tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post8878057788793373149..comments2024-03-19T11:57:07.317+00:00Comments on THE NATURAL HAVEN: Natural Hair Top Tip: Abandon ExtensionsJchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03983132094574128087noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-89053736851944195252014-11-15T05:14:41.877+00:002014-11-15T05:14:41.877+00:00100%? Nowhere in her post did she suggest not doin...100%? Nowhere in her post did she suggest not doing extensions at all.alpheanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-72485037785875775662013-10-05T23:28:33.592+01:002013-10-05T23:28:33.592+01:00Now you know I'm a natural hair care specialis...Now you know I'm a natural hair care specialist, master braider, colorist and future trichologist ph.d and I TOTALLY AGREE with this post. My clients side eye me when I inform them we will not be retouching the extensions and proceed to show them other options. Hair health first! <br /><br />-Ms. Amena Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11664658370856638805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-41653954722709066222012-09-24T16:41:45.007+01:002012-09-24T16:41:45.007+01:00I've been wearing lace wigs all year because I...I've been wearing lace wigs all year because I workout in the mornings and the thought has been that I can't go to work with wet hair. I have shrinkage prone 4c hair so wash & go's are not an option at this point. I'm going to figure this thing out this week because I'm tired of the wigs. I'm wearing my hair out in a high bun today. I'm not going to compromise my workouts. I may need to use the dryer on low setting a bit in the mornings to dry my roots. It would be easier to manage if I would exercise in the evening but I can't because I have a very active 15 year old who needs me to be his taxi. I also feel better when I workout in the morning. Any advice on how to preserve braidouts, or twistouts (products, etc) during a workout would be greatly appreciated. AtlantaJJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06026886117072081629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-65775456628719157212012-09-17T13:06:46.575+01:002012-09-17T13:06:46.575+01:00oh my! never thought of it that way, thanks!oh my! never thought of it that way, thanks!Amanda https://www.blogger.com/profile/12372339798017000582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-11157004742811611372012-08-15T19:37:06.029+01:002012-08-15T19:37:06.029+01:00As I was reading this article I was thinking the s...As I was reading this article I was thinking the same as you and considering commenting. Thanks for making this point. I've been natural 15yrs now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-36315237737138293962012-06-06T12:49:32.269+01:002012-06-06T12:49:32.269+01:00I do believe that weave in general is binding us a...I do believe that weave in general is binding us as a community. We rock and take care of weave, spending so much money on it and neglect the beautiful tresses on our head. I have done the braiding thing over and over 2 give my hair a "break" when I've gotten frustrated with my hair only to regret putting the braids in. I regret b/c it's covering up my glory and I end up missing my hair & when I wanna itch my scalp, I have roa blockagecuz of the weave . Yeah, I look cute in a different way but I love my hair much more!!! We have to learn our hair & rock it proudly. :) I love this natural hair movementAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694499274226939265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-60530691758656660052012-04-18T11:58:08.796+01:002012-04-18T11:58:08.796+01:00So with you on this one. I hide my hair till the ...So with you on this one. I hide my hair till the sun shines. I wear wigs in the interim. I love to wash it and often do so more than once a week. I do, however, plan to wear my hair full time in the winter soon. I'm battling post partum shedding so back to yarn braids and wearing them with ill concealed grace...sundayzchildhttp://www.fotki.com/sundayzchildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-67158106279540352032012-01-28T03:56:36.903+00:002012-01-28T03:56:36.903+00:00Hi JC I'm new to this blog and I've been n...Hi JC I'm new to this blog and I've been natural for two years now. I'm considering getting extensions for hair growth. Do you think this is a good idea? I also was wondering why is it that my hair does not stay wavy like i want it to after it's dry? Please reply!!Slaguerrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-3618910106208828282012-01-11T17:55:41.523+00:002012-01-11T17:55:41.523+00:00I agree that one should not become *dependent* on ...I agree that one should not become *dependent* on extensions, however I grew my natural hair to midback length in three years by using extensions *correctly*, i.e. two months in extensions, two months in natural twists, and generally using the methods advocated by Robyn on growafrohairlong.com. I no longer wear extensions because I'm sick of them. <br /><br />On the other hand, my sister has been wearing extensions for over a year without interruption. She takes one set down and puts a new set up immediately. I think that is not only potentially damaging to her hair (esp. her hairline), but it is not helping her evolve from her belief that her hair in its natural state is unmanageable, difficult, and unacceptable. (It is actually quite soft, though dense and highly textured).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-7112895272657815652011-10-25T23:30:43.268+01:002011-10-25T23:30:43.268+01:00For me, braid extensions have and continue to be h...For me, braid extensions have and continue to be helpful as a protective style. I'm in the 'more than 1 yr less than 2 yrs' natural hair phase. I have enough hair on my head that I'm no longer tempted to go back to relaxing (and can pull off some natural styles) but not enough hair to say that I've reached my length goals (SL stretched) and can easily protective style with just MY hair (twists and braids still shrink up too much for me to pull all my hair back or bun). <br /><br />So braid extensions help me when I get frustrated with my hair and need a break. I do think that once my own hair gets long enough to braid and pull back w/o extensions, I probably won't use extensions anymore. I think of them as a bridge to where I want to be, not as an endgame styling method. <br /><br />~HAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-79423522245814889272011-09-20T21:15:02.512+01:002011-09-20T21:15:02.512+01:00Wearing weaves has definetly made me more self con...Wearing weaves has definetly made me more self conscious about my natural hair. I initially only wore it to be easier for me as far as maintenance but it has taken over... I plan to end the weaves for good soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-71304343704979461752011-06-25T03:41:46.009+01:002011-06-25T03:41:46.009+01:00I am so over braid extensions and blowdryers. I le...I am so over braid extensions and blowdryers. I leave my hair in twists, moisturize with a mixture of castor oil, giovanni direct leave in, and aloe vera gel. I wash my hair every 7 days with Giovanni products. I also like to do a pre-poo with aubrey organics conditioner. I put my hair under the water whenever my hair feels dry. I stretch my hair using the banding method. These are products I ALWAYS use.<br /> I am determined to grow my hair beyond 12 inches. I always thought this was the common length for african american women. Actually, I think 10 inches is common for Afro American women. <br /> I also have back up products that work for my hair type but I only use on occasion like shea butter vanilla mint conditioner, shea moisture coconut and hibiscus smoothie,beautiful curls reviving tonic, and my own mixture of shea/coconut/aloe vera.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-72399276926151663482011-06-09T19:43:34.100+01:002011-06-09T19:43:34.100+01:00Hey JC!
I'm hailing from London, England, and...Hey JC!<br /><br />I'm hailing from London, England, and I find your blog inspiring, uplifting, informative, beautiful...just wonderful. I would like to thanks you for the time and effort you have put in to this powerful project and I send love and respect over the ocean!!!<br />My hairstory in brief: Never had a perm as a child, tried a leisure curl aged 13, hair fell out, never tried any of that sh*t since, addicted to braided extensions for 10 years, got over that, locked my hair, chopped it off after 7 years, been rocking TWA's cornrows, loose braids, twists, threaded plaits, etc and I love my hair...My online tag is Its A Process. Cause it is. <br />Stay Nappy!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-19990895916489171162011-04-28T14:55:02.965+01:002011-04-28T14:55:02.965+01:00Atthe moment I have my hair canerowed at the back ...Atthe moment I have my hair canerowed at the back and sides with the front in two stranded twists. At first I used my own hair but the shrinkage was too much so I added extensions. I would like to use my own hair when twisting but until it gets to a length that I'm happy with I'll continue usign extensions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759298266240046502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-69961171136137201872011-03-20T15:08:29.483+00:002011-03-20T15:08:29.483+00:00I agree. I've been natural pretty much my who...I agree. I've been natural pretty much my whole life as I never like the whole relaxer business. The whole Press-n-curl thing didn't work for me either. As a result, after college when I decided I want to not be a slave to the $100+ hair style; I had no idea what to do. I'm still learning about how to care for my hair as I never took care of in while in extensions.<br /><br />As a result, my hair has pretty much stayed the same length. It grows, breaks off or is cut off due to split ends. I think the longest I've managed to get my hair to is 3-5 inches last summer.<br /><br />Then I decided to color it w/o doing a monthly Protein Treatment + a mistaken use of the Tangle Teaser. Now I'm back to hair that's about as long as it was pre-color that's two toned. It's rather amusing.<br /><br />I've decided to use crochet style extensions for 4 weeks on & 6-8 weeks off. I like being able to go from long to short. In addition, if I forget to do hot oil treatments each week, they aren't in long enough to dread.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-16758744396993000372011-02-05T05:47:59.688+00:002011-02-05T05:47:59.688+00:00I love this article, it is the truth!I love this article, it is the truth!Accountable to Godhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16700329171506106539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-67787982518640388082011-01-28T04:19:04.193+00:002011-01-28T04:19:04.193+00:00I think I'm on my way Jc. I made 2 strands twi...I think I'm on my way Jc. I made 2 strands twists for myself today and I feel well on y way to independence and confidence in styling my own hair.Mrs Jaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06713592727839559527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-85162597505827986472011-01-12T04:26:26.496+00:002011-01-12T04:26:26.496+00:00Thanks JC,
Very good idea, I'll practice a bi...Thanks JC,<br /><br />Very good idea, I'll practice a bit more. I've made bantu knots on my hair before, but gosh the process was so painful, but I know practice makes perfect, so I'll keep trying.<br /><br />Braids or no braids I think for now I'll leave the hair dressing to the pros. I did get twists after all.<br /><br />I've searched your blog but I still haven't found any practical tips on what to do instead of wearing an afro or braiding, my two favourite things :-)<br /><br />How did you tackle this? please share, thanks.Mrs Jaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06713592727839559527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-75227046635757309462010-12-31T00:21:24.694+00:002010-12-31T00:21:24.694+00:00Mad about my fro - I would say buy a dollhead and ...Mad about my fro - I would say buy a dollhead and practice on it. Don't practice on yourself, if you are not confident.<br /><br />You can be independent eventually but take your time with learning.Jchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03983132094574128087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-73454735253032107632010-12-30T23:57:35.527+00:002010-12-30T23:57:35.527+00:00Hmmn, back to this post again.
I must confess tha...Hmmn, back to this post again.<br /><br />I must confess that wearing my hair in braids over the last two months made me forget about it. I had no inspiration to write my blog because my hair was all tied up, I've had my hair out for two days and I've posted twice already.<br /><br />I've had braids for the last 7 weeks and left my hair out for only 2-3 in between. The first time I had plenty of breakage which I think was down to chlorine I got in the pool. I tried to shampoo after swimming and second time around it was down to a bare minimum. <br /><br />I made a lot off progress, I have about 3.5 inch of growth, the last time i checked I was at 2.5 inch in the same area this was in early October, i only bc'ed in August, I only had enough hair to cover my scalp.<br /><br />I still believe my hair grows a lot faster without extensions, but I'm not a hair stylist, I've got zero skills can't cornrow to save my life, not for lack of trying. I'm currently arranging my next braiding appointment, I want to be independent in styling my hair, but I'm still stuck with braiding, what do I do?Mrs Jaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06713592727839559527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-50753185056425915822010-11-30T00:14:35.236+00:002010-11-30T00:14:35.236+00:00This is a very nice article. I've stubled onto...This is a very nice article. I've stubled onto something refreshing with this blob. I'm a lifetime (practically) natural having transitioned as a young teenager when there was no language around natural hair care much less a community of people sharing tips and tricks. I really enjoy this new movement. <br /><br />For me extensions have been a great styling option although I've used them less and leass over time. I do not suffer breakage or damage to my cuticle as long as i observe theses rules: (my hair type i describe as spongy, loves water, light brown, type 3/4 S curls with lots of Z curls)<br /><br />1) braid my own extensions<br />2) wash weekly or every 2 weeks<br />3) never leave my hair extensions longer than 4 weeks. <br />5) I do not use any petrolum based products, shampoos, conditioners or hair gels <br />6) usually i use all natural shampoos: non SLS, no cones, however but during times when i wear breads i switch to a leave in that contains some silicone and parabeans as my hair prefers it during these 'resting periods' <br />7) i clarify with KCC Come Clean after taking out braids<br />8) i deep condition with Cholesterol or soy protein before and after wearing extensions<br />9) last but not least, i moisturize w. infusion 23 while wearing extensions (another reason to clarify when the braids come out)<br /><br />Who knows maybe this routine or a similar one might work for your hair type. :) <br />Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-18970692838003450432010-11-25T18:00:01.518+00:002010-11-25T18:00:01.518+00:00To each his own. I love my hair which is why I...To each his own. I love my hair which is why I'm wearing a wig this winter to protect it from the elements. My hair is designed to withstand tropical temps not this below zero stuff. I don't see what the difference between wearing a wig and wearing a hat (the only difference is I'm wearing a hat made of synthetic hair). I just make sure my hair is always moisturized and I wear a satin cap vs. a wig cap under the wig and do not even utilize the combs. When I'm warm indoors I don't wear the wig. I actually think it's working well for me personally - My hair stays moisturized, it keeps my hands out of my hair, splits decreased dramatically, hairline is filling in and I'm retaining everything I'm growing. If anything the wig makes me appreciate my natural hair even more - I often can't wait to go home to snatch this thing off so I can play w/ my hair again lol. I even relish wash days b/c it means I get to touch my hair again (I know. I have a problem). <br /><br />I can see weave being a potential problem, but my full wig is working for me this winter so I'm sticking with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-630610604258815902010-11-20T21:37:07.339+00:002010-11-20T21:37:07.339+00:00These are great posts! I wonder though about 2 str...These are great posts! I wonder though about 2 strand twists and braids (without extensions). Can they cause damage and breakage? These are done on wet hair. Thanks for any thoughts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-90027683883584590152010-11-11T18:39:03.420+00:002010-11-11T18:39:03.420+00:00I could not agree more with your statement on self...I could not agree more with your statement on self image, it has been a process for me and I too now can say, "I am cute, all day every day!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356365023823603303.post-50075970813352558162010-10-08T21:24:12.533+01:002010-10-08T21:24:12.533+01:00I'm in between on this issue, I had braids sho...I'm in between on this issue, I had braids shortly after my BC and my impression of this was that it kept my hair from growing so I took it out only after a week. On the other hand it meant I combed my hair a lot less, hence retaining some growth, my hair is very short and while I want to keep it natural all the time, I also want to do some protective styling for the winter and I was thinking of braiding ever 4-6 weeks. And one of your posts is also against wearing out an afro so I'm a bit stuck for choice. What can I do as an alternative that's not wearing an afro and not using extensions and still promoting growthMrs Jaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06713592727839559527noreply@blogger.com