The back of my hair is twisted up as you can see in the video below. This is my finished look and I love it. It's probably one of the best styles that I have created. The Wonder Curl Butter than Love Pudding gave my hair some great definition and the whipped formula gave my thirsty ends much needed moisture.





At first I was nervous about my new hair color, but after looking at this picture I know that it was the right move. It complements my skin well and my eyebrows stand out more, they have an extra full look which is super awesome.

Usually after a wash I have to deal with massive shrinkage and dry tight kinks. However last night just by switching over to cool rinsing for my shampoo and deep conditioning I saw a big difference in my hair. My hair was softer, retained more moisture, and was more manageable.

Last night this is what I used:

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo
BioInfusion Olive Oil Deep Conditioning Treatment
Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

After deep conditioning I put my hair in 4 big cornrows and before I braided each section I put an ample amount of Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Masque on my hair. When I woke up I simply removed the braids, took a stretchy headband, and angled the ponytail to the side.

Especially now that my hair is color-treated I will be sure to deep condition once a week. I am so happy that now that I have discovered the joys of cold water rinses managing my hair after a wash will not be such a hassle anymore.

March 12, 2011- My hair is natural, in the photo above it has been pressed, and I cut my hair short to even my hair out due to hair breakage. The breakage was a result of not implementing protective styling. The mid section of my hair was extremely shorter than the rest of my hair. If you see this, then you are experiencing breakage as well and most likely should consider a cut.

November 8, 2011- After doing some research and evaluating my hair care practices, I was able to recover my hair and now that I am comparing the photos the progress doesn't look too bad. What changed between then and now, definitely had to do more so with the care of my hair rather than the products that I use which is why I stress the importance of care, rather than  focusing too hard on which products to use.

My Three Big Changes

1.  My hair is usually in a protective style such as tuck and roll styles, cornrows, or twists.
2. Although from time to time I do press my hair, its not that often. Usually I avoid heat at all costs for as long as I can. Which means no blow drying of my hair ( I air dry) and If I press my hair I wait a few months to do it. When my hair was done in the above photo it had been 7 months since any heat was applied to my hair.
3. Trims even when it has been months since I have seen a hair dresser, I find a way to work in a trim, even if it is done by myself. I try to do this at least every 2 months, removing 1/2 to 1/4 of an inch off of my hair. Sharp hair cutting scissors only are used on my hair, dull blades may worsen your splits.

February 2012  - My hair in its natural state in a updo natural hair style


This is where I am at today, and I hope to show kinky coily queens everywhere that you can grow your hair long too. Nappy hair does not = bad hair. Healthy, moisturized hair is good hair regardless of your hair texture.

Need a little help stretching out those kinks? Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque helps to extend my hair while giving my thirsty roots that moisture it craves.

Quick Tips for Color Treated Hair

1. Minimize your sulfate shampoo time and up your co-washing 
2. Never, ever wash your hair before you do a dye job
3. When you touch up your color, your application should be focused on your roots and then work your way down to your ends
4. Keep your hair moisturized by using a water based product, a creamier product, and then seal in the moisture with an oil 

During your travels you want to be ready and up for anything. You don't want your hair getting of the way of splashing around in the pool or indulging in a relaxing hot tub with bubbles dancing across your back. Which is one of the many benefits of natural hair, you can get your hair wet or sweaty without the worry that your hair will be totally ruined. During my travels here are some styles and natural hair care tips that have made things more convenient and stylish for me.

For us kinkier ( 4b/4c) gals the go to styles for travels are (or at least for me):

Box braids/Yarn Braids
Two strand twists
Kinky Twists
Cornrows
Bantu Knots

Why?


They are great protective hair styles
You don't have to worry about messing in your hair for your trip, keep it simple.
Frizz and dryness can be easily controlled
If you desire a curly style, you can take them out for a nice braid out or twist out

Products for travel

Right now for my New Orleans trip I am enjoying Jane Carter Solution's traveling kit. I like this because to my knowledge few natural hair product companies are doing this. This makes my packing time easier because I don't have to worry about going to Walmart, purchasing the travel size bottles, and squeezing my hair products into them.

The kit comes with almost every hair item you could possibly need: sculpting foam, conditioner, shampoo, curl defining creme, moisturizing hair butters, and one my favorites her leave-in-conditioner. I was especially pleased with the curl defining creme's work, it gave my twist out marvelous definition.

After Using Jane Carter's Curl Defining Creme

By nature 4b or 4c hair in its natural state, is not exactly what we would call curly, but it definitely has a rather coily look to it. On its own after washing your hair, as a 4b/4c lady it is not likely that you will have loose ringlets without a little work on your part.

For me I find that for the best curl definition I like to deal with my hair while it is still wet. This is because once I blow dry it out it straightens fairly easily and the curl is just not the same. My twist outs and braid outs on wet hair turn out more defined, smooth, and shiny.

My key to elongating my hair somewhat and getting a defined curl is achieved by  a combination of three things: A detangling session, twisting, and the right product.

Taking the the time to detangle my hair section by section combing from the ends of my hair and working my way on up helps to expand my hair.

Although braiding the hair may stretch it out more, I prefer to do a two-strand twist out my hair because I prefer the s curl shape it leaves behind.

For hold and definition I use a either a heavy butter, creme, or moisturizing gel.

                         
                           Me after using Jane Carter Solution's Curl Defining Creme today. I love the results  : )

I have said a few things of off this list:

Do you have an extra do-rag? My hair can't touch this cotton pillow case.
Does my forehead look shiny
I'm thinking about getting dreads
My hair is looking dry!

What's on your list?


Almost all of us had to say at least one of these statements. While natural hair does come with perks like being able to work out without  the worry about sweating out your hair,  not hiding from the rain fall like a mad woman, or thinned out hair it still requires some upkeep like any other hairstyle. We battle with dryness, shrinkage, getting the perfect curl, maintaining our curls, and the list could go on and on.

What makes comedy especially funny is when its speaks about what we know to be true. I had to laugh because I knew I had a few on this list that I had said before and if I didn't make the statement I knew someone who had. 

Years before natural hair became the "in thing", Nerissa has been gracing magazine covers, showing the world  that natural is beautiful. Her locs are free formed, which are the original or what you would call traditional locs. Out of all the free formed locs that I have seen hands down she has one of the best, and they have me reconsidering go backing to locs for myself.

Lips Like Alicia's

Shrinkage is not one my favorite aspects of being natural. Especially since I have been wearing my hair pressed for a while having my hair shrink up was a big adjustment for me. As opposed to banding or blow drying my hair every time I wash my hair, there is one method that I prefer over anything else.

Shrinkage After Washing Hair

I like to cornrow, braid, or twist my hair while it is still wet and the next day if I desire to wear it out I take out my plaits and gently fluff it out. This stretches my hair without the long process of banding and it reduces my contact with heat so I can avoid heat damage.

It never stretches to its full extent without the use of heat, but it gives me enough working room so it isn't matted or too tight to my scalp. Due to the cold weather down in Jersey I will be implementing a lot of protective styling and I am considering yarn braids. Until I make my decision I will be rocking my cornrows.

For me shrinkage is definitely not fun. My hair gets extremely tight to my scalp and the matted look definitely annoys me. However, I have found that reducing my contact with heat keeps my hair healthier so I rather just use my braiding method and deal with the shrinkage.

Cornrows and Two Strand Twists

It has been a while since I have straightened my hair, but recently for my photos I decided to get spiral curls. Since my hair wasn't flat ironed I didn't get to see all of my length, but I got a taste of it, and it was pretty darn good. While getting hung up on length is something you definitely should not do, when you see how far you have come it's something that you can't help but marvel at.


To my surprise these white girls put my fears to rest and had me looking absolutely fabulous. Now, I have no problem with white people I just felt she wasn't going to have a clue as to what to do with my wild and thick kinky hair.  To be honest if my hair were already straightened prior to the style I would have felt more comfortable because it would pose no challenge to her. However this experience definitely taught me not to be so quick to judge. She did my spiral curls way better than I would have been able to and my makeup was absolutely on point. It was soft, natural, feminine, and flirty.