Tag Archives: long hair

NATURAL HAIR

Big Chop Part II?

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So, I’m a bit unsure of how much I really care but it looks like I’m back at bra strap length since my much needed trim back in March. Hair growth is generally a great thing to me but I’ve been very seriously considering big chop part II.

I think I’m just at that point in my natural hair journey where length just isn’t as important as it once was. These days I care more about hair health and the shape and overall look of a cut or style. I guess we’ll see how much longer it will take before I become fully committed to the idea of chopping my hair off. Stay tuned!

In the mean time here’s a pic of my random length check.

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NATURAL HAIR

Growth Challenge Bale Out

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So I’m sure some of your are thinking that I’ve completely bailed out on my 6 month growth challenge, which I’m sorry to say isn’t completely wrong!

I’ve been really busy with a great new initiative I can’t wait to share with you all and it’s been consuming a bunch of my time. And while I’ve still been sticking with a lot of the core elements of my growth challenge like no heat, wash & deep condition once a week and wearing protective styles, I have become a bit of a slacker when it comes to moisturizing and sealing my ends 3x a week, taking my vitamins and drinking enough water.

Now that I’m approaching the end of the challenge and my 3 year natural hair anniversary I’m not too sure that I will have reached my mid-back goal. The last time I did a random length check I was at BSL, so I guess we’ll see! Stay tuned!

If you’re in the middle of a growth challenge, do better than I did! Don’t get distracted! And well, if you do it’s not the end of the world :o)

BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Redefining the natural hair movement

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I see a lot of conversations on whether this crazy onset of natural hair interest is simply a trend or a movement.

From a mass media perspective a trend or movement is heavily based on the number of people involved and the length of time something is considered popular. However, from a life and purpose perspective it’s instead the impact that embracing your natural hair has had on your life that determines it’s reality as a trend or movement.

This nationwide advance of women going natural is actually very personal. So much so that the words trend and movement should be used in a completely different context within this topic. A context of life and purpose rather than media and sales. So, when we think about it that way the true question becomes, how big of a difference has embracing your natural hair made to your life? Has it been a trend, something you’ve done just for fun. Or, has it been a movement, something that’s ended up changing your life.

Personally, my natural hair journey started off just as a trend, but today I can honestly say that embracing my tresses has indeed become a movement. It has revealed gifts in me that I never new I had. But most importantly, it has helped introduce me to something I am purposed to do, motivate, encourage and inspire others.

How would you classify YOUR natural hair journey? Trend or Movement?

NATURAL HAIR

Fun Buns!

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Soooo, I’ve been having way too much fun with my buns this week. I’m beginning to realized that the opportunities are endless for the different looks you can create.

This natural hair growth challenge truly has enlightened me. Before I started this challenge I would have never been as cognisant about hair health as I am now. Protective styles have become one of my most favorite ways to get creative with my tresses. Loving them!

Here’s a look at some of my styles this week

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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.

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, SELF LOVE

Feeling Myself

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So, my growth challenge has got me really feeling myself!  Feeling incredibly encouraged and excited about my potential to reach my waist length goal, not necessarily within 6 months but perhaps in 12.  It’s amazing to me how one small initiative like a hair growth challenge can inspire you and build up your confidence.

I’ve been taking my all natural vitamins twice a day, playing with protective styles and trying to be more active. The big challenge this week has been drinking more water. Gotta find a way to get it in!

I did get a few new products that I’m really excited to try:  Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, Bioinfusion Curl Cream, Motions Define My Curls Creme, and Motions  Hydrate My Curls Hair Pudding. Super excited about trying these products!

Check out my YouTube video below to find out more about my growth challenge as well as these products and how I plan to use them.

Well…one thing is for sure, my self-love is definitely on overtime!  I suppose the natural Be You Beauty thing to do to maintain  such a healthy level of confidence like this would be to find more positive, healthy initiatives to take on.  Who knows…this could be the beginning of something Be-You-tiful!