putting the braids in, so hopefully there was some growth so I can trim more of relaxed hair! I am sooooo tempted to "BC" but I know that I would definitely have a harder time managing my hair.

 

 

I used to have that same goal as stated earlier---wanting to just get to the length! I wanted the length, with no regards on how to obtain this goal....managing the hair, moisturizing, the right products, and having the proper nutrients! So, now my goal is to keep my hair moisturized and getting my body healthy; and learning key concepts to make sure my hair is protected. Growth will come....in time!

 

 

LOVE your natural tresses no matter what length!

 

Weather + Natural Hair = DRY

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:15 PM Comments comments (0)

Its not a chemistry equation or algebra equation....it's simple; when the weather gets colder and colder--the dryer your hair becomes!! Just like with the skin..it is the same for your hair! I am a dry skin person--meaning no matter how much lotion, Vaseline, baby oil, anything..YOU NAME IT...as soon as I step one foot outside it turns into ashy, cracked, and white skin!! I dread the winter months because I have to deal with this very thing! So, now that I am on this natural journey, I now have to deal with the same thing with my hair.

 

 

 

 

WHAT DO YOU DO??

 

 

It is not that hard to maintain the moisture in your hair. As long as you continue to moisturize your hair as much as possible, keep protective styles (especially covering the ends of your hair) and not doing the "wet & go looks" there should be no problems or breakage. It is said that too much moisture is wayyyyy better than too little! Don't pour on the oil and creams though!!  Just really protect your hair from combing too much, having wet hair outside, and exposing your ends to the cold air! Just like you cover up your skin as much as possible, do the same for your hair!

 

 

HAIRSTYLES FOR THE WINTER

The same styles that you may use to protect your hair at night or on a daily basis, can be the same for the winter months. Such as, bantu knots, two strand twists, flat braids, twists out look, or braids out look. There are many other styles that are great as long as hair is covered and not a lot of stress is on the hair!!

 

 

Don't let the winter months "weather" your hair! You can still look fabulous in the winter!

 

With....With...Withdrawals

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:15 PM Comments comments (0)

Okay, so I woke up this morning and styled my hair and I began to feel like there was something not looking right. Either I wanted a different look, or style; it seemed that my hair was not molding into the style that I was trying to make it be, and I was beginning to feel like this was going to be a "bad hair day"!! I kinda began to think, maybe this is not going to work--if I am not ready for this natural look! I have so many styles in mind, but I am not able to do them myself...I do not know of anyone who can that is around me....& I really just don't want to spend money right now.  I am not going to give up on this journey!! I refuse to go back to the creamy crack!! I am just going to look at more ways to style to get the certain look I am aiming for, but I will not go back--never!! Hey, I need all the encouragement I can get!! When you are going the natural route-- people supporting you and giving advice, tips,and ideas is always helpful!! On that note, I am much better now!! I just have to get used to this newness!! I am my own worst critic at times!! There are going to be many bad days but a lot of good days as well. Sometimes you will feel like you can't continue on this journey, but YOU CAN"T GIVE UP!!

Big Chop (BC) Talk

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:15 PM Comments comments (0)

When deciding to transition from a relaxer to natural look, you have to decide if you are going to do the “BC” a.k.a the Big Chop. If you decided that you are not ready for that then you want to grow out the relaxed hair to maintain the length of your hair. This is not always the easiest nor the best choice, but there are ways to make this work! It is important to know where the natural hair and the relaxed hair meet is very fragile. To minimize breakage, treat your hair as if it is all natural, this means avoid pressing out the new growth (as if trying to blend in with the relaxed ends).

 

 

When transitioning, you will need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!! Use products that will help with the transition of relaxed to natural.  Black hair curl pattern will be more noticeable once it reaches some length. Deep conditioners and hot oil treatments are a must for natural hair.

 

 

It is ok to experiment with different products. It is recommended so you will know which products work well with your hair. As I have stated in another blog, give each new product time to see if they will work before giving up on them or trying something else.

 

 

It is important to trim the ends of your hair as your new growth gets longer. If you rather not do this, then it will be a longer transition process.

 

 

Regardless if you are doing the big chop or not; you need to know what products will work, You need to read labels and ingredients before buying products. This is a whole new world; just as you invested time and money in relaxed hair, you should do the same for natural hair. To name a few of the oils that work best to retain moisture are shea butter, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and carrot oil. There are many ways of mixing oils and shea butter and other products to make your own homemade product. First, try to get the right PH balance in your hair! You can do this by using aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and cream based leave in conditioner on the hair. (Sparkwisdom on YouTube has a tutorial showing how to check PH and adding aloe vera gel to reduce the PH—check it out!)

 

 

Protective styles are styles that do not put a lot of stress on the hair; it is best to do a protective style at night so that your hair will not be exposed…risking more breakage. Protective styles can be just as fashionable that you will be able to wear them out. This just helps your hair rest some days while it is growing out. Some styles are 2 strand twists, flat braids, bantu knots, straw set, and curl rods. With the 2 strand twist—you can wear the twists some days and then take the twists out for a crinkly/curly look. So there are many ways and more variety!

 

 

 

Love Your Natural Tresses

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:10 PM Comments comments (0)

This is a new journey, new adventure, and new look! This is something to celebrate! I am loving my new hair! Last night as I was doing my nightly protective hairstyle; I realized that I not only fell in love with my hair, but I finally fell in love with me! I never could say I felt beautiful, or my hair was beautiful, or that I had confidence, not even that I liked what I saw in the mirror! There were many times I let my hair struggle take over my representation of who I was--your hair should not make or break you! Also, I have learned that I am not the only one that deal with this! I am in love with who God intended me to be! I love my natural tresses!! More importantly, I love me!

 

 

 

 

 CHECK THIS OUT:

Survey Shows That Only 7 Percent Of Women Love Their Hair (POLL, PHOTOS)

www.huffingtonpost.com

 

 

 Disclaimer: I did not collect these results; I am not advertising; simply informing :)

 

 

 

 

Transitioning from Relaxed to Natural!!!!

Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:10 PM Comments comments (0)

 

 

 I am embarking on a journey that I never would have imagined I would do! On October 28, 2011, I decided that I would take the natural route! This is something that I have thought about, dreamed about, talked about but never had the guts or confidence to actually go through with the idea of being natural. I am tired of the relaxers--that never seemed to work or last long enough; breakage and damage was always the end result; and the lack of growth was consistent. Too much heat, relaxers, and stress put on my hair was too much on my already brittle hair. I battle with eczema, so I am used to my hair breaking off and having an itchy scalp---which means the relaxers BURN and the relaxer could never fully work. Being natural takes away all those problems. My scalp can BREATH!! It feels sooo much better and healthier already!

 

 

It took me 5 years to do something that I have always wanted to do! I have looked at others and their natural hair and said--if they can do it, why can't I??--but I am ready, confident, and HAPPY with my decision! This is not just a natural HAIR experience....its about changing my whole lifestyle. I don't want just change my outer appearance but the inner as well! I have made so many lifestyle changes for the better; I am working on me physically, mentally, and spiritually!

 

 

 

 

If you have been thinking about going natural--LET'S do this TOGETHER!!!