Style Post: Unravelled Crochet Havana Twists

After 3 weeks of using my curly wig, I decided it was time for a new look. So my new protective style is unravelled crochet havana twists. I simply re-used the     Xpression Naomi boom twists I used here. I washed the twists with warm water and shampoo and spread them out to dry before installing them.

How I Prepared My Hair:
Prepoo: ORS Replenishing Conditioner + Hairveda Sitrinillah
Shampoo: Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Shampoo (lathered twice)
Conditioner: Alberto VO5 Sun-kissed Raspberry with Chamomile Balancing Conditioner (Left on for 5 minutes and rinsed out with cold water)
Leave-in Conditioner: Profectiv Megagrowth Daily Leave in Strengthener, sealed with Grapeseed oil.
Air-dried, detangled and applied Cantu  Shea Butter Creamy Lotion for Natural Hair just before braiding up my hair. I also oiled my scalp with my oil mix.

My braid pattern and installation method was just the same as when initially installed the naomi boom twists. The only difference between the hair styles is that I unravelled each twist after installing all.

I looove eeit! I really do. This style is a keeper. I'm following my usual protective style regimen. It is important to take care of one's hair and not abandon it while underneath/in protective styles. I spray my hair with diluted Lusters' S.curl Curl Activator Moisturizer and oil my scalp once in 2 - 3 days.


Who else loves crochet hairstyles the way I do?

xx,
Bee

Recommended Hair Products for HHJ Beginners

This post is majorly for ladies that have just started their hair journey and those planning to start. I have received several messages from ladies asking which hair products they would need in their HHJ. I decided to compile this list and make it a blog post so that anyone interested can go through it. I made the list with my naija ladies in mind, although it can also be useful to everyone, so most of the products are easy to find here. They are also relatively affordable and with good reviews.

However, I have to point out that the success of your HHJ is not about products but about practices. Someone using the most expensive hair products but using heat too often and using fine toothed comb will struggle with making progress with their hair.

Read this post to know how and when to use each category of products in your regimen or how to build your regimen.

Shampoos
Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free shampoo (sulphate-free; can be used weekly)
ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo (Clarifying/Neutralising; can be used once a month or more)
Alberto V05 Shampoos  (Clarifying;  can be used once a month or more)
African Naturalista Black Moisturising Shampoo (sulphate-free)

Rinse-out Conditioners
Alberto V05 conditioners
Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisturising Conditioner
Suave Conditioners

Moisture Deep Conditioners
Organics by Africa's Best Olive Oil Deep conditioner
Motions Moisture Plus Conditioner
Organics by Africa's Best Tea Trea and Cholesterol Deep Conditioner
Queen Helene Cholesterol Deep Conditioner

Protein Deep Conditioners
ORS Replenishing Conditioner  (Light or Balanced)
ORS Hair Mayonnaise  (Medium)
Organics Hair Mayonnaise  (Medium)
Aphogee Two-step Protein Treatment (Hard)
Aphogee Two Minutes Keratin Reconstructor (Light)
Vitale Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise (Light)

Leave-in Conditioners
Profectiv Megagrowth daily leave-in strengthener  (Protein)
Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-in Conditioner (Moisture)
African Pride Shea Butter Miracle Moisture Intense Leave-in (Moisture)
Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioning Repair Cream (Protein)

Moisturisers
ORS Olive Oil Incredibly Rich Moisturising Hair Lotion
Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion
Elasta qp Mango Butter Moisturiser
Luster's Scurl Activator Moisturiser

Carrier oils and Butters
Extravirgin Olive oil
Extravirgin Coconut oil
Avocado oil
Shea butter
Cocoa butter

Essential oils (should be used ONLY Diluted)
Eucalyptus oil
Lavender oil
Peppermint oil
Tea tree oil

A good practice before purchasing hair products is to read reviews online.

P.S.: This list is by no means extensive, there are several other great hair products. I will be updating with new products from time to time.


xx,
Bee.

DIY HOMEMADE FACIAL SCRUB FOR BLACKHEADS

I never really had a reason to take facial care seriously until recently. That is because I did not have issues with pimples/acne. My face was just effortlessly. Even the few stubborn ones that pop up at that "time" of the month dry up within a matter of days. The story changed a few months ago when I started having crazy breakouts and blackheads. Alas! my face is not as flawless as it used to be *sobs*. I have still not been able to figure out why I'm get them, age or hormones maybe.

Anyway, I have been more proactive with my facial care/routine. However, while I have been able to significantly reduce the breakouts, the blackheads are more difficult to get rid of. Hence, the need for a scrub. I did some research online and threw together some ingredients I had in my kitchen.

RECIPE
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup fine sea salt
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon cinnamon powder
1 Tablespoon spoon Grapeseed oil 
Directions: Add all ingredients into a bowl, mix thoroughly with a fork and scoop the mixture in to a container of your choice that has a lid. Quite easy right? I know!

How to use: Wash your face then scoop some of the scrub and apply to your face moving in circular motions. Do this for 3 to 5 minutes and rinse with warm water. Follow with an astringent or toner of your choice. Do this at least once a week.

I especially love the smell of the scrub because of the cinnamon and honey.

Note: To get the most benefits of using a facial scrub, it's best to use it after facial steaming. This is because the steaming would have opened up your pores.

That is it ladies! I hope this works for me, fingers crossed.

Will you give this a try, what other easy diy remedies do you have up your sleeves? I would love to read from you in the comments section.

xx,
Bee.

Hair Update

Hello ladies!
So long! This is a recap of what I have been doing to my hair for the past few weeks. I rocked the cute knotted updo for 2 weeks and had one washday in between. After two weeks I decided to give versatile crochet braid (that I can style in different ways) try. I did a protein treatment with Organics Hair Mayonnaise and followed with Hot oil treatment  (Grapeseed oil + Olive oil + peppermint oil).

I used a little less than a pack of bonny hair for the crochet braids. I left some hair around my perimeter and for middle and side parts. After installing the hair, I did not like it so much, because it was too prone to tangling and super huge. I blow-dried it to make it more manageable and improve the looks. It looked much better after blow-drying but still I could not let the hair down at all for fear of tangles.

After blow-drying

This defeated the purpose of the installing the hair, I wanted to be able to let it down and have it in a lovely ponytail. I had to resort to only updos for the two weeks I kept it in. Next time I try the versatile crochet braids, I will use X-pression braiding hair instead.

Some updos with the versatile crochet braids

I noticed unusual amount of breakage after taking the crochet braids out. :( I was ill for some days and I totally neglected my hair during this period, so I suspect this as the cause the breakage. I used Aphogee Keratin Two Minutes Reconstructor on my last wash day to keep the breakage in check. I have also decided to give my hair some TLC by going back to my wigging ways. :-).

Love love my curly wig

What have you been up to with your hair? Remember, to get great results, you have to be consistent... 

xx,
Bee.

Style Post: Washday Ft. Easy 5 minutes Knotted Updo

When I saw KLP @ SavingOurStrands' knotted updo a while ago, I made a mental note to try it out someday. The day finally came on my last washday. I was not even sure it would look good enough for me to leave it as my protective style for the week. No harm in trying right.

Of course I had to make my hair clean and conditioned first.

• Deep conditioned on slightly damp hair with ORS Replenishing Conditioner for 20 minutes with heat.
• Shampoo'd with Creme of Nature Moisture and Shine Sulphate-free Shampoo.
• Conditioned for 5 minutes with Alberto VO5 Herbal Escapes Sun Kissed Raspberry with chamomile extract Balancing Conditioner.
• Tshirt-dried for about 30 minutes, sealed with Grapeseed oil, applied Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener, detangled in sections and air-dried.
• I oiled my scalp when my hair was dry and followed the pictorial below

Credit: KLP @ SavingOurStrands

My Result

I love love love this updo, so easy and quick to do but looks intricate and complex. I also love the fact that the ends of the hair are well tucked away. This updo has come to stay in my look book. It's my numero uno lazy protective style for now. 

If you have never tried it you should. Check here for a more detailed tutorial.

xx,

Bee