May 16, 2012

maddemoiselle asked: My sister and I are going to try your Natural Bootcamp in early of June and I wonder if it works for all those who try this? Thank you!

Oh, excellent! It’s not mine—it’s from froenvy.blogspot.ca. It’s pretty much a compilation of all the great tips you’ll find on natural hair care sites (like blackgirllonghair or urbanbushbabes).

I think you should see an improvement because you’re protective styling with braids (less manipulation=less damage), you’re using gentler shampoos, and you’re protecting your hair with safe practices (like the satin cap and no heat) and proper moisturizing and sealing.

Good luck!

11:04pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wLdN7X2
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: natural hair 
May 16, 2012
Wearing Weaves: A call for no judgement

There are three reasons why people wear weaves:

  1. To have a new style. This may include adding extensions for length, or completely experimenting with a different haircut or texture.
  2. To protect their real hair. Many people choose to wear weaves to limit the amount of manipulation and damage done to their own tresses.
  3. To escape their real hair. It’s not uncommon for people to be experts at maintaining weave but have no clue on how to handle their own hair. As a result, weave becomes a way for a person to deny their natural texture or length.

You can’t assume by looking at a person with weave which of the three reasons they’re wearing it. It’s not okay to say that someone “hates their hair” just because they don’t wear it out every day. 

I personally have fallen under all three categories. Sometimes I’d like to try a bob without cutting my own hair or I want BSL hair that I obviously can’t grow overnight. Sometimes it’s faster for me to wear weaves when I’m going to school. Sometimes I’m frustrated at the limitations of my own hair and I want to hide it. It changes. But ultimately, it’s to make you feel beautiful, and there’s no reason anyone should judge you for that.

For which of these reasons do (or would) you guys wear weave? Is there another?

12:55pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wLb4hTq
(Notes: 13)
  
Filed under: natural hair weave extensions 
May 8, 2012
Reality Check: Natural hair doesn’t give you confidence

Every natural style icon on BGLH will tell you the best part about going natural is your new found confidence. Suddenly you don’t care what anyone thinks of you and you become a star. I think, actually, it’s the opposite—your confidence enables you to wear your natural hair. Maybe if I had some confidence I’d be out there with my afro.

In front of the bathroom mirror I love it in all its bushy glory. I feel pretty. I feel like myself. I feel honest. But this afternoon I went to see Think Like a Man with some friends and, although I was wearing a hat, got very timid about my hair. I was nervous and shy and glad I was in a dark theatre. I kept petting my hair, making excuses for its bushiness, and avoiding eye contact with strangers. 

What happened to the girl in the mirror?

The girl in the mirror had the encouragement of all the kinky-haired ladies online. But they don’t reflect her reality. The reality is it’s very hard to be different, and that’s what type 4 texture is here: different. Type 4 texture does not exist freely because it’s relaxed and weaved constantly. And even when my friends give me compliments, it’s all meaningless once they joke about having half white or half Indian babies so their child can have ‘good hair’ or when they say another girl would look better with a relaxer. 

Ultimately, I’m super proud of my hair progress and its growth. I just don’t know how to project that out of my bathroom.

8:44pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wL8B23C
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: natural hair confidence self esteem blackgirllonghair relaxed hair relaxer 4a 4b type 4 
May 7, 2012
6 tips for a better braid/twist out.

missessmalcolm:

1. use products that contain polymers which are what “hold” ur hair in place and will create a more defined curl pattern and less frizz. some good products for a light hold usually have “pudding” in the name like miss jessie’s curly pudding.

2. only take down ur hair when its completely dry. once ur hair dries it is stuck in whatever state it dried in. if ur hair is still wet u wont get the best curl definition and it will frizz much faster.

3. smooth ur hair with ur denman brush before twisting/braiding ur hair. this will also lessen frizz and define curls. ive talked about the miraculous denman brush before lol. does wonders.

4. a little bit of product goes a long way. using too much product will make ur hair look drab. always use the dime size rule.

5. sitting underneath a dryer will make ur style last longer than just air drying.

6. to create volume seperate the twist as u take them down. use a little bit of oil to smooth out frizz and create shine.

10:00pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wL4lxvz
(Notes: 19)
  
Filed under: natural hair tips tutorial braid out twist out 
April 30, 2012
Everybody else has good hair

A friend of mine told me the other day she has no idea what to do with her hair anymore. It’s two inches long now. When I asked if she cut it, she replied that it had all broken off! I suggested she stop using heat, silicone products and sulfate shampoos, and research black hair care sites so she could better take care of her hair. She looked very discouraged and told me she didn’t have ‘nice hair’ anyway. 

I don’t get angry when people talk of hair as if a certain texture is inherently ‘good’ or ‘nice’ or ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’. I get sad because those people were conditioned to think that kinkier hair types are ugly, and those are often the ones they were naturally born with. 

In the Toronto area, ‘good hair’ is mixed hair*, or Somalian hair, or long hair that is straightened and can swing like an Indian girl’s. But not kinky hair (unless it’s incredulously long, then people generally love it). Nobody wants to blame the status of their hair on their poor practices. Instead, they want the blame to fall on their genetics, their country, their skin colour or their race. And even if you prove them wrong, they insist on finding differences (however minor) between their own hair and your example—“Well she’s not really black”—until they finally decide that they just don’t have ‘good hair’.

The truth is, if you think you can sleep with your hair unprotected and comb it roughly and wash it with harsh chemicals and straighten it daily then have it be healthy and ‘good’, then you’ll be gravely disappointed when you wake up one morning with two-inch hair. But it’s not because your hair in particular is any more difficult than anyone else’s. It just means it’s time to implement some better hair care practices!

*Not every mixed girl has the same hair texture, but that’s generally the belief. Nobody questions if a mixed girl is sporting her real hair when it’s long or curly, etc. But it must be difficult for mixed girls who don’t fit the stereotype and have to deal with disparaging comments about being a mixed girl with ‘bad hair’.

4:52pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wKdn4Ce
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: natural hair black girls good hair hair care 
April 29, 2012
penelopemars: Sailor Mercury

penelopemars:

Sailor Mercury

6:26pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wKa6b2n
(Notes: 191)
  
Filed under: natural hair sailor mercury art 
April 24, 2012
Supplements: Do you take them?

I want to caution everyone who is looking to take vitamin or mineral supplements for the purpose of hair growth. It won’t help you to blindly take pills recommended by your hair icons (no one but your doctor should be recommending you supplements). Provided you get your daily requirement through your diet, it’s unnecessary and can actually prove to be dangerous—specifically for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), which can be stored in your fatty tissues. (Excess vitamin A actually causes hair loss!)

A good way to find out what nutrients you’re lacking (without going to the doctor) is to visit eatracker.ca and record your meals for a week. I used it for my Nutrition assignment and found that I am consistently deficient in calcium and iron, despite an otherwise healthy and balanced diet. Whether or not my hair will grow from filling in the gaps with pills—I don’t know! But it would contribute to my overall health and a healthy inside is bound to show on the outside.

11:59pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wKHMEn9
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: nutrients supplements eatracker diet hair growth 
April 20, 2012
Is the OCM working for you?

I’m so frustrated with the oil cleansing method. Even after reading multiple instructions to optimize how I use it, I’m thoroughly fed up with this. 

For starters, it’s hardly a cleanser. My toner (tea tree oil and water) that I apply afterwards with a cotton ball does all of the dirty (literally) work! Everyone claims it removes make-up but I think it does a terribly job as my cotton swab appears brown afterwards.

Secondly, my face is breaking out. Normally I have to deal with white-/blackheads and the occasional pimple. For the last two weeks (since starting the OCM) I have large pimples around my temples, chin and even on my cheeks!

Next, my T-zone is dry—especially between my eyebrows! This means I have to moisturize with grapeseed oil but the edges of my face still seem oily no matter how much I ‘cleanse’ it (which would explain the zits).

I’m promising to keep this up for another two weeks because I’ve read that it takes 48 days for the epidermis to be completely replaced by new cells. I have no idea what to do anymore. I’m so tired of feeling ugly.

11:43pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wK05s11
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: oil cleansing method ocm skin care skin acne beauty 
April 17, 2012
Box braids for all?

I was washing my hands in the washroom at school when a girl came up to me and enthusiastically shared her love for my braids (pictured on the right): “Your hair is so beautiful! I wish I could do that!” I was very surprised and also very flattered. In fact, most of the compliments I get on these braids are from non-black people, and it’s often followed by “I wish I could do that!” And it makes me wonder, “Why not?” Everybody wears braids in their hair—whether it’s a single French braid, two pigtails or one hundred box braids. Extensions come in all sorts of colours, so I think if box braids are something you admire then you should definitely give them a try!

How would you feel about seeing box braids on non-black people?

6:29pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wJqwsYd
(Notes: 6)
  
Filed under: hair braids box braids extensions hair envy 
April 13, 2012
The 10 Weave Commandments

blackfashion:

1. Thou shall blend. There’s nothing worse than a weave with conflicting textures. If you’re unable to manipulate your true texture to mimic that of your weave, then you should get a weave that replicates your true strands.

2. Thou shall not let thy tracks be visible. You might as well leave the house with a pack of Remy 1B 14-inch in your hand. If you’re unable to properly conceal your weave, just skip it all together.

3. Thou shall have thy tracks sewn on securely. Over time, tracks will loosen as you style your weave. But there’s no reason for them to be hanging on for dear life by a single strand of weaving thread after one week of wear.

4. Thou shall not leave the salon in discomfort. I’ve witnessed too many women leaving the salon with a headache because their tracks were sewn on too tight. Not only is it painful, but it also puts you at risk of traction alopecia.

5. Thou shall not wear a shiny weave. A quality weave will have a natural luster to it. There is no need to weigh it down with tons of product. This will only make it look fake. The more lightness and bounce your weave has, the more authentic it will look and feel.

6. Thou shall use the proper products for maintenance. Each weave has different needs. A curly weave might require a leave-in conditioner to reduce frizz, while a straight one might call for a lightweight moisturizer, or nothing at all. It varies, so do your research.

7. Thou shall care for thy weave as if it were thy real hair. Maximize the life of your weave by properly protecting it at night, avoiding over-processing with heat, and cleansing it regularly. Consult your hairstylist about how often you should shampoo and condition your extensions.

8. Thou shall protect thy edges and scalp. We’ve all seen the photos of Naomi floating around the web. Ladies, this doesn’t have to be your fate! Massage an oil, such as olive or jojoba oil, infused with a stimulating herb, like rosemary, along your edges, nape, and scalp, to prevent breakage.

9. Thou shall not wear a weave beyond its expiration date. It’s recommended that you keep your extensions in for 6 to 8 weeks. Any longer than that can lead to matting (of your actual hair) and result in hair loss.

10. Thou shall not become attached to thy weave. We’re not talking about having a styling preference. We’re talking about feeling that you need a weave to be attractive. At the end of the day, beauty exudes from the inside. Your weave should be an accessory not a mask for your insecurity.

(via blackhairproblems)

11:06am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wJbDta_
(Notes: 2,295)
  
Filed under: weave rules tips 
April 5, 2012
Natural Hair Bootcamp

If anyone dares to try this out let me know how it goes! I technically do this already except I am super friendly with the scissors and I’m not obsessive enough to measure (though I photograph monthly).

12:11am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wJ6YhUP
Filed under: natural hair length obsessed 
March 30, 2012
Length Potential: Going in blind

I notice that many of my favourite naturals online have always had long hair—whether their hair was long before their first relaxer or even long in its relaxed state (ie. past their shoulders). So they already knew transitioning that they had the potential to have long hair. Well, I don’t know that. Before my first relaxer (I was around seven) my hair wasn’t long. And while relaxed I couldn’t get past shoulder length. I feel like I’m going in blind—no knowledge of my natural hair texture or length potential. This is usually where my hair envy comes from: knowing that even with chemical and heat damage people can still have hair that’s stronger and healthier than mine! Argh. Which makes it all that more important that I keep up with safe hair products and practices to eliminate any potential damage. Growing long hair really was the main factor in my transition in the first place, but I can’t even be sure that it’s going to happen.

For those of you who care about length, was your hair long before your transition?

4:42pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wIp6wp4
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: natural hair hair envy relaxed hair length obsessed 
March 27, 2012
Afro Hair Etiquette by Fro Envy

  1. Do not touch without permission.
  2. Do not get too familiar.
  3. Do not go overboard with the compliments.
  4. Do not be a creeper.

Click through to see Fro Envy’s detailed social guidelines on how and when to touch or compliment someone’s afro!

4:12pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wIfLuOB
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: afro etiquette natural hair Fro Envy tips 
March 27, 2012
The ever-growing inspiration wall. Every time I look at this it reaffirms my belief that African hair is beautiful and I too can obtain healthy, beautiful hair if I keep up with healthy hair practices. I’ve featured different lengths and textures (usually of the “type 4” category—closer to my own) and thicknesses because I’m not 100% sure yet where my hair falls in this.  What do you guys use as your daily inspiration?

The ever-growing inspiration wall. Every time I look at this it reaffirms my belief that African hair is beautiful and I too can obtain healthy, beautiful hair if I keep up with healthy hair practices. I’ve featured different lengths and textures (usually of the “type 4” category—closer to my own) and thicknesses because I’m not 100% sure yet where my hair falls in this. 

What do you guys use as your daily inspiration?

3:46pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wIfGpfU
(Notes: 7)
  
Filed under: natural hair inspiration hairspiration hair black girls kinky afro 
March 25, 2012
Protective Styling: Weaves versus Braids

I strongly prefer braids to weaves, although I’m more likely to wear weaves. This is due only to the fact that it’s faster to put in and take out. There are many more reasons why I prefer box braids over weaves:

  • Braids are truly low maintenance and require no additional styling (ie. daily straightening)
  • It’s much simpler to wash your hair when in braids 
  • The access to your scalp also makes it easier to oil
  • Your scalp can breathe!
  • It looks more afrocentric and bohemian
  • You can moisturize your hair through the braids

I can’t wait to get long box braids in again, although there are some downsides:

  • The braids can feel too heavy
  • There is a strain on the edges (but the strain is still present in weaves)

What do you guys think of weaves and braids as protective styles? Do you prefer one to the other, both or neither?

9:27pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZOXP_wIZxhdO
(Notes: 23)
  
Filed under: box braids natural hair protective styling review weave i've done natural-looking weave too but too many ppl ask me if it's my real hair!!