How Does It Look - 10/10/11 Protective Style Challenge

  Hi There and Happy Monday.  I have been doing my hair since 11am this morning and just finished at 630pm.  That really is not that bad although I have a small area in my crown that is incomplete because I ran out of the marley hair.

I decided this week to do my normal wash routine except that I slept with my deep conditioner in my hair and prepoo'd for about 7 hours.  I bought some Marley braid hair to try my hand at some marley kinky twists.  When I started I had no idea what I was getting in to but I continued none the less.  Well first of all I should have split the hair in half because these individual twists are alot heavier than I would have expected.  I was hoping to eventually curl the ends but will have to see if the weight will be too much for my strands.  Therefore, I decided to do a quick updo because I had to go and bowl my league.

I will be purchasing another pack of hair to finish the crown sometime tomorrow or wednesday.  I tried my hand at them before I would go an pay someone $180 to do them.  I think that I definitely have it down but since this is the first try I could see room for definite improvement.  I have the patience to do a variety of styles that take quite a bit of time as long as I schedule myself to do it.

I will be moisturizing and sealing often but when putting these in, I did moisturize my hair and the marley hair with my Beemine Curly Hold Butter.  I will have to order more because I definitely am scraping the bottom of the container.

Products Used:
Prepoo-100% Pure Coconut Oil & Black Castor Oil
Shampoo- ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo ( I like this, New for me didn't strip or dry)
Deep Condition - Aubrey Honey Suckle Rose & Black Castor Oil
Leave In - Hairveda Whipped Creme Ends Hydration
Styler - Beemine Curly Hold Butter
Jane Carter - Wrap Lotion ( To Lay down any fly aways on twists)
One N Only - Argan Oil Treatment ( to discourage frizz/ Will use Natural Argan oil going forward)

Well hope you like them and Let me know what you think.

Just a little switch up!

Hey just a bit of an update as I have not done much to these set of twists.  I did release the twists that were pinned up and swooped to the side to give a different look today.

I must say that I have not been spending alot of time moisturizing these twists.  Maybe its the process that I did on wash day and the products used. I did notice that with the last twists that when I took those down as well they were still highly moisturized.  Maybe my sealing and that Bee Hold Butter by Beemine when twisting is the ticket.  My hair in general is feeling really good with this regimen and although I am contemplating getting kinky twists but I want to make sure that I am retaining just as much moisture if I were to get them.

A girlfriend of mine wants me to make her a batch of  homemade butter/pomade and I think I will take care of that this weekend.  I will be creating a Shea/Aloe mix with mango butter, Aloe vera juice, avocado oil, black jamaican castor oil, and a bit of olive and argan oil.  Should be a treat and I will let you guys know how it all turns out.  She lives in Philly so I will be going to the post office to send off the batch to her.

Not sure whether Saturday or Sunday will be my wash day but I am looking forward to creating a new style this weekend and have been probing the internet looking for styles to combine.  That is if I don't decide to just go on and get those kinky twists.   I am wondering if someone who does the kinky twists would incorporate moisture in their process when putting those in?  I will have to investigate prior to securing a stylist for this.   Monday is Columbus Day and I will be off from work.  This may also be a good day to relax and get some of those closets changed from Spring/Summer to Fall Winter although Saturday is suppose to be 80 degrees.

Until the next update.... See Ya!

Wet Styling and Dry Styling

Just a quick post to talk about Styling your hair Wet as oppose to Dry.

I find that I prefer to let my hair air dry in twists then style later when it is dry.  I will apply  my leave-in and moisturizer and seal.  I will use my styler/butter and seal the ends again when completed styling.  When styling my hair we for twists, the hair seems alot more fragile and more prone to snag and break due to styling tools or a bad/lack of manicure.   This is an observance that I will have to remedy if I am finger detangling amd braiding/twisting or finger parting. 

Of course we do not want to over moisturize the hair and a balance must be in place.  I like how the gel styler or butter coats the strands for pliability of the hair when styling.  That is manageability without making the strands weaker.  This also flows in to the conversation of fine strands and using heavy cream based products, butters and gels.

My fine strands love a water based product.  My porosity is mostly normal but sometimes seem a bit high due to my color treated areas.  My hair does very well with lite cream based products like cream gels, Oyin's Hair Dew, AVG and light pomades like Oyin's BSP.

Just a quick little thought and post.

10/4/11 - How Does It Look? Protective Style Challenge .

Pretty in Pink - Monday

Good Morning,

Well as you can see I am sticking to my guns and trying new styles for my protective style challenge.   I have been in some form of twists for over a month although the Challenge that I joined did not start until October 1st.

Sunday was my Hair Day and here is the regimen :

Pre-poo 100% pure Coconut Oil
30 minutes in Heat Therapy Wrap, 30 mins with just plastic cap
Lush Curly Wurly Shampoo ( Left pieces of Coconut in my hair but using until all gone)
Deep Conditioned with ORS Hair Mayonaise and Jamaican Black Castor Oil ( Got a small for 6.99 in Beauty store) 30 mins in Heat Therapy Wrap
Rinsed and Applied Leave In Conditioner - Hairveda Whipped Creme  Ends Hydration
Let air dry in several twists 
Twisted and Styled with Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade and Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter

Flat twist front across and swoop up and pin curled

I did not know how I wanted to style but figured no matter what, put the individual 2 strand twists in the back to help with alternative styling during the week.  I did pretty small 2 strands and they seemed okay but a little scraggly at the ends.(not as bad as pictured but working on them, hence the protective style challenge)


Played it by ear with the sides and front but over all it turned out okay.   I will keep these for at least a week hopefully.  Next weekend I may try the Zizyphus that RadiantBrownBeauty.com recommended.

When I got to work I was not liking the back hanging and found a hair accessory in my desk drawer that used to be my Grandmothers and decided to pull the back up towards the top.  Especially with the turtle neck, I want to preserve these ends of mine.

I started my hair after 8:30 pm and finished as I watched TV around 11pm.  Next week I will try to be a little more creative but these up styles are good for the work place as well.   I may try to add hair next week to try to get more weeks out of the style.  I am going to spend this week finding styles that I may want to try.  If anyone has suggestions please feel free to add a link in the comment section.   I have thought about kinky twists so that I can just style those any way that I would want.  Of course I would still be moisturizing and sealing and conditioning while wearing those.   Its a thought, we will see!

Been trying to keep my edges not tight but protected in the twists .

Have a Great Week!

How Does it Look ? My Protective Style Challenge - 09/25/11-9/30/11

Hi Everyone,

Here are some pictures of the different way I styled my twists this week.   I will be doing my hair this weekend and posting pictures when I decide the exciting next protective style.   Remember I am challenging myself to create new styles.

9/28/11 Front Rolled to Back

9/29/11

9/29/11  Back Rolled

Thurs 9/29/11

Friday 9/30/11

9/30/11 Twisted & tucked.... Great fully protective Style

How Does it Look ? My Protective Style Challenge - 09/25/11

Flat Twist to one side w/ Individual 2 strand twists set on Rod curlers

  Well I have decided that each week or two that I would chronicle my new Protective Style Challenge.   The official challenge is from October 1st- January 1, 2012.   This challenge came by way of a Blogger who at this time I can not remember which one...LOL.  Any Who, I did this challenge for 6 months last year but this year I feel I know even more about my hair and my tendencies.

Well I feel that this year I have damaged my hair with trying to highlight my hair twice by two different stylist and I can see (of course I hide it) the damage from the color and processing.   I however plan on trying to strengthen my hair with this challenge.   I want to color my hair BLACK again and began some Amla/Bramhi/Ayurvedic powder treatments and deep conditioning treatments to help my hair get stronger.   I may even cut it if it definitely warrants it to re-jump start my journey again.

BACK VIEW.... I DON'T KNOW WHY I BOTHER TO PAY A STYLIST

Well I did not wash my hair this weekend but I did this twist style that I only plan on wearing for one week.  I attempted this to see just how well I would be able to part and flat twist but I plan on creating lots of twist styles both flat and individual twists along with my hair care regimen of deep conditioning and major treatments to give my hair the break and special treatment it needs.    Stay tuned to see next week what my process will be.  I am going to be experimenting with some major deep treatments, prepoo and natural products that I already have in my Stash to create something that works for me.   I am due for a bit of a trim, so I may definitely incorporate a good trim in to this weeks Hair Day.

The plan is to chronicle my protective style challenge on my blog and to challenge my styling skills as well as to hold me to my challenge.   I will not have a particular wash schedule but:

1.  I will do deep conditioning treatment at least 3 times per month.
2.  Prepoo with Vatika Oil and Conditioner prior to using No Sulfate Shampoo.
3.  Deep condition with my Heat Therapy Wrap ( just bought)
4.  Keep my hair twisted, braided, bun, and my ends protected as much as possible with only 2 days loose hair. (if even that long, mostly prior to wash day).
5.  Moisturize and seal in the AM and the PM.


I will not indicate which products will be used but I will continue to use all natural products to prevent buildup.  I will do rinsing or co washing while in these styles only when necessary.  I may also utilize my steamer while in protective styles to add even more moisture if deemed necessary.  Yesterday when doing this style, my hair felt weak to me.   Although it may just have been because I was going from one style to another without washing but to me my hair felt fragile.  I did not like that feeling.  My hair deserves better and I am going to give it the Attention.

Some things I will be paying attention to:

1.  My diet
2.  My nails when styling.  Do not damage hair because of raggedy nails!
3.  Root to tip thickness, curl reaction and porosity.
4.  Protecting ends and special moisture and seal of last 1/2 of strands.  Extra moisture and care.
5.  My hair reaction to my regimen on a weekly basis.  updates, updates, and documenting.

Goal:  Healthy Body, Healthy Hair, Healthy Spirit, Healthy Mind = Happy Me!

UPDATES - Hair / Weight..... September....

Twist out after 8 day old twist/braid style

Hello Everyone,

At least it hasn't taken me as long to post something.  I have been doing my usual, working, bowling and supporting my wonderful College Sophomore Daughter.  My weight journey has not ended but I am beginning today to rededicate my focus on this because I want to have a healthy and long life for my Family.

SALON STYLIST TWISTS/BRAID STYLE

My hair in the picture above is a well shrunken twist out because I moisturize and seal my twists every day.  I went to a stylist to have it done ($40) and I was pleased with the service but found myself splitting the twists in 1/2 to transform into mini twists which I prefer much better.  She used Design Essential Curly Cream on my my hair that was slightly blown dry.   While the stylist was washing my hair she noticed that I had some pieces of my hair that were straighter than normal and we both contributed that to Color Damage.   Although not totally straight, these sections are about 2.5 inches from the root which helped me to determine the cause.  I knew I was having a slight difficulty in keeping some of my twists more taut and opted for rope twisting when necessary (twist each strand before twisting together). Now that I know the culprit, I can try to pay close attention and baby my strands and make sure that I am doing the best to strengthen the weakened areas.

This past Saturday I dedicated my morning and afternoon to a hair day.  Here is what I did and the products that I used.

Pre-poo - Yes to Tomatoes/Vatika Oil  1hr pre-poo
Shampoo - Lush Curly Wurly
Masque - Butters n bars Original Hair Masque ( Boy did my curls Pop!)
Deep Conditioner - ORS Hair Mayonaise/ Olive Oil - Heat Cap for 30 mins/ Sit 30 mins.
Leave In Conditioner - Hairveda Whipped Creme  Ends Hydration
Styling: Oyin Whipped Pudding and Burnt Sugar Pomade
Oil:  Hairveda AvoSoya Oil with Neem
Moisture: Aloe Vera Gel/ Aloe Vera Juice/H20  ( to curl the ends)

My hair when finished was super moisturized, shiny, soft and NICE!  At night I usually twist all in 5 twists, 2 on each side and a big one in the back and put a scarf on and then a satan bonnet.  The ones in the back I try to band a little to delay the shrinkage after moisturizing at night.  I did my hair very similar to what the stylist did with basically a braided fan with twisted ends for 2 inches then individual twists all over.   This style keeps the twists out of my face when bowling and exercising and helps with my edges (growth and retention).  I pay special attention to the edges around the front of my head due to thin edges and fine strands.  With this style I am able to do several up do's because the majority of my hair is still mini twisted.

"Shrinkage is a Mutha tho".  The sides of my hair are Collar bone length and beyond but still shrinks to jaw length.  This is why I feel like my hair is not growing, although I know different truthfully.

As for my weight, I have gained 4 pounds and I am on a mission to lose those 4 plus more by the end of September.  My eating habits will be put back on track as well as I will be using a combination of Cardio (treadmill) as well as strengthening.

My lunch Thursday ( Jumbo Shrimp Salad/Jumbo lump Crab Meat Club

  

on Wheat Toast (LOL)

Pictured Above - You see how I gained that 4 pounds...LOL.  must be the Mayo and Old Bay Seasoning

I have been surprised by my ability to run on the treadmill whereas I cannot on the actual track/field.  Not as much pressure on  my knees.   I have cut back the amount of time on my cardio to 1 hour as oppose to 90 mins and are doing 2 30 minute sessions.  Once in the Morning and Once in the evening.  I need to get my butt in the gym that I am paying for because I have not gone once since paying the $150 to the campus gym.
I sure could do my strength training with weights at least 2 times a week if not more.

I do bicep curls, pushups, lunges and lots of stomach crunches while home but need to hit the gym because of the nice equipment and for what I paid for the membership.  I would like to get some weights for home but feel almost redundant in that I have paid for the gym with all its resources.

I had started to feel frumpy again as only a 5'9.5" girl could although no one could see those 4 pounds but me.  I have been finding it hard to wake in the morning due to the fact it is dark outside at 5 and decided to move my cardio in doors during the week at least 3-5 days or go out at 6am-7am or just go out on Weekends when I don't have as much time constraint.   On my treadmill I am able to incline and do interval training much easier without worrying about my pores opening and catching bronchitis or pneumonia.  Trying to get my body used to the treadmill for much more rough weather ahead.

Well I guess that is a lot for updating but I will try to be much better.  Please if your interested in logging a weight loss journey, seeking motivation and help or just logging your exercis and foods, I encourage everyone to use www.Myfitnesspal.com  It is a very useful tool and it is also helpful for all ages for reviews of all kinds of diets (discouraged)/lifestyle changes (preferred), Exercise Regimens (DVD's/Programs/Equipment) and a whole lot of good folks and great conversation of like minds.   Also I have met quite a few Naturals on there.   Healthy Living = Healthy Hair.... it all goes together.   Have a Blessed Day!