What does your man think about your hair?

So, the other day I had an epiphany! I was somewhat stressing about what I'm going to do with my hair for my upcoming wedding. Since its in Jamaica, I immediately started thinking of protective styles, such as a natural weave (i.e. weave using naturally curly/kinky texture). Since I big chopped again, my hair is not the length I desired it to be for my wedding and I wanted to enhance the length by adding a natural looking weave. While I was asking my soon-to-be-husband what I should do with my hair (in a somewhat frantic voice), he says "Wear it just like that". I said, "Like what?" He says, "The Twistout, it looks nice just like that. I don't want to see any weaves or any extensions, I want you to wear it just like that!" Relieved, but yet somewhat puzzled, I say "Well, what about when I go swimming, I don't wanna have to deal with my hair on the trip." He goes, "You make your own products, slap on some of that curly stuff you make and rock your naturally curly look or just twist your hair back up for the rest of the trip." (Yes he knows the meaning of a "twistout").

I absolutely love my natural hair, but always feel like it needs super protection when I am going somewhere that includes water activities, but water isn't cryptonite for natural hair! As a matter of fact, water is your natural hair's BFF! I had to realize that I don't need to enhance my hair for a glam look for my wedding, my hair at its current length and state is good enough. I knew this already, I guess I just needed a reminder.

What a relief to know that my man truly LOVES my natural hair!

What are your thoughts? What are your man's feelings about your natural hair?

Rock a Twist out!

I am finally getting around to actually doing my hair and decided to do the old faithful...twistout! Now that my hair is growing back from my second big chop I can learn to appreciate it more.

I used: Donna Marie Lock and Twist Pudding (but of course...wink)

Here are my results:

I LOVE twistouts, because they are so versatile. This style works great in any setting including work, a dinner date, an upscale event, and you can easily pull it back to workout and fluff it back into shape when you're done. At night, I sleep with a bonnet on and spray my hair with my new MiraCurl Moisture Mist (launching July 1) in the mornings. The Mist keeps it shiny and moisturized, while pumping up bedhead, making it easy to get up and go.

Video tutorial to come....stay tuned!

Surprise! She's Natural!

Next up in "Surprise, She's Natural" is someone we've all gotten to know and love since she was a little girl playing Olivia on the Cosby Show. Yes folks, Raven Symone is a NATURAL!!! Her hair is absolutely gorgeous. Check it out:

Raven with the straight look

Raven Rocking her Natural

I vote for the natural look. She even rocked it on red carpet, something you RARELY see! Go Raven.

Thoughts? Anyone?

Different Textures on the same head!

Some of you may remember in a previous post where I stated that I big chopped again because I wanted to see whether or not I was suffering from heat damage due the front of my hair being almost straight. Well, it wasn't a huge big chop, but my hair was almost to the middle of my back prior to the cut and I cut it just below my ears, so you be the judge. My hair is all natural. Here is my hair after the second Big Chop:

My hair has grown quite a bit since the "second big chop" (pictured above) (my first one was in 2004) but the front of my hair is still very straight. There is a slight wave to it, but its pretty much straight. You can see it in the picture above. The front of my hair now stretches to my bottom lip and it is still STRAIGHT from the root and I have NOT straightened my hair since I big chopped almost 7 mos ago!

Also, I noticed, that my sister and my aunt also have the same issue. Many of us already have more than one texture on one head, so its no surprise that the front of my hair may be a different texture than the middle or the back, but STRAIGHT???? I didn't go natural to embrace my "straight" hair.

I can't stand it because it ruins my twist-outs and wet-n-gos, two of my fave hair styling options. I have to roll up the hair in the front to get it match the rest of my hair. People constantly ask me if I permed the front of my hair (what purpose does that serve?).

Perhaps, the years of perming my hair has caused it to be straight in the front, although, there is no evidence to support such a claim. Perhaps it is simply genetic since my sister and aunt both share the same identical "problem". My other sister and my mother both wear locs, so I cannot tell if their hair behaves the same.

What do you guys think? Do you have straight/loose wavy hair place sporadically throughout your kinky curly head? How does your multitude of textures affect your styling options?

Tyra Banks talks GOOD HAIR!

This is a Tyra show that I cannot WAIT to see! Tyra Banks explores the topic of Good Hair in the African American community. Good Hair is usually the term used to describe hair that is not kinky or tightly coiled in texture and also described as hair that "you can get a comb through". Her guests include a mother who perms her 3-year old daughters hair.

I am very interested in this topic and more interested in what Tyra has to say about it since she wears weaves most of the time. Please note: I am certainly not opposed to weaves. Weaves are GREAT for protective styling, if done right, but some women wear weaves to conceal the hair they have underneath instead of using it as a protective style (we'll explore protective styles in a later post this week). I am sure Tyra uses weaves as a protective styling option as many celebs do because she is constantly getting her hair done and that can actually damage the natural hair. However, I cannot help but notice that you rarely if not EVER see her or any other weave rockin' celebs rocking their natural hair. Her commentary on this topic should be interesting, nonetheless.

Anyway, the show airs May 12, 2009. Check this link for more info!

Oils and Butters, Oh My!

If you're like me, your hair LOVES oils and butters! I simply can't get enough. Oils and butters are essential to my daily hair styling regime, especially in the colder months. However, not oils and are created equal.

Get to know some of the most common (and not so common) oils and determine what the best oils are for your mane! Here are my absolute favorites:

Sweet Almond oil-My hair drools for this oil, its my absolute favorite and the the one I use the most in my products. Its one of the most commonly used oils in the skin and beauty industry especially in body care, but also imparts an incredible shine and conditioning feel to the hair without being greasy or heavy. Add it to any hair care product and be amazed at the instant softness it provides your hair.

Castor oil-derived from castor bean, this oil works wonders on extra dry hair especially when added to conditioners. On the hair, castor oil will coat the hair shaft and smooth the cuticle layer, which helps protect the hair while sealing in moisture.

Jojoba oil- has often been crowned the "golden child of hair care." Jojoba oil definitely lives up to its name as it is one of lightest, non greasy oils that I have used and works great at combating itchy scalp, dandruff and brittle, while imparting a wonderful shine to the hair, without feeling heavy. This oil most closely resembles the natural oil that your skin produces, sebum, making it ideal for the hair and scalp. Although it can be more expensive than other oils, a little goes a very long way and the benefits are worth it.

Brocolli Seed oil-Not the most commonly used, but completely underrated! Brocolli seed oil is another light, non-greasy oil that seals the hair and makes it shiny. Many companies, including my company Donna Marie, are incorporating Brocolli Seed oil in their serums in place of silicones to improve the conditon of the hair while providing a shine that lasts all day.

Hempseed oil-Organic, unrefined, unsterilized, and unfumigated hemp seeds are rich source of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Essential Fatty Acids help maintain strong, healthy hair. This oils is excellent for use internally and externally due to its inherent richness in essential fatty acids and it has been shown to help stimulate hair growth.

Butters

Shea Butter-This very popular, thick, rich butter, derived from Shea Nut originating in Ghana is an excellent emollient for the hair and skin. It easily absorbs into the hair shaft, especially when heated and can be used alone as a great hair conditioners. Shea Butter can be easily mixed with Aloe Vera for excellent hair conditioning and replenshing the hair shaft as it is loaded with vitamins A and E.

Cocoa Butter-my favorite emollient! Of course Cocoa Butter is also excellent for the skin, but I love this even more for the hair. Its very concentrated (and smells delicious) and serves as a marvelous protectant for the hair shaft. Unlike the ever-so-popular Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter penetrates the hair much easier, especially when heated.

Mango Butter-obtained from the fruit seed of the Mango tree, this butter is just fabulous. Mango Butter instantly melts into the hair and absorbs into the hair shaft quickly, without leaving a greasy residue or film on the hair. This butter is perfect for doing twistouts as it leaves the hair soft effortlessly, although it can be greasy feeling on the hands initially, but not in the hair!

Kokum Butter-although this butter feels very hard and firm at room temperature, it melts readily and easily mixes with other butters. I love kokum butter for its molding and moisturizing properties when mixed with other butters. Kokum is not greasy and very similar to Cocoa butter in texture without the strong nutty smell.

Surprise! She's Natural!

Next up in my "Surprise She's Natural" segment is OPRAH WINFREY! If you watch her show you already know she's natural because she made this public to all of her viewers. However, some people made the mistake in saying the Oprah stated that she " has never worn a weave". Oprah said in response to questions on Twitter that day about how nice her weave looks on the show, "No, I am not wearing a weave". In fact, she talked about her weave on a previous show. She just wanted her viewers to know that currently the hair that she is sporting is 100% hers.

Either way, her Lady O's natural dome is Fab!

*SIDE BAR: I don't know if her hair is chemically processed in any way, but it appears to be natural hair blown out to me*

Here is a clip from her show where she talks about Rocking her Natural!