Totally twisted over "Totally Twisted"

So for the past few weeks I had been trying to do some different things with my hair. Ok, so there isn't a whole lot I can do to my hair right now, I know but I was trying to get away from my regular curly wash n' go. I was basically just wearing it in an afro. I gotta say I'm not too fond of that look on my hair right now. Atleast not at this length, but hey, I tried it. I also attempted to twist my hair. By "twist", i just mean, taking a smal piece of my hair and twisting it until is stays. It was actually looking ok until I got to the DREADED front of my hair. It just flat out said, "NO, I'm not twisting". I don't know why I was acting all brand new like I didn't know what was up. LOL. I just figured it was a brand new day. (shout out to Keisha. LOL) Anyway, I guess by me wearing it combed for so long, my hair got used to it because after I washed my hair yesterday (using CON (creme of nature) and I even deep conditioned) it just wasn't behaving (of course you know I'm talking about my "bad patch" lol) at all. It barely wanted to curl at all. It was frizzy and straight so I just put a cut little flower in the front and went on about my day. So today I cowashed using my VO5 Strawberries and Cream followed by Herbal Essences Totally Twisted. I let the TT sit on my hair while I showered and by the time I washed it out, my hair was sooo soft. It was so puurty. I just love Totally Twisted!! It's not 100% but with a couple more washes it'll be back. Oh yeah, I bought this cute little headband at Walmart for $1.00 (see Nicole, I'm thrifty too.: )) from the Clearance aisle. I like how it turned out.

Tips and Tricks for the TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro) 1st edition

I shared in a previous post that it's my intention to share all of my hair woes and successes with you all in the hopes that if any should have my struggles, you'll have some solutions. It's true that everyone's hair is different, but maybe, just maybe I can save you some trouble.
One of the unique (annoying) things about my newly natural hair, is that there are different textures in it. Now that probably wouldn't be so bad if the textures were, say, some small kinky curls and some larger softer curls. That is not the case with my hair. My hair has smaller soft silky curls in tha back and on the sides, while the front and top of my hair is almost bone straight and actually quite dry. Sure, when it's wet it slightly curls up into large loose curls but I can not manipulate them at all if I want to maintain the curl. The result of doing that leaves me with straight, frizzy, dry looking hair in front and on the sides and with beautiful moist looking small coilies everywhere else.
So in short my issues are lack of curl definition and frizziness. To that, this is my solution: After shampooing or cowashing (washing with conditioner) I do not, repeat DO NOT, towel dry it. I put in my hand a quarter size amount of cheapie conditioner, like VO5 ( I love Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream... ummm) or Suave, or even Herbal Essences conditioners which I really like (esp. Totally Twisted in purple bottle) but you have to be careful to apply a conditioner that's not too thick because you'll have to manipulate the hair too much to get in into your hair thus making this all in vain. With the conditioner in my hand I add an equal part of castor oil and rub it together and put in my hair. I am still careful not to manipulate the hair too much. I find that the conditioner moisturizes well and the castor oil gives great shine. It can be a little annoying with the water dripping down but I just wipe the water off and soon it stops dripping. If I'm in a rush I'll spray my heat protector on my hair (that adds shine as well) and blowdry my hair on warm until it stops dripping.
Notice how the front is a completely different texture. This is what it looked like before. I don't have an after picture but it does help. (Click pic to see larger)

See how curly it is on the side versus the top. UGH!!

"All Natural" Growth Aid

So I was on a hair forum that I frequent and everyone was talking about this "new" growth aid. Initially I didn't pay much attention because I try not to jump on every bandwagon, especially if it can potentially be harmful to my hair. There was one growth aid that's all the rage, where they use miconzal nitrate mixed with some type of oil and apply it to scalp. Oh, and in case you didn't

already know, miconzal nitrate is none other than the medical name for Monistat. Yes, you heard me right. Monistat. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not judging them or anything for using this. Shoot, they were getting results. I just didn't want to try it. I didn't want to risk it. But when I finally went in to read about this other growth aid called "MoeGro Growth Recipe", I saw that all the ingredients were all natural. I figured I could give it a try. So I purchased my ingredients and brewed me up a bath. I don't have any results yet but I will keep you all posted. It has been said that hair grows at an "average" rate of 0.5 inches per month. Just to let you know one member of the the forum reported 0.5 to .25 inches of growth in a week. She said she got more growth if she massaged her scalp nightly for atleast 5 minutes. So with that, I'll leave you guys the recipe. Tell me if you decide to try it.

MoeGro Growth Recipe
supplies:one glass jar, 6oz of jojoba oil or macadamia nut oil, 2oz aloe vera juice/gel, 2 tbsp of horsetail herbs, plastic squirt bottle (like the one for hair dye)

1. place oil and herbs in the jar
2. place jar in a pot of boiling water and allow the oil heat up
3. remove jar from water and place the top on it. Let this sit for three days so the herbs can infuse with the oil
4. strain oil in to squirt bottle
5. pour in 2oz of aloe
6.shake well and your ready to go

with this mix you will oil your SCALP (afterwards, I brush it through my hair) if you use Jojoba you may have to 6reapply every two days because your scalp will absorb the oil completely. With the mac. oil you will reapply it once a week depending on how fast your scalp absorbs the oil.continue to wash and condition you hair as usual just don"t pile on a bunch of other products. If you can don't put any thing else on you SCALP you dont want to clog you pores.

Some have substituted olive oil for the oil. I personally used coconut oil, but I now think it would be best to use jojoba oil. (It's a bit more expensive).