Instagram Oops!

Since I've downloaded Instagram, I keep forgetting to share my hair pix with my blog followers. I apologize :D But now that I've got you reading again, does anyone know the best way to moisturize yarn braids? Being in California for the summer definitely dries out my hair. What have I been using so far? JBCO, shea butter + olive oil. Any other suggestions??

The Essentials - Moisturizing

Moisture = good for any type of hair whether it be natural or relaxed. It’s just easier to notice when natural hair isn’t moisturized. But once you put water on your hair, it can easily just drip right off onto your shoulder. How do you hold the moisture? Oil. In my opinion jojoba (ho-ho-ba) and coconut oil work best. Oil SEALS. How? Oils are made of large molecules which are too large to be absorbed by the hair strand. Instead of being absorbed, they get *trapped* (in a good way) in your hair.

But please remember. Oils do NOT moisturize. It only traps. So if you put oil on your hair before a moisturizing product, the oil is blocking anything else from penetrating the hair shaft and it’s pretty much useless.

Pt. 2 to come - protein

Resolution Ramble

So it's that time of the year again

New Year's Resolutions:

1. keep scalp moisturized:

I've struggled with this a lot

2. protective style > weave mantra:

I'm going to try to keep my natural hair visible in protective styling instead of just wigs and braids

3. be fruity:

essentially, I need to eat healthier starting with eating more fruits

4. exercise more:

even though the gym is only 1 floor below me in my building, I HATE working out in formal gym settings; most likely I'll accomplish this goal by going to group fitness classes at my university's gym

What are yours?

Bantu Knot-Out Fail

So I tried my hand at Bantu knots yesterday. I 2-strand twisted on dry hair* and then knotted. To moisturize and whatnot I used:

1. Cantu Shea Butter on the ends

2. MYHoneyChild Hair Humectants, it softens my hair

3. Palmer's Coconout Oil Replenishing Hair Milk

4. Jane Carter Natural Hold Spray Gel (and I have no clue what a natural hold GEL is because

my hair has no natural hold..but okay)

Left them in my hair overnight. Got compliments from my roommate. But today when I took them out...fail.

I guess that spray hold gel held a little TOO well because my curls don't bounce :(

See? Stiff! But I did manage to try an updo.

Ah well. I know what NOT to include in the pre-knot process next time. Thoughts? Has anyone had success on bantu knots?

*I decided to try it on dry hair because I usually have UBER shrinkage and did not want that.