Afrobella Brunch Event

Afrobella (Patrice) & I

Over the weekend I took the time out to go to the Afrobella event. Overall it was a great atmosphere, not too large of a crowd, and a great opportunity to meet people interested in natural hair. If you don't know who Afrobella is, go peep her blog here. She is blogger from Chicago who blogs about hair, makeup and all the wonderful stuff I enjoy. You make-up junkies may recognize her from the MAC Cosmetics Bloggers Collection that released earlier in the year.

My beautiful friend

Blogger AJCiti & Afrobella

Lucky girl, won a give-away!

I attended the event with 3 friends, one being AJ who is a fellow blogger.  Patrice worked the room and took time to answer questions and speak with everyone on a individual level. It was like sitting with a good friend, we talked work, makeup, hair, and life (basically all the things that are important to my existence).

Overall I left with a full stomach, satisfied with the great conversation, and my friends left with some give-away prizes. I'm excited to see what else is to come from Afrobella!

P.S. Yes I cut my hair.

P.P.S. Yes I have a new camera, you likey?

xo.

Hair Diaries: Heat Free Styling

The Hairy Truth

To keep hair healthy it is best to keep manipulation minimal. This includes excessive heat, from blow drying, flat ironing, curling etc. For me this is the hardest thing to do. The amount of styles you can create with  heat tools are endless. So when it comes to heat-less styling creativity comes in. Heat dries out hair and causes unnecessary breakage and split -ends. I try to only use heat on my hair once a month.

Hair Me Out 

There are many way to add curls and get your hair straight without using heat. The process is longer and it will not be exactly the same as using heat tools, but its pretty darn close.

I LOVE big hair. Big curly hair? Even better. No heat? I'm beyond chuffed! Here is how I achieve it all.

Basics: The initial foundation of all these styles is a Bantu-Knot Out. I part my hair in 4 sections and Bantu-knot each one over night. A bantu knot is formed by twisting the hair and wrapping it around itself as you twist, forming the knot. Secure the loose end with a bobby-pin. I personally do not apply any product to my hair, because I want body and movement.

Zoolander!

The next morning I let them down and switch my part to a side part. After a little whipping my hair back and forth and finger combing I get this look:

TIP: The smaller your bantu-knots the tighter your curls.


STYLEone:

Big Curls. The bigger the better, fluff it up as much as your like! To maintain this specific look, re do your bantu knots each night, so the curls keep their form.

Style Side Note:  

You can create a great messy summer up-do. Which I did but didn't picture. Gather the back of your hair and secure with bobby-pins or spin pins, and leave out your side swept bang. Don't bother being neat when gathering the back, in my opinion it looks best a little messy.

STYLEtwo:

 As the days pass your curls will fall. This style is great for days 2 or 3. Pinning one side of you hair to the side and letting the curls fall is an effortless look.

STYLEthree:

The last style is the fishtail braid that is getting quite popular. Again, I enjoy messy hair, so the braid is not neat and the curls add texture. By this day the curls are not pronounced so it a great time to stretch the hairstyle out for one last day.

What other heat free styles do you guys enjoy?

xo.

Hair Diaries: Low Manipulation & Protective Styles

Since starting my blog & in my 'real' life, the questions I get asked the most are concerning my hair. I've decided to answer and provide as much information on my hair/hair care & products through a blog series called "Hair Diaries'. The posts will be more text but they'll be as informative as possible.

Questions/request are welcome :)

If you want to know more about my hair/hair routine at the moment check this out.

 The HAIRY Truth:

The trick to longer healthier hair is length retention. Every one's hair grows! I don't care what race you are, if you're breathing your hair is growing. The trick is to maintain as much length as possible. You lose length through breakage, damage, or split ends.

HAIR me out:

Low manipulation and protective hair-styles help maintain length by putting as little stress on the hair strands as possible. These styles are one of the many techniques to maintain hair length.

Low manipulation includes techniques such as finger combing. Instead of opting for a brush to de-tangle your hair, use your fingers. You'll rip out less strands and be able to feel and tackle knots with less stress. If you must use a tool opt for a wide tooth comb instead of a brush, it reduces stress on your strands as well as less damaged ends.

Quick tip: De-tangle from the bottom of your strands working up. You'll cause less damage this way.

The key is to manipulate your hair as LITTLE as possible. So no elaborate styles.

Protective styling is similar to low manipulation. The main goal is still length retention with an emphasis on protecting the ends of your strands. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair, thus the weakest. Simply by putting your hair in a bun you protect your ends from rubbing against your clothes or becoming damaged by the elements (sun and wind, etc.)

Protective styles include, wigs, weaves, braids, buns, and pony tails. Just make sure that if you opt for wigs, weaves, etc. you take care of you hair underneath with regular washing/conditioning. NO body likes STANK hair even if your weave is cute :)

For those opting for pony tails and buns be careful not to make them too tight because you can end up with tension breakage or worse traction alopecia a la Naomi Campbell. This occurs when you hair breaks in certain areas from excessive tension. Switch up the positioning of your bun/pony for variation and less stress on the same follicles.

Using these techniques as well as a proper hair regimen your hair should become thicker and longer.

Hope you enjoyed the read :)

xo.