Healthy Habits for Natural Hair Growth, Part 1

For many naturals, healthy hair growth is a common goal, and personally, I am one of those naturals. My hair growth goal is not necessarily for length, but it is for the overall benefits of healthy hair. With healthy hair growth, hair can be thicker, stronger, and shinier! Who doesn't want that!?!

In addition to getting healthy hair to grow from the scalp, one must also know how to maintain the current hair they have to see the maximum results for overall healthy hair. There is nothing worse than experiencing 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of healthy hair growth, and losing that growth to poor hair maintenance and practices. Therefore, length retention practices are vital to maintaining healthy hair as well!

To discuss the habits, I have broken healthy hair growth down into two categories: 

1.) Habits for healthy hair growth from the scalp 

2.) Habits for length retention 

In today's post, we will discuss habits for healthy hair growth from the scalp, and the next post will serve as part 2, covering habits for length retention.

Habits for Healthy Hair Growth from the Scalp:

1. Cleaning your scalp is critical to hair growth. Hair can't grow as effectively when there is dirt and gunk clogging the pores on your scalp so keep your scalp clean. In the past, I didn't shampoo my hair. Instead, I would clarify my scalp with an apple cider vinegar and water mixture (You can see more about my natural hair wash regimen here). But lately, with working out more, I have been reaching for Shea Moisture's Coconut Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo. This shampoo is gentle so it doesn't strip my hair and make it feel dry. It leaves my curls soft and smelling oh so wonderful. Not to mention, my scalp game is on point! 

2. Scalp massages are the next habit, and a daily scalp massage can help to stimulate the blood in the scalp, increasing circulation and promoting hair growth. Just grab your favorite oil, employ those finger tips, and get to massaging! To help pass time as a I massage my scalp, I like to watch YouTube videos and let my fingers do the work! Check out my post here on natural hair Youtubers you should be watching!!

3. Drinking water is the third habit, and honestly, everyone knows about the benefits of water. However, most people still don't do it. Drinking half your body weight of water can help to moisturize your strands from the inside out and also helps to flush out any toxins in your system that might be hindering healthy hair growth. 

4. Eating healthy is the next habit. We hear the phrase: "You are what you eat", but have you truly accepted it. Whatever you put in your body is what comes out of your body. Simply stated: If you eat junk, your body produces less than stellar results, which may be evident in your overall health, weight, skin appearance and hair. Your body needs its share of carbs, proteins and other nutrients to help it repair and grow. So stop and evaluate the things that you are putting in your body. Ask yourself: "Will this food be beneficial to my body and hair growth?"  Now, in all honesty, I ask myself this question, and sometimes, I still give into whatever sweet treat it is that I may be craving. Everyone is entitled to a treat every now and then! I'm not saying you have to eat healthy 100% of the time, but I am saying to make better choices so that your overall food choices reflect healthy eating habits! One of my favorite ways to consume multiple nutrients at once is through a smoothie (You can read  this post here on one of my favorite go to smoothies that has a multiple vitamins and nutrients to promote healthy hair growth). 
5. Exercise is the final habit! Exercise is known to increase blood flow and again, increased blood flow promotes hair growth! NUFF SAID!!!!

These were some practical habits that can help promote healthy hair growth from the scalp. Of course, there are other methods that can also help with healthy hair growth and if you have some additional methods, please feel free to comment down below. 

Also, check out my past post on healthy hair growth and length retention (HERE), and stay tuned for part 2 of this post! 

Until next time,

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken 

I AM BACK!!!

So...it happened again! I up and disappeared!!! Truthfully, I had to utilize some major laser focus to complete this final semester of coursework. As most of you know, I am completing my PhD, and I needed to wrap up my internship placement, begin dissertation, complete my neuropsychological round of coursework, and teach my undergraduates PLUS manage my personal life. So....I disappeared BUT for good reasons! I am grateful because after a very prayerful and successful semester, I can truly see the end in sight. PhD, here I come! Stay tuned for future blog posts on natural hair, skin care, and other great topics!

Until next time...

Stay faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken

The devil is a lie: Hair Envy

This post is about hair envy!!!! What is it? Who has it? And how do you get rid of it?

Hair envy happens to many naturals. It is especially common when people first transition to natural. When I first went natural, I stared at other naturals' hair like Naptural 85, Mahogany Curls, Beautifulbrwnbabydol, and the list goes on, hoping and wishing for hair like theirs. I was unable to see the beauty in my own texture, and I become very unhappy with my own hair. I wanted their length. I wanted their fullness. I wanted their definition. I want! I want! I want! Does this sound familiar yet? Over the time span of being natural, I began receiving compliments from my coworkers/ peers/ friends, which forced me to look harder at my own hair. I began to explore this "beauty" they had found within my hair, and I truly started caring for the individual needs of my tresses. With time, patience, and nurturing, I began to fall in love with my own tresses and see the same beauty (that others had seen) in my hair as well. Don't get me wrong! I still see the beauty in the natural tresses of others; however, I no longer reject my own curls and coils in acceptance of another naturalista's.

What is it? 

Hair envy is the when you covet your neighbor's hair or tresses, ultimately becoming disappointed with your own hair.

Who has it? How do you know if you have hair envy?

Anyone can have it. The following is some of the symptomology of hair envy:

• If you could cut someone's hair off and pass it as your own, you have hair envy! 
• If you considered scalping someone because of their luxurious curls and kinks, you have hair envy! 
• If you stare at pictures of hair in adoration, and look at your hair in frustration, you have hair envy! 

Twist and Curl 

How do you get rid of hair envy?

Hair envy is real! I know first hand! I used to suffer with it in the initial months of my natural journey. If hair envy is something you struggle with, try these tips!
1. Embrace your hair. Find several styles that work for your own beautiful texture. By doing this, you will see the beauty and versatility in your own hair.

2. When someone compliments you on your hair, accept the compliment. Even if you don't believe the compliment initially, accept it anyway. 

3. Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media outlets are great ways to find inspiration through hair pictures; however, try to follow people with a similar hair type to yours. 

4. Create realistic expectations for your hair. Realize that your hair is uniquely yours, and when you strive for a braid out, it will look differently than another natural's braid out. Your Bantu knot out or twist and curl won't look like mine! Expect that your hair will be different and embrace those differences as your hair individuality. 

5. Let the hair of other naturals serve as inspiration. Tracee Ellis Ross reacted to the fact that so many women idealize her luxurious mane: “I love that you love my hair, but I only love that you love my hair if it inspires you to love your own.” Bottom line: You can appreciate the manes of other naturals as long as you love and appreciate your own first!!!

PSA: If you or someone you know has hair envy, help them out! Don't be a victim to hair envy! Lol!

No seriously, Kurlies weigh in: Have you ever had hair envy? Don't leave me hanging! 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken

My Hair Regimen

Hey Kurl Friends,

I get so many questions regarding my hair products and practices. Soooo.... I decided to share my hair regimen.

The Background: When I first went natural, I have to admit that I was consumed with the techniques everyone else was doing on their hair and what products I should be using to achieve the same results. Now, three years later, through trial and error, I finally realized I had to do what was best for me, my schedule, and my 4a/4b tresses.

The Breakdown: I like to break my hair regimen down into two different perspective: internal and external. My internal regimen consist of things that I currently do internally to enhance my hair growth through a healthy living. My external regimen are the external things I do to enhance my hair growth through hair products and practices.

Internal Hair Regimen

• I take one prenatal vitamin, biotin, and fish oil per day.
• I drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. 
• My diet is mainly pollo-pescetarian, which means my meals consist of fish, chicken, vegetables, and fruit.
• I work out at least 3 to 4 times per week. 

External Hair Regimen

• Daily, I moisturize my hair with aloe vera gel, unrefined shea butter, and olive oil. I mix these three items in one container to use as my "hair cream". 
• At night, I section my hair and create plaits all over my head. Yes, the same plaits Celie wore on The Color Purple!  On average, I have about 10-12 plaits. I then cover my head with a satin cap.

Don't you dare judge me or my

plaits...Lol!?!

• Bi weekly, I wash my hair. I currently wash my hair with a mixture: 4/5 water and 1/5 baking soda. Rinse with warm water. Next, I condition with Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise for 15 minutes. Rinse again, and then deep condition with a plastic cap for 45 minutes (way over the time limit it says on the products's directions) using Elasta QP DPR 11. Then I apply my hair cream listed above. 
• Monthly, I was (notice I said was) using Jamila henna purchased from my local Indian market, but I have gotten lazy over the course of this semester. Plus, henna can be quite time consuming and messy. In spite of these little setbacks and lazy moments, I have big plans to resume my henna regimen at least quarterly (once every three months).

That is my hair regimen in a nut shell! It is continuously changing as I figure out things that work better for me. If there are any questions regarding my hair regimen, please feel free to ask in the comment's section. 

Also, feel free to share your hair regimen or some products/practices that work great for you!