Showing posts with label natural hair. Show all posts
Showing posts with label natural hair. Show all posts
A Curly Girl's: Follow Up on the Brazilian Blow-Out
c/o Curly Nikki via naturallycurly.com. Check it out!
Hair.
Don't talk to me about nappy hair.
Because when you compare it to Brilo pads, and broken combs,
I think you need to know the other half of this.
Don't tell me I can "train it", or just "slap a perm in it"
Because that's complete bullsh*t.
Take the same time you'd take to sit in the hair salon,
To figure out the sh*t that grows out of your own head.
And after you come to some type of understanding,
Still try to tell me it's harder than paying $300 to install a weave of hair
That cost $150 to own, but was never truly yours.
I ain't knocking it,
But don't try and tell me something derived from Eureopean heritage
And adopted by us,
Is the only way to live.
Let me breathe and be my own me.
Don't act like we only have one option,
Which is to accept the traditions of days past.
We all should have the freedom to choose,
By putting down our pressing combs and relaxer kits.
Because natural hair should not be losing.
Because when you compare it to Brilo pads, and broken combs,
I think you need to know the other half of this.
Don't tell me I can "train it", or just "slap a perm in it"
Because that's complete bullsh*t.
Take the same time you'd take to sit in the hair salon,
To figure out the sh*t that grows out of your own head.
And after you come to some type of understanding,
Still try to tell me it's harder than paying $300 to install a weave of hair
That cost $150 to own, but was never truly yours.
I ain't knocking it,
But don't try and tell me something derived from Eureopean heritage
And adopted by us,
Is the only way to live.
Let me breathe and be my own me.
Don't act like we only have one option,
Which is to accept the traditions of days past.
We all should have the freedom to choose,
By putting down our pressing combs and relaxer kits.
Because natural hair should not be losing.
A Curly Girl's: Twist-Out Inspired by Curlychronicles
I'm sure she doesn't know it, but one of my staple styles was inspired by Curlychronicles of Youtube fame. She helped me master a lot of things about my hair, and her drying video was a life saver. No longer would I walk the Philly streets with frizzy half set hair.
Watch the video here.
For me, this video solved the riddle of wet hair. This method ensures dry sets, and is also very successful for my wash and go's.
Here's how I do my signature style:
As she said, I twist my hair and let it dry for about 45 minutes (if I have the time), or until I'm ready to run out the door. This helps cut down my drying time, and ensures an untangled mane of hair after drying. I then retwist at night or pineapple (add hyperlink) my hair and fluff in the morning for a style that can last about 4 days!
Watch the video here.
For me, this video solved the riddle of wet hair. This method ensures dry sets, and is also very successful for my wash and go's.
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| Wash & Go- Air Dry |
As she said, I twist my hair and let it dry for about 45 minutes (if I have the time), or until I'm ready to run out the door. This helps cut down my drying time, and ensures an untangled mane of hair after drying. I then retwist at night or pineapple (add hyperlink) my hair and fluff in the morning for a style that can last about 4 days!
A Curly Girl's: New Regimen & Products I Love
So, I really am set in not having a set hair routine. My hair gets bored pretty easily, which tends to yield very sporadic results by using the same products and methods. Most days I can tell what my hair needs and I pacify it, whether it be a deep treatment, more moisture or oils, or just a low maintenance style.
Well, I was in Rite Aid the week before last and saw a few products on sale that I definitely wanted to try: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Conditioner and Suave Professionals Conditioner. Garnier Pure Clean was something that peeked my interest during a commercial since it contained no silicones, parabens, or sulfates, and does not cause build-up in the shower or on the hair. Although I'm not a big advocate of cheapy conditioners (because my hair is crazy thick and I can't get good slip with thin conditioners), a friend of mine with long, thick hair suggested Suave Professionals to me. Since I know her judgment is as critical as my own when it comes to conditioner, I decided to give Garnier and Suave conditioner a try.
Two weeks ago (the last time I deep treated my hair), I used all the products shown above to make a deep conditioner. Following an ACV rinse (for more info see this blog: A Curly Girl's: Thoughts on Shampooing & Washing), I added honey for shine and it's humectant properties (it was a rainy day in New York-in which I visited the following day), Garnier Pure Clean, olive oil and coconut oil for it's moisturizing properties, and Suave Humectant for its moisturizing and humectant properties. I added a dollop of everything and mixed in a bowl and applied it to clean hair and let it sit for an hour. I then rinsed it and added a little more of both conditioners as a leave-in and styled using my normal drying method.
When I released my hair it was very moisturized and stood up to the weekend rainy weather! Here are some pics below:
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| At lunch with some friends, shortly after my hair was washed and dried in twists |
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| The following day on my way to NYC...my hair didn't frizz, but it did curl up a little...it just can't help itself lol |
I have not been compensated in any way to review these products. All responses are merely my opinion.
The Latest 'Do: Braid Out & Protein Treatments
I did my first protein treatment ever after work on Tuesday. I've been researching it for some time now and thought my constantly shedding hair would be an awesome candidate. Not all hair is perfect for protein. More course textures will actually have an adverse effect and will result in dry brittle hair. My fine, curly strands love some assistance, and protein adds strength to my curly locks.
I found an awesome recipe here on Newly Natural's blog and thought it'd be wonderful to try.
My recipe was modified as follows:
1- 6 oz container of fat free peach yogurt (I would of used plain full fat yogurt, but this was all I had)
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup of mayonnaise
2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp of coconut oil
After mixing this all up in a small bowl, I refrigerated it for a bit so it could thicken slightly, and then washed my hair. On clean hair, I applied the soupy mixture over the sink (and made a mess
or until it dripped down my neck and back...lol), covered my hair with a plastic bag, and left it on for about 20 minutes
(BTW I got a hooded dryer for Christmas...Deep conditioning with heat is freakin' awesome! The effects are exponential when compared to my old method of deep conditioning overnight. My hair practically melted as it glided through my comb...awesome!)
Afterwards I must say I was quite impressed with the condition of my hair. It was soft, and the strands seemed to be a lot stronger. I had little to no shedding when I combed it, and the smoothing process was practically effortless.
I proceeded to do a braidout. Eight braids, no fuss (unlike my routine that night). In the morning I had soft and fluffy coils with great definition. That night (this was yesterday), I rebraided my hair in the 8 sections, not braiding too tight, but instead trying to follow the wave of the original braid-out. Its still braided as I type, but I will assume it will remain great. If I remember I will throw a pic up when I take it down Friday or Saturday (ahh tis life and I am lazy...lol).
Results
Front view (above), Side View (below):
A Curly Girl's: Runway Ready 'Do
So I didn't really take any pics of the actual proccess (although I thought about it), but there's actually a lot going on with my hair behind the scenes. I previously deep conditioned (see previous blog A Curly Girl's: First Deep Conditioning), retwisted with coconut oil, and then set my hair in a curly fro (see Dr. Akbari's Curly Fro on YouTube) using sponge rollers and coconut to seal my ends, with end papers (for extra smoothness).
After about a day and a half with the rollers in, I took them out and voila, beautiful full waves and coils. Très bien, I say!
After about a day and a half with the rollers in, I took them out and voila, beautiful full waves and coils. Très bien, I say!
A Curly Girl's: First Deep Conditioning
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| My inspiration |
Ok.
I've been a bad girl.
In 2 years of being natural, I have not deep conditioned my hair. I know its essential. I'm aware of the benefits. But I just haven't been able to figure out how I wanted to do it.
For some reason it seemed like this long drawn out process that was difficult to do.
But for the first time in 2 years, I did it last night.
Unfortunately for my lazy nature, it was cake. Too bad I didn't figure this out earlier.
My hair was in bad shape. I just had it trimmed (which worked out lovely, might I say), but it just needed something else. My ends were exceptionally knotty, I was shedding like crazy, and my hair just seemed dull, battered, and dry.
I've read tons of articles on DC'ing (deep conditioning), but always read them like I wasn't capable of replicating the process. Well when I decided to try an awesome new conditioner I've been hearing about for awhile, I realized it was vital that I engage in this process.
Here's the scenario:
It was 9:30 pm. I had just gotten home from my private tutoring lesson (I was the tutor), and had already eaten dinner. Earlier in the day, I made a quick rush to Rite Aid to grab a new product I'd just been eyeing: Yes to Carrots Mud Conditioner. For $8.99, I can get a 16.9 oz bottle to use as a deep conditioner (I heard it was good for that. For regular daily conditioning, I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine. Either or, depends on what's on sale and what I can get my hands on). I though that was an awesome deal for a conditioner full of pretty great ingredients, so I decided to indulge the PJ in me and try it out.
To deep condition, I mixed 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until combined. After that, I added about 1/3-1/2 cup of Yes to Carrots to my oil mixture; basically whatever amount looked like it would cover my whole head. I took this mixture into the bathroom to be used directly following my shower.
I then proceeded to quickly make an ACV rinse with about 1 and a 1/2 cups of water and about 2 tbsps of ACV. When I hopped in the shower, I washed my hair twice with Dr. Bronners (I love it. I use it as a shower gel, but also find that its great for clarifying, which I do once a month). Then I used the ACV rinse to soften and re-moisturize my hair. After a few cold water rinses, I gently pressed the water out my hair and jumped out the shower so I could apply my conditioner.
After using my hand to remove the steam from my mirror (lol), I washed my hands and applied my conditioner, section by section, being careful to pay attention to the ends and to not get too much product on my scalp. Then I took whatever was left and spread it from the middle of my hair to the ends, being careful not to smooth off the bulk of conditioner that was on my hair.
I used plastic wrap (I lacked extra shower caps) to keep conditioner from going everywhere, and to help the conditioner penetrate from the warmth of my scalp. I put a scarf on my head and left it in overnight.
In the morning, I rinsed my hair with cool water, and gently pressed the water out my hair again. It was very smooth and needed very little detangling. Afterwards, I put a little Herbal Essences Hello Hydration on my hair as a leave-in, and proceeded to section my hair in large twists (no styling, I had to go to work!). I put a satin bonnet on my hair and went to work!
I'm excited to see how soft my hair is. I have a feeling that its going to be glorious.
I will update this blog when I see my results!
To deep condition, I mixed 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until combined. After that, I added about 1/3-1/2 cup of Yes to Carrots to my oil mixture; basically whatever amount looked like it would cover my whole head. I took this mixture into the bathroom to be used directly following my shower.
I then proceeded to quickly make an ACV rinse with about 1 and a 1/2 cups of water and about 2 tbsps of ACV. When I hopped in the shower, I washed my hair twice with Dr. Bronners (I love it. I use it as a shower gel, but also find that its great for clarifying, which I do once a month). Then I used the ACV rinse to soften and re-moisturize my hair. After a few cold water rinses, I gently pressed the water out my hair and jumped out the shower so I could apply my conditioner.
After using my hand to remove the steam from my mirror (lol), I washed my hands and applied my conditioner, section by section, being careful to pay attention to the ends and to not get too much product on my scalp. Then I took whatever was left and spread it from the middle of my hair to the ends, being careful not to smooth off the bulk of conditioner that was on my hair.
I used plastic wrap (I lacked extra shower caps) to keep conditioner from going everywhere, and to help the conditioner penetrate from the warmth of my scalp. I put a scarf on my head and left it in overnight.
In the morning, I rinsed my hair with cool water, and gently pressed the water out my hair again. It was very smooth and needed very little detangling. Afterwards, I put a little Herbal Essences Hello Hydration on my hair as a leave-in, and proceeded to section my hair in large twists (no styling, I had to go to work!). I put a satin bonnet on my hair and went to work!
I'm excited to see how soft my hair is. I have a feeling that its going to be glorious.
I will update this blog when I see my results!
A Curly Girl's: Reflections & Looking Back...
I did my first roller set in a year 2 weeks ago (pics in an earlier blog, a la shirley temple), and was compelled to braid my hair shortly after to add texture. Big hair is my life now.
I figured I would indulge myself with a length check. Curly hair is fun because it tends to conceal how much hair you really have.
Well there you have it folks...its goin places.
A Curly Girl's: Product Jackpot!- Herbal Essences Hydralicious Conditioner
I've found a gold mine for my hair, and it was definitely by chance.
Here's the story:
I was 2/3 of the way through my bottle of Tresemme, hoping it would be empty soon so I could start on a bottle of Garnier Sleek and Shine Conditioner, when I gave up the process and bought a bottle of Garnier at Walmart. It definitely worked wonders for my hair, but I knew it wasn't my product.
So shortly after I went on a rampage to clean my apartment...I was just up to my wit's end and I needed to get crackin' on some cleaning right away, I went into CVS to buy some cleaning products that were on sale, and passed by the hair product aisle to see if any of my old faithfuls (Garnier, etc), were on sale. As I walked down the aisle, a cute bottle of a creamy purple hued substance caught my eye.
I'm no girl for advertising tricks with pretty packaging and a worthless product, but for $2.88, and the wonderful things I've heard about Herbal Essences Hydralicious and Totally Twisted, I thought I'd give it a try.
I had already washed my hair that week with ACV & Garnier, but after all that cleaning I did, I felt compelled to wash my hair again and try the conditioner out with a co-wash. Glorious I say, glorious.
I've tried a new showering and washing routine which involves rinsing my hair with very cold water and combing the front section towards the front of my head with a shower comb. I then apply conditioner to my hair in 4 sections. It really helps distribute the product evenly through my hair. I then comb the conditioner through, leave on for 5 minutes while I wash, shave, etc, and then rinse out. Since I planned on french braiding my hair that night, I applied very little extra conditioner and stepped out the shower. When I looked into the mirror, my hair was so so shiny!
I proceeded to put my hair in 5 french braids and wore it for 2 days. Then I wore it with a side part and it was really pretty and wavy. I love the way my hair looks when I take out french braids but its a little bit of work that I'm not always interested in. Lol.
Definitely forgot to take pics but my hair was sooooo soft! Too bad I was so lazy and just threw it in a bun the next day or I would of had some beautiful hair for a few days.
Anywhoozers, I'm loving the conditioner and I definitely plan on using it again! I might be on to something people. I'm excited!
I was 2/3 of the way through my bottle of Tresemme, hoping it would be empty soon so I could start on a bottle of Garnier Sleek and Shine Conditioner, when I gave up the process and bought a bottle of Garnier at Walmart. It definitely worked wonders for my hair, but I knew it wasn't my product.
So shortly after I went on a rampage to clean my apartment...I was just up to my wit's end and I needed to get crackin' on some cleaning right away, I went into CVS to buy some cleaning products that were on sale, and passed by the hair product aisle to see if any of my old faithfuls (Garnier, etc), were on sale. As I walked down the aisle, a cute bottle of a creamy purple hued substance caught my eye.
I'm no girl for advertising tricks with pretty packaging and a worthless product, but for $2.88, and the wonderful things I've heard about Herbal Essences Hydralicious and Totally Twisted, I thought I'd give it a try.
I had already washed my hair that week with ACV & Garnier, but after all that cleaning I did, I felt compelled to wash my hair again and try the conditioner out with a co-wash. Glorious I say, glorious.
I've tried a new showering and washing routine which involves rinsing my hair with very cold water and combing the front section towards the front of my head with a shower comb. I then apply conditioner to my hair in 4 sections. It really helps distribute the product evenly through my hair. I then comb the conditioner through, leave on for 5 minutes while I wash, shave, etc, and then rinse out. Since I planned on french braiding my hair that night, I applied very little extra conditioner and stepped out the shower. When I looked into the mirror, my hair was so so shiny!
I proceeded to put my hair in 5 french braids and wore it for 2 days. Then I wore it with a side part and it was really pretty and wavy. I love the way my hair looks when I take out french braids but its a little bit of work that I'm not always interested in. Lol.
Definitely forgot to take pics but my hair was sooooo soft! Too bad I was so lazy and just threw it in a bun the next day or I would of had some beautiful hair for a few days.
Anywhoozers, I'm loving the conditioner and I definitely plan on using it again! I might be on to something people. I'm excited!
A Curly Girl's: Thoughts on Picking Products & 2-Year Nappiversary!
Well I didn't even have the chance to realize it, but I have been natural for 2 years! (Claps hands) I first decided to stop relaxing on August 1, 2008, and haven't looked back since. This has been quite a journey of triumphs and tribulations, but I am so extremely happy I decided to take it. I think my natural hair has helped me evolve. I know a lot of people don't think its that deep, but I don't care, because it was for me. My hair was really important to me because I was so self-conscious. I love myself in a new way now because my hair is a different part of me, it functions as an extension of my soul.As I always say: I'm loving life now in a new way.
Now, for my thoughts on products. Natural hair is so awesome because everyone's is different. Its as different as each person's DNA. I say this because sometimes its a gift and sometimes its a little difficult. Everyone's hair is different, so it responds to different things. Often my friends ask me what products I use in my hair. I answer, but with some apprehension. I understand they want to know how I acheive various styles, and the methods are awesome to know, but the products may not really be of any service to them. I try to give my reccomendations, but sadly, I can't promise anything.
In case anyone was wondering...
My favorite conditioner right now is Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine (I just bought Tresemme because I used to use it all the time, but I don't love it as much as I used to, and I'm wishing I bought another bottle of Garnier because it provides awesome slip and really helps define some of the tighter coils on my head), and I usually co-wash with conditioner or use apple cider vinegar, which is my all time favorite way to cleanse my scalp (see "A Curly Girl's: Thoughts on Shampooing and Washing"). I shampoo on occasion when the "cones" seem to build up, which is usually anywhere from once a month, to every month and a half. I use the shampoo directly on my scalp, and try my best not to get too much on my hair because I haven't bought any sulfate-free shampoo yet, so its pretty drying. Great for cleansing my scalp, but for curly hair, not so much.
I tend to wear my hair in curly fros, twists and twist-outs, or use the doodle method (which I love!).
I've discovered a couple new ways I like wearing my hair like half-up and half-down (which I've only actually done like twice...I like it), side buns (which is a cute, fast way to do my hair), and the option of using banana clips to hold up my ponytails (which I have yet to try).
Yay! For forward progress...and the happy trails I've experienced on my journeys to Enlightenment and even more beautiful natural hair!
A Curly Girl's: Transition to Natural Hair
The beginning of my journey: relaxed hair...
I've said it and will say it again: "I am...in love."
Apparently I'm a touch narcissitic (more like self-conscious, on the other end of the spectrum), because I just realized I have 175 photos of myself in my Sprint Picture Mail account. Luckily, I've found that these photos document my transition from relaxed to natural hair. I've always had a complex when it came to my hair. Although I've always been told I had beautiful hair throughout the years, I've come to realize that my hair is so truly special now to me. I don't worry about the weather, sweating, HUMIDITY (not as much at least), going to the beach...who knew my hair could cause me this much stress?
I am in a new frame of mind and my hair makes me feel free. I know it was the perfect time to transition.
While transitioning I went through many phases. I receieved my last relaxer on August 1, 2008. I grew out my relaxer for 7 months and then had it pressed and cut off about 6 inches of hair in May 2009. The result was a cute chin length bob I wore straight for 2 days. From there I continued my transition.
My chin length bob right after I got it cut-cute, right? 
The day after...going to a dinner party...
Throughout this time period I did tons of beautiful roller sets (a style I leave for the winter months), wash and gos, braid outs, and a lot of textured updos.
Roller-set:
Wash & Go (post 6-in trim):
Braid-out:
On August 1, 2009, I did my version of the big chop and let go 2 more inches of hair (photo below).
I was liberated and able to do so many more styles with 100 % natural hair. I added twist-outs, curly fros, and fro-hawks to my hair arsenal and became unstoppable! Lol ok not really but I am quickly approaching my 2 year Nappiversary and at my last length check (in which I did my first blow-out in 6 months), I had hair that was healthy and 2-3 inches past my shoulders. I also did a bit of a trim (which I don't do often). I have tried tons of hairstyles and have found a new self-confidence I didn't know I had (tons of style photos below!).
Last but not least, one week after my light trim...wow, have these locs grown!
I've said it and will say it again: "I am...in love."
A Curly Girl's: Doodling Method & Doodle Twist-Out
As aforementioned (I love that word but never get the chance to use it without feeling snobby lol), my hair tends to set in about a million different ways. Since this is the case, I decided to show what it looks like when I first set my hair, and what it looks like after I sleep on it for a few days.
I must say that 2nd, 3rd, and 4th day hair always looks the best to me, but certain sets tend to look very pretty on the first day and soften with time. Doodles, which are also called a coil- out, are one of my favorite FAVORITE hairstyles! This is one of the first methods of hairstyling I learned from tightlycurly.com when I first started my natural hair journey, and is a method I still use to style my tresses.
It is a tad time consuming, so I only tend to do this style on days where I have extra time to style my hair and let it dry before going to bed. I wouldn't suggest doing this style right before bed since it can tend to smoosh to your head while your sleeping. I like to do this when I have extra time before I get ready to go out for the day, so I can let it air-dry, and then twist it before bed.
For a more extensive tutorial, read where I learned this wonderful natural's method @ tightlycurly.com.
I tend to start most of my styles in the front of my head so when I get tired and lazy towards the back, noone will see it lol. Anyways, after washing and conditioning with a leave in, I part out a section of hair, and pin the rest back. Depending on how big of a curl I want, I section a small piece out and starting at the root, twirl the piece gently around my finger (don't pull too hard or you'll pull out your hair!). I then drop the curl gently and proceed to section off and curl the rest of the hair in that section. It can take awhile but it is so worth it! I usually wear the style for the day, and then at night, take each section, being careful not to break any of the curls, and gently twist them together. In the morning you will be able to gently undo the twists, and separate them with your fingers. Pictures are posted below!
The Doodling Method: the result is a very defined curl...
The Doodle twist-out: about 3 days later, the doodles or coils have all softened into pretty delicate waves...I love my hair like this! I get a lot of compliments :)
A Curly Girl's: Wash & Go/ Wash & Go Twist-out
Since these were the first photos I found, I decided to elaborate on this style first. Now I know what your thinking. A wash & go is a wash & go so what's up with the addition of the wash & go twist-out?
The wash & go with a twist out simply serves to preserve the style while taming some of the frizzy bits I couldn't get to the conditioner with. All I do is take medium to large parts and gently twist the hair and seal it with my fingertips (I just hold it a second). Then all I do is scarf it up. Then in the morning, I undo the twists, separate and massage the parts, and fluff. This just helps to preserve the style but also polishes it a little because all the curls that were not defined lay down a little bit and get with the curly program! This comes out as shown below, and was actually acheived from the wash & go from the first photo. See how my hair kinda stretched a little? I also oil the sections a little before twisting if needed because my ends tend to get dry. 
Well...
My hair is very soft and as someone pointed out to me yesterday: "your hair looks different every time I see you". That's because depending on how I wrap my hair up for the night, my curl pattern will be more or less defined, or will just be a wave. So as to deliniate between all these patterns, I've assigned them names to distinguish one from the next.
Now for my wash & go's, I use the method described on tightlycurly.com, and if I am using shelf products (ie. something that's not natural), her product reviews and ingredient guides are awesome tools for me to pick the safest products on the shelves. If natural products aren't as widely available to you, then that is a good place to start to find safe products for curly hair that are on the market and sold in drugstores.
Now for the wash & go:
After washing, I follow with a conditioner applied on sopping wet hair (the wetter, the easier it is to define your curls), and proceed to detangle with a comb or finger comb. Then I simply let it dry. For another lovely method for drying, you can google "plopping" and see my review on it in the blog with the same title. I like this style for when I'm in a rush and need to get going for the day. It dries to look like below. I think the Phanatic liked it...right? Lol anyway...
The wash & go with a twist out simply serves to preserve the style while taming some of the frizzy bits I couldn't get to the conditioner with. All I do is take medium to large parts and gently twist the hair and seal it with my fingertips (I just hold it a second). Then all I do is scarf it up. Then in the morning, I undo the twists, separate and massage the parts, and fluff. This just helps to preserve the style but also polishes it a little because all the curls that were not defined lay down a little bit and get with the curly program! This comes out as shown below, and was actually acheived from the wash & go from the first photo. See how my hair kinda stretched a little? I also oil the sections a little before twisting if needed because my ends tend to get dry. My Favorite Natural Hairstyles, Go-to Hairstyles, & Hairstyles to Try
Ok. It's taken almost 2 years to do this...but I've finally found a large handful of natural styles that I love to go to anytime I want to change it up. Since I know how hard it was to find what my options were for natural hair, I've compiled them here. I think what I plan on doing is listing them and maybe taking them in depth in another series of blogs so I can accredit the proper sources and show pics, etc.
The descriptions for the following styles (and any other particular hair advice I have to give) will start with the label "A Curly Girl's..." (cute right?).
The descriptions for the following styles (and any other particular hair advice I have to give) will start with the label "A Curly Girl's..." (cute right?).
Written in no order in particular:
-Two strand twist
-Two strand twisted updo (my favorite way to wear my twists!)
-Twist out
-Curly fro (c/o Dr. Atkuri)
-Twist and curl (c/o Curly Nikki)
- the Doodling method (c/o tightlycurly.com)
-the "Doodle" twistout (which is my absolute favorite favorite style of the moment!)
-The fro-hawk (my hair has gotten a little long for this, but I tried it and loved the results)/half fro-hawk (a variation that I can show and describe)
-the Bouffant (with many style variations including a ponytail and a french twist and tendrils falling down the side of my face)
-the twisted updo (so sorry I can't remember what youtube video this was!)
-the Bantu knot-out fluffy bun (c/o Curly Nikki- I haven't tried this yet but it looked so pretty!)
-Puff w/flower pin
-Wash & go w/ side part or wash& go twist out
A Curly Girl's: Review on Plopping
Sounds dirty doesn't it? It's not. Its just a way curly girls dry their hair!
Well for the first time ever I tried it after seeing a video by curlychronicles (I love her!) on youtube about it. Not only was her texture beautifully defined, but her hair was not dripping wet with water! Either way, I had to try it!
Plopping is basically a method that envolves washing and detangling the hair, and then wrapping it in a t-shirt or turban to let it dry for a few hours (I chose to do it overnight because otherwise my curls get all matted to my head during sleep).
When I woke up in the morning, my hair was damp, but not dripping with water, and my curls were still intact! I needed to add a little extra conditioner and do some fluffing, but besides that it was pretty awesome!
I definitely plan on trying this again, maybe with more moisture, and see what my results are. But I definitely will be trying it again!
A Curly Girl's: Thoughts on Shampoo & Washing
Back in the days of yore, me and shampoo were best friends. I used it often in my former natural hair journeys to wash my hair as often as every day to accomplish what I thought would be beautiful curls and waves.
Boy was I wrong.
After washing, I noticed my hair would sigh in its residual frizziness, dryness, and lack of soft, shiny luster that I wished for.
Well after hours, days, years, of research, I have learned an amazing thing...shampoo is my enemy! Oh how I felt backstabbed in realizing what cleaned my hair was actually drying it and stealing its natural luster for life!
Well, after numerous experiments, I have discovered my new best friend: ACV or apple cider vinegar. And I know what your thinking: "Ew vinegar, why would I want that in my hair?". Well can I tell you one thing: you definitely do!
After some research, I found out that ACV (pardon my affinity for shorthand) had moisturizing properties, and is also helpful with loosening dandruff from the scalp! I already was using ACV for a once a month rinsing treatment for when I had trouble with dry scalp and dandruff, but after a little more research, I realized it was a safe and gentle way to cleanse my hair!
For the first time last night, I decided to give it a try and use it to wash my hair. I used a mixture of 1 part ACV to 8 parts water (vinegar is really strong so you can't simply put it to use with no dilution, you must add water to make it a safer substance for use!), and poured enough over my wet hair (watch your eyes!) to saturate, and rubbed my scalp. I rinsed and then repeated. Afterwards, my hair was so soft that I could comb through it without catching many tangles! And wow, can I say its the softest my hair has been without conditioner! So in short, ACV is an an awesome resource and I will be adding it to my arsenal of hair products to use on a very regular basis!
Boy was I wrong.
After washing, I noticed my hair would sigh in its residual frizziness, dryness, and lack of soft, shiny luster that I wished for.
Well after hours, days, years, of research, I have learned an amazing thing...shampoo is my enemy! Oh how I felt backstabbed in realizing what cleaned my hair was actually drying it and stealing its natural luster for life!
Well, after numerous experiments, I have discovered my new best friend: ACV or apple cider vinegar. And I know what your thinking: "Ew vinegar, why would I want that in my hair?". Well can I tell you one thing: you definitely do!
After some research, I found out that ACV (pardon my affinity for shorthand) had moisturizing properties, and is also helpful with loosening dandruff from the scalp! I already was using ACV for a once a month rinsing treatment for when I had trouble with dry scalp and dandruff, but after a little more research, I realized it was a safe and gentle way to cleanse my hair!
For the first time last night, I decided to give it a try and use it to wash my hair. I used a mixture of 1 part ACV to 8 parts water (vinegar is really strong so you can't simply put it to use with no dilution, you must add water to make it a safer substance for use!), and poured enough over my wet hair (watch your eyes!) to saturate, and rubbed my scalp. I rinsed and then repeated. Afterwards, my hair was so soft that I could comb through it without catching many tangles! And wow, can I say its the softest my hair has been without conditioner! So in short, ACV is an an awesome resource and I will be adding it to my arsenal of hair products to use on a very regular basis!
A Curly Girl's Trials & Tribulations...Why My Journey Started
There has been many important things that I have learned about my hair since starting the voyage to what I believe is truly normal and natural hair, and the most important is that no one can tell you what you need to do.
Apparently I have hair that is a result of a culmination of ethnicities ranging on the scale of the deepest richest charcoal black to the most fair porcelain white. At some points I have resented this because I never felt like I had hair like all the other Black girls.
Like I can't sweep it in a cute ponytail and have my edges stay flat, or get my kitchen to lay flat with some gel for my updos.
What I do realize is that even though I've wanted all these things for so long, there was no reason I should have them. It was never natural for my hair to do that. And who wants to start a fight with mother nature?
Well after years of perms just to go natural and have noone to show me how to take care of it, to go back to perms, and then realize that I wanna be free, I finally woke up and realized that I just want my hair to be the way nature intended it, wild and crazy and free.
Now don't get me wrong, I've looked at pictures and thought about doing something else. Being who I was before I started this process. I mean I tried it, and its not for me really, anymore.
I've realized through all this that I've been happier with my hair then I've ever been.
Like my hair has caused my moods to shift and change and I'm just over it. I can finally be myself, and I'm in love.
Apparently I have hair that is a result of a culmination of ethnicities ranging on the scale of the deepest richest charcoal black to the most fair porcelain white. At some points I have resented this because I never felt like I had hair like all the other Black girls.
Like I can't sweep it in a cute ponytail and have my edges stay flat, or get my kitchen to lay flat with some gel for my updos.
What I do realize is that even though I've wanted all these things for so long, there was no reason I should have them. It was never natural for my hair to do that. And who wants to start a fight with mother nature?
Well after years of perms just to go natural and have noone to show me how to take care of it, to go back to perms, and then realize that I wanna be free, I finally woke up and realized that I just want my hair to be the way nature intended it, wild and crazy and free.
Now don't get me wrong, I've looked at pictures and thought about doing something else. Being who I was before I started this process. I mean I tried it, and its not for me really, anymore.
I've realized through all this that I've been happier with my hair then I've ever been.
Like my hair has caused my moods to shift and change and I'm just over it. I can finally be myself, and I'm in love.
It coils...
I'm black and I have hair that grows out my head.
It's naughty and naturale: most people are afraid to tame it.
It's nappy, curly, coily, wavy, whatever...
Talk ---- if you want.
Nappy is a word created to make people no longer liable.
I know at some point I could succumb,
But at this moment, I have arrived.
It's naughty and naturale: most people are afraid to tame it.
It's nappy, curly, coily, wavy, whatever...
Talk ---- if you want.
Nappy is a word created to make people no longer liable.
I know at some point I could succumb,
But at this moment, I have arrived.
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