Momentswithmarsha

Hair Moment: My Experience with Scab Hair

About two years ago, as I was transitioning from my relaxed hair, I heard about scab hair. The idea behind scab hair is that the scalp still contains residual chemicals from the use of chemical relaxers and as hair grows out of the scalp, these residual chemicals cause that hair to be very dry and rough. This rough, dry hair is what is considered scab hair. It supposedly takes time for the residual chemicals to completely leave the scalp and after that point the hair growing out with no longer be rough and dry and have a definitive curl pattern.

There are still a lot of people within the natural hair community that don’t believe in scab hair. However, I am not one of those individuals. I didn’t whole heartedly believe in scab hair until my own experience with it.

I ended my transition and cut my relaxed hair off in May of 2014. When I cut my hair I immediately noticed that about 1-2 inches of my ends were extremely rough. I mistakenly thought that I just need to pamper my hair to alleviate the dryness and that’s just what I did regularly. By August I realized that despite months of deep conditioning and regular moisturization techniques, the ends of my hair were consistently dry and rough. I also realized that twist outs of any kind, curl former sets, or any styles that required me to manipulate my hair look terrible because my ends refused to cooperate. I would spend hours detangling my hair because my ends always tangled horribly even though the rest of my hair shaft was soft and manageable. Eventually I connected the dots. My ends were extremely rough, dry, and prone to tangling while the rest of my hair flourished. I knew that the state of my ends wasn’t because of over manipulation because I had only recently cut my relaxed ends off so it made no sense how unmanageable my ends were. This is when the light bulb went off in my head and I realized my ends were considered scab hair. I had been relaxing my hair for over 13 years when I went natural so it only made since that my scalp was adjusting to being chemical-free and that adjustment had an effect on the first few inches of hair growing out of my scalp.

I tell you my experience with scab hair not only to make you a believer but to also help you see the signs if you are contemplating transitioning, in the midst of transitioning, newly natural, or maybe you are already an established natural and this article made you realize you dealt with this issue without even knowing it.

Realize the signs of scab hair which are extremely dry, rough, and wiry hair that won’t match the rest of your natural hair as it grows in. Scab hair is still a fairly novice topic in the natural hair community so there is no guarantee that my experience will be the same as someone else’s experience. Some naturals may not even experience scab hair or they may have 2-3 inches of scab hair or maybe just half of an inch. In my case, there was nothing I could do about my scab hair but to cut it off. I was happy to do it and since the cut the time I spend washing, detangling, and styling my hair has been drastically reduced. Overall I am less frustrated with my hair.

Has this blog made you a believer of scab hair? Have you expierenced scab hair? Leave your thought’s below and I’ll be sure to comment back. If you are discuss thing on social media be sure to use the #HairMomentwithMarsha hashtag on social media!

Serious Moment: Dealing with Disappointment

I recently got some disheartening news. I was tidying my room jamming to some new music and I randomly decided to check my email. At the top of my inbox was an email for a job I had applied to. It was a great job opportunity. I knew I would enjoy the work, the salary, the hours, and the commute were great. I had eve went back for a second and third interview. The last person that interviewed me told me to expect a call within the next week with more information about the hiring process. I was elated. My happiness turned to confidence and my confidence ballooned into arrogance. I thought the position was mine even though it was never directly promised. And then I got the email telling me the position had been given to another candidate.

And just like that my ego shriveled up.

I’d like to think that I deal with disappointment well. This isn’t my first time at the disappointment rodeo. I thought I would share some tips on dealing with the disappointments life may throw your way.

It’s okay to be sad.

Cry, yell, scream, have a fabulous pity party. But not for long. When I’m down I give myself a space to be human and grieve whatever it is that happened to me. Give yourself a time limit to be sad. But make sure you pick yourself back up, the sun still rises out of the darkness everyday.

2. Make a plan.

Set goals for yourself. How do you plan on overcoming this situation? Was there something you could have done differently to change the circumstances? Make a plan A, B, C, and D. Envision a best and worst case scenario. Prepare for the worst and strive for the best case scenario. Making plans can help to ease some of the anxiety you have about your disappointment because you taking steps to initiate change for the better.

3. Find a support group or an accountability partner

Sharing disappointments may be embarrassing but harboring a secret embarrassment and navigating it by yourself is an extremely lonely process. Confiding in someone else may be scary but it’s also uplifting. You can have an ear to empathize with your situation and also offer fresh perspective on your circumstances. Support groups and accountability partners not only offer a listening ear but those individuals can help keep you on track to change. They hold you accountable for making the steps to get up and through that situation. A text or a call every now in than reminding you how far you’ve come reminding you to stay on track can make a big difference.

4. Look forward

Living in the past is a dangerous thing to do. But we are humans and it’s inevitable to think about past situations. Try to look forward. Take what lessons you can from whatever situation you are/were in and take that with you as you move forward.

I really hope this article can help someone deal with a difficult time. If it did help be sure to comment below or use the #SeriousMomentwithMarsha hashtag on social media!

Random Moment: My Favorite Quote

“Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want. Go for it.”

-Patrick Verona (10 Things I Hate About You)

This is probably my favorite quote of all time. Funny how is was said by a fictional character but I don’t care. This quote guided me through puberty, high school, and college and it continues to guide me through obstacles I still face today.

What this quote means to me is to dream big and dream wild. Whatever you want. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior because you want something different or because you want something that they are too afraid to dream of. Live your life how you choose. Make your own decisions. Be you.

Thanks for sharing this #RandomMomentwithMarsha

What’s your favorite quote? Comment below!

Hair Moment: Q-Redew Review

So last christmas, a loved one gifted me a Q-Redew hair steamer and I was extremely excited to test it out. Now I not surprised that I had received this gift because it was at the top of my christmas list. I had heard about all the benefits of steaming hair and I was so sure that this Q-Redew was going to revitalize my hair regimen. My hair was going to be stronger, shinier, softer, etc!

Why I Chose the Q-Redew

But out of all the hair steamers on the hair market, why did I pick the one that looks like a giant green claw? One simple reason: accessibility and easy of use.

I wanted a device that would best suit my natural hair lifestyle. In general I’m pretty laid back when it comes to my hair. I don’t follow any strict rules or timelines; I do what I want to my hair when I want to do it. I needed a device to fit that lifestyle. I wanted a device that was self-explanatory, hand-held, compact, travel-friendly, and something that I could use easily. There was nothing else on the market that suited those needs except the Q-Redew. Other popular hair steamers, such as the Huetiful Hair Steamer, were over-priced in my opinion and cumbersome. I would have to assemble the device, find a flat-surface to place it on and then some how find a comfortable position to sit under this device for how ever long. All of this, assuming that my extremely thick hair would even fit under the hood comfortably. And those weren’t hassles I wanted to incorporate into my carefree natural hair lifestyle. With the Q-Redew I just plug it in and go. If I need to go on a trip and I want to bring my steamer, I can just pack it in with the rest of my hair tools. It’s amazing.

Why I Love the Q-Redew

Outside of being so easy to use, using the Q-Redew cuts down on my deep conditioning time. I used to deep condition for 2 or more hours. Although I loved how my hair felt after a good deep conditioning, who really enjoys having a cream slathered on their head for hours on end? With the Q-Redew I deep condition for 30 minutes and that is all. I get the same results, if not better, in half the time. Using the Q-Redew also makes detangling so easy. I deep condition while I detangle. Once my hair is freshly washed, I’ll section it into 4 and apply my deep conditioner of choice. Then I will steam each section for about 5-8 minutes each and while I’m steaming the tangles just melt away. I kid you not. In the end, my hair is deep conditioned and thoroughly detangled. It make’s wash day something to look forward too.

But the Q-Redew does have it’s short-comings. Personally, I think that the cord is too short. As a hair tool I think that the cord should be a comfortable length. But I substitute the short chord by using an extension cord. Also, the water reservoir on the Q-Redew isn’t very big. Once all of the water has been used up it has to be refilled and filling up the water reservoir continuously can be annoying if I’m are steaming for a while. When I steam my hair I usually have to refill the reservoir 3-4 times. It’s annoying but it’s not a deal breaker for me because the Q-Redew suits so many of my other needs.

Pros

Allows me to get an intense deep condition in little time
Makes detangling such an ease! Seriously
Great for refreshing hairstyles
Can be used on wet or dry hair
Easy to Use
Easy to Clean
Travel Friendly
Powerful

Cons

The cord is too short
Filling up the water reservoir frequently can get annoying

How Steaming has Effected my Hair

The big question is have I noticed a difference in my hair since I have been steaming and I would have to say yes. I have noticed that my hair stays retains moisture a lot longer after a good steaming session and it responds better to products. A better response to products usually results in a effortless style i.e. my flat twist-outs and braid-outs look great with half the effort. Would I reccommend this product? Yes I would. It’s a great addition to my natural hair regimen but it is not a crucial component of it. It does not make my hair any healthier than it was before I received this steamer. A good consistent regimen will always trump any new product on the market. My advice to any one thinking about investing in a steamer is to do your research on the steamer than best suits your natural hair needs and lifestyle. Once you think you’ve narrowed it, sleep on it. I waited at least six months to decide if I really wanted a Q-Redew and at the end of those 6 months I still was interested in owning a steamer it so I added it to my Christmas list.

Other Options for Steaming

A steaming the device isn’t the only way to steam the hair. A simple DIY steaming method would be to get a plastic bag, spritz the inside lightly with water and plop that sucker on your head for a couple of hours and let the natural heat from your body build the steam up in the bag. To intensify the heat, moisten a small towel, microwave it for 15 seconds and than wrap the towel around your head and over the plastic bag. Wala! An inexpensive steam treatment.

If you have any questions about the Q-Redew, please ask them in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to respond.

Thank you for sharing another #HairMomentwithMarsha

Do you steam your hair? If so what method do you use and have you noticed any changes?

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Hair Moment: Is Oil Actually Important for Your Hair?

A lot of hair blogs discuss the importance of adding oils to a hair regimen. But why is oil so important to natural hair?

Before I can get into why oil is important to the hair and skin, I have to talk about the natural oils that are produced by our bodies internally. Humans have these things called sebaceous glands that secrete an oily matter called sebum; sebum lubricates and protects the skin and hair of mammals. Sebaceous glands are are located every where on the human body except the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. However, sebaceous glands have the highest numbers on the face and scalp. When the sebaceous glands over-produce sebum, some people can suffer from greasy scalps and greasy faces which can lead to acne.

Sebum helps to keep our skin healthy. It prevents our bodies from losing too much water and prevents too much water from entering our bodies (ex: when you sit in a bath too long you will start to get ‘pruny’ because the sebum acting in your skin has washed away and because this protective layer has been removed your skin loses water which creates the ‘pruny’ effect).

But how is sebum related to my hair regimen?

It’s a common fact that most people with straighter hair textures tend wash their hair frequently. This is because sebum travels down the hair shaft from the scalp. Because those individuals have straighter hair textures, sebum has an easier time traveling which leads to limp, greasy hair in a matter of days. On the other hand, people with kinkier or more coiled hair may not need to cleanse their hair as often because the sebum has a difficult time traveling down the hair shaft due to the hair texture. But this difficulty in traveling, my friends, is why kinky haired individuals are always facing an uphill battle with hair dryness. We need to add oils to our hair because the oils our bodies naturally produce have a hard time getting to where it needs to go. And this is why other oils are important to the kinky-haired individual. This is also why the ends are driest part of the hair shaft and a lot of products geared towards natural hair contain oils.

So find the oil that you think best suits your hair and incorporate it into you regimen.

What’s your favorite oil? Comment below!

Thank you for sharing this #HairMomentwithMarsha

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Hair Moment: Faux Locs Tutorial

Recently I self-installed some faux locs to give my hair a break and to try something different. This style was relatively simple to do but you do need a lot of patience. My faux locs are super light weight and easy to maneuver which is such a plus compared to braids or twists which can really cumbersome and heavy. If you are interested in watching my technique you can watch my tutorial below.

Happy watching and thank you for sharing this #HairMomentwithMarsha!

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Hair Moment: LOC/LCO Method

So what exactly is this method that is raved about all over online? What is the all the hype about?

The LCO/LOC Method is a used to aid in moisturizing the hair and combat dryness. If done correctly with the right products your hair can retain moisturize for up to a week and even longer. As a type-4 natural, my hair is quite kinky and extremely thick. Needless to say, dry hair is something I will always had and always will have to deal with. I find that this method coupled with my choice of products and hair regimen cuts down on the amount of time I spend having to re-moisturize my hair on a weekly basis.

So what is the LOC Method…

L is for Liquid

Examples of Liquids that can be used are plain old water, aloe vera juice, or any water based moisturizer or leave-in that is on the runnier end such as the Infusium 23 leave-in.

O is for Oil

Any oil can be used for this step, choose whatever best suits you hair. I would recommend oils that penetrate the hair shaft such as Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Almond, Oil, and Avocado Oil.

C is for Cream

Again, any cream can be used but I would choose a water-based cream and stay away from heavier butters and custards to avoid product overload. Below are some great options for creams:

Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

Now that I’ve listed the ingredients involved in the LOC Method I’ll break down the actual method.

Step 1: On clean hair, apply your Liquid of choice.

Step 2: Follow up with the Oil to seal in moisture from applying the Liquid.

Step 3: Finish up with the Cream as an second layer of sealant to lock the moisture into the hair shaft.

And wala! Moisturized hair that should retain moisture for at least a couple of days. I personally follow variations of this method because it better suits my hair. I prefer the LCO method which is just the LOC Method rearranged. I prefer to seal with an oil as my last step because my hair responds better with this sequence. Another variation I use is after my hair is washed and deep conditioned, I’ll skip the liquid and just add a Cream and seal with shea butter. For my liquid I use aloe vera juice diluted with distilled water or Infusium 23. For my oil I use coconut oil or olive oil. As my cream I use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner (can also be used as a leave-in and/or moisturizer even though it’s a rinse-out conditioner) or Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, or Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream.

Other tips you might find helpful:

#1: The method and the products go hand in hand

You can follow the steps correctly and use the wrong products for your hair and find that you hair still isn’t retaining moisture. Or you can find the right products and use them in a sequence that doesn’t agree with your hair. Trial and error will help.

#2: Some products don’t play nice together

Be careful what products that you are pairing together, some products don’t mix well with others. You would hate to spend all that time washing, conditioning, and moisturizing your hair only to end up with a sticky gooey mess you have to rinse out. Be sure to test the products out together before applying to you hair.

#3: Use the products sparingly

Because you are applying so many products to your hair, be sure to not be too heavy handed with every product or you could end up with super-moisturized and super-greasy hair. Yikes.

#4: Your hair regimen is key

This LOC/LCO Method is fabulous, but if coupled with a poor hair regimen the won’t last. The LOC/LCO Method complements a consistent regimen. This method is not intended to give you hair all the moisture it needs. You will still need to wash and condition your hair as well as make sure your diet corresponds the nutrients you hair needs internally.

#5: Use this method at your own discretion

Folk, this method isn’t intended to suit everyone. People with finer, less kinky strands would best benefit from a different method. This method suits type-4 naturals the best.

What products do you use for the LOC/LCO Method and what sequence works best for your hair? Be sure to comment below! If you have any variations of the LOC/LCO method or have any other tips or suggestions comment below and be sure to hashtag #HairMomentwithMarsha on Instagram or Twitter so I can see your LOC/LCO products!

Thank you for sharing this #HairMomentwithMarsha.

Healthy Moment: 5 Healthy Living Tips for the Lazy Individual

***If you are serious about changing your lifestyle, please seek professional advice. I am only stating the tips that worked for me with my lifestyle***

One day I aspire to live a very healthy lifestyle brimming with GMO-free delectables, sparkling green juices, and organic errythang.

Unfortunately, at this point in my life I can’t seem to make exercising a regular habit, Whole Foods wants my entire wallet and first born child to afford those prices regularly. I don’t have a terrible diet per say, but I know that I have leaps and bounds to go before I land where I hope to be in the pond that is healthy living.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to compile a list of ways I manage to stay somewhat fit.

Tip #1: Walk a little further

Take the stairs as often as you can without getting ridiculously winded in public. If you are at the mall and you normally park in a garage, try parking on the level below or above the level you actually need to be on and make it a point to take the stairs. If there are no stairs available, park a little farther away and enjoy a quick walk to your destination.

Tip #2: Drink your veggies, don’t eat them!

I love love love green smoothies. I typically blend spinach and kale together with other yummy fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, peaches, celery, apples, and greek yogurt. I get plenty of greens and I still have room for all the unhealthy things I enjoy eating on a regular basis. Yay me!

Tip #3: Choose your proteins wisely.

I’ll admit it, I enjoy pork. Bacon and sausage are heaven sent. If seasoned well and fried just right, pork can introduce you to a heightened level of ecstasy. But I also know how low the nutritional is in pork so I almost always opt for the healthier meat choice. Almost. Maybe I’ll choose chicken instead of red meat or a leaner cut of red meat instead of the fattier cut (Lord…I love the fat). Sometimes I’ll even choose fish over chicken if I’m feeling dangerous. The point is to make the most health conscious decision without having to skimp on the flavor of the food.

Tip #4: Portion Control

Now this tip is slightly objective because I’ve always believed in eating until you feel satisfied. But eating 4 pounds of food in one sitting is still way too excessive, even if that could be defined as “satisfying.” So for this tip, use your best judgement. If you going to eat something you know that you really should not be eating, having a smaller portion will only make it half as bad.

Tip #5: Know when Enough is Enough

Despite all of these amazing tips I am giving you, you still need to see a licensed professional to make sure that you are physically sound. Know when enough is enough and it’s time for you to saddle up and visit the local doc. After all, better safe then sorry right?

I hope these tips help you either figure out what do or what not to do with you life or may even a laugh.

Thank you for sharing this not so #HealthyMomentwithMarsha

#StayHumble

About Me

Welcome to Moments with Marsha. I am a young Haitian-American woman attempting to figure out my life and this is my space to share my tribulations and fails. I’m a lover of all things hair, make up enthusiast, fashion watcher, and healthy living advocate. From time to time I also enjoy discussing topics I find relevant to women of color, African Americans, and the 21st century female. So if you have the time or you’re really bored, stop and share a moment with me!

Serious Moment: Life after College|Is Your Life Together?

Walking across that graduation stage to receive that college diploma was one of the happiest days of my life. I was surrounded by all the people I loved to share such a special moment in my life and I was embarking on a new journey. Or was I? Unlike what felt like every other college graduate in existence, life after college was a murky pond full of a lot of questions and few answers. I didn’t have the answers, but I did have a four year degree in a major I loved but a major that wouldn’t support me financial at this point in my life. A major and didn’t teach any useful skills I could utilize to get a job after college as anything but a menial part-time teaching assistant job and the local community college if that. All through school various advisors would tell me that it’s okay to not have it all figured out after graduation. But how accurate is that? It’s is really okay or is this just a a sweet saying said to prevent the panic and cold-sweats? #QuestionsThatNeedAnwsers So there I was a happy, confused, apprehensive, and petrified graduate. Look ma we made it! aeN9KxB_700b_v1

I was so very proud of my degree and how hard I worked to achieve that degree. But as proud as I was, I was scared to admit I graduated because I was even more scared to admit I didn’t have a plan after graduation. Would anyone proclaim that they got a brand new Audi but didn’t know where they were taking that car or how they were going to afford to put gas in that Audi? I didn’t think so. So I moved back home and I started to piece my life together. Since moving home I’ve been working a part-time job that was a rude awaking to what the life of a working class American experiences. I’m grateful for the experience and the relationships I’ve made along the way, but work a part-time job on a menial salary has only motivated me to do something more with my life. Being perpetually broke is the pitts and I do not intend to live my life like this on a regular basis.

A year later I have slowly but surely pieced what I think I want from life together. It’s been a long and somewhat lonely journey. Currently I’m applying to various graduate programs and with any luck I’ll be in somebody’s classroom this coming fall or spring. Say a prayer for me please. This past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me and an entirely humbling experience. However, I am at a point now where I am okay. Of course it’s still discouraging when I get on Facebook or Instagram and everyone is getting married, graduating with 3 degrees, or traveling the world and I’m just trying to figure out how I am going to pay my next bill. But I know that I have a plan and I know that it will happen because I faith and I’m devoting all of my time to bettering myself. Life goes on, I’m young and I would rather use this time making all my mistakes so in the future I have better direction.

This is just my small story of navigating life as a post graduate with no real plans. I wrote this with the intent to help someone else who’s experienced or is experiencing a similar situation. Who ever you are, you will be okay. Life goes on, find a plan and stick to it. It’s very easy to throw the saddest of pity parties at this point and it’s also easy to get discouraged which can open the window for depression. For that person experiencing this turmoil that best advice I can give you is to stay positive no matter how hard it is and find ways to keep busy. Use this time to find a new hobby or refine a skill you already have. Work, volunteer, write a short story, look at the benefits of your current situation. When in you life will you every be this free to do what you love and have copious amounts of time to devote to that love? Use it wisely my friend and stay humble.

Thank you for sharing this #SeriousMomentwithMarsha

“Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want. Go for it.”

-Patrick Verona (10 Things I Hate About You)

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