When I was a little girl, my mom always stressed a few things when it came to presentation: make sure your clothes are always ironed and clean, keep your hair primp, and always have your nails clean, filed, and looking nice.
And whether it's been a single color or ornate, crazy designs, making sure my nails look great has always been something I've (at least tried) to uphold. It can say so much about your personality, and more importantly, can be a conversation starter no matter where you're at.
With the colder months upon us, you may be wondering what type of nail colors are good for you to try out. For me, I love going to for a deep, rich red on the nail, but also know nothing beats a clear coat with a design for lasting effects. I grabbed 5 boss babes to share what their favorite winter shade is and why:
Morgan Pitts
What She Does:
Online Sales Specialist at Gucci/Founder & Creator-in-Chief of BlackGirlsWhoBlog
What She Loves:
OPI, "My Dogsled Is A Hybrid"
Why She Loves It:
"I either wear it as is with a top coat or paint some glitter polish on the tips for a fun and festive look. I love this nail shade for winter because it isn't your typical green, which makes it a bit refreshing from both the classic Christmas colors and cliché 'dark for fall/winter' hues."
Kia Marie
What She Does:
Content Creator/Influencer
What She Loves:
Essie, "Downtown Brown"
Why She Loves It:
"My favorite nail color to wear this season is 'Downtown Brown' by Essie! It's a really nice oxblood color that definitely matches my current mood - moody and vampy. I love it because I wear a lot of red and dark lipsticks, and it really pairs well with them."
Christine Cauthen
What She Does:
Lead Editor, 21Ninety
What She Loves:
Artistic Colour Revolution, "Hotness"
Why She Loves It:
"I wear attention-grabbing shades like 'Hotness' during the winter because I think nails can be the best accessory. My wardrobe is largely made up of versatile neutral shades, but a statement-making nail color or a bold lip shade keeps things interesting. 'Hotness' is a great holiday color, but it will also add extra flair to the often-dull later parts of winter."
Christina Brown
What She Does:
Founder, LoveBrownSugar
What She Loves:
Ginger & Liz, "Best I've Ever Had"
Why She Loves It:
"I love this color because it's the perfect nude for brown girls and it's made by brown girls (even better)."
Ashley Dunn
What She Does:
Wardrobe Stylist/Influencer
What She Loves:
OPI, "Alpine Snow"
Why She Loves It:
"White is a neutral that I love. It goes with all of my looks; so I never have to worry about my nail polish matching a look no matter if I'm in color or print. This year, I started getting my nails dipped using a technique called 'dipping' using the same polish but in a powder form. I love this technique, because it allows the white to last 2 weeks or more without chipping or staining. It's a win-win for me!"
What is your favorite nail shade to rock in the cooler seasons? Let us know in the comments down below!
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- Nail Color Picks for Winter | Real Simple ›
- 19 New Nail Polish Colors To Wear This Winter ›
- 11 Best Winter Nail Polish Colors for 2018 | Glamour ›
- 13 Best Winter Nail Polish Colors for 2018 - Top Nail Polish Shades ... ›
- The Best New Holiday and Winter Nail Polishes - Racked ›
However, I would also see other naturals wear their hair straight, only for it to revert right back to its tight curly pattern. It made me curious, and I started to ask different natural hair stylists whether the myth was true. They all responded, “You can, but not too much.”
In case you're like I was and are a little hesitant about applying heat to your hair out of fear of damage, I want to debunk a lot of the hair-straightening myths so you don’t have to be afraid to switch up your style every now and then. Here’s the truth about heat on natural hair and how to prevent damage.
Deagreez/Getty Images
Straightening Your Hair Isn’t Bad
Don’t listen to the naysayers, the only person you should listen to is your stylist. If you’re considering switching up your curly hairstyles for something sleekier, your stylist will guide you and give you tips on the best way to do that.
One of the benefits of natural hair is that it’s typically stronger and has high elasticity to fight breakage and damage. Plus, natural hair is versatile and not confined to just one style or look. In fact, my hairstylist, Aliya Abbey of Mane Mastery, says:
“One myth that I tend to see when it comes to natural hair is we need to stay away from all heat – blow drying and straightening. While some naturals prefer to avoid heat completely, it can actually work against you. Stretching the hair for trims gives more precision and a better look at the overall health of the strands, whereas curls can camouflage split ends and damage.”
There’s No Specific Rule Book
Generally, there are best practices for maintaining healthy hair, but truth be told, it’s not one size fits all. Hair texture, porosity, health, etc., all play a role in what you can do and how to do it. What may work for you may not work for others, and vice versa. Aliya continues, “Some hair strands can withstand more heat than others.”
It’s important to know your hair so you can create a routine and plan that works best for you.
Grace Cary/Getty Images
Moderation and Minimization Are Key
As I mentioned before, too much of anything can be bad for you. When thinking of straightening your hair, protective styles, etc., it’s important to be aware of how often you're manipulating your hair. In general, a lot of naturals can’t keep our hands out of our hair, it kinda comes with the territory.
Implementing a low-manipulation routine can minimize breakage, create stronger hair strands, and promote hair growth. It’s not always what you do but how much you’re doing it. In terms of how often you should straighten your hair, Aliya adds that “straightening more than two times a month could cause weakness in the hair."
Use the Right Tools
I used to think all heat tools were the same. I've always based healthy straightening practices on technique. While that's true, the tools you use are just as important. The cheaper blow dryers and flat irons tend to overheat your hair or not straighten your hair well enough. When it comes to flat irons, it is best to get one where you can control the heat via temperature instead of high and low. This will allow you to see how much heat you're putting on your hair and have control.
On the other hand, if the blow dryer or flat iron isn't of quality, it will require you to pass through your strands more than necessary and possibly burn your hair. "Heat damage is caused by tools that are too hot, tools that are being passed by a section of hair too many times, and/or dehydrated hair. It's important to take note of the type of tools being used and the frequency of straightening. Don't forget to steam and hydrate!"
Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images
Heat Damage Is Preventable
One last fact about straightening natural hair is that heat damage is preventable, not inevitable. There are a few ways to avoid heat damage, one being steam and deep conditioning your hair. Doing this not only makes the strands more hydrated but also stronger.
Secondly, using a heat protectant is important. It creates a barrier between hair and heat exposure to protect your strands.
Lastly, have a professional do it. If you don't know what you're doing, get someone who does. Using the right care and technique can save you and your hair a lot of stress. Seeing a stylist who specializes in natural hair and silk presses can promote strong, healthy hair and avoid heat damage.
Don't be like me and let the unnecessary fear of heat deter you from your versatility. As long as you prioritize your hair health, you'll be okay. I follow the exact same routine with the help of my stylist, and my hair thickness, elasticity, and health have never been compromised.
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Featured image by Deagreez/Getty Images
