ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Hola Beautiful Ones!

I decided to drop a hair post only because its been ages and felt like I needed to just put an update out there. As you will see, from the following pictures, I have been up to absolutely nothing when it comes to my hair. In between race training, a cold and just sheer laziness; my hair has been in a twist-out for almost 2 weeks. I keep meaning (and needing) to wash it but the suckey cold drained that outta me. I'm feel much better now. My sense of smell is still a bit faint but I can tell I'm improving. Hopefully, I'll syke myself up enough to run some water thru it no later than tomorrow.

So here goes, if you've been wondering:

I'm trying my best to conjure up some type of "I'm good" look. Although my brows are in need of attending and my poor nose bears the marks of way too much blowing, I can thankfully breathe through it now.

I've done nothing with my hair, outside of moisturizing on an mostly daily basis.

Oh! Let me start at the beginning. I wash/deep conditioned and then plaited (braided) it up to allow it to mostly dry while stretching. Then I twisted it up with Uncle Funky's Daughter's Curly Magic. This product was nice. Just kind of shrunk it back some because it is a curl enhancing gel. I'm okay with that though. Trying to use up the products I have before making another purchase. I'm sure I'll go back to using Jane Carter Twist & Lock, Darcy's Botanicals Vanilla Madigascar styling creme or something like it.

I keep wanting to try other brands. I'm sure it's out of boredom. Which makes me wonder if I'll make it through this summer without bc'ing (big chopping) again. Lol. I know its coming. I'm trying to wait til summer 2012 but I don't know. On top of which, I really want to color my hair. And I can't do it at this time because of all the henna I've applied to it.

So back to what I've been moisturizing with. I've pretty much been sticking to Jane Carter's Revitalizing conditioner. I either top that with Bee Mine's Deja's Hair Milk or Essential Balms Organic Shea butter. And of course, seal it with an oil like Essential Balms Indian Hemp Head to Toe Balm. Lovin' the Essential Balms products.  Will work on some reviews on the new products that I've tried.

Well, that's all for know, Lovelies. Not sure when I'll do another hair post but I will definitely post on any changes I may make.


Tootles!

Post Title → ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

ANOTHER HAIRSTYLE WIN

Wanna know how I got here?....

 I gave myself a left-side part and flat-twisted my hair.

Then set the ends on some flexi-rods.

 And this is how it came out. I wasn't sure if it would look nice, but ended up being pleased.



As far as products, I used Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In conditioner, my nearly empty jar of Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Buttercream and drum-roll please.....

Natural Oasis Hair & Scalp Conditioner

Remember the unknown "somebody's grease" that I mentioned in  my "Turning Lemons Into Lemonade" post. Well, I was reading Natural Urbanista’s blog and she mentioned using a product by “Natural Oasis”. As soon as I read the company’s name a light went off. And I recalled that this is the same company that I got my "unknown grease", which is actually known as Natural Oasis Hair & Scalp Conditioner from. Woo hoo! I was so happy to (1) get this revelation and (2) know that they are still in business. I remembered receiving the sample products from them and loving them. And seeing as I’m trying to simplify my hair product stash, this revelation is quite timely. ;) You can visit the company's webstore here.

Ttyl,

Post Title → ANOTHER HAIRSTYLE WIN

TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE

The crew from the original Star Trek series (aired 1966-1969)

Okay. Not exactly "where no one has gone before", but definitely a new arena for me. The arena of rollersets, that is.

So…remember my recent hair dryer purchase. Well, I’ve since tested it out with protein treatments for my daughter and myself.  Aannnnd.... *drumroll please*,  I also tried my hand at my 1st flexi-rod set.

I think I did pretty good as a first-timer. Just a few areas that I will be sure to address the next time.

For instance, in some places, I set it a bit tight so my head is a little sore here and there. Secondly, I definitely have to improve on my endpaper threading skills. I can't tell you how many times I had to redo the ends. I also made the mistake of using too much tension to rod a tiny bundle of strands that I missed when setting some hair on a big roller. Lazily, instead of simply redoing the large rollerset to include the tiny bundle, I used one of the small, red flexi-rods, which lead to a few strands getting uh, "lost in the fire".

Oopsie.

I also learned to use a smaller amount of setting solution next time. I used way too much on most sections which led to some straight-out-the-gate product build-up.

What can I say?.....
Lesson learned.

And lastly, the next time I attempt this set will be during the daytime. This took a while. I promise you, I was all but ready to throw in the towel and just twist the rest of my hair, halfway thru the process. But I chose to tough it out and ride it all the way to the end.

I have to admit that I kinda wanted to go somewhere after removing the flexi-rods and separating the curls a bit. =)



Products Used:

Mop Leave-In Conditioner (Curlmart or Ulta stores)

Jane Carter Solution “Wrap & Roll” (JaneCarterSolution.com, Curlmart, most natural health stores)

Jane Carter Solution “Hair Nourishing Serum”

Purple, blue, orange and red flexi-rods. (Any beauty supply place store)



Products I plan to use next time:

Jane Cater Solution “Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner” in place of Mop leave-in

And a small amount of whatever pomade I purchase by then to smooth the flyaways.

 
 
If any of you, have successfully done a flexi-rod set, please share what you did. Or share what & if you tried anything different.

Post Title → TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ONE HAS GONE BEFORE

TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE

Moi. For some odd reason, I'm lovin' the grainy way this BB phone pic came out.

Hi Gorgeous Ones!

Today’s post is regarding a failed twist-out that turned into a fab updo. I honestly tried to repeat my successful twist-out from the other week, but the hair gods weren't havin' it. Lol. Alas, a save that was inspired by Food Network’s lovely, Aarti Sequeira. Out of culinary curiousity, I peeped in on her show “Aarti’s Paarti: eat.giggle.repeat.” to see what dishes she was working on. I had no idea that I’d get a hair epiphany from this episode. Unfortunately, the video for this particular episode, “Fancy Pants”, is not up yet so I’ll try to be as descriptive as possible about her hairstyle.



Aarti Sequeira.
Nope,this isn't the hairstyle. This is as close a pic as I could get to the hairstyle she was wearing on the "Fancy Pants" episode.

And I know, most of us have seen this style before, but it was such a major win for me to get that I could do this myself. Lol. It was basically an sort of messy updo. With a side part, both the left and right half of her hair was in a large, loose flat twist on each side. In the back, the two sides were gathered into a messy bun of sorts. I thought it was absolutely lovely. A great match for her bubbly personality. Anyhoo, that’s what motivated me to give it a try. I thought, “Why freakin’ not?!” Cause the twist-out definitely wasn't hittin' on anything.

And yes, the pics are in bathroom. Again. ...... I promise you all (especially myself) that next year I’m getting my Nikon D(fill-in-the-blank) and with a tripod.  And I will be a fierce picture snappin’ woman once it is in my hand. With pics beyond "the room".  Haha!!

And voila! From the basket of lemons, I made my lemonade.......

bun in the back

I am lovin' this style! It's chic and easy! I can see myself rockin' this in a cute, sundress or day dress, nice bag, cute shoes & accessories during the Spring. Haha! I'm funny. Already making detailed plans for the warmer season which is months away.


Products I used for this style:

(1) Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In for moisture & conditioning. I put it on 1st.

(2) Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Buttercreme for double moisture. I put on 2nd.

(2) Somebody's Grease (Unfortunately, the words on the jar have rubbed off and I just can’t remember the name of the haircare line. Not even sure if they’re still in business. Think I heard of them thru a youtube page. *hangs head* Either way, I’m trying to use it up.)- I put it on 3rd to seal.

(3) Jamaican Black Castor oil cut w/Hemp seed oil for my edges and scalp (*Note: Its amazing to me how I have the need to use oils, especially the heavier ones, during the winter. Can’t be without them right now. In the warmer months, not so much.)

I apply these products as needed. However, with it being so frickin’ cold and blustery (We’ve had windchills close to O degrees and have been stuck with freezing temps the past few days.), it’s been pretty much needed every night. If not, then every other night.

After applying these, I’ve been covering my head with a scarf at night. The next day, I just take it off and go.
I'm lovin' it!

Have you discovered any styles that you can do now?...

Post Title → TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE

THE MOST AWESOMEST TWIST-OUT EVAH!!!



Shameless bathroom shot I

Hola Beautiful Ones!
You know, I find it quite funny how right after I mentioned not doing many hair posts anymore here, and no sooner than the words were uttered (in cyberspace) I had a re-motivation and re-inspiration to posts on hair. Smh. Interesting to say the least. What makes this even more funny is that its to the point where I've gone back to taking pics in the bathroom mirror (something I did in earlier years) cause I'm too embarrased to ask my daughter to take another shot of my hair. And also, because I haven't received my Nikon D60, D5000, D3100 or whichever one the Universe chooses to give me. =)

But anyhoo, my point is after having twisted my hair into smaller sections, I took it down to have the most fabulous & awesomest twist-out evah!!

Shameless bathroom photo II. I really should be embarassed by this.

I took these pics in Gatlinburg, TN over the weekend. My daughter had a cheer competition (Jamfest) to attend and one of the parents had gotten a sweet deal on a cabin----in the mountains. Will discuss the significance of this in Friday's post.

The weather was cold with an overcast. Think hi/lo's of 30's and teens. Yes! Of course, I thought about putting my hair in a bun but I kept looking at it thinking, "This is just way too awesome to cover! This must been seen & shared with the world!" Lol. So I kept it out.
Covered it with my trusty tam and tucked the ends in my coat when I was outside. Uh, mostly on Sunday.

Saturday, I got caught without my hat and my hair got sprinkled on a bit by a little rain, sleet and snow. No worries on my part though. When I had originally twisted my hair, I kept it pretty well-moisturized with some Jane Carter Revitalizing conditioner topped with Qhemet's Burdock Root Buttercreme topped with Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Mainly focusing on the 2 to 3 inches worth of ends. At first, I thought I may have done to much but it did my hair alot of good and helped in that Gatlinburg weather.



 No. Actually this one. See the wet towels hanging in the back. OMG no! The roll of  toilet tissue.  *Smh.

My hair, and its ends, held up pretty well. And yes, I moisturized and sealed that girl every night (and morning) we were there.

Ridiculous bathroom shot IV. Just wow. I really wanted this shot, huh. *Smdh

Since getting back, I plan on deep conditioning this week with my Black Friday purchase, the Komaza Care Intense Moisture Therapy. So expect a review on it in a couple of weeks or so.



 Look! See! I cropped it...  I know. I've got it bad. Lol.

From here on out, I'm definitely sticking with the smaller twists for a great twist-out.

Hope you all enjoyed!
Peace out,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title → THE MOST AWESOMEST TWIST-OUT EVAH!!!