Overly Curly?

I made mention in a post not too long ago about how I felt about my cosmetology school textbooks referring to our hair as "overly curly." I just don't like that because to me, it makes it seem like something is wrong with our hair; Like it's too curly. I just don't get what that's suppossed to mean. I needed to study for an exam and remembered I had the disc that came with the curriculum. When I found this clip, I had to show you what I mean! In the whole clip they're describing curls and curl patterns, why does our hair have to be mentioned with a negative tone? No one reffers to Asian hair as 'overly straight.'

Is it just me? What do you think? I'm really interested in hearing how other people feel about this.

Healthy Body: Green Tea

I've mentioned that I'm being more health conscious then I ever have been on my own and I think I'm starting to feel the benefits now. I no longer eat meat (much to the dismay of my pops who can't imagine such a meal without goat or lamb) which means I could be missing certain things in a balanced diet such as protein. So I've been paying more attention to what I'm consuming and what I'm putting in my body because I want to be healthy. I believe a combination of things--not one miracle food/vitamin--is what makes a good diet. And the key is being consistent--over time you'll see the results.

Lately I've been consuming a daily cup of green tea, (although it is suggested to drink about 3 cups a day for full benefits). I grew up drinking it because my family is HUGE on all sorts of herbs and teas to drink. Once I reached "puberty" my grandmother required that I try to have a cup of green tea every day, sweetened with organic honey (not sugar) and decaffeinated. Occasionally I also added lemon juice to it. I personally drink my tea without anything but it's mostly because I'm drinking it at work and all they have is sugar. So why green tea?

- helps with metabolism, and weight loss
- contains epigallocatechil gallate, an antioxidant that hinders cancer cell growth
- cleanses the body of toxins
- fights bacteria
*Source


I'm going to try and drink the tea 3 times daily, once in the morning (like I've been doing) once in the mid-afternoon, and then another before or after dinner. I found this article on WebMD discussing what the science community is saying about green tea and why they are finding it useful. Remember that healthy hair starts from within the body so if you're on that journey be sure to drink some tea!

My Buns

I'm starting to feel the "itchy" on my scalp. I've had my hair straight for one week and while I've been enjoying it, I'm ready to wash and do something else to it. And with lack of camera charger (!!!) all I can really give you is this and hope you can see what I did...

I've been doing buns folks, simply using an ouchless band and bobby pins. I made a ponytail then pull different pieces of hair around my ouchless band to create this side bun. I wanted to see if I could make a full bun without using a donut and so far so good. I love it!

Allow Us To Re-Introduce

We see you new followers! Thanks for joining the blog, and of course major shout outs to those who have been hanging with us for a bit. Want to know why named our blog Your Africa is Showing! Check the about this blog for the story...

For those who are lurking/new to the blog, we (as in SP Styles and Curly Film Chick) are two natural 20-somethings based in New York City. SP Styles rocks a TWA and is also an actual hair stylist who loves all things hair, fashion, and make-up. She's all over the YAIS youtube channel with her helpful tips for the newly natural folks. Curly Film Chick has lots o' hair and is learning how to style and retain the length of hair. She's been natural her whole life but is just now getting the hang of her tresses and embracing it and is learning to balance her life--health wise--in conjunction with natural hair. For more info on us, click the above tabs with our names.

Expect to see posts not only about natural hair, but on our interests and lifestyles for the 20-something urbanistas. Have any questions/comments/concerns? email us at yais.nyc@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter at YAISnyc!

Feel free to introduce yourselves to us in the comments (especially you lurkers!) and link us up to your blogs/fokti if you have any!

Happy Reading!

*SP Styles & Curly Film Chick*

Straight Natural!

Hey everyone! It's been a minute since I showed pics or talked about how my hair has been, mostly because I cannot locate the charger to my camera #annoyed. Currently my hair is straight and it was actually done by SP herself the day after she flat-ironed her TWA. (note: I had a braided/twisted updo before which I'll post once I find the charger!) Here are the products used:

*pre-poo with Burts Bees Avocado Butter
*shampoo with YES To Carrots!
*DC and detangled with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration
*Added Vatika coconut, lemon, and alma oil
*Blow dry (with comb attatchment) using CHI 44 Iron Guard (heat protector spray)
*Flat-ironed with Chi Silk Fusion


And here are pics of the process...

Straightened and Styled

I decided to style my hair today but instead of doing the Mohawk i decided to style my hair the way i was wearing it before i decided to go natural and start transitioning in weaves. Since people seem to like celebrity comparisons, as I change my hair a lot and some one always has their idea of who they felt like i copied, i would say it's something like the Halle Berry Boomerang cut, but a little longer in the back and on the sides.
I  made a video of me flat ironing/styling my hair so as soon as i get it edited i will post it up :) In the meantime, here go some pics of the outcome. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with how straight my hair got and how easily it styled. Not that i didn't think it would get straight, but it just looks so perfect! lol Anyhooo... On to the pics... lol

 More pics under the jump =D

Flatironed Natural TWA

 Step 1. Co-washed and  Finger Detangled using HEHH
 Step 2. Applied Vatika coconut oil, CHI 44 Iron Guard Heat   protector spray, and CHI Silk Infusion
 Step 3. Sectioned and Blowdryed
Step 4. Added more CHI Silk Infusion and Flatironed
Step 5. Silk wrapped
Step 6. Trimmed

There is nothing wrong with a natural girl wanting to rock the straight look every once in a while, but if your ends are bent out of shape, it's gonna show. In my opinion, if i'm gonna wear straight hair, i dont want afro ends taking away from the silky flatironed look. Afro Ends? Just me referring to the way split ends look on straight natural hair. I silkwrapped my hair (wrapping the hair and then wrapping taughtly with Saran wrap) and sat under the dryer for about 10 minutes to see if i could get my ends to straighten out a little more... i wanted to make sure that i wouldnt be trimming too much. My hair grew quite a bit since my second chop and i do love the shape it's growing into.

More under the jump :)