Here’s what I know: I’m cute and I have a great figure. Whoever sees me, sees me. Those to whom I am invisible didn’t merit my time in the first place.–Carolyn Edgar
I believe every woman who returns to natural hair via the big chop goes thorough what Carolyn went through. Although she went from mid-back length locs to a TWA, rather than from relaxed to natural hair, the shock of seeing one in a different way can be traumatizing and spur regrets if one does not do it for the right reasons…that reason (in my humble opinion) being because they want to! I think it makes you develop character, self acceptance and leads to self confidence. Read more...(556 words, 4 images, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)
“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.”
–Maya Angelou
As I approached the 3rd year writing this blog, I decided to change the site address to a name! Although initially the name I chose held significance to me, I wanted readers (old and new) to associate the site with natural hair. Read more...(209 words, 3 images, estimated 50 secs reading time)
Happy Friday!
For this weeks Gratuitous Post, I decided to share with my readers who hate traditional protective styles that Turbans & Headwraps are protective styles too! If you have an extensive scarf collection like I do, you may want to explore learning how to tie a headwrap or turban! You can also go to a local fabric store and purchase 1.5-2 yards of your favorite fabric and create a unique look that’s not already in your closet. Joann Fabrics has weekly 50% off coupons for fabric! They also take competitor coupons. Mixing and match the colors and patterns to accessorize your outfit for the day is fun! They work for natural, transitioning, and relaxed hair, can be used to disguise a bad hair day or the fact that you’re deep conditioning while running errands, and are appropriate at a variety of settings! Read more...(156 words, 3 images, estimated 37 secs reading time)
I’ve worn tons of styles since I’ve stopped relaxing my hair and allowed it to return to it’s natural state. Elastic bands take center stage as the go to tool for many styles I’ve worn.
I just knew my puff was on point!
Who doesn’t love a big, bodacious, blinding puff? I know I do; the bigger the better! The style is convenient, simple, easy to achieve and can be worn without having to restyle on a daily basis.
Buns anyone? While transitioning, my bun was always singled out by the TSA to be checked for weapons of mass destruction. Read more...(375 words, 9 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)
Do you wash your hair so infrequently that when wash day arrives you have product residue on your scalp and caked butters and oils on your strands?
Have you used multiple products during a styling session in order to make your hair achieve a certain look or feel, and while your style may have been on point, in the end you’re left with white flakes?
Other contributions to build up on your scalp include environmental pollution, hard water, regular use of shampoos and other hair styling gels, sprays, etc. Read more...(875 words, 4 images, estimated 3:30 mins reading time)
Today marks my 1 year NaturalVersary! I’m so happy I decided to take this journey back to my roots!
One small piece of advice I’d like to share with those considering transitioning (long term like myself, or short term) or doing the Big Chop, is that along with the change occurring ON your head, be aware that there also needs to be a change that occurs IN your head! Read more...(474 words, 3 images, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)
Happy Humpday! This past Sunday was the first beauty day of February.
Freshly Washed.Naked.No Product
I ended the last few days of the last week in a protective style. I jazzed it up with a colorful scarf.
To begin, I normally start with an amla pre-poo oil wash. Last year, my local indian store relocated and I was unable to find out where they relocated to, which left me without my beloved amla. I prefer to purchase it locally rather than online, so until I find another local source for amla, I’ll have to make due.
Leaves and Roots, Orlando FL
I was fortunate to find a store here in Orlando, that sells all kinds of herbs in various forms! I’m like a kid in a candy store when I go! The staff is very friendly, the prices are right, and most any herb you are looking for can be found here, with the exception of amla :).
I decided to experiment with the powder form of the extract of some herbs I’d been wanting.
What’s the main difference between the powdered and whole herbs?
Shelf life! Whole herbs have a longer shelf life (up to 2 years), while powdered herbs can last only up to 6 months. A general rule of thumb is to substitute 1/3 teaspoon powdered or 1 teaspoon crushed for every 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh herbs.
So, as opposed to using whole herbs or even essential oils for my Read more...(599 words, 7 images, estimated 2:24 mins reading time)
Today is Oct 31, 2012 and after a 2 year transition (June 2010-June 2012), I am now 28 months post relaxer and 4 months post big chop (BC). I decided to reflect on my journey thus far and think about my hair goals for the future.
The style I’m wearing is a partial protective style. It can also be worn by transitioners by rolling the relaxed ends on a perm or flex-rod.
I discuss how changing up my product yielded a different result. Lastly, check out how I untwist my hair for my twist out.
This week, I tried to avoid wearing my fro’ out. Since I BC’d, I’ve been wearing my hair out constantly, which is completely unlike me. As a transitioner, I was an avid protective styler. I realize that less handling of my hair will yield healthier hair so I’m trying to re-create some styles I wore during my transition on my fully natural hair. Some styles I’ve not been able to re-create because my hair is shorter than it was during my transition. At any rate, I’m trying styles that are both professional (for work), funky (after work), and still fall into the category of protective styling. Read more...(262 words, 3 images, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
Here’s what I know: I’m cute and I have a great figure. Whoever sees me, sees me. Those to whom I am invisible didn’t merit my time in the first place.–Carolyn Edgar
