Memorial Day

I'm wearing the Indian Remy Body Wave, and it's got to be the best wig I've ever had. The reverse ventilation makes the hairline look so realistic:

The hair is a bit darker than a #2, but it's lovely. I have to take care of this wig. No cutting off the nape, no cutting of the hair, No coloring it... maybe a couple of sprays of the Sun In.

I got this wig from Lace Beauty Secrets From A 2 Z.

Happy Holiday!!

I hope everyone is enjoying Memorial Day. Have a great day and fabulous week.

Sitting in a tree

It's so hot and sticky these days that wearing lightweight dresses that don't stick to your body is the best. Though I think I may only own two or three dresses that qualify as non-sticky in hot weather so it might be an idea to invest in a few more since it's not even proper summer yet. I bought the dress I am wearing in the photos a couple of years ago in London and it is by far one of my favorites although I seldom wear it since it feels so overly romantic.
I suppose most of you are not burdened with such impossibly hot weather (at least not yet!), but what do you wear to feel a little bit more at ease when it is incredibly hot outside?









Dress from Traffic People, leotard (underneath) from American Apparel, and hair bow from Bianco.

I'm going on a diet!!

LOL, I know someone just said some explicit....but I am not going on a weight loss diet, I am going on a Hair Diet: No 'cones or sulfates.

While on my self imposed cornrow challenge I have decided to add another element. I am only going to use sulfate free and cone free products for the month long challenge. I've never noticed a differenc in my hair with product before but then again I did not use any of the sulfate free and cone free products consistently.

I choose my products after examining these lists:

http://www.longhaircommunity.com/archive/showthread.php?t=34009

http://sites.google.com/site/ladylonghair/'cone-freeconditioners

I will be using:

Dudu Osun Herbal Shampoo

Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat conditioner or Giovanni Smooth As Silk

Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave in

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

We went to see Sex and the City 2 tonight. I'm still processing it. I thought the Abu Dhabi portion was too long. Aidan looked gorgeous, Big looked thinner, not enough screen time for Steve, great scenes for Charlotte and Miranda, hot guy for Samantha, Smith looked gorgeous, Liza Minnelli looked just like her mother Judy, not enough of Penelope Cruz (she and Big should have had an almost affair), I totally missed Mariah Carey (just as well too), and Carrie was Carrie. I'll get it on DVD just because it's SATC, but the first movie was better... there, I said it. I wish I could walk in heels like they do.

I got a new LF wig delivered today, from Lace Beauty Secrets From A2Z. It is gorgeous. It's an 18" #2 Indian Remy Body Wave. I've never had a body wave before. The cap is perfection (meaning no PU). Charlotte (the owner) is great. They are based in Washington (state). She also included 99% alcohol, a 2" self adhesive wrap, a tan wig cap, orange wood sticks, a 1oz tube of Vapon, a pkg of Supertape, a small bottle of Nearly Natural Softening Spray, HPH Knot & Tape Tab Sealer Spray, and a tube of Fray Block. She hooked me up! Here's hoping to adding her as my new vendor. In turn, I'm going to make her a couple of application videos tomorrow. I'm so excited, because I will be able to attach my nape. I concede - the wigs look so much better with the napes. I'll just have to deal with the pulling of the nape hairs. I haven't had a new wig since the curly malaysian debacle. I've got the hybrid on the canvas wig head right now ready to be ventilated. I sewed the lace onto it, but that lace (from ebay) looks just like the lace I bought from Beverly's Fabrics and Crafts. My angel mama Dede (Nrrrlkl from YT) is sending me some good (authentic) lace.

I'm definitely wearing this wig to the Rush concert (Aug 9th).

Okay! Okay already!

It's wet. We get it.

Good on the rain. But enough is enough! It's been raining nearly constantly for weeks now. And no, that is not an exaggeration. My driveway has yet again been converted into an outdoor swimming pool, so that I have to back into the driveway to ensure that all doors of my vehicle have decent access to relatively puddle-less surfaces.

This is part of the reason that I haven't been posting for the past while. Really haven't been doing much of anything worth writing about! The regular therapy dog visits, this time toting along a towel to dry off fluffy puppies after our mad dash from the car to the building. A lot of sitting around and being depressed because of the grey weather.

Don't get me wrong, I love rain. Give me a good booming thunderstorm and I am a happy happy girl! But this is quite enough of the downpour. I believe the radio informed me the other day that this is the wettest spring that Saskatoon has seen ... ever. Or, at least since people began keeping track of these things. I'm sure things were pretty soggy after the glaciers melted after the last ice age, but really, I wasn't around then and didn't have $100 worth of bedding plants in the ground that would REALLY appreciate a good sunny day or two!

Last week's 52 Weeks for Dogs photo op was dampened (*pun!*) by the rain.


This week saw a similar situation.



The boys are both getting very antsy with this rain business. They don't mind thunderstorms, neither are sound-phobic, but they are suffering from some serious cabin fever. We've been working on scent games and some new tricks to keep furry little brains busy, but it just isn't the same as their regular walks or runs in the park. The dullness of it all has turned Romeo into a pouty lazy bones. He just flops from one doggy bed to the next, not sleeping, just laying there in his own depression. Gio, on the other hand, is taking the opposite route. He's the gurfy pacer, wandering from room to room puffing and sighing, or as he is doing right now, standing at my feet and staring up at me from under the computer desk, hoping beyond hope that I will somehow make this rain stop so that he can get outside again.

Mr. Weather Man says that it is supposed to break next week. Let's hope, for the sake of all our sanity, that this is true.

You Asked...I Answered

You Asked:

Dear Tia, let me just say THANK YOU for ur blog. What has been your experience with blow drying, did you do it in the beginning of your journey? If so, how often? I know you can roller set now, but considering I only have 4 inches of hair, I'm wondering how often I should/can blow dry without causing too much damage. I lightly did it for the 1st time recently 1 yr post relaxer on low with fantasia IC heat protectant and I love the results and want to continue. Thx in advance!

I Answered:

I did blow dry for years and my hair suffered because I didn't know any better and I was blow drying my hair on HIGH and I would only purchase blow dryers that had the highest watts. I recall a few times having the blow dryer so hot that the circuit would trip - that was bad. Since (2008) I started taking better care of my hair I have blow dried my hair maybe 3 three times. (I do sit under a hooded dryer when I roller-set but that is less direct than the hand held.) When I use the hand held I keep the dryer set at medium-heat and under and I also use the "cool shot." I believe that blow drying in moderation is okay if done properly. First, help your hair straighten out by banding or stretching your hair and letting it air dry completely. From there you can blow dry on low heat (with a heat protectant) to get the look you desire. You want to be careful with heat because heat damage can creep up on you and result in a huge setback.

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You Asked:

Hi Tia I love your hair I would like to know how do you get your buns so smooth I am trying to incorporate more protective styles in my routine I have been natural for almost 2 years so I want to try something different My main style is the twist or twist out THANK YOU IN ADVANCE...:-)

I Answered:

My buns are the smoothest when I do them on damp hair. That is really the only trick. I use a sock, damp hair, and my hand to smooth them down. I will have to do a tutorial to show the technique.

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You Asked:

What ingredients make a dc a dc?

I Answered:

Great question! A while ago I looked this up because I was curious myself. I came across a post on The Natural Haven that provided me with a lot of helpful info and is also the reason that I now deep condition(dc) in a less amount of time. I used to DC for 1 hour now it's more like 10-20mins.

The consistency of conditioners is one of the key qualities that make a conditioner a deep conditioner. Deep conditioners tend to be thicker than daily conditioners. Typically deep conditioners contain ingredients are more "fatty" and contain heavy silicone materials that are purposed to coat and protect the hair shaft external stress.

Detangling Tips

I don't like to detangle. There have been days (in the past) that I cut out a section of hair just because it was "too tangled." Detangling is the part of my washing process that I dread the most.

So for year I have been on the mission to make this process as smooth as possible. I have found that prevention is the key! (like with most things in life).

So my process goes like this:

When applying my prepoo mix I lightly finger comb if my hair is loose enough

While shampooing (in sections) I start detangling with my fingers and if my hair allows I may even bring in the shower comb at this step. This is done under running water.

Then while applying my conditioner I am constantly detangling and using the shower comb to evenly distribute the conditioner. By the time I get to this step I hardly have any detangling to do. Basically I am taking steps to prevent tangles from reforming.

When I am rinsing out the conditioner (under running water) I am constantly combing through my hair with the shower comb. At this point the comb glides through with no problem. :)

Once each section is rinsed I neatly plait the section to prevent detangling.

When styling my hair I make sure that each section I style stays detangled while I am twisting, braiding, plaiting, etc.

The most successful detangling (for me) happens when I incorporate detangling at each step of my regimen. I experience little to no breakage as a result of not having to "fight" my hair.

Protective Styling Challenge: Cornrows

I like challenges, they keep me consistent.

This time I am doing a self imposed cornrow challenge. When I was in college I wore cornrows (no weave) all the time and it was so convenient. Presently, I do them often but typically not more than a week at a time. I was motivated to do this challenge as I browsed through the FOTKI album of Forevercurlycatrina and watched some of the YouTube vids of LongHairDontCare2011. Forevercurlycatrina has some awesome cornrow styles that are cute and very feminine. LongHairDontCare2011 has some impressive length that came without complicated regimens.

Cornrows are super low manipulation and low manipulation = length retention. :)

My regimen will be as follows:

Prepoo

Shampoo

Deep Condition

Apply leave in condition

Style using only oils

Remove braids and let hair rest overnight before re-braiding.

My concerns:

Getting carried away and braiding to tightly

Roughly handling my hair while braiding

(If I can avoid those issues I think I will do okay with this challenge. )

I wanted to start this month long challenge on June 1 but with the last weekend in May being a busy holiday weekend I will start on May 30 with a fresh set of cornrows.

Lentil and quinoa salad.

I keep forgetting to eat enough legumes (most likely because I don't know enough recipes with legumes in them), which I absolutely should as a vegetarian, but every so often I commit myself to making a meal with lentils, beans or peas. Yesterday was one of those days and I came up with a lentil salad that contained a lot of quinoa as well - the reason why I've opted to call it a lentil and quinoa salad.




1. Boil about two dl of green lentils and about two - three dl of quinoa. Let cool.



2. Chop one small onion and a few cloves of garlic.



3. Grind three small carrots.



4. Slice one big cucumber or two small.



5. Slice some green onion. I used quite a lot of it since I love green onion.



6. Slice one paprika and mix everything together.



7. Add lemon zest.



8. And sesame seeds.



9. Voilá! Sprinkle with some salt, a tiny bit of pepper and add parsley and coriander (preferably fresh!)

Sandria Washington

Sandria Washington is one of the models featured on the front page of my Naturally Beautiful Hair Website. Sandria took some amazing photos for Entwine Couture ad campaign. Beautifully done Sandria! You continue to be one of my natural hair inspirations!

Check out another model featured for the same campaign ad. I love this look too!

Cute style!

I love this look from model Sandria Washington.

Rihanna - Russian Roulette (Offir Malol Remix)

Offir Malol - Show Me

HOT TRACKS

Peter Rauhofer - The DJ List (Original Mix)

The Flame 2008 (Offer Nissim Club Mix)

The Flame 2008 (Jose Spinnin Remix)

The Flame 2008 (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Remix

The Flame 2008 (Twisted Dee Morning Mix)

The Flame 2008 (Solar City '10th Anniversary Club)

The Flame 2008 (Deep Influence Remix)

The Flame 2008 (Manny Lehman Peak Hour Mix)

My Man (DJ Paulo's LA-2-NY Mix)

My Man (Edson Pride Anthem Mix)

My Man (Arenna's Brazillian Remix)

Bellini - Samba 2007 (John Acquaviva Re-Work)

Filipe Guerra Feat.Lorena Simpson - Breathe Again (Radio Edit)

You Asked...I Answered

This is fun! Keep 'em coming :)

<-------- Just click over there on "contact me"

You Asked:
My name is (deleted for privacy) and I love Gospel like you. I live in Brazil and my goal is know people and share interesting information. Can you send me some gospel musics?

I Answered:

I get acquainted with most of my music through YouTube and following the Rapzilla blog. It's sad that one has to hunt for uplifting music (both Gospel and secular) but the negative music is so easily found and thrown in your face. I hope you find a lot that you like.

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You Asked:

(prompted by Simple Braid-out) Love it,your hair looks great. When I do mine, the ends always look crazy because they unravel...how long does that style actually stay in before you have to rebraid or wash it?

I Answered:

Since I am now only wearing my hair out on the weekends my braid-outs and twist-outs stay for only a day or two because I wash them out to put my hair back up for the week. I have worn those styles for up to a week before, so that is possible. For ends that unravel, perm rods can be used on the ends to help them curl and stay together.

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You Asked:
Hi Tia! I was interested in knowing if you use any products other than Suave or what is handmade?

Also have you ever tried Aveda or Kerastase hair products?

What your motivation, or inspiration for your hairstyles, or mixing process?Or what could you tell me that would help assist me in getting more focused/in tune on how to care for my curly hair?

BY the way Kelis is my hair idol too.lol

I Answered:

I do use other products outside of the Suave family it's just that they Suave line never seems to let me down so when I am not sure about what to use I always go back to my "ol faithful" Suave. I even use their body washes. I use Herbal Essences (Hello Hydration and Long-Term Relationship), I use some Africa's Best product (mostly oils), Shea Moisture for my leave-in conditioner, and Care Free Curl for my moisturizer.

I have not tried Aveda or Kerastase hair products. I have heard of them but I REFUSE to become a product junkie. So I may try them one day if I am completely out of something and I see them while I am out shopping. I never say never :) when it comes to trying something hair related.

Most of the motivation for my styles comes from seeing something online or in a magazine that I like and putting my own twist on it when I try the style. Since all of our textures, hair lines, and lengths are different I feel that even if we try to do identical styles that they will always come out looking unique to each individual.

Getting in tune with your hair will come with time. You will notice over time the signs that your hair gives you when it is in need of something (moisture, deep conditioning, treatments, etc). Then you will notice the time frame between those needs and before you know it you will be able to meet or beat them before the time arrives to do what is needed. When I was learning my hair and I would buy a new product, I would use that product for at least a month to determine if it was right for me. Many of use want overnight results and when we don't get them we get disappointed and we put that 95% full product in the back of the closet - money wasted. Simply put, it will take time and trial & error.

Simple Braid-Out

I was able to achieve this style after doing the 6 cornrows and a flower for a week. I love 2 in one styles because they contribute to my laziness. :)

Here is a quick tutorial on how I do my braidouts, its an extremely simple process:

N.B.H. on Facebook!

If you haven't already, check out the Naturally Beautiful Hair Page on Facebook!

PARTY PEOPLE

Twist Style #1, Up Do

As I promised, here is a very quick and easy way to style your twists!! These twists have been in for a week and a day. This video was made on Sunday- On Saturday night I moisturized my hair (bottled water, carrot oil, shine oil and extra virgin olive oil) braided my hair into about 5-6 tight braids, tied it up with a silk scarf and went to bed! So it gave me a braid out texture on twists! Very cool :) Of course you can wear your twists down in this braid out! Thats just another extra style tip lol. So here is me attempting to explain and demonstrate a twist up do! YAY for protective styling :)

Saving one nappy head a day :)

Thank You IntelligentBeauty

I want to THANK IntelligentBeauty for contribution to HerBestHair. I hope that someone out there was able to benefit from her transitioning knowledge and experience.

To show my appreciation IntelligentBeauty will receive a gift courtesy of I.M.I.

You Asked...I Answered

This is something new I am trying because I am starting to get dizzy from all all the questions I am asked and answer. I don't mind the questions and I love helping but it seems that it would be more helpful if the answered were shared because I tend to get the same questions frequently. I figured we can all learn from each other and learn together.

I don't claim to know it all so if there is a question asked to you know something about please feel free to chime in by posting in the comments section below the post.

(but not too silly, LOL)