Taking down mini twists and Trimming hair:

Today I decided to take down my mini twists.  Although I unraveled them earlier than 2 weeks expected I still plan to work with the style so same difference.

 I began by applying extra virgin olive oil from tip to body (avoiding roots). I used this oil because it has great slip, gives natural shine and softens.  Before untwisting I realized I needed a trim; I had stingy ends and fairy knots so I went around and snipped 1/4 of an inch of hair while in twists (I love the look of healthy hair).

 I then sectioned hair and began untwisting each twist. This method is time consuming so I make sure I do my hair only when I have time to spend. I tend to borrow from other sections while twisting so I pay extra attention to those twists.  Improper untwisting can lead to breaking of the hair. I did this to each and every single twist, carefully unraveling them until I had a defined head of natural hair. To finish I made 7 braids, I did this in a way to save the twists in the morning. To do this I made sure I did not disturb any twist out. When I was done I simply put on my silk bonnet and went to bed.

Next day results:

On the Fence With PS With and Without Extensions

Now that summer is here I am taking advantage of the extra time I have off of school to fall in love with my hair all over again. I had missed it soo much and because I want to play with it AND stay true to my PS challenge I decided to experiment with PS w/o extensions.

On my day off last week I found myself sitting around waiting on my car to get serviced. To make time useful I grabbed the little bit of butter love i had left, whip shea butter mix, some clips and a rats tale comb and began twisting my hair ( I know I announced my distaste for twists (outs) on my last post but i find that the mini ones on dry hair work best for me). I had my hair out of braids extensions for 2 weeks and already I was tired of touching it daily, the mini twists were a good way to get my hands out of my hair. I wanted 2 weeks wear out of them and had a few updo ideas in mind. Although my hair had grown a lot I did not feel comfortable wearing my mini twists down. 

The style came out neat and I did a few glam updos for the week. Now that this method worked for me I may try it for the next few months and see what i like best. When I do PS w/o extensions I can still protect my ends but I get to see my hair; best of both worlds, however I am afraid I may grow tired of doing since the styles last up to 2 weeks and summer school start soon. 

We shall see. 

Till next time!

xoxoxo

Out with Twist outs, In with Braid outs

Natural hair journey has a lot to offer.From products to styles there is something for everyone and their liking.It still amazes me how alike yet different natural hair is; no matter how similar  you may think your hair is to someone else you will never find a hair that reacts the exact same. It's like skin that's why It's great to have options; I have discovered methods i live by, those that come according to the mood, and others that I no longer have use for. I am grateful for the roles all methods play in my journey. At some point they were all necessary. Few practices I no longer do include the following;

Oil Rinse

Two strand twists

Twist outs

Deep treatments 

Wash n Gos (never liked this style)

I am pretty sure I am leaving some out but for now this is all can think of. Like many new naturals when you are learning you tend to take advice from the wise. Now that I have learned MY hair, I know the things that it need. Getting to this point took alot of dedication but i enjoyed every step of it. It is great to treat your hair as a response to what it wants and not what people say it wants.

Cutting down on many of the practices has saved me ALOT of time in the bathroom which is refreshing because as the hair gets longer the more time it requires to wash, condish, etcs.

 What are some things you cut out of your regimen?

TaTa, Queens

HAIR UPDATE!!!

Hello Dolls,
So the time has come for another update. I took down my braids after having them in for about 1 1/2 month (I can never reach 8 weeks due to excessive growth). The results keep amazing me. While in braids I was still browsing on some of my fave websites (bglhonline.com) and got inspired. I tried blow out twist out for the first time and loved it. Here is what I did;

1. washed with dr broners liquid soap
2. conditioned with suave humectant
3. applied giovanni direct leave in
4. silk element olive heat protection spray
5. Blow dried  hair in sections under low heat
6. applied Karen Butter Love  and braided.

braided blow dried hair

Usually i will leave braids in overnite but i had a HOT date so I took it down later that day in time for my rendevou lets just say the results exceeded my expectations.

BIG hair

with hair this BIG who needs definition?

Next time i will keep braids in over nite to get more definition since by the end of the nite hair was getting bigger. Either way it goes i love it!!! no complains here.

 I can honestly say that blow dry is one of my new fave methods; its a great way to see more of your length in a style without looking unnatural.

YOU KNOW YOU MISS YOUR HAIR WHEN...........

The time has come and I am missing my hair :-( although being natural is about different phases I dislike this one the most. Now don't get it twisted I can get use to just waking up and having hair in the back of my mind BUT.

Today I finished my econ final and what seemed to be the most challenging assignment ever.

 Next class starts in 30mins and I decided  to browse around the natural world. Of course there is no browsing natural hair without getting inspired. I am jealous of all the naturals that are doing it without protective styles, lawd knows I can't. I am proud of you all and I have a new found respect for all of you.

I am looking forward to things that I once dreaded when I cared for my hair outside of Protective styles (PS)so I know I am having a bad case of hair withdraw today. But I am sure I will get over it!

I am also looking forward to my 2 YEAR NAPPIVERSARY!!!!!! OMG I cannot believe that I am writing these words. WOW 2 years. I would like to say to all the transitioners out there; don't be afraid to BC because you wont know where time has gone.

For my bday I want to try a twist out on blow dried hair so it should be nice and massive. I cannot wait. So there you have it queens, plenty to look forward to and not enough time to wait.

this is what I want.......HEY, a girl can dream.. lol

Chow

Natural Hair and its' surprises

I am so taken back by how far I have come since my BC 1 year ago!!! Today my play brother tagged me on facebook and I had to take a second glace at the picture! It was almost as though I didn't recognize myself. I cannot believe how short it was just a year ago and how confident and proud i rocked it! I am so proud at myself for making it this far. I am pleased with EVERY decision I made and smile on my journey up to this point. I evolved with my hair, looking back at this pix I feel like a stranger looking at someone elses picture. I can honestly say I cannot see myself ever doing it again, however I would do it again over getting a relaxer. Wow I don't miss the phases that has came and gone, but I embraced and enjoyed every single moment of them all. This journey is never ending; as long as I am breathing it continues. I can't wait to see what next year brings and how I react to  pix of my hair now. 

Natural Queen of the Week: Michelle

This weeks natural beauty is my fotki sista Michelle. I remember when I first created my fotki page I was seeking inspiration and someone to school me on what to do. Michelle was helpful and sweet, she always answered my annoying questions and havebecome a good friend on mine. She inspired me throughout the entire experience. She brings everything to the natural world. LETS GET INSPIRED!!!

1. How long have you been natural? How long did you transition?

*I've been natural for 2.5 years now. I transitioned for 8.5 months and BC on June 20, 2008.

2. What are the pros and cons (if any) of being natural?

*For me there are all pros for being natural. I have the versatility to do just about anything to my hair from twists, braids, updos, blowouts, rollersets. I love how fast my hair grows, for instance back in Oct. of last year my hair was cut 3 inches I panicked, my mind reverted back to what if it doesnt grow back. But of course like clockwork almost 6 months later Im almost back to BSL again. When I use to relax it would take me years to grow 3 inches of hair.

3. Please describe your hair texture and its behaviors ex. kinky curly coarse coil very dry....

*My hair is kinky for the most part and slight curls in the back. Most of my hair when wet has a wavy appearance but dries with lots of frizz. I have medium to fine strands but my hair is very dense so it gives the appearance of thick hair. It can be very dry if not properly moisturized and can handle heavy creams and butters very well. My hair also need a good protein treatment about every 6 to 8 weeks, it really helps with shedding or breakage.

4.What inspired you to become natural?

*I was really tired of the chemical burns from the relaxers. I developed dermatitis from a bad relaxer mixed with the eczema breakout on my hair. I was tired of my hair breaking excessively in the same areas. Another motivation was that of my sister, she had been natural for 7 years at the time and had waist length hair. She always said just go natural but I was hesitant because our textures are vastly different and it wasnt until I developed a skin condition from a relaxer that I knew I was fed up.

5.What is your hair goal?

*My goal is to get knee length hair.. haha yes its extreme but I just wanna see if I can do it. Once I get there I plan to cut it and keep it at hip length. 

6. Name 4 fave hair products?

*Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, VO5 for detangling, and Giovanni Direct Leave in

7. What tips and advise would you share with us? 

*I would definitely say protective styling is the most important thing if your trying to see growth, but dont get so caught up on growth that you miss stages of your natural journey. 

Also moisturizing is so important, find a moisturizer that works for you, dont be afraid to try the all natural route instead of buying every new product that comes out. I stick with the basics, I mix aloe vera shea butter and castor oil, or aloe and giovanni direct leave in and heavy sealant. Dont pile on product after product, learn what works for your hair and stick with it.

8. Where can you be found?

*I'm all over the web on

Fotki

http://members.fotki.com/soontobenappy/about/

Youtube- I just started will be updating weekly

http://www.youtube.com/user/NowIAmNappy?feature=mhum

9. What advise would you give someone who is considering going natural?

*I say just do it, the benefits will far away in negative opposition you may encounter in the beginning. A lot of times the people who have something negative to say end up becoming natural because of how quickly and how long your hair can grow. Plus do it for you and your health and stay on blogs or fotki or whatever it is to keep you motivated.

10. Would you say being natural affect your life? if so in what way?

*Once I BC I gained so much confidence I never knew I had. It was like a great weight had been lifted off me. I was never one to say that I was conforming to someone's standard of beauty but literally I felt free I felt like me all this time and I couldnt figure out why I was hiding it all these years. I feel like its also affected all my friends around me because just about all my friends became natural after seeing how much my hair grew. 

Thanks for letting me do the interview
Love
Michelle aka NowIamnappy