I'm so over the whole "TWA" thing!

Ok so I did it. I experienced it. I tried to figure out which products would work best for it. Now I'm over it. I enjoyed my short stint with the "TWA", but now it's over. I'm at a weird length that's in between TWA and BA (big afro. Some would add an extra "A" to BA, but anyway....I'm ready to just put this stuff up in some braids and revisit it in an inch or two. I'm planning on getting microbraids in a week or so but in the meantime I decided to blow it out and then straighten it. It was great the first day. It was a funky little rocker-do. Unfortunately, I didn't go anywhere so noone saw it, but I did take a picture. So here you go. Oh yeah, I plan on updating a little more often. I'm terrible with that I know. I'm going to do better. Btw, It doesn't look as good but it's still straight 3 days later. I attribute that to SMB (sabino Moisture Block) www.sabinohair.com. Check it out.

Check out my 'fro

I have been trying to be a bit more adventurous with my hair. All that means is that I've been trying to be ok with wearing an afro. While I think they look good on others', I'm not as comfortable with it on me. I've tried it several times and really didn't feel good about it, but forced myself to rock it. Well for some reason on one particular day I actually loved it. Me and my 'fro looked good that day! :-). I've had days since, where again, I DID NOT like it, but...I had my one good 'fro day. I have to say that I don't think it looks as good in the pics but here goes anyway.

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!!