Fluffy Frizz

This is my braid and curl at day two. I fluffed and and it got frizzy! I didn't mind the frizzes on the first day, but now I don't like it!

Took 'Em Out

I know it hasn't even been two weeks, but I took my twists out.

There's a picture that I need to take and I don't want to take it with my hair in twists (that's understandable, right?)

Right now I have my hair in braids with curlers on the ends(like the picture below) so I can take my picture in a braid and curl.

I'll be putting my twists back in next week. I'll be going on a weekend trip, next weekend and I don't want to be thinking about my hair.
I'll post how the braid and curl comes out.

I Think I Need Something New

I'm getting really tired of looking the same every day...every week.

I always wear my braid/twist and curl the same! Either all down, pulled back with a headband or pulled up into a ponytail.

Or every so often I'd get the itch to do a little something with some bobby pins.But even that never looks any different.

I did another braid and curl on Friday the 8th, and this is how I wore it looks:

I pinned it back with bobby pins and got the same look I would with a headband! It's really sad.

But I don't really like this braid and curl, so I am going to use this opportunity to mess with it and come up with some new styles.

We'll see what that will look like...

'till next time

So, So Tangled!

It's all my fault...I haven't detangled in almost 2 weeks

NOT looking forward to detangling it tomorrow.

I'm going to need an extra dose of patience and gentleness!

oy vey! (is that even how you spell that?)

One would think I would have learned from past experiences...but noooo...gotta do it the hard way.

...And Two Months Later...

...I'm finally back. I wanna give a big, fat sorry to my curly readers.

It was not my plan to neglect my blog, but once again, things happen.

What happened over the past two months


1) I straightened my hair! (completely spontaneous! If you're a reader, you know it was my plan to straighten twice a year -- May and Nov or Dec -- but my aunt wanted to see my hair straightened and I figured 'well, why not'. And so I straightened on March 2nd and washed it out around the 18th. I didn't take any pictures because I was upset with the results [I had used my mom's Conair flat iron- need I say more?])

2) I've been snip, snip, snipping like I lost my mind (Every knot, and split end gives me the itch to snip off 1/4 inch of hair, and I've been doing that weekly [it's like I'm trying to punish my hair for what I've done - yeah, I've lost it] I'm not looking forward to straightening again, cause I don't want to see how uneven it's gonna be)

3) Don't remember the last time I've deep conditioned (It's about to be April and I'm pretty sure I've only deep conditioned once. So I don't think I need to mention that my hair isn't in it's best condition. Oh so shameful)

So, yeah. For the past few months I've been applying heat, not

applying deep conditioner and I've been cutting my hair. Not my best attempt at 'hair care'.

Good thing this is a blog about my day-to-day hair care journey and not a 'How To Care For Your Curly Hair' blog.

I'm working on it though...hopefully you guys have been doing better than I have.

End Of The Week

This is my Braid and Curl at the end of the week! The webcam makes it look really dry, but it's actually not that bad.

The big curl that the rollers created, has shrunk down to a more natural size.

I will (hopefully) be washing my hair tomorrow and get a fresh Braid and Curl. In the meantime, I trying to get my hair looking presentable for church in the morning.

Soft & Fluffy Braid Out

I have been enjoying more lengthy braid outs through my streched hair, achieved by braiding dry or damp hair.

The wetter the hair the tighter and shorter the curls and the dryer the hair the looser and longer the curls.

Last night I added a little more water than intended so the curls were a little tight, but I lightly pulled the curls after I took out the braids out to get a little more length.

Stretching it!

I've noticed that the only time my hair reaches past my shoulders, is when it's straightened or in two-strand twist.

This revelation prompted me to try stretching my curls. I twisted my wet hair [HEHH already added] and the next day I took the twists out and braided the sections. When I took my braids out, my curls were thick and shiny.

I went shopping today and my hair got damp from the drizzle...but I still think it held up well. I put in 5 chunky braids again tonight.

Hair Hibernation

Happy New Year...yeah, I know I'm about 3 weeks late.

I have been M.I.A for the past few weeks. I've had a lot of things going on, so much so, that I haven't been the least bit interested in my hair.

Yeah, I washed and styled it...but not with much love and happiness. Right now it's up in a tucked away ponytail, after being taken out of a braid out for Church this morning.

I'll most likely put in a few chunky braids to prevent tangles over night. And take and post a few pics as soon as I can.

I hope everyone's been enjoying the first few weeks of the new year!!!

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!

Straight Hair- Braid and Curl Results

This was my hair when I took it down Thanksgiving Day!

Unfortunately, it was raining and cloudy that day and so, I pinned it up and put on a beret hat.


The following day, it was elgongated from wearing it up all day Thursday and so, I wore it down.

Thanksgiving Day Hair Style: Straight Hair- Wet Set

My still- strightened hair is dampened, braided (cornrowed) and curled with flexi rods.
I think some sections are wetter than other - which means uneven curls, but I'm hoping when I take it down, it won't look too bad.

Still Straight- The Bun

I apologize for the long absense. There's been nighgtly Thanksgiving services at my church and between that and School I had little time for anything else.

For about 2 days, I wore my hair in a big, loose bun.
The bun looked great on the first night, but the second night when I tried to duplicate it-- my hair wasn't cooperating.

I got it to look decent enough though.

excuse the picture quality

A Trim And Some Pin Curls!

For the past two days, my (freshly trimmed) hair has been styled with pin curls.

I think this is the first time I've successfully worn a pin curl set. I never quite seen to get it right, before now.
I love the results! I reminds me of Bantu knots-- which I have done on my straight hair before, with basically the same look, except it added a bit more volume and curl definition.

I think what I like most about pin curls and other means of curling straightened hair over night, is that I get both a good night's sleep and beautiful curls in the Morning.

The take-down: my hair right after removing the pin curls

The results: After finger combing/loosening the curls

I love the pin-curled look! The results are big, bouncy curls! And it's also really easy to sleep on.

Have you tried pin-curls on your pressed/straightened hair?

Did you love the results?

The Old And Tired Pony-Puff

My last resort for an old braid and curl is always a puff.

After it starts getting dry and tangled and I can no longer wear it out, it goes straight up into a pony puff.
I don't have enough time to do a de-tangling session during the week, and without first being de-tangled other styles are ten times harder to achieve. So, the easiest and most natural thing for me to do is throw it up into a pony-puff.

I actually have some time to de-tangle and re-style tonight, but tomorrow is going to be a rainy day, so I won't bother.

I am trying to figure out how to make my styles last a little longer-- so I can get away with not de-tangling my hair for a few days and retire the old puff

Hair Pics-- Week Old Braid and Curl

This is how my hair looked today-- old braid and curl

Going Back To Twist-Outs

I've been trying to do more twist-outs.
I stopped doing them about a year and a half ago, because I found that braid-outs stretch my hair better than twist-outs.

I've decided to revisit the style and I find that if I pin the roots (with a bobby pin or clip) the results aren't too different from braid-outs.

I moisturized with Suave Coconut--for no reason is particular--it was just in reach.
Suave isn't the best moisturizer, but it also isn't half bad, especially when you're on a budget like myself.

However, I wore the twist-out yesterday and my hair is already dried out. This says:
1. Suave is only a good moisturizer for maybe a day.
2. I NEED to deep condition my hair.

I honestly don't remember the last time I deep conditioned my hair! Terrible, Terrible!
With things as chaotic as they are right now, my hair has definitely been given a back seat. I'll get back on track though--I've invested way too much time to just let my hair break off now.

I need a sulfate free shampoo!
I have been using Dr. Miracles Tingling Shampoo and Conditioner once a month since January 2009. It's a good shampoo, especially for mild scalp issues but I only use it on my scalp, I don't use it frequently and I use a teeny tiny bit because of the sulfate.

As many may know, sulfates are big no-no's. Although the sulfates in Dr. miracles are in the middle on the ingredients list, it can still be drying--therefore, I do not like smushing it into my hair. I know the results would be a mess of hay.

My hair needs a good, long shampooing--a real 'start over'.
There is a sulfate-free shampoo I've heard of and want to try: SheaMoisture moisture retention shampoo. I'm not sure if that's the exact name, but it's pretty close.

One of the YouTubers did a review on it (I believe her name's msVaughn--lovely videos). She said it really moisturizes the hair--that's great for a shampoo! It's about $10.

So, I'll be doing some research, to make sure this will be a good buy. I'm in college and I really can't afford to be throwing around money for anything.

If there's any good sulfate-free Shampoos that anyone has tried, please let me know.

P.S: I'll post pics of my twist-out--or what's left of it!

Last Week Of Summer Hair Styling

School officially starts Thursday August 26th. I have a few days off including the weekend, so until things get tough (around mid October), I should have time of care for my hair.
I still haven't been able to get that trim I so desperately need. It's best for my trimmer (Mr. handsome, straight and taken) to trim my hair when it's straightened. It makes it easier for him.
I know that I said a few posts ago, that I would be saying goodbye to summer in two-strand twists, It'd completely slipped my mind until a few days ago. I could wear it twisted for the next few days, since my classes doesn't begin until Friday...but I don't know if it's worth it; eight hours of twisting for three days of wearing?
Right now it's in a pony puff, a beautiful, fluffy braid and curl, expanded and frizzed out due to the weekend's rainy/muggy weather. I may just keep it that way until I'm ready to wash and style for school.
:)

Shape Up? I Think Yes!

I'm thinking about cutting the layers out of my hair. For some styles, the layers work to my advantage; making my hair appear bigger and fuller. But it seems that for the majority of the ways I wear my hair, the layers just make it looks...weird and chopped, like I got a terrible hair cut from a scissor-happy 3- year- old.


This is my wet hair right out the shower. As you can see, there's this weird 'gap' between my short front-layer and the long back-layer (I turned to the side, so my hair would fall on my face and you can see what I'm talking about).
Although my hair shrinks up, the back doesn't shrink up enough (looser curls in that area) to even out the length of my hair.

This is a braid and curl I did a while back. I loved the definition, softness and shine but I hated the shape! To me, it resembles the shape of a house...can you see it? The top goes out, stops and then the bottom goes straight down. It creates, in my opinion anyway, a sharp- edged look (at the point where you can see the end of the short layer and the continuation of the longer layer) It just doesn't 'flow', which is what I want.

The same 'house shape' with this one. Although it's not as noticeable because, my hair is stretched (braid and curl on dry hair) and the the layers are closer together; closing the gap a bit.

I think this was a dry braid and curl, combed out. I hate the multiple 'W' shape at my ends; it looks really ragged :(

I don't want a blunt hair cut, because I've heard that can make curls look like a pyramid. But I don't want the layers to be so far from each other, making it possible to create that weird and annoying gap.
I'm hoping to gather up the nerve to be able to cut a couple inches from my longest layer. I think I might do it the next time I straighten.