…with my hair, that is. This head of hair has proved itself to be more wishy-washy than a pubescent seventh grade girl. To gain control, I decided to start with typing my hair. The front, right side is thick and curly…I’ll call it 4A. The front left side is dry and coarse but will curl with the right products, so I’ll still call it 4A. The middle is thick, tough, coarse, frizzy, annoying, etc. so I’ll call it 4B. The back curls nicely and is softer than the front, so I’ll label it 3C (if that is even a category). With this potpourri of hair types I have going on, it’s no surprise that I have a difficult time finding just the right products and styles to work for me. Not only do I have to think about products, but also I must pay strict attention to a one, Mr. Al Roker, to make sure the weather won’t wreak havoc on the hard work I put into styling…I reside in the Heart of Dixie where the humidity is enough to make one seek out her fix for the creamy crack. This is the root of the love/hate relationship I have with my tresses.
What do I love? Not a hard question to answer at all. I love the dark/almost black color of my hair that causes people to regularly ask if I “got a rinse.” I also love its thickness! Now that my hair is in much better health, as opposed to when I relaxed, my hair is fancy and full in any style I try. From my blow-outs to my braid-outs, the full hair (paired with bold earrings) brings me to life on my dullest days. Lastly, I am most impressed with the strength of my hair. Fried, dyed, or laid to the side, these strands can stand up to any styling product or tool and not whither or break. I attribute this to good genes (thanks folks!) and deep conditioning.
Last blowout (bberry pic, sorry for the blur)
This is one of my best braid-n-curls to date!
What (you may ask) is there to hate? Hmmm…I really hate my hair’s inconsistency. Just because a braid-out was whippin’ last week does NOT mean that this week’s styling session will yield similar results. I can use exactly the same products in exactly the same way three sessions in a row and have three different looks. Incredibly frustrating? Yes, yes it is. I also cannot STAND my creepy-crawlies. My mom called it “roly-poly” hair when we were growing up. This occurs when I try to rock a curly pony…the pulled back part that should be smooth does not remain as such. This prevents me from pulling off some really cute puff, pony, or bun styles. Bad times…
Braid-n-Curl 1
Braid-n-Curl 2
Braid-n-Curl 3
How to deal? Because my hair reacts mostly to the weather, I must pay strict attention to the 5-day forecast before styling. I’ve discovered three different washing/conditioning/styling techniques to get me through the main three stages of weather here in the “dirty-dirty.” For really dry days, I cleanse (only once) with Suave clarifying shampoo and condition with a combo of Aubrey’s Honeysuckle Rose and Organix Coconut Milk conditioners. I oil my scalp with pure castor oil and style with unrefined shea; I also coat my ends with the castor oil to protect them from the harsh, dry air. For those hot, sticky, humid southern days, I cleanse once with the Suave and condition with Yes to Cucumbers…the Cucumbers is thick and creamy and provides just the right slip to soften and detangle. To style, I use a shea butter based concoction invented by the Lovely Leah. It provides shine, definition, and hold while keeping my hair oh-so-soft so I don’t mind when (familiar) hands reach out to touch. And for the days that are beautiful and clear with just slight humidity, I cleanse with the Suave and condition simply with Aussie Moist. For styling I spray a little setting lotion and style with the unrefined shea butter. Oh how I love those days…
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