Category Archives: NATURAL HAIR

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

10 Natural Hair To Do’s for 2014

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Nappy New Year Beauties!! As you go into 2014 here are 10 to do’s for your natural hair journey:

1. Love YOUR natural hair. Don’t fill up with hair envy. Love the tresses God blessed you with. It’s more beautiful than you realize.

2. Don’t take your natural hair journey so serious. Loosen up a little! Unless you’re a chemist and love the science of black hair don’t stress yourself out over making your own Shea butter or custards.

3. Have FUN with your hair. ‘Nuff said

4. Learn more about your natural hair texture. The more you know about your tresses, the better equipped you’ll be to keep it healthy and help it grow.

5. Try new products. Don’t be afraid to try a new product or hair line. You could be missing out!

6. Try new styles as your hair grows. Half the fun of having natural hair is the versatility it offers. Get creative with your curls.

7. Encourage other women wanting to go natural. Be someone’s motivation. Remind them of their beauty and encourage them to get aquatinted with their kinks.

8. Do NOT be a big chop bully. Be sensitive with your transitioning friends! Don’t push them to big chop if they’re not ready.

9. Use what you’ve learned in 2013 to take better care of your tresses. If you’re anything like me you had a lot of hair trial and error last year. Let’s do better this year.

10. Do NOT underestimate the importance of curly support. Stay encouraged on your natural hair journey. It is critical, especially in the early staged. I’ll be here to keep you motivated :o)

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BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

Undercover Deep Condition & Baggy

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I have never been one to leave the house in a shower cap or bonnet. It’s just not my style.  Part of my 6 month natural hair growth challenge is to deep condition once a week .  This tends to be a bit of a challenge with my schedule.  Fortunately, I can still get it done and go about my day without worrying about having to complete the entire  process before going out in public, because I’ve found a simple way to get my weekly deep condition and baggy done undercover!

Yesterday I deep conditioned with Creme of Nature’s Intensive Conditioning Treatment for several hours after co-washing .  I was able to baggy my hair after applying the deep conditioner and topped it off with a beanie for a suitable daytime look.  My hair was able to get the treatment it needed while I did what I needed to do for the day.  A face beat and casual chic outfit helped to complete the day’s style and I was more than satisfied with the overall look.

After my deep condition process was complete I finished the night off with one of my go to protective styles, small twists.  They came out extremely moisturized!

So naturalistas…no more putting off your deep condition routine because you’re too busy.  Just deep condition, baggy, beanie and be you beauties!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, Uncategorized

Officially Team Natura Magazine

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I am excited to say that I’ve partnered with a phenomenal publication dedicated to natural hair and healthy living, Natura Magazine. Check out my first blog post about tips on how to maintain your child’s natural hair here and stay tuned for more writes from yours truly!

Here I am rocking my official Kinky Girl tee repping the kinky hair nation ❤

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Behind My Face Transformation

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My husband has always said that he loves my smile, that my face completely transforms when the sides of my mouth curve up. Frankly, I never really knew what to make of that. Did that mean that my every day “I’m just chillin” kinda face isn’t as appealing. Women have a tendency to overthink things and there’s no doubt that this has been one of those overthought topics for me.

Needless to say, I’ve spent a lot of time comparing numerous smiling photos to non smiling photos trying to figure it out. Maybe it’s my eyes. I’ve always had big eyes and they tend to appear smaller when I smile. Maybe it’s the subtle hint of dimples that occur when I smile, or the nearly perfect teeth that spent 3 years in braces. Maybe it’s that.

After going through all of the major and minor differences I finally realized that the true appeal in my smile is found in what lives behind it. Not just the simple feeling of being happy. Don’t get me wrong, happiness is great. But, happiness is only predicated on what happens. It’s more than that. It’s joy. And joy only comes from one entity. Holy Spirit. So now, I do my best to smile a little bit more each day in hopes of sharing The Comforter with someone else who may truly need comforting. In case you happen to be that someone today, this smile is for you.

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

My natural hair growth challenge regimen

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While I thoroughly enjoyed the versatility, after just a week I decided to chuck up the deuces to my straight hair. I am now happy to say the curls are back and I am back to my growth challenge regimen.  Speaking of my regimen, I’ve gotten some questions as to what my regimen has been since I started the growth challenge.  So, here’s a look at what I’ve been doing to promote hair growth during this 6 month challenge.

  • Co-wash with Tresemme Flawless Curls 2x/week

  • Use the LOC method to seal my ends with water, olive oil and the Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment at least 3x/week

  • Deep condition and baggy with Creme of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment with Moroccan Aragan Oil 1x/week

  • Wear protective styles at least 3 to 4x/week
  • Protect my hair at night with a silk scarf or bonnet
  • Use Bioinfusion Olive Oil Shine Serum to help protect my hair when it’s out and not in a protective style

  • Take multivitamins every day
  • Drink at least 8 cups of water every day
  • Exercise 2 to 3x/week

That’s pretty much it!  I try to stay as consistent as possible. Although I’ve fallen short on a couple of these items I’m really proud of my dedication and progress.  Looking forward to the next 4 1/2 months of awesome hair growth! Stay tuned for updates!

Click here to check out my original blog entry about my growth challenge.

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

A Classic Style for My Bestie’s Wedding

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This past weekend was my best friend’s wedding, and it was perfect.  I felt so honored to be her Matron of Honor.  There was a bit of a struggle on my end as to whether I should straighten my hair for the wedding or go with a natural up do.  So, I left it up to the bride and she wanted me to go with a classic up do, so that’s exactly what I did.  Here are some pics from start to the final look.  She was very pleased which was my number one goal.  I used the Cantu Creamy Hair Lotion and Eco Styler with Olive Oil to achieve this look.

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Growth Challenge Update

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It’s been a little over a month since I decided to go hard with a 6 month growth challenge.  Since then I’ve been pretty consistent with the rules I set in place for myself.  Lots of protective styling, H2O, vitamins, etc. and so far it definitely seems to be paying off.

The weather here in Florida has been in the low 70s, perfect for straight hair.  And so, I couldn’t help myself.  I tried a new product from the Cantu line (stay tuned for a review) and decided to straighten my hair.  I was extremely happy with the results.  Although there was heat application, I took care of my hair during the process and my straight hair has offered me some incredible motivation to continue the challenge.  Check out the comparison from when I first started the challenge to now. My hair is noticeably longer and more healthy after only 1 month!   I’m definitely feeling encouraged!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Decisions Decisions

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I have the honor of attending my best friend’s wedding this weekend as her Matron of Honor. So excited! I’ve been going back and forth on what type of hair style I should wear for her big day.  An updo is obviously the more traditional and formal way to go so I’ve been heavily considering some sort of twist updo style.  On the other hand I’ve been extremely tempted to straighten my hair.  There’s a cold front coming through the Tampa Bay area which would serve as the perfect weather for straight hair. I’m just not sure what I want to do.  Here are some of the updos I’ve found on Pinterest that I really like. Stay tuned!5792e51bab5a00f916fe9ec5fb7c8535 462730a851c241ae12653066ce0d0fb6 635773645626af0d9bbdd79dedd88d4c e2d5a98e2d7f457118b721d89f1d4e46

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Pushing the Corporate Envelope

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I LOVE pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing my natural hair at work.  I’m in a corporate environment Monday – Friday 7:30 to 4:30 so every day I do my hair in the morning I’m thinking of yet another way that I can do something a little more outstanding than the day before.  Being one of 3 african american individuals on the floor I work on, blending in isn’t really an option.  And I am truly thankful for that!  Outside of the fact that the Book calls me the salt of the earth, intended to offer a bit of spiritual flavor to an otherwise bland atmosphere, I love the idea of contradicting a corporately correct fit with a curly fro or super high mega bun.  I love being different.  My natural hair affords me the opportunity to be different every single day.  Holy Spirit lives in me and my every day goal is to change the atmosphere he puts me in.  Some love me and others love to hate me.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that I love me.

Don’t be afraid of wearing your natural hair styles at work. Don’t fear that they could potentially hold you back from advancement. God is your source, your job, is just a resource. Love yourself. Be yourself. And the next time you think about wearing that style you’re just not sure is ok for work…go for it. And don’t just wear it, OWN IT!

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