WEEKEND/HOLIDAY HAIR

*Me and my aunt's Puff*

Hey guys! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas. I've actually done some really cute styles over these past few weeks *cheers* So I figured 'Hey, you haven't seen MY face on here in a while, why not share?' :)

First up is my Twist N Curl for Christmas:

I two-strand twisted my hair with Design Essentials Curl Stretching Cream mixed with EVOO and spiral curled them on rod rollers.

Unrolled and pulled apart:





My Friday going out do.

I had just DC'd and didn't have much time, so I twisted my hair in about 8 jumbo twists and pinned it up.

The back:

The front:




This is my Thanksgiving updo inspired by MsVaughn's twist/roll thingy.

*pretty good, but still working on this twist/rolling thing*

I set the front on rods and this is how it turned out:

I got lots of compliments and will say I am proud of myself *pats self on back* What do ya think?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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Merry Christmas everyone!!!

I hope your day is filled with love, peace, joy, good food, wonderful family and true friends!!

PRESERVING YOUR SEXY

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Hey Lovelies! As the holidays are RAPIDLY approaching why not take steps to preserve your Holiday Hair? There are much more important matters to attend to ie. FOOD, lololol. My nighttime routine is usually throwing my satin bonnet on and going to bed....BUT there are those days when I triple sow cow swan dive in the bed with no regard for my hair and wake up with a smashed fro or twist out - THE worst.

So here are some tips to help you along the way:

Use a pomade to slick down those edges (Shea Butter works just as well too) and tie with a scarf, and throw on your satin bonnet if you're rocking twist out or something like that. Less brushing, if any, this way.

Pineapple - loosely twist your hair and pull into a bun on top of your head or 4 large sections and secure with a scrunchie. Throw a bonnet on and you're good to go.

Rocking a Rollerset? No problemo, pin curl it to keep it curly.

Straight hair? Wrap and secure with a satin or silk scarf. Oh and remember THIS...IT WORKS!! I swear by it.

Don't forget to moisturize those ends! Try Baggie-ing.

W&G - lightly spritz your hair with water, put on a plastic cap, then put on your satin cap. This will better retain some of that moisture so your hair isn't as dry in the morning.

So tell me Lovelies, what else can we do to preserve our hair at night?

QUICK AND EASY

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4 styles in 5 mins?? Don't mind if I do. I need a quick and easy ProStyle for the upcoming holidays and for work.




Enjoy!

NATURAL HAIRED BARBIES

HONEY!!! These barbies are FIERCE! I love them!!

I haven't found them in stores (physical or online) yet but don't fret if your child has a Black Barbie with straight hair...that's ok. Check out the article here for a link to a tutorial where y'all can create the textured hair.

2011 HAIR GOALS ~ HIT OR MISS

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It's almost the end of the year!! Sooooo how about a little check up? Did you achieve your hair goals for 2011??

I will admit. I did fall short, especially during the earlier part of the year, but THANKFULLY Foxy fell right back into place once I started taking better care of her.

Here's my year in review:

**I was sortakindamostly a PJ this year, Foxy didn't like it.

**I have consistently been drinking lots of water *YAY* +10 for me

**I STILL have not learned how to trim my own hair *EEK* (2012 is the year I put on my big girl panties and just do it!)

**I'm not APL, but I know why :(

So speak on it good people...how was your 2011 hair year? Did you miss the mark or hit the target?

HEALTH OVER STYLE - ALWAYS!!

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While getting my hair done this weekend - FINALLY, I was listening to a conversation that another stylist was having with her client (all up in the business lolol). Basically she was telling her that she could not do the style she wanted because her hair was weak. She then proceeded to give her alternative styles that would compliment her hair and not further damage it. The customer was adamant about getting this style and surprisingly the stylist did not back down. *Impressed* Eventually the client conceded, but it got my mind to wondering why she was so determined to have her hair in that style KNOWING the condition of her hair didn't warrant it.

The other day I was having a convo with a friend of mine who wanted color and I told her that she should consider getting her hair treated first because of the amount of color and breakage from that color she claimed she was having. Thankfully after the discussion (read LECTURE) , she gave in. *Cheers*

Now why is that we women even consider sacrificing the health of our hair for a particular style? That should NEVER be the case. Our health should always be of utmost importance.

I will admit though, I have been guilty of this at times, especially when it comes to length, but then I always come to my senses and take the "It is what it is" approach. It's just hair. It will grow back. There's no sense in holding on to the length when it's all split ends or putting your hair in a style when your hair simply cannot support the extra strain. Sometimes ladies you have to bite the bullet and let it go.

We must always be mindful of the condition and health of our hair. These are our crowns of glory and they should be treated as such!

What advice would you give to someone considering sacrificing the health of their hair for a style?

WHAT'S IN YOUR SPRAY BOTTLE?

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The spray bottle is one my most essential hair tools ever! When I need to retwist my hair or put some life back into my fro, this is the first thing I go for. That being said "What's in your spray bottle?" I only have water in mine right now, but I'm looking to mix it up especially in these colder months. I want to make sure that I avoid the same mistakes I made last year.

Here are some basic recipes I may try and build off of:

*Water, Conditioner

*Water, Oil

*Water, Conditioner, and Oil

*Water, Glycerin, and Oil

*note, all of them involve water, so STAY HYDRATED. Even in the winter months*

So what say you good people, what's in your bottle?

WINTER HAIR TIPS

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Snow!! *faints* Anyways, here's some winter hair tips. Most of it you already know, but just a reminder...

ENJOY!!

Oh and just for kicks, here's a new DC treatment I'm trying.

1/4 c EVOO

1/4 c HONEY

Microwave for 30 seconds

Mix and Apply!!

I'll keep you posted!

CALLING ALL PJS!!

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HEY PJS!!! OUR TIME HAS FINALLY COME!! With all these wonderful deals my PJ itch is in FULL effect for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

My Hair Wishlist is burning a hole in my pocket just waiting to be scratched off...but of course I only have items my hair NEEDS *insert sly grin* Here's a couple of things I am definitely getting my hands on.....

First, I'm getting a Hair Therapy Wrap. I HATE being confined to one spot when I'm DC-ing. I need to be mobile.

Next I'm hitting up Karen's Body Beautiful. I hear the Sweet Ambrosia is divine.

Then off to Jane Carter.

Buy 16 oz Curl Defining Cream, get Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner FREE
Buy Nourish & Shine, get Natural Hold Spray Gel FREE
Buy Twist & Lock, get Natural Hold Locking Spray FREE
Buy Hair Nourishing Cream, get Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner FREE

FINALLY I'm going to Oyin Handmade. I'm long overdue for their Burnt Sugar Pomade.

20% off everything, return of sugar berry pomade

free shipping on orders over $60 with coupon code thankyou2011

Head over here to check out even MORE deals.

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

PROSTYLE WITHOUT TWISTS

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Hey All! Tired of just 2-strand twisting your hair for ProStyling? Yeah...me too. Here's a cute style you can add to your hair file. Although we don't totally get away from twists completely, it's only one :)

I tried it out...but I'm too embarrassed to post what it looked like :( I need more help on my twisting/rolling from the back.

Check out the vid (she starts the hair portion around 4:55):

HAPPY PROSTYLING!!

SHEDDING vs. BREAKAGE

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Ooooh CHILD! I cannot tell you how many times I've asked myself this question, "Is it breakage or am I shedding?" When I'm doing my twists or coming out of a ProStyle, it seems like SO MUCH of my hair comes out :( I could be exaggerating (which I normally do), but I would just love not to see any of my hair come out. Not realistic, but a girl can dream right?

I found this WONDERFUL article that discusses the differences. Definitely check it out.

Shedding vs. Breakage

Enjoy!

**OY VEY** DRY HAIR

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Dry hair is Foxy's Public Enemy #1. When my hair gets overly dry, it becomes unmanageable!! When oil and moisture escapes our hair, it becomes dry and lacks the sheen and the soft texture we desire. The drier it gets, the more our hair becomes brittle and dull, just plain ol' rough. Not good AT ALL. Especially during these cooler months.

So what can we add to our hair regimen to combat dry hair? Let's look in our kitchen FIRST! No need to run out if you don't have to right??

** Add Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids ~ Incorporating salmon, fish oil, flax seeds, nuts, and walnuts to our eating diet will deliver Omega-3 essential fatty acids to our body which in turn produces strong and healthy hair. These acids return luster to our wary tresses

** Vinegar ~ Refresh your dry hair with a vinegar rinse. Vinegar elevates shine and cleanliness. Adding vinegar to your hair also controls dandruff and prevents frizz *CHEERS * Just mix 2 cups of water with 1/2 cup of vinegar

** Avocado and Banana Mix ~ Combine a small overripe banana with avocado and spread into your hair. Leave in for about 1 hour, then rinse. Your hair should feel MUCH better

** Eggs ~ Create a lather by whipping an egg in lukewarm water and apply to your hair. Rinse with lukewarm water. Your hair will be cleaner with a little extra shine :)

***BONUS DC Treatment ~ Combine 3 eggs, 2T of olive oil (or your preferred oil), and 1 t of vinegar. Apply to your hair and cover with a plastic shower cap. Leave in for 30 minutes. Follow up with a regular 'poo or co-wash.

** Oil ~ Rubbing a small amount of oil into the scalp makes an effective treatment for dry hair. Olive oil or coconut oil works really well.

** Hot Oil Treatments ~ Massage 2T of your preferred oil into your hair, followed by wrapping your head in a warm, damp towel. Wait 30 minutes and then rinse.

** Biotin ~ Taking a biotin supplement helps strengthen dry hair as well.

What else do you do to make sure your hair isn't dry? Me...I grease my scalp and moisturize twice daily. More on that later though ;)

LOC'D AND LOADED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Hey my Loc'd up Lovelies!! I saw this lady that had these GORGEOUS curls, just as beautiful and bouncy as ever!! I had to know how she did them.

Now...I am used to seeing the crinkly-type locs but not so much the spiral curled locs. I was enamored!! I was all in her head, lolol. She told me she used Pipe Cleaners. The actual craft supply Pipe Cleaners!! I'm ALL about the crafts, so y'all KNOW I had to look this up.

We are about to hit the holiday party season so why not razzle and dazzle in these DIY curls?? I encourage you to give this a try!

Check the tutorial I found:

HAPPY STYLING!!!

SPEAK OUT FOR BEAUTY

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Are you a licensed beauty professional who wants to make a change in laws governing the industry right here in Ohio??

Join Senator Shirley Smith, Ladosha Wright, Aziza Yasmine, Monica Daniels-Green, and Nuccio Basilisco

at the

SPEAK OUT FOR BEAUTY Symposium

New Laws Affecting the Beauty Industry

Monday November 7, 2011

at

Carrie Cerino's Italian Restaurant and Party Center

from 10am to 1:30pm

Come express your concerns regarding the laws and offer suggestions on how to make them better DIRECTLY with your state officials (use it as a networking opportunity as well)

HAIR POROSITY (PT. 2)

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Hey guys!!! Oh how I've missed you *cyber hug* I mean I really feel like I just deserted y'all :....( just awful.

Now on to business...

Consider this:

Do you feel like your hair just drinks up water and conditioner?

Does your hair "feel" wet?

Do you notice little water pellets lying on top of your hair?

If you've answered yes, then you have a HIGHLY porous head of hair. High porosity is generally caused by heat and chemical damage, be it coloring or previous relaxers or whatever. The cuticles of the hair have lifted so much that water, conditioners, basically everything that isn't heavy just seeps right through. Your hair is fragile and heavy manipulation (excessive brushing/combing/detangling) can be damaging.

For this type of hair PROTEIN IS YOUR FRIEND!! I repeat PROTEIN IS YOUR FRIEND!! Incorporate routine protein treatments in your hair regimen. This is exactly what is needed to repair the "holes" in your hair, but of course don't forget to moisturize afterwards or your hair will be stiff as a board, lolol.

I'M COMING BACK..I PROMISE

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Don't dismiss me yet!! Stress level has been at an all time high between working 12hrs days and grad school :( I'll return with a vengeance I promise.

HAIR POROSITY (PT. 1)

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Porosity is the measure of the hair's ability (or inability) to absorb moisture. This is determined by the condition of the hair's cuticle layer (the overlapping scales of the hair shaft – see picture above). There are 3 levels of porosity - LOW, NORMAL, and HIGH. Ideally you’d want your hair cuticle to be somewhat compact and allow the penetration of the hair shaft by moisture - both moisture going in and out.

Consider this…

Do you feel like your hair soaks in moisture, but never feels moisturized?

Is your hair chronically dry?

Does your hair get puffy, frizzy, and feels just brittle and rough?

Guess what darling? You (and me) are in the LOW Porosity category. When the cuticle is overly compact, it prevents moisture from penetrating the hair. Our hair is harder to process, especially when coloring.

Less porous hair requires products rich in moisture and products that contain humectants, i.e. honey, which attracts moisture to the hair and KEEPS it there. If your hair becomes dry for some reason, it can be more difficult to restore proper moisture balance to it. Hence why DC treatments with moderate heat IS A MUST (definitely for me) to ensure the cuticle is sufficiently opened up to allow moisture to enter in.

Here’s a simple homemade recipe we can try and if it works add it to our hair routine monthly:

2 Eggs
3T of Coconut Milk
2T of Olive Oil
2T of Honey
Your Fave Conditioner

Whip 2 eggs with 3 tbsp. coconut milk, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. honey and a squirt of conditioner

Apply to wet hair, adding extra mixture to the drier ends

Leave on for 30-plus minutes and shampoo out. The coconut milk and olive oil are moisturizing, and the honey acts as a humectant — drawing moisture to your hair

What other methods do you have for dealing with your less porous hair?

TRANSITIONING DIVA KIT FROM CURLS

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Need help Transitioning? Why not take some assistance from the 'CURLS' brand? They have a Transitioning Diva Kit to help you along the way.

These kits include:

Step #1 - Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream ~ sulfate free cleanser to gently cleanse without stripping essential nutrients

Step #2 - Curl Ecstasy Hair Tea Conditioner ~ the deep conditioning treatment designed to moisturize, condition, and strengthen your hair

Step #3 - Quenched Curls Moisturizer ~ Keep your tresses moisturized daily to prevent breakage by restoring elasticity

Step #4 - Curl Souffle ~ This rich curl cream is designed to hyrdate, define and lock in moisture to prevent breakage during your transition.

Go head Transitioners :) This kit gives you all the basics you need to help you on your journey!!

TUCK AND ROLL ~ PROFESSIONAL REMIX

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Does your work environment not support the free spirit of your afro? Remember this post? Well I found a remix that I just had to share with y'all. It's something you can definitely rock in a corporate setting.

FALL PROSTYLES

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Speaking of Fall, here's a couple of protective styles from one of my favorite YouTube Naturalites, SimplYounique.

WORLD'S LARGEST AFRO

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Hey guys! The Natural hair world is buzzing about this so I just had to post....take a look at the owner of the World's Largest Afro

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It's a whopping 4ft and some change!! Now I swear I have seen bigger and maybe the pic isn't doing it much justice, but nonetheless it's still a beautiful head of hair and the color compliments her skin flawlessly *iDIE*

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

FALL FABULOUS

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Man oh Man!! If you couldn't tell by the weather this morning, Fall is definitely upon us - which means that Ol' Man Winter is right around the corner :( Although I am NOT ready, I have to make sure my hair is. The cooler air and subsequent snow can definitely take a toll on our hair if we don't take the proper precautions to protect it.

So what can we do to make sure our hair is ready for the colder months ahead? Here are some suggestions:


No more W&Gs...ok well I won't say cut them out completely, but definitely scale back. Walking outside with a wet head will more than likely make you sick *in my case*or you'll have a serious headache. Wash your hair in the evening so that your hair can dry while you sleep

Pin Up Time - Fall calls for sweaters, jackets, and such so wearing your hair up will protect your ends from snagging on your clothes

Moisturize more often! Your hair needs more moisture in the cooler months, moisturizing in the morning and at night will help you combat dryness

Time for the heavier products - Break out those conditioners and butters! They're just ready to help seal in all that moisture the air is trying to take out

What will you do to make sure your hair is Fall Fabulous?

COMMON MISTAKES AS NATURALS

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In our natural hair journey we ARE going to make mistakes. It's just a fact. I found this article and I think she was DEAD on. I've experienced almost all of these. It really is a learning process - things I used to do to my hair, I can't anymore.

In short, these are the most common mistakes we make:

Not detangling

Sleeping without a satin cap/scarf

Using excessive heat

Shampooing too frequently

Not knowing product ingredients

Not adding or sealing moisture

Natural hair means automatic growth

Read the full article here.

One thing I'd like to add is just because someone has the same "Type" of hair as you does not mean it's the same. I fell into the trap of "oh you're Type 4, well what do you use because I'm sure it will work on my hair." NEGATIVE. Come to find out, her hair is way more porous than mine and a lot finer.

What do you think? What are some mistakes you've made and how has your hair adjusted?

UPDO FOR SHORTER LOCS

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Hey my Loc'd up Lovelies! Need a cute little style for date night, a night out with the girls, or just out sheer boredom? Try this style. It's cute and versatile enough for any occasion.

FLAT TWISTING 101

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Twisting is essential with Natural hair (in my opinion). So for those who don't know how to flat twist this is for you :)

Try this link as well.

Happy Styling!!

SALVAGED ROLLERSET

After my epic fail, I had to salvage my hair some kind of way. So my friend (who also had an epic failed set) suggested I pin curl it. I really didn't want to. I wanted to complain and mope and grope, but after a while I just whatever and pin curled it. Turned out okay actually.

(Sorry so fuzzy)

What do you think? Did I salvage my horrendous hair moment?