'A HA' MOMENT: SENSITIVE SCALP

So talking to my mom this weekend, I was explaining to her my Sensitive Scalp issue. I was telling her how dry/itchy my scalp has been, how I hate the winter b/c it doesn't agree with my hair, and how I would be scratching my head for forever and it would still be itchy, etc... ya know having a complaint session. Then she said to me "Well, ya know your scalp is skin so maybe you're scratching too hard." *WHOA* I mean it hit me like a ton of bricks!!! I thought about that for a second and you know what...she was right!!

All those "digging" sessions of mine when I was scratching my head like nobody's business, how could I not notice that being the cause of my head being sore after?? Then furthermore, as I instinctively did it again, I noticed I wasn't using the meat of my finger, I was using my nail **A-HA MOMENT**

Each and every time I had a digging session, I would complain about how sore my head would be and then 2 days later those scabs would start appearing. Well DUUUUHHH *inmyJoeyvoice* if you sit there and scratch your scalp with your nail, it's breaking the skin...your scalp has to heal itself therefore you wind up with scabs. 1+1 = 2!!!

I was so excited about this revelation, I had to share :)

So ladies, in short, DO NOT scratch your head with your nails...massage your head with your finger!!

FROM YOURS TRULY....

TO EVERYONE!!!

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY IS FILLED WITH JOY, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND GOOD FOOD :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADAM CJ!!!

How could I NOT shout her out today?? She was a pioneer in the game and did it so well she became a millionaire! *iAspire*

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations....I have built my own factory on my own ground."

Madam Walker, National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912

African-American Businesswoman.Philanthropist.Millionaire...and stylish I must say. GON' HEAD MADAM CJ, we see you in that fedora LOLOL :)

WE SALUTE YOU!!!

PRODUCT HEAVEN: TARJAY [TARGET]

Well this little store is giving folks a run for their money in the Natural Hair Care department...who knew? You can find conditioners, gels, etc... there. Now, of course there has been talk that some of the ingredients in products sold at Tarjay are different than if you were to go directly to the site, but I'll leave that up to you to decide where you wanna spend your money. I'm just excited that Tarjay is expanding.

A variety of products in the natural hair care department is only in select areas namely the one on Warrensville Center Road and Cedar Road. I swear the Man is gonna make sure that I have to go out my way to get stuff *sigh*

They have the following products that I'm super excited I don't have to buy online:

**Shea Moisture

**Bumble and Bumble (B.B.)

**Frederick Fekkai

**Miss Jessie's **WARNING** if you open it, you CANNOT return it to the store

**Curls

**CHI

And while we're talking about products, don't be afraid to try out products that aren't normally geared towards African Americans... I've found SEVERAL products that work on my hair ie. CurlySexyHair, Bed Head is next. It's all a part of the process :)

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

INQUIRING MINDS: HAIR LENGTH

A friend and I measure our hair every 3 months (I just started when I bc'd). Do you measure yours? what is your technique?

Also, how do you monitor what the stylist "trims" off. They want to make it even all over which is a problem. I have 8 inches of hair in some places and 7 in others. Just cause it's uneven doesnt mean it's not healthy, does it?

So many questions!! I love it.

Here goes it:

Do I measure my hair?

YES!! This is a must! This is how I know if what I'm doing is working or not.

How?

I stretch my hair while it's wet to see where it lands. I take a picture and then after about 3-6 months, I compare them. Also as I'm styling I'll take pics to see the difference between then and the next time I style it in the same style. I love how I can gradually see the progress my hair is taking. It's inspiring. OR I'll get it straightened and take a pic. Like I did when I got my hair straightened for the first time in 6 months :)

There are also specifically made t-shirts that you can buy online with inch line markers on the back to help with length checks. Mane and Chic has some cute length check tees. Check them out.

How do you monitor what the stylist "trims" off? Just cause it's uneven doesnt mean it's not healthy, does it?

Tough one...Well I consider a trim as 1/4" to 1/2" anything more it's a cut. There shouldn't be a lot of hair on you or the ground when they're finished. You should be able to see through the strands. Talking to your stylist is the best way to communicate how you want your hair, but then again they are the professional, so if you feel they're leaning towards making your hair even all over (which I don't recommend) discuss it with them. Open and honest communication is key in this process. My hair is longer and grows faster on the right side...no clue why, but it is what it is, so I had to talk with my stylist b/c I have a "thing" for things being balanced *LIBRA* and she explained to me that she understands that, but she didn't want to chop it even b/c when I came back to get it trimmed again, I'd just be going through the same process all over again...sooooooo what's the point. Very wise she is... My hair is still healthy and so will yours. Uneven does not mean unhealthy UNLESS you have split ends...that's a whole 'nother issue.

Hope this helps you guys out!

WELL. UM. OK. IDK.

sOOOOOOOOOOOO What is wrong with this picture?!?!? I'm just sayin... Mighty Fine is selling this shirt for $25, just in time for the holidays and while I do think the shirt is cute, I cannot get past why whoever in their stupidity thought it was ok and furthermore their boss agreed to ok and put this particular model in a shirt that is supposed to be (I presume) targeting African Americans?!! I've looked at their site and I KNOW they have black models, but worst case, they could have just grabbed a black chick off the street. I don't know, I'm having mixed feelings, but feel free to support them.

SENSITIVE SCALP?

Ok, so here lately when I leave my bobby pins in too long (meaning after 5 hrs) or my Goody bands in too long or whatever, my scalp is super tender. When I was a kid I was considered "tender-headed" but I as I got older I didn't think I was still that way. WRONG!! I am. I don't know if many of you are experiencing this but certain products/tools make my scalp sore and I wind up having little random scabs in my head :( SO NOT CUTE.

Here are some tips to combat sensitive scalp:

• Try using a medicated conditioner, one similar to something like Selsun Blue, but for sensitive scalp. I think I'm gonna try the Frederic Fekkai line or the Aubrey Organics line

• You are what you eat! If you've been eating a lot of red meats, they can produce extra oils that can cause itchy and dry scalp. Try adding more whole fruits/veggies and fish into your diet
  
  
• Switch up your products - Maybe the products you have been using to either wash or style your hair have been leaving residue on your scalp. It's Winter, so that mean less washing, but try incorporating some clarifying poo or the Lemon/Water mixture to your regimen
  
  
• Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Extract oils are great for sensitive scalp. Tea Tree is antiseptic, antibiotic, and antifungal while the Aloe Vera reduces inflammation.
  
  
• Massage your scalp in sections for about 10 mins. before you wash your hair. This is great way to open up your pores and get your blood circulating in your scalp and reduce sensitivity

I'll keep you guys posted on my results!! And don't forget to keep me posted on your results as well :)

SEMI-HOMEMADE HAIR ACCESSORY

So guys, I was in DESPERATE need of a neutral/tan colored flower. Now I KNOW I have one somewhere, but for whatever reason my flowers have been coming up MIA *hmmm* So when I was running around trying to figure out what to do I looked in my potpourri basket and I saw one. I snapped a little black ponytail holder around the base and stuck it in with bobby pins. YAY!!! GO ME!!

My first homemade hair accessory...what ya think??

BOGO @ MISS JESSIE'S

For all my Miss Jessie's fans!!! This sale is directly at their site, soooooo it's the real deal baby! Might as well stock up on your fav Miss Jessie's staples!! ENJOY!!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!

In case you haven't heard, fabulous news reporter Rochelle Ritchie decided to BC and do a series on her local news station about it. And when she showed up like this:

the station's rating went through the roof!! Congrats girl!!

See there are perks to being Natural these days, lololol! More info here.

HOLIDAY GLAM

Yay!! It's OFFICIALLY the 2010 holiday season and there are plenty of fabulous holiday parties to go to. And since you're going to be rocking a fabulous dress adorned with sequins and flyy shoes, you must complete the look with fab hair right??? RIGHT!!

Here are some holiday hairstyles that are simply chic:

And because we can't live without our accessories:

Home Remedies: AVOCADO CONDITIONER

I don't have Avocados on hand in my kitchen usually because I don't eat them. But for those of you Guacamole eaters and such, here's another great purpose for them: CONDITIONER.

Avocados are great for stimulating hair growth, especially in African Americans. They contain essential nutrients like Proteins, Vitamins A, D, and E, for hair growth and nourishment. They work better when blended with other oils like almond oil or olive oil which we know are also very good for our hair.

Here's a home remedy you can try if you're not an avocado eater like myself.

1 Avocado

1 Egg Yolk

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

Mash the avocado in a bowl and mix it with the egg and oil. Separate hair into sections and apply the mixture to the scalp first and then down towards the ends of the hair. Put a plastic cap on and sit under the dryer for 20 minutes. You're all set!

NOTE: The conditioner should be applied from root to end for Normal/Dry hair and half-way through hair for Oily hair.

POST BC STYLE: SMALL SPIRAL/ROD SET

So now that you've decided to BC, you don't know what to do with your new 'do right?? BEEN THERE!!

Welcome to what I have dubbed, the UGLY PHASE. At least that's what it was for me. As I chopped my hair every so often, I had to rediscover styles that worked for my new length. A lot of them I created on a whim b/c I had no CLUE what to do - I didn't like my hair in this in between stage AT ALL!!

WELP, no fear, HELP IS HERE *cuemythememusic*

Here's one style that is super cute AND protective. This was/is one of my staples

Small Spiral/Rod Set:

Here's a vid, hers was really cute for medium length hair (never mind the transition caption, it works on au naturale hair as well):

OIL BUSINESS

In my effort to use more Oils and less grease, I've found that there is a difference in oils...WHO KNEW?

Here's the thick of it:

Basically there are 2 types, Carrier and Essential.

Essential oils are plant-based and usually carry the distinct scent of that plant. An example would be say, Lavender, Eucalyptus, or Peppermint.

Carrier oils come from the fatty portion of plants ie. the seeds, nuts, or kernels. They are usually used to dilute Essential oils before it can be applied, so they Carry the essential oil onto the skin. Examples would be like Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, or Grapeseed Oil.

You want to shop for oils that have been Cold Pressed or are organic as possible. Using less heat to retrieve the oil preserves the nutrients in the oil, which is the reason you are buying it in the first place right? And they last for about 6-12 months. So you've got some wiggle room there too.

Here's my VERY short list of oils to buy:

*Grapeseed - light moisturizer, good for massaging the scalp

*Tea Tree - great for dry scalps (THAT'S ME) and dandruff

What are some of your favorite oils?

SALE SALE SALE

OMG!!! My little piece of Product Heaven is having a MONSTER sale before the holidays. Just about everything is 50% off AND if you have their VIP card, it's an additional 10% off that!! Stop in and stock up on all your faves including Paul Mitchell, Biolage, SexyHair (I LOVE!!) and OPI - I know it's nail polish, but hey why not...

BGR!

So I absolutely LOVED the show! It was very well put together and just about everybody looked completely FAB!!

There weren't that many au naturale looks, but Malinda Williams definitely rocked it!!

***LOVES IT***

Here are some more pics... just for giggles.

So beautiful!!!

BLACK GIRLS ROCK!

FINALLY something constructive on BET. I have just about crossed them off my list of channels to watch with their only saving grace being The Game *plug - premieres Jan. 11, 2011*

I feel obligated to watch the Black Girls Rock! Awards show airing this Sunday at 7pm, I love being celebrated and the lineup looks fantabulous including host Nia Long. It's about time we hear something about how brilliant we are BESIDES how we supposedly can't find a man, how our picking pool is very shallow, we have too high standards, etc.. *iCan't*

Some of the featured ladies are:

* Ledisi

* Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant

* Keke Palmer

* Missy

* Ruby Dee

* Raven Simone - ok Olivia, lolol

and on and on and on.

It's so good to see such wonderful ladies getting together to celebrate us Black women. I can't wait to see the show. I hope you'll be watching and be inspired as well!!!

And afterwards check out my girl's site Fashion Love Affairs, she'll definitely have the lowdown on all things fashion.

P.S. THEY HAVE A STORE!! It's full of cute tees with influential black women and positive sayings on them. Check it out here.

READER REQUEST: PROTECTIVE STYLES

A LOVELY reader asked me to provide some protective styling options for the winter. Now I'm a huge fan of braids and twists anyway, but even more so now that I'm Natural. I will admit, I am a novice at this, so I'm gonna keep it simple for those of us who are not as braid/twist advanced... for now :)

Twist Updo with Roller set ends:




French Braid with Bun:



French Braid Bang with Bun:

**MY FAVE**

The key to Protective Styles are you don't want to fuss with your hair (or minimize the fuss as much as possible). You also want to make sure your ends are not exposed. If they are, make sure you moisturize them to keep from experiencing breakage.


And don't forget to accessorize!!! Earrings, flowers, clips, broaches, etc.. are just the added pizazz you need!


HAPPY STYLING!!

'TIS THE SEASON...TO PROTECT OUR HAIR

Ladies it's almost that time again...WINTER *notready* If you've been here say in the past 12 months, you've seen a true Winter season. We had snow out the wazoo!! BUT just because we are suffering doesn't mean our hair has to suffer.

In the Winter our hair is super fragile, the cold winds, snow, hail, ice, not to mention hats affect our hair. It's a lot drier which means it is MORE prone to damage and breakage.

So here are some tips to get our hair ready prior to Old Man Winter hitting the scene:

** DEEP CONDITIONING IS KEY - Your hair needs moisture!! and especially so in the winter time. Those elements are nothing to play with, so I'd suggest you get your DC on every week. And this includes heat *oyvey* I hate sitting under the dryer as much as the next person, but since I KNOW my hair will need it AND since I've already incorporated it into my routine, it shouldn't be too bad. Get a head start, it'll be easier later.

** FEWER WASHES - I don't know about you, but I cannot afford to get any additional head colds, my sinuses are enough. W&Gs are GREAT in the summer, but in the winter, no sirree. Colder air dries your hair even more and the whole point is to keep your hair moisturized, so instead of a weekly routine, try washing it every 10 days.

** DRY WASH - Speaking of fewer washes, try Dry Washing your hair. What is it you ask? Well it's basically washing your hair without washing it. Use an astringent like the lemon water cleanser.

** HOT OIL TREAMENTS ARE YOUR FRIEND - Have we not noticed a trend here? Coconut Oil, EVOO... oil is ABSOLUTELY wonderful for moisture. They [most] penetrate the hair shaft and provide a protective layer for your hair. Warm it up, put it in your hair, cover with a plastic cap and sit under the dryer. You're good to go!!

** FIND YOURSELF SOME PROTECTIVE STYLES - Protective styling means protecting your hair, concentrating on your ends, so that you don't experience breakage faster than your hair grows. THIS IS A MUST!! Sealing the ends is key to protective styling. I suggest 2 strand or flat twists, buns, or braids.

I hope this helps you prep your hair for the cold months that are coming ahead!!!

NATURAL HAIR IN THE WORKPLACE

Do you ever get compliments on your hair from your coworkers?? I find in my all white everything environment, they LOVE my hair. I mean LOVE my hair. Since I have my weekly routine of DC and protective styling they're so curious as to what my hair is gonna look like on a weekly basis. I find this extrememely funny and comforting. It allows us to talk [more like me educate them] about my hair in a non-threatening manner.

I remember when I first wore my afro to work. I was having one of my many infamous hair funks and had an attitude for whatever reason, so I tied my scarf around my W&G and walked out the house. I was afraid of what they would say and how they would react, but surprisingly they welcomed it. It was on like popcorn from then on.

I have, however, talked with other people who have had the opposite happen to them. It's so unfortunate too. I look at it like what does my hair have to do with anything? Am I completing my assignments on time and with high quality? Alright then. [stopping my rant before I get started]

So whenever you're feeling particularly bold, go on girl, show them the REAL you. It's ok, you may actually be surprised. Just make sure you've accepted yourself FIRST, the rest will follow.

BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT

Have you ever heard of a Brazilian Blowout?? I got some info in my inbox and I was like what the heck is that and how is it different from a regular blowout? I had to go directly to the Site to find out what it was.

Well apparently it's a Protein Smoothing Treatment. It lasts for about 10-12 weeks.

Per the site: If your hair is wavy, the Brazilian Blowout will make your hair appear naturally straight and healthy. If your hair is very curly, it will minimize frizz while enhancing the appearance of the natural wave/curl. If you have straight, frizzy hair, this treatment will eliminate frizz and promote radiant shine.

Well IF I was ballin, which I most certainly am NOT, I would try it out. This boy costs $270 and up...which may or may not include after care maintenance. I guess if you{I} break it down per month it's not that bad...ok I quit. I am such a jusitifier, lolol.

There is a salon in Cleveland that does these blowouts, soooooooo if you wanna try it out, email me. I got you covered.

If you have tried it out, give us a review. I sure am curious to know more about it.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME...

I SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT YOU

***GROUP HUG***

I have missed you guys, however between 2 weddings (both in which I was a participant) 1 week apart AND grad school...a sista was tied up *STRESSED* Just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you guys, but now I am back in business *cheers*

IS NATURAL THE NEW LIGHT-SKIN??

I find the following article very interesting. It is definitely on point with some of the conversations I've had with some relaxed ladies.

Natural is the new Light Skinned

In short, he wants to know if Natural hair the new fad?

Now I personally believe it depends on the reasoning behind it. Everybody has their own reasons and I am not one to judge. I did it because I wanted a fro plus I was tired of my hair getting to a certain length and then breaking off. I've since discovered how healthy my hair really is and I like it. I find it kinda therapeutic to play in my hair and I get to shop! *PJItch* I do not think I would ever go back to a relaxer, so for me it's definitely not a fad, but for others it may just be the 'IT' thing to do. And that's ok. It's their hair.

What is NOT ok, however, is the sentiment that just because a lady has a relaxer they're 'hating' themselves *don'tkillme* Some people really like relaxers and don't have the tolerance, time, or even want to deal with their hair. {Which all us Naturalites know it takes}

It's ultimately up to the individual anyway, so let's just embrace each other as Sisters whether we are relaxed or natural. No one is bigger or better than because of their hair. We're ALL fearfully and wonderfully made.

Just my thoughts...what do you think?

JOB WELL DONE!!!

TO ALL WHO SHOWED UP TO THE CLEVELAND NATURAL HAIR CARE EXPO!!

I had a blast with all the ladies who volunteered and the vendors. Way to show up and show out Cleveland!!!