Naturally Obsessed

*sings* "You know what I love...That's right my hair! I really love my haaaiiirrr!!"

For those of you who follow me on Fotki, I'm currently updating my photo albums. I know it's been while, but all the albums from May through November 2010 will be filled. In the meantime here's the link http://www.fotki.com/KinkyKurlyQueen

No more braids and barrettes, at least for now, for my little monster.  Let me give you a bit of background on the midget....she's a wild child with tons of energy!  I've always braided her hair into various styles to keep from having to worry about how her hair will look after she has flip off the couch or tried to balance on her head lol. 

So over the weekend I decided to try something different with her hair.  Something that would give her hair a break from the pulling of the braids, something that would be quick and easy to maintain....a wash & go?  Yes!!! I washed her hair with Giovanni Triple Threat Shampoo, applied the Triple Threat Conditioner, which I let sit for 5-7 minutes, then rinsed with cool water.

While wet and with a little bit of conditioner still in her hair I smoothed in some Coconut Oil.  Then I raked/fingercombed Clear EcoStyler Gel throughout her hair.  Not too much though, a little bit goes a long way with EcoStyler and I didn't want it to be too crunchy.  Here's how it looked wet....

After if dried I pulled it up into a puff...

On my next shopping trip I plan on getting her some Aloe Vera Gel, which would be a better choice for her young hair.  It will probably keep herhair moisturized and less crunchy...lesson learned.  The next day I spritzed it was a  little smushed, she's a wild sleeper, so I sprtized it with water and fluff.  Her curls sprung right back up!!   I should have thought of this sooner lol!

Bored with a 5 day old braid out and not up to co-washing my massive bush, I decided to throw in some two strand twists.  In small sections I spritz some Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries, smoothed on a little Bee Mine Curly Butter and twirled my ends with a dab of Castor Oil.  Armed with a few bobby pins that I was able to find (ever since I've had my niece all my bobby pins have disappeared) I threw my twists into an updo.  An after a 4 days of the pin up a fluffy twist out was born.  It wasn't super defined because I didn't use much product, but it was very soft and smelled like fruity candy ♥

Side note: I think the Cassia has lightened parts of my hair a light brown color. You can see it in the last picture. I'll try to get a pic in the sun so you guys can see it better...

Sorry guys for the delay in postings, I've just been a bit busy with family and school. No need to panic though more posts are on the way!  Until then check out these pics of a fab braid out turned up do :-)

Its me AGAIN and my fab braid-out from last week.  These pics were taken when I first unraveled the braids.  I was having one of those "I LOOOVVE My Hair" type days, so of course I had to grab my camera and get to clicking.  My hair was soft and bouncy...Perfect for a mini photo shoot...Right?!? LOL! Enjoy ladies :-)

"The first step to getting people to love and accept you is loving and accepting yourself" -KKQ

KKQ...I am a HUGE fan of yours! 

I got my last relaxer in the spring of 2005 right before I graduated college.  I'm not exactly certain when it became fully natural because I didn't do the BC.  I decided to continue to get it straightened (which I don't recommend) until my stylist, a fellow cheerleader at my college, decided to graduate and move back to California (how dare she...lol ).  I decided to go natural because even though my hair was just past my shoulders relaxed, it completely stopped growing and it was not as thick and full as I liked.  A couple of my friends were natural and I love, love, LOVED their hair, so they were my motivation to go through with the process...and it is a process!

My mom was supportive, but not many more people!  My father and other relatives would frequently make fun of me calling me Ceelie from the Color Purple (when I would prepare for twist-outs) and saying I looked like a slave.  It was extremely hurtful!  I was already super self conscious about going out in public with my hair "undone" and almost equally self conscious about the end result of my look when it was "done".  I really had to try hard to ignore some people and educate others.  It really helped when my then boyfriend, now husband, supported my new look and encouraged me to keep at it, knowing that I would find the look I wanted.  He loves my hair natural, which is not as common in black men.  But I continued to be steadfast and focus on my goal which was and still is, healthier and happier hair!

Hair routine.  Yeah...don't really have one...even after all these years!  I am trying to find one though.  I had began a routine of doing twist outs weekly or biweekly, but that got kinda old.  Now I am trying lots of styles that KKQ suggests along with  other wonderful ladies on youtube...wish I would have know about them in 2005!  I usually wash once a week which is generally every time a style is over.  I would like to do more co-washes and I'm currently in the process of purchasing more products to see where I get the best results and so that I can pull from my collection the right product for the right style, something KKQ seems to have mastered!  I wanna be like her when I grow up! 

My goals are to continue to get to know my hair, know what it needs and when.  To keep it healthy and happy.  I would like to achieve better length (which I think is hand in hand with health) only because it was so much longer before and I know it can be.  But I also want to continue to be an example and role model of a black woman with natural hair.  I have brought in 5 (and counting) new naturals who look to me for advice and support and I constantly have other people asking about natural hair and complimenting me.  It feels great to have such a huge impact on other women!

My advice would be:
Stay true to YOURSELF and don't worry about what others think about your hair.  Being natural is beautiful and there is nothing wrong with it and EVERYTHING right with it!
Hang in there!  It is a process and it WILL be trying, but if your goal truly is having healthy hair and doing what's right, YOU CAN DO IT!
Don't reinvent the wheel.  There are soooo many people just like you who have done what you're doing.  Use your resources to find great styles, products, and support...start with YouTube!
Be patient and love your hair...I love myself more now than ever because of my choice (hope that doesn't sound arrogant), but you will learn so much about yourself and TRUE beauty if you give your hair a chance and wait for the results..they will come!
Don't compare your natural hair to others.  "My hair won't look like yours..."  You're probably right, but you may be wrong...you don't know what goldmine is sitting under those roots, so stop comparing yourself to everyone else and really devote your time, effort, and even money, to finding products and styles that work best for YOU!

My YouTube name is CurlyCort. Thanks so much and thanks for recommending Bee Mine products!  I love their line!
-Cortney

Great story..Thx Cort :-)

Hey KKQ,

My name is Jae C. and I'm a big fan of your videos.  Your hair is FAB :-)  I have been natural for about 2.5 years, but within the last year I just really learned how to take care of my natural hair.  These are pics after I blow dried my hair for the first time in about 7 months.  This mini photoshoot is reflective of me embracing my "Beauti-Fro" lol.

That's all...Take care...Jae

**If you have a hair story you'd like to share or just want to "Show Off" your curls, send a breif story along with 2-3 pictures to kkq1984@yahoo.com.

Hello KKQ,

**If you have a hair story you'd like to share or just want to "Show Off" your curls, send a breif story along with 2-3 pictures to kkq1984@yahoo.com.

LOL...I know the title is corny, but I was feeling very "model like" in my bathroom one early morning.  The sun was shining through and was hitting my twists in all the right spots.  Shooting without flash let's you see my frizzies and flyaways in all their glory.  Gotta love natural hair!! 

**Note: My twists are 13 days old.

Got some cool hair shots send them in along with a brief story explaining your pics. Pictures can be sent to kkq1984@yahoo.com with "Show Off" in the subject box.