Naturally4me

MOISTURE RETENTION: WHY SO IMPORTANT?

2015-02-06T16:43:00.000-08:00

Dry, brittle, dull hair! Does this describe your hair? If so, then you have come to the right place, so let’s talk!…. It is important, no imperative that you understand this; If you want healthy, hydrated, soft and shiny tresses then moisturizing your hair daily is a must!

Natural hair can be compared to a plant, if you don’t water a plant regularly then the foliage will simply dry up and break off; ever touch a dried-up leaf? Exactly!! I think natural hair should be moisturized daily. Water is the first thing that I reach for, if not that then a product that has water as its first ingredient, ex: a styler, conditioner or a spray mist. While oils and butters will condition the hair it cannot hydrate the hair, that’s why water is so essential.

Moisture retention is so important for the health of our hair, it allows our hair to absorb all of the benefits that our products were created to do: hydrated curls, add shine/sheen, strengthen and create elasticity and for most of us help to retain length.

I moisturize my hair at night, I like to re-do my styles so this is easy for me. Many naturals triumph at the idea of 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and even 7^th day hair, but that’s not for me; sure length of days means less maintenance, however it also means lack of moisture. Some will argue the point by saying “Re-doing your style nightly means manipulation to the hair thus causing much breakage." I however do not detangle my hair when re-styling, this results in less manipulation, less breakage.

So, how do you achieve moisturize hair? You must first know your hair’s porosity. Hair Porosity is the hair’s ability to absorb moisture and retain or hold that moisture. With that said, there are three levels:

Low Porosity - The hair’s cuticle is tight which prevents the cuticle from opening to allow the water to pass through.

Normal Porosity - The hair’s cuticle opens easily allowing for water to pass through.

High Porosity - The hair’s cuticle is usually damage due to chemical processing or environmental, this results in the cuticle having holes and gaps, the problem? Cuticle stays open allowing moisture to pass through quickly leaving the hair prone to frizz, tangles and breakage.

A quick test can be done to determine your hair’s porosity. Take a clean shampooed hair strand with no product on it and a glass of water. Simply place the hair strand in the water and wait. If the hair sinks immediately then you have low porosity hair, if your hair floats somewhere in the middle then you have normal porosity, if your hair stays at the top then you have low porosity hair.

How to Retain Moisture:

If your hair is low porosity then you want to avoid cream base products since those products tend to sit on the hair and take a long time to penetrate the cuticle if at all. Use water base products such as hair milks, you also want to use humectants such as glycerin or honey which will pull in the moisture from the air and help to retain it.

If your hair is normal porosity then you pretty much can use both creams and water base products, you then want to seal the moisture in using an oil or butter. You too can apply humectants, however glycerin may or may not work for your hair; my hair is normal porosity but my hair doesn’t like glycerin so you will have to give it a try and see.

If your hair is high porosity then you can use both creams and water base products, however you want to always seal the cuticle with an oil or butter to fill in the holes and gaps and keep the moisture locked in.

Hopefully these tips will help you to retain the most moisture for your hair!

Bernice

HELLO HYDRATION!!

2014-09-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

*Shea Moisture! Can I just say I love this company! The Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration; one of their newest lines, has become my favorite! If you haven't tried this line and your

A SKINCARE REGIMEN... IS IT NECESSARY?

2014-09-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

I believe that it is! I've always had a skin care regimen starting as a Teen. Now that I'm older I definitely can see the benefits of starting early.
However with that said, it is important to keep

THE JOURNEY

2014-09-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

I mentioned on my Welcome! page, I have been natural for 4 yrs. My last relaxer was towards the end of January 2011. I didn't
READ MORE...

HEALTHY LIVING!

2014-09-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I was feeling like I needed to make changes in my diet and lifestyle. I knew that I hadn't been eating right and gained around 10lbs. Despite becoming aware of my
situation, I could not get motivated. I knew that if I kept eating this way that soon those 10lbs. would turn into 20lbs. Finally, around spring time I became motivated. The weather was getting warmer, the sun was shining and I felt this overwhelming desire to want to eat healthy and get into shape so I began a regimen. I knew as many of us know; which foods needed to be cut out such as bread, fried foods, soda, junk food etc… I also knew I needed to start moving, so I started walking.

One day I was watching The Dr. Oz show, the topic had to do with weight loss and why we continue to fail at it because of our addiction to sugar. The guest on the show was Dr. Mark Hyman, Author of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. Dr. Hyman talked about his book, in it he states: “The science of food addiction is clearer now than ever before. A powerful study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition proves that higher-sugar; higher-glycemic foods are addictive in the same way as cocaine and heroin“….What! I was shocked, it made sense though; why do we crave foods that we know are not good for us and yet we eat it anyway! Curious, I went out and bought the book and after reading it I wanted to start my journey to a healthier me! I joined a gym and began working out 3-4 days a week. I followed Dr. Hyman's method of eliminating sugar, carbs and processed foods, and started juicing as well. I Immediately noticed a difference and began to not only lose weight but also feel better. I was doing so well for about 2 months and then it happen….I got sidetracked, Graduations, Weddings and a Funeral. I fell further and further away from what was then a healthier way of living.

Today, I am back to where I started, however I do realize that those things that caused me to get sidetracked are a part of everyday living. I just have to be determined to stay focus and remember what's important...my health! I'm now ready to begin my journey again.

I will be sharing my progress along the way as well as sharing tips, meal plans and exercise routines. Hopefully I can encourage you to take control of your health and become a healthier you!

WELCOME!

2014-09-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

"Not another Natural Hair Blog!" you say. Yes, however it's my hair, my journey. What do I mean by that? Well, our hair is unique and like a finger print everyone's hair is different, so
everyone's hair journey will not be the same.

I have received many compliments and questions about my hair, and friends have asked me for help. Not too long ago I was shopping at Target and a woman came up to me and asked "What products do you use because I'm having trouble with my hair? Since I've been natural I have struggle to get my hair just so!" Although she was discouraged she went on to say "No matter what, I will never go back to relaxing my hair!"

Many woman are returning back to their natural hair. This means that help is still needed for those who are newly natural or who are struggling with their natural hair. That is the main reason why I decided to create this blog; for the love of natural hair! So, with that said, let me introduce myself:

My name is Bernice of Naturally4me. I have been natural since Jan. of 2011. In July of 2011 I cut off all of my relaxed ends (which is known as the Big Chop) this left me with 2.5 inches of new growth. I was excited to see my natural hair but at the same time I felt insecure. In that moment I realized that I had just cut off all my hair!! Was I going crazy? That thought quickly left my mind as I looked in the mirror and said to myself "Look at me and my TWA" (Teeny Weeny Afro)... Let the journey begin!!

I want to share my knowledge and what I have learned and continue to learn about my natural hair. Hopefully my blog will encourage you on your natural hair journey, which in turn will encourage me! I'm sure that the more we learn about our natural hair, the more we will start to embrace our hair and then begin to love our natural hair. So, as I continue on my natural hair journey, I keep this thought in mind:

This is the way it's suppose to be, the way God purpose it to be...Naturally for me!
- Bernice