Perfecting the TWIST!!

This started out as a trial run for ways to protect my hair from the cold and winter elements.  But, this process has turned into a monster of its own!!!  I am learning different ways to twist-set my hair.  Dry, wet, after co-wash, before co-wash, at night before bed, in the morning before I put my hat on, air dry, hood dry... and the list goes on. You name it and I've tried it!  The one problem... FRIZZ *insert scream here*.

My first try at a twist set. (Double stand twist all over.)  You can tell how much I like this look by reaction to the picture! lol *failure* I didn't let my hair completely dry.

This is the second day of the very first twist-out (a frizzy mess!!!).

The next day, I decided to just mist my hair and pull it out.  This looks better than day one and two combined but still not a success.

Now, I'm dry flat twisting to my scalp.  I am really digging the fro, but still too frizzy.

Got rid of the frizz but too compact...getting the hang of this thing!

FINALLY!  I got the length and the look that I am looking for! (Two-strand flat twist) My secret product...

Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Leave-in Conditioning Cream!  It has reduced my frizz and it protects my hair from humidity.  It has been the answer to my frizzy prayers!

Day 3- Flat twist!!! Length and no frizz, YAY!!!

Dry twist out

Co-Washing

We have always been taught to shampoo our hair to get it clean.  Well, as you have read in my previous blogs, I've learned that this is not the best way for me to keep my hair clean, manageable and healthy.  Lots of the shampoos on the market are made with sulfates in them.  The sulfates' job is to strip the hair of oil and impurities.  We curlies know that our hair tangles easily when there is no moisture/oil in our hair.  That is why I started trying to find a shampoo that was not so "mean" to my hair.  I talked to my stylist and she told me to begin looking for shampoos that had no sulfates (sulfate-free) in the ingredients.  She even suggested using KeraCare because they had a shampoo that was sulfate-free.  Immediately, I went and purchased the KeraCare shampoo and it worked ok but my hair still seemed to tangle.  I then began reading articles and I kept running across the term co-washing.  I had NO CLUE what that meant.  So, I went to CurlyNikki's website and looked it up in her natural hair dictionary.  The light bulb came on!!!!!!!!!!  I had been crying and detangling and all this time I did not know that I didn't even have to shampoo my hair on a regular basis to get it clean.
Conditioners also have cleansing agents in their ingredients. Therefore, it is safe to co-wash your hair to retain the oil and moisture without all the dirt and product build-up on your hair.  I co-wash my hair once a week and since I am a PJ (product junkie) I use all kinds of conditioners to co-wash my hair but I don't use the same conditioner to deep condition as I do to co-wash. 


Here's a website so you can read more about it. Here is an interesting article that you can read about it too!

JUST FOR PJ's!!!

I read on a blog about product samples and the best way to get them...
Do you see a product on the shelf that you would love to try but are reluctant to purchase?  I have the solution for you!!! Go to the website of the particular product and find the contact us link.  Use that information to send the company an email telling them about your hair in particular and what products you  may be interested in.  Ask for suggestions and samples of the product that they think will work best for your hair.  I did just that and have received sample products from a few companies!!! I love trying new products!!! YAY!!

Condition-Wash-Condition

10/31/11
This weekend, I needed to wash my hair REALLY bad!! So bad that I was thinking of using a shampoo that was not sulfate-free to strip everything to make sure all the "gunk" was out of my hair.  I decided to first do an apple cider rinse and used my finger tips to massage my scalp.  Then I added Dove Intensive Repair conditioner to my hair.  I added olive oil to Herbal Essense (HE) Totally Twisted shampoo and then proceeded to shampoo my hair.  This worked REALLY well, this is now my new method of  TOTALLY cleansing my hair.  I first "pre-poo" (there's and earlier post all about it), condition, shampoo and then deep condition with a plastic cap and sit under the dryer for 10 minutes.  Check out this article about the condition-wash-condition process.

I am OFFICIALLY Posted

I am officially posted!!!!!!! YAY!!! I have submitted my story to SEVERAL natural hair websites and had not heard back or been featured.  But I can now say that I am POSTED!  Check me out!!!

Protective Styling

10/17/11-I have been reading some post/blogs about protective styling and now I am ready to try and see how this works for the length of my hair during the fall and winter months.  I've decided to try some of the techniques/videos I've seen on various websites and videos.  Here we go...
Flat twist in the front and wash n' go in the back.

 Flat twist in the front and double strand twist in the back.

 Flat twist in the front, double strand twist in the back.

 Flat twist in the back toward the front and double strand twist, then rodded on the ends.

 My DIVA look... MY FAV!!!

So far, these are the protective styles that I have tried.  I will try more and update as I go along.   I'm not really a fan of wearing my hair twisted up to go to work but I will try some wigs over my twist to look more professional. 

Twist out from protective style

My 'fro is growing!!!

As much as I despise hats, I am now wearing them to protect my hair from the harsh winter air...

(Check out my new earrings from Accessorizing You!!!)

Check out what Accessorizing You has going on!...Follow them on Twitter @AccessorizingU and/or "Like" us on FaceBook www.FaceBook.com/AccessorizingYou

It was cold this day, so I had the wig AND a hat on, this RARELY happens.  Lol #hotbox

When it starts to get warm I'll throw this had on instead of a wig to run errands.

 

 

This summer I let Sheena Double Strand Twist my natural hair. 6/12

 

I have begun to experiment with putting my hair up in different styles from inspirations off of PINTEREST (yes I'm addicted).

Stay Hydrated

Since college, I have been studying the importance of drinking water.  I have been on a daily quest to drink a minimum of 100 ounces of water a day to stay hydrated.  I began working out to stay healthy and I wanted to know how much water I needed to consume in order to stay hydrated.  I found a website that had a calculator of how much water I should consume...  I often make it to the 115 ounces that I am supposed to drink but not every day. 


I also read on Naturally Curly's website about how to keep you hair healthy and it did not surprise me that the first tip was to drink enough water...


See what the Mayo Clinic has to say about staying hydrated...
Staying hydrated has many benefits: clearer skin, healthier hair and a healthier body.  So, put down the soda and put a little extra H20 in your system!