Fade to black (well maybe dark brown)...

So I am thinking about going back to my natural hair color in preparation for business school a.k.a. me having no income.  I'm not 100% yet because I LOVE my reddish gold color, but it may be best.  If I do, I think I will just use color rinses in dark brown until my hair grows out, which will take FOREVER! I will keep you all posted with my decision!

NYC Blow Out + Trim

So I went to NYC this past weekend and I couldn't resist the allure of the $30 blow out.  Even though the stylists were rude my hair came out great.  I haven't had to put any heat on my hair since I got it done on Saturday.  I just roll it up at night with flexi rods (after my nightly scalp massage - I am trying to do this b/c I noticed my hair in the front is looking thin), wrap it in the morning as I get ready, and unwrap before I leave the house and it looks great.


But then it snowed.  Boo!  So this morning I kept my hair wrapped and finally got to break out my hat that I blogged about a few months back!  When I got to work, I went straight to the bathroom and unwrapped it.


Before all of this, I noticed that my ends were in need of a trim.  So I decided to take matters in my own hands.  When my hair was twisted, I simply snipped off the ratty looking ends.  It was super easy and drastically improved the look of my hair!  Now that my hair is blown out, my ends look pretty good. 


I am going to keep my hair straight for 2 weeks and then go back to my wet twist outs until I go get my hair colored.

Still no blow dryer!

I must say - I am quite happy with myself.  I have yet to pick up a blow dryer!  I think my hair is finally at a stage that when I style it wet, I don't lose too much length, IF I do some type of twisting style.  


Also, I'm sorry that I have been MIA, but as you all know, I have been applying to business school and have so far gotten accepted into two programs!  I have also been working on a new site design, so stay tuned.

I am almost out of the Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner and I have been toying with the idea of purchasing the Pureology Nanoworks shampoo and conditioner which are considerably more expensive.  My stylists said that they are amazing.  I will keep my eye on eBay, because I refuse to pay the full retail amount.  Has anyone tried the Nanoworks line?


Also don't forget to check out my video blogs on the NaturallyCurly website.

Still No Heat + Congrats to the Clairol Jazzing Winners!

Happy New Year!

I am glad to report that I still haven't used heat on my hair.  I am really digging the look I get from flexi-rodding wet twists.  I have been using Baby Buttercreme, but I might try that in conjunction with Curly Meringue, for a little hold.  I have worn my hair in a "mohawk", half pinned up and back, and pulled back in a curly poof.  My hair feels sooooo soft and is very manageable.  Here are 2 pictures of the pulled back look (sorry for the bad quality):

 

I am also glad to report that the 3 winners of the Clairol Jazzing Giveaway have been notified!  Thanks for participating and stay tuned for more giveaways.

Only a few days left!

Don't forget about the Clairol Jazzing giveaway!  All you have to do is fill out a super quick survey to be eligible to win!  You have until December 31, 2009 to enter!

Trying to give up the blow dryer...

So with almost 2 feet of snow on the ground, I have been doing a lot of thinking and experimenting with my hair.  I think that I am going to try and ditch the blow dryer (for as long as possible).  After the Hair Rules experiment and after a four hour nap, at 12 a.m. I decided to play with my hair yet again.  After watching some really great YouTube videos, I decided to "remix" my two strand twist out.  This time I tried two strand twisting my hair wet with Baby Buttercreme.  Then I set my twists on flexi rods and went to sleep (please ignore the blue flexi rod still in the back of my head in the picture). I think that I may be on to something...

I am still trying to figure out what to do with the left side of my head, hence the flexi rods.  Maybe I'll pin that side up too and have a curly mohawk of some sort.  If I can get this technique to work, I may have found yet another super easy style.


I like how my color looks when I let it air dry and it is nice not having to pull out the blow dryer.  I am just scared of dealing with shrinkage.


PS - Don't forget about the Clairol Jazzing giveaway!  All you have to do is fill out a super quick survey to be eligible to win!  You have until December 31, 2009 to enter!

Ok and the verdict is in...

Okay so I was pleasantly surprised.  Let me first start out by saying I didn't have high expectations for the Hair Rules products.  There are a slew of products that claim to elongate and combat shrinkage for kinky, 4A/B hair types.  So far, the best product for me has been Kinky-Curly Custard (KCC), but the sticky factor sucks.  And now there is the Hair Rules.  I used the aloe grapefruit purifying shampoo, daily cleansing cream, quench deep conditioner, and the kinky curling cream.  I am actually impressed with the results.  The products are all creamy and the cleansing cream is AMAZING.  The minute it touched my hair, my curls instantly softened.  After applying the kinky curly cream, I sat under the dryer for about 10 minutes.


The one issue I have is that you need to use a lot of the kinky curly cream.  The front and top came out very cute but I don't think that I used enough in the back.  Right now they are running a special on kinky curly cream (BOGO), so I am definitely going to order some.  But I am going to stick with my current shampoos and conditioners; I don't want to go overboard and spend a ton of money.


Now, the ingredients are not ideal.  The second ingredient in the kinky curly cream is mineral oil.  My hair is still drying, but since the front and top are dry, I used some Baby Buttercreme to soften it up.  I think if I do this again, and use more product, I will get the result that I want.  I am also tempted to use both KCC and kinky curly cream to see what kind of results I get.


Bottom line: KCC gave me much more curl definition (see picture below) but kinky curly cream doesn't leave my hair feeling sticky.  I am going to try a mix and see what I get!

Picture Time + A Trial Run with Hair Rules, Maybe?

I thought that I would post some pictures!  Not only am I amazed at how fast my hair is growing, but I feel like it is "filling in" if that makes any sense.  It seems like it is thickening up some; that's always a plus.  With that said, I think that I am going to be brave and try the Hair Rules products this weekend.  I have the "kinky" travel set that I got from the wonderful folks at NaturallyCurly.com.  So far, the only product that has gives me some type of hang has been Kinky-Curly custard.  I have heard both good and bad about Hair Rules, but like everything, you have to try it out for yourself.  I just try not to get my hopes up!  Whenever I get the courage up to rock a super curly look, I am usually disappointed because I feel like a poodle.  As much as I love my curly texture, I sometimes hate dealing with the the shrinkage.  Oh well, I will take shrinkage over the fire cream any day!

PS - Don't forget about the Clairol Jazzing giveaway!  All you have to do is full out a super quick survey to be eligible to win!  You have until December 31, 2009 to enter!

PPS - Also don't forget to check out my vlogs at NaturallyCurly.com! I hope that you enjoy!

Clairol Jazzing Giveaway!

If you want to give your color a boost without the committment, you will love Clairol Jazzing temporary/semi-permanent hair color.  I have used these colors when I wore a chemical relaxer and once I went natural and I have no complaints!


To be eligible for my very first giveaway, you have to complete a very short survey.  I will choose 3 lucky winners at random from completed surveys and you have until December 31, 2009 to finish it!  I have 3 great colors: Ebony, Spice Cognac, Bluest Black (I have used all of these colors).  I will contact the winners via email during the first week of January 2010 to get your address and I will mail out your prize!

Also check out Jazzing's Facebook contest where you can transform your look with 18 fearless temporary haircolors and share your before/after pix to win a 3-day, 2-night fierce hair makeover in NYC by celebrity hair stylist Tippi Shorter.

AND they are giving away great prizes every day, like gift cards for beauty, music and more, concert tickets for you and a friend, and digital cameras in Jazzing colors.  To be eligible, you can either enter the contest via the Facebook link OR vote for your favorite before/after pix (up to 3 times daily). 

So you have MULTIPLE opportunities to win.  Good luck!

Protecting Curls + Staying Warm

I have struggled for a few years now to keep my head warm without wreaking havoc on my hair.  I have been able to keep my hair cute and safe in the DC area without wearing a hat, but that will probably change soon.  I could potentially be attending business school in some brutally cold areas, so enough is enough!

1. Stay away from hats lined with fabrics that will pull, snag, or catch your hair.  I have been searching for hats with satin linings and I have had no luck.  BUT, I kind of like the Aviator style hats with the faux fur lining.  I still have to be careful with faux fur, because that might pull out my hair too.  Not necessarily the cutest hat, but it's funky enough that I think I could make it work.  Check out Amazon for some good deals!
2. Earmuffs.  I haven't worn earmuffs since elementary school, but I may have to get some.  Earmuffs would be perfect on a not-so-bitterly cold day.
3. Be careful with scarves and coats!  Make sure your scarf and/or coat isn't snagging your hair at the nape of your neck.

Do you have any tips to share?  I am close to putting a satin scarf on underneath of a hat.  I am trying to avoid that as much as possible!