Curly Nikki.com -Natural Hair Care and Tips for Styling Curly Hair

I threw all of my accessories on the floor, and sat smack right in the middle of them. Figuring out what would work for me at this stage in my life and what wouldn’t. I have chopsticks, ponytail holders and other hair accessories that of course would be of no use to me at this point. So those were hidden from sight (except the chopsticks which I keep out for motivation). My earrings of course had to be carefully picked out and put up on display. My headbands were separated and put together. I wanted to make sure I saw my accessory collections everyday. I did not want to be bored with my look. So your hair is too short to do anything with it … POP the accessories!

In my opinion, accessories can change or update any outfit. A person can wear a black shirt and jeans and with the use of their accessories it can be switched up to a different look each time. Even though I was accessory obsessed before my big chop, in that I loved different shoes, belts, earrings, hats and so forth, I found myself gravitating more to my headbands and earrings to really rock my TWA. Makeup also plays an important role in my opinion. Not a lot of anything is needed, but just enough.

I’m a very funky feeling sort of girl … bright colors...odd shapes…very strange. So my accessories are like that. My sister is very conservative and it shows in her accessories. Each person is different you know? So do you.

I’m rambling and I am not quite sure what I’m going on about, lol, but the whole point is to use accessories to make yourself look feminine, cute, glamorous, chic. Use them to show your personality. You do not need your hair to feel feminine, or to rock a certain look.

Below are a couple pictures showing how I changed up my look using accessories alone ... and two cases, I changed the lip color.

I did two videos on youtube.com on my accessories collection. I wasn’t joking when I said I’m a bit obsessed with them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjOkdhTdhdQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYRDveJ4aWc

MahoganyCurls writes:

Hey Nik!

I would like to share my first rollerset since I have been natural. I decided I will wear my hair straight once a year without using direct heat. I have never been a fan of flat irons (even when I was relaxed). I love setting my hair and I love the results I get from doing this. I decided to share this video, because you can achieve straight styles with natural hair, without using a blow dryer, curling irons, or a flat iron. I do not have anything against using direct heat, but I feel that our hair is very fragile and this is a great way to avoid possible heat damage.

Anyway, I did not use any type of direct heat whatsoever...just the rollers, a hooded dryer, and saran wrap. Again, thank you Nikki for all your hard work, without this site, I wouldn't enjoy being natural!

P.S.
I will wear my hair this way for 2 weeks.

I hope everyone enjoys the video!

Love,
MahoganyCurls
(Jess)

Nik,

It has been a year since I went natural and I wanted to share my hair journey with the lovely ladies on this site! I love my natural hair! Going natural was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I would like to thank you and many others that gave me the inspiration to go ahead and do it. I hope I can have that impact on someone as well. Thank you!

Enjoy!
MahoganyCurls

This afternoon I appeared on the Tyra Banks show!!! I literally hit the floor when she shared that she visits and loves CurlyNikki.com!

The show was not about curly or natural hair...but they tied me in at the end! I was a nervous wreck for the past few days, but today, surprisingly, I was eerily calm. I was given the chance to tell (the short version, lol) my story, pub the blog, and she then introduced me as the newest edition to her website, Tyrashow.com! It was surreal...but an absolutely friggin' wonderful experience!

I of course, did my own hair(Twist-n-Curl), and the makeup artist respected my wishes to keep my face as natural as possible. I'm not a makeup person, so I was freaking out when 30 minutes had passed and we were not finished! She was really sweet, super professional, and did a wonderful job! I just got home an hour ago, and I'm still wearing the 'mandatory' false lashes, and have no idea how to remove them...I'll be googling that tonight!


Tyra is even more beautiful in person...inside and out. Her wardrobe, hair, and make-up staff were fabulous! Thanks to all of my lovely curly readers for your support...she received and loved your emails about CurlyNikki.com, and I'm certain it played a part in helping me get on the show!!!!

As soon as they give me the air date, y'all will be the first to know!

The Tyra Banks Show airs Weekdays from 3 to 5PM EST on The CW.

Later Gators,

Nik

Happy Monday!

Aren't we fortunate that the divas of CN.com are so forthcoming with their beauty secrets?! If it wasn't for these creative styling tutorials, I'd be doomed to a life of buns and twist-outs!

Without further ado, check out this Pin Curl tutorial by Tiashauntee...

This style is so easy to do and is actually a two in one. You can do the pin curls and wear them that way and/or remove the hair pins and let your curls cascade.

When I was wearing my press n curl all the time I would do pin curls across the top and wear them with a bun in the back.

A few days later I would take my hair down and I would have some awesome waves going on....the best part - NO HEAT.

For more pics of this style please visit my FOTKI

Maybe she'll do a vid or provide a step by step tutorial on her gorgeous Twist Bun next! Hint, hint ;)

Happy New Year Curlies!!!!

I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Years Eve. Ready to be inspired? Well this one is for all of my transitioning divas, TWA rockers... even the vets!

MahoganyCurls recently completed the TWA Inspirational Video, and just in time too-- I came to the conclusion that this is actually the ultimate Fierce Friday, so enjoy!


MahoganyCurls writes:

Hey Nikki!

I would like to thank everyone that participated in the beautiful project! I hope I didn't leave anyone out (if I did, I am so sorry, please let me know...). Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the videos. Thank you and Happy New Year!!!!!!

Love,
Jess (MahoganyCurls)

http://www.kplr11.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=c8dff6c4-f47e-408e-9f60-5828511529a3&src=front

Let me know what you think!!

Mahoganycurls writes:

What You’ll Need:

• Wide tooth comb (for detangling)
• Rat tail comb
• Leave-in conditioner
• Gel or whatever type of product you use for hold
• Coconut oil or whatever you prefer to use to seal your ends
• Gray perm rods

Step by Step Instructions:

• Co wash hair and follow with your normal deep treatment
• Detangle thoroughly
  
• Put your leave-in product on your hair
• Part hair in a small section, smooth and comb that section and apply more product if necessary. At this point, add a little bit of gel for extra hold and smooth the hair again
• Grab two small sections of the hair and proceed to twist.
• Flat twist hair to the scalp in the same manner you would cornrow hair. The difference is you are manipulating two sections instead of three
• Twist the hair as close to the hairline as possible, twist straight back, twisting as close to the scalp as possible so that hair doesn’t lift from the scalp, grabbing small sections of hair as you twist. Twist hair as far to the end as possible (I DID NOT stop at my nape).
• When you can no longer twist the hair, add oil & the perm rod to the end of the hair
• Repeat process until your entire head of hair is twisted

IMPORTANT NOTE: When transitioning, hair must be completely dry because you are working with two textures. Using this style will camouflage the two different textures. To ensure that your hair is completely dry before unraveling the twists, I'd rec' you sit under the hooded dryer for 15 minutes or so.

When unraveling the twists take your time!!!! I separate as I unravel the twists. I normally fluff it up to make my hair big.

The beautiful Mae writes:

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!

For more of the gorgeous Autumn and her Curly Chronicles, click HERE.

Remember Jess, aka MohaganyCurls? Well, she's back with an update on her routine, experiences, and the blossoming of her TWA (teeny weeny Afro)!



Hey Nikki,

I just wanted to share my hair growth since the last time I shared my Natural Hair Journey story with you guys. I still have a TWA, but I wanted to inspire ladies that are considering doing the big chop...to let them know that it is okay to let go of your hair. I feel that once you make the transition from relaxed to natural hair, you will look and feel beautiful with short or long hair. I didn't transition, I just decided to big chop exactly 8 weeks after my last relaxer. Ever since, I have been very happy about my natural hair experience.

I usually wear a wash n go, or flat twists (I haven't mastered the two strand twisting yet!). I live in Germany so, it is very cold outside right now. When I wear my wash n go's, I can stretch it at least 7 days! Yes, I can get sixth day hair with my TWA! When I wake up in the morning all I do is spritz my bed head with warm water, let it sit for a couple of seconds and shake. That's it! When I do this, my hair dries faster and my curls bounce right back!

Having a TWA can sometimes be a little fustrating because you can't style your hair the way you may want to style it, but that doesnt mean you can't improvise, and enjoy every stage of your hair growth!

BTW, It has been 8 months since my BC! :)

Love,
Jess

Hola Chicas,

While on my way back from an 8 hour road trip (I have something random to share about that too...remind me!), an old friend from NaturallyCurly.com emailed me. You probably know her as ItsMsHeatherNicole, the curly (and hilarious) youtube star, with a southern twang. We've been online bffs since '05, and needless to say, I was delighted to see her name in my inbox...at 1am no less.

In short, she was giving me the heads up that she had tried the Twist-n-Curl, liked it, and made a vid about it. So, I thought it'd be cool to try her signature style too..The Curly Fro!

This morning, after ensuring my hair was completely dry, I took them down one by one. I un-twisted, fluffed, and was pleasantly surprised! It was shiny, fluffy, moisturized, and defined. I didn't know what to expect--I didn't have high hopes because of my hair type. In the end, I'm happy to add this style to my arsenal. It will come in handy when I don't have time to wet my hair. It's also a great primer for a stretched out up-do. I probably won't do it too often, because I don't think my hair likes to be manipulated dry.

Here are the specifics:

• I carefully sectioned out the front and secured the rest of my hair in a scrunchy. I finger detangled a bit, and sprayed it 1-3 times with water. I then detangled with my wide tooth Jilbere comb from the ends to the roots. Finally, I sprayed SIF into my palms (about 5-7 sprays), thoroughly applied it to the section, and twisted. I added Oyin to the ends.
  
• Repeated the instructions above with a section at the crown, one on each side above my ears, and 3 in the back.
  
• Rolled the twists from tip to root and secured by folding the flexi rods (shaped like a z).
• Slept...comfortably too!
  
• Unrolled, separated twists, and fluffed!

Randomness...blast from the past:

Eight hours is a long time to be in the car...especially if you had just driven 8 hours the day before...through the mountains, in the rain!
During the last 4 hour stretch, the hubs and I scanned the radio (this is SO much fun), and sang along (albeit poorly) with such artists as Journey, Queen, Elton, and Prince. Finally, he broke out his IPhone and shuffled it--the first song that came on was Milli Vanilli 'Baby Don't Forget My Number'! After my initial 'uh, WTF?!' reaction, we discussed the phenomenon that was Milli Vanilli and how most of what I remember was actually In Living Color's portrayal of them. So, we did a Youtube search and found the video. OMG...classic. Who the hell was their choreographer?!



The moral of this story? Don't have one...but we definitely laughed until we cried, and Milli Vanilli are now runner ups for our 2009 Halloween Costumes...

Later Gators,
Nik

Happy Thursday Gorgeous Gals!

Many of you have asked how I turn my flat Twist-n-Curl into a BIG Mane :D

I made a quick vid to show how I fluff. Basically I do two things:

1. Pull outstretched fingers through roots, but not all the way through the length.

2. Place outstretched fingers into roots and shake, shake, shake!

I hope this clearly illustrates how I achieve bigger, fluffier hair.