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 h...

Let's face it, the Summer heat and humidity can take any hairstyle from fab to drab in about 5 minutes.  I live in an area where July is filled with days that temps soar above 90°.  Because of this, it is imperative for me to have some different styles that I can rock without fear of my hair turning into a poufy mess.  Here are some styles that you can rock confidently in the Summer Heat! Wash & Go The Wash & Go is a style that can be easily achieved with the right products.  For best results, start on freshly cleansed hair and use a great great gel that will hold your curls even when it's hot and muggy outside. 2.  Feedin Cornrows Source: Pinterest Feedin Cornrows are the perfect low maintenance style especially for those hitting the islands or just local beach town.  3. Crochet Hairstyles Pinterest Pinterest Crochets can be a cost-saving way to have a glamorous look. There are a variety of crochet...

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 Econ...

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 thes...

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 the...

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...