Search Results: Nikki Walton

If bantu knot outs or twist outs just don’t work for you, then here is a technique that just may be your new go-to. Whether you’re looking for a protective style for your daughters or a heatless stretching technique, African threading is a versatile technique that is fairly simple to learn. Watch the tutorials below to see how you can try this technique yourself. 

Nadine writes:

In [CurlyNikki’s] recent interview with Kimberly Elise, she mentioned my GirlsLoveYourCurls YouTube channel, which she credited with teaching her the African Threading technique she uses to stretch her hair. As a result, I got a lot of traffic, and messages, many of which were people saying they had never heard of this technique.

How to do African Threading

African Threaded Bantu Buns

African Threaded Ponytail Plait

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This article was written by Nadine and Tina Munzu for CurlyNikki.

Tell us about yourself and your hair journey.

My name is Stacie Wade and I live in Los Angeles. I started a natural hair blog called Tight Strands, which celebrates the beauty of natural hair.

How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?

I have been natural for about 15 years. This past summer involved me ditching my pressed pixie-cut, and opting for wash and go’s and roller sets. My first undocumented attempts of managing my natural hair were…ummm…WACK! I couldn’t stand it. I used Kinky-Curly products and wasn’t a fan of the results. My curls felt coarse and dry. My hair was thick, short and silent-It didn’t do or say ANYTHING! I looked and felt like Arnold from the 1980’s hit TV show ‘Different Strokes.’ I began to seriously question my decision of wearing wash and go’s!

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper & why?

I didn’t have a heartfelt reason changing my look. I just felt like rocking a fro!

I took the long route to transition out of my perm, and primarily wore wigs and weaves. I was much younger when I transitioned and didn’t have the confidence to chop it off! However, my hair would have been much healthier had I big chopped. My prolonged wear of wigs and weaves made my hair drier and more difficult to manage during style changes.

How would you describe your hair?

I’m a type 4, kinky-coily girl. The crown of my head is probably in the 4B range. The sides and the back are a texture that hasn’t been invented yet.

What do you love most about your hair?

I am in love with the health, texture and shape/cut of my natural hair. My hair is healthier now than it was when I wore a press n’ curl. It fits my personality and lifestyle of creative expression.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!

I remember when this guy told me that he couldn’t “figure me out.” My style was “intriguing,” and “different.” For the record, he was Black! It’s like really…me being natural is something to “figure out?” On the other hand, I love when women approach me to ask about products, regimens, etc. They get excited about starting their own natural hair journey. It’s unfortunate that many of us have to be coached on how to be ourselves and wear natural hair. The hardest part of my journey was figuring out which products work best for me!

What are some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?

Wash and go’s!

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural’? Any memorable reactions from family or others?

Ha! My family looks at me like I’m crazy. I remember when my uncle Charles (lol”> asked, “What are you finna do to your hair?” I said “This is how I wear it uncle.” His response: “Oh.” That’s the gist of my family’s reaction!

What is your hair regimen (including fav products”>?

I ALWAYS pre-poo with castor oil, rosemary and/or coconut oil before cleansing.

I love SheaMoisture, Soul Ingredient’s Heavenly Hair products and LRC’s Shake & Go leave in conditioner.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites, YouTuber’s, or blogs?

As for YouTube, I enjoy watching KashTV, Shameless Maya, and Mo Knows Hair. I love reading CurlyNikki and my natural hair blog, Tight Strands.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Here’s my advice if you’re in the valley with trying to keep a positive self-image, maintain your natural hair and develop a personal style:

-DO NOT compare yourself to other naturals. I remember finding a picture, getting my products, trying the style and WHOMP, WHOMP, WHOMP…epic fail! I expected my coil-out, twist-out, and all the other outs to look like the photo, given the similarities in hair type. That approach doesn’t work since our tresses are usually made up of several different textures. -DO NOT feel like you have to GO BIG with accessories. After my fro was cut my mother asked, “Baby, do you need me to buy you some bigger earrings?” But I wanted to get comfortable with my look and branch out slowly. Overcompensating with a lot of “stuff” is not good in any area of life! I switch up between all sizes and types of accessories. Sometimes I wear none at all.

Whether you wear a tapered fro, or bald head, just do you! Nothing beats the best accessory of all… self-confidence.

Where can people find you for more information?

Please visit http://www.tightstrands.com

Instagram: @tightstrands

FB and Twitter: tightstrands

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This article was originally published on CurlyNikki.

Whether neatly patted down with every strand in place or finger-combed and slightly “undone”, the Afro will forever be a natural hair fave around these parts! Yes, I love my updos, twists and buns but I just adore the funkiness and downright FUN of wild-ish hair.

Stylist Frédérique of I Go by Frankie never fails with her effortless cloud of kinks to match her super eclectic fashion. When she throws a side part in that Afro… *swoon*. LOVE a side part!

We can’t get enough of Afroista! Her larger-than-life, untamed Afro makes me wanna do a little dance every time I see it. Trust… photos do this mane no justice! A stunner in person. GAAAH!

Regular followers of her blog may be used to a beautifully defined twist-out or high puff from our June Natural Fashionista Cynthia so this was a switch. Whether it was a twist-out-turned-Afro or what, I don’t care. Hey, with natural hair, sometimes, accidental styles are the best kind!

It seems Solange’s wedding day do caused a bit of a stir as far as the standards of “bridal hair”. Ugh! Welp, as stated in my last post, I think she looks beautiful! Who says you have to wear a sleek, carefully pinned up style for your nuptials? In true Solo fashion, this screams “I’m gonna be me!” This Afro is tastefully done and complements her fashion for the day. DO YOU BOO!

And then there’s lil ole me! I almost never aim for a perfectly defined twist-out or braid-out. If I do get a defined look goin’, I’m not bothered if humidity grabs hold and turns it into chunky Afro epicness! Blow out, twist sections, leave for 15 minutes or so. Separate, shake and go!

A Word on Afro Care

Couple things. If you decide to wear your natural hair in an Afro, it’s a good idea to loosely twist the hair at night in medium to large sections to keep the hair from tangling. Also, cold weather is upon us, depending on where you reside. While rocking a ‘Fro is fine if you wanna, make sure you’re taking good care of those ends. Loose hair exposed to the elements, especially our hair which is already prone to dryness, is vulnerable. Protective styles after moisturizing and sealing your hair may be your best bet this season. Today, I’m just showing some love for the ‘Fro! 

Here’s a tutorial!

How about you?! Are you a ‘Fro rocker, a defined style kinda girl or do you prefer to keep your hair “tamed” with updos and such? Share your thoughts below chicas!

This article was written by LuvtoBNatural for CurlyNikki.

Get your protein

Hair is made up of protein and a break down of the protein structure will cause hair to thin. Incorporating more protein into one’s diet as well as adding strengthening protein products (hydrolyzed protein”> to your hair will help to fill in any gaps/spaces that may be in the hair shaft, causing it to appear thicker.  Note: Don’t overdo the protein products though because if your hair is not sufficiently “soft AND strong” (protein-moisture balance”> you will end up with a whole other set of problems.

Fake it with henna

Henna and cassia  both mimic protein treatments and coat the hair shaft, causing the hair strand to appear thicker. Both of these treatments (especially henna”> may loosen your curl pattern overtime, so it’s important to take steps (adding Amla powder, spacing treatments and/or doing just your roots”> to prevent this if it’s not a desired effect. I know this works because I used henna/cassia treatments to re-thicken areas of my hair that thinned a bit due to medication.

Dry styling

Styling on dry hair is a great option for allowing your hair to appear fuller.

Castor oil for thicker hair

Applying Castor oil is always the suggestion when someone asks “what can I do to thicken my hair.” I know for a fact it works on hair that was once thick since I’ve used to re-thicken my edges. However, I do not know for sure if it works on “genetically” fine hair. The theory behind Castor oil is that “when rubbed on the scalp, castor oil has restorative properties that not only keep the scalp moisturized, but also help thin hair grow thicker and keep hair from falling out. The Omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil helps to regenerate new hair growth within just a few months.” Source

Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.

My name is Tori. I am a Jamaican-born natural currently residing in Dallas, TX

How long have you been natural?

I have a little over 4 years of natural hair growth. I transitioned for a year and a half, then big chopped in January 2012.

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?

My initial goal was to have healthier relaxed hair. However, I fell in love with new growth and I was also diagnosed with Alopecia Areata.

How would you describe your hair?

According to the hair typing system, my hair would be a type 4, with looser textures in the front and back sections.

What do you love most about your hair?

I love everything to be honest- the thickness, versatility, shape, etc.

What were some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles?

Braidouts were my go-to hairstyle during my transition and is currently still my favorite hairstyle. I also did puffs/ponytails and occasional buns during my transition. Nowadays, if I am not rocking a braidout/twistout, my hair would be in jumbo twists/braids (secured in a ponytail/bun”> or in a loose ponytail.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products”>?

I shampoo and deep condition my hair weekly (or every two weeks if life gets busy”>. I do special conditioning treatments as needed (sometimes monthly or every couple months”>. Special conditioning treatments include protein treatments, clay mixes, etc. I moisturize my hair once or twice a week. I will occasionally co-wash if my hair needs a midweek refresher. I do love Shea Moisture and Camille Rose Naturals products, particularly the Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter and several of the Shea moisture shampoos and conditioners. I also love Tresemme Naturals conditioners.

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Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?

Your hair journey is YOUR journey. Don’t get too discouraged by what others are doing with their hair versus what you are doing with yours. Enjoy the process and be patient. Over time you will accomplish your hair goals.

Where can people find you for more information?

Instagram: @bonafidestyle

Youtube: www.youtube.com/thebonafidestyle

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bonafidestyle

Twitter and Blog: coming soon

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This post was written by Global Couture LLC for CurlyNikki.

#1 When your co workers or random people ask if they can touch it.

Sigh…I’m sure we have all been there. Whether short, long, big or small, people are intrigued by natural hair. They want to put their hands all over it and run their fingers through it. Or they do the “polite pet” on top of your head as if you were the featured animal at the national zoo. It happens to me all the time; on the metro, at work, in restaurants and while I’m out shopping.

I mean, I guess I can understand, but if you don’t like it, do you just say no? What if it’s your co worker you see every day? Will that make things awkward? Though more and more naturals are popping up, natural hair is still attention grabbing and if you have or are used to seeing straight hair, it can make you wonder. I used to get really annoyed but now, not as much. People are curious and I can understand that BUT instead of asking to “pet” us, I would prefer it if everyone just kept their curiosity, and hands, to themselves. Have you ever been asked? What was your response?

#2 When your products leave white balls in your hair.

Sometimes you try mixing new products for your wash and go and they leave little white balls or residue on your hair and you have no time to wash it out. OMG!! This happened to me twice and both times I was in a rush to go somewhere. Ladies, never EVER experiment with mixing new hair products right before you have some place to be. Trust me on this. The first time this happened to me I was getting ready for a date with a guy who I was really interested in and excited to see. It was our second date and we were going to catch a movie and grab a few drinks afterwards. I decided to wash my hair right before the date and just wear a wash and go. For some reason, I decided to mix two products that I’ve never mixed before and immediately little white balls started to form and cover my hair. I thought they would eventually disappear so I continued to apply to the rest of my head. Talk about a mess! It looked as if I hadn’t washed my hair in months. Then I get an “On my way!” text from him. Panic set in. I plugged in my diffuser thinking maybe once it’s fully dry the white balls would go away, wrong! Still there. Another text comes through, “Downstairs”. Damn’t. Nothing more I could do. My white balls and I were headed out the door to go on a date. To this day I’m not sure if he noticed and just didn’t say anything. Maybe it’s the very reason we aren’t together today. Lol!! The second time it happened I was in a rush to get to work. I was smart this time though y’all. I called in sick. Hey, you use yours for actual sick days and I use mine for bad hair days.

#3 When you’re sitting in the front row and you’re politely asked to move or lower your hair.

Yep, you guessed it. I got asked to “lower” my hair by an older gentleman behind me in the movie theater. I get it. You pay your almost $20 to see a film so you don’t want some big ‘ol ‘fro obstructing your view. So instead of getting upset, I just slid down in my seat. Since that day, I don’t even bother sitting anywhere but the back row if I’m rocking a fro or a puff.

#4 When you find little curls and coils all over the floor in your house.

In the shower, on the bathroom floor, kitchen, living room, bedroom. It’s a wonder how I still have any hair left on my head! I’m not sure if this is what comes along with the natural hair territory or if I’m constantly shedding winter fur like a bear, except all year long. Thank God for brooms and vacuum cleaners or else I would never have company over.

#5 When you tell someone your regimen and the next time they see you they say “I did what you told me to do but it didn’t work.”

This is why I now preface the sentence by saying “Well, what works for MY hair is…” No two curls are alike friends! I used to feel bad when my regimen didn’t work out for people I shared it with but then I realized it’s because it’s MY regimen. I can share my regimen with you but I can’t promise that you’re hair will react the same. #knowyourhair #learnyourhair

#6 When your boyfriend or friends ask you to go out an hour before time and your hair isn’t done.

You’ve been sitting comfortably on the couch or in bed all day watching Love and Hip Hop and eating pizza, and all of a sudden your phone starts blowing up. Yes, you want to go out but your old twist out or wash and go is sitting on top of your head like a bird’s nest. You can’t just get up and go. Do you text them back “nah” or do you try and tackle the beast in efforts to get out and have some fun? I personally need at least a 3 day notice before I go anywhere. I know, I know. Seems a bit extreme, right? Well, maybe it is but it takes about that long for my hair to look perfect. Third day hair is the best hair for me and don’t we all want to look and feel our best when we go out with friends or our main squeeze? As much as I would like to consider myself spontaneous, that’s just not the case. If this hair is not right, it’s highly likely will be responding “nah” and tuning back in to Stevie J and Joseline.

#7 When your hair isn’t short but it isn’t long, otherwise known as The Awkward Stage.

I think most naturals will experience the awkward or in between stage at some point. During this stage, your hair probably hangs right over your ear, so it’s not quite full afro status, but it’s also not a twa. You can achieve a twist out but you can’t quite rock a puff. I know, I know. It’s like a rite of passage in a sense. My advice during this awkwardness is to just hang in there and be patient. Length and better days are coming!

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This post was written by GlobalCouture on CurlyNikki.

We all have to regularly cleanse and condition our hair. We know we need to do it, but sometimes you just don’t feel like it!  I personally don’t mind a few hours of doing my hair… I look at it as ‘me time.’  Yet, there really are times (although rare”> that I want wash day to be quick, but still effective.  So, here are 3 often forgotten tips that I have found get the job done efficiently.

1. The Night-Before Pre-Poo

Pre-pooing is basically, applying a natural oil, conditioner or both, to your hair prior to washing it, to get it ready for the manipulation that is to follow. When you pre-poo the evening before you wash, it allows that pre-poo concoction (whatever it is”> to really soak into your strands, making the wash process much easier. I have literally applied my pre-poo to tangled hair, gone to bed and when I got up the next morning to wash my hair, the tangles melted away under the shower stream. I’m currently using coconut oil mixed with Aubrey Organics GPB or another conditioner.

2. Smooth While You Shampoo

Detangling your hair before, during and after washing is not only way too much manipulation (especially for fine strands”>, it’s unnecessary and wastes a lot of time. You can lightly finger detangle your hair while applying your pre-poo, but save the real detangling for after washing. If you wash your hair without bunching it up on your head, working in a downward, smoothing motion, it shouldn’t be very tangled. You can then either finger detangle your conditioner saturated hair under the shower stream, or wait to detangle on damp hair before styling.

3. Wash Day Isn’t Just for Washing

While we want wash day to be easy, we also want it to be effective. Washing our hair isn’t just about cleaning it. It’s also the time for us to get true moisture into our strands. How you do this, will depend on your hair’s porosity levels. So, one person may follow the LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream”> method while another may follow the LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil”> or LCOC (Liquid, Conditioner, Oil, Cream”> method. It’s up to you to figure out the combination of product layering that works best for locking moisture into your hair but universally, we all start with water!

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Natural hair can be unpredictable in that you never know what you will get. This can be good and bad. In addition to the routine hair therapy, i.e., regular trims, deep conditioning, and henna treatments, these are the day to day tips to having a good hair day every day.

1. Always start out on detangled hair

Freshly shampooed and thoroughly detangled hair will always give you the best results. Twisting or braiding hair that is already matted and tangled will only produce more knots and tangles.

2. More product, more problems!

This is one time when less is more. Excessive amounts of product will only lead to weighing down your tresses and ultimately product build up. You can always apply additional product if necessary but applying too much initially can only be rectified by re-shampooing.

Quick application tips:

• Start off with a quarter size portion – adjust based on texture and desired style
• Apply in sections – sections are easier to deal with

3. Placement strategy

I always receive my best results when my twists or braids are calculated. They do not need to be carefully parted or measured as if you were laying tile floor, however, merely throwing them in haphazardly will result in a less polished look. Even when you want a sexy, messy look, placement makes a huge difference.

4. Seal those ends

Skipping this step will give your ends cause to fray and only make more work for you later. Healthy ends will yield an overall healthy appearance and hair will be more manageable.

*Oils add shine not moisture, however, they do a great job at trapping the existing moisture in. I seal with shea butter and coconut oil.

5. Tie your hair up for a smooth finish

Aside from the obvious damage caused by friction between your hair and cotton pillowcases, the satin scarf will keep things in place. It is not just to achieve smooth edges, it also keeps your mane in check. It reduces friction causing dryness and reduces frizz when you release your twists or braids.

The cardinal sin when it comes to styling is to unravel hair prior to it being 95-98% dry.

6. Pineapple

If you are unable or unwilling ☺ to retwist or rebraid at night, the pineapple will do the trick. By gently placing the hair high on top of the head, you will be able to preserves the curl pattern and maintain your look.

*Secure the hair with a satin scrunchie or loose band.

7. Don’t over separate

After releasing your twists or braids (with oils on your fingers”>, unravel the areas that you want more volume the most. Too much separation will lead to excessive frizz.

*If you are rocking a wash and go, resist the urge to touch your hair after styling.

8. Retwist or Rebraid

If pineappling is not your thing, retwisting or rebraiding at night is a good way to rejuvenate and restore your look, as well as providing more definition.

9. Let twists or braids dry completely

The cardinal sin when it comes to styling is to unravel hair prior to it being 95-98% dry. Hair needs time to set and interrupting the process will result in a bad day all day.

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This post was written by CurlyChics for CurlyNikki.

Hello ladies,

Below are twenty-seven things you can do to improve the health of your hair and keep it from shedding prematurely or breaking off. The Goal? To keep your hair on your head!

Not including the obvious elimination of chemical treatments, this comprehensive list contains all you need to maintain a healthy head of hair. They are categorized by care/maintenance and styling.

Care and Maintenance

1. Nix shampoos with sulfates. It doesn’t matter if you hair is natural or relaxed. Sulfates strip the hair of needed moisture and natural oils.
2. Pre-poo (pre-shampoo”> your hair with coconut oil or olive oil. Coconut oil helps hair retain its moisture and protein. Both natural oils protect the hair from being stripped (and from excessive swelling of the cuticle”> when you shampoo.
3. Deep condition your hair with a moisturizing conditioner after every wash.
4. Get a protein treatment.  For maintenance, you can do this once a month or more if your hair is breaking.
5. Trim away split ends as necessary, but don’t get a trim for the sake of trimming. If your goal is to retain length, you’ll only be cutting off perfectly good hair. The less you do to damage your hair, the less you’ll need to trim it.
6. No microfiber or towel drying. Contrary to popular belief, microfiber rips the hair out. It acts like velcro to our tresses! Towel drying frizzes the hair. Either air dry or use an old t-shirt.
7. Refrigerate your leave-in conditioner. A cold leave-in will help to seal your hair’s cuticle after washing. This is extremely helpful if you can’t take a cold water rinse. It will also increase the shine in your hair.
8. Lubricate your hair with a light natural oil daily. Jojoba is light and helps keep the hair tangle free.
9. Seal your ends with Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I have found this oil to be the best at protecting the ends from splitting. It’s so thick and protective, causing the ends to clump together. Seal after every wash and before styling.
10. Massage your scalp to stimulate your hair follicles 2-3 times a week. Some believe this encourages hair growth. I have not found it to do so one way or another, but it certainly can’t hurt and it does increase the blood flow to your scalp.
11. Take a multi-vitamin with Methylosulfonylmethame (MSM”>. MSM is believed to extend the lifespan of your individual hairs while also alleviating dry scalp (less hair shed”>.
12. Never sleep on your hair loose. It’s more prone to tangling and breakage. Tie it up and…
13. Make satin your hair’s best friend. Sleeping in a satin scarf, bonnet or on a satin pillowcase prevents your hair’s moisture from being robbed.
14. Moisturize your hair as needed. Use your sense of touch to tell. If it feels dry, moisturize. If you are chemically relaxed, you may need to do so 1-2 times daily. Natural hair may only require moisturizing every couple days.
15. Don’t use too many different brands. When your hair begins responding, you want to know what’s working. In other words, curtail your PJ (product junkie”> ways, take good notes and keep it simple!
16. Eat a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s good for your hair and skin too, keeping both soft and pliable.
17. Try henna. I’ve been giving my hair henna treatments for a few years now.  My hair health is improved along with amazing strength and shine.
18. Clarify monthly. Hair products build up on the hair and every now and then the hair needs to be thoroughly cleansed. Especially, if you only co-wash (condition wash”>. You can either use a clarifying shampoo once a month or add a tablespoon of baking soda to your hair while shampooing. Apple cider vinegar is another option.

Styling

1. Protective style your hair. Wear simple styles that offer little manipulation of your tresses and hide your ends which are the oldest parts of your hair. Buns and up-dos are classic.
2. Stop heat styling your hair. Air drying is the best thing you can do to keep your hair on your head. Limit heat styling to rare special occasions.
3. Never comb or brush dry hair to style. Finger comb or wear hair in twist outs, twists, braids or braids out to minimize breakage.
4. Comb hair from the bottom up. When your hair is soaking wet and saturated with conditioner, you can comb it with a large tooth comb or Denman brush to detangle. Do so carefully, working from the bottom up.
5. Never ever tease your hair. This is a cardinal sin against natural hair (well hair in general, but some don’t know it”>
6. Don’t pull hair apart like a wishbone. If your hair is tangled, gently pull it up and apart in stead of pulling it apart like would a wishbone.
7. Use hair accessories with no hanging parts or exposed metal. Banana clips, Satin Scrunchies, Goodie Flex Barrettes, Ouchless bobby pins & Ouchless elastic bands are the best for styling hair so that it does not get damaged.
8. Avoid pulling hair tight at the hairline. Doing so will recede your hairline and damage the follicles permanently.
9. Check your nails. Hanging nails will damage hair. Always make sure your nails are smooth and even before hair styling.

Got any hair tips you’d like to add to the list? How many of the above have you made a habit of?!

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This post was written by Radiant Brown Beauty for CurlyNikki.

A natural hair rut is such a common occurrence. It can happen to anyone. Sometimes it is a result of wearing the same old style for too long and allowing ourselves to settle into hum drum routines. So how do we spice it up and keep things interesting? What do we do when we have grown bored with the usual and gotten tired of our look?

Signs that You May Be in a Style Rut

Hair Rut Buster #1

Find a new style inspiration that will get you excited about your own hair again. Looking at someone who is on fire for their natural hair and truly in love with their hair could inspire you and make you love your hair again. You may be able to pick their minds and see what keeps them motivated to care for and love their hair. Sometimes seeing someone else exhibit the behavior is enough motivation to get you back fired up.

Hair Rut Buster #2

Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram are hubs of inspiration so they’re the perfect place for a discouraged Naturalista to go if she has lost her spark. You can look to sites like these for style ideas, care routines advice, and even meet other women to find support. I can’t count the number of times I have looked to other ladies for style inspiration when I hit a style brick wall. Being able to look at other ladies with similar textures to mine that were trying a variety of hairstyles opened my mind up and got me back invested in my hair.

Hair Rut Buster #3

Grab a new product or try a new routine. Sometimes changing things up is the perfect remedy for a natural hair rut. If you’ve been doing the same thing for so long, that could be the exact reason why you’re bored. It could also be why your hair is no longer flourishing. Naturally, if your hair is starting to look rough, that would only make you lose more interest in your curls. Changing your routine could literally breathe new life into your hair and into you so give it a try.

Remaining open minded is going to keep you enthused and excited about your natural hair journey. So remember to find some natural hair inspirations, give a new product or routine a try and then change up your style!

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This article was written by chicandcoily for CurlyNikki.

When it comes to traveling, hair is just as important as prepping and packing for a trip. Really, who wants to frolic on the beach in a cute bathing suit, but have jacked up hair?! Even though natural hair on vacation can be a bit more freeing than relaxed hair at times, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with its own set of travel challenges. Whether you’re rocking a frohawk or a head full of curls, follow these tips to keep your natural hair fly during your globe-trotting adventures.

Be Prepared

Different climates can do different things to your hair. Since you wouldn’t want to travel to some great destination and not have any cute pics of yourself to prove it, make sure you stock up on products to counter humidity, dry air, hard shower water and any other elements that can ruin your vacation locks. Be sure to buy travel-sized containers at your local beauty supply store so that you can bring along your must-have products in case they aren’t sold where you’re going.

Protect Your Hair

It would be a disaster for you to spend hours creating a cute style, only to have it smashed to smithereens against the plane window while you sleep. Instead, try wearing a protective style like twists or braids while on the plane, then take it down and style before you land. This way, your hair will look as refreshed as you do. Also, be sure to pack a satin bonnet or scarf to sleep in at the hotel, wouldn’t want those cotton pillows ruining your hair.

Stick With Your Tried & True Style

As tempting as it may be, going on vacation is not the time to try out that new hairstyle you saw on your favorite blog. Just like with relaxed hair, it can take a few days to get a new style laying just the way you want it. Besides, who has time to fuss with hair when in paradise! Instead, stick with what you know works for you so you can spend less time in the mirror and more time having fun.

Have A Back Up Plan

Let’s face it, sometimes in the battle between Mother Nature, hair products and your hair…your hair loses. Just because your hair won’t cooperate the way you want it doesn’t mean your vacation has to be ruined. Stock your suitcase with back up accessories that can turn your hair don’t into a hair do. Make sure you have a few headbands, fancy headscarves, hair ties and a cute hat or two for hair emergencies.

Let Go

When all else fails remember this: You’re on vacation….not the red carpet! If your hair won’t lay a certain way…so what! If frizz is making your hair look more messy than sleek…so what! Let go of the hair perfection and embrace the moment! Stop worrying about your hair and focus on having fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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This post was written by TravelNoire for CurlyNikki.

Have you ever felt like your hair growth has come to complete halt? Many of us have gone through this at one time or another in our natural hair journey. The fact is, your hair is always growing but you may not be retaining what’s grown. In other words, just as fast as it grows, it breaks, creating the illusion of stunted growth.

The fact is, your hair is always growing but you may not be retaining what’s grown.

Here are five things to consider:

1. Lack of Moisture

Because our strands have twists, bends and curls, it’s much harder for the natural oil, sebum, to travel the entire length of the hair shaft from root to tip than it would for someone with naturally straight hair. So we need some help. On wash day, while my hair is slightly damp, I apply a leave-in then an oil or butter to seal that all in, giving special attention to the ends (since it’s the oldest part of the hair”>. I repeat every few days as necessary, especially if I’m wearing my hair out. Hair that is properly moisturized will have a nice elasticity to it and will be less likely to break, thereby allowing you to retain what you grow. Those whose hair may have low porosity may need extra help with steam or products that will help open up the cuticle to allow moisture in.

2. Poor Diet

Moisturizing your hair also includes water… as in drinking it. Are you drinking your water? Hmmm?! This is probably one of the first questions I ask women who complain about growth. It all begins on the inside. Garbage in, garbage out. If you eat nothing but junk, your hair/scalp is gonna reflect that. Water plus a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables will help your hair to thrive.

3. Improper Use/ Overuse of Heat

Too much heat leads to dryness, dryness leads to breakage. I enjoy a blow-out myself but limit it to every two weeks at most. When using heat, be sure to use a tool that has adjustable heat settings (get that hot comb off the stove!”> and always use some type of heat protectant so as not to over-dry the hair. Avocado and grapeseed oils are great natural heat protectants due to their high smoke points and will create a nice barrier between the styler and your hair.

4. Over-Manipulation

Is your hand always in your hair? STOP IT! I say that with love. Over-manipulation, as I’m using it here, includes everything from combing to brushing to hand-in-hair syndrome. The less you manipulate or touch your hair in any way, the better. Wanna extend that twist-out? Instead of re-twisting every single night, try “pineappling” it (think Sideshow Bob”> or gently twisting the hair in larger sections than you started with. This will cause less stress to the strands and give the hair less opportunity to break. Protective styles, pretty much any style that tucks away your ends and requires little to no manipulation, are a huge help with this. They help retain the hair you grow, not make your hair grow.

Funny story (kinda”>:

I had a friend who was baffled at the fact that the hair one side of her head was so much shorter than the other. Come to find out, she had the constant habit of nervously fiddling with the hair on that side and it was breaking without her even realizing. Leave your hair alone!

5. Not Wrapping it At Night

…with a satin, silk or some sort of non-cotton material scarf. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase also does the trick if you hate sleeping with a wrapped head. You may think your pillowcase is harmless but those fine weaves can snag and pull at your hair, PLUS, the cotton will suck the moisture right out of it. And what did we already say about moisture or the lack thereof? Precisely!

So, is your hair growth seemingly at a standstill? I challenge you to take a good, long, hard look at your current regimen to see if there is anything you could be doing better.

If you have found yourself at this point and managed to dig your way out, share what things you changed in your routine to nurse your hair back to health! I’m sure you have some tips of your own so go ahead and chime in below!

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This post was written by luvtobnatural for CurlyNikki.

Tell me about yourself!

Hello hello fellow Naturalistas! My name is also Nikki ☺ I’ve been natural for 2 ½ years and loving it more and more each day.  I’m 26 years old and a Mommy of a 4 year old mini Naturalista. She’s my life. I’m currently living in Florida.  I recently graduated college with my LPN license, so I’m working as a nurse in hopes to go back for my RN next year.

I’ve technically been natural for several years now. I just hid my natural texture by using the flat iron every day, and yes I mean EVERY day.  

Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?

I guess I’ve technically been natural for several years now. I just hid my natural texture by using the flat iron every day, and yes I mean EVERY day.  You can imagine the damage that came from it. My hair was pretty short at the time that I decided to go all the way natural, but my ends were fried and had no curl pattern. So, I transitioned for about a month so I would have a little length to my curls.  After that month, I went to the salon and had them cut off all of the damage. I was definitely relieved, but super nervous to reveal the look to others. My go to style was my fro-hawk. To get through the awkward stage of the beginning of the journey, I had to do twist outs practically every night.  My curls were so tight it would have just looked like a TWA otherwise.  I would watch natural hair videos on YouTube while spending 2 hours twisting each section.  It was definitely tiring, but the videos kept me inspired to stick with it.

Had you always embraced your texture?

I actually hadn’t embraced my natural texture until just recently. I attempted to go natural in high school but I lacked the confidence to rock it and found myself fighting the “poofiness” by going into the bathroom after every class period to drench my hair, trying to give it the “sexy” wet and wavy look.  Pretty pitiful.  Everyone around me relaxed and flat ironed their hair, and I eventually got tired of being teased and struggling with my hair so I followed suit and joined the crowd.  Needless to say it took a pretty big toll on my hair.

Everyone around me relaxed and flat ironed their hair, and I eventually got tired of being teased and struggling with my hair.

How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?

Since I was a little girl my mom begged me to just work with my curly texture and let it grow out.  But I couldn’t handle being judged for being different, and she understood how difficult it was for me to fit in.  Fast forward, when I told my family I was trading in my flat iron for a blow dryer and pick, they all breathed a sigh of relief; partly because they wouldn’t have to smell the smell of burnt hair all throughout the house anymore lol.  (We’ve all been there”>.  But they all knew my hair needed a break.  So I got tons of support.  My brother and boyfriend seemed to be kinda taken back, as it seems a lot of guys are initially.  But I kinda just shrugged off their opinions and looked toward the future.

Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.”>

My hair is actually pretty thin.  I just have A LOT of it.  So you would never know it unless I straightened my hair.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?

The craziest thing I’ve done to my hair may actually not be that crazy.  I wanted something drastic after having my daughter, needed a new more mature look.  So I cut all of my hair off and had it styled like Rihanna.  It’s still one of my favorite hairstyles.  It just took a lot of maintenance, when I was expecting the opposite.

What’s your biggest hair related regret?

My biggest regret is allowing peer pressure to cause me to relax my hair.  It took many years for my hair to go back to normal.  I look back at pictures and realize I look sillier than I probably would have if I had just thrown my poofy hair into a ponytail.

What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!

My current hair routine is pretty simple, for once. Lol.  I wash once a week. Sometimes I cowash with a conditioner once throughout that week.  Come wash day, I use Garnier Fructis “Fall Fight” shampoo and conditioner.  I wash once, condition, then rinse, then deep condition usually with Pantene (or whatever is nearby”>. I THOUROUGHLY comb out my hair, first with a wide tooth comb, then a small tooth comb. This is key to great curl definition.  The deep conditioner sits for about 30 minutes, then I rinse with cold water, to prevent frizz.  I honestly don’t use a lot of product. I find that it either makes my hair too soft to where I lose my curl definition or it makes it too crunchy.  But I realize I need to add some sort of moisture, so I use a little Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner, some sort of heat protectant cream, and occasionally I may add Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk.  I diffuse until it’s completely dry. Then, my BIGGEST tip, blow dry the roots to stretch them!  It makes a HUGE difference.  The pick has also become my best friend.  You’d be surprised at just how big and beautiful you can get your hair with such a simple item.

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What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?

My favorite hair style is my wash and go, left out and big enough to block the view of everyone standing behind me. ☺ I generally let the wind be my hair stylist. The perks of being natural. I’ve seen that as my hair gets longer, it takes on a different shape, so it never gets boring, to me anyways.  When I do decide to do something different with my hair I always find that the natural pages on Instagram have really cute and fun ideas for me to try out.

I generally let the wind be my hair stylist.

Who is your curl crush?

My curl crush will always be Jo Michelle (also known as LoveIslandBeauty from YouTube”>.  Her videos and pictures have single handedly gotten me through this natural journey.  She exudes such confidence and I admire that about her.  And she has a variety of hairstyles that are always on point!

How do you maintain your hair at night?

My hair is maintained like a lot of other naturalistas.  I throw it up on the top of my head using the pineapple method. I sleep with a satin pillow case to hold in my moisture and to avoid frizz.

How do you maintain healthy length?

To maintain my length, I actually trim a tiny bit off of each section of hair every time I wash. It helps with tangles and shedding.  I actually haven’t gotten my hair professionally done in 2 years, and it’s held up pretty well. It goes down to the end of my shoulder blades.  That’s the longest my hair has ever been!

What’s the best thing about being natural?

The best thing about being natural… You get the most genuine compliments.  I get stopped on a daily basis by every race and gender, and it still has not gotten old. Guys went from using compliments like sexy, fine, and cute, to words such as gorgeous, stunning, and classy. I used to hate to be different.  Nowadays I find it so empowering to stand out from the crowd and embrace what’s naturally beautiful about you.

Where can folks find you on the web?

My goal is waist length hair, so I have a way to go on my natural journey.  Feel free to follow me by finding me on Facebook or Instagram.

Be unique, Be confident, Be Natural!

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This post was originally published on CurlyNikki.

Q: “How can I tell if the short hair I see is new growing hair or broken hair?”

A: This can often be very difficult to determine, especially if the “short hairs” are in areas where breakage can occur (around the hairline, etc.”>.

Your first task would be to examine the hair closely and look for signs of stress on the hairs – such as split ends, stretching, etc. If there are signs of stress or damage, then breakage is the likely cause. This can be doubly certain in cases where breakage would be expected. For example: an individual wears his/her hair in, say, a tight ponytail and begins to notice short hairs at the forehead and temples.

This new growth of hair will not be found in great numbers. Since only 10% of the hairs on average are in a resting phase at any given time (the rest being in a growth phase”> and the hairs are shed following the resting phase as the new hair pushes the old hair out of the follicle, you would generally only see 10% of the hairs on your head as these short, newly-grown hairs.

Breakage becomes less likely when the short hairs are found in places on the scalp that aren’t exposed to significant stress from the styles worn.

In addition to the above, a few things one should think about when trying to diagnose breakage are:

• Are the ends of the short hairs tapered or blunt? Tapered hairs tend to be new growth whereas blunt and split hairs or hairs with white ends are indicative of breakage.

• Does the majority of the hair on your sink or in your comb/brush, have “roots” (white bulbs”> attached or are many/most strands rootless? Strands with white bulbs are shed hair and not breakage.

• Do you hear *snap, crackle, pop* when combing or manipulating your hair? If you do, it’s probably breakage and the best thing to do is handle your hair more gently and ensure that it is well lubricated/saturated (with a pre-poo or conditioner – some prefer wet hair and others on dry”> before attempting to detangle slowly from ends to roots. I prefer to finger detangle first as I’m able to feel the bad knots and tangles in order to gently ease them out, rather than ripping through them with a comb/brush.

• Do you have a lot of split ends and/or SSKs? Both of these can cause breakage as the splits and knots can/will snag on adjacent hairs and cause additional damage. I’m a fan of the S&D method to keep knots and splits to a minimum.

• Do you use heat often and/or forgo heat protection? Do you re-apply heat to “dirty” hair? Try reducing or eliminating direct heat. Opt for roller sets and silk wraps rather than a flat iron if you want straight hair and always use a heat protectant. Keep the passes over your hair to a minimum (1 0r 2″> if you must use a flat iron or curling iron. Only “press” freshly clean and 100% dry hair.

• Do you use hair tools with metal parts or materials that can snag or tear? Do you protect your hair at night? Opt for barrettes, clips and hair elastics without metal parts, such as Goody Comfort Flex Barrettes, Ouchless ponytail holders, banana clips and satin scrunchies. Sleep on a satin pillowcase and/or wear a satin scarf or bonnet.

• Is your hair well moisturized or is it often dry and brittle to the touch? If so, are you moisturizing with a water based styler or leave-in and sealing with an oil or butter? Have you tried weekly deep conditioning treatments with a moisturizing DC? (There is an ongoing debate on the hair boards about the effectiveness of DCs and DCs with heat, but I am a believer. I believe the only way for you to know if they will make a difference for you is to give them a try.”> Are you overdoing protein DCs and/or not using a moisturizing DC as a protein chaser?

• How do you style your hair? Too much tension on the hair, especially fine and fragile curly hair, can cause damage. I personally opt for low manipulation and protective styles that I can wear for 2-5 days. I’ve also grown MBL hair with WnGs, so it is possible. However, everyone’s hair responds differently and to different things. The key is finding what works the best for you.

That being said, in 2010 I experienced two things.

Once, I had breakage along my center part in the Winter of 2010, which I suspect was caused by using a protein-based gel (my hair and protein don’t get along well”>. In addition, my hair began shedding like crazy and I think that was caused by using amla in my henna, which my scalp did not like. I stopped using that protein gel last Spring and it appears that I have finally resolved my excessive shedding problem by discontinuing use of amla and avoiding getting conditioner on my scalp.

As I don’t see a lot of breakage, rarely hear a *snap, crackle and/or pop* and it appears that the end of my short hairs are tapered, I believe my hair is in the recovery phase where the hairs that broke and shed are regrowing.

Although I’m certain the short hairs represent more than 10% of my hair, knowing that I’m taking care of my hair as well as I can and am employing a well-founded regimen and techniques, I don’t worry about it. If you think that you are experiencing mechanical damage, then take a closer look at your regimen and/or techniques. However, if your regimen and techniques are on point, breathe a sigh of relief because those shorts hairs are most likely new growth and the result of your healthy hair efforts!!

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This post was written by Hairscapades for CurlyNikki.com

Most writers will tell you that they are also avid readers. I am no exception to the rule. Interestingly, one book that has informed my understanding of hair care is not really a hair care book at all. It’s a little book called, The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. In the book, Hardy states that, “Success is not doing 5,000 things really well. Success is doing a half dozen things really well— 5,000 times.” And it’s true. When I heard this, it immediately made me think of the very well intentioned but over the top, bank-breaking hair care regimens and routines I’ve seen over the years. We are doing too much, and we get to this point because we really don’t know or want to accept the basics of healthy hair care. Let’s face it— the basics are boring. Cleanse, condition, moisturize and keep my hands out of my hair can’t be all, right?

So what happens? We indulge in distractions. We build unnecessary complication into our regimens. We end up following 5 different hair care gurus’ regimens hoping that something (or some magical new combination of things”> will be “the thing” or “the product” that allows us to break from the pack. We’ll have 4 different moisturizers and more rare, exotic oils than BP and Exxon combined. (Is Kentucky Bluegrass Oil really better than Polynesian Fairy Island Oil or does Bohemian Muskrat oil top them all?”> We’ll have enough vitamins and supplements to make GNC and the FDA nervous. We’ll deep condition for 2 days straight, rinse, repeat, try a new honey-avocado pre-shampoo growth mixture, apply a clay mask, work in some henna and do 3 different length checks in a span of 72 hours all because someone in a book, behind a screen or behind a chair told us to. Perhaps I’m exaggerating here, but you get the point. It is all fluff. We’re “maximizing the possibilities” and that makes us feel good. But does your hair really need 4 different oils in your oil mix to make your hair softer? No one ever really had healthy, vibrant hair before the Internet, right? We might see some progress doing these 5,000 hair care must-dos and using the 5,000 more product must-haves, but the problem with this method of regimen building is that it is unsustainable long term. In an effort to do 5,000 things right, we don’t realize that it’s really the handful of basic things done well every day that carry the regimen forward—not the fluff and complication we add in. Doing a few basic things simply and repeatedly IS sustainable, and that’s how we achieve success in hair care.

So, what are the basics you should do simply and really well?

Doing a few basic things simply and repeatedly IS sustainable, and that’s how we achieve success in hair care.

Cleansing: Cleanse Regularly

No rocket science here. Regular cleansing is essential for hair and scalp hydration. Add additional moisture to this step by using a sulfate-free cleanser or light conditioner. Reduce unnecessary manipulation to your tresses by managing your hair in sections throughout the process. Whether to pre-shampoo with oil or conditioner is up to you— but it is not a requirement for healthy hair.

Conditioning: Keep It Simple

Conditioning follows naturally after cleansing. Never mind the 20 different ways to deep condition your hair—just keep it simple. Take a moisturizing conditioner product of your choice and leave it on your hair until the desired softness is achieved. The end. Adding oils, other conditioners, honey and other extras we tend to want to mix in our conditioners—is purely optional. Your hair will still thrive without the mixology. The key is to simply be consistent with whatever you’ve chosen to do. If you’ve decided to condition weekly— make sure it happens every week. Keep your focus and momentum.

Moisturizing: Be Consistent

Like conditioning, your individual product choices and time frame for conditioning are dependent on your own head of hair. The key is to simply be sure that your product is a hydrating product and that you remain consistent with its application to keep your balance in check. Moisturizing and sealing go hand in hand—so an effective moisturizing routine will always have an oil or butter to seal the hair.

Low Manipulation: Reduce Contact

I talk at length about keeping the manipulation down as much as possible. Simply reducing your contact with your hair overall, done many, many times will improve the health of your hair. I subscribe to a holistic interpretation of protective styling where the entire spirit of the regimen is protective.

Whether it’s improving hair health, losing weight, or saving money— the process is simple. You must identify the handful of basic things that matter and execute them flawlessly many, many times. I once tweeted that other people’s regimens should be templates, not mandates for your hair care, and it’s true. Start with the basics, execute them well, and strive to make them habits without the fluff.

What are the primary steps in your natural hair care regimen?

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This post was written by Audrey Sivasothy for CurlyNikki.

This week we’re going to get into one of my favorite carrier oils- castor oil!

I’ve known about this natural emollient since I was waist high. And I particularly love this oil because it is extremely rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids that are important for healthy hair growth.

Benefits of castor oil

• It’s an excellent emollient and humectant for skin and hair

• It’s a treatment for hair thinning and hair loss

• Prevents the dry and itchy scalp

• Has anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties- so it can be effective for treating skin/scalp infections like ringworm

A word on Jamaican Black Castor Oil…

Many women want to know why there’ so much buzz about Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO”>. So let me give you a brief rundown of what JBCO is and why it’s different from other types of castor oil.

Manufacturers will use different types of processing methods when extracting oils from plants. And an oil will be either unrefined or refined based on how it was extracted from a plant. Unrefined oils retain most if not all of their nutritive properties, while refined oils will lose some (or possibly all”> of their nutritive properties.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil is simply a raw, unrefined form of castor oil. So it is a form of castor oil that has retained most, if not all of its nutritive properties. It is simply a high quality form of castor oil. And this is why JBCO is so highly sought after and wildly popular among women.

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Castor oil and healthy hair growth

Castor oil is a great hair oil, but it can be very thick and viscous. So some women may end up having a bad hair experience with the oil. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a woman to get immediately turned off from using this oil because it left her hair all sticky and icky. Still this oil is simply amazing for the health of your hair and scalp. So check out these few tips on how to best use castor oil. Then try out this oil for a few weeks- who knows, you may just fall in love too!

Tips for using castor oil

1. Moisturize Hair First

Before using any emollient (i.e. hair oil or butter”>, you always want to make sure that your hair has been wet first (i.e. your hair that has been moisturized first”>. Emollients don’t “moisturize,” they simply “seal” moisture in. So the best way to use castor oil is on wet hair.

2. Use Less Oil

Castor oil is very thick and viscous so you don’t need to be “heavy-handed” with use. Using a lot of castor oil won’t increase its benefits- it will just make your hair sticky and limp. And with castor oil, as well as many other emollients, you will find oftentimes that when using “less is more.” Also, because it is a “heavier oil,” some women do prefer to only use castor oil on certain parts of their. For example, some may only use castor oil the edges of hair as opposed to using it all over their hair.

3. Mix With Other Oils

Since castor oil is so thick and heavy, it may be best to “lighten” it up with other oils. There’s no law that says you can’t mix your emollients. In fact, I’ve been using a great mixture that includes equal parts castor oil, olive oil and fresh rosemary. This is a wonderful hair oil- and it smells great too!

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This article was written by Dr. Phoenyx Austin for CurlyNikki.

The internet is literally bursting with styles for women celebrating their short, sexy hair, and if you are struggling with your own teeny weeny afro (TWA”> and simply don’t know how to wear or feminize your look, it helps to watch a couple videos of women who have your texture to get a little inspiration.

Unfortunately, I didn’t experience the TWA stage because I transitioned to natural hair without cutting my length off, but if I could do it all over again, I think I would spend some time loving and nurturing a Teeny Weeny Afro!

4 Simple TWA Tips

1. Moisturize and seal often

This can mean everyday or every other day depending on how you style your hair. Use water, water based products and aloe vera juice to add moisture to your hair. While your hair is really short, there’s nothing wrong with getting it wet in the shower every morning if you want to!

2. Pay attention to your scalp

Scalp health is always important but when you have a TWA, making sure your scalp is super healthy is extremely important because you have less hair to protect it. Keep your scalp clean, clarify if you have to and massage your head with your favorite oil often to keep your blood flowing.

3. Protect your hair at night

Don’t think that just because your hair is short you can avoid protecting it as much as you should! Sleeping with a satin scarf is always recommended but you can also opt for a satin pillow case as an alternative. Either way, protecting your hair from the beginning will only be beneficial as your hair grows longer– the hair on your head now will become the ends of your length!

4. Have fun with styling

Do accessorize, do wear parts, do play with products and do play with color (responsibly”>. Have as much fun as you can with your TWA because that phase ends pretty fast! Below are video demonstrations of 3 easy ways to style your TWA.

First up, here is 20pearlsNcurls showing us how to do finger coils:

Next TellmeBeauty shows us how she achieves her fluffy twist out:

And finally MissKenK does a gorgeous perm rod set on her TWA:

What styles did you rock when you were in the TWA stage?

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This post was originally published on CurlyNikki.

This natural hair journey is ever changing as we learn more about what aids in happy, healthy hair. Despite being a natural for over seven years, I am still learning about the plentiful ways of treating and loving our tresses.

Tea rinses are new to me. I’ve never really heard of them until recently and since I’m not completely clueless I figured I wasn’t alone. I felt I needed to dig a little deeper into what they are and how many are using them.

Hair Tea Rinse

Many of these teas increase blood flow, have antioxidants, cleansing properties, antibacterial properties and amino acids. I’ve not even mentioned all the other teas that can be created with herbs like Marshmallow root, burdock, catnip, fenugreek, or horsetail but how much and what they all can do is unknown to me personally.

Caffeine can grow hair and Black tea seems to have the most caffeine but depending who you ask will determine if you choose to use it. Some feel the extra caffeine is great while others steer clear of it for their hair. Really, everyone must determine what they want to use and asking your doctor may be necessary if one is really concerned.

Some even use tea rinses in spray bottles (just as I have”> but most seem to just use them as a final rinse after washing the hair. Some rinse the tea out after massaging and letting it sit from 5 to 30 minutes while others leave it in and continue with a deep conditioner. Either way a good deep conditioner is necessary as many find the hair to feel rough after the tea rinse has been applied.

I’m only on week 3 of using a tea for my final rinse on wash day so I cannot say with all certainty if it is reducing my hair shedding or promoting healthy growth. I’m using a tea that has Nettles, Lavender and Hibiscus petals. I have to say the tea in my spray bottle has been the best refresher on 2nd or 3rd day hair that I’ve ever used, and will continue to use it this way.

With so many teas that can be used to help with shedding or hair growth, finding one that gets the job done should not be hard. I am curious about the black tea and may try that later on down the line if I feel this isn’t working. I don’t shed tons but more than I’m happy with, so I’m really on the hunt and will share my hair tea journey with all of you.

So now I would love to hear back from you…