17 Tips For Straightening Your Hair!

I'm a natural girl, so the thought of putting a flat-iron to my bouncy curls makes me tense up! However,  it's something I do a few times a year; for change, an occasion or when I'm longing to run my fingers through my hair :). Hair care is important to me throughout, so I was happy to find the article "17 Useful Tricks For Anyone Who Uses a Hair Straightener" by Buzzfeed, by way of Pinterest, of course.

Staff writer Augusta Falletta offered some great tips. I'll list some of them below, but be sure to check out the full article if you'd like to see infographics & the list in full. Some people love images with every tip :).

So here goes!

1. Determine which size flat-iron is best for you. In other words, for pixie-cuts and bangs, use a 1/2" mini flat-iron, 1" flat-iron for short, fine hair, 1 1/4" is recommended for shoulder-length, medium-thick hair, 1 1/2" for thick, coarse, curly hair - passed your shoulders,  & finally 2" flat-iron for thick, very long hair.

2. Know the difference between the different kinds of straighteners.

3. VERY important: "Before you do anything, use a heat protectant spray." - says Falletta

4. "Set the heat no higher than 365 degrees. Hair burns at the same temperature as paper: 451°F. The highest temperature that you should use your flat iron on is 365°F. For those with fine hair, the temperature should be between 300 and 325 degrees."

Intrigued? See the remaining tips here. Happy & safe straightening! Have any suggestions? Leave a comment! Sharing is caring!

xoxo The Find Queen!

Tuesday Inspiration + Motivation!

I hope you all are having a terrific Tuesday?! If not, let me know. I seem to be a therapist to many; WITHOUT the degree. Just so we're all clear here.

OK, so, I love a good quote and the above definitely spoke to me! I've heard this quote in various ways throughout my life, and I haven't wanted to believe in it as much as I want to now. I'm experiencing some trying times, and although I'm the one who's able to cheer up & inspire those around me to get up and keep going; it's sometimes hard to take my own advice. Am I the only one who feels this way? Do you find it hard to listen to your good, sound advice? I mean, I know I'm telling myself the right thing. Who's going to look out for me better than me? Still, some people lie to themselves everyday, sadly.

I do know that this too shall pass. I do know that as cliche as it sounds: everything happens for a reason; but when you're in the mess it's sometimes hard to see how you'll dig your way out it.

So, as I type this post, I asked myself, what would I tell a friend if they came to me with this same dilemma. Without blinking, I said .. yes, I'm talking to myself; judge me! OK, I said to myself, that I'd tell them first, you have to understand that this moment is as it should be. Second, you're a praying person, so look up and not down for the answers. In other words, stop looking & being down, lift your head up, and look up and pray. And when you pray, listen. The answers are always there, sometimes we're so deep in trying to figure out the answer, or too busy pitying ourselves, that we miss the answers that are right in front of us. So what happens? You stay stuck. You stay in that trying time until you recognize the signs, until you understand what brought you there, until you decide to fight your way out, instead of wallowing in your circumstances.

Whew! Let the church say amen! Having said all that, I already see that this difficult road will take me to a beautiful destination. How do I know that? Well, I'm a little bit wiser now, and I have a better understanding of what got me here, so I'll be better equipped to avoid it moving it forward. When you're in a dark place, any light after that is a beautiful destination!

This wasn't a 'Dear Diary' post, I PROMISE! I just wanted to motivate anyone traveling a rough road. You're not alone. Stay the course. YOU got this!

xoxo The Find Queen!