Monday, November 12, 2007

one big, huge, supersize update

I am a lazy blogger. It's true. Partially that's because I'm a lazy blogger. But additionally, it's because I have been trying to figure out the easiest, most seamless way to update the look & feel and navigate-a-bility of the blog. Any suggestions? I had looked into Wordpress a while ago, but I'm not sure.

[Back on topic]

Here is everything that has happened since my last post.








This is from late October...



...after the co-wash & deep condition I detangled (using Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm and my Denman D3) and put my hair in 5 mini-puffs.


This time I braided the roots and THEN did the 2-strand twists. It prevented them from being puffy at the roots, but it made the take-down time super long!





I twisted using Qhemet Biologic's Amla & Olive Heavy Cream (YUMM!!!) and QB's Hairbush Tea (which is basically a very light gel). This stuff is like Manna from Heaven, y'all...I'm telling you!







...I thought I was really doing something! (CLICK on the pic above to see the detail.) It took 7 hours this time and I think that's because of the braided roots. It took a while for me to get the hang of that and I never did really get into a groove like when I just do straight twists. Oh well, better luck next time...


(CLICK on the pic above to see the detail.)


...the hot roller experiment (it wasn't terribly successful)...I went out and got some of those mesh rollers instead & they worked much better. because of my length, the hot rollers just made the twists stick up a little. the mesh ones made it do more of a spiral-y thing and it was much cuter. I'll have to get more so I can jazz up my future twist styles...









That's some pretty serious shrinkage!




BAM!!! Now you can't tell me that twist-out ain't hot like fire!


Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

This was a labor of love, I swear. I used those same Qhemet Biologics products...







...not exactly my original plan for how the back would look, but OH WELL! By the time I got done with the front I really didn't care WHAT happened back there!



I held on to this style for 2 weeks. Surprisingly it held up fairly well.


Those flat twists unravel very nicely. I like how they maintain the length, unlike the 2 strand twists...



This was the next last-minute-emergency-my-hair-is-staaaaank project. I'm getting pretty creative, huh? :-)



Unfortunately, I didn't love it. The only reason is because of the back. Now how pissed off was I: I have like 4+ inches in the back. But when I did this style, those twists barely came up off the back of my head! It was ridiculous!! So it was reasonably cute in the front and in the back I looked like a 1 year old boy. So, since I had a holiday function to go to & I couldn't possibly go looking like a baldheaded hoe (well, I guess I didn't exactly look like a hoe...I wonder what hoes look like exactly...is there a look, per se?.......)




So this was the resulting twist-out. Cute, huh?





Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket



I was knocking 'em dead at that holiday party!

I was so impressed with my hair that after 3 very big, very strong drinks, and a long night of bowling, chatting, and generally being cute, I re-twisted about 80% of it, so it would still have some definition today. Not bad...not bad atall!




I can't believe how much my hair has grown sometimes.



This was my very first twist-out, back in May of this year...the 28th, to be exact. All I can say is WOW! What a difference a few months makes.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, for FINALLY posting new pictures.

I just have a question: When you say twisting from the root what does that mean? Does that mean you twist to the scalp? Or does it mean you twist the root hair tightly?

Oh, and I don't know if I said this in my last post to you, but how I get my hair to curl on the ends is to get into a warm steamy shower the day after I twist my hair and let it soak up the moisture.

Now I can't do it too many times cause rather than having normal thick hair (read a defined curl pattern) I have the kind that is more frizzy. But, once that steam is in it and then I spritz it with a little moisturizer (not curl), it is good to go.

Piscean Princess said...

Girl, you know I been a lil' busy...

Instead of twisting at the roots, I BRAIDED the roots.

I don't have a problem getting those ends curly! There's some days I wish the ends were a little less curly, actually. That's where all the tangles happen!

SupaDupaShai said...

God! Your hair is beautiful! I am so jealous. I cut my hair off July21- 2 daysb efore my 23rd birthday. Here it is Jan. 21 and I am still so effing lost. Like sooo lost. I just paid $65 for this lady to do my twist- cuz I got two crazy kids (2 &3) and I just don't have the time to do them myself. I have scalp issues, dry issues, chemical issues. I feel like I just need someone who's been through it to talk to me one on one. Cause I watch the blogs and it's like I just don't damn get it! So, maybe you can help me because you just seem so real and down to earth and I freaking love the styles your hair is in. So, here's the deal, I tried to buy products instead of making my own. First mistake I know because eve nif it says natural the first damn ingredient is alcohol. So then, my scalp was either really, really dry or so oily that the oils caused my forehead to bump up- not a good look. I moved from Massachusetts to Athens, GA and the air down here is so dry I'm constantly brittle and breaking. I've had some growth but nothing like I thought I would. I mean I have NEVER had a probelm growing my hair. I thought for sure by now I'd have a ponytail. I do NOT. So, I went to this hair stylist who didn't know what she was doing and I hate my twist because they're mad big and the twisat out was a bust out. So, now I'm going to the hair store to buy some oils and make my own shit- especially a moisturizing spray! The thing is my scalp itches so bad down here I've had to use Sulfur 8- God does it dry my hair! But I'm not doing anymore. I am going to sit here and watch a movie and twist this damn shit. But what do you recommend! I like the defined curl look but every day I just wear the fro. God, I'm discouraged. Help, girl!

Piscean Princess said...

Hey Shavaughnya!!

So glad you stopped by, but I'm sorry you're still feeling "lost".

I don't think there's anything wrong with purchased products, as long as you can find products that your hair likes. Unfortunately it's trial & error. Are you a member of nappturality.com? That's how I found quite a few ideas to try, in terms of homemade products as well as commercial ones. If all natural is not for you, then so be it. I thinkthat being aware of what certain chemicals CAN do to your hair & scalp is the most important thing. But if it's working for you then stick with them.

I had terribly dry scalp when I had a relaxer, but as soon as I stopped getting them, I stopped having that problem. I had been using a combination of Olive Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil or Bergamot Essential Oil and Tea Tree Oil. That was a very effective & light scalp "grease" that didn't run and didn't clog up the pores in my scalp.

I have also found that not using shampoo (or using shampoos that don't have Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate) has helped with dryness. My hair is quite clean, trust...but it doesn't have those extreme dry's & lows.

The best way to get the defined curl look every day is to twist or braid at night with a good light oil or holding gel. You might try mixing pure shea butter with some aloe vera gel, or if you want to go commercial, Organic Root Stimulator Loc & Twist Gel (used in moderation).

As for the breakage, make sure you don't ever comb your hair while it's dry and use a really good conditioner to comb through it so that it is well detangled. Also, I found over the summer that I needed to deep condition almost every time I washed my hair, and that I didn't need to wash my hair every other day. I use Giovanni 50:50 deep conditioner & I add olive oil to it. (You have to go to a Whole Foods or something for that.) I have also used the Organic Root Stimulator replenishing pak & I liked it a lot.

As for twisting it yourself, girl put on a movie and put the kids down in front of it & go for it. It can take a while but it gets easier & quicker the more you do it.

And if you haven't already, join nappturality.com. The ladies over there are a wealth of resources. my screenname there is African Cheetah & you can mostly find me in the Napptural Hair Discussion section.

Let me know if you have more questions. I'm happy to help - I wish I had had someone to help & encourage me during the early months!

Don't give up!! There's plenty of us out here who can help.

Amina said...

very beautiful! I've just placed my first order with qhemet and i can't wait to use my products. I am glad you explained how you used each product! take care:)

Tam said...

Hey Kim,

I need some new inspiration. I need some new pictures.

What is going on with your style now? How long is your hair? Are you still twisting.

Goodness, for me lately, twisting has been a major pain. I just don't feel like doing it so much anymore. I still do it once a week to keep it from locking and / or frizzing, but I am tired of doing it. I feel like I am turning into a slave for my hair again.