Protective Styling

I'm currently learning on how to protectively style my hair to maintain length and healthy hair. I have to be honest, I have heard of protective styling before but never really thought I would be interested because I did not want to look like a teacher from "Little House on the Prairie"(btw: LOVE that show). I recently watched fellow curlies on YouTube discuss why protective styling is important and how to protectively style your hair. I learned some valuable insights.

Basically black women that have curly hair also have dryer hair (the tighter the curl the dryer the hair). When the hair follicle is dry it is susceptible to breakage. Moisture sometime isn't enough so we must protect it from natural outside irritants (sun, wind, etc..). The weakest part of our hair will need the most protection of course. Unfortunately, the weakest part of our hair is the part that we want to show off, the end. So in order to maintain a healthy length then we must protect our ends.

As you know I have type 4a,b hair so my hair get dry. After watching videos I wanted to become a "natural" at wearing protective styles. I recently straightened my hair (much rather it curly again...will discuss later :) and have been practicing with protective updo's. While testing out new protective styles, I learned how to make them work for my hair and style.

Do you protectively style?

Picture 1: high loose bun
Picture 2: added a purple flower for some fun
Picture 3, 4, 5: I couldn't take straight hari much loner so I slightly wet and flat twisted my hair then let it out. I used the sock bun method with just my curly hair and added a blue head band for some extra spice

Until the next time,

Love your curls!!

Nightly Routine

I love wearing the twist and curl style but found that it only lasts about 1 day before it looks flat and dry. I tried moisturizing more often but it did not seem to cure the flatness! My routine included; moisturizing with shea butter and using either a satin cap or a scarf. I found this to be a problem with my schedule. I would have to re-twist my hair during the week which did not work with my weekly routines. Well I now try the "pineapple method". I tried it and loved the lasting effects on my curls. My curls were full the next day and very moisturized. I love this method!

Always Love Your Curls,

XOXO
Caramel Curls

Blogging Again

I recently just started blogging and did not realize what it really takes to blog. It's a commitment! My schedule has been very crazy lately and I have not made the time to blog. So, even though I just started I stopped just as recent. I miss blogging though. For me blogging was a great way for me to share something I take pride in. My natural hair!

This is another commitment but I have not let the process of maintaining healthy hair fall off the band wagon. 4 months ago I made a commitment to stay heat free until my birthday. It was a trying time for me. There were times when I would look at the blow dryer and flat iron and get very tempted to just straighten my hair. I new that if I reverted back than all the money and effort spent would go to waste (once I buckle in then I'm like an addict). Blogging has helped me within the 4 months stay true to my natural hair. Well I recently had my birthday and was very surprised that I was very reluctant to straighten my hair. As a promise to myself I did and hated the process but loved the results. My hair was both healthy and shiny. I took extra precaution which made for extra time. 4 hours later on Sunday my hair was straight and I am pleased to say that I have reached my hair length goal (color bone length).

I'm working on a new long term goal for myself and once I made this goal I will share. My very short term goal is to keep my hair moisturized while it is straight and work on styles that do not require added heat on my hair. One Sunday of heat is enough! Thanks to blogging I am able to share this process. I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise strong healthy hair.

Jamila Henna

Greetings all curlys,

How has your New Year been thus far? Mine has been supper busy. Back to teaching and back in school myself. Super busy!

Anyway, I have a link about Jamilah Henna. I know that many of us curlys use either the foil packaged henna (with the date on the bottom) or the cellophane bag. If you are using either don't panick. Both are not harmful but the cellophane packaged henna is more highly recommended for hair. Check out the information: http://www.mehndiskinart.com/facts_about_jamila_henna.htm

Please follow the link and post comments you have.

As Always,
XOXO
Love your curls

January 2010 Regimen

We all have regimens that change periodically. It is very good to keep track of your daily do's to understand truly what your hair likes, loves, and hates. It is also good to share your regimen so other curlies out there can take in your experiences and make it their own.

Here is my January 2010 Regimen (which will probably change in a monthly since I am a product junkieholic)

Detangle: Suave all naturals coconut conditioner ****LOTS OF THIS**** with wide tooth comb
Co. Wash: Giavanni moisturizing conditioner
Deep treatment: Jessiecurl weekly deep condtioning treatment or aubrey organics
Rinse: Cold water rinse out
Leave in condtioner: Aubrey organics honey suckle rose mixed with water
Moisturizer: Shea butter mixes (Sorry ladies, I will have more details about this later) and Jane carters nourish and shine
Sealants: Shea butter mix (details later :) or coconut oil
Daily wear: Twist and curl
Sleep: satene scarf
Sealant: Shea butter

I will post pictures later today of my current hair.


Unitl next time,

XOXO
Love your curls!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my girlie ladies out there. I hope this year brings many prosperous and fulfilling adventures your way. 2010 will embrace many new transitioners and I hope they find the same stride we all have and embrace their natural beauty.

The Denman Brush

THE DENMAN BRUSH.

Ladies be careful when using this brush and if you have a tendancy to become impatient when untangeling your curly cues please do not invest in this brush. It is so strong that it can rip your hair straight from the root.

I bought this brush because everyone rants and raves about it and I am the natural hair test dummy since I love to buy products. I always untangle in small sections and in the shower with lots of conditioner for slip. I usually have a strand here and there comming out in my brushes or combs when detangling. Nothing horrifying until my latest experience. Well ladies, when I used the denman in one small sections I think maybe 5-10 hairs came out....AAAAARRRRRGGGGG!!! I screamed and cried and immediately checked to see if itwas bad (luckily it wasn't even noticable) and I put that brush away and never will use it on my curly hair. I think I will try it again when my hair is straight though.

Tips when using this brush:
1. Use in small sections
2. Make sure there is lots of slippage sustance in your hair
3. Do not brush through hard tangles because this brush will rip right through them
4.***Try taking some of the brush brittles out so that there is less chances of ripping***

**Please comment about your denman experiences, both good and bad.**

Until the next time ladies,

Love your curls!!