Happy Holidays!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Dear readers, I want to wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and having a read, I truly appreciate it. This post features a poem from my travel blog, written by me, I hope you enjoy. :)

https://travelsahoy.wordpress.com/ 

The year has come and tis nearly gone,

Tis been a year of discovery, a year of maturity, a year 365 day long,

Now comes the time to recap and behold all achievements both new and old

For this year’s journey leads us to a new venture on life’s road,

A new chapter begins in just a few days,

New adventures, meets, and experiences to possibly stand amazed,

Yet more wonderful experiences to grow and discover anew

And become one step closer to an even better you...

Happy Holidays and Prosperous New Year!

Safe travels and peace to all!

Pic Ref:

http://www.home.co.za/pdp/hanging-star-pine-cone-ornament-gold/_/A-154801AACI9

How to maintain your puffy-hair if you have ear piercings

I picked this topic because I too have mega hair, and I have decided this year to have some more piercings done in my ears. A major one I’ve been eyeing for the longest time is one called a “helix” piercing it’s essentially a cartilage piercing situated at the top of your ear and looks pretty badass J - in this post I hope to assist on how to take care of your ear piercings without chopping your hair off.

Getting the piercing

Whilst some people may resort to shaving some of their hair off on the side they’re wish to have their piercing done because this will minimize chances of hair getting into the new piercing. I initially decided when I went for my piercing earlier this year that I would go ahead and braid my hair so that I can manage it during the healing time.

I braid my own hair and usually it doesn’t last more than 2 weeks starts going frizzy as soon as a few days are past, however stays way neater for longer in braids as opposed to two-strand twists. In the picture that me and you can see my braided hair. As I do my own braids I never use fibre (maybe it would’ve lasted longer and stayed neater with fibre). This helped that my hair didn’t tangle around the earring which was a surgical steel barbell (essentially one of the best starter jewellery, next to bead closures).

Braiding

Braiding is a very good hairstyle to help keep your hair back from getting into your piercing. It is neat and pretty and low maintenance and can be done loose or in cornrows.

Twists

Twists is another good style for natural hair, you can go for chunky or thin twists and best of all it will help keep your hair back from being tangled in your new piercing.

Blowdrying your hair

I wouldn’t recommend blowdrying hair because when a piercing is new, the heat of the hairdryer tends to irritate a piercing even more, so if you can utilise braids or twists it may stay in for longer and thus no need to change hairstyles and no need to blowdry hair.

You can tie your hair up with a hairband if you do not wish to braid your hair. However, I recommend for the first week or two to make sure that you braid or twist your hair so that you do not need to redo your hair and risk hurting your new piercing. Use fibre to hold hair firmly in place for longer.

I look forward to hear from you and your natural hair journey.

Feel free to share your stories :) 

2 Of the best starter jewellery for new piercings

I have been interested in piercings and tattoos for a long time and have been doing some research over the past few years, a slow process, since I barely have time for lots of things. Whilst I took to finding out more before I ventured off and got some more piercings for my ears at this stage, I’ve learnt some valuable tips about cleaning it, avoiding infection and what jewellery is the best to wear as starter jewellery. Many people may have received (including me) their very first piercings at a local jewellery store or as in my case at a Discom (when those beauty-off-the counter supply retailers were still around). The only thing about having your ears pierced at a jewellery store is the fact that they use piercing guns which isn’t the most hygienic because it cannot be thoroughly cleaned from bacteria as needles can via an autoclave.

Bar bells or bead closures for starter jewellery?

Both bar bells and ball closure rings (captive bead ring) also abbreviated as “brc or cbr” are two of the most efficient jewellery to aid the healing process of new piercings.

Why are these surgical jewellery so much better to use than regular studs? Here are some characteristics that make ball closure rings and bell bars great:

Bar bells

·         Longer bar to allow  for swelling during the healing process

·         Longer bar does not put pressure on the piercing area

·         Easier to clean around the piercing area with salt water solution

·         Doesn’t get tangled in hair

Ball closure rings

·         The diameter of the ring allows for easy cleaning of the piercing area

·         The diameter of the ring allows room for the piercing area to swell during the healing process

·         Doesn’t put any pressure on the pierced area

Needless to say, surgical steel is also very affordable and the least prone to cause allergic reactions.  

Let me know your thoughts :) 

Why you could use a trim

Growing your natural hair long can be a long process and some may find that it can be quite hard to do. However, it can be less difficult when you take care not to inflict too much damaging elements. This post will cover why it’s a good idea to trim your natural hair every now and then. 

Rachel True

Benefits to having a trim

1.    Eliminates split-ends

By trimming regularly, you can ensure that your hair stays looking great and is free from dry ends. Some hair professionals advice trimming every 8 to twelve weeks especially for longer hair. Trimming will keep hair healthy and encourage strength so that hair isn’t vulnerable to breakage as opposed to dry and splitting ends.

2.   Retains length

If hair is trimmed often, it will grow healthier and experience less breakage which is excellent.

3.   Simpler to style

Hair that looks healthier is better to style and finishes off a styled look without having to hide dry ends.

4.   Less tangles

When brushing or combing through hair that hasn’t got any split ends will result in less tangles and easier manageability and the comb or brush will glide through easier than if the hair ends was split.

When should you get a trim?

The ideal time to get a trim if you weren’t keeping track of how many times you trim your hair via a regular schedule such as every 12 weeks, then there are typical signs that shows it’s time to have a trim:

·         Dry wispy/straw-like ends

·         Dull ends

·         Single strand knots

·         Splitting strands

Share your hair stories and advice – I would love to hear from you J

Wash hair day blues

Wash hair days I admit are not my favourite days of the week, and I’m sure many of you can agree to that, especially if you don’t possess “wash ‘n go” hair. Wash ‘n go was always described to be the type of hair thread that you simply shampoo, rinse, condish, rinse (or leave in) and off you go. Either air drying and your hair turns out to be uber defined curls or you have very straight hair that doesn’t know the meaning of frizz.

So why is it such a schlep to wash hair?

For many of us wash ‘n go hair is a dream, and so we have to put in the extra time to style after the last rinse. Curly hair need lots of tlc and products that will aid in giving it the moist lustre it need to look great and healthy. So what do I do on my hair wash days? Of late I’ve been blow drying then twisting my tresses because at this stage I’m healing some piercings in my ears. I figured with my hair up it doesn’t get in the way which is true. Other than that, my hair wash days are lazy and quick... yes quick! 

My quick-wash hair technique

1.    Rinse and shampoo

2.    Conditioner and detangle (using a good brush as combs have proven to freak my tresses out too much)

3.    Let it set for 5 minutes

4.    Rinse

5.    Apply after care product

6.    Twist

That’s basically my regimen and sometimes I skip steps 3, 4 and 5 and simply twist my hair with same conditioner and let that set then loosen twists after a day or two and let it be till the next hair wash day. J  

Feel free to share how you do you uber quick hair wash routine.

Thanks for reading – until next time & keeping it natural! 

Nicole Ari Parker

4 Reasons to Be a Naturalista

Growing out your natural hair is not only a fabulous way to showcase your true tresses, but also a much healthier way to grow your hair long especially if your hair is prone to perms and harsh chemical damage. If you’re pursuing your journey as a naturalista, then you will see that it can be daunting sometimes as well as very rewarding. Naturalista is a slang word for people who wear their natural hair as it grows out their head and the term is usually associated with “kinky” afro curly hair. 

Solange Knowles

The following are the perks of growing your natural hair:

1. Healthier hair

When growing your natural hair you will need patience and perseverance in order to reach your goals, and in the long run you can enjoy healthier natural hair. Hair is healthier when you avoid harsh chemicals and ingredients as found in relaxers, perms and colour treatments.

2. Easy to style

Whilst you may have waves, ringlets, s-curls or z-patterns, you will find that there are several ways to style your hair naturally. You can enjoy protective and quick protective styles like “two-strand twists”, “braids”, “cornrows” or simply pining it halfway or wearing a cure hair band.

3.Longer hair

Perms and relaxers may seem to make thick curly hair easier to manage, but in the long run it can cause excessive damage which in the end leads to brakeage and hair loss in some cases like bald patches even. Wearing weaves and extensions over a long period of time can also cause a receding hairline and cause breakage as the original hair is tightly braided to accommodate the weave. Without these aspects in play and with patience and care your natural hair can grow out long and healthy.

4.Fashionable

It seems in this age the “big hair” concept is at the top of every season’s fashion list, from runway models to clothing catalogues, big hair on men and women can be seen all over. If you got it why not flaunt it!

So if you’re a naturalista rocking your natural hair why not goes ahead and enjoy because it’s all yours naturally!

4 Reasons to Be a Naturalista

Growing out your natural hair is not only a fabulous way to showcase your true tresses, but also a much healthier way to grow your hair long especially if your hair is prone to perms and harsh chemical damage. If you’re pursuing your journey as a naturalista, then you will see that it can be daunting sometimes as well as very rewarding. Naturalista is a slang word for people who wear their natural hair as it grows out their head and the term is usually associated with “kinky” afro curly hair. 

Solange Knowles

The following are the perks of growing your natural hair:

1. Healthier hair

When growing your natural hair you will need patience and perseverance in order to reach your goals, and in the long run you can enjoy healthier natural hair. Hair is healthier when you avoid harsh chemicals and ingredients as found in relaxers, perms and colour treatments.

2. Easy to style

Whilst you may have waves, ringlets, s-curls or z-patterns, you will find that there are several ways to style your hair naturally. You can enjoy protective and quick protective styles like “two-strand twists”, “braids”, “cornrows” or simply pining it halfway or wearing a cure hair band.

3.Longer hair

Perms and relaxers may seem to make thick curly hair easier to manage, but in the long run it can cause excessive damage which in the end leads to brakeage and hair loss in some cases like bald patches even. Wearing weaves and extensions over a long period of time can also cause a receding hairline and cause breakage as the original hair is tightly braided to accommodate the weave. Without these aspects in play and with patience and care your natural hair can grow out long and healthy.

4.Fashionable

It seems in this age the “big hair” concept is at the top of every season’s fashion list, from runway models to clothing catalogues, big hair on men and women can be seen all over. If you got it why not flaunt it!

So if you’re a naturalista rocking your natural hair why not go ahead and enjoy because it’s all yours naturally! :)