First Steps Product Update

Hello again!

I know that I mentioned using the TwistedSista products on my hair to help tame and control my curls. Upon experimentation with other products, TwistedSista products are currently the product of preference.

It doesn't take much of the product to get the desired effect. Also, I love the fact that there is the 30 second curl reactivator that is nice and convenient for a good spritzing and rejuvenation when necessary.

I also love the fact that the product does not have to be added on a daily basis in order to maintain body and style. The product also does not leave an oily, uncomfortable residue on my hair.

Low application time is also a plus! I do not have to spend 30- 60 minutes applying the products and working it into my hair. Just a quick run through is enough to get the desired effect :).

~natural para siempre~

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Beautiful Textures Product

Ciao!

So recently I have been exploring other hair products. I purchased the Beautiful Textures line of products and I must say that it is not quite what I was expecting. It takes quite a bit of the pudding to get my hair to remain in the curls. The product instructs that hair left to air dry will yield optimal results and I am not satisfied with the product. After a few hours as hair begins to dry, it also frizzes and the pudding does nothing to prevent a frizzy afro in the place of the smooth textures that were once in place. I tried applying the product in various amounts, with various amounts of moisture on my hair. Maybe there is something wrong in my application process so I will continue to use the product line with a little more experimentation.

If any one has any experience with the use of the Beautiful Textures product line, please feel free to reach out and help a sista out!

~natural para siempre~

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Use of Mousse?

Hey!

I have natural curls in my hair that I want to learn to keep. Normally after washing or rinsing, as the day progresses, the amount of frizz increases. So I began to look for some sort of mechanism to keep my curls intact and less frizzy. I also wanted to attempt to find a way of increasing the uniformity of the curls in my head. I stumbled upon some suggestions online about the use of hair gels and mousses to maintain a curl friendly head of hair all day.

The mousse I settled on buying contains Argan oil and lacks alcohol. After washing or wetting my hair, I would apply the mousse as per the directions.

Vigorol Culrs Mousse

The curls that were present in my hair were lessened due to the application process. I also was unable to encourage the formation of uniform curls with the product. After drying, the mousse would leave a  residue on my hair. This residue would result in a salt and pepper like look in some places while in others, I would have white clumps where the mousse had settled. Simply brushing my hair with my hand would cause flakes of mousse to fall from my tresses, which is something that is really undesirable when it comes to using product in one's hair. My hair would lose its softness and the desired curls would be replaced with rigid kinks within hours of application.

I am not sure what is wrong in the equation, but I would get similar results with use of more water and less mousse. Overall, I would never recommend this product to anyone. I will continue looking for alternative ways of optimizing the curls I do have while encouraging uniformity over my entire head.

~natural para siempre~

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Creme of Nature Argan Oil Products Critique

Que onda?!

I know it has been a while since I posted, but other things in life demanded my attention.

I have been using products with Argan oil for the past 6 months after my BC. There are many shampoos, conditioners, daily moisturizers, gels, mousses, etc. on the market. I, being low maintenance, like to keep it simple. So the main products that I use are shampoo, a leave in conditioner and on occasion some products to keep my curls intact.

The shampoo and leave in conditioner that I have been using are Creme of Nature products. Yes, yes I know that these products are linked to a relaxer set BUT I chose them because the shampoo is sulfate free. I also wanted to use a leave in conditioner that was of the same manufacturer as the shampoo.

Creme of Nature Sulfate free Moisture & Shine Shampoo

Creme of Nature Strength & Shine Leave- in Conditioner

When I first began using the shampoo, I did not like it. This is due to the expectation of a high volume of lather compared to shampoos with sulfate. Despite not being able to achieve the lather that I was first expecting, I was able to have soft hair which I was easily able to comb and style. After some trial and error, I was able to get the desired amount of lather.

The leave-in conditioner added extra protection to my hair after cleansing. The biphasal solution should be shaken well before use to activate the ingredients. With the addition of the leave-in, I was able to keep my hair soft and malleable for 2 days. Any time after that, my hair would have to be re-wet and the leave-in conditioner would have to be reapplied.

Overall, I am not unsatisfied with these Creme of Nature products. I would, however, like to find another shampoo and leave-in conditioner combo to leave my hair just as soft as day 1 several days later.

~natural para siempre~

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Week One

Hola!

 Today I decided to spice up my new do by ding a curly twist out. This style was easy to do considering most of the work was done earlier in the week.

 After running my fingers through the curly twists to loosen up the curls a bit, I gently divided each twist into two or three smaller parts. By dividing the hair in such a manner increased the volume of my hair as well as providing a different look. To ensure that my hair was adequately moisturized for the day, I quickly misted with water and then Twisted Sista 30 second curl reactivator for an extra bounce.

For my hair, I found that using hair care products with Argan oil provides a good sheen while locking in moisture for a couple of days. My hair stays soft, my curls become more defined, and who complains about a natural luster?

I unfortunately did not take any photos but I must say, today was a really good hair day! I accented the curly twist out with a couple of stretchable headbands and a nice pair of earrings.

~natural para siempre~

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First Steps...

Bienvenida!

I have recently become interested in natural hair care. The transitioning process took me a while to get started due to lack of support, but after a big chop I am now completely chemical free! 

What initially made me go "natural"? Well, my lack of fondness towards chemical relaxers began as a young child and as I got older, I began to experience unfortunate things. First I noticed thinning hair, then my hair began to break and fall off. Despite my clear objections to further use of relaxers, I was forced to continue use. 

Finally, I got fed up and put my foot down. Last summer, after more hair nightmares at the beauty salon, I began transitioning. The clear difference between my red relaxed hair and natural brown hair was getting to me and in December 2011, I chopped off my hair in front of my mother. She screamed as I took the scissors to my hair, but this act of defiance made her realize how serious I was about the decision I had made.

I am in a little over a year of being natural and nearly in my 5th month after the big chop and I am much more pleased with where my hair is going. Currently, I am seeking new ideas for styling and the proper products to make sure my hair stays nourished and healthy. I alternate between braids (only my hair) and a TWA(trying to work on the curl pattern) and for the first time I am trying a curly twist (seen below). I have worn the curly twists for about two days now and I am very satisfied with them, which means I will definitely continue use of the products and style :-). 

Curly twists done after washing and conditioning hair with Creme of Nature products. Twisted Sista products were used to aid in holding twists and providing extra moisture.

Stay tuned for more posts on hair care products and new styling attempts!

~natural para siempre~

Follow @twystedhermana