Random Rant/Updates

And first, let us deal with how the shortest part of my hair, the back middle, is so dang annoyingly short compared to other parts of my hair. The diagnosis: I sleep on my back and this section of my hair is the coiliest - Those two factors must contribute to it being more prone to breakage. Also, the crown, which is usually the part of the head that gets most sun damage and/or harsh wind damage, is a common "problem" area for many naturals. In my quest to be more accepting, I am just going to let it go and move on.

And in other news, I still have not really cut my hair, though I have trimmed it a few times. I even contemplated starting locs again, but have not bitten that bullet either. In essence, I feel that I will be just continuing to let my hair do what it do, with the exception of perhaps wearing more cornrows, flat twists, and other protective styles. I am in much need of a deep treatment. (Coconut milk will do). Also the Oyin Handmade I purchased will be at home when I get there. I am so excited to try the new products, namely the Grand 'Poo Bar and the Honey Wash. Reviews coming soon. OH continues to be my favorite brand. Although Shea Moisture seemed they would be taking their place, I realize the only must-have product SM makes is their shampoos -- economical, all natural, and available in physical locations (Target, Walgreen's). So OH is my new and old love. And the people who make the products there are great and have such a beautiful family.

I am so in need of a good wash, a good deep treatment, and a good protective style. I am going to baby my hair as soon I reach home for Christmas break. Yes, Lord! I am also going to figure out a new regimen to reflect my somewhat flustered, traveling more, more all natural products lifestyle. Bi-weekly to monthly wetting/washes anyone? Yeah, I am so over my hair right now. Most likely, my next post will have to do with skin care and details of my plans to start a food/health blog. Stay tuned.

The Cornrow Diaries: Entry 1

I have to remind myself, that back when I thought learning how to knit and crochet would never pay off, eventually I learned, and now I can finish some beautiful projects. (Don't ask me if I actually have). I need to apply the same faith and perseverance in learning how to cornrow and flat twist my hair. Whew.

See, I have been searching for some really cute, and preferably protective or low manipulation styles. While at home for Thanksgiving break, my sister Miss Cee C was kind enough to cornrow braid my hair a couple of times. The first time, I had an off center part with the cornrows braided to the sides. The second set featured a center part with the cornrows braided to the side. I don't have many pictures of the style myself. Here are some pictures of Miss Cee C rocking them, however. Click HERE for a picture of her cornrows with center part. Cute, right? Right. And above is a picture of the always beautiful Goapele with her now signature intricate braid style. Her signature used to be the locs, but she manages to rock any natural style very well.

Anyway, I promised myself that I would learn to cornrow my own hair, so I would not have to be so dependent on Miss Cee C between visits home. I have been practicing. Just know that is a process to learn. So simple, yet so profoundly annoying, if you allow it to be.Last night, I did manage to finish cornrowing my entire head. But do know it is a raggendy looking set of braids. They are all going straight back. Also, they look much neater in the front then in the back. Once I can no longer see the hair in the mirror, they lean more towards the ragged looking side. Also, my parts are a bit whacked out. Now I understand why Miss Cee C seems to spend so much time just parting her hair.

But practice makes perfect. And Miss Cee C herself, an avid cornrow wearer who makes many cute styles in the process, reassured me that her own first sets of cornrows (or canerow, as some call them) braids looked much less than cute. With time, her skills grew, and her braids improved. So will mine.

While braiding my hair, I hadn't realized how much shorter certain parts of my hair were, especially (you guessed it), the back crown. I think it has to do with my sleeping on my back. Even with a satin bonnet, considering how wild a sleeper I am, the back section tends to break more easily. That hair was especially hard to grasp while braiding. I am thinking that as soon as my cornrows start to look especially cute, they will become my new go to protective style. This will allow that back section time to catch up in the growth department.

P.S. What did I use to braid my hair? A homemade water spritz (Giovanni Direct Leave-In, distilled water, and tea tree essential oil) + coconut oil. Great combo. Sometimes, I like to use coconut oil + Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee. Another great combo. Stay tuned for another installment to the cornrow diaries.

KCKT and Soft Water -- Two Thumbs Up and Other Updates

...some Kinky Curly Knot Today. So far I like it, and I also love that I can easily purchase it at Target for what I consider a reasonable price ($12 for 8oz). I think it did a great job at both detangling for wet hair, though Yes to Cucumbers might still be better, and for defining my curl pattern, though Miss Cee C said my hair looked as defined as it always does. Which reminds me to let you know, don't look for a product to use on natural hair that will make your hair do something it has never naturally done. What do I mean by this? Specifically, don't look for a product to define a pattern you don't have. I feel sometimes naturalistas look for a product to give them curls when they have coils, or coils when they have kinks. And nothing is wrong with coils, curls, or kinks. Just embrace your hair but don't bash a product that didn't give you what your never had or may never have naturally. If you want a certain pattern, consider a twist out, braid out, coil out, et cetera. Alright, I'm done preaching and have just come down from the high horse. Thank you for indulging me.

And in other news, back home in Alabama and enjoying this soft water on my hair. My hair immediately went back to normal when I washed it (with CV Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar) and conditioned with Yes to Cucumbers. Which has me convinced that hard water can do some messed up things to your hair, like taking away curl pattern, creating more frizz and tangles, and leading to less moisturized hair than usual. Ironically, I am going right back to my internship, though not as an intern. I am happy to return, but not happy to be using mineral-laden water on my hair again. I plan on keeping my hair in cornrows to protect my strands and guarantee my sanity. 

Also, I took part in the Oyin Handmade Black Friday sale, which actually lasted until Monday. I purchased some juices, Honey Hemp Conditioner, Hair Dew, a Grand 'Poo Bar, and Honey Wash. I have used all the products just mentioned with the exception of the 'Poo Bar and the Honey Wash. If they perform as well as the others I listed, I am sure I will be more than satisfied. I would give OH another thumb up for this post, but I already used my two thumbs to sing the praises of KCKT and Soft Water. Instead, I will just say Hip Hip Hooray for OH. Also, Qhemet Biologics did not have a Black Friday sale, but they are looking to have a December sale. So if you like or want to try QB products, keep a lookout for their upcoming sale.

Peace, Love, and Natural Hair