Posts

Après Braid out: Night Routine and Morning After

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Yesterday, I did my first braid out . Now, it was night time, and since I wanted to keep this style for about three days, I had to do something prior to sleeping, and it becoming a flat-head. Here is what I did: I rebraided my hair, and added a perm rod to the end. It was not comfortable sleeping, need to invest in some satin sponge rollers. =) To get ready to go running in the morning, I decided to remove the perm rods. I still wanted the curl effect on the relaxed ends, but didn't want to wear rollers to run, so I did a pin curl to each braid. I put on my satin bonnet, and wore my pink beanie on top Blurry picture taken by my little girl!! I didn't realize it was going to be so FOGGY... but I still went out running! It felt GREAT!! and spooky at the same time. After my run, I undid the braids, and " whipped my hair" back and forth....That's it!

Mid-week Braid Out

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I decided to do a braid out today ....for the first time. I have a hate-and-love relationship with first time styling. You never know how it will turn out.   So, I was feeling quite excited when I started taking my braids down and saw that the curl effect created by the braids was POPPING!  I didn't do much moisturizing since yesterday morning, I had sprayed my hair with Aloe Vera Juice and Water, then applied my oil mix, and then Shea Butter, making sure to seal my ends . Basically, a LOC method , ideal for moisturizing. So, this morning, I pour a little bit of oil on my palm and ran it through my braids.  I then proceeded to unbraiding, gently, so as not to create so much frizz.  After unbraiding, I sleeked on side by spray a little bit of my Aloe Vera Juice and Water mix, and then applying some Eco Styler gel to it. I used my hands and a soft boar bristle brush to smoothen the edges.  I normally do not use gel on my edges, but now, I am IN LOVE!!.  =)...

Protein and Moisture

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As I was doing my research regarding Protein Sensitivity , I came across an article from The Science of Black Hair website.  I would like to share this with you because it contains some vital information that will benefit our hair health.  Also, if you are interested in buying the book: The Science of Black Hair; you can get it from Amazon or the website above. Click the logo to read the article:

HairChemistry: Protein Sensitivity

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What is Protein Sensitivity? Protein Sensitivity is what happens when a person uses protein in their hair, and their hair appears to be dull, dry and brittle even though the protein treatment was suppose to make their hair soft.  This reaction to protein can appear after the person uses any products that contains protein. This sensitivity to protein can also make the hair more prone to breakage. Are you truly protein sensitive? Now, if you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, be very careful not to immediately think that your hair is protein sensitive.  Some of the protein sensitive-like symptoms you might be experiencing might be due to overloading on protein. Now, what is overloading on protein? Let say, you washed your hair, and applied a protein treatment, then after that you applied yet another protein conditioning.  Your hair might be overloaded with protein, causing it to feel straw-like.  On the other hand, let say no matter how much mois...

Jumbo Flat Twist

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I am having a bit of a lazy day today.  No... I don't have the day off.  Still up to my neck in work and life, in general.  Yesterday, I did a twist and curl with my two weeks twist, and I wore that all day as a twist out. Unlike my last attempt , I actually like how this turned out. I wanted to preserve the twist out look, so before I went to bed, I watched a couple of How-to YouTube videos on night time routine for a twist out. The majority of the videos were saying to retwist. I didn't want to retwist my hair in the same size (medium size) that I had them in prior to the twist out. So, I did about seven large twists.  Anyway, this morning, my hair was a big mess, so I decided to play around. I have done flat twists on my older daughter's hair in the past, but not my hair.  So I decided to do ONE Jumbo Flat Twist... remember, feeling lazy here.. And here is the result...

Old Remedies for Hair and Scalp Health

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I was visiting with one of my friends, who I consider my oldest and wisest friend when it comes to herbal remedies for ailment of the body.  She showed me one of her home remedies books, called "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss.  As, I flipped through this book that was older than I was, but filled with wisdom than I possessed, I wanted to share some of what I read.  I know the book was written in 1939, however, I feel that some of what is written still applies to us in 2012. Adapted from Back to Eden: Any disease that impairs the vitality of the body has an effect upon the hair. When the circulation is diminished by a general nervous condition, the scalp cannot be properly nourished.  Diseases of the scalp and loss of hair are expressions of bodily ailments..... The blood which nourishes the hair must be purified by using wholesome, nourishing foods, which will build a healthy body... Since the analysis of the hair shows it to be compose...

Clueless about Hair Products?

I was on my favorite hair forum a couple of days ago, and saw a post by a new transitioner asking about hair products to use during this period.  This is what I replied back to her: There are so many products out there.  However, it takes trial and error to get your right products.  So be quite patient and don't be afraid to try new products if one does not work. You are not obligated to stick with a product just because it works for someone else. Only you know your hair.  Even if that person's hair looks like yours, it might not feel like yours. ;) READ THE INGREDIENTS Begin researching for products in five parts: 1. Pre - poo Treament :  Are you going to use oils  or just stick with a mixture of conditioner and oils? 2. Shampoo Your Hair:  Are you going to co-wash or shampoo?  If you choose to shampoo, get sulfate-free shampoos that will not strip your hair.  (Go back and click on the READ THE INGREDIENTS link above).  Ar...