Wrapped and Banded

Hello Hunnie Bunnies!
I hope that you all are ready to enjoy your weekends! 
We have one month down and 11 more to go in 2013.  Let's make this the best year of our lives yet. 

I have recently fallen in love with the headbands/head wraps.  Today, I am sporting a black one that I picked up from Burlington Coat Factory.  It's a nice change to add to your hairstyles.  You know, I have had a few of these in the past but decided to wear them only one way.  When I attended the Nzuri Natural Hair Show in December, I was introduced to a new (at least new to me) way to wear these babies. I have also included a couple of pictures of the blue one that I have as well.  Let me know what you all think!

Until Next Time

Hair Products That Work For Me

Good Morning Lovelies!

A few months back, I told you all that I was stuck in a hair rut.  But guess what.......I am out of that rut!! Thank God!!  At the end of July, I visited Natural Resources Salon in Houston,TX and I had my ends trimmed.  I prepped my hair before going by washing, detangling, conditioning and sectioning the hair.  My hair felt wonderful after I left the Salon.  The ladies there were very nice and they have great quality of work.  Check them out if you are ever in the area.   Trust me, I will discuss my favorite products soon.  Ha!

I have not visited a salon in years, so this was a nice outing for me as well as a wonderful experience.  I will more than likely visit them again when I am due for another trim.  I usually trim my own hair about once a year, but I wanted to go and have it trimmed professionally just to switch things up a little.
 
After getting my hair trimmed, I was able to run my fingers through my hair without feeling any knots or scraggly ends.  My hair was also full of body when I left.  This was due to the conditioner I used to prep my hair.  You guys, I had never used John Frieda's Full Repair Full Body conditioner prior to getting my hair trimmed, but it was in my stash and I decided to use it on that day.  I am so glad that I tried it.  I have been using it ever since as it has become one of my favorite conditioners.  The conditioner provides me with enough slip to aid in detangling.  It is also great for regular conditioning and deep conditioning sessions.  I love it!  It leaves my hair soft and bouncy.

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in conditioner and Dax Pomade in the green jar are my other favorite products.  Yep, Dax.  I use these products each time I style my hair on wash day.  During the week I will moisturize my hair with spritzes of water and seal it with Dax.  You all, my hair is always soft and manageable.

It is very important that you find what works for YOUR hair.  Too often individuals are more  concerned about the ingredient lists for hair products more than they are about the ingredients that are in their food which goes INTO their bodies.  I am not saying that you need to ignore what you are putting on your hair.  I am not saying that at all, but make sure you don't knock a product just because it is listed on the "Natural Hair Rules and Guidelines" that are floating around out there.  Be mindful of what you are putting on your hair and scalp and listen to your hair to see how the product is affecting your hair and scalp.   

Dax Pomade has mineral oil/petrolatum listed in the ingredients list and I know that some naturals stray away from products that contain such ingredients.   If it works, use it if not leave it alone.

My hair rut was overcome by doing something different.  I went to the salon and had my ends trimmed and I found a new product that consistently gives me results that I love.  My hair is flourishing in its healthiness and its ability to retain length.

What are some of your favorite products?

What products do you avoid?

How did you overcome a hair rut if your were ever in one?

Have a wonderful day!

Indulgenceiskey

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Bantu Knot Out: 3 Styles in 1

Happy Friday Lovelies!
I wanted to share a little video of myself giving you all a tut for my recreation of 3 styles out of 1 Bantu Knot Out.  Yep, you can try these styles on that lovely hair of yours :-).

Take care and enjoy your weekend!!

Indulgenceiskey

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Friday's Hair Style

It's the WEEKEND BABY!!!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful and blessed week!  This morning my hair wasn't cooperating.  I made a mistake and feel asleep without re-twisting it.  Thank God for satin pillow cases!  I was trying to style it this way and that way and all kinds of ways.  Then, I just decided to flat twist a portion of hair across the front of my head and put the rest in my trusty banana clip with 4 twists.  I then tucked everything and went about my day.  Let me know what you think!

 

P.S.  Leave my part alone!  I know it isn't straight!  Ha!

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

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Who's Your Hair Crush?

Hello Lovelies!
I ran across these pictures of Tempest Bledsoe and her hair is lovely!  Currently she is my hair crush.  Who is yours?

Source

Source

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

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Mane Chic Vee

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head.  Me personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart, elegance, and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Vee!

How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural for about 12 years.

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My only goal is to maintain my hair’s healthy state.

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Being natural makes me feel empowered…empowered by choice.  I can wear my hair as it grows from my scalp or straighten it, and feel 100% comfortable in my own skin.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

In my beginning stages, I would have done more research into products and styling. It would have prevented major frustrations from not knowing how to handle my hair in its natural state.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Shea Moisture shea butter shampoo, Biolage Hydratherapie Conditioning balm, Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave in, Kinky Curly curling custard, raw shea butter.

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well.

My hair is past my shoulders so I wear it up a lot to prevent breakage.  My staple style when my hair is down is a side braid tucked under and secured with a bobby pin or a twist-out, pineappled on top of my head.  For long term protective styling, I opt for kinky twists.

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

Would have to be shea butter!  I use this stuff for everything!  I use it to remove makeup, for my body and for my hair.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

Acceptance is the word that comes to mind.  Accept your hair for what it is and try not to hate your hair for what it is not.

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Retrograde:  *having or being motion in a direction contrary to that of the general motion of similar bodies

Thank you so much Vee for sharing your Mane Chicness with us!!  For more of Vee, visit her at her Blog ~ Dime on a Dime.

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

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Mane Chic Andrea

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Me personally, don’t think it has to be long and heavy. If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane. Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication. With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Andrea!



How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural for about 6 years!!!

What is your goal for your natural hair?

My goal use to be bsl, mid back, all the way down there hair but, since getting older and a little wiser I really just desire healthy, beautiful hair! If my hair grows all the way there then, thank you Jesus!!! if not, well THANK YOU JESUS ANY WAY!!! LOL!!!

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

My hair doesn’t make me; it’s a part of me. There are a lot of things such as my personality, spirit, eyes, nose, smile that make up Andrea. My hair is just part of that chaotic combination! Lol!

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

I would have found what works for ME! I spent a lot of time on You Tube, blogs, etc. and tried to use everything the cyber world said works Lol! My ended up a chaotic combination of confusion!!!!  Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love blogs and You Tube, but if I could go back I would have just kept it simple. You live and learn.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

It would have to be my black soap, Herbal Essence Hello Hydration conditioner, Karen’s body beautiful butter love, eco styler olive oil gel, and some hair pins!!! lol!

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well.

I wear my hair in twist Monday-Friday and then on the weekend I let the mane go free!!!!! I also do a lot of up-dos when I’m bored with my hair.

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair?  For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

Oh wow that’s easy! Olive oil, it makes the bomb grilled tilapia and is awesome as a moisturizer/ pre-poo

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

Condition! Condition! Condition! Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! The rest is up to you!!!!

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Andrea’s!!! lol!!! It’s all me!!!!

Thank you so much Andrea for sharing your Mane Chicness with us!!  For more of Andrea, visit her at her Website, Blog, and Facebook! 


Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

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Mane Chic YellowCurlyGirl

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Me personally, don’t think it has to be long and heavy. If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane. Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication. With that being said,

Meet Mane YellowCurlyGirl!

How long have you been natural?
After relaxing my hair for more than 20 years I became curious about my natural hair texture. In Feb. 2009 I decided to begin my transition from relaxed to natural. I’ve been natural for a year and a half and I LOVE IT! I transitioned for 11 months and chopped off what was left of my relaxed ends on Jan 15^th, 2010.

What is your goal for your natural hair? 
My goals for my natural hair are to keep it healthy and to grow it to mid back length. (That was the length of my hair BEFORE I started relaxing it.) 

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself? 

My natural hair makes me feel free, pretty, nonconforming, strong, and patient.

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why? 
If I could change anything about my natural hair journey I would have taken the time to learn how to do natural styles. Why? Because I think I’m “stylistically” challenged. I would love to learn how to do flat twists, braids, and etc. I’ve watched a ton of YouTube tutorials but I still can’t get the gist of how the styles are done when it’s time to try them on my own hair.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash? 

The 5 products I would have on my hair product diet would be: Suave Professionals Humectant conditioner, Aloe Vera Juice, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, and Eco Styler styling gel.

What is your staple style?  Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.  If you have a picture your staple style, include it as well. 

My staple style is my trusty Afro Puff! It’s quick and easy to do. To create my afro puff I spray my hair with a mixture of spring water, Aloe Vera juice, and Vitamin E oil to wet the hair. After that I add some Eco Styler gel and brush my hair up. Next, I take a large elastic band (without the metal clip)  and stretch the band around my head just above my ears. Then I gently slide the band up creating a high ponytail. Once my puff is in place I tie the down the hair down around the puff with a scarf for 10-20 mins to dry and slick the hair. Then I use my rosemary moisture spritz to fluff my puff.

  

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair? 
Sweet Almond Oil: not only is it a GREAT moisturizer for natural hair but it’s an excellent body oil AND you can use it for food preparation and cooking.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

The advice I would like to give about natural hair or for those transitioning to natural hair is to do lots of research. Knowledge is power! Be patient. There are times when you will get frustrated and feel like you can’t maintain your hair in its natural state but you can. Surround yourself with family and friends who support your decision to go natural. Having support is important. If you can’t find support in the real world know that the internet natural hair community is AWESOME and there is always someone who has gone through what you are going through.

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why? 
Curl-tacular! I made up this word to describe my hair because I think the abundance of natural spiral curls God blessed me with are SPECTACULAR!

Thank you YellowCurlyGirl for sharing your Mane Chicness with us!  For more of YellowCurlyGirl, visit her "Relaxed to Natural Photo Journey" at http://public.fotki.com/TPayne75

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

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Mane Chic Twisted Sista

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, a mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head. Me personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy. If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane. Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication. With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Twisted Sista!

My very first twist out on transitioning hair

How long have you been natural?

Currently Transitioning for the past 9 months from texlaxed (texturized with a relaxer).

What is your goal for your natural hair?

To BC once my natural hair reaches shoulder length.

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself?

Since my texlaxed hair closely resembles my natural texture I can finally treat it all as natural. I think big hair is fabulous! I live in an area that doesn't have a lot of naturals so to wear a curly fro makes me feel unique and beautiful.

Twist out using Giovanni's leave-in

If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

I wish I had gone natural a long time ago. The more I learned on my healthy hair journey made me realize that going natural is the ultimate in loving my hair.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

Shea butter, coconut oil, african black soap, flax seeds and VO5 Moisture milks conditioner.

Back view of my twist out

What is your staple style? Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.

My staple styles are wash n' Go's, twist outs and buns. I use kinky curly or Mixed Chicks for my wash n' go's.  For my twist outs I rotate Giovanni's Leave-In, Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie or homemade flax seed gel. Majority of my styles are done on freshly washed wet hair either product is worked through or twisted with product and allowed to air-dry.

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair? For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

Oils....Coconut, almond, argan, olive etc.... When applied to wet hair it helps to seal in the moisture.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

Be patient with your hair. Take time and section hair in parts with conditioner when detangling. The more you work with your hairs natural pattern the more your hair will love you for it.

Kinky Curly on damp hair

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Rockstar :) It's in your face, unapologetic, wild, unique yet beautiful!

Thanks Twisted Sista for sharing your Mane Chicness with us! For more of Twisted Sista, visit her at  her Blog.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

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Who's Your Hair Crush?

Hello Lovlies!!

While browsing the net I happened to come upon my newest hair crush.

Khazzy

For more information about the above photo, visit this site.  I was in awe of her coils.  The beach in the background made me want to take off and enjoy the waves of the beach as well as the waves, kinks, and coils of my own mane.

Who's your hair crush?

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

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Pinned up Twist Style!

Good Morning Lovelies!

Lately I have been wearing my hair in a pinned up twist style. This particular style is becoming one of my staple styles. Of course my number one go to hair style is the banana clip bun, but the pinned up twist style is coming in at a close second.

To achieve the style, I start off by washing and conditioning my hair. I then proceed to place medium sized two strand twists throughout my entire head. I then group the twists together in 3’s or 4’s and pin them up. I usually wash my hair on either Saturday or Sunday and wear this style throughout the week. About halfway through the week, I take the pins out and moisturize my hair with either water or a cream moisturizer. Once I do that, I pin the twists back up.  On Friday, I take them down and wear a twist out until I wash my hair again. To preserve this style, I just tie my hair up at night using a satin scarf. In the morning I untie it, freshen up my edges with a little oil or gel and go!  Here are some pictures of how it is styled now.

If you have tried this style or plan on trying it share your results with us!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Until Next Time,

Indulgenceiskey

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Mane Chic Saroya

According to Merriam Webster’s definition, mane is long and heavy hair on a person’s head.  Me personally, I don’t think it has to be long and heavy.  If you have hair growing from your head, then I consider this to be your mane.  Chic (pronounced sheek) is defined as smart elegance and sophistication.  With that being said,

Meet Mane Chic Saroya!

How long have you been natural? 

I have been 100% natural now for a little over a year. My last relaxer was in December of 2008. I transitioned for one full year, and started wearing my hair out in January 2010 after I chopped. As I’m sure you know, the natural community has many different ways of counting so there’s the run down.



What is your goal for your natural hair?

In the beginning, my goal was only length. I soon learned that with healthy hair, length would come. I’d rather have thick shoulder length hair than, thin waist length scraggly hair. However, I would like to achieve a healthy bra strap length of hair one day.



  

How does your natural hair make you feel about yourself

My natural hair makes me feel unique and just comfortable. It makes me feel like I’m just being myself with nothing to hide. I find wearing my hair in it’s natural state to be a very freeing experience.



My half up do is another simple style.  I like it, because you can definitely dress it up. 
It’s also great for people like me who can’t cornrow.  I just flat twisted one side back
and the rest is a braid out with the ends rolled up.  Then when I took the braids down,
I pinned one side up.  Here is a like to a pictorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT3zLPu7fHI



If you could go back and change anything about your natural hair journey, what would it be and why?

If I could go back and change anything about my natural hair journey it would have to be that this is my second time going natural. The first time I went natural was around 1999. The only product I had for my hair was carol’s daughter healthy hair butter. No salons in my area really wanted to touch me, and sometimes I was even charged double. After a few years, my hair reached a length where I just didn’t know what to do with it and I ended up relaxing. That is the only thing that I regret. Over the next few years I attempted to transition several times but didn’t succeed.

If you were to go on a hair product diet for 6 months (summer through fall) by not using more than 5 products on your hair, what products would be in your stash?

A product diet would be really hard since I am definitely a product junkie. My five products would be Giovanni smooth as silk shampoo and conditioner, coconut oil, kinky curly knot today and Qhemet Biologics amla and olive heavy cream.



What is your staple style? Give a quick tutorial on your staple style.

My staple style is a braid out. My hair always comes out better when I braid wet hair. On freshly washed I hair I add some leave in conditioner and coconut oil. Then I grab medium size sections without parting and braid. When I get to the bottom of each braid, I twist about the last inch. I think the ends come out better using this technique. I never do a braid out with really big braids because I don’t like the look of strait roots going into a really wavy pattern. I try to keep the size of my braids in the middle, not to big or too small. I also like to use a really heavy butter to braid my hair with. Most times I can go almost a week without adding product. The next morning I take the braids out and separate each piece once to start, and then I’ll do more if I want bigger hair. I always like my braid outs the best on the second and third days.

What is one product that you have found to have more than one use and you used it on your hair? For example, you look at the ingredients of your favorite body lotion and decide that it can be used as a great moisturizer for your hair.

The product that I have found with the most uses for my hair and me is plain old extra virgin olive oil. Before I was natural I had no idea how many ways you can use it. I use it as a pre poo, hot oil treatment, in my hair butter mixes, mix it in with conditioner, on my skin, and lastly to cook with.

What tips/advice do you have to share about natural hair?

My tip would be to just have fun with it. It’s only hair and it will grow back. Don’t be ashamed of wearing you hair out, no matter what length it’s at. Find some accessories and work it. If you don’t feel the confidence, fake it till you make it.

My rocker ponybun~The top poof is just a twist out pinned down.  Then I slicked down the sides
with clear eco styler gel and pulled my hair into a ponytail.  Then I pinned that
hair down underneath itself to form a bun.

If you had to choose one word to describe your mane, what would it be and why?

Fly


Thanks Saroya for sharing your Mane Chicness with us! For more of Saroya “Crazycurlienatural”, visit her at  her Youtube channel  and Blog.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Indulgenceiskey

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