I miss you! #Natural Hair

Dear Readers,

I-yi-yi! I dont know where to begin to express how much I miss being a part of the natural hair community, hosting dicussions, attending meet -ups...and all that other #NaturalHair jazz! Life has been crazy busy: planning a wedding, planning for school, assignments for Grad School, finding time to just be me and maintaining friendshps around the world! But I'm doing it...and smiling the whole time..

So, as promised...here's a hair update and a few photos of where I've been!!

My #NaturalHair does Atlanta!

Me and my hurr! No product!

I was so pleased that I was able to perfect my twist-out prior to going to Mrs. Cerise for my 6 day trip! While there in her chair, she stated that I really didn't need to get my ends clipped, but I forced her to do the bare minimum because I planned on braiding my hair in the next week or so. I reminded her that I was not interested in getting my hair flat ironed because of the humidity of the Florida summer. This move helped me to reduce my bill by $20.00! Cha-ching! The down side, I don't have any hair length photos to show you! But, what I do have are pictures from my trip to Atlanta and how fierce my do was each and every day!!

Thursday: Mrs. Cerise used Mizani's Natural line on my hair. She joked that they only had one bottle of both the shampoo and conditioner. Goes to show that I seriously live in a town where curlies are non-existent! She loved the way the conditioner left my natural hair, but it didn't do much of anything to my colored-treated hair. In fact, it left it quite stringy and rough. I came home that evening and set my hair in an attempt 4 twist-n-curl style similar to the photo below.

Is there a change in your hair regimen during the summer months?

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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{All Done Up}

This week I stuck with Pomp and France for Monday and Tuesday. Naughty me, I didn't braid my hair on Tuesday night, I simply wrapped my hair with my silk scarf, pink bonnet and cozied into bed. Needless to say, my Pomp and France for Wednesday was not as dainty as Monday's and Tuesday's, I guess Santa won't be bringing me anything! So, that evening I oiled my scalp with K for Konkashun, sealed my ends with Carol's Daughter Black Smoothie and braided it up like so:

{braided bun}

On Thursday night, I co-washed with conditioner, braided into four sections and called it a night. When I woke Friday morning, I initially planned to wear my hair in the Smilin' Frenchie, however, I thought about what I was wearing and wanted to have a funkier hairstyle. 20 minutes in the shower and a co-wash later, we have the wash and go:

{12 hours later}

Reader Digest: How did you wear you hair this week? How are you wearing your hair for the winter? Do you use different product in the cooler weather?

Pomp and France

My bad ladies, today was just a bad hair day! Even though I rose at 5:50, I managed to end up at work ON TIME! Go figure - I work best under pressure. I had a meeting with a parent, a well anticipated meeting and I was focused on being mentality and verbally prepared. Hair was an afterthought, quite honestly - I still moisturized!

So, the picture above is from about three weeks ago. I had actually begun braiding my hair into my sections when we decided that we wanted to go out for dinner. It is a very simple hair style combining both the Smilin' Frenchie and a bun. Sections A, B, C and F are twisted to the left, secured with a hair pin and Sections E, D and G are twisted on the right side, secured with a hair pin. Then I kinda flip my hair to the center of C and D and then coil in and secure in place with a mini-clip.

I'll be sure to do a pictorial this weekend! I might even do a video!! UTOHHH!!! Additionally, I've got a few blog topic request, so, I'll be do quite a bit of researching this week. Hope December's treating you right!

With love to last a lifetime!
Kay!

TERrific!!

Yessssss, honey! I just knew this was going to be a winner when I got up this morning! I rebraided my hair and when I took the rods off and each braid sprung back -thriller! Both sides "fall" as expected, I absolutely love the shape. I know I was cute today even with my overgrown eyebrows: holding off till Christmas, don't judge me!

This photo doesn't even show you the sheer elegance of this style! Tonight, I am going to oil my scalp, use some hair balm on my ends and throw on my pink bonnet!

Yes, it was Tracee Ellis Ross-rific!!

Sister Speaks

Do you have any tips to strengthen my hair?
~ Melanie

First, we must understand why hair becomes weak. The classic explanation is to blame it on what one does to their hair. However, the real culprit is our hair itself, say it ain't so! Once your strands leave your scalp they are pronounced dead! Ha! However, each strand's chemical makeup is protected by a keratin cuticle. Assume this bit of protection to be similar to an umbrella; there is only so much it can handle and it will keep you protected but for so long. Umbrellas are built to handle light rains not moonsoons!

And so, the drizzle turn into a rainfall and that pretty little umbrella no longer does it's job. Over time, the keratin cuticle wears off and your strands are left exposed. Without your knowledge of this, you constantly expose your hair to the sun's UV rays, you curl that curl every day: excessive use of curling irons, perhaps your diet lacks specific vitamins and nutrients and "Girl, I had to get this color," happens all too much. Yes, in return, all these things cause extreme damage to our hair making it appear weak, brittle and lifeless. Thus we blame weak hair on ourselves and not on our hair!

Once it's gone, it's gone - there's no getting the keratin cuticle back. But you can counteract the destruction and ensure the prevention for the rest of your hair! Try deep conditioning your hair once a week to include a high protien blend. I love My Deep Conditioner as it's in my refigerator. But if you're not like me, begin to use a daily vitamin as this will restore nutrients not only for your hair but for your body as well, working from the inside out. You can also purchase protien packs at your local beauty supply store. And my favorite, rely on protective styles to ensure less manipulation and hair productivity.

Keep those tresses moisturized!
Kay

FUNnel Cake

It's Friday...HEY! And I'm ready to...(fill in the blank)

I was going for a "goddess" look, however, Mr. Wright quickly let me know that I was WRONG! "Looks more like a funnel cake" and hence we have....The Funnel Cake! Here's the irony...I forgot to bring my K for Konkashun and so my scalp is somewhat dry, good things is: I don't have the tinglies or the powdered sugar flakes! So...it's a lightly-fried, plain Funnel Cake!

Allow twists to fall in their natural state. This would be the prime opportunity to moisturize with either a water-based or oil-based moisturizer. Then starting at section D, begin to flat twist towards section A and onto section B. As you sweep around the back of your hair be sure to secure strands by pulling tauntly as you cross over. As you complete the funnel, two-strand twist the ends of your hair. Then stuff the ends securely into section A. FYI: I didn't use any pins!

I think it might look better if you accessorize with a flower, headbands, or a few decorative hairpins. I am visiting and, unfortunately, don't have any with me and so...I used a necklace to illustrate!

Twisted Frenchie!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Call me crazy, but I wanted my hair to look like a Turkey today! So consider my bangs to be the caruncle, most people know this as the "red hanging bag" on a turkey. My Twisted Frenchie in the back is the big butt and feathers! Cute right! *minus the fact that I didn't have on earrings!*

This is a very simple style to achieve! Althought my hair is twisted it is very much the same steps as followed in the Smiling Frenchie hair style. Instead of rolling, I scalp twisted sections B and D and then folded, tucked and secured the rear, no pun intended, with two hair pins. Be careful, I had to readjust the hair pins as they were pulling on the roots of my hair.

SN: I'm doing HairTherapy for a friend in December! We are both very excited! I also thought of some other pages to add to the blog. Today, besides reading a few books for school, I am going to be updating the blog!!

With love to last a lifetime,
Kay!

Pinned Up!

Good Afternoon,

Time to get a new cell phone....the camera on my blackberry is horrible!! I recently purchased a Canon and my fiance goes...Black Friday is a week away...yea, but I was just so sick and tired of my silly Blackberry and it's super imperfect pictures!! So....maybe I'll hold on to this one and if I find one on Friday, I'll just return it!

Last night I slept in a bonnet, and of course my twists were crumbled up. A great way to fix this problem is to take a shower in the morning with a shower cap but minus the bonnet. The humidity will help to "drop" or weigh down your hair. I opted for pinning my twist up today and so I wasn't too concern with them dropping. However, I did attach a few orange rods, the hard plastic kind, to give my bangs a bit more definition.

To achieve this style, assuming you have a head full of two-strand twists, flip your head over and begin to overlay each section very similar to the Stega. Be sure to have a few hair pins to help you keep your hair in place. Sweep sections B and D last as these sections will serves as your wraps for the overlay twist/braid you've been working on. I used a mini-clip to secure my twist at the top - much better than a million hair pins and less damaging. If a mini-clip isn't at arms length, be careful inserting the hair pins as not to snag your tresses!

Headed out, maybe I'll see some inspiration!

Two Strand Twist

Boy, was I excited this afternoon, oh let's say around 3:10 as I was walking through the corridor toward the parking lot! Thanksgiving Break! 5 whole days of time off from the kiddies! Although I've got papers to grade and a few parents to call, I completed my planning for next week! Success is any form is worth praise!

After a refreshing bowl of Frosted Flakes, I washed my hair with Giovanni Deep Moisture, rinsed and applied Pantene Pro V royal jelly (yellow bottle) conditioner. I didn't rinse as this would serve as my bonding serum! Ha! I spent the next 75 minutes parting randomly and two strand twisting while watching a very intriguing show on Oprah! (One woman married a man in prison no parole and Catholic sisters who, get this, marry Jesus. Wouldn't that make Jesus a...okay nevermind-hair!)

I didn't use rods on the end, nor did I sit under the dryer. Its quite hot here and all that extra heat is unnecessary! I'd say I have about 50 braids - larger sections in the back and about 1" sq. sections as I reach the crown of my head.

This will be my style 'til, let's say Saturday? But, I may change it before then-we'll see.

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!

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!

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.