Natural Hair Versatility

While on a recent road trip to good old Memphis, TN I had a little free time on my hands. 5 hours worth of free time to be exact. My sister was driving and in an effort to be the best road-trip passenger possible (the non-sleeping kind) I kept myself awake and busy playing in my 88 Shimmer Eyeshadow Pallet that I bought from Coastal Scents about a year ago. I really need practice with color combination, placement, and better brushes but I managed somehow..LOL!



The above pic is me with my casual Friday attire and hair do. After playing in the make-up, I was way over-done for the little puff pony look, so I took my hair down and pinned it back in the front. The pony stretched my hair out quite beautifully! I am going to play with this as a styling option in the very near future. I think I can perfect this to get the big hair look I've been wanting!

The Cure for "Hand in Fro" Disease

I haven't styled my hair in over 4 days...and I really have no desire to do so. Why? Because it would mess up my freshly manicured nails, that's why!! LOL!

I have a serious case of Hand in Fro disease. I am constantly styling, twisting, twirling, and whirling my hair around. But this past weekend, I had my natural nails professionally polished for the first time in years (pic above). I even got the little designs on my ring fingers :) I am typically a very frugal person, and to pay $6 for a polish change is a bit much for me. For that I can have two bottles of nail color, and polish my own nails! So to keep them up, I have vowed to stay out of my hair as much as possible and bought a polish of clear topcoat to go over them once a day.

I had my nails done this past Saturday, and today they look darn-near perfect (pic below) even after a quick co-wash this morning (I used the shake-n-go method and let my hair air dry). I may have to spoil myself and keep this up...hmmm...I'll think about it. LOL!

When the Puff is not Enough...Cont.

Well, ladies... I successfully made it through another twisting session. It only took me two days, but I made it! LOL!

First, I washed, conditioned and detangled my hair in sections. After detangling a section I twisted it back up. Type 4a hair is really prone to tangles because it is highly textured and likes to coil around itself. After detangling..I found myself in the bed yet again... I didn't make it out that time, though...

The next day I rinsed my hair in the shower with the twists still in, got out and whipped up my styling mix. I have seen this mix on other forums referred to as EcoCustard, but I chanced upon this mix on my own. It works really well in providing hold and moisture, and on top of that, dries clear and soft to the touch. To make this I mixed a glob of EcoStyler Gel, a little Jamacian Mango and Lime setting lotion, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Whip it together with a comb until it turns into a pudding like consistency, and is pale yellow/off white.

Part each section, apply styling mix, and twist. You can either flat twist, two-strand, or braid/plait your hair. The key in getting the best result is to try to make each section as uniform as possible...you get a better curl pattern at the end. Pics below show my natural texture shot, shrinkage shot, twist pattern, and end result (pics at the top of this post).

I love that my hair is getting longer! It's actually easier to detangle and twist, and my hair looks more like a true "twist out" as opposed to a curly baby fro. I really need to expand my horizons and try other styles besides twists and fro-hawks, but it is a challenge with hair as tightly coiled as mine. Whatever I try to do to it, it pretty much snaps back to its original state. Maybe I will try stretching and dry styling next....

***REVISED 05/11/11 TO ADD PICS BELOW***

When the Puff is not Enough...

For Natural Girls who have Considered Styling when the Puff is not Enough

I'm over the puff yet again, ladies. The longer my hair gets, the lazier I am about trying out new styles because it takes SO FREAKIN LONG!! I'm talkin 2-3 hours just to wash and set it long. But tonight I have vowed to twist my hair and see if I can perfect my twist out at this length.

I'm itching for a change, hence the recent color change. I wanted to go red, but downgraded to a reddish-brown that has grown on me. I think I will go full brown with my next color application; a rich milk chocolate hue similar to the color of my Goody head band below.

As y'all can see...I've somehow made my way to the bed already..but it's time to get my azz up and get to twisting...sigh... :/