Kinky Hair-Marley Twist Prep Before Application

Hi guys!!! I have decided to do another protective style. Whoooo hoooo. This style is called Marley Twists. Now I am not a professional. Meaning I have no absolute idea what the differences are between Marley Twists and Havana Twists except for the sizing, and maybe the type of hair is basically the only difference.

September 2013 Hair Regimen

Yes I know the title says September 2013 and I have changed a few things in my regimen. But this regimen might help someone out so Enjoy!!!

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

2) Poo Mixture

3) Conditioner

4) Deep Conditoner

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 /(*_*)\

DIY Senegalese Twists + Details on my process

This post was written last year around this time, but it's taken me soooo long to post it because of so many reasons. Please enjoy!!!

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. Anyhoo 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.

Wash Process:

I used my usual wash process. I finger detangled the day before with EVoo and Coconut oil. Cowashed with Tressemme for curly hair, not sulfate free. After rinsing out my condish I used Cantu Shea butter as my leave in. I decided to blow dry my hair before twisting because I saw a few people do it in their vids and assumed it made your hair more manageable.  I used Dudley's creme press for my heat protectant. This process took about 2 hrs as usual. I decided to wait til the next day to twist my hair because I had put my hair through a lot with the blow dryer.

Twist Process:

It took me about 2 days to do the style. I took multiple breaks of course. It wasn't that hard to get the braid started at first but after an hr my hands got tired. I started with a braid first then the twists. I also decided to use two different colors in my hair just to switch it up a little. Next time I'll twist from the roots but that may take some practice. I plan on leaving the style in for about 3-4 weeks because I know I am gonna miss my own hair and it may frizz up.

Will I do this again?:

Yes, Although the style was time consuming I loved the outcome so it was worth it.

Cons:

Not sure if it was the brand but the hair did get tangled from time to time.

Products used:

Tresemme for curly hair & Cantu Shea butter leave in conditioner & EVOO and Coconut oil <Comb
Duck clips
Sensationnel Braid now Kanekalon Fiber Jumbo braid in colors: 4 (my natural color) and M350/1B (reddish and black mixture)

Cost:
All of my wash products I already had on had and I did not have to purchase anything but the hair. I used 4 packs of hair (1 pack red + 3 packs brown) they came out to $7.00.

I hope that this post was a help. I haven't had time to edit my video explanation, but stay tuned. 

Pynkstarr

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

It's a snow day!!!

So yea it's snowing.....again. Which means no class. And nothing to do. LOL. Due to my lack of data, my plan to catch up on new shows is a no go. There are just so many that I enjoy like LAHHNY, Being Mary Jane, Single Ladies....not to mention my fave YT shows such as Roomieloverfriends, That Guy, Brothers with no Game. I mean the list goes on of all the shows I like. Usually on snow days when I have class, I just do work for school to make up for the day off. But today like the last few weeks I have been so unfocused. I haven't been able to concentrate since the beginning of the year for may reasons. This is my pattern in most things in my life. I go through stages....First stage I am sooooo excited for all the possibilities that can happen, this can pertain to jobs, school, life, etc. Second stage my momentum starts to go down, this is usually after doing something for a few weeks. Yes after a few weeks of doing anything I just lose interest. I have no idea why this happens but it's been happening since I was a kid. Third stage is usually the final stage, depending on how long I decide to stick it out. But in this stage I become completely unmotivated with everything. I get so depressed and sad about everything. Then I usually quit. LOL!! Sounds bad?? Well it is horrible. Especially when you don't have $$. But in my 3rd stage I don't think about the consequences completely through as most people will do. I am the kinda person where if it's not working for me I leave. That goes for everything in my life including friendships.

This can't be normal. I mean it's my normal, but it's not normal for anyones life. At 26, you have to learn to stick with things to go through the process. I learned that today! I thought I had everything together by now but I honestly don't. AT ALL! NOT even close! I'm realizing that this is okay. You don't have to be perfect all the time, you don't have to have all the answers all the time, And it's okay if you don't know something. SO my lesson for 2014 is to be more focused on the process, but know that it is a process. Nothing will just happen for for me. I am very thankful for my family and my friends. And very grateful to be in school. Like I've said before I am a book worm, nerd, geek what ever you want to call it. And the computer program course I am taking is still amazing. I just have to not give up this time. Find the motivation from some where and become more focused.

I am definitely going to live my life through God like I have doing for the past few years. And continue on my spiritual journey because I believe that's another reason I have become unfocused. Because I haven't been communicate with God as much as I was before starting school. Which is crazy because it's because of God that I am in school. So I am going to just start trusting the process and do one thing at a time. That's another reason I haven't been focusing on school because I have been trying to focus on 100 other things as well. One thing at a time for me.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post. I am very sorry for not posting regularly, but if you read the above post then you understand why not lol.

Thanks again,
Pynkstarr

New Year, New Me, New You.....New Funk :(

Hi yall!! Happy New Year to you guys and your family. I am happy wayyyy wayyyy down deep that it is a new year. But on another I am wondering how will 2014 be any better for me than it was last year. Don't get me wrong, starting at the end of 2012 I came to the realization that if you think negatively, then you will get negative results. Not saying I'm not thinking optimistically about 2014, all I am saying is what will I accomplish this year that I didn't get to do in 2013. Of course only God knows the answers to that and all I can do is pray He has amazing things stored for me this year. I am just tired of hoping and nothing really happening the way I want them too. But the saying goes " Wanna make God laugh, tell him what your gonna do" or something like that. I mean I get it. I'm not in control. Is it bad that I feel a little funky about it tho?! That's right with all the blessings I have I am in a funk, on the first day of the year. SUE ME!! lol. I am allowed to not be happy ALL the time about all the things going on in my life. People always say be grateful for this, or that, okay I am very grateful for the things that I have but what about the things that I want. Or the things that I thought I wanted, but no longer want/need and now I am stuck figuring it out. :/ Maybe it's because I am almost 30 and I think I am going through a mid-mid life crisis. Having not accomplished a lot of things that I thought I would have by now. Like I am running out of time or something. Some say this happens to them in their late 20's and early 30's, well that means I have a lonnng way to go of feeling this way. I just feel so....so....blah!! Even if it's a New Year and New You, I'd like to at least see what the New ME has in store cause as of right now I have no clue. When I plan, God does His own thing, which makes me feel outta control.

I am in school because of His plan, well and my plan to. I've always loved tech so I prayed to be able to do something that I love in accordance to God's word. Well now that I am in school for tech, it doesn't feel like I am going anywhere. LOL. How crazy does that sound right. I just started school the end of NOV 2013 and I feel like I am not going anywhere. Well that is just how I feel. I love the course I am taking, although some things are slightly annoying, for the most part I am enjoying it a bunch!! But I'd like for God to tell me something!! Even a tiny hint would be suffice enough. :) ✞

Enough with the babbling or venting or being a grumpy buddy on New Year's Day!!! Back to the fun loving me that everyone adores. The thankful, grateful person I really am!!! :)

God Bless your 2014 guys!!
Pynkstarr

Ps.....I'll be back with more Natural Hair posts/videos soon!!!

Happy Holidays!!

Hi y'all out there in blogger land. It's been a long time I know. This is quite redundant right but until I have the appropriate time to blog it's going to be this way.
Now as much as I do love blogging there just really isn't enough time in the day to post every single idea I have....and I have a lot. Like trips I take, hair suggestions, ootd, fotd, hauls, spiritual inspiration...you name I've thought of posting. But when you add all the factors of school, social life, rest, and just plain old laziness; well I just never make the time. Not to mention I know what kinda blog I want to have and until I can make my website the way I know will help so many people, I just haven't had the motivation.
Other than that how has everyone's holiday season been treating them?? Blessed I hope!! :-)
Well as some may know from past posts my birthday is near the holiday, plus I do celebrate Christmas so I had a blast. Ugh and before I know it I'll be back in class. Which I love but I need a break every

Review of Dr Bronner's coconut oil

Hiiii y'all. Long time no speak. I say these words all the time but it's true. I am still so busy and so tired all the time that I barely have time to blog. This blog isn't about that though. It's about my favorite oil, well second favorite after EVOO. Coconut oil!!!
I've been using coconut oil since 2010 but never really used it on my skin until this year. I don't use it every day but most days right out of the shower it's the best. There are 100s of vloggers online that focus on all things natural, but my fave has to be "HEYFRANHEY" she is the best all NATURALe vlogger. I only say this because she really does use organic, natural products for her skin and hair. I'm sure she uses non natural items too.
After checking out her vids I've been in transition on going completely naturale, organic everything. But like everything else that's good for you going organic is expensive. So when I get a great job next year after graduation I'll make the complete turn around until then I'll stick to organic hair and body products.
The other day I realized I had ran outta coconut oil, which was a shocker because my first jar lasted so long. My second jar was the Spectrum brand expeller pressed which was unscented. It felt great on my skin and in my hair. It was purchased at pathmart for $9.99 for I think 12 oz. So since I had to go to "Whole Foods" for some essential oils, which I refused to purchase because it's really overpriced, I thought why not kill two birds with one stone and pick up my EVCO. Well they didn't have any Spectrum brand. I thought uhoh...what is a girl to do? Then I see another brand of EVCO. "DR. Bronner's magic all-one fair trade & organic fresh pressed virgin coconut oil" it also said "whole kernal unrefined". Lol. I said what in the heck is whole kernal, like popcorn kernal. I still don't know but after opening it up I didn't see actual kernels so I was less worried. Anyhoo, I get my purchases home, I also bought honey ill review that later cause it's Amazing. I open the jar and it smelled like popcorn. Lol. Now I'm like wait is it popcorn coconut oil or what. My other brands never had a smell so I thought about returning it but I liked how it felt on my hands.
After 1 week of use on my skin and hair I really love it. The smell isn't strong to me but I know some folks might not like it. Also it's the same price as my last jar $9.99 but unlike Spectrum EVCO it's 14 ozs . We'll see as time goes on but so far so good with this brand.
Recap:
- "DR. Bronner's magic all-one fair trade & organic fresh pressed virgin coconut oil" was purchased at "wholefoods" for $9.99. It's 14 fl oz.  -It's scented, although lightly it still may not be appealing to most.
-coming soon are the ways I use EVCO

THANK YOU for reading my blog. It really does mean a lot to me.

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