Love, Life & Curls

Curls: Braided Bantu Knot-out

2011-02-04T16:50:00.001-06:00

Here are a few pictures from a Braided Bantu Knot-out. I sprayed my hair with water and conditioner, added Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and used Kinky- Curly Curling Custard on top (I still haven't found a finishing product that beats this). Think my hair was still a bit damp so some areas didn't take the curl of the bantu knot as much, and a good tip is to make sure your bantu knots are tight enough that they stay while u sleep. Otherwise, your hair may not take the curl of the bantu knot. :-)

Curls: Donut Bun with No Filling

2011-01-23T09:19:00.002-06:00

The other day when combing my hair for work, I decided to pull my hair back in a bun. Many times I use an old rolled up sock to slip my hair through the hole and cover the sock with my hair. Voila I have a bun.
Well I started to play around with my hair some,
and began to part my hair in the middle of the ponytail and spread it out (as though covering a sock). Once I spread the hair I began to wrap it around the clock wise, and pinned in a few places so it would stay. Here are a couple more picutes:

Curls: IC Fantasia Gel

2011-01-22T18:54:00.000-06:00

So I've been hearing so much about IC Fantasia Gel, and I'm low on funds so I decided to give it a try until I can get more Kinky Curly Curling Custard. It works pretty good. It gives definition and a little hold. I wouldn't pick this product over KCCC, although it is cost effective. First I tried on top of Aussie Moist, but that didn't work out too good. The mixture caused little white balls to appear all over my hair. I didn't give up on the product just yet, so I tried on top of Kinky Curly Knot Today. It worked fine I didn't have any white balls in my hair. Here are a few pictures:

Damp hair.

Dry hair

Pros: Fairly cheap, smells good, defines hair
Cons: Not a moisturizing feel to hair after dry, does not define as much as KCCC

Life: Orange is The New Red!

2011-01-21T05:52:00.001-06:00

So we all know about the bold red lip that has been around for years, but what about orange? Thats right, Orange is the new red. When it's time for a night out instead of rocking red, try a bright orange. It's just as fierce and sexy, but with a cute new twist! Check it out:

This orange lip is "Frost" from Mac.

This one is matte and it's "So Chald" from Mac.

I have on "So Chald" in my picture. I topped it off with one my favorite blushes from Mac:

"New Vibe" Mineralized Blush

Here is another picture I took.

Curls: Her Hair

2011-01-20T13:14:00.005-06:00

So have you ever seen another natural's hair and in a nice way envied that style? Well, that is exactly what "Her Hair" posts will be about. Different styles I've seen on others that are cute and stylish. I hope you keep up. If you want to submit your own style please do, and you will be featured in a post on Love, Life, and Curls.

Here is a picture of YouTuber Trenellm after she used curlformers on her natural hair. This style reminded me of the big bouncy curls we all can attain when using the right tools. I absolutely love the look! I think that soon enough I'll be doing my own "tryout" on the curlformers.

Just in case you aren't sure what a curlformer is, here is a picture of Trenellm with them stil in:

Life: Natural and Professional

2011-01-19T13:24:00.001-06:00

As an aspiring news reporter, while in college numerous times I've been told that I won't make it with my hair being natural. Many times people say that natural hair isn't professional, but who made that rule? Why isn't it professional? It is utterly ridiculous to believe that because my hair is not straight it makes me (or anyone else) less professional. This crass idea only comes from ignorance of people believing that in order for "black" hair to look combed or neat it must be straight or laid down. I must admit that when I first heard this in undergrad and when I started my first internship at a news station, I always tried to pull my hair back into a neat bun.
After while, when I really thought about what it was to be myself, I let go of the buns and flaunted the curls. My hair doesn't make me less of a reporter or less of a college instructor. My students still learn and the community will still be informed of the news story. So I refuse to let anyone tell me that because my hair can get a little wild that I won't or can't be successful. It's up to Black women to change that perception in society. No, I don't believe that everyone should be natural, but I do believe it's time to eradicate the nonsensical ideas attached to natural hair women and their ability to be professional in different settings or occupations. And the only way to do that is boldly where your natural hair!

Although this video is a bit old it's very fitting check it out:

Curls: Stylish Curlies

2011-01-19T12:58:00.001-06:00

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Curls: Chic High Bun

2011-01-12T23:00:00.004-06:00

This chic high bun is definitely a go to style when your curls just aren't acting right. It's very stylish and can be dressed up or down or worn for any occasion. Here are a few pictures of celebs rocking the look:

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A few days after my old twist out I decided to try this look before I refresh my curls. Here are a few pictures of my high bun:

Life: Angela's World: Loving Every Curve

2011-01-10T18:37:00.000-06:00

Angela's World: Loving Every Curve: "Dear Princesses, I wanted to take this time to talk to yo..."

Curls: Stylish Curlies

2011-01-09T17:55:00.000-06:00

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Curls:Twist out with Aussie Moist and Kinky- Curly Curling Custard

2011-01-09T16:38:00.001-06:00

Here are the results from the previous post of my twist. I added small rollers to the end to get extra curl.

Here you can see that there is still a lot of shrinkage

Curls: Finger Detangling Follow-Up, Aussie Moist, and Twists

2011-01-08T01:16:00.003-06:00

In a previos post I told you guys about my "less stress detangling" that allows me to detangle my hair but cause less stress; thus, giving me less shedding. Well after well over a week and matted and dry hair, I could not go any longer with out washing and conditioning my hair. I washed my hair with a Giovonni product, but I am really excited about my Aussie Moist experience. It was my first time purchasing the condition after hearing nothing but good things about it. I absolutely loved it! You get a good bit of conditioner for the price (33 fl oz for $7.60 with taxes). The smell was great, and it provided enough slip in my hair to finger detangle despite how tangled it was. I also left some of the Aussie in as a leave-in, and I am very pleased! Here are a few pictures:

The amount of shedding from finger detangling and following with a wide-tooth comb

My hair freshly washed and conditioned with Aussie Moist

I decided to twist my hair for the night by adding Kinky- Curly Curling Custard on top of the Aussie Moist.

When I twists my hair while it's still wet there is obviously shrinkage, so my method to combat the shrinkage is to take all of the twist and twist them together and then band them to keep them stretched.

My hair should be dry by tomorrow. I'll take the twists down and post some pictures of the results! :-)

Curls: Stylish Curlies

2011-01-06T18:20:00.001-06:00

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Curls: Low on Products

2011-01-06T18:02:00.004-06:00

What do you do when you are low on hair products and low on money? Well I can tell you that lately I have been maintaining a look while I'm low on funds. I decided to braid my hair in two French braids to stretch my time between cowashes. It's protective and it's good enough to wear when I don't have any major engagements.

These weren't the neatest braids, but it sufficed for the night. Also, if you would like to wear the braids out but feel the to plats seem a bit kidish, you can take the ends of each braid and pin them up on the opposite side to create a cute little updo. :-) Here are a few photos of my hair pulled back in a pony the next day. I didn't intend for it to be a style, but I really like how braids stretched my hair and gave me big wavy curls considering I'm way past due on a wash and style.

Life: The Man with the "Golden Pipes"

2011-01-06T17:46:00.000-06:00

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If you haven't heard of the man with the "Golden Pipes" his story is truly an inspirational one. Ted Williams recently was a homeless man living on the streets of Columbus, OH holding a sign that stated, "I have a God given gift of voice. I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times." After Williams was asked to display his talent for money in return he became an overnight sensation. Williams' voice was so remarkable, he was cleaned up and has numerous job offers. After being homeless for more than ten years, Mr. Ted Williams is more than an inspiration across this nation. Check out this clip on him.

Curls: Less Stress When Detangling

2011-01-05T21:04:00.003-06:00

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So I've discovered a way to be nicer to my curls when I detangle. Usually I soak my entire head and place copious amounts of conditioner in my hair before I take my wide tooth comb to gently detangle the knots. Then I would go back through my hair with my denman brush. The only problem was that I still seemed to see much more hair in the comb and the brush than I liked. So lately I've changed my routine a tad bit. Instead of using my wide tooth comb as the main tool to detangle my hair, I use my fingers. I still soak and condition my hair, but now I take the time to run my fingers through my hair in a few sections to loosen any knots or tangles. I start at the ends then work my way up to the roots. If I feel and area that's knotted I work with it a little to free the hair strands. After I have detangled my entire head with my hands, I then go back through my hair with my wide tooth comb. As a result I see a lot less hair in the comb; thus making me a very very happy camper!

Life: Don't Give Up on Your Vision

2011-01-03T23:07:00.003-06:00

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With the new year just rolling around, I know that many of us have goals and visions that we want to carry out in 2011. A scripture that I love speaks of having a vision, writing it down, and having faith in God that it will come to pass even if it seems to take a while because although it may not be when you expect it or want it, it will come in God's time. So whatever you vision or dream may be keep believing! Here is the scripture. I hope it helps someone :-)

^{Habakkuk 2:3}
² Then the LORD answered me and said:
      “ Write the vision
      And make it plain on tablets,
      That he may run who reads it.
       ³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
      But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
      Though it tarries, wait for it;
      Because it will surely come,
      It will not tarry.

Curls: Stylish Curlies

2011-01-03T22:29:00.003-06:00

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Curls: Stylish Curlies

2010-12-31T11:38:00.002-06:00

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Love:A Curly Engagement Session

2010-12-31T10:58:00.003-06:00

My Fiance and I stuck out 18 degree weather and a crazy Chicago wind chill to take these beautiful photos. Oh, and I must add, I absolutely loved my curls!

r-see.com

Curls: AphroWoman Attributes

2010-12-24T09:47:00.003-06:00

This picture says a lot...

Source: Chad Cartwright
CHDWCK80.blogspot.com

Curls: Chic Updo

2010-12-23T10:11:00.001-06:00

So months and months ago I was browsing blogs and on CurlyNikii.com a young lady by the name of West had nice pictures and good info on a chic natural updo. Well I was in summer school working on my M.A. and working out (I also played collegiate basketball), and I desperately needed to do something with my hair that did not require much time. Thus, myself and a friend gave this style a shot. Here are some photos the style:

This is a side and back view

Front side

Somewhat of the top/back

Front/top

The style was pretty simple. My friend twisted all my hair to the center like a mohawk and twisted the hair all the way to the ends. I just played with the hair and pinned it up all over. There are many ways to wear this style. You're the artist!!!

It has been a looog time

2010-12-23T02:07:00.002-06:00

It definitely has been a long time since I have blogged but all with good reason. I have finished my Masters, started a new job teaching at the college level, and have been planning a wedding. Thus, I had to take a break from Love, Life, & Curls, but I am back now! I have been documenting and experimenting with my hair in many different ways, so I plan to share it all with you! First, I'll start with hair growth. Back in October of this year I straightened my hair, I couldn't help but notice that it grew quite a bit since I last straightened. So here are a couple of pics:

Oct. 2010

Early 2010

You can see in the second picture that my hair was trying to grow. The sides were a tad bit longer than the middle. In the first picture you can see that my hair began to fill out and grew a few inches.

Curls: Frizz: Fight it or Accept it?

2010-07-09T13:08:00.001-05:00

Hello my fellow curlies, a huge problem we ALL deal with is frizz. There are many products that target cutting out frizz and taming curls, but I think I have come to accept frizz (I mean at some point is going to rear its ugly head.) After that realization I feel that some frizz is actually okay. It doesn't look half bad to me. I've noticed when I see other natural heads with frizz, their manes look gorgeous; I think sometimes I am just over critical of my own hair. So with that being said, I do love using my Kinky-Curly Curling Custard (it is definitely a must have in my hair regimen,) but when those little frizzes pop up it's fine. I just give my hair a little shake accept the frizz as fullness :-) and keep pushing!

Life: Does He Love Your Curls?

2010-07-07T09:36:00.001-05:00

Hey ladies! I'm curious to know how does your significant other feel about your natural hair. Is it something he goes for and is automatically attracted to, or is it so- so for him. Many women are trapped into the idea that straight (and long) hair is sexy and attractive, and they didn't come up with that idea alone, it's society. I personally believe that natural hair is more exotic and exciting. I can do so much to it, and more importantly I feel like an individual. Now, don't get me wrong I like to wear my hair straight on occasions (I love the length that I've retained being natural) and it's a good look, but there is just something about wearing my hair out natural and curly that feels so right! What's your take on it?