Natural Hair Expo

Last Saturday, I attended a Natural Hair Expo at Langston OKC. 

There I learned a lot more than what I thought about Natural Hair. I also learned about more products, bought products and got many ideas on more protective styles. At this particular expo they held seminars so that people could actually talk and hear from those who are experts when it comes to being natural. 

There were many people selling their products but the one product I like the most and actually would invest more of my money in is a product called OBIA. Its very light and not heavy on your hair. It also will last you long because you don't have to use a lot of the product to get good results. 

The lady that sells OBIA comes from Dallas, Texas and makes her own product. She is very much into the scientific part of her products. Her products are aimed to make you have health hair and hair growth. I definitely would recommend OBIA if you are going/or are natural. 

The expo also gave away many sample products, some of which I use already. Overall, the natural hair expo was a great experience and I got to ask many questions about my hair specifically. Consultants gave me advise that I needed for my type of hair. 

I would encourage you to go to an expo in your area when its held. This way you can ask questions and get answers that are best for YOUR hair. 

Are my PRODUCTS making PROGRESS?

So many people who start off natural do not know what products to use or buy. I was that person. I always asked others around me who were natural, and I would get so many different answers. I found out that there are no correct answers. You have to learn and find out what product works best for your hair.

It sucks finding hair products. I will admit. Natural hair products can be expensive especially when your just exploring. I would strongly suggest to those looking for products to buy small samples if they are available. A small sample will allow you to try the product on your hair at least twice. Using a product more than once is enough to tell if the product is good for your hair.

If the product you buy is doing nothing for your hair after the second time (meaning it still feel dried out, there is no moisture, and there is no change after using it in the way your hair feels) try something else.

When I first went natural, I was so excited I nearly bought three different product brands. I bought As I  Am, Mixed Chicks and Jamaica. Out of all three, Mixed Chicks has won me over. The Shampoo and Co-Wash has really helped define my curl and moisturizes it. This particular brand helped me but As I Am or Jamaica might be best for you. You just never know.

After trying out a product, see if it best for you by asking yourself is this product making progress. If so, keep up with it and try their line of products. If not, throw it out and try something new!

Okie Funk

Okie Funk by Professor Kurt Hochenauer is a very interesting blogger. His blog is based on liberal and populist information in Oklahoma. I will admit that the base of his blog is not something I would read on my own time but his blog presentation was very informative. Hochenauer talked about why he really blogs and what drives him to continue.

There are many reasons why people blog (personal interest, hobby, class credit) but Hochenauer says he feels its his responsibility to write. Hochenauer normally writes 3 times a week and his ideas unfold as he sits in a recliner with a cup of coffee. Although Hochenauer has received threats and anonymous letters in the mail from outside viewers, that has not stopped him from speaking his truth. He admits that there is a need for liberal media in Oklahoma but blogging is also something that keeps him sane.

Not only did Hochenauer talk about his own experiences when it comes to blogging but he shares some tips on how to have a successful blog. Below are some helpful tips that helped me and that I will consider.

• Find a good platform to start a blog
• Never cut post (keep a schedule and if anything post more)
• Be unique 
• Be a GOOD WRITER!!

Protecting your HAIR

Today, I want to talk about Protective Styles.

Protective styles are really great for those who are both transitioning and have chopped it all off.
There are many ways you can style you hair so that it can grow as well as ways to protect your hair from hair damage such as breakage, split ends and etc. I have done almost every style you can think of.

Protective styles include sew-ins, wigs, braids, u-parts, ponytails and more. Like I said before hair is so unique and versatile. You can almost do anything you want or can possibly think of to your hair.

Its is also important to protect you hair with natural oils, shampoo and conditioner. On your natural hair journey you ultimately have to find products that work best for you and your texture of hair. I personally have used As I Am, Mixed Chicks, Olive oil, Coconut Milk and more. You also want to get your ends clipped every 4-6 weeks so that your can grow healthy and strong.

Protect you hair in every way you can. You will appreciate the results much later!

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10 Blogs for Natural Hair

Read this!

Protein for hair!

Hair Beauty!

Tea Tree Oil!

Single Strand Knots!

"Bedhead Curls"

Is Natural Hair for You?

Scared of the "BigChop"?

Natural Hair Care

Accepting YOU!

The blog that I choose to evaluate is one I found today. This blog is called Single Strand Knots, which is listed above. I chose this particular blog because it is the one I can relate to the most. Being natural and having a coil, kinky curl, I always come across fairy knots that can be difficult to manage. Most of the time for convenience, I just pull them out or comb them out and keep going. As short and sweet as this "Single Strand Knot" blog is, it gave me a lot of information and tips on how I can handle those knots! 

I really liked how this blog gave me several ideas on how to manage fairy knots. Without coming across this blog, I really could have continued the damaging of my own hair. I also like how the author gets straight to the point. She doesn't go on and on about her own experiences with stranded knots but gives us a short idea of her past experiences with them. 

However, I wish the author would have given readers a better photo of what fairy knots and stranded knots look like. Instead, it just looks like a photo pulled off google of a women looking at the ends of her hair. I have learned that readers love illustration and an example of what their reading especially when the topic becomes personal or similar to their situation. 

Because I noticed the photo and how disconnected it was to the reading, I will try my best to put illustrations on my blog that fits the topic. The illustration below can really be helpful to actually see what fairy knots are.  

Where is Your Confidence?

There are so many people who are not comfortable nor confident with their hair. This could include length, thickness or thinness, shedding, breakage, edges and etc.

I was one of those people. For many years, I did not feel comfortable with my hair length so therefore I was not confident in wearing my own hair. I have never had long hair and often found my self idolizing other women with longer hair than I have. If you are idolizing, jealous, or just depressed about how your hair looks....... STOP. BE-YOU-TIFUL and work with the image God created you in. 

As I mentioned in my first blog, I transitioned for a year. Half of my head was relaxed and my roots were natural. Most of the time I had a sew in, braids or some kind of protective style, so my hair would not be such a mess!

Its not all that great of an experience to transition because you have to deal with two textures of hair. However, transitioning is not a bad thing whatsoever. I say go for it! If you are just now transitioning and going to see consultants for advice, they may strongly encourage you to do the "big chop" but you have to be comfortable and confident in you and the choices you make with your hair. Therefore stick with your initial decision to transition or to cut it off!

I, for instance, cannot stand real short hair. I just do not think it looks good on me so as a result I transitioned. I am not against the "big chop". Hey, if you want to just chop it all off, chop it all off! I would admit that its probably much easier that way. 

My overall point is make sure you are comfortable with your hair when going natural, with either transitioning or doing the "big chop"! Find your confidence, its within YOU!