I thought I would:

1.  Wake up feeling free and liberated …
Although having natural hair is liberating and has its perks, sometimes I miss my longer, straight hair that falls to my shoulders and blows in the wind.

2.  Just wash and go …
Whoever came up with this saying forgot to name a few steps in between. I must wash, condition, apply leave-in conditioner, oil, and styling product, then go.  And I have to wait 4-6 hours for my hair to air dry completely.

3.  Look like a boy …
I’m relieved this thought proved false for me!  Although I think that women with pronounced bone structures are gorgeous, I’m glad that my face is soft and feminine enough to balance a short, somewhat bold cut.

4.  Wear big earrings to feminize my look …
Since I wear glasses (cat-eye frames), wearing big earrings looks too over-the-top.  My face can’t handle two statement pieces.  So I’m stuck wearing studs and small hoops, unless I want to draw tons of attention.

5.  Walk in light rain without an umbrella …
Sprinkles and sparse showers seem harmless enough, but my hair is moisture sensitive.  So if my hair is already dry, even a few droplets turn my cute curls and coils into fuzzy frizzies.

Top 10 Must-Haves To Rock Your Natural Hair On A Budget

How To Treat Summer-Damaged Hair

To follow my hair journey, please subscribe to bronzeBELEZA on YouTube and check HelloBeautiful for updates!

What began as a local hair brand is now commercially sold all around the world. Celebrities fans include Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Halle Barry, Angela Yee, Elle Varner, Erykah Badu and more.

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN “MISS JESSIE’S SAMPLER PACK!”

The Miss Jessie’s salon began in Brooklyn, NY  before finding its new home in downtown Manhattan. “We’ve been in Brooklyn for ten years. Brooklyn is our home but as the brand got larger and became a brand that was more on the national stage, we felt like people are coming to New York–why not give them a retail experience and environment they can experience,” said Titi, co-founder of Miss Jessie’s.

Upon walking into their Soho location, you are greeted affectionately while you wait for your hair appointment or to make a product purchase. If you are new to the store,  a consultant will help direct you to the right products.“What we want to bring to the curl market is a sense of ‘prescriptiveness’ because the products are rooted in a salon culture and you are getting professional results.”

With “Curly Pudding” as its most popular hair product, Miss Jessie’s has a variety of products for natural hair, including shampoos, hair treatments, curling creams and more.

These sisters, Miko and Titi, are truly passionate about natural hair, but our visit to the salon did not end there, we also got a hair demonstration!

Take a look below!

If you haven’t tried the products already or if you are a fan of the line they are currently having a sale you want to be a part of you can definitely do it now! Starting November 25th –December 31st when you by one, you get the other for FREE! Check out the link here!

Follow Miss Jessie’s on twitter @miss_jessies

How To Keep Natural Hair Moisturized In The Winter [VIDEO]
Why Can’t Black Women Do Their Own Hair Anymore?

Top 3 Best Leave-In Conditioners For Natural Hair [REVIEW]

Find me on twitter: @NessaLovesMusic

How To Keep Natural Hair Moisturized In The Winter [VIDEO]

How To Twist Your Hair Into A Quick, But Chic Bun

5 Misconceptions About Natural Hair

For one, make sure to rinse hair with cool water because it closes the hair cuticles and gives your hair a shine. Carla also explains how to treat hair using Pantene’s relaxed and natural shampoo and conditioner from her salon, Styles New York.

View the video with our hair model Kaeisha and get ideas on how to maintain your mane!

Follow Me On Twitter @NessaLovesMusic!

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Check Out The Best Beauty Shops In My Hometown

1. My Hair Is Healthy
I’ve had a relaxer since 3rd grade. I’ve also had an extremely healthy head of hair my entire life. Save some stress induced moments, I’ve never had problems with breakage, my hair falling out or an inability to maintain healthy hair. In fact, my hair grows so fast, men, co-workers and friends comment frequently. So that said, no, the creamy crack isn’t killing my scalp. I’m good over here, thanks.

2. I’m Lazy
For some reason people seem to think going natural is less maintenance. Yeah, not so much! Do you realize how much more effort goes in to conditioning, “training”, deep-conditioning, texturizing and curly pudding research in order to maintain a healthy head of natural hair?  I’m lazy and have no desire to do all of that.

3. Natural Women Can’t Stop Talking About Being Natural
Of course this is a gross generalization, but have you ever been out with two women who meet for the first time and realize they are both natural? For the next 15 minutes the table conversation will be completely focused on their natural hair journey. When did you go natural? What products do you use? How does your curl pattern fall in the summer vs. winter? Have you ever tried “Mixed Chicks”? Le Sigh. Strike up India Arie again.

4. The In-Between Phase
Smh. Have you ever met up with a girlfriend you haven’t seen in four to six months and her head is looking um, er, rough? Yep, she’s growing out her perm. Suddenly she’s rocking headbands and scarves when she previously didn’t own such things. Then one day she just chops her hair off completely and she’s rocking an undefined ‘fro. I have no desire to do that–none whatsoever.

5. I like My Hairstyle
I wear my hair short. Nia Long/Halle Berry Short. That requires my hair to lay flat against my head. I like the way my hair looks and to be honest, if I didn’t have a perm, it wouldn’t be able to look like that. It’s my personal style choice and it took me years to figure it out. For the time being I’m rocking short-hair-don’t-care. Can I live?

I’m always in support of Black women rocking their beauty in whichever style they desire and give mad props to the natural hair chicks.  I write this article in jest, but honestly, let’s just chill out with all the hair talk. Please stop selling me a dream that I’m going to become a more “authentic” Black woman if I stop getting a relaxer. No one (including years of white oppression) is “forcing” me to straighten my hair. Choosing to get rid of my relaxer would not signify some personal revelation of freedom for me. My hair is not a lifestyle choice it’s a style choice. Come on y’all, it’s hair–just hair. And the real beauty of this whole thing is that today, we can all choose to do what we want with it.

Are you ‘happy to be nappy’ or ‘addicted to creamy crack’? Follow me on twitter @leighdav and let’s talk about it!

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You can follow me on twitter @NessaLovesMusic!

Celebrity Photos:

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Welcome to Strand Therapy! brought to you by Your Partner In “Natural” Style— Design Essentials Natural. Strand Therapy is your one-stop-shop for all things natural! If you are currently transitioning, not sure what styles are best for your hair type, or if you need help maintaining your kinky curly tresses (or straightening them) then this is the place for you!

To kick things off, we’re proud to present our “Top 10 Must-Haves to Rock Your Natural Hair on a Budget.”  Whether you are newly natural or a seasoned natural going through transitions, here are some great tips to keep your curls and coils coiffed and sexy while on a shoestring budget:

1. Make your own leave-in conditioner with a spray bottle, conditioner, and water.
2. Use apple cider vinegar as a final rinse to break down the harsh chemicals present in the water.
3. Don’t forget about hair oil! (Oils moisturize the scalp, provide nutrients to the hair, and promote hair growth).
4. Consider making your own deep conditioners by mixing household nourishing ingredients (honey, apple cider, bananas, vinegar, eggs, avocado, and mayonnaise)
5. Plastic caps are great for deep conditioning. Once applied to the head, it locks in the moisture and provides heat. It’s also another great alternative to using a hooded hair dryer when secured around the head with a hot towel.
6. Use a Flaxseed Styling Gel as it promotes hair growth, leaves hair feeling soft, moisturized, shiny, and healthy.
7. Use a Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. Stay away from baking soda as it can strip the hair of moisture. (Sulfate-free shampoos reduce hair irritation, hair loss, color fading, and frizziness).
8. Essential Styling tools should include: bobby pins, satin scarf, tail comb, blow dryer, diffuser, butterfly clips and rubber row brush.
9. Indulge in essential oils.  There are so many to choose from!  Lavender oils calm and soothe the scalp. Basil stimulates hair growth. Tea Tree decreases scalp dryness. Click here to learn more about essential oils and their benefits.
10. Patience is very important when learning to style and maintain your hair.  It’s important to allocate time to style your hair and stick to a regimen. It will pay off!.

To learn more about Design Essentials® Natural and to win free natural hair care products, be sure to visit us at www.designessentials.com.  You may also “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter (@designessntials).  We recently participated in the Fall 2011 World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta, GA and provided great natural maintenance and styling tips for professionals and consumers, not to mention provided some awesome giveaways!  If you missed the fun, check out our online slideshow from the event.  We were also joined by Mae Tapp of NaturalChica.com who hosted our on-site natural giveaways (Thanks, Mae!).

Don’t forget to send your hair questions to strandtherapy@gmail.com!

Bye, Beautiful!

Why Can’t Black Women Do Their Own Hair Anymore?

Top 3 Best Leave-In Conditioners For Natural Hair [REVIEW]

I have many friends that dedicate Saturday’s to sitting in the hair salon waiting for that perfect color and blowout. I have heard endless discussions on what financial sacrifices need to be made to have enough money for a new weave and have even witnessed people cancelling their social plans because they didn’t have enough money for a trip to the salon.

From the moment my mother gave me the creative control, I have always styled my own hair, which is long, textured and thick.  It took me a long time to learn what products and techniques worked best with my hair. I have watched many Youtube videos, read dozens of hair articles and have had numerous conversations with other women with natural hair to discover what works best for them. In addition to ongoing research, I often test different hair products and styling tools.

Why I Only Let White Stylists Cut My Hair

Before I really understood the best way to do my hair, I was not conditioning it properly and I didn’t know that combing my hair while damp prevents breakage. Through my personal hair journey, I have learned to apply leave-in conditioner faithfully. I’ve also learned to that it’s better to straighten my hair during fall and winter months. It’s also healthier to allow my hair to air-dry before blow-drying it straight.

Styling my natural hair is not easy, but after years of practice I’ve learned how to successfully tame my mane.  This is to not say I have never been to a salon for a blowout or color, but I do not have to rely on a hairstylist to keep me looking beautiful. I believe anyone can do the same no matter the texture or length, it will just take time.

Ladies, do not be afraid. You can comb your hair without adding tracks, you can wash and blow-dry it without going to the salon, and you can save $60 a month or more if you spend Saturday’s home studying your tresses.  In the same way you’ve learned to wear weaves, maintain a perm, or hunt down the fancy and expensive hair stylist; I challenge you to learn, love and care for your own tresses!

Bye Bye Relaxed Hair, Hello Natural Hair!

Here, Ilonzeh shares her intense audition process, working with Hollywood powerhouse Drew Barrymore, and why she proudly waves her “curly girl” flag high.

Let’s talk about the hair.  When you landed the role of Kate Prince, was there ever a discussion in how you would wear your hair?
Yeah, we did talk about it like, “So, what can we do with this kind of hair?”  Women are embracing their natural hair, which is great, but we don’t always do that as African-American women. Sometimes we’ll perm it or put some tracks in it, which is awesome because we like play and explore.  I wear my hair natural, but I have a few pieces I’ll use when I go undercover on the show.  But the producers want me to wear my hair natural, to be true to Annie, instead of washing me into a different person, of what society thinks is more appealing.

READ THE REST HERE!

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1. Sedal Ondas Definidas: This is a Spanish brand that works as a protective coating on my hair. It locks in moisture and holds my natural curl pattern. It has a creamy consistency and goes onto the hair lightly, similar to how regular conditioner feels.

I usually run it through my hair while it’s wet and it holds the shape I make while styling. As it dries, my waves are prominent, and do not frizz throughout the day. I can also use the leave-in while my hair is dry.

The real steal comes if you can buy this from Dominican Republic, it’s $3 and they last pretty long, stock up if you ever go! Also, Sedal offers products for color-treated hair that are sold for about $8-$9 at your local beauty supply store. While Sedal is written in Spanish, there is usually a sticker on the back translating the ingredients and benefits in English.

Just as an extra tip: Sometimes I use the regular hair conditioner from Sedal collection as a leave-in and it works just as well, great for daily use.

2. Kinky Curly Original Curling Custard: This is a bit pricey ($39) but worth it if used the right way. I was introduced to it last summer. I won it from a blogger’s giveaway contest in 2009 and my tub finished this past December; that’s over a year that it lasted.  This product is not exactly a leave-in because it has the consistency of a gel. It does not have alcohol in it like gel normally does, but it dries and lightly hardens in a way that wears off throughout the day.

The trick that I found beneficial is to use it is as a coating, a light glaze over the hair to catch and style edges. Kinky Curly is a watery custard and takes a long time to dry if using a lot. Whenever I use it, I use no more than a dollop as a finishing touch. Wearing it as a bonus is the tip that will make it last longer and dry faster.

3. African Pride Olive Miracle Leave-In Conditioner: I was able to grab a bottle in the office a few weeks ago and first tried it on my hair when it was lightly dampened with water.

Remember: styling natural hair works best when damp. Do not fight with your tresses when they are dry, that causes severe breakage. After using Olive Miracle for the first time I thought it worked well and had a sweet smell also. However, when I used it as a “wash-n-go” product, it did not work as well, but when I used the product for a “braid-out” it worked great.

To do this look, I washed my hair and parted my hair in about six parts and added a small amount of the leave-in on each section I braided. I repeated this throughout and when my hair dried, I unbraided my hair and lightly fingered it and got compliments all day from the results! Use this for specific styling  such as a “braid-out.”

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I wore a lot of phony ponies, buns, braids, twists, looking a HAM styles…I didn’t have a set regimen. I went through hell some weeks/months. But it was a learning experience and I enjoyed it most of the time.

Check out her videos here

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Although I doubted whether or not I could pull off an extremely short haircut, I went through with the big chop without tears or hesitation.  And I was somewhat nervous to wear my short, coily hair in public, but I quickly overcame my fear.  Chopping most of my hair off and publicly showing my teeny weeny afro has definitely added to my self-confidence.

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I’ve realized that if I emit confidence, others will respond in a generally positive way.  People are attracted to the portrayal of strength and character; they admire it, regardless of how bold or crazy the hair, makeup, or clothes one wears.  So not worrying about what others think has actually resulted in numerous compliments from friends, family, and strangers, which further encourage me in my natural hair journey.

One month in, I have settled into a hair regimen that is simple, yet effective.  By researching products and practices, I was able to adopt an easy routine that works well for me.  I wash and condition my hair every 2-3 days.  Afterward, I use a leave-in conditioner, essential oils, and a moisturizer to nourish my kinky, curly hair.  Some days, I apply styling gel to wet hair to provide extra curl definition.

How To Treat Summer-Damaged Hair

Overall, I have no regrets, and I am happy with my decision to grow naturally textured hair.  Though I can’t wait for my hair to grow longer, I am enjoying the ease, compliments, and self-assurance that come with my short and natural hair.

To follow my hair journey, check HelloBeautiful for updates and subscribe to bronzeBELEZA on YouTube.

Sam Villa’s SLEEKR flat iron is for the everyday woman who cares about keeping healthy hair while achieving salon styled looks at home.

First thing I always look for in a flat iron is the plates. The SLEEKR’s ceramic plates deliver even heat distribution throughout the entire iron and are sensitive enough to not damage the fine hair but strong enough to straighten even the thickest tresses. SLEEKR also coats the plates with Tourmaline which adds extra shine and a smooth finish.

Another important thing in the search for a flat iron is keeping in mind the protection of color treated hair. If your iron is too hot, the heat will loosen the color treating chemical causing a fade or dullness of color over time and even rinse out some of the color during your next shampoo. Well with the SLEEKR, there is a setting for color treated hair that is strategically set to get hot enough do the job while keeping in mind to preserve your fabulous color.

Don’t think Sam Villa forgot about us natural hair ladies. There’s a special ‘virgin hair’ setting with low heat specifically targeted for natural hair to protect from breakage and heat damage.

The light indicator let’s you know when it’s hot and ready to use, I barely had time to part my hair into sections before the SLEEKR heated all the way up! Once your SLEEKR is heated to the desired setting and you’re ready to go, it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Select the desired section to be flat ironed. The SLEEKR allows you to control the amount of pressure your hair gets from the flat iron. Start at the root of your hair, press down as hard or little as you’d like and take a slow glide down the strands of hair. What’s great about the SLEEKR is you don’t have to run over the same piece of hair more than once. Take your time on the first time through and it will be all you need!

2. My favorite thing to do when flat ironing my hair is to also treat it like a curling iron and curl my ends as I go. The barrel on the SLEEKR is perfect for that! Wide enough to cover a good amount of hair during the flat ironing process but small and round enough to draw a sexy curl for a finishing touch. (See finished look to the left).

3. Edges: We hate them. So sensitive, so exposed and so close to our skin. But they need too much attention to just let them be. Now with the SLEEKR’s adjustable settings, when it comes to the agonizing task of getting the iron close to our face and neck, you can adjust the heat lower for a bearable experience while still getting the hairs straight. The SLEEKR is slim enough to get close to the roots and do a successful once over and be done!

Everything you need to style your hair in one hand. The outcome is shiny, smooth, straight and SLEEK. Don’t forget to add your touch of curl at the end to add more bounce and body to your mane!

What are some flat iron tricks you like to do when styling your hair?

How To Get Straight Hair If You’re A Black Woman [VIDEO]

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Yes, I’ve gone natural! Ha ha! To learn why, watch my hair story. And to follow my hair journey, please subscribe to bronzeBELEZA on YouTube and check HelloBeautiful for updates!

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5 Tips For Women Considering “The Big Chop”

Think you belong here next week?

Join and submit your photos to be featured as ‘Hair Photo of the Week’ next week.

More Bang For Your Buzz [Hair Photo Of The Week]

Short And Sexy, Long And Healthy [Hair Photo Of The Week]

Although many women of color are deciding to do the big chop, it is not the only option for those wishing to grow healthy and natural hair.  Short or long term transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is also a popular option.

I tried transitioning for a little over three months, but I am incredibly happy with my decision do my own big chop a few weeks ago.  And if you are thinking of doing the big chop, here are a few tips on how to make your experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

1. Ask an encouraging, supportive friend to join in on the fun. Positive energy will put you at ease, and every experience is better with a friend to share it with.

2. Research hairstyles for short, natural hair beforehand. After you big chop, you will probably be left with a TWA (teeny weeny afro).  And if you have to go to work, school, or anywhere else the next day, you will definitely want to already have some ideas of hairstyles that will work for your new hair length and texture.

Bye Bye Relaxed Hair, Hello Natural Hair!

3. Buy necessary products before cutting your hair. Unless you don’t mind going out with an untamed mane, be sure to have moisturizers, styling products and utensils, and other materials already on hand.

4. Ask someone you trust to cut your hair. Whether it be your stylist, a relative, or even yourself, make sure that you communicate how important this haircut is to you.  Determine and share your vision for your cut and style to ensure a good outcome.

Why Can’t Black Women Do Their Own Hair Anymore?

5. Remember, it’s only hair. It grows back, so try to enjoy your short hair while it lasts.  And hair doesn’t define your beauty — you do.  So go ahead and rock your natural hair!  But keep in mind that it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

So when June rolled around and my hair was still suffering from the relaxing process and heat damage, I knew it was about time to give my natural hair a chance.  I did my research by reading natural hair blogs and watching lots of natural hair videos on YouTube.  The women on these websites were quite knowledgeable and encouraging; I felt I was finally ready to embark on my natural hair journey.

Although initially, I thought I couldn’t bare to cut all of my relaxed hair off, managing my two hair textures (new growth and relaxed ends) proved too aggravating! So on August 1, 2011, after three months of transitioning, I asked my mom to chop off all of my chemically altered hair.

…To Be Continued…

For more of my hair story, check out this video.  And to follow my hair journey, check HelloBeautiful for updates and subscribe to bronzeBELEZA on YouTube.

How To Keep Your New Short Cut Sassy

Join The Discussion: The Natural Hair Sister

Just know you’re not alone. BlackPlanet’s group for The Natural Sister is a safe place where natural beauties can share their experiences, seek advice or products, styles, salons and even helpful websites.

For those who haven’t joined the movement yet, here’s the forum for you. Get all of your questions and concerns answered and join the discussion with over 50,000 members whether you’re a natural hair newbie or an old school veteran.

Check it out here.

What’s your go-to haven for all things natural hair?

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I, @Nicole_Hardesty, have naturally curly, thick, long hair. I do it myself and just don’t trust anyone else with it. Most importantly, I don’t want to burden anyone else with the chore of dealing with this mane. I even used to go to my Black stylists with my hair already straight to get a trim so she didn’t have to deal with washing, drying and flat-ironing my it.

Over the years, I’ve been very observant and eventually started trimming my own hair. We’re all afraid of those scissor-happy stylists right? Well, there are no fears when the scissors are in my own hand.

The only reason I go to the salon now is to get my hair cut and shaped which only happens once every six months. But when that time does come, I only trust White stylists who specialize in curly hair.

By no means do I think I am too good to go to a Black stylist, but I eventually had to start being realistic about my hair needs. While Black stylists understand natural hair, I’ve had a hard time finding one that understands a fine grain of curly hair.

I’ve done the leg work with products and different salons but most of the products for Black woman want to take your hair from its natural state and make it curly. But what do you do when you already have the desired look the products are trying to sell you?? You find someone who knows how to work with what you’ve already got.

Whenever I’ve gotten my hair cut in layers it would be beautiful when my hair was straight, but when it came time to bring out the curls, I’d look like a Christmas tree – you know the triangle hair that starts flat at the top and gets wider as it goes down?

Black stylists never wanted to tackle my hair with scissors when it was curly. I’ve heard excuse after excuse, “I don’t have the right scissors,” “It won’t come out even,” and “No one gets their hair cut like that.” But I knew that the one reason that it all came down to was they just didn’t know how.

The product I use in my hair is called Devachan. The line was developed by two white women who specialize in curly hair. I looked up their salon in New York City to see if they could help me out.

It was mandatory that I go to my appointment with my hair curly because they cut first then style. My first visit, the White stylist inspected my hair, ran her fingers through it, tugged, pulled, teased and then pulled out her scissors. I felt the need to give her my “make sure you keep my length!” speech, but she had already started cutting.

She took her time and literally cut my hair curl by curl, she shaped it around my face, layered the top and cleaned up my ends. I was thoroughly impressed when she was done but I knew the ultimate test would be when I straightened it. If the Black stylists were right and it came out uneven, I would have wasted $150 and would have had to go even shorter to spare myself the embarrassment.

Once my hair was washed, she used the Devachan leave-in conditioner to control fly-aways and sat me under the dryer for 15 minutes to dry up excess water. The products aren’t heavy so my hair didn’t take long to air dry as I went on about my day.

It was so refreshing finding someone who knew how to treat and understood the needs of MY hair. She knew to finger comb instead of yanking combs and brushes through it and there was no excessive heat or caked on products. She even gave me more tips for taking care of my curly hair.

This White stylist did more for me in one visit than any Black stylist has done for me in the past 10 years. And I’ve only gone to her ever since.

Once I straightened my hair a week later, it was still long, the layers were beautiful and it was even. The perfect cut for both of my hair alter-egos.

Check out the gallery below to see my hair in all its stages.

Ok, let me have it.

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Then there’s the ones that always want to touch a fresh-out-of-the-salon hair do. Let’s not forget those nights in bed – most black men can’t deal with the head scarves, but expect women to have a perfect hair style the next day. And those are just some of the raised comments in the ongoing discussion on BlackPlanet.

Read and discuss more about Black men and the Black woman’s hair in BlackPlanet’s forums.

New Hand Towel Proven To Reduce Frizz & Hair Breakage

How To Treat Colored & Chemically Relaxed African American Hair

I wear my hair straight on most occasions and in the beginning I was quite frustrated getting my roots straight. When I craved a more natural, curly look the two textures of my hair refused to play well and resulted in beautiful coils and waves met with straight uncooperative tresses.

Until I could get a handle on my hair, I decided to go back to basics and try some popular protective styles. Since I was in the transition phase of my hair journey during the winter months, many of these hairstyles came in handy, giving my strands much needed moisture to combat a dry, harsh season.

I visited some of my favorite beauty supply store and web sites to arm myself with some of my favorite key products. I like good, heavy moisturizers and leave-in conditioners that provide a protective coat and keep my hair moist and soft throughout the day. My staple products include Salerm 21 Leave-in conditioner, Mizani Rose H20 Conditioning Hairdress and Pantene’s Daily Oil Cream Moisturizer from their Relaxed and Natural line.

The key to a protective style is moisture, moisture, moisture along with keeping your ends sealed and protected. Here are some of my favorite hairstyles. Also, see the photo gallery at the bottom of this post.

1.      Updo

A nice sweeping bang and a hair comb work wonders when I can’t get my roots straight and I want to keep my ends moist and protected. I like to roll my hair overnight with a good moisturizer then in the morning gently brush my hair upwards to the center of my head and pin the ends underneath, keeping them protected.

2.      Instant Weave (look for a future post on how to select, wear and maintain an instant weave)

The hair at my crown provides a nice bang and disguises my instant weave or half wig while the bulk of my real hair hides underneath, moist and protected. I recommend a thin head cap or skully as the netting under an instant weave can irritate and break dry, brittle hair.

3.      Wash ‘n go

It’s not as simple as it sounds but it’s one of my favorites because there’s absolutely no heat involved. Shampoo and condition your hair then apply your favorite leave-in to very damp hair section by section. I prefer to use Salerm 21 Leave-in Conditioner. Comb hair from crown to end, applying an ample amount of product to your hair. To keep your ends protected pull hair into a pony tail or you can opt to wear it down and let it air dry and coil on its own.

4.      Fake Ponytail (aka Phony Pony)

I love the phony pony when done right. I prefer buying long tracks of hair often used for weaves instead of the manufactured ponytails. I pull my real hair into a ponytail, leaving out my bangs, some strands on the side and kitchen. I slick the ends of my real hair down with a good moisturizer then wrap the tracks carefully around my ponytail. I secure the phony pony with a bobby pin. With a paddle brush I slick the pieces of my real hair previously pulled out and use another band (covered in cloth preferred to prevent breakage) to cover the tracks of the phony pony. This makes the phony pony look a little more authentic. The real key is finding synthetic or human hair that matches your texture and hair color.

5.      Bun

When all else fails, I slick my hair back into a ponytail with a good creamy moisturizer such as Mizani Rose H20 and create a flower bun with the help of bobby pins.

I’m always looking for ideas. Please share your protective hairstyle in the comments or tell me what you think about the ones featured in this post.

Hair Roll Call: Are You Natural or Relaxed?

Discuss the Great Hair Debate: Wigs or Relaxers?

The talk show host was recently spotted at Simyone Lounge in New York City with cast members from “America’s Next Top Model.”

Take a look:

Tyra wears no weaves on next season of ANTM

VIDEO: Tyra & Beyonce get silly on set

One of my missions on CurlyNikki.com, and in my everyday life, is to show the world that naturally curly hair can be chic and glamorous too!  This is the first of many interviews with real life natural hair idols:

CN: How has your routine changed since your first interview on CurlyNikki.com?

Well, I’ve tweaked a few things.  I shampoo/deep condition bi-weekly instead of weekly…No special reason. I just “listen” to my hair more now as opposed to just doing something to be doing it. Things are more simple now. I have incorporated Jamila Henna into my routine which I have found to be amazing for my hair. Love it! I have been hennaing once a month or once every 3 weeks.

Every once in a while (every 3 months or so) I will straighten my hair which entails shampooing with a non-sulfate shampoo (sometimes if I used a product with alot of cones I will use Suave daily clarifying and prior to henna I use this to make sure my hair is clean and clear of product residue), deep conditioning with a protein reconstructing conditioner followed by a moisturizing deep conditioner.   I always, always apply IC Fantasia straightening balm/heat protectant prior to flat ironing and get awesome results!

January 27th will mark my 3rd year of being natural!! I have come a long way since then as I now use less products and don’t experiment any more. I wear twist-outs for the most part and buns. Sometimes I will do a wash n go but not often as my hair is too thick to work with if I wanted to pull it up into a bun. Since my hair has gotten much longer now I also do everything in four sections whether it’s shampooing, conditioning, co-washing etc. It is so much easier to detangle this way. I do less manipulation to my hair now which makes it so much easier on me as I am not always in the mood to do my hair especially not every day. So I keep the twist-out in for the whole week and if it starts to look a lil “rough” then I bun it and add a hat for extra flair if I feel like doing so. I also use my Jilbere shower comb and denman for detangling if my fingers don’t seem to be getting the job done which is usually rare. Oh yeah…Devacurl Set it Free is a wonderful frizz buster/twistout refresher!

CN: What are you current favorite products?

I love Jamila Henna! I have done 3 treatments with this brand and I really noticed a huge difference from the previous henna I had used in the past. I think it really brings out the true beauty of my hair and for some reason I find that my products work better if that makes sense?? I think I get the true benefit from the products I use as long as they are of good quality.

As far as conditioners I still stick to my Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and I mix it with Olive Oil Replenishing pak, honey and olive oil. Adding honey and olive oil have been a mainstay as far as my deep conditioning treatments. I don’t know what it is about Jane Carter Leave in Conditioner but my hair loves it. I usually use this when I do twists on wet hair. It just does what it says it’s supposed to do :) I also keep sticking to my Paul Mitchell The Conditioner as a leave in when I am doing a quick wash n go or the first day of bunning when I apply to wet hair and follow up with my Fantasia IC clear gel. Herbal Essences Totally Twisted is my main co-washing conditioner and I tried using it along with the JC leave in for twists and sealed with shea butter and got great results! Love coconut oil to moisturize and add shine but I truly think that henna has brought the shine out in my hair! Tis all for now ;)

CN: Any tips for women transitioning from relaxed to natural?

I didn’t transition when I finally went natural in January of ’06. I just bc’d but I did try to transition once, and I had quite a bit of new growth but I caved in to the creamy crack! lol…I didn’t have much inspiration then but now there is so much information out here that you must stay motivated. Patience is key and think beyond what your new growth looks like because even though it is beautiful during your transition it will be even more beautiful when you cut those relaxed ends off and just let your hair be free. Stay looking at the fotki albums of natural sistas who document their progression and sometimes include albums dedicated to other inspiring naturals…Stay visiting sites like Curlynikki.com which contain tons of helpful information. Youtube has alot of vids of slideshows of women wearing their natural hair in all textures with confidence, beauty and style as well as how-tos on how to detangle, deep condition, henna etc. I think what truly discourages a lot of people from going natural is the distorted self-image they have of themselves as far as what the texture of their hair will be…It’s cool if some want to just try wearing their hair natural as a trend or just to switch things up…To each his/her own, but if you truly want to appreciate your kinks, coils and curls and be an inspiration to others then you must understand that beauty is multi-faceted not one-dimensional.

CN: What is your night time routine?

If I am wearing a twist-out, I either wear a satin cap, sleep on a satin pillow case, or put my hair in a high ponytail. I don’t like to manipulate it much by applying oils and butters so if I feel the need to moisturize I gently smooth some coconut oil or shea butter on my ends. The high ponytail really works for me even when I am trying to preserve a wash n go. If my hair is in a bun I take it down and wrap my hair into a pony tail with a satin scrunchie and follow with a satin scarf for extra protection after moisturizing my ends with either coconut oil or shea butter.

CN: Your favorite natural hair compliment to date?!

I love and appreciate all genuine compliments that people give me especially random people on the street but one that really stood out was a compliment I received from a white woman in the mall who stopped me and said ” Your hair is so beautiful. It really compliments you well.” Surprisingly a lot of brothas will compliment my hair as well which I really love because it shows that there are black men out there who love and appreciate women who wear their hair natural instead of the common straight or relaxed styles :)

In the cyber world, there are several concoctions and magical serums floating around that promise to swiftly grow your hair to great lengths.   While some of these products may help, I believe that growth happens from the inside out.   Obviously, we can’t override our genes, but we can MOST CERTAINLY maximize our growing potential!

The truth is, TLC and patience are the only sure things. However, from my personal experiences, I’ve learned that the following were correlated with faster than average (and/or healthier) hair growth:

1. Physical Exercise - Running or any other moderate/high intensity exercise (yay for Cardio!) increases the blood flow to your scalp. Increased blood flow means that more nutrients are brought to your hair follicle. I purchased a treadmill last year, and used it regularly for 5 months. I’d put in a Deep Treatment (DT), don a plastic cap, and walk briskly (I don’t run, lol) for 30-45 minutes, 3 days a week. Killed two birds with one stone! Between the cardio, and the frequent DTs, my hair flourished!

2. Healthy Diet- Hair consists of protein, so it is essential that you consume enough.   Incorporate foods from all the groups – especially protein.   Nuts, poultry, vegetables, fruits, grains, eggs, etc. All contribute to healthy, growing hair.

3. Dietary Supplements - Biotin and MSM are ingredients every hair vitamin should contain. Biotin promotes cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and metabolism of fats. MSM lengthens the hair growth phase (which means that you keep more hair on your head). Using a combination of the two is beneficial for healthy hair. This winning combo, plus a quality multivitamin will definitely aid in the hair growing process.

4. Henna - If you do a search for ‘henna + hair growth’ on the hennaforhair.com forum, you’ll see that many women truly believe that henna has resulted in increased hair growth. I’m a believer too! My jump from shoulder length to APL last year was directly preceded by my first henna applications. Some ladies think that the actual process of applying henna stimulates the scalp (which we now know, aids in hair growth)., while others believe that the anti-fungal properties of it actually promote a healthier scalp. One could argue that henna stretches the curl, and gives the illusion of longer hair….whatever the mechanisms are, for me, it produced faster hair growth.

5. Scalp Massages – Nightly scalp massages (with castor oil, believed to promote growth as well) increase blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. 5 minutes should suffice…maybe you can get the boo involved ;)

Of course, hair growth is nothing without an understanding of retention. Protective styling, moisturizing and sealing, frequent deep treatments, and delicate handling all aid in retaining the length you’ve worked so hard for!

I know it seems scary at first, but going natural can be a very liberating experience, especially when it comes to your time and money.

I was also very fearful making the transition from perms and hot combs to wearing my hair in its natural state.  It seems uncontrollable and just too much to be bothered with, plus losing some of the hair that took you SOOO long to grow in the first place. Trustme when I say, I’ve done it all. So instead of you having to do the field work on your head, here are a few tips for moving processed to perfect:

Starting Off

When you are 100% sure you make the leap into the natural pool, you generally have two options: grow it out or cut it off.

1. If you are of a bold persuasion, cutting it off may feel like starting from scratch.

But if you’re like me, and desired some length during my transformation, then you must keep your hair very conditioned and place it in simple styles to take the pressure off of your hair and minimize breakage. This is not to say that you won’t have any breakage because you definitely will. Some styles you may want to take into consideration:

- Braids

- Straw Sets

- Sisterlocks

- Extensions (specifically sewn-ins)

2. Wear a silk cap, scarf, or sleep on silk pillows to maintain moisture in your hair and minimize friction and frizz.

3.  NEVER EVER comb your hair when it’s dry!!!! Your hair will go into breakage overload! Comb your hair using a wide tooth comb when it is soaking wet and dripping with conditioner. The water and conditioner minimize tangles and helps promote healthier hair.

4. Trim your hair at least once every three months to avoid having lots of splits ends with no hair to show for it!

For tips of the trade, check this site out! It got me through some of my panic.

Some celebrities who make going natural fab!

Enjoy Fashion’s Night Out!

CELEB GLAM: The L.A. “September Issue”

Hello Goddesses!

I see you shining over there… Every day I send out an inspirational “Goddess XO” on Twitter and PlanetAbiola this morning it was: “Stars SHINE in their own light. Its not necessary to blow out other lights to let yours shine. SHINE, baby!”

How exciting it was to see Solange Knowles jump off the weave train that most others– including ME – are usually on. Fabulous! And thank you to AmaryllisTV for creating this GORGEOUS VIDEO TRIBUTE to natural Afrocentric hair. Let’s celebrate our beauty in all of its forms. Watch!

Tribute: Natural Hair Beauty!

AND WATCH “Ugly/Beautiful:”

My Discussion About Plastic Beauty with Actor Michael Beach

How are you? Hit me up @abiolatv on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, blackplanet, or PlanetAbiola.com. Buy my novel DARE by Abiola Abrams wherever you buy books.

Have a great day being you!

XO,

Abiola

The Natural Sister: This is for the Black woman who wears her hair natural, transitioning to the natural, or thinking about going natural. As well as for the men who love to see a Black woman sporting her natural do. From the afro to the twists to the locks and all the natural styles in between this forum celebrates Black women who love their natural hair.

It’s Music Monday…

Singer Lalah Hathaway’s father Donny Hathaway was an incredible soul music artist who has been name checked by Nas, Amy Winehouse, Common and Jim Jones. His influence can be clearly heard in the style of modern day crooners like John Legend and Music Soulchild. It was a pleasure to sit down with Lalah Hathaway and discuss her current musical project Self Portrait. Her voice is melodic and she is a gorgeous woman with a beautiful soul-the perfect heir apparent to such a throne. I love her confidence and unapologetic flavor, and it was wonderful to learn about her father’s work. Watch the video below…

Oh — And don’t leave me by my lonesome- leave me a COMMENT.

Thanks for hanging with your girl. You know me as Abiola Abrams, Miss Picky on VH1′s Tough Love, the former host of BET’s The Best Short Films, the author of Dare, and the host of The Planet Abiola Show online.

For more read “Picking Apart Miss Picky” by Nandois HERE

Abiola Hits Her “Dare” Book Release Party

“I’m Through With White Girls!”

Hello Beautifuls!

I told you that I’d be back with some answers to your hair care/style questions.  Every week I’ll be answering a few questons that you’ve sent me.  Keep those questions coming!

1. First up is a question from Shelbyinpink:

Hey Kiyah,

For years I was wearing my hair natural (I have naturally curly hair) and it was extremely short. Well I have decided to let it grow out. It’s not long enough for the cute long hair styles and it isn’t short enough for the cute curls. So what can I do with my transitioning hair that I don’t want to cut anymore?

Kiyah Wright: Well transitioning from short hair to long hair is definitely challenging, but as we all know natural hair is also a challenge but the integrity of the hair will stay in good shape that’s for sure. One of my favorite alternatives is adding extentions. It’s no need to wait for your hair to grow when you want longer hair. Add a few rows in back or temple down and “there ya go” long hair. The key is to grow out the layers you can also just cut a blunt cut “bob like” across the back and that will at least give you a cute look as well. Otherwise ya gotta come see me in LA girly!. Speak soon.

2. Second up is from BP Member lovely869

Kiyah,

I like to wear my hair natural but I have trouble maintaining my natural curls and it gets so dry. Can you recommend some hair products?

KiyahWright: Maintaining natural curls is all about finding the right products. And there are several it just all really depends on your hair texture, but here are few that I like :

1. MIX CHICKS (leave in conditioner) really good and not a lot of weight on the hair,gives you that natural bouncy look.
2. PAUL MITCHELL foaming pomade is good weighs down and sets the curl as well little greasy but sometimes you have to mix products just to get the right curl.
3. SHEA BUTTER PRODUCTS are good as well because they nourish and set the hair at the same time.

*** Mixing products is good sometimes because all products do different things it all depends on what your hair needs or what look your looking for .. also drying your hair naturally is a good tip as well. Or using a diffuser( you attach it to your blow dryer and hold your hair upside down for volume.

3. And last but not least, here’s BP Member ClassicalGrace

What are the keys to doing the perfect flat iron at home?

KiyahWright: The key to a good flat iron is having a the following:

1. A good aerosol hairspray such as REDKEN WORKFORCE 09  because it helps  seal the cuticles of the hair down.
2. Put your hair in 4 sections to make easier and take small sections starting from the bottom of each section and work your way up to the top spray each section.
3. Only spray the first time you do your flat iron don’t do the spray everyday. Just the 1st day you flat iron, it should hold for the week.

Well ladies that’s it for this week.  Send me some more questions.  I want to make sure you’ve got the healthiest and best hair you can have.  Just ASK KIYAH!

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