Denman Dilemma

Avoid a Denman Dilemma

  When time is of the essence it can be tempting to take short cuts as you style your hair. Simple styles like a twa, the puff, and buns are easy styles that only require a few minutes.  These styles require minimal manipulation, and keep your  ends tucked away. Another shortcut that reaps positive benefits is the Green House Method to add moisture over night with out recking your style.   The Denman Brush is a very popular detangling tool among the curly community, but when used incorrectly it can have damaging results. 

Blow Out

So, I did a blow out. I deep conditioned 2 weeks ago in preparation for this weeks blow out. After co washing, and applying a leave in, I twisted my hair in smedimum sections, and allowed it to air dry over night. I did not use oil.

The next morning, I applied a lite oil, and blow dried each section on med heat using only my fingers and a lite tension. I hold the hair streached as I blowdry each section. Working from root to tip, I make sure I do not over dry the ends of the hair.  Once complete, I used the pick attachment, and a high setting to to further dry the hair. Because I had previously sectioned and stretched with  my fingers, this only took 10mins. Here is the result below. At this point, if I wanted a straight style, I would reach for the flat iron.

4c Kinks: No Definition, But Plenty of Influence

Picture this: You see a woman strutting down  the street, fly from curls to toe. Her care free attitude, the sureness in each step, she exerts “Dopeness’  with each gesture, and you cant help but notice! You think to yourself “YASSSSS” or, you want to do a slow clap to celebrate her fierceness.  We have all seen this lady. In fact, sometimes we Are these ladies. She is an influencer.  Her style, her attitude, or general way of life captures attention. Some will  admire her. Some will make fun of her and say ‘who does she think she is’? One thing is for sure, most everyone will notice her. This is what is like to have natural 4c hair, in a world of relaxed and weaved styles. Some will embrace & complement it, & even join in on the journey. Others will make fun, or suggest a relaxer. Everyone will notice.

Simple Hairstyles

Simple Warm Weather  Hair Styles

With the warm weather, BBQ's and pool parties, you may be searching for your next  hairstyle that can stand up to the heat and humidity. Here are a few fool proof Do’s that will keep you looking polished, as the temps rise. These styles can go from day to evening by mixing and matching accessories. 

Up Do  |  Show stopping beauty

I went natural, Now What

I went natural, Now What

So you did it! You did the big chop, or you canceled your next relaxer, indefinitely. Congratulations!

So Now What?

Expect some looks. If you wore your hair long and straight all your life, it is only natural for those around you to react to your big chop. Some will be shocked. Some will be pleased, others will be confused. The only thing that matters, is

Shedding VS Breakage

Shedding VS Breakage

Each day, you are losing hair. As your hair goes through its cycle of growth, you will lose 50-100 strands of hair a day. With thick tightly coiled hair, it may be tricky to tell if the hair in the sink is normal shedding, or a sign of something more serious. There are a few things you can do to help you determine if your hair is shedding or breaking.

Detangle

DIY Trends | Flower Headband VIDEO

DIY Trends |  Flower Headband & VIDEO

We just love this springs trend,

 Flower Headbands

You can rock these trendy accessories in various sizes, colors, and styles. You can chooses a simple or complex flower head band. This versatile accessory can save a bad hair day, jazz up

For the Days Your Fro is Not Cooperating

What Imperfections?

So your hair is not cooperating today? Your hair didn't turn out exactly as planned? It's still beautiful! Allow me to provide another prospective about your impending bad hair day. The beauty about beauty is that it’s subjective. Indeed, this is something that many of us take for granted very often when it comes to hair. Many of us spend hours trying to craft the perfect style every time and allowing room for imperfections seems crazy. Primping, and panicking to ensure perfect ringlets, smooth edges, and immaculate wash n go's.  Beauty is in the frizzy imperfections, of natural, kinky hair. Even that crazy bushy, gravity defying hair is perfect. Perch a flower in it, and keep it moving!

Next time your hair is giving you a hard time, just let it be. Add a simple head band, or a vibrant flower to top it off.  You will love the clumped curls, slight frizz and

Whats In Your Spray Bottle?

Whats In Your Spray Bottle?

Check out this list of all the great things you can put in your spray bottle.  These items can be your "Liquid" as part of your L.O.C (Liquid.Oil.Cream) Regimen. They each provide vital nourishment for your curls. If your hair is parched, just spray a bit of this on your curls. Taking out a protective style? Using a water based moisturizer will help with a low shedding take down. Hair itching? Dealing with flakes?  Each of theses home made, and semi home made cocktails will leave your curls happy, moist,  and healthy. I dive into the main ingreditnts, that should be in your spray bottle.  Add your preferred oils to your mix, along with one of these moisturizers:

Low Manipulation Hairstyles

 Low Manipulation Hairstyles

 These Cute styles allow you to limit manipulation damage to your curls. A good Low Manipulation hairstyles must do 3 things:

• These styles tuck your ends away, thus increasing length retention
• These simple styles can limit the amount of hand to hair contact, thus decreasing manipulation damage
• Limit Tangles because the hair is either stretched, or gathered together

 Let’s face it,  with super soft hair,  it can be  hard to keep your hands away. Each time you touch your hair, you can cause a little damage.  The daily rigors of detangling, and styling can leave your strands in need of a break. Check out our top Low Manipulation styles for type 4 curls! 

Adorable styles like a Bun:

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How To | Take down your Protective styles

Protective styles allow your curls to go weeks without manipulation damage. Even if you have a good moisture routine,  manipulation damage can limit length retention.  For particularly fragile hair types you may  will want to keep your hair in protective and low manipulation hairstyles 70% -80% of the time to allow your hair to recover, and retain length. Instead of detangling with combs or brushes you may want to try finger combing before reachign for a comb.  When installing your protective style,  you have to be gentle with your hair. Take your time, and use your fingers, unless you are sectioning your hair.  The more you comb, style, or touch your hair you are causing damage to it. If you have particularly fragile hair, like 4b or 4c hair, this type of damage is easy to come by  when  your installing your hair style. 

When enoying a portective style, you must make sure to care for the curls underneath the style.   Here are my top tips for having a successful protective style, with minimal sheding. Too often I hear of people complain that a protective style ruined their hair. Follow these tips to save your strands, grow that hair, and give yourself a break from daily styling.

Tip 1 | Give Your Curls Good Vibes

Moisturize                                                Before  | During | After

For curly girls, moisture equals soft healthy hair. Be sure to moisturize your hair prior to styling. Use Hot Oils, or a thick moisturizing condiioner before installing your next style. Before I twist or braid my hair I deep condition, and seal with heavy creams and butters.  I also continue to hydrate my curls, spraying my ends, and/or oiling my scalp every 2-3 days while my hair is protected. In a spray bottle, I mix a leave in conditioner, water, and my preferred oil. Protective styling only gives you a break from styling. You must  still continue a moisture routine with your protective style. Moisture is also the key to a successful low shedding take down. I use my water based homemade mist to moisturize my strand as I take down the style. I also use the mist to loosen and remove any lint tangled in my hair.  Since using water based moisturizer, while taking down my styles I notice less shedding, and easier detangling after wearing protective styles for weeks.

Moisture Boost

Top Ways to Moisturize Curly 4c Hair

An amazing moisturizer will provide you with a few things: 

Shine - The sun rays should bounce off of your curls

Nourishment - Vitamins, Minerals, the good stuff for your hair's health

Slip - To prevent tangles, knots, and make styling, and detangling a breeze

Moisture - If you moisturized, and moments later your hair is dry or brittle, you are missing something. That moisturizer may need to be paired with other products for the best effect.


Here Are A few Recommended Moisturizers

Water

The #1 Moisturizer for all hair types

Rose Water
is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals, a by-product of the production of rose oil for use in perfume. 

5 Ways to incorporate JBCO in your regimine

5 ways to Use JBCO

Indigenous Curls Counts Down the Tops ways to use JBCO on curly hair

Keys to Successful Journey

Keys to Successful Journey

Sincerity

To thine own self be true," says Polonius in Hamlet.
 Before embarking on any journey, there must come a moment of reflection.  Is this really what you want?  What is your personal philosophy, your overall mission, and does this journey align with those things? You must be always sincere with yourself. Take a good look in the mirror. Evaluate what you really want. Sincerity is the virtue of one who speaks and acts truly about his or her own feelings, thoughts, and desires. Weather you take on a new task, or start a new journey, sincerity is key. When it comes to your hair, making the decision to go natural, needs to be a sincere one. Is this natural hair your true desire? Is healthy hair your overall mission? Are you prepared to deal with the days your curls are out of control? If the answer is no, that’s ok. At the end of the day, it’s just hair. Both you and your hair will continue to grow, change, and evolve. Be Sincere with yourself when embarking on a new journey, take into account your lifestyle, and overall goals, and adjust either your goals, or your plan of action.  

 Wisdom

Before starting any journey you need to acquire knowledge. Do your research.

3 Ways to Perk Up Your Conditioner

3 Ways To

I am a recovering product junkie. For years bottles, canisters, and sprays would line my dresser, purse, and bathroom sink. Even now and then, I would come across a conditioner that fell short of my expectations. 

60 Day Protective style Challenge | Struggle Post

With 14 Days remiaing in this 60 Day protective style challenge, I am struggling. Each day, I peek under my protective style, in an effort to gage just how much growth is going on under there. I am currently expirencing classic signs of curl withdrawl.

What a struggle! The only thing saving this challenge, was my ability to change hairstyles every 10 days. If I had to rely on a salon to install my protective styles, I don't think I would have survived this challenge.  I began this challenge with a partial weave. My curls could not blend with the silky weave for more than a week. I refused to apply heat, and using the banding method was not getting silky results.

How To make SunScreen For Your Hair

The sun can reak havock on your hair 

To keep your hair and skin healthy, it is reccomeded that you use sunblock. Here is a recipe for Home Made Sunscreen for curly hair. 

Many natural oils can act as a sunbock. Carrot seed oil has a SPF of 38-40, while oilve oil can have a SPF of 2-8. Mix 3 or 4 of theses oils in equal parts, and incorpoerat them in your styling regomine. You can also use grapeseed oil as your base and sweeten things up with raspberry oil, and macadiamia oil. Combine theses oils in a small jar and use as needed, and during the final parts of styling.  If your hair loves the thick stuff, reach for Avocado oil to coat your strands before heading out the door.

Water Only?

      Water Only for Curly Girls

As a High Porosity Type 4 curly girl, I am hesitant about naked hair. I layer my hair with various products to lock in wash day moisture, and keep my 4c hair soft and supple. I use oils, butters, conditioners, and gels in layers on  my hair. It never dawned on me that my naked hair could feel just as soft, and be just as defined, using the 'Water Only' method.

That's right! ONLY WATER. You may be hesitant to to allow your curls to dry without adding additional oils, but its possible! Your scalp naturally produces oil, or sebum. The water only method encourages your hair's natural oils to increase, and coat the entire strand, possibly eliminating the need to layer product after product on your hair.

Is this for everyone? NO! As always, do what works best for your hair. If you notice adverse side effects while trying a new method, adjust your method, or stop completely. But, if you are tired of products just sitting on your strands, as opposed to seeping in,  you may want to give this 'water only' method a try!

CurlFriend  Dee Shares her Water Only Experience with us! Check out her video, and our one on one interview below!

A Serious Condition

This past winter was harsh! To give my strands a break, I decided to do a protective style challenge for the next 60 days. This 60 day challenge will give my strands a break from the stress of daily styling, and manipulation damage. I expect to see some growth and length retention over the next 60 days. What I did not expect was, that this challenge would be so difficult. I’m currently experiencing curl withdrawal. After growing to love my tightly coiled hair for the past 3 years, I now find it difficult to go long periods of time without them.

Beer Rinse to Bounce Your Curls Back!

Beer Rinse for Kinky Curls

As I shared last week, I am embarking on a 60day Hair challenge. For the next 2 months, my hair will be in protective styles. This challenge will allow my strands to flourish without manipulation damage. Currently, I have in a straight weave and about a 2 by 2 inch leave out in the front. 

Day 3
Starting to Revert

Almost Immediately I regretted leaving so much of my curly hair out. Blending the textures is becoming more and more difficult with each day. I originally pressed my hair, taking extra time to seal in moisture, but with each day that passes, my hair reverts a bit more. I have tried wrapping my hair, and setting the small leave out in a large roller to keep it stretched. Nothing, short of applying more heat seems to work. After week 1, my leave out is starting to return to its 4c kink, leaving me in an awkward position


Damn that Damage | Grow That Hair!

Not Feeling this Leaveout
Day 10

I have made it a point not to press my hair as it reverts, to avoid damage. As I search for a better solution,