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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Trim Those Ends


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Weave, A Protective Style? Your Kidding Right?



www.fabulousnaturalhair.com
I was asked, on Facebook by my friend Carmen, to respond to a blog article called "Opinion:  A Weave is Not a Protective Style; It's Just A Weave."  This article or blog was written by Black Girl With Long Hair on July 10, 2013, and garnered some adversarial comments, which was to be expected. I, personally, agreed with the writer and thought it a viable discussion.

best-hair-weave-black-women  At first, I really didn't give it much thought but the photograph the blogger headed her article with was what really caught my attention.  My friend Carmen had also sent me another Face Book suggestion concerning weaves and severe hair line loss and so I figured I'd jump right into the weave controvesy with this article.

The model has apparently dyed the front of her hair a bright Auburn (left photo) and combed her hair into a similar color-related weave.  What is definitely obvious, with colors like this, is that the tones of hair color and the model's textures do not match as well as a more natural 2 or 1b hair coloring. Putting this aside, is a weave a protective style.  No, it is not!

However, it does use a protective styling method to accomplish its end goal of

http://blackgirllonghair.com/2013/07/opinion-a-weave-is-not-a-protective-style-its-just-a-weave/

creating an, as natural-looking, weaving style as possible.  This is accomplish by cornrowing the clients hair to create a "smooth" and flat base on which to attach the tracks of hair to the client's head.

Protective

chimeedwards.com                                                  
Adjective

1.  Capable of or intended to protect someone or something.
2.  Having or showing a strong wish to keep someone or something safe from harm.
Synonyms

defensive - preventive

We can readily agree that the information presented is about protective styling and we split off into other factions from there as to what constitutes protective styling.

I found a great definition from the Natural Hair Dictionary.


Protective Hairstyle (Hair Style) – This is a style that requires little manipulation, protects the ends of the hair by keeping them tucked away and allows regular moisturizing. Common styles like twists, coils, flat twists and cornrows can all be converted to protective styles by tucking or hiding the ends.

As many of us know, the natural hair community has been steadily expanding, evolving, and excitingly making change in our social and economic environments.  This is where I first heard the term "protective styling."  Reason-being that African American hair tends to be dry and needs additional moisture to keep it viable and help to retain length.

         mediumhairstyleupdate.com
In fact, more than likely, if you were to Google the term "protective styling" you will see a woman of color sporting an innovative twist, bun, cornrow, or swank hairstyle.  This technique is used by the different natural hair textures as a way to keep the ends of their natural hair from becoming dried out, raggedy, plagued with single-strand knots, and constantly manipulated by styling combs, braiding, and pulling.

The primary purpose of protective styling for hair is to reduce breakage of your hair so that you can retain hair length.

Naturals, especially, have complaints that the ends of their hair are filled with fabric because their hair is constantly rubbing against their clothes.  Hair getting caught in their jewelry, on chairs, in seatbelts, and suffering from drying episodes from being exposed to the climate or environment.

A few natural hair bloggers have included weaves as a protective hair option.  However, unlike wigs, which can be removed easily and makes your hair accessible for upkeep, and true protective styling, You cannot properly take care of your tresses while hair is "covered" by a weave that is usually worn four to six weeks or longer.  Yes,  the hair can grow like weeds under the weave but what is the state and condition of the hair?  You must also consider the amount of usual hair that has been shed, dirt, expiration and oils that have incurred while hair has been closed in by the weave.
www.polyvore.com



Negative Effects of Weave on Tresses

The longer the hair remains under the weave, the looser your hair becomes, allowing room for unnecessary friction to the new growth.  The hair can become "matted" when weaves are left in for long periods.

Moisturizing and maintaining the scalp by applying oils and water can cause the hair to become matted. The "tension" applied when installing weaves can be a great detriment to one's scalp and roots.  This can cause hair strands to be pulled out by its roots.

We aren't even talking about the damage that is done to the clients who are long-term weave wearers.

Unfortunately, many women neglect effective care of their hair because the weave allows them the privilege to do so.  Therefore, knocking it off the list of protectve styling.

Weaves Are A Styling Options

Weaves, of any textures, allows the wearer more syling options.  There's nothing wrong with desiring to wear one's hair straight and flowing, and experience it flapping in the wind. Or, having spiraling curls cascade downs one's back! Or to have a bounty of curls that can shame that of a lion!  Undeniably, weaves are convenient, stylish, wearable and fashionable!  However, a protective style, I beg to differ!
www.essence.com

Requirements Of A Protective Style

  • It should allow easy and quick access to your scalp to keep it moisturized and clean.
  • You should be able to maintain the hair/style with minimal  fuss and manipulation to your tresses.
  • A Style that is easily covered at night, while sleeping.
  • Allows hair to breathe while keeping the ends tucked in or covered.
  • Effective Protective Styling
Weaves are a wonderful option, when taken care of your hair underneath it, for women of color.  Whether the options are short, curly, or long and flowing, it sets the styling bar for women who even just want to give 
their hair a "rest" from a period of manipulation.  

Protective Styling, for naturals, is an option that allows women to wear their natural hair while doing their best to protect it from the reality of daily manipulation and the environment.

Weave wearing or protective styling is a choice for the individual wearer and each option needs to be respected. Short, long, curly, or added...hair is our Crown and we should wear it with grace!

As always,  Happy Curls to You!

Leave your comments, pictures, or thoughts below.  Love to hear from you!

©Copyright 2013-07 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Shea Moisture Organic Black Soap Purification Masque -- In Review

$9.99 for 8 ounces

Shea Moisture Purification Masque

I will start off this review by saying that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this product.  In fact, it was the only product from this line that I tried and liked!

I was given this product to try by my natural-haired 4c coworker who simply loved the product herself and is an avid user of the Shea Moisture product line.  Of course, the first thing that I did was to open up the jar and the smell of ripe bananas wafted through the air!  I had wanted to try a bentonite clay treatment but was not looking forward to the mess of having to mix it and then apply it.  This seemed to be a great alternative to that.  The consistency was that of a light custard mix with fine sand, it was shakeable and creamy but thick enough to not swoosh out of the jar.

How I Applied the Masque

I did not cowash my hair before I applied the Shea Moisture Purification Masque.  I was able to simply use my fingers to lift product from the jar and "smooth" onto my hair.  I started out applying the masque on dry, sectioned hair (4) and wasn't liking the results.  I realized that I had been wearing a wash n' go, which is what I do 99% of the time.  So, I stopped and dampen my hair with plain water and the application of water under the product immediately smooth out the texture of my hair and dissolved my tangles.

I also realized that using the water under the product allowed me to use much less of the product which yielded great results.  The product simply melted my hair into a smooth, warm butter!

After the application of the masque, I took the extra step of massaging my scalp from front to back and then I covered my head with a plastic cap and since I had applied the product before just going to bed, I kept it on throughout the night.  In the morning, hair was moist and I could easily run my fingers through my 3c-4 type hair.  I then rinsed out the masque and applied my Tresemme Naturals Conditioner as my leave-in.

My Results

I ended up with soft and shiny coils and kinks!  Hair was bouncy and soft to the touch.  There was the faintest smell of the masque, which I liked.


Ingredients:

Deionized Water , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Mangfera Indica Seed Butter (Mango) , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , African Black Soap Extract , Sea Salt , Cetyl Esters , Kaolin Clay , Grapeseed Oil , Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba) , Behentrimonium Chloride (Conditioner) , Salicylic Acid , Salix Alba Bark Extract (Willow) , Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil (Neem) , Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Tea Tree) , Sorbitol Esters , Aloe Vera Leaf Juice , Tocopherol (Vitamin E) , Rosemary Extract , Salvia Officinalis Extract (Sage) , Plantain Extract , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle)
This products does not contain: sulfates, parabens, phthalates, paraffin, gluten, propylene glycol, mineral oil,
synthetic fragrance, PABA, synthetic color, DEA, animal ingredients or sulfates, Cruelty free, no animal testing.

Product Description:Detoxify, condition and soothe hair and scalp with gentle Kaolin clay, herbal extracts, botanical enzymes and essential vitamins. Our intense treatment relieves dry, itchy scalp, removes product buildup and preserves hair by sealing in natural moisture. Treats dandruff, eczema & psoriasis.

Plantain Enzyme: Helps to alleviate itchiness and irritation
Tea Tree: Removes buildup for enhanced shine and volume
Willow Bark Extract: Exfoliates and detoxifies hair and scalp.
My Experience:

The Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap (AFBS) Purification Masque (geesh, what a mouthful!)has been all the rage with many natural hair ladies and after months of continually overlooking the masque, I decided to go ahead and try it.

Picture By:  HodgePodge Files

Pros

  • No Mixing of Product
  • Easy to Apply
  • Loved the Smell
  • Product Has a Good Price Point
  • Smells Consistent with Other Products from the Shea Moisture Line
  • Organic and Natural

Cons

  • Some Users DID NOT like the smell 
  • Not Sold at every Walmart and Target
Pictures are by:  kinkycurlycoilyme.com

Final Thoughts

I will be purchasing this item again and again!  Loved the fact that I didn't have to mix up ingredients.  I can find it at my local Target and the price point is good!  The application was easy and I loved the smell of the product.  I feel that it's not only worth trying but sharing like my coworker shared with me!

As always, you can leave a comment, your experience, and/or photos in the comment box!

Until next time and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Curls to You!

©Copyright 2013-07 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved