July Hair Carnival- Two Strand Twists, Flat Twists and Rosettes

We are partcicipating in our very first Hair Carnival via Untrained Hair Mom! I missed the last Hair Carnival and was so disappointed but here we are...yippee!  Anywho, this month I was assigned to copy a style from blogger Precious Curls so I decided to try the "Two-Strand Twists, Flat Twists and Rosettes".  It is a very cute but yet simple style.  You guys know I love some two-strand and flat twists but was super excited to try rosettes for the first time.

I grasped the concept of doing Rosettes by watching this video:

I started with BG "S" regular hair regimen, banded the hair overnight and styled the next day.  I parted/sectioned the hair in preparation for the style during the detangling session to make the styling session faster.  I started with the flat-twists on the side and then began twisting medium sized two-strand twists from the back of the hair on up.  Lastly, I attempted the rosettes in the front. Voila!  I twisted the hair using Shea Moisture Curling Souffle.

Flat Twist (Side-View: instead of doing them at an angle, I decide to do them going back)

Medium-Sized Two Strand Twists (Back View)

Medium-Sized Two Strand Twists (Side View)

Two Rosettes in the front

The Curly Girl Method vs. The Tightly Curly Method

Although I have read about both methods and believe they both have great suggestions, I currently don't suscribe to either on my girls and have yet to try out the methods.  You have to know what's best for YOU and what works for YOUR hair!  

This is just for information purposes and I simply want to inform my readers of the difference and hopefully help someone. :o)

This post is extremely helpful (a chart is also included)...

The Tightly Curly Method vs. The Curly Girl Method

Here are some other helpful resources

Step by Step Guide: How to Follow the Curly Girl Method

Tightly Curly.Com

**Product Review: Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm**

Yes, another Qhemet Biologics Review ;o)  LOVE IT!

Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm

Cost: $16.00 (www.qhemetbiologics.com)

Size:  8.0 oz

Scent: Light Citrus
Consistency: The texture of honey

What They Say:Our pure and natural hydrating balm leaves dense, coarse and dry hair touchably soft, moist and supple. 

What I Say:This stuff is awesome!  If your hair desires moisture, this is another QB product for you.  This product gives extra hydration.  It makes the hair very soft and leaves the hair feeling super moisturized.  Due to reviews, I first tried this product by mixing it with the QB Amla & Olive Heavy Cream and fell in LOVE!  I have officially found my styling aid for twists, twist-outs, etc. The texture is very much like honey but is very easy to apply the hair.  It leaves the hair feeling a little sticky if used on dry hair so I prefer it on damp hair.  This product is good on its own but GREAT when mixed with the AOHC.  It is a little costly as well but worth every penny! I will use this product as a styler and to keep the ends of the hair moisturized.  Update: I will use this product as is to moisturize BG "S" locs after washing.  Here is the post where I styled BG "S" hair with the combo. Another staple from QB!

Ingredients:Pure Olive Oil, expressed from the fruit seeds of the noble and majestic Olive tree, delivers softness and emollience. Pure Grapeseed Oil delivers shine, softness and lubricity. MSM nourishes scalp and encourages healthy growth while pure wildflower honey and vegetable glycerin contribute lasting moisture and softness.  Does not contain mineral oil, lanolin, proteins, silicones, artificial fragrances, dyes or parabens.

*Color may vary from batch to batch from yellow to green due to the natural color variance in Olive and Grapeseed Oils.

**** I give this product a 5 out of 5 Baby Curls**** 

Back to Protective Style Mode (Two Strand Twists and Bantu Knots)

After enjoying a few days of big hair during BBH's Frotective Challenge, we are back to our protective styles.  But before twisting it up, I decided to do a little trimming of BG "S" ends.  I did things a little different this time.  In this post (BG "S" First Trim-Healthier Hair, Here We Come...) I discussed trimming the hair while in mini twists but I decided to trim her hair the way Precious Curls discussed in this post.  I was much more comfortable this go' round! 

I deep conditioned, co-washed and banded on Saturday night.  On Sunday morning, I trimmed the hair as I removed the banded sections. However, before trimming I applied Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee, detangled, then trimmed and re-banded.

This is after the trim...not too much right?!

On to the Protective Style...

I went to my favorite style of course...two-strand twists.  Although the hair was stretched from banding, I lightly spritz the hair with my aloe vera mix, applied a mixture a QB Amla & Olive Heavy Cream and QB Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm (review to come) and the twisted.  OMG...her hair has never felt so soft and moisturized,  I couldn't keep my hands out of her hair!  She wore her two-strand twists out today but then I decided to do something different and try bantu knots on her tonight.  I simply gathered a section of her twists, twisted to the left and began to roll and tuck.  I think I did pretty good for my first time, I didn't use anything to secure the bantu knots, so I have no idea how long  the hair will stay put, lol...

BBH's Frotective Style Challenge (Day 3 & Day 4)

**BBH Frotective Challenge Day 3- July 6, 2012 **

BG "S" wore a Shrunken Fro on this day. She had water play the previous day and had major shrinkage!  No big deal, we just embraced it... 

**BBH Frotective Challenge Day 4- July 7, 2012 (FINAL) **

This Day 4 hair right here certainly has a story! I attempted to do a twist-out by washing and twisting the hair with Kinky Curly Products (Come Clean, KCKT and KKCC), well needless to say it was a total fail :( Her hair was super dry and not what I imagined it to be but I had to swing it...thus this hair style! So, I decided to wash it last tonight...OMG, detangling was an absolute NIGHTMARE! I will be doing some snipping today!  

Why You Should Add Pre-Pooing to Your Routine

What is a Pre-Poo?  According to the Natural Hair Community, pre-poo "refers to applying oils and/or conditioners to the hair before shampooing. Often times a heat source is used to allow the oils and/or conditioners to penetrate the hair and impart moisture."

In my experience pre-pooing makes the hair feel softer, increase moisture and reduces the amount of breakage and shedding that occurs during detangling and washing. I always pre-poo before any type of washing (clarifying, co-wash, etc.)  Pre-pooing is a vital part of our hair regimen and has been extremely beneficial to the girls' hair.  Although there are many other oils and products that can be used to pre-poo, I use Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil which I explain in this post here.

Here is a great read: Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Styles and Curly Hair Care: Why You Should Add Pre-Pooing to Your Routine:   Water, The Great Frenemy? …by Susan Walker of Earthtones Naturals via ThreeNaturals

Is pre-pooing part of your routine?

BBH's Frotective Style Challenge (Day 1 & Day 2)

The BBH Frotective Challenge is to have you child to wear his/her BIG HAIR for (4) days...defined fros, curly fros, “puff” styles, frohawks, wash’n go’s, twist outs, braid outs, out-outs, now that's a challenge!!  I was both excited and nervous when I decided to participate in this challenge because I never let BG "S" wear her hair out for more than a day...she is 2 and we all know what 2 year olds do (roll around on the floor, put food in their hair, pull their hair, etc.) Well I went for it and she rocked her very first fro-hawk on yesterday!

**BBH Frotective Challenge Day 1- July 4, 2012 **

This is the braid-out instead of leaving it "out-out",  I decided to do the Fro-Hawk.

Rocking her 1st ever Fro-Hawk.  I styled by gathering (3) puffs going down the middle of her head

I used SM Organic Yucca & Aloe Hair Thickening Growth Milk

**BBH Frotective Challenge Day 2- July 5, 2012** 

I detangled her hair the previous night with Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Detangling Ghee (it was a breeze) and applied Darcy's Botanicals Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme mixed with a few things to twist.  Applied Qhemet Biologics Oil and removed twists, I then gently separated the hair and placed in puffs. Voila!

Afro Twin Puffs with a Bang

Happy National Afro Day & Independence Day 2012

It's National Afro Day and this day is dedicated to the most popular natural hairstyle -the Afro! So celebrate the fun...men, women, boys and girls to celebrate your natural beauty, fro-real!!!

We will be taking part in National Afro Day by participating in Baby Big Hair's 2012 Frotective Style Challenge starting TODAY of course...

I prepped for BG "S" Frotective style on last Thursday by deep conditioning, co-washing, etc and then braiding the hair for a braid-out; the product dried clear.

STAY TUNED FOR RESULTS...

Detangling: Denman Brushes

D31 VS D3

LEFT PIC: D31    RIGHT PIC: MODIFIED D3 & D31

I purchased the Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush a while back after hearing it mentioned several times on YouTube videos.  At the time, I was in the hunt for a really good detangling tool and I wasn't having much luck with previous purchases so I purchased it.  I used it on BG "S" and it took longer than usual to detangle her hair and I just didn't like the way it felt in her hair so I tucked away and went back to the paddle brush.  I later attempted to use it on BG "M" and to my surprise it did a really good job at detangling and enhanced her curls beautifully.  I recently tried to use the denman brush again on BG "S" but in a modified state by removing every other row...it did okay but I still wasn't sold on the idea on using it on her hair.

So, I decided to do a little more research on the denman brushes.  After doing the research I realized that I should NOT have bought the D3, that particular brush is typically used on STRAIGHT hair and used for blow drying the hair for a smooth look. However, the Denman D31 Volumnizing Brush is typically used for THICK or CURLY hair and used for DETANGLING. The rows are spread apart to allow the hair to actually flow through the brush and the pins are spread apart as well. I was sold with the description itself...and since the Sally's Beauty in my area only sell the D3 I ordered the D31 from Amazon.  I LOVE, LOVE this brush, it has made detangling so much easier and it doesn't need to be modified! Best investment yet...I wish I invested in this brush a long time ago!  The only con with this brush is that you can't get it on the ground (at least for me).  I currently use the D31 on BG "S" and the D3 on BG "M".

Unmodified Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush

This video is just to get an idea of how the D31 is used....

What have your experience been with a Denman Brush? And which Denman Brush do you use?