Playing with Parts

Lately I’ve been playing around with hair parts and I’ve been noticing the dramatically different looks I can achieve just with different angles. My hair has really grown and I’m starting to see the difference and enjoy a few styling options that weren’t there for me before.

Right now I’m enjoying the dramatic diagonal side part and the center part. I'm going to try a zigzag part that I used to kill back when I was relaxed, soon as well.

Note in the images, I just did my regular twist-out, the same products were used on both looks. I have to say that I love both looks and having bangs again are fun and flirty. My husband also loves the bigger hair. 

Are you experimenting with parts, how is it going?

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie

Tween Hair

My step-daughter is a 12 years old and also a little natural. She does not want to ever relax her beautiful hair, which is a blessing. I think part of the reason is that her mother’s hair is loc’d and mine is natural. So in that respect she has great hair role models.

My only problem is that she is in the extension funk. What I mean by this is that sometimes she seems to love her hair more in extensions than when it’s out in her natural state. Don’t get me wrong she does like her hair, but she often thinks it is limited in its styling options. To be honest, I think it’s because she is just learning how to do her own hair and extensions are easier to deal with.

Our hair textures are different, so the products that I use don’t necessarily work on her hair so the styles that I’ve tried on her hair turn out differently. That is until I tried Shea Moisture’s Extra Moisture Detangler (This stuff is the business - a review to come later) and the Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie this weekend. I did a twist-out on her hair on the weekend and styled it into a mohawk and we both loved it. I was actually drooling over her hair and told her I was jealous, which she loved and giggled about. It looked amazing and perfect for a stylish tween like her.

My step-daughter rocking her twist-out mohawk. Isn't she gorgeous! :-)

I plan on making it a priority to invest in more hair products for her hair and try to make sure she has access to them at both of her homes. In the mean time I continue to tell her how beautiful she is on the inside and out. 

I’m also asking for your help or suggestions in terms of products and styles for luscious, thick 4b-4c hair. Remember she is 12 and right now does not care for her hair to be cornrowed unless it is crazy cute (not to mention this is not my strong point … hehehe), she wants FREEDOM. We were all there back in the day, so I know you understand.

If you have any ideas feel free to contact me.  

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie 

Product Review - Hair Honey

Over the last few weeks, I’ve revisited a product that I used back in my transitioning days, it is Kynk Naturals, Hair Honey.

I purchased the Hair Honey from Noah’s health food store, but it is also available on their website, http://www.kynk.ca.

How to use (as quoted from Kynk Naturals):
A conditioning treatment that improves you hair’s strength and flexibility. Apply Hair Honey to clean wet hair to help ease tangles when combing. Hair Honey can also be used to reinforce hair ends when styling especially with braids & twists. For the not -so -intense kynks but severe dryness issues, saturate dry hair and wrap head & hair in a (not too) hot towel. Then wash as usual. Use Hair Honey as needed on natural or treated hair.

Ingredients:
Persea Gratissima (Apricot Kernel), Prunus armeniaca (Avocado), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut), Cera alba (Beeswax), Melaleuca Alterfernolia (Tea Tree), d-alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint), Ribes nigrum (Black Currant aroma), Oleoresin Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary), Petroselinum sativum (Parsley), Thymus vulgaris (Thyme), & love (Agape).

My thoughts: 

Now that I’m 100% Curlie, I find this Hair Honey works better on my hair. It looks honey and has a mild honey and menthol/peppermint scent. The strength of this product is that it is a great for sealing in moisture. I often used it to apply one top of my moisturized hair. Yet for me, the best use of the Hair Honey was adding it to my deep conditioner. It gave my hair a protective coating and I love that.

I may not use it every day because I’m used to fruity and floral scents in my products, yet since all the ingredients used in Kynk Naturals products are all natural, I will keep the Hair Honey on my rooster. I should also mention that the Hair Honey is also has Clean Care's seal of approval for safer beauty & personal care products in Canada. It’s important to note that their mantra is, “If you can't eat it we don't use it!” In essence it makes my hair feel good.

Have you tried this Hair Honey or any of the other Kynk Natural products? Tell me what you think.

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie

3-strand twistout

I’m not sure if I’m late with discovering the 3-strand twists/twist-outs or maybe I’m just on time. You tell me!

The twisting technique came up in my YouTube search a week or so ago, when I wanted to try something different. I was intrigued, especially since I’m a twist-out addict. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do with my hair, after I’ve tried something new, I always go back to my beloved twist-outs. It’s just a dependable style for me. So I watched a bunch of videos to show me the technique on how to create a 3-strand twist, but best one for me was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5bTiC0dLhM from JustKellee101. Even though her hair texture is not the same as mine, I found her instructions were very concise and easy to follow.

My thoughts:

First of all, it usually takes me 45 minute to an hour to twist my hair, the 3-strand twist took me almost two hours. Perhaps that was because it was me first time doing it, I’m not sure.

One thing I did like was that I did not need to do as many twists. I only do 12 twists, opposed to about 16 twists. My hair is thick and fine, if that makes sense and I do not get big, juicy twists, but with the 3-strand twists I did and I liked them.

The results:

I have to say I wasn’t sure about this set when I took down the twists, because they didn’t seem to have the body I’m used to. Usually, I only fluff my roots on the first day of my twist-out. With this set, I had to fluff and separate to get the look I wanted. So I found it a little bit more labour intensive. The definition is also pretty good, but since I had to disturb the twists more than I usually do, I have a feeling I may have more frizz, but trade it off for bigger hair.

My twistout after a full day.

My verdict:

I will try the 3-strand twist-out method again just to give it another shot. The next time, I might try it on stretched dry hair. I like aspects of the process and the look. By the end of the week, I will let everyone know on Twitter if the bigger hair and frizz was working for me or if it just got on my nerves…we shall see.

Have you tried 3-strand twist-out? Tell me about your experience via Twitter @CanadianCurlie

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie    

Extension Revelation

So as most of you know, I installed Marley Twists a little over a two weeks ago give or take a couple days.

I was totally smitten with them. The lead-up to buying the hair and the actually twisting process was amazing and a labour of love. I was super happy with the results. Yet, over the last few days of having them in I came to realize that I am more in love with my own curls and kinks than I thought.

This was actually the first time since going natural that I had extensions and it’s been different for me. I remember when I was younger not being able to wait to get my box braids in, because I loved the look, but also because I wanted to finally fling my hair, swoop it behind my ear or put it in a long ponytail.

This time around, I did this as a protective style and to give my hands and mind a break from styling, with the thoughts of keeping my Marley twists in for a month. Well at my halfway mark and ready to see and feel my hair again ALREADY.

Let me tell you, there is nothing like the feeling of grabbing a cute coil of hair and having it bounce back into place. I really missed them.

I am not taking anything away from this experience of Marley Twists though, I loved every minute or it. I have just realized that I cannot have a long term commitment to extensions, yes two to three weeks, but that is it. I am also really glad I did this. I still plan on trying Senegalese or kinky twists, but not for a while.

I now see how much I’ve really changed and have come to love my hair in all its 4a-4b glory. It’s just like that old saying, the grass always seems greener on the other side – but the truth is, it never is. 

I removed the twists last Friday and have returned to my twist-out junkie ways...totally in love.

What are your thoughts about extensions, share your story?

All smiles - my twist-out is back. 

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie

Halloween hair & product review

  

My husband and I love Halloween, for one main reason. It’s one of the only times you can truly be silly or scary. This year we hosted a Halloween party and also went to a Halloween gathering at a friend’s home. We had fun at both events.

I thought I would show you my Halloween hair and also give you the promised review of Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie mixed with Eco Styler Gel (the blue one) for sporty and active lifestyles.

Me being silly, twist out with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and Eco Styler Gel.

I have been using the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, for a while now and I’m currently on my second jar. I’ve always been a fan of Eco Styler Gel, but this was the first time I used the blue brand. I use them on freshly washed hair, with my leave-in and then begin twisting with the mixture.

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie:

It smells divine like coconut and hibiscus. It has a creamy, goopy and slippery consistency, which I found worked well. The product is water based, but also contains Neem oil and silk proteins, which helps contain frizz. I’ve also used it is as a moisturizer and that works as well.

I’m a twist-out junkie, so the first time I used it alone as a styler. It left my hair really soft and defined, but I found the definition didn’t last long enough.  With that said it has become one of my new staples.

Eco Styler Gel

As I mentioned in past posts I’ve tried most of the EcoStyler brands and for the most part I’m very happy with their performance with my hair. I mix a little of it with the Curl Enhancing Smoothie on freshly washed hair and the results are stellar. I get the definition and softness from the smoothie and hold that allows the style to lasts longer with the gel. A match made in heaven. 

I hope this review helped you, let me know. This mix will stay in my play book for a while yet.

Blessings and Curls,

Kim aka B-Curlie

Featured Curlie - Crystal L.

Name: Crystal L.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

First year of curlieness: September 2010 is when I had my last relaxer. April 2012 is when I consider my hair journey began.

Why I went curlie: Back in September 2010 when I had my last relaxer, I didn't have any plan to go natural--in fact the idea came much later on. I had a chin-length bob cut that I would get relaxed and reshaped at an expensive downtown salon every six weeks.  When it came time to get my next relaxer I was dreading the high cost for a 'master stylist', the long salon wait, and the  eventual disappointment that many women experience--when they leave the salon with a fabulous look that they can't recreate after they wash their hair at home. As a temporary solution to my frizzy roots I put my hair in braids with the intention of giving myself a month break from relaxing. But as time went on, I loved the easy maintenance of the braids and would have them re-braided time and time again. After five to six months of braiding I was able to see enough of my new hair growth to appreciate the texture and thickness and decided that I would just transition my hair using braids. 

Transitioning with braids.

By this time I had turned 30 and having had relaxers since I was nine years old, I realized that my hair was the one part of my being, where I felt I had little control over and knew even less about. I also didn't like the idea of being dependent on a chemical process to feel comfortable about my appearance (even though I was constantly trying to treat split ends and hair damage from the relaxer). I wanted to nurture a relationship with my tresses and knew that it would be a long road to get to a length that I was comfortable with. After growing my hair through braids for a year and a half I made the decision to do chop off my relaxed ends and start my new hair journey.

Regime and products: Since I'm a newbie to natural hair care, I am experimenting with a wide-range of products and regimens. Products that I'm using and love are: pure cocoa-shea butter, pure argan oil, ApHogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner, and Taliah Waajid's CurlyCurl Cream. These days I'm wearing braid-outs more often than twist-outs. I find braids take a longer time to do but they define and hold my curls longer. I like to co-wash at least once per week and re-braid my dampened hair before bed.

Rocking a stunning braid-out.

The best part of being curlie for me is: The best part of being curlie for me is to be able to look in the mirror, see my freshly done hair, and know that I did it myself and that it's all 100% Crystal. Yes, the unpredictability of my hair can be quite the challenge (oh no frizz!!), but I love knowing that my hair's beauty comes from being imperfectly perfect--just like me!

Is there anything else you'd like to add:

My advice for those thinking about going natural, but don't know if they can make the commitment, is to focus on the POSITIVES of wearing natural hair and capitalize on them. For example, I like style diversity and length (I'm not crazy about 'fros) and I needed a way to grow out my hair without having to worry about maintaining two hair textures-- so braiding was a great transitional hairstyle for me. Finding an experienced braider who is attentive and creative can mean that you can wear a new braided hairstyle every month until you are ready to take on the day-to-day maintenance of curly hair. Cornrows (especially thicker ones) can protect your new growth as long as you re-braid your hair and trim it regularly, in addition to moisturizing your braids every day (using store-bought or home-made braid spray).  

Thanks for sharing Crystal!

Find out how to be a Featured Curlie, email me at canadiancurlie2010@gmail.com

Blessings and Curls,
B-Curlie

Review of Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue & Baby Buttercreme

So a few months ago I purchased Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue and Baby Buttercreme on sale at HoneyFig. I thought to myself, this is my chance to try these products. I did some research and I found that Curlies either really loved Miss Jessie’s products or hated them. I actually have mixed feelings about them.

Let’s start with the Curly Meringue:

This product smells delicious. It has a wonderful lemon scent that makes you want to indulge in a lemon tart, if that is your thing. The consistency is thick and creamy. I decided to use it on my freshly washed hair, after applying my leave-in. I made sure my hair was moisturized and somewhat sealed before applying the meringue. God knows I didn’t want any trouble, since there is mineral oil in it.

So I proceeded to use half of a finger-tip amount on each twist. I was very happy with the light hold and shine the product imparted on my hair. It felt soft and healthy.

After untwisting my hair, I was surprisingly very happy with the results. I will definitely use this product again.

Moving on the Baby Buttercreme:

The buttercream smells like vanilla cake, which made me happy. The consistency was very thick and buttery just like the name. I applied the product the same way as I did the Curly Meringue. It went on damp hair nicely and seemed to give it a little shine.  Once the twists dried I unraveled them. When styling and separating my twists I found that my hair felt brittle and dry. Nonetheless I worked with what I got and tried to stay positive. By day two my hair was in rough shape, very frizzy and super dry. On day three, FORGET ABOUT IT!! I slept with my satin head tie as I usually do and found a humongous mess. I was in shock! I would like to say that I did not treat my hair any differently than I do with my other twist-outs, that usually last about five days.

So I was in a little panic and almost late for work. I decided to wet my hair to try to create a puff that appeared moist and shine. It was a TOTAL FAIL. The water only made tons of white residue appear in my hair. I had a small meltdown and then savaged my hair with a few twists in the front and the rest was covered with a bean. Needless to say I will not be using the Baby Buttercream again.

Although, this was product did not work for me, it may have work for you. Tell me about your experience and if you love or hate relationships with Curly Meringue or Baby Buttercreme.



Blessings and Curls,
B-Curlie