I have the honor of attending my best friend’s wedding this weekend as her Matron of Honor. So excited! I’ve been going back and forth on what type of hair style I should wear for her big day. An updo is obviously the more traditional and formal way to go so I’ve been heavily considering some sort of twist updo style. On the other hand I’ve been extremely tempted to straighten my hair. There’s a cold front coming through the Tampa Bay area which would serve as the perfect weather for straight hair. I’m just not sure what I want to do. Here are some of the updos I’ve found on Pinterest that I really like. Stay tuned!
Monthly Archives: November 2013
Pushing the Corporate Envelope
I LOVE pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing my natural hair at work. I’m in a corporate environment Monday – Friday 7:30 to 4:30 so every day I do my hair in the morning I’m thinking of yet another way that I can do something a little more outstanding than the day before. Being one of 3 african american individuals on the floor I work on, blending in isn’t really an option. And I am truly thankful for that! Outside of the fact that the Book calls me the salt of the earth, intended to offer a bit of spiritual flavor to an otherwise bland atmosphere, I love the idea of contradicting a corporately correct fit with a curly fro or super high mega bun. I love being different. My natural hair affords me the opportunity to be different every single day. Holy Spirit lives in me and my every day goal is to change the atmosphere he puts me in. Some love me and others love to hate me. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that I love me.
Don’t be afraid of wearing your natural hair styles at work. Don’t fear that they could potentially hold you back from advancement. God is your source, your job, is just a resource. Love yourself. Be yourself. And the next time you think about wearing that style you’re just not sure is ok for work…go for it. And don’t just wear it, OWN IT!
So Twisted
I absolutely love the bun life. I have a different bun for every day of the week. But this week, I decided to do small twists as my primary protective style.
These twists took me about 4 hours to do. I twisted on co-washed and conditioned hair (Tresemme Flawless Curls and Cantu leave-in). Typically when I do these twists I prefer to use a locking creme like Carol’s Daughter Loc Butter along with my Eco Styler gel. It just so happens that I was out of both of these fabulous products but was still committed to getting the twists done before the week began. I ended up only using Cantu’s Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, a product I am heavily relying on during my growth challenge. Consequently, because I didn’t use anything to really lock these twists in, I don’t expect them to last very long at all. I’ll be really happy to make it to Friday. Personally, I think that four hours of twisting for 4-5 days of not having to really do anything to my hair is a pretty great trade-off, but that’s just me!
I am moisturizing and sealing my ends at least every other day, if not every day with Bioinfusion Olive Oil Shine Serum and the Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, Cantu’s Creamy Hair Lotion or Motions Hydrate My Curls Hair Pudding.
That’s about it! Still protective styling and treating my hair for maximum growth! Off to drink two cups of water and take my vitamins. Let me know if you’d like to see a tutorial on these twists. Be you beauties!
Curly Support
I partnered with an incredible woman tonight who owns a fabulous fashion mobile boutique. White Tent Runway is leading the mobile boutique revolution in the Tampa Bay area and stays on the cutting edge of fashion trends.
I had the opportunity to talk to several ladies who are either natural or currently transitioning at the boutique’s first Friday event, Style Studio. As I encouraged them on their journey’s and offered various natural hair tips based on my experiences I couldn’t help but think about the importance of that kind of interaction when you are in the midst of such a significant change as transitioning.
You may not realize it initially, but not everyone is going to be supportive of your decision. Unless you are fully committed to your natural hair journey there is a good probability that you will not make it to the point of truly being able to enjoy your natural hair. During your transition or post big chop people will look at you sideways and make rude remarks, and unless you are confident, know who you are and love yourself completely, you could easily be persuaded to give up on your journey and revert back to your relaxed hair. If you’re going to do this, you’re going to need curly support!
Staying encouraged by surrounding yourself with people who are supportive of your decision to embrace your natural hair texture is critical! Find inspiration and motivation to stay committed to your journey through other naturals. Visit YouTube and find channels that keep you positive. I encourage you to check out my channel here. Talk to other naturals that you know and trade products and tips. Keep it fun. This is an exciting time in your life. Don’t let people who are unsupportive bring you down. The quote below sums it up It’s only a matter of time before they start asking you how you achieved such gorgeous hair so don’t give up!
TJ Luvs Being Natural 