Hair Damage, Breakage, Etc.

I hate that I even have to write this post.....

It's happened, I got a weave that took my hair out :''''(. Okay, so I'm not bald or anything but my edges definitely took a hit as a result of my most recent Senegalese twists. In the past when I've had them, I put them in myself but this time I wanted to go to a professional. My regular hair stylist told me she couldn't do the twist but another girl working at the shop suggested a place because that's where she went. I had seen her Senegalese twists so I already knew they did good work so I wasn't worried. I should have been.

I had SO many issues with this "shop" I don't know where to begin. First, they didn't wash my hair before twisting. I came in, chose what color hair I wanted and they just started twisting. Huh?! This was my first time ever going to an African hair braiding shop so maybe this is a normal occurrence. Someone please enlighten me. The other HUGE issue I had is that I felt like they had no consideration for my personal comfort at all. I felt like I was just a wig head to them. Now I knew getting these twists would be painful, especially because I got them so small but this was on another level. I got to a point where my neck was so tense and tight and literally shaking. I was grabbing on to the salon chair for dear life. Then whenever I would try to adjust myself for some kind of relief they would just pull/push my head right back to where they wanted it (their were two women working on my hair).

I was seriously ready to cry by the end. Then when they got to my edges around the front of my head I could feel how hard and tight they were pulling and it didn't feel right but it was done so I didn't feel like I could do anything.

Cut to now after having the twists in for 5 weeks I take them out and my edges came right out with them. We're not talking Naomi Campbell filter but three little spots in particular. If my hair is pulled straight back it's really noticeable so I'll be wearing side parts for quite a while it seems. I've heard that Jamaican black castor oil can help with growing back edges when applied daily and I really hope it's true. I'll be applying that stuff religiously. I'll give an update when there's something to update.

Later....

Where Have You Been Miss K?!

So clearly it's been quite a while since I've had a new blog post. You may (or may not) have been wondering where I've been all this time. For my ego's sake, let's just say you have. What happened is that I finally found a good hair salon to go to where I live. Yay!!! Good for me, bad for my blog because if I'm not doing my own hair there's really not much for me to post about. Also, I haven't been wearing any natural styles lately. I've been getting my hair straightened about every two weeks since around March so again, nothing to post about.

I'd hate to think that I'm just going to stop posting all together but I honestly don't know. As of now there's really nothing new going on with me or my hair to talk about. Still, I plan on keeping you posted. One thing is that I found I can still get that "relaxed" look while having natural hair which is all I really wanted. I'm happy because that gives me more options with my hair.

That's all for now and like I said, I'll keep you posted. Later!

Product Review: Curls Unleashed

A few months ago I was browsing my local Sally's Beauty Supply store and found the product line called Curls Unleashed by Organic Root Stimulator. The label says the product line is "Perfect for all textures" including wavy, curly and kinky hair. I'm always up for trying a new product so I decided to give their moisturizing conditioner a try to start just to see if I liked it. One thing I didn't like was the price. It cost $14.99 for a 12 ounce container of conditioner and I'm pretty sure I've gotten more for less with other products but I was still willing to give it a try.

I have to say I really liked the results. I left the conditioner on for about 15-20 minutes after applying and it left my hair feeling SO soft. Unlike most other naturals I've seen, I really don't pay that much attention to ingredients like sulfates, cones, etc so I can't really speak on that. I personally look at what the product label promises, the smell of the product and the results on my hair once I actually use it. After using it a few times, I must say that I really like the Curls Unleashed conditioner, so much that I decided to try some of their other products. Today I bought their shampoo and leave-in conditioner. I haven't tried either yet but I'll give a review when I do. Hopefully I'll like those as much as the moisturizing conditioner.

12 oz bottles of leave-in conditioner and shampoo, $10.99 each at Sally's.

Hairstyles: Curlformers.....again

I decided to try Curlformers once again now that I'm fully natural. The last time I tried them was pretty early on during my transition so I thought it was time to explore again. To be honest I wasn't happy with the results. Once I separated the curls I just didn't like how my hair looked so it felt like I totally wasted the day before doing my hair.

I applied the Curlformers to wet/damp, freshly washed and conditioned hair. The only products I used were Kinky Curly's Knot Today leave in detangler and Curling Custard. Also I kept a spray bottle of water to use when my hair got dry. Based on these results I probably won't use Culformers again which is unfortunate because I really liked the outcome the last time. I'll probably just end up pulling my hair back into a curly poof/ponytail for the time being.

Here are a few pictures (some of them are out of order but you get the idea):

After removing the curlers.

After separating the curls. It looks okay but I didn't really like it.

I was really hoping for a silkier look to my curls but that didn't really happen.

Hairstyles: Flat Twists with a Poof

I recently tried to do a flat twist updo into a high bun but it didn't turn out the way I pictured it in my mind. It looked OK and I left in it for about a week but that's all I could stand. I didn't feel like washing my hair again so I decided to try to save the style with flat twists and a poof in the back.

This style was really quick and easy to do and I really like my results. The style was done on dry hair and the only products used were small amounts of Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding and Eco Styler Gel. On random impulse I started on my hair around midnight and was done by around 1:30 am. All this time included taking out the flat twists from the previous style.

Here are some pictures:

Hair Experiment: Senegalese Twists

Lately I've been getting sick of doing my own hair and trying to come up with different styles. It would be easier to just go to a salon but it's also more expensive so I'm in no rush for all that. After doing a little research I originally was going to do yarn twists but then I decided to go with Senegalese twists instead. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos and installed them myself over two days. I probably could have got them done in a day but I didn't start putting the twists in until around 7 or 8 at night and was tired.

I used 5 1/2 packs of 100% kanekelon hair. At my local hair store they were about $2 a bag which isn't much at all. I cut off about 5-6 inches of the hair because it was a little too long but it still came down to just above my belly button which is fine for me. The only products I used while installing the twists were Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Replenishing Hair Milk for moisture and a very small amount of Eco Styler Gel to help hold the twist and smooth my natural hair. I tried but wasn't able to twist from the root so I had to start each twist with a braid.

Overall, I really like how they came out and I'm gonna try to leave them in for at least a month. One issue I have is that I got the wrong color hair. The lighting in the hair store was more dim compared to the light in my bathroom so the hair was lighter than I thought but whatever. Also, I had trouble with a few of the ends unraveling. Sealing them with boiling water has worked for most of my head but a couple of twists keep coming loose. I may have to actually burn the ends although that's the last thing I wanna do. Either way, I'll definitely do this style again.

Here's a couple of pictures of the results:

I think I'd prefer them to be smaller but I'm not sure if I'd have the patience to do them myself.

Hair Experiment: Flat Twist w/ a High Bun

In reality my "high" bun wasn't quite as high as I would have liked but it was close. Anyway, as usual I did this style on freshly washed and conditioned hair. I didn't blow dry this time but instead braided my hair in about 6-8 large braids to help stretch while it dried. I let my hair dry about 80% before I just couldn't wait anymore and started twisting.

The only products I used were the Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing and a little Eco Styler Gel. I used the Shea Moisture just because I've had it for a while and I'd never used it. It didn't seem to make any significant impact on my hair one way or another. I usually use Miss Jessie's products for flat twists so I just wanted to try something different this time.

I divided my hair into 4 sections (2 in back, 2 in front) then started twisting in the back going up towards the crown of my head. I had a little trouble twisting the sides just because I wasn't sure which direction would be best for me to part (straight up, curved, etc.). I like my results and it's a very simple, low maintenance style for the summer. I think I would have liked this style better if I had made the twists smaller but I just didn't have the patience at the time. At this point I've had the style for almost two weeks which I think is a good amount of time. Pictures to follow....

Hopefully they'll look better next time I try.

Hair Experiment: Flat Twists w/ Small Bun

After having my hair in mini-twists for a few weeks, I decided I wanted an even more low maintenance style that I could just get up and go with for the summer. I went simple and just flat twisted my hair going back and wrapping the loose hair into a small bun. Next time I want to try to twist up so I can wear a high bun but this style is working for now.

My hair was freshly washed and blown dry to stretch and to make it easier for my to twist. To be honest, I really hate working with my hair while it's wet. I also hate all the shrinkage that comes with it so I often blow dry my hair before styling. The only products I used were Mixed Chicks straightening serum and a little bit of  Eco Styler gel with argan oil when I thought I needed it.

A Few Weeks of Mini-Twists

Somewhere around week 2 I decided it might be a good idea to take pictures of my mini-twists to document how they're holding up. Around week 3 there was a bit of new growth so they started looking kind of fuzzy but not terrible. I thought about retwisting a few rows just in the front of my hair so they look fresh again but I haven't decided yet. I did not wash them because I was a little scared they would unravel or there would be a lot of shrinkage which I didn't want. I moisturize my hair nightly with water and shea butter before tying it up in a silk scarf and bonnet for bed. I didn't actually make it to 4 full weeks because they were starting to look a little raggedy and I just needed a change.


Week 2:

Week 3:

 

PS: I decided not to retwist the front of my hair. I just kept it pinned back most of the time to hide the new growth.

Another Mini Twist Attempt

I may be well into my month without heat experiment but if I'm not this will get me there. Once again I've put mini twists in my hair. I believe this is my third time trying. I really didn't do anything different from the previous times besides making the twists smaller.

As much as I like the style I don't know if I can stand doing this to myself again. If I can find someone to do them for me great but if not it'll be a long time before I do them again. I started the twists Tuesday afternoon and finished Friday night. I like my results much more than the first two times but my hair is still a lot thinner around the front of my head compared to the back so that's annoying.

I did my twists on freshly washed and blown dry hair to stretch (does that mean I cheated on my month with no heat?). I worked in sections to make it a little easier on myself. This is definitely a good low maintenance style for the summer. Hopefully next time I can find some kind soul to do them for me so it won't take a week.

Here's a few pictures of the results:

Hair Experiment: Two Strand Twist Out

In continuing with my month of no heat experiment I decided to try a two strand twist out. I have to say that I really like the results. The style was very quick and easy to do and I'll definitely do it again.

I did this style on freshly washed wet hair and let it dry over night. The products I used were: Eco Styler Gel, Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in and a little castor oil. I also had a spray bottle of water in case my hair started to get dry. The process is pretty simple: apply product, detangle, twist, repeat. The one little extra thing I did was to add bobby pins at the root of each twist to keep them flat. I got that idea from Naptural85 on YouTube.

Here are some pictures of the twists and the results:

                                                   

No Heat Update

In my last blog I said I was gonna try going a month without heat. So far it's going alright but I'm having trouble deciding what to do with my hair next. I wore flat two strand twists for a while but they weren't as good as the last time so I didn't keep them in very long.

After that I wore a twist out for a few days, then for these past couple of days I've been wearing my hair pulled back into a bun. I can't believe it hasn't even been two weeks yet which means I have over two weeks left for my little experiment.

I may try a wash & go next and see if I can actually define my curls since I've never really tried that. Then who knows. Maybe I'll give flexi rods another try. That's all for now. Below is a pic of how I wore my hair today. Very simple.

Hair Experiment: A Month With No Heat

Now I know going a month without may not be much to you (or most naturals out there), but as someone who wears their hair straight about 98% of the time, it's a lot for me. I can probably count on one hand the number of heat-less hairstyles I've worn since being fully natural. Now that the weather is starting to warm up maintaining a straight look is much more difficult as we all know. That humidity is the devil I tell you!!!! With that being said I'm on the lookout for cute natural and heat free styles I can wear for the summer without worrying about edges, my hair reverting, etc.

At this point I'm not entirely sure what I want to do with my hair other than some flat twists up into a high bun or a ponytail like in my last post. I would do mini twists again but my arms hurt at the thought so I'm not gonna go there this time. I really just want to find something low maintenance that I can easily do myself. I'm also still on the lookout for natural hair salons in my area but there's a few possibilities I just haven't checked out yet. Right now my hair is straightened (as usual) and I'm really not gonna have time to try anything new this week so my month probably won't start until next week sometime (I really hate experimenting with my hair when I have things to do in case it looks crazy and I don't have time to fix it which is why I'm waiting).

I guess that's all for know. I'll let you know how it works out.

Hair Experiment: Flat Twists w/ Two Strand Twists

As I said in my last post I've been wanting to do more natural styles and use less heat so I finally did. I tried this style early during my transition but this time it came out much better. The style was done on freshly washed and conditioned hair and it was still wet/damp when I started twisting. The products I used were 100% coconut oil, Eco Styler Gel and Shea Moisture Curling Souffle. I'm not sure if the Shea Moisture actually did anything but it's been sitting on my dresser neglected so I just wanted to use it for something.

For this style, I made a part across the top of my head from ear to ear to separate the front and back. Then I did two strand flat twists in the front of my head followed by loose two strand twists in the back. I actually like how it came out and I'll probably do this style again because it was really easy. I can't give an accurate time for how long it took because there was a while when I was just staring in the mirror trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I also did a little experimenting with the twists going in different directions before I finally settled on something so I'm sure it took a lot longer than it should have.

In the future, I'll probably try to flat twist the hair up towards the crown of my head instead of down towards my neck. Here are a few pictures of the results.

My flat twists are getting much better if I do say so myself.

Pardon the stuff in the background...lol

View from the back.

Au Naturale

Did I spell that right?

Anyway, it's been almost two years since I decided to go natural (June 2010) and at this point I'm almost fully natural. In fact, why not just go ahead and say I am fully natural. Okay, so technically I still have some relaxed ends here and there that will probably get cut the next time I decide to trim my ends or whenever the mood strikes which could be anytime. Either way it's safe to say that my hair is about 99% natural at this point.

I still wear my hair straight pretty much ALL the time because whenever I try a natural style I hate the way it looks on me. For some reason the styles I try never look how I picture them looking in my head. Maybe it's because I do everything myself. I don't know. I want to start going to a salon but I haven't found one so for now I'll just do what I've been doing. I really want to try doing more natural styles I just need to find ones that suit me but I'm working on it.

That's pretty much all for now, just a little update. Here's a few pictures of the fro just after washing and adding some highlights. Peace out!

Freshly washed hair. I'm not sure if this was before or after adding my leave-in.

See, you barely notice that I still have some relaxed ends in there.

It doesn't seem like it but you can see the highlights better with the hair straight.

Hair Products: Kinky-Curly

It's been a while but I just wanted to share a product that I've just started using that I really like. I'm sure it's nothing new to those of you who have been natural for a while. The product is Kinky-Curly's Knot Today leave in/detangler. I am in love with this stuff! The first time I used it it left my hair feeling super soft and it smells good. Also as an FYI, a little goes a long way with this conditioner. I bought it from Target but I can't remember how much I paid because I've had it for a while now but I'm sure it was reasonable. Definitely give this stuff a try if you haven't already.

Bantu Knot Out w/ a Twist

It's been a long time since I tried a bantu knot out so I decided to try again to avoid using heat for a while. The first time I tried it was pretty early in my transition and now I'm a year and 5 months in so it was VERY different. The method I used was to two strand twist the hair then put it into a bantu knot secured with a bobby pin. I saw that method on YouTube but I can't remember whose video it was. I did the knots on freshly washed and conditioned hair while it was still wet. The only products I used were Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding and coconut oil. I wore a satin cap and let my hair dry overnight. Parts of my hair were still damp when I took them out and I don't really like the results so I just pulled it back into a poof instead. Here are some pictures:

I think I had about 11 bantu knots all together.

A mess with no curl definition....smh

At least I was able to leave the house this way.

 Next blog post will be how I tried to save this by doing a twist out.....

Hair Experiment: Mini Twists Take 2

After over a year since the last time, I finally decided to give mini/two strand twists another try. I'm liking it better this time around because I made them smaller and because more of my hair is natural but I'm still not 100% satisfied. The older the style gets the more I like it but I'm only keeping them in for about two weeks and it's been about a week now. The main problem is that the ends look thin compared to the rest of my hair but that's because my ends are still relaxed. Also the hair in the front of my head around the edges is thinner too which is annoying.

Anyway, I did the twists on freshly washed, blown dry hair (to stretch). The only products I used were Tresemme Heat Tamer spray to blow dry, 100% coconut oil, and Eco Styler Gel for hold. I followed this video by naptural85 on YouTube for guidance. I did them over two days (about 20hrs total) because I get easily distracted but a normal person can probably do them in a few hours depending on how small they are and how long your hair is. Here's a few pictures of the results.