2yrs 100% Natural

July 9^th marked my two nappiversary and the day came and went without me noticing which is why this post is late. These last few months have been loaded with “life” events that I missed the day. Yet, I’m excited to have reached 2years natural and 3.5 years relaxer free. As you know I transitioned for 16 months before cutting all the relaxed ends. Each of the last two years has been very different for my hair.

Year 1

During this year I was totally obsessed with length. Reaching APL was the highlight of my life, at the time, because my hair never grew passed my shoulders. Also during this year I had a strict, die hard regiment and wore protective styles 90% of the time. This is when the obsessions reared their evil heads. The first obsession started with length and having to keep up with length checks.

Year 2

This past year I was still a little obsessed with length BUT the obsession branched off to “desiring the perfect curl”. The perfect curl translates into the perfect braidout, twist out, wash n go, flat twist out, and any other curl defining method. Then the obsession started to transform into jumping on new product bandwagons.

Year 3

The goal for year 3 is to simply do less to my hair and enjoy the length accomplished thus far. No more length checks this year which is why the posts stopped. No more obsessing over having the perfect curl. Frizz was the enemy and I refused to embrace it not understanding that a little frizz can add character to your style. Now don’t get me wrong having a big frizz ball on top of my head is never the desired look. However, a little frizz on day 3 hair is not the end of the world; making it ok to stretch to day four and wear a pin up.



1wk post bc



As far as products, STOP JUMPING ON BANDWAGONS!! Water, conditioner, eco-style gel (Argon Oil) and cocoa nut oil are the only products that will penetrate my hair for now. The less I do the more my hair thrives and that’s what I have to constantly remind myself.

Last but definitely not least, I plan to enjoy my hair out in its full glory as often as I want.

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First Braidout of the Year!

It's been a long while since doing a braid out. This past weekend I wanted something different and since my hair was already stretched a braidout did the trick. For this look I lightly very lightly spritz each section with water, used a little conditioner, gel, and braided five plats. Simple!

Each section was pinned down before bed and I wraped my locks with a satin scarf. The next day I unbraided and fluffed with oil. Love the results!!

 This time around I opted for a side part instead of down the middle. Next I'll have to try the side part with my twist out.

Kiddie Kurls Hair Update

As you know my neice Kiddie Kurls was living with me for a while. When she arrived the transition back to natural immediately started because I refused to relax her hair again. She gained at least 5 inches in the short time she was here.

Last week she went back to live with my sister and I'll miss her so. Her transition is going well and at the time she left she reached bra strap length. She was so excited about her hair she wanted pictures taken and I'm sharing with you all.

Chicago Hair

Day 4 Hair

Last week I had a much needed vacation and went home to visit family with my honey in tow. It was his first time to Chicago so he was excited to go. The mini vacay was prompted by my cousin’s college graduation. It’s amazing how time flies because it seem like yesterday when she was about 11 years old attending my college graduation **huge sigh here**.

For my hair, I decided to keep things simple with a twist out. On deck were my ecostyler gel, oil, and conditioning mix just in case I needed to redo my twists. The night before our flight I co-washed and twisted my hair. The next day I wore my twists all day and on the plane that night. This is the first time my extended family has seen my natural hair in person. Of course they have seen random pics since my big chop but they were going to see it in person. Honestly, I had some reservations on their reactions because everyone is still relaxed.

This is day 9 Hair

Well to my surprise I had a very great response. Another cousin and her sister are currently transitioning. Everyone absolutely loved my twist out, my hair in general. This made my heart melt and I felt naturally free 2b me!! As far as maintenance, I kept the process very simple and my twist out lasted a long time. Every night I retwisted my hair with oil only, untwisted the next day and fluffed. That’s it!

By day nine my hair was very dry and in much need of a co-wash. In order to get through this day I pulled the front back using my ouchless clip and added a flower on the side.

Work'n Twist-Out!!

Last weekend I decided to take out my mini twists and give my hair a good co-wash using my clarifying conditioner. Since the weather is nice this week with moderate humidity I decided to take advantage and wear my hair out. Today is day 2 of my twist out after two very hard Insanity workouts!

This is how I wore my hair during my workout. The scarf is to help soak up the sweat from my roots. The twists are in a ponytail to help with shrinkage and keep the ends of my twists away from my body. Normally by the time I get showered and fully dressed my roots are dry and hair ready to be fluffed. This morning I needed a little assistance from my blow dryer to help dry my roots. The workout this morning was INSANE!

 On day 1 I did not fluff or separate my hair much in order to stretch out my style. This morning I fluffed just a little and did not use my pick to lift my roots. I want to keep as much definition as possible to last the rest of the week.

 Since the Insanity workouts are really intense I retwist my hair at night. The retwisting is only with a little oil on my hands: no water for spritzing or additional product added. My hair is still very moisturized from using my conditioner mix.

The goal is to see how long I can stretch my twistout. Next month me and my honey are going to Chicago and I really want to sport my curls. However, I do not want to worry about re-styling my hair 3 days within our trip.

Now compare this pic to the pic above and you see that on day 2 of this twist out I have more shrinkage. The slight humidity outside and the damp roots this morning contribute to my shrinkage. But, I don't mind the shrinkage just as long as my hair is cute.

Hope you all are doing well!!

Mini Twists Updo

This hair style was inspired by one my fav you tube gurus Ms. Vaugh so make sure to check her out.

The was slightly different but I loved it nonetheless. My twists were in this updo for a week and every day I misted with water to keep my hair moisturized.

Accidental Mini Twists…I’m in love

As you know with my busy lifestyle and workout regiment co-washing my hair and wearing twists and twist-outs have become a staple. After co-washing I twist my hair in medium/large twists to wear my hair in a ponytail to air dry. Within a day or two I take the twists down and wear a twist-out.

Well about a week ago rain was predicted for the entire week so I decided to wear my twists smaller. The smaller the twist the longer the twists will last and make for a better looking ponytail without all the parts. While twisting in smaller sections I ended up with mini twists that I absolutely love.

Unlike most naturals it took me only an hour and half to twist my whole head. Why, because I have naturally thin hair. My hair was divided into four sections and I started with the back and worked my way to the sides and front. Honestly, I never thought about wearing mini twists because of my hair’s thinness but I love them. To me my hair looks really nice and full, plus, the twists are very versatile.

This style is perfect for my workouts and wearing them in a pony tail helps to stretch them. Unless I just really want to wear my hair out, this will take the place as my staple style for the summer. So far it’s only been four days and I plan to see how long they will last. At this point I’ll settle for two weeks of wear out of them.

As far as maintenance, I will maintain my normal routine. However, I may alter how I co-wash in order to prevent the twists from unraveling. Despite what happens I will keep you guys posted.

Ciao for now!!

Quick Hair and Life update

These last couple of months has been really busy for me. Between my 9-5, my niece, my business, workouts, and balancing a healthy relationship my plate has been full. Despite being constantly on the go, I’m enjoying every minute of it. Taking care of two heads of hair hasn’t been easy because I’m dealing with my niece’s two textures. She arrived last year relaxed and I refused to give her a touch up. The plan is to slowly grow out her relaxer while she is here and my sister plans to keep her natural from there. In order to make sure both our heads are getting the proper attention I had to split up our wash days.

I must admit our wash days have not been consistent all the time and there were times I skipped a week but never to go beyond two weeks. My niece hair is thriving and growing beautifully; not to mention my hair which is doing quite well. This year I decided to switch up my routine and not focus so much on protective styling. About two maybe three months ago I gave myself a trim taking off at least an inch which setback my length goal. This doesn’t bother me because the health of my hair is the best it’s ever been. The two styles I love right now are two strand twists and twist outs.

Since I work out 5-6 days a week I have to wet my hair constantly. The two strand twists provides protection and an extra day for my hair to dry eliminating direct heat. Unfortunately, my hair does not dry over night unless I sit under the dryer for 20 minutes prior to going to bed. The next day I wear my twists in a side pony tail or bun with a headband or flower. Surprisingly, I love how my hair looks pull back and the twists are so convenient especially during my workouts. The day after I take the twists down for a twist out and it looks so pretty. So far this is my routine and it works for me which helps so much during my workouts. Soon I will post my daily upkeep of my twists and twists out while working out.

Until next time… Ciao!!

Bonus**
Check out RJ

TGIF!!

Well ladies, another work week has come and is almost gone. This was a long week for me and I'm looking forward to the weekend. This week I wore two strand twists and decided to let my hair down today. The twists are really holding up well during my workouts. The twists are helping me to keep my hair moisturize while giving me the freedom to enjoy my hair. Here are a couple of pictures

Have a good weekend!

CG Method: The Handbook Review

New Year/New Hair Routine

Since November I’ve experimented with the “Curly Girl” method because my hair stayed dry and brittle for some reason. Before trying the method, I experimented with different sulfate free shampoos and still no change for some reason. In order to follow the method correctly I read the book by Lorraine Massey, “Curly Girl: The Handbook”. I will give a review and my thoughts on the book in a separate post.

Surprisingly, my hair has responded quite nicely to the method and it stays moisturized. From now on shampoo is no longer a part of my regimen including sulfate free shampoo. The one concern I had but did not experience was itchy scalp. Right before experimenting with the method my scalp was very itchy and dry but not since eliminating shampoo.

Another change in my regimen is how I detangle. Instead of four sections my hair is split down the middle and my fingers are used to remove tangles. Of course my hair is saturated with conditioner before detangling. When I jump in the shower to cleanse my scalp I continue to run my fingers downward to remove the rest of the shed hairs. At the same time, since I’m using a racking downward motion my curls are nice and define by the end.

This new method has shaved even more time off my wash day and it’s totally simple. After about a month and a half of this method, I was able to see a difference in the definition of my curls. Plus my twists out are starting to last longer. If you haven’t already try the method out or at least researched it to see if this is a possibility for you. Until next time…

Straight Hair for the Winter

Every year I straighten my hair in December because the weather is cooler with less humidity. This time I infused much needed moisture into my hair to help with the straightening process and avoid heat damage. The process was recorded but for some reason I’m having problems uploading the video. Once I figure out what’s going on I’ll post the video.

During the first week my hair did great until the rain started to creep in the forecast. To combat the humidity infringement when I walked RJ I wore a plastic cap. That seemed to work and my curls lasted all day. But at some point my hair did succumb to the humidity and it was frizz city. Since I was not ready to wash because my straight hair needed to last two weeks I used my flexi rods.

Flexi Rods

Using the flexi rods were very simple. First I moisturize my hair with ORS Olive Oil moisturizing lotion and added flexi rods to big sections. The next day I was amazed at the results because all the frizz was gone and I was left with bouncy curls.





For fun I decided to try bantu knots for the first time. The plan was to put my hair up into a pony tail but when I saw the results I decided against it.

The back seems flat because there was a section I retwisted back into the knot. The knot was left there for another 30 minutes for more definition.

Here is a picture of my hair straight and this is towards the end of the two week stretch. Unfortunately, I had to use my flat iron again because my initial plan to avoid it did not work. I will discuss further in another post.

Have a bless week!!