*This article was originally published on September 17, 2011. It was re-posted as part of our ‘Best of 2011? Series.

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By Cipriana of UrbanBushBabes.com

After going natural, some women choose to focus on attaining length. But for many it can be a frustrating process. Here are 5 tips that will help you achieve length will staying motivated and encouraged.

Diligence

Diligence is a must for achieving length. Make sure your hair is properly and constantly moisturized and well-maintained. It can be tempting to slack off but remember that every time you are lazy with your hair you risk drying it out and compromising its health — which can lead to breakage.

Patience

Learning this can not only save your strands when detangling but will also make you much happier in the process of attaining length. A patient natural will be less likely to take out frustration or anger on their hair.

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*This article was originally published on September 11, 2011. It was re-posted as part of our ‘Best of 2011′ Series

By Jc of The Natural Haven

If you are yearning to have a larger than life afro or hair that hangs down to your waist, then you must pay attention to both your comb and combing technique. Length retention starts with eliminating hair breakage and combing is the primary reason why curly and kinky hair breaks.

Do you have the right skills, tools and techniques?

1. Section hair

Natural hair, curly or coily tends to have a lot of volume. Make your life easy by creating manageable sections- 4 to 8 usually works but with thicker or longer hair even more sections may be better. Very short hair (under 4 inches) generally does not require sections. Use hair bands or clips to keep the hair under control and if you have tight curls or major shrinkage consider loosely braiding or twisting the sections and washing them in this way.

2. Comb wet or comb dry?

Breakage is likely to happen whether hair is combed wet or dry and the method you choose is really a question of preference and ease. Breakage during wet combing is because although hair is very flexible, its strength and ability to resist the force applied from combing is at its lowest. Conversely, when hair is dry, it is at its strongest but it lacks flexibility and therefore is likely to snap. The ideal condition for combing would therefore be when hair is mostly dry (about 80%) so that it is strong and pliable.  However, no matter what your preference, consider using some hair conditioner to increase slip and help reduce damage.

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Via NaturalSunshine.com

Many naturals here on NatSun have shared the ups and downs they have had in their relationships as a result of going natural. We have at times asked questions like; Would you perm your hair because your man wanted you to? We’ve had posts in which we shouted out the men in our lives who support our decision to be natural.  We have even talked aboutmen who simply don’t get it. We’ve covered it all.

But one question that hasn’t been answered conclusively is this, “Should you ask your spouses permission before getting your big chop?”

We know many of you are already boiling on the insides over the idea that you would need to ask anyone’s permission (especially a man) before deciding to cut your hair, but we think there is more to take into consideration.

Yes, it’s your hair and you can do whatever you want, but when you are in a marriage or dealing with your life partner, your decisions are no longer yours alone. Making a choice to change your hair style so drastically may or may not matter to your partner, but give them the respect of discussing it with them before you make any changes. I recommend starting the dialogue as soon as you begin thinking about wearing your natural hair texture. Allow them the same amount of time as you to come to terms with the decision.**

So we want to know, should you ask your spouses permission before cutting all of your hair off or transitioning to natural? If yes, why? If no, why not? Also, if you are married or involved in a serious relationship how did you prepare your partner for your natural hair journey?

If you are currently in this situation and are looking for ways to get your man on board for your natural hair journey, this article gives you a step by step plan to talk to your partner about natural hair and hopefully get him to understand what you are doing.

**The above quoted block came from How To Get Your Man on Board For Your Natural Hair Journey

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By Audrey Sivasothy, author of The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care

Are you having chronic hair breakage? Your hard water could be to blame. While black hair needs water to thrive, hard water can be a total hair breakage nightmare. The very thing that we depend on to take care of our hair and fight breakage can also be the very thing that slowly destroys it. Unfortunately, hard water is a common problem. Nearly 85% of homes have hard water coming through the taps.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that is full of dissolved minerals and metals like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, silica, lead, and manganese, scientists at Malibu Wellness Solutions say. But you’re thinking, ” . . . wait, minerals are good, right?”Well, yes and no. Minerals are excellent INSIDE the body as part of a healthy, well balanced diet. Inside, they are able to travel through the blood stream and nourish hair follicles for new hair cell regeneration. But minerals deposited on the exterior of the hair shaft can cause breakage and dryness problems in black hair care.

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Agbeke writes;

I have a dilemma. One of my friends is making me very uncomfortable in regards to my hair and I’m not sure how to approach the problem without coming off as a “typical angry black girl” (I hate that term so much. There’s a difference between being militant and defending your rights, but that term is used as a blanket statement for even appropriate responses…but that’s a discussion for another day).

Anyway my friends and I like to tease each other relentlessly. Be it grades, degree of nerdiness, who could punt who across broad street, etc. But it’s always good natured. One day, I’m not even sure how we got started but me and my one friend were going on about beating each other up, typical stuff. Out of no where she says “If you’re not careful I will knot up your hair”. Okay. Weird. It came out of nowhere so I didn’t know what to do except laugh it off. I was wearing yarn twists btw. It was an odd joke to make but I didn’t think anything of it. Everyone goes too far at least once so I figured that was her free pass.

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