Temple Tresses

New Look: Super Straight Hair!

2012-09-19T16:13:00.001-07:00

This is a synthetic wig that I picked up for $24.99 at my local BSS!!! It's cheaper online, but I was antsy for a change of hairstyle so I couldn't wait! I had to go pick it up and am very pleased with her. For me wigs are the best and cheapest alternative to getting your own hair done. The brand is called Sensational and it's synthetic hz 7018 http://www.blackhairspray.com/sensationnel-instant-weave-synthetic-halfwig-hz-7018-senis7018.html?CAWELAID=1455934617

Journey to Hair Health

2012-09-19T15:56:00.001-07:00

I have been natural all my life but that does not mean I've been taking care of my hair. Heat damage fried up my hair! I started to become conscious about what I do and put in my hair and this awareness allowed me to grow my hair thicker and longer!

The two pictures above were taken in 2008. I started off at armpit length hair. I used to blow dry and straighten my hair once a week. My hair was fine, thin and shedding and It was not healthy. Once I decided to get my hair healthy, I gave up the heat products. I began caring for my hair by wearing it in its natural state: Curly! Buns were a favorite style!

Banana Clip Hairstyle

Bantu Knot Out

I did those styles for a few years using natural hair products for conditioning, moisturizing and I saw an improvement. This is my hair today after 4-5 years of care and maintenance. My hair is way more healthy in thickness and shine!
Curly

Straight

Getting my hair healthy has been a journey of really getting to know It's likes and dislikes. The ultimate goal is finding what makes it prosper! I'm still learning and my goal is to maintain this hair as best I can. If you have any questions regarding 4a ish hair or hair growth in general, ask away!
-Az

A few of my favorite healthy things

2012-09-18T23:24:00.001-07:00

Here are a list of my favorite natural and affordable products for hair and body that I order at Vitacost.com

*Giovanni Direct Leave In : This is the first leave in I've tried and I instantly fell in love at first application. It's lightweight and moisturizing for my 4a hair. This product has all natural ingredients with no sulfates or parabens. Giovanni has other conditioners that are more or less moisturizing depending on your hair type. For kinkier 4 b, c hair, I would suggest the Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture conditioner for daily use. For finer 3c hair I would suggest the 50/50 daily conditioner. Cost: $4.87

*Castor Oil (8oz) : This is a really thick oil that I primarily use for growing my edges or sealing the ends of my hair. I love that this oil does not clog up my scalp, but instead soaks right in and even gives it a clean feeling. I also enhance lotions and shampoos that I have with castor oil for more moisture and it's thickening properties! I know it's also ingested for it's laxative effect but Ive never used it for that. Cost: $3.85

*Braggs Raw Apple Cider Vinegar I love apple cider vinegar as a clarifying hair rinse. I find that the rinse (1 part ACV to 10 parts water) makes my scalp so fresh and so clean and removes any product buildup on my hair. I even prefer the rinse over shampooing my hair! It also restores the pH of your hair which means that products and treatments work better after the rinse. The result is supple, lightweight hair and a clean scalp which is crucial for hair growth. Cost: $2.53

*One With Nature: Dead Sea Mineral Lemon Verbana Soap This is a HUGE bar of soap that lathers well, smells so lemony and lasts forever. The coarse salt works as a gentle exfoliater while the lemon soap cleanses and finally the shea butter in the soap moisturizes your skin. This soap is all natural and doesn't leave a residue and isn't drying. I look forward to showering all the more because of it. Cost: $2.91

*Alvera All natural Roll-on Aloe and Almonds Deodarant This is my favorite deodorant EVER! It is all natural (largely made of Aloe Vera Juice), works well at holding back sweat and smells so good. I switched to all natural deodorant after I researched the effects of aluminum in mainstream deodarants. Researchers have found that aluminum was present in most Breast Cancer tissue! The deodorant you use daily so closely to your breast contains chemicals that increase your chance of getting breast cancer. I like my titties and will do a small thing like switch deodorants to keep them. I keep coming back Alvera Aloe and Almonds because it is too awesome as a healthy alternative. Cost: $2.48

* Nature's Way Organic Aloe Vera Juice (33.8 fl oz) I use Aloe Vera in my hair spritz to revive my hair if it's dry. It's also effective in cooling burns! This one lasts for ever, Ive made at least 10 spray bottle's full already and have yet to finish the bottle. Cost: $5.48

*Vegatable Glycerin I use this in my hair spritz. It draws moisture to the hair and also is what makes my hair easier to detangle! Cost: $4.23

*Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly I love the ingredients in this! It contains no clogging petroleum, but instead has good stuff like castor oil and coconut oil in its place and maintains the thick consistency of petroleum jelly. I love this stuff and consider it all purpose just like TYRA! I use it for any dry spot on my body, sealing the ends of my hair and moisturizing dry lips. Cost: $2.72

*Natural Sea Sponge Loofah This loofah is the business. Best Exfoliater EVER!! It scrubs off all dead skin and leaves my skin so smooth! It's a bit hard to handle, but once you get the hang of it, it'll be worth it for the baby soft skin. Cost: $1.23 Vitacost has sooooo much more stuff like supplements, food products, essential oils, makeup, etc. Their shipping is super fast and the items are packaged so safely so they don't spill! I recommend you use the $10 off to try this stuff out, you won't be disappointed. In fact, you're body and hair will thank you for it! http://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=90507691

Natural Hair & Beauty Products Coupon Code

2012-09-18T23:07:00.000-07:00

Since I've been natural, I've been much of a product hoarder. My stocked drawers and closet is testament to that fact. It's really fun experimenting with different hair products once you become natural but it can become a very expensive habit. After all my trials, I came to find some staples that work best with my hair type and give me a more consistent look everytime I do a hairstyle whether it's twistouts, braidouts, bantu knot outs... all the -outs basically. A website I use to get cheap oils, conditioners, natural soaps & lotions is having a fantastic sale!

Vitacost.com has a referral program that's $10 off for new customers and $10 for referee. What I've been doing is basically loading my cart with stuff up to $10 and using the discount code for $10 off so the total becomes $0. All you pay is $4.99 shipping/handling and it's like getting that stuff for $5 delivered to your doorstep! I was so excited by this I made orders for my friends Jo and Ivie too! GAHHH I'm too happy because vitacost has wayyyy cheaper natural, organic stuff than vitaminshoppe store or other websites. Needless to say, my frugal side is rejoicing. Next blogpost I will list some of my favorite items from Vitacost and a screenshot of a sample order after discount.

If you decide to check it out (free products! you just pay shipping`no brainer), please register through my link so we can both get a $10 off coupon! http://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=90507691

Twist Out: First Attempt

2012-03-05T15:10:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I tried my first twist out and even though it did not come out more defined, I still loved how moisturized it made my hair feel. But, next time, if I want more defined curls I will leave the bantu knots in my hair for 2 days as opposed to over night. Also, my sister Abby (http://www.theabbysworld.com/) visited me that weekend and helped my take some nice pictures of my results.

-Ivie

Sunlight Cruise

2011-12-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

Today was so cold, but the sun was just so bright that I could not resist enjoying it for a little bit.

Poncho: United Colors of Benington

Pants: Zara

Boots: H&M

-Ivie

Who Wants African Beer???

2011-12-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

Man it's hard not to dance to this song! We just had to get up and move! Special guest appearance to our buddy Simon Gachai (You're finally on here holmes!!)

My Hair Care Technique (4C Hair)

2011-11-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, so there actually is not much I do to take care of my hair. The main thing is consistency and also as little fiddling with it as possible. This approach has seemed to be working pretty well so far, so I am going to stick to it. Also, I really really really resent having to put so much money towards hair care so my approach is also very stingy when it comes to dishing out money.

I am going to begin by saying that my hair is under a wig or some kind of weave most of the time. I would say about 70 % of the time. I usually wear half wigs because they are soooo easy to handle. When it comes time to condition I just take them off. The only full wigs I like to wear are the ones made by my sister, who also does hair and has a great blog ( http://www.theabbysworld.com/ ).

-I also like to do braids, but I do them very rarely and when i do do them I make them a little rough ( they are not tight at all and also I do not try to forcibly include the hairs on my edges). I actually believe braids are one of the biggest causes of hair loss, especially when they are done tight because tightness is equated with neatness. And can you imagine, as the micro braid that is done tightly swings back and forth, it is bound to break off the hairs because there is not enough hair left out to support that movement. It's really just my opinion. But I like to follow my instinct. In the year and 7 months I've been natural, I've done braids twice.

I made a video of the 2nd time I did braids. They were actually twists.

-When that two week mark comes (sometimes one week), if I feel like shampooing before I do a deep conditioning treatment I either use regular (sulfate free if i have) shampoo or I do an ACV rinse. An ACV rince is done with regular apple cider vinegar.

I put a little in a water bottle and then I fill the bottle with water. I pour that in my hair and then rinse it out.The conditioner I use to do my deep conditioning treatment is the 1 dollar VO5 conditioner.

Sometimes I get a lil fancy and add 2 eggs to some of the conditioner and also extra virgin olive oil and saturate my hair in this. How long I keep it in depends on my mood. This could be from 2 hours to over night (with some kind of plastic on my head to sleep with). After the conditioner has been on my hair for an hour (I wait an hour so that the hair can really soften), I do my detangle. I use a wide toothed comb

(tried the denman brush, even one with many bristles missing, and it damn near ripped my skull off, so I don't use that) and work my hair section by section starting from my ends to my scalp. This is the only time I EVER comb my hair. After rinsing out the conditioner, I put leave in conditioner and some kind of oil (jojoba at the moment) and braid it up in preparation for a wig. When i leave it out I make sure to moisturize the same way (and also spray with water as frequently as possible). My hair eats it up.

-When my hair is in braids and I absolutely do not feel like taking it out to co-wash (washing with just conditioner) it, I slather the braids with conditioner/olive oil and rinse it out and then put leave in on my braids. Even with the braids in, I try to wet it every morning in the shower and put leave in/oil for that day (my hair would be very moisturized under the wig). I even at times wash it with the braids in.

-One thing to emphasize is that I put PLENTY of leave in in my hair when I am braiding it, to the point that you can see it after my hair is braided and I may dab some off after finishing that braid. Some people believe this to be too much but it is not when it comes to my hair. But because it can cause a lot of build up I rinse it every morning and do the acv rinces (helps get rid of build up). I really don't believe in the whole "too much moisturizer thing". I need it. The alternative is hair that feels like its about to crack in half.

-Another thing I don't believe in is a lot of trimming of the ends. I think i have trimmed my hair once. Really, I don't think I need to, so I don't. But I do get some knots at times that I can't unravel and so I cut them off.

-Now, this next thing seems sooo trivial but I found out that it is necessasary. I always make sure my nails are filed because I have had times that my jagged nail has snagged off my hair by accident (SOOOO ANNOYING). So I file it a lot lol.

-Another thing is to pat the hair dry after washing or conditioning or whatever, as opposed to scrubbing the hair dry because that is sure to break it.

-Also i started drinking a lot of water and taking biotin a few times a week.

So, thats pretty much it. MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE! lol. If this even makes things clear for just one person, that's great.

-Ivie

Reconciliation

2011-11-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

rec·on·cil·i·a·tion
noun /ˌrekənˌsilēˈāSHən/

The restoration of friendly relations

It’s really hard “un-liking” someone or getting to a place where you don’t think about that person on a daily basis. “De-crushing” is different for everyone, but the general process usually entails:

1. deleting all of their contact info. and severing all means of communication (Phone, texts, unfriending on FB)
2. avoiding said person and things that remind you exclusively of them (songs, movies, places, etc.)
3. Cease talking about him/her to your friends.
4. Allowing yourself to stop thinking about them and analyzing the moment you met and every moment shared after.

Things that are pretty hard to do in a college setting, where everyone is like fish in a sardine can. You can complete all of these steps but merely seeing this person can dissolve the armor of false courage and independence you've built. A fragile cover built of thin glass. Neither word nor sound from him is necessary to puncture this barrier. Merely a smile can be your undoing. By his presence alone the calm begins to unravel. The flimsy veil of composure, no longer conceals the emotions you try to hide and you're vulnerable. Naked. You reveal your true self, the person he first met. The one uncolored by painful memory. The vulnerable girl that trustingly opened her arms to everyone and never skimped on giving people the benefit of the doubt.

You're now that passive aggressive girl. The one that tattoos a smile on your face to distract from the unrest you feel inside. Post-break up or more accurately post moving apart, you're reminded solely of the smoothness of his skin, the wonder in his eyes, his infectious humor among other magnetic qualities that first drew you in. Meanwhile, shoving the unease and misunderstandings that punctuated your time together into the dark recesses of your mind. Consequently, hindsight has rose colored lenses and often one pretends the past was a fairytale. This is why Its hard to get over a guy but it's essential to realize that exercising selective memory will blindly lead you to the same shallow hole. You'll fall for the wrong one, and it’ll hurt. Again.

In order to reconcile this past, it’s imperative that you break the spell this person has on you. De-crushing or dwelling on why it didn't work out....doesn't always work! The only way to move on is to find someone more compatible with you. That is the only way you don’t replay the same confusion with him or with any future potential love interest.

“One needs to be in complete control to truly benefit from letting go.”

Shopping Jackpot

2011-11-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

I recently went shopping at a vintage store on South Street called "Philly Aid Thrift and i literally bought this dress for 4 dollars, i only had to take it in a notch which i did with basic needle and thread nothing too complicated.

The store is awesome because you find the most random crap in there and they sell interesting stuff and then distribute the proceeds to local organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Pics were taken by my Big Headed sister Abby from 4aces and Abby's world.

duces

Ivie

Fighting the 4C Battle

2011-11-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well, when I became natural about a year and 7 months ago and did my big chop, I began to become very doubtful that my hair would grow. But I didn't call it quits and give into my temptation to perm. I stuck to my natural hair regime and somehow, it seems that my hair, being extremely course and all, has actually grown! The trick is to treat it like it's a special project. So this is to all the 4c's out there who are feeling down about whether their hair can pass the teeny weeny afro stage and continue to retain length. It can!! Don't give up. These are some pics I took after lightly blowing it out for the first time myself. In a few months it will be 2 years since I did my big chop. Wow. Where did all that time go.

-Ivie

Grow Long and Prosper: The Hair Edition

2011-10-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Friday evenings are solely dedicated to rewarding my hair for a week's long manipulation. I pamper my kinky tresses in some concoction of whatever conditioner mix, oil, hair mask I've got laying around. When I'm feeling a lil fancy, I'll pick up an avocado to blend into a hair smoothie (which quickly becomes too irresistibly yummy not to ingest~add a banana and it's BLISS). Now that I've revealed how incredibly bland most Friday nights are for me, I can let you in on the solo fun I had today after my visit to the local indian store. I picked up the main stuffs of the deep conditioner mix- henna powder and brahmi for $3
soooo cheap.
I henna when I feel my hair is just BLaghhh. When I shed long strands and my hair gets noticeably thinner. I make the henna mix (brahmi powder + jamila henna + cooled tea + coconut oil) in a bowl over a newspaper, apply it through my hair in 4 sections and leave it on overnight tight in plastic bags to prevent stains on my bed. (I also get a large plastic bag to cut open and tape on my pillow to make sure ther are no leaks) I wash the mix out the next morning under high pressure warm water, co-wash with an entire bottle of 99 cent conditioner (v05-strawberries and cream) and comb through. After drying, my hair looks and smells awesome. Rejuvenation complete...Aaaah!

Here's some pictures detailing the process.

Henna + Brahmi powders emptied into a mixing bowl

Cooled mint tea +

Note: I wore gloves to apply the goop (hehe) to my hair. the stuff can get messy if it's too watery.

I'll post the results tomorrow after I wash it out. I hope you guys are interested enough to try. I know alot about it, so leave any questions you have! I'll leave you with a song that I really dig. It's quite fitting.

Iphone photo shoots

2011-10-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm always so amazed at what my Iphone can do. I love "shopping" at the app store, and by shopping I mean getting all the free top downloaded Apps. The keyword here is free, folks. I'm not paying a penny more than what's on the monthly bill, which alone would suggest that I probably already pay for all the extras. Anyhoo, I gave the camera a spin and played dress up. It was ridiculously fun to do, yet a little hard because I had to hold the phone. Until I can recruit a photographer, my right hand will have to do the job and all the pictures will be from the waist up. :) -Azza

New Style: Big Twists!!

2011-08-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to try something different and being natural now leaves me trying to discover new hairstyles that look good on natural hair. Also, I have 4c hair so it is even more difficult for me to achieve certain looks, especially since it has grown a bit, without pieces of my own hair looking too out of place. This is a tutorial on how i did my twists, which I love.

-Ivie

Abby's Birthday Party!!!!

2011-08-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

So my sister had a birthday party this weekend and it was so much fun. From morning to night we had a blast.
Take a look at all the pictures at Abby's World.
Also check out their the 4aces site.

-Ivie

Mesh it UP...

2011-07-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

I bought this crochet type shirt at a local thrift store in philly and I love it. Its so retro and with my new straight locks, am feeling like something out of The Beatles era lol.

Thanks for the pics Ivie....

Featured In A Music Video

2011-06-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, so Azza and I took a philosophy of the African American Experience class two semesters ago. It was taught by the most amazing professor ever (Devon Johnson) and possibly the most important and enlightening course of our entire college careers. He asked us to be students in his upcoming music video, check it out. We are so excited and proud to be part of his amazing journey and glad for all the knowledge he bestowed upon us lol.

JoJo.

Mosquito Bait

2011-06-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

So today was such a chill day and we decided to just hang out with a few friends in town. Before we left we decided to take some pics. BUT, the mosquitoes treated us like we were buffet platters. lol.

XOXO-Ivie & Jojo

WHYY??

2011-06-19T09:04:00.001-07:00

So there I was, just minding my business in the movies when I saw a really huge poster for the movie "The Help". I was transfixed in one spot for a good 2 minutes staring at it. Then some kids walked by and started laughing at the poster and making jokes. I thought to my self, the impressions this movie leaves on people will stick with them for a long time.I then went home and saw the trailer....

Okay. My thing is, NO MATTER WHAT, when anyone leaves that movie, (children, older people, whatever) images of minstrel wild black people and soft beautiful white people will be dancing in their heads. And even though I KNOW it is a movie about overcoming the shit, it still inceptions ideas of subordinate and lower status blacks and dominant white people (whether it is due to them repressing or one of them trying to save blacks) in people’s minds. As in, ideas that white is up and other is down. And this movie (there is one every year)

has the old white person saving helpless races. Damn there are enough of these damn movies already. I like stuff like The Great Debaters because it promotes images of educated black people helping themselves. The way that a lot of black people used to act all wildly and uneducated and subordinate to white people was already mostly due to the repressive white segregative, dehumanizing system, the least that can be done is to try not to give the next impressionable generation these images of blacks all the damn time for them to add to their repertoire of black behavior cause it will affect how this generation blacks navigate in the world. Its hard for me to explain by writing. It probably didn’t make sense.

On another note, that damn mythological volt Disney is always referring to when it comes to their re-releases......that is where most movies like this belong. Or the nearest trash receptacle. Don't forget to recycle

Love These Pants

2011-06-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I got these really comfortable pants from Zara a while ago and I love them so much. They have the same comfort level as sweatpants. I can wear many types of shirts with them. They cost a pretty penny, but to me it was worth it because I wear them so much. Also, sis was in town that day. Love her!!
Check out her blogs
http://www.theabbysworld.com/
http://www.the4acesdate.com/

-Ivie

3 Tresses

2011-06-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hi guys

So we finally got a chance to take some pictures together.

It was so nice outside figured we might as well spend it in the park.

xoxo

Temple Tresses

The Irrepressibles

2011-06-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, so this song is on constant replay in my house, car and head. They are known as the The Irrepressibles, it is a ten-member orchestral ensemble led by composer and musician Jamie McDermott.

Enjoy, Jojo

Rollin' Around

2011-06-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ivie and I have pretty much made it a habit to skate everyday, because it's just good practice and always fun. Here's us rollin' through Temple's campus, which is great over the summer, because it's pretty chill and empty. Great for taking photos!

-Az

Dark & Lovely

2011-06-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!! So don't be fooled by the title, this is not a hair posting lol. We're just celebrating our dark skin with dark makeup and clothing.

The location we found is pretty cool. It's an abandoned crumbling brick building that is just perfect for the look. check em out!!!

2011-05-09T05:31:00.000-07:00