Good Hair Day!!!

This past weekend I had a great hair day!!! I went out thrift shopping (and of course stopped by my fav forever 21) and also went to dinner and a movie with my old high school friends. My hair was FABULOUS this day!! it was the same old braid out like I always do buuuut my hair was super define, soft, and fluffy! I was in love and of course had to have a mini photo shoot! lol 

So I know what your wondering..why was your braid out soooo FABULOUS this day raven?!!?!?! well I've introduced a new product in my routine!! and its about time I share it with yall..Ill be uploading a video about this wonderful new found product this week!! so stay tune to my YouTube channel: SimplyRay1 

OOTD!!!!

Shirt: Goodwill

Tights: Forever 21

Sweater: Thrifted

Boots: Forever 21 

Chain: Local Jewelry Shop 

Can I touch?!?!?

ok so I'm sure every natural has experience a wandering hand from a stranger in their fro!! Everyone reaction to this is also VERY different. Some don't mind when people touch their hair, and assume their just being curious. While others view this as very disrespectful ! and will quickly give the side eye to anyone who decided to come in contact with their fro -_-!!! Me personally, I don't mind if you ask first, and don't get crazy!! I hate when people just grab my fro to see if its "soft" without even asking me first. Like its not on my HEAD!! lol or when I do give them permission they started molesting my hair and scalp to make sure its real!

I was at work last week, and had my hair out in a big braid out .This lady comes to my register (of the darker complexion)  and is staring hard at my hair..she then ask if its mines..I say yes, and of course she wants to feel it and "check"..Yep she weave checked me! not only did she feel my hair, but she went down to the SCALP!! I was startled and surprised. She look at me with wide eyes and said "wow! that is yours"....-_- really!!! a light gentle stroke would have been sufficient but she had to get crazy smh

That wasn't the first time that happen to me!! I believe 75% of people genuinely believe my hair is wig! lol I don't let everyone touch my hair though..if you don't believe me OH WELL!! lol

But yea that's the only pet peeve I have about people touching my hair

How do you feel about people touching the fro??? Does it bother you or not so much?? Leave your comments below!!!

Guess what?!?!?!?

Another semester down!!! 2 more to go before I walk across the stage!! I cant wait!! this semester was hectic BUT its over! I took my last final exam today and will be home for the break by Monday . y'all will be seeing more post since I will be home bored with nothing else to do lol ..maybe some videos too :) until them PICTURE SPAM!!!

                                                I love how beanies look with my fro out now!!!

                                      Looking tired after getting no sleep during exam week smh 

:) 

Afro Puffy Twist Regime!!

OK so like I promised I'm back to share my Afro Puffy Twist regime..its pretty simple and easy (definitely a well needed break from my hair regime smh)

• I moisturize my hair at least 3 times a week.
•  I first spritz my twist with water (only spray the water where your hair ends, to keep the twist from getting to frizzy too much) 
• Then I rub my favorite moisturizer Qhemets Alma Olive Heavy Cream over my twist. Remember to only spread it over your hair..(no need to waste product on the extensions lol)
• I then rub Castor oil down each twist to seal in the moisture, and BAM!! all done lol 

I usually split my twist into four section, and just do a section at a time...

Now as far as my scalp!!! My scalp always seems to get very aggravated when I wear braids, I'm not sure why..but to prevent this I must make sure it doesn't get dry..if it does ill snatch these twist down in 2 seconds!!! lol I apply Castor oil to my scalp about every other day (my scalp literally drinks this stuff!!) I haven't experienced an aggravated scalp yet!! :) 

as far as washing my twist......nah!! Ill pass!! I hate washing extension, they never seem to look the same, get extra heavy, and the whole process is just a pain..I doubt ill keep these in that long to even worry about washing, and with that being said I have a confession to make!!! 

Im thinking about taking these twist down this weekend..yep this Sunday will make 2 weeks I've had them, and I cant take it anymore I miss my hair!!!! :( but will see how the weekend goes...

 

The bun I can achieve with these twist are BOSS tho!!! :) 

Afro Puffy Twist: Protective Style!!!!

ok so I know I've been talking about protective styling for awhile, and how I really want to try to do more of it in my 2 year of being natural..well I decided to stop playing around and get on board!! I decided to get AFRO PUFFY TWIST!!!

These twist are BOSS!!! I love them!!! I saw some naturals on YouTube with them and decided to give them a try..I know how to braid my hair BUT I'm reallllllllyyy slow!! So my sister helped me out (she actually did majority of it lol)..we used 3 packs of Marley hair, and I wanted them super long!! so we did not cut the hair in half..the roots are braided to help hold the twist in place, and the rest is just twisted down..Ill leave a link below of how to install these twist...

I mainly wear them in a high bun (which I love) because Im not use to all this hair on my back lol but im slowly getting use to wearing them down. I love how thick and natural looking these twist are..Several people asked if these was my hair lol..

I plan to leave these in for at least 3-4 weeks..Ill post my regime on how I keep my hair moisturized with braids soon!!

Oh yea thanks for all who have subscribed to my youtube channel!!! I plan to start making videos again in December ,when I get my macbook for Christmas!!!!! :)






Check out Addicted2GlamXO tutorial on how to install Afro Puffy Twist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz3xt4MOHuE

OOTD: Red Oxfords = New LOVE!!!

I'm in freaking love with these shoes!!! I got them from Forever 21! they were the only size left and my luck it was a size 6!!! They were only $20 and such a statement piece!! They are red oxfords with gold studs around the top, sides and back of the shoe. I paired them with a polka dot button up shirt and blazer!! 

Shoes: Forever 21
Shirt: Forever 21
Jeans: Old Navy
Blazer: Forever21

(yea I love Forever 21) lol

How was my hair you ask???

I left my hair braided in my chunky braids, and only took a section out in the front to make a high pompadour .simple, cute, and a great protective style!!

Update: Twist and Fall is Coming!!!

Omg its been a minute since I updated the blog!! sorry about that! This semester is going by crazy fast, and this work is no joke, but I'm staying focused and its been paying off so far...:)

ok so here's a quick update as far as my hair I've been trying this whole protective style thing more often..Last week I put medium size twist in my hair and left them in for a week!! Having the twist help soooooo much with my schedule. At night I just re-moisturize them with water/qhemets AOHC/ EVOO and Castor oil mix. Place them in a low ponytail, put my bonnet on and go to sleep. In the morning I take the ponytail out and style them however. I've mostly been wearing them in a low ponytail or bun. And use accessories likes hats and beanies to cover them when they start looking old and frizzy.

 I installed a new set last night for this week!!!

In other new!!! Fall is coming and the weather is SLOWLY changing!! I say slowly because its still 80 degrees here in SC, but it should be dropping by next week (hopefully)!! I LOOOOVE the fall!! I'm a big fan of sweaters, boots, oxfords, scarves, beanies, and button up shirts!! I cant wait till it gets a little more chilly to break out these fashion!! I plan on blogging about the Fall Fashion since I absolutely adore it, and posting OOTD (Outfit of the Day) !!

I will be posting more on the blog, I plan on doing at least one blog post a week!! As far as my you tube channel I will be posting new videos soon!!

So that's my quick update!! hope all is well with y'all :)

Pop of color!!!

Decided to spice things up and bleach the side part of my hair!! It was suppose to actually bleach that whole section BUT only took at the root! lol I still love it!! I definitely needed this change..as my hair grows out I will continue to dye this section blond!!

I used Clairol Kaleidoscopic with a 20 volume base..according to the worker at Sally's this was the most MILD bleach. I section the hair in the front i wanted to bleach, and place the rest in a plastic cap..I only left it on for about 20mins and deep conditioned after. lol I was nervous the whole time!! 

 Because this area is bleached with chemicals I plan on making sure it stays moisturized to avoid breakage

I LOVE IT tho!! channeling my inner wiz khalifia  lol (the rapper) 

Update on Lajay!!!

OK so the semester has began and has not been light on a sista!!! I already have papers, exams, and quizzes piling up!! smh sooo of course finding time to do my hair is becoming harder..I haven't worn my hair down since I been back. I either wear a puff, turban, or my WIG!! Yep that's right La jay is still in the picture!!

 OMG she comes in handy when I want to be cute and have big hair without bothering mines!
And she blends so well people never think that its a wig!! I cut it a little more so it could be the exact length of my hair (shown below)

  My real hair down (it didn't stay like this long..soon as humidity hit it I threw her right up in a puff!!)

La Jay! She come in handy on those very few night I decided to go out!!! But as you can see she is still blending quite well and the older she gets the more I love her!!! She seems to frizz more and look even more closer to my hair type with time! 

SN: Stay tuned for a tutorial on how I stretch my hair with rollers on my YouTube channel SOON!!! 

Vlog: Night Time Routine

Just posted a new video on my you tube channel explaining how I moisturize and re-braid my hair each night when I wear it out. Go check it out!! Ill be posting my morning routine (take down process) soon!!! My you tube channel is SimplyRay1! Subscribe!!! :) :)

Greek yogurt = the BEST DC!!!

That's right is you haven't tried it you are definitely missing out!!! Greek yogurt is the best ingredient to add to your deep conditioner..My hair always feels butter soft after using this in my DC. Greek yogurt serves as a protein treatment as well as a moisturizing DC!! So its like 2-n-1..its not expensive at all (which is greater for my broke college student budget), only cost $1-2 dollars. I usually get the plain flavor, and let it get to room temperature before applying to my hair, because I hate putting cold things on my hair lol...Now I know your probably thinking "but I don't want my hair smelling like yogurt though!!!" lol. Don't worry it wont smell like that at all..just make sure to rinse well, and the smell disappears..here is what I mix with the Greek yogurt

 Greek Yogurt DC recipe!!
-Greek yogurt
- Aubrey Organics (my staple conditioner)
-EVOO
-Castor oil

That's it!!! its sooo simple, but gives the best results!! My hair is soft, conditioned, moisturized, and ready for the week after this treatment. I let it sit for about 2 hours! Rinse it out and then style as usually..

Im pretty sure this is what keeps my hair strong and healthy as well!!

:)

Protective Style where art thou!!!!

Soooo the semester has begun and I'm already sick of doing my hair...these late night up re-braiding my hair is not going to work on top of these 8:30 classes and load of work!! I will be going to a protective style ASAP!!! I'm not sure if I want Senegalese, yarn twist, or box braids (leaning more to yarn twist, since its cheap and I can install them myself, and wont feel guilty when I take them out early). Hopefully I can get my hair braided within 2 weeks, until then I will mostly be wearing turbans/head wraps and my half wig. Every so often I might let my hair out for fun!!! My goal during my 3rd year natural is to do more protective styling anyways..might as well start early

My "ugh i hate doing my hair, but I need to" face lol 

I've been featured!!!!!!

ok so just to let yall know!!! lol This past summer I've been featured on both curlynikki and blackgirlwithlonghair blog!!! I loooooove these two blogs (check them both about everyday) so I was super excited to see my story on them!! Thanks for all comments and compliments!! It makes me more eager to upload more vids and blog post!! Buuuuuuuut Im now back at school, starting another busy semester smh..but I will try to continue to post blog post, and videos so stay on the look out!!

again thanks for all the love and support!!

Vlog: Natural Hair vs. Summer Heat!!!

Quick vlog about my battle with this summer heat!!! I'm so glad summer is slowly coming to an end!! I cant take this!!! lol

Im in LOVE!!!!!

This was my second time washing with the Terressentials lavender mud wash this week, (I only use it twice a month), and I'm officially in LOVE!!! This stuff is amazing!! My hair felt butter soft, clean, and I notice my hair held moisture and product longer. I use to re-braid with product every night, but now I use product every other night! Also I notice when my hair shrinks from humidity, instead of it looking like a frizzy hot mess!! it looks more like a wash n go! My curly ringlets began to show w/o any frizz!! I'm in love with this stuff!! I still have half a bottle (a little goes a long way), so pretty much an 8oz bottle can last me 4 washes (not too bad). I will be definitely be buying more, and adding this to my regimen

Here are some pics of my hair this week!! 

  

This is how it look shrunken!! No FRIZZ!! and it resembled a wash n go!! 

How to keep natural hair moisturized!!

One of the biggest problems most naturals face is moisture!! Many naturals complain that their hair is dry and brittle, and feels more like a Brillo pad than fluffy cotton. Moisturizing natural hair can be tricky at first, but its simply a 2 step process. 

Believe it or not, WATER is the best moisturizer for your hair!! Water is a natural moisturizer that keeps our hair hydrated and soft, BUT you must LOCK the water in your hair with some type of SEALANT. A sealant is usually an oil or butter, such as Shea butter, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and Castor oil. Sealants are used to seal the water in your hair, which keeps its soft and moisturized. You can also use a cream base sealant, mixed with oils and butters to lock moisture in as well. My favorite cream based sealant is Qhemets Alma and Olive heavy cream!! 

Now if water doesn't seem like enough for your hair (especially if your strands are thick like mines) you can also use a water base moisturizer or a leave in conditioner. The first ingredient on a water based moisturizer is usually water. Some naturals use this instead of plain water because it has other ingredients mix with the water to add a little more moisture. My favorite water base moisturizer/leave in conditioner are: Oyin Greg Juice, Oyin Shine and Define, Jane Carter Leave in Spray. 

So that's it!! Water, a water base moisturizer, and a sealant is all you need to keep that fro soft. Now the tough part is finding a sealant or moisturizer best suited for your hair. For example, my hair HATES coconut oil! It does nothing for me, and leaves me with dry crunchy hair. But my hair adores EVOO and Shea butter as a sealant!! Many natural say sealant such as Shea butter and Castor oil are too heavy for their hair, and rather lighter oils such as coconut oil and jojoba oil. So it may take some experimenting, but find what works best for your hair!!

This may seem like a lot to remember so here is an easy acronym that can help you remember how to moisturize your strands L.O.C.

L: Liquid 

O: Oil 

C:Cream (moisturizer) 

FIRST/LIQUID: spray water or use a water base moisturizer

SECOND/OIL: Apply an oil to seal the moisture in

THIRD/CREAM: Apply an oil based cream moisturizer.