Back to Normal

My definition of normal that is...

Currently using:
Tresemme Naturals Conditioner (as leave in)
Miss Jessies Pillow Soft Curls (as styler)
Raw Shea Butter and oils combo (as "sealer")

Embracing Obnoxious Hair

My second day hair is rather big, large, well...it's actually kind of obnoxious.

The best part about it is that I don't care.

Ladies, embrace your hair. Whether you are permed, natural, transitioning. Whatever. It's your hair.

When Things Just Don't Go Your Way

...Rock out with a bun. An easy go-to hair style!

Still Holding Strong

My wash n' go that is. It's all trial and error baby!

Natural Hair Survival

You're stranded on a deserted island. What three natural hair products would you need for survival?

Three Month Length Check

Two Inches of Growth! Go me!

For the next three months I plan on continuing my wash n gos. I also will be doing twist outs and buns. Oh...and I will only be straightening my hair for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I would like to incorporate other methods to help with my hair growth. I plan on experimenting with black tea rinses (which are known to be superb for minimizing hair shedding). I would also like to to try Aloe Vera Juice to help with detangling (a nightmare at times!) 

Maybe I Should Reconsider...

At one time I thought that Wash N' Gos were a thing of the summer.

But Curly Nikki and Mahogany Curls have me thinking otherwise!

I am reaching true milestones in my wash n' go journey. I have learned a lot this year:
a) How to do a wash n' go without it turning into a wash n' no-no.
b) What product combination works best for my wash n' gos.
c) How to achieve second, third, and forth day wash n go's.

A lot of this has been trial and error. And of course much thanks to the natural hair gods of YouTube!

Now that I am becoming more attached to my wash n' gos rather than to my twist outs...I'm thinking about doing them throughout the winter as a low-manipulation style (along with rollersets!).

I'll explain my pros and cons of the twist out vs. the wash n' go in another post.

(these pictures are from a day three wash n go)

Natural Hair Dilemma...Update

Eureka! I think I've found a solution.

The good ol' fashioned bobby pin!

Dampened my ends, added a teeny weeny bit of Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel. Rolled the bottom of my hair up and secured with a bobby pin.

I managed to get four days out of this style without having to use rollers at again (except for that stubborn piece in the front). I definitely need to find a better solution because I am really trying to protect my ends more...and manipulating/toying around with my ends probably won't help me too much!

Natural Hair Dilemma...

Why does my hair have three different textures???

The top of my hair has a very loose curl pattern. The front-left side of my hair is little loose and always looks damn near straight on the ends. And the front-right and back of my hair is coily. I prefer the latter. But blending it all in makes it a styling nightmare. 

It's not heat damage. This loose texture is from root to tip. It's just the way my hair grows. It's so bad that I have to put a rod on the braid in the front of my hair because it barely curls on the end.

I haven't been rodding the left side because the right side curls with no problem and I have a dilemma in my head where I have to do for the right side of my body whatever I do for the left and vice versa. 

Kind of like how you can't wash one hand without washing the other. 

I've done some research but Youtube videos and forums suggest curly gals to twist the hair around your fingers. Let me tell you, that doesn't work! It only makes it worse! 

I was thinking about cutting the left side so that appears to be the same length as the right side.  But when my hair is stretched they are the same exact length.

I know I can't be the only one out there with a variety of hair textures!! 

Left side - look at those straight ends!

Right side - hair love!

Back of my hair - *drool* (if only all my hair looked like this!)

Written by Danielle Elle

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Autumn Head Scarves and Animal Print

(thought I was putting the timer on my camera for 10 seconds. Somehow the camera ended up snapping 10 pictures back to back. Goofiness galore. Anywho, this was my frizzy hair before before the scarf up-do.)

The weather today did not agree with my braidout at all. Tossed it up into a messy bun, left the front section out, tied a scarf around my head into a bow, and I was out the door!

Maybe I will do my second YouTube video on this quick and easy style. Until next time, Later ladies!

Nupur Mehndi

Stopped by the store that I usually go to for my Henna, Castor Oil, Almond Oil..and while browsing the aisles I came across Nupur Mehndi. I do not consider myself to be following a strict Ayurvedic Hair Regimen, but I use herbs and oils like Neem, Alma, and Henna in my deep conditioners occasionally. The Nupur stood out to me because A. The powder is mixed with nine herbs that essentially benefit the hair and B. A friend of mine mentioned using a powder like this and had fabulous results.

The product description on Godrej Nupur's website reads:

Nupur brings to you the best quality Rajasthani Mehendi with 9 carefully chosen natural herbs. The ingredients are added in perfect proportions to give your hair the fabulous shiny & silky feel that you desire every single day. 
Following are herbs used in Godrej Nupur Mehendi with their benefits.

• Brahmi - Promotes hair growth.
• Shikakai - Leaves hair clean & shining.
• Aloe Vera - Maoisturises hair & makes it silky.
• Methi - Conditions, nourishes & revitalises hair.
• Bhringraj - Makes hair luxuriant.
• Amla - Darkens hair colours, adds shine & luster.
• Neem - Fights scalp infection & prevents dandruff.
• Hibiscus - Rejuvenates hair making it shiny & silky.
• Jatamansi - Prevents graying of hair.

 The company recommends mixing the product this way:

Soak Nupur Mehendi in water for 2-3 hours. You may add curd/oil for extra softness. Apply paste evenly from root to tip of the hair. Leave for 3-4 hours. Rince thoroughly with water.

Now...I'm not one for patience. So of course I did not soak the Nupur Mehndi in water for 2-3 hours. Let's try...2-3 minutes? It was late and I didn't feel like waiting until the morning to try this product. Next time I will be sure to soak it for 2-3 hours though.

I added 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of Coconut Oil and 1 cup Aussie Moist Conditioner to this product.

I loved the results! I cowashed the product out of my hair with Suave Conditioner and followed up with a Deep Conditioner mix. I noticed far less breakage so far. My hair is much softer and stronger as a result of this product. I will be using this again before the month ends.

Product Grade: A+ 

Sidebar: I did not realize that the product would stain my hands (Mehndi=Henna). Doh! I'm walking around with orange fingers/nails as a result. Lesson learned. 

The Fro-Hawk

Old wash n go + banana clip + hair combs + bobby pins...and a rock star was born.

Revisiting Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Lately I have been all ra-ra about my newest love of the Wash n' Go. I thought I had a staple product, but my bottle of Tresemmé Naturals has been replaced! I have found that I get more moisture from using SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. This product gives me "cotton candy" curls all day long. I'm even able to stretch my wash n' go out for an extra day or two (with a pony tail or banana clip).

Finger Detangling

Yes, I've done it. I've ditched the comb. Kicked her to the curb.

The (re)introduction of the wash n go into my hair world has inspired me to let go of the comb. I began finger detangling this summer and have achieved great results with this method. I have noticed far less breakage. Instead of dragging/forcing/pulling a comb through my hair, I am able to separate the tangles in my hair with my fingers. This technique is far more gentle on my hair strands.

I always detangle in the shower. Many people detangle their hair when dry and I have yet to try this alternative. For now, finger detangling wet hair has been working extremely well for me. While in the shower, I make sure that my hair is completely saturated with conditioner. As I am under the shower head, I begin to detangle my hair in sections by gently combing my fingers through my hair. When I reach an area that is tangled, I gently separate the hair. Once I detangle a section I twist it so that it is not in the way of me tackling the next section of hair.

It is important to find a conditioner that has enough "slip" (slipperiness). It is also important to take your time while doing this! You do not want to cause more damage while finger detangling then you would while using a comb or brush.

I have found the following conditioners to provide great slip for my finger detangling:

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, Aussie 3 minute miracle, Aussie Moist, Tresemme Naturals.

Also, diluted Apple Cider Vinegar is another great product that helps with detangling natural hair.

Rock Star Dreams

This weekend I attended the Curls Gone Wild event held by some of my favorite hair idols over at Around the Way Curls. Let me just say the event was amazing. I have been waiting forever and a day for a hair event to come to the city of Philadelphia. I was blown away by the beautiful natural hair that I saw at this event. I wish that I would've taken my camera with me. Of course I was being cautious and thought they would've camera-checked me at the door.

I do have some pictures of my hair style for the event. This was created with a banana clip, bobby pins, and hair combs (for the section of hair in the back of my head that the banana clip did not cover). This is my go-to inner-wild-child hair style. I'm only a rock star in my dreams...

As you can see I have been dibbling and dabbling in makeup. Just getting my feet wet. Here I'm rocking:

Eyeshadow: Coastal Scents Palette and Revlon Nude Shades

Lips: MAC High Tea Lipstick and Chestnut Lipliner (worn off a bit in this photo)

And some of my goodies. I love samples. Damn that, I love free stuff. Period.

Up-Do Time

This up-do was inspired by LoveIslandBeauty's hairstyle (her's is actually inspired by Janelle Monae).  I don't think mine is as fly as hers but I gave it a try!

Loc Soc Review

(product details are at the bottom highlighted in pink, just incase you want to skip my long drawn out story lol)

Have you ever lost something, whether in your house, apartment, office, or even your car...and search and search and search and still can't find it? Well, welcome to the story of my life!

Lost item #45327: Loc Soc

In June of this year, I went to an annual African Festival in my city. I love attending this festival. The music, the food, the crowd...amazing. I usually purchase my whipped Shea butter tub and check out the other booths that sell jewelry, clothes, artwork, etc. I found a booth ran by a company called "Shades of Color". They were selling a product called the LocSoc. It seemed like an interesting concept, especially with my newfound interest in wash n gos. I figured that I could use it to pineapple my hair. I picked up a black LocSoc and used it that same night.

I have been using it since then!

Unfortunately three nights ago I misplaced it with no idea of where it could've "ran" off to. I searched for bout about 20 minutes with pictures in my mind of where it ought to be....but no luck.

I had an idea. I figured I could cut a stocking and make my own LocSoc.

Bad idea.

Not only was it cutting off my circulation because it was so tight around my fivehead, but it kept rolling further up and up. I pulled it, yanked it, held it...wouldn't stay in place. Finally I said "what the hell" threw my satin bonnet on and went to sleep.

Of course it popped up the next day. Like I was never searching for it.

Now onto why i love this product:

The LocSoc is a hair accessory made of Lycra (very stretchy material. It is very versatile and I have used it to protect my natural hair styles. I have also used it as a headband and as a scarf to lay down my hair after applying gel. It is comfortable, which is important for me especially for sleeping in overnight. I purchased my LocSoc in the color black, but the company has a wide variety of colors, styles, and prints for customers to chose from. My biggest rave about this product is that I have been able to stretch out the amount of days I can wear a wash n go or twist out by using the LocSoc. 

The product is currently sold online: LocSoc Online Store and also at select stores. 

Wash N Go...Updated

The wash n go has become my ultimate summer style. I cannot describe how it feels to finally be satisfied with the results of my wash n go after attempting to perfect it for YEARS! (and I'm talking about since being about 12 or 13 years old. From the days where I thought Carefree Curl Activator -- the juice -- would give my hair some "Coming to America" Soul Glo curls...)

I have finally figured out how to achieve this style. And I'm finally sticking to this ingredient list :

For starters: My hair must be freshly co-washed and dripping wet. Also, my hair has to be in sections before distributing the product to each section.

1. Tresemme Naturals Conditioner
2. Shea Butter (this was what my hair was missing! major moisture!)
3. Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel

And there it is!!

And I leave you with a throw back...where the wash n go phenomenon developed (I'm clearly making this up...)