I'm a sucker for peer pressure when it comes to hair

When it comes to hair, I'm easily convinced into trying a new technique or product when a majority of the curlies on naturallycurly.com rave about it. What has caught my eye thanks to Icequeen's explanation on Naturally Curly, Laura Lee, and Beauty Hits & Misses, is basically rinsing and scrunching your conditioner out with your head upside down while you're in the shower. I was already warned about the possibility of water going up your nose with this technique. I hate that feeling of water going up your nose while you swim so I was extra careful trying to avoid it now.

I cowashed with Suave Naturals. Added Loreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss conditioner to my hair and combed it through. Scruched upside down and left it in my hair until the end of my shower. When I was ready to rinse, I put my hair in the water with my head upside down while trying to avoid water getting in my nose. It wasn't that bad, just different. After I was done rinsing, I shut off the water and continued scrunching, still with my head upside down until I got some of the water out. When I turned my head right side up, I was a bit disoriented from being upside down. My hair was still soaking wet. I scrunched in Kinky Curly Knot Today, Kinky Curly Curling Custard, and Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel.

This technique seemed to give me softer waves that started closer to my roots and volume. I think next time I'll have to add more gel because I felt like my waves were too soft that they would eventually go straight.
I'm also wearing my favorite lipstick at the moment. Most Popular from the MAC Hello Kitty collection. The other color I'm currently in love with is Strayin' lipstick from the same collection.

Silicones Ahead

The more I try to do the Curly Girl method, the more I'm convinced that silicones are not that evil but, harsh sulfates are. So, I've started experimenting with silicones again. Even though it makes sense that non-soluble silicones will build up in your hair, I haven't thoroughly experimented with silicones to see it for myself. I am still staying away from harsh sulfates and currently use Giovanni Invigorating Tea Tree Shampoo when I do shampoo my hair. I alternate between this and cowashing. I haven't been using silicones long enough this time to really report on buildup. I'm hoping that the Giovanni shampoo or cowash will be enough to remove buildup if I do experience it.

Tonight, I cowashed with Suave Naturals and conditioned with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner. I sprayed Sunsilk Waves of Envy Sea Mist then scrunched with Nexxus Gorgeous Curls Enhancing Foam Styler. Both of these products contain Cyclopentasiloxane. I let it air dry for about 5 minutes then scrunched a small amout of Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Finally, I scrunched with my microfiber towel to help with drying. My hair is still a bit wet in these pictures.













I'm really itching to do something drastic with my hair - either with the color or length. I just don't want to regret it which I probably will no matter what I do unless I get a trim. I'm always up for suggestions. Should I keep my hair dark or go light? Maybe even go darker. Cut it short or just an inch or two? Leave it alone and just get a trim again?

My daughter was having a pretty good hair day today. She just got finished getting her hurr did at Posh Pooch so she thinks she's all that now.

Happy Monday!

I feel like this calorie counting and working out is turning into a part-time job that's taking away from my hair experiments. I didn't get a chance to take any new hair pictures but, I did use a new technique this weekend. I wish I had taken pictures because I know I enjoy posts that have pictures more than words.

My new technique included the use of this microfiber towel that I purchased last week from Ulta.
I've been using the Kinky Curly Knot Today (KCKT) leave-in and Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC). I really like these two together because they give me good curl definition without the crunchiness but, if I don't put enough KCCC my curls go limp and if I put to much I get the crunch. There's definitely a learning curve as mentioned by some of the members of naturallycurly.com.

I now have 3 techniques for when I want to style my hair naturally wavy.

Technique 1. After washing my hair, wrap my hair in a towel until I'm done applying my body lotion, moisturizer, etc. Then apply KCKT and comb through then scrunch KCCC through hair. This I usually do when I'm stubborn and don't feel like changing my old ways because this was they way I used to style my hair.

Pro: Easiest of the techniques. Drying time is decreased. An old routine that I'm used to.
Con: Gives me the least curl definition. Sometimes it makes my hair look dry because products are applied to my hair after it's been drying a bit in the towel instead of products being applied on soaking wet hair like the other techniques below.

Technique 2. After washing my hair, I leave my hair dripping wet and kind of try to gently separate and lift my hair with my fingers so that my hair isn't completely flat on my head and apply KCKT while scrunching then apply KCCC while scrunching. I plop with a turban for 10-45 minutes depending on how much time I have while I get dressed and do my makeup. I discussed this technique here.

Pros: Hair is not on my back while I do my after shower routine. I can do other tasks while I plop. I get pretty good curl definition and hair looks shinier.

Cons: Increased drying time. I usually end up diffusing my hair when I do this technique. Sometimes the front and top of my hair end up squished.

Technique 3. After washing my hair, I leave my hair dripping wet and gently separate and lift my hair like I do in technique 2. I scrunch in KCKT then srunch in KCCC. After I have applied both products, I turn my head upside down and take the microfiber towel and scrunch all the water out. I would say after scrunching with a microfiber towel my hair is 75% dry. I don't usually diffuse after this technique. This is my favorite technique right now because I can kind of guide and shape my hair while I scrunch and I don't have to have wet hair for that long. When I went to Imago Salon, this was how they styled my hair after my haircut except they used an old t-shirt instead of a microfiber towel.

Pros: My roots aren't flat on top and I can easily style the front of my hair. My hair is mostly dry by the time I leave the house even when I don't diffuse. I get good curl defintion but, the shininess varies depending on whether or not I put the correct amount of product in my hair.

Cons: My slightly damp hair is on my back while I do my after shower routine. Not that big of a deal except my whole life I've just been used to having my hair wrapped in a towel while I did this part. Why is it so hard to change your habits?

When I get a chance, I'll add pictures or videos showing techniques 1 and 3 since technique 2 was already discussed in a previous post.

Kinky Curly Knot Today

As much as I hate shipping charges, I love the feeling of coming home and finding a package. I finally got my Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in. I can't wait to use it. I'll probably end up using it the next time I go out which will be Friday. At work I just throw my hair into a ponytail because of safety regulations. I don't really fix my hair unless I'm going somewhere.