Natural Hair Care While Quarantined
Caring for natural hair is already a full time job. And now when make regular trips to the salon isn’t possible it may feel impossible to do our hair. After struggling to find the ideal routine for my hair I have gathered tips and tricks to better allow me to manage and treat my hair while staying home.
As a natural girl, something I have been struggling with throughout the quarantine is ways of caring for my hair. I couldn’t decide what routine would be best at preserving my curls even if I had nowhere to go. Many women like myself were forced to learn to style and treat their natural hair without regular trips to the salon. I went on a search to see what other natural girls were going through during this time and found some great advice from natural hair professionals. After struggling for a long couple of months have gathered some tips and trick in getting the most out of natural hair while still in quarantine.
Firstly and most importantly let your hair breathe. This is a phrase natural girls use a lot. Usually referring to the one or two day period before we go into the salon for our next style. Now is the perfect time to just allow your natural hair to be free. Instead of trying to force your hair into styles that might cause stress and breakage. Although our hair is technically protected in our “protective styles”, they can still cause damage or breakage due to constant manipulation.
One thing I noticed that if I don’t have to go outside I tend to neglect my hair. Leaving it in top knots or pony tails until my hair is to knotted to move. Do not do this! During this “breathing period” focus on bringing moisture to your hair. Use these extended periods at home to try DIY hair treatments and figure out what works best for your hair.
Try styles that require less effort and cause less stress to your hair. Styles like braid and twist outs have been my favorite. I have even been rocking the “Pop Smoke” braids just so I can make sure I keep my scalp moisturized and simulated in between washes. I learned from researching at-home hair treatments to get into the habit of misting your hair, the same way you would a plant. This helps restore moisture and allows you to better manipulate or add product. And when all else fails, a satin scarf can be used in many styles that are not only fashionable but a great way to to protect your hair when it gets near the time to restyle.
Photo Credit: @the_africanunicorn
Report: Lauren Tucker
Sometimes, Messier Can Be Better!
Bad Hair Day? No Problem!
Bad Hair Day? No Problem!
Everyone has those days where their hair just is not listening to them when it comes to styling. Whether it is the copious amounts of hairspray being used or simply just sleeping on it wrong, sometimes, your hair just does not want to cooperate. But did you ever think to consider embracing that messiness and that lack of cooperation?
Combating a bad hair day is simple. Let it loose and go the messy route. Messy hairstyles aren’t necessarily “messy”. They just give the impression of simplicity. There are so many different ways to style your hair, but the easiest ones to try out are the low, messy bun, the half-up-half-down bun, and the high bun. You can choose these styles to go to the beach, to a bar, or just at home. These three hairstyles can also be paired with a comfy or a casual outfit. They are also extremely simple to do. The key is to not try so hard to make it look perfect, the messier, the better!
When it comes to styling your hair, sometimes not doing anything to it at all can turn out nicer than expected. Embrace the messiness. Embrace the simplicity. Embrace a relaxed, comfortable, you!
Photo credits: likesmag.com (first picture featured on pinterest); pelo1.egirlguide.com (second picture featured on pinterest); foto.elisigunlugu.com (third picture featured on pinterest)
Report: Hannah Zaremba
On the Road to Healthy Hair With Pantene
Our hair doesn't have to suffer because beauty salons are closed-- Pantene provides a product for all of us no matter what your hair type is.
Taking care of your hair could be difficult on a regular day, but during the COVID-19 crisis it only makes it that much harder to have healthy hair. Not many hair brands provide products for all types of hair. Pantene has numeral collections specifically made for your kind of hair. Even during these hard times Pantene is coming out with a product that can help a lot of people.
Colored Hair - Pantene announced that they are released a new collection, Sunlit Blondie. This helps people replenish blonde, platinum, highlights, and pastel hair. With hair salons closed being able to brighten your colored hair in your house is a major plus.
Fine Hair- The Foam Collection has weightless shampoo, conditioner and more that keeps hair from going flat. Heavier conditioners usually leave fine hair looking lifeless and over moisturized. That’s why the Foam Collection is perfect for fine hair, it leaves it looking light and clean.
Think, Coily, Curly Hair- The Gold Series Collections is for natural, relaxed, or transitioning hair. The Gold Series is heavy on moisture for those of us with thick hair. Keeps hair moisturized and smooth.
Damaged Hair- The Intense Rescue Shots Collection was made for those whose hair may be dry and brittle. This collection is all made of deep conditioners to turn your dry hair into soft and shiny.
No Harsh Chemicals- For those who are looking for hair care products with no harsh chemicals like sulfate, parabens, dyes, and mineral oil, The new Nutrient Blends Collection is for you. There are products in this collection for all kinds of hair, from fine to coily.
During this crisis we have to work with what’s available, which isn't much with beauty salons and beauty supply stores being closed. Supermarkets and select drug stores carry Pantene products that work for all of us no matter what type of hair you have all at moderate prices. When quarantining is no longer necessary and everyone is outside your hair won’t look like it skipped a beat. Products are also available for purchase online at Pantene.
Report: Alycia Williams
Shop The Products
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.