Curls, a Sundress and Heels!

Loving my summer curls. 

Co-wash, leave-in, olive oil and a little bit of gel is all my hair needs to accomplish a wash and go curly style.

I went to a party/event on Thursday evening on the rooftop of the Woodland Building in Washington DC with wet wash and go hair.  It was so perfect. It was the epitome of summer style. Hot, humid night with a sundress, heels and wet hair and my curls- I felt so cool relaxed and there were no worries of whether my hair was getting frizzy from the humidity in my relaxer days.  Ahhhh!

Although I love fall/winter too (mainly for the fashion), if I could just flick a light switch in January when its frigid outside for just one night of a sundress and curls- that would be quite a treat. 

In the winter months, my wash and go takes a back seat to straighter and protective styles to keep more moisture in my strands and retain length.  Although I could- and have- done wash and go’s in the winter, air drying proves pretty difficult and border line unhealthy.  Haa..Choo, Kleenex, please!

So I will embrace this summer’s heat and humidity while it lasts and welcome the winter and its changes...too my hair!

Are you enjoying your summer of curls, a sundress and heels?

Lusters S-Curl Curl "No Drip" Activator Moisturizer Review

This stuff  ROCKS for natural hair.  I read some reviews and posts in the natural hair community and obviously I've been sleeping on this one...for a long time.  So I stopped by Rite Aid (yes my PJ jumped out on a Thursday) and picked up a bottle.  $6.49 later I love this stuff.  I applied it to damp hair-used a spray bottle of distilled water- result- my hair was transformed from a dry, curly desert mess to soft love-love-love, then I sealed with avocado oil.  See, like many of you, I thought this was  good ole' jerri curl juice that would be sticky, icky and really wondered how it was still on the market especially with the jerri curl pretty much extinct. But obviously, someone is buying this new improved paraben and mineral oil free product because its on all the shelves.  You can buy Luster's S Curl product just about anywhere (CVS, Walmart, Target etc.) so pick up a bottle unless you are on a strict PJ diet, then wait until you've used up some of the products in your arsenal.

Where have I been?  Do any of you use this product?


P.S.- And its paraben and mineral oil free...yeah, ok!

Black Tea To Reduce Hair Shedding!

Black tea has become the newest addition to my hair regimen- and I love it. 
Hair sheds an average of about 50 to 100 strands per day, but during the change of season the potential for more is possible.  I wore a protective style from January to April 2015 and saw normal cumulative shedding but wanted to reduce it if I could.  I'd heard so much about using black tea to reduce shedding and had placed it on my mental list to check out. So after completing some online research I added black tea to my grocery list.

Here's the recipe:
6-8 black tea bags (I use the Tetley brand but you can use anyone you'd like-even generic- just make sure it doesn't contain orange pekoe)

• Large pot
• Empty gallon water jug
• Funnel
• Plastic applicator bottle (8 oz. or more)
• Water

Fill the pot with water.  Place all teabags in the water and bring to a boil.

I usually do this before bed then let the tea cool and seep overnight.  In the morning, I discard the tea bags then using the funnel, pour some of the tea in the applicator bottle and the remaining into the gallon jug.

Using the applicator bottle, I apply black tea weekly directly on my scalp.  I allow the tea to sit while I shave my legs, which takes about 2-3 minutes.  I then continue with my conditioner-wash and rinse both the conditioner and black tea out at the same time. That's it.

I saw and immediate 70% less shedding during my first wash day.  Yes 70%! 

Pros:

• It works immediately.
• Easy to make.
• Is crazy inexpensive.  A box of 100 tea bags was less than $4.
• You can drink too.
• Can be added to henna mixes (based on my research- I don't use henna).
• A gallon jug will last you at least a month, even if you wash your hair weekly.

Cons:

• Can stain whatever it touches. Make sure if you are using it in the shower or sink- that you rinse it immediately.

Have you tried black tea? If so, has it been helpful in your hair regimen?

Rollerset Success on Natural Hair Using Eco-Styler Gel Krystal (Clear)

Success is mine! 

Let me start with the dilemma so you can fully appreciate why I'm so excited.

Dilemma- love wash and go's, twist out's, braid-outs but DON'T love that I have to refresh after about 4 days (at least with my thick hair).  I don't have time for that ya'll.  I need a 5-7 day style!

When I was relaxed I could rock a roller set for like 2 weeks and be chillin'...getting compliments and everything when my hair was a birds nest underneath, but the curls were holding like New York skyscraper.  I would just pin curl my entire head everynight, of course after moisturizing and sealing, and I was fine with that.  Oddly enough, pin curling every night in nothing to me.  At this point and even back then, I could not and will not go to bed without doing 'something' to my hair. So I guess I'm saying that I can maintain like a trooper, just co-washing, or even wetting my hair mid-week doesn't work for me.

That said, I have had at least two natural hair roller set FAILS. Like all day in the house on a Saturday afternoon with crazy errands to run- waste of time puffy, hot mess- FAILS.  One early on in my transition and one not long after I BC's around Thanksgiving of 2012.  So, I basically gave up my rollerset to the healthier condition of my hair by going natural.  No, I do not miss the relaxer...well may be a little- just for my smooth rollerset but that's it.

So I was reading on youtube and other misc. hair blogs about EcoStyler gel and the various colors and actually tried the Krystal version on a wash and go with pretty good results.  Best of all- NO FLAKING!  My hair can make the best gel flake.  So I thought, "why not try it for a rollerset, It might/should make the hair wrap around the roller much smoother".  Now let me say, I used this new gel I just bought called Xtreme Styling Gel (made in Mexico) and had a success.  However, my hair was poofy (but really cute) the next day.  I liked it, but again, the goal is to have a style that's going to last 5-7 days. Xtreme will serve as my backup but my main stay is EcoStyler.

Ok, so I gave it some thought and came to the realization that not only did the gel not last as long as I wanted, my rolling technique, although, pretty good-might not have been as tight as it could have been.  So I decided to pack up all my products, including my rollers, and head to the salon.  The old dominican salon where I got my relaxers back in the day.  I will visit them when in a crunch because they'll put up with me and my bag of products, plus I know the owner and have referred alot of clients to her.  So I roll in the spot, and tell the girl exactly what I want.  I want her to co-wash with my VO5 Clarifiying Conditioner, then set me under the dryer with my Aubrey's Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner then roll my hair with 'this' gel (Ecostyler).  Obviously, I was not her most crazy request because she quickly agreed.

So went through all the above and made sure to tell the girl ' not alot of gel' just enough on each peice of hair so that its smooth.    She did a good job.  She put a little to much gel in some places but for the most part it was all good.  When she removed the rollers it was little crunchy, but in a good way.  There was hold and once in the air (99% summer humidity from rain) coupled with a gym session my hair is now a soft, SMOOTH, rollerset that should last 5-7 days. #fingerscrossed.  I must add, a professional or someone who rolls tight, might be a good idea to enlist when rolling.  I'm all about doing some things myself but  he/she could make good percent of difference when rollersetting, especially if you're like me and don't really roll tightly.  So you might he

Do you rollerset your natural hair?  If so what do you use?  If not, feel free to try it out and let me know how it is.

Protective Style- A Simple Pin-Up

So as you know I have been attempting to protective style more lately to gain length to my natural hair.  I've tried wigs, buns with and without my new "knee-hi" approach.  But for some reason those styles become more night maintenance than I feel like right now.  I mean, sometime I'm cool with doing all the night maintenance to get the hair style I want tomorrow. 

But recently, I've wanted some more ease of style and manipulation.  So last night I was LAZY especially after making two batches of flax seed gel that I'm pretty sure won't be enough for my entire head for a wash and go style...but that's another post!  I barely wanted to moisturize and seal my hair but that always happens even if its a half-azzed moisturize and seal job...I gets it done. 

I wore a bun yesterday with so many pins, even I was like "really? did you put all those pins in your hair"  anyway once loose my hair was big and textured.  So I did the LOC method as always.  Sprayed my hair with water, then avocado oil over that and last avocado butter over it all.  Placed it all in a high bun with satin scrunchie and tossed on my bonnet and went to bed.  Awoke this morning, added some more oil to my bun, placed my edge scarf on my edges and went for a 2 mile run.

When I returned, I removed my edge scarf -since it was wet- and added a little more oil especially to my edges and the Curls Passion Fruit Control Paste (crazy-love this stuff) applied a dry edge scarf and  got dressed.

I removed the bun and edge scarf to see nice, wavy-flat edges.  I didn't feel like bunning so I decided to wear my hair just pinned up.  Pics will come soon.  I wore this style ever since I can remember-high school! It's great as all my ends are tucked in.  This was my protective style before I knew what protective styling actually was...too funny!  My mom perfected this style especially when she wore her hats to church back in the day- she hated her hair down underneath so she'd pin it up.  The pin-up is and always will be my "go-to" protective style.

What's your go-to, get out the door style?  Please share....

Protective Styling- Bunning My Hair with a Knee Hi! Who Knew?!

So I've been bunning my hair for the past few days.  Yes, I love my wash and go style but I feel like my hair is more exposed to the element than when I would wear my hair "down" when relaxed.  Kinda weird, I know, but I'll own it.  And I'm waiting for this flax seed gel that I ordered to arrive and it may take a minute so I'll bun until it's delivered.

So I co-washed with the following:

• Coconut oil- pre-poo
• Aussie Moist- Co-wash conditioner and finger detangled (great slip, try it if you haven't)
• ACV rinse-let it sit while I washed and rinsed with cold water

Stepped out of shower with soaking wet hair and a t-shirt around my shoulders to soak up the drips while I dried off. Put on my button down man's shirt (I use these while styling my hair because they are light weight and button down the front- Goodwill $3-$5)

Sectioned in 4, applied Paul Mitchell "The Conditioner" to each section, then massaged Jamaican Black Castor Oil into my scalp and hair.  Applied Ampro Olive Oil Gel (love this stuff) **to my edges and the entire perimeter of my hair- I kinda looked like the 'heat miser' once done. 

So I heard about using a knee-hi on a YouTube video and decided to try it.  Especially since I have hella-thick hair and a goody band is a joke.  So I found a knee-hi in my stocking bag and cut the top part off, stretched it,  placed it across my forehead and behind my ears and tied it once.  Holding it taunt and pulling back -the wetness of the gel and water help it move smoothly and snuggly to form a perfect top bun.  I then wrapped it around the pony tail and secure in the back with a knot. 

So at this point I have a puff.  I love the puff for the weekend, but the puff is not cool (to me, that is) for work.  So I take sections of the puff and braid into like 5-6 braids- to stretch the hair- and place some avocado butter then a pillow roller on each.  Add a little more gel to my sides and kitchen area, wrap with my satin scarf leaving the pony tail/braids sticking out and tie down snuggly.  I then remove the knee-hi as its not to tight but its too tight for me to sleep comfortably.  Then I place my bonnet over the top of all of it to protect me braids.

In the morning, I undo it all.  My hair is nice and flat and I either place the knee-hi on again (if I want to wear a high bun- it seems to work better for that) and if I decide on a low bun for the office- I'll use a rubber band (talk about this in a second.)  Then place my scrunchie on top of the rubber band and wrap my hair around it clockwise and pin as I go.  I'll post pics at some point, but I think you get the idea.

So.. the rubber band!  I know, I know, the rubber band is a healthy hair- Long Hair Care NO-NO.  Well its the only thing that keeps my hair back tightly AND just so you know I ALWAYS remove it by cutting it out of my hair vs. removing it which is where all the breakage comes in.   I have a bag of disposable rubber bands in my arsenal.  So that's it...I'm in a bun today...looking all professional and stuff :-)

What are your bunning and protective styling tricks?

**-UPDATE: I no longer use the Ampro Olive Oil Gel.  I used it on my wash and go's for a few months and got dandraff like flaking after 2 days. So sad because I thought I really liked this gel.  Now I'll be including it in my product swap bag for my next hair meet-up.

Halfwig-ing It...and Moisturizing and Sealing!

Goodbye Straight Hair! Hello! Wash-n-Go with Low Manipulation Style

With the warm air quickly approaching my straight hair days are slowly saying "goodbye"...ya'll know what I'm talking about.

You know the days in the December when you could rock a blow dried flat ironed do for like 3 weeks and even a month in some cases.  Yes, I know that ain't cool in the healthy hair journey...but shoot sometimes you just don't like dealing with your hair AND if it looks good...rock on!

Anyway, my stuff is puffy at the roots.  I mean really.  So my plan this weekend is the co-wash, wash-n-go and then pin my hair in an updo, low manipulation style (some might say protective) so that I can get some length during the spring season.

Here's the plan:

• Pre-poo with coconut oil overnight
• Run 2 miles in the a.m. (for healthy and to warm my hair and scalp to really absorb the coconut oil
• Co-wash with cheap conditioner- finger detangling only!
• ACV rinse
• Add more conditioner and rinse only some of it out-leaving in most

Wash-n-go

• Separate hair into 4 sections
• Starting in the back- smooth in Ampro Olive Oil Gel (no longer use Ampro as it caused dandraff like flakes after 2 days) throughout hair
• Diffuse dry
• Pull into pineapple to stretch
• Pin into protective style

Repeat process once hair starts to look and feel dry...about 4-5 days.

That's it!

What's your hair plan for this week?

Halfwig-ing It For Protection and Growth!

Outre Quickweave- Javina



Ok ladies it is that time of year again...the time to protect our hair from the harsh winter weather and give our arms, shoulders, hands AND hair a break from manipulation.  I think my hair might be contributing to a shoulder issue I've been having for the past few month, but that's another post.

My gym regimen increases during the winter months too so I welcome any protective style that is easy maintenance and can allow me to only touch my hair once a week. So, stage-right....the half-wig.

I have accumulated about 20 wigs in about two years and vow each time I buy one that this is my last.  Well the product junkie in me shows itself in other ways.  I have lace front wigs, halfs and a few ponytails-which I only wear the pony's on vacay after I've been laying out on the beach or by the pool all day.  But the half-wig usually is my go-to.  Now I've tried to leave hair out in the front and style it to blend with the wig and all...but I can never seem to get that part right.  My hair is very thick so I usually leave to much hair out where my hair sticks out and the wig just sits there- making me conscious of the two textures.  So when I leave out less hair- I feel self-conscious of the wig and my hair not being the exact same color and texture-even though I try to get wigs as close to my texture as possible. 

But really doesn't all of the above defeat the purpose of protective styling?  So I'm now the girl with the half-wig and the headband.  And I love it!  I can braid all my hair going back-starting the braid about 1 inch from my forehead going backwards and pin the ends with bobby pins.  Put on my satin, yes satin with a mesh top, wig cap and pin the sides to secure.  Then I place my half wig on and select a headband that matches my clothing- which is usually black-brush, fluff and hit the streets= work!  Sometime I my Bobby Boss wig band so as not to use the combs- but all wigs are different and this one won't allow me to do that.  Thankfully the combs are comfortable and I don't feel like they are breaking my hair.

I get all these compliments/criticisms that its kind of funny.  Apparently, I have this nice grade of hair that everyone wants but that I think is so hard to manage and always looks fluffy- so I guess I'm the definition for "own worst critic."  Then I get the regular compliment of how cute my hair looks, and of course I say its a wig and everyone acts surprised.  Now at first I thought people were just being nice=lying to me.  However, good friends that will tell me the 'sho-NUFF Truth' were fooled and total strangers reacted the same way- I guess I was wrong.  After removing the wig and actually style my own hair- no one said a word, as if, yes, they didn't know I was wearing a wig in the first place.

But the reality is I wear them for growth.  I just completed a 14 month transition and the wig was my friend...especially in the dog days of summer.  I had 11 inches of growth in 14 months= happy me.  Now I'm just trying to keep it all healthy and growing and wigs seem to do the trick.

The wig I'm wearing now is the Outre Javina in 1B.  I might get her in a 1B/30 for a little color and stuff! :-)

Do you wear wigs for protective styling?  If so, please share!

Good Hair! :-)

My Braid-Out Success On Dry Hair

I couldn't for the life of me figure out why a braid-out wouldn't work on my hair.  I thought I had pretty healthy hair (my ends were trimmed, I mean) and I THOUGHT I was using the correct product. I always started out on dry, old flat ironed hair.

Well...turns out I was wrong on both.  First, I was relaxed or transitioning when I started again with trying braid outs- which is a recipe, to me, for disaster.  My hair was just too straight and had no "holding" texture.  I tried the style wet and dry and could not get any success.

Second was product.  I was using just conditioner, then just gel, and finally a combination of the two.  And another thing I was doing wrong was lightly spraying my hair with water then adding product. Fail, fail!  The best way to me is the dampen your hair with the product, finger detangle, then braid- that way, you ensure the hair is covered with product.

The success came when I finally braided my hair in 5-6 braids going back and leaving a little of the end out (2 inches-ish) and placing a satin covered roller on the end- once I became fully natural.  Covered with my Ebonnet satin bonnet and went to sleep.  In the morning, I placed some jojoba oil on my hands, untwist, put on my headband and DO NOT SEPARATE ANY FURTHER OR TOUCH YOUR HAIR. I can't stress this enough as it makes your hair frizzy- I know its hard but don't do it. I look a little funny with my separated unraveled braids for about a half-hour- or at least while I'm in the car on my way to the subway but by the time I step into the subway doors-the separation has miraculously moved together and all is right in the my hair world.  I now get a least 1-2 compliments on my braid-out style.   

For product, I used a creamy holding product Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie- the smell is just ok- but it works great on my hair. My braid out is defined and soft with hold. Funny- I used to be crazy protein sensitive when I was relaxed but this product -which has some protein- makes my hair soft and manageable.   

What products do you use and what's your braid-out technique?