Friday, October 22, 2010

Latest Essence Magazine Issue of November 2010 and a Good Trim

Hello my natural bunnies,

This entry will be short and sweet. I have two videos for your viewing-one is a video I did last weekend (10/16/10) in some blue roller sets as I was talking about getting a good trim. Please get your hair trimmed at least every other month. With all the previous damage done to the hair as a result of perming, coloring, braids, and weaves, your hair can take a real beating, and can experience split ends and breakage. This is due in part to not getting your hair trimmed. A good trim promotes even, healthy hair growth. Check out my vlogs for more.

The vlog with me in a pink and black vest like blouse is from today, 10/22/10. I talk about the November 2010 issue of Essence magazine celebrating natural hair. Ciao, natural bellas. -xoxo, chisomthewriter




The video below was from last week, 10/16/10

Thursday, October 14, 2010

My Roller Set Video

Hola!

It's been a minute since my last post, but I wanted to share this quick roller set video with you. Roller sets are a great way to help your hair during the transition phase, and you don't have to just undergo roller sets. You can try rod sets or flex rod sets as your hair continues to grow. I am going for the long transition at this time before I make the move to the big chop (just not ready yet to venture that close to the edge). Anywho,when doing any kind of set that entails heat, please place blow dryer level on low heat, and if possible, allow the hair to air dry. As you are transitioning, the less time you can expose your hair to heat, the better. Later my naturalista friends! xoxo - chisomthewriter

Friday, October 8, 2010

Natural Hairstyles (Over 200) - YouTube Video by Naptural85




Please go to the Naptural85 channel on YouTube! There you can watch her amazing video of over 200 natural hairstyles! If you have a YouTube account I also strongly suggest you subscribe to her YouTube channel. The girl has some amazing how-to videos on styles and products regarding natural hair.

After watching this video it has reinforced my determination to stay natural. To all my women of color, we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Click on the link below to go directly to the video! Enjoy!

xoxo

-chisomthewriter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OngeYXaslY

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

GREASE! And I'm NOT Talking About the Legendary Movie or Broadway Play! Lol!

Hey everyone,

Today's topic is about GREASE! For those of you out there, I'm sure you can recount the times when Mommy dearest put some grease in your hair. Lol! Some of may you may not want to remember those days, but we've all had them. :-)

What I'm finding in my preliminary readings on the grease phenomenon is that there is more of an advocacy for essential oils over petroleum based grease. The view is that grease clogs your pores,and encourages dirt build-up, yada, yada yada. [Rolls eyes.] I have to say that I have a mixed take on this. I choose to take my mother's advice of using grease to grease my scalp at least twice a week.

The best analogy I can use is that grease is like an important "plant food" in lawn care. It's like Miracle Gro for your hair. A well maintained lawn must undergo a series of edging, hedging, watering, pruning and mowing in order to be healthy, and the same goes for your hair.

Generally, Black hair requires more attention to the utilization of oil (in Texas we pronounce oil as "all")/grease than our Caucasian counterparts. Let's say that "watering" your hair is like that of greasing. Simply put, too much greasing of the scalp, will not be help for the promotion of hair growth; it's as if you are over watering  (drowning) your hair. That is what you want to avoid. But grease application in moderation, just like watering your lawn in moderation, maintains the vibrancy of your hair like that of a lawn.

Below is a direct excerpt of an article I found helpful in looking at the best oil /greate ingredients for your hair. Among the list below I currently use a regimen of coconut grease (petroleum based) and olive oil  (less petroleum based) for greasing my scalp twice a week. My results have been great My hair looks alive even in it's transition state! Enjoy!

xoxo
-chisomthewriter

The information below is from the following website: 

http://blackhair.about.com/od/naturalcare/tp/naturalhairmyths.htm


Natural Hair Needs Grease
Many products you'll find in the ethnic hair care section of your local stores are full of ingredients that aren't the best for black hair. Ironic, but true. Petroleum and mineral oil make up a large percentage of black hair products and all they do is clog your scalp and attract dirt to your hair. You do not have to "grease" your scalp for it to be healthy.
A better approach is to apply natural oils directly to your hair, paying special attention to the ends, which tend to be dry.

Coconut Oil

You'll find products that contain coconut oil, but if you can buy it pure and/or organic, you can use it straight from the jar. It's a wonderful emollient because unlike other oils, coconut oil actually penetrates the cortex instead of simply sitting on top of it and making it look all nice and shiny. It absorbs wonderfully and is multi-functional; use it on your skin and cook with it, too.

Shea Butter

Look for pure, unrefined shea butter that's pale yellow and smooth. Gritty, dark yellow, white or green shea butter is either too refined or even rotten. Again, look for a light yellow color and uniformity when buying shea butter. There's plenty of products that have jumped on the shea butter bandwagon, but if it's not one of the first five ingredients listed, it's probably not doing you much good. You can either buy a shea butter-based product, or better yet, use it straight from the jar. Pure shea butter can be firm, but it melts easily and absorbs into dry hair well.

Olive Oil

Another multi-tasker here, olive oil is great for hot oil treatments and for mixing with rinse-out conditioners. Use sparingly as this is a heavy oil and can weigh your hair down when used in large amounts.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is prized as a natural ingredient because its composition is similar to that of your scalp's natural oils. Use straight from the bottle, although it's not considered as effective a penetrator as coconut oil, or mix with conditioners and hair moisturizers.

Avocado Oil

If you've ever used mashed avocado as a conditioning treatment, you're familiar with the moisturizing properties of this vegetable. The oil is good for use on dry hair.

 Aloe Vera

Purported to prevent hair loss, aloe vera does more than soothe sunburn. A good aloe vera shampoo is said to restore the pH levels of the scalp.

Castor Oil 

Good for cleansing the scalp, promoting thicker hair growth and removing toxins, use castor oil once to twice per week.

Friday, October 1, 2010

De-Threading Video

Hey Peeps,

Here is just a video of me taking out my threads after a week. I would have kept them in longer, but my hair was in dire need of a wash, and my stylist has a customer appreciation special that I want to take advantage of: $30 perms, and quick weaves, and a wash and style for $20, which is what I'm getting. Kat you're the best!!!!! I'll be there bright and early to get my hair washed. Enjoy the video!

xoxo
-chisomthewriter