Melissa's Hair: Removing my braids and growing back my edges

Bye-Bye Braids!

I know, I know, I haven't posted a hair diary in WEEKS, probably months. Well, when you have braids for almost eight months, there's not much to report on. But when you decided to take those braids out, there's lots of discussion to be had. So let's get started. What's going on with Melissa's hair?

HAIR LUST: Let it grow!

 

Summer is the perfect time for perfecting wash-go's and letting your hair flow. These 90 degree temperatures are telling you to try air-drying your hair. Allow those kinks, curls, and coils soak up the sun. Let your hair flow free. Happy Summer!

HAIR LUST: Full Body Beauty

Why do we always want what we don't have?! I'm looking at her hair and I'm lusting like crazy! She has that wonderful thickness that allows for styles that have a ton of body. I'm sure her hair has challenges, but man, it's nice to dream. This style looks like the result of an easy twist-out. Sigh, the irony of being natural; always wanting someone else's hair, while someone looks at you and wants your hair!

Product Review: Taliah Waajid Hairline Help 2in1

I haven't been excited about a new product in a LONG time, especially one that promises EDGE CONTROL! LISTEN! I promise you need to try this one! Taliah Waajid Hairline Help 2n1 is an edge control product you need in your closet. Click below, and I'll tell you why:

PHOTO: Curl Patterns found in natural hair

I stumbled across this wonderful pictorial while on FaceBook. This photo shows the most common curl patterns/hair types found in black hair. This is one of the BEST photos I've found to identify curl patterns.

Although some feel curl typing in the natural hair community is divisive - I don't agree. Knowing your curl pattern vs. envying and being jealous of other curl patterns is a WHOLE 'nother story. Knowing your curl pattern will help you find the best products and techniques to help retain length. Plus, we know that curly hair is more prone to tangles, split ends, and environmental damage that hinder hair growth. Those issues make many think black hair can't grow long. It's important to understand your curls. Online shops like CurlMart.com can help find products that work for your curl pattern.

Of course I have to give credit to the photographer and stylist responsible for helping these women grow long natural hair. Her name is Reniece a hair stylist out of Atlanta. She shares her techniques and personal hair journey on her YouTube channel, ReneiceHairTV. She doesn't have many video's on her channel, but what's listed will give you faith that your hair can grow LONG too. Check out the video below - you'll be so inspired!

Candice's Hair Diary: Casual Curls




When I'm around him, I turn into Feyoncé.

 For the overwhelming majority, I've been keeping my hair super casual lately. No fancy rod curls, flexirod sets, or fancy updos. Also no: mini-twists, braids, Havana twists... nothing. Just good old fashioned twist-outs like the ancestors used to do it. And apparently my hair loves it when I keep it low maintenance.





Hello strange patch of fuzzy hair in the front that doesn't hold curls

What my hair doesn't love, though, is any high tension styles. I've learned another good thing about the growth I've seen. In the level of difficulty to care for my hair, longer hair has become much easier to manage than my shorter hair. I don't have to pull as tight and I don't need such heavy products. Longer hair weighs more, and benefits more from gravity. Yay gravity! But my longer hair still does not function well with the humidity. Rain is Khani's kryptonite. Check out the life-cycle of a fabulous hairdo on a humid day:

Top left: 7:30 a.m. Top Right: 8:00 a.m.
Bottom left: 9:00 a.m. Bottom right: 11:45 a.m.

Also, I am becoming more aware that caring for my ends should never be neglected. I think that is my weakness in hair care. And although my hair grows pretty quickly, the dryness factor can go from 0 to 100... real quick (I just resisted the urge to put more lyrics behind that reference.). So it is high time I start making a conscious effort to retain this length and protect my ends. Consistency is key. So when you see me in these Nashville streets, expect to see more of these styles:




Dear buns and twists... I've got nothing but love you.

In the short, short time since my last hair diary, I've been through a bunch of physical changes. I saw some excess shedding and increased dryness. Turns out I was pretty ill. Let me gently remind anyone reading this that healthy hair starts from the inside. You can't get your dehydrated, vitamin/nutrient starved, sick body to produce thick, healthy, luscious natural hair. There is no hair product to correct malnutrition. Speaking of nutrition...

Ignore the stuff in the backgrount. 2014 has been overall great for me nutritionally.
Yay for body-positive changes!!

P.S. Speaking of hair products, R.I.P. to Titi Branch. I JUST fell in love with Miss Jessie's a couple of months ago. She was the co-founder of the brand with her sister. Mental illness hits close to home for me, so instead of the usual questions, I'll end with this:

If you or anyone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

 

Ashiya's Hair Diary: Know Thy Hair

"Know Thyself" is a Kemetic Proverb that has been a wonderful guide and inspiration to me over the last few years.  I apply it so often that I didn't notice it was probably the last bit of inspiration in my decision to cut and restart my locs.

4B: Photo of South African Singer Lira.

I had just a few days between The Big Chop Part I and starting this set of locs, so there was no time to become familiar with the texture of my hair.  While texture played a huge part in how my locs formed, I didn't take the time to learn what was best for my hair.  That learning period is probably the most discouraging aspect of allowing hair to exist in its natural state and why I chose to loc my hair so fast. Now I understand how that personal knowledge of my hair texture set the foundation for how I cared my for locs over the last 12 years.

4B: Short + Cute

I know the labeling systems are not perfect, but for the sake of conversation, we will call my hair 4B. (Melissa and I did a quick consultation in the parking lot, so you know its official.) I've done most of my research to this point from that aspect and have seen beautiful images and reflections of what I see in the afro "underneath" my locs.

I knew I was ready for the cut when my thoughts went from "how long will it be" to "what shape do I want".  Of course those two go hand in hand, but once the locs are gone, we'll decide then what the final cut will be.  I plan to stay open to the process, but I am leaning towards one style in particular.

4B: Solange

I have a few more weeks with this set of locs.  Another reason I'm confident in the change is Amber. I was excited for her move to Macon because I can see her each time I visit my home and family in Georgia.  I cannot wait to get in her chair.  Amber is amazing when it comes to cutting hair.  I can't wait to share what we come up with.

I'm sure I'll walk out pleased.

Product Review: Coco Curls Shampoo & Conditioner

 

I hadn't been excited about a new product since I tried the Briogeo brand back in the summer. But Coco Curls brand has won a new fan!

At the Coco Curls & Convo event last month I was given a sample of this wonderful product. I've tried alot of products in my days as a natural hair blogger, but this one is at the top of my list. Janelle, owner of Coco Curls, worked very hard to create a product tht delivers what it says, ultimate hydration.

After removing my weave installation, I wanted to cleanse and deep condition my hair with something that promises hydration and cleanliness. Coco Curls gave me just that. PLUS it smells so good! Your hair will smell like chocolate pudding! You'll want to spend the rest of the day telling people to smell your hair.

I've never used a shampoo that left my hair feeling so soft and not stripped. It's a sulfate-free formula, and usually my hair doesn't respond to sulfate-free shampoos, but this time my hair was screaming "GLORAY!". It has great slip and a LITTLE goes a LONG WAY. You'll definitely get your money's worth with this product. The conditioner is even better. It's thick, luxurious, and smells amazing. My 4b curls loved it! After I rinsed my hair, it was so soft! 

Before I finished styling my hair I was already thinking of when I could wash my hair again. It was THAT GOOD!

So if you are looking for a new product, try Coco Curls! You can order the product online or you can contact Tawanna at All Things Curly, the local retailer for Coco Curls products.

Candice's Hair Diary: Fall 2014 Update

I'm usually not excited about my hair routine. But I was

loving this stretched twist-out.

Sometimes hair maintenance gets boring. Wash, condition, twist, repeat. So... I've decided to try new things. I'm going to be searching for new products to try for the fall/winter season. I have already noticed increased dryness in my hair. Summertime was so easy-going this year. But the fall season is already like "Turn down for what!" So I have to devise a game plan:

Step 1:  Deep Conditioning. I've got to deep condition more often. I'm thinking once a week. I definitely need to condition at least 3 times a month. I don't have a problem with growth or length retention, but I know that I should beef up my deep condition schedule before the split ends take over my hair.

Step 2: Cleanse. I'm going to make it a point to do a thorough cleansing of my hair at least once a month. I admit: I became comfortable with co-washing because it makes my hair look awesome and it saves a step. But I need to get back in line with at least a monthly shampoo and / or ACV rinse.

Step 3. Trim. It's totally time for a trim. I'm going to take a trip to a salon because I can never get it right on my own. I've noticed that as soon as my hair gets dry, the single-strand knots start to multiply with the quickness. They are so annoying!

Step 4: I really didn't have a step four. I did this to have an even number of steps. I rhink I'll make this one random. I should do more protective styling. Speaking of which: I bought a wig! But I'll talk about that in a separate post. I've noticed my edges growing back. I'm SO HAPPY. They aren't where they should be, but thank God they aren't where they were a few months ago. Also, I'm really focused on health and wellness. I've been working on fitness. Expect more fitness related talk in future hair diaries.

The last time I found a product I loved, it was on accident. Where do you look to find new hair products? What changes are you making to your winter hair routine?

 

Product Review: Miss Jessie's Crème de la Crème Leave-In Conditioner

If you are familiar with the personalities of the writers, then you know that I, Candice, am an avid kitchen chemist. I love to mix my own products so that I know exactly what I'm putting in my hair. And if I am not making my own products, 92% of the store bought products I use are natural.

But about 2 weeks ago, I needed a conditioner to use for deep conditioning. Trader Joe's was too far of a drive (especially with the traffic barricade in that part of town) to get my usual conditioner. Long story short, I went to another store and decided to try something new. I saw Miss Jessie's Crème de la Crème conditioner, grabbed it, and headed home. I didn't even bother to look at the ingredients.

My "I found a good leave-in" face!

And that's when I realized that the conditioner I grabbed was actually a LEAVE-IN conditioner. I was so disappointed. Until lately, I considered leave-ins a waste of time. They never worked for my hair or made any noticeable difference in the way my hair looked, styled, or felt. But I figured that since I had it at hand, I might as well try it. My opinion can be summed up in 3 words:

Ah. Maze. Zing.

This is before I fluffed and separated. I wanted to get a picture before in case my hair frizzed up.

My hair loves Miss Jessie's leave-in. They don't go by the rules I learned for leave-in conditioners. Crème de la Crème  is not watery or oily. It's thick and creamy it takes work to distribute evenly. I suggest applying small amounts to sections. Also, the conditioner smells fresh. It reminds of the "salon scent" that you have when you use professional products. And because it's a leave-in, the scent lasts for days. It also works well with other scents. I used the leave-in with my favorite oil, which smells amazing on its own.

I tried the leave-in a second time, just in case the first set of curl-tastic results was a fluke. Nope. Both times I did flat twist outs. Both times I had minimal frizz, and the moisture from my wash lasted days longer than usual. It left my hair as soft as Drake's music lyrics. I am completely sold on this product.

This is day 2 shine... that you could see more clearly if I had a clean camera lense.

P.S. It is not natural. I do not care. My hair loves it.

Candice's Hair Diary: New Things and a New Ring

So... I got Havana Twists. Or Marley Twists. Or Whatever-You-Want-To-Call-Thems.

My fellow writer (and soon-to-be licensed stylist) Amber, installed them. I must say... they are pretty awesome. Once I got used to the weight of the hair on my head and the new look, I was in love. I am still in love. I've got these long chunky twists and it's been fun having them for the past 2.5 weeks. If there is any complaint that I have, it's that I can't get them wet. Well, technically I can get them wet, but it would be a hassle to swim in them because there is so much extra hair on my head and adding water weight just doesn't sound practical.

It has also made me think about just how long DO I want my hair to grow? Marley hair definitely resembles my super kinky hair. And I can imagine keeping it twisted if it ever gets this long. Like.... what else would I do to it? I love seeing Naptural85 on youtube manage her super long hair. But my hair is a few levels higher on the kinky scale. Twist-outs would take FOREVER. EVERYTHING would take forever. It's just a guess, but anyone who has attempted to work with my hair will tell you that it is probably a great guess.

I'm enjoying the break from daily maintenance, but in true "Khani" fashion my hair has started to frizz before the Marley hair. The frizz adds a bit of charm, though. I thought about roughing the rest of the twists up a bit, but that seemed to be a strategy that would prove counterproductive. Anyway, I'm more comfortable with all of this hair now and I've been trying a variety of styles now. The half up-half down is my favorite style so far.

I finally stopped being afraid and was able to wrangle this hair into a bun!

So... that's all for hair. Also, I got promoted at my job (Yay!). I got new shoes on sale (Score!). And I got a ring, courtesy of my brand new FIANCE (sets off fireworks)! Once the planning gets underway I'll be sure to keep you all updated because... HOW WILL I WEAR MY HAIR IN MY WEDDING FOR THE PICTURES AND VIDEOS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME OH MY GOSH I'VE GOT SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT!!!

That's all for now. I'm officially open to advice from naturals who were natural when they jumped the broom. What was your wedding hair choice and how did it work out for you? Let's chat in the comment section.

DISCUSSION: That's not NATURAL! Dealing with Natural Hair Bullies

IG Natural Hair sensation, @Mz_Tammy, rocking a great blow-out

Sigh! I'm writing this post with all the attitude of a teenager asked to wash the dishes during a Love and Hip-Hop marathon. Let me set it up:

I was enjoying a wonderful lunch at the Farmer's Market and I noticed a very cute couple. They were eating lunch as well. Sidenote: Yes, I was ear hustling, don't judge me. The young lady had a cute natural 'do. It was pinned up and kinda looked like a Janelle Monae style. I could tell her hair was quite healthy.

The guy, her boyfriend, commented her hair and asked what she'd do with it "since it's getting hot outside. He asked, earnestly and honestly, "Would you straighten it anytime soon. Like with a flat-iron?" Poor thing. He didn't even know he was dating a Natural Hair Nazi. Ol' girl went OFF!

"Listen, girls who say that they are NATURAL but they use heat to straighten their hair are NOT natural. I am not one of those people. You will NEVER see me use heat, color, or anything that takes away from the hair that grows out of my head." she trailed on and on. The boyfriend kinda looked glazed in the eyes. I was feeling . . . Some kinda way.

This color isn't 'natural' but it sure is NICE

I cannot take it! I get so tired of the argument of what's natural and what's not:

• If you wear a weave as a protective style - you not really natural.
• If you straighten your hair - you're not really natural (and you are subscribing to the white aesthetic- SIGH)
• If you color your hair - you're not really natural - unless you have locs then that's ok . . .

So let's get real - the most natural anyone can be is the baby that's being born as I type this post.

If you use shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, and the like, that you didn't MAKE in your own kitchen, you are already stepping away from the natural line. And, if you don't have a 100% natural diet, straight from the ground, that you grew yourself, then you step a bit further from the natural line. So, technically, if you ONLY stop using relaxers, then you aren't as natural as your sister who is 100% organic in EVERYTHING she does (what she puts on her head and what she puts in her mouth).

My friend, Tonya, rocking her flat ironed hair.

What I hate is when people want to JUDGE the next person for the choices they make with their hair. The glory of letting go of the relaxer life is seeing what your hair can do. It's also about finding an identity that you never knew existed. Letting go of the relaxer is a journey in patience, education, and diligence.

What I hear when someone starts talking about what's natural and what's not is someone who is trying to tell me what's BLACK and what's not. This is the ongoing convo with black women and our hair decisions. If you can't see the kink then I'm not that natural. If she has a lighter complexion, then you'll hair commentary about how her natural hair journey is 'easier' than our kinky sisters. The point of the matter is - IT'S JUST HAIR and it's a personal decision. The way I wear my hair doesn't define my BLACKNESS nor my association in the Natural Hair community.

The new natural, reading this post, doesn't need a Natural Hair Bully telling her what she can and cannot do with her hair. I'm not gonna say that using constant heat, dyes, or chemical filled products is the BEST thing you can do for your relaxer-free hair. But, if you wanna do it, I'm not going to judge you. I'm not going to be the one to condemn you, but I will be the person to help you find a healthy route to dealing with damage - IF it happens

So ladies, if you are the 98% natural wonder, don't turn your nose up at the lady with the blue hair, weave, or the straightened 'do. You can be there for her when she trying to up her natural hair percentage.

Candice's Hair Diary: Revisiting Straight Hair

Okay. The flash got me. But still... check out my hair.

The last time I had my hair straightened was February 2013. I've been trying to get myself to straighten it since Christmas of last year. But finally, I achieved this long-lasting straight hair style via my favorite stylist, Tasha Shelton. It had been so long since I've had Tasha give my hair some professional care. I love that she's gentle with my hair even though it's thicker than average, and most of my hair is pretty coarse. It took a while to do, but I think it was worth it. What usually takes an 1.5 hours on someone else may take 2.5 hours on my head. Tasha said that my hair seemed to have gotten THICKER since the last time I was in her chair. She also said I should come in more regularly for a trim. Can't argue there. It had been over 6 months and I KNOW that I was overdue. I guess there are worse things that could be said to a client, so I'll take that.  *shrug*

So the current photo is on the left. The right is from Feb. 2013.

But MY HAIR THOUGH! On day 1 I had two different people ask me if I had a sew-in. *side-eye* Now that I have a side-by-side, I can see the growth. Especially since I had all that color cut off last summer and I can still see visible growth. I'm so inspired by something that I heard at the NIN meetup. I'm going to be more gentle with my hair and try to retain length. I'm probably not going to do regular length-checks; but expect to see my afro grow bigger.

Side twist. Twisted Bun. Side Pin-up. Straight hair is versatile, too.

 All in all, I had this style for 2.5 weeks. OF COURSE I didn't wear straight hair every day. And yes, it rained quite a few of those days. When I tell y'all my hair was LAID, I really mean it was LAID! Tasha did an excellent job. My thirsty hair stayed true to it's nature and soaked up the humidity, but I didn't have any real problems until I went dancing. The turn up was too much for straight hair. I was feeling fancy and left my elastic bands at home. Shout-out to my boyfriend who snapped this picture of me trying to do a make-shift side pinup with no hair pins and no hair ties. Oh the struggle.

I was downtown trying to save my hair.
The right photo is what it looked like the morning after.

This is the thing with straight natural hair. It can be fabulous! But, it takes maintenance to keep it looking its silky best, just like curly hair takes maintenance to keep it looking fly. See my face in the picture above?? It wasn't even hot outside. My hair was not here for my dance floor antics. *sigh*  I just KNEW that this was the beginning of the end. But I still got another week of wear out of this style. And not tragic, barely making it wear either. I had a good, FULL 2.5 weeks of wear. It could have lasted longer, but who goes that long without washing their hair?

 

Fun times. 

Straight hair that isn't naturally straight does take heat to maintain. I added heat to my hair on occasion. All but one of my heat styling was because I wanted curls. All in all, I wanted a break from the curly hair routine; and I did get a 2.5 week break. I learned a lot of new things about maintaining this style. The only products I used for maintenance were water, coconut oil, and a flat iron. The only time I put real effort towards straightening my hair was the morning after my sweaty "boogie night". Any other humidity problems could be solved by wrapping my hair. I loved the break, but I was going through curl withdrawal. I'm happy to back to my naturally curly self. I've learned so much this go around. I'm already planning my next blog for chemical-free naturals who wear their hair straight.

Do you wear your naturally curly hair straight? How do you maintain your natural straight styles? Leave a comment below!

MELISSA'S HAIR: No heat, Low Heat - it's a challenge!

Oh my! February came and went so quickly! I almost forgot it was my turn to post a Hair Diary. So here we go.

So last month, I talked about the various ways I've styled my hair since shaving my sides. This month, I really focused on not using heat on my hair. I love flat-ironing my hair - but I suffered some heat damage, so I had to stop doing that. I decided to challenge myself not to use heat. There's no way to FULLY recover from heat damage, but you can take extra care of the ends so your hair doesn't break off.

I did alright. I didn't use the flat-iron at all during February. I used the blow-dry, on a lower heat setting, one time because I had to leave quickly and it was really cold outside. Here's the two looks I rocked during February:

Here's my super puff. Basically, I two-strand twist my hair with Miss Jessie's Baby Butter creme. Click here to read my review of Miss Jessie's Baby Butter Creme. This look usually lasts about three days. This photo was snapped on Valentine's day. As each day passes, my hair usually gets more and more fluffy. Then I wash it, and start the process all over again. I usually put flexi-rods on the ends of the two-strand twists in order to disguise some of my straight pieces.

I call this look, The Johnny Bravo! Basically, I'm growing my hair as long as possible so that I can have the SUPREME pompadour! This look was achieved by blowing my hair (almost) straight using Dr. Miracle's Curl Care Blowout Foam. Then securing my hair with a small hair comb. It's super easy, and I can create this look in five minutes. If you have shaved sides, I suggest you perfect this look, it's super easy and looks very polished. You can make the pompadour as big or as small as you'd like.


So, I'm going to keep this NO/LOW HEAT party going. I did experience some nice growth. In addition, after a couple deep conditioning treatments, some of my straight pieces are getting wavy again - YAY! I'll keep you posted on my NO/LOW HEAT challenge.

Oh yeah, March 30th is our first meet-up! I can't wait to meet everyone! YAY!!!

Candice's Hair Diary: Return of the Mini Twists

Happy Monday!

Let me preface this by saying that these mini-twists were not my idea.  I was forced coerced nudged to revisit this style by Melissa. I had been considering the style prior to the suggestion, but I decided against it. My hair has gotten longer, and I thought that it would take entirely too long to install mini-twists.

The top right is the beginning. The top left is the finish line.

In short: I was wrong. It took nearly the same amount of time that it did the last time I did mini-twists. If I exclude the breaks I took during the install (to eat, talk on the phone, and choose movies on Netflix), I spent between 6.5-7 hours on my hair. BUT... I've had them in for 3 weeks. I still have about a week left before I take them out. I've curled them and I've washed them; even the wash and set process only took about 15-20 minutes. Hair in this protective style is very low maintenance, but even a protective style needs a little TLC to stay in tip top shape. I used water and aloe vera gel to moisturize. I followed that with coconut oil or shea butter to seal in the moisture.

Straightening my twists after curls was as easy as 1. wash, 2. condition, 3. pin

and set

My twists are definitely coming down this week. I've seen what can happen when you leave mini-twists in too long. I don't want to have to deal with the tangles and knots that come with twists that try to become locs. It's been a good ride so far. Also, my urge to cut my hair has been quenched. I've been wearing my twists either curled or slightly shrunken. I LOVE rocking shorter hair. Especially since I've been craving a cut and my face is slightly more "short hair compatible" lately.

Short hair and loving it. Results of a flexi-rod set on mini-twists

I've already said that I'd never do mini-twists again because 1.) They are so time consuming to install. 2.) My arms get tired. 3.) They are so time consuming. But truth be told, I spent 6.5 hours on my hair. Before it's done, I will have gotten a whole month of super low maintenance styling. I think that it's a fair trade. Actually I come out on top doing mini twists. So... yes. I wouldn't have done this style again without some urging from a friend. But I may do them again I might do them again before the length of my hair makes them a little less worth the time of the install. Plus... PLUS I got to rock hats during the winter. Big-haired naturals are all too familiar with the hat struggle. It seems small, but sometimes it's the little things that make it all worth while.

I'd say this is protective style is a win in the winter or summer. What's your favorite protective style?

Discussion: I Forgot My Headscarf

Are you a mobile natural who commonly forgets her headscarf or bonnet? It's a common thing for some of us, myself included. I've been traveling a lot lately. And when I'm not traveling, I often spend the night at my home away from home. Being on the go so much makes it incredibly easy to forget to bring some protection for my hair. Yes, I can go everywhere and leave all 5-7 of my scarves and bonnets at home.

It's easy to remember to pack a scarf if you are planning an overnight trip. But we all know some trips aren't planned. A late night out might mean you crash at a friend's place. A steady relationship could mean you sleep over your beau's house regularly. If you haven't done the logical thing and left a silk/satin scarf at a places where you frequently sleep over, here are a few helpful tips to protect your strands while you slumber.

Yes, this is my shirt on my pillow. It's a natural hair lifesaver!

Wearing a silky shirt? Put it over the cotton pillowcase. It's simple, right? Cotton is nice, but it doesn't play well with hair that is prone to dryness. So take that cute shirt off, and put it on or around your pillow. Cotton blends and softer fabrics make it easier to get a good night's sleep without worrying about morning hair. Softer fabric not only feels great on your skin, but it works wonders for keeping moisture in your hair at night. Get your money's worth out of that blouse. It can double as a pillowcase (or covering). It's definitely worth the trouble... unless your hair is full of oil and will permanently damage that silky shirt by morning. In that case, let the cotton soak some up of that grease. (Just kidding... kinda.)

Put your hair in a bun. Not just any bun. A high bun. Give yourself the highest bun you can manage. A bun on the top of your head, means that your ends are tucked up high. When sleeping, the top of your head is much safer than the sides or back of your head. These areas are usually exposed to much more friction while tossing and turning at night. Besides, once you've been natural for a while you quickly learn to keep a few elastic bands and bobby pins within arm's reach. It's a logical alternative if you don't have a scarf handy, and your hair is unfit to sleep on your soft, silky shirt. Or if your shirt is made out of wool.

Braid or twist your hair down. Okay. What if you didn't wear a shirt, and you don't have any elastic bands or pins? You take your two hands, and you twist or braid. You braid your hair down, and tuck those ends. But I don't want him to see me in braids! Well natural lady: 1. Him seeing you in braids is better than him seeing and hearing you try to untangle that matted mess in the morning. 2. Did you bring your water bottle and hair products? If you go out to breakfast/brunch, your hair will be off-balance ALL DAY. 3. You didn't even wear a shirt! You are well past the point of worrying about him seeing your nighttime braids!

So that's it. If you have a  problem remembering your headscarves or bonnets, we've given you three very easy options to save your hair. Being natural doesn't mean that you have to carry around a briefcase full of moisturizers and products for a 40 minute routine every night at bedtime. And you don't have to rush home at night like a curly Cinderella. But it does mean that sometimes you have to be a little creative when it comes to keeping your hair looking  in amazing condition.

Have you ever tried any of these ideas? What do you do when you forget your hair scarf?

Melissa Hair: Cut, Dyed, and laid to the side!

 

Last month, I wrote the piece on how I was tired of my hair, but I didn't want to get it cut. I'm back to say, "I don't know what I was thinking!". I go my hair cut and my life is SO MUCH BETTER. 

But hold up, let me take you on my hair cutting adventure. It took me more than a month, a gang of phone calls, a pintrest board, and countless convos with friends to get to the final project (which I love). Let's start.

I sent my inspiration photos to my homie, and barber, Tristan at Tristan's Barber & Style. He was MORE than excited about the transition, so I knew I'd be in good hands. I sent the same photos (seen here) to my homegirl, Stix, and she was FOR IT! That was it, my shoulder length hair was about to be CHOPPED. And here's the deal, my hair was kinda in a shambles. Single strand knots, thinning edges, and supreme dryness. I was neglecting my hair when wearing  protective styles, and putting too much stress on it when it was out.

Almost there . . . but not quite!

The pic above is what I came out with. My barber was on my side, but he was a bit conservative. I wanted a TRUE undercut - sides shaved and all that. In my opinion, I had way too much hair left over. One side of me wanted to keep it that way, holding on to the Natural Hair Myth that Long HAIR is BETTER hair. Two days later, I called Tristan, and set up another appointment. I had to GO BIG, or go home. I wanted my CUT!

Did someone say "UNDERCUT"?

AWW SNAP! After I set my appointment with Tristan, I made sure to wash my hair and blow it out nicely. When I got to the shop, I sectioned my hair up to the height I wanted the undercut. Tristan took out the clippers and I watched the hair fall. 

This feeling was BETTER than the first time I 'went natural'. This haircut helped me let go of misconceived notions about my natural hair journey. I was REALLY being true to myself; my hair looks better short and I'm more confident when it's that way. I may no longer have the SUPER FRO that I once longed for, but now I had a style that would turn heads. It was time to step it up to the NEXT LEVEL!

Shrinkage is a MUTHA!

I called co-writer, stylist on the team, and rad natural hair girl Amber at the Aveda Institute Nashville. I told her that I wanted my hair to be dropped from it's natural dull-ish brown to an ULTRA rich black! She told me to send her some looks on Pintrest and she get it rocking.  

I went to the Aveda Institute and had a WONDERFUL experience. I recommend you give them a try even if it's for a wash and style. The students and instructors are very knowledgeable, the atmosphere is fun, and the prices are economical. Ask for Amber Curry when you set up your appointment.

Listen, this black (with purple undertones) is EVERYTHING!

When I tell you heads were TURNING when I left the salon, I tell no lies! If you follow our instagram and Facebook account, you've seen the photos. And yes, that's all my hair. Amber blew my hair out and flat-ironed it. I can't remember every product she used, but I have a couple of product reviews to post. Aveda has some GREAT stuff. 

Three days later, the 360 view

So thanks to Tristan at Tristan's Barbershop for the cut and Amber at Aveda for the color and style - I love my new look. It's a breath of fresh air to my life. It's taken my style to the next level and I can't wait to show you the variations of how I'll rock this look.

Are you thinking about a new style for the winter? Let us know in the comments section!