Twist Out Challenge Results

I've hated the twist out since my first failure in September 2011.  I never understood the natural hair hype around this style.  It was a timely style and looked beautiful on everyone else, except me.

After sporadic attempts, I participated in a May 2012 twist out challenge.

I think I found a new love!

Viva to the twist out!

All Black Women Will Have Natural Hair In A Decade (Revise)

In July 2011, I gave six reason why I believed All Black Women Will Have Natural Hair In A Decade.  If I were to compare my feelings in 2012 to last year, nothing has changed.  It appears everything is coming into fruition, but not in the way of mass change, but gradual change in psychological, environmental, workforce, hair care and style possibilities.    I prefer gradual change because it has nothing to do with fads or trends, but growth and acceptance.    

Watch both videos below, and send your opinions!

2012

2011 

The video that started it all

Self Esteem Bootcamp: Love Your Nose!

Self-Image & Confidence 

 My nose is an expression and symbolism of the women I admire.  My mother and my grandmother mean a lot to me, and changing my features would be erasing their images in me.  I believe makeup artists should enhance features instead of changing them.

Raw Vegan Kitchen Tools

This year, I've taken on another life-long challenge.  I want to include more fresh foods in my diet, eventually becoming a raw vegan.  Raw food can be as simple as eating fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and good water!  But, if you want to explore your options, I'd start with a good blender and knife! After reading the beginning of Ani Phyo's book, Raw Food Essentials, I made a collage of vegan kitchen tools.

I collected a long list of books to read and potential products for cooking----starting with a modest blender for green smoothies and greens for daily consumption.  Wish me the best!

Raw Vegan Kitchen Tools

•  FOOD PROCESSOR
• VEGETABLE JUICER
• HIGH-SPEED BLENDER
• TRIBEST PERSONAL BLENDER
• EXCALIBUR DEHYDRATOR
• KNIFE
• MIXING BOWLS
• MEASURING CUPS AND SPOONS

OTHER ITEMS 

• SPIRALIZER
• MANDOLINE SLICER
• WHISK
• GRINDER or MORTAR AND PESTLE
• CITRUS JUICER
• BAKING, PIE, OR TARTLET PAN
• LEMON ZESTER
• GRATER or PLANER
• ICE-CREAM SCOOPER
• STRAINING SIEVE
• RUBBER SPATULA
• MASON JARS
• CHOCOLATE MOULD TRAY
• GLOVES
• COOKIE CUTTERS
• COCKTAIL SHAKER

The Tipping Point of Natural Hair and My Hair Journey

I intermittently browsed hair sites for almost seven years.  

I came across a seven-year old email from a hair care community site.  Actually, it was a response email from Audra Sivasothy, the author of The Science of Black Hair.  During that time, I was relaxed, participating in a "healthy hair and growth journey."  

In 2005, the phenomenon of transitioning to natural hair wasn't a hot topic on black hair forums.  Although it was was popular for relaxed women to "stretch"  their time between relaxers, we didn't used the term  "transitioning" on the hair boards.  Then, I was aware of one online natural hair community.  Natural hair wasn't integrated into "black hair care" forums like today.

So, what was the tipping point when black women began to wear natural hair in large numbers?

Can we credit celebrities and entertainment?   


Although the movie "Good Hair" gets mixed reviews from naturals, many women online claimed the movie turned them away from relaxers.   Some people give Youtube all of the credit.   I do believe online videos, blogs, and hair boards  increased the public's familiarity with natural styles, products, regimens and remedies. 

Again, what was the tipping point?

I do not believe this current natural hair movement will remain as a trend like the 90's. I neither believe it will be smothered out of existence by larger institutional systems  like in the 70's.   

Dream Board Collage: Reflections

Happy New Year!

It's 2012, and I have yet to set a resolution, but I have many goals and plans on paper.  Last year, I took my vision board one step further by making it slide show presentation. I do believe the lesson I gained from the prior year is to: "Never mislabel preparations as mistakes!"

Below, I've included  images of my old affirmations and vision boards.  I glossed over the subject in  my post, Dream In Color.  I want to give you an idea of how to keep your dreams in your sight, mind and ears.

Related Post: Visualize Your Dreams In Color

Type 4 Natural Hair Is Easy To Manage (Even When Difficult)

I have type 4, thick, natural hair, which can be defined as double trouble if I allowed it to be.  But, I am determine to solve all potential issues that comes with having natural hair.   I initially chose to get rid of all my "relaxed hair" rituals and mentalities, and start over!

For twist out styles:

When I big chopped, my hair was 2 1/2 inches in length.  I had few quick styling options with exception of the wash-and-go and afro.

• Twist outs required micros, which can take hours.  
• My hair was too thick and short for big braid outs.  
• My scalp hated wigs, weaves, and synthetic hair, so fake hair was out of the question.
•  Corn rows or flat twists worked, but weren't always quick to do.

Solution:  

I chose to wear wash-and-gos with headbands, scarves, and accessories until I reached four inches in length.  If I wanted to wear twist outs or braid outs, I prepared my hair while watching a movie or tv show to past time.  I had no complaints because I attempted these complex styles while being entertained.

I documented challenges since I big chopped four months ago.

1. Multiple Textures

2. Sensitive Scalp

3. Dry Hair

4. Styling Fails

5. Styling Time

6. Shrinkage Solutions

7. Tangles

8. Products

9.  Edges 

10.  Healthy hair and low porosity issues

These challenges could have been a problem, but I chose to solve them instead of complaining about my type 4, thick, natural hair.