| Posted on July 23, 2012 at 2:45 PM |
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Some call it a fad or trend while others are making this decision for health reasons...Which category do you fit into?
There are many things that concern me when I hear of people that are considering going natural or those that are at the beginning stages, but I will name the main two:
1. There are some that do not know the simple hair care steps they should take in regards to natural hair.
If you do not know what steps is best then you should seek help from hair professionals; also YouTube and Google. These were my main source of information along with asking those already natural and professionals! I also went to a Natural hair event, which gave great insight about hair care tips, styling techniques, and products for all hair types. Yes, at first I went overboard and bought all kinds of products, but I was prepared. I was also prepared mentally, which brings me to #2.
2. Some are still uncertain about their decision!
Do NOT - I repeat, DO NOT begin to transition and definitely do not BC (Big Chop) until you have a made up mind! There will be people that will not agree with your decision to go natural - and if you are not certain and positive about what the outcome will be yourself, then you are subject to be unhappy and regretting your decision! I was very certain about my decision and knew that ultimately, it was the best decision for the health of my hair. If you are still battling this decision; please research and gain more information before making a huge step!
Either of the the two are HUGE RISKS! There is so much information out there now for natural hair; take advantage of this information so that your hair can be healthy and you can be happy. If you are not certain about what hair type (Check out this post if you are not sure what I mean about type) and afraid that it will be too 'kinky'; then maybe you should rethink your decision about going natural! If you are thinking about going natural because your hair is so brittle and damaged; then maybe this is the best decision - ONLY if you will give your hair the care that it will need to repair itself! Things such as deep conditioning, protein treatments (if you want more information on this, please comment below), and oils can help repair the hair.
Just make a wise decision and do whatever will make you happy and confident! I am more confident than I have ever been! I love my KINKY & NAPPY look and really.....can care less who doesn't ![]()
Peace. Love. & Nappiness
| Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:30 AM |
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Social Networks....the main source of information....the quickest source of information!
There are many people that inspired me as I began my journey; these 3 sistas are one of my most recent YT inspirations. Check them out!
Research!!!!!!!!!!! There are many ways to find out what you need to know about natural hair and hair care. There is no reason for you to not know th simple cares of natural hair - when it takes a simple click of the mouse!! I am by no means a 'GURU' but I simply learned a lot from researching and gaining information from others! That is why I began this site, because I want to help those just like others helped me!
~ Check out this video of My Natural Sistas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K5Tn-bMotI&feature=g-u-u
Peace.Love.&Nappiness
| Posted on July 16, 2012 at 10:40 AM |
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- I am curious to know what people think of 'natural' hair. Like, do they automatically categorize us? Why is it so different to wear the hair in its natural state?
-I will not say all naturals; I can say that those that have inspired me on my journey seem to be much happier with their decision. Whether it is because they battled with their hair or just decided to try something different; they seemed free! I know for me, I do not miss the 'creamy crack' - not being able to scratch my head, burning sensations from the relaxer, and scabs!
-Some guys may not think of natural hair any different as all these other styles, but I do know that there are some that prefer relaxed, straight hair. I have also read and saw videos on guys that are attracted to natural haired ladies just as much as relaxed. Really, I do not think they have a right to tell us they do not like our hair and give opinions. If so, then we should have the same right to give opinions on them, right?
-Honestly, this did cross my mind a few times. However, I went to my jobinterview (my current job) with my curly hair (which was the month before I decided to go natural) and I had no problems. Today, people express themselves in many ways - spiky hair, short cuts, multi-color, etc…, so natural hair should not be any different. However, I do try to keep it simple during the work week, but if I have a style from the weekend that still looks good - I will go ahead and wear that style to work! ![]()
Comment, Like, Share!
| Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:15 AM |
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(In no specific order)
1. It’s really not all about length! My most important goal is to have strong & healthy hair…the length will come with time!
2. You cannot…ABSOLUTELY not be lazy with natural hair. (Really you shouldn’t whether you are relaxed, natural, or rocking a fade). You will have a mess if you do not properly care for your hair!
3. Detangling is not easy! With 4c hair it’s a task trying to detangle my hair – but with the right leave-in conditioner and moisturizers it is now much easier!
4. TIME CONSUMING! At the beginning stages it took 30 minutes to shampoo/condition then detangle and repeat that process; then it took 1hr to detangle, section, moisturize before styling; then another hour to style!?!??!After I began to learn and understand my hair it was a breeze to do my hair. Now it’s about 1 ½hrs for everything (mostly because I take breaks – hehe).
5. Not every style will look the same on you as on someone else’s! Many times I was inspired and thought I could imitate the look……..o_O I was sadly mistaken. Once you learn your hair you will know what style works best and what products to use to achieve a certain look. And if you do get inspired-try to put your personal touch to the style so that it represents you.
6. Comparing your hair texture to others is a negative! God gave us all different types of hair and we must embrace what was given to us! Wavy, curly, kinky, coily…etc. regardless the type is all beautiful! I used to wish I had this and that- but really, it is no easier to manage! *Definitely, do not let this stop you from transitioning to natural, BE BOLD!*
7. Combing and playing with your hair too much can risk breakage –if not careful. Do not put more stress on your hair than really needed! *Especially, if transitioning - relaxed ends make the hair already prone to being weak.*
8. Don’t let others opinion change your view of natural hair! If you want to go natural – then DO IT! There will be people that will not like the look, will discourage you, or say negative things – but if you truly love natural hair then you should continue to embrace it.
9. One strand knots…YIKES! They will come…especially with relaxed ends! That is why I stress that you must properly detangle and care for your hair. Do not be lazy, because it is easy to get knots! *Tip: get oil and bathe that hair with the knot and slowly unravel. This will take time…but it beats losing hair or risking breaking off more hair!*
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM |
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Diana wanted to fit in with the rest of the girls. She wanted the long hairand the straightest hair possible! She would get her relaxers faithfully everytwo months...Once she was able to do her own hair she would flat iron it, usecurling irons, and blow dry her hair to get the look she desired! Her motherwould tell her to make sure not to overheat, but Diana wouldn’t listen. Shewould just continue to straighten it in hopes of it looking straighter. Dianabegan to notice more and more hair in the sink as she would comb and flat iron- she began to wonder why it was shedding so much. Was this normalshedding?!?!? When she finished styling she would have so much shed hair notonly in the sink but on her shoulders! This definitely was not good!!
The length gradually became shorter and shorter and more uneven...it seemedone side had given up growing and the other side had just broken off badly. Peoplebegan to notice and comment on her issues. Then the relaxers began to not takeand could barely tell she had gotten a relaxer; her confidence began to droplower and lower! Her hair had lost the battle not only from the heat andchemicals, but because of her mild eczema. "No more heat or chemicals;that include relaxers, flat ironing, or blow drying", the dermatologiststated. Diana sat in a state of shock; how could she go without those things!The nurse then said, "Well, I think your fro is cute." Every morselin Diana's body shut down...her hair wasn't supposed to be a fro; actually itjust lost the life, shape, and shine that it looked like a fro. Diana wasdevastated beyond measures.
What was Diana to do? How was she to style her hair? She went home and justcried until there were no more tears left. There was no hiding the fact thather hair was ugly. She wanted to stay in a little hole and never be seen again.She would compare herself to others and wish she had their features...Whycouldn't her hair look like that? Why couldn't she have that? Or why couldn'tshe be pretty like that?!! She had lost all confidence in herself and thenatural beauty God had given her! Something so simple, as losing her hair coulddiminish all love for oneself. Regardless of how much she hated who she saw inthe mirror, she refused to show it in public. She would laugh it off, smile,and joke but no one knew that inside she was torn to pieces. People would saylittle jokes about her appearance and hair and she would just laugh but it wasthose words that she remembered at night as she cried herself to sleep. Shewrote in her journal and poems asking why God made her this way and why she hadto go through so much with her hair and appearance.
It took about 5 years for Diana to acknowledge her true inner and outerbeauty! She did not complain about her hair or appearance but loved everythingshe was blessed with (the good and bad). How could she let such sillinessaffect her so...Something as silly as hair...Yes, she still takes her hair veryseriously, but she learned to deal with the issues and not let them consumeher. Society had scarred her for life; they had given her a falserepresentation of what beauty had to be...still today there are 'categories'that represent beauty. She used to question where she fit in this category.Now, she realizes that she doesn't fit in that category because she has acategory of her own! She refuses to be a follower but a leader...Her newfoundmotto is ‘you can let others inspire you but do not try to replicate butoriginate’. She is stronger than she has ever been before; she has embracedthat FRO that she now has! Her hair woes are far from over, but she is ready totackle them full force!
To Be Continued………….
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM |
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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)
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM |
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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 ![]()
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:25 PM |
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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
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:20 PM |
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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!!
| Posted on April 24, 2012 at 2:20 PM |
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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!