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!

The Hair Journey: Tress Update #9

It's been 9 or 10 months since I've had a hair cut! My hair is growing nicely, but in the back of my mind, I feel like it should be longer by now.  It seems twice as thick as before...and I'm loving my extended Flo Fro!

Extended Flo Fro - front view

Extended Flo Fro - side view

The return of the Fungus:
Unfortunately I dropped the ball on my apple cider vinegar treatments to help thwart my fungus friends......and It's baaa-aaaack! So I'm back on the program.  This fungus fight is a long term initiative.  Gotta stay on it...or it comes back! 

What I'm using on my hair:
I decided to take a break on the wash and go since I was having a hard time finding products that provided the curls I liked....remember the weird  Jheri curl look?? LOL! I've stuck to just using plain shea butter for my hair and tea tree and rosemary oils for my scalp. 

How I've been styling my hair:
Lately I've resorted to twist outs, chunky afro and head wraps.

 

The Chunky fro



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: The Flo Fro gets a break.......

Good evening folks!

Today was the warmest day in the year for my region (over 90 degrees Fahrenheit).  The change in temperature spurred a need for me to change some things as well.  Namely my hair style!

I've been rocking the "wash and go" and Flo Fro for almost three months now (Tress Update #3).  The time has come for a CHANGE!  Can I get a witness somebody?? 

Tonight I returned to my old twisting ways, by putting two-stranded tiny twists in my hair.  I like the change, but admit I do not miss sitting for an hour or more twisting my hair.  As my arms and fingers began to "talk to me", I had flash backs of sitting in the most comfortable chair I owned (at the time) watching television, wondering why I decided to twist my hair so small....mind you this was around hour number 3 with potentially 2 more hours to go! Have mercy! I sat for an hour and 20 minutes tonight.  Not bad in comparison with the past!  :)

Dare I ask what you think? :)

Two-stranded tiny twists - side view

Front view
 

The Hair Journey

Natural in my mind refers to the original state of something...natural black hair makes me think of, un-processed, un-colored, textured and not altered in any way (like a 60's afro).  So food, hair, and bodies (for the folks who alter themselves through plastic surgery) are what should stay close to the original, pure state of being to be considered: NATURAL.

I've had natural hair (no chemical relaxer) for over ten years...I've lost count on the exact time frame.  I love my natural hair!  In 2008 after spending two years in Jersey, my hair was in bad shape.  I did not know how to care for natural hair in the harsh winter breeze.  I cut it off to about 2-3 inches.  It grew back and last year (2012) I got "inspired" and decided to cut it off AGAIN....I went from hair past my shoulders in it's wavy state (stretched out twists) to a semi mini fro...to a mini fro then to a  fade...yes a fade... I loved my fade and finally saw the shape of my head!

Long natural - 2012

Long natural - stretched out twists

Semi - mini fro

Mini fro

The fade.....

Now I'm ready to start growing my hair back.  I miss it...so I'm going from a fade to however long it can grow.  I'm a little trepidatious about the in-between phases.  When I went natural for the first time, I did not do the "big chop" so many others talk about.  I waited until I felt comfortable with the amount of new growth then I cut it off. I had about 4-6 inches of new growth.  This growing process/starting from scratch feeling is new to me and I'm so excited!