Showing posts with label curl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label curl. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #12

Howdy Folks! I've been juicing up a storm lately and I've neglected my hair posts.  Welp, it's time for another tress update.  It's been a while so I wanted to share my growth progress!

This is the second time I've blown out my hair in an effort to have a bigger afro this year!  Here is where the Flo fro started.  It's lovingly named after Florida Evans the mom from a 1970's sitcom called Good Times.
June 2013
 
June 2013
 
September 2013

May 2013 - picked out fro - freshly washed and buttered

May 2013 - Blown out Freddie D fro.

May 2014 - Blown out Freddie D fro (side view)

May 2014 - Blown out Freddie D fro (another side view)

Freddie D blow out - after a full day...I'm looking kind of disheveled but still fabulous!

May 2014 - Side swiped fro

May 2014 - Side swiped fro (side view) with Hair Kandy.

May 2014 - Oh yeah!! I'm loving this fro!!!
 I used the hair pomade that I can't live without and shea butter.  Then I blow dried it, picked it out and shaped it up.  That night I braided it.  The next day I released the braids (which stretched it out further) , carefully picked it out  and styled it.  Note that picking out your hair while dry is not the best thing but I was as gentle as possible!  Do you see all this hair on my head?!? It was quite a task!!! :)  I AM LOVING my HAIR!  I'm so thankful that it's growing well and is so thick!!

Tell me what you think about my latest styles!

Peace and love!


 

 

 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

The Hair Journey: Chunky Afro - Dry Twist Out Process

Hi Folks! As my hair grows, so does my exploration into various styles.  The choices seem to change with each 1/2 inch of growth.  It's been pretty fun to come up with different styles for each stage. One of the most maintenance free styles (meaning I can sleep on it an fluff it out the next day and still look cute)  is the chunky afro by way of the twist out.  My twist outs consist of two strand twisting my hair into various sizes based on the desired coil pattern.




For my chunky afro I prefer the dry twisting because it does not take as long to get big and sassy.  With wet twist outs, it make take a week, with water spritzing to get it to look the way I want. here is my process to get a sassy chunky afro using dry twists.

Step 1 - After wearing my hair in a Flo Fro for one day, I get some oil and begin to twist. 

 
 
Step 2 - Here are the completed twists. It took about 1.5 hours.   If I don't have to go out for professional events, I try to keep my hair twisted for a couple of days.  I DO NOT like wearing my hair like this with no coverings (hat, head wrap, etc.). I call them my Color Purple Miss Ceely twists.  Not cute.

 
 
Step 3 - After a day or more, I release the twists and let the spiral curls that result get acquainted with the environment. Take a look at the difference between Day#1 and Day#3.  I prefer the Day #3 look. 
 
 
 
Here is the back view.  See the coil/spiral pattern on each piece of hair on Day #1?  Day #3 is less defined and more sassy!  This is the look I love! I can wear my hair like this for a week, and it is still cute!!! Love it!  It's the "weathered" look.  I sometimes pull out the twists and do not cover my head while in the shower.  The extra droplets of water help the fro expand.
 



Are you a chunky fro fan?  Have one?? How did you achieve your favorite chunky fro look?

Peace and love!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

In Pursuit of a Curl Pattern: Kiki's Curly Journey Begins!!

 
Hi Folks! Today is special on The Natural Journey For Life! My first GUEST POST!! :)
 
Remember no curl Kiki? Well Kiki has made a life changing decision and wants to share it with us! Keep reading to get the inside scoop!
 
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Kiki's Curl Journey:
 
On August 20th, I decided to seriously pursue my natural curl pattern! Since I made that choice 24 hours ago (this post was written on 8/21/13), my hair life has been a roller coaster. What a way to start, huh?

 
Last night, I decided to try the wash and go to see what happens. I washed, conditioned and used a product that has been successful at keeping moisture and curls for some.... I was surprised when the sides and back of my hair curled up. They were not tight curls by any means but they were still curls. The only problem area that I saw was the front "bang area". That hair was as straight as a line! I just kept manipulating, moving, shaping and tucking until that portion was swooped over to one side. My hair had shape, wave like curls and style. I was geeked.... "This will be better than I imagined"... I thought. (roller coaster up)

 
My hair was mostly dry when I went to bed and I was pleased. However, morning came and things were very different. I woke up to find that all of my curly wisps were straight!!!! My head was a poofy straight mess!!!! Of course, I put on my poofy hat and went about my day. (roller coaster down)

 
A few hours later, I was determined to get braids. Something quick.... so I went to the African hair shop in the mall and yes, they could give me 6 chunky cornrows. "Great", I thought. Doing this style would give me time to figure out the next step, give my hair a heat break and allow me to look presentable to the world.    90 minutes and $80 later, I was done! Everything seemed good. When I looked in the mirror I was satisfied. (roller coaster up)
 
Kiki and her chunky cornrows........I'm liking this look!
 
However, when I got home to document this phase in my pursuit, I did not like what the camera was showing me. This hair style looks horrible on me!  The chunky braids are not chunky or high enough to balance my face. I realized that this is what I would look like if I had did the BIG CHOP. My hair is now flatter than it has EVER been. I am not sure if I look better up close or far away (see pics)! I look like a big headed boy!!! My hair life definitely needs something going on horizontally. (roller coaster down)
 
 
Now, as I have been pondering how I can stop looking like a boy, I realize that looking like a boy is not so bad. First of all, I won't be using heat for 30 days. I don't have to worry about what to do with my hair and I have time to plan my next adventure - wet sets. I can make use of my many hats that I enjoy wearing anyway and buy a few more, of course.  I'll save the sparkly one for church and dare anyone to say something to me or look at me funny! LOL!   And the best part is I can get rid of the boy look anytime I want to. Also, my husband is out of town this week. By the time he gets back and makes his "I hate it" comments, I won't care about looking like a boy anymore. LOL! (roller coaster stopped and I'm getting off)
 
30 Day adventure prep - Wet sets...these are Kiki's supplies......
 
In closing, that was my Day 1. What I learned is what I always knew. If you're a woman, no matter what hair you have, you must keep a collection of cute coverings - hats, scarfs or wigs - they are the default and can save the day.
 

Coping skills.....remember if you see Kiki in church wearing the sparkly one (far left)...just turn your head and keep praising the Lord!
 
 
 
The End
This post was written by Kiki on August 21st, 2013
 
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Wow! I feel like I was on a roller coaster too!  I'm proud of Kiki for taking this first step in regaining her curls!!! Whoop Whoop! Thank you for letting us be a part of your curl journey!!!
 
Any comments or encouragement for Kiki?
 
 
Peace and blessings!
 
 

 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #2

Hi Folks!

It's time for another tress update.  I'm also happy to report my mother cut off her locks today and is rocking a 3.5 inch fro! Go Mommy!!! :) Looking good sista!!

She was asking about products to use and I found an awesome website today called Natural Hair Community.  There is a section that provides great natural recipes for various hair conditions and ailments.  You can eat 90% of what is listed! I will be using this site as a reference for sure!

Okay...so back to my update.

Here it is...the picked out official fro.  I'm not sure how I feel about the top being so much longer than the sides...Not sure if I should get it shaped up so that it's evenly distributed or just continue to let it grow.  I'm also thinking about braids with weave or twists (just my hair).  I have an appointment with my barber/stylist tomorrow to enlist some help.

The fro...check out the hair coming over my ears! That's growth baby!

Side view of the fro

This morning I used the curly cream I referenced in an earlier post (The Hair Journey: Tress Update) from Taliah Waajid (pictured below) , but it didn't take to my hair very well.  I kinda felt like Django Unchained today.  I had a partial curl pattern.  I should have just picked it out and rocked the fro at work today.



I'm pleased with the growth and girth (it's quite thick).  I'm also noticing how un-curly my hair really is.  It's kind of frizzy with a lot of straight pieces here and there.  I'm not sure what texture rating I have and I'd rather not put a  label on my hair.  I am free! Maybe I'm still traumatized by our hair history. 

Oh...I also tried the golden blond henna.  There was absolutely no change in my hair color.  It was disappointing but at least I tried it.

My friend cancelled on me (shame on her!!) so we have not had our product sharing session.  But I'm happy to report that another friend has decided to say no to the creamy crack (relaxer) and has started her natural hair journey. 

I want to hear back from you guys.  Any suggestions on what I could do with my hair???

Peace and blessings!!