I'm back + My Fall 2014 Updated Hair Regimen

Hey kurlies,

I am so happy to be back. If you haven't noticed, I took a brief hiatus to complete my comps paper and prepare for the school year. Now, that those things are out of the way, I am back with some exciting new blog posts. Whoop! Whoop!

I thought I would kick off with a post that included my updated hair regimen because I have added as well as subtracted some items from my hair regimen. Now, I modify my hair regimen by the season to adjust to weather changes, hair health needs, lifestyle changes, etc. and I think this is super important in maintaining healthy hair. 

My current hair regimen has to be simple yet effective for this fall semester. Between family, teaching, classes, practicum, and assignments (the list really could go on), I need a hair regimen that will work with my schedule but still provide optimal hair health and style. 

Internal Hair Regimen

• I take one prenatal vitamin and biotin per day.
• I drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. 
• My diet is mainly pollo-pescetarian, which means my meals consist of fish, chicken, vegetables, and fruit. I eat this way about 85%-90% of the time. 
• I work out at least 3 to 4 times per week (running, lifting weights, etc.). 

External Hair Regimen

• Daily, I moisturize my hair with my water/ aloe juice spray mix and my homemade moisturizing mix. (Click here to read about it.). My spray mix is 2/3 water and 1/3 aloe vera juice. My homemade moisturizing mix contains shea butter and an assortment of oils, which I do switch out depending on the needs of my hair. I've been using this combination the whole summer and my hair is MOISTURIZED and my LENGTH RETENTION IS ON POINT.
• During the school week, I wear my hair in medium size twists as a protective style. 

Twisted Updos

The front

The back 

• I typically wear my hair out on the weekend. To achieve a braid out, I section my hair, moisturize the section (using the spray mix and moisturizing mix mentioned above), and create braids all over my head. On average, I have about 10-12 plaits. I then cover my head with a satin cap to allow the style to set over night. 
• WASH ROUTINE: Bi weekly, I wash my hair. This is a two part  process for me:
• The night before I  detangle my hair and place it in large twists. Then I use a pre-poo mix of coconut oil and honey, and I tie my head in a plastic bag to let it marinate over night. Check out the post on my pre-poo regimen here. 
• The next day, I rinse the pre-poo out with warm water.  I proceed to wash my hair with a mixture: 4/5 water and 1/5 baking soda in an applicator bottle. Rinse with warm water. Next, I condition with Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise for 15 minutes. Rinse again, and then deep condition with a plastic cap for 45 minutes (way over the time limit it says on the products's directions) using Elasta QP DPR 11. Then I moisturize and style my hair with my spray mix and moisturizing hair cream  listed above. 

Pictures of the Hair Products used in My Wash Routine (Special Request): 

My Pre-Poo Products

Products for the Wash

Conditioning Agents

My Moisturizing and Styling Products

• I am using Jamila henna purchased from my local Indian market. I henna at least quarterly (once every three months). I have been asked to do a post on my henna process so that will be coming soon.

That's it! This is my updated products and hair regimen. Let me know if you have any specific questions about my hair regimen. Also, you can read about my past hair regimens from the Summer and Spring. 

What's your current regimen? What are some of your staple products? 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous

Kurly Ken

Blogging Break

I'm taking a blogging break, but I will be back late August.
In the mean time, please enjoy some of my latest blog post.

How to Wear White Pants

The Devil is a Hair Lie: Hair Envy

Fashion Friday: Boho Chic

The LOC Method

The devil is a lie: Hair Envy

This post is about hair envy!!!! What is it? Who has it? And how do you get rid of it?

Hair envy happens to many naturals. It is especially common when people first transition to natural. When I first went natural, I stared at other naturals' hair like Naptural 85, Mahogany Curls, Beautifulbrwnbabydol, and the list goes on, hoping and wishing for hair like theirs. I was unable to see the beauty in my own texture, and I become very unhappy with my own hair. I wanted their length. I wanted their fullness. I wanted their definition. I want! I want! I want! Does this sound familiar yet? Over the time span of being natural, I began receiving compliments from my coworkers/ peers/ friends, which forced me to look harder at my own hair. I began to explore this "beauty" they had found within my hair, and I truly started caring for the individual needs of my tresses. With time, patience, and nurturing, I began to fall in love with my own tresses and see the same beauty (that others had seen) in my hair as well. Don't get me wrong! I still see the beauty in the natural tresses of others; however, I no longer reject my own curls and coils in acceptance of another naturalista's.

What is it? 

Hair envy is the when you covet your neighbor's hair or tresses, ultimately becoming disappointed with your own hair.

Who has it? How do you know if you have hair envy?

Anyone can have it. The following is some of the symptomology of hair envy:

• If you could cut someone's hair off and pass it as your own, you have hair envy! 
• If you considered scalping someone because of their luxurious curls and kinks, you have hair envy! 
• If you stare at pictures of hair in adoration, and look at your hair in frustration, you have hair envy! 

Twist and Curl 

How do you get rid of hair envy?

Hair envy is real! I know first hand! I used to suffer with it in the initial months of my natural journey. If hair envy is something you struggle with, try these tips!
1. Embrace your hair. Find several styles that work for your own beautiful texture. By doing this, you will see the beauty and versatility in your own hair.

2. When someone compliments you on your hair, accept the compliment. Even if you don't believe the compliment initially, accept it anyway. 

3. Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media outlets are great ways to find inspiration through hair pictures; however, try to follow people with a similar hair type to yours. 

4. Create realistic expectations for your hair. Realize that your hair is uniquely yours, and when you strive for a braid out, it will look differently than another natural's braid out. Your Bantu knot out or twist and curl won't look like mine! Expect that your hair will be different and embrace those differences as your hair individuality. 

5. Let the hair of other naturals serve as inspiration. Tracee Ellis Ross reacted to the fact that so many women idealize her luxurious mane: “I love that you love my hair, but I only love that you love my hair if it inspires you to love your own.” Bottom line: You can appreciate the manes of other naturals as long as you love and appreciate your own first!!!

PSA: If you or someone you know has hair envy, help them out! Don't be a victim to hair envy! Lol!

No seriously, Kurlies weigh in: Have you ever had hair envy? Don't leave me hanging! 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken