Thanksgiving Hair Style
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I had a great time full of fun, food, and more food. Here are some pictures of how I styled my hair.
Here is how I achieved this style: I washed, lightly blow dried and then flat ironed. I flat ironed in big section 2"-3" thick with my Sedu 1 1/2" iron on 320 degrees. Normally, I do smaller sections and lowest heat but to save time, I did big sections and higher heat. I was able to flat iron my entire head in about 30-35 mins as opposed to 1 1/2 hours. The downside to the faster flat ironing is that my roots don't get as straight. The night before T-Day, I did 7 bantu knots.
How did you wear your hair this T-Day?
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| Me and hubby, Thanksgiving 2010 |
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| Bantu knot results |
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| Front |
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| Back |
Reader Mail: Taking Setbacks in Stride?
I got an email from a reader who is currently experiencing a setback. She noted that I appear to have taken my setbacks in stride. I want to share my response to her, in the hopes that it will help someone else.
"To be honest, I never took my setbacks in stride at the time they were happening lol. Looking back I'm able to have more perspective. But in the midst of it, I obsessed over it, lost sleep, and sometimes cried. The key is to not let the setback, hold you back from moving forward. For me, it was more about allowing someone to do something that I KNEW was bad for my hair. So I was more upset with myself, and felt I let myself down. The great thing about pictures, is that I'm able to see improvement, so that encourages me and reminds me that I will bounce back. I also got a lot of encouragement from the ladies on the hair forums. At the time of my last setback, the ladies on KISS were wonderful and helped me to feel better.
Look at this experience as a lesson. Now you know that you have to speak up for your hair and don't let anyone break your hair rules. The great thing about hair is that it will grow back. I looked at your pictures and your hair still looks great. Having perspective helps immensely. It's like that saying "I was sad about not having shoes, until I met someone who had no feet." Things could always be worse and you know how to make them better."
I didn't always take my setbacks in stride. But I did learn from each experience and didn't make the same mistake twice. This year I cut 7" of hair. Rewind to two years ago, if I had to cut 7", I would have been devastated. But now that I'm confident in my ability to bounce back from a setback, I finally can take things in stride. It's a growing process (pun intended).
"To be honest, I never took my setbacks in stride at the time they were happening lol. Looking back I'm able to have more perspective. But in the midst of it, I obsessed over it, lost sleep, and sometimes cried. The key is to not let the setback, hold you back from moving forward. For me, it was more about allowing someone to do something that I KNEW was bad for my hair. So I was more upset with myself, and felt I let myself down. The great thing about pictures, is that I'm able to see improvement, so that encourages me and reminds me that I will bounce back. I also got a lot of encouragement from the ladies on the hair forums. At the time of my last setback, the ladies on KISS were wonderful and helped me to feel better.
Look at this experience as a lesson. Now you know that you have to speak up for your hair and don't let anyone break your hair rules. The great thing about hair is that it will grow back. I looked at your pictures and your hair still looks great. Having perspective helps immensely. It's like that saying "I was sad about not having shoes, until I met someone who had no feet." Things could always be worse and you know how to make them better."
I didn't always take my setbacks in stride. But I did learn from each experience and didn't make the same mistake twice. This year I cut 7" of hair. Rewind to two years ago, if I had to cut 7", I would have been devastated. But now that I'm confident in my ability to bounce back from a setback, I finally can take things in stride. It's a growing process (pun intended).
de[Tangled]
I'm so excited about this movie! How can you not be? Its an entire movie about one of the most famous heads of hair in fairy tales - Rapunzel! My favorite character has to be the horse, Maximus, seen below.
I love horses, especially a horse with this much personality.
If time permits, I'm going to see Tangled this weekend. Who is with me?
Throwback picture - Thanksiving Hair 2009
My sister was darling enough to email me some pictures from Thanksgiving last year. To achieve this style, I used the smallest steam rollers on flat ironed hair. I believe the smallest size is 1/2" or 3/4". I used the same technique in this Wavy Hair Style video (but with larger rollers on air dried hair in the video). This was a couple months after my wedding, so my hair was waist length at the time.
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| Me and hubby, day before Thanksgiving |
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| Me, hubby, and Wisdom on Thanksgiving Day |
Thanksgiving Hair Plans
I'm flying to Florida on Wednesday to join my family for Thanksgiving Day. I'm beyond excited. My family is a lot of fun, and I pretty much get to pig out on all the Jamaican food I want to my heart's content.
Since the weather will be warmer and more humid, I'm debating about how to wear my hair. I plan to wash my hair on Tuesday, but have yet to decide whether I should try to beat the humidity and flat iron, or embrace the increased moisture in the air and wear a curly style. Last year, I threw in some small steam rollers for a wavy style that held up well without hair spray. I suppose I won't really know the best option until I get to Miami and see just how humid it is.
How do you plan to wear your hair on T-Day?
Since the weather will be warmer and more humid, I'm debating about how to wear my hair. I plan to wash my hair on Tuesday, but have yet to decide whether I should try to beat the humidity and flat iron, or embrace the increased moisture in the air and wear a curly style. Last year, I threw in some small steam rollers for a wavy style that held up well without hair spray. I suppose I won't really know the best option until I get to Miami and see just how humid it is.
How do you plan to wear your hair on T-Day?
Hair Tip
Now that the temperature is dropping and the air is getting drier, my hair is also more likely to feel dry. So a few days after I wash, I skip the shower cap while showering. My hair drinks up the moisture generated by the shower's steam. I pin my hair up so it doesn't get wet.
This is great if you're wearing a curly style like a braid out, bantu knot set or just wearing your natural hair. However, I wouldn't recommend this if you're wearing a flat ironed style.
This is great if you're wearing a curly style like a braid out, bantu knot set or just wearing your natural hair. However, I wouldn't recommend this if you're wearing a flat ironed style.
Product Review: Goody Updo Maker
A few weeks ago, I posted that I found a replacement for my claw clips. Well, that didn't last very long.
I've been using the Updo Maker daily since then, but now the coating on it is peeling. I'm not sure whether the problem is the coarseness of my hair, or the oils I use that is causing it to peel. But now when I insert the Updo Maker, it no longer glides in smoothly and it feels like it will break or cut my hair in the process. So now I have to find another way to pin my hair up while at home.
Did this happen to anyone else? Any other suggestions?
I've been using the Updo Maker daily since then, but now the coating on it is peeling. I'm not sure whether the problem is the coarseness of my hair, or the oils I use that is causing it to peel. But now when I insert the Updo Maker, it no longer glides in smoothly and it feels like it will break or cut my hair in the process. So now I have to find another way to pin my hair up while at home.
Did this happen to anyone else? Any other suggestions?
Product Review: Curlformers
I washed my hair on Tuesday and decided to try out the Curlformers. It was an impromptu decision, so I didn't record this time, but I'll use them again and do a tutorial. I used 16 Curlfomers in the Long and Extra Wide size. I bought them from Sally's a few weeks ago.
How I used this product:
As you can see in the picture, I didn't apply the Curlformers close to my scalp. There are two reasons for this: 1) I only wanted the ends to be curled, and 2) My hair is so long that if I start at my roots, the ends would stick out the bottom of the Curlfomers.
Having the Curlformers on the ends of my hair, also allowed me to pin up my hair so I could sleep comfortably.
My Experience
The Curlformers were very easy to use and I was able to apply all 16 in about 30 minutes. Since my hair was only lightly blow dried, the thickness of my hair posed a challenge to pull through the roller. I can definitely see how not taking your time can cause damage and leave you with broken pieces. I had minimal breakage which would easily be avoided if my hair was flat ironed or blow dried straighter. I certainly would not be able to use the smaller width on lightly blow dried hair, because the opening is smaller, and would cause damage when I pull my thick hair through. So I plan to use the Long and Wide on flat ironed hair only.
I really liked the Curlformers and I'm looking forward to using them on flat ironed hair. The curls didn't last very long (maybe a couple hours), but I think that's because I lightly blow dried. My hair tends to hold curls better when I use higher heat. So after I flat iron, my hair is more receptive to holding curls without using additional heat.
Test period - First time used.
Like/Dislike? - Like.
How I used this product:
- Washed, deep conditioned and lightly blow dried to about 95% dry (I was tired, so I didn't blowdry completely)
- Using the 8 sections I wash in, I split each section into 2 sections, and applied a Curlformer for a total of 16 Curlformers used. I alternate the colors, so the curls weren't going in the same direction.
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| Curlformers |
Having the Curlformers on the ends of my hair, also allowed me to pin up my hair so I could sleep comfortably.
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| Hair pinned up in the back |
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| Front pinned up |
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| Covered with my silk bonnet |
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| Removed Curlformers |
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| Curl |
The Curlformers were very easy to use and I was able to apply all 16 in about 30 minutes. Since my hair was only lightly blow dried, the thickness of my hair posed a challenge to pull through the roller. I can definitely see how not taking your time can cause damage and leave you with broken pieces. I had minimal breakage which would easily be avoided if my hair was flat ironed or blow dried straighter. I certainly would not be able to use the smaller width on lightly blow dried hair, because the opening is smaller, and would cause damage when I pull my thick hair through. So I plan to use the Long and Wide on flat ironed hair only.
I really liked the Curlformers and I'm looking forward to using them on flat ironed hair. The curls didn't last very long (maybe a couple hours), but I think that's because I lightly blow dried. My hair tends to hold curls better when I use higher heat. So after I flat iron, my hair is more receptive to holding curls without using additional heat.
Test period - First time used.
Like/Dislike? - Like.
Reader Mail: How to find products outside the US?
I received an email today from a reader that is having difficulty finding the products I use in the UK. I want to share my response, because I believe it might be helpful to anyone who is having the same issue whether you live in the US or not.
"My suggestion is that you try to find products that have comparable ingredients in the UK. I strongly believe that any well made product that is tailored to your hair needs (ex. moisturizing, if you need extra moisture; protein, if you need extra strength) will help you retain length. The next time you see a woman with long hair where you live, ask her what products she uses. You don't necessarily need products for type 4 hair in order to get good results. In fact, the majority of products I use are not marketed for women with type 4 hair. But hair is hair. So as long as a product offers what you need, then it may work for you."
If you still have difficulty finding comparable products or you are determined to find an exact product then try the internet.
The internet is a fantastic resource when looking for products. Here are some things I've done in the past when looking for products:
"My suggestion is that you try to find products that have comparable ingredients in the UK. I strongly believe that any well made product that is tailored to your hair needs (ex. moisturizing, if you need extra moisture; protein, if you need extra strength) will help you retain length. The next time you see a woman with long hair where you live, ask her what products she uses. You don't necessarily need products for type 4 hair in order to get good results. In fact, the majority of products I use are not marketed for women with type 4 hair. But hair is hair. So as long as a product offers what you need, then it may work for you."
If you still have difficulty finding comparable products or you are determined to find an exact product then try the internet.
The internet is a fantastic resource when looking for products. Here are some things I've done in the past when looking for products:
- Search for the name of product you want. This will likely find an online store that sells the product. View their shipping info to see if they ship to your country. If it doesn't state whether they do, then ask them.
- Search for the ingredients of the product you want. Most products list their ingredients on the manufacturer's website. So copy and paste the first 5 ingredients and run a search to find other products with the same ingredients.
- Contact the manufacturer and ask them if they have distributors in your country.
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