My Hair Role Models 2.0

Some people are still on the list and there are a few new people.

Ever had that feeling when you see someone's hair and you're like, "I want that!" Yup! That's how I feel about the following people's hair:

Caroline

of CarolineJhingory

Dimples :)

of Angels Ringlets

This person

(If you know her name, please tell me)

Tia

of Angels Ringlets

The still beautiful, Miss. A

of Beads, Braids & Beyond

  

Cindy Blackman

Esperanza Spalding

Natural Hair... What Do I Do?

By Natalie Phillip of Three Naturals

I can’t begin to count the amount of times I get stopped at the mall, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc. and asked questions about hair. This is mainly due to the way I style my girls’ hair. Their hairstyles may look complicated at times (not sure) but honestly it’s so simple to attain. I look forward to those conversations because I know what it’s like being on the other end still trying to find what works. It can be frustrating and overwhelming but don’t give up. If you knew my personal hair story, you’d understand that it’s been quite the journey and I’m finally HAPPY with my hair and my girls reap the benefits. Keep in mind I’m still learning and I’m by no means ‘an expert’. I get excited whenever I learn something new and I always have to find someone to share it with. Like many things in life, you can never have enough hair knowledge.

 

Here are a few tips if you’re beginning the natural hair journey or you are struggling with your daughter’s haircare.
1. YOUTUBE has been a tremendous resource for me. There are so many tutorials and informative videos from everyday people who have tried different products, regimens and styles and choose to share their experiences and results. I’ve tried so many different processes from watching YouTube. Some successful, some not so much, but you won’t know what works for you until you try.
2. BLOGS like this one have also been a huge aid on the journey. Read! Read! Read! It only expands your knowledge and will introduce you to topics you’ve never even considered.
3. PRODUCTS can get expensive if you are shopping while overwhelmed, especially if you’re now starting out. Pricey doesn’t always mean better. Read the labels. Get familiar with the ingredients. Do your research before hitting the stores. Instead of buying a huge bottle of something that may not work for you, ask if they have samples you can try first. Contact the manufacturers and let them know you’re interested in their product but would like to try a sample first. You won’t get it until you ask.
4. ASK QUESTIONS!! Don’t be afraid to inquire with someone who demonstrates great results or a look you think you’d be comfortable with. It may not be as difficult as you think. In the same way, share what you learn and help someone else.
5. Create a GALLERY with all your favorite hairstyles that you can always refer to. Play around and try to recreate them. I would not suggest waiting until you’re ready to go out to try something new. Practice first because your hair will not always cooperate when you need it to.

Take a deep breath and embrace the beauty and journey that IS natural hair!!!
What are your tips? This is a GREAT spot to share them!!

My Protective Styling Challenge - Week 2

Hey everyone,

So, I guess this just lasted for 2 weeks for me. I'm going to try keeping my braids in that long from now on (or longer if possible). Truth is, midweek of my second week, I just didn't really care anymore so I let my hair frizz and do whatever it wanted to. Anyways, here's my week:

• I co-washed on Wednesday and Friday using the BeeMine BeeLovely Conditioner and Tresemme Naturals (silicone-free) Conditoner.
• After co-washing, I tied a scarf down on my hair till I need to head out for school.
• On Friday, I took down the braids and twists (entirely) and deep conditioned with Tresemme Naturals conditioner, BeeMine conditioner and Moisturiser. I kinda wish I had DCed with palm oil instead, but this was a last minute thing and I was tired so I just grabbed a handful of the Tresemme, worked it into my hair, donned on a shower cap (because I couldn't be bothered to tie a plastic bag on). Tied a couple of scarves of that to secure it in place and lock in heat and I slept.
• On Saturday, I washed out my hair with the Tresemme Naturals Silicone-Free Conditioner then some BeeMine Botanicals Shampoo (sulfate free) then condition with the BeeMine BeeLovely Conditioner.
• After washing, I got a tiny but of WonderCurl 'Butter than love pudding' onto my hair. Mum was calling me. I totally forgot to moisturise and do all the other stuff I do after a wash and my hair was mad at me for that.
• I braided my hair in two to stretch it.
• Unfortunately, I had to head out of the house before my hair was dry and OH. MY. DAYS. THE. SHRINKAGE. AND. TANGLES! My hair did look good, though. :) And I think I've figured out a wash and go hairstyle.
• Sunday night, I braided my hair in 8 cornrows and I'm keeping them in till Thursday 'cause I have to take my hair down for some event.

Next week, Sunday, I'll make more braids, smaller ones and try keeping them in for 2 weeks or more.
I believe this will help me retain more length and grow my hair out.

~Sam

p.s I'm considering doing crotchet braids sometime later this year. Maybe during the winter or fall (most probably winter). I'll just get my aunt to flat braid my hair for me then I'll try to do the rest or I'll get some friends together and we'll do it together. I just need to get crotchet needles (for the braids) for them.

My Protective Styling Challenge - Week 1

Hey,

So, I've decided that I'm going on a protective styling challenge to grow and retain as much hair as possible till the end of June.

I normally keep my hair in flat braids for 5 days a week, deep condition every Friday night till Saturday morning, wash on Saturday, rock a beautiful puff on Sunday and head back to flat braids by Sunday night. With this challenge, I am still deep conditioning on Fridays and washing on Saturdays however, my hair's staying in the flat braids (with the hair twisted from the point at which it lifts off my scalp. I haven't kept braids in my hair since my first few months going natural (transitioning) so this is new for me. However, I guess I'm doing a pretty good job with it. Here are some of the things I've done so far that are working pretty well (by the way, I started this challenge last Sunday):

• When the flyaways get a little too much, I get some BeeMine curly butter onto my hair and tie a scarf down onto it. That does the trick and lays all the flyaways down making my hair look as good as new. (This is what I do on week days).
• I co-wash between the week using the BeeMine BeeLovely Conditioner. (This means that I wash twice a week now, but the second wash is strictly a co-wash while the Saturday wash alternates between a sulfate-free shampoo wash and a co-wash).
• After co-washing, I tie a scarf over my hair till I need to leave the house (school).
• On Friday, I take down only the twisted bits of my hair then I deep condition with coconut oil, olive oil and honey. This is because they're easier to wash out that things like avocado (plus, I did an avocado deep conditioning treatment last weekend).
• On Saturday, I wash out my hair with the Tresemme Naturals Silicone-Free Conditioner then I search for build up. If I find any, I wash with my BeeMine Botanicals Shampoo (sulfate free) then condition with the BeeMine BeeLovely Conditioner.
• After washing, I get some WonderCurl 'Butter than love pudding' onto my hair (good stuff!) then a tad (teeny-weeny) bit of shea butter onto my hair especially the ends.
• I hold up the ends with an ouchless band then I tie a scarf bun-style on my hair and leave it on till my hair is fully dry.
• When my hair is fully dry (and I'm ready to take down the scarf), I redo the twists, but instead of each braid being twisted at the ends, I twist the ends of two braids together then hold them together and hide my ends using an ouchless band. 

My results: My hair looking as good as new with zero flyaways.


I just might be able to keep these braids in for 3 weeks :)

~Samantha :)
(haha! I used my full name for the first time on here)

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Do any of you want to join me in this challenge?

It like a growth challenge.

So, if you're interested, comment below and say something like, "I'm in" :)

GIVEAWAY!

So.....I just entered CurlyNikki's 28 Days of Giveaways and I thought that you should too. There are awesome prices and stuff to win :)

Here's a link to go to if you're interested: http://www.naturallycurly.com/giveaways/Curly-Nikki-28-Days-of-Giveaways/st/510c146e550d87.27999219

Have a wonderful day!

~Sammy