The Natural Girl's Guide to Cleveland

FLAT TWIST/MINI TWIST STYLE

2012-02-15T19:49:00.003-05:00

Hey guys! I'm going on vacay to Morocco next week *CHEERS* and I need some ideas for what to do with my hair while I'm there. I came across this style and though I'm getting mini twists, I like it (minus the front/top). So I decided to share anyway.

Check it out:

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Happy Styling!!

HAIR CHRONICLES

2012-02-08T17:22:00.004-05:00

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You see the pic?? That's EXACTLY the length I want my hair to be *HAIR ENVY* I am far from it, but here's to my hair goal of 20???

This is where I start chronicling my personal hair journey of 2012. I need to keep better tabs on how my hair is doing with you guys anyway.

The beginning

*Sorry for the grit face..I look totally unhappy, lolol*

Of course I'm looking for y'all to chime in too. Let's do it together, the more the merrier!!!

Send in your hair pics of where you are at the beginning of 2012, what's your regimen, style, etc... and I'll feature you! Email me at naturally.cleveland@gmail.com

LOC 'DO

2012-02-06T12:39:00.005-05:00

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Looking for a cute and funky way to dress up your Locs? Check this video out. I love it and since I'm getting mini twists for my upcoming vacay, I'm going to see if I can work it with my twists as well.

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Happy Styling!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!

2012-02-01T12:18:00.006-05:00

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HAIR TRICKS AND TREATS IS HERE!!

Not your normal meetup, we're actually DOING OUR OWN HAIR!!!!

The first of 4, these meetups are designed to inform and interact. First up is the Braiding/Twisting.

Come learn how to braid/twist your hair the proper way. Great for those of us who are just starting to learn how to do our own hair and tweens/teens.

Sunday February 12, 2012

from 5p to 7p

LaRay Milan Salon

10755 Ravenna Rd. Twinsburg, Ohio 44087

(330) 405-6544

SPACE IS LIMITED so email us at naturally.cleveland@gmail.com or hairtricksandtreats@gmail.com to reserve your space.

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

and don't forget to check out the site :)

CURL DISASTER ~ HEAT DAMAGE (OR NOT)

2012-01-30T18:49:00.004-05:00

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Picture this:

So because you're curious as to how long your hair really is (it's been curly for so long, you can't tell) you decide to try something new—a straight style! After hmmm let's say 2.5 days ,you're completely OVER IT. You can't wait to get your curls back, but come wash day, your hair doesn't revert back to those curls you've grown to love so much.

I've experienced this almost every time I get my hair straightened (3-4 mos.). Partially because I was a "pressed transitioner." Even moreso because even AFTER I cut off and grew out what I thought was damaged, my front STILL will NOT kink/curl up no matter what I do, so I've come to expect my kinks to wave out when I get a press. My homegirl, eh, not so much.

She got her hair straightened for the first time in almost a year and because her hair did not immediately revert back I had to talk her off the ledge lololol. She spewed two words that are definitely on our hair's Top 10 Beware List ~ HEAT DAMAGE.

I cannot 100% surely say it's not heat damage, but in MY experience, you just have to "help" your hair along on its journey back to Curlyville.

So, before you break out the shears and tears, try these:

* Deep condition - Use a moisturizing deep conditioner and sit under a dryer in a shower cap for 30 minutes. You may even have to do this for several days to train it back into its natural curl pattern.

* Protein Treatment BEFORE you straighten - Prevention is key. Protein protects the hair's elasticity, preventing breakage.

* Use rollers or barrettes when styling - I use this method all the time. I think of it as a memory trick.

What other tips do you have for returning your hair back to it's kinky/curly/wavy state?

BUN, CLIP, PIN, GO

2012-01-25T12:28:00.004-05:00

Hey guys! Ever had zero I mean ZERO time to do your hair?? Well, let me tell you, this weekend was beyond crazy for me. I was getting ready for my mom's birthday party, tackling schoolwork, and had an interview to get ready all in one weekend! *WHEW* Ya girl was pooped come Sunday. So with no time to do my hair I made a quick run to the beauty supply store to see what I could find.

Here's what I came out with:

(guilty pleasure)

I've seen these buns before, but never tried one. Didn't think I had a reason to. So anyway, I went home, gel'd my hair into a bun, clipped in the premade bun, bobby pinned it to make sure I could whip my hair back and forth without it falling out, tied it up for a bit and was out!

How EASY!! Who knew? Perfect for ProStyling and looks surprisingly natural. What ya think? Did I make good on my quick run to the beauty supply store?

WEAVALICIOUS: PONY TO 'FRO HAWK

2012-01-21T18:36:00.004-05:00

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Hey guys! Since it's looking like wintertime around these parts and I'm trying to avoid making the same mistakes I did last year, I was thinking of incorporating more weave into my routine.

Now you'd swear since my mom is a BONAFIDE weave wearer I'd be one...but I'm very much the opposite. I rarely rock a wig or any weave unless they're twists or braids. It gets annoying after a while. Probably because I don't take the time to maintain it, I never know how to match it up to my real hair color, I'm always by myself, the *cough* lady swears EVERYTHING looks good when I know differently, and I always need reinforcements. The whole ordeal is just so overwhelming *SIGH* BUT my mom's in town this weekend so I'm dragging her to the store so she can help me *POW*

Well anyway I was perusing youtube lookin for weave options and came across this style. Surprisingly I really really like it. I won't rock it to work or anything, but I will definitely keep it in my back pocket for those random nights out with the girls or when I'm just in a mood to do something funky.

Check out the vid.

What do you think?

CHEERS MY PC IS NO LONGER SICK

2012-01-21T18:32:00.002-05:00

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Sooooo yeah.... 2012 has definitely gotten off to a rocky start, but no fear :) I'm back in business. Thanks to the Geek Squad for healing my computer.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-05T12:08:00.003-05:00

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Happy 2012!! I hope everyone is off and running on their goals (hair and beyond) for the year. Me...I've decided to to cut back and make my goals more realistic. I tend to take on too much and not follow through with them all, plus when you add my spontaniety factor in......that's a whole 'nother issue altogether lolol.

So here's what I have for 2012:

Although Foxy did recuperate last year, quite well actually, I neglected to include you all fully in my journey. Mostly from embarrassment and disappointment, but hey this a sharing process. I learn from you and you learn from me, hopefully ;) So I plan to do more of that in 2012. Good or Bad.

I will join SOMEBODY'S hair challenge. I think I can handle it. It will give me something to strive for. And of course I'll chronicle it with you guys :)

I will do my own trim! ENOUGH SAID *FAINT AND WALL SLIDES TO THE FLOOR*

I will be less of a PJ this year. There's no harm in updating your regimen, but I can't continue to spend unnecessary money trying every new product that comes out. This year I will be much more strict with the products I use and my Winter/Summer hair regimens.

Not too bad I don't think. What are some of your 2012 Hair Resolutions?

WEEKEND/HOLIDAY HAIR

2011-12-28T18:42:00.010-05:00

*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

2011-12-24T11:43:00.003-05:00

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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

2011-12-22T23:21:00.005-05:00

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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

2011-12-20T11:09:00.003-05:00

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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

2011-12-17T06:29:00.006-05:00

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

2011-12-14T07:14:00.003-05:00

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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!!

2011-12-06T16:35:00.004-05:00

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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?

2011-12-03T08:19:00.003-05:00

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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

2011-12-01T19:45:00.006-05:00

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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!!

2011-11-22T22:48:00.007-05:00

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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

2011-11-21T08:41:00.004-05:00

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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

2011-11-16T20:37:00.003-05:00

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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

2011-11-12T07:57:00.005-05:00

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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

2011-11-09T18:56:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-03T19:05:00.002-04:00

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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

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)

2011-11-01T18:17:00.004-04:00

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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

2011-10-18T19:39:00.003-04:00

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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)

2011-10-06T06:55:00.003-04:00

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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

2011-10-01T11:26:00.005-04:00

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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

2011-09-25T19:59:00.005-04:00

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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

2011-09-22T19:37:00.005-04:00

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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

2011-09-16T12:09:00.003-04:00

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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

2011-09-15T12:20:00.006-04:00

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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

2011-09-13T12:02:00.004-04:00

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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

2011-09-07T19:01:00.003-04:00

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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

2011-09-01T20:39:00.002-04:00

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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

2011-08-29T12:22:00.006-04:00

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?

EPIC FAIL...AGAIN

2011-08-26T10:52:00.009-04:00

Thoroughly inspired by this, I decided to give it one more go... I put 110% into it, I took my time did my DC the night before, I mean I was ready! I was determined to get this thing straight and........ well you can tell from the title what happened :..................(

The result:

EPIC FAIL!!!

Sooooo this is where I need your help. I have NO idea why this didn't work out. I swore my hair was completely dry (I watched 4 episodes of SATC), put EVOO on it before I wrapped it up and everything...IDK. I quit...well til tomorrow. I have GOT to get this thing straight. HELP!!! SOS!!!!!

BECAUSE WE ALL COULD USE A LITTLE DISCOUNT....

2011-08-23T12:24:00.005-04:00

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There's a new site in town I encourage you to visit, it's called Natural Hair Product Deals. Think Coupon Divas, but for Natural Hair products!! Here you can find savings on your favorite product lines such as Miss Jessie's or Jane Carter. Be sure to check them out...coupons and deals are added daily.

Happy Shopping!!

PRODUCT TESTIMONIAL: LINDSAY

2011-08-21T19:03:00.008-04:00

For all the Naturalites who are busting a serious sweat...this is for US!

"At Sallys Beauty Supply, I found a line called Dri Sweat. It's used for puting your hair up when working out. The headband that I got was Edge Women's Active Wear Headband in Black. I found that there was no extra sweat build up in my hair and kept my hair pretty dry and straight. Love it!! Also they have a cap to put on over your whole head."

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Browsing the net, they have these all over the place including Walgreens. They sell for around $4 which is a steal!

Thanks Lindsay!!

NOTSO EDGY TWIST OUT

2011-08-19T07:49:00.005-04:00

I was totally inspired by this video, but as you can see it's not as edgy as I would have liked, but it still worked out (after I fluffed a little more at work).

Happy Styling!!

ROLLERSETTING HAIRSPIRATION

2011-08-18T11:58:00.006-04:00

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I ALWAYS have the hardest time making my rollersets turn out even half way decent with my Natural hair, but upon seeing this video and subsequent pics- I am inspired.

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Just GAWGEOUS!!

NATURAL HAIR RULES

2011-08-15T12:12:00.003-04:00

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Hey guys! Saw this and thought it'd be good to share. What do you think? What are some of your Natural Hair Rules?

SWITCH!

2011-08-11T13:28:00.006-04:00

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Hey y'all! After having my trim {insert sad face}, I've concluded I need to switch up my regimen. But my question is why didn't I recognize this before? I definitely could tell my hair was going through a phase of some sort, but why didn't it trigger me to take a step back and look at what I was doing to my hair? *stumped* I think I was in denial and caught up in the length. I will admit, I am semi-obsessed with length....but if it's damaged why hold on to it??

Here's the HARD lesson I've learned:

Your regimen has to be able to address your hair needs at any given moment in time. You have to be flexible and intuitive enough to know when it's time for a change. There are so many factors such as hairstyles, eating habits, and stress level that affect our hair that if we're not careful will damage our crowns of glory. For instance, if you rock twists a lot, that will require a different level of maintenance and product usage than a W&G. You should be constantly assessing the effectiveness of your hair maintenance routine.

However, your hair can get used to products, this is when you really know it's time to switch it on up. Sometimes you need to give it a little shock therapy.

What say you good people, how do you know when you need to change your regimen? And just b/c I'm nosey what do you do? Do you automatically give up the conditioner and a get a sulfate free 'poo or what?

BUN'D UP

2011-08-08T18:13:00.010-04:00

I've never actually tried to do a bun before for fear of me not having enough hair...SO WRONG!! I was looking for a quick style I could do in 20 mins. or less and came across this vid...

Ok, so I know she did a high bun, but mine didn't work out so well lolol I don't even know why...I think I was tripping, but anyway here's the finished product w/a flower of course:

What ya think? I was proud of myself for it being my first time *CHEERS - GO ME*

COLOR COLOR COLOR

2011-08-05T09:47:00.004-04:00

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Hey guys!! Sooooooo I've decided to color my hair (I say this every year around my birthday, lol) but I have NO clue what color to go with. I've had red or something in the red family every time I've gotten my hair colored and want to try something different, but don't know what. *decisions decisions*

I'm pretty simple, so I'm thinking something in the brown/copper family. I may even just go with highlights. *here comes my indecisiveness* Then again, I do want something with a little interest....IDK.

What say you good people? What color should I try this go round?

And YES I still consider myself Natural! So don't get to tripping out on me please lolol :)

VACATION HAIR

2011-07-28T17:45:00.013-04:00

{This is us on the bus ride from Hades - don't we look nervous, lolol}

When I'm on vacation, I am in complete and utter low maintenance mode. I mean I don't even want to touch my hair if I don't have to. My bestie...not so much. I opted for semi mini twists then rocked a twist out. She went with her mood. Whatever she wanted to do she did, lolol.

Fun times. What are some of your vacation styles?

CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?

2011-07-26T13:10:00.004-04:00

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Hey guys! Vacay was awesome *sigh* I long to go back to those sandy island beaches, but anyway, I came across this interesting article and thought I'd share.

"Can I touch it? The fascination with natural, African-American hair" via CNN

What are your thoughts? Do you like (or even allow) people touching your hair?

GONE ON VACATION

2011-07-17T20:23:00.004-04:00

Hey guys!! I've gone on a MUCH NEEDED vacation!! See ya when I get back :) *tips hat back, sips drinks, and oooh and aaahhs* LOLOLOL

PJ FIX: LEMONGRASS OIL

2011-07-09T10:26:00.009-04:00

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Hey guys! As you know I've been a YouTube addict for a while and I've noticed several of my faves use Lemongrass oil in their hair regimens. Now for some strange reason when I think of lemongrass I always think of incense or some type of health food gimick for long life...I know, I know I'm crazy lolol.

Actually it is a native from India, but is commonly used in traditional herbal medicines, namely aromatheraphy, Thai and Vietnamese cooking, and very well known for protecting and strengthening hair and skin. The essential oil is produced by extracting the oil from the lemongrass plant. It is especially good for oily, acne-prone skin and lackluster hair; giving the hair shine and volume. Lemongrass oil strengthens the hair follicles for those suffering from thinning or weak hair. Because of it's astringent properties, it makes it a very gentle cleansing agent as well. It gets rid of all the dirt and oil accumulated on to the hair follicle. At the same time, it is not too harsh on the scalp or the hair and therefore it is good for people who suffer from excessive hair loss problems. When combined with lavender or rosemary oil creates a wonderful hair-loss treatment.

**BONUS** Use it in a massage oil to relieve stress and headaches by mixing it with sweet almond or jojoba oil. (Use a few drops of essential oil for about 1/4 cup of base oil.)

Something that smells good and is good for you (inside and out), can't beat that with a stick!

I'd invite you to try these Lemongrass recipes:

Lemongrass hair rinse

Thinning Hair Treatment

Lemongrass Tea

BORED WITH TWISTS??

2011-07-06T19:02:00.005-04:00

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Tired of the same ol' boring twists?? I know me too. It's summer our creative juices should be flowing. Here's a couple of vids I found that can help us out.

Enjoy!! Happy Styling :)

BANTU KNOTS REMIXED

2011-07-02T12:20:00.003-04:00

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Transitioning?? Try these Bantu Knot styles...they're quick, easy, and versatile.

If you dont' know how to Bantu Knot, check out a tutorial here.

FAB 'FRO BACK: Marsha Hunt

2011-06-30T14:19:00.004-04:00

Look familiar?? Ever wonder who's face that was on every natural hair tee, button, etc... well wonder no mas. It is the gorgeous Marsha Hunt. She is a talented, model, actress, and novelist.

For your viewing pleasure...

Now...

Still just as fabulous!!

NATURAL CELEBS

2011-06-24T14:50:00.007-04:00

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Look who's shedding some light on their Natural hair journeys. I love it! I was just talking to my BFF about how there are probably way more Natural celebs than we think and they more than likely wear weave because it's more condusive to their careers. I was right. Check Tamera's interview here and Malinda's here.

Just for kicks...I am feeling this more grown up "Olivia" lololol

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SWIMMING W/NATURAL HAIR

2011-06-21T11:43:00.003-04:00

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It's that time of year! FINALLY I can go swimming :) I love swimming, it's a favorite summer pasttime of mine, it brings back so many childhood memories. Anyway, you want to take a dip, BUT what will you do with your hair?? That's the QOTD.

Now don't think just because you're Natural your hair doesn't need protecting because it does. Chlorine affects hair period. Relaxed or Natural. You must do SOMETHING to minimize the effects, so here's what I suggest :

* Completely wet your hair with water before entering the pool - this way your hair will soak up the tap water vs. the chlorinated water

* Pre Poo (w/out the rinse) before swimming - Using an oil will form a barrier, remember the Moisturize vs. Seal?

* Put your hair in large braids/twists to lessen the amount of hair directly affected

* Shampoo and Condition your hair immediately following swimming or as soon as you possibly can. Chlorine is drying, so the longer it sits the more moisture your hair loses.

* A swimming cap *They NEVER stayed on my head LOLOL*

Oh and this doesn't just apply to pool water, I've found these work even when I'm at the beach. Salt water is treacherous to my hair!!!!

Try a couple and see how they work. Remember, it's all about trial and error with Natural hair.

For those who are avid swimmers, what are your swimming suggestions? What works for you?

DO YOU PRE POO?

2011-06-16T12:40:00.007-04:00

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Hey all! I'll be coming out of my twists soon and looking to revamp my Summer regimen (which is usually just W&G). I'm backing off from my PJism of buying/using too many products and my goal is to just keep it simple. One thing I'm going to incorporate is a Pre Poo.

What exactly is "Pre Poo?" It's when you add oil, conditioner or both to your hair, let it sit for however long (usually 30 mins. or so) and then wash it out BEFORE you wash it with Shampoo (if you do Poo). Now I know what you're thinking because I thought the same thing...it's counterproductive right? Actually, I find the opposite. I do a Pre Poo in the winter to add extra moisture to my hair and it makes it softer and more manageable. Pre pooing has many different benefits. It helps protect your hair from the shampooing process. The majority of product buildup lies on our scalp, not on our hair, so using an oil or a conditioner provides a layer of protection between your hair and the ingredients in the shampoo.

I usually add Honey to the conditioner which works wonderfully, but since it's Summer and my hair doesn't need heavy products on it, I'll be using some type of oil.

But tell us, do you Pre Poo? If you do, how do you like it?

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2011-06-14T10:17:00.005-04:00

The Natural Girl's Marketplace is OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!

**CHEERS**

I created an online store with tees specific for us Natural Girls because I wanted to show the world how Naturally proud we are. I love my hair! I think it's the most beautifulest thing in this world, lolol, so why not tell everyone, plus I love shirts that have meaning.

And for you lovely ladies with Locs, I got you covered too.

So head on over there and cop some tees to rock for the Summer!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

THE X-FACTOR: HUMIDITY

2011-06-09T00:28:00.007-04:00

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Picture this: *cue Summertime by Fresh Prince* You walk out into this gorgeous weather we're having looking your summer flyyest and exactly 2.5 minutes later that super cute press, twist-out, or rollerset that you played with til perfection has COMPLETELY crumbled. I mean not ONE sign of a curl or wave, absolutely nothing. Well ladies you have been attacked by our style's worst enemy....HUMIDITY.

I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me. I mean I thought that my twist-outs and such would hold up in such humidity, apparently I was mistaken AND doing something wrong.

For starters, I, for some unknown reason, would underestimate how humid it really was. I know it's not ATL humid *THANK HEAVENS*, but it's enough to make me feel sticky-icky just walking to the car. Then, I wasn't using the right products. None of what I was using had anything to protect my hair from the moisture in the atmosphere. Finally I was choosing the wrong style for the day. Enough said.

Never fear!! You can have Humidity-retardant hair with these simple tips:

* Try rocking styles that force your hair to stay in place ie. box-braids (plaits), flat-twists, or cornrows

* Play around with pin up styles and buns. These keep most of your hair HIDDEN and away from the moisture in the air

* Leave-in conditioners not only help keep your hair moisturized, but they also help tame some of that frizz

* Use styling aids designed to resist humidity. There are plenty of 'Anti-Frizz' options, so try some out and mix them with products that enhance your curl pattern

* And if all else fails (or you're lazy like me) a simple W&G is AWESOME! Or keep some headbands and hair accessories when things really get outta control, lolol

If it's gonna be a high humidity day, why aggravate yourself? Your hair IS going to struggle, so govern yourself accordingly.

HAPPY STYLING!!

PJ FIX: COCONUT MILK

2011-06-07T14:30:00.003-04:00

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My girl asked me have I ever heard of using Coconut Milk for my hair and skin. Now we all know how wonderful Coconut oil is, but I've actually never heard of using the milk of coconuts for anything other than cooking, so you know I had to dig into it. Turns out, it's VERY good for our hair *SURPRISE SURPRISE*

So what is Coconut Milk??

Coconut Milk comes from the meat of a mature coconut. It's high in protein, essential fats, iron and manganese, which are all valuable in promoting healthy hair growth. It makes your hair super soft, shiny, and moisturized.

It is also wonderful for hair loss. The milk contains Potassium and B9 which are minerals essential for healthy hair growth. Gently massage the Coconut Milk on your problem area to stimulate the blood flow to the hair follicles before you wash your hair. You should notice changes very soon.

But be careful, you can't use it too much or your hair will become too protein rich and turn dry.

Here's a recipe I'd invite you to try:

1/4 Cup of Coconut Milk
2 Tablespoons of Honey
1/4 Cup of Conditioner

Mix all of these ingredients and let sit on your hair for about an hour then rinse. Easy breezy.

Or you can just pour the milk directly on your hair, cover with a plastic cap, sit for an hour or so, and rinse.

If you love Coconut oil, I'm sure you'll love the milk. Let us know how it works out :)

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM

2011-06-03T19:55:00.005-04:00

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Let's meet Leanna Archer. She is the CEO of Leanna's All Natural Hair Products and guess what??? SHE'S ONLY 15!!! *WORK*

She started her company at the tender age of 9! Using a secret family recipe, baby girl turned this into a profitable business. Her hair products include various oils like Avocado, Almond, Hibiscus and Rosemary, and our fave Shea Butter. I find this all fascinating, but what I like most about her company is she employs young kids to be representatives! Ingenious. It's a win-win. Now they can help contribute to that ever rising college tuition.

So the next time you're looking for products to use on your baby's head, think of Leanna. Let's show this teen entrepreneur love y'all!

AND THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

2011-06-01T04:29:00.003-04:00

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The month of May wasn't a total bust ;)

In EXACTLY 12 more days, I will be launching The Natural Girl's Marketplace. A cute little place to rack up on your pro Natural gear!!! CHEERS!! Doing big things out here :) Stay tuned!! Wheels and Deals will be coming shortly.

Are you excited?? I sure am!

HAIRSPIRATION: SOLANGE

2011-05-26T00:04:00.004-04:00

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Honey I am ABSOLUTELY LOVING Solange in this mellow yellow pantsuit, not to mention her hair is just TO DIE FOR. Stunning. She has truly come into her own and I am loving it. She is one of the newest spokeswomen for Carol's Daughter and I couldn't be happier for her and the brand.

Let's go back down memory lane beginning with her BC:

LOVES IT!!!

LOC MAINTENANCE

2011-05-25T01:38:00.005-04:00

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Hey my Loc'd up Lovelies! This here's for you.

In the words of my aunt "Spring means New Beginning," so it only makes sense that this is prime time for BC'ing and Loc'ing. As is definitely the case with my godsister. She's about a year into her locs and needs help with maintenance.

Here's what I've gathered so far:

* Get a good foundation in starting your Locs by going to a professional Loctician. And PLEASE do your homework, don't just go to anybody's sistercousinaunt's friend Mook from down the street.

* Cleanliness is KEY to healthy Locs. *ahem* Use a residue-free product to clean your locs. Locs easily attract lint, dirt, etc.. so after you 'poo make sure you rinse them thoroughly.

* Use a product specifically formulated to help you twist down the roots, and keep your hair twisting in the same direction. This cuts down on excess and unnecessary buildup.

* Tie a silk or satin scarf around your hair before you go to sleep. This keeps it hydrated and lint free.

* Use loc grooming oils and butters for dry locs. Look for products that are alcohol free, since alcohol will dry out your hair, and filled with oils like jojoba, olive, coconut oil, and sweet almond.

* Grooming depends on you. Whether you want your locs to freestyle themselves or you like a more structured look, there are options for both. Latch-hook, palm roll, and freeform are common techniques.

* Try your hardest not to play in your hair or think you can twist your hair to "make it loc". Once the Locs are started let them do what they do.

And there you have it. The basics for Loc Maintenance. This should get you started on your way to healthy beautiful locs.

Please feel free to share your own maintenance tips. Don't be scurred, we could learn a thing or two, lololol.

UM...SIR...

2011-05-22T01:45:00.003-04:00

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Why me?? Well I'm sure I'm not the only one, but anyway I was at work having a conversation with one of my coworkers, and as most of you know, I work in a not black anything environment. I was looking at something to post for my Loc'd up ladies and he, in a very nasty tone, said:

"Those look like worms. I don't like those, I hope you don't do that to your hair."

Now. Immediately I was offended because A. it's none of his business what I do to my hair B. no one asked him for his .02¢ and C. that was just straight up rude. We're "cool" (and I use that term loosely) but don't be talking ish about my fellow Naturalites, I don't play that. I just politely {though blessing him out in my head} told him he shouldn't make comments like that because it's offensive and everyone has their own reasons for loc'ing their hair and he needs to respect that.

What really bothers me though is what makes him (or anyone else) think they could say that to anybody about what THEY do with THEIR hair. And because of his tone. It was SO degrading, like HE was offended.

So I'M TELLING YOU your hair is fabulous!! Don't let close minded, negative people get you down or have you thinking otherwise.

But I am curious, how do you handle yourself when confronted with negativity about your Natural hair?

PRO 'FRO MUSIC

2011-05-20T15:48:00.010-04:00

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HELLOOOOO WORLD!!! I'm FINALLY startig to feel like myself again *WOOHOO* I'm telling you the truth, this here weather and whoever passed on their ailments to me had me out for the count. But now I'm back :)

So I was perusing Twitter and what did I see? A song dubbed the 'Natural Hair Anthem' so of course I had to check it out. Though it's not my style, the lyrics are pretty good and I like that he's representing for the guys, but I want to hear from y'all. Check the Vid.

Anthem or not??

WHICH ONE IS IT?

2011-05-04T01:19:00.007-04:00

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Ok I'm about to get REAL with y'all...we fam right?? Ok, so continuing on with my scalp issues *SIGH* I was in the mirror the other day and I was scratching my hairline in the front because it was itching ridiculously and these HUGE chunks of white, greasy stuff came falling down like a mug…I mean like HUGE, the largest flakes I’ve ever seen come out my head (and I’ve seen a lot). I was like WTH is this?? I couldn’t tell if it was product buildup, a combo of that and dandruff or what?! The flakes were super greasy, the itching didn’t subside, and the more I scratched the more it itched. I finally said to myself ‘Alright this isn’t my regular dandruff that I’m used to, it’s gotta be something different.’

At a W.I.N.K.K. event last year, one of the young ladies talked about Sebum - how we can get it confused with dandruff, how we needed it, what it was for, etc… of course I didn’t remember all details. I scoured the net looking for conditions that exhibited my symptoms and thanks to WebMD and Wikipedia, I believe I can diagnose myself with anything hahahaha…so that’s exactly what I did. I came up with Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Before I get into what that is, let’s take a look at Sebum and Dandruff, so we have an understanding of what they are and their differences.

Sebum is produced when hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin. The majority of sebaceous glands are located on your face and scalp. Sebum is secreted into hair follicles and functions as a lubricant for both hair and skin. The production of sebum helps to prevent hair and skin from becoming overly dry.

Most people shed a layer of skin per month and everyday we lose dead skin cells from our scalps. When more cells are lost than normal, they clump together forming the white or grey flakes AKA Dandruff. It occurs because too much sebum is being produced which leads to an increase in our natural skin replenishment cycle.

Now let’s look at Seborrheic Dermatitis.

It’s a common chronic skin inflammatory condition that affects the scalp, face and other sebum rich parts of the body. Seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be due to a combination of an overproduction of skin oil and irritation from a yeast called Malessizia. Malessizia produces substances that irritate and inflame the skin. Usually SD presents itself with scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. SD flares can be caused by stress, fatigue, change in weather, oily skin, or infrequent shampoos or skin cleansing.

Alrighty now how did I come to the conclusion I may have SD? Well basically it was the fact that you can get it on your face and the fact it can be caused by change of season. My T-zone (between the brows and around the nose) in the fall/winter goes HAM. I mean I am CONSTANTLY putting cocoa butter or something on my face because it gets red and flaky every time I touch my face where it’s just a little scratch or whatever, so does my scalp. I don’t feel like I can scratch it enough in the wintertime. Now I do not think it’s severe as some pics I’ve seen, but I do think I may have a mild case of it.

Now what?

Whether it’s plain ol’ Dandruff or SD, it’s not something that’s gonna go away, so the best thing to do is to make it a part of your hair routine when it starts to rear its ugly head. Most of the sites I’ve looked at recommend getting a prescribed poo from a dermatologist, which should calm flares in about a week or so, then following up by only using medicated poos. There are also home remedies like the ACV and Lemon/Water treatments which can also work.

These others can help too

http://www.ayurvediccure.com/homeremedies_dandruff.htm

http://www.ayushveda.com/homeremedies/dandruff.htm

PRO NATURAL GEAR AT FOREVER21

2011-04-30T19:00:00.006-04:00

Forever21 has jumped on the Muppet-Natural Hair Train as well. Check out this racerback tee available for $13.80 online. What do you think?

HAIR FOOD: BEANS

2011-04-27T19:00:00.005-04:00

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Beans, beans, they're good for your ... hair? YES, it is absolutely true! Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet because not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin - which we know is important for beautifully strong hair as well.

I'm always on the hunt for new recipes and my coworker brought in Moujadara (Lentils and Rice), it was super tasty BTW, and I got to thinking to myself 'Beans are really good protein right? Hair is protein, so I wonder what beans are best for my hair?' Now I mostly eat beans with rice (and cornbread, lolol), so naturally I started wondering if rice affects hair as well...and you guessed it, it does!

Here's a compliation of beans/rice effects:

* Silica and Selenium - found in rice - keeps skin and scalp supple and elastic, adds shine, strengthens hair, and prevents hair loss

* Potassium - found in brown rice, black-eyed peas, and red beans - regulates circulation and promotes healthy hair growth

* Magnesium - found in red and black beans, black-eyed peas, and brown rice - works with calcium to promote healthy hair growth

* Manganese - found in brown and white rice, red and pinto beans, and black-eyed peas - prevents slow hair growth

* Iron and Folate - found in red, black, and pinto beans and black-eyed peas - strengthens hair, prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth

So there you have it, the dish on beans. The ADA, recommends 3 cups of lentils or beans every week, so get to cooking!

Do you have any good legume recipes you want to share?? I'm always open ;)

DRY STYLING

2011-04-25T12:20:00.006-04:00

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For a long time I was under the impression that the only way I could style my hair was if it was wet. I don' t know, I always thought it set better when it was wet and I was sticking to my guns about not combing my curls dry (which I still do). However, after this here winter, I'm thinking I may need to change that up.

I washed my hair the usual once/week and ProStyled, but in the winter I can't afford to walk out with my hair even being slightly damp. My head would start hurting the minute I walked out the door, not good at all. I was talking to one of my friends and she has a bi-weekly routine and I was like what?? How is that possible? She rocks a braid-out or twist-out for a week, then instead of re-doing it for the next week, she'd pin it up in a bun or something. Don't get me wrong, I've tried doing stuff with old twist-outs and braid-outs, but for WHATEVER reason (we'll say frustration and lack of creativity at the time) I'd just wash it and redo it to make it easier on myself. Now I've realized that maybe manipulating my hair like that this winter might not have been the best thing for it. I'll definitely take that as a lesson learned for next time.

So if you're going to dry style, just remember Rule #1, never style your hair without something on it. This could be a moisturizer, shea butter, water, etc... but whatever you do, just use something!

Here are a couple of dry styles I'd invite you to try:

WEAVE ALLERGIES?

2011-04-23T00:26:00.006-04:00

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A Transitioner asked:

"Can you be allergic to weave? I'm transitioning and decided to get extensions to make my journey easier. I've recently gotten cornrows and I can't stand to have them in longer than a week. My scalp was beyond itchy and very red, clearly irritated. It'd gotten to the point where I just HAD to take them out! I've never had this issue before."

How timely. It's right about this time when my own scalp is starting to act a fool with my kinky twists {changed my mind on those Janet braids}. That good old 2 week mark. I guess my scalp still hasn't gotten used to the added hair. **SIDEBAR: I use my Lemon/Water mixture in between washes**

Ok so you don't usually think of people being allergic to weave, but it's true. Just like some people can't handle certain foods, some crowns of glory simply CANNOT handle weave.

If you're allergic, your symptoms would start happening almost immediately, I'd say definitely within the first 3 days. There'd be a burning sensation on your scalp - where it feels like it's on fire, little bumps would start to appear, and rashes would pop up anywhere the hair touches. You would be wanting to snatch that weave out just as quick as you got it in. For most folks the pain in unbearable.

If you're NOT allergic, your symptoms would definitely be a little less dramatic. Mostly your scalp would be itchy and flaky.

So based on your symptoms girly, I'd say you might be allergic to that particular weave :(

STRESSED TODAY, BALD TOMORROW

2011-04-19T20:48:00.004-04:00

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As I embark on this GRUELING 60-hr graveyard shift work week, I find myself already getting pretty short-tempered. I am already stressed out and I haven't even gotten into the thick of it...just the mere thought of it pisses me off. Anyway, I am concerned about how the impending stress levels will affect my hair. I know when people, women in particular, start having major life issues, the first thing that seems to go is their hair.

Why is this??

Well basically when our bodies experience extreme emotional or physical stress the immune system shuts down. Major systems are ignored, hair included, as the body pumps blood to the major muscles preparing it for the fight. The body seems to concentrate its energies on recovery or healing and hair growth seems rather less of a priority. The hair then undergoes the fall out phase. Another factor is hormones. Hormones can change your attitude, mood, skin and your hair. If an imbalance occurs, the stress from it can damage the hair, kind of like a vitamin deficiency.

So what can we do to prevent stress from damaging our beautiful crowns of glory??

One thing is for sure and we need lower our stress levels. Balancing our daily routines can help the health of our hair. Adding some type of activity that YOU enjoy and creates that calm environment is key. When you can rest and conduct your life with less stress, not only will you feel good but your hair will too!!

I have a goal I'm trying to reach and stress is definitely not going to help that out. I just need to bite the bullet and RELAX, RELATE, RELEASE, lolol. Maybe I'll try yoga.

How do you handle your hair in a time of stress?

HOMETOWN LOVE

2011-04-16T17:34:00.008-04:00

Meet Ms. Nellenatural23

She's the girl from the iHEART post with super cute style. She has Youtube channel and will be posting a tutorial on her style soon. So why not give her a proper intro?? So let's meet her:

How long have you been Natural?

2 years

What's your 'go to' style?

My "go to" style is the wash n go

What are your product staples?

Oyin Handmade Hair Dew, I can use it as a leave in, a moisturizer and a styler. Also Aussie Moist Conditioner.

What are the Top 2 videos you've done?

Well I only have 1 favorite video, and that would be my first video because it felt great to startposting on my channel.

Top 3 tips for Transitioners and/or Naturals?

1. To go natural for you. Stay true to yourself and know why you decided to wear your hair in its natural state.

2. Be patient. The beginning stages may be rough, but the versatility of natural hair is amazing!

3. Moisturize often and realize that what's good on your friend's hair may not be good on yours.

There you are Cleveland, let's show her mad love by subscribing to her youtube channel.

REALLY??

2011-04-14T19:43:00.003-04:00

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So this weekend while out celebrating my girls' birthday, I was rocking my 'fro with a flower. Nothing major - or so I thought. THREE guys came up to me and said something about me and my hair....it was um...interesting. I still don't know how I feel about it.

Guy #1: You know, you're kinda funny acting, I mean I can just tell with your fro and all. You came up in here all Black Power. It's intimidating.

Guy #2: I didn't expect you to kick it like you're doing right now. I expected you to be snooty with your fro and all.

Guy #3: You know..you have to have a LOT of confidence to wear your hair all out like you do. It's (pause) different. I mean, it's not what I'm used to seeing. I think I like it.

Now, I was just out and about kicking it with my girls. I'm not one who walks in a spot and screams 'HERE I AM WORLD!' Negative. I'm the opposite. I do NOT consider myself arrogant or overly confident or super soul sista at all. So when those guys came up to me, it definitely caught me off guard. I was just being lazy, didn't feel like doing my hair for real and just did my W&G.

With Guy #1 - I was offended at first then I was intrigued. I mean where did he get that from?? He didn't have a real answer, so I kept it moving.

With Guy 2 - I guess I should take this as a compliment. We can have just as much fun as the next chick...it has nothing to do with how we wear our hair.

With Guy 3 - I'll take this as a compliment. Not like I need him for validation of anything, but just that guys in Cleveland are warming up to us Natural sistas.

What do y'all think? What reactions are y'all getting when you're rocking your Natural 'dos?

iHEART

2011-04-12T09:12:00.005-04:00

I was at 'Another Natural Hair Gathering' hosted by the ladies of W.I.N.K.K and I stumbled upon this fab hairstyle. I love it! however in my awe of the style I neglected to get the girl's info *smh* It's pretty simple, so try it out!

Oh and if you see/know her, tell her to send me her info! LOLOLOL

*THANKS TO EVERYONE who supported me and bought a shirt*

WE HAVE OUR WINNER...

2011-04-09T11:53:00.006-04:00

*loves the 'fro*

Go PERRINNE, it's ya birthday!

She's the big winner of the 'Live Life on the CURLY side' t-shirt!!

She likes living life on the 'Curly' side because "There is so much freedom! I no longer have to fun from the rain and can whip up a hair style in less than 30min!!!" *AMEN to that*

Style/product: Bumble and Bumble Calming Cream (for coarse hair) and pinned to the side

THROWBACK HAIR

2011-04-04T12:25:00.006-04:00

Hey all! FINALLY we're starting to attempt to get Spring-like temps around these parts *YES* I love warm/hot weather so naturally Spring and Summer are my favorite times of the year. The sun beating down on me is the best feeling in the world, especially on a Friday that I just got paid on and DO NOT have to work *cue Johnny Kemp* I digress...

Spring, right, this time of season I tend to not want to be bothered with my hair AT ALL so when I get tired of W&G I usually get twists/braids/strawsets something of the sort. This year I'm thinking about taking it back and getting those Poetic Justice braids. Since I will be working 60 hours a week for 6 weeks or so, that leaves NO time for me to attempt to do anything to my hair. Plus, braids grow my hair out like a mug, so I'm thinking my hair will be APL by the July. Right on track for where I want to be by October.

Solange inspired me. I love her look.

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What are your Spring/Summer 2011 hair plans?

JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING

2011-04-01T12:43:00.003-04:00

BIG NEWS:

I will be launching my online store very soon!!! *deets to come*

**CHEERS**

I'm so excited about this new venture, so here's to celebrating with me!! All you have to do is email the following to naturally.cleveland@gmail.com :

**NAME/ALIAS**

**WHY YOU LOVE LIVING LIFE ON THE 'CURLY' SIDE**

**A PIC OF YOUR FAVORITE 'CURLY' DO AND HOW YOU DID IT**

That's it!! Contest ends next Thursday, April 8 at 11:59pm. START ENTERING!!!

TRANSITIONING101

2011-03-28T12:14:00.006-04:00

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So you don't wanna BC? That's cool (neither did I), however you still want to be able to work with your hair during this Transitioning period. You're going to learn A LOT about your hair and here are some things I've learned along the way and made the process enjoyable:

** Condition Regularly Conditioner aids in helping the hair avoid breakage. When you are transitioning from relaxed hair to your natural texture, there is a point that known as the "line of demarcation." This is where the two textures collide. It is the weakest point and most susceptible to breakage. And don't forget to use a wide-toothed comb :)

** Have Realistic Expectations Do NOT expect your natural hair to act like it does when it's relaxed. NO MA'AM!! It will NOT! You have to learn and experiment with different ways of dealing with your hair to get the best results. Otherwise, your experience will be very frustrating, especially when your curls seem to be doing everything but what you want them to do (I still struggle with this).

SIDE NOTE: Under this I have issues with length obsession! LOLOLOL. Hair only grows about 1/2" per month, so with my Type 4 hair when I wash and it shrinks I feel like my hair hasn't grown...but in all actuality it has, I just can't see it fully. So don't be dismayed, your hair is GROWING!

** Be Gentle Exercise great care with your hair, especially where the relaxed and natural hair meet. Too much heat styling and manipulation to match the textures should be avoided, instead try wet sets, braids-outs, twist-outs, twists, and other curly styles instead. There's a ton on Youtube, so as long as you've got internet you're good!

** Be Patient There WILL come a time when you feel like your hair is too much to deal with. Dealing with 2 textures is hard. You'll be like 'Ok really?? Like what did I get myself in to?' or you may say 'I should've just kept my relaxer.' I know. I've been there, but if you're SERIOUSLY COMMITTED to doing this thing, you're going to have to learn patience.

Just remember that your hair is growing and it's going to be healthier and stronger than ever. Before you know it, you'll have a head full of beautiful, natural curls that are all your own!!

Hey Naturalites, what other tips can you give to Transitioners?

HAIR cAnDY: LAURA IZIBOR

2011-03-23T12:07:00.004-04:00

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Meet Miss Laura Izibor :) She is the Irish singer-songwriter infamous for her single "From My Heart to Yours" AND she's also a talented pianist, producer, arranger, and composer...all at the tender age of 23!! BTW those curly tendrils of hers gives me life!! They're so gorgeous, I LOVE IT and her music.

WWYD: I HATE MY HAIR

2011-03-21T12:01:00.004-04:00

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What Would You Do (WWYD) if you came across teenage girls who HATED their hair?

I met 2 young ladies who have expressed how much they hate their hair. I mean they don't even LIKE their own hair. They prefer weave and believe me there's nothing wrong with that, but to the point where you think your hair is ugly?? WHAT???

I am so disturbed. I've always at least LIKED my hair, even if it is a Love/Hate relationship at times, but I've never PREFERRED something that wasn't mine over mine. Maybe it's just a phase I don't remember going through, IDK, but I do know that something must be done. There has to be a bigger issue.

Because they're a part of a local mentoring program, my aunt and I decided to host a session to talk about it. Now, here's where you all come in...how do you think we should address this? How would you go about trying to get someone to realize the beauty of their own hair?

Oh and **SHAMELESS PLUG** if you want to volunteer/help in any way, email me :D

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

2011-03-18T11:50:00.003-04:00

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The month is over halfway gone, but I still think it's worthy of being acknowledged. Happy National Women's History Month!!

We've influenced so many facets of life - Education, Politics, Arts, Science, Technology, the list goes on and on and on, so it's only fitting that we celebrate our successes!!

We stand on the backs of these notable women:

Civil Rights Activist, Fannie Lou Hamer

"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"

First Lady, Humanitarian, Eleanor Roosevelt

"Do one thing every day that scares you"

Humanitarian, Helen Keller

"The field in which I may work is narrow, but it streches before me limitless"

Dancer, Singer, Josephine Baker

"The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains"

Athlete, Wilma Rudolph *ahem*

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit"

The National Portrait Gallery online exhibition is AWESOME! Check it out here.

Here's to us Ladies!! Don't forget to thank those ladies in our own lives who've helped us get to where we are today :)

CONGRATULATIONS TOOOOOO.....

2011-03-16T17:15:00.005-04:00

TRACY!!

Her deets:

This is my hair for my bday party at Love the Club in DC back in January. I had two strand twists done with Karen's Body Beauiful Sweet Ambroisa (leave-in) mixed with Karen's Body Beautiful Butterlove as a styler. I let the braids set for a few days, and the result is this curly fro/twist-out...and this is actually 2nd or 3rd day hair hence the lack of definition. But its BIG and I love it!

Looking good girl!! Congratulations!!

Thanks to all who entered :)

SELF TRIMMING

2011-03-11T08:31:00.006-05:00

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I was randomly checking my hair one Saturday morning and noticed the very beginnings of split hairs **FAINT** I scheduled my appointment STAT and made sure she knew I wanted a trim. Prior to this I had hyped myself up to do it myself because I knew it was time. I went and bought trimming shears from Sally's, gave myself the 'Big Girl' pep talk, but of course, in the eleventh hour when faced with reality of actually doing it, I chickened out :( I justified this of course by saying "I'll let her get me started, I'll do it next time," lolololol.

I am SCARED TO DEATH to trim my own hair. I'm sure it's all in my head and I'm being super dramatic, but nonetheless if I ever plan on being completely self-sufficient when it comes to my hair I need to get over this hurdle. I would much rather rely on my stylist b/c I'm afraid I'll cut too much or make it uneven or whatever, I blame my Libra scale for making me have everything balanced ;)

For those who are struggling like me, these are the Trimming 101 Basics I've found:

* Invest in the RIGHT kind of scissors. Dull scissors or scissors that aren't designed for cutting hair can actually damage you hair causing split ends. Use them ONLY for trimming, NOTHING else!

* Trim on DRY hair, wet hair will mask split ends (I'd take this one with a grain of salt, depends your personal preference)

Check out this site too. She gives step by step instructions on the different kinds of cutting shapes - U-shaped, V-shaped, Straight. EXTREMELY helpful!!

These vids were great in hyping me up as well:

So tell me, have you trimmed your own hair before? If so, what/how did you do it?

FOR ALL YOU PJs...

2011-03-09T11:57:00.005-05:00

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THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES!!!

Here's to feeding your inner PJ!! I'm giving away a $25 gift card for Amazon.com for you to buy all your fav products, styling tools, etc!!!

All you have to do is send the following to naturally.cleveland@gmail.com:

* Your name and photo of yourself/hair at your Naturally (Transitionally) Flyyest

* Info about your hairstyle ie. CurlyFro, FroHawk, TwistNCurl

* What products you used

That's it guys!!!!

The contest ends Tuesday March 15, 2011 at 11:59 EST so START ENTERING!!!

AND THE TANGLE TEEZER GOES TOOOOO....

2011-03-08T12:14:00.008-05:00

NATURALITE

ANGELA BESSAH!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered!! Next giveaway starts tomorrow :)

DO I LOOK MASCULINE?

2011-03-03T11:58:00.011-05:00

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I was out to dinner with my newly BC'd aunt, she got a shape up at the barbershop, and was unsure about her new 'do. She asked me "Do I look masculine? Being that my hair is short and all." Of course I didn't think so, but I can imagine if you're a newly BC'd person this thought has run through your mind a time or two.

Contrary to popular belief, long hair does NOT automatically equate with being feminine. It takes a very strong person, inside and out, to rock a short 'do. I myself have contemplated it, but haven't quite built up the nerve, so I applaud all short-haired Naturalites out there.

So, how do you make yourself look more feminine? ACCESSORIES AND STYLING!!!

* Hair accessories, earrings, necklaces, THE WORKS. Even makeup (if you so choose). They all work together to complete your look. You just have to take the time to figure out what works and what doesn't. It's a process, but it's worth it.

* Some styles can make you look boyish and we can't have that (unless that's what you want). Cut out pictures-put your face on them, play in your hair, consult a professional, do whatever it takes, but you MUST find the right style for you. There's nothing worse than cutting your hair into a style you can do NOTHING about...BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!!

AND Yes, there are styles you can do on your TWA. Just the check the Vid, they are cute and girly:

CUE TONY! TONI! TONE!

2011-03-01T08:26:00.004-05:00

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YES IT IS FINALLY HERE!!!

The Natural Girl's Guide to Cleveland turns 1 year old TODAY!!!!!

Much love to EACH and EVERY ONE of my followers *BIG HUG* Thanks for hanging in there with me :) I cannot tell you how much y'all have inspired me on this journey.

Now for the good part, this week's giveaway is...a TANGLE TEEZER!!! I liked it so much I decided to give one away!! I want you to try it for yourself.

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You have until EXACTLY 11:59pm on Monday March 7, 2011 to email me 2 things at naturally.cleveland@gmail.com:

1. Your NAME/ALIAS

2. Whether you're a TRANSITIONER OR NATURALITE.

See ...it's dumb easy, so hop to it!!!

*Winners will be selected using an online random counter*

POSE FOR THE CAMERA NOW...

2011-02-21T12:11:00.003-05:00

March Madness is upon us and though it has absolutely nothing to do with basketball, I thought I'd still use the title in honor of my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY for the blog *CHEERS CHEERS*

I'm gearing up for some great giveaways, SO get your flyyest photos ready so you can submit them starting NEXT TUESDAY!!!

MOVE OVER DENMAN HELLO TANGLE TEEZER?!

2011-02-18T12:05:00.005-05:00

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This little brush is all the rave amongst us Naturalites, especially us Type 4s. I've read and watched all the reviews which piqued my curiosity, so I decided hey for $10 I might as well try and it out. And let's just say I was very impressed.

Y'all know I heart my Denman, but the Tangle Teezer is definitely giving it a run for the money. I was so excited, I pushed my wash day up just so I could use it. Just about all the things I've read/heard about it ring true ie. less detangling time, less hair in the brush, so you KNOW that's a bonus. I've only used it once, but it's definitely a keeper, shoot anything that'll cut my detangling time is a keeper. One down fall is it kept slipping out of my hand *OPERATORERROR* lolololol

But I want to hear from y'all, DO WE LOVE THE TANGLE TEEZER?

P.S. If you're looking for one, just about all the Sally's in Cleveland are out. But you can call the Sally's in the Steelyard on Monday to reserve yours, that's when they get their shipment in ;)

BACK to BASICS: DETANGLING

2011-02-16T12:07:00.008-05:00

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OH BOY have I been through the ringer with this one. I had no idea that I needed to detangle my hair and furthermore once I found out that I did, I didn't have so much as a clue how to do it.

My stylist always used a wide tooth comb, so I followed her lead on that plus using small tooth combs always made me feel like my hair was snagging, even when I was relaxed. Then she introduced the Denman Brush. *HEAVEN*

Alright, so when Detangling, here's a few key things I've found that helps:

* Do it when you hair is wet AND has conditioner in it - We all know dry brushing/combing our hair a NO-NO, so I won't beat you over the head with that, but for a while I was detangling with no conditioner :( It was snapping LEFT AND RIGHT, it MUST be coated!!

* You must be gentle. Our hair has too many curls and kinks and being rough with it can cause our hair to snap at those curly/kinky points.

* Section your hair - it makes it SO much easier and you get a more thorough detangle

and MOST importantly: GO TIP TO ROOT!!

Here are a couple of vids to guide you on your journey

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AND THE NATURAL GIRL WINS!!!

2011-02-14T11:24:00.004-05:00

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I was just as shocked as the rest of the world when her name was read over Bieber and Drake and I actually like her music. I'm still unsure about how I feel about it though, but regardless her hair is to DIE FOR and major Congratulations are in order to the 2011 Grammy Winner for Best New Artist, Esperanza Spalding. Do ya thang boo!!

BACK to BASICS: MOISTURIZE VS. SEAL

2011-02-11T11:59:00.003-05:00

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When Regimen Building, it is important to know the difference between Moisturizing and Sealing. These are 2 different things that work together to give us beautiful, healthy Natural hair.

Hair is permeable, so it is critical that we use products that will lock in the moisture (Moisturizing) and keep it in (Sealing).

I consider it Moisturizing when you are using water-based products that go deep within your hair strand. The product actually penetrates the hair to nourish it and prevent breakage. These would be your conditioners/creams.

Note: Some conditioners/creams have significant amounts of protein, which is good for hair strenth, but protein based moisturizers do not have the moisturizing benefit that water-based moisturizers do, so READ THE LABEL!!

Now that you've added moisture to your hair, it needs to be held in by something. Sealing is what you do to hold the moisturizer on your hair. The key is to use oils that “lock in the moisture” ie. EVOO, Jojoba, or Coconut oil after you've applied the moisturizer. (See pic above - notice how the Oil is on top of the Water).

If you use oils without a moisturizer or before one, the oil will seal the moisture out of the hair and have a coated feel, but eventually you'll begin to feel the true dryness.

So now that we've gotten the Moisturizing and Sealing squared away, what are some of your fav Moisturizers or Sealers??

My personal favorite sealer is melted Shea Butter, still working on the Moisturizer part :/ Any suggestions??

BACK to BASICS: REGIMEN BUILDING

2011-02-09T12:25:00.005-05:00

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Hey all, for those of us who have been in the game for a while, we have experienced the trials/errors of creating a hair regimen. It can get frustrating trying to figure out how to properly care for your tresses, but once you do find out what works for you, that makes it worth the ride.

Now I've found that I need 2 regimens, one for the Fall/Winter and one for the Summer/Spring. In the cooler months I tend to use heavier creams/conditioners and I DC every week, whereas in the warmer months I prefer to use light and airy products so my regimen reflects that.

When creating a regimen, you want to look at the different things you to do your hair prior to styling ie. Do you detangle first, then wash, then moisturize, seal, then style or do you wash, detangle, seal, moisturize, then style? Get me?

Here are the different processes I go through prior to styling:

Wash

Detangle

Moisturize

Seal

Style

My Fall/Winter routine is:

* Wash

* DC

* Detangle

* Moisturize

* Seal (with oil of choice)

* Style

My Spring/Summer routine is:

* Wash

* Detangle

* Seal (as needed)

* Moisturize (as needed)

* Style

** I DC about once/month in the Summer**

What is your regimen and how did you come to create it?

HAIR FOOD: SALMON

2011-02-06T20:04:00.003-05:00

MMMMMM... Salmon... loaded with omega-3 fatty acids - which are not only key in promoting a healthy scalp, but also help protects against heart disease and promotes healthy skin and joints.

Salmon is most definitely one of the healthiest things to eat, so it should be no surprise that it contains vitamins and minerals which encourage hair growth. Along with protein and fish oil, two of the most important foods for hair, salmon is also rich in Selenium, which strengthens the hair strands. The fats in salmon work to prevent dry, brittle hair. *SIGNMEUP*

The American Heart Association's (AHA) dietary guidelines recommend that adults eat at least two servings of fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids per week, so here's the recipe to one of my favorite dishes to cook, Honey Ginger Salmon.

Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

Enjoy!!

PROSTYLING: CINNABUN

2011-01-26T12:26:00.007-05:00

Hey All! Hope everyone is having a fabulous hump day :) I came across this style while looking for a quick and easy updo for a friend's bday gathering. I like that it keeps the ends protected and gives a nice little twist option to the regular Puff.

I attempted to do this style for the gathering, but since I was running HELLA late and didn't have any time to experiment, I took my hair and made 4 flat twists, pinned the ends together and came out with a cute bun-do. I'll definitely be trying this in the very near future though.

I like this vid, the idea of putting the some rolls in the middle makes the style more interesting *my2cents*

Here's another version I like just as much.

And you can definitely jazz it up with a flower, headband, anything! I love styles like this!

Happy ProStyling!!

Sidenote: HAPPY 100TH POST TO ME!! YAY!!!!

NEW 'POO

2011-01-24T12:29:00.004-05:00

Hey All, I'm in the market for a Clarifying Shampoo for Type 4 hair. I know I don't need another product, but something, I haven't figured out what yet, has been leaving serious buildup on my scalp.

Right now, I'm using Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration 2-in-1 which I really like, to cleanse, but I seriously need to add a Clarifying 'Poo for times like this. Any suggestions??

BAGGIE-ING

2011-01-20T17:07:00.005-05:00

Looking for a way to seal your ends? Try Baggie-ing. It's really easy and I've tried it a time or two and it's kinda cool (minus the fact I used WAAAAAYYYY too much Shea Butter).

All you do is twist/braid your hair (or not), add your moisturizer of choice to the ends, pull it back into a single ponytail (or multiple if you like), put a sandwich baggie (or plastic cap) over the twists/braids and secure with a ponytail holder and VOILA!! You're done. I did mine at nite the next morning my hair felt super soft. I'm still working on just how much to use.

Here's what mine looked like:

Peep the vid for more:

Happy ProStyling!!

YOU BETTER WORK Pt. 2

2011-01-13T12:36:00.015-05:00

Hey All! y'all know I'm on the hunt for an interview style right? My default is ALWAYS a Strawset *sigh* so anyways I was browsing Essence for hairspiration and let's just say I was in Hairspiration overload - WHOA!! They got tons of styles and though my twisting and braiding capabilities on my own head are somewhere between beginner and intermediate, I thought I'd share some of my faves!!

*look familiar* ;)

Wish I could see the back :( I'll use my imagination

**what are these??** I love them!

*iHEARTBIGhair*

*Honey is ROCKING this do*

S/O to my new followers!! WELCOME!!

TO STRAIGHTEN OR NOT TO STRAIGHTEN...

2011-01-10T18:06:00.003-05:00

BREAKING NEWS: I have a job interview in my future career field!! I'm so excited I can't contain myself. That was until the guy at the post office pissed me off by not selling me 1 freaking single stamp at 4:31pm b/c they closed at 4:30 *BREATHE* Anyhow, I was discussing the deets with my mom and she further pissed me off by saying "I hope you straighten your hair, it was so cute." (Referring to my hair here) I was OUTRAGED. I was like "Um, I'm not doing that. They see me everyday, so why would I change my hair for an interview?" She says, "Well you don't want that to be the reason you don't get the job do you?" And I said "Well my hair has nothing to do with my capabilities and if it does then I need evaluate whether or not I want to work there." With that being said, I graciously got off the phone.

Now, my mother is....very traditional when it comes to hair. So I guess I should've seen it coming, but I didn't. I'm not second guessing my decision NOT to straighten my hair, but I know other Naturalites who faced this very same issue.

So what say you good people...Would you straighten your hair for a potential dream job interview?

CUTIE-PA-TOOTIE

2011-01-10T12:16:00.004-05:00

I saw this in the store and had to share!! She is just too cute! And ALL that hair...well let's just say *iDie* S/O to all the Natural kiddies in advertising :)

In other news, I hope you're having a Happy Monday!! I sure am

INQUIRING MINDS: WHEN'S MY NATUR-VERSARY

2011-01-07T12:22:00.004-05:00

I'm trying to figure out when my anniversary is. At what point are you considered Natural? Is it from your last perm or when you've completely chopped the last of your relaxer off?

I love this pic BTW, it's so fitting S/O to A Natural Hair Groove...ok, so I consider you to be a Naturalite when you've COMPLETELY chopped off what was left of your relaxer, unless of course you BC'd then it'd start that day.

The transition period, I don't consider b/c you still have relaxed hair. My Transition period lasted about 14 months. I chopped in between, but my hair was growing so fast it only took at most 4 chops (and because she was chopping hella inches at a time, lolol).

So in my world, you're Transitioner until you've done your last BC, then you're a full fledge Naturalite **OW OW**

Hope this helps you guys in determining your Natur-versary!!

HAPPY NATUR-VERSARY to anyone who became a Naturalite this quarter!! Keep it goin!!

The Natural Girl's Guide to Cleveland

FLAT TWIST/MINI TWIST STYLE

HAIR CHRONICLES

LOC 'DO

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!

CURL DISASTER ~ HEAT DAMAGE (OR NOT)

BUN, CLIP, PIN, GO

WEAVALICIOUS: PONY TO 'FRO HAWK

*CHEERS* MY PC IS NO LONGER SICK

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WEEKEND/HOLIDAY HAIR

MERRY CHRISTMAS

PRESERVING YOUR SEXY

QUICK AND EASY

NATURAL HAIRED BARBIES

2011 HAIR GOALS ~ HIT OR MISS

HEALTH OVER STYLE - ALWAYS!!

WHAT'S IN YOUR SPRAY BOTTLE?

WINTER HAIR TIPS

CALLING ALL PJS!!

PROSTYLE WITHOUT TWISTS

SHEDDING vs. BREAKAGE

**OY VEY** DRY HAIR

LOC'D AND LOADED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SPEAK OUT FOR BEAUTY

HAIR POROSITY (PT. 2)

I'M COMING BACK..I PROMISE

HAIR POROSITY (PT. 1)

TRANSITIONING DIVA KIT FROM CURLS

TUCK AND ROLL ~ PROFESSIONAL REMIX

FALL PROSTYLES

WORLD'S LARGEST AFRO

FALL FABULOUS

COMMON MISTAKES AS NATURALS

UPDO FOR SHORTER LOCS

FLAT TWISTING 101

SALVAGED ROLLERSET

EPIC FAIL...AGAIN

BECAUSE WE ALL COULD USE A LITTLE DISCOUNT....

PRODUCT TESTIMONIAL: LINDSAY

NOTSO EDGY TWIST OUT

ROLLERSETTING HAIRSPIRATION

NATURAL HAIR RULES

SWITCH!

BUN'D UP

COLOR COLOR COLOR

VACATION HAIR

CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?

GONE ON VACATION

PJ FIX: LEMONGRASS OIL

BORED WITH TWISTS??

BANTU KNOTS REMIXED

FAB 'FRO BACK: Marsha Hunt

NATURAL CELEBS

SWIMMING W/NATURAL HAIR

DO YOU PRE POO?

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

THE X-FACTOR: HUMIDITY

PJ FIX: COCONUT MILK

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM

AND THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS...

HAIRSPIRATION: SOLANGE

LOC MAINTENANCE

UM...SIR...

PRO 'FRO MUSIC

WHICH ONE IS IT?

PRO NATURAL GEAR AT FOREVER21

HAIR FOOD: BEANS

DRY STYLING

WEAVE ALLERGIES?

STRESSED TODAY, BALD TOMORROW

HOMETOWN LOVE

REALLY??

iHEART

WE HAVE OUR WINNER...

THROWBACK HAIR

JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING

TRANSITIONING101

HAIR cAnDY: LAURA IZIBOR

WWYD: I HATE MY HAIR

CHEERS MY PC IS NO LONGER SICK

OY VEY DRY HAIR

CUE TONY! TONI! TONE!