The Best of Kurly Ken, 2014 Edition

Well, it's the end of the 2014 year, and I am excited with anticipation for what 2015 will bring. But first, before I go into the new year, I thought I would do a bit of decluttering. For me, this involves decluttering my closets of clothing, makeup, jewelry, shoes, and accessories. I said good bye to old clothes, never worn clothes, and clothes that just simply don't fit. Makeup items, jewelry, shoes, and accessories that had not been worn this past year also said their farewells. It felt amazing to get rid of the unnecessary things! Highly therapeutic! Out with the old and in with the new, right!?!

But on with today's post... 

I thought I would dedicate today's post to the three of the best blog posts from Keeping Up with Kurly Ken. If you haven't had an opportunity to check them out, you definitely should. 

Cozy up with a warm blanket, hot chocolate (or whatever your warm drink of choice), and most definitely your favorite blog post of Keeping Up with Kurly Ken! 

Blog post 1: Do you prepoo?

This blog post provides helpful tips on how I personally pre-poo as well as benefits associated with the pre-poo process.

Blog post 2: Twist and Curl Pictorial 

Do you need a cute but simple holiday style? This blog post has it all for you with step by step instructions and a pictorial guide. 

Blog post 3: The LOC/LCO Method + My Homemade Moisturizing Cream

One of my most popular blog post to date, this post provides the foundational steps to follow the LOC/LCO method for moisturized healthy hair. Now, if you don't know what the LOC/LCO method is, you should definitely click the link above to find out. 

If you haven't guessed it by now, this will be the last blog post on Keeping Up with Kurly  Ken for 2014. I am excited about all the new changes that will take place on the blog, upcoming blog posts, and ventures on Keeping Up with Kurly Ken. 

Happy Holy-days and New Year to you and yours! See you in 2015!

Kurly Ken

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

Do you pre-poo?

Hey Kurlfriends,

I've been modifying my hair regimen and adding certain elements. One element is "the pre-poo". Pre-pooing has multiple benefits, and I want to share these with you as well as my own experience pre-pooing for the first time.

What is a pre-poo?

A pre-poo is the process of applying a conditioning treatment prior to your hair being shampooed or washed in efforts to provide additional moisture to your hair follicles.

What does pre-poo do for your hair?

When you pre-poo, it claims to do four things for hair. First, it can provide additional moisture to your tresses. A pre-poo can also keep you from "over cleaning", or stripping, your hair during the shampoo process. Often times, shampoos can be very drying, and pre-pooing combats this issue. Additionally, it can aid in alleviating tangled tresses and leave your hair über soft and shiny. When I pre-pooed, I was amazed when I saw each one of these benefits on my own hair.

What are the best products for a pre-poo?

The best product to use truly depends on what conditioning treatment is best for your hair. You can use a store brought conditioner like VO5, Garnier, Tressemme Naturals, and the list goes on of other eligible conditioners or hair masques that can be used. You can also use oils like coconut, grapeseed, jojoba, or olive. Other suggestions are adding yogurt, bananas, or a humectant like honey to create a homeblend for a pre-poo. 

When I pre-pooed, I used coconut oil. My tresses had a nice amount of slip to finger detangle my hair before washing, and it also left my hair shiny and soft. My hair was extremely happy!

The Million Dollar Question: How do you pre-poo?
1. Gather all ingredients necessary for your pre-poo
2. Section your hair in at least 4 or more sections
3. Detangle each section
4. Apply your pre-poo over each section
5. Cover your hair with a plastic cap. You can intensify this step by sitting under a hooded dryer or jumping in the shower to let the steam do its thing under your plastic cap. It is recommended to leave your pre-poo on for 15-30 minutes. 

6. Rinse out your pre-poo and wash your hair as desired.

My resourceful self used a plastic bag from our local grocery store as my plastic cap. I also left my pre-poo in overnight, plastic bag and all! Just pure laziness on my part... Lol! But the result was hair that was soft as silk snd shinier than a new quarter! 

Question: Do you pre-poo? If so, what do you use? If not, would you be willing to try it? 

Until next time...

Be faith-filled, fearless, and fabulous,

Kurly Ken