Search Results: Nikki Walton
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
- 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.
- 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.
- Deep condition your hair with a moisturizing conditioner after every wash.
- Get a protein treatment. For maintenance, you can do this once a month or more if your hair is breaking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lubricate your hair with a light natural oil daily. Jojoba is light and helps keep the hair tangle free.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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”>.
- Never sleep on your hair loose. It’s more prone to tangling and breakage. Tie it up and…
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- Eat a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It’s good for your hair and skin too, keeping both soft and pliable.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Never comb or brush dry hair to style. Finger comb or wear hair in twist outs, twists, braids or braids out to minimize breakage.
- 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.
- Never ever tease your hair. This is a cardinal sin against natural hair (well hair in general, but some don’t know it”>
- 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.
- 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.
- Avoid pulling hair tight at the hairline. Doing so will recede your hairline and damage the follicles permanently.
- 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?!
This post was written by Radiant Brown Beauty for CurlyNikki.
Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
I was a long term transitioner. I transitioned for about 16 months. I had a couple of reasons for this being the better route for me. The two main reasons were: (a”> I had not seen my natural texture since I was 13 or 14… I am now 41! I needed to acclimatize myself to my texture and learn how to deal with it so that I wouldn’t make a hash of my natural hair. And (b”> I had recently started working at a new company, and my role required me to help manage teams. I had to come in and build my brand. Once I decided to go natural, I thought that a big chop would be too drastic of a change.
I knew it was time when I was watching reruns of “The Walking Dead” and was worried about how I would straighten my hair if there was ever a Zombie apocalypse! Lol… funny, but it showed me my priorities were off.
When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I just chopped the remaining relaxer on Thursday October 9th! My initial reaction was, to quote Billy Joel: I love you just the way you are! I was instantly in love! I thought I would yearning right away for more length, but actually, I LOVE it short!
How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
I had my older sister cut my hair with my mom watching. My mom was super nervous that we were going to mess around and do a bad job, but we took our time and chopped kink by kink. Ultimately we all totally loved it. My husband thinks it’s the cutest thing ever! He was kissing the little coils!
What was your transition routine (products included”>?
I started with Bantu knots, but around month 4. those failed for me. I switched to braid-outs as they seemed to create the most consistent texture. The only tool I used, was a wide toothed comb. My process was
- pre poo with either olive oil or coconut oil
- wash with homemade Moroccan red clay wash
- seal with coconut oil
- add leave in (usually either Aveda Be Curly or Briogeo“> and
- seal with my tweaked version of Naptural85’s fluffy shea butter cream
What was your staple hair style during the transition?
Braid out for texture and put in one or two buns.
How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
I pretty much just stuck to my routine above. If I did a good enough job on wash day, I stayed pretty moisturized through the week. Maybe once a week, I might re-braid using my shea butter mixture for hold. The main idea was that the less I messed with it, the less trouble I had with the line of demarcation.
Why did you choose to go natural?
Again, a couple of reasons: One – I was about to turn 40 and realized…. ” I don’t remember what my own hair looks like!” Two – I realized that I had made keeping my hair straight a priority above other things I believed in, like eating organically and reducing my use of harsh chemicals in my personal grooming products. It was as though the relaxer got a pass when I was making life choices. It seemed wrong. I knew it was time when I was watching reruns of “The Walking Dead” and was worried about how I would straighten my hair if there was ever a Zombie apocalypse! Lol… funny, but it showed me my priorities were off. Anyone more worried about foraging for a box of creamy crack instead of cans of food needs to re-think things!
alonawilliams@gmail.com
ig: stylesistersnyc
yt: stylesistersnyc
This post was originally published by CurlyNikki.
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I was a big chopper. I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking it over. I woke up and decided that would be the day. I went to the barber shop and told the barber to cut it all off. My journey since that day has been great.
Had you always embraced your texture?
No, I started getting relaxers at a very early age, so I didn’t know the true texture of my hair until I went natural.
How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them?
Some family and friends were not happy about me cutting all my hair off. My ex-fiance was not a fan at all. It took some time for him to get use to the new me. However, I did not allow the naysayers to knock me off course.
Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.”>
My hair is SUPER coarse and thick.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair?
The craziest thing I have ever done to my hair was rock a wash-n-go. My hair turned into a bird’s nest by the time it aired dry and what made matters worse, I was headed to the Beyonce concert the next day. So, I spent the day of the concert (6/7 hours”> detangling, conditioning, cutting, trimming, and trying to style my hair. At one point, I stood in the bathroom and cried like a 3 year old (stomping and everything”>. Wash-n-go…NEVER AGAIN!
My biggest hair related regret, not going natural sooner.
What’s your biggest hair related regret?
My biggest hair related regret, not going natural sooner.
What’s your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My current hair routine consists of weekly co-washes, conditions and bi-weekly deep treatments, followed by flat two-strand twists. I absolutely love As I Am Coconut Cowash Cleansing Conditioner, Carol’s Daugther: Macadamia Heat Serum protectant (for blow drying”> and Jane Carter’s Nourish & Shine cream, Oyin: burnt sugar promade and pure coconut oil.
[prodmod]What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hairstyle is a great twist-out. I get my hairstyle inspiration from Pinterest and all the beautiful sisters rocking their natural styles.
Who is your curl crush?
Taren916 (Facebook”>
How do you maintain your hair at night?
I am married to re-twisting my hair every night unless the next day is wash day and I always sleep with a satin bonnet and pillowcase.
How do you maintain healthy length?
I maintain healthy length by paying attention to my hair and clipping my ends when necessary.
What’s the best thing about being natural?
The best thing about being natural…I get to show the world how beautiful I am with what GOD has given me from the start. MY hair, like my life is a gift and I treat as such.
Where can folks find you on the web?
Folks can find me on Facebook @ Tanya Hicks, Instagram @ MsTanyalachelle, WordPress @www.tanyatypeitwrite.com
This post was originally published on 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
1. You dread the thought of maintaining or caring for your hair. You find yourself loathing wash day to the point of putting it off until the very last minute. You may even notice that the handling of your hair has become more careless and less patient than it once was.
2. Are you basically wearing the same exact style every day with no urge to try anything new or different? You may even find yourself throwing your hair in the same old bun or twists.
3. Is your hair breaking and becoming more and more damaged with the lack of maintenance and care?
Now that you have realized you may be in a style rut, it may be time to get things back on track. There are multiple things you can do to renew your love for your hair and get things back on track. We’ll address a few things that will reignite your love for your curlies below.
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!
This article was written by chicandcoily for CurlyNikki.
Question:
I have scalp psoriasis and I am transitioning to being a natural girl and I do not know good products. I have scalp psoriasis and I am in need of some good healthy products to start my curls. I have not had a perm for almost a year. Half of my hair is curls and the rest are straight but I do not want to do the big chop.
Answer:
I am not sure how mild or severe your scalp psoriasis is, but first and foremost I highly advise you to schedule an appointment with a trichologist. They specialize in treating scalp conditions and can potentially write a prescription if need be and recommend different styling options based on your individual needs. I only transitioned for ten months before big chopping but I think these tips could be useful.
Cleanse frequently
When your dead skin scales are growing at a rapid rate like with scalp psoriasis or your sebum is excreting at a rapid rate like seborrheic dermatitis, cleansing frequently is needed to remove scales and reduce inflammation and irritation. Since the hair is very fragile while transitioning, you want to invest in conditioners with lots of slip to detangle prior to cleansing. Next, you want to either use the cleanser that the dermatologist or trichologist recommended or try one of these top 10 shampoos that won’t dry you out. The way I prevent my curls from becoming stripped when washing so frequently is by doing the condition-wash-condition method. I apply the shampoo to my scalp after I have detangled without rinsing off the product I detangled with (i.e. Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner“>. The run off of the shampoo will cleanse your detangling product away while rinsing. I faithfully deep condition after cleansing my scalp to restore my hair’s pH level and to maintain a good moisture balance. Here are the top 10 deep conditioners for transitioning hair along with 9 of the best moisturizers for transitioning hair to follow up with after rinsing.
Do mindful styling
For many women, long-term transitioning is not as daunting with a protective style like a sew-in or individual braids and twists (e.g. Senegalese twists and Marley twists”>, but not for those with scalp conditions. Because you may have to cleanse more than once a week, it helps to have styles that give you access to your scalp unlike a sew-in. Individual braids or twists may or may not be an issue. When people with scalp conditions experience excessive flakes and those scales are usually adhered to the scalp and shed into the length of your curls around multiple strands, trying to remove scales from your scalp and hair might cause your roots to be frizzy and even cause breakage if you are not gentle. Trichologist Dr. Kari Williams is a great source for further explanation on how to do effective protective styles. From personal experience, I have noticed that when my scalp is too exposed (i.e. cornrows and mini twists”> it becomes even more irritated. Right now I am wearing two buns and my scalp is on its best behavior! Buns were the best option for my transitioning hair and they are now as well. Twist and curl is another great option to help blend the relaxed hair with your natural texture.
I know you do not want to big chop but releasing my hair from the relaxed strands made my condition that much easier to manage. Now I am a wash and go natural who has her scalp condition under control…when I am not being lazy.
How did you transition with your scalp condition?
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.
This post was written by TravelNoire for CurlyNikki.
Here are 25 things you can do to improve your natural hair, prevent damage and ultimately encourage length retention. The goal here – to keep your hair on your head!
Not including the obvious elimination of chemical treatments, this 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. Sulfates strip the hair of needed moisture and natural oil, drying it out.
2. Pre-poo (pre-shampoo”> your hair with coconut oil or olive oil. Coconut oil helps hair retain its protein levels, thus preventing damage. It also limits the amount of water the strands absorb, preventing wear and tear (from expansion and contraction”> over time. Both natural oils protect the hair from being stripped when you shampoo.
3. Deep condition your hair with a moisturizing deep conditioner after every wash. Consider using a gentle heat source like a microwave cap or by wrapping a towel around your head (or rocking a wool cap”> to generate some body heat of your own.
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. Oil 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 be, 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.
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. It also prevents unnecessary tangling.
14. Moisturize your hair as needed. Use your sense of touch to tell. If it feels dry… moisturize!
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.
16. Eat a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Good for your hair and skin too. Keeps both pliable.
17. Try henna. I’ve been giving my hair henna treatments for about 6 months as of the writing of this post. My hair health is improved along with an 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.
[prodmod]Styling
19. 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.
20. Comb hair from the bottom up. When your hair is soaking wet and coated in conditioner, you can comb it with a large tooth comb or Denman brush to detangle. Do so carefully, working from the bottom up. Of all the detangling gadgets on the market, your 10 fingers remain your best tools.
21. Never ever tease your hair. This is a cardinal sin against highly textured hair (well hair in general but some don’t know it”>.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. Avoid pulling hair tight at the hairline. Doing so will recede your hairline and damage the follicles permanently. Not a good look.
25. 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? Do share how you take care of and do YOUR hair in the comments below!
This article was written by Radiant Brown Beauty 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!
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.
[prodmod]
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!
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!!
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?
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.
[prodmod]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!
Is castor oil a part of your hair regimen? How do you use your castor oil? What type of castor oil do you use?
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?
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
- Turn gray hairs darker – Rosemary and Sage
- Brightening the hair – chamomile for blondes; rooibos for redheads; or black tea for dark hair
- Reduces shedding hair – Green tea, black tea
- Stimulate hair growth – Green tea
- Strengthens and thickens the hair – Black tea
- Helps with dandruff and psorasis – Green tea, Nettle
- Promote hair growth – Hibiscus (This was found through a scientific study on rats – (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp 235-239, 2003″>.
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…
I would love to also know if I missed some uses or types of teas since I’m sure I didn’t list them all.
Editor’s Note: CurlyNikki added her favorite herbal rinses:
Here are some herbal rinses that you can add to your rotation. Pick an herb for your particular hair struggle!
- Catnip: Promotes healthy hair growth–many women on longhaircommunity swear by this stuff for long, strong hair. It supposedly reduces the occurrence of split ends and breakage.
- Chamomile: Softens hair, soothes the scalp, lighten and conditions (people use it with honey to bring out natural highlights”>. Chamomile is also known to stimulate growth.
- Horsetail: Helps brittle hair due to its high silica content.
- Lavender: Stimulates hair growth
- Nettle: conditions, improves texture, helps with dandruff, irritated scalp, and dry scalp
- Parsley: enriches hair color and gives a nice luster
- Plantain: great for dry, irritated scalp, dandruff, and seborrhea
- Peppermint: stimulates the scalp
- Rosemary: Acts as a tonic and conditioner, one of the best herbs to use, gives luster and body, stimulates growth, helps with dandruff, and brings out dark highlights in the hair.
- Sage: Very effective in restoring color to graying hair, excellent for weak brittle hair
- Saw Palmetto: good for thinning hair and hair loss
- Thyme: good for oily hair and dandruff
- Witch Hazel: cleanses hair
How to do a Tea Rinse
- Place the herb(s”> in a pitcher (glass is ideal”>.
- Pour boiling water over the herb(s”>, cover, and steep for 10-20 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and allow the liquid to cool.
- Pour over your head after your regular shampoo, condition, and detangling session. Do not rinse.
Where to Get Herbs
Tied up, tied down, burned with a hot iron, pulled, and pushed–I feel totally neglected. Why can’t I just be left alone? Why can’t I just be massaged with special care, set free and treated with respect and kindness? I may just breakand leave this place. Better yet, I could totally drop out of sight where no one can find me. Sound like a victim of domestic abuse? Not exactly, this may be your hair crying out for rescue.
Alopecia (hair loss”> is frustrating, demoralizing and downright scary.Society puts a great deal of pressure on us to achieve and maintain a glorious mane. Unfortunately, circumstances sometimes arise which causes one to lose hair.
There are two basic categories of hair loss: Scarring and Non-scarring Alopecia
Within each category, there are multiple causes. It is possible to achieve hair regrowth in many cases of non-scarring alopecia. Scarring alopecia portends a more permanent and emotionally devastating situation, as it means that the hair follicles have been sufficiently destroyed so that regrowth is not likely. Non-scarring alopecia is more common than scarring form; therefore, my discussion will be limited to this type of hair loss. Scarring forms can be the result of extensive and prolonged destructive hair care practices, or a medical condition (i.e. lupus”>. The skin on the scarred area of the scalp will usually be shiny in appearance and thin in texture. A dermatologist should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
The most common causes of Non-scarring alopecia are:
Traction alopecia
Hair loss due to traumatic hair care practices such as braiding, twisting the hair too tight or wearing binding hairstyles frequently. This common type of hair loss is usually most prominent around the hairline. Hair is more fragile and subject to breakage in these areas. Solution: Loosen up that hair! You’d probably fall out too if you were bound down too tight. Braiding/Twisting should be done loosely. If small bumps and or pain may appear in newly styled and affected areas, the braid/twist should be immediately removed. If you’ve already been a victim of traction alopecia and are looking for regrowth, treat affected areas with gentle hair care practices. Avoid the use of drying gels and products which may irritate/ dry out the hair and scalp skin. A dermatologist may be able to assist in providing medical treatments which can encourage a better environment for hair regrowth.Telogen Effluvium
Hair loss due to major hormonal shifts related to pregnancy, stress and major illness. This type of hair loss is frustrating because the hair tends to thin diffusely throughout the scalp. It is normal to lose up to 100 hairs per day, but this condition results in an enhanced rate of shedding causing much more hair to fall out on a daily basis. Characteristic “club hairs” can be detected among the shed hair. They have a smallwhite bulb at the end. Fortunately, this condition resolves on its own without medical treatment. Unfortunately, it can take several months after the hormones have become regulated that adequate regrowth is noted. Solution: Be gentle with your hair and patient for resolution.Anagen Effluvium
Hair loss as a result of chemotherapy. This is another temporary hair loss state which usually occurs in response to medications used in cancer treatments. Hair will regrow in most cases, after offending medication is stopped.Androgenetic Alopecia (Genetics”>
Women can also lose hair in a specific pattern in the crown region of the scalp due to hereditary causes. Some hair follicles in this region are genetically predestined to become smaller and eventually inactive. The hair then falls out. In women with this type of hair loss, the front hairline is usually spared with balding most pronounced in the crown region. Solution: Rogaine (minoxidil”> has been used successfully in some cases to achieve a bit of regrowth. Seek the advice of a dermatologist for evaluation of and treatment for this type of alopecia.Alopecia Areata
Hair loss thought to be associated with immune factors. This type of hair loss can cause solitary bald patches on the scalp (in its mild form”> to complete loss of all body hair (most severe form”>. Solution: Most individuals with the mild form are successful at achieving hair regrowth with the assistance of cortisone injections and/or topical prescription agents. A visit to the dermatologist would be required for these treatments.Hair breakage
On average, hair grows a half an inch per month. The terminal length of hair (the maximum length”> is genetically determined. A major key to being able to fully appreciate increasing hair length is preventing breakage. Eliminating or minimizing traumatic hair care practices (i.e. direct heat styling”>, and moisturizing sufficiently are the best ways to retain length. Shampooing, Conditioning regularly and deep conditioning treatments with supple moisturizing agents help maintain hair moisture. Curly hair makes it more of a challenge for natural scalp oils to effectively move down the strand. The curlier the hair, the more difficult this process becomes. Therefore, adding moisture to the strands (especially the ends”>, sealing and protecting them with various styling techniques can really benefit your hair. Fortunately, there are many conditioning products available. Avoid petroleum and mineral oil containing products. These ingredients occlude pores and can lead to facial breakouts.Treat yourself to a scalp massage regularly to stimulate the hair follicles. This is very relaxing and can help improve circulation which is always a good thing for hair health! Take care of yourself, so you can care for others. Do your best to be your best. The better you are, the brighter the world gets.
Written By Dr. Perry for CurlyNikki
Disclaimer: This information does not serve as a substitute for individual medical care by a physician. This article is an informative guide to point you in the right direction. All product recommendations and advice are suggestions which may or may not work for your individual needs. Specific medical issues and concerns should be addressed by your health care provider. Patricia Perry, M.D. is a dermatologist in private practice in Southern California who can be reached for consultation at 2625 W. Alameda Ave., Suite 504, Burbank, CA 91505. Phone: (818″>559- SKIN (7546″>.
Do you dread shampooing your hair? Do you detest the state of your hair after you shampoo? Love going to the salon, being primped and preened and laying back with a head full of suds, while some fashionable hairstylist scratches the mess out of your scalp? Welp, you SHOULDN’T! If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, this post is for you!
Oils produced by the scalp are not always able to travel down a curly, spiral hair follicle. This is the exact reason why curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair often leaving us unclear about how and how often to shampoo.
Shampoo is derived from the Hindi word champo , meaning “head massage.” Shampoo is a product used to remove oil, dirt, skin particles and any environmental build up in your hair. It’s important to note that moisturizing is not one of it’s functions but there are some steps you can take to ensure that your hair is properly clean and conditioned.
Pre-Oiling
Diluting Shampoo
I like to dilute my shampoo with water and add a bit of conditioner to the mix. I fill 1/3 of a squeeze bottle with shampoo, 1/3 with water and 1/3 with one of my more cheap conditioners. The results have been less dry, less tangled, moisturized hair. It also saves me a ton of money on shampoo. And remember, water is a curls best friend!
Sulfate
Technique
The way in which you shampoo is important. Simply rubbing shampoo onto wet hair and scratching the scalp is not enough. Separate and shampoo your hair in sections. This ensures that you are cleansing and tending to every strand while also helping with the de-tangling process.
It is also important that you do NOT scratch your scalp with your fingernails but instead massage it with your fingertips. Scratching is too harsh a technique and can actually further irritate your scalp, weaken your hair follicles and cause scalp tenderness. Massaging the scalp is a much healthier approach and stimulates hair growth by promoting the circulation of blood in scalp.
Infuse these methods into your shampoo regimen and see what happens. I anticipate that you will be happy with the results. Good luck!
MORE: For My Prepoo Recipe Click Here
This post was written by Antoinette of AroundtheWayCurls for CurlyNikki.
I love bananas for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is banana pudding. Yum. But whenever I find myself wondering what to do with the leftover overly ripe bananas that grace my kitchen counters I always try to remind myself, if I don’t eat it, I can always use it on my natural hair!
Banana is tricky though. Do not blend it well enough and you are going to have a big mess on your hands, so be sure to blend it down into the consistency of a thick baby food or else you’re going to hate rinsing small banana bits out of your hair. You want all of the banana to be blended well–no pieces left behind in the bowl.
Less the scary banana aside, you can make this sweet banana creme pre-poo in a jiffy and have your hair feeling so soft that you’ll want to tell everyone you know to try this recipe!
What You’ll Need
Combine the following in a blender:
- 1 medium to large size banana (overripe is fine… banana baby food is fine too”>
- 3 tbs plain yogurt (full fat is best”>
- 4 tbs honey
- 3 tbs condensed/evaporated milk
- 2 tbs wheat germ oil
Directions
Blend all of the ingredients well and apply to you hair from root to tip. Cover your hair in a plastic cap and wrap your hair in a heated towel or sit under a hooded dryer for 15-20 mins. Rinse well and proceed to wash and style your hair as normal.
This is a fun pre-poo I like to do on days when I’m doing my nails. I don’t know why, but I think it’s the smell of the banana or something that makes this feel very spa-like and special. I’ll wrap my hair up in a towel while the pre-poo works and then work on my pedicure and watch reruns on snapped on oxygen. Random I know, but it’s fun!
What say you? Have you ever used banana on your natural hair as a pre-poo treatment? Do you like how it makes your hair feel?
This post was written by KurlyBella for CurlyNikki.
I’m Mia Settle. Originally from Fayetteville, NC but I currently reside in the DMV area. I big chopped in summer 2006 after major damage from chemical processing. I was so frustrated with my damaged hair that I first decided that I would cut all of my permed ends off, wear braids for a few months until my hair was healthy again, and then perm again. After about 9 months of wearing micro braids, I decided to let my hair breathe and that’s when I fell in love! I mean, I had no clue how to care for or style my natural hair but I loved my curls and knew that I wanted to learn all about it. Natural hair sites, blogs and YouTube videos became my best friends, although there wasn’t nearly as many as there are now. Needless to say, haven’t turned back since.
Best decision I’ve ever made.
How long have you been natural?
I’ve been natural for 9 years. This year is the first year that I haven’t cut my hair. Other than regular trims, I plan on letting my hair grow as long as it can.
How would you describe your hair?
I’m not really into hair typing so I’m not sure what letter and number I am (lol”> but I have several different textures. Tighter curls in the back, looser curls in the front and crazy curls on the left side. It makes it challenging when trying to find what products work since there are so many textures but I think I’m getting closer.
What do you love most about your hair?
I love the versatility of my hair! I can wear it big, blown out, straightened, buns, braids, twists, big curls, etc.
What has been the most memorable part of the journey?
The most memorable part of my hair journey would have to be learning how to care for it. After all of these years I’m still in search of the perfect products and regimen for MY hair. I’ve learned a lot throughout the years and I’m still learning. It’s definitely gotten much easier. I was struggling in the beginning. I had no clue what I was doing. Thank God for tutorials! I never transitioned but in the beginning of my journey I swore by micro braids and puffs! Currently, I rock wngs most of the time. I have that routine pretty much down to a science, but also big buns and top knots.
How has your experience been as a ‘natural’?
My experience as a natural overall has been extremely positive!! I receive a lot of compliments and positive feedback. I had a few family members give me the side eye at first and even some now who probably prefer it straightened, but I think it’s grown on them. Either that or they just know it’s not going anywhere so they just deal with it. Lol
What is your hair regimen?
I pretty much only wear wngs. I start off by sectioning my hair off into four. Then I get in the shower and wet one section. I put olive oil on that section first, then Tresemme Naturals conditioner, twist back up in clip and the repeat on other sections. I then rinse it all out and put in my leave in conditioner. These days I’m loving Kinky Curly Knot Today. After I get out of the shower I smooth olive oil Eco styler gel through small sections. I prefer air drying, but if I’m in a hurry I will diffuse. I’m not a fan of my day 1 hair because I love big hair, so by day 3, I’m a happy camper :”> To maintain my wng I sleep on a satin pillow case and just spritz with water and a little olive oil to refresh each day. I try to deep condition once a week using either Shea Moisture or Miss Jessie’s.
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What are your favorite blogs or vlogs?
Now that I’ve got a pretty solid regimen, I don’t really look at YouTube videos or blogs anymore, but I do follow a few faves on Instagram: Mahoganycurls, Samirahgxgilliy Gilli and Loverasheeda are just a few!
Any advice?
Love YOUR hair!! It’s sooo easy to look at videos and blogs of other people and get frustrated when your hair doesn’t do or look the same. Trust me I know! I used to be that person. But then I finally realized that just because I don’t have the perfect curl doesn’t mean my hair isn’t just as beautiful. Our hair tends to have a mind of it’s own so I say just let it do what it do. Don’t work against it, work with it. You AND your hair are beautiful as is!
Where can we find you online?
You can follow me on Instagram @youfrogirl
This post was written by Global Couture LLC for CurlyNikki.
