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?

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: How to Survive Winter without Protective Styling

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Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: Do You Exfoliate Your Scalp?

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My Hair Steamer Regimen

"Love people, not things and use things not people"...I love that mantra and apply it to so many parts of my life...but my new hair steamer is the exception!  I love this material thing and I'm gonna use it until it starts blowing smoke instead of steam....just kidding!

Seriously, my research has not encountered anyone natural or relaxed who does not like love steaming their tresses. I'm sitting under the LCL Beauty Professional Hair Steamer as I type...seemed fitting. I purchased from LCL Beauty (formally Salons R Us) via Ebay. I'm an avid Ebay shopper who takes customer reviews seriously. LCL has received 100% reviews which is rare for any business so I thought that was a good sign.  This is my third treatment in 4 weeks. You see I just returned from a fabulous Bahamas vacay and my hair is dry beyond dry. The Caribbean sun mixed with salt water, chlorine and sand just proved too much for my tresses and I had to take action on my last day off before returning to work.

Here's my regime: Washed with Hair One (Sally's version of Wen) Applied Aubrey Organics Honey Sucklerose Conditioner then steamed for 40 minutes, then rinsed with cool water.

Detangled Results: My hair is soft and feels very moisturized and detangling was a easy-breezy. I plan to steam weekly and then tweak my regimen if needed- I'll keep you posted.

Pros: -Great customer service- I see why they've received 100% reviews. My first unit leaked (it happens) after trouble shooting, I called customer service immediately and left a message as it was the weekend. I was called back promptly on Monday and sent a new unit with a return label to ship the leaky unit.

Cons: - Metal steam bar in the rear of the steamer. Be careful when reaching inside while the unit is on because you will burn your finger as I did. Make sure you use a headband to hold your hair up in the back so your hair is not touching that metal bar. -Test the unit at least twice before discarding the shipment box and writing a review. -No coupons for sales- I always look for a small discount or sale.

Do you steam? If so, please share your regimen.

Protective Style-Lace Front Wig (LFW)...Bedtime Hair

I updated you all yesterday on my hair journey and that my current mode of protective styling is a lace front wig.  Did I mention I love it...well actually have a love/hate with it but read my last post to get specifics on that. 

Taking care of my real hair underneath my LFW is #1 on my priority list.  Bump this easy to put on convience thang! If my real hair was to exerience any adverse effects--"off with it," I'd say in a second.  My hair is braided in about 11 braids going back.  I usually wash, deep condition with my steamer air dry 80% then braid.  In about 3-4 days depending on how much I'm excercising, I undo each braid, spray with my aloe vera mixure on hair from root to tip, finger detangle.  Then I give my scalp a light mist then massage into my scalp. Last I use about a nickel size of whipped shea butter, rub my fingers together then massage a little onto the scalp of each braid, then take almost a quarter size and rub on root to tip then re-braid.  I was tired tonight so I only did half my hair- 5 of the braids on the left side of my head and I'll moisturize and seal the other six tomorrow night.

This has turned out to be very theraputic for me and I like how my hair feels once done.  That shea butter is a beast.

I'm a Steam Girl!...My Steamer Regimen

"Love people, not things and use things not people"...I love that mantra and apply it to so many parts of my life...but my new hair steamer is the exception!

 I love this material thing and I'm going to use it until it starts blowing smoke instead of steam. Seriously, my research has not found anyone natural or relaxed who doesn't love steaming her hair. I'm sitting under the LCL Beauty Professional Hair Steamer as I type...seemed fitting. I purchased from LCL Beauty (formally Salons R Us) via EBay. I'm an avid EBay shopper who takes customer reviews seriously and LCL has received 100% reviews.

This is my second treatment in 2 weeks.  I just returned from a fabulous Bahamas get away with friends and my hair is dry beyond dry.  The Caribbean sun mixed with salt water, chlorine and sand just proved too much for my tresses and I had to take action on my last day off before returning to work.

My steamer regimen:

• In the shower, washed with Hair One (Sally's version of Wen)
• Applied Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner (AOHSRC, ) exited shower,  then steamed for 40 minutes
• Re-entered shower, applied more AOHSRC and  sectioned hair in 4 twists
• Detangled each twist while under warm water then rinsed with cool water
• Applied Giovanni  Leave-in , shea  butter  then bunned

Result:  

My hair is soft, feels very moisturized and detangling was easy-breezy.  I plan to steam weekly and then tweak my regimen if needed- I'll keep you posted.

Are you a steam girl? Let us know....

Ba-Bye Undereye Circles- 100% Pure Argan Oil to the Rescue!

I had to write this quick review of my newest find..100% Argan Oil. I'd heard many great things about this oil, but,truth be told, I hear great things about alot of products and would go broke if I purchased them all. So I put this little gem on my very long wish list. Well, when I heard it reduces the look of dark circles, it moved to the #1 spot.

I purchased a 2 oz. bottle on iherb.com and waited with baited breath by the mailbox to get my little purchase. It finally came and I placed it next to my other proven gem which is grapseed oil- we'll talk lata about mr. grapeseed oil. I used a very little bit of the argan oil under my eyes during my nighttime regimen. When I awoke, I could see the difference only slightly. The next night, I applied a small dab under each eye and a little on both eyelids and fell asleep.

Well, this morning was certainly different as my dark circles had significally faded. I just took a look in the mirror and yes, I must say it's the argan oil because my undereye area has never looked this good. The skin under my eyes is blending so nicely with my cheeks- I'm amazed. I've also mixed a small amount into my night cream as argan oil claims to have antioxidant features and benefits as well. I must say my skin is looking good too- smooth and no breakouts.

 I will post my entire morning and evening skin cleansing regimine very soon. I won't recommend a specific brand because what I purchased was just 100% pure argan oil ($10.00 for 2oz.). You can purchase argan oil at any vitamin store, online at iherb (shipping is free if you spend $20) or good ole' Amazon.com. Good Skin!!

Natural Hair Journey Update...July 2012

My natural hair journey is going pretty well.  Currently, I am 50/50; meaning I'm 50% natural and 50% relaxed.  I have considered big chopping...but I just can't.  I'm so eager to see what my wash-n-go will look like...but I will just have faith that it'll be beautiful when the time is right.

I've been wearing a lacefront wig (LFW) for the past month-all good, all good ladies.  Actually, I have a love/hate relationship with any kind of artificial hair.  The love is that I get to take a break from the hands-in-hair (HIH)syndrome that seems to be running rampant not only with me and the curly community but women around the world. My hair is in a protective style and has the chance to grow freely.  The hate is there is such a learning curve with these wigs.  I bow down to the ladies who have mastered the whole wig thing or at least make it look easy while suffering like me.  But I transend and keep the faith.  The trimming of the lace (sheww that can take a minute to understand for the novice) and the color and texture is certainly a learning curve.  Pins vs. combs and bands and trimming to a natural/believable length....making my head spin.  But like anything else I'm learning as I go and taking it in stride.  I'm wearing a straight unit now which matches my natural hair color and I get lotsa compliments- so that helps. 

What are you doing to get through the transistion phase?

My Natural Hair Journey...Continued

So my natural hair journey continues. I'm currently about half relaxer and hair natural and it ain't easy! I've been wearing a combination of ponytails, extensions and roller sets. My research consists of You tube, just plain asking women who are natural what it is that they do and testing my own combination of products and methods. Currently, I'm wearing two-strand twists with gel to hold. These seem to be working until I transition more from the relaxer. I went to an Aveda shop in DC recently and the stylist begged me to see my natural growth through until the end. She sat me under the steamer- which was heaven- and then applied a combination of 2 products to enhance my the curl pattern that she so tried to convince me that I had. I must admit my curl pattern is pretty impressive. But, I was not doing the big chop and she didn't pressure me. So she washed the product out, roller set then flat ironed. My hair looked really pretty. The thing I like about my natural hair is its so thick. I continue to keep my eye on the proverbial 'natural hair prize' and look forward to cutting only the remaining 1 inch of relaxer from my ends, then color and highlights. I will keep you all posted- but so far so good.

Protien Treatments: Duotex vs. Egg and Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

My New Years HAIR Resolutions- 2012

So I thought I might share some of my hair goals for 2012. Here they are (no specific order):

-Don't punk out and get a relaxer! :-)
-Create a cowash/wash schedule and stick to it!
-Consistently take vitamins
-Nightly massage scalp
-Less manipulation
-More protective styles
-Deep condition with heat more
-More consistent protien treatments
-Learn to love the natural state of my hair and its 'bigness'
-Organize my products
-Reach MBL by December 31, 2012

Are there any New Years HAIR Resolutions?