Im Back!

Hello ALL! I know I've been gone for a minute but Im BACK with great news.

So much has happened since the last time I blogged.. :sighs: Let me bring you all up to speed!

As most of us Naturals know, the World Natural Hair Show was April 30th- May 1st in Atlanta. I was casted as a model for Taliah Waajid 's platform. The show was AMAZING! I met several wonderful people and many doors full of opportunities magically opened themselves to me. Every Natural product you can think of was there and well represented. The prices were great and the fun never stopped. From the spoken word to the music..from the models down to the stylist, The event was super successful and Im forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a grand gathering.

There will be another show in September! The 17th & 18th..so start planning to attend NOW! I will be there..modeling yet again. Also be on the look out for me in the first ever Natural Hair Magazine M.H.E (My Hair Experience) . Oh yeah! I will also be "beating faces" for several Natural Hair Photoshoots here in the near future.  I've been grinding huh? I know I know :-) .  I am also looking into starting a Youtube Channel for this blog ! It will include tutorials (Hair & Make Up) as well as several other surprises! Keep following me you guys! Im doing this Natural thing for all of US!

Making your Kurls P*O*P

I STRUGGLED with this for at least a year you guys lol But Im glad I figured it out so that I could help yall.

Now, let me say this .... Im NOT a fan of wash & go's.. never have been probably never will be... I enjoy the look of twist/braid outs...not necessarily curls because they SHRINK and the tight Jerry look is NOT cute on my big head! Lol BUT Im here to help :-) 

Ok so I know people make a big deal of the types of products you use and how much blah blah blah... I ASSURE you...its not about what you use, but HOW you use it. I've never purchased any of those expensive natural products ::Miss Jessie's:: because I just dont believe in washing $40 worth of product down the drain -_- I just cant get with that lol :: This is such a side note, But I did receive some samples of Taliah Waajid's new natural products and I love them..as well as the $8 price tag! I know I model for her & this is not a bias statement lol I promise I really do like them :-). Try them out! :: Back to what I was saying... its about how you use the products , not what you use. 

Here's a little step by step on how to do a wash and go that gets the Kurls on & poppin`! * Im mentioning the products I used*

• If its time for a shampoo,  I handle that with some good ol' clarifying Suave or V05. If not , I proceed to co-wash with either brands conditioner. * Both brands can be found at the Dollar Store*
• After rinsing the conditioner out, I use Taliah Waajid's African Healing Oyl.. : A little goes a long way & the smell is AMAZING: *Beauty Supply, Target, Whole Foods, Online $8 for 8oz..for Hair & Body*
• I've NEVER liked using gel because it pretty much demands you to have to wash your hair... So I found an alternative! Hawaiian Silky's 14 in 1 Miracle Worker! It is a great moisturizer and does a great job of defining your curls without making them hard,greasy or sticky.  It keeps your hair super soft & doesnt take much to get the job done. *Beauty Supply, $3.69 for 8oz*

• Once I've rubbed some HS through my hair, I lean over the tub and shake my head side/side and back/forth a few times. Don't get crazy with this step please lol :: I know yall are probably like why does she shake her head over the tub? WELL, one shaking the product around just anywhere could get messy... AND when you shake your head, It causes the curl to form from the root to tip. You will have a head full of ringlets:: Crazy huh? I know but it works! 

Add a accessory if you want & BOOM.. You have officially "washed and went" lol .

*2 day old Wash&Go*

Summer Time Hair Care

Summer Summer Summer Timeeeeeeeee....

My hair honestly HATES the summer time. My twistouts and braidouts are at their driest and frizziest point of the year. Last summer I learned that in order for my hair to keep its sheen and moisture during the heat of the summer, I have to do extra work :-( . 

This works for me so you may have to tweek it to your hairs liking.

• Less Shampoo, More Conditioner. -During the summer months, I tend to shampoo way less than any other time of the year. I shampoo twice a month. I know that sounds disgusting lol but it works..for me at least. By not shampooing my hair as much, it isnt as striped of the oils that it needs to keep it shiny and moisturized. Conditioner on the other hand is an ABSOLUTE MUST! Co-Washing keeps your hair rejuvenated. I co-wash as much as possible to keep my hair from becoming brittle and super dry. Water is your hairs best friend during these months.. Nothing is worse than a dry, fuzzy bush of  THICK natural hair on top of your head in the FLAMING summer. I promise you'll pass out lol
• Since I dont shampoo/clarify my hair alot during the summer, I use LIGHTER products. This way the build up isnt excessive and I wont really have to wash it. I incorporate more oils but I do not drench my hair in them ... No Jerry Juice over here lol Try to find products that hold well if you know you are prone to sweating. Always start and end your day with a spruce of water/oil . 
• Hold onto your styles a little longer. The less manipulation the better (in any season) but especially in the summer and winter. I wear most of my protective twist/braid sets during the summer months. It may take a little more time to make sure your parts are nice and the twist/braids are  appropriate to wear out of the house, BUT it will be worth it ! Lets say its the summer and I freshly shampooed and conditioned my hair. If I take my time and do my hair neatly with the lighter products, thats a possible 2 week style! One with the braids or twist, the other with the braid or twist out. The products are light so my hair isnt yucky feeling...which ultimately means no washing is needed. Idk about you but I'd prefer to do my hair every 2 weeks than every day. You also may want to try styles where your ends are tucked or even hidden to protect them from the heat. 

Style wise, it doesnt really matter what you do to your hair during the summer.. Its gonna be freakin` hot regardless lol  Just remember that your hair needs water to sustain the heat just as you do. 

Next Topic:: Making your Kurls POP :April 14th 2011

To BC or not to BC..That is the question

:insert scary music here: lol THE BIG CHOP!

A scary moment in life to say the absolute least. You never know how you are going to turn out. If you are like myself you paniced because you thought your head was ENTIRELY too big for  a short cut or You are scared of curl your hair is going to produce...Stress on Stress on STRESS! 

Well Im here to ease the fear of the BC! 

This is a HUGE step so let me start by saying TO EACH HIS OWN... I PERSONALLY think you should cut your hair and dive right in as I did..only because I know handling both the textures can get hectic. This way, you can truly see your growth and get acquainted with having to actually DO your hair. Cut It! lol Its just hair! I promise when you it grows ssssooo much faster and healthier. 

During the transition stage we all pretty much fail to allow our natural texture to show because our ends are super straight. We flat iron and blow dry trying to match our relaxed ends (which are already technically damaged) and we result in damaging our texture trying to conform . & I'd rather have short curly hair for a few months than long damaged hair ANYDAY. 

If you feel the Big Chop isnt for you, please by allllllll means keeps your hair conditioned well and keep the protective styles until you are ready to snip away. The less you do to your hair the more it grows. Someone told me, the best thing you can ever do to your hair is leave it alone... Take it how you want, but I comprehended it as if to say ... leave it natural...or not to bother it at all. Braids Braids Braids, Sew Ins ..Wigs..whatever you feel like you need to do until you achieve your desired length, do it..do it...do it til your satisfied! lol

If done correctly with minimum heat manipulation and non damaging protective styles, a healthy long transition is possible..but if you just want to cut to the chase.... Get some shears and get to work! ::Never cut your hair dry! Always make sure your hair is drenched in water and condition..it allows the curls to pop so that you can clearly see where the relaxed hair is.:: Happy Growing!

Next Topic: Summer Time Hair Care ...April 13th 2011

Welcome!

Hello all and Welcome to Kurllllllllllllll Please! I'm Keturah and I`m here help you transition into the natural hair game smoothly!  If you have a specific question or area you would like me to speak on, Feel free to leave comments, questions and concerns. Im here to give the help I couldn't find when I decided to go natural so ask away!

Let's start out with a little of my HAIRstory shall we....

I transitioned to Natural during the summer before my freshman year of college. Between getting blow-outs, braids, braid-outs and twist-sets, I made it to January 09 and big chopped in the bathroom of my college apartment by the hands of my roommate, Brittany Walker. I had approximately 5 months worth of new growth...& I felt beyond BALD! lol I didnt embrace it as much as I should have, but then again I ALWAYS had long hair so this sudden TWA was life changing. It taught me how to love myself deeper than I already did because I had nothing to shield my imperfections.. I had no choice but to be naturally beautiful and I hope this blog inspires you to be as well. 

Time went on and my hair grew faster than it ever had being relaxed. Within months I was able to pull my hair into a cute puff....and got it straightened that following summer for the first time. Suprisingly , I wasnt as bald as I thought! Shrinkage is a BEAST and will have you tricked! My hair was a cute bob length and I couldnt keep it straight to save my life! Atlanta heat is no joke during the summer. Never ceasing to protect my hair with braids and twist, within time my hair was ponytail length and now hits my mid back straightened. This is a continuous journey and life change! Not for the faint at heart..at all! You've been warned :-). Im now 2 years and 3 months natural ad wouldnt trade it for the world! 

Let the advice and tips begin! 

1st topic: "To BC or Not to BC...That is the Question" will be posted on April 12th 2011

Thanks for all the support!