There's a lot to appreciate about the winter like hot chocolate, cozy blankets, holiday bliss, and a lot of nights cuddling with bae. One thing I don't appreciate about it is the harsh effects it has on our hair.
While it's somewhat of a chill season, it literally sucks the life and moisture out of our hair. The dryness in the air tends to cause the most breakage and split ends leaving us with no choice but to either opt into two-hour wash days (because our hair needs some extraaa conditioning) or protective styles so we don't have to deal with it as much. Regardless of your winter survival tactic of choice, spring is literally around the corner and our curls are about to bounce all the way back.
Here are a few jaw-dropping hairstyles you can slay this spring.
Pops Of Color
You can never really go wrong with a pop of color, whether it's permanent or just for a couple of weeks. It's a cute and fun way to switch things up a bit (hair wax is calling our name). Plus, the spring time is actually the best time to add color because it's not dying of dehydration and you don't get all the humidity of the summer negatively impacting yet.
Jumbo Knotless Braids
If you're not quite ready to give up the protective styles yet, this is for you sis. Knotless braids are a fun low-maintenance flirty style that you can switch up so many different ways. Wear it up or down or get really stylish and add flowers or other accessories to really add to the look.
Two Puffs
Don't sleep on this look, for most of us the puff is a go-to because it's simple and easy. It's also very versatile, it can either be really simple or super chic. Either way, it's an easy effortless style.
Flat Twisted Styles
Flat twist styles are super low-maintenance and require very little manipulation, not to mention it's cute af. You can go for a full twisted style or leave out the back. Add a couple accessories and you are good to go.
Cornrows
Cornrows are always a dope style for any season, but you can really do it up like Cici did and add jewelry, flowers, or even beads. It's a simple and low-tension protective style that's good for your hair growth and edges.
A Fire Updo
Updos are a good style for having your hair out but not too much on your skin. For some of us, the weather really starts to heat up in the spring and this is a fun style to have your hair up and out of the way while still showing off your curls. It's also a style you can easily do on an old braid out or twist out.
Spiral Curls
Switch up your curl style with a bouncy spiral curl using flexi or perm rods. It's an easy way to get guaranteed long-lasting voluminous curls without heat and with less shrinkage.
Braided Ponytails
Braided ponytails are a fun alternative to a regular ponytail. You can rock it long or short and the best thing is, you can get multiple styles out of this one look. Whenever you get tired of the braids, you can either make two braided buns or just unbraid it all together and rock a wavy ponytail.
Passion Twists
Passion twists are another fun and flirty hairstyle that is perfect for spring. Something about it just gives off good weather-blooming vibes. You can go long or short and it's very easy to install either with the rubberband method or just cornrowing your hair and using the crochet method.
Just Wearing Your Fro’
Girl, I know your hair has been tucked away in a protective style for most of the winter, let your curls loose and show your natural curl pattern. You can never go wrong with just embracing your fro'.
Fauxhawks
The fauxhawk is an easy way to get an edgy hairstyle without having to fully commit to shaving the side of your head. Instead you can braid it, slick it down, or pin up all of your hair to the center of your head and still look like a badass. The fauxhawk with crochet hair is not only a style that will last but it's a fun and creative spin to the OG version of the hairstyle.
Pin Curls
Pin curls are a very popular hairstyle among straightened or blown out hair, but it still slays with your natural texture too. So if you're looking to switch up your twist out routine but you haven't quite figured out your flow with flexi rods, you can just keep it simple and pin it up.
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Are You & Your Partner Financially Compatible? Here’s How To Tell.
With nearly half of all marriages that end in divorce citing finances as the nail in the coffin to deading their relationship, financial compatibility is one aspect of long-term compatibility that doesn't get talked about enough. Beyond the circular 50/50 discourse and whatever hot-button issues regarding providers and the like, at its core, financial compatibility is about how well your financial behaviors, values, and long-term goals align with those of your partner.
More than it is about how much money a person makes or doesn't make, financial compatibility focuses on how you think about money, how you spend your money, and most importantly, how you plan for the future with your money. Think, questions about money mindsets, spending habits, debt, budget, etc. Are you a saver and he's a spender? Do you see money as a tool for freedom? Does he see it as something to hold on tightly to as a means of survival? Can you talk about your financial goals and plans openly?
Knowing if you and your partner are financially compatible can save a lot of heartache, a lot of headaches, and a lot of money in the end. Keep reading for a few key indicators to pay attention to and learn whether or not you and your partner are truly aligned financially.
Signs You’re Financially Compatible
1. You can talk about money without judgment.
Conversations about money aren't something you dread. You're able to talk to your partner freely and openly about money matters, like debts, bills, the budget, etc., even when it is uncomfortable. There is an understanding that talking about money doesn't have to be something you're on the defense about, instead it's an opportunity for transparency, clarity, and solutions.
2. You respect each other's money personalities.
What is a money personality? According to Ken Honda, author of Happy Money, a money personality is our "approach and emotional responses to money" and there are seven money personalities we can fall under. These personalities can help us understand our own relationship with money, as well as our partner's. For example, maybe you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a fancy dinner once a month and your partner is someone who believes ordering takeout and not cooking meals at home is a cardinal sin.
When you can respect each other's money personalities, neither approach is subjected to judgment and shifts can be made in each other's spending habits as needed and from a place of love versus guilt or shame.
3. You agree on what it means to have "financial security."
Whether it’s building a stacked emergency fund, paying off debt before putting a downpayment on a home or being able to splurge on a baecation without checking your account balance before the bill arrives, your definitions of what it means to be financially secure are in sync, or at least compatible enough to reach a compromise.
4. You are not each other's "financial parent."
You’re not constantly teaching, fixing, or stressing out over what the other person is doing with their money. Although I fast-forwarded through a lot of the most recent season of Love Is Blind, I did pay attention to Virginia and Devin and money seemed to be a recurring theme in their conversations. It was clear Virginia had her ish together when it came to money and her financial plans for the future and Devin was not quite on her level.
Though she said no at the altar for additional reasons, I could also see how sis could eventually get very tired of being her partner's second mama, so to speak. And that's the thing about being your partner's "financial parent," eventually, you could end up feeling like you are one-half of a "parenting" or "teaching" dynamic with your partner instead of feeling like you're equals in a partnership.
5. You make financial decisions with each other in mind, not for each other.
Whether it’s booking a trip, deciding which debt to tackle first, saving up for a big purchase, or planning out your next move, there’s a mutual respect for each other’s input. Those shared goals might look like wealth, freedom, stability, or just a debt-free life that feels soft and secure.
You don’t have to be chasing the same bag in the same exact way, but you do need to be aligned on the vision. What you're building should feel like a joint venture with shared effort and purpose, not one of y’all making major money moves like you're still single. Making financial decisions is not just about where the money goes, it's about where you’re going together.
6. You're aligned when it comes to the big stuff.
Financial compatibility extends to the long-term of money management. The legacy, structure, and shared responsibility that comes with decisions like shared accounts, estate planning, having babies, or even blending families. Will you split bills or combine income? Who’s taking time off if you have a child? How do y’all feel about generational wealth or investing for your family’s future? You and your partner have had the real conversations.
These conversations can’t wait until after the wedding or until after a baby’s here. They’re the foundation for how you function as a unit, and if you're not aligned, or at least willing to get on the same page, that incompatibility can cause friction in the end that love alone can't fix.
Love is cute and all, but building an empire together? That’s the real flex. Tap into our new series Making Cents to see what financial compatibility really looks like when love and legacy go hand in hand.
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