Reader Question: Heat Damage Solutions???

Naturally Leslie reader Sewing Stardom had this wonderful question and she needs our help. What would you do if this described your hair situation???

I have a hair issue maybe someone can help me.

Ok so i have been natural my whole life, but i have been using heat to get my hair straight since i was about 11 or so. My hair used to be kinky and curly(i hated it then) but now i want that texture back. sadly my hair is no longer as tightly curled as it once was. Now when I wash my hair it is curly on one side, puffy on some parts and wavy/straight on others. I'm craving that naturally curly hair i once had. I do braid outs and twist outs and all those other styles but I want the natural hair back without all the effort those styles take. Do you guys think I should just chop of my hair and start from the beginning? i feel like I have no hope now. I can either cut it, deal with it or use more heat to get it all one texture....(sighhh) i need advice.

As you may remember, I suffered from some minor heat damage and decided to chop it all off about 2.5 yrs ago. It was just easier to me and I wanted to experience the "big chop" again. That worked for me and I enjoyed working with my hair as it grew to different lengths. Here I am 2.5 yrs later with MORE hair than I had before I cut it. It has been a joy for me to watch my hair grow and thrive in such a short amount of time, and I really liked finding new styles for my hair at all the "in-between" lengths.

I know chopping is not the best choice for everyone as some women like to retain as much length as possible when growing out a perm or damaged parts. But I don't think continuing with heat straightening is the best way to go either. Further damage will only make you more frustrated and could lead to permanent hair loss.

So...Naturally Leslie readers, what do you suggest? If you want to weigh in and give your two cents, please submit a comment. I'm sure this lovely reader is anxious to hear your thoughts!

The Coil Review: November

It's that time again! The November issue of the amazing online natural hair resource The Coil Review has been published and is ready for your viewing pleasure. My article this month is entitled I Confess: I Am My Hair After All. Of course, it is an opinion piece about my views on natural hair so I would love to hear your responses and opinions. So, are you your hair or not? How much importance does appearance have in determining our identity? Weigh in!

Sunday Cuteness: My Little Builder!

Halloween fun! I went to a Halloween get together last night. I was a gypsy and I got to hang out with my (best friend's really) little builder baby boy! So much fun!! What did you dress up as last night??

Dry Twist N Curl

Hello all! I love my two strand twists and twist outs but I wanted to try something different this time around. So, I decided to try out Curly Nikki's signature style- the one and only Twist N Curl! I have tried it before on wet hair but this was the first time trying it on dry hair. I bought these bigger rollers (perm rods really) at the beauty supply store. Before rolling, I wet the ends with a spray leave-in conditioner and sealed them with my CocoShea mix.

I slept in those huge rollers overnight (was not an easy task!) and when I awoke, these were my results!

This was after it had been down all day en semi-humid conditions. I put a scarf around it to get it off my face since I OD'd on the CocoShea mix. It was getting all over my face and that is a no no!

So all in all I really like it. I had been rocking these twists for a few days and wanted to spice it up before I untwisted them. It was very fluffy and bouncy and I got some compliments. So overall, it was worth it and I will definitely try the dry Twist N Curl again! Thanks Nikki!

Product Placement

For many, going natural is not just about a change in styles but also a change in what we use on our hair. After 10 years of being natural myself, I know I have done my fair share of PJ-ism! I've gone through phases of ONLY using natural products, then trying to find the cheapest effective products, then searching for specific ingredients, and so on. There have been full bottles of product that never get touched once I use it and determine it doesn't work for me. Then there are others that most people denounce that seem to work like magic on my hair.

So...I am really interested in seeing what you ladies (and gents) out there are loving right now to care for your tresses!

I want to compile a list of CUPs (commonly used products) and sort it by hair type/texture/length. So what I need from you is to send me your list of fave products along with a brief description of your hair as it is now. Tell me what you keep coming back to gain and again that seems to get the job done right! This includes shampoos, conditioners, gels, oils, pomades, creams, butters, spritzers, etc. All price points are welcome since I understand different people have different budgets. If you make something at home that is the best you 'eva had', send me that too.

With all of the products out there already, and new ones popping up every day, what is your go-to list that works every time?

Send your list/hair description to my email (not in the comments section) to naturallyleslie@gmail.com. After I get a good comprehensive list, I will post it for all to share.

What's Your Opinion: Enough About Hair For Now...

...What about marriage?

So I saw this video and thought it was an interesting topic to discuss. What do you think about marriage and living together before marriage? Is it a religious issue for you or a matter of legality? Or both? I saw a video similar to this about a program that works to wed unmarried couples, especially those who have already had kids. I know that it is commonly discussed how so many African American children are born out of wedlock and many grow up in single parent households. Then, of course, we have many celebrity examples (Angie and Brad, Halle and Gabe, Kurt and Goldie, etc etc) who have 'successful' relationships where they have been together for years and continue to have and raise children. It seems that in our society, it is ok for them but then "regular" couples are looked down upon. Is this a double standard?

I do not consider myself a religious person but the idea of having children out is not for me. I don't know if it is because I think I will be judged or that in my profession, I am looked at as a role model for kids or what. But that is for me, I don't judge what other people do and I don't think of it as necessarily a right or wrong thing per se.

So check out this vid and drop your opinion. Do we need more Black marriages or more marriages in general? Or, should people be able to live together as they wish without the legal commitment? Some people might think less marriage equals less divorces, especially considering the divorce rate in this country. I wonder if the trend of less marriage has anything to do with the decline in people identifying as religious or members of a certain faith.

So complex, so interesting....weigh in!

40+ Naturals: Meet Tara!

Welcome Tara to NL! She is a very recent 'chopper' and I love her short do! Look at that smile full of

self-confidence and pride. I love it!

NL: When did you decide to go natural and what went into that decision?

I decided to go natural Oct 17, 2009 and the reason I made that decision is I just got tired of the chemicals,salon visits and the cost of it all. I started remembering when I was young and my hair was natural I had no problems with it and wore it curly all the time....we called it big hair in those days...(smile)

NL: Did you transition over time or do a big chop?
I thought about transitioning but I was already wearing a short hairstyle and just decided to the big chop which was Oct 18, 2009

NL: What are some of your favorite products and styles?
Well as of right now I've just been going to forums getting tips for other naturals. At the moment I'm using Suave Conditioner, Jam Protein Styling Gel, Motions Daily Moisturizer, Motions Nourish Leave-in Conditioner and Olive Oil. Right now I'm just exploring what will work for me.

NL: Describe your expectations and feelings before you made the leap to natural. How did you feel post-transition?
Well my expectations was hoping that it would turn out curly like it was when I was young although in the back of my mind I was a little nervous. My post-transition feelings was that family,friends and strangers out in public would look at me strange and that my family would disapprove.

NL: What have been the reactions of family, friends, etc to the newly natural you?
Well my family was pretty shocked they loved the short cuts and styles I was wearing with the relaxers. My children were a little stunned but said if I'm comfortable with it then so where they. As for friends they didn't like it so short and some said I was cute (smile) I guess everyone has an opinion.

NL: Describe what it was like to return to work after going natural.
Well at the moment I am laid off so I really didn't have to worry about that transition (smile)

NL: Overall, what has been your greatest discovery about being natural?
Well its kinda like being reborn again to your natural state, I felt like I just took off a mask and now I can be what God intended "Natural" no additives to change who I actually am...and I feel great!

NL: What advice would you give to another 40+ woman who is considering going natural?

The advice I would give is to go back to the way God intended ....and don't change it again. God made everyone different and we should be happy with the design he has made us to be....so rock and wear it!

Thanks Tara!

***If you're 40+ and loving your natural hair, please send me an email with some pics and answers to the questions above to naturallyleslie@gmail.com so you can be featured!***