Category Archives: Transitioning

Mar25

Breaking One of the Detangling Commandments

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detangling3

Okay, so I may be (figuratively) hung, drawn, and quartered for this one. Alright … alright … I’m being dramatic. But … I’m about to suggest something that will probably go counter to a “natural hair” great commandment that most have probably read over and over again.

DETANGLE FROM TIPS TO ROOTS ROOTS TO TIPS.

See, what had happened was … I’ve been detangling from TIPS to ROOTS for forever. Aaaaaaand, it has served me well for the most part. But, the last few wash days, I started breaking this rule. Let me premise this by saying that I primarily use my fingers and only pull out the Ouidad Double Detangler once my hair is pretty thoroughly detangled. However, my detangling sessions were becoming more tedious and lengthy due to the length of my hair. I would slather on tons of conditioner, but starting from the tips resulted in me having to work the shed strands in each section down the length of my hair over and over … AND OVER again.

allmylifedetangle(Please excuse the possessive “natural’s” that should be a plural.
I didn’t make this. LOL!)

I began to realize that the worst matting was occurring at the roots of my hair and that if I loosened the tangles and shed hair there first, it was taking me less time to detangle, and less time = less manipulation. The trick of it is that I don’t finger detangle DOWN the length of my hair first. I detangle by pulling the strands APART. I’ve seen this referred to as “wish-boning” since you are pulling the strands apart like you would a wishbone (but more gently, of course). This provides space in the hair to allow shed/broken strands to glide out and it also helps loosens knots rather than tightening them. So, I work the strands apart at the roots, THEN I pull loose hair out of and/or down my hair.

Now, I definitely wouldn’t suggest trying the roots to tips approach with a comb as you may end up with more hair in it than on your head.  But, if you finger detangle exclusively or prior to using a tool, than you may find that the roots to tip approach hastens the end of your detangling sessions. And, if you so desire, you can use a comb or brush from tips to roots to polish off the job.

damphair

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Do you detangle from tips to roots or roots to tips? What techniques have eased your detangling sessions? 

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Jan4

Transitioning Series: Protective Styling with Braid/Twist Extensions

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Michelle_HappilyEverNaturalby Michelle of Happily Ever Natural

Hey Naturalista’s!!! Transitioning? Don’t know what to do with your hair? Want something new? That will be low manipulation? Nothing is working for you? Ready to relax it? STOP RIGHT THERE IN YOUR TRACKS!! DON’T DO IT!!! Why not put your hair away for a few weeks so you don’t have to bother it? Protective styling is your answer!!!! Protective styling is any hairstyle that helps protect the hair from over-manipulation. Also, protective styles protect your hair from extreme weather, both hot and cold, and it prevents the hair from drying out. When you protective style, you are giving your hair a “break.” Many install a protective style so that they can go days, weeks, or a few months without having to do their hair!

My Instagram and Facebook have been blowing up with many naturalistas tucking their tresses away for the winter. So why not try a protective style? You don’t have to worry about your hair … why not, right? Here are a few protective styles that you can try on your hair. If you don’t want to try them yourself, you can always find a local salon that can do many of these styles.

1. Box Braids
Yes the old school box braids are back and in full effect. They are sooo super cute and easy to do as well.

Check out a tutorial here:

2. Senegalese Twists
I LOVE THIS LOOK … one day I am going to try these on myself :). Check out a tutorial on how to do these here:

3. Havana/ Marley Twists
Now I know all of you have probably watched my Marley twist video. LOL. I SOOO am doing my hair next week like this again, so I hope you all don’t get tired of seeing them. LOL! But here is my video on how to do the Marley twists.

4. Kinky Twists
The good old kinky twists :) are super cute. Here is a video on how to achieve kinky twists:

5. Afro Puffy Twists
LOVE THESE! If my hair was shorter, I would definitely get these in a bob kind of look!! SUPER CUTE!!!

6. Spring Twists
Now I first saw this style on a fellow Instgrammers post. These are super cute too!!!

7. Nubian Twists

Before you install remember to:

1.Wash and deep condition your hair.
2.Moisturize your hair.
3. Detangle your hair.
4. Oil your scalp.

IMPORTANT!!!!!!

Now… Just because your hair is in a protective style, don’t forget you still have to take care of your hair while it’s away. :)

Daily: You must still remember to moisturize your hair: daily and/or at night. You can use a water-based leave-in, such as Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries, to spritz your hair. Don’t oversaturate it because you don’t want your hair to frizz. Also remember to oil your scalp with coconut oil or the oil of your choice.

Night: Sleep with a satin bonnet or, if you hair can’t all fit in a bonnet, with a satin scarf or on a satin pillowcase. It is important!! You want to keep your protective style looking nice.

These styles can last probably up to 2 months. I wouldn’t suggest leaving them in for longer. Leaving protective styles in for a long time can cause damage. And we don’t want that!!

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Will you be protective styling soon? What are your plans?

Aug14

My Best Natural Hair Advice … BE PATIENT GRASSHOPPER

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I know you guys remember the beautiful Michelle and her luscious locks from our first GOC (she also shared her hairstory a couple of weeks ago)! Well, given that she transitioned from relaxed to natural for TWO WHOLE YEARS, I thought, “Who better to provide some helpful transitioning tips from her own direct experience?!?!” And with that, the Transitioning Series was born! Welcome to the first installment ;). 

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by Michelle of Happily Ever Natural

PATIENCE is key!!! I have been “fully” natural for about a year, but I transitioned for 2. I will say that transitioning was very hard! I had no idea how to do my hair in the beginning of my transition.The two textures were like night and day!!! I chose to go to the hairdresser every two weeks to have her do my hair, because I didn’t know what to do with it at ALL!!!. I wore my hair mostly straight during the beginning of my transition. As I learned more, I ventured out to try more styles on my own. I did mini chops while transitioning, meaning, each time I went to the shop, I had her cut some of the relaxed ends, little by little. I continued this until, one day, I just said, “Ok just cut the rest off!!!” I was just simply tired of having two textures and confident enough that my hair was a length of my liking :). My advice to anyone transitioning is that patience is key … whether you do the BC or decide to transition, you have to be patient. I know it’s hard looking at all of these sites, seeing all this beautiful hair that is big, long, full!!! But you will get there, it just takes time, nobody’s hair grows overnight!!! When I first started, I wanted my hair to resemble CurlyNikki’s … so bad!!

Here are a few of my tips:

To make it through your natural hair transition phase with little or no frustration, attempt to try these tips:

1. Make sure you choose the right styles for your hair.

One of the biggest challenges for transitioners may be what hairstyles to try. Try TnC’s and BnC’s, they help hide the two textures and are easy to manage. If you want to try the route I did, you can wear it straight most of the time as well. But you should try to experiment with different styles that work best for you. There are a TON of YouTube videos on how to do your hair just about every way you ever thought!! That’s how I learned :).

2. When Transitioning, you will need to have realistic expectations of your hair.

Don’t expect to have CurlyNikki’s hair right away (LOL) or that girl on YouTube that you have been obsessing over (her hair!!). It will take time for your hair to achieve the length, look or fullness you desire. You will have to play around with different styles in order to figure out what works for you. If you don’t have realistic expectations set for your hair, you will be upset every time!!!

3. Take your time with your tresses!

Good hair care is the best hair care. Make sure that you are using moisturizer and paying attention to your ends (they are fragile)! Don’t be overly rough with detangling (I know that this can be hard)!!! Pay most attention to the invisible line where you natural hair and relaxed ends meet, because you can have major breakage at this point. Too much heat styling can be bad (just an FYI), but, if it’s done right, there will not be a problem.

4. Be Patient, BE PATIENT and lastly, BE PATIENT! LOL!

I know, I know, you’re like, “Ugh, my hair is so not growing!!” But, actually it is!! It can be frustrating to try to deal with two different textures, I know…. but you can stick it out!! You will have a moment where you’re like, “Ok, that’s it!!! I’m DONE, back to the relaxer!!” WAIT!! NO!! DON’T DO IT!! You are only doing that because a relaxer is all you have ever known!!!! But, guess what? That won’t solve your problems!!! If you’re really serious about this process of transitioning and going natural, some patience will be required. Truth is: Your hair is growing (hair grows at an average rate of ½ inch per month), just like everyone else’s!

Another tip: Wear your hair in protective styles to help you through your transition (braids, twists, cute updos … the list goes on and on). I assure you that soon enough, your hair will be BANGING and your curls will be POPPIN’! (Well more than it already is, because it’s already gorg!!) You just wait!!

SO DON’T GIVE UP!!! YOU CAN DO IT!! If you need tips … email me, FB me, whatever you need to do!!! I’m here to help!!! -Love!