Best way to refresh natural hair?

I am happy that despite an intense workout, my twist outs are still in fabulous shape. Once I’d showered, I unwrapped my hair (I use a satin head wrap / scarf when I sleep and when I shower) and applied coconut oil. I gently rubbed my hair in a circular motion thinking that any stray hairs would be swirled up into my coils. I was happy with the final look.

As I mentioned the other morning, I am now on a hunt for tips on how to refresh my hairstyles…especially twist outs (I simply love this style and I bet I’ll be wearing it a lot). On one hand, I have heard that whenever you refresh your hair, water should be involved. On the other hand, I’m hesitant to wet my hair in any way shape or fashion when I’m trying to preserve a hairstyle. What do you all do?

Best way to refresh natural hair?

I am happy that despite an intense workout, my twist outs are still in fabulous shape. Once I’d showered, I unwrapped my hair (I use a satin head wrap / scarf when I sleep and when I shower) and applied coconut oil. I gently rubbed my hair in a circular motion thinking that any stray hairs would be swirled up into my coils. I was happy with the final look.

As I mentioned the other morning, I am now on a hunt for tips on how to refresh my hairstyles…especially twist outs (I simply love this style and I bet I’ll be wearing it a lot). On one hand, I have heard that whenever you refresh your hair, water should be involved. On the other hand, I’m hesitant to wet my hair in any way shape or fashion when I’m trying to preserve a hairstyle. What do you all do?

Workout hair tips

I am having a superficial hair dilemma this morning. Why superficial? Well, I just had my hair professionally twisted last week and it came out great (thanks Niecy). This morning I have an intense boot camp class. Don't get me wrong, I AM GOING to my class but I hate the way my hair gets puffy at the roots. Aargh. Hey! I will choose health over style AND DAY!

However, I am now on a hunt to find out how folks preserve/ protect natural hair styles (especially twist outs and other loose styles). Please share your workout tips. I will be sure to post a comprehensive list. Thanks!

Workout hair tips

I am having a superficial hair dilemma this morning. Why superficial? Well, I just had my hair professionally twisted last week and it came out great (thanks Niecy). This morning I have an intense boot camp class. Don't get me wrong, I AM GOING to my class but I hate the way my hair gets puffy at the roots. Aargh. Hey! I will choose health over style AND DAY!

However, I am now on a hunt to find out how folks preserve/ protect natural hair styles (especially twist outs and other loose styles). Please share your workout tips. I will be sure to post a comprehensive list. Thanks!

Circle of Sisters

What do a judge, a law clerk, a VP of Communications and several administrators have in common? I interviewed each of them about natural hair and the workplace at the 2011 Circle of Sisters (http://www.circleofsisters.com/). Marlene Duperley of Doris New York (http://www.dorisnewyork.com/) was kind enough to allow me to use her booth (#200, straight up the escalators AMAZING spot for traffic!) as my home base as I interviewed several women about hair and the workplace. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, let me tell you about the expo!

Who do you think I saw at the expo? Nicole Ari Parker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Ari_Parker) and Boris Kodjoe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Kodjoe )! Yes, they are both beautiful in person…I didn’t get a chance to talk with either of them so I’m afraid I’m being highly superficial and talking about their physical beauty…gorgeous!

Anyway, it was a wonderful feeling to walk into an expo hall filled to the gills with entrepreneurs and vendors in pursuit of “New York’s women of color”. Plus, I LOVE to see women doing their thing and pursuing their passion with fervor. Marlene is a SMART business woman, she had the expo hall abuzz as she and two other models handed out marketing materials while sporting huge ball gown skirts and cute t-shirts (Marlene designed them, check out her website for further details). By the way, I am not employed by Marlene or Doris New York. But, I will holler your name from the hilltops if I think you are cool and have fabulous products. So, here I go on to holler about Zandria’s fabulous jewelry. I bought a CUTE black and white dress from Chico’s but couldn’t quite find the right jewelry. I found what I needed when I took one look at Zandria’s black and clear Czech crystal hoop earrings (I’m wearing them in today’s blog shot). It just feels good to support these businesswomen.

Also, if you are willing for me to interview you about hair and the workplace, please email me at tropie7189@gmail.com. Thanks!

Circle of Sisters

What do a judge, a law clerk, a VP of Communications and several administrators have in common? I interviewed each of them about natural hair and the workplace at the 2011 Circle of Sisters (http://www.circleofsisters.com/). Marlene Duperley of Doris New York (http://www.dorisnewyork.com/) was kind enough to allow me to use her booth (#200, straight up the escalators AMAZING spot for traffic!) as my home base as I interviewed several women about hair and the workplace. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, let me tell you about the expo!

Who do you think I saw at the expo? Nicole Ari Parker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Ari_Parker) and Boris Kodjoe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Kodjoe )! Yes, they are both beautiful in person…I didn’t get a chance to talk with either of them so I’m afraid I’m being highly superficial and talking about their physical beauty…gorgeous!

Anyway, it was a wonderful feeling to walk into an expo hall filled to the gills with entrepreneurs and vendors in pursuit of “New York’s women of color”. Plus, I LOVE to see women doing their thing and pursuing their passion with fervor. Marlene is a SMART business woman, she had the expo hall abuzz as she and two other models handed out marketing materials while sporting huge ball gown skirts and cute t-shirts (Marlene designed them, check out her website for further details). By the way, I am not employed by Marlene or Doris New York. But, I will holler your name from the hilltops if I think you are cool and have fabulous products. So, here I go on to holler about Zandria’s fabulous jewelry. I bought a CUTE black and white dress from Chico’s but couldn’t quite find the right jewelry. I found what I needed when I took one look at Zandria’s black and clear Czech crystal hoop earrings (I’m wearing them in today’s blog shot). It just feels good to support these businesswomen.

Also, if you are willing for me to interview you about hair and the workplace, please email me at tropie7189@gmail.com. Thanks!

Chocolate Hair / Vanilla Care

Rory Hadley, creater of Chocolatehairvanillacare.com, and her daughter

One website that I think is fabulous is “Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care” (http://www.chocolatehairvanillacare.com/) (see a write up here: http://www.theroot.com/buzz/chocolate-hair-vanilla-care). The website was created by Rory Hadley as an outlet to share her experiences as a White Mom raising her Black adopted daughter (can you say cute as a button!?). I LOVE this site and have used it myself when seeking tips about hair styling.

I hate to admit it but when I see unkempt Black / multi-racial children with uncombed hair and ashy skin, I often wonder, “Man, do they have White parents?” Why do I think this? Because I have encountered multiple instances where such children have been raised or adopted by White parents. The parents seem to have no clue how to take care of their children’s’ hair and skin more or less the children’s egos and self-esteem that may be battered as these youngsters grow up and realize: 1) that they are different than their family members / parents; and, 2) that society may devalue them.

That is why I love “Chocolate Hair, Vanilla Care”. Ms. Hadley talks about hair and also manages to make deeper connections to how hair affects self-esteem and self image. Thanks Ms. Hadley!

Image found at: http://www.theroot.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/large-image/Snapshot%202011-10-04%2000-40-31.jpg