Beauty

  • Beauty, Hair, Kids Natural Hair, Natural Hair

    Everything You Need to do Two Cornrows with Braiding Hair at Home

    If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you may have noticed that I’ve been experimenting with my hairstyles a lot more lately. My hair is in that in-between stage as it grows back, and I decided I should have fun with it instead of obsessing about its length. Plus, I have time during quarantine to improve my braiding skills (did you see the unicorn box braids I did in my daughter’s hair?) For the last few weeks, I’ve been rocking two cornrows with braiding hair, and it’s becoming my favorite style even though I want to move on and try Popsmoke braids next. I’ve gotten a few DMs about this hairstyle, and while I am not a professional and I try to make it look as natural as possible, I wanted to share everything you need to do two cornrows with braiding hair at home so you can rock this style too. 

    Everything You Need to do Two Cornrows with Braiding Hair at Home

    Braiding Hair

    You can choose to use human or synthetic hair, depending on your preference. I purchased this pre-stretched Kanekalaon braiding hair from Amazon. There are many options on Amazon, so be sure to read all of the reviews, so you don’t waste your money. I like this hair because it didn’t tangle easily. I use one packet per braid depending on the thickness of your hair; you may use more or less. 

    Edge Control Gel

    This style wouldn’t work without a good edge control gel! While it’s necessary for my edges, it’s also great to blend the braiding hair with my natural hair, parting my hair, and give this look a polished finish. One issue I always have with edge control gel is that it flakes, and the only one I’ve tried so far that doesn’t flake is Cantu Edge Control gel. It also doesn’t get so hard that it damages or dries out your hair. That means you may have a few flyaways, but that’s fine with me to ensure my hair’s health, especially along my hairline. 

    Everything You Need to do Two Cornrows with Braiding Hair at Home

    Styling Gel

    In addition to edge control gel, I use a styling gel to braid my hair. This is important to smooth my hair and get rid of any frizz, especially since I do not blow dry my hair to stretch it.

    Edge Brush

    I mentioned in this post that I was going to move on from using a toothbrush and purchasing edge brushes. I’m so glad I did because this edge brush comes in so handy for this style. 

    Denman Brush

    If you’ve been around here long enough you know that I am a diehard fan of the powers of a Denman brush, it can be used to make just about any style work on thick natural hair. 

    Hair Jewelry

    This is optional, but if you want to have fun, add some hair jewelry to your braids. I prefer to add them to the synthetic hair to avoid tangles in my real hair; I purchased this variety box from Amazon. 

    That’s everything I use to do two cornrows with braiding hair at home. Let me know if you plan to try this style. 

    Also check out this mini tutorial video on Instagram or TikTok!

    @rattlesandheels

    How I do chic two cornrow summer braids with extensions. ##naturalhairstyles ##braidedhairtutorial ##braidstutorial ##braidedhairstyle ##twobraids ##fyp

    ♬ Dream Girl – Ir Sais

  • Beauty, Fashion, Kids Natural Hair, Natural Hair

    You Need These 7 Tools For Your Natural and Curly Hair

    You Need These 7 Tools For Your Natural and Curly Hair!

    This post includes affiliate links.

    If you wear your hair natural, you know that there are a few products that you often use to style and care for your hair. I recently posted a video tutorial on Instagram, and based on the comments, I realized that we need to talk more about the natural hair tools because they make all the difference in how our hair looks. I’ve been natural now for ten years, and these are the hair tools I use regularly.

    Wide-tooth Comb for Detangling

    Before my hair was natural, I used the opposite, fine-tooth combs to style my straight hair, but since going natural, I’ve found wide-tooth combs to be the best option for detangling my hair. I always section my hair and start detangling at the ends, then work my way up to the roots as the hair detangles.

    Sectioning Clips

    Whether you’re doing a braid-out, twist-out, or cornrows. You will need to section your hair. These alligator clips are great for sectioning your styling hair, and these butterfly clips are perfect for the same as well as detangling.

    Denman Brush

    A Denman brush is my go-to tool for smooth bouncing curls. It was one of the first products I purchased when I first went natural, and it’s lived up to the hype. Look at this video to see how I use my Denman Brush. Also, keep in mind that other brands make similar style brushes but I stick to the Demnan Brand.

    7 Tools For Your Natural and Curly Hair

    Diffuser or Diffuser Attachment

    A Diffuser hairdryer is another product that I’ve been using since I first went natural a decade ago and still use it regularly. A diffuser dryer allows me to dry my natural wash and go without ruining my style or drying out my hair. This is the Diffuser I currently use, and it’s so much better than the one I used for eight years, drying my hair in half the time. It’s also very inexpensive at less than $25. You can also buy a diffuser attachment for a blowdryer you already own, just ensure it’s compatible.

    Satin Pillowcase

    This is another must-have not just for your hair but also for your skin. A satin pillowcase is great because your hair doesn’t dry out at night, it doesn’t pull your strands out the way that a regular pillowcase would. This is my go-to for myself and my children. None of us use hair bonnets or scarves (the girls can’t keep those on) but before I got to this stage I did a combination of scarf and satin pillowcase.

    Fine-tooth Comb

    You’re still going to need a fine-tooth comb to part your hair, especially for cornrows just be sure to not use it to detangle your hair because it would damage your hair.

    Edges Brush

    After buying toothbrushes for years to slick down our edges, there are now Edges Brushes that we can purchase. I’ve been holding on tight to my toothbrush, but I’ll order one for the sake of review. I found this one on Amazon, and it’s only $7.

    Bonnet Hair Dryer

    So I can’t remember a time while growing up or as an adult that I didn’t have a bonnet hair dryer besides now. I used one for the first five years that I wore my hair natural for deep conditioning as well as drying my hair. It’s a great product to have on hand, but it’s also bulky, and I had nowhere to store it in my NYC apartment, so I got rid of it.

    Afro Pick Comb

    Natural hair shrinks and flattens quickly whether you sit or lay for a while, so an afro pick comb is a must-have to shape and tease your hair to make it full and beautiful again.

    That’s all friends! I hope this post is helpful. Let me know your must-have hair tools for natural hair below. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram and TikTok for more natural hair tutorials.

  • Beauty, Product Reviews, Skincare, Sponsored

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here’s my Experience.

    This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of BOTA!

    Over the last few weeks, I’ve been really intentional about taking good care of my skin. My face, I’ve religiously taken care of but my body needed some love. My three pregnancies didn’t help, my skin texture changed, I got acne marks on my back and my hands were started to show signs of aging. All of this made me realize that I needed to do something. As most of you know, self-care is very important to me and as I seeked out wellness products, I’ve been hearing a lot about CBD skincare products and the benefits of using them. It can be overwhelming because there are a lot of different brands CBD skincare products on the market so I want to share my experience using the Bota skincare products which contain less than 0.3% THC and made from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD),

    Bota Skincare Products

    Bota Calming & Nourishing All-Day Body Lotion

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness!

    While some moms love to start their day with coffee, I start with a shower to wake up, and I’ve been using the Bota Calming & Nourishing All-Day Body Lotion soon as I step out of the shower. This lotion keeps my skin moisturized ALL DAY LONG, even the dry patches that are sometimes itchy. Am I the only one with those dry skin areas? This lotion is intensely hydrating, and just a little goes a long way. It’s is made with Avocado Oil + hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).

    Bota Age-Defying Hand Lotion

    Bota CBD Skincare Products

    Just like you, I’m washing my hands non-stop and using drying hand sanitizer when I’m out and not able to wash them. I hate the way my hands feel when the skin is dry, so I was excited to try Bota Age-Defying hand lotion. It’s also very hydrating and keeps the hands on my skin feeling soft and smooth yet non-greasy. The Bota Age-Defying Hand Lotion is made with Apricot Kernel Oil + hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) .

    Bota Ultra-Rich Satin Body Cream

    My skin loves shea butter and jojoba oil, so the combination of those two and hemp extract is glorious. This is my favorite product in the Bota product line and I love using it at night to hydrate my skin. It’s thick and rich and the type of product that can easily become part of your holy grail.

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here's my Experience.

    Bota Warming Muscle Melt Cream

    As an island girl, I love cinnamon in just about everything but I haven’t used cinnamon oil in years. The Bota Muscle Melt Cream is made with Warming Cinnamon Oil + hemp-derived cannabidi. It’s another bedtime favorite and I love using it on the nights when I have a backache or my muscles are sore. It’s also perfect for massages.

    Bota Spearmint Tincture

    Last but not least is the product that’s perfect for those days when you’re filled with anxiety, stress, and need to relax a bit. The Bota Spearmint Tincture has been a savior for me recently, helping me to feel grounded and calm. It’s become a wellness must-have for me, and I love the coconut flavor!

    I tried CBD Skincare Products for my Skin and Wellness! Here's my Experience.

    Anyway, I hope this post is helpful! If you’re looking to switch to plant-based skincare products or just want to try CBD skincare products I would recommend the Bota skincare line. Get 15% off your order from Bota with the code PLANTPOWER15 until May 31st, 2020.