Simple Braided Updo Pictorial

Lori

Hey lovelies!  It's Holiday season and I wanted to share a simple updo for the ladies that are protective styling.  I took my PS out a couple of weeks ago, but I thought about you all ;)

I can only imagine how difficult it is to find easy styles are that fun, creative, and easy on the hair.  This simple updo is simple enough to do, but especially fun for the Holidays!  I asked my friend, Lori, to demonstrate one of her favorite updos and here it is!

You will need:

- hair pins (these are different from bobby pins)

- a soft bristle brush (for your edges and nape area, optional)

Let's get started!

First, lean forward to bring all braids to the front:

Next, take 2 braids from the left side of your head, and 2 from the right (preferably around the middle for added security and less tension on the braids around your edges):

Then, wrap the sectioned off braids around the majority and tie as you would tie a shoelace.  (This acts as a hair tie):

Next, divide braids into 2 sections and braid them:

Then, wrap each braid around, in opposite directions, and secure with bobby pins:

*Slaying your edges is optional once the braids have been secured!

All done:

*Side note: Feel free to add a head wrap if you want to spice up the look.  Just wrap accordingly after your braids have been secured!

I would love to see some of these updos recreated especially during the Holidays.  If you have time and take on Lori's updo, tag us at #curlsfothegirls on Instagram!

Happy Holidays,

Ashley, xo.

Do you have a favorite braided updo or questions for Lori about her updo?  Comment below!

Spotlight Monday: Fatima

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Fatima Johnson; I love to dance and eat!  I am passionate about advocating for, and educating, the youth on the options they have regarding higher education and giving them the tools needed to get there.  I like to try and live positively and just love life!

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!
> I have been natural for 3 years.  See, my hair type is a lot; it's just SUPER thick!  For the most part, my hair is more wavy than curly.  I have a majority of 3b/3c curls with 3c/4a curls in the front, 3a/3b curls on the sides behind my ears, and 3c/4a curls at the back of my head.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?
> I decided to go natural when I saw that my hair was falling out in college.  I transitioned for two years then I cut off the last parts of the relaxed hair.  I cut off about 3 inches, maybe a little more.  I chose to transition because my natural texture was sooo similar to the already relaxed hair.  I also thought that it would be healthier for me to do this so I can smoothly transition and learn how to work with my natural texture instead of chopping everything off and working with a length that I had never experienced.  

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> When I first experienced my natural hair, I was not happy.  Honestly, I did not know how to take care of my hair, and I was just straightening and ponytail-ing it lol.  Then, I heard about the naturalistas on YouTube and saw all of the beautiful hairstyles they did; the love they had for their hair was inspirational!  I was like "Wow-- I must be crazy not to love this hair!"  And then as I transitioned, I played around with Bantu knots and twist outs.  Then, I just cut the relaxed ends off and it was all magic from there!

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> My top three favorite products are pretty simple: shea butter, a cool water with an oil and conditioner mix, and TRESemme Naturals Conditioner.  I mix my Shea butter with sweet almond, jojoba, olive, coconut, vitamin E, and castor oils.  *That's also the oil mixture I use on my scalp. 

What are your go-to hairstyles?
> My go-to hairstyles?  Buns!  When I want to wear my hair out, I just do a simple twist out.  I also like wearing my hair in twists.  I'm still exploring different styles.  My texture is so different than those on YouTube; I expect the same results as them and never get it!  I just have to explore on my own.

How do you feel about your hair today?
> I absolutely LOVE my hair.  I won't lie-- I still feel self-conscious when I think about wearing it in a Wash and Go, but I know I'm gonna be like "Eff this!" one day, and do it.  I am so happy with the health, length, and diversity of my hair.  I can straighten, curl, twist, braid it, etc. and it feels good to have those options than to just be boring and straight like it was in my permed life.  I love my hair!

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Fatima about her natural hair?  Comment below!

5,000+ Views! (Contest/Giveaway CLOSED!)

Hey everyone!

I'm SO very super excited about this.  Can't you tell?! :o)

Curlsfothegirls.blogspot.com has reached 5,000+ views in less than 3 months-- woo!  With that being said, I want to thank everyone-- naturalistas, fashionistas, etc-- for your support of curlsfothegirls.blogspot.com; it means a lot to me!  I've been told numerous times to start a blog, and I'm honestly not sure what sparked the decision that day, but it's been great thus far :)

I wanted to invite you all to participate in the Curls Fo' The Girls' FIRST contest/giveaway-- yes, the FIRST contest/giveaway on this blog.  Isn't this exciting?!

The Details:

A bomb ass Twist Out is MY favorite curly girl style.  I absolutely love them!  They require a lot of patience while twisting, BUT the definition is always amazeballs!  So.. it only seems right that the first contest/giveaway is about Twist Outs!  I challenge you all to share your BEST Twist Outs with me on Instagram @curlsfothegirls with the hashtags #curlsfothegirls #ilovetwistouts.  *The photos must be hashtagged!  I will accept multiple submissions, but I cannot guarantee that it'll help your chances of winning.  I'm looking for the BEST Twist Out ;)

Things to keep in mind (Read thoroughly):
- I won't be able to see posts from private accounts so if you wish to participate, your account must be public (at least until the contest is over).
- All submissions must be hashtagged: #curlsfothegirls #ilovetwistouts.
- You MUST be following Curls Fo' The Girls on IG @curlsfothegirls!
- Invite EVERYONE you know!

The contest/giveaway will start tomorrow, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18th, and go until FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27th!

The Prize:
Since this contest is about Twist Outs, I wanted to put together a prize pack of items that I use for MY Twist Outs :)

A Winner Has Been Announced via Instagram!

- Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask: a GREAT deep conditioning treatment that adds moisture to dry hair.  It's one of my favorites!

- Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in/Detangler: a great leave-in/detangler that aids in detangling and keep tresses moisturized.  It's very light but perfect for twist outs :)

- Sweet Almond Oil: I use very little of this oil to seal my hair while twisting, but it's great for taking down twists and preventing frizz!

I'm super excited about this contest and I wish all participants luck.

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Please be sure to read the contest details thoroughly!  Comment below if you have any questions about the contest/giveaway!

Spotlight Monday: Dominique

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Dominique Smith; I'm a Bronx, New York native.  I am a senior studying Political Science (Pre-Law) and Communication at Wesleyan College in Georgia.  I am also President of my school's Black Student Alliance.

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls.

> I have been natural for about two years now.  Within those couple of years, I have done a couple of big chops and lots of color.  My curls are small coils, probably the size of a straw.  Because of the thickness and the size of the curls, I have A LOT of shrinkage.  I also have a lot of natural blonde highlights throughout my hair, especially at the tips of my coils.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?

> When I began my natural journey I did the big chop.  I did not do the big chop with the intent of going natural; I did it because I had a point to prove.  I go to a predominately white school in the south.  People often met me with preconceived notions because of the length of my hair, my hair type, and the fairness of my skin.  Once people got a chance to know me they were often taken aback by how pro-black I was, and by the fact that I wasn't mixed.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?
> Chopping my hair off was my way of proving to myself, and others, that I wasn't anyone's pageant princess.  It also helped me prove that my hair did not define my beauty.  It was one of the most fulfilling and liberating things I've ever done!

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> In the beginning, it was beautiful.  I enjoyed every minute of my hair being short.  Once I hit the middle stages it became frustrating.  I got bored a few times and have had it several different colors, which resulted in me cutting it off. 

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> My favorite products are olive oil, coconut oil, and "Curls Unleashed" by Organic Root Simulator.  I've been using these products since I've done the big chop.

What are your go-to hairstyles?
> My daily go-to hairstyle is my 'fro.  I haven't had my kick in creativity yet in regards to things I can do with it.  Now that I am trying to grow my hair out, my official go to hairstyle is braids of some sort.  They're very low maintenance and it's a little easier to find things to do with them.

How do you feel about your hair today?
>  I love my hair!  I'm nervous about finally giving it a chance to really grow out.  Sometimes it is frustrating because of the thickness and the fact that my hair grows so fast. But I wouldn't change anything about it.

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Dominique and her natural hair?  Comment below!

MY Experience With A Protective Style (Senegalese Twists)

This was the first time EVER that I did a protective style.  I'm not a PS kind of person; I've always had reservations about braids, twists, and weaves.  I guess I was always used to protecting my hair the best way I could so that's what I've always done.

I wanted to create this post so you all would have any idea as to how MY experience was, how long it took, the hair used, how I moisturized my hair, and how I took them out.

So let's begin..

A friend and I went on November 23rd to get our protective styles installed-- I got Senegalese twists and she got box braids.  We got to the salon around 9.45am or so and were in the chairs by 10am.  We went to a salon on 125th that was recommended to me by a friend.

It took my friend about 5hrs for her box braids to be installed; it took me 6 3/4 hours!  I took a bathroom break during the process, but still.  The braiders used Kanekalon braiding hair.  The process itself is an amazing one-- watching them install the twists, the quickness they twisted the strands and the intricacy of interweaving more pieces into the twists for length.  I paid close attention to the work and made sure I let them know if something was too tight or if they were pulling too hard.  *Ladies, it is YOUR hair so do NOT be afraid to speak up!  I got tips from a friend who got her hair braided the week before about how to handle them braiding my edges.  Holding the base of the twists prevented them from pulling on my edges.  We ALL know how important those things are!

After the process was done, I made sure that I stopped to get ACV on the way home just in case I experienced any itching or discomfort.  My older sister, Cheryl (http://curlsfothegirls.blogspot.com/2013/10/spotlight-monday-cheryl.html), recommended that I spray the braids with warm water to help loosen them up.  It worked!  The next day, I used the ACV to spray the braids down because I experienced minor itching, nothing too bad.  I wanted to make sure I attacked it before it attacked me like I had seen.  Synthetic hair has an alkaline base that causes an allergic reaction for some.  They get all kinds of bumps and itching.  I didn't want to experience that so I was prepared before any of that could take place.

I'm used to washing my hair weekly so this was a big change for me.  My friend, Reecie (http://curlsfothegirls.blogspot.com/2013/10/spotlight-monday-reecie.html), suggested that I used dry shampoo to clean my scalp to prevent frizz which sounded like a good idea.  However, after using the dry shampoo, I found that I still had residue on my scalp and it didn't feel clean enough to me.  After I got out of the shower, I used astringent on my scalp hoping that it would help me.  I couldn't take the itching anymore so I washed my scalp with a tiny bit of Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo.  After rinsing, I applied some liquified leave-in and an oil to seal.

To moisturize my hair, I used a mixture of water and Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner.  I also used sweet almond or olive oil to seal my hair and help with any potential frizz.

I honestly liked the twists, at first.  They were different for me.  The parts were extremely neat and I wanted to try something different.  That was the upside for me.  Unfortunately, I got bored after a couple of weeks and contemplated taking them out.  It was honestly too much hair on my head (that wasn't my own) and I missed my hair!  The only thing stopping me was the thought of the money I spent to get them installed in the first place!

hair ball AFTER take down & detangling session

I couldn't take it any longer so I began taking them out around 2.45pm on Saturday.  Even with help from my mom, it took 4.5 hours to take them out.  I used Jenell Stewart's Senegalese Twist Take Down method.  I cut the ends of the twists, used her water, conditioner, and oil concoction with my own ingredients, sprayed the twists and unraveled them.  After unraveling them, I took the section, sprayed it down with more of the mix, detangled, and twisted it to get the hair out of the way.  Once I was completely done, I began to wash my hair and applied my Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask.  I left it in overnight.

I'm honestly not sure what happened overnight, but I woke up to knots and tangles.  This detangling session was one of my worst.  I don't know if I was still getting shed hairs, experiencing breakage, or if it had something to do with the Camille Rose product, but I ended up having to cut out 2 knots! :(  It made me sad, but I was surprised at how calm I was.  Luckily, no one will notice when my hair curls up :)  I decided to clip my ends and apply the Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Protein treatment just to be on the safe side as well.

I did enjoy the twists for the first couple of weeks; however, I have to be 100% honest with myself and protective styling is just NOT for me.  It's not something that I see myself willingly running back to do.  So I definitely give kudos to all the women that protective style with ease.

I think the amount of hair I lost with the initial take down was a decent amount considering I hadn't combed my hair for damn near a month!  It honestly scared me a bit because I had never experienced that much lost hair during a routine detangling session and thank God.  However, I'm still sitting here, typing up this post, with this protein treatment in; I gotta get my life!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you protective style?  Tell us your favorites, and how you maintain them below!

5 Tips to Avoid Frizz

There's a time and place for everything-- frizz included.  Sometimes, it's inevitable due to environmental factors, but there are occasions where frizz is preventable.  Here are 5 tips on how you can avoid frizz:

1. Keep your hands out of your hair!

Yes, we have all had "Hand in Hair Syndrome (curlynikki)" where we get the urge to play in our curls-- pull them, twirl them, and whatever else-- but constantly touching your hair can lead to frizz and other damage!  Some naturals have noticed breakage after constant touching, so if you wish to have healthy, frizz-free hair, keep your hands at bay!

2. Skip the towel dry.
Using a towel isn't the best way to dry your hair; a t-shirt is!  (Yes, I said a t-shirt.)  Towels often absorb much of the moisture we need and although they seem soft to us, they're often rough on hair and can raise the cuticle layer which creates frizz!  Using an old old t-shirt to dry your hair is a better alternative as it dries the hair and avoids roughening the outer layer thus reducing frizz.

3. Stay away from humectants in humid weather.
Humectants-- glycerin, propylene glycol, and even honey-- draw moisture from the air.  When products that contain humectants are applied to the hair in humid conditions, it creates the opposite effect and causes frizz!  Using products that contain little to no humectants in humid weather will keep frizz away.  If you have had no issues and/or your hair benefits from humectants in any kind of weather, go for it!

4. Avoid using hot water.
You heard me-- skip the hot water during the wash process!  Although hot water can remove dirt and buildup and it feels great, it causes more harm to the hair than good.  Hot water is drying and raises the cuticle layer of the hair strand creating (you guessed it) frizz.  Hair should be rinsed in very lukewarm to cold water.  If you cannot bear cold water (big baby), I recommend using an ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) rinse.  Just be sure to dilute the ACV with water!  And no, you will not smell like vinegar; the smell will dissipate after a few minutes leaving you with frizz-free and shiny hair :)

5. Use products with the right amount of hold.
This is for your twist outs, WnGs, etc.  When you do one of these styles, it is imperative that you use a product with the right amount of hold if you wish for the style to last several days.  If you neglect to do so, you may (not necessarily will) experience frizz within a day or so of the style.  I often use gel or some other kind of holding product when I do these styles because I want to create a shiny, defined, and frizz-free style!  After about 3-4 days, I welcome frizz only because it makes the style expand and look that much more bad ass ;)

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any tips on avoiding frizz?  Share them below!

Spotlight Monday: Kimberly

 Tell us about yourself.
> I am a 22-year-old Syracuse alumna with a passion for ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic through education and advocacy!  I am a makeup junkie-- no.. seriously-- (My mint app lets me know that I spend more money on makeup than I do food, LOL!) and a lover of peace and all things beautiful :)

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!
> My last perm was September 2012, so I have been perm-free for 15 months and I couldn’t be happier!  My hair type is a spunky and fierce mix of 3C and 4A.  In the middle of my head, my curl pattern is a bit curlier; the back of my hair, the sides, and front are a bit more of a loose pattern.  What I love most about my curls is how soft and beautiful they are.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?

> I transitioned for 11 months before I did a big chop.  I didn’t plan on doing a big chop because I was afraid of how I would look after since I was used to having either long hair flowing from my scalp or long hair flowing from my tracks, LOL!  During the summer, I finally decided to experiment with my transitioning hair and do a two strand twist.  I spent HOURS combing and parting and moisturizing and twisting in hopes of having my hair looking as beautiful as I had seen on the natural hair blogs.  The next day, I unraveled the twists and was so disappointed with the finished product.  One half of my hair was nicely curled, and the bottom half of my hair was straight and stringy and didn’t curl at all.  I was so frustrated!  So, I hopped on the 4 train, got off at Nevins, and walked into the Evolution Green Room, on Atlantic Avenue, and chopped the rest of my permed hair off.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?  
> I didn’t tell anyone that I was going to cut my hair off except for my line sister, Simi. After the stylist cut my hair and gave me a nice finger coil style, I looked in the mirror with feelings of excitement and happiness.  I finally did it, and honestly, there was no turning back since I spent all I had on the cut and style LOL.  I was very happy with the way it looked and was pleasantly surprised that a short do fit my face.

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> It was hard.  I had my first perm at age 7, so for 14 years, I hadn’t seen my natural hair and I didn’t know what to do with it.  I wanted to teach myself how to do my own hair so I spent hours upon hours researching styles for TWAs on YouTube and became comfortable with finger coiling my hair.  It was a pretty time-consuming hairstyle in comparison to my previous hair regimens with perms/weaves/box braids.  I grew discouraged and eventually got box braids.  However, now that I have my hair out again, I am so hyped to see how healthy and how much my hair has grown since August!!!

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> I love the Jane Carter restore moisture mist!  It makes it so easy to moisturize daily and refresh my hair.  My favorite conditioner is the Organix Biotin and Collagen!  It smells sooo good, and always leaves my hair soft, bouncy and full.  Lastly, I love, LOVE, LOVE the Eco Styler Olive Oil gel.  It is by far the best product that gives my hair the perfect curl definition for my wash and go.  After trying Jane Carter's curl defining cream, Cantu coconut curling cream, and Taliah Waajid curly curl cream, this product gave me the best curl definition without making my hair feel heavy, greasy or flaky.  As a matter of fact, my current “Wash and go” style has been going strong for the last 12 days!

What are your go-to hairstyles?

> Since I am still learning my hair, I’ve only experimented with finger coiling and wash and go styles.  But my favorite of the two is my wash and go with eco styler gel.  It's easy and gives my hair the best curl definition.

How do you feel about your hair today?
> I loveeeeee my natural hair, and I am never turning back to the permed and flat-ironed life I was used to!  It was harder in the beginning because I was adjusting to the change, but my boyfriend definitely made it a lot easier for me to love my hair since he too loved it and preferred it over my weaves!  I am in love with my natural hair, but I can’t lie, I still love a good weave.  I think as my hair grows longer, I will become more and more comfortable with my hair and nothing else.  But, this is all apart of my natural hair journey!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Kimberly about her natural hair and/or journey?  Comment below!