Meet Evelyn! This Week's Natural Hair Feature

Meet the lovely Evelyn!! She is my first blog feature for Natural Hair and shares her story... Check it out :)

1. How long have you been natural? Did you transition, BC, both?

I've been natural for 5 months, relaxer free for about 17 months. I transitioned for maybe 11 months (i didn't keep track of my starting date because i didn't know what "going natural" meant...). Then I cut the remaining relaxed ends in my dorm room with the support of my closest friends!

2. What reaction have you received since going natural? Did you announce your decision or did you just do it?
My friends thought it was cool and "me", but my parents didn't quite get it. I made it very clear that I was through with relaxers, my friends and family could either be excited with me or not.

3. What are your current fave styles to do on your hair? Do you have a staple style? Please share how you achieve it :)
So far, no style beats a simple wash n' go! My two strand twist-outs are few and far between, because I personally prefer the "shrunken" look to stretched out styles. I co-wash with Hello Hydration (for now) and run Kinky Curly Curling Custard through my wet hair. I get shiny, springy coils every time! 

4. What has been the most significant change within yourself that you've noticed since going natural?
I'm more comfortable with myself. I don't feel like I'm competing with anyone anymore. I'm on another level altogether. My level. I'm more secure in myself.

5. What do you love most about being natural?
Being able to try any product, any style, WHENEVER i want. Although i'm really simple with my routine/regimen, i like having the option to switch it up at any time.

6. What are your must-have products? Any favorites that you cannot do without?
Kinky Curly Knot Today & plain ol' unrefined organic Shea Butter! My hair treat (it's costs $$$) is Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment - it has done wonders for helping me reduce breakage and retain my length, so it's well worth it! 

7. Finally, any advice you'd like to give to women who have just BC'd or are thinking of going natural? Please share :)

Whether a shaved head or a 2-year long transition. Just remember, you look beautiful when you feel beautiful. Simple as that :)

Tomorrow's First Blog Feature...

Is Evelyn!!! Stay tuned for her interview :)

~KeetaRay

How I Did My Twist 'n Curl

If you follow me on Twitter (@1KeetaRay), you know I promised you a "How-to" of the style I twit-pic'd yesterday of my hair.
Here is the look:

Here are the instructions:

• Washed my hair with Mixed Chicks Shampoo to clarify/remove product build-up. This step isn't necessary.
• Cleansed with Hair Rules Creamy Cleanser to add extra moisture before conditioning. Clarifying can really strip moisture from your hair.
• Conditioned with Hair Rules Quench Conditioner & detangled in the shower in sections. Rinse conditioner out. Note: I never wash my hair with hot water. I make it lukewarm & rinse with cool water.
• Applied Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In throughout.
• Section hair to twist (doing single two-strand twists all over)
• I have in a container a mixture of pure, unrefined shea butter with about 2 teaspoons of orgranic extra-virgin coconut oil mixed in. This is what I always use when twisting for moisture.
• In addition to moisture, you need a product that will give some hold. For this twist out I used Miss Jessie's Silkening Cream (just a fingertip amount) to each section to twist. Note: You don't necessarily need to use both the shea/coconut oil AND Miss Jessie's. You can use just Miss Jessie's but my hair tends to get dry fast.Or, instead of Miss Jessie's you can use a small amount of alcohol-free gel for hold (I like EcoStyler or ic Fantasia olive gel).
• After I'm done each twist, I "finger-roll" the ends & secure them with bobby pins so the ends are curled. You can use rollers/rods to curl your ends. I only did this b/c I cannot find my rods and had to get creative. So if you don't have any, you can do it this way. (See pic)

Please understand, I know these twists are NOT cute. They are not meant to be "seen". Lol This is just while your hair air dries :) **CHECK OUT THAT SHRINKAGE**

• When you're done twisting, let your hair air dry. I do this overnight & take them out in the morning. IMPORTANT: Make sure your twists are completely dry when you take them out. If not, it WILL frizz.
• When dry, I take a small amount of coconut or jojoba oil, rub into the palms of my hands and unravel the twists carefully (after removing the rods/rollers/bobby pins, of course). Be careful to prevent frizz. I usually then separate each unraveled twist into another 2-3 sections to make my hair "bigger".
• Do this all over until you're done. Finger-style, add accessories... MAKE IT YOU. :)

In the winter, this style would last me 3-4 days without having to retwist. But due to the humidity and to keep definition, I will retwist every other night. Remember to sleep with a satin bonnet/scarf, or a satin pillowcase!

Hope this helped you ladies :) You can substitute products, of course. Let me know if you have questions.

KeetaRay

Seeking Lovely Naturals to Interview for Features!

OK Ladies... Like I said in my last post, I want to start featuring many of you on my blog. I want to start this coming Sunday, July 3rd. So, for those of you who follow me on Twitter (@1KeetaRay), or maybe even Facebook, please RT or post a link to my blog to make our naturalistas aware :) I'm going to post the questions below that I'd like women to answer. In addition, when you respond please email me at: tayah97@gmail.com, with "Blog Feature" as the subject,  and attach 2-3 pictures of yourself that you'd like to accompany the feature. Remember to select pics that show off your beautiful hair.

Here are the questions (you can copy and paste them into the email along with your pics, to make it easier):

1. How long have you been natural? Did you transition, BC, both?

2. What reaction have you received since going natural? Did you announce your decision or did you just do it?

3. What are your current fave styles to do on your hair? Do you have a staple style? Please share how you achieve it :)

4. What has been the most significant change within yourself that you've noticed since going natural?

5. What do you love most about being natural?

6. What are your must-have products? Any favorites that you cannot do without?

7. Finally, any advice you'd like to give to women who have just BC'd or are thinking of going natural? Please share :)

Thanks, ladies!! I look forward to sharing your stories so we can help encourage other women, letting them know it's okay to be natural :)

KeetaRay

Something New...

Good Morning! :)

I want to try something new with you ladies... I'm going to start posting natural hair interviews every Sunday evening. But I need your help! I want to ask 7-10 questions, what types of questions should I ask? Feel free to throw your ideas out at me. Once I get the questions set, I'll write them up and post them here for anyone who wants to participate to be included :) So, please - JOIN IN!! I'd like to start posting interviews/features by Sunday, July 4th. I know I've been MIA these days - so much has been going on but I am getting back into the swing of things. I don't want to leave you ladies hanging, there is SO MUCH INFORMATION out here for us! I want us to all stay encouraged on this journey and be here to support each other. Soooo... LET'S GOOOO!!! ;)

KeetaRay

Product Review: Smooth & Shine Curl Activator Gel

Long time, no hear! :)
I hope everyone's week is off to a great start. Just wanted to post a quick review on a product I tried. It was recommended by my friend, Alex (see her on Twitter: @AisforAlex). It's called Smooth & Shine Curl Activator Gel and I got it from CVS. It is low-priced - I think I paid about $2-3 for the 10.5 oz jar. It gave me good definition with the perfect hold - not too hard, but not so soft that my hair frizzes up. I did a wash-and-go puff today (my trusty "It's-too-humid-for-twistouts" style).

The first few ingredients listed in order: Water - Glycerin - Propylene glycol - aloe leaf extract

Here is how I applied it:
I co-washed in the shower using Suave Coconut Conditioner (lightly detangled with wide-tooth comb). Squeezed excess water from my hair - I didn't towel-dry or blot my hair with a towel. I wanted it to be really wet. Next, once out of the shower I applied KC Knot Today Leave-In throughout my hair. Then, I applied the Smooth & Shine throughout my hair, in sections. I used small amounts of product on each section (maybe a quarter size). Gave my hair a good shake to separate the curls, then put on my Goodie Ouchless headband for the puff, and that's it. It didn't take my hair long to dry at all. Maybe a couple of hours.

Pics are below. If you try it, Let me know how you like it! :)

BTW - Usually to refresh wash-and-go's in the morning (because I know how it gets flat and just doesn't look good the next day when we wake up), I typically spray my mix of water & veggie glycerin throughout my hair to re-wet it enough for the curls to pop again, shake it and re-style. I usually do this for 2-3 days and will wash it again after that.

Update for Saturday's Natural Hair Meet-Up

Ladies,
A small change has been made to the meet-up this Saturday, June 19th. Instead of meeting at 3pm, we will all meet at 4pm.

Please RSVP via email to dmvnaturals@gmail.com for location address. It will be in Laurel, MD.

Hope to see you all there!!

Keeta

Call it Writer's Block!

I know I haven't posted in a LONG time but I've been really busy with my business. All of my focus and attention has been going to that, but I hope to have something to post SOON. I hope...  Thanks to all my blog followers for hanging in there! I appreciate ya. ;)

Have a blessed day!

Rest in Peace, Lena Horne

Sadly, Lena Horne has passed away at the age of 92. She will always be remembered for not only her acting but her activism. Truly a remarkable woman. Please click the following link for the story: Lena Horne

May she Rest in Peace...

DMV Natural Hair Meet-Up!

Ladies! I am helping to organize a natural hair meet-up on June 19th!! That's a Saturday. The time is TBD, but it will be in Laurel, MD. If you're interested in attending, please RSVP via email: DMVnaturals@gmail.com -- Please don't RSVP via this blog, we (I am doing this along with @Safi_HairCare on Twitter) are tracking all RSVPs using the above email account.

I hope to see you there!!!