I DID IT!: Amanda

Name: Amanda

Age: 20

Location: New Jersey

My Story:
I started out transitioning before my big chop but my ends were always stringy and I prefered my natural hair. I Big Chopped August 2012! (Happy Choppiversary!) I love my natural texture, the patterns of my curls and the variety in styling.

I Did It...because natural hair is healthier and has so much versatility!

5 Tips for Summer Hair Care

Though this summer hasn't been super hot, the sun is still hanging, we're still sweating and our hair still needs care so here are 5 of my tips for caring for your hair during the summer months!

1. Keep your hair and scalp clean.
The heat can cause you to sweat more and increase itchiness as well as build up. You might consider cleansing (co wash or shampoo) more frequently if you have the time. If not stay tuned there's a tip for you!

2. Moisture Baby!
Although winter air is drier you ALWAYS need moisture for your natural and during the summer months it's a matter of switching up your routine to moisturize for Sumner conditions. So maybe you'll use a lighter moisturizer and a lighter oil to keep from having hair that's weighed down but make sure to deep condition and listen to your strands!

3. Protective Styling anyone?
For those who want their hair away during the summer months, here's a top for you! Be sure to pick a style that can be maintained easily, gives you ability to moisturize your hair and cleanse your scalp! Also look out for those edges, making sure they're not being pulled or stressed.

4. Going Swimming?
If you're hair isn't in a protective style and you want to swim here's a thought. Twist your hair with conditioner or an oil like EVOO to create a barrier of protection against the effects of the chlorine. Chlorine is a chemical and can cause dryness. Protect those strands!

5. Use that Shea Butter!
Shea Butter is a natural sunscreen and can aid in protecting your skin and hair from the sun. Especially for those who have color treated hair, try that Shea butter! I'd suggest using it in a melted state so you don't weigh down your hair and can keep your styles light and free.

Thanks for Reading!

My Vacation/Summer Do

Hey Beauties!

So, last week I posted a sneak peek to show off my vacation/Summer do and yes I was super excited about how my hair came out! Now that I am back from my family reunion, here are the details on my hair!

Materials

4 packs (cut in half) of 100% kanekalon braiding hair
Scissors
Hair clips
Hair bands
Coconut oil
Eco styler Olive Oil Gel
Spray bottle (plain water)
Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter or Other Moisturizer (if hair isn't moisturized)

Prep

I sectioned my hair into 6 sections for easier twisting and held each section with a hair band. Before starting a section I sprayed lightly with water and applied coconut oil, (my hair already had moisture butter in it) gently combed and applied eco styler and proceeded to part and twist.

Method

I did the invisible root method for a natural look. My twists were twisted in a Havana twist manner so I call them Havana twists although I didn't use Havana hair.

How's it holding up?

Great! I love this style. My hair is away and I can focus on enjoying my summer! To maintain I will refresh the twists around my edges and spray my twists and scalp with my anti itch mix (water, lemon juice, olive oil, tea tree oil). I plan on keeping these twists in for 4-6 weeks tops then take down hot oil treatment, wash and deep condition.

For more information email specific questions to koilyandkute@gmail.com!

Thanks for reading!

Quick & Easy Vacation Hair Sneak Peek

Hey Beauties!

Here's a sneak peek of my Quick & Easy Vacation do! Full style details will be in a future post. Stay tuned!

Twist-Out on a TWA: Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter Review

Hey y'all!

So if you follow me on social media then you know I was super hype two days ago about the twists I achieved using Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter. Well let me tell y'all I have found a new staple product!! This stuff is so good, my hair is happy, honey! For this review I will rate each category I mention on a 1-5 scale. This will be the format for my reviews from now on. So let's get to it!

Smell: 5-Mmm Mmm Good!

This stuff smells like a warm summer! For those that have used Bath & Body Works products, if you remember a scent called Forever Sunshine the smell of this product reminds me of that. I have no problem walking around with hair that smells like a warm body fragrance. That just adds to my sexy! Lol.

Consistency: 3-Medium Thick

This butter is like the perfect consistency. It's not super dense or thick and spreads well so a little goes a long way. I applied from ends to roots when styling.

Moisture: 5-Hydration Baby!

To see just how moisturizing this product was I applied on my hair when it was about 80% dry having used very little leave in. My hair looked shiny and moisturized after twisting and it felt buttery smooth. After drying it still looked shiny and moisturized and felt super soft.

*Please keep in mind my hair type when considering my reviews. I'm mostly 4c/b/a with a small section of 3c. For 3c hair types try mixing this product with Beautiful Textures Curl Control for increased hold and definition.

Creme of Nature Straight from Eden Review

Hey Curlfriends!

Like I stated in my last post, my first review from the June Cocotique subscription box is here. I've tested the new Creme of Nature line and I'm ready to share my experience with you!

What Does the Line Consist of?

This line includes a relaxer kit, hydrating shampoo, conditioning treatment, detangling leave-in and repairing oil. All products are said to include plant derived ingredients from coconut and other sources. This line is clearly not just for the natural sistas but promotes healthy hair care with no sulfates, parabens, petrolatum or mineral oil.

Hydrating Shampoo

This stuff smells amazing!!!!! I'be been strictly a co wash girl for a minute but this shampoo just might turn me out! Lol. It lathers great, cleans gently and smells (like I said) amazing!!!!! My hair didn't feel stripped or dry once I rinsed and that is a plus for a 4c chick like myself. All around this stuff is g-o-o-d!

Conditioning Treatment

Another smell good product!! My Oh My! Lol...anyway, great consistency and my fear with using a sample was not having enough for my hair. Well y'all I had nothing to fear at all! I applied the treatment and detangled while in the shower. My hair felt all kinds of good and detangled pretty well. Soft & luscious were my tresses! Oh yes! My only draw back would be the dimethicone!!! Ugh! I try to stay away from the cones as much as possible BUT my hair responded happily. Oh how torn I am!!

Detangling Leave-in

Now with this product I had to go on a hunt to see how it is packaged in full size. It is a spray and of course the sample is a pouch so I'll tell you ladies this, the product smells lovely and it lightweight and leaves the hair soft and supple however using the sample can in no way give me the full experience so this review is a to be continued! I will purchase the full size and give a review in coming weeks. So stay tuned!

My Overall Impression, though?

LOVE this line!! I recommend it 100% unless you are dead set against those dimethicones!!! But even in that I believe it's worth a try. Find yourself some samples and try!

Thanks for reading!

My Current Do

Hey Curlfriends!

So here's the goings on with my current style. I mixed up my own styler last week! Trying to get a styler that didn't flake, wasn't hard and added moisture/shine to my tresses just to see if I could pull it off. Of course the base was gel and oils but I added a bit of Shea butter and conditioner too. Completely an experiment but it worked out greattt!! With my new concoction I decided to do my go to faux hawk flat twist style. I flat twisted the sides and back up and left the middle to be styled. Usually I'd do a flat twist out or two strand twist out but this time I decided to do finger coils. The upside to this change was it has lasted me longer. Though I may need to see if it's the finger coils or styler or both, I'm very pleased with my results. Looks like this hair will last through the weekend! Yankee doodle dandy!!! Lol ;-*

Thanks for reading!