My Hair Diary | My Top 5 Natural Hair Mistakes In 2016

Fine Natural Hair - Shoulder Length

I definitely had lots of mistakes of 2015...but, 2016 has surely been a great year for me from learning how to be the best mother to my two year old toddler (there is no manual for parenting!), learning more of my husband's swag, and just coming into my own as a dancer (more info coming soon). But I will say I have really accomplished with learning and appreciating my natural hair even more in 2015 than the years before. I have learned about my hair fully, done numerous natural and extension styles, stayed with my hair care regimen, and even did Big Chop Number #2!

However, with accomplishments there are also mistakes and failures. That is what a healthy hair journey is about! If you do not make the mistakes or going through the failures, there would be no way to make yourself better at caring for your own hair.

Well, here are my 5 top natural hair mistakes of 2016:

Healthy Hair Challenge | Fall Back To The Basics Challenge 2016 1 inch in 3 months!

Fine Natural Hair Growth In 3 Months

I absolutely love hair challenges!

Hair challenges keep me on track to succeeding my goals, while learn more about my hair in order to keep her healthy. I've finally reached the end of my healthy hair challenge.


Here are the results!

Weave Tips | New Growth And Senegalese Twists

New Growth From Senegalese Twists

Look at that NEW GROWTH!

After 5 weeks of the protective style of Senegalese Twists, I'm soooo ready to take out my hair!!! I am so excited to have my natural back in my loving and caring hands.

Let's get it started!!!

Weave Tips | The 5 Week Journey of My SenegaleseTwists

Hair Styling Options For Senegalese Twists

The time is finally here! It has already been 5 amazing weeks with my awesome protective style: Senegalese Twists. I am very proud of myself for keeping a style for that long and have really taken care of my hair during that duration...but!!!! The time has come to the end of my long-term protective style and get back to loving on my natural hair.

Let's check out the journey of my Senegalese Twists:

Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | Comparing September And December 2016 With ALL 2016 QNHA Length Checks

Image Credit: Coily And Cute
I absolutely love her artwork and creativity!!!

*THIS IS A LONG ENTRY*

I decided to let you experience one of the things I do in my Hair Diary! Although I record my triumphs, failures, double failures, and awesome product reviews, I also do something called the "Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement (QNHA)." This entry reflects on the last 3 months comparing with the previous QNHA while giving a summary in one whole journal entry.

There are a lot of comparisons with lengths, regimens, goals, habits, and hair styles. I also include pictures to show that I have either improved or that I need to improve in a specific area. I started this back in June 2013 and I do the QNHA at the end of the months: March, June, September, and December. Yes, I am very intricate with my Hair Diary...but this helps me perfect my current regimen, helps me with future styling options, reminds me of my hair goals, and just fun to do!!

Weave Tips | How To Prep...For My LAST Senegalese Twists Install



How To Prep For Senegalese Twists

Time to go back to my favorite twists...which will be my ABSOLUTE LAST TIME!

I used get this style at least 2-3 times a year to 1). put my hair away***, 2). reboot from doing my hair so much, and 3). get over my hump and frustrations of running out of styling options I'm WILLING to do.

But there are more cons than pros when getting this style. However, since it's the holiday season, I thought I would go back to this style.

If you need a line-up, here are older installs I have for tips:

Healthy hair Ingredient | Infused Amla Oil To Reduce Dullness With Vitamin C

I loved Amla so much in my henna recipe! So I've decided to try Amla as an Infused Oil to give my hair a boost of vitamin C and giving promoting hair growth!

Infused Amla Oil For Body And Shine

What is Amla?

Amla powder is a tan powder that has been used as a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.  It is made from drying Indian gooseberry, a small greenish yellow berry native to India.

What are the benefits?

Healthy hair Ingredient | Henna With Amla For Promoting Hair Growth

 

Henna With Amla For Promoting Hair Growth

What is Amla?

Amla powder is a tan powder that has been used as a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.  It is made from drying Indian gooseberry, a small greenish yellow berry native to India.

The benefits of using Amla are:

Product Review: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother

I do have my absolute staples that I love...but since it's my 4th year being a naturalista, I decided to treat myself to the entire Carols Daughter Black Vanilla line because I've had my eyes on it for some time! So let's try out edge control!!!

Product Name:

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother

Product Review: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Hair Sheen

I do have my absolute staples that I love...but since it's my 4th year being a naturalista, I decided to treat myself to the entire Carols Daughter Black Vanilla line because I've had my eyes on it for some time! So let's try out this finishing hair sheen!!!

Product Name:

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Hair Sheen

Holiday Hair | Halloween Costumes For Your Natural Hair

Halloween Costumes | Costumes For Your Natural Hair

I would actually love to play off my natural hair...but not something cliché like: Foxy Cleopatra, the 70's Disco Chick, nor the Fierce Lioness. I would like to do something different... Here are my picks:

eBook Review | When Good Hair Goes Bad: Tips and Tricks for Restoring Your Gorgeous, Healthy, Natural Hair

We are a society of the iPhone, Internet, and other technological things. We have become so engulfed in this society that we forget the simples things like picking up a book. Yes, I can go to the Internet and type anything about natural, coily, and kinky hair, but nothing beats the knowledge of the hair experts and authors of literature.

eBook Title:

Download For Free NOW: CurlyNikki.com

When Good Hair Goes Bad: Tips and Tricks for Restoring Your Gorgeous, Healthy, Natural Hair

Natural Hair Inspiration | Millicent Swift: Chic Protective Style

Naturally Michy | M: Millicent | Protective Hairstyle on Natural Hair

FALL TIME!!!!

It's the time to break out the light sweaters, cool jackets, trendy scarves, and protective styles! This is my favorite time of year to wear my hair in sculpted updos for the week and just enjoy the weather. I've been wanting to do this style for a very long time.

This definitely goes with my goals for this year. I saw this style and I knew that I just had to do it! So here is my style for the week: Protective Style Series M: Millicent Chic Protective Style

Let's Get Started!

My Hair Diary | From Big Chop #2 To Where My Hair Is At Now, Oct 2016

Have you been keeping up with your hair diary?! I know I have!
I now update my hair diary every two weeks on Saturdays with the following details: washing regimen, styles done, issues and triumphs, thoughts, and my true feelings on "everything hair."

I keep my hair diary on an app, "My Wonderful Days," in which I can add pictures, videos, and of course my writing entry. I have kept this diary since July 2011.

I will share my entry that I posted on  October 11, 2016:

Natural hair...Big Chop #2 To Where My Hair Is At Now

Natural Hair Tutorial | Prepare Your Natural Hair For Flat Iron Success

Flat Ironed Fine, Natural Hair

Let's start my 4 years being natural with a flat iron set!!

So I definitely went over board in Confessing My Own Thoughts | The No-Heat Challenge, to where I was done with heat for good. It was nothing but pain and agony in my life. I haven't gotten my hair flat ironed since November 2014...when I did, my hair never reverted and I accepted that I had terrible heat damage.

That's what I'm afraid of is heat damage...it's like death looming over my life. However, I cannot be afraid to use heat every now and again.

Product Review: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture And Shine Hydrating Conditioner

I have always used Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner as my instant conditioner (along with pre-poo, detangler, added to henna gloss, and deep conditioner)...but since it's my 4th year being a naturalista, I decided to treat myself to the entire Carols Daughter Black Vanilla line because I've had my eyes on it for some time! 

Product Name:

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture And Shine Hydrating Conditioner

Product Review: Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo

I have ALAFFIA Authentic African Black Soap-Lavender Ylang Ylang, CURLS Creamy Curl Cleanser Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Herbal Essences Wild Naturals Rejuvenating Shampoo, Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo, and other shampoos over the years. I would always give them away because they either had a stripping feeling to them or I just didn't need shampoo and would use Rhassoul Clay OR Mud Wash or Apple Cider Vinegar to naturally cleanse my hair. But since it's my 4th year being a naturalista, I decided to treat myself to the entire Carols Daughter Black Vanilla line because I've had my eyes on it for some time! 

First things first, let's try out this shampoo...    

Product Name:

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Sulfate-Free Shampoo

My 4th Year Nappyversary | 1 Year Since Big Chop #2 And Retaining Length

My Mane Speaks | Strut The Puff, Sweet Girl!

I have reached 4 years natural!

So to commemorate this special day let's look at the growth of my hair over the year. I am proud to say that the growth I have retained from October 2015 to October 2016 is... 

*drum roll please* 

My Hair Diary | I Hardly Go To The Salon

How To | Flat Iron Natural Hair Safely 

I have been thinking about getting my hair flat iron to treat my hair on being 4 years natural! So I thought I would go to the salon and get my hair straightened for my pleasure...

...but then I did some thinking...

...I absolutely do NOT like going to the salon whatsoever! I know I want to get my hair flat ironed and the professional way is the best way to do it, but there are lots of reasons why I hardly go to the salon:

Hair Tips | Preventing And Repairing Crown Breakage

Hair Tips | Preventing And Repairing Crown Breakage

Since my crown breakage fiasco, I decided to concentrate more on the health of my crown hair. Seriously, when I took out my protective style during that time, I was so sad and actually angry that my hair had broken off there. I was not sure where to start...then I began to look up "breakage."

I mostly found information on breakage at the nape and baby hairs/edges hair line. So I decided to apply the same tips, tests, and information to the breakage at my crown. Here are the tips I applied to my crown breakage:

Product Review: Carols Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Leave-In Conditioner

I have ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer, ApHogee Pro-Vitamin Leave-In Conditioner,  Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner, Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner, OYIN Nourishing Herbal Leave-in Hair Tonic Juices and Berries, Shea Moisture Yucca and Plantain Anti-Breakage Frizz-Free Shine Mist, Shea Moisture Yucca And Plantain Anti-Breakage Strengthening Styling Milk, and more! I would love them, but get rid of them because I would rather use aloe Vera juice or Kimmaytube pH-Balanced Leave-In Conditioner to moisturize my hair. But since it's my 4th year being a naturalista, I decided to treat myself with this leave-in conditioner because I've had my eyes on it for some time! 

Let's check it out!

Product Name:

Carols Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner (Almond Milk*)

Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | Comparing June And September 2016

Image Credit: Thirsty Roots: 55 Amazing Black Hair Art Pictures and Paintings

*THIS IS A LONG ENTRY*

I decided to let you experience one of the things I do in my Hair Diary! Although I record my triumphs, failures, double failures, and awesome product reviews, I also do something called the "Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement (QNHA)." This entry reflects on the last 3 months comparing with the previous QNHA while giving a summary in one whole journal entry.

There are a lot of comparisons with lengths, regimens, goals, habits, and hair styles. I also include pictures to show that I have either improved or that I need to improve in a specific area. I started this back in June 2013 and I do the QNHA at the end of the months: March, June, September, and December. Yes, I am very intricate with my Hair Diary...but this helps me perfect my current regimen, helps me with future styling options, reminds me of my hair goals, and just fun to do!!

Product Review: TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

I don't normally flat iron my hair. So best believe I took the time out to do lots of research for the best heat protectants, especially for my fine-natural hair. I used this product before blow drying...let's see how this works!

Product Name:

TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray (Tresemme*)

Healthy Hair Challenge | Summer No Comb Challenge 2016 1 inch in 3 months!

Fine Natural Hair Growth
June Front Length: 9 inches

September Front Length:  10 inches
(+1 inch growth)

I absolutely love hair challenges!

Hair challenges keep me on track to succeeding my goals, while learn more about my hair in order to keep her healthy. I've finally reached the end of my healthy hair challenge.

Here are the results!

Healthy Hair Ingredient | Mango And Raw Cocoa Butters To Nourish And Strengthen And Naptural85 Recipe

Us sing and dance, make faces and give flower bouquets, trying to be loved. You ever notice that trees do everything to git attention we do, except walk? - Alice Walker, The Color Purple

The Color Purple is one of my all time favorite movies! The quote about makes so much sense about life and even more so, about caring for our hair. We search and search for the right products for out hair, when the Earth offers us so much more. Using natural/organic ingredients for hair products is one of the most important aspects in my hair regimen to keep my hair healthy and retaining healthy length. To add on to my collection, I decided to add Mango and Raw Cocoa Butter to assist in nourishing and hydrating my hair.

Product Review: CHI Silk Infusion Silk Reconstructing Complex

I don't normally flat iron my hair. So best believe I took the time out to do lots of research for the best heat protectants, especially for my fine-natural hair. So I came across this to use after blow-drying and after styling. Let's see how it pans out!

Product Name:

CHI Silk Infusion Silk Reconstructing Complex (Silk Infusion*)

Hair Tips | How To Reduce Single Strand Knots (Fairy Knots)

Image Credit: Curly Nikki

Single-strand knots (fairy knots) come with the territory of having natural hair. Plain and simple.

These knots will weave and loop around itself and possibly other hair strands, which will become knotted together. They are caused by lots of hair manipulation, using your comb or Denman brush for detangling/styling, and sleeping without a satin scarf (bonnet, pillowcase) at night. They occur more as the hair begins to get longer and the hair tangles around itself. If the knot snaps from combing or finger detangling above itself, it will create rough edges and potentially become split ends.

Single Strand Knots - These little knots are going to be the dead of me!!!!

eBook Review | Curly Halo: Your Natural Hair Care Reference Guide+Workbook

We are a society of the iPhone, Internet, and other technological things. We have become so engulfed in this society that we forget the simples things like picking up a book. Yes, I can go to the Internet and type anything about natural, coily, and kinky hair, but nothing beats the knowledge of the hair experts and authors of literature.



Purchase Curly Halo NOW: Kimberly Elise’s Website

eBook Title:

Curly Halo: Your Natural Hair Care Reference Guide + Workbook

Natural Hair Inspiration | Double Buns On Fine, Natural Hair

Alyssa Wallace - IG @foreverflawlyss

I need this style in my life! 

I was looking for cute styles to try out and I saw this double bun style (above) and thought it was the most awesome style ever! So I thought I would try this for myself, just to have a little fun with my hair and to do something different.


I'm not straying from my goals for this year, but I would love to see  how my hair would look. I saw this style and I knew that I just had to do it! So here is my style for the week: Double Buns On Fine, Natural Hair

Let's Get Started!

Healthy Hair Ingredient | Kimmaytube pH-Balanced Leave-In Conditioner

Kimmaytube 

I have been on a Kimmaytube binge lately on her "secrets" on her successful journey of hair growth and healthy hair. I've mostly watched her old-old videos from 2010 to 2014, before she cut her waist length hair to APL. She has a lot of great information on the structure of hair and other great topics that would be beneficial to your healthy hair journey...but I've found something I could use for myself.

Learning the importance of pH Balance in terms of healthy hair.

This topic has not only been on Kimmaytube, but one that has been discussed with the importance of healthy hair forever!! I was literally shocked that I'm still learning new things (maybe not new to you) to help me with my hair growth goals and continue with my healthy hair journey. So here I am taking lots of notes on pH balance and using my test strips to see if all my hair products are pH balanced.

One product I'm actually excited to try is the Kimmaytube pH-Balanced Leave-In Conditioner Recipe (Kim.LI)!

Product Review: Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler

I have used Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler at the beginning of my hair journey and absolutely hated it...Let's see how this product works out now...

Product Name:

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner/Detangler

Natural Hair Inspiration | Crochet Twists + Side Cornrows/Faux Shaved Side

Image Credit: Faux Locs 

Oh Em Gee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need this style in my life! I've always had a bit of a crush on the shaved sides and would like to try that one day. But for right now, I will try the side cornrows/faux shaved side with crochet twists!

I'm not straying from my goals for this year, but I would love to see  how my hair would look. I saw this style and I knew that I just had to do it! So here is my style for the week:

Let's Get Started!

Contributing Article | So You Have Too Many Products? Do A Product Swap!

Image Credit: Hairscapades

#Scenario – You are supposed to go grocery shopping, but find yourself checking out and spending your grocery money on hair products you don’t need. We love to check out what’s new, try new products, and give product reviews for others. So yes, I will surely admit that I tend to overspend on products I don’t even need and I’m not at all disciplined about using up products I already have before purchasing new one.


Now, some stores (like Target) will take your products back that you have no use for. While other stores, will not take the product back unless it is in the original packaging. All this buying and hoarding will lead to a closet/bin/dresser full of unnecessary products taking up space.


The worst thing to do will be to throw your products in the garbage and waste money. So instead of worrying about what to do with products that you will never use...

Hair Tips | pH Balance And The Health Of Your Hair

Hair Tips | pH Balance And The Health Of Your Hair

PH balance is a new subject for me, but I am learning that it very important for the health of hair.

My Hair Diary | Houdini Magic: Shrinkage Blows My Mind

I absolutely love seeing this verse of the natural hair anthem - gently stretching a coil to show the strands true length. Seeing naturalistas do this blows my mind!

Contributing Article | So You Want To Be A Product Junkie?

Contributing Article | So You Want To Be A Product Junkie? 

Let me tell you that there is nothing wrong with being a product junkie! 

So what, you love to purchase product after product before having any empties. Okay, so your closet and bins resemble a local hair care store. Guess what? At least you will have a product review on each product to advise others and products to swap/sell. I say that is surely a double win for the product junkie.

Healthy Hair Ingredient | Aloe Vera To Activate Fresh Growth

Healthy Hair Ingredient | Aloe Vera Gel To Activate Fresh Growth

I have always used Aloe Vera some kind of way in my hair regimen ever since I began to care for my hair in a healthy way. I have use it in my Flaxseed Gel Mist, Rhassoul Clay/Mud Wash, or just used the Aloe Vera Juice straight-up in a spray bottle. For me, Aloe Vera is one of my favorite natural ingredients that help fight countless hair issues and keep my hair healthy without breaking the wallet.

Natural Hair Tutorial | Wash N Go CURLS With Blueberry Bliss Jelly

Natural Beauty In My Life | Aletha And Her 17 Years Of Au Naturale



I have been itching to get on the wash n go bandwagon, since the summer has been hot and popping for real! So here I go again trying this style - since my last H.A.M wash n go...

Contributing Article | Crown Breakage Is Real!



Crown Breakage Is Real! 4 Tips To Re-Evaluate Your Hair Regimen

Usually when I take out a protective style, I look for retained growth from the 6-8 weeks of wearing the style. After finally washing my hair from the remnants of the protective style, I’m absolutely excited about the end results.

That’s one of the perks of wearing a protective style, but on the flip side long term styles can also cause breakage in different areas of your head including the crown.

Hair Tips | Trim Split Ends In Two Strand Twists

Trim Split Ends In Two Strand Twists

MYTH: Frequent trimming will help your hair to grow!


No, no sweetheart. That's a JACKED UP myth...


TRUTH: Hair grows from your roots and not your ends.

Trimming your ends will make your style appear neater, not promote hair growth. Whoever told you that was surely jealous of your hair, in hopes that you would trim it frequently. Fool me once...you know the rest...

Hair Tips | Give Up The Comb For Healthy, Natural Hair

Hair Tips | Detangle Fine Natural Hair

"I haven’t combed my hair in almost two years and my hair is the longest it has ever been."

This is a quote I saw on BGLH's article True Life: I’m a Type 4 Natural and I Haven’t Combed My Hair in 2 Years. I mean it makes perfect sense to keep the combs and brushes away from curly, coily, and kinky hair. The detangling process should be gentle and steadily slow.

Combs and brushing can literally cause severe mechanical damage to your strands. As you are combing or brushing your hair, you will come across many tangles and knots. Remember:

WEAK strands=LOTS of breakage=NO length retention

My Hair Diary | The Flat Iron And My Disgust With People

Image Credit: Tall N Curly



People can be vultures for real!!!!

When I had a TWA, most of my family and friends didn't like my new style. They actually kept saying to "do something with my hair" or "you leave the house like that?" kind of comments. However, I continued to strut my stuff and love my short hair.

Then, my hair began to retain length and my family and friends came around to loving my coily kinks. They would say "wow, I absolutely love your hair" or "I wish I had curls like that." I loved the comments, but they didn't define how I would do my hair. Then, this came up...

Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement | March 2016 and June 2016

Image Credit: Thirsty Roots
I have learned to love my hair, no matter what stage She is in!

*THIS IS A LONG ENTRY*

I decided to let you experience one of the things I do in my Hair Diary! Although I record my triumphs, failures, double failures, and awesome product reviews, I also do something called the "Quarterly Natural Hair Advancement (QNHA)." This entry reflects on the last 3 months comparing with the previous QNHA while giving a summary in one whole journal entry.

There are a lot of comparisons with lengths, regimens, goals, habits, and hair styles. I also include pictures to show that I have either improved or that I need to improve in a specific area. I started this back in June 2013 and I do the QNHA at the end of the months: March, June, September, and December. Yes, I am very intricate with my Hair Diary...but this helps me perfect my current regimen, helps me with future styling options, reminds me of my hair goals, and just fun to do!

Healthy Hair Challenge | Spring Protective Styling Challenge 2016 1.4inches in 3 months!

Fine Natural Hair Growth
March Front Length: 8 inches

June Front Length: 9 inches
(+1 inch growth)

I absolutely love hair challenges!

Hair challenges keep me on track to succeeding my goals, while learn more about my hair in order to keep her healthy. I've finally reached the end of my healthy hair challenge.

Here are the results!

My Hair Diary | Accepting My Big Chop #2



Accepting My Big Chop #2

So I just came to the realization of accepting my Big Chop #2...yes, I know. I'm so late...let's go back to 2014...

Crochet Braids | The Journey Of HUGE and VOLUMINOUS FreeTress Bohemian

HUGE and VOLUMINOUS FreeTress Bohemian Crochet Braids 

This has definitely been a journey with the FreeTress Bohemian Curls...Here are my weekly pictures of FreeTress Bohemian Crochet Braids:

Crochet Braids | Caring For Natural Hair While Wearing Crochet Braids

HUGE and VOLUMINOUS FreeTress Bohemian Crochet Braids 

You can make crochet braids to last for 2-6 weeks, if you care for them gently and with patience. Here is what I do to care for my hair when I wear crochet braids:

Weave Tips | HUGE and VOLUMINOUS FreeTress Bohemian Crochet Braids

JeweJeweBee

So I have definitely been crushing on Jewellianna aka JeweJeweBee for a long, long time! I love her personality, her YouTube channel content, and of course her HUGE and VOLUMINOUS hair!!! Just check out her channel and see what I mean...

I got to thinking that it's definitely time for another crochet braids set and decided to do a HUGE and VOLUMINOUS set!

Product Review: Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Curl Defining Smoothie

I have a different kinds of stylers that I love to use - Coconut + Hibiscus Smoothie, Cantu Leave-In, and CURLS Blueberry Bliss Cream. However, I'm looking to narrow down my products even more and to find the best for my hair. Let's check this product out!

Product Name:

Shea Moisture Sacha Inchi Oil Omega-3-6-9 Rescue + Repair Curl Defining Smoothie Product Review (Sacha Smoothie)*