My life - a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I started this blog to document my "natural" hair journey, my thoughts, feelings, etc.
The Lord's directions, I strive to follow & be the child of God-He made me to be.
Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
I finally completed my hair for the week…lol! I
pre-pooed my hair with coconut oil (click here to see video) before my co-wash
to add a little extra tender loving care to my kinky coils, and didn't wash it
out for two days (I know I need to do better); but I just didn't want to do my
hair until I would take the time to do it carefully. Have anyone ever felt like
that? I hope I’m not the only one…smh.
Any-who, I co-washed my hair, and decided to record a video
on how I ended up styling my hair for the week (click here to see video.) I
must say that I do like the finish product! ☻
I flat-twisted my entire head and then twisted the ends into one another; then
pinned the back into a sort-of-crisscross to do. “It’s a look!” I also did a demo video on how I got this eye look (click here to see video.)
I did it this way with the mind of thinking if it’s not too
hot (Alabama weather) I can wear a unit (wig) on some days or just jazz it up
with accessories. Either way, it will be quite cute.
I will post a video later on this week (right before wash
day) to show the twist-out style that I will end up with during the weekend, so
look for that video too!
Ya’ll I am thinking of doing a “Twist Challenge” in honor of
the late “Dawnyele” because she did one from August – November 2013; I’m
thinking to do the same this year. Does anyone want to join me? Let me know.
I appreciate you for stopping by my page, and don’t forget
to check out my channels also. ☻
Cassandra
Cassyp 4c Life
♥ ☻Oh yeah! My loving hubby’s birthday just
past…I love you Babe ♥ ☻
I saw this video post on my Facebook page by Valerie Ferguson (thanks for sharing ThickChickVlogs, which is how I saw it); and it truly blessed me. I wanted to pass it along to my sisters and brothers out there.
I haven’t
been making videos lately because I don’t have anything new to share. Lately, I
have been really melancholy about things of late. I have been combating the feeling by consulting
with God, praying, reading the Bible, Inspirational books, Biblical Study
Guides, and spending time with positive family & friends. I really wanted
to post today just to say “hi everyone.” What do you do when you feel blah?
So to show that I am (as they say) only human; I thought that I should share with you guys
how I really do keep it moving, even on a “bad hair” day. Now I had my hair in
a protective style for a couple of weeks, and I took my hair down because I
missed my kinky hair; I didn't want to leave any tension on my edges; and
it was time for a wash.
So I did a protein deep conditioning just to be sure that my
hair was at a good balance, plus it’s been several months since I did one, and
my hair needed it. So after doing the moisturizing and sealing after the wash I
decided to twist my hair for a twist-out style that I would were the next day.
Look at this:
I was looking at this hair and so disappointed at the
results (shrunken, frizzy, etc.), but what can I do?
I looked in the mirror and put on some earrings,
and kept it going. “It’s a look” lol! Don’t get me wrong, I didn't get the
results that I wanted, but in no way did it make me feel any different about my
beautiful hair—it just wasn't cooperating today.
Yes, some days our hair will not look like how we want, and
yeah I could have thrown on a cap, wig, or whatever; but I decided that I am
still beautiful, even when my hair doesn't act right because this is the hair
that my God gave me; so it is well, good, and I am satisfied.
At one point in my natural hair journey, approximately last fall (Sept. 2013) I had a lot of build up and sore spots--like these little bumps that was so irritated on my scalp, and I started a regimen where I washed my hair with Johnson & Johnson baby wash every week for about 6-7 weeks, and co-washed in between shampooing to be sure to remove all product build up from twist-outs, and from using oil to sooth my scalp. But since then (approx. my birthday week), my scalp cleared up, and now I just make sure to wash/clarify my scalp every other week unless my hair needs the process earlier. I also currently use an oil mixture to massage my scalp for prevention or relief of itchiness throughout the week...lol! I usually use olive oil, wonder 8 oil (which includes jojoba, safflower, etc), castor oil, and vitamin E. Thankfully my scalp is doing well at this time, but I had to do research and trial & error to figure out what works for my scalp and hair. I had to wash my hair with shampoo again; but this time I did a pre-poo first with coconut oil, and my hair felt so good as the oil penetrated my strands, I finger detangled and twisted up each section. Wow, I didn't really realize how much my hair likes coconut oil--yeah, yeah, I know my hair responded well to coconut oil, but it was like my hair was butter. So I put a plastic bag on my head for about an hour, and then I shampooed my hair. I then proceeded to condition my hair with regular conditioner, and rinsed my hair with cold water to shock my cuticles closed. My hair felt so good and soft. I added my "African Pride Olive Oil Miracle" leave in conditioner, used coconut oil to seal, SM Coconut Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and Eco styler (Olive oil formula) gel to my strands; and banded my hair only twisting at the ends. My hair was smelling something delicious; I asked my hubby "that ain't my hair smelling delicious is it?" He was like "yep." Right before I went to sleep it came to my mind--I hope I didn't over do it with the coconut oil. I don't know, I guess I will see tomorrow (I did not take my hair down today.) Now I hope I didn't throw my hair in coconut overload...lol idk? Since I didn't band my hair in a long while I will make a video, and let you know. What do you think? Did I over do it or not? Cassandra--
I was feeling kind of “blah” this afternoon after completing
my errands. Now don’t get me wrong I maintain my joy always, and I was feeling
it, but I was feeling some kind of way—as they say. My hubby was asking did I
need him to give me some extra attention, but I wasn’t in the mood for that
either. I don’t like to bring others down when I am feeling down. I can’t stand
the “misery loves company” mentality. LOL! Plus, I’m think it’s because that “time
of the month” is coming up…yeah, I said it…lol!
Anyway, I digress; so as I was just enjoying the sun, and
praying to God to take my emotions that is when it came to me. I have been
wearing a braid-out for the several days, and I did have a great Spa/wash day—I
spent the whole day pampering my hair and myself; it was awesome. Like I said
before I have been wearing a braid-out for the last 5 days, and I have some
build-up, which is when the question popped into my mind. Why not do a co-wash
to get the gunk out.
I tell you guys, as I was putting in the “Naturally Silk
Elements-Cleansing COWASH” into my strands; I oddly started to feel lighter,
cheerful, and brighter. But, yeah I really like the creamy slip of my strands
going through my hand and finger-tips. It was quite refreshing. So I parted my
hair into (4) four sections and twisted my hair and then rinsed out each
section in the shower. My hair and my emotions were all cleaned up. Have anyone other than I ever experienced this type of release?
I always enjoy my coils, but I don’t recall every get a therapeutic-like
feeling as this before. May be its just me; I don’t know, but I wanted to share
it with my natural community and readers.
Hair therapy? Real or not? As of today, I definitely say “real.”
So after wearing my hair in braid-outs all last week. I
enjoyed a good deep conditioning/wash day. I decided to add (regular)
Castor oil back to my oil mixture. I know when I first went natural in 2011, my
staple oils were olive oil, tea tree oil, castor oil, sunflower oil, carrot
oil, and vitamin E oil. I didn’t break out or have any issues back then, and I
really like the thickness of castor oil, and it does add so much shine to my
hair. I had tried to use the Jamaican Black Castor oil (JBCO), and then it seem
like I was breaking out, so I decided that I would stop with the JBCO, and didn’t
use any form of the oil; which now as I think—I really think the break-out was
from other issues.
So I was purchasing some items at the store, and decided to
get a bottle of the old castor oil I purchased in the past, and added some in
my oil bottle I use for sealing my hair and massaging my scalp. I will see how
it goes, but I already can tell the difference in shine when I took my hair
down.
Do you have some old regimen items that you stopped using,
but now thinking or decided to add back?
In my effort to learn new things, I made my very 1st Peach Cobbler; and sugar-free at that! I watched a few videos on YT and decided that "hey, I can do that." And boom...
My husband and sons said it was very good, and they don't even like my "Splenda" sweet items. I must say it was very good. I can't wait to make it again. I think I will make a regular cobbler with real sugar for my guys, and a sugar-free one for me because I tell you this cobbler didn't make it through the night...lol!
I am so thankful for people who share their wisdom and abilities. Appreciate you all!
Happy Friday Lovelies I was just straightening up around my home and marinating some chicken that I will be cooking for dinner tonight, and I felt like making a post for my friends & family out there. So I have been checking out some "foodie" videos on YT and actually made a couple of dishes that really hit it off with the family...I mean even my mother-in-law was wondering where I got the recipe for my "Curry Beef Stew, (brown) rice and beans, & Roti" meal I cooked earlier this week, which was an adaptation of "BlackOnyx77: Jamaican Curry Goat- Tutorial, Jamaican Rice and Peas- Tutorial" and "madhurarecipe: How to make roti/chapati/poli (layered roti)." Wow, how that made me smile on the inside & out! So I didn't have any goat so I just used a beef roast I chopped into chunks, but instead of a thick consistency it came out like a stew, which was still awesome! I love me some rice & beans from my earlier days being born and raised in NY, and I ate roti before, but didn't know the proper name of it, and it isn't too hard to make either; plus it doesn't need many ingredients to make...that is always a plus for me. I also made a couple of other things this week, which was a hit with my family, and I must admit I am always filled with joy when my guys love what I cook...Tee Hee :D So what will you guys be making for dinner tonight or what did you make this week that was a hit with the family? And it don't have to be anything special just as long as it made your family happy, and made you feel the joy!
Happy New Year’s Day everyone. I know I’m 7 days late, but
you were on my heart the whole time. I pray that everyone made it through safely.
I personally spent New Year’s Eve with my hubby and brought
the new year in, and went to bed afterwards…lol! But it was so nice and quite pleasant the two of us.
My boys was at their Mema’s house, she had all her grand boys with her; and had a
blast. I know they enjoyed bringing in the new year at church because it is
awesome worshipping the Lord during the crossover; at least for me it always is.
So I wore my hair in a twisted-knot up style on Dec. 31st,
and then took it down on Jan. 1st as a puffed out afro. I spent the morning
with my bestie Jen, and then spent the night at my sister, Sheila’s house, whom
boys were also with Mema. It was an awesome time. I stayed up all night watching the 1st season of "Orange is the New Black," which was surprisingly good; I can't wait to watch the second season on Netflix.
So I don't really believe in making "New Year's Resolutions" but I do make claims for the new year.
For 2014 I claim Jesus’ Will as my way; and I claim my
purpose that God has set forth for me. AMEN!
So I was feeling like: "I really need to do my hair." I sat around and ignored it all day yesterday; but do to being fed up, I grabbed the homemade deep conditioner in the refrigerator and just slapped some in my head." Now I have to do my hair," thinking to myself as I look in the mirror. I am now getting ready to do a clarifying rinse, and began the transformation.
I wonder am I the only one to go to the extreme during a "not-in-the-mood" hair day?
I want to
know more about hair, what it is, how it grows, etc. A more scientific look
into my kinky, coily hair type for personal enrichment; I want to know if I am
actually taking care of my hair correctly with my “regimen,” is it really
something that will help me to grow healthy hair as I am on my natural hair
journey.
So, I went to my local library to see if I
could find a natural hair book that would lead me in that direction of gaining
knowledge because ‘hey’ there is a lot of stuff out here on the web: YouTube,
Natural Forums, natural blogs that offer a lot of information; which is
awesome.
But I really wanted to know why I was keeping
my hair moisturized every 3 days or making sure that I clarify my scalp every 2
weeks besides the obvious: I saw it on YouTube (from a person who has awesome
hair), and had to find my version of care, usually through trial and error
until I found the combo that worked for me.
But was my
hair actually getting the care that it needed? That is the question I want an
answer for. I know I must be doing something right because my hair has grown
from 2-3 inches back in 2011 to 7 – 10 inches back in July.
So that was about
5 to 7 inches of growth in 2 years; which is awesome, but according to Dr.
Akbari our hair grows a ½ inch per 4 weeks; so with that being said (and of
course it is established that everyone hair grows differently—there’s not an
exact science on how you grow hair out your own head…lol.)
I figure
that I have had growth that equals up to 1 year’s worth of hair measured in
inches *(the formula used here to get this is my interpretation from the
information I obtained from reading Dr. Akbari’s book; and I am not saying that
this is exactly the way she measures, but my personal take on how I determined
my rate of hair growth from reading her book.)
Formula: ½ inch per 4 weeks; 4 weeks equal 1
month—give or take; 12 months per year; therefore, 12 x 0.5=6.
Now, I would
be lying if I say that don’t sting a bit, but it definitely doesn’t mean that I
am defeated or disappointed in my lovely coils because that is far from the
truth. I feel after reading this book more enthusiastic, educated, and positive
that I can definitely grow my hair healthy. So to get back to the quest for
knowledge I go; I believe that the reason I don’t have the total 12 inches
growth that I should have by year two is because I wasn’t retaining the length
of my hair; it was breaking off because I haven’t always handle my ends with
the most care; actually I think I began to care for them correctly some time in
the Spring of 2012.
Reading “The
Black Woman’s Guide to Beautiful Hair” I have learned that it is important to
have a clean scalp as well as hair, and to be sure my kinky (4c) hair is well
moisturized (which you all know I do that), but I also learned that my hair
type isn’t the same as my hair texture.
·My
hair type is kinky—(4c, which Dr. Akbari don’t use in her book, she just refers
as “kinkier” hair type) is a type of hair that coils up on its self making that
cotton bushy hair type
·My
hair texture is classified as fine, medium, and course. Mine is between fine
and medium, meaning my hair strands are small and average in diameter; and
because of that my hair has smaller to medium cuticles layers on the outer part
of my hair strand. So a lot heat isn’t a good thing for my hair at all.
·There
are two layers to your scalp: the outer layer, which is called the epidermis
that is thick skin that covers the more sensitive layer of your scalp; this
outer layer is also where the mouth of the hair follicles are and at the mouth
(the little pin holes) is the only part of the hair follicle that is ever
exposed. Now the inner layer of the scalp that is under the epidermis (outer
layer) is called the dermis (inner layer); this inner layer actually house the
hair follicles, and is also where the sebaceous glands, (which produces sebum—natural
oil type substance), and where the sweat glands are located.
·I
another thing learned is that there are 3 layers to your hair strand: (1) cuticle
(outer layer) which effects the porosity level, as well as protect and cover
the second inner layer of the hair strand; (2) cortex (second layer that’s
where hair color pigmentation determination is as well as the determination of
if your hair is straight or kinky—this layer is effected when applying permanent
hair dyes or relaxers); and (3) medulla, which is the most inner protein hollow
layered area of the hair strand.
·I
also learned there are 3 parts along the length of your hair strand: the root
that is actually located in the dermis (inner) layer of the scalp under the
epidermis (outer) layer; the hair shaft, which is the length of the hair itself
(the strand); and the ends, which is the farthest from the scalp and the oldest
hair on your head (and I knew that.)
·Not
only did Dr. Akbari cover the hair care and provide a regimen, (or to be more
specific she provides the tools for you to create your own regimen) for both
natural hair; but also for those of my sister who are still relaxing (perming)
their hair because as she stated your natural state of your hair may be kinky,
and even if you perm; you still have kinky hair that is being chemically
altered and needs to be care for properly.
I could go
on and on, but I won’t. I really enjoyed reading this book and even though it
was written back in 2002 it is still relevant I believe.
So I recommend
this book for anyone, who is either newly natural or have been natural for a
while; and wants to get a better understanding on our natural hair and the specific
needs it may have.
So I am reading a book called: "The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair - A Positive Approach to Managing Any Type and Style" by Lisa Akbari
So she stated that one of her eight year old client stated that black women started calling their hair "bad hair" since slavery; to quote: "...it started way back when the pure black slave girls had true African kinky hair and the little mixed-breed sister had that wavy hair. That is when we started believing that there was "good hair" and there was "bad hair."
Wow, I thought about this statement that this older woman said to Lisa, and it does sound about right. I like this book because she is from the stylist along w/ having natural hair her self from 1977, and she give a program that will produce healthy scalp, which will produce healthy hair. I will continue reading and then give a review of this book, but so far it isn't a bad read.
What do you think about that statement or observation?
My son has gotten so big; he's 14 yrs. old and have been growing his hair out since he was young, but he stopped cutting it since March 2013; and now it is off the chain!
He was getting ready to wash it, so it was all stretched out; and I had to take a picture so I can blog about his hair. "Even my son bout that Natural Hair Life" lol! I told him I was going to put that.
I told him he had type 2 (c) or 3 (a) hair, but he didn't really care...lol!
I am healing from a fever, chest congestion, and a stuffy nose; so I am a little behind on this post, but I wanted to quickly show my latest protective style: Marley/Havana twists (I not sure which one it is called or if its the same thing just different names in different locations...lol.)
Now, as I stated previously I did self-installed these twists; and I learned how to do them on YouTube (of course) by Donedo05 and Jouelzy. I just had to try for myself.
Now doing my own hair sometimes is a chore (for protective styles that is), and this is one style that I do not plan to self-installing again; now don't get me wrong it's not hard or bad; but I was having a trouble keeping my hair separated as I was twisting the clock-wise section of hair and the counter-clockwise section of hair; before twisting down; it was a mess for me. (I have a video that I will be uploading to YT soon I just need some more healing time.)
So what I did was as I got to the front area of my head, which was the most difficult for me...why I don't know. I was like skip this because my twists wasn't holding correctly or taut; so I just braided (like with kinky twists), and then twist on down, and I must say that I liked that better, and that is what I will be doing next time on my whole head--kinky twist without curling the ends (yeah, I still put the hair in boiling water to make sure they don't come down.)
My husband think it's the bomb...giving me googly eyes...lol! Lord willing, I will be doing my BFF's hair the same (but not with the kinky twist shortcut) this weekend. I will see if she will let me take some pictures to show you guys; she's shy.
But yeah, I went for the long look! I will have my hair like this for anywhere between 2-8 weeks, depending on how it holds up & how long I can hold up (ya'll know I get to missing my natural hair...smh!)I love the end results though:
Alright, I'm going to rest! Thanks for stopping by :D
I wanted to share my protein deep conditioner I made for this month; so my son and I recorded me making my avocado protein mix, which I made right as I was finished cooking dinner. I used this conditioner before installing my Havana/Marley twist protective style. Ingredients used:
1 egg 1 avocado A good squeeze of honey (approx. 1 Tbs) 1/3 cup of Olive oil Approximately a cup of "Queen Helene Cholestrol Conditioning Cream" pre-mixed with JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil)& EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
I applied the conditioner on my hair and covered with my plastic cap and wrapped my hair overnight. The next day I rinsed the deep conditioner out, did an acv (apple cider vinegar) rinse, and co-washed. My hair was clean and so soft at the end of this process.
I am almost complete with my Havana/Marley Twist installation, but I have to get one more pack of hair for about 5-10 more twists...oh boy...lol!
Man I have my "Marley" hair, and getting ready to self-install the Havana/Marley twist for the 1st time...this should be interesting! My husband going to be laughing at me trying to do it myself because I always have a fight with my arms (getting tired), my hair (not cooperating), and everything else that goes with me doing my own head...alright! It is really funny when I think about it too :D
I finished my protein deep conditioning; followed by an acv rinse to ensure I didn't have any product build up on my head...lol! I want to have strong, nourished, prepped hair before going up in my protective twist style. So when to start...hmmm? Tonight or tomorrow?
Do you ladies have any planned protective styles coming up?
Why is YouTube trying to change my account name and give me another G+ page when I already have one set up. I just realized that when I denied the request it looks as if they deleted all my contacts and communities that I was a part of; all I wanted to do is have a regular day, but no...I guess my patience is being tested, so I will smile and push on.
I was going to post about how the African American (black) women has been taught that our hair is "no Buena" so I guess I will only have it posted to my FB Page, and try to post some of my thought about it later because I am so upset with this issue.
Pray for me Sisters & Brothers...I am going to take a time out and I will be okay....needed to vent is all...LOL!
SM Raw Shea Butter shampoo on scalp of JBCO/Grapeseed oil Pre-poo hair...wash time!!!
So I was thinking that I need to shampoo my hair; I did a deep condition and acv rinse to clarify my scalp & hair last week after my cousin's wedding, so now I have to wash my hair, which I put off for a few days. I couldn't put it off any longer because my hair was so dirty...lol!
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