Keep Your Real Hair Healthy By Following These 10 Weave Commandments
It all started my senior year of high school when I got the prom weave from hell. For prom the look that I was going for a Kardashian-esque middle part with my hair tousled in soft waves to frame my face.
What I ended up with though was much hair loss, a scabbed up bloody scalp and many sleepless nights from the throbbing pain of the tight sew-in weave. The damage of that one sew-in lingered behind for years to come. From the day after I took down that horrendous weave, I've been very skeptical of going to salons to get sew-in's and go to great lengths to make sure that my hair is protected under. That was the plan rather.
Rule #1: When you're a black woman in college, find the girl in your dorm that knows how to do sew-ins for the low.
Lucky enough for me, the girl in the dorm that could hook up a sew-in became on of my closet friends; to this day she is one of the only people that I allow to touch my hair because she styles my hair while keeping it's health in mind. But finding someone who cared enough to care for my hair was not enough when I wasn't doing my part. I would get a sew-in and flat iron my leave out like crazy and never even bother to treat my natural hair under. My hair had the last laugh my sophomore year when it decided to matte up and break smooth off on the line of demarcation (the line that marks natural hair texture and relaxed hair texture). My transitioning hair had had enough of me treating it like a step child. From there, unlike the first time, I learned my lesson.
Weaves can go really wrong or really right. While it makes a really good protective style for our natural hair, many women (including myself) aren't able to benefit from this protective style due to our bad preparation, maintenance and take down of the weave. I will break down in a series of "commandments" what us ladies should be doing to get the maximum amount of protection from our weaves. No more weave horror stories.
Preparation
Thou shall wash and deep condition hair
Before the installation of any sew-in weave washing and conditioning is a must. A weave should never be done on dirty hair/scalp period! Weeks leading up to a sew-in you should be on your best behavior when it comes to your hair regimen; baby it so the sew-in puts less stress on your hair. Deep conditioning gives your hair the extra TLC that it needs
Thou shall trim thy ends (if needed)
I too am guilty of skipping out on trims every now and again for the sake of hanging on to some extra length. When your about to put your hair in a sew-in is not the time for that. You don't want you ends to be raggedy and splitting under a weave because once it's sewn up there isn't much for you to do at that point.
Thou shall moisturize hair and oil scalp as needed
Take advantage of the fact that your hair is free of any weave or braids and give it its last boost of TLC before you have to do it between the tracks.
Thou shall make sure corn rows aren't too small or too large.
Some women opt for smaller braids because they “last longer" but they also can put a lot of unnecessary stress on the hair. Large braids on the other hand may not dry as well (when your washing your hair in a sew-in) which can cause mold. Yuck.
Maintenance
Thou shall protect thy hairline
If you choose to braid your edges into the weave (refrain if you can) make sure you are babying it. Massaging castor oil etc. around the hairline every now and again to can lessen the damage and stress done to your edges while it is in a weave
Thou shall keeping moisturizing and seal like there us no tomorrow
As per usual you hair needs love. Listen to your hair and moisture and seal with a natural oil as you see fit.
Thou shall wash the buildup from thy scalp
Usually a wash every two weeks will suffice but it can vary person to person. The key this is not to let product lay on your scalp.
BONUS TIP: I just discovered the most wonderful thing that has changed my life as a weave wearer forever. DRY SHAMPOO! They come in either powder or spray form and is a great way to freshen up your hair and get rid of some excess oil between washes while your hair is in a weave. Don't sleep on this.
Take-down
Thou shall not overdo the hair due
4-6 weeks! That is that magic time frame when it comes to the proper amount of time to keep a weave in. Some people's hair can with stand a bit more but don't overdo it. There is nothing wrong with you giving your have a very much needed break.
Thou shall grab a friend or a professional to help cut out your weave if you need help
When you have scissors to your head trying to blindly cut the thread of the weave without cutting your hair. If you have someone that can lead a helping hand, go for it. Its best to be safe than sorry.
Thou shall not rush into another weave
Take it slow girl and start from square 1. Take the time (2-3 weeks) to nurture your hair in its loose state before running back to the bundles.
These are just some of the basics when it comes to getting the most out of your weave as a protective style.
What are some ways that you prep your hair for a weave and maintain it while it is all sew-in up? Share with us some of your tips.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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6 Flexible Entry-Level Remote Careers That Truly Require No Experience
It’s always frustrating when you’re new to the job market, transitioning into something new, or you’ve taken a few gap years to care for children, and a so-called entry-level opportunity actually requires experience. If you’ve just graduated from your program or you’ve been working in another field for years, how is this possible?
Well, there are job opportunities, according to the experts at FlexJobs, that require no experience and are perfect for those who are looking to make a change or are new to an industry or role. And many of these roles are fully remote, allowing you to make money while at home (or almost anywhere in some cases.)
Here are six remote jobs that require little to no experience to help you get an idea of where to start:
1. Administrative
According to FlexJobs, there’s a demand for virtual and executive assistants who can provide support to others using the transferable skills they’ve learned either working in another industry or that they’ve been trained to do in college or a trade school. These roles require “clear communication skills and efficiency will impress potential clients and employers.” And the fun factor: You can choose what type of company or type of assistance work you want to do, oftentimes can set your own hours, and if you find purpose in helping a visionary reach their vision, this is a hit.
2. Language & Translation
Working as a translator involves “translating verbal files into written documents, using video to interpret virtually, or proofreading and cleaning up translated files.” You can also use these skills in education or for corporate communications, so if you have certifications or you’re fluent in multiple languages, this might be a good fit.
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3. Social Media
We all know social media is here to stay, and there are lucrative ways to leverage. Brands and larger companies need passionate professionals to manage their pages, automate posts, or provide strategy, and while some professionals bring marketing degrees to these jobs, this industry is wide open for those who have skills in using popular platforms, videography, art direction, and creative voice.
4. Sales
For those who have worked in retail, have a natural gift of gab, or are motivated by the hustle, this career lane is a hit, especially when it comes to online sales jobs. Some entry-level sales positions involve working in a call center, but if you’re able to sell your transferable skills well, you can apply for sales jobs at various companies with experience from another field or a college degree from a CG in a call center environment and either taking inbound calls or making outbound calls in order to sell a product or service.
5. Customer Service
While this one can get a bad rap, it’s a great opportunity for someone looking for a change who loves serving others. Oftentimes, you can find gigs that are web-based, and several openings require no previous customer service experience. There’s also potential for growth and thriving in customer service if you’re great at sales and you land a gig at a company that rewards meeting goals every month or year. Skills in communication, typing, and professional conflict resolution are valuable in this field.
6. Travel & Hospitality
Jobs like being a travel agent allow you to help vacationers and corporate leaders alike plan, book, and troubleshoot trips, whether for business or pleasure. You can also find opportunities to work for a hotel or resort or even for small businesses that specialize in offering Airbnbs. For this job, you’ll typically need to have “good people skills and the ability to easily learn new software programs.”
Find out more about remote jobs where you need little to no experience via FlexJobs or follow them on Instagram.
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