Curly Consult: Special K

Boy, did we have fun with remembering what products we put in each section of her hair. I must admit, life comes at you quick, or possibly I just didn't remember. I don't have after photos, but we do have a decision as to which product worked the best for her hair. I knew from the jump that I wanted to use the same product on the two front sections. Considering the Shea Moisture Curl Enchaning Smoothie topped with Curls, Goddess Curls worked great on my 4A curls, I figured it would yield the best result for hers. Therefore, I applied this mixture to the two front sections.

On the back right quadrant I applied SMCES and Flax Seed Gel. This has been the mixture I've used for the past week, but due to the rain and heightened humidity I haven't rocked a twist-out to see the definition it creates. But for the purpose of my mom trying to find a product that will hold her hair, if this can fight against the humidity, we'd both be #winning!

On the back left quadrant I applied Organic Root Stimulator Smooth-n-Hold Pudding. I recieved it from my friend who is a recovering product junkie. I haven't personally tried the product, but we are expereimenting, so why not!

Curly Consult :: Special K

I'm excited to reveal that my mother is visiting from DC  for the next week and a half!! I will be helping her to figure out how to make her curls pop. She has struggled with maintaining her natural hair for the past 8 years; transitioning with braids, rocking a fro, Dominican blow-outs and weaving alike. Last June she made the conscience decision to allow her hair to grow on its own. About 3 months ago, she went into the salon for a trim. Classic case of speak up, say what you want, the stylist trimmed her hair something serious which left her devastated and regretful.

She arrived yesterday having used Kinky Kurly Custard and Knot Today leave-in to style her hair. I immediately noticed that her hair lacked definition, however it was very shiny and upon touch, moisturized. Of course I went through my regimen with her, walking through Vitamin World and Sally's pointing things out that are currently on my list of must-haves. Last night, I used her products to style her hair. 8 flat-twists later she was ready for bed. The KKC is extremely oily and sticky. Two things I immediately found I didn't like about the products. Although it provides great slip, I did not like the residue and the sticky feeling left over on my hands. Won't we be purchasing this product!

Fail...Fail...Fail...#naturalhair SCORE!!

,

Attempt #1

For the past two months, I've been on a twist-out braid-out hair perfection tour! Although I used to wear a very easily maintained braid-out that I considered to be TERriffic, now that my hair has some length to it, cornrowing my hair has been a nightmare and a half; especially freshly washed and detangled. In a not-so-recent YT vid, I attempted a flat twist out using Shea Moisture with #FAIL results! But, I think I've got it!! Below you will find results from 2 different methods! The third method, of course, yields the best results!

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{Scrts Xpsd} Vee @DuchessWright

Being one of my favorite bloggers and twollowers, Veronica shows the world the transformation of a tomboy turned pretty girl. Whether you are interested in make-up, natural hair or losing weight, Vee’s youtube channel VeeRockinPretty has got you covered. Recently she added a little spice to her tresses by dying them an auburn red color. To combat the dryness that is associated with coloring, Vee deep conditions after every wash. She also rocks her mane in protective styles to include twist, twist outs and on “bad hair” days, what she calls a “Roll, Tuck and Pin!” Vee writes...

"The number one thing I'm LoveN about my #naturalhair is knowing that my curls are something to be proud of. When I first went natural, I was afraid to wear it in its natural state for fear of what others might say. Now, I walk with my big ole fro or bushy, twirly curls and my head held high. Going natural has helped me to realize that it's okay to stand out even more than I did before. First, I was "the tall girl". Now, I'm "the tall girl with the big hair" and I love it!"

And don’t we love it, too! Vee, thank you so much for sharing your story with LNW readers! I am sure that many of us can relate with being apprehensive to wear our hair in its natural state. But oh, the joy of how emancipated we felt when we decided to finally rock it! Although managing our hair can be quite the feat, thanks for reminding us that being gentle and consistent will yield strong, healthy hair!

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If you’d like to read more of Vee's story…

{Sista Speaks} 100% #NaturalHair Sunscreen

Let me tell you that I have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And because I love my readers, (don't forget to love me back by following) I am going to tell this little secret like I'm selling it to People Magazine! If you are tired of purchasing sunscreen, this is for you! Do you have a skin disease, i.e. eczema, psoriasis, then this is for you! Could you hair benefit from Vitamins E, A as well as omega 3 and 6? Well then, allow me to introduce you to Red Raspberry Seed Oil! Carrot Seed Oil! and Wheat Germ Oil!

The best discoveries are by mistake! Initially I was looking for a homemade sunscreen recipe for my hair. I want to get into the habit of making things at home because I wont have the same luxuries living abroad. Googling this topic yield several results and recipes that were both simple and grand. Many of the ingredients were organic and then there were some: zinc oxide and titanium oxide that are naturally occurring, but aren't considered "organic." Then, I became more interested in wanting to know the Sun Protection Factor, SPF, of the ingredients and most sunscreen recipes didn't give this information. I wanted to know how long I could stand out in the sun without the sun's rays damaging my hair. I'm sure this will be a revelation for you as it was for me!

Hemp Seed Oil – SPF 6

Macadamia Oil – SPF 6
Sesame Seed Oil SPF 4
Shea Butter – SPF 4
Jojoba Oil – SPF 4
Olive and Coconut Oil – SPF 2
 
   
 
Straight from the heart, I was elated! My current moisturizer is soften Shea butter with olive, coconut and jojoba oil with a few other essential oils. So I've been protecting my strands with natural SPFs and didn't even know it! According to my research, our skin has it's own sun protection factor, but there are several skin types which determine how long you can stay in the sun without burning. Long story short, whatever your time limit is you would be multiple by the SPF # to yield the number of minutes till your next application. For example, if your time till burn is 15 minutes and your lotion has is SPF10, you could hang for 150 minutes. But, considering hair is not like skin, for the purpose of providing an example, I'm going to use a time limit of 10. Therefore, an application of Shea butter provides me with 40 minutes of protection.  
 
Now on to the real excitement! I thought I hit the jackpot when I saw that Macadamia oil provides an hour of protection. At the local grocery store its about $12.00 for an 8 oz jar. Six months ago, I would have stopped mid-research and ran out the house, debit card in tow! But something didn't sit well with me. I just knew that couldn't be the greatest amount of SPF natural products could provide! Then I came across information about the 3 oils listed above, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil and Wheatgerm Oil. 
 
Can you say...the bomb dot com!  

5-Step Cleansing Process

Benefits of the KonvertKottonTowel

How to use the KonvertKottonTowel

Unbraiding the Mane!

Hey people!!

I braided my hair back on the 6th of September and my intentions were to keep the braids until the 23rd of October. However, I was going to a wedding and didn't want to look like the crusty head girl with braids. Needless to say, I took them out the night of the 15th!

HAIRstory #7

Hair Schedule 2010 - 2011

In honor of my previous post, I'd like to share with you my "hair schedule" for 2010 - 2011. Of course everyone's goal is to grow their hair longer; however, I've always struggled with having a baby mullet (as seen in my photo below: March 2007) so I'd like for my hair to even out before I try growing it longer. Meaning, I'd like the front and the back to be the same length visually. Currently the front is technically longer according to the ruler! But, the back appears to be longer because it trails down my back! Perception can often be deception!

I only assumed that the front would be shorter because I use to have bangs; however, this only allowed the front and the back to be the same length! Another hair dresser suggested that I get the back cut twice as short as the front to help me with the visual indifference. So, now when I go in to have my ends clipped I'm going to ask for a 1/4 inch in the front and a 1/2 inch in the back - I'll let you know how that goes Oct. 23rd!

The Hair Schedule 2010-2011
April 22nd : "Big Chop!" I started wearing my hair as a wash and go with ecostyler gel and a leave-in-conditioner. Realized I didn't like the shrinkage I experienced and reverted back to straightenings.
#front length: bridge of nose#

June 20th: Straighten hair for the last time before I decided to start a "no heat" regimen to include wearing protective styles, stretching by braiding as well as washing and deep conditioning weekly. (Usually a Saturday Fiasco)
#front length: between lips#

August 27th: Straightened hair after two months of a "no-heat" regimen.
#front length: cusp of chin#

September 4th/5th/6th: braided hair used 100% Kanekolon braiding hair. Used african insertion technique to match the natural hair braiding pattern.
#front length: cusp of chin#

Goals for the remainder of the year:
9/6/2010 - 10/23/2010: Wear hair in braids, washing bimonthly, oiling with K for Konkashun! (post coming soon) weekly, re braiding front braids as they begin to stress edges, remove braids gradually during the week ending 10/23/10!

10/23/10: Celebrate 2 years of permed-free hair and 6 months of being completely natural!! Make an appointment to have hair professionally deep conditioned, washed, PERMED-just kidding, pressed and my ends trimmed 1/4-1/2.

10/23/10 - 11/6/10: Allow hair to breathe! "No-heat" protective styles.

Weekend of 11/6/10: Re braid hair

11/6/10 - 12/18/10: Wear hair in braids

Weekend of 12/18/10: Unbraid hair

12/18/10 - 1/2/11: Allow hair to breathe! Because I won't be in school I'll be searching for new protective styles during this time.

1/2/11 - 2/11/11: "No-heat" regimen: Protective Styles, stretching through braiding, washing weekly.

2/11/11: Straighten hair for Valentine's Day! Wrap nightly to extend hair style longevity.

2/19/11: Re braid hair

2/19/11 - 4/16/11: Wear hair in Braids.

4/16/11 - 4/22/11 : Protective Styles

4/22/11: Celebrate 1 year of completely natural hair and 2 1/2 years of being perm-free! Professionally washed, deep conditioned, and trimmed! Can't wait!! Hopefully no more Baby Mullet!

Take the Transit

PLAN with your ENDs in mind!

Whether u call it an agenda book, organizer or planner, they all do the same thing: keep dates, times and you knowing your next move. One notion that I have taken on as a teacher is to plan with the end in mind! I've become a bit planner obsessed- everything has to have a plan! But as a teacher, this is my life. There are strands (think goals), and benchmarks (steps to take to reach goals), that the student must master by the end of the year; however, it's not an overnight accomplishment. If you were to compare learning to a video game, in order to move on you have to pass the level. Similarly, I have to plan out how the students will successfully pass my level (grade) in order to move on!


Now, apply this same theory: planning with the end in mind using strands and benchmarks to your natural hair journey. For example, view your strand as what length you'd like your hair to be in a year. Be realistic, remember hair grows at a rate of a half inch per month. So, stating that your strand is to grow your hair a full 6 inches will ensure that you are not defeated a year from now!


Your benchmarks are the steps you must take in order to grow your hair 6 inches. Possibly you want to improve your diet, work out more, wear more protective styles, or use sulfate-free products. Whatever you decide your benchmarks to be, you will need to make self-assessment throughout your year spans to ensure you are meeting those benchmarks. Also, it's important to be as specific as possible. When improving your diet state that you would like to increase your water intake from 2 cups a day to 4 cups a day.

The idea is small steps make a big difference. This is where the agenda, organizer, planner, whatever-you-wanna-call-it! comes into play! Some planners even give you the convenience of an at a glance year-great tool! Makes planning very simple. Create a "hair schedule" to include trimmings, straightenings, when you plan to wear protective styles and even when you work ot and how frequently.

Then each month complete a self-assessment of how you are meeting your benchmarks as they relate to your strand. Ask yourself: If I continue at this rate, will I be successful? This may be a time to revise your plan and make improvements or stick to it and wait to bask in your achievements. When you do create you "hair schedule" make the decision to be 100% committed! The outcome of your desire is determined by the amount of patience in your approach! (A LoveNWright Original!)

With love to last a lifetime, K!

(Although strands and ends were used quite frequently in this post, no puns intended!!)

HAIRstory #6

Fighting Temptations

I am so tempted to press fast forward on the chronicles of my hair so that I can begin to update you on a daily basis, however I would be doing an injustice to those of you who are where I was many moons ago - transition and hoping to see retention, not growth!! Therefore, I must stay loyal to you and true to myself: share my journey to include every hill and every valley!!

Where did we leave off...

Oh yes, August 2008. I had recently taken down a set of braids, permed my hair and within a week had my hair professionally trimmed. Now, do remember that I was also giving my ear patches a second trim, post braids, as I found the professional trim wasn't cutting it! Never before had I truly agreed with the commonly used phrase, words cannot express yada-yada-ya, but I trully was flabergasted! The epitome of my anguish with my hair was finally becoming the epitome of my romance with my hair. A bit extra, a lot true! Even the ladies in the art work on the wall were excited!



My hair telling a story: I was beginning to find my confidence again. My hair began growing at a consistent pace. Personally, I was regaining who I was and who I had the potential to be. The growth in my ear patches gave me a sense of encouragement. I felt like the mouse who had saved the lion from death, my little snips here and there produced a gigantic effect. And like any addict, I wanted more! I wanted my hair to grow longer, fuller and to be flat out gorgeous - and this is when it hit me (*singing*) like Tina hit Ike in the limo-it finally hit me! My natural hair in high school was so much more durable than my permed hair that I had been rockin' in college. Yes, permed hair was "convenient" for the sake of the humidity in Florida, but in all actuality, my natural hair grew faster, responded to color better (less breakage), and didn't box me in to wearing one hair style: straight!



So on October 10th, 2008 I decided, again, to stop perming my hair. On a personal level, I was making a transition: letting go of my past and moving forward with my life. I looked the societal me in the mirror and spoke my peace. I made a compromise between the real me and the societal me that I would no longer allow others to deter me from being who I had the potential to become. Although the societal me said I should conform to soceity's expectations, follow the beaten path and blend in, the real me realizes there is more to me than what is seen on the surface. No more baracades, no more masks, no more faking the funk! I can only offer endurance, pride and character.

And believe me, that's more than good enough!
With love to last a lifetime, K!

Take the Transit: Diet Wright

First, a lil' Catching up!

As many of you are mentally preparing to listen to long lectures by college professors, I ,on the other hand, am preparing a vibrant classroom with the intent of teaching 5th grade Language Arts- auditoriums filled with seats are for old people! In my preparation, I've enjoyed moving my millions of boxes, unpacking, decorating and organizing my classroom. All of which I've endured in temperatures of 80 degrees as they've turned the air off to save money on the school budget. However, I've been prepared: toting bottles of gatorade, recycling by refilling with fountain water and eating every now and again to make sure I don't faint!

Through all of this, I thought of you! I apologize for my absence! But u do understand-life has REALsponsibilities!! This fall will mark my 3rd year of teaching and each year as the school year starts I create a diet plan to include a morning breakfast, snacks throughout the day, a filling but not trytophan induced lunch and an after school snack as I usually stay until 5 PM. This food plan isn't necessarily created to follow the daily servings but enough to ensure that my stomach doesn't croak like a FROG in the middle of teaching!

As I began to make my list last night, I realized that I eat so healthy through the school year and straight up pig out during the summer! From August to June, my diet is jammed packed with proteins, minerals, nutrients and water! Perhaps this is the reason I see an abundance of growth at the beginning of each school year! Today, I spent about $50 on food that should last me at least two weeks. Normally, I don't have much time to eat and allow my food to digest as I move around the classroom, so I try to stick to grab and go foods that are nutritional.

Now, onto your diet

The following is my shopping list of healthy foods that just happen to promote healthy hair or hair growth! Now, don't go grab your purse and head to the local grocery store once you're done reading! First create a diet plan and a means to stick to it! Just like in a well managed classroom, routines are key. Look at your daily schedules and determine where you need an energy boost, when you have time to eat and how much time you can devote to eating. Once you've created a diet plan, then you can head to your grocery store!

Remember, hair is a protein, so by adding yogurt, eggs, tofu, fish and beans you are creating a diet rich in protein!

Tilapia: I'm not a big meat eater, unless I go out to eat, so I try to stick to light "meats." Fish is a great alternative and is high in protein and omega 3! I usually just season, put it in the oven at 375 for about 15 minutes and waa-lah!


Romaine Salad: Why Romain and not house or ceasar? Well, for starters it's greener and crunchier: personal preference. I don't eat it alone, I usually add it to a sandwhich to give me the idea of eating more! All green vegetables are high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C which help your body to create sebum!


Whole Grain Bread: Be careful as there are several bread companies to choose from! Not all bread is good bread! I choose Arnold as it contains double protein, 12g per slice, 19g of Whole wheat and a few other fru-frus that I was like "Oh Wow!" Whole wheat promises to give you energy and tons of Vitamin B which makes for a great midday sandwich!


Dairy Products: Anyone who knows me knows that I can have cereal and be left alone! Dairy is a great source of calcium, whey and casein, the last two being proteins! Try adding low-fat cream cheese to a bagel, skim milk with a bowl of cereal or yogurt as an afternoon snack. Granted it wont fill you up, but it'll keep you from pulling into the drive-thru line.


Orange foods: I'm sure you heard eat your greens, well eat your oranges too! Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes and oranges are a great source of Vitamin D! This vitamin helps to ensure a healthy scalp, which is vital to hair growth.


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Now, these are foods that I try to eat throughout the week, with a goal of atleast once a day. Test out your research skills: Do you know of other foods that promote healthly hair growth?

Its a Wrap!

Each night before you prepare to go to sleep, it is important that you wrap your hair with a scarf in order to protect those tresses. You knew that - I know! Do me, rather yourself, a favor and go grab your scarf. Do you know what fabric was used to make the scarf you wear on your hair to sleep? Did you know that the type of fabric you use on your hair can promote/prevent frizziness, static cling, split ends, tangles and snagles. Read on to find out which fabric is best and which fabric you should cut your ties with.

Cotton

Have you ever worn a bandana to sleep or used one to add a bit of flair to your hair during the day? Although for some it can be a fashion statement, for our hair it is the onsets to a disaster. The form of cotton presented in most fabrics, specifically in scarves used for hair care, are harvested and then woven into yarn or thread to develop cotton cloths. The fibers in the cotton material appear to be tightly organized, however, under a Scanning Electron Microscope the true pattern of cotton is revealed.


Yikes! Contrary to their formation, these finely spun fibers feel soft to the touch. For this reason, and due to the fact that it was once found abundantly across the land, it has been used by several clothing fabrications, bedding companies, furniture developers and even as gauze for health care professionals. And that's where we find why cotton scarves aren't a great choice for use on our hair. Gauze's main purpose is to assist in absorbing a substance, therefore revealing that cotton is a natural absorbancy agent. For our hair, cotton absorbs any natural oils causing it to dry out and defeat our number one goal: Keeping our hair Moisturized!

Polyester

I always think of Pops from Waynan Brothers: white pants, big old, clunky shoes, maybe a vest and a frilly shirt! Cuuute! But that is not the only presentation of polyester. I have a really cute blue dress that is stunning, you wouldn't claim it as old and outdated by the cut of the dress. Most often than not polyester will appear stiff and unforgiving: creating a box shape when your true sillohette is a figure 8! That's because polyestera are synthetic rather than natural fibers; the most common polyesters used to make clothing are thermoplastic. Ever tried ironing a polyester shirt? What happens? It melts. Thermoplastics are polymers that turn to liquid when heated and appears glassy and glossy when frozen.


If you are using a polyester scarf you will notice an increase in static cling and fly away hairs. There is actually a scientific reason for this! As the scarf rubs against your hair, it extracts the moisture from your follicles creating a dry environment. The dry state of your hair as it continuously rubs against the polyester scarf, promotes the scarf to take on + and - electrical charges, which are randomly dispursed amongst your strands. Thus, static electricity therefore causes fly away hairs as your strands repels other strands because they have taken on + and - charges from the scarf.

Satin

When I think of Satin, it reminds me of making placemats for our Thanksgiving day celebration. Satin is created using the weaving system, whereas not every strand is woven. The strands are overlapped and occassionally underlapped which create an interlock that isn't as obtrusive. If this makes sense, the fabric is created so that the fibers, for the most part, are in the same directions. Ultimately, satin's structure is smooth and soft similar to it's feel.


Satin pillowcases have been proven to extend the longevity of hair which in return, keeps your little fingers out of your hair! Goal! With the understanding that satin is woven to create a smooth surface, as the hair comes in contact with this fabric is it not snagged or tangled in the fabric. Instead, the hair follicles are allowed to move freely across the surface of this material. Purchasing a satin pillowcase can serve the same purpose of a satin hair scarf pus a few offer benefits!

Silk

Many of you have asked about how to reduce frizziness, how to ensure your hair stays moisturized and to promote growth. First, growth will happen when it does and it's retention that helps you to see "growth" With that, all three of these challeneges can be combatted by using a silk scarf. Frizziness occures when our hair lacks moisturization and likewise with retention: hair is more prone to break if it is dry. Silk is composed of amino acids! Remember amino acids make up protein and our hair is the protein keratin. Therfore, through the use of a silk scarf you are "adding" proteins to your hair.


Considering silk is a poor conductor, it does not hold electrical charges. This will allow your hair to appear "laid down" and reduce the amount of frizziness you may see with the use of other materials. Unlike cotton, silk has a high tolerance for stretching. When the material stretches, it gives your hair room to move around which creates friction which leads to split ends, breakage, and frizziness. Each night when you "add" proteins to your hair, you are encouraging your follicles to relax as they are not tangled, snagged, or dried out due to the material used.

HAIRstory #5

Know when to let go!

I was so elated once my hair appeared "even!" Psychologically, I was reaching a plateau, a phase in my life where I was comfortable in who I was. I was beginning to balance the person I had lost and the person I was becoming. Although still rocking permed hair, I allowed my hair to blow in the wind and found styles that I thought exuded my personality and spunk. However, the hair was still limp and lifeless, lacking enthusiasm unless an outside force encouraged it to have bounce and volume.


At the end of the Spring 2007 semester, I randomly decided to end a 3 year relationship. It was a long awaited ending, but we held on because it was convenient and in some ways we were co-dependant upon each other. Despite the happiness I presented to others, internally I was crushed. Not because I wanted to be with this person, but just all the bull I had put up with and for so long. Why did I allow this person to change who I was? Why was I living a lie because others said it would work? How could I forgive and forget just because it happens to everyone? Sounds like something else I know, a perm! Hmm...the irony!

In my state of depression, my ear patches continued to show my internal turmoil. My other hair strands would grow, but my ear patches would stay in the same growth cycle - never growing past my jawline. Soon after the break-up, another random decision, I said to myself: "You know what, I've got to take matters into my own hands!" So I began cutting my ear patches. I took the square right above my ear, combed it towards my chin, smoothed out the raggedy ends and cut them suckas off, too!


Now, you may be saying: Wouldn't that take you back to having a mullet? And, that's fine because my ear patches started growing. They were crisp and clean! In June 2007, I found Mr. Wright and he didn't mind me wearing braids all the time and that's exactly what I did! So, I must apologize: I don't have any pictures of my hair from Summer 2007 going into Summer 2008. In total I wore my hair braided for a little over a year and a half, allowing my hair to breath for 3 weeks at the most. I continued the cycle of perming, and clipping my ends as well as trimming my ear patches after each professional trim.


In August 2008, a year after trimming my ear patches every time I took my braids out, I saw growth and a thickness in my ear patches that I thought would never happen! Tried and true!

HAIRstory #4

One step forward, two steps back!

As I continued to see growth through the spring months of 2007, I maintained permed hair and clipped my ends in order to keep up with my ear patches. Because of this, I began manipulating my hair more than ever! Straightening, coloring, checking every day to see if my patches were growing. I couldn't necessarily wear a bun, which would be a protective style, because at the time, my ear patches wouldn't stretch back far enough! So I turned to wearing braids.


They were a life saver! Not to mention, I could braid my own hair; but it would take me between 12 and 16 hours slaving in front of a mirror. Needless to say, I usually opted to pay someone else to braid it: 8 hours! I found someone who was fast and efficient - she braided my hair for the entire Spring '07 semester. Once they were in, life was a breeze and my hair was finally resting.


I rarely wore them down, usually up in a bun or half up and half down. I was using synthetic hair - 100% Kanekalon. I didn't find micros and human hair too fancy because, from what I saw on other women, I wasn't able to braid past my hair and took the risk of my ends being exposed. I purchased a bottle of Doo Gro Mega Thick Growth Oil. Did it contribute to hair growth? Not really sure, but I do know it was a light oil that wasn't too thick on my scalp.


As if with unbraided hair, I washed my hair weekly with Nioxin paying close attention to my scalp. Sythetic hair can become very heavy when saturated with water and begin to pull on the hair strands. Therefore, it's best to blot the braids dry, wrap them up in a towel on the top of your head or use a hood dryer or handheld blow dryer to promote the drying process.

I wore braids from February to June 2007. Every 4 to 6 weeks I would redo the front section and every 8 to 10 weeks I would put in a new set of braids. Unfortunately, during this time I never took any progress pictures, got my ends cut, or colored my hair: just braids. Finally in June 2007 I took out my braids, permed my hair and went directly into the beauty shop to - you got it! Get my hair cut to match my ear patches. Finally, my hair was "even!"


With love to last a life time, K!

Protective Style

The Smiling Frenchie

difficulty: 4 (holding hair in place and adjusting bulkiness)
longevity: 3 days (having to remove pins at night)
protection: 7/10 (bangs? These are optional)

Items needed:
-3 hair pins
-water bottle
-scarf


A 1940's, 1950's hairstyle that says retro but is fresh enough to be a stylish look today! This style can be achieved as a wash and "roll," on previously stretched hair, blowdried and even on permed hair.

The night prior to styling, please "set" hair by using a leave-in conditioner and either braiding on twisting the hair into 5 sections -one to include a bang.

1. Take down your hair with the exception of the bang area. Using your water bottle, spray water into your hair at the medium level. Use enough water so that your hair will feel moist rather than damp, and moist but not saturated. :::Do not wet the bang area:::

2. Taking either "ear patch," begin to smooth the hair back behind your ear. Once the ear patch is smooth to your liking, begin to french roll the hair back and create a "smile" as you approach your neck. Briefly secure section with a hairpin.


3. Complete step two for the opposite ear patch. However, DO NOT use a pin to secure smile. Continue to roll the end of the french roll to create a smoothly, twisted section of hair.


4. A bit of multi-tasking, remove the hairpin inserted earlier. Tuck the smoothly, twisted section of hair into the other side of the smile. Begin to create a seamless tuck but shaping the french roll into a smile. Note, one section will feel bulkier. Try to position the bulkiness to the center of your neck.


5. Secure the bulkiness using 2 to 3 hairpins. Be sure to insert the pins with ease as to prevent the breaking of hair strands.

Now to the bang. To give this style a unique look, the bangs can be position in different ways. Through repositioning the bang, it will help you to achieve the style you are looking for.



6. Start by untwisting or unbraiding the bang section. Remember, do not use water on this section as that will take away from the "set" look. Pull the bang area taunt, but not tight, at a diagonal.

A. In the same motion used to achieve the smiling frenchie, create a french roll with light ease. Secure at the end of the hair with a hair pin. Insert the hair pin going toward the start of the roll.

B. With the same effort as style A, begin to french roll the hair. This time stop midway allowing the bang to be swept across the face. Use a hair pin, inserted in the opposite direction, to secure the hair.

C. To create a completly protective hairstyle, take the bangs and retwist at a diagonal. Back curl or side curl the ends and secure, going the opposite direction, with a hair pin. Be sure to smooth and adjust hair strands to create a seameless look.

And there you have it: The Smiling Frenchie!
With love to last a lifetime, K!

My Deep Conditioner

Since I made the decision to get a perm in 2004, my hair has always been dry to some extent. Hair can be dry for several reasons. Food intake, hormonal imbalance, excessive use of heat appliances, coloring, and even shampooing and conditioning too much can cause your hair to lose moisture in the cuticle. I admit, I can check off all of those reasons to explain why my hair is dry!

My number one product to restore my moisture: Mayonnaise as a deep conditioner!

Yes, this cheap, country, fatty, oily, refrigerated FOOD does wonders for my hair. You have to remember that the structure of our hair is primarily composed of proteins, 88% keratin. Even though keratin is strong, your nails are made of this same protein, it needs other proteins to maintain its strength and elasticity. Mayonnaise is made of eggs and oil. Eggs are great for the body as they are made of all the essential amino acids (which make up protein) that your body needs. Therefore, they infuse amino acids into your hair cuticles. Oil in general helps to combat dryness. So, there you have it -A deep conditioner!

Step by step-Mayonnaise Deep Conditioner, go to SisterSpeaks!

Take The Transit

STARTER ROUTE

Many of you have voiced that you are transitioning, meaning allowing your new growth to grow in and maintaining your length by holding onto your permed ends. I took this same transit for 18 months! It is a trip worth taking.

5 Places to Visit:

1. Wash Depot: Decide what is more important, permed ends or new growth? If you choose the later, starting double washing! I would wash my ends with one type of shampoo and my roots with another. In 2005 I was introduced to NIOXIN - great for new growth and promoting thicker hair! Wash your permed hair with your normal shampoo and then wash your roots and massage your scalp with the NIOXIN. I would use NIOXIN conditioner for Natural hair on both textures. (Disclaimer: I no longer use this product because it contains sulfates! But, it is a great product!)



2. Moisture Mart. Sadly when you have a perm your goal is to keep it as oil-free as possible. Many of the products you use contain -cones that actually form a wall to keep water out. Although it will retain the current moisture your hair has, it prevents anymore from penetrating the cuticle as well! To help retain moisture throughout the day, choose a leave-in conditioner and then Sight See #3 and #4.


3. Style Zone on Patience. Don't be so quick to grab the blow dryer, the CHI, or call to make a hair appointment. You can do this! When transitioning, because you have two textures, you will be upset every day! Look at it from your hair's point of view-you're being weighed down by this lifeless, dead weight who won't do shhhh (stay-tuned..another story!) So what do you do- protect yourself. Protective Styles are key!! Whether it's braids, weaves, a bun, an updo -find one that works for you!

4. Style Zone on Proper Care. Braids, weaves, anything that is going to strain your scalp- be sure the person who is doing it, knows what they are doing. You get what you pay for! Braids should never be so tight that they cause bumps-at all. If so this means that the braid was inserted incorrectly. If you have braids, they should be smooth and go with your natural hair pattern. If there are kinks, knots, twist and turn in your braid, bluntly ask the person to start over -your dealing out the money, right? Wash your hair and be sure to blot your braids dry so that the water does not weigh your hair down -which would pull on your scalp. Weaves, they are so easy, but so hard on the hair! Again, depending on how they are inserted you may be causing unnecessary stress to your scalp. Once the scalp is damaged, extreme case is alopecia, it is hard to encourage hair growth. An alternate to a weave is a lace front. This way your are able to give your scalp the attention it needs on a daily basis, i.e. washing.


5. Sleep Right!! BIG DEAL HERE! Just as you did with permed hair, you didn't want your fresh wrap to wilt away - your curly locks will end up on your pillow if you don't protect them as well. I choose to cover my hair in a satin scarf and again with a bonnett. Double the protection. Remove any bows, barretts, metal items including pins, bobby pins, or clasp of any sort. This is the time to use a Leave in conditioner or oil your scalp. Olive oil, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil do wonders for your scalp! Steer clear of items containing petroletum or mineral oil. These clog your pores.


Until you reach your final destination, be sure to enjoy the sights! Trimming your permed ends off every 6 to 8 weeks allows you to retain the same length without seeing a drastic change.