Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Naturally Merry Gifts

Merry Christmas, Happy HanaQuansika! A few of my relatives and friends have either recently gone natural or are still struggling to learn how to style their loose natural hair. For instance, they still don't wear her hair out loose- set, wash and go, or otherwise. Add to the struggle limited braiding and twisting skills, and an old school opinion on protective and big hair styles, and you get frustration and the dreaded direct heat. I decided that for Christmas I would do my own analysis of a few heads of hair, and buy products based on what "I would try". I came up with some cute packs, with mostly sample sized products, and several tools that I can't imagine them living without. I hope I'm not creating product junkies, after my own image lol.

Using the "typing systems" I've got a 3b-c/S, a 4a/O and a 4a-b/IS that I made packs for.

My 3b-c/S is in her late 50s (I hope she is not reading this!) and has APL-BSL hair. I got her Knot Today, a large comb, Mixed chicks, Thick and Slick Custard, Giovanni silk conditioner, and some Cream of nature rosemary and lemongrass leave in. I wanted to get her some curl keeper, but could not find the stuff!

My 4a/O is getting some natural oasis grease, some Ampro clear ice, some kinky curly knot today and custard, large comb, some castille soap, and some Cholesterol conditioner. She is a young 22 or so, and just transitioned this year (yay!) Her hair is probably about 6-8 inches long.

The 4a-b/IS is an avid presser. I think her texture may be different that what displays now due to heat damage, but what can you do. She is also about 60 yrs old, so set in her ways somewhat. I got her several items from the Chi line, Giovanni conditioner, mixed chicks shampoo and conditioner, natural oasis grease, and some kinky curly because she wanted to try it. She may like the knot today but the custard may be a bust. Her hair is just about shoulder length pressed.

There are other things in there like those fancy hair towels and a few shower caps, some of those double prong bobby pins, grape-seed oil, and some ouch-less hairbands. I hope they all love the packs and get much more wear out of their hair with a new product or two. I'll have to be on standby to coach for technique!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

More texture. Big hair, Don't care.

On the streets of DC today. I used Elasta QP Olive Oil/ MANGO BUTTER Moisturizer, (got mine at a local beauty supply store) which I love! and some Deva curl Set it Free spreay mixed 50% with water to refresh my gel-less hair this morning. The Elasta gives it a bit of hold actually.



Monday, December 21, 2009

Texture shots!

I have been feeling my hair without the gel lately! the big bush! I know it is a lot to visually ingest for some poor passersby, but alas, I think it's so feminine and outspoken. Have to love it :-) I am getting a trim to adjust the shape on Dec 30th. Stay tuned for before and after shots.



Monday, December 14, 2009

Pressed hair, fleeting glimpse. Going... going....

I have been so busy lately! I never really recovered from the Thanksgiving break, and now the Christmas break is coming so fast. I am also in the process of entering the housing market game so I am obsessed with all things home buying and DIY. To make matters worse, my BF is in the midst of finals week, so I have relinquished the desktop station at home to him lately.

So for my hair... Very little love. Wash and goes, then a retired wash and go pony puff, then whatever I can get away with has been my cycle for a few weeks now, despite the cold weather. But this past week, I had a few bad days. I had visions of actually cutting my hair very soon, (and buying clothes, happy clothes and boots and shoes). I decided, instead, to show off my length for once before I loose it. Maybe. It never looks long, but it is long, which just makes many styles take longer and require more skill than they used to. I pressed it on Saturday in a flourish of blowdrying and swipes with a tired, years old, revlon "ceramic" hot iron. Said iron began peeling from one of the plates halfway through pressing to reaveal- shiny silver metal underneath. sigh. But my hair came out OK. for that day. I slept in flexible curlers that night to achieve the curly wrap look on Sunday. But when I took the curlers out, I had an old school halfway straight/halfway bushy mass of hair that did not retain the curl after wrapped it and took it down a few hours later. It's in a fluffy ponytail today. I don't feel like fighting it back straight. I'll see what I can come up with while I prolong the time before I let it fully revert.




The other funny thing- is that I have been hiding it. I don't want to give any curly haters any ammunition to ubercompliment the bushy but straighter/closer to "normal" hair. I breezed by our concierge with my hat on and wore my hat sporadically throughout the day. I feel no need to show off the length any more. Funny how that bright idea came and went. I didn't want to spend the money (or risk damage) for a harder press, and I'm glad I didn't.

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Friday, December 4, 2009

my curly twists- OUT!

I love it. Still wearing the twistout, Day 2. I can wait a bit longer to wash it I think :-)



Tuesday, December 1, 2009

STILL wearing my twists after the holiday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I did! I flew home to CT and saw my maternal family. On the hair front- My brother's girl has gone natural and is finding her way, and my mom has been natural for years. I owe her a twist and roller set. I twisted my hair up a few weeks ago, and today marks the 20th day twisted. They are getting matted now and I need another wash, so I'll be taking them apart for a brief twist out tomorrow. I've washed them once already by sudsing up my scalp with a sulphur based clarifying shampoo and re-twisted the fuzziest ones in increments. But all in all- I have loved these twists! They are small and swingy. I have been going to bed with them up in a pony on top of my head, so they've stayed elongated. I can do styles with them and/or wear them out. I'll be redoing them soon this winter. However, I am hankering to wear my hair out for a week or two first. The last picts below, are me today.







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