How I Learned To Care For My 4C Natural Hair.

In the past when I spoke of my hair, I spoke in a solemn tone.

When asked if I loved my 4C natural hair, I would always say yes because saying that I didn't  made me look like a self-loathing black woman.  

But, in reality, I hated my hair. 

I didn't hate my hair because I hated myself but because I didn't understand my hair and was hell-bent on manipulating into shapes and styles that were unsuitable for it.

Over the past few months, I've taken time to understand my hair deeply, and thoroughly. 

In order to care for my hair, I had to understand a few key things about my hair, mainly its density, thickness, strand type, curl type and porosity.

• Density: high density.
• Thickness: thicker than Serena Williams.
• Strand Type: Fine-medium strands.
• Curl Type: Small, s-shaped curls.
• Porosity: Low porosity, not porous. 

All these factors come together to tell a story about my hair. My hair is rather thick and dense, but despite it's density, it's strands can be rather delicate and malleable. My hair also doesn't readily absorb moisture, due to its non-porous nature, and is also prone to product build-up. With these factors, I've built a hair regimen that works for my hair and I've let my hair do and be what it wants to be. 

My current regimen

1. Wash when needed, with a baking soda + shampoo mix.

2. Deep condition with baking soda + Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle conditioner (Twice a week)

3. Add Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil leave-in conditioner.

4. Style with Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk ( when I wash and go, I use Trader Joe's Aloe Vera gel and coconut oil only)

(FYI: baking soda shampoo and conditioning is amazing for low porosity gals like me. It raises the hair cuticle just so which allows moisture in.)

I've finally cracked the code of what works for me. Hallelujah!

My hair feels healthier than ever and I'm the proudest that I've ever been of it. I wear it out, loud and proud. I've gotten over my obsession with curl definition and have finally embraced my hair for what it is and what it loves to do. 

As the years go on, I hope to continue learning about my hair. I hope that I can continue to fortify my connection with my hair, and nourish it into the most badass afro of all time.

I hope I can stay away from heat, chemical treatments and self-hate.

I hope that deep down, I will stay true to myself, and always love who I am naturally. 

Love & Light, Rachel

Just Black Girl Things: On Loving my 4C Hair (or at least trying to.)

On Loving my 4C Hair (or at least trying to.)

When I decided to go natural my junior year of high school, I was a young girl in search of her identity and after finding the Long Hair Care Forum and seeing the beauty that was the black woman's hair, I knew that going natural was what I had to do.

I expected to have perfect clumped spiral curls, like all of my favorite YouTube hair gurus. I had long envied the Dominican and Puerto-rican girls in my neighborhood. Coming from Nigeria, I had never encountered people like them and their hair was amazing in my eyes, the very best to be had.

I started transitioning, dreaming of 3C hair and silently, but purposefully hoping I didn't end up with anything kinkier than 4a. But, I was wrong and I'm partly grateful for that. While many naturals grow to love their locks early on into their hair journey, I found myself in an opposite direction, loathing my hair.

In having 4c hair, I felt as though I had the worst kind of natural hair there was.

I was still in the mindset that a looser texture was better because it was more socially acceptable, and seemingly easier to handle. I texturized it till it turned into limp, noodly waves and I relaxed it till it turned dry and brittle. I remember when I'd barrel-curl it daily with tons of hairspray, causing tons and tons of heat damage. I remember the annoyance I'd feeling looking at my hair after yet another failed hairstyle or hair treatment that completely wasn't for me. All of those times have brought me to this moment and while I wish I knew what I knew then about my hair, I have nothing for gratitude about this journey.

One texturizer, one relaxer, two mini-chops and 6 years later, I'm in a place where I can say that I love my 4c hair and I finally understand it.

Guys, it feels good...it feels extremely good.

Choosing to wear your hair in its natural state (without relaxers or texturizers and other chemicals which permanently alter your hair type) is a big deal for black women. In the past and till this very day, we have been mocked for our natural hair, while eurocentric standards of long, straight manes maintain a stronghold as the highest standard of beauty. Therefore choosing to wear our hair in it's natural state, proudly and with honor, is a revolutionary act in and of itself. It's a crucial part of the journey in self-love that black and other women of color have to go through in this society.

I remember looking at my hair, a few days ago, after washing it and finally feeling love and pride for my hair. For the first time, in forever, I felt the need to genuinely care for my hair.

I had begun to love my 4c hair.

My kinky-coily 4C hair.

My hair, with roots, deep like my Nigerian ancestry.

It's a beautiful thing, when you stop hating yourself.

There are corporations, and beauty conglomerates built upon women, like me, hating ourselves and every ounce  of love  we give ourselves is the most powerful and quietest revolution that we can ever have.

Stay tuned for a post on how I care for my low porosity and coarse 4C hair!

Love & Light,
Rachel.

Rachel.

Fashion Staples: The Headwrap and Four Ways to Rock the Look.

Headwraps are a huge staple in my wardrobe.

They're easy, quick and undeniably beautiful and therefore have completed many, many of my outfits.

When doing a headwrap just about any piece of fabric will do, so as long, as it is large or small enough to achieve the desired style.

Headwraps can be small and cute, and they also be tall and majestic, it really just depends upon how I choose to express myself in that moment.

Here a few of my everyday headwrap looks!

 

I'm from Nigeria, and in Nigeria, they are called Gele(gay-lai) and they're worn for all sorts of occasions, ranging from casual events to more fancy events. Nigerian geles tend to be much more intricate or ornate than the average headwrap.

If you want to take the history even further back for some headwrap inspiration, let's look to the 14th century Egypt (BC) during the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. A bust of Queen Nefertiti donning a her signature headdress is one of the most iconic symbols of Egypt.

I love that I was able to live in Nigeria and experience the culture on a firsthand basis because noticing the similarities in African cultures and fashions that are found in African American culture and fashion just makes me smile.

Despite all imperialistic attempts, rooted in slavery, of stripping African Americans of their culture, Africa is still very much in their blood. It's still very much a part of who they are--who we all are--and it manifests itself in such interesting ways.

Wearing a headwrap is more than just wrapping a scarf on my head, there is a regality in it and an air of elegance.

There is history in it. I believe, it takes courage, especially when living in the United States to wear a headwrap because it's being completely proud and unapologetic with your African ancestry in a society that tends to look down upon such things.

With that little history refresher under your belt, grab your biggest scarf and get ready to wrap.

Here's 4 different ways to channel your Inner Nefertiti.

Look #1.

Look #1 is a pnoyail-headwrap hyybrid, for those days where I don't want to be full wrapped up but i do want my hair out of my face  and body.





 

Look #2.

Look #2 is the classic headwrap look.
Very India Arie, Erykah Badu etc.
This look is for the brave because it can be quite big, and undeniably regal. It's my go-to headwrap anytime, anyday!



 

Look #3.

I do this wrap whenever I'm craving some type of a bang. It does come off a bit more formal, so it can easily be transitioned through different times of the day and events.

  

Look #4.

This is, I believe, the most mainstream headwrap look. It's cute and simple, and still allows me to show off my hair if I'd like.

I don''t wear this look often, but when I do, I tend to wear it very casual happenings, like hanging at the park or just some outdoor relaxation.



 



 

Love and Light,

Rachel.