My December Hair and Products

Hey Ladies,

I have some new products that were given to me as early Christmas presents! Yay!


I'll be reviewing Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner. And also Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Deep Cleansing Shampoo.

So, if you're interested, look out for that (after final exams lol).



For now, I just wanted to post how my hair has been since the beginning of December.


Yup! In chunky twist and under my bonnet. When I have to go out -- School, Church or just to hang out and relax -- I put a hat on top of my bonnet and head out.
When I get back home, I take off the hat.



However, because I don't want free form locks, every other day or so I take out each twist individually, wet it, apply a little conditioner if needed, de-tangle and re-twist! That's about it when It comes to maintainance!



In my winter routine post, I wrote about the different styles I wear with my hat.
This winter protective styling thing is easier than I thought.

There are LOTS of benefits:
~ Most obvious is length retention
~ Saving product since I'm not completely re-styling every week
~ More time to do what I need to do: currently studying for final exams
~ Easy cute style for going out: Of I'm invited to go out on short notice and I want to ditch the hat, I can easily take out my twist and have a beautifully defined twist-out that I can style however I want!

I just love it!!


Year's end is going to catch me in Georgia though, so we'll see how that will go.



Are you protective styling for the winter?

Current Winter Routine

I think it can be agreed that winter and curly hair aren't the best of friends. For the past few winters, I have not giving my hair any special care or attention.

There were winters (most recent- last year) when I would treat my hair just the same as I did in the summer. And needless to say, my hair didn't respond too well.

This winter, my current (as it may change) is as follows:

Wash Day:
1. Shampoo in braids (once every 2 weeks to a month) with either Dr. Miracles or Suave Professionals (newest purchase)
2. Condition/ de-tangle
3. Deep Condition (sometimes I don't have the time to DC, but I try and make the time)

Style:
Chunky Twist! About 10 medium size chunky twists all over, with either Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner.

Wearing The Twist:
Since it's winter I get to 'hide' my hair under hats! So unless I'm going out someplace special or I just want to wear my hair out, my hair will be hidden under hats.

The only parts of my hair that will be exposed will be the very front, which I will be using as 'bangs'.
1. Some days, I will loosen and separate the twists and pin it to the side
2. other days I'll loosen, but not separate- as to have the thick curls hanging out the hats
3. I will also have the twist peeking out without loosening and pin them back or to the side
4. And finally, I'll loosen all the twists and wear a twist out

These variations will hopefully help me to not become bored with the protective style.
I will also be doing 'touch ups' to keep the twists moisturized, by wetting and sealing with olive oil or Shea butter, or both.

Out And About- Twist Out

This was the way I wore my hair yesterday. I took all of the twists out and wore it down. I rolled the sides (toward the back) and pinned them.

I also rolled the very front section and pinned it back. From the front it resembled a pouf.

the back

The entire style resembled a fro-hawk. I liked it!

I labeled this post as 'winter routine' also because, this is part of my winter routine that I'm working on. The majority of the week, my hair will be kept in chunky twists and under a hat and maybe 2 or 3 days, I'll wear a twist out. So far, so good!

Updated Winter Routine

My previous winter hair care routine involved washing and styling once a week and rubbing on the Shea Butter when I feel my hair needed it.

After experiencing the intense dryness and breakage, my new routine involves:
Day 1: Wash, deep condition and style.
Day 2: Unravel braid or twist, fluff, apply Shea all over and go. Pull up into a pineapple pony for the night.
Day 3: Spritz with my concoction (Suave conditioner, water and a bit of Olive oil) and re braid or twist.
Day 4: Same as day 2.
Day 5: Same as day 3.
Day 6: Start all over again.

I'm hoping to follow this regimen. It seems like it's a lot of manipulation, but it's actually not, because I will be lightly finger combing, not using a comb.
I probably won't be able to follow this exactly, because there are times when I have to focus on my work. But I'm hoping for the best though.

Right now, I'm sitting here with chunky twist, after I spritzed and finger de- tangled. I'm not sure if I want to add rollers. I might actually aim for a twist out, haven't worn that in a while. I'll try to post some pictures of the results.
I'm not expecting definition, because my spritz had has no hold. I'm expecting big and fluffy. :)