Month: November 2012

10 Bad Things You Can Do to Good Hair

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  1. Too much heat.
  2. Using products that cannot penetrate the hair shaft.
  3. Too much shampoo.
  4. Not using shampoo at all.
  5. Pulling the hair too tight when wearing braids, or ponytail.
  6. Improper handling.
  7. Not trimming the split ends.
  8. Bleaching your hair.
  9. Not washing your hair when wearing extensions.
  10. Getting a relaxer right after taking your extensions out.

Natural Hair Stories: BRIANNA LATHORNE

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9 MONTH UPDATE

Where do you currently live?
Alpharetta, GA

What do you do?
I am a student at AVEDA INSTITUTES in Buckhead Georgia. I love it there because they use all natural products. And I am also excited about learning about hair and makeup. 

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural for a long time now, but I did the big chop in December of 2011.

When was the last time you had a relaxer?
I only had two relaxers in my lifetime. So it’s been seven years since I had the last one.

Why did you decide to do the big chop?
My hair was damaged. I already have thin hair; I think I made it worst by using heat all the time.

What’s your regimen?
I wash my hair once a week, or when I feel it is really dirty. I deep condition my hair as needed. I moisturize my ends every day, or when I remember.

What are your favorite protective styles.
Weave and half wigs.

What’s your short term goal for your hair?
My short term goal is to be able to put my hair in a bun. Then that will be my best protective style.

What’s your long term goal?
My long term goal is to be waist length in 5 years.

You recently shaved off the right side of your head, what were you thinking?
I don’t know. One of my instructors did it and I thought that it was cute, so I decided to do it.

Do you regret it now?
Yes. I cannot wait for it to grow back.

What’s your advice for our natural sisters, or those who are not natural yet, but are thinking about doing it?

My advice for those who are thinking about going natural is to not do a big chop. I think they should slowly transition before cutting the relaxed ends off, unless the hair is damaged. Patience, patience, patience, and only watch youtube videos that will inspire you on your journey.

Thanks to Brianna for sharing her natural hair story with us. If you want to be a part of our journey, please email us at nerline77@gmail.com. You can also LIKE us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter if you want to keep in touch.

There Was Nothing NATURAL About My Thanksgiving

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                Thanksgiving was a little different this year: there were a lot of food. I have never seen so much food in my house, even when we are having birthday parties for our kids.

TURKEY,  REGULAR SALAD, HOMEMADE BREAD, RICE & BEANS, STUFFING, FRIED TURKEY

LASAGNA, BAKED MAC & CHEESE, TURKEY FRIED RICE, MASHED POTATOES, FRIED PLANTAINS, PIKLIZ, COLLARD GREENS

NEW YORK CHEESE CAKE, SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE, APPLE FRIES, CAKE

Feeling Froggy and Leopardy

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I haven’t done an outfit post in a while, so I decided to post what I wore to church on Sunday.
I just recently became a Eucharistic Extra-ordinary minister at my parish, and that was my first day, I swear I was so nervous I thought I was going to drop and spill everything. Lol.
              

Anyways it turned out great, and after a couple of rounds, the fear slowly went away. I’m really glad I took up the role, I’m enjoying it so far.

Blazer: Thrifted
Jeans: Burlington 
Shoes: Target

What is a Protective Style for Natural Hair?

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          A protective style is any hair style that protects the ends. Some protective styles last for a week and some can last up to 3 months. Any hair style that hides the ends of your hair is a protective style. These styles should be able to protect your hair against your coat during the winter, extreme heat during the summer, against your cotton pillow case at night when you are sleeping, and  against sweats if you exercise a lot.
       
        I wear a protective style 95% of the time. My favorite protective styles are wigs and micro braids. I love wigs because they make it easier for me to have access to my hair so I can moisturize my ends and wash my hair. But be careful with those that come with many combs as they can irritate your scalp and even cause alopecia. On the other hand, I love micro braids because I can moisturize my ends and wash my hair with the braids on. One downside with micro braids is that they too can cause hair loss if they are braided too tight.
          Protective styles are good because they’re a great way to take a break from the hair; less breakage and low manipulations mean longer hair. Make sure you take care of your hair if you are wearing hair extensions as protective styles. Wash your hair as often as you possibly can because remember, your hair can get very dry under the extensions if it does not get in contact with moisture even though too much moisture can also cause yeast infections. Use natural oils to grease your scalp when necessary. Also, tighten your weave every month, and do a good protein treatment before and after you take the extensions out, because your hair can get really weak after wearing extensions for two months or so.
  

THESE ARE SOME GREAT PROTECTIVE STYLES

BOX BRAIDS

 

MICRO BRAIDS

WIG

TWISTED BUN