Wednesday, August 29, 2012

UNFAITHFUL

Have you committed hair adultery?  Did it ruin you and your hairs relationship?

I used to think that me and my hair had an open relationship.  I could use whatever product that I wanted, and my hair would always forgive me in the end.  That all ended last week.



I can normally stray from my old faithful Tresemee Naturals conditioner without major consequences.  My hair would act up slightly, but it would always come back to its normal, moisturized, soft self in the end.  I've tried Trader Joe's Nourishing Spa Conditioner, Aussie Moist, and Wen among others.  They've been OK, nothing to write home about.  In the end, I always came back to Tresemee Naturals and my hair was happy again.  After hearing Willows rave reviews about VO5 conditioner, I decided to give it a try.  We used the same leave in conditioner (Giovanni Direct Leave In) and oils, why not the same conditioner?  Apparently, this betrayal was the last straw for my hair.  It freaked out!  It started to shed and break, threatening to walk out on me.  It was dry, it was brittle.  It defied any style that I tried.  If my hair had a Facebook, I'm sure that our relationship status would have changed to: Its Complicated.

After playing fast and loose with products, my hair revolted.  I panicked.  I had to do something.  I had to win back my hairs favor.  I decided to start with our version of flowers and chocolates -- deep conditioner.  I did an over night deep conditioner (recipe coming soon).  My hair purked up a bit, but it took some convincing that I would not stray so far again.  After three straight days of co-washing with my Tresemee, my hair finally came back to life.  We are again in a committed relationship.

What about you?  What happens when you stray from your staple products?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Naturals on the Run...

We are debuting a new series called, Naturals on the Run.  It will highlight naturals divas in the community.


Meet Tristine who big chopped 1 year ago (August 2011) and has been loving it ever since!

She was first relaxed at the age of 6 or 7, and experienced excessive breakage and shedding.  Her next relaxer was in high school because she wanted to fit in with the "in-crowd". After experiencing issues with growth and breakage, Tristine decided she wanted hair that was healthier and half the cost!  She decided to transition while pregnant using braids as her preferred method.

Being a mother, she has a very simple regimen. She washes, moisturizes and seals using products from the Shea Moisture line as well as the Carols Daughter line.

When asked what advice she'd give to anyone contemplating going natural she replied, "It's the only way to go for healthy hair".

Tristine has a 4 year old daughter whom she plans on keeping natural until she's old enough to decide what she wants for herself.

We think Tristine is a beautiful inside and out! Thanks for being our first Natural on the Run!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

My Cubicle Can't Hide My Fro


When I big chopped, there was a big too doo about it at work.

Some people loved it:  "I love short hair on you".
Some people ignored it.
Some people stared at it.
Some people just wanted to touch it.
They compared it, "You look just like Esperanza Spalding!" 
Questioned it, "Where did your hair go?... I know sometimes you people like to hide it in there".
Hated on it, "Why did you cut all of your hair off?!"
And wondered about it, "Is she about to rise up and overcome?  How will that effect her productivity?  How can she fit her headset over her hair?"

It was no biggie.  I was used to all of the hair questions from my co-workers.  When I had a phony pony it was, "How did you get your hair to grow so long so quickly?"  When I had braids it was, "How long did that take?  Did you do it yourself?  Did it hurt?  Whose hair is it?  How do you wash it?"
And now that I'm natural it is, "So, when are you going to do your hair?" or "You want to color your hair?  I thought that you were natural"  or "Why do you have so many hair products?  So much for being natural".

Honestly, I did not know that people had so many strong opinions about my hair.  Half these people don't even say Good Morning, and now they want to make comments about my hair style?  It was off putting, to say the least.

Yes, once you go natural, or do any sort of change to your hair for that matter, everyone becomes a Hair Reporter.  They want to know who, what, when, where, why and how.  But, it all must be handled with grace and a smile, less you become the ABC (Angry Black Co-Worker).  Here is how I handle common hair questions from people who, lets face it, just don't understand:

Why did you cut your hair?  I wanted to wear my hair without a relaxer, so I cut it.
When are you going to do your hair?  It is done.  This is called a twist out/bantu knot out/two strand twist/afro puff style.
You can't color your hair, your natural!  Being natural just means wearing your hair without a relaxer in it.  It has nothing to do with hair color.
Why do you use so many products?  I thought that you were natural!  I really only use variations of the same 3 products (conditioner, shampoo, and moisturizer).  I shampoo, condition, and moisturize my hair, just like you do.
I don't like your hair!  That's funny, because I don't like you.

So what about you?  How do you deal with natural hair questions and comments in the workplace?
-- Seven

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Story of a Transitioner




Relaxed at 7 Years Old
I've always had moderately healthy hair for a good part of my life.  Of course there was the occasional upset i.e.: a scissor happy hairdresser, burnt scalp, etc. But I was never really unhappy with relaxed hair. It was probably because it’s all I ever knew as I’ve been relaxed since the age of 5 or 6. It wasn’t until my hairdresser of 7 years moved 10 hours away from me, making it impossible to follow her that I decided I needed to find something to do with my hair. But what?

The answer was simple really: find another beautician to do my relaxers! That sounded like a good idea until I left the salon with scabs around my edges! I had about two inches of edges left by the time it was all said and done! I was so angry! It had taken me forever to grow out my edges since the last time they had fallen out! Anyway I decided to do my own relaxers! If my hair was going to be jacked up, at least I’d only have me to blame for it. 

My Relaxed Hair was Long and Healthy
And jacked up it was! What was I thinking! I am not by any means a hairdresser! My hair thus began to fall out; it was over-processed in some areas and under-processed in others. You know what I need a new plan, I thought to myself.  Hence, my love–affair with YouTube. I needed to find some people with healthy hair and start doing whatever it was they were doing! I came across a multitude of natural hair sisters! It was like an epiphany!  The thought of going natural had never even crossed my mind, it was like a foreign concept!  I should try thisBut is this even doable for me?  I wondered. You could find me at the salon getting my touch-ups every 6-8 weeks, religiously! My new growth was scary to me, no one had ever taught me how to do my natural hair! Against all odds however I was up for the challenge.

Ergo today, I have recently become a transitioner *applause here*.  I plan to present to you all of my soul-bearing accounts during my somewhat intimidating (for now) hair journey. We can learn from one another so I hope you’ll join me.  

-Willow


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Five Secrets To Keep Your Hair Moisturized

 By Seven


     My Relaxed Days
How come when i was relaxed, I barely ever had to moisturize my hair?  I greased my scalp sometimes, but I don't remember ever having a regimen.  I went every two weeks to the beauty salon and they never said that my hair or scalp was dry.  My hair didn't look dry.  I wrapped it some times, but not every night.  I combed it down with a fine tooth comb, sprayed some oil sheen on it, and walked out of the door.  No silk scarves, no satin pillow cases, nothing.  And yet, my hair seemed to be in good health.  My natural locks... not so much.

When I big chopped, I wish that I knew that I had to actually put work into keeping my hair moisturized.  Would that have swayed my decision?  No, but I would have been better prepared.

Anyhow, after weeks of trial and error, I have found a way to keep my hair moisturized, and now I would like to share that process with you:


Always Sleep With My Hair Wrapped in a Satin Scarf or Sleep on a Satin Pillowcase

Miss M's Satin Cap

Cotton tends to rub the hair and make it frizzy and dry.  Satin glides over the hair instead.  Not only does this practice keep my hair moisturized and frizz free, but it also keeps my daughters braids looking less frizzy longer.  For the nights that she doesn't want to keep her satin scarf on, she at least has the satin pillow case.  She has since fooled me and started sleeping on the wrong side of the bed (i.e feet on the pillow).  Oh well, you do the best you can.




The LOC Method

Oh My Goodness.  This has saved my life!  The LOC method is the single greatest thing (besides bantu knots) that I have discovered since becoming natural.  LOC'ing is a way to keep your hair moisturized longer.  

LOC stands for liquid, oil, cream.  My liquid is normally freshly washed, dripping wet hair followed by GIOVANI DIRECT LEAVE IN CONDITIONER.  This stuff is the truth!  It really softens up my hair, its not heavy, and it smells good.  A word of caution, it can leave your hair whitish if you use too much, but I use about a quarter size amount for my hair.  If I go overboard with it (as I sometimes do) I just ring my hair out with a T-Shirt and that eliminates the excess and the white residue.  

My oil is Grapeseed oil in the summer, and will be Coconut oil in the winter.  Why do I have two different oils?  Simple, I cant stand it when coconut oil melts.  Plus I refuse to put it in the refrigerator.  Which one do I like better? I prefer coconut oil.  I think that it keeps my hair softer, stronger and I prefer the smell.  Maybe I can melt the coconut oil, put it in an applicator bottle, and use it that way?  Hmmm... I like that idea.  Anyway, onto the cream.  

Like my oil, I have two creams, a winter and a summer.  In the winter, I will use my Shea Butter Whip.  In the summer I use Burnt Sugary Pomade by Oyin Handmade.  I feel like glycerin dries my hair in the summer humidity, so I reserve my Shea Butter Whip for a deep conditioner in the summer months (Deep Conditioner recipe coming soon).  The Burnt Sugary Pomade smells like caramel and it really helps keep my hair's moisture from floating away into never never land. Soft hair and candy smells all day?  Yes please!

Deep Conditioning

I deep condition one or two times per week.  My motto is, WHEN IN DOUBT, DEEP CONDITION.  If my hair is in twist, I will deep condition before putting them in and after taking them out.  If I am wearing an OUT style (braid out, twist out, bantu knot out, puff) then I deep condition twice a week (Wednesday and Sunday).  For my midweek deep conditioner, I will normally use either Aussie 3 minute miracle or Tresemee Naturals Conditioner.  Either way, I mix them with some Olive Oil and let it sit for about 15 or 20 minutes before rinsing it out and co-washing it again for good measure.  My DEEP deep conditioners I let sit overnight.

Refresher Spritz

I have a refresher spray bottle for when I need that extra boost midweek.  It's about a quarter bottle of olive oil and the rest is water.  I shake it before I spray to make sure that I am getting a good mix.  Shea Moisture Hold and Shine is good for this as well.

Diet

I will be the first to admit that my diet is not the best, but I do try to drink about 64 ounces of water a day (and I succeed most days).  I also try to eat a lot of green veggies with dinner.  I believe that this helps keep my hair and body healthy.


There you go.  My secrets for moisture.  I'm sure that as my hair grows, some of this will change.  But for now, this is what it is.

So tell me, what are your moisture secrets? 

--Seven

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

DIY Shea Whip w/ Video

Many new naturals have asked, what is the LOC Method?  And, how does it relate to my hair's moisture?

The LOC Method  is a way of keeping (or locking) the moisture into your hair.  LOC stands for liquid, oil, cream.  The most common way to LOC your hair is to begin with either wet hair (either spritzed or freshly washed) or a water based leave in conditioner, add a light oil, then finish with a heavy cream.  For some, this heavy cream is Shea Butter.  Shea Butter can be obtained online, at a health food store, or at a beauty supply store.

For maximum benefits, we have added several other oils as well as Aloe Vera Gel (for moisture and to PH Balance the hair) to create our Shea Whip.  This Shea Whip can be used for sealing the hair (or the C in the LOC method), twisting, bantu knots, deep conditioning, shine and smoothing.  Below, you will find out what ingredients go into our Shea Whip.  We will post more about the LOC method, as well how to deep condition and twist with this Shea Whip in post to come.  As always, you will be able to see how to do this if you are transitioning or if you are big chopped.

Enjoy!   


Monday, August 13, 2012

WELCOME TO NATURALLY NATURALS


Welcome to Naturally Naturals.  This blog will follow a Transitioner (Willow) and a Big Chopper (Seven) as they embark on their Natural Hair Journey.  It will include Hair Care Tips, Styling Tutorials, Product Reviews, Giveaways, and the every day joys and trials of being natural from two working women who are starting out on their journey.

Here is our first video, introducing who we are and our favorite products.  Enjoy!