I’ll admit, it’s taken me quite a while to find myself on this natural hair journey.  I didn’t have these informative websites, blogs, and YouTube channels to help me navigate through the trials and tribulations of dealing with my hair.  In fact, I didn’t know anyone else at the time I did my big chop that was truly natural.  Sounds cliché, but I really felt like I was all alone.  Fast forward to 2012, almost 8 years since my initial big chop, and I can’t imagine being natural without the immense camaraderie within the natural hair community.

The world of natural hair has evolved so much over the past few years and it’s been incredible watching the growth.  Since giving up the heat and fully embracing my natural curls in 2009, 5 years after I began my natural hair journey, I’ve been enjoying the process of learning my curls.  I began to meet other ladies who were also natural, both newbies and veterans, and we had an instant connection.  It’s this very connection that brings the natural hair community together, offering support and friendship through the bond that is hair.

Natural Hair Curl Friends

As curious as it may seem, there’s almost always something to learn from another natural.  Whether it be a new hair ‘do, product recommendations, or styling methods, it’s amazing what you can pick up just from random conversations about hair!  Social media has further enhanced this connection within the natural hair community, putting inspiration and information right at your fingertips.  This transparency among naturals and lack of barriers guarding good information makes it easy to learn from and with others.  The natural hair forums are a place where we can gladly exchange secrets and tips, and to encourage and motivate one another.

Natural Hair Curl Friends

Another great way to develop relationships with your fellow naturals is through meet-up groups.  These social organizations offer ways to interact with others beyond the screens, taking the bonding offline and into a more relaxed and comfortable environment.  These meet-up groups have been meant everything to me since embarking on my healthy hair journey.  My curlfriends keep me focused, listen to me vent about having bad hair days, and share in the joys of having the best twist out ever!  Plus, it helps having people in your corner who truly understand the joys and struggles of being natural.

Natural Hair Curl Friends

When you decide to go natural, you can use all the support you can get.  Just walking outside speaks volumes to the world that you are a proud natural!  Don’t be afraid to share a compliment or offer encouragement to other naturals, we owe that to each other.  Get connected within your community by joining a natural hair group, attending natural hair events in your area or even by starting your own blog.  You’d be pleasantly surprised the great relationships that can flourish when you surround yourself with positive people!

Natural Hair Curl Friends

What have you & your curlfriends done lately?

Natural Hair Curl Friends

Natural Hair Curl Friends

Natural Hair Curl Friends

Natural Hair Curl Friends

Mother's Day Contest

May 13th is Mother’s Day! We know you would love to win mom three free Blended Beauty products. Please share with us what makes your mom UNIQUE. We can’t wait to hear about her! Comment on this post and tell us all that makes your wonderful mom so unique. The most unique mom wins! The contest ends on May 10th. ALSO, if you include an order number in your entry dating from May 3rd-May10th, and you win, your mom wins 5 products! Good luck!

Michelle 4 months After Big Chop

During the month of April, I wore my hair in a protective style, crochet braids. I was very busy with work and didn’t want to spend time on my hair. I wore the crochet braids for about 2 ½ weeks and they were very pretty. While wearing the crochet braids, I filled a spray bottle with water and Silkshake and sprayed my hair daily. This kept my hair moisturized.

Michelle Crochet Braids

After taking down my braids, I noticed that I’d accidently cut out a small section in the front of my hair. Although devastated I received a lot of positive support from the YouTube community and I did not worry too much about it afterward. Overall, my hair is doing well, and growing at a consistent pace. I am beginning to take the time to really enjoy each stage of my hair growth!!

Cinnamon Cake

Michelle

http://youtu.be/wYa-kC9lWk0

Twist Out with Happy Nappy Styles and Natural Hair Oil

Twist Out with Happy Nappy Styles and Natural Hair Oil

I left her hair loose, and sent her to bed with her scarf. In the morning, I slowly unraveled the twists one by one. I added a cute headband and we were off to take our Easter pictures. After our professional pictures, I snapped a few pictures of her hair on my own.

Twist Out with Happy Nappy Styles and Natural Hair Oil

Twist Out with Happy Nappy Styles and Natural Hair Oil

Twist Out with Happy Nappy Styles and Natural Hair Oil

Guest Blogger Kandy

(Wife and Mom to N&L)

http://kandylandkurls.blogspot.com

"My Hair Is Beautiful" Contest

Hello Beauties!!!

What makes your hair beautiful? Is it the texture, curl pattern, frizziness, versatility? Each individual has uniqueness to their curls and we want to know what makes YOUR hair beautiful. Tell us and you can win any 2 Blended Beauty products!  There will be 3 winners.

See the official contest video here.

You may enter one of two ways.

1. Make a YouTube video telling me what makes your natural hair beautiful. And tell us your favorite natural hairstyle!  Post the link to your video here. (2 winners)

OR

2. You can enter by leaving a comment here, describing both what makes your hair beautiful AND your favorite natural hairstyle. (1 winner)

One winner will be chosen at random.

Please see contest rules below:

1. Must Be 18 years or older (Under 18 must obtain parental consent before participating)
2. Must live in the United States or Canada
3. Must subscribe to the Blended Beauty Newsletter (on the home page)
4. Only one entry per person

Last Day to Enter: May 7th 2012

Winner will receive two items of their choice from the Blended Beauty Website. Have fun and good luck!!!

Ms. Cinnamon Cake (Michelle)

Jennifer with her J Girls

I have 3 beautiful, curly headed, blended beauties, and I would be so lost without Blended Beauty! I am so grateful to have found these fabulous products!

Before BB, I tried every product imaginable; wasted a lot of money, and nothing seemed to work long term. I don’t know about you, but I refused to be that Mom who had children with crazy looking hair, so I was determined to find something that worked!!  I joined a yahoo group back in early 2005, looking for hair tips for my little girls, and that is where I met Stacey. Stacey shared her vast knowledge of curly hair and told us about these new products she was creating. I was so excited, and when BB finally got up and running, I placed an order immediately! It was the best decision I made and money well spent.

Stacey has taught me so much about caring for my daughter’s hair. A few things that I faithfully practice are:

• Water is your friend! If their hair needs a refresh, spray with water, use a little product on the ends and voila refreshed curls!
• Never comb dry hair – only comb when wet, and with conditioner on the hair so it does not break it. In fact, I rarely use a comb at all – I finger comb all the time. This really keeps their hair as healthy as possible.
• Have them sleep with a “do-rag” or a stocking cap. I used a stocking cap for years until Stacey came out with the new sleep caps. WOW – another fabulous product! I just purchased my third sleep cap, and soon all my girls will have them!

I have learned so much throughout the years and I can’t wait to share more. If there’s anything specific you’d like to know, just reply, and I’ll see what I have in my useful hair vault.

Here’s to all of our beautiful blended beauties,
Jennifer, mom to the J Girls

Puff With a Pompadour

Here is a cute and quick style. All you’ll need are a couple of bobby pins and a headband for the puff.

Faux Puff Method

I made the pomp by taking a section of hair from the front and pinning it back loosely with a bobby pin.

Pomp with a Bobby Pin

Using a black headband, I then gathered my hair into a puff using the faux puff method.

Faux Puff Method

Faux Puff Method

Faux Puff Method

I accessorized with a cute bow clip and I was good to go!

Puff with a Pompadour

Puff with a Pompadour

Puff with a Pompadour

Puff with a Pompadour

Precious

Check out my post on how to make a faux puff here: http://www.precious-curls.com/2011/10/how-to-do-faux-puff.html

Michelle 3 months after Big Chop

During the month of March, my hair has experienced some dryness. The weather has been colder than usual and my hair has been suffering because of it. I decided to twist my hair and keep it in twists from Sunday through Saturday each week. I twist my hair with the Happy Nappy Styles. Throughout the week I moisturize the twists by using water mixed with SilkShake. Then, right before wash day, I put the Curl Quenching Conditioner along with the Natural hair oil and honey in my hair and sleep with a plastic cap and satin bonnet over night. The next day when I wash my hair, it is very soft and the softness lasts for about 4 days. This has saved my hair from being dry to the touch. Besides these things I do not manipulate my hair during the week. I am considering doing a protective style for 3 weeks so I will not have to manipulate it at all. The products have been keeping my hair soft and non greasy. I have about an inch and a half of hair now, so I am happy with my progression thus far!!!

Blended Beauty Give-Away and Coupon

Spring is in the air! Let’s put some spring in those curls too! We want to give away some free products because we just love our customers so much.  And we love to hear what you have to say!  To enter the contest, comment on this post and tell us what hair concerns you have. Whether it be dryness, growth, styling or breakage. Let us know. You could win any 2 products of your choice. For a second entry, use the coupon code “curlcraze” at checkout and get 15% off 2 ore more items!  Enter until April 2nd.

Curl Cleansing Conditioner

Soy Cream Shampoo

 Conditioner:Always condition after you shampoo! There are 3 types of conditioners. Rinse out, Leave In, and Deep conditioner. The deep conditioner helps to repair/heal damaged hair. The rinse out conditioners are thicker. The Leave In conditioner is thinner, and contains ingredients to help moisturize hair.

Curl Quenching Conditioner

 Detangling: It’s best to detangle the hair in sections, using a wide tooth comb. Make sure to hold the hair firmly at the root, and begin combing at the ends of the hair, working your way up.

Moisturizer: After all of the hair has been combed through, apply a moisturizer to the hair. If your hair becomes dry within hours, try adding oil on top of the moisturizer to help seal/lock in the moisture.

Curl Styling Butter

Guest Blogger Kandy

(Wife and Mom to N&L)

http://kandylandkurls.blogspot.com