Best of 2013: My Hair's Hits and Misses

Alas, I can't say adios to 2013 without recapping the best things (and the worse things) that happened to my hair. This year was full of new techniques, tips, and products so let's get started!

Hit: The Bun Effect

There is nothing boring about these buns honey! I protective style not just for my hair, but for ease and comfort. I have two little ones under 4, a demanding work schedule, a very busy super hero hubby, and I love working out. That leaves not so much time as I'd like to style my hair. Which makes me so thankful for the styles that I learned during The Bun Effect. Last May, I featured a different updo each day. May of which have made my weekly rotation!

Hit: Jessicurl Too Shea! 
My goal this year was to find a fabulous creamy leave-in to keep my thristy hair hydrated. Jessicurl inched forward and out smarted the competitors in the Battle of the Leave Ins in absorption and nourishment while not falling to the bottom of the pack in price per use or hydration. It's multi-facteted; allowing me to use it as a co-wash, deep conditioner, and daily moisturizer. Although I didn't care for the (not so sweet) Island Fantasy scent, they have two other options to choose from. It works the best with my hair butter, and provides some of the best detangling slip around. While I'm totally smitten with Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Nectar, it's price per use was the highest. If Jessicurl ever fails me, this gem will be waiting in the wing.

Hit: Bantu Knots
When lurking around SavingOurStrands, you can't miss seeing shots of bantu knots. They are my thing. I used to be all about sleek straight gone with the wind fabulous hair, but this year I've been all about big bad curls. I've learned how to make them last for 4-5 days without having to manipulate my hair again. Plus, they stretch by 25 weeks post roots, blend all the textures in my hair, and force me to keep my hair moisturized to keep those defined curls looking beautiful. Bantu knots aren't the easiest curly set to master, but I promise you that once you get it---you'll love them too!

Hit: Tea Rinses
I can not say enough about tea rinsing. I. LOVE. IT. I talk about shedding. A Lot. A Whole Lot. I suffered a huge setback last spring (you can read about it here) and although it was a over year ago, the balls of hair that used to clog my shower drain still linger on fresh in my memory. This year, I made it my business to find products and implement techniques that could at least minimize my shedding and *fingers-crossed* prevent it. I can definitely say that tea rinsing is one of the reasons, I have very little shedding. Today, I mix it up a bit by adding Aloe Vera Juice and rosemary to my rinses. It's the bee's knees y'all!


Miss: Weekly Shampooing 

I try to love shampoo. I really do. I've only found one shampoo that I think is decent (Matrix Biolage Hydratherapie Hydrating Shampoo). My hair just behaves better when I skip shampoos more often than not. For the days that I do need to get rid of the gunk on my scalp, I've turned to Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream. It's non-stripping and non-tangling, but I utterly refuse to buy another shampoo until I've used up the 4-5 full bottles of shampoo sitting in my stash. Enter my DIY Co-Cleanser tip: 1 part shampoo + 2 parts oil + 3 parts conditioner = KLP's happy hair.

Miss: Braid-outs

Braidouts hate me. No seriously. I can't get a defined fluffy big braid out to save my life. I try. I fail. I try again. I fail again. However, the best part of a busted braid out is the way that it gives an updo life, honey! Y'all have met my Old Faithful 30 Second Style many many times. I've sported this style on straightened hair, air dried hair, bantu curled hair, and now {busted} braid out hair. I've done it so many times that I can do it without a mirror, one bobby pin, and in 30 seconds with a baby on my hip. Sometimes, I add a braided bang. Occasionally, I do a deep side part. Whilst, other times, I throw in a great hair accessory. I'm just going to stick to what I do best: bantu knots. 

What were your hair's hits and misses this year? Link up your compilation below! Prospero Año y felicidad!

PS: Tomorrow's Our 1st Blogiversary!!!!!!!! Can you believe that it's been a year already??