crustaceans

Hi kinky curly gals~!

Yesterday was pretty slow, since I had absolutely nothing to do. So I treated my hair to a good ol' henna gloss. I used the recipe from Milan's (aka AGRLCANMAC) fotki and I just have to say that I am in love~!

First I clarified with black soap and gently dabbed my hair with an old t-shirt (a new trick I learned) until it was damp, not soaking wet. Then I mixed leftover henna with a bit of olive oil, honey, and cheapie conditioner. I left it in for an hour while my hair was wrapped in plastic wrap.

Rinsed it out with HE Hello Hydration and giiiiiiiiirl..my coils and curls were singing! There was no frizz and only a few shed hairs. My hair was shiny and soft, and every single curl was defined! And this was BEFORE I even put in my deep conditioner.



My mom came home shortly afterwards and asked what I used and if I had some left for her LOL.
I am most definitely adding this to my routine.

Until next time!

Hmmm nice recipe... Does it work for you this way everytime or was this ur 1st time? Welcome on board look forward to seeing more of your post !!!

I hope it works out for you, ChrsLvsBks!

@Blackbeauty: This was my very first time using it. I plan on using it again in the future.

Thanks for the welcome, guys!

How funny! I am sitting in front of the computer with DC in my hair right now after a henna gloss. My recipe was not as sophisticated as yours though....just left over henna and conditioner. (This is my first henna gloss, too. My first henna was last weekend.) I will have to add the oil and honey next time. I suppose there was a bit of oil in mine though because it was in the henna, but anyway thanks for sharing. I am so happy to be gaining so much knowledge on all things concerning natural hair! Now if I could just get motivated to finish my hair...LOL.

I would love to see how yours turned out. And you are welcome. Haha, its fun to learn something new in these communities.

Morning curly girls! I think its time to post my hair story. I should have posted it yesterday, but I was so excited about about the henna gloss! So here we go:

Since I was little, I was known as the girl with the thick, long hair. My grandmother would joke about how she would tug on my pigtails, only to let go and watch it bounce right back. Just about everyone on my mother's side has a hair salon, barber shop, or just works in one. They all pressured my mother to perm my hair when I was only 6 years old. It was just too much to deal with for her, as I was her first girl and she had never experienced hair like mine.

At first I was upset, having to sit in the salon for hours on a Saturday afternoon, when I could be outside with my friends. But the results were amazing. My hair was longer than ever and silky. I tossed my hair, finally having that "white girl flow." And so the creamy crack addiction began.

I was known as the light-skinned girl with the long hair. I went to mostly black private schools, so I definitely liked the attention. My classmates would play in my hair so often that I would literally come home everyday with the different hairstyle.

But it all changed once I reached high school. I no longer stood out. So I became introverted and used my hair to hide behind. No one cared if you had long, straight hair. So did her. And her. And her over there. As a cancer, we are known for climbing into our shells and blocking out the outside world at times. For the longest time, my hair was my shield.

This past summer, I worked for the local YMCA summer camp. I met all types of people. Even then I was known as the quiet light skinned girl with the long hair. But one of my coworkers changed all that.

Her name was Sylvia and her fro was the truth! I was in awe how each day she switched it up. From twists to braid outs to puffs, each day she looked amazing! And the way she carried herself, you knew that she was proud and confident. I longed to be just like her. In my region, there isn't a big natural scene, so when I saw her for the first time I was in awe. Seeing the way that she embraced her hair, not hide behind it was the little push I needed to start my hair journey.

I usually don't get perms during the summertime due to the weather, so I haven't had one since July 2009. One day, I stumbled upon Curly Nikki and the rest was history. I transitioned with mostly twists and ponytails until October 1st strolled around.

My initial plan was to transition until my 20th birthday, June 2010. But I was so frustrated feeling my new growth that was just aching to come out and play, that I called up my stylist and scheduled an appointment. I called my best friend the day of warning her that I would probably call her up crying once it was finished. I COULDNT BELIEVE I WAS DOING THIS!

Once I arrived to the salon, I sat down and the chair and my hairdresser only asked me once, "are you sure about this?" I nodded and with that she gather my hair into a ponytail and cut it right off. Instead of crying, I began laughing. (I laugh when I am nervous) She pulled out the clippers and I laughed the entire time. I swear that she still thinks I am crazy to this day. It didn't last too long and as soon as she said that she was done, I jumped up and ran to the mirror. It looked and felt amazing! This was the real me! I could finally see my face.

(sorry for the photo editing!)
I basically flew home and called my friend. I was so excited and hyper. I had no idea it would look and feel this good. Everyone's reaction was positive. Although a few of the kids were upset because they couldn't braid my hair anymore during free time (LOL), but they quickly got over it.

I no longer feel like the insecure little girl hiding behind her hair. I feel mature and confident and FREE.

love those glasses!

Thank you!

Ok see now you too have me itching to just go ahead and get some henna so I can try that and the henna gloss!!

Your hair looks great girl!
Welcome!

DO IT DO IT DO IT! *peer pressure*

Lol, but I am sure you will love it. Thank you so much. Your hair looks great as well.

Congrats on your hair journey!!

Thank you so much! :}

Hey kinky curly gals! Just a quick post today since my day is super hectic! I got paid earlier today, since my office is closed tomorrow and friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

So where did I go with my moola? My favorite local boutique, Divine Designs of course. I love love love their selection of cute hair accessories and earrings. Since I chopped my hair off, I have developed a love affair with all kinds of accessories. Today purchases included a green and black feathered headband that I wore as soon as I left the store and two pairs of earrings. I will be sure to post some picture as soon as I can!

Also my Jamila henna finally got here today! I was so excited, that I may even apply it tonight so my hair can be fresh to death tomorrow when I see all of my family. Most of them have yet to see the new 'do, so I want to make sure that its on point. I will post pictures of my results tomorrow as well.

Until next time~!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE!

As I said yesterday, my Jamila henna finally came in the mail. Unfortunately, I was headed out the door to go to work when it came. I really wanted to just drop everything and mix my henna right there and then.

Once I was off the clock, I basically flew home to hook my hair up. I know my hair has been jonesin' for some more henna since the henna gloss I did Sunday.

I used the Curlynikki overnight method since I didn't get home until late. I used the following ingredients:

-Jamila henna (summer crop 2009)
-2 bags of chamomile tea
-a few tablespoons of honey
-a tiny bit of olive oil

I didn't add the honey and olive oil until I was ready to apply. This morning I woke up and jumped into the shower to remove it. I used a bit of HE Hello Hydration to get rid of any specks I may have missed.

My hair looked and felt amazing! Just in time for Thanksgiving. We are about to head out to my aunt's house in a few, and I am so excited to see my family. Especially those who have yet to see my new 'do. Wish me luck!

Good luck! And post some pics of how the henna turned out, please! Didi you notice a big difference between the henna gloss and the full treatment?

Can't wait to see your pics! Hope everything went well with your family - I know how those BC hair introductions can be.

@beautifuleyez: Thank you! I will post them tomorrow, once I find my camera charger..lol. Actually I did! Lots of "clumpage" (pretty sure thats not a real word.) and my scalp felt amazingly clean and refreshed.

@curlykinks: Thank you! Everything went very well. Lots of positive feedback. My favorite guy cousin kept trying to touch my TWA and said that he loved it over and over.

Your curls look great in the post after the henna glaze. I haven't tried henna yet b/c I don't want to alter my hair color. But your curls look pretty! I'm glad your family was supportive of your haircut.

Thank you so much! I love your current haircolor. I really wanted to dye my hair since I no longer have to worry about it reacting badly with a perm, but I'm still a little hesitant. Your curls are pretty as well and thank you again for stopping by!

I apologize to everyone about the pictures! My camera/charger seems to be broken. Hopefully I will still be able to retrieve the pictures on the memory card.

Anyway, last minute I decided to spend the night at my grandmother's house after last night's festivities. However, I did not realize that I left my hair kit at home! Everyone was getting tired, so there was no point of going all the way home for my hair products.

So I ran around her house looking for a silk scarf and pillow so my hair wouldnt be damaged during the night. (I'm a rough sleeper..lol) Lucky I found both.

When I woke up, I went to the kitchen, found a bit of olive oil and fluffed and shaped my mini fro to bring it back to life.

Ah~the things we can do when we have limited resources and actually use our heads. Until next time!

Yup! Usually I would be crying because my perm was ruined. Lol!

Hello curlie girlies! Here are the pictures that I promised (finally!) Last Wednesday, I received my Jamila henna in the mail. Wanting my hair to look absolutely fly for Thanksgiving, I gave myself a henna treatment that night. I used:

100g of Jamila summer 2009 crop henna (courtesy of mehndiskinart.com)

Two bags of chamomile tea


A few tablespoons of honey

And a tiny bit of olive oil

I didn't mix in the olive oil and honey until I was about to apply. Mixed together it looked like this:



(My brother called it "caca frosting"..lol!)

Once applied and my hair was covered with plastic wrap and a shower cap, I went to bed. The next morning, I rinsed it out with a little help from HE Hello Hydration.



And the results were wonderful, waaaay better than the Mumtaz Al-Aroosa I used before.



(texture shot)

I am totally addicted to henna now. I plan on using the leftovers as a henna gloss over the weekend. Until next time~!

Did your hair color change much?