The trials, triumphs, and truths of the natural hair journey

Wow! Where has the time gone?

Oh wait, you didn't think I went through the TWA (teenie weenie afro) stage? 
Yes ma'am/sir! While I've finally reached my personal hair zen, the three years it's taken to get here has been nothing short of a journey; and it started with the TWA! 

Learn the why, when, and how's of my decision to go natural in this video:

While some people ease right in, I gotta keep it real! For me, the first year of going natural is HARD!!!. When talking to newly naturals, I refer to this time as "the hump". You go in thinking it's about hair but very quickly you find that it's about sooooooo much more! 

I've always prided myself on being a lioness- strong-minded, self-determined, driven, and never-easily led. Despite these qualities, I was surprised by how much I too had internalized the myths, untruths, and hurtful stereotypes society projects onto women; particularly women of color as relates to the ideals of beauty. Until it was gone, I never understood how my hair was so inter-mingled with my sense of beauty, confidence, and even self-worth.

Starting with denial and ending with acceptance, I can gladly say that I've made it through!
How about you? What part of the journey are you in? What feelings have you dealt with?

Have you gone through the stages of natural?
Check it out. Not only will this video inform, it will truly inspire and uplift you!

STAY ENCOURAGED FRIEND!!!

Like you, I've made many mistakes and learned many lessons. Fortunately, it's only hair. IT WILL GROW BACK!

Just remember, while healthy hair practices, great products and perfect technique are important, the key to success comes down to one thing; 
P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!

Don't take my word for it. Check out these natural hair queens!

Stick with it!

With a bit of education, a dab of Quench and a touch of patience, you too can reach healthy hair zen!

                                                                                                                                                                       

           
                   
             

    

Chime in Journeyers!  

What stage of the journey are you in? 

What has been the most important lesson you have learned along the way? Share your thoughts in the comments section or click on the icon below to chat with us in the Facebook group page! 

See you there!

Problems??? Click here>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/JourneytomyRoots

Winterize Your Hair Routine!

You've winterized your wardrobe. 

How about your hair routine?

Unlike the humid days of summer, winter air is much drier. Given this, even the

 healthiest head can experience dry hair and tight, itchy scalp.

 Avoid it all by winterizing your routine. Here's how...

• Go ahead, take the appetizer and the desert! Treat your hair to an appetizer and dessert. In hair lingo we'd call that a pre-poo and deep condition treatment, respectively. Both spoil your hair with extra vitamins, nutrients, proteins and moisture! This is one time when pigging out is a GOOD thing! 
• Learn all about pre-pooing and deep conditioning (including a DIY recipe) here>>> Pre-pooing 101

• Kick the -ates! If you haven't already, move to a sulfate-free shampoo during the winter. Sulfates are detergents. While great for cleansing, sulfates are very drying to the hair! So shelf the sulfates during the cold months. 
• Learn all about sulfates here>>> Sulfates 101

• Hold the humectants! Humectants are substances that attract water. Great, right? Not always. During the humid days of summer,humectants extract water from the air. During the arid or dry days of winter, humectants extract water from your hair! Humectants commonly found in hair products include Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B),  propylene glycol , PEG compounds, hydrolyzed proteins (ie elastin, collagen, silk keratin), vegetable glycerin, honey, and sugars (ie fructose, sucrose).

• Swap the jacket for a coat! You've packed away your thin summer jacket for a thick winter coat. Do the same with your oils! Replace your thin oils like grapeseed and extra virgin olive oil for heavier/thicker oils and butters like castor, coconut, jojoba oil and shea butter. 
• Learn about natural carrier and essence oils here>>> Oils 101
• Are you using the right technique when applying your oils? Click here to find out >>>Applying Oils

• Stop showing so much skin! Protective styles are great year-round but just like summer dresses and sandals, skin is best shown in the summer! If your protective style exposes your scalp to the dry winter air (ie cornrows, bantu knots, etc.), you'll likely notice that your scalp feels tight . If you're wearing extensions, you'll notice it even more because the added hair steals moisture from your own hair and scalp. This is especially true if you're using fake or cheap hair. Much like cloth, fake or cheap hair will absorb additional moisture from your hair. So invest in good hair and as much as possible, choose styles that shield your scalp and ends.
• Learn more on protective styling here>>> Protective Styling 101

• Spread the Love! While too heavy for the sweaty days of summer, applying sealant to your scalp is a great way to prevent and relieve winter's tight and itchy scalp. Run a little of your winter oil over your well-watered scalp! Need something thicker/heavier than oil? Prefer the feel/consistency of hair grease? Make your own!
• Try it!: Mix shea butter and natural oil to your desired consistency. A ratio of 2: 1 is fairly consistent with hair grease. Example: Add 1/2 cup of shea butter with 1 cup of your favorite oil(s). Be sure to add a bit of honey or tea tree oil to your mix. Both are natural preservatives! Just remember. If you use tea tree oil, use sparingly. Like all essential oils, a little goes a LONG way!
• Buy it!: Not a DIY type? Try my product! Quench is a mixture of shea butter, essential oils, aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerin, minoxidil (Rogaine), honey, vitamin E and natural fragrances. Got thirsty tresses? Quench them! 
• Pick it up under the "shop" tab of my blogsite!
• Note: NEVER apply synthetic hair grease to your scalp. Unlike natural sealants, the main ingredient in hair grease is typically mineral oil or one of its cousins; petrolatum, petroleum and paraffin. Shea butter feeds your hair vitamins and minerals. It protects with natural sunscreens and it stimulates with natural anti-oxidants. Mineral oil does none of these things. Applying it to your scalp seals in water but it suffocates your hair from receiving added water and oxygen. It attracts dirt and it requires a harsh detergent to be removed....and this will lead to further drying.
• Learn more about grease here>>> Hair Grease 101

• Cover it up! Despite the myth, wearing wet hair in the winter does not cause colds. Colds come from viruses, not cold weather! Nonetheless, it's good to cover your head to keep warm and more importantly, to slow down the rate at which moisture escapes from your hair. So cover it up!

• Quick Tip! Cotton and wool suck your hair dry so only cover your head with hats, hoods and scarves that are lined with silk or satin. Not lined? Fret not my friend. Check out this quick tip video for a work-around!

Voila! Your routine is now winterized!

What are some steps you take to winterize your hair routine? Share in the comments or 

come over to the chat room to share! >>> CHAT!