Half Wig Options for Naturals

As I stated previously, I am going back to half wigs (instant weaves) for a bit. I have decided to try topical growth agents and supplements to boost my growth rate. Instant weaves will give me access to my hair AND a cute style when I need it.

Most naturals get frustated with instant weaves because they select the wrong wigs. Straight and shiny synthetic wigs are not the best option if you are natural. In order to make your instant weave look as natural as possible, it is best to choose a textured or curly half wig.

In my fotki album, I provide a tutorial on how to install and blend a half wig. Check it out for tips and getting that natural look that you desire.

Here are a few instant weaves that are ideal for natural heads.

Natural Hair Inspiration 07/15/09 - Teyana Taylor

Things I like: Fashion

OK if you know me, you know that I am crazy about hair and fashion. Lately, I have been jonesing for a Shirtdress. Not sure why, but I am just on the hunt for the perfect sexy shirtdress.

Here are a few that I would LOVE to just show up mysteriously at my door:

New Experiment: Do regular trims make hair grow faster?

I have been a little distraught for the past couple of days. I decided to straighten my hair and see what I was working with. Well I was very dissappointed. My ends were HORRIBLE. I ended up cutting an inch at home, then going to Super Cuts the next day and getting a professional trim. Because I wear my hair curly 90% of the time, I really did not think I had to worry about split ends. Boy was I wrong. I vowed that I would not clip my ends until I reached my first goal of APL. Well unfortuntely, I would not continue on with those plans.

After getting my ends trimmed and being very unhappy with my hair, I have decided to trim once every 6 to 8 weeks going forward. I refuse to continue allowing split ends to rob me of my hard earned progress. So...I will check back in after 8 weeks, which will be the second week of September. I will take a before pic(can't promise that I will post it now...it depresses me) and an after. After 3 or 4 trims I will revisit. Do regular trims aide in healthy hair growth? What do you think?

Inspirational Natural Hair Pics of the Day : 071309

Act Like a Lady...Think Like a Man - Steve Harvey

How many of you have read this book? I have read it twice and I think he has some good points. What are your thoughts?

10 Reasons that I am glad I am Natural

So, one of my friends is considering transitioning. We have been on the phone for hours over the past few days. I tell all new transitioners the same thing. You need to:
1. Determine WHY you are transitioning. It is easier when you are able to remind yourself WHY you are doing this. For me, it was to obtain healthier and thicker hair.

2. Find some natural hair inspirations in real life AND online. I found people who had hair like mine and I STALKED their hair albums. These pictures really helped me on those days that I felt like relaxing.

With that being said, I decided to list reasons that I am GLAD that I am natural.

1. I can wash my hair and leave the house 10 minutes later.
2. I don't have to spend all day in the salon.
3. No more chemical burns.
4. Most of the styles that I wear do not require rollers. :-)
5. If it rains....I can just restyle my hair and be ok.
6. I don't carry an umbrella!
7. I stand out. My hair is usually different from most folks in the room.
8. If I have a good time dancing, viola....a PUFF!
9. If I decide to go and get my hair straightened, the cost of services in a salon is MUCH cheaper.
10. I have MUCH more versatility.

There are tons more...but I typed this off the top of my head. :-)

For my traveling divas!

For those of you that like to travel, I just HAD to share this!

Check it out while it is still available!

http://www.thrifty-trips.com/insider-secrets-how-to-locate-deals-without-a-travel-agent

Henna and Twist Out Results **Pics**

I am pleased!
Hopefully it gets better each attempt!

Henna Issue: Loss of Curls due to Henna

I will be the first to tell you about the benefits of Henna for hair. Henna is good for not only natural hair but relaxed hair as well. When I stopped with my henna treatments, I immediately noticed a difference in my hair. My hair was not as thick, I had more shedding and definitely more frizz.

Recently I had a BAD experience with braids that resulted in a minor setback. I decided to use Henna treatments as a means to whip my hair back into shape. This morning/last night I did my third Henna treatment since the braids have been out. I have noticed less shedding, shiny hair, thicker hair and overall healthier hair. Unfrotnately, my biggest and only issue with Henna...is still a large problem. Initially I stopped with my bimonthly henna treatments because my curl pattern was loosening. If you look in my album, my texture has changed allot since I started using henna. In an effort to revive my curls, I started doing Amla pastes every week. I was able to save my curls using Amla.

Well this morning when I rinsed my henna out of my head, I was discouraged when I saw that my hair was pretty much straight. I went ahead and applied lmy moisturizing conditioner hoping to see curls again when I rinsed it out. After deep conditioning for an hour, I was able to see a few curls and waves...more so waves than curls. I went ahead and flat twisted my hair for a twist out and put rollers on the ends of the loose areas (one side of my head is tighter than the other).

I am under the dryer now...and thinking. I will post pictures of this twist out once it dries completely. I also plan to do an amla paste sometime this week in an effort to revive some of my lovely curls.

What about you? What has your experience been with Henna? Have you lost or loosened your curl pattern using henna? I started adding Amla to my henna to prevent the loosening affect but....it didn't work.

What are your experiences....suggestions....

Quest for the perfect Braid out: Part 2 ** PIcs added**

ALMOST there!

I tried it AGAIN last night and it worked!
Well it worked well enough for me to wear it to work. I will post pics and details later today!

OK details and pics...

Thanks to LAQUITA for suggesting Twist and Loc Gel! :-)

K...I conditioner washed with Olive Oil Replishing Conditioner
Sectioned my hair into ONE in the back and two front ponys.
Moisturized each section with Sheamoisture Leave in...
Added Grape Seed Oil to the ends...
In the back I had 8 flat twists....four on each side.
I rubbed Twist and Loc (or Loc and Twist hell I can't remember..LOL) on each section before twisting.
I put a clip at the base of each flat twist (think neck line) and one at the end of the twist (to elongate) and sat under the dryer for about 35 to 45 minutes...
Laid down and went to bed....

Overall...it came out good. MUCH better than the past. There IS room for improvement...but I am getting somewhere! I am redoing it this weekend! Oh and my hair is SOFT with MEGA body!

Negative points:
Right side is MUCH looser curl wise so it looks wopsided...
Curls not as defined in the back as I would like...perhaps I will split the back of my head into a top half and a bottom half...

At any rate...here are a few photos.
Keep in mind...this is my FIRST successful twist out... I will redo this weekend after I henna and I am hoping each time gets better. :-)

***Drum Roll*** LOL

Inspiring Braid Out Video

I stal...I mean follow her!

I plan to try this method soon. Isn't her hair gorgeous?!?!

Product Review: MOP Glisten Conditioner

A few weeks ago I was browing the clearance rack in Ulta (the first No NO) and I found a huge bottle of MOP Glisten conditioner. I was not familiar with this particular product but I have heard good things about MOP mized greens over on Naturallycurly.com. So I decided to get it.

I decided it would be best for a daily CW product, as from readin the label it did not strike me as an ultramoisturizing conditioner.

Well used it...and hated it!
It has NO slip what so ever and it reminds me of Family Dollar brand lotion. You know, you put it in your hands and it is so thin, it feels like nothing is there?

It is so bad, I can't even say I will use the entire bottle. My hair and I just do not see any benefit of using it at all... Feels like I am using water only.

I need it in my life! Louis Vuitton Lockit

So while in New orleans this weekend...I saw this purse up close and personal, and fell in love.

I MUST have it...
Stay tuned...I WILL have her...and soon.

Mastering the Braid out: Part One

So...last night I did my henna treatment in a good minute. My hair has started chedding a something terrible and I have just been bad overall.
I was not working with much time so I only left it in for about 4 hours and a 30 minute deep condition.

I tried to create a braid out with Cantu Shea Butter Leave in and Fantasia IC and about 9 braids (cornrows)....
So like...it didn't work. My waves/curls were not defined at all.

So I am going to try again TONIGHT. This time individual plaits and maybe another setting agent.

Any recs?

I am determined to master the braid out THIS month.
I am TIRED of puffs!