Tag Archives: healthy hair

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Think I’m done combing my hair…ever

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At one of the Natural Hair Small Group meetings I help lead for my church, the conversation of using or not using a comb came up. Some believed that combing natural hair can contribute significantly to breakage, even with a wide tooth comb. I had previously never thought twice about combing my natural hair. I would typically comb it as I co-washed in the shower or immediately after as I applied my leave-in conditioner. Frankly, not combing my hair seemed pretty crazy to me.

After that meeting I decided to try out this not combing my hair nonsense. Turns out, I love it! Since chucking up the deuces to my wide tooth comb I’ve noticed a few things. 1. My curl pattern is more defined without applying any product to it. 2. My everyday texture is incredible and 3. I seem to have retained more length than usual.

Instead of using a comb, now I just use my fingers. Finger combing, what a brilliant concept. I’m still able to detangle my hair effectively without losing the benefits of not using a comb. So, outside of using a rat tail comb for precision parting for various styles, I think I’m pretty much done combing my natural hair…ever.

NATURAL HAIR

Growth Challenge Random Length Check

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Oh snap!!! I did a random length check last night and I’m past armpit length! I am so excited. It’s nice to see that all my hard work on this six month growth challenge grind is paying off. Three and a half months to go! Can you say motivated!

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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

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

Protective style for what!?

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I hadn’t heard the term protective styling until I decided to do the big chop 2 ½ years ago.  Even after I took that huge step I was still clueless as to what protective styling was or the purpose it served to growing my natural hair.  I have worn a lot of protective styles while on my natural hair journey but not particularly for the sake of protecting my hair.  Historically, it has more so been about achieving a particular style or look.  If a style that I wanted to achieve happened to require twists or braids or another common protective tactic, I did it! Little did I know that in doing so I had been encouraging hair growth. 

Well, as I’ve taken the step of committing to my 6 month growth challenge I am being reintroduced to protective styling but looking at it in a way that I never have before. Part of the parameters of my challenge includes wearing protective styles at least 3 times a week.  In the past couple of weeks I had been finding myself a bit challenged trying to find something new to do with my hair but still adhere to the parameters within the growth challenge. So, to encourage myself so that I didn’t completely fall off the bandwagon, I researched the importance of protective styling so that I can continuously remind myself why it’s so important, especially during a growth challenge. 

  • Low Maintenance: Natural hair retains length better when it’s left alone.  Styles that do not require a lot of manipulation like consistent combing, twisting etc. will allow hair to grow faster.
  • Keeps Hair Soft: Protective styles tend to soak up the natural oils and moisture within your hair which allows it to remain soft.  I do notice a major difference in my hair at night when I’ve worn it out vs. when I’ve worn it in a bun all day.
  • Prevents Breakage: Hair that is often worn out has a tendency to break off because of loose ends that catch on to various fabrics from things like car seats and pillowcases. Wearing protective styles helps to prevent breakage so that hair will retain growth.

 So, whenever I wake up in the morning and have that “Protective style for what!?” attitude I can quickly come back with these powerful reasons. 

 #GrowthChallengeGrind

 

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR

Helping my hair grow with H2O

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Last week I was sort of a slacker on my water intake so this weekend I’ve been on a serious H2O flow.  Generally speaking I think most people, including myself understand the importance of water and why it’s so important to drink a sufficient amount on a daily basis.  I don’t know about you but even given that understanding I still don’t always drink enough.  I’m fortunate that I actually enjoy the taste of water.  For me, the problem is that the day gets away from me before I’ve realized that I’ve hardly drank any.   Totally unacceptable!  Well, my hair challenge has given me another reason to remind myself of why water is so important, specifically for my natural hair growth.

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  • Our bodies are made up of about 60% water and we need it to maintain overall health.
  • One quarter of our hair strand’s weight is made up of water.
  • Water is the main source of energy for hair cells.
  • Water intake helps hydrates the body and helps to regulate the circulatory system. This feeds the hair follicle, and stimulates hair growth.
  • Drink 8 to 10 cups of water a day to stay hydrate.
  • Applying water to the hair is a big key to mitigating hair damage when it’s handled.  It makes hair softer and more elastic.

At the end of the day the thing to remember is that you need to be hydrated inside and out to keep your hair healthy.  I definitely plan to continue my H2O flow throughout this hair challenge and beyond.  Guess that’s  it for now.  Off to have a glass of water before I shut it down for the night.  Be You Beauties!