So you’ve worked through all the myths, fears and insecurities and have made the choice to join the ranks of natural hair wearers. Congratulations! Well now that you’ve taken the first step, it may not be clear to you just where to set your next natural foot forward. A lot of natural hair wearers feel comfortable cutting out the transition “middle man” – pun intended – by opting to do a big chop (BC) and rocking a teenie weenie Afro (TWA) or brush cut. Others who are not so daring jump straight into sporting locs or Sisterlocks to start their journey, which allows them to keep their length as their permed ends grow out. But for those of us who’d prefer to keep length while learning how to maintain their natural texture, allowing the hair to remain growing free while cutting the permed ends off a little at a time is the way to go. But how can you do this in a way that promotes health and gives you the desired results you seek? Here are some tricks and tips to take you from straight to kinky in relatively no time flat.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

As the popularity of natural hair grows, many employers are becoming more tolerant of natural hair styles in the workplace. Whether it’s the fact that recognition of natural hair is growing or more companies are implementing diversity management tactics when it comes to employee appearance, it seems more wash outs, twist outs, and locs are being seen in corporate America than ever before.

But even as the natural hair movement gains appreciation in the mainstream workforce, there are still holdovers from the bygone eras where Afros and braids were considered contrary to company dress code. In 2007 Ashly Baker, then a junior staffer at Glamour magazine, caused quite a stir by condemning such styles during a style presentation at Cleary Gottlieb, a prestigious New York law firm, stating “those ‘political’ hair styles really have to go.” While Glamour denounced the remarks and the staffer was reprimanded, it was clear that those negative perceptions of natural hair still have a place in the workplace and, like with dating considerations, can delay the decision for many to transition. But is it the prospective corporations that are holding these attitudes, or is the general public perpetuating natural hair myths that have long been quelled?

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

The popularity of natural hair is on the rise. Whether it’s on your favorite actress in this year’s blockbuster film or on that relative stranger in line at the Piggly Wiggly, it seems everywhere nappy roots are being sported proudly. For the first time since the ‘70’s it seems the natural movement is seeing an increase in its rolls as more women turn away from chemically altering their tresses and embracing the beauty of the hair they were born with. While many speculate the boom is all a part of a prevalent trend or the byproduct of having an African-American family in the most prominent media spot in the country, there is still no denying the fact that natural hair is a big part of popular fashion in the 2000’s.

While many women are embracing the art of cultivating kinks and coils, many others are remaining on the fence due to the affects “going natural” may have on their dating prospects. This is such a hot and controversial topic that even Essence.com has touched on it and inspired some very spirited comments in their Word on the Street: What Black Men Think Your Hair feature. Proper hair care in the Black community has a longstanding history based on the tradition of fitting in with accepted society, and nowhere is that more of a consideration than in dating situations.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

Every year the hair care world is inundated with news of the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, a platform where stylists and other hair care big wigs gather to promote their products and expertise. Combining industry specific workshops and exhibitions surrounding all phases of cosmetology, the annual event held in Atlanta, GA showcases some of the best of the best in the hair care trade and culminates in the largest hair styling competition in the world.

Although wildly popular in the African-American hair community, for the most part, the Bronner Brothers event primarily deals with techniques and products to maintain chemically altered or weaved hair, which leaves natural hair wearers in somewhat of a void. While many of the maintenance techniques and products can be interchangeable between relaxed and natural hair there are certain things showcased at the BB event that should not attempted or applied to unpermed tresses. Well for those who choose to allow their hair to remain just the way it grows from their scalps, the World Natural Hair Health and Beauty Showpicks up where Bronner Brothers depart.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

The weather is warming and the days are growing longer which means it’s time to shed those winter hair regimens in favor of less cumbersome fair. Although many of the steps in most beauty routines will not change – i.e. dial down or eliminate heat styling, condition amply and often, detangle hair only when its wet – the rise in temperature means increased humidity and blustery winds and call for hair care techniques that are spring specific.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

So this last week started out as usual: wash with castile soap, tone with ACV, mask on Friday morning then follow it all up with the beauty fluid moisturizer.  I didn’t double wash this week on Monday like I’d mentioned in last week’s update, but since I wore makeup on Wednesday I did add a nightly wash to the regimen.

I don’t have any pictures this week because not too much has changed with my skin from last week.  Still experienced the drying and stinging with the ACV and still dealing with the “large” pores on my cheeks, but my skin and complexion are both smooth and even so that’s a good thing.

Because I got my order in from Pegasus Soaps Friday afternoon and didn’t wash the light makeup I had on (hey… I was tired as all get out and an evening nap turned into an all night sleep *lol*), I decided to wash my face on Saturday morning using one of my new toners.  I used the chamomile bergamot after my cleansing and I am happy to report there is absosmurfly no stinging.  The toner is cool and gentle on the skin and has a very delightful fragrance to it.  Once the toner dried I did feel a little bit of tightness, which is normal for toner, but I DID NOT have to apply the beauty fluid to combat any dryness!  You read that right, there was no dryness at all, not even on my cheeks!  You know I’m loving this, right?  Now I’m not sure whether to stick with the chamomile bergamot tomorrow or switch to the lavender tea tree to see how it works, but I do know I’ve found a natural toner brand that I’m going to stick with from here on out!  Thank you again, Michelle, for such great product.

Water-wise… Uh… I’m still not reaching my daily goal of 62 oz., but my intake has increased from what it normally is. Because I do not like the “taste” of water I think I will have to invest in those flavour packet thingies in order to get my proper intake in.

So there it is.  Week three down and one more to go.  I’m not sure how long Veronica over at My Natural Me is going to take her updates but since there’s not much further for me to go with mine I’m going to cut with the weekly updates and switch to monthly.  Of course the skin care regimen will go on since I know healthy skin maintenance is ongoing just like with cultivating natural hair.

How are you coming along with your progress?  I’d love to hear your progress by comment here or via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair (and skin) Wishes,

The current economic atmosphere has everyone looking for ways to stretch their budget in all aspects of their lives. This is an especially huge concern when it comes to natural hair care because many of the products that work best with textured hair can be on the pricey side. But the cost of beauty does not have to be astronomical in order for your natural hair beauty to shine through. Here are a few ways to maximize your hair care allowance without compromising your style.

Read more HERE.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

This coming Sunday, April 4th I will be guest cohosting the “Creating Fabulous Natural Hair on a Dime Pt. 2” episode of The Nappturalite Radio Show with Dawn Yerger and cohost Jaye Reliford!!!  The show will feature tips and tricks on how to create beautiful hair on a shoestring budget as well as an interview with Nappturosity author Erin Shell Anthony.  I will be speaking on my own inspiration for “going natural” as well as my Columbus Natural Hair Examiner column and the JB2M Blog, as well as posing my own questions for the special guest.

If you haven’t tuned in to The Nappturalite Rado Show before you have definitely missed out on a treat.  Past episodes have covered topics such as how to let your natural confidence shine with Brittany Thomas of Clumps of Mascara and napptural songstress Marva King, scalp health with the Sof n Free Director of Education Will Williams, and how to be a “naturalpreneur” with Carmen “MiMi” Fleming of Tomoka’s Twists!

This Sunday’s show will broadcast live at 5 PM CST/6 PM EST and invites listeners share their questions and/or comments by logging into the show’s chat room or by calling (347) 637-3930.  It’s sure to be a natural good time so mark your calendars and prepare to listen in as Dawn, Jaye, Erin and I dish it up about maintaining fabulous hair on the cheap!  If you can’t tune into the live broadcast, the episode will be archived on the show’s Blog Talk Radio page shortly after the show closes, and is available for download via iTunes.

Healthy Hair Wishes,

Here we are at the end of week two and seriously I am LOVING this cowash thing!  Seriously, my hair has not been this fabulous since… Well, since birth, I suspect. *lol*  It is lush and full, it is SOFT, it is well moisturized and it has a glorious sheen to it. And coils?  Fuggedaboutit!  As you can see from last week’s pictures, the curls were on and popping!  Of course there’s still the “over” oiliness that comes with me having used so much oil in my conditioner recipe, but by that evening it had soaked in nicely.  The upside to using the amount of oil I used is that during the week, since I was rocking two strands, I don’t have apply any extra moisturizing product.  Gotta love that.

As an experiment, I decided to cowash The Lion‘s hair to see if I could duplicate my results and you know what?  GLO-RI-OUS!

I often have an issue with getting his fro to form perfectly, but after the cowash this was not a problem at all.  And to revive the shape after he’s slept on it all night?  Simply spritz with water, finger pick, and he’s back looking like he just stepped out of a 70s Blaxplotation flick. *lol*  So I’m loving this regimen all the way around!  Of course, because he’s a guy he kanye shrugged the whole process, but I was ecstatic.

Okay, back to me. *lol* As for differences in the condition of my hair and scalp, my hair does feel stronger, smoother and my ends less ragged.  Scalp-wise, I suffered from extreme itchy scalp for awhile — possibly due to the many years of relaxer exposure — and after two weeks of just cowashing the itch has lessened a whoooooooooooole lot.  This may also be due to the fact that my scalp is no longer being “stripped” of its oils by shampoos and the oils I use are encouraging sebum production.  I’m not a cosmetologist or dermatologist so I’m only guessing, but the difference is noticeable.  There’s also less flaking going on which is wonderful on many levels.

As for the twist/twist out part of the challenge, I twisted my hair shortly after my last update and kept them in until it was time to cowash again (I was really unwilling to take them down so soon but wanted to keep up with the process), and rocked the twist out to work.  No comments from coworkers but I was pleased with the results (the top pic is the result, which isn’t much different than last week… I need to get some new accessories. *lol*) This coming week I will probably only leave the twists in over the weekend and wear a twist out the rest of the week to see what the response is.

So there it is.  Going into week three and I’m really having a grand old time with this challenge.  Five more weeks to go, and possibly a trim come week four.  I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

Whether you are doing just the cowash part or engaging in the full monty I’d love to hear your results here in the comment, via twitter at @jb2me or via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair Wishes,