Search Results: Timi Komonibo
Go natural for the health of your hair!
What do honey, avocado and olive oil have in common? Yes, they can be added to food to make it yummy but they’re also the kinds of ingredients you can find in haircare products. You may already know which fruits are good for your hair. Now we can add essential oils and natural ingredients right from your kitchen, and we have a feast for your hair.
We know what we should feed our hair, but sometimes it’s difficult to make these natural hair foods by yourself. As someone who has taken a stab at mixing and blending natural ingredients by myself, I can tell you it is often frustrating and expensive to create some of those blends. This is something I will leave to the professionals. DyeVerCity Salon, located in Georgia, has made it easier to get these healthy hair ingredients. I had the opportunity to interview DyeVerCity Salon’s own Stacy Hill. She chatted with me about the upcoming DyeVerCity’s Natural Line which features ingredients found in nature.
NaturallyCurly: What kind of ingredients do you use in your products?
Stacy Hill: The product lines we use contain natural ingredients… honey, olive oil, horsetail, shea butter, jojoba, rice bran oil, lavender, lemongrass and so much more. Everything the hair and body needs can be found in nature, so we use a lot of natural products that protect the hair.
NC: Are your products all-natural?
SH: We use both natural and organic products.
NC: How did you come up with the idea to put food into haircare products?
SH: We researched what nutritional value natural ingredients have for the hair, skin and body. That was enough to make me look a little deeper into the matter. Honey helps the hair to retain moisture, this is very important in type 4 hair. Olive oil is very important in forming a protective healing barrier. This is important to severely damaged hair of any type, especially those that are color clients.
NC: Did you have a certain hair-type audience in mind when you created these products?
SH: Our salon is rightfully called DyeVerCity Salon, because we service every hair type imaginable. We have anyone with hair in mind when selecting hair products.
NC: Where can we find your products? When can we except to see them in stores?
SH: I hope to start our line by winter of this year. Products will be available at DyeVerCity Salon, 706-922-8759.
Learn more about Stacy Hill in our Stylist Spotlight feature. And we’ll keep you posted about her new line as the launch draws nearer.
Antioxidants are found in the powerhouse fruit avocado.
We know fruits are good for our health, but did you know that fruits can have healthy hair benefits as well? Fruits are full of nutrients and vitamins that are good for your hair.
Dark-colored fruits like plums and dark berries have nutrients called bioflavonoids that also act as antioxidants. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit have Vitamin C and antioxidants. Many of these fruits have antioxidants that help increase circulation to the scalp, which encourages hair growth.
Fruits like apples, apricots, peaches, bananas and watermelon are not only sweet, but are also hair-growth boosters. The secret ingredient in these fruits is the nutrient biotin. Biotin has been heralded as the natural growth steroids for hair and nails. Many people have used a biotin-fortified diet to combat hair loss. Studies suggests that biotin promotes hair growth and infuses strength and thickness into every strand.
The powerhouse fruit for hair health is the avocado. Avocados are rich in vitamin A and antioxidants. The fruit is a natural moisturizer that helps hair growth. Avocados are great food for damaged hair. On top of this, the avocado is a natural sunscreen. Add this fruit to a deep conditioner to make hair stronger, shiny and healthy. Avocado’s moisturizing essential fats make it an ideal fruit to use for hair repair. It leaves hair softer, more elastic and less prone to breakage.
So the next time you’re in the grocery store, pick up a fruit and give your hair a treat. There are so many hair-healthy fruits to choose from.
Timi before
There has only been one other time in my life when I had short hair. When I was 6 or 7 years old, I had a bald fade. Don’t ask me why, I honestly have no idea. The next time I had short hair again was June 20, 2009, when I did my big chop. I had just turned 20 and I was still trying to figure out who I was. I was still an occasionally awkward and shy college student.
As I sat in that barber chair, as the chunks of hair fell to the ground, I realized that I could no longer hide behind my hair. Gone were the days where I could hide beneath the swoop of my side bangs. My neck had no covering. My ears had no more canopy. My eyebrows had no protective neighbors. I was naked, with no hair to hide behind.
Without hair surrounding my face, I saw my face for the first time. I saw the bright eyes of an eager learner. The straight nose of a inquisitive explorer. The full mouth of an enthusiastic entertainer. The scars of a bashful do-gooder. I was seeing myself naked for the first time and I liked what I saw.
Timi after
The months of napturality that followed my big chop were tumultuous. There were some really good days when my ‘fro looked like a Black Power fist and seemed to scream “I am woman, hear me roar!” and there were days were people would look at my shrunken fro and say “you had such good hair. What a waste.” I also struggled with acne early in my teenage years that left with with scars on my cheeks. Because I knew I had no hair to hide behind, I had to learn to love every inch of me.
Every morning, when I had doubts about my beauty, I learned to speak words of affirmation to myself. I would, and I still do this occasionally, look in the mirror and say to myself “I love myself, I love myself!” Now that I have been natural for almost two years, I wonder why I ever hid in the first place. Now that I have nothing to hide, I am more confident. Letting go of my hair was like removing a safety net. At first, I was nervous without it but then I learned I could make bolder steps on my own. I can share my smile, my scars, and my off-beat sense of style with the world and show them who I am. I hope I can inspire people to live boldly and richly. Why hide when you can shine?
While there are a few downsides, there are lots of good things about using hair oils.
When was the last time you oiled your scalp? We habitually engage in dangerous hair practices that strip our hair of its essential oils and nutrients. Applying excessive shampoos, excessive hair washing and not applying enough conditioner are unhealthy practices for your scalp. Hair oils can moisturize the scalp and stimulate its pores to produce more healthy, natural oils. But keep in mind that however beneficial oiling the scalp may be for many people, it might not be right for everyone. Check out these pros and cons to help you decide if oiling your scalp is for you:
Let’s start with some downsides of using oil:
- Oil gathers the pollutants and dust in the air
- Over-oiling can create greasy-looking hair
- Heavy oils can weigh hair down
Here are many upsides to using hair oil:
- Massaging oil into your hair stimulates blood circulation and relaxes your body
- Oil gives hair extra shine
- Oiling your scalp growth and add moisture
- Oiling scalp can counteract dandruff and dry scalp
- Oil conditions your hair and prevents it from being brittle and dull
- Some oils like castor oil and coconut oil promote hair growth
- Hot oil treatments lock in added moisture, increasing shine, body and bounce.
Many oils can be mixed to create blends for hair conditioning. Here are some oils that promote healthy hair:
- Jojoba oil is good for dry hair. It helps soften hair and can be used to detangle hair before shampooing
- Olive oil strengthens and nourishes hair
- Coconut oil adds lubrication to the hair. It’s useful for damaged hair due to it’s ability to strengthen it
- Rosemary herbal oil is useful for unwanted and flaky dandruff problems.
Remember a few things about hair oils. Not all hair oils are created equal. Try to avoid products with petroleum; they clog your pores and weigh your hair down. Use natural oils instead and only oil your scalp as needed.
Taylor Swift with a faux bob
Garcelle Beauvais wears a wispy bun with face-framing tendrils
Amy Adams wore a sleeked-back ponytail at the 2011 SAG awards
The key to fun and flirty hair is to make it look effortless. You can achieve this look with looser hairstyles and updos.
- Tossled Curls or Waves
You can utilize your natural curls or create curls with a curling iron on low heat. If you have a very tight curls, you can loosen and tossle them with a wide tooth comb.
- Faux Bob
This style creates a shorter, layered style without ever picking up a pair of scissors. This style works best on curly or curled hair. Start by pulling back your hair in a very loose ponytail. Tuck and roll the ponytail under, securing it with bobby pins under your faux bob. The front of your curls should fall around the chin level, given the appearance of a bob hairstyle. This is a great flirty look!
- Sumo Bun
An oversized bun sitting on top of the head, in a loose and messy style gives a fun and playful look.
- Side Chignon
A side chignon with low swept curls at the nape of the neck creates a romantic look. To achieve this look, use a round brush and a blow dryer to make the top of the hair straight and smooth. The end of the hair is curled and put in a low ponytail to the side.
- Wispy Bun
This ballerina bun has a whimsical look, especially when done with curly or curled hair. Keeping the top of the hair loose, gather your hair in a ponytail. Then loosely twist the hair into a bun. To add a flirty feel, allow some loose tendrils of hair to frame the face.
- Half Up, Half Down
This chic style can be worn with straight, loose curls, or springy curls. Take the top half of the hair and pull it back in a half up-do.
- French or Fishtail Braid
The french braid is not just for when you were a little girl. It combines sophistication and femininity. To spice things up, you can french braid your bangs to form a head band. The fishtail braid is a plaiting style that is similar to the french braid, but instead of using three strands of hair it uses only two.
- Sleeked-Back Ponytail
A perky ponytail can put some pep in your step. To add the look of hair wrapped around the base of the ponytail, pull a pencil-thick piece of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic. Then secure it with bobby pins.
Braids are one of my favorite winter accessories. They are versatile and a great protective style. Among super trendy fashionistas, long braids are the 2011 cold weather accessory to have. In 2011, we will also see that braids are appropriate for all ages and walks of life. Just in time for the cold front, long braids are making a comeback.
Solange Knowles
Willow Smith
Here is my list of lovely ladies who are bringing long braids back.
Patra & Janet Jackson
Music artists Patra and Janet Jackson made thick hair extensions famous in the ’90s. Patra wore her hair in big individual plaits and Janet sported long, box braids. We have already been seeing women wearing Patra and Janet-inspired hairstyles this year.Solange Knowles
When she went natural in 2009, Solange Knowles has become a style icon in the natural hair community. Since her big chop, she has worn her hair in bold styles. She has recently been seen sporting waist-length “Patra braids.” She has paired the long braids with head ties and turbans to give the style a more retro look.Brandy Norwood
Brandy has recently returned to her signature look, box braids. She has been seen rocking a braided ‘do. This is how her fans from the 1990s’ sitcom series “Moesha” are used to seeing her.Willow & Jada Pinkett Smith
Willow Smith made her music debut by whipping her long braids back and forth. The braids give her a spunky look. Willow is not afraid to add a little splash of color in her braids, or to add accessories or a mohawk. Her gorgeous mother, Jada Pinkett-Smith, has also been wearing braided styles. She has worn braids to award shows and has dressed them up with fabulous gowns. Jada demonstrates how you can dress braids up for special occasions or dress them down for more casual styles.Who says protective styles can’t look fabulous? This spring, try a new accessory — long braids.
