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!

 

 



Another Styling Frenzy!

I'm at it again!! I am a bonafide "hair person".  I love finding new ways to style my hair and the longer it gets, the more creative I have to be to keep it fresh and not look a hot mess (especially at work).   I went on another styling frenzy that I want to share with you guys. 

It all started with me wanting to see a different curl pattern without using heat. I tried to employ the same tactics as Akua with her no heat straightening techniques.  All of the styles that I will show you originated from what I'm calling the Sealy Braid Out.

#1 - Sealy Braid Out Fro - I'm sorry to write that I forgot to take a picture of my Sealy Braids.  So I'll describe them to you.  I took my freshly washed hair and parted large sections, combed  out each section and braided everything.  Now that I think about it...I'm kind of glad I don't have a picture...it was quite a sight. 

The next morning I released the braids and fluffed my hair out:

 

#2 - The next day I tried to wear this style again and it was a disaster...so I decided to try an up do.  This is called Hair Kandy in honor of the comb I wore in the back.

 

#3 - That night I decided to try one of my old twist out styles.  I call it the Skinny Twist Out.  First I had to twist it...which took 3 hours.  Then I styled it in another up do.

#4 - After a few days, I decided to take out the twists.  I call this one the Wild Child Fro!

 

My favorite style from the frenzy is the Hair Kandy.....although those bobby pins were a killer!! So...4 different looks from one week of "stretching" my hair with no heat! Love it!!!

 

Which style is your favorite?

 

Peace and love!

The Hair Journey: Tress update #11

My hair is growing ya'll!!! I'm so pumped about it!!!  Some of my previous styles have to be altered to corral all this hair on my head! I'm blessed that it's so thick, but that also means I have to spend more time caressing it.

Check out my latest Fro Hawk!! So EXCITED to share!!! :)

The lastest Fro Hawk!

Here is the Fro Hawk timeline showing growth.........All hawks shown were freshly washed, buttered (using shea butter), picked out and patted into submission!  The longer my hair gets, the harder it is to have a well rounded fro.

 

 

 

 

 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 - 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: 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!

Real Hair Transformations

Hi Folks! Tonight I'm going to share with you some real hair transformations! I'm featuring two women named Dianne and Jenny.  Dianne had locs for years and recently chopped them all off!

 

Jenny is natural and goes back and forth between curly and straight styles.  Check out their lovely looks below: 

 

Dianne's long locs

Dianne's shorter locs

 

Dianne's teeny teeny weeny fro...not quite a fade..but close! Wow! What a transformation! This is quite a drastic change.  According to Dianne, she was ready for a change.  The long hair was quite cumbersome to wash and style.

 

Jenny's curls!

More curls!

The flat ironed look....nice and smooth!

 

Thanks for sharing your photos ladies!!!! :)

Peace and blessings!

Does this look okay for work?

Would this look be acceptable in the workplace??

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  I have.  I tend to wear less conservative hair (and clothing) styles outside of work.  I was taught that you have to look professional in the workplace.  But what does that actually mean? Especially in 2013 where I've seen silky straight perms to mo-hawks on men and women to huge twists outs, locs and  micro braids - all in the workplace.  I've questioned the eccentric nature of my hairstyles for the workplace and I have been surprised by getting compliments on the styles I felt were too radical and slightly inappropriate (More Coping Skills.....).

Would bantu knots fly in the work place??

 

In the 1950s and 1960s, a Black person who had an afro was considered radical.   That's what the afro was at that time.....radical.....a symbol of freedom and of getting back to our roots. It started out being a huge political statement.   Braids, afros and other "ethnic" styles were considered un-professional.  There were even cases in the 1980s of women being fired from their jobs for having cornrows or other forms of braids. Society's idea of beauty impacted what was considered professional.  At that time straight hair that mimicked European culture was the ideal.  It was all about the press and curl and later on the chemical relaxer.  This history has influenced my view of what "professional" means in the workplace.  I'll say it again: I have felt a bit nervous about sporting my various faux hawk styles at work.  But at the same time I feel like I've been brainwashed to believe that my natural tresses need to be trained for the workforce.  I DID make it a point wear twists (a typical style for me then) for my job interview.  I only used to straightened my hair once a blue moon anyway and I wanted my employer to see the "real" me....twists and all!

When I look around my workplace these days I see women of all hues with curls flowing, locs dangling and natural vibes dripping from their tresses!  I love it and feel encouraged.  Being neat and presentable is still important and key to maintaining a professional vibe.  I know for certain that trends in society influences my work environment.  Societal trends are the bread and butter for MOST industries.  From my vantage point - the fact that natural hair is all the rage promotes acceptance from corporate America.

Here's what women who took my "Spill your Hair Guts" survey had to say about society's view of natural Black hair:

"Society's view of natural black hair has changed....unless you live in the hick-hock country."
 

"I think right now it's a trend to be natural. People are doing it because everyone else is. Only time will tell if this resurgence in natural hair will continue. I am seeing more natural styles on mainstream commercials. Its kind of exciting. Not everyone I see is light skinned with curly hair either. I think its great."
 

"Within the black community in certain areas - yes society's view has changed. I found that natural hair is not as common place in the South than it is in the North East. I do find that non-Black people are not as critical of natural hair and express appreciation for it more then some in the Black community. I also live in a very liberal area, so the non-Black community is more open minded."
 

"I think society's view is changing, but more importantly our view needs to change also. I know people who second guess what they feel comfortable wearing in corporate America. Once you have inner confidence and take care of your hair everyone else will accept you, no matter what the style. Also we are always wanting another person's hair curl pattern, instead of our own. We need to learn to appreciate and love our hair."
 

"Actually I don't care how society views natural hair because I cannot live in someone else's reality - only my own and as far as I know I was born perfect, so should I change who I am for society? Ha! Never that!"


66.7% of respondents said that their natural hair was accepted at work.  16.7% felt that they were sometimes accepted and 16.7% said that even though their hair was accepted they still received comments about it.

In summary Naturalistas  are in a good place when it comes to society's changing view of natural hair and how it's being accepted in the work place! We still have a long way to go to accept our own beauty, but we are well on our way! I want to give a BIG thank you to all those women who paved the way for professional self expression!

Thanks again to all the beautiful women who shared their time and thoughts with The Natural Journey For Life! Big up!!! :)

What are your thoughts? Please share!!

Peace and blessings!
 

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #6

Happy Summer! 

I am LOVING my hair journey!  I have enough variety in my back pocket to keep my small fro busy! I've been able to keep my fungus friends at bay and love my growing Flo fro!  It's actually much longer than pictured but  I'm giving you the refined patted down version tonight.... :)

The extended Flo Fro.....the patted down version

Two - stranded twists (1/2 released...the twists are growing!)

How are you coping with your growing hair?   Any stories to share?  I want to hear back from you!! :)


Peace and blessings!

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #4

Hi Folks!

Since my hair is growing nicely I've decided to begin to explore various hair styles.

The Flo Fro is back with a vengeance and a bit of a twist.  I've been picking it out and patting it into  a nice smooth halo. (I actually wore it like this to work the other day).

 

Then I decided to add some side twists to mimic a Mohawk....so I'm rocking the faux-hawk now.
I'm not quite sold on the faux - hawk.  I think I have a bit more styling to do around making sure the profile is just the way I like it, but I appreciate the variety it gives me.

 

Based on my dry scalp issues (The Hair Journey: Dry Scalp Woes) I've been diligently applying apple cider vinegar (ACV) and tea tree oil (cut with jojoba oil) to my scalp.  It's been a week and so far so good.  My scalp is not itchy, flaky or dry!  I've also been using a mixture of fresh aloe and water to help moisturize my growing tresses.  It's definitely cheaper to treat my hair to the natural, fresh goodies as opposed to products that run $8 - $14 (or more) a bottle.  One aloe leaf costs approximately $2, and  a big bottle of ACV (unfiltered) is around $3.99.  Both last a really long time!!

 

You have to be careful with the aloe, because it can get flaky and leave white pieces in your hair after it dries.  Be sure to wash it out fully or cut it with water to eliminate the flakes (if using it as a leave in).

 

I've also noted how dry my hair is.....so I've been spritzing with aloe and water, putting  a shower cap on and sealing the moisture in with shea butter.  So far so good!

 

Today someone surveyed my faux-hawk curiously, then suggested I cut my hair into a fade and dye it blond.........NO THANK YOU! :)  On the other end of the spectrum, I received compliments on my new look.   When I cut my hair some folks got upset.....now that I'm growing it back they don't like it either! Sheesh!

 

There will always be an opinion out there...but the one that really matters is MINE! And the hubby's....but my opinion still trumps his! It's my hair after all!  :)

 

What do you think about my shapely Flo Fro and faux-hawk??

 

 

Peace and blessings!