Great Linkage: Prevent Hair Breakage

As I have mentioned before, the Natural Haven is a wonderful site with vast knowledge on natural hair. She comes from a scientific standpoint and it really helps. So, I was just reading an article on why our hair breaks and I have found out some new things that have enlightened me. For instance, I did not know that the hair is weaker when it is wet versus when it is dry.

She also gave a few other suggestions. So, if you are trying to prevent breakage and obtain length this would be a great article.

Check it out HERE.

Hair Today: Side Swept Twist Out Front

Ok yall, I just had to post a "Hair Today" segment. Last nights as I was oiling my hair and sealing my ends I played around with a few hairstyles I could wear with my hair like this.

I was thinking that having the hair side-swept would be cute but, I didn't think that it would stay down (my hair loves to rise). So, I bobby pinned it down to see how it would look and it was cute. But, I knew that I didn't want to have to do that for work. So, I had plans to just pin it all up in the front and rock some sort of updo.

Yet, this morning after I took off my satin bonnet. I first pinned one side. And as I was about to pin the other side I realized that my hair looked cute and was laying down. So, I left it like that and wore it to work today.

My hair is still in french braids in the back.

Natural Inspiration: Leela James

Simply put, she has some gorgeous hair. I have always been amazed by the amount of hair on her head. I just could not fathom anyone having that much hair. Now, I do believe that she does add extensions to her hair for volume because when she was interviewed on CurlyNikki she kept it vague on that question. She responded a "girl's gotta keep some secrets". Check out the article HERE.

Nonetheless, her hair is beautiful and I do believe she is natural. Also, she is a gorgeous woman. Her hair is an inspiration to me. One of my hair goals is to obtain length. So, her hair is a great motivation to continue to take care of my hair and one day it may be this big.

Is the natural community sadity???

Ok, I'm tripping. I just posted this by mistake on my fashion blog. I need to get it together.


So, I was on the wonderful CurlyNikki yesterday and she had a post that talked about "Natural Hair Snobbery". In this post was a letter from a reader of CurlyNikki who has a texlax (That's what she called it. I'm assuming its a texturizer). She felt that in the natural community we simply embrace naturals and act snobbish toward those who are not natural.

Here are a few points of her letter:
1. Stop saying your natural is your 'God given anything' because you still conform yourself in other ways (i.e. makeup, nail polish, deodorant)
2. She doesn't agree with the term natural and uses it in quotations because we are not 100% natural.
3. She has been natural several times before.
4. She feels the site condemns women who are not natural.

I could go on and on about some of her other points but, check out the article HERE.

Ok, when I read this yesterday I was about to be off work so, I did not have time to comment on CurlyNikki. Then, I realized my comment may become an essay so, I decided to post my thoughts on my blog.

First off, CurlyNikki is a wonderful site (which the reader did state). This is the first site I found when I decided to go natural and it has supported many current naturals on their journey with vast knowledge, experiences from other naturals, and so much more. I am an avid reader of Curly Nikki and I have never felt that the site condemned or put down women who are not natural. She also felt the site supported only curly textured women. However, the site is called CurlyNikki and it is a natural hair site. If she would like support for relaxed hair there are sites that cater to this. She should check out Hairlicious. (I used to be a reader of this site and its pretty good.) Or she could provide a site for support for relaxed/texlaxed hair.

Secondly, I am one of those naturals who give thanks to God for being natural. It takes a lot to look at yourself and accept the glory/beauty/uniqueness that God blessed each of us with. I choose not to conform the hair that He has given me and I am grateful that I came to this understanding. I do not only embrace curly hair. I embrace natural hair for all races. Straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, kinky hair. Its all beautiful to me because the Lord blessed each of us with a uniqueness. Yes, I do wear makeup, nail polish, and even deodorant (lol). However, I consider these things part of my upkeep. Makeup/nail polish are not permanent. I can easily take this off. Also, I don't wear it everyday. I am just as confident to walk out the house without these things. As for deodorant, that is part of maintaining our cleanliness. That's like saying why do you wear lotion, use soap, oil your skin/hair, etc? Therefore, I do agree with the term natural. It is a simple explanation for our hair.

As for her being natural several times before. Good for her. Maybe one day she will grow to appreciate it.

So...

Am I sadity? Is the natural community sadity??

Maybe some would consider my thought pattern on natural hair sadity. Simply because I prefer natural hair over conformed hair. However, I can just as easily say they are being sadity/snobbish because they prefer relaxed/conformed hair over natural hair. Also, I don't think the natural community is snobbish. It is a wonderful and beautiful thing that we are finally beginning to accept our natural beauty and glory. I don't equate confidence with snobbery.

That concludes my thoughts on that topic. For now...

Hairstyle: Twist Out Front with French Braid Back

So, this weekend I did try a new hairstyle for my hair. Again, the hairstyle that I had in mind did not come to vision. But, I improvised yet again. Through my trusty bobby pins. This is a hairstyle that is 90% protective. There is a small portion of hair left out so this accounts for the 10%. It is getting cold in these parts so, I am trying to protect my hair from the winds.

Here's what I did:
1. Co-washed my hair with Suave Coconut Naturals
2. Deep conditioned with Suave Coconut Naturals
3. I ended up leaving this conditioner in b/c I got on the phone with my sis and the conditioner was thoroughly soaked into my hair by the time I got off the phone. So, I thought why not leave it in??
4. I parted the back section of my hair and french braided it.
5. I applied HE Totally Twisted to the front potion of my hair and proceeded to twist it.
6. The next morning I unraveled the twists.
7. I then pinned up the sides of the twist-out and left a small portion for a bang.
8. And you're done!

Hair Today: Still Braided Up

So, I decided to do a "Hair Today" post to give you an idea of how my hair has been holding up. I put these 4 braids in on Saturday so, they have been in for about a week. I think they held up pretty well even though they are not as fresh as Day 1. Also, the braids in the back are slightly frizzy because I forgot to sleep with my satin bonnet yesterday. (And I sleep on my back).

I will wear this style for one more day and then I will be trying something new with my hair. Right now I am not sure what I will be trying.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This style is a really easy style. It doesn't take long to put in and all I have to do is cover it for the night then wake up and go. I do enjoy simple hairstyles. They make life easier.

I've gotten a few compliments on my hair this week at work. The most memorable one came from a guest and she said "Your hair is just ADORABLE like that!"

A Staple Item: Satin Bonnet

Oh, the importance of a satin bonnet (or satin scarf)!! I am sure you have heard on many natural blogs or from naturals around you (and even relaxed girls) the importance of their satin bonnet. I wear my satin bonnet every night and even when I am taking a brief nap. I can not imagine my hair rubbing against harsh cotton. I know some naturals choose to sleep on a satin pillow but, I love the cool feel of cotton.

Can you believe that last night I forgot to sleep with my satin bonnet?!?! It just totally slipped my mind. This morning I was so annoyed with myself I kept touching my braids to see if any frizz occured. I did have some. So, I smoothed it down and then bobby pinned those pieces in place that were out. I could have avoided all of this if I would've slept with my bonnet.

So, why is a satin bonnet so important? Simply put, our hair can not take constant rubbing or movement against other fabrics (i.e. cotton, wool, acrylic). This can cause friction which can lead to breakage. And that is something we all wish to avoid. This simple bonnet is a life saver.

The bonnets are not hard to find. They sale them at most pharmacies, department store, and beauty supply stores. And the cost is not ridiculous at all. Also, the boneets come with a wide range of options. You can get a bonnet with a tie string, with ruffly elastic edging, or a smooth stretch edging. The smoothy stretch edging is my favorite, however; I do own the ruffly elastic edging also.

Recently, I started to wear a satin bonnet under my slouchy hats. I make my hats with an acrylic yarn and I have always been nervouse that the acrylic would rub against my hair. So now, I simply put the bonnet on and put my hat over the bonnet. So simple.

Where would I be without my satin bonnet???