Posts
Thursday, October 18, 2012
My Yarn Twists
Last winter around November, I tried Yarn braids for the first time --and LOVED THEM. The only thing that stopped me from putting them in since then was the installation and take down times... Those things took forever to put in and had my fingers cramping (as someone who does my own hair ALL THE TIME, that's saying alot). Recently, with the cold weather (hopefully) approaching and me wanting an alternative protective style to sew ins, I decided to give these a second chance. This time, however, I decided to try twisting them, instead of braiding. Let me tell you, that was one of the smartest ideas I've ever had. Unfortunately, I didn't really track the installation time for these, I had 3 days in a row off, so I worked a little each day, while watching season 2 of Gossip Girl on Netflix. Nonetheless, I can say, compared to yarn braids, the installation of these were Painless, and I made them smaller this time! I used 5 strands of yarn for each braid because I wanted them thick, and let me tell you, these things are THICK! I will have to surely work some sort of magic, if I ever want to get these into a bun. I love high buns so this a little disappointing, but I'm sure I'll figure something out. As far as weight they are not heavy AT ALL! Especially when wearing them down. When I did attempt to put them up, they were a little heavy, but fresh braids usually are. My goal is to keep these in for 4-6 weeks, I haven't decided which is my actual goal time, yet. I want to consider this some sort of Protective Style Challenge. Feel free to follow my styling and upkeep of these braids on Instagram (Genetra) and check in for Youtube updates on the style (youtube.com/Genetra) (I will be uploading the YouTube video about my yarn twists in a few days. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
Friday, October 12, 2012
All About Heat Damage!
There's alot of debate surrounding heat damage. I am here only to offer my own opinion and personal experience.
What is Heat Damage? Heat Damage can be caused by a variety of styling tools including blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. What happens is heat breaks down the hydrogen bonds that are found in the hair shaft. This causes the hair to be able to be "shaped" while hot, and retain that shape when cooled, or until it comes in contact while another hydrogen process (i.e. more heat or water/humidity).
What Causes Heat Damage? A couple of things can cause heat damage. The prolonged or daily use of styling tools or even one instance of extreme heat.
Prevention & Care - Personally, I take both preventative and after-care steps whenever I choose to use heat on my hair, which is not often. I generally do not flat iron more than 2-3 times a year, or I at least wait 2 months between times. I take extreme care with my hair PRIOR to heat styling. I deep condition overnight before hand, and I then use a small amount of Giovanni Direct Leave In, and alot of Grapeseed Oil (I like the NOW brand, so far). Grapeseed Oil, I have found gives me the best straight results and and heat protectant. It helps to smooth my hair cuticle and gives me glossier, sleek straight hair and also offer heat protection well over 400 degrees, though I never use anything over 392 degrees on my hair, and that is one pass only. After I am done with a straight style I then steam my hair with the Huetiful Hair steamer and apply some sort of Intense Moisture AND Protein treatments. This is imperative to re-balance the hair and get your curls back popping! Also, don't be alarmed if your curls are a LITTLE loose after heat styling; after using protein and moisture you could shingle then with a Denman brush or fingercoil them and the curls should re-form. Personally, (especially when using Grapeseed oil & recently trying Aveda's Smooth Infusion products) I have found that after straightening my hair it has actually added more uniformity to my curls and taken away some of the frizz that resulted from coloring it blonde.
Finally, heat damage is still very unpredictable and everyone's experience could differ. But taking the extra pre-cautions and caring correctly for your hair after should result well, for most. Please comment below about your own experiences with heat, tips and tricks!
Let me know if you have any questions! I will be straightening my hair again sometime this winter, so stay tuned!
What is Heat Damage? Heat Damage can be caused by a variety of styling tools including blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. What happens is heat breaks down the hydrogen bonds that are found in the hair shaft. This causes the hair to be able to be "shaped" while hot, and retain that shape when cooled, or until it comes in contact while another hydrogen process (i.e. more heat or water/humidity).
What Causes Heat Damage? A couple of things can cause heat damage. The prolonged or daily use of styling tools or even one instance of extreme heat.
Prevention & Care - Personally, I take both preventative and after-care steps whenever I choose to use heat on my hair, which is not often. I generally do not flat iron more than 2-3 times a year, or I at least wait 2 months between times. I take extreme care with my hair PRIOR to heat styling. I deep condition overnight before hand, and I then use a small amount of Giovanni Direct Leave In, and alot of Grapeseed Oil (I like the NOW brand, so far). Grapeseed Oil, I have found gives me the best straight results and and heat protectant. It helps to smooth my hair cuticle and gives me glossier, sleek straight hair and also offer heat protection well over 400 degrees, though I never use anything over 392 degrees on my hair, and that is one pass only. After I am done with a straight style I then steam my hair with the Huetiful Hair steamer and apply some sort of Intense Moisture AND Protein treatments. This is imperative to re-balance the hair and get your curls back popping! Also, don't be alarmed if your curls are a LITTLE loose after heat styling; after using protein and moisture you could shingle then with a Denman brush or fingercoil them and the curls should re-form. Personally, (especially when using Grapeseed oil & recently trying Aveda's Smooth Infusion products) I have found that after straightening my hair it has actually added more uniformity to my curls and taken away some of the frizz that resulted from coloring it blonde.
Finally, heat damage is still very unpredictable and everyone's experience could differ. But taking the extra pre-cautions and caring correctly for your hair after should result well, for most. Please comment below about your own experiences with heat, tips and tricks!
Let me know if you have any questions! I will be straightening my hair again sometime this winter, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Introducing The Kinky Kouture Kit!
Available in the boutique kinkykouture.bigcartel.com
Also available unique jewelry. Email kinkykouturehair@gmail.com for customer orders!
Also available unique jewelry. Email kinkykouturehair@gmail.com for customer orders!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Protective Style of the Week: Two Strand Twists and My Vitamin Packed Mega Growth Oil Infusion
How I went from this:
To this:
I decided to put my hair up for the week. I am SO pleased with the results of my two strand twists. They are super soft, moisturized and have a nice shine to them. Though they did shrink quite a bit, they are extremely fluffy and bouncy. Now, for how I got the style. I didn't wash my hair to achieve my twists. I literally went from the above style in the first pic of my 3 day old wash and go, right into the twists. I started by filling my spray bottle with water, a little conditioner, and a good amount of my Homemade Infusion. The product is pictured below. I make it on my own using a multitude of ingredients. It is FULL of essential oils, vitamins, and raw organic ingredients and is a Mega Growth Potion that aides with healthy hair. The bottle below is the same type that I have for sale, you can purchase it by emailing me, it will later be included on my website.
I then began parting my hair in sections, each section I sprayed down with my the mix and then detangled with my knock-off Denman brush (it gets the job done for a fraction of the price). I added a tiny bit of Olive Oil Ecostyler gel to the ends of section before twisting. I am out of town, which is why I used the OOEcostyler, Otherwise, I would have used my Homemade, Healthy Hair Gel, that I will be offering for sale as well. It is made of all natural ingredients and is great for length retention. Then, I simply twisted my hair in small sections and coiled the ends aroung my fingers. It is still drying as we speak (only the roots are still damp). I plan to wear these twists all week starting out by dressing them up with headbands and scarves, and as they get older I will pull them into a bun/ponytail. I will post update pics in a few days!
Common Misconceptions About Natural Hair
I asked, You Answered! ..And now I'm commenting!
I posed the question on my Instagram(Genetra), "What do you think are some common misconceptions about Natural Hair? Below are your answers, and a few of my own. Note that these statements are MISCONCEPTIONS, meaning they are not true (or not entirely true in some cases):
-- "You can't comb through it". Dry combing is neither easy nor healthy for natural kinks and coils, however, I find my hair extremely easy to comb through anytime it is damp/wet and has some sort of product in it(i.e. conditioner).
-- "Natural hair isn't versatile". False. Natural hair is even more versatile than chemically processed hairor any type.
-- "It doesn't fit everyone's features". How can the hair you were born with, that grows out of your head not fit your features?!
-- "It doesn't look good". Once again, its the hair that grows out of your head. Without proper care and maintenance any hair will look "bad". Natural hair that is cared for, is beyond beautiful.
-- "Your hair will be nappy". This is actually true, however, we need to take the negative connotation off of the word "nappy". Why does the word "nappy", which is only associated with the tresses of ethnic women, considered something unattractive or to be ashamed of? In my opinion, if you call my hair nappy, it is a compliment, a part of who I am and a staple to my identity. Yes, as a natural your hair may be nappy, but does that automatically mean dry, unkept, and unmanageable (which is often the image meant to be portrayed by the term)? Let's stop conforming to the "white is right" mentality and be concerned about the health of our scalp and hair. RANT OVER :)
-- "It's not professional". Again, what standard of beauty and professionalism are we conforming to? I wear a puff, twist out, or turban/head scarf to work any day! How I wear my hair, should not detract from my credentials.
These are all that I am going to comment on, for now. If you have any topics for discussion please let me know by commenting here or emailing me at kinkykouturehair@gmail.com
I posed the question on my Instagram(Genetra), "What do you think are some common misconceptions about Natural Hair? Below are your answers, and a few of my own. Note that these statements are MISCONCEPTIONS, meaning they are not true (or not entirely true in some cases):
-- "You can't comb through it". Dry combing is neither easy nor healthy for natural kinks and coils, however, I find my hair extremely easy to comb through anytime it is damp/wet and has some sort of product in it(i.e. conditioner).
-- "Natural hair isn't versatile". False. Natural hair is even more versatile than chemically processed hairor any type.
-- "It doesn't fit everyone's features". How can the hair you were born with, that grows out of your head not fit your features?!
-- "It doesn't look good". Once again, its the hair that grows out of your head. Without proper care and maintenance any hair will look "bad". Natural hair that is cared for, is beyond beautiful.
-- "Your hair will be nappy". This is actually true, however, we need to take the negative connotation off of the word "nappy". Why does the word "nappy", which is only associated with the tresses of ethnic women, considered something unattractive or to be ashamed of? In my opinion, if you call my hair nappy, it is a compliment, a part of who I am and a staple to my identity. Yes, as a natural your hair may be nappy, but does that automatically mean dry, unkept, and unmanageable (which is often the image meant to be portrayed by the term)? Let's stop conforming to the "white is right" mentality and be concerned about the health of our scalp and hair. RANT OVER :)
-- "It's not professional". Again, what standard of beauty and professionalism are we conforming to? I wear a puff, twist out, or turban/head scarf to work any day! How I wear my hair, should not detract from my credentials.
These are all that I am going to comment on, for now. If you have any topics for discussion please let me know by commenting here or emailing me at kinkykouturehair@gmail.com
Curlz Next Door: Meet Sho!
This week's Curlz Next Door is here! Meet Miss Sho!
· Instagram: Misssho21 ; Twitter: @ShoUp_N_ShoOut
· Arlington, TX
· I decided to go natural because I was intrigued by the versatility of being natural. Your hair, although in its natural state,can conform to pretty much any curly or straight style. I love that fact. I transitioned for 8 months before I BC'd November 8, 2010!
· My favorite products (since doing the CG method)are: TRESemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner, L’Oreal EverCreme CleansingConditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave In, Whipped Shea Butter, Shea Moisture CurlEnhancing Smoothie & Hair Milk, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Carrot Oil, and Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer. My go to styles are: My Puff with a flattwist or small hump, Half pinned up, w/the top flowing to the side, and a Banana clipped Mohawkwith a textured hump.
· Hardest: 1) Sticking to a Regimen. 2) Patience. 3)Detangling. Easiest: 1) Finding your Texture 2) Versatility 3)Hair Growth
· What I love most about natural hair goes hand inhand with why I decided to go natural. I love the fact that it’s versatile. I also love the fact that it’s healthier than relaxed hair causing it to grow fast.
· The question I want answered is, if there is aproduct out there that actually elongates curls and doesn’t cause extremeshrinkage for 3C/4A hair texture once it dries? I don’t want to have to band or tension dry in order to elongate my wash and goes or twist out styles.
· Arlington, TX
· I decided to go natural because I was intrigued by the versatility of being natural. Your hair, although in its natural state,can conform to pretty much any curly or straight style. I love that fact. I transitioned for 8 months before I BC'd November 8, 2010!
· My favorite products (since doing the CG method)are: TRESemme Naturals Silicone Free Conditioner, L’Oreal EverCreme CleansingConditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave In, Whipped Shea Butter, Shea Moisture CurlEnhancing Smoothie & Hair Milk, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Carrot Oil, and Taliah Waajid Curl Sealer. My go to styles are: My Puff with a flattwist or small hump, Half pinned up, w/the top flowing to the side, and a Banana clipped Mohawkwith a textured hump.
· Hardest: 1) Sticking to a Regimen. 2) Patience. 3)Detangling. Easiest: 1) Finding your Texture 2) Versatility 3)Hair Growth
· What I love most about natural hair goes hand inhand with why I decided to go natural. I love the fact that it’s versatile. I also love the fact that it’s healthier than relaxed hair causing it to grow fast.
· The question I want answered is, if there is aproduct out there that actually elongates curls and doesn’t cause extremeshrinkage for 3C/4A hair texture once it dries? I don’t want to have to band or tension dry in order to elongate my wash and goes or twist out styles.
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