Category Archives: hair

Protective Styling

Protective styling is probably one of my favorite things. I love my hair and you should love yours. You have to learn to love (or deal with) taking care of it. One way I do that is by protective styling. The true definition of a protective style is when your hair is styled with the ends of your hair tucked away. When I protective style I try not to use rubber bands or barrettes in general. I normally either halo braid or twist my crown. The best way to do this is either part across the middle or down the middle so that you are able to get all of your hair. If you just twist around the edges you’ll miss the middle (and trust me, that’s horrible especially when your hair is curly). I also knot my hair: I bun it, then add another barrette around the bun, shrinking it’s size. I try to either wear my hair in protective styles because I’m trying to grow it out. My hair recently got healthier due to frequent deep conditioning treatments, drinking lots of water, and protective styles. I tried to wear my hair down a lot, due to the fact that I didn’t always want to pull my hair into a style (and after I cut it in January it was too short). I think that protective styles are a great idea for second day hair. Pineappling has never worked for me. Which means I’ll either cowash in the morning (if my hair isn’t straight) or just add enough conditioner and water to my dry curls to style it. I also tried twists over the summer and I loved them (when they were wet). I’m eager to try bantu knots on dry hair. I tried them once before with wet hair. And even though after washing I waited two hours before putting the bantu knots in, they were still wet when I woke up. I tried this great new product by Design Essentials called Silk, which is a moisturizer without oil that penetrates the hair cuticle to help manage hair. It’s great, it helps me when I roll my hair (I don’t use it every day) after the curls have really fallen. It leaves my hair looking nice, without the oily look from their Botanical Oil. I also got some new Shea Moisture products I’m so excited to try. Remember: love your hair. Happy styling!

hair

Papayah’s Top 12 Natural Hair Tips

1. Drink plenty of water (it really makes a difference in the softness). You can feel the difference actually.
2. Co-washing is better than shampooing. Yes you will need to shampoo at some point (at least once a week) but co-washing gets rid of product stuck in your hair.
3. Water is your friend. Water gives a lot of moisture so when you use water and conditioner it keeps the moisture in.
4. Leave-ins: after I wash my hair I always add conditioner to it. Not like you add in the shower, like half of that amount. And when you are in the shower make sure you have enough conditioner, you should be able to run your fingers through your hair smoothly
5. No WIDE TOOTH COMBS. Most naturals love them but to me it’s a no no. After leaving my conditioner in for five minutes, I finger comb my hair, then rinse with cold water. I wash with warm water, not hot.
6. Products. African-American hair products like Shea moisture are good. I use Shea Moisture and Design Essentials. (Design Essentials is sold at ULTA)
7. Oils: olive oil is the best to put on your scalp. I rub it on my scalp as soon as I get out of the shower. Make sure not to add more than just like a dime size, your hair will get oily. Oils don’t penetrate the hair shaft, so a lot isn’t going to do anything but make it oily. I rub my scalp with it because scalp rubbing helps it grow.
8. Mousse: I use Shea moisture Mousse, it’s coconut and hibiscus so it smells so good, the purpose is to keep my frizz down. Make sure to not add too much to one spot though, it’ll make the curl hard. This gives penetrates the hair shaft, along with conditioner which allows your hair to be soft without being oily.
9. Protective styles. It’s nice to wear buns, and twists (like a halo) and braids (halo again). It keeps the curls soft and protected. Make sure that you always have all of your hair up in a style like that, don’t leave the middle out (it’ll break off, learned from experience)
10. Love your hair. Boys will always have something to say, and it might be negative, just don’t listen to it. Most people like natural hair though, so just know they will touch it. And they will be surprised when it’s soft, that’s still funny to me.
11. Refrain from touching your hair. After I do my hair, I try to just leave it because touching the ends will only damage them.
12. Always condition. I will keep conditioner in my purse, just a little baby one. And if you need to add some, just add a little water to the conditioner then apply