Perfectly Pretty Mini Twists on Natural 4c Hair

First off, I am back! I know it doesn't seem like that long ago that I took my alleged break from blogging, but I am officially back. Yipppy! 

A few weeks ago I shared how my hair was dry and how I needed something to keep it moisturized. My first thought was a protective style like faux locs or havana twists, but it's too hot for all that weave. So instead I opted for mini twists!! These twists lasted me for about 3 weeks only because my hair was no longer holding moisture, not to mention the product build up was unbearable. 

Kinky Hair-Tips for applying and removing marley twists

Hey lovely readers. I have officially removed my twists and thought I'd share some tips on how I applied them, took care of them and removed them.
As mentioned in a previous post I washed my marley hair before applying it to prevent irritation. And now that I've already removed my twists I can say I definitely noticed a difference in my scalp compared to past applications of synthetic hair.

• First I made sure to cleanse my scalp properly. Although I washed my hair a week prior, it definitely makes a difference to not apply weave to dirty hair. 
• I sectioned my hair in 4 sections (2 front + 2 back). And I started twisting in the back versus the front. It just seemed better to me to do this. In the front I made sure to part my hair down the middle and both sides because I wanted to wear my hair like that. It's best to part your hair which ever way you like to wear it normally.

DIY My Shea Butter Mixture in details part 2!!

This blog post was typed months ago......soooo it's like a Part Deux for the previous post on my shea butter mixture!!!!

My Shea Butter Mixture is no different from any other DIYourselfer. As a Natural I try my best to make my own products based off of any recipe I've seen online or TV, I then take it and make it my own. And like most Naturals I love experimenting with different oils and butters to achieve the hair and skin that will satisfy my personal needs. I have learned that in order to do this I have to be careful of what I put in my hair and on my skin. I don't always use all natural, or organic products because of cost and other issues. I do oil treatments on my face from time to time, but I also use Philosophy's Purity, which isn't natural but it works for my facial issues. I say all that to say that although I love making my own "natural" products, I also use regular products from time to time. Just because you're a Natural doesn't mean you should feel bad for not using natural and organic products all the time. This is the same argument of putting weaves and wearing wigs. Just because you do either doesn't make you any less of a natural. As far as my body is concerned I have been using Organic Coconut oil from head to toe. Coconut oil makes my skin feel so soft and has my skin glistening on a daily bases. The oil I use on my face is usually Sweet Almond Oil and I do what most call the oil cleansing method. I also use Witch Hazel as a facial toner from time to time. My go-to hair oil is Olive oil with a few drops of Rosemary oil which promotes hair growth. Jojoba oil, Castor oil, Vitamin E oil, and Shea Butter are also other oils I love to use on my skin and hair. I have decided that since I love all these products to put them all in my Whipped Shea Butter mixture. They all have their own benefits for me personally, but here are other benefits that may help most naturals.

∆∆∆∆∆ Jojoba Oil is a light oil that is used to moisturize the skin as well as the hair. "It has similar components to sebum an oily secretion of sebaceous gland which is used to lubricate the skin and hair. It's a natural antioxidant that prevents the onsets of wrinkles on skin". I mean Jojoba oil keeps your skin glowing, good for your scalp dandruff, combat acne, chapped lips, used to treat eczema and psoriasis and so much more. ∆∆∆∆∆

∆∆∆∆∆ Shea Butter whether it is the dyed version (yellow/golden) or unprocessed (white/ivory) it has amazing benefits for your skin as well as your skin. Such as Psoriasis, sun burn, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory for both skin and scalp. ∆∆∆∆∆

∆∆∆∆∆ Although Castor oil can be thick and leave my hair sticky, I use it once in a while as a sealant. And because it is considered as a carrier oil it works well with other oils. Benefits include treats hair loss, anti-fugal, antiviral, prevent drying of the scalp, mixes well with other oils. When used properly it can give your hair and skin amazing results. ∆∆∆∆∆

∆∆∆∆∆ Coconut oil is probably my fave oil of all time mainly because I use it to cook too. It can be used alone on hair and skin, or mixed with other oils and butters. It conditions my hair very well, and many people use it as a pre-poo because of it's reconstructing abilities. Mainly because I have read that it works better on dried hair than on wet hair. ∆∆∆∆∆

∆∆∆∆∆ Although most of the butters and oils I use contain Vitamin E oil, I still add a little bit more for preservation of my mixture. It's good for dry scalp and dandruff, as well as helping to prevent split ends. ∆∆∆∆∆

All these oils have amazing benefits for hair and skin when used alone, but when used together they work even better on my hair and skin. I have posted my Shea Butter Mixture in another arcticle here 

Thanks so much for reading. 

Pynkstarr

I'm late, but yesterday was my naptural-versay

Omygosh guy's. I've been natural for 4 years now. Well almost 4 years, let me explain. I had my last relaxer January 2010, which means that's my "technical" nappyversary. But because I didn't know I was actually going natural until the middle of 2010 I kinda don't count before my big chop. Numbers aren't as important as they used to be so 3 or 4 years, its not a big deal.
My hair journey is 25 years long. I've always had hair issues in some way. Whether I was relaxing or natural I had to deal with something. My hair was too short, too kinky, too nappy, falling out here, too dry....the list goes on. But it wasn't until I went natural that I was able to learn how to treat my hair so that it could be healthy and grow the way God intended; all while being okay with it being a little more kinkier than most. My advice to new naturals is to enjoy the journey and not take everything you read too seriously. I say that because what someone does to his or her hair may not work for your hair. Nothing wrong with tweaking directions here and there tho. Just do what's best for you, as long as you put health first.

Hope y'all enjoyed this post.

Remember to keep it fun!!!!!
Pynkstarr

Blogtober 22-How I use protein treatment on Natural Hair plus review of Palmer's coconut deep conditioning protein treatment

Let me start off by saying I have absolutely no professional knowledge of hair. Whether that be natural hair or relaxed hair, professional I am completely ignorant to what works and what doesn't. Now when it comes to personal knowledge from years of taking care of my own hair then I can offer my input on how certain things worked for me and what just absolutely does not. As far as the physiological aspects of my hair I am learning as I go just as many of you are. I would love to be able to spew out information about  (cortex)
or

Blogtober 19-My week at a glance.

Well Hello out there in blogger land.
As you all know I love blogging and my goal is to continue to help as many people as possible with being relaxer free. So many people need help with this journey but I've always assumed that everyone knows everything. Just because we might know something we can't expect others to know it too. That goes with everything in life. So being able to blog or make a video in order to help someone out is awesome and fun to me. The issue isnt blogging though, the issue is actually posting. I have no internet so I had to post on my phone, which is fine but now I'm stuck using my old phone because my new one is in what android users call a bootloop. Oh I've tried recovering nothing works. That basically my only issue with posting regularly....lack of internet.
Next month I'm going to be going back to school so that may also play a role in regular postings. But I'm going to continue to do the best I can.

Now that that's out of the way lets update my week
Wed I watched this movie called 'Toy Story of terror'. I love animation esp the Toy Story franchise, I cried on the part when they were almost crushed in the last one and they were all holding hands. Ugh I was bawling like a baby. But I recommend this movie 100%.
Thursday I went to Walmart with my mommy. Her tablet stopped working and she had to get another one. But while I was there I found a Curls product that I've been wanting to try. It's called Curls goddess curls . I can finally wash my hair today so I'm going to try with one of my styling creams. I'm excited.
Friday I registered for school which made me so excited. I love school and have missed learning so much. Its a computer certificate that Ill be getting which is right up my alley. It was between computers or cooking. I love both my computers are more versatile than cooking to me. Plus I've been using computers longer lol.
Today is Saturday, the 19th of Oct and I'm just going to wash my hair and do a twist out with the Curls and probably Cantu Shea butter. See how that combo works.
My sewer has been stopped up so I was trying to figure how I'd wash my hair then morning it was a miracle it was clogged anymore. I know God did that...#wonthedoit
Well on to my Saturday chores.
Enjoy your weekend
Pynkstarr

Blogtober Day 5, Oct 5 2013- hair regimen

Hey lovelies,

I was just scrolling through my blog today and saw how far I have come since 2009. Not to mention the fact that my blog has not been very consistent, which I am almost sorry for but not only because I just love so many things. LOL. Any hoo I was going over my hair regi's and see that I haven't posted a new one in like 3 years. In three years a lot has changed, one major change is after going completely relaxer-free my hair changed. I have had ups and downs but my major hair issue is moisture, dry hair, and hair retention. I have learned a lot about my hair since my transitional period in 2010 therefore my regimen has changed multiple times through out the years. Not sure if this is a good sign or a bad sign to change your regimen so much, but hey I am human. LOL. So here is my current (by current I mean what I did the last time I washed my hair) hair routine.

My last wash day took a lot longer because I had in mini-twists therefore I had to use water and Coconut Oil to remove my twists. I also finger/wide combed detangled my hair using H2O and Coconut oil. ----This is what most people call a pre-poo

Next I used my ACV mixture on my scalp because it works for the itching I get in the crown of my head. My ingredients are\
ACV= 2 parts H2O + 1 part ACV + (optional) honey

The last few times I used shampoo my hair felt frizzy, and I hated it so I went back to my own poo mixture. Those ingredients are \
Poo Mixture= 2 parts water + 1 squirt of Castile Soap ( I use the lavender Dr Bronner's version).

Next my last two washes I've used Tresemme Naturals conditioner, which I love the way it makes my hair feel.

I made my own deep condition the wash before last, but this time around I ran out of eggs so I used Shea Moisture Deep Treatment masque. I left it on until the next day.

The next day I washed out the DC and decided I wanted to stretch my hair using the tension method, which I have described before in a previous post.

Then I styled my hair in a twist out.

To put it short
1) ACV rinse
(once/month) 2) Poo Mixture
3) Conditioner
4) Deep Conditoner
(once/month) 5) Style

I do this once ever two weeks. I used to wash or co-wash every week but changed that because I felt like my hair was getting so dry when I did.

Depending on the day I either air dry (most likely) or blow dry (least likely).

I hope this helps someone but like I said I will more than likely in the coming months change it again.

Thanks so much for reading

Pynkstarr /(*_*)\

Naptural hair diary-putting more efforts into my hair

Ever since the moment I have decided to officially go natural I have put more effort into my hair.

The same efforts I had put into my skin, my body, and soul I now do to my hair. I wouldn't say I never cared for my hair but that is what I assumed moms or hair salons were supposed to do, take care of my hair. But I know now that is not the case. Just like how I began working on my body in 2004, or my spirituality in 2008, I had to learn to put those efforts into my hair. But I am NOT my hair. Meaning that if today I wanted to dye it I would, if I cut it I would.

"Afros remind me of the 70's" say what!!

O boy! Here we go again! Am over reacting or are people really just too ignorant to understand how dumb they sound sometimes. My people ( black people) have been soooo brainwashed it's crazy. But I will confess that I was once as ignorant as these people in this video. Although I will say that once I became educated enough I no longer said disrespectful things about being African American or black. I wasn't raised to necessarily hate being black but I also wasn't preached to about the greatness of embracing my body, my skin color, my natural hair texture. I grew up knowing all these inventions black people did, all these accomplishments we've made, the strides we came through in history and today. But God forgive us for asking a white teacher why her hair is considered nicer than yours. Or hear your black teachers make fun of your African friend's afro in the 3 rd grade saying whyd they let her come out like that. I wasn't ever taught to embrace what I had growing on my head because my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles grew so accustomed to the European ways of living that they forgot that once upon a time wearing "nappy" hair was seen as a positive thing, being proud of who you were. Now don't get me wrong we have come a ways with our thinking and changing societies minds about not having straight blonde hair. But we still have so far to go. And Im not going to say just black people but Caucasians who feel like they can't wear their hair curly because of their up bringing. I can only speak from the black American stand point because I am doh black American. But please no matter your race please chime in. After watching the video, I was no the only one in shock. I mean "afros being in the 70's" really dude! If you didn't know how much further we've got to go then this will speak for itself. Leave your opinions below. Or email me at starrpynk@yahoo.com if you want a more private conversation regarding hair questions etc Pynkstarr lthough I will say that once I became educated enough I no longer said disrespectful about being African American or black. I wasn't raised to necessarily hate being black but I also wasn't preached to about the greatness of embracing my body, my skin color, my natural hair texture. I grew up knowing all these inventions black people did, all these accomplishments we've made, the strides we came through in history and today. But God forgive us for asking a white teacher why her hair is considered nicer than yours. Or hear your black teachers make fun of your African friend's afro in the 3 rd grade saying whyd they let her come out like that. I wasn't ever taught to embrace what I had growing on my head because my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles grew so accustomed to the European ways of living that they forgot that once upon a time wearing "nappy" hair was seen as a positive thing, being proud of who you were. Now don't get me wrong we have come a ways with our thinking and changing societies minds about not having straight blonde hair. But we still have so far to go. And Im not going to say just black people but Caucasians who feel like they can't wear their hair curly because of their up bringing. I can only speak from the black American stand point because I am doh black American. But please no matter your race please chime in. After watching the video, I was no the only one in shock. I mean "afros being in the 70's" really dude! If you didn't know how much further we've got to go then this will speak for itself. Leave your opinions below. Or email me at starrpynk@yahoo.com if you want a more private conversation regarding hair questions etc Pynkstarr

Cantu Shea Butter review of grow strengthening treatment!

Hey lovely readers, I have been using Cantu Shea butter products since 2010. Although I love them now, their was a time when their products just was not working for me I purchased Cantu shea butter Grow strong strengthening treatment because many people on you to recommend it there leave in conditioner. At the time I couldn't find it so I settled for the strengthening treatment, it works great as I was transitioning from relaxed to natural. After I bc 'd my hair it just seems to not work anymore; same with the leave in. I'm not sure what the problem was but I left my hair dry looking, even after freshly washing. So I stopped for a few months before I went back to try a different method of using the products. Twist-outs, braid-outs, protective styles, flat twists, you name it i tried it. Fast forward to today and I am officially back in love with the Cantu brand; esp their Grow strong strengthening treatment. And here are my personal opinions of the product. Price: Between $4.99-$6.00 What are the cons? I'm not feeling the fact that I can't really use it while my hair is wet I always let my hair air dry first before styling, but once I tried styling while it was pretty wet and I left my hair frizzy. Now I am not sure if I did something wrong or not, but that is definitely not recommended. What are the pros? Work well with my eco styler gel the olive oil brand, it leaves my hair shiny, soft, and it fights frizz on wash days. I also love to use it after I have blow dried my hair, my hair comes out so defined. Works well with perm rods but only if my hair is blow dried (read cons). Do you recommend this product and why? Yes, because it keeps my hair moisturized while in many of my protective styles. If you are looking for product that will keep your natural do is moisturized, this is a good product to try, but if you're going organic or refuse to use ingredients such as sulfate for Parabens than this is not the product for you. Ingredients: Water is the first one which is always a good sign. But there are Cetearyl Alcohol, Parabens, and added frangrances. It does have Shea Butter, castor oil, and sweet almond oil. I hope you all enjoyed this post. Stay tuned on more reviews. Pynkstarr

I disagree with Sheryl Underwood but...

I was completely out of the loop when it came to the subject of Sheryl Underwoods comments in regards to natural hair. After reading the comments I, unlike most naturalistahs, tried to put myself in her situation. I have been trying my best to change my views on others opinions of myself or things that affect me personally. It just so happens that I am natural, therefore what she said did offend me. But lots of things that people say about natural hair offends me. This has nothing to do with Sheryl per se, just that WE naturals are always on defense mode because we know what it's like to be natural. We see the stares, feel the awkwardness from family and friends, so I think most of us just take EVERY single comment made about natural hair or curly hair to heart. Now since I have been on my spiritual journey the last few years, I've learned that no matter what a person says to you, it's not about you. Sheryl's views is a personal issue. Now whether or not she feels that it is a deeper rooted issue is up to her. Although her comments offended me, I don't take it too personally because it wasn't personal. Everyone on this earth has an issue with something and most people suppress it temporarily but it eventually comes out, usually in comments. Most people who are new at being expressive with their curly hair at one point in time said some not so nice comments about those naturals. Heck, people who are natural make comments about other people that are natural.

My advice is think before you speak because everyone is watching, thanks to social media. And also don't take everything so dag on serious all the time. Take it with a grain of salt and keep it moving!  ITS REALLY NOT THAT SERIOUS!!

Thanks so much for reading         

~ Pynkstarr

PS: I love me some Sheryl Underwood since the BET's Comicview days. She as a person, to me, just always seemed so genuine. Her story is amazing and if you don't know everything about her, except for seeing her on The Talk then I suggest you google her story before putting your judgement on Sheryl the person, not the star. I only am saying this because of the comments I've read about her in these last few weeks. Some people are starting to attack her personally just because of one mistake she has made.

How I deep condition my hair using Shea Moisture

Please enjoy my video on how I mix it up with http://youtu.be/bua2eyTLf4gmy products. I have been reading a lot about being cautious with mixing my products because of bacteria. Especially when using water. I only add oils to my conditioners not water. And if I dilute anything with preservatives I only make a little jar of it just for one use. All the things I use in this video are listed in the video description box. First i mix olive oil and deep Treatment Masque in a jar and apply it to my hair vigorously. I left it on for 24 hours, but that's not necessary 30 minutes is fine. If you have a hooded dryer then use it but if you don't like heat and don't have a hooded dryer I make my own heat using a wool hat. Then I place my satin cap over that. I hope this helps! Tell me what you do to mix it up when it comes to natural hair? Thanks so much for watching and reading. I love what I do no matter what. Pynkstarr

Natural Hair: Protective style Senegalese Twists Q&A plus update

I was  supposed to made this post weeks ago, but besides the lack of internet I most recently suffered a head injury. I won't go to far into details of the situation but I'm getting better just neck and back pains now. Anyhow luckily I make my posts ahead of time and can just copy and paste.

My Senegalese Twists:
I had been thinking about a protective style that would require as little maintenance as possible. Then of course I took to the place I do all my hairstyle shopping, Youtube.com. This is where I find my most inspiration, that and blogs. I saw a few people with Senegalese Twists and thought hey I could do that. After looking through some tutorials online I was able to accomplish the hairstyle.

Things I Don't Miss About Having a Relaxer

There are so many things I hated about having relaxed hair.

I used to try and stretch my relaxer so i wouldnt wash it for weeks; esp if i was 2 broke to go to the hair dresser.

Scratching it too much and having it burn.

leaving it in until it burned very badly; then burning my scalp a few times.

Perms suck!!
Pynkstarr

Reed Between the Lines and Natural Hair

Okay I have not been able to watch this show yet. But I was extremely happy to read and watch a clip on Natural hair.

Natural Hair «««« 8 mth Hair Progress

My hair is growing ya'll.

Personal: Slow connection/friend vs. associate

Hey all. I write to you all kinda bitter.
This is a long one after the jump

A 'me' update + Beyonce Performs at the Billboard Music Awards

Hair disaster!

Hey Ladies and gents out there in blogger land. I have been trying to figure out what the heck to do with this thing on my head. I also have hands to hair issues. I love being natural. But some days my hair just does not cooperate with me what so ever. I know most naturalistas are not very in to weave and wigs. But I do not oppose to hair weaves. If you don't like it then good for you. But I like to look kept together, meaning if my natural hair looks crazy then I gotta fix it. These are my choices:

Raven is Natural too!!

A weeks ago I was reading an interview with her stating she had been natural for years but that she never really wore it out except a few times on the red carpet. But never for movies. And she also mentioned she had to cut it. Well the other day she was at Steve Harvey's Disney’s Dreamers Academy and Raven was there. She was sporting a new 'do and I love it. =)