Style for the Week

I did this style after I washed out my bantu knots. I think they would have lasted a little longer if my hair was completely dry. I will be revisiting the bantu knots again soon. Friday night I twisted my hair all over and rolled the ends. I twisted individual twist all over my head. I used my smoothie cream, kinky curl spiral hold, cantu leave-in conditioner and herbal essence long term relationship on the ends. I love how moisturized this was. I have to continue working on blending my natural hair with my relaxed hair. I think it is a little difficult because my natural hair is so much different from my relaxed hair which is bone straight. Overall, I loved this style and will try again soon. Today is Sunday and it still looks pretty good. I plan on wearing this until Thursday. I know I will end up putting in up in a bun or pony before then. Let me know what you guys think.

after taking this pic, I closed the gaps with my fingers

It was very moisturized, probably a little too much but I think this is why it still looks nice today.

Here is what I need work on...blending this in more, it might be hard though b/c my natural hair is thicker and wavier than my relaxed hair.

Loved it overall though!!!!

My First Bantu Knot Out

I got sort of fed up with my flat twist out style, it began to look really rough. I began thinking about trying to keep the style because I scheduled a hair appointment for Thursday and it was Tuesday night. I just could not wait until then because when my hair is not cute, I don't feel cute. So I started searching the Internet for more transition styles. I begin viewing a few youtube videos where naturals, transitioners and relaxed ladies were styling their hair with bantu knots. My mom would always put my hair in bantu knots to dry after she washed it when I was little (before the relaxer) and I always loved how it looked. I would always ask my mom if I could wear my hair like this. After hours of looking at pictures and watching videos I decided I was going to try it. I washed my hair and began to hate the twist out, my hair was so tangled on the ends. I detangled, conditioned and sat under the dryer. I wanted my hair to dry before I styled it. Once my hair was dry, I prepped my scalp with my non drip coconut oil. I sectioned my hair off into four sections and begin the bantu knots by adding my Shea Moisture  Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Strengthening Elixir, Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Hold Smoothie and setting lotion. I made sure the knots ends were secure and many of them I had to secure with a bobby pin because they kept unraveling. I was very nervous about this style because as I began to create the knots, I noticed how thin my hair was. I have very fine hair and it is even worse being relaxed. My bantu knots were very tiny and I didn't think they'd turn out like the good videos I viewed. Some videos I viewed had me nervous as well. There were many transitioning females whose bantu knot out did not look too good. I was worried needless to say and didn't get any sleep worrying about what it would look like. I dreamed about my hair all night long. When I woke up I got completely dressed first so I could spend all the time I needed on my hair (I was still late for work). I was a little worried when I began taking them down. I think my next bantu knot out will be better because I learned it is important on the position of them, this helps the style form and it is also important to let them dry completely. I did sit under the dryer last night for 30 minutes but that wasn't enough.......they take a lot to dry. I also had one or two where the ends were not secure like I wanted them and one where the knot wasn't wrapped around correctly and it made a very tight curl. I  began each knot as a two strand to the point where my natural hair ends, this was to prevent from having puffy roots. Overall, I am very pleased with the results. I like this better than the twist out and the braid out thus far. Below are pictures of the process and the finished product...kudos to me!!! I think it looks good for my first time and I received a lot of compliments at work today. I will try it again this weekend and crossing my fingers that it is even better.



Hair is growing but I need a trim

New growth at 4 days before the 6 month post relaxer mark

all finished, hoping it looks OK in the a.m.



after taking them out before separating....notice the one that wasn't wrapped right, it came out strange

these came out nice

Here is the back, the middle knot was not dry and this is why it looks like this but it wasn't too bad. I will know next go around.

The finished product!!!! I clipped the sides up

I like the results!



Product review

I purchased these products from Target, they also had other natural products that I want to try in the future. They had Miss Jessie's products as well as Jane Carter and I have been eager to try them both. My stylist uses Jane Carter's products on me when I go but I am not able to use them like I want to at the salon. All of the Shea Moisture products smell great and they really moisturized my hair. I used the Cantu no drip Shea butter to oil my scalp while the flat twist were in. I used the Hold and Shine Moisture Mist to apply my rods on the ends of my twist as well as the reconstruction Elixer. I love the reconstruction Exlier and mist because not only does it moisturize but it helps with the frizz. I plan on using these products for awhile and can't wait to try the shampoo and conditioner from this line. I also would like to know how it will act on my natural hair once I completely natural. I will continue giving feedback on these products as my transition goes on, So far so good!

camera caught me off guard but it is a good shot of the hair! Ignore my facial expression!

I love how defined the waves were

prepping for the style with my flat twist and rods on the ends

Trey Songz and Usher Concert in ATL

OK, so I was so excited to attend the concert that I forgot to take a picture of my hair before I left. I had flat twist in my hair and I took them down before the concert. I wore the flat twist from Thursday until Sunday. I had them in a bun, I roller set the ends before taking it down for the concert. I think it turned out pretty good. I purchased some new products and will post a review of them in my next post. I thoroughly enjoyed my self at the concert. My friends and I had a ball and today I am off working recuperating. Trey Songz is a young guy but he is still very attractive and well Usher....what can I say, he is FINE too. I enjoyed watching both of these men perform and I didn't want the concert to end. I stood up almost the entire concert. I had a change of shoes in my purse (LOL). I knew I would be standing up all night. Here are few pics of my hair and the concert!!!!

Times are Changing

Kari representing my Alma Mater

Yesterday I received a text from my friend. We have been friends since fifth grade. We are both now thirty and times are changing. As kids, we played together and always talked about plans and how it would be when we are "grown". Now that time is here....I am getting nervous. She texted me and told me she just found out she is 11 weeks pregnant. Now if you know her, you would be as shocked as I am. She is a lively woman, who loves to have a good time. I never imagined she'd be having a baby. I know we are getting older and many of my friends are getting married and starting families. It made me think...hmmm, what is it going to be like when my time comes to have a child. Will I be as shocked as I was to hear she was expecting? Will I be happy? All of those thoughts ran through my mind yesterday and I became a little nervous. Today I am babysitting one of my close friend's son. He is so smart and loves to talk. He is such a pleasure to keep. He continues to show me that motherhood isn't so bad after all. He loves to stare at my fish and wonders what happened to my big fish...LOL, so inquisitive. I think one day I will make a great mom but right now I will enjoy all of my friend's children and share in their happy moments of motherhood. Here is a shot of Kari wanting to feed the fish!!!

I enjoy all the questions he has and watching him grow. His mom is doing an excellent job raising him.

So Anxious

24 weeks post relaxer

I am 24 weeks post relaxer and when I see my natural waves and curls starting to form I get anxious....I am so excited and can't wait to have a head full of them. This is what made me BC so early last time because I saw a little new growth @ 4 months and that is all I wanted to see. This time around I am a little more patient. I know I don't like short hair so this is what is keeping me from chopping. I am so in love with my natural texture and can't wait until I am completely natural! Looking at my hair and the type of texture I have makes me excited an in love....I am in love with it already and I am nurturing it into the long, healthy tresses I deserve to have. Tomorrow I am headed to the salon to get a flexi rod set!!!! I hope it turns out nice:) I will post pics tomorrow. When I look at Corinne Bailey Rae's hair, it gives me inspiration. She is one of my many hair idols. She has had some beautiful growth over the years. I LOVE her hair and her music as well. Comparing these two pictures gives me hope and PATIENCE!

her hair before



Her hair now:) I LOVE IT!



Update

I am currently in a bored state with my hair. While I am very excited about the texture I have and the progress I am making with new growth....I just can't seem to come up with cute styles. I did not post pictures of my braid-out the other night because I was not very pleased with the results. Tonight I am going to re-braid to add more waves and curl to this three day old braid out. I go to the salon this Tuesday. I have a regimen of every other week the salon and on the off weeks I style myself. This has been very challenging but it will also force me to learn my hair and to fall in LOVE with it. It is also teaching me how to be patient. I can say that I have been so much more patient that I was in 2006. This seems like a cake walk compared to my first try at this. This time I plan on succeeding. I am also planning to document my weight loss journey which will start at the beginning of 2011.....(YIPPIE) Here are some products that I plan on trying in the near future. I purchased them all today. I will give reviews as I use them. I will use the pomade tonight as well as the Olive Oil and Sunflower moisturizer to re-braid my hair.  I love the IC Fantasia Gel, I used it last time I was natural. My hair loves it. I bought the Hicks Edges from my stylist. It does a great job tamming my edges thus far. It small amount of the Hicks Edges goes a long way. I oil my scalp every couple of days with the Optimum Oil Therapy. I like it because it is not oily at all. I use the Argan Oil to add shine to my hair and scalp. I have been washing my hair with the Hair One cleanser and I am happy with the results. Lastly....the LIFE SAVERS the conditioners. I use Silk Elements Olive Oil Conditioner as a deep conditioner and I detangle with the Silken Child Leave-in Detangler. These two items make it easier to comb out my hair. I also started taking my vitamins again for healthy, strong hair and nails. I also take a Women's Daily Vitamin. My goal is to start drinking more water as well. Today I haven't done a very good job at that. I've only had one glass...I have to work on that. Well I will keep you posted on this journey as well as reviews from the other products.

New Product...will try tonight



New...reviews later





New Product....will try tonight



promotes hair growth





 


Promotes healthy hair and nails



I Love this Gel





Silken child



My scalp treatment every couple of days

Life Saver



hair one cleanser