IT'S A HEALTH AND HAIR AFFAIR

Hey Curlies!

Today we are going to focus on something that's very important- health! Health might not be exciting to read about but it's not really supposed to be since it is such a serious matter. My entire blog is about natural hair care but today I am introducing my classmate Shanice Augustine who is focusing on Health to you guys, so be nice! lol

We decided to do this collaboration because we understand how our health affects our bodies inside and out and we wanted to show you guys how having a healthy lifestyle and choosing the more organic products can benefit you and your natural hair. 

I learned a lot from her and I think you can too! So check out the video here. 

THANK YOU KCBC GIRLS!

I am taking time to say a special thank you to these natural ladies for helping me with this assignment. They were so willing, patient and fun to be around!!  We may have nothing in common but our roots keeps us together. Thank you ladies 

Left to right (official kcbc girls):
Kember Arrindell
Kashia Beckles
Roshea'-lee Andrews
Jamila Annisette (myself)
Chrisle Pujadas
Jo-marie Henry
Malika Murray

All About Bantu

Today, many people are talking about wearing a Bantu Knots as a style for naturalistas. But today I am going to share some of the origins of Bantu Knots that most people are maybe unaware of. 

Jo Marie: An official KCBC model

Bantu knots is a hairstyle used for maintenance by many woman and girls in Africa and the Caribbean. However, it appears to me that not may people knew or were interested in the hairstyle until the 20th century natural hair movement. Now personally, I have knows about Bantu knots all my life but I never liked the idea of these little balls on my head. I think only because of this strong natural hair movement filled with cheerleaders and persons who are focused on ensuring that you accept your natural hair, that I began wearing my Bantu knots out.

 "Bantu knots also known as Zulu knots are created when the hair is sectioned off and twisted into knots. The shapes of the sections depend on how the hair is parted, and can easily be made into diamond, triangle or square shapes, but the possibilities are endless. This hairstyle can be worn on any hair type and any hair length, although it is popular among people of African descent.”
-snip-

The word Bantu was first used by Wilhelm Bleek (1827-1875). Bleek was a linguist born in Germany.  His dad was a professor of Theology at Berlin University and Bonn University. Bleek graduated from the University of Bonn in 1851 with a doctorate in linguistic. He studied Hebrew before falling in love with African languages. He moved and lived in South Africa and spent most of his life there researching and investigating the languages. It’s in Cape Town that he met his wife Jemina Llyod.  His wife did with him much of his researches and continued alone after his death. He actually died in South Africa and was buried in Cape Town.  See!!! Now you know about the man who was the first to use the word BANTU!

Now I know you guys get bored of the history and stuff... lol... So I will just leave you with some names that Bantu knots are also known by. 


Janx - Trinidad

Pepperseed - Trinidad 

Cork Screws - Barbados

DoDo - Nigeria

Nubian Knots - United States

Zulu Knots - South Africa

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed and you learned something! 

"BEAUTY IS NOT IN THE FACE; BUT IN THE LIGHT OF THE HEART"

How I achieved my Birthday Hair!

I am not a fan of change or trying new things. I buy what I know and I hardly ever experiment with food, especially if my money spend! lol I carried this bad habit throughout life and if became a drag! I needed some color to the grey life! So now I try new foods, new drinks, go to new places, meet new people and try new hairstyles!! 

So I am keeping my promise of writing a blog on how I achieved this look! This is called crochet braiding.  

Things you would need:

Noir Afro Twist Braid

Crochet Needle

Cup of hot water

Step 1: Cornrow entire hair going from front to back. 

Step 2: Split each Afro Twist Strand in 2

Step 3: Using the crochet needle, you lock the hair inside the needle and push it through your cornrow. 

Step 4: When the braid goes through your cornrow, it's going to look like a show lace that's folded in half. When you are at the point, you take the loose ends and put it through the looped part and pull it tightly, creating a knot. 

Step 5: I create a double knot by looping it back through  before tightening (this is optional) Then you proceed to comb through the braid. ( It is easier to handle when you comb through it because it behaves like natural hair)

Step 6: After I complete the surface, I proceeded to wrap portions of the hair around my finger and form a knot.

Step 7: I dipped the knot into a cup of extremely hot water. (Please ensure to keep a towel close by to protect your back and ear)

Step 8: Unknot braid when it is completely dried and you will get your lovely dropped curl. Many people use the curling rods but I find the finger knot to be just as effective and less costly. 

Feel free to message and ask any questions Curlies!

Look at the tutorial I used here.

PROTECT AND STYLE

What is a Protective Style?

A protective style is any coiffure configuration that keeps your ends safely tucked away. These hairdos require very little daily upkeep and help strands stay moisturized

This was my protective style in the form of crochet braids

Cnnstant washing, combing and detangling weakens your hair. Therefore it is possible to experience hair fall whenever you touch it because of this. 

Braids can be used as a form as protective style.. Braids can be used in many ways. I achieved the look in the picture above by using braids. You can use braids to cornrow on your scalp or you can have them fall loosely as plaits. The both styles are effective and hides your ends from potentially harmful effects of regular styling.  

Popular types of braids

• Box
• Cornrow
• Two strand
• Three strand
• Ghana
• Fishtail
• Micro
• French
• Dutch
• Waterfall
• Milkmaid
• Bubble

Other ways to Protect your hair using these styles are by using wigs (I never used a wig before :O), twists and updos.

 PS I took out my protective style after one day... I'm not sure why. I think I just was not accustomed to seeing so much hair on my face LOL.... But I'm sure it'll suit you. 

STAY BEAUTIFUL CURLIES!

 

Sponge Twist for Naturals (Males and Females)

My Sponge Twist

Hey guys! Sorry I've been away for a bit! The semester is taking a tool on me! Nevertheless, time to get back to business. So have you ever experienced seeing someone way younger than you getting to do something so amazing that you wish you could have done as a child? For example, when the past government gave laptops to the form one students and you're like, "The government didn't even provide all the text books when I was in school!!"..... Yeah, I'm having this dilemma currently.

My mother who is currently at her TWA (teenie weenie afro) stage is using a twist sponge. The thing about the twist sponge is that it only works really well with TWA's, in my opinion. There are supposedly Twist sponges for long hair but I do not see how it makes too much sense. When I was at the TWA stage, I had to take the palms of my hands and rub my hair in circles to achieve that fine twist look. But now, there's a sponge!! Just my luck! 

So it is basically a piece of sponge with strategically placed holes on the surface. The use of the sponge is to create many neat little twist throughout your hair in a very short span of time. I wish I had this back then because I used to sit with my rat-tailed comb and the mirror and twist my hair for about an hour. But this look is achievable in under five minutes. 

Below is a video you can look to see how the process goes.... Yes curlies, the guys are involved this time, so you better get on board as well!

  You can order your Magic Twist here.