ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END....

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Hey guys!! Yes it has been over 4 months since I last blogged O_O.  Throughout that time, I have decided that I will no longer be blogging.  

I have enjoyed the last 3 years (well 2.5 years really) and have met some super awesome amazing people in the process.  So I TRULY THANK EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU who have journeyed with me through all my rants, raves, loves, hates, etc...  I appreciate you deeply!

I will continue on solely on Facebook, so feel free to connect with me there by liking my page "The Natural Girl's Guide to Cleveland" or emailing me at naturally.cleveland@gmail.com.  I love chatting with you all!

Peace and Blessings on your journey to and through Natural land.  

See ya on on the flip side!!!

HAVANA TWISTS

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Hey guys! A friend of mine is going through a spell due to heat damage :(  I was looking for styles she could try so she wouldn't have to cut her hair and that were budget friendly.  I came across Havana Twists. 

I like them because they look very natural and don't have that knot at the beginning like other extension styles and are seemingly very easy to do.  They include Marley hair which is like $2 a pack - VERY cheap.  The key is to match the Marley hair with your natural hair color.  Such a great protective style for this here winter that doesn't want to go away :/

Here's a tutorial and styling vid I found. 



Shoot. I might even give these a whirl. 

Happy Styling!

COILS COILS COILS GALORE!!

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Since my hair is shorter, I decided to finger coil it.  It took 3 long hours, but since I don't have to do my hair for a few weeks and it holds up great while I work out, I'd DEFINITELY say it was worth it.

I co-washed my hair using Tresemme Naturals and used Motion's Naturally You! Define My Curls Creme to coil (you can't tell from the pics, but the creme actually provided a lot of shine and didn't make my hair super hard). 

I grabbed and coiled.  I didn't use a comb and really didn't intend on making them super small, but I did.  I didn't pull them apart for 2 days.  No particular reason, but after I pulled them apart my hair is a little bigger and I like it.

Check the results:

Clearly I have cowlicks :(  Still working on that

5 Day Hair!!



Enjoy!! Happy Styling!

TOP 5 THINGS I'VE LEARNED SINCE CUTTING MY HAIR

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Some stuff I knew, but others I've found out in this first week of me rocking my TWA.

1. My hair dries SUPER fast!!  I spritz my hair with my leave-in conditioner and water mix and add oil every morning and thought for sure I was gonna get a head cold.  I didn't.  Now, I don't drench my hair, but I guess I spritz enough so that I can fluff and go.  Perfect.

2.  ACCESSORIES ACCESSORIES ACCESSORIES!!  I knew this, but now I really know it.  Accessories can make or break you.  I feel a little boy-ish at times, so I'm glad I accumulated enough earrings, headbands, flowers, etc... to hold me over. I tried an accessories haul and I came up completely empty handed. Sad day for me :(

3. I find myself wearing more makeup.  I never was a daily makeup wearer, but now I find myself looking for more lipsticks to try. It's definitely getting me out of my box.

4. You have to OWN your TWA.  I feel myself coming out of my shell, becoming more confident, and I love it!  I knew it was freeing, but not like this.  I'm pretty amazed.

5. SMILE!  This is truly the best accessory.  I find myself smiling a lot more.  I think it just brightens up my face or something.  Like I said I feel boy-ish at times, so in my head smiling makes me feel and look feminine.  Sounds crazy, but it works for me.

All in all, I'm loving my new 'do.  I've gotten so many wonderful and encouraging compliments and I thank you all for the support.  Means a TON!

Thanks for journey-ing with me :)

YOU DID WHAT?!?

Yep.  That's pretty much the question I've been getting since I posted a pic of my new TWA on Instagram. I was trying to come up with a reason on why I cut my hair and couldn't.  I just decided after watching Scandal (which is the best hour of my TV life BTW), that I didn't feel like twisting my hair and that the next day come hell or highwater I was getting it cut.

So that's what I did.  My stylist squeezed me in before I had a chance to change my mind (not like I was going to, but I am very indecisive and she knows this) and rest is history.

Sunday I was taking a break from school duties and it hit me.  I had a fear of short hair on myself.  I never would have willingly cut my hair short before.  I've been curious about how I would look for a while now, but I never really built up the nerve to actually do it.  2013 is all about me conquering this thing called fear, so that's pretty much what this sudden cut boiled down to. 

Anyway, I can't twist my hair so I've been rocking my 'fro as is.  It may be a little more than I bargained for, but I'm perfectly happy with starting my new TWA journey.  I don't regret I doing it at all and who knows, I might go even shorter or keep it short for a good long while.

Stay tuned!!

AND THE WINNER IS.....

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ARSHYLLE

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE #GOODHAIRGIVEAWAY

 

HAPPY READING!!

MSVAUGHN'S PROTECTIVE STYLE

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Ok, so I know it's Winter and it is definitely freezing, I mean it's literally 0 degrees outside, but for those of you looking for a protective style this is a cute one.

When it's this cold I try not to wear my hair exposed, but I do like the roll/tuck in the back.  I'd probably put my bonnet and beanie on and take it off once I got inside. 

What protective styles are we rocking these days??

~ DON'T FORGET, YOU HAVE 8 DAYS LEFT FOR THE #GOODHAIRGIVEAWAY ~

MOVING ON...

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Thanks to my Curl Crew for helping me get through this whole hair disaster.  I swear if it wasn't for that latest session on regimen, improvements, warnings, and so on, I would have BC'd. 

Now, onward and upward.  I am waging a full blown attack on strengthing my hair and retaining length.  It'll be in a series of posts and will cover everything from our regimen to protein treatments.  I'm actually excited about this.  Hopefully it'll provide me some insight on WTF happened to my hair, which I am currently blaming on that Aphogee Protein Treatment I did, I am speculating either A. my hair didn't need it or B. it was too strong ~ stay tuned!! 

If you have any insight, please share!!  I welcome guest writers :)


Have a great weekend!! 

THOUGHTS??

I've finally built up the courage to show you guys my hair.  Here it is last night, post workout.

This is my hair in September 2012.

I know it doesn't seem like much difference but it is.  I could be overreacting (which is not unusual) but I'm tired of being at this same length.  It's annoying.  I know I just got color (thought it would spice me up), but I'm going to put my hair up for a while.  I can't deal.

Thus...the process begins..AGAIN!!

TRIM TURNED "SHAPE"

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Ok, so I've been back and forth about this post for a few days, but transparency is key, so here it goes.

Now we all know I've gotten highlights, which I LOVE BTW *woot woot* so I went back to get my hair straightened and decided to get a trim.  I know my hair needed it just by the way it started to feel so figured why not.  Soooooooooooo how bout this turned into a "shape" read CUT and I am pretty much back to where I was this time last year!  *INSERT FALLOUT*

I was like "Um!?!?!?! WTH just happened here???" A million questions have run through my mind, but I get so overwhelmed I have to block them out.  I think it was the initial shock of it that had me buggin.  I tried to look at the bright side of things and say "Hey at least you have hair." "Be patient." BLAH BLAH BLAH.... But this did nothing for me.  So yes, I am PISSED!!!  It took me a while to come to this conclusion, but there it is. 

I'll be posting a picture soon so you can be the judge, but everytime I walk past the mirror I get pissed and haven't really come to terms with where my hair is quite yet so I haven't taken one.   

Real talk, I was 2.5 seconds from completely cutting it all off.  I am totally frustrated, but hey life goes on. 

Here are two pics I keep handy for times like these.  They make me feel a little better.

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What do you do to keep pushing despite your hair setbacks?

**NEW YEAR'S GIVEAWAY** ~UPDATED~

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The holidays may be over, but giving is ALWAYS in season. 

So ladies, natural hair extraordinaire Nikki Walton of the infamous Curly Nikki has a book coming out January 29, 2013 called Better Than Good Hair.  And guess what?? I'm giving one away!!! 

All you have to do is post a picture of you as the flyy, dope, creative, crazy, silly, funny, etc... person that you are on The Natural Girl's Guide to Cleveland's Facebook wall.  You can also Tweet or Instagram me at @NatuallyCLE using #goodhairgiveaway hashtag. The most original/creative wins!!  

There's no limit on how many pics you can post, so the more pics, the better your chances are of winning ;)  

Contest ends January 31st!!  So get to snapping!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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2012 was definitely a bangin' year and I expect nothing less for 2013!!

Happy New Year to ALL of you!! 

I appreciate you rolling with me and this is going to be the best year yet!!