In December 2006, although still perming, I began to take better care of my hair. October 10, 2008 I decided to go natural. Below you will find my hairstory, my worries, my highs and my lows! Many of you may be interested in growing your hair long, however, my current hair goal is to have even hair. I had bangs cut in April 2009 and cut them again in December 2009, only to want to grow them out a month later. Even in 2006 I had a mini mullet and I finally have the courage and patience to get rid of it! Nonetheless, once my hair is even I will join the band wagon and grow my hair to bra strap length (bottom of strap) and then waist length!! BSL by my wedding: 3.24.2012 and waist length by...haven't thought that far! Enjoy reading and viewing! Feedback is greatly appreciated!
All Done Up!
A compilation of the different hairstyles I wear during the week.
12.17.2010
12.24.2010
12.31.2010
01.07.2011
01.18.2011
01.22.2011 - Scales n Tails
02.08.2011 - Mini Length Check
02.23.2011 -Wash n Go
04.12.2011 - Curlformer Curls
The Affair!
Video HAIRstory - December 2006 - December 2010
HAIRstory #1
HAIRstory #2
HAIRstory #3
HAIRstory #4
HAIRstory #5
HAIRstory #6 - Length Check
HAIRstory #7
HAIRstory #8 - Length Check - Ends Trimmed Video
04.10.2011 - Length Check
Weekend Worries
The struggles that take place over the two days between Friday and Monday.
Tangled 12.12
Mixed Emotions 12.19
New Hair Regimen 01.10
Regimen Update 01.20
Eyebrow Drama here, here and here
 |
All Done Up!
A compilation of the different hairstyles I wear during the week.
12.17.2010
12.24.2010
12.31.2010
01.07.2011
01.18.2011
01.22.2011 - Scales n Tails
02.08.2011 - Mini Length Check
02.23.2011 -Wash n Go
04.12.2011 - Curlformer Curls
The Affair!
Video HAIRstory - December 2006 - December 2010
HAIRstory #1
HAIRstory #2
HAIRstory #3
HAIRstory #4
HAIRstory #5
HAIRstory #6 - Length Check
HAIRstory #7
HAIRstory #8 - Length Check - Ends Trimmed Video
04.10.2011 - Length Check
Weekend Worries
The struggles that take place over the two days between Friday and Monday.
Tangled 12.12
Mixed Emotions 12.19
New Hair Regimen 01.10
Regimen Update 01.20
Eyebrow Drama here, here and here
The biggest question I get is "What products should I use on my hair routinely?" To be completely honest, I hate this question! Unless I've had my hands in your hair and worked with you hair more than 3 times, I don't know!! Now, I can suggest different products that are universal and several styling utensils that seem to be raved on by other naturals, but it is extremely important that you figure out what products works best for your hair. However, I can suggest a few methods that you need to start using ASAP!
I've included my regimen because I believe that it is a mixture of the methods and products that help me to retain length, with a great emphasis on methods! This is what I do that works for my hair, that I've figured out produces the best results. I am still a work in progress and am still figuring out methods and products that yield the best result for a specific style. Nonetheless, enjoy reading, comment, like and love!
If you have a question you'd like me to research and publish under Sista Speaks, don't hesitate to e-mail me:
LoveNWright@gmail.com
Method: Prepare to Wash
Implement: Before each co-wash or shampoo
Products: oil-based or water-based moisturizer. I've used Shea Butter, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Coconut Oil, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion and as a least resort Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner.
Procedures:
1. Soften hands by using a dime sized amount of your oil-based or water-based moisturizer.
2. Use another dime sized amount to take down hair from it's current style.
3. Braid your hair into 4 to 7 sections.
4. Stand under the shower head and allow your hair to be completely saturated with water.
5. Adorn a shower cap and continue with your body wash procedures.
6. Proceed with Co-Washing Method or Cleansing Method
Method: Co-washing
©©©I prefer to complete this entire process in the shower with the assistance of running water©©©
Implement: Weekly, Biweekly, as often as needed
Products: Conditioner of choice that allows you to detangle your hair with ease and a towel for drying. I've used Herbal Essence Hello Hydration, L'Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss and Giovanni Smooth as Silk as my conditioners and KonvertKottonTowel as my hair towel.
Procedures:
Method: Cleansing
Implement: Once a month or after the use of heavy styling products
Products: Shampoo of choice; however I prefer a shampoo sans sulfate. I've use Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleanser and Dr. Bonner's Peppermint Castile Soap.
Procedures:
1. Remove shower cap and lightly wring out each section.
2. Working with one section at a time, unbraid, apply a quarter sized amount and focusing solely on your roots, massage the products into your scalp.
3. Refrain from scratching and tangling the hair by pulling tauntly at the middle of the section. Rub and massage rigorously throughout the section to promote blood flow.
4. Rinse your hair starting from the roots and gliding your hands down the section. Complete this step until your hair is completely clear of the product. Notice that your ends come in contact with the product therefore serving as a less abrasive cleansing process that doesn't strip all the needed oils from your ends.
5. Continue with steps 2 - 7 from Method: Co-Washing or Method: Deep Condition
Method: Drying
Implement: After each co-wash or cleansing
Products: Konvert Kotton Towel
Procedures:
1. Prior to grabbing your body towel, grab a Konvert Kotton Towel.
2. Lean forward allowing your braids/twist to fall forward.
3. Take the center of the towel and place at the nape of your neck.
4. Treating the towel as a Turban, wrap your hair and secure the ends of the KKTowel at the nape of your neck.
5. Continue to get dressed. At this point you have several options: Method: Night Time Protection, Method: Drying by Blotting, or Method Unbraid n Go.
Method: Drying by Blotting
Implement: Post co-wash or cleansing
Products: Konvert Kotton Towel. Not recommended with the use of a Terry cloth towel
Procedures
1. Relying on your sections, work with one section at a time. Secure the others in a shower cap, clip or seamless hair band.
2. Unbraid the section and detangle with a widetooth comb.
3. Separate section into 2” square mini-sections.
4. Using the Konvert Kotton Towel, blot the hair starting at the roots and work your way to the ends.
5. Once you have blotted all mini-sections, blot the entire section.
6. Proceed with Method: Night Time Protection or rebraid and continue steps 2 -5 with all other sections.
7. Style as desired.
Method: Night Time Protection
Implement: Daily! Great prep for The Smilling Frenchie, Pomp and France or The Stega.
Products: oil-based or water-based moisturizer. I've used Shea Butter, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Coconut Oil, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion and as a least resort Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. You'll also need a spray bottle filled with water and drops of various oils. In my spray bottle your will find Coconut oil, Jojba Oil, Grapeseed oil, Neem Oil, and Aloe Vera Juice. Remember to shake well before use.
Procedures:
1. Soften hands by using a dime sized amount of your oil-based or water-based moisturizer.
2. Use another dime sized amount to take down hair from its current style.
3. Decide how many sections your plan to create. Select the hair for the first section and secure the rest of he hair with a seamless hair band or clip.
4. Using your water spray bottle concoction, spray each section until the hair is pliable but not soaked in water.
5. Braid or twist section.
6. Complete steps 4 and 5 for all sections.
7. Seal ends with a light oil.
8. Adorn silk/satin scarf AND a satin bonnet.
I've included my regimen because I believe that it is a mixture of the methods and products that help me to retain length, with a great emphasis on methods! This is what I do that works for my hair, that I've figured out produces the best results. I am still a work in progress and am still figuring out methods and products that yield the best result for a specific style. Nonetheless, enjoy reading, comment, like and love!
If you have a question you'd like me to research and publish under Sista Speaks, don't hesitate to e-mail me:
LoveNWright@gmail.com
Method: Prepare to Wash
Implement: Before each co-wash or shampoo
Products: oil-based or water-based moisturizer. I've used Shea Butter, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Coconut Oil, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion and as a least resort Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner.
Procedures:
1. Soften hands by using a dime sized amount of your oil-based or water-based moisturizer.
2. Use another dime sized amount to take down hair from it's current style.
3. Braid your hair into 4 to 7 sections.
4. Stand under the shower head and allow your hair to be completely saturated with water.
5. Adorn a shower cap and continue with your body wash procedures.
6. Proceed with Co-Washing Method or Cleansing Method
Method: Co-washing
©©©I prefer to complete this entire process in the shower with the assistance of running water©©©
Implement: Weekly, Biweekly, as often as needed
Products: Conditioner of choice that allows you to detangle your hair with ease and a towel for drying. I've used Herbal Essence Hello Hydration, L'Oreal Vive Pro Hydra Gloss and Giovanni Smooth as Silk as my conditioners and KonvertKottonTowel as my hair towel.
Procedures:
1. Remove shower cap and lightly wring out each section.
2. Working with one section at a time, unbraid, apply a quarter sized amount of conditioner and glide your hands over your hair going in one direction from root to ends.
3. Using a wide tooth comb or denman brush detangle your hair starting with your ends. (If you are seeking to remove all of the conditioner, begin your rinse process here. Starting at the roots of your hair sandwiched between your hands, glide your hands to your ends.)
4. Rebraid section and complete steps 2 and 3 for each section.
5. After detangling all sections, turn your water dial to the coldest luke warm setting.
6. Rinse you hair until you are satisfied with the amount of conditioner left in your hair.
7. Wring excess and adorn your hair with a Konvert Kotton Towel
2. Working with one section at a time, unbraid, apply a quarter sized amount of conditioner and glide your hands over your hair going in one direction from root to ends.
3. Using a wide tooth comb or denman brush detangle your hair starting with your ends. (If you are seeking to remove all of the conditioner, begin your rinse process here. Starting at the roots of your hair sandwiched between your hands, glide your hands to your ends.)
4. Rebraid section and complete steps 2 and 3 for each section.
5. After detangling all sections, turn your water dial to the coldest luke warm setting.
6. Rinse you hair until you are satisfied with the amount of conditioner left in your hair.
7. Wring excess and adorn your hair with a Konvert Kotton Towel
Method: Cleansing
Implement: Once a month or after the use of heavy styling products
Products: Shampoo of choice; however I prefer a shampoo sans sulfate. I've use Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleanser and Dr. Bonner's Peppermint Castile Soap.
Procedures:
1. Remove shower cap and lightly wring out each section.
2. Working with one section at a time, unbraid, apply a quarter sized amount and focusing solely on your roots, massage the products into your scalp.
3. Refrain from scratching and tangling the hair by pulling tauntly at the middle of the section. Rub and massage rigorously throughout the section to promote blood flow.
4. Rinse your hair starting from the roots and gliding your hands down the section. Complete this step until your hair is completely clear of the product. Notice that your ends come in contact with the product therefore serving as a less abrasive cleansing process that doesn't strip all the needed oils from your ends.
5. Continue with steps 2 - 7 from Method: Co-Washing or Method: Deep Condition
**The only difference, I apply my shampoo to my scalp not my hair**
Method: Drying
Products: Konvert Kotton Towel
Procedures:
1. Prior to grabbing your body towel, grab a Konvert Kotton Towel.
2. Lean forward allowing your braids/twist to fall forward.
3. Take the center of the towel and place at the nape of your neck.
4. Treating the towel as a Turban, wrap your hair and secure the ends of the KKTowel at the nape of your neck.
5. Continue to get dressed. At this point you have several options: Method: Night Time Protection, Method: Drying by Blotting, or Method Unbraid n Go.
Method: Drying by Blotting
Implement: Post co-wash or cleansing
Products: Konvert Kotton Towel. Not recommended with the use of a Terry cloth towel
Procedures
1. Relying on your sections, work with one section at a time. Secure the others in a shower cap, clip or seamless hair band.
2. Unbraid the section and detangle with a widetooth comb.
3. Separate section into 2” square mini-sections.
4. Using the Konvert Kotton Towel, blot the hair starting at the roots and work your way to the ends.
5. Once you have blotted all mini-sections, blot the entire section.
6. Proceed with Method: Night Time Protection or rebraid and continue steps 2 -5 with all other sections.
7. Style as desired.
Method: Night Time Protection
Implement: Daily! Great prep for The Smilling Frenchie, Pomp and France or The Stega.
Products: oil-based or water-based moisturizer. I've used Shea Butter, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Coconut Oil, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Lotion and as a least resort Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. You'll also need a spray bottle filled with water and drops of various oils. In my spray bottle your will find Coconut oil, Jojba Oil, Grapeseed oil, Neem Oil, and Aloe Vera Juice. Remember to shake well before use.
Procedures:
1. Soften hands by using a dime sized amount of your oil-based or water-based moisturizer.
2. Use another dime sized amount to take down hair from its current style.
3. Decide how many sections your plan to create. Select the hair for the first section and secure the rest of he hair with a seamless hair band or clip.
4. Using your water spray bottle concoction, spray each section until the hair is pliable but not soaked in water.
5. Braid or twist section.
6. Complete steps 4 and 5 for all sections.
7. Seal ends with a light oil.
8. Adorn silk/satin scarf AND a satin bonnet.
©©©Continue to check weekly for additional methods©©©
