Tie it Up!
June 30
I understand that everyone gets busy and sometimes forgets to do their hair at night. But, if you leave it out, your hair can become dry and sometimes break easily. I three different hairstyles I use to tie up my hair. So, let's get to it!
Bantu Knots
Out of all the styles, this is the most time consuming. However, if you want your curls to be bouncy and semi-tight, this is the style for you. I made a video a while back about how I do my bantu knots. Go to YouTube and search The Natural Queen for more info!
Two-Strand
Twist
This style is less time consuming than bantu knots but more than corn rows (in my opinion). Whenever I do two-strand twists, I use small perm rods to roll it and give it more curl. If you are looking for a curl that falls more and isn't as tight, this is for you.
Corn Rows
Cornrows might be my favorite style to tie up my hair. This is because it is quick, most times, and it still gives my hair curls. They aren't as bouncy as bantu knots and they don't fall like the twists. Corn row curls are good if you want to wear your hair in an afro.
Summer Hair Update
May 19
Last time on Natural Hair I was caught between what kind of hair style I wanted to wear this summer. Well I chose! I got box braids that come slightly above my mid-back. This is a different length than I am accustomed to. But they are still cute! Shout-out to Alicia for doing a great job on my hair.
My Summer Hair Plans
April 19
Over the past few months, I have been wearing my hair out. I've done bantu knots and flat twists since January. But this summer, I want to give my hair a break. I wore box breads for about two months and they came out really nice. I have been thinking two different options:
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1. Box braids. I'm in between long braids and shoulder length. They both are pretty, but I can't decide which one will look and feel the best during the summer. Long braids are probably my favorite. But, short braids are better in hot weather.
2. Sew-in. I've heard good things about sew-ins. And from what I've seen, they look good. I'm still researching, but I know one thing is for sure: they are expensive. This might be put off until school starts again or at the end of the summer.
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I want to give my hair time to rest and grow. I also need a break from putting in bantu knots every night (they are no joke and take forever!).
What are your summer hair plans? Let me know!
April 5
I hope you all enjoy the video! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel: The Natural Queen.
Be Uniquely You!
What Not To Do: Compare
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Before you try to argue, I know that each and every one of you have compared your hair to someone else’s. I’m guilty too. Below I have a few reasons why you shouldn’t compare your hair to others.
1. They might have started their natural journey before you did. While you were still perming your hair, they had already started their journey to hair growth. Think of it this way, does it really make sense to compare your hair to a girl who has had her hair natural for 10 years?
2. Genetics. Some people are simply born with long or curly hair. It’s nothing to be jealous of. Your hair can grow too, it takes time.
3. They might be wearing a wig or weave. I can almost always tell when someone is wearing a weave. The crazy thing is, it always looks like their natural hair. So, before you get upset about someone having perfect hair, figure out if it is their natural hair or not. With that being said, do not yank people’s hair to check.
4. Your hair is beautiful! You have decided to go on your own journey to hair growth and health. Don’t let someone else make you feel bad about your hair. As I have said before, all hair is beautiful. Comparing is not productive to your journey. Let your hair grow at its own rate. The more you compare, the more frustrated you will be with your hair.
March 22
My Dry Hair Wash Day Products
March 8
Hi guys! So, I washed my hair yesterday. Let me tell you, it was so dry and unmanageable. On days like yesterday, I use these products to bring moisture back into my hair. Without any further delay, let's move on to the slides!
What do you guys think? It's my first video, so be nice. Should I upload more videos? And what kind of videos do you want to see? I promise the next one will be better (sorry for the background noise!). Stay Uniquely You!!
Natural Hair in The Work place
February 8
Straight hair is just as beautiful as natural hair. However, I've seen and heard of this unofficial rule that we should straighten our hair when going to an interview, important meeting, or work. As a proud woman who loves to flaunt her natural hair, I don't like the idea of someone telling me how to wear my hair. Why should I hide the hair I was born with?
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I've seen a few memes on Pinterest about going to a job interview with straight hair and showing up to work with a big afro. In other words, secure the job and then let the fro go. It is pretty clever, but I still don't like the idea of presenting myself in a way that I don't usually present myself. I want my employer to see the real me, not a person who can put on an act easily. When I interviewed at Old Navy, I wore my hair in its usual puff. I let my personality do the talking for me, literally. And guess what, I got the job. I don't believe that we should be subjected to conform to standards set decades ago. Why not make our own rules and be proud of our roots?
The natural hair movement is so beautiful. Together, we are teaching young girls to love the way they look. Having a job does not mean you have to straighten your hair everyday. We don't want to get any heat damage! So, put down the hot comb, blow dryer, and iron. Here are some styles that can help you stay natural and slay your job interview or work room everyday!
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A. Puffs~ You really can't go wrong here. A simple puff with your edges layed will look classy no matter what.
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B. Braids~ Now you might be giving me the side eye, but don't. If you just got braids put in and want to look professional, pull the braids closest to your face back and tie it. Never have hair in your face at an interview, you'll look messy.
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C. Twist out~ Simple enough, a twist out allows you to wear your hair down without using an iron. You can also add a headband or scarf.
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D. And lastly, depending on the company: Turban/Wrap~ I absolutely love turbans. The focus is not on the hair at all. Instead you can wear a classy outfit such as a suit or dress pants with a nice blouse.
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Never change who you are and what you love to meet the standards of someone else. Find a place of employment that accepts every part of you, hair and all!
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~TNQ
Why won't my hair grow?!
January 25
Don't judge me, but for some reason I thought that going natural meant I would have long, flowing hair after a year. I became so frustrated with my hair's resistance to grow like some of the YouTubers I saw. I assumed that anyone who stopped getting relaxers would see a drastic change. Eventually, I got so fed up that I considered doing the big chop. In that moment, I also thought that cutting off all the dried, relaxed hair would promote hair growth. Everyone has to decide what works for them. Cutting off the permed hair bit by bit can work, that's what worked for me. So you ask how can you grow your hair?
For starters, eat healthy and exercise. Taking care of your body by eating fruits & vegetables, and drinking water will give your hair the necessary vitamins it needs. Also, I massage my scalp which helps blood flow to the head and stimulates hair growth. In my routine, I massage for no more than ten minutes. I sometimes add oil while massaging to avoid friction, but it is not always necessary, just make sure you use a gentle touch. I do this once a week. Your hair might not be growing because of a lack of sleep or excessive stress. Try to get at least 7 hours of rest per night. The last tip for growing out your hair is wearing protective styles. Wearing puffs or braids can give your hair a rest from heat and other possible damaging techniques.
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Remember, before you turn to YouTube, realize that everyone's hair is different and unique. Just because someone else's hair grows very long or very fast, doesn't mean yours will as well. Be patient with your hair and focus on the progress instead of the length. Trying these tips won't make your hair grow 8 inches overnight. But these tips are ways to promote growth, which might take some time. Remember, the important thing is healthy hair, and all healthy hair is beautiful!
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What kinds of techniques/ remedies did you use to make your hair grow? Let me know in the comments!
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~ The Natural Queen
My Story: Perming, transitioning, & Becoming Natural January 11
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Let’s start from the very beginning. As a little kid, I wore my hair natural. My mom would style it with twists and up-dos. My hair was, and still is, very thick (4c). After a while, my mom decided to let me and my sister get a perm. We went to the salon for years to get “silky” hair. While I didn’t like the burning that the perm gave, I loved the turnout. In 2012, I realized that my hair was shorter than it had ever been and it didn’t look healthy or cute when it was straightened. I remember going to a salon to have a consultation about going natural. The hair dresser, who also styled natural hair, tried to convince me to stick to relaxed hair. She told me that it is a long process, which is slightly debatable depending on the person. She, overall, wasn’t helpful or supportive. Despite her lack of encouragement, I made the decision to transition into becoming natural.
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I will say that the first few months were difficult. My hair was not used to fending for itself. It was very dry and itchy. I found it very hard to figure out what styles would look good on me. I was forced to wear my hair out and up in “ponytails”. Both styles looked bad. I struggled with being confident in my process. I saw girls wearing their hair straight and I felt out of place. My hair was nappy and hard to manage. At one point, I wanted to give up. But, I reminded myself that the chemicals in relaxers was damaging my hair. So, I sucked up my insecurities and learned how to look good with my natural hair. I watched numerous YouTube videos and became frustrated with my hair’s resistance to do what other people’s hair was doing. I compared my hair to theirs and wished that I had long curly hair. Becoming confident in my hair was, and in some ways still is, a constant battle.
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There are so many things I know now, that I wish I had known when I first decided to transition. I had so many questions that I had to figure out the answers to. But, I can honestly say that going natural was a great decision. Being natural allows me to try different hairstyles and experiment on what looks good on me. Becoming natural made me see how bad perming my hair really was. Think about it, to get silky straight hair, you have to let chemicals sit on your scalp for a certain amount of time. It doesn’t really seem right, right?
The natural hair movement is taking full force. So many women and girls are embracing their natural roots. I believe that natural hair is beautiful. It doesn’t matter how long or short it is or how curly or kinky. We are becoming self-aware about our looks and we’re seeing that different isn’t bad. Going natural doesn't limit you to one look or style. It actually is the complete opposite. With natural hair, you can still straighten it or wear it curly. There are so many different techniques that you can use and look great. On my blog, I will cover various looks, techniques, and questions you want to learn more about.
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What's your natural story? Are you in the process of transitioning? Let me know! I'd love to hear all of your stories in the comments.
Remember, be confident in your look! ~ The Natural Queen
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This picture was a month after I went natural. My hair was very short and dry. But at least the view is great!
2012
Oh boy. I remember my hair being so brittle and unmanageable that day; which happened to be my birthday. Yikes
After two years of being natural, I straightened my hair. It was still short but much healthier than before.
2014
Easter Sunday. For a year of being natural, my hair grew quite a bit. The curls have some definition and my hair overall looks healthier than the previous year.
2013
2016
Above: I had box braids in for my senior pictures and prom. It was a nice break from doing bantu knots every night. Plus they were cute.
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Right: I went as Cher from Clueless for Halloween. My hair was healthier than it has ever been. And the growth since 2012 is very evident in this picture.
December 14, 2016
The Youtube Challenge
Have you ever become frustrated with you hair? Of course you have! you were five minutes away from cutting all your hair off when you decided to search for inspiration on Youtube. For some reason, you chose to take notes from the girl with 3a hair when you have 4c. But hair is hair, right? It should look a little similar. Turns out the next morning you realized that your hair did not look anything like that Youtuber! It's just like a failed Pinterest attempt. While it is good to get inspiration from natural hair Youtubers, you also have to be realistic. I learned for myself that watching Youtubers with thinner hair will not help me. So, for those of you who still do not know who in the world to watch for your specific hair type, I will give you a list based on hair texture. Without further ado, here are the best Youtubers for all kinds of textures.
3a/b: Glamtwinz334, jordeecakes jay, Sayria Jade, SunKissAlba
3c: Luhhsettyxo (mainly makeup but she still has good hair videos), Mariah RaQuel, YoursNaturally11
4a: JudithsNaturalhair, Smartistabeauty
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4b/4c: Chizi Duru, Naptural85,TheChicNatural, Yolanda Renee
So what are you waiting for? Look up these Youtubers and get inspired. Remember: Be uniquely you!
-The Natural Queen
P.s- Click the button to the side to see a Youtube playlist of the channels listed above
December 28
Box Braids : Length, styling, and care
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Box braids can be a great breather for your hair during the winter or in the summer. We have all seen the cute pictures of girls on the beach with their long braids. I can even say that I envied them. I would be struggling to do something with my hair while looking at their beautiful locks. Now all hair is beautiful. However, sometimes we all need a break. Breaks from the wash day that will take an entire day. Breaks from combing through thick hair. Even breaks from twisting your hair at night. With that being said, box braids are a nice option to those who are fed up with their hair. Some initial thoughts before getting box braids:
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1. You will be in the salon anywhere between 4-8 hours
2. They vary in how long they will last. It can be between 4 weeks to 3 months
3. Drying box braids after washing will take a while
4. Even though they are already done, you still have to take care of them
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Length is a important factor to figure out. I have had lengths at both my shoulders and my mid back. The shoulder length is a cute and sophisticated looking bob. You can do a lot of things with this length without having headaches. The back length is the more popular choice. It is more versatile than the shoulder length. However, the more hair, the heavier it will be. The longer length will also mean a long time sitting in the salon. My shoulder length took about 4 hours while the back length took about 7 hours. Both lengths are very chic and will look great!
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Styling box braids might seem pointless as they are a style in themselves. But being creative with your hair will make you stand out. Here are a few styles that you can slay any day.
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1. Ponytail- Yes this is very basic. But you can never go wrong with a classic pony
2. High Bun- You've seen them all over Pinterest, you know you love them
3. "Pretzel braid"- So why braid braids? It will look very classy and sophisticated.
4. Pin some hair back, leave the rest out
5. Half up, Half down- you can do a bun or a pony
6. Space Buns- a cute, modern, unique way to style your braids
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Care of box braids is essential. Wash your scalp regularly, you still have your hair underneath those braids. Grease your hair every week, and massage your scalp. Wrap your hair at night and sleep on a satin pillow. If you see that your braids are slipping or your hair is breaking off, don't try to hold it out; take the braids out. This can damage your hair and no on wants that. Make sure to talk to your stylist and ask any questions that you may have before and after your appointment.
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Good luck with your BEAUTIFUL braids. Send Pictures of your locks to thedanib22@Gmail.com.
Remember, be uniquely you!
- The Natural Queen
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Pictures via Pinterest
Protective Styles Part 1: Buns and Ponytails
December 14, 2016
Even though we all love our curls and twists flowing in the wind (or staying put for my short to medium length sistas), sometimes our hair needs a break. When we think of protective styles, most of us will automatically think of weaves and wigs. But before you start to rant on how you don't want to sit in a chair for 8 hours getting micro-braids put in, I have an easier alternative for you. Slap your hair up in a ponytail/puff or bun!
Not only does this keep hair out of your face, but it also prevents the wind from damaging it. For some of you (like me), putting your hair in a bun is almost impossible. Likewise, trying to put a ponytail on the back of your head doesn' t really work out. But this is where the puff comes in. Puffs are very easy just like buns and ponytails. Puffs, ponytails, and buns only take 3 simple steps:
1.Decide how high you want your puff, ponytail, or bun to be
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2. Push a headband or ponytail holder to that desired spot
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3. Lay your edges down with a gel or edge cream, and tie down with a scarf (optional)
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4. (optional) For puffs and possible ponytails, fluff to your desire
November 30, 2016
I don't know how many times people have come up to me and asked if I cut my hair. No, I did not cut my hair and no I was not wearing a wig or weave when it looked longer. Us naturals have a special gift: shrinkage. Now it might not seem like a gift but trust me it is. You can decide whether you want to wear your hair shorter or longer after a wash-and-go or after you slept on your hair without wrapping it the previous night (which is a natural hair no-no). After washing your hair, you will be able to see major shrinkage, which allows you to see your curl pattern clearer. Styling shrunken hair when you are on the go can be a little difficult or leave you with naps on the end of your curls, but with these quick and easy tips you can rock your shrinkage any day!
1. Wash hair with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
2. Dry your hair with a large t-shirt. It prevents static and maintains curls
3. finger curl your hair so the curls come out even curlier than they naturally are
4. while finger curling, add little amounts of gel so the curls will be tight. Do not put a lot of gel as your hair will get flakey
5. If you have a paddle brush, gently use the brush to add more curls
6. Let your hair air dry.