Check-in: Twist-Outs | Leather | #GOAT

December 30, 2015, 11:46 am

≫ Next: why can't we talk about sadness?

≪ Previous: Best Braid-Out Tips for Type 4 Natural Hair

Hola Chicas,

Quick check-in before I run out to lunch with Dr. Daddy.

Read On!>>>
When I'm not rocking dramatic-ass coats, this Zara leather situation is my absolute go-to. It's probably the chicest and most cost-effective one I've owned... ever. And I own like 6. It ain't warm tho, so to keep from catching flumonia, I drape myself in a chunky knit scarf and layer all the way the hell up. #GmaWouldBeProud

In other news-- dry, chunky twist-outs. I'd blown my hair out again after the funeral (needed a break from detangling) and decided to do a chunky flat-twist out on my dry hair. I created 6 flat-twists using Creme of Nature's Argan Oil leave-in spray and setting mousse. No water. Flexis on the ends, rolled up to my chin. I was light-handed and because both products dry quickly, it set in a few hours. The result? Fluffy, shiny, defined, build-up free gloriousness. I pineappled for this day two joint, and for the first time in days, I'm smiling, genuinely (and not the fake kind). Mostly because Dr. Daddy is coming to take me out again for a much needed distraction. #StillInTheLou

Yesterday, my dad commissioned me with the task of Gma's headstone inscription. This 'quick' process turned into 3 hours of toiling. I was limited to 4 lines of 15 characters each (not including her name and dates), super-strict language regulations (it's a national cemetery for vets and their spouses- they can veto any and all requested language), no punctuation options, and the stress of trying to slap a couple of labels on Gma's whole entire life. #MissionImpossible

Also, nearly every identical headstone has the same identical inscription-- 'beloved husband and father'or'devoted wife and mother'. And I. could. not. Because--

“It isn’t the date on either end that counts, but how they used their dash for that dash between the dates represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth."-unknown

RIGHT?! Her dash was so significant that I knew I could never capture it in 60 characters. The task simultaneously felt very important (this is her eternal memorial!) and very much a non-factor (cause she lives in me, anyway). So after many iterations and several consultations with the brain trust (Syl, Perry and Dr. Daddy), I came up with--

The Greatest
Wife Mom Gma
of all time
She lives in us

Finally armed with good enough language, we still had to get it past the gob'ment-- who require that the requested inscription be submitted via phone. So yeah, that awkward moment when I confidently and articulately read 'the greatest' and had to continue, louder, over cemetery dude's chuckles and other sounds of caught-off-guardedness. After politely requesting he read it back to me, it was approved ('cause I'm a boss) and Gma was certainly up there tickled. #GOAT #SheLivesInMe

Later Gators,
Nik

p.s. while looking for pics for Gma's funeral last week, I ran across these gems, they're blurry, 'cause 2001, but I'm sure the gist of the shenanigans is apparent. #MyHomie

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why can't we talk about sadness?

December 31, 2015, 8:27 am

≫ Next: CurlyNikki's Favorite Detangling Tool

≪ Previous: Check-in: Twist-Outs | Leather | #GOAT

source

by GG of AllTheManyLayers

I think the sadness started with my first awareness that my mother was sick. It meant that everything safe and beautiful was also tragic and temporary. All of my life has been about coping with that.

Sadness lives underneath my skin. It sits in my stomach and my throat and right behind my eyes. It is one of my favorite things to write about, but I don't talk about it much because I find that most people aren't comfortable with the topic. We are all coping with something. I actually think it feels good to talk about it. Sadness is one of those intimate and inevitable things like sexuality. I mean, I don't care who you are, you get sad sometimes, but you might be shy about openly talking about it. I’m not. I think we should talk about it more. It's an important part of a vivid life.

Sadness is not the same thing as depression.

Read On!>>>

Sadness is sharp and alluring. It draws you in and makes you pay attention to its colors. It can spark your imagination and force you to turn off to the outside world. We spend so much of our lives worried about how we look and how we perform. Sadness, when we allow ourselves to revel in it, pulls our walls down so we can explore our softest places.

When you don’t acknowledge sadness, depression can grow and wrap itself around you. Numbness spreads from your mind to your heart to your whole body. The heaviness is unyielding and you can't imagine ever being happy again. Inspiration is nowhere to be found. From there it can morph into anger, resentment, anxiety, hate. Feelings that are so buried and reflexive that you’re in complete denial of the sadness that started it all.

But maybe if we just own it, sadness can be a gateway to creativity instead of depression and destruction. Maybe it can become something that is talked about more freely, without the stigma and embarrassment. Aren't we all tired of pretending? It feels good to be honest about what hurts.

I’ve come to treat sadness like fear. I make room for it, I let myself feel it, but I don’t let it make the decisions. I don't give up on life and hope because of it. I don't think it makes me unworthy or incapable. I know it's okay not to be okay for awhile.

And then there is joy, where happiness and sadness meet.

If happiness is a positive attitude in spite of my problems, then joy is the unconditional gratitude I feel for being alive to have problems at all. Joy is seeing all the pain and mess, getting it all over me and still smiling through with hope . I can’t know my joy without sadness, without sacrifice. Whether I’m walking in the light or in the dark, I'm committed to see what’s there and fully experience it.

I know it can be hard to talk about sadness without feeling vulnerable and dramatic, but it matters. Ask for help. Offer help. When you say how are you, mean it. Don't tear down those who healthily express their emotions. Give a voice to what aches inside of you before you can't feel anything at all anymore. You're not the only one walking around with a heavy heart. But you may be the only one brave enough to be honest about it.

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CurlyNikki's Favorite Detangling Tool

December 31, 2015, 9:20 am

≫ Next: SHOW AND TELL- FIERCE FRIDAY!

≪ Previous: why can't we talk about sadness?

recent twist-out deets,here

Hola Chicas,

I have '0' new natural hair products to write home about, but there is '1' comb I ride for.

Read On!>>>

I use it on both me and Boog, and on both wet (conditioner laden) and dry (coconut oil laden) natural hair. The teeth are neither too close together, nor too wide-- and they don't snag, pull or do other rude things. If used after a quick detangling sesh with your 10 fangers, it'll run through your curls like butter. I've shared it with y'all before, but after a recent stress-free wash day, I thought I'd share again. So without further ado, I present to you--

My wooden love.

There are several brands on Amazon, but THIS is the one I purchased a while back. It's substantial-ass wood, so do not drop it. You'll break all your feet bones.

Later Gators,
Nik

What's your favorite detangling tool?

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SHOW AND TELL- FIERCE FRIDAY!

January 1, 2016, 8:36 am

≫ Next: How I Changed My Morning to Change My Life #LevelUp

≪ Previous: CurlyNikki's Favorite Detangling Tool

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, etc.!

Hey beautiful people! Sippin on my @teamiblends Skinny Tea in my festive holiday mug and about to cuddle up on the couch to watch a lifetime movie. How are you spending your Saturday night? Use code "10BL" for 10% off at checkout. @brandilou88

@taiesha_

How I Changed My Morning to Change My Life #LevelUp

January 1, 2016, 8:37 am

≫ Next: Rice Water Rinse for Natural Hair Growth

≪ Previous: SHOW AND TELL- FIERCE FRIDAY!

Happy New Year! Re-posting so you can start it off right!

from the Jerusalem files

Pop quiz, chicas! Answer the following--

When I first woke up this morning, I _____________

a. hit the snooze button (several times) and mentally declared that I 'can't and won't adult today' ... #FirstIDrinkTheCoffee #ThenIDoTheThings

b. immediately resumed worrying about ish I need to do, don't wanna do, or did and now feel bad about doing.

c. checked IG, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, CurlyNikki.com, my 3 email accounts and replied to any and all the I-responded-in-my-head-but-forgot-to-respond-forreal-tho text messages

d. all of the above. I can't do mornings.

This foolery right here. It'll keep you right where you're at.

Read On!>>>

'Cause if your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day, then kicking things off the same way (with negative or low energy), day in and day out, and expecting different outcomes is the definition of insanity. #EinsteinTho

Every morning you get a do-over. You get the opportunity to begin again with fresh energy and a new perspective to set you on a path to a happy and productive day... which sets you on the path to a happy and productive life!

Remember, you don't become what you want. You become who and what you are. So how does 'You, version 2.0' think? How does she feel? How does she respond to (or not respond to) situations? Or to make it real easy-like, how does 'You, version 2.0' start her day? She definitely doesn't wake up annoyed, frustrated and uninspired.

Below, I've included a list of some simple morning rituals you should try in place of the phone checking and #WoeRunning. Adopting just one can have a huge impact on your life!

-Wake up 30 minutes earlier- to pray, meditate, say affirmations or use the extra time to do any of the below--

-Theme Song- If you must set an alarm to scare you awake, let the 'noise' be great... like 'Lift Off' #WatchTheThrone

-Give thanks- Instead of allowing your mind to wander to the dark side, focus on gratitude-- give thanks for all that you have (the seen and the unseen). You are loved and blessed beyond measure, you just forget sometimes. (I do this every night before falling asleep.)

-Pre-party- I vividly remember the moment I got the call from my publisher that 'Better Than Good Hair'had become a best seller. #Major There was a surge of energy and the next thing I know I was all--

Try this (you will feel silly)-- set your phone timer for 1 minute, close the bathroom door for privacy, and jump up and down while mentally yelling, 'yes'! It gets your energy up and your heart rate, too! "Yes!" is something we yell or say under our breath when life is going our way-- so say it now, prematurely, feel that "yes" resonate through your body, feel the energy, and watch those 'yes!' moments come rolling in. #DontBelieveMe #JustWatch

-Smile- Just like saying, 'yes!', smiling for one minute will shift you into a positive mood and reduce stress. Every time you remember, crack a smile and pretty soon, life will be serving up more things for you to smile about.

-Move your body- I do a 4 minute sun salutation routine on my Yoga Studio app as soon as my feet hit the floor. Gia does it with me. We have it memorized and now she yells out the poses before we do them!

-Drink all the water- I try to drink a half a liter of room temperature water as soon as I wake up, before I eat anything. It flushes your body of toxins, increases metabolism and makes you feel good about yourself ;) Plus, if I drink the other half liter before 5pm, I can have a glass of Riesling.

Start the day off right, y'all. Change your morning to change your life. Results are immediate.

Later Gators,

Nik

What does your morning routine consist of?
Do you need to make some changes? Can you start tomorrow?

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Rice Water Rinse for Natural Hair Growth

January 4, 2016, 8:37 am

≫ Next: 4 Wash Day Hacks: Detangling Natural Hair the Easy Way

≪ Previous: How I Changed My Morning to Change My Life #LevelUp

@daricerene via show and tell fierce friday

New year, new rinse-- rice water. DiscoveringNatrural is sharing an addition to her natural hair routine that resulted in improved health and growth last year. Curious about the benefits of rice water for hair? Get the deets--

"Rice water has amazing hair and skin benefits. A recent research has shown that rice water exhibit hair care effects, such as decreasing surface friction and improving hair elasticity. Rice water has inositol, a carbohydrate, that can repair damaged hair, as well as protect it from damage. Specialized imaging technique shows that inositol stays inside the hair even after rinsing, offering continuing hair protection and beautifying effects.
So, Rinsing or washing your hair with rice water will improve manageability and protect it from future damage. In addition, the amino acids in the rice water strengthen the hair roots, add volume and sheen and make hair silky smooth." - HairBuddha

Continue!>>>

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4 Wash Day Hacks: Detangling Natural Hair the Easy Way

January 4, 2016, 8:45 am

≫ Next: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! (December Basket Winners!)

≪ Previous: Rice Water Rinse for Natural Hair Growth

by Sabrina Perkins of SeriouslyNatural.org

If you’re someone who dreads the idea of wash day because of the hours you spend detangling, you’re not alone. In fact, as I’m writing this I’m cringing at the thought that I actually used to spend close to an hour and a half finger detangling my hair before wash day. While that may be because I rocked a twistout a couple of days too long or forgot to put on my bonnet before I went to sleep, I still wondered what I could possibly do in order to make this detangling process a little easier.

Now, I’m not one to go out and just buy a detangling product, because I honestly feel like its just watered down conditioner, so I went to the internet and found 4 really interesting detangling hacks to try out.

Read On!>>>
Vinyl Gloves
This one makes so much sense to me, but still manages to baffle me at how easy it is. First of all, I was confused as to why my hair managed to glide so easily through the gloves as opposed to my fingers even though I was detangling the exact same way, and I still am. My guess is the fact that there’s nothing that the hair can grip on to, so it has no choice but to separate.

Make sure you’re wearing gloves that are not too big, or else they may cause further tangling and knots. Also, make sure you hair is completely saturated with conditioner and then finger detangle as usual.

Warm the Conditioner
When I read this it was like, “Duh, that makes sense,” but this is something I’ve never even thought of doing. Warming the conditioner allows it to penetrate the hair shaft faster and better since the heat opens the cuticle, which allows the hair to become more pliable and easy to detangle. It’s best to warm the conditioner in a hot water bath so that you don’t destroy the properties of it.

Bring about 3-4 cups of water to a boil and pour into a deep bowl; place the conditioner bottle into the bowl for about 5 minutes or until the conditioner is warmed all the way through. Apply to the hair as needed and detangle as usual.

Clay Mask
So, it was wash day again and I had a week old twistout that was tangled, matted, dry, etc. but I didn’t have the time to spend detangling my hair. Although I’ve done clay masks before, I had always detangled my hair beforehand so I wasn’t aware of its detangling properties.

I decided to apply the mask (made with bentonite clay and Aloe Vera juice) to my dry hair and see what would happen. I was amazed to find that once I rinsed the mask out of my hair, detangling wasn’t even necessary. Now, I don’t exactly know how or why but my hair was like butter! I was removing shed hair with ease and I loved it.

I usually use bentonite clay and some form of Aloe Vera juice or apple cider vinegar, but make your mask as you’re accustomed to doing, apply to either wet or dry hair, leave on for 25 minutes and rinse out. Finger detangle to remove any shed hair.

Marshmallow Root
I ran across this method on Pinterest and thought it was pretty interesting. Apparently, using marshmallow root to detangle will make your process very easy. Since the mucous-like consistency of marshmallow root is similar to flax seed and Aloe Vera gel, it makes the hair very slippery and easy to detangle.

Here’s a popular recipe:
• 1-1/2 c. distilled water
• 3 tbsp Marshmallow root powder
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2tbsp coconut oil

Bring the water to s slow simmer and take off of the stove to cool for about 1 minute. Place Marshmallow root powder into a ceramic or glass bowl and pour the hot water over it, cover and allow it to steep for 20 minutes. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to get rid of any bits left from the powder. Add remaining ingredients and let cool until it’s room temperature and store in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use it, just apply it to your hair in sections and finger detangle.

What detangling hacks do you have? Leave your comments below!

******************************************

CN says:
I use vinyl gloves to detangle my hair to protect my mani (especially after henna'ing, but also whenever I'm washing frequently). As long as I use the 'small' gloves, I still have great control, my hair doesn't snag on anything and my manicure lasts longer!

follow Sabrina:

Seriously Natural Blog
Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr
Seriously Natural Boutique

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! (December Basket Winners!)

January 4, 2016, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Stop Doing This to Your Natural Hair

≪ Previous: 4 Wash Day Hacks: Detangling Natural Hair the Easy Way

Hola Chicas!

So y'all went hard in the paint and I appreciate the initiation of discussion and helpful advice you shared with one another. Thanks to everyone for your participation!

The December winners are--

Read On!>>>

Tee

Amber Holmes

Laddidi

Monica

TiaB

Jenayia Love Karim

Each winner will receive:

(1)Hair Therapy Wrap: $21.95

(1)Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose Conditioner: $10.93

(1)Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo 10oz: $6.00

(1)Curl Junkie Curl Rehab - Gardenia: $20.00

(1)Oyin Handmade Hair Dew 8.4oz: $13.99

(1)Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries: $13.99

Please email me at nikki@curlynikki.com with your full name and home address using 'December Winner' in the subject line. Oh, and I'm hosting the exact same giveaway for January! Past winners are eligible! Remember, no one word responses! Ask questions, get answers, foster positive discussion! Love y'all!

Later Gators,

Nik

p.s. US only!

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Stop Doing This to Your Natural Hair

January 5, 2016, 5:36 am

≫ Next: Tips To Slay Your First Henna Gloss Treatment

≪ Previous: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! (December Basket Winners!)

Photo Courtesy of Lorado -- Getty Images

by Amanda

Hair care is all about preservation. Your hair is not living like your scalp; it can be temporarily repaired but not permanently restored. Everything in hair care is meant to help maintain and style it. As your hair grows and you retain length, your hair is healthiest at the roots and usually the most damaged at the ends, which is why trims help to retain length. Before purchasing products and building a new regimen, it is helpful to understand how damage occurs and basic ways to maintain your curls.

Read On!>>>

What is damage?
There are three forms of damage: chemical, mechanical, and thermal damage. Chemical damage includes permanent color treatments, bleach, relaxers/texturizers, and the Brazilian keratin treatment. Mechanical damage includes regular maintenance from washing, detangling, and styling along with friction against clothing. It weakens the cuticle layer of the hair strands while chemical and thermal damage can weaken the cortex. Thermal damage includes direct heat from blow-dryers, flat irons, curling wands, and curling irons, which can weaken the cuticle and cortex layers.

Since washing, combing, and styling help to maintain your hair and scalp health, mechanical damage is unavoidable and is the most common form of damage.

If everything is damaging, what’s the point?
It depends on what you want. If you want to explore various hair color and styles and retain length, using hair products lessen the damage that your strands experience. Now that you know about different forms of damage, you can tailor your regimen to your lifestyle and goals. Maintaining moisture, reducing frizz, and retaining length are the top concerns for most curlies, and here are things you can start altering in your regimen to achieve those goals.

4 things to stop doing

1. Using shampoo too often or not enough
Shampoo is formulated to remove product buildup, dirt, and excess sebum from you hair and scalp. When the hair follicle is clogged, you can cause or exasperate your current scalp disorder. Using shampoo too often can also exasperate scalp conditions. Most licensed cosmetologists recommend cleansing at least one a week for a normal, healthy scalp. Also consider switching to sulfate-free products and other cleansing options absent of SLS.

2. Skipping trims
Trims do not make your hair grow, they help you to retain length. The hair shaft grows from the hair follicle in the scalp not ends, so your ends should be cut as needed to prevent dry, split, and frayed ends and breakage.

3. Using heat tools regularly
Regardless of the temperature or frequency at which you use heat styling tools, it is best to not use them regularly. Limit heat tools to 1-3 times a year, as using them daily, weekly, and monthly greatly increase the risk for heat damage, which is irreversible.

4. Too much of anything
Healthy hair requires balance. You can have too much of a good thing. Too much moisture, protein, and wearing the same hairstyle can all cause breakage. Your hair needs proper moisture-protein balance to be pliable yet strong. Consistently wearing your hair loose can create dry ends while always wearing a ponytail, puff, or extensions wears on the point of contact along the hair shaft.

How do you prevent damage?

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Tips To Slay Your First Henna Gloss Treatment

January 5, 2016, 6:39 am

≫ Next: Conditioning Basket Giveaway- Just Comment on Articles Across CN.com!

≪ Previous: Stop Doing This to Your Natural Hair

by Jensine from youtube.com/junglenaps

This winter, I decided to do something a little out of my comfort zone. I finally decided to commit to my first henna gloss treatment. For those that don't know, a henna gloss treatment is a milder, more moisturizing version of a full henna treatment. It incorporates the addition of a protein-free conditioner to your henna mix and yields kinky curls that are stronger and shinier than before. As an added bonus, you have complete control over how much color you want in your hair. You can leave it in for as long or as little as you like. However, the longer you leave it in, the more noticeable the results will be.

Read On!>>>
For my first attempt, I went to my local Sally's Beauty Supply and purchased their Reshma henna. The directions state to add water, but I chose to substitute it with green tea. I mixed in my conditioner of choice (Tresemme Perfectly Undone) and voila, it was ready to go!

I wanted to share my experience for those that are a little gun shy about using henna. One thing I will say straight away is to be prepared for how messy the application process is. I seriously underestimated this! However, with a little preparation you can mitigate the need for any cleanup afterwards. The benefits of henna gloss are definitely worth the time it takes to perfect your own process. These tips in the video below will definitely ease your learning curve.

Are you a henna gloss veteran? What is your number one tip for henna success?

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Conditioning Basket Giveaway- Just Comment on Articles Across CN.com!

January 5, 2016, 8:37 am

≫ Next: Grandma's Ring

≪ Previous: Tips To Slay Your First Henna Gloss Treatment

Hola Chicas,

I'm giving away 6 Conditioning Baskets(worth ~$90 each) this month (January 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 (1/1-1/31, 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 January 31st, 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

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Grandma's Ring

January 5, 2016, 8:51 am

≫ Next: How to Stop Your Natural Hair From Aging

≪ Previous: Conditioning Basket Giveaway- Just Comment on Articles Across CN.com!

Hola Chicas,

So I keep a gaggle of stackable gold bands on deck. Some have pave diamonds, some have carvings, some are white gold, some yellow and others rose... and while a few of them carry a bit of sentimental value, they don't compare to the pricelessness of my current situation. 'Cause this right here? This was Grandma Maxine's wedding ring.

Read On!>>>

Grandpa liked it so he put a ring on it way back in nineteen hundred and forty-six, but we're not sure if it was THE ring that she was still wearing 70 years later... it was something like it, tho.

Unfortunately, the ring was all but destroyed last summer when it had to be cut from her massively swollen hand. Tossing it felt wrong, so I placed the heavily damaged ring in my mom's jewelry box and apparently, we all forgot the incident. From then on, she only wore one, adjustable ring on her right hand.

Fast forward to the morning of her funeral, Dec 23rd. I can't remember how it came to me, but I remember jumping up and wildly rummaging through Momma's jewelry box (which has like 8 drawers) and there it lay-- now oval shaped, the original carvings ruined by deep, ugly grooves from the wire cutters. But it was Gma's. It was TREASURE! So I placed it on my index finger and rocked it, 'broken' and all, as Gia called it. I remember crying, happy tho, because it felt like she'd somehow left me a Christmas gift! How had I forgotten about this?!

Despite the exposed, jaggededges catching on everything from my knit scarf to my hurr, I was determined to wear the ring. Sometimes my flesh would get caught between the broken gold, but I didn't care, I'd just gently free myself and go about my business. My dad wisely suggested that I take it to a jeweler before it drew blood. So I picked the only one I knew with a workbench on site, 'cause I wasn't leaving it anywhere-- I was fearful that they'd tell me they'd fix it and just give me a look-a-like, lol.

The jeweler thought it was a Cartier piece because of the original carvings, but he said due to the age (old AF), it was clearly the ring style Cartier based its new line off of! The vintage piece would take some work but they were sure they could at least make it whole again (in just 2 hours). I told them I didn't care about the restoration of the original pattern or the grooves so much, because they tell a story. In the end, I paid about as much out of pocket as the gold was worth (although I told them to write 'priceless' where 'the value of ring' was requested on the paperwork). Workbench dude could tell it meant a lot to me and he managed to repair it without adding any gold to the ring (luckily my fingers are as skinny as Gma's! #size4)- he even restored the pattern! And now, this thing ain't ever coming off. #FavoriteThing

Later Gators,
Nik

p.s. My solitaire is rose gold and I wear it with what was previously my favorite stackable, a 2mm rose gold band from Laris' Etsy shop. I bought one for my sister, Syl, too-- it'll be her wedding band! They aren't hand crafted or anything, but it looks quite vintage and the rose gold is both romantic and timeless.

Do you like skinny bands? Do you stack rings?

Do you have a ring or piece of jewelry that you consider an heirloom?

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How to Stop Your Natural Hair From Aging

January 6, 2016, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Natural Hair Salons: Why They Should Teach Texture Education

≪ Previous: Grandma's Ring

by Sabrina Perkins of SeriouslyNatural.org

Yes, we know we need to be exercising for our health as well as eating right. Both of those things are seriously important as we age but are we caring for our hair for our health as well? Most Naturals I know are super particular about what they put in their hair (me included) but as the grays start popping up (and they have) and the hair starts to thin (that too!) are we making sure we are doing all that we can to take care of it?

Read On!>>>

Mindy Goldstein, Ph.D., former president of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, “The follicles in aging hair are smaller and have less pigment,” she explains. “So the thick, coarse hair of a young adult eventually becomes thin, fine, light-colored hair.”Oprah.com

As we get older our skin gets older which includes our scalp. The scalp gets drier and as the hair loses it's melanin and turns white or gray it tends to feel drier. Our hair will start to grow slower and get finer due to our bodies producing less hormones as we age. Most women, usually during Menopause, start experiencing hair thinning but there is also the problem with hair losing it's shine or looking dull. The cuticle or the outer most layer needs to be flat and smooth but years of wear and tear, sun damage and styling beats up the poor cuticle and it doesn't reflect the light anymore.

Now that I've frightened everybody I'll shed some light on what you can do about it. Silicones can bring that shine back but many of us don't use or like them so that may not be an option for some. Alma oil naturally strengthen the hair as well as nourishing the scalp. It also delays the graying process and you can just add it to your shampoo or conditioner to benefit from the hair-darkening properties. Brushing the hair is also recommended but many of us don't do that too often. That helps the hair growth process because dead skin cells collect on our scalp and brushing helps the removal.

Our diet changes as we get older and we remove many fatty foods that add weight to our waistline but they are wonderful for our hair. Supplements with Biotin and Vitamin B are great for the hair as well as for your nails. Another asset with curly hair is the ability to hide the grays in the mass of curls. When my hair is straight you can see those grays well. It kind of zeros in on them. Mind you once you are halfway gray that little trick won't help but you can always color your hair to beat the gray.

We can have lovely hair as well grow older so don't feel dishearted. We've already beaten the odds by going Natural and not allowing relaxers to damage our hair and our scalps. I will be looking into getting some Alma oil and will brush my hair regularly to stimulate my scalp. I'm right here with you.

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Natural Hair Salons: Why They Should Teach Texture Education

January 6, 2016, 8:31 am

≫ Next: Hibiscus to Promote Hair Growth and Healthy Scalp

≪ Previous: How to Stop Your Natural Hair From Aging

by Charlene Walton of TexturedTalk.com

As a person who prides myself on caring for my natural tresses at home, I also understand the importance of having a professional stylist. Some things just should not be done at home. For example, coloring your hair almost always requires a professional. Last year was sort of a whirlwind for me. Due to a bad experience with heat damage earlier in 2015, I revolted against the salon for a few months. I was completely against anyone touching my hair except for my amazing stylist from DC, Marissa Robinson, which you can read more about here. However, after 3 months I finally decided to let a new professional touch my hair. I desperately needed a trim since that’s the only thing I can not do by myself and another service I believe should not be completed at home. Although I was a little skeptical, still scarred from my previous experience, I was nothing short of satisfied upon leaving and the salon and here’s why. I LOVED the educational component my stylist passed on to the shadow stylist helping her for the day. Here’s a recap of my experience and why more salons should teach texture education.

Read On!>>>

Salon: Form Salon– Dallas, TX

Stylist: Mattie Michelle (African-American)

Shadow Stylist: Bianca (Caucasian)

Natural hair & salons: 3 reasons more should teach texture education

1. Natural Hair Is Not a One Size Fits All

I had a phone call with Mattie before hand and explained in depth what I was looking for and my previous experience with heat damage. As soon as I sat down, she began to run her fingers through my hair, detangling to make sure it was tangle free before washing. Mattie specifically made sure to clearly explain to Bianca about my texture, curly type and what products were best to use on my natural hair. Bianca, not as experienced with natural hair as Mattie, wondered why my hair texture was a tad bit different from another African-American woman Mattie styled a week prior. Mattie explained the difference in curl patterns and texture, which also led to her detailing which products she chose to use on my extremely fine texture. Moisture was the key component Mattie wanted Bianca to understand since we all know naturally curly hair is extremely dry. Even as Mattie shampooed my hair, she carefully explained to Bianca how to ensure the scalp is extremely clean, separating and examining the scalp for any product build up and also explained why deep conditioning is imperative for naturally curly textures.Natural hair products for coarse hair

When it was time to blow my hair out as a prep for my trim, Mattie took a section showing Bianca how to properly blow out my hair with a paddle brush. It doesn’t take much heat to straighten my hair, so this part was extremely important as a learning lesson when handling fine textures. As Bianca took hold of the paddle brush for her turn, I could tell she was a bit nervous. She gently grabbed my hair trying her best to blow out my roots for a sleek finish. She didn’t quite get it at first (no worries I still love you Bianca) but, Mattie also carefully explain how to grip the paddle brush, focus on the roots for a few seconds, then swiftly moving down the rest of the hair shaft without focusing too much time and heat in one area.

2. Builds Trust With Clients
Here’s the honest and sad truth about natural hair & salons. A lot of naturalistas do not trust professional stylists when it comes to their hair, especially for blow outs. For the past few years, natural hair bloggers have dominated the hair education game, so much women are quick to question professional stylists who have been doing hair for years all based on their favorite blogger’s hair regimen. After my shampoo and condition session with Mattie & Bianca, as you can probably expect, my trust with this new stylist and shadow stylist began to quickly excel. I was both impressed and happy her shadow asked as many questions as possible. The quick texture education moment during my 2-hour stay made me want to come back and recommend the salon to others.

Form SalonAt the end of the day it’s all about trust. Women, natural or chemically processed, want to know that the stylist is going to put their needs first and take care of their hair just as well, if not better than what they’ve been doing at home. Some women feel, why spend $50-$75 for a professional to wash and deep condition my hair when I’ve been doing it myself. Here’s why ladies: Every now and then you need a second pair of eyes and hands in your hair, just to evaluate and make sure things are still in tip top shape. Would you miss gynecology appointment simply because you feel you’ve been taking care of yourself and everything is good downstairs? No! So, let down your guard, do some research and find a stylist who’s going to care for your hair just as well as you do at home.

3. Texture/Natural Hair Education Isn’t Taught in Cosmetology School
According to a recent article by Dr. Kari Williams, there are not enough trained professionals to meet the demand for the growing popularity of natural hair in the beauty industry.

Braiding, twisting, and other forms of natural hair styling are not a part of the traditional cosmetology curriculum. As a result, licensed professionals have to be intentional with investing in continuing education and specialty classes.– Dr. Kari Williams

Since texture education isn’t taught in cosmetology school, stylists, of all races, will soon have no choice but to step up to the curb to cater to the needs of the demand. Women in the natural hair community are more conscious of ingredients and the basic science of hair care than ever before. In addition, since some have deemed the rise of the natural hair movement as the “killer of the black hair salon” investing time into texture education, breaking down the basics, and simply educating clients on why certain steps are taken during the styling process could bring a potential wave of trust back into the salon. If it happened for me, so I’m sure others feel the same.

Time to sound off: What’s been your experience with natural hair & salons? Good, bad? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Hibiscus to Promote Hair Growth and Healthy Scalp

January 6, 2016, 8:34 am

≫ Next: How to Create a Natural Hair Regimen for Type 4 Coils

≪ Previous: Natural Hair Salons: Why They Should Teach Texture Education

Zhara's Hair Growth Tea!

by Diane Mary

Hibiscus is my favorite flower. I love the shape and bright intense pigment of the petals. There are over a hundred species of hibiscus that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world! Aside from its beautiful appearance and having a nice scent, did you know hibiscus has tons of benefits for the hair too? It is sometimes called “The flower for hair care."

In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, hibiscus, especially white hibiscus and red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), is considered to have medicinal properties. The roots are used to make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such as cough, hair loss or hair greying. They are also used for multiple hair treatments.

What does Hibiscus do?

prevents hair loss
prevents premature graying
lessens frizz
promotes hair growth
gives hair a boost of shine and bounce
helps balance the pH of the scalp
reduces redness, scalping and itching of the scalp
works like an astringent to reduce the oiliness of hair
discourages split ends

Read On!>>>
The leaves and flowers of the hibiscus are used in treatments to make natural packs, masks, and oil to prevent and control hair problems. It provides an ideal protection against chemical and natural pollutants.

These 6 DIY at home recipes for treatment, tonics and oils have been proven effective in treating dandruff, preventing hair loss, and promoting hair growth.

Remember to do a patch test first to make sure you do not have an allergy before using Hibiscus.

1. Strengthening Pack
This treatment can help strengthen your weak, dull, brittle, and dry hair:
-3 ounces of hibiscus petal powder
-3 tbsp honey
-3 tbsp yogurt
-6 tbsp aloe vera gel
-Coconut milk

Mix the listed items to prepare a fine, consistent paste. Apply this pack liberally on your hair, and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Wash it with lukewarm water. Use it once or twice a week to make it lustrous.

2. Dandruff Treatment
This can help with dandruff and also soothes the itchy and scaly head with a cooling effect.
-1 cup coconut oil
-3-5 curry leaves
-3-5 basil leaves
-1 hibiscus flower
-1 gooseberry

Crush the leaves, hibiscus flower and gooseberry and extract the juices. Add the extracted juice to the coconut oil and bring it to a boil. Let the solution cool down. Apply and massage your scalp with it. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

3. Damage Restoration Tonic
This can be used on its own or also mixed with any other recipe for additional benefits.
-Hibiscus flowers & Hibiscus leaves
-Water

Take hibiscus flowers and leaves in a 1:6 ratio and soak them in water overnight and squeeze the flowers, to prepare cold infusion. Or keep it in the water for 12 hours and then boil it to make hot infusion. Use the strained water to wash, rinse your hair directly. Or simply dab a cotton ball in the prepared solution and use it like a tonic to treat your hair.

4. Hot Oil Treatment
This recipe can help prevent hair fall (shedding), improves blood circulation to the scalp and encourages hair growth. It also can make the hair soft, smooth and bouncy, and makes the hair shinier.
-5-10 hibiscus flowers
-3-5 hibiscus leaves
-3 basil leaves
-½ cup coconut oil or your preferred oil like sesame oil.

Crush the flowers and leaves of hibiscus and boil it with the oil. Once the fumes start coming out of it, add basil leaves. Let the oil cool down. Strain and use it on your scalp. Gently massage and rinse off with lukewarm water.

5. Cleansing Conditioner
-10 hibiscus flowers
-Water

Blend hibiscus flowers with some water to make a fine paste. Smear this paste on the scalp and leave it for 15 minutes. Cover it with a shower cap. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Use a mild shampoo the next day.

6. Clarifying Shampoo
-5-10 hibiscus flowers or leaves
-2 drops of almond or olive oil
-Water (enough to make a consistent paste)

Blend the flowers or leaves in water. Make a fine paste. Add drops of oil. Use this on your hair. Wash off after 15 minutes with lukewarm water.

CN Says:

I've never used hibiscus in a treatment (maybe in henna one time because I was out of green tea). However, if you're looking to acquire some, check your local health food store or bulkherbstore. Good luck!

Do you use hibiscus in your hair routine?

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How to Create a Natural Hair Regimen for Type 4 Coils

January 7, 2016, 7:29 am

≫ Next: 3 Coconut Oil Hair Masks to Moisturize Your Natural Hair

≪ Previous: Hibiscus to Promote Hair Growth and Healthy Scalp

PICTURED: NATURALLYCURLY READER ROCHELLE HYMAN

by Evelyn Ngugi

For those new to the natural scene as well as old time curlies who just haven't gotten the hang of it, there's nothing more overwhelming (and time consuming) than figuring out a healthy hair regimen! Returning or transitioning to natural hair is usually a time of education and experimentation. To avoid wasting products, money and energy, here is a starting point for creating and maintaining a healthy hair regimen.

Read On!>>>

The object of a hair regimen (in our case) is to maintain healthy, curly hair. The regimen will change depending on the qualities of your own hair (thick/thin, fine/course, curly/kinky, long/short just to name a few!) but we all need to achieve certain things with hair maintenance and hygiene.

1. Cleanse
Shampoo is meant to lift the hair cuticle, break up oil and dirt, and suspend it so it can be rinsed away. The goal is to remove environmental debris, product buildup, and production of sebum — the oil our skin naturally secretes.

Our straight-haired counterparts probably can't go one day without cleansing the hair because it is very easy for oil to travel down a straight strand. But in our case, oil has a harder time traveling down a loose wave, a tight curl, or a fro that sticks up & out! This is why the more textured your hair is, the dryer it feels. Our scalps are creating oil normally — it just cannot reach our hair!

So when we use shampoo, the focus should be on our scalps, since that's where the dirt's at. Apply the product to your roots and scalp, scrub with the fingertips, and the lather will make its way down your hair. Don't toussle or scrunch the hair when shampooing. That could result in tangles!

When you slather shampoo all over your HAIR instead of the scalp, you can expect a rough, "squeaky clean" feeling. Use shampoos that don't contain sodium laurel (or laureth) sulfate. These ingredients are much too harsh for hair that isn't that dirty, and have been known to cause irritation.

Favorite cleansers:
-Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo
-Kinky-Curly Come Clean

2. Condition/Detangle
Conditioning and detangling are an essential part of a healthy hair regimen since one task helps the other out. Conditioning the hair closes the cuticle, making it smooth, slippery and easier to comb through. Conditioner is supposed to coat the hair.

Remember: conditioner can also be used to gently cleanse the hair! Often times, conditioners have enough cleaning agents to remove dirt, especially if there's little build up in the hair. If you exercise every day, for example, use a conditioner to wash your hair.

Note that if you use conditioners containing silicones, eventually you will have to use a clarifying shampoo to remove the buildup from your hair. If you don't, the hair will be dull and lose body.

Favorite conditioners & detanglers
-Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Moisturizing Conditioner
-Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner

3. Moisturize
As described in the first step, naturally curly hair has a tendency to be dry. Fitting a moisturizer into your healthy hair regimen is as simple as a morning spritz or mid-day pick me up! First and foremost, nothing will replace water. Not all curlies have to completely soak their hair every morning — thick curls or a 'fro will take forever to air dry! You can simply put the water in a spray bottle and dampen the hair.

When searching for a moisturizing product, water must be pretty high up in the ingredients list. Many moisturizers also contain vitamins and oils that can be soaked into the hair and scalp.

Favorite moisturizers
-100% Aloe Vera juice or gel
-Darcy’s Botanicals Leave In Conditioner

4. Seal
Sealing ensures that the moisture you put into your hair stays there. Moisture is lost when the cuticle is raised and water leaves the hair. By laying a sealant on top of the hair, moisture is locked in, keeping your hair soft and shiny all day! There are a variety of oils to choose from.

Many popular ingredients in natural hair products are great for adding moisture to your hair. You can even add your favorite oil to the spray bottle of water and knock out steps 3 and 4 at the same time!

Favorite sealants
Jojoba oil
Shea butter

5. Deep Treat/Repair
Nobody's hair is perfect! We all get breakage, lack moisture, and need help! Treat your hair to something nice! Whether it's henna to strengthen, or avocado to moisturize, curly hair will benefit from extended exposure to certain ingredients.

Natural hair that has not been processed (color, relaxer, etc) usually doesn't lack protein, but the curlier the hair, the more moisture it needs. So to start off, try one of these tasty deep conditioning treatments.This step of your healthy regimen should always be done to clean hair, so all the nutrients and benefits of the treatment are received.

Favorite deep treatments
Miss Jessie’s Rapid Recovery
Henna

How Often Should You Do Your Hair Regimen?

Only you know your hair and habits best. The weather, your exercise routine, your styling options, will all effect how frequently you do a certain step in your regimen. If you go to the gym every day, steps 2, 3, & 4 will happen daily. If you live in a cold environment, step 4 is vital to keeping moisture in your hair during the cold, dry months.

What you need to achieve in your regimen will probably change depending on the season. Give yourself at least one month to test it out. Stick with the same products to see true results!
Example Hair Regimen

Daily

-Moisturize w/ aloe vera + water
-Seal w/ coconut oil

Weekly

-Add condition (detangling optional) with favorite conditioner

Monthly

-Add Cleanse & Deep Treatment/Repair
-Use shampoo
-Strengthen your hair with a henna treatment followed by a moisture mask of your choosing

Have you found a hair regimen that works for you yet?

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3 Coconut Oil Hair Masks to Moisturize Your Natural Hair

January 7, 2016, 9:07 am

≫ Next: How I Add Texture & Volume to my Blow-Out

≪ Previous: How to Create a Natural Hair Regimen for Type 4 Coils

by Sabrina Perkins

Coconut oil has a multitude of health benefits with its fatty acids, Poly-phenols, vitamins and minerals. It is great for hair and skin, your immunity, weight loss and even heart health. Heck, I'm wondering if I should try coconut sugar (I keep seeing it at Sam's and it be calling my name) so who is it any wonder why there are tons of hair treatments using coconut oil?

Here are three super-duper moisturizing hair masks you need to be trying ASAP!

Read On!>>>
Moisturizing Coconut Hair Mask
2-4 tbsp. coconut oil
5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend of essential oils
Plastic or thermal heat cap

Mix coconut oil and essential oil (or blend) together in small bowl. Massage into your hair and it it not necessary to apply to scalp but it won't hurt! Cover with plastic cap or thermal cap for 30-60 minutes. Wash out and style as usual.

Honey + Coconut Oil Hair Mask
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tsp. of honey
Plastic or thermal heat cap
small microwavable bowl

In a small microwave safe bowl, mix coconut oil and honey. Microwave for 30-45 seconds, until coconut oil is liquid and mixture is warm. Stir again as the coconut and honey will separate from the heat.

Massage oil mixture into hair, starting at the ends and working up towards the scalp. After hair is evenly coated, secure hair with a clip or hair tie and cover with plastic cap or thermal cap for 15 to 30 minutes. Wash and style as usual.

Coconut + Avocado Nourishing Hair Mask
1 tbsp. Coconut oil
1/4 cup milk
1 ripe Avocado

Grind the avocado chunks and make a smooth puree without any lumps before adding milk and coconut oil and mix well. Apply to all hair strands and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes. Wash hair well to remove mixture and style as usual.

What's your favorite coconut oil hair mask?

CN Says:
I'm not coconut oil's biggest fan, but I use it for my pre-poo, so I suppose that counts? I apply a lot to my dry hair prior to washing. Sometimes, I'll add a little yogurt or conditioner to help things along. I always use a plastic baggy, a little heat and leave it in for 20-30 minutes.

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How I Add Texture & Volume to my Blow-Out

January 7, 2016, 9:07 am

≫ Next: The Best Winter Wash and Go Regimen

≪ Previous: 3 Coconut Oil Hair Masks to Moisturize Your Natural Hair

Hola Chicas!

Like rocking blow-outs and stretched hair but still ~~love~~ NEED texture and volume?

Got damn fine hair (like me) that absolutely refuses to hold a set unless it's wet or dampened from a 'wet' product?

Tried coconut oil, serums, spritzes, and everything else to no avail?

I may have an unorthodox solution--

Read On!>>>
Grease.

Yep, the consistency helps to set your situation for at least a day and doesn't cause it to revert or frizz in the process.

At any rate, I'm on my way to the airport (DC bound) but had to show you the miracle that is 8 bantu knots and a little bit of ultra sheen (original formula).

Later Gators,
Nik

p.s. scared of grease? Check out this, this and this.

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The Best Winter Wash and Go Regimen

January 8, 2016, 6:18 am

≫ Next: A Guide to Choosing the Right Natural Hair Products for YOU

≪ Previous: How I Add Texture & Volume to my Blow-Out

Tina Munzu writes:

In this video, I'm sharing my winter wash and go routine because let's face it, no one likes to step into the cold with wet hair right? All it takes is a little diffusing to get you ready and out the door. Check out my regimen below!

Continue!>>>

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A Guide to Choosing the Right Natural Hair Products for YOU

January 8, 2016, 6:29 am

≫ Next: We Stay Celebrating.

≪ Previous: The Best Winter Wash and Go Regimen

by Kanisha Parks of BlackNaps.org

Starting out in the natural hair game can be very exciting but also overwhelming! This is because building a regimen based off of choosing the right products for your hair can be quite a challenge. While it certainly takes time to fully flesh out your routine, a few helpful tips can guide you along that road a lot easier.

There are tons of natural hair products on the market- some great and some that definitely aren’t worth the time or the money. It’s easy to fall into product junkie-ism when you’re a natural newbie but until you know what your hair responds well to, you may want to refrain from impulse buying.

This is not a “go buy these particular products” post: you’ll have to figure that one out for yourself. But what this post will do is give you the tools to decide what products are worth the investment.

Read On!>>>
Note: Before you start trying products, it’s always good to make sure your hair is at its healthiest. Otherwise, you probably won’t get the most accurate results. So if you need a fresh trim, get it. And if you’re working your way back to healthier hair, just know that your hair may react differently now than when its at its prime.

1. Do your research.

You’ve heard about widely used natural hair product lines such as SheaMoisture, TGIN, Aunt Jackie’s, Soultanicals, Jane Carter, Camille Rose, Kinky-Curly, Mielle Organics. There are also brands that have made lines for natural hair, (such as Motions Natural Textures). This doesn’t even tip the iceberg when it comes to the natural hair products that are available on the market. When you research these lines, pay close attention to the ingredients, product sizes, and price. Can they be purchased online and/or in store?

You should also decide what products you actually need. Here’s a basic product guide for any natural. I’ve included the products that I’m currently using:

Moisturizing Shampoo (one that is sulfate-free and that does not strip the hair): SheaMoisture’s Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair Conditioning Shampoo
Moisturizing Conditioner: Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner
Co-wash: Mielle Organics Detangling Conditioning Cleanser
Deep conditioner: (Eden Bodyworks Jojoba Monoi All Natural Deep Conditioner or a homemade concoction)
Protein treatment or Deep Conditioner with Protein (when necessary): Nunaat Naat Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioner
Leave-in conditioner: Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Extras: (oils, stylers)

Check out this awesome guide by Healthy Afro Hair for a more in-depth discussion regarding what hair products you need:

2. Take a walk down the natural hair aisle.
Once you have an idea of the products that seem like a good fit for your hair, take a trip to Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, or Target. These stores have the products you need (and if your city’s anything like my neck of the woods, the prices will be better than your local beauty supply store).

Don’t start grabbing everything off the shelf and throwing it in your buggy! I’ve been natural for five years, so I know what my hair likes and I use products from many different lines. But when you’re just starting out, it’s actually better to choose one product line and give it a chance. That way, you can truly see how your hair responds to the products. The goal is always super moisturized, shiny hair that looks, but most of all, feels good.

3. Start on the low end.
You don’t want to go shelling out the big bucks on the most expensive products you can find just because you’ve “heard good things.” There may be a product that is much cheaper that will yield the same results. Think about it like this: your hair could care less about how much the product costs, so let your tresses do the talking, not your wallet.

4. Ask.
If you know anyone who’s natural, ask them what they use. It’s great to get an opinion from someone you know because you can a more personal idea of how the product works for them. Also, you can peruse your favorite naturals via social media. The product lines they vouch for are all wonderful; it’s just about choosing a line that you really like and sticking with it.

Of course, different hair types and textures require different products. But having a general idea of some products that come highly recommended is better than diving out there with no sense of direction.

5. If at first you don’t succeed…
There will be products that your hair hates and loves, but don’t worry: there is a resolution. Keep at it and continue working until you find your “miracle” products. But in the meantime, don’t throw away the shampoos, conditioners, etc. that were a “no.” You can always try product swapping with another natural or altering the product to fit your needs. Any conditioner can be mixed into a deep conditioner concoction or used as a prepoo, and some shampoos can be diluted to make them more suitable for Type 4 hair. Now you’re ready for the big time!

What are some of your favorite hair products?

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