Erika writes:
Read More!!>>>
Erika writes:
Read More!!>>>
Hola Chicas!
Many naturals, at some point in time, have rocked a TWA, which is short for “teeny weeny afro.” For most, the image of someone following the Big Chop is what comes to mind when they think about a TWA. But when is a TWA no longer a TWA?
Hola Chicas,
Bantu Knots create the most gorgeous spiral effect when you release them... it gives you results unlike any twist or braid out. It's the perfect style because everyone can try it-- transitioners looking to blend textures, divas with straight hair and naturals of most lengths.
But the question is always the same...do you get the perfect bantu knot out on wet or dry hair?
Read More!!>>>
Hola Chicas!
I'm re-posting the article below. After the Super Cute Headband blog, I received an influx of emails asking how I achieved my smooth edges, and this routine, unlike most, is one that has not changed (can you believe it?!). After you're done reading, leave a comment detailing how you get your edges smooth!
So yesterday evening, I was feeling like a frizz monster, and knew that I'd probably end up pulling my TnC into a pony or bun the following morning. I usually lack this foresight, as I turn into a pumpkin after 9pm, and my edges end up FUZZY...which is okay some days, but every now and then, I want a sleeker look! Here's what I did:
Read More!!>>>
Crown of Glory or... Thorns
by Shelli of Hairscapades
I often hear and read many naturals complaining about the hair at the crown of their head. “It’s dry, it’s brittle, it’s dull, it’s coarse, it breaks easily, it’s the kinkiest hair on my head, it’s the hardest to handle!” And, I’m no different. The hair on the left side of my crown is always shorter and more prone to damage than the rest of my hair, always seeming to exhibit breakage and straggily (yes, straggily, it’s a word! ;) ) and raggedy ends.
I’ve come to learn over the years that this is most likely due to the fact that the hair at one’s crown is usually taking the brunt of the elements, you know: sun, wind, rain, cruddy air and free radicals;). I also always just thought that this exposure simply resulted in a raised cuticle and more porous strands, whereas the hair protected by the crown hair is smoother and far more cooperative.
Read More!!>>>>
Exhale1913 writes:
In my natural hair journey, I've learned that TECHNIQUE can be just as important as products, so therefore I pose a question regarding styling techniques (including products used) that gives the best results for the most defined Twist-Out or Twist-n-Curl.
CN Responds: I've been playing around with this a lot lately... especially considering that Twist-Outs and Twist-n-Curls are my signature styles! My most recent experiments have resulted in the following implementations:
1. Flat Twist the Roots for a More Consistent Pattern
I guess I don't quite mean flat twist--- take the section you wish to twist, and separate out the uppermost layer. Two strand twist that layer 5-6 times, and then grab the rest of the hair in that section and two strand twist to the ends. I hope that makes sense.
Before, when I was only securing the roots with a duck bill clip, they still managed to come undone and take on their natural texture rather than the wavy texture the twists created on my length. This has definitely changed my life :-)
Read More!!>>>
by Tammy of CurlyChics
1. Not detangling
Never, not once did I properly detangle my hair, if at all. I would simply shampoo and condition my hair, throw some Motions foam wrap lotion and Paul Mitchell foaming pomade and keep it moving. I barely used a comb! Now, it was cute but that’s it. It was not healthy in the least bit. Surprisingly I didn’t lose a lot of hair; however, I was not retaining length either.
2. Sleeping without a satin cap/scarf
At night I would lay my head down straight gorilla style! The only time I slept with a satin cap/scarf was when I straightened my hair. WTW? I know...makes no sense, which leads me to the next mistake on my list…using excessive heat.
Read On!>>>
Several years ago, my youngest sister gave me a couple little deep conditioning tips. You see, I had been ogling the Ouidad Deep Treatment, because I had been reading so many rave reviews about it. However, the joker was $50 for 8 ounces (8.5 now)! I just couldn’t see myself spending that much for a conditioner. $18 for 8 ounces of Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie was already hurting my wallet!
So, my sister says to me one day, “I don’t think it’s the conditioner per se, I think it might be the technique.” She tells me to allow my DC to cool for 15 minutes after I remove the heat source and then, put my regular daily conditioner over the DC before rinsing them both. Well, I tried this shortly thereafter and it really seemed to make a difference in how my hair felt after rinsing the DC!
When I decided to stop relaxing my hair, I had many ideas about what it would be like to be natural. Now that I'm about five years into my natural hair journey (that includes transitioning), many of these ideas have been proven quite wrong. I absolutely love the fullness and versatility of my natural hair. I expected that and haven't been disappointed. However, there have been many challenges that I didn't expect!
1. Just because my hair is not chemically treated does not mean that it will automatically be healthier and grow longer. My hair is naturally thin and dry, so I have to be gentle with it, keep it moisturized and protect it from drying factors like wind, cotton sheets and wool sweaters/coats. When I first decided to go natural, I had this idea that with no chemicals and little heat, my hair would be so strong and resilient that I'd be able to wear it out all the time without any consequences. This is NOT the case. I get single strand knots very easily, which I did not get when I was relaxed, so this is something I didn't anticipate. This leads me to my next discovery.
Read On>>>
1. Just because my hair is not chemically treated does not mean that it will automatically be healthier and grow longer. My hair is naturally thin and dry, so I have to be gentle with it, keep it moisturized and protect it from drying factors like wind, cotton sheets and wool sweaters/coats. When I first decided to go natural, I had this idea that with no chemicals and little heat, my hair would be so strong and resilient that I'd be able to wear it out all the time without any consequences. This is NOT the case. I get single strand knots very easily, which I did not get when I was relaxed, so this is something I didn't anticipate. This leads me to my next discovery.Read On>>>
CN says:
re-posting since we're talking about fine hurr!
Hola Chicas!
Last night's post got me thinking...
Many of us (not erry'body, tho) want thicker looking hair. I'm talking BIG, voluminous, heavy, block-people's-line-of-vision tresses. I too fancy big hair, and even go so far as to henna regularly to achieve it. Score! It totally works, but what happens when you can't henna (due to time constraints, side effects such as curl loosening or the red tint)? Or, if henna simply didn't work for you? Obviously, growing more hair per square inch would be sorcery... so we have to work with what we've got.
Read On>>>
Despite the Natural Hair Movement (NHM) making substantial waves in hair care, styling, and fashion, there still seems to be some misconceptions about natural hair and what is means.
Myths can be detrimental to a movement and since we want this to stay as positive, I’m sharing some well-known myths that need to be put to rest.
1. Natural hair is hard to maintain
The truth is it takes knowledge and relentless efforts to go natural. Many women who are going natural have been relaxed for years. Many forget that they didn’t miraculously know how to take care of relaxed hair while others feel being natural will take no practice or effort. There is a learning process and it is not harder to maintain than relaxed hair once you have established a routine.
by Christian Douglas of www.chicandcoily.com
The Process... full glam (hair and makeup poppin)... take 42 selfies from the same angle with various minute facial changes... choose one selfie... apply 7 filters then blur... post picture to instagram, share to facebook, twitter, tumblr, linked in, my momma, my boss... attach 33 hashtags... wait.
wait...
wait...
Read On!>>>
by Tammy of CurlyChics
When the love of your natural hair crosses the line to Obsessionville, it may be time to reevaluate some things and reprioritize. The domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc. is the definition of obsession. Here are 7 signs that you are dangerously close:
1. You treat your hair like another human being
You often refer to your coils as "her", as if you are speaking about one of your friends and have even given them a name.
"Mahogany and I are spending some quality time together this weekend”.
Read On!>>>
by Jess of HeyGorjess.com
Read On!>>>
by Nicole Seck of IHeartMyHair
Beautiful, brilliant and bold are the three adjectives that I’d aptly use to describe bright-eyed multi-media journalist Shannon T. Boodram. For social media enthusiasts, they know that much like Toronto’s #1 news outlet CP24—she’s everywhere. The word omnipresent doesn’t do enough justice insofar as capturing just how far Shannon’s reach has become in recent years. And, when the charming photog is not jet-setting off to the Caribbean snapping magnificent photos at weddings overlooking pristine waters, you may find her on YouTube or behind-the-scenes while donning her writer’s cap, writing creatively-written pieces for both online and print magazines. You see Shannon’s got this intrepid spirit: she’ll venture into territory that most fear to tread.
Read On!>>>
by Amber Williams of ThePsychologyofStyle
“Are you Ethiopian?”
The cashier at Trader Joe’s asked me this at check out after inquiring if I had a name for my frohawk. I responded,
“No, why?”
He replied,
“Your look and your hair.”
Read On!>>>
Q: Nikki, I have such a hard time when I wash my hair. Sometimes it seems I do more harm than good, experiencing more breakage than I assume is considered normal. My favorite style is the wash and go so I'm constantly re-styling and re-wetting. Help!
CN: Here are three additions to my natural hair routine that have changed the game and not only made wash day easier and less stressful, but also changed my hair for the better.
Read On!>>>
My relationship with beauty, specifically my own, has been a rocky one.
Read that sentence aloud in a room-filled with women and I dare you to spot the person who doesn’t nod or lower her eyes with an Amen. When I was a kid being the only mixed person, seemingly in the world but definitely in my neighborhood gave me considerable doubts as to what I was supposed to look like and if that look was beautiful. I did a lot of DIY things to my hair (without the help of YouTube gurus so please insert the most absurd mental picture here). In my teens the only women who looked like me that were considered beautiful were video vixens so I dove into the whole fried orange hair, straightened to a crisp vibe like it was the coolest thing since butterfly clips!
Read On!>>>
by Amber of ThePsychologyofStyle
My husband convinced me to go natural. There. I said it. Over the past year and a half, he’s given me the confidence to walk around with my … well … natural naps. It’s fair to say that he was a major influence in my decision to expose my texture.
Today, my curls are at a sexy stage of being. They’re wild, long, thick and reddish violet. Nothing to complain about. I proudly rock ‘em. When I was transitioning, on the other hand, I’m not sure I walked around with the boldness I possess now. It was my husband’s compliments on the days that I felt like a recalled rag doll that made me feel comfortable.
Read On!>>>
via AroundTheWayCurls-
Anonymous wrote us with the following:
"I REALLY need some advice y’all.
For my daughter’s birthday last month , I allowed her to book her first hair appointment for a press and curl. My daughter’s paternal grandparents made such a fuss over her hair and offered to start sending her to the salon regularly because, “She’s at that age where she should be going regularly to get it done”. After explaining to her that I didn’t want her hair to be pressed regularly she stated how pretty she and her pop-pop thought she looked with her hair pressed. I don’t think it was intentional or that she meant any harm by it. I’m used to the older generation not liking kinky hair. But every time my daughter comes home I feel like I have to reprogram her all over again when it comes to her hair!
My daughter has recently been on a “healthy hair” movement with the goal of gaining some length and came home last week upset because her grandmother told her that 100% Black Girls can’t grow long hair!
How can I address this issue without being disrespectful?"
Any one been through or currently going through this?Thoughts? Suggestions?
Help this Mama out.
.jpg)
