6 Simple Tips: Keep Natural Hair Low Maintenance

Stretched Twist Out -  Only 8 Twists

How often have you heard that natural hair takes a lot of work, or styling natural hair is time consuming?  I've had people shake their heads at the sight of my hair, because they just don't understand how I can maintain it at this length.  Well, I like to keep things simple, so I devised a few easy ways to do just that.  

Watch this video to see how:

Keeping your natural hair care easy also includes having healthy ends.  To set yourself up for success, be sure to keep your ends trimmed; this keeps the snags and tangles low, which also helps you avoid breaking off your length.

Sleeping on a Satin Pillowcase  is one way to keep moisture in your hair & avoid breakage.

Thanks for watching!

RallyGirl♥

Hair Straightener Brush on Natural Hair - Does it Work?

I'm always looking for quick, simple, and easy ways to style and care for my natural hair.  I've seen the hair straightening brushes, but assumed they wouldn't do the trick for type 4 naturals.  I was also a bit skiddish about using a brush, much less applying heat to my hair.

Nova Tec Hair Straightener, Storage Bag & Instruction Manual 

It's been a couple years since I flat ironed my hair, so I broke down and purchased this straightening brush, just so I could share my experience with my afro squad.

Click the image to watch the demo and see for yourself:

Here are a few specifications, directly from Amazon:

• ★ Combination Of Ceramic Iron Straightener + Detangling Brush + Anion Hair Massager. Instant Heating just few Minutes, Fast for A Magic Silky Straight Hair Styling.
• ★ HEALTHY:The Hair Straightening Brush Produce Anion When Work That Remove Hair Static Electricity, Also Anion Can Combine with Air to Produce Moisture, Help Nourish Your Hair.
• ★ NEW UPGRADED AND SAFER. Anti Scald, Prevents Excessive Heat, Anti Static, Auto Shut-off Protection, 
• ***★ CONSTANT HEAT: Max 450℉(230℃), Auto Keep Constant Temperature at 365℉(180℃) for All Types of Hair, Customized Set 410℉(210℃) for Natural Texture Hair, 450℉(230℃) for Thick or Wavy hair, Effortless and Efficient Straightening Styling.  
• ★ LCD Thermostat, 360 Degree Rotatable Wire Avoids The Wire Twining.

Nova Tec Hair Straightener

Nova Tec Hair Straightener

Pros:
1.  The process only took 35 minutes.
2.  Easy to use.
3.  I was able to brush my edges without burning my face at 170°C.
4.  It did get my hair to the desired straight-ish texture, with the temperature at 170°C.
5.  Easy to store with the storage bag, and velcro strap on the cord.
6.  Digital temperature display.
7.  Rotatable cord

Cons:
1.  Easy to change temperature while using.
2.  Instruction manual is a bit English challenged (the translation is a little off).

As always, thanks for watching and reading!

RallyGirl♥

***Before using heat on your hair, always proceed with caution.  It's best to test product on a small piece of hair before using it on entire head.  Also, use a heat protectant.

Grow Natural Hair, Retain Length: How to Seal in Moisture; What Natural Hair Guru's Aren't Telling You

Many Naturalistas have adopted the coveted L.O.C. (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method to seal moisture into their tresses.   Information about this is all over the web; it's an excellent guide to use when getting started, but it’s always best to try different options to see what your natural hair loves most.  This applies to type 4 naturals as well as transitioners. 

I should note that because they are the oldest, and often the driest part of the strand, your ends need extra TLC.  To keep them from breaking off, make sure to double up on the moisture, so that your length can come through.

The simple steps are to apply the Liquid first, add the Oil, then seal with a Cream.  In the Natural Afro Hair world, we are governed by a ton of rules, guidelines, and reg-A-lations, but as the ultimate Ruler, your hair chooses the potion(s) you use.  

For me, the L.O.C. method can be a bit heavy for my hair, during the summer, when I’m wearing it out (in twist outs, wash & go’s etc.).   On these occasions, I just do an L.O. and go.  However in the winter, L.O.C. is the bomb for any style I wear, and it’s great for my protective styles any time of the year.  

Bottom line, L.O.C. is not a one size fits all.

Here are some examples of L.O.C. options:

Liquid:

• Water (typically preferred)
• Water based leave in conditioner
• Aloe Vera Juice

Oil:

• Almond oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Avocado oil
• Castor oil
• Etc.

Cream:

• Over the counter styling creams
• Over the counter hairdresses
• Shea butter
• Coconut Oil  (well in my case when it's in its solid state)

I usually mix and match based on what I have on hand, but I always remain stocked up on these basic must haves:  

Aloe Vera Gel (or juice)

Water based Leave-in Conditioner

Olive Oil

Avocado Oil

Castor Oil

Shea Butter

Coconut Oil 

Be encouraged, and have fun trying the countless combinations, to see what your type 4 mane loves the best. 

Thanks for reading, and happy L.O.C.ing!

RallyGirl

L.O.C. product options:

Grow Natural Hair, Retain Length: 3 EASY Ways to Quick Trim (Dust) Your Ends

Getting shed of unhealthy ends is essential to having healthy, natural hair, and retaining its length.

Here, I demonstrate 3 quick and easy ways to trim (dust ) your ends:





When trimming your ends, always make sure you're using hair cutting shears and no other type of scissors.  Below are a few good options with varying price points:



Thanks for reading & watching!

Mo' Hair,

RallyGirl♥

4 Satin & Silk Ideas to Use that Will Help Retain the Length of Your Hair at Bedtime

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.  I Pray the Lord My Hair to Keep.

Cotton is my all time favorite fabric.  I mean it reigns supreme, and is the the most luxurious, and is simply the END dawling!  The idea of having a 100% cotton ball gown gives me life without parole.

EXCEPT...it ain't good for your hair.  For anyone trying to cultivate and retain the length of their hair, cotton is the enemy, because it's drying, and can cause breakage.  

For moisture, length, and style retention, silks and satins are where it's at!  I interchange bedtime options based on the style I'm wearing.  I wear several "looks"(I won't say headrags this time), but here, I've included just a few of the more glamorous options....  The ones that are less likely to make your man's/woman's eyes burn when you wear them.  

Product links left to right:

- Satin scarves are great for twists, braids, tightly styled fros, and locs.

- Morning Glamor satin pillowcases come in a set of two for those who like to match everything.

- Dome Cap is what I use when keeping my loose twists wrapped & stretched, or when I'm wearing plaits for CovaGirls™

- Leopard print pillowcase.  I picked up one of these for myself (because the hubs isn't into leopard).  LOL

My husband stays "entertained" by my night time routine, because it's ever changing.  Hey, a sista has to make that "It-took-me-2 hours-to-do" hairstyle last!

Don't get me wrong, I've thrown caution to the wind, a few times.  Had the nerve to sleep with my hair out, AND on a cotton pillow case.  Dry, crispy ends and edges was the toll I paid upon waking. The friction of the cotton against my tresses, resulted in lifted cuticles, so the smooth appearance, moisture and shine, got an attitude, packed their bags and scrammed!

If cotton is damaging to hair like this, I could only imagine what it does to skin -- they say it causes wrinkles.  O.o



Thanks for reading & Mo' Hair!

RallyGirl♥

My Bentonite Clay Mask Experience - Type 4 Hair

The bandwagon came back my way and I finally jumped on.  After watching a boat-load of videos about using benzonite clay for hair, I bought Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.

Almost a year later, I'm just now getting around to trying it, and decided to make using clay masks a part of my hair care regimen.

Watch this video to see how I mixed and applied it, plus hear my final thoughts:




I buy most of my hair stuff from Amazon, because I often find items at a lower cost than in the store, AND, I prefer online shopping; there's something about getting packages in the mail.  If and ONLY if GNC has a BOGO sale, I order some items from there.

Here links to the products I used:

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
http://amzn.to/1SP7AJy

ACV with The Mother
http://amzn.to/1SP7Sjv

Coconut Oil
http://amzn.to/1SxqqXo

Aloe Vera Gel
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SxqZQX
GNC: http://www.gnc.com/Natural-Brand-Aloe-Vera-Gel/product.jsp?productId=3053347

Olive Oil - most have this in their pantry, but if not you can get it here  http://amzn.to/1PXjj3D

What's your favorite hair mask.

Lusti Naturals Argon Oil Curl Wave Twist Gel - Review

The "Cold Witch" - An Easy DIY Scalp-Cleansing Solution

Admittedly, I don't like to wash installed braids and twists.  It makes my hair look like I've been outside playing kickball, hide and go seek, and inny bounce all day, in the hot summer sun, stopping only long enough to eat a popsicle, because HEY, you can't ignore the popsicle man when he comes to your neighborhood!  

...take a breath...Now digress....

One primary rule to retaining length is to keep your scalp clean, so after rummaging through my beauty stash, I came up with my own scalp-cleansing solution -- the 
"Cold Witch" cocktail, featuring witch hazel and cold pressed caster oil.

Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that's great for toning, healing, removing excess oil, brightening and eliminating itchy skin, (the list goes on).  In fact, when I was growing up, Dad would apply this home remedy to help heal my bumps and bruises; it was he who suggested I use it as a summer time "lotion".  Witch hazel has been a part of my daily skin care regimen for the last 20 years!

Cold pressed Caster Oil is said to be beneficial and is used for tons of home remedies and skin problems, like acne, dry skin, and stretch marks (just to name a few).  Because of its anti-bacterial, fungal infection-fighting, cleansing, and moisturizing properties, this is the only oil I deliberately apply to my scalp.  Cold pressed caster oil has also been a part of my hair/skin beauty arsenal ever since I can remember. 

The recipe:

2 Parts Witch Hazel
1 Part Cold Pressed Caster Oil
1 Small spray bottle
1 Piece of cotton jersey (t-shirt fabric)

Mix ingredients in spray bottle and shake well.  

I spray the cocktail on the jersey fabric, and gently rub it through each part.  I like to use white jersey so that I can see the dirt transfer from my scalp to the fabric -- TMI?  Oh, my bad.  

Happy cleansing! 


Before using any products or mixtures be sure to do your research.   

Kinky Curly Synthetic CovaGirl™ by K'ryssma

I'm always perked up for natural looking CovaGirls™.   They're one of my favorite protective style options during the colder months.

This one, I got from Amazon, has a lot of hair so if you're a BIG HAIR DON'T CARE diva than this one's for you.  I love big hair, but for my face and neck I had to give her a haircut. 

To learn more about this CovaGirl™, watch this video for my complete review:  

D.I.Y. Hair Ties/Elastic Bands Easy & CHEAP

Mmhm.  I knew I'd getcha with CHEAP...you know who you are.   ; )  LOL

Who DOESN'T want cheap and easy these days, right?  Well, grab your supplies and sissors and check out this video demonstration:

Tell us what options, you've used for D.I.Y. hair ties and such.  Inquiring minds would love to know daaaawwwling! 

Cheap, Deep Protein Conditioning Hair Mask

Protein is essential to having strong hair.  Not everyone needs a protein treatment all the time.  My strands felt thinner, more fragile, and the elasticity wasn't there, so I knew it was time for some protein.  A hamburger for me and milkshake for Honey Puff...

Okay, that didn't happen. LOL        

Anywho, I'd been so busy lately, that I hadn't had time to pamper my tresses the way they deserve.  As much as I enjoy playing in and styling my natural hair, I simply don't believe it should take tons of time or MONEY caring for it. 

So, for this deep co treatment, I started the night before, and opted for simple, CHEAP, and moisture & protein packed.  Below are the only products I needed to feed my soul -- and my hair.

- Coconut oil  - I stock up on mine from Amazon. I prefer the 2-pack, because it's cheaper.
- Conditioner of choice - To keep cost low, I selected what I had on hand.
- Plain yogurt - Whatever brand is on sale. 

100% Organic Coconut Oil

First, I finger detangled.  For this step I used coconut oil, because it easily penetrates the hair shaft, helps the hair retain moisture, and helps to reduce protein loss.  All which makes the hair soft and manageable.

Conditioner

Next, I applied GENEROUS amounts of a conditioner that I got from a hotel while on vacation.  Turns out, it was Giovanni's 50/50 Balanced Hydrating Conditioner.  I'd never used it before -- didn't know the brand name until I went through my product stash that night.  

Anywho, I put on my plastic curl cap and HEAD RAG (yes, I said it), and allowed my hair to "bake" overnight. 

Plain yogurt

The next day, I added plain yogurt.  Yogurt helps with making your hair soft, easy to detangle, and adding extra moisture.  The acid in yogurt helps to contract the cuticle layer, which makes the hair appear smoother and shinier = reduces frizz.

Deep Conditioning Application

Deep Conditioning Under Thermo Cap

And this was me all day, rockin' my thermo, Jiffy pop pop popcorn situation like a champ.  LOL!  That evening, I rinsed, co-washed and go'd.  Translation:  I did a wash and go.  tee  hee!   


Thanks for reading!

RallyGirl♥

P.S.
I have no idea why the fonts and colors in this post look so wack.  O.o