Six Months Post

It has been 6 swift months since I chopped all most of my hair off for the second time. I can't exactly say that that the journey has been smooth or difficult considering that I've had it in a protective style for 3 out of the 6 months. 

Before I took my very frizzy box braids down on Friday, I made a stop at Target to pick up an ammonia-free hair color.  Being in such a rush to color my hair back to jet black, I forgot to deep condition prior to the dyeing process. OOPS!

Great, my hair was jet black, dry, and not properly detangled. Be anxious for nothing, Caela. My twist-out came out a frizzy and dehydrated mess. Not to mention, I still have damaged ends at the front of my mane that I had prior to my big chop. 

It is now Sunday and I could not wait to get home to deep condition my hair after church. Deep conditioning and a proper finger detangling session made all the difference. I'm not going to lie, I was scared because this morning my hair was drier than this California drought. I ended up twisting my hair with my favorite hair butter. I've talked about this product on my Instagram and YouTube channel, y'all, this hair butter is just AMAZING! It is the Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter. 

This product smells like butter cream and the consistency is silky, melting into my hair (and skin) like nothing I've ever owned. Most hair butters leave a bit of a sticky residue following my styling routine, but this one soaks into my strands allowing them to swell into fluffy excellence. Oh yea, it's ALL-NATURAL & VEGAN too! For that very reason, I will be trying more of this brands various products. 

Tomorrow I am going to get the rest of my damaged ends cut off so I don't have to continue dealing with different textures. I'm so glad that my hair is healthy again. 

Cae.

ftc: As a full disclosure, all of these opinions are my own and I was not compensated for expressing my thoughts on this product.

I Just Big Chopped, Now What?! part 1

For some, you have planned this experience months in advance. You already screenshot your favorite hairstyles you liked from instagram and you already went to Target and stocked up on some shampoo, deep conditioner, and styling butter. For those of you, who like me, just decided in that moment that it was time to part ways with the different textures and cut that bish off, I am here to help. 

I started doing my research about natural hair back in 2009 when YouTube was less complicated and everyones favorite was literally everyones favorite. Anyways, keep reading guys to see what items I think are important to have post big chop.

TWA Trial & Error

Since I've had short hair I have referenced maybe two YouTube videos on how I should style it. I've learned that it's all about what works for your hair and how you want it to frame your face. 

So far I love how my short hair brightens up my face, in a way. It showcases my dimples a lot more and the structure of my face. I have been using Jamaican Black Castor Oil religiously because I forgot how much my hair LOVES it!! I moiturize with whatever hair butter and/or lotion I want to use then I put the castor oil all over. I especially love it on my edges because it aids with laying then DOWN! 

I tried to soft bristle brush method on my hair to define my curls and my hair hated it! Either my hair is too frizzy or too long to maneuver that technique. 

I ended up doing a coil out on the sides and back of my hair. It allows for a more defined and natural look. Pulling at the roots to add more volume and voila, easy as that! How you want to style the front is pretty much a personal preference. 

 Watch my VIDEO |here| to see how I maneuvered this hairstyle. 

I Big Chopped, AGAIN!

As some of you may know, I was in dire need of a big chop number TWO. To make a long story short, I put way too much heat on it in the beginning of this year. My hair was so flat and limp that it looked as if I was transitioning again. I literally wore the same hairstyle for 5 months. 

I was referred to Madusalon in San Francisco by the lovely Cassidy Blackwell of NaturalSelectionBlog.com. This salon specializes in curly, wavy and natural hair; they are also specialized to do deva cuts. I was extremely happy with the service at the salon!! My stylist Isabel had so much personality and just went in for my cut. In my head I was like, "WAIT, I need to take this all in." I was sitting there trying to mentally prepare myself but as she was talking, she started chopping. Despite being anxious of how it would come out, I was very calm the entire time!

As you can see, the top of my hair still has some heat damage on the ends. The natural struggle is so real. I did my first big chop on September 6, 2010 and for me to do my second one so close to my big chop anniversary is SO CRAZY. *Beyoncé voice*

How do I feel? I feel happy and liberated! I'm beautiful and feel a lot more confident with my curls back. It is just hair and it will grow back. I cannot wait to update you guys on my new journey of healthy hair growth! Check my instagram for photos! Love y'all.

cae.

Natural Hair Woes: Big Chop Number Two?!

I'm going to start out this post showing you guys my natural hair when it was THRIVING. I am all out of sorts because I have heat damage and it's at point where I do not think there is any going back. Let me try to simplify this for you guys real quick.

Shea Moisture Review

I recently used a new Shea Moisture product that I noticed a fellow YouTuber using. I had just ran out of the curl enhancing smoothie that I normally use so I figured why not?! The product I am referring to is the Shea Moisture Kids Curling Butter Cream. 

Pros:

Moisturizing but not too heavy

Great hold yielding all day definition

A more slippery and thin consistency

Cons:

The price comparing the amount of product to the curl enhancing smoothie

For a more in depth review watch my video below 

disclaimer: all of these products were paid for with my own money and I was not asked to do this review.

Twist Out Gone Bad!

I did a twist out, mind you I dislike twist outs, and it did not come out to my liking. Because I was in a rush to get to work I just did this super quick and easy style. Enjoy!!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

SKIN

Bentonite Clay | Revlon Facial Sauna

I discovered bentonite clay a couple of years ago and it is such a great product for your skin as well as your hair. I was not able to fully reap the benefits of bentonite clay until I used this facial steamer. Using the steamer lets me open up my pores allowing the face mask to really get out all of the gunk! They are both very cost efficient and great items to add to your collection.

HAIR

Tangle Teezer | Coconut Oil | Argan Oil | Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade | 

Tresemmé Naturals Conditioner | Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Soufflé | 

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

The Tangle Teezer is the only brush that can truly tame these kinks, try it out for yourself!

Coconut Oil, hands down the best oil EVER! I use it on my skin, hair, and nails. Leaves great shine, makes for a great pre-poo, detangler, and moisturizer. It also promotes nail growth when rubbing it on your cuticles daily. Not to mention it smells AWESOME and everyone will notice.  

Argan Oil is a must have! It gives great shine, fights frizz, and leaves a smooth and polished finish. I usually apply it on wet twist outs after I've applied my moisturizers. 

Burnt Sugar Pomade by Oyin Handmade, which might I add is such an AWESOME brand, is not my most used product but still a favorite. Because it's a humectant I apply it to my wet ends so that they can retain a lot of moisture that they need.

Tresemmé Naturals Conditioner is cheap and effective, nuff said. 

Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Soufflé is my new favorite styler but it has it's limitations. As far as the style and hold it's A1, but this product lacks moisture for me. I cannot set my hair every night with this product but for the first couple of days it does what it's supposed to do!!

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie was the first product I purchased when I did my big chop almost 3 years ago. It's moisturizing and cheap. The only thing I do not like is how heavy it is. It also does not have great hold so a gel type of product is usually applied with it.

BEAUTY

Carmex | Maybelline Falsies Mascara | Milk of Magnesia | MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer | 

Maybelline Matte Eyeshadow | MAC 242 Shader Brush

These are my daily essentials!!

Carmex really needs no explanation. I've played around with Burt's Bee's and all the other cute chap sticks but I just took it back to what works. 

Maybelline's Falsies Mascara is a new favorite until I find the next one. My lashes are naturally longer so the affect of having false lashes on is super fun.

Milk of Magnesia is indeed intended to be ingested BUT the beauty gods have said otherwise. To my oily skinned beauties this stuff is truly a godsend. 

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer is what I use to define my brows. It also helps out with my dark under eye areas as well as any other dark spots on my face. I like to use a concealer that is closer to my skin tone because I personally do not care for the all around highlighted look on my brows. 

Maybelline Matte Eyeshadow is what I use for my eyebrows. This is my most recent eyebrow experiment. I've used pencils from MAC, covergirl, Sonia Kashuk and a shadow from MAC but to no avail. I want to find a cost-efficient favorite already! For now this works!

MAC 242 Shader Brush was introduced to me by a MAC make-up artist. I use it to define my brows with the MAC select cover-up concealer.

xoxo, Cae

Once again my hair is straight! To be quite honest I enjoy my straightened hair more than I do in its natural state. The reason being is because it is less time consuming. Because my strands are very fine it does get oily/greasy very fast which is such a pain in the butt. I have allowed my straight hair to last a couple weeks. Oh the joy of going to bed and waking up without having to do much!

I made about 6-7 plaits in my hair to achieve this wavy look. It made me feel some kind of way because it was like a bootleg and flatter version of my typical braid out.

And once again here we have the life saver. The "put your scarf on at night and do absolutely nothing in the morning" style. Two braids going back and pinned into a little side bun. A cute and effortless summer style. 

Ciao!

xoxo, Cae

My Homemade Body Butter

 I have been ranting and raving about the body butter I make and how great it so I finally have the time to post the recipe and directions for everyone. For me this recipe always makes 16 oz and all of the items are priced differently at different places so shop around. It is so great because I know exactly what is in it and it makes my skin feel amazingggg.. like, what is lotion? Anyways let's get to it. 

What you will need 

measuring cup

double boiler

bowl

electric food mixer

1 cup Shea Butter (amazon or beauty supply)

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil (trader joes)

1/2 cup carrier oil of your choice (gnc or vitamin shoppe)

(sweet almond, jojoba, grapeseed, avocado, etc.)

1/2 tsp vitamin e (natural preservative) (vitamin shoppe)

about 10 drops of an essential oil for light fragrance (vitamin shoppe)

Since I do not have a double boiler I made one of course, using a pot filled with water low enough to not touch the steel bowl. The steam from the water will allow the shea butter to melt. Continue to let it melt and transfer to your measuring cup using an oven mitt (please don't burn yourself). Once you get to 1 cup transfer into a separate bowl. If your coconut oil is still solid repeat the same step until you get to 1/2 cup and transfer to the bowl.

add one or mix your carrier oil(s) in the measuring cup until you reach 1/2 cup and transfer it to the bowl of shea butter and coconut oil. Add your vitamin e and essential oils to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Stick that bad boy in the freezer for no more than 10 minutes.

 Yea, so I got caught up eating and left it in the freezer for a little too long but I let it sit for about 15 minutes and proceeded to mixing. It's important that you DO NOT try to manually hand mix this because the results will not be the same. The more you mix the fluffier and pale it will become. 

Voilà! So easy to make and very cost-efficient. Your body heat will allow it to melt in your hands and go on somewhat like an oil but it soaks into your skin so perfectly. I usually use this on my body at night right after a shower and my skin holds its moisture the entire next day. Enjoy!!

*good places that you can purchase the items are online, whole foods, trader joe's, vitamin shoppe, gnc, or other health stores.

Hi, my name is Sue

I have been wanting to do a roller set for a LONG time now because I have not done it since my transitioning days. Granted, it did not come out exactly how it did back then but good enough for my first time on completely natural hair. 

my hair was freshly co-washed and still wet when I applied my moisturizer and setting lotion using these size rollers.

pay close attention to the hat, because that is where the disaster took place. If it wasn't the granny stuck to my head curls then it was the hair that decided not to dry. Although I was so ready to just wash my hair I refused to let the greatness of the front go to waste. Pinning it up and separating the twists I was left with a great updo! 

xoxo, Cae

Let's Get It Straight!

Let's talk straight hair! I want to begin by saying it was super spur of the moment and decided I wanted to get it done the day of. My hair was still in need of a dire trim following my last session this past summer. Slowly but surely I am ridding those dead ends, ugh! As you can see in the photo above I still have some more to go but the stylist layered my hair until I go back. 

*deep sigh* I do worry about heat damage but at the same time hair grows back and I actually LOVED my hair straight this time around contrary to my previous post. To try avoiding heat damage make sure that you use a heat protectant. Grape seed oil is said to make for a great alternative if you naturals don't want to go out and spend extra money on a new product.

I was not expecting it to be as full and straight but I am impressed and enjoyed the health of my natural hair. No special treatment was done to my hair to achieve this look just a wash, condition, detangle, blow dry, and flat iron. 

When my hair got old*, and it did really fast, I did this cute & quick style. It's so weird that it feels foreign doing my hair in straight hairstyles. 

I am now prepping for braids (singles).

Be blessed & Happy New Year Y'all!

*old hair simply means oily & stringy.

Hair Food!

For the longest I have been trying to find a deep conditioner that my hair loves so when I have a free day to take time to tend to my hair I anticipate this DIY fun! I found this recipe on Beauty By Lee's website and it is by far my favorite deep conditioner I have ever used. 

I am not a huge fan of measuring but just in case you need something to go off of this is how much of everything you will need. 

1 Whole Banana

1/2 Avocado

2 Tablespoons of Mayonnaise 

2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 teaspoons Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

2 Tablespoons Raw Honey

make sure to blend thoroughly using a blender or hand mixer. The first time I used avocados I was too excited and didn't blend it enough, after that I vowed to never use avocados in my hair again, lol. 

I apply on washed hair and during the application my hair already felt extremely soft. I wash it out thoroughly using a conditioner and let me tell you guys, it left my hair feeling like butter, my coworker also noticed the shine it left on my strands. 

-Bananas help with shine, dandruff, and manageability

-Avocados help with moisture & shine

-Mayonnaise includes eggs which are packed with protein!

-Extra Virgin Olive Oil help with moisture and dandruff control

-Extra Virgin Coconut Oil gives hair shine and nourishes damaged hair

-Raw Honey leaves a nice glossy shine and smooth finish

What Do You Mean Cut My Hair!?

We're just going to ignore the fact that i straightened my hair, blah blah blah. I was very curious at the time to see my hair straightened and although I do regret it because of the heat damage it left I can say I'm glad it showed me my ends. I didn't know if my ends just would not get straight because I have natural hair or if my ends were just a hot mess, enough was enough. 

For almost two years I was so afraid of getting my hair cut because I was so attached to the length of my hair but when I saw my hair looking like this I couldn't take it any longer. 

*snip snip*

Immediately I was so sad with the length of my hair (this is blown out!)

but after four months and wearing box braids my hair grew SO MUCH.

the moral of the story is do not be afraid to trim/cut your hair because it actually IS good for your hair. Split ends do rise ya know! Let's practice healthy hair maintenance guys!

*sidenote: I have NOTHING against straightening natural hair, I just find it boring for me. Your hair is yours and you do as you please!

Tis The Season!

Happy holidays everyone! Tis the season to protect those ends! As most of you may know and experience natural hair HATES the cold weather. Also, the cold air and wet hair/hands combo is not my favorite so I try to avoid doing my hair as much as I can in the colder months.

As of right now I have mini twists that I did for the first time and I love them! I used nothing but water, raw shea butter, and homemade flaxseed gel. My hair is fine so they don't look as full as I would like them to but styling it has solved the problem. They kind of remind me of sister locs, love them!

here are a few photos of more protective styles!

Box Braids/Singles

Updo's 

Marley Braid Bun

Roll & Tuck