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5 Useful Pointers for New Naturals

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IG @_tayloranise

by Sabrina Perkins of SeriouslyNatural.org

It’s over. You’ve done it! You’re FINALLY natural. Your Pinterest board and Tumblr are popping with all of the styles you can’t wait to try. You’ve watched every Naptural85 video she’s ever made, and you’ve unknowingly hoarded an impressive amount of hair products under your sink. If you’re a newbie in the natural scene, don’t worry.

We’ve all been in your shoes- ready to twirl on our haters but can’t find a style that seems to flatter your face. While everyone’s tips are tricks are generally specific, there are definitely some basics to keep in mind as you embark on your newly-natural journey. With that being said, here are 5 pointers that every new natural needs to know…

Continue!>>>



Find What Works For You
So, you see ItsMyRaeRae reviewing this magical elixir of a product that left her with some banging ringlets and you decide to try it on your hair. Unfortunately, you and ItsMyRaeRae aren’t the same hair type and don’t have the same porosity, so it doesn’t work for you. This is probably one of the most common misconceptions that women in the natural community when it comes to hair and hair products and, unfortunately, it leaves some women feeling hopeless about their hair.

What you need to do is find what works for YOUR hair, not somebody else’s. Do the porosity test and do some research on what products would work best for you. Do some trial and error runs with some products, tools, detangling processes, wash day recipes, etc. and develop your own personalized regimen instead of trying to follow someone else’s.

If you follow someone on social media with similar hair to your own, it’s okay to look to them for guidance, but it’s best to pay attention to how your own hair reacts to certain things. The more time you take to understand your hair and how it behaves, the easier it will be to care for it.

Don’t Obsess
I know it’s hard. I know you have 98123469273 different styles in queue on your Pinterest board and I know your fingers are itching to do and try everything you see, but don’t. Don’t do it. Obsessing over your hair will drive you to resent it if it doesn’t turn out the way someone else’s did or have you buying a ton of products to try that will send your scalp and strands into shock. This obsession has led many newly naturals into hating their hair or even worse...regretting ever making the decision to go natural.

Be on your Solange flow and chill. Let it flourish without manipulation, if possible. I mean, who’s gonna check you?

Don’t Be Afraid to Trim
After all the cutting you’ve been doing throughout your transition are we really telling you that you have to cut MORE?! Yes. Yes, we are.

You’ll notice that even though you’ve cut out all of your relaxer that some of your ends will still be straight, your hair’s gonna grow in uneven, and you may even have patches that grow in slightly straight at first…and that’s okay. Your scalp is still pretty much regulating itself to the fact that you’re not processing anymore, so once all of that is settled, you should be good to go! Don’t chop away at your hair all of the time unless you plan on keeping it short; trimming at least twice a year is more than enough if you do not use heat or manipulate your strands a lot.

Warm Up Your Conditioner
This has got to be one of the best hacks I’ve ever come across in terms of detangling and overall conditioning. When I first read about it, it was pretty much a “DUH, why haven’t you been doing this?” moment.

Before applying your conditioner, let the bottle/tub sit in a bowl of hot water for about 10-15 minutes until the conditioner is heated through (do NOT warm the conditioner in the microwave or else you’ll destroy the properties of the conditioner).

Apply to your hair as usual and you will IMMEDIATELY feel it working. The heat causes the cuticle to lift so that the product penetrates and conditions the hair shaft faster and more effectively, leaving you with soft, pliable hair that is easy to detangle! I honestly don’t understand why they don’t put this tip on conditioner bottles…

Maintaining Moisture/Protein Balance is Key
Too much protein will result in hard, rough hair that is hard to detangle, prone to damage and difficult to manage. On the contrary, too much moisture will result in soft, mushy hair that is also prone to breakage (also known as hygral fatigue).

When searching for a deep conditioner, find one that will both strengthen and moisturize. Look for ingredients such as keratin, collagen, or any other type of hydrolyzed protein if you need that extra boost. Maintaining a proper balance between the two is one of the keys to reducing breakage and repairing wear and tear.

If you find that your hair reacts badly to protein (protein sensitive), look for products that don’t contain any traces of protein or try a different type of protein as there are several.

What pointers do you want to share for newly naturals?

7 Steps to Longer Hair in One Year!

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IG @nickybnatural

by Kiara B. via Global Couture

Have you been looking at others’ growth and wondering what are they doing? “Why won’t my hair grow that fast in a year?” Well, it’s simple. Hair growth (and length retention), regardless of the person takes time but there are also things that you can do over a 12-month period so that you too can see amazing growth.

 Continue!>>>
1. Moisturize
Believe it or not, moisture comes from water. Yes, the free liquid substance that is available right in your home. Try spraying your hair with water at least two times a week or right before you style your hair. Then apply a leave-in conditioner. There is no such thing as “sealing” in moisture. It doesn’t have to be sealed but the leave- in conditioner will help to also hydrate the hair follicle, which will contribute to the softness. If you have dryer hair or scalp, try applying hair grease to your scalp right after your wash regimen is complete.

2. Stay Away from HEAT
I’m sure you hear all the time that heat is a natural girl’s worst enemy besides a relaxer of course but heat also damages your hair, makes it dry and brittle, and alters your curl pattern. This causes you to over trim your hair, later resulting in a lack of growth. Try to not use heat frequently if possible. When blow drying you hair, use the cool setting and while flat ironing, place the temperature on the lowest settingfor you to achieve your desires.

3. Trim When NEEDED
Trimming your hair can either help with hair length retention or stop it all together. As a new Natural, it is easy to start a routine of trimming your hair regularly along with your established regimen but if you are not constantly damaging your hair then WHAT are you trimming? You are trimming your perfectly healthy hair. Only trim your hair as needed, not on a time schedule. Often times if your hair is shedding excessively and tangling, it is time for a trim. If you have visibly split ends or heat damage then it also time for a trim. Do not hold on to split ends or heat damage in order to maintain length. You will regret it in the long run.

4. Condition
Conditioning your hair is very important when wanting to maintain moisturized and soft hair. Regularly conditioning you hair, leave-ins, and deep conditioning treatments all help to provide your hair with the needed protein and nutrients. These nutrients contribute to hair elasticity that will help to prevent hair breakage by allowing your hair to stretch when pulled or combed.

Here is one of my favorite deep conditioning recipes:

You Will Need:
• 1 Egg: Helps to moisturize and contains protein

• 1 tablespoon of Honey: Adds shine and moisture

• 1/2 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Traps in moisture and softens hair

• 1 table of Cinnamon: Prevents dry scalp, promotes hair growth, smells delicious

• 1/2 teaspoon of Nutmeg: Adds volume and promotes hair growth

• 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil: Treats dry scalp, dandruff, and hair loss

• 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar: Removes buildup and adds shine

• Mix ingredients and heat for 10 to 15 seconds. Apply to hair from scalp to ends and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Wash out with cold water and style as usual.

You can adjust ingredients to fit hair length or substitute oils.

5. Eat Healthy
I don’t think I have to spend much time on this one. What you put into your body is exactly the results you will receive.

6. Protective Styles
Often times as a newly natural, the hair is over manipulated from wanting to try new styles or products. Find a protective style that works for you and then stick with that style for a while. If your hair is tucked or pulled too much over a period of time, you will begin to see more breakage and shedding as a result. Protective styles promote growth because they are true to the name “protective” by shielding your hair from over manipulation and the harsh weather.

7. Patience
This last step is pretty simple. Have patience on your hair journey. Don’t get so caught up in achieving a certain length by a certain time. Instead focus on HEALTHY hair and the rest will come Naturally.

Top Tips to Reduce Breakage During Detangling

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IG @riecyspieces

Rachel Arvie via SeriouslyNatural.org

As naturals we face different challenges with our hair, whether if it is the beginning stages (transition) or just pure frustration with not knowing what to do. KEEP CALM! DON’T FRET! This is not an uncommon issue at all. One thing we must do to maintain our hair in its most healthy state, is avoiding breakage during detangling. Personally, I must detangle before washing.

Continue!>>>


If you do not, then you are setting yourself up for failure. These eight tips I will share with you can help tremendously and add ease to your hair regimen and/or hair prep.


COMB HAIR OUT IN SECTIONS BEFORE WASHING
When prepping your hair for a wash, I recommend sectioning your hair in at least four parts. Once you have done that, comb from the ends of your hair instead of from the roots. This causes less
pulling of your hair.

USE A WIDE TOOTH COMB OR ONE OF MY FAVORITES, “Tangle Teezer ” or ”Denman Brush“

This tip is essential to your hair care because what combs and/or brushes you use can help or even harm your hair.

TRY FINGER DETANGLING
I have been doing this more often than usual. I must detangle before washing. Doing so avoids breakage and pulling of your hair. Naptural85 shows us great and easy technique on one of her vlogs on YouTube:


USE AN OIL
If you decide to finger detangle, try adding one of your favorite oils to the equation. I love using pure Coconut Oil while detangling. It’s easier to remove the tangle from your hair while adding moisture to it.

COMB THROUGH HAIR WHILE CONDITIONING
Combing through your hair while conditioning is also another good tip to use when detangling. Especially, a conditioner with a good “slip”. Using this can cut down so much time with your hair preparations. I love using Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner natural hair care hair tips A little goes a long way. For me to say that with my thick hair speaks volume.

DAMPEN YOUR HAIR
Dampening your hair is another important tip when taking tangles out. You should not attempt to comb or even finger detangle your hair while it is try. Doing so can also cause friction and damage to the cuticle of your hair. It may seem like a quick way to taming those tangles but in the long run it can be the source of unintentional breakage.

WEAR HAIRSTYLES THAT REDUCES THE DETANGLING PROCESS
Wearing certain hairstyles can reduce the process of detangling. Chunky twists, twist outs, mini twists, pin ups are just a few suggested styles that can really help when you need to wash or co-wash your hair.

BE PATIENT
This tip is abstract then the other seven but is just as important as the previous tips. Detangling your hair can be time time consuming and tiresome but it’s an important aspect of your hair care. So be patient.

CurlyNikki's #AskAway Monday

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1st day of 1st grade! My little Boogie is 6 years old today!

Hola Chicas!

It's Monday and I'm on the roof!  If you've got hurr, life (or whatever and what have you) questions, ask below!

I'll do my best to get to them all!

Later Gators,
Nik


PAST PICS!

2-22-2016
the result of a chunky twist-out on dry hair (old roller set) using Jane Carter's Twist-Out Foam-- I was super impressed... great definition, shiny and not flaky or crunchy! I didn't add any water or any other product-- just one or two pumps per twist (I created 15 twists and rolled the ends on skinny flexi rods).  xoxo

2-29-2016
Curlformer set on the Boogie using a little coconut oil + JC's Twist-Out Foam and Set it Free on the ends.  #OnTheGrow 

3-7-2016
#RioAgain #Lapa

#RioAgainTho

3-21-2016

 that paragraph before 'bliss, joy and happiness', tho
*Silence of the Heart - Robert Adams* 


7-3-2016
My sister, Syl, is a married woman! #Summer16 #MorePicsToCome

7/25/2016

A Birthday Story.

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re-post!

Gia,

Last night you busted in my bedroom, turnt up, pretending to be the blue ninja turtle. You noticed I was crying and asked me why. I smiled and pulled you close. You squirmed and laughed and I held you tighter. Finally, you wiggled from my grasp, kissed me on the head and said, 'no worry momma, everything is alright!'.

Read On>>>
I smiled and told you I was happy, not sad. I read you a story like I do every night, sometimes 2 or 3, but I’ve never shared the one I’m about to tell you now. In fact, I've never told anyone this story, but I want to share it now so that one day, when you're older, you can read it and know that things happen everyday, and situations will sometimes seem to fall apart, but if you just keep living, you’ll find that they usually fall back into place.

It was the week before your due date and you were giving me hell. I was hyperpigmented, swollen and cranky... but blessed 'cause the entire STL cast of characters was in North Carolina, waiting on you! My mom and dad ('Ain and Pa-Pa), Daddy's mom (Nanny), Aunt Sylvia and your great-grandma Maxine were all there in the same damn house. Now, Great-Grandma Maxine had only been on an airplane once before, in her entire life so this was a really big deal. She wasn't gonna let a little acrophobia keep her from her first great-grandbaby. You, however, were in no rush to get here. A week went by… then two weeks. And just like your due date, their departure date had come and gone. I begged and begged the family to stay, especially Grandma Maxine, and guess what... they did! #WeSpoiled #divasdonthaveschedules


Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, you decided to bust loose and we raced to the hospital. Your daddy was EXCITED! He was on it too, with the coaching and calm keeping. I was in pain, but happy, blogging even, and very excited to meet you. It was early, like 6am... but hours passed and night came and folks naturally got sleepy. Pa-Pa packed up Grandma Maxine and took her home for the night, leaving 'Ain, Nanny and Daddy to tend to me. At 2am on August 29th, you graced us with your magnificent presence. It was a rough delivery and I ended up needing surgery, but I was so very happy and you were so very beautiful. 'Ain and Nanny couldn't believe how gorgeous you were. The doctors and nurses said they’d never seen a prettier baby. Aunt Sylvia (who had gone back to school) and Aunt Toney were blowing up our phones demanding pictures and skype chats. You were so loved.

In all the ruckus, I remember asking your daddy and 'Ain where Pa-Pa and Grandma Maxine were, but I was so fatigued and overwhelmed with joy that I kept forgetting and didn't realize something was wrong. Very wrong. 'Ain kept ducking out of my hospital room, taking phone calls and when Pa-Pa finally came to the hospital, he was alone. Great-Grandma Maxine was not with him. They looked solemn. At this time, you were no more than 2 days old. I held you to my chest while I braced for the  news they’d been keeping from me for days. Grandma Maxine was in the hospital too.

Apparently, two hours before you were born, Grandma Maxine had blacked out and fell in our house. Pa-Pa was upstairs when it happened, but he heard the commotion and rushed her to the closest emergency room (a different hospital from where we were, of course). She was immediately admitted and placed in the ICU due to blood on the brain. Already emotional, I remember feeling a tremendous sadness. I immediately felt that it was my fault, that she may have never fell had I let her go back to St. Louis when she requested, and of course, I let my mind wander to that dark place - that she'd never get to meet you. I had already been crying for far lesser reasons (e.g my birth plan was ignored, it hurt to poop, I had a c-section scar, you weren't latching, I wanted to kill the nurses, but apparently that’s ‘illegal’ in the state of North Carolina - you know, small stuff) but I had never felt that scared, that low. And yet, at the same time, I had to be happy and feel blessed that you were here and healthy.

I held you tight, I prayed, I talked to you and I was determined to get the hell out of that hospital and to the other one to see my grandma. Another couple of days came and went and due to an elevated number on your blood tests, they didn't want to give us us free.


Grandma's status had not changed.  I was so frustrated, like, crazy. I was mad at everyone, my doctor, the nurse. It felt like they were conspiring to keep me locked away. Your daddy tried to keep me calm . He was so stressed, looking back, I can’t even imagine what he was going through. He had kept the secret from me too, to protect us, but he had been running to and from both hospitals, juggling both of our parents, keeping folks fed and comfortable, all while maintaining a hormonal me. At the time, all I could think about was not getting to say goodbye to Grandma Maxine and that you wouldn’t get to meet this great woman.

I remember the nurses stayed trying to take you to the nursery, but I refused. I needed to rest, but I didn’t want to and I didn’t want you out of my sight. Finally, at the peak of exhaustion, I accepted the help and they wheeled you away, down the hall. I laid in the hospital room, alone. Your daddy had left to go get breakfast, or so I thought. A few hours later, I heard a knock on the door. Ready to hastily and probably nastily decline help from the nurse, I saw your daddy. And then 'Ain... and then Pa-Pa. They were all smiling and said that I had a visitor. My eyes, very swollen from all the tears, got HUGE when I saw your Great-Grandma Maxine being wheeled around the corner in a chair. She was beaming and apologizing for the whole situation. The rest is a blur, but I remember bugging the nurses to bring you to me so that you could finally meet my Grandma.
you can still see Grandma's hospital bracelet... she came straight away!  
Tears... lots of them, but joy this time. Her recovery was rocky and very slow. When you were two months old, we flew to St. Louis to sit at her bedside, to comfort her and help her get healthy again. And she did, and since then you've road tripped with her, showed her how to comb her hair, brunched, and even taught her to dance.

My dad always reminds me that things happen for a reason. Had Grandma blacked out in STL, she would’ve been alone in her house. This is not a sad story Boogie, it’s one full of joy. It’s a story that reminds us that we are put in certain places at certain times in certain situations and the reasoning may not always be apparent or logical. As hard as it may be to fight it, you’ve got to remember that life always works itself out in the long run. So train for the marathon baby girl, pace yourself, and don’t get caught up in a sprint or you’ll wear yourself out before you even really get going. Enjoy each moment in your life, and cherish those moments with the people you love. Just a little advice from Mommy, kid.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Gia!

Love,
Mommy

CN Says:
Gia is 6 today and Gma got her wings last December.  I dream about her nearly everything night. 

1st day of 1st grade, today! 8/29/2016

Teyana Taylor Just Increased Gym Memberships Nationwide By 63%

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Teyana Taylor killing the fitness game per usual

Written by Mike Orie of TheConsciousTip.com

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock the last 24 hours, there's a pretty good chance that you've seen Kanye West's new video Fade. But if you're one of the 3% who hasn't, I can pretty much sum up the feeling everybody had after seeing it in one sentence. We all woke up this morning and renewed our gym memberships.

Continue Reading
I've actually been procrastinating renewing mine for a little bit. In fact, I haven't had one since college I think, and technically the only reason I did was because it was included in my student fees. Are you judging me right now? But beers are my go to drink and last night I definitely started rethinking it. Somebody needs to invent the Crystal Light version of beer cause my diet clearly isn't working.

Just like the 3% of people who've managed to not see this video, I'm probably one of the 3% of people I know who actually has a Tidal account. So I get the pleasure of not having to fast forward through the VMA reruns and rewatch it with the click of a single button. Each time I watch it though, I'm not mad at Teyana Taylor, but I become more mad at myself. Because if Teyana can bounce back like this two weeks after she had her baby, I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong. Something. Like...not properly doing my pushups, or not doing pushups at all.



This morning I called 24 Hour Fitness and asked for the Teyana Special. The salesperson didn't know who Teyana was so I made her watch the new video with me while I was on the phone signing up for my membership. She also happened to be one of the rare 3% of people who had Tidal so we already had a common bond. After watching the video, we both agreed that this needed to be a thing. So, now it is. The Teyana Special is a special membership for those of you like me who haven't worked out in years, but want to tone down like Teyana in two weeks. And if I switch from beer to Crystal Light for two weeks, it's definitely a possibility.

Apparently I'm not the only one feeling this way, because I've seen at least 63% of the women on my Snapchat story make an abrupt switch from bottomless mimosas to bottomless lunges this morning. A couple of them even left brunch and went straight to the gym, sundress and all. Because apparently it's that serious.

But we can't have you out here strugg like the rest of the world who hasn't caught on, so just know that I'm looking out for you. So call your local gym and ask for the Teyana Special. Use the discount code mikeorie. It's good for two free weeks, which is truthfully how long most of us will last before we're back to our old routines anyway. And if for some reason you haven't seen any results in those two weeks, I urge you to demand a refund. 

 You're welcome.


#TeyanaSpecial

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Mike "Orie" Mosley is a freelance writer/photographer and cultural advocate from St. Louis. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from LSU. He is also the co-founder of music and culture website www.theconscioustip.com. In his spare time, he's probably listening to hip hop & neo soul music, hitting up brunch or caught up in deep conversations about Black music. You can follow him on Twitter @mike_orie or on Instagram @mikeorie



How I Got Rid of Hyperpigmentation and Scars Naturally

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results w/ DIY natural remedy 

by Ariane of BlackNaps.org

After the birth of my daughter my acne was on a whole new level. This breakout left one half of my face with a very noticeable dark patch and pitted acne scars.

It was so bad, I decided it was high time to pay a dermatologist a visit. I left that visit more frustrated than when I came in. Since I am a breastfeeding mom, the doctor I spoke with said that nothing that she would recommend to treat the hyperpigmentation would be safe (this I have no issue with it). My next question to her was, “Are there any natural at home treatments I could use”? To which she replied that she was not a holistic doctor and couldn’t give me any suggestions. Essentially I forked over a $40 copay for her to tell me absolutely nothing.

Continue!>>>


For a while I hid my scars as best as I could with makeup. Eventually, that became too much of a hassle. I was constantly getting makeup on my daughter’s face when I kissed her and then I ended up breaking out her sensitive baby skin when I got my makeup on her. I decided that I needed to do my research and come up with my own remedy.

For a little over a month I have been using my own homemade facial scrub and it has work wonderfully. Here are the ingredients:

-1 tablespoon fresh ginger juice (ginger is good for treating dark spots)
-1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (also good for dark spots)
-1 tablespoon organic honey (antibacterial and moisturizing)
-3 drops tea tree oil (antibacterial properties)
-4 tablespoons Epson Salt (to provide grit for exfoliation)

I have been using this for a little over a month now (see my results above).

As you can see I definitely don’t have perfect skin, but it is a big improvement. The scars are not as deep, my skin looks more smooth and the hyperpigmentation has lightened up. I use this scrub once every day and my mixture ends up lasting close to two weeks. I store the mix in my fridge, because this has no preservatives and if stored outside the fridge it will be prone to bacterial growth.

Don’t use this if you are still breaking out
If you are still actively breaking out this mix may be too rough and will likely agitate your skin. I am no longer breaking out as of this time. I am not sure whether this due to a change of diet, being on birth control or a combination of both.

My acne seems to be triggered largely by my hormones, stress and sugar. Too bad it took me years to find this out. Now I have been focusing my skin care routine on cleaning up the aftermath of breakouts with this lovely mix.

'Remove the Kinks From Your Mind': South African Students' Fight Against Racism

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by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

Across the world, women and girls are fighting for equal pay, equal rights, and access to quality education. In South Africa, students at the Pretoria High School for Girls are fighting against racism.

#StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh started trending on Monday after a 13-year old student was pulled aside by a teacher and told that her afro was too unruly. After deciding that her controversial speech about employment in South Africa and the ills of apartheid would lead to a suspension, the institution used its code of conduct to support the decision.
continue!>>>


While the Pretoria High School for Girls code of conduct gives a detailed list of rules about hair, it doesn’t explicitly state that Afros are not allowed. "Hair must be brushed", styles be "conservative", and cornrows, natural dreadlocks and braids must be "a maximum of 10mm in diameter".

“Inspired by the Black Panther Party", a group of students dressed in black and wearing headwraps protested at a school assembly. "We wanted to show that we have had enough of the bigotry and racism that we face at school", said one of the students. "My hair is my choice. I don't have to put in a weave," she said. "This is my natural hair."

An online petition calling for an end to racism at Pretoria High has gathered almost 15,000 signatures, and images of the girls and their Afros are circulating on social media.


When they should be worrying about things like algebra, English, and history, these young students are forced to defend their hair. Isn’t what’s in their heads more important than what’s on it?

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Tiffani Greenway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.


"This is a journey and not a race." #CNCurlfriends

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Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)
My name is Jessica and I’m Haitian -American. I am a certified makeup artist and owner of Beauty By Ms Jesse LLC.  I do any and all kinds of makeup from beauty and fashion to special effects. As far as my hair journey, it really started when I stopped straightening my hair in December 2013. I realized I had heat damage to my natural hair and wanted my curly hair back. I did a transitional chop on November 12 2014.

Continue!>>>
How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been natural all of my life. My mom perms her own hair but was always against doing it to me. I also never wanted one and was never into it. I already loved my hair but I never saw it in its curly state unless I was getting it washed by my mother or having it washed and getting it blown out.


What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
What motivated me to transition is the fact that the amount of heat that I have used on my hair and the fact that the hair salons I was accustomed to going to never used a heat protectant on my hair. I did so when I did my own hair but became lazy and couldn’t spend an entire day styling my hair. So as I went to the Dominican salons more and more I didn’t realize that I was causing damage since it appeared so healthy. So as I am a big YouTube viewer and I do my own videos, I came across these videos of women who said that they had heat damage and showed images of what it looked like and how they over came it. During this exact time I was doing one month of a blow out and 2 months of just washing and wearing my hair out. Till I noticed a girls hair in her video looked the same as my hair looked then. So it jogged memories of a few times in college my freshman year where I would wear my hair out after a wash and let it get as big as it wanted to. I also noticed that it didn’t curl up as much or get as big. That’s when I realized I too have heat damage. So I decided to transition to get my real curls back and not the heat damaged version. I transitioned because a big chop was not my style since I love long hair and always had long hair. So super short to almost bald was not something I was going to do. I grew my hair out for a year and then decided to cut it.

How would you describe your hair?
If you want to get into hair type I’ll say my hair is 3a some 3b and 3c. However I don’t go by that anymore. Now I just say my hair is mostly wavy with some spiral curls at the base of my head and hairline.

What do you love most about your hair?
The versatility, the rate at which it grows, the fact that it is my hair and no ones hair is quite like it.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The beginning was easy since I could do braid outs and the styles would stick and last and get big and beautiful. But after that big cut I couldn’t do the braid outs because they didn’t work. So I ended up getting Senegalese twists for the summer months to give myself a break from trying to figure out how to style it. As I grew my hair out I became really impatient and decided on a whim to cut a test patch at the nape of my head. That way I could see how my hair would be. When I cut off all the damage I had to adjust to really short hair and that was a big set back. The more it grew the better I felt and the easier my hair became to style. It’s been a year and 5 months now and my hair is almost as long as before I started cutting off the damage.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’
Braid outs were my fave. I change the sizes and get a different look everytime. Cornrows when I have the time. High buns after a fresh wash and I don’t want to deal with it. Using soft pillow curlers not that my hair is shorter to get all my hair into a uniform curl. Now that I have no damage I stick to wash and gos or some sort of bun on lazy days.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
Nothing really since I was always natural. They're just a bit interested into the fact that I use more natural products on my hair. They didn’t like when it was super short but now that it’s grown out they love it.



What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I use the Shea moisture line religiously. Their coconut and hibiscus line of shampoo, conditioner, curl enhancing smoothie are all my favs. Kinky curly knot today is my go to leave in. As I am smoothing jelly and the curls blueberry bliss curl control jelly. I also love Camille rose naturals coconut penetrating treatment. My regimen is simple, I shampoo and condition then deep condition once a week. And three days later I’ll cowash with the same conditioner to refresh and moisturize my hair.

What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
The green beauty products channel on YouTube.


Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
This is a journey and not a race. When it’s right for you to do it you will make the decision. I just wanted healthy hair so I made it happen and I’m so glad I did. There is another side over the wall that is transitioning and if I could do it so can you.

Where can people find you for more information?
You can find my on my website. www.BeautyByMsJesse.com
Instagram: YouTube: BeautyByMsJesse

Why You Absolutely Need a Mask for Your Natural Hair

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by Sabrina Perkins via SeriouslyNatural.org

What is a hair mask or hair masque? Why does natural and curly hair need hair masks and how are they different from deep conditioners? These are common questions as many newly naturals are trying to understand what their hair needs whether they do the big chop or long-term transition.

Natural and curly hair has specific needs and special conditioning is at the top of the list along with moisturizing and keeping healthy. When you are newly natural you may be suffering from damage and both the hair mask/masque and deep conditioners will help get your hair back to a healthy status. Let's learn about what a hair mask is, along with what makes it different from a deep conditioner.

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What is the difference between a Mask/Masque and a Deep Conditioner?
Masques and deep conditioners are similar in many aspects, one of them being that they each work to improve the overall health and condition of your hair and another being they can penetrate the hair shaft.

Contrary to popular belief, masks and deep conditioners actually serve their own specific purposes. For example, edge control and edge treatment are two different products that are used in the same manner, but yield different results. With that being said, what exactly is the difference between masques and deep conditioners? Let's learn more about the hair mask/masque.

What is a Hair Mask / Hair Masque?
Hair masques are typically formulated to be much thicker than traditional deep conditioners. A heavy dosage of conditioning ingredients such as butters, oils, quats (quaternium-; detangling agents) and silicones are combined to create a masque with ultra-hydrating and reparative properties. These products can be used interchangeably with deep conditioners, but they shouldn’t be used as frequently. That's a good thing because they can be more expensive but according to Rita Hazan, celebrity hair colorist and owner of Rita Hazan Salon in New York. “It costs more to use good ingredients, so the difference between luxury and mass market products will be the amount of ingredients within the formula." That basically means spend more for a good mask but use less often and the cost will be completely worth it.

Masques tend to be used solely to repair and reconstruct damaged hair, especially if the hair has been chemically treated. Always follow the instructions on the container, as the high concentration of these products could lead to hygral fatigue or protein overload if left in the hair too long. The conditioning agents in masques can cause build up and leave hair feeling limp and greasy if used too often, so they should only be used when necessary.

Now that you have a better understanding on when and how to use a hair masque/mask, want to learn more about deep conditioners? Check out my in-depth post on Friday on deep conditioners.


Do you like using hair masks/masques?

CurlyNikki in Houston : Book Signing on 9/10/16!!!

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Houston Curlfriends!

Come out and join me and Dark and Lovely at Sally Beauty on Saturday, September 10th, at 1pm.   I'll be giving away and signing copies of my new book, 'When Good Hair Goes Bad' and talking all things hair!  There will also be free product samples and hair consultations!  Be sure to get there early as supplies (and space) are limited!  Get all the deets, below!

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Later Gators,
Nik

How to Detangle and Lose Less Hair After a Protective Style

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IG @DoyinBadewa

by Doyin Badewa

I am definitely here for finger detangling my hair and I have been doing it for months now. I had just taken out my faux locs and did not rethink continuing my regular finger detangling ritual before shampooing my hair and let’s just say it did not turn out so well. I ended up with a big mess of tangles and lost a lot more hair shed than usual. I realized that because I had the faux locs in for quite a while, after taking them out (and not detangling it for a few days after that), I had developed some major kinks that finger detangling alone was not able to remove. With the length and amount of my hair, I had to go back to my neglected faithful combs. If you ever fall into a hot tangling mess like I did, remember:

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1. Be patient– I cannot stress how important this is. You will get frustrated and angry, but do not let this ‘little’ wash-day hiccup defeat you. Take your time and focus on method rather than getting it done quickly.
2. Conditioner is your best friend– Use as much conditioner as you need. The conditioner provides slip to your hair and makes it easier to comb through. Let it do the job for you.
3. Wet your hair – hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Water also provides a lot of slip and makes it easier to comb through.
4. Use a combination of your fingers and a comb – Use your fingers initially to remove as many kinks as possible, then proceed to use a wide tooth comb, wooden brush or denman brush (whichever one works best for you).
5. Work from the bottom up – I am sure we have all heard this before. The worst mistake you can make is to start combing through your hair from the roots, not only will you end up in a world of pain but you will also pull out a lot of new growth.
6. Don’t be afraid of losing hair – you will always shed hair after a protective style. Don’t panic. Focus on detangling it properly now so that you don’t have to detangle it everyday for the next one week.


3 Habits Guaranteed to Make Your Hair Grow Longer and Healthier

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IG @tolaniav

by Kanisha Parks of ShesSaved.com

In the natural hair community, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on getting healthy hair, growing long hair, and retaining length. All too often, we tend to think the answer is a certain product, vitamin, or “grow hair overnight” scheme, when it isn’t.

I’ve been natural for about six years now and in the beginning, there was a lot of trial and error involved: emphasis on error. I wanted my hair to grow long and healthy but I wasn’t equipping myself with the three habits necessary to get it there. You don’t need an arsenal of products, 10,000 tools, or even a personal hair stylist. You can grow long, healthy, strong, and beautiful hair, no matter your starting point or texture. Start implementing these habits and your hair will prosper!

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1. GAIN UNDERSTANDING.

When you decide to grow your own hair, the first step is to learn about natural hair AND your own hair, because it is unique from any other head of hair you will encounter. It’s good to know about natural hair in general, but if you never examine your own waves, curls, kinks, and/or coils, you won’t be able to handle them properly. You should take the time to really do your research so that you won’t waste time buying products that aren’t suitable for your hair or creating habits that are ultimately just a waste of time.

When I first went natural, I spent hours on YouTube and hair blogs, just immersing myself in natural hair, which was something I didn’t even know was a “thing.” At the time, there wasn’t nearly as much information available as there is now, so your task actually quite easy! But you must also realize that you have to eat the meat and throw away the bone. Every tip isn’t one you should acquire, and with time, you’ll find your groove.

You’ll quickly see that there are many methods, routines, and regimens out there but you’ll find that everything isn’t good for your hair/lifestyle. Me, personally? I’ve learned that for my hair and lifestyle, it’s best to just keep it simple. I wash my hair once a week, following up with conditioning, and then deep conditioning with heat for 30 minutes. During the summer my hair is almost always in a bun, which I take down 2-3 times a week to moisturize and give my hair a break. Every other month, I install box braids to give myself a break from styling. This routine has helped me retain 2 inches of growth this summer, and it’s all because I spent time learning what is good for my hair.

2. GET DEDICATED.

You say you want long and healthy hair, but what are you doing about it? A few years ago I called myself getting serious about my hair journey, but I was still doing things to counteract any progress I was making, such as: using too much heat, neglecting my hair, leaving protective styles in for too long, not deep conditioning, not moisturizing, etc.

Once you gain understanding, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to grow healthy hair, including: following a regimen, refraining from damaging hair practices like excessive heat and over-manipulation, deep conditioning regularly, maintaining a good diet, and drinking lots of water. But do you do it?

If you’re still learning, don’t be afraid to try but just know that retaining length is going to take some sort of effort. The amount of effort depends on the person. My hair tends to be prone to split ends so I have to be very cautious and watchful of anything that will hinder me from retaining length, like slacking on my regimen or handling my hair too harshly.

Ultimately, if you really want long and healthy hair, you’ll do what it takes to achieve it. It doesn’t take all of your time and a boatload of money to do it. Truly, being dedicated will take you farther than any hair product or miracle growth oil ever will.

3. BE CONSISTENT.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge and are really ready to put your best foot forward, consistency is all you need. There were many times in my hair journey when I made significant progress but I found myself growing weary, getting antsy, or was just tired of trying. Right when my hair was on the cusp of greatness, I would resort back to my bad habits because it was just easier.

Sometimes you have to tell yourself no! So if you’re committed to refraining from heat for six months, don’t let yourself give in at month three. Don’t skip a week of deep conditioning or allow yourself any room for excuses. At times you may feel like it’s “not that big of a deal” but if long and healthy hair is your goal, consistency is essential because it takes time to see lasting results. It’ll take some discipline, but it will also be well worth it.

As with anything in life, the more you put in, the more you get out. So if your hair isn’t where you want it, just know that it can get there! It’s up to you. So learn what you’re doing wrong, get serious about what you need to change, and just stick with it. You’ll get there!

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Kanisha is a Christian writer, author, and founder of ShesSaved.com, where she blogs about faith, natural hair, and more. She can be contacted for business inquiries at contact@shessaved.com.

Do tea rinses really make hair grow faster?

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IG @hermela

by Jonna of BlackNaps.org

Any other tea lovers out there? I know I’m not the only one who is a fan of a variety of teas. Drinking tea has so many benefits, whether you’re looking for energy or relaxation. I actually drink tea similar to how most people drink coffee, with milk or creamer. So tasty! Naturalistas are known for taking everyday kitchen items and using them in our hair care routine, and teas are no different. There are several benefits of using tea for your hair care regimen. Herbal hair rinses have been used for centuries to naturally soften hair, increase manageability, and restore luster, body and bounce.

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WHAT IS A TEA RINSE?

A tea rinse is done by pouring a cup of tea, commonly green or black, over the hair. Most commonly, tea rinses are used to reduce shedding or stimulate hair growth.

HOW DO TEA RINSES WORK?

The caffeine in the tea penetrates the hair follicles. The process is just like brewing tea you would drink. Bring water to just about boiling, and add 4-5 tea bags and remove from the heat until it is cool. Remove the tea bags, and then pour the tea into a spray bottle. Then you can spray your scalp and hair, cover with a plastic cap and let it sit for about 30-45 minutes.

DO TEA RINSES REALLY MAKE HAIR GROW FASTER?

Caffeine definitely penetrates hair follicles and may stimulate hair growth, but it’s impossible to say how much additional growth you might experience, if any at all. There have been studies that show tiny amounts of caffeine stimulate hair growth, but too much can have the opposite result and stunt growth. antiseptic ingredients in tea remove the dead skin cells and impurities that may block hair follicles, preventing their clogging and allowing hairs to grow again. EGGG, a compound found in green tea, can stimulate the hair growth by increasing the activity of dermal papillae. A powerful antioxidant, EGGG is also effective in preventing the thinning of hair.

OTHER BENEFITS OF USING TEA RINSES

Black tea enhances the shine and highlights in brunettes, rooibos is wonderful for red heads and for blondes, try chamomile. If you have a few grey strands, add two teaspoons of sage to your rinse. Sage will open the hair follicles, allowing the color to penetrate. Tea is rich in polyphenols, vitamin C and E, which ensure a shiny and soft hair, and protect against the damage caused by UV radiation. Also, these ingredients are known to strengthen the hair and restore the health of damaged, dry hairs.

Tea has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, and acts by soothing the scalp and preventing its irritation and inflammation. This not only prevents dandruff, but it may also relieve symptoms of psoriasis. Green tea can increase metabolism, which can lead to faster hair growth. It also inhibits the production of DHT, a compound that promotes hair loss. Daily scalp massages with freshly brewed tea can increase blood’s circulation to the scalp and stimulate hair’s growth by providing higher amounts of nutrients and oxygen.

Have you tried adding tea rinses to your hair care regimen?

Serena Williams Has Kicked Butt A Total of 308 Times

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by Tiffani Greenaway of MyMommyVents.com

This weekend at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams made history with her 308th win. Williams, who celebrates her 35th birthday on September 26th, didn’t even think she’d still be playing tennis. ''I definitely never thought I would be playing still,'' she said. ''Now I don't really see when I'm going to stop, because I'm just enjoying these moments out here, getting to break records that I didn't even know existed or I didn't even know was possible.''

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With 88 wins at the U.S. Open, 86 at Wimbledon, 74 at the Australian Open, and 60 at the French Open, Serena has won more Grand Slam matches than anyone else in tennis history. ''It's a huge number,'' said the tennis champ. ''I think it's very significant, actually. I think it's something that just really talks about the length of my career, in particular. I've been playing for a really long time. But also, given that consistency up there - that's something that I'm really proud of.''

In the face of controversy over her hairstyles, outfits, body type, and romantic relationships, Serena triumphs at her game. In 2012, Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki mocked Serena’s physique by stuffing her tennis top and short with towels in an exhibition match. In 2001 at the BNP Paribas Open, after being booed by the crowd, Serena’s father and sister encountered racist fans, causing Serena to boycott the event until 2015. "When Venus and I were walking down the stairs to our seats, people kept calling me nigger," said Richard Williams, Serena’s father. "One guy said, 'I wish it was '75; we'd skin you alive.' (http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/stories/2001-03-26-williams.htm)

Although she’s been the subject of scrutiny, heckling, racism and mockery, Serena continues to shine. "I just feel like I'm going out there doing what I need to do," Serena told reporters. "I'm not overplaying, I'm not underplaying. I'm just trying to play my way into this tournament."

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Tiffani Greenway is the wife and mom behind MyMommyVents, a New York city parenting blog. Her tips have been seen on Yahoo Parenting, Mommy Noire, and Fit Pregnancy. Find more of Tiffani's work at mymommyvents.com.


4 Reasons You’re Still Struggling With Your Natural Hair

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 IG @natural_locks21

by Charlene Walton of TexturedTalk.com

Have you been natural for a while but you’re still struggling with your natural hair? Maybe you just big chopped and have no clue what to do next. Or, you think being natural is too hard and have no idea where to start first. There are a lot of reasons why women struggle with natural hair but here are some of the most common factors that hold women back.

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1. You Haven’t Experimented Enough
There are so many natural hair styles to try. At first glance, it can seem daunting to decide what to do with your hair. Should you twist, wash and go or perm-rod it out? My suggestion is to master one style at a time. This way you build confidence in your styling and going forward you’ll possibly be discouraged to try new things. Try one new style a month, then work your way towards a new style the next month. Whoever said having natural hair was easy lied. You have to continue to work and try new things. Practice makes perfect, so if you don’t experiment you will never know what looks and works best for your hair type. Here Are Some of the Top Styling Tutorials from Textured Talk:

How to Install Flexi-Rods
Best Perm-Rod Tutorials for Natural Hair
The Easiest Way to Achieve a Wash & Go
The Ultimate Faux Loc Tutorial Guide

2. You Are Following Someone With Hair That Doesn’t Look Like Yours
The worst thing you can do as a new natural is follow someone whose hair looks absolutely nothing like yours. Following bloggers and YouTube vloggers for inspiration is a great idea, but only if it is done correctly. Try to find someone with the same length and thickness of your hair to get an idea of proper styling techniques. Beware of getting fooled my “magic” curl patterns and what you wished your hair could look like. Be realistic and you will be on the path to getting some great results.

3. You Think the “Right” Product Will Solve All of Your Problems
The third reason you’re probably still struggling with your natural hair is because you think there is one magic product to solve all of your natural hair problems. More than likely will need to try a few products before finding the right one. Most importantly, take note of the ingredients of the products you are using. For example, I know my hair responds best to products with shea butter and not so much to glycerin. Therefore; when testing out new products I make sure to pay attention to where glycerin lists on the label. If glycerin is one of the first ingredients on the list I might skip that product. In addition, using products from different lines produces some amazing results. My favorite leave in conditioner brand is different from the cream I love to use for twist outs so it’s all about finding what works best for you.

4. You Haven’t Visited A Professional Stylist natural-hair-salon
Although there are tons of blogs to follow like this one to get information, if you are still struggling with your natural hair you should consider seeing a professional stylist. But, make sure you see a professional stylist that understands how to properly care for natural hair. One piece of advice I often tell women is to do your research. Get customer referrals, check their social media for examples of their work and even ask for a consultation. A professional stylist can properly determine if you need a cut, protein treatment of let you know of any other damage. It’s hard to know what problem areas you have by yourself. Find a trusted stylist to help set you on the right path.

Are you still struggling with your natural hair? Leave a comment and let me know! 

I'm giving away 6 Conditioning Baskets to Top Commenters! (September 2016)

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Hola Chicas,

I'm giving away 6 Conditioning Baskets(worth ~$90 each) this month (September 2016) to question askers and answerers!

If you see a curly-in-need who has asked a question under a post, answer it! If you are a curly who has a question that needs an answer, ask it! Not under this post, on all the posts! 

The first three baskets will go to the three curlies with the highest number of posts this month (9/1-9/30, comments from previous months don't count) and the next three will go to three randomly selected commenters.  Past winners are eligible!

Which posts/articles count for the contest? All of them!  Good luck!

*contest ends Sept 30th 2016 at 5pm EST*

*Please only post comments that spark conversation and further discussion. Free products are EVERYTHING but this is really about strengthening our community and helping other naturals!*

*US citizens only
 
Later Gators,
Nik

Click for last month's winners!>>>>
CONGRATS!!! #WinnerWinnerChickenDinner 

Laddidi
Lola
Destiny
Cecilia Johnson
Mindy
MeoMy

email me ASAP at nikki@curlynikki.com using 'July winner' in the subject line!

The Easiest Frohawk Tutorial Ever!

How to Safely Straighten Your 4c Natural Hair

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Hola Chicas!

The lovely Chrishelle Monet (akaAll_Things_Gold) is showing us how she safely achieves a bomb blow-out on her 4c natural hair! Enjoy! 


The Best Herbal Infusions for Strong and Healthy Natural Hair

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IG @tracyjo_

by Sointocurls via BlackNaps.org

Most likely, you may have heard of herbal infusions for health purposes. Because of the cancer-fighting properties of many herbs, many people regularly prepare and enjoy herbal concoctions for relaxation and medicinal purposes and also to satisfy their palates. But did you know that herbal infusions can also be used to strengthen and beautify hair?

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What Are Herbal Infusions?
An herbal infusion is, put very simply, an extract. Often, this extract is prepared by boiling hot water and then pouring the hot water over dried herbs and allowing the mixture to sit, covered, for a period of 4-10 hours. Once the mixture is cooked, it is then ready for consumption or use on the hair. Typically, the recipe for an infusion calls for one tablespoon of dried herb to one cup of boiling hot water.

How Can Herbal Infusions Be Incorporated Into Your Natural Hair Routine?
Very easily. For instance, an herbal infusion can be added to your conditioner of choice so that your hair receives added benefits. Alternatively, some people prefer to use infusions as gentile cleansing agents, adding tea tree oil or other antibacterial elements to bolster the cleansing effect of antibacterial herbs. Still others have found that herbal infusions are extremely useful as a final rinse, facilitating easier detangling of curly hair and restoring it to its proper Ph level.

Which Herbs Should Be Used?
Practically any one that you choose. For instance, both ginger and comfrey stimulate the scalp and encourage hair growth, while rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for calming and detangling hair. Dandelion root, containing copious amounts of iron, assists with dandruff issues and dry hair, while Bhringraj prevents premature graying of hair and adds intensive moisture.

As you can see, whatever your hair problem is, there is an herb that’s available to handle it, and I’ve only just scratched the surface. Why not do your own research and work some herbs into your hair care routine? The results just might amaze you!
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