Search Results: Whitney Garcia-Devers
Ten years ago it was quite rare to see women rocking their natural hair, but now it is a different story.
A few weeks ago I shared my experience having curly hair in the Netherlands and due to the enthusiasm, I decided to expand the post to include what some Dutch guys I know actually think of curly hair. Of course, we will continue rocking our natural crown no matter the opinion of others, however, a little curiosity never killed anybody…
“Her curls make her the center of attention.”
“Ten years ago it was quite rare to see women rocking their natural hair, and now it is a different story. Why have these women been hiding this unique beauty feature? Whenever there is a woman with curly hair at a pub she is the center of attention.”
“I love to play with her curls while she sleeps.”
“For me curls are a turn-on because they are unique. I love the volume and the bounciness. When I saw my girlfriend, I fell for her appearance, hereby her curly afro was a real eye catcher. I love to play with her curls while she sleeps. It is difficult for me to describe why I like curls, so I describe her.”
“Her hair is beautiful–when she takes care of it.”
“Self-care is important regardless if their hair is straight or curly. Hair is only beautiful when a person takes care of it. I often see women wearing their hair curly, but then you can clearly see that it is not combed. For me this is unattractive–like women with chipped nail polish.”
“Her hair smells good.”
“For some reason, women with curly hair have this nice fragrance around them. The most attractive thing they can do is flip their hair and play a bit with the curls right after. However, it is also quite obvious when they have not washed their hair because some parts are quite cluttered together…”
“Her curls make her arrogant.”
“Women who have curly hair quite often make an arrogant impression. Of course, having curly hair is something that is unique and you should be proud of it. Nevertheless, anything looks better on you when you have a friendly appearance.”
“The way she plays with her curls is sexy.”
“My girlfriend’s curls perfectly describe her cheerfulness and her outgoing personality. She has the tendency to play with her curls when she is flirting with me and that is incredibly sexy. When I met her I was amazed by how well she rocked her curls no matter how she wore them that day. But admittedly, being a part of her wash days and combing tiny curls can be very tiring.”
“Her curly hair is gorgeous.”
“Do not touch her hair…I repeat, do NOT touch her hair without first asking for permission. I learned that this is something that is sensitive. In general, Dutch girls who wear their hair straight do not really care whether or not you touch it, although girls who wear their hair curly do not like it at all. It has something to do with frizz or something. Either way, curly hair is gorgeous.”
What do the guys in your hometown think of women with curly hair?
Let us know on Facebook.
Having low hair porosity is such a beautiful struggle.
Low porosity hair entails that it is difficult for your hair to absorb moisture. The outer layer of my hair is flat, which in turn makes my curls appear shiny. This type of hair porosity is usually considered to reflect healthy hair, although that is not necessarily true.
While it can be quite challenging due to the investment in time and money, I would argue that the results of our wash days last longer since moisture does not leave the hair as quickly as it does in medium to high porosity hair. Here are the products that help me maximize my low porosity.
1. A water-based leave-in conditioner
When using these types of leave-in conditioners I prevent my hair from becoming greasy. It also decreases product build-up, which allows me to have fewer wash days. My favorite water-based leave-in conditioners are DevaCurl B-Leave-In Conditioner and ApHogee Curlific! Moisture Rich Leave-in.
2. A moisturizing cream
Using a cream contributes beautifying my curls with moisture. For me, it also helps to shape and style my low porosity hair and contribute to the definition of your curls. My favorites are Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter and the Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Curl Defining Cream.
3. A curly jelly
Curly hair is often drier than straight hair, but since it does not have the ability to absorb ingredients easily as medium or high porosity, it tends to get easily weighed down and look greasy. That is why I stopped sealing my hair with oils and instead, use a jelly to define my curls. My favorite from Camille Rose Naturals also adds a natural sheen and helps me hair retain moisture.
4. The Denman Brush
For me, the Denman Brush is close to being indestructible–I bought mine in April 2015 and it is still alive. This brush makes the detangling process much easier, because it grabs every knot and makes it disappear. Besides, it also makes your curls much more defined.
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Follow more about Whitney’s low porosity regimen on Instagram.
This is why your Wash Day might not be working…
During a Wash Day we invest time and money in order to make sure that our curls are popping. Many of us end up feeling disappointed when our results don’t meet our expectations. This lies at the root of many of the frustration and impatience we experience when it comes to our hair, but with a few minor changes you could transform the way you feel about Wash Day.
Here are a few reasons your curls might be “failing” on Wash Day, and how to fix them.
1. You are setting high expectations.
Curly hair is known to be quite stubborn and it lives its own life on our heads. A change in the humidity, your Setting strict expectations for . Instead of looking at the smiling models on the packaging of your favorite hair care product, focus on healthy hair and try not to shape a vision of ‘perfect hair’.2. You do not compare the similarities between ineffective products.
If product A, B and C are not working for you, take a look at the ingredient list and compare. Then, go on a search for a product that does not contain said ingredients. Many people realize that the health of their hair deteriorates as soon as they use products that contain certain sulfates and silicones. When switching to ‘chemical-free’ products, they notice that the health of their curls will improve with time and consistency.3. You are not using the right sealant.
Each hair type and porosity requires a different application method. Curly hair is complex, that is no secret, and oftentimes the LCO or LOC Method is recommended. However, for some hair types, oils simply do not work because it weighs the hair down. I noticed my curl definition lasting for days after replacing my oil with a jelly.4. You are in a hurry.
Simply put: if you are in a hurry, you should not do Wash Day. First of all, you will not have the time or patience to carefully detangle your hair by section. This will only lead to more breakage, causing slowed growth. Secondly, hair care products should carefully be applied to your hair. On a proper Wash Day, you should first divide your hair in sections then apply your product.5. You skip the Praying Hands Method.
The Praying Hands Method is a very effective hair care routine, which calls for smoothing a product onto your hair, from the roots and down the length to the ends. This results in less frizz and highly defined curls.Read How I Refresh My Hair In Between Wash Days With Eye Catchers
Follow Whitney on Instagram @WhitneyFromtheBlog
The straight hair community has mixed attitudes towards those of us with natural texture–some can be very curious and interested while others are more ignorant.
The hair care products
Prior to 2010 it was quite rare to see women rocking their natural hair. Finally, in 2011 the number starting increasing with relaxers and to embrace their natural crown, I was one of these women. I started the transitioning process with a happy feeling, but a few weeks after my decision I stumbled across the first hurdle. There were not many (chemical-free”> curly hair products. Luckily, this has changed and we have more access to great hair care than ever before. While I know that chemical-free products offered by popular brands sold here such as Camille Rose Naturals, SheaMoisture and CURLS require quite some investment, and sometimes, purchasing a product can cost more than having diner at a nice restaurant. When I heard about two women who decided to launch a black beauty box in order to provide us with with high quality hair care products at an affordable price, I fully supported their endeavor.
The weather
In The Netherlands it rains quite frequently throughout the year. Winters can get cold, with the temperature falling between -5°C/23°F to 5°C/41°F. The temperature is usually around 15°C/59°F during Spring, with quite weird summers. For instance, this past summer it was quite chilly and all of the sudden it turned hot and moggy. My curls love every season, but they aren’t always on fleek during the winter. It usually depends on my hair and cannot stand fog.
The natural hair community
I see now that the curly women here are trying to build a community in order to share tips and tricks, as well as reviews of hair products and salon experiences. A couple of years ago a few women decided to start a Facebook group in order to bring the community closer together. The Natural Hair Club grew up to more than 16k members because of the organization organizing yearly events for curly beauties can come together and meet in person.
There are also other hair events organized by other popular events including The Pearl Event, which is organized twice a year and attended by many naturals across the country.
The non-natural perception
The straight hair community has mixed attitudes towards those of us with natural texture–some can be very curious and interested while others are more ignorant. In my personal encounters I have dealt with people touching my hair without asking for permission in addition to dropping annoying or offensive comments. Some non-curlies also believe in certain stereotypes, asking questions like “Is your mom or dad white? You have the soft, beautiful curls,” which often lead to a clash between sender and receiver. I always remind myself that ignorance will only disappear by education and therefore, I feedback to the one posing the question as to why his or her question was inappropriate or wrong.
Reactions on my hair
I receive many positive reactions on my hair. The Dutch can be pretty direct as I am oftentimes approached to compliment my hair or in order to ask questions. I enjoy having this type of interaction with people of different cultures.
What’s your natural hair experience been like where you live?
Follow Whitney on Instagram and her blog, Whitney From the Blog
Are you familiar with the uses of sea kelp? If not, you should be.
People tend to disguise the wonders of consuming sea plants. For example, when eating sushi, many of my friends leave the seaweed on their plates despite the many benefits it offers. What we consume directly impacts our hair either positively or negatively, not just what we put on it.
Sea kelp is a type of seaweed that consists of vitamin A, B complex, C, and E. Additionally, it contains many valuable minerals. People are often not aware of the advantages of these cherished nutrients:
It diminishes hair loss
Vitamin A and B complex prevents and diminishes hair loss. There are different types of causes of this problem. It may be related to your genes–Alopecia Androgenetica–or you might have a vitamin deficiency. Your body needs vitamin A to develop epithelial cells, which are essential for the health of your skin and hair.
Vitamin B is one of the most important nutrients your body needs, because not only does it prevents stress and regulates the oxygen supply, it also contributes to the health of your skin and hair. Both vitamin types are needed to prevent and diminish hair loss. Already considering purchasing sea kelp?
It fights iron deficiency and anemia
Feeling tired lately? It might be worthwhile to visit the doctor. Women tend to suffer from iron deficiency more often than men due to our monthly visit. Iron contributes to your metabolism, which plays an important role on your weight. Metabolism defines the speed of rate at which your body burns calories. Having an iron deficiency can have a negative impact on this process.
It improves the strength of the hair
Lately, vitamin E has become more of a focal point in many hair and skin care products. This nutrient is known for his healing and strengthening benefit to the hair and skin. Vitamin E protects the cells, cell walls, your bloodstream, and your tissues.
It contributes to the development of keratin
Many people confuse the purpose of sea kelp with keratin and its purpose. Keratin is a type of protein necessary for healthy and strong hair. A rich source of the mineral magnesium, sea kelp contributes to the development of keratin. When you notice that your curls lost their elasticity and shine, use a keratin treatment.
If you do not like the idea of eating sea kelp, try a product that includes it as a key ingredient.
1. Kinky-Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo: I only need two washes every few days and my scalp stays clean throughout the week. This shampoo facilitates the detangling process for me, so it is definitely a winner.
2. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner: When living in California, this product definitely saved my hair during the warmer months–my hair was much easier to detangle and moisturized.
3. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo: This product is a keeper. It cleans my scalp and helps it much easier to detangle during the detangling process.
4. SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Reconstructive Finishing Elixir: This product restores the shine and health of your hair.
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The importance of positivity is often underestimated. Having a positive attitude helps you overcome challenges in life and at the same time, make us more creative in being able to navigate a difficult situation.
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The importance of positivity is often underestimated. Having a positive attitude helps you overcome challenges in life and at the same time, make us more creative in being able to navigate a difficult situation. Not to forget, positivity attracts people and decreases your chances of feeling lonely.
Part of positivity is having an optimistic self-image. Because how can we expect to be loved by others if we do not love ourselves? In the past, I would carry around an extremely negative attitude towards myself. This attitude destroyed potentially valuable friendships while simultaneously affecting my happiness. To combat this personal issue, I started telling myself things during the day to regain my self-confidence. Now, I love myself even more–and there is nothing wrong with openly showing a radical love of self.
1. You are so lucky for being granted another day, and you are closer to the achievement of your goals.
My friends asked me why I don’t complain about Mondays like everyone else at work. The answer is simple: I do not want to be ungrateful for being granted the opportunity to live another day. Every day, I work on making my dreams a reality and each new day makes me a wiser person.2. Do not feel the need to change your attitude towards those who bash you–keep your cool.
When work calls for group projects, we might deal firsthand with people who use an unprofessional tone when speaking to us. Whenever I am in such a situation, I count until ten and tell myself this. Tip: Do not respond to emails until you are completely calm and level-headed. In face-to-face meetings, indicate that you need time, and wait until you are comfortable before responding to certain comments.
3. Today you face this challenge, but tomorrow, your situation will improve. The world keeps turning.
The last couple of weeks I have gone through a difficult situation, which will change my life for the next few months as well. Telling myself this makes me feel much better at any time of the day.
4. You are pretty, you are awesome, you are unique.
It may sound weird telling yourself this out loud, but it is really important for you to realize your own unique beauty. I tell myself this at times when I am feeling insecure. Especially when I am on my period–pardon my honesty–and when I am anxious about having a date, this phrase gets spoken to myself.
5. You can accomplish this, and you will.
When doing my workouts sometimes I motivate myself to do my best more. Problems people often experience is a lack of motivation for doing sports. If you set realistic goals you will automatically feel encouraged to achieve these.
6. You had a very productive day today, and tomorrow will be even better!
At the end of each successful day, I like to praise myself up when I get home and unwind. Doing this aloud keeps the motivation up for the following day’s feats.
7. Today was perhaps not the best day, but tomorrow you will have the chance to improve.
On the not so good days, I like to keep my attitude positive by telling myself that there will be another opportunity for improvement.What do you tell yourself each day?
Leave your self-affirmation in the comment section below.
The tighter your curl pattern is, the more difficult some say it can be to detangle and retain length.
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You are consuming an insufficient amount of nutrients.
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Your genetics prevent you from retaining a certain length.
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You do not properly (or frequently”> detangle.
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You use chemicals.
While most of these causes are easy to fix, focusing your attention on purchasing great tools and products to make your wash day easier will certainly help, as well.
Before we begin, let me share this important tip with my fellow curlies: Do not wash your hair when you are in a rush or if you are simply not in the mood. Having impatience during this process tends to lead to even more breakage.
The 2 detangling brushes you need
Last year, I went with my friend to the United Kingdom and we were introduced to the Denman Brush. Ever since I incorporated this into my wash day routine, I noticed curls that were more defined. I also suffered less breakage and as a result, my hair got longer.
The Tangle Teezer is also one of my favorite brushes for my fine 3c curls, as it provides me the opportunity to detangle my hair without experiencing little to any pain.
While using a detangling tool like a brush can be extremely successful, if you have not mastered the detangling technique yet, you could be ripping more hair out and causing even more breakage and tangles.
Other methods for detangling fine 3c curls
1. Oil detangling. At first, I admit that I was sceptical about this one when someone advised about it. But I was so happy to find out that it did not require me to spend hours in the bathroom. All I do is simply use my SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner (or something similar”> and coat my strands with almond oil. This helps me carefully detangle my hair from ends all the way to roots.
2. Wash hair more frequently. Some curlies are simply not able to have the once-a-week wash days–including fine and high porosity hair types. A lack of moisture causes the outer layers of the strands to clutter together, and consequently, will cause annoying knots. By upping the frequency of wash day day, you will lower the amount of breakage and shed hair that you usually notice. Also, consider replacing a detergent-heavy shampoo with one that is gentler like Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse.
3. Always remain gentle. When detangling 3c curly hair, start at the ends and comb carefully up to the roots. Remember to practice patience, and feel free to add more oil to your fingers if you need to before tackling a knot.
How do you detangle your fine, 3c curly hair?
Read the 3 best ways for detangling curly hair when your scalp is tender
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After applying the products and my hair is not soaking wet anymore, I start twisting my curls. I have the Curl Maker on my fingertips for a bit of the shaping effect.
Creating a twist-out usually requires quite the time investment to make sure it is pretty–and frizz-free.
Of course, we can keep telling ourselves that having frizz is part of having curly hair–but who says we can’t prolong the frizz-free days? The answer is: Yes, we can! However, we need to do the twist-outs in the right way directly after the washing routine. Besides, we need to make sure that we maintain the style by following some simple steps.
Your hair’s ability to absorb moisture is what determines its hair porosity. Knowing this will facilitate the process of twisting your curls. For high porosity hair, moisture absorbs quickly, but leaves your hair rapidly as well. Therefore, you need to use good sealants in order to maintain your hair frizz-free. When you have low porosity hair, it is more difficult to absorb moisture and retain it.
I have medium porosity hair, which means it takes somewhat more time for my hair to absorb moisture. When my curls are soaking wet, I am less successful during the twisting process.
First, apply a leave-in conditioner, then cream, followed by a sealant. Some curlies choose the LCO Method for this, but I prefer to replace the last step with my Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker practicing the LCJ Method, as it provides more frizz-control.
After applying the products and my hair is not soaking wet anymore, I start twisting my curls. I have a bit of the Curl Maker on my fingertips for a bit of a shaping effect.
When the twist-out reaches its final days…
In order to prevent the moisture from escaping your hair, you can do a couple of things.
1. Remember to sleep with a satin bonnet or pillowcase. Harsh cotton dries out your hair, opening the outer layers and letting moisture escape more easily.
2. Cover your hair when showering. The steam of the hot shower melts the products that are penetrated into your hair and therefore it leaves your hair. Consequently, your hair becomes dry and frizzy. When living in a humid and cold environment, it is essential to cover your hair when leaving a building. Cold air lifts the outer cuticle of your hair. When entering a warm environment, the hair product melts more quickly and leaves your strands. Thus, your hair becomes dry and frizzy.
3. If spritzing water leads to frizz, apply a jelly or custard to your hair and re-twist them tight enough.
3 amazing curling jellies/custards to try
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“Whitney I brought you pumpkin,” my mother said over the phone.
“Pumpkin!” I yelled excitedly–I totally forgot I was in the office.
Its color, texture and of course, the taste: I love everything about this gorgeous vegetable. But do you know that it also offers many health benefits for our hair and skin? Pumpkin encourages healthy hair growth, and it also promotes collagen production to keep the wrinkles away. The fun part is that our body can absorb the nutrients in a variety of ways, from eating mashed cooked pumpkin to creating a deep conditioning hair and facial mask. So delicious.
The health benefits of pumpkin
When analyzing the benefits of a vegetable, it is worth identify its vitamins and minerals.Vitamin B
This maintains skin’s elasticity. The B-vitamin helps to prevent acne and improves blood circulation, which also lessens cellulite. Both vitamins contribute to bettering our mental health, as well. Vitamin B boosts anti-stress hormones to make you calmer and happier. Vitamin B also helps for those with digestive problems.Vitamin C
This contributes to your immune system, which has the ability to detect and eliminate viral and bacterial infection. I have been eating pumpkin soup once or twice a week for the past couple of months. Ever since, my health has improved.A good source of minerals
Pumpkin is rich with potassium, iron, copper and magnesium. Being someone who works out a lot, I try to consume magnesium as much as possible so that my muscles recover. In the Dominican Republic, there are many products on the market that contain potassium to promote hair growth and strengthen strands.Pumpkin was a contributing factor to my hair’s overall strength and length. Consuming a balanced diet that includes two liters of water a day will always remain the most important.
Will you try pumpkin this season for hair growth and length retention?
The photo above is from our Pumpkin Spice Homemade Hair Mask video.
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Most of us are online, constantly looking at our favorite personalities and their amazing hair selfies.
Are you at a point in your personal hair journey in which you feel comfortable embracing your curly natural hair to the public? Do you want to encourage others or document it for your own use? To get started, you’ll need a little more than just a smartphone.
Many natural hair bloggers, vloggers and Instagrammers use professional photography lights and other expensive gear to make their curls really pop online. However, in this article I would like to share how you can do this on relatively low budget. Here are my top tips for helping you accomplish the greatest hair selfies, ever.
Here is what you need
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Your smartphone
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Selfie stick (optional”>
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Instagram (sharing and editing your pictures”>
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A great mood
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Self-confidence
1. Self-confidence and mood
The base of all your pictures is self-confidence.
If you feel insecure, this will often be clearly visible on your pictures. Either you are smiling uncomfortably or your face will seem tense to the audience.
Your mood is also clearly visible on the pictures you post. People are usually more attractive when they are happy people rather than moody people. When you are happy you also reflect more energy on your pictures than any other mood. Positivity makes you more vibrant on pictures and the effect will be that you are literally shining. Highlighter move over!
2. Afro pick
Prior to taking your picture, pick your hair to create more volume.
If you look at the pictures of online personalities you will notice that their hair is huge and popping. Next to applying hair products that match the needs of your hair, you should create more volume to create an element, which is the center of attention: your hair. A great way to achieve this volume is using the afro pick.
3. The right angle
Taking a good selfie is all about knowing your best angle. Yes, everyone has their own perfect angle.
Take notes from my picture above. Not smiling also makes the picture less vibrant, in my opinion.
” src=”https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/My_pjimage-39.jpg”>4. Editing the picture with Instagram
Instagram is a great tool for editing selfies on your phone.
I do not really use the filters. Instead, most of the time I adjust the lux, contrast, brightness and vignette individually. Again, refer to my before and after above.
5. Use natural light
Daylight is the best.
If you don’t want to go outside, take a selfie facing an open window. Some bloggers swear that it is even better than the ring-light. It might look weird when people are passing by and see you, but well…most of them you will not see again.
What’s your best selfie piece of advice?
Read how Instagrammer Actually Ashly responds to online trolls here.
For more selfie inspiration, follow us on Instagram, @NaturallyCurly.
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Grab a cup of tea and receive these tips for longer lashes and fuller brows.
Most of us see a woman who has long lashes and thick eyebrows and think, she’s blessed.
I have naturally thin eyebrows, but since starting my new vegetarian lifestyle, I am happy to see that my lashes are growing longer and my brows are thicker than ever. You too, can achieve these results – without the eyebrow pencil and lash extensions.
1. Replace your pro-growth mascara
While many of us pay close attention to our hair products, some of us have no clue what is actually in our mascara. We tend to want to buy expensive cosmetics because they convince us that they can get the job done, but do not let marketing claims fool you. Replace your growth serums with 100% pure castor oil. To apply the castor oil, soak a cotton swab in the oil and apply it to a freshly cleansed face. You may also dip a clean mascara brush into the castor oil and apply it to your lashes and brows that way. The next morning, remove the oil with a makeup remover, wash your face and apply makeup as usual.
2. Eat your fruits and vegetables
Ever since I became vegetarian, I noticed my lashes growing fuller, my brows becoming thicker and my hair gaining more shine and growth. This is because I am eating larger quantities of raw vegetables and fruits. Unfortunately, these days some fruits and vegetables do not contain as many natural vitamins as they once did because most farmers are harvesting produce more quickly so that they look good on supermarket shelves. It is important to purchase local fruits and vegetables from or take supplements to ensure you are reaching your daily nutrition.
3. Try onion juice
Yes, onions smell terrible and make us cry. But did you know that they are amazingly beneficial in supporting the growth of brows and hair? Onion juice contains catalase, which can work to reduce the buildup of hydrogen peroxide in our hair. Hydrogen peroxide can cause hair loss as well as graying. Throw one onion into your blender until it becomes a fine juice consistency and use a cotton ball to apply the juice onto your brows every night before bed. Note: do not apply onion juice it to your lashes as this can result in a burning sensation in your eyes.
4. Just let the eyebrows grow
Getting your eyebrows threaded too much damages the hair follicles over time. Therefore, it makes it more difficult for us to increase the volume of our eyebrows. This is why I did not really experience much growth on my brows. Use a makeup remover every night to completely get rid of any leftover residue after washing your face. This will ensure the follicles in your brow area are not clogged, improving room for growth.
Which lash and brow remedies have you tried before? Share with the NC community on Twitter.
Make your own DIY cooling shaving oil (it’s perfect for summertime!”>
Oil sheens are hair sprays that awaken the natural shininess of your hair.
Oil sheen bottles are often mistaken for olive oil cooking spray–you might have come across the viral memes and giggled a bit. But these products are actually intended to achieve a natural shine by restoring the health of each strand it reaches. The spray can be applied to either dry or wet hair. Personally, I prefer to use it on my dry hair. Nevertheless, not just any hair type should use an oil sheen.
Who should use an oil sheen?
One of the common characteristics of curly hair is that it looks dry and dull. Any hair type that is highly porous gets this lackluster appearance as well. This is due to cuticles that are open from chemical or environmental factors and do not have a flat surface. Consequently, the hair will be less successful in reflecting light. Sometimes, applying an oil directly to the hair simply does not work with textured hair–in some cases, sealing with an oil only results in more frizz. The key is to pay close attention to how your hair reacts to certain ingredients, like oils.
These oil sheens have done the trick for years.
- Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Sheen Spray: During my transitioning process, I used this oil sheen a lot. My hair was very dry and the spray made it look somewhat healthier in between washes. Some transitioning curlies still use this spray for of its effectiveness in touching up sleek updos. It has a light, airy fragrance, too.
- Crème of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Spray: This product delivers the benefits of Argan oil: it recovers the hair cuticles and restores the shine. This is an excellent alternative main ingredient to olive oil, which tends to be too heavy for less dense and lower porosity hair types.
- Mizani Shyne Bodifying Sheen Spray: Made with a special high-quality oil-free technology, this brand’s sheen promises to work well on relaxed hair and protective styles like braids. However, because of this, Mizani is more expensive than the previously mentioned brands.
- Motions Oil Sheen & Conditioning Spray: Unilever-owned brand Motions also has an oil sheen on the market. The price range is similar to ORS version. My friend regularly used the product and is very satisfied; she mentioned that the smell is great and that she walks around with very shiny curls (something I can see as well”>.
- SheaMoisture Reconstructive Finishing Elixir: Although this is one of my favorite brands, to be honest, I do not really enjoy the fragrance of the yellow line. This oil sheen works well for naturally dry hair in its luster restoration.
On a date, someone asked me why I didn’t have 3a curls like another woman we knew. Consequently, I grew insecure.
Only recently I returned to my natural hair. When I started embracing my natural hair I got some insecurities when it came to dating. During my transitioning process, I had many bad hair days. The insecurity only worsened when one guy asked whether I “would have” 3a curls like my other women have. Consequently, I dealt with insecurities when it came to my love life. I am sharing some thoughts I used to have.
“How will he react when he sees me with my satin bonnet on?”
This is just a thought that pops up when I look into the mirror while putting my satin scarf on. Should we worry about him seeing this? I say no, not at all. A potential boo should accept you for who you are, not for what you wear before going to bed in the comfort of your own home. Although on some occasions, it’s a nice treat to dress up for him *wink*, do what makes you feel good.
“If I skipped a wash day, what will he think of my frizzy hair?”
Frizz is part of curly hair: we cannot change it, but we can embrace it. Washing your hair daily will solely result in you stripping your hair. This increases the frizz. But why would you adjust something what is simply part of your appearance for someone else? Frizz is beautiful; you should rock your big hair!
“Does he like my curl pattern?”
In the past, we have learned that straight hair is beautiful and curly kinky hair is not. Many of us have developed the perception that our kinky hair isn’t beautiful. The ignorance of others only worsens this perception. We shouldn’t worry too much about what makes us different from someone else. Our hair is unique and we should embrace it.
“I should probably straighten my hair before our first date.”
Whatever you do, do not straighten your hair for the first date. You are a goddess rocking her marvellous curls and coils. You shouldn’t hide your uniqueness, especially on the first date.
My point is…
That, as naturals, many of us worry about what our potential significant other thinks of our natural hair. As a consequence, we decide to hide our gorgeous curls by pulling them into a bun or even heat straightening. I say, don’t be nervous. Your hair is only one beautiful feature of your appearance. Bring your smile and just enjoy your date!
Photography by Shauntelle Sposto, follow her on Instagram
A couple of months ago, I had a reality check and decided to change my lifestyle completely.
Being the animal lover I am, I recently decided to stop consuming meat. Stomach problems also contributed to my decision. I could share the results of my research about the meat industry with you, but that would be a very long list. Speak to any vegetarian and you will hear stories of how beneficial the lifestyle is, particularly for improving skin and hair health. In my case, that is partly true.
What going vegetarian did to my hair & skin
When I became a vegetarian, I had an outbreak of pimples (when I normally only have pimples around the time of my period”>. My curls lost their shine and became unmanageable every time after shampooing. It didn’t matter what conditioner I applied in order to detangle my hair, it was still very brittle. At one point, I even considered cutting all my hair off.
It was not until I developed eczema on my hand that I realized that my body was lacking essential vitamins. Meat consists of proteins, vitamin B1, B6 and B12. Consuming proteins does not only contribute to great health of your hair. As soon as I realized this, I started balancing my food. I also started taking special supplements for vegans and vegetarians.
What I’ve noticed three months later
Three months into my vegetarianism, I started noticing an increase in hair growth. Besides, the shine in my hair returned and my curls have been more manageable. I was able to finger detangle my hair without making those ugly pain-induced facial expressions. My curls are also much more moisturized–but I tend to also link this my consumption of water throughout the day.
I am often asked: Would you recommend becoming a vegetarian?
This is a question that is difficult to answer. Some people are recommended by a specialist to change their diet because of certain intestinal and stomach diseases. I can confirm that my stomach problems have almost completely disappeared. If you want to switch to veganism or vegetarianism purely for the purposes of appearance, it might be difficult to carry on with the new changes. I recommend anyone to do fair research prior to making the switch. Nothing is impossible and as soon as you find your balance, being a vegan or vegetarian is not a choice, but part of your life.
Have you considered going vegetarian or vegan?
Let me know what your experience has been like and follow me @WhitneyFromTheBlog.
A little more than a year ago, I joined several Facebook groups in order to share my natural hair experiences with others. I was mostly interested in tips and experiences of others because here in the Netherlands, approximately 59% of the population has curly hair. Yet, it is normal for us to be treated as the minority and receive negative comments about our precious curls. Sometimes, the comments are not meant to insult someone, people simply do not realize that they are being ignorant and offensive. When individuals call someone ignorant, they often relate it to racism or discrimination. But do these terms actually go hand in hand? That’s up to your perception of the meaning.
At first, I was offended by the comments and it actually made my transitioning process even harder–I would ask myself whether my natural hair was the right fit for me or not. But then I concluded with, God does not make mistakes. But why was I still receiving these comments?
When individuals call someone ignorant, they often relate it to racism or discrimination. But do these terms actually go hand in hand?
Even though it is a constant challenge, I have found the best way to respond to an ignorant comment is by educating the individual who says it; responding with anger or insults will only increase our differences. We should aim to make the world a better place and I personally believe that education is the best way to start. I take these five steps to respond to negative comments about my curly hair.
1. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
Is it the first time that the person made the comment? Then you might want to give them the benefit of the doubt: maybe the comment was not meant to be offensive. However, if the person repeats the statement then you should definitely read below points.
2. Ask them to repeat their comment.
Was the comment meant to be offensive? You never know until you ask. “What do you mean by that?” is often a good way to pop the question. Often the reader will understand that you did not like the comment after you posed the question.
3. Provide insightful feedback.
“I think that straight hair looks better on you…”
I respond with, “How would you feel if I say that a part of your natural appearance does not look good on you?”
Sometimes, people need direct feedback to understand your point. However, if you do not feel comfortable with speaking up, do not do so! You might stutter and as a result, your statement might be less powerful to the receiver.
4. Give them a nonverbal “no”.
Look at them, shake your head, while silently mouthing a ‘no’. This will immediately show the speaker that he/she crossed the line.
5. Ignore them.
Is it that colleague again who clearly shows that he or she does not like you personally and tries to annoy the hell out of you with their words? Just ignore them. Research shows that being ignored is one of the greatest mental tortures a human being can experience. Of course, I do not want to torture someone voluntarily. However, I feel that someone who has bad intentions is not worth my time and energy.
Have you ever stood in front of the mirror, went ahead and snipped that annoying single strand knot? Don’t feel bad, you just gave yourself dusting.
Did you feel bad about it as well? Do not worry, you were actually dusting your hair, which is normal. This is a technique like a trim to get rid of split ends and single strand (aka fairy”> knots.
Although I do not like going to the hairdresser because of a bad experience that left my hair thinned my out, I don’t like walking around with split ends, either. Therefore, I grab some haircutting scissors and perform a “dusting” when I need to, it’s usually half of an inch, often less but never more than that.
What you need
- A mirror
- Barber hairdressing scissors
- Sectioning clips
- Time and patience (Yes, this technique requires time investment”>
How to dust your hair
It’s optional to do a blowout prior to dusting your hair. However, I prefer not doing so in case I come across any strands that are severally damaged due to me dying my hair…you never know.
1. Divide your hair in 4 sections. This is why you need sectioning clips. These sections will later be divided into smaller sections.
2. Make sure that the smaller sections are detangled. When there are knots in the sections, the ends tend to be inconsistent. This can be explained by sharing that knots are strands, which are tight together into a loop. The ends of these strands are pulled up.
3. Keep the smaller section between your middle and index finger. Keep this section up to natural light in order to clearly see the split ends.
4. Snip the ends and repeat the process.
The advantage of dusting vs. trimming
For me? Not going to the hairdresser! Some people do not like going to the dentist and I just do not like going to the hairdresser because of my past experience. However, this is something personal. With thorough research, you can find a curly hair stylist who specializes in cutting your texture.
Another benefit is that your hair will retain length and it will be easier for you to detangle your hair. Besides, you will not have the tendency to grab the scissors to trim those annoying loose ends. It’s a win-win right?
For most curlies, a leave-in conditioner is one of the most important products in our regimen because it is applied it onto the hair after washing to seal in the moisture from a rinse-out conditioner and water.
In order for my curls to be highly defined and less frizzy, I need to apply a leave-in conditioner and a moisturizing cream to my hair. One of the most important steps is to find out what type of leave-in conditioners will work for you. Before diving into my favourite leave-in conditioners, I would like to highlight some important things about my hair type.
- I have a 3c curl pattern
- I have low porosity
1. Moisturize Me Curl & Style Milk by Lotta Body
This prevents my curls from tangling looking dry. This leave-in conditioner is great for low and medium porosity hair, since it’s not likely to stick on your cuticles. Besides, the product will penetrate easily through the layers of my hair.
2. Eden BodyWorks Coconut & Shea Leave-in
I love this leave-in conditioner–not only because of its fragrance, but also its moisturizing and fatty acid rich ingredient, coconut oil. My curls remain moisturized for approximately three days; in order to increase this duration, I also apply a moisturizing cream afterward.
3. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk
To me, this brand has successfully created product lines for different hair porosity. This product is perfect for my low porosity curls. My hair gets easily moisturized and remains moisturized. The fragrance is strong, which results in people complimenting my hair and loving the scent that is always lingering.
4. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen Grow & Restore Leave-in Conditioner
At first I did not really believe that this product would actually meet its marketing claims. After three weeks however, I noticed how strong and long my nails became (since my nails are always in contact with the product while applying it”>. My hair grew longer, too.
[prodmod]Do you prefer a leave-in conditioner or a moisturizer or both? Let us know on our @NaturallyCurly Instagram!
We all want our curls and coils to look healthy. However, the criterion of healthy hair is often subjective or biased. It is often assumed that shiny hair is healthy hair. But does this apply to all hair porosity? Let’s dig a bit deeper.
Curly hair often looks dry” depending on its hair porosity. NaturallyCurly has an amazing hair typing chart that consists of clear information about porosity. To summarize, hair porosity is the ability of your hair to absorb and retain moisture. The porosity of your hair is dependent on the cuticle, the outer layer of your hair. When the cuticle lies flat, this means you have low porosity. When light shines on low porosity hair, it will be easily reflected. Consequently, you hair looks “shiny”. Low porosity hair has a great ability to retain moisture; thus, your shine will last for days after cleansing or co-washing and moisturizing.
On the other hand, hair that has high porosity may look dry because of its open cuticles.
The open hair cuticles will not be a flat surface, therefore the hair will be less successful in reflecting light. Consequently, the hair looks dull. Not to forget, medium and high porosity natural hair has more difficulty retaining moisture. Those with these types of hair porosity will often experience their wash and go’s being able to last a few days without looking dry, frizzy, and dull.
Indeed, high porosity might be the result of damage. However, this porosity is also heritable.
In order to emphasize these claims, watch this video recently posted by one of our editors, Nikki. She and Devri have the same hair type (3c”>. However, Nikki’s curls are shinier than Devri’s, even though they both have the same curl pattern. They both have different type of porosity, which is due to a number of reasons–Devri has color treated her hair for years, for example. The determining factors don’t always depend on chemical or color damage, though. It can also be due to the environment and genetics. Still, both girls are rocking completely healthy curls.
If you want to measure the health of your hair, you can test the porosity quarterly. For instance, you can do a porosity test at the end of every season. In 2014 my hair porosity was high, but I knew that I had bad habits (Continuously dying my hair and skipping deep conditioning treatments”>. So it was not likely that I inherited this porosity. Two years and a one visit at the hairdresser later the porosity of my hair changed to low porosity.
To conclude, shine is not a direct result of having healthy naturally curly hair.
Curly hair has different hair porosities of which some simply do not have the ability to reflect light and retain moisture. The health of hair can best be accessed by critically reviewing your hair care habits and define whether some of those habits changed the porosity and appearance of your hair over time.
