Your Hair vs. My Hair........A love/hate relationship

all pictures from google images

 



We have all been there and said some of the same things.  Your standing in line and the girl in front of you has the prettiest natural hair you have ever seen.  You may give her a comment such as "Your hair is so pretty" or " I wish I had your hair".  Here's my question do you really like her hair or are you going through hair envy?  Many of us, especially naturals, have an ongoing battle to obtain the ultimate soft curly natural texture.  We hop on any and every bandwagon trying to achieve someone else's look.  The truth of the matter is embrace your texture and work with what you have.  Whatever texture 2, 4c etc. it's yours!  There nothing wrong with going on the product junkie ride but be very careful about what you use.  Some products used on type 3 hair may not receive the same results as some on with type 4.  My hair "comes and goes" all the time so, it is very hard for me to try everything I hear.  However, if something I choose works, I stick with it.  Your main goal should be healthy hair regardless of the texture.  Choose hair styles that compliment your hair texture.   Always remember, when you can not achieve the ultimate texture like the girl next door, you can always buy it from the closest beauty supply store ;)

Honey...It's Summer

It's that time of year again ladies...Hot Sizzling Summer!!!!   For all you naturals out there this could mean two things.  Those with longer natural hair, your super straight hair is going to "fro" up and become dry.  For short naturals, like myself, your hair will shrink up and become dry.  Let's not forget my weave queens.  A hot day means sticky melted tracks or a hot sweaty mess under your sew-in and wigs. What's a girl to do?  Honey is your answer.   Mixing honey in your condition mix adds moisture to your hair.  Honey is a natural humectant.  This means it attracts and retains moisture.  Also, its great for senstive scalp and overtime aids with improving hairloss.  Mix warm EVOO, EVCO and honey to create a nice sealant/moisturizer for hair. I'm pretty sure many of you are already using honey.

What's your honey mix?

Hair....What do men think?

http://madamenoire.com/tag/men/

Natural... relaxed....curly....straight.....twist.....the list is endless.  It's the catalog of infinite possibilities to be chosen from.  We swear by products and create styles to express our mood.   Once our hair is finished, we feel good.  Go out on the town, have a lunch date with your girlfriends or go grocery shopping with the kids, all the while getting compliment after compliment.  "Girl, who did your hair", "That cut is so becoming" are just a few of the rave reviews we receive. But, what happens when you get home?  What does your man think?   Does he look at your natural locks like "how much longer are you going without a perm?" Does he look at your wig on the dresser wondering if it is going to walk off and say hi?  Does he embrace your never-ending quest for healthy beautiful hair, regardless of your extreme measures?

Natural Oils and Alopecia

Since I'm over and done with medical treatments for Alopecia, I have been researching natural ways to stimulate my scalp for hair growth.  I'm not saying medical treatments are not beneficial, I just prefer to go the natural route.  There are many essential oils that can be used for Alopecia and other forms of baldness.  Such oils, like lavender (my favorite), rosemary, jojoba (everyone's favorite staple) and tea tree are just a few oils that can simulate the scalp for hair growth naturally.  Esoteric Oils website has a wealth of info on making concoctions like oils and lotions for Alopecia and baldness.  I plan to test out there oil treatment for Alopecia.  The oil treatment consist of lavender, rosemary, cinnamon, geranium, frankincense, cypress and juniper oil.  That list of oils sounds stimulating!!!  I will keep you posted on my results.  

What are some oil blends you use to promote hair growth?

Totally Twisted

Two-strand twist are a chic look on little girls.  To spice it up add cornrows to your twisted style.  2 of my favorite products to use are Africa's Best Kids Organics Soft Hold gel with olive oil and Taliah Waiijad Curly Curl Cream.  Taliah Waajid Curl Cream has a smooth texture and provides a great curl. Kids Organics Gel provides a great hold when creating braided and twisted styles.  It doesn't flake nor make the hair feel hard and crunchy.  Here some pictures of my daughter's braided/twist combo I styled on her.

                                  

                                                   www.hairmotion.com

www.thebeautypot.com

                                                    

                 
                 
Please feel free to post you twisted styles for kids.  What products do you use to achieve your little girls twisted look?

Disclaimer: I am not affilated nor a spokesperson for Africa's Best or Taliah Waaiijad.  I am documenting my own personal uses of these products.

Headbands, Earring, Scarves and More....................

Currently, I have a TWA (tweeny weeny afro). Also, my fro is thin/bald in various spots because of my Alopecia. To keep attention off my thinning scalp, I find that accessories are a must. I loovvee earrings, preferably the bigger the better (but not toooo big). Chunky post earring make a really cool statement too.

www.sweetiegems.com

www.fantasyjewelrybox.com

Natural Hair Expo

                                          
For those of you who live in Richmond or surrounding areas....Return of the Curls is hosting the Natural Hair Expo in Richmond, VA on July 28.


Disclaimer: I am not affiliated nor a spokesperson for the above listed expo

Click the link below for more information

http://www.returnofthecurls.com/

Here is a great conditioning mix I found work good for my hair....
-V05 Moisture milk
-EVOO (2tsp)
-Raw Shea Butter (1tablespoon Melted)
-EVCO 2 (tablespoons)
-Aloe Vera Juice (1 capful)
-1 Egg (for protein)
-Castor Oil (1tsp)
-Vitamin E (4 capsules)
-Lavender (5 drops/ lavender help with hair loss and hair loss disorders)

Please feel free to share your mixology :)

This weeks featured product is 100% African Black Soap.

If you don't know by now this is heaven in a bar of soap. This soap is used for a multitude of things and it really works. As for my hair, I have found that is also helps reduce the amount of hair loss due to my alopecia. Also with Alopecia, my hair tends to get real brittle and weak like its dying before it falls out. Since I have been using black soap, my brittle and weak hair has reduce tremendously. For those of you trying to find some natural alternatives to help with hair loss, 100% black soap should be your first staple of choice.

Here are some of my wigs aka protective styles I have made.

                                      

My Regimen

My hair regimen is real simple. I started out this year jumping on the band wagon, but hair is to weak to jump on everybody's band wagon. I wash my hair once a week but I try to stretch it to every two weeks when I wear my wigs.

Shampoo: 100% African Black Soap (bar) (I love this stuff!!!)

Alternate Shampoo: Castille Soap with rosemary, nettle and sage tea mixed in (I only use this once a month or every other month since castille soap tends to extremely make my hair dry and brittle)

Conditioner: My own concotion of V05 Moisture Milk mixed with honey, EVOO, EVCO, Castor oil, 1 egg, aloe vera juice and lavender (unfortunately baggying is not an option for me since my hair tends to fall out when I do this)

Alternate Conditioner: Shea Moisture Yucca and Boabab Volumizing condish with my mix as above

Moisture and Sealant: My hair loves EVCO, so I tend to use it as a moisturizer with EVOO. I used to use Cantu Shea butter but I have -cone-a-phobia :)

Scalp Massage: approx. every 2 day. (remember with alopecia low manipulation is a must. I learned to much, especially when I want to wear my hair out will make it fall out

My Hair Journey

I love hair and anything to do with hair. Alopecia has been part of my life since I was 19 years old and it affected the hair all over my body. In the beginning, my hair started coming out unknowingly until I became completely bald by age 22. I wore scarves all the time. When I graduated from Virginia State University, I asked myself would scarves be acceptable in the workplace. Hence, I started wearing wigs. I was so uncomfortable wearing them (being new to wigs). They looked so fake. I felt as if everyone was staring at me and I could never find the right one to fit my head or face. I started wearing my first wigs in 2005.

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During this time, I participated in an Alopecia study at a well-known university. There I received injections and other topical treatments for my scalp to promote hair growth. My hair began growing back. Under the advisement of my doctor, I was told that it would be fall back out even with the treatments. By 2006, I had a head full hair but it was weak and the injections were taking a tool on my scalp/skull. So, I stop using all the treatments and it fell back out in 2007. This was the year I had planned to get married and hair is a big deal to a bride. It was especially a big deal since I was bald. My sister and I made my first wig on a cap....This was a great moment for me. The wig we made looked natural, it fit my head and my confidence began to improve. So, I figured since I can't grow my own hair, I can make it. It looks more natural and it’s the perfect fit. Since 2007, I have been making my own wigs on a cap. Now it’s 2012, my hair has grown back into a TWA (teeny weeny afro) and I am embracing it. I still have bald spots but I can get away with it by keeping my hair short until the rest catches up. Also, I'm still making my wigs!!!!! I have been researching ways to retain my hair naturally and keeping it healthy. Creating this blog allows to share my hair journey and it only took me 10 years to get the confidence to do it. This blog is to inspire all hair and the ones with no hair. :)

                                          

Not all hair is the same

Some are overwhelmed with product shame

Whether you have a head full of hair

Or your hair is barely there

Let great confidence shine through

While the job of your hair is to compliment you

Be it kinky, straight or curly

Your hair is your crown of glory

You make the hair, don't let it make you

Stay strong, motivated, confident and true

---Cantrell--