What to do when Youtube hair video tutorial hairstyle goes wrong...

I don't know how they do it. I tip my hats off to all those Natural Bloggers out there who make great hairstyle tutorials. I always get inspired by the notion of trying something new with my hair...So y'all know some of the favorite vloggers out there are : KinkyCoilyCurlyMe; Iknowlee; MyNaturalSistas; and CharyJay just to name a few.

So I attempted to do the following hair style to my hair*:

*Video Courtesy of Backsyncfan Youtube channel go here for more great styles

I spent 1 hour and 25 mins the night before two-strand twisting my hair and getting this down to a science by Bantu knotting the 2-strand twists. Excited and eager to see the finished look I got up the next morning and attempted to do the style...

The  front piece of my hair just didn't want to cooperate...So the New hairstyle I wanted to try ended up turning out to be really simple (well at-least for my hair length)...So what is a girl to do when you are stuck in a rut and you have spent hours watching and re-watching the video to make sure you followed all the steps of the tutorial....


1. Come to terms with your hair. It will act how it wants/feels no matter how much styling gel you use, combs, or bobby pins to hold things in place..Just learn to LOVE your hair

2. Improvise....No two hair textures are alike so that side swoop that worked on the Youtube video may not work the same for you...So tweak the hairstyle to your liking and to fit your hair type/texture

3. Be Confident and always put your best foot forward...Although we may not think our hair came out to look nice, other people can't tell so rock your hair with confidence. Some of my best hair styles/looks weren't  ones I liked that much but you couldn't tell because I chose to confidently wear it and made it work

4. If All Else fails...MAKEUP and KILLER OUTFIT...I believe that when hair isn't acting right, time to make up that face and put on clothes that make you feel super great about being you.  My favorite Ruffle cardigan makes me feel super edgy paired over a nice LBD (Little Black Dress) and simple yet bold hoops..


My hair "epic fail" final look:

What are some styles you have attempted ? Did they come out the way you envisioned them? Or id they didn't what did you do to tweak it?

Textured & Natural..Does Natural hair get in the way of getting a new job and/or affect the views of your colleagues about job performance?

Yea Yea I know I have been missing from the Blogger-sphere for a while, but all in good reason...I made it to a year of being natural in Feb 2013 and I have been busy trying to pursue  a career change. Going on Job interviews and applying for jobs but not one single offer....Yet.

I keep thinking OK is there something wrong here? After all this has been my first time being Natural since I was 12 years old and  although the world is starting to embrace Natural textured hair for all its crown and glory I am starting to wonder has Corporate America embraced the natural Afro too??

According to a Poll on Essence.com (March 11, 2013)* :

55% of Women stated that stereotypes about Natural hair exist in the workplace, but they haven't been personally impacted by it. 

18% say No that wearing natural hair does not have anything to do with professional success while 16% believe that Black women feeling self conscious about their hair more so than their colleagues  With 12% saying that  Natural hair affects their work/career as they speak from personal experience.

I am starting to wonder, could my natural hair be holding me back from the career that I am looking to pursue?!

According to CurlyNikki (via CurlyNikki.com/Oct.2012
Natural hair and Corporate world ) "Her experience in Corporate America never was neutral. CulyNikki says she was never approached by her boss CEO or HR about how she should wear her hair  and as a result she was'nt sure how people would respond to her newly big chopped hair, But when more people complimented her on her new loo for her  this made her feel immense support for her decision to become naturally textured". She also alludes this stigma of Textured hair as being unacceptable to "the history of Natural hair and the psychological vestige of Slavery where Natural hair was associated with wild, unruly or uncivilized . As the saying goes if your hair is relaxed, White folks are relaxed.

I don't consider myself one who isn't confident in my hair or  myself, but I've had some time to think about how hair and career interweave (so to speak) and if there is a stigma around more naturally textured hair than curly or straighter hair, it may not be something that can be seen. And how this affects the newly natural sister like myself who isn't in the place she wants to be, trying to work my way up, it seems that to have a  place at the Corporate table doesn't seem to involve an overwhelmed  desire to embrace the kinks, coils, and curls on our heads...hence why so many women still get their hair straightened/permed, it as one of my friends said "more professional looking".

Its Monday and I enter the train station in NYC... I realize that maybe the stigma comes from within, that somewhere either through media, our families or general feedback from people we encounter that Natural hair is still somewhat "uncivilized" to land a job in traditional corporate america. But the inspiration I get when seeing women getting on and off the public trains with hand bags, dresses and  suits, rocking their BIG HAIR DON'T CARE styled coifs off to their job on the grind.... I feel empowered that there are women just like me who have challenged the world's view of beauty, they work in jobs they enjoy and are PAID IN FULL...I just have to continue to stay positive be confident in my good and bad hair days...

It has been a journey that has been one that is teaching me the good old virtue of PATIENCE and trusting in GOD to do his will...in due time things will work out for the best whether or not they love my Big Hair...either way I DON'T CARE!!

Be sure to leave feedback and Comments about your own personal views..have you been personally affected by your hair in the work place?

*Essence.com Natural hair poll results below:

Yes, I know it does because I've had a personal experience with my natural hair affecting my own career.

12%

Yes, I think stereotypes about natural hair exist in the workplace although they haven't affected me personally.

55%

No, I don't think wearing natural hair has anything to do with professional success.

18%

No, I think this idea is really about Black women feeling self-conscious about our hair.

16%

Total votes: 598

Is natural hair affecting your career?

Happy New Year!! What do I do next, now that I am natural?!

Its a New Year, meaning a brand new start to do all the things you didn't get to do last year.

Some of my New Year's resolutions are getting back into blogging this year and more importantly to find a hair regimen that works for daily maintenance

Hey Natural ladies out there what are some of your New Year's hair goals? I don't know about any of you ladies who are Newly Natural but I have been feeling like I am stuck lately with my hair and styling it...So one of my hair goals is giving the natural hair maintenance another year before I give up and throw my hands in the air and revert back to a perm. Another New Year's goal is getting out to attend more Natural Hair events this coming year..

 

What are some of your New Year's hair resolutions?

Not sure, well here are a few New Year's hair tips to start off with especially if you are newly natural:

• Invest in some good hair products free of Sulfates, Parabens, and Silicons  Being Natural requires lots of moisture, especially if you recently big chopped or  are transitioning from Permed hair to Natural hair.  Some good products that work for all curl types are Shea Moisture Curling Smoothie (with hibiscus and Coconut); Mixed Chicks hair conditioner; Aubrey Organics and Jane Carter are some good places to start.

• LOVE YOU AND YOUR HAIR!!! You may have seen another curly head of natural hair and thought OMG! I want my curls to look just like (insert name here)!! Learning to embrace your hair texture/textures (most naturals find they have more than one hair type) and more importantly find the styles and hair care regimen that works for your hair, after all not all products one curly girl uses will have the same Magical effects on you
  
• CONFIDENCE....How you feel about your self image will project how others will look at you. Not having a good hair day, find a way to make the best out of it. I found the days I felt I looked a mess most people like the way my hair looked. So embrace and be confident in you and your demeanor will reflect that

• SMILE! having a beautiful smile on your face helps to brighten up any hair or attitude for that matter. Smile more its a great hair booster and it doesn't cost a thing

 HAPPY NE W YEAR...STAY TUNED FOR MORE HAIR CARE; GIVEAWAYS; AND MORE!!!



Be an Influenster and try out free stuff!

I signed up a month ago for what is called a Vox Box and never heard anything, then I got an email about 3 weeks ago to try out a new product. I got in the mail last week (pre Hurricane Sandy) this lovely little set, with a few coupons to share with friends/family :

This is the Palmolive Fresh Infusions line...Offering up new scents infused with natural oils. The Scents are :

• Lime Basil  
• Lemon Thyme
• White Ginger tea

Out of all the scents I think the best is White Ginger Tea and then Lemon Thyme. I don't really care too much for the Basil/lime.

These will be offered at Target and Walmart Suggested retail is $2.99, the smell is great, the product just like all Palmolive products works hard on dishes but not on hands.

The White Ginger tea smells the best reminds me of the VO5 of my yester-year. The lemon smells fresh and lemony and the lime basil has a lime smell that is a bit stronger than I prefer.

If you like to get free stuff and influence the brands you use and have used for years be sure to sign up
enjoy...Also they are planning a special box for the holidays so be sure to sign up, leave reviews about products you love, the more you participate the more product reviews you will be considered for

Gone too soon..But never forgotten Group duo member Natina Reed Blaque

If you were an 80's-90's baby like me and remember the girl group discovered by Lisa "left-eye" lopes from TLC who found the young group known as BLAQUE:

Member Natina Reed (member on the far left with blue on) was pronounced dead after what is being called a hit and run. She was crossing a street in Atlanta when she was struck by a car and the car then sped off. Ms. Reed was 32 years old, and would have turned 33 year old tomorrow.  

This is such sad news God's love and\ my prayers to her\ family and 10 year old son

+

Have you ever...Lost a relationship/friendship over your hair?? Plus exclusive new music from Solange Knowles

Ok so I ADMIT...I committed to going natural, but lately I have been contemplating the growth of my hair and myself in the last 8 months....

As I get closer to my 1 year hair-anniversary I have thought a lot about past friendships/relationships and those I have now...I have realized that in my decision to claim POWER over my tresses and give them the love and care they deserve, I have realized some of those around me were not as embracing of my  "HAIR IN PROGRESS" 

But I cannot let that stop me, ok it does sting a little that a few friends deleted me from their facebook friend's list.... I had a few past lovers/acquaintances whom I ran  into  ask me before they had a chance to say hello or  ask how am I doing? but  "why did I cut my hair?" 

Overall the decision I made was made consciously  not for others but for myself...so all you naturals who may have big-chopped recently and are looking at yourself and saying..What have I done, Know that hair isn't meant to be your source of confidence but an extension to enhance the inner beauty and self-confidence  you already posses, so continue to to rock your hair HOWEVER you want to!


Keep on growing, watering, and loving your tresses...The shortest stage is the TWA...seriously

*** Exclusive****

 Solange Knowles is busy working her Fro' doing all types of projects, but it seems like she is also working on new music for upcoming LP....here is a peek at what she has been up to...I cannot wait for her album to drop!!

Its always encouraging to see the Natural hair confidence shine...Shout out to Solange Knowles! visit her here @ Solange Knowles My damn blog

The New Alternative to No Lye perm...Egg & Soy?!

What a plant-based hair relaxer????

While chit-chatting with a friend of mine we were talking about hair, when I asked if she still permed her hair....she expressed that she doesn't perm with lye anymore but with a less harsh perm that has a soy & egg base.

Known as a Phytospecific hair relaxer (phytorelaxer) is a hair care product designed to loosen the wave/curl pattern out of hair. A phytospecific relaxer is supposed to be free of harsh chemicals that are often found in lye/no lye hair relaxers. Phytospecific relaxers contain egg & soy; having soy qualifies this relaxer as a "phyto" (plant based) relaxer. The product is advertised by manufacturers to relax hair temporarily with he egg and soy extracts the active ingredient in relaxing the hair. 

The issue with this product is it is misleading as it also contains Guanidine carbonate or carbonic acid with guanidine, known as an organic salt. It is this organic salt that activates the relaxer's straightening properties as the guanidine carbonate has a pH level between 11.5-12.5, very similar to the pH levels in lye relaxers.

Advertised on Sephora.com costs $60.00 for one kit :

Ingredients listed below

-Egg Extract: Relaxes.
-Shiitake Mushroom Salt: Boosts the action of the egg extract.
-Soybean Extract: Restructures the hair shaft.
-Wheat Proteins: Strengthen and repair. 

PS641 Pre Calm Balm:
Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Oil (Maïs), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil (Huile De Ricin), Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Dérivé D'huile De Ricin), Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Bha, Bht.
PS642 Straightening Balm:
Water / Aqua, Mineral Oil / Paraffinum Liquidum, Emulsifying Wax Nf, Propylene Glycol, Egg Extract / Ovum (Extrait D'?uf), Steareth-100, Peg-75 Lanolin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Oleth -20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (Soja), Fragrance / Parfum, Egg Oil / Ovum (Huile D'?uf).
PS653 Inductor Index 2:
Water / Aqua, Guanidine Carbonate, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Yellow 5 / Ci 19140, Red 4 / Ci 14700.
PS645 Milky Restructurer:
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol (Dérivé D'huile De Coco), Propylene Glycol, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Distearyldimonium Chloride (Dérivé De Colza), Mineral Oil / Paraffinum Liquidum, Water / Aqua, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Dérivé De Gomme Guar), Stearic Acid, Ceteareth-33 (Dérivé D'huile De Coco), Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (Dérivé De Protéines De Blé) Amodimethicone, Acetamidoethyl Pg-Trimonium Chloride, Canola Oil, Fragrance / Parfum, Lanolin Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Isolaureth-6, Octoxynol-40, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Yellow 5 / Ci 19140.
PS644 Neutralizing and Cleansing Emulsion:
Althaea Officinalis Root Extract (Guimauve), Water / Aqua, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (Dérivé D'huile De Coco), Propylene Glycol, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate (Dérivé D'huile De Coco), Vinegar / Acetum (Vinaigre De Cidre), Peg-15 Cocopolyamine (Dérivé D'huile De Coco), Peg-4 Rapeseedamide (Dérivé D'huile De Colza), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Dérivé De Gomme Guar), Sodium Laureth-11 Carboxylate, Laureth-10 (Dérivés D'huile De Coco), Fragrance / Parfum, Cinchona Succirubra Bark Extract (Quinquina), Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Benzoic Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Phenolsulfonphthaleine, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite.

 Knowledge is key!

So ladies any thoughts on this product?
 Would you use it?
 Already use this product? 
How does it work?
 Is it worth the price? 

Soundoff!!!!