1st Curlformer Set On My TWA

I FINALLY got the chance to borrow Curly Film Chick's Curlformers so I can try them out! 

Okay, I'm just going to get down to the nitty gritty:

The Install - I did not enjoy any part of installing these, at all! lol I know it was my first time doing it on myself, as I had done them for CFC when she first got them over a year ago, but for some reason, things were just not working for me.
It took me three hours, 2 snacks and few arm stretches to get through this set. I felt and heard my hair snagging at different times and I didn't like that, and everything just wasn't as easy for me as it was made to seem... I know, I just need to do it a few times to get the hang of it, but if I don't like it somewhat by the third try, Never Again!

I didn't want to try sleeping on the Curlformers just yet, so under the dryer I went to also get in my mani time :) 

I didn't calculate the time I was under the dryer, but I think 45 mins to an hour later, Curls! I did not enjoy the Curlformer take down either. My Verdict on the curls? 
Curls - Loved the curls! I definitely like it better for long hair, but in the meantime it's a cute little look for my TWA when I need a change from twist outs, roller sets, and even my own curls. As CFC had mentioned to me, they don't really get all of your ends straight if you have really curly hair like us, I could see that from the time my hair was in the roller, but I still love the outcome and they got my roots extremely straight... reminds of when I had a relaxer and would get those roller sets like this, lol. It was definitely cute and I'd like to see how I can manipulate it more in the future... and get the set to last! *Note to self, find good holding product to use with Curlformers!

I knew the set wasn't gonna last so I just threw my hair in a ponytail to sleep, and brushed it out the next day and wore my hair in 2 loose flat twists. 

Quick crazy story: I had on sunglasses while walking down a shady block, so naturally I did not see that I was walking through a swarm of gnats, until I felt the need to swat profusely. When I got to my destination I realized I had like 2 dead gnats in my hair (EEWW!!! FREAKED OUT) and realized they probably drowned in the oils in my hair, did some more freaking out while ripping the twists out and whipping my hair back and forth like a mad woman... which resulted in this look, lmfao. And I'm pretty sure I got all the gnats out too.

Have you used Curl Formers on your TWA? I also wouldn't mind hearing a few crazy natural hair stories! Send 'em in to Yais.nyc@gmail.com!

Rollersetting Natural Hair: Curlformers vs. Flexirods

As you all know from my previous post, I finally did a full flexi-rod set and I was overjoyed with the results. Since then, I've done two more sets and both have come out to my liking. Considering we're in the cold weather season (a.k.a. Winter) I'm trying to avoid the inevitable snagging that occurs with wearing heavier clothing and the ends of my hair hang down and loose and rub against coats and collars; so I've been styling my sets in up-dos

My hair yesterday - "2nd day" hair

I was thinking about whether I prefer setting my hair  with Curlformers or flexi rods and decided to make a comparison based on my experiences with both. Here we go!

Curlformers: Long and Wide Set

Pros:

• Easy to set hair - you simply take a section of hair and using a hook, you pull it into the Curlformer which "sets" the curls for you (see this video I made of me setting my hair) - I call it the "slide-in-and-out" technique
• Less chance of having puffy roots - when done correctly (which I find hard to mess up) your roots are pretty straight
• Easy to sleep in - when you don't have a hooded dryer or you don't have all day to sit with them in your hair

Cons:

• Expensive as sh**
• Hook can snag on hair
• Can't be purchased everywhere - locally I'm pretty sure you can only get at Sallys or you have to order them online
• Rollers rip and tare easily - in the end they are like stretchy plastic!

Flexirods: Various Sizes

Pros:

• Cheap to buy - only $2.99 for a pack of 6 at a Beauty Supply Store
• Options for different size curls depending on the look you're going for (the bigger the rods the larger/wider the curls, smaller rods yield tighter curls)
• Great for long or short hair
• no snagging - rollers are soft and "flexible"

Cons: 

• hard to sleep in - still not as bad as magnetic rollers in my opinion but still uncomfortable
• Can be difficult to set - no "slide-in-and-out" technique for these. If you don't know how to set you can have puffy roots and/or rods falling out of your head

I should also mention a couple more personal things: I've noticed that with Curlformers, my sets do not last as long. While I've been using the same products with my flexi-rod sets (Eco-Styler Gel) I can get 4-5 days with my curls looking decent while with Curlformers I'm lucky to get 2 or 3 and I'm really not sure why that is!

So that's my verdict. I'll be using flexi-rods for a few more times because I want to practice and experiment with them some more, but Curlformers will always hold a special place in my heart for their ease of setting. Have any of you tried Curlformers or flexi-rods? Which do you prefer and why? Let us know!

Avocado Deep Conditioner & Hair Updates

I don't know if I've shared this yet, but ever since I came back from Tampa 4 weeks ago, my hair has been acting a little funky; it's been drier and there's some breakage and I'm positive it was the water down there as well as the up-and-down temperatures here in NYC. I've been trying to restore my hair and I think it's getting back to normal. I've been washing my hair twice a week (usually Sundays and Wednesdays) and using Aphogee Two Minute Re-constructor every other wash day which seems to be doing it's job but nothing to dance about. My shedding is normal and I'm not seeing so many "short hairs" so I think progress is being made.

This past washday (Sunday) I decided  to deep condition with Avocado. Avocado is said to be great for hair and excellent for your body as well, which is just as important. I mixed it with a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Honey, left it on my hair for about an hour.

 There are other avocado recipes that use mayo and coconut milk, but I didn't feel like mixing that in my hair. Turns out that this recipe worked just fine; my hair was fully moisturized and my natural shine is on full blast. I set my hair in some curl formers using Jane Carter Wrap and Roll for a "soft curl" look, and fluffed it out a bit. I didn't care much for having "defined" curls this time around.

Also I found something to cover my ears for the cold and thought it looked cute with my curls. I bought it in SoHo, in this little market on Broadway Saturday night when I realized that my ears were freezing and that I would be out all night.

Have you guys tried an Avocado Deep Conditioner?

Natural Hair Summer Styling: Updos

Hey there folks!

As someone with a lot of hair, I sometimes dread having to do it, especially when it's hot. When my hair was shorter (not exactly TWA short, but shrunk up above my neck) summer hair was much easier. But as a little heads-up to my short-haired folks whose goal is to have length, do know that it will be a challenge, although that's not necessarily a bad thing.

This weekend, I set my hair in curl formers and then put most of my hair in a banana clip. I was in Connecticut visiting my dad and siblings and we had a bbq, and I was running outside chasing my two year old brother, so the hair being up was helpful.

Curly up-do

Side view of hair, holding my little brother

Anyway, I've been searching for updos to add to my summer styling, especially since I want to look cute for outdoor events, like birthdays, BBQs and the beach.  I've only found a couple of images that I'm inspired by

They seem easy enough, of course I'll add my own spin. I hope to find a lot more too. What are your summer hair styling plans?

Natural Hair Weekly Routine

Hey folks!

So I finally decided to make a video about my weekly routine. If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know that I use curlformers to stretch out my hair. I actually didn't like the way the set came out, but the point was just to show the routine. I show how I pre-treat my hair, the sections, how I  deep condition and detangle, as well as how I put in the curl formers. It's less then 5 minutes, but I think I captured the necessary parts. Here are pictures of the results:

New Color and Curlform'ed Hair (Full Post)

Alright so if you cared enough to see the teaser post, you'll notice that I did color my hair. My old hi-lights were getting dull and faded and I was ready to try something new. I used Manic Panic Fuchsia and focused on applying it to my hi-lights since that hair is already bleached and the color would show there. This was the first time doing my own color and--well let's just say I made a huge mess. I don't even want to discuss how much I had to clean. But anyway, I put in some curl formers, set my hair with Eco Styler Gel (the clear kind) and here were the results:

I really loved the color, the curl former set and the hold of Eco Styler gel. Many thanks to the little sister for that. Anyway, I decided to do some of the curls over because I wanted really defined curls in the front, especially since I took some of the curl formers out before my hair was fully dry. So I added some more gel and popped some rollers back in. Took them out this morning and decided to do a simple style

I simply put some of my hair in a banana clip and let the rest hang loose. Folks at the office stopped to tell me how much they loved my hair and the kids were excited that I had added color. I talked about hair a lot today with different people of all ages. Hope you like =)

I Haz An Upset About My Hair

So yesterday's hair day went pretty well. I used bentonite clay and deep conditioned my hair longer then I meant to because I was chilling around the house with my sister, but my hair felt so much better and clean!

Defined curls, curtesy of Bentonite clay!

Recall that I said I would be rollersetting my hair with magnetic rollers. Well, I pulled out my bin or rollers and noted a couple of things. A) rollersetting was going to take me years to do and B) I most certainly did not have enough rollers for my hair. I remember that's why I stopped doing them for a while, and I said I'd do them again if I bought more rollers--which I have not. I've been stuck on curl formers. And since I wanted a relatively relaxing day (which it was) I opted to use them instead. But, I did something a little different--a "ponytail curl-former" set if you will because I still wanted the curly bob look.

Pony-tailed sections of hair

Curlformers out

If you notice, it kind of pulled my hair a little higher. And upon light separation and fluffing of the curls, I really liked this look!! So why am I upset? Because it didn't last! I can never sleep with a set because the next morning my curls are smashed up and my hair is knotted. I was so pissed this morning because I thought tying a scarf very loosely around my head would work, NOT. And in general, while my curlformer sets look good to me I know they won't last because of lack of hold! I have yet to find a product that can provide a strong hold for my hair. I'm about to become a product junkie because of my mission to find great hold for roller sets.

So far my sister has recommended I try eco-Styler gel. She's been using it on her braid outs and I have to admit her hair feels really soft and it looks very defined. I'm definitely soliciting suggestions for products and a way to sleep on roller sets, ugh!

My Best Curlformer Set Thus Far

I just wanted to share the results to a recent curlformer set I did. This was right after I used the Bentonite Clay. I used my usual Kinky Curly Knot Today as a leave-in, and IC Fantasia gel. I let it air dry and then took them out a few hours later...

As I mentioned in my regimen post, I use curlformers to stretch my hair out. I may rock them for a day but then I either twist or bun. Not only did I like the way this looked, but I really liked how my hair felt. This set was so soft and moveable and felt like there was nothing in my hair and I really think that had something to do with the bentonite clay. I was tempted to really just separate the curls some more and leave my hair like this, but my biggest problem is that I don't know how to really make them last. I been trying different methods like a high pony tail, but the curls really just "droop" after that. And a bonnet just crushes them. Oh well, my hair is twisted up now anyway.

A Little Bit of This and That

Last week I decided to blow my hair out. I pre-treated, washed, conditioned and all that, then I let my hair air dry. After that, I got my denman brush, my IC Fantasia Heat Protectant and blow dried my hair on low and on the warm setting. I got my big hair...

I actually just wore buns for the first part of the week. Then on Wednesday night I decided to do a curl former set because on Thursday and Friday I had to partake in holiday shennanigans. I used Jane Carter's Wrap and Roll (I've mentioned before I'm not a total fan of it, but I need to get rid of it!) and slept in my curl formers which isn't as uncomfortable as magnetic rollers in my opinion...

fresh out the pack

2nd day hair

I still pulled my hair back because it's still windy around these parts. I'm still trying to find a way to preserve curlformer sets. I did do a high ponytail (pineapple if you will) mostly because I was lazy and it seemed fine. I had soft waves and curls and I like the look. I'm actually going to do this again this weekend and continue this through the new year paying close attention to how my hair deals with this.

My Roller Set Attempts

Another curlformer attempt. I used Jane Carter Wrap and Roll. Still not where I wanted it to be...

Trying a rollerset with my magnetic rollers, FAIL lol. This is when I decided to just clip my ends instead...Still used the Wrap and Roll...

Curlformer set using IC Fantasia Gel. This was the new product I tried and liked it for the set. I realized though that in some parts, I didn't put enough gel. I'm so use to Kinky Curling Custard where you a little goes a long way so I was way stingy with the product. So I actually decided to try again the next day, except....

I opted to not only use curlformers, but flexi rods to compare the results between the two. results...

So, I was really happy with these results! This is my set from yesterday. Finally getting somewhere! The truth is, the flexi rods and curlformers don't seem to give me a huge difference in results, especially when I separated and fluffed out. You can't tell which ones I used. Now my issue is perserving these curls. I used a bonnet to sleep with and they kinda fell flat =( not sure what to do about that one....

Hair Day (and trying Curlformers)

I usually wash and style my hair once a week, either Friday, Saturday or Sunday, depending how busy I am. Yesterday (Sunday) I decided to make my wash day because I had time to myself with no one in the house.

My tangled hair, formerly in twists

Giovanni Shampoo, Knot Today (to detangle and leave-in) Renpure Organics (deep condition for 1hr)

Freshly washed, deep conditioned, and detangled hair.

Now lately, the heat has forced me to become apart of the "no-hair-near-the-face" variety, so I've been flat twisting the front of my hair. I used Kinky Curly Knot Today as the leave in. Usually I will do single twists in the back of my hair but I decided to switch it up and try Long and Wide Curlformers. They are just a different type of rollers, a bit easier to put in (in my opinion) then magnetic rollers or flexi rods. You do have to be careful with the hook that comes with it because it can pull the hair out...

Curlformers and flat twists

I set the curlformers with Jane Carter Solutions Wrap and Roll (which I will review later) and let them air dry because I really did not feel like sitting under my hooded dryer in the heat, although based on my results I'm wondering if I should have to set them better...

I actually didn't like it all that much because those weren't the results I was looking for. Curl formers give you a spiral type curl. I know it can be done on my hair because SP and I experimented with them before and I saw the spirals and it's nice. (Although our set didn't quite come out entirely well because we ran out of curlformers and my hair wasn't all the way dry!) Not all has been lost though. This was a good way to stretch my hair out and keep my ends from tangling and I will probably just twist the back like usual and continue to wear my protective style for the week and probably try curlforming next wash day.