I love being a RED HEAD! NEW COLOR ALERT!!!

I found my signature color (I think)! My roots were looking crazy since my hair grows super fast and I'm about to go to Mexico (YIPPEEE), so I decided to freshen up my color. So I really liked my color but I wanted to go for a richer light red color. So I opted not to use Textures & Tones in Bronze again (nothing wrong with product), because the color didn't lift my natural hair color enough. So I went to Sally's Beauty Supply and decided to get creative and mix some colors. I decided to get two colors by Clairol Professional Premium Creme colors in Light Reddest Brown (4RR) and Light Red-Neutral Blonde (8RN). I used the matching Clairol Creme Developer in Level 30. I washed my hair with a tea tree shampoo and then applied the color with a brush and let it processed for 30 minutes. I then applied a deep conditioner, put in the Knot Today leave in/detangler and blew out my hair and VOILA! I LOVE the color. It's perfect for Mexico and even the transition into the fall and winter months. Next time I will probably only use a level 20 developer because my roots are super bright. The only down side to this color is that I feel like my hair was a bit drier compared to when I used Textures & Tones. Enjoy the pictures!

Rockin' the fro for a bit...

So the BF suggested that I blow out my curls and rock a fro.  I must admit, I was hesitant at first.  I really had no idea what my hair was going to look like.  But I co-washed with some cheapy V05 conditioner, used my BioSilk conditioner (left it in for a few minutes) and then put in the Knot Today detangler/leave in conditioner.  After combing out the tangles I used my ceramic blow dryer and blew out my hair, which didn't take as long as I thought it would.  I then picked it out and shaped it a bit.  I must admit, I am lovin' the fro and I will probably rock this style more than the curly look for a bit.  To keep this style, I think I will have to wash and blow dry every few days because my hair starts to curly very quickly.  Check back for another post soon.  I had to color my roots and decided to go with a more red color.  The color is in my hair as we speak, so cross your fingers!

NEW Products to SWAP and/or CHEAP BUYS Section!

Hey everyone! So I went through one of my closets and found a bunch of products that I have used sometimes once or twice and didn't like it. Soooooo I thought it would be a cool idea to have a swap or buy section on my blog (right hand side @ the top). If you are interested in anything you see, please contact me and we can possibly work something out! Stay tuned because I will be updating that section on a pretty regular basis. Hugs!

I'm LOVIN' It!

Check out the latest pictures of the Kinky-Curly Custard twist out (almost a week later). I will definitely will be a repeat customer. My hair is still retaining my curls very well and my hair is nice and soft. I am going to wash my hair tomorrow and try this all over again!

I would love to hear thoughts on the product!

Kinky-Curly Custard Revisited: Day 2

So I think I am having a change of heart.  This morning when I took my twists out, it was so much easier!  Usually my hair gets tangled, but the Kinky-Curly Custard acts as a coating so my twists untwisted much easier.  AND my hair looks fabulous today and is super soft.  Maybe I spoke too soon about the Kinky-Curly Custard.  So I'm thinking with some more experimentation, this custard will really work well, especially layered with other products.  I'm starting to think that I don't need to get my hair done before Mexico (i.e. the Mohawk) if I can get my Kinky-Curly Custard regimen down!  Check out my morning pictures.

And The Verdict Is... *Drumroll Please*

Well after a day of having the Kinky-Curly Custard in my hair, I have come to somewhat of a conclusion. Below are my pros and cons.

Pros:
- Great smell. The product smells like angel food cake.
- Curl definition. I like the "boingy" curl definition I get from this product better than the Aveda Be Curly lotion.

Cons:
- Lack of consistent curl elongation. My curls were elongated when my hair was wet, but I still experienced shrinkage as my hair began to dry.
- Product residue in my hair. Sections of my hair feel "tacky" and "goey". Forget letting my bf run his fingers through my fro!
- Curl definition. Yes, this is a con too. I like a lot of volume; more of a curly fro. Maybe as the week goes on, I'll be able to achieve a more voluminous look.

I think I avoided the crunchy feeling that a lot of people experienced, by using Baby Buttercreme on top of the Kinky-Curly Custard. I also forgot to mention that I also used the Knot Today leave in conditioner/detangler. I really like this product as a leave in and maybe even I could just use this for my twist outs.

I am going to try this product again, maybe layering it with other products. I really think this product has some good qualities.

Next up: I think I am going to get a mohawk with sewn in curly weave for my trip to Mexico. I'll be sure to post pictures of that next week. If i come across any more findings in relation to the Kinky-Curly Custard, I will be sure to share.

1st Attempt Using Kinky-Curly Custard...

Okay, so tonight was my first attempt at using Kinky-Curly Custard. My curls are definitely elongated and defined but I am going to wait until tomorrow before I give it a "yay" or a "nay". From the reviews I have read and the videos I have watched on YouTube, almost everyone has commented on the tacky and/or crunchy feeling experienced once the hair dries. Also, some people who normally have a lot of shrinkage (like myself) experienced their normal shrinkage as well when using this product.

Tomorrow morning I plan on spraying my hair with water again to "reactivate" the product and hoping for a favorable outcome. Below are pictures from my application. My hair is wet in these pictures. I will post some more tomorrow after I experience a day with it in my hair. Wish me luck!

Update: So below are pictures of my hair completely dry. I let it air dry for a bit and then I sat under the dryer because I knew I would want to go to bed soon. So I am going to put some Baby Buttercreme in my hair and twist it up as I normally do. My hair does feel sticky in places and I think that is due to me using too much of the Kinky Curly Custard in certain spots. Like I said before, I'll post some pictures tomorrow to see how it turned out.

I decided to order Kinky-Curly Custard...

So after a lot of debate, I finally ordered Kinky-Curly Custard. My mom has been bugging me to give it a try, but what she fails to realize is, I have tried and SPENT so much money on products that just don't do what I want them to do. So for weeks, I've been reading reviews on the Internet as well as watching You Tube videos on how people apply and like or dislike this product. Despite people saying their hair felt crunchy or sticky, I am going to give it a go because I have desperately been searching for a product to elongate my curls. People were shocked by the length of my hair when it was straight. I think there is a misconception by how much hair I have b/c my hair shrinks up so much. So a product that boasts elongating properties has me literally drooling. I can't wait to get this stuff. I'll be sure to post a blog with pictures. Until then...

I finally found the color I wanted!

I finally have achieved the color I have been trying to obtain! After talking to my stylist about permanent color, she put my mind at ease. I have been researching the best permanent colors on the natural forums/discussion boards and decided to use Clairol Textures & Tones in Bronze. I haven't noticed any negative difference in my curl pattern or the moisture content in my hair. I would definitely recommend this brand to any naturals wanting a permanent color. The color is noticeable but not overboard. I can't wait to see how the color looks once I get my hair straightened in August.

Straight (for about 4 days)

Hello everyone! Well I finally did it. I got my hair straightened at Pure Beauty in DC. My stylist Nicole is fabulous and I have already made my appointment for August. I had no idea how long my hair is. She cut off about 1/2 inch - 3/4 inch and my hair still is a nice length (see pictures). Not only did the length surprise me, but the health of my hair as well as the color did too. She said my hair was in great condition and really not that uneven (considering I cut it myself the first time). But now I am free of all relaxed ends and my hair is free to really do its thang and curl! The major down side to trying to keep my hair straight is the humidity. DC is terribly humid during the summer as well as Atlanta (I'm down there a lot), so it's hard to keep the ends straight. Nicole used Pureology shampoo and conditioner; I really loved the conditioner because it was so cooling and tingled much like tea tree conditioner. I went to purchase it only to discover it was almost $30 for a SMALL bottle. So needless to say, I haven't gotten it yet, instead I purchased the Paul Mitchell tea tree conditioner. I am kinda bummed that my lil fro has taken a step back because of the trim, hopefully it will continue to grow fast :o).