Is My Hair Too Tight?

After a few days passed from styling BG S's hair in flat twist, I began to notice these tiny red bumps along the edges of her hair.  Although I didn't twist tightly, I am learning that BG-S and BG-M have very sensitive scalps' and cannot take much pulling if any at all.  I tend to stay away from larger ponytails and other hairstyles that requires a lot of gathering due to their hair sensitivity.  Since I moisturize the hair daily, I am always on the lookout for signs of stress.  After noticing the bumps, I gave the hair relief by taking the style out.


Note to Self: Signs of these bumps are a definite red flag, even if the style doesn't hurt.


If you see either red or white bumps on the scalp, take the hairstyle out immediately to relieve any tension.  The bumps should go away on their own in a few days or so.

Pictures from the Flat Twist Style

Product Review: Shea Moisture Curling Souffle

Shea Moisture Curling Souffle

Cost: $9.99 (Target)

Size: 12 oz

Scent: Sweet (very pleasant)

What They Say: Our all natural Coconut Styling Souffle with Agave Nectar & Flax Seed Oil defines and promotes curls, with a soft, smooth after-feel.  Coconut and Flax Seed Oils nourish and hydrate hair, seal the hair shaft to protect against external pollutants and assist natural oil retention.  Our original natural humectant complex of Agave Nectar, Coconut Oil, Glycerin and Shea Butter moisturizes, conditions and boosts shine without frizz.

What I Say:  I used this product to two strand twist Baby Girl S's hair.  The curling souffle gave a good hold to the twists and it also moisturized the hair.  I applied on damp hair.  I read a lot of reviews that complain of the product being too greasy, well this is true but for my daughter's extremely dry hair, it wasn't an issue.  After wearing the style for a week, I did a twist-out and the hair was completely defined without any frizz.  A little goes a long way.  You may want clarify instead of co-washing after using this product due to the stickiness.

Ingredients: Aqueous Infusion of Agave Teqilana Leaf Extract and Sugar Cane Extract , Pectin , Vegetable Glycerin , Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract (Baobab) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Tocopherol (Vitamin E) , Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed/Flax) , Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract , Potassium Sorbate , Proprietary Essential Oil Blend

**** I give this product a 4 out of 5 Baby Curls because I think its a bit sticky to but overall did what it said.

How I Keep My Baby Girls Curls Moisturized

Daily Moisturizing Hair Spritzer 

I have to shake well before using since the oils and water tend to separate.

I use this moisturizer twice daily to add moister to my daughters hair when in protective styles.  After taking the protective style out, the hair is left completely moisturized and soft.  I don't worry too much about frizz (especially since their hair is done once a week).  I'm more concerned with making sure the hair does not become dry and brittle thus causing breakage.

This was my third attempt,  third times a charm...sometimes you learn through trail and error!  This is a combination of oils and distilled water.

My Hair Moisturizer Spritzer Recipe
½ cup distilled water
1 tbsp jojoba oil (Moisture)
1 tbsp coconut oil (Shine/Softens)
1 tbsp grape seed or sweet almond oil
1 tbsp castor oil
1 tsp tea tree oil or Vit E Oil (tea tree oil makes my daughter's hair itch, I now use Rosemary EO)

Stretching and Lengthening Natural Curls

What is Banding?

Simply put...banding is a technique used to lengthen naturally curly hair without using any source of heat such as blow-dryers or flat-irons.

This was my first attempt at banding and I absolutely loved the results. I began banding on clean, moisturized hair.   I started at the base of the hair and approximately every inch or so, I placed a ponytail holder on the hair (remember not too tight).  I left the hair banded until dry.  Depending on the style, I sometimes like the hair to be a little damp.

I usually braid or twist the hair to lengthen curls.  Those techniques work fine but twisting or braiding does leave a pattern when taking the hair down, which can make the hair a little more difficult to manipulate.  I will not be using this technique every time, but it is good to know of an alternative way of stretching the hair.  This technique makes it easier to style the hair especially if cornrowing the hair.

Introducing Baby Girl S as "Pippy Longstocking"

Things needed to band:

• Detangling Comb - to comb through damp hair 
• Rat-tail comb - to part hair in sections
• Ponytail Holders - to band the hair (I use Goody Girls Gentle Ponytail Holders, no snagging)

How do you stretch your curls?

Project Improvement Cornrow

After a 1 year hiatus on cornrowing, I finally gathered the energy to try again...and I am quite pleased!  Although there is always room for improvement. Here is Baby Girl S at 17 months, I last cornrowed her hair at 7 months. (Check Post Titled: Baby Girl S First Cornrows)

Back View: The nape area of her neck is not from breakage but from growth;
 the hair was always very fine and short.

Top View

Side View

Side View 2

Baby Girl S First Cornrows

Do not attempt to adjust you screen...these are images of what the cornrows actually look like. I didn't do too bad for my first time but I didn't do so great either...

Top View (Baby S at 7 months old)

Back View

Learning to Cornrow

Debra the Cosmetology Mannequin Head

Meet Debra,  my trusty mannequin head.  I ordered this cosmetology mannequin from Amazon.com. This is what I turned to in order to teach myself how to cornrow.  I did not want to put my daughters through the pain of having to wear a bad set of cornrows out in public.  Debra has definitely come in handy.  After getting frustrated and finding out I was teaching myself how to cornrow incorrectly, I gave Debra a break.  And then decided, let's try this again.....the right way.  Well, I am proud to announce that I am on the right track.  Perfect Practice makes Perfect!!!  Stay tuned to see how I improve...

Homemade Whipped Hair Butter

Homemade Whipped Hair Butter

This was my first attempt at making a Homemade Whipped Hair Butter.  I absolutely love it, not to mention it is cost effective. It leaves the hair unbelievably soft and manageable.  Not to mention its perfect for dry hair.  I use this as a sealant and a styler.

**I keep all products in the fridge when not being used**

My Whipped Hair Butter Recipe 

8 oz Unrefined Shea Butter 1/2 cup Aloe Vera Juice (optional)

1/2 cup Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 1 tbsp Jojoba Oil 1 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil 1 tbsp Castor Oil 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/8 essential oil for fragrance (optional) drop of honey (optional-acts as humectant)

2013 Update: I use variations of this recipe, I swap oils using only our favorites or currents and sometimes eliminate the use of AVJ/AVG to avoid having to store it in the fridge.

Consistency: Creamy Texture

Texture of Whipped Hair Butter
 after being taken out from the fridge.