HAIR LUST: Let it grow!

 

Summer is the perfect time for perfecting wash-go's and letting your hair flow. These 90 degree temperatures are telling you to try air-drying your hair. Allow those kinks, curls, and coils soak up the sun. Let your hair flow free. Happy Summer!

Candice's Hair Diary: Casual Curls




When I'm around him, I turn into Feyoncé.

 For the overwhelming majority, I've been keeping my hair super casual lately. No fancy rod curls, flexirod sets, or fancy updos. Also no: mini-twists, braids, Havana twists... nothing. Just good old fashioned twist-outs like the ancestors used to do it. And apparently my hair loves it when I keep it low maintenance.





Hello strange patch of fuzzy hair in the front that doesn't hold curls

What my hair doesn't love, though, is any high tension styles. I've learned another good thing about the growth I've seen. In the level of difficulty to care for my hair, longer hair has become much easier to manage than my shorter hair. I don't have to pull as tight and I don't need such heavy products. Longer hair weighs more, and benefits more from gravity. Yay gravity! But my longer hair still does not function well with the humidity. Rain is Khani's kryptonite. Check out the life-cycle of a fabulous hairdo on a humid day:

Top left: 7:30 a.m. Top Right: 8:00 a.m.
Bottom left: 9:00 a.m. Bottom right: 11:45 a.m.

Also, I am becoming more aware that caring for my ends should never be neglected. I think that is my weakness in hair care. And although my hair grows pretty quickly, the dryness factor can go from 0 to 100... real quick (I just resisted the urge to put more lyrics behind that reference.). So it is high time I start making a conscious effort to retain this length and protect my ends. Consistency is key. So when you see me in these Nashville streets, expect to see more of these styles:




Dear buns and twists... I've got nothing but love you.

In the short, short time since my last hair diary, I've been through a bunch of physical changes. I saw some excess shedding and increased dryness. Turns out I was pretty ill. Let me gently remind anyone reading this that healthy hair starts from the inside. You can't get your dehydrated, vitamin/nutrient starved, sick body to produce thick, healthy, luscious natural hair. There is no hair product to correct malnutrition. Speaking of nutrition...

Ignore the stuff in the backgrount. 2014 has been overall great for me nutritionally.
Yay for body-positive changes!!

P.S. Speaking of hair products, R.I.P. to Titi Branch. I JUST fell in love with Miss Jessie's a couple of months ago. She was the co-founder of the brand with her sister. Mental illness hits close to home for me, so instead of the usual questions, I'll end with this:

If you or anyone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

 

Product Review: Miss Jessie's Crème de la Crème Leave-In Conditioner

If you are familiar with the personalities of the writers, then you know that I, Candice, am an avid kitchen chemist. I love to mix my own products so that I know exactly what I'm putting in my hair. And if I am not making my own products, 92% of the store bought products I use are natural.

But about 2 weeks ago, I needed a conditioner to use for deep conditioning. Trader Joe's was too far of a drive (especially with the traffic barricade in that part of town) to get my usual conditioner. Long story short, I went to another store and decided to try something new. I saw Miss Jessie's Crème de la Crème conditioner, grabbed it, and headed home. I didn't even bother to look at the ingredients.

My "I found a good leave-in" face!

And that's when I realized that the conditioner I grabbed was actually a LEAVE-IN conditioner. I was so disappointed. Until lately, I considered leave-ins a waste of time. They never worked for my hair or made any noticeable difference in the way my hair looked, styled, or felt. But I figured that since I had it at hand, I might as well try it. My opinion can be summed up in 3 words:

Ah. Maze. Zing.

This is before I fluffed and separated. I wanted to get a picture before in case my hair frizzed up.

My hair loves Miss Jessie's leave-in. They don't go by the rules I learned for leave-in conditioners. Crème de la Crème  is not watery or oily. It's thick and creamy it takes work to distribute evenly. I suggest applying small amounts to sections. Also, the conditioner smells fresh. It reminds of the "salon scent" that you have when you use professional products. And because it's a leave-in, the scent lasts for days. It also works well with other scents. I used the leave-in with my favorite oil, which smells amazing on its own.

I tried the leave-in a second time, just in case the first set of curl-tastic results was a fluke. Nope. Both times I did flat twist outs. Both times I had minimal frizz, and the moisture from my wash lasted days longer than usual. It left my hair as soft as Drake's music lyrics. I am completely sold on this product.

This is day 2 shine... that you could see more clearly if I had a clean camera lense.

P.S. It is not natural. I do not care. My hair loves it.

Candice's Hair Diary: Living on the Edges

No. This has nothing to do with the blog. Just wanted this gif of my niece and I here.
We're hair twins. Her hair is super thick and long!

No. The title does not have a typo. I actually meant "Living on the Edges", not "Living on the Edge". That's where my hair journey is. I've been fighting to save what's left of my edges. I don't want to be that girl who has empty spots in her scalp. 4 years into this hair, and I'm just now learning that Khani (the name I call my fro) is not here for high-tension hair styles.

My scalp is way too visible. WAY TOO VISIBLE!

Hello traction alopecia. In short, traction alopecia describes hair loss that is caused by constant pulling or tension over a period of time. And well... the first time I had a smooth bald spot when I got that horrible hair weave by that one person. The braids were tight, but the thread was even tighter.  Then, I recently had those gorgeous Havana twists that I kept in for nearly 2 months. And now... I am struggling to keep what edges I have left.

CELEB STYLE: Lupita rocks the MTV MOVIE AWARDS red carpet

Y'all, she's like a black Barbie! Like - this picture is so much OH MY GOODNESS. I just love how Lupita's hair stylist arranges her hair - sometimes she rocks her lovely natural fade and sometimes they add extensions. The point, she never lets the length of her hair dictate her style. LOVES IT!

Check out my BEST DRESSED celebs from the MTV MOVIE AWARDS 2014 on www.fabglance.com

DISCUSSION: You KNOW it's time for a haircut!

 

Since I've gotten my haircut, I've come to realize, I was REALLY neglecting my situation. So stuck on holding on to length, I neglected healthy hair. No matter how long you hair is, it's imperative that you schedule routine maintenance on your natural curls. Wear and tear cause ends to split and became frayed. Frayed ends are a NO-NO and will cause you hair to break off. 

Getting you ends clipped is one of the ways to ensure natural hair success.  Maybe you aren't stubborn when it comes to trimming your hair, maybe you just don't know. Below I've listed some tips to help you figure out when it's time to clip those ends:

1. You have a TON of single strand knots - Single Strand Knots (aka Fairy Knots) happen when really curly hair tangles within itself, leaving little knots on EACH strand of hair. Once your hair has a single-strand knot, the only way to get rid of them is to clip those ends. Read more on Single Strand Knots 
2. Your hair is SHEDDING like crazy - It's normal for you hair to shed. 100's of dormant hairs will depart your scalp on a daily basis. However, when it looks like you have more hair shedding that your used to, it may be time to clip those ends. Shed hair sometimes attaches to single strand knots and pulls the extra hair out during detangling. 
3. It takes FOREVER to detangle - Every natural girl complains of detangling sessions. But when detangling is followed by knots, and extra shedding, then you need to trim. Frayed ends are more prone to tangles because they’re rougher and can easily get caught on one and other causing knots.
4. Your hair is uneven - When I wore more hair in an updo most times, I never really appreciated the full length. But when I'd blow it out, I noticed the right side was long than the left. It happens. Unless you like wearing you hair in an asymetrical bob (a-la Salt & Pepa 1987) then it's time to get that trim.
5. Your hair starts to lock - In shorter hair naturals, wearing you hair in wash-n-go styles tends to make you forgo detangling sessions. So, your ultra curly hair starts to loc, clump, or tangle. (source). Tangles that intense can only be removed with getting a cut. Don't let it get that way - get a trim regularly.
6. You curls aren't CURLING - So you have a uniform curl pattern. But now, you curls aren't curling quite right. You may have a lot of frizz too. It's time to clip those ends and reveal those curls again.

These are just a couple ways to indicate when it's time to get a trim. No matter what the issue, you should routinely get you hair trimmed AT LEAST three times a year. Visiting a professional stylist can help you decipher how often to trim you ends and a professional stylist can help you figure out other issues/obstacles that may be holding you back from healthy hair.

QUESTION: When's the last time you got a trim?

 

HAIR LUST: Afro Tuxedo Fabulous

With the holiday season upon us, some newly natural haired ladies may feel limited in their flair for dressing up during the holiday season. Girl, BOO! Don't let fear stop you from being FIERCE during this party season. Rock your fro (or a fro'd out wig) to that office party. You'll be the talk of the town and you'll feel fantastic! Let this photo inspire you!

PRODUCT REVIEW: Hydratherma Naturals Daily Growth Lotion

What do we all want when it comes to natural hair?  Of course some want definition, others want products that aid in stretching, but most of what I hear is that we want long, soft hair. Less breakage means more growth and retention. 

A few years ago when I was living in DC I was scouring the web for new products that would keep my hair soft permanently and came across a website called Healthy Hair Journey.  The owner of the line had all sorts of information about her products and also documented her own healthy hair journey and how these products helped her hair to grow and while keeping it soft and lovely.  The entire line is great but I swear by the Hydratherma Naturals Daily Growth Lotion.  It is packed with all kind of great oils, from Avocado, to Emu, Shea butter, and Olive oil along with a few others. 

I found out that my hair loves Emu oil.  It is great oil will many benefits, it helps with cell regeneration on the scalp and restores your hair follicle and shaft. 

A 4 oz bottle will cost you about $14 and the 8 oz $19. This is a product that is packed full with oils so you don’t need much.  When I first started using it I started out with a small amount and built on top of that until I achieved my desired softness. I saw a huge boost in growth retention.  But it should be used daily in order to see results. 

If you have tried this product or are planning to, let us know your thoughts.