5 scalp Symptoms to Watch for

 I was ready  to endure curl withdrawal. I said my goodbyes as I  prepared to tuck my curls away for a few weeks. I cleansed, oiled, and braided my hair. I had purchased an new brand of hair I had never her of, but despised to give it a try because I liked the color. By the 2 night I was faced with a serious problem. My scalp was on fire!

This Could be Us..... But it's Not

The internet has a way of making everything look great. Social media timelines are filled with perfect celebrations, perfect pictures, and What seems like perfect lives. Well, I live in the real world, and Today I'm not feeling pretty. In fact, I am feeling quite ugly. I thought about slapping on a head wrap, or slicking my kinks into a bun. As I reached for the gel, I realised how I felt, could not be fixed with a handful of gel or a colourful scarf. Bad hair days are inevitable, but negative feelings can be overcome. I share my top "pick me ups" for mind hair and soul.

3 Steps to detangle 4c hair

Often times in life you have to do things you don't want to do. Life sort of forces you to do unpalatable things like satisfy Obligations, pay bills, and dangle your hair. At lest one of these things can be painless. 

Keep reading for my top tips when dangling fine 4c hair.

When attempting to detangle fine, kinky hair, you  must remember  1 thing: be gentle! Your kinky curls and delicate treat each strand with love, as you section, separate, and remove shed hairs. Because your hair is tightly coiled, shed hairs often get ensnared in your mass of curls. These rogue hairs can cause tangles as the work their way down, ultimately leading to breakage. How often you detangle  Depends on the condition of your hair, and current hair style. If you are wearing your hair in out styles, (twistout, braidout, fro, bantu knotout) you should detangle once or twice a week. Limiting how often you manipulate your hair will lower your risk for mechanical damage. While on the other end of the spectrum, going long periods of time without taking time out to  detangle will lead to knots, locks, and breakage.  Having a successful natural hair journey will require you to find  balance when caring for and styling your kinky hair.

3 Steps

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

3 styles that take less than 10

3 styles that take less than 10 

Only have 10mins to get out the door? Here are 3 styles that will get you out the door fast, while looking stylish.

Short Hair

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

4 Brands of Gel Natural Girls Can Use

4 Brands of Gel 4c Natural Girls Can Use

Let’s face it, there are so many gels and styling products on the market, it can be hard to know just what is good and what is bad for your hair. Not all products that claim to be good for your hair, will give you the hold, and performance you need. Kinky, tightly coiled hair can be a pain to  lay down. Here are a few brands of gel that not only keep kinky hair looking sleek, they  keep my curls defined. My preferred gels are extra sticky, and goopy. Applying the sticky gels to wet hair is easiest. However, I apply gel on damp hair if I am looking to minimize shrinkage, and have the most defined look. I use gel on wet hair to get the sleekest bun. Using gel on wet hair, usually gives me a shrunken puff, as the curls are not that defined.  I notice my hair shrinks more when the gel is applied to dripping wet hair. No matter the look Im going for, these gels leave my hair happy!

3 Reasons to Big Chop Today

3 Reasons to Big Chop Today

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1.        Transitioning Strands Can Be A Pain.

   I transitioned for weeks while rocking  protective styles. Each time I removed the protective style, I was presented with more and more new growth. I quickly grew bored with braidouts, and twistouts, and began to long for other styles that showcased my curls.

Open Letter

Open Letter to a Transitioning girl

Dear Transitioning Curly Girl

Your curls are growing every day, no need for a daily length check! Whether you are newly natural,  or returning to our curls, there are some things we need to talk about.

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

TRUE LIFE: I kept an emergency relaxer for 2 years

TRUE LIFE: I kept an emergency relaxer for 2 years, then something changed

A year into my journey I was still stumbling towards healthy hair. Pressing my new growth in an effort to blend the textures, was starting to damage my strands. I was uneducated on kinky curl care, and I was making major mistakes as I transitioned. I used high heat frequently, I manipulated my hair daily, and when it was in protective styles, I would often forget to moisturize. For the 1^st full year, length retention was stunted by my bad practices, regardless, each day I would blame nature for giving me unmanageable HARD hair.

HOW TO | CO-Wash Natural Hair

Depending on the state of your hair, you can choose different ways to tackle wash day. The condition of your curly hair can range from a Tangled mess, to Protective style recovery, just plain dirty. Follow theses fool proof techniques to tame, and hydrate your curls. You can create your own conditioner, or use a store brought conditioner to clean your curls.

Tangled Mess
Hair is shrunken, matted, tangled, with lent, but still has good moisture balance and normal shedding.

Kinky hair is known for shrinkage, constant tangles, and knots. If this sounds like your hair, follow theses tips for a easy breezy wash day with limited shedding.

Hair is weakest when wet. Tightly coiled hair can easily become tangled. This combination can spell disaster for kinky natural hair.

Tips For Curly Swimmers

Sun! Sand! Surf! Summer is quickly approaching. As the temperatures rise,  many are flocking to the beach to catch some sun, or catch a few waves.  As you soak up the sun, and splash in the waves, be sure to take a few precautions to ensure your hair and skin remains healthy all year long.

Sun

From the moment you step outside, the sun’s UV Rays are attacking your hair and skin. Wear a hat to provide coverage from the direct heat of the sun. There are so many cute styles, from stylish fedoras, to  big floppy brim hats.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU USE A PRODUCT BEFORE YOU REALIZE ITS GREAT OR BAD FOR YOUR HAIR

HOW LONG DO YOU USE A PRODUCT BEFORE YOU REALIZE ITS 

GREAT OR BAD 

FOR YOUR Natural HAIR

Countless times I have sworn off a hair product, only to revisit it later. This has happened so many times, I no longer toss the products I don't like. Because of this, I am saving money, and expanding my hair horizons. If a styling creme didn't hold my twistout, perhaps its good enough to perfect my puff?  Here are more tips &  Finding alternative uses, and easy fixes for a lack luster product.

Before You Toss it, Give it Another Try.  

 Before you give a thumbs down,  set aside 2 to 3 weeks of consistent use, making sure the application of the products are correct. 

Give it another try. So many things can have an effect on how a product acts in your hair. Weather, Your hair cut, other products, and your hairs health, can all have an effect on final results when using product. Some products do not mix well together. Are you getting flakes? Hair too gooey? Hair became sticky? If you used a product and your were unhappy with the results, give it another try, and layer it with an alternative product. If you are still unhappy revisit the product when the weather is different. Hated it in the summer? You may Love it in the winter!

Mix it with.... I cannot count how many times I have ran out to buy a conditioner that others have raved about,  only to be disappointed. Not enough slip, hated the smell, not heavy enough? When I am presented with theses problems, I mix until satisfied. If  more slip is needed, add Grapeseed oil. If the conditioner is not thick enough,  add JBCO to the bottle and enjoy. Some products do not mix well can can result in flakes, adding oil, water, or swapping for  an alternative product  may cut out any flakes.

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

Meet This Curly Girl | Growing to Love Her TWA

Finding Confidence Rocking my TWA

My big chop liberated me! 

I always said that I would cut my hair when I was ready to make a change. 

And my change finally came.

I've always been a little wary of short hair. I thought I couldn't be beautiful without long, thick, and straight hair. The fact that I had a boyfriend who hated natural hair made me even more self conscious about myself. I was always worried that I looked bad with my hair in its natural curly state.

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:

Moist Curls 101

Sealing Natural Hair 

The act of locking moisture in the hair, specifically the ends. For sealing to be effective, you must First use a water-based moisturizer. You can use plain water,  a leave in conditioner, or a cream that has water as its first ingredient. Sealing your hair is the 1# step to maintaining healthy hair in between wash days. 

Temporary Color

Indigenous

Curls

Counts Down the Top Temp Colors For Type 4c Curls

These Temporary measures can make your curls POP with bright, and subdued colors. Each method can be rinsed out after a few days. Looking to make a statement with out the commitment? Try these easy and simple methods to add a splash of color to your curls. Be sure your hair is well moisturized before giving these colors a go! 

Spray