Tackling Natural Hair Insecurities

"Your hair doesn't make you who you are, it's just an extension of you." -Anonymous 

Lately my mom and I have been battling with my younger sister over her hair. She is 13 and has a beautiful set of curls that never seem to blow me away with their length, thickness and curl pattern. Yet she refuses to bother with it in its natural state and prefers to wear micro braids. It's perfectly fine if she wants to wear braids but my mom and I just can't figure out why in the world she would want to hide such gorgeous hair.

Wearing your hair natural takes some guts; we live in a society where straight hair is advocated in the media, where relaxers and flat irons are flying off the shelves and women are told subliminally (and sometimes obviously) that their curly, wavy, or even short hair isn't good enough. People also make lots of assumptions about natural African-American hair; they think its not manageable, its unattractive, unprofessional and its something that should be hidden. It is very difficult to accept your hair the way it is when others are looking at your hair like its despicable but you must accept your hair. One thing you can't accept is society's opinion of your hair because the only one that matters is yours. 

Natural hair insecurities exist for everyone. Caucasians, Hispanics and many others struggle with their wavy and curly hair. I've seen so many of my white and Hispanic friends straighten their hair every single day in order to "perfect" their hair because their curls or waves are just impossible to deal with. Thinking back to when I was younger, and relaxed, I never thought anything was wrong with me getting my hair relaxed or them straightening their hair, I just didn't realize the extent of what a lack of confidence can do to someone, even myself. 

One thing that really gets to me is that my sister is so lucky: she has a mother and a sister with natural hair. Very few girls grow up with natural hair role models. I get it, she's just 13 and I know that when she goes to school she doesn't see black girls with TWAs or twist-outs and it can be very discouraging at that age to be the only one with a tightly curled fro. Maybe with age and time she can understand that her hair is absolutely beautiful, not only that but that her hair is not who she is, but only a part of her.

 

My Box Braid Styles!

I'll Be Back!

So it's the holidays and I've just been home spending time with family. This means I haven't got around to doing any cute styles but just for kicks I'll do a few videos on a couple of styles that I've done so far.

My box braids will be coming down in January so my coils will be back and I have so many ideas for my hair!

See you soon!

with Love from Liv <3

My Top 5 Beauty Must-haves!!

When it comes to hair and skin women go through so much trying to beautify ourselves. Not only do we waste a lot of time but we also shell out a lot of money! I've found some basic products and tips that have guided me through my skin and hair issues. I'm 19 so I'm crossing over from those awkward teenage years into my twenties and my skin is changing but I've narrowed a few things that help me maintain my good looks:

5. Lotion!

Moisturizing your skin is one of the best things you can do for it. I slap on some Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula after each shower and in between when my skin is dull and dry. Not only do lotions and butters keep your skin moisturized, they also keep it smooth and smelling amazing!

4. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera Gel is super moisturizing. I use it to moisturize my face after my two daily washes and my skin soaks it right up. It has no alcohol and the brand I use, Fruit of The Earth, is 100% Aloe Vera so it contains no extra fragrances or colors. I know many naturals use Aloe Vera for their hair, I don't but I'm sure the benefits are just as great!

3. Milk of Magnesia (Laxative)

What?!? I know, it sounds crazy but I use milk of magnesia on my face. I have very oily skin and I was surfing YouTube one day looking for a solution and I found multiple videos that were advocating milk of magnesia to solve problems with oily skin. I tried it and it works for me! I apply a moderate amount to a cotton ball and then blot it onto my face, focusing on the problem areas. It dries white so I either rinse it off or apply my moisturizer over it. My face is instantly matte! If you're wary about using it, watch a few YouTube videos or find information on acne help websites.

2. Cleanser

Washing your face is so important. We are bombarded with impurities and bacteria each day and all of it collects onto our faces. I use Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser morning and night to rid my face of dirt and oil. The active ingredient is Salicylic acid which treats acne. This cleanser is great because it doesn't dry out my face and I definitely noticed a difference in my skin when I started using it.
(PLUS: Don't forget to exfoliate your skin 2-3 times a week, this really helps get rid of dead skin and excess dirt!)

1. WATER!

Water is so important to your body; it makes up 2/3 of everything inside you, from your blood to your saliva. Your body needs water!! Too bad no one likes it... When I first started trying to drink lots of water I discouraged myself by keeping track of how much I was drinking. Now I simply choose to drink only water with 2 meals a day and for one meal I allow myself to drink one glass of juice/tea/soda and one glass of water. I also only keep water to drink in my dorm which forces me to drink it instead of going downstairs to the cafeteria to get something else. Tricking myself into drinking water has worked out the best!

BONUS: Vitamins!

Ok I know this makes 6 things on my list but I must stress the importance of taking a vitamin! No matter your age your body needs vitamins to function. Vitamins are nutrients.

 Nutrient: any substance which an animal cannot produce or synthesize in its own body.

This means that the only way your body can acquire vitamins is through your diet. Some people may be able to get all the vitamins they need through their diet but the average Joe or Jane has a diet that is missing a few key nutrients. This is where vitamins come in. They work wonders on your metabolism (Vitamin B), do great things for you hair and skin (Vitamin A). Why wouldn't you want to take them?

When It's Time to Speak Up..

I've never been one for confrontation, I guess you can say I've been pretty shy most of my life. As I've gotten older I have been faced with different situations that have forced me to confront others about certain issues. It's nearly killed me every time!

I don't stand up for myself the way I should because I would rather pretend there isn't a problem than be forced into confrontation. I'm not blunt or bitchy but there have been numerous times when I knew I should have said something but just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I've talked to numerous people about this and they all say the same thing: speak up. It sounds so easy but for someone like me it's nearly impossible no matter how uncomfortable or offended I may get. It is sad in a way and I know it's something I have to work on.

But what about when a friend or loved one does or says something you don't appreciate? How do you confront that person without putting your relationship in jeopardy?

These are a few things I've been struggling with lately. Confrontation scares me but at the end of the day, if something bothers me too much I have to speak up and solve the problem.

HSOTD

Check out how I did this style! It was really simple and really cute!

Box Braids!

Please check out the post below for more details!