Winter Protective Hair Styles!

**DISCLAMER: Bear with me, I am currently in the process of deciding which weekday to publish my blog posts. I recently did a bit of research, and discovered that my posts can garner more engagement instead of Wednesday.

This article may just be the start of another series of blog posts(?) I realized that some people may not know what to do with their natural hair during the winter. I LOVED styling my hair during the winter months. LOVED. IT.  If it sounds like something you guys would be interested in, let me know in the comments below! Also let me know via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram <3**

 
Hey! I hope that your Thanksgiving was lovely <3. My Thanksgiving was nice: low key, and relaxing. I did not cook this year, but I will more than likely cook for Christmas. Needless to say, I am EXCITED. I will be the black INA GARTEN and you all will deal!!!! 

This blog post will be about protective hair styles during the winter.

Protective hair styles are amazing. It is defined as a style that conceals the ends of the hair protecting them from damage due to overexposure to the elements, friction, etc. They assist in hair retention, moisture (if properly moisturized), and different desired aesthetics. Fun fact: a lot of the hair styles that were mentioned in my previous blog post are considered to be protective hair styles! They are great for people who are striving to grow their hair, yet love a great haircut (ahem, me). They can be worn at any time of the year. A lot of naturalistas, however, wear them during the colder months, where natural hair is more prone to breakage.

Protective Hair Styles 

• Buns

I love this look! <3 :)



• Twists

I WILL be attempting this soon! So cute :)

• Braids

Gorgeous right?! This picture is perfect. <3

• Crochet

Faux Locs, Straight, Kinky, Wavy, Twists, etc. I LOVE crochet!!!

• Weaves

Baby, this is LAIIIDDDDDD

• Wigs



Chile y'all are doing witchcraft with these wigs; I didn't know that this was a wig! :0







The great thing about protective styles is that they can be worn for a period of time. This also helps if you are busy and do not have time to style your hair. It is STRONGLY recommended that you fully moisturize (treatments, deep conditioning, etc.) your hair (ESPECIALLY your ends!) prior to styling.  The key to protective styling is keeping your hair ends moisturized. I hope that this helps. <3<3<3

Talk to you soon.
Brie. 

K.I.S.S. Naturals: Natural Hair Basics.

Hello!


I hope things are going great for you guys!

The next few blog posts will be directed towards the newly naturals (are there anymore "newbies"?). A lot of women who decide to become natural (removing relaxed hair, and starting anew w/o chemicals), become overwhelmed with the information given on how to tend to their hair.

It is for great reason too: 12 million YouTube gurus, 37k+ blog posts about hair styles, product reviews, etc., what's a person to do??????


Alright.

Stop! And start with the basics (I used this when I was a natural newbie).

• Find a hair crush! 
• It gives you a visible hair goal. It doesn't have to be EXACTLY the same, but use it as a starting point (MsKrisNew and MahoganyCurls were my hair crush).
• What goal are you looking to achieve with your hair BESIDES hair length?
• It could be the best twist out, more softer hair, etc (My goal was and still is to have moisturized hair). 
• What product do you need to achieve your hair goal? 
• If your goal was for the best twist out, find a product that aids in styling; if the goal was for moisture, find the appropriate products. This is where you can incorporate social media knowledge/reviews, or even your local professional hair stylist. 
• TRY OUT SAMPLE SIZES FIRST! I cannot stress this enough! You're still experimenting, and figuring out your hair so you try to save some money in doing so. Plus many companies are starting to make sample sizes if you're still unsure about their product. Use this to your advantage!!
• Take pictures! 
• It's pretty neat to see the progression of your hair. It will feel like you hair is not growing, but trust me. It is. 
• Be patient and....GO FOR IT! 
• As a person who decided to chop off all of her hair instead of transitioning to becoming natural....I am going to tell you to CUUUUUTTTTTT ITTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!
• There's really no explanation except to strive to meet your hair goal...PATIENTLY! lol  

Hopefully this helps you guys!

Talk to you soon,

Brie.

Checking In! K.I.S.S. Naturals Coming in September!

Hey guys!

I am popping in to say:

Sorry for going AWOL (absent without leave). I hate excuses, however, dealing with the loss of my stepfather, the move back home, and adulthood have been a damper on my spirits.


I also had to assess why I began blogging in the first place, being honest and blunt with my reasons. I honestly missed writing on my blogs.


Don't think that I forgot about the K.I.S.S. Naturals Series. I did not.

K.I.S.S. Naturals was a blog series that I started last March as a guideline for women that were considering wearing their hair in its natural state.


This post is only to say that I will continue the K.I.S.S. Naturals Series. Instead of every month, I will be posting every Wednesday for next eight weeks (Nine posts total). The second post however, will not be posted on Wednesday, but on my birthday, September 5th. Also, please expect to see additional posts periodically in between the series.


Talk to you soon,
Brie.

Hair Typing.

Hello folks!

Hope you are having a good week. 

I wanted to discuss hair typing. 

Hair typing natural hair is a double edge sword in my eyes. 

The great part about hair typing is that it serves as a guide for newly naturals who are trying to figure out how to take care of their hair. The newly natural phase is a learning curve that can be overwhelming. Fortunately, hair typing can definitely aid one when it comes to product selection. What works for some may not work for others. It helps a newly natural narrow down product selection ultimately saving money in the long run. To me, if you are a natural newbie (TeenyWeenieAfro or not) check out the hair typing charts as a guide. There are also websites that suggest products that work with specific hair types which is awesome. 

The worst part about hair typing is that it can be divisive between black women. Hair typing which was supposed to help others turns into a "better hair" or "curly vs. nappy" hair debate. To me, those conversations takes us back to the era of the paper bag test, or the field vs. house negroes scenarios. It becomes a hierarchy of "who comes closer to having more Eurocentric hair?". The ones with more "wavy", "more controlled", and "less frizzy" curls are at the top: highly valued, desired and admired. The ones without those characteristics however...will be at the bottom. Not as valued, desired, or admired by the majority. 

For that reason alone I am not too keen on hair typing. What's typically used for good, ends up being destroyed by a majority, and makes the minority feel less than valued. 

If it works for you..continue to use it! Just...make sure it's being used as a guide. Nothing more. 

That is all (in Miranda Priestly's voice).

Talk to you soon! 

Brie.