Many of us think water is drying to our hair but the water itself may not be the problem perhaps it is the temperature of your water. There is nothing better than a nice hot steamy shower, but when it comes to your hair, hot water shouldn't even come near it. 

March 12, 2011- My hair is natural, in the photo above it has been pressed, and I cut my hair short to even my hair out due to hair breakage. The breakage was a result of not implementing protective styling. The mid section of my hair was extremely shorter than the rest of my hair. If you see this, then you are experiencing breakage as well and most likely should consider a cut.

November 8, 2011- After doing some research and evaluating my hair care practices, I was able to recover my hair and now that I am comparing the photos the progress doesn't look too bad. What changed between then and now, definitely had to do more so with the care of my hair rather than the products that I use which is why I stress the importance of care, rather than  focusing too hard on which products to use.

My Three Big Changes

1.  My hair is usually in a protective style such as tuck and roll styles, cornrows, or twists.
2. Although from time to time I do press my hair, its not that often. Usually I avoid heat at all costs for as long as I can. Which means no blow drying of my hair ( I air dry) and If I press my hair I wait a few months to do it. When my hair was done in the above photo it had been 7 months since any heat was applied to my hair.
3. Trims even when it has been months since I have seen a hair dresser, I find a way to work in a trim, even if it is done by myself. I try to do this at least every 2 months, removing 1/2 to 1/4 of an inch off of my hair. Sharp hair cutting scissors only are used on my hair, dull blades may worsen your splits.

February 2012  - My hair in its natural state in a updo natural hair style


This is where I am at today, and I hope to show kinky coily queens everywhere that you can grow your hair long too. Nappy hair does not = bad hair. Healthy, moisturized hair is good hair regardless of your hair texture.

Need a little help stretching out those kinks? Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque helps to extend my hair while giving my thirsty roots that moisture it craves.

Quick Tips for Color Treated Hair

1. Minimize your sulfate shampoo time and up your co-washing 
2. Never, ever wash your hair before you do a dye job
3. When you touch up your color, your application should be focused on your roots and then work your way down to your ends
4. Keep your hair moisturized by using a water based product, a creamier product, and then seal in the moisture with an oil 

Usually I am more of a co-washer, but last night I decided to use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo. After my shampoo last night my scalp felt refreshed, my hair was soft, light, and fluffy. I was trying to avoid washing my hair until the weekend but, my hair just couldn't go one other day without being washed.

Now, I did wash my hair last week, but my hair was getting weigh down from product build up so even though I didn't want to, it was time for a wash. To my surprise my was last night wasn't so bad because I used my technique that helps me to cut down on time and it keeps the tangles out of my hair.

My hair is almost always in some sort of protective style, so when I wash my hair instead of taking my cornrows or twists out I leave them in. This prevents my hair from getting tangled when I wash it and when I want to take out my plaits out its easier to do because they are moist.


Washing my hair with Shea Moisture Shampoo, was far from my typical experience. Usually after a wash before I detangle, my hair is matted and tight to the scalp. While I still did have some of this going on, it wasn't nearly as bad. What made me absolutely elated was that my hair had some poof to it which I love. I can't stand flat hair. I was able to do a big braid out style so overall I was pleased with my hair's moisture and volume after my wash. Looking for a shampoo that won't dry your hair out? This is a great buy.

During your travels you want to be ready and up for anything. You don't want your hair getting of the way of splashing around in the pool or indulging in a relaxing hot tub with bubbles dancing across your back. Which is one of the many benefits of natural hair, you can get your hair wet or sweaty without the worry that your hair will be totally ruined. During my travels here are some styles and natural hair care tips that have made things more convenient and stylish for me.

For us kinkier ( 4b/4c) gals the go to styles for travels are (or at least for me):

Box braids/Yarn Braids
Two strand twists
Kinky Twists
Cornrows
Bantu Knots

Why?


They are great protective hair styles
You don't have to worry about messing in your hair for your trip, keep it simple.
Frizz and dryness can be easily controlled
If you desire a curly style, you can take them out for a nice braid out or twist out

Products for travel

Right now for my New Orleans trip I am enjoying Jane Carter Solution's traveling kit. I like this because to my knowledge few natural hair product companies are doing this. This makes my packing time easier because I don't have to worry about going to Walmart, purchasing the travel size bottles, and squeezing my hair products into them.

The kit comes with almost every hair item you could possibly need: sculpting foam, conditioner, shampoo, curl defining creme, moisturizing hair butters, and one my favorites her leave-in-conditioner. I was especially pleased with the curl defining creme's work, it gave my twist out marvelous definition.

After Using Jane Carter's Curl Defining Creme

By nature 4b or 4c hair in its natural state, is not exactly what we would call curly, but it definitely has a rather coily look to it. On its own after washing your hair, as a 4b/4c lady it is not likely that you will have loose ringlets without a little work on your part.

For me I find that for the best curl definition I like to deal with my hair while it is still wet. This is because once I blow dry it out it straightens fairly easily and the curl is just not the same. My twist outs and braid outs on wet hair turn out more defined, smooth, and shiny.

My key to elongating my hair somewhat and getting a defined curl is achieved by  a combination of three things: A detangling session, twisting, and the right product.

Taking the the time to detangle my hair section by section combing from the ends of my hair and working my way on up helps to expand my hair.

Although braiding the hair may stretch it out more, I prefer to do a two-strand twist out my hair because I prefer the s curl shape it leaves behind.

For hold and definition I use a either a heavy butter, creme, or moisturizing gel.

                         
                           Me after using Jane Carter Solution's Curl Defining Creme today. I love the results  : )

Over the course of my natural hair journey I have learned what works for my 4b kinky hair type and what doesn't. Although, many women have a mixture of textures in their hair, for me the typing system simply signifies that different hair types require different techniques of dealing with hair.For example, I know certain techniques someone with 4a hair uses would not cut it for me, like spraying my hair with water. If I did that on a regular basis my hair would look like a dried out matted pancake. With that being said here are my list of do's and don'ts.

Shrinkage is not one my favorite aspects of being natural. Especially since I have been wearing my hair pressed for a while having my hair shrink up was a big adjustment for me. As opposed to banding or blow drying my hair every time I wash my hair, there is one method that I prefer over anything else.

Shrinkage After Washing Hair

I like to cornrow, braid, or twist my hair while it is still wet and the next day if I desire to wear it out I take out my plaits and gently fluff it out. This stretches my hair without the long process of banding and it reduces my contact with heat so I can avoid heat damage.

It never stretches to its full extent without the use of heat, but it gives me enough working room so it isn't matted or too tight to my scalp. Due to the cold weather down in Jersey I will be implementing a lot of protective styling and I am considering yarn braids. Until I make my decision I will be rocking my cornrows.

For me shrinkage is definitely not fun. My hair gets extremely tight to my scalp and the matted look definitely annoys me. However, I have found that reducing my contact with heat keeps my hair healthier so I rather just use my braiding method and deal with the shrinkage.

Cornrows and Two Strand Twists

The baggy method is an easy way for you to work in a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. Especially for gals who find themselves on the go this is a great option. Simply massage your scalp with the conditioner as best as you can, smooth onto your hair, cover with a plastic cap, and sleep the night away as you give your hair an awesome treat. When you wake up in the morning wash away with cool water, moisturize, and style.


 For this treatment I used Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner. What makes this experience extremely delightful is the wonderful tingling and refreshing sensation that you get. For a scalp that is suffering from the itchies and dryness this product is a source of some relief. The first time I ever used this conditioner, afterward when it was time for me to cornrow my hair there was a strikingly noticeable difference in the manageability of  my hair. Parting and combing through my hair became a breeze, and ever since I been hooked and sold on this product.

Conditioning is crucial for the health of our hair. As women of color many of us suffer from hair that is prone to dryness, and conditioning plays a major role in our hair's manageability, its shine, and its moisture. If you need a way to squeeze in extra time for a deep conditioning treatment, this is an effective method to do so.



To make things a little more easier for me I keep my natural hair in braids while I wash it to avoid tangles, and in general it makes things a whole lot easier. This cuts your down on your time spent detangling and your styling time.