I might just get a weave...

I've never been a fan of rocking a weave as a protective style. In total, I've only worn a weave three times. To me, it looks rather, hmm..how do you say unnatural! However, I've began to contemplate the idea due to the strain of the immense heat and direct sun on my tresses. Now that I am 7000 miles away from the states, finding a beauty supply store is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, it gives me time to begin researching the different types of weaves and the look I am going for.

This is Devon, she is going to get me all caught up on the weave world! I want my hair like this actually! But 1 pack

Devon is my weave-o-logist in the UAE. She is well-versed in how to select, install, and maintain a weave.  She is transitioning and knows someone who lived by weaves in order to transition. Although I am not transitioning, I think it serves the same purpose: less manipulation and protection! So I am looking for the best bang for my buck! Here are my requirements:



JuJu 100% Virgin Indian Natual Curl



1. Curly vs. Straight: I prefer curly, this way I wont need to apply heat to my hair

2. 100% Human hair: I want to make one purchase and be able to wash and reuse the hair several times

3. 1 pack or 2?: Probably 1...I have a rather small face and I don't need a lot of hair! Just a lil bit will do!

4. Enclosed vs. Part: Definitely a part. Even considering just braiding the back half as this will be less strain on my edges!

Now I need to find the brand that fits my description! I'm no weave goddes, so I haven't the clue of where to begin! For sure I will be asking her! I am accepting that I will spend at least 200 on hair! That's fine with me because it will be money well spent considering I will be able to reuse the hair several times!

Inspiration Photos

All Caught Up #naturalhair

Before you even read this post, I want you to imagine your favorite song just came on!! Drop-drop-drop-it-like-its-hot...wind it up girllll....wind it up real quick. Now find your groove and just snap-bounce-snap-wit a roll...snap-bounce. Put on your "you don't want none" face... Okay, now your ready!!

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!

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.

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!!)

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 #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!

Protective Style

The Stegasaurus!

difficulty: 10! *inward braiding*
protection: 10!
longevity: 3 days with proper maintence!
items needed:
-denman brush
-1 alligator clip
-leave-in conditioner/moisturizer
-2 hair pins
-scarf
-bonnet, optional

Talk about a protective style! My ends are completely protected.

This is a style that can be achieved on blow dried or stretched hair. Please do not attempt this style is you have freshly washed your hair and allowed it to air dry, can not run your fingers through your hair with medium ease or experiencing a moisture drought.

Before you begin, separate a bang section. Braid this toward your nose and secure ends with a clip.

*put your hands in the air, touch your neck*
1. Bend over and push your hair towards the crown of your head.

2. Take the entire "kitchen" section of your hair. Begin to form a 3 strand braid.

3. Begin to criss cross the sections of hair as if your are basketweaving. Be sure to pull taunt but not tight. Gradually add hair through each cross. As this will be a blind move, be aware of where your 3 pieces are at all times. Slowly separate your hair each cross over to make sure you aren't breaking your ends. Use the palms of your hands to smooth your edges. TAKE YOUR TIME! This isn't a 20 second hairstyle.

4. Braid your hair down to the ends as you reach the end of the Stega. Then take your hair and tuck it into the pocket that you have created.

5. The Bangs. Using a denman brush, start from the ends and detangle your hair.

6. Pull the hair toward the ceiling and begin to back roll the hair.

7. Create a pouf in the front, secure with hair pins and blend the sides to create a seamless look.

8. Use your leave-in-conditioner/moisturize to smooth your edges and the "kitchen."

9. At night, simply reapply leave-in, secure with a scarf, possibly add a bonnet and goodnight!

With love to last a lifetime, K!