Yaqinah & Co.

Your love just might save his life (and your relationship).

You love your man, but lately, you’re really starting to worry about him because he's so stressed out.

He’s exhausted, edgy, distracted, and maybe even short-tempered. But mostly, it's clear he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

You know he loves you and your family, but he’s just not himself anymore. He’s acting like the typical guy, taking the strong and silent approach to his stress, and the more he sucks it up, the worse he's getting.

Let’s face it, society teaches men not to show no weakness; not even to you. And now, you really miss him. Stress is ruining his quality of life and you know, if left unchecked, stress actually has the potential to be fatal.

You desperately want to help him. but what can you do?

Here are 10 ways you can support the man you love and bring him stress relief.

1. Size up the situation.

First, clearly recognize the warning signs of chronic, dangerous stress levels.

Here’s what to watch for:

He constantly feels fatigued and irritable (for more than just a few days). In fact, you almost can’t remember a time in the last six months when he was energetic, relaxed and truly enjoying himself.

He has exaggerated reactions to even small annoyances.

He’s forgetful and absent-minded. He can’t remember plans you’ve made, work appointments, or even simple things like picking up the milk you asked him to pick up on his way home.

He’s unfocused, unmotivated and lacks concentration.

He can't sleep. He's an insomniac, restlessly tossing and turning in bed all night. Then when the alarm goes off, he can’t get up.

His libido drive took a nose dive. When you try to initiate, he won't (or can't) get into it.

He’s in physical pain, complaining of aches and pains in his neck, lower back. He has recurring headaches or indigestion.

Stress affects every part of your man’s body and can significantly undermine his immune system. Any one of the above symptoms is a cause for concern. But, two or more significantly increases his risk for flu, colds and may lead to a heart attack, stroke, and even cancer.

Not to mention the toll stress takes on his mind, resulting in poor decision-making, irrational fears, and negative, aggressive behaviors.

2. Put some love in his meals.

Provide healthy, nurturing food. Avoid overly heavy meals or sugary desserts which negatively impact his already debilitated system. You might even make some delicious superfood smoothies as a power-packed treat. (If you need some free recipes, email me and put "smoothies" in the subject line.)

Don't monitor his food like you're his mother, just quietly start preparing meals that help his body thrive during this stressful time.

3. Grab his hand and take him for an after-dinner walk.

Exercise is an excellent stress reliever, so join him to get out and do something fun and physical together. The stimulation helps him move stress and stuck energy out of his body so he can feel better.

If he resists at first, coax him into doing something physical without making it about exercise. Focus on spending time together, instead. Take his hand and say "Babe, it's such a nice evening. Please go for a walk with me." Then squeeze his arm while smiling at him. Just let the space feel easy and loving without any pressure.

4. Take a few items off of his to-do list.

Avoid putting unnecessary demands on him right now. Instead, encourage true relaxation and an early bedtime.

Sleep deprivation contributes to heightened stress levels and an inability to cope. Create a good sleep environment by making sure the bedroom is dark and comfortable, and by removing the TV and any other electronic distractions which interfere with quality sleep.

Set an example by going to bed at an earlier time and invite him to join you.

5. Help him laugh and lighten up.

Find a funny movie you both can watch together. Laughter is a fantastic release.

In fact, at Stanford University, Dr. William F. Fry studied the positive effects of laughter on the body. He reports that 20 seconds of intense laughter can double the heart rate for three to five minutes. That's equal to three minutes of strenuous rowing exercise!

Laughter stimulates cardiovascular activity, so get your guy laughing. It's great for his health and your relationship.

6. Schedule some quality time with his friends.

Social interaction is important for stress management. In fact, surrounding yourself with people who support positive behavior can go a long way in promoting the same in yourself, so any old friends won't do. Health and happiness require being with the right tribe.

Make a list of friends and family who contribute to uplifting his spirits and then make a plan to spend time with those fun people (even if virtually for now).

Help your man step out of the grind and back into a circle of people who remind him what truly matters in life.

7. Be super sweet to him.

Look, your man needs some serious loving right now. Give him a hug, rub his neck, massage his shoulders. Tender gestures reinforce intimacy in a relaxing, non-threatening way that also releases toxins to help him feel better.

Show him some emotional love, as well as physical. Tell him ways you appreciate him. Offer him a compliment or two. Feeling like your hard work matters to someone helps take the edge off.

8. Give him some space.

This one probably feels counter-intuitive, but allow your man the opportunity to work through his own stress in his own way. Of course, be available to seize the moment when he turns to you. Help redirect his energies in soothing ways. But also, just let him have time to himself if he needs it.

This will take some serious mindfulness on your part not to feel abandoned or unloved by him during this time, so make sure to take time to replenish your own energy!

Stay calm and centered so you don’t inadvertently contribute to his nervousness. Be loving, understanding and supportive without being intrusive.

Research shows that seeing their partner stressed and emotional only makes men more anxious and less supportive of their wives. Men are wired differently than women. Respect the difference. Wait to see if he seeks your assistance. If he doesn’t, you can execute any or all of the other steps without him even knowing what you're doing.

9. Fuck Him Silly

If there's one thing that's guaranteed to put a man at ease, it's a mind-numbing

sexual release. Unfortunately, he often is so caught up in making sure you orgasm, he stresses himself out even more.

"Guys become so concerned about performing for you, they're not able to enjoy the sexual experience as much," says Dr. Saltz. "Obviously, you like him to ante up for you, but occasionally, he'll appreciate sex that's all about him and his pleasure."

So tell your guy: "Since you're always such a rock star for me in bed, I'd like

to return the favor and tonight just make you happy." Not only are you giving him a free pass, but see how we threw a little ego boost in there as well?

You can further alleviate any pressure to please you by offering him oral sex instead of intercourse.

Just remember ...

10. Be his wife, not his mother.

Regularly check your ego and make sure you’re functioning from your heart so he doesn’t feel like you’re being bossy or a know-it-all. Your man needs his wife who adores him, not his mother who hovers and fusses.

In other words, don’t nag him about what he needs. Be subtle and avoid any fanfare or you will contribute even more to his withdrawal and he’ll just worry about you worrying.

If he’s not back to himself within a few weeks, you may need professional help.

If he has acute hopelessness, depression or recurring nightmares, consult a mental health practitioner, life coach, therapist, or spiritual guide for support. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has programs in almost every community, and many are free.

In the meantime, shower him with love, understanding, and patience. Your love has more power to heal him than you realize!

9 ways you can support the man you love and bring him stress relief.

How to Use African Black Soap So You Won’t Dry Out Or Irritate Your Skin

One of the greatest benefits of African black soap is that it is considered safe to use on any skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, normal, combination or even sensitive skin, African Black soap be very extremely beneficial to your skin.

However, like anything you put on your skin, just because it works for some or most people, don’t mean it will work the same for you. Everyone’s skin will react in a different way depending on both the product and personal skin type. We’ve outlined the best ways to use African Black soap no matter what your skin type is and how to get the most benefits out of this great product.

Why use Yaqinah & Co. African Black Soap

African Black soap from Yaqinah & Co. is made with 100% Natural Pure vegetable oils and no animal byproducts whatsoever. Ours is made of a unique blend of Natural Shea Butter. Vitamin E and Aloe Vera to protect your skin in all kinds of conditions.

The reason for our specific blend is due to the moisturizing effect of natural Shea Butter which helps to protect and heal dry skin conditions like eczema, blemishes, and acne. While the Aloe Vera helps reduce external skin irritations and soothes the skin and Vitamin E Acetate keeps the skin young and healthy-looking.

Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black Soap

What It’s Like to Use African Black Soap

If it’s your first time using this soap you might notice that your skin feels dryer and tighter, even if you normally have oily skin. Typically this reaction will only last a week. It is thought to occur in some people because the soap is drawing impurities out of your skin. Once the PH level of your skin balances out the tight, dry feeling will go away.

Some people also find that African Black soap makes their skin tingle, but like the tight, dry feeling this should resolve itself in a week. If you normally have sensitive skin it’s a good idea to test the soap out on a small area of your body to see if you have a reaction. Additionally, those who have a chocolate allergy or are sensitive to caffeine may also experience a reaction to this soap.

Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black Soap for Dry Skin

Since our black soap includes shea butter, it will greatly benefit those who suffer from dry, itchy skin. However, if you find that your skin is still feeling dry after you can try using less since a little bit of soap goes a long way here.

It’s also important to use moisturizer after showering or bathing, especially if you have dry and during winter months.

African Black Soap for Oily Skin

Yaqinah & Co.'s African black soap is great for both oily and acne-prone skin. The reason for this is that it is extremely efficient for deep pore cleansing because of its natural exfoliating qualities. Even if you have oily skin it’s recommended that you moisturize afterward with a non-comedogenic product.

Ways to Use Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black Soap

As Your Regular Body Soap

African Black Soap is excellent to use as your normal everyday body, face, and hand soap. In fact, many people choose to replace their old soap for Yaqinah & Co.’s African Black Soap.

As an Exfoliant

Yaqinah & Co.'s African black soap is often used as a deep cleanser due to its exfoliating properties. If you want to use it this way, just be sure not to rub too hard to avoid irritating your skin.

To Make Homemade Body Scrub

To make a homemade body scrub with Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black soap simply mix black soap with brown or white sugar and use it as a scrub. Simply dissolve the soap the same way you should for making body wash and add the sugar. Be sure to shake the bottle or stir the container before each use.

Storing  Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black Soap

In order to ensure you get the most life out of Yaqinah & Co.'s African black soap it’s important to make sure you’re storing it properly. Since African black soap contains a high amount of glycerin the soap can soften and slowly disintegrate if left exposed.

For this reason, it’s important not to allow it to sit in a puddle after use. Be sure to keep it dry in order to prevent it from dissolving. Storing the bar on a wooden soap dish is recommended.

It’s also important to understand Yaqinah & Co.'s African Black Soap can develop a thin white-colored film when exposed to the air. This is not mold and does not affect the quality of your soap.

Seirabi® NaturalCare from the Swahili and Aramaic languages meaning mirage or unobtainable, is here to set a tangible standard in natural hair care. Never before has there been such a phenomenal blend of the most natural ingredients to promote hair growth and strength. There is no longer a need to purchase 10 or more different products from several different manufactures to obtain the mirage they all promise. The truth for your hair is here. Seirabi® NaturalCare collection contains Chébé Powder From Chad.

Chebe is an ancient hair care product which traces its origin to the heart of Africa. It comprises a blend of indigenous aromatic ingredients and has been used for years by Chad women to lengthen their hairs. The Barase Arab women boast of thigh-length locks, thanks to the magic of Chebe. It is therefore not surprising that Yaqinah & Co.'s  hair products has attracted so much attention recently.

One of the major ingredients that make this product such powerful is the Lavender Croton. Over the years, this species has been used to fight inflammation. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it is a good choice to prepare products that prevent development scalp related issues such as fungus. The other ingredients are also edible substances.

Other ingredients that form part of Yaqinah & Co.'s Seirabi® NaturalCare powerful formulation are Mahalaba, Samouh, Organic Cloves and Humra perfume. Honestly, they are included to provide specific treatment such as moisturizing, conditioning, strengthening and seal moisture in the hair. Like Lavender Croton, Mahalaba has anti-inflammatory properties. It also has vasodilation, so it relaxes the blood vessels to allow blood to reach all parts of the scalp. This ensures that essential nutrients reach the intended parts to boost healthy hair development.

Apart from the above, Yaqinah & Co.'s Seirabi® NaturalCare incorporates a wide variety of ingredients with significant health benefits. For instance, cloves contain properties that can destroy parasites without affecting the host. Likewise, Samouh has 25% more protein than most cereals, so it facilitates healthy development of hairs. Humra perfume and Agarwood is what gives our Chebe Powder its unique aroma.

Yaqinah & Co.'s Seirabi® NaturalCare with Chebe offers numerous benefits to your hair. Considering the above ingredients, the powder can help to neutralize the PH level of the scalp and hair shaft. It also boosts the growth of a well-nourished mane which is long and black. Besides this, it is moisturizing and cleanses the scalp to keep away fungus and other scalp issues which can cause alopecia.

To get the most out of this formulation, you can use it in two ways. The first one involves using the product as a treatment. Seirabi® Kwatakye Atiko NaturalCare Hair Cream is mixed with Chebe Powder and Shea Butter make a heavy mousse. With this option, you apply Chebe to your mane about 2-3 times a week as a leave-in conditioner.

Apart from the above option, you can also diffuse the powder in oil. Yaqinah & Co. has  prepared a supe prior product, for the Royalty we serve. Seirabi® SesaWo Suban NaturalCare Hair Oil  has Chebe Powder diffuse in a highly concentrated form; therefore this formula must be shaken before each use. Seirabi® SesaWo Suban NaturalCare Hair Oil once a day or few times a week, whichever you prefer and desire.

If you admire people with long locks and wish to grow yours, then you need to consider using Yaqinah & Co.'s Seirabi® NaturalCare Collection. You will witness maximum results if you use our system as directed. However, we understand the 2-3 day routine needed for optimal care may not always be feasible, however your are Royalty aren't you worth the time tio find out.

You don't have to live without your edges, learn to regrow them and let Yaqinah & Co. show you how!

One of the biggest concerns my hair clients have is their edges. If you have a really thin hairline, it can be a  major source of frustration and stress. Hair that is strong, healthy,  is a desired feature beauty .

Yaqinah & Co. offers real hope for regrowing your edges; Yes even if you have struggled with them for your entire life!

First, let’s talk about some of the things that may be causing your edges to thin out. We will discuss a few suggestions you can do to help you. Biologically, your thin edges maybe just gentics, your mommma had then edegs your grandmomma had then egdes, baby girl your were born to have thin edges too. Aging is a part of life and then edge just goes along with the territory. Suprisingly common but not often discussed are those pesty scalp infections.  Health issue such as a thyroid disorder, alopecia, lupus or high bloood can also contribute to thin hair and edges. Did you know that new budle of joy you just had , could also be contribute to postpartum hair loss.  Yes girl you are not lossing your mind, the baby ( well the hormones)  not necessarily the stress of sleepless nights.  However, for many people, the cause is high levels of stress on your hairline from wearing tight braids/ponytails or weaves/wigs could very well be doing you in.

You’ve probably found yourself relating to at least one of these underlying causes. Am I right? So now that you have an idea of why your edges are thin, let’s talk about what you can do to remedy it!

1. The first thing that you should do is to immediately stop doing anything that is adding tension to your hair. You want to REGROW your edges right? This includes wearing tight braid/ponytails. Honey I know that  its just a natural tendency to pull your hair up for a quick do, but the stress on your edges is a killer!

2. Give your hair the chance to breathe! This means that you should ease up on the wigs and weaves sometimes. Yeah, I know…you love the versatility and ease of this protective style, but I promise you that you won’t love it when your edges continue to break off from all of the tension.

3. If you can’t give up the wigs and weaves, make sure you use some kind of oil on your edges every night in addition to moisturizing and sealing the rest of your hair. We recommend Seirabi® SesaWo Suban NaturalCare Hair Oil, but there are lots of others to consider, especially those that  include coconut, peppermint, olive, rosemary and castor oil. If you use an essential oil, be sure to mix it with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive.

4. Stimulate your scalp by rubbing it with oils. This will help to get the blood circulating again as well as help to heal your hair’s follicles. Shear 7 Salon in Georgia is has a wonderful growth serum coming to the market soon for more info on this revolutionary hair treatment contact Tamara at https://facebook.com/Shear7Hair

5. If your hair loss is due to a scalp infection, then you should invest in a quality antimicrobial/antifungal product. By getting rid of scalp infections (including fungus) you are allowing your pores to breathe and your hair follicles to be rejuvenated. Yaqinah & Co.'s Seirabi® Duafe NaturalCare Hair Wash contains severel anitmicrobial /antifungal ingredients including hyssop: a biblical and time tested anitfungal.

6. Consider your diet. You ar  what you eat and so is your hair. Vitamins such as zinc, Vitamin D, B-Complex Vitamins and Iron, are essential for healthy hair. Not having enough of these vitamins and mineralst may be part of why your hair is thining.  Take a look at your diet you might  want to start taking vitamins or a multivitamin.

7. Finally, when it comes to your hair, heat is NOT your friend. Try letting your air dry and reduce the use of flat ironing to straigten your.

Be well, Your Majesty!

We know you dying to have a larger than life afro or hair that hangs down to your waist, otherwise you would not be reading this blog or using Yaqinah & Co. products. Let me call your  attention to both your comb and the technique in which you are using it. Length retention starts with eliminating hair breakage and combing is the primary reason why curly and kinky hair breaks.

The Correct Techniques and Tools.

1. Section Hair

Listen natural, kinky,  curly or coily tends to have a lot of volume, so honey make your life easy by creating manageable sections. Four usually does the trick but with thicker or longer hair  more sections may be better. If you have short hair (under 4 inches) girl you're in luck because you can probablly go without sections. Use hair bands bobbalobs, knockers or clips to keep the hair under control  and out of the way. Now,  if you have tight curls or major shrinkage consider loosely braiding or twisting the sections and washing with Seirabi®'s Natural Care Hair Wash then conditioning them in this way.

2. Wet or  Dry?

Breakage is likely to happen whether hair is combed wet or dry so don't trip. Whatever method you choose is really a question of preference and ease so do you. If you experience breakage during wet combing it probably because although hair is very flexible, its strength and ability to resist the force applied from combing is at its lowest point. Now on the other hand, when hair is dry, it is at its strongest but it lacks flexibility and therefore is likely to snap. The ideal condition for combing your hair for growth is when hair is mostly dry (about 80%) so that it is strong and pliable. However, no matter what your preference, consider using Seirabi® Kwatakye Atiko Natural Care Cream or Seirabi® SesaWo Suban NaturalCare Hair Oil  to increase slip and help reduce damage and promote growth.

3. Use your Hands

Hello....fingers are the first and for people some the only tool to use. When detangling with your fingers make sure your nails are smooth and do not snag your hair as you part it. Ideally try to make use of your finger pads rather than nails to separate the strands as not to scratch and damage your scalp.

4. Seamless Combs

If you have upgraded to a wide spaced shower comb pat youself on the back! Now take it one step futher with the seamless comb which essentially has no rough edges. These are fairly expensive in comparison to a regular comb but are well worth it.

5. Brushes

If you have fine hair that is split end prone, getting rid or your brush. However, if you have thicke dense hair, brushes are you best friend. Brushing should come last as the brush bristles are closely spaced together compared to other tools (fingers and wide spaced combs).

6. Look at Your Hair

Once you are done combing, examine the hair that you have removed. Pay attention to whether you can see hair bulbs or not. Some people are just goofy and want to see that all hair has a bulb. We at Yaqinah & Co. are more flexible and say about 60-70%%, accepting that some hair is kinky and will always sustain some breakage.Now  The one thing that you do need to get rid are those tiny little wisps or fly away of hair, those arenot your friend get a trim to promote growth.

Being a 100% natural product it’s very soothing on the skin – none of the harsh chemicals found in your normal face-soap. But it doesn’t stop there: Yaqinah & Co. African black soap also contains vitamin A and E as well as Cocoa butter or Shea butter – depending on the soap you choose.

Besides using our Black Soap, here are some other winter tips from Best Skin Care.

1. Switch Your Soap with other milder alternatives – Water alone can cleanse your skin, and when you add soap in the scenario, it doubles up its oil stripping work making your skin drier and drier. If you noticed how dry your skin becomes after washing your face or after taking a bath, try switching your bath soap with milder ones like liquid cream soaps or even oatmeal exfoliating cleanser (the real one! Not from bottles). Get a heap of the oatmeal granules and then add warm water to it. Rub to your skin and rinse it off. Pretty simple, isn’t it? Even those with eczema can use this method.

2. Pay attention to your Face cleansers – there’s no one size fits all when it comes to skin care for all seasons, but Yaqinah & Co. Skinsational Facial Cleanser is a great start. You might not having problems with your Skin Care products now, but in the long run, you might see them irritating to your skin during winter. Yaqinah & Co. understands your skin and you need to know that your skin has different needs based on season. Yaqinah & Co.’s Skinational line of skin products it made with a familiarity to your skin; isn’t it about time you became familiar with us!

3. Avoid Hot Baths – Hot baths can make your skin dry by removing the oils from your skin. This is easy to deal with since instead of using hot water, you can instead use lukewarm water for taking a bath. Try adding Yaqinah & Co. Dead Sea Mineral Salts for an added treat an extra moisture.

– Avocado mask is an effective way to lock in moisture to the skin and even adds moisture to it. You can use honey too as part of it since it has soothing and antibacterial properties. Mashed avocado and then add honey. Spread evenly to your face and rinse with warm water….

So now you have a few more tips to protect your skin in the harsh winter environment. But remember to treat your skin to Yaqinah & Co. Skinsational products.

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails and questions about tips, advice, product recommendations, and secrets for successfully transitioning to natural hair. Once you’ve made up your mind to go natural, it’s pretty easy to become obsessed. With a plethora of blogs, websites, YouTube videos, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook pages and Google Plusses, the world of natural hair is never more than a few clicks away. Before your eyes glaze over, or you find yourself caught in the whirlwind frenzy of products. pH balancing, porosity, and parabens, take a second and breathe. Transitioning may be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

I was forced to go natural in February of 2012 when a company mismarketed a product that took all my hair out. I was humiliated and embarrassed, my self-esteem was shot. I should have sought medical treatment but a friend of mine laughed at me when I told her what I had done. She said “with all that beautiful hair why would you even want to use that...that what you get for using white people products”. For a year I cover my hair with expensive scarves and wigs. My scalp was too sensitive to apply anything to it, but water. Then, as I sat staring at a picture of my youngest daughter Seihrahbi

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and wondered could I grow my hair the same way I did hers. In year after the traumatic loss of my hair it only grew about an inch. So when I had epiphany (also my daughter's middle name), I immediately began to procrastinate.

Keep reading to get a general idea of what I went through my first year of transitioning, as well as some do’s and don’ts to help encourage and keep you on track. Every transition isn’t the same, but hopefully there are some tidbits in here to help you along the way!

1 – 3 Months: Excited and Gullible

The first three months of my transition, I was doe-eyed…to say the least. I spent a LOT of time ogling over the likes of Hey Fran Hey, Naptural85, and SunKissAlba — longing for the day my tresses would hover in their territory. I also found myself shocked and amazed with what the biggest wastes of money were for a person in transition — styling products. Even though I knew and accepted that my hair was damaged, I held out hope that some miracle potion would deliver rejuvenated curls as promised on the label. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. So I went back to what I knew worked and started creating a full line of products for my hair based on what I used for my daughters and others.

DO: If you’re just beginning your transition, commit the first three months to developing good haircare habits — they’ll carry you further in the long run. If you don’t already, sleep with a satin (or silk, if you’re fancy!) scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase. Learn how to properly moisturize and seal hair. In the first three months, practices like finger detangling aren’t vital, because most of your hair will still be straight (whether heat damaged or relaxed), and fairly easy to comb through. Months 1 – 3 is also a perfect time to clean house in terms of products. If you’re transitioning from a relaxer and you still have some creamy crack stashed somewhere, throw it out or give it away. Or, if you just so happen to have the receipt, return it. For those transitioning from heat damage, store the irons out of sight, or put them in someone else’s care. If you’re giving up sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, etc., chuck those products as well.

DON’T: Waste money or time trying to “get your curl back”. It’s not coming back. More than likely, it left the building a LONG time ago and you were too busy flat ironing or relaxing to notice. The first three months is also not the time to buy into hair typing (if ever at all). It’s much too early in the game to decipher how your natural hair will behave, and hopping on the typing bandwagon (among others) will serve you absolutely no purpose. Also, avoid immediately slapping your hair into box braids or Havana twists. With only a small amount of new growth, your hair is highly susceptible to breakage from the stress and weight of added hair at this point. Save those styles for later on down the line.

4 – 6 Months: Why Did I Do This, Again?

After the first leg of my transition was down, I found myself excited when I straightened my hair for the first time. It was longer, stronger, and thicker than what I started with. That alone kept me encouraged through month 4, and into 5. Then I hit a wall. My go-to styles were no longer working. My banana clips (God, I loved me some banana clips) wouldn’t stay closed to save my life, and I couldn’t fake the funk with my pseudo wash n’ go anymore. I was frustrated. I had doubts. Everything I was learning seemed for naught. My hair was driving me crazy, but it was growing and a lot thicker too

DO: When you hit a wall in your transition, change something up. This is the perfect time to start experimenting with a person in transition styles that blend textures, finger detangling, protective styling, and maybe even a new product or two. This is also the right time to start paying extra attention to the line of demarcation between your new and old hair. Gentle handling, regular deep conditioning, and protective styling combined with those moisturizing and sealing techniques you learned early on will help minimize breakage. Lastly, find the best detangling products and method for you. Get a handle on it now, because as any Naturaliste would tell you, you’re going to need it in the future. Like next week.

DON’T: Give up and go back to what you were doing out of frustration. It’s ok to use heat on occasion (once every 3 months or so), but don’t start flat ironing on a weekly basis because you hate the way your hair looks right now. It will only lead to more damage.

7 – 9 Months: That Awkward Moment…

For me, months 7, 8, and 9 were just plain weird. Although I was loving my hair and digging my new growth, I found myself in an unflattering in-between stage, like when I got my first training bra. Too much to not need anything, not enough for the real deal. I wanted out of this stage ASAP. I buckled down on my vitamins, scalp massages, and even subjected myself to some totally unflattering hairstyles in the name of growth progress. I love but know I won’t be posting pics lol.

DO: This is the perfect time to adopt washing your hair in sections, to prevent re-tangling during the cleansing process. Continue to be diligent. Your hard work is going to pay off. Keep detangling gently, cleansing regularly, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing. If you’re into building a regimen, then create one at this point that works for you. If not, you can always go ahead and with listening to your hair and acting accordingly. To help keep your mind off of the starkly different textures, find a few staple styles that are great for blending — like satin strip braid outs, straw sets, twist and curls, flexi rods, Bantu knot-outs, or Cur former sets. Master these staple styles, and make them your go-to when you get tired of buns, updos, or just looking at partially textured, partially straight hair.

DON’T: Start curl coveting, or beating yourself up over growth progress. Yes, Mahogany Curls, Naptural85, Hey Fran Hey, and Chime Edwards all have GORGEOUS hair. And if you follow many of their journeys (especially Mahogany Curls and Naptural85), you’ll see that they didn’t get those amazing manes overnight. Everyone’s hair grows at a different rate, so don’t get all up in arms if you only get 1/4 inch of growth per month, instead of 1/2 or 1 inch. Besides, your hair might be growing faster than you know — but you just can’t see it because it’s all curled and coiled up.

10 – 12 Months: Closer to My Dreams…

Once I got closer to the year mark, I really hit my stride. I had a firm grasp on what worked for my hair, and what didn’t. I could do my favorite styles in my sleep. At this point, I could really see my texture coming through, and I was more committed than ever to seeing this thing to the end. Plus, I knew for a fact MY products worked, they really worked!

DO: Get ingredient savvy. Sure, over the past year I’ve learned all about silicones, sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum, and other generally “red flag” ingredients. But have you educated yourself on fatty alcohols, humectants, ingredients that penetrate, and those that repair? Now is a great time to get beyond surface level and really understand the products you’re using, or interested in using. This lead me into creating my own soap, lotion, facial scrubs and many other product all natural products found here on www.yaqinah.com.JC of The Natural Haven, The Beauty Brains, and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database are great resources. You can also get into the DYI trend, if that tickles your fancy. Seirabi NaturalCare Hair Collection contains, whipped Shea butter, oil blends, and more is a great way to save money and use quality ingredients.

DON’T: As you approach or hit the one year mark, try not to fall prey to product junkie-ism. Because you see your hair texture more, you might be more prone to scooping up everything that says curl defining on the bottle — but don’t. Experimenting with a product or two is always fine, but why burning through money you don't have on products you don't need? Seirabi NaturalCare Hair Collection have everything you will ever need in one bottle....undiluted.

1 Year +: It’s All Up to You

After you hit the year mark, it’s really whatever you want from your hair. If you’re ready to cut, cut. If you want to keep going, keep going. I’ve personally been transitioning for 16 months, with at least 3 more to go before I consider chopping the rest. Once I got to 15 months, I found myself comfortable rocking wash n’ go styles. I still protectively style, but I show off from time to time (because I'm royalty and I just love me so much, I want to wear it out and show the world all of me. I’ve become more diligent about the connection between healthy hair and a healthy body. Regular exercise, a cleaner diet, drinking plenty of water, vitamins and supplements are all as important to me as henna treatments, gentle handling, and maintaining moisture. The only major change to my regimen I’ve made is steaming my hair during detangling, no-shampooing rather hair washing and mid-week for moisture…but that’s a story for another time. The bottom line is, after a year all the grueling work is done, and I have a company and products I completely stand behind.  Now I just have to figure out what I want to do next!

It’s important to remember, there is no set timeline on the following things during your transition to natural hair:

When to trim your hair. Trim your ends as frequently or infrequently as you wish, according to your level of comfort and the health of your hair.

When to switch up products. Switch as often as you feel so inclined…or stick to your tried and true staples for as long as you wish. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

When to do deep treatments. The transitioning process is a great opportunity to learn your hair’s needs. If you feel your hair is weak, limp, and lacks strength, do a protein treatment. If it’s dry, brittle and lacks elasticity, do a deep moisturizing treatment. There’s no timeline on these things. Just take stock of what your hair needs, then do it.

When to chop. This is perhaps the biggest one. As I become more public with my transition progress, I get more and more encouragement and pushes to cut the rest of it off. With all due respect, I am royalty I say when and what goes “off with my head”. The same goes for every other a person in transition. Chop when you’re ready…and not a moment sooner.

Lastly, here are some things to avoid at every stage of your transition:

Texturizers/Silkeners. I don’t care what you read, or what so-and-so said; a texturizer (silkener) is nothing but a perm that you leave on your hair for a shorter amount of time. If you’re looking to truly embrace your natural texture, why fake the funk with a baby perm? This is how I lost my hair!!!!!!

Too much heat, too often. It has already been shown that heat damage from too high temperatures, too often damage the hair almost as much as a perm. It is perfectly okay to straighten your hair with heat safely on occasion — but straightening to transition from relaxing is a recipe for danger.

Neglecting hair in covered styles. Box braids, Havana twists, wigs, and weaves are all great ideas for avoiding high manipulation. But don’t forget to actually take care of the hair underneath. It still needs to be detangled, cleansed, and moisturized regularly.

Ridiculously expensive products. In my humble opinion, there is no reason to ever spend more than $20 on any other hair product…and that’s cutting it close. More often than not, you’re paying for a name and fancy packaging. Most conditioners and styling products contain similar ingredients, so don’t pay $30 for a 4oz bottle of styling product that you can find a comparable version of elsewhere for $8. Beside try and compare the price, size and ingredients of Seirabi NaturalCare products to other and you'll see we are the crown jewel on top.

Negativity. Don’t let folks that don’t have to wear your hair kill your vibe. You’re embracing your natural texture for whatever reasons YOU decided. Not to please anyone else. If anyone (I don’t care if it’s your mama or your BFF) speaks negatively to you about your transition to natural hair, promptly show them the stadium and let them know they can have several seats.