Blog Has Been Moved!

Hey! Long time, no hear, right!? I'm still among the living. Lol I actually have A NEW blog that is more cohesive and I will be posting there from this point forward. (I will leave this one up but it's inactive).

The new blog is HERE! I hope you'll join me and pray you're doing well!

xo
KeetaRay

Twistout Maintenance

My twistout done on Sunday night has lasted me 5 days so far! I'm amazed... This hasn't happened in a couple years. To maintain at night, I just put my hair into bigger twists (no combing with a comb or my fingers, no re-wetting the hair, no additional product) - and tie my hair down with a satin scarf. In the morning, I take the twists down and moisturize (if necessary - only had to do this once and I used the As I Am Naturally Double Butter Cream) and fluff/style.

Looks like this is my new regimen! 😁

To Gel or Not to Gel...

Well, the answer for me is to use gel. If the look I am going for is a defined look. Take a look at the comparison pics above. On the right is my hair yesterday. I did a twistout using As I Am Naturally Twist Curling Cream as my hold product. After 2-3 hours my hair was this frizzy. It was cute, but that wasn't the look I wanted. On the right is my hair today. I washed & conditioned my hair last night, and this time to twist I used As I Am Naturally Double Butter Cream as my moisturizer and Eco Styler Gel as the product to give hold. My twists today are much more defined. So, when humidity is an issue, I have to use gel on top if I want defined curls. However, this isn't an issue in the winter. I can go without gel and have definition for days. 5 years natural and I am still learning my hair :)

Hair Growth

Hey! I hope this post finds everyone well. I wanted to share something natural-hair related with you all.

This past May, I did a second BC (big chop) - for many reasons. I've been enjoying the new journey and look forward to healthy hair growth again. In July, due to the humidity, I started installing Marley Twists again as a protective style. It made life so much easier for me as I didn't have to style/twist my hair daily or worry about frizz. I decided to wear my hair out again this week since it hasn't been humid anymore. It has been 4 months since my BC (so I'd estimate about 2 inches of growth which is average, though I haven't measured). I noticed that my hair is "bigger" so the growth was apparent.

I'm happy with the health of my hair now and I am still enjoying the cut and how it is growing out :) I don't plan to do another BC, but just regular trims to keep healthy ends. I want to my hair to grow out again and just enjoy the process.

Here is a comparison shot -

CurlFormers for Sale! -- SOLD!

UPDATE: They are now sold. Thank you for your interest :)

Back in 2011, I had purchased some CurlFormers from Sally's Beauty Supply. So many naturals were talking about them and I was so excited to try. I blogged about my CurlFormer's experience right on this blog back in August 2011 (see post here). I loved the initial results, but my hair doesn't hold a curl well. After a few hours my nicely defined curls were a bush (maybe I could have used a better holding/setting product, IDK). But, I haven't used them since then!! My hair is usually in twists and when it isn't, it's a lot shorter now b/c of my cut. So, I'm selling these. Being that I've only used them once and paid $70, I am going to let them go for $40. I will ship them to you, all the curlformers and the hook to use with them. (U.S. Shipping only)

FYI - I'm Still Here!

Hey, everyone!! It's been a crazy summer, but I am still here! My posts have been lax but I've been working on A LOT. For one, I created a blog specifically for Skincare and my Health/Wellness business. I won't be posting to this one as much anymore, but I will keep this online for reference and for random hair (or anything else) posts.

My focus is mainly skincare and health and wellness. My new blog is: Skincare by Keeta .

I've also moved this summer (I'm still in MD) and have just been busy with life, in general. But, all is well :-)

Please be sure to stay connected via the following:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/allthingskeetaray
Insta: @keetaray, @wrapped_fabulous
Blog: skincarebykeeta.wordpress.com
Pinterest: Markeeta Y.
Twitter: @1KeetaRay, @KeetaEsthetics
Health/Wellness products: wraptofreedom.net

I hope you all have enjoyed your summers and are having a good start to the fall season! Take care and chat soon.
:-)

Beauty | Summertime Faves

I wanted to share a few of my favorite summertime beauty items! :)

It has been super hot and HUMID lately here in Maryland. So, I've been skipping foundation and came to LOVE MAC's BB (Beauty Balm) Cream. My shade is Dark Deep. I apply it with a stipple brush and it blends right into my skin. You can also use your hands (clean, of course) or a sponge.
What is a BB Cream? Many beauty lines carry them now. Basically, think of it like tinted moisturizer on steroids. The MAC one has SPF 35, which I love. It brightens my complexion and evens it out but gives light to medium coverage. It feels very light on my skin and I haven't had to use concealer in addition to it. Go to your local MAC store/counter and try it out! Also available online :)

A great eyeliner to try - especially if you have oily eyelids even with primer - is by Stila (Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner). It doesn't fade, smear, rub off - it's perfect. To remove, just use an eye makeup remover before washing your face for the night. It will come off easily.

Natural Hair | More Protective Styling

Hi, Everyone! I hope you're all enjoying your summer so far. We've had a rainy start here in the DC-metro area but the past week has been good :) Anyway, I wanted to share my protective style with you all. It isn't new for me but it's still a change especially since my 2nd BC in May. I love my hair short and have been enjoying it. However, this heat and humidity isn't allowing my hair to be so great, so the marley twists are BACK!! They are my fave protective style. I did them about a week ago - I woke up on a Saturday and thought, I don't feel like doing my hair for awhile, I'm putting my twists in. And officially had more hair to grab in the back where it's shortest, so it was on! Lol As usual, it took me about 2-2 1/2 hours to complete them.

Natural Hair | Staple Products

It has been 4 years since I did my first big chop, making that transition from relaxed hair to all-natural/no chemicals. In that time, I have experimented A LOT, learned A TON, and finally have realized that my hair likes simplicity. The less I do, the healthier it is and the better it looks. That being said, I thought I'd share some of my simple staple products/accessories. My product junky days are ceasing - I've given a lot away and have been sticking with what I know works for me. 

Staples:

- Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner (moisture)

- As I Am Twist Curling Cream (styler, moisturizer)

- Spray bottle with water or water/vegetable glycerin mix (moisture)

- Coconut Oil (sealant)

- Jamaican Black Castor Oil (sealant/assists with thickening & regrowing my edges)

-wide tooth comb (only used 1-2xs per week)

Natural Hair | Randomness

Hi, All! If you've read my blog or followed me on social media the last week or 2, this isn't new to you. But, I posted a vid on YouTube (finally) about my hair. Check it out and be sure to Subscribe if you're on! :)



More updates to come.

Thank you for watching!