Search Results: Ebony Clark
Ahhh! The smell of barbecue, fresh flowers, longer days, and the sweltering heat remind us that summer is here! It’s also the largest season for…. weddings!!! Between choosing a venue, selecting the perfect gown, deciding what’s going on the menu, how many people to invite and WHICH ones will make the guest list, choosing a hairstyle can be one of the most challenging tasks on your agenda. To make selecting a hairstyle for your big day easier, consider these three things: your dress, your personality, your hair’s length and texture, and your wedding style.
Your Dress
Choose your dress first, and make sure you feel like a million bucks in it. It will help you exude confidence, and make choosing a hairstyle a little less intense. A general rule of thumb to remember is, if the neckline is high it may be more flattering for your hair to be up. If the neckline is lower your hair may look better down. It all depends on your dress’ neckline, fabric, and silhouette. If your dress is really intricate, you may want to opt for a simpler ‘do. Stay away from styles that would compete with your gown.
Your Personality
It is very important that, whichever style you choose, it fits your personality and personal style. It is highly recommended that you search for inspirational styles on the internet and in magazines. Be sure to share them with your stylist, so you both can reach the best decision together.
Your Hair’s Length & Texture
The length of your hair and its texture will probably play the largest role in choosing a style. If it’s short or in that “in between” phase, do you want it to grow out for a particular style or will you opt for extensions in the meantime? Long hair? Will you wear it up or down? What about the texture? Will you have to manipulate (alter”> your texture to get the look you’re seeking? If so, it is very important that you know ahead of time and take the proper precautions so there won’t be any last minute disasters. If you want to wear your natural kinks, coils, curls, or waves book an appointment with a stylist that specializes in textured hair. A great stylist will be professional and realistic—letting you know if your styling options are limited due to the lack of density (ex. very fine”>, length, damage, etc.
Your Wedding Theme
One of the most important things to also consider is your wedding style/theme. Will you be a gothic, country chic, vintage, classic, glam, pin up or modern bride? Try your best to stick with a more classic theme, so that you look timeless in your photos.
And last but not least, Be sure to do a trial run with your stylist ahead of time, to see if the style you’re longing for works for you. Above all have fun and enjoy your fabulous day!
All illustrations by NikisGroove for NaturallyCurly.
Steam Therapy has been relied upon by our ancestors for generations, for both restoration and relaxation. Steam stimulates the immune system, release toxins, and combats fatigue. How does it work? It is a deep conditioning treatment using water/steam, which is changed into vapor/steam form when heat is applied. While it works for our bodies and skin, steam therapy is extremely beneficial for our hair as well–especially textured hair.
The hair shaft is composed of three parts. There is the cuticle (which is the outer layer”>, the cortex (which contains moisture and melanin, or natural color”>, and the medulla (the core”>. Steam therapy–also referred to as hyrdation therapy–allows a hefty dose of intense hydration to penetrate the hair shaft. Generally, conditioners sit on top of the cuticle, but steam lifts the cuticle so that the cortex receives the bulk of the moisture. That is where we need moisture the most! When your hair is properly hydrated, it’s more elastic, which minimizes breakage and split ends. It also causes hair to be silkier and have more body, shine and/or sheen. You will also save money on products because your hair will stay hydrated for a longer period of time!
Not only are steam treatments beneficial for our hair, they are highly therapeutic for our scalps. Some may even say that the process is miraculous. Steaming helps loosen dead skin, remove build-up, balances sebum (oil”> production, and unclogs pores. All of the aforementioned encourage an ideal environment for optimum hair growth and promote a healthier scalp. It can also aid in the production of collagen, which supports cell renewal.
Although there are many ways to treat your scalp and tresses to hydration therapy, using a hair steamer is the most effective. To improve the overall condition of your hair and scalp, incorporate hydration therapy into your hair care routine at least once a month. If you have hair color or scalp concerns, consider steaming more often. Start by thoroughly cleansing your hair and scalp, apply a deep conditioner, pile your hair loosely on top of your head and then sit under a hair steamer for 20 to 30 minutes. For best results, rinse out using cool water. Happy steaming!
Read more: EClark6’s Ultimate Twist-Out Guide
photo Design Essentials
Ebony’s Twist Out
My all time favorite natural hairstyle to sport is the twist out. Over time, it has taken some work to achieve optimum results.
In order for my twist outs to be top-notch, I must have:
- clean, conditioned and detangled hair
- clips
- a wide-toothed comb
- a rattail comb
- a quality moisturizer (or creamy leave-in conditioner”>
- oil or butter
- styler
Before You Twist
Clean & Condition
It is important that my hair is clean and conditioned, so that my hair can have body, and properly absorb products for setting and styling. Hair is like a sponge; it can only absorb so much. When there is build-up, the hair will not be able to successfully grasp additional products. Too much product can result in limp styles, slow drying time, and flaking.
Moisturize
Adding a quality moisturizer helps add moisture and nutrients, and oil or butter helps retain it. When my hair is thoroughly moisturized, my hair has elasticity, looks fresh, lively, and healthy. It also retains moisture, longer. (Oh, combs and clips just make the task easier and faster!”>
Now, You’re Ready to Twist!
Just as important as using a great moisturizer, having a “proven” technique helps me to achieve an awesome twist out every single time.
I say proven, because my twist outs have been double take-worthy ever since!!!
By twisting in the direction in which my coils grow, and slightly rolling the strands between my fingers before twisting simply help to elongate my natural coil pattern, and my twist outs last longer. They are also incredibly defined. (If I didn’t have curls or coils, I would still roll the strands between my fingers prior to twisting”>.
Applying Product
First, I apply moisturizer, oil, then styler to my hair–in sections–while it’s damp.
By sectioning the hair, it ensures even coverage. If your hair is fine, you may want to consider using less product on slightly damp hair. For those with coarse tresses, consider using a generous amount of product on sopping wet hair.
Twists
Next, I make 3-4 smaller sections within each section, and twist. I try to make the two strands within a twist even. That will keep me from having to “borrow” a piece of hair from the other strand to complete the twist.
Twist-Out
Once I’m done, I generally end up with 12-15 twists. I allow my hair to dry completely before unraveling to minimize frizz. When it is time to unravel, I do so carefully, add a little oil, separate and fluff!
Get more of Ebony Clark’s styling tips, along with product reviews and hair tutorials on her YouTube, Instagram and blog.
MORE: EClark6’s Do’s & Don’ts for Flat-Ironing Natural Hair
At NaturallyCurly, we’re all about natural hair versatility.
Sometimes we want to change things up a bit and re-texturize our hair. With a knowledge and understanding of how certain chemicals, ingredients, methods, and techniques work–we don’t see anything wrong with healthily changing your hair’s appearance.
YouTube vlogger Ebony Clark, known online as EClark6, tells us the rules she swears by whenever she flat irons her coils.
Ebony Clark, aka EClark6:
Some say that variety is the spice of life. I agree.
For me, the monotony of anything has the potential to become boring. That includes wearing my natural kinks, coils, and curls.
Every now and then, I like to flat iron my hair. Being that hair is fiber, over time, manipulation, constantly pulling it back, extreme environmental temperatures, hair color, hormonal changes, illnesses, and heat can alter our hair’s texture. That is why I am deliberate about my process of thermal straightening—from beginning to end.
Generally, I know when I want to flat iron my hair at least two to three weeks ahead of time. That is the best time to start preparing for a potentially damaging process.
Yes, we risk thermal damage, AKA “heat damage”, every time we straighten our hair, so it’s best that we prepare ahead of time. So far, I’ve had great success with flat ironing my natural hair without heat damage.
Over the years, I’ve banked a few dos and don’ts to achieve the most quality flat ironing experience.
Dos:
- Cleanse with a clarifying shampoo or use an apple cider vinegar rinse to guarantee the removal of build-up, prior to flat ironing.
- Deep condition your hair once a week for two to three weeks prior to straightening. Your hair’s condition can change your heat tolerance.
- Consider a protein treatment within a week prior to and straightening to help strengthen the hair.
- Choose a moisturizing conditioner with hydrolyzed proteins, whenever possible.
- Treat your tresses to hydration therapy, while deep conditioning. Intense moisture from a hair steamer will lift the cuticle and offer a healthy dose of hydration to the cortex. Dry, brittle hair heats rapidly and is more prone to heat damage.
- Apply a liquid heat protectant prior to blow drying, preferably after the hair has been towel dried.
- Opt for silicone-based serums (in addition to the liquid”> for shine, smoothness, and added heat protection.
- Keep your appliances clean. Old, hardened, debris on your flat iron can snag hairs and cause damage.
- To minimize heat exposure and chances of heat damage, allow your hair to air dry at least 50% before blow drying.
- Always blow dry hair in a downward direction to make sure that the cuticle is flat. This will set the foundation for a more quality flat ironing process.
- Work with hair in sections. It makes the process much easier.
- Apply oil, serum, or finishing sheen AFTER flat ironing, for lasting shine and durability.
- Wrap or bun your flat ironed hair at night with a silk or satin scarf to keep it from becoming dry, or reverting due to night sweating. (Throw in a few bantu knots, large cornrows, flat twists, or flexi rods overnight for added texture and fun.”>
Always patch test, first, to determine the temperature at which to set your flat iron. Each texture responds differently to heat.
Don’ts:
- Abstain from oils and butters prior to blow drying and flat ironing, as the heat can cause oils and butters to fry your hair—especially when flat ironing.
- Refrain from using heat over 450 degrees Fahrenheit…ALWAYS! Hair burns at 451 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid passing the flat iron over each section more than once.
- Do not flat iron your hair every day.
- To keep hair from frizzing or reverting, stay away from water-based moisturizers and steam at this time. We don’t want that hard work to be in vain.
- Do not forget to use a protein treatment once your flat ironed ‘do is done. Your hair will need to be reconstructed.
- You will need to stock up on moisture. Do not neglect to deep condition and treat your mane to more hydration therapy after washing away your straight style.
- Dodge styles that cause stress to the hair due to over manipulation or tension. It is important to choose styles that allow your tresses to just be, so avoid tight and high maintenance styles.
This article is based on my personal experience and research. Heat tolerance is very subjective, and varies greatly or slightly from person to person. Always do what is best for you.
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