Naps Curls and Coils

Meet Nicole Grier

SCAD Student, Model, Mentor, Inspiration, Natural! 

I had the pleasure last week to interview Nicole and ask her a few questions about being natural and her big chop she recently did. Nicole is a student at SCAD with me and a successful model who is natural as well as an awesome friend of mine! So let’s drive right in.

Why did you cut your hair?

“Cutting my hair was a gradual thing in high school. As someone whose life is consistently involved in fashion, changing my hair has been very natural. My identity in fashion was portraying any type of woman I wanted to be. There was no limit. Keeping hairstyles for more than two weeks was rare. My mom never left me do that big chop, so I settled for bobs and cut slowly, but right before my 20th birthday, I went for it. Shorter hair is so much more convenient and it shows off my face. I’ve found a new confidence in my shorter hair.”

What was your go to hair style before your cut?

“I was always changing my hair but I loved different protective styles. Braids were my favorite”

What is you favorite part about being natural?

“I love showing off my true beauty, being natural make me feel free and honest.”

What does being natural mean to you?

“Being natural to me means..(slight pause)

It means being your true self without worry what others think; being carefree in a sense.”

What is it like being a natural WOC in the modeling world?

“It is a beautiful thing but definitely comes with its challenges. I love modeling because it’s always so interesting and fun, however there are a lot of negatives that come with the territory. You just have to push through them and focus on the positive. I know I am making an impact and that’s all that matters.”

Did you often get asked to straighten your hair or get extensions for photoshoots?

“YES! I didn’t mind it however because I know its a certain look people want with their collection or shoot. I never let it bother me.”

What advice would you give someone who was considering cutting their hair to go natural?

“I would say go for it! Its hair it will grow back in time, enjoy yourself and your hair now while you can. If you hate it, you can always get a wig.”

Thank you Nicole for allowing me to interview, and if you guys would like to hear more from Nicole please let me know above and we can defiantly work out her coming back! Till next time. 

Natural Queens Walk Down The Aisle 2019

By Guest Blogger Amber Spence

I recently read an article about Natural Hair Brides Who Slay! And, I must say I was so proud to be a woman that went through the natural Hair journey and can relate to the feeling of empowerment, relief and feeling of self-love, times ten, while I went through that journey. 

It’s a beautiful thing to see brides walk down the aisle loving and showing off their natural hair. I couldn’t say that I seen this four years ago and If I did it wasn’t enough! It’s coils, it’s kinks, it’s beautiful! I applaud every bride that embraced their natural hair and gave inspiration, motivation and style to be seen all around the world. 

I feel that this will give other natural hair brides boldness and expand their horizon/vision of what beautiful looks like especially on their special day! It’s important, it’s needed, and I respect it.  From the Natural Queen that rocked her puff ponytail to the queen that embraced her mane of a fro, Thank You for showing me that the true me Is Beautiful, Elegant, and Style! As the natural hair community grows so will the representation of beauty amongst us all will!

To read the article Amber was referring too, i’ve attached the link right here.

Benefits of Steaming Your Natural Hair

So I recently purchased a steamer for my hair off Amazon because I noticed my hair had been getting super dry and become difficult to manage. I was nervous about ordering one offline because I would usually go get it done at a salon, however we all know how pricy that can be after a while. So I decided to invest and get one for myself, best decision ever made! By me owning my own steamer I can use it as often as I please. Here are some of the benefits I found out about steaming my hair weekly:

Promotes Hair Growth  

Reduces Hair Breakage

Adds/Seals in Moisture

Reduces Dryness, and Brittleness

Cleanses Scalp

Removes Dirt and Dead Skin

Helps Circulation

Leaves your Hair Soft and Smooth

Makes Hair Stronger and Healthier

Better Improves Deep Conditioning and Hair Treatments

I love my steamer and love how much money I saved from going to the salon even better. Here is the link to the steamer I actually purchased, let me know if you guys prefer steaming or using a hooded dryer. Till next time, you guys enjoy your weekend!

10 Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Natural Hair

Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice and is made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice. Most people use ACV for food related things like salad dressings, chutneys and food preservatives. However, us naturals know its used for our hair! Here are 10 benefits of using ACV for your natural hair.

Balances Your pH Balance of your Hair

Whenever your hair gets a little crazy, grab some ACV and mix it while cleansing your hair and notices the difference.

Removes Buildup

 ACV is great for when your hair is super dirty from all that product build up during the week, and getting all that gunk out.

Closes the Cuticles of your Hair

For those who have high porosity hair, ACV should be your BFF. Use it to help lock in that needed moisture after wash day by helping to close those cuticles in your scalp.

Post Shampoo Rinses

Use ACV as a kinda pre-poo to help ease your wash day. This one added step could make the entire process go a lot smoother.

Natural Remedy for Head Lice. Now I know head lice is highly uncommon in POC, however we can still get them. Use ACV to get rid of them naturally.

Natural Conditioner for your Curls

ACV is a great natural conditioner. Just mix it with some conditioner you already have to give your hair a little added TLC.

Enhances Color of your Hair

When ACV is mixed with certain herbs and oils, it can over time actually enhance the color of your hair. Create your own ACV mix of oils and herbs and see how much your hair thanks you.

Helps Alleviate Dandruff and Itchy Scalp. If you have been struggling with an itchy scalp or dandruff then try ACV. It kills the bacteria that causes dandruff and the itchiness in your scalp.

Helps Stimulate Hair Growth. This is a biggie, all those added benefits found in ACV also could help stimulate your hair follicles causing more rapid hair growth.

Natural Hair Loss Treatment. ACV has been found in some cases to help prevent hair loss if used weekly on already thinning hair. Also rubbing it in thin areas an hour before wash day was found to help prevent hair loss.

I really hope you guys enjoyed this article I found about these 10 tips & benefits of using ACV. Let me know some cool ACV mixes you guys try or how ACV has helped boost your hair and wash days!

Oh, how I love my Crème of Nature!

A post by our guest speaker Amber Spence

Crème of Nature’s Newest Hair Care Clay and Charcoal Hair Care Collection has now become my all-time favorite, especially when wash day is arriving! Made to Detox, Cleanse, and Replenish my curls which was something I most definitely needed after adding heat to them. This newest collection consists of three steps, The Pre-Shampoo Detoxifying clay mask is first. I put this on my dry hair for ten minutes. The Purpose of this product is to bring every toxic oil and more to the surface while redefining the natural healthiest state of the hair. It also helps soften the curls! The following steps are Shampoo and Condition. Using the Shampoo, speaking from experience ignites those hair follicles and have them dancing for joy! You almost feel like someone sprayed mint water on your scalp. And, here’s a plus, the smell! Very Masculine, yet very satisfying for both woman and man. Of course, the last step will be the Conditioning! I immediately felt the difference in my hair texture as I placed the conditioner on my hair. My curls bounced back with life, shine, and strength. Because my curl looked so good, I followed with a cute wash and go hair style and I was completely surprised how defined my curls looked even after they have dried! If any body ever asks me what I would recommend Crème of Nature’s Clay and Charcoal Collection will be my first answer! You can find this at your local Walmart or Beauty Supply Store. Trust me it’s totally worth it!

Click here to check out Ambers review of the Crème of Nature’s Clay and Charcoal Collection.

10 Protective Hair Styles for the Summer

Cornrows

These are the quick and simple go to braids for protective styles which are super easy and almost anyone can do them. You also can jazz them up by adding some baby hairs or doing cute swizzles.

Middle Part Braids

These can be super fun because you can do them in literally ANY length and they will always come out amazing. Have fun by adding some beads at the ends or having them do in different directions.

Faux Locs

This is my go to style! You can do them big, small, long or short. You can crochet them or do individuals. You can add gold hair clips or yarn to personalize them.

Braided Bob

Braided bobs are always super fun, giving off 90’s Jada Pinkett vibes. You can do different braided bobs and have them any way you want, going to the side, going back, or individuals. No matter which way you wear them they are granted to come out beautiful.

Senegalese Twist

Senegalese twist are the style you go for when you want something quick that will have less tension on your roots. However because of them being “looser” then braids, they don’t last as long. But you’ll love them while you have them.

Sideswept Cornrows

Everyone wanted these sideswept cornrows when Beyonce herself had them in her iconic Lemonade visual. She set this look on the map and ever since women have been rocking these braids and have been killing the game.

Jumbo Box Braids

Jumbo braids are super cute and can be rocked at any age. You can make them fun by adding some color or doing triangle parts. Either way these are quick and very cute.

Box Braids

Box braids are pretty much very black girls go to for a protective style. Very classic and super fashionable, box braids have been around for years and don’t plan on going anywhere. They take all day but last for so long and are very diverse.

Feed In Braids

Feed in braids are super cute because they give you that dramatic length and thickness that always looks so cute with braids. Something about feed in braids are so desirable and can be jazzed up or dressed down.

Feed In Ponytail

Feed in ponytails are really in right now because its minimum effort to keep up and are the best when going on vacation.

How many of these styles have you guys tried, and which are your go top and which are the ones you would never try again? Here is the article where I found these protective styles at, if you want to read more click here. Till next time my curly queens.

HOW TO DETANGLE NATURAL HAIR AFTER A PROTECTIVE STYLE

So since my last post was all about how to prep your hair for a protective style, it’s only right I make my next post about how to detangle your natural tresses after take down from a protective style.

Now since we did all the hard work before install, take down should be easier because of that prep before. So following these steps should be a breeze.

Step 1. Take Your Time

I know you want to hurry up and take that style out of your head, your arms are starting to hurt and your neck is begging for a break! Hang in there girl and take your time, let that wide tooth comb, your fingers and conditioner be your best friend.

Step 2. Slippage Slippage Slippage

Those words should be ringing through your mind before picking just any ole conditioner or detangler to use after take down. Get something that provides you with great slippage, it creates less breakage.

Step 3. Detangle with the Proper Instruments 

Your fingers and wide tooth comb should be your go to at this step. Using your fingers to get those tiny tangles that require more attention and the wide tooth comb to handle everything else.

Step 4. After you’ve detangled you’re all ready to wash. Wash and DC as you would if you were preparing for your protective style and even throw in a hot oil treatment for added TLC for all your curls went through.

Hope that was helpful for you guys, like always if you want me to cover a topic let me know in the “Let Me Hear It” box up top. Till next time my loves!