"Follow the Rules for a Beautiful Summer" recap

They say hind-sight is 20-20, while that may be true there is no reason we can't learn from the hind-sight of others! Earlier I read an article in the New York Times about a woman who dropped into a local nail shop to get a manicure and ended up in Mount Sinai Hospital- it was a sad story, but the article proceeded to give great tips to stay safe while staying beautiful!

I know time is of the essence, so I'll briefly summarize the main point presented in the article "Follow the Rules for a Beautiful Summer."


Tips to Ensure You Are Not Putting Yourself At More Risk

Manicure/ Pedicure

• Avoid pedicures if your heels are cracked because when cracked your feet are open to infections lurking in the pedicure whirlpools and on files that haven’t been sufficiently cleaned
• Have the manicurist/ pedicurist push your cuticles back instead of cutting them. Cuticles serve a purpose- to protect the base of the nail from infection
• Avoid gel sets like Gelish and CND Shellac because they are removed with acetone, which can be extremely drying and can cause nails to become brittle or to crack.
• With all soak-off gels, aestheticians trying to get off stubborn color often end up removing layers of nail, too.
• Most gel manicures use ultraviolet lamps to affix each layer of the product. Even though hands aren’t under the lamp for that long (six minutes total with Shellac), there is a link between UV exposure and the development of skin cancer, which is why some people also avoid the UV drying lamps used after even regular manicures.

Waxing

• Can lead to ingrown hairs, which can become infected
• Less risk with shaving, but beware of nicks near the knees and ankles and don't share razors
• Avoid waxing and shaving around broken skin

Eyelash Extensions

• If you damage the follicle, you can permanently lose your lashes
• Try not to scratch and tug at the false lashes to prevent follicle damage
• The glue used can irritate the eyes
• If your lids feel itchy, moist or irritated in any way remove the lashes and maybe true a different glue the next time around

*My experience with false individual lashes was devastating. I guess I was allergic to the glue because my lashes would not stop itching. I ended up pulling them straight off and losing half my lashes int eh process. They did grow bad though, and now when I want the thick/ long lash look I use the strip of lashes you can buy in CVS and they don't bother me at all.

Hair Extensions

• They apply pressure , which can lead to alopecia or hair breakage
• Take time off between adding and removing extensions
• Opt for clip-on versions
• Opt for half and full wigs they are customly fitted for your head

*I personally have the click on extensions, and when I used to wear my hair straight, I loved them! They are quick to put in, they stay secure and the are undetectable!

Spray tans

• Wear a mask when spray tanning
• The active colorant in self-tanners, DHA, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for external use, meaning that it’s potentially harmful if it gets in your eyes, is ingested, or is inhaled through your mouth and nose, something that is nearly impossible to avoid during spray tanning.

For the full article visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/fashion/manicures-and-other-beauty-rituals-can-pose-health-threats.html?ref=hair

To B.C. or Not to B.C.- That is the Question!

Hello everyone,

As I mentioned in the last post, I am seriously thinking about doing a Big Chop! Not because transitioning is too difficult or anything, but because 1) I am impatient/ excited and 2) I will be going on vacation this week!

Although transitioning is going well, I don't really want to be on my all-inclusive vacation fussing with my hair. The best way I know how to make tough decisions to to list the pros and cons, so here they go. If you have any pros or cons to add to my list, please, help a sistah out!

PROS

1. I won't have to spend 2+ hours washing and detangling my hair while on vacation and in general
2. It would be a cute change
3. This may be the only time I'll get to see my hair short
4. I can always put braids in if it doesn't look good
5. No weather worries (no more running for cover at the slightest sign of rain or humidity

CONS

1. I may not like the look
2. If I don't like the look I will feel self-conscious on my vacation (and for several months after)
3. My styling options will be limited (no more up dos for a while)
4. If it doesn't look good, I can put braids in, but not in time for my vacation!
5. Negative/ weird attitude from others, particularly at work

What to do, what to do?

Well, the pros and cons list is tied up! Guess I actually have to figure out what I really want to do!

Let me ponder on this a little more.

-Curlie E

August Check-in

Hi guys! Happy Saturday! Since I took my braids out, and because its August, I thought I'd check in and post an update on my growth progress. So here it is...



By the way, 3 days from now- August 21st- will be the 6th month of my transition! My plan was to transition for 12 months, but I am starting to get impatient. I see a big chop in my future. I really want to do it now, but I'm not too comfortable with the current length, so maybe in another month or two. I did do a mini chop today on a really small section just so I could see the actaul length. Here is the hair I cut off:

I would post a picture of the mini-chopped section of my hair, but I couldn't get a good picture because its in the back of my head. Maybe I will get someone to take a picture for me next wash day. Anyway, have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Growing!

-CurlieE

Naomi Campbell Suffering from Traction Alopecia

This post is not to hate on or put Naomi on blast. It is to give people a heads-up about traction alopecia, which is what experts believe Naomi is suffering from. Traction alopecia is a hair loss condition that is often caused by wearing weaves and extensions over an extended period of time.

Usually, it can be treated, but Naomi's might not be able to be treated because it seems that her follicles are totally damaged. This could have been prevented had she treated the matter earlier. The best she can do now is 1) lose the weave, which is causing stress to her edges and their follicles, or she will continue to experience breakage and 2) wear fitted custom wigs instead of weaves. The key here is a custom wig that has been fitted just for her head. One size fits all wigs tend to shift and rub up and down against hair causing dryness and breakage.

Weaves and wigs are great protective/ low-manipulation styles when the proper precautions are taken! So please, don't take this post as a scare tactic. Rather, take is as advice to invest in quality weaves and wigs. And don't forget to continue to hair for your hair while it is tucked away. This is the only way to capitalize on the benefits of these protective styles.

I hope this was helpful!

-Curlie E

Oprah Gone Natural?

According to Oprah, off-camera she lets her hair do it's natural thing! And now she's doing it in-front of the camera for the cover of her September issue of O where she is sporting a 'fro!

So has Oprah been natural all this time?

Well, last year, Oprah explained that she "had thick hair, and it messed up the chroma key, which is that blue wall they put behind you. And the news director came to me one day and said, 'Your hair's too thick, and you need a complete makeover.'" So she put chemical relaxer in it - and a lot of her hair fell out.

According to Oprah's longtime stylist Andre Walker, Oprah semi-relaxes her hair for the camera and magazine covers, but keeps the chemicals to a minimal level.

So what do you think, is Oprah natural, semi-natural or is a relaxer a relaxer? Either way, I'm lovin the look!

-Curlie E

US Olympic Gymnist Gabby Douglas Hair Haters

View the full article here: Monisha’s Minute: The Gabby Douglas Hair Controversy…Unwrapped

Read more on the topic here: The Huffington Post: Black Voices

Excerpt:

After reading comments on Facebook and Twitter such as:

"She needs some gel and a brush…,"
"Someone needs to give her a hair intervention…"
"She has to “represent”…"

Monisha from sportyafros.com expressed her feelings that the comments really touch on 3 key issues:


1) A large number of Black women do not work out because of their beloved hairstyle. This is so sad and this is why Sporty Afros was created. We are here to help women with their workout hair care solutions and crush excuses such as “I can’t workout because of my hair.”

2) Many of us, Black women, have acquired the horrible habit of criticizing each other from head to toe with no regards of its repercussions. It’s almost like a sport to see how many laughs or likes one’s criticisms can get on Facebook or retweets on Twitter. Once again criticism has trumped compliments. And as a Black woman, this saddens me.

3) Putting more focus on Gabby’s hair and not her athleticism proves many of us are still missing the point on where true beauty, strength, and health lies. Some of us are sitting up right now with our hair done but suffering from high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, obesity, and/or a lack of energy. Oh, but the hair is on point. As mentioned earlier, I don’t know Gabby Douglas personally and I would never try to speak on her behalf. However, I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that she considers her health and fitness level to be a little more important than her hair staying in place.


Interesting article! What are your thoughts? Please comment them below...