Captured Curls: MsVaughn of YouTube

Please, introduce yourself!

My name is Vaughn better known as MsVaughn from my MsVaughnTV vlog on YouTube.

How did you fall into making YT videos and becoming a “guru?”

I started making YouTube videos in the early fall of 2010. It started off as a random way to show my friends on my personal Facebook page how I was styling my “new” hair. At that time my hair was a hot topic, so to speak, with all of my friends and family. They all wanted to know how I was pulling it off and what methods/products I was using. I decided to make a video showing how I styled my wet hair and uploaded it to YouTube. I then used the link to display the video on my Facebook page. Unbeknownst to me that video went viral on YouTube and when I found out it prompted me to share more and to take myself more seriously.

What is your current hair care regimen?

My regimen includes keeping my hair clean, detangled and stretched as often as possible. I usually start my week with freshly washed hair. I then twist or braid my hair with a moisturizer and throughout the week I simply manage my hair in its detangled, stretched state. I rarely wear “wet” hairstyles and I never comb my hair in-between washes.  The less you handle your hair (combing, manipulating, styling, etc) the better you can preserve it and see growth results. I’ve learned this from hair care professionals across the board, not just among the natural hair community. And although I’m not specifically on a journey to any particular length, I am however in the business of having well maintained hair. If you’re taking care of your hair and not cutting it, length retention is inevitable.

Loc'd Man: Tiba

Tell us a little about yourself? Hello Good Hair readers! My name is Atiba Benjamin aka Skinny Trini. I’m a 26 year old IT Specialist currently residing in NW Washington D.C. I’m originally from Trinidad & Tobago and I moved to the US in 1998, I’ve been in the Metropolitan area ever since.

How long have you been growing your locs? I’ve been growing my locs for about 7 and half years.

What do you use on your hair, product wise, to maintain it? I use non-scented clear aloe gel to re-twist my locs. When washing hair, I use Tea Tree Shampoo and conditioner.

 How often do you have to wash and re-twist your loc s and who styles them? I get my locs re-twisted once every 2 - 3 months but that is always subject to change, depending on social experiences.

"Smelling Sweet" Deep Conditioner Recipe

6 oz of your favorite conditioner (I like the naturally derived ones that can double as leave ins)

1 cracked egg (use the whole egg)

4 tspn of honey

4 tbspn of vegetable glycerin

1 oz of Jamaican Black Castor Oil

10 drops of vanilla (for scent, smells YUMMY)

2 oz of Vatika Oil

1 tbspn of Raw Shea Butter, melted

I love making my own DCs at home so I'm constantly coming up with new things to mix and try. I know my hair pretty well and am highly aware of its needs. As many of you know my hair is a combination of type 4, kinky coily curls that need a lot of hydration. Honey and veggie glycerin are natural humectants which pull moisture from the atmosphere directly to the hair even after rinsing so I use them both a lot in my concoctions. You can find honey and veggie glycerin at you local grocery store. I cannot live without them and my hair thanks me after I DC with the two ingredients mixed together.


 I don't usually add egg to my mixes but I will of I need a splash of protein. I try and give myself a good protein treatment once a month, especially because I have color treated strands. Last weekend I decided to try out my new Hair Therapy wrap that was sent to me for review by the company. OH, EM, GEE! I love the Hair Therapy wrap, it's amazing and very simple to use. I will be reviewing it very soon, so far so good! I highly recommend all naturally curly girls and women who have dyed hair to DC regularly, at least 2x a month. Doing so will keep your strands strong, soft and if you're like me and like to add things from your kitchen, your hair will also smell yummy.

The above recipe made my hair feel amazing, feel free to use it, tweak it and/or share it!

Captured Curls: Model, Nikia Phoenix

I am sure you have seen this stunning face all over the place! From her amazing TWA to her beautiful freckle kissed face, Nikia's beauty is not easily forgotten. The minute I saw her on Tumblr about a year ago I knew I wanted her featured on the blog. We follow each other on Twitter and I was finally able to catch up with her. I hope you all enjoy her hair story, click the jump to read more!

Please introduce yourself:
Hello lovelies. I'm Nikia Phoenix, the freckled-face-natural-hair-model-blogger. Look at all these hyphens. Good gracious! 


What is your current curly girl regimen:
I'm a no-fuss kind of girl, so my hair regimen is pretty easy.  I wash with shampoo once a week, and co-wash when I need it.  My hair dries out easily, so I moisturize daily.  I do get single strand knots and my hair fizzes, so I try to use products that help with that.  I might comb my hair once a week, but I keep it short so that it's easier to manage. I heart short hair!


What is your hair type and what works best for your texture:
 I'm definitely a super tight curl with a mix of z formations. So I'm a 4 with a little a and b.  My hair is really thick too, so I really like to saturate it with product. Like many of us, I'm still working on my perfect hair cocktail. Some months one thing works better than the other, you know.  I'll try anything that smells good.

Hairspiration: Roots by Devery

I have always had a soft spot for black men who speak up and out about natural hair and their love and support for the sistahs who decide to partake in the journey. This poem was presented to me by one of my dear friends and I knew I had to share it. The poem is extremely thought provoking AND I love it! Enjoy!

Poem:

Roots by Devery BrooX & Ketia Joseph

The Good Hair Blog's Healthy Hair Oil Mix

A while ago I was really into the Ayurvedic hair care and I still am but just not as heavy. Mainly because I got lazy. I know, I know, what an AWFUL excuse! Anywho, I found some oils in my bathroom cabinet that I needed to put to use. My old oil mix had gotten yucky so I figured it was time to mix up some new goodies that will not oil aide in a healthy scalp but that are also known to promote hair growth. They both go hand in hand because a healthy clean scalp equals healthy hair growth. Now, I have used these products separately for a while but I figured it would be even better if I mixed them. I LOVE Vatika oil with a passion by the way. It's basically pure coconut oil infused with ayurvedic herbs, amazeballs!


Under the jump you can find the amount of ingredients I used for the mix and their hair benefit properties. Feel free to share this recipe and tweak it to your liking. I like using the oil mix for my scalp massages and hot oil treatments. Good stuff! 

In Review: Free Your Mane's Baobab Brilliant Restorative Hair Oil

A few weeks ago I was sent an email that had information regarding Free Your Mane's Restorative Hair Oil. After looking thorough the products PDF file I decided to contact the PR firm who emailed me and ask them for a sample. Immediately I got a response and was thrilled when I received the full sized product two days later. I've read great things about FYM's product line and I remember wanting to try it last year but the prices are pretty steep. The oil retails for $25 and is only a 4oz bottle but I must say it just might be worth it. You can read my full product review under the jump. After using this oil for about 2 weeks now, I am in love! Definitely a new staple product of mine. 

Captured Curls: Lauren of La Coco Bella

     

Please, introduce yourself!

Hola! My name is Lauren, I’m a 27-year old Southern Cali girl currently residing in Maryland. I am a lover of God first and foremost and he is working on me every day :o) I’m a Howard University alum, a graphic designer (full-time and freelance) and I’ve been embracing my natural hair for about 7 years now and have grown to love everything about being natural!

       What is your current hair care regimen? 

Well, I seriously had to step up my game because I made the huge mistake of coloring my hair (with box color at that) and my hair became really damaged, lots of breakage, dryness, etc. so I have been on a mission to re-gain the health back in my hair (without having to chop off all the colored hair). I wash and deep condition my hair once a week. I have to use shampoo or ACV each time because I get a lot of oil-build-up on my scalp. I really like doing molasses or honey treatments and leaving it on my hair for a few hours. I really feel a difference after I rinse it out.

As far as styling, I wear a twist-out or bantu-knot out 99% of the time and make sure I always seal my ends! I really want to get more creative with protective styles to help retain length. I need help in the styling area lol I try and do a light “dusting” of my ends maybe once a month (trying to get rid of this color!) and then get a professional trim 2-3 times a year when my hair is straightened.