To me, now, straightening hair is just a style and should be seen as such, instead the only way to be beautiful (which is happening because of the natural hair movement). I think it should be spontaneous and not planned out to a tee, like: "I'm going to straighten my hair in January, then December to see how long it is". Not knocking those that do this, but I'm glad natural hair has taken a step back from straightening, length checks, defining curls, etc. I truly want our hair to be "just hair", to us, but I know we have a long way to go, though we are progressing.
***** Hey! Thanks for watching and answering my question. You've made a good point. I think for me, at this stage of being natural for so many years, straightening my hair is definitely a styling option. Albeit, not one that I take up very often. It's nice to know I have the option to wear my hair how I want it. I also think that hair will never really be 'just hair'. A lot of our perceived identify is tied into our hair, even historically. As a Ghanaian, an Ashanti, different tribes and even members of royalty are distinguished based how they wear their hair.
***** Yes, I'm glad that straight hair is now being seen as an option, and a choice for many across the African dispora, not something we have to do. Interesting, I am a black American, sadly I don't know were my roots are in Africa, however I did read that our ancestors used to style their hair in different ways to identify who was apart of what tribe, before slavery. That still happens to this day, the hair styles? Also, when i say "just hair", I mean the ppl who try to dismiss the natural hair movement as being important, as if it plays no big role in our culture and how we were made to see ourselves. I want black ppl, and other races, to see our hair as "just hair" meaning it's not something that's ugly, bad, unprofessional, and/or "nappy". And it's our real hair, not assumed to be fake.
Your hair is literally gorgeous curly or straight,I remember seeing you on a hair blog a few years ago and I was like OMG I have to go natural.Fast forward four years later I about to be three years natural.💁
Wow! Beautiful as always. Laila, I was looking so hard for you, I over looked this video yesterday. I must have thought it was an old one. In the past days I was like, where the heck is Laila? I was missing you. Your hair looks fabulous. Thanks for all the inspiration. We love that your still doing your thing. Wishing you peace and blessings, and so much joy.
This video has me so excited to grow my hair out. Next month is I will be natural for 4yrs and I haven't worn it long the whole time, so I can't wait to grow it out.
Omdays I love your hair and the fullness. It looks so healthy. I need me one of them steam pods. I have no issues against straightening. As long as it's done in a protective manner, i say everyone do them!
Laila girl, your hair is e-v-e-r-y-thaaaaang1!! You could easily stretch your wash day for a couple of more days ( with a non itching scalp ). Another thing is your hair grows super fast, your color has grown out a lot! Almost the same length than last time but all black. Great job !
I straighten weekly (blow dry + instyler) but after about 4 days my scalp is snow flakes in July. So I'm always amazed by people that can go two weeks without washing.
Gorgeous Laila! I remember the first time you straightened your hair. It's gotten so long! I feel there is nothing wrong with straightening your hair. I love my curls but it's fun to switch it up a bit.
Wow your hair is beautiful! You were the first natural I watched in 2012 and I'm amazed at how much is has grown and how healthy it still is! I'm transitioning back to natural so I gotta go back to your videos and get guidance LOL! :)
Lovely hair :) I usually wear my hair straight for one month. Speaking of its almost time for me to go back to curly. During the time I have my hair straight I make sure I deep condition and wash once a week. When im done it washes just fine and my curls revert back.
I'm so excited to see another video from you, I love your channel! The anticipation was killing me, you never disappoint, so it is definitely worth it.
I have single strand knots It'd be impossible to flat iron. And yup tried everything in the book to get rid of em , but gorgeous hair as always! Love your vids
Your hair looks great. I am BSL stretched -- and my hair is multi-textured... my top middle down to midway down the back of my head is looser and finer ... I had it straightened in Oct .. and whomp... heat damage. Went to a salon. So - my opinion. Straightening natural hair is fine -- but it's so important to know your textures - especially if you a multi-textured -- My lesson learned.
Boyhead1973 I'm a big scaredy cat when it come to salons... I think I would be happier if I gave myself heat damage. But yes! knowing your textures is very important!
First, I must say I am so happy that you're back doing hair videos. Next, I could not stop looking at your pretty red lipstick and beautiful top. Can you please tell me and maybe others who are wondering the same, where you got your lipstick and shirt from?
Love your videos! Honest, funny and relatable. STAGES of hunger - LOL, that's me! Your hair look gorgeous btw. I have not straightened my hair for 5 years & you've just tempted me.
Laila, you were talking while you hair was in that bun, and I was starring at the dream catcher and the wood carvings. When you dropped you hair and let it swing. OMG. You go Queen. I loved this video. Please keep them coming. I'm going to try and keep the scissors out of my head unnecessarily. I want that swang too. Yes!
Hey Girlie!!! Yep the curls are still popping :). Well I love to straighten my hair too and it does feel more delicate....yes I see the shed hair too lol. But blow dried hair is my favorite state to go my hair long.
Everybody is doing great. Can you tell I'm exhausted. I meant to say grow...said go lol. I'm grading papers, watching the babies and taking YT breaks. Hope all is well with you too. XOXO
You had me crackin up with your story about hunger hahahaha!!!! I really love your videos I'm going to have my daughter watch them because she needs encouragement to manage her natural hair better.
I straighten my hair every 3-4 months when I go to the salon for a dusting/trim. I don't attempt to straighten my own because I like silky, flowy hair with minimal product. I can't get that effect on my own. My stylist deep conditions with a steamer and uses heat protectant.
Oh My Goodness! I wish I had known about this process way back when...Your Hair skills just keeps getting better! I go through those very same hunger stages in the exact order!!LOL
Your hair is beautiful! They do not appear to sell the Loreal steampod here in the US. Any other recommendations. I currently have a baby bliss titanium flat iron. I haven't straighten my hair since May 2013, but I do my daughters hair for her skating competitions. We have two different types of hair..mine being 4a/4b and hers is 3b/3c. I'm thinking the steam pod might be better for my hair.
Your hair is gorg! 2 weeks you say?! I can barely go a day before my ends start to curl up, no way am I getting a comb through after 2 weeks! What heat setting do you use? Thanks for answering:)
Love it! I need that Steampod hair straightener! I've been looking for it in the US since your first review on it. It looks like you have 0 heat damage, whereas with my hair, it take 1-2 protein treatment to get my coils back! What conditioner is that? It looks like creamy goodness!
Your hair looks so good straight and curly. I want to go a long time without heat. So far it's been about 5 or 6 months and I want to aim for June so that it's 10 months. But anywho, did you cut your hair while it was curly or after you straightened it? And what is the best way to cut your own hair without doing a poor job?
LMAO. Girl you are FEELIN' yourself and I am feelin' you too girl.You AND your hair looks amazeballs. You also seem like you've got a lot off your shoulders...Idk you just seem happier. *Thumbs up**
Love it. You are so cute and funny. I admire your spiritually (seen more in you past video) and your confidence. Just beautiful! I hope my twins grow to have some of your qualities. I recently straightened my hair too (3 years totally natural). My hair is bra strap lenght, I couldn't believe the lenght, movement and those shed hair(yikes). I miss the natural too. Both are fun, but natural is more. ;-) Peace n blessing my young sister.
Your so funny. Love ur videoz... Hey I was just curious, what do you put on your hair to keep it moisturized while its straight? Do you wrap it at night? Thanks lady :-)
Was that conditioner you used to revert your hair? That's how I do it. I hadn't straightened in 6 months and I just went back to natural after having it straight for a few weeks on the weekend. My hair didn't get any heat damage but it suffered a lot. I feel like I lost my curl pattern....anyway I look forward to seeing how long I can go without wanting to straightening my hair this time :)
Hi, I always love watching your vids. I have a question about the Steampod. I was so impressed by your results that I bought my own. It's the newest version, though. So it came today and the booklet says to use only soft, demineralised water. Do you know if you live in a soft or hard water area? What sort of water did you use with the Steampod? I can't use tap water as I live in a hard water area so I'm curious as to whether you had the same problem, and if you did what sort of water you used. Once again, always love your vids.
You can buy demineralised water in the store. It's the same type of water you can use in your iron. Ask around. Have you used the steampod? what are your thoughts on it?
I swear I just want to have a look at your music playlist! your songs are so awesome! Anyway I can't get with straight hair. It's too boring and I never know what to do with it besides keeping it as straight as possible. BTW do you have any special plans for your bday week?
The loreal steam pod is available in the u.s. Under a different name, it's called the Redken & Rowenta steam infusion pod. I bought mine off of amazon. It was pricey but worth the price. It's the same iron as the Loreal steam pod that Leila has but in the u.s. it's sold by Redken. Hope this helps.
We look so much better with our own natural hair I would never dream of straightened get my hair, that to me is a nightmare .... don’t want to look anything other than my beautiful Nubian self ...
Hi, I know this is an old video but I wanted to know what your night routine is. How did you keep it straight for 2 weeks? I just straightened my hair and the next day it was already reverting.
To me, now, straightening hair is just a style and should be seen as such, instead the only way to be beautiful (which is happening because of the natural hair movement). I think it should be spontaneous and not planned out to a tee, like: "I'm going to straighten my hair in January, then December to see how long it is". Not knocking those that do this, but I'm glad natural hair has taken a step back from straightening, length checks, defining curls, etc. I truly want our hair to be "just hair", to us, but I know we have a long way to go, though we are progressing.
***** Hey! Thanks for watching and answering my question. You've made a good point. I think for me, at this stage of being natural for so many years, straightening my hair is definitely a styling option. Albeit, not one that I take up very often. It's nice to know I have the option to wear my hair how I want it.
I also think that hair will never really be 'just hair'. A lot of our perceived identify is tied into our hair, even historically. As a Ghanaian, an Ashanti, different tribes and even members of royalty are distinguished based how they wear their hair.
*****
Yes, I'm glad that straight hair is now being seen as an option, and a choice for many across the African dispora, not something we have to do. Interesting, I am a black American, sadly I don't know were my roots are in Africa, however I did read that our ancestors used to style their hair in different ways to identify who was apart of what tribe, before slavery. That still happens to this day, the hair styles?
Also, when i say "just hair", I mean the ppl who try to dismiss the natural hair movement as being important, as if it plays no big role in our culture and how we were made to see ourselves. I want black ppl, and other races, to see our hair as "just hair" meaning it's not something that's ugly, bad, unprofessional, and/or "nappy". And it's our real hair, not assumed to be fake.
***** AAHHH!!! then yes! I completely agree :)
Yes!! i'm sick of ppl obsessing over length checks!!
***** The Ashanti ethnic group used hair styles to distinguish rank in society centuries ago, is the same still happening today?
There's nothing like having curly hair. So beautiful!
I still watch this video. My favorite hair inspiration video. ❤️
Your straight hair is pretty but your hair in its natural fluffy state is phenomenal!
The straight hair was pretty and a nice change, HOWEVER I gotta say your natural hair is beautiful!
Love your hair & I've been wanting that dress from Asos for the longest ❤️❤️
Your straightened hair was pretty, but the curly hair just makes my mouth drop. I love big hair.
Beautiful girl! Look at all that healthy hair! You're such an inspiration!
kharyzma4u Aww thank you sis xxx
***** You're welcome!
I just knew you were going to say you had some weave added in. Your hair has grown so much. It looks so healthy.
Laila! You beaut you make being natural look so fun and easy! Gorgeous as always x
Your hair is literally gorgeous curly or straight,I remember seeing you on a hair blog a few years ago and I was like OMG I have to go natural.Fast forward four years later I about to be three years natural.💁
Wow! Beautiful as always. Laila, I was looking so hard for you, I over looked this video yesterday. I must have thought it was an old one. In the past days I was like, where the heck is Laila? I was missing you. Your hair looks fabulous. Thanks for all the inspiration. We love that your still doing your thing. Wishing you peace and blessings, and so much joy.
You nailed it on describing the mood changes when your hungry! Loved it! Hilarious!
This video has me so excited to grow my hair out. Next month is I will be natural for 4yrs and I haven't worn it long the whole time, so I can't wait to grow it out.
Omdays I love your hair and the fullness. It looks so healthy. I need me one of them steam pods.
I have no issues against straightening. As long as it's done in a protective manner, i say everyone do them!
thatpetitegirl13 Thank you :) I totally agree!
Laila girl, your hair is e-v-e-r-y-thaaaaang1!! You could easily stretch your wash day for a couple of more days ( with a non itching scalp ). Another thing is your hair grows super fast, your color has grown out a lot! Almost the same length than last time but all black. Great job !
I straighten weekly (blow dry + instyler) but after about 4 days my scalp is snow flakes in July. So I'm always amazed by people that can go two weeks without washing.
'Of course my edges are doing what edges do..' Lol youre always so entertaining to watch :) so much length and volume
Gorgeous Laila! I remember the first time you straightened your hair. It's gotten so long! I feel there is nothing wrong with straightening your hair. I love my curls but it's fun to switch it up a bit.
*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!* May God bless you and may He open doors for you this year!
All the very best!!
Straight or curly..your hair is BEAUTIFUL either way!! x
love it, thinking about buying the steaming pod. your hair is so healthy. all the gifts from the motherland.
Wow your hair is beautiful! You were the first natural I watched in 2012 and I'm amazed at how much is has grown and how healthy it still is! I'm transitioning back to natural so I gotta go back to your videos and get guidance LOL! :)
Lovely hair :) I usually wear my hair straight for one month. Speaking of its almost time for me to go back to curly. During the time I have my hair straight I make sure I deep condition and wash once a week. When im done it washes just fine and my curls revert back.
OMG ! I HAVE MISSED YOU ! YOUR HAIR IS BEAUTIFUL! LOVE WATCHING IT GO BACK TO IT'S NATURAL STATE ! THANKS FOR SHARING
I'm so excited to see another video from you, I love your channel! The anticipation was killing me, you never disappoint, so it is definitely worth it.
Straight or curly, you look good in both. Love your flower shirt in this video.
I have single strand knots It'd be impossible to flat iron. And yup tried everything in the book to get rid of em , but gorgeous hair as always! Love your vids
Your hair looks great. I am BSL stretched -- and my hair is multi-textured... my top middle down to midway down the back of my head is looser and finer ... I had it straightened in Oct .. and whomp... heat damage. Went to a salon.
So - my opinion. Straightening natural hair is fine -- but it's so important to know your textures - especially if you a multi-textured --
My lesson learned.
Boyhead1973 I'm a big scaredy cat when it come to salons... I think I would be happier if I gave myself heat damage.
But yes! knowing your textures is very important!
Love curl reversion videos. so cool. It'd be so awesome if my relaxed ends did that.
Such a great video. Your personality is so much fun. Your hair is everything!!! I just might buy the steam pod when I decide to flat iron.
Girl you are beat with both styles but the natural suits you more for me...you look gorgeous😘
#hairgoals! your hair has always been and is EVERYTHING!!
Very pretty. Luv the straight and curly hair on you.
*goes and sobs because I'm still waiting for my hair to grow up like this* lovely!!
First, I must say I am so happy that you're back doing hair videos. Next, I could not stop looking at your pretty red lipstick and beautiful top. Can you please tell me and maybe others who are wondering the same, where you got your lipstick and shirt from?
Love your videos! Honest, funny and relatable. STAGES of hunger - LOL, that's me! Your hair look gorgeous btw. I have not straightened my hair for 5 years & you've just tempted me.
You and your hair are GORGEOUS!! And yes tht Shet hair get me everytime too
Your hair looks great straight, but prefer your curly fro's. Thanks for sharing 😍
Laila, you were talking while you hair was in that bun, and I was starring at the dream catcher and the wood carvings. When you dropped you hair and let it swing. OMG. You go Queen. I loved this video. Please keep them coming. I'm going to try and keep the scissors out of my head unnecessarily. I want that swang too. Yes!
Love your makeup in this....and, of course, the hair 💋
Wow, i did love the way it reverted straight back, that was kinda cool to see! Lol!
Your natural hair is beautiful.
Hey Girlie!!! Yep the curls are still popping :). Well I love to straighten my hair too and it does feel more delicate....yes I see the shed hair too lol. But blow dried hair is my favorite state to go my hair long.
vanie0295 And I LOVE yours! It goes to show it's all about how you maintain the hair :) Hope my family is doing well xoxo
Everybody is doing great. Can you tell I'm exhausted. I meant to say grow...said go lol. I'm grading papers, watching the babies and taking YT breaks. Hope all is well with you too.
XOXO
You had me crackin up with your story about hunger hahahaha!!!! I really love your videos I'm going to have my daughter watch them because she needs encouragement to manage her natural hair better.
I straighten my hair every 3-4 months when I go to the salon for a dusting/trim. I don't attempt to straighten my own because I like silky, flowy hair with minimal product. I can't get that effect on my own. My stylist deep conditions with a steamer and uses heat protectant.
Your hair looks great love it!
Please do a style video!! Your style is really nice!! Where do you shop?
You look great! I love your videos. Your hair looks great!
yumiko0017 Thanks for watching! :)
Oh My Goodness! I wish I had known about this process way back when...Your Hair skills just keeps getting better!
I go through those very same hunger stages in the exact order!!LOL
Your hair is beautiful! They do not appear to sell the Loreal steampod here in the US. Any other recommendations. I currently have a baby bliss titanium flat iron. I haven't straighten my hair since May 2013, but I do my daughters hair for her skating competitions. We have two different types of hair..mine being 4a/4b and hers is 3b/3c. I'm thinking the steam pod might be better for my hair.
Nice! You look great with either curly or straight hair! Side note - where did you find the dress?
Yasmin Aden Aww thanks Yas :) It's from Asos
Your hair is gorgeous. Question: what brand/color is this on your lips? I love this shade of red
Loved your culture shirt
Kreamy Kurls Thank you! My friend made it for me. It has fusion of cultures on the sleeves too :)
***** whoooooooo cute!
***** you should sell them
loool at the stages of hunger! You should include the stage you become philosophical.
Andreia Neto Ha! YES!!... I have a doctorate in the psychology of human hunger.
Girl, I wish I could subscribe to your channel twice! Great vid.
love your red lipstick! hair is awesome
Your hair is gorg! 2 weeks you say?! I can barely go a day before my ends start to curl up, no way am I getting a comb through after 2 weeks! What heat setting do you use? Thanks for answering:)
😍😍😍😍😍loved this video before it began .you look Gorg and the music is everything
Love it! I need that Steampod hair straightener! I've been looking for it in the US since your first review on it. It looks like you have 0 heat damage, whereas with my hair, it take 1-2 protein treatment to get my coils back!
What conditioner is that? It looks like creamy goodness!
Loool your swinginggg hair comment is so true
Hey Laila! Still a beauty! And your hair is so lush!
Yassssss hunty 👏👏👏 and your red lip is always perfect 👌
lol oh wow I just straighten my natural hair today! I love how its easy to manage and its just a quick way to change it up!! :))
Your hair looks so healthy.
Berenda Pendleton Thanx Berenda :)
Your hair looks so good straight and curly. I want to go a long time without heat. So far it's been about 5 or 6 months and I want to aim for June so that it's 10 months. But anywho, did you cut your hair while it was curly or after you straightened it? And what is the best way to cut your own hair without doing a poor job?
LMAO. Girl you are FEELIN' yourself and I am feelin' you too girl.You AND your hair looks amazeballs. You also seem like you've got a lot off your shoulders...Idk you just seem happier. *Thumbs up**
shinyjewelsz Aww thank you! The theme for year is JOY! I'm not trying to let anything or anyone snatch my joy :) Including hunger lol
Haha im yhe complete opposite. I don't know what to do with my natural hair. Its either at ironed or ( the majority of the time) in protective styling
2 weeks after straightening your hair looks GORGEOUS! *_* Love it,but I still prefer you with curly hair :).
lol the shedding hair comment was so true!
Have fun with your hair I say! It's diverse and beautiful!: )
this makes me want to wash my hair now. it's been straight for 3 weeks but i've but off washing it. gosh i miss my curls
So pretty, and I love the lipstick! What shade is it?
Love it. You are so cute and funny. I admire your spiritually (seen more in you past video) and your confidence. Just beautiful! I hope my twins grow to have some of your qualities.
I recently straightened my hair too (3 years totally natural). My hair is bra strap lenght, I couldn't believe the lenght, movement and those shed hair(yikes). I miss the natural too. Both are fun, but natural is more. ;-) Peace n blessing my young sister.
What brand and shade is your lipstick? I love it!
your hair is so beautiful !! What lipstick are you wearing ?
Your hair looks fab, Laila!!! What is the name of the song playing in the background?
Love the lip color! What are you wearing?
Your so funny. Love ur videoz... Hey I was just curious, what do you put on your hair to keep it moisturized while its straight? Do you wrap it at night? Thanks lady :-)
Was that conditioner you used to revert your hair? That's how I do it. I hadn't straightened in 6 months and I just went back to natural after having it straight for a few weeks on the weekend. My hair didn't get any heat damage but it suffered a lot. I feel like I lost my curl pattern....anyway I look forward to seeing how long I can go without wanting to straightening my hair this time :)
You are sooooo my hair crush!!!
Love it 😊😍
Hi, I always love watching your vids. I have a question about the Steampod. I was so impressed by your results that I bought my own. It's the newest version, though. So it came today and the booklet says to use only soft, demineralised water. Do you know if you live in a soft or hard water area? What sort of water did you use with the Steampod? I can't use tap water as I live in a hard water area so I'm curious as to whether you had the same problem, and if you did what sort of water you used.
Once again, always love your vids.
You can buy demineralised water in the store. It's the same type of water you can use in your iron. Ask around. Have you used the steampod? what are your thoughts on it?
Ahahahaa Yasssss "my hair was swinging and swinging and swinging " lmaoo love you girl!!!!
Perfect couldn't be better!
Truly gorgeous hair, straight or curly
Love you videos always, but this one may be my favorite! lmao @ your stages of hunger. Gorgeous hair either way.
what is the name of this song!!!!!???? I've searched high and low, please somebody help.
I swear I just want to have a look at your music playlist! your songs are so awesome!
Anyway I can't get with straight hair. It's too boring and I never know what to do with it besides keeping it as straight as possible. BTW do you have any special plans for your bday week?
How awesome is curly hair?!😍
Beautiful healthy hair
Lipstick and liner please?!
Wow, ur hair is gorgeous!
Hi Leila, thanks for your videos , they are always inspiring:)
thanks to you, I also bought the steampod and my hair love it as well :)
Beautiful hair both way
Shada James Thank you Shada x
Looks great did you have any burnt hair smell?
"you have hope that you're going to be feed.." LOLOLOL!!
Gorgeous hair. Do you co-wash or do you still use shampoos?
Wow! Coolest reversion vid EVER. TFS! Any idea whether that SteamPod iron is available in the US?
The loreal steam pod is available in the u.s. Under a different name, it's called the Redken & Rowenta steam infusion pod. I bought mine off of amazon. It was pricey but worth the price. It's the same iron as the Loreal steam pod that Leila has but in the u.s. it's sold by Redken. Hope this helps.
Janelle Scott Thank you so much!
We look so much better with our own natural hair I would never dream of straightened get my hair, that to me is a nightmare .... don’t want to look anything other than my beautiful Nubian self ...
Hi, I know this is an old video but I wanted to know what your night routine is. How did you keep it straight for 2 weeks?
I just straightened my hair and the next day it was already reverting.