BGLH Writer Geniece is a Natural Bride!

Our very own writer, Geniece, was married in a gorgeous ceremony this June! Of course we had to get the details on how she styled her hair for the big day. Check it out;
by Geniece 

When did you and your husband meet??

My husband and I met through an online dating site in 2010. The funny thing about how we connected was that I signed up for a 3 month trial then decided it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue so I changed my settings so that I wouldn’t receive any messages. About a week before my account was set to expire I logged on for about 3 days and it was in those three days he contacted me. Jean (my husband) and I also have connections to the cities where we resided at the time. He had a good friend in the city where I lived at the time and I had family in the city where his family lived. It helped to make our meeting seamless.

When did you get married??
We tied the knot on the evening of June 14, 2014. We held our reception at Weston Hills Country Club in Weston, Florida.

How was your big day??
Our wedding day was a beautiful blur. I’ve often heard that your wedding day goes by quickly and boy was that true! It went by very quickly but it was also very blessed.  It rained on and off during the day but the rain stopped when the ceremony began and held up for the rest of the evening. My favorite part of the day was our ceremony. Standing before family and friends and declaring our love to one another and our promises to each other and God was so profound. I was surprised by how moved I was to see the outpouring of love of family and friends. During our receiving line, just before we went to the reception venue, I cried for the first time that day when I embraced friends and loved ones who traveled to share our day with us.

How did you wear your hair??
I actually wore a style I’ve worn many times but added a little more va va voom for the wedding. The stylist created two large French braids along the side and added hair to help create a large double bun. The style was simple, yet elegant, much like theme for our wedding.

What was your process of deciding how to style you hair?
Getting married in south Florida in June means the odds of sporadic rain is likely and the odds of humidity is a certainty. I wanted a style that would remain sleek even in the midst of humidity. Wearing my hair straightened wasn’t an option due to the weather but I also wanted to wear my hair in its natural state on one of the most special days of my life. Another reason the style was a good choice was because I wanted the detail on the back of my dress to show. I loved the v-shaped back of the dress and I wanted it to be on display throughout the day.

How did your family/husband/guests receive your hair at the wedding?
My hair was received positively. Family and friends know that I have an appreciation for low-key elegance, so I think my style of choice was unsurprising. My husband loved my hair, dress, accessories, everything! I couldn’t think I was anything other than gorgeous that day because of how often he praised me. I truly felt like a glowing, beautiful bride.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvMOkNi69rUKvTClSNRAR_w

Get the Look! Two Naturals Who Chopped Length for Shorter Do’s

by Portia of huneybflyy.com

The natural hair community is larger than ever and long, luscious, strands are what most women covet. Every woman is watching and waiting for any product that can help them grow their hair to unimaginable lengths. There’s always a company toting a pill, oil, or cream that will allegedly give their consumer the longest hair they’ve ever had in their life. However, there is something inspirational about a woman who desires to keep her natural hair short.

The natural hair community has become so obsessed with length, that they aren’t truly enjoying their natural hair at every stage. Some are forgetting that there is beauty in all hair lengths and textures. Some even assume that if a woman has been natural for years and her hair is not down her back, then that means that her hair is not healthy. Conversely, that is far from the truth. There are woman within the community who choose to keep their healthy natural hair fierce and short.  Brandy Gueary and LaToya Chenelle Hudson are natural ladies who disprove every short natural hair myth and rock their short locs with confidence.

Brandy Gueary

Brandy Gueary from Houston, TX has been natural for a total of 4 years. She proves that long hair isn’t everything and short hair can be very versatile. Gueary decided to do the big chop after he sister sent her YouTube videos of women and their natural hair journeys. She was very inspired and sought her own natural hair journey.

“I stayed up until 2 a.m. (on a work night) watching more hair journey videos than I could count. From then on, I was hooked and stopped relaxing my hair,” said Guery.

Gueary is no stranger to long hair. Before becoming natural, her hair was long and healthy. She received countless compliments on how beautiful her hair was. The compliments were nice, but her long hair was not as important to her as it was to others.

“It was the hair I always had, so I worked to maintain it,” she said.

She originally wanted to transition her hair from being relaxed to natural by gradually trimming off the relaxer. A method some women adopt when they’d rather not go through with doing a big chop However, after seeing two different textures of hair that needed two different regimens, she opted to do the big chop. When she cut her hair, her first goal was to grow it long. What she didn’t realize was that she had the option to keep her hair short. Gueary received a lot of backlash for her decision to big chop.

“Some of the looks and comments I received after cutting my hair were surprising. People would say, ‘Why would you cut all that long hair?’ People tried to make me feel like my long hair was all I had going for myself. Others really think that their opinion and input about your choices are valid based on their life experiences. If you aren’t strong in yourself and with God, it can get to you and make you feel like your physical appearance is everything,” she said

Once Gueary’s natural hair grew to the long lengths that she was used to, she became bored. After she married and had her son, she became creative with her hair and shaved off hair from both sides of her head to form a Mohawk. She later became bored with that style as well and decided to do the big chop for the second time in January of 2014. Gueary realized that she wanted to wear her hair short for the first time in her life.

While Gueary doesn’t know how long she’ll keep her fierce, short cut, she is certainly enjoying its versatility. It might even be more versatile than longer hair. Having short hair has made Gueary much more open to different haircuts and colors. She used to have a fear of dying her hair, but now she’s lost that fear because she no longer has to worry about maintaining length. If she gets tired of looking at a certain color, she just gets rid of it by getting a new haircut and trying a new color.

Short hair is chic and Gueary proves that you don’t have to stick to one cut. Her natural hair styles consist of trying various haircuts with varied lengths, including parts. At the moment, Guery isn’t interested in growing her hair any time soon.

“My best advice is that a TWA doesn’t have to be a phase. It can be a style. It’s easy, convenient, low maintenance, and so sassy!”

If you’d like to follow Brandy Gueary’s natural hair journey follow her on Instagram,@naturallybrandyysmith, Facebook, Brandy Gueary (Smith), and YouTube, Brandy Smith Natural Hair.

LaToya Chenelle Hudson

When LaToya Chenelle Hudson decided to embrace her natural curls in 2008, she was super obsessed with having long hair in the beginning of her natural hair journey. Like most naturals, she wanted her hair to be massive. However, cutting her hair made her realize that women sometimes hide behind their hair or feel less feminine without it.

“The sheer thought of cutting our hair sometimes sends shudders down our spines. I have women come up to me every day complimenting my hair and the confidence to do it. They say ‘I wish I could, but I don’t have the nerve’ or ‘My head is big’, said Hudson.

The San Antonio, TX native is no stranger to receiving compliments from men as well. If you thought that short hair would somehow make you less appealing to the opposite sex, guess again.

“I mean, the amount of men that give me kudos is crazy especially because you would think that most men would loathe a woman with a fade. My hubby loves it and is the one that cuts my hair”, she said.

As a fashion designer and web host, Hudson enjoys being creative and she needs to express that creativity through her hair and clothing. One day, she found herself bored with her look, so she started coloring her hair. It wasn’t long before she decided to cut her huge, fire engine red afro down to a sassy fade. While she did a big chop in 2008 to kick off her natural hair journey, she didn’t keep it short for long.

As for her hair regimen, Hudson keeps it very simple. She makes sure to shampoo or co-wash her almost every day. After washing, she applies coconut oil and Paul Mitchell Barber’s Classic. Hudson also gives her hair a good brushing. She may believe in keeping her hair regimen simple, but she likes to keep people guessing when it comes to styling her funky mane.

“Short hair can be very versatile because you can do different cuts, fades, designs and colors more frequently. When my hair was longer, I found myself always trying to think of a style to create,” said Hudson.

She has certainly donned some incredible haircuts. She’s had everything from lines, stars, and hearts etched in her head. You name it and she’s probably done it or will do it one day.

“I am the queen of barber designs in my head,” she said.

Hudson also has some important advice for women who are in the TWA stage of their natural journey and for women who just want something different.

“Find a really good barber and get a good fade around the nape of your neck and ears, so that it looks neat and pretty. Many times I see new TWA’s with no shape and even with a longer fro, a great shape makes a world of difference and creates fashion forward style.”

Hudson also believes that wearing a good bold lip and a gorgeous pair of earrings doesn’t hurt either.

If you’d like to follow this beauty as she continues her natural hair journey, you can follow her blog latoyachenelle.us/fashionetcetc. You can also follow her on Instagram and Twitter @latoyachenelle.

Were you inspired by Brandy and LaToya’s hair journey? Do you have any plans for a short, sexy cut?

4 Tips To Take Your Natural Hair from Neck Length to HEALTHY Waist Length in 5 Years or Less

by Chinwe 

Neck length hair is about 4-5 inches stretched for some naturals. If you can retain at least a little over 3 inches a year, then you’re on track to reach waist length in almost five years. This sounds easy, right? Well, not so quite. The hard part for many of us is actuallyretaining that length over time, especially if one doesn’t exactly average 6 inches of growth per year. However, that obstacle can be overcome if you quickly learn your hair at every stage of your growth. How? Well, here are some tips that helped me – as well as lessons learned from setbacks – to get from neck length to waist length (2008-2013).  Hopefully they can help you as well.

1. Find a hair “sibling” with waist length hair (i.e., a natural who has at least 3 of the following: similar hair texture, density, porosity, or type)

This was a big one for me. Without finding a “hair sibling”, I wouldn’t have reached my goal in that time frame, if at all. After big chopping, I remember replicating the hair care regimens of waist length naturals (from the beginning of their journeys onwards) with hair very similar to mine. Sera252 and Kemi21/Aijo were my main “hair siblings” because they are both predominantly 4B/4C, medium-to-high density, and low-to-medium porosity naturals. Additionally, Sera252’s texture is a mix of fine/medium like mine. I also looked to Mwedzi’s regimen because of similar characteristics, especially her seemingly identical high shrinkage rate.

“Hair cousins” (naturals who share one or two of your hair’s characteristics) are also useful. For instance, I looked to Naptural85 (for her “keep it simple” methods on her high shrinkage hair) though her hair type is different from mine. So, finding “hair siblings” – and a few “hair cousins” – who have reached waist length can certainly be useful in your growth journey. Don’t just go by hair type alone but texture, density, and porosity.

2. Pay close attention to your hair and how it responds to certain practices

As your hair grows longer, your regimen will more than likely need regular adjustments. You’ll need to pay close attention to your hair and how it behaves with certain practices, methods, etc. Does your hair respond better or worse when using your fingers to detangle instead of a comb? Does it respond better or worse with long-term protective styling instead of other low manipulation options? What about detangling on dry hair versus damp or wet hair? How does your hair respond? If you figure out these things sooner than later, it will save you from major setbacks along the way.

My rule of thumb: If I see several little o’s (broken 4C hairs) on the floor or in the sink, I decide that method is not for me. Noticeable breakage is usually a good indicator, so get in the habit of looking out for that (AND split ends) regularly.

3. Save severe experimentation (e.g., color, press) for later in your journey

The very core of experimentation involves not knowing what your outcome will be and when it comes to hair care, this can be detrimental for those on a serious growth journey. Now, this tip is not necessarily in reference to trying out a new product but to big commitments such as coloring or pressing your natural hair. When taking on such projects, your willingness to deal with possible breakage or setbacks must remain present.  If it’s not, then why bother?

4. Finally, incorporate the hair care “standards” – low manipulation, moisture, and deep conditioning

Of course, this post would not be complete without mentioning some hair care “standard” practices, such as low manipulation styling/routine, regular moisture and regular deep conditioning. I have yet to hear about a natural who has reached long lengths without doing all three.

What has helped you in your journey to waist length or beyond?

Ginny // Multi-Texture Style Icon

Introduce yourself!
G: My name is Ginny, also known as FrogirlGinny. I am from London, but I am half English and half Zimbabwean. I love Africa and I express this love in my style, my natural hair, and my personality.

Ginny // Multi-Texture Style Icon

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
G: I have rocked this mane freely and happily since August 2009. It wasn’t until three years later when I began to feel comfortable with having wild hair. I had been relaxing my hair since I was around four because my Mum could not comb through it without me crying or screaming. Flipping through old pictures I saw this beautiful hair I used to have, so after days of nagging my Mum to help me; she advised the big chop.

How would you describe your texture?
G: I have a mixture of different curl patterns. One of the things I love about my hair. The front of it has 4a and 3c curls whereas the top of my head has 3a and 2c curls, and the back/bottom 3b. My hair is very big and thick, so detangling it is very tiring because there is so much hair for my fingers to go through. When my hair is wet, it appears to be very thin and flat, but once it’s dry it does its own thing!

Describe your styling regimen over the course of the month.
G: I have stopped using shampoos and now co-wash or use Deva Curl No Poo. I have noticed a big difference as my hair feels more hydrated and moisturised. I deep condition using Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner and I condition with Deva Curl One Condition. It all depends on what I feel my hair needs on wash day. Since I wash my hair once every 7/10 days, conditioning is important to keep it moisturised, otherwise it will resemble a mop by day 4. In the winter I add olive oil to my deep conditioner just so my hair is extra protected. I then style my hair with Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner. I have used it for two years now and it is amazing! I also use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and sometimes I do the twisting method if I have the energy! Every morning I spray my hair with Deva Curl Set It Free Moisture Lock or apply some coconut oil.

What does wash day look like for you?
G: Wash day is always on a day which I am not going out on, as if I am going out I have to diffuse it so I do not get sick, and the results from diffusing aren’t as nice as naturally air drying. I wash with Deva Curl No-Poo, finger detangle with Deva Curl One Condition, then I add Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner just to give it all those oils full of goodness! I do not towel dry, so I have to suffer with my hair dripping everywhere. I claw the Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner through in four sections then I scrunch in the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Lastly I tip my head upside down, shake, and leave it. I do not touch my hair when it is wet as this creates frizz.

Describe your favorite go-to hairstyle for days when you don’t have a lot of time to style.
G: My favourite go to hairstyle is either my hair tied in a big bun or I pin the side and add my big African earrings. My easiest hairstyle is my Afro. It doesn’t give me bad or gloomy days. I just take it out of the pineapple style every morning, shake and fluff, then pick it with an Afro comb. That’s it!

How do you combat shrinkage?
G: I do not have a problem with shrinkage. If you do not get it then it is a sign your hair is damaged, as it’s a good thing for your curls to be defined. I prefer having healthy hair than long hair, so it’s not something I worry about. But if people do want to have longer hair then picking it with an Afro comb helps, as it gives you shape but also adds an effect of longer hair.

Tell us about your hair color?
G: My natural hair colour is a dark brown, however I wanted light brown highlights just to jazz it up. I put light brown dye on different strands of my hair around eight months ago, giving an effect of being a more natural hair colour. I used Dark & Lovely hair dye, as it isn’t as damaging as other dyes. It did not have an effect on my hair besides the expected colour and I always deep condition my hair and trim after dying just to protect it against damage.

What are some of your problem areas (if any) that require special care and attention?
G: Strangely as this part is always protected by the pineapple method, the back of my hair tends to be more “rough” than the rest of my hair, so I have to add a little more product to it than the rest.

What are 2 do’s for your texture?
G: Moisture, moisture and more moisture. If I did not moisturise my hair I would have split ends and knots, so it is vital that I put coconut oil on my scalp once every three to four days, or apply a moisture spray every morning.

Definitely a good trim helps with your shape and growth. I am my own hairdresser so it’s so easy for me to snip when I know some ends need to go, but for others it is so important to find a stylist that will listen to your needs and also think for the future of your hair.

What are 2 don’ts for your texture?
G: Heat always leaves my hair looking dull or it completely changes the look of my curls, so I am on a one-year heat ban! It has been 6 months so far and it is making a huge difference.

Sleeping with a normal pillowcase dries out my hair so badly, so I have to sleep with asatin pillowcase!

True Life: I’m a Type 4 Natural and I Haven’t Combed My Hair in 2 Years

DETANGLING NATURAL HAIR CARE TRUE LIFE

by Kara, pictured above

I haven’t combed my hair in almost two years and my hair is the longest it has ever been. If someone had told me two years ago I’d do this, I would gasped and fully expected my hair to be loced by now. But two years has gone by without a comb passing through my hair and my loose natural hair is thriving.

A couple of years ago I was inspired by YouTuber Summyr1988 who was following the Curly Girl Method. For those of you that are not familiar, in short the Curly Girl Method was created by a hair stylist called Lorraine Massey who believes that using styling tools, sulphate shampoos and silicone conditioners are not beneficial for the curly girl and her delicate tresses. I was mesmerised by the health and curl definition that Summyr1988 had achieved with her hair, so of course I had to try this method for myself. I didn’t actually know it at the time but I was already following steps to the method. I had already eliminated sulphate shampoos and conditioners with silicones from my normal regimen as I found those ingredients did not work for me.

So how does a natural hair sister with 4a/b type hair not comb her hair in two years and not have a matted birds nest living on her head? These are the rules I follow;

Detangling My detangling process has been a huge contributor in length retention, I traded my wide tooth comb for lots of gentle finger detangling action! Using my fingers has decreased unnecessary breakage, as I always used to notice short broken hairs on the back of my shirt or in the bath. If you have fine hair like me, it may be useful to try this. Using this method I have found that I am able to retain the length of my hair. Using styling tools can apply a lot of undue force and friction to the hair causing the strands to become weak and fragile.

5 Things Every Natural Should Know Before Choosing a Hair Color

by Editorial 

There are some of us curly girls who prefer to keep it 100% natural. You know, no chemicals, no heat, no styling utensils…no anything! On the other hand, there are many of us who actually prefer to experiment with our natural hair. Some of us rock it straight at times. We weave it up for a bit and for the dare devils, play around with color! *Dun, dun, duuuun*

Now I know the thought of chemically altering the hair in any way always presents some form of a risk (and I’ve learned this the hard way). However, there are safer ways to color the hair and successfully avoid damage.

But first, let’s start with the basics. There are four types of hair dyes: temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent. Outside of those dyes, there is another product that will change your hair color which is simply called “hair bleach”. Let me say this, hair bleach is not to be confused with color, because it is actually colorless. It is a substance that chemically removes color, be it natural or dye, from the hair. So now that we know the proper names, how do these differ from one another and which way is the best way to go to maintain healthy hair?

Try to keep up because I’m about to break it down:

1. Temporary Color: This type of color is the least complex of them all. It’s just as the name suggests…temporary. This color is only used to mask or cover a pre-existing color and it does this by merely coating the hair cuticle. It does not penetrate the hair shaft and cannot, in any way, lighten hair. It can also give your hair a nice little hue when sunlight hits it. You most likely won’t be able to see it in a filterless pic, but maybe hit it with the “Valencia” or “Rise” filters and you’re good to go! Any who, because of its characteristics, temporary hair color will likely rinse out during your next two or three shampoos…and it can get messy. Real messy.

2. Semi-Permanent Color: This type of color is a little step up from temporary in that it actually does penetrate the cuticle…this is called depositing. All semi-permanent colors will require a developer that helps to raise the cuticle so that the color can be deposited just underneath it. Just like temporary color, semi-permanent does not have the ability to lighten the hair. So don’t waste your money purchasing Bad Gal Blonde in semi-permanent form when your hair is that of a 1B. It ain’t gon’ work, darling. I tried that too. These types of colors typically have a life span of about six to eight weeks and will wash out gradually.

3. Demi-Permanent Color: The only difference between demi permanent colors and semi is the size of the molecule. These colors have a smaller molecule than semi-permanent colors and for this reason, demi-permanent colors are actually able to penetrate all the way to the cortex of the hair.

*Side Note: the cortex is the thickest layer in a hair strand and contains most of the hair’s pigment…which, of course, gives it the color*

Getting back to the topic, now although demi-permanent colors can get a little deeper, they still do not have any lifting properties. So you still can’t lighten your hair with it, but you can enjoy whatever color you have for a significantly longer time. Also, instead of rinsing out, this color will actually fade over time.

4. Permanent Color: Now we’re running with the big dogs. If these were relationships, temporary color would be the boo that only your best friend knows and permanent would be your husband. In short, it’s a commitment. Permanent colors, in conjunction with a developer,  are designed to penetrate the through the cuticle and cortex, bond with hydrogen peroxide to produce larger tint molecules, and permanently change the color of the hair from the inside out. Because of these properties, permanent colors have the strength not only to deposit color to the hair but also lighten in depending on the level of the developer used. Needless to say, permanent color is there to stay unless you color over it, lift it, or grow it out.

5. Hair Bleach: Remember that bleach IS NOT a color. It is a chemical made up of ammonia and peroxide that work together to lighten hair color. The ammonia is there to lift the cuticle of the hair and activate the bleaching properties in the peroxide so that any color is lifted out of the cortex of the hair. Typically once the color is lifted to the desired level, the colorist may opt to leave it as is or deposit another color back into the hair. This is common for those who have dyed their hair dark and wish to have a lighter color. Now of all the color altering options for hair, bleach would be the strongest out of any of them and must be used carefully and in moderation. If not, the integrity of your hair could be in jeopardy.

Now that we’ve gotten all of the science out of the way, which one is actually worth your while and the risk? I happen to love hair color and have had experiences with all five options; each one has its pros and its cons:

Temporary color is the safest and doesn’t harm the hair in any way. However, it’s a pain to have to reapply every couple weeks and even worse clean the dye out of the tub or sink! I’m straight on that.

Semi-permanent is cool and all. In fact, it would be great for me if I tended to switch hair color rather frequently (yearly is frequent in my book)…but I’d rather not recolor every couple months…nor am I trying to dish out my hard earned money every couple months at the salon either. I saved a lot of money when I switched to No Relaxer…and I’m keeping it that way.

Demi-permanent was actually my favorite. It was still rather gentle on the hair and just by the time I was getting tired of it, it would begin to fade. I probably got my dyes done twice a year with demi-permanent color, which is perfect for me. 80 dollars annually at the salon doesn’t sound bad at all.

The only reason I don’t like permanent color is because, well, it’s permanent; however, even though it’s ride or die, the color still didn’t negatively affect my hair health. I’d rather not oblige to a color if I don’t have to…because getting rid of it is a pain.

I could simply say that hair bleach is a weapon of the healthy hair enemy and leave it at that…but I’ll elaborate. Not only does it strip color from the hair, but it strips out moisture and loosens the curl pattern. It’s horrible! It really changes your hair for the worst. Now it is a quick way to change your look and give you something drastic and fabulous…however it is not worth it. You will hear women say that their hair is fine and completely healthy after bleaching, and they can feel that way…but that process is stressful on the hair and can cause alterations that you didn’t desire, whether you notice it or not. That is why I’m currently growing out a permanent color as opposed to getting it lifted out with bleach. This process is painstakingly long, but it’s worth the time for a healthy head of curls.

So I’ve given you the tea and I hope that you sip responsibly. Personally, I would recommend the demi-permanent color option over all of the others, but of course, it is completely subjective. And oh…go ahead and employ a licensed cosmetologist to assist you in whatever hair color goal you may have. I’ve seen far too many heads come back unrecognizable from the kitchen. But that’s none of my business. ?

     What coloring options do you prefer and what are some of your experiences?

5 Ways that Weekly Deep Conditioning Can Boost Length Retention

by Kelsey (pictured above) of Lifewithcoco2

5 Ways that Weekly Deep Conditioning Can Boost Length Retention

As someone who gets a lot of questions pertaining to how to keep hair healthy and grow it long, I was surprised to discover how many ladies and gents didn’t know or still don’t know the importance of deep conditioning their hair on a weekly basis. It is vital in order to have the healthiest hair possible. Here are five important reasons for deep conditioning your hair weekly:

1. Nourishment for your hair
Deep conditioning infuses your hair with the nutrients it needs in order to stay healthy. Your hair requires nourishment just like any other part of your body.

2. Prevention of dryness and breakage
Deep conditioning helps to improve hair’s elasticity, which means it is more flexible and can stretch more before it breaks. Hair that does not get deep conditioned frequently is more prone to dryness and breakage.

3. Length Retention
I often hear the saying ‘Oh my hair won’t grow,’ and then I immediately ask, “How often are you deep conditioning your hair,” and they’ll usually say, “every two weeks or once a month.” The truth is, your hair is always growing. Long hair is all about length retention. Deep conditioning plays a huge role in length retention because length retention goes hand in hand with breakage. The less breakage, the more hair you are able to keep!

4. Keeps hair soft smooth and shiny
Deep Conditioning is beneficial to keeping hair soft, smooth, manageable and shiny. Those are all signs of a healthy head of hair!

5. Hair Repair
If you are currently struggling with damaged hair, whether it be from heat styling, color, or just not knowing where to start with your hair regimen, make sure that deep conditioning at least once a week is apart of it. It will restore and repair your hair and you will be on your way to gorgeous healthy hair!

In the video below, I share some of my favorite products that I use to keep my hair healthy along with my favorite deep conditioners!

Do you deep condition weekly? If not, how often are you currently deep conditioning and do you think a weekly deep conditioning routine could fit into your regimen?

About Kelsey: I’m Kelsey Janae aka Lifewithcoco2, I love all things natural hair. I seek to inspire and educate using my knowledge of all things hair, health, and beauty. My goal is to encourage women and men to always be the best version of themselves.

I Got a Deva Cut and HATED It: Why It Didn’t Work for My Hair Type

 by Editorial 

Shape. It’s a word that has so much power…we pin, scrunch, push and pull all in the name of a nicely sculpted mane. Personally, I believe that the shape of your curls or coils can make or break your look and many women become very meticulous when it comes to who cuts it and how.

We watch YouTube videos, stalk Instagrams and ask questions in forums…you would think we were writing a thesis! But even with all the researching and interviewing, it all boils down to this: there are either two ways in which the hair can be cut…curly or straight. The following steps are based solely off of that ONE decision.

When I was on my quest for the perfect shape, I opted to go with a very popular curly cut called “The Deva Cut”. I chose this because I thought I was doing something by not straightening my hair and I thought that the shape it created was perfect for me….but laaawd somebody should have warned me because instead of the Deva Cut I got the “Dummy Chop”.

 Now I know there are many naturals who swear by this cut, but I’m here to tell you that it’s not for everybody! Here are some things to consider when thinking about getting a Deva Cut:

How Do You Wear Your Hair?

If you don’t wear a wash-n-go 25/8 then the Deva cut is NOT FOR YOU! I would repeat that but I feel like you got it the first time. Because they are cutting the hair while curly, you should definitely expect to have an uneven or even choppy look when you stretch your hair. Now if it all worked out for you, then that’s awesome! I’ve actually seen them come out beautifully, but I’m just giving a fair warning. I didn’t blow dry my hair until a month after my deva cut, and y’all…I promise I cried. My hair was severely uneven. In fact, one side was longer than the other. I was doomed. 

What Is Your Curl Type?

I believe the quality of your curly cut and your curl pattern goes hand in hand. If you have a looser curl pattern and it’s more consistent across your head, then nine times out of ten you will have a more precise, even cut. Because looser curl patterns (1-3B) really don’t experience a drastic amount of shrinkage so it’s easier to see what the shape will be both curly and straight. Now if you’re more on the kinky/coily side like myself and really don’t quite know what category you fall in, then I’d suggest you’d stay away. I’ve seriously got about 3 or 4 different patterns in my hair and I swear each one had its own length after the cut. In some places of my hair it shrinks up more than others so while the deva cut makes everything appear to look even while curly, it’s a whole ‘notha ball game when it’s stretched. It looked like I let somebody blindfold themselves and play Edward Scissorhands on my head.

Do You Obsess Over Imperfections?

This is last question but, in my opinion, it’s the most important. If you cannot, in any shape, form or fashion, deal with seeing unevenness in the slightest, then this cut is not for you. Take it from me; it is the HARDEST cut to correct. Because it’s so heavily layered that the only way to seriously fix it is to chop it all off. If you feel like your head is too grand to rock a short cut, like me, then you know that option is a no go. You’ll be forced to deal with it as your hair grows out. In my case, it’s been a year since I got the Deva cut and over time things are starting to look a lot better. But for about 8 months, I was extremely miserable. If you’re the type to analyze your strands one by one and cherish uniformity, then girl, just go ahead and pass on being a “Deva,” because you’re bound to drive yourself insane.

Now it goes without saying, that you definitely want to find a skilled stylist no matter what cut you are receiving. However, with the nature of the Deva Cut, it is my opinion that only Jesus can get it right the first time. If you still want to take the leap of faith, then by all means, do so. But I don’t want your perception of it to be skewed by the perfection we often see on the net. The truth is…everything just doesn’t work out for everybody. So keep that in mind when you’re considering any hairstyle, especially a cut!

If you have ever gotten a deva cut, tell me what you thought of it! I’d love to hear about it!