Hair, Hair, Hair! I'm all about the hair! It's one of the single most defining attributes of my life. Once I went natural, everything changed for me. I've been on this journey since 2007. Of course there have been some bumps in the road and the trip has been a trip (at times). *side eye* 

So yes, this natural hair journey has been laced with successes, failures and an entire spectrum in between the extremes. One thing to always remember is everything we learn as we experience life.

Last time, I wrote about some ways to keep your tresses moisturized. Today, I'm writing about some of the best oils I've tried on my 3c/4a hair. 

1. Almond Oil 
Almond Oil is by far, my favorite. It's light weight, seals in moisture perfectly and helps maintain shine while keeping the hair soft. I use it on wash day, after my leave in conditioner is applied. It helps lock in the proper moisture level and I've found, that since I've started using it, I don't have to fight with dry strands until it's about time to wash again (around day 4 or 5 usually).

Added benefits of using Almond Oil is that it contains many essential vitamins for hair to grow and thrive (vitamins A, B, D, E, protein, amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium, and folic acid). Because of it's light weight, it absorbs easily into the hair follicle and helps to combat dryness from the inside out. It's also great for maintaining scalp health and works as an excellent deep conditioner and natural SPF for tresses.

Some ways to use it are adding it to your shampoo or conditioner, as and additive to a deep conditioning session (or hot oil treatment) or as a sealant (my favorite method) after a wash or steaming, 

2. Coconut Oil
Besides smelling wonderful, Coconut Oil is a great moisturizing aid for the hair. Black hair, with all it's kinks, curls, coils and frizz is prone to dryness and is often more porous than straighter textures. What this means is when water is applied to black hair, it can swell the cuticle beyond what is healthy, causing strands to split or crack. Here is where Coconut Oil comes in. Because it is so light weight and has a very small molecular structure, it is able to really penetrate into the cortex of the shaft, and bond with the protein structure of the hair. This helps protect the hair from additional shrinking and swelling during the wash cycle. 

I've used Coconut Oil as a pre-wash and my hair loves it this way. As a sealant, it has been effective for me too but I've found that it breaks down faster than Avocado Oil and I have to reapply my leave in conditioner or steam my hair and then reapply the Coconut Oil after about 2 days. For this reason, I prefer to use it as a pre-wash because it yields the best results when used as such. 

3. Jojoba Oil
Another light weight oil that strengthens hair from the inside out is Jojoba Oil. One of the best attributes of this oil is that it does not leave a residue in its wake. It is also rich in vitamin E and vitamin B, making it a great growth aid to add to your regimen. Its composition is also very close to the sebum the scalp produces (a natural oil the body manufactures), making it an excellent scalp and skin protectant and practically hypoallergenic for sensitive skin.

My favorite way to use Jojoba Oil is for scalp massages. I apply it with my fingertips and massage my scalp for a few minutes. Not only does it soften my roots, it helps to stimulate blood flow, which in turn, stimulates the hair follicles to grow faster. I've found it is a little too light weight to be used as a sealant on my wet hair but in a cocktail with other oils, it helps do the job nicely.

​As the seasons change, so do the needs of your hair. Not only do the colder months strip your tresses of much needed moisture, but winter accessories can be extremely disrespectful where moisture balance is concerned. Below are 3 ways to help your hair retain moisture throughout the changing seasons and more!

​1. You are what you eat... or in this case, drink! Water intake into your body means your hair will be healthier as well. For years, you've probably heard that you should drink 8 glasses of water every day. Well, not only does drinking lots of water help your hair maintain healthier moisture levels, but it helps in other ways too, such as weight loss, a healthy digestive tract and clearer skin. 

2. Protective Styling... specifically, keeping your ends tucked into a braid or bun. By preventing your hair from hanging loose, you are protecting those curls and coils from the elements. At night, pull your hair up into a pineapple to help maintain your style during waking hours. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase or in a satin bonnet will keep the wicking properties of cotton sheets from pulling additional moisture from your hair. In the same vein, wearing a satin lined hat, ear warmer or cowl when you go out into the cold will protect your hair from the damaging wool fibers of hair accessories.

3. LOCs ROCK! Incorporate the LOC method into your styling regimen. Deep conditioning with a good product at least twice a month will help restore moisture to thirsty tresses. But what happens once you've rinsed the conditioner out and your hair has completely dried? To combat the loss of moisture, try using the LOC method. The letters "LOC" mean Leave-in conditioner, Oil (such as avocado oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, etc.) and styling Cream. By layering these products on your hair while it is still wet, you can seal in moisture and help your hair stay healthy and grow long and beautiful. 

And there you have it. 3 simple ways to help keep the dryness at bay and maintain shiny, bouncy, curls, coils, kinks and strands! 

What are some methods you use to maintain healthy moisture levels in your hair? Leave a comment below and share some of your methods! ❤️

Everyone has dealt with it at one point or another. It's part of being innovative. It's part of being successful, no matter the venture. It's part of life. To what am I referring?

Shade.

Sometimes people don't like you. That's okay because many people don't even like themselves. Other's opinions of you is none of your business. What IS your business is how you handle YOURSELF! That's it! Don't sully your good name and energy to set the record straight or even waste time giving the haters a piece of your mind. They aren't worth it! And your time and energy are better spent building castles and kingdoms than chasing false back stories designed to trip others up. 

Remember, life is not about the people who act right toward you in your face; it's about the people who act right toward you behind your back. Those are the people worth your time and energy. Those are the people building kingdoms right alongside you.

You'll never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks! Keep your eye on your prize and in the midst of a shady grove, keep the sunshine of your smile bright. Some things are best said with an eye roll or a click of the ignore/block button. Your vibe is worth protecting. Keep it positive and keep it moving.