Friday, November 9, 2012

Dispelling Dandruf and the Hair Myths of Big Momma

 
This video addresses the mindset of many African American women's approach to scalp care.
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Blessings,
CD

Monday, July 23, 2012

Insanity Challenge

Embarking into deeper waters as I uncover my true potential

Today I started a new challenge. This time it's not related to my hair. I am endeavoring to complete 60 days of Insanity with Shaun T! Yes, I am doing the challenge. I have my day one pic and I suffered through my fit test in 91 degree humidity but I did it dang it!

I have been using the excessive heat as a reason to NOT workout but honestly I felt a tad bit convicted when I say people in less better shape than I am outside jogging. Granted they appeared close to death and I had to offer a prayer up for them as I drove by in my ACd car but I got to thinking. If my body is the temple than why don't I really invest in it like  treasure? So, Friday I worked out, Saturday I worked out. Sunday I rested and today I took the fit test. I was drenched by the time I finished and ten minutes later I was still dripping sweat.

My reflection:
My numbers weren't the best they could have been because I was working against humidity and soreness from a previous workout. Nevertheless it is a starting point and from here everything has to improve. I do have some obstacles in my home, the ceiling fan and lack of space for an alternative room. Otherwise, no real excuse not to continue.

My advice to someone taking the challenge after reading this:
  1. Make sure you are plenty hydrated..
  2. Know  the caloric intake required for YOU by beachbody to do Insanity everyday.
  3. Increase your protein and carbs despite the diet your on...you need fuel!
  4. Invest in the best cross trainer shoes you can afford. The one's I have are pictured to the right. They are snug for a secure fit and are breathable.
  5. Get an accountability buddy or join Myfitnesspal.com.
  6. Join beachbody (free membership) and hook up with a coach. They have been where you are and can ask questions.
  7. Do take your before pic if you want that Insanity Shirt!
  8. Work at your own pace and keep in mind form over rep speed.

Fit Test 1
switch kicks

90
power jacks
42
power knees
70
power jumps
25
globe jumps
6
suicide jumps
6
push up jacks
15
low blank oblique
10

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Diminishing Detangling Session TIme


Why does it take one person hours to detangle while some can detangle in less than 30 minutes?
There are a few things that factor into this:

 
1. Hair products being used. Sulfates, silicones, alchol, parabens, all affect the condition of your hairs moisture and texture. Eliminating this from your hair regimen will allow you hair to be free to be itself.... Warning initial removal of these products from your routine will cause your hair to go into withdrawl (showing symptoms like an addicts). But after a week or so you will see healthier hair than you could have imagined.

2. How often are you shampooing? In many cultures (except Caucasion) shampooing is done weekly, biweekly or (ew) monthly. This means shed hair has the opportunity accumalate and wrap in the hair causing a tangled often matted mess. Detangling that's done once a week reduces this but removing shed hair really should happen twice a week to keep maintance simpler. Removing hair can be done with light finger detangling sessions during the moisturize part of your night routine.


3. How are you wearing you hair? Wash and go's twist outs and braid outs (hence outs) encourages hair to mingle. If you wear it out in the day try to braid it, twist it or pinapple at night. Satin or silk bonnet or pillowcases are a requirement not an option for curly hair! Yes, I used an exclamation point.


4. What conditioner are using? Is it a leave in? Conditioners must have slip (the ability to allow hair and hands to glide) for easier detangling sessions. A good conditioner is thick, water based, has natural oils and does not leave build up. Whole Foods makes a great conditioner for less than 5.00 I like the Citrus one.


5. How often do you moisturize? Beacause moisture is lost daily hair must be moisturized daily. Spritzing with water and drinking 2 liters of water a day are beneficial to reducing dry uncooperative hair. When applying moisturizers make sure you apply from root (as close to scalp as you can get) and distribute down to the end. This same method should be used when applying conditioners

While ther are many other tips I could have added to the list these are the top 5. What other tips do you think should be added to maybe make this a top ten list?

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Natural Black Women are Free to Swim


Umm, take off that swim cap and don't just lay beside the water.....


Prepare your hair before swimming and fall inlove with being a curldiva all over again. Here's the steps:

1. Using a good spray bottle mist you hair wet.

2. Apply a silcone free/sulfate free conditioner to your entire head. Let it sit on your hair at least five minutes before jumping in.

(Girl Grab you a flattering swimsuit, some sunglasses, sunscreen, a beach towel)   



3. Swim

4. Rinse hair out with warm water.

5. Apply your favorite leave in conditioner (preferrable amped up) or add a tsp of your favorite oil

(if you use shea butter mixes you can apply that after conditioner dries to your ends)

6.Apply a styler such as ecostyler.

6. let air dry or diffuse.

That's all folks!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Maintaining Those Mini Twist (Maximizing your Style)

Putting mini twists in my hair is usually a four to five our commitment over the course of a weekend. So once I have them in I try to maximize the wear. How do I get five weeks from one protective style? I'll tell you.

• I twist tightly keeping my finger close to where I am actually twisting. This forms a strong twist that is able to hold itself together.

• I only use leave in conditioner, natural oil, and flaxseed gel to put the twists in.

• I stop twisting when I am tired and pick up when I have energy so my twist look consistent.

• I use only two products to maintain my hair (Shea butter at night) (diluted kinky curly spiral spritz in the morning).

• I moisturize (daily) by adding water to my hair prior to adding any product.

• I use the Shea butter to massage my scalp nightly.

• I sleep in a satin bonnet.

Week Five I wear a twist out. The day before I am going to wash my hair I prepare my hair using a deep treatment of coconut oil. I ware a plastic cap under my satin bonnet. The next day I shampoo and condition.

I have a new video on YouTube here demonstrating my  (mini twist) am/pm routine! Please subscribe rate and comment.



Blessings,

CurlDiva

Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Five W's of Protein Sensitivity

Protective Style Hair Band
Having naturally curly hair has been a challenge like none other in my life. As a professional woman I have received the disappointing looks and heard words from brothers I don't care to repeat. I've chopped, colored, grew out, and chopped again. In my 8 years of being natural, nothing has been more challenging then finding what makes my hair happy. When my hair was relaxed I loved the silkiness of clean, conditioned hair but finding that same happiness for my curly locks has been a quest that would discourage the Indiana Jones. Recently I learned that my hair is protein sensitive. I found this out when I tried Carol's Daughter Herbal Tui shampoo (my normal CD shampoo had been sold out for weeks). This shampoo left my hair tangled, matted and straw-like. It took me three months to recover. Little did I know the very products that were supposed to help me actually were hindering me because they too contained protein. The following list is the 5 W's of protein sensitivity:
  1. What- What does protein sensitivity look like? In laymen's terms, it is when the hair's response is a dry, straw like feeling. Hair is typically unmanageable and feels as if it has not been conditioned at all. 
  2. When- One can tell when one is protein sensitive once one's hair is in a natural and health state. When hair is relaxed, colored or damaged by heat exposure protein can be loss and the hair may be more receptive to protein treatments.
  3. Why- Why does curly hair resist protein? The best answer I have found is because curly hair makes so much of its on protein that protein treatments tend to send it into a frenzy. Too much of  a good thing can be bad.
  4. Where- Where is protein found? In shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers. Commercial and organic products both can contain proteins and the only sure way to know is to read the label of ingredients. It is a good idea to take your smartphone with you to Google any ingredients you are not familiar with. 
  5. Who- Is susceptible to protein sensitivity? Anyone who has coarse high porosity hair but some women with fine hair have also reported protein sensitivity to specific types of protein. For example one may be able to tolerate soy but not silk protein. 
Prayerfully, this has been an informative blog :)
Blessings,
CD