Loose twists

This weekend I decided to see what all the hype was about and I installed some loose twists in my hair.  These were made famous by vlogger Cipriana of Urban Bush Babes.  Loose twists are just two-strand twists but they are done "loosly".  Some naturalistas braid the roots (about an inch down) and then loosly twist the rest.  I took the other approach and tightly twisted my hair at the root and then loosly twisted the rest.  I have to say that I am now a FAN!
The twist only took me about and hour and a half to install and regular twists take about 4 on my BSL hair. My hair looked super full and it was very soft.  I am going to wear them in a bun to maximize it as a protective style.  I will definitely try these again.

Cherry Lola Treament

So this past weekend I tried the Cherry Lola Treatment.  I heard that it is supposed to help relax your curl and be a good protein treatment.  After all of my hair stresses I figured a good protein treatment was in order.  So I mixed it up.
The Cherry Lola calls for Liquid Aminos, orgranic plain yogurt, and baking soda.   I was a little skeptical about using the baking soda because I wasn't sure if it was what caused my hair to come out using the MHM but I figured the protein would be help balance the effects.

Product free hair

My hair felt strong which was what I wanted.  I was hoping some of the curl definition stayed from when I had applied the product but I guess you can't have everything you want. :-(









I did however may some really good chunky twists and then I roller set them.  The effect was really cute IMO.

Extra Cash

So I have been trying to find new ways to make money in the new year an ran across Four Corners Alliance Group.  They sell financial literacy books, so I thought that was fairly ironic.  The invest was only $18 to become an affliate and nothing else to pay afterwards so I said why not.  I spend more than that on underwear. LOL

So I will see how it pans out.  If you are interested in learning more about the venture follow the link.
https://www.fourcornersalliancegroup.com/?a=jlstone2

If you are interested in purchasing financial literature to help you get your finances on track follow this link

https://store.fourcornersalliancegroup.com/jlstone2

MHM No Bueno!

Ok, So I had started to do the MHM Method and was LOVING it.  For those that don't know the MHM stands for Maximum Hydration Method.  See my previous post for information about what it is and how it is done.   Follow the link if you want to know more about it MHM.

Anyway, I had been doing the MHM for about 5 months and I thought everything was going well...
See pics

Product Free Hair - Nice~




















Hair with just conditioner:  Curls were poppin!!!

 

Hair with KCCC- best wash and go ever on my 4b/4c hair

And then one day I got into the shower to wash my hair and I saw huge clumps of my hair going down the drain!!!! I was in shock.   I discovered that I had major breakage and a few bald spots.  Luckily my hair is extremely thick so you can see the spots. I am not sure where the system went wrong for me.  Perhaps it was all the baking soda or the frequent washes but me and my hair were not happy.

So  I am now in protective style mode with braids or twists for three weeks, take down, wash repeat. I am using  Green Magic Growth cream as an aid to help my hair grow back.  I have already noticed some of the spots filling in after a few weeks so thank goodness on that!

I am trying to eat well, drink TONS of water and get plenty of exercise to help get my hair back to optimum health.

So MHM didn't work for me.  I know others have had great success with it and I hope they continue to have great success but I'm out!

Let me know if you have tried it and what you thought about it.

MHM Maximum Hydration Method

So last week I started the Maximum Hydration Method....

What is that you ask...From www.maximumhydration.com:"When it comes to Maximum Hydration (which this regimen is designed to give your hair), think about the effect water has on the hair. When your hair is wet, your hair responds positively to the moisture, getting softer. But because you don't have high enough levels of moisture retention, once your hair dries it feels brittle, rough, frizzy, and dry. This is what "nappy" hair is. This method allows you to understand, manipulate, and control the factors that cause your hair to remain chronically dry.  It allows you to absorb moisture and retain it, changing your hair dramatically. Now imagine what will happen as you build up moisture retention levels within your hair shaft. The water won't just be sitting on your hair anymore, leaving your hair temporarily soft while it's sitting on the closed cuticles, and evaporating and leaving your hair dehydrated. The effect is going to be from the inside of your hair, and more permanent. So even when your hair isn't sopping wet, or has product, it will be able to stay soft and have significantly less frizz while dry. This is maximum hydration."

In order to do this method you have to follow the regimen which looks like this:

Night
Step 1. Bakingsoda/ ACV rinse
Step 2. Deep condition/GHE, may add light oils to scalp. You may use thermal heating cap or steam for an hour before wearing the shower cap to bed

Day
Step 2.(continued) Rinse out DC and detangle in morning.
Step 3. Clay
Step 4. Leave in. Hair should be soaking wet, no matter how you go about doing it.
Step 5. Gel/ Oil to set into style (no glycerin or coconut oil)

You are supposed to do this for 7 days consecutively and then you can taper off to every 2-3 days but NEVER go more than 3.

I will say the first week of implementing this was a challenge because I had to do all of the steps after work and I wasn't use to washing my hair that much.  However, I believe the struggle was worth it.  My hair felt more moisturized every time I completed the regimen.  It was very easy to finger comb and it didn't tangle.

Since I workout a lot I started putting large twists in my hair and will wear them for a day and do a twist out for two days and wash.  My twist out look fab and my hair has even started to curl at the roots when I sweat.

I think I am going to stick with this over the next few months and see what happens.  Here are some early pics.

Day 2- Wash and Go (still frizzy, but best WnG I've had)

Day 3 - Wash and Go ( a little better)

           

I will take more pics soon!

GHE - Green House Effect

Since it is summer and the sun plays a major role in drying out the hair I have been trying to impart more moisture into my hair.  One method of doing this is the Green House Effect or GHE.

In order to create a GHE for you hair you just have to spray your hair with water (focus on the ends) but do not over-saturate.  Then add a cream and seal with a non-water base oil or cream, (which is essentially the LCO method of moisturizing) and then cover with a shower cap.  Cover the shower cap with a bonnet or scarf and go to sleep.  While you are sleeping the warmth from the shower cap and the water in your hair will create a GHE and make your hair soft and add more moisture to your hair because the heat will open up the cuticle.

I tried this the other night and I have to say it was great!  When I woke up this morning the ends of my twists felt ultra moist and my 4b/4c curls had some serious definition.   I will definitely try this again.  They say you can do it everyday but I think I will try to do this at least 3 days a week to keep my hair moisturized.

Have you tried the GHE?

Back to Basics Update

So I have really been sticking to my guns and really gone back to the basics.  I have been deep conditioning every two weeks and keeping protective style and my hair is very happy!  I have seen less tangles and I feel like it has started to grow again. 
I am going to be on the lookout for a few more protective styles to see if I can switch up my twists a little bit.  I love them but as my hair keeps growing mini-twists get harder and harder.  I love how long they last but sitting for 4 plus hours can be a turn off.  But they do make great twist outs!

Back to Basics Original Post

Beauty World - Durham - Hair Product Heaven!

Ok so apparently I have been missing out!  Yesterday I ventured to Durham, NC and went to Beauty World, a beauty supply store.  I know what you are thinking...it is a beauty supply store what is it the big deal?!  Well, Beauty World in Durham is like a Mecca for hair products!  They have Everything!,  Everything...yes ERRYTHANG!  They have a ton of oils and a Fantastic natural hair selection from Qhemet to Miss Jessie's.  They even have products I didn't know existed. 

Who knew Laila Ali had a hair care line?!

The store is set up like a grocery store for hair care.  They had a section dedicated to nothing but gel.  I didn't even know they made that many types of gel. 

Be sure to go in with a game plan because it can be a little overwhelm if you just wanted to "browse".
However, it was well worth the trip.   I think I will make it there every two-three months to restock.

http://beautyworlddurham.com/

check out the pics!
http://www.newbeautyworld.com/stores/durham/

Quickie Updo

GO! Naturalle 2014 "Getting to Know Your Newly Natural Hair!"

Keratin Treatments- Organix 30-Day-Pt.1

or

or checkout the playlist for all the installments
Keratin Treatments- Organix 30-Day-Experience (playlist)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC-abS-LU661GeG8EknSYMKQJyI5Fj5ta

Check out the my artwork!

For anyone who is looking the art just out my site!  I paintings that feature the loveliness of African-American culture.  The prints are offered in all shapes and sizes for at a variety of prices!
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/janeen-morehead.html

Back to Basics

So I'm starting to feel as if my hair has hit a road block, a stand still, no man's land....You get the idea.  So I am trying to think back and figure out what has changed.  When I first went natural my hair was growing like a weed.  Now I am almost 4 years in, I have learned a lot of things about my hair and I feel like it should still be on that growth pattern that I had when I first started.  Right?

Well, if I really think about it I haven't stayed true to the things that I believe gave me that super boost when I first went natural.  I think I need to go back to the basics.  The simple things I did when I first went natural that I have either neglected or just stopped doing.  Here's my 2014 run down.

• Stick to what works:  I have become a product junkie (admitting it is the first step).  I hear about a new product that is doing wonderful things for a fellow Naturalista and I automatically want to try it.  Usually, I don't get the same results that they did  (because no two heads are alike) and now I have just spent a whole lot of money unnecessarily.  When I first went natural I had a few staple products that I love and I stuck with them.  For instance, Qhemet biologics Alma & Olive Oil cream and Shea Moisture Shampoo and Giovanni Direct- leave in.  They worked so well and I swapped them for items I thought might work better....well no more~! Life got to me and I got busy, but don't worry hair I'm coming to get you.  No Child Left Behind.
• Star players:
• Aloe Vera Gel
• Amla and Olive Oil Heavy Cream by Qhemet Biologics
• Coconut and Castor Oil
• Shea Butter
• Deep Conditioning every week (or at least every other week):  I use to deep condition every week but as time went on I became lazy and I just didn't want to take the time and sit for 20-30min.  So I just conditioned in the shower and then styled.  However, I remember that my hair was more moisturized when I did the deep conditioning.
• Making my own deep conditioner: Also in my pursuit to cut corner I stopped making my own deep conditioner.  I am not saying that bought deep conditioners are bad or not as good but I think that my hair really responded to the all natural ingredients.  I am not sure it I will make conditioner every week but I think it should definitely be back in the rotation.
• Twist, Twist, and Twist some more: I started to wear my hair out more, the longer it got the more I wanted to see the length and I did styles that allowed my hair to look longer and fuller.  However, they styles usually require nightly manipulation such as re-twisting. combing or pineappling to maintain.  I don't the that my 4b tresses were happy with that.  My hair gets tangled very easily so I have discovered that medium sized twists that I can wear for a least a week or two worked better because it provided lower manipulation and therefore less tangles.

Hopefully going back to the basics of worked best for me will rejuvenate my hair and get it going again.  I'll keep you posted.

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: 5 Reasons You Aren't Gaining Length- Natural Hair

-Great Article,  I think the reason I have had so much hair growth is because of low manipulation.  I wear my hair in twists most of the time.  No Muss, No Fuss!

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: 5 Reasons You Aren't Gaining Length- Natural Hair: source By Dr. Phoenyx Austin Growing longer hair should be pretty simple for every woman- right? I mean, the hair just grows out of our...

5 Natural Hair Care Mistakes You Can Totally Live Without

This was a really good article I found on Naturally Curly. com  I have certainly suffered from HIMHS. (Hand in my head syndrome!)

5 Natural Hair Care Mistakes You Can Totally Live Without

Natural Hair Event-- Raleigh NC!

It's rare when we get events in Raleigh,NC!! I'm excited!

Hydration and Vitamins

My Video apology!!!

I'm back!! 

I have been MIA for a minute because school and life hit me like a ton of bricks! but I am back in the swing of things and will have new videos and such forthcoming!

Beautiful Curls-Product Review

Ok, so I had a hair-gasm last night.  I tried the beautiful curls shampoo and leave-in conditioner for curly to kinky hair and I fell in love!!!
I was in whole foods looking to pick up some organic shampoo and saw this and decided to give it a try.  It was 8.99 for each bottle so not crazy expensive but not cheap either.  I did have a mental dilemma before I sprang for it but I was glad I did.

The shampoo is sulfate free and it has a great smell, almost like a vanilla milkshake.  It has shea butter in it which is awesome.  The shampoo was quite concentrated and lathered up very well, which doesn't happen all the time with sulfate freee shampoos.  I like lather because it makes me feel like my head is very clean ( I know suds don't equal clean but I like it anyway). 

The leave-in conditioner was very creamy and had the same great smell.  It gave me great slip during my detangle and kept my hair soft and moist as I styled my twists.  I am now anxious to try the other products!

www.beautifulcurls.com