BIGAFRO Say What?!?

As I prepared my hair for my sew in I decided I would have some fun and see just how BIG my hair really is. Well as you can tell it's prettttty BIG. 2 years and some months natural and that's all I have to say about that...lol

Life After a Breakup

As many of you know, I recently ended a love-hate relationship with my Tangle Teezer. It was probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make in my life...tear. It was so tempting at first that I had to hide it from myself so that I wouldn't use it to detangle. So for the past couple of weeks I have been using my "handleless" comb and my Goody Jojoba Infused Brush. Out of the two, I TOTALLY prefer the Goody Jojoba Infused Brush because it's kinda like the Tangle Teezer in the sense that it can define my curls while I'm detangling. I don't really like the "handleless" comb because it basically picks my hair out...which is why my hair was looking a hot mess when I got back from Vegas. But now I can proudly say that my hair is BAACCCKK !! Lately, I've been trying to get back into doing twistouts...sidenote: I really loved the way my hair looked with twistouts when it was shorter. Hopefully, I can stick with these twistouts and stop doing so many wash n gos and ponytails. 

Click Here to see the " Twistout on Wash n Go Hair" video

The Regimens...

I transitioned for nine months...

I Big CHOPPED on Dec. 13,2008

From 08-Feb. 09
My regimen from this time was pretty much not structured and because of that my hair stayed dry and I wasn't using the right products (even though I thought I was). I was in love with using products like Sunsilk Captivating Curls and Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship because of the way they smelled.


---I co-washed everyday...morning and right before bed.
---I was kinda against shampooing so I shampooed maybe once or twice a month....but I was constantly co-washing so that kinda cleaned my hair
---Whenever I did shampoo I made sure to deep condition and detangle
---I had a bald spot in the front of my head from transitioning so I made a mixture of rosemary oil, shea butter, castor oil, and jojoba oil and every night I massaged that oil mixture onto my scalp and mainly that bald spot. Within a couple of months I saw growth and now THERE'S NO BALD SPOT!!!

====Main products used====

 Sunsilk conditioner and leave in, my shea butter mixture, my hair growth mixture, and that's all I remember

From the end of Feb 09- May 09
By this point I started to see growth and with more growth came more tangles. I noticed that I needed to start detangling more and I needed to do something so that I didn't have to walk in the freeze'n cold in the morning with wet hair.So I started twistin.


---I co-washed no more than twice a week.
---Shampooed once or every other week.
---Deep conditioned everytime I shampooed
---I TWISTED MY HAIR UP EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT AND WORE A TWISTOUT UNTIL FRIDAY....Sat. and Sun. were my off days.
---I started back taking my vitamins and biotin supplements. 
====Main products used====
Cantu Shea butter used for twistouts, and my shea butter mixture

From May 09-Aug 09
During this time I was on summer vacation and didn't feel like twisting my hair up every Sunday night so I pretty much wore a puff or a wash and go.


---Co-washed a lot 
---Shampooed, DC, and detangled once a week or every other week
---Every now and then I wore a twist out.

====Main products used====

Cantu Shea Butter, shea butter mixture, Aussie Moist conditioner, Clean Eco styler Gel, and Giovanni Direct Leave in

From Aug 09-Dec 09

By the time I went back to school my hair grew a lot and I could finally say I had some type of regimen. Because of the amount of growth I had I was able to start doing way more styles. And in Oct I was finally able to get a PONYTAIL...YAY click here to watch the video. 

---Co-washing became more of a style so I didn't do it a lot only for certain styles 

---Shampooed, DC, and detangled once a week

---Every other night I would either castor oil or my Wild Growth oil from Sally's and massaged my scalp

---By Nov. I started wearing medium sized twist as a protective style

====Main products used====

Eco styler Gel, Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist gel, castor oil, Wild Growth oil, Giovanni Direct Leave in, and Bed Head Moisture Maniac

From Jan.10

I finally started to find my staple products and finished putting the final stages on my current regimen. There's nothing really major to talk about. 

My current regimen:

---Again I don't co-wash a lot only if my hair is dry, I am about to switch styles, or I just feel like it.

---Shampoo and detangle once a week

---I don't deep condition any more only if it is a protein deep conditioner

---I have trimmed my hair multiple times since I've been natural.... so I guess I trim maybe every 4-6 months

====Current products being used====

Sheamoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Moisture Retention Shampoo, Eco Styler Argan and Olive oil gel, Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding, Pantene Curly Conditioner, and Tresemme Conditioners

It Just Hit Me!!!

Can you tell the difference between the these two pictures???

One looks really old and raggedy while the other looks neater...right.

Before I straightened my hair this past week I defined my curls again using the ECO Styler Agran Oil Gel and Sheamoisture. This time I noticed that my curls were much more clumped together and I was able to get more days out of it. Well I realize now why sometimes my hair comes out clumped and defined and other times just a mess after day 2. I showed you guys this technique back in Dec. but this past month I have been rushing when doing it and that's why. The key is to smooth the curls together, don't separate the curls (which gives me the twistout look), and let it dry like that. I also realized I wasn't getting my roots all over and that caused my hair to look frizzy.

Hana Elite Flat Iron

I received the Hana Elite Flat Iron from Misikko.com the other day and used it to straighten my hair. Misikko.com is an online which sales top quality professional flat irons, blow dryers, and many other things. I have never tried to high quality flat iron before but I can see a difference between this flat iron and the other cheap ones that I have tried in the past. To start this flat iron has 100%  1 inch ceramic plates and goes all the way up to 450 degrees. It has an on and off switch, which lights up when it's fully heated (it only took about 15 secs to heat up) and it has a very long swivel cord.

I really LOVE this flat iron because I could get away with just one pass but I chose to do about 2 passes for an even straighter look and I used the comb chase method while I flat ironed. I set the temperature between 250-302 degrees which was hot enough to get my hair straighter than the other flat irons I have. 

Overall, I would recommended this flat iron to naturals or anyone else who wants to straighten or even curl their hair. Oh and by the way you can this flat iron on sale $118 now (normally $204) with free shipping.

Pros:

-heats up fast

-100% ceramic plates

-it's pink =)

-long cord

-definitely worth the price

Cons:

-none =)

Ceramic Flat Irons:

http://www.misikko.com/flat-irons.html

Professional Blow Dryer:

http://www.misikko.com/professional-hair-dryers.html

Best Flat Irons:

http://www.misikko.com/best-flat-iron.html

Mom's Hair w/Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel

Here is my mom's hair with the Eco Styler Argan Oil Gel just applied. 

She BIG Chopped June 10'.

This is what it looked like after I diffused majority of it.

Nothin' Like A Good Hair Day

It seems like lately I've been having bad hair days like everyday. But today I must say I was really feelin' how my hair looked. I liked it because it was stretched but stringy and I was loving the definition (considering this was 4 day old hair). I switched it up an wore my hair pulled back with a leopard print headband. I originally pulled it up to so I could take a shower but then I started thinking of wearing it pulled up but didn't because I didn't like the back of it. Pulling it up helped to stretch the curls, so all I had to do was fix the top with some more gel and water. 

Thanks Mother Nature.

After wearing my hair straight FOR ONE WEEK...so disappointed =( I decided to go back to curly today. In the past two days it has been raining here but all that didn't bother my hair until I put my shea butter mixture in my hair yesterday. The problem with that mixture (and I knew what it would happen) is that it has glycerin in it. I wish would taken a picture of my hair yesterday but I was sooooo embarrassed. After being outside for less than 5 minutes my hair poooofed up so big that it looked like I just blow dried my hair and didn't style it. But I love that mixture with my straight  hair because it moisturizes and adds shine. So today I just decided to wash it since I would probably only be wearing it pulled back in a ponytail for the rest of the week. But all that doesn't matter now since my hair REVERTED BACK....YAY!!! 

After wearing my hair pulled back into a bun my hair calmed down...a lot.

This picture was taken today before washing.

So I'm going to try to rock a braidout this week...wish me luck =)

Just Random

As you can tell from the pictures...I straightened my hair AGAIN (totally had no plans on doing it). Last Thursday night I washed my hair, did the 2 Minute Reconstructor by Aphogee, detangled, and was left wondering what I was gonna do with my hair. I've been wanting to do a braidout lately while also trying to stick with the styling options from the last post but by the time I finished washing I was too tired....I literally went to sleep right after doing all that. But I woke up at 5:00 am with this random urge to straighten my hair...so I did lol. Last time I straightened my hair I made a video and many suggested that I use a hot comb. Well I tried and let's just say that would have taken me forrrreverrrrr to finish....I only had 3 or so hours to do my hair. So I just used the flat iron.... comb chase method. Oh by the way this time went by soooo much faster because 1. my hair was already somewhat dry. 2. and because it was dry I was able to blow dry it better.

Products used:
-Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Fortifying Shampoo
-Aphogee 2 minute re-constructor
-Tresemme conditioner
-SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

- Chi Silk Infusion

- Flat iron: Vi Sasson 

- Some other heat protectant that I can't think of the name

Having Soft Hair Isn't All That Great...

Lately I have been defining my curls a lot (that's a whole other post) and using my two favorite product combinations, Sheamoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Eco Styler Olive Oil. Before I started using the Sheamoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie with the Eco Styler, my hair would have a little crunch to it but that hold would slowly go away after like three days. But now that I have found a product that will cut down on the amount of hold it seems like my hair is just too soft to get multiple days out of it and it frizzes up much easier. Now I'm torn between having soft-bouncy hair or stiff-crunchy hair. Take a look at these pics:

Giovanni/Eco Styler:

Sheamoisture/Eco Styler (2nd Day Hair):

What's a girl to do???

Stylin'

Here's another hairstyle for styling your mini twist and also the EZ Combs.

Also check out my latest video....

Itty Bitty Twistssss

Finally after two and a half days my mini twists are done. It was hard in the beginning but I got through it (had a little accident with the wii...lol) 

Products used:


*Yes to Cucumbers Leave-In (revisting and it seems to be great for these twists)
*Sweet Almond oil


Done on dry stretched out hair. I also didn't wash my hair before I did these because I had just shampooed my hair like 4 days before but I co-wash the day before twisting)

Look I what I got!!!

As I type this post I am extremely excited and overjoyed. I bought the Ez Combs today...and they actually work. At least the little style that I did worked. I finally decided to get them because 1. they are really cheap at Ross and Marshall's and 2. they seem like you can do a lot of styles with them in a few minutes. Since it has only been like 30 minutes since I got in the house and popped one of them in my hair I can't do a full review (plus I didn't want to mess up my hair) but please believe once I get some time with these bad boys I will definitely let ya'll know how they work. Oh and the price was $ 2.99 at Ross and $ 3.99 at Marshall's.

 
Right now I can tell you all that it felt very comfortable and secure on my hair and removing it wasn't bad at all. Stay tuned =)

Shrinkage.

The other day I did a video on the new technique I use to define my curls. As I watched the video over I noticed how much longer my hair was when I first applied the gel than when it dried (this is nothing new). But for some reason I am always shocked to see how much shrinkage there is when I do stuff to my hair. So looking at the amount of shrinkage in the picture above, that must mean that when my dry hair starts to touch my collar bone my wet hair is going to be way somewhere on my stomach =) Umm I'm a little excited about that.




I know that's random but I just thought I share that with ya'll...lol 

Review for Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream

Goody Jojojba Brush Works Great on Straight Hair TOO

You've heard me rave about this brush before and this time it just keeps getting better and better.  The Goody Jojoba Infused Brush is great for your curly and amazing for you straight hair. Since I've been wearing my hair straightened lately, this brush has become my best friend. I still don't think it does much for adding shine but it sure does smooth the hair down and remove tangels wonderfully. 

Twistout with Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding

I decided to use my Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding for a twistout (which I haven't done in a million years it seems).


Products used: 
Giovanni Direct Leave-in
Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding


I used my Denman D41 brush for some curl definition 

I'm truly falling in love with my Curly Pudding. It's great for wash and gos, twistouts, and probably much more =)

Disclaimer: I hate how these pictures don't capture how AMAZING this twistout came out. I promise it looks better in person and it's not as frizzy as it looks on here  :(

Quick Tips for Achieving the Perfect Twists or Twistouts....

These are some tips I've found to help improve the look of my twists or twistouts.

Always keep these 3 tips in mind:

• DON'T GO TO BED WITH WET/DAMP HAIR!!! Very important because your hair will dry the WAY YOU set it
• Wear a satin bonnet for both twists and twistout styles
• Remember: wet=shrinkage dry=stretched out

Twists:

• If you're trying to keep the twists in as a protective style try using some type of twisting gel, ie. Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel....loves it =)
• Moisturize your twists in the morning or when you are about to go so that your hair isn't damp when you go to bed
• Twirling you finger around the ends of your twists can help lock them in place so there's no loose hair

Twistouts:

• When taking twists out, apply a little oil to your hands before taking them out. This will cut down on the amount of frizz
• Don't apply a lot of water when trying to style your twistout. This too can cause more FRIZZ
• Once you have found a style that you like KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR HAIR. Again this can cause your twistout to frizz UP
• If you want to stretch your twistout a little more, at night try pulling it back into a loose ponytail

I'm sooo Proud....(tear)

I just finished my first FULL set of flat twist....hand clap!!! Earlier this week I wore a flat twist headband, which gave me the courage to flat twist my whole head. Plus I loved the gorgeous wavy look it gave me =) I think this would be the perfect hair setting thingy for days when you're just bumming around the house not going anywhere. These pictures were taken right after I finished them, so you can still see the product and water.

Products used:

Cantu shea butter

And here are some pictures of that twisted headband =)

Products used:

Afroveda Curl define 

Cantu Shea Butter
Hair was done on twist out