Deep Conditioning Treatment

Since I'm working on incorporating a new regimen for BG "S" with the Terressentials Mud Wash, I decided to deep condition this week.  This is our first deep condition since using Terressentials.  I think I may deep condition and cleanse the hair twice a month alternating the weeks.
Example:
Week 1 - Cleanse
Week 2 - Deep Condition
Week 3 - Cleanse
Week 4 - Deep Condition
This week, I decided to go with the Greek Yogurt and Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment which I first used HERE.  It's a great protein/moisturizing deep conditioner.  My only complaint is that is can be very messy and smelly.  You can find how I deep condition HERE.

I used the same ingredients with the exception of the shea butter.  This time I used 100% unrefined USDA Organic Shea Butter which I ordered online (I've heard that shea butter was sticky/waxy like but this was my first time actually encountering that).  I always tried to aim for the unrefined shea butter but sometimes its not marked as refined or unrefined on the containers in the beauty supply store so I guess you don't really know what you're getting at times.  Anywho, this mix was thicker and took a little longer to rinse but I must say her hair was super moisturized, I was in awe!!  For my next deep treatment, I think I will try a recipe with shea butter as the main ingredient.  Here are a few pics...

Greek Yogurt and Shea Butter Deep Treatment
Can you see how moisturized her hair is, I wish you could feel the softness...

After rinsing, I simply sealed and threaded for drying.
 Look at that shrinkage!!!

What homemade deep treatments do you use?

Back to the Basics: Keeping It Simple

Boy, what a journey!  I decided to begin this month on a "new" healthy hair journey with BG "S".  Why?  Well, it has been about 5 months since removing her locs.  Since then I have done trims/dustings throughout those months (altogether it can be classified as a mini-chop, lol).  I am finally at a place where I can wash and detangle her hair without having a matted mess on my hands and getting completely frustrated.  I also finally got rid of those nuisance ssk's and there were A LOT!  We have also tried tons of new products and have had our share of ups and downs with ingredients, so I pretty much know what works and what doesn't work for her hair.  She will also be 3 this month!!!

This brings us to the basics of keeping it simple!  I found myself getting off our regular hair regimen a little bit just to experiment but it wasn't yielding the results I wanted or had in the past.  I veered off trying new things and following the masses such a finger detangling and other methods of sealing, etc but I am back on course with following our regular hair regimen! Her hair flourishes with our regimen.  I love my Grapeseed Oil and will continue to us it during daily moisturizing but I will be going back to sealing with my shea butter mix on wash day (I have altered the recipe a bit to avoid refrigeration).

The only thing left for me to try is the Chicoro Leave-In and if that doesn't work I will be sticking to my faithful Kimmaytube Leave-In Recipe! I have also been trying out shampoo bars which I like so far. :)

This is the amount of hair I have trimmed after her 1st initial trim of 2 inches after loc removal.

This is a comparison of pics between Jul 12- Jan 13. July 2012 (before loc'ing), Dec 2012 (after removing loc's and cutting),  Jan 2012 (hair growth)

Current Pic (April 2013, I trimmed last in March) at a good place.

So here we go...healthy hair journey AGAIN! :)

Simple Cornrows using Blended Beauty Products

Two weekends ago, I washed and styled my 2 year old God-Daughter's hair.  I didn't have much time plus I had my 2 year old and my other God-Daughter who is 1.  Her mom wanted something that would last for the week, so I thought cornrows would probably be the best option.  I am not much of a "corn-rower" at all and usually avoid doing it at all cost but I think I did a pretty good job, probably the BEST so far!  I had another opportunity to use Blended Beauty Products and must say I was even more amazed this go' round.

BEFORE WASHING

AFTER WASHING

BACK VIEW 

SIDE VIEW

Products Used

Shea Moisture Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo

TRESsemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

Blended Beauty Silkshake (Detangle)

Blended Beauty Nappy Happy Styles (Moisturize & Style) - I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!

BG "S" 1 Month Loc Update & Products

I am so loving her locs and she loves shaking em', lol!
Her locs officially turned 1 month on September 27, 2012.  This update is super late but here it is...

Stay tuned for BG "S" 2 Month Loc Update...

BG "S" Loc Update (2 Weeks)

Our Very 1st YouTube Video on BG "S" Starter Locs

I'm so excited we got our very 1st YouTube video posted!!!

Please check it out and Suscribe to our Channel ;-)

Thanks and Stay Tuned...

**BG "S" Loc Journey: 2nd Loc Set w/ Comb Coils**

After doing additional research I decided to "do-away" with the first set of starter locs (two-strand twists) and decided to start over with comb coils.  Why?  Well, since I will be maintaining BG "S" locs, I thought this would be the best method.  Comb Coils usually turn out with uniform width and length,  two-strand twists on the other hand may form to be different sizes and it takes a little longer for the two-strand twists pattern to go away, in some cases you have to cut the pattern off from the ends once the hair grows out.

After only 2.5 weeks her two-strand twist were already beginning to "loc" together.  Before I decided to take this new loc journey, I made the mistake of applying a spray leave-in conditioner after washing the hair --a big NO NO for the beginning stages of loc'ing.  Needless to say it worked in my favor because the take down process was a breeze since the leave-in aided in detangling the hair.

As I removed a twist, I simply replaced it with a comb coil after detangling that section, some sections were broken down into smaller sections. This was my very first attempt at comb coils and I am very pleased with the outcome.

I learned how to do Comb Coils by watching a video by CHVC

This is a pic of the process...

Products Used:

Rat-tail comb and Angle comb

Spray Bottle (Distilled Water & Rosemary EO)

Single Prong Clips

Taliah Waajid Lock It Up-Tight Hold (Review to Come)

 BG "S" new Loc Journey officially began on 8/27/12...

Stay Tuned...video to follow :-)

The Beginning of BG "S" Loc Journey =)

As most of you know from the post titled, Loc'ing Your Child's Hair...Yay or Nay? ,we decided to loc BG "S" hair.  Yay!! I am so excited and looking forward to this new hair journey.  Before twisting her hair, I simply followed BG "S" Hair Care Regimen.  BG "S"  loc start date was Tuesday August 8th, 2012.  The pictures below show the process of completing her two-strand twists along with a couple of styles her first week. I used Qhemet Biologics Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter to twist the hair (love, love, love this stuff...review to come). I also did a lot of splitting, re-parting and combining the first week and a half to ensure the locs will be uniformed as much as possible...stay tuned!!!   

  It took a total of 7 hours over 3 days to complete, she has some really THICK hair!  The botton right picture shows me splitting the bottom row into smaller twists (btw, look at that definition!) 

Ponytails

Ponytails

Ponytail w/ a Bang

BGS First Trim-Healthier Hair, Here We Come...

Snip, Snip...

After much research and finally gaining the courage, I decided to do it!  Since her hair was already styled in mini two-strand twists I thought this was the perfect time to trim.  I first became familiar with this technique via Baby Big Hair (Trimming BBH, Well...Her Hair).  Since we are currently in a  Protective Style Challenge, I decided to go for it because after removing the mini-twists I will be giving BGS a deep condition treatment.

We used:

• Goody 'Ouchless' Ponytail Holders
• Clips
• 5 1/2 inch Cutting Shears ($2.99 from Beauty Supply Store)

What we did:

• I applied a generous amount of coconut oil throughout the hair.
• Sectioned off the hair evenly.
• I examined each twist and figured out how much to trim (starting from the back). I did this by sliding my finger down the twist to feel for rough areas.  I also looked for thinning.
• I snipped right above my thumb at an angle.
• After trimming a twist (Yes I did it one by one, it was my first time, lol!) I clipped the twist to the side until I finished all twists in that section and then secured section with ponytail holder.
• Repeated until completed.

Here are some other helpful links:
KandyLandKurls (When To Trim My Child's Hair?)
Precious Curls (How To Trim Your Own Natural Hair)

Girly and Curly (The Day Someone Attempted a "Brittney Spears" on Des... (Good Read)

For you viewing pleasure: YouTube Video Demonstrations:

ShidaNatural - Trimming Natural Kinky/Curly/Coily Hair while in Twists
AfriknaHairGod- My Trimming Method For Natural Hair

Mini Twists Protective Style (January)

This style was done a couple of months ago (I know, I know).  Two-strand twists is a go-to style for Baby Girl S.  The mini-twists allow for the hair to be manipulated in various styles.  It takes a couple of hours to put the twists in with a busy toddler even while she's sleeping o_0. I was motivated to do this style when Kandy Land Kurls had her Protective Style Challenge back in January. The pictures were taken a couple of weeks after the style was actually done.

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