Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Attention Frugalistas: Winter Hat Sale


Attention Frugalistas: Winter Hat Sale

If you’re anything like me and love a great sale, take note.  Winter hats are on clearance at Kohl’s for 60%, 70%, and 80% off! Yaay!!!!!  Don’t you just love saving money?!?! 

At first I was just browsing with no intent to purchase, but I saw this cute red half hat that was 80% off.  So I couldn’t resist, and I purchased for only $5.60.  The original price was $28.00.  Pretty good, if I do say so myself :-)

Hats are great to have in your hair tools bag.  They are very mufti-functional.  Hats can be worn for protection against the elements, as a fashion accessory, or as a camaflage on a bad hair day.


If there’s a Kohl’s nearby you may want to stop in.  It might just be worth the trip!


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Rainy Day Hair Tools




Rainy Day Hair Tools

Its raining today, so it inspired me to share a few rainy day tips.  Most people I know DO NOT react to rain like the movies and music videos.  You’ve seen it…they are outside acting totally oblivious to the fact that it's raining...carrying on and such. Some even dance in the torrential downpour.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love to dance….but that’s just a whole nother level that I’m not down with lol lol.

Overall, I will say that I am definitely more acceptable of the rain being a naturalista.  When I had straight hair I basically ran like the plaque when the rain came.  But now I am more accepting, because the effects on my hairstyle are not as drastic.  In actuality, I  enjoy an occasional mist or drizzle because it helps to hydrate my curls.  But when those drops start to pick up, there are a couple of things that I can do to preserve my style, and avoid looking like a frizzy mop.  Being natural doesn’t mean that I want to walk around with wet frizzy hair.  Here are a couple of tools that should help you out on those rainy days:

  • Hair Pins/Bobby Pins – This can really save your hairdo.  With these you can instantly pin back the sides, front, or both. You can even swoop all your hair into a quick updo as well. I usually keep a couple in strategic places (ie my desk at work, in the cup holder of my car, my purse, etc). 
  • Headband – This can provide a really effortless solution.  It will pull the hair away from your face and give you a bit of control in a stylist manner.
  • Gel or Pomade – Using gel or pomade will act as a shield between your strands and the rain, helping to reduce the frizz that the rain is trying so hard to produce. 
  • Hat or Scarf – Rocking a cute hat or scarf is a fashionable way to cover up those locks.  Sometimes the best thing you can do is cover it up.
  • Scrunchie or Hair Tie – These will allow you to gather your hair and pull it back into a quick bun, puff, pony tail, etc.  You can camouflage a lot with these tools.  I’ve always kept these in strategic places as well.  This dates back to my relaxer days. I usually always have one in my purse, or around the gear shifter in my hair.
  • Flower/Hair Comb/Barrette/Hair Clip – These act similar to the hair pins, but with some flare.  You can use flowers, combs, barrettes and clips to fashionably pin back your hair.  A few years ago this was actually my signature look.  I think I had a flower in just about every color :-)
  • Umbrella - I think this one is self-explanatory :-)  In addition to the umbrellas that I have stashed at work, home, and the car…I also have a mini one that I carry in my purse.  Never know when you might get caught!

As a rule, it's good to always have at least one of these items in you purse or vehicle, just in case you get caught one day, you’ll be able to avoid unwanted negative effects of the rain.

Feel free to share any tricks that help you….

Monday, February 25, 2013

Jumbo Bantu Knot Out on Flat Ironed Hair




Jumbo Bantu Knot Out on Flat Ironed Hair
Operation Straight Hair was a success!  Yaay I’ve got straight hair (well at least for the time being).  Ok, so now what?!?!  How do I maintain it?  Even when I had relaxed hair I was NEVER good a wrapping my hair, so that was out of the question.  Since I didn’t feel like fighting to get this mop of mine wrapped (you will soon learn that I am LOW maintenance when it comes to my hair) I decided to put in some big old bantu knots before bedtime.  Easy breezy :-)

My Process:
  1. Section hair into big sections (I did 6 altogether, 4 in the back, and 2 on the sides)
  2. Add Shea Butter to section of hair
  3. Put in Bantu Knot
  4. Secure with bobby pin
  5. Repeat on remainder of sections
  6. Tie up with scarf
  7. In the morning, undo Bantu Knots
  8. Shake and fluff

 What do you think?  Let me know your thoughts.



Sunday, February 24, 2013

Operation Straight Hair



Operation Straight Hair
For fear of heat damage, I don't straighten my hair very often.  Not to mention, I'm all about low maintenance and I don't like taking forever to style my hair.  But every once in a while a naturalista has a feel for a change.  

To reduce any potential heat damage I opted not to blow dry my hair.  I figure the less heat the better. So instead I dried it in my big ole dunky twists overnight, and proceeded to flat iron once they were dry the next day.
My Process (post wash and conditioner):
  1. Add Shea Butter to hair and put in big twist (about 8 twists)
  2. Let hair air dry
  3. Remove twists 
  4. Take small sections of hair and spritz with heat protectant
  5. Smooth out with flat iron



 

Introducing "Hair's Yvie"

Hello World...  Hair's Yvie.....(In my "Tonight Show" voice) lol

I am constantly receiving questions and comments from fellow kinky curly naturalistas (and non-naturals as well) on haircare and hair products.  So in the spirit of sharing, I decided to start a blog to share some of my experiences over the past years (thanks to my fellow UHart alum Juanita's prompting :-) 

I've had alot of trial and error, and some big hits and misses.  What works for one may or may not work for the other so its important to keep at it until you find what your hair response to.

By NO means am I an expert!!!  I still have days when I look like a big ole frizz ball.  But I will say that my good hair days definitely outweigh my bad hair days.  And for that I am thankful!  So for all you naturalista's out there, and those that are contemplating.....keep at it my friends!  Do not be discouraged.  You will find your groove.  I love living the natural life! It is totally worth all the ups and downs!  NO LYE!  :-)