Twisted head wrap tutorial

So you may already know that my hair guru is nikkimae2003 on YouTube. Well she posted a style using a headband to push your hair up into a new style. I took this idea and adapted it for twisted hair tell me what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

  And the video

My blogging Hiatus

It has been a little while since I blogged for a few reasons: the video I planned to post would not allow me to edit due to a program issue, I went on a cruise, and the most crucial reason....I am am a little tired of my hair.
I am sure others have experienced this... you are tired of your fall back styles and you don't really want to try any new ones. I know I am tired of my hair right now because I have been nrocking this same twist out for a week now. To try to shake myself out of this slump I am going to try a curl formers set tonight. If it turns out well I will continue with these for a while.
Video from the weeks before to come soon :)

Why I went natural and what I've learned

It hit me recently that I didn't share my reasons for beginning the journey to natural. How silly of me....
First let me explain what natural means to me: I do not chemically alter the texture of my hair, I do not apply other harmful things to my hair on a regular basis (i.e flat iron, pressing comb more than every six months), I use products that have shown to do the least harm to my hair (i.e. paraben and sulfate free products), I embrace the natural texture of my hair, I attempt to protect my hair especially the ends a majority of the time.

So about two and a half years ago I was an avid perm user, I had gone to the salon to get my hair colored by a supposed professional (back story: I had my hair colored on several occasions with no adverse effects using the at home coloring products) I waited about 3 to 4 weeks to relax my hair and I had major breakage at the roots. About 6 months after the breakage my hair was half the length of the other hair and began to make styling difficult. The hair that did not break off continued to grow only furthering the difficulty hiding the difference. I had never been one for fake hair but had to resort to something because I was so fearful that someone would see my breakage.
About this time a friend of mine (of the Caucasian persuasion) asked during an alcohol induced silly moment if my hair was made straight by chemicals why I couldn't  just go wet it and make it curly. She insisted that I do this so that she could see it curly.
This started the wheels in my head to turning and I thought, heck I have never even seen my hair curly.  My hair had been straight for as long as I had known it. I had noticed that when I washed my hair even when permed if I did not blow dry it pretty waves would appear. So the next thing you know I had made the decision to stop relaxing my hair, much to my mother's dismay. She after all had been the one to decide to relax it because she could not comb it. Why you ask? Because she was using straight hair tools and methods which were often too small to comb with and moisture was avoided as everyone knows it is a black girls enemy (I'm being sarcastic here).
So my first step was getting braids to get over that initial must perm...must perm feeling. Then I began pressing my hair, because I couldn't let go of the need for straight. After this I had a weird moment while preparing for dance competition in which I saw my curly hair looking so pretty and those darned straight pieces ruining the hang. I just started chopping and arrived for competition with no length and curls :)

So if I had gone to the salon and got color with no breakage, or my friend had not had that final drink, or even if she had not asked when I was already unhappy with the unevenness of my hair I may not be natural today. For so many years I had healthy hair with relaxers, but I think the relaxer coupled with my addiction to the flat iron resulted in the damage that left my hair weak, as well as the products I used which stripped my hair of the moisture it needed to survive. But now I am happily growing curls and wouldn't have it any other way.

So through this journey I have really learned to love me in my skin. I was dating someone when I decided to do the chop and he was not at all cool with the idea of me having short hair. He had to be dropped... I have started experimenting with my hair in ways that I never did with straight hair, because the straight was the style. I have also learned to love water and moisture and to enjoy these things with no fear that my edges will curl up, they are always curled. I am trying to learn to let the silly things people say go in one ear and out the other (for instance my Granny opening the door by saying " I was wondering who that nappy headed little girl was as my door".) I have gone through the experience of being a walking petting zoo, people have often thought it was their right to put their hands in my hair and comment as to how different or weird if feels. ( people don't always think, especially children).

DIY hair products

For some reason I had been rather resistant to making my own products. Possibly due to time constraints, the risk of wasting money for now good reason, and just being resistant to change.

So a few weeks ago my bestie was down and I met her at her friends home. They were planning to make products and do hair that day. My plans were different for the evening but I watched the how to video with them that night and found myself on the hunt for the products needed to make my own leave in. This sparked a desire to also make my own moisturizer. I have been needing a good moisturizer for a while and have not found a product that meets my needs in the stores.

So I am now a convert....I have made two sets of my leave in and one of the moisturizer that I have not yet had to remake. I LOVE the moisturizer (Shea butter, coconut oil, grape seed oil, honey, and olive oil)  and I like the leave in (your favorite commercially made leave in conditioner, Aloe Vera juice, Castor oil, and jojoba oil). The added bonus? you buy the products once and can make the products yourself many times.

The benefits of the moisturizer: my hair feels soft all week and has shine to it, but it is not so oily that I have gross hands if I touch my hair. I have also been able to use a very minimal amount and receive a great benefit. So DIY is the way for me. Next task a shampoo I can live with......

Mistakes Naturals Make

Mistakes Naturals Make

1. Purchasing every product every blogger/vlogger suggests
2. Not experimenting with your hair to see what styles work for you
3. Under moisturizing your hair
4. Not understanding how your hair type (not 4a etc, but porosity, density) affects your hair needs
5. Forcing your natural hair beliefs on others
6. Not owning the awesomeness and even novelty of your hair (of course people will comment, sometimes saying stupid things)
7. Believing everything a fellow natural tells you (i.e. parabens are the devil) you have to know what works for you and why
8. Wearing it (your hair) exposed to the elements too much, or wearing certain protective styles long enough to damage the hair
9. Fighting your hair (it has a mind of its own, relinquish power)
10. Taking a stylist's word to heart without acknowledging the differences in hair beliefs between you

The style that kept changing....

I was heading over to meet my bestie and a friend of hers (it was sort of like a friend blind date), so I decided to do my hair. I planned to wear it down later that night for my hippie costume so I didn't want it out all day. I started with one idea and that evolved several times over about 20 minutes. Below is the result:

Products used: Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner and Coconut oil

Twisted updo on two strand twisted hair

Super easy way to protect your two strand twists and spice up a bland style if you do this most weeks like I do. Tools needed: moisturizer, oil, bobbie pins, hair clip, headband or other accessory.

Solving two natural hair problems (inability to make a pony tail and tight hair)

So for months on end it has bothered me that my hair is long enough for a ponytail but will not go up due to the thickness and shrinkage. It has also bothered me that some people wear their hair so tightly it is obviously doing damage. I wanted to offer some ways to combat these too issues. See my videos from Youtube below.

 

Twisted bun

So to celebrate the last day of my straight hair I did one last styling video. My hair was very frizzy at this point due to the humidity in my city. This style was very easy and worked to protect my hair. Twists are the major facet in the style, you know how I love them. I also got to use the Beauty Elixir by Orofluido aka oil that I received in my October Birchbox. I love the way this product smells, it's vanilla amber with argan oil and two others I am unfamiliar with.
See the video below and tell me if you have any comments, requests or questions.

Rosie the Riveter inspired Scarf Tutorial

See the video for my style yesterday. I have been enjoying playing with my straight hair this week. Though I made the grave mistake of wearing my hair out and down last night on a very humid night so the result? Puff ball this morning....oh well :)

 

 

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: Low Porosity Hair- Natural Hair Care and Styling

Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Natural Hair Care: Low Porosity Hair- Natural Hair Care and Styling:  by L. Providence of PartyOverHair.com Always wonder why it takes your hair forever and a day to dry? Or how about why it seems a...

Easy protective style for straight natural hair

See the video for my most recent style. There was initially music but for some reason I had to choose between you hearing the audio of my words or the song. I am still figuring out all this vlogging stuff :)

Birchbox unboxing/ Entwine Sample unboxing

On this day the mail man knocked on my door and delivered 3 packages!
One was a product I was testing, the other two were a little more exciting. My Entwine Couture audition kit and my September Birch Box.

The prizes in this months Birch Box for me were the Color Club nail polish in Insta-this (great color for fall), Kate spade new -Twirl sample scent, twistband-hair tie (it looks like a simple ribbon tied in a knot but it adds interest to a pony-tail or bun),  the tili- plastic bag (colorful and made for beauty essentials), and the Fall look book (I need help with fashion :).

As I talked about in another post I love the moisture I have received from Entwine Couture, though I don't love the smell. I also didn't have much luck when I tried the styles on their site, except for the two from youtube vloggers- MsVaughTV and Nikkimae2003.

 

 

* I will be eligible to receive a portion of any products purchased due to links on my blog, though that is not why I wrote about these products. Added bonus.

My September styles

Above are the styles I did last month

Style day 10/7 -flat iron

So today I decided to change it up and straighten my hair.

I did this for two reasons:

To do a length check

To trim my ends

 

I started out looking like this:

This was the result of the twist out from the style I showed you last week.
I did a pre-poo with Tail and Mane conditioner, washed my hair with Mop Top shampoo and deep conditioned in the shower with Treseme moisture conditioner. Out of the shower I used the sample of Beautiful Textures leave in conditioner added Argon oil and began the process of straightening.

I sectioned my hair into 8 sections and worked on one at a time. I used the Goody Style brush to come through as I dried it with the blow dryer, it helped straighten it but also was very difficult to comb through with my hair texture. Once all the sections were dried I started to flat iron. I used the CHI silk infusion all over my hair before blow drying and the Fantasia Hair polisher on each section I dried. I then added one drop of each as I flat ironed the sections.
I made sure to do small sections as this has been my problem in the past.

The end result

 

And here is the video about the products

 





My weekly regime and this week's style in video form

Styling Bantu Knot-out with video

I have done Bantu knots once before with little success. I did this during my transitioning period. When I received my Entwine Couture audition kit it included a styling guide for a Bantu knot out so I decided to give it a try. This style required dry hair so the night before I washed my hair after having had small twists in for two weeks and used for banded sections to stretch and dry my hair.In the morning as I took out the bands I finished drying areas that needed it with my blow dryer. I styled my hair as per usual that day and completed the knots before I went to sleep last night. So to create the look I used the Entwine Butter Creme moisturizer, the Creme de la mold and Argon Oil to lock it all in. See the beginning process below.

Below is the video of the take down process. I took out all of the Bobbie Pins then added the Argon oil to my hands and unrolled the knots.

So once again, I don't think that Bantu knots are for me. I ended up as you can see making a sad pouf and wasting quite a while doing the knots. Oh well live and learn.

I love your hair do you?

Love

 

 

Note: I don't own this picture, a friend posted it on Facebook and I wanted to share it with you.

Hair inferiority...do you have it?

I was sitting across from my friend recently talking about the Texture revolution that I recently attended and therefore natural hair. I was sporting a fresh twist out as per usual for the weekends. My friend showed me a few pictures of her twist out and stated that she wished her twistouts would come out like mine.

It hit me at that moment that I often think the same thoughts

Looking at her pictures I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't sport her twist out as is.

While I was at the natural hair event I found myself looking at other naturals and also wishing I had their hair.

Why are we not satisfied with our own hair?

 

I don't plan to answer that for anyone but I do think it has to do with the ongoing thought that our hair isn't as nice as other textures. How many times have you heard that so and so has "good hair"? I think this statement implies that the person saying it and those she is talking to have "bad hair". I have also never heard one of those people with the "good hair" utter that same statement. Loose wavy, or loose curly hair is not good, in the sense that tight curly, coily or kinky hair is not bad.

It is great to get inspiration from others, but I challenge you to love your hair as it is. One reason is you would be amazed at how much better and confident you will feel. Also your hair will never be dramatically different than it is at this moment. It may be healthier but the texture will not change.

 

I am taking this to mind and when I see another natural girl with hair I like I will say "she has a nice regimen or nice styling". I will not expect my hair to change to look like hers. Likewise when I see a skinny girl or smaller curvy girl I will not call her a mean name in my head (hehe), I will say "she must have great impulse control...I will continue to work on this in myself".

 

Love

My styling game is getting so good

So on my usual weekly wash and style day this week I was feeling no bueno so I wasn't up for doing a head full of small twists as per usual. So I went to the stand by of searching Youtube.com videos and came up with no ideas again. So I went in the bathroom and improvised. On my freshly washed but only moderately damp hair. I did four flat two strand twist going toward my left ear. Then I  completed 9 smaller flat two strand twists going to the middle of my head. I gathered the four larger twists into a low pony tail and made them into a bun by twisting them around the pony tail holder. I then grabbed the smaller twists pulling them toward the left ear I twisted them flat against the scalp and secured with bobby pins. I added a hair accessory for today and below is the style that I recreated this morning.

 Doesn't look all that glamorous freshly unwrapped from my scarf

 The front of my hair pre-twisting to the side

 After I have twisted the front twists.

The finished product

Another view

And yet another view

My Mom's big Chop

Following out attendance of the Texture revolution my mother decided she was ready for the big chop. I admit I wasn't the most supportive daughter with this decision but I did agree to cut her hair for her. I have never and probably never will like short hair so that was my hesitation. My mom is pretty happy though and enjoying the benefits of not having to deal with two different hair textures. See the pictures:

 immediately after the BC

 Her first twist out!

Texture Revolution event in Addison, TX

On August 25th I attended the Texture revolution hosted by Naturally Divine Beauty, a beauty supply shop in the Dallas area. I learned several things at this event but the main benefit was simply being around all of those other naturals.
Some key points: 1)My hair is dry!- this is to be expected of my hair type and texture
                            2)Coconut oil can be left in the hair overnight for maximum                             absorption of the water during your shampoo
                             3)I have low porosity, meaning my hair does not accept moisture in very well at all
                             4) I still don't know what hair type I have but I know that I have dry, curly, not kinky, low porosity, dense, medium not coarse hair

Of course I was told things that have already been countered since my friend attended a similar conference but I still feel that this was a worthwhile event. I of course purchased several things at the event: Moptop shampoo, a natural girl T-shirt, a twist/dread jewel,  hair tie that I will use to spice up my poufs, and two adjustable head bands. Below are some pictures from the event.

 My new fav shirt!

 See the pretty bejeweled hair tie?!?

My major take away from this event is that I should love my hair as is as it won't get any better than it is when soaking wet. So I am learning to love everything about my hair!

Braidout versus twistout

So now that I am a braid- out expert, having done it two-three times now I can evaulate their difference from twist outs. In general I like the look of braid-outs more than the look of twist outs. Also since the braid keeps the hair together better it is easier to do fewer braids and get a similar look. Twist outs usually require more work for a look that I like. I also like the way a braid allows you to keep more of your length. When I twist I often find that the length of my hair quickly disappears before I can do anything to prevent it. I have taken to banding my twists to prevent this. I have found that a braid out needs to remain in for less time to affect the hair pattern. Whereas I cannot do twists and then remove the same day for a nice affect.
A small twist out can remain well defined for two days or more, depending on your luck. Whereas a braid out only maintains shape for one day. Twist outs had been my favorite but now that I have done braid outs that may have changed. I may plan my braid outs and only do small twists for twist outs. I will no longer do the chunky twists for twist outs.
I'm so glad I finally tried the braids!

My first braidout, Yes Really 2 1/2 years and my 1st braid out

So don't ask me why but earlier this month was the first time that I did a braid out. Maybe it had something to do with my limited ability to braid or just that I had been doing twists and twist outs for so long and liking the results. So my accidental braidout was the result of a style I attempted which called for 8 cornrows that were then twisted up to make a cute up do. Of course the style really didn't work for me as my hair though its relatively long draws up so much the length needed for the style disappeared. When I took my hair down at the end of the week I was amazed. My twistouts never lay like the braidout did and the length was AWESOME. See for yourself below

Only down side? It looked quite unattractive the next day :(

Three free Miss Jessie's products

I finally took my mother's advice and typed http://www.missjessies.com/ into my browser. They are offering three free products when you visit. I don't know how long this will last so I am glad that I made it in time. They do ask for your credit/debit card information for verification purposes.

I received my lovely bag today with my three samples of the Creme de la Curl Shampoo, Sweetback treatment, and curly pudding. I plan to use all of these this weekend as a part of my weekly washing. I will let you know how it goes, I suggest you try it yourself as well if they are still available.

I know I am probably super late to jump on the Miss Jessie's bandwagon but I only purchase things that I can find in my local stores until I know that it works. I am hoping to get a curly box subscription so I can find the right products for me. Happy curling :)

Stylin'

Wearing twists can get a little old below are a few ways to spice them up:

This also helped to stretch my hair a little

The before hum drum look

The spiced up more interesting version

Here is a style inspired by a style I saw on another blogger's page

                                                         

Bad hair day fixed

So as I mentioned in my last post I have discovered an out for the "bad hair" day or really the "I am tired of messing with my hair day". Below is one of the scarves I have worn this week. The two new ones I have purchased recently are oddly shaped rectangle ones so this is the only way to wear them that actually covers and protects my hair.

(disregard the puffy eyes, I was sleepy;)

Bad hair day

Have you experienced those days that you just hate your hair. Not that it is doing anything out of the ordinary just that all you can think to do with it you are tired of doing? Well I had one of those days this week. I looked up some ideas for what else I could do, which only ended up making it worse. I go to try a hair style that a woman with similar length hair did and it just wouldn't work. Sometimes I feel that no one else has hair as thick and shrinkage prone as mine. I know of course this is not true but get frustrated when I can't find tutorials posted by these like-haired people.
I decided not to wallow in this feeling too long however and just amended the style and felt cute again. I decided that since I don't always feel like spending hours on the weekend doing twists that will last all week; there is no reason I can't do chunky twists that I cover with a cute scarf and then enjoy a weekend of twisted out styling.
Having natural hair requires constant commitment and self pep talking to remain feeling positive about how you look. At least it does for me. It is also great to have natural friends who randomly text me photos of their hair and comment when I try something new that I am not yet confident about.

Update after visiting Too Groovy for the 2nd time

So as promised here is the report from my second visit to Too Groovy Salon in Atlanta, GA. Here is the before picture:

Here is the picture after I got my hair blown straight:

Look at that growth!!!!

Here is the picture of the finished, styled product taken 6/29/2012:

Then on my flight to Texas my hair fell but was still wonderfully cute!

I had a wonderful experience again at Too Groovy. She told me that my hair is dry and asked what products I was using. She said that others have had issues with Shea Moisture making their hair dry, but I don't know that I agree. My hair has always been dry and I have used many different products over my 26 years. I think my own make up and the water quality have a lot to do with it. I know now that there is no need to waste money on high dollar products that claim to repair the moisture content like I did when I purchased new shampoo and conditioner at the last stylists suggestion. My bestie is planning to get me a shower head that will soften the water and I am hoping that I see some changes. Though since my hair has always felt dry I don't know what non-dry hair feels like.

So after 10 days may hair is still clinging to the straightness thanks to a low activity week for me. Though with the rain and dance this week I know I won't have straight hair much longer so good bye length :(

Taken today 7/9/2012

Too Groovy Salon (ATL) revisited the prequel

This Friday I will be going back to ATL, before I leave on Saturday I have an appointment at Too Groovy Salon. The last time I was there I had a great appointment. I was advised to use Moroccan Oil Shampoo and conditioner to improve the dryness of my hair. I have done that since, though I believe the water quality in my city and the biology of my body plays a major role in the dryness of my hair. I am interested to know if my hair is any more hydrated that when I was last at Too Groovy in March.
I of course will post how this appointmnet went along with before and after pictures of my hair. I am also interested to see how long it has gotten since March and if my ends are in better shape.
Unfortunately the stylist that did my hair when I last visited now longer works at Too Groovy so she won't be able to tell me.
*Excited*

Happy fro-day!

Loving how huge my 'fro has gotten! I used no heat for this FYI, I had been wearing my hair in a pouf. I added some of my Shea Moisture leave in conditioner and used my Tangle Teazer to detangle, this was the result. One day I may muster up the courage to leave my home with a 'fro.

Twists and more Twists

Twisted and Untwisted

Twisted up and protected

Change up on the normal twist style

After Youtubing it I found a new way to to do my twists and I love it!

Product review- Clear Total Care Nourishing Daily Conditioner

So for years I have thought I had simple dandruff and dry skin. The only problem is that dandruff shampoo, grease, oil etc have resulted in ultimately the same result. After doing some research I think a more accurate description of my issue is Seborrhea. I have the flaky skin in my eyebrows, my hairline, ears, nose and armpits (so ladylike).

On one trip to a CVS I happened upon Clear and decided to try it.

I have noticed that whereas I normally have to wash my hair weekly because of the itchiness in my scalp and the flakes, this is no longer an issue. I have heard of other people wearing twist outs or twists for a few weeks at a time and wondered how that was possible. At this point I think it is safe to say it is the Clear as nothing else in my hair regimen has changed.

So if you have dry scalp or just want to make sure your scalp is getting what it needs, I would recommend trying Clear, though I have only used the Nourishing Daily Conditioner. * I have not used it daily, only when I normally wash my hair which is usually weekly.

Words of encouragement for the natural girl

Today a coworker of mine advised me not to ever put chemicals (by this she meant perm/relaxer) on my hair because my hair was beautiful as it is. I must say this made my day and may continue to make me happy tomorrow. I often feel less attractive with my natural hair than I did with my artificially straight hair. I wonder if guys don't like me because my hair is "nappy". I am always sure that extended look at my new attempt at hair styling is disapproval.
I suggest offering kind words to those natural girls/ladies in your life. We need them. Some words from myself:

No you don't look like you did before, this doesn't mean you aren't still beautiful. Loving yourself is more important than approval from others. If that guy doesn't like you because of your hair, he is not worthy. Everyone in your life will not love or even like your hair, but that is okay you don't like everything they wear or try either.

What to do with that 'fro day 2

So still experiencing the buzz from being so self sufficient ( I attempted to look up a style on Youtube on Wednesday and the site wouldn't load for me. I had to think of my style all on my own) I tried again. This time I aimed to keep the bump smaller and the back more smooth. This time I pushed back the front and twisted it and secured with bobby pins, again I pulled back the back section of my hair this time going down toward the nape of my neck.

Tools used: Water, gel, leave in conditioner, Bobbie pins and ponytail holder. 

What to do with that fro

So I awoke on Wednesday with a day old chunky twist out and wondered what can I do with this? I decided to style the front in a pompadour/bump and pull the back into a high "ponytail". I was trying to minimize the amount of exposure my hair gets to the elements as well.

To achieve this I wet y hair with a spray bottle full of water, added some leave in conditioner and a little Eco-Styler gel. I brushed the front back achieved the desired look and then added the necessary amount of bobby pins. For the back, since my hair is so thick I used my Tangle Teaser to get the hair as high and smooth as I could.

Tools used: Bobbie pins, water, leave in conditioner, pony-tail holder, gel

New styling attempt

This past Sunday was my typical twisting day, alas I didn't have the energy to sit for the hours it takes to properly do my twists. I decided to wash and go in the morning for work. This has never really worked for me as I am not a huge fan of my 'fro as a style. So I did a roll with a pompadour on one side and a big two strand twist on the other. I finished this style with an off center ponytail. Look at me styling on the fly :)

The evolution of my 'fro

My how my 'fro has grown! It has been almost two years since I last relaxed my hair and a year since I cut the last of the relaxed ends off.... Look at the evolution

My best puff ever- Natural Hair

So for a year and a half I have tried to avoid the use of gel when doing my puff. I wonder why now. Last night I co-washed my hair, detangled with leave in conditioner and coconut oil and then added Eco styler gel and brushed my hair back. I secured my hair with a double ouchless head band. Then I applied my scarf to help keep my hair in shape, I then removed the head band (it is not stretched out enough to use in that fashion) I used a simple ribbon to tie my hair in the shape it was in with the doubled head band. When I go up this morning I removed the scarf, took out the ribbon and then reapplied the head band. I don't know why I haven't done this before it was so easy and the best it has looked. I am looking forward to more lazy days :) Pictures below.

Products used: Organix Moroccan Argon Oil conditioner; Shea Moisture- Restorative conditioner leave in or wash out, I left it in; Coconut oil; Eco Styler Gel.  

Product review- Curls Unleashed Curl Defining Creme

The last time I completed twist outs I used a new product- Curls Unleashed's Curl defining Creme. It states that it is great for controlling your curls and to minimize shrinkage. It is also supposed to be good for use when doing shingling, twistouts, coils or freestyle.
I was disappointed my hair felt hard and dry when it completely dried. I also didn't notice any change in the shrinkage amount with my hair. It did however look very good and pretty when it was wet and untwisted. I may try it again for wash an go styles but will have to add something for moisture retention.
I usually use Shea Moisture's Curl enhancing smoothie, and will continue to use it form now on.

Naturally yours,
Dancer.s

Too Groovy Salon- Atlanta, Georgia- review

This past weekend I took a trip to the Too Groovy Salon in Atlanta, GA following in my hair guru's (Nickimae2003 on Youtube) footsteps. Apparently I am not the only one that followed her there so I think they should slip her some money :)  I must say I enjoyed my visit. They have a very strict punctuality policy but since I was flying in from Texas and had been delayed the stylist and the other staff kept this in mind and waited for me. When it came to atmosphere they were very professional with refeshements available. Also offered menus to local restaurants that would delivery since I had been flying all day and it was dinner time. When I didn't jump on that opportunity the stylist recommended local restaurants I could visit after I left, which lead to the restaurant I dined in solo (Mary Mac's Tea Room).

SO now for the hair. I received a consolation from a soon to be full time stylist who was very helpful, a steam treatment, a trim and a silk process( aka the best flat ironing of my life). I was blown away by the silk process because I had recently straightened my hair and there was so much more than I knew. When I left it was not apparent that I had natural hair it was so straight. When my mother saw my hair she asked how long it would last as she thought it had been chemically altered. Long story short I loved it and I will be returning soon when I travel back to ATL in June.

A Natural Girls Bread and Butter

Headbands, hair nets, hair combs, Bobbie pins, feathers, clips, hats..... the list goes on and on. There are so many hair accessories that can be added to spice up a TWA, twists, twists outs, wash 'n go's etc. With all of the options there are there really shouldn't be one day that your hair isn't something to talk about or is boring. Use all those tools available to make every natural hair day a good hair day!


                                                               Only a very small sampling of my hair arsenal.

Black History Month

Black History Month

Usually during black history month I would thank Madam CJ Walker for inventing the hair relaxer as I always thought she did. I learned this year that it was actually Garrett A Morgan who made this discovery, nonetheless this year I would like to thank a different type of black hair care revolutionary. The natural hair video bloggers. My favorite continues to be Nikkimae2003 of youtube.com fame. I have also recently been following Naptural85 and SimplYounique. Thanks so much ladies for all the help and advice that you have given me since the beginning of may natural hair journey. It has led me to inventing my own new hair styles and routine.

My journey welcome

My natural hair journey began August 2010 when I stopped relaxing my hair. During that time I continued to straighten my hair by pressing it. This resulted in some breaking. In May 2011 I did the big chop and finally started treating my hair gently. Since then the lack of breakage has been amazing.