Braids & Countdown to D-Day!

Hey guys! I am 2 weeks away from delivery of my little man and I can't wait! Nesting is in full effect and I think we finally got everything in place. Yesterday was unseasonably warm and I enjoyed sitting outside in the sun with the hubby. It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine can brighten your mood and lift your spirits. Spring is definitely on its way!

So on to the hair....

I finally got my hair braided and I am thrilled! Last weekend I remember thinking "I can't do this wash, condition, detangle, twist thing another time!" Luckily, on Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting a really nice young lady who was recommended to me by a co-worker to braid my hair. It took around 12 hours (gasp!) and about 10 pack of hair! I used Kenekelon hair in the color 1B. The price was super reasonable as compared to a braid shop I went to inquiring about prices. One lady took one look at my hair (in a poofy old stretched twist-out) and said "Is that all your hair? Yeah, we're looking at no less than $250." What?!?!?!?!?! Um, no thanks.

So here's how the process went:

Prepping the Hair: I washed and conditioned my hair, applied a creamy leave-in, then put in 10 large twists to dry overnight on Friday. Saturday morning, I got up and took each twist down. I added a little bit of coconut oil and I sprayed a heat protectant. I blew each twisted section out on medium heat. My hair was soft and fluffy and ready to be braided.

Halfway Done: We were about 3 or 4 hours in at this point. The extensions felt super heavy because they hair was really long, like waist-length. It made me think about all the gals out there with waist-length hair goals. I can't imagine having hair that long for real! I think my slightly below BSL is just fine for me!

The final look: So like 12 hours from beginning this was the final product. I was so tired from sitting (although I took many breaks for snacks, bathroom, and stretching). We boiled a pot of water to dip the ends in and that made them super straight and shiny. Now, they can stay loose without unraveling.

I'm not used to having this much hair on my head so I am warming up to the fullness of it. We cut them a few inches so the back is about BSL and the front is a little shorter than that.

I look so tired! But it was worth it :-)

Sleeping, Showering & The Next Day: I pulled the braids low with a large elastic- the regular ones were too small- and I slept on a satin pillow case. It was a little bit uncomfortable but I think it will loosen up over the next few days and sleeping will be easy breezy. Today before I showered, I used one large shower cap and tucked the ponytail under and inside the cap. I had to pull the cap low to cover the bulk of the ponytail so it left the top portion of my hair uncovered. I took a second large plastic cap and put it over the front. So yeah, I double bagged it. Worked just fine!

Sunday, I went to Target to pick up some household items and I grabbed a pack of mini clips in black, brown, and clear. I used a few to pull back the braids away from my face.

Overall, I am very pleased with how they look and feel and the price could not have been beat. I plan to keep them in for about 2 months but we'll see how they look overtime. I purchased two products to use on them in addition to some diluted shampoo for my scalp that I already have. The first product is Elasta QC Feels Like Silk Leave-In H2 Moisture Sealing Conditioner. The second is Fantasia IC Herbal/Vitamin Braid Sheen Spray. I will be using these after I wash weekly or bi-weekly, depending on how my scalp does, as my strengthener and moisturizer.

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So that's it! I'll try to post updates as they age, depending on how much little man let's me sneak away to the Mac!

The Oscars 2011!

Award season is in full swing and tonight is promising to be a great one! I love everything about the Oscars-the glitz, the glamour, the fashion! Here are some of my favorites from the red carpet so far tonight ....

Halle Berry (OMG I am LOVING this dress. Stunning!)

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Jennifer Hudson

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Mandy Moore

Michelle Williams

Mila Kunis

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Natural Hair Highlights at the Bronner Bros. Show

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CNN features a story about natural hair at the Bronner Bro.s show in ATL...

Atlanta, Georgia -- There were plenty of Crayola-colored wigs and long, silky extensions displayed at the 64th annual Bronner Bros. International Hair Show, which drew more than 60,000 stylists, hair enthusiasts and exhibitors who work with black hair this past weekend.

Yet against the backdrop of energetic hip-hop music and among the booths stocked with glossy tubs of chemical relaxers, some black women went back to basics: They wore their own natural hair. ( excerpt from www.cnn.com)

To continue reading this story, click here.

You Tubetorial:How To Bantu Knot Out Natural Hair Style

Check out Naptural85's vid on how she bantu knots her beautiful natural hair.

Fresh-Squeezed Fotki Juice: DimpledCurlyGirlie

{Fotki Name: DimpledCurlyGirlie} How long have you been natural? I am currently a new natural and just recently bc'd on Feb 4, 2011, so that makes me natural for about two weeks (short time, I know lol but I'm soo happy). I transitioned for a year and 4 months so I'm 16 months post relaxer :). What's your regimen for styling and maintenance? Well as for now I need to update my regimen; since I've been natural I haven't decided what I should change from my first regimen (transitioning).During my transition I washed my hair weekly followed by deep conditioning, detangling, moisturizing,and sealing with oil. I mostly wore braidouts; I believe it helped keep my hair moisturized and in good shape; also twistouts but I tried lots of styles. I'm considering washing my hair twice a week with sulfate-free shampoo, and once a month with sulfate, followed by deep conditioning, etc. I've been wearing wash-n-go styles so far but plan to do a braidout pretty soon as well as a bantu knot out; I think those will be my staple styles. But so far I love my wash-n-gos. What products do you use? Shampoos: Renpure Organics I Love My Hair, Cantu-SheaButter cream shampoo(sulfate) Conditioner: Herbal Essences Hello Hydration(I actually like this as a leave-in/detangler) and VO5 for co-wash Leave-in: Kinky Curly Knot Today as well as HEHH Deep Conditioner: 10 en 1, and Hair Mayo(protein) Oil: Olive Oil Stylers: Eco-styler gel, and KCCC What are your favorite styles and how do you achieve them? My favorite styles are the classic updo, braid/twist outs, and the signature wash-n-go. For the updo I start out with a braid out then section my hair off in three sections(one in the back,one towards middle/front, and one small section in the front).I then braid the back section going upwards into a french braid then brush up the middle section and connect it with the back section and put it into a bun or finish braid upwards, then lastly put the front section slanted to one side into a big curly poof and pin it (similar to J.Monae). For my braid/twist outs I simply moisturize and detangle my hair and put my hair into about six braids or twists and unravel the next day. I do my wash-n-gos by washing and conditioning then adding oil and eco stlyler and let it air dry. I plan on using my KCCC pretty soon! Is there anything else you want Naturally Leslie readers to know about your natural hair journey?

I truly enjoyed transitioning and simply love my fully natural hair! I have so much I can do with it that I don't know where to begin. It has been so much fun experiencing with and since I cut my hair it seems like it already grew even more (crazy lol, of course in a good way)! If you really want to experience going natural just go for it; there's nothing to lose. I've received lots of compliments on my hair since my bc and even during my transition; some people even asked if I had any chemicals in my hair to make it the way it is. Sometimes my little sisters joke about my hair, calling it a chia-pet lol remember those (looney tunes were my fav). But I must say I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks so much Leslie, as well as NaturallyLeslie readers. I love your blog!

Thanks for sharing! To see more of DimpledCurlyGirlie, click here.

If you have an awesome fotki you want to share, click here to read submission guidelines!

Essence Features Natural Hair at NY's Fashion Week 2011

Check out just some of the lovely natural heads spotted at this years New York Fashion Week. Simply haute! Click here to see more styles from Essence.

All images are from Essence.com

Natural Recipe {Hair}: Shea Coco Mix

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Naturally Leslie reader Trinette sent over this recipe that she loves for her natural hair and I wanted to share with you. Check it out!

Hi-

Here is a recipe that I use on my hair. I like to alternate styling creams and gel.

Sheacoco Mix

You will need:

Shea Butter

Aloe vera gel (liquid)

Coconut Oil

Take shea butter and place in a container (small one is good) heat for 30 seconds to melt the butter(this will make it more soft to stir, not a runny liquid)

Then pour in aloe vera gel (liquid only, I use the aloe vera gel from the website from nature with love), you may find yourself using more aloe than butter. Then pour in (be discreet) coconut oil until a creamy consistency. Then place top on container and let it cool and solidify (this will be very creamy) and apply to hair after shampooing. No need for a leave in condish! The aloe vera, shea butter, coconut oil, is all you need to condish, moisturize, and seal. This left my hair very soft!!! I do not measure I just use my best judgement. For example I may take a regular spoon (use to eat cereal) and scoop out butter, then pour a little of aloe to mix in(like I said you may find yourself using more, because this is your leave in condish!), then add coconut oil.

Mix all together and apply to hair after washing out conditioner. Do twist, braid out, etc.. your hair will be so soft and moisturized. Aloe is a moisturizer for hair. I don't like using this alone, my hair does not like it, but mixed with this recipe my hair loves it!!!

Thanks

Trinette Smith

Thank YOU Trinette!

If you have a homemade recipe for skin or hair that you would like to share with other Naturally Leslie readers, please email me at naturallyleslie@gmail.com and put Natural Recipe in the subject line.

You Tubetorial: Two Strand Twist Style

A lovely flat twist-two strand twist updo from You Tube's PrettyDimples01.

The 2011 Grammy Awards

Big Winner: Esperanza Spalding shows off herGrammy for Best New Artistin the press room at the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 13 in Los Angeles.- Latina.com

Esperanza upsets Bieber!!!!

Rising jazz star Esperanza Spalding was named best new artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards, besting a group of more mainstream and well-known artists. Spalding, who in 2010 released her third album, “Chamber Music Society,” has rapidly become something of a crossover star in the jazz community, having performed at the White House as well as at major pop festivals such as Austin City Limits. Source

My favorite look so far...... The SMITH Family!

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Check Jada's mane! Get it girrrrrrl. ;-)

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Under Construction....

So....as I near my due date, I'm officially 9 months today, I am getting antsy. As you can see, I've been messing with the blog and I'm not done yet. Please excuse my mess as I tinker around. I hope to find something I'm pleased with soon but don't be surprised if things change here and there. Please keep visiting, reading, commenting. Thanks!

Lovely Natural Bride: Besangie

NL: Tell us about your wedding day look (attire, decor, hair)

B: The idea for our wedding was fun. We wanted bright vibrant colors that radiated how excited we were to get married. The base color was orange, however everything else was random and beautiful. The mothers chose their own dresses. My mother wore a beautiful pink dress with high collar and belt, and my mother-in-law wore a couture green one-shoulder dress with flowers and side split.

Bride Besangie with her mother

The guys wore gray tuxes with orange ties. The florist knocked it out the park with multi-color gladiolas and roses, and orange and yellow calla lilies at the ceremony and reception. I even had my shoes airbrushed the color of the bridesmaids dresses (with our names and the wedding date on the back!).

I had my dress made in Pittsburgh. I wanted dupioni silk, pockets, and a simple but classic design (that didn't make me look like a sex kitten or cinderella). While in the stores, dupioni silk was extra expensive, I found a seamstress that could buy the fabric and make the dress for a reasonable fee. The woman did an outstanding job for $600, and the shoulder had potato pearls and swarovski crystals. It took about 6 months to make, but worth it.

My hair was a whole 'nother story! I am natural, so I had a ton of options but each had a "worst case scenario". A press was ruled out because I like to dance and when I dance I sweat. A lot. So that just would have been a waste of money. I could have done two strand twists, but I wear those on a regular basis, and wanted something different. Cornrows were out of the question as I didn't think they were formal enough. A nicely sculpted twist-out could have been done, but I wasn't sure I wanted to wear that either as I often rock the twist out. Also, with the sweat, I wasn't sure what my twist-out hair would do and I didn't want any surprises. I have never worn weave, and I didn't want to start then, so that was out too. I finally decided on the flat twists (the single roll, not two strand). I wanted my hair up, so I told my stylist. For my consultation, I brought the hair accessory I found at Clair's for about $5 and the veil I made out of mesh fabric, 2 hair combs and hot glue. It all worked out! The day was beautiful, and we had tons of fun! My dress stayed on, my hair was in place, and I danced til I was sweaty and my feet hurt!

NL: Have you always been natural? Tell me about your hair history.

B: The best way to tell this story is by age...
0-16: Natural
-My mom was natural, and my friends either were natural or had presses so in my mind it wasn't a huge deal to be natural. My mom and I went to the salon together (if she didn't do mine at home), and we had a good time watching movies together and learning about hair.

16-22: Cut it short, permed
-I was ready to do something different and wear it straight and short. So I went to the salon after talking with my mom (who lovingly told me, "its just hair babe, do what you want.") and cut it off. The style was flattering and I sometimes let it grow out to a bob. The maintenance was tough, my scalp got burnt, but I thought it was worth it for the look. Also, during college I didn't really want to transition to natural, as it seemed like a lot of work. I learned that my hair wasn't really strong enough for relaxers so I often had breakage, even though it looked healthy.

22-26: did a big chop, back to natural
-I cut off my relaxed hair my first year of graduate school. I figured I would be there for 5 years, so this was the time to do it. I grew it out for about 3 months, and then went to a salon and had him cut it off. It was a little shocking to see just my head with no hair, so he gave me tiny comb twists for free to make me leave (as I was glued to the chair from shock about what to do next). It grew out and I loved it. I wore two strand twists, cornrows, flat twists, the twist out, presses, and afro-puffs. Then one day I went for a trim, and she cut it too low...

26-28: cut it short, permed
-After the bad trim, I said to myself, "since it is as short as when I first cut it off 4 years ago, I might as well get a relaxer and wear my short style again". I wore the style and loved it again for another 2 years. During that time, I became more aware of the chemical issues of relaxers and how they really were unhealthy. I started reading the labels of products and paying attention to when my hair would break off. I tried to maintain it for as long as I could until it just got to be too much work. I wanted my natural hair back.

28-30: did a big chop, back to natural
-I had recently moved to Pittsburgh and decided it would be a good time to cut my hair off again after being there only 4 months. The stress of moving had caused major breakage to my lovely relaxed quaff, and I was trying to refine my budget. I decided I didn't want to go to the salon every 6 weeks. Not that natural hair doesn't need salon care, but I didn't want to have to be dependent on salon care. I went to my stylist who was caring for my relaxed hair and had her cut it all off. Again. She gave me a cool afro that she left long at the top and shorter on the sides. I have been growing it out natural ever since!

NL: What styles do you typically wear now? What is your routine?

B: I usually wear two-strand twists or twist-outs. I love the soft look that they give and the versatility with the styles. On occasion, I will go and have it two-strand flat twisted as well. My routine is pretty simple: I wash it every 1-2 weeks (usually closer to 2) with Aubrey's Organics shampoo and conditioner (I really like the White Cameillia). While it's still wet, I spray on Talia Waajid Mist Bodifier along with raw unrefined coconut oil, unrefined sweet almond oil, and raw shea butter. Depending on how I feel, I will either twist it, dry it into an afro, or put it in balls so that it can dry and I can style it later. I also use curlformers from time to time, but the look never lasts. Every 3-4 months, I trim my hair by two strand twisting it very small and dusting off the ends. I used to get it pressed to get a trim, but the press would frizz after going to the gym, and even worse, some parts would stay straight even after I washed my hair a few times, making it hard to twist.

NL: What does you hubby think of your hair? How did he feel about the style you chose for your wedding day?

B: When I did the first big chop to being natural, he was a little worried and was rooting for it to grow out. After about 3 months, he could feel how soft it was and see how fast it was growing and he became natural hair's biggest fan. When I returned to permed hair, he liked it because it was very flattering and more of what he saw on other women/the norm, but he agreed it wasn't as soft and healthy. When I did my second big chop, he was all for it! Now he loves my hair, and often says he is going to learn to twist so he can play in it. He is learning more about healthy living and realizing that relaxers are full of harmful chemicals, so he is all the way in with the natural hair.
As for my wedding style, he loved it. It was different than what I normally wear, and I didn't have to mess with it/be in a mirror all the time. He could touch it freely and it was out of my face (which he likes), so it was perfect!!

NL: What is the best thing about being natural?

B: The cost and the freedom! I love being able to do my own hair from start to finish, and not have to worry about whether or not my stylist is available or if I can get to the shop! I know my hair is healthier, and I enjoy changing it up. Also, I love having my mom do my hair again like when I was a kid! She gives the BEST scalp massages.

NL: Is there anything else you would like to share with Naturally Leslie readers?

B: Hmmm...I am feeling inspirational, so here it goes. Give yourself a chance to see yourself. Cut off your hair, wear the two-piece swimsuit, go without make-up. Discover the beauty of your baseline before you decide to cover it up. Everyone is different, so don't compare your hair (or any other) journey with someone elses. Be the lovely person you are. Be physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally healthy so you can be confident in what God gave you, and work it!!

Looks like it was a glorious occasion. Thank you Besangie for sharing your day with us!

For those of you out there planning your own nuptials, check out Besangie's blog Guerilla Brides for cool tips!

A Birth Story: Afrikan Latina

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This image is not from the reader mentioned below. Just a lovely mother-baby bonding moment I found online.

After this post from a few weeks ago, I received the following email and wanted to share with all of you. As I inch near my due date, March 10th, I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for the transformation that lies ahead. I went to the doctor last Friday and I am already 1 centimeter dilated and 60% effaced! So baby boy is well on his way to arrival and I expect him to make his debut within the next few weeks.

In my family there are three kids. It is a tradition that on our birthdays, somewhere after dinner and during the cake and ice cream, my mom tells the birth story. Each year she recounts the day she had us, depending on whose birthday it is. We all know each story by heart but we love hearing it again nonetheless. It is a tradition I hope to pass down to my little one and I hope I capture it as vividly as my mom always does!

This reader's birth story is so beautiful and encourages me as I gear up for the big day. I am so grateful that she shared it with me and has allowed me to share it with all of you. If anybody else has a birth story they would like to share here, please send it to me and I will post. You can also include a pic of your little one if you'd like! Thanks Afrikan Latina!

Enjoy...

Hi Leslie,

I first want to say congratulations on the new baby you and hubby will soon be welcoming into this world.I had a homebirth that was attended by 2 midwives and my husband. There were supposed to be 3 midwives but the 3rd made it right after our son was born. :) Anyway, I am a huge advocate for homebirth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering...lol all that good stuff and love talking about pregnancy (we are currently expecting our 2nd child in May) and birth and all things babies so if there are any questions that you might want to ask please feel free. I'm also seriously thinking about getting certified as a doula. Anyway, here is my birth story. :)


BIRTH STORY

I went to bed on Wednesday not feeling any different than I had felt in previous days. The spotting had stopped and I had reconciled that our little one was on his own time and any superstition that may have applied before went out the window. I woke up at 4:40am with what I thought could’ve just been some cramping but noticed that it was a pain that wasn’t constant. It came and went, came and went, and after a few of these I started to time them. They were about 7 minutes apart. I decide that maybe NOW would be a good time to take a shower because they definitely weren’t cramps and within the next however many hours we would have a baby!! The shower felt heavenly and I figured that I would be able to endure for a while before we needed to call our midwife. After getting out the shower I wake my snoozing hunny and let him know that I am having contractions. He gets up and starts to rub my back which worked wonders. The constant pressure on my lower back was nice. I call my sister and let her know that I am having what I think are contractions because I wanted at least one person in my family to know that our baby would be here soon. My hunny jumped in the shower so he could wash out the tub for me to labor in. Our tub is big enough that I didn’t find it necessary to rent one or buy a pool.

The contractions are still coming and my sister calls back around 6:20am to see how I’m doing. She asked how far apart my contractions were and I tell her 5 minutes. She’s like, “You should probably go ahead and call your midwife.” I hear her husband in the back ground say, “5 minutes!!!!” So my hunny calls one of our midwives who says she’s on the way. While we wait for her to arrive I am laboring both in the bed and on the toilet. That toilet was working wonders!! My babe is rubbing my back constantly. Cortney(one of our midwives) finally arrives and asks me the usual questions. She listens to the babys heartbeat and begins to time several of my contractions to see if they are constant because they began to become irregular going from 7 minutes, to 5 minutes, to 3 minutes. After she timed a few contractions I decided that it was time to get my butt in the water. The contractions instantly felt better after I got in the water. After being in the bathtub for quite some time my hunny comes in with the camcorder and ONLY because the contractions aren’t kicking my butt do I let him film me. So Cortney listens to the babys heartbeat again while I’m in the water and he’s still doing well. She sits on the bathroom floor and times some more contractions. I’ve avoided having her check to see how far dilated I am up until this point because I didn’t want to be disappointed if I was still in the same place an hour later.

After I get out the tub I’m again laboring back and forth between the toilet and our bed. I found that leaning over the side of the bed and having my hunny rub my back felt good. I was starting to feel quite tired and I hadn’t even done much work in the sense that it hadn’t been a hard labor. I wanted to try to lay down in the bed and labor but it didn’t feel comfortable at all. So more time passes and the contractions are getting closer together and more intense. We decide its finally time to check to see how dilated I am. This was pretty damn uncomfortable to say the least and caused the one of the WORST contractions that I had. She says, “You’re 5cm dilated.” I say, “YES!” and raise my hand to the maternal GODDESSES watching over me. I had no way of knowing how fast I would get to 10cm but 5cm sure sounded nice right then.

Within the hour it was time to migrate to the bed in our guest bedroom where all the stuff was setup. Cortney had previously told me to let her know when it felt like I had to poop but couldn’t and I’ll be damned if that’s not exactly what it felt like. I was back in the water when that urge to poop hit me so I lifted my butt up and leaned over the side of the tub. I said, “Baby go tell Cortney I feel like I have to go the bathroom.” She comes in and smiles and tells me I can get out of the tub after the current contraction stops. I get out of the tub and go to our bed where I have another contraction before going to the guest room.

Here is where the magic happens!! Lol I continue to get hit with contractions and still feel like I have to poop. My water has yet to break and I’m pushing. First push, my water bag makes an appearance. Second push, my water bag makes an even bigger appearance and you can see the baby as well. Third push, my water bag bursts (it got on my hunny) and out comes our baby’s head. With one more immediate push my baby is here and his cry was music to my ears. He was born at 11:07 weighing 6lbs 3 oz. and measuring at 19 inches.

I went from 5cm to 10cm within a hour! (Apparently that’s not expected of a first timer) I went through the motions of labor as if I were on my second child according to all 3 of my midwives. The 3rd midwife to arrive who was actually the “main” midwife got to our house as soon as Taj made his appearance. She was in awe. They didn’t expect that I would deliver so quickly. My perineum stayed in tact. YES!! I did have 2 small labia tears but no stitching or anything was necessary. They are healing nicely. Our baby is growing beautifully. Mommy and Daddy are beaming with excitement!!

Tress Tools: Scented Denman Anyone?

I saw these at urbanoutfitters.com and wondered if anybody has tried them. I have a traditional black and red denman brush and I like it for certain things. I can't imagine using one that smells like coconut or any other fruity "flavor" for that matter. What do you guys think?

Lemon

Grape

Strawberry
Check out familygoingnatural's review below:

Throwback Inspiration: Pam Grier

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Actress Pam Grier set hearts racing in the ’70s with a string of bosomy blaxploitation flicks like “Foxy Brown” and “Coffy.” At 61, Grier is hotter than ever.~Essence.com

Pam Grier is on Oprah this week. I have not seen the episode yet because I always DVR them since I usually don't arrive home until a bit after it starts. When I hear the name Pam Grier I immediatly think iconic beauty, all the men talk about her (lol), and just BAD!

Here is a stunning older shot that captures why...