Thursday, February 12, 2015

Friz-free Curly Hair – Natural Ways to Tame Friz

With African American hair, frizz is usually inevitable; but if you’re one of those women who loves wearing her hair all silky and shiny, taming your frizz is one of the first places that you may want to start. Frizz can be as a result of humidity or heat. Using heat-styling tools on your hair can also make it frizzy. Blow drying your hair is yet another cause for frizzy hair. Yes, we understand that it does seem like a long list of things that you have to keep away from to make your hair frizz-free, but before you get to that, here are some natural ways through which you can achieve the same!

Beer

Beer is a good pick for a rinse if you’re looking to anti-frizz your hair. Beer can restore the moisture lost in your hair so it appear more hydrated and nourished. In fact, choose dark beers if you’re looking to try the beer rinse as these are seen to be packed with moisture and nourishing nutrients. Coat the hair with a beer rinse solution and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Rinse it off with cold water, and watch your hair turn smooth and frizz-free.

Hot oil

Oil is probably one of the best natural remedies for fighting frizz. Oils have conditioning effects and seal in the moisture when applied to the hair. Olive oil or coconut oil have deep hydrating effects on the hair. Warm coconut or olive oil in a jar, and apply it evenly on your hair. Then wear a shower cap over it, and use a hot towel to wrap around you head so moisture is easily absorbed. Leave the hot towel on for about half an hour or so, and rewarm it if required. Rinse with shampoo and cold water to finish.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar does double duty taming frizz and giving your hair a lustrous shine when used as a rinse. Wash the hair first (try the no ‘poo method, if you like) and then use a rinse solution that contains apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts on your hair. Let it rest for a minute. The acidic component of apple cider vinegar smoothens out the frizz and makes your tresses appear shiny. You can go about conditioning your hair, as you normally would after washing off the apple cider solution rinse.

Monday, February 9, 2015

4 Hair Care Tips to Follow in Winter

Winter brings with snow, cold winds, and an icy weather that can damage your hair, turning it brittle and dry. The winter season calls for some additional maintenance tips to ensure that your locks remain beautiful and healthy throughout.

Hair wash

Your hair has a tendency to turn dry during winter. If you’re accustomed to using hot water to wash you tresses, you’d want to switch it up with moderately warm or lukewarm water, as hot water may strip off all the natural oils that are present in the hair. Also, once you’re done washing the hair, take some cool water to rinse just the hair without the scalp, so the pores are closed and the moisture stays locked in. Go in for hair washes less frequently during winter than you would during the summer. Do not forget to condition your hair, and make sure you don’t rinse it off completely.

Styling and products

Air-drying is recommended over blow-drying hair during winter. If you are using a blow-dryer, set it to the lowest heat setting as possible. Curl and flat irons are another big no-no. Swap your plastic combs with wooden ones to prevent your hair from turning static. Stay away from haircare products that have alcohol as it has a tendency to dry out the hair. Same goes with hair spray perfumes, as they may lead to hair breakage. Keep you tresses moisturized at all times with the help of a hair cream or serum.

Winter fashion

Make sure your hair is protected from the cold winds and snow during winter, by covering it when you head out. Sometimes cotton may make your hair go static; try on a silk scarf instead, and then wear a hat over it, so your hair does not turn static and stays protected at all times. Make sure your don’t tightly wrap it around the head, or it can be harsh on your hair.

Hair nourishment

Treat your scalp to a gentle massage using olive oil at least once a week. This helps enhance the blood circulation and make up for all the natural oils that lost during the winter season. You can even try using jojoba or avocado oil for a scalp massage, and leave it on overnight to wash it in the morning. You can visit a hair salon for a protein treatment or a deep conditioning treatment to nourish dry hair. 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Quick Hairstyles for Kinky Hair

Curly, kinky hair allows you to experiment with many new and interesting styles, many of which require little to no heat, and little to no time as well. Whether you have long wavy hair or short curls, here are some fun, quick and easy hair styles that you can try while you are on the go!

Side part style

We suggest this one for TWAs (teeny weeny afros) looking to give their hair a touch of sophistication. Untangle your hair and moisturize it, and start styling it while it's damp. Make sure you have styling gel and bobby pins at hand. Take a comb to part your hair to the side with the skinny tip, dividing the hair just under the forehead. Use the styling gel and secure the hair with bobby pins on either sides to lift the hair roots. Then gel the sides and top of your hair to give it a better definition, and gently brush the hair on the sides to smoothen it. Take of the pins and you are good to go!

Curly ponytail

Wear your hair in a messy pony, if you want to sport a cute and laid-back look. Simply gather the hair using your hands into a pony tail at the center of the head with the help of an elastic. If you have a layered haircut and some of the shorter tresses tumble down, do not tie them back, leave them as it is as they can frame your face nicely. If a messy ponytail is not your thing, and you're looking for a more polished look with the ponytail, simply smoothen the sides using pomade. Black hair moisturizing products with jojoba oil work out great when compared to ones that are alcohol-based, as the latter tends to make the hair frizz by causing it to dry out.

Front twist

This front twist helps draw attention to your facial features, while styling the hair away from the face. Separate the hair into two sections. Then twist each of the hair pieces upward in a horizontal manner until its is tightly secured (be careful to not twist the hair strands very tightly or it can damage them). Pin the twist in place. Do the same on the other section as well. Wear your hair half up-half down. To add more definition to your curls, use a good finishing spray!

Monday, January 5, 2015

5 Reasons to Embrace and Love your Curly Hair

If you've been guilty of spending all your monthly resources on purchasing straightening products or Brazilian blowout sessions, here are some reasons why you should be embracing your curls and doing otherwise-

Curls make a unique statement

No two curls are the same! The texture and length of curls are different, which is what makes them unique and gives the wearer a unique look. This certainly helps if you want to stand out or make a unique statement, so people notice you even when in a crowd. Even when you're with other friends who have kinky hair, you'll see that no two textured locks are the same!

Curls = fancy hair

You know when you have your bridesmaid duties lined up that you can actually focus on them, as doing up your hair won't take as long for you as you already have fancy hair! You'll need very little time on the styling chair, so you can spend the remaining time making sure that the flowers and champagne are in place. Same goes with dates, curls have a natural fancy look to them, so it appears like you were at the salon for hours, when it barely took you anytime.

Curly hair as a diversion tactic

The good thing about curly hair is that they make a statement, overpowering any other little flaws that you may have. Think of it, when you see a person with curly hair, one of the first things about them that stands out is their hair. If you have curly hair, you can use it to divert attention from dark circles, zits, or an unflattering dress!

Styling options galore!

If you're one to experiment with new hairstyles every day, having curly hair makes it so much easier. You can wear glamorous waves by softening your curls, wear them as tight curls, or if you do not feel like doing much simply go au naturel. Just switch up the styling products you use to create different looks.

Get dressed in no time!

The great thing about curly hair is that you don't have to spend too long on it. Think of all those long hours some women spend on straightening their hair; you save all that time for your beauty sleep! Even on days that you wake up and have to get going immediately, with barely any time to spare for your hair, know that the disheveled look never runs out of style!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Styling Your Curly Hair

Let face it ladies, styling curly hair is no easy task. In fact, it can present quite a challenge. A majority of the time, humidity, dryness, and frizz develop into obstacles that test patience and skill of the most experienced curly haired women. Curly hair is full of character and personality that changes often, making it incredibly difficult to style your hair on a daily basis.

If you’re new to the natural hair scene, or veteran curly looking for some inspiration, here are some helpful tips and advice on how to style your curly hair better.

It’s all about moisture

Moisturizer is the key to frizz free hair. Not only does natural moisturizer protect and benefit overall health, but also keeps frizz away. Make sure you wash and condition your hair with natural moisturizers before you begin styling your curly hair. This helps prepare your hair and makes it behave and work well, in addition to treating your hair to a healthy dose of much needed nourishment.

Begin fresh

Before you style your hair it is important to rid your locks of any remains of product or serum. Cleanse and wash your hair thoroughly to ensure you clean out any excess conditioner or leftover product. Be sure to use a gentle and preferably sulfate free natural shampoo or cleanser when rinsing out your locks.
 
Avoid excessive use of product

An overload of product usually leaves hair crunchy and difficult to style. Make sure the product you use does not overwhelm your hair. If the product you prefer is too strong, then it would be good to dilute it with a little water before applying it.

Treat your hair in sections

One of the more pronounced problems when styling curly hair is that some sections turn out better and curlier than others. To obtain an even look, make sure you apply product evenly across your head and locks. You can improve your technique by using clips and section your hair when applying product, to ensure each part receives the same amount of attention.

The wetter the better

A trade secret to achieving great curls is to apply product into your hair when it’s wet. Hair reacts much better to product when wet. This makes for far more defined curls, if you have a long wait time between post shower and styling time, then re-soak your hair before you apply product. 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Get Rid of Limp Hair the Natural Way

More often than not, limp hair is inherited. In addition, several factors like excessive smoking, chemical treatments, and exposure to heat on a regular basis contribute to unhealthy and limp hair.

On the upside however, there are several natural remedies to thicken and introduce bounce and volume to your hair. You don’t have to continue to live with limp and lifeless locks much longer. Here are some easy and simple ways to get a body and morale boosting look you will adore.

Basic maintenance and care

Make sure you get regular hair trims and cuts to maintain a natural, bouncy look. Shampoo and wash your hair with gentle natural products. The fewer chemicals involved the better, for both you and your hair.

Avoid combing your hair too much; limit brush strokes to as many required to detangle your locks. Using a large toothed comb will make a difference and comb the knots out as gently as possible.

Pamper yourself

Frequent oil massages are the best thing you can do to nourish your hair. Quality moisturisers and lost nutrient restorers, natural oils bring new life to hair with added volume and bounce, not to mention the healthy factor involved.

Mix about two tablespoons of castor oil with around one tablespoon of almond or coconut oil. Heat the mixture up a bit to increase nutritive value. Castor oil works brilliantly to bring bounce and volume to limp hair.

Home made hair packs

Try one or all of these hair packs to bring back the snap and bounce in your hair.

  • Avocado – Avocado hair masks deliver instant protein and vital nutrients to lacklustre hair. Blend the pulp of one avocado with a tablespoon full of castor and olive oil. Gently apply the mask starting at the roots, all the way down to the tips of your hair. Leave in for about 30 minutes, cover with a cotton head cloth and rinse well after. 
  • Banana – Banana is a wonderful source of essential minerals and vitamins. Mix an overripe banana with about one tablespoon of honey and apply the mixture onto your scalp and hair. Leave in for about 20-30 minutes and wash it clean with a gentle shampoo. 
  • Egg – Raw eggs are perfect sources of protein and work wonders on dull and lifeless air. Simply beat two eggs in a bowl, apply onto scalp and hair and leave in for about 15 minutes. Wash clean with shampoo for beautiful soft hair. 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Why you Should Stick to your Naturally Curly Hair

Nothing compares to originality, and going natural is to accept and own your true self. Natural curly hair is amazingly sexy and comes equipped with beautiful texture, body and volume. A feature of rocking naturally curly hair is the personality it brings to your look.

Besides, sticking to your natural hair is healthy and avoids unnecessary use of chemicals and chemical products to maintain your style. Here are some of the top reasons in my book why staying natural is the best thing you could do.

Natural hair is stunning

Natural hair is instant statement style in addition to being totally hip and cool. Unlike relaxed hair that requires heaps of products and methods that can cause near permanent damage, natural hair is absolutely safe.

Women with natural curls love their hair because it’s wonderfully fun and suits face and features best.

Healthy

It’s a known fact that natural hair is healthy and perhaps the best lifestyle choice you can make. Naturally curly hair doesn’t need an overload of hair care products and you’ll come to love and appreciate your locks better. Look and feel great naturally, besides you stand to save heaps on product and upkeep.

Get playful and creative

There isn’t much you can do with straight hair, while naturally curly hair allows for heaps of styles that completely transform you look. Play with texture and get creative with your locks. Something as simple as an updo tied in with some funky and bold accessories introduces a variety of styles and variations to create completely new and different looks every single time.

Natural curls are fun to style and can be worn in so many absolutely chic ways, to suit any kind of event or mood.

Freestyle 

Natural hair is all about you and your personal style, and a great way to let your personality shine. There’s no way you can go wrong with natural afro hair. You can change it whenever you feel like and wear it any which way you like.

Feel free, uninhibited, and truly relaxed. Natural hair doesn’t come with many restrictions and rules you need to stick to unlike chemically relaxed hair. Enjoy a swim or live as active a lifestyle you wish. Quit worrying about how exercise makes you sweat, which might possibly ruin your hairstyle. Live the way you want with natural hair.