Oil Mixture

One of the biggest adjustments for me going natural was accepting oil into my hair care regimen.

I was accustomed to using grease for many years and had considered that oil because besides the petroleum there is oil in grease as well. So when I heard of people putting oil in their hair I was opposed for a while as many of the vloggers I was following warned of the hazards of petroleum in your hair. I soon educated myself more and now swear by using natural oils for many reasons.

One of my favorite ways to use oil is my oil rinse. I have a concoction of natural oils that I have in an applicator bottle that I apply in the shower after pre-pooing, washing, conditioning, and rinsing my hair. After the mixture is in I rinse it with water (since water won't rinse away all of the oil) then seal with aloe vera juice (as long as I am not out).

Below see the oils I use

Jamaican Black Castor oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Almond Oil, Jojoba oil, and Lavender oil.

 

All of the oils, with the exception of the lavender oil, are carrier oils. The lavender is an essential oil which should always be diluted to avoid a negative reaction. I add the lavender to add scent and for aroma therapy. This lovely mixture is also great for your body and I will often apply it after a shower as well.

Braid and roll "bun" tutorial

Though it may seem silly to protect your hair when it is straight, I find it necessary. The first few days my hair was straight I wore it down and noticed that it pulled on everything it touched. So here is one of the first styles I created to keep it safe from the elements and coats.  

Faux hawkish, updo

Below are some pictures of a style I thought up to go out dancing at a salsa club. 

I scale hair style success based on the following:

1. Do I feel pretty?
2. Does it hurt?
3. Did it change during the day?
4. Did I receive any compliments on it?
5. How long does it take me to do?

=This style rated very high and I will likely replicate it. 

It came to me because I had undefined, semi stretched hair. This would usually keep me in the house but instead I decided to take control of it. 

 

So how did I accomplish this style you ask? 

I started by two strand twisting a section in the front for the bang. *I added styling product and detangled first.* I did this part before getting in the shower and getting dressed.  

Once the hair had time to take shape I separated the hair in the back into 3 sections. I made the first pony tail and then twisted that section of hair, I then pulled that hair into the next section and twisted all of that hair as well, I repeated this one final time without twisting as the bottom section is the bun. I secured the hair with a hair band with the hair doubled over into and easy bun. To get hold with this style I used my lovely aloe Vera gel ( tons of it) and gently brushed. 

At this point I removed the twists in front, I then arranged the hair to the side and twisted the very ends tucking them under and securing with a Bobbie pin or two.  Voila, simply, easy, and classy. 

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My trial with hair leaves

Have you ever heard of leaves?

For your hair I mean?

 

During a routine search of Youtube several months ago, I stumbled upon a style named a leaf. In this method you take a twist or loc fold it upon itself ( the hair length determines the amount of times this is done), you then secure it with a rubber band a repeat to your heart's desire.

I attempted this shortly after discovering it and decided to finally share my thoughts and the experience with others.

Basically I like the idea of the style, I found it rather easy to get the hang of, and I have decided that it would be a better option when my hair is longer. Check out my video covering the subject and random other musings regarding twists/ flat twists.

 

 

 

 

 

Twists on dry hair| Natural hair

I am usually a proponent for doing twists on wet/damp hair. I just think that it looks more sleek and results in a better twist out. I have done twists on dry hair in the past and it just didn't look too great. Yesterday though I simply could not wait to wash my hair- enter eczema- so I did an ACV (Apple cider vinegar) wash and used conditioner I had put some tea tree oil in. My hair felt better but I was not about doing hours of work on a Saturday. So I tried a faux hawk style and rocked it for the weekend.
So this week I have two big professional moments, my final grad school presentation and a job interview (wish me luck). So I decided twists could be more easily converted to a professional style. So tell me what you think. I may post the cute professional styles later.

Pictures, pictures and more pictures

So over the past several weeks I have done several things with my hair. I did twists with a few leafs in the front, I curled my twists and I did a few twist outs and twisted styles. I plan to post videos but why deprive you of the pictures ? :)

 The curled twists

 tired of trying to get my face right

 After the Phi Alpha Honor Society ceremony

The twists with the leafs in front

 

 

So on to what has been bothering me of late, continued comments that my twists look like dreads/locks. Really folks is it the twisting pattern that looks like a lock or the curl at the end of my twists? Ugh lol

The second gripe I have is my stupid itchy/eczema, sebhorric dermatitis. I have tried so many methods, the prescription, the over the counter, the natural, and the result is that all of them work for a while. The really solution seems to simply be washing my hair much more often than I am comfortable with if I want any sort of cute, set style. Oh well que sera, sera.