Search Results: Nikki Walton
Here are five basic things every new natural should know that will definitely help you avoid hardship down the road. If you’re a seasoned natural, share these tips with someone just starting out. Or, share some of your own in the comments!
Protective styling is a method, not a way of life.
While protective styling (tucking your ends away in a style such as wigs, braids, twists, or buns to help retain length”> can certainly be beneficial to natural hair, it can easily become harmful for a couple of reasons. For one, if you over-protective style, especially with extensions, your hair can become extremely dry, which could potentially worsen the state of your hair.
Secondly, if you protective style too often, you’ll never really get to know your hair because it’s always tucked away. So when you do choose to wear your hair in a natural style such as a wash and go or twist out, you won’t know what works for your hair and it might result in an epic fail. Your hair needs to “breathe” in between protective styles. And whenever you remove a style, you should always do a deep treatment to replenish the moisture your hair hasn’t been able to receive while put away.
Natural hair isn’t “one size fits all.”
I say this a lot because I even have to remind myself of this sometimes. Just because another natural’s hair looks or seems like yours, doesn’t mean your hair will respond the same as theirs to a certain style or product. Some naturals can get away with using heat and/or color often and without damage while others can cause heat damage with just one pass.
The key is to get to know your hair, what works best for your texture, and what’s going to be the most convenient method for your lifestyle, which can change overtime. Be open to tweaking your method and your products until you discover what your hair responds well to.
The health of your hair is your responsibility
So do your research. I’m constantly researching and learning about natural hair- not just for the sake of writing about it, but because I want to know the best ways to keep my hair at its optimum health. If you engage in poor hair habits such as excessive heat styling/coloring, over-manipulation, or neglecting your hair by not moisturizing, properly detangling, and deep conditioning the hair, then you shouldn’t be surprised when you have to get it cut or find that it stays around the same length.
If your goal is to grow longer hair or even to just maintain healthy hair, it will require effort but it will also be well worth the effort when you achieve your hair goals. For me, the best part about going natural was learning that I could grow my hair longer and healthier than it had ever been when I was going to stylists regularly, all because I made the health of my hair my business and therefore starting treating it with extreme care.
A word on major hair decisions…
… such as a drastic cut or color job. Some will tell you, “go for it!” while others will say, “take some time and think about it first” but really, that completely depends on your personality. Many Type 4 naturals have colored their hair on a whim or even after having pondered the decision for some time and still regretted it. Others have been completely happy with their decision, even it means having to nurse their hair back to health later. And others find that their hair prospers after a major cut or remains healthy after coloring.
Whatever you do, always take a page from tip #3 and do your research. Know what you’re getting yourself into and find a stylist who comes highly recommended. You may not know how you’ll feel about it 6 months or a year later but you can an idea because you know yourself better than anyone.
Another thing to consider: what are your hair goals right now? If it’s health and length, will this major hair decision help or hinder that? If you just want to have some fun with your hair, is something permanent the answer? Ask yourself first.
Enjoy your hair!
It really is just hair, after all, so don’t get so lost in all the do’s and don’ts that you end up disliking your hair. Your hair benefits most from you giving it TLC. Don’t be afraid to try new things and enjoy the journey!
This article was written by Kanisha of BlackNaps.org and published on CurlyNikki.
Share your tips for beginners below!
There are tons of hair teas and rinses out there to try. Hibiscus + rooibos tea are one of my favorite combos. The red color is beautiful and the blend is beneficial.
Hibiscus comes in many different varieties. I tend to use the red hibiscus (easily available”>. It is great for slip because it releases a light amount of mucilage when used in hot infusions. This flower also aids in hair loss prevention, soothes the scalp, nourishes the hair, reduces frizz and leaves the hair with a healthy shine.
Rooibos tea is a South African red tea. It is a great ingredient to incorporate in hair rinses for those that have dark or red hair (naturally or dyed”>. It is very calming to an irritated scalp, enriches hair color, stimulates the scalp, and contains a high amount of anti-oxidants and minerals such as copper.
This rinse can be used before or after deep conditioning.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of distilled water
- 2 tablespoons of rooibos tea
- 6-8 hibiscus flowers
- 1 teaspoon rosemary or 1 drop of rosemary essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of ACV (apple cider vinegar”>
- 1 teaspoon of rose hips fruit
Directions
- Warm the distilled water and pour it over all of the herbs and florals.
- Cover and allow to steep until cool.
- Strain and discard the spent plant material.
- Add the ACV and *essential oil to the room temp infused water. Blend well.
- Pour it over the hair and massage the scalp well with the pads of your fingers. Be sure to have a bowl to catch the run off.
- Repeat the above setup several times.
- You can rinse it out with cool water or leave in on the hair and proceed to styling.
This is a very concentrated infusion for maximum benefit. If your hair is light in color, such as brown or blonde, avoid using this tea as it may cause staining of your strands. Give it a try and see how much you like it as well. Enjoy!
Caution: Avoid getting the rinse into the eyes.
This article was written by Emilia Obiekea of Adorebotanicals.com and published on CurlyNikki.
We all know the glorious benefits of deep conditioning (hydrated, soft, elastic hair”>, but what do we do while deep conditioning? Well that depends on the length of time you plan to deep condition and how much moisture you need. Besides just sitting under a dryer on your phone playing games, there’s a lot of more productive things you could be doing with that time. As a college student, I know the value of every precious second of the day. No one wants to be confined to the dryer for possibly hours at a time. While the heat of a dryer does help, there are also options available that allow slightly more freedom, such as portable bonnet dryers, a hot towel, etc. Here are some ideas for what you can do:
Sleep
This is one of the most moisture-rich activity of all. Why? Because it takes the longest. The longer you spend with the conditioner in your hair the more it will soak into your hair. Some naturals practice this regularly, which is called the greenhouse method.
Laundry
Anybody else hate doing laundry? No? Just me? Well this is one time where I don’t mind. Because I’m not doing anything anyway, I feel more efficient when I actually get something done that I’ve been meaning to get around to. I don’t mind putting in three different loads because that’s just more moisture for my hair. Not only that, but this is one of those tasks that you can double down on. I can get my laundry done while I wait on my hair, and some third task while I wait on my laundry. It’s a win-win!
Read
Whether it’s assigned or for your leisure, what I enjoy about this is that I can actually do it under the dryer. Some of the tasks on this list rely heavily on the heat from your scalp and time. This, however, can be as long or as short as you please because the heat will help the conditioner settle into your strands much faster.
Homework/Studying
Again, another task I’m not very fond of. Hey, it needs to be done and what better time to do it? You can do this under the dryer if you have flash cards or an e-text reading. Otherwise you can sit down for some homework and wait it out. If you have a portable dryer like this one I bought from Amazon, you can still sit under the dryer even if you’re working on homework.
Shower
I do this one a lot. I’ll use a deep conditioner but I won’t really have time to let it sit. So, I’ll start my shower with washing my hair (up to the point of applying the deep conditioner”>. I then let the deep conditioner sit on my hair for the duration of my shower with a shower cap on. The steam from the shower should be sufficient in helping work the conditioner into your hair.
This article was written by Marchay Sledge of ChayNaturals.com and published on CurlyNikki.
Do you know of any other tasks that are great for deep conditioning? Comment and ask questions below.
Many people are under the impression that only the type 3 curly girls can do wash n go styles and achieve great definition. Lies. All lies. Just because your type 4 curls are tiny little coils that zig zag, you can still get super defined results from your wash n go. If you’re not sure what your hair type is, check out my Know Your Hair Type page. If you fall in the 4b/4c category, here are five wash n go tutorials that garnered super defined results. Each one featured different products and different hair lengths. This just goes to show that it’s not just about the product, but the technique.
LiveNaturallyLove
Just because your curls are small and springing, they can still be defined. See how in this tutorial for 4B 4C hair.FloridaNatural83
Have a few different curl patterns and textures? No worries with this tutorial. This is effective for a variety of type 4 curls.
NaturalCurliesTV
As our hair grows, it has different needs. For those of you who have longer tresses, here’s a tutorial just for you.
SkinnyGotCurves
For the ladies with short hair or with a tapered cut, this wash n go routine is perfect for you.
NaturallyGlamTV
In this tutorial, you’ll see a helpful technique specifically to help define the kinkiest of curls and coils. It’s not always about the product – sometimes it’s about the technique.
With these tutorials, you’ll be able to find what works best for your 4B/4C hair to achieve a super defined wash n go. For more information about achieving the best wash n go results read these articles:
- 7 Best Products for Wash n Go’s
- Think Wash n Go’s Don’t Work on Nappy Hair? You are Wrong!
- Perfecting the Wash n Go
- Nighttime Hair Routine for Wash n Go Styles
Have you tried any of the products or techniques used in these tutorials for defining your curls?
This article was written by Jonna of Black Naps and published on CurlyNikki.
Question
Kaja inquires…You often mention “active ingredients” – what are they and which are the “non-active” ingredients?
Answer
I love this question even though there is no simple, straightforward answer. While other cosmetic chemists may have their own definitions, I like to think that you can break all beauty product ingredients down into five basic categories:
5 Types of Cosmetic Ingredients
Active ingredients: They deliver the promise of the product.
Of course the type of activity varies widely. I guess the “truest” active ingredients are those specified as drugs by the appropriate governing body. So UV absorbers in sunscreens, benzoyl peroxide in anti-acne creams, and fluoride in toothpaste are all REALLY active.
But even the surfactants used in a shampoo or body wash are active by my definition – they are responsible for getting your hair or skin clean which is the basic promise of the product. The same thing goes for the silicones in a hair conditioner, the colorants in a mascara, or the polymers in a hairspray. If the ingredient is essential to making the product work, then it is “active.”
Base ingredients: They form the delivery vehicle for the active ingredients.
Active ingredients are rarely used by themselves in a 100% concentrated form. There’s usually an optimal use level for ingredients to ensure they do their job. Therefore the actives have to be “diluted” with something. That something may be as simple as water or as complex as a cream or lotion base or an aerosol spray. It may take dozens of ingredients to form the “base” of the product. Solvents, like water and alcohol, and emulsifiers, to help oils and water mix together, are among the most common types of base ingredients.
Control ingredients: they ensure the product stays within acceptable parameters.
Gums and polymers are used to stabilize emulsions, acids and bases are used to balance pH, polyols are used to maintain texture after freezing, and preservatives are used to protect against microbial contamination. These are just a few examples of control agents that help maintain the quality of the product.
Aesthetic agents: they improve the product’s sensory characteristics.
The look and smell are important parts of almost every cosmetic product which is why you’ll see colorants and fragrance used so frequently. You might even see “glitter” particles added.
Featured ingredients: they are added to increase consumer appeal.
These ingredients are also called pixie dust, fairy dust, marketing ingredients and a few other names. These are truly “inactive” because they’re added ONLY because they look good as part of the label. They serve no function other than to attract consumer’s attention. These ingredients include botanicals, vitamins and minerals, (some”> proteins and just about anything else “natural.” You can easily spot these ingredients because they are often incorporated into the product name (Sun-kissed Raspberry Shampoo”> or placed on the front label (lotion with jojoba oil”>.
This article was written by The Beauty Brains and published on CurlyNikki.
At the beginning of my natural hair care journey, I was envisioning what my natural hair would look like once it began to grow out. I began thinking about all of the naturals I had seen with long, thick, and healthy hair. Not to mention, I was more than giddy about the boundless styling options that were available for the looks I wanted to achieve. However, I didn’t understand that having longer natural hair came with a whole new set of challenges. Below are the things I have discovered while having long natural hair:
Tangles are terrible
My tangles make Charlotte’s Web look simple. On top of that, I have been getting more single strand knots than ever! I can easily spend upwards of 2 hours detangling, if I am really trying to avoid breakage and be gentle. However, when it concerns tangles it is much wiser to prevent them from occurring. Protective styles, washing hair in sections, and co-washing are all effective methods for reducing the amount of tangles you get.
You will get more hair fall
At some point in a natural women’s journey, her hair goes through less than stellar moments. This could be attributed to diet, improper haircare, illness, stress, or hormones. However, another plausible explanation is hair growth. The more my hair grows, the more strands I am seeing on wash day. Now don’t get me wrong, if you know your hair fall has to do with any of the controllable factors mentioned above then make the change. On the other hand, if it doesn’t then just chalk up your increased hair fall to having more strands.
You will want simplicity
You will realize that having longer and denser hair means spending more time on it. This will compel you to cut coroners where you can, and to find simplicity among a mane of complexity. I have found that deep conditioning is great but so is co-washing. When you co-wash it serves as both a cleanser and conditioner so you kill two birds with one stone. I still love shampooing my scalp once a month but co-washing keeps my hair soft and pliable. The more pliable our hair is, the less we have to worry about breakage.
You will choose easy protective styles
Yes, I know I sound contradictory right about now. At the beginning of this article, I was talking about how having longer hair provides you with more styling options. On the other hand, it’s simply not practical for many naturals to sport an elaborate style daily. Instead, you will find that French braids, Chunky Twistouts, and Braid Out’s will be your ally. Give yourself grace and save the elaborate styles for special occasions.
Your routine may change
You may find that the techniques and products that worked for your hair at the beginning of your journey are no longer as beneficial as they use to be. One of the newest practices I have incorporated into my routine is washing my hair in sections. In the past, I remember thinking that naturals who did that were doin the most! However, washing in sections helps prevent tangles and is a surprisingly good way to access the scalp.
Going natural is such an interesting and complex process. I call it a process because you are constantly evolving and changing. Just like with anything else in life, you have stages. The process of being natural is no different. Take things in stride and remember to grow, grow, and grow!
This article was written by Keora Bernard and published on CurlyNikki.
Moisturizing your hair once is the morning may not be enough. Curly hair is naturally prone to be drier than other textures because the sebum has to work 3 times as hard to get from our root to ends due to all the curves along the strand. Use a daily moisturizing lotion in the morning and gently mist your hair with water at night. If your hair also feels dry by mid-day, using a refresher spray like the Obia Natural Hair Curl Hydration Spray as well. The main take-away is moisturizing once or twice a week isn’t going to do the trick. You must moisturize daily and even multiple times a day if needed.
Change Your Deep Conditioning Regimen
Deep conditioning is another option where changing the frequency is possibly needed. Hair that is extremely dry and breaking should start on a weekly moisturizing deep conditioning regimen. Moisturizing deep conditioners like TGIN Honey Miracle Mask Deep Conditioner, which is void of protein, will help boost moisture levels and reduce shedding. If you want a pure moisturizing deep conditioner without protein make sure to read the label to confirm.
Don’t Confuse A Moisturizer With A Styler
Another common mistake several new naturals make is confusing a styling product with a moisturizer. While there are a few products that work as double duty action, products like gels, curling custards, foaming lotions and mousses should not act as your daily moisturizing product. Stylers are mainly formulated for hold and definition first. A moisturizing product should still be used in conjunction with these items as you will see in most product lines. Use products where water is the first ingredient on the label such as hair lotions and hair milks for daily moisture and stylers to define your curls.
Understand How Glycerin Works
Glycerin is a common ingredient found in tons of products and when used correctly, glycerin can also be amazing for your hair. But, you must understand how glycerin works first. At the core, glycerin is a type of humectant, which means it attracts moisture to itself and your hair when it is found in your products. The hydrogen bonding properties of humectants attract water from the atmosphere bringing moisture to the hair and ultimately improves moisture retention. On extremely humid days too much moisture can be attracted to your hair causing the hair to swell and frizz. However, on low humidity days (cold, dry days”> where the surrounding air is more dry than your hair, the opposite occurs. Moisture is drawn from the hair back into the air to balance the moisture in the atmosphere. Did you catch all that? If not,read more About Glycerin and Natural Hair.
Seal Moisture for YOUR Hair Type
Another key to obtaining moisturized natural hair is ensuring you are sealing moisture for YOUR hair type. I underlined “your” for a reason. Using the L.O.C method is great but this is pointless if your leave-in conditioner, oil and cream do not work for your texture. Every curl type and texture is different. What works for one woman or blogger may not work for you. Ingredients my fine, 4a-4b hair texture enjoys are shea butter creams like the Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Parfait, thick and creamy leave in conditioners with aloe vera, and avocado oil. My hair remains moisturized up to 3 days with just leave in conditioner and shea butter…very simple and easy to manage. And because coconut oil doesn’t work for everyone also read 7 Amazing Oils for Natural Hair Besides Coconut Oil .
Cleanse Hair & Scalp More
Clean hair is another way to achieve more moisturized natural hair. Why? Because cleansing the hair and scalp on a regular basis will ensure product build up is removed which, in return enables your products to work better and allows moisturizing products to actually penetrate the hair and scalp. If you co-wash often product build up will happen and a clarifying shampoo is suggested for use at least monthly. Shampooing your hair every 5-7 days will remove build up, sweat and environmental elements.
Drink More Water
Of course this one is a no-brainer but as you’ve probably heard before, healthy hair starts from the inside. If your body is de-hydrated your skin and hair will follow. How ever you choose to take care of your skin, think of some of the same characteristics for your scalp. The common rule of thumb for daily water intake is half your body weight. For example, I am 160 lbs, therefore; I would drink 80 oz, or about 5 bottles of water per day.
What ways do you keep your hair moisturized? Comment and let me know!
This article was written by Charlene Walton and published on CurlyNikki.
For my hair there’s absolutely no way around regular deep conditioners. Even when I’m not in the mood, I know that without some sort of deep conditioner, my wash-n-go will be dry and frizzy, my roller sets will look like hay, and I’ll be compromising my precious, precious, ends. Here are a few of the DIY hair masks I use that you can actually eat. These are super easy, you don’t even need a recipe, you can totally eyeball it. Just mix, apply, and use your idle time to snack.
Banana & coconut milk
First up, banana and coconut milk. Coconut milk is a natural conditioner with proteins and good fats. You can use it on its own or dilute it with water and make a daily mist spray. Bananas have potassium that strengthens hair, plus they have plenty of natural oils (and water”> that dry hair will just eat up.
I like to overdo it and use two (or more!”> bananas for my thick hair and mash them with about a cup or two of the coconut milk. Whatever’s left of my mixture gets warmed up and served over rice. You can even sprinkle a little cinnamon on top if you’ve got it.
Honey & avocado
Avocados have tons of Vitamin B that help with hair growth, Vitamin E which is good for a healthy scalp, and good fats that help with elasticity. Honey is a natural humectant and attracts moisture— you know what that means— more shine!
I like to add a bit of water to this mix, since the honey can be hard to work with. For the snack version, spread avocado on toast, drizzle a little honey, and add sea salt.
Strawberries & Greek yogurt
Strawberries are packed with alpha hydroxy acids that can remove dead skin from your scalp and Greek yogurt (as we all know”> is an amazing conditioner. The protein in Greek yogurt really saved me when I was transitioning, plus it’s more gentle than store bought products.
If you like to do protein treatments often, I suggest using Greek yogurt and taking the gentle route. Get a big jar and a few extra berries to munch on.
What are protective styles?
As a part of the transitioning process or just to protect your luscious curls from the harsh weather and over manipulation, protective styles such as braids, twists, buns, bantu knots, up-do’s, etc. can be very beneficial. But, if not maintained properly, they can cause extreme breakage. Since most transitioning and natural beauties seek these styles because they are low maintenance and are considered to be a “break” from daily handling, you may fall into the temptation of not caring for your hair, which will later result in breakage.
Moisturizing
In order to avoid breakage when maintaining a protective style, moisture is the key. Allow me to take all of your worries away of having a dry scalp while trying to protect your hair with a very affordable quick fix—spray bottle or applicator bottle. A spray bottle or applicator bottle filled with water, nutrients, and oils, is just enough to maintain moisture and avoid breakage in the process.
What you’ll need
There are a lot of recipes on what to include in your spray bottle but below is my favorite:
- 3/4 of the bottle filled with water to dilute the products
- Any type of virgin oil (i.e. Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Almond Oil, etc.”>
- Glycerin
- Conditioner
How much of each ingredient?
When mixing these products, remember that there really isn’t a correct mixture or amount to use of each product because it’s based off individual preferences.
How often should you use it?
How often you should apply the product to your scalp will vary as well and can be anywhere from daily to weekly depending on how much moisture your hair needs. One thing to remember is to allow your hair to completely dry before pinning or styling. You don’t want your scalp to mildew or mold due to not receiving enough air in order to dry.
Cleansing
Also, remember that vital tip when washing your protective styles. Yes ladies, it is perfectly fine to wash your protective style in order to keep your hair clean. You would wash your hair as you would normally if you didn’t have the protective style. The one thing I would recommend is to make sure to dilute any shampoo or conditioner being used for an easier rinse out. If you’re not so sure about using shampoo, try the Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse method. You should still dilute the apple cider vinegar before applying it to your hair. The vinegar will only smell while in your hair and will later disappear after the rinse so no worries about smelling like a pickle for the rest of the day.
Sleeping
The last tip that I want to give would be the last thing you do for the day. Try sleeping with a satin scarf or bonnet to avoid the moisture that you’ve just achieved being rubbed into your pillow at night. Cotton fabric tends to soak up moisture and causes frizz. So to save yourself the heartache in the morning, wrap your hair in a protective scarf before bed.
How do you protect your hair while in a protective style?
This article was written by Kiara B. of GlobalCouture.net and published on CurlyNikki.
I am so tired of the natural hair rules. I’m so serious! Here are 5 rules that the natural hair community should just forget and let others learn what’s best for them in their own hair journey:
Using Silicones
Silicones are artificial oils that firmly coat the hair strands. Now I may get the clapback, but silicones aren’t as bad as everyone makes them out to be. Just like with everything you use and eat, moderation is the key when using products with silicones. They do provide great slip, combat frizz, are used for heat protectants, and do a great job when detangling the hair.
Using Shampoo With Sulfates
There are naturalistas that want and need shampoos with sulfates. Sulfates are great to cleanse your scalp and hair from any product buildup. You do not need to use sulfate shampoos weekly. Try changing up to bi-weekly or even once a month. If it strips your hair to where you hair is feeling dry, try doing a hot oil treatment to build protection around your strands before you wash your hair.
Not Moisturizing and Sealing Daily
Who really has time for that? Personally, I usually moisturize and seal one good time before the hair goes up in a bun for the week. Creamy moisturizers and butters tend to last longer than mists and oils. When wearing braids, weaves, or another long term styles, you do not need moisturize and seal daily. Moisturize your hair according to what style you are wearing, how long you will wear it and your personal hair needs.
Not Wrapping Hair For The Night
You may not feel like wearing your bonnet for the night, because it’s too hot and humid. Using a satin scarf or a bonnet is not the only way to protect your hair at night. Sleeping on a satin/silk pillow case can accommodate you if you don’t want to sleep with a bonnet. Your hair will not fall out overnight if you forget your bonnet. Let your hair breathe for the night and continue wrapping your hair the next day.
Using Heat
Many would think that it is important to not use heat at all on your hair to keep it healthy. But really if you have healthy hair practices before flat ironing your hair and keep the heat under 320 degrees, healthy hair is possible.
What are the ‘natural hair rules’ you tend to break?
This article was written by Desire My Natural via GlobalCoutureblog.net and published on CurlyNikki.
Recommendations
Do you have natural friends? Who is their stylist? Do you even like the results you see when they leave the salon? These are all important questions to ask. If after receiving the answers you decide you like the salon (or stylist”>, it may also be a good idea to go with your friend to the salon. See how the stylist treats her hair. After you’ve done al these things, if you’re satisfied with what you see, then that may be a great place for you, but hey, not so fast, there are still other factors to take into consideration.
Don’t have natural friends? Google it! I love Google. There’s nothing that I won’t look up and a salon is no exception. In this day and age you’re literally just a few clicks away from seeing what others think about the salons in your area. Find reviews, check out their Facebook page, heck some of them even have YouTube channels now. If all of these things fail you and you can’t find enough information, take a visit. See if they are even doing other customers’ hair that resembles your own texture. Maybe even call ahead before your visit to see if they may have a curly/kinky textured client coming in soon. Then ask them what they think of the place and how long they’ve been going to this stylist. Have they followed them from another shop? It won’t hurt to ask, I’m sure they’re more than willing to share.
Consult
Does this stylist that you’ve researched have consultations? Call and see! A consultation is an opportunity for the stylist to get to know your hair before actually styling it. It is a separate appointment from an actual hair appointment, consider it a pre-appointment. Finding a new stylist is like dating for your hair. You can discuss your hair texture, length goals (or any hair goals you have”>, allergies, and any other pertinent information about your hair. This is not a one sided Q&A, let the stylist ask you questions. They may want to know things like your own daily styling techniques, what styles you wear most, if your hair has been colored, and what issues your hair has that you want to deal with. This is also a time when you, for a change, can let someone touch your hair! That is why you came to the shop in the first place, right?
If you haven’t decided on a particular stylist, and have only narrowed your search down to a salon you can use these consultations, or your observations to see what you like and dislike about certain stylists.
Environment
Are you a good fit? Do you enjoy your time there? We all know how long hair appointments can be, don’t let it be a boring and miserable experience. If you don’t like the stylist’s attitude, or if other people in the salon make you feel uncomfortable, you shouldn’t want to spend your hard earned money there. This is supposed to be a relaxing experience for you, a day off if you will. You should be in a stress free, friendly environment. When you analyze your stylist one of the major obstacles is making sure they are listening to your wants, despite what they think is best. You should definitely take their advice into consideration, but it is YOUR hair and you have the final say.
There’s nothing worse than a pushy stylist that makes you feel bullied into a style you don’t want. Don’t let a stylist force you to get a trim, style too tightly, or rake through your hair (detangling can make or break a stylist I’m considering”>. If you warn them about it once (heck even give them a second chance”> and they continue doing whatever it may be or give you attitude for speaking up, don’t go back. If it really bothers you, don’t even let them finish.
Sometimes the problem isn’t a pushy stylist, but a distant one. If she’s silent the entire time and that’s not the stylist-client relationship you were looking for, then you may need to continue looking at others. If she passes you off for entire processes, that may also be a problem for you. I once had a stylist back when I was relaxed that ignored me with perm in my hair (ouch!”>, and the washing was the only part she participated in. She completely left the building and when she realized I was going to leave without paying, without a style, and completely dissatisfied her resolution was to have an entirely different stylist finish my hair. She ran through my hair very quickly to get back to her client and needless to say, I did not go back! These things really matter, because you have the purchasing power, without you (the customers”> they are out of business and word of mouth is a powerful medium because there are others who really want to hear from you before they waste their time with a rude hairdresser.
TEST the Waters
Emphasis on the word test. Don’t go into your first appointment and tell her you want a complete makeover. Get to know one another before you leave serious styling in her hands. Even with a stylist you’ve had for a while has a chance at giving you a style you don’t like as much as you envisioned, so you really shouldn’t trust a stranger with that much responsibility.
Last piece of advice, don’t go salon crazy. If you find a stylist that you absolutely love and meets all your criteria, that’s amazing! However, remember that you had been doing your hair for a while before found her and you’ve taken great care of it up to that point. No amount of salon visits are as valuable as sticking to your typical regimen. If you go to the salon just for heat styles, then I really discourage frequent visits.
Let me know how it worked out!
Did you find a salon that you love? Were this tips helpful? Have you got some tips of your own? Share them here and let me know about your salon experience in the comments.
This article was written by ChayNaturals.com and published on CurlyNikki.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has major benefits. I like to use it by adding it to my shampoo. You can also search for shampoos with it as an ingredient. Here are a few benefits of tea tree oil:
- It has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to treat itchy scalp
- It moisturizes your hair and scalp. It is one of the best solutions for dry and itchy scalp.
- It helps get rid of the dead skin cell buildup and dirt on the scalp which creates a better environment for healthy hair growth and scalp health
It is important to note that you must always dilute the tea tree oil before applying it to your scalp!
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV”> is a great natural way to relieve dandruff, dry scalp, and buildup in your hair as well. Apple cider vinegar contains enzymes and properties that act as a fungicide and cleanser at the same time. The acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp in turn killing off the fungus that causes icky dandruff, dry and itchy scalp. When I start to notice massive amounts of dandruff, I like to treat my hair with an apple cider vinegar rinse. I mix a half a cup of apple cider vinegar with a half a cup of water. I usually just put it in a spray bottle and spray all over my hair and scalp. Make sure to dilute with equal water to ACV, it is very acidic. I use a shower cap, leave it on for from 15-30 min. and then wash it out. This technique usually combats my dandruff well.
Coconut oil
Cues music….” I’m in love with the coco” “I use that on everything” Ok I’m done! I really do use coconut oil for everything, though!
Coconut oil is one of the most used oils and it also serves as a remedy for dry scalp. It helps to restore moisture to the scalp and helps prevent your hair from becoming dry and flaky. I usually massage the oil on my scalp, leave it on for 30- 45 minutes, and then rinse (pre-poo”>.
What will you be using on your scalp during the colder months to help combat dryness?
This article was written by Michelle Thames of HappilyEverNatural.com and published on CurlyNikki.
Hair loss can occur due to many different factors and health issues. If this is an uncommon occurrence for you check out my simple solutions to common causes for abnormal hair loss.
Abnormal hair loss can occur due to any of the following:
- Stress
- Lack of rest
- Illness
- Hormonal imbalance
- Heredity
- Vitamin deficiency
- Styling the hair in high tension styles
- Scalp infections (usually fungal”>
- Side effects of new medications
- Use of too much direct heat
- General anesthesia for surgery
- Post childbirth
- Poor/Imbalanced diet
- Trichotillomania
- Over manipulation of hair
If you notice a great deal of hair loss and this is abnormal for you, it is a good idea to go to your physician for a health evaluation. Hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health issue. And often, hair ‘growth aids’ aren’t a solution. So before you stop popping unnecessary (and potentially harmful”> supplements, check out the list of solutions, below!
Solutions
- Stress: Mediation, exercise and talking to friends/family.
- Lack of rest: Sleep longer and relax more often. If this is due to insomnia or sleep apnea see a doctor for referral to a sleep specialist.
- Illness: See doctor for a health examination.
- Hormonal imbalance: see doctor and gynecologist can provide treatment as well.
- Heredity: See a physician or trichologist about options for scalp stimulation treatment, implanting hair, etc…
- Vitamin deficiency: Get blood work done and develop a plan with doctor and nutritionist.
- Styling the hair in high tension styles: Do low manipulation styles with less/no tension.
- Scalp infections (usually fungal”>: See dermatologist/ trichologist.
- Side effects of new medications: Consult with doctor for other options.
- Use of too much direct heat: Begin wearing styles that are heat-less more often such as roller sets, updos, buns, twist/braids, twist outs and braid outs.
- General anesthesia for surgery: Consult a doctor.
- Post childbirth: This is normal for many people but the amounts of hair loss varies greatly. If it is excessive or causing concern speak with your doctor.
- Poor/Imbalanced diet: Using a food chart to better plan your meals and consult a nutritionist
- Trichotillomania: Consult a trichologist.
- Over manipulation of hair: Do low manipulation styles that will keep your hands out of your hair on a regular basis.
Hopefully this has been helpful to you. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comment section.
Disclaimer: I am not a physician and only share what I know, have done or recommended for others. Always consult a physician for your primary medical care.
This article was written by Emilia Obiekea of Adorebotanicals.com and published on CurlyNikki.
Campus life has been back in full swing for a minute so right now, it’s all about the grades. Some days you won’t have extra time to spend on your hair so it’s nice to have a few go-to styles in your repertoire just in case. To help you sail through this semester with perfect grades and fly hair to match, we’ve got some tips to help you maintain your natural hair without having to manipulate it too much. So no excuses!
Always have a gameplan
How and when you style your hair will depend on your school schedule and your workload for the week. (You definitely don’t want to try a brand new style the night before a big test!”> Styling your hair can be fun- therapeutic, even, but also time-consuming, so be wise about when you do it.
Choose a day that doesn’t compromise your study time and get all of the products you’ll need ready before you start. Set a timer to help yourself move quicker. For instance, if it usually takes you 45 minutes to detangle, aim to do it in 30. It’s important to still be careful but you’ll find that setting a timer will keep you from getting lax or becoming distracted and will ultimately save you time.
When all else fails, protective style
I lived in box braids and twists throughout my time as an undergrad because they were easy and nearly effortless. All I had to do was keep them moisturized. Plus, I learned how to install them myself which kept my budget happy, too.
Find a low-maintenance style that works for you. It could be box braids, twists, or even bunning. You won’t always have time for full blown wash days, especially around exam time, so protective styling is great for times like these. Also, you can rely on protective styling around holidays like Thanksgiving so you can focus on prepping for finals when you return, or around Christmas, when all you really want to do is relax and spend much needed time with family and friends.
Have some backup hairstyles prepared
Get yourself a few backup hairstyles that are quick and easy to do for those days when you’re running late or your hair doesn’t turn out how you want. Your hair is not an excuse to skip or be late for class!
In this video, NaturalNeiicey shares 5 quick and easy styles that you can wear on your natural hair.
This article was written by Kanisha of Black Naps and published on CurlyNikki.
How have you been rocking your natural hair this school year?
My no heat hair regimen
I have not blow-dried my hair in the past four years *gasps* and I honestly do practice and advocate for a no heat hair regimen. Cutting out heat from my hair routine has completely helped me not only retain length, but minimize breakage and damage associated with heat styling techniques. Of course, everyone has their own personal preferences and some prefer to blow out and/or flat iron their natural hair, no judgment here girl. To each his own.
Why I chose to straighten
My hair is currently heat stretched, and has been so for about a week now. Again, you’re probably wondering why on earth would she break her no-heat rule? I washed and blew out my hair because I was due for a much-needed trim, and so in order to accurately trim it, I decided to straighten it. In fact, I did more than trim, I cut about three or so inches off. *Gasp some more*
Why I chose to cut
You see, long hair does not always equal healthy hair. My personal hair journey is focused on HEALTH and RETAINING the hair that joyfully sprouts from my scalp, rather than chasing length. Why you ask? Because healthy hair practices will ALWAYS result in healthier hair, and promote hair growth. So it’s like killing two birds with one stone. Chase HEALTH and LENGTH will follow, it really is that simple.
I cut my hair because my ends needed a new lease of life! And I am not opposed to cutting off a couple of inches to give my hair what it needs. Now, I’m not saying go crazy and cut three inches off your hair, but pay close attention to your ends, are they splitting, are they frayed? If so, you may be due for a trim!
This experience was completely nerve-wracking for me, I haven’t let another individual do my hair in over four years, and so it was difficult and terrifying to give that control to someone else. Needless to say, I was very vocal and communicated exactly how I wanted to have my hair done-which is SO important. If you are going to visit a salon, make sure the stylist is open to doing your hair the way YOU want it done. Especially when it comes to the temperature of the tools involved, and the amount of hair you’re comfortable with trimming.
How to care for your hair
Remember to wash your hair with a sulfate free shampoo to ensure you don’t overly strip your hair. Follow that up with your conditioner of choice, and make sure to give it about 10 minutes to soak in before rinsing.
Carry your leave-in conditioner with you, as well as your preferred oil(s”> and a heat protectant! Blow dry on low heat, even if it frustrates your stylist it’s what is best for your hair.
Snip snip snip and you’re done! Until next time beloved ones.
This article was written by Yvette Mumanyi and published on CurlyNikki.
I love coconut oil just as much as the next person; however, there are several other oils for natural hair that reap the same, if not better benefits. Don’t get me wrong, coconut oil is great! I use it as an as a substitute for lotion, a makeup remover, for cooking purposes, and even oil pulling (that one time I tried oil pulling lol”>; however, let’s explore other impressive oils for natural hair that you should try. But first, do you know the difference between an essential oil and a carrier oil? If not, keep reading to find out.
Carrier oils
Carrier oils are vegetable oils derived from the fatty part of a plant, usually the seeds or kernels. Some are able to penetrate the inner cortex of the hair shaft for conditioning while others also work well to seal moisture through creating a light barrier on the exterior of the hair cuticle. When used in conjunction with essential oils, they “carry” the oils to your skin and hair, given that essential oils are extremely light weight and evaporate quickly.
Essential oils
Essential oils are plant-based oils distilled from leaves, bark roots and aromatic portions of a botanical. With an extremely concentrated smell, essentials oils also have small molecules that evaporate quickly within the scalp. Due to their light, molecular weight and water-like consistency of these oils they are not used for sealing moisture. However, essential oils are great as scalp stimulators.
7 Amazing Oils for Natural Hair
Avocado oil (carrier oil”>
I know I just talked about avocado oil last week in my CurLUXE naturals review; however there’s no harm in mentioning it again simply because I love it so much. My fascination with avocado oil includes its light weight and molecular ability to penetrate the hair shaft for intense deep conditioning when combined with other ingredients. Vitamin rich and full of fatty acids it also helps to heal damaged, weak hair.
Babassu oil (carrier oil”>
Babassu Oil is extracted from the tree nuts of babassu palm trees grown in the tropical forests of Brazil. Babassu oil is light weight as well and locks in the hair’s natural moisture, adding luster, shine and elasticity to the hair. For skin care, its emollient properties are also claimed to help in the relief of itchy scalp, eczema, and psoriasis, which is also similar to a few benefits of coconut oil.
Peppermint oil (essential oil”>
This essential oil not only smells wonderful but can be used weekly to treat yourself to a scalp massage in order to promote growth. Peppermint oil, similar to a few other essential oils, are known to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, helping with hair growth. Just remember to combine a few drops of this oil with another carrier oil for best results. No worries, I’ve included a DIY recipe for you to pin or print below.
Wheat germ oil (carrier oil”>
A little less widely talked about, wheat germ oil is not one to be skimmed over quickly. As the name suggests it is a plant derived oil and is very rich in linoleic acid, similar to avocado oil, which is very rich is omega 6 fatty acid. As the richest source of vitamin E than any other natural oil, use wheat germ oil for extremely dry hair to add moisture and softness. Due to its thick consistency, mix with another carrier oil, add to your spray bottle of water and aloe vera juice or add a little to your favorite conditioners. Since it has high emollient properties it also works well to be added to your favorite deep conditioner.
Rosemary oil (essential oil”>
Fully packed with loads of antioxidants, Rosemary oil is one of the best oils for natural hair known to stimulate hair growth as well as retard premature thinning and graying. As with many essential oils, rosemary oil helps to soothe and condition the scalp, helping with dandruff and itchiness.pumpkin seed oil
Pumpkin seed oil (carrier oil”>
In a Fall mood and obsessed with pumpkin like everyone else? Pumpkin oil is said to block the androgen hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT”>, which causes hair loss. You can purchase this in the form of a pill or just a jar of oil. Click here to see how one woman used it to fight alopecia.
Ylang ylang (essential oil”>
This essential oil is best for healthy scalp maintenance as it helps to normalize sebum production on the scalp. Since naturally curly hair is prone to be drier given our natural sebum has to work harder to travel from root to tip, this may or may not be of concern for you depending on hair type. However, if you feel your hair produces more oil than normal, you might want to give this essential oil a test.
Easy DIY Healthy Hair Oil Blend Recipe
- 2 Tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 Tbsp. jojoba oil
- 6-10 drops of peppermint oil (3-5 drops per tsp.”>
Mix all oils inside plastic bottle, shake well, and apply to scalp for massage or apply to hair for sealing moisture!
This article was written by Charlene Walton from Textured Talk and published on CurlyNikki.
Have you ever woken up one morning and had no idea how to begin to tackle the madness that is your hair? Story of my life, honey! I will keep it real with you guys– I am a long term protective style junkie but once in a while, I like to switch it up a little to give my hair a break and enjoy my length. I may look put together, but trust me girl, it takes work! I honestly could not keep up if I had to style my hair every few days, I love the simplicity and low maintenance of my two strand twists.
Anywhoo…wearing my hair out has meant that my hair does not retain moisture for as long as it usually does when I have my hair in twists. Not to mention, tangles on tangles on tangles (it’s like inception: a tangle, within another tangle, inside of yet another tangle, living in a web of hair. I think you catch my drift”> I was so overwhelmed trying to tame my tresses that sometimes I opted to wear a turban and channel my inner Ms. Badu.
You are not alone sister, this very hair that I spend so much of my energy trying to nurture can sometimes drive me up the wall. Just don’t do anything irrational like pulling out your hair, which you will come to regret later. Instead, breathe, take a step back, and follow my tips toward stress-free hair care…
Keep it 100
You have to be honest with yourself. Us naturals get it wrong when we set unrealistic hair goals and targets, and then get frustrated when our hair does not make the cut. It’s like setting yourself up for failure. You can’t start off with a TWA and expect to be waist length in a span of one year sweetie, it doesn’t work like that. Like I said in aprevious post, natural hair takes commitment, and you need to be both realistic and patient.
Appreciate, don’t equate
The worst mistake you can make is to compare yourself to another naturalista, big no-no! Others’ natural hair journeys (mine included”> should serve as an inspiration for your own, not as a benchmark for you to constantly measure up to. Each of us are individuals, which means we can never be exactly like someone else. Which means, that though your hair may resemble someone else’s, it is still YOURS and unique to YOU! What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s best to find what works for your hair and stick with it-ditch the comparisons because 9 times out of 10 you’ll find your hair won’t ‘match’ up which can completely demoralize you.
Focus on health and length always follows
At the beginning of my hair journey, what motivated me was length. I’d see all these naturals with hair flowing down their backs and go green with envy. I tried every ‘trick’ possible in the race to grow my hair, and put unnecessary pressure on myself with quarterly length checks to check my progress. In the quest for longer hair, I lost sight of one of my fundamental principles-LISTEN TO YOUR HAIR, CATER TO ITS NEEDS. Once I began to focus more on maintaining the hair I already had on my head and stopped chasing new growth, my hair began to thrive. Healthy scalp and hair is the foundation for hair growth, so focus your energy on finding the right products, regime, and styling techniques that work for you and your hair and you’ll see a difference.
P.S- I love you
I love protective styling, that’s no secret. One thing that has helped me curb my natural hair melt-downs is planning my hair care around my lifestyle. Because I find it way too taxing to style my hair every morning, it works for me to have my hair in twists which hold styles for up to a month (with sufficient re-moisturization and maintenance”>. Find a style regimen that not only works for you, but that helps you accomplish your hair goals. Protective styling helps me maintain my hair in a stretched state which decreases tangles, retain length due to low manipulation and protection of my ends as well as allows me to save on time spent styling daily.
Love the skin you’re in, and love the hair you’ve been blessed with. None of these tips hit home at the end of the day if we forget about self love. Appreciate yourself and embrace your hair, and you’ll find your frustrations carried away on angels’ wings. Peace and positivity.
This article was written by Yvette Mumanyi and published on CurlyNikki.
How do you deal with natural hair frustrations?
Tiffany writes:
“I did some small twists and wore those for a few days and now I have the best twist out I’ve ever had. But I can never seem to keep the results for more than a day, and I REFUSE to put all those twists back in every night. Anybody have any suggestions on how to maintain the definition overnight? I usually just put my bonnet on and pray for the best in the morning!”
Jamila responds:
As with any protective style, always remember to moisturize. Before setting your hair for the night, I suggest spritzing with water or another moisturizing agent and sealing your ends with an oil or butter. Here are two simple ways to maintain your twists and twist outs for days!
Retwist in Big Chunks
It may seem like a pain, but retwisting your hair at night is one of the best ways to maintain the definition of your twists. Don’t worry– you don’t have to do mini twists every night to get the same look, you can retwist in bigger sections and get similar results!
- Take a big section of hair and stretch it out a bit
- If sections are frizzy, take shea butter or other creams and smooth it over each chunk
- You might want to stick with a lighter product so it doesn’t weigh down your twists
- Get the twist really tight at the root, otherwise it will unravel
- If ends unravel, take a little bit of styler and twirl it on your ends for hold
- Sleep with a satin bonnet!
- In the morning, separate them like normal and fluff at the roots
Scrunchie Method
This is taken from Naptural85. Watch her maintaining routine starting at 5:15.
- Spritz your hair with water at night to moisturize
- Secure your hair with a satin scrunchie and make a bun
- Make sure your ends are secure in the scrunchie
- Cover your hair with a satin bonnet!
- In the morning, shake it loose and re-mist with water.
- Separate your twists with your fingers for some extra volume.
Pineapple
Pineappling refers to putting your hair at the crown of your head and securing it with a loose ponytail. Check out CurlyNikki’s pineappling method! If your hair is shorter, you will need to try the multi-pineapple. Here’s a guide on how to pineapple for all lengths…from twa to bsl.
This article was written by ForTheFabulousandFrugal and published on CurlyNikki.
Ladies, how do y’all maintain your twist outs at night?
