By Katrice
{Even my pooch is interested.}
I'm always trying to give a drive-by explanation of how I get my afro so chunky, so I decided to take the time to explain my process today. It's a little involved but if you have spongy hair or experience the crazy shrinkage I do, the end result makes it worthwhile.
First off, I wash my hair every 8 to 10 days usually on Sundays, depending on what events I have coming up. But, I'll describe what happens in a 10-day wash cycle.
What I use: Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo and Restorative Leave-In Conditioner.
After washing it and combing the conditioner through to detangle, I let my hair air dry. Once it's dry or almost completely dry, I add a small amount of Shea Moisture Reconstructive Elixir or Moroccanoil to it; and then finger part it in both small the medium sections — applying a small dab of Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer to each pre-twisted piece of hair before two-strand twisting.
Usually I leave it twisted for one or two days before taking it down maybe on Wednesday. The first day I take it down, it's a minimally stretched twist out. So, I twist it back up a couple more times through the week, only using Mango Butter once after the initial twist, to continue to stretch it.
By Sunday, the twist out is usually pretty full and stretched. So, from there, I just sleep with my satin bonnet on and start out Monday morning by taking a nickel-sized amount of Mango Butter and running it throughout my hair before getting into a steamy shower. The steam takes away the crinkled look of the twist out and lifts up any part that is leaning or hanging to a much more full fro. After that, all I do is cover it at night and finger through it in the morning. And that's it!
By Katrice
I've been natural now for four years and thankfully have found a selection of products to help keep my hair healthy and happy. It was a long road, so when people stop me to ask what I'm using, I feel compelled to share as much as I can. I like to try a lot of new products, but truthfully there a few staples that I use without fail. Finding just the right mix helped me to recover from being a product junkie. So, I thought I'd update my product diary ... I haven't done it here in a while.
1. Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo: My go-to for an always-itchy scalp. I love that my scalp is refreshed without my hair being dried out by the formula.
2. I bought a trial size bottle of MORROCANOIL at an event two years ago and I'm just half way through it. A little bit does the job.
3. Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer changed the entire trajectory of my natural hair journey. I struggled with dry hair before trying it. Now, I use it once or twice a week for my twist outs. It's light and leaves no residue.
4. I discovered Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme by chance when I needed something to smooth my edges and I was out of my usual product. It was a perfect stand-in. Like a lotion, it's heavy enough to lay my edges down without of getting hard.
5. While I'm always telling others to read the label of products and follow the directions for optimal results, the first time I used One 'N Only Argan Oil Curl Cream my best friend handed it to me to try. I put it in my hair hoping for moisturization before pulling it up. When I got home, I read the label and thought, oh, this is a leave-in conditioner ... and started using it as such. It's not, but my hair is so super soft after using it that I'll keep doing what I'm doing.
What are you loving for your hair right now?
I've been natural now for four years and thankfully have found a selection of products to help keep my hair healthy and happy. It was a long road, so when people stop me to ask what I'm using, I feel compelled to share as much as I can. I like to try a lot of new products, but truthfully there a few staples that I use without fail. Finding just the right mix helped me to recover from being a product junkie. So, I thought I'd update my product diary ... I haven't done it here in a while.
2. I bought a trial size bottle of MORROCANOIL at an event two years ago and I'm just half way through it. A little bit does the job.
3. Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer changed the entire trajectory of my natural hair journey. I struggled with dry hair before trying it. Now, I use it once or twice a week for my twist outs. It's light and leaves no residue.
4. I discovered Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter Whipped Curl Creme by chance when I needed something to smooth my edges and I was out of my usual product. It was a perfect stand-in. Like a lotion, it's heavy enough to lay my edges down without of getting hard.
5. While I'm always telling others to read the label of products and follow the directions for optimal results, the first time I used One 'N Only Argan Oil Curl Cream my best friend handed it to me to try. I put it in my hair hoping for moisturization before pulling it up. When I got home, I read the label and thought, oh, this is a leave-in conditioner ... and started using it as such. It's not, but my hair is so super soft after using it that I'll keep doing what I'm doing.
What are you loving for your hair right now?
By Katrice
H&M | Target | Forever 21 | Guess | Betsey Johnson
By Katrice
Blouse | Zara
Jean Capris | Express
Platforms | Michael Antonio
Cocktail Ring | Traci Lynn Jewelry
Vintage Clip-Ons
Bracelets | Forever 21 | Target
Watch | American Exchange
Leather Pouch | American Apparel
Afro styled with Shea Moisture Organic Shea Butter Reconstructive Elixir
By Katrice
Last night I marked My Vicarious Life 2nd birthday with a Social Soiree at the LOFT at Castleberry Hill. What a spectacular evening! Thank you to everyone who came out to help me celebrate and to The MVL Social sponsors — Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, Avon, Shea Moisture, Color Me Beautiful, Beautiful Textures and Blackberry. I could not have done it without you!
Toy Matthews
Swag courtesy of Avon and Shea Moisture
And more swag. Love these clutches from Color Me Beautiful
Me with Ebony Janice Moore and Yolanda Mines
K Thuy Ng, Charis Finesse and Tao C
Natasha Davis-Bowen and Ann Keys-Spencer
Tasha Robinson, Dea Win, Shawntel Asemota, Alaina Garrett and Kristen Cottrell-Henderson
The winner of a Color Me Beautiful tote giveaway
The winner of a Blackberry Play Book
John Stephens, LaToya Stephens and Myleik Teele
By Katrice
I attended 'Fro Fashion Week at Hotel Melia in Atlanta for a few hours on Saturday and saw some of MVL's favorite folks {Myleik Teele of curBOX, Felicia Leatherwood of Loving Your Hair With Natural Care, Ken Burkeen of Huetiful, Tia of If I Were a Brit Girl, Trina of The Baby Shopaholic, and Eboni - The Fashionista Next Door}. I've been trying to get to the celebration of natural hair, beauty and style since first hearing of it last spring. Naturally Me! Media LLC hosts a phenomenal presentation of workshops, vendors and events centered on natural hair as a lifestyle. Some workshops included: Transitioning to Natural Hair, How to Make Your Own Coconut Oil, and Thermal Straightening. I was only able to attend Design Essentials' class previewing it's new Natural Line and demonstration of the products, which feature a lot of butters and oils to help maintain texture by giving you the weight and moisture you need to enhance your natural curl. I also looked in on one by Kynx and best of all — spent some time in my host Shea Moisture's Total Body Spa. Yes, Shea Moisture was offering an introduction to all of it's luscious products, 30-minute massages and light manicures. After a long week, I needed that in my life. I even got some tips from another MVL friend Chimole Williams of Shea Moisture on how to get a better twist out finish with the Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
I attended 'Fro Fashion Week at Hotel Melia in Atlanta for a few hours on Saturday and saw some of MVL's favorite folks {Myleik Teele of curBOX, Felicia Leatherwood of Loving Your Hair With Natural Care, Ken Burkeen of Huetiful, Tia of If I Were a Brit Girl, Trina of The Baby Shopaholic, and Eboni - The Fashionista Next Door}. I've been trying to get to the celebration of natural hair, beauty and style since first hearing of it last spring. Naturally Me! Media LLC hosts a phenomenal presentation of workshops, vendors and events centered on natural hair as a lifestyle. Some workshops included: Transitioning to Natural Hair, How to Make Your Own Coconut Oil, and Thermal Straightening. I was only able to attend Design Essentials' class previewing it's new Natural Line and demonstration of the products, which feature a lot of butters and oils to help maintain texture by giving you the weight and moisture you need to enhance your natural curl. I also looked in on one by Kynx and best of all — spent some time in my host Shea Moisture's Total Body Spa. Yes, Shea Moisture was offering an introduction to all of it's luscious products, 30-minute massages and light manicures. After a long week, I needed that in my life. I even got some tips from another MVL friend Chimole Williams of Shea Moisture on how to get a better twist out finish with the Curl Enhancing Smoothie.
After a few minutes chatting with Tarin Boone, the CEO of Naturally Me Media and founder of 'Fro Fashion Week, my experience on the whole made sense. One of her main intents when organizing the event was that brands would have an opportunity to really engage with customers. Done.
I'll definitely be back in September.
I'll definitely be back in September.
By Katrice
I've been so busy that I haven't had time to wish my blog a Happy 2nd Birthday!!
But, not too busy to plan a special event to commemorate the occasion. I hope that you will join me on Feb. 23rd at 6:30 p.m. for The MVL Social. Come out for a couple hours to the free soiree, sponsored by Atlanta Tribune, Shea Moisture, Beautiful Textures, Color Me Beautiful and Avon, and enjoy light fare, music, mingling and even a few surprises at the beautiful LOFT at Castleberry Hill. I'm looking for you {and your guests} to be there! Click the banner to RSVP and tell a friend.
By Katrice
I have always been pretty hair obsessed. So, friends and I spend a lot of time talking about products and styling. I don't ever get tired of it -- especially when we find something that works. So, it seemed only natural to host another MVL Beauty Chat, this time focusing on hair, and I couldn't think of a better expert to have on-hand than noted hair consultant Dr. Kari Williams.
I heard Williams, a natural specialist, stylist and trichologist {the branch of medicine that deals with the scientific study of the health of hair and scalp}, present in September at Shea Moisture's event in Atlanta and the insight she provided on the causes of permanent hair loss around the hair line, alone, was brilliant. Everything else she shared from that moment went down verbatim in my notes.
Dr. Kari, a Los Angeles-based scalp expert, entrepreneur, educator and consultant on proper hair care, maintenance, styling and design, will chat with MVL fans one-on-one Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at 7 p.m. -- answering your questions and sharing her invaluable insight on everything from maintenance to textures, scalp issues, products and more!
You ask and she'll answer you directly.
Whether you're natural or relaxed, this is an MVL beauty chat you won't want to miss.
RSVP here and be sure to join the virtual meetup on Dec. 19th!
About Dr. Kari Williams
A talented natural stylist and licensed barber, Dr. Kari also owns and operates Mahogany Revolution salon and a Trichology Clinic in the Beverly Hills area. She is certified in more than 20 natural hair styling techniques through Taliah Waajid’s Natural Hair and Braiding Seminars.
She's been featured in Essence Magazine, on Essence.com, in the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper feature, on the My Black Is Beautiful TV Show and other programs on Black Enterprise Television,
Williams has created a hair education program for parents called Mahogany Babies through which she hosts free seminars that provide parents with product information, styling ideas and maintenance strategies for their children's hair. The program serves as a vehicle to advise parents on healthy ways to begin preserving their child's hair now for a head full of healthy hair when they are older.
Her reputation as a trusted stylist has led her to establish a relationship with some notable celebrities including: Jaden Smith, Leon Thomas III, from Nickelodeon’s “Victorious,” Cedric the Entertainer’s daughter, and Keisha and Omar Epps’ children.
By Katrice
Shea Moisture hosted its first soiree in Atlanta last night inviting the city's "naturalistas" to the LOFT at Castleberry Hill for an opportunity to engage one on one with lifestyle specialists Amia Freeman, Felicia Leatherwood and Dr. Kari Williams as well as the company's co-founder and CEO Richelieu Dennis. When Shea Moisture comes to a city near you, I suggest you make it your business to be in the building.
The craftily curated roster of panelists were a wealth of information on taking care of our bodies from the inside out.
Add to the unbelievable forum gift bags of full size Shea Moisture product samples and a special discount of 3 products for $20 in the event market and I'd say, this will be a hard natural hair gathering to top.
The craftily curated roster of panelists were a wealth of information on taking care of our bodies from the inside out.
"Taking care of your body doesn't cost you a thing." - Fitness Guru Amia Freeman.
One of the biggest myths among African Americans, according to trichologist Dr. Kari Williams, is that water dries our hair out. "Water is the number one moisturizer," she said.
Her advice: Deep condition your hair every time you wash it and moisturize it well.
"The revolution of this natural hair movement is [about] more than just our hair. It's really some work that we're doing on the inside ... we're empowering each other."
"Transitioning starts in the mind and in the heart."
- Celeb Stylist and natural hair aficionado Felicia Leatherwood
A little history on Shea Moisture: The products we love so much originated with Dennis' grandmother in Sierra Leone where she mixed and sold them in her village market. Shea Moisture is now one of the only black-owned companies that manufactures, packages and ships its own completely organic products {the reason the company is able to keep them so affordable}.
{I had major afro envy when I met her.}
{Felicia Leatherwood, me & Dr. Kari Williams}
