Curl Pattern : The Whys and Why Nots

 SNEAK PEEK OF SIMPLY CARE'S NEXT BLOG POST! 

The age old question goes unanswered or incorrectly answered all too often. What is my curl pattern. 
You've seen, read, or heard this scenario time and time again, on countless social media outlets. It can come from just about anyone; a new natural, a frustrated natural, a transitioner, the PJ or or the CJ. It's inevitable and everyone just has to know...


"What is your curl pattern?"


Well, clearly folks have had enough. 


People have started shouting from the proverbial mountaintop that your curl pattern doesn't matter. Focus on your hair health and not your curl pattern....

Can't wait for more ? Make sure to subscribe to be notified of when the full post is live!

This is in my opinion, one of the hottest debates of the natural hair community, I figured it was about time for me to chime in! 

It's Not a Protective Style If...

Happy Monday Curlies !

I hope everyone had a great weekend ! I'd like to start the week off with 6 tips on why a protective IS NOT a protective style.

If you're not clear on what a protective style is, it's a style that protects your hair, or more importantly, your ends. It also gives you a rest from day to day or week to week styling because it is normally kept in for an extended amount of time.

Now, I'm sure that you've heard it all before, how protective styles are the way of the long haired, tangle-less natural hair chicas. Protective styles are the only way to retain growth, it's best to keep kinkier hair stretched to avoid knots, breakage, tangles, SSK's etc, etc.

Yes, for the most part this is true. But can protective styles be over protective ?

I have some news for you, It's not a protective style if,

I Got That Regimen Baby ! Part Three (3 of 3)

Hello again ! 

Continuing from the second post about regimen...

Wait, you HAVEN'T read it ? CLICK for Part 1 and Part 2... then come back !

Again, I would like to  remind you that the most important thing you can do when caring for your hair is to  LISTEN to  it!  

Do what shes asks and you’re in business ! 

I laid out the basics of a hair care regimen in the first post along with components; in the following post I went into detail about how often one should consider doing each part of a regimen. 

This post follows up with the final six. I will be posting a recap of all three posts for easy referencing ! 

Everything that follows are just guidelines, you should do what are comfortable with. It’s your choice. I am just the provider of the information. :0)

Let’s continue with;

How often to trim your hair ? 

This should be judged by the condition of your ends. Are they splitting ? see through ?, slightly ragged, slightly uneven ? These are all signs that a trim is in order. If you are uncomfortable trimming your own hair, by all means see an EDUCATED stylist and ask for a trim.  

NOTE If your ends seem to be in good condition but you notice a few split ends, you can opt for the “Search and Destroy” Method. Where you single out split ends and cut them with hair scissors. It’s best to cut higher than the split end. 

How often to have hot oil treatments This is also up to your choosing.  Hot Oil treatments can be used for added scalp moisture, repairing dry hair. It also helps to restore the strength of your hair.

How often to rotate your shampoos and conditioners—

This is something that I end up practicing because I run out of a certain shampoo or conditioner, not because I mean too! Lol. One can also determine which brands work best on their hair this way as well.

How often to Pre-poo and Co-wash –I absolutely love Pre-pooing ! If you are not familiar with this technique; you choose an oil or a mixture of oils and apply to your hair before shampooing. I apply a pree-poo mix and then cover my hair with a plastic cap.  You can pre-poo over night as well !  

I like to co-wash during the week when I feel like my hair has a little product build-up or I am just looking to get some extra moisture to my hair.  It is perfectly fine to co-wash daily. Word to the wise though, if in the wintertime, it might be best to dial back the co-washing, or at least doing so when you had time to let your hair dry fully before going outdoors. 

How often to moisturize—DAILY!   

The best moisture for your hair is water. Drinking water also ! It’s not enough just to moisturize your hair, you need to always seal your hair once you have applied moisture to seal all that goodness in!

Protecting your hair( from the elements, rough fabrics, at night.) 

To promote healthy hair you should sleep with either a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillow case. With regular pillowcases the fabric can tear, snag, and rip your strands!  Also if your hair is longer, you need to be aware that clothing can also cause this. Hair rubbing against collars of jackets and such can also cause hair to snag and/or tear.

I hope that this helps you all greatly ! It has helped me ! 

This sums of in great detail the various components of a hair care regimen, and what you should be keeping in mind when forming your own.

I will post a Recap Post to reference along with the Sample Regimen tomorrow curlies, so make sure to stop by ! 

I Got That Regimen Baby !! Part Two (2 of 3)

Hello again !

Continuing from the first post about regimen..

Wait, you HAVEN”T read it ? CLICK please… then come back.

Now before I start, I must remind you that having a regimen is great, but one must remember that the best thing a curlie can do is LISTEN to her hair. 

Do what shes asks and you’re in business ! 

In the previous post I laid out the basics of a hair care regimen and I also listed 10 components to keep in mind when forming your own. I will be going over the first 5 in this post and the last 5 in another post. :)

Deciding how frequently you will do certain aspects of a regimen is the next step.  (While keeping in mind to listen to your hairs needs.

Everything that follows are just guidelines, you should do what are comfortable with. It’s your choice. I am just the provider of the information. :0)

Let’s get started!

   1.How often to wash your hair   Weekly, Bi-weekly

I, personally, wash my hair with a moisturizing shampoo every 1-1/2 weeks. There are regimens that wash every week and some every two. My kinks start to get a little attitude-y if I go any longer than 1 ½ weeks. Sometimes I opt to use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) instead of a moisturizing shampoo.

  2.   How often to clarify your hair  Monthly 

I clarify my hair monthly with my “Natural Hair Reset Button” lol or as normal people call it… Bentonite Clay. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bentonite Clay. It’s amazing. It basically detoxes your hair and rids it of all the gunk.  You can also clarify with ACV, or a clarifying shampoo.

       3.   How often to deep condition  Weekly

I will always always always deep condition or do some type of treatment to my hair weekly. You can deep condition on dry hair or wet hair. This is your preference. I have done both. When I first combed out locs, I liked conditioning on dry hair because I felt like my hair just soaked up all the goodness.  On the flip side, when I would deep condition after a fresh cleansing, I loved it.

  4. How often to have protein/moisture treatments Monthly

I try to switch between treatments monthly. Most times I am doing a moisture treatment. When doing protein treatments, be aware of protein overload which results in dry, brittle, hair.    

     
       5. How to style it to retain the most length/Protective styling 
       Protective styling(PS) is a great way to retain length, also not having “Hand in Hair” Syndrome works as well.
      You know, sitting there absent mindedly twirling a curlie ?
       Yep, Hand in Hair Syndrome.
      There is a bit of debate as to whether one should PS all the time to retain length, or to be able to let the fro fly free !
      Again, this is up to you.

       I am a 50/50 type of gal. Unless I put in mini-twists or mini-braids—I usually leave these types of styles in for a month.

       Even though you are protective styling , whether with your hair, weave, wig, or extensions, it is KEY to remember to care for the hair you have. This means daily moisture and sealing, along with caring for your ends.  They are the oldest part of your hair and the most fragile.

 I hope this proves helpful ! Don't be overwhelmed, this are all just things to keep in mind.

Please, by all means, formulate a regimen that works best for you !

                                            Stay tuned for the final  six components ! 

P.S. I will recap all three posts for easy referencing including a sample regimen that you can save!

 

I Got That Regimen Baby !

What's a regimen ?

Why is it important ?

Why should one use it ?

A regimen is a simple(well, it’s supposed to be ;) ) schedule/routine for taking care of your hair !

Having a regimen is important to the overall health of your hair and scalp.

Having a regimen helps one to learn their hair through trial and error, whether it’s a product, application of said product, when you apply, etc.