Beauty Supply Haul

One of my favorite past times is shopping at the beauty supply store.  You can find earrings, wigs,  makeup, shoes, scarves and the list goes on.  On my trip this past weekend, I spent $23 on items I wanted and needed.  Hope you enjoy my haul.

High Bun Pics & Vid

I love this style. It's quick and easy.  I started on stretched hair from braid out.  It's a  nice up-do that you can enjoy anytime and with any outfit.  You can also bring it low or swoop it to the side.  Hope you enjoy the video.

Rocking the Headwrap!

I have been loving headwraps lately.  With this cold and rainy weather we are getting here in Atlanta, this is a great protective style for our natural tresses and can be fashion forward if worn properly. 

There are so many different styles, colors and methods to being beautiful in a headwrap.  I am learning how to match fabrics to my style especially if I want to change up my look for a day or two, protect my hair and look nice doing it.


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When I see a headwrap, it has a royal elegant appeal.   I cannot relegate headwraps to one religion or movement because I believe anyone can look nice in one if they desire to. Although the history of the headwrap can go back to slavery and the mammy being ordered by the master to keep her head covered.  This is just one aspect that should not diminish other aspects that make it beautiful.

I also believe African Queens and Princesses wore headwraps prior to coming to the states which was symbol of honor and royalty.

Headwraps command a second glance and some admiration because they are regal and chic!  I admire a woman who can challenges the norm and dress in an artistic expression of who they are inside vs what is expected of them to fit in with everyone else.   

Partial headwraps are gorgeous as well because it allows parts of your hair to be exposed and adds a nice casual earthy feel to your outfit of the day-- yet it is still quite stylish.

At the end of it all, it's about the attitude and how you coordinate your headwrap which makes up the complete look.  

Be blessed in your daily expression of your style. :)

Big Chop...Why I Cut My Hair?

Most natural ladies planned to transition from a perm or do the big chop to start fresh but that was not my plan.  I just ended up being natural because of a perm gone bad.  I had just delivered our daughter Stacy and my hair was a hot mess.  Not thinking, I decided to do a retouch and why did I do that? My hair began to fall out in clumps especially around the edges.  I could just reach into my hair and pull on it gently and get a  hand full of hair.  It was coming out at a pace that made my skin crawl.  I was totally embarrassed and began hiding the hair from my husband in the trash.  I believe the combination of hormones and a bad perm took my hair out.  So, in my quest to just end the torment I began cutting my permed hair off.  But in some places it was broken off down to the scalp which lead me to shave it.  Go figure that it was around the same time Brittney Spears shaved her head.  People thought I was insane!  But hey, I would rather have a bald even head then patches missing all through out.  

So this is where the journey began...from that point on, I had natural hair.  I started going to my husband's barber and he would line me up and arch my eye brows...I felt like a boy, really.  A lady admonished me and said "Girl, just keep you on some earrings, makeup  and keep your eyebrows done!"  LOL I was like OK, I can do that.  

Not sure how I ended up on YouTube learning about hair, but this is where the process began...in 2006.  I am coming up on my 5 year anniversary as a natural and I would not trade it for the world.  I love my hair.  I love learning how to make it do what I want.  I love meeting other ladies who are trying to figure it out as well because we encourage one another.  

I am adding my journey from YouTube.  I hope you enjoy it.

Dealing with Nappy Insecurities

Growing up, my hair was considered nappy and hard to manage.  Not to mention the fact that I had lots of it and was super tender headed on top of it all.  My Mom sent me to the hair salon early on because it was so much work to do my hair.  I would cry and snot...and I know it drove her bananas.  Plus the hours of labor to wash, dry and press.  By then end of the day, we were both worn out. :(

Now looking back, I understand how seeds planted in my head by the media about kinky hair had infiltrated my thinking.  The thoughts of not being good enough or pretty with natural hair crowded my mind and I could not shake the embarrassment.

The process to natural hair for me involved shame at an extreme level.  I wore weaves and wigs to fit in with the majority.  I even worked on a job that did not allow braids or ethic hairstyles.  Yet, somehow I noticed  when I would sneak out of the house with my natural styles, other people would approach me and give me compliments. Or it would spark conversations with strangers that would go on for a time.

Walking this out has really taught me how to love my hair and ultimately love who God has created me to be naturally.  Now don't get me wrong, I will straighten my hair, weave my hair and sport a nice wig if that is how I am feeling. It's just not a mandate to be accepted by people.  I have arrived at a place where I can enjoy caring and wearing my hair without fear of what others are thinking of me.

This video is when I was getting through the shame in 2009 and dealing with many insecurities regarding my natural hair.  Thank God for liberating me.  Yet I know there are others out there who are dealing with this very thing.  All I can say is be the best you, you can be! If it's natural hair, permed hair, braided hair, wigged hair, NO HAIR...rock it.

Enjoy :)

Two Strand Twist Out - Afro Style

Cantu Shea Butter Recipe

This is my favorite leave-in conditioner for natural hair. I know a lot of naturals pay big money for great hair. However, I look for alternative and inexpensive ways to make my hair look nice and have found that Cantu Shea Butter from Walmart for under $5.00 works quite well.

A young lady on YouTube also shared her recipe with me on how I can make my very own leave-in conditioner so I wanted to share it with you.

Mock Cantu (Shea Butter Conditioning Cream)

1 Tbsp Shea Butter
1 Tbsp Conditioner (any conditioner you like)
1/2 Tbsp Oil of your choice
A few drops of essentials oils that compliment your hair type and scent preference.

Mix all ingredients together well. Use Shea Butter at room temperature. Once mixed, place in a small, sealed container.

Use a pea-sized amount on the lower length of your hair. If applied to damp hair, it may feel sticky. Once your hair is dry, however, your hair will feel very soft and silky.

For a very thick creamy mixture:

2 Tbsp Shea Butter
5 Tbsp Conditioner ( I used Organix Tea Tree Mint)
1 Tbsp Coconut oil
5 Drops rosemary EO
5 Drops Tea Tree EO
10 Drops Peppermint EO
1Tsp Vitamin E oil (to preserve)






*Thanks Bodly Sweet* :)

My Scalp and Protective Styles

I have been suffering from dry scalp and I realize a couple factors could be contributing to this:  Dehydration and Cold weather.  Lately, I have been keeping my head covered to protect my hair from the cold temps.  Also, I realize that when I do not drink enough water, my scalp is the first to respond.  So, in order to keep my scalp in check I must drink my 8, 8oz glasses of water.  I must keep my hair protected and do hot oil treatments with olive oil or coconut oil.

This should keep me in good standing until the temps warm up.

It's been too long since I have blogged about my natural hair. I have been vlogging, just not blogging. I am excited because I can actually see the growth with my tresses. I never really know how long my hair is until I blow it out and then I can see it! It is so amazing how natural hair moves and changes with a little persuasion.

I am committed this year to learning about my hair type, what works best and then share what I have learned. I will do a length check this month and follow up after six months and then the year mark, Lord willing.

I am also planning to revamp my videos and make them more professional and enjoyable. This way, I hope to have loyal subscribers who really support me and believe in what I am sharing.

Be Blessed in 2012! Let's be committed to seeing it through. :)

I hope you enjoy my blog, pics and videos.