Still Confused About What 3c 4a Natural Hair Looks Like?

3c/4a Natural Hair

Black Girl With Long Hair - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/320811173432894318/

Loana from Sao Paulo // 3C/4A Natural Hair

As is my usual routine for finding new products, hairstyles, and beautiful natural hair, I was purusing the internet when I came upon the 4a Natural Hair Board in Pninterest.  

I am often asked "what curl pattern do I have?" and most pictures can add more confusion that it does help.  So, when I came across this luscious head of hair, I felt compelled to share it with all of my beautiful naturlistas!

Read more about Loana's hair journey here:  http://blackgirllonghair.com/2015/04/loana-from-sao-paulo-3c4a-natural-hair/

Follow Loana here:  

Instagram: @afrog4l
Facebook Personal Profile: https://www.facebook.com/lonovaes

Battling With Single Strand Knots? Try Oil Rinsing?

Article by:  Kandycurls

Oil rinsing is a technique used to lock moisture in ones hair while in the process of washing and conditioning. It is very similar to the LOC method, except it is only done in the shower. It is usually done with one of three oils—olive, coconut or avocado—because they penetrate the hair shaft. Here is a Guide to Oil Rinsing for Hair.

Benefits

• You increase moisture retention because you are rinsing your hair with ample oil that penetrates the hair shaft to lock in water, leaving your hair more moisturized.
• Oil rinsing is a great way to add more shine to your hair. Some do it, just to get rid of lackluster hair and increase shine.
• You will have less single strand knots because oil rinsing combats dry ends, which prohibits single strand knots from forming.

There are many different ways that you can oil rinse your hair, but don't be intimidated by this technique. The method that works for me is an easy introduction into the world of oil rinsing. And it's easier than you might think.

Do you have dry hair?

Being that natural hair can be extremely dry, I like to do an oil rinse more often than not. For me, the best technique for doing this is after shampooing and during my conditioning process, instead of before my conditioning process like many do. In other words, I like to mix my oil of choice (i.e. olive oil) in with my conditioner. I have tried the latter technique, shampoo, oil, and then conditioner. I have also tried shampoo, conditioner, and then rinse, but my hair often feels too heavy. By mixing my conditioner and the oil, I get extra moisture without the heaviness.

Conditioner oil mix

After shampooing, I condition as I regularly would, rinse, and then condition with the oil and conditioner mixture. To do an oil rinse, I take a bowl in the shower, add a half-cup of oil and three tablespoons of conditioner, and mix. I like to let this sit in my hair for a little while if I can, so that it penetrates the hair shaft.

In other words, I like to mix my oil of choice (i.e. olive oil) in with my conditioner.

Why it works

My hair is low porosity, meaning the hair shaft is tightly bound, which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate. That being said, a regular oil rinse adds moisture, but not as much as I would like on its own. It does not feel as moisturized as it would if I added the oil to some conditioner. Also, with a regular oil rinse the remnants sit on top of my hair, which leaves it feeling coated. Mixing oil and conditioner for my oil rinse allows me to get deeply moisturized result.
Oil rinsing not only adds moisture, it also adds shine and makes detangling much easier for you. I have seen some rave about it and others who were not so impressed, but remember there is always a way to modify almost any hair maintenance technique to make it work for you.
Have you tried oil rinsing? Do you have something similar to oil rinsing that you like to do?

Frizz Attack!

Combating Frizz

Causes of Frizz

• Dry Hair
• Product Build-Up
• Damaged Hair

Dry Hair.  The primary cause or root of frizz is dehydrated hair.  Hair that is dry and thirsty will draw water from the atmosphere and this is the cause of frizz.  So, the primary prevention to keep frizz at bay is "moisturized" tresses. I f your hair is severely damaged, you may need a protein treatment to help control/remedy damage tresses.

Product Build-Up.  Hair that has been previously hydrated and sealed with products like Shea Butter, Silicones, and heavy butters blocks out any moisture to dry hair.  This causes hair to not properly receive the benefits of layering another moisturizer to your tresses.

Damaged Hair.  Hair that is damaged have raise cuticles causing it to be frizzy. This is because your cuticles are "raised" and are no longer "smooth."  These areas of "raised" cuticles will need a "fill-in" such as protein.  Protein will "fill-in" these gaps and allow hair to become smoother again.

Products:  Product ingredients (because humectants attract moisture to the hair it can cause swelling which causes the hair to dry and frizz. It’s best to use products that contain humectants as leave ins during cooler months).

Hair Manipulation:  Hair in Hair Syndrome is a huge culprit in the cause of frizz for a slew of natural hair wearers.  We cannot keep our hands out of our hair.  This is over manipulation of our tresses and is a culprit of creating frizz!

How to Keep your Tresses Moisturized?

1. Deep condition your tresses.  Shampoo your tresses to eliminate any product build up and then use a good deep conditioner to rehydrate your hair.
2. Incorporate styling products into your daily routine that contain  hydrolyzed proteins like hydrolyzed silk, soy and wheat protein that can penetrate the hairs cuticle.

Keeping Frizz at Bay!

Understanding the causes of frizz will help you better choose a regimen to keep frizz at bay.  Products like gel stylers and silicone serums also will help in preventing huge bouts of frizz.

Keep your HANDS out of your hair.  It's a hard thing to do but your fingers disturbs the curl pattern because the oils and sealants on your strands are pulled away by your touching and manipulation of your strands.  This removes the very products on your hair that you trust to keep your hair shiny, bouncy, and frizz free.

Finally, once you have completed your initial Wash N Go only lightly mist hair!  Hair that hasn't thoroughly dried and is manipulated is prone to frizz!

How do you combat frizz?  Leave me a comment below!

Happy Curls to You!

My Hair LOVES This Stuff! Shea Moisture's Curling Gel Souffle

The warm weather is upon us and I've been experimenting with a new hair routine.  I had been previously using the Shea Moisture Peace Rose Oil Gel and Conditioner.  I liked the product but you have to use the Peace Rose regular Conditioner as a leave-in.  Anyhow, my hair has always loved the Shea Moisture Curling Soufflé Gel and I decided to try it for the warmer season since it is heavy on glycerin, by the way, which my hair simply adores.

My hair needs water at least every three days but in the warmer weather with perspiration and being outdoors more, I really prefer to rinse my hair under the shower nightly (daily).  I find that if I’m just rinsing my hair that the Shea Moisture Curling Soufflé Gel holds up very well unlike other products that tend to breakdown or needs to be reapplied after rinsing.  I also like to “oil rinse” my hair too and this product seems to compliment that regimen well.

I know, I know but that stickiness!  It makes most people feel as though they cannot “touch” their hair.  I really could not understand how Shea Moisture was still producing this product with all the initial complaints of the stickiness, the variation of consistencies from jar to jar, store to store, and seasons.  With all this against it, the product is still on the shelf with the other beloved Shea Moisture products.

I might just have a solution for you and the reason it is a stable in many naturals routines.  It works!  Hair of various textures and types love the stuff.  I also found this product to “play” well with other natural or non-natural product lines.

I purchased a jar from Walmart, note to self, don’t do that again.  I usually get mines from Walgreen.  This jar of soufflé was set like Jell-O.  I had to literally punch a hole in it.  I struggled through applying to my hair.  The third day, I took a plastic fork and “whipped” the soufflé until it became pliable and looked like beat up Jell-O!  Curls were banging, shiny, and was not drawn up like when I use a regular gel!  My hair was super soft, defined, and touchable.

Here's a few tips: 

1. Mix a “small” amount of the soufflé to your favorite styler or leave-in for a more touchable and less sticky feel. 
2. “TAP” the surface of the soufflé gel and apply directly to hair.
3. Use “less” of the product!  Too much will cause excessive stickiness.
4. Layer the product on in sections to gauge how much each section will need.

Finally, most naturals have attributed the “stickiness” to the agave that is in the product but I will tell you that the product “keeps” my hair “moisturized” for days!  Also, with my 3b -4a hair frizz is par for the course but the soufflé gel gives me ultimate frizz-less hair!  Love the stuff!

Don't forget to leave me a comment down below.

Happy Curls to You!

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Shea Moisture Peace Rose Oil Complete Nourish and Silken Styling Gel-Cream

     I came across this product while viewing the YouTuber Pretti Uneek Hair video.  I wasn't able to just go to my local Target store to get it.  I had to order it on-line.  So, I had it shipped to my local Target's and retrieved the product from there.

     The reason I felt compelled to write a review about this product is because while on the train last Thursday, on a standing room only train, and she leaned down and whispered "what do you use on your hair?"  I looked to see a natural with fine curly hair similar to mines.  "She said your hair looks so healthy!"  My hair is 3c/4 and hers was mostly 3b but fine. 

      I had been using Shea Moisture's Peace Rose Conditioner and Gel-Cream.  My texture is very much like YouTuber Pretti Uneek Hair so I thought I give it a try.  I was right.  Now, I must warn you before you break out and run to your local Target store.  I love the way my hair reacts to this product.  However, the product "rose" smell is VERY strong and if you do not like products with strong odors, you will want to return the product.

     I love roses and the smell is so realistic that it simply intrigues me.  The scent goes away in about an hour or so and can be refreshed when spritzing with water.

      As with Shea Moisture's other products, it has a great price point of $10.99.  My hair was light and bouncy with a soft hold, the way I like my hair.  A little of this product goes a long way.  It is easy to apply to wet hair.  I have not tried to apply it to dry hair.

Head Dress Beauty

10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized