Monthly Archives: June 2012

Jun29

May GOC Update: Faye (At-Home Player)

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by Faye of The NY Poet Girl

Okay – I made it to the end of the month without following much of a routine at all, unless you count changing my hairstyle every two-to-three days a routine!

I hadn’t seen my hair in months due to the sew-in weave I had in my hair from December to early April. So, by the time I took it out, I was itching to do something with my hair and use all of the techniques, styles, etc. that I picked up on Hairscapades and other blogs, YouTube Vloggers and Pinterest!

So here is what I did do:

Hair:
I washed three times in May. I signed on at the end of April … Janey come lately. Then, I graduated, my son graduated, it’s the end of the school year and I am a teacher. It’s been HECTIC to say the least!
Over that month I have had several hairstyles. I attempted to master the braid out and curl, so I didn’t really protect my ends the way I wanted to. But, I did use the braid around from my Pinterest Hair Styles page which I found to be flattering, easy and professional.

My Pinterest page, my hair journey, has most of the styles that I used over the past several weeks and here are a few of my favorites:

The Now-Infamous Braid Around!

Braid and Curl

Scarf Up-Do

Flat-ironed for my GRADUATION! POW! 

April 22, 2012

June 12, 2012

Not sure I did the best photo job here, but I did notice that my hair is much thicker. I also didn’t do such a great job of blowing my hair straight this time, which may be why it looks like that as well.

My hair grew an inch in six weeks, which is great! I did notice that my relaxed ends are light, but I am going to hold on to them for a little while longer and get them clipped (not chopped!) in July.

Health & Fitness
Okay, so I didn’t live up to my goal of losing at least two-four pounds over this time … I actually went down 2, then gained them BACK! I am now 153 pounds AGAIN! LOLOLOL!

I blame it on the celebration mode I have been in – and the cake and ice cream that came along with it!

I also was put on a restricted workout regimen by my doctor due to a shoulder injury. I was told to stop completely for two weeks and then to resume slowly, which is totally ruining my plans. But hey – I would like to be able to use my arm as an old lady, so I am going to listen to my doctor! lol!

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Jun29

GOC At-Home Player: Faye

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Okay, so I messed up. You see, at the end of April, Faye here contacted me about missing the GOC deadline, but asked to be an At-Home Player. I told her that was fine and eventually, she posted a link to her initial submission on the GOC page, instead of sending me an e-mail. I saw it, but then forgot about it!!! You see, I work from my e-mail and flag GOC updates. Since I was working from there, I forgot about the one in the comments on the post! So, when Faye e-mailed me her May update earlier this month, I was like, “OH SHOOT!!”  LOL!! Sorry Faye!!  

Anywho, that being said, you are getting a double-header from Faye today – her initial submission and her May Update! This is part one ;)!

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by Faye of  That NY Poet Girl

Okay, so I missed the deadline for entry into the GOC with Hairscapades, BUT I am going to go it alone and “Play At Home.” LOL!

Name: Its me! Faye  – That NY Poet Girl

HAIR Goals:

  • I am now at APL and want to be at BSL at the end of the challenge.
  • I am transitioning and not planning on BC’ing any time soon.
  • I want to learn and incorporate more protective styling along with my new staples of Bantu Knot Outs and Braid and Curl outs a la my Pinterest Hair Styles page.

Blow-out

Bantu knot out on blown-dry hair

WEIGHT LOSS/FITNESS Goals:

  • I was 165 and am now 153. My ultimate weight goal is 145. BUT, I am planning on doing some strength training. So, I am going to start measuring my waist and arms, because I am looking for a sculpted look more than a weight loss at this time.
  • I have already lost 12 of the 20 lbs that I want to lose before my birthday in August, which means I have 8 lbs to go! YAY!
  • I would be happy if I am at 150, but with a 28 inch waist and 2 inches off of each arm circumference.
  • My current natural waist is: 31.5 inches and my midsection/waistband is (or rather the FAT PART! LOL) is 34 inches (DAMN! I didn’t know it was that daggone fluffy in that part of my body). GOAL: 28 for Natural waist and 31 for Mid-section.
  • My current arm circumference is: 12 inches. GOAL: 10 inches
  • Is wanting your face to be less FAT a weight-loss goal? IJS … smh

NO PICS OF THE FATNESS – I know … I know … I am just not gon’ be able to do it!

REGIMENS:

HAIR:

  • Wash and DC every 10 days using:
    • Suave’s Almond and Cocoa Butter Shampoo and Jane Carter’s Moisturizing Shampoo (Alternating).
    • DC using my own mix of mayo, egg and olive oil, mixed with Suave’s Almond and cocoa butter conditioner.
  • Herbal Essences Hello Hydration for detangling in the shower.
  • Giovanni’s Direct Leave-in and Kinky Curly Knot Today (Alternating).
  • Shea Moisture Hair Milk, Smoothie and IC Gel for styling, along with some Enlightenment Hair Butter (by Karmic Earth Naturals) for my Bantu knot out.
  • I will seal with pure, unrefined coconut oil and pre-poo with it as well.

I realize that both of the shampoos have sulfates … Jane Carter is a good brand all around, so I will see what happens and the Suave shampoo and conditioner was $6.70 for two HUMONGOUS  40 OZ bottles! I couldn’t say no … lol.

WEIGHT LOSS/FITNESS:

  • I am going to do 30 minutes of circuit/strength training daily in the morning using inspiration from my Work Out Regimen board on Pinterest as well as incorporate my Gazelle Glider 3 times per week.
  • I am going to weigh-in once a week.
  • I am going to eat before 8 PM, on days I go to bed at 10 PM, and before 9 PM, on days I go to bed at 11 PM.
  • My diet is usually clean. No soda, alcohol etc. But, I have a carb/candy/cake addiction, which is contributing to my high sugar count, as well as the extra weight I am carrying, and is one of the main reasons I have to work out and lose this weight.
  • Vitamins:
    • OTC Prenatal Vitamin – Whole Foods
    • MSM – Trader Joe’s
  • Daily shot of ACV with honey and lemon to curb carb cravings.
  • Green tea: One cup daily with honey.
  • Snacks:
    • Assorted raw nuts, raisins and cranberries – TJ’s has a 10 pack for $4.99 of just the right size for a snack!
    • Fruit (assorted)
  • Juicing MORE. I haven’t been and need to either do that or make smoothies more often.
I wanna get back to this:
REWARDS! (Happy Dance!! YAYAY!)

Shopping Spree

  • Shoes (3 pairs):
    • Animal print flats
    • Flowered print wedges
    • Bright platform sandals
  • Two suits for work!
    • Pant suit
    • Skirt Suit


Jun28

May GOC Update: TerrificLady (#6)

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The hair challenge is going pretty good.

On May 17th, I intoduced my hair to henna. I will use henna again. It took 1 month for my package to arrive from the US to my country :(!

I also bought a new product and I like it. It’s Styling Control Jel from Elasta Care. My hair does feel like silk.

This is a real “joke.” I bought another wig while away in Curacao for my sister’s wedding. I put the wig on after my daughter made up my face for the wedding. Took a look in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw and my daughter’s comment was that I look like a h…..! 😦 I immediately took it off, grabbed a piece of gold color fabric that holds a curtain and I wrapped my hair to made a puff updo (right name?)! I have been wearing this “updo” since May 26th, but I think I had enough of it for now.

I did a length check on  June 5th.

Don’t have much else to say, other that my hair is definitely growing at the right pace.

Thanks!

Jenny

♦

Check out TerrificLady’s other GOC-The Sequel posts here:

Initial Submission
April Update

Jun28

Style Savior: A Dry Braid Out

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So, by Tuesday night, my wash and go looked like a wash and stop. LOL! No, seriously, the definition was all but gone and I had turned into a wild-looking frizz beast! I got home and thought, “Man, look at this! I look like a hassled mess!” And, given that I had been feeling like I was running around the office like a chicken with its head cut off all day, I looked like I felt!!

Anywho, I knew that I had to do something and washing my hair was not an option. I didn’t want to bun as I was afraid that my hair would be a nightmare of tangles by the time I got around to washing it, if I did that. So, I decided to try to salvage my old, frizzy WnG with a dry braid-out. I broke out the Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose (HSR) Conditioner and my newest acquisition, Wonder Curl Butter than Love Whipped (WC BTLW). As you know, I love the WC BTL Pudding, but had never tried the Whipped, which is a thicker and more moisturizing version of the Pudding.

Once I figured out which products I was going to use, I did the following:

  • Diluted a small amount of  Aubrey HSR with water in a spray bottle.
  • Separated one side of my hair from the back, lightly spritzed it with the diluted Aubrey HSR and gently finger detangled the section.  Surprisingly to me, the detangling was relatively easy!
  • Applied a finger full of WC BTLW and tightly braided section to about 2-3 inches from the end. Twirled the end around my finger to form the natural curl. Applied a little more WC BTLW to ends.
  • Repeated process 5 times to make a total of 6 braids (1 on each side of my face and 4 in back).

  • I smoothed a little more WC BTLW on my crown, then tied a wide scarf around my edges, leaving the braids to hang free for bedtime.
  • In the morning, I spread a pea-sized amount of Amazing Botanicals JBCO in my palms and then smoothed my hands down my braids and released them.
  • I fluffed my turning my head upside down and massaging the roots.
  • Finally, I placed some Eco Styler Olive Oil gel on my edges and tied my hair down with a narrower satin scarf (it’s one of the wide ones cut in half) until I got halfway to work. (Smooth edges make my style look a lot neater ;).)
And this was the finished look at the end of the work day.
This is actually my first stretched style since I got the haircut!! Again, I can really see the difference that this cut has made in the appearance and curl of my ends!!! Makes me so happy :)! Anywho, I definitely think that this braid out will take me through Friday. I think I’m done with WnG for a little while … they are more tangle prone. But, as of now, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing with it this weekend. Whatever it is, it’ll probably start with braids or twists and will be up most of next week!
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What are your weekend hair plans?
Jun28

It’s My (Belated) Anniversary!!

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So, Michelle (aka CurlyChellz) had to point out to me that Hairscapades’ one year anniversary came and went without me making any mention of it! It’s been so crazy, it just slipped right by me! So, this is a little overdue, but just wanted to say that Hairscapades celebrated its first birthday on June 10, 2012!  And on June 10, 2011, slightly more than a year ago, Hairscapades very first post was born!

I can’t believe that it’s been a year already!! I want to thank every single one of you who follow me here, on Facebook, Twitter and/or on YouTube!! Thanks to those of you who have been supporting me from the very beginning up to those who are just discovering Hairscapades today! Thank you for the kind words, guest posts, advice and silent support (Lurkers, you rock too ;)). Now I KNOW that this “thing” is definitely on!!!! Hope that you all will stick around for the next year … or two … or ten ;)!!! 

And with that, this was my very first post a little over a year ago!! (Pretty short for my verbose a@#$ self, isn’t it?!?! This intro is longer than the post itself!! LOL!!)

♥♥♥ Hugs!! ♥♥♥

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Ummmm … is this thing on?

I never thought I’d create a blog as I’ve never been much for the internet and computers. But on a fateful day in February 2010, President’s Day to be exact, I visited CurlyNikki.com at the suggestion of a friend. I was immediately sucked into the online natural “hairiverse” and haven’t looked back since. In March 2011, I started blogging on NaturallyCurly.com for the Curly Nikki presents Kim Coles’ Grow Out Challenge (GOC). After three months of pretty consistent posts and the encouragement of fellow GOC bloggers and my SO, I’m trying to venture outside of my safe comfort zone and give this thing a shot.  I’ll probably start this blog with some re-posts from my GOC blog. We’ll see what happens from there. If you’re here, reading and enjoying, please comment so I know that I’m not talking to myself in some narcissistic delusion!  *LOL*

Hope you join me on my Hairscapades!!

Jun27

A WnG Trick for Multi-Textured Curls

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As many of you know, the section of hair on my right side naturally has a lot looser texture than my left side and crown, especially the area next to my part. This can make for interesting WnGs as this section is barely wavy and tends to fall flat, especially after the style is a couple of days old.

So, this is a quick and easy fix for my multiple textures. It’s so simple that some may wonder why I’m even sharing it. But, I figured, you never know, it may help someone who didn’t think of it yet!

Once my WnG is fully dry, if my right side is looking as it does above and I’m not pulling my front back, I set it for about 15 minutes or overnight with a few small perm rods! I either lightly dampen my hair with water or product before setting it on the rollers or I spritz it with water after rolling (the latter is when I only want to set it for a few minutes).

10-15 minutes later

Then, I simply separate any thicker curls into smaller sections and twirl them around with my finger to reform. The curls are loopier and larger than the texture on the left side of my hair, but blend well enough, as you can see in this “after” picture that I posted yesterday!

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Are you a multi-textured, WnG curly? What do you do, if anything, to blend and/or balance your multiple textures?

Jun27

You’re Ready for The Summer, Is Your Skin?

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By: Nikki Credic-Barrett, Master Esthetician
Owner of The Beauty Kitchen Day Spa
via Hair and Other Stuff 

It seems we all have this ritual when summer arrives. We look in the mirror and swear this is the year we’re going to get our bodies toned and our skin beach-ready. Well, I can only speak for myself. I haven’t achieved the toned part, but I am taking steps to achieve skin even Beyoncé would envy. And yes, you can achieve this skin at home! Even if you are still looking at dull, dry skin left behind by winter; flawless, summer-ready skin can be achieved with the help of the right skincare routine and ingredients.

Summer presents some special challenges when it comes to our skin. The greatest challenge is the sun and its ultraviolet rays. Approximately 80 to 85 percent of our aging is caused by the rays of the sun. As we age, the elastin fibers and collagen in our skin weaken. But frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays speeds this process up causing premature aging. So sunbathers listen up! Tanned skin is damaged skin and frequent doses of the sun’s UV rays can alter and destroy the skin’s natural ability to protect you from those wrinkles and age spots you weren’t supposed to see until your golden years. To assist with protection, I can’t stress enough how important sunscreen is. You should use a sunscreen of at least SPF 15, but I say go the extra mile and start at SPF 30. Many of you will give excuses as to why you don’t wear sunscreen. “It’s too greasy. It breaks me out. It leaves a white film on my skin.” Well, hold your excuses because sunscreens have come a long way since the days of “baby oil” sunbathers. Many sunscreen lotions are packed with nourishing ingredients that not only protect your skin from the sun’s rays, but encourage younger looking skin while combating wrinkles.

The hot temperatures can also kick your skin’s oil glands into overdrive causing minor breakouts to excessive acne. The key to handling this problem is recognizing that the skincare products you used during the winter may be too heavy for your skin during the summer. I suggest shelving the heavy night creams for light nourishing lotions and re-evaluating your cleansers and other skin products to see if changing temperatures make them less effective. I also encourage you to exfoliate. Because your skin’s oil and sweat glands work a little harder during the summer, you are also more prone to clogged pores resulting in that “four-letter word” – ACNE. Exfoliating at least once or twice a week with a gentle scrub will alleviate clogged pores and keep acne at bay.

To get you started on your quest for summer-ready skin, here are three easy steps:

  • Step One: After cleansing skin, exfoliate with a luxurious body scrub.
  • Step Two: Choose a hair removal method. For a smoother finish and longer effect, professional waxing and sugaring are the best options.
  • Step Three: Slather on the sunless tanner ( yes, African-American sisters too!). A sunless tanner can do wonders for anyone. It can temporarily even out your skin tone and give you a “healthy glow.” Many sunless tanner products on the market even moisturize and nurture the skin.

Summer is just around the corner. Get ready!

For more information about skincare and product recommendations, go to www.thebeautykitchen.com or email Nikki at thebeautykitchen@gmail.com.
♦

M says:

I go to Nikki for facials, skin care products and, most recently, for sugaring (a form of hair removal). Nikki is really gentle, professional and very knowledgeable.  She’s a natural curly girl too! If you’re in the DC  metro area, check her out 🙂 

~M

Jun27

May GOC Update: Cassandra (#26)

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Hair
My hair has grown a lot since the start of the challenge. I haven’t measured, but I tell by how much my twists are hanging now that I am retaining length. I attribute the growth to following the CG method and finger detangling.

I will continue to follow the CG Method, since I have noticed a marked difference since I started in April and I’m glad I purchased the handbook :). I plan on following the CG Method, but will try to incorporate pre-pooing into my regimen. I’ve been slacking lately, but will start back up with doing henna treatment, but roots only. Anyone else notice it’s easier to do Henna treatments during the cooler months? Since my hair is a lot longer now, I’m not looking forward to sitting under the dryer, but it must be done!

My edges seemed to have stopped growing/filling in, so I will resume applying castor oil to my edges only and use the CG Method for rest of my hair. If anyone has any tips for a CG Friendly hair growth aid, I would appreciate the assistance! I’ve started to do some protective styling, but mostly I will continue to do wash and gos during the summer and I don’t want to manipulate my hair too much.

Health & Fitness
As far as the diet, I lost 8 pounds in May! Yea! I think I was over-thinking too much last month, but as soon as I stopped weighing myself constantly and focused on the diet and exercise, the weight came off. Health-wise, I will be maintaining my current exercise routine and diet.

♦

Find Cassandra’s other GOC-The Sequel posts here:

Initial Submission
April Update

Jun26

May GOC Update: Etoile (#15)

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by Etoile of The Curvealicious Chronicles

Hair
Loving that it is summer and I am back to my summer WnG routine using the Tightly Curly Method! I went to see my hair affair aka the Curl Whisperer aka Ms. Tameeka of Jaded Tresses last month for a cut and color. She did a modest trim and my longest length now reaches BSL! I have retained about 5″+ of length in 10 months!

My Summer Hair Care Regimen and HG Products are:

Weekly:

  • Pre-Poo overnight with olive oil or jojoba oil.
  • Spritz my hair with water and saturate hair with deep conditioner. I am currently using Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioner. Then steam my hair for 20 minutes.
  • 1x weekly, shampoo hair with Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo. 1 or 2x weekly (depending on my work out schedule), co-wash with Aussie Moist or HEHH.
  • Wet my hair under the shower stream and finger detangle with either HEHH or Aussie Moist.
  • Apply Blended Beauty Curl Styling Butter using the ‘Rake’ method that Tameeka taught me. I then let my curls air dry until 90% dry, then bend over at the waist massing the roots to give me volume and shake my head from side to side.

Note: The Blended Beauty Curl Styling Butter is my new ‘ish OMYGAWWWW, it smells delish, leaves my curls touchably soft and gives me hold for days and days! At night, I pineapple and sleep on a satin pillowcase. In the morning, I allow the mist from the shower to dampen my hair, apply a dab of the Curl Styling Butter to the length, scrunch my curls and that’s it! I love that I can use one product to condition and hold. The curl styling butter gives me shine AND moisture. New HG! The key ingredients: Aloe and chamomile water, shea butter, rice bran oil.

Health & Fitness
Ummmm we WON’T even go there. I am pretty sure that Oreo Cookies are not on the diet plan …

I just got back on my work-out grind last week with boot camp and Belly Dance class … we will leave it at that!

♦

Missed Etoile’s original GOC-The Sequel post or just want a refresher? Then, check out her first post here!