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.

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!

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.

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

Braid out

Ok, so I know I have been M.I.A. for awhile (sorry for that) but I had to show you my braid out. It came out so good! I applied shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie to large sections of my dry hair. I did it on dry hair so I would get more length because my shrinkage on wet hair is nuts! I the plated my hair in about seven big braids. I looked like Celie but it was night time so I didn't care. I took the out this morning and picked it out with my fingers and voila! The smoothie made my hair nice and moist so it wasn't hard to braid. Hope you like!
*Smooches*

Boing! Super Curly DIva Angela

This is a celebration...Check out a Super Curly Diva Angela!

She is professional ( Technical Sales Consultant) , active, and SUPER CURLY!   Check out her versatility.

SCD: How long have you been natural?

Angela: 7 years

  

SCD: How would classify your hair type:

Angela:Thick, tight curl

SCD:What inspired you to go natural?

Angela: Health reasons – wanted to stop using chemicals. Also, I heard the chemicals can cause premature hair thinning.

 

SCD: Being a professional woman, do you feel that being natural is a professional look?

Angela: Yes, if it is neat one.

  

SCD: What do you love most about being natural?

Angela: The freedom and flexibility, I don’t have to worry about getting my hair wet, or not working out because it will mess up my hair.

 

SCD: What are you hair goals for the future?

Angela: To find a product that makes my hair more easily manageable on a daily basis. 

She is a Super Curly to be admired! Go Girl!

Protective Styling

So during these harsh winter months it is important to do as many protective styles as you can.  Weave, wigs, buns, and updos can all aide in protecting you hair and those all important ends!
My favorite protective style are two-strand twists.  They last for two weeks or more, they look great, can be styled in a ton of different ways, they can be easily moisturized, and they protect the ends.  The benefits of twists can also be enhanced if you style them with aloe vera gel.  The aloe vera acts like a barrier to the cold and provides added moisture to your hair. Think of it as lip balm for the hair.  As and added bonus it provides killer definition for twist outs.

Happy Styling!