Is natural hair just a TREND?...

India from My Natural Sistas

I see and hear people say "natural hair is just a trend" and they say it with such conviction. It's almost as if they desire is to be just that, a mere trend.

*   *   *

Well sorry (not sorry) to say natural hair is here to stay so get use to seeing Kinks, Coils and Curls EVERYWHERE.

For me the natural hair movement is a wonderful and beautiful thing. Black and mixed women are comfortable and proud of the natural hair texture God gave to them. To some, wearing your natural hair is not a big deal! However, for many women who have transitioned or big chopped to revert back to their natural hair texture, being natural is a journey. A journey of personal growth, acceptance and understanding.

Being natural I get the stares, the questions and the *reaching out to touch*. It seems like it comes with he territory (which is odd but that is a conversation for another day). So we know by just being natural we are making a bold statement, we are proud and now comfortable to make such a statement.

 I personally think we were all ignorant about our hair before (well most of us). Now our eyes have been opened. Growing up I never knew natural hair could be so easy, back then I thought the only solution was a relaxer. Now we have learnt from bloggers, volggers and from our own experiences what to do, how to do it, and learnt the fact that our hair grows.

*   *   *

I do not EVER see myself getting a relxer. I've grown to love my hair. From when I first big chopped I had the obsession of curl definition to now, I have acceptance of my hair blown out, twisted, defined what ever I've grown to love my hair's versatility.

Mahalia xoxo

Bank holiday weekend dedicated to hair...

The bank holiday weekend just gone was jam packed full of hair events.

Curlvolution

Strength of Nature mixer

Afro Hair and Beauty Show (which I did not attend).

 

 *   *   *

Curlvolution...

This was a truly well planned and executed event. There aren't even words to describe such an amazing event.

This was an event that showcased natural hair, black business's (from abroad and the UK) and the growing natural hair community in the UK.
The venue was full to the brim with beautiful women in appearance and spirit (if men were smart curlvoluion would be the place for them lol). I met some of my favourite bloggers such as Care for Your Hair, Afro Bella and Fusion of Cultures who were all lovely and humble women.

Because I was working behind the scenes I did not have time to take any pictures of the event. You can visit Curlvolutions twitter: @Curlvolution and Instagram: @Curlvoluion for some amazing pictures.

Freebies.

These were the free goodies that everyone left with. One full sized product (yes I said full sized) a couple of samplers and a comb. Can't wait to try them all.

From the fantastic guest speakers, to hair demonstrations, hair models, amazing vendors and lots of food. We were really spoilt at the Curlvolution event.

I met and worked with some amazing women on Saturday and till today I can not get over how wonderful Curlvolution was. You can not miss out on Curlvolution 2014!!!

*   *   *

Strength of Nature mixer #BritBeauty...

I loved every minute of this event. From the moment I got there to the moment I left. I left on a high.

Again I met amazing naturals. All through out the night I was able to meet with so many naturals and it was a night of continuous laughter and fun.

The event was to showcase the Strength of Nature brands which includes, Beautiful Textures, African Pride, Mega Growth and Elasta QP that the natural girls would love. We got to know more about the brand, what the products do and how to achieve certain looks. I saw a few demonstrated hairstyles I want to try.

Freebies.

We were given full sized products, food and the drinks were flowing all for free. They were really good to us.

Here are some pictures from the event. My brother broke my digital camera days before the event so I couldn't take as many pictures as I wanted to and the quality is not as good.

This weekend for me has proven natural hair girls to be the friendliest... oh and the most fabulous.

Mahalia xoxo

Is relaxing your hair the same as bleaching your skin?

Is relaxing your hair the same as bleaching your skin?

*   *   *

This question popped into my mind and really had me thinking.

I asked a couple of friends this question, some natural, some relaxed and I received a mixture of opinions and some truly surprised me. 

A couple of my friends out right said they think a relaxer is the same as bleaching your skin. One said "both (relaxer and bleach) strip identity." Some were defensive about the question, some had mixed views but most that I asked this question were concerned about which is more extreme than the other. Which process did more damage. 

Lets look at the facts about relaxers...

• Relaxers BURNS and BLISTERS. I myself have been burned by the relaxer and still today have the remnants of it. The chemicals put in relaxer such as Lye (Sodium Hydroxide/ caustic soda) are highly dangerous because of its corrosive nature.
• The harsh chemicals in relaxers can also be absorbed into our bodies.
•  Relaxers have also been recently linked to fibroid in women (Source: American Journal of Epidemiology)

Relaxers are harmful to our hair and bodies.

*   *   *

What I am really asking is whether bleaching your skin to have a lighter/whiter skin is the same as altering your hair texture to have a straighter/more 'European' hair texture. Has society made relaxing your hair permissible compared to bleaching your skin when arguably they are one in the same?

I have mixed views on this. I think it depends on the persons state of mind.

 Relaxing your hair to many is a simple style option just like dying your hair, wearing a weave or straightening your natural hair. A female may want Nia Long's signature pixie haircut and that can only really be attained by getting a relaxer. It's really that simple to some.

I, like a lot of young black girls, had their first relaxer at a very young age. My mother did not relax my hair to integrate me into the European standard of beauty. She did so out of ignorance in how to take care of kinky curly hair. My mother relaxed my hair because I cried every time I saw the comb, relaxing my hair was a simple solution. With the natural hair movement I have learnt so much from bloggers and vloggers about how to care for my hair. With the information I have now, 

as a friend of mine who has relaxed hair said "If I could go back in time I would have never relaxed my hair."

To some people, relaxing your hair is more convenient. There is a notion that natural hair can be high maintenance. That may be true to some but I beg to disagree.

Where relaxing your hair and bleaching your skin becomes one in the same to me, is where someone thinks kinky curly hair is "ugly." So many times I've heard kinky curly hair is unprofessional, it's not 'good' hair, it doesn't suit me, natural hair is not for everyone and the list goes on. Relaxing your hair because you think the texture of your hair is ugly and straight hair better is no different from bleaching your skin because you think light/white skin is better.

To some people hair is just an accessory it's about how they are feeling that day.

To me hair is an accessory but when I'm wearing my kinks and curls I somewhat feel empowered
 I happen to feel good about what my fro is saying and doing to others. That I do not care what you think of my kinky curly hair because it's my hair and I love it.

Mahalia xoxo

Protective style updo...

It's the good old role and tuck. So simple but gives variations of amazing results. It's classy, chic and importantly a protective style all rolled up into one.

*   *   *

What you need...

Bobby pins and lots of them.

*   *   *

How...

I started on stretched out hair. Hair that was co-washed, moisturised, sealed and twisted the night before.

I created a side parting and took a chunk out of the front of my hair which is where my quiff will be. I put the front part of my hair away so I can focus on the rest of the hair.

When rolling and tucking the trick to it is making sure the hair that you have rolled and tucked is secured properly with bobby pins. The hair I have out I role and tuck until I get to the front part of my head. (At this point only a little bit of loose hair is out, the rest is tucked away)

The front part of my hair I loosely roll and tuck joining it with the section of loose hair I had already rolled and tucked. I loosely do this to give it volume and so that I can manipulate it into the style I want. And that is it.

Side Note: To finish all I did was use some Eco Styler gel to smooth down my edges.

Results....

Hopefully my pictures makes how I achieved the style clearer.

The back.

The top.

The front.

Side

It was rather difficult explaining how I did the roll and tuck and I'm pretty sure it was harder to understand what I said lol.

Here is a video of  iknowlee on youtube showing you how to do a roll and tuck. She also gives you an amazing roll and tuck style.

The roll and tuck is one of my favourite protective styles. I would typically keep this style for about four days or how ever long it stays presentable. I maintain it by just making sure I wear my satin bonnet or scarf before I go to bed. Mind you my head never touches a pillow without my satin bonnet even if I'm just laying down for a minute lol.

Mahalia xoxo

Flat twist out with a twist...

Here is the link to the >>Original flat twist out post<<. Here I detail how I did my last flat twits out style and what products I used.

Since it's winter and it seems like all it's going to do is rain (as usual) I've been doing a lot of protective styles from cute updo's and my go to favourite protective style small twists (here is the link for the >>Small two strand twist post<<)

So I'm slowly recovering from hand in hair syndrome. But I couldn't go cold turkey so I wanted to try a flat twist out with a twist.

The twist is just adding perm rods. YUUP a simple twist but gives you a lovely hairstyle different to a flat twist out.

Enough rambling I will show you how.

 

*   *   *

What I did...

This time I used different products.

I started of with freshly co-washed hair. Moisturised with Giovanni Leave-in and sealed with a shea butter mix.

I used homemade flaxseed gel to set my curls Here is the link for the >>Homemade Flaxseed Gel post<<. 

Side Note: I added honey and shea butter to my original recipe for my flaxseed gel. I will do a later post about that but spoiler alert..... I LOVED IT.

Perm Rods.

 I used the yellow and darker blue rods. It didn't really matter to me which ones I used, I just used the ones I had.

After every flat twist I added a perm rod. 

Quick Tip: I find that my hair (especially the ends) tangle around the rods so I used cut up kitchen paper towels and rapped it around the rod before 

using the rod on my hair. I didn't have the fancy paper normally used, the kitchen paper towels worked fine.

Perm Rods in my hair.

 I put coconut oil on each twist for the take down. As I took out the twists I put coconut oil on my hands to minimise frizz. Make sure you're gentle when taking out the twists.

 Results...

Sorry the pictures are sort of smudged. I got coconut oil on the camera lens without realising -_-

My oils get everywhere.

Twists taken down.

Fluffed twists.

Fluffed twists.

From Above.

Flat twist out.

The perm rods gave a completely different style to a normal flat twist out. Something so simple yet gave different results.

 Mahalia xoxo

What is Co-Washing?..

 Co-washing is simply washing your hair with conditioner. YUP so simple but does wonders for your hair.
Instead of washing your hair with shampoo (which can strip and dry out your hair) you can cleanse your hair with conditioner (many would find that debatable). Co-washing is a gentler way of cleansing your hair with added benefits.

Co-washing was never a term I heard or used during my relaxed days. But since I went back to being natural and taking care of my hair, co-washing is something I do around twice a week.


*   *   *

Benefits...

•  Cleanses your hair and scalp.
• Moisturises your hair.
• Makes de-tangling easier.

 When it comes to co-washing I say listen to what your hair wants. I co-wash a maximum of twice a week and if I can go on with only co-washing once ohh I will. But too much of anything is never good so co-washing everyday can be excessive in my opinion.

I typically co-wash when I feel my hair is on the dry side or when I want to try a new hairstyle.

*   *   *

When choosing a conditioner make sure...

• It's good value for money
• Has good slip
• It has low or next to nothing protein. Too much protein is not good for the hair.

*   *   *

Here is a list of some conditioners that are good to co-wash with...

• Tresemme Naturals Conditioners. They are silicone free and my personal favourite.
• VO5 conditioner rang.
• Herbal Essence range.
• Aussie Moist Conditioner.
• As I am Co-wash.

And many more.

Co-washing is simply a-mazing. You can't go wrong with moisturised soft and healthy hair.

Mahalia xoxo

Home made flaxseed (linseed) gel...

I forever live in twist outs so I am always looking for something to give THE perfect light hold to my curls. I did find it in the Komaza Care Coconut Hair Pudding which is absolutely perfect but very expensive.

So I thought to myself flaxseed gel. I've heard all the rave reviews about flaxseed (or linseed in the UK) gel and decided to finally give it a try.

Flaxseeds are cheep and cheerful, you can find them in most health and nutrition shops. I bought mine from Holland and Barrats, for around £4 for a 500g pack .

*   *   *

Lets begin...

All you need is...

1. Flaxseed.
2. Water. (straight from the tap nothing fancy)
3. A small pot
4. Sieve/tights
5. Bowl. 
6. Wooden spoon.
7. Oils of your choice.

I have said I do not like to measure, but when it comes to flaxseed it is needed.
I have made this several times now and I think I've gotten it down to a fine science. It all depends on how thick you want it to be.
When it's too thick it is very hard to strain so you do not get all the gel you want from the seeds. The first time I made it, it way was too thick but the little I had my hair loved it.
When it's too thin I felt that there wasn't enough hold.

But I think I got it right now. Thick enough to give good hold but it wasn't too thick that I couldn't strain it.
So my measurement is 1 part flaxseed to 3 part water. Or gage it to your satisfaction. So if I use a small cup of flaxseed I would use 3 cups of water.

How it's done...

Once I have all my measurements I put them in a small put.

Quick tip: A pot big enough but not too big. I found with a bigger pot it was harder to control the seeds so they got stuck to the side etc.

I put the heat on high and stair every so often

When it begins to froth stair faster. 

Flaxseed gel beginning to froth.

 Then it will start to froth over, here is where you turn the fire of. You do not want to overcook the flaxseeds and dry out the gel.

Flaxseed gel frothing over.

I let the gel stand for around 30 seconds so the froth goes down. Then I put it into the sieve. The remnants is always the thickest so you need some serious wrist action to get it through the sieve. When the gel is too think I would advice using tights to strain the gel because you can get more hands on because it will be difficult.

Once this is done I add my oils of choice.

1.  Castor oil.
2. Lemongrass.
3. Peppermint.
4. Ylang Ylang.
5. Orange.  

Essential oils.

 Not only are the oils good for you hair, they also preserve the gel. Like most natural things they do spoil. So oils extend the life of your gel along with keeping the gel in the fridge.

The finished product.

 OMG I LOVE IT. Once you go flaxseed gel you NEVER go back.
I question where has this gel been all my natural hair life.  

SIDE NOTE: Once you are finished make sure you wash everything ASAP. When the gel dries it would be hard to get of.


 Results of my twist out...
 
 

I'm in awe with flaxseed gel. It left my curls defined without leaving my hair crunchy or hard. It' played nice with my other products. There was no flaking nor did I experience any product build up. The fact that it's 100% natural is the cherry on top. To add some sprinkles it's cheap and the flaxseeds can be used again if kept in the fridge. Can't go wrong with all of that.

Mahalia xoxo