By: Mia Taylor
Self care is interpreted differently for everyone. For some, it’s as easy as a bubble bath and a bottle of bubbly. For others it’s reading Nietzche and staring into the starless sky. I’m somewhere in the middle. As an empowered Black woman, I love to get things done. It’s a quintessential part of my identity to be a mover and shaker. Shooting from one task to the next and doing a little bit of everything is how I stay afloat. Reflecting on my fast-paced lifestyle has made me want to sit still with myself and practice some much needed self care.
One of the top items on my self care to-do list was some good old fashioned hair love. I don’t deep condition my hair as much as I should and there are times when I’ve committed the ultimate offense of falling asleep without my silk bonnet on. Like most black women, I have a deeply complicated relationship with my hair. There are days when it feels like a crown on my head and there are days I want to break out the clippers.
Taking time for myself also means taking time for my locs. Connecting with my hair and reinforcing the fact that it’s beautiful was an act that was long overdue. I started to think, why should you have dull hair when you can adorn it with beautiful jewelry, just like you do the rest of your body? I got the crazy idea to spice up some of my usual hairstyles with loc jewels and my confidence has been through the roof. I feel like a fairy princess even if I’m just buying apples at the farmer’s market.
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Oceanview – GiraSoul Jewels, $45
This gold hairpiece is giving me #islandgyal vibes. Wearing seashells in the summer makes me feel like a beach baddie, so how could I not love this piece? What I like about the Oceanview loc jewel is that the 14k gold plated cowrie shell really stands out. This aura-cleansing hairpiece features great stones like fossilized coral and wood jasper that can be used for crystal healing or to spread around the #blackgirlmagic.
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Frame of Rays Textured Hair Adornments – Lingua Nigra, $11
My mane is my crown, so why shouldn’t it shine like one? I love the idea of twisting gold into my hair because it catches the eye. As far as I know, it was something that royalty did in ancient Mali. These hair adornments are small and delicate but pack a punch. Pairing them with a pair of dangle earrings would really complete the look.
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Flight Of Fancy Gemstone Hair Tie – Tiffany’s Loc Jewels, $47
Beautifying your hair and wearing a ponytail don’t have to be mutually exclusive. I love this agate hair tie because one of my favorite things to do is pull my hair up into a half pony. I love the way @donicadomonique wore this with hoops and a free flowing top, very boho chic.
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Crescent Moon Dreadlock Jewel – MadelineByNature, $16
Why not add a lunar vibe to your hair so you can truly shine? This hair trinket is perfect for a hot summer day or a moonlit stroll. I love that this loc jewel is customizable. You can color coordinate both your bead and wire of choice with your outfit. My personal favorite color combo is the white and gold piece that’s featured above.
If you feel like tapping into your creative side, you can always try to DIY your own loc jewelry with a tutorial or two! Which hair jewel is your favorite for adding some color and sparkle to your outfit? Are you feeling the hair tie or moving more towards the loc jewels? Or are you ready to bring out your inner DIY diva? Let me know in the comments below!
