The holidays are quickly approaching, which means invitations to banquets, galas, and other formal gatherings...we must not only grace folks with our presence, we must come hard! The videos below will show you how to achieve Autumn's 'Extravagant Big Hair'...the perfect look for any occasion!
NaturallyLeslie, a fellow blogger and curly friend recently tried a tricked out version of the Twist-n-Curl with fantabulous results! For those of you that have had less than stellar results with my version, this may be the remedy! Check her out (click on images to enlarge):
Today is the third of many 'Show & Tell' Fierce Fridays! The images below are of CN readers at their flyyest...at work, on the town, and with the fam. Showing us all that natural hair is not a fad, it's a way of life...an extension of our beauty! Click on the images to enlarge them.
Clara:
honeymoon and I tried two new styles and nothing brought me greater joy than hearing my husband say I love your hair when it's big! Ooooo la la! :O)
Erica:
Sharron:
Gi Gi: 
Hola Chicas!
Recently, I achieved amazing 4 day hair despite high winds (we're talking 20-40mph), humidity from the shower, and sleeping with my curls out. It was soft, defined, bouncy, and most important, HUGE. I was feeling it...strangers were feeling it...hubby was feeling it ;) So what did I do?
To rule out a few intervening factors, I'm going to try this routine again on Saturday or Sunday...assess the results, and report back. Hopefully, I'll be adding one more product (and maybe one more step) to my Holy Grail line-up. A hint? It's a styler and it only costs 5 dollars ;)
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Last week, we talked about protein treatments for fine-haired girls with curls: this week, we are taking a look at deep treatments.
Typically, most people refer to "deep treatments" when they are referring to hair preparations that contain heavy moisturizers and emollients, and that usually do not include proteins in their formulations. However, it is important that you check product labels as more and more manufacturers are blurring the lines between "protein treatments" and "deep treatments." A deep treatment chock full of protein will do more harm than good for certain types of hair. For now, when I refer to deep treatments, I am referring to any type of deep conditioning treatment that does not contain protein.
Like protein treatments, deep treatments can be a great part of your maintenance routine, depending on your hair's individual needs. If you have coarse hair and should avoid protein, or if you are medium-textured and need to watch your protein/emollient balance, deep treatments are a good way to restore moisture to your hair when daily conditioning is not doing the trick. Because I color, I do a deep treatment twice per month--once 24 hours after I color, another at the midway point between colorings (at about three weeks), which helps to keep my hair healthy and in great shape. If you do any kind of a chemical process, a monthly or bi-monthly deep treatment can be a good idea.
People with fine hair, however, should be extremely careful since their hair typically needs more protein, not more moisturizers. I seldom recommend deep treatments for any fine-haired client, unless it's an initial series of treatments because she is severely dehydrated and I need to get some moisture back into her hair before we can move forward with restoring her hair health (even protein won't penetrate into fine hair if it is brittle and totally devoid of moisture).
Some individuals have asked me if there is a point when deep treatments (or protein treatments, for that matter) are no longer necessary for maintaining good hair health. I don't think there is a point deep treatments are no longer necessary for most people, since even our very natural environment can dry out our hair, but I believe there can come a time where they no longer need to be routine. If you don't chemically process and if your hair is healthy, you can do a deep treatment at arbitrary times just when you feel a little extra moisture is needed--such as if the weather becomes extremely dry, if you've been sick, etc.
Some salons are now offering expensive steam treatments, claiming the moist air infusion used is more effective than dry heat penetration. The drawback is that they are expensive and can run you anywhere from $50 - $100. In my opinion, the jury is still out on those steam treatments; frankly, I've yet to see where paying $$$ at a salon is more effective than what you can do for yourself at home. Boil a pot of water, remove it from the heat, lean over the pot and hold a towel over your conditioner-saturated head to capture the steam for 5-10 minutes--you'll steam your hair and give yourself a great facial at the same time (throw some mint or rosemary leaves in there for a little aromatherapy while you're at it!).
Properly applied, deep treatments can do wonders in helping to both restore and maintain healthy and dazzling curls.
Submit your hair questions to the Curl Whisperer, by emailing nikki@curlynikki.com. Be sure to use 'Curl Whisperer' as the subject line!
Check out the Curl Whisperer's site, HERE.
Meet Nikki V., a lifetime natural with a simple reggie!
CN: How long have you been natural?
N: My entire life on and off, I still use heat from time to time...I have never relaxed, but I have tried hair dyes....my how I regret those.
CN: What is your current regimen?
N: Conditioner wash, I use a lot of conditoner as a leave-in and moisturizer!!! I love coconut oil too. I do not wash my hair with shampoo very often, I prefer conditioner washes.
CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
N: To maintain length I try not to fuss too much over my hair, and just let it be. I try to stick to a routine, and I make sure I protect my hair at night. I pay attention to the ends and try to stimulate the roots often. For moisture, I use coconut oil and Nexxus Humectruss. I think you should work with your hair and find styles that compliment your hair in a healthy state, rather than trying to make your hair conform to damaging images of what you want it to be.
CN: How do you protect your curls a night?
N: High bun on top of my head (loose bun, not tight), on a satin pillow/ or scarf wrapped around.
CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
N: Research and find what works best for you, when you find it, stick to it. Be patient and love your hair, it will love you back. Find positive people who support your natural transition, and surround yourself with them.
CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
N: The freedom of being the best me I can be, without the price of damage, trying to look like someone else.
CN: Anything else you want to add?
N: Too much product can be bad...less is usually the better!
Healthy natural hair is a lifestyle and it takes some work and patience but it is worth it :)
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Meet NaturalNixon...loving her TWA and looking forward to BIG, healthy natural hair. 
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
N: I guess you can call me a short term transitioner. I started this journey thinking I would transition for a year but after 8 months I could not deal with the 2 textures any longer. I was loving my natural new growth and knew that I could rock a short TWA.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
N: I BC'ed on Aug 14, 2009. On my way to the salon I kept rubbing my hair thinking "today is the day". My daughter was with me and she was was very encouraging. She took pictures of the whole process. When I finally was done and looked at myself in the mirror I was like WOW, I did it! I felt free.
CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
N: My friends and family were blown away with my new look and the courage I had to cut it all off. I let them know that "I am not my hair" and it will grow back longer and stronger.
CN: What was your transition routine?
N: I washed weekly with Giovanni Deeper than moisture shampoo and conditioner. For a deep conditoner I used My Dr. Miracle's Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment. When my hair was not in a sew in or the braids I would twist or braid my hair on Sunday and the braid out or twist out would last for about a week. I like that it would get bigger each day. I used Africa's Best Wonder 8 oil in the morning and night for moisture. Each night I sleep in my satin bonnet.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
N: I did not have one style that I favored. I tried many things. I started off getting my hair blown out. I was still going to the salon so my stylist was using Paul Mitchell products. I then went to a sew in so that I would not put so much heat on my hair. In May I got some braids hoping that would help me make it to the 1 year mark. That did not worked because I missed my hair. I did twist outs and braid outs using shea butter and olive oil. Love them!! I wore them until I cut it all off.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
N: Although I wore my hair short I LOVED big hair. After I got married I began to talk to ladies that had natural hair and they gave me tons of knowledge on natural hair. I begin to read and research and was convinced...THIS IS FOR ME. I want the hair I use to have when I was 8 years old..LONG, THICK, and BIG! I wanted to be free of the time and money spent in the salon. Since I have BC'ed I feel a new me has been revealed and I AM LOVING IT!
1st pic-me with a relaxer
2nd pic-me with a blow out and growing out my short cut
3rd pic-My braid out
4th pic-My Big Chop in Aug.
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Meet Shantel...newly natural and loving every minute of it!
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
S: I was a short term transitioner--I transitioned for about 4 months. I initially wanted to transition for a year because I wanted some length. I have never worn my hair short and I was afraid of chopping it off...plus I didn't know how my husband would react--he loves long hair. But as the process went on, I realized that trying to hold on to the permed ends just to have extra length was contradictory to my purpose of going natural. So I realized my transitioning phase was over.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
S: I BC'ed on October 22, 2009. When I first saw myself it didn't hit me, even while staring in the mirror, that I had cut my hair off (not until the next day). While I was sitting in the chair I was feeling so PROUD of myself. Every clip of the scissors I felt like a weight was being lifted off of my shoulders. Before the BC, I couldn't grasp the freedom my fellow natural nubians expereinced...but now I can, I feel liberated! I really feel free.
CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
S: My family and friends were just in disbelief-- they couldn't believe that I would cut all of my hair off. Some said they LOVED it. Some said I looked flyy! Lol. My response was that my hair would grow back and that I was tired of the perms. They asked why I didn't transition longer like I first said, and I told them they weren't the ones who had to detangle all that mess. I'm soooooo over the long hair thing! My hair grows like a weed, it will grow back and I am a patient woman.
CN: What was your transition routine?
S: I didn't really have that much of a routine when I was transitioning. I would co-wash about 3 times a week with HE Hello Hydration or Organix Nourishing Coconut milk conditioner. I didn't use shampoo at all the entire time. I only detangled when I co-washed.
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
S: I wore mostly very loose ponytails with my ends tucked in to prevent rubbing on my shirt collars. I also wore bantu knot-outs and braid-outs a few times.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
S: I chose to go natural mainly because I knew it was time for a change. My hair wasn't breaking or anything from the perms, but I was tired of the hassle and tired of the same look. I wanted diversity. ALSO I saw how beautiful both of my daughters' hair were. Especially my youngest daughter whose hair is thicker than my first and made me curious about how my hair would be naturally. I'm a young woman still trying to figure out who I am as a person. And I think loving who I am naturally and what HE gave me, is a great step in that process.
PICS:
-First Picture-Perm
-Second Picture- Length before the BC
-Third Picture- THE NEW ME!!
Meet Nat...newly natural and sporting her TWA oh so chicly! She writes:
"It's been a little over one month since I did my big chop and I'm loving it! I have fun experimenting with my "twa" and am so glad that I crossed over to the natural side and officially stepped away from "creamy crack" aka perms."
A CN.com reader writes:
Hey Nikki,
I had a very funny conversation with my parents last night about natural hair care during the Great Depression (particularly in the South), leading up to when relaxers hit the scene.
Get this-- My Mom said that her mother (who was a seamstress and unlicensed beautician) used castile soap (in bar form) to wash hair. She then mixed oil of clove with melted Vaseline petroleum jelly to make pressing oil. She allowed this concoction to solidify and used it as a pomade for pressing. She (and many other stylists) also made a hair grower (that's what they called it) with oil of mustard and Vaseline. Folks would use that between presses for scalp treatments.
She also told me that some people used ... Are you sitting down? (drumroll) . . . Dog mange !! To treat people who had bad dandruff. I almost passed the f--- out when I heard that one! :)
My Dad got in on the conversation and told me that his mother used to use something called a 'rat' to style his sisters hair. It was basically a piece of cloth that one rolled the hair over to make a pompadour. He said it was always a joke when u saw girls/women using a rat who didn't have enough hair to completely cover it.
Another funny. . . I asked my mother how much they charged during the late 60s and early 70s for a press and curl. She said 3-5 dollars!!! That's a helluva lot cheaper than a thousand dollar weave, but stylists sure weren't getting rich. I guess their motto was, "Get rich, or die pressing"! Ha! I'll have to talk some other seniors and get some more funny stories.
Funny stuff, but sad at the same time.
Thanks,
NaturallyP
This is very interesting, and reminded me of some of the amazing stories told in Hair Story. NaturallyP has inspired me to start a new segment, called Time Machine- Natural Hair Then and Now. I invite each and every one of you to talk hair with your older friends and relatives (good quality time too!) and share what you've learned with the rest of us. It'll make the parallels more evident, and show that although the processes were different, the motivation was the same. We've been re-learning our hair since the 1800s...we've come along way, but still have a ways to go! This could be entertaining and enlightening!
Send submissions to nikki@curlynikki.com, using 'History' as the subject line.
Meet KayKay...a natural diva that defies conventional standards of beauty. She states, "My self confidence is no longer tied to how straight or long my hair is, because I am more than my hair." Truer words have never been spoken!
CN: How long have you been natural?
K: I have been natural for 16 months
CN: What is your current regimen?
K:
-wash once a week to remove product build up
-hot oil treatment using coconut oil and honey once a month
-deep condition once a week (Sunday)
-spritz daily light moisturizers onto hair, like Juices and Berries from Oyin Handmade or the Silk Shake Conditioner from Blended Beauty
-co-wash every 3 days. If I'm trying to make a style or product stretch I co-wash once a week (every 6 days)
-detangle once a week with wide tooth comb and fingers. Use the denman only after detangling with wide tooth comb and fingers first.
-to prevent tangles after a good detangling, I may put big twists in my hair before sleeping. If I have put products in my hair to define my curls I will simply wear a bonnet at night and rinse my coils to revive them the next day. Putting the twists in the night before this would alter the coil pattern
-Trimming: I plan to trim my ends every 6 months. This is an experiment into what works for my hair. I may trim more often or less at the end of this experiment next summer.
CN: How do you maintain length? Moisture?
K: The biggest threat to losing my length is through breakage. To prevent this I sleep with a satin bonnet or silk scarf every night and am always careful to style or detangle my hair in sections. Protective styles like twists help to prevent over manipulation and breakage as well. My coils are prone to dryness so I apply a light leave in conditioner everyday and seal my ends with a light oil light jojoba or coconut oil. Deep conditioning once a week helps too.
CN: What would you tell a new natural, or transitioning diva?
K: "Knowledge is power!" Many women, including myself, just weren't taught the basics of natural hair care. I was all about just giving up and going to the salon before I went natural. I rarely even washed my own hair in the past. Now that I'm natural, I cant imagine paying someone else to wash my hair. Do your research ladies. Learn what your coils, curls, or waves need and the rest is easy going!
CN: What's the best thing about being naturally glamorous?
K: I love looking in the mirror and feeling completely and authentically me; just as God intended. Natural hair for me isn't about hair, it's about self love and self esteem. Going natural challenged me to look at how I really feel about myself without societal and cultural looking glasses. My self confidence is no longer tied to how straight or long my hair is, because I am more than my hair.
CN: Anything else you want to add?
K: Natural hair is unique and gorgeous. Its unpredictable and free just like me! I love my curls and coils. I only wish that I'd gone natural sooner
The link to KayKay's fotki: http://members.fotki.com/
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Update 10.25.2009: Thanks again for the outpouring of support! I randomly selected 7 curlies (of the hundreds that responded) to send products/accessories/styling tools to the teacher. As for the rest of you divas...there will be plenty of other opportunities to donate to the cause! Thanks again...you guys are truly amazing :)
UPDATE 10.21.2009: You curlies are the real deal! I've received more than 70 emails from readers asking how they can contribute :) Nothing short of amazing! I'm working with the teacher right now to see how we can organize this. I'll be in touch soon!
A concerned, curly teacher writes:
Hi Nikki,
I love your site and I am an avid reader (maybe too much because if I am off task at work it is because I am on your site). I need your help and/or the help of your readers. I work at an elementary school and yesterday I encountered three little girls, all sisters, who had their hair chopped off by their father.
The youngest sister was sent to the office for insubordination because she refused to remove her hood in class. Upon arriving in the office I asked her to remove the hood and she refused and completely shut down. I phoned her mother to see if mom could talk to her and perhaps she could move on with her day. When mom couldn’t reach her, she sent the father to the school. The dad came into the office took the child’s jacket and told her that she needed to straighten up. I was dealing with another student and could only hear what was going on I never saw the child’s hair. Around thirty minutes later I received a call from the students homeroom teacher who said the child never showed up for class and that another student said she was in the bathroom crying. So, I headed up stairs when I found the young girl in the restroom crying. She was wearing another hood she borrowed from one of her older sisters. When she removed the hood I was finally able to see her hair. Underneath of the hood she had about 2 inches of a dry TWA. She burst into tears and all I could do was hug her and try to comfort her by telling her how beautiful she is. I stayed with her for awhile before going to check on her sisters.
The oldest sister was in class and she seemed to be fine. Her teacher however, is also natural and sports a TWA (that she has had for forty years) so, that may have helped. The middle sister was not in the room when I arrived to her class. Her teacher informed me that she asked to use the restroom but had not come back. I again went to check the restroom where I met the middle sister. She was visibly upset but not crying. She said that the other students were telling her that she looks like a man.
I was really at a lost as to what I should do. I mean I had shaved my head twice but, for me it was my choice. I also was an adult when I made the decision to do so, I didn’t have to face the ridicule of other children. I had three packages of headbands in the office so I gave each sister a pack and it seemed to cheer them up a little. I also told them that I would show them pics of my hair when I sported a TWA and buy them some hair products to use but, I feel like I am crossing the line. What line? Well, as educators we are to educate and not parent, but I feel so strongly about this situation. I want to help them learn how to take care of their hair but, at the same time I can barely afford my PJism let alone take on three other heads. Nikki! Please help!
Truly,
LuvMeLuvMyFro
Are ya'll thinking what I'm thinking? I say we put together a care package, and send it to the teacher to give to the family. I hope their parents will be accepting? Can we do this without any ethical violations? I really want to help! If anyone is interested in donating a product or two, email me at nikki@curlynikki.com. I'll gather all the goodies, box them up, and promptly ship it out to her. Between the new products, cute accessories, and positive role models such as this reader and the eldest sister's teacher, hopefully the girls will be able to re-build their self-esteem.
Later Gators,
Nik
UPDATE:
Hey Nikki,
I called the mom of the girls this morning to ask why their hair was cut. She said it was cut off because the girls were not taking proper care of their hair, and that she didn't know what to do with it. She said the only hairstyle she knows how to do is a French braid. I am not sure of mom's ethnicity but she has a silkier hair texture. She said the youngest girl is very tender headed and hates to have her hair combed. She said she would gladly welcome hair advice, accessories, and products. She sounded relieved that someone cares that much about her children.
Truly,
LuvMeLuvMyFro
Alrighty chicas...looks like we're still on track! Thanks to those of you that have emailed me asking to donate...I'll be in touch at the end of the work day.
Later,
Nik
Meet Nadia... she shows us that "... you can be bald and still look fabulous!"
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
N: I was a short term transitioner. My total transition period was probably 3 months or so. Originally I was going to go natural because I wanted to do the Wave Nouveau process but after researching natural hair I decided that I would just stay natural and no longer use chemicals in my hair.
CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
N: My BC was on July 17, 2009. It was very exciting for me actually! I'm a very confident person and even though there were haters I knew I could rock my short hair and still be fierce. It's all about how you carry yourself... you can be bald and still look fabulous!
CN: What was your transition routine?
N: I didn't really have a strict routine per se. I would get my hair washed ever couple of weeks and then straighten the roots. My stylist would trim the ends when necessary until I finally decided it was time to big chop!
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
N: I had my hair cut short so it was pretty much a cute bob while I transitioned.
CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
N: I used and still use shea butter and essential oils to moisturize my hair.
CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
N: Originally I was just doing it as a means to an end but after learning about black hair history, thinking about how natural hair would fit into my lifestyle and seeing other women's experiences, I realized there was no real reason for me to have to relax my hair or do any other chemical treatments. Our hair is beautiful as is and I didn't realize that when I was 12 and begging for my first relaxer. Now that I'm older (and wiser) I can see the benefits of embracing the real you! I'm so much more hands on now with my hair. I try new products, I'm trying new things (I just did my first kinky twists a couple of days ago as a protective style!) and I love learning about my texture. There are a lot of forums and platforms out there for those interested in natural hair or who are newbies. I'm so proud now to be natural and wish I had done it a long time ago.
Pics:
-The first picture is my relaxer hair long from a couple of years ago.
-The second picture is my relaxed hair in May. It was a short bob.
-The third picture is my big chop on 7/17/09.
-The last picture is my hair after a wash and go!
blog: http://sillynads.blogspot.com.
fotki: http://members.fotki.com/xtremelyperfect/.
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