embracing my short natural hair

If you told me that I would one day cut all of my hair off I probably would have given you the biggest side eye + head shake in disbelief. Fast forward + three big chops later here I am pictured fly + bald headed all at the same time + I love it! Having short hair forces me to fully embrace my face + features all as they are. At first it wasn’t easy for me + I still have my days sometimes where I get this strange feeling to hide behind something, like a hat or a headscarf. But then I am reminded by my husband or some of the beautiful images I see on social media of black women who just slay their hair. Some shaved + some with the same length as mine. These affirming images + uplifting words all inspire me to just embrace myself, wholeheartedly. 

Along with cutting my hair I also cut back on a lot of the products I was encouraged to purchase. As women with natural hair we tend to get caught up in all the different brands + products that cater to our tresses. Its normal + I was once a "product junkie" as well. But the issue lies when you have several products that serve no value or purpose to your hairs health. So this time around I am going to keep it real simple + basic. I will remove the pressures to purchase products that are recommend by women who don't share the same hair texture as mine. I will stick to what I know (or do the research to find out), focus on what my hair loves + responds to.

My current hair routine consist of the following: 

Prepoo (pre-shampoo) -  I spray my hair with 1/2 parts water + 1/2 parts aloe vera juice then condition my hair before shampooing to protect it from drying out during the shampooing process. You can find these products here and here.

Shampoo -  When shampooing I make sure to focus on my scalp to avoid product build up. You can find this product here.

Deep Condition - A pro tip: try warming up your deep conditioner or steaming your hair while deep conditioning to increase moisture + moisture retention. You can find this product here.

Style/Set - I set my hair using the lco method (leave in-cream-oil). If I want to style my hair in a wash n go to define my curls I will use eco styler gel. You can find these products here + here.

Oil my hair currently loves. (I also use olive oil + coconut oil)

Finger Detangle - Try it. It allows you to use less tension on your hair +  helps develop patience. You are able to feel for the tangles + knots + gently remove them, oppose to using a comb to rake through your hair quickly.

Moral of the story: don't get caught up in the different products + pretty packaging. focus on what your hair is communicating to you + give it exactly what it needs.

media unplug

Recently I took a two week hiatus from all social media. It was much needed and surprisingly not so easy to do. I knew it was time to unplug when I began to feel that my mind would get clouded with all these images and my day would consist of aimless scrolling through instagram and checking facebook for new notifications. I felt compelled to disconnect and turn inward. My self care was lacking and seeing all these people appear to be so joyful with their careers and traveling the world only made it worst. My mood was effected and I compared myself more than ever before.

At first I was afraid to log off and go ghost because I thought people would forget about me, unfollow and move on. But the reality of it was my mental state was suffering and losing a few likes and followers online was not worth me losing my mind. Once I finally detached myself I immediately turned to reading. One thing about me is when I began to feel that my mind has no clear direction, my first reaction is to grab a book to read for a sense of stability. It is, and always will be, a spiritual self help type of literature. Those books get me right every time. from there I began meditative writing, which for me looks like a conversation with myself and through these writings birth some of my best ideas. this online journal started in that pause. 

Once I was able to step away I could really admire + embrace the beauty that surrounded me off the screen and in real life. 

Two of the biggest takeaways from this experience is:

1. I had to confront the idea that I was actually attached to social media. I needed to uproot and evaluate my relationship to social media and how much it consumed my day. Doing this allowed me to find balance between working online and nourishing myself. 

 2. It is okay to take a break and focus on me. To Intentionally pour back into myself and give my mind, body and soul exactly what it needs and when it needs. This balance will allow me to present my best and most full self forward.  

Moral of the Story: Disconnecting from social media will only bring you closer to yourself + the things you love.

launch giveaway *closed*

welcome to unfiltered. this space was created for self expression + to build community with other women who share the same passions + love for self care + lifestyle. it is my hope that through this space I will inspire you to live intentionally + discover your self confidence again, so you are able to walk in your most authentic self. 

 in celebration of the launch of this space I curated this special giveaway to gift one lucky winner a "starter kit" to self care. each item serves an intentional purpose for its owner.

journal - to start your mornings with self reflection + record your thoughts or prayers

chocolates - for a little self love

epsom salt - run a bath, add a cup of this + relax

a loofa - to exfoliate the skin

detox tea bags - to cleanse your body from within

sheet masks - to nourish your face

a candle - light this along side your bath or when you are journaling

to enter the giveaway:

• sign up below with your email to join the community.
• like this post.
• leave a comment below answering this question: what does self care look like to you? 
• follow me on instagram for an extra entry.

*the giveaway ends on monday, may 21 + the winner will be contacted directly via email.