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Friday, April 17, 2015

Shrinkage -- Learning to Embrace It!

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Natural Hair Shrinkage

All naturals experience some amount of hair shrinkage. Curlier and wavier naturals will tend to experience much more shrinkage due to their curl pattern.

I have 3c/4 textured hair. The front and top have a looser curl pattern. 

My usual regiment for my wash n' go is to wash (or co-wash), condition, leave-in, and then apply the gel or styling agent of choice. The shrinkage is about 75%!
Picture By:  longhairdontcare.com
As seen by this picture, hair in it's curly state, reaches comfortably at the top of her shoulder. However, when the truth is shown, look at the blown out and straighten side that screams out luxurious length. Her tresses, in length, is almost DOUBLE her natural curly state! Naturals around the globe can easily testify as to being astonished at their length when they have chosen to do a "length check."  This quickly alienate the theory that "black" hair cannot grow to such beautiful lengths.  Even though we know that length does not make one's hair more beautiful than those naturals who have chosen to wear their hair more cropped or simply hair has not "naturally" grown to that length.  After all, it takes great length to give those curly locks their coilyness, spirals, and waves.

The shrunkeness of our tresses  
speaks to the versatility of our natural hair!  Left in it's natural state, we wear it funky, in buns, high pony tails, and twist and braid out.  Blown dry, straightened or hot comb, we can sport flowing locks.  We can also chose to gel it down for that sleek, sophisticated look! Braids are also another option whether they be intricate or as simple as a box braid!

Now, don't give up the fight for showing off the length of those fabulous locks!  There are methods like banding, pineappling, African Threading, Twists, braid outs and roller sets.  The ultimate advice for those who find 
Picture By:  naturalhairmagazineusa.com
tolerating shrinkage a struggle, I suggest that you stay away from "wash n' goes!"  The products and stylers that are used usually cause the hair to pull to the scalp.  However, if you can maintain for a day or two, your wash n' go will do you good!



     ©Copyright 2015-17-4 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved


Thursday, April 2, 2015

Hair Inspiration!

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Spring 2015 is upon us and I was looking for new things to try with my hair.  Looked across the cyber world and pulled a few styles for inspiration.  Long, short, wavy, or kinky, there is a style for you!

.

Which style would you like to try?

beautiful curlsBun with a twist

Are You Thing About Color for this Spring or Summer?

Coils, beautiful coils!  Love the color going to do it with henna!
Freakin awesome!natural hair bun(via Naturally Free To Be Me)

TWA.
Cute protective style
Goregeous coils & hair color


Friday, March 27, 2015

Life Is Not My Hair

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We are on the cusp of another season of Spring.  What a relief for these natural 3c/4 tresses of mine.  Even though I've been natural since March of 2010, I still don't feel as though I got this thing/routine down pack!  LOL!


Grey Crystal Glass Headband


I realized that some products work at certain hair lengths for me and some simply don't work in certain whether conditions.  This makes having great hair days a manipulation act.  One that no matter how often practice can slip into a hot mess if the wrong combination of products are used.  It's like perfecting one's steps to a favorite song.

Running several on-line stores, writing two blogs, working a full-time job, meal preparations, and rearing an 11-year old guarantees a full plate.  So, I don't have a whole lot of time to dedicate to taking care of my hair.  However, to be natural does not mean my hair is unkept! (smile!)  Taking care of my hair requires diligent commitment to be maintained well and healthy.

 Life is not my hair means that it is necessary to adapt to the changes or needs of my tresses as the weather, seasons, and elements change.  Develop a routine that is simple and effective for everyday life.  This includes trying new hairstyles, adornments, and, of course, hair products.
 
A woman's glory is her hair and if her hair is on point, she abounds in confidence and meets the world challenges head on.
 
Whether we are wearing our hair natural or relaxed, there will always be a need to keep routines flexible, simple, and viable to our full everyday lives.

For most of us we've now are learning how to take care of our God-given hair in our 30s, 40s, and 50s. Our natural choices are turning the production of relaxers upside down.  What power lies in our pockets and how we  proudly wear our tresses.  Using our purchasing power to empower ourselves can be the beginning to build our communities and relationships amongst our families and friends and creating a more united network of businesses and employment opportunities.  Our hair is not our life but it is a starting point that will allow us to make better choices for our health, lifestyles, and fashion statement.  Realizing that my life is not my hair.  I will not make excuses for the coils and kinks that some days choose to defiantly "frizz," shrink, and coil up at will! The expression of who I am is experienced in every bend, wave, and spring-like curl and I love it!
 
Life is Not My Hair but it's a great starting point for a powerful journey....
 

©Copyright 2015-27-3 Crowning Glory Coils and Kinks - All Rights Reserved

 





Sunday, March 1, 2015

Good News for Natural Hair Products!

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While shopping in Target in my area, I was drawn to the ethnic hair care aisle!  I was there looking for the Camille Rose hair gel but only saw two designated rows for her product.  This time they didn't even have Camille Roses' Moisture Milk -- my new hair product for the month!

I noticed that there was a lot an awful lot of commotion between the aisle that I was in and the next aisle that housed the hair coloring products.

I then heard one of the workers saying to the other that they were moving the natural hair/ethnic aisle where the hair coloring items were.  The manager stated that they needed to make room for the natural hair products because that was what "people" were coming to Target to purchase!

Hhhmmm!  I said to myself!  We, naturals, are making a profound impact in the hair product industry!  At Target's you can find, Miss Jessie, Oyin, Alikay, Shea Moisture, Pantene's Natural hair line, Cantu and the list is growing!

It is truly giving Walmart a run for its money in this venue! 

So, next time your in the market for new hair products, give Target a whirl!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

The Challenge of Developing a Hair Routine!


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The establishment of an effective hair routine is the basis for healthy, strong, and tresses that are full of body.  Therefore, your routine can change with every season! 


Those who use glycerin will do so in the Spring and Summer and will forego it in the Fall and Winter seasons.


Products that worked "well" on your TWA (Tweeny, Weeny, Afro) will not work as effectively on your longer tresses!  We will often find ourselves "revisiting" products that worked in the beginning of our natural hair journey and didn't work in the middle of the journey, now seems to bring life to your shoulder length hair.


A basic routine that I'm finding to work for me is the Liquid, Oil, and Cream (LOC) system.  First applying your liquid, which can be as simple -- for most of us -- as water!  Choose your favorite oil (jojoba, coconut, olive or castor oil).  Your cream can be in the form of a "whipped" butter -- choose one that doesn't weigh your hair down to keep the body and bounce in your tresses.  You will often be able to find a product that will combine O and C!  Most creams (C) will include or be infused with not only one oil (O) but several oils.  You can also find a liquid (L) that will include your oil (O).


A successful routine must be able to "fully" hydrate your tresses!  It will keep your hair flexible and healthy.


Finding a successful hair routine can be frustrating and a cause to feed your product junkie-ism!  This is important to know even if your using the LOC system.  Some products play well together with your styler (gel or cream) that you may have incorporated in use for the LOC system and some will not!  This will be accomplished by trial and error.

Products that you purchased and will not work with your routine can be shared on hair board swaps.


Feel free to leave your routine below.  Share whether or not you have a "seasonal" routine or if you are able to maintain the same one!


Looking forward to hearing from you!

Happy Curls to You!

Friday, January 2, 2015

ApHogee Nutritional Supplement for Healthy Hair

Product view
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I've just completed my first 30-day ApHogee Nutritional Supplement for Healthy Hair!

My original plan was to order HairFinity which was $24.99 for a month's supply when I came across the ApHogee alternative, which can be found on Amazon.com between $7.99 to $9.99!

I had been taking Biotin capsules early on in my natural hair journey and then ran out and forgot to repurchase.  However, recently (October/November) I noticed that my hair was shedding, breaking, and there was a noticeable increase of single strand knots.  My hair became extremely tangled at the ends and dry!

I knew I needed to make a change to my regimen and decided to try the ApHogee supplement!  I am very pleased that I did!

I dusted my ends and started the 30-day regimen.  In a few days I noticed a decrease in the awful shedding that I was having.  My hair became more manageable, bouncy, and shinier!  I also noticed an increase in length retention.  The biggest surprise was that it seem that my fine hair was beginning to thicken on my sides, which seemed to be struggling.  The sides were beginning to retain more length and became more manageable.

According to ApHogee it is the vitamins & minerals in the product that are important for healthy hair.

Ingredients:

Of ApHogee Supplement for Healthy Hair are: Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Zinc, Molybdenum, DL-Methionine, Silica, Fo Ti Root Extract, Lycium Berry Extract, Dong Quai Root 5:1 Extract, Soy Lecithin, Organic Sulfur Complex, Protein Hydrolysate. Other Ingredients listed by a very small percentage: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Calcium Silicate and Hypromellose, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Titanium Dioxide, and Riboflavin -

See more at: http://www.baldness-cure.org/2009/12/aphogee-nutritional-supplement-for-healthy-hair/#sthash.EBWNA37t.dpuf

There was a significant difference in the ingredient list between ApHogee and HairFinity and that was vitamin E! HairFinity does NOT have vitamin E (not listed).

The biggest draw back is that the pill tastes awful, but what vitamin doesn't?!  Whichever, hair vitamin that you choose, follow the directions given.  ApHogee recommends that you take it with food.  You should also drink plenty of water to avoid breakouts, stomach upset, and headaches with most hair vitamin supplements!

I've just started my second 30-days of ApHogee and will keep you posted!

Until next time!

Remember to leave your comment, questions, and hair journey below!