Prepping for Dry Twist-out

Here are my pineapples I did to prep for my dry twist set. I co-washed and deep treated with Giovanni 50:50 and Organic Coconut Oil. Afterwards, I rubbed a little of the mixture back through, separated my hair in half and into the two puffs above.

Then I noticed that I'd left a curl hanging out and thought it was the perfect example to show you all exactly how fine/tightly coiled my hair really is.

That little, itty-bitty curl actually has quite a few strands of hair clumped together. My hair looks thick, but it really is extremely fine and dense. This is the reason I struggle with elongation and uniform twist sets. This little curl was actually still damp and hanging a little "long" if I can even call it that. Once dry, it was a shriveled little mess of a curl and looked all of 2 inches long. I haven't measured, but the pic below shows the true length of that same curl stretched out...

Crazy, isn't it?? I am working to learn how to elongate my hair without blowing it out, and pineappling helps to stretch my hair at the roots as it dries. Using a scarf around the edges helps them to lay down and keeps frizz down overnight.

The next day, I rocked a high puff all day before twisting my hair. Check back for the resulting twist out!

Twist Out at 2.5 Years Natural = Hang Time

This twist out was acheived with Giovanni 50/50 Conditioner and EVOO on hair that had been freshly co-washed and left to dry for over a day. As you can see I used smaller sections and twisted through to the ends. I was pleased with the results for the most part. Twisting the ends while wet is a horrible challenge, especially in the back where my hair is a lot more dense. There was a ton of frizz in the back, but I rocked it for about 3 days.

Then on day 4ish...I decided to pull it back in a pony tail because I don't handle frizz very well, and it's still to cold to wash-n-go. This time, I decided to leave some hair out in the front, adding a little more 50/50 and some water to make twists. While twisting, I noticed that the ends behaved a lot better on hair that was only damp and not soaking wet. I let them dry on the ride to work and unraveled very slowly because they were still a little damp.

I was amazed at how defined my bangs were with such little dry time, and they were in good shape at the end of the day. Another thing I couldn't get over was the hang time!! My bangs were hanging perfectly and even had a little swing to them (ok!! ---ya'll know we naturals sometimes miss the swing!!) I retwisted at night with a little water and managed to keep them for about 3-4 more days.

Needless to say, this inspired me to dry twisting my whole head from a "mostly dry" state.. I did it and well...you will have to stay tuned for the results...lol!

Product Review: Taliah Waajid's Curly Curl Cream

I know I recently posted about using bobby pins at the ends of my twist outs to prevent frizz, but shortly after that post, I tried a product that changed my outlook on how I can style my hair. That product is Taliah Waajid's Curly Curl Cream (pictured above is the Curl Sealer...umm..my bad! lol!). The cream is a new item in her line for curly hair that is designed specifically for those with tighter curl patterns. Typically, I am a huge skeptic of stylers because I feel that I can achieve a very similar look with conditioner and oil, but at about $9 each this product is worth trying out.

I twisted my hair using Taliah Waajid's Curly Curl Cream and while I was twisting, I noticed that it smoothed and clumped my curls together so well that I didn't notice that I was twisting to the ends. Usually, it is difficult for me to fully twist to the ends because the coils bunch together and get smashed. The Curly Curl Cream solved that problem for me. It gave me a well defined twist pattern down the entire length of each section, incredible hold, and elongation. The set lasted me about 3 days. It probably would have lasted longer but I was lazy and didn't pineapple.

As much as I loved the Curly Curl Cream, I do have to report that after three days I attempted to co-wash and re-twist my hair using it, and it was a no-go. My hair felt different. I can't explain it, but it felt dryish and didn't twist as easily. After it dried, it was even drier, so I felt the need to co-wash again the next day with my beloved Giovanni 50/50. After a few days of babying, my hair was back to its normal moisture level....but I was left wondering what went wrong.

I haven't given up on the Curly Curl Cream. I plan to try it again, and maybe it's something that I will use when I have special occasion styling to do. It gives killer results, but I have to figure out why my hair got so dry so I can effectively moisturize in the future. I have a few products from the line to try out and I will review each one. I gave away some products to friends and family to review because I thought they were better for their hair types, so I will have them weigh in as well.

Have you ladies tried Curly Curl Cream? If so, what was your experience?

Bronner Bros. International Hairshow! Part 2

As you ladies know, I had the honor of working for Taliah Waajid last weekend for the Bronner Bros. International hair show here in Atlanta, GA. The show was amazing and was packed! There were vendors for every kind of beauty item you can imagine. There was cutting, coloring, weaving, relaxing, makeup, eyebrow threading, and even ear candling going on all around the show. It just goes to show that even during a recession, the beauty industry is still thriving and innovating. Here are a few pics of all the "happenings"

For the show, I styled my own hair and did my own make-up. I actually applied lashes for the first time ever. Two of my really good friends went with me (well kind-of) so we had a good ole GLAM session before hand. I love these ladies and I am so glad they are both on natural journeys with me! Ebabs-J, Tdavis, and me on the way to the show...

This was my look for day one...I did a neutral eye and a simple twist-out..

Here's my look for day two... I tried to step it up a notch with a dramatic eye...hmmmm..yeah...LOL! My hair is the same twist set, refreshed with some raw shea butter.

I can't wait for the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show coming up this April 30- May 1st. It's sponsored by Taliah Waajid and Black Earth Products and will held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, GA. Hope to see some of you ladies there. Please make sure to stop me if you do come out!

Throwback Product: Mizani "Rose H2O"

In efforts to stick to my "moving target" of a budget, I have been digging through my old supply of haircare items to see if any of them will work well on my hair at its current length. Being cheap has really paid off, as I have been able to use up some product that I have had since 2005 or earlier...lol..don't judge me!

"Rose H2O" Intense Overnight treatment has turned out to be a wonderful product for my twist. I loved this product when I was relaxed and ponytailing frequently. Its a heavier version of the regular "Rose H2O", which I also have in my old stock pile from way back when. The overnight treatment was was a bit too greasy for my relaxed hair, but my natural hair is loving it!

I got the idea to use it from Robyn of Robyn's Nest, who happens to be in love with Mizani "Butter Rich" and uses it for her braid outs. (<-- Thank ya, kindly!) I've used the "Butter Rich" samples I got and thought the products would work similarly. I apply the "Rose H2O" from root to ends of a damp section, apply raw shea butter, smooth with the "Fenman" and twist. It's left my hair really soft, shiny, and smells great!

Type 4 Twist n' Style with Bobby Pins

The pic above is the reason I'm willing to give twist-outs another go. The difference is *so* tiny, you can hardly see it, but boy it works wonders...

**Bobby pins saved my twist-outs.**

For a really long time I struggled with twist sets. I tried everything from making them larger, smaller, flat twists, twisting all the way down, coiling ends, multiple layers....and everything yielded similar results. I always ended up with defined roots and frizzy ends. But that has all changed, and I owe it all to the Bobby Pins (BPs).

One night, after a particularly dreadful detangling session, I got serious about twisting my hair to keep it from getting matted. Keep in mind that I have been attempting to train my hair to "hang" down, so I thought pins on the ends would weigh the twists down and stretch the length a little. At the end of each twist, I stopped short of the ends, smoothed them through, secured with a BP and let my natural pattern/ends do the work.


The results were impressive.....


...but it wasn't until I tried the same method with smaller twists that I was sold! I also lucked up...well, more like "lazied up"...onto a work appropriate hairstyle. At the end of the twisting session (and partially air drying), I worked from back to front, tucking the bobby pins back to tie my hair underneath a silk scarf. The next morning I simply removed the scarf and did my makeup. My coworkers loved it! It would have been even better if the parts were neater, but I didn't really plan this as a style. So, whatevs...






That night I released the twists and fluffed. I rocked the biggest, stretched fro that I have ever accomplished. The set lasted me about 4 days by pineappling and sleeping on a silk pillowcase. The pic below is me and my Valentine, rocking day 4 hair...

Bronner Bros. International Hairshow!

This weekend I will be attending the Bronner Bros. International Hairshow here in Atlanta, GA! If you ladies have never attended the show, trust me, it is a sight to be seen! The show is this weekend, Feb. 18-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta.

I had the honor of being a relaxed hair model for Patric Antonio Bradley and sitting in on some of his classes. As a stylist, there is always much to learn on new techniques and ways to stay on the cutting edge in haircare and design. Patric is the best of the best, and I miss modeling for him something terrible! I always had the best cut and color...he even made me a red-head once :)

And then a deep violet that looked jet black...well, indoors it did....lol!

This year I will be attending the show and fully rocking my natural. I think I've played with my twist-out enough so that I can rock it confidently and have really BIG HAIR! Whoo-hoo! CurlyNikki is having a meet-up on Friday and I will be there as well. Hope to see some of you ladies at the show!

World Natural Hair Next Top Model Crowning Ceremony

As you ladies know, I had the pleasure of being a natural hair model for the World Natural Hair Next Top Model Crowning Ceremony held here in Atlanta, GA. This event was sponsored by Taliah Waajid's Black Earth Products and was absolutely fabulous!

There was spoken word, tap performances, and the lovely winner's were crowned. I wish you all could have been there to see of of the amazing heads of hair in the room; there were all types of textures and tones. It felt great to be a part of the event and feel like just another person in the room..not "The Girl with the Fro"....ya'll know what I mean!


For the event, I styled my own hair with my Eco Gel and EVOO mix as a wash-n-go, with one front side pinned up. It was simple and elegant. The makeup artist did a dramatic eye on me and everyone loved it. I will post her contact info today, b/c I highly recommend her for special occasion makeup!

This model rocked a mean fro! Almost makes me want to put a flower in my hair...almost... :)

Close-up shot of my make-up. Never worn falsies before, but they were fab! I will have to practice with these...

Later that night and I am over-done for the bar...but whatevs!

Target Clearance Find: Suave Naturals Pomegranate Splash

Today I went to Target on a mission to find the best, cheapest conditioner I could find. I lucked up and came out with a bottle of Suave Naturals Pomegranate Splash that was on clearance for $1.24. The Next Top Natural Model crowning ceremony is tomorrow, and I needed a serious co-wash and detangle session to prep for styling in the morning.

I love the smell and slip of this conditioner. I just hope it plays nice with my facial skin...we shall see. Be on the lookout for this one. The scent alone is well worth it...smells good enough to eat! The price allows you to slather it on without feeling guilty...detangling was a breeze using my fingers and my "Fenman" brush. I twisted each section and pinned it all back. I will sleep with the conditioner tonight and rinse and style in the morning. More pics to come!

(The pics below are of the nape of my hairline. Somehow, it always seems to escape the detangling sections..)

Exciting News!!

I received a call today from the offices of Taliah Waajid. They asked me to be a hair model at their World Top Natural Hair Model crowing ceremony this weekend! As many of you know, I used to be a relaxed model for the Bronner Bros. hairshow, but this will be my first time modeling my natural hair.

Even though I am not one of the 4 finalists, I am so excited!! Hopefully I can also be a model for their hairshow show in April. *Fingers crossed*

The "Kinda Sorta Not Really" Part

Lately, I have been parting my hair down the middle in efforts to see if my hair will "hang down" if you know what I'm saying. Long ago I came to terms with the fact that there doesn't seem to be much of anything that I can do with my hair that can compete with these ridiculously tight curls. Parting it differently gives me a new look without too much effort.

The sad part about parts...is well...I hate parts! LOL! Not that I hate ALL parts, just parts, that look like parts. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know if I even like the word "parts" but I digress...

So I typically make a "Kinda Sorta Not Really Part" when I am setting my hair. I do this by parting with my fingers or using a comb to make a deep zig-zag part that will pretty much cover itself once the hair is dry.

Even though my hair is getting longer, it doesn't hang down and likes to stand straight up in the top. I am trying to train it to fall to either side and it's working some. The key is to know how far back to part or you will end up with pancake hair (ie. all the volume on the sides and flat on the top).

To get this look I co-washed, rubbed some Giovanni back through,"parted" and pulled it back into a loose pony. The pony stretches the curls in the front by morning, so I just release and fluff. Gel and bobby pins along the hairline help it to fall/stay in place.

Natural Snow Woman

Meet Marcia, the Natural Snow Woman!!

We got about 5-7 inches of snow in 2 hours here in Atlanta. I was stuck in the house for 3 days and got to play in the snow (as much as I could stand..LOL!) This little lady was the result of sheer boredom. She is rockin her natural and my son named her Marcia. Three days later her fro was still in tact and holding up well against the elements... :)

Natural Stylist in Atlanta

Look who I ran into at the NYE wedding I went to in Memphis, TN! Blade himself was in the house as the hair stylist for the bride. Needless to say, the bride's hair was flawless ...

...and Blade had himself a good ole time!

It's nice to have a stylist that is dependable, down to earth, listens, and is fun to be around! Anyone looking for a natural stylist in the Atlanta area should check him out. His info is below:


Natural Hair and Beauty Tune-up Clinic
2200 Northlake Pkwy, Tucker, GA, 30084
Phone: 404-484-7136

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year Ladies!!

The pic is my in my NYE gear. I was off to see a Soror and fellow Naturalista tie the knot! My hair was a simple wash-n-go that I set with my mix of EcoStyler and EVOO. It was a fabulous event, and I wish them much love and success on their journey!

Make 2011 GREAT!

Natasha