#NoProductChallenge

Do you know what your hair looks like dry, with no product? Had you asked me that before I took this challenge, my answer would have been "no." I was afraid of what my hair would look like. I thought it'd be super uneven and dry. 

I was quite surprised that this was not the case for my hair when I took on the #NoProductChallenge.

See what happened: https://youtu.be/bv5ySN4zU-Y

I challenge you to take up the challenge for yourself. Make sure to let me know so that I can drool 🤤 over your product free hair! 

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

My Shed Hair Had Begun to Loc

You know, locs are beautiful. They can be styled in so many different ways, be all types of colors, and take hard work and dedication to cultivate. That being said, I'm not too keen on locs spontaneously forming in my loose natural hair.

From time to time, I have found these small loc-like formations made of shed hair trapped in my strands. It is because of this that I have decided to bring brushing back into my hair regimen. So far, no shed-locs!

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/jP2gEUxi_wM 

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

A Week in My Hair

Usually what you see on my channel are product reaction videos filmed on washday with fresh results. Also, I tend to film my other types of videos earlier in the week so that my hair looks good. In my new video, I do a video diary to show what happens to my hair over a span of 6 days.

If you enjoyed this video, be sure to share it so that I get the impression that folks want to see more like this. lol.

Watch Video: https://youtu.be/SO0VF9rG08A

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

My New Wash and Go (Sort Of)

By now, most of you would have seen my hair cut video. If not, I'll catch you up to speed. I went through my hair twist by twist and removed any rough, dull, or frizzy ends. The result was quite a bit of hair being taken off in some areas.

Though this video was filmed at the beginning of November and my hair has already grown some, people wanted to know how my styles were falling and just how long my hair is now. By the power of Apple, I was able to go into a text message I sent my mom the day after the cut and download the photos I sent her.

In a way, this photo is a bit misleading. This was the first wash and go after months of stretched styles and frizzy/puffy wash and gos due to products that just didn't work well for me. My hair didn't know how to fall just yet. The very next wash day my hair fell long enough to cover my neck and the side bang blended more with the rest of the hair. 

I also measured my hair when I first did the cut and intend to measure it again very soon. More on that later.

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Video | $2 Haul! | How to get cheap hair products

I love a deal as much as the next person. I actually love deals so much that I bought these products while I was evacuated due to Hurricane Matthew...yeah... In my newest video, I share the tips I use to get products cheaply and show hair products I got using these tips. 

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/2Rax3mvofhI

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

How I'm Staying Consistent on My Hair Journey

I have a confession to make. I am terribly inconsistent when it comes to my hair care regimen. I usually get my regimen set, then get lured away by the newest technique. This can be a problem when something is going on with my hair. It makes it nearly impossible for me to pinpoint what is causeing the problem. To remedy this issue I came up with an idea to establish periods when I cannot change any of the techniques in my regimen.

My current block of regimen consistency is from April to June. In these nearly three months, I have maintained the same regimen without any changes other than the occasional product. I started out this three month stretch using expensive products from soultanicals so I had to make some swaps for cheaper alternatives.

To check on the progress of my routine, I have been checking my length each month. If something in my routine is breaking my hair off, I can find out right there. 

Consistency is key!

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

How I Store My Hair Product Stash

There's a reason why product stash videos are so popular. People have so much stuff and they don't know where to put it all! Now, I don't have a lot of things--well, not as much as you think a blogger/vlogger would have--but I do have a system for storing them.

The Closet

This is the first stop for products fresh from the store. I will place them in this little space on a top shelf in my closet. Here the products will wait until I finish whatever product they are meant to replace. I don't keep a large stash up here and only fill it when the product I am currently using is 2/3rds of the way finished.

The Shower

There is a little ledge on either side of our shower. I use one of them to store anything that I am currently using that would be used in the shower. This includes my shampoo, deep conditioner, and leave-in.

The Bathroom Counter

The counter is the most visible of all of the places where I keep products. Because of this, I limit what I put up here. I keep my vitamins and any oils that I like to smooth over the top of my hair when it's dry.

Under The Bathroom Counter

This is where I keep the products that I am currently using but don't need to apply in the shower or use daily. I keep my moisturizer, sealing oil, and styler under here. Those only come out once a week or as needed.

My system is spread out and may not work for some but it works for me. What system do you use to store your hair products? 

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Natural Hair Nirvana

I was cruising down the streets on a sunny day when I looked at myself in the rearview mirror. I had pulled my hair up into a ponytail since it was close to wash day. The top half of the ponytail was frizzy, yet cute and the bottom half was full of hanging spring-like spirals. It was in that moment that I thought to myself "I have reached natural hair nirvana." I have the natural hair that I always wanted.

 

I realized that my hair had become something that just fit into my life. I had styled a great wash and go without any struggling and my hair had lasted most of the week. Throwing it into this ponytail had also been a stress free event. I have had to struggle to get my hair into a ponytail at times. On this day...nope!

On this day I felt like I was wearing the natural hair and it wasn't wearing me. I have done too much worrying if my set would be dry in the morning, fretting over my style falling due to the weather, and resetting the style I had forced my hair into after it was expired.

On this sunny day, I had achieved easy natural hair.

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Video | FAQ | Do You Still Follow The Maximum Hydration Method?

There is a single question that I am asked over and over--"Do you still follow the Maximum Hydration Method?" I think what is prompting this question is that people are worried about the long-term effects of the maximum hydration method. They want to know if any frizz or breakage I am incurring is due to the regimen. People are also interested in growth and wonder if the method could have boosted my growth.

It is for all of these concerns and queries that I finally answer this question with a video. The short answer before you even watch is that I do not follow the Maximum Hydration Method anymore. If you'd like to know why and catch an evolution of how I came to my current regimen, definitely check out the video.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/0bAjgRal6aY

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Extraordinary Hair Wash Day with L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

As you will have seen by now, I received some of the Extraordinary Oil products from L'Oreal in conjunction with Influenster. I tried out these products the very next wash day after receiving them. I decided to put them to the test by using them as directed and not following my normal hair regimen.

1. Prepoo

I prepoo'd with the Advanced Haircare Extraordinary Oil Lustrous Oil Serum. This serum feels like your typical serum but has a little bit of a thicker consistency. I smoothed it over my hair as I took down the jumbo twists style from the previous week.

2. Shampoo

I followed up the oil by shampooing with the Advanced Haircare - Extraordinary Oil Shampoo. This shampoo contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate but did not burst into lather and neither did it strip my hair dry. I usually expect clarifying from shampoos that are clear like this one but no...my hair was still soft. It could also be that the serum was coating and protecting my hair.

3. Condition & Detangle

I then went in with their Advanced Haircare - Extraordinary Oil Conditioner which surprisingly had a decent amount of slip. Perhaps it was the fact that my last hairstyle was jumbo twists, but my hair was easy to detangle. After detangling, I immediately rinsed my hair--something that I would not normally do.

4. Style

I did use my regular products and techniques to style my hair. For my leave-in I used the Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil Knot Free Forever Leave-In. For gel, I whipped out the trusty Wet Line Xtreme. I finished off with the serum as per the directions.

 

The final result was softer than usual. I think the serum softened the hard hold that wetline usually gives me. My hair had a healthy sheen to it but was less defined than it would normally be. I think that is because my curl definition relies on two different things--my regimen and my styling techniques. During today's wash day I had the styling component but was missing the regimen that helps me to have defined curls even before I begin to style my hair.

A review of these products will be coming!

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Why I Brought Shampoo Back Into My Regimen

If you like what you read on my blog be sure to support by subscribing to me on bloglovin', commenting below, and sharing via the social media links. New posts every Monday, Wednesday, and sometimes Friday!

As a frontline supporter of the Max Hydration Method--a method that omits shampoo, I know that it may be shocking to some that I have brought shampoo back into my regimen. No, I did not give up on the Max Hydration Method and no I am not just bouncing around to whatever seems to be the next thing in hair care. My decision was based on science and porosity. 

1. Baking Soda and ACV don't actually clarify the hair

The first step of the max hydration method is either a baking soda or ACV rinse. The purpose of this rinse is to remove buildup and raise the cuticle layer of the hair to better receive the following deep conditioning treatment. There are two issues with this. One, baking soda and acv have been microscopically proven to NOT cleanse the hair. In an experiment on The Natural Haven Blog, JC used several cleansing methods on hairs that she had coated in oil. ACV and baking soda were found to be the worst of the bunch! On to the second issue, there are loads of other ways that you can work with low porosity hair to help it absorb moisture.

2. Bentonite Clay Isn't The Most Cleansing Either

Bentonite clay was found to remove a similar amount of oil to co-washing. Though that is much better than ACV and Baking Soda, knowing that the little bit of oil left would add up, I didn't want to rely on clay to be my main cleanser.

At the end of the day, there was nothing truly cleansing my hair using solely the methods in the Max Hydration Method. So...in with the shampoo! In your natural hair journey it is always important to pay attention to your hair.

Some of my posts may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for clicks or purchases. Thanks in advance for your support!

Happy New Year! 2016 Goals

Happy New Year! Once again, I am here to share my goals for the new year and to reflect on the past. 

MY HAIR

Last year I wanted to do several things. I continued with my Max Hydration journey which lead me to learn more about low porosity hair and proper haircare in general. This has lead me to make changes in my haircare routine. I did the 1/4" trims and quickly got over those, never tried that rollerset, and recognized a few staples.

This year I would like to do the following

• Trim my ends to get rid of a bit of thinning
• Get to waist length (this will probably be happening very soon!)
• Try new styles

MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL

I think my video quality improved, my thumbnails improved, I did collabs, and I gained 1,442 new subscribers. That's more than the 1,000 I had hoped to gain. 

This year I would like to do the following

• Get 2,000 new subscribers to my channel - Hey! Go big or go home!

MY BLOG

I have no goals here. I have been toying with the idea of just turning my blog into a website and not updating it anymore. #realspit

View past New Year Goal Posts: 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 // 2011

What are your goals for this new year? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Video | State of The Hair Address | 2016

Happy New Year! As I did last year, I did a video discussing my hair goals for the new year and comparing them to the previous year. In this video I discuss trimming, protein, length retention, curly cuts, and a hodge podge of other things. I hope that each of you met your hair goals for 2015 and meet your new ones in 2016!

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/hvc6aw-XqKw

Did you meet your 2015 hair goals? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Is Massive Shedding Seasonal?

What I have "affectionately" called "shed mania" is officially over! Back at the beginning of December, I wrote in my hair journal app "shed mania" to describe the masses of hair I had begun to lose. I was losing so much hair all month that I had begun checking for bald spots whenever I massaged my scalp. Yeah...it was that serious. You can imagine my relief when, after Christmas, I shed only 1/3rd the amount of hair that I had been previously shedding. I had changed nothing before the shedding began and nothing to prompt it to stop. This lead me to suspect that this may have been seasonal shedding.

Seasonal shedding is most likely to occur in October, November, and December. I have read some women joking that they've lost a small animal in shed hair. I felt like that was happening to me though I know I'm exaggerating. lol. Also, though we may shed an average of 50 hairs a day, that doesn't mean that every day will produce exactly 50 hairs. There may be heavy shed days and light shed days that average out to 50. 

I'm going to continue to monitor my shedding and see if it picks up again. I'd also be interested in seeing seasonal changes in my hair's growth rate.

Have you had a massive shedding episode? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Video | What Broke My Hair Off

Moisture and protein balance are crucial to length retention. Length retention translates to eventually growing long hair. I have struggled with this length retention on 3 separate occasions--during a 6 month bun challenge, while wearing low manipulation styles, and with the breakage shown in my most recent length check. The common thread during all of these is that my hair was out of balance.

What is Protein/Moisture Balance?

A healthy strand of hair is strong yet flexible. You could tug on this healthy strand and it should stretch a little then return to its original shape. Hair that is overly moisturized does not have the strength to prevent breakage. Hair that has too much protein is so strong that it's brittle and will break when manipulated. 

How Do You Know If You're Balanced?

Tug on a shed hair while it is wet. If it stretches and stretches then weakly snaps, you're dealing with over moisturized hair. Many of us have become accustomed to the feel of over moisturized hair. If the shed strand does not have any give and quickly snaps, you need moisture ASAP! Your hair may be dry or in protein overload.

How Do You Fix It?

You can fix moisture overload fairly easily. Usually, a strong to medium protein treatment is all that is needed to snap your hair back into balance. I have used Aphogee 2 Step in the past but recently tried and now recommend Nexxus Emergencee. Please be sure to follow this kind of treatment with a moisturizing deep conditioner. Your hair may feel less soft than usual at first but should even out in time.

Protein overload takes a little bit longer to fix. I have dealt with this issue before as well. You will need to deep condition and moisturise your hair regularly. In time the balance should begin to shift. Refer to this "vintage" post on reading ingredient labels so that you can avoid unknowingly using more protein on your protein overloaded hair: Understanding Protein

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/y2T4c37TaMw

When's the last time you did a protein treatment? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Video | Feye's Self Trim on Natural Hair

Click the image to be taken to the video

Feye's Self Trim Technique has been around a long time. It is very popular in the haircare community. Where I haven't seen much love for this method is the natural hair community. There just aren't many naturals doing this method in blog posts and youtube videos. I decided to give this method a try on my stretched hair.

To be honest, I'm not sure about this one. I didn't hate it but neither am I so in love that I have to continue using this method from here on out. We'll see...

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/DwJ44jK_HBE

Have you tried Feye's Self Trim? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Video: Hair Journey pt.II

Click the image to be taken to the video

My hair journey is a looooooooong story that began back in 2008 when I went to college and began taking care of my own hair. I began with long (APL) relaxed hair that I preferred to wear bone straight with razored ends. I had maintained long hair through most of my life because I did not want one of the short, trendy haircuts that so many other young people had. Enter hard dorm water and lack of skill and I left my freshman year with hair that was breaking from the ears down. The top length served to hide the broken hairs.

I began my sophomore year with a cutesy bob haircut which is featured in my first ever youtube video. I'm not excited enough about that video to link it so happy hunting! I maintained this bob as best I could then decided to grow it out when the stylist "trimmed" it into an entirely different style! Just before hitting shoulder length I decided to transition to natural hair. Having such short hair I decided to hide my hair away in neck length  protective styles which is why there are so many references to neck length protective styles on this blog and my youtube channel.

Um...the end...for a few years until someone requested that I update my hair journey video. Click the image above or the length below to get the rest of the story!

Watch the video: http://youtu.be/7-y-34keZMY

What is your hair journey like? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

My Modified KimmayTube Leave In

With my foray into a more pH balanced hair regimen, I have picked up the infamous KimmayTube leave in. I was excited to try it out and made up a batch using the original recipe and aloe vera juice instead of gel. I'm already using the juice for something else and didn't want to buy a separate container of gel. I also subbed both the oils for extra virgin olive oil as that is what I had on hand. The original recipe is as follows:

• 2 tbsp. Conditioner
• 2 tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel (or juice)
• 2 tbsp. Castor Oil
• 2 tbsp. Jojoba Oil

The recipe as is makes 4oz of leave in and is comprised of roughly half oil/half moisturizer. This mix did not get along with my hair. The second I applied it I began to feel as though my soaking-wet-still-in-the-shower hair was beginning to dry up. I felt my hair was poofy when it dried and the mixture had too much oil. This leave in had one more try or it'd have to be cut so I gave this recipe a shot:

• 2 tbsp. Conditioner
• 2 tbsp. Aloe Vera Juice/Gel
• 2 tbsp. EVOO

Yes! This was the ticket. This new recipe produces 3oz which I used up completely on wash day and is more moisture than oil. It did not make my hair feel dry or oily, nor did my hair poof up upon drying. I will move forward using this mix and see what happens as my conditioners change and I pair it with different gels. I so wanted to use this recipe because it saves conditioner which in turn saves me money!

Did the original leave-in work out for you? Comment below! 

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Wash Day Experience | Sometimes You Need to Clarify

Listen, this washday needed to happen! In the above picture I'm hiding because I didn't even really want to be in the picture. My hair was greasy, limp, and just not cooperating! I needed to clarify my hair desperately!

[1] I began by shampooing in sections with the V05 Tea Therapy Clarifying Shampoo in Vanilla Mint.

[2] I followed this with an instant conditioning with my conditioner of the moment, the Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle conditioner.

[3] I left the conditioner in then sealed with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and  styled with Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

The washday was short and sweet but my clarified curls were super defined and not gunky anymore!

Don't let the bad lighting in this picture of my dried hair fool you. My curls were super defined, lush, and soft. I feel that we naturals sometimes forget to include clarifying in our wash day routine. I intend to pick back up the practice of regularly clarifying my hair.

How was your most recent wash day? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!

Video: Hair Update | Confused Curls and Frizz

Click the image to be taken to the video

Confession: I am a natural that watches relaxed hair updates. I enjoy seeing what progress the person has made toward their goals and what steps they will be taking in their journey next. It just ties together all of the different moments on their channel in one video. I decided to tie some things together of my own and bring you this hair update.

In this video I discuss the following:

• A new modification to my Max Hydration Method Regimen
• Confused Curls after I wear protective styles
• Extreme Florida humidity
• Future plans in regards to the protective styles

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/f-HUfnYlqjQ

How's your hair doing? Comment below! 

If you like what you've read, never miss a post by following this blog with Bloglovin'. Also, watch my videos on Youtube. NEW uploads weekly!