Can't Keep up

I have not posted for a while for a good reason....I'm swamped. I think this will be my last post for a while. I plan to relaunch the blog in the summer.

Please come check back in the very near future for tutorials, product how-tos, natural beauties of the week and more.

Thanks for reading!

-Ayanna-

Heat Damage!!!

For those naturals who like to press their hair every once in a while (including myself)....brace yourself....heat damage is REAL!! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.

Of course I've always known this, but I have never actually seen the damage in the flesh, that is until last week. SHORT STORY: My sister in law to be wears her hair natural but she's still in transition and currently wears a partial weave while it grows out. The natural hair that she leaves out to cover the extension wefts, she presses and flat-irons daily. We washed it not too long ago and to my SURPRISE, HER HAIR DIDNT REVERT BACK!!!! "OMG, YOUR HAIR IS STRAIGHT!", I said. No curls poppin anywhere. However, a couple of protein treatments and washes later, the curls began to form...whew!

Okay, so after my mini panic attack, I came up with a plan of action or tips (if you will) to prevent this from happening again. PLEASE READ so this doesn't happen to you my friends.

HAIR DAMAGE 101:

This is your healthy hair cuticle.

This is your hair's cuticle layer on drugs...(i.e. heat damage)

SO, what is the cuticle and why do we care about it? The cuticle layer is the outermost layer of the hair that serves as a protective barrier against the innermost layers (i.e. the cortex and the medulla). The cuticle, when healthy, will emit shine and will allow the hair to feel soft and bounce freely. When damaged, the hair will tangle and break easily and appear very dull.

MAIN CULPRITS OF HEAT DAMAGE:

The blowdryer

The Flat iron

The pressing comb

PREVENTION and PROTECTION FROM HEAT DAMAGE:
-Use a heat protectant cream: This is a must. If you insist on pressing/flat ironing those curlies straight, you have to protect them. Use a serum like Mizani's ThermaSmooththat smoothes and protects the cuticle layer in your hair, which helps prevent thermal damage. One of the active ingredients in this heat protectant serum is Coconut oil (which I LOVE), which serves to "infuse moisture into each strand and help guard against breakage from mechanical damage resulting from hair straightening" so look out for that ingredient in your bottles!

Glycerin is another great ingredient because it is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture in the hair!

-Alcohols are a no-no: Don't use products with alcohols as they will strip your hair. There are good moisturizing alcohols like Cetyl Alcohol and ceatearyl alchol that actually help maintain moisture in the hair.

I haven't found a highly natural alternative to these creams yet, but I'm working on one so stay tuned.

-Don't heat style everyday. Constant heat breaks down the cuticle layer in the hair causing major breakage and overall damage. To maintain your straight style for the next day, wrap your hair in a silk scarf over night.

-USE PROTEIN TREATMENTS. Protein treatments will rebuild your hair's structure and prevent it from breaking. Many people swear by Aphogee, but judging by the ingredients, I just can't recommend it. Lookout for products that contain hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed oat protein or silk amino acids. For many, protein can make add sheen to the hair since it helps rebuild the hair's structure and smooth the cuticle layer. There are many warnings out there about using too much protein as it can make the hair hard for those who have a "sensitivity" to protein. Simply use a moisturizer after doing a protein treatment if your hair feels hard as a result.

-JUST DON'T DO IT- The reality is, we don't NEED to wear our hair straight. We can rock it curly because hey, that's how God made it. BUT, the straight look can be so much fun sometimes, so I know this probably is unrealistic for some, including myself. What can I say, I like options. I have to admit, my natural curls are so much more fun!

Stay tuned for more great tips next week! Hope this helps.

I'm back and with my second Big CHOP!

I know I have been MIA for a minute...But I'm back and with a new cut. I got bored with my hair over the past few months and plus I still had some color in my hair that I NEEDED to get rid of DESPERATELY. I still have some color left, but most of it has been CHOPPED OFF!!!

The verdict: Well, at first, I wanted to cry! My hair was literally to the middle of my back (well, when you stretch it out) and now I can barely put it in a ponytail. Considering that it took almost four years to get to this length, it was pretty devastating to see all that hard work laid out on my bathroom floor. But now...I love it! Its too cute. At the end of the day, I realize that its just hair and because its even healthier, it will certainly grow back! (Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do for my Jamaica Wedding...that heat and humidity will instantly turn my hair into a helmet and a I barely have enough hair for a braided updo). Anywho, pictures will soon come so stay tuned. I also plan to work on all my various Youtube "How to videos" over the holidays for all you hair junkies out there who just can't get enough of these hair tutorials.

I've also been working on some new products (some old ones have been reformulated or enhanced) so please check them out at www.beautybydonnamarie.com. The sampler pack is in stock now so you can try it before you buy it!

Look out for more posts as I am now back to my regularly scheduled program! Thanks for following and if you are a newbie...welcome!

Oh and YEEEEEEEEEEEY for OBAMA!

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 natural in the Workplace!

Have you ever felt uncomfortable rocking the natural look at work? Are you rocking blowouts during the week while rocking twists on the weekends for fear of not blending in at the workplace? I've been there. I hated the redundancy of my colleagues' questions like, "How did you get your hair like that?" or the comment, "You always have such crazy hair." I didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or a diss. Yet, people fear what they don't understand. Thus, instead of hiding behind my hair in a straight facade, I decided to embrace this head of mine and rock it with confidence at work. When people ask questions that are deemed silly, just answer the question with confidence. Allow them the opportunity to "understand" so they won't fear your hair; instead they will accept and many times will even embrace your look. No biggie. Your colleagues and bosses at work will embrace your hair if you do. They won't have a choice :)!

Here are some looks that work in the workplace:

The Modern Puff

Created by curling the hair on a curling iron, then pinning the curls and slicking down the front with a headband

Locked Corporate Diva
Created by rolling hair on rollers while wet and setting the hair until dry

Flexi Sexi (created by using the Flexi rod set)

Pin Curled Diva

(created by using pin curls)

The original Puff

These styles were all taken from Essence.com (accept for the bottom pic). Visit Essence for more great styles in their hair gallery!

Stay tuned, PICTORIALS TO COME!

Beauty of the day: Gelila Bekele

Ethiopian model Gelila Bekele and rumored girlfriend of Tyler Pyler (giving the "YBF's *side eye* on that rumor) is absolutely gorgeous! I love beautiful, thick, curly manes! She's fierce and of course we love her because she rocks her natural without shame.

Hair by Nedjetti Salon
Bloomfield, NJ

Give it up for Miss Bekele ladies and gents!