Wash and Go Hair- Eco Styler Gel and Kinky Curly Products

Hi everyone,

My Eco-styler gel, Denman Brush style lasted for four days.  Here are the results:

Pros:  This style lasted for several days and was super cute (well, it grew on me.  At first, I was not feeling it).  Also, my curls clumped together more perhaps leading to a bit more curl definition.   Cons:  it took TOO long to blow dry my hair, then apply gel, then brush it through only to end up with the same amount of shrinkage (for me, too long is an hour, plus, I'd rather find a style that doesn't require much if any heat); crunchy, crunchy, crunchy!  After a few days, gel residue started to show.

So, this morning I washed my hair and tried Kinky Curly Knot Today and Curling Custard on my wet, freshly pre-pooed hair without a brush.  Here are the results:

I LOVE it and this took about 20 minutes to do.  I could definitely do this on a daily basis BUT this style should last at least two to three days!  Whew-hew!  I did have to use my diffuser because I had an appointment and there was visible product in my hair.  Next time, I'll do my hair with more lead time so that it can fully air dry.  Plus, I'll use less product!

Thanks and this hair journey is getting REALLY fun!  I love the experimenting!  I'm starting to understand my hair and OWN it.  I am truly recognizing that it doesn't have to take a ton of time, money or product to bring out the beauty of afro-textured hair.  I'm also learning to accept and embrace my kinky texture.  Hallelujah!  Stay tuned for an upcoming video blog about this latter topic (yes, I'm venturing into vlogging, pray for me!).  :)

Embrace your gray hair!

Hi everyone,

As I perused the headlines for interesting discussions about hair, I came across the headline "Gray Hair Celebrated in New Exhibit".  YAAYYYY!  I for one adore gray hair, better said, silver hair.  Men and women blessed with such manes look like silver foxes.  They typically have a certain regality, a beauty that has been EARNED.  So, I am thrilled that the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA (ww.buckinstitute.org) is exhibiting photos that depict women sporting their natural silver hair.   The Huffington Post wrote an article about the exhibit:  Huffington Post article about "SILVER: A State of Mind".

I got my first silver hair in my early teens.  I plucked it out and taped it into a keepsake book (I believe I still have it somewhere...so much for keepsakes, I need to do a better job of keeping track of them!)  I loved my silver hair because it connected me to my Father.  He too had a patch of silver hair right in the front of his head and, really, nowhere else (he now shaves his head bald so I don't get to see the patch of silver anymore).  I guess it was in my genes because I too developed a splash of silver in the same spot; you may have noticed my splash of silver in pictures.  My Mother has beautiful silver hair.  She's been stopped by strangers who compliment her on her beautiful, silver tresses.

I can thank both of my parents for my healthy attitude about graying hair.  When I used to dye my locs, I specifically requested that they section of my silver hair so that it wouldn't be scathed by the dye.  The silver patch had sort of become a unique trait and I didn't want dye to make me blend in with everyone else.  My patch has spread and I have silver hairs throughout my hair.  I still wear them with pride, in fact, I feel that my silver hair reflects wisdom that the Lord has given me (Proverbs 16:31).  It's something to be embraced in my opinion.

That's why I never quite understand it when aging people try to cover up the inevitable procession of life.  We are ALL going to get older (if we're blessed to live long enough).  Why is there such an effort to erase signs of aging, especially when it comes to graying hair?  I think one reason is that graying hair is symbolic of our mortality.  Our hair, like changing colors of foliage, represents a change of seasons.  I believe that some fear this change and so they clutch to youthful memories of times when hair was not gray.  What do you think?

Portrait of Nina Grieg, ca 1934; image owned by the University of Bergen
Brief Information on Ms. Grieg

Leave in Conditioner For Moisturized, Maintained Hair!

Hello everyone,

I'm heading out solo tonight to a college dance ensemble performance and I decided to do a twist out.  What can I say?  I LOVE IT!  I have a recent Twitter conversation to thank for the moisturized, highly defined do.  During the conversation, a kind woman asked me if I was using leave in conditioner (LIC).  Sometimes, right when I wash it.  But, I realized that I NEVER use LIC to maintain my styles.  Hmm.  I decided to add it to my routine.  This time around, I wanted elongated curls so once I washed my hair, I blew it dry.  Then, I used my normal Doris New York products to do my twist-out (I've blogged about this before, let me know if you want more details) PLUS I added LIC.  I left the twists in for a few days and then loosened them to reveal beautiful, bouncing curls.  Honestly, those curls usually last for a few days and then I end up with dry hair.  The solution for me!?  At night, I've been showering my hair UNCOVERED allowing the steam to mist my hair.  After getting out of the shower, I apply a mixture of DNY LIC and coconut oil.  I then retwist my hair and leave it twisted for a few days.  I may also spritz my hair with water during this time.  This evening I untwisted my hair after trying my new routine (I coated my fingers with grapeseed oil to take out the twists.  I've found that some kind of light oil on my fingers minimizes frizz and enhances curl definition).  Let me know what you think of the results.  I LOVE IT.  Plus, my hair feels like silk.  I hope this helps you.  What do you do to maintain your hair and keep it moisturized?

The picture at the top shows my new twistout.  Below, is a pic of my twistout in 9/11.  Wow, it's growing!



Thanks!
Tina

Twist out 4/12 

Twist out 9/11

Natural hair meet-ups provide strength in numbers

Hello everyone,

I haven't yet planned a natural hair meet-up, but this article about a Detroit Meet-up brought a beaming smile to my face:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120422/OPINION03/204220311/Naturally-Flyy-Detroit-sisters-celebrate-rocking-hair-natural-?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE.

It is amazing to me to see the freedom, beauty and grace that can all come from wearing your natural hair.  Embrace yourself!

Tina

Talking to myself about my hair

Hello everyone,

Now that I've recovered from my hilariously bad hair day, I thought I'd reflect a bit on the internal process I went through as I "talked" to myself.

First, I realize that I don't have the type of hair that will clump into curls.  I can use a million conditioners, tons of oil, super moisturizing shampoos and it won't matter.  My hair will still amass into a clump of cotton. That's it, no more no less.

Second, I don't particularly like cotton as hair.

Third, I'm working on WHY I don't like cotton as hair.  I know that I've been conditioned to think that silky hair is prettier than cottony hair.  I study identity so I know that issues of race, power and status influence my thinking.  I'm still thinking that way though.

Fourth, I'm dealing with the fact that I sometimes find my hair downright difficult.  When I'm combing it and it's snapping, popping and flying in all directions I feel a bit...cursed.  That's terrible to say but those are the ratlike thoughts scurrying about in my mind.

Fifth, I am incredibly proud of myself for publicly stripping myself down in this way and conversing about such an important topic.  I've had so many people confide that they struggle with hair and identity.  Let's keep the conversation going and work toward full self-acceptance.

Hugs,

Tina

Bad attitude to go with my bad hair day

Hi everyone,

Today I am just going to put it out there. I had a horrible hair day and I let it put me in a bad mood. I washed and deep conditioned my hair the other day. For some crack-high reason, I thought I'd awaken with curly ringlets. Instead, I woke up with Brillo hard, prickly twine sticking out of my head. Don't believe me? This pic should back me up.

I know, I know I need to stop trippin' and embrace everything about my natural hair. Well guess what? Sometimes I just want my hair to do what the heck I tell it to: sit still, lay down, curl up, flatten out. I got so nervy, I even rolled my eyes at God , "Thanks a lot for THIS gift Jesus".

Have you ever had a bad hair day? Please share your stories.

Luxurious self-treatment

Hello everyone,

I am really working on improving my self-care. Yesterday, I had a counselling session then I had a fabulous massage. Oh my goodness! I was floating on air. Later on in the day, I hit the gym and treated myself to sushi. Then, I treated myself (yes, I treated myself more than once, that's a BIG DEAL for me!) to some new running gear (I started jogging through Black Girls Run and I love it!) In other words, I had a day long date with MYSELF! I showered myself with attention, loving, healthy attention. The love fest continued today: I cleared my schedule: no meetings, research ALL DAY! Whew-hew. Plus, I went to work in my new running gear so that I'd be prepared for my evening run.

Once I got home tonight, I washed my hair, took a bubble bath and I'm now sitting with conditioner in my hair. I plan to sleep in it overnight. Do any of you do that? I can't wait to see what my hair will feel like in the morning.

Here's to treating ourselves! :)

Image found at: beautifulbrowngirls.com