Updo with TwistOut

This weekend I went to a wedding (Congrats Richard & Danielle Koonce!).  I wanted to wear my hair in an updo for the occasion.  So I decided to revisit the Flat Twist Updo that I did back in March since my hair is a little longer and I decided to make a variation to the hairdo that Youtube's PrettyDimples01 did in her "Request Updo" video.

I also took this opportunity to try out the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding that I got from the product swap during the Eastern NC Natural Hair Meetup last weekend.  Let me just say to all naturals who want to try products without having to invest in them, you really need to join a meetup in your area.  Of course you have to be willing to share products that you have as well.  The 8 oz container of curly pudding I got was virtually full!   This product retails for $22.00.  Good deal for me!

After applying my leave in conditioner, and sealing the moisture in with coconut oil, I sectioned my hair from ear to ear and clipped the front of my hair out of the way.  Then I used my Ecostyle Olive Oil gel to slick up the back of my hair and pinned it upward with bobbypins.  I then began to two strand twist my hair with the Curly Pudding in the front in medium sized twists on an angle so my hair would lay at an angle.  I ended with 3 flat twists on the side.  I wore my twists Friday evening and all day Saturday and untwisted my hair for the wedding on Sunday.  I plan to retwist my hair at night and wear this style this week. 

I LOVED the results.  I must say that this is the best twistout results that I've had.  The Curly Pudding did initially leave my hair sorta crunchy but on Saturday I misted my twists with my moisturizing mist and it softened the hair right up!  My mist is the bomb!  See the pictures below of the twists on Saturday and the Twist out Sunday.

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Recognizable Natural - Lalah Hathaway

You might ask who is Lalah Hathaway?  Lalah Hathaway could be labeled as a contemporary R& B and soul singer.  She is the daughter of Donnie Hathaway.  She has one of the smoothest voices of our time.  In a time when music has very little meaning, the words of her songs actually reach the listener.  One of the first songs that I heard of Lalah's was her cover of "Forever, For Always, For Love".  I really loved her rendition.  Since then, I've been a fan of her music and I haven't been disappointed yet.

Her mid-back length locks are as much a part of her signature style as her chic laid back style.

Check out her single "Let Go" from her Self Portrait album.

Announcing: North Carolina Natural Hair Care Expo 2011

This expo is 2 weeks away!  Check the website frequently to get updates about performers, classes, and vendors.  This will be my first expo as a natural and I can't wait to attend.  It is also on the weekend of my 1 year post relaxer anniversary so it'll be a celebration as well!!  So, if you're in the NC area, gather up all your "curl friends" and attend!

Hair of the Day - Day 6 Wash & Go

My wash & go puff turned out so cute this morning I just had to share.  This is the same wash & go from Saturday.   I sprayed it on Sunday & Tuesday with my moisturizing mist & then today I lightly misted my edges after I got out of the shower and pulled it back in this puff with an ouchless Goody hairband.

I still had my curl definition and a little bit of hang time with my bangs!

Eastern NC Natural Hair Meetup - Recap

This past Saturday, May 21st Lateshia & I had an opportunity to attend the Eastern NC Natural Hair Meetup in Greenville, NC.  It was hosted by Youtube vlogger The Trendy Socialite aka Adeea Rogers and Moni Brodie of Moni's Haute Boutique.  It was a wonderful event full of great information sharing, networking, and inspiration.  Check out the slide show below of a few pictures that I took during the event.

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Recognizable Natural - Cree Summer

I remember Cree Summer as Winifred "Freddie" Brooks on the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World.  She was the semi-militant African American student with a very polital viewpoint on the show.  And she had beautiful BIG natural hair.  I remember when she came back as a law student with her hair straightened and in a bun it was a big deal because it was very different from her previous personnna. 

Since the end of this successful series, Cree Summer has been mainly featured in voice acting for animated characters rather than in front of the screen.  Some of her most popular characters are "Penny" in Inspector Gadget season 1, "Susie Carmichael" in Rugrats and All Grown Up and "Foxxy Love" in Drawn Together.

It's amazing that Freddie's hair made her stand out and made a statement about who she was and what she believed in on A Different World.  While the natural hair movement doesn't necessarily carry with it a political statement, it does help all of us who have embraced it grasp another level of self awareness.  Thanks Cree & Freddie for being a trailblazer for us!

Check out an interview with Cree Summer as she discusses her character "Foxxy Love".

Need Moisture? Vegetable Glycerin is the Answer!

Pure glycerin

Recently, I was asked the question, "What is in your moisturizing spritz?"  Well, here's part of my answer, glycerin!  Glycerin is a humectant.  What that basically means is that it attracts water.  All of us naturals know that our hair loves water.  Therefore, adding glycerin to your moisturizing spritz water bottle will help attract the moisture from the air to your hair leaving it soft and moisturized.  This is perfect for spring and summer time in NC!  Humidity we do well down here!

 I have added this to my spritz and refreshed my wash & go's with it and it not only immediately takes out any crunch that I did have and left my hair so soft. You can also apply when wearing protective styles to keep your hair moisturized. One word of caution, apply sparingly because over use will leave your hair feeling sticky.  Ask me how I know?  LOL  I only need to use my spritz about once every 3 days to get the softness & moisture I desire.

I purchased this 8 oz bottle of vegetable glycerin from Whole Foods and it cost about $8.99.  It has a syrupy consistency and has no aroma. 

In my first moisturizing mist I used a recipie of 75% water to 25% vegetable glycerin.  I then added 10 drops of peppermint essential oil for a slight fragrance.

For my next mist I will add aloe vera juice which is also a great moisturizer.  So my recipie will probably be something like 70% water, 15% aloe vera juice, and 15% vegetable glycerin.  With the addition of the aloe vera juice however, the mist will need to be kept refrigerated. 

Soon I'll have a a whole section of my fridge just for hair stuff.  I might need to invest in a micro fridge for upstairs...hmm a thought.   LOL