Just Because…

Julie Hewett cosmetics

I want this.

I’m really not into makeup, as far as everyday wear goes, and I even tried to get into it in undergrad by buying a lot of it — that didn’t work.

I just ended up with a whole bunch of stuff that I still have now.

BUT, I firmly believe that every girl needs to have the basics, and when I go out, I do know how to work the basics.

FYI – A little eye drama does wonders - you can always tell in pictures.

But, what I like about this product, is that it’s a 2-in-1  no fuss type of deal . I love pink hues, and I’m set to go out with a nice lip, some mascara and liner, and some color to the cheeks. Julie Hewett “Cheekie” cheek and lip shine covers more than one base –  it’s also free of petroleum and made with organic camellia oil.

The little brush is cute too ;>

BIG CHOP RESULTS!!

flickr/ jk5854

I really am estatic with the results.

Not only am I wondering why I was ever worried to do the big chop, but I’m ridiculously happy that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The entire experience really was freeing.

For now, I’m just going to post up the results because I really am tired. I need some sleep!

But for the record- I luvs me some Anthony Dickey. He loves natural hair and it shows in his workmanship. I was having so much fun, that by the time he started cutting my hair I barely realized it.

I know that sounds crazy, but its true. All the nervousness was gone. I was ready.

Here are some pics after the cut:

He used products from his Hair Rules line, of course – the cleansing cream, quench deep conditioner, Curly Whip, and a finishing cream. I bought the Curly Whip because it really is the truth. It gives me hold, without the hardness of most gels (even alcohol free ones). All the other products were great, but to be honest, they’re pricey and my at- home products work just fine, thank you very much. lol

To make a long story short, the style was achieved by a good cut, and the Curly Whip product on wet hair. The trick is to not mess with your hair while it’s wet. The way your kinks or curls look at this time, is how they will dry if you leave them alone.

Dickey also carries another product, kinky curling cream that may be ideal for your texture, if you think Curly Whip isn’t your cup of tea.

All I need to do is get under a hooded dryer (or use a diffuser if short on time), then fluff my curls out and go.

Just in case you forgot, I was mainly wearing my hair in a protective style (or occasionally straight). I did experiment with different curly styles while transitioning, but I honestly thought my straight ends always stood out from the rest of my hair, no matter how I styled it.

Maybe I didn’t have enough patience, maybe I was being too picky – but at the time, I didn’t have a problem with pulling my hair back, so it wasn’t really a big deal or issue for me

- BUT THAT’S ALL A THING OF THE PAST. I can honestly say that I’m even more in love with my hair, now that I’m fully natural…and this is only the beginning.

The whole experience was like a breath of fresh air and I’m actually surprised with the growth I retained in 11 months. Not bad.

The cut helped me see that I was really getting somewhere.

Although this definitely marks a new chapter,  there’s still plenty more growth and progress in store.

:: Grow on ::

THE BIG CHOP

bfick/ flickr

You know what time it is.

Next week I’m cutting off my dead hair. I call it “dead” because after I wash it, it just hangs there- limp, boring and weighing down my natural texture.

It’s time for a relaxer free chapter. All or nothing.

I contemplated transitioning for a lot longer, but over the last couple of months I’ve been wanting more options.

Plus, now that I’m back in NY, there’s so many salons I want to try that I’ve been curious about.

I have an appointment at Anthony Dickey’s Hair Rules Salon and I’m not only excited, but I’m ready to do this.

I could do the big chop my self, but I don’t want to. I want to do it big, and treat myself to an awesome cut so my hair will have an awesome start (being fully natural, for the first time in a long time).

I’m not sure of the exact date of my last chemical relaxer, but I guesstimate that it’s been about 11 months. Almost a year, and I think I have a fair amount of hair to work with. It’s time to celebrate.

I’ll keep this post short and sweet.

Look out for hair updates next Tues or Wed, plus my salon review!

Can’t wait to share :)

A Low-Cost Alternative That’s Cozier

flickr/ House of Sims

I never thought I’d describe myself as getting cozy while drying my hair.

I’d either anticipate cramped arms from using the blow-dryer forever (I have a lot of hair), or having to sit stiff-necked under the hooded dryer for hours.

Maybe I’m old school – or just late, but when I first saw the Gold N’ Hot Jet Bonnet Dryer attachment laying around in my friend’s place, I was a little skeptical. It looked kind of flimsy to me – like it wasn’t ready for my hair.

But after she emphasized the pros for me: she could move around with it on and even lie down (notice what excited me) I decided to give it a try.

Now, I’m not claiming this is an $11 alternative to the latest Pibbs (get real), but I was pretty pleased and surprised with my drying results after I tried a rollerset – The visual result turned out to be a HAM, but I can’t blame it on the dryer. My roller-setting skills that day were on E.

For one, the cap part fit comfortably over my head, even with those huge, gray magnetic rollers I had on.

Secondly, I didn’t think my hair would dry as thoroughly, but it actually dried quicker due to how close it was to my head.

To use it, you simply slide the end of the attachment on nearly any  sized hand-held dryer nozzle, and turn it on (to any heat setting you prefer – although this will, of course, affect your drying time).

Another great thing about the attachment, is that it won’t burn you from direct heat – the air from the dryer fills up the cap and only has small holes near the crown. It seems like most of the drying comes from indirect heat in my experience. While I did shift and twist the cap in different positions to help with equal heat distribution when I moved around too much, it was a much cozier and comfortable experience than other hair drying methods I’d tried.

To be fair and honest, I don’t use it that often because I usually air dry my hair, but when I do try rollersets, perm rod sets, and so forth – I’ll quickly opt for this, instead of the noisy hooded dryer.

Other favorable qualities:

• it’s hand-washable

• it deflates, and can be folded back into its small box for travel

• a much better option (in my opinion) for doing a deep conditioning treatment, if you don’t feel like setting up a hooded dryer or staying still underneath one.

You might look crazy- and love it ;)

While I’m definitely not ditching my hooded dryer, I think this is a pretty good buy for 11 bucks, and allows for more comfort if you’re going to be drying for longer periods of time.

:: Hope this helps ::

Diffuse Your Frizz

flickr/ Pensiero

Its that time of the year- not too cold and not ridiculously hot.

But when the rain strikes, there seems to always be that warm, humid stickiness that destroys nearly every loose hairstyle… This is frizz creeping into the picture.

And frizz + curly/kinky hair usually = a nightmare.

So here’s a few tips for fighting off the poof-ball hairdo syndrome:

• Start things off the right way: If you don’t have the time (or its getting to chilly outside to let your hair air dry) and you must use a blow-dryer, use a diffuser. This will significantly cut your drying time down (making the heat experience a less prolonged and damaging one to the hair). Also, make sure you don’t confuse a diffuser with a concentrator. A diffuser is better for curly hair since it evenly distributes heat, thus, combating frizz.  It’s also a  better option than the direct heat of a blow dryer without the diffuser attachment.

• Use a cream, gel (or even serum) to give a bit of weight and hold to your curls or style. An alcohol-free preferably natural product would be the best way to go.

• Just go the ultra-protective route, and hide your ends. I LOVE my Urban Outfitters slouch beanies. I can just smooth my edges down, slide on my hat and go!  This option will also give you a chance to give your hair a break. Less manipulation usually lessens your risk of breakage.

:: Grow On ::

Salon Review: Dominican Essence

11th Earl of Mars/ flickr

I’m probably gonna write a lot, so I’ll jump right in with the review and make this as straight-to-the-point as possible.  I visited Dominican Essence salon yesterday morning and had a great time. I left looking and feeling great. Here’s the scoop.

LOOK OF SALON: There’s no way around it, this salon is small. But if you can get over the tight quarters, you will be pleasantly surprised. There are only 2 washbowls and (the day I came in) there were 2 stylists, so you should definitely not come if your in a rush or pressed for time.  Other than that, it seemed like the ladies there were great multi-taskers and they weren’t wasting any time. The upside to salon, however, is that it did have a very homey feel. When you walk-in you are greeted, and even the other women waiting to get their hair done seemed friendly enough. I was in and out, in about 3.5 hrs.

STRICTLY HAIR CARE: I got a wash/shampoo, a deep condition treatment, a blowdry and flat iron. Juanita, the owner, handled me from start to finish,  and she was very gentle and careful with my hair. She took her time to detangle, and before she blowdried me she used an 2-in-1 heat protectant/protein treatment spray (Rejuvenol Pure Collagen Protein Delivery and Heat Protector).

All I can say about the end result is WOW. And I am not exaggerating.  I’ve had blow-outs done before, but never have I had someone that could get my hair to stay straight with no relaxer. My transitioning hair, might as well be all natural, because as soon as I would get home (and def by the next day), it would already start reverting and/or poofing up at the roots – ruining the entire hairstyle.

I left Dominican Essence, got on the hot subway back to Manhattan, then walked to my place in the wind and my hair was still BOMB. lol

Today, it was rainy and windy, and while some of my curl and bounce fell – my hair hasn’t reverted or went straight to hell like I suspected. As a matter a fact, its still silky- and I have some rollers in it right now to put some umph back into it.

Another side bar:  here are some products/brands I saw for myself, as well as some that were listed on their “treatment” lists –> Nexxus, Paul Mitchell, Sebastian, Salerm, Alter Ego. They also offer hot oil treatments.

FYI: All treatments are only $5 extra, with the exception of Alter Ego – $10

PICS: These don’t really embody the swing and silkiness, that was my hair in the aftermath. But you get the point. lol

just a length shot. sorry about the quality. its hard to get those shots on your own!

STYLIST – CLIENT INTERACTION: All I have to say is – Juanita is a trip! She was very friendly, but also blunt. I think I’ve been doing pretty good with my at-home maintenance, because I asked her how my hair was doing and she told me fine — I just need to make sure to do deep conditioning/protein treatments every week. My right side is also shorter than my left (its pretty much all natural, on the right hand bottom side), so I don’t know what that’s all about – sleeping on the same side maybe? But I’ve dealt with it my whole life. Regardless, she said we’re gonna work on it.

Heads up to all naturals and transitioners! Juanita will not try to force you into a relaxer. She actually loves natural hair, and kept commenting on my waves, curls and kinks (I have all three on my crazy head). She even asked me why I was ever getting relaxers in the first place.

I did a lot of research and read plenty of reviews before I went, so I know that DE salon can handle you, if you are relaxed or natural. I believe they use Alter Ego relaxers (although I’m not sure if they use exclusively). Also, you can bring in your own conditioners or products if you are extra picky with your hair.

PRICING: I paid a grand total of $35. For me, that was awesome (considering I also got a treatment)!  This is the cheapest I’ve paid for a blow-out and flat iron (back in VA, the salon I went to automatically charged naturals $45 on up).

For relaxed ladies who just want a wash and roller set (or naturals and transitioners),  the price is $15. On certain days, they even have a deal for $12.

I was a walk-in, so if you want Juanita just wait for her or request her when you get there. Also, call ahead to make sure she is there. I’ve also heard that all of the stylists there do a great job, so don’t forget to consider them (I believe her sister and mother work there as well).

OVERALL RATING:   4 Stars

SALON INFO:

1183 President Street  – Brooklyn, NY 11225

(ph) 718-756-0382

if traveling by train, take the 2 or the 5 to the President Street stop and get off at the Nostrand Ave exit.

You’ll see the salon sign, as soon as you come out of the subway

:: Hope this helps ::