Wednesday, October 18

Quick Hair Update: Still In Twists

4C Natural Hair Afro


Hi Everyone! Hope you all are doing well!

I just wanted to give a quick update on my hair. Long story short, it's still in twists with my own hair.

Friday, September 1

Loose Twists Styles and Regimen - 4C Natural Hair

I've had these twists in my hair for almost two weeks now. I would like to keep them in a little longer, but I really want to do a Henna/Indigo treatment and my hair needs to be loose for that.

I don't do much in terms of styling. I really like to french roll the back of the twists and keep the front pushed to the right side. Because I like that style so much, I jazz it up with some hair jewelry, beads and a shell. I have also been wearing a lot of scarves and "loc socs".

Here is a collage of some of the ways I style the twists.


Tuesday, August 29

Best Cheap Hair Products for Natural and Relaxed Hair

I was relaxed my hair for many years and was able to achieve healthy long hair. It didn't start off that way though. I went through a long period of time where my relaxed hair was damaged, thin and not growing. 

Through much research, trial & error, and patience, I was able to grow my thin, neck length hair to thick, almost bra strap length hair right before I decided to transition to natural.
Most of that progress was attributed to changing my technique, but hair products were just as important.

When transitioning, I used most of the same products as when I was relaxed. Then when fully natural, I continued to use the same products. Of course, I added some different products along the way, but I quickly realized that most of the products I used on my relaxed hair worked on my natural hair.

I have tried just about every well known hair product in the healthy hair community; from salon quality to dollar store hair products. Because of that, I can attest that you don't need to spend a lot of money to grow and maintain long, healthy hair. 

Here are some cheap hair products for relaxed and natural hair that you may like. All these are less than $10.  If you are one of those naturals that prefer "all natural" hair products, some of these may not be your cup of tea. FTCThis post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

ORS Replenishing Conditioner 


Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner


This was a staple product throughout my relaxed and transitioning hair journey. Not only will it make

Wednesday, August 23

Loose Twists on 4C Natural Hair

Loose twists on medium length natural hair
Well, these are more like loose-ish twists
French-rolled in the back and pinned to the side 

Those who have been reading this blog for a while know that I love twists. I faithfully wore twists when I was relaxed, transitioning and newly natural. Wearing twists helped me retain length and thickness, but for some reason I stopped doing them often. I guess I got to the point in my journey where I just enjoyed wearing my hair loose 85% of the time. Because of that(and other factors such as trimming a lot), I haven't gained much length. 
While I'm okay with the current length of my hair, I want to see more. So I have decided to get back to the basics and wear twists religiously. 
I trimmed these set of twists so I can start off fresh, but I plan to cut down on the trimming drastically. An updated twists regimen will be posted shortly. 

Anyway, on to the "loose twists".

Monday, August 21

Onion Oil for Hair Growth - Grow Your Edges




Have you ever asked someone what can you use to grow your edges and they say Castor Oil? While Castor Oil or Jamaican Black Castor Oil are great, they seem to be the main suggestions. If you have (or haven't) tried them and are still experiencing thin edges, you should give Onion Oil a shot. Not only is it great for your edges, but for your general hair growth as well!
*Keep in mind that you need to drop all of the unhealthy hair habits that caused the thin edges in the first place to see any results. Check out my last post on edges for details.

Let's get into it.



Onions are rich in sulfur and quercetin. Sulfur has antibacterial and anti-fungal  properties which is

Friday, August 18

Shrinkage, Head Wraps, Melanin and Black Girl Magic

Happy Friday!!!! I just wanted to share a small snippet of  my Instagram posts. 
Have a great weekend and look out for my next post. 



natural hair shrinkage, head wraps, melanin and black girl magic

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Sunday, August 13

CROWN SECTION soreness, thinning & breakage CULPRITS & SOLUTIONS (part 1 of 2)

This video, created by GreenBeauty on YouTube, is very helpful for those experiencing crown damage, soreness and thinning. I have been there and after paying extra attention(protein, more moisture, sectioning off) to that area, was able to reverse most of the damage. If you're suffering from any of the above, check out this video.

Cliff Notes:
  • Bald Crown Condition is known as Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) 
  • CCCA is the form of scaring Alopecia on the middle section of the scalp that results in hair loss
  • Early symptoms start with soreness, itching and burning in that area of the scalp 

Wednesday, August 9

5 Ways to Deal with Hair Envy

Image result for jealous gif black women



I'm pretty sure we have all been there before. You know, when you see someones hair and love it a little too much. Then all these thoughts start running through your mind. Wishing your hair looked like hers(or his), thinking of ways to get it that way, not liking your hair anymore or just plain hating on what you see. Does that sound familiar to you? If so, then here are some healthy ways to deal with that hair envy. 


1.) Realize that just because his/her hair is beautiful, it doesn't mean yours isn't. 
Image result for just because someone else is beautiful doesn't mean you aren't

Sunday, July 30

Using Vaseline on My Natural Hair?

hair grease on little girls natural hair


When I was a little girl, my Mother would braid my hair every week using nothing but grease. My hair was nice, shiny and of course very long. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Wednesday, July 26

Quick Natural Hairstyle- Jeweled Afro Puff

natural hair afro puff jewelry 4c hair

I was looking to step my "same ole' puff" up and give my edges a break. Constantly pulling our hair back(especially tightly) can not only cause breakage, but weaken the hair strands.

Thursday, July 20

Summer 2017 Hair Regimen- 4C Natural Hair

My go-to puff the day after taking my braids out


If you follow me on Instagram (hint, hint), you would have seen that I removed the braids that I had installed for 7 weeks. it feels good to have my hair out again! So I thought this would be a good time to post my updated hair regimen for the remainder of the Summer.

Let me first start with saying that I don't care much about "definition" especially in the Summer. It's

Thursday, July 13

3 Things I Haven't Done As a Natural- 4C Natural Hair




natural hair shrinkage being blow dried and flat ironed
1.) Straighten My Hair- Can you believe that the last time I have seen my hair straight was in 2011?! Every year I tell myself that I will straighten my hair in the Fall or Winter, but I never muster the courage or energy to do it. I'm either worried I will get heat damage, too lazy to do it or just feel

Monday, July 10

Cornrow Styles for Women: Summer Protective Styles

Summer is officially here and the last thing most of us want to do is to style our hair daily. This is when Protective Styling comes in handy. Protective Styles are the best way to give your hair a break while keeping it healthy and cute at the same time. One of the quickest and easiest protective styles to do is cornrows.

Here are a few cornrow styles that I have been loving lately: 


Beyonce's "Lemonade" Braids. Let's face it, Beyonce has been the (celebrity)queen of braids for a while now. She has been rocking them, on and off, since she came on the scene. I have been seeing this particular style being replicated EVERYWHERE and for good reason. These are beautiful yet classy at the same time and go with any outfit! 
beyonce lemonade cornrow style

Friday, July 7

6 Do's and Don'ts to Maintain or Grow Your Edges

4c natural hair full edges slicked back with edge control

DO tie your hair down with a satin or silk scarf at night
DON'T tie it too tight. Also, steer clear of bonnets with the rubber, stretchy perimeter. 

DO massage your scalp
DON'T do it too often(daily) or massage too vigorously. You could cause more harm than good. 

Tuesday, July 4

Poll Time: What Do YOU Want to Read?

Hey Hey Hey!!! Do people still read blogs? Well according to my stats, I do have some loyal(thank you!) readers and some sporadic visitors which is great.
I want to provide content that you all want to read, so please help me by taking the below poll. Help me help you!

Thank you and enjoy the Holiday!!!

You can choose up to 3 options.


Saturday, July 1

Meagan Good - Goddess Faux Loc Styles

Meagan Good is gorgeous and can rock just about any hairstyle. When she first came on the scene, she had long black hair which was her signature style for a while. Then throughout the years she switched it up a bit. I particularly loved her short styles, but I am now loving the Goddess Locs(shocker right?!) on her.


Here are some of my favorite Goddess Loc looks that Meagan Good has rocked: 

Meagan Good with long black goddess locs with shaved side
Long Black Goddess Locs with Shaved Side
Meagan Good Long black goddess locs put into a bun
Black Goddess Locs put into a High Bun 

Friday, June 30

My Braids Regimen to Maintain Healthy Hair

Protective Hair Style Products. African Pride Braid Spray, Carols Daughter Vanilla Oil and African Royal Braid Spray
African Pride Braid Spray, Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Oil, African Royal Braid Spray (can be purchased below) 


As many of you know, my hair is currently in Yarn Braids and it's been about 5 weeks since I installed them. They make my mornings much easier, but I still need to take care of them in order to maintain healthy hair.  Not only am I looking to minimize the amount of time spent doing my hair, but I also want to see some noticeable growth & retention.


Here is my current braids regimen:

Wednesday, June 28

3 Ways to Save Money on Healthy Hair Care

Are you on a budget or looking for ways to reduce the amount of money spent on your hair? Taking care of your hair does not need to cost you an arm and leg. So many of us believe that the more money you spend on something, the better value you are receiving. But generally speaking, that does not apply to hair care. So if you're looking for ways to save some cash, keep on reading.


1.) Minimize or Eliminate Salon Visits-  If you're visiting a salon frequently, costs can add up quickly. Try to cut back on your visits or eliminate them all together. I remember when I was relaxing

6 Ways to Style an Afro Puff - 4C Natural Hair

It's pretty obvious that the puff is my favorite natural hair style. It's so easy to do, can be worn in any occasion and it can be styled in many ways.

Here are 6 different ways that I've styled my puff:



Puff Style #1: The picked-out puff :  This was originally a picked-out afro that was turned into a puff. I was looking to have big hair that night and the only way to achieve it was by picking out my hair.                                                                                                                                                                                      
Natural Hair in an Updo Afro Puff - 4c Hair

Puff Style #2: The Vacation Puff-  I love flower accessories, especially in the Summer. Now, it

Wednesday, June 21

Salon Visit Tips - Weave, Wigs or Braids Installations



Are you tired of doing your own hair and want to visit a salon to get your weave, wig or braids installed? We all need a break from time to time and that's what salons are here for. Just make sure you exercise due-diligence when searching for a salon and before booking an appointment. Look at reviews, go in for a consultation and ask opinions of past and present clients.

Visiting a salon for the first time can sometimes be nerve wrecking especially if you're typically a do-it-yourselfer. So if you're nervous about your hair health, here are some tips: 


  • Wash and deep condition before the visit: Many salons ,who specialize in these types of protective styles, prefer for you to come with your hair already washed. Washing and drying hair adds to the time of the service and their goal is to finish your hair as quick as possible.  Having a clean scalp and strong hair is essential when wearing a protective style. So when washing your hair, make sure you do a light protein deep conditioner afterwards to strengthen your strands. *If you do end up getting your hair washed at the salon, ask to deep condition afterwards.*

Sunday, June 18

Review : Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask






What they say: Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask. This is blend with aloe vera juice and is infused with pure coconut water. Made with 100% aloe juice as first ingredient. It contains no parabens, no gluten, no SLS, no sulfated surfactants and no synthetic dye. This is vegan.
  • Moisturized strands, mended split ends and a healthy glow with every use.
  • Creamy shea butter is whipped into this hydrating deep conditioning mask along with rich coconut and macadamia oils to help deeply quench, nourish and soften to get hair back to looking healthy.
  • Feel good about looking beautiful.
  • Wholesome beauty.

Friday, June 16

Yarn Braids- Pros and Cons

Long Black and Red Yarn Braids Protective Style for Natural and Relaxed Hair


I have installed yarn braids two more times since this last post. I love the look and it's probably one of my favorite protective styles thus far.

I have decided to come up with a Pros and Cons list for anyone thinking about trying the style. 



Pros


  • Inexpensive - One pack of  Jumbo Yarn cost $5.98. For me, this was good for about two installations. A regular size pack of yarn cost $1.98 which I used as a highlight(red highlights) and this lasted two installations as well. 
  • Natural Looking - Compared to box braids with synthetic hair, I feel as yarn braids look much more natural. They aren't as shiny and the texture feels more "real".  Many people think these look like locs and I can see why. 

Wednesday, June 7

Hair Crush: Kelly Rowland

Has anyone seen how beautiful Kelly Rowland looked at Beyoncé's push party?! If not, take a look below. She looked absolutely gorgeous which inspired me to make this post. Gone are the days of Kelly's signature short cut and she now switches up her hair regularly.

Here are some of my favorite looks:


Kelly Rowland turning heads at Beyoncé's push party rocking a cute braided bun.

Monday, June 5

My Natural Hair Products - 4C Natural Hair


I don't buy as many products as I used to. I pretty much stick to what works and if a product I have been eyeing is on sale, like a really good sale, then I might buy it. So what you see above are my staple products that I use on daily, weekly or monthly basis. 

From left to right: 

Jane Carter Solutions - Creamy Conditioning Cleanser : 
I use this to cleanse my hair bi-weekly. It's very moisturizing and my hair/scalp gets fairly clean. 

Friday, June 2

5 Hair Hacks


Hair colored blue with eye-shadow great for temporary color
1.) Use eyeshadow to add a pop of color

This was the craze back in 2013-2014, but will colored hair ever really go out of style? I doubt it. So if you get that itch to add some color to your hair, but aren't ready to make that permanent commitment, then use some eyeshadow. I used Maybelline Color Tattoo and it worked great. Plus it's so easy to wash out

2.) Use gloves when finger detangling

Thursday, June 1

Calling ALL Bloggers - Blog Link-Up




Hey beautiful people! I told you I was back, right? I wasn't lying. My passion for blogging has been reignited, but because I have been out of the loop for a while, I need some suggestions of blogs to read. I'm into just about all things Black Hair, Style, Healthy living, Fitness, Finance, Travel and much more. If you know of any good blogs, leave the link in the comment section, especially if it's your blog!! I will most definitely check it out!

Please, don't be shy :-)


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Wednesday, May 31

Natural Hair Crush: 'This is Us' Star Susan Kelechi Watson

I recently binge watched 'This is Us' and let me tell you, that show is amazing. I haven't experienced such a range of emotions while watching a T.V show in such a long time. It deals with real life issues, the acting is impeccable and it keeps you guessing.

So for those that watch/watched it; have you noticed how often Raymond's wife, Beth(Susan Kelechi Watson), switches her hair up?  I sure did and loved every bit of it. Loved it so much that I am dedicating this post to her.

Let's take a look at some of her beautiful hairstyles:

Natural Hair Puff Photo
Laid back puff

I Like Big Buns - 4C Natural Hair

Now that my hair is a little longer and because I want to protect my ends, I have been doing a lot more buns. I do all types of buns, but my favorite are high buns.

Here are some photos and the steps to how I created my favorite bun looks.

The "Twisted Bun"

To get create this "Twisted Bun", I:

Monday, May 29

Review: Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste




What they say: 

Smooth unruly edges and create your favorite natural style with this award winning product. Formulated with certified organic evening primrose, mango and shea butter (proven to seal in moisture, soothe dry scalp, and protect against harmful rays). Tame frizzy, out of control curls, and add amazing sheen all in one step. This product is the go to product for curlies demanding coiffed curls.
  • No sulfates, silicones, parabens, artificial oils, colors or fragrances
  • For multi-ethnic women and girls
  • No animal testing

Friday, May 26

Rihanna - Faux Locs Styles



Rihanna is an Island gal so she is no stranger to locs (or dreadlocks as some, but not myself, may call them). She may not have grown them naturally , but you can see that she definitely appreciates and admires the look. What better way to show appreciation than to emulate it. In my opinion, Rihanna took faux locs to another level. We're so used to seeing them very neatly done, small to mid-sized, straight parts, and very smooth/frizz free locs, but in Rihanna fashion, she did her own thing.

Let's take a look at the different ways Rihanna rocked some faux locs hairstyles

Wednesday, May 24

Top Knot Bun with Afro - 4C Natural Hair

The top knot bun has been a staple style for many years now. A simple top knot is classic, but there are many different ways to jazz it up. One way to do so is to wear half of your hair up in a bun then leave the rest down. This is nothing new, right? But how often do you see it with a fro? In my opinion, not often.  I typically see it on stretched hair(braid/twist out, blow dried, etc), straight hair or wavy hair. Because of that, I didn't think I could pull off the style because I prefer my shrunken natural hair. Well that was until I tried it.
Typically when I travel, I like to switch up my hair. So when I went to St. Lucia, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try the Top Knot with a Fro. 

Here's how it came out: 

Monday, May 22

Can You Trust It? - Sponsored Reviews and the Age of Influencers


Image Source

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a content creator being compensated for reviewing products. After all, they are introducing products to hundreds, sometimes millions, of potential customers. In my opinion, it's well deserved. But the real question is, can you trust the reviews?

Here are three tips that will help you decide:

1.) Only Positive Reviews 

Hello

October 2016


Let me start by reintroducing myself since it's been so long. My name is Dorothy(also known as Ms.D) and it's a pleasure to meet you. And to all my long time readers, it's nice to see you again!