Christmas has come early

I hate that I have been on hiatus for so long.

Life has kept me busy with work and being an "adult." I continue to search for a way to eat cereal in my PJ's on the couch for a living, but since I haven't won the lottery yet.... I'll continue to work for the man and blog when I can.

As many of you know, I created So Sheeba to share my natural hair journey to waist-length coils. Although I have been natural for 5 years now, I did not make a concerted effort to grow my hair to waist-length until she was three years old.

Well folks...

I made it!

This impromptu length check came by way of a unfortunate event actually. I injured my right hand a month ago, and was unable to actually wash and twist my hair as I do every week.

With an upcoming work conference, I decided to get my hair pressed as a stop gap measure.

This milestone has been bittersweet. My entire natural  hair journey has centered on growing my hair to this length. My point has been proven, my mission has been completed...so what now?



I thought about cutting a few inches off to make it more manageable when washing, then I considered cutting it all and starting all over again.

None of the above pique my interest. What I have focused on doing is producing more of my Sprout Serum and sharing it with the masses. I've used it religiously for the past two years, but didn't begin producing it for the public until last year (Get Excited November 2013). I know that my hair wouldn't be where it is today without my serum and increasing my daily water intake.

I'm so excited to have you all grow with me. Hop on over to www.sosheeba.bigcartel.com  for more information and to experience firsthand why my friends and family affectionately call my serum 'drape juice.'

Happy growing loves,
Sheeba

Summertime Fly

Summer is in full swing in the DMV, and this weekend I rotated my products.

If you haven't done the same, and think that the products you've used all winter are okay to use this summer...think again.

Each season brings new weather and new challenges. When I lived in Miami - where the weather changes from hot to hotter - there was no need to swamp out my conditioner and moisturizer, but now that I live in a city with all four seasons, I make it a habit to keep Sheeba happy regardless of the temp outside.

If you live in an area with a variety of seasons I recommend rotating your products as you would your wardrobe. You wouldn't be caught dead in a NorthFace jacket in June, so why slather your hair with the same conditioner and leave-in? rotate, Rotate, ROTATE!! The only practice I keep constant regardless of the season is deep conditioning.

Now that it's warmer I like to focus on sealing my hair properly. Nothing upsets me more than leaving the house with a bomb twist-out and arriving to the office looking like a fuzzy peach.  Using a gel with great hold like Eco Styler (the green top) or Aloe Vera when twisting your hair keeps frizz at bay.

I have never mastered the wash and go, but if you have - now is the time to wear you hair in such a style. Warmer climates are great for wash and go's, so fight the urge to hide your hair in a protective style and unleash your tendrils. You don't have to worry about catching pneumonia, and (as you work out more) it's an easy style to recreate during the week.

Because I finger detangle my hair, I am a fan of V05 Moisture Milks Conditioners, I use about half a bottle every week when I wash Sheeba. I recommend switching to a low price conditioner during the summer since you may wash your hair more, and 2 bottles a month of pricey conditioner can eat up your budget.

Also, if you haven't discovered the gloriousness of rose water and glycerin, what are you waiting for?? I add this mixture to my hair after washing, and before sealing with a light oil (like Sweet Almond). If you like BIG hair, glycerin will be your best friend. As a humectant, it works to draw moisture from the atmosphere into your strands. Use when rocking a puff or wash and go, but never a twist out... I learned the hard way. It works to keep your hair moisturized, and a moisturized Sheeba is a happy Sheeba.

So in rotating your products for the summer you should:
- Opt for wearing your hair out over protective styles;
- Exchange butters and oils for rose water, glycerin, and gel, and ;
- Choose less expensive conditioners


 Happy growing friends.

DIY closure

I found a tutorial on ventilating the other day, and like the true DIY-er that I am, I decided to make my own small closure. 

After a few practice strands, I'm looking forward to creating a few closures for my 'Illusion' collection. 

I haven't forgotten about the wig tutorial. Still working on that. Pictures and details are in the pipe. 

Looking forward to taking you guys along  behind the scenes of this project. 

-Sheeba

Say hello to my new friend...

My last post was on my recent purchase of kinky curly hair.

Meet my newest item to the 'Illusions Collection,' Mademoiselle Erica.

iLOVE when my hair turns out just how I wanted it to. I'm working on the pictorial of how I constructed this unit, but wanted to post a picture of the final product. 

Happy growing loves, and stay tuned. 

Afro X

I've been on the hunt for a new addition to my alter-ego collection. The other day while trolling Instagram, I saw a style created by weave that I've longed to rock. 

So I pulled the trigger and purchased a few bundles. 

After telling a close friend about my purchase and showing her the look I was aiming to achieve, she recommended that I split my wefts in order to minimize bulkiness. 

Christmas came early last night. 

And before I got the have to snap pictures for my upcoming pictorial, I was slicing away.

I used my handy dandy Xacto knife to complete the task. 

Sorry. I promise to document more as I create my unit next week. 

Here's what 2 bundles now looks like:

More pics and a step by step coming soon. 

Happy growing friends. 

Confession

I love to write (obviously). So I have half-filled journals scattered throughout my house on bookshelves, coffee tables, and nightstands.

Anywhoo.

The other day I found my journal from when I was in grad school.

As I began reading, and reminiscing on my decision to go natural, I was disturbed by a handful of entries where I discussed being ‘disappointed’ with my curl pattern.

Like many, being newly natural can be a scary experience. The unknown is daunting, especially when you’re not sure how your hair will look after it’s been cut. Because I had basically shaved all my hair off, I was in the dark on my curl pattern. For the first few months, I had waves and tiny tendrils, which I loved.

But there was a point in Sheeba's infancy (months 3-6) where I was disappointed.

The first time I went natural, my hair had a very loose Quisqueyan curl pattern (3a/3b), so I was expecting the same ‘suave’ hair. I’m not sure what happened this time around, but for the first few months of her life, Sheeba had various curl patterns. The front would wave (with gel), but there was very little going on in the back.

I hated it, so much, that I began comparing myself to …myself.

My Pecola Breedlove phase lasted for a few weeks, in part because I had no idea what to do with my hair. I couldn't wear it down, didn't have the patience to rod set it, and had no clue how to maintain moisture.

I would literally wake up and tie a stocking around her as a headband, and keep it moving. I hated the way she looked, and she hated the way I treated her. It was a vicious cycle, but then I began educating myself on different products and maintenance techniques, and my inner Pecola disappeared.

I meet natrualista’s daily who wish they had my hair. I recently posted a picture in response to the frequent comments I received  from a colleague on how she 'wanted my hair'. I've been there, and know how frustrating it can be to see a style, try to mimic it, only to end up in the same puff you had before.

Over time I learned what worked for my hair, and realized that at the end of the day this head of Haitian coily with a dash of Marabou is growing as The Almighty designed her to; I  can’t be mad at that.

So whether you have 3a or 4z hair, learn to love your locks.

And if the love just isn’t there….you can always turn to weave (but that’s another post).

Micro Waves

I've been experimental with my weave stash lately. 

The other day I boiled some old Halley's Curls Salon Relaxed wefts that I had... just because. 

The curls came out cute. I may make a unit for the winter. 

It took me 3 hours to boil this hair. Then I found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZFZ1EhWtJI

Yes she microwaved her weft for 3 minutes to set the curls. 

I don't think I'll ever look at my microwave the same, let alone use it. 

DC Women's Expo

This Saturday I'll be supporting a colleague at a Women's Expo in the DMV area. If you're free, stop by. The agenda is packed with all types of goodness. 

Details below. For more information contact Adoma at DarkISLovelyInc@gmail.com 

Hope to see you there!

Sweet Surprise

I was surprised by Sheeba this week. I randomly tug on my hair to see where she stretches to, and lately she's been the same length.

Then this happened:

Sorry for the blur. I'm on work related travel and had no one to snap a better pic. 

She's at what my tailor would call my 'high waist'. 

I'm excited and terrified at the same time. By next year she'll be rump length.

IpromiseIwontcuther. 

IpromiseIwontcuther. 

IpromiseIwontcuther. 

Investing 102

...continued from 'Investing 101'

Once you pull the trigger and invest in some bundles of pure cuticle goodness, you have to be aware of the ‘maintenance’ requirements associated with such acquisition .

Shady Weft

For one, you’ll need to inspect your wefts. I always do this, because there have been times where I have received a badly sewn bundle, installed it, and lived in regret for the next 8 weeks. Inspect both sides, and if anything seems astray or not done properly, contact your vendor for an exchange. One thing I do not do is spend my hard earned money on hair that will morph into a rats nest. No no, not I.

After passing inspection, you need to wash your hair. I’ve only ever received a batch of good smelling hair ONCE in my weave acquisition history. Washing and air drying your bundles will allow you to see if the hair has been processed (steamed or dyed) and will also reveal its true curl pattern. I usually wash and condition with Herbal Essence’s Hello Hydration since I tend to purchase curly hair, and air dry by either laying my bundles on a towel or hanging them up with a pant hanger (the kind that has clips).

Now that your hair is completely dry, you will need to seal your wefts to minimize shedding and reinforce the track. If you’re splitting your wefts, make sure you seal both sides of the track TWICE and allow it to dry for a few hours. I learned to seal my wefts via the University of YouTube. The video I learned from was actually created by Rochelle Yanique - someone I went to college with, but it has since been taken down. This one is a great alternative; just make sure that you purchase the correct glue. I have used both Dritz Fray Check and Aleene’s Fabric Fusion and have no preference, they both do the trick.

Even after sealing, you'll experience some shedding. Nothing major, just a strand or two whenever you comb/ wash your unit. 

If you’re planning on making a wig out of your purchase, now is when you’ll want to set up your wig cap and head. I purchased a generic wig head and increased the circumference to mimic the actual size of my head. This prevents you from creating a wig that doesn’t fit your head snuggly.

If you purchased a closure, you will need to bleach the knots. I once RUINED a closure by using honey, baking soda, and peroxide in lieu of powder and developer. Don't cut corners on this step. Here are a few tuts on how to properly bleach your knots. I honestly never attempted to do it again and prefer to leave that to my hairdresser at StudioTress. 

Now it’s time to sew. There’s no rhyme or reason to the way I lay my tracks, I just make sure that I do not puncture the wefts.

NEVER cut or sew through the wefts.

I recommend folding the weft when you reach the end of one row to begin another. And sewing around the weft.  Cutting is the main culprit of shedding.

'Faux closure' with curly hair

When creating a unit, I like to sew on the inside of the wig cap along my hairline and along the part, this creates a ‘faux’ closure for when I don’t have one. I only recommend this for curly hair. It doesn't have the same effect with straight hair. 

If using a closure, like to pin it onto my weaving cap, then trace around it with white eyeliner. This way I have a general idea of where to finish laying my tracks. Or you can create a centered u shape and rotate it to which ever side you want your part on.

Once you're done sewing, you can either cut out the section intended for your closure, or sew your closure onto the cap with a layer of skin toned pantyhose in between to serve as your 'scalp'.

I'm actually in the process of creating a new 'illusion' so 'Investing 201' will be a pictorial of how I put it all together.

Stay tuned...

Happy Birthday!!

My Beloved Sheeba, 

Your birthday was last week and this was the first year that I didn't do anything special to celebrate. 

For your 1st birthday I got a press. For the 2nd I dyed you chestnut brown. For the 3rd we did a hair show, and on the 4th I celebrated your magnanimous blowout during a photo shoot.

My darling, I think of you as my first child ( minus the 4am feedings and smelly diapers). My baby has grown up quickly.  

I try to celebrate you... daily actually, but love to do something extra special to commemorate the day I chose to free myself from chemicals and to appreciate my natural appearance. When the Most High made me, He decided that I should have thick (sometimes unruly) kinky, curly long hair. 

Who am I to mess with His creation? Rather, I choose daily to embrace your curly ways. You're my precious crown, and the more I care for you, the more you blossom and are noticed by others. 

My first post (ever) highlights how you were born and each year brings a new lesson. This year I think the greatest lesson I learned was being fearless. Fearless enough to share you in public and online with friends, family, and complete strangers. 

Thank you for always having a story, conversation starter, or lesson stored in your spirally tendrils. 

So for your 5th year of life, while I did not 'do' anything special, I promise to keep you classy, and not cut you once you reach my waist. No worries my sweetheart , I've patiently waited for you to reach such lengths and love you enough not to hinder you.

Grow freely my darling. 

Investing 101

Top: 2013 install; Bottom: 2014 u-part wig

One of my first 'blog' posts was a video review of Desir Hair's Brazilian Kinky Curly.

I wanted BoBraz...badly. So after doing some YouTube and Facebook stalking, and asking Eugenie (their sales rep) a million and one questions, I purchased a closure and 2 bundles. They just so happened to be on sale so, I actually lucked out on my first 'investment.'

Since then I've steadily built my weave portfolio and have an arsenal of u-part wigs affectionately called the 'Seasonal Collection,' Brazilian Curly in the Spring, Afro Kinky in the Summer, and Brazilian Straight in the Winter. 

The main purpose of this post is to guide you in making such 'investments.' As you know, I enjoy hiding my hair. For one, I don't have to do anything to it for 4-6 weeks at a time, and such rest allows Sheeba to flourish- inches at a time.

I'm currently on the hunt for a 'Fall' install, so here are 10 steps I consider when adding to the portfolio ...

1. What type of style am I interested in achieving?

2. What type of hair does this require? (Curly, Afro Kinky, Straight)

Once a few vendors are identified:

3. Is the hair pure cuticle or processed? Though pure cuticle is considered the upper echelon of weave, in my experience some processed hair has held up for years if no heat is applied.

4. Are closures available? I don't like any leave-out, and never like taking the chance of purchasing hair and not having Sheeba or another closure match in color and texture. 

5. Are samples available? Ask for a sample. Wash it, play with it, apply heat to it and see if it 'snaps' back. I once requested samples of Malaysian hair because I was in love with  the big soft curls. And after washing and air drying I noticed some dye release (see below) and the curls I loved never came back... Needless to say, I moved onto another vendor. 

After selecting the type of hair and a vendor:

6. Are there any YouTube reviews on the hair and customer service? I'm BIG on customer service, and will spread the word when it's above par, but if the service is questionable, I prefer to take my money elsewhere. 

7. Does your particular vendor have sales? I love a good deal, and will wait for a sale. Everyone has a price point. Mine is around $100/ bundle. Some vendors will adjust their price for multiple bundles and a closure, so ask. 

So after navigating the research phase, I purchase, and wait expectantly to play with my latest addition. 

It doesn't end there though, my bundles last because I prep them to ensure their longevity. 

Once you've received you're bundles of draping human hair luciousness:

8. Wash, condition, and air dry the hair. If you notice dye release ( the water changing color) you hair has been processed. This isn't all bad, but be prepared to condition frquently and not to apply too much heat since the hair may tangle easily (birds nest at the nape of your neck) or the wave or curl pattern may change ( I'm just speaking from experience). 

9. If you purchased a closure, you'll want to bleach your knots. I'm horrible at this and have butchered quite a few closures. Thank goodness for concealer and foundation tricks that work wonders to produce a realistic scalp. 

10. Seal your wefts. I cannot stress this last step enough. Sealing BOTH sides of your weft will eliminate virtually all shedding and extend the life of your bundle. I use Fray Check or Aleene's fabric glue to seal mine and only lose a few strands whenever I comb/ style my units. 

After sealing you're ready to install or make a u-part. The next few posts shall highlight a few of my favorite YouTube tutorials on sealing, bleaching knots, and u-parting that have helped in creating many of the units I currently have. 

Happy investing. 

Roses Are Best

I find it befitting that on the eve of one of the most romantical (yes that is a word in MY dictionary) holidays of the year, that I share with you a tidbit from my “Drape” arsenal.

Rose Hip See Oil.

My love affair with rose hips began a few years ago, when I began researching herbs and Ayurvedic blends to grow and retain my length. I originally did not purchase the oil, but rather, included the actual dried rose hip in a herbal tea constitution that I would drink daily.

The more I drank, the more Sheeba grew and looked vibrant. So I purchased a few bottles of the oils for each of the herbs in my blend…rose hip seed being one of them.

By now you know that I love mixing my own hair products. Cleansers, moisturizers, deep conditioners, serums, & etc., you name it, I have a recipe for it, but I never paid attention to the rose hips until I was researching ingredients for a pomade to calm my itchy (super dry) scalp, and discovered the wonders of the oil in my Herbal Dictionary.

Rose hips and rose hip seed oil originate from the Andes and is actually the fruit of the wild rose plant. High in Vitamin C & A, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, this part of the plant is commonly used for skin conditions because of its ability to aid in the regeneration of damaged skin cells. In our sociaety, it's mainly used in cosmetics for wrinkles, skin scars, etc. Being that I suffer from dermatitis (dandruff), I decided to use the oil for a trial period of 6-8 weeks and determine whether or not it was a keeper.

3 years later…

It’s my miracle oil. I apply it straight out of the bottle and massage it onto my scalp every now and then. If you have ever used rose water to moisturize your hair, the effects are similar, softer hair that remains moisturized long after the product has been applied. I also love how it’s not heavy; Sheeba (despite being low porosity) absorbs the rose hip seed oil relatively quickly, so that there isn’t a layer of oil resting on my strands as with other products in my arsenal.

I also continue to drink my herbal tea constitution comprised of rose hips and other herbs known to improve hair growth, and can honestly say that I have not had a cold, the flu, or any other ailment since 2011. Having immune boosting properties is another reason why this herb has risen to the top of my list of must have products.

Whether you are into complementary medicine or not, I highly recommend adding rose hips, or rose hip seed oil to your rotation (after seeking medical advice from an ACTUAL doctor), your hair (and health) will thank you.

I hope this week is filled with love in every way possible, and that you get roses (both the flower and the oil).

Happy Growing.

Let's Put a Pin in That...

Just a few housekeeping items before I begin:

1. SUBSCRIBE to the right -->
I post rather infrequently, and really want you to receive upcoming posts, announcements, etc. Especially relating to item #2,

2. Quite a few of you have been asking about my Sprout Serum and how to place an order, batches are being made in regular and extra strength and ordering instructions via www.sosheeba.com will be announced soon.

Now…

I have a confession to make.

I just learned how to pin-curl my hair.

I never knew how to until this week, and I must admit that it’s changed my life for the better. When the thought of pin-curling my hair previously came up, I would always dismiss it because I associate pin-curling with having relaxed, or straightened hair.

Since I generally only press my hair one a year and wrap it nightly with a silk scarf, there was really no need for me to acquire a pin-curling routine.

After playing these tutorials on a continuous loop, I think I may have discovered the secret to stretching my two strand twist protective style from 2.5/3 to 4 weeks.

A while back I blogged about my protective style routine for when I don’t have a sew-in:
• Week 1: Twist and curl
• Week 2: Up-do
• Week 3: Low bun

To be honest, my twist and curl variation never last more than 2-3 days and would then make its way to the up-do by day 3. So my twists would usually last for 2.5 weeks only to end up looking fuzzy and in desperate need of revitalization.

These curls have been bouncing around the DMV for the past 5 days and do not look like they’re going to give up until I decide otherwise.

So I’m adding pin-curling to the repertoire of “techniques every naturalista should master,” and if you haven’t mastered the technique, you definitely should.

-Sheeba

The Flip-Side: High Porosity Hair

I recently posted on low porosity hair, and how to properly condition and maintain moisture in an effort to grow and retain length. If you have high porosity hair - or porous hair - I didn't leave you in a lurch. This post is for you.

If you tried the porosity test, and noticed that your hair quickly made its way to the bottom of your glass, that's an indication of how your hair absorbs and maintains moisture. Porous hair absorbs moisture (water) rather quickly, but - just as quickly - loses it. I like to compare high porous hair to a chamois. Great at absorbing water, and equally great at releasing it.

Lifted cuticles are the main reason for this leak in moisture. Those with high porosity hair tend to find that their hair will be moisturized after washing and treating, but dry within a few days.

So how does one retain moisture? Closing the cuticle of the hair shaft.

There are various ways to seal your hair so that moisture does not escape as quickly. Start by increasing your use of coconut oil. I use coconut oil for...everything. It's the Franks Red Hot Wing Sauce of my life. I put it in my hair, slather it on as lotion, make sugar scrubs, and use it to remove make up, etc. Coconut, along with Olive and Sunflower oil are known for their deep penetrating properties. Use of any of these oils will not only infuse your hair with moisture, but also prevent your hair from drying out quickly. If porous hair is the reason for dry hair and ends, adding some oil to your ends can also help.

Another useful porous hair accouterment is deep conditioning. Because you hair loses moisture at a quicker rate than others with medium or low porosity hair, you'll want to provide your hair with more moisture than normal. This is especially useful in the winter (drier) months of the year when cold temperatures have a habit of leeching your hair of moisture.

I may be the only fan of ACV rinses. They work wonders for my dandruff, product build-up, and low porosity hair. They also work for those with high porosity hair. Because the cuticle of your hair is constantly raised (allowing moisture to be absorbed and depleted), a weekly ACV rinse will close the cuticle and seal in moisture, essentially improving the condition of your hair.

For those of you who have noticed that the porosity of your hair has changed, this usually occurs after chemically altering (relaxing, coloring, etc.) your strands. Relaxing or coloring your hair will lift the cuticle to allow the color or relaxer to penetrate the hair strand, often times, the hair remains that way.

Also, if your hair is already highly porous, you'll want to be extra careful when considering adding chemicals to your hair. Coloring and relaxing your hair lifts the cuticle in order for the chemicals to alter the hair shaft, many times, the hair becomes damaged and the cuticles remain lifted, thereby allowing moisture to flow through, but not remain.

The more you know, the more you grow.

Training Day

I'm obsessed with drinking water. I try to drink about half my weight in ounces a day. But this past week I went on a brownie and Dr. Pepper binge, and ended up with a blemish (or 2). So, today I treated my self to a facial from an aesthetician who caters to one of the most widely seen faces in America... the world even.

She's gifted.

I know I have said that I like to share my black book of service providers, but I'm feeling a bit greedy and want to hold onto this gem for a few more sessions and then release her details.

This post isn't about my obsession with drinking water or amazing facial, it's actually about a comment someone made while I was en route to the spa.

Inquisitive Female: How do you train your hair?

Me: I don't.

IF: Oh, your hair looks so manageable, not nappy like mine.

... if you know me, you already know where this is heading.

Me: *blank stare / shady smile * Natural hair isn't nappy, and can be managed with patience and the proper know how. *puts on headphones* 

I'm probably the only natural person who has not, does not, or will not 'train' my hair. I've said this many times before and firmly believe it: Sheeba has trained me.

You hair grows out of your scalp in a particular wave/curl pattern, there is little that can be done (that's healthy) to change that. Sure you can heat damage, texturize, text-lax, or relax to achieve a desired curl pattern, but then you'd have to re-touch your new growth every so often to maintain it.

Now if you have absolutely no curl pattern, there are plenty of ways to style your mane to achieve a particular look, no training required.

I went natural.... to be natural. 100% me, no chemicals, additives, or preservatives. Instead of training your hair, why not train yourself to love the hair you have? 

The Low-Po Low Down

My old roomie/Soror/fellow granny boo is on her journey to Nubian Nappturalness (yay!) and every now and then she'll ask a transition related question.

The other day she asked me for tips regarding moisturizing her hair. And I immediately had her do a porosity test - which revealed that she had low-porosity hair. I didn't find out that I had low-po hair until last year, and once I knew how to keep Sheeba moisturized, my hair began growing and retaining a tremendous amount of length. That is when my drape game changed.

Throughout the natural hair community, you'll find posts speaking to the science of hair. I used to ignore such information until I realized its value. You don't have to be a Chemistry major to understand that what you put into your body plays as much of a vital role in hair growth and retention as what you put on your hair.  PH, porosity, elasticity, etc. are all essential to healthy and long natural hair.

So back to porosity. The porosity of ones hair is essentially how well your hair soaks up and retains moisture. High porosity hair is very porous, it has no problem absorbing moisture, but on the flip-side it also does not retain moisture. Low porosity hair is virtually the opposite, it has a difficult time absorbing moisture, but once it has been moisturized, it retains it well.

Do you know the po' of your hair? Take a strand (preferably shed hair with root bulb attached). Drop it into some room temp water and wait 10 or so minutes. If it floats your hair is low-po, if it sinks it's high-po, and if it just makes its way to the middle ... well it's medium-po. 

Since Sheeba is low-po, I'll highlight that today. 

For the longest time I used to wonder why water and oil just 'sat' on my hair. After washing or oiling my hair, I would notice whole droplets still intact hours after. If you wash your hair and notice droplets of water sitting on top, or notice a greasy feeling after moisturizing, this post is for you. Low porosity hair basically means that each strands cuticles are laid flat and sealed tightly, making it hard for moisture to enter and leave. 

So how does one take care of low- po hair? Heat.

That's actually one word I rarely use here at SoSheeba, but it's the key for keeping your hair lush.

Hot oil, heated deep conditioning, and steam treatments are Sheeba's BEST friends. Because my hair seals in moisture well, I spend a bulk of my time making sure moisture gets into each strand during my pre-poo phase. 

If you have low-po hair try an olive oil and honey hot oil treatment and sit under the steamer, and thank me later. 

During the spring and summer I love using humectants like glycerin, rose water, and honey that draw moisture into the cuticle. During the warmer months, I like adding a humectant to my leave-in conditioner before styling.

Another low-po go-to of mine is adding baking soda to my wash routine. Before cleansing with my coco-castille cleanser, I'll dissolve about a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of warm water and dump it on, then cleanse, and finally wash everything out. Using baking soda 'lift' the cuticles of your strands so make sure you rinse thoroughly and do an ACV rinse afterwards to seal the cuticle.

I cannot stress the importance of understanding the porosity of your hair. It took me 3 years to understand mine and then realize that my hair could have been twice the length it is now, had I known how to retain moisture. It may take you a while, but once you understand your hair, you'll know what is required to keep it healthy and growing.

Hope this helps and happy growing.

Curly Casting Call

Hey loves,

A lil birdie informed me of a casting call that Carols Daughter is having this week. 

Casting ends Thursday and I can't make it to NY before then to dazzle them with Sheeba, but I wanted to pass along the info to anyone in the NY/NJ area who may be available Wednesday or Thursday from 2-6pm. Despite the ad, they are not casting on Friday. 

Good Luck!!

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

Took my hair down last night, and loved Sheeba for all of 10 minutes lol. While I enjoy  a good weave, I prefer having access to my hair whenever I want to wear her out or spend an hour massaging my scalp with oil.

This love-hate relationship with Sheeba makes me really appreciate her. I miss her dearly when she's gone and hate her the moment I step into the tub to wash her.

I've considered having her done professionally, but Im too frugal to pay for a service I can do myself ( i.e. two strand twists, twist outs, updos, etc). I only feel comfortable paying for a press, since I know I'll burn my hair off getting it bone straight.

So wigs shall be my happy medium. I can hide my hair, and still have access to it whenever I'd like. 

She's a beast. 

Oddly enough, it only took me an hour to wash and style her (after deep conditioning for an hour). I'm not sure if it is the length or the fact that I just wanted to go to bed that contributed to the shorter wash time. 

I'm about 4 inches from my desired length (stretched) but may very well already be there if I press my hair. Once I hit my mark, I'm cutting it. I miss the days of the wash n go twa. 

It's been a while. How's the growing going?