Curly girl DIY's and How to wear your hair and go when working out from Naptural85

Scarf Styling 3 ways for Curly hair from India:)

Natural Hair Essentials | Natural Hair Tips #curlytalk

Great tools!  I'll be getting these stat!  #curlytalk #naturalhair

Styling tips to follow on youtube via ASOS

Of course I shop ASOS...but, I hadn't really checked out their youtube channel untilllll...I started following Frankie on IG at +igobyfrankie .  She's brilliant inspo for curly girls and fashionistas alike! Here are a few recent videos I am taking notes from:

I've been into culottes for years.  I love seeing how to style 1 piece for various seasons!

I need to wear my leather skirt with my trainers!  I will so be rocking this look in Portland!  P.s. I LOVE her hair and eyeliner!

I LOVE the evening look!  Checking out the shoes and trousers on ASOS right now!  

How to work with oils in your hair: An Interview with Alejandra of ABloom Salon in Phoenix

I remember when I was younger and I used to get my hair "greased" once a week.  It was a tradition that took place either after washing my hair or mid week when my hair began to dry...fast forward to my hair being relaxed and I HATED any oil or grease hitting my hair because it made my hair look flat and didn't allow it to blow in the wind:)  Well, all of that nonsense is gone and I now wear my hair natural which allows me to live in oils...which I LOVE!  I'm always trying new oils out and was super excited when I found out there was a salon in Phoenix that specializes in OIL!  How GENIUS!  Well, you know I had to interview the owner and find out some cool ways to use oils in the hair:)  Here is the interview with Alejandra of ABloom Salon.  I'll share my experience going to the salon soon:)

Q.  What made you start to focus on oils for the hair and of the ones you like to work with, what were their benefits?

A.  I began using and learning about cold pressed oils a couple of years ago.  Being a conscious hair stylist, I could no longer support the mass consumerism that most of us are sold in this beauty industry.  I now am a proud owner of Abloom Salon,  a holistic place of beauty where we use organic products and happily teach women and men about natural beauty care!  At Our Raw Beauty Bar you can custom blend the perfect formula for your scalp hair and skin. I continue learning from herbalist and other natural beauty care experts!

Q.  Since we live in AZ, what do you recommend using for dry hair from this dry weather?

A.   I recommend spraying your hair with a mixture of half aloe Vera juice, brewed green tea, and a tablespoon of almond oil, when your hair is damp! It gives it tons of vitamins and seals in the moisture and provides lots of nourishment to the hair!

Q.  How should the mustard oil be applied?  I shared a picture of the mustard oil I was going to use on instagram and everyone wanted to know.  I wasn't sure and mainly focused on the scalp and then a little on the ends.  Followers also asked how long it should be left on.  I know you had said other oils could just stay in...but, I was curious if this was different.

A.  mustard oil treatment 

1.  On dry hair, brush scalp from roots to ends with a natural bristle brush.

2.  Warm the oil and apply to the scalp, cover with a towel, and leave on for 15-30 minutes.

3. Rinse well, or lightly wash roots out with d.i.y shampoo or organic plant based shampoo, towel dry and condition ends as usual.

Q.  After my hubby and I apply our oil over the weekend, we leave the oil on the majority of the day and then we wash our hair.  I know you had shared how oil can just stay in the hair and even just be rinsed with water and left alone.  My husband uses shampoo.  What would you say is the best way to do it?

A.  Let's talk hair thickness(density) and texture for a minute..

Thick wavy to curly hair can absorb and even look less oily. So for that reason people with thick hair can get away with just rinsing well, and air drying.

Finer less dense hair will look flat and oily, and most likely will want to be washed out.

Q.  I run everyday and was wondering what you recommend for cleaning after sweating so much.  Do you still think there is no need to wash?  What are your thoughts on co-wash?  

A.  After sweating I recommend rinsing well with warm water and scrubbing  your scalp with the water as if you were washing it. This will break up the dirt and will cleanse the hair. Condition and style as usual.

Q.  You were recommending massaging ones hair at least once a day for 5 minutes.  How does this benefit the hair?

A.  I recommend massaging and or brushing your hair once a day with a boar bristle brush, this stimulates your scalp and keeps your follicles healthy. Also balances sebum production so that your scalp isn't producing too little or too much sebum. 

Q.  Where do you recommend buying the oils used in ones hair?

A.  As much as possible, buy locally, when that's not available find a source that is organic, and Eco conscious. 

Q.  What do you think of castor oil? 

A.  Castor oil is incredible in its ability to  deeply nourish the scalp.  Personally, I like Wheat germ oil!  Obtained from the germ of the wheat kernel, it is the richest source of Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil.  It also has a high content of vitamin A and vitamin D. It is rich in protein and lecithin. It is very popular for external application due to its beneficial effects on the skin. It penetrates to the hair folicle, as well as coating the hair with a protective layer, making it excellent for a sunscreen! So if your hair is breaking, falling out, you have dry scalp both castor oil, and wheat germ oil are excellent choices. 

Q.  What oils should ever curly hair girl own?  

A.  3 oils, Almond oil, because it is hydrophobic which is excellent to use as a pre wash...if you are washing your hair and it also protects hair from sun damage. jojoba, because it reduces frizz, and of course coconut oil because its light weight, affordable and great for more than just beauty care!

Q.  Curly hair is totally different from straight hair...how do you recommend a curly hair girl use oils? 

A.  Alone, or in combination with the following: 

1, mixed with flax seed gel, 

2, mixed with Shea butter

3, as a replacement for the gels and un natural hair care products that some of us still use. 

4, as a pre wash, so that you don't excessively dry your hair

5, mixed with an avocado and a bit of honey as a moisturizing conditioning treatment

Setting your hair is KEY to working and understanding your curly hair. YOU TUBE this! So much info on natural curly hair!

Q.  How can oil get rid of the brittle curly hair?

A.  It is an emmoliant, meaning it seals in moisture, so if you apply it on damp hair, it really locks in the moisture, and seals it into the hair itself. It adds vitamins, minerals, as well as some are high in omegas when used as a conditioning treatment.

Q.  I have twins that are 10 months.  What type of oil do you recommend for babies?

A.  all oils are wonderful, I used coconut and jojoba on my little ones, with just one factors to consider: 

 how does your babies skin respond to the oil? Yes, some babies have allergies to a variety of ingredients. On my children I use whatever I am using on me, so currently I have macademia nut oil  mixed with a bit of sweet orange essential oil. But babies skin is so perfect that it rarely needs anything at all

Q.  What is the recipe for the detangling spray?

A.  Make a tea, using marshmallow root and green tea, let it cool. Add Aloe Vera juice, so it makes up half of the mixture, add 1tbls of jojoba oil, and if you want a little extra shine, drop in a bit of honey.. I recommend playing around with the formula adding more marshmallow root if your hair is very tangled and requires more slip. Adding sage if your a brunette, camomile if your a blonde etc.

Q.  What are some other tips people should know about oils? 

A.  Oils can be mixed into your current hair regimen, for added shine and the Oils will seal in moisture, so remember to apply it on damp hair and skin, and have fun experimenting with less un natural products! 

If you like abloom salon's face book page, I give advise, and offer tons of tips!

Curly Girl inspo

I've been finding out about so many fab curly chicks that have been inspiring me through curlbox.  Recently, I've found two that have channels on YouTube that I'm addicted to and flipping back and forth between Instagram and YouTube...and buying products they recommend.  Here are the ladies and a few videos I'm taking notes from:

Shameless Maya who recently cut off all of her locks!!
Just downloaded this from iTunes...be inspired!

Miss Charmsie, laid back chick who keeps it real with reviews, DIY's and tips I'm taking note of!

#curlytalk What to use to dry curly hair

I've tried everything from paper towels, old t-shirts and old pillowcases.  But, none are really that cute.  Recently, I've started using my turkish towel and my curls are perfection!  Plus, they are cute and can be used for other great things:
*dries quickly
*use as a throw blanket.
*use as a beach towel.
*use as a scarf.
*I can see them being used as a table runner.

3 ways to style curly hair with a turband

Here are some pics I took for Be Vain Glorious DIY Trying because I was inspired by her turband DIY blog.  I'm getting a new turband from Karamloop soon, so stay tuned for style pics!

Curly Chronicles

Friends, I have been learning how to do my hair since I realized it was curly in college...I am still trying new products, reading every article (and keeping) about how to care for curly hair, and reading every book that deals with curly hair.  In recent years, websites focused solely on curly hair have come about and those are the best for quick research and answers to questions.  I interviewed Lori, the person behind the site, Curlista with some of my BIG questions about curly hair.  Check out her site.  She has a lot of variety in her curly experts, since we all have such different curls.  I will do this piece in a 3 part series.  This week the expert, next week the book review, and the final will be the product review (my favorite part:).  Stay tuned and pleas ask any questions for myself or Lori and I will have answers for the next section.

• What tools are essential to use for curly hair?  Wide tooth comb, clips to separate hair, spray bottle, denman, micro fibre towel
  
• Which salons do you highly recommend that specialize in curly hair? I've been to Ouidad in NY and had their carve and slice hair cut.  The girl who did my hair did a great job - but I had a tough time growing my hair out after.  I haven't been to any other salons but in NYC - Dickey of Hair Rules just opened up a salon, I think Curly Girl Lorraine Massey's DevaChan Salon is also in NYC.  And of course there is Miss Jessies.  I'm not sure I would go to any of them for a hair cut - I'm sure they are all pricey - but for some curl education they might have some insight.  Hopefully they don't product push - but let's be real, of course they will.  LOL.
• Straight or curly---how do you recommending having your hair when getting a cut?  I'm not a hair stylist but I think a dry hair would work better for curly hair cut.  Curly hair is so unpredictable and I think it would be more precise by cutting hair curly and dry than straight and wet.
• Tips for how to sleep with curly hair. Depends on the length of your hair - but for longer hair a pineapple (where you pile hair on your head like a pineapple using a scrunchie or clips - so you don't crush curls).  Pineappling works well if you are trying to get 2nd, 3rd and 4th day hair.  I find that sleeping with a satin bonnet helps to retain moisture.  A satin pillowcases works well too.
• Tips for using a diffuser.  Use the diffuser to dry hair about 70-80% and then air dry.
  
• Tips for drying curls quickly without a diffuser. Scrunching or plopping to remove the drippies.  Use a micro fibre towel or a t-shirt.  A regular towel can break your hair. 
• How do you keep the crown of the hair to not be flat on the scalp and get the volume that the rest of the hair has? Fluffing and lots of it.  Hold your hair over and fluff and then shake.  Or use a hair dryer with a nozzle attachment, on a low setting - blow the roots to get volume and fluff.
• What are budget products that you recommend for curly hair?  (I saw your blog on the HH and I am running to the store tomorrow to get the conditioner!) I'm totally loving HH.  I also hear that Totally Twisted from Herbal Essence works well too.  I like HH because its inexpensive, has good slip for detangaling curls, moisturizing and clumping my curls.  Conditioners like these are great for styling your hair - try the conditioner only method - check out TightlyCurly.com for deets.
• What are your thoughts on shampoo?  I have heard that shampoo dries out curly hair so I limit my washing...but, I workout and don't know what is best to cleanse the sweat away.  Naturally curly is dry as a result of it structure and many bends and curves.  It takes a long time for the scalps natural oils (sebum) to travel down the hair shaft - so those with curly hair need to try and maintain and add moisture to their hair so it won't be dry.  Shampoos are made of detergents that are remove dirt, oils and debris.  They also contain SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphates) that are very drying and strip your hair of its natural oils.  As a result I employ a modified curly girl method and conditioner wash (co-wash) -I co-wash 2-3x per week- by simply wetting my hair, applying conditioner and using it to wash my hair.  The conditioner is able to remove dirt and debris and maintain my hair's moisture.  Once ever week or twice monthly you can cleanse using a low-poo formulation (no SLS), poo-bars or cleansing conditioners to clean the scalp and remove buildup.  Over the long term, this will help curls retain its moisture and help to define curls.