Thank you so much, and I hope to see you there. I promise this is the last move. Toodles!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
I've Moved, Again
Don't start getting annoyed with me. See what had happened was...I pranced over to Tumblr, thinking I'd like it much better. Turns out, not so much. Then Blogger (Google) updated it's format and now I'm in love with Blogspot again. So I traipsed back on over here. But then, I decided to start a new blog, with a new title, with mostly similar content, but more streamlined and well organized. So if you follow me here, please follow me at my new blog URL
Thursday, April 5, 2012
When I Move, You Move...
Thanks!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
TWA Wash and Go Regimen
Well, now that I am happily back in the TWA phase (I cut my hair on February 14), I am readjusting my hair regimen greatly. I decided to share that regimen here. I have just decided today to start co-washing again daily, because my hair always gets smushed down when I sleep and I hate the look. It was okay when my hair was really very short, but now that it is growing, I hate that it looks like I slicked it down in the morning. So here goes. But first a brief description of my hair:
My hair is considered Type 4 even though I don't really care for the Andre Walker typing system myself, but I know it gives people perspective. It has a definite curl pattern and forms tight small crochet hook size curls. The strands are baby fine and the density is thick. Don't ask me about porosity, I have no idea what that means in spite of all the explanation I have read. My hair loves soft water, aloe, oils, and light moisturizing creams, conditioners and shampoo bars (esp. Chagrin Valley). My hair hates hard water, heavy oils, butters, shampoos with detergents (the only detergent that didn't dry my hair out was decyl glucoside found in Shea Moisture Black Soap Shampoo or Raw Shea Butter Shampoo), and added fragrances and dyes. I use only all natural products such as Shea Moisture, Oyin Handmade, Giovanni, and Yes to Cucumbers. And there you have it.
Here is my regimen:
My hair is considered Type 4 even though I don't really care for the Andre Walker typing system myself, but I know it gives people perspective. It has a definite curl pattern and forms tight small crochet hook size curls. The strands are baby fine and the density is thick. Don't ask me about porosity, I have no idea what that means in spite of all the explanation I have read. My hair loves soft water, aloe, oils, and light moisturizing creams, conditioners and shampoo bars (esp. Chagrin Valley). My hair hates hard water, heavy oils, butters, shampoos with detergents (the only detergent that didn't dry my hair out was decyl glucoside found in Shea Moisture Black Soap Shampoo or Raw Shea Butter Shampoo), and added fragrances and dyes. I use only all natural products such as Shea Moisture, Oyin Handmade, Giovanni, and Yes to Cucumbers. And there you have it.
Here is my regimen:
TWA Wash and Go Regimen
AM
- Pick out hair with a seamless comb.
- Conditioner Only Wash (daily) or Shampoo and Deep Condition (once a week)
- Apply Leave-In
- Apply Oil (half castor, half another light oil such as jojoba or argan)
- Apply Cream Moisturizer, my favorite is OH Hair Dew
- Top with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Both (A little goes a long way, and I tend to use coconut oil in the warmer months and olive oil in the colder months)
- Air Dry! Absolutely no heat. It's warm and my hair is short, so why would I apply direct heat?
PM
- Apply water-based moisturizing spray such as Oyin Handmade Juice or a Homemade Spritz
- Apply coconut or olive oil
- Cover hair with a satin cap and get some shut eye.
Hope this helps. I also believe that this regimen can be tweaked for longer hair, just don't co-wash everyday if you don't like and do a pineapple at night to keep curls from smooshing.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Coconut Oil from Head to Toe
For my Spring Break 2012, I have been preparing in multiple ways. My new cut will make dealing with my hair all the more easier than before. Also, I have bought a brand new yellow striped bathing suit. But with more exposed skin comes more concern that the skin is looking 100 percent beautiful. Well, I have found a new love. More like rediscovered love.
Coconut oil works so well on my hair, I wondered if it would work as well on my face. That's right, my face. Even though I have used oils on my face with good, even great, results, I was wary about coconut oil for some reason. Would it break me out? Only one way to find out. I oil cleansed this morning with coconut oil. Its very light, penetrates easily into the skin, and smells divine. The perpetual cherry on top. I did some research, and found out that the lauric acid in coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
Also, check out these reviews from Acne.org. From what I have read, people's skin reacts differently, but most reviews were positive. Also, a little goes a long way. Some breakouts may occur more because of overuse rather than the coconut oil itself. You might want to do a patch test to be sure. I have also read that coconut oil is a great, all natural sunscreen. Good for use before sun exposure and even after sunburn. I will be using coconut oil as my sunscreen of choice while cruising to the Bahamas. Also, as a moisturizer from head to toe, coconut oil can be used on the face, the body, and the hair. You can also cook with it and take it as a supplement, but do your own research before starting use.
I will be experimenting with a new regimen for my skin, which will include oil cleansing/face steaming, the use of coconut oil, and the use of gentle bar cleansers. I also resolve to eat half my weight in ounces of water each day, and to limit all sodas and other sugary drinks.
Other Ways to Keep Skin Clear:
-- Gently exfoliate once a week (I just use a soft washcloth with my regular cleanser to exfoliate, since during the week I usually only use my bar soap lathered up in my hands to cleanse).
-- Don't touch your face. The only time you should be touching your face is when you are washing your face. And of course, then your hands should be clean. Any other times, you are most likely just introducing your skin to dirt and bacteria. Wash your hands regularly also.
-- Check the cleanliness of your phone and other devices that touch your face. Your phone can be a breeding house for germs if you don't regularly clean it. And then putting it on your face is just asking for breakouts.
-- Drink enough water. Take your weight in pounds, divide it in half. That is the number of ounces of water you should drink each day to stay hydrated. A hydrated body makes for healthy, glowing skin.
Coconut oil--my new go-to hair conditioner, facial moisturizer, and body lotion/sunscreen.
100 Percent Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil
Also, check out these reviews from Acne.org. From what I have read, people's skin reacts differently, but most reviews were positive. Also, a little goes a long way. Some breakouts may occur more because of overuse rather than the coconut oil itself. You might want to do a patch test to be sure. I have also read that coconut oil is a great, all natural sunscreen. Good for use before sun exposure and even after sunburn. I will be using coconut oil as my sunscreen of choice while cruising to the Bahamas. Also, as a moisturizer from head to toe, coconut oil can be used on the face, the body, and the hair. You can also cook with it and take it as a supplement, but do your own research before starting use.
I will be experimenting with a new regimen for my skin, which will include oil cleansing/face steaming, the use of coconut oil, and the use of gentle bar cleansers. I also resolve to eat half my weight in ounces of water each day, and to limit all sodas and other sugary drinks.
Other Ways to Keep Skin Clear:
-- Gently exfoliate once a week (I just use a soft washcloth with my regular cleanser to exfoliate, since during the week I usually only use my bar soap lathered up in my hands to cleanse).
-- Don't touch your face. The only time you should be touching your face is when you are washing your face. And of course, then your hands should be clean. Any other times, you are most likely just introducing your skin to dirt and bacteria. Wash your hands regularly also.
-- Check the cleanliness of your phone and other devices that touch your face. Your phone can be a breeding house for germs if you don't regularly clean it. And then putting it on your face is just asking for breakouts.
-- Drink enough water. Take your weight in pounds, divide it in half. That is the number of ounces of water you should drink each day to stay hydrated. A hydrated body makes for healthy, glowing skin.
Coconut oil--my new go-to hair conditioner, facial moisturizer, and body lotion/sunscreen.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Just Do It...And I Did It! (Big Chop 2)
Well, after talking mess for several months now and finally chalking up the courage, I asked for a reference concerning a good local barber who would give me a nice haircut without the edge up (I just don't like the way they look), and a friend recommended a man named J. So I went to J this Valentine's Day (rhyme!) and he hooked me up with a nice haircut for $10. (Barbers are so much more economical than hair dressers, and no appointment needed). So here it is. May 5 would have been 2 years since cutting my locs of 4 years. Below is my new haircut with today as my new BC anniversary. I won't have any trouble remembering Valentine's Day.
I am most excited to wash my hair, which will take all of two seconds. No more sectioning off my hair to reach every nook and cranny. This will be so much more simpler, for now. Will I keep it this short? I don't know, but most likely I will let it grow. I decided to do a big chop mainly to have a second chance at keeping a much more simpler regimen. This time around, you won't see much PJ'ism out of me. In fact, next time I wash and condition, it will be with products I keep in stock (Shea Moisture and Oyin Handmade). So that is all for now. Toodles!
I am most excited to wash my hair, which will take all of two seconds. No more sectioning off my hair to reach every nook and cranny. This will be so much more simpler, for now. Will I keep it this short? I don't know, but most likely I will let it grow. I decided to do a big chop mainly to have a second chance at keeping a much more simpler regimen. This time around, you won't see much PJ'ism out of me. In fact, next time I wash and condition, it will be with products I keep in stock (Shea Moisture and Oyin Handmade). So that is all for now. Toodles!