Friday, February 27, 2015
Frolicious Friday
Rocking my protective style. Last night I moisturized my hair and sealed in that moisture using Black Dymond Naturals hair and body butter. Violet needs a rest and I'm looking to retain more length during this three month stint. For a custom handmade crochet wig, shown below feel free to contact me.
My Handmade Crochet Wig ~ Protective Styling
It's back to protective styling for the next three months. This beauty here is a crochet wig I made myself. Took me three days and I added some color too. I'm seriously thinking about using Shea Moisture color. I'm digging the way I look without the gray!
More Moisture Tips
More Moisture Tips
Hey folks, hope you all are staying warm. I must admit, this winter has been a harsh one. Sub zero temps, etc. It snowed like crazy and I think we have 3-4 inches here in Maryland.
I can't recall a time in my 3 + years of being natural where i've had to struggle with maintaining moisture levels in my hair.
This is the first year I've considered investing in a humidifier. I plan to get one tomorrow when we're out and about. If you don't have a humidifier there are other ways to infuse moisture into your home for hair, skin, and any sinus troubles you may be experiencing.
1. Keep a pan of warm water heating on the stove (This really works. I just started this last night.) Honestly, I never thought to do this until I spoke to my Grams last night. Thinking back she always kept a pan of water on the stove. It truly helps.
2. Run a steaming hot shower for at least 5 - 10 minutes. (I don't recommend taking an extremely hot shower, although it does feel good. But, it does dry the skin out.
3. Fill glass bowls with water. To decorate, add flowers, pebbles. The water vapors will release into the air, making it more moisturized.
4. Get one of those indoor water fountains. They're calming when you hear the water running and it's another way of putting moisture into your dry atmosphere.
Hey folks, hope you all are staying warm. I must admit, this winter has been a harsh one. Sub zero temps, etc. It snowed like crazy and I think we have 3-4 inches here in Maryland.
I can't recall a time in my 3 + years of being natural where i've had to struggle with maintaining moisture levels in my hair.
This is the first year I've considered investing in a humidifier. I plan to get one tomorrow when we're out and about. If you don't have a humidifier there are other ways to infuse moisture into your home for hair, skin, and any sinus troubles you may be experiencing.
1. Keep a pan of warm water heating on the stove (This really works. I just started this last night.) Honestly, I never thought to do this until I spoke to my Grams last night. Thinking back she always kept a pan of water on the stove. It truly helps.
2. Run a steaming hot shower for at least 5 - 10 minutes. (I don't recommend taking an extremely hot shower, although it does feel good. But, it does dry the skin out.
3. Fill glass bowls with water. To decorate, add flowers, pebbles. The water vapors will release into the air, making it more moisturized.
4. Get one of those indoor water fountains. They're calming when you hear the water running and it's another way of putting moisture into your dry atmosphere.
Infusing Moisture Into Your Hair
Is your hair not retaining moisture? You've applied moisturizers every day yet your tresses feel like straw and you blame your products.
Question:
When's the last time you clarified your natural hair? When our hair becomes dry, brittle, and unmanageable, build up is to blame. Sometimes we forget to clarify our hair because we're constantly on the go dealing with daily life.
Dry frizzy hair is due to raised cuticles and no matter what you do or what product you use, you can't infuse the moisture into your hair.
Raised cuticles = dry, brittle, tangles, single strand knots and the inability to clump together.
Hair Clumping: Nice, smooth, moisturized strands clump together when adequate moisture is present. How do you do this?
Quick Remedies:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse - In a pickle with your hair? Add a little ACV to water (more water than ACV, a little goes a long way. This can be used after shampooing but what I did was add a moisturizing conditioner to my strands and then spritz my ACV mixture into my hair. Wrap in plastic cap and leave on for 20 min.
Rinse with cold water, as this helps to seal the hair (laying the cuticles flat.) proceed with your leave in conditioner and hair moisturizer, and don't forget to seal with hair grease or oils.
Oils to use: Sunflower, Tiny bit of Castor Oil, Jojoba and Rosemary. Mix together and apply very light coating to seal the moisture in your hair.
How often do you wash your hair? For me, I'm discovering washing every 4-5 days helps my hair. When I go over 7 days or more I experience build up, and this is without the use of hair grease.
Other Clarification Methods:
You need to see how your hair reacts to Apple Cider Vinegar. This process should only be performed every 2-4 weeks. Some people do it every week, but I'm leery of that since ACV is acidic. Overuse can lead to the break down of your cuticle.
Herbs such as Rosemary and Thyme are good for clarifying the hair. Add distilled water and boil several minutes. Drain the herbs, let cool and rinse after shampooing.
Or you could use a moisturizing non sulfate clarifying shampoo.
That's it.
Question:When's the last time you clarified your natural hair? When our hair becomes dry, brittle, and unmanageable, build up is to blame. Sometimes we forget to clarify our hair because we're constantly on the go dealing with daily life.
Dry frizzy hair is due to raised cuticles and no matter what you do or what product you use, you can't infuse the moisture into your hair.
Raised cuticles = dry, brittle, tangles, single strand knots and the inability to clump together.
Hair Clumping: Nice, smooth, moisturized strands clump together when adequate moisture is present. How do you do this?
Quick Remedies:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse - In a pickle with your hair? Add a little ACV to water (more water than ACV, a little goes a long way. This can be used after shampooing but what I did was add a moisturizing conditioner to my strands and then spritz my ACV mixture into my hair. Wrap in plastic cap and leave on for 20 min.
Rinse with cold water, as this helps to seal the hair (laying the cuticles flat.) proceed with your leave in conditioner and hair moisturizer, and don't forget to seal with hair grease or oils.
Oils to use: Sunflower, Tiny bit of Castor Oil, Jojoba and Rosemary. Mix together and apply very light coating to seal the moisture in your hair.
How often do you wash your hair? For me, I'm discovering washing every 4-5 days helps my hair. When I go over 7 days or more I experience build up, and this is without the use of hair grease.
Other Clarification Methods:
You need to see how your hair reacts to Apple Cider Vinegar. This process should only be performed every 2-4 weeks. Some people do it every week, but I'm leery of that since ACV is acidic. Overuse can lead to the break down of your cuticle.
Herbs such as Rosemary and Thyme are good for clarifying the hair. Add distilled water and boil several minutes. Drain the herbs, let cool and rinse after shampooing.
Or you could use a moisturizing non sulfate clarifying shampoo.
That's it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Black Dymond Naturals Mango & Coconut Body Butter
Black Dymond Naturals Mango & Coconut Body Butter is now available for sale. This mix has been a blessing for extremely dry skin that becomes worse the older we get. If you're having difficulty maintaining moisture in your skin, then this wonderful body butter is for you.
Black Dymond Naturals will also be selling jewelry. Below are a few pictures of earrings I've created for a client.
Below are pictures of my creamy creation and it doesn't need to be refrigerated. Whipped body butter melts into your skin and creates a soothing effect while easing discomfort from the cold weather. Mango & Coconut body Butter is made to order. Shipping is only $5 in US only.
The containers below are only 4 oz samples. Sometimes I'll send along samples for my larger orders. Shea, Mango & Coconut Body butters are also for sale. You'll receive body butters in plain white cosmetic containers. (Currently I'm still adjusting my logo)
Shipping is $5.00 on any and all orders and all sales are final. Any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me!
8. oz. $10.00
12. oz. $12.00
Black Dymond Naturals will also be selling jewelry. Below are a few pictures of earrings I've created for a client.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Maintaining My Wash and Go
Happy Martin Luther King Day! We're just hanging around the house, relaxing on this gloomy, yet beautiful day. Today was supposed to be a wash day for me, but I'd like to sport my wash and go a little longer. I'm quite pleased that my hair is maintaining it's moisture level. Below are a few pics of how I rocked my hair Saturday.
* UPDATE 05/05/15
I need to say, I'm loving my hair!! In these photos, I basically stretched the hair the night before by using large chunky twists. I honestly don't feel like standing up and twisting or braiding in small pieces anymore. I'd like to eliminate that process all together. The pictures below are from Sunday evening. I had an afro puff earlier in the day because it was raining cats and dogs out, but I had to take my hair down and play with her for a bit. And you know what? I'm really learning to finally embrace my shrinkage. You see, I'd always pin Violet up with bobby pins, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago I learned I was really causing breakage by trying to "tame her."
Right now I'm sitting here with a plastic cap on my head. I just moisturized with some hair milk and mini pineappled with some ouchless scrunchies. I have those beautiful little clumped ringlets that you get from a wash and go. All I needed was to replenish the moisture.
Last Wednesday was wash day for me. I used Curls Unleashed sulfate free shampoo and ORS Replenishing Pak as a deep conditioning treatment. I added some warm Neem, Tea Tree and Rosemary oil into my conditioner, combed through until every strand was saturated and sat beneath the dryer in my plastic cap for 25 minutes. (Instead of using heat for deep conditioning I now steam my hair) This is a very important step in the moisturizing process.
After rinsing conditioner and oils out, I proceeded with an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse and my curls popped. Yes, I'm still using hair grease to seal moisture into my hair. (*Update - I'm currently not using hair grease to seal my hair * )
Honestly, I'm having beautiful results. I no longer have single strand knots and my hair is retaining moisture so much better. Anyway, I proceeded with Shea Moisture curl milk (my leave in conditioner) on sopping wet hair, sealed that in with a bit of Castor Oil, applied Black Dymond moisturizing cream (product coming in Spring 2015) and then used some home made flax seed gel on top of that, then I finally sealed with Royal Crown hair grease. I like applying my styler and grease last. This is basically using the LOC method on my hair with the gel last. I wanted to ensure my hair would be 100% moisturized with the castor oil and grease. With the method above, I only need to re-moisturize every 2 - 3 days and my wash day time is cut down. I just got so tired of doing twist and braid outs every night. Plus, so much twisting and braiding on a nightly basis isn't good for the hair. Way too much manipulation.
I let my hair dry 80% then I twisted into semi large chunky twists to elongate and added some perm rods on the ends. If i don't stretch my hair with wash and go's, I'll have a TWA, and that's not the look I'm going for. I like showing my length off. Next time I try this method, I'll post some pics of the process.
So many people believe us 4c natural chicks can't do wash and go's. Yeah we can. It all depends on the strategy we use to achieve that look. Another process I like to use is sectioning the hair, spritzing it with water and adding some gel to it. Gently twist the hair and the next day, Voila. You'll have a stretched wash and go. So far, I'm not experiencing any knotting, either.
* Wash and Go's need to be infused with moisture on a daily basis in order to prevent tangling and knots. *
Check out my newest post for a DIY conditioning treatment that's sure to moisturize your thirsty strands!
http://curlsense.blogspot.com/2015/05/diy-coconut-milk-honey-olive-rosemary.html
I need to say, I'm loving my hair!! In these photos, I basically stretched the hair the night before by using large chunky twists. I honestly don't feel like standing up and twisting or braiding in small pieces anymore. I'd like to eliminate that process all together. The pictures below are from Sunday evening. I had an afro puff earlier in the day because it was raining cats and dogs out, but I had to take my hair down and play with her for a bit. And you know what? I'm really learning to finally embrace my shrinkage. You see, I'd always pin Violet up with bobby pins, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago I learned I was really causing breakage by trying to "tame her."
Last Wednesday was wash day for me. I used Curls Unleashed sulfate free shampoo and ORS Replenishing Pak as a deep conditioning treatment. I added some warm Neem, Tea Tree and Rosemary oil into my conditioner, combed through until every strand was saturated and sat beneath the dryer in my plastic cap for 25 minutes. (Instead of using heat for deep conditioning I now steam my hair) This is a very important step in the moisturizing process.
After rinsing conditioner and oils out, I proceeded with an Apple Cider Vinegar rinse and my curls popped. Yes, I'm still using hair grease to seal moisture into my hair. (*Update - I'm currently not using hair grease to seal my hair * )
Honestly, I'm having beautiful results. I no longer have single strand knots and my hair is retaining moisture so much better. Anyway, I proceeded with Shea Moisture curl milk (my leave in conditioner) on sopping wet hair, sealed that in with a bit of Castor Oil, applied Black Dymond moisturizing cream (product coming in Spring 2015) and then used some home made flax seed gel on top of that, then I finally sealed with Royal Crown hair grease. I like applying my styler and grease last. This is basically using the LOC method on my hair with the gel last. I wanted to ensure my hair would be 100% moisturized with the castor oil and grease. With the method above, I only need to re-moisturize every 2 - 3 days and my wash day time is cut down. I just got so tired of doing twist and braid outs every night. Plus, so much twisting and braiding on a nightly basis isn't good for the hair. Way too much manipulation.
I let my hair dry 80% then I twisted into semi large chunky twists to elongate and added some perm rods on the ends. If i don't stretch my hair with wash and go's, I'll have a TWA, and that's not the look I'm going for. I like showing my length off. Next time I try this method, I'll post some pics of the process.
So many people believe us 4c natural chicks can't do wash and go's. Yeah we can. It all depends on the strategy we use to achieve that look. Another process I like to use is sectioning the hair, spritzing it with water and adding some gel to it. Gently twist the hair and the next day, Voila. You'll have a stretched wash and go. So far, I'm not experiencing any knotting, either.
* Wash and Go's need to be infused with moisture on a daily basis in order to prevent tangling and knots. *
Check out my newest post for a DIY conditioning treatment that's sure to moisturize your thirsty strands!
http://curlsense.blogspot.com/2015/05/diy-coconut-milk-honey-olive-rosemary.html
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Bobby Pins and Breakage
Dude, I've been having serious eye opening experiences when it comes to my natural hair. I've been using bobby pins for almost everything ever since I stopped wearing my wigs back in 2013 and started rocking my natural crown. My favorite style is the frohawk and every now and again I'll use bobby pins to do roll and tuck updos.
Well, a few months ago I noticed thinning around my crown and wondered what the hell was going on? I figured it may have been from braiding or twisting in the same places. Honestly, it does contribute, but today when I was pinning my hair up in my favorite style, I really know that the freaking bobby pins are to blame!
I can't believe I didn't see this before, I've always been careful not to pin snugly at the scalp, but I guess daily usage does do a number. Now I need to figure out alternative styles to my frohawk, or pinning the hair at the sides.
Also, as you can tell I'm guilty of wearing bobby pins until the coating comes off. I go through a pack like it's nothing. So here's a little lesson for you. Toss the old pins out, don't be like me and ruin your hair. Now, I'd suspect even with the full coating, I probably would have suffered the breakage because of the frequent use. Now to find another go to style.
I love the puffs too, but don't want to run the risk of thinning out my nape because of those cute stretchable headbands. Which is my next complaint. What the heck happened to those extra large stretchable headbands you could double wrap around your puff? I only see the small ones where you just pull your hair into a puff and that's it.
Remember curlies, beware of those horrible styling habits that can wreak havoc on your tresses. Oh and by the way, I plan to get a press and curl hopefully tomorrow or Friday. I know, the breakage. I'm taking a chance. The top of my hair grows like weeds, so worse case scenario, I'lll get my hair cut shorter on top.
Til next post
Well, a few months ago I noticed thinning around my crown and wondered what the hell was going on? I figured it may have been from braiding or twisting in the same places. Honestly, it does contribute, but today when I was pinning my hair up in my favorite style, I really know that the freaking bobby pins are to blame!
I can't believe I didn't see this before, I've always been careful not to pin snugly at the scalp, but I guess daily usage does do a number. Now I need to figure out alternative styles to my frohawk, or pinning the hair at the sides.
Also, as you can tell I'm guilty of wearing bobby pins until the coating comes off. I go through a pack like it's nothing. So here's a little lesson for you. Toss the old pins out, don't be like me and ruin your hair. Now, I'd suspect even with the full coating, I probably would have suffered the breakage because of the frequent use. Now to find another go to style.
I love the puffs too, but don't want to run the risk of thinning out my nape because of those cute stretchable headbands. Which is my next complaint. What the heck happened to those extra large stretchable headbands you could double wrap around your puff? I only see the small ones where you just pull your hair into a puff and that's it.
Remember curlies, beware of those horrible styling habits that can wreak havoc on your tresses. Oh and by the way, I plan to get a press and curl hopefully tomorrow or Friday. I know, the breakage. I'm taking a chance. The top of my hair grows like weeds, so worse case scenario, I'lll get my hair cut shorter on top.
Til next post
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