Protective Style Bundle

Protective Style Maintenance bundles are available now for $39.99 

This magnificent bundle features some top items to help you achieve and maintain your protective style during this time. 

Shea Moisture Braid Butter

Free Satin Braid Bonnet

Wild Growth Oil

8 Oz. Am Pro Shine N’ Jam w/Honey 

Iso Plus Tea-Tree Foam Wrap 

5 Packs of 50” Pre Stretched Queen👑 B Braiding Hair

African Pride Olive Oil Braid Sheen Spray 

Order yours today while supplies last 

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Fitness Journey, Beachbody Coach & Personal Trainer Certification

Good morning all you beautiful people out there! It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been very busy. For those of you in my circles, you've seen me in my Fitness & hair groups.

I passed my personal training certification program! Yay!!! I'm now a certified personal trainer and
I'm so happy. Also, in Spring I'll be taking on new massage therapy clients and I'm now a Beachbody coach. You don't have to have a personal training certification to become a coach, but for me I wanted that extra recognition.

Interested carving out that summer body now?   Check out my page here.  On my Beachbody page, you can choose a challenge pack and we can get started immediately.  For my personal training services in your area, email me here.

Now, a little about my fitness journey. Middle age spread hasn't got me down yet, no sir. And for that, I'm thankful. I turned 45 in December, October I joined a gym and started lifting weights again. I've also been doing my Insanity workouts a few times per week.  I'm no stranger to the gym and weight training. My goal is to pack on as much muscle as I possible can by incorporating squats, deadlifts, and bench pressing and other weight training workouts into my schedule. I've been trading fat for muscle and I'm loving it!



I'm putting together a challenge group and if you're struggling with motivation to lose weight, or build muscle, contact me.  I know the struggle is real, especially after losing the weight. I've been on a fitness/diet roller coaster all my life until last year. There is a balance to everything and once you find it, you won't believe how easy it is.

Finally Mastered My Wash & Go

Okay, so I wrote a post about my modified wash and go a few days ago. You can see this post here.  Now there are two more times I've tried a wash and go. (not counting my faux wash and go's). Once was about two years ago when I was pressed for time. I had just finished washing my hair and had lost time. Back then my wash routine was about 4 hours. So I had to hurry, apply my leave in conditioner, moisturizer and some gel. I did a high puff and was out the door. Now that's a wash and go! LOL

Last summer for date night with hubby I did a wash and go but it came out crunchy, and I didn't stretch it so there was some shrinkage. But you see, this was a few months after I had my mom cut my hair to about chin length.

Well, over the weekend I did a twist and curl. Saturday night I took my hair down and it was fluffy and curly. Due to the humidity (it rained before we left the house) my hair swelled but it was nice & fluffy. Halfway through dinner it shrank a bit but it was so full and still fluffy. The texture was off the chain!  I absolutely loved it. By the time we came home, it was still nice and so full of moisture and I slept on it. LOL  The next morning I didn't suffer from tangles because my hair was full of moisture. I used ouchless bands to stretch the hair and twisted before leaving the house around 2 p.m.

Well, as you know, it was very humid yesterday and Vi shrank. LOL  So, I'm telling ya, I'm too through with twist outs (for now).  I'm sure if I used some grease or some type of anti humidity product I could rock my twists outs, but I feel the need to experiment more with wash and go's for the next week or so.

Last night I tested another wash and go on my damp hair.  Applying products to sopping wet hair isn't for me. I did the usual method of sectioning the hair. I applied my leave in, then my oil mix. After that I apply moisturizer and then saved my Eco-Styler gel for last. I piled my hair on top of my head and secured it with a few large scrunchies. Also, this made for a great workout hairdo. This is the way I slept.

The next morning I took my hair down, unsure of how it would turn out. You know what...

I'm digging this look. I absolute had no problems with the take down this morning. I spread some oil mixture on my fingers and arranged my hair the way I wanted it, that's it. I didn't mist the hair with water because my hair will shrink to my ears.

I love more volume with my Wash and go's. I had some shrinkage, but not a lot. My hair brushes against my shoulders a little. Today was supposed to be wash day, but I'm going to experiment with maintaining this wash and go tonight. Instead of pineappling, I'm going to mini pineapple in sections to see how much volume I can obtain on the top and sides of the hair.

It's 1 p.m., I've been out in the humidity today but I still have my length and volume and movement. Now for those of you who think us 4c curlies can't do wash and go's, I urge you to take the time and experiment a little. Perhaps it's the products you're using, or maybe you think a leave in and gel is key. I made that mistake last year and I did experience some tangling and SSK's.

Although I slept on my hair Saturday night(morn) I didn't have any tangles or SSK's.  Even now I don't have those worries. My hair remains soft (no gel cast) and I'm really glad I didn't give up on the wash and go.

When I wash my hair tomorrow night, I'm going to put it all up on my head while the hair is kind of damp and rock a cute curly puff top knot for Wednesday.

Peace!

My Recovering Edges

I'm amazed at how well my edges are filling in. Sure it's taken some time but it's totally worth the wait. I know when I had my perm, I resembled Count Chocula with those two little peaks along the headline.   But not now.

Good Lord, I know I'm looking a little rufff, but it's wind down time for me. ; P    I'm just ecstatic over the growth I'm experiencing here so I wanted to do a quick post.  If you're familiar with my blog, you know I don't utilize every oil under the sun. Starting out, I was thinking about it but you know, that's just too much time involved. Bad enough I'm a recovering PJ. LOL

Oils I'm currently using to seal moisture into my hair are Sunflower, Castor, and Olive.  Yesterday was supposed to be wash day for me, but I've been so busy. I had a bit of an itchy scalp so I combined Olive, tea tree, and Neem oil and massaged my scalp and that did the trick. Tomorrow morning after taking Little Chica to the bus stop I'm washing my hair. But right now, I'm just too pooped to pop.  

Til Next time

Black Dymond Naturals Moisturizer

Is in the testing phase.  You know I've made a mango butter sealant for natural hair and now I've found something that will keep natural hair moisturized. I wanted to create something creamy that doesn't require refrigeration.  Please know curlies, Vitamin E is not a preservative. Some of the ingredients in the mix below is coconut milk, Vitamin E, honey, and Optiphen I used this mix beneath my leave in conditioner and Violet is still full of moisture and has held definition in the heat we had today. I'm curious to see how it will hold up in 90 degree weather.

Twist N Curl After Wash Day

Hiya curlies. Yesterday was wash day for me. I washed my hair using Soft Sheen Carson's Optimum Oil Therapy Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner. Now, it's been a few years since I've used these products.  I needed a shampoo that would safely lift the oils and butters I use in my hair. Usually I co-wash using As I am or Jane Carter's Creamy Co-Wash conditioner.

I purchased them yesterday from Shopper's Food Warehouse. Can't believed I overlooked them all this time. They can be purchased via the website or Walmart, but I'm telling you, this line seems to be rare. The Micro-Oil Technology helps to infuse the hair with moisture. I love that it has Coconut Olive, Avocado and Jojoba oils. I didn't suffer from tangling or breakage, either. You see, since my hair is fine, I have to wash in large twists. It's just easier that way. 

* Update *  I no longer use this line as of August 2015. I don't use shampoo at all, simply Henna and Moroccan red clay. 

I left the conditioner on my hair for 20 minutes or so and then rinsed. There is no need to condition over night, etc because your hair can only absorb so much. I like to keep my wash day as simple as possible. Detangling was a snap, and yes I do use a comb a few times a week. 

After rinsing out the conditioner, I let my hair dry completely before applying leave in conditioner mixed with Olive, Sunflower, and Castor oils. Then I applied my creamy moisturizer before twisting the hair and using small perm rods on the ends and below are the results. 

I'm loving the versatility of my natural hair.  This week I'm enjoying curlier hair. Some of my neighbors swear I've had a haircut.  * grins *  Yeah, one minute I'm rocking my length by stretching the hair with perm rods, and If I want a shorter style, I simply add water or use small perm rods. I opted for twisting in smaller sections for more definition and a tighter curl. For a more stretched look I create chunkier twists and larger perm rods...but that is another post.  ; )

I love my natural hair!!!!!

Spring Is Here and Vi Just Loves The Humidity!

Today it rained and then the sun came out, and it was humid. Earlier this morning I took my hair down from a braid and curl and Vi shrank in a matter of hours.

But that's okay. You know, I'm totally loving my fro. Today is wash day and I'm thinking about doing a wash n go. Now, Vi shrinks up much smaller than this, but I don't want her shrinking to a TWA. I get horrible tangles if I do that. But this right here is looking awesome.

She's healthy, moisturized, and growing. I love how I can enjoy my length with twist outs and braid outs, or even ponytails. I've been bunning off and on for the past two weeks to give her a break.

 Anyway, I love my natural hair. I wish I went natural years ago when I used to write for The Coil Review. Yardley Messereaux suggested it and I guess I wasn't quite ready. I'll never go back, and that's a fact. I've kicked the creamy crack!  Ha, ha, haaa!  I'm a poet and don't even know it.   ; )

Three Years Natural!

GM All! I'm happy to say that today is my three year anniversary of being natural! I've been wearing wigs for the past few months and here are the results of my wash and go. I'm also in need of a protein treatment, I'll be doing that this weekend. 

Now I must say my hair has endured A LOT of mechanical manipulation since September 2013 in my efforts to stop shrinkage. Unfortunately, I've discovered that parting my hair for twists and braid outs resulted in some thinning at the roots. I notice my hair doesn't have as much volume as it did this time last year and that's VERY disappointing to me. So, the goal is, no more braiding or twisting the hair. I'll use my homemade gel and flexi rods/perm rods to give Violet some body. 

Later on I'll compile some pictures from my cell phones and upload them to youtube for the year 2013 to highlight my natural hair journey. Til next time folks!!

 

Twist & Curl Part 1

Twist & Curl Take Down Pt 2

Showing the results of what my hair looked like the next morning. This video was actually filmed back in August and I forgot I uploaded them to my Google drive!

Homemade Spritz Recipe

This morning I created a quick and easy moisturizing mist. For those who prefer light mists over heavy butters, this is a wonderful way of refreshing an old twist or braid out or just adding a little moisture first thing in the morning. This is great when you hop in a steamy shower, the steam opens cuticles and using this spritz helps to add/seal in moisture while laying the cuticles down. Remember, aloe vera gel/juice flattens cuticles, prevents frizz, and balances pH levels in the hair.

Last night I trimmed my hair and when I took off my silk cap, my strands were still nice and moisturized. Just to test my handiwork, I took down a twist and I'm happy to say, it didn't go puffy on me!  Yay!!  The definition was nice, just the way I like it and held even after six hours from takedown.

Moisturizing Mist

3-4 parts water

1 part Sunflower oil

1 part Sweet Almond Oil

2 parts aloe vera gel

6 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil

This mist must be refrigerated and will last a few days or a week in the fridge. Make just enough to last a few days so you don't waste anything.

I have some dried hibiscus leaves soaking to gain their essential nutrients and will be adding a little into my mix as well. Hibiscus is great for strengthening the hair, stops hair loss, and breakage. In my next post I'll talk about the oils I use in my homemade recipes and hair care regimen.

Signs You're in Need of a Trim

Hiya curlies, I just gave myself a much needed trim tonight. As you know, for the past few weeks I've been protective styling with my wigs. I've been sticking to my regimen, moisture, hot oil treatments, and deep conditioning. However, I'm usually horrible at keeping my ends trimmed. Below are a list of ways to find out if you need to trim you hair.

1. Twist and braid outs. If your hair thins out towards the end, it's definitely time for a trim. Take a bit of oil or butter and curl your ends around your finger. If the hair unravels or puffs out, you need a trim. Hair should be even from root to tip and you shouldn't be able to see through it.

2. When you're taking twists and braids down, the hair strands should slide against each other with ease, not get tangled. The appearance of this looks similar to webbing, you just get a tangled mess and possible single strand knots.

3. Inability to retain moisture. I swear, I did go through this a few weeks ago, even with the LOC method.

4. Inability to maintain a defined twist or braid out. Even after I clarified my hair, my style would go literally go "poof." There's nothing more disappointing than when you invest time and effort into a perfect twist out and see it puff up right after taking them down.

5. Split ends. Another name for split ends are Trichoptilosis, splitting or fraying of the hair shaft occurs. This happens naturally as the hair grows out, be we usually help it along by means of flat irons, rough combing, and mechanical manipulation. Yes, twisting and braiding every night can do this to the hair. Our 4b, 4c hair is very fragile and are definitely diva strands. We need to treat them like silk. If split ends aren't caught early on, they'll travel up the hair shaft, forcing you to cut more hair off than you'd like. Sometimes these damaged ends will just break off. Whenever you handle your hair and you see your sink decorated with strands, it's time for a trim.

6. Crumbly, rough ends. Your ends are supposed to be smooth as silk. If your ends feel spongey, or crumbly, you definitely need to trim.


Here are what your ends should always look like, sorry I should have taken some pics of my hair before the trim. The end results are fuller, luscious hair styles without fraying ends!  When I was on my game, I trimmed my hair every 6-8 weeks, pay attention to your hair to determine when you should schedule your next trim. Remember, you don't want to unnecessarily cut your hair off. Sometimes I could slide a few extra weeks without a trim but I haven't trimmed since early July. Keep a journal, and mark your calendar because this is so important curlies!

Maintaining Moisture with Vegetable Glycerin

I've been using Vegetable Glycerin for maintaining moisture levels in my hair and adding it to my homemade leave in conditioners and moisturizers.