Caroline Hair: April 2011

Traveling to Atlanta...

The events we went through to get here could have been stressful if it wasn't for good friends and a sense of humor. Shout to the awesome pilot that landed the plane so smoothly, shout out to the guys a Enterprise that took care of us and hooked us up with an awesome car, and shout out the to the hotel for having some super soft pillows, beds, and free breakfast, LOL.

Yesterday started my mini-vacation full of friends, food, shopping, and natural hair events. Walking around Atlanta I have noticed somewhat of an equal balance of naturals, relaxed, and weaves. Although I am #TeamNatural, I am more pro-healthy hair. I love diversity because I believe it is what makes us unique and keeps the world interesting.

To prepare my hair for the weekend and traveling I shampooed and did a protein treatment on my hair with ORS Replenishing Pak.Then I applied a leave in and did two strand twists with a light oil and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing smoothie. Flying with two strand twists was so much easier than trying not to smash my hair or worry about the weather doing unpredictable things to my style. Placing a hat on top of the twists makes for a presentable and protective traveling look. So easy...

Traveling 2-strand Twists

How is the natural scene in your city/town?

Do you have any traveling tips to share that make the experience a little easier?

Traveling to Atlanta...

Traveling 2-strand Twists

How is the natural scene in your city/town?

Do you have any traveling tips to share that make the experience a little easier?

NC Natural Haircare Expo 2011

If you missed it last year, you have a another chance this year to catch the expo June 11 & June 12.

If you went last year, what did you think about it?

NC Natural Haircare Expo 2011

If you missed it last year, you have a another chance this year to catch the expo June 11 & June 12.

If you went last year, what did you think about it?

Thinking about transitioning?

The weather is getting nicer, more ladies are wearing their hair out, and now you are starting to feel the itch to go "au naturale."

Last year IntelligentBeauty graced HBH with her knowledge and experience about transitioning and did a Transitioning 101 series that offered great tips and suggestions for transitioners.

Check out the links below to see the tips that she so generously provided:
Transitioning 101: Products
Transitioning 101: Regimens/Routines
Transitioning 101: Hairstyling Techniques

Thinking about transitioning?

Pincurl Braid-out vs Pincurl Twist-out

I decided to attempt a curly fro style that I saw on youtube - on the tutorial it was achieved by doing braids/plaits and pin curling them into place. With that technique I was able to achieve this look:

Pin Curl Braid-out

The style did not come out as curly as I wanted it so I decided to try it again with two strand twists and pin curl them into place. With that technique I got this look:

Pin Curl Twist-out

Neither were the look that I was going for but if I had to choose I like the pin curl braid-out more than the pin curl two strand twist-out.

Each time I did the style I followed this regimen:
1. Shampoo
2. Condition
3. Chicoro Layering Method (Leave-in conditioner, light oil, creamy base)
4. Braid/Twist and pin curl
5. Release when dry

If you have seen any curly fro tutorials that will yield the following look, please send them my way.

If you have any tips/suggestions on how to replicate this look please leave a comment below.

Pincurl Braid-out vs Pincurl Twist-out

Pin Curl Braid-out

The style did not come out as curly as I wanted it so I decided to try it again with two strand twists and pin curl them into place. With that technique I got this look:

Pin Curl Twist-out

If you have any tips/suggestions on how to replicate this look please leave a comment below.

Atlanta, GA....

Later this week I will be taking a much needed mini-vacation and visiting ATL with some friends. While there the plans are to attend the Curly Girls Rock event and the World Natural Hair Health & Beauty Show 2011. If you are going and you see be please don't hesitate to speak - I won't bite, I promise :).

Atlanta, GA....

Once upon a time we shared...

...and I don't think I did a post for twitter. Please blame my mind and not my heart. So if you have a twitter account and you want some followers, comment below!

Follow Her Best Hair

Check out Bloggers here

Check out YouTubers here

Same rules apply. Any comment submitted that is not a twitter related will not be approved.

Please visit the YouTube or Blog post to list your channel and/or link.

Once upon a time we shared...

...and I don't think I did a post for twitter. Please blame my mind and not my heart. So if you have a twitter account and you want some followers, comment below!

Follow Her Best Hair

Check out Bloggers here

Check out YouTubers here

Same rules apply. Any comment submitted that is not a twitter related will not be approved.

Please visit the YouTube or Blog post to list your channel and/or link.

Curlformers (tutorial)

Previous Curlformers posts:

Curlformers: Days 1-3

Sunday Style: Curlformers

Curlformers (tutorial)

Previous Curlformers posts:

Curlformers: Days 1-3

Sunday Style: Curlformers

For a second, I thought you had on a half wig.

The title of this post reflects a statement that I heard when I wore a twist out from the "twisted in a storm" updo.

I took the updo down with the intention to wash, deep condition, and bun. After seeing the twist-out results I decided to just wear the style for a day or two.

Check out the shrinkage - which resulted from me initially doing the style on wet hair.

I like shrinkage because at this length it allows me to wear my hair out without worrying about the ends so much. The back section of my hair did rest against my shirt but I know that if I would have wet my hair again while it was twisted I would have been able to get even more shrinkage. It's not ofter that you hear people talk about how they WANT shrinkage.

For a second, I thought you had on a half wig.

Check out the shrinkage - which resulted from me initially doing the style on wet hair.

Jill Scott's official Album Cover

[source]

I love it! We all know that she cut her hair super short not too long ago but regardless, this is a fierce look - in my opinion.

What do you think, is this a win for Ms Jill Scott?

Jill Scott's official Album Cover

[source]

I love it! We all know that she cut her hair super short not too long ago but regardless, this is a fierce look - in my opinion.

What do you think, is this a win for Ms Jill Scott?

I want this look!

I happened to catch an episode of Vh1's Love & Hip Hop (I know, I know...train wreck) and I fell in love with Olivia's hair style for her event.

I want to try and "naturalize" this look and create a style inspired by Olivia's okay. The only part I am kinda questionable about is the back of the style. I think I can do it but I won't know until I try. I will be sure to post my successful or failed attempt. BTW, I will not straighten my hair to achieve this look...stay tuned.

[source]

I want this look!

[source]

Poof Triangle

This is a very simple but turned out really cute.

Make a far lateral part. Along the part make 3 small ponytails, as shown below.

The next row you are going to make 2 small ponytails taking 1/2 of the 2nd ponytail and splitting one to each of the 2 ponytails. Shown below

Pull the 2nd row ponytails and pull them to a point. Shown below. (I also use a small square of hair to keep the ponytails in place)

Tornadoes, Hair, and Sunshine

This weekend (04.16.11 - 04.17.11) was a crazy weekend. First North Carolina got abused by storms and tornadoes. People's homes were pick up and thrown, cars flipped, and lives lost. The most amazing story I have read thus far is the one about the 3 month old baby that was taken by the tornado winds and then found safely on a stack of wood.

See photos of the destruction here: NC tornado disaster

Around 2pm we lost power and the wind picked up. I was in the middle of deep conditioning my hair. So I checked the weather report (thank God for our technological advancements) on my phone. The tornado was predicted to hit our area around 4pm. So I rinsed my hair and used the remaining day light coming through the window to start twisting. If the tornado came early at least I would already be in a bathroom.

By 3:30pm I was done with my hair so we waited in the windowless bathroom until it sounded calm. We heard wind and then it got quiet. We looked out the window and it was raining, then it started to hail, then the sun came out. It was bright beautiful sunshine.

In the end God watched over us. We suffered no damage whatsoever. Not even one shingle blew off the house. But the damage 5-10 minutes down the street from us is devastating. Two HBCUs in our area have had to cancel classes for the remainder of the semester.

As a result of styling my hair in the midst of a storm, I have to call this look "twisted in a storm." I did have to SMH at myself because only I would be in the bathroom doing my hair during a tornado warning.

My heart goes out to every person in each state that suffered a loss with this storm.

Click here to see the inspiration for this look.

Since we didn't have power I did this look from memory. I should have more twists in the front and the back was a guess because there is not a shot that shows the hair from the back.

Tornadoes, Hair, and Sunshine

My heart goes out to every person in each state that suffered a loss with this storm.

Click here to see the inspiration for this look.

Since we didn't have power I did this look from memory. I should have more twists in the front and the back was a guess because there is not a shot that shows the hair from the back.

VIDEO: Hair Myths and Mockeries

The first thing I did was send this to my curly haired white friend.

VIDEO: Hair Myths and Mockeries

The first thing I did was send this to my curly haired white friend.

Back in a bun...

Over the weekend the hubby and I hosted a couples game night. Most of the night was spent playing MJ Experience and as a result of all those wrist flicking movements - my wrist hurts. Of course I would do this to myself before hair wash & style day.

To give my wrist a break and decided to do a quick and easy bun. Also with doing this bun I decided to utilized Chicoro's Method of sealing to lock in some moisture for a few days.

The bun was inspired by this look worn by actress Nia Long:


source

Nia Long's part is off center but I preferred a center part this time.

The cornrows in the front are not tight at all l- after applying all the product my hair laid down very easily.

Steps followed:

Shampooed with Giovanni SAS Shampoo
Conditioned with Giovanni SAS Conditioner
Applied (layers according to Chicoro's Method) leave-in conditioner, Castor/Olive oil mix, and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (SMCES) to front sections to be cornrowed.
After cornrowing the front section, applied leave-in conditioner, Castor/Olive oil mix, and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
For the bun the SMCES was applied to each section of hair before 2-strand twisting. The bun is made up of about five 2-strand twists.

Back in a bun...

The bun was inspired by this look worn by actress Nia Long:


source

Nia Long's part is off center but I preferred a center part this time.

The cornrows in the front are not tight at all l- after applying all the product my hair laid down very easily.

Steps followed:

Shampooed with Giovanni SAS Shampoo
Conditioned with Giovanni SAS Conditioner
Applied (layers according to Chicoro's Method) leave-in conditioner, Castor/Olive oil mix, and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (SMCES) to front sections to be cornrowed.
After cornrowing the front section, applied leave-in conditioner, Castor/Olive oil mix, and SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
For the bun the SMCES was applied to each section of hair before 2-strand twisting. The bun is made up of about five 2-strand twists.

Make It or Break it Lauren Style

We are so excited that Make it or Break it is back on. This style is from the first week it was back on. I apologize for the lack of pictures even with my older daughter we have moments of not wanting to cooperate.

First make a poof center french braid as shown below make the braid loose.

Make a simple braid on each side with the hair across the front of her face down to her ear.

Pull all the hair into a high ponytail.

Black women's hair loss tied to braiding and weaving

This morning while driving to work, I heard on the news that new research has been conducted and researchers found that black women increase their chances of hair loss with braiding and hair weaves. The results stated that 1 out of 6 (out of 326 African-American women, 60% experienced hair loss - more than half) women in the study exhibited hair loss.The most troubling finding with this study is that the hair loss is permanent.

The researcher warns to avoid hair braiding and weaving that are too tight on the scalp. Your braids and weaves should not require you to take pain medication.

Read more: Braids, Weaves Raise Risk of Hair Loss

What's your take on this? Is this research and finding too late or is it telling us something that we already know?

Share this link this post with others by clicking on one of Links to this Post options below.

Black women's hair loss tied to braiding and weaving

What's your take on this? Is this research and finding too late or is it telling us something that we already know?

Share this link this post with others by clicking on one of Links to this Post options below.

White adoptive parents learn how to care for their black children’s hair

"People are judged by the way they look," said Julien Drouet, a white father of Lily, 3, and 10-month-old Victor, whom he adopted with his partner, Brandon Walt. "I don't agree, but if we want to help our kids, we need to know how to do this."

Drouet was up early on a recent Saturday morning to immerse himself in the merits of braids versus twists, rake versus rattail combs and relaxers versus going natural. The class, believed to be the only one in the Chicago area, is about more than good grooming. It illuminates the crumbling of one of society's last barriers and the gradual acceptance of transracial families into America's melting pot, experts say.

White adoptive parents learn how to care for their black children’s hair

"People are judged by the way they look," said Julien Drouet, a white father of Lily, 3, and 10-month-old Victor, whom he adopted with his partner, Brandon Walt. "I don't agree, but if we want to help our kids, we need to know how to do this."

Drouet was up early on a recent Saturday morning to immerse himself in the merits of braids versus twists, rake versus rattail combs and relaxers versus going natural. The class, believed to be the only one in the Chicago area, is about more than good grooming. It illuminates the crumbling of one of society's last barriers and the gradual acceptance of transracial families into America's melting pot, experts say.

T.E.R. Goddess Braid - YT Tutorial

The original post here: Tracee Ellis Ross Goddess Braid

T.E.R. Goddess Braid - YT Tutorial

The original post here: Tracee Ellis Ross Goddess Braid

In the News: Black Hair

This article starts out:

Carol Crouch ’14 has natural hair. She wears it in a big Afro. And people at Yale are constantly commenting on it. “Wow, it’s crazy,” they say. “It’s like a jungle in there.” They ask if they can pet it, poke it, stick their fingers in it. They ask questions. “Can you comb it?” “Do you wash it?”

You have to keep reading right? The author goes on to address the situations a young woman just starting college experienced. One problem I had with the article is that did seem to be filled with a lot of stereotypes (a lot of them true...but still). The article was very interesting but I believe that an individual can have a problem with acceptance in any setting and the content in the article isn't really unique. These situations happen with our families, friend, and social circles.

In the News: Black Hair

This article starts out:

Carol Crouch ’14 has natural hair. She wears it in a big Afro. And people at Yale are constantly commenting on it. “Wow, it’s crazy,” they say. “It’s like a jungle in there.” They ask if they can pet it, poke it, stick their fingers in it. They ask questions. “Can you comb it?” “Do you wash it?”

T.E.R. Goddess Braid


Tracee Ellis Ross

I have been wanting to try this braid style for a while and since my hair is straight - there is no time like the present. Here's my attempt:

I don't like hair in my face so i moved the braid up a little. This was actually pretty quick and easy. I did a tutorial on the look and I believe the vid is going to be less than 3 min long - not bad.

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