(Photo by Jenn Ott)
Hey Everyone! I would like to introduce you to one of the grooviest gals - Jessa of Wavy Alabaster. Today she is going to share some hair tips. Make sure you visit her blog and IG: this wave of mine
Embrace what's natural. My
hair rolls and coils with a life of its own poking me in the eye as a reminder
it cannot be tamed. This mane of mine, which warms in January and soaks up the
sun's color in July, has endured experiments, yet still maintains its natural
flow. My wild and wavy hair; I decide now to let this trait help define me. It
sets me apart, yet reminds me of a shared spectrum of beauty we all walk among
on a daily basis. What was once camouflaged and changed, I now flaunt and
parade.
Continue to read below for
some tips to embracing what’s natural!
Leading Actor
Though it may sound ironic, achieving unruly hair
requires discipline. You have to let it take the lead. The wave to my hair is
natural. Pair that with the thickness and coarse-like texture and you have the
making of a voluminous mess. I am a control freak to a degree and it was
difficult for me to embrace. For years, I tried to flat iron my strains stick
straight. We always want what we don’t have, right? Yet, once I embraced the
wild wave, let it take the lead, it loved me right back. With each new day, I
never know exactly how my hair will turn out. I love that! My hair, as
crazy as it can be, is always being its natural self and that never goes out of
style. And for those days it is just too frizzy or overwhelming, there is
always wide-brimmed hats and bandanas.
Less is more
Less product, less washings, less is more with coarse,
wavy hair. Just because our mane can soak up more product doesn’t mean we
should use it. The more I tamper with my locks, the more heavy and stiff it
becomes. If your hair is the lead, your products and tools are supporting roles
only intended to refresh and enhance.
Shampoo and condition your hair no more than two times
a week. When a fresh head of hair is needed, say after an intense workout or a long
day, simply wetting it gets the job done on most occasions. Break out the
baby powder, instead of wetting, to soak up the excess grease or sweat around
the hairline. Yes, baby powder! This old
school method was introduced to me at a young age and it does the trick just as
well as any dry shampoo I have ever tested.
When washing and conditioning, use two quarter-sized
drops of each shampoo and conditioner. My go-to shampoo and conditioner is
Moroccanoil
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. My hair needs constant hydration and this
beautiful blend, with argan oil, Vitamins
A and E, keeps my hair healthy and hydrated.
Sometimes minimal moose is applied to
define my waves while my hair is wet. It is light and easy to
distribute. Two half dollar swirls are all you need! Flip your freshly wet hair
upside down and evenly scrunch the moose throughout the hair. Then, take your
towel and, using the same scrunching motion, towel dry to remove excess water
and moose.
Secret Weapon:
Hydrating Cream
My hair is more prone to drying out, for example when
I am not drinking enough water or during the harsh Pittsburgh winter months, I
will use a quarter-size portion of Moroccanoil
Hydrating Style Cream each time my hair is wet. Hydrating cream is a
coarse-haired girl’s best friend. Oh,
and throw a drop on if you hair needs a pick-me-up throughout the day!
Drink lots of
water. Simple.
Keep it cool
Cool air and cool water makes for less frizz and
damage. Using warm water is good when shampooing, but when rinsing switch to a
cooler temperature. The pores in your scalp close locking in moisture.
Air drying is my preferred method, but there are times
I want to unleash the va-va-volume! I will break out the hair dryer diffuser
from time to time, but be sure to use cool air. Flip your hair upside down and
move the diffuser in a scrunching technique for five minutes or so. Flip
your hair over, having your own Ariel moment, and proudly shake out your lion’s
mane!
And for those days it is just too frizzy or
overwhelming, there is always wide-brimmed hats and bandanas. Enjoy embracing
your natural!