Search Results: Whitney Garcia-Devers
I was a victim of bullying. I don’t remember when it all started, but I do recall that it lasted until I was 16 years old.
Writing this article to me almost feels like self-harm; however, I want to share my story because the importance of body positivity is underestimated.Just after writing two paragraphs of this article I had to take a break because it felt like I was being dragged into that dark place where I had to face the broken souls I had to deal with.
As a child I was different and this is probably one of the reasons why the bullying started. To be honest, I don’t recall a specific reason why I was being bullied; however, I do remember that my insecurities started when I was a freshman in high school.
As a freshman, I hated wearing tight clothing and I ‘demanded’ my mother to purchase clothing in a bigger size. I did not want to wear jeans because I was afraid of love handles. I hated wearing lip gloss because I felt that having plump lips was not beautiful. More importantly, I wanted to prevent any kind of attention. Around the age of 13 years old, I had difficulties looking up and I started to feel uncomfortable when passing groups of youngsters because I was afraid that they would throw painful words at me. This is what bullying does: it drains your self-confidence, it makes you avoid situations as your body begs you to prevent receiving any harmful acts. To summarize, bullying makes the victim lose every single day and this is exhausting. It makes the sufferer doubt his/her self-worth and this is self-destructive. Bullying not only affects the victim but also their loved ones.
Whenever someone commented on any of my features, I blamed myself, rather than blaming their impoliteness. Instead of refusing to give them the attention they sought for, I gave them a treasure by showing grief, pain, and anger. Most importantly, I did not realize that the opinion of others is valued less than a dime, as long I continued to embrace myself. When I was 16 years old, I started my journey to self- love, and embracement.
Even though the bullies left my life, the scars remained. They may have healed, but they never disappeared. It took years for me to look at someone straight in the face. It also took years for me to regain my self-confidence. I am still nervous when passing a group of youngsters and I do not trust people easily.
Currently, I appreciate the dark spots on my face, which is the residue of my acne. I love the thickness of my lips and I accentuate this pride by rocking bold lipstick colors. I am no longer insecure about my height. I dare to wear high heels in order to emphasize my long legs. Regardless of being called flat chested as a teenager, I do not care about the current size of my breasts. Not to forget, I appreciate the curve in my back, caused by my scoliosis.
I view my flaws as my own unique beauty features and I am aware that these do not define my personality.
If you have been bullied or are being bullied, please check out these resources with NoBullying. You are not alone, and we are here for you.
For more on how #NCCelebratesBodyPositivity, see Lauren’s story on why she takes selfies for self-love.
Like many curly girls, I developed an anxiety for hairdresser visits after having a bad experience at a hairdresser.
During that visit, the hairdresser thinned my hair out and I lost my gorgeous, natural hair volume.It took a while for me to gain the volume back and therefore I have been avoiding the hair dresser altogether because of this experience. Consequently, I started cutting or dying my hair myself, even though I was inexperienced.
I am blessed with thick hair and tiny curls. However, wash days are sometimes hell for me, because of the difficult detangling process which sometimes takes more than an hour. Consequently, I was postponing wash days and I was not detangling my hair as often as I was supposed to. Besides, if I would spend a lot of time in the shower I would give up on the detangling process. I also started wearing my hair down less often.
During this time, I started considering going to the hairdresser in order for my hair to become strong again. After researching Morango Curls on the Internet, I called them to book an appointment. The owner of the hair salon is the only hairdresser who has a DevaCut certificate in the Netherlands.
After waiting for two months, I finally went to visit Morango Curls. I was very nervous because I was afraid that she might thin my hair out. As soon as I sat down on the chair she indicated that my hair was damaged and matted. Her employee washed my hair with love and care. After a deep-conditioning treatment, two employees started detangling my hair and I received some great curly hair care tips.
The longer I was sitting in the chair the more I regretted not going to the hairdresser earlier. If I had gone earlier, I would have realized sooner that my hair needed much more time and effort. Even though I thought I was taking great care of my curls, I was definitely unconsciously neglecting them. I thought my hair care products were great because I had seen the results I wanted to “see,” but if I would have visited an experienced hairdresser earlier she would have informed me that the products I loved so much were causing a lot of build-up, and due to the build-up, I was having horrible knots in my hair which made the detangling process even more difficult. After visiting the hairdresser my hair became much more manageable.
So how can you find an experienced hairdresser?
1. Use the NaturallyCurly Salon Finder, join Facebook groups, or look up hair blogs for women who have naturally curly hair. The members of these groups often share curly hair tips or great hairdressers. You can also ask the members if they know great hairdressers within your area.
2. Research the hairdresser online and go through their social media. Often they share before and afters of their customers. Some also tag their customers on the pictures and you can see how the customer’s cut looks a few weeks after the visit.
3. Do you like what you see? Call the hairdresser in order to make an appointment.
How do you feel about hairdressers now in your curl journey?
We would love to know! Share your thoughts with us on Facebook!
Did you know that milk is great for your natural crown? Milk is a protein and during the last hundreds year or so milk has been used to infuse the hair with vitamins. All different kinds of milk can be used on hair, but being that I am vegetarian, I tend to use plant-based proteins or organic milk since the cows have been treated humanely.
But what exactly are the benefits of a whole milk rinse for your hair?
For high porosity hair
The impact of a milk rinse is great, especially for high porosity hair. When having high porosity hair the outer layer of your hair is very open, and your hair’s natural oils escape very easily. Essentially, moisture leaves your hair faster than it stays in and therefore it causes dry hair. Moreover, when the cuticles are open light falls differently on your hair making it appear less shiny.
High porosity hair is often the result of damage and in order to restore the health of your hair, a milk rinse would be the perfect solution.
Softer hair
Milk contributes to exfoliating and removing product build-up, therefore aiding in softer hair that can breathe. A few weeks ago, I visited the hairdresser and it turned out that I had a lot of product build-up at the roots. My hair was super matted and really hard around this area. This would have been the perfect time to use this treatment in order to remove the build-up and restore my roots.
A great leave-in
Is your hair very brittle? Then you may be interested in a temporary leave-in treatment. Grab a cup and pour ½ cup of milk in it (any kind will do”>. Depending on your hair’s needs, you can also add in an oil. For instance if your need more moisture, you can add two tablespoons of coconut oil or almond oil. In order to improve the fragrance of the product, you can add a few drops of lavender oil as well. Shake the bottle and spritz on your hair as a leave-in conditioner.
Overall, the main benefits of a whole milk rinse are that it restores the shine and strength of your hair due to the infusion of vitamins.
What do you think about a milk rinse for your hair? Share your thoughts with us below!
Thinking of adding almond oil into your routine? I say you should try it out, because not only does it smell amazing, but it is loaded with all kinds of goodies for your hair and skin! Almond oil can be used an alternative to coconut oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil, and so forth, and makes a great contender as a new staple in your self-care process. Here are my 5 favorite ways I like to incorporate almond oil into my daily life.
1. Treat eczema or acne
Since I started using the birth control, I started having pimples on my face and chest. I started applying almond oil on my face and surprisingly the outbreaks started to disappear.
I have shared earlier that I have eczema on my hands. I figured that this is caused my washing my hands too often. Luckily, the state of my hands improved as soon as I started applying almond oil.
2. Moisturize those lips
We all know what happens to our lips during periods of stress or dry weather. Yes, if we do not use any moisturizer on our lips it becomes crusty. I was having the same and luckily I found a lovely recipe for a natural lip balm on a Dutch website. Mix these magical ingredients in order to create your own natural moisturizer:
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1 teaspoon of beeswax
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1 teaspoon of honey
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2 teaspoons of almond oil
Mix the beeswax and honey in a small cup; place it in a larger bowl with hot water. When the beeswax is melted you can at the almond oil. Mix until you have a smooth paste and let it cool down. Once the mixture is set you can place it into a small cupping glass. Now you have made your own natural moisturizer!
3. Dry skin
Is your skin super dry? Don’t panic! Apply a little almond oil on your skin prior to going to bed and the following morning your skin will be softer than a bunny. Just remember to wait for the oil to absorb before jumping in bed! Thank us later.
4. Bye bye dry and frizzy hair
Is your hair dry and frizzy? Try applying a heated almond oil treatment on your hair and cover it with a plastic cap. Let it sit for a few hours or if your hair is very dry you can also leave it overnight. Why heated almond oil? The heat will open the outer cuticles for your hair, making it easier for your hair to allow moisture penetrate into your strands.
Do not apply oil on your hair/scalp when it is too hot. Prior to applying drop a couple of droplets on your hand to determine whether it is too hot.
5. For preparation of food
To some this may sound a bit weird, but you can use almond oil when cooking. You can use it for instance, as a dressing in your salads. The advantage of almond oil is that it reduces your cholesterol, because it is loaded with unsaturated fats (the good kind”>.
So how do you use almond oil? Share your uses with us on Facebook!
Until a few years ago it was quite challenging to find natural hair care products in Europe. The supply of the products was quite low and many naturals had to rely on mainstream brands. When I started the transitioning process, I started visiting a hair care store in Rotterdam, one of the very few available. Slowly this store decreased its offerings for straight hair and increased its assortment of curly hair care products. However, for those who recently started embracing their natural hair texture it can still be challenging to find good hair care stores, so here are my top 6 stores for natural hair products in Europe.
Photo Courtesy of @WhitneyFromTheBlog
1. Yari
Yari is my go-to-hair care store in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The owners manage to meet the demand of products and update their assortment frequently. During the last couple of years, they opened a few more stores and looked into goods other than curly hair care products that naturals may need, such as oils, accessories or tools for protective hairstyling.
2. Beauty by Zara
Products like Camille Rose Naturals are quite difficult to find in Europe: it is either sold out and/or pretty expensive. Thus, what I mostly like is that the shop offers products that are trending in the United States, but quite unknown in Europe. Beauty by Zara is a (online”> shop from the UK, but they have worldwide shipping.
3. Beauty Bay
I love this store! There is free shipping above 18 euros and the assortment is incredibly broad. They also carry products in different price ranges, so it is not only for those who have a high-income level.
4. My Natural Curls
My Natural Curls is a Dutch online shop that ships products to countries within Europe. The website offers products at different price ranges also, which makes it super accessible and perfect for naturals who want a lot of product variety, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. The delivery of products occurs quite quickly and they have received a ton of positive feedback on their customer service.
5. British Curlies
British curlies is another British website that offers worldwide shipping. The website is both a blog as well as online web shop.They provide you with a hair care typing system also, that helps you pick your products easily. Their website format is also a super clear lay-out and showcases their assortment of hair care products very well.
6. SHOP NaturallyCurly
NaturallyCurly’s online shop is another outlet I use to look for some of my fave products. They offer international shipping, a huge plus for those of us who can’t find certain products. By joining their online marketplace, you can buy many American-made brands, and they even offer 15% off for new members. Check out their online shop as they are constantly updating their inventory with new brands!
Do you know any other natural hair care shops in Europe? What are your favorite places to buy your hair products abroad?
Share your favorite stores and lines with us on Facebook!
Shrinkage is one of the characteristics of curly hair that can also be a key characteristic in determining the health of the hair for tighter curly patterns. Not every curly loves it though, as it makes your hair appear shorter than it actually is often leading to the question of “Oh, did you get a haircut?”
It can also often triggers the curiosity of others, which leads to many questions and (unwanted”> touching. Yet, shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair natural, as it shows that your hair is properly moisturized and has good elasticity. Often coming with a bad rap though, shrinkage is definitely a positive. So here are 13 photos of unbelievable shrinkage that can shed some light on your healthy hair journey!
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Sometimes you may get the impression that your hair is not growing and this may contribute to you not appreciating what shrinkage is really reflects. The tighter your curl pattern, the more shrinkage you will experience. You probably heard a hairdresser saying that bouncy curls are happy curls, which is really a fact. Whenever, you have suffered ‘heat’ damage you will notice straight strands. Immediately, all alarm signs go off, because at this point you realize that the road to recovery is a long journey.
I was one of the girls who would hate shrinkage. I would spend hours searching for tips on how to prevent my hair from drawing up when it dried. I invested time and effort in hairstyles that would make my hair appear longer. At some point, I stopped trying to stretch my length and started embracing myself, tight curls and all. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what matters most to me is that I should be happy and proud of the characteristics of my hair.
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In order to embrace my own hair (above”> I started wearing it naturally. Sometimes, I would apply fewer products to my hair, which would eventually lead to more shrinkage. Besides, I taught myself that accepting the shrinkage would lead to the best wash day results – manipulating my hair solely leads to a lot of frizz and awkward hairstyles. Nowadays, I enjoy my curls in all its shapes of shrinkage.
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So how do you feel about shrinkage? Love it? Hate it? We want to know your thoughts!
Follow us on Facebook, and share your shrinkage photos.
A few years ago I did not realize how useful it would for me to get to know my hair porosity. I was wasting both time as well as money, which could have been utilized more efficiently if only I had known this one piece of information. I could have used the money for hair care products, which would be cheaper and meet the challenging needs of my hair.
I have low porosity hair, which I like to call my beautiful struggle. Low porosity hair has a bit of trouble absorbing moisture, but once your hair is moisturized your strands do not have difficulties retaining the moisture.
“How so?” You may wonder…
Well, your hair has three layers: the cuticle (the outer layer of your hair”>, the cortex and medulla. Yes, it does sounds like some dinosaur species, but we are definitely describing hair. When you have low porosity hair, the cuticles of your strands are pretty flat. By this layer being flat, it is quite challenging for the moisture to go through this very tiny gap and therefore you need to invest quite some time and effort during your washing days.
I know that curly hair can be very stubborn, but my hair was hitting rock bottom. It was dry, very difficult to detangle and the results of washday would not last for more than two days. I did the porosity hair test and realized that my hair was low porosity, and I realized I was taking care of it as if it was high porosity hair. Here are the things I learned about low hair porosity:
1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Your hair wants moisture; it makes your curls come back alive. In the past I solely used a leave-in conditioner and oil. However, I learned that it would be better if I used a leave-in and a cream for extra moisture.
2. The Magic of Time
In the past, I tried to shorten the time I stood below the shower as much as possible. However, I learned that I should allow the water to really penetrate into my strands. I go through my hair section by section and imitate the praying hands method on my strands, as the water runs down my curls.
3. In love with the CoCo
My colleagues, friends and family often tell me that I remind them of a delicious, tropical cocktail. My hair often smells like coconut and I learned that this is one of the best ingredients for my hair. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and penetrates deeply into your strands. Therefore, I use it as a hair mask or I use the coconut oil infused EDEN BodyWorks Curl Defining Cream.
Regardless of how stubborn your hair may be, there is always an opportunity for you to increase your knowledge of your hair care routine. Besides, curls are amazing and should definitely be enjoyed.
Need help figuring out your porosity level? Try out our porosity test!
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.Known for its tasty cheese, lenient marijuana-smoking policy, and the Red Light District, one thing I know is that I love The Netherlands for its diverse culture. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and learn more about their cultures and religions, as well. However, there is something else about the Netherlands which I find amazing: approximately 49% of the population here has naturally curly hair!
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.” src=”https://diana-cdn.naturallycurly.com/Articles/Vg_pjimage-71.jpg”>
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.Many 3c curlies have to consider breakage and matting as a factor, as well. When this happens, there are some common, but fixable, causes:
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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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Alicia Keys’ no makeup initiative has been causing quite the discussion lately. For the most part, the singer is being praised for her decision to show off her natural beauty and honesty.
Alicia Keys’ no makeup initiative has been causing quite the discussion lately. For the most part, the singer is being praised for her decision to show off her natural beauty and honesty. The meaning behind her decision comes from her perception that women are expected to meet several beauty ideals.
I, myself, have some mixed feelings towards the no makeup initiative. On one hand, I feel that it is amazing that she made this decision, since she is inspiring the youth to not be afraid to be unique. On the other hand, I cannot help but feel annoyed about makeup being perceived as a tool solely meant to cover us up.
At some point in life, we all deal with insecurities. If you are anything like me, yours developed in the early teenage years. As a result, certain trends have contributed to our timidities as well. Today, some celebrities are giving in to the societal pressure by undergoing plastic surgery. Often, when we admire celebrities, we tend to follow their actions in order to accomplish something that we perceive as one of their beautiful physical traits. With this is in mind, I appreciate the no makeup initiative of Alicia Keys. The youth should learn to stop following the crowd and to develop their own unique style.
Alicia Keys’ no makeup initiative is often misunderstood.
Via Twitter, Keys cleared up her stance by stating she is not totally against makeup, but prefers not to cover herself up anymore. My question is, does that mean that we are intentionally concealing something about ourselves?
My friends are a group of women with various thoughts and beliefs, and we all like wearing makeup. The application of cosmetics is a fun activity to us. It is a moment of self-pampering.
I have some friends who suffer from acne and have decided against wearing makeup simply because the products might further deteriorate the health of their skin. Other friends choose to apply makeup to minimize the appearance of their breakouts. This is an emphasis that makeup is truly a multipurpose tool.
In my opinion, wearing makeup does not necessarily reflect a yearn for trying to hide imperfections. Rather, it can help us accentuate the features of ours that we find flawless.
In order to provide fair insight on why some women still decide to wear makeup, I asked some women in the office for their take.
“It is really the finishing touch to my outfit. I love rocking the all black look with some bright red lipstick and winged eyes”
“I have the worst acne ever, and I do not feel comfortable going out of my house without makeup. I feel that people keep staring and ask questions about it.”
“During the morning, I look like a zombie. Makeup makes me look awake. I guess, maybe I should start going to bed on time.”
“To be honest, I partied a lot yesterday–I do not want my employer to see how tired I actually am. I mean, I look like a panda with these dark circles!”
“I don’t always wear makeup–it depends on whether I have time and if I am in the mood.”
“I just enjoy applying makeup during the morning because I love pampering myself to be even more beautiful. I like to accentuate the strong features on my face.”
“I am a very vibrant person–some like to show it through their outfits, and some love to show it with their makeup. I am part of the latter group.”
To sum it up
Clearly, women have different reasons for choosing to wear–or not wear–makeup. I believe we need women like Alicia Keys to continue to inspire our youth on staying informed about the unfairness of beauty ideals. However, we all should embrace our unique features in whatever way we please. It is important to remind ourselves that wearing makeup is a personal decision, whether it is meant to intentionally conceal a feature or accentuate it.
What’s your take on the no makeup trend? And what’s your relationship with makeup?
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
[prodmod]“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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Just five years ago, the perception of natural hair was much different. Our generation has been blessed with the opportunity to become more aware of social matters.
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Thanks to social media and blogs, we have been granted with tools which enable us to shed light to a broader audience, as Solange recently did.
Most of our parents have been raised with the thought that straight hair is more beautiful than curly hair–these beliefs were first fed to us during slavery, when white characteristics gave our people more privileges. From that point in America, many black musicians opted for the relaxer or jheri curl kit in order to more easily facilitate their journey to fame into the 1990s.
In the 1800s, something remarkable occurred: women of color were not allowed to wear their hair naturally as they were told it drew attention away from the non-colored women.
As a consequence, creativity stepped into the black hair care world.
Black women started experimenting with braided styles, headwraps and accessories. However, during the last few centuries a deep-rooted belief implemented itself into the life of most of our parents, grandparents and ancestors. Many of us had to break free in our own sense–we made the decision to bypass the relaxer and introduce naturally curly hair care products into our lives.
Finally, our community has reached a point at which we understand how blessed we are for God granting us one of the many unique characteristics we have. The perception of the majority of us had changed within approximately five years.
Actress Lupita Nyong’o’s hairstylist, Vernon Francois, wants to contribute to the movement.
Thus, he decided to introduce a product line for us curlies! The history behind his vision is not about gaining profits, but more so focusing on the roots stemmed from childhood. He learned to take care of his natural hair at the age of nine. Therefore, he understands the challenges many curlies experience when getting to know their hair. Francois was already a professional hairdresser by age 14. If he can help it, the purpose of his new line is to assist naturalistas and professional hairdressers alike with the proper knowledge about caring for textured hair.
Today, there is a high demand for education regarding natural hair care.
Often many hairdressers lack the knowledge of the relation between curly hair, porosity and hair density. Consequently, many brands and hairstylists fail to match the specific needs of textured with products offered. From the perspective of a stylist who works with coily hair everyday, Vernon Francois has the potential to become a pioneer within the market. As we are forever gawking at the health of Lupita’s beautiful texture, we are definitely looking forward to the moment we have the products into our hands. The products are currently priced between $30 to $40 on Net a Porter.
He has a conditioner available on Net-a-Porter for $40.