I found this video and a version of this post at Beads, Braids & Beyond. Detangling is tough to do. Most drench the hair in conditioner and then start detangling from ends to root with a wide-tooth comb. That is what I usually do. A mother reminds us the best tools we have are our fingers. Enjoy.
By Beads, Braids & Beyond
© Beads, Braids & Beyond
When you wet your childs hair and load it up with conditioner, you probably automatically take a wide tooth comb to it. The thing is, the comb does not remove the tangles like your fingers would. The comb just rips through the tangles, causing a lot of unneccassary breakage.
So I am taking a pledge. From now on I will detangle her hair with my fingers first before using a wide tooth comb.
I, Honeysmoke, pledge to always remove tangles from Simone and Nadia’s hair with my fingers before using a wide tooth comb.
Take the pledge at Beads, Braids & Beyond.
When I learned I would be in Florida on business, I made an appointment with the Curl Whisperer. I had been reading all about her advice on curlynikki.com, and I wanted to see for myself whether she could tame my curls.
First, I showed her a picture of Simone and Nadia and told her about their hair. The Curl Whisperer recommended Aubrey Organics GPB for Nadia’s hair. It has protein in it and that will be great for her fine tresses. For Simone, she recommended Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose, which is protein free and more appropriate for thicker hair.
We then moved on to my hair. I was concerned about breakage and didn’t know what kind of porosity I had or whether I was protein sensitive. The Curl Whisperer said I simply needed a trim to help with breakage. That was good news. I had thought she would have to do a drastic cut. She said I had normal porosity and said my more coarse strands would not like any protein. Armed with that information, I can better choose products with the proper ingredients for my hair.
She gave me a dry trim, washed my hair, and rinsed it with cool water. My curls really liked the spa treatment and formed perfect little coils. She applied a little of Curl Junkie’s Curl Assurance Aloe Fix Hair Styling Gel and sent me on my way. I paid the Curl Whisperer and left a tip I hope conveyed I appreciated her curly advice. I wanted to buy her a plane ticket to my home, but it turns out she likes living in Florida. That’s okay. I will just add a trip to see her to my long list of excuses to visit Florida.
When it comes to all things hair, I take the simplest route possible. I do not create intricate styles or use a lot of color. My hat is off to those who do. Beads, Braids and Beyond and Happy Girl Hair have this down to a science. I see the intricate styles they create and I am in awe.
I focus on the health of the hair, and I have found the Flexi-8 instantly adds a little style. It is a contraption that holds all of the hair comfortably. It is ideal for French twists and other up-dos, even the traditional ponytail. This hair tool is incredibly flexible so that you don’t hurt yourself or your hair using it on a regular basis. It also does not tear or pull at the hair like a scrunchy.
Flexis come in several sizes, and a few of them are designed for little girls. Simone has taken an interest in Tinkerbell, and there is one with blue wings and one with pink wings that I purchased for Simone and Nadia. Now these are on the pricey side — 13 bucks apiece — so I will reserve them for special occassions and other times I know they will return home.
We have added coconut oil to our daily hair routine. It is a light oil, gives a lot of shine, and tames the frizzies. It is also less expensive than Hair Milk and can be used by the girls and me. Nadia (pictured above) has very fine hair, and this oil is light enough to use every few days or so. I apply it to Simone’s hair daily, and it helps keep her hair smooth and tangle free. As for me, I use it to seal my hair after I moisturize it with a conditioner.
Coconut oil may be purchased at many natural food stores. Our coconut oil is infused with Ayurvedic herbs, and I buy it at a local Indian store for about $6. If you go to your local Indian store, be sure to read the label and buy the pure coconut oil, not mineral oil. The latter just sits on the hair, while coconut oil is easily absorbed into the hair. Check it out and tell me what you think.
After all the hype, I was disappointed in Chris Rock’s Good Hair. I expected to be entertained and was instead assaulted by a whole bunch of nonsense. I think if the movie had been a solid documentary or a nonstop stand up routine, it would have been fine. But the movie just couldn’t be both.
Forget what I said earlier. I am not offended Rock sidestepped the natural hair issue. The natural hair story has no place in Rock’s movie. I am glad I went to see it. I mean, you can’t fuss about the movie if you didn’t actually see it. I just didn’t like it and look forward to seeing what others have to say about it.
I am mad at somebody because Good Hair, Chris Rock’s documentary about black women and the love affair we have with our hair, is opening today in select cities, and the rest of us have to wait a full two weeks to see it.
I usually do not get worked up about movies, but this one has been getting press for months. I am hoping the early buzz on the film is not true. No, he didn’t make a documentary about black hair and leave out those of us who rock our natural texture. He didn’t do that, did he? Because if he did, there had better be a Good Hair 2 in the works.
All I am asking for is a little balance. Not all black women are addicted to the “creamy crack.” Not all black women spend more money on weave than they spend on food, clothing, and a place to live. And finally, not all black women are trying to assimilate to the white beauty ideal.
I am not going to argue about who wears what, why, and how. I have got two girls to raise and they take up plenty of my time, thank you very much. But for the sake of black women everywhere, especially the natural set, I hope Chris Rock took time to laugh in the face of the stereotype and not simply perpetuate it.
On Sundays I wash and detangle Simone and Nadia’s hair. The routine often takes me back to the days when my mother washed and combed my hair.
I would stand on my tiptoes every two weeks as Mom washed my hair in the kitchen sink with Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo. After two washes, I would sit on the floor, while Mom sat on the couch. She would scoop Vaseline out of a plastic jar and grease my scalp. Then she would comb, brush, and braid my hair into silky ponytails.
“More Hair,” she said, when she was finished.
“Grow longer,” I replied.
I had no trouble growing hair. Taking care of it was the hard part. I had long hair and all the rules that came with it.
Rule No. 1: No one can comb your hair. Only Mom knew how to take care of it. One day one of my cousins cut a chunk of my hair. We both got a whipping.
Rule No. 2: Don’t invite bad luck by saying thank-you when someone does your hair. Instead, I had to say, “More hair, grows longer.” Mom had all kinds of sayings. ‘Til this day, I’ve never heard another person talk about this one.
Rule No. 3: No pressing combs. First, I had soft hair. Second, Mom was overly concerned I’d grow up too fast. Third, see reason No. 1.
Rule No. 4: Don’t tempt fate by letting two people comb your hair at the same time. For some reason, Mom thought it was bad luck. I’ve never broken this rule.
Rule No. 5: Don’t get sand in your hair. I broke this rule many, many times. The violation triggered an automatic trip to the kitchen sink.
The cycle has been broken. Simone and Nadia have never heard these rules.
