My hair care Journey Transiton to Now pt. 2

Continuing on braids, weaves, etc.

If you are going to rocking braids

  

     A.)  Make sure the braids ARE NOT TOO TIGHT. If you eyes are giving a cat look and that is not your natural eye shape then stop and reverse. If the braids are too tight then you’re doing more damage and help. You could loose your hair line and pull out hair, plus you do not want to put sores on your scalp…I hope.

  

     B.)    Make sure the person braiding understands your are transitioning and or natural and KNOWS HOW TO COMB YOUR HAIR GENTLY. I can think of at least 2 women who I want to leave my heel print on their car for combing my hair so rough. I want though…can’t care for Lola right in jail lol.

  

     C.)    Do a deep condition before the Braids. This should help your hair be easier to comb.   

   

     D.)   And make sure you take the time to wash your braids at least every once in a while. You sclap has to breathe and dirt “chillin,” in all of your pores isn’t helping.

   

     E.)    Lastly, condition. When I had braids I would put some of my favorite conditioners (Knot Today by Kinky Curly for example) you can use your choice of course. Knot Today + Water in a spray bottle= spraying my hair. Then I would seal in moisture with a oil (jojoba for example…NOT MINERAL BASE OILS) and let my hair air dry.

Not into braids? Well lets look at wigs, weaves, hats (including scarf’s)

If you’re going to wear one of the above choices please protect your real hair.

     A.)Do not just bunch your hair into one of these. Braid, twist, or two strands twist your hair. What I recommend is doing one of those (twisting, etc.) then before the wig cap, hat, or scarf add a satin bonnet. If you put just a wig or hat on, it can dry your hair out unless it has special lining. Also if you just bunch your hair into a hat then you take a risk of hanging out with a lot of tangles later.

After my BC (big chop) I….

     After my bc my hair was hard, shrunk, and a wth (what the heck). I still had straight pieces so I went back and had more hair cut off (a picture will be posted). I learned a lot about my hair by talking to other naturals and you tube. One lady told me that my hair would probably change up to a year…It did and to an extent still does. She said the scalp and hair as to get use to not getting a relaxer and grow out. One thing I can say is learning to condition my hair made a huge difference in my texture and how it feels.

     As a twa (a name for new naturals), I would wash my hair everyday and condition. Do you have to wash everyday…no. If you have a drier texture you probably should only wash once a week, but you can Condition instead. To an extent conditioners can remove dirt, plus your adding moisture. Your hair will thank you. I have thick, kinky, spiraled hair, which means it make take long for my natural sclap oils to reach the ends of my hair so moisture is a must of mine.

     I would also allow my hair to rest sometimes. As my hair began to grow, I would put it in twist and or give it days to rest. Putting your hands in your head all the time has to possibility of creating stress. I am not saying go out side looking like you slid down a mountain and saying “my hair is resting,” honey that is denial. I’m saying style it and leave it like that a few days.

If your hair is too short to style at this point:

Shake and go’s and or Wash and Go’s.

I am a huge fan of those. What you do is condition and if you like add a non alchol gel or custard and shake your head. Allow it to air dry not towel dry, if its cool outside wake up with enough time to let your hair dry. A wash and go is more finger styling to me. If you want to mode your hair then you can do so with custards, gels, etc.

A.)   Kinky Curly Custard

B.)    Miss Jessie’s

C.)    Blue Magic or another non alcohol gel

     I highly suggest if you want to save money, to find a natural with these products and ask for a sample. You can also look on you tube for people with your hair type or Natural Hair Groups like Natural Hair at its finest (facebook) or Kingdom Curls and ask how these products did for their hair.

 A BC Pic after 3 months of new growth...oh my gosh, I still have a hard time believing I did this, but glad I did.

On part 3 I’ll discuss hair trimming, growth, and much more.

                                         Be Fierce, Be Fine, Better You...WhyKnot?!

                                                                 V.Curls

My hair care Journey Transiton to Now pt. 1

     If you didn’t get the chance to read the little background on me (home page), I am natural. I have been natural now about 3 yrs in mid February (since last relaxer).  A lot of people remember my hair when I was relaxed. I went from what some may consider long and relaxed, to a long bob, to a “ Rhianna Cut,” to natural.

Who is Lola and for why?!

     I named my hair Lola about a year or almost two ago. I did this because in my transition and some times now, I spend so much time with my hair I felt it deserved its own name. I named it the first name that came to me. The name Lola is soft and unique to me and reminds me of spiral curls and kinks. The benefits are that I feel closer to my hair. Sounds odd, but by naming it, it reminds me to try to be gentle with it and care for it. That would probably sound like a duh as far as caring for your hair, but when you’re busy, sometimes maintenance can slip…seriously.

Why did I go natural? Long story short.

     I was bored with long relaxed hair (had it for years). I went to an Impact Conference in ATL around 06 and saw women with natural hair. Two years later, I cut my hair into a bob and became addicted to getting my hair cut. I felt so pretty and empowered with short hair I went to a Rhianna cut (short!). Then at random while I was in my apartment something was like… natural???? So I transitioned for 3 months and did not tell people, but of course their spider senses went off and started asking.

How did I transition?

     I only transitioned for 3 months, but when I did. I flat ironed my hair since it was still cut short and work kinky twist.

The Cons of my transition:

     My new growth had abs and my relaxed texture was thin compared to it. I didn’t like adding all the heat or combing the textures. The kinky twists were cool, so that helped. I just had to keep my hair moisturizer. I did so dry shampooing and sometime actually washing. I then did a spray in conditioner.

Easier ways to transition:

1.       If you have enough hair to roll, rolling hair verses adding heat a lot is a great option. Yes, your new growth can be rolled. You can use setting lotion and roll it, but make sure your hair is dry before you removed the rollers. This will help blend the two textures and give less stress to your new growth and relaxed hair.

2.       You can flat iron, but use an awesome heat protectant and do not flat iron all the time. Let your hair rest sometimes. A heat protectant I like is Beyond the Zone. It is in a orange bottle with a purple top at Sally’s. Its about $8.00. Make sure you deep condition before and after a flat iron treatment. Flat ironing is beating up your moisture so you will want to add moisture.

3.       Braids, Hats, Weaves, and Wigs are cool, but remember…CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION, AND KEEP CLEAN. My natural hair and sulfate shampoos do not mix. It makes my hair feel stripped and hard. I like none sulfate shampoos like Come Clean by Kinky Curly or Whole Foods $3.00 shampoo (their brand).

Cont….to part 2 for more.

                                      Be Fierce, Be Fine, Better You...WhyKnot?!

                                                              V. Curls

Reivew of It's A Natural U Affair

A  Review of the event: Natural U Salon & Design Essential’s presents  It’s A Natural U Affair

                                                                      

 The event It’s A Natural U Affair was held in Jackson,MS at the Jackson Medical Mall from 3-6pm on January 15^th 2012. Melody Washington is a cosmologist who owns a salon in Jackson, MS called Naturally U Salon, she also spoke at Kingdom Curls (formerly known as MS Naturals) first conference in Starkville, MS.

    

     When my guest and I arrived, Melody was about to speak. The event was held in the middle of the medical mall and had three seating sections. A gentleman to which I assume was working there showed us where to sit. I thought that in itself was a good quality because there was a large crowd present and seating looked slim. The audience was made up of both natural and relaxed. There were more women than men, which isn’t un common, but there were males present.

      

     When Melody spoke she involved the crowd with questions such as who flat irons their hair, our diet intake, and so on. By doing so she tied our answers into her explanation of hair care. For example, how it is important to deep condition before flat ironing hair. What I like about Melody is that she doesn’t just add her opinion on hair care, but also ties in how certain choices can affect the hair in a long term manner. A Q&A was offered to the floor. My guest actually asked a great question. He asked, “Since hair grease is said to be bad for the scalp, what can I use to get waves?” Melody thought carefully and suggested shea butter.

    

     After Melody finished speaking, there were two types of modeling shows. Different ages and genders of her clients came to the stage then a small fashion show of bow ties on guys and girls was displayed. The bow ties were designed by a young male, I apologize, but I did not catch his name. I thought the fashion show was a cute and different spin for the event.

   

       I did not get a chance to visit the vendor tables, but there were some present. I did manage to visit one, which was Bernette Mitchell’s  vendor table Bold N Beautiful Mobile Boutique. On our way out, I was given a card and a goodie bag that I have yet to look in (when I do I will list what was in it). Either way I was happy to receive free items. The event was free as well by the way.

    

      Over all I this was a really good event. I do not have any cons to the event and that is the truth, not just because I know the person over it. I liked that Melody was dressed professional and her hair was funky, but went with her clothing. It was braid into what looked like a French braid and fro’ed at the top like an African Flower I imagine. Congrats to Melody and I hope to see more and even better.

                                                   Be Fierce, Be Fine, Better You…WhyKnot?! 

V.Curls

www.wellwhyknot.blogspot.com

                                                        

Relaxed to Natural Tips:TGIN

Thanks to Thank God I'm Natural for sending me these hair tips for the KingdomCurls.org December Event: P.S. I Love Your Hair: Christmas Affair and allowing me to put this on my blog. These tips are according to TGIN as transition tips for those going from being relaxed to natural. I will be listing my own on another page soon. Hope this helps and stay encouraged.

 AJES The Salon Model: Monique Vaughn

If you are thinking of growing out your

relaxer, here are some tips to help you

get started:

1. Be patient. Transitioning from relaxed to

natural hair takes time -- but having patience and

getting to know your hair texture will make the

journey all the more enjoyable.

2. Use a Moisturizing Shampoo. A good moisturizing

shampoo like Elucence’s Moisture Benefits Shampoo

will gently cleanse your hair without stripping it

dry of its natural oils. You should also be washing

your hair at least every seven to ten days to keep

your natural hair soft and moisturized.

3. Deep Condition, Deep Condition, Deep

Condition! As your relaxer grows out, your new

growth may start to feel dry and hard. Keep your hair on the right track by using a deep conditioner

after every shampoo such as Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Pack.

4. Go Light. Go for styling products made with natural oils instead of heavy pomades, gels, and

waxes. Light oils are not only easily absorbed by the hair and scalp, but they help to nurture and

condition your natural hair as it grows.

5. Get Regular Trims. Trimming your ends can make combing your hair easier and will keep

your curls looking fresh.

6. Minimize Heat Styling. Avoid going overboard with pressing and flat ironing. Too much heat

can reduce the hair’s elasticity and can permanently damage your virgin curl pattern.

7. Accessorize. If you are bored with your transition style, there are countless barrettes, scarves,

and headbands that will add just the right amount of umph to your do. Earrings are also a great

way to give your style a lift.

 For more product reviews and hair care tips check out their new book
Thank God I’m Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for
and Maintaining Natural Hair
or visit www.tginblog.com

You can also follow them on twitter.

Be Fierce, Be Fine, Better You...WhyKnot?!

V.Curls

www.wellwhyknot.blogspot.com