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!

For ur Viewing Pleasures

Something like a length check! Braiding my hair for the night in my 7 sections, I've split up c and d to have 2 in those sections. Using Carol's Daughter's Hair Balm *fav* and Black Vanilla Hair Smoothie as my treatment for tonight's braiding session! Then I'll dip each braid in the Tui Hair Oil!

It's dropped to 50 degrees and my hair is missing the humidity!! Moisturize, moisturize!

Check u n a few!

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

Sister Speaks

My hair gets extremely dry when its braided. Do you wear this style overnight? What product will help keep my hair hydrated?

~Harlem's Fashion Row

Hey HFR!! Thank you for posting a comment!!

Yes, my hair braided to the back is a "style" that I wear to sleep in order to have "curly" hair for the next day. However, this can be considered a protective style whereas you intend to wear weaves or sew-ins. However, remember to be extremely respectful to your edges and to your ends.




Any hair exposed to nature's extremities will lose moisture and appear dry. Especially when braided and released in the manner in which I've chosen to wear my hair. Factor in frizziness caused by unbraiding, humidity in the air and a few hand tussles here and there, my hair appears dry; on the contrary, take a swipe through my mane and it feels soft and moisturized. In both cases, whether you plan to wear the braid out or in cornrows underneath a weave, it is best to use a water-based moisturizer and seal with an oil.

Serums also help the cause too. Serums are meant to lock out any additional moisture, on the positive, any moisture that is previously applied to the hair will be "locked in" so to say. I've used Paul Mitchell: Super Skinny Serum and Giovanni: Frizz Be Gone. Both have done wonders reducing frizziness and puffiness when I've straightened my hair. I can only assume it will lock in the moisture when wearing a braided style. Also a home-made aloe vera/oil mix spritz wouldn't hurt either.

Let me know what works for you!

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.

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.

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!