"Massive Bun" Tutorial

I love a massive bun.  This version doesn't require a donut or any added hair.

Here are some pics of previous buns I did the same way:

Transitioning to Fall

Every season we make changes to our diets and our wardrobes.  Of course, we should also be making changes to our natural hair regimens.

Like most people that love WNGs, I kiss them goodbye almost as soon as it starts to get too cold to leave the house with a wet head.  That means I have to start thinking ahead and planning styles.  That also means that in addition to protecting my hair from the cold dry air, I also have to protect it from the extra manipulation of non-WNG styling.  Here's what I'm changing...

1.  Increase my deep conditioning from every two weeks to every week (unless I can make a protective style last longer than a week).

2.  More protective styles.  I've gotten a lot better at flat-twists so I'll be experimenting with a lot more flat-twist styles this fall/winter.

3.  Using styling products that are more oil based than water based to lock moisture in better and longer.  This means less Shea Moisture Smoothie and more Shea Moisture JBCO Styling Lotion.

What changes will you be making this fall?

How I Learned to Love My Shrinkage

"Shrinkage is real"  I've posted a few IG pics with this caption.  It's a statement of fact.  My hair shrinks.  Natural black hair shrinks...but shrinkage isn't a bad thing.  A lot of naturalistas (and natural brothas) would disagree with me.  Me from 2 years ago would disagree with me.  I had to do a lot of soul searching and questioning before I got to where I am.  Here's how it went...

Question #1:  Why do I hate shrinkage?
Answer #1:  Because it hides the true length of my hair.

Question #2: Hides it from whom?
Answer #2: Well...everyone!

Question #3: Why do you care how long other people think your hair is?
Answer #3: *Blushing*  I don't?  I shouldn't anyway.

Question #4:  What does long hair indicate?
Answer #4: Beauty, femininity, health

Question #5:  Isn't your face beautiful?  What's more feminine than your curves?  How is shrinkage unhealthy?
Answer #5:  My husband seems to find my face beautiful and I do have some womanly curves.  And shrinkage...well shrinkage actually shows how healthy my hair is.  If it didn't shrink I would know my hair was damaged.

Question #6:  Why do you hate shrinkage?
Answer #6:  I don't.  I love my shrinkage.

Can you love your shrinkage, too?

Natural Hair Updo: Protective Styling or Camouflage

Which is it for you?  Are you a protective styler or does your hair go up to hide a bad twist out?  I am generally not a protective styler.  I feel like I have a pretty good routine that by and large keeps my hair protected...and I like my hair to match my mood. 

I haven't decided if natural hair videos are something that I plan to do regularly, but here's one showing how I do my camouflage updos.

You got that "good hair" though

I hear it a lot and I know it's meant to be an excuse, but lately it's been sounding more and more like an accusation. Here's a sample conversation:

She said: Oooh!  Your hair is so pretty.  What do you use?
I said: Well I co-wash with TRESemme Naturals Conditioner, seal with grapeseed oil and use Shea Moisture Smoothie to style.
She said: Then what?  How do you style it?
I said: After I co-wash and seal I divide my hair into sections, detangle and two-strand twist each section.  In the morning when it's dry I un-twist, separate and fluff.
She said: (looking at me doubtfully) Is it hard to do?
I said: No, not really.  It just takes practice.
She said: It would be impossible for me.  You got that good hair though.

What the flip?!

So I used to get into the whole "there's no such thing as good/bad hair, all hair that's cared for is good, we all need to accept and love our hair the way it is" argument.  I gave that up, because to be honest, it's a moot point in this conversation.  I know what she means by "good hair".  And she knows that I know what she means by "good hair."  And I know that she knows that I know... and on and on and on....

Nowadays my answer to this excuse/accusation is, "No, I don't."

It's amazing!  Once upon a time I'd have been flattered beyond belief if someone said that to me.  Now I get upset.

I don't like the implication that:

1.  I've told her something that isn't true (It's not hard, it just takes practice.)
2.  That any work I've put into my hair is insignificant because my hair doesn't take work.
3.  That she knows someone's hair struggles/victories/story just because she thinks she knows their hair texture.

But mostly I don't like that defeatist attitude that she has been conquered (or expects to be conquered) by her hair and therefore has given up before even starting.  I shouldn't have to prove my nappy status just so she starts believing in the possibilities of what her hair could do and be.