Two Months Natural

So recently I celebrated my two months natural anniversary.   I was experimenting one day and noticed that I can FINALLY do two-strand twists and twist outs!  I have been getting different accessories for my hair and loving them.  I have had fewer days of frustration now that my hair is growing out and I can do some more hair styles besides a fro. 

Stay tuned as my hair grows!

Twirl My Curls For Breast Cancer Awareness

Okay ladies here it is!  My very first contest!  The name of this contest is Twirl My Curls for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Since October is known to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it's when we start seeing everyone "GO PINK", I would like to have a contest in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  As you probably saw on my YouTube profile page I identify that I love giving back to my community and this is one way that I typically do as well.  Below I have listed some links for you to obtain information about breast cancer as well as information if you would like to donate. 

Here is a link to important facts about breast cancer:  http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content_Binaries/806-316a.pdf

You can also go to the Susan G. Komen website located at:  http://ww5.komen.org/ and find out more about Breast Cancer.  If you would like to donate you can go under the "Get Involved" tab and select "Donate."  I think the minimum you can give is $5.00 and they will send you a ribbon to wear for the month.  Please find it in your hearts to give to this cause. 

So on to the contest!!! Here is what we will do.  Since the contest is entitled "Twirl My Curls For Breast Cancer Awareness" you will be doing just that.  I would like for you ladies to style your hair in any way you would like but here's the twist....YOU MUST INCLUDE SOMETHING PINK AS AN ACCESSORY!!! Also, you must identify one way that you intent or have already educated someone about breast cancer!  Simple right?  I will create a video and when you see that video on YouTube create a video response for it with all of the things requested below and you are entered!  Finally, you don't have to be just a natural hair lady you can also have relaxed hair! I just want to support breast cancer.  Your prize a $25 gift card from Sally's Beauty Supply!!!!   The contest runs from 10/09/11 until 10/31/11.  All entries must be received by midnight on 10/31/11 to be considered.  Winners will be identified by the next week. Good luck to everyone and thanks for your support and entries! 

Contest Rules
1.  You must be 18 or older to enter.
2.  You must be a subscriber to my YouTube channel.
3.  You must be a follower of my blog.
4.  Style your hair anyway you want however you MUST include a pink accessory (any shade you desire) in your styling.
5.  You MUST identify one way that you have educated or plan on educating someone regarding breast cancer.
6.  You MUST identify one thing that you have learned about breast cancer that you didn't know.
7.  Create a video response to the Breast Cancer Awareness video I will post with the above included (#4, #5, & #6). 

Building A Hair Care Regimen

I know often times that some newly naturals struggle with building a hair care regimen that works!  I recently created a video blog on YouTube identifying specifics.  (You can click to the right to get to my vids ;)  However often time naturals sturggle with moisture and their hair type.  I have found that one must be able to first accept their hair in their natural state.  Upon completion of this sometimes difficult task you can start identifying what you hair needs.  Things that you must have in your regimen are the following:

1. Water
2.  Conditioner
3. Moisturizers
4. Scalp Care
5. Protective Styling/tools

You will have to continue to play with your hair and document what you hair needs and how it responds to what you are doing.  Eventually you will learn what you hair needs and you will be able to appreciate and love your hair a bit more! 

Thanks for reading and continue to see you along the way!

Newly Natural

So as I continue on my natural hair journey I recently checked the length of my hair...ONLY 2".  Okay so I'm not able to do any styling but I can focus on what it means to be a "Newly Natural" and educating myself.  I have been reading A LOT and have come across both good and bad information.  I'm open to trying new things in this new adventure however I am not open to trying anything that is going to destroy my hair! 

I have never really been a fan of heat, glues in my hair, beeswax, gels, spritz, etc.  I think that is why other than the factor of genetics, blah blah blah that has assisted in my hair growth thus far.  I have never really believed in lots of manipulation of my hair which allowed it to grow.  My problem was that I never really cared enough to retain the length of my hair. 

I see that lately in my natural hair journey that my scalp health has improved because I am constantly adding water and cleansing my hair and scalp properly!  I know that if my scalp (and hair) could tap dance it would and thank me for FINALLY allowing it to breathe!  I would only wash my hair maybe twice a month (ewh I know) but I notice that now that I'm taking an active approach in my hair and scalp care that it is feeling a LOT better than it was before. 

Cold Weather and My TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)

So cold weather Fall/Winter is swiftly approaching and I have no hair LOL...Hummmm what am I going to do?  Well I will be shopping for different accessories to protect my locks from the fridge temperatures that are approaching.  I'm not sure what I want to go for but I'm sure I will be making some hair accessories, scarves, etc. on my own.  I guess I will have to get my "Martha Stewart" on in order to look cute! 

Stay tuned! I will make a YouTube vid so you guys can have a visual! 
--Beautiful Naturalista

The Big Chop!!!!!

I finally did it!  Yups you guess it....THE BIG CHOP!  I did it on 08/26/2011.  What made me do it?  Well I just decided that it was time.  The two textures with my hair length was becoming a nightmare.  Not to mention that I would have been spending tons of $$$ trying to keep it styled and looking nice while in the transitioning phase.  So I was in between a rock and a hard place.  I would either get a relaxer which I didn't want to do or I could BC!!!! So I walked through door #2. 

Just before I did the big chop I measured my hair and it was a whopping 15" long.  My first reaction when I chopped was what in the world did I just do.  But afterwards (upon styling etc.) I said to myself awh it looks really great!  Three days later and I can't keep my hands out of my head.  I have so many curls and my hair is stronger and healthier.  I can tell you this though, with my hair being the length that it was doing the BC is definitely NOT for the faint at heart.  It was a radical move and I'm loving every minute of it. I had a part two to my Big Chop video but It was too big to upload via YouTube :(

When you decide to do your BC ask yourself why you are doing it.  Are you doing it because you think natural hair is a "fad?" or Are you doing it for a lifestyle change?  Know why you're starting your hair journey and then after figuring it out enjoy the journey!

Totally Natural and Loving it!
--Beautiful Naturalista ;)

Bad Hair Day ;(

So as I continue month 4 of my natural hair journey what have I run into....yups you got it A BAD HAIR DAY!! I knew that this day would eventually be on the horizon but I didn't know that I would run into it this fast! Who was my savior?  GOODY HAIR ACCESSORIES! I ran to the nearest Target that I could find and ran down to the accessory isle.  It is back to school time so the items were picked over...ugh.  Luckily, I found what I needed ;) I was able to get things to hold my think and transitioning locks in tact.  I know that there will be other days but I'm just glad that I was able to find what I needed for this adventure. 

Let me know what you all have done to conquer your bad hair days!

Introducing Beautiful Naturalista

My hair has endured the chemical treatments of a curl and relaxer.  I remember that my hair broke off when I had a curl because I treated my hair horribly!  My grandmother then, behind my mother's back, put a relaxer on top of my chemically curled hair.  My mother almost died because my hair could have fallen completely out!  Surprisingly, it didn't.  It was then that my mother decided to keep a closer eye on caring for my hair.  While in middle and high school, I was always told by my friends and other female students, "Your mama do hair? You're so lucky!"  I never really saw what the big deal was about the matter.  I never really understood the struggles that we as African-American women faced with our hair.  Therefore, I never saw it as being significant because I never experienced the struggle.  I never really saw nor appreciated the "red carpet" hair services I was receiving from my mother.

During my college years, I still had access to my mother every weekend.  I never missed a beat!  My hair was thick, strong, shiny, manageable, etcetera.  You know, everything we dream of our hair being.  Graduate school days were no different but I would say that was when I started slacking off on caring for my hair the way it was accustomed.  Resulting in my hair not being as "beautiful."  My mother seeing the condition of my hair became displeased because of the hard work she had invested into my hair to look its best.

Throughout the years, I remember my mother saying "tie up your hair", "stop wearing all those ponytails", and "moisturize your hair."  The list continued but I ignored her to say the least.  I have hair so what's the big deal!  It wasn't until I moved away from home that I understood the importance of hair care.  I struggled throughout the years to find someone that could care for my hair like my mother.  Unfortunately, I never did.  My mother was disappointed about the condition of my hair but I still was not fed up.  I experienced bad chemical treatments and the only thing, in my opinion, that kept my hair from completely falling out was the fact that I did know how to care for my hair.

Finally, fed up with how may hair was dry, breaking, poor results coupled from relaxers along with lack of luster and dwindling fullness, I decided to go natural!  I'm now on the same path that my mother was on years ago...the quest to have my hair looking and feeling its best!

Follow me as I begin my natural hair journey!