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!!

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 ~

NYE HAIR

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Hey guys! New Year's Eve is right around the corner, need hair ideas??  Try one of these. 

Check out more styles here.

By the way...guess who FINALLY got their hair colored??  MOI!!  I'm so ready for 2013!! Are you??

How do I look??  S/O to Jazz at Reverence Salon for hooking me up ;)

3 MINUTE JOHNNY BRAVO-ESQUE 'DO

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Of course I decided to wash my hair at 11pm last night and my original plan was to twist it and do a quick pin up. But in my laziness, I decided to just do 2 roll and tucks to the back with a Johnny Bravo hump protective style.

Here are the results:

*whew chile...look at that denseness*



That's it folks.  Feel free to jazz it up with some hair accessories.

Happy Styling!

POST BC FABULOUSNESS

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Hey guys!!  One of my closest friends is about to take the plunge into this world of Natural hair.  She's doing her BC right before Christmas and I am so excited!!!

So for those of you pondering the BC, here is some post-BC fabulousness just for you!!

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*The person that drew me to being Natural in the first place! Love Jilly from Philly*

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*Y'all know I had to do this. YES Solo!!*

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Welcome to the wonderful world of Natural Hair!!  Isn't it just BEAUTIFUL??

HEATLESS WAVES

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This vid came in my inbox and I just had to share.  It's seemingly very simple and takes about as long as it does for me to twist my hair.  And I think this is a good way to maybe blend textures if you're transitioning too.

Enjoy!!

Happy Styling!

STYLE CARDS BY CHARYJAY

 

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Ever saw a cute style that wasn't on YouTube and wanted to know how to do it??  Well YT Naturalite CharyJay has something for you!  It's called a Style Card.  For only $5 she will customize a style released on her Style Card specifically for you.  All you have to do is let her know your hair length and hair type.   Why not try a new style for the holidays ;) You can order yours from her store here. 

 

Happy Styling!!

INTRODUCING: MELANIE

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**CHEERS** The Fall 2012 Grow Out Challenge has commenced!!  I'm excited to introduce all of the participants and look forward to sharing their journey with you guys.  So without further ado, let's introduce our first participant:

Melanie

Her current length:

Length goal for the challenge:  To grow 2 full inches (and how about the Challenge ends on her 2-year Naturversary *fist pump*)

Current Regimen and styling choices:  My current regimen is a weekly cowash and a biweekly wash.  I deep condition weekly with an avocado mix. For any styling that's done I use a Shea butter mix. 

What do you plan on changing (if anything) to make it to your goal?  I don’t plan to change much but I do plan to incorporate Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) and Nettle oil into my homemade mixes. 

Something you've learned or tweaked during this process:  As for what I've learned that is too much to tell. I have fallen in love with my hair which in turn has made me love myself even more if that's at all possible.  But I'm interested to use new essential oils namely Nettle, Lavender and Peppermint.  So here’s to the journey!!


Kudos to Melanie!  Here we GROW!!

HEAD GEAR: BOWS

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Hey guys!! There's no BOWS about it, it seems like everyone has taken a cue from Minnie Mouse as they are all the rave this season.  Here's a few you could pick up (click the link below the pic):

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Or you could make this a wonderful little DIY project:

Enjoy!!  Happy Styling!

(Don't forget about the Fall 2012 Grow Out Challenge!!)

HELP!! MY HAIR IS TOO BIG!!

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Have you ever thought your hair was too big and you didn't know what to do?  I'm not there yet, but one of my friends is.  She works in a corporate environment and while rocking her 'fro is cool, sometimes she wants a more demure look.  Something other than a twist-out, a typical bun, or a braid out. 

Here's a couple of ideas I found. 

*Ok, so I know it's a bun, but I think it's a cute little twist on it*

Feel free to share your own ideas/styles! 

And just to drop a little birdie - The Fall 2012 Grow-Out Challenge will start September 1!!  GET READY!!!!

LOC REMOVAL - BUT NO BC!

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Hey all you Loc'd up Lovelies!  I read in a magazine years ago about a lady who detangled her locs.  I thought for sure you would have to do a BC to get them out.  I was amazed at her hair, more so the amount of hair afterwards.  It was beautiful.  Now, Deidre over at Keep It Kinky has taken the leap of Loc removal.

So if you're tired of your Locs and don't have the courage to chop it all off, check out Keep It Kinky.  She chronicled her journey and her hair is gorgeous. It's pretty amazing she had the strength to keep going for over 2 weeks!!  I definitely would have quit.

You can also check out this article. 

Enjoy!!

FISHTAIL BRAID

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Got Weave? No worries, try this seemingly easy style out for size. Works with braids and twists as well :)

And for those of you with advanced skills, try this out for size:

Skip to the 0:54 mark, that's where she starts styling.

Happy Styling!!

MY W&G

Hey guys! I've been talking a lot about W&G and realized I've never shown you how mine looks.  Forgive me :(  Here it is.  This is one I did on Friday.

I started out with my 5 day old twistout.  Here's the products I used.

 

SheaMoisture's Restorative Conditioner (to cowash)

Kinky Curly Knot Today (leave-in)

?? Curl Defining Gel (I bought it from a vendor)

Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel (for my side pin up)

Once I cowashed, I put my hair in 4 section with clips.  I detangled each section with my Knot Today and wide-tooth comb first, then went at it again with my Denman brush for extra definition.

When I finished detangling, I went through my hair adding the Curl Defining Gel with my fingers.  I took those 4 sections and halved them to add the gel.

I slicked one side up, adding a little Eco Styler gel and pinned it with a bobby pin.

 

Voila! The end result.



Happy Styling!!

GOT BRAIDS? (OR TWISTS)

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ProStyling this summer? No problem.  Try these styles out with your twists or braids. 

 

Happy Styling!! Feel free to send pics of your ProStyle :)

1001 WAYS TO ROCK HEADWRAPS

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Hey All!  I am not having my best hair week :(   I've been saying for months I want to learn how to do a turban or do an intricate and fun headwrap.  And right about now, I wish I had.

I will admit, I was intimidated. They look so difficult.  Plus, I tried to do a wrap about a year ago and it came out just ok. It wasn't like the ones I've seen people rocking in magazines or around the city.  Nothing to blog about for real.  So I put it on the shelf...that was until now.  

Out of necessity I started to look for ways I could learn to rock headwraps and now I'm hooked.  The possibilities are endless AND they're multifunctional - which I love!

Here's a few vids that made me want to try my hand at this again:

Seems easy enough, maybe I'll try this first ;) 

Happy Wrapping!! Can't wait to show you guys what I come up with :)

READER REQUEST: HOW DO YOU WASH & GO?

 

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Hey All! So, you want to know how to Wash & Go (W&G)?  Well, when I first started doing my W&G I took it LITERALLY and did just that.  Co-wash and Go!  *SMH*  Then I kept wondering why my hair was super dry 2 hrs. later with absolutely no definition whatsoever.  There was nothing keeping my curl pattern in place nor was there anything moisturizing or sealing my hair.

That's one thing, two actually, I consider key.  You need something to provide that hold.  Something that enhances your natural curl pattern so that when your hair does dry it doesn't look like well...dry hair.  

Secondly, *IMO* you should use some type of moisturizer or sealant.  This prevents your hair from becoming super dry while using your curl defining gel of choice and breaking off because it's so dry.  

Here's my process:

1.  Co-wash

2.  Section and detangle with my leave-in conditioner ~ KinkyCurly's Knot Today

3.  Apply Curling Creme by CurlySexyHair mixed w/EVOO by section {You can also apply the oil after the gel}

4.  Apply Curl Defining Gel by section {Something I bought from a vendor}

5.  Fluff and Go!

That's it.  It takes me less than 15 mins. in the morning which is why I love it so much.  I will admit, the majority of the time I forego the detangling session and just apply the products and run out *hides face in shame* 

And for your viewing pleasure, here's a couple of vids:

If you're rocking a shorter style or you have longer hair and want added definition, try this out:

Happy Styling!

WORKOUT HAIR ~ MY RENDITION

Remember this?  Well I decided to try it out with twists instead of braids and I loved it!  It held up great during my runs - not to mention it created the BOMB.COM twistout.  I had to modify it to fit my length since my twists are not as long as hers, but it all worked out.  I will definitely be rocking this again this summer just for kicks.

Here's my rendition:

Side:

Other side:

All pinned up (in no particular order):

The back:

Ready to go:

What do ya think?