Twisted Sista...Mixed Chicks...Shea Moisture....what happened to Blue Magic?

It's still hair month on The Natural Journey For Life.  Today I want to talk about what YOU use to nourish your natural coils.  The hair care product industry is BOOMING and has been since before the days of Annie Turnbo Malone and Madame CJ Walker.  These women created hair care empires that reached the homes of millions of black women who just wanted to feel good about their hair in the early 1900s.  I don't care what texture or ethnic background you have.  Hair care products are important and most of us will spend LOTS of money to make sure our hair is looking good.  I think the Jheri Curl of 1980s fame was the highest grossing hair style ever....all the products needed to keep those curls juiced up could do serious damage to your pocket book!! Millions of dollars were spent on maintaining The Curl. 

From the big brands like Tresemme to the niche brands like Mixed Chicks, there is something out there to suit everyone's needs.  From shampoo to curling smoothies to reconstructive serums, you can find it.  Ever been in a beauty supply store?  If you don't know what you are looking for it's easy to get lost in the wide array of products. The survey results definitely support my personal hair care product exploration. Some products use all natural ingredients and some don't.  I try to use all natural products as much as possible.

Here's what the lovely ladies that spilled their hair guts use:

1. Entwine
2. Oyin Handmade Products

3. Biolage

4. Shea Moisture

5. Olive Oil Black Jamaican Castor Oil

6. Echo Styler gel

7. Kinky Curly Knot Today

8. Liquefied Raw Black soap

9. Flax seed gel

10. Oils mixed with raw shea butter

11. Aloe vera

12. Apple Cider Vinegar

13. Home made products

 

Entwine products

Kinky Curly Knot Today

Apple Cider Vineagr (ACV)

What happened to  Blue Magic?? None of the ladies said they were using this anymore!

 

 

On my new hair journey these are the products I've used:

• Kinky Curly Knot Today (shampoo and conditioner)
• Tahlia Waajid curling crème (for enhancing my curl pattern)
• Dr. Miracle (for scalp treatment)
• Aloe vera gel (for conditioning and moisture)
• Apple Cider Vinegar (for scalp cleansing)
• A host of oils (tea tree, jojoba, grape seed, rosemary, eucalyptus, coconut)
• Shea butter (for locking in moisture)
• And most recently Beautiful Curls Shea Butter gel (for enhancing my curl pattern).  It was just okay.  My curls were defined, but a white flakiness appeared after my hair dried and my curls were hard.  By far Tahlia Waajid's curly curl crème is my favorite.
• I used the Shea Moisture curling smoothie when I had longer hair and didn't like it.

I like making my own products which tends to be more cost effective.

What are YOU using on your hair?

Peace and blessings!

 

Real Hair Transformations

Hi Folks! Tonight I'm going to share with you some real hair transformations! I'm featuring two women named Dianne and Jenny.  Dianne had locs for years and recently chopped them all off!

 

Jenny is natural and goes back and forth between curly and straight styles.  Check out their lovely looks below: 

 

Dianne's long locs

Dianne's shorter locs

 

Dianne's teeny teeny weeny fro...not quite a fade..but close! Wow! What a transformation! This is quite a drastic change.  According to Dianne, she was ready for a change.  The long hair was quite cumbersome to wash and style.

 

Jenny's curls!

More curls!

The flat ironed look....nice and smooth!

 

Thanks for sharing your photos ladies!!!! :)

Peace and blessings!

What happened to my curls??

Years ago, when I had longer hair I would blow dry my hair to lengthen my twists, and sometimes straighten it with a hot comb.  I didn't think the blow drying affected my hair, but when I straightened it, I lost some of my curl. There were some spots that took months (yes months) for the curls to return. Below is an example of the blow dried twist out.

Blow dried twist out - to lengthen the twist (for more styling options)

Heat can and will affect your curl pattern.  The effects of heat damage are especially seen when blow dryers, flat irons and hot combs are used frequently.  Now, every one's hair is different and some hair can take more or less heat before "changing".  Frequent heat is also damaging for relaxed hair too.  Even with the use of products that are supposed to "protect" the hair strands.

I've spoken to a number of women who have altered their curl pattern and are attempting to get the curl back into their natural tresses.  The key to getting your curl pattern back is to STOP using heat on your hair. 

The Science of Black Hair (Papers for The Journey) provides good information on how heat can negatively affect your hair:

1. Healthy hair burns at 451 deg F (the same temperature that will burn paper).  If hair has been previously damaged it will burn at lower temperatures.  Water leaves the hair shaft between 122 to 248 deg F.  Hair proteins break down around 311 deg F and as temperature increases the keratin present begins to melt.  Damage occurring during heat styling is cumulative and the negative impact builds every time heat is introduced.

2.  Typical flat irons and blow dryers operate within 212 to 338 deg F.  This temperature range falls outside of the burning temperature range but the health of your hair will affect the maximum heat tolerance and how it responds to heat.

3. Heat can disturb the moisture balance in textured hair and adds stress to dry tresses.

4. Deep conditioning is necessary for hair that experiences regular heat styling. 

5. At the beginning of a healthy hair regime heat should be avoided all together.  Taking a break from the heat will re-establish protein and moisture levels and allow the hair to be strengthened.

So! For you ladies who are trying to regain your curls......take a HEAT BREAK.  Give your hair a rest and feed it with moisture and protein building products.  Also using protective styles gives your hair a chance to bounce back. 

Now let's take a look at a woman named Ki-Ki who does not have a relaxer, but has straightened her hair for years using blow dryers and flat irons.  Currently her curl pattern is COMPLETELY gone and she as a layered cut that makes it hard to utilize natural styles.  Here is what Ki-Ki had to say about her "Blow Out" style:

When to use:  "When there is no curl pattern, hair strands dry inconsistently, hair is different lengths, and hair cut is good."

 

Hopes of transitioning:  "None, and  I will not start from scratch (the big chop)."

 

Future hopes:  "Cease THE BLOW OUT when all hair is shoulder length and braids or cute sets (like straws or twist outs) are possible."

 

 

I think Ki-Ki should stop putting heat on her hair altogether and wear braids or even a wig to give her hair a HEAT BREAK. 

 

What do you think? Any advice for Ki-Ki??

 

Peace and blessings!

Does this look okay for work?

Would this look be acceptable in the workplace??

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  I have.  I tend to wear less conservative hair (and clothing) styles outside of work.  I was taught that you have to look professional in the workplace.  But what does that actually mean? Especially in 2013 where I've seen silky straight perms to mo-hawks on men and women to huge twists outs, locs and  micro braids - all in the workplace.  I've questioned the eccentric nature of my hairstyles for the workplace and I have been surprised by getting compliments on the styles I felt were too radical and slightly inappropriate (More Coping Skills.....).

Would bantu knots fly in the work place??

 

In the 1950s and 1960s, a Black person who had an afro was considered radical.   That's what the afro was at that time.....radical.....a symbol of freedom and of getting back to our roots. It started out being a huge political statement.   Braids, afros and other "ethnic" styles were considered un-professional.  There were even cases in the 1980s of women being fired from their jobs for having cornrows or other forms of braids. Society's idea of beauty impacted what was considered professional.  At that time straight hair that mimicked European culture was the ideal.  It was all about the press and curl and later on the chemical relaxer.  This history has influenced my view of what "professional" means in the workplace.  I'll say it again: I have felt a bit nervous about sporting my various faux hawk styles at work.  But at the same time I feel like I've been brainwashed to believe that my natural tresses need to be trained for the workforce.  I DID make it a point wear twists (a typical style for me then) for my job interview.  I only used to straightened my hair once a blue moon anyway and I wanted my employer to see the "real" me....twists and all!

When I look around my workplace these days I see women of all hues with curls flowing, locs dangling and natural vibes dripping from their tresses!  I love it and feel encouraged.  Being neat and presentable is still important and key to maintaining a professional vibe.  I know for certain that trends in society influences my work environment.  Societal trends are the bread and butter for MOST industries.  From my vantage point - the fact that natural hair is all the rage promotes acceptance from corporate America.

Here's what women who took my "Spill your Hair Guts" survey had to say about society's view of natural Black hair:

"Society's view of natural black hair has changed....unless you live in the hick-hock country."
 

"I think right now it's a trend to be natural. People are doing it because everyone else is. Only time will tell if this resurgence in natural hair will continue. I am seeing more natural styles on mainstream commercials. Its kind of exciting. Not everyone I see is light skinned with curly hair either. I think its great."
 

"Within the black community in certain areas - yes society's view has changed. I found that natural hair is not as common place in the South than it is in the North East. I do find that non-Black people are not as critical of natural hair and express appreciation for it more then some in the Black community. I also live in a very liberal area, so the non-Black community is more open minded."
 

"I think society's view is changing, but more importantly our view needs to change also. I know people who second guess what they feel comfortable wearing in corporate America. Once you have inner confidence and take care of your hair everyone else will accept you, no matter what the style. Also we are always wanting another person's hair curl pattern, instead of our own. We need to learn to appreciate and love our hair."
 

"Actually I don't care how society views natural hair because I cannot live in someone else's reality - only my own and as far as I know I was born perfect, so should I change who I am for society? Ha! Never that!"


66.7% of respondents said that their natural hair was accepted at work.  16.7% felt that they were sometimes accepted and 16.7% said that even though their hair was accepted they still received comments about it.

In summary Naturalistas  are in a good place when it comes to society's changing view of natural hair and how it's being accepted in the work place! We still have a long way to go to accept our own beauty, but we are well on our way! I want to give a BIG thank you to all those women who paved the way for professional self expression!

Thanks again to all the beautiful women who shared their time and thoughts with The Natural Journey For Life! Big up!!! :)

What are your thoughts? Please share!!

Peace and blessings!