Month In Review: January

This month I wore...

• Braidout
• Bun
• Tuck & Roll 
• Bantu Knot Out

This month I learned that...

• It's time to switch up the structure of my regimen. The detangling process MUST be revised. 

 This month I thought...

• "If I just snip this tiny bit right here...."
• "My hair looks like a fro dripping with straight ends"  
• "OMG, it's a curl!" <--I dunno why that surprises me. Mama and Brother have curls.

 ♥ KAYLA

Start Here

It is best to navigate my site based off the topic that you are most interested in. Below are the main categories and subcategories that should get you off to a good start.

Are you transitioning to natural hair or do you want to know how to get started? I transitioned for 1.5 years and have the posts to show for it!

If you are already natural perhaps you are more interested in hair care, hair styling, or hair growth.

Find that special product in my product posts. These can be further sorted down by the type of product: Shampoo, Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, Leave In, Moisturizer, Treatment, Sealant

Sometimes you are just interested in seeing what others are doing. That is where my hair journey posts can come in to play. These posts chronicle my hair journey from beginning to present.

Product Review: Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1

Their Promise:

• Cools and soothes scalp to help heal abrasions
• Helps stop itching and dandruff
• Helps hair stay soft
• Looks fresh all day
• Non-greasy

Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14 in 1 is an excellent product for protecting and maintaining your hairstyle. This versatile product can be used as a curl activator and moisturizer on natural curls and perm waved hair and a leave-in conditioner for relaxed, natural and braided hair. This non-greasy, non-staining formula helps to soften and detangle hair while soothing the scalp and healing abrasions leaving a vibrant sheen.

Directions:
Hold bottle about 12 inches away from hair and spray evenly. Massage into hair and scalp and style. For curly hair and braids, use daily. On relaxed or straight hair, use prior to drying.

Ingredients:
water, glycerin, propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol stearalkonium chloride, PEG-75 lanolin, acetamide AME, mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum), stearyl alcohol, polysorbate-80, simmondsia chinensis seed oil, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, panthenol, menthol, tetrasodium EDTA, triethanaolamine, archangelica root extract, arctium lappa root extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) extract, sympytum officinale leaf extract, viscum album extract, urtica dioica extract, avena sativa meal extract, rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, salvia officinale leaf extract, nasturitium officinale extract, DMDM hydantoin, methylparaben, propylparaben, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, fragrance 

Price:
$5.99

My Opinion:
I'll admit that when I first got this product I thought it was gonna be really greasy. I was worried. However, it was for nothing. This product leaves the hair SUUUUUPER crazy soft and non-greasy.

I apply it as a leave-in and as a daily moisturizer. It is so moisturizing that I can skip a day of moisturizing and my hair looks just fine.

I apply this product in my hand with 3 pumps per section for a total of 12 pumps for my entire head. I could probably use less, but I'm comfortable with what I do. I seal with EVOO.

My relaxed hair likes this product, but my natural hair has had a full on love affair with this product. It is soft, silky, and "relaxed". The curl pattern is even more defined than before.

Yes, it has mineral oil and yes, the ingredients are crazy long but this product gets two thumbs and two big toes up from me...AND it's 16oz!

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ /3 EXCELLENT!

Disclaimer: I bought this product with my own money and was not paid to review it.


 ♥ KAYLA

HOTD: Loose French Braid with Pompadour

I was ready to retire the wig when I did this style. It was one day before wash day and I was just feelin lazy. Again, I use hair of "The" day lightly as this is yet again another hair of "A" day post. lol.

 ♥ KAYLA

Update | My Breakage + Another Problem

So, I realize that I haven't spoken about my breakage situation since this summer! The breakage had actually ceased after I simplified my wash day by cutting out all of that sectioning, clipping, etc. All of these things caused excessive manipulation.

My hair also became more moisturized after I changed my products. I had been unknowingly using all products that contained protein. Now, some months later, I'm dealing with a completely different problem.

Now I believe I have a MOISTURE OVERLOAD. Basically what that means is that my hair is soooo moisturized that it is beginning to stretch and snap.

After each detangle on washday, I am getting much more hair in the comb than I used to. I need a hard protein treatment ASAP.

In light of all of this, I recently bought the ApHogee 2-step treatment. I'm nervous about using something that makes your hair hard to the touch, but the breakage needs to end! I'll keep you all updated on the process.

 ♥ KAYLA

Keeping up with School and a Regimen

Though college is one of the best times in one's life, it can also be one of the worst times for hair care. Some of the challenges with maintaining healthy hair in college include shared bathrooms, less time, and friends that want to up and go at any moment. In this post I'll share my tips to making maintaining healthy hair in college work with you and not against you.






















1. Keep your regimen as simple as possible.
Have you seen some of these regimens? Do this that and the third before washing, Do this treatment 5x a week, etc. There is no way you can do all of that and keep your grades and your bank balance up. Limit your regimen to the essentials (wash, DC, moisturize).

2. Schedule wash days like a class. 
You know that you have Black Aesthetics at 3:30 on Tues. and Thurs. so why not know that you wash your hair on Saturdays at 12pm? If you have a set time for your regimen you are more likely to stick to it.
 
3. Be flexible.
College is unpredictable. My friends and I may randomly go out after deciding to go on the spot. If you miss your wash day, simply come back to it ASAP. Don't let it get out of hand or go downhill from one missed treatment or wash.

4. Make hair care a part of your lifestyle.
Keeping up with your regimen should be as easy as breathing once you've incorporated it into your lifestyle. If you're having to go all out of your way, it's time to re-asses your regimen. 


 ♥ KAYLA

Natural Products = Natural Hair?

So, I was at TJ Maxx buying my huge container of grapeseed oil when the cashier does the ONE THING that I hate for people checking me out to do. She begins to read the container. I really don't know why that gets to me, but it does. Anywho, she says "What does this do? Add flavor to the food or something?" I tell her that I don't know and that I use it in my hair. She then asks "You natural?" Now, I have on a wig so I could have been relaxed OR natural under this wig. However, I think she was assuming because I was using a natural oil that I must be natural.

I say "I am going natural, but I used oil on my relaxed hair". When I left I was wondering if people assume that natural products are only for natural hair and vice versa with natural hair being the only hair that can use natural products. There are many naturals who use products you can find in walmart, CVS, etc. Not every natural is all into the natural products. In the same light there are relaxed women who use natural products.

IDK, guys. Maybe I was thinking too much? lol.

 ♥ KAYLA

Product Review: R&B Collection - Monaco

Hair Type:

synthetic/ slightly bumped ends 

Price:
Around $30

My Opinion:
I like the slight bump on the ends of the wig, however I didn't like the bangs so I wore them swooped to one side. Over time the swoop was a bit parted where it was originally supposed to be parted. In fact, the entire wig got a little piece-y, tangle-y, and began to shed. I think the piece-y and tangled part could be corrected with a good washing and brushing. All in all, the wig served its purpose. I wore all of my 30 or so dollars out of this wig. I'm satisfied.

Rating: ♥♥/ 3 OKAY

Disclaimer: I bought this product with my own money and was not paid to review it.

 ♥ KAYLA

Product Review: Boundless Tresses {initial reaction}

 Back in November I finally got my hands on the infamous Boundless Tresses. I've used it for a month and can now give my initial reactions to it.

The Smell...
I got the scented one so as to avoid the sulfur smell, however, it still does have a smell. It sort of reminds me of those aerosol sprays you keep in the bathroom. I straightened my hair and the smell got stronger. My family could smell it. It's not strong enough of a scent to make me run for the hills though.

The Consistancy...
It is non-greasy and not terribly thick. However, it will solidify if cold. I've also found it to solidify every time I go somewhere. I will travel somewhere, take my Boundless Tresses out thinking I'm going to use it and it's hard as a rock. It happens everytime without fail no matter the temperature. I've started showering with it in the bathroom or leaving it in there for other people's showers to make sure it was ready for me to use.

Does it Work...
This I cannot speak for because my hair isn't straight, but I have reason to believe that my hair has grown since using this product. We'll know for sure when I finally get around to straightening for my next length check. My little fro is getting bigger and so are the sets that I do with my hair.

The verdict is still out...

 ♥ KAYLA

Month In Review: December

 

This month I wore...

• A wig and...
• Celie Plaits (Miss Celieeeee, Miss Celie! lol)
• Jumbo Plaits
• Loose

This month I learned that...

• Wigs aren't that acceptable to everyone, but they are awesome!
• Everyone will have an opinion on what YOU should do, but it is up to you what happens to your hair in the end.
• You've got to take as much care of a wig as your own hair, it WILL tangle.

 This month I thought...

• "I could have gotten knocked up and given birth by now! My hair is my baby, but it isn't due yet. "
• "What is up with all of these anti-natural tweets? Why do y'all even care so much? lol."
• "It's getting bigger!!"

 ♥ KAYLA