knotyourstandard

[knotyourstandard]

Showing off new wrap I picked up from @killadoesthat yesterday at the @afrolatinofestivalnyc #afrolatino #menwithlocs #orishablessed

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Got my hair did 💯💅🏾💅🏿

[knotyourstandard]

I have been retwisting my hair with just water (and some coconut oil) for a while now and I have to say I feel better about not having product in my hair but, I get really dry scalp. tips? 

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Has anyone with locs ever been to a hot springs? I need to figure out how to protect my hair in this sulfur…

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It's been a year already?

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I’m really having a hard time finding something to sleep with for my locs. For a while I was using a satin bonnet and it was perfect, and easy. But I finally reached a length where I can't tuck it in so that the bonnet fits comfortably. I tried making a loc sock out of tights, but I thought it was too tight and it was giving me a headache. Also, it was leaving fabric on my bed, which probably means the fabric was falling into my locs. $12 wasted. 

Tips? I need to just get a satin or silk scarf but I don’t want it to be funky designs or patterns, or black. (honestly if I could get a blue, yellow and White one I’ll be set....  

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How to make a loc soc, headband, & hair tie for your Dreadlocks by Mattie

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This is a really cute and creative url

Thanks lol it took some trial and error to get the name :)

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Glory! My god-sister re twisted my hair for the first time since June. I have been doing it on my own (to save money).

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Man. Buns.

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Me retwisting my locs

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Here’s an appreciation post for males with type 4 hair 😍😍😍 since I hardly see them. It was quite hard to find these pictures (and none are mine).

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I decided to post a video outside of my monthly updates. I have been working out lately and need to figure out how best to go about washing my hair after sweating. I decided that I would wash my hair every 1 to 2 weeks, with a good concoction of natural stuff I had laying around. And have a thorough cleansing with my Godsister who is a stylist every 6 or so weeks. I had lavender oil, which I hear is good to stimulate hair growth and it smells good, and I had tea tree oil which is a good for cleaning (I think it might be a natural anti-bacterial and good for scalp pimples if you have them). I added apple cider vinegar and diluted it with water. I hope it works! If y'all have suggestions or make your own hair cleaning potions let me know!

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Check out windadeptlives.

Decided to post a selfie...

…to take a break from all this packing. Excuse this mean mug, it’s been a long day and the lights in this bathroom are bright af…

Now, I also post this picture for another reason. For most of my life, I’ve been told to cut my hair to keep it more manageable. The only times I was allowed to grow out my hair, it was to make it curly as was the style at the time, but not before I dumped mad chemicals in it. For years, I thought this was my only option. And forget trying to grow a fro.

I went to an event with my friends the other day, celebrating natural hair. Now, the event was mostly for women but it really got me thinking. All this work I’ve been doing to reclaim and own an Afro-Latino identity, and yet something so seemingly simple I’ve been completely avoiding. I’ve been trying/dying to have “straighter” or “nicer-looking” hair. But I’ve come to learn that that mentality is one of many leftovers of colonialism and colorism, especially the specific brand that I’ve grown up with as a Dominican male. 

I’m currently growing my hair out. I don’t know what I want to do with it yet, but I do know I want to start treating it with the respect I deserve. If I want to continue doing the work of undoing racism, I have to start with myself. So here goes, my promise to myself (on a social media website, because if it’s not online it doesn’t count apparently lol) to embrace and love what I’m born with and using it as my own standard of beauty, instead of living up to anyone else’s.

Now, lemme stop procrastinating and get back to packing so I can go to sleep…

[knotyourstandard]

Stimulate Hair Growth

Peppermint Oil: With a fresh aroma, this strongly concentrated oil must be diluted before applying the scalp. It penetrates the scalp and stimulates the hair follicle, allowing for more oxygen production that gives your curls the green light to grow.

Lavender Oil: This sweet smelling product has antibacterial properties that keep the scalp clean and the pores open. It helps to reduce issues that can prevent hair from growing like excessive dandruff.

Rosemary Oil: Hailed as one of the most effective oils in hair growth, rosemary oil is known for its scalp stimulating properties. It gets the blood circulating in your scalp, which also assists with thinning edges and balding spots. Tip: Try diluting this essential oil with jojoba oil and gently massaging it into your scalp.

Stinging Nettle: This herb does double duty. Allowing stinging nettle oil to sit in your hair overnight can help combat hair loss and also give your curls a boost in the growth department. The nutrients help regenerate the hair and prevent the overproduction of DHT, a hormone that contribute to hair loss. Tip: You can purchase this herb in oil form and leave it on overnight or make a tea and use it as a rinse.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil: It can be incredibly frustrating to have a nice, full head of curls with noticeably thinning edges due to heat usage, over-styling, or other types of damage. Now that you know how to treat your hair better, you can make amends by applying Jamaican black castor oil to your trouble zones. As with any remedy, patience is required but if you are persistent about using it, the thickness of your edges will return. (Learn more about Castor Oil Here)

Aloe Vera: This mega hair growth stimulant is jam-packed with more than 20 minerals and an abundance of vitamins like A, C, and E (just to name a few). It helps hair grow by reducing the overproduction of sebum – an oily substance that your scalp secretes. Excessive sebum can slow hair growth by clogging your pores. Because it is an antibacterial, aloe vera works by zapping that oily build-up and allowing your pores to breathe.

Sage Oil: This oil increases blood circulation to your hair follicle. It also aids in controlling excessive sebum from the scalp. If your curls are limp and your strands aren’t growing, sage oil might be the move for you.

Onion Juice: The smell might be less than pleasant to some (or most) but this DIY treatment has been used for ages and for a good reason – it works! Thanks to its high sulfur content, it is incredibly effective in stimulating and increasing your blood circulation.

Apple Cider Vinegar: When your scalp is battling build-up, trying to get your curls to grow is an uphill battle. Product build-up, dirt, and grime all contribute to disrupting your scalp’s natural pH levels and effecting growth. Restore balance and stimulate hair growth with an ACV rinse following your shampoo. It will leave your hair soft and give it shine. (The Scoop on Vinegar)

Eggs are full of all of the major essential vitamins and minerals (except for C) including zinc, iron and selenium. Tip: Try beating an egg and applying it to your hair in order to increase oxygen and blood production to the scalp. This application also assist in healthy cell division. Rinse it out after 20 minutes with cold water (warm water makes it curdle and stick to your hair) and shampoo.

Give it a few tries in order to gauge results.

Eggs are also a great help for those with high porosity hair. Check out this Rum and Egg Hair Recipe if you have difficulty sustaining moisture in your strands.

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six months have gone so fast and I am finally at my 6 ½ month mark and I just got we twisted yesterday I love the length and the progress. I was thinking about how long I want them to get and when I should start trimming so if anyone has any suggestions let me know I’d appreciate it thanks

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LGBTQ barber shop

This is a story of a black queer barber trying to realize her dream, opening a barber shop for LGBTQ community in New York City.