Fun Friday! Big Hair Don’t Care
Feeling myself…Feeling myself…Feeling myself…in my Beyonce voice. Lol!
Have a great natural hair weekend!
Naturally Yours,
L.A.
Tag: Styling
April Hair Styling Challenge-Day 27
I guess I was fooling myself to think I was going to get through this styling challenge without putting my hair in a bun. Whether I like buns or not–and I don’t–they’re definitely an easy go-to style.
I had plenty of time this weekend to spend on my hair but sometimes you have to use your free time for something more productive– like cleaning out your overcrowded closet or enjoying the moment! I did a little of both :))
On Monday morning I created this:
Two days later, this is still not my favorite style but I totally LOVE tying my hair up at night and already being prepared for the morning!
April Natural Hair Styling Challenge Day 22
This one garnered a lot of attention at work. Surely because it was super cute! Achieved by simply two strand twisting my hair with a little bit of Shea Moisture Styling Milk.
It also garnered as many compliments as it did too because the day before it was, admittedly, on the blah side. And that was because when I twisted it the day before that I was slack on product and oil so the ends were frizz galore.
As the month is coming to an end I’d really like to do something different but with the time I have available in the mornings before work that’s highly unlikely. What I’ve learned in the challenge is that if my hair is not set in a protective style for the week, the only thing that I’m able to do without a lot of fuss is wear twist outs. On a good day I might have time to spruce it up with a couple of hair pins!
Nevertheless it’s been a good run. Every natural girl should take some time to climb out of their comfort zone, get a taste of the unchartered path of their natural hair journey. You just might like it.
Have you tried something different with your hair lately? Please share!
Naturally Yours,
L.A.
Natural Hair Styling Considerations
Sunday. My favorite day of the weekend. With my duties as a trustee at my church, the day can still be a bit busy but nothing like my Saturday’s that are inundated with cleaning I couldn’t get done during the week, grocery shopping, meetings/events, and/or my son’s activities.This particular Sunday I stayed home from church, spending some quality time with my husband, lounging on the couch watching movies. But as the evening wound down, I began to consider my hair.
I wanted nothing more than to spritz it with some water, rub it down with a moisturizer, and then roll and tuck it into a quick style to get me ready for Monday morning. But I knew that wasn’t the way to go for me. Not only are my weekdays too busy to be messing around trying to fix my un-perfected roll and tucks while trying to have dinner for my family AT HOME and be prepared for the next morning so we can leave the house on time (that’s a job in and of itself), I have an all day sorority function this coming Saturday that I need my hair to be ready for.
“You’re thinking about your hairstyle six whole days in advance?” You’re probably asking.
Absolutely. It’s the best way for me and most new or semi-new naturals to live a hair-frustrated free life. We [naturals] don’t have the luxury of waking up and flat ironing our hair then getting about our day. Let me tell you, there were many weekends when I was frustrated beyond measure having somewhere to go and not enough time to make my hair cute and rock it with confidence. I learned the hard way to plan ahead when I can. Even without set plans for the weekend ahead I usually try to create a low manipulation style for the work week that will easily transition into a style for being out and about.
This week I chose a combination of two strand twist and flat twist.
The end result of this style will be, of course, a twist out with the flat twist remaining intact for a little added pizazz. I’m looking foward to it and I’m most enjoying the easy upkeep throughout the week.
What’s your go-to style to prepare for work and weekend?
Naturally Yours,
L.A.
This One’s For You Boo
My husband expressed a bit of annoyance this morning when I started to put my straightened natural hair into an updo.
“Really, Char? You just gotta put it up?” He whined. Lol. He’d be mad if he knew I was busting him out like this. But seriously, he doesn’t see the point of me straightening my hair if I’m not going to showcase the length.
For starters, that’s NOT why I straightened it–showcasing the lenghth. Secondly, I know too much about the damage that can occur to long hair from rubbing on clothes, scarves, etc. during these cold winter months. Third, and most importantly, I loathe seeing strands of hair on my clothes. Makes me think–BREAKAGE–even when I know it’s not. Still I prefer those ends to be tucked away, straightened or not.
Nevertheless, for love’s sake, I conceded. Just for the day, though, so he better not enjoy! And he has, too. He couldn’t stop taking sneak peeks at me on the drive to work :))
Have you made hair sacrifices for you boo? When? What?
Naturally Yours,
L.A.
We ALL Have Bad Hair Days
“Do you know it’s 7am?” My husband spoke into my ear.
“Uh…yes…no…uhh…not really.” I stammered as I forced my eyes to open lifting my head from the pillow that added to my comfortable slumber. As indicated by the words I spoke, I had no idea it was time for me to be leaving the house for work, NOT just getting out of bed.
Hair problem #1
I didn’t cover my hair up before climbing into bed knowing good and well I was going to sleep.
Result
Dry hair, specifically dry ends.
Hair Problem #2
I didn’t prep my hair for how I was going to wear it to work (i.e. Two strand twisting or plaits). I planned to twist it but my back was hurting and I took a muscle relaxer for relief. Then I exercised for abt 20 minutes. After all that I was pooped!
Result
No time for a full length shower, carefully choosing my clothes AND styling my hair. I was forced to choose which necessary act I would dedicate more time to. I threw on some jeans and a sweater (after a really fast shower), then stared at the reflection of my dry, curl free (not in a good way) and wondered what I could do in 5 minutes or less.
Here’s what I came up with…
The all-too-familiar puff!
Honestly, I didn’t feel very professional on this day and I almost blamed it solely on the hairstyle. However, the truth is that it was everything from my head to toe–jeans and gym shoes–that created this feeling. If I wasn’t natural and instead wore my hair straightened today would’ve been a ponytail day or a drab wrap kind of day and I would have felt the same way.
Moral of the story–Don’t blame your “natural” hair. Everybody has bad hair days.
Natural Salon Visit–Part 2
Overall, I was pleased with my visit to the salon and my results. The stylist was punctual with my appointment and I was impressed with the call I received prior to the appointment ensuring that I was still coming on time. Dual consideration for myself, the stylist, and her appointments after mine. Hats off on that one.
Next it was pure pleasure to lay my head back in that sink, allowing someone else’s fingers to massage my scalp. That alone was worth $50–bump the style!
Moving on to detangling and styling.
My stylist did both, seemingly with great ease. Instantly made me wonder why I stress over it like I do. Hmmm.
Because I had an event the next day I opted to leave my flat twist in tact until the next morning. I didn’t want my sleep to be disturbed with worrying about messing up my curls.
That worked like a charm. Besides some of the straight ends in my hair–no fault to the stylist–I loved the style and I managed to maintain it for the following week, which I deemed satisfactory. Honestly, I was tired of the maintenance after a few days but I pushed through just because I paid for it.
What I especially loved about my style was how smooth my roots were, which I attribute to the stylist use of gel as she flat twisted my hair. I’ll definitely be implementing that next time I do my own flat twist out.
While I loved the salon experience I’m not sure when I’m going again. Right now I’m leaning towards once a month. I’ll keep you posted.
Please share how often you visit the salon? If you are a primary DIY’er, is it worth the cost?
Naturally Yours,
L.A.
Twist Extensions-A Long Time Coming
After months and months of debate I finally took the plunge and got a protective style with extensions–twist extensions.
Unfortunately, two of my fears were realized.
1. The process took double the time I expected. Granted, the young lady providing the service gave a nice price break since she doesn’t have a lot of experience. While the price was the draw for my decision to get the twist, I still didn’t like the time it took. And it’s hard for me to rationalize the sacrifice of the time with the convenience I’m gaining for the next few weeks. It’d be different if I was single, but when others are expecting you home and they start calling you like, “Hey, how much longer?” and you have no clue, it’s a little unnerving.
2. While the pain wasn’t excruciating, I still can’t stand folks pulling and tugging my hair. I know they have get the extension in tight so it’ll hold. Still…ouch!
At the end of the day I’m satisfied with my hair. Looking forward to being able to get up and go–after I shower, of course. Lol!
What say you? Is the cost and discomfort of extensions worth the convenience?
Talk to me,
L.A.
Natural Hair Confession
I can’t believe I’m saying this but it’s the God’s honest truth. At least it’s the truth as I see it right now. Drum roll please…
“Managing my hair is easier when it’s straightened!”
Aaahhh! I hope this doesn’t revoke my naturalista membership benefits–whatever those are. 😄
When I style my hair without heat I find myself having to “do” my hair more often than I want to. Washing and detangling my hair is a chore that I don’t always have the time and patience for.
No heat hair styles require more product in my hair and more product in my hair leads to the need for washing the product out. Sometimes that’s just too much.
When I straighten it, life gets really simple. Wrap it, pin curl it, or brush it into a ponytail. In a nutshell, that’s it.
I’ve noticed that I’m a lot less distracted and stressed about my hair when it’s straightened. Interesting, huh?
I’ve been checked enough by my straight hair “natural” sistahs–those who don’t chemically treat their hair–that they are no less natural than those natural sistahs rocking their kinky, curly hair. Truth is, they’re absolutely right.
It’s more than one way to wear natural hair. TWA, Locs, Twists, natural curls, AND straightened!
Why the need for separation? Shouldn’t the focus be on healthy hair care rather than style?
For the record, just because I straightened my hair via blow dryer and flat iron doesn’t mean that I have to continually use apply heat to my hair. Im just as much focused on protective styling with the ultimate goal of length retention.
So what does all of this mean for my natural hair life? A healthy combination of heat and non-heat applied hair styling, possibly more straightened than not.
We’ll see. Til later naturalistas!
L.A. 😘
Doing it Yourself Hair Care
As I was flat ironing my hair this morning–yes, I gave into the heat earlier than intended. Don’t judge me! My daughter remarked that I should get my hair done.
Admittedly, I was slightly offended. Was she implying that I wasn’t doing a good job? I said, rather irritated, “Why? So they can break my hair off?”
“It’s going to break off anyway.” She was quick to reply.
“Well, if it does, I’d rather be the one responsible for it while keeping my money in my pocket!”
Personally I’ve had enough experiences with finding breakage throughout my hair that my beautician didn’t say anything about. Not only that but when I get my hair professionally done, I’m less inclined to “mess it up” with activities like exercising. I’m so done living like that.
Why do you do your own hair?
Naturally L.A. 