Source: Huffington Post If you look on any social media site, you will certainly encounter images of black women with  uber long natural hair... And you may be wondering why your hair hasn't inched past your collar bone. I've been there. My hair became stagnant once I reached just above shoulder length (SL) and I had no idea why my hair was stuck.  If you are having those thoughts and want to beat the hair growth rut that you may be experiencing, check to see if you are making any of these mistakes, and CORRECT immediately. Mistake #1 - Not clipping your split ends I am a harsh offender of this mistake.  Lock me up and throw away the key.  I hate when any stylist pulls out those treacherous scissors... BUT the truth is cutting split ends are necessary to save the healthy hair.   If you refuse to clip your ends, that split will make its way up your hair shaft and do significant damage.  This will inevitably lead to you cutting off more of your hair.  Now you h...

Let's face it, the Summer heat and humidity can take any hairstyle from fab to drab in about 5 minutes.  I live in an area where July is filled with days that temps soar above 90°.  Because of this, it is imperative for me to have some different styles that I can rock without fear of my hair turning into a poufy mess.  Here are some styles that you can rock confidently in the Summer Heat! Wash & Go The Wash & Go is a style that can be easily achieved with the right products.  For best results, start on freshly cleansed hair and use a great great gel that will hold your curls even when it's hot and muggy outside. 2.  Feedin Cornrows Source: Pinterest Feedin Cornrows are the perfect low maintenance style especially for those hitting the islands or just local beach town.  3. Crochet Hairstyles Pinterest Pinterest Crochets can be a cost-saving way to have a glamorous look. There are a variety of crochet...

When I first decided to ditch the relaxers, it wasn't for some profound, self-reflecting reason. I was not thinking about connecting to my culture, promoting self-love, or building bonds with other fro wearing women. My decision to go natural was based purely on the fact that I wanted to grow my hair.  For years, I had struggled to get my hair to grow beyond my collar bone.  I had always encountered some type of breakage that prevented me from having the long hair that I once had as a child. Once I started researching and experimenting with various products, I have discovered the best products that work great for MY hair. These products have aided me in achieving longer, stronger hair.  I am so ecstatic about the growth and strength of my hair, that I definitely want to share the wealth with you so that you are not spending hundreds of dollars experimenting on the WRONG products.  Before we jump into the ULTIMATE list of Hair Products, I must state the obvious; Although thes...

In case you haven't heard, Shea Moisture, a beauty brand that has catered to the hair and skin needs of Black women, released a new commercial. Just as soon as the commercial was released, the public dragging commenced. The reason for the major backlash was the fact that the new advertising featured a woman who appeared to be biracial ( I could be wrong ) and several White women.  Say What? Yes, Shea Moisture, who has made tons of money from black consumers created, approved, and released a commercial that didn't focus on it's core audience.  Granted, a woman with a lighter complexion was front and center... BUT what happened to all of the other beautiful shades of brown?  No caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cocoa, etc.  Before I continue, check out the video that has all of the chocolate sisters up in arms. Credit: Peculiar Royalty - Youtube Objective Opinion I see why Shea Moisture thought this was a good move to make as a brand. They want to expand the...

I recently had the opportunity to try out some new products.  In March, I received four products in my monthly curlBOX subscription. To be quite honest, I had never heard of this brand and had never noticed their products in stores. After doing a bit of research, I now know that you can purchase these products at Target, Walmart, CVS, and Ulta.  I was actually excited to be entering uncharted territory with Maui Moisture. Let's dive into the four hair products that I received. PRODUCT BREAKDOWN Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo 13 FL OZ Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner 13 FL OZ Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie 12 OZ Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Milk 8 OZ I was very pleased to see how much product was included in each container.  The products range between $7 and $9 depending on where you purchase from. All of the Curl Quench products were designed for Thick, Curly Hair which is absolutely perfect for me.  If you do not have thick and curly hair, Maui...

If you have been following Natural Hair trends, then it may seem like Natural Hair has seriously become a science.  There is always something new that one must learn in order to achieve the perfect curl.  We hear terms like protein, moisture retention, sulfates, silicone, and of course, porosity.  We hear so many hair/beauty gurus talk about the importance of hair porosity, so let's dive into all things relating to Hair Porosity. What is Hair Porosity? "Porosity is the quality of being porous, or full of tiny holes. Liquids go right through things that have porosity." - Vocabulary.com If you aren't achieving the ideal twist out or other curly style, then hair porosity may be the culprit. With that being said, hair porosity basically deals with your hair's ability to absorb liquid (moisture) and also retain it. There are three main types of porosity: Low, Normal, and High Porosity. How do you know your porosity type? There is a simple hair strand te...

Since winter began, I have experimented with something new.  I decided to straighten my hair during the winter months.  My stylist makes sure to deep condition and apply a protein treatment before straightening my hair.  I have noticed that the silk press has reduced many of the problems that I associate with cold temps such as dryness, shedding, tangles, and split ends. It is easier to maintain a silk press during the winter as opposed to the summer cause you are not competing against humidity. Although it is easier, there are some steps you can take to make your silk press go the distance. Protect Your Hair at Night I protect my silk press by either rolling it with flexi rods or by putting 4 large braids in my hair.  I then place a bonnet on my head before drifting off to sleep.  When I wake up I unravel my hair and use my Denman brush to gently brush my hair to my liking. You can also wrap your hair around your head and tie it down with a silk scarf. I do not do this becau...

W ith 2017 in full effect, I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce you all to some new products that have quickly become my  NEW FAVES.  As many of you already know, I'm a sucker for hair products and so I am always experimenting and often times wasting money on the latest product to hit shelves.  I have made every effort to limit how much money I spend IN STORES on hair products, and have forced myself to stick only to trying the products that arrive in my monthly curlBOX.  Check out this  post   for more information on this service that I use.  Listed below are some of my favorite products that I have received from curlBOX.  BABASSU OIL Mint Deep Conditioner  by Mielle Organics This deep conditioner smells great and feels even better as you massage it throughout your hair.  It has a tingling sensation and will have your feeling soft. I also really like the fact that this product was created by Monique Rodriguez, a women of color.  I'm all about...

Issues regarding race relations have been on the rise with the increasing news coverage on police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement, Trump Ideology, and more. With all of the coverage relating to "Black" -vs- "White", the concept and accusation of Cultural Appropriation has spread like wildfire.  Seeing all of the hoopla surrounding this term, I thought it was good idea to weigh in on Cultural Appropriation. So what is Cultural Appropriation? According to   Cultural Appropriation and the Arts , Cultural Appropriation is the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture. Well okay, this doesn't seem so bad... or does it? When I read this definition aloud, the words assimilation, or acclimation come to mind. People often have to adapt to their environment in order to survive or deal with a given situation or scenario.   So what's the big deal? The problem comes in when someone adopts elements of a culture ...

I walked outside this morning and was dramatically smacked in the face by a cold gust of wind. How Rude! Lady Winter has definitely showed up to the fight and is not holding back any punches. Unfortunately the cold temps, snow, ice, and winds that winter brings can be very damaging to your natural strands.  Without proper care, your hair can suffer from breakage.  Hopefully with the tips below you should be on your way to WINTERIZING your hair  and protecting it from whatever this winter has in stored for us. Photo Credit: Rihanna -I-D Magazine Flat Iron-Chi **Results may vary** ...

The Product Junkie in me is filled with excitement about my November curlBOX.  This is my first shipment from the curlBOX subscription service.  I have previously ordered some products that were not included in their monthly subscription.  To read about that experience click  HERE .  The November box featured products from PAUL MITCHELL. Read on to find out more about these featured products. Box Breakdown  The products came wrapped in hot pink tissue paper and was placed in the signature black box with gold and pink lettering.  Included inside: Paul Mitchell curls - Spring Loaded Frizz-Fighting Shampoo.   This is a pretty small bottle with only 2.5 fl. oz. Paul Mitchell curls -  Spring Loaded Frizz-Fighting Conditioner.  The conditioner is much larger than the shampoo with 6.8 fl. oz. Paul Mitchell express style- Round Trip. This is a liquid curl definer and it has a pump attachment.  The appearance of this product is like a liquified gel/serum. The size of this produ...

It all began once my hair had drifted beyond my shoulders (when stretched).  I had never had these problems before.  Although my hair was making strides towards achieving my lofty length goals, I was getting ready to embark on a new nightmare (cue horror music) Single Strand Knots.  Have you ever found yourself yelling at the female-lead in a scary movie? You know they are walking into a dangerous situation and you are screaming for them to turn around and go back.  That's me, right about now.  I know better! I know that I should wear protective styles, and detangle...but I haven't been doing these necessary tasks, lately.  My inner voice is screaming at me, and I still fail to listen.  I have never regretted this as much as I did yesterday. Saturday was my WASH DAY and I was forced to live through the horrifying consequences of not heeding my own advice. As I began to detangle, I noticed that the tangles and single strand knots had violently attacked my thick curls!!! I ...

 Well Sorta. I have been seeing advertisements for curlBOX for awhile. I decided to check out the site and see what all the fuss was about. What is curlBOX, you ask? According to www.curlBOX.com , it is  "an affordable, exclusive, and effortless way to explore new products". It is basically a hair product subscription service.  The exclusive subscribers receive new hair products featuring a different brand every month for the fine price of $20/month.   Their site is pretty simple to navigate.  Unfortunately, their signature curlBOX subscription was closed, so I signed up to receive notification once their subscription list opened again.  Since I could not sign up for the subscription, I decided to purchase some items that were available on the Shop Now tab.  I selected the #cBdopedeal for $25 .  I also paid $5 for shipping. (Yes, I paid for this product with my own money.) The curlBOX came quickly, so I was very happy about that. Product Information Product Brand...

Let's first address the elephant in the room... I haven't blogged since the beginning of this month. I have a really good reason why... I promise.  The school year has officially started and I needed to take a short break to ensure that I was well prepared for my students. Now let's jump right into it.  I recently had the "pleasure" of using the product shown on the left of your screen. I went to get my hair styled in two simple feedin cornrows and my stylist prefers to use 'Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges'.  I must admit, when I first walked out of the shop I was impressed.  My hair was laid to perfection and there wasn't a strand of hair out of place!  As you may know, my hair can be extremely unruly... I always feel bad for the stylist that decides to try to tame it.  I was definitely a happy customer, because my braider, Ashley, has hands blessed by God!!! Three days later, my daughter hopped into my bed and began looking at my hair. ...