Gratuitous Big Hair Shot

I snapped this pic a couple of weeks ago...I think I just brushed out my hair. The weather is warming up now and I'm in my big hair mood. This serves as a reminder of what's to come =P

Hope you enjoy!

That 'Aha' Moment When A Style Works Better Then Planned

Last night I put some flat twists in my hair with the intention of doing a twist out. I spritzed my hair with an aloe vera juice/water mixture and used some Oyin Whipped Pudding to seal in the moisture.

I stared at myself in the mirror and saw that an actual style could become of this. I tied my twists into a small bun. This is the result:

This is how I'm wearing my hair today too. This was such a quick and easy style. I'm probably going to rock this for a couple of days too; it's raining and windy out here. Hell, I might even leave this in for my trip. What do you folks think?

Get-Away Hair Decisions

This weekend I'm heading to DC for a tourist-y visit. Of course I'm thinking about  my hair. I'm not sure what to do with it. Part of me wants to straighten it, another part of me wants to wear twists or braids, or even a wash-n-go. I'm hearing that DC weather is slightly warmer than NYC weather so I feel like I have a lot of possibilities which is now making me completely indecisive. Right now my hair is just in a lazy and loose bun.

I washed my hair Friday night in box braids I was wearing then took them out Saturday and just brushed it out. I plan to wash again Wednesday or Thursday night, depending on my ultimate plans for my hair.

Any suggestions?

Quick Banding Results...

Unfortunately it's been super hectic but i wanted to make sure that i gave the outcome of last nights banding... I was so busy and couldnt find my memory card today :( but i did make sure to snap a quick photobooth pic, though it did the true beauty of my hair today no justice.

Outcome? Perfect! My curls were in tact with just a little afroey frizz and i got millions of compliments today from friends and heard adoring comments from passerbys. Gotta say.. I love banding!

Listen To Your Own Hair

I came across this article on Coco & Creme called Five Hair Products Black Women Use That We Should Avoid. The usual suspects are on the list: Mineral Oil, drying alcohols, etc. I read the comments to the article and a lot of folks were saying what I believe is true: do whatever works for you.

I grew up using hair products with mineral oil, hair being wrapped at the ends with beads and rubber bands, slept with cotton bandanas instead of silk scarves and didn't have my hair washed until it was too dirty to handle. I still had a lot hair that was shoulder length and longer. What I know now is that my hair wasn't that healthy, especially my scalp. Avoiding certain products and adhering to natural hair practices like low manipulation and proper use of moisture has made my hair healthier, less drier, and my scalp feeling much better. But I hear some naturals are doing pretty good using those products that I've sworn off. I won't use products with mineral oil at the top of the list because it does not work for my hair. But I also need to shampoo, especially high quality ones and co-washing only doesn't cut it for the sake of my scalp.

I know a lot of naturals who are anti-color because they either feel that the hair is no longer natural or that it will automatically break off or change your curl pattern. I don't really have issues with color in my hair, nor do I think it makes you less natural. I also see no issue with straightening either. Natural hair is versatile and there is not need to feel stigmatized if you want to use heat. If done properly, heat damage can be avoided.

Just remember that when it comes to hair, it's YOUR hair and one size does not fit all. While it's helpful to read blogs and product reviews don't force something that won't work. Remember that part of the journey accepting your natural hair is learning to enjoy it at its various length and stages. So keep out the natural hair police!

Extreme Banding!

LOL... I'm a fool #bbm embarrassed face

But really... this does look sort of extreme... I didn't part or anything, just grabbed sections from a twist out i was sporting today and decided i was going to band to keep my hair stretched. I believe i totaled out at around 12 little ponys banded as far down as they could go. 

I feel like i look like this.

Okay, lemme stop playin' and go to sleep, lol. Putting on my satin scarf now...

 Goodnight... we'll see how this goes in the morning :)

iBananaclipped TWA Style

So i used to wear my hair like this like everyday when i was in high school:

Up and back in a banana clip 

(I was soo in love with my hair! It was lightly texturized and dyed a caramel color)

So i found my banana clips and decided to go for it! I prepepped my hair by co-washing, adding some Vatika Olive Oil, Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste, Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel, and put my hair into 4 little curly puffs to let it dry stretched out a bit. Once dried a little, took out the bands, lifted at the roots and use a little more water and gel to smooth my hair back. Knowing that all of my hair wouldn't fit back into the banana clip, i prepared to do a pompadour with whatever hair i couldnt smooth back into the banana clip.  

Results? 

Click the jump for more!