Search Results: Shellie Reneé
Image Source: @joybeforeher
If there’s one thing that our hair naturally does, on a daily basis, it’s shed hair; it’s when you lose strands of hair from the root (if you look closely, you should actually see a tiny bulb from where your hair came out of its hair follicle”>. When it comes to what’s “normal”, most health professionals would say that 50-100 strands of hair would fall into that category.
There are two times when there’s an exception to this, though. One is if you’ve had your hair up in a protective style like braids. That’s because, if you haven’t been able to comb or brush your hair, it hasn’t been able to properly shed. As a result, taking your hair down will mean that you will see more hair shed/loss than usual. The other is when you are going through something that has the medical term of telogen effluvium. It’s basically the term for excessive shedding and, as you’re about to see in just a couple of seconds, there are several things that can cause it.
If you happen to be someone who is losing more hair than normal, before freaking out, take a moment to see why it could be the case. That way, you can know what to do to get your tresses back on track again.
1. You’re stressed out.
Although all of us have moments when we’re more stressed out than normal, when the cortisol (the stress hormone that is naturally produced in our body”> is peaking, it can definitely cause our hair to shed more than it usually does. For example, although giving birth to a child is one of the greatest moments in a woman’s life, it can also be one of the most stress-filled; this explains why a lot of new moms end up losing a significant amount of hair for the several months following going into labor. If you know that you’ve been feeling more worried, anxious and/or you’ve been getting a lot less sleep than you usually do, oftentimes all you need to do is alter your lifestyle a bit. Get into an exercise routine. Strive for no less than 6-8 hours of sleep. Set some boundaries if the cause of your stress is a particular person or environment. Sometimes, very simple modifications can be all that you need to feel better and to see your hair return back to normal.
2. Your hormones are all over the place.
Something else that stress can do is cause your hormones to go on a major emotional roller coaster ride that can also affect how much your hair sheds. But so can going through normal life transitions like perimenopause and menopause due to the shifts in estrogen that your system will experience. A natural thing that you can do to level out your hormones a bit is to eat more foods like avocados, flaxseeds, broccoli, meat (to get more protein”> and healthy fats like coconut oil and palm oil—all of these are proven to bring a balance back to hormone levels that may be a little out of wack. If after a few weeks, you don’t notice any signs of improvement, you might want to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can do some extensive testing to see if there is a hormonal issue that may require medication or if an alternative form of therapy is required to resolve the matter.
3. You could stand to eat better.
When you really let it sink in that food is the fuel that our bodies need to get throughout the day, and that food also plays a significant role in our overall health and well-being, it makes perfect sense that a poor diet can also lead to excessive hair shedding. In fact, there are many studies to support that if you’re not getting enough zinc, vitamins A, B12, C and D and also copper and biotin, you could end up within a noticeably weak head of hair. That’s why it’s important to lighten up on any junk food that you might be consuming and to also up your intake of oatmeal (zinc”>, orange and yellow veggies (Vitamin A”>, salmon (Vitamin B12″>, citrus fruits and berries (Vitamin C”>, Greek yogurt (Vitamin D”>, dark chocolate (copper”> and sweet potatoes and spinach (biotin”>. Make sure to drink lots of water too; the more moisturized your hair follicles are, the better the health of your hair will be overall.
4. Your thyroid is a little off.
A lot of us are fully aware of the fact that we’ve got a thyroid, but if you’ve ever wondered exactly what your thyroid is, it’s a butterfly-shaped gland that is located underneath your Adam’s apple. Basically, your thyroid releases hormones that play a significant role in determining your metabolism, development and even your body temperature. When your thyroid isn’t functioning as well as it should be, it could result in you experiencing extreme levels of fatigue, muscle aches and cramps (that isn’t related to things like exercise or dehydration”>, noticeable weight loss and gain (that tends to go up and down a lot”>, intolerance to cold and yes, hair shedding. If you’ve had a combination of these things going on for more than a few weeks, definitely reach out to your physician. A thyroid issue is typically something that you need a professional to assist you with.
5. Your iron levels are low.
Did you know that roughly 25 percent of the world’s population struggles with some level of anemia? Anemia is when your iron levels are dangerously low. Some symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, chest pains, brittle nails, an inflamed tongue and excessive hair shedding. If you are borderline anemic, oftentimes adding more iron to your diet can get you back on track. Foods high in iron include baked potatoes, dark leafy greens, whole grains, molasses, cashews, red meat, legumes, quinoa, pumpkin seeds and 100 pure red grape juice. However, it should go on record that if you’ve got a combination of the symptoms that I mentioned, this is another reason to see your doctor sooner than later. While they might recommend something as simple as you taking an iron supplement, they also might need to put you on an antibiotic, give you some form of oxygen therapy or, in extreme cases, you might even need a blood transfusion.
6. You’ve got a health issue (that you may be unaware of”>.
Let’s wrap this up with another, very important, reason why you might be shedding hair more than usual—an underlying health concern. What you might not realize is everything from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS”> and diabetes to lupus and liver disease, to even skin/scalp conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis, can all play a role in you shedding large amounts of hair. So, if after making some of the health adjustments that I recommended in this article, you don’t notice any major changes when it comes to your hair (when it comes to experiencing less shedding”>, please see your doctor as soon as you possibly can. Excessive hair shedding rarely happens “just because”.
Get the peace of mind that you need to figure out why it’s happening to you by speaking with a medical professional, OK? Cool.
Image Source: Getty Images/Rodney Brooks and EyeEm
Protective styles are awesome. Full stop. They are the remedy for hair growth, they help us to achieve they desire for a low-maintenance-yet-still-gorgeous hairstyle and, they also have a way of letting us tap into our creative side. Plus, is it just me or is there something that’s super-empowering about wearing braids or twists? Yeah, without question, there has not been one time when I have gotten a protective style and regretted it.
However, there have been certain things that I have done while wearing a protective style that I wish I had done differently. Those are the things that have inspired me to pen this piece for you. Whether you’re thinking about getting some box braids, goddess locs, Senegalese twists, feed-in braids or any other kind of braid-or-twist-related protective style, if you want them to last and your own hair to remain healthy in the process, here are some things that you absolutely should NOT do.
DO NOT use non-water based products. I adore my hair braiders; I really do. I go to a shop that is filled with nothing but happy Kenyan women. It’s a beautiful and soul-uplifting experience every time. In fact, there is really only one thing that I would change and it’s the Let’s Jam gel that they put on my hair as they are braiding it. I get that it smooths my natural texture down so that it blends in with the extensions. But, after a couple of weeks, it tends to create build-up. What that has taught me is if I decide to put any kind of other product in my hair (which is pretty rare, to tell you the truth”>, I make sure that it’s water-based. That way, it penetrates my hair without caking up as much. What’s a good example of what I’m talking about? A spritz bottle that contains witch hazel and a little bit of tea tree and lavender essential oil. It protects my scalp without any flaking or build-up.
DO NOT avoid wrapping your hair up at night. I don’t know what makes us think that just because we’ve got some fly braids or twists that we can just go to bed without anything on our head. If you want to keep lint from getting into your hairstyle and/or from accumulating fly-aways from the extensions or your own hair, it’s important to wrap up your braids or twists just like you would with your own hair. Trust me, this tip alone will keep your protective style looking like new for weeks on end.
Image:@alannanicolex
DO NOT leave your protective style in too long. When it comes to protective styles, if there’s one question that’s consistently asked, it’s “How long can I keep mine in?” Although some stylists say four weeks and others say as much as 12, the standard is 6-8. Typically, if you leave it in for longer than that, not only is there going to be a considerable amount of build-up (even if you do wash it every few weeks or so”>, but the new growth can cause your braids/twists to put too much pressure on your hair; that can result in breakage. Remember, a protective style is designed to help, not harm your hair. If it’s in forever, it’s going to be working against, not for you.
DO NOT try and make it last by “rigging it”. YouTube has quite a few videos featuring women who have found ways to make their braids and twists last for three months or more. A lot of them consists of twisting the new growth with original braids or twists still intact, so that each braid or twist looks like it’s been freshly done. While visually the results are pretty impressive, I still would avoid doing that if I were you. The breakage thing that I just mentioned? That can still happen. Another result from “rigging” your hair is it can lock up over time because, basically what you are doing, is twisting your hair…just like people who want to lock their own hair do.
DO NOT rush while taking your protective style down. This is the kind of mistake that happens that isn’t discussed nearly enough. One of the benefits of having a protective style is being able to take it down and seeing how much longer and thicker your hair is. Well, that can easily—pardon the pun—get cut short if you’re so in a rush to take your hair down that you end up cutting your own natural hair in the process. Listen, I know how tedious it can be to “dismantle” a protective style. But you’d be much better off binge-watching something on Netflix or Hulu as you do it than flying through the take out process and having absolutely no progress to show for it. You’ve been warned.
Image:@halfricanbeaute
DO NOT immediately get another protective style. Most stylists will advise that once you take a protective style down, you should wait at least a week before putting another one in. Why? It’s so that you can pamper your natural hair and also give your scalp some time to breathe. I personally think that 3-4 weeks is even better because it gives you time to truly see what state your hair is naturally in (for instance, do you need a trim or a protein treatment?”> so that once you do return to a protective style, you can be confident that your natural hair is in the best shape possible.
DO NOT do the same style over and over again. Sometimes people will take out a protective style and see more growth in certain parts of their hair than others. While some of that is due to how fast various sections of their naturally hair grows, it also could be because they continuously get the same style of braids and/or because they style their braids in the same way. Cornrows that are always pulling on your edges could lead to hair loss. Pulling twists up into a high bun could cause breakage in your crown area. That’s why it’s also a good idea to switch up your kind of protective style and how you style it once you have it. It will take some of the pressure and tension off of your hair, so that once you take your braids or twists out, your natural hair ends up looking better than ever!
Know of any other protective style mistakes we might have missed? Share them in the comments!
Image Source: @chelleee_b
I don’t know about y’all, but I personally don’t know one woman who hasn’t had a moment (if not a series of moments”> when they haven’t struggled with their natural hair texture. More times than not, it’s not because they don’t like the hair that they came out of the womb with; it’s just that, because they grew up with a relaxer or pressing comb, they never really got “to know” their own hair or, figuring out how to bring out the best in their natural hair has been no easy feat.
If you just read that and can totally relate, on a myriad of levels, while the topic of getting (and staying”> comfortable with natural hair is a docu-series of its own, my hope is that the following seven tips can help you to be more at peace with your hair and yourself. Because, trust and believe, there is something that is powerful and beautiful about a woman who knows what her natural hair texture is and doesn’t hide it.
1. Study the texture of your hair like you were getting a degree in it.
If you don’t get anything else from this article, please retain this first point. Whether you’re currently considering going all-natural, you are in the transitioning process or, it’s been a minute since you’ve been natural but, in all honesty, you’re hating every minute of it—please take a moment to consider that you might be struggling because you don’t know what your hair texture is. If your hair is chemically-treated and it’s been that way for a while, you might not know what your actual hair is like until you start to let your roots grow out. But if you are in the transition phase or your hair is already totally natural, it will benefit you, big time, to study your hair, so you can figure out what type you’ve got. That way, you’ll be better equipped when it comes to what products to use, how to approach the amount of shrinkage you have and what approach you need to take in order to maintain length retention. If you’d like some tips on where to begin this part of your natural hair journey, if you don’t know your hair type, take our texture quiz, here to read up on different hair types (there’s 2, 3 and 4 and then a breakdown of A, B and C”>, and here to look at different curl patterns and to learn more about things like porosity and density.
2. Find YouTube naturalistas who have a similar texture.
Once you’re pretty clear on what your hair type and texture is, set aside an hour or two to look up some YouTube naturalistas who have a similar one to yours. I know from personal experience that there is a bevy of women who can help you to learn how to protect and style your hair. Plus, each naturalista has her own personality, so you can also find someone who feels super relatable to you. There are way too many naturalistas on the YT site to even start naming names. What I will say is, if you go to the site and put “natural hair” and then your type (an example would be “natural hair” and “4c””>, you’ll be immediately shown different channels of women with that hair type. Then all you’ve got to do is subscribe to their channel and you’re good to go.
3. Create a vision board of your long-term hair goals.
You know what they say—when we fail to plan, we plan to fail. While I’m pretty sure that you are familiar with what a vision board is, have you ever considered creating one specifically for your hair? One that includes pictures of where you’d like your hair to be a year, then two, then five years from now, along with diet plans, hair regimens, styling tools and other things that can help to make your hair journey a lot easier? I know that when I first got intentional about growing out my natural hair, I had collected so many hair reference links that it got to be super overwhelming. Putting some of those things into a vision board helped me to see, much clearer, what I wanted to do. If you’ve never made any type of vision board before, go here for some intro instructions. Oh, and if you’d prefer the convenience of having an electronic vision board (so you can download it on your phone at any time, click here for some apps that can help you out”>.
4. Remember that you can always blow-out or flat iron.
Just because you’ve made the decision to go all-natural, that doesn’t mean that your hair has to be curly all of the time. As a Black woman, one thing that I absolutely adore about my hair, is that it’s versatile as all get out. If you’ve got 3c-4c type hair, there is no way around the fact that you’re going to have a significant amount of shrinkage. But, if you want to rock straight locks or you want to see how much your hair has progressed, you can always pull out your hair dryer and wear a blow-out or you can flat iron your tresses too. Just make sure to keep in mind that while natural hair may look really strong, in many ways, it can be quite fragile. As far as maintenance tips for a blow-out, check out our article, “How To Maintain a Blowout on Natural Hair”. And when it comes to flat ironing, always remember that it’s best to take the “less is more” approach. For tips on how to safely flat iron your hair, you can check out these videos here, here and here. (Oh, also remember that you can always color your hair too. A rinse or using some hair paint is a safer option than permanent color. You can also be more “safely creative” with those options too.”>
5. Don’t forget about braids, wigs, wraps and other cover-ups.
I won’t lie to you, when you’re first getting to know your natural hair in a very up close and personal way, there are going to be days when you’re straight-up frustrated. Between the bad hair days that everyone has, figuring out how to get your tresses to adapt to the weather (humid days can be the absolute worst”>, and deciding which products work vs. which ones don’t, sometimes you’re going to really want to either reach out for a container of relaxer or just take some clippers to your hair altogether. On those days, don’t forget that there are all sorts of options that will still have you out here looking beautiful without you having to worry too much about your locks in the process. You can braid (or twist“> your hair. Some of the wigs that are out here? They will totally blow your mind! Also, something that has been my favorite hair cover-up accessory are hair wraps and turbans (if you go to Etsy and put “turbans” in the search field, you’ll find a ton of ‘em”>. What I like about all of these options is, not only will they have you out here lookin’ as fly as you wanna be, but they are a great way to protect your natural hair as you’re trying to gain some extra inches along the way.
6. Pamper your hair—and yourself.
When it comes to my own natural hair journey, something that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed is learning how to pamper my hair and also making sure to reward myself for choosing to let my natural soul glow. I give myself scalp massages. I deep condition my locks with Chebe power (which is some of the best stuff ever!”>. I add great-smelling essential oils to my shampoos, conditioners and my Jamaican black castor oil. When I’ve gone another month without any hair damage, I also treat myself to a new scarf, turban or I even toast myself with some bubbly. Something that going—and staying—all natural has done is helped me to celebrate the core of who I am in every way—and doing that has made me live more authentically, from head to toe. That’s always a good thing.
7. Remember that all hair is GOOD.
You don’t have the time and I don’t have the typing space to get into how deeply it both irks and grieves me to hear Black women talk about what “good hair” is. Whether folks realize it or not, that comes from the PTSD of slavery and the whitewashing of Black culture. Bottom line, there is no such thing as bad hair—just different textures. And honestly, the more comfortable I’ve become with my (mostly”> 4a/4b hair, the more I adore it because of the range of styling that I’m able to do. Yeah, I truly do believe that if a lot of women who struggle with either going or staying natural were really honest with themselves, a big part of the issue has been that they don’t see their own hair as just being just as amazing and wonderful as anyone else’s. But the moment that light bulb goes off, trust me, while the ultimate goal should be to get your hair into its healthiest state, beyond that, you won’t want anything other than what you were blessed with. That’s because, you’ll see that your hair is better than “good”; it’s dopeness infinity! Regardless of what type and texture you’ve got, never—EVER—forget that.
What are some tips that you have or use to understand and embrace your natural texture? Let us know in the comments!
Image Source: @protectivestyles
Listen, I will be the first to say that I am a card-carrying member of the box braid fan club. Whenever I get to a point and place where I don’t feel like doing anything to my hair and/or I want some extra length and/or I would like to keep my own hands out of my natural hair (which can be hard for me to do, at times”>, medium-sized box braids are my immediate go-to. However, I must admit that there have been times when, after taking my braids down, my hair wasn’t as healthy as it should’ve been. That’s because I didn’t take some preventative measures before getting my braids; it’s also because I wasn’t diligent in caring for my hair while I had my braids either.
Again, box braids are dope. You’ll get no argument from me there. But there’s absolutely no point in getting them if your hair is going to be totally jacked up once you take them down. In order to avoid having that be your testimony, check out the rest of this article.
Deep condition your hair before getting your hair braided.
Again, I’ll say from very personal experience that one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to properly caring for your hair while they are in box braids is not prepping your tresses beforehand. And a big part of this includes deep conditioning your hair. Even though some of your strands will be protected via the extensions that you’ll probably be using with your box braids, some of your hair will be exposed as well (because your real hair is braided in with your faux hair”>. This means that it will be exposed to outside elements and will need to be as moisturized as possible to decrease the chances of breakage. So, within 48 hours of your braiding appointment, make sure to not only shampoo your hair (preferably with a non-sulfate brand unless you’ve got a lot of build-up”> followed by a deep conditioning treatment. Oh, and if you’re someone who color-treats your hair, go with a color rinse rather than something permanent. That will also reduce your chances of brittleness and breakage once your braids are put in.
Don’t worry about trimming your ends; do seal them, though.
While it might sound weird at first, one of the worst things that you can do to your hair, prior to a braid appointment, is trim your ends. When you do that, it can cause your hair to not lay down as smoothly into your extensions as you would probably like. If your ends are horrific, trim them and then wait another 2-3 weeks before getting your hair braided. If they’re not, leave the shears alone. However, what you absolutely should do is seal your ends. Sealing is simply a process that helps your hair to lock in moisture in between wash days. You can learn more about the sealing process by checking out our article, “How to Use Oils to Penetrate, Seal and Grow Your Hair”. You can also check out a video on how to properly seal your ends here.
Know the red flags of a bad braid job.
OK, something that I think needs to be talked about, a lot more than it tends to be, is knowing what the signs of a bad braid job are before you go to see a braider. Your edges shouldn’t be so tight that your skin is pulling an inch back. The hair extension quality shouldn’t be poor (the website Product Blockbuster has a review on great hair for braided styles here“>. If you don’t know the person (and their work”> personally, you shouldn’t go to someone who doesn’t have a site with good reviews and pictures on them. Caring for your own hair consists of getting a good stylist to put your braids in to begin with. Do your do justice on researching at least 2-3 people out beforehand. Go to their place of business to watch how they braid. Then make your decision. It’s the best way to know that you’ll get the kind of results that you’re actually looking for.
Watch those shears.
It’s pretty common that, right after you get your hair braided, some of your natural hair is going to “frizz up” (if your hair is natural”> or stick out (if it’s relaxed”> some. If your braider dips your hair into hot water (in order to seal your extensions”>, that will take care of some of this. However, they will probably also use some shears to do a little trimming. That is fine because, if they know what they are doing (and they should”>, a lot of your natural hair will not be removed. But be very careful about attempting to do the same thing at home. Hopefully, a part of your goal in getting box braids in the first place is you want to again a little length. That’s not going to happen if you’re so busy cutting on your natural hair that you end up removing more than you would like and will have to end up with a full trim—if not an all-out haircut—once your braids are removed. Bottom line, use some water-based hair mousse (like Creme of Nature Style & Shine Foaming Mousse orThe Mane Choice Peach Black Tea & Vitamin Fusion Anti-Shedding & Intense Volume Therapy Mousse“> to lay those fly-aways down more than your hair shears. You’ll be so glad you did once your natural hair is back out.
Pamper your scalp.
Some people like to wash their hair, every couple of weeks, while their braids are in. I don’t because it can make them look kind of messy. Instead, I put a lot of the focus on taking care of my scalp. For instance, if you want to clarify your scalp or you’re someone who struggles with itchiness and/or dandruff, something that you can do is apply an apple cider vinegar rinse to your scalp (learn how to do that here“>. Cantu also has an Apple Cider Vinegar Root Rinse infused with ingredients like peppermint oil, tea tree oil, saw palmetto, burdock, nettle, green tea and Vitamin E, that I’ve used that works really well too (especially since it comes with an easy-to-apply nozzle”>. Also, since your scalp will be more exposed than usual (due to all of the smaller parts that are throughout your entire head”>, make sure to moisturize it. Some oils that work really well include jasmine (due to its antiseptic properties that can help to remove bacteria and build-up”>, Moroccan (that is able to help to relieve dry scalp”> and rosemary oil (that can help to health scalp irritation”>. If you want to clear more about oils that are great for your scalp, check out our article “These are the Best Oils for Scalp Health” such as the Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil or the Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Healthy Hair Under There Bamboo, Avocado And Peppermint Conditioning & Restoring Serum.
Create a moisturizing spray.
While the extensions for your box braids will protect a lot of your hair from drying out, 6-8 weeks (which is the average amount of times that box braids are able to stay in without damaging your hair”> is a long time. Something else that you might want to do is create a moisturizing spray that you can lightly spritz your hair and scalp with. For tips on how to do just that, watch this video and this video.
Don’t let your braids wear out their welcome.
I don’t care how cute your hair looks in your braided style or even how much money you spent, if after you take them out, you’ve got to cut your hair 2-4 inches due to all of the breakage and damage, you kinda defeated the purpose of having them in your hair in the first place. Box braids are a low-maintenance style, no doubt, but since you won’t be messing with your own hair while they are in, you should be able to see at least an inch or two of growth once you take them out. One way to insure this happens is to not try and keep your braids in for forever and a day. Real talk? Six weeks is a good amount. Eight should be your limit. More than that and the pressure of the braids could cause breakage. Besides, if you try that “I’ll just wrap the new growth around itself” approach, it could result in matting or locking. To me, it’s not worth the risk.
Wait before getting another set.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said something along the lines of, “The excess of a virtue is a vice.” Translation? Anything, in the extreme, can prove to be a bad thing. Protective styles included. That’s why, it really is a good idea to give your hair a 2-3 week break in between braiding appointments. That gives your hair time to break, you have the opportunity to trim your ends and give your hair a protein treatment and your edges to get a break from the strain that box braids sometimes provide. If you follow all of these steps though, your natural hair should be in peak condition while it’s in box braids. That’s for sure!
Have any secrets of your own for long-lasting box braids? Share them in the comments!
Image Source: @curlycandi
Rihanna. Janet Jackson. Yara Shahidi. Jada Pinkett Smith. Marsai Martin. Tracee Ellis Ross. Ciara. Erykah Badu. Lauryn Hill. SZA. These are just a handful of Black celebrities who’ve proudly sported a headful of bantu knots. And you know what? The one thing that all of them had in common is, no matter what their hair texture may be, they all looked absolutely fabulous in them! While I’ll be the first to say that it takes a lot of self-confidence—and a dash of boldness—to pull this particular style off, as you’re about to see in just a moment, there is something that’s truly beautiful—majestic even—about this hip-yet-always-classic hairstyle.
What Are Bantu Knots?
Let’s start with what bantu knots actually are. They are simply knots that are created with your hair and/or the assistance of extensions to create knots all over your hair. Sometimes your hair is simply twisted into a knot and secured with hair bands or bobby pins or sometimes your hair is put into single braids and then twisted up. How many knots you end up with is totally up to you, but if it’s more than two knots, that technically qualifies as a bantu knot hairstyle.
Where Does the Name “Bantu” Come From?
If you’re on the fence about getting bantu knots, this point right here may be all of the confirmation that you need to give bantu knots a try. The reason why I say that is because another name for bantu knots is Zulu knots. Zulu is a tribe in Africa that loosely translates into “from the heavens”. So, you know what that means, right? If you do decide to rock a head full of bantu knots, you are also wearing a hairstyle that is from the heavens. How amazing is that?
How to Make Your Bantu Knots Last
Keep some oil sheen on hand. Your hairstyle is automatically “from the heavens”, right? Make sure your bantu knots keep their glow by having a little oil sheen on tap. Oil sheen is dope because you can get the shine that you want without having to put your hands all up in your head in the process. As a bonus, oil sheen is a great way to soothe the parts in your scalp as well.
Secure them at night with bobby pins and a scarf. I won’t lie to you, figuring out how to sleep comfortably with a head full of bantu knots requires some finessing that’s on a whole ‘nother level (a naturalista totally has your back on how to do it on this video here“>. Two things that can help you to sleep more comfortably, all the while knowing that your knots will remain intact, is if you secure your knots a little more with the help of some bobby pins (or additional bobby pins”>; make sure the tiny balls on the bottom of the pins are secure. Otherwise, you could end up snagging and pulling on your hair which could lead to damage. Also, make sure to tie your hair up on a silk or satin scarf (or that you put on a silk or satin bonnet”>. Then, when you wake up, you can remove the extra pins and use a little hair mousse or edge control gel to lay down the fly-aways. You’ll be all set.
Use extensions as needed. While some people only use their natural hair in order to create their bantu knots, if your tresses are currently on the shorter side or you want to create a more dramatic height effect while also protecting your natural hair and insuring that your knots will last a bit longer, you can always add extensions. The key is to make sure that the hair is quality. A website called My Hair Care Couch has a feature article entitled, “Top 13 Best Hair for Box Braids” that can also be used for bantu knots as well. Check it out when you get a chance.
Refresh knots as needed too. One of my favorite things about bantu knots, hands down, is the fact that the maintenance and upkeep of them tends to be easier than a lot of other hairstyles. For instance, if you happen to notice that one of the knots is frizzy or messier than you would like, you can always take the knot down and redo it. With the help of some gel, pomade or setting lotion, you can smooth down your hair and then create two-strand twists or you can braid your hair and then put it back up into a knot. If you’re more of a visual learner, this video here will show you how to do it (if you’ve got shorter hair, click here“>.
Turn them into a bantu knot-out once they get old.
Once your knots have been in for a week or so and either they’re looking old or you’re ready to do something new, how about turning your knots into a knot-out? That’s basically when you take your hair down so that you can rock out the ringlets that the knots created. When it comes to what a knot-out looks like (and how to maintain it”>, I can show you better than I can tell you. Check out the videos here, here and here for tips on how to smoothly transition out of one gorgeous hairstyle to another with very little drama or even effort on your point.
Here’s to a heavenly hair look, sis. Enjoy, and share your Bantu knot tips and tricks with us in the comments!
Image Source: @nayarasantanaofc
You can check out articles like 40 Curly Hairstyle Youtube Channels to Follow & The YouTubers Who Changed the Landscape for #NaturalHair and our very own 12 Natural Hair YouTubers to Subscribe to NOW for proof that, not only are YouTube naturalistas making major waves in the media, but their presence isn’t going away no time soon. That’s the good news. The challenge is, if you’re anything like me, you can find yourself saying that you’re only going to hop onto the app to check out a video or two, only to look up and realize that you’ve easily been on for a couple of hours. Not just one day either; a few days in a row.
If you’re nodding your head up and down in agreement, while I hate to break it to you, this is a telling sign that you very well could be on your way to becoming what I call a YouTube natural hair junkie—the kind of person who watches tons of videos, never really buys any products or applies any tips long-term and finds themselves being so distracted that they don’t get what they need to get done.
If what I said just triggered you a bit, it’s cool. It (potentially”> happens to the best of us. Besides, I’ve got a few suggestions that can help you to enjoy all of the best that naturalistas on the app have to offer without you & overdosing on them in the process.
1. Know your hair type beforehand.
Man, if I only put my own advice into practice, it would’ve spared me a ton of frustration on my natural hair journey! While there are YouTube channels like Tiffany TV, Abby Jahaira, Natasha Camile, Alyssa Marie and Fresh Lengths are some naturalistas who I truly appreciate, they don’t have my hair texture (mine is mostly 4a and 4b”>. So, while they tend to share some products and hacks that might work, because they lean more into the 3c-type lane, I can’t expect to get the same results that they do via that information that they offer. That’s why, it’s so important to know what your own hair type is before you start spending hours watching YouTube natural hair videos. Otherwise, you could end up spending half of your rent money on stuff that your hair will look at like, “Why the heck did you think this was a good idea?” the moment that you put it on.
2. Be clear about what you’re looking for.
Something that I recently decided to try is colored hair wax. That had me going from Laurscurls to Slim Reshae to SheRea DelSol to Ambrosia Malbrough to Nne Unfiltered—and on and on and on. And shoot, that was just one topic! I won’t lie—some of what keeps me going on and on is because certain channels are so freakin’ entertaining. Yet time and experience have taught me that, if I want to manage my time wisely, I need to go on YouTube with an end goal in mind. If it’s hair dye tips, look for that. If it’s DIY conditioning recipes, look for that. If it’s how to dust my ends, look for that. To only put “natural hair” in the search field is just begging to spend six hours on YouTube when I know I’ve got a ton of other things on my to-do list (including actually doing my hair!”>.
3. Follow your favorites.
I’m not even going to get into who my favorites are because the list is super long. What I will say is if you want to “get into a groove” of how to find tips that you can feel confident will actually work for you so that you don’t spend a lot of time learning about things that may not, once you find favorite naturalistas, subscribe to their channel. You’ll immediately receive notifications when they load up something; that way, you won’t have to spend precious time searching for someone you really liked but didn’t retain the name or bookmark their channel in your browser.
4. Create a folder for the videos.
And what if there are particular points that a naturalista made that you want to hold onto without necessarily subscribing to their page? Another thing that you can do is create a folder, either on your computer or in one of your emails. For instance, in one of my Gmail accounts, I have an entire folder that says, “Growing Out Tips”. OnlyOneJess’s “How I Grew MY Natural Hair?? | Length RETENTION Tips + Keeping My Bleached Hair Healthy”; happycurlhappygirl’s “MY #1 TIP GROWTH TIP!! | HOW I’M RETAINING LENGTH!”; Craving Curly Kinks’s “9 Tips For Natural Hair Length Retention | Fast Hair Growth By Retaining Length”; Amber Ansah’s “Girl THIS IS HOW I Grew My Hair SO Fast!! ⎜Natural Hair Routine”, and BeautifulBrwnBabyDol’s “6 Tips to GROW Natural Hair LONG, THICK & HEALTHY After BREAKAGE | Moisturizers & Conditioners” are just a few, out of literally dozens of videos that I have in collection. But, since they are all in one folder, when I need a tip or some insight real quick, rather than hunting all through YouTube world, I can just go to my folder and revisit something that I already saved that, for whatever the reason, really stuck with me.
5. Remember that you are an individual.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is, “If two people are just alike, one of them is unnecessary.” This point applies here because, no matter how much you adore a YouTube naturalista or how many tips she offers, it’s important to keep in mind that her hair is not exactly like yours—and that’s OK. It’s a total waste of time to expect that her results are going to be the same on your head. That’s why it’s best to use any YouTube natural hair channel as inspiration, more than anything else. Remember that you—and your hair—are totally one of a kind so, at some point, you will have to get off of YouTube in order to figure out what does—and doesn’t—work best for you. Which is totally fine. Recommended even (wink”>.
Have some tips of your own to share? Drop them in the comments!
Image @candicesabiduria
Length retention. If ever there is something that continues to be a constant personal goal of mine, it would be this. While I am thankful that I’m not the kind of woman who has fallen for the complete and total myth that we are not able to grow long hair—lies, lies, LIES—I am someone who, because I didn’t follow some very important practices, ended up experiencing more split ends and breakage than I ever should have.
These days, I know what to do and not do to get my hair, not only to grow longer but to be as healthy as possible along the way. While the lessons that I’ve learned are hard ones, perhaps the silver lining is, I can prevent some of you from experiencing some of the growing pains that I had. If you’re looking to gain some inches, here are five very important things to keep in mind.
What you put into your body is critical.
Although I’m relatively a healthy eater, I didn’t realize the areas where I needed to do some significant “tweaking” until I became more intentional about growing out my hair. For instance, since our tresses are made up of mostly protein (keratin”>, it’s critical that our diet has a significant amount of protein in it. Meat and poultry top this list, but if you’re not a (big”> meat eater, eggs, lentils, cottage cheese, chickpeas, quinoa, Greek yogurt, fish, spinach, peanut butter and oats are foods that can provide you with plenty of protein too. Also, foods with Vitamin A (like fortified cereals, fish, sweet potatoes, grapefruit and broccoli”> help to provide your scalp with the sebum that it needs to keep it healthy. One study revealed that individuals who had hair loss issues noticed an almost 35 percent increase in hair growth by consuming more Vitamin E (some of those foods include almonds, sunflower seeds, mangoes, butternut squash and almond oil”>. Vitamin C foods (like any fruits or veggies that are orange or green in color”> are awesome because they help your body to produce more collagen which will bring more strength and elasticity. And, of course, it’s important to drink plenty of water. Not only does it help your body to support the vitamins and minerals that it’s taking in, but it keeps your system hydrated so that your hair is less dry and brittle as well.
Oil is best in the sealing process.
I don’t knock hair grease. In fact, I wrote an entire article on the site about how it can benefit the hair growth process (check out “The Return of Hair Grease and How it Could be The Secret to Major Hair Growth””>. But if you’re using it—or any other kind of oil—while your hair is dry, you’re not really going to get the kind of benefits that you’re looking for. The reason why oil is awesome overall is because it’s a great sealer for your cuticles, especially when it comes to protecting the ends (which is the oldest part”> of your hair. But, in order for oil to work properly, you need to apply it while your hair is already wet (moisturized”> so that the oil can help to “trap in” the moisture until the next time you wash and condition your hair. That’s not to say that I don’t apply a little shea butter and Jamaican castor oil onto my locks in between wash days. But too much oil—especially grease—when your hair is dry can actually make your hair hard or unmanageable which can lead to breakage which is exactly what you don’t want when you’re trying to gain some inches. So yeah, definitely make sure that you apply oil when it’s wet instead of dry. It will totally help your hair to flourish if you do.
Yes, you can go overboard with protective styling.
I think that my personal favorite protective style are long medium-length box braids. For a while, I adored them so much that I was getting them put in back to back. It was cool in the sense that it was helping me to keep my hands out of my hair. However, the challenge with constant braiding is it can put stress on your hair follicles (especially around your edges”>. Also, if you’re not super gentle when taking them out, that can cause damage too. One of my favorite quotes is by Aristotle. He once said, “An excess of a virtue is a vice.” What that means is, anything that is done in the extreme can work against you, even if it’s good for you. When trying to gain length, protective styling is great. Just make sure that you take breaks from time to time, that you deep condition your hair whenever you take the style down, and that you’re not so dependent on those looks that you never let your hair, in all of its glory, shine through.
Box hair color is r-i-s-k-y.
I am all about hair color. These days, black is more my thing but back in the day, there was literally no telling what shade I was going to rock from month to month (sometimes even week to week”>. Back when my hair was super short (and I wasn’t as knowledgeable about how hair dye can be bad for my health“>, I was doing bottle and box color all of the time. I didn’t really think about—or care—about if it was damaging my hair because it was too short to really notice, one way or the other. Now that I’m trying to grow my hair out though, I’m leaving box hair dye totally alone. I’ve tried it twice in this journey and, no matter how much the labels (which will go unnamed”> claim that they won’t damage my hair (even if they are ammonia-free”>, they did. As a result, I had to cut off some inches because of it which, as you can guess, was totally counterproductive (ugh”>. These days, I’m more in the lane of using semi-permanent or color wax options. The colors are just as vibrant and far less damaging. Sure, I have to apply them more often (for instance, it’s not good to leave color wax in for more than a week because your hair needs moisture”>, but it’s better than having to constant cut my hair because some box dye totally damaged it.
If you’re not taking care of you ends, your work is in vain.
If you didn’t get anything else out of this, please make sure to retain this point. All of us experience somewhere between ¼- ½ inches of hair growth each month. This fact has nothing to do with ethnicity, by the way (I felt the need to say that in order to ever dispel the assumption that Black women’s hair doesn’t grow as long as other women’s hair does. You can see this video, this video and this video that prove otherwise”>. And while the speed of our hair growth does have somewhat to do with genetics, a main reason why a lot of us don’t see the growth that we want is because our ends are breaking off (or we’re cutting them”> at about the same speed that our hair is growing, whether we realize it or not. So it’s imperative that you seal your ends, wrap your hair up with a silk or satin scarf at night and tuck them away in a braids or bun, or that you at least keep them off of your shoulders (where your ends could snag on your clothes”> as much as possible. If you do all of this, I’d be floored if your hair doesn’t make some real progress; that you don’t end up with the long and beautiful locks that you’ve always wanted!
Image Source: @styleme.b
I’ll be the first one to say that, if you want to find a way to make your hair texture a little looser and more manageable, a texturizer is the way to go. But, after years of having one and then transitioning out into my full-on natural hair, I’ll also say that I had no idea how much damage texturizing my hair had done to my scalp (more on that in a sec”> or how long it was going to take to get my “actual hair” into a truly healthy state.
I’ll be honest. A part of this is probably because I texturized too often (like once a month”>. But, I think another part of the issue is that I told myself the lie that a lot of people seem to fall for—that a texturizer is “not really a relaxer”. As you’re about to see in a minute, it most certainly is. That’s why it takes some thoughtful, consistent and patient work to go from wearing a texturized look into being au naturel; especially if you want your natural hair to be as healthy as possible (which I’m sure that you do”>. Here’s why I say that.
1. Your scalp is going to need some serious detoxing.
One of the biggest lies that you can tell yourself is that a texturizer isn’t “really a relaxer”. It is; it’s just that it’s basically the equivalent of a kiddie perm. As someone who used one, off and on, for what seems like forever, I’m here to tell you that once I decided to go completely natural, my scalp went through it. Relaxers contain chemicals that can irritate your scalp, burn your scalp or leave sores, scabs and scars that can damage your hair follicles (more on that in a sec”> and take years to repair. So yes, if you’re thinking about letting your texturizer go, it’s a wise move to devote at least a couple of months to detoxing your scalp so that it can fully heal. If you’d like a few tips on how to do it properly, we’ve got you covered right here.
2. Your hair follicles will probably require pampering.
Although it’s been a few years now since I’ve used a texturizer, there is a spot on the right side of my head, right above my ear, that is just now starting to flourish like the rest of the hair on my head. I know that it’s because I used to let the texturizer sit on my sides so much and for so long that I damaged the hair follicles in that area. As a result, I’ve had to “baby them” just a bit. This included doing things like giving myself scalp massages, applying Jamaican castor oil on my weak(er”> spots, not using as much heat (dryers and even hot showers can wreak havoc on hair follicles over time”>, eating foods that would “feed” my follicles (Eat This Not That has a great article on this topic; you can check it out here“> and taking a multi-vitamin. Again, changes didn’t happen overnight but they did happen. So, please make sure to make this a priority too.
3. Over-the-top deep conditioning will be a must.
When I say that you should go “over-the-top”, all I mean is that, when it comes to deep conditioning your hair during this time, you need to be intentional and consistent. The reason why deep conditioning is so crucial is 1″> the softer your hair is, the more manageable it will be and 2″> the less dry your actual hair is, the less breakage you will experience. If you’re not sure which conditioner to use, we’ve got your back. Check out “6 Deep Conditioners for Transitioning Hair”. Just make sure that you also balance conditioning out with applying protein treatments. Otherwise, your hair could end up feeling kind of mushy and gummy—which can also lead to breakage (due to a lack of elasticity”>, if you’re not careful.
4. You still might have to “big chop”.
I get that some people are able to transition from relaxed to natural hair without cutting all of their hair off, but that wasn’t the case for me. Because my texturized hair was, yes, a different texture than my natural hair, it was easier to cut all of the texturized part off and start over than it was to do slight trimming as I went along. Since I liked rocking really short styles anyway, it didn’t bother me. If you can’t imagine going with a shorter ‘do, you can try alternatives like putting your hair into a protective style or rocking a weave or wig until your texturizer grows out. But if you’re impatient or not big on doing a lot of upkeep, big chopping is still probably gonna be your best bet.
5. It may take a while for you to see what your actual hair texture is.
THIS. ONE. RIGHT. HERE. Remember, the purpose of a texturizer is to slightly loosen your natural curl pattern. While it’s not supposed to completely straighten your hair (although it can, if you keep applying the product to already processed hair, over and over again”>, it definitely alters what you were born with. So, as you are transitioning out of one, it’s going to take a minute for you to learn what your natural hair texture actually is. In fact, you can be so used to rockin’ the texturizer that you might even forget that it’s a “manipulated version” of your hair; one that required a different upkeep regimen than what your “real hair” needs. This means that a little trial and error, product-wise, will probably be required during the transitioning process. Don’t let this freak you out too much, though. You’ll eventually find your groove. Just be patient until you do.
Have some transitioning tips of your own to share? Leave them in the comments!
Image Source:@honeyblondegigi
There are so many myths that surround Black women’s hair. While there’s no time to get into all of them today, if there is one that definitely tops the list, it’s that we can’t grow long hair. Lies, lies, lies. The reality is, if you see hair on your head, your hair is growing. Some people’s tresses grow faster than others (some see a half inch of growth a month while others see bit less”> and genetics certainly do play a part, but there are plenty of Black women who rock super long locks. Some examples are YouTube naturalistas like Naturally High, What Lies Beneath the Weave, NaturalNeiicey, Obaa Yaa Jones and raven.
So, why is it that some of us can’t seem to get past ear or even shoulder-length, no matter how hard we try? A lot of that has little to do with what is coming out of our scalp so much as how we treat it once we see it. In other words, length retention is the biggest challenge that a lot of Black women have. Well, that and the fact that a lot of us forget that, in our hair’s natural state (especially if you have type 4 hair”>, it can shrink up to a whopping 90 percent! This means that unless you stretch your hair, you might not even notice how long it is.
And what if you just read all of this and said, “I hear you, but I feel like I am being super intentional about caring for my hair and I’m still not seeing the best results.” I’ve been there. I’ve totally been there. And, while we are all different, I will share with you the five things that I recognized was hindering my own progress. Could these be what’s keeping you from gaining some serious inches too?
1. You’re not caring for your scalp
How can you know that your scalp needs some extra special attention? If it’s itching, flaking, feels tight, super dry or tender—all of these point to signs that your scalp could stand to be pampered a bit. One way to treat it is to use apply a few drops of oil to your fingertips and massage your scalp for 10 minutes or so daily. Not only does it feel great, but it helps encourage hair growth. Another tip is to give your scalp a hot oil treatment. If you sense that your scalp has a lot of build-up, applying a clarifying treatment with the help of apple cider vinegar (mix two cups of water with three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, pour it onto your scalp, let it sit for five minutes and rinse”> or baking soda can do the trick. Remember, healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp, so it’s very important that you give your scalp the TLC that it deserves.
2. You have a vitamin deficiency
There have been some studies that suggest an iron deficiency can lead to hair loss, and that low levels of iron contribute to brittle and dry hair (which we know leads to breakage”>. According to the 03342-6/abstract”>Journal of American Academy of Dermatology the jury is still out in regards to this link, but Cleveland Clinic dermatologists Leonid Benjamin Trost, MD; Bergfeld, MD; and Ellen Calogeras, RD, MPH wrote in the Journal that they “believe that treatment for hair loss is enhanced when iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is treated.” George Cotsarelis, director of the University of Pennsylvania Hair and Scalp Clinic also told WebMD that “from our clinic’s experience, it is clear to me that if you replenish hair-loss patients’ iron stores with iron supplements, they are more likely to regrow hair, or at least stop hair shedding.” Iron deficiency is common worldwide, the World Health Organization reports that “one third of all women of reproductive age are anaemic,” so it is worth talking to your doctor about whether you fall into this group.
3. You’re obsessed with evenness
Back when I was in college, I taught myself how to cut hair. So well, in fact, that the stylist that I grew up having would sometimes refer people with natural hair to me. The extra money that I made on the side was great. But something that I still struggle with to this day is being so obsessed with my hair looking perfect that, the side that grows faster (my left”>, I will oftentimes cut it so that it is symmetrical with my right. The reality is that most of us have one side of hair that grows faster than the other, but if you keep cutting that side all of the time, it could keep you from making any real progress. If you’re rocking a shorter do, that’s one thing. But if you’re trying to grow your hair all the way out, sticking to a trim every 2-3 months and just leaving your hair alone otherwise is probably best. If the thought of lopsidedness stresses you out, put your hair into a protective style, wrap it up in a scarf or pull it up into a ponytail. Sometimes, all the shorter/thinner/weaker side of our hair needs is a little time to get stronger. If you put your hair into a style where you don’t really notice the difference between both sides, that can help you to gain a few inches before you know it.
4. Your ends are not properly sealed
Now we all know that hair growth happens at the roots, but it’s worth your energy to pay attention to the ends. Your ends are the oldest parts of your hair; this means they require the most care. Something that you can do to keep your hair from getting split ends or breaking off is to properly seal them (which is basically about locking moisture into your hair’s follicles with the help of a hair oil or butter”>. The article on our site “3 Products to Seal Your Dry, Porous Ends” can provide you with info on how to do it. Or, if you want to learn how to seal your hair from root to tip, I semi-recently wrote an ode to old-fashioned hair grease which is an unsung hero hair sealant—”The Return of Hair Grease and How It Could Be the Secret to Major Hair Growth”. This, along with deep conditioning your hair on each and every wash day, can help your ends to remain just as strong and healthy as your roots.
5. You’re not drinking enough (infused”> water.
No matter what products you place on your hair or scalp, no amount of conditioner can make up for your body’s dehydration. Guess how many Americans are dehydrated? A whopping 75 percent! Matter of fact, a lot of health professionals will tell you that, by the time you are ready to get something to drink, you are already in need of more water in your system than you probably realize. When we don’t have enough water it can lead to headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, blurry vision, blemished skin—and yes, dry and brittle hair. So yes, definitely make sure to get no less than 8-10 glasses of water—not juice, soda or coffee…water—into your body on a daily basis. If you want to add a bit of taste to it and also get a boost of vitamins and minerals, make yourself some infused water. It’s simply water that has fruit or veggie slices in it. This one tip alone can help your hair to flourish in ways (and lengths”> that you might not have seen thus far. Plus, the rest of your body will thank you too!
Have some tips of your own to share? Drop them in the comments!
Image: @joyjah
Not too long ago, a girlfriend of mine and I were having a conversation about why so many women seem to be obsessed with laying down their baby hairs, even once they are full grown adults. My friend brought up two points that made a lot of sense. “I think it’s because, for one thing, it’s something that our mothers did to us, even as little girls. Plus, the media has a lot of influence and we’re always seeing women with them, even now.” She’s right. Whether it’s TLC’s Chili, Steve Harvey’s daughter, Lori Harvey or (what seems like”> 7 out of 10 women on YouTube who do hair tutorials, you’re definitely gonna see women with edges that are beyond laid on pretty much a daily basis.
I can’t front. I’m actually someone who likes to brush down baby hairs from time to time myself. My challenge has been that some products come with so much alcohol in them that they end up doing the health of my hair more harm than good. That’s why I sometimes alternate with a DIY edge control recipe.
If you’re someone who’s been looking for a way to make your own edge control and you’ve got some time on your hands, my first recommendation would be to check out this article, “How to Make Your Own Edge Control”. But if both time and money are tight and you want something that will get the job done without a lot of ingredients, prep drama or anything else, here are some pretty simple edge control recipes that I think you might enjoy making and using.
Hair Conditioner
For this first one, I’ll be straight with you—it’s probably only going to work if you’ve got 2-3 type kind of hair. But because we don’t discriminate when it comes to our curly girls over on this side of cyberspace, yeah, this tip applies. If you check out this video, the YouTuber only needed a toothbrush, some hair conditioner and a little bit of water in order to lay her baby hairs and keep them under control.
Gelatin Edge Control
A quick two-ingredient edge control and hair gel actually consists of nothing more than gelatin and essential oil. Pull out an 8 oz. glass container and pour a cup of hot water into it. Then add 1 ½ teaspoon of grass-fed gelatin. Stir and refrigerate for three hours. Next, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (for scent”> and it’s ready for use. (You should always store this in the refrigerator, by the way”>.
Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Gel
Believe it or not, some people use Aloe vera gel only in order to lay their edges down (you can check out a video on that here“>. But if you want the kind of edge control that will last for more than a couple of hours, it’s a good idea to add the moisturizing ingredients and natural thick texture that comes from shea butter. Mixing a tablespoon of shea butter along with a teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel should provide you with the consistency that you need. Just mix together and apply. That’s it.
Beeswax and Shea Butter
If you want the kind of edge control that will basically double up as a pomade too, try mixing some beeswax and shea butter together. All you need to do is combine an ounce of beeswax, an ounce of shea butter, an ounce of jojoba oil and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Put the beeswax into a double boiler until it melts. Then add the shea butter and jojoba oil. Once everything is well blended together, pour the mixture into the (glass”> container that you plan to hold your edge control and then add your essential oil. Let it cool and then it will be ready for immediate use.
Mango Butter and Honey
Another butter that is loaded with vitamins is mango butter. To make this particular edge control, all you need to do is put a ½ oz. of mango butter, three Vitamin E capsules and a half teaspoon of honey into a container (if you want a little more of a thick texture, you can add some shea butter to this too”>. Stir everything together, let it sit at room temperature overnight, and it’ll be ready. Your natural and easy-to-make edge control will be totally good to go.
Image: @ohleighann
I don’t know about you, but for me wash days can be quite the project. So much, in fact, that I typically have to set aside about three hours if I want to do a really good job. It’s not because my hair is super long or anything (I’m actually still working on that”>. It’s because, whenever I cut corners in any way (especially if I don’t deep condition for an hour or I don’t use a thermal heat protectant”>, I can almost immediately see the fall out that comes from that.
I will say this, though. Once I started using homemade hair sprays more often, not only did that give me about five more days in between washes, it also cut my wash day time by about a half hour or so. That’s because, when you maintain your hair with certain ingredients, they can keep your tresses soft, smooth and healthy to the point where you don’t need to deep condition quite as long as you normally would. You also tend to notice less shedding and breakage too.
If all of this sounds good to you, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of plastic spray bottles. Make sure to get yourself a gallon of distilled water too (it’s the kind of water that is purified so that it’s softer on your hair”>. Then, check out the following recipes, select one that’s ideal for your curly locks and set aside 15 minutes to make a DIY hair spray. They’re one of the best ways to “love on your hair”. They truly are.
Lavender Texturizing Spray
Lavender oil is awesome for a few reasons. Its antimicrobial properties are great at tackling dandruff and any other scalp issues that you might have. Plus, the properties in this oil not only help to soothe scalp inflammation, but they also help to promote hair growth. Avocado oil is good for natural hair, thanks to its rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats that are able to deeply penetrate your hair shaft. A pinch of sea salt is it’s a wonderful scalp exfoliant. Vegetable glycerin is both a humectant and a reliable natural curl pattern definer.
1 cup of distilled water
½ teaspoon of avocado oil
1 teaspoon of sea salt
½ teaspoon of vegetable glycerin
5 drops of lavender essential oil
Put everything into your plastic bottle, each ingredient at a time, gently shake and then apply. Make sure to store in a cool dry place.
Aloe Vera Moisturizing Hair Mist
You can’t really go wrong by using Aloe vera on your hair. Due to its 75 potentially active constituents (including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and even sugars”>, not only does it hydrate your hair shaft, it also supports your scalp with maintaining its natural pH balance, repairs your hair follicles, nourishes your scalp, and combats frizz. The vitamins B, C, E, copper and zinc that are found in jojoba oil will strengthen your hair follicles while your favorite hair conditioner can offer an additional boost of moisture.
½ cup of distilled water
¼ cup of pure Aloe vera juice
1 teaspoon of jojoba oil
1 teaspoon of hair conditioner
Extra step: Add a few drops of any essential oil scent you’d like
For this, it’s important that you use Aloe vera juice and not Aloe vera gel. Also, avoid adding more than a teaspoon of hair conditioner. Otherwise, your mist could end up becoming too thick and hard to come through your spray’s nozzle. Store in a cool dry place.
Sweet Cuticle-Smoothing Hair Spray
We’ve already touched on what Aloe vera is able to do. Honey is a hair favorite because it’s a humectant (it pulls moisture from the air into your hair”> and an emollient (which means it smooths out your hair’s cuticles while keeping your hair nice and soft in the process”>. Also, honey contains enzymatic and also antioxidant properties that will help to keep your scalp and hair follicles healthy and strong. Sugar is added to this recipe because it is able to prevent dead skin cells and even product build-up. Vitamins A, C and E, along with the fatty acids in apricot oil gives your hair nutrients while providing sheen to it as well. Cedarwood oil is a smart hair spray addition because, not only does it have antifungal and antibacterial properties in it, it also balances the hair glands on your scalp so that you’re able to maintain length and strong beautiful curls.
½ cup of distilled water
3 tablespoons of Aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons of honey
½ teaspoon of granulated sugar
½ teaspoon of apricot oil
5 drops of cedarwood oil
Just so that all of your ingredients can easily dissolve into your spray bottle, make sure the distilled water is warm and that you warm up the honey too. Once everything is mixed together, shake the bottle and it will be ready for use. Just make sure to shake before each use so that the gel and sugar do not settle at the bottom of the bottle.
Olive Oil Shine Spray
If you’re looking for the kind of oil that will “feed your scalp” as it increases blood flow to your hair follicles, olive oil is exactly what you’re looking for. Thanks to all of the antioxidants that it contains, it’s also an oil that works to prevent hair damage at the cellular level while nourishing your hair strands. Sweet almond oil is a great ingredient if you’re looking to add more shine to your hair because its Vitamin E content provides hair with a natural glistening effect as the vitamins B1 and B6 will strengthen your hair’s cuticles.
½ cup of distilled water
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of Aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
After mixing everything together, store in a dry place. Also, if you want to “downplay” the mild scent of olive oil, add a few drops of your favorite smelling essential oil. Store in a cool dry place.
Witch Hazel Hair Smoothing Mist
We’re huge fans of rosewater at Naturally Curly (check out “4 Ways to Use Rose Water for Damaged Hair””>. One of the reasons why is because it’s able to maintain your hair’s natural porosity levels which can make your strands appear soft and smooth. Witch hazel helps to increase blood circulation to your scalp while reducing hair shedding and breakage. Jamaican black castor oil nourishes your hair follicles as it coats, moisturizes and thickens your hair strands. As far as vanilla essential oil goes, not only does it smell sweet and delightful, it also helps to seal your ends so that you can avoid having split ones.
½ cup of rosewater
2 tablespoons of non-alcohol witch hazel
1 teaspoon of Aloe vera juice
1 teaspoon of Jamaican black castor oil
3-5 drops of vanilla oil
The main thing to remember here is to make sure that you use the kind of witch hazel that doesn’t have any alcohol in it. Alcohol dries hair out and can lead to brittleness and breakage over time. Once this mist is made, store in a cool dry place.
Rosemary Hair Growth Spray
By far, one of my favorite oils for my hair is rosemary. It’s an “herb oil” that has an impressive reputation when it comes to reducing scalp inflammation, increasing blood circulation to the scalp and even promoting nerve growth. A few other things that rosemary oil does is fight dandruff, relieve an itchy scalp and even help to stop premature greying in its tracks. The many antioxidants in Vitamin C fights off free radicals and builds the collagen needed to reduce hair breakage. Since a lack of iron is one of the main culprits in hindering hair growth (especially in Black women”>, you can see why it is a part of the recipe. And finally, Vitamin E not only assists with preventing tissue corrosion, but it aids in building the tissue that’s required for healthy hair too.
½ cup of distilled water
10 drops of rosemary essential oil
1 teaspoon of Mango & Lime rosemary essential oil
½ teaspoon of liquid Vitamin C
½ teaspoon of liquid iron
2 Vitamin E capsules
You will get the most out of this particular hairspray if you use it to lock in moisture on your wash day (after you shampoo and condition it”> and then refresh your hair every 2-3 days. That way, it will remain soft without becoming greasy and your curls can be shiny, bouncy and super soft to the touch.
Enjoy!
Image Source: @theesperanzamaria
Here’s something that just might blow your mind. Did you know that, by 2021, we are projected to spend close to $1.5 trillion dollars on natural hair care? While that’s great when it comes to supporting CEOS in the Black hair care community, it can be a bit of a sobering thought when you bring that reality closer to home. What I mean by that is, just think about it. If you spend $125 each salon visit, and you go to the salon once a month, you are easily spending $1,500 on an annual basis. That’s not chump change. Not by a long shot.
If you go to a professional to do things that you can’t on your own (like give your hair a thorough cut and color”>, to pamper yourself or both, I am in full support of that. Stylists are professionals (and licensed”> for a reason. But if you are blowing your budget by going all of the time, simply because you feel like it would be a full-on disaster to attempt to do certain things from the comfort, convenience and more inexpensive rooms of your own home, I’ve got a few hacks that very well could help to boost your confidence in that area.
1. Use bobby pins and hairspray—differently.
For so many reasons and, in so many ways, bobby pins can be our saving grace. They are inexpensive. They come in different hues which makes them virtually invisible. And, when used correctly, they are so comfortable that we barely even notice that they are in our hair. When it comes to that last point, if you want to put your hair up into a style with complete confidence that it will remain that way, flip your bobby pins over. What I mean by that is, most of us put bobby pins into our hair so that the “wavy side” faces upward. But actually, if you want them to have more of a tighter grip, the wavy side needs to face your scalp. Also, if you are looking for even more security back-up, make sure to spray your pins with hairspray before putting them into your hair; that will hold your ‘do even more. Speaking of bobby pins, three other hacks to keep in mind is 1″> you can secure your free-flowing braids so that they don’t unravel by inserting a bobby pin into the bottom of each one; 2″> if you position 2-4 bobby pins into your ponytail holder and then use your hair to cover them up, that will make your ponytail stand taller on its own, and 3″> if you’ve just used a curling iron, by “rolling your curls up” into a bobby pin for a couple of minutes (so that your hair can cool off”>, that will help your curls to last so much longer.
2. Alternate with some hand lotion.
If you just love the conditioner that your stylist uses but you also know that the price tag on it is higher than you’d like to pay, a money-saving hack is to go with some hand lotion that you already have in your house. Quiet as its kept, hand lotion and hair conditioner are basically “hair first cousins” because they tend to share many of the same ingredients. Just make sure, should you decide to go this route, that you add a few drops of avocado, sweet almond or jojoba oil to your lotion bottle. The reason why is because some lotions contain alcohol which could dry your hair out over time. (Or, you can always make your own super-hydrating lotion. If you’d like to do that instead, there’s a great recipe here.”>
3. Go with more than one styling tool.
Back when I used to go to a professional stylist on a consistent basis, it was rare that I didn’t see her use at least half a dozen different styling tools on my hair. That’s because different ones are able to accomplish different things. That said, if you don’t get anything else out of these hair hacks, please retain this particular point. When it comes to fabulous styling results, using one brush and one comb aren’t going to cut it. Please invest in a variety of styling tools. Articles like “12 Time-Saving Tools If You Have Curly Hair” and “17 Must-have Styling Tools For Natural Hair Success!” can help to get you started on which ones to invest in.
4. Thicken your tresses with gelatin.
Do you want your curls to have more volume? Something that can definitely help is to add some gelatin to your shampoo. Since it’s the kind of product that is derived from collagen (that also contains amino acids”>, it has a great way to make your hair appear thicker than it might naturally be. Speaking of making your hair look fuller, another quick trick is to part your hair on the opposite side that you normally do. With time, we are able to train our hair. So, when we keep parting it the same way, that can make our hair appear limper than we’d like it to. Going the opposite direction sometimes can add a bit of “umph”.
5. Put essential oils on your combs and brushes.
Have you been looking for a way to make your hair smell unbelievably good in between salon appointments? No problem. Simply spray some of your favorite perfume or cologne onto your hairbrush or comb every morning before styling your hair. Personally, I think that essential oils are the better route to go, though. They (typically”> don’t have alcohol in them, they’ve got loads of health benefits and, to me, oils tend to last much longer (scent-wise”> too.
6. Cleanse with distilled water.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that can make a really big difference. Don’t think that your stylist doesn’t take into consideration the fact that hard water can wreak pure havoc on your hair. In fact, that might be a part of the reason why you find yourself wondering why your hair feels different when you’re at the salon vs. when you choose to wash and condition it at home. Something that can make at-home hair care better for you is to wash your locks with distilled water. Because it is the kind of water that has all of the impurities taken out of it, distilled water can actually soften your hair shaft so that it looks and feels healthier and more manageable.
7. Get at-home maintenance tips from your stylist.
A good and reputable stylist is going to help you to maintain your hair, even in between visits. If, for whatever the reason, you are unable to see yours on a regular basis, do not hesitate to give them a call so that you can get tips on how you can properly care for your locks while you’re at home. If you’ve been seeing them consistently, they know enough about your hair’s porosity, texture and even your personality to be able to offer up customized hacks that will keep your hair thriving—until you can get back to sitting in their salon chair.
Have any tips of your own? Share them with us in the comments!
Image: @skmuse_
If there’s one thing that I’ve noticed during this coronavirus quarantine, is that it has “inspired” many women to do to either go completely natural or to do the big chop. As someone who is currently natural and also wore my hair super short for many years, I think that both transformations are dope. At the same time, I also know that sometimes when things seem to feel a bit out of control, it’s easy to make impulsive decisions in order to feel like you’ve got a hold of at least a few things.
For the record, it has nothing to do with being natural. There are so many articles that point to the fact that, if nothing else, keeping chemicals out of your hair is healthier for you (especially if you’re a Black woman”>. No, what I’m talking about is taking shears to your head to cut off all of those inches that you worked so long and hard for. Listen, if you’ve been wanting to go with a shorter ‘do, even before this pandemic, then do you, girl. But if you’re stressed out or worried that it might be for-e-ver before you see your stylist again, before you pull out some scissors or a pair of clippers, please make sure that you pause and ask yourself the following questions just so you can be sure that the big chop is what’s best for you. Right now.
Again, is this an emotional or well thought-out decision?
There are all sorts of articles that warn us to never make choices that are solely based on emotion. For one thing, emotions are subject to change, sometimes, on a whim. And, based on whatever feeling we have at the time, it can result in us regretting our decisions up, later up the road. For instance, a post I once checked out said that being anxious can cloud your judgment, being sad can cause you to settle and being angry to result in you taking (unrealistic”> long shots. Hair is just hair. It’ll grow back. But based on genetics and how well you do (or don’t”> care for your locks, that can determine how long it will take to get your inches back. So yeah, before any of these other questions, it’s really important that you ask yourself if the pandemic and quarantine have you wanting to cut your hair because of how emotional you might be, or if you’re actually doing so after giving it all some real thought.
Where are all of your scarves and hats?
Except when I make a run to the grocery store, I’m in the house all day. I live alone so, who the heck is gonna see my hair?! Now, my locks are natural, so if yours is relaxed or if it has dye in it, I get why this time apart from your stylist might be freaking you out a bit. But still, even if the quarantine feels like it’s going to last forever, this too shall pass. That said, are you sure that you just don’t want to deep condition your hair and either let it do its thing or put it up in a scarf and/or hat (when you go out”>? If you’re worried that not touching up the roots could lead to breakage, our article “10 Tips for Transitioning to Natural Hair” can help you to take care of your natural hair while you’re waiting for your hair to be chemically-treated again. In the meantime, all of those cover-ups that you’ve got, why put them to use when they can keep you looking just as fly as your stylist does?
What about wigs?
Whether you’ve got a full collection of wigs or you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to get your first one, another option is to wear a wig. They’re fun. They’re versatile. And, if you properly prep your hair before putting one on, they are a really stylish way to keep you from cutting your hair until you are sure that you’re ready. But again, the key is to make sure that you don’t LIVE constantly in your wig (your scalp and hair definitely need time to breathe”> and that you properly care for the hair that’s underneath them. Click here, here and here for tips on how to do just that.
Are you ready to let go of the easy ponytail?
I’ve got a girlfriend who cut off all of her hair a couple of years ago. We’ve been close for well over a decade and, to this day, that short ‘do is the dopest one I’ve ever seen on her. But last year, she decided to grow her hair back out, mostly because she missed the ease and convenience that comes with simply putting her hair up in a ponytail. There is some real validity to that point. If your hair is currently long enough to put up, you do know that big chopping means that you have to kiss that ability goodbye…right? Are you ready to do that? I ask because my friend and I both can personally vouch for the fact that the growing out period (when it’s too long to be super stylish and too short to put up into anything”> ain’t nothin’ nice.
Are you prepared for the maintenance that comes with shorter hair?
I taught myself how to cut my own hair while I was in college. I think that God gave me a gift to style hair and I’m grateful, but let me just say that, even with the natural ability, cutting hair (especially your own hair”> is not the easiest thing on the planet to do. Also, unless you want to rock a baldie or buzz cut, it can be hard to even create an even fade or to keep the nape of your neck on point (again, especially if you’re doing your own hair”>. These are realities that you have to face if you are considering cutting off all of your hair because it’s interesting—when your hair is on the longer side, it can sometimes feel like it’s taking years for it to grow out. But when your hair is short? You can literally feel like you need to do some form of upkeep on a weekly basis. I’m not kidding. Shorter hair is low-maintenance in between trims, but trims are required a heck of a lot more often. Definitely something to always keep in the forefront of your mind.
Do you have what you need in order to maintain a short ‘do?
Whether you’re planning to go short and relax your hair, texturize your tresses or be completely natural, different hair textures oftentimes call for totally different kinds of styling products. Hey, there’s no point in having short hair if it looks a crazy mess, simply because you had no idea what you needed to put in it. So, take a moment to ask yourself—do you?
Did you run this by your stylist (in order to get a second opinion”> first?
If you do see your stylist on a regular basis, I promise you that you can’t go wrong with running by them what you are thinking. If yours is anything like the one I used to have, they will be super forthcoming on if it’s a good idea or not to “take it all off”. Because a good stylist is oftentimes a voice of reason, and because they already know your hair and (probably”> how you treat it when you’re at home, they can let you know what length will complement your face structure, if they think you will be able to keep it up in between appointments and anything else that I might’ve inadvertently overlooked in this piece.
Again, I wore really short hair for years and years with absolutely no regret. But before you decide to make such a drastic change, just make sure it’s because you want to and not because quarantining has you all stressed out. The first reason you can feel good about. The second? Well, it could lead to anxiety that’s on a whole ‘nother level, if you’re not careful. Just sayin’.
Image: @daria.shevtsosa
I’m pretty sure that, out of all of the ways you’re looking to save a dime or two, your shampoo and conditioner aren’t on the very top of the list. But you know what? I think we all have seasons in our life when, if we can find any way possible to keep an extra couple of bucks in our bank account, we’ll do it. And so, in the spirit of being as thrifty as possible, I’ve got a few money-saving shampoo and conditioner hacks that I want to share with you. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll probably be wondering why you never thought about going this route before! Especially since each tip is super easy and loaded with old-fashioned common sense. You ready?
Transfer product to a pump dispenser.
Is it just me, or does it seem like when your hair is soaking wet, your eyes are closed and you reach over for your bottle of shampoo or conditioner that sometimes at least three times the amount of what you wanted to come out spills all over your hands and into the sink? One way to prevent this from happening is to transfer your shampoo and conditioner to containers that come with a pump. That way, you can control just how much you want to use at a time without wasting any product in the process.
Thin your shampoo out.
Shampoo tends to be pretty concentrated. Something that you can do in order to thin yours out so that it can last a bit longer, is to pull out a clean empty bottle. Then, add two ounces of shampoo per every one teaspoon of baking soda. If you pour five ounces of water to that and then shake well—voila! You’ll have a thinned-out version of your shampoo that is just as effective.
DIY your shampoo and conditioner.
I’m thinking that a pretty obvious way to save money on shampoo and condition is to make some of your own. It’s really not that hard to do. For this particular point, I think the best way to probably break it all down is to point you into the direction of a few YouTubers. Naptural85 has a cool African black soap shampoo recipe. Debbie Williams will walk you through how to make a shampoo out of Aloe vera. If you’re looking for a detoxifying shampoo recipe, check out one from JeanetteJBeauty. Selina Zinchuk’s got a shampoo recipe that treats hair loss. Or, if you want to take a stab at making your own shampoo bars, check out DIY natural’s channel for a step-by-step walkthrough. And what about conditioning your hair? Our site totally has you covered on that tip. All you need to do is check out “DIY Homemade Deep Conditioners” and “DIY Homemade Conditioner Recipes”.
Try a shampoo bar.
I guess it’s been about six months since I’ve stopped using shampoo that comes in a bottle. Instead, I’ve been going the shampoo bar route. Not only is it way easier to use but I like how mine lathers up. I also really like how cost-effective shampoo bars are. How much can it save you? Word in the street is that one bar is equal to a 24 oz. bottle of shampoo. Pretty impressive, if you ask me.
Shampoo less often.
Honestly, there is no solid steadfast rule for how often you should wash your hair. It depends on things like how much product you use, if your scalp is super-sensitive and, if you use a shampoo that contains sulfates or not. But if you happen to have natural hair that is a type 3, once a week is good. If you’ve got type 4, every 3-4 weeks is fine, so long as your scalp isn’t irritated. Whatever your hair texture is, unless your hair is extremely oily, there is definitely no need to shampoo on a daily basis. All that does is strip your hair of its natural oils which can ultimately lead to brittleness and breakage. Plus, it can cause you to use up your shampoo a lot quicker than you wanted (or needed”> to. So yeah, when it comes to how much shampoo you use, applying the “less is more” approach is definitely better—for your hair as well as your wallet.
Nothing is ever really right unless it has a strong foundation. Well, when it comes to growing a full and healthy head of hair, that foundation would definitely be our scalps. I especially came to this revelation once I decided to stop wearing texturizers (which is basically just a very low-grade relaxer“> and dyeing my hair on a consistent basis. Once that happened, it took about a good six months for my scalp to even get to a place where I could start to focus on length retention. How do I know? Because it was itching, flaking and super dry. Yep. That’s what tends to happen after years of putting chemicals on your hair.
Image Source: @amaka.ae
Now, as I’m in a pretty consistent hair care routine and I’m starting to see some real progress, I get that, before I focus on my locks, I have to tend to my scalp. A few years in, this is what I’ve come to personally realize that my scalp needs in order for it—and my natural hair—to thrive.
1. Exfoliation.
If you naturally have a dry scalp or you are a self-professed product junkie, it can definitely benefit you to exfoliate your scalp before shampooing your hair on wash day. Not only does it keep your scalp’s sebum in balance, it can remove any build-up that could clog up your hair follicles and hinder hair growth too. A really easy way to exfoliate your scalp is to mix a half-cup of brown sugar (it’s a humectant and its granules are a gentle kind of exfoliant”> with three teaspoons of olive oil (its properties help to prevent scalp infections as it increases blood circulation”>. Dampen your hair, apply the exfoliant and gently massage your scalp for 5-7 minutes. Then rinse, shampoo and condition your hair.
2. Detoxification.
Here’s something to seriously think about. Did you know that your scalp absorbs chemicals at a rate that is four times faster than what you might put on your forearms? Our scalps have pores, just like the rest of our skin. On the heels of that, the thing we need to keep in mind is underneath our scalp is our brain, so yeah—it’s super important that we detox our scalp, at least every six weeks or so. A really easy way to do that is to mix a half cup of bentonite clay (it contains properties that unclogs hair follicles that may contain chemicals and metals”> with one-third cup of apple cider vinegar (it is a clarifier and anti-inflammatory vinegar”>. If you also add two tablespoons of Aloe vera gel, its proteolytic enzymes will help to heal any dead skin cells that your scalp might have. Mix everything together and put it on your damp hair and scalp. Let it sit on your head for 30 minutes and then wash with a clarifying scalp. It’s an easy-yet-powerful way to give your scalp the deep cleansing that it needs.
3. An essential oil to increase scalp circulation.
Remember that your scalp is skin, just like the rest of your body. By applying an essential oil (along with a carrier oil”>, not only will that reduce dryness and flakes, it can pamper your hair follicles as well. One of my favorite oils is cedarwood essential oil. Cedarwood oil soothes itchiness, stimulates your scalp and ultimately promotes healthy hair growth. If you combine it with the carrier oil sweet almond oil, the almond oil will relieve dandruff and penetrate your scalp so that it is well-moisturized too.
4. Vitamin B foods.
Something that your scalp can never get enough of is Vitamin B. Long story short, it’s the kind of vitamin that creates red blood cells so that oxygen and proper nutrients can get your hair follicles so that your follicles can remain healthy and strong. Foods that are high in this particular vitamin include whole grains, seeds and nuts, eggs, red meat, poultry, fish, citrus fruits and dark leafy greens. If you eat them consistently, you should notice less scalp irritation and stronger hair within the month.
Read more: 10 All -Natural Scalp Cleansers You Need to Try
5. Some Aloe Vera and geranium oil.
Two things your scalp will absolutely adore is Aloe vera (which I mentioned earlier”> and geranium oil. Aloe vera, because it helps to keep the pH level of your scalp in balance; it contains enzymes that help to break down dead skin cells; it’s got fatty acids to relieve itchy and, it has vitamins A, B, C, E and amino acids in it. Geranium oil because it boosts blood circulation to your scalp while strengthening and restoring your hair in the process. Mix one-third cup of pure Aloe vera gel with 3-5 drops of geranium oil. Part your scalp, apply the mixture and style your hair like usual.
6. A massage.
While on the surface, a scalp massage may seem like a luxury, don’t get it twisted; when it comes to your scalp’s overall health and well-being, it is most definitely a necessity. Scalp massages trigger the production of the “happy hormone” serotonin so that you have less headaches and are less stressed. Scalp massages also relieve muscle tension so that you can sleep better and yes, they are proven to increase hair growth if done on a weekly basis, in part by increasing blood circulation to your scalp and, ultimately, your hair. If you’d like some tips on how to get the most out of a scalp massage, read our articles “How to Give a Scalp Massage” and “The 5-Minute Self-Care Practice Your Hair Needs”. Or, if you are more of a visual learner, you can check out some DIY scalp massage videos here, here and here. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to care for your scalp and your body overall.
Read more here:Your Guide to Natural Oils for Curly Hair, and share any of your tips for a healthy scalp in the comments!
Whew. I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly looking for quick, inexpensive and easy ways to maintain my natural hair without it breaking off in the process. Thankfully, through a bit of trial and error, I’ve actually discovered some hacks that my hair, my schedule and wallet absolutely adore. And you know what? I’m thinking that if you give them a shot, you’ll find that styling your hair can become much easier than it used to be. Ready?
Image Source: @jewejewebee
1. Wash your hair with twists in it.
If one of the reasons why you try to push wash day back as far as possible is because detangling your hair is nothing short of a nightmare, how about sectioning your hair and putting it in twists before you shampoo it? If you do that and then focus on washing your scalp as the suds flow down the rest of your hair, that will definitely keep any tangling and potential matting down to a minimum. Then, once you rinse your twists, before using your fingers or a detangling comb to work through your hair, spray a DIY detangling spray on your locks first. All you need to do is put a cup of water, a tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel, a teaspoon of sweet almond oil and a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil (to make it all smell good”> into a spray bottle and spray your hair. It will make detangling a breeze while adding a bit of extra conditioner to your tresses too.
2. Add oil to your conditioners to get more “slip”.
Speaking of conditioners, if you happen to have one that doesn’t provide you with as much slip as you would like, a simple remedy to that is to add some grapeseed, jojoba or even olive oil to your bottle. 1-2 teaspoons are more than enough. Oh, and if you are currently at the bottom of your conditioner bottle and it’s hard to get the conditioner out, cut through it so that you can use whatever is left. In times like these, every economical hack is needed.
3. “Press” conditioner into curls.
Does it seem like, after conditioning your hair, your strands still don’t feel as soft and moisturized as you’d like them to? That could be because you are conditioning your hair the wrong way. What I mean by that is, since our hair is curly, it’s important that our tresses are covered in conditioner from root to tip. Not only that, but we need to allow the cuticles to be fully penetrated. You can do this by not simply putting conditioner on your hair and letting it sit. Instead, when you apply it, make sure to put a lot of focus on the midshaft of your hair, all the way to the ends. Once it’s on, then gently “press” (or squeeze”> the conditioner into your hair. Then slowly detangle your locks in a downward motion. That way, you can be sure that all of your hair has conditioner on it. Not only that, but this technique can help to smooth down your hair’s cuticles as well.
4. Apply product when your hair is almost dry.
While women with straighter or finer textures can seem to apply product to their hair while it is soaking wet with no problem, that’s not so much the case for us curly-haired girls. Just like it’s best to blow dry our hair once it’s about 60 percent dry (so we can avoid sizzling our mane”>, it’s also a good idea to apply products once our hair is almost dry too. It helps the product to last longer while giving our hair more definition in the process.
5. Try mousse, Aloe vera and/or beeswax on your edges.
Who doesn’t want laid edges? If you are nodding your head in total agreement, a YouTuber who goes by happycurlhappygirl has a video on edge control products that tickled me. Check it out here (we’ve also written some articles on the topic like “How to Lay Your Coily Edges” and “How to Lay Your Edges to Protect Your Hairline””>. As far as hacks go, if you want your edges to last all day with as little dryness and flaking as possible, start by applying mousse or Aloe vera to them; it will condition your edges. Then add a bit of beeswax and finally, your favorite edge control. Then use a spoolie (which you can get at virtually any drugstore”> to create a more natural hairline (definitely more than an old toothbrush would”>. Your baby hairs will be so much softer (and softer looking”> which will result in less breakage. And yes, you’ll get crazy hold for hours and hours as a bonus.
6. Use an old seasoning bottle for your bobby pins and ponytail holders.
I can’t remember where I first heard this hack but it’s a great one. OK, so those seasoning bottles that you have in your kitchen cabinet? When you run out of the contents, soak the bottle (to get the label off”> and then rinse the inside of it out. What you’ll then have is a home for your bobby pins on the inside, plus you can scroll up your ponytail holders on the outside of it. That way, none of either will end up getting lost. Another cool ponytail hack is to put a couple of them on your keychain. You never know when you’re gonna need to pull your hair back. This way, you always can.
7. Use old pantyhose as ponytail holders.
One more. If you can never seem to keep up with your ponytail holders (because you didn’t know about the hack that I just mentioned”> or your hair is so think that you can’t seem to find ones that can hold all of your hair in place, look no further than your old ripped-up pantyhose. The band that is on them are super stretchy and have no threat of snagging your hair. Plus, you can wrap them around your locks as many times as you like. They are some of the cheapest and “safest” ponytail holders around. You’ll absolutely love ‘em, so enjoy!
Have a tip of your own to share? Drop it in the comments!
Whew y’all. Listen, I’m not even gonna patronize you by providing a lot of information on what I know you are already inundated with daily—the coronavirus. What I will say is, since the news is changing on an almost hourly basis, if you are looking for data that you can trust, a great resource is the World Health Organization. Also, because every state is affected by this pandemic differently, it’s also a good idea to put your own city and state into your favorite search engine to see what both your state and local officials are doing to keep the virus under control in your area.
That said, if you’re like me and your mayor has currently ordered that you remain at home, that might have you going a little stir crazy; especially if you’re someone who is used to going to a salon to get your hair done. Although these are challenging times (to put it mildly”>, social distancing and self-quarantining don’t mean that you have to let yourself totally go. In fact, if you commit to doing certain things from the comfort, convenience and safety of your own home, it can help you to save money, to destress and to also keep your hair pretty healthy in the process.
Are you ready to learn how to maintain those beautiful curly tresses of yours during a pandemic? If so, here ya go.
Image:@sardis.g
1. Try some aromatherapy.
Going through a pandemic can put a real toll on your mind, body and spirit, to say the least. And when you’re anxious, nervous or tense, that can actually lead to hair loss. The reason why is because stress can literally stunt the growth of your hair by putting your follicles into a state where they no longer produce new hair strands. That’s just one of the many reasons why you need to keep your stress levels under control. One way to do that is with aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is proven to relax you, decrease your cortisol levels (which is a natural stress hormone in the body”>, make you feel more content and peaceful and it can improve your quality of sleep too. Whether it’s via a soy candle, diffuser or some essential oil, scents like lavender, rose, chamomile, orange, jasmine, bergamot and patchouli can bring a sense of tranquility to your being which can definitely benefit you from head to toe.
2. Dust your ends.
Even if you’re not daring enough to actually trim your hair (and I totally get that”>, if you’re noticing that your hair has more tangles or fairy knots than normal, something that you can do to reduce those is to dust your ends. Basically, it’s the process of giving yourself a “tiny trim”; one that is so small that you’ll barely even notice the difference once you’re done. If you’ve never even attempted to put shears to your hair before, try dusting and watch a video on how to do it, you can check one out here.
Read more: How to Give Yourself a “Dusting” Trim
3. Grease (and massage”> your scalp with shea butter.
If your scalp is itchy, flaking or extra dry, something that you might want to do is “grease it” with the help of some shea butter. Its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties make it the perfect kind of butter to soothe and heal your scalp without clogging up your hair follicles or leaving a super oily feel to your tresses. Also, thanks to the vitamins A and E that are in shea butter, it’s the type of butter that can help to reduce hair breakage as well. Start by parting your hair into sections and applying a small amount of butter to your scalp. Then gently massage your scalp for 5-10 minutes. You will feel so much more calm and relaxed right after you do it. That is a guarantee.
4. Add a little milk and honey.
Something that will deeply nourish your hair and scalp is milk and honey. The calcium, protein, fatty acids and vitamins A and D work together to moisturize your hair while honey acts as a powerful humectant by pulling moisture from the hair into your hair. Simply mix a cup of milk with two tablespoons of honey. Wash your hair and then apply the mixture to it. Place a plastic bag on your hair and let the milk and honey penetrate your hair strands for 45 minutes. Then rinse, condition and style like usual. You’ll immediately notice the difference.
5. Drink some infused water.
During a pandemic, it’s important that you keep your immune system in optimal condition. A refreshing way to do that is to drink some infused water. One, because water helps to regulate your body temperature, flush out toxins, cushion your body tissues, deliver oxygen to your body, keep you hydrated (and regular”> and so much more. As far as your hair goes, water helps to keep your hair follicles moisturized which reduces breakage. The reason why infused water is such a wonderful kind of water is because you can add some of your favorite fruits (or even a few veggies like cucumbers”> into it to add a bit of flavor along with whatever nutrients that they provide. For some awesome DIY infused water recipes, check out “14 Flavor-Packed Fruit Infused Water Recipes”, “11 Delicious Infused Water Recipes (& Benefits”>” and “10 Infused Water Recipes And Their Benefits”.
6. DIY a hair mask.
If you’re looking for a way to reduce frizz and, at the same time, create volume, something that you might want to try is a homemade hair mask. At the end of the day, it’s another way of saying “a really really deep hair conditioner”. A favorite of mine is a combination of banana and olive oil. Bananas are cool because they are filled with potassium, natural oils and folic acid to keep your hair hydrated and well-moisturized. Olive oil is always a winner because the high amount of antioxidants that are in it will be good for your scalp and hair’s overall health. All you need to do is put one ripe banana and two teaspoons of olive oil into a blender. Wait until the combo turns into a frothy texture. Apply the mask to freshly washed hair. Leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse and style like you normally would. Your hair will feel super soft. It will smell pretty delightful too.
Read More: Best DIY Recipes for Naturally Curly Hair
7. Subscribe to YouTube naturalista videos.
You know what they say—knowledge is power and, I’m telling you, when it comes to invaluable natural hair information, YouTube has a bevy of naturalistas to choose from. Some that you might want to check out include Mercy Gono BSN, RN, Curly Chemistry, StarPuppy, Shanique Buntyn, Janae Mason, Tiana Michelle, DisisReyRey, Kimberly Cherrell, Kendra Kenshay, Amber Ansah, Laurscurls and Millicent Swift—and y’all, that’s only 12 channels. There are literally hundreds out there in YouTube world, but this is a great starting point if you’re in need of tips for washing, styling or hair length retention tips, along with what products to buy.
8. Use a humidifier.
Now that we’re in our homes a lot more than usual, there’s a pretty good chance that your central air is producing hair that is pretty dry. When it comes to your hair, that can result in moisture being pulled from the air, and your hair, which could lead to brittle locks and breakage. Something that can prevent this from happening is putting a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. If you don’t have one and money is tight, a hair steamer is a wonderful alternative. Amazon has steamer caps that are pretty affordable.
I know this is a trying time, but we’ll get through it. Stay calm. Relax. And definitely make sure to pamper yourself and your hair. When all of this is over, you’ll be oh so very glad that you did. Stay safe out here, curlfriends.
How are you prioritizing self care during this time? Let us know in the comments below.
Image Source:@curlyfro_angie
While you might not feel it just yet, the spring season is just a few weeks away. That means warmer weather, blooming flowers, singing birds—and time to create a hair regimen that will keep your tresses as beautiful as ever. Although there are tons of commercial products on the market that will make your curls—pun intended—spring up, there are also some in-season foods during the springtime that you should stock up on. Foods that are delicious, affordable and have a real knack for keeping hair strong and healthy, right into the summer.
1. Strawberries
It’s kind of crazy that, something so sweet, can actually be really good for you. But such is the case with strawberries. This fruit is one that is super high in antioxidants like Vitamin C as well as potassium, folate and manganese. Fiber and protein are in strawberries too. Health-wise, they are the kind of fruit that regulates your blood sugar levels, protects your heart and provides relief from arthritis-related symptoms. Also, the salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid and ellagic acid that’s in strawberries can help to prevent hyperpigmentation in your skin, as its anthocyanins and antioxidant properties will keep free radicals at bay. Although magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and copper are not in super high amounts in this particular fruit, it’s enough to nourish your hair follicles while Vitamin C removes excess sebum from your scalp that could clog your follicles and hinder healthy hair growth.
How to Use Strawberries: If you want to remove excess build-up from your hair without drying it out in the process, all you need to do is mash up five strawberries with two tablespoons of plain yogurt and a teaspoon of honey. Apply the mask to your hair, right after washing it. Let it penetrate your hair shaft for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse and deep condition your tresses.
2. Chayote Squash
Chayote Squash is the kind of squash that is in peak freshness during the spring. It has protein, fiber, vitamins B6, B9, C and K, as well as copper, zinc, magnesium, fiber and manganese in it (for starters”>. As for overall health benefits go, chayote squash contains antioxidants that reduce body inflammation, folate to keep your pregnancy healthy and nutrients to delay the signs of aging. It’s great for your hair because the combination of the nutrients can delay greying, reduce breakage and strengthen your strands.
How to Use Chayote Squash: Here at Naturally Curly, we’re super fond of squash. So much, in fact, what we wrote an entire feature on winter squash. Check out “Try Winter Squash For Better Length Retention” for a recipe that is equally as interchangeable with chayote squash.
3. Mint
Mint is an herb that is rich in all kinds of nutrients. It contains iron, folate, manganese and Vitamin A, and is able to do everything from improve irritable bowel syndrome and relieve cold symptoms to strengthen your brain function. The reason why you should consider using it on your scalp and hair is because the menthol in mint is great at increasing blood circulation to your hair follicles, plus its antimicrobial and antifungal properties can keep dandruff-causing fungus at bay. Mint is also a great source of carotene and antioxidants; both work together to provide your follicles with the nutrients that they need in order for your hair to stay healthy and strong.
How to Use Mint: Crush 5-10 mint leaves together. Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of melted coconut oil. Apply it to your freshly washed scalp. Let it sit for an hour and then rinse thoroughly. It will invigorate your scalp while removing unnecessary fungi and dandruff flakes too.
4. Kiwi
Kiwi might be tiny, but it makes a really big difference. Thanks to vitamins A, C, B6, B12 and E, along with potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium, kiwi has the ability to boost your immune system, regulate your blood pressure, reduce oxidative stress, protect your vision and even help you to sleep soundly. Something else that kiwi has in it is zinc. Our hair needs lots of that in order to prevent dandruff, hair loss and strengthen our tresses. Eating and applying kiwi can only benefit your hair, long-term.
How to Use Kiwi: One way to use kiwi in order to prevent hair premature greying while strengthening your locks in the process is to combine a tablespoon of fresh kiwi pulp with a teaspoon of Vitamin E and a teaspoon of henna. Apply the solution to your hair and scalp. Put on a plastic bag and let it sit for an hour. Then shampoo, condition and style as usual.
5. Mangoes
If there’s one reason to get hype about spring’s return, it’s because mangoes tend to be at their peak of freshness. Not only do they taste amazing, but they are high in vitamins A, B6, C, E as well as fiber, potassium, folate, calcium and zinc. When it comes to this particular fruit’s health benefits, mangoes are able to lower cholesterol, promote eye and gut health, manage diabetes, treat anemia and delay the physical signs of aging. Mangoes are the perfect “hair fruit” because it contains about 83 percent water; that, along with the E and zinc that is in them, makes mangoes a wonderful ingredient for hair conditioners and moisturizers.
How to Use Mangoes: Are you looking for relief from dry brittle hair, we’ve totally got you. Check out our article, “DIY Mango Mask and Butter for Dry Hair” for a recipe that will provide your hair with more moisture than ever.
6. Bee Pollen
When you really stop to think about it, it makes perfect sense that bee pollen would be in season during the spring season since bees are back in abundance during that time of year. Bee pollen is high in protein, amino acids, flavonoids, phosphorus, potassium and selenium. Because of this, it’s able to prevent liver toxicity, strengthen immunity, relieve stress, reduce menopausal symptoms and promote overall healing. Something else that’s awesome about bee pollen is it has L‑Cysteine in it; it’s an amino acid that is full of sulfur which is something that our hair needs in order to grow without breaking. The vitamins A and E that’s in the pollen can keep your hair moisturized too.
How to Use Bee Pollen: If you want an all-natural way to treat hair loss, add a tablespoon of bee pollen to your shampoo. You should see results in as little as a month if you do.
Enjoy these foods—and the spring season that is on its way! And share with us if you try them out as well!
