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!

My First YouTube Video!!

I have always said that I am better writing with my hands to express myself than speaking with my mouth. That's why I am a blogger rather than a vlogger. But I have been thinking of doing a couple of hair style and hair guide videos because sometimes the video visual is better than reading the description. It's like reading the book vs. going to see the movie. Some prefer one over the other!

Without further ado, here is my very first YouTube video. I was nervous. I hope I become less camera shy in my next video. And please excuse my appearance!  The video was very impromptu!

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.

Summer Glow Makeup

Make-up for me usually consists of mascara,lipstick/gloss, and maybe eyeshadow. I have a very small supply of makeup. I would LOVE for my collection to grow, but I have realized that I need to develop techniques like blending and contouring and etc. I will be there one day! I plan on using this blog as a way to share my (soon to be lol) successful make-up applications, techniques, inspirations and etc.

In the mean time, a beautiful and inspiring close friend of mine (known as L'ivoirienne USA on YT) has created  a YouTube video with a tutorial on how to create a gorgeous "Summer Glow" look. This look is perfect as this lovely season of summer is winding down. Whether you are an amateur seeking to learn some tips and tricks (like me!!!) or a professional that is interested in trying out new looks, this is a great video to watch. Don't forget to subscribe and like once you've finished, I'm sure you'll love it!!!

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...)

Hair Bows Aren't Just For Little Girls...

Made these simple hair bows using fabric squares from Walmart. They were only $1.00! 

Attached the bows to a hair band, created a pompadour in the front and a messy bun ontop. 

...Branching out and trying something new. Natural Hair definitely allows me to think outside of the box ;-)

Fresh Start To The New Year: Roller Setting Challenge!!

I'm so excited, I have signed up for my first "challenge" as a blogger. (I usually sign up for challenges on longhaircareforum.com.) It's so funny that I stumbled across this one. I have recently become interested in roller setting again and was trying to google the 2012 roller setting challenge on lhcf in hopes of getting some tips and tricks. I stumbled across Longing 4 Length's blog and discovered that she (EbonyCPrincess) was starting a 6 month long challenge. I emailed her and here I am today.

I have already tried two rollersets in the past week. The first set was done on orange and purple flexirods. I wasn't particularly satisfied with the set. It was a bit frizzy in the back and didn't hardly have any *swang*. This is when I began to do some research online and discovered the error in my first set.

1. My hair was not drenched during the process. I learned that the hair has to be very wet when it goes on the rollers.

2. I don't think my hair likes LottaBody setting lotion. I diluted the mess out of this stuff and it still gave me a blah set.

3. I was not rolling correctly on the roots.

4. I took down the rollers before they were completely dry. Big no-no.

Here are some pictures of that set:

Ahhhh! Oh nooo!! Fuzzy hair!

After dusting myself off and trying again with my new techniques, tips, tricks, and magic...here is my current rollerset:

Don't mind the junk in the background...lol

This is my best rollerset to date.

The products I used:
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in
Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz
Coconut Oil
Water

The only problem I have with this set (I know...I know, I'm such a perfectionist) is that I used orange and red flexi rods and the coils came out a bit too tight for me. They are gradually loosening up but next time I will definitely stick with the purple rollers in the back and orange rollers in the front!

All wigged out!

I love protective styles that look pretty and protect my hair. For a while I have been seeking using wigs as a method of protective styling. Years ago I used to wear half wigs...but I wasn't a big fan because many of them have a "hump" that makes it hard to blend with my hair. I started researching using lace fronts as type of half wig. 

Meet: Freetress Angela. 

Her lace is cut along the front and she is placed about an inch or two behind my actual hair. The hair in the front is my own. I brushed my hair over her to cover the beginning part of the wig. I like this idea more than half wigs because the lace fronts lay much flatter, giving a more natural effect. Plus it is very comfortable. This will be my cocktail hour wig.

I'm hoping to find one that matches my natural hair so that I do not have to straighten my hair. The ideal wig would mimic the way my hair looks when it is in a braid out. On my search I go...

You can call me "Elle Kardashian" lol!

How To: The Glam Braidout

Braidouts are my number one style. It's the butter to my bread, the water to my ocean. Ok, maybe that's a bit over-the-top, but I truly love braidouts! They help me to achieve the definition with waves and curls that I wish I could obtain with a wash-n-go. My braidout routine is extremely simple and lasts for a week. I could make it last longer if I decided to or turn it into a bun or other protective style...but I am committed to my weekly deep conditioning treatments.

Here are the steps that help me to achieve my braidout...

The Products: 

This is by far my absolute favorite conditioner.
My braidouts probably wouldn't be the
same without it. It truly gives me moisturized,
cotton-candy-textured hair. Love it! 

Kinky Curly Knot Today

Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Hot 6 Oil

The Process:

After washing my hair, I section it into four sections.
I apply Kinky Curly Knot Today to each section
and detangle it with my wide-toothed comb.

In order to help me keep each section detangled, I
twist the detangled sections of hair as I go along.

My hair dries slightly in the process of
detangling, so before I get ready to apply the
KCCC, I make sure that my hair is drenched.
This helps the product to work more
effectively. I find that if my hair is not
soaking wet when applying it, then
I'm left with a hard, crunchy braidout
the next day.

I apply a smidgen (no, I'm not even kidding...like a pin head sized amount) of
KCCC to my hair. Then I apply a dime sized amount of Hot 6 Oil. For this
braidout I did about 5-6 per section. I find that smaller braids give me
less frizz. 

Getting my sexy braiding on... 

All done...finally!

Ugh, my ends never curl! 

That's why flexi-rods were invented!
I love the small yellow colored flexis.
They give me a tighter, more realistic
coil/curl.

This just adds to my sexy nighttime look...yeah right.
I then cover my head with a satin bonnet. My hair
dries overnight and...

 The Results:

To maintain this style, I simply rebraid nightly.
I put eight braids in my hair and seal my ends
with oil.