My Latest Natural Hair Pics

Hello! This look is from a 2-strand twist that I rocked for a week or so. I fashioned it into a frohawk to make it extra funky. This style was done to give my hair a break from my hot comb press last week. I enjoyed doing my own hot comb press, but I was told by my parents that I didn't go slow enough. Yes, it puffed up by day 2. So I rocked a straightened blow out. That was a lot of fun! You must know by now that I love my hair big and full. :)

This pic is immediately after the hot comb press. I love it!! Straight hair without the harsh chemicals of relaxers. Yes! I have the best of both worlds and T.O. is very pleased. He missed the initial press due to travel for work, but he will definitely see it for the wedding. I also read the instructions to the hot comb press and you can only do it on the same hair once a month. That's one of the differences from the flat iron.

The prep: On freshly shampooed & deep conditioned hair, I sprayed on some TreSemme heat protectant spray and oiled my scalp. I used a dime size amount of John Freida's thermal serum and then detangled. I applied some Dax pressing oil to the strands and then I blow dried my hair. After heating the comb on the stove (yes, the actual kitchen stove :)) and testing it, I applied more pressing oil and began running the comb through carefully. The entire process took about 2 hours.

I love the length of my mane...it's past my shoulders now. I know that a lot of people are afraid of the heat and the damages it may cause if not done properly. But I remember my grandmother (who was a licensed beautician) keeping our hair healthy and very long by her press and curls. And we "greased" our scalps very often. So, the process doesn't stunt your growth and neither does the grease. Yes, it may be weighed down...but if that's the look you want or less of it, you know what to do. Use less!! :) And the great part is that when you shampoo & condition again, you're back to your afro. Note: My curl pattern was still there!! So have fun experimenting! What works for me may not work for you.

Happy hair blessings!!

Natural Hair Update

Hi! I know it has been a while since I have posted...my bad. All I can say is that my busyness got the best of me. Prayfully, you are well.

I want to give you a quick update on my Natural hair. It has been 19 months and I am still going strong. I battled last month with the thought of perming...wow, right? Well, of course, I decided against it! I was attempting to please my Bear and he responded to me by saying, "I've seen this way so long, that I have gotten used to the 'Fro." So since he was sooo understanding of my need for Nappturality, I straightened my hair...twice within two weeks! Y'all....let me tell you that it was a MISTAKE. I ended up getting ends clipped and all! This week before my shampoo, my hair was so brittle and fragile that it didn't make any sense. The slightest tug produced 5-6 strands of popped hair. To add insult to injury, my curl pattern is shot! So I had to deep condition to the utmost power and twist her down. Therefore, this week and probably the next will be Turban days. I really miss my pen coil curls... I learned something though, I can rock semi-straight hair, just not for two weeks straight. Well, it's time for dinner and a movie!

Until next time, be blessed!

love.KINKS Store

It's done!! I have officially opened my store for my brand love.KINKS jewelry. It is geared towards Natural hair sistas. I would like to thank my lil sis Tee (luvesuga) for her expertise in getting this project off the ground. Love you, girl. All the jewelry is hand-made by me and it was done with you in mind. Here's the site: http://lovekinks.bigcartel.com

Be blessed and happy shopping!

I'm Curious...

I am curious to know why people cheat and why they cheat with someone else's mate? This scenario played out with one man getting killed by his one nightstand's lover. Seriously? Could he not just beat him down? Or better yet, just leave it alone and dismiss himself? Now he's looking at a murder charge for an unfaithful mate. He did not think. It takes two to tangle. Nothing can happen if two people did not agree to make it happen. Violence is not the answer. Why lose your freedom when you can just move on? Now where will your happiness lie?

My Turban Naturally

100% Natural

Natural Work Day

My Natural Work Day

This was my look for work today. I truly enjoyed rocking my Kangol (so much fun to wear one)! It has a slightly vintage feel to it...and it adds to my swag. LOL I was asked today by my supervisor whether or not I wore uniforms in my old position. Uh, no, I didn't. She stated that since I started working there two months ago, my outfits and hair changed daily. Like I have some serious personas wanting to show. I had to let her know, this is who I am: Jai B. all day long. I don't believe in being boxed in, hence, that's why I am NATURAL. Everything about me should be unique. Even when it comes to my sanctification: We are "peculiar" people. I don't look or act like the next woman. God made me unique as He did for you. People have to find themselves. I have never been a follower of man's trends, but I began early in life setting my own. This intimidates a lot of people, but understand my goal. My personal duty is to be that leader so others can find their way to Christ and anywhere else they may need to be. Let a sista help you out! I am not boasting myself in no way, shape or form. I am confident that God has given me a gift that will edify Him. So I close with this: To God Be the Glory for all the things He has done!

Be blessed! Until next time...

Protective Moment #1

Hi!! I pray that all is well with you and yours! This past weekend, I had the opportunity to change my look a bit...well, a lot! lol Not only did I do it for me, but for the hubby-to-be. I know that he misses my relaxed locks. After all, that's how I looked when he met me. This wig is ultra long...the tresses touched the base of the small of my back. Yeah... It all began when I was having breakfast at Shoney's and this woman was there with what appeared to be a sew-in weave. The bangs on it was beautifully feathered! I fell in love with the look. I battled for weeks about a sew-in and its cost. My conclusion was spending $40 for a reusable do than spend $150 on a style that would last me only a week because of scalp allergies. Thomas was so speechless with this look, y'all. I want to believe that he got a little teary eyed. lol He was happy. But I had to let him know that this "wigging it out" is not becoming me. It was for a day and maybe a day in the future. I made sure that he got enough photos...I love you, baby! But things have changed!! That includes my hair! I have crossed over into a new realm of Napptuality and I am pleased with the outcome. I have embraced my Natural (affectionately called Jai) and I am still learning her. It's been a year and 5 months now and I am still in love with my Natural hair. What can I say? How are you feeling on your Natural journey? Are you still excited?

Let me know what you are feeling. Be blessed!

Happy Sunday 5/1/11

My Natural Work Do (4/25/11)

My Twistout Today

Natural Hair Update 4/2011

Hi, everyone! It's been a while since I have spoken with you. Today, I did a new vlog on my hair product(s) that I am in love with. Check it out: http://youtu.be/Oohh5f0GQiM I wanted to show you the after effects on my two-strand twistout. I had fun with my hair today and could not sit still. You know that if you look good and feel good, you want everyone to know. Well, that was me today. Yes, I worked hard, but I looked good doing it. I truly encourage myself!! lol I pray that all is well with you and yours. Be blessed! Until next time....

My Natural...April 9 2011

My Natural...April 1 2011

You Must Try this Product...It Works!

My Work Do...

Happy for Night Classes...

Well, great news. The beauty school I am interested in has night classes. So excited...I am meeting with them tomorrow! Stay tuned...

Just Wondering...

Good Day! I am here just wondering what to do with my desire to go to beauty school. Driving around the city a few days ago, I saw the school that I always wanted to attend right down the street from me. Yeah, so, I wonder if they still have night classes there. If so, more than likely your girl will be in the number. But, the next kicker would be: Do they teach Natural African-American hair?? I guess I will find all of this out when I call. Just wondering...

I am rocking a "pressed" blow-out right now, I wonder what will happen if I put gel on the crown to smooth. Will it actually lay flat when it doesn't curly?? I wonder... All I can do is try it! I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...

Natural Hair Blow-Out (3-12-11)

Check out my latest youtube vid of my hair updates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evtRrAOY0N0

Extreme Blow-Out Special

These photos are from one of my biggest blow-outs since I've been on my journey (1 yr and 3 months)! And one photo is from my last press with the hot comb (for roots) and the InStyler. To God be the Glory because He has done great things with my hair. Prayer works, people!! My length check before my clipping of the ends were 1/4 inch past my shoulders. After the clipping, it touches my shoulders (stretched). My bangs touch the tip of my nose and my sides are past my earlobes.

Until next time....

Picking Up an Old Hobby

Today, I picked up an old hobby of vlogging once again. Will I keep up with it this time around? I would like to think so. I shampooed my hair today and began twisting the crown of my blowout. So here comes Mister..."Ugh, you should put flatter twists in the top because those don't look right from here." Seriously??? Change a style that I like...where they do that at?? (I know the grammar is bad on that last phrase...that's how it sounds, lol) Anywho, my hair stayed the way that I like it...

Well, his parents are supposed to come over tonight for dinner. I want to go to church which begin in 30 minutes... Wow...come on now! Would it be rude for me to eat now and leave before they get here?? I want to get my praise on! Being two hrs away from my home church makes me miss our weekly services. Oh, well...I am definitely gonna have to put it down on Sunday.

Check me out on my vlog: http://www.viddler.com/explore/JaiB/videos/8/

Until next time....

I Made It A Week!

Hi!! I have been living here in Columbia now for a full week!! I made it!! And despite of the negativity surrounding me about this area, I feel good about it. Why? Because I know where my Help comes from...I know who Jesus is! I don't live in fear of what man can do, because God can do worse/better! Amen! So I am enjoying myself and this new church that I am attending. Since Sunday's sermon, I have been blessed already (yesterday) with a reduction in rent!! To God be the Glory!

Until next time...love ya!

A New City

I have finally moved from Hampton County...again! Yes, I am sooo excited to be experiencing a new city and a new job within my current agency. With a new look (well, my year plus old Natural), a new job and a new place to live, I am ready to embark on whatever God has for me. I have to get back into my budgeting...yeah, seriously, I love to spend $$ when I shouldn't. I am such an impulse shopper when it comes to things that I think I need RIGHT NOW and I don't need them in actuality. So, I am pulling the reins on that behaviour. Gotta do it!!

I pray that all is well with you and yours and may God continue to bless you.

Until next time...

Making My "Lemonade"! (From Previous Post)

Making Lemonade from Lemons (ProStyler Review)

It's been a while since I actually wrote on my blog...sigh! However, it didn't stop me from posting awesome photos of my Natural hairstyles! I love to keep you updated and with some simple ideas as much as I can. On this post, I had to make "lemonade" from this lemon ProStyler by Conair Infiniti. Well, it's not a lemon...it just didn't do what the advertising said. But what does other than the Word? Ok, then. So my outcome was like using my Andis flat iron... puffy after 20 minutes. I am sooo disappointed! It promised the results of the InStyler from tv. After using my friend's InStyler, I feel in love at first straighten. So I read ratings from all over and the ProStyler users said that the results were the same or even better. Blah!!! At $46.50, I should've paid the now $84 for the InStyler. No. 1 reason for not initially purchasing the InStyler? The majority of the users claimed the item broke after several uses. So why waste my time, right? Well, I should have took my chances...sigh.... So after whining for a bit, my fiance (T.O.) asked, "Why are you worrying yourself? You're Natural, just wear your hair!" This is from someone who wants my hair straight!! What??? So my "lemonade" is sweet...this sista (me) is rocking a fabulous blow out with twists at the crown. I will post a pic soon.

Be blessed!!!

Blowout Special!

So I pressed....Again!

Happy New Year!

2011 is finally here!! If you don't know, it's my birthday month also (January 9th). Oh, I can't wait...yes, I can! I don't want to rush life or the fact I have to go to work tomorrow. I pray that all of you had a wonderful and safe entrance of the New Year and that you will continue to be prosperous and blessed.

Well, to update you on my Natural, she is doing great! I have a nice length and I pray it continues to grow. I know it will. My bangs (after 1 yr on Dec. 5th) touches my mid nose and my nape touches the top of my shoulder. This is after 3-month clipping of ends and shedding. I have not done any protective styles for this winter air but 2-strand twists. I usually rock them for 1 week and then twist-out for 4-7 days. I have extended my shampooing to a week and a half depending on build up. But not more than one a week. My Natural stylist told me that my hair was "over-proteined" (my word...lol) and that I should not deep condition weekly. *sigh* Therefore, my hair is in a healing stage right now. So ladies manage your mane carefully and remember in some instances, less is more. Oh, one more thing about my mane...my flat ironing that few months ago did in fact stretch my curls. My feelings were confused about the outcome. I wanted tight spiral coils again and then I didn't. This stretched way was easier to detangle and I have these "fairy" knots?! I don't know... What I do know? I wanted to straighten again, but I am moving slow towards it until I a get a quality flat iron and ionic blow dryer. Question: My stylist's daughter is Natural and always has been. Even as a teen, shouldn't her hair be outstanding and full? My mane is almost a long as hers and I just started a year ago...just asking... It just makes me take good care of my hair and keep "junk" out of it.

Ok, I have talked enough for now...lol

Before I close, did I tell you that Mister & I closed our April 2011 wedding date? Ok, he put it on our anniversary (Dec. 25, 2011) so it would be easier for him to remember.?? Then I received a new update: If everything continue to line up, it will still be on April 16, 2011. Phew! Can it just be in October? I think I'm putting that in motion...besides I haven't planned a SINGLE thing! I may go dress shopping in February or March. We will see...stay tuned!

Be blessed!