T.E.R. Goddess Braid - YT Tutorial

The original post here: Tracee Ellis Ross Goddess Braid

Flat Twistout w/ 2 Braids

You get it first...

This is a style I wore to the CurlyNikki gathering a while back. I got a few questions on how I maintained the look and this is how.

The flat twists were done on dry hair that was an old twist-out. The older the twist-out the more stretched out the look. 

This look was originally done on freshly washed hair but as the days passed the look got a little messy and this video basically demonstrates the steps I took to refresh the style.

To achieve/refresh this style:

1. Create two plaits/braids in the front

2. Separate the rest of the hair into easy to work with sections

3. Using a water-based product, flat twist from the crown to the nape (this will encourage length with the look)

4. When hair is 100% dry remove the twist (apply oil if desired) and fluff until you are happy with the look



Edit: The error with the video not playing should be resolved. If it does not play for you please let me know

Bun Tutorial

Some geographic areas are cooling down faster than others so there are some of us that are already implementing our Fall/Winter hair regimens. I have not started my Fall/Winter hair regimen yet - it was 80° today :) however the humidity and the dew points are dropping so I will be starting soon.

Many Fall/Winter hair regimens consist of protective styles and last year my favorite protective style became the bun. This is how I do my buns:

To change it up (and prevent breakage) I like to move the position of the bun or include some cornrows in the front.

Happy bunning!

Voluminous Flat Twist-out

Preparing for Afro Independence Day

If this will be your first time styling your hair into a real afro it can be a frustrating process - well it was for me the very first time.

My problem is that my hair is so soft that it does not want to hold the afro shape. If I try to make and afro by just picking it out, it will fall. Kinda resembles Leela James' hair - not that I mind because her hair is beautiful but when I want a 'fro, I want a fro.

I put together a quick tutorial that shows the steps I go through to form and shape my fro and it all starts with two strand twists.

1. Wash, condition, and apply a leave-in conditioner.

2. Twist hair in sections that have been detangled very well. Overall I had about 18 two strand twist. If I am not leaving the house I will do less, about 6-10.

3. Steps 1 and 2 are typically done the day or night before step 3. Once hair is dry carefully untwist each twist and finger comb.

4. After all twists are finger combed out use a pick or wide tooth comb to separate the hair even more. This is where care detangle becomes a very appreciated benefit. If your hair has been detangled probably you should be able to do this step without ripping out your hair. However, if you find this step a little difficult I would recommend continuing to style with your finger.

5. When making an afro shrinkage is my friend (honestly, I love shrinkage). I spray my hair with either plain water or an essential oil/water mix. Lately I have been using Care Free Curl/Water mix. I spray, shape, let dry. Because it's a light mist it only takes a few minutes to dry. I repeat this step until I am satisfied with the shape.

Happy Afro Independence Day!

Twist-Cornrow Updo

Here is the tutorial for last weeks style:

Featured on CurlyNikk.com

I always start on clean and conditioned hair. When styling I like to use no more than three products at a time, for this particular one I am only using shea butter.

1. I section my hair into two sections; the section to be cornrowed and the section that will be the two strand twists.

2. I start the cornrows on one side (going from the nape up to the crown) and move in the direction towards the opposite while attempting to keep the cornrows the same size.

3. After all the cornrows are done, then it's time to twist. The twists can be any size and can be pinned in any fashion or even set on rollers for an more "out" style.

The first time I did this style it took a little over 1.5 hrs. The second time it only took 1hr 15min. This look can last up to two weeks with proper care.

My Hair: Pre-poo (update)

I have been combining these items long enough to now provide appropriate feedback - Jasmine oil and Castor oil.

For the last few shampoos I have been pre-pooing with a 50/50 mix of Jasmine oil and Castor oil. The results after each wash have yielded extremely soft hair that did not feel anywhere close to being stripped. This mix has also helped me tolerate the intense smell of the Jasmine oil.

To do the pre-poo:

1. In a empty container I combine equal parts of Jasmine oil and Castor oil. I swirl the container to make sure the oils are mixed. Then I apply liberally all over my hair length (starting about 1/2 - 1 in from my scalp) and leave on for a minimum of 1 hour. Shampoo, condition, and style as usual.

See the tutorial below:

Twist Tutorial

Let's start by saying hi to our sweet little model. Hi Lana! Today is her birthday and she was so sweet to let me take pictures of her getting her hair done on her big day!

Let's begin, shall we? The twist here isn't so much about twisting the hair as it is about sectioning, pulling pieces and twisting your hands.

Start by wetting the hair. Try to dampen only the front and crown and sides and leave the ends dry. Comb out the hair as smooth as you can. Combing it out smooth is VERY important in this style.

Part out a vertical chunk from the part to the ear.

Divide your section in half. Take a second to look at Lana's mommy's hands. She has the most beautiful hands. Don't you agree?

Pull the bottom half over the top half. You then take a section of hair from the underside of the hair and pull it up into the original bottom half (the next picture demonstrates this better). You usually end up with a section of hair between your thumb and forefinger and another section of hair between your forefinger and middle finger with the palm of your hand next parallel to the hair.

You always bring up hair from the bottom. Never the top. This is where the smooth, damp hair is necessary. It makes it easier to section. Thank goodness for spell check. I can never spell necessary. Twisting the new formed section, you repeat with the original top half.

See Hilary's gorgeous hands, you can see how she is holding the hair. In this style you are constantly turning your hands

Keep going.


Till you get to the end. Twist down a bit so that you don't lose the twist you just made when you secure their hair.



Take a rubber band and secure the end. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, you are just going to take this part out. If your child is older and has the patience, you can have them just hold the twist. That is what I make my Princess do, but she has almost four years on these young pups.

Repeat on the opposite side.

Pull together. Hilary pulls one side over the other. It helps with the stability of the twists. Putting them together is kind of like plates on the earth. They slip and slide and make a big old mess. Trust me and avoid the mess. Put one side on top of the other. Secure them with an elastic.

The hard part is over. Usually her hair is pulled all the way through in a ponytail, but it's her birthday and Hilary is feeling adventerous (hey, we are stay-at-home-moms, most days this is as big as we get in the creativity department) and she decided to pull the ponytail only half through.

This is why I love my friend Hilary. She always teaches me something new. Before I met her, my the ends of my daughters ribbons were all askew. She taught me that if you take your curling iron and curl the ends, it makes them look finished.

So curl your ribbon ends. I promise, it makes the world a prettier place, and isn't that the point of this blog, to make the world a prettier place?

Then curl the ends of the ponytail.

And VOILA'! You have a beautiful princess twist for a beautiful princess on the day she turns 4!

Thanks sweetie! And thanks Hilary for being my partner in crime!