Need a bad hair day quick fix?

Throw on a cute hat!

That's simple enough.  My husband and I went to a Halloween party on Saturday and this is how I wore my hair.

If you follow me on Facebook then you know that earlier this week, I had a horrible rain-induced bad hair day.  I never recovered from that the wretched day.  Okay, its not quite that dramatic.  Anyway, I didn't get a chance to wash my hair before the party, so I just lightly detangled, moisturized, and wore a hat.  I love this hat because its fully lined with satin fabric.  I need to get some more fully lined hats, because I love wearing hats in the autumn and winter.

What's your bad hair day quick fix?

Announcement: Unauthorized Use of my Photos

Yesterday, I received several messages on YouTube and my blog alerting me that someone was using one of my hair pictures to endorse their website and hair products. My photo was not the only one used without permission, and this person had the audacity to even cover up watermarks on several of the photos.

Screen shot of the website that used my photo without my consent

I am not affiliated with this company or any company for that matter.  There are only two websites that I have authorized to use selected photos: Reniece.com and growafrohairlong.com.

I notified Facebook of the copyright infringement issue and they removed my picture. I also sent a cease and desist letter to the scammer. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this has happened and it probably won't be the last.  Going forward, I will be more diligent about watermarking my photos.

There is a correct way to use someone's photo: ask permission and cite the proper image source.  Using someone's photo to endorse a product they never used is misleading and potentially fraudulent.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who alerted me of the issue.  On a positive note, its funny how we can recognize each other based on a picture of the back of our head (LOL).

Video Request: How I wash in braids

My Hair Today

I was so busy this weekend, that I didn't have time to wash my hair.  So I did 6 single-strand bantu knots and this is how it came out.  I meant to upload these yesterday, but the internet was being fickle.  I'm starting to notice a theme with me wearing bright colors on Mondays lol.  I used my phone to take these, so please excuse the poor quality.

Is it just me, but do you feel like your hair is longer when it has curls/waves rather than when you wear it bone straight?  That's how I felt yesterday. 

I love this scarf, I bought it while in Turkey

On my driveway, before I left for the office

[H]air Freshener

I went to an engagement party this weekend, and after the party everyone went to the club.  I came home with the dreaded "club hair" smoke smell.  YUCK!  To combat the smell, I used the Aveda Reviving Mist.  I sprayed the mist above my head and let it fall onto my hair.  I prefer applying it this way rather than spraying directly on my hair, because the latter makes my hair feel wet.  In the morning, my hair smelled fresh and clean with no hint of smoke. 

This is also useful for when you work out, and don't have time to wash your hair.  It really does a great job of deodorizing mild odors, while leaving a light lavender scent.  I vaguely remember buying this online a couple years ago at drugstore.com (but I'm not 100% sure).  

Me and my husband at the party

At the club

Aveda Reviving Mist

Claw Clip Replacement

In my October Hair Update, I mentioned that my stylist noticed some breakage around the back of my head. I suspected that the breakage was due to the claw clips I used to secure my hair in a loose high bun while at home. To be safe I decided to stop using those clips, and today I bought the Goody Updo Maker as a replacement. It took some practice to get the hang of it, but I finally figured out how to get it to stay securely. I initially went looking for hair chopsticks, but couldn't find any at my Walmart. I like the simplicity and comfort of the Updo Maker.  I also have the Goody Spin pins, but I find the Updo Maker is easier to insert and remove.  

Vitamins I take

Cross Wrap: Another Option

October Hair Update

Relaxer and Hair Cut Pictures

If you follow me on my Facebook Page, then you already know that I cut another 2" when I did my relaxer yesterday.  I'm very excited about getting my blunt ends back, and don't plan to trim at all next year.  That's the only way I will make my goal of waist length hair by December, 2011.  Here are some  before and after pictures.  My ends were not "terrible" by any means but I wanted to finish the year with blunt ends. 

Blow dried hair - BEFORE cut

Blow dried hair - AFTER cut

Flat ironed hair

Relaxer Prepping - Two days before

My relaxer is in two days and this is what I did tonight to help prepare: I lightly detangled my hair, sprayed Sta-Sof-Fro to my roots/newgrowth, and heavily moisturize/seal. 

Sta-Sof-Fro is an old school product that I remember seeing under the bathroom sink as a little girl.  It is very moisturizing, but too much can cause mushy hair (like the time I used it as a leave-in conditioner).  It does a great job of softening my newgrowth, so it will be more manageable on relaxer day.  I spray my roots two days before to ensure that my roots and scalp have enough time to dry completely before the relaxer application.  I buy Sta-Sof-Fro from Walmart. 

My Hair Today

This is how I wore my hair on Monday.  I did a one-strand bantu knot set (total of 6) on air dried hair.
 

(Please excuse the shiny face, I just put on sun block)

Relaxer Prepping

My relaxer is scheduled for next Saturday and I'm so excited (and a little anxious to see how much I will need to cut).  Relaxer day is always so...relaxing LOL (pun intended).  Since I only go to a stylist for my relaxer, it is a welcomed break from doing my hair myself.  I get to sit back and let someone else have all the fun of doing my hair. 

There are some things you can do before your relaxer to help you have a successful relaxer application.  Here is my plan for the next week:

• Sunday: Chelate/clarify, reconstruct, deep condition, and air dry
• Monday - Wednesday: Moisturize as usual but avoid scalp
• Thursday: Gently finger part and spray StaSoFro on roots
• Friday:  Coat length of hair with Chi Silk Infusion
• Saturday: RELAXER and cut!!!

I'll post details on Thursday and Friday for what I do that day and the rationale behind it.

Who else is getting a relaxer next Saturday?