To Perm or NOT to Perm

"So, I was having a conversation with someone the other day and I was asked a questions that seems to float around alot..."Are you going to make your daughter go natural or will you put a perm in her hair?" Well..um...honestly, I hadn't really given it much thought. Now before I go into my personal thoughts about this subject, let me make it clear...We are not in the business of judging those who consider themselves natural and those that choose to use relaxers in their hair. In many blog sites you hear alot of rhetoric surrounding the attitudes  of women that are natural being "holier than thou" towards those that have chosen a different option. So with that being said.....I will continue.
This natural journey began roughly 2 1/2 years ago for me, so I have a history with the perm. I don't recall ever being asked if I would perm my child's hair simply because my hair was permed as well. Now, since this movement is still fairly new in the world of AA hair, it didn't get much thought from most. We knew that if you had a little beauty you would maintain their little ponytails until it was time for it to get pressed or flat ironed(your age will answer that question for you) and you did that until you graduated to the "Kiddie Perm"...and you know the rest. That's just how it was. Now with the knowledge that's been passed around, I don't feel obligated to ask those with perms if they intend to perm their child's hair. Which makes me wonder, why is it ok for me to be asked that question? Why is choosing my preference for my child's hair on display, like I'm choosing Alabama or Auburn? Am I forced to declare?
I can't speak for everyone, but for me it comes down to knowing better and doing better. Any decision I make on behalf of my children are based on the assurance that I am doing what I deem best for my child. I have chosen to teach my child to love the hair that comes out of her head naturally. I don't see any benefits of putting poison on my child's scalp and falling victim to the scalp burns, potent chemical smells and potentially cancer causing mixture being placed on her hair. Anything that will eat rust from a nail or eat a whole through meat is not meant to be placed on her scalp or my scalp. But this is a preference. If I could have it my way every little girl would be taught to love the hair that comes from her head, but I don't.
So...in the end I look at this issue the same way I look at other issues concerning parenting; I will teach my child what I think is best. My best may be different than someone else, but who am I to judge? Will I put a perm in her hair? I don't really see it happening in the future, but if she chooses to do the latter later on in life I won't judge her either. But lets just hope she chooses to follow in her mommy's footsteps on this one.
What are your personal thoughts? Have you experienced this concerning your child's hair? How about other alternative lifestyles?

Long weekend...Too much food...Too much shopping, and now it's that time. It's time to get back to the regularly scheduled program. Just thinking about it makes me want to stay snuggled up on the couch just a little longer. But soon  enough it will be time to hit the snooze button one last time and "rise and shine". I'll be the first to admit, from time to time I feel like I NEED a cup of coffee. But as I continue on this journey, I found many natural ways to get your day going. It's exciting to know that there are so many varieties of foods that you can try that will get you going

Bananas are at the top of the list if you want to include fruit in your morning routine. Bananas contain fructose, sucrose, glucose AND fiber. 2 bananas are able to give you enough energy for a 90 minute workout!! Yogurt is also one of the best because it contains complex carbs and protein. One of my staple breakfast items is a hard-boiled egg, which is great for protein and you can never go wrong with oatmeal. If you're bold, try a mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey.

If you have any peppermint around, try taking a quick sniff. It works great for the senses and can give you a quick jolt of energy. If you don't have any mint to smell, pop one in your mouth while you're getting ready for the day. To go along with your mint, try some music therapy. Find some music that gets you going and get a couple of tunes in before heading out the door.

No matter what we do, mornings keep coming around and they never get any easier, so try some of these tips and why not share some of your morning routines.

A rose is not just a rose

We are falling in love with rose water. Rose water and be used for so many different things, but my favorite has got to be its ABSOLUTELY lovely smell!!! Rose water has been used for various skin care remedies because of its anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties. Rose water hasnatural cleansing properties and has been known to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. You can create this by mixing rose water, glycerin and rose essential oil. Rose water can also be used as a toner by adding it to witch hazel and a few drops of glycerin. Place a few drops on a cotton ball and put it on the affected areas. You can help treat your acne without the harsh and drying chemicals normally found in other acne treatmentsl Lastly, you can add rose water to your favorite skin moisturizer or use it on your skin for a great refresing perfume. The smell is so light and enjoyable...I PROMISE. One of the benefits is that you can use it to treat so many differnt things without any harmful chemicals. You can find Rose water on many different websites such as iherb.com, amazon.com and olivenation.com.

Water,Water Everywhere

It's all about the water....Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard how necessary it is to our entire existance. Water is vital to our very survival. It gives our skin a shiny glow, our hair a natural bounce, our nails great length and so much more. We may have options when it comes to water but do you know the difference between the many types offered?? Here's a quick rundown:


Distilled Water is water that has first been turned into steam so that all of it's impurities are left behind. Then through condensation it is turned back into pure water. This is considered the only water free from contamination.

Filtered Water is water that has passed through a fine strainer. Some calcium and other solid substances are kept in the filter. Each pore of the filter is large enough for a million viruses to seep through. A home filter usually picks up suspended solids and is effective for home use. It becomes ineffective if not changed properly and can actually become a breeding ground for bacteria.

Purified Water is drinking water that has been treated with processes such as distillation, deionization or reverse osmosis...which basically means that the bacteria and dissolved solids have been removed from the water.

Spring Water is water that has come from an underground formation where water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. It is collected at a spring or through a borehole tapping an underground formation. The water must be from the same stratum as the spring must retain the quality and all of the same physical properties of water that flows naturally in order to qualify as natural spring water.

So, no matter which type of water you prefer, just drink up!!!!! Happy Monday

   

The BIG chop

Ask any fabulously naturalista about their experience and everyone will give you a different story when it came time for their BIG chop and anyone that has done it can probably tell you the date and how they felt them minute they did it.So what's all the rave about the BIG chop. The BIG chop is when someone decides to cut any processed hair from their head. We at Emma's Essence consider this a BIG step. For some people, this step is as spiritual and emotional as it is physical. For some of us it signifies a new beginning. It represents a new step and a new chapter. Maybe it signifies being free of the creamy crack many of us considered ourselves "victims" of. For some of us it signifies freedom to express ourselves in our own individual way and for some of us it may not have been that big of a deal.. just needed it off. Whatever your reason may have been, we wanted to explore the BIG chop process.

Majority of our fellow fabulous naturals we know went through a transition phase before doing the big chop. This means they may have worn braids or weaves while trying to allow their processed hair to grow further from their scalp. This transition period has no specific time limit at all. Some people transition a few weeks and some people transition for up to a year. It is during this transition time that we begin to realize how different our natural hair texture is and some people experience hair breakage because of the different textures.

Although some people choose to go to a salon to get their chop done, it can be done from home just as easily. One of the best ways to complete this process is by wetting the hair and completing a very good shampoo on the scalp. Once the scalp is clean, add some conditioner to the hair, starting with the scalp and working your way down the hair follicles. After this process is complete you will be able to notice the difference between your processed hair and your natural texture(which will be thicker than the end of the hair shaft). Simply part the hair and cut where the thin texture begins. Continue the process of parting and cutting until it is completed.

Once this process is complete, rinse the hair, add your favorite oils and take a deep breath. Believe it or not(and most of us know by now), you have just completed the EASIEST part of your natural hair journey. We will post some pics of some FABULOUS chops for you to feast your eyes on.

My sweet honey!

Let's talk about your HONEY...(no, not your sweetie), the other honey. Did you knw that honey is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture from the air to your hair.Organic honey contains many antioxidants, so it leaves your hair healthy and strong. Honey also helps eliminate frizz if you have problems with that as well. You can add honey to many of your favorite conditioners for a great shine after a deep cleanse. Many people are afraid of the thick, sticky texture and don't think of putting it in their hair, but a GREAT combination includes honey, glycerine, olive and an avocado. You can leave it in your hair for a deep conditioner and you will be very pleased with your results. 

Tip of the day

Tip of the Day: Hair growth occurs in three cycles: growth (Anagen), resting
(Catagen) and shedding (Telogen). Hormonal changes in the body play a large part in the growth phase. Different hormones affect the stages differently and hormonal imbalance can have substantive impacts on the growth of the hair. Additionally, hormonal changes in the body that occur during pregnancy or while taking certain forms of birth control or other medicines can affect your hair growth cycles. Happy Wednesday!