Hola Chicas,
I’m 6 months preggers today! Time is really moving… it’s almost scary.
In random news, during a debilitating DQ Peanut Buster Parfait craving this afternoon, I had the clarity to look up the nutritional info online. O M G. One PBP is 770 calories!!!! Now that is RiGotDamnDiculous… shame on them! So I nixed that idea, and packed it up and headed to the store to purchase some Oreos and skim milk. Still not a healthy snack, but definitely the lesser of two evils.
As promised, I’m laying out the details of my slightly modified routine. It has elicited compliments from friends and strangers alike, and I absolutely love the feel of my hair! Although I’m still doing a Twist-n-Curl, there are two major changes:
- Lighter Products- I’m using Yes to Cucumbers Conditioner to detangle in the shower, and as a moisturizing leave-in afterward. Since it has zero hold, I use a teeny bit of Deva Set it Free (2 squirts per twist) or Aveda’s Light Elements Defining Whip (pea sized amount per twist) for staying power. I seal with shea butter on the last 2 inches of hair prior to rolling. The result? Hair that feels naked…product free…fluffy…yet moisturized. It moves! It’s a great change from the heaviness of DevaCare One (which weighs my curls down showing more length), and I enjoy the volume it gives me on top. My latest lesson learned is that properly moisturized hair doesn’t have to feel product-y or heavy!
- Apply products to damp (not dripping) hair– My inspiration came from waking up to still wet, wet- sets on a regular basis. My hair is a bit thicker now, and I’ve noticed that even with the ceiling fan, my Twist-n-Curls have not been 100% (or even 80%) dry come morning. Cranking up the bonnet dryer or diffuser really isn’t an option… I try to reserve the heat for emergencies. I was recently sent a pair of Hand Dry Hair Gloves to try, and I’m really loving them. After detangling and rinsing clean (hair in 6 twists as always), I gently blot dry each twist until it’s just damp. I then apply the YTC and Set it Free to each section prior to twisting. The result? Hair that dries in half the time! I also seem to get more of a consistent curl pattern, and hair that appears to retain the moisture from the conditioner much better! Working with my damp hair used to be such a hassle… keeping it in detangled sections is the key. Also, I’m sure a paper towel or terry towel would work the same.
Besides the two points above, there are several other things I do to ensure good hair days:
- Detangle in sections- When I get in the shower, my hair is loose. I wet it down, apply loads of conditioner, and let it marinate. I then split my hair down the middle, and start with the left side. I section out the back (pinning the rest of the left side up and out of the way) and detangle with my fingers and Ouidad comb under the shower stream. I two strand twist that section and repeat with the section near my ear, and by my face. Repeat with the right side. I end up with three product free, thoroughly detangled, twisted sections on each side– 6 total. I then get out of the shower, blot, and apply my leave-in/stylers to each, prior to twisting.
- Twist Placement– For looser waves, I find that 11 twists suffice. After making a center part, I place four twists near my face (two on either side of the part), one above each ear, four in the back, and one at the crown.
- Preserving the Style- When showering on in-between days, I pull my hair into a low loose pony with a banana clip or satin scrunchy. I secure the crown with a silk scarf and cover it all with a shower cap. At night, I sleep with it out on my satin pillow case, flipped over the pillow so that I won’t lay and drool on it. For my daily walk (outside or indoors), I pull it up or down into a loose pony.
- Flexi-Rods for Ends– I’m using these instead of magnetic rollers because they are less taxing on the ends and easier to sleep on. I don’t know the inch size, but I use the pink (quite small), or blue ones.
- Hair Days- I style twice a week, Monday and Thursday, or Sunday and Wednesday. Going any longer than that, results in a dramaful detangling session.


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2010 Products, Styles, and Monthly Treatments:
Current Product Rotation:
- Shampoo– Mehandi Shampoo Bar, or Giovanni Tea Tree
- Deep Conditioner– Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment or Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose
- Conditioners- Depending on how I feel, I use one, or a combo of the following to co-wash, detangle, and leave-in: Herbal Essence’s Totally Twisted or Hello Hydration, DevaCare One Condition, Yes to Cucumbers or Yes to Carrots.
- Sealant– Afrikan Republic Unrefined Shea Butter from Butters-n-Bars, or Oyin’s Burnt Sugar Pomade.
- Henna – Bridal Art Quality Jamila from Mehandi I buy the Jamila in the foil pouch only, not the cellophane. I also purchase henna from Butters-n-Bars.com.
Hair Styles (listed in order of how often it is worn):
- Chunky Twist-n-Curl (looser waves, and easier to do!)
- High Bun– The same basic steps found in THIS VIDEO, but done on dry, previously twisted hair.
- I haven’t done a Bantu Knot-Out in a while due to the amount of time it takes to dry. I love the look, but hate sitting under the dryer!
To see pictures of my hair in the various styles, browse through My Hair.
Once a month, on a weekend, I do the following:
- Shampoo, Condition, Detangle- I shampoo with a Mehandi bar, apply conditioner, detangle, and rinse thoroughly.
- Apply Henna for an overnight treatment (4 hour treatment with heat, if I’m in a rush).
- Deep Condition the next morning, and follow the steps above for styling.
How do you deep condition hair?
did you cut your flexi rods to make them shorter??
hey, i referenced this entry in my blog! i recently did a twist-n-curl for the first time, and i got some of my tips from you. let me know what you think, and congrats on the new natural in the family =)
http://mo-to-the-jo.blogspot.com/2010/08/twist-curl-redux.html
I'm still learning abt natural hair care so please help me to understand why you use a shea butter as a sealant, why you chose the specific conditioner to leave in, how often do you do these things, etc. Break it all down for me if you don't mind. 🙂 I'm in desperate need of a good leave in & moisturizer. I also have 2 little knky/curly heads to do so I'm trying to learn all I can to educate them.
On your modified spring routine you state that you style twice a week. Can you tell me what does that consist of. Also what moisturizer do you use on your off days?
Thank you
Considering that I still have a pretty good amount of my Herbal Essences Hello Hydration left, I think I'll continue to use it as a detangling conditioner, but I am so TEMPTED to try the Yes to Cucumbers/Carrots conditioners. I just recently began wearing my hair in its natural state and I can never understand why my hair feels so dry after the first day or so and the frizz is crazy. Maybe I should attribute that to me applying products and conditioner to wet versus damp hair, so the HAIR isn't really getting moisturized (as one person posted)?? I don't know what, so I'm going to take you up on some of your tips and see if it helps to improve the amount of moisture that my hair retains. I love how your hair shines! I long to have hair like that one day! Your blog is wonderfulllll!
Today I read every comment that was made regarding "Yes to Cucumbers" and then prayed and asked God to help me find it @ Ross/TJ Maxx (thereby saving some money & time). I am here to tell you that God hears us and He always answers us! I found it at my first stop, Ross. It was sitting on the shelf behind all the other conditioners and I bought it for $3.99! 🙂 I can't wait to try it out in a little bit.
Do you know what you are having yet?
on the twist and curl out are you leaving the conditioner in?
Sounds great. You look beautiful Nikki! Congrats on being 6 months. This rest of the time is going to fly.<3
I have a hard time keeping it twisted at my roots. After a few hours I look and they are always very loose at the root and don't really take any suggestions?
Tiffany
Peace, Love and Chocolate
http://liferequiresmorechocolate.blogspot.com
I love Yes to Cucumbers, it is my absolute fav condish. Congrats on the bab and as always your hair is gawgous!
Congrats on 6 month anniversary and as always your hair is FAB!
Curly Nikki, your hair looks supa dupa good here:) Question: Do you recomend the Henna mixes from the Butters n Bars site? It looks promising but I wanted a second opinion…lol
Thanks ladies! You guys are the best 🙂
I've gained 17 pounds in these 6 months and I think it's all in my boobs, butt, and belly (hubby is not complaining!). So far so good… but I'm terrified about August!
Angel, I don't wash n go anymore because the tangling, splitting, and matting was out of control! I had a plethora of single strand knots, and was unable to retain length. If I could, I would… it would save a TON of time!
later gators!
Congrats on 6 months Nik!! and Your hair looks amazing :D. I am soo tempted to try the Yes to Cucumber/Carrots :D. I will let you know when I do 😀
I HAD TO PUT MY SUNGLASSES ON OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN BLINDED BY THE FIERCE SHINE ILLUMINATING FROM YOUR HAIR! I AM GOING TO SAY "YES" TO YES TO CUCUMBERS CONDITIONER!:-0
"RiGotDamnDiculous…" Lol. I was smh on the calorie count too, but it didn't prevent me from trying my first two blizzards of the season – the Midnight Truffle & the Hawaiian. Delish.
I knew it I knew it!!! hehehe! After all it was you that got me try try Yes To Cucumbers in the first place… and it is AMAZING how much my hair and I love this stuff! You forgot to mention the SHINE!!!! Thanks again you PJ you!!
I am a hair out 98% of the time girl and wash and gos are my staple. This stuff left in with a little coconut oil mixed through is fabulous!
Congrats Nikki On The 6 Month Milestone, Almost Time, LOL You Look Beautiful!
Thank you Nikki for sharing! You are wonderful and you look soo darn cute!Raina
Thanks for describing the location of your twists – it's always good to compare. Congratulations – had no idea you were pregnant – how exciting!
http://LakshmisCupboard.blogspot.com
Those pictures are FIERCE!!!! You are a beautiful maternity model!!! =) The first ones of your hair are sooo darn shiny!!! WOW lol for some reason the curls remind me of delicious chocolate truffles! I'm craving chocolate now!
I second the damp vs. wet hair. After washing my hair last night I was very annoyed by it being soaking wet while I was in the midst of styling it. So, after applying my leave-in mixture and twisting, I blotted it with my microfiber towel and proceeded with aloe vera gel to seal in the moisture (then decided to do 10 bantu knots to air dry instead of the twists). My hair hasn't felt this sealed in a while and thankfully it did dry so much faster. Next time I may blot before applying the leave in and so on.
Hello ladies! I have just started my relaxed to natural journey (only 1 1/2 months in). I know I have a long road ahead, but I'm sooooooooo excited. I can not wait to see what my natural hair looks like (I've been relaxed since 4th or 5th grade…32yrs old now). Nikki….AWESOME BLOG!!! I am so encouraged, Thank you!
aww, Congrats Nikki! You look so adorable, and the information was very helpful. Question, why don't you ever wear wash n go's?
Awe, look at that belly.
One of these days I going yo try your tnc…
You look so cute with you bump! Love you hair in those pics too!!
CONGRATULATIONS on 6 months preggers!!
This is right on time for me. I've been questioning if my hair is properly moisturized. Maybe the application of the leavein to dripping wet hair wasn't the right approach. Back to the drawing board…damp not wet. And no more looking for a product-y feel when I touch my hair. Got it!
Yay for your baby bump. I knew you'd be cute preggers!
Latoya, you are so right! Sad it took me so long to come around, lol. I've tried it before (damp styling), and my hair always felt so tangled. I guess I've remedied that with the twisted sections. Yay for properly conditioned hair!
I think the reason why your hair is conditioning better is because you are suppose to condition your hair when it is damp not wet. If it wet, you are conditioning the waters instead of your hair.