Natural Brides to Be: More Glam Styles to choose

Okay, I have only 7 more months until my wedding. Planning is getting tight! I barely have anything accomplished other than my dress and honeymoon plans. Helloooo, I haven't even paid for the actual wedding yet, but got the honeymoon down? Anyway, one thing that is still bugging me is MY HAIR!!! What am I gon' do? I have had so many ideas. I want to cut it all off and go Eva Pigford short because I have fallen in love with birdcage veils and they look excellent on short hair! However, my hair is so long now. It took me four years to grow it down to the middle of my back. I would hate to cut it all off and start over. Oh the dilemna...do I cut it and rock the Eva Pigford short, curly funky look, or do I keep it long and rock a nice twist-out with a curl updo (pictured above) and a flower in my hair (the two styles I've been going back and forth with)?

Eva Pigford short hair look

On my never ending quest to find a new look, I stumble across some very nice styles that I am definitely considering and I just HAVE to share this with my fellow naturally curly/kinky brides to be. Please, please, please if you have any more pics you would like to add, don't hesitate to send them to me, I'd love to post what I can. Trust me, there will me many more posts like this!

Flexi-rod set

We've covered this style a million times. Pictorial will come soon!

Denise Vasi-model- slick back with pin curl/twist combo

I haven't totally figured this one out yet, but can we pause for a moment and celebrate because THIS MIGHT BE THE WINNER!!! That would be fantastic because I don't have to cut my lovely hair. Chick is fabulous and this hairstyle is too. I think Denise is going to be my feature natural beauty of the week....:-)

Locked Diva Bride

For all my locked divas this one is for you! My mother wears locs and I am definitely doing her hair like this for the wedding!

Twisted Ringlets

This can be achieved with a twist-out and curl or a flat-twist-out. This is yet another candidate for the wedding! Stronly considering this style. Tutorials will soon come!

Sisterlocks: A Natural Lifestyle

For those who haven't a clue about Sisterlocks, let me give you a little description (from culturedlocs.com)

"Sisterlocks are tiny uniform locs that are the result of a precision parting grid, and the use of a specialized tool that places the hair into its locing formation. The Sisterlocks method does not require the use of waxes or jells. The small size and parting grid form a loc that is easily
styled."

The system was created by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell (pictured above). I LOVE her hair! Fabulous!

Sounds interesting right? Looks pretty enticing too! As you can see from the picture, this style allows you to create many unique styles as the locs are so small that they mimick free-flowing strands of hair. For busy women like me, this could be a miracle! My curiosity is continuing to rise! I'm one of those girls who likes to do everything for myself, if I can help it. I became instantly interested in learning the technique and typed on over to the Sisterlocks website to learn more. They provide training classes, which are approximately $1500....yikes! Not in my budget at the moment, but a definite candidate for the near future.

As a natural hair stylist, I've obviously heard of Sisterlocks. I guess since I've been sort of stuck in my own ways of doing things, I've only peeked into the idea of adding Sisterlocks as a service. The thought of individually crocheting small strands of hair together to form tiny locks all over the heads screams "MICRO BRAIDS" which I sincerely HATE doing with a passion! After checking out the Tomoka's Twist blog (by Carmen) yesterday, I've gotten a little more curious about how to do them (she does Sisterlocks in Atlanta and they look pretty cool).

Here are some interesting FAQs that will make a sista think before making the sisterlock commitment (from the culturedlocs.com).

How long does my hair need to be to start Sisterlocks?
Sisterlocks can be started with 1 1/2 inches of natural unprocessed hair.
Where shorter hair can be caught in a locing pattern, 1 1/2 inches will ensure the first stages of locing will be easier to manage during your home care.


Do I need to cut my relaxed hair?
No, you don't have to cut your hair. Sisterlocks can be started with your
relaxed length left untouched as long as you have 1 1/2 inches of natural hair at the root. As your hair grows, and is set into a loc pattern, your relaxed hair will be trimmed away.

How long will it take to start my Sisterlocks?
In an idea situation, your "Initial Locking Session" will take about 13
hours. Your hair length, density, and head size determine the actual amont of time it will take to start your Sisterlocks. A better time frame will be given at your consultation.

Is my hair type right for Sisterlocks?
All hair with a curl or wave pattern is the right type for Sisterlocks.
Sisterlocks has developed several "locking patterns", one of which is just right for your hair type.


Are Sisterlocks permanent?
During the first 6 months of development, Sisterlocks can be removed.
Removal will likely take more time, and be more costly than your Initial Locking Session. Most Consultants will not loc your hair if removal is a great concern. You should be sure that the Sisterlocks method is right for you.

Sounds even more tempting right? Everything accept for the part about them being ((((GASP))))...PERMANENT excite me! I am just too indecisive about my hair and I have SERIOUS commitment issues when it comes to my hairstyles, that permanence makes me RUUUUUUUn for the border. Besides, I love my curly q's too much to lock them up permanently.

"The company motto says it all: 'Sisterlocks is not about a hairstyle, it’s about a lifestyle.' "

Sooo, ladies (and gents) if you are interested in learning the technique or getting them done by a certified Sister Loctician, check out the official website http://www.sisterlocks.com/ for more info.

Just wanted to share. Ciao.

p.s. I know I know, I was supposed to upload my Twist out video tutorial, but I haven't had the time. I am making a commitment to get it done this weekend. Stay tuned!

Rock your 'Fro

We curlies tend to focus so much on DEFINING OUR CURLS but have you ever considered going cold turkey? What I mean is have you ever considered rocking your natural glory without using any curl defining products on your hair? I found this photo on

http://www.theglamorouslife.com/ and was inspired. Why do we tend to still try to "tame" our hair? I'm guilty as charged because for so long I was determined to maintain the curl that I got while my hair was wet. I even created my own product line through my experimentation with ingredients that helped define and enhance my curl. Although I love my curly hair and love when my curls pop, I am really feeling the natural, straight out the shower, afropicked, natural glory that reigns high on my head.

Rocking your 'fro shouldn't have to be a bold statement as many may suggest. Your 'fro is a natural and unique part of you and you should be able to rock it cold turkey if you want to like these bad a$$ chicks above!

Just thought I'd share in case you needed some motivation.

Hair Idol: Lauryn Hill

Okay, I know I'm extra late with this, but the old Lauryn Hill images are timeless and flawless. Chick was beyond fabulous and she rocked the cutest hairstyles. Her locks were amazing even if they were speculated to be lock extensions. Nothing wrong with extensions especially when they are used to embrace the natural look.

Lboogie is the business and one of my favorite hair idols of all time. Sigh...I miss Lauryn Hill.

Natural Brides to Be!

I am a "soon to be Mrs." natural kinky curly bride and let me tell you, I have struggled with ideas for how I am going to wear my hair. I'm getting married on an island in the summer so you know the humidity is going to be insane. Humidity= frizz for me so I have been researching hairstyles like a madwoman. I stumbled across Khamitkinks.com and the styles they displayed in their bridal section gave me some needed motivation.

This particular model is rocking a twistout and its simply fabulous and so easy to do. All you need to do is create two-strand twists all over the head (make sure to use a product with great moisturizing and holding properties like my Lock and Twist Pudding) and let the hair dry. Once dry, unravel your twists and style you hair as desired.

This look is perfect!

To view more styles, visit Khamitkinks.com, they have a wonderful style gallery featuring unique natural hair styles.

How to use FLEXI RODS

Thanks to a previous reader's request, I am going to show you how to achieve the curly look using Flexi rods in detail!!!!! Yey!

The model below has 3c/4a kinky curly hair. Flexirods work on any hair type. Just make sure you use product on the hair as it helps give the curls shape, shine and hold. You can make small parts or bigger parts in the hair (the smaller the part the more curls you will have).

Okay, so here it goes: After applying setting lotion or Curl Enhancing cream such as CoCo Curly Butter to your soaking wet hair, follow these steps....

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

FINALE!!

CURLS NIGHT OUT

Can't decide how to wear your hair tonight? Well, make it a Curls Night Out and rock your naturally curly 'do. There are so many ways to Rock it. Here are some quick and easy styles for natural girls on-the-go:

The Coil Cascade
I styled this model (featured in Essence Magazine, July issue)by defining her curls with a little dab of my CoCo Curly Butter and pinned up her curls in a cascading mohawk style.














What you'll need:


1. Bobby Pins- to hold hair in place as shown.

2.Curl enhancing cream- Apply to wet or dry curls to define and make them stand out. Try my Coco Curly Butter curl enhancing cream for a smooth bouncy finish.

Fancy Free Fro

If you're off today like me, you may have some extra time on your hands to achieve this spicy look for a fun filled Curls Night out!













What you'll need:

1. Curl enhancing cream. Try my Coco CurlyButter for a smooth bouncy finish.

2. Flexirods (size of your choice...the smaller they, the more curls you'll have. Wrap your wet hair around the flexi-rods. Fold the flex-rods to keep them secure.

3. Dryer- Sit under to let your hair dry. Don't take your flexi-rods out until your hair dries completely :) Once dry, remove them and apply a moisturizer to make your hair shine and bounce. Try my Spiral Smoothie for added moisture.

RoCk ThIs! :Urban Updo Glam

I styled this model Janelle for a Mahogany Magazine shoot. She's rocking her natural with a braided/pin-curl combo. The model's hair was cornrowed on one side going upwards and the rest of the hair was curled with a ceramic curling iron, then pin-curled for extra hold. The pin curls were released after about 3o minutes then gently pulled apart to create this, hot natural look!

To maintain this style, use a light moisturizer such as Donna Marie's Spiral Smoothie, to smooth down your curls and keep them hydrated and shiny!