Search Results: Deidre Mathis

By Deidre Mathis · Published July 24, 2015

Traditional shampoos can be drying to the hair. There are certain ingredients that shampoos contain such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohols that contribute to drying out hair and scalp. Shampoos are considered responsible for stripping hair of its natural oils and seem to be a forbidden to some naturals. However, cleansing the scalp is still important. The hair grows from the scalp and you have to have a healthy start to your hair growth. For all you DIY naturalistas out there, here are three natural cleansers that provide a gentle yet effective cleaning for your scalp.

African black soap

Hailing from Africa, this all natural soap is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and iron. It is also blended tropical honey, virgin coconut oil, and cocoa powder. These ingredients foster softness and strength to the hair. The shea butter that is also in the shampoo adds shine and manageability. The soap also offers a gentle lather for those who prefer the lathering cleansers. You can use this shampoo bar as a whole or cut it up into pieces. Cutting the bar up into pieces will ensure that it lasts longer. If you dilute the shampoo with water, you can add your own essentials oils in order make it a super cleansing concoction.

Read more: How to Make Your Shampoo More Moisturizing and Last Longer

Bentonite clay/ rhassoul clay

Both of these clays have outstanding cleansing properties. They can be found in a pure powder form or blended form. Bentonite clay is said to hydrate, moisturize, tame, defrizz, define, restore pH, and untangle the hair. Adding oil or honey can add additional benefits as well. This natural cleanser can be applied to the scalp directly in order to remove buildup. Some people have reported not needing to deep condition after the clay rinse. Rhassoul clay adds shine, manageability, and moisture to the hair. Both clays are a great addition to your hair regimen. Rhassoul clay is a little pricier, but adds more moisture. Bentonite clay cleanses the scalp and hair more effectively.

Read more: Rhassoul Clay vs. Bentonite Clay

Oat water

While this method is slightly unconventional, it has proven as an effective cleanser. All you need for this method is oats, a pot, and water. Boil the oats in a pot and strain the water to remove the oats. Boiling the oats cause natural saponins to be released. Once it has cooled down, you can add any essential oils you want in order to add nutrients to your hair. It may give a gentle lather.

Shampoos, while effective, can be drying to the hair. These natural DIY methods can provide a similar cleanse and save you the possible damage.

What DIY cleanser do you use?

By Deidre Mathis · Published July 10, 2015

Every naturalista knows that not every product is created equally when it comes to styling. Some products help achieve a smoother style while some provide a stronger hold than others. Using the wrong products to achieve a specific style can lead to unexpected results.

A product may have given you a stellar wash and go, but if you use it for your twist out you may be disappointed. Your technique may be on point, but if you didn’t use a product with the right amount of hold or flexibility, your style might just fail you every time.

Using the wrong products to achieve a specific style can lead to unexpected results.

There are people who have a list memorized of what products work for their hair – if that’s you that’s great! That’s half the journey. If that’s not you and you are still discovering what works for your natural hair, this list could offer some assistance. Below are lists of products that have been reported to give excellent results to achieve different styles.

Photo Courtesy of Simply Cyn

The Twist Out

Jane Carter Natural Twist-Out Foam

This vanilla and strawberry scented product has a consistency of setting lotion for roller sets, however it is designed in order to aid in defining curls. It leaves a soft hold, so if you are looking for a product that allows the hair to gain volume over time, you’ve found it. It allows you to detangle your hair before twisting as well.

Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade

If you are trying to get the most stretch out of your twist out, then this product is for you. It provides weight to the hair and a polished, shiny look. It is great to use in humid conditions, because it gives a strong hold, but be careful not to be too heavy handed with the product.

Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter

If you are looking for defined, bouncy curls then you have found your product. It has a thick consistency and a delicious smell. This product claims to hydrate your hair while providing shine and softness. The natural hair community swears by this product. If you happen to see it in stores, give it a try.

Bee Hold Curly Butter

This product claims to help tame the frizz while providing great definition. It is a smooth crème with a medium hold and no crunch. It has a great smell and leaves the hair feeling smooth.

As I Am Twist Defining Cream

This product is very thick and provides a medium hold. It provides bouncy hair while delivering excellent definition.

Photo Courtesy of pRoy

Roller Sets

Lotta Body Setting Lotion

This setting lotion will give your sets a firm hold while providing shine. Its strong hold helps to reduce the effects of humidity. Be careful when using this because it can leave your hair dry. When applying it use 1 part setting lotion and three parts water in a spray bottle.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Frizz-Free Curl Mousse

This mouse hydrates and nourishes the hair. It gives the hair a soft hold to the style and is not the best thing to use when it comes to humid environments. As the days go by your set could become fluffier depending on the location.

Jane Carter Wrap & Roll

This setting lotion is silicone and paraben-free and is safe for color-treated hair. It is a fast drying mousse that does not leave the hair sticky and provides a soft, bouncy hold. The smell is not very strong so it is great for the fragrance sensitive naturals.

Design Essentials Natural Twist & Setting Lotion

This setting lotion has a pump for easy use. Often when using setting lotion the hands get messy, so having a pump is very helpful. It is fast drying and provides the hair with nourishment and shine.

Photo Courtesy of Natasha Leeds

Wash and Go

Kinky-Curly Curling Custard

This is a holy grail of the natural hair community when it comes to the wash and goes. This gel provides a firm hold without making the hair hard. It also won’t flake once it has dried. It offers great definition and shine to the hair.

Entwine Couture Crème Jelle Styler

This styler provides a no crunch hold and provides excellent definition. It is great for layering under water and clumping the curls together.

Camille Rose Natural Curl Maker

This hair gels comes with a pump that allows easy use. This product is great for defining curls and offers a no crunch hold. It moisturizes the hair and provides shine.

Belnouve Avocado & Shea Hair Milk

This is great product to help detangle the hair. It is great for defining and clumping the curls together before applying your gel or styler. It gives great slip, too.

Photo Courtesy of Nelly

Updos

Eden BodyWorks Control Edge Glaze

This edge control doesn’t flake and provides a firm hold to you edges or any style. Once it is paired with water it is easy to smooth into the hair. It’s great to smooth a style.

Curl Passion Fruit Paste Pomade

His pomade provides a firm hold and great for keeping edges under control and great for styling the baby hairs. Too much can cause the hair to tangle, so be careful if you are heavy handed.

Design Essential Honey& Shea Edge Tamer

This edge control offers strength to the hair and provides a long-lasting hold. It has a bearable scent and is great for holding edges.

Crème of Nature Perfect Edges

This edge control doesn’t flake and gives a firm, lasting hold. The hair will not feel weighed down and the style will not feel dry after applying it.

There you have it, products that will help keep your styles from failing. Which products have you used?

By Deidre Mathis · Published July 2, 2015

Photo Courtesy of Tynette

Photo Courtesy of Tynette

@Dreadheadd 

Tynette shares numerous photos capturing her fabulous sisterlocks. She is a fashion, style, and food blogger, so if you are looking for lifestyle inspiration, then you should definitely follow her. Check her out on Instagram and follow her blog Caramelalamode.com.

Photo Courtesy of Samantha Sophia

@Raisingself

Samantha Sophia is a mommy vlogger who shares videos about her family and sisterlocks on her YouTube channel Samantha Sophia. She is constantly posting pictures on IG and even has a few useful videos about loc maintenance. Check out her blog Sisterlocked.com.

Photo Courtesy of Brittany

@Brittania718

Need help styling your sisterlocks and have no idea where to start? Check out Brittany’s YouTube channel Brittania708, which is full of videos about maintaining, styling, and pampering sisterlocks. She has had sisterlocks for over five years and loves sharing her knowledge.

Photo Courtesy of Villagehairdontcare

@Villagehairdontcare

While Villagehairdontcare does not have any tutorials, she has fabulous pictures showcasing her sisterlocks. If you are looking for some inspiration or different ways to style your sisterlocks, she is definitely the person to follow. Her style is creative and simple.

Photo Courtesy of Brit Morris

@Brimorrisvce

If you are feeling uneasy about the beginning your sisterlocks journey, then add Britt Morris to your IG feed. Constantly looking at pictures of people with longer sisterlocks can make you impatient, so her feed is perfect for people with shorter sisterlocks. It is great to remember that everyone starts from somewhere.

Sisterlocks are a growing style and these Instagram accounts are a great avenue into the world of sisterlocks. Check these ladies out and be inspired.

Read more: How to Install and Maintain Sisterlocks

Who do you follow with sisterlocks?

By Deidre Mathis · Published July 2, 2015

 

Photo Courtesy of Natalie Live

In order to achieve certain styles, you have to incorporate products and tools. People often pay close attention to the products and not the tools, but they are equally important. An important tool that aids in the washing and styling process are hair clips.

Hair clips are used to ease the process of washing and styling by holding the hair in workable parts. The density and shrinkage of natural hair can be frustrating to manage without using hair clips to organize it. Below is a list of hair clips that can be used to help organize your hair while washing and styling.

Prong clips

These shiny silver clips are commonly used during the installation and maintenance process of locs by helping to secure the roots while they are drying after being re-twisted. They are also used for pin curls. Once someone straightens and curls their hair, it is not necessary to apply more heat in order to maintain curls. Pin curls help the hair to set the hair without heat. Double prong clips are great for holding roller sets, as they secure the hair on the rollers and prevent it from unraveling.

Use prong clips when:

• re-twisting locs
• creating pin curls
• setting roller sets

Croc hair clips

These clips are great for sectioning large amounts of hair. Sectioning with these clips will help to expedite the process of detangling and styling, especially when trying to achieve a blow out. Since these clips have a longer bill, they are great for gripping large sections of hair. These types of clips are recommended for highly dense or coarse hair.

Use these clips to section hair when:

• detangling
• styling
• blowouts

Butterfly clamps

These clips serve the same purpose of croc clips. They are excellent for keeping the hair divided by sections, but they lack the long bill in order to grip a large section of hair. Butterfly clips offer a stronger hold than duckbill clips because the clips have small teeth, enabling it to better grip the hair. This clip is best used on medium to small sections. If you are tender-headed, then butterfly clips may put too much tension on the scalp. To avoid this make sure to not secure them on the roots.

Use these for:

• medium to small sections

Duckbill clips

These clips are used to hold small pieces of hair out of the way. They are often used in a subsection. For example, if you have divided a section in half and then into a quarters. Duckbill clips can be used to divide that one section into smaller, workable sections.

Duckbill clips are best for:

• small sections and subsections

Wave clamps

These clamps serve the same purpose as duckbill clips, however, they have additional purposes and a different structure. These clips are small with perforations. This design was created to help achieve finger waves and body waves.

Best used for:

• small sections
• finger waves & body waves

Wave clamp tutorial

[do action=”youtube-video” videoid=”_boc-JxVrvQ”/]

Follow Natalie Live, pictured above, here:

Instagram and The Tiny Closet

There you have it! You no longer have to wonder why certain clips don’t work for you. Which are your favorites? 

By Deidre Mathis · Published June 15, 2015

Diving into the natural hair world can be overwhelming at first. There are various products and tips that everyone claims can grow your hair or defy shrinkage. With all the products and acronyms in the natural hair community, it is easy to become overwhelmed if you are not acclimated to it. People tend to get so caught up in the hype of products or methods to grow their hair that they forget about the small changes that can make a big difference. Do not fret! Below are some small changes that could drastically affect your hair.

You’re impatient

In today’s society people are constantly focused on getting results fast, whether it is exercising or achieving some goal. Natural hair is no different. People want their hair to grow to their desired length and they want it immediately. People will quickly purchase a product that claims to grow their hair fast and reduce shrinkage. Growing out your hair is a process that takes patience, learning the needs of your hair, and much trial and error. There will be frustrating days and rewarding days. Finding a regimen that work for you will improve the process of retaining length. It takes time and patience.  

You’re not massaging your scalp

Naturalistas often pay close attention to the ends of their precious tendrils while also neglecting where the hair comes from! A regular scalp massage will stimulate the hair follicles on your head and promote hair growth. The method can be done with just your fingers or by incorporating an essential oil and carrier oil blend to aid in the process. Be careful not to massage too hard or use your nails.

You’re not trimming your ends

Naturals can be scared to cut their hair in fear of losing the length they worked hard to achieve. Trimming your ends can rid the damage that could cause breakage or split ends. Compromising your hair’s health for lengthy split ends can be counterproductive. If your ends have numerous knots and tapering, it is time to let them go. Neglecting to trim off the excessive single strands knots and split ends could cause more damage, leaving you to cut off a lot more hair than intended.

You’re not doing protein treatments

Because our natural hair can be dry and frizzy, we often feel like the solution to that problem is more moisture. Just like our bodies need a balanced diet so does our hair. Protein is for the hair’s strength in order to withstand tension placed on it. Royal Academy of Chemistry states that the hair is comprised of protein and relies on it for structure and strength. Your hair could use a protein treatment if you are finding small pieces of hair while styling or detangling. These small pieces are different than shed hair because they are much shorter than the length of your hair and do not contain the hair bulb on the end. A protein treatment will restore the lost protein in your hair caused by styling and regular washes.

Read more: Does Natural Hair Need Proteins?

You don’t sleep with a satin bonnet or pillowcase

This may be the most unappealing thing that men and women with natural hair can do to retain moisture. Satin is gentle on the hair and will not withdraw the moisture in your hair. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase or with a cotton bandana will have the reverse effect. Cotton material will leave your hair dry, soaking up all the moisture in your hair. Sleeping with a satin bonnet or pillowcase is also good for preserving your edges.  

You keep touching your hair!

We all know our hair is fabulous and can be incredibly soft, but touching your hair all the time is not good. Some people call it hand in the hair syndrome. This can lead to excessive breakage and can ruin the curl pattern of a style you achieved.

Don’t let all the products and methods consume you. Paying attention to the little things is just as important for successful healthy hair growth.

Read more: Five Ways to Treat Hand in Hair Syndrome

Have you tried any of these small changes yet?

By Deidre Mathis · Published June 11, 2015

The right piece of jewelry can make you feel confident in any outfit, whether it is a necklace, rings, or a bracelet. Why not take this outstanding feeling to a new level and rock some hair jewelry? Hair jewelry has been around since the Victorian era and it is starting to reappear. With summer quickly approaching what better way to spice up your voluminous hair?

Hair chains are a fabulous addition to twist outs, braid outs, or any style that is being worn out or an updo. There are various forms of hair chains, however, the majority of the chains have combs at the end that will secure into your hair. Do not be afraid of them possibly snagging on your curls, as there are various methods to prevent this. Making sure the hair is tangle free as possible and detangling the area the combs are placed in will reduce the possibility of snagging. If you are looking for headpieces this summer, here are great retailers to check out. 

Forever 21

People all around the world have heard about this phenomenal store. Forever 21 is the home of all things fashion for men and ladies. Its inventory ranges from shoes, purses, clothes, and jewelry. Finding a piece of hair jewelry in the store will allow you to see the actual size of it and even try it on. If you don’t have luck in the store, you can also try their website.

Nordstrom

Forever 21 not for you? Hair chains can also be found at Nordstrom. The apparel at Nordstrom ranges from bohemian style to an elegant style, so whatever the occasion hair jewelry can be found to fit it.

Urban Outfitters

If your style is more trendy, then Urban Outfitters is for you. This store is great for finding unique trends and this trait applies to the jewelry as well. Their unique hair chains are perfect statement pieces to spice up any hairstyle.

Charming Charlie

What better place to find accessories than a store constructed just for them? Charming Charlie has various accessories and types of hair chains. A cool thing about Charming Charlie is that the store is divided into colors, so if you are looking for a hair chain with red, green, purple, or black, it’s easy. Just go to that color inside of the store.

AliExpress.com

Aliexpress.com is a great website to explore the numerous styles of hair chains available. If you are worrying about the hair chains with combs attached to it, this is a perfect place to explore different types. There are hair chains with clamps and chains with elastic attached to secure it on the head.

Wet Seal

If your patience is thin and online shops are not for you, then browse Wet Seal. Wet Seal has stylish accessories if your style is more youthful and playful. Their selections are useful for a fun day in the sun or at the beach.

There you have it! Six places to buy fabulous hair jewelry! Whether you are shopping in stores or online there are multiple options out there. Embrace the beauty and spice up your hairstyle. Nothing is wrong with adding a little jewelry.

Read more: Tips for Wearing Hair Jewelry and Other Accessories

Where do you purchase your headpieces?