Tress Update #13 - I got a puff now ya'll!

Hi Folks - It's been quite a while since I've provided a hair update (besides reporting on my fungus problem).  So I am pleased to report that I have an official PUFF!!! I've hesitated to pull my hair back because I don't like the Sarafina look. Well I don't have to worry about that anymore! I'm happy about my growth and still need to work on tackling this fungus!!  Check it out:

Look at that PUFF!

Side view

 

Front view

On the go with a shout out to the Motherland!

The Hair Journey: Bantu Knots

Hey hey hey!!! I've added a new style to my repertoire! Bantu knots!!

I wasn't sure how they were going to turn out (I've done them before with longer hair), but I needed another protective style to wear since I've noticed some breakage (especially in the front). 

Bantu knots are named after the African tribe called the Bantu.  The Bantu is described as many African tribes that speak Bantu languages.  The geography of where the Bantu lived spans from central Africa to southern Africa.  Countries like: Zimbabwe, the Congo, Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi, all have inhabitants that considered themselves to be Bantu.  Bantu means: people. 

The hairstyle consists of hair that is twisted into a coil reminiscent of a "knot".  It's a popular hairstyle for women with natural hair and quite easy to do.  Take a look at how I achieved my new look!

What I used: 
Soil pomade
Large tooth comb
Shea butter
Spray bottle
My hubby's hands/fingers (since he did it!) Big Up!! :)

Method:
1 - I started with damp hair
2 - parted hair with fingers into sections
3 - combed out each section and applied shea butter and soil pomade
4 - twisted into coils
5 - kept the knots in all night(covered with satin) and released them in the morning

Total time: 35 minutes



Fresh Bantu knots (from all angles)



Released Bantu knots

You can see that the coil pattern of the released knots is not very uniform.  I'm sure that has something to do with how each knot was created.  I'm okay with the non uniformity.  It's kind of funky!



Released Bantu knots

The next step I'll take is puling each released knot apart to create a curly fro.  For now, I'll leave these in for the next few days.  At night I  re-coil the really big ones with the least spiral and cover with a satin cap/scarf. Very low maintenance for sure!

More to come!

Peace and love!

The Hair Journey: The Clean Up Job

Hey Folks!  Ever had a twist out experience that just went really wrong?  Well I did and had to find a way to "fix" or "clean up" the mess before I went to work.  I looked like a chia pet. I call it the chia fro.   Seriously! So I created this quick up do so I could be presentable and not embarrass my family. LOL! Just call me the clean up woman!

So here is what I started with.........

The chia fro. It's okay...you can laugh...it was a hot mess........

 

Then I started parting the hair into sections and doing a combination of bantu knots and flat twists  on the sides and back.  The top and front was re-twisted and released.  Total time: 20 minutes.  Plus I wore my hair like this for the next three days.  I just refreshed the knots every morning. 

Back view

Side view

Other side....



Whew! I pulled it off! Time to start the day!



Just because you start of with a bad twist out or afro (or any other style) doesn't mean it has to stay that way or that you have to wash it out (especially if you don't have time for all of that).  If you get creative you can "fix" it or "clean it up" and come out with something quite cute.  I could have also used a headband wrap to tame the chia fro but I didn't feel like looking like Sarafina (not that there is anything wrong with looking like Sarafina....I just wasn't feeling the Sarafina vibe that particular day).  It's not always easy to find a quick fix for natural hair gone wrong, but YOU CAN do it! Or spend the day looking like the person that doesn't have any friends.  Been there too! LOL!

 

Tell me about your "clean up" experiences!!

 

Peace and love!

 

 



The Hair Journey: Freddie D Fro - Chunky Style

Hi Folks!! Everyday is an adventure with my hair.  I remixed the Freddie D Fro Fro to a chunky version....

This style is a result of a dry a dry twist out and products by Herbal Bush House.  The pictures below show a 1 day old chunky fro.

Check it out! :)

Check out the side part! :)

 

 

 

What do you think?

 

 Peace and love!! 

The Hair Journey: The Freddie D Fro!

Hi Folks...I'm back with another hair style.  This one is call the Freddie D fro.  It's affectionately named after the historical figure Frederick Douglas.  Namely because of the side part.  It got the name when a friend of mine joked that I looked like Frederick Douglas the first time I wore my hair this way.  All I was trying to do was give my Flo fro a twist. 

I will also share that I finally had the guts to wear this style to work.  I've been struggling with what styles are appropriate for work and which ones are not.  I've always considered the afro non work compliant...but with this much hair on my head...I decided to step into my uncomfortable zone and try it out.  I received positive feedback, and had to demonstrate 1) how long my hair really was by stretching out a piece and 2) show how I pat this Freddie D fro into submission.  LOL!

I honestly felt EXTREMELY LIBERATED that day!!! I had to pat myself on the back. 

Check it out!

Getting to the final result  (pictured below) consisted of these simple steps:
1 - picking the hair out
2 - making a side part
3 - forming a shape

Time: 10 - 15 minutes (tops!)


The first Freddie D Fro.  Notice the hair tapered at the neck.

 

Check out the side part!! That's what makes this look so fresh! 

 

 

Here is the work version! The back is not as tapered, but still very shapely. 

 

 

 

 

Even if you have a short to medium fro, you can still style it with flair!  Be open to continue to explore new looks with every 1/2 inch of growth!! :)

Peace and love!

The Hair Journey - Sealy Twist Up Do

I have come up with another style for my growing tresses.  This is the second up do I've created with my hair since the growing process started.  It's always so exciting to be able to put a pin in it.  It breathes growth into the atmosphere!! :) I love changing my hair styles and with certain lengths it's not that easy to do. 

I call this style the Sealy Twist up do based on the thickness of the twists...and it makes me smile! I know you Color Purple fans out there can relate! Here is the process:


Step 1 -  Twist.  Yes...I'm looking real soulful in that bonnet...You should be glad I like you guys!! I'm showing you my private morning moments! :)

 

 Step 2 - Pin the back, leave the front top and front side twist down.

 

 Step 3 - Release the top front and side twists.  Then fluff and tease to add volume.

 

 

 

 

What do you think? I'm loving it! 

Peace and love!

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #10

Hi Folks! The end of 2013 is upon us and I wanted to share my last Tress Update for the year.  Today I wore what I call the Free Flo Fro.  Sounds fun right? Well I picked out my freshly washed hair and did not pat my curls into a smooth shape as per the regular Flo Fro.  I just let it  all hang out!

 My current hair regimen:
1. Wash with Dr. Bronner's Castille Tea Tree Oil Soap (LOVE IT)!
2. Condition with Beautiful Curls leave in conditioner (I partially wash it out)
3. Apply plain raw shea butter to hair while still damp to lock in the moisture (this softens my hair like you would not believe!)
4. Apply tea tree and rosemary oils (diluted with grapeseed oil) on my scalp (not pictured)
5. Style as desired. 
6. Depending on the flavor of the week (my hair style) I may wash it bi-weekly and co-wash once per week.

My curls are glorius!!!!!! I'm in LOVE with my naturally kinky curls!  Before I started this growing process I liked my hair.  Now I LOVE my hair.  I feel more in tune with what's necessary to have a healthy head of hair. I am educated on what my hair needs and that empowers me to make it happen! I also  LOVE the fact that most of the ingredients I'm using are simple and NATURAL. 

 

Recap of 2013:
In 2013 I've experimented with  a lot of styles and products.  Some products were good...and some...not so good! But that's a part of the journey.  Learning what works best for YOU.  YOU are your own hair guru.  No one should know your hair better than you.  See how my hair has grown this year??


What's next?  MORE HAIR!!!!! :)


Peace and blessings!

The Hair Journey: No Heat Straightening

Hi Folks! During hair month we featured a story about a woman named Akua who shared her wash and go routine.  Well Akua has been exploring new styling techniques and has shared her experience with no heat straightening in this post.

Here's a reminder of Akua's normal wash and go look:

Wash and Go

 

By washing and pulling her hair back into a pony tail and very large braids Akua has been able to achieve a straightened look without using any heat. Take a look:



Dry and wavy

 

Up Do - front and back



Up do - left and right sides

Mohawk

 

Wow! I'm loving Akua's new styles....espcially the Mohawk!! I cannot wait to be able to do this to my hair!

What do you think about Akua's new look???

Peace and blessings!


A Curly Pudding Review....Going Through the Motions!

Hi Folks! I'm still exploring different curl enhancing products to  get the best wash and go routine in my repertoire. So far I've tried Kinky Curly curling custard and As I Am curling jelly.  Why do most curl enhancing products sound like food?? Anyways, I tried something new this week and I actually liked it!

The Pudding: We all know about the Motions brand...in particular that foam wrap lotion we probably all used at one point or another! Well Motions is one of the larger brands that have jumped on the natural hair band wagon and created a "Naturally You" line.   I tried the Hydrate My Curls Pudding.

 

Motions - Hydrate My Curls Pudding

Ingredients: water, mineral oil, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, cetearyl, alcohol, cetyl alcohol, glycerl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, dimethicone, cetereth-20, coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter, laneth -15, DMDM hydantonin, alkyl acrylate ....................................and a whole host of other ingredients I can hardly pronounce.
 

The result: I really like my curls by Motions.  I was able to mold my fro into a chunky one after applying the product.  It dried within 2 hours and left my hair soft and retained the curls.  It did not define my curls like the other products, but there was no residue and I liked the ability to easily mold my curls (15 - 20 minutes). If I did not twist it, I would have been left with a soft fuzzy fro.

After application - note the induced chunky twists

After a long day....the curls are shiny, soft and easy to manipulate

This look is similar to what I can achieve 4-5 days into a twist out.  I like the fact that I can get this look after two hours instead of days.

I'm digging the chunky fro look.....

I'm liking these curls...

 

The conclusion: I like the look this product gave me.  There were two things I didn't like: the amount of synthetic ingredients and the greasy residue.  I put a Jheri curl like grease spot on an exercise mat! LOL!

I will be using this product again.


Has anyone else tried this product?  If so, what was YOUR experience?


Peace and blessings!

A Styling Frenzy!

Hi Folks!  One of the reasons I LOVE my natural hair is the versatility of styles I can create.  I'm the type of person who likes VARIETY! I like variety in my food, clothes, shoes, home décor, and exercise programs. Variety is the spice of life and I like it SPICY! So....I've been trying various styles and products over the last few weeks that help me cope with my growing tresses and the "in between" stages.  Each style expresses my mood or state of mind on that particular day.

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LOOK #1 - The first style is a wash and go with another curl enhancing product: As I Am - Curl Defining Jelly. It behaves similar to the Kinky Curly curling custard.  The main difference was that it dried within 4-5 hours - but left a white crunchy residue on my curls.  State of mind that day: tired...just needed a quick, presentable look.

 

Ingredients: water, aloe extract, beet root extract, glycerin, hydroxyethlycellulose, xanthan gum, pectin, acid, potassium sorbate, diazolidiny Urea (who?), Iodopropynyl butylcaramate (say what?) fragrance and limonene....

 

The texture is like jelly...goopy like the Kinky Curly custard

 

Right after application.  The instructions said to apply while dripping wet. 

2 hours after application....still wet......but curls are cute

8 hours after application....not wet.....but it looks wet....the curls were defined, but crunchy to the touch

Not too pleased with the crunch...yes that is smudged eye make up....It was a LONG day!

Crunch and white  residue...yes....it's dry....maybe I used too much?  But the curls were well defined.  Any less and I would have been looking like Django again...not sure if this product is for me.....
 

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LOOK #2 - The second style is an updo....yes...you heard me I pinned these curls up! :) Check it out! State of mind that day: "I need something new and different!"

 

Front view of the up do (check out my rhyming skills)

Side view

Other side

Other side again...with a peek of the fro on top...

Back/top view - nope...it's not too short to pin up! :)

View from the top

Another back view...the flat twists in the back were challenging due to the various lengths of hair.  I had to redo them twice. In total it took about 25 minutes to complete this look.

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LOOK #3 - This third look is my Flo Fro that has been washed, buttered (shea butter) picked and patted smooth while still damp (damp hair conforms better than dry - plus I can pick it out easier and prevent damage/breakage).  State of mind that day: easy freedom!

The smooth Flo Fro!

Side view

Close up!