Natural n Thick

Source: Huffington Post

If you look on any social media site, you will certainly encounter images of black women with uber long natural hair... And you may be wondering why your hair hasn't inched past your collar bone. I've been there. My hair became stagnant once I reached just above shoulder length (SL) and I had no idea why my hair was stuck. If you are having those thoughts and want to beat the hair growth rut that you may be experiencing, check to see if you are making any of these mistakes, and CORRECT immediately.

Mistake #1 - Not clipping your split ends

I am a harsh offender of this mistake. Lock me up and throw away the key. I hate when any stylist pulls out those treacherous scissors... BUT the truth is cutting split ends are necessary to save the healthy hair.

If you refuse to clip your ends, that split will make its way up your hair shaft and do significant damage. This will inevitably lead to you cutting off more of your hair. Now you have shorter hair all because you didn't want to clip those jagged ends.

Mistake #2 - Excessive Use of Heat Styling Tools

The continuous and excessive use of heat styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling wands can damage the hair cuticle and stunt growth. Prolonged heat styling can also weaken the hair and make it more susceptible to breakage.

I love a good silk press, but I will not have this done on a weekly basis. If you want to see your hair grow longer, put down that flat iron... for now.

Mistake #3 - Washing Hair with HOT Water

For those of us that wash our hair while showering, it may be tempting to use that hot water. Who doesn't love a steaming hot shower. Using hot water can be drying to your hair and scalp which may lead to breakage.

Mistake #4 - Not Drinking Enough Water

Drinking water not only hydrates your body, it also hydrates your hair. Drinking the daily recommended amount of water will strengthen your roots and stimulate hair growth. When your hair is missing the necessary amount of water, your hair will become dry, weak, and brittle. It may also lead to hair loss/breakage.

Mistake #5 - Eating the Wrong Foods

In the society we live in, it is very easy to eat foods that will hinder hair growth. The biggest culprits that will stifle growth include fast food, white starches (potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, etc.), sugar, and alcohol. Yes, put down the double-cheeseburger and that glass of Ciroc. These foods can lead to brittle, thinning hair. Reducing your intake of these foods will help put you on the path to sustainable hair growth.

If you are guilty of of any of these mistakes, it would be in your best interest to STOP. You may start to notice your hair thanking you with growth.

Colorism: Bias within the Black Community

Even before rapper, Kodak Black admitted that he didn't like his own skin complexion or dating dark skinned women (more on this later), we have been facing the long-battled light skin vs dark skin nonsense. It's sad that even in the age of Black Lives Matter and promoting racial justice, we still face the issue of Colorism within our own community.

What is Colorism?

Colorism is defined as a prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. Usually individuals with a lighter complexion will receive preferential treatment in contrast to their counterparts that are deeper shades of brown.

A Long History

This notion of Colorism was ingrained in descendants of Africa many moons ago. We can look at history to see how this discrimination evolved into what we see being perpetuated in today's society.

This great nation built its early wealth through the use of a Slave Economy. Free labor made it easy for colonists to grow and harvest crops such as Tobacco, in order to get supplies and money from it's parent country, Britain. Soon, there would be a distinction made between slaves. These individuals were given various tasks based on the color of their skin: Lighter slaves would perform domestic work in the house, while darker slaves would often work outside in the fields.

A perfect example of how Colorism came to be can be found in the myth/legend of Willie Lynch and his alleged letter/speech. The speech supposedly tells white slave owners how to control slaves in the colonies. Within the speech, Willie talks of "pitching" the young against the old and vice versa. He also mentions "pitching" the light slaves against the dark slaves. Lynch goes on to state that the slaves must love and depend on only the white master. Although this letter/speech was was deemed to be a fabrication, we know that some Slave Masters carried similar sentiments. If you would like to read the full text of Willie Lynch's purported letter click HERE.

The Rhodes Colossus

Striding from Cape Town to Cairo

Punch, 10 December 1892

During the Age of Imperialism, European nations dominated African countries and proceeded to change their entire way of life. The Belgians, for example, pitted the lighter Tutsis against the darker Hutus in Rwanda. They favored the Tutsi because they viewed them as more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Looking at the three examples above, one could see how this ideology of colorism has created a great divide in the African American Community. We have been trained to classify someone's beauty, femininity/masculinity, and worth on the pure basis of skin complexion.

Colorism Today

You don't have to venture very far to see colorism in action, today. Turn on the radio, and you will hear from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, and even Childish Gambino rapping their praises of light skinned women. These rappers subliminally send messages to young ladies and men, that in order to be considered attractive, their skin needs to be light.

Kodak Black went as far as to say that dark skinned women were to "gutta" and too tough. He liked the fact that light skinned women were more sensitive.

Go into any black barbershop or secondary classroom and you may hear the infamous phrase, "She's cute for a dark girl." It's almost as if these men are putting an asterisk on the beauty of women with a darker shade. Why does the shade of brown determine how beautiful someone is?

I can recall a time in high school, when a male classmate was talking with my boyfriend (at the time) about a girl he was interested in. He made comments about her being sexy and then exclaimed, "...AND SHE'S LIGHT SKINNED TOO!" He said it as if she earned bonus points for being lighter.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a preference. However, when society overwhelming jams that preference down the throats of every African American, it can easily influence our self image in a negative manner. The negativity can brew into either a hatred for self or hatred for those that are receiving preferential treatment.

How is that in a society where African Americans face the harsh reality of police brutality, unfair hiring practices, and discrimination from those in power, we can still be hating our own. We claim to be united but then we make comments, crack jokes, and dish insults based on how much melanin someone's skin possesses. We say Black Lives Matter, but only when some blatant transgression against a black person has occurred by the opposite race. If we are going to say that Black Lives Matter, then it needs to matter all the time. We should be finding ways to uplift all shades of brown; letting our children know that your shade is beautiful no matter how light or dark it may be.

The three celebrities posted above are black in varying shades. Alicia Keys, Gabrielle Union, and Danai Guiria serve as proof that beauty can be found in all shades. Someone's complexion does not determine their beauty, intelligence, attitude, or characteristics as some misinformed people would have you to believe.

When I first decided to ditch the relaxers, it wasn't for some profound, self-reflecting reason. I was not thinking about connecting to my culture, promoting self-love, or building bonds with other fro wearing women. My decision to go natural was based purely on the fact that I wanted to grow my hair. For years, I had struggled to get my hair to grow beyond my collar bone. I had always encountered some type of breakage that prevented me from having the long hair that I once had as a child.

Once I started researching and experimenting with various products, I have discovered the best products that work great for MY hair. These products have aided me in achieving longer, stronger hair. I am so ecstatic about the growth and strength of my hair, that I definitely want to share the wealth with you so that you are not spending hundreds of dollars experimenting on the WRONG products. Before we jump into the ULTIMATE list of Hair Products, I must state the obvious; Although these products have worked wonders for my hair, your results may vary.

...Now on to the Ultimate List of Natural Hair Products:

Eden Bodyworks - Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo

I don't use shampoo that often, but when I do I love to find products that will make my scalp tingle. This natural shampoo provides a soothing and refreshing tingling sensation that makes me feel like I'm at the spa.

Eden Bodyworks - All Natural Cleansing CoWash

Eden Bodyworks makes a second appearance on this list because this cowash has become a staple in my wash regimen. This product provides enough slip that makes it a breeze detangling the kinkiest of kinks. Your hair will feel soft and smell amazing with regular use.

Maui Moisture - Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner

I recently started using this product but it has quickly become a new fave. This conditioner has a yummy tropical scent that will leave your hair smelling edible. (Please do not eat!) Maui Moisture created a winner with this product and the rest of their curl quench line. If you want to see me use this product, Click Here!

Mielle Organics - Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner

This is the product that changed the game for me. This deep conditioner smells so refreshing and it gives that tingling sensation that I mentioned earlier. The deep conditioner is a great product to use to ensure moisture retention and to restore damaged hair.

Mielle Organics - White Peony Leave in Conditioner

Because I fell deeply in love with the deep conditioner by Mielle Organics, I decided to try this leave-in. This water based product was designed with many different hair types in mind. I also love the fact that it is a spray bottle which makes for easy application.

Maui Moisture - Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie

The Curl Smoothie is hydrating and is a great product to use for all of your styling needs. I especially love using this cream for two strand twists and flat twists. Your hair will feel soft to the touch and have a nice shine to it.

Oils (Grapeseed, Avocado, Almond, Jojoba)

Oils help to seal in the moisture and promote healthy hair growth. Sealing in the moisture will aid against hair breakage and will help to strengthen your hair follicles. All three oils mentioned will also double as a skin moisturizer.

EcoStyler - Black Castor and Flaxseed Oil Gel

I have long been a fan of EcoStyler with my go-to being the olive oil gel. However this new gel has slowly grown on me. I only use this around the perimeter of my head... I need my edges to lay! One of the key advantages of this product is that the black castor oil is a known stimulator for hair growth. You can snatch those edges and grow them at the same time.

Alikay Naturals - Knots be Gone

This detangling spray has made styling my daughter's hair so much easier. This product provides a great slip that also helps to loosen the knots that may encroach upon your curls and coils. Proper detangling is necessary in order to retain your length. The formula is also light enough to not cause much buildup.

The Mane Choice - Growth Oil

This is the first product that I have tried by The Mane Choice and it packs a powerful punch. The Growth Oil is rich with ingredients that have been known to stimulate hair growth. This is a great addition for those the have plateaued hair growth or for those with thinning hair. The great thing is that this can be used on all hair types.

This concludes my TOP 10 favorite products for natural hair. Hopefully, these products will help you achieve the length and shine that you are looking for! What are some of your fave products? Be sure to comment, below.

In case you haven't heard, Shea Moisture, a beauty brand that has catered to the hair and skin needs of Black women, released a new commercial. Just as soon as the commercial was released, the public dragging commenced.

The reason for the major backlash was the fact that the new advertising featured a woman who appeared to be biracial (I could be wrong) and several White women. Say What? Yes, Shea Moisture, who has made tons of money from black consumers created, approved, and released a commercial that didn't focus on it's core audience. Granted, a woman with a lighter complexion was front and center... BUT what happened to all of the other beautiful shades of brown? No caramel, chestnut, chocolate, cocoa, etc.

Before I continue, check out the video that has all of the chocolate sisters up in arms.

Credit: Peculiar Royalty - Youtube

Objective Opinion

I see why Shea Moisture thought this was a good move to make as a brand. They want to expand their horizons and showcase the fact that their products cater to a diverse market. Let's be real, all brands exists with the intentional purpose of making a profit. All other reasons such as filling a niche, raising awareness, and community outreach is secondary. These companies are first and foremost focused on their bottom line. Shea Moisture found an opportunity to potentially make a larger profit. I do not fault them for this.

My problem is the fact that in this new advertising campaign, Shea Moisture appears to have completely abandoned their core base.

It's fine to add some diversity to the mix, but why couldn't they include both sides of the spectrum (dark to light) in the commercial? Is it because the new consumer that Shea Moisture is targeting would find a chocolate woman unappealing in the ad? Would the inclusion of Women of Color with a tighter curl pattern (4a, 4b, 4c) contradict the meaning behind this commercial? Inquiring minds want to know!

I am really curious about how many people played a role in this decision. How many eyes watched this video and never thought "Something is missing"?

Bigger Issue

Are we really surprised that Shea Moisture has taken this route? We have seen this happen many times before. For years, companies have gotten their start by marketing to Black consumers and once those companies have achieved a certain level of success, they transition to a wider, more "ideal" audience. We see this happen in the beauty, clothing, financial, and entertainment industries all the time.

Source: Instagram

Shea Moisture's Response

The negative response was so major, that Shea Moisture felt the need to respond. Here is a screenshot of their response on Facebook:

Is it too little, too late for Shea Moisture? What are your thoughts on this controversy? Are people overreacting or is the anger justified?

I recently had the opportunity to try out some new products. In March, I received four products in my monthly curlBOX subscription. To be quite honest, I had never heard of this brand and had never noticed their products in stores. After doing a bit of research, I now know that you can purchase these products at Target, Walmart, CVS, and Ulta. I was actually excited to be entering uncharted territory with Maui Moisture. Let's dive into the four hair products that I received.

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN

Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Shampoo 13 FL OZ
Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner 13 FL OZ
Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie 12 OZ
Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Milk 8 OZ

I was very pleased to see how much product was included in each container. The products range between $7 and $9 depending on where you purchase from. All of the Curl Quench products were designed for Thick, Curly Hair which is absolutely perfect for me. If you do not have thick and curly hair, Maui Moisture offers several other product lines to cater to your needs. Some other collections that caught my eye include:

Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter -
For Dry Damaged Hair

Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk -

For Dry Hair

Strength & Anti-Breakage + Agave -
For Chemically Damaged Hair

Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers -
For Weak, Brittle Hair

**Images are courtesy of www.MauiMoisture.com**

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I only tried three of the four products included in the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Collection. I tested the shampoo, conditioner, and the curl smoothie. The products had a light, refreshing smell with a hit of coconut. The shampoo was actually not that memorable. It did get my hair clean, which is the job of a shampoo. The conditioner was great. It had great slip and made it easy to detangle. The shinning star of this collection, however, is the Curl Smoothie. The Curl Quench Curl Smoothie made it so easy to do my two strand twists. The twists appeared very hydrated and my hair was glistening.

Once my twists dried, I untwisted my hair to reveal really soft, glossy, defined curls. My twist-out has never been as soft as it was after using the Curl Smoothie. Even better: My twist-out lasted for nearly two weeks. I washed my hair on 4/9/17 and my twist-out is still pushing through as of 4/19/17.

Although I am giving most of the credit to the Curl Smoothie for my results; it could be a combination of the shampoo, conditioner, and curl smoothie that helped me to achieve my super defined curls. You can check out my results, as well as see a bit of my wash day routine.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I will certainly use these products again. I will more than likely repurchase the Curl Smoothie because I am convinced that this cream was the key to my success. If you have thick and curly hair and you're looking for affordable hair products, then I would recommend the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil collection!

Have you had the opportunity to try out Maui Moisture? Let me know your thoughts.