For Long, Healthy Natural Kinky and Curly Hair - Your Dry Hair Days Are Over!
  • About
  • Queens
    • QueenOfKinks
  • Hair Blog
    • Magazine
    • Headbands
    • Scarf
  • TV
  • FreeInfo
  • Courses
    • HotOilTreatments
    • HairButters
    • DIYshampoos
    • DIYconditioners
    • DIYmoisturizers
    • DIYdetanglers
    • Property
  • Contact
    • FAQs
    • Advertise
  • About
  • Queens
    • QueenOfKinks
  • Hair Blog
    • Magazine
    • Headbands
    • Scarf
  • TV
  • FreeInfo
  • Courses
    • HotOilTreatments
    • HairButters
    • DIYshampoos
    • DIYconditioners
    • DIYmoisturizers
    • DIYdetanglers
    • Property
  • Contact
    • FAQs
    • Advertise
Search

I'm shedding hair from the scalp / root, is that normal?!

31/1/2013

 
PictureShed hairs!
The quick answer: YES.

Shedding hair is a natural process that you can't stop; it's genetically predetermined.

All hair has three growth phases:

1. Anagen phase: hair growth

Can last 1 to 10 years, but is 4 to 7 year on average. According to The Science of Black Hair, 88% of the hairs on your head are in the anagen (growth) phase at any one time.

2. Catagen phase: hair resting

Lasts anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months; 1% of the hairs on your head are currently in the catagen (resting) phase.

3. Telogen phase: hair shedding

11% of the hairs on your head are currently in the telogen (shedding) phase. These hairs either come our on their own or are pulled out during styling. If you have braids or dreadlocks the shed hairs don't fall out because they are restricted from doing so. 

This is actually one of the reasons locs can appear to be thicker than normall hair, shed hair remains matted to the loc and cannot escape.

Shedding is different to breakage. Broken hair does't usually come out from the root it is broken off at an intermediate point due to stress, styling and other hair handling.

How can you tell if the hair in your hand is shed or broken?

A shed hair has a white/grey bulb at the end of it. Why is this? Because hair in the catagen phase doesn't produce hair color or melanin.

A shed hair will also tend to be much longer than a broken hair because it detaches itself straight from the scalp.

How many hairs should you shed in a day under normal circumstances?

Most say 50 to 100 hair per day; others say up to 200 hairs is normal.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

I wear a cotton wig cap regularly, am I damaging my natural hair?

30/1/2013

 
PictureCotton wig cap
It's pretty common knowledge now that cotton is more absorbent than satin or silk so you should sleep with a satin cap over your head.

So, could a cotton wig cap be damaging you hair? 

The quick answer: no, not likely.

Cotton wig caps are okay if you are not sleeping in them. 

Cotton surfaces are worse to sleep on because the full weight of your head is on the cotton cap or surface and all the tossing and turning adds to the abrasion (rubbing) and drying out of hair. 

When you wear a wig cap during the day, however, your hair does not rub against the cap nearly as much. If your hair is in cornrows or flat twists that's even better because loose strands are much more vulnerable than hair that is bunched up together.

So overall, you are okay to wear a wig cap. Protect your hair by flat twisting or corn rowing it before putting the cap on.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

Teyonah Parris's Pompadour Updo: Classy, Elegant, Royal

29/1/2013

 
Styled by Felicia Leatherwood, Teyonah Pariss (Mad Men actress) fashioned a pompadour updo to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. 

She clearly has natural hair and she styled it so elegantly I'm sure everyone on the red carpet was green with hair envy - even the straight-haired girls who tend to think straight is better.

This hair is the stuff dreams are made of for me: thick, healthy, luscious and kinky. There is no denying that this updo more than completes the outfit!
Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

If heat is so bad why is it okay to use heat when I deep condition my natural hair?

28/1/2013

 
Picture
To ensure you absorb all the good stuff from a deep conditioner many recommend that you apply heat over a shower cap or sit under a hooded dryer with hair covered in a plastic shower cap.

Why doesn't this cause heat damage? The reasons are simple:

1. Heat is not direct

The heat is not applied directly to the hair, it's over a shower cap so it is much less intense.

2. The conditioner creates a protective seal

At the time you apply heat, your hair is covered in the conditioner and that in itself acts as a strong heat protectant.

3. Water's "specific heat" temperature is very high

The specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a given quantity of 'something' by one degree Celsius. A lot of energy is need to increase the temperate of water by one degree. Conditioner's key ingredient is water.

Water acts as a buffer between the heat and your hair and slows down the rate at which your hair fibres take in the heat.

It also follows that if your hair is very well moisturised, sealed (e.g. with coconut oil or an oil blend) and has been recently deep conditioned, styling tools that use heat are much less likely to cause heat damage.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

Ref: The Science of Black Hair, pages 171-2

What is the Castor Oil Challenge? FAQs All Answered Here.

26/1/2013

 
Picture
You can undertake the castor oil challenge at any time you choose; it's not some historical undertaking whose time has passed.

What's the objective of the castor oil challenge?
To improve hair growth

Which hair types can undertake the challenge?
Any and all hair types

How long does the challenge last?
3 months

What products do you need for the castor oil challenge?
Just castor oil, your fingers and a notebook to document the changes.

What do you do with the castor oil?
Massage it into your scalp gently for 7 to 12 minutes.

How often do you have to massage the oil into your scalp?
At least 3 times a week

Can the castor oil challenge be improved?
I think so. For every ounce, 28 ml, of castor oil add 3 drops of the following essential oils: cedarwood, lavender, rosemary and thyme. These are all documented as improving hair health and growth.

I don't like castor oil, are there any other oils I can use for my scalp to get the same effect?
Yes. Specifically for massaging the scalp I recommend jojoba, avocado oil and argan oil as the best oils for scalp massage.

Where can you get castor oil?
In a health food store or on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.

Is there anything else I should know?
Yes. Your hair has a maximum rate at which it can grow as determined by genetics. Massaging the scalp just ensures your hair is growing at the maximum rate that is possible for you. Your results will not necessarily match anyone else's results.

If you've tried the castor oil challenge please let us know how it went with a comment...

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

How to Prepare Natural Hair for Braiding & Weaving

25/1/2013

 
Picture
Picture
1. Only braid healthy hair. 
2. Shampoo, condition and detangle beforehand.
Picture
If you hair is currently weak, damaged or unhealthy in any other way, this is not the time to be getting braids. Nurse your hair back to health and then go to get braids.

Before a salon appointment:
  1. Wash your hair
  2. Deep condition your hair
  3. Detangle your hair thoroughly
  4. Moisturise and seal with an oil so it remains soft, spring and easy to manage
  5. Blow dry gently on a cool setting

What is the point of all this? 

You want your hair to be as strong as possible so it can take any trauma; a lot of hairdressers don't take the time to detangle hair gently and will more than likely blow dry the hair prior to plaiting it. All this handling and styling is prime time for your hair to break. 
Picture
If you have adequately detangled and blow dried your hair enough to make it easy to plait it will be very easy for you to request that the stylist doesn't blow dry it again. If your hair is matted or tangled you best believe the stylist will insist she needs to blow dry it. I am only just recovering from one such recent hair trauma!

I also have a very sensitive scalp so almost every time I get braids I have bumps around the edges because even a little pulling is too much for my tender skin. 

When you get to the appointment, remain involved in the process:
  1. If the stylist is pulling too tightly, let her know;
  2. If she's combing to roughly, e.g. too fast or using a rattail comb before the hair is properly detangled, let her know; encourage her to use a wide tooth comb first;
  3. If the stylist is attaching a large braid to a small portion of hair, tell her to use less hair;
  4. If she's blow drying too roughly or with the heat set too high, LET HER KNOW!

I'm full of confidence but I too sometimes feel like I am being too demanding at the salon so I let some transgressions slide without stating my opinion ~ big mistake ~ I know my scalp and I know my hair so I need to communicate the needs of my hair, you do too.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

The best way to deep condition natural black hair

24/1/2013

 
Picture
First and foremost, note that not every conditioner is a deep conditioner. I wish I really understood this at the beginning of my natural journey. Read this to understand the variety of conditioners that are on the market.

A deep condition is need every 7/10 to days regardless of the state of your hair: whether you're rocking an afro, in braids or a weave your hair needs regular hydration and deep conditioning.

The objective of conditioning is to:
  1. Reduce porosity - this helps you retain moisture better. This reduction in the porousness of hair occurs because conditioners have a lower pH than shampoo, i.e. they are more acidic.
  2. Increase softness - this makes hair easier to manage 
  3. Increase elasticity - this in turn reduces the likelihood that your hair will break as you handle it (combing, blow drying, braiding etc.)
  4. Normalize the pH of hair following a shampoo

The deep conditioning process:
  1. Detangle thoroughly
  2. Wash your hair with water and then your shampoo if you use one
  3. Apply the deep conditioner generously
  4. Cover your head in a shower cap (I use two shower caps) then blow dry on top of the shower cap or sit under a hooded dryer for 5 minutes. The heat helps your hair to absorb all the good stuff from the product.
  5. I then cover my hair in a hat or a thick scarf so the heat is trapped inside
  6. When it's time to wash out the conditioner, I take the showercap off and let the hair cool down before rinsing the conditioner off first with warm water, then with very cool water to seal the cuticle layer of the hair.

If you intend to blow dry or flat iron your hair afterwards you can follow the deep conditioner with a moisturising condition. This will ensure the heat does not dry the hair out too much. 

A deep conditioner followed by a moisturising conditioner, say what? Yeah, according to The Science of Black Hair you can do that.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

Working with Essential Oils - Understanding Dilution

22/1/2013

 
Picture
If you've gotten (or want to get) into blending your own hair products you've probably wondered how to use essential oils safely: how many drops are too little, how many are too much? 

This is important because essential oils are extremely potent and if incorrectly used can cause fires (!), skin burns and other adverse side effects. 

The number of drops of an essential oil used depends on what you want that blend for.

Picture
1% dilution
Ideal if the blend will be used by a child, an elderly person, someone who is chronically ill and pregnant women

2% dilution
Ideal for the average adult. Do not use more than this to avoid adverse effect, e.g. lavender is a sedative in small doses and will help you sleep but a stimulant in high doses! Go figure.

3% dilution
Okay if you are making cleaning agents or if recommended by a professional.

What do these dilutions translate to in number of drops?

For every 30 ml (1 oz) of oil, you need:
  • 5-6 drops for a 1% dilution
  • 10-12 drops for a 2% dilution
  • 15-18 drops for a 3% dilution

Why aren't the number of drops of exact?
Different essential oils have different thickness / density / viscosity. If the essential comes out the bottle in big/thick drops you need fewer drops than if it comes out in small/thin drops.

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

References
Application and Dilution
Essential Oil Dilutions Chart
Diluting Essential Oils

GIVEAWAY - Mahogany Naturals Great Hair Pack

20/1/2013

 
GIVEAWAY CLOSED

This giveaway is sponsored by Mahogany Naturals. They are giving this great bundle of products to one lucky winner. The entry question is at the bottom. First, a bit about the products:
Picture
1. Re-constructive shampoo bar 

  • Helps repairs damaged, dry, weak hair. 
  • Restores lustre, shine, strength 
  • Makes hair a lot more manageable.
  • Gentle cleansing,will not strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture

2. Luscious hair milk 

  • All natural creamy leave in treatment
  • Greatly reduces breakage
  • Great for blowout/straightening
  • Get beautiful soft hair with this daily creamy leave in conditioner and moisturiser
  • Great for dry and damaged hair: super intense moisture
  • Detangles,moisturises and defines curls. Apply to damp or dry hair

3. Daily moisturising leave in treatment

  • Made with over 50% organic Aloe Vera, a natural healer
  • A very moisturising daily leave in spray,nourishes hair with moisture and shine.
  • Protects hair from harsh weather and keeps it at optimum health
  • Helps repair damaged weak hair strands and hair follicles 
  • Great detangler & PH Balanced
  • Sun protection for your hair
  • Great for promoting healthy scalp
  • Great for when your hair is in braids and twists

You can find Mahogany Naturals on Facebook and etsy!

Entry question was: What type of headgear e.g. head scarves do you prefer, african prints or more culture/region-neutral designs?

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

15 Styles for Short Natural Hair a.k.a. A Teeny Weeny Afro

19/1/2013

 
When you've just cut your hair off you might be at a loss as to how to style your teeny weeny afro (or TWA); well, I have some fantabulous styles for you below. In addition to these styles, however, note that bright lipsticks and big earrings looks awesome with a TWA. Click to enlarge!

You can wear your short natural hair / TWA as is!

Picture
Picture
Picture

Embellish short natural hair / TWA with a hair clip...

Picture
Picture
Picture

...hairbands look good on short natural hair / TWA 

Picture
Picture
Picture

Use some gel or a side comb to flatten your short natural hair

Picture
Picture
Picture

Last but not least, head scarves and hats!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Click to watch a headscarf video!
Picture

Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.

<<Previous
    I now blog about wealth creation - so if you have any money questions meet me there, you can do all sorts of cool things like leave me a voicemail.
    Follow @NenoNatural
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

    I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx

    p.s. I now blog about wealth and personal finance on my personal website.

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    About
    Aloe Vera
    Bad Chemicals
    Bad Hair Practices!
    Baggying
    Big Chops
    Braids Weaves Wigs
    Brands
    Breakage/thinning
    Butters
    Carrier Oils
    Carrier Oils & Butters
    Children
    Color
    Conditioning Hair
    Co Washing
    Cultural Issues
    Damage
    Dandruff
    Detangling
    Detangling/combing
    Diet & Hair
    Dreadlocks
    Essential Oils
    Events
    Exercise
    Food For Hair
    Frizz Control
    Giveaways!
    Growth Phases
    Growth Stimulators
    Growth Tips
    Hair Type
    Hard Water Solutions
    Heat
    Homemade Hair Recipes
    Ingredients In Products
    Interviews
    Itchy Scalps
    Lice
    Magazines
    Makeup
    Matted Hair
    Max Hydration Method
    Microfiber
    Moisturising Dry Hair!
    Other Naturals
    Ph And Hair
    Porosity
    Pregnancy
    Press And Publicity
    Product Reviews
    Protective Styling
    Queen Of Kinks
    Random
    Regimen Building
    Salon Reviews
    Scalp Conditions
    Science
    Shampoos
    Shiny Hair
    Silicones
    Sleeping
    Stretching Hair
    Styles
    Swimming
    Texture Issues
    Thin Hair
    Tips & Challenges
    Tools & Products
    Transitioning
    Trimming
    Vitamins
    Washing
    Weather

    Picture
    Click for free eBook!
    Picture
    Check out the podcast!

    Archives

    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    October 2011

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo from robertivanc
  • About
  • Queens
    • QueenOfKinks
  • Hair Blog
    • Magazine
    • Headbands
    • Scarf
  • TV
  • FreeInfo
  • Courses
    • HotOilTreatments
    • HairButters
    • DIYshampoos
    • DIYconditioners
    • DIYmoisturizers
    • DIYdetanglers
    • Property
  • Contact
    • FAQs
    • Advertise