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5 Tips to Reduce Breakage When Washing Natural Hair

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Cleaning out the drain is high on the list of worst chores in life. Especially when you have (and lose) a lot of hair. We like to find small ways to put off this loathsome activity. Most of your hair breakage happens on wash day, so if you want to lose less hair then start with your shower habits.

Read On!>>>
Get a Shower Mirror
A fog-free shower mirror is a great asset to your hair care shower routine. Most of us have grown up not using one so we manage to care for our hair without it. We fumble around blindly parting our hair and feeling to ensure we have everything out and everything in. It is a pain but it is so much a part of the routine that we do not realize how it can be easier. With a shower mirror that is fog-free you can see your parts. You see if all is rinsed out and all the conditioner is covering all of your head. The parts do not have to be perfect but it is helpful to have some organization so that when you detangle your roots you do not accidentally grab a section that is put away. How does that aid in hair loss? Well, seeing your tangles in the shower and working them through will be easier than the several you missed by the time you got out. If you are like me then you get tired and get to yanking. More sight means more control over working out those tangles.

Rinse with Tea
Tea rinses for hair shedding are becoming increasingly popular as curlies find them easy to create, master, and very beneficial at stopping some hair shedding in its tracks. All you have to do is steep the tea and allow it to cool before pouring over your hair and scalp after cleansing and conditioning your hair in the shower. Then, massage your scalp before continuing your hair routine, as there is no need to rinse it out.

Black tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush, is a favorite for tea rinses as it contains more caffeine than a cup of coffee. Caffeine blocks Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone responsible for hair loss. Green tea is another popular tea rinse that will stimulate hair growth and there are others teas like chamomile for brightening hair or nettle tea for helping with scalp issues like dandruff and psoriasis. Tea rinses are easy ways to fight off hair shedding or hair loss and even stimulate your hair follicles.

Use Croc Clips
Most of us have parted ways with the rat tail combs but many are still using hair care accessories that are not doing their hair any favors. Scrunchies are out! Rubber bands are out! Even ouchless hair bands are really not that ouchless as I still get hair tangled up in them. The solution? Colortrak Tools The Croc Clips that will not slip, snag, or yank your tresses while you part your hair in the shower.

The Goody Ouchless Flex barrette is my favorite barrette. I have never yanked my hair out with them and they are amazing in the shower. Using the correct tools in the shower will leave little room for yanking out hair and incurring hair loss at your own hands.

Pre-poo
A pre-poo or oil treatment applied to hair prior to shampooing is one of the best ways to decrease hair loss and fight tangles without spending hours at a time in the shower. Wet hair is more elastic than dry hair so it is manipulate it when dry. Yes, the shed hair needs to be removed either way but as most of the tangles or shed hairs are broken down by the oil, you will have less of them to reckon with when your hair is soaking wet and more susceptible to breakage.

Rinse with cool, not hot water
Steamy showers feel oh so good. The steam is great for imparting moisture into our strands but putting hot water on our strands is not doing our curls any favors. The hot water dehydrates your strands just like our skin, and dry brittle hair is more prone to breakage and ultimately hair loss says Dr. Ryan Welter, a hair transplant surgeon in Boston. “Not only are you washing your hair’s protective oils down the drain, but the heat throws your scalp's pores into overdrive to keep up with oil production, which can damage the root and lead to additional shedding.” You don't have to take a cold shower, but opt for a warm one and try to rinse your hair with cool water.

How do you prevent breakage in the shower?

8 Natural Hair Hacks

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 by Charity Dublin of www.deepfriedstilettos.com

Natural hair can be a challenge to manage, it can be both time and money consuming to care for but with a few tips and tricks you can save yourself some time, money and precious hair strands! I use all of these hacks regularly and they definitely work. Honestly, it doesn't matter if you're natural or relaxed, adding one or two of these tips to your routine could help make your hair journey a lot smoother! Some of these are pretty well known, while others you may not have thought about. Here are eight natural hair hacks that every girl should know!

1. Hate washing your hair while rocking protective styles?
Try baby wipes! They’re an absolute genius, no fuss, no mess method for cleaning your scalp while wearing protective styles. It really doesn’t get any easier than this!

Read On!>>>
2. Buttons + hair pins = Hair accessories
This one I picked up from a dorm mate! If you looking for cute, quirky hair accessories, stop by the fabric or craft store and pick up some buttons. Just slip a hair pin through the holes and you've got yourself a cute hair accessory. Buttons come in such a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures, the options are limited only by your imagination.

3. Add oil to your conditioner
Give your hair an extra treat by adding your favorite essential or carrier oils to store bought conditioner.

4. Hair Therapy Wrap/Cordless Heating Cap
This product is absolutely fantastic for making wash day easier! Pop it into the microwave for a few minutes and you’ve got the heat to give your hot oil treatments and deep conditioners an extra kick! Best of all, it's cordless so you’re not stuck in one place!

5. Use pieces of stocking and cloth as hair ties
Really useful for when you’ve lost all your store bought hair bands! Nicked this one for Sylene. Thanks love!

6. Use natural soap to make your own cleanser
After using a DIY African Black Soap mixture to cleanse my hair and scalp for the last 6 months, I can honestly say that it’s cheaper for my pocket and healthier for my scalp and hair.

7. Does protective styling wreck havoc on your hairline?
This is a brilliant tip that I stole from my best friend. It’s actually quite simple. Leave your poor edges out of the style! Place your edges in a flat twist and wear your protective style down. If you want to wear it up, use a broad band or scarf to hide the undone edges.

8. T-shirts rather than towels
This is one we’ve all probably heard before; use a t-shirt rather than a towel when drying hair to avoid extra frizz, dryness and breakage.

There are so many hair hacks out there and this post only includes a few of them. Do you use any of these tips and tricks in your hair care routine? Do you have any tips and tricks of your own? What hair hacks could you not live without?

I Thought He Would Leave If I Let Him See Me

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On speaking the truth and hearing the truth without fear.

I was silent in my relationship.

I didn't have a voice and I resented my partner and myself because of it.

Read On!>>>
I didn't speak up because I didn't want to push him away. I thought I could pretend to be what he wanted. I thought his needs were more important than mine.

I was scared -- no, terrified -- of finding out that he wouldn't love me for me. I thought that he stuck with me because we had babies, not because he really wanted to be there.

When we don't give a voice to what we are feeling, it comes out on its own in other ways.

Sabotage, anxiety, jealousy, depression, resentment, telling lies, blaming everyone and everything and generally feeling disillusioned with life.

Back then, I couldn't imagine the thought of openly talking about my true, deep down, open wound kind of feelings but eventually I had to admit to myself that if I didn't, nothing would change.

I wanted to blame my partner for our disconnect, but I couldn't because I had never truly shown up for the relationship. For years, I'd felt one thing and said another.

I thought he would leave if I showed my truth, my lies and my real perspective on our relationship and what I needed from him.

I remained silent until I decided that I would be fine -- or at least, better than I was -- no matter what he did.

But he didn't leave. He stepped up and opened up and everything changed.

That was my first taste of the fear-squashing power of truth telling.

It breathed new life into my relationship and I started thinking that just maybe, truth telling could renew everything. Maybe if I stopped feeling one thing and doing and saying another in every aspect of my life, just maybe, my whole world would change.
And it did.
  • I had to admit that I wanted a different life and acknowledge that my external world was not aligned with my inner world.
  • I had to start speaking my truth around people that I feared wouldn't understand it.
  • I had to walk away from people and things that interfered with my self-discovery.
  • I had to shift my mindset from people-pleasing and fitting in to self-acceptance and self-respect.
  • I had to develop a deep, unconditional love for myself, my journey and the purpose I am here to fulfill.
Maybe you see yourself in this post. If so, take this affirmation with you:

I will value my honest feelings more than I value the acceptance of other people. I won't apologize or feel like a burden for being who I am. I will let myself be loved, supported and seen.

5 Natural Hair Styles and Techniques...I Don't Have Time For.

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I am a lazy natural. I am not one for spending crazy amounts of time on style, techniques, and routines. It makes me antsy and annoyed. Yea, I try to do Bantu knots or twist outs but end up hating the outcome and going right back to my wash and go that is full of ease. I realize we all have our opinions on what is easy and convenient, and for me jumping in the shower to run water and conditioner through my hair is easier than most anything else I do for my hair. I love the ease of my routine, and because I am super busy I do not have a lot of time for hairstyles. I spend what I need to keep my hair healthy and protected but outside of that you are not going to see me with intricate styles. Here is a list of some of the styles and techniques that I don't have the time or the patience for.  
Read On!>>>

Shaved Sides
The style of the shaved sides or back may be fading but they were never interesting enough for me to try. For one, who wants to grow that mess out when I am done? Not me! Been there done that back in the early 90’s when everybody was rocking the Halle Berry cut. When I finally decided to grow that out I was in horror because I was relaxed at the time and what was growing back was not relaxed hair. Needless to say, it was a hot mess and looking oh so raggedy. It might be cute while you are rocking it but the growing out process is a pain and a no-go trend for Sabrina.
 
Roller Sets
No ma’am. I am not a master of roller sets and I know I will be removing them before my hair is fully dry. The style takes too long to do and half my hair is bone dry before I get only 25% done. I will not be sleeping in them because I am so used to not sleeping in rollers anymore that the last time I tired, I about died! Very uncomfortable! I most certainly will not get under a hooded dryer because that sounds like sheer torture to me so these styles that would allow me a few days of curls and coils are not worth the trouble in my book.
 
Long Wash Days
What is the deal with long wash days? I do not have the time to be spending hours upon hours working on my hair detangling, washing, conditioning, and prepping. This makes sense since I am a wash and go queen and a lazy natural (although I do not feel the latter is necessarily a bad thing). To me, long wash days are reminiscent of my relaxer days when I would spend half the day in the salon dreading the wait and the dryer. It was never relaxing to me because a relaxing day at the salon is getting a massage and/or pedicure. Anything outside of that is sheer torture.

I love the wash and go for several reasons. I allow the water to aid in my detangling and whenever I have put off my wash day too long, I simply pre-poo to make the detangling part shorter. I also do not enjoy all the twisting and prepping that some naturals do so I deep condition overnight and rinse in the morning. Simple, quick, and easy.
 
Dryers
I detest the days of relaxed hairstyles where I had to sit under the hooded dryer. I hate the dryer. I mean I really hate the dryer. It is hot, long, and I am always counting down the minutes to when it shuts off. I have been known to turn the dial down a tad to get it over with. Yea, that’s how much I cannot stand sitting under one of those things. I would get so overheated and be drenched in sweat that I could only think about getting in the shower. Any hairstyle that cannot be air-dried is not for me.

Waiting for hair to dry
To me it is pretty much like waiting and watching paint dry. I just can’t do it! So what does that mean? I am heading out the door with a wet head and fearing no colds! Ok, I have already mentioned I hate dryers so it should come as no surprise I cannot just sit around waiting for my hair to dry either, especially considering the concept that going out with a wet head will make you sick is a big fat myth! Dr. Charles Smith, of the Family and Preventative Medicine Department at University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences says there is no medical evidence that going out with a wet head will make you sick. According to Dr. Smith (and science!), wet hair does not cause colds since colds are infections of the upper respiratory tract that are caused by viruses. Thank goodness because if my only options were to get under a dryer or wait for my hair to dry I would lose my mind!  

What are some of the styles or techniques you just do not have the time or the patience for?

Stretch Your Natural Hair With Saran Wrap

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DiscoveringNatural loves a good challenge.  Her followers asked her to straighten her 4c natural hair using the saran wrap method, and she did!  Watch as she stretches her hair with rollers and plastic wrap!  

 

SHOW AND TELL- FIERCE FRIDAY!

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Hola Chicas!
For those of you that are new to CN, Fierce Friday is a way to celebrate our natural hair, displaying our dopest styles and best hair days... for inspiration and motivation. Wanna be featured? All you have to do is upload your favorite pics to Instagram with the tags #FierceFriday and #CurlyNikki. Be sure to share a brief description of the style, where you were headed, why you felt amazing, and thangs of that nature!
Fro | tas·tic @hey_curlie

#longwalk#teamnatural_ @zion_aug


 
My first time being comfortable enough to wear my hair out in its fro, I got so much positive feedback, it made me so much more comfortable! @Brigiteeeee


my first attempt at doing a 3 strand flat-twist out! I was very happy with the result. -Christy


Loving the results of this #rollerset. Now let's see how long I can make it last. The last one I did only lasted a day: humidity was not on my side. Oh, and products used: Wen cowash, Giovanni direct leave-in, #carolsdaughter Macadamia heat setting foam, and just a dab of ecostyler gel for a little extra hold @danadanabobana7

Fresh wash and go @kingteeuhh


Come through big hair, make em stare @mochacurlie89


Listening to #Goapele #StrongasGlassi @it_sshayday


Enjoy your Hair @igbocurls

# #bighair #natural loving my big hair #curls @1ashleylovely

DIY Organic Hair Gel for Shiny, Moisturized Hair

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Every woman with tightly curled and coily hair dreams of the styling product that applies like a cream, holds like a gel, does not have crunch, imparts shine, and is not drying. Does that exist? Well, I can only name a few that live up to all of those expectations. Many of us resort to layering moisturizer, milks, oil, and butters to make up for what the gel lacks but why? A styler does not have to be limited to adding hold and it should also be chock-full with nutrients.

Bri aka Smartistabeauty gives a DIY gel that does all of those things and it is completely organic, which is always a plus. Her concoction consists of the following:
  • Flax seeds - packed with omega 3 fatty acids, promotes hair growth, shine & moisture, fights hair loss
  • Chia seeds- similar benefits as flaxseed
  • Vitamin E oil -  prolongs shelf-life 
  • Fresh aloe vera - humectant, natural conditioner, pH balances the hair, helps hair retain moisture
  • Essential oil of choice
Read On!>>>
 Watch the Video


Do you make seed gels for your hair? Share below!

Romance is Naturally Glam!

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Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My Name is Romance Cox, also known as Hey Curlie.

How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I’ve been natural going on 3 yrs. I big chopped November 2011. I learned to embrace my hair and I wouldn’t change a thing.

 Read On!>>>

What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I didn’t plan on doing the big chop. I was transitioning and had a sew-in. Upon taking it out and washing my hair, my hair matted (scary, right?!). So I had to big chop, and after a few months, I learned to embrace my hair and I wouldn’t change a thing.

How would you describe your hair?
My hair has its only personality. It can be manageable one day and unruly the next.

What do you love most about your hair?
I love being versatile. I love trying new styles from rod sets to twist-outs. It’s all about having fun.

What has been the most memorable part of your journey? Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
My most memorable would have to be my big chop. My journey has just been fun: trying new products and meeting new naturals and helping them along the way.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos’?
I love a two strand twist-out and I’ve mastered the perm rod set.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
It’s been mix for me, others have embraced it and some still are hesitant about me being natural. All are supportive and still love me the same.

What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I love to co-wash my hair using As I Am Cowash followed by Aussie Moist conditioner. I style with a range of products depending on my style so I can’t pick one styling product.


What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs? Do I really have to pick?
I have a ton of websites, Youtubers, and blogs I admire. I can’t pick. Get a lot of helpful information from a lot of places. Each site or YouTuber brings something different.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?Learn to love yourself, ’cause if you can’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?- Rupaul

Where can people find you for more information?
www.heycurlie.com
Twitter: @heycurlie
www.facebook.com/heycurlie
Instagram: @hey_curlie

Global Couture is trying to spread the word about embracing your natural hair. Love your HAIR, if it is wavy, curly, kinky or coily. Shop http://www.globalcouture.net/ and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Are you naturally fierce? Email us to share your hair journey at blog@globalcouture.net

5 Easy, Practical Ways to Combat Natural Hair Shrinkage

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by Jessica of heygorjess.com

If you’ve been natural long enough—you know that shrinkage can be cray! It can rob of you hard earned inches!  Personally, my hair shrinks up at least six inches (probably more… I don’t have a tape measurer otherwise I probably would check). Some people hate shrinkage, while others don’t mind it at all. When I first went natural I hated it... a lot. Especially because I wanted my hair to look longgg–not be like an afro! Not that anything is wrong with afros at all—just wasn’t my personal preference.  Plus, back then being natural wasn’t really accepted. So I just got made fun of and got called Macy Gray and what not all the time *sighs*. But some people love their shrinkage! They love the versatility of it and never fight it. So if you are in that category, then this post isn’t for you (but share it with a friend or something)!

So there are a few ways I stretch my hair to get rid of some of the shrinkage. If I didn’t do these things, my hair would probably look a lot shorter and poofier.

Read On!>>>

1. Blow Dry Your Roots
When my hair is at least 90% dry, I pull my hair and then blow-dry the roots with medium heat. I don’t blow-dry them straight, but just enough to stretch my hair a little bit to give it some length. It works wonders! And only takes a couple minutes to do! You can really manipulate your hair with the blow dryer.

2. Put Your Hair In a High Bun
If you are #teamnoheat or just don’t want to use a blow dryer, you can stretch your hair a little bit by putting your hair in a high bun when your hair is almost dry. I wouldn’t do this while it is wet because it could mess up the way your curls dry. I do this when I don’t have access to a blow dryer. I’ll put it in a bun for an hour or so or keep taking it up and down until I get the length I want, lol. Make sure it is tight enough to pull your hair, and loose enough that it won’t make any creases!

3. Use A Lot of Product
Product weights your hair down, so that will help it to be a little longer. This is something you would have to play with to figure out what works best for you. Depending on what product you use and how much, it could make your hair look flaky or flat. So I use just enough to take away the frizz and fro and make my hair lay down a little bit.

4. Wait For Your Hair to Grow
I know some of ya’lI rolled your eyes at this! 'Cause we are all impatient and hate waiting for our hair to get to our ideal length. And that’s okay because I’ve definitely been there! But don’t worry! The longer your hair gets, the less shrinkage you’ll get! Length can loosen your curls and weighs down your hair. So naturally it’ll stretch.

5. Embrace it!
Instead of fighting it and getting frustrated, accept and embrace it! It is apart of the natural hair journey and it can’t be avoided. Now that my hair is longer and the length weighs it down, I have embraced my shrinkage and don’t mind it at all. It makes my hair look fuller and bigger, which I love! Even though I do stretch it a little bit, I couldn’t even imagine my hair without shrinkage now. I feel like it wouldn’t be me!

How do you cope with shrinkage? Are you #TeamSrinkage or #TeamStretch? 

Vianca Is Naturally Glam!

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Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I did the big chop, although I kept my hair “Keri Hilson short” while it was permed. My journey was a struggle. I cut my hair into a fade and struggled with feeling feminine. My hair grew super quick though. After about 5 months, it was back to the length it was before, but you couldn’t tell by the shrinkage.

Had you always embraced your texture?
Yes, I always liked my texture.

READ MORE>>


How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them? 
My friends and sorority sisters were super supportive. My dad on the other hand did not like it, lol. When I would ask him what he thought he would give me the genuine “you're beautiful honey.” After six months or so he came around.

Describe your hair (fine or coarse, thin or thick, highly porous, low, etc.)
My hair is super thick.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair? 
I haven’t really done anything crazy to it.

What’s your biggest hair related regret?
I wish I had tried more styles while it was a TWA.


What's your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
I deep condition my hair every weekend. I use virgin olive oil, argan oil, coconut milk, placenta, home-grown aloe, and any store bought deep conditioner. I co-wash my hair about twice a week and then just do twists outs. I love shea butter anything!

What’s your favorite hairstyle? Where do you get hairstyle inspiration?
My favorite hairstyle is 2 days after a twist out when my hair is just big and unruly.

Who is your curl crush? 
My curl crush is Brit. Her IG is Bwatuwant.


How do you maintain your hair at night? 
I literally just go to sleep. I should probably do better though

How do you maintain healthy length?
My hair tends to get dry in the winter, so I try to do protective styles and maintain moisture


What's the best thing about being natural?
The best thing about being natural is feeling beautiful without having to do all the extra. I literally wake up, put two bobby pins in my hair and keep it moving. I love the simplicity of being natural.

Where can folks find you on the web?
IG: Tail_Pearl

Flat Twist-Out with Cocoon Technique on Natural Hair

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IamSoNotMyHair says: "Check out how I have been able to achieve these amazing curls this winter season!"  

She creates flat twists on wet hair, using the cocoon technique on her ends.  

 

Have you ever tried it? Share below!


CurlyNikki on the Dr. Oz Show (Wednesday, February 25th)

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I'll be back on the Doctor Oz Show tomorrow talking hair emergencies and quick DIY fixes. Please tune in or set your DVR! #shenaniganry

Later Gators,
Nik

Quinn from the Netherlands- On the Couch

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Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey.
My name is Quinta, but people call me Quinn. I’m 25 years old and a proud mommy of a 5 year old daughter. I’m from Amsterdam, yes the Netherlands. Originally my parents are from Surinam, a country in South America.

How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I have been “creamy crack-free” since the age of 14/15. After that, I started to use the infamous flat iron and experimented with colors, so in my eyes I wasn’t officially natural. Somewhere in 2012, I started to experiment with my natural curl pattern, but because it didn’t look the way I wanted, I fell off again and went back to the flat iron. In 2013, I was so fed up with the way my hair felt and looked that I had reached a turning point. I didn’t always love my curls because when it dried up, it was huge and poofy. Back then, I only liked my hair when it was wet and I saw those curls. Right now, I’m loving my hair so much that sometimes even my boyfriend can’t touch it! I’m all about the bigger the hair, the better! And I really don’t mind frizz.


Read On!>>>
What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I was a transitioner because I do not like the scissors. It would be a nightmare for me to big chop. However, since 2012 I've been using Shea Moisture and I always use a heat protectant, so I didn’t need a big chop. I did cut some ends, but that was about it.

How would you describe your hair?
Funky, versatile, thick and has its own mind.

What do you love most about your hair?
It’s so fluffy!


What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
The most memorable part was when people were actually surprised that I had curls. Nobody, except for my mom, ever saw me wearing it natural or even knew that my hair was like this.
It was hard in the beginning because I wasn’t “listening” to my hair, so it didn’t looked like I wanted, and I got frustrated with the shrinkage at first.

What are (or were) some of your favorite transitioning hairstyles or current dos?
I once did a frohawk and I really liked that, but I won’t do it myself again. I don’t really have favorite hairstyles, sometimes twistouts or braidouts etc. It depends on how my mood is.

What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
I used to wear half sew-ins during the time I used the flat iron and everybody thought it was my real hair. The moment I went officially natural, people started to ask if it was weave. I thought that was funny! And the fact people were surprised that I had curls.



What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I’m sort of a product junkie so I use different products. I don’t use different products every other day, but stick to a couple of them and then switch it up after a while. I love Shea Moisture so that brand is always in my regime.
Shampoo:
I don’t really have a schedule regarding wash day. It depends on how much buildup I have or if it feels heavy because of too much product in it.
- SheaMoisture JBCO shampoo or the one from the Coconut & Hiniscus line.
Conditioner/Leave-in:
I do co-wash every week with Giovanni Leave-in/SheaMoisture JBCO leave-in.
In the front I use Kinky Curly because my curl pattern is looser than in the back.
Deep treatment:
I try to do a deep treatment at least every month but I'm aiming at every week or every two weeks.
- SheaMoisture JBCO deep treatment masque
- Palmers proteine packs
I use the LOC method but i already mix the oil and cream before applying it.
- I have olive oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil and almond oil at home so I switch it up.
- for the “C” I use SheaMoisture Curling Enhancing Smoothie or Cantu Curling Cream


 Do you use the same products on your daughter’s hair? And does she likes her hair?
The only products I use for my daughter’s hair are from Shea Moisture JBCO because other products did not work for her. She likes her hair and she always says that she and I are twins when we are rocking our afros. I had to explain her one time that her hair is different than a couple of other girls in her class. She was wondering why she didn’t have blonde and straight hair. It was hard when she said that, but I tried to explain to her that her hair is beautiful too and that the other girl maybe wants her curls!  After that she understood it and is loving it.

 
What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I like HeyFranHey, ItsMyRayeRaye, Naptural85, MahoganyCurls. Omg, there are so many inspiring naturalistas! There are a lot more i follow or watch.

Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
Don’t mind others, just do what feels good! Loving your hair is YOUR journey and especially love YOUR hair because I see too many people still saying “I want her/your hair/curls!” but your hair is beautiful too, you just have to see that!

Where can people find you for more information?
I’m on Instagram: quinnlagraine

Global Couture is trying to spread the word about embracing your natural hair. Love your HAIR, if it is wavy, curly, kinky or coily. Shop http://www.globalcouture.net/ and Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Are you naturally fierce? Email us to share your hair journey at blog@globalcouture.net

Deep Conditioning Secrets- Getting the Most Out of Your Wash Day

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There's nothing better for my curls than a good deep conditioning. I love how rich and creamy deep conditioners are, and how my hair soaks up all of its goodness as it marinates under my hooded dryer or Hot Heat Thermal Deep Conditioning Cap. Every time I deep condition with one of my favorites, my curls are shiny, soft, de-frizzed, silky, and smooth. That's because like I always say, deep conditioners can cover a multitude of hair sins. They are most widely used to restore internal hydration to the hair and provide intense moisture. They can also balance the pH of the hair, closing the cuticles which enhances shine, smooths the hair, cuts down on frizz, and helps maintain the internal moisture balance of the hair. Deep conditioners can also restore elasticity to the hair, strengthening it and preventing breakage by temporarily patching up areas of damage with proteins, amino acids, and ceramide-rich oils.

Although deep conditioning is an intense treat for your hair, it doesn't have to be an intense process at all. There's an over-abundance of information online that makes deep conditioning seem like rocket science, but it is really simple. Actually, getting the most out of your deep conditioner is really simple.

Read On!>>>
Time
One of the hallmarks that sets deep conditioning apart from regular rinse-out conditioning (which you should totally be doing on those co-wash days between deep conditioning sessions) is the amount of time the product spends on the hair. If you read the label of most deep conditioners designed for natural hair, they recommend allowing the product to sit on the strands for 15-30 minutes. Even though some of my favorites that aren't specifically for textured hair (like Eva NYC Therapy Session) recommend 3-5 minutes, I still leave them on for 20-30 minutes. Why? Because leaving the conditioner on for 20-30 minutes allows the ingredients to reach maximum adsorption. What this means is that although some ingredients (like proteins) stick to the hair immediately, with more time, they are able to patch, cover, and stick to more damaged areas than they would if only 3-5 minutes were given. In this article by Jc of The Natural Haven, she shares that deep conditioning ingredients are able to reach maximum adsorption (sticking to/externally repairing) after 20-30 minutes -- 60 - 100% more than they achieve in the standard 3-5 minute time frame. It is important to note that no further adsorption occurs after 30 minutes. So no, you don't need to deep condition overnight.

The Takeaway: Leave your deep conditioner on for at least 20 minutes for maximum effectiveness. 30 minutes, if you have color-treated or otherwise damaged hair.
 

Temperature
Do you have to heat up your deep conditioner for it to be more effective? No, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. But is it more effective? The short answer is, yes. In that same article by Jc linked above, she discusses the impact of temperature on the hair when deep conditioning. But just in case you don't feel like reading all of that, let me summarize it for you: heat does help lift the hair cuticle, and allow for deeper penetration of ingredients. Heat also facilitates increased adsorption of ingredients to the hair. Heat around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) so as to not burn the skin or scalp is found to be most effective. You can achieve this by placing your conditioner in a hot water bath, sitting under a hooded dryer (or hooded attachment), or using something like a Hot Head. Just remember to not leave it on for more than 30 minutes.

The Takeaway: Your deep conditioner + indirect heat = maximum effectiveness.

Type
Now that we've got the super science out of the way, it's time to talk about my favorite part: products. The result you desire to achieve with your deep conditioning session will largely depend on the products you choose. Almost all deep conditioners will have a base that consists of water and fatty alcohols (like cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl). What comes after that will determine how a particular deep conditioner will work for you. But in general, you can follow these guidelines to decipher which deep conditioner to pick up:

Mega Moisture
Look for oils, butters, and humectants (glycerin, panthenol, honey, agave, propylene glycol) in the first 5-7 ingredients after water. These ingredients will soften and moisturize the hair, along with the fatty alcohols.

Protein Power
If your hair is weak or limp from damage or abuse, a dose of hydrolyzed proteins will whip your hair right into shape. Within the top 10 ingredients (because protein formulations and strengths can vary wildly), check for hydrolyzed proteins (such as vegetable, quinoa, soy, rice, and keratin), and a personal favorite of mine, keravis (aka Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol) to give your hair a strengthening boost.

The Balancing Act
If you're looking for elasticity, moisture-protein balance, and pH balancing, your conditioner will likely have a top 10 blend of moisture and protein properties like the ones listed above. In addition, they will also likely contain omega and ceramide rich oils like avocado, wheat germ, sunflower, safflower, flax seed, and hemp. You can also count on a dose of amino acids (like glycine, alanine, proline, arganine, lycine, and glutamic acid). These aminos tend to be toward the bottom of the ingredient list -- and I need to do more research about why. It could be formulation-based, or just pixie dust. I'll report back and update here when I get a more scientifically solid answer.

The Takeaway: Go beyond what the product says it'll do. Marketing and gimmicks are real. Turn to the ingredient list -- it will give you far more insight into what the deep conditioner can do for your hair.
I wouldn't be me if I didn't end this off with a few product recommendations. If you're looking for:

Mega Moisture:TGIN Honey Miracle Mask, Shea Moisture Manuka Honeu & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque, Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner, Amika Nourishing Mask

Protein Power: ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

Balancing: Shea Moisture JBCO Treatment Masque, Zotos 180 Pro Rapid Restorer, Hydratherma Naturals Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioning Treatment, Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask, ApHogee Texture Treatment, Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask

Transitioners: 5 Detangling Techniques for an Easier Wash Day

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 by Kanisha Parks of BlackNaps.org

When you decide to transition to natural hair, it’s important to have patience when detangling. Sometimes dealing with two textures can be rather frustrating: there will be times you wish you could just glide the wide tooth comb through your hair quickly and easily. Well, detangling can be made much easier if you have a few tricks up your sleeve, so if you’re having trouble enduring detangling sessions with your transitioning hair, try employing a few of these methods:

Read Now!>>>
1. Free Up Your Time.
Two of the worst times to detangle your hair is when you’re in a rush or extremely tired. Of course, there will be times when these circumstances are unavoidable, but it’s important not to allow this to cause you to cut corners and ultimately cause more damage than good. You don’t want to rip through your strands rapidly so that you can hurry up and get it over with. Try your best to prepare for wash day so that you will have time to effectively detangle. And if you’re still on a time crunch, the next few tips will still help you maneuver through your tangles with ease.

You can detangle before or after washing your hair, but make sure your hair is saturated with water and some kind of conditioner. Do not detangle dry hair because it is far more likely that you will cause breakage if you do.

2. Finger Detangle First.
It sounds time-consuming and exhausting, but it’s actually a time saver that your hair will certainly thank you for. Finger detangling simply means going through your hair with your fingers and separating any tangles that you feel, starting with the ends and working up to the roots. For added slip, you can use latex gloves: they work with your conditioner to smooth the hair and make for an even easier detangling session. Some transitioners only finger detangle and don’t use combs at all, which is perfectly fine, but to ensure that all of the tangles are out, you can follow up with a wide tooth comb.

3. Use a Seamless Wide Tooth Comb.
When you choose a wide tooth comb, make sure to find a seamless comb like this one by Hercules Sagemann. These combs have been widely recognized in the natural hair community as a terrific combs for detangling. A seamless comb won’t snap or snag on your hair and will help you glide through the tangles much more efficiently.

4. Work In Sections.
Depending on the length of your hair, you may have a vast amount of territory to cover. If you have medium to long hair, divide it up into 4-8 sections. Doing this will help you seek out every tangle, whereas if you were to try and detangle your entire head at one time, you might miss some. Plus, when you detangle in sections you are able to clip away the parts that have already been detangled; you can twist or braid the section of hair to keep it stretched.

5. When In Doubt, Add More Conditioner.
Don’t neglect the importance of conditioner as an agent to get your hair properly detangled. You want to use a creamy conditioner that will soften your strands, making them more pliable and therefore easier to separate from one another. Adding oil also helps with making your hair more manageable for this process. Also, many naturals like to detangle in the shower because the stream of water helps the conditioner slide down the hair shaft and tackle the tangles.

In this video, long term transitioner Jen of Just Grow Already demonstrates how she detangles her tresses:



How did you get through your detangling sessions while transitioning?

How to Protect Your Natural Hair Without Weaves

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I am a wash and go queen year-round and I even live in a climate with all four seasons to reckon with. With a love for the wash and go in all four seasons, I have to think outside of the box for reducing manipulation. No, I do not want a wig, weave, or an intricate braided updo to protect it. I prefer being a loose free natural and actually, I should not have to alter my hairstyle to protect it if I can find ways to protect and rock it as I please. Is this impossible? Not at all!

The Myth
First off, let us dispel the myth that the only way to retain length is through protective styling, especially with extensions. Many still believe this to be true when there is another way to retain length without protective styles, low manipulation styles! A style that requires low manipulation and will keep your hair away from your clothing and pollutants will protect your curls from frequent handling and friction that causes damage ends. Low manipulation styles are simple and require little to no maintenance to your hair as possible. The less you manipulate it, the less unnecessary damage your hair will incur, which means more length retention. Great low manipulated styles include wash and go’s, natural two-strand twists, and roller sets.

Read On!>>>
Head Wraps
Love them! They are stylish, funky, fun, and a great way to keep your hair protected year-round. From winter to summer a head wrap is always the perfect way to protect your hair from the UV of sunrays to the snow and dryness of winter. You will never have another bad hair day with head scarves around. Your choice in patterns and colors are as plentiful as the styles.


Hats
Another way to protect your strands while being stylish is incorporating a hat. Hats will always be in style and add just the right touch to an outfit. They are also great at keeping your strands away from pollutants, sunrays, and of course those bad hair days. The only concern is the lining of the hat but many small businesses are catching onto the curly girl plight of protecting the hair so they are adding satin linings to beanies, fedoras, and slouchy hats to ensure your style does not come at a cost to your curls. If there is no satin lining then cover hair with a satin bonnet, scarf, or loc soc and rock your hat all day long.



Roller Sets
These timeless styles are cute whether you are natural or relaxed. It has not changed much over the years, other than new innovative tools. You can use magnetic rollers, flexi-rods, perm rods, and even straws to achieve hot looking styles. Rollers sets are skilled at giving you maintenance-free styles that will last for at least a week. Another great asset of the roller set is silkier styles that can be achieved with or without the dryer, so if you hate the hooded dryer with a passion like me, you can still achieve an amazing roller set by air-drying.


Wash and Go
Yes, I had to discuss how the wash and go can actually be a low manipulation style although it is not a protective style. Wait…huh Remember, a protective style is a low manipulated style, and the although a wash and go is not a protective style, it can require low manipulation. It takes a good routine just like any other hairstyle and even though I cannot get a wash and go to go as long as the video below, I can use low manipulation. The shrinkage keeps my hair from brushing up against my clothing, which causing friction to my ends. See…shrinkage is a good thing!


For a low manipulated wash and go just cover your hair either with a satin bonnet or scarf or pineapple it up and either lightly fluff or refresh in the morning. Each day will either loosen the curl or allow the hair to get bigger, but often the older the style the better it begins to look. The only opposition to a wash and go being categorized as low manipulation is if your length requires refreshing more than once a week or if your overnight technique does not preserve the elongation. Refreshing one’s hair every other day works for some people, but then this would not be low manipulation for them.

Ok, now it is your turn. What are your favorite low manipulation styles?

Alicia from Guyana is Naturally Glam!

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Hey! I'm Alicia from Guyana. I am a mother, a wife, a sister, and a natural hair junky. If I see a total stranger rocking her natural hair, I'm never shy to compliment her and smile.
Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper? What was your journey like?
I transitioned in 2013. Everyone said that I was going to have to do the big chop; I didn't. Being hard nosed as I am, I think every one is different and what worked for them might not for me. It's all about knowing yourself and knowing what's gonna work for you.


How did family and friends react to your decision to go natural? What was your response to them? 
My family was very supportive. That made it easier I must say. Most of my friends were too, but even if they weren't, it was something I needed to do. I felt confident enough embracing my natural hair,  but most of all my hubby loves my natural hair. He prefers when I'm rocking it compared to when I'm using weaves. So, that part was easy. Most of my support was from my little sister. She was always motivating me. We all know some days we need it. 


What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to your hair? 
The craziest thing I have ever done and my biggest hair regret would have to be the Dominican blow out which I did in December 2014. I sat there in that chair for hours smelling my hair burning and thought to myself, there's no way this could be healthy for my hair. I vowed to never do it again.
What's your current hair routine? How often do you wash, condition, and style? Favorite products! Deets!
My hair routine depends on my mood. Mostly I try to use protective styling, but then I would miss my curls and get rid of the protective style sooner than planned. I call that my hair blues stage. I don't use many products. I keep my routine quite simple. I wash once weekly depending on how much product built up I have that week. I find that my curls are more fluffy and versatile on a fresh head. I pre-poo with coconut oil, then I shampoo (which I only do once because don't like stripping my hair) then I apply my steaming products. This consists of honey egg white coconut oil (which I prefer to keep refrigerated) along with Creame Of Nature Intensive Conditioning Treatment. I sit under my steam cap for thirty minutes then rinse it out and wrap it a t-shirt  to let it dry. Then I begin finger combing it in sections applying the LOC method using African Pride or any of my favorite hair creams. I use the Argan oil leave in conditioner and my favorite oil is coconut oil. Then I braid or do a twist out depending on my mood. Then I use the small perming rods at the end to define my curls .

Who is your curl crush?
My curl crush would be any one who fiercely rocks her curls. I get most of my hair tips and styles from of course CurlyNikki. I went on for tips and styles.

How do you maintain your hair at night?
My nightly routine is easy. I never sleep without my satin hair wrap and protect my ends either with braids or twist outs.

How do you maintain healthy length?
I always believe a healthy life style starts from within, so eat clean and light (mostly fruits and vegetables.) I drink lots of water and get eight hours of sleep at night. That is very important. Let nature take its course. Pay attention to what works for you.

What's the best thing about being natural?
Being natural makes me look younger. It's also a good feeling to not have to worry about your hair when the wind is blowing and not let your hair hold you back from enjoying life. My natural hair best suits my personality. It's big and does what it wants and is very versatile. I don't know to this day if I can label myself as a certain hair type because it has so many different textures. It feels like cotton or wool. I love it and that's all that matters. 

CurlyNikki on the Dr. Oz Show! (Monday, March 2nd)

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Hola Chicas!

I'll be back on the Doctor Oz Show, Monday, March 2nd, talking thinning hair and short and long term solutions with celebrity stylist, Sally Hershberger.  Please tune in or set your DVR!


Later Gators,
Nik

7 Vitamins to Promote Healthy Hair Growth

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Vitamins play an integral part in the health of our bodies, including our hair. Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies need in small quantities to grow and develop naturally. They are nutrients we must get from our food, because our bodies cannot make enough of them or at all. Despite the fact we hear about them so much, our bodies need just small amounts of them. Harvard School of Public Health states there are 13 compounds classified as vitamins and vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble and tend to accumulate in the body. Vitamin C and eight B vitamins (biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamins B6 and B12 dissolve in water so excess amounts are excreted).
 
2 types of vitamins
According to Medical News Today, vitamins are fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, which determine how they respond to your body. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the fat tissues of our bodies and are easier to store than water-soluble. They can stay in the body for days or months. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body long, as they need to be replaced more often than fat-soluble ones.

Read On!>>>

Vitamins for Hair
Many turn to vitamins to get the edge on healthy, stronger, and longer hair and for good reason. Many suffer from hair loss, whether there is a deficiency in particular vitamins, they have a medical condition such as alopecia or they are just growing older. The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balance diet with a variety of food and here are best vitamins for optimal hair growth or at the very least to stave off deficiencies that can create hair loss.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication, according to Dietary Reference Intakes. Its chemical names are retinol, retinal, and for carotenoids. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and its main function is mainly to promote eye health but it is a widely used means to promote healthy hair too. It is used to produce healthy sebum.

Foods you can find high levels of vitamin A are cod liver oil, krill oil, carrots, peaches, kale, pumpkin, and spinach, but exercise caution when upping your vitamin A intake. Too much vitamin A can lead to toxicity, which is why eating foods containing vitamin A is better than taking supplements with large doses. Deficiencies in vitamin A include skin and vision problems.
 
Biotin (B-Complex)
A popular vitamin for hair growth and strength, biotin is sometimes referred to vitamin H and promotes healthy hair by increasing the hair’s elasticity. It is the most researched of all vitamins for hair loss and is even added to many shampoos for that very reason. Biotin helps produce keratin and is a water-soluble vitamin that most people can get enough of from the foods. Foods high in biotin are Brewer’s yeast, brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, and oats.

Symptoms of biotin deficiency include are usually hair loss, chronic conjunctivitis, and dermatological issues. Because it is water-soluble and our body cannot retain it, our bodies need enough of it each day. WebMD says biotin supports the health of the skin, digestive tract, metabolism, and even cells.
 
Niacin (B3)
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, occurs naturally in plants and animals. It lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and also used to lower the risk of heart attacks in people with high cholesterol. This amazing vitamin also helps to nourish the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Without adequate amounts of niacin your hair can become brittle, lifeless, and may even end up falling out! Top foods with niacin are fish, chicken, turkey, pork, liver, peanuts, beef, mushrooms, green peas, sunflower seeds, and avocado.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Like all B vitamins, pantothenic acid converts food into fuel, which produces energy. Vitamin B5 is believed to help strengthen hair follicles and allowing them to function properly. Without this vitamin your body would not be able to use carbs, fats, or even proteins as energy sources or make hormones, which would cause your immune system would collapse. Great sources of this vitamin are cauliflower, some mushrooms, whole grains, and eggs.
 
Folic Acid (B9)
Folic acid is used in our bodies to make new cells and the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states this is very important for women to have this in their bodies prior to pregnancy to prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain and spine. This water-soluble vitamin is important for cell turnover for the red blood cells as well as other proteins in the body. This is the main reason it is great for hair growth, as a deficiency in this vitamin can factor how fast your hair grows and its thickness. B9 can be found in leafy vegetables, legumes, liver, baker’s yeast, and sunflower seeds. When taking this as a supplement for hair growth, many take up to 10 mg. a day.
 
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin need for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body. It is an antioxidant that helps to block some f the damage caused by free radicals and our bodies are not able to make it on their own nor can our bodies store it. It is very important we have plenty of this vitamin in our daily diet. Vitamin C is important for the immune system but is also used in plenty of hair care products because it builds collagen, which is highly important for hair growth and maintaining the strength of the hair. It also plays a necessary role in absorbing iron, which helps to keep your strands strong and healthy. Medline Plus says you can get vitamin C from cantaloupe, kiwi, mango, broccoli, green and red peppers, and tomatoes are excellent food sources of vitamin C.
 
Vitamin E
This fat-soluble antioxidant is involved in immune functions, cell signaling, regulation of gene expression, and other metabolic processes. The best way to get your daily requirement of it is though foods like vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, green leafy veggies, fortified breakfast cereals, and fruit juices. It prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth by enable growth of the capillaries.  

How do you get your vitamins?

SHOW AND TELL- FIERCE FRIDAY!

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Hola Chicas!
For those of you that are new to CN, Fierce Friday is a way to celebrate our natural hair, displaying our dopest styles and best hair days... for inspiration and motivation. Wanna be featured? All you have to do is upload your favorite pics to Instagram with the tags #FierceFriday and #CurlyNikki. Be sure to share a brief description of the style, where you were headed, why you felt amazing, and thangs of that nature!


Playin around in a little makeup. Amateur but putting some of the tips from my fave youtube gurus together. Practice makes perfect. Hair is a three strand twistout. I'll give you guys a quick step by step pictorial later and share the products. @brandilou88

Good Morning! @gemtrendsetter

I ain't got no type, crochet is the only thing that I like emoji#crochetbraids #curlynikki #fiercefriday @kywill

Y'all see #Karrie tho'?!?!? #goodhairmagazine #taperedcuttuesday @ktsdivamom


She can go from mami to model real quick @gen_gen91



Fluff Twist~ #mrshairtoday #myhaircrush @mrshairtoday2012




Let me get inside my feelings with these curls...I cannot with them! #curlyhair #curls #mixedchicks #naturalhair #natural #teamnatural @uneditedoriginality

Twist out... @naturallysassymel

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