How To Grow Natural Long Hair pt.2

Deep Condition
Natural hair that is afro-centric, super curly, or a mixture of the two can be very dry. The natural oils that are produced by your body can't reach the whole strand because of the kinks and curls in the hair. Likewise, kinky and curly hair people don't produce a lot of oil like those who have a naturally straighter texture. To maintain your hair's length and have nourished, moisturized hair you need to deep condition once every 1-2 weeks. Deep conditioners can be made or bought, depending on your preferences.

Moisturize
To moisturize means to add or restore moisture (water). So misting your hair every other day and sealing with an oil is beneficial if you keep your hair in it's natural state. The moisturizing process will help to keep hair softer and less crunchy. However if you apply heat to your hair (blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron) you may just want to apply a little bit of oil to your ends and rely on the deep conditioners. Applying oil to your ends is not moisturizing but it will help protect your hair from harsh elements that cause breakage.

Apply Less Heat
Natural hair is very fragile, so applying heat to the hair too much can cause the hair to break off, be super dry, or have heat damage (which makes you loose your natural hair texture). If you must apply heat to your hair do it at least once every month, but on the lowest of lowest heat settings to ensure your protecting your hair!

Have A Healty Diet
When growing long hair there is more you have to do than just ensure the health of your hair; you also need to protect your body. Healthy hair is a result of healthy blood. That is why stress (high blood pressure) and other ailments that involve blood levels result in hair loss. A poor diet and lack of exercise could also be the cause of hair loss as well. The vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables are beneficial to our bodies and help with healthy blood. Vitamins and minerals can be consumed by pills but you still need to incorporate the fruits and veggies. Like wise working out is good for the heart, lungs, your brain (where the blood flows to create hair!), and other organs. If your not a big workout person try a small workout like jogging for five minutes or doing squats in between comercials  when your watching tv to get your blood flowing! :D

Thanx for reading this post, hopefully you enjoyed!
xoxo Natural Teen Beauty

Missed part 1? --->>> Look at part one here!

How To Grow Long Natural Hair pt.1

Growing up as a little girl I used to imagine that I had long hair. I would tie a blanket around my head and let it hang like I was Rapunzel. Ah, the good times. It wasn't until 2010 that I started making that a reality and really trying to reach that below-waist hair length goal. Already my hair has grown more than 5in. Below I have some tips on how I achieved and maintained growth. check it out!

Manipulate Hair Less
A lot of the breakage we receive from our hair results from how much we play in it. Combing and restyling every day results in your hair breaking, making it shorter and not able to show length. To maintain length, style your hair less by using Protective Styling. Protective styles are hairstyles that last for a week or more, and allow you to leave your hair alone for long periods of time. Protective styles would include braids, twists, cornrows, wigs, and even weaves! (Weaves need to be done correctly, do your research! having a bad weave can result to bald spots!

Detangle Hair Gently
Raking and forcing a comb, or a brush, through your hair can take a serious toll on your fragile strands. The results are far worse than manipulating your hair too much.  Rough housing your hair while detangling can pull the hair out of the follicle and make it appear like your hair didn't grow. To protect those precious strands take your time and detangle your hair gently. Put your hair in sections, then moisten and apply conditioner to the hair to make detangling easier. Use wide tooth combs and paddle brushes for easy gliding through your hair. Never use bristle brushes to detangle, bristle brushes are just like chocolate, you have to have it sparingly. Bristle brushes are best used when touching up edges, but use with caution. Overuse can lead to thin edges!

Protect Ends
Because your ends are the farthest from the scalp, they receive less nutrition and natural oil from the scalp. The ends also get abused from rubbing against clothing and exposure to the outdoor and indoor elements (like the sun or the air conditioning). Dry ends lead to split ends, which can run all the way up your hair strand, splitting the hair and causing it to break because of fragility. Protect your ends by putting your hair in styles that leave the ends tucked in like a bun. But if you're like me and you like to flaunt your hair, try putting a little olive or coconut oil on your ends every day to help against split and dry ends.


Click here for part two!

Manic Panic Hot Hot Pink on Natural Hair

I created this video to show people that it's possible to get color without bleaching. I also wanted to show how to achieve this color with your natural hair. However, I did pre-lighten with household (hydrogen) peroxide months ago to achieve a brown color prior to coloring my hair. Check out the vid and try it out with Hot Hot Pink or maybe some of  Manic Panic's other fun colors!

xoxo
Natural Teen Beauty

Congratulations Class of 2012!!

 There's no greater feeling than knowing that you've made it, that you've succeeded, that you've finished school, and you're on your way to graduating. For some it's high school, for others it's college. Nonetheless we all share the same urge of excitement for completing the levels of education that some students couldn't reach.
   We spent hours studying our hearts out. We poured our blood sweat and tears into reading. Heck, we even nearly broke our hands and wrists writing papers and essays. And after all our years spent contributing our hard work, persistence, and patience, we finally get celebrated for our accomplishments.
   With that said, I want to congratulate myself and all the other students graduating in the year of 2012!! Stay sane, stay bless, and may God bless you with prosperity!!

XOXO-NaturalTeenBeauty

Beyonce Knowles with Natural Hair

A short video I made capturing the beautiful Beyonce Knowles embracing her natural hair's curls and kinks. Please watch, comment, rate, and stay blessed! XOXO- NatruralTeenBeauty

How To Do A Top Knot Bun On Mini Twist!

Natural Way To Remove Hair Color

Okay, so your hair color is fading and looks far beyond sexy. You're looking in the mirror disappointed at your once vibrant color that turned ashy and down right ugly. You tried shampooing a million times  but it would not wash out! What should you do?
 Well, the best way to remove your hair color is to first try a natural treatment, because a natural treatment is the least damaging to your hair. However if this natural hair color removing treatment does not work for you, you can try some chemical-based products from a local beauty supply store (ask for assistance). If those options don't work out you may need to talk to a professional.

(DISCLAIMER--- I'm am not a licensed cosmetologist or professional in the field of coloring hair; however I used this treatment to remove my hair color and it did wonders!)

What you need:
- 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of Baking Soda
-  3 tbsp Honey
-  4 tbsp Olive
-  1 1/2 of Conditioner
- blow dryer
- shower cap
- dark towel

Preparations for hair
1) make sure  hair is detangled and moistened
2) separate hair into 4 sections
3) make sure hair is dirty (the baking soda in this treatment well cleanse the hair and scalp)
4) if hair is already washed wait a couple of days before trying this

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, making sure to mix baking soda in completely (don't let it settle on the bottom). Put the mixture on hair, going section by section. If hair is dirty massage the mixture on the scalp for bonus cleaning. Once all hair is coated, place shower cap on and blast the blow dryer on the shower cap for 30mins. Afterwards, rinse hair with warm water. Towel dry hair with the dark towel and your done!
* Baking soda helps open the pores on the hair shaft to aid in the color bleeding out so color still may come out while drying*

Baking Soda Treatment Recipe and Review!! [2012]

       I luv, luv, luv, my kinkies, but sometimes they get on my last nerves. Especially when I'm trying to comb them out or rock a wash and go. My kinks can just be so aggressive and disobedient when it comes to holding in moisture, and shrivel up like a raisin in the hot summer sun (a little poetry there =D). Luckily I found a solution to my shriveled, dry-hair problem, and use it once in a while to hydrate my curls. That solution is baking soda!

 Baking soda helps pull moisture back into the hair shaft making your curls pop and easier to manage. This treatment can also be used as a deep cleansing treatment when your hair starts to get sticky and clogged up. Follow this treatment with a Vinegar wash to close the hair shaft back up and lock in the moisture.

The Recipe:

 1/4 cup of Baking Soda
 1 1/2 cups of Conditioner (like VO5 or Suave)
 2 tablespoons of Honey (optional)
 A bowl to mix in
 A spoon to mix with
 A shower cap ( or plastic bag lol)
 Heated towel or Hooded dryer
 Deep Conditioner (mayo or coconut oil will do the trick too!)

Instructions
    Mix baking soda, conditioner, and honey in the bowl, making sure to stir the baking soda in well. The mixture will feel slightly grainy, but that's okay. Next, wet your hair a little bit so that the mixture will glide on smoothly. After hair is moistened put the mixture on hair in sections making sure to get every piece of hair. Next put your hair in a shower cap ( or plastic bag) and wrap a heated towel on your head (or sit under a hooded dryer). Leave the mixture in for 1-3 hours (for maximum results leave in fir 4-6 hours!). After time is up rinse thoroughly with warm water and put your deep conditioner in for 45mins- 1 hour. Follow up with a Vinegar rinse and your done!

Tips:

Do Not do this on a day that you have plans on, that is unless you want to walk around with baking soda on your hair lol!
Don't saturate hair to much with water or else the mixture will drip on your face, neck, and back; this can cause skin to get irritated
Don't wash hair before this treatment, it can cause hair to be too clean and brittle
Try not to fall asleep with the mixture on, it can cause your scalp to become irritated

CLICK HERE FOR MY REVIEW ON THIS TREATMENT AND PICTURE!

Rihanna Inspired Spring/ Summer 2012 Outfit (Forever21)

The dredful winter season is almost over and stores all over the US are pulling out the warm weather gear. But what to wear? How a bout this classy out and about outfit that can even be warn now in the freezing cold (as long as you have a cute warm jacket that will go along with the out fit). The classic, flowy white dress shirt gives you a sweet relax look while the faded dark wash skinnies give you a sexy flare. The nude shoes, gold jewelry, and black quilted handbag gives the outfit that dressed-up look without trying to hard. This ensemble could be worn on a date, or a trip to the mall with your girls if you omit the heels and replace with flats.
                                             

This is my outfit inspired by Rihanna's:

Of course, the outfit is not exactly like the one Rihanna is wearing. I choose dark wash jeans , floral pumps, and a nice blue to give the outfit a more spring feel. Also the colors go well with the gold and black jewelry, and the flower ring. And Instead of a white top I choose this lovely cream one to go along with the floral shoes and gold Jewelry.
Note: I do not own the rights to these pictures, these are property of Forever21.com

               Items and Prices (USD):
A.    Embroudered Scallop Top $17.80
B.   Curvy Fit Jeans  $10.80
C.    Pyramid Twist Shoulder Bag   $16.80
D.   Sequin Floral Heels   $27.80
E.    Knotted Feather Necklace  $6.80
F.    Art Deco Earrings    $6.80
G.   Asymmetrical Cut Off    $6.80
H.   Embellished Rosette Ring  $3.80

Total outfit price: $97.40 (before tax)

Natural Hair Inspiration for Teens--Solange Knowles

Sometimes when i wake up with hair like a crazed lioness and look in the mirror i regret keeping my natural hair. Some days i just want to cut it. Other days, I wish i could burn it to high heaven so that it could be straight and manageable. But then I think of how some people with straight hair long for my curly-kinks, and how girls who don there beyonce-curls-weave wish their hair, under their extensions, was just like mine. But it isn't always that easy and sometimes I draw my inspiration and encouragement from other Naturals and celebs with natural hair too. This time I choose Solange Knowles, the famous singer Beyonce's little sister.
 When she first went natural and had her cute little fro (TWA) every paparazzi and online blogs hated on her natural hair calling it "ugly" or saying "she now looks funny." I know for me I had ultra respect and love for her. Especially since she didn't care what anybody had to say and rocked her natural hair, always keeping it fierce! Now her hair is a lot longer and even more beautiful then it was, and I know a lot of people still hatin on her lol.
Nonetheless for all you natural teens out there, know that there is always inspiration to keep those sexy natural locks and don them with pride!!

Conditioner Only Method "Doodles" REVIEW

Because it's a new year I want to try different things with my hair. A couple of weeks ago I was searching on the web for something new to do for my hair.  I found a site, tightlycurly.com, and Teri LaFlesh (the owner of the site) shares her method for defining your curls with conditioner . First I want to just say that it really works!! My hair was soft and manageable, and i got compliments all day every day. Somebody even said it looked like weave!! (I thought that was funny)
However I couldn't smooth down my curls like she did because I have like a 3c-4b type hair pattern and my hair just would not curl up like hers. But I did try the doodles, and my hair came out wonderfully.

My doodles looked even better when I braided my hair at night ( 2 braids for each four sections of my hair). I will definently try doodles again!!! Thanx Ms. Teri LaFlesh!!

BIG BOUNCY CURLS-- Natural hairstyles for Teens

YAY! 2012 is here and were still alive!!lol now that I got that out lets talk about hair shall we?
Well it's a new year which means more new clothes and shoes, maybe even some gadgets; but what about your hair? If your going natural or you are natural, you wanna rock hairstyles that show your personailty and uniquness. That is hard to do especially since natural hair can be hard to style, but never fear Natural Teen Beauty is here!! (lol corny much?) Down below is a relatively easy hair style that you can use to mix it up!

BIG BOUNCY CURLS

What you wil need:
--Shamppo and Conditioner (to wash and condish hair un less you've already done that)
--detangling comb
--detangling brush
--olive or coconut oil
--pony tail holders

Directions:
--1. Shampoo and condition your hair. (tip: for good results shampoo your scalp only!! the suds from the shampoo will run down your hair. Then use some conditioner to wash your hair, not scalp!! This helps keep hair soft and moisturized while being clean)
--2. Part hair into four sections (2 in front 2 in back), put the four sections up with pony tail holders. Take on section down and apply a lot of conditioner ( a palm full depending on how long your hair is) on hair and detangle gently. First use a comb the gently go over hair again with a detangling brush.
--3. Rinse hair and apply your oil (olive or coconut) to hair, don't over saturate though.
--4. For each section do 4-6 braids (braid tightly for best results) and let air dry or sit under hooded dryer until dry.
--5. When hair is dry take the braids down (rub oil on hands before you take them down forless frizz)
and seperate each curl (or strand of braids ie. of each three pieces of hair) and BAM you have your hairstyle.

TIPS:
---Second day hair will look best if you braid hair at night.--> part hair into same four sections with your fingers and braid to big braids in each section. As your doing this, slight wet your hands and rub it on your hair so the curls can stay in place.

---Put olive oil on hair every other day to keep hair shiny, just dont put to much or your hair will be too greasy lol!!

---Also make sure you tye down hair with a SATIN scarf or bonnet to keep hair moisturized!