Do hair vitamins work?

Simply put, Yes! Hair vitamins give you the vitamins you need for stronger, longer hair. More importantly they give you the freedom to be human. What does that mean? Well, it’s hard to get ALL of the daily recommended doses of vitamins through foods (you’d have to eat all day just to get close). This is where hair vitamins come in to fill in the gaps of what you may be missing. Hair vitamins contain nutrients that help make your hair stronger and more resilient. 

How long does it take for them to work?

You’ll have to take vitamins for 60-90 days before you start seeing significant improvements. You’ll notice tiny changes before then like stronger hair that will shed less when detangled or on wash day. You will notice your hair retaining more length than without the vitamins or even your weak spots starting to fill in. 

How do you find a good hair vitamin?

A good hair vitamin has more than just Biotin. Why? Hair vitamins work best when combined with other vitamins. Look for Vitamin A, B, C, D, Zinc, as well as Biotin. Vitamins with Biotin only aren’t giving you all the nutrients you need for stronger longer hair.  Good vitamins also use fruit pectin instead of animal because it’s more gentle on your stomach and digestion..

Will hair vitamins break me out?

Some people may break out while taking hair vitamins. It is typically when they take 5000 mcg or more of Biotin a day. Moderate amounts of Biotin typically don’t cause acne. Actually, external factors like diet, hygiene, stress, and hormones are more likely to cause acne than hair vitamins. However, if you happen to start taking Biotin and have a break out, it will likely go away after your body adjusts to the Vitamin boost. 

Will I  grow hair everywhere?

We get it. You don’t want any extreme growth in any other places like your underarms or down there. No worries, hair vitamins are made to target hair that grows on your scalp. More importantly because the hair on your head is in a growth phase longer than the hair on your body the hair on your head will grow long while your body hair will be short. 

If you’re looking to boost your hair growth a good hair vitamin can be a game changer.  Our Hair Goals Growth Gummies are formulated with the perfect mix of Vitamins including 5000 mg of Biotin to increase your hair growth with none of the unwanted side effects.

1. Nutrition Boost

Take a vitamin to help stop hair loss and promote regrowth. The American Pregnancy Association recommends: Vitamin B complex, Biotin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc and Iron. Hair Goals Gummies have everything you need to decrease hair shedding after your baby is born.  

2. Healthy Diet

It's important you have a balanced diet that includes proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Being a new mom is hard and leaves you little time for meal planning. So  to ensure you are getting complete, healthy meals you can incorporate a daily smoothie for breakfast or lunch. 

3. Scalp Massage

Need a moment to relax. Ask your boo for a scalp massage. After enduring sleepless nights, you deserve to be taken care of. Scalp massages work best when combined with oils like those found in the Flower Bomb Rapid Rejuvenation Oil. It has MSM and Rosemary oil, which has been proven to be as effective a chemical regrowth treatment. Scalp massages also help prevent itchiness, flakes, and decrease the baby blues. 

4. Simple Hair Routine

Your hair care routine is important and if you want to decrease shedding it can’t be neglected. To make sure you have time for your hair you can start your night routine early (when you know you’re in for the night). This will help prevent tired mamas from falling asleep before tying up your hair. You can also wear easy to manage styles like mini twists, and stretch your wash day out to every 2 weeks. If you’re thinking of doing a big chop this is the perfect time so you don’t have to deal with managing long hair. 

5. Rest & Relaxation

Relaxing is not only good for you, it's good for your baby and helps reduce the chances of having postpartum depression. Newborns are hard work but you must take care of yourself so you can be your best for them. You can meditate, bing-watch your favorite tv show, order takeout, hire a housekeeper, go to a salon or simply sleep in. Spoiler alert - we suggest doing them all! Be gentle with yourself. Limit your to-do list and do at least one thing for yourself every day

Being a mom is a hard yet rewarding experience. There is a whole new person  you need to take care of.  But you can't forget to take care of yourself too. 

How did you manage your hair while being a new mom? Share your story in the comments below.

It's not always easy to find the right protein treatment for your hair. Many naturalistas find themselves on a never-ending quest, and that’s no fun! Protein treatments have many benefits for natural curly hair including: improving elasticity which helps reduce breakage; adding shine to dull locks; and even reducing frizziness. Your hair will have different needs depending on what you’ve exposed it to. Here are the best protein treatments for your hair needs. 

1. Collagen

Collagen is good for skin, hair and nails. The amino acids in collagen help build proteins and strengthen your scalp and a healthy scalp equals healthy hair. Collagen also prevents damage to the follicle and graying of your hair

       2.Keratin

Keratin is a protein that can be found naturally in the hair. It gives your hair a smooth, silky appearance. This protein improves and rebuilds the outer aspect of the hair strands. It’s great if you are natural but prefer straight styles or just want to reduce your frizz.

       3.Silk protein 

The best nutritional protein for your hair is silk protein. It produces a thin layer of protection around your hair that increases shine and suppleness, preventing it from being damaged. Silk protein is in the Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner which can be used for strong healthy hair. You can use it daily and you won’t have to worry about protein overload.

       4.Wheat Protein

If you’ve ever experienced hair damage from chemical treatments, like relaxing, coloring and heat damage then Wheat Protein is for you. Wheat Protein helps protect your hair by adding more lubrication so that it does not break as easily and is stronger. It also gives your hair more sheen and makes it feel like silk.

        5. Soy Protein

Soy Protein is great if you’re experiencing any hair loss, thinning or breakage. It helps promote hair growth and prevent hair fall. Soy protein can help your damaged hair by giving it a boost and giving it some shine!

Protein treatments are great for your hair but should only be used only once or twice a month. When used more than that they can have the opposite results causing your hair to become dry, brittle and possibly break off. It’s best to alternate protein treatments with deep conditioning to ensure you maintain a perfect protein - moisture balance in your hair. 

Do you do any D.I.Y. Protein treatments? If so drop your fav recipe in the comments. 

First thing’s first...oils do NOT moisturize. 

So what’s a moisturizing oil?? Moisturizing oils are the only oils that can penetrate deep into each strand of hair. Their small molecules make it easy to absorb without leaving residue or build up behind.

Different oils have different benefits. Here are the top moisturizing oils and how they help your hair:

1. COCONUT OIL 

Coconut Oil is the most popular and the most controversial moisturizing oil. You either love it or hate it. It's actually the healthiest oil for your hair because it goes deeper into your hair strands than all other oils to protect and help prevent hair loss. Some people are allergic to it and find it irritates their scalp but for others, this is the holy grail of oils. 

2. BABASSU OIL

Babassu has small molecules similar to Coconut Oil so it also goes deep into your strands to nourish from the inside out. The difference is it is lighter than Coconut Oil. We use Babassu Oil in our Sweet Cream Curl Defining  Moisturizer for that very reason. It’s nourishing, gets absorbed easily and doesn’t make your hair greasy! It works well with other hair care products and smells amazing!

3. AVOCADO OIL 

Avocado Oil can stand high temperatures so it's perfect for people who straighten their hair. It's also good for heat-damaged hair because it has a lot of Vitamin E, which helps nourish and repair damaged hair.

4. OLIVE OIL 

Olive oil is great for your hair. Of the four moisturizing oils listed, this is the heaviest. Olive oil is great for reducing frizz and keeping your ends healthy and free from splits and knots.

On the other side are sealing oils. They differ from moisturizing oils because they do not absorb into the hair and skin. However, their benefits are locking in moisture and preventing evaporation.

Here are the top Sealing Oils and how they help your hair:

1. CASTOR OIL 

Castor oil has natural properties that alleviate scalp issues. Applying castor oil to the hair on a regular basis makes your hair more flexible and less likely to break. Castor oil can also help prevent flakes on your scalp. It has a thick and heavy texture so you only need to use a small amount. Using too much will make your hair greasy.

        2. GRAPESEED OIL 

Grapeseed oil is full of vitamin E. Vitamin E can help protect the body from environmental elements (dry climates or overly humid climate) which can damage your hair. It also strengthens hair strands, reduces frizz, increases moisture, and soothes dry scalp.

        3. JOJOBA OIL 

This oil mimics the natural oil from your scalp. It creates a protective coating around your strands to reduce moisture loss. Jojoba Oil keeps your scalp healthy by fighting bacteria, repairing cells, and boosting collagen production. 

Both moisturizing and sealing oils are beneficial to your hair and scalp. You can even combine the moisturizing and sealing oils together to get the best of both worlds.  Flower Bomb Rapid Rejuvenation Oil has both moisturizing and sealing oils that are nourishing, have vitamins, and will help your hair grow faster.

Now that you know what oils to use and how they differ from one another! So, which oil is your favorite? Still not sure, then it sounds like a blend of moisturizing and sealing oils would be perfect for your hair.  Happy oiling!  

Which of these oils do you use and how do you use them?

locks: 

1. Wash your hair with warm water

To properly maintain the health of your tresses, wash your hair once every 7 to 14 days. Refrain from using hot water because it can dry out your curls causing frizz. Contrary to popular belief don’t end with a cold water rinse. Cold water closes your cuticles before you add your moisturizing products (i.e. conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, hair butter or moisturizer), preventing your hair from absorbing the moisture. When you close your cuticles too soon products will sit on your strands  instead of being absorbed.  Use warm water from start to finish and allow your cuticles to open and close naturally.

2. Deep condition with heat

You want your cuticles to be open and able to absorb the moisture and protein when you deep condition. To get the best deep condition, create a mini sauna by putting a plastic bag on your hair for 30 minutes to ensure your cuticles are open and able to receive all the deep conditioning benefits. Rinse off your deep conditioner with warm water and follow up with a leave-in conditioner. The moisturizer from the leave-in and any other products you use will also penetrate into your strands because your cuticles are still open. The Knotty Nectar Leave-In is a great conditioning spray that has Aloe Vera Juice in it which naturally closes your cuticles. 

 3. Use a clay wash

Clay washes are amazing for low porosity hair. A good clay wash cleans without drying your hair out,  add moisture and it’s all natural. Our Dirty Curl Clay Wash has both Bentonite Clay and Rhassoul Clay. Bentonite detoxifies your hair removing all product build up and dirt and Rhassoul is a gentle cleanser plus conditioner. Together they give you clean, soft, moisturized, and super defined curls. 

The best part is you can implement all three of these tips if you wash your hair every 7-10 days with the Dirty Curl Clay Wash. It washes, moisturizes, conditions, and deep conditions in 1 step making your wash day fast and easy to do. 

Do you have low porosity hair? What are you doing to keep your curls hydrated? 

As a rule of thumb you should be washing your hair at least once every 7 - 14 days. Cowashing is not the same as washing your hair and it doesn’t replace the deep cleaning that your hair and scalp needs. Co washing only removes light water based products from your hair. However, it isn’t strong enough to remove the heavy oils, butters, moisturizers, and serums that are used on kinky curly hair. It doesn’t remove the dirt, buildup, sweat, products that have been layered on your hair for 7+ days. Not to mention that after co-washing you’ll apply more product over the leftover product which will suffocate your scalp. Over time cowashing causes you pores to be clogged and can lead to scalp issues and hair loss. 

Black afro textured hair is really dry. Cowashing makes your hair look good and feel moisturized, but when you only co-wash your hair never really gets moisturized. In a day or two, your hair feels dry. This is a result of not removing the oils on your hair that are blocking water from penetrating your strands which leads to dryness over time. The more frequently you  wash your hair, the more opportunities you have to remove product buildup so you can properly hydrate it

If you love co-washing try a clay wash like the Dirty Curl Clay instead. It gives you the feel of cowashing because it doesn’t strip your hair of moisture but it also  removes the heavy products as well as dirt from your hair. It’s literally the best of both worlds because you get curl definition, moisture, a gentle clean  and deep conditioned hair in 1 step. 

It might be tempting to cowashing your hair but remember that it was created by women with loose curly/wavy hair that use water based products. Because black kinky curly hair requires heavier products and a larger quantity of product is used co washing is not an effective way to clean hair. Skip the cowash, instead follow a good wash day routine and your curls will thank you.

     1. Hot Oil / Pre-poo

Applying oil to your hair before washing helps to prevent tangles while washing plus it’s a great hair treatment. 

How to PrePoo: First mist  your hair with water so it’s more manageable.  Then apply oil from roots to ends. Use a plastic shower cap to cover your hair for 30 minutes. Remove the cap, rinse and move on to your wash day routine. Repeat this process every wash day and you will notice a decrease in the amount of single strand end knots and split ends.

      2. Finger Detangle Nightly

Detangling is a crucial step because you lose an average of 50-100 strands per day. If you don't remove the shed hair  it causes tangles, knots, matting, and split ends. This method takes about 2 minutes a night.

How To Finger Detangle/Remove Shed Hair: Separate your hair into  4 sections. Starting with the first section  gently run your fingers through each section starting at the bottom and working your way up to remove any shed hair. Repeat steps on remaining sections making sure you don’t  tug on your hair or cause breakage

       3. Say no to Wash N’ Go’s

Wash n’ go’s capture your natural curl pattern while it’s wet and freezes it in place. However, the issue is It shrinks as it dries. As it shrinks and while you’re wearing the style all those coils and curls get tangled with themselves causing knots and split ends. Instead of wash and go’s switch to stretched styles like Twist-outs,  braid outs or buns. Stretched styles help to dramatically decrease the number of tangles and split ends.

When combined, a hot oil / prepoo treatment, daily detangling and low manipulation stretched styles will help to keep your curls tangle free and prevent splits. 

What do you do to prevent knots and split ends? Comment below!

You can use oil on your scalp to stimulate hair growth or to moisturize a   dry and itchy scalp. Whatever the reason, it’s important to avoid overdoing it because like the famous saying goes, “Too much of anything is a bad thing.” Here are the two signs you should watch out for to prevent over oiling your scalp. 

1. Changes in your scalp

We all know that change could either be good or bad. But if your scalp is irritated and you notice scaling and thick flakes that were not there before, you should be concerned. It’s possible that you are creating an environment for fungus or irritation could occur. Your solution is to use less oil and oil your scalp less frequently.  The Flower Bomb Oil is very potent so a little goes a long way. 

2. Your hair feels too greasy

If you rub your bare fingers in your scalp you see that your hand is really oily, that is the sign that you’re using too much oil. Or if the hair that is close to your scalp looks wet when it isn’t you are using too much oil. You'll know you're putting too much oil when it starts running down your face, or the back of your  neck. This is a sign your scalp can’t absorb the amount of oil you’re applying so it settles in your hair or runs down your head. 

How can you prevent over oiling?

Using trial and error you will find the perfect balance of oiling your hair. We suggest starting 3 times a week and working up to more as needed. Always use a dropper so you can put the oil exactly where you want it without wasting any. When oiling your scalp part it first to reveal your scalp and only use a couple of drops. After applying the oil massage it in so it’s absorbed by your scalp. 

Having healthy hair starts with having a healthy scalp. Look for any changes in your scalp like a decrease in dryness and itching which is a good sign vs an increase in flakes which is a sign of too much oil. Treat your scalp with love and care by using trial and error to find the perfect balance of oil.

Looking for a cute Easter style for your natural hair? I've got you covered, no flat iron required!

Get this cute Bantu Knot Out in a few simple steps:

1. Spritz your hair with Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner

2. Apply a nickel size amount of Sweet Cream Moisturizer to sectioned hair

3. Coil each section around itself making a small bantu knot & secure with a pin

4. Sit under a warm dryer & allow to dry completely

5. Apply Flower Bomb Hair Oil to you hands to reduce frizz

6. Unravel and separate each section

Natural hair has a bad reputation. People think it's hard to manage, time consuming and expensive. That's just not true. It's only hard to manage if you were never taught how. Naturally curly hair takes the same time investment as straight hair and it's less expensive than relaxers and weaves. Natural hair is can be simple and fun. In order to have the best experience you need a few things in place.

Learn the Love Language of your hair

Invest in the relationship you have with your hair. You many know your curl type but there is so much more. For starters there is a more in depth curl pattern that you need to know the L.O.I.S. system. You also need to know your texture (which is different that the pattern) porosity, density and thickness. From there you can watch how your hair responds to ingredients, products, and styles.

Consistency

Find a simple hair care routine and repeat those steps consistently. This tames your hair making it easier to manage. Repeating the steps reduces tangling, dryness and saves you styling time. A good wash routine will take you less than 2 hours from wash to style and you are set for the week. You should spend no more than 10 minutes a day max on your hair. A consistent routine also makes it easier to determine when you need to adjust or change a step.

Products

Don't waste your money on products that have ingredients that do more harm than good. Find products rich with nourishing ingredients and stick with them. Good natural hair products are more expensive than traditional products because they use quality ingredients. You can save by finding products your hair loves and sticking with them (don't become a product junkie) and because you'll make fewer trips to the salon. 

Once you have these things in place you'll see how simple it is to manage your natural hair. 

Have any tips to simplify your hair care? Drop them in the comments and save other women from stress. 

Are you struggling with growing your hair? Have your edges been snatched? Look, no judgement here, I have been there before. I lost my hair twice one from a bad weave experience and once from neglect. Both times I grew my hair back and you can too. I want to share with you my method for growing your hair long, strong, and healthy! Oh, and did I mention it costs you nothing to participate. It's absolutely FREE!

I'm going to show you exactly what I did step by step to grow my hair. I created a 30 Day Hair Growth Challenge so you can regrow your hair and see RESULTS. 

This is different that any hair growth challenge you've ever seen or participated in before. I'm streaming Live 3 times a week for 30 days letting you peek inside my washday, teaching your hair techniques, setting measurable hair goals, giving you actionable tasks every day and showing you how to learn the Love Language of your hair.  created a 30 Day Hair Growth Challenge so you can regrow your hair and see RESULTS. 

Click here to sign up and let's get growing!! 

I'm going to be honest with you. Curly hair is the BEST hair, period. Some people will have you believe something different. They'll tell you natural hair is ugly, nappy, kinky blah blah blah. But, people always put down what they don't understand. Naturally curly hair is beautiful. Let's explore 5 ways to love your hair.

IDENTITY

Your hair is as unique as your fingerprint. It tells the story of your heritage. Your history, genetics and the way you came to be. Be proud of your hair and your (hair)itage. 

TEXTURE

Your texture is perfect for you. You can see the beauty in textures of others but that doesn't take away from the beauty in your texture. Is you hair fine with big curls, then play up the big curls. Is your hair thick and kinky? Then show off your volume. Whatever your texture is embrace it.

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair. Curly hair that doesn't shrink is damaged. Shrinkage gives your versatility. You can stretch your hair out to show off your length, or shrink it to mimic that cute short cut you love without actually getting the cut. Shrinkage is a gift.

HEAT

I get it. Sometimes you want to wear your hair straight. You can, that's the beauty of curly hair it's so versatile. However, do not chase the sleek straight hair look so much you damage your curls. Flat irons should be kept at a low temperature. Also, be mindful of how many passes and how frequently you're using the flat iron. Heat breaks the bonds of your hair making it more fragile and prone to breakage. It also dries out your already dry hair. So flat iron if you must, but use a heat protectant to avoid heat damage.

PRODUCTS

Finding the perfect hair product can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Everyone's hair responds differently to products depending on their lifestyle, texture, and style preferences. Not to mention the number of options is overwhelming. Here's what you NEED for healthy hair no matter what; a cleanser, leave-in conditioner, and moisturizer. You may also want a styler (depending on your style preferences) and an oil. Anything else is optional. 

No matter what your style preferences are the key to loving your hair is paying attention to how it responds to the techniques you do. Take time to learn the love language of your hair and find styles that compliment you. It's a process, but the rewards are worth it. 

How did you learn to love your naturally curly hair? I'd love to hear your story.

Going natural was an impromptu decision. I watched YouTube failed at every attempt to recreate the styles. When I realized my hair wouldn't curl due to heat damage I knew it was time to big chop. So, I picked up the phone, made an appointment and big chopped the next day. The only problem, I had no idea how to maintain my hair. I had no products and no hair care routine.

 Here's what I wish I knew before going natural.

1. Your texture will change as you cut off any relaxed hair and due to hormones
2. You will have different textures in your head, focus on the dominate texture
3. Shrinkage is real and your hair can shrink 3 - 4 times its length.
4. Detangling is necessary to prevent your hair from matting and single strand knots
5. Hair retention is more important than growth
6. It takes time to master techniques (even simple ones)
7. Moisturize daily or every other day
8. Moisture starts with water not oil
9. Pick 3 styles to start with and master. I suggest a twist-out, afro puff and high bun (for bad hair days)
10. Wash 'n go's are deceiving. It's actually a wash, moisturize, style then go.
11. Create a consistent healthy hair routine and stick to it. It will save you time, money and bad hair days.
12. Your family and friends will judge you. Don't let it bother you. One day they will ask you for hair tips.
13. Enjoy watching your fave YouTuber but find some with a similar texture to yours.
14. Don't compare your REAL hair to FAKE hair pics. Many natural hair pics you see are wigs, crochet braids or extensions.
15. Use heat sparingly and always use it on a low setting, heat damage is not reversible.
16. Everything isn't for everyone, find what works for you and run with it.
17. Less is more, more product doesn't mean more moisture (see step 9), it means more buildup.
18. Good hair is HEALTHY hair
19. Be patient, it takes time to see results
20. No matter if your hair is natural, relaxed, or in extensions it takes time and care to maintain your hair.

What did you wish you knew before going natural? Share you tips in the comments below. If you know a newly natural, share this list with them to save them a few tears. 

SCALP STIMULATION

Hot oil treatments stimulate the flow of blood to your scalp. Massaging the oil into your scalp after applying not only feels good it encourages hair growth and makes for an amazing self care session.

RELEIVES DRYNESS

Applying hot oil before shampooing your hair and in between your wash days relieves dryness which is common with natural hair. The oil soothes dry scalp and reduces peeling and flaking. 

QUENCHES DRY HAIR

Oil not only benefits your scalp but it also coats your hair as it travels down your hair strands. The oil creates a protective layer around your hair that prevents moisture from escaping as quickly and reduces split ends.

APPLYING HOT OIL TREATMENTS

Creating a hot oil treatment is simple. To start warm a bowl of hot water in the microwave. While the water is warming put your oil in an applicator bottle. Remove the bowl from the microwave and place the applicator bottle in the water for 10 minutes to heat it. Next, remove the bottle from the water and apply warmed oil to your scalp in sections. Massage the oil in and apply a thin coat to your strands. Cover your hair with a plastic cap for 15 minutes and sit under a warm dryer or 30 minutes with no dryer. Remove the plastic cap and wash or style like as normal.  

The Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil is great for hot oil treatments because it comes in an applicator bottle and the botanical oils are perfect for scalp stimulation and moisture.

Hot oil treatments can be done before washing your hair, after washing your hair and in between washes. 

Do you incorporate hot oil treatments into your hair care regimen? How have they helped your hair flourish?

I bet you can count on one hand how many REAL friends you have and you may not need all your fingers. That's because real friends are rare. The bond shared between friends is sacred. A friend is someone who understands you when you haven't spoken a single word. Friends support your crazy ass ideas, love you when you feel unlovable, teach you the life lessons you have yet to experience, laugh at your corny jokes, push you to your limit all in the name of growth, celebrate your glo' up, hug you when you cry, and call you out on your bullshit. 

Sometimes we get busy and the days, weeks, and months pass since we've seen or spoken to our friends. Life is busy. We navigate their careers, love life, raise children, struggle to find our voice and perform miracles daily. It's hard being a woman.

That's where friendship and sisterhood comes in. Real sisterhood involves taking care of and holding space for each other. Take a moment to escape from all the chaos of life and reconnect with your friends. Schedule a girls night to catch up and check in on the lives of your friends. Toast to their accomplishments and laugh until your stomach hurts.

Having trouble finding true friends? Try these tips

1. Reconnect with old friends and see if you have anything in common at this stage in your life. Then ask them if there is anyone you should meet and have them attend your next get together.

2. Find and do things you love to do (yoga, book club...). While you're there connect with other like minded women. Use meetup.com to find people in your area with similar interests.

3. To be interesting, be interested. Take time to be genuinely interested in the people you meet, you're likely to discover things you have in common. In turn they will be interested in you.

Take time to nourish your friendships and know that no matter how much you give to the sisterhood you'll always get more back. Together we are a sisterhood of phenomenal woman and a blessing to each other. As Ryan says at the close of the movie Girls Trip, "our girlfriends are our constant," and that's something to be thankful for.

You can her full review & breakdown of each product here.

Wet Your Curls

Start by wetting your hair with warm water. Your hair absorbs water easily and soaking it with water before swimming allows it to absorb clean water instead of chlorinated or beach water. Use warm water to open your cuticles so your hair can absorb as much water as possible. Gently shake off any excess water to keep it from dripping, and don't squeeze the water from your hair. 

Saturate with Oil

Wait 5 - 10 minutes after wetting your hair (so it can absorb as much as possible) and apply a layer of oil to your wet hair and don't rinse it out. The Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil is perfect because it has Coconut Oil which seals in moisture and Castor Oil which makes it hard for chlorine and salt to pass through. The oil creates a barrier that serves two purposes. First the oil will prevent the clean water you applied from escaping your hair. Second, the oil will reduce and prevent the chlorine or salt water from entering the cuticles of your hair.

Apply Conditioner

Apply a generous amount of conditioner to your hair to protect it from chlorine and salt water. Coat your strands from root to tip focusing on the ends and do not rinse it out. The conditioner is an additional layer of protection to keep the moisture from the clean water in your hair and the chlorinated and salt water out. 

Cover Your Hair

Wear a swimming cap to keep water out. If you don't like swim caps you can wear a plastic shower cap then tie a scarf around your shower cap. If you don't want to wear anything on your head twist or braid your hair down instead of leaving it loose to prevent tangling.

Clean & Condition 

Immediately after exiting the water thoroughly rinse your strands for 5 minutes so the chlorine and salt don't bond to your hair. Follow up with a clarifying cleanser and a moisturizing conditioner to remove the chlorine or salt and to soften your hair.  To make this step easier apply the Dirty Curl Cleansing & Conditioning Clay and cover with a plastic cap for 30 minutes then rinse. This will clarify, condition, and repair your hair to it's normal state in a single step.

Moisturize

Swimming can cause your hair to loose oil and get dry and brittle. Replace the sebum lost from chlorine and salt water by using oils and butters that moisturize and reduce dryness. Layer your moisturizing products using the L.O.C. Method and style as normal. Don't forget to oil your scalp because it was also exposed to chlorine and salt water. 

Style

Swimming can cause your hair to be more fragile than normal so be gentle with it when styling. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle and prevent breakage. Wear a low manipulation style like twist out o. Choose a low or no heat style and let your hair air dry in the summer sun.

Following these steps every time you take a dip in the water will keep your hair healthy and sultry in and out of the pool.

Yoga

One of the most common yoga flows is the sun salutation sequence. Sun salutations are a great way to celebrate the sun shining longer than it did in the previous seasons. Sun salutations are the perfect way to start your day, stretch your body and to focus on being present throughout the day. 

Meditation

During the first days of spring the sun and moon shine for equal parts of the day and night, which is a representation of balance. Take some time to meditate on balance within your life. Where is your life out of balance and what can you do to realign you life. Eat healthier, practice self care, love more, work less...meditate to discover where your need to shift to find balance then set some intentions to make it a reality.

Release

For most people spring cleaning is about cleaning out your closet, garage or an area of your home you've neglected. This year take cleaning a step further. Remove the things from your life that no longer represent who you are or add joy to your life. That could be old clothes, makeup, hair products, old books... It doesn't have to end there, take a day to incorporate a seasonal digital cleanse. Removing all the digital noise you've allowed into your space is a relief because so much time is spent online.  If the sight of your inbox stresses you delete old emails, if your social media feed is overwhelming stop following so many accounts. Need to release yourself from financial constraints?  Refinance your home or student loan payments before interest rates increase (hint they've already started to increase). You can decrease your expenses by cancelling cable and using an internet based tv service. Review your credit report and remove (dispute or pay off) any outstanding debts. If you can't pay all of your debts create a monthly budget so you can pay them off ASAP.  If you have friends or family who you no longer vibe with release yourself from the relationship, it's okay to love people from a distance. Spring cleaning doesn't have to be limited to house.

Flowers

Once you've released everything that doesn't serves you treat yourself to flowers. Flowers are a representation of a new beginning. Treat yourself to a fresh bouquet or two of flowers to add beauty and sweet aromas to your home. Make sure to place them in a high traffic area so you'll notice it and in an intimate area so you can be inspired by how sensual they are. If you like to garden plant some flowers or herbs and watch them bloom.

These simple steps can help you dance into the spring feeling lighter and more refreshed. What are you doing to renew yourself this spring? 

In a space where so many people are reconnecting with themselves through their hair I hear the conversations and fears of women who secretly desire to wear their naturally curly hair. When asked what's stopping you from wearing their hair curly women confess; 

"My husband/partner doesn't like curly hair."

"My boss will fire me if I wear my hair nappy."

"Afro's are not in style anymore."

"Only feminists let their hair grow wild."

Have you ever said any of these statements? All of these responses focus on the opinions of others and neglects your desires. If nothing else touches your spirit let it be this...No one has the right to tell you how to be yourself. Not your spouse, boss, friend, family member or beauty standards that so many women strive to achieve. You are the only person in control of your life. You are the person who has to live with the consequences of your choices. Your happiness and comfort is more important than the opinions of others.

Feel confident in the choices you make with these simple steps.

Make decisions based on what you love and what makes you feel good.

Listen to the voice inside that guides you to be your true self. So many people die wishing they would've lived their life to the fullest and chased their dreams instead of living the life someone else wanted for them. Don't be that person. Live. Love. Take Risks. Celebrate your losses as much as your wins because you learn and grow with each decision. 

Ignore the negative opinions.

The only opinion that matters is yours, period. You are the only person who has to live with your decisions. No matter what you do someone will have something negative to say so you might as well do what you want anyway and ignore the noise. Worst case scenario your decision results in a outcome you don't want. If that happens still walk with your head high. Having the confidence to be yourself and make a choice that goes against the norm is something to be proud of. Living life by your own rules makes you bold, confident, kick-ass woman.

Teach people how to treat you. 

When people come into your life they commit to loving and accepting all of you. All of you includes the parts they like and those they don't. Teach those closest to you their love must be unconditional and anything less is not optional. To love you is to support your decisions and be there to comfort you if things don't turn out how you want. This is an opportunity for your loved ones to witness your transition from the woman you are into the woman you are becoming. It's an honor for them to see you grow and blossom. Teach them that they don't have to love every choice you make, but they do have to keep loving you. If the person you're concerned about is a boss or supervisor show them how your choice will not affect your performance. Explain how this may benefit them because you are now more comfortable and happier people are better employees. Most importantly let your work speak for itself and make sure they respect you.

If you want to shave all of your hair off, do it. If your spouse or your boss doesn't like it it's okay. They are entitled to their opinion they are not entitled to force their opinion on you or to mistreat you. Your partner isn't with you because of your hair style. Your significant other chose you for more than your looks. Your beauty extends far beyond your hair style. Your boss didn't hire you because your hair fits into their idea of what it should look like. You were hired because of your skills. 

For years people especially women have been told that we are not enough. We have been taught to change ourselves to fit into a mold of what a woman should be. We are shunned for the choices we make and shunned for not making choices. The essence of your beauty and who you are as a woman is not determined by how you look. Live make a choice even if it's the wrong one. Who is to say what is right or wrong for you. Take risks. Express yourself. Wear the hairstyles you love and dress to match how you feel. If you have a wavering feeling and start to doubt yourself, remember the only person you have to make like you is you. 

Applications to be yourself are being held, apply within. 

This seductive styles will ensure that your partner won't be able to stop staring at you. 

Clean & Organize

A cluttered room is not only not sexy, it's a complete turn off. Keep your room clean by untangling cords, picking up clothes, vacuuming, dusting and getting all of the items hiding under your bed (keeping items under your bed is a recipe for bad ju ju). To keep organized place bins inside your nightstand to keep your personal and intimate items out of sight but close in reach. To clean your mattress sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and essential oil (I love ylang ylang oil for it's fragrance and because it's an aphrodisiac) on it and let it sit for 1 - 2 hours. Cover the mattress with fresh sheets and/or a mattress pad. Vacuum up the mixture the next time you change your sheets and repeat the process. 

Every day make a habit to reset your bedroom. To reset your room pick up any clothes off the floor and on the bed, put away your electronics, and make sure your nightstands aren't cluttered with personal items, electronics, keys or any other trinkets. In the morning make up your bed and put your sleepwear away so when you return to your bedroom it is clean. 

Decor

Kiss the school girl style goodbye and up level your bedroom decor with a style makeover. Tap into your personal style and add character by adding pops of texture and patterns. Try velvet and silk fabric and contrast it with smooth wood or sleek metal tables and accessories. Make your comfortable soft and fluffy to the touch and make your sheets and pillows silky smooth (bonus satin pillowcases and sheets keep your skin moisturized and soft). You can also choose fabrics for the drapes and throws that add texture. To really evoke a sensual mood add animal prints to a rug, pillow, or accessory. Add texture to your walls with wallpaper on all or one wall for an accent. Add accent furniture like a comfy and luxe chaise or chair for lounging.

Accessories

Accentuate with accessories that enhance the mood of your bedroom but don't overpower the room. Animal prints are a great way to introduce sensuality. An animal figurine for book ends or a spotted vase that resembles a cheetah print allows you to incorporate an animal print and accessorize at the same time. You can also choose accessories that serve as a catch all for jewelry, coins and any other small items. Focus on accessories that have a circular or curved shape instead of geometric shapes. Curved objects are more sensual because they can be associated with the curves of a woman's body.  Finish off your room with a bold exotic water color painting above the head of your bed or a unique piece from your favorite artist.

Color

Paint your walls in deep colors that set the mood. Jewel tone colors are a great option (purple, green, blue, black, gold, and even silver) and if you prefer lighter colors try lighter more feminine shades of the same colors (lavender, warm greens and blues, brown and rose). You can also opt for a chic neutral grey and add deep tones for your bedspread, furniture, and accessories. Bring it pops of color by adding live plants for greenery and flowers that bloom in jewel tone colors. Plants like lavender and jasmine add a hint color, release a light fragrance, thrive in low light and are known to induce sleep and decrease anxiety.

Lighting

Most bedrooms use a 3 point lighting system that includes 2 lamps and 1 ceiling fixture. Try lamps that omit a low indirect light the area. If you're not into lamps scones provide a soft illumination and act as wall art. Replace you big intrusive ceiling light with one that provides a soft clean light and is connected to a dimmer. Splurge on your ceiling light and choose a piece that adds texture, evokes conversation, sets the mood and reinforces your style. Also, always have candles readily available. They smell great and are an erotic source of soft light. Not to mention, EVERYONE looks sexy in candlelight. To create a visual centerpiece with candles use naked candles (candles that are not in containers) with varying heights to add depth and place them on a tray that will catch the melted wax preventing it from spilling over causing a fire hazard. 

 Mirrors

Despite what cheap hotels suggest, mirrors on the ceiling are not sexy. However, a large standing or wall mirror can be sexy. It allows you to watch yourself during your romantic encounters and can be moved at your leisure. If you're self conscious remember your silhouette will look great in candlelight and add to your excitement. Plus standing mirrors add light to your room and give you an opportunity to check yourself out before heading out for the day. 

Music

Music is the finishing touch to a sexy bedroom. Songs with a slow tempo and deep beats are essential for setting the mood. Create a seductive playlist with music that starts out mid tempo and gradually slows down. Not sure on what songs to choose? Don't worry, I send out playlists to everyone on my email list every few months. Join my list by leaving your email in the bar at the bottom right of this page. I'll deliver a playlist to you inbox with the promise of more to come.

There are many things in life you can't control, your bedroom is not one of them. Take control of your bedroom and transform it into an alluring oasis. Your bedroom serves two purposes sleep and sex. I promise a sexy bedroom ambience will lead to better sleep and even better sex!

How are you going to turn up the heat in your bedroom? 

Ingredients

Start by choosing a gentle cleanser that will cleanse without stripping moisture from your hair. Avoid products with harsh damaging ingredients like sulfates and parabens. Instead opt for Bentonite Clay and Rhassoul Clay to detoxify your scalp removing dirt and buildup. 

Wash

Your scalp deserves to be treated with as much care as you give to your hair. The pores in your scalp get clogged from products, dirt, sweat, and environmental toxins. Don't skip or attempt to replace washing your hair with co-washing. Co washing is only acceptable when it is done in addition to washing your hair regularly. Co-washing does not replace washing your hair and scalp. Your hair and scalp should be washed at least every two weeks for kinky hair and more frequently for curly to straight hair.

Exfoliate

In order to properly cleanse your scalp make sure you apply cleanser to the roots of your hair and massage it into you head using your fingertips not your nails. To amplify your wash routine try the Dirty Curl Cleansing & Conditioning Clay to exfoliate and lift any dead skin revealing a soft and supple scalp for your luscious locks to grow from. 

Moisturize

Immerse your scalp to an oil treatment to avoid flakes. Apply a warm oil blend to your scalp several times per week. The oil blend should nourish your scalp leaving it supple and quenched. It should also relieve dryness and itchiness while also soothing any irritation caused by scratching. The easy applicator tip and blend of botanical oils makes Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil makes it perfect for a flourishing scalp. After applying the oil massage it into your scalp to improve circulation and promote hair growth. 

Release

Release the tension on your scalp by allowing your curls to fall naturally instead of being pulled into tight ponytails and updo's. Constant pulling caused by hair bands and styles like ponytails cause tension on your hair and scalp which can lead to breakage. Choose styles that are low manipulation and aren't so tight that it looks like you got a face lift.  If you ever experience a headache from a hair style take it down immediately. Tension that is not relieved can lead to breakage permanent hair and scalp damage.

Once you begin to care for you scalp in addition to your hair you will see an improvement in the health of your curls. What are your tips for maintaining a healthy scalp?

So often women take care of everyone else before they take care of themselves. We have been taught it’s selfish to put ourselves first. This is not true. The most selfless thing women can do it care for themselves first.

Over the past few years, self care has become a catch phrase with meanings varying from a day at the spa, enjoying a hot yoga class to sipping on a green smoothie. Truth is self care is all of these things and more. I believe self care exists in 4 realms; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

 Physical

Self care of your physical body simply means caring for the vessel your spirit lives in. You have 1 body to last your entire life, so it’s absolutely necessary you treat it with care. While the saying cleanliness is close to Godliness holds true in my opinion taking care of your body goes beyond good hygiene (although that’s a good start).

• Your skin is your biggest organ and it absorbs everything it comes in contact with. Make sure the products you use nourish you skin and try avoiding harmful ingredients that damage your skin.
• Exercise benefits you internally and is reflected externally, hello sexy body. Exercise also helps to maintain a healthy weight.
• Choose healthy foods. By eating clean and decreasing the amount of processed food you consume you will fuel your body instead of slowing it down.
• Drink water 90% of the time. It moisturizes your body including your hair and skin and it helps maintains a healthy vagina.
• Love you body no matter your size, height, complexion or your physical features.

Mental

Mental care is being in a state of well-being and having the abilities to cope with the stresses of life (work, family, friends…). It focuses on your psychological and social wellness. Caring for your mental health is often overlooked because of the stigma and shame that comes with mental illness. Don’t be afraid to seek the council of a professional because they help identify and manage stress, tension, fear, and anxiety we all experience. Maintain your mental wellness by trying a few of these techniques.

• Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, dopamine, serotonin which regulates your mood.
• Seek treatment for mental health issues or to just have a non biased person to talk to who can help you work through your concerns.
• Get enough sleep so your mind stays clear and focused
• Adult coloring books help are therapeutic and have the same effects a meditation on the brain.
• Epsom salt baths ease stress and helps flush toxins from the body.

Emotional

It’s no secret that women are emotional. Instead of celebrating how powerful we are by honoring our feelings we are shunned for being too emotional. This has lead to a generation of women (and men for that matter) who have difficulty working through their emotions. Anger has become a cover for pain or fear that was never dealt with causing us to live in a world full of angry and afraid people. It’s time to acknowledge your emotions and take the time to discover the reason for your pain. It’s time to destroy the fears that once destroyed you. It’s time we learn to love ourselves and stop judging ourselves so harshly. It time to forgive yourself for past mistakes and forgive others so that you can move on with your life. Emotional healing is a long and difficult process but in the end you will love and be at peace with who you are. Diving into buried emotions is one of the most freeing things you can do for yourself.

• Show some love to someone in your life.
• Journal it’s a way to release your feelings. When you look back on past entries you can see your growth.
• Avoid negative self talk and replace it with a mantra or affirmation that makes you feel good about yourself.
• Spend time with friends/family doing something fun that will make you laugh

Spiritual

Spirituality is not religion. Religion is a set of beliefs and actions you take that align with your belief. Spirituality is the connection you have with your spirit. Everyone has a spirit It’s the thing inside of you that makes you who you are. It’s the voice inside that we so often ignore. It the essence of who you are.

• Meditation males you focus on staying present in the moment and allows you clear your mind of distractions and listen to your internal voice.
• Yoga can be a form of meditative exercise that includes movements that stretch the body and release tension.
• Show gratitude by finding at least 3 things a day to be thankful for, no matter how small.
• Have sex with someone you have a deep connection with and feel comfortable enough to receive and give pleasure. Need I say more.

No matter what methods you choose to incorporate into your self care routine make sure you do something for yourself every single day. You are worthy of your time, attention and love. Remember where attention goes energy flows.

What is your favorite form of self care? Is there anything you do that is not listed? Do share…

Chemical Straighteners

I am all about kissing straight hair goodbye and saying hello to seductive curls. Hell, it is my motto. However, if you are a girl who likes to straighten your curls every now and then thats fine. However, I beg you to step away from the chemical straightening products. Relaxers, perms, or whatever you call them are not your friend. They are made to break down the curls and essentially break down your hair making it weak, dry, and brittle. The chemical ingredients wreak havoc burning scabs into your scalp and damaging the hair strands and follicles. Please do yourself a favor and leave chemical straighteners in 2016.

Complex Hair Care Regimens

Speaking of kissing use the K.I.S.S. method (keep it simple sexy) when creating a hair care regimen. You shouldn't spend more than 30 minutes per day on your style and no more than 2 hours to wash and style your hair. If you are guilty of using an ungodly amount of products to style your hair your regimen is too complex. Decrease the number of products you use in your hair by adding multi-use products into your regimen, like Dirty Curl Cleansing and Conditioning Clay. This not only saves you time but it'll also reduce the buildup in your hair while decreasing the total amount of money spend on hair products and it will free up space in your bathroom. My wash day collection cleans, conditions and moisturizes your curls with multi-use products that last numerous uses. Less is more, less frequent manipulation and fewer products. 

Dry Curls

The enemy of all naturally curly hair is lack of moisture. Moisturizing your hair starts from the moment you wash your curls. Stop using cleansers that strip the moisture from your hair and replace them with moisturizing cleansers that hydrate your natural hair. I personally love the L.O.C. / L.C.O. method for restoring moisture to brittle tresses. You can also moisturize your hair from the inside out by drinking more water. You should aim to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water daily. So, if you weigh 200 pounds you need to drink 100 ounces every day. Your body needs water to function and when you are dehydrated water will be routed to the vital areas of your body first and your curls will be high and dry.

Split Ends

Split ends and knots are annoying. They develop in the ever so fragile ends and work their way up shredding your strands. Stop split ends by getting regular trims every 8 - 12 weeks (more frequently if you comb, manipulate or use heat on your hair). Avoid skipping trims by scheduling all of your salon visits for the year now. In between salon visits treat your curls to a hot oil treatment applied to your scalp and hair to combat split ends and knots. I apply warm Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil before washing my hair and sit under the steamer (or dryer if you don't have a steamer) for 20 minutes. 

Curl Envy

There is nothing wrong with admiring the beauty of someone else's hair. However, never love anyone's hair more than you love yours. If you are struggling to love your hair set aside time to learn about your hair texture, how to care for your curls and find styles that suite your unique curl pattern and length. It breaks my heart when I hear women say they can't wear their hair curly because it's to frizzy, kinky, or not curly enough. Embrace the curls you have and flaunt your sexy curls well into 2017 and beyond.

What bad hair habits are you leaving in 2016? 

GET LENGTH QUICK SCHEMES

I'm talking about the ever growing (pun intended) to do list of crazy things that will make your hair grow. Look, it is not possible to make your hair to grow inches overnight. It is impossible. No matter how many jars of Vicks Vapor Rub you apply to your head, how long you lay with your head up-side down (the inversion method), how many magic pills you take or how much yeast infection cream you apply to your scalp your hair will not grow to epic lengths overnight. Hair growth is achieved through consistent healthy hair practices. So please leave the Vicks hair treatments, vajayjay creams, inversion method, and any other rapid hair growth schemes in last year.

LENGTH OVER HEALTH

No matter how long your hair is, if it isn't healthy it is not cute. There is nothing worse that seeing someone who is holding on to a scraggly, thin, damaged pony tail of dead strands. For the love of your hair, cut all ties with dry, damaged, dead hair. Start over adopt a healthy hair regime and grow a head of healthy hair.  Always, always, always choose healthy hair over damaged hair. Healthy hair will always win over long hair. 

SHRINKAGE SHADE

Shrinkage is not the devil. Shrinkage is not your enemy. Shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair full of elasticity and 'bounce back'. If your naturally curly hair stops shrinking and starts lying around like a limp noodle, you need to be concerned because thats a sign of hair damage. Going forward embrace the shrinkage, that's your hair showing you it is healthy. 

OVERCOMPLICATED HAIR ROUTINES

I don't know about you but I don't have the time, counter space, or mental energy for a hair regimen that takes 10+ products and has 10+ steps. Overcomplicated hair regimens will make you go from loving wash day to dreading wash day. As a busy woman, with a full life there is no need to spend an excess amount of time, money, and stress making your hair care routine more complicated than it has to be. In 2018 aim to simplify your wash day to 5 products or less.

TEXTURE ENVY / TEXTURE HATE

Natural hair comes in so many different textures, thickness, density... Instead of focusing on the hair you don't have or wish you had, focus on the hair you have and discover what makes it so beautiful. Once you learn the secrets of your hair's beauty flaunt it. Show off your beautiful mane! Yes, you can admire the beauty of someone else's hair, just make sure you don't forget the beauty of your hair too. 

Here's to a New Year with of a head of beautiful, healthy hair, sexy as f*ck natural hair! 

Baby, it's cold outside! Tis' the season for dropping temps, snow, and cold air. As winter creeps in it's time to make a few essential changes to your curly hair care routine to protect it from damage. These simple tricks will help you maintain healthy natural hair this season.

Steam Treatments

Steam treatments are a guaranteed way to get hot and bothered. Steam is an indirect form of heat that adds moisture to your hair by gently opening up your cuticles so that moisture can enter your hair strands. The heat from the steamer will soften your curls and refresh dry hair. 

To really turn up the heat coat your strands with Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner and sit under a hooded steamer for 5 - 10 minutes. If you have a hand held steamer apply conditioner to sectioned hair and steam each section for 3 - 5 minutes. If you don't have a steamer, no worries...after applying conditioner put a plastic shower cap over your curls and then cover the shower cap with a hot damp towel. Once the towel is secured in place turn your bathroom into your personal steam room by taking a hot shower. After your shower remove the towel and shower cap and allow your hair to soak in the steam. Then style your hair as normal.

Moisturize Daily

Not only is the outside air cool and dry but the dry heat from the heaters in your home can wreak havoc on your hair. To replenish the moisture the heat zapps from your hair you must moisturize your hair daily. The best way to moisturize is to apply moisture in layers.  If you use the L.O.C. method (applying a liquid, followed by oil and finishing with a cream) it's time to switch to the L.C.O. method (switching the order and applying oil last). Also, if you use water only as a liquid moisturizer switch to a liquid leave in conditioner. I recommend using Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner because it conditions and moisturizes your hair using aloe vera juice to keep your curls hydrated and healthy. The most important tip is to finish with an oil to lock in the moisture so it doesn't evaporate so quickly. Also, give you ends a little extra love  by coating them with oil to reduce breaking. This is so important because your ends are fragile. As the ends of your hair rubs against sweaters and wool dryness and breakage can increase. However, a little oil will protect them from breaks and knots.

Scalp Treatments

As your hair becomes dry so does your skin, especially on your scalp. During the winter you may see an increase in the dryness and flakes on your scalp. The best way to combat flakes and itchiness is by adding scalp treatments into your routine. At least three to four times per week you should apply warm oil to your scalp and massage it in. May I suggest the Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil it's a light and potent oil so it won't make your hair too greasy, it helps prevent flakes, and smells amazing. 

Wrap Your Curls In Satin

One of the easiest ways to protect your naturally curly hair from the cold weather is to wear a hat. However, if not worn properly hats can do more harm than good. Before you slip on your fav wool hat, beanie or scarf make sure you wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf. It will help protect your hair from static and damage caused by your hair rubbing against hats. 

No Wash N' Go's

Protective styles are ideal for cold weather because they are low maintenance meaning less hair manipulation and possibly less breakage and because they keep your fragile ends protected.  They also help you maintain moisture during the dry months. Protective styles can range from mini-twists, braids, or even buns which is my winter time fave. If you're not a protective style kinda girl I understand just make sure you avoid wash n' go's like an ex-boyfriend from hell. Wash n' go's take a long time to dry and you never want to leave the house with wet hair. Not only can wet hair cause you to get sick but wet hair mixed with cold dry air is a recipe for damage that'll lead to dry brittle hair.

These simple adjustments to your winter regimen will lead to healthy locs now and through the summer when you can flaunt your curls. How have you changed your haircare routine and what tips would you add?  

Show off your playful side and add sparkle to your new year festivities with this fun confetti bun. If you love the look but want something more subdued use silver of gold glitter in place of the confetti. 

Oh, and if your curls are too short for these styles you can always add extensions or embrace your cropped curls and add a simple headband, hair pin, or sexy side part.

Whether you prefer sexy sophisticated styles or bold buns there is look that will show off your personality. Which style are you thinking about wearing at your next holiday celebration?

As a newbie learning to care for your naturally curly hair can be confusing. Your emotions can go from excitement about a new style to frustration because your hair isn't cooperating. Your emotions can go from excitement about a new style to frustration because your hair isn't cooperating. Don't let the frustration consume you. Get a jump start on your journey to loving your curly hair by avoiding these common myths and mistakes.

Wash 'N Go's Are A Hoax

A Wash 'N Go involves much more than washing your hair and going on about your day. There is no such thing as washing and going. A wash n' go involves a minimum of 5 steps; wash, condition, detangle, moisturize, and style. Also, if you add gel to your styling routine drying can take forever (1 - 2 days depending on how thick and porous your curls are). 

Detangling

Detangling can be a nightmare for curly hair because it's more prone to tangles. The tighter your curls are the more fragile they are making them easier to tangle and break. To prevent your curly hair from breaking carefully detangle your hair in small sections using a comb or your fingers. Finger detangling is also an option, but it can take hours! Decrease your detangling time by creating and following a hair care regimen that reduces tangles and involves an simple go to style, like a twist-out (If you don't have a hair care regimen scroll to the bottom of the page and pop your email in the box to receive a complimentary curly hair guide).

All Hair Is Good Hair

Curly hair is your fingerprint. It's unique to you and although it may have similarities to others the way your hair behaves is like a mystery that you have to solve. Some mysteries are easy to solve others take a little more investigation. No matter your hair texture your job is to discover what works for you. It's okay to look at the way other people's hair responds and appreciate it's beauty but it's more important to love your hair and unlock the secrets it holds. No matter what you do, never compare your hair to other's in a negative way. Instead find things about your hair you love. This can sometimes be easier said than done especially when everything around you says straight hair is prettier. However, it's your job to revolt against beauty standards that don't recognize your beauty. In a world that tells you that you are not enough the most rebellious thing you can do is love yourself, unapologetically. 

Hair Products Are Not Created Equal

Everything that you know about hair care products prior to wearing your hair curly is useless information. Products you used to maintain straight hair will do nothing for your curly hair. Curly hair is special and has different needs. The best products for curly hair are made with vegetable and fruit based ingredients and contain water. Quality products are free from harsh chemicals linked to medical ailments. Stay away from products that claim to moisturize but are laced with drying alcohols such as; Ethanol, SD Alcohol, Propyl, and Isopropyl. Instead look for Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol which are beneficial for hair and add moisture. You should also avoid sulfates which strip the moisture from your hair leaving it dry and brittle. Read about ingredients I use to maximize the moisture retention here.

Shrinkage Isn't The Devil, Dryness Is

Curly hair is dry, really dry and the tighter the curl, the dryer the hair. At some point you will struggle with maintaining moisturized hair and that is normal. As a girl with curls, your biggest job is to maintain moisturized curls. To combat dryness you need hair products that are formulated with ingredients that add moisture. To keep your hair from drying out moisturize your curls every other day or nightly as needed. Layer your moisturizing products such as Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner and Sweet Cream Daily Moisturizer and lock in the moisture with a light coating of oil, try the Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil. You should always sleep on silk/satin bonnet or pillowcase and avoid cotton like a bad ex boyfriend. Moisturized healthy hair not only looks better, it is easier to maintain and it breaks less frequently.

What do you wish you knew before going natural? Let me know in the comments below.

Knowing when you wash curly hair depends on several factors including: 

• Hair texture
• Sebum production
• Product use
• Length
• Lifestyle

Wavy Hair

Hair that has a loose wavy texture will get oily as quickly as 2 - 3 days. This is a result of sebum (the natural oil your scalp produces) traveling down the follicles of hair from root to end. The sebum coats your hair leaving an a waxy feeling to your strands. The sebum combined with buildup from product use makes wavy hair oily and appear greasy and weighed down. As a result wavy hair needs to washed more frequently no more than 2 - 3 times per week. To remove surface oil alternating washing and co-washing (every week hair is washed and co-washed) wavy hair since your hair is cleansed so frequently. 

Curly Hair

In curly hair the sebum has difficulty traveling the length of the hair. Curls make it hard for sebum to travel the length of the hair. The result is hair that is oily at the scalp and a few inches from the scalp and dry at the ends. Curly hair is equivalent to combination skin because it's oily in some places and dry in others. Finding a balance between being too oily and too dry is key. Curly hair can be washed weekly to remove dirt and buildup. In the event your curly hair feels dirty before the end of the week saturating the hair with water or co-washing can be used as a technique to remove surface dirt. However, co-washing does not replace washing with a cleanser and should not be done in lieu of weekly washing.

Kinky Hair

Kinky hair is dry and prone to breakage as a result of being so dry. There are so many twists, turns, and coils in kinky hair that the sebum gets stuck and doesn't make it down the length of the hair, which is why it's dry from root to tip. Usually kinky hair requires the use of heavy products to maintain moisture. The heavy products are quickly absorbed by kinky hair so hair doesn't feel oily as quickly as with wavy or curly hair. However, the increased used of heavy products and the sebum buildup on the scalp (because it can't travel down hair strands) can lead to an increase of product buildup on the scalp. Also, kinky hair is more prone to tangles and breakage so less manipulation is more ideal. Kinky hair can go longer between washing than wavy and curly hair. While weekly washings are ideal kinky hair can go up to 2 weeks between washings. 

Additional factors that influence how frequently you wash your hair include the length of your hair. Shorter hair is easier to wash and maintain. It's also easier for sebum to coat your strands because it has less distance to travel. Your personal lifestyle also plays a major role in your hair care choices. If you exercise frequently, live in hot climate or sweat a lot in your scalp you may need to wash more frequently.

Signs your hair needs to be washed include:

• Product buildup
• Dry flakey scalp
• Itchiness
• Sour smell
• Lack luster hair

Play around with a wash routine until you find one that fits into your lifestyle and allows your hair to flourish without being dirty. Pay attention to your hair and how it responds You may find you need to switch up your regimen every now and again as your hair and lifestyle changes. 

How often do you wash your curls?