Thinking about hair color

So I'm still loving my hair but I'm getting a little bored. I need to get brave and try some new styles but I feel like I never have much time to experiment. I have also thought about getting my hair colored for the summer.

I already use semi permanent rinses every few weeks to cover my prematurely gray hair. I get tired of having to do it so often, and I think I need a more permanent solution. Plus I just want to add a little "pop" to my hair. It was recommended to me to go to an Aveda Salon, and a lady in a natural hair meetup group recommended a stylist to me who is experienced in working on natural hair.

I called the salon and made an appointment for a consultation on Saturday. I'm a little nervous, and also excited, to be going to a "white" salon. I say I'm excited because I'm anticipating getting a glass of wine upon arrival, not having to be there all day, and not having hands laid on me (another story for another day). Now none of this may be true but it's what I'm expecting :)

I'll definitely post again this weekend and report back on my consultation!

Product Review: Kinky Curly line

Good morning all! Well I have officially been natural for two weeks now. My go to style has been wash-n-gos. To achieve my look I have been using the Kinky Curly line of products.

Being the product junkie that I am, and not having any set in stone regimen as a natural, I went all out and bought the Come Clean shampoo (which is sulfate free), the Knot Today leave-in, the Curling Custard, and the Spiral Spritz.

Let's get to the point. I'm in love! My biggest concern as a natural was "How am I going to wear my hair?" Let's be real -- I am pretty lazy and will never do a lot of time consuming styles. These products made it easy for me. The shampoo is gentle enough that I can use it daily if I need to (with working out, this is a necessity). The leave-in made detangling a breeze. And the curling custard makes my curls pop and gives them great definition.
The spritz is just ok. It helps to refresh my curls in the mornings but it's nothing that water won't do either. I will continue to use it but won't buy it again when it runs out.

The only complaint (and it's not really a complaint), is that they product causes more shrinkage than I expected. When I come out of the shower with the Knot Today on my hair, my hair is actually hanging to just past ear length. As you can see in my pictures in the past couple of posts, my TWA looks to be about two inches long, if that. Oh the joys of being natural.

Lastly, you have to use the Curling Custard SPARINGLY. If you do not, you will end up with gooey clumps of product in your hair. I learned this the hard way. Also, you need to apply it all through your hair. Don't get lazy like me after a few times and thing you can just rake it through the top layers of your hair then kind of work it all the way through. No, no, and no.

How I use the product:

• In the evenings, I shampoo and apply the leave in while in the shower.
• When I get out of the shower, my hair will be sopping wet but I DO NOT towel dry. This will lead to frizz if you do.
• I apply the KCCC through my hair in sections, clipping up the sections that I am not working on.
• After working the product through my hair, I shake my hair like a maniac, then shake it some more.
• Allow it to dry while I watch tv or study. If it is not completely dry when I am ready for bed, I use my blow dryer with the diffuser attachment, set on low, to finish up. Then I wear a satin bonnet to bed.
• The next morning I refresh using a couple of spritzes of water, my braid spray/joico mix, the Spiral Spritz. Then finish off with either coconut oil/shea butter mix/Jane Carter Nourish & Shine. Just whatever I feel like that day.
  

One week natural

So last night I went to my first social event since doing my big chop - a house party for one of my bestie's birthday. It was the first time most of my friends had seen my hair, and the first time my parents had seen my hair.

Earlier in the week I texted a picture to my mom and she called me back and said carefully, "I guess it's cute." I was more worried about what my dad would say. He is so old school and thinks anything that is not permed bone straight is unprofessional. Surprise, surprise, he loved it (or he was a really good actor)! My mom asked me "Can't you at least touch up your edges?" She makes me laugh.

My friends loved it. It's funny, I was telling one of my friends last night, I feel like I have a whole new found swagger in life and she said she feels the same way (she is natural too). Even though more and more women are going natural, here in Dallas it is still rare, and it's kind of fun to be unique.

Being a natural Day 3

This picture was so cute (if I do say so myself) that I figured I might as well come out of hiding and post it. This is day three of the two strand twist out that I had done after my big chop.

Last night I used Kinky Curly products on my hair, and after a couple more weeks use I will definitely be posting a review. So far so good, but I want to see how it holds up over a few days, etc.

So far I have to say that I love being natural! I was telling my friend today that I can't keep my hands out of my hair! At work I sit at my desk, playing with my curls. I am so silly!

Most of my coworkers went crazy over my hair, and of course there were a few that looked at me crazy yesterday. They didn't even try and hide it either. I think it's hilarious when someone with a busted head of hair wants to look at me funny, but hey, what can you do? I know I'm fly!

Stick straight hair vs. a buff body

I saw this article on Naturally Curly and thought it was cute. I can definitely relate since a fresh press would keep me from hitting the gym. I'm so glad I don't have to worry about this anymore. I am going to be super fine!

Big Chop

This morning, April 17 2010, I officially became natural!

All week I had been itching to do my big chop, but I couldn't decide if I should. I had a hair appointment, but the plan was to get my usual wash and press/flat iron. I was so tired of paying for a press when it would revert sometimes almost immediately after I left the salon. At best, it would last until the next time I worked out. What a waste of money!

So Friday afternoon I called my stylist and talked it over with her. I almost felt like she was discouraging me (but I later found out it was because she thought I had less new growth than I actually had). Her final words to me were "If you think you can rock it confidently, do it." I told her I would think it over and let her know my decision when I came to the salon.

This morning, I walked in and she asked my decision and I told her "Let's do it!" I had already taken out my braids and combed out all the shed hairs, so I was ready. She washed and deep conditioned it, sat me down in the chair, and asked if I was ready. Next thing I heard was snip, snip, snip! She was surprised at how little she had to cut. I had about 5-6 inches of natural hair. Here I was after the cut.



I decided that I wanted a little color, so I got a burgundy rinse put on. She then did my hair in two-strand twists, and set me under the dryer. And here is the final result.



I absolutely love it! I think it turned out so cute! I thought I would be sad cutting my hair, but I didn't feel sad at all. I tell you what though, shrinkage is something else. I think that is the part that was most shocking to me, but I'll live.

Here is another pic that I took once I got home.



All in all, I have NO regrets about my big chop and I am ready to really get my healthy hair journey started!

Time for the braids to come out

My hair is looking a little ratty lately. Ok, a lot ratty! The lady who braided my hair said the tree braids would last six to eight weeks, but I have so much new growth I don't see how that is going to be possible.

I guess that's a good thing (my hair is growing fast), but d*&% it sucks to pay a lot for some braids and you can only keep them in a month. Anyway, I have an appointment for Saturday to get my hair done. She is going to take the braids out and I will get a press/flat iron. I'll make sure to take some pics for a length check.