Salon Visit + New Products + Pics

Well I had a wonderful weekend and I hope everyone did as well.  My appointment with Nicole at Pure Beauty was wonderful as usual.  She really knows natural hair is an expert colorist - I adore her.  I highly recommend her to anyone in the DC area who wants color (single process, highlights, etc) or a very good blow out.  Her blow drying technique is fantastic.  This time she just touched up my roots, gave me a little trim (not much at all), and blew out my hair in a cute curly look!  Check out the pictures (notice I threw in a picture of my "date night" outfit haha).

I had coupons for my hair services as well as products, so I figured I would splurge a bit.  I feel in love with the Pureology hair products, during my first visit to Pure Beauty, so I picked up the Hydrate shampoo and conditioner (purple bottle) as well as Redken Butter Treat hair conditioner.  The last time I saw Nicole, she said my hair was very dry and told me to use the Butter Treat.  Well in 3 months I finished the whole bottle and she said my hair felt like it did the first time I went to her for a below out - before I had any color.  I warn you that Pureology is expensive, about $30 a bottle, so I don't think I will be able to keep this up! 

In my quest to one day be able to the "wash and go" look, I asked Nicole for some suggestions.  She assured me that there is no reason for me or anyone else not to rock this look.  So here is what she suggested:

1. Wash and condition (and deep condition) as usual.
2. Detangle with conditioner in your hair and rinse.
3. Use a generous amount of Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam (red top - Flexible Style line) mixed with some of the Paul Mitchell Foaming Pommade (red top - Flexible Style line).
4. Distribute thoroughly through your hair.  Your hair should be saturated and covered with white foam, so don't be alarmed.
5. After you work it through, pull it through your hair.  (When I watched the other stylist do this step, it look kinda like she was shingling in an upward motion.)
6. Sit under the dryer for 5 - 10 mintues, just so the foam will disappear.
7. Shape your hair and you are done!

I recorded a video blog post on Friday night and I haven't been able to upload it yet.  So I will try again and this time tape myself trying this new "wash and go" technique.

Beautiful

I have stumbled across some wonderful things today regarding black hair. On 8/24/09 my father would have been 63 years young - Lord knows how much I miss him. So when I stumbled upon the photo gallery of a father braiding his daughter's hair it really touched my heart. Even more beautiful is that the father is white and his adopted daughter is Ethiopian. I have a found memory of my dad trying to roll my hair on pink rollers when I was younger. I have no idea where my mother was, but she wasn't around lol. Needless to say, it was a mess, but he tried.

Enjoy - http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/living/braids/10.html

The NYT writes about black women and hair...

Good morning lovelies!  The NYT posted an article about black women and hair and it pretty good.  Chris Rock's new movie, "Good Hair", is really bringing the issue of black hair out in the open. 


I always find it interesting when people talk about "good hair".  I honestly hate the term and in the past have fell victim to using the term myself.  But it really doesn't make sense.  What makes someone's hair "better" than mine?  That is ridiculous.  Our hair textures and types are all different and beautiful.  Just because I can't wet my hair have it be curly and bouncy with no effort, doesn't mean that my hair is "bad" - just different.


The article also touches on hair coloring and if one is still "natural" if they color their hair.  We know this hits close to home.  I've never claimed to be chemical-free, but I do consider myself to still be natural as I don't alter the texture of my hair with a relaxer.  I love hair color and it is a way for me to express myself.  Right now, I am lovin' the red tones but maybe I want to go lighter, or darker.  Who knows - the options are endless!


But anyways - I am rambling.  Check out the article and let me know what you think!

I'm ready for the Fall...

I'm getting bored again!  I desperately want the summer to end so I can wear my hair straight.  I'm so envious of girls rockin' full, cute roller wraps.  *hmmph*.  People have been telling me that as my hair gets longer, the weight of my hair will help keep it straight.  Is that a lie?  Does anyone successfully roller wrap and flat iron their natural hair and have success keeping it straight!


I have an appointment with Nicole to get my roots touched up, more highlights (if she thinks I need them), a glaze and a trim.  I don't think I am going to let her straighten my hair because the minute I walk outside, my hair is going to poof up like a cotton ball.


I'll post a picture of my dry twist out when I get home.  My hair is finally back to the length it was at before Nicole had to chop all of it off!

Braids + Transitioning

I have been receiving some questions about braids and transitioning, so I thought that it would be a good idea to publish a post. When transitioning, I think it is very important to wear protective hair styles (i.e. roller wraps, twists, braids, etc). The less heat and stress you can put on your hair while trying to grow out a relaxer, the better you will be. But with that said, exercise caution when deciding to go with braids. Below are some things I think you should consider.

1. Experience/Quality - I know we all love a bargain but don't let the recession lead you to an inexperienced or sub par braider. Do some homework and go to someone who knows what they are doing. If it means paying more, it is worth it in the long run. Sometimes you get what you pay for!
2. Tension - Do not and I repeat, do NOT let someone braid your hairline and edges tight. Yes, you may have to get them touched up sooner, but at least you will still have them! Once you start to lose your edges, trying to get them to fill back in can take years. I think getting the tension right is hard to do. Too tight, your head hurts and you can lose hair and too loose, the braids fall out. This is why you need to find an experienced braider who knows exactly what they are doing.
3. Frequency - Give your hair a break and don't constantly keep taking out braids and putting them right back in. After you take your braids out, try not to mess with your hair too much. If you can, let it rest for at least 8 hours (overnight). I would follow with a really good deep conditioner and maybe protein treatment. Don't rake through your hair and don't freak out if you feel like you are losing a lot of hair. Keep in mind that you haven't been coming your hair for weeks!
4. Scalp Health - Do not neglect your scalp just because you have braids. I know that when I got "lacing" (the braids that really look like hair), I couldn't wash my hair, because they would slip out, but that didn't stop me from cleansing my scalp. Whether you use witch hazel or some type of astringent cocktail, use something!
5. Maintenance - Just because you have braids does not mean that you can simply do nothing. Protect your hair at night by wrapping it in a silk scarf or wearing a silk bonnet.
6. Stay away from the flame and scissors - This is just me talking, but in my opinion, don't let the braider cut the pieces of hair sticking out up and down the braid, because that is probably your real hair! The point of getting braids is to protect your hair, not destroy it. Also stay away from the fire - need I say more?
7. Take them out - Do not leave your braids in forever. Not only does it look bad, you are putting a lot of strain on your hair.

Again, these are my thoughts, not sure if they are right or wrong, but this is what I have learned from experience. You know your hair the best, so really think carefully before sitting for 6+ hours to get your hair braided. Done properly, I do believe that braids are a great protective hair style. Braids can be a lot of work and cost a pretty penny, so be prepared to invest the time and resources for it to be done right.