I’ve been twisting my hair up in little knots to give more texture to my teeny weeny afro. I love how my natural hair is growing out! Almost three months after my big chop, I’m just starting to get the hang of learning how to take care of it. In reading natural hair blogs and watching countless YouTube videos about natural hair, what’s constant in every sister’s advice is that each person’s hair is different. You have to listen to it and respond to what looks and feels best for you. When I started out right after the big chop, I was using Carol’s Daughter products, which were OK, but the conditioner didn’t leave my hair with the kind of softness that I wanted. Thanks to the Sunday #naturalhair chats on Twitter, I discovered a much better product line that works wonders for my hair and conditions it perfectly.
I love you, Giovanni.
Your organic hair care products are amazing and reasonably priced ($7 each shampoo and conditioner at Whole Foods). I’m so glad I found you, and my hair is, too. I’m using the Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner on my hair once a week.
I use the Direct Leave-In Conditioner every few days. I just wet my hair in the shower and then apply a quarter-sized amount all over my hair when I get out. Instant softness. Makes it easy to detangle, too.
Sometimes I wear it out just like that or twist it up afterwards. I don’t know what the twists are called. I just twirl the hair around my finger and it makes a little coil. Once I twist my whole head (which I usually do when I’m working at home on the computer all day), it stays like that for about a week. To keep it from drying out, I put jojoba oil in it every other day – a little in my scalp and a bit more on the hair, paying special attention to the ends. As it starts to uncoil, it makes my hair really kinky and gives my afro a ton of texture. This is how it looks after four or five days:
See those little knots? My handiwork. I’m hoping my twisting skills continue to improve as my hair gets longer, though. It takes me FOREVER to do my whole head. I never realized just how thick my hair was until I went natural. I love it, but damn.
Oh yeah, I am also in love with this blazer. That one. In the picture above. I wear it with jeans and flats when I’m doing a training or facilitating a meeting for a client. I think it says I’m professionally casual. I’ve been stepping my fashion game up and buying more well-made items at more high-end stores so my favorite items will last longer. I’ve always been more of a Forever 21 kind of girl and I’m just now starting to shop at Nordstrom. I’ve also been getting rid of anything in my closet that I haven’t worn in six months. I’m ashamed at all the stuff that had never even been worn! But that’s another post…
Blazer by Ali & Kris, Nordstrom.
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I, too, have publicly proclaimed my love for Giovanni products. Secondly, I’m with you on reevaluating my wardrobe. My natural hair has made me feel more free to express myself in many ways, and one way is my clothing. While at the same time, I’m really embracing this idea of minimalism. Doing more with less. I’m trying to incorporate this into my closet. It’s going to take some time, but it’s fun!
I feel you on the minimalism tip – I got rid of half my clothes as a big first step to streamlining my life. I only kept the items I really loved & this blazer was one of them!
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Oyin is pretty good (http://oyinhandmade.com/). Their Honey Hemp conditioner softens my hair too. Miss Jessie's I have to say hasn't really done it for me. I'm using what my sister gave me (Baby Buttercreme and Curly Pudding), she just decided to loc her hair and no longer needed Miss Jessie's. They cater more to the curly and mixed hair crowed. But, everyone's hair is different and their products may work for you.
Thanks Diane! Never heard of Oyin and I haven't tried Miss Jessie's yet but I keep hearing about it – which MJ's product do you use and what kind of effect does it have on your hair?
Oh yeah, I thought having a teeny weeny afro was gonna be easy! Now I can't imagine how I'm gonna deal with it as it gets longer, so I may keep cutting it. We'll see how I adapt LOL
Thanks Diane! Never heard of Oyin and I haven't tried Miss Jessie's yet but I keep hearing about it – which MJ's product do you use and what kind of effect does it have on your hair?
Oh yeah, I thought having a teeny weeny afro was gonna be easy! Now I can't imagine how I'm gonna deal with it as it gets longer, so I may keep cutting it. We'll see how I adapt LOL
LOVE you hair!!! I've heard about Giovanni, so I will give it a try. I'm still on Carol's Daughter, Miss Jessie's and Oyin. So, Giovanni is next.
LOVE you hair!!! I’ve heard about Giovanni, so I will give it a try. I’m still on Carol’s Daughter, Miss Jessie’s and Oyin. So, Giovanni is next.
Thanks Diane! Never heard of Oyin and I haven’t tried Miss Jessie’s yet but I keep hearing about it – which MJ’s product do you use and what kind of effect does it have on your hair?
Oyin is pretty good (http://oyinhandmade.com/). Their Honey Hemp conditioner softens my hair too. Miss Jessie’s I have to say hasn’t really done it for me. I’m using what my sister gave me (Baby Buttercreme and Curly Pudding), she just decided to loc her hair and no longer needed Miss Jessie’s. They cater more to the curly and mixed hair crowed. But, everyone’s hair is different and their products may work for you.
Love love love that pic, and you're hair looks fab.
I have to do the same thing with my hair now (curling w/ my fingers) and I'm not a fan for two reasons: (1) like you, I realize that it def takes longer than I thought it would! and (2) I have a random patch of hair that doesn't have a curl pattern.. oohhhh how it frustrates me lol. I might cut my hair shorter now since this requires more work than I antipated (which was zero lol).
I'm excited to see what you do with yours as it grows out more!
Love love love that pic, and you’re hair looks fab.
I have to do the same thing with my hair now (curling w/ my fingers) and I’m not a fan for two reasons: (1) like you, I realize that it def takes longer than I thought it would! and (2) I have a random patch of hair that doesn’t have a curl pattern.. oohhhh how it frustrates me lol. I might cut my hair shorter now since this requires more work than I antipated (which was zero lol).
I’m excited to see what you do with yours as it grows out more!
Oh yeah, I thought having a teeny weeny afro was gonna be easy! Now I can’t imagine how I’m gonna deal with it as it gets longer, so I may keep cutting it. We’ll see how I adapt LOL