Coils, Salon, One Year Post!

        I fell in love with coils quickly, however, it took me longer to like them on myself. I went to a local salon for a free consultation and was sold. She booked me for a next day appointment and we decided on coils.  It's a style they say will last 2-4 weeks. The first two weeks I let the coils be while lightly moisturizing them every other day. That consists of putting a moisturizer on my palms, rubbing them together and then rubbing my tight coils with moisturized palms. In a week or so I will wear a coil out. The first coil out is complimentary at the salon however, not sure when I have time to visit...

         Like I mentioned earlier, it took me a while to like this on me. It's so short but I enjoy shaking my "dreads" in the morning. This hair has been so easy breezy. But HONEY let me tell you! Yes! It took 4 hours after detangling, washing and deep conditioning for two hours. Yes I was at the salon from 1:30 to 7:30. It did not seem worth the time at first but I just love the ease!! 

Three more weeks! Lets go. I have yet to work out with this hair, I have no excuses. By the way, I haven't been to the salon in exactly a year. That last relaxer and hair cut. Being one year post relaxer and almost six months post BC, I thought I'd be farther along. But first I need to figure out how to master my hair then everything will fall into place.

Peace and Love

Aku

Acrylics & Work

       This month started with a whole completely new schedule. Currently, I have two jobs. They just seem to happen at the same time. Several months I ago, I mentioned finding volunteer opportunities. I tried three places and one stuck. Long story short, the one that stuck ended up actually hiring me. Just when work was looking like a good schedule filler, I found a new hobby. Painting.
        Self-proclaimed artist over here. I picked up a brush and absolutely fell in love. It feels like I have been to the art stores every other day stocking up on supplies. I have been using YouTube to help me hone on my skills. I just love love love this Youtuber's videos, Cinnamon Cooney. Check out her Facebook and my pics below. Check-out my pictures.  

Cinnamon Cooney- Van Gogh inspired

Different Youtuber helped with this one

My brushes and such

 

     I've taken art classes in high school and undergrad but I never loved them and I guess I lost interest. Most of the supplies I had was from undergrad, glad I kept them. It's been a while since I had a hobby, I'm so happy I find enjoyment in mixing colors and painting for hours. 

Peace & Love
Aku

Curlformer Dupe Success!

     AHA I did it! Check out my pictures. Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all create fond memories during the up-coming months. 

     I thought perhaps Curlformers were not for me. But I gave them another chance and I am glad I did. I want to have another successful Curlformer run, but I have been doing a poor job keeping or remembering a regimen. I believe 

• I clarified Shea Moisture Shampoo
• Used my Biolage Conditioning Balm as a leave it
• Sealed with raw Shea 
• Applied a small amount of Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie
• Did more sealing with avocado butter

           I know, I know, I need to do better with remembering. Oh! I can not forget, I have been deep conditioning with mayo for 30 minutes, the past few washes My hair loves the added moisture. I have  also been loving butters too!

Please excuse my hand, I don't know what I was holding.

Took my curls to work

I actually reapplied the curlformers and enjoyed them even
more than the first day.

A day of shopping and humidity left my hair extra puffy, I actually reapplied the curlformers again, thinking they would magically look the same as the first two days. Sounds reasonable right? Not to my hair. So I quickly split my hair into a top and bottom ponytail and created a makeshift bun.

 

Left: Reapplying Curlformers for the third time after being
out in the humidity all day. Left: That morning, not a curl
was found.

Peace and Love

Aku

Have you peeps used Curlformers or Dupes?

Hair Failure

      I titled this blog "Hair Failure" because I leave for NY in two days and my hair is lacking mini twists. I started them but failed to finish. The week was a little stressful and busy. Or I just wasn't committed as my sister would say. Here's a picture of the few I completed. 

I ended up taking them out after two days of no progress. While they were in, I had my hair in a puff. 

Another hair failure was my up-do for the holiday party. I had no time to put curlformers in my hair and dry them before styling so I settled on something very easy. I did a high puff with three twists in the front. Nothing fancy. 

I hope everyone's holiday is going well. 

Love and Peace

Aku

Curl Enchancing Smoothie/ Curlformer Dupes

        Last week, I YouTubed Curl Enhancing Smoothie Wash'n Go and I found a video of a YouTuber who doused her co-washed wet hair with the smoothie. She hopped out the shower and diffused her hair without any other product and she was loving the results. Her hair was nice and defined and no gel was used. I had no idea what to do with my hair. Last month I bought pretend Curlformers. I loved them but they took longer than I imagined. I ended up  pulling my hair back with a large claw clip thingy and I quickly reverted my hair to a semi-natural (3rd pic) state with water and Aussie Conditioner once the day was over.

Got this sweatshirt last year in NY!

Reverted hair

 So I didn't want to do the curlformers agian and I didn't want to douse my hair in gel. So I thought the Curl Enhancing Smoothie wash'n go would be great. It was cool for a day but soon I realized my hair wasn't feeling it. I was not like the girl in the video. I had knots everywhere and my hair felt gross and I believe it was all the protein. Not sure but I won't do it again. 

I have a flight for NY coming up this month...the last time my natural hair was in NY, it was not good. It was so off, granted I brought almost no products thus making my hair life sucky. NY for Thanksgiving was tough and my hair was the icing on the cake. We shall cross that bridge when we get to it. This week I will be attending a Christmas Party for my fiance's squad. 

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY HAIR. Do I have time to try curlformers again, will a wash'n go suffice? I have been YouTubing and I'd like to do an up-do, lol yes my hair is so short, what can I possibly be talking about. I have a few things in mind. Plus when my hair is super stretched I can pull it into a ponytail.

Wash Day Link up

Peace & Love

Is the Holiday Season getting to anyone else? So many things to do

Moisture/Protective Style/Scab Hair?

      I'm excited this year because I will be spending the winter in the south. Slightly warmer than what I am used to. Two things: I can't stop playing in my hair, specifically the damaged area. The area that started the downfall of my relaxed hair. The second thing: Perhaps I'm using too much protein? The touching of my hair...I don't know how to stop, even when I don't do it, I don't feel proud just the same when I do play in my hair, I don't feel guilty. I think I'm being careful...but that can't be right. The only way I know how to combat this issue is by protective styling. However, I just need to stop because once the protective styling is done, I'll be back at it. I always do learn things the hard way. Perhaps if I get a bald spot, then I'll stop? Let's not let it come to that. 

I 

The left side is damaged and it is shortest. Measuring
about 4 inches compared to 6-8 inches all over my head.

      I know the pic makes me look crazy because my hair looks uniform but it is not. I want to leave my hair alone and just keep trimming till everything matches. January twenty-something makes 12 months no relaxer. My hair grows a decent amount so 4 inches makes no sense. Granted I have been snipping those stupid single strand knots and splits. I am sad about this stubborn section. It may be from years and years of relaxing...scab hair? Fine, whatever it is, it needs to change. I thought cutting my hair would cure all my issues...>_>. I see kinky twists and unused protein products in my immediate future. More water in my body fo'sure.

Peace & love

Ever heard of scab hair? 

Aku

Wash and Go?

          Happy November Everyone! I can't believe the year is coming to an end. Time flies. So we are a week into November and I've been working on Wash and Go's. The gel part really throws me off and I didn't quite understand the concept. But after watching YouTube and doing a few, I think I get it. With a wash and go, you perverse defined curls using gel, no need to twist, stretch or braid hair, I believe curls are most defined when wet. So wash and gel and just go and allow your hair to just air dry. The first wash and go I did at the end of October (I can't seen to replicate it because I haven't been writing down hat I've been doing) I really liked. I didn't have to touch my hair for a few days. 

This last one I divided my hair into four sections and:

• Prepooed and detangled in a hour with Coconut Oil and Theorie Argan Oil Ultimate Repair Mask
• Scrubbed my scalp with Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo
• Rinsed, Applied Biolage Matrix Conditioning Balm and my oil mix (avocado, apricot, coconut, castor and EVOO)
• Rinced that out and added a little Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
• And then...GEL. LOTS OF ALOE VERA GEL. Gel in each section, gel everywhere!

I tried using Naptural85's wash and go method because it seemed like the simplest one. I used a blow dryer the first time but decided I rather just 'go'.

Fresh Wash and Go. Hair was super wet. (Phone Camera)

2nd Day Hair. Photos from camera phone

That Theorie gives me life! 

2nd Day shot from my camera

Camera pic

      I hope everyone's weekend is going well. So far I have no complaints. I visited the shooting range with my expert shooter fiance and partook in a festival going down in the area. No pictures of the festival, however, I really enjoyed myself. It's going to be a long weekend with Veteran's Day around the corner. Hope all is well!

Wash Day Experience link-up hosted by Saving Our Strands and Just Grow Already. 



Peace and Love
Aku