#naturalhair – Curl Friends Forever

My Trip to the DC Black Hair Experience

Almost one year ago I went to The Black Hair Experience here in Atlanta. Once I heard that DMV opened one it was on my list to visit. Here are the details on my trip.

The DC Black Hair Experience was a fun way to spend my Saturday. The Black Hair Experience is a selfie museum dedicated to black hair and culture. I recommend if this is the major event for the weekend that you stay in the national harbor area. This area is very cute. It’s a waterfront area with plenty of food options and great views. We stayed at the AC Hotel by Marriot which was a very clean and safe hotel. It is across the street from a Starbucks (yay) and in walking distance to The Black Hair Experience (TBHE). I recommend pre-purchasing your tickets. They do time slots to help with social distancing. When you first get into the experience you get a wrist band to keep, scan your tickets and sign a waiver. Everything in DC requires a waiver (lol). The hair roller pit is the first stop. It’s similar to the childhood ball pit. You must have on socks to enter that area. They have an HBCU wall which was a great touch. I took a picture with my alma mater. Next to the HBCU wall is the hair oil lab. You can take pictures that give haircare chemist vibes. They have a photo area with the letters TBHE. This area is great for a boomerang or photo. The main floor has the selfie backdrops. They range from an aisle in a beauty supply, beauty supply store front, a hair salon, a kitchen with hot combs and more. My favorite area was a tunnel of mirrors that read “I am the magic.” I would allot 2 hours to get good photos and be able to get your money’s worth. They have a gift shop that features all black woman entrepreneurs.

The food in the area around the experience is delicious. There’s a Crab Cake Cafe we went to for lunch. The cheesecake at Furlough Cheesecake was so good. It’s black woman owned. If you haven’t heard their story it’s inspiring. We took a Lyft to Ivy City Smokehouse which is a DC staple and in walking distance from that is Throw Social. The vibe in there is perfect. Games, drinks, good music and plenty of photo op areas.

Follow TBHE on instagram at @TheBlackHairExperience.

For more of my adventures follow me at @curlfriendsforever.

My day at the Selfie Xperience- 1st Selfie Studio in Henry County-

Hey! This blog is short and sweet. I decided to go check out the Selfie Xperience today to take some pictures for my products. I want to share the details with you.

I recommend this space to anyone who loves pictures and any content creators/business owners. You can also have friend dates there too. Tickets are $30 and definitely worth the price for the experience. The staff was so great and friendly. The studio features 30 plus walls for taking pictures. It’s perfect for small business owners that need an affordable way to create content to promote their business. Parking is easy because it’s in a plaza and check-in is simple. There are ring lights in every room and the staff is willing to help with pictures. They have an area for princess parties for little girls and you can rent areas as well. For more pictures of their walls take a look at their instagram.

Follow my blog and my instagram for more of my adventures. Take a look at my Etsy shop for any of the products in these pictures.

5 Reasons to Celebrate Shrinkage

Hey 4Evers, I know that shrinkage is no fun but I want to give some reasons to encourage you. Although we might not love the appearance of shrinkage it means that we have healthy hair. All the articles I’ve found on shrinkage explain how to combat it but I want to offer some reasons to celebrate!

The more shrinkage you have the more natural your hair is. Natural hair is full of coils and curls and to change that we have apply heat or use other methods to stretch our hair so when we see shrinkage our hair is in its most natural state. Black hair can shrink up to 80%-90% of its length. It’s part of our black girl magic. So congratulations on your natural hair journey your shrinkage shows that your hard work is paying off.
The more shrinkage you have means your hair is properly moisturized. It means your hair can retain moisture. It also means you are doing a good job with your regimen! When your hair is moisturized it will curl up. It’s just like a plant that isn’t getting the proper water and we know what happens in that situation. To help retain this moisture don’t forget to cover your hair in satin at night.
Shrinkage is a sign of elasticity. The more elasticity the less prone the hair is to breaking and the stronger it is. In order to retain length breakage is just not an option and the elasticity or shrinkage will help prevent breakage.
The more shrinkage you have the more likely your hair will revert back to its natural state after using moderate heat within reason. Use heat at your discretion but healthy curls will most likely return after heat is applied.
Shrinkage makes our hair versatile. Imagine having hair that only could look one way. Changing up your look can be done in so many ways. Wash and go’s, twist outs, textured buns, wet looks etc. If your hair was permanently straight with no curls and coils these styles would not be possible. The volume that most of us love would not be attainable with straight hair.

I hope this helps someone embrace their shrinkage. If you need a community to vent to or see other women embracing their shrinkage feel free to join my facebook group or follow on instagram.

Love,

Curl Muva

Pattern Beauty (CURLBOX) Review

CURLBOX did a collaboration with Pattern Beauty for their first year anniversary. I knew it would be a great box to get. The box contained full sizes of the Pattern hydration shampoo, Pattern medium shampoo, Pattern leave-in conditioner, Pattern jojoba oil serum, Pattern hair clip, and Pattern detangling brush.

The shampoo lathers very well. After washing my hair it felt very clean but not stripped. A little goes a long way with the shampoo which I love because it will last me a long time. The CURLBOX was $25 and this product by itself is $25. The shampoo is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalate and formaldehyde. The smell is slightly masculine in my opinion but that does not bother me. The smell comes from the jasmine, bergamot and sandalwood oils. Overall, I give the shampoo a yes.

The medium conditioner smells like a lotion. It’s pretty thick. I felt like I had to use a good bit of it but I am always heavy handed with conditioner. My curls felt very hydrated after using it.

The leave-in conditioner has a great smell and consistency. I would recommend this leave-in conditioner. It is very good for moisturizing and can be used on wet or dry hair. This leave-in won’t replace my favorite but I do think this is a good one.

The jojoba oil comes in a nice bottle. It’s a pump bottle which I like because you can get the exact amount you want. I like the blend of jojoba and lavender.

The shower brush is very sturdy. I would think this brush would last for years and years. I would recommend using this brush in very small sections on dripping wet hair hence the name. My favorite thing about the brush is that the bottom is flat and the brush can stand up on the counter. I lose my Denman all the time so this design is convenient. The brush also has a hole so you can hang it.

The hair clip is sturdy and I feel it would last for a long time as well. The clip is $10 and for the durability I think it’s a good price.

Overall I loved this box. My favorite CURLBOX to date. I love Pattern because everything is well thought out. The packaging is gorgeous and the bottles are all refillable and recyclable. The products are cruelty and chemical free. I love how moisturized my hair was after using the products. There is a travel size available so I definitely recommend getting that and trying it for yourself before investing in the full sizes.

Luv, Curl Muva

My 5 Step Wash Day Routine

Hey Curlfriends! You guys have been asking for my wash day routine and I wanted to make sure that I had it perfected before I shared it with you. In today’s blog post I am going to give you a step by step breakdown of my wash day routine. This is my tried and true method for happy and hydrated curls. Enjoy!

Step 1: Pre-poo. This is a step that can be tempting to skip, but prepooing is a great way to make sure that your hair retains moisture before applying shampoos that may strip your hair of its natural oils. I like to apply my pre-poo product 24 hours before I wash my hair. Your pre poo elixir can be a combination of oils that you blend yourself, or you can purchase some of the hair masks and treatments designed specifically for this purpose. Whichever route you choose, be sure not to skip this step because it sets the stage for a successful wash day.

Step 2: Wash with Conditioner OR Shampoo (as needed). I do not use shampoo every time that I wash my hair. I have found that using shampoo too frequently can spell disaster for my curls. To ensure that my hair maintains the right balance of moisture, while still having a clean scalp, I alternate between shampoo and cowash. I only use shampoo once or twice a month, or if my scalp feels physically dirty. Your hair will let you know when it needs a good shampoo, but for the most part I have found that cowashing gets the job done most of the time..

Step 3: Deep Condition EVERY TIME . That’s right, I deep condition with every wash. I know that deep conditioning can sometimes feel like a hassle, but this is without a doubt the most important step in my wash day routine. Deep conditioning makes the next step of detangling so much easier, it also just makes my hair look and feel the way that I need it to.

Step 4: Detangle. The star of the detangling process for me is my denman brush. I always detangle while I still have conditioner in my hair. The denman brush helps to separate and define my curls, and the conditioner provides the slippage necessary to ensure that there is no breaking and unnecessary shedding. Although detangling can be the most challenging step in the wash day process, it is key to making sure that your end result is ideal.

Step 5: Towel Dry and Style While Wet. I prefer to style my hair while it is still damp, this is the method that I’ve found works best for me. After detangling and rinsing out the deep conditioner I use a microfiber towel to lightly dry my hair. The microfiber towel is an essential tool because it is designed to avoid the breakage that can come from using a regular towel. While styling my hair I add my favorite leave in and allow my hair to air dry. Leave in is also my secret method for retaining moisture between washes.

So there you have it. My wash day in 5 simple steps. Click here for a list of my favorite tools and products, and for more tips and tricks for simplified wash days be sure to follow us on instagram @curlfriendsforvever.

Why You Aren’t Wearing Your Bonnet at Night and How to Break the Bad Habit

Written by Alice Pen Writing Service

We all know the importance of protecting our natural hair at night. When you do not cover your hair with a satin bonnet at night there is an increased amount of friction that is created from your hair rubbing against the cotton fibers of your bedding. This breakage leads to split ends that travel up the hair shaft, inevitably causing breakage. In addition to the increased amount of breakage, sleeping without a bonnet strips your hair of its moisture, which we know is essential for healthy hair and length retention. There is no shortage of evidence to suggest that we should be covering our hair when we lay down to sleep, so why aren’t we doing it? In this blog post you will be reminded of the top 3 reasons why you aren’t protecting your hair at night, and the best solutions to help you break this bad habit.

#1- It doesn’t stay on your head all night, so why bother? Few things are more annoying than waking up in the morning to find that your bonnet is laying on the pillow and your hair is all over your head. Your good intentions of wrapping your hair before bed are not rewarded when you don’t have a bonnet that can withstand the tossing and turning that comes with a full night of sleep. You are a lot less likely to stay in the habit of wearing your bonnet at night, if you don’t see the benefits from it when you wake up in the morning. That is why it is essential to have a bonnet that is well constructed and has the proper amount of elastic around the perimeter to ensure a secure, yet comfortable fit.

#2-You hate the way you look in it. Style and attractiveness do not have to be the price that you pay for protecting your hair at night. Finding a bonnet that not only locks in your hair’s moisture, but that also makes you feel cute is going to ensure that you actually wear your bonnet when you’re supposed to. Many women fear that sleeping in their bonnet will be a turnoff for their partner, or make them feel less attractive. The truth is that the freedom that comes from not being worried about your hair can be a sexy confidence booster. You can find a bonnet that makes you feel beautiful, one that comes in your favorite color or promotes your favorite brand or sports team. Having a bonnet that makes you smile when you look in the mirror will make you want to put it on every night.

#3-It’s uncomfortable-We all have had that bonnet that is just way too tight, or is made of material that makes you feel like it’s breaking your ends off with every turn of your head. When it comes to choosing the right bonnet, quality is essential. You need a bonnet that is made of the best silk or satin material. The elastic band that goes around your head has to be strong enough to remain secure, yet flexible enough to mold to the shape of your head. It is also important to take into account the size of your bonnet in relation to the style you are choosing to rock at the time. You will need a much larger bonnet when your hair is in box braids than you will need when protecting your twist out. Choosing the correct material and size of your bonnet will ensure a comfortable fit, and help increase the chances that you will actually wear it.

So there you have it, the top three reasons why you’re not wearing your bonnet at night and how to break the bad habit. Whether your issue is a bonnet that won’t stay on, is too uncomfortable, or just isn’t cute enough for you, we invite you to give our bonnet a try. Tag us in your pictures and join the dozens of curlfriends that are loving their bonnets today!

5 Tips to Avoid Natural Hair Burnout

By Raeah Carroll

Every naturalista knows exactly what we mean when we say “natural hair burn out.” It’s that inevitable feeling of overwhelm, mixed with some “sick and tired” and a dash of “just cut it all off.” If this is you don’t worry, we have some tips that will help reignite your love for your natural curls.

Burnout happens for all of us at different times and for different reasons throughout the natural hair journey. Sometimes it’s the result of never ending wash day routines. Sometimes it’s the disappointment of one too many failed twist outs, and sometimes it’s simply the desire to switch things up. Either way, no matter what the cause of your burnout, we have 5 tips that will remind you why you decided to transition or big chop in the first place.

#1 Take a walk down memory lane. Taking a moment to look back on old pictures of yourself throughout your natural hair journey will spark feelings of nostalgia and remind you just how far your hair has come. Looking at your progress will help you not only appreciate your growth, it will serve as motivation to keep pushing to meet your hair goals. Being reminded of how much your hard work has paid off will make it a little easier to whip out the deep conditioner one more time.

#2 Go stalk your hair crush. There is something so powerful that comes from finding someone that optimizes your idea of #HairGoals. Seeing someone that has the volume, length, and healthy hair that you crave will not only motivate you to keep trudging along, it will remind you that what you desire for your hair is possible. Sometimes we get discouraged because our hair seems stuck at a certain length, or we can’t get past a particular issue that’s plaguing our hair such as breakage or dryness. Finding a good hair crush, someone with your same texture, will inspire you not to give up on your hair. Dig through their archive, look at their hair journey, see how much time and commitment paid off for them, and let that be a reminder that you can do this too.

#3 Try a new hair treatment or product. We all know the danger that can come from being a natural hair product junkie. One trip to the beauty supply can leave you missing hours of your life and hundreds of your hard earned dollars. There is absolutely no need to go broke for the sake of your natural hair, but trying a new product or treatment can be just the thing you need to make you look forward to wash day again. The internet is full of natural hair care treatments that will leave you and your hair feeling and inspired. Try our rose water detangler for an easy and effective way to use those old rose petals to pamper your curls.

#4 Get A Protective Style. Sometimes the best way to battle burnout is to leave your hair alone for a while. Having your curls tucked safely away under a wig or some box braids will give you enough time to take a break from the daily care of your hair. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that is also true for our hair. A couple of weeks of protective styles will have you missing your curls and begging for the chance to see them again.

#5 Wrap it up! Similar to the idea of a protective style, putting your hair away under a scarf or hat can help you feel less overwhelmed with the idea of your natural hair. Feeling that you have to style your hair every time you leave the house can become daunting. Remembering that you can accessorize with a headwrap or hat can return you to a sense of freedom and allow you to cut your getting ready time in half. You can even match your headwrap with your mask like this curlfriend.

So there you have it, 5 ways to avoid natural hair burn out. For more natural hair tips, tricks, and secrets subscribe to our blog and follow @curlfriendsforver on Instagram .