It’s been a long while, but I’ve finally put together this video tutorial! My wash and go routine remains the same, and the consistency has proven positive for my curly mane. You’ll notice that I still use my go-to products but feel free to swap them out as needed to work with your hair. I hope this helps your curly mane. Got questions? As always, drop your q’s down below. Want to see more videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Yes, it’s been a minute, but guess what? I’ve recently returned to chronicling my hair … on Instagram! See above. Fortunately, My Curly Mane has been retaining lengths, with rapid growth in the last 6 months. Woot woot! I’ve been rattling my head as to what changes have taken place (a lot in life!). My investigation leads me to believe that it’s a combo of my body changing, shifts in my diet (not necessarily for the better, gulp), and … soft water! Yeeeeaaaaas!
If you check out my older post, I go on and on about the damaging effects of hard water on hair. Well, I recently moved and fortunately have much softer water in my new home. How did I notice this? Well, my cleansers work 10xs better, and I see waaaaay less hair in the shower after washing. I’m still in shock and awe over how much this affects my products’ performance. I now need to use less product and experience fewer build up. It’s no wonder that one product can have such varying effects on people’s hair.
Hair typing aside, it also has to do with molecular, scientific-y stuff (wasn’t about to throw on my lab coat and break it down today!). On a serious note, you should revisit that post if you’re interested in softening your water system. Believe me. It really does make a difference. I can only image my hair length today had I had softer water in years past.
If you’re not into being social on social (ha, ha!), no need to worry. I’ll still drop some updates here as well as in my emails. Have you signed up for notifications yet and gotten your free e-book? It’s jam packed with helpful tips. Yes, for free! More tips that you can use as well as deets on my hair changes and goals are coming soon.
Shifting gears again: As much as I love the look of this site (my baby), I’m thinking about updating it’s look. Is it time for My Curly Mane to have a makeover? You decided. Chime in below! Oh, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.
Hello Curlies! I know. I know. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve posted information to My Curly Mane! My hiatus was much longer than anticipated. I’ve had a ton of personal changes (wedding, move, and more) that took me away from writing, but I am hoping to resurrect this blog this year. I’ll include a more detailed post on my M.I.A. status for those of you who are scratching your heads.
For others who are wondering what’s new in this neck of the woods, I’ll cut to the chase and present to you this video courtesy of Chime Edwards AKA Haircrush. Yes, this is the same YouTuber with the endlessly long tresses with the fitting former name. She did some digging on the history of black hair and came up with the following video. I hope all is accurate. It would be nice to view a more detailed list of her sources.
I found this video informative, sad, and very interesting, particularly as black hairstyles seem to be coming full circle. Watching this, you realize that “it’s not just hair!” There’s a lot of history involved in all of our curly manes. Tune in and let me know your thoughts!
Photo courtesy of popsugar.com
First, long time no see curlies! More on this later. Second, I need to go to the Afro Punk Fest–stat! I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t know that this event exists and that I’ve been missing out. On my to-do list for next year! I just hope that it doesn’t get overexposed or played out a la Coachella. 🙁
Check out all the enviously creative hair and street styles, and let me know if you’d rock them steady!
#TeamNatural – view all of the amazing styles
Once upon a time, when I was a littler girl, I dreamed of looking like a doll. Better yet, I wished that my dolls looked like me, so I could enter the land of make believe and live vicariously through them. However, given the doll options during that time, chances were sliiiimm.
Nowadays, young ladies (and some of us girls who remain Toys “R” Us kids,) can actually have their dreams brought to reality! There are a couple of fashion dolls out there that are done up with natural hair! These dollies have real-like curls and waves and look just like us! … or better yet, what some of us “Barbie girls” hope we’ll look like when we grow up 😉
In case you’re seeking a great present for some lucky, young girl (yourself included!), here’s the breakdown on a few, hot natural hair dolls on the market:
In 2011, fashion designer Byron Lars created a line of edgy and stylish dolls for Barbie Collector. These dolls killed it with their clothes (Lars doesn’t get enough fashion cred), and particularly, with their hair. From TWAs to afro puffs, these dolls must be seen to be believed. Many are sold out, but I want them all! I still get giddy when walking down the Barbie aisle in toy stores. If these dolls were on the shelf, it would be dangerous!
Most, if not all the Barbies in this line, are sold out. Sigh. However, you can still check them out online. I posted the image above of Byron Lars’ Sugar™ Barbie® doll. Yep, stunning. It’s just one out of many natural-haired catwalk queens in the collection. Check out the other dolls.
If you’re seeking a wider variety of Barbie-esk, natural-haired dolls, then Karen Byrd has got you covered with Natural Girls United! Byrd has cleverly created a line of custom ethnic dolls with locks, twists, and huge ‘fros. You’ll be impressed by the variety of styles and colors in both hair and skin tone. These dolls are also quite stylish.
Of course, it came as no surprise that Byrd has a long wait list for her dolls. Tempted to jot down my own name! Oh, and in case you missed it, check out the Ken-like dolls with dreads. Really cool and cute! See all the options from Karen Byrd’s Natural Girls United!
Still haven’t found the doll of your dreams? Funds are a bit tight? No need to fear. There are DIY methods to give any doll naturally curly hair. Thank heavens for you crafty folks out there!
Kristl, the blogger behind How To Play With Barbies, has created step-by-step instructions on how to make what she calls a “rotini or halo hair.” It’s a genius method that allows you to really get experimental making over doll’s hair from straight to curly. The final result is seen below. Yes, that doll had straight hair the morning before–ha!
Discover how you can remix a doll’s hair at How To Play With Barbies or read the post Kristl wrote for Beads, Braid, & Beyond (super cute blog).
Now, if you ODed your doll’s makeover, or you had a dolly hair cut go wrong, there’s hope for you. Just like in real life … your doll can sport a natural hair wig! Yes, you heard right. There are wigs for Barbies, courtesy of Tabloach at Etsy. Take a moment to let that process.
I think it’s both a clever yet funny idea. Why not? I have at least two old Barbies that were locked away because of some causality I caused to their hair. If only these wigs were available then. Check out the before and after image, and you be the judge. Smart!
Social commentaries and concerns about Barbies aside, these dolls are helping to diversify the dolls that are out there. What do you think about these natural-haired dolls? Giving you life?
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