Winter Hair

Hola Chicas,

Not too long ago, I posted Keneesha Hudson's (CEO of Urbanbella) tips for winterizing your curls. It was an excellent article with great product recommendations--check it out if you missed it! Regimen tweaks are truly something to consider as the seasons change-- your curls, which are already prone to dryness, crave even more moisture the cooler and dryer it gets.


What will I do to moisturize my situation, you ask? I plan to incorporate weekly deep treatments (haha, maybe), and shea butter for sealing. During the summer months I alternate between Devacurl Set it Free (SIF) and shea to seal my wet, conditioner laden ends. In the winter, my hair seems to crave the heaviness of shea so I usually shelf the SIF. As for styling, I will continue to do Twist-n-Curls and plan to dibble and dabble in protective styles, utilizing Curlformer sets.


According to The Curl Whisperer, our resident curly expert, we should avoid humectancts in the winter:


In very low moisture areas, dry climates, or during the wintertime, humectants can actually dry the hair out further by absorbing water from the hair itself when there is no moisture in the surrounding atmosphere. Because the sole purpose of a humectant is to find and absorb moisture, it will find it and take it wherever it can get it--and that includes yanking out the moisture from inside your curly locks, leaving you with a dry, frizzy mess.--Tiffany, The Curl Whisperer


Examples of humectants (taken from NaturallyCurly.com):


• Diols and Triols: propylene glycol 1,2,6, hexanetriol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, Glycerin, triethylene glycol, erythritol capryl glycol, phytantriol hexanediol or -triol, beeswax
• Humectants of biological origin: panthenol, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid, inositol, glycogen
• Sugars and modified sugars: sorbitol, polyglyceryl sorbitol, glucose, fructose, xylitol, honey
• Hydrolyzed proteins: elastin, collagen, silk keratin, hydrolized wheat
• Ethers: Isoceteth-x, Isolaureth-x, Laneth-x, Laureth-x, Steareth-x, PEG-x (polyethylene glycol), Silicone copolyols
*I bolded the one's I run into the most, for your convenience!


TRY:


-Curl Junkie Rehab Moisturizing Hair Treatment
-DevaCare One Condition
-Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner
-Jessicurl Too Shea
-Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment
-Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
-Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration or Totally Twisted (Walmart)
-Generic Value Paul Mitchell the Detangler (Sallys)

SHELF:
-Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner
-Curl Junkie Hibiscus and Banana
-Miss Jessies Creme de la Creme
-Oyin Honey Hemp Conditioner
-Elucence
-Generic Value Matrix Conditioning Balm (Sallys)


As the temperature falls, and the humidity lessens, what will you add to (or omit from) your current routine to promote healthy growth, and beautiful, shiny curls?


SOURCE

Hair Products

Here is a video from one of the ladies I subscribe to on YouTube with list of her product do's and don'ts!

Good = LANOLIN = Bad

I've been trying to find information about Lanolin and how it effects Black hair. If you didn't know, Lanolin is also called Adeps Lanae, wool wax, wool fat, anhydrous wool fat or wool grease, is a greasy yellow substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals, with the vast majority of it used by humans coming from domestic sheep. (Eew). Its been getting mixed reviews from some of the sites I've been researching but here are some excerpts you can use to make you own decisions:

1. "I am curious about the lanolin oil in the hollywood beauty castor oil. I've been reading that lanolin is a bad ingredient to have in any of your hair care products, so what about the hollywood beauty castor oil with mink oil? Is that ok to use ?"

Advice:

Lanolin is a very greasy material produced by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Lanolin is a mixture of fatty acids, wax esters, and a complex mixture of other organic compounds. In its natural state, lanolin contains about 25-30% water by weight. When applied to skin or hair, it is very effective at penetrating the surface and enhancing moisture retention. Lanolin is also beneficial because it continues to absorb moisture from the air, and can thus act as a humectant for the skin or hair.

Lanolin is sometimes considered to be too thick and greasy to be used liberally on curly hair, as it can really weigh down the curls and create frizz, but this is really dependent upon the degree of curl. A person with extremely curly hair would find it very beneficial to their hair. Its unique and complex chemical composition should make it very easily removed from the hair with a gentle shampoo or conditioner wash.

In summary, lanolin is an excellent conditioning agent for hair, but consideration of hair type should be used when selecting products for hair. People with extremely curly hair (such as those with 3C, and the 4’s) can most likely use lanolin-containing products in their regimen and enjoy soft, smooth hair without losing curl or gaining frizz. Those with wavy or slightly curly hair (such as 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B type) may find products containing lanolin to be too heavy.

SOURCE

2. My hair is too oily. How can I make it appear less greasy?

 Many conditioners and styling products formulated for the African American market contain greasy ingredients like lanolin, petrolatum, cocoa butter, waxes and oils. These quickly build up on the scalp and hair and can even stunt future hair growth. If you do use one of these heavy products, apply just a little; keep it on the hair and off the scalp. Wash your hair at least twice a week with a mild clarifying shampoo to remove the residue. Then use a conditioner, but keep it off the roots and be sure to rinse thoroughly. Avoid two-in-one products. Follow this same advice if it's just your scalp producing excess oil, and not buildup that's the problem.


SOURCE

Gotta Hate That Breakage!!

At work today one of my co-workers mentioned that she was having some breakage at the back of her neck. I remembered that my hair used to do that because of my head scarf all the time. We started talking about it and I realized that I have no idea how you're supposed to wear a head scarf. It was hard to find some really clear information, but here is an article I found:

1. 
   
   
   1. 
      
      Step1
      
      Comb your hair in a normal style. I normally part my hair slightly off to the right. Comb all strands down. If you use a moisturizer, apply it, and then comb hair normally. Brushing your hair is a good way to stimulate your scalp and promote hair growth, especially before bedtime.
      
      
   2. 
      
      
      Step2
      
      Part your hair on the side. With a brush, begin to "sweep" your hair around your head. Avoid brushing to hard. Use your non-brushing hand to help you with your sweep.
      
      
      
      
   3. 
      
      
      Step3
      
      Continue the process of sweeping your hair around your head until you have all of your hair in a neat cone. Make sure no stray hairs are sticking out. (Beginners may think this process is a little cumbersome. I did initially, but once your hair is "trained", wrapping your hair gets easier and easier.) The advantage is that your strands will become smoother and smoother.
      
      
      
      
   4. 
      
      
      Step4
      
      Now that your hair is securely wrapped around your head, if you would like to apply any additional moisturizer, now would be a good time to do so.
      
      
      
      
   5. 
      
      
      Step5
      
      Take your long scarf and tie it around your head. Position the middle of the scarf at your forehead, and tie the scarf around your head, then either secure a knot or a bow to hold scarf in place. Gently push the scarf up off of your forehead.
      
      
      
      
   6. 
      
      
      Step6
      
      Secure the scarf by placing an elastic bonnet cap over your head. (This is an optional step, but helps keep the scarf on during sleep.)
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

SOURCE


I'm not to happy with this information so I will be doing another post on this once I consult with a few hair stylists.

NATURAL BARBIES?!?!

Mattel is preparing to launch a NEW line of black Barbie dolls called So.In.Style. The dolls are supposed to have different features than Barbie and Ken to resemble little black girls everywhere. The dolls will have fuller lips, wider noses, and full curly hair. Black people are in an UPROAR about these dolls and they say that Mattel has completley missed the mark with these dolls.

The dolls are very modern and very similar to the regular Barbie collection. Some black people are upset because they know that Mattel once created this doll and they feel like the S.I.S collection falls short of their previous work. Although this is a beautiful doll, does it at all represent what Black people look like in America? Do you applaud Mattel for helping little black girls see beauty in their natural features or do they need to take the S.I.S collection back to the drawing board?

What Is The World?!?! (Inside Joke)

I usually like to keep my focus on natural hair but today I want to touch on something else, natural bodies. When I was younger breast implants got really popular but not in my community, (as far as I knew). I honestly thought it was something that celebrities got as an investment or rich white women got for their husbands. Either way we weren’t doing it. Then sometime after J Lo and Beyonce made booties popular, cheek implants became available as well. I still thought it was a fad for the celebs and the wealthy. BOY WAS I WRONG!! For some reason there has been a growing trend in everyday life for regular working women to not only get their breast done but they’re also getting the butts done too?! What is the world coming to?! Why would you want your bum to look like this:

It doesn't even look like it belongs on them!! It looks like someone copied and pasted something on their backs.

Do ladies go into stores and pick purchase panties with butt cheeks in them?? Gimmie a break.

What are your thoughts? Does anything have to be real anymore?

What Does NATURAL Mean To You?

To be or not to be? That is the questions. What does natural REALLY mean? I have noticed that ladies who decide to go natural almost do a 180 when it comes to lifestlye. The acryllic comes of, the pork stays at the grocery store, and all of a sudden they're homes smell like insence. L0L. Is natural a way to wear your hair or is it a state of mind? Is it instyle or is it a lifestyle?

What are your thoughts?

I'm Just Sayin...

Good Hair opened today and if I wasn't at work today I would've been the first person in the theatre! Whoever checks it out make sure to leave your movie reviews on CCB!!!

LISTINGS

Do Men Respond To Black Hair Pt.2

Here are some videos that I've found of black men responding to a ladies' decicion to go natural:




SHE'S GORGEOUS!!!



I LOVE THIS ONE. SO REAL.

Vitamin E for Hair "Growth" - The Benefits

When I got my hair braided this past Friday I swear it was the tightest it's ever been!! I am in CONSTANT fear of receding hairlines because I was already born with thin edges. Naturally, I've noticed hair bumps that result from putting the hair follicle under too much pressure and I started to FREAK OUT! My mom told me to put Vitamin E oil on it and I have and it's been very helpful (as well as not moving the braids around/styling too much ::ladies be mindful::). I've always known that Vitamin E did wonders for skin but hair was too new to me so being me I did a little research. I used a 12,000 I.U. Vitamin E oil on my skin so I tried to find an article similar to my regimen but I could only find ones speaking about taking it in pill form. Here's an article I found:

What is the effect of vitamin E for hair growth?

A note about Vitamin E for Hair Growth - The Benefits

In natural health and healing, we believe in holistic health and healing, as we realize that different parts of the human body are highly interlinked, often beyond Man's understanding. We also believe that the body has the ability to heal itself of any disease, even supposedly incurable diseases.


In order to do so, the body needs the support of some basic dietary and lifestyle good health habits, such as a full body detox and a proper understanding and application of nutrition. No matter how remote or unrelated a health condition may seem, these fundamental health steps will greatly magnify the effects and benefits of any of our health-promoting efforts, including the use of specific natural health remedies.


Only recently has vitamin E as an oil or supplement come into focus as truly beneficial. Vitamin E has been shown to help even out heart arrhythmia, decrease sun damage to skin, and help keep skin youthful for a longer period of time.

Vitamin E is essential for all kinds of things to do with the body, so it might make sense that there are many benefits to the hair from vitamin E as well. Recently, it has been found that the use of vitamin E for hair growth might be useful; this is on top of its many other health benefits.

By now, you probably know that your scalp needs to have proper circulation in order to keep the hair follicles alive and thriving. While scalp massages are a great tool in helping to encourage circulation to the scalp, this often is only a temporary fix. When done daily, scalp massages can help to grow hair, but only if they are continued.


Vitamin E for hair growth is beneficial because vitamin E has the effect of a scalp massage all the time. It contains valuable antioxidants that help to keep the immune system up and improves circulation to all parts of the body, including the scalp. This isn’t to say that you should stop your scalp massages - they feel too good, but when used in conjunction with a vitamin E supplement taken daily, they will likely be much more effective in hair growth.


While it’s okay to topically use vitamin E for hair growth, it possibly works best when it’s taken as a supplement. It’s important to know before you start taking vitamin E, however, that it does increase the amount of oxygen that gets to the body, and that can cause the blood to thin, as well as clotting problems, when too much vitamin E is taken. When taking a vitamin supplement like vitamin E, it’s a good idea to start slowly, to ensure that there are no adverse affects from the vitamin, before slowly increasing the dose.

Besides the direct benefits of vitamin E for hair growth, this vitamin is also great for the immune system, and that’s great news for hair growth, since when you’re healthier, your hair is healthier, too. Think back to times when you have been on a diet. Was your hair a little less shiny, a little less healthy?

Typically, when we go on diets, we tend to deprive ourselves of the very foods, like avocadoes, that give us the most amount of vitamin E. So, make sure to eat a well balanced, healthy diet that contains lots of different sources of vitamin E to help you grow or re-grow your hair.

Vitamin E for Hair Growth - About Vitamin E Supplements

It is recommended that, if you are going to take a vitamin E supplement, you should start out at around 400 IU daily. This is a good healthy dose that is not extremely high; it will be effective without causing any negative side effects. You should know that, in healthy adults, vitamin E is rarely toxic, but doses of more than 1,000 IU daily can cause some problems.

Generally, though, we much prefer whole food supplements (for example, barley grass powder), as supposed to single-substance supplements (e.g. zinc tablets, or vitamin A supplements), as they are nutritionally balanced and complete foods. The latter, on the other hand, may be made from questionable ingredients, and may upset the body's natural balance.


Overall, if you are looking for a way to help your hair grow or grow longer, it is a good idea to keep eating healthy, keep working out, and to incorporate sufficient vitamin E in your diet.


SOURCE

10 Reasons Why Women Should Wear Their Hair Natural....

Last night, while cruising through cyber space, I stumbled upon this interesting article about black women and their natural hair. So I thought I would share it with you all to hear your opinion on it. If you have a reason that you'd like to share put in the comment section. The article was written by A. Hermitt and was posted on Associated Content, make sure you click the link to read what others had to say about the list.

Some do it for the look, some do it for social reasons, and others do it for professional reasons. Here are the reasons black women should wear their hair in its natural state… Kinky.


10. It grows in that way. If your creator meant for you to have straight hair it would be straight.

9. You can do fun and versatile things with black hair. Unlike straight hair, black hair (naturally kinky) can stand straight up, and can be braided into complex designs, can be temporarily straighten without chemicals and worn in its natural state again the next day.


8. It is in style. Natural black hair is more and more acceptable everyday. It is just another fashion choice; therefore, there is no reason to go thrrough great pains to change it.


7. Straightening chemicals are dangerous. If not applied correctly it can cause burns, hair damage, and temporary to permanent hair loss.


6. Hair chemicals are really, dangerous. The food and drug administration says, “Hair relaxers and hair dyes are among its top consumer complaint areas. Complaints range from hair breakage to symptoms warranting an emergency room visit. Also in February 1994, the FDA and the American Cancer Society released an epidemiology study involving 573,000 women. Researchers found that women who never used permanent hair dyes showed decreased risk of all fatal cancers combined and of urinary system cancers.


5. You never know when it might go wrong. Just like food, allergies show up over time, so do hair chemical allergies. What worked fine two years ago, might cause a bald spot in two years.


4. If it went wrong before, it will very likely happen again. If you had a bad reaction to a perm, do not do it again. Nine times out of 10, the chemicals are just as much to blame as the stylist.


3. Pride: Your hair is an identifying symbol of your race. If you are proud of your race, you should also be proud of your hair.


2. The work place cannot discriminate against your hair. There was a time when wearing an Afro, dreadlocks or braids, your job could say you were going against the dress code. This is illegal. Do not tolerate it.


1. Time savings: Over time, you will learn to shower, wash your hair and get dressed just like people with straight hair. It is just a matter of time until you find a natural style that works well for you.




Thoughts ??!!??


SOURCE

Sooo.....Yeah

The sew-in came out....and the braids went in (10/2/2009). L0L. Tryna push them till December 31st so I will be 365 days without a relaxer. :-)

Do Black Men Respond To Natural Hair?

::this is a long one::

       I have been thinking about this for a while now and as a woman I cannot figure this one out. I do not consider myself unattractive by any means and I usually get male attention when I am out from time to time.

       When I had the sew-in the attention I received from males doubled. It was like I had a new swag!! L0L! I cannot deny that the sew-in looked good and of course it was a brand new look for me but I did not think that it made me look BETTER.

       After that experience I sat down and wondered what response I would receive from men when I cut the rest of my relaxed hair off and only had naturally curly hair. How will I be perceived then? Will I still be as attractive, more attractive, or less attractive? Will the one I’m ‘with’ (L0L) leave me because I am no longer the person he first met?

Here is a post I found on another blog from a woman who gave up her naturally curly hair for male attention (her grammar is the absolute worst):

 

Ok, let me just get up on my soapbox!( shuffles, stumbles finds feet) I was natural from 2001 all the way up to 2006. it was long and very wavy, I loved it, BUT I found that I could not find a man. men thought it symbolized that I was worthy and a bit pious and not down a damn good time (this girl loves a good time!) they would always address me like they would address their grandmother. having my beneath the shoulder length natural hair was a turn off for them. so despite loving the look myself and feeling ashamed of compromising myself and my ideals I texturized it bone straight……. you know what happened almost immediately??? Guys who knew me on sight before were asking me if I was new in town, or if I only just started going out in the area. it’s sick to admit it and it’s shameful for me, since I loved my natural and miss it, but I like male attention and want male attention and that is what they want………… Trust me I am only alone because I want to be these days. It is sick, that some black men and women feel like this and maybe we all need to politicize our hair again so people can wake up. but me I am just human, principles are fine things……. loneliness is another. Please don’t judge me, if you have ever been truly lonely and hungry for love you will understand why I compromised myself.

Now I have never been the compromising type so I don’t see myself buckling from any pressure but the notion that it will make life ‘harder’ to some extent is saddening. Will it really be this way?




What is everyone’s opinion on this? I need some responses from men?



UPDATE: I think people took the questions I asked as if it's something I'm worried about but they're just questions I 'learned' to ask after reading other females' experiences with men and their natural hair. I just asked the questions in first person. I will be fine; believe me. A man is not going to stop this fro! L0L!!!

New Chris Brown

This is my song.

The URGE to Blog

As I was sitting on my couch I just felt the COMPLETE urge to share all the thoughts in my mind and the life I'm about to embark on. I usually find that I like to only 'try' things that need 100% focus and commitment to follow through all the way to the end and it all just hit me at one time that the end of 2009 will be a true test as to who I am. First (as far as the timeline goes) I've been going natural since December 31, 2008 as you all know. That has taken so much commitment and patience just to make it to the finish line and not giving into what I know is easier and more time efficient. I have also recently started the P90X workout system. Even though I am looking for any specific results, it is still a challenge to get up off of the couch and do the video of the day KNOWING that it's going to whop my @$$ in the process. Lastly, even though it's my top priority, is :: drum roll:: the LSAT. I don't think I need to go into any detail as to what the LSAT alone is going to put me through. L0L. I IDK what made me hop onto the computer mid study session but I just wanted to say that if I stick to what I've set myself to for the rest of 2009 I think I will emerge a totally different person. I don't think I'll be a brand new person like OMG I've found myself, but I'll be doing things I've always talked about and never put forth any effort to actually do. It always sounds good but I'm sure it'll be great to actually do these things I've had in my mind all along. Becoming the person I've dreamed I'd be...XOXO Gossip Girl (LOLOL)