Wash N' Go Video

A new video showing my Wash n' Go process. Enjoy!

Karen's Body Beautiful - Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In Conditioner

Reaction: I'm not a fan of products that label themselves as "leave-in conditioners". Especially considering that my current leave-in conditioner is actually a regular conditioner (Tresemme Naturals Conditioner). But this product right here. Wow. I haven't done twistouts/braidouts on a regular in almost a year (way too much breakage and manipulation for my fine hair strands). Once in a while I like to switch it up from wearing my hair in wash-n-gos or buns. And this is the go-to product these days for when I want to do the big switch-er-roo. The results when using this product are soft, bouncy, very defined (and long lasting definition) hair. It also smells pretty damn good too. 

I have tried this product with my wash-n-gos (actually this is the first way that I tried the product). I absolutely do not like the product as a leave-in for wash n gos. I am convinced that this product has to "set" in order for it to work correctly. If I want to stretch my wash n go's I use this product and put my hair in two braids the night before. I then dampen my hair and prepare it for a wash n go. I get good results this way as well.

How I Use This Product: I use this product on wet hair. Soaking wet hair. The product is very watery so I make sure that I divide my hair into about 8 sections and distribute the product evenly throughout those sections. I then add a little oil or use my shea butter concoction. I braid or twist the sections down to the end, spiral the ends a bit for a curl, and put on my satin bonnet. My hair dries in about 8 hours depending on how big the braids are. I've even used this product on four braids and another time on two braids and had equally amazing results.

My Score: I give this product an A. It would've been an A+ but I'm not a big fan of the price (16.99 at Target). And for the amount you get that could put a hole in my pockets fast. Yet I haven't found a product yet that leaves my hair the way that this one does. 

Untitled on Purpose

I'm back like I never left. Or did I ever leave? I don't know.

I took a nap from blogging for a two months. Life was becoming a whirlwind (in a good way *cheesy smile*). Now the wind has swept me back.

I am definitely grateful for my followers and for the wonderful people out there that comment on my posts. But I sometimes feel like I am a dot in the blogosphere. I'm realizing the reality of that doesn't matter. I never created this blog to become the next Curly Nikki or Mahogany Curls. I just wanted to share with the world my natural hair journey and to hopefully inspire a person or two along the way. I want my blog to exist as a way for people to find information. I also decided that I want to delve into other topics...such as cooking, health, beauty, and more. I feel like I've touched the surface of those topics on here but it's time to *Trey Songz Voice* dive innnnnnnn.

Ok that was corny.

Oh..and I took these pictures the other day, thought I'd share them. I haven't done a length check in a while and I have no intentions on doing one any time soon. I'm more concerned about health than length. I will be doing quarterly length checks because length does ultimately determine whether my regimen is successful or not. Next one will be coming up at the end of this month.

Without further ado...

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")

Boom!

Curly for two weeks. Back to straight. The versatility of natural hair.

 (But this is the last time I am straightening for a loooooong time! *crosses fingers*)

Straight Hair Longevity

Straight hair or Curly hair? I choose curls! But for the 3-4 times a year that I have my hair trimmed and do my length checks, I visit the hair salon to have my hair straightened.

I usually try to make my straight hair last long so that I do not feel like it has gone to waste. Here are some ways in which I make sure that my hair stays straight for at least two weeks:

1. Use a minimum amount of products: One thing I hate is having my soft, flowing, bouncy straight hair become a stiff mess because of an overuse of products. I avoid this by making sure that I avoid being heavy handed with the products I use. My hair becomes weighed down easily when it is straight.  I make sure that I use a dime sized amount of a light-weight product (such as coconut oil) and only use it when needed.

2. Protect from moisture: I'm only able to achieve straight hair that lasts long in the cooler months. But I have to be cautious of taking long hot steamy showers because my hair will revert quickly. Using a shower cap is not enough for me. I have to make sure that my hair is either wrapped or pin curled with a scarf wrapped tightly (but not too tightly) around my head while taking a shower. This helps to preserve my natural hair without having to deal with puffy edges or frizzy hair afterward.

3. Bed time!: Straight hair is not the time for me to be lazy. I might be able to break the natural hair commandments and go to sleep on my cotton pillowcase without a scarf or bonnet. But I absolutely cannot do this when my hair is straight. I make sure that I either wrap my hair or pin curl it each and every night (and/or naptime ;). This helps to maintain my style and also helps me to avoid drying out my hair on the unforgivable cotton pillowcase. 

Good luck to all my straight haired naturals (whether temporary or permanent)! Hopefully these tips help!

2012 - Elle's Year In Review

As the last hours of 2012 are winding down, I leave you with a final post of the year: Elle's Year In Review.

This year has been a year of struggles and successes when it came to my natural hair. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried new hair styles. Some I liked. Some I absolutely hated and will never try again. Some of the hair styles that I have tried have become staples for me. Some I have perfected and others I am still working on. Hairstyles like buns have become a go-to hair style on my bad hair days. I have gone through trial, error, (error, error...lol) and finally success with my wash n' gos.

I have tried new products and found several that I love! (Tresemme Naturals, Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls, and Shea Butter Miracle Bouncy Curls Pudding.) I have ditched my eco-styler gel (which used to be a staple for me).

I have even started to post Natural Hair videos on YouTube. (Say Whaaat?)

And last but not least: I have finally become more comfortable than ever with my natural hair. I have reached goals that I never thought were possible. And I'm truly and utterly excited about what 2013 will bring!

I want to thank all of my followers and visitors for coming to my blog! You are all truly an inspiration and motivation for me to continue to share my hair journey with you all! I hope that you enjoyed my posts this year and I also hope that you will continue to stick around for my natural hair journey of 2013.

Finally, I leave you with my end of the year length check (Pictures ranging from June 2012-December 2012). I seem to be gaining about 1.5-2 inches of hair every three months. I predict that I will be 12" by the end of January, finally at the bottom of bsl and approaching mid-back-length.

Cheers to the end of 2012 and an even more successful 2013!

Natural Hair Styles Video - Remixing the Wash n' Go

Hey loves, I posted my newest Natural Hair Video where I show you how to achieve the following hair styles:

1) The Side Swoop

2) The Twist-n-Curl

3)  The Fro-Hawk

Thanks!!

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.

Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream Review

Last week I picked up a jar of Cantu Shea Butter's Coconut Curling Cream. I was impressed by Melshary's results with the product on YouTube and couldn't wait to try it out on my own hair.

You know the saying: "Everything is not for everyone"...?

That saying rang true with this product.

I tried this product three days in a row, here's what I have to say about it:

The good: Extremely soft hair, even when dry. 

The bad: Dry and dull looking hair when dry.

The ugly: Couldn't get second day hair to save my life. And it left white residue when mixed with EcoStyler Gel. Big no-no!

The results below are when my hair was dried. 

It took a lot to get rid of the white residue just for these pictures alone. 

 

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?

Twist Out vs. Wash N Go

Twist Out/Braid Out: Pros -

Low Manipulation Hair StyleCan be done on wet or dry hairHair is set overnight and is dry by the morningLength of hair can be stretchedSize of twists can determine the outcome (smaller twists = tightly coiled, larger twists = looser curl)Heat is not required

Twist Out: Cons -

Drying time (sometimes) cannot be predicted

Style has to be planned 

Wash N Go: Pros - 

Low Manipulation Hair Style

Quick style, can be completed within ten minutes and you're out the door!

Curl definition is more noticeable

Wash N Go: Cons -

Welcome to: "Shrinkage City"

Dealing with wet hair for at least an hour (unless you use a diffuser to dry hair)

Tangling and Matting of hair

Single Strand Knots

Finding the method that is perfect for you

As you can see, both styles have their ups and downs. It's all about what works for you in the end!

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)

The Swoop Up-Do

This up-do was done on an old frizzy braid out. I simply parted my hair into a U-Shape, did an old school french roll in the back, and "swooped" the front part that was left out to the side and pinned it up. Fairly simple. I was having an "arrrgghhhh" hair day and found this style to be my saving grace!

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 Affirmation #101

Source: onyxroseonline.com

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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