July #WashDayExperience Themes

I absolutely adore #WashDayExperience themes! Right now my hair is on auto-pilot and I want to shake things up a little bit before I get too lazy and stop giving my hair The timing of these themes couldn't be more perfect! But let's start from the beginning!

WHAT IS THE #WASHDAYEXPERIENCE?

The #washdayexperience is a place for ladies who are striving for healthier hair to share the hows, whats, whens, and whys of their weekly wash day ritual. It doesn't matter what state your hair is in: natural, colored, relaxed, texlaxed, curly, straight, or loc'd---ALL ARE WELCOME. You may share via blog/vlog, Insta, G+, Twitter, and Facebook.

#WASHDAYEXPERIENCE THEMES

Wash day can be one part "omgosh I'm not here for this" and 4 parts "but I just don't wannnaaaaa". So Jen and I created a few themes to spice it up a bit. Here are your themes for July:

Week 1: Vacation Hair Styles
How are you styling your hair this summer or on vacation? Which styles do you plan to try?

Week 2: Sun & Swimming Hair Protection
The sun can suck the moisture out of your hair whilst chlorine is extremely damaging. How are you protecting your hair from the wind, water, or sand this summer?

Week 3: Humidity Help
What are your favorite techniques and tips for combating frizz and fuzz from the increased humidity?

Week 4: Big Bad Heatless Curls
Big hair don't care! What is your favorite technique for big bad voluminous curls?

HOW TO JOIN THE #WASHDAYEXPERIENCE

Our look might have changed over the last year, but the rules for all this positivity are still the same:

1. Share the direct link to your #WashDayExperience linkup. We go live every Wednesday.
2. Add the #WashDayExperience badge to your post
3. Give the chica that linked up before you a little comment love. 

Stupid easy! Will you join the madness? Share a link to your blog below!

Besitos!
KLP

PS: The themes aren't mandatory---just a way to have a little more fun! Si que claro, you can join without adhering to the themes!

[Tutorial] Low Bun For Natural Hair

Y'all know that I love a good updo. I'm still living that wash and go life, but by the end of my hectic the day, my curls are usually in this low bun situation.  I love this low bun because it's voluminous, doesn't snatch my edges, and super comfortable. I don't have to use weave or one of those cute mesh donut thingamajigs either.

Here's how to get this low bun:

1. Moisturize, detangle, and seal your hair. 
2. Create a middle part. (Any part will do. I like the middle part because I struggle to get my bangs pulled back when I do a side part)
3. Apply a product to tame our edges. I used Eco Styler Krystal Gel (buy it here). 
4. Smooth your hair back into a low puff using a hair tie. I used my DIY Ribbon Hair Ties (here's how to make them). The key is not to double the hair tie. 
5. Roll, tuck and pin your hair around the perimeter of the hair tie to form your bun. 
6. Finish with a light mist of hair spray (I used Chi Enviro Flex Hold Hair Spray to keep your curls in place and tame frizzy flyaways.  

The best part of this updo is that it doesn't ruin my curls. At night, I take all the pins out, shake my hair out then band it. (here are the dets on how I band my hair) When I release the bands the next morning, all I have to do is fluff and go! This is how I wore my hair the next day!

How was your #washdayexperience? Anyone else sporting an updo this week?

Besitos!
KLP

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An InLinkz Link-up

Fro with Bangs | The #WashDayExperience

My wash and go is more of a wash, apply products, wait wait wait wait wait wait, wait some more wait wait wait wait until it air dries, band to stretch the curls a bit, then go. But you know what's weird? I honestly wouldn't have it any other way because this style lasts me for 5-6 days. My hair stays uber moisturized. I've experienced less breakage, less shedding, and more curl popping definition.

I can alternate between a high puff and wearing it out, without ruining my curls. I don't have to moisturize and seal daily. And I'm only washing my hair once a week. Like seriously---I dare not complain because the universe is a jealous fickle beast.

Day 2 of my wash and go from last week

Day 3 of my wash and go from last week

Most wash and go queens report that they have better definition and less frizz when they apply their leave ins in the shower. Well, my wash and go from last week frizzed up sooner than I was expecting (around day 3-4) and when I did that last week. So this week---I went back to applying my leave ins outside of the shower. Proof that what works for gander---might not work for this goose. Ha-ha!

Here is what I used:

Pre-shampoo- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner (review) (buy it)
Shampoo- Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review)(buy it)
Henna Treatment- How to use Lush Henna on Natural Hair
Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review)(buy it) + Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (buy it)
Clay Rinse- Here's the dets on my recipe
Leave-Ins- Castor Oil (buy it)+ Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (review)(buy it)
Styler- Eco Styler Krystal Gel (buy it)

And here's how I did it:

PRE-SHAMPOO

I love my pre-shampoo sessions because they allow me to detangle/remove shed hair before I get into the shower plus it gives my hair an extra boost of either moisture or protein. I started by spraying my hair with my DIY moisturizing mist. If you haven't tried this recipe yet--WHAT ARE YOU WAITIN FOR?!?! It's not just moisturizing but it's an excellent detangler too! After I sprayed each section, I slathered on a little Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner. This conditioner has some of the best slip of any conditioner that I've ever used and the essential oils make my scalp feel happy.  I covered with a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for about 20 minutes.

RELATED: The Best Moisturizer For Natural Hair EVER!

SHAMPOO

With my hair secured in about 7 sections (4 in the back and 3 in the front), I rinsed the conditioner then shampooed with Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review here). I expected tangles and a week's worth of shed hair, but surprisingly the process was quick and tangle-free. Now that I'm shampooing more often, I'm thinking about trying out the Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo too. It's stupid cheap (like $4!) and if it's anything like the conditioner---it might be a winner! Have you tried it before?

HENNA TREATMENT

Henna applications double the time that it takes to wash my hair. Ugh. But the results are sooo worth it. I applied my Lush Caca Rouge mixture to my freshly washed hair in sections, covered with cling film and let it sit for about 3 hours (one hour I spent under the dryer). You can read more about my latest excursion with henna here.

RELATED: How to use Lush Henna on Natural Hair

Henna Results

DEEP CONDITION + CLAY RINSE

After rinsing the henna for what felt like forever, I t-shirt dried for a few minutes then applied my FAVEEEE deep conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment (review here). Next, I layered on a little Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (shop it!) to seal in the conditioner. I covered with a plastic cap and sat under my dryer for about an hour. I wanted to make sure that my hair was moisturized after using the henna because it can make your hair feel a little dry. I rinsed the conditioner in the shower then did my Clay Rinse treatment. Clay rinsing defines my curls like no other treatment that I use. If you only try ONE thing from my regimen---clay rinsing is the one to try. Especially if you are having trouble getting your curls to clump and pop.

RELATED: How I Get My Curls To POP!

LEAVE-IN + STYLER

Out of the shower, I applied my moisturizing leave in, Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) then sectioned off my hair to prep for applying the gel. I used the same exact technique from last week. Starting with the back, I spritzed it with water until it was soaking wet then finger detangled until my hair clumped into curls. Then I smoothed a little gel on the roots--but not on my scalp. Next, I raked a little more gel through all the way until the ends and gently shook out the curls. (aka the rake and shake technique)

FRO WITH {FAUX} BANGS

The application process still takes me about 35-40 minutes to do. And because I didn't want to be waiting waiting waiting waiting waiting, and waiting some more, I decided to sit under my hooded dryer. Believe it or not--my hair was just about completely dry after an hour. Boom pow. No more air drying for this chica! Of course my roots were still a little damp. This just comes with the thicker than thieves hair that I have. I banded my hair using my new DIY Ribbon Elastic Hair Ties (tutorial coming soon!)

Ribbon Elastic Hair ties don't leave nearly has many ceases in my curls when I band, they are super comfortable and very very gentle on my hair. The next morning, all I had to do was remove the bands---which is super easy and doesn't cause breakage---shake my hair out a little then fluff.

I forgot to take pictures of my first and second day hair but this third day hair tho?!?!? I decided to pin my overgrown bangs up a little to get them above my eyes and rock this stretched curly fro.

Fro + Bangs? Shoot...y'all can't tell me NOTHING!

Let me know if y'all want a tutorial on how I pinned my bangs and got all this stupid crazy volume!

How was your #washdayexperience?

An InLinkz Link-up

Lush Henna Caca Rouge Results (3rd Application)

I did my third application of Lush's Henna Caca Rouge over the weekend! I used the same prep process and application as the previous two times. The only difference was that instead of co-washing before the application, I shampooed because my hair was still full of product from my last wash and go.

RELATED: How to use Lush Henna on Natural Hair 

Henna is a tedious process. It adds 4-5 hours to my usual wash day. It takes me about 20-30 minutes to apply the henna. I let it sit for 3 hours (one of which, I'm under my hooded dryer). Then it takes an additional 20-30 minutes to fully rinse the henna from my hair. Luckily for me, the results are are so worth it. Here's why:

VIBRANT HIGHLIGHTS

My hair is naturally dark brown with peeks of auburn highlights.  What I love about henna is that my natural sun-kissed highlights are now more vibrant coppery color. In the sun light, it's almost like I have a subtle bronze halo around my curls.

STRONGER SOFTER HAIR

I'm not sure if it's my new minimalist regimen, my latest obsession with wash and go's or a combination of both but my hair has been on it's very best behavior. My strands feel uber moisturized, despite the fact that I'm only washing my hair once a week. I haven't had to moisturize or seal between wash days and my curl definition is even better. (I didn't think that was a possibility!) I've also noticed less breakage.

CUMULATIVE

With each henna application, the color gets deeper and richer. So, I have many more applications before I'll get close to the firey copper glow that I really want. Fingers crossed that my time at the beach this summer will help expedite the process!

Any one else playing with henna? Do you have any tips or tricks to share?

Besitos!
KLP

Perfecting My Wash and Go | The #WashDayExperience

I'm still in a little shock that my wash and go from last week actually lasted for 5 days. I didn't have to add any additional product and using banding to maintain my hair was so simple. Because I'm just not customized to only washing my hair once a week. I was really expecting my hair to be dry and my scalp to be itchy. Surprisingly it wasn't.

RELATED: How I Maintained My Wash and Go for 5 Days

I probably could have stretched my wash day one more day---but I decided not to push it. The one thing that I knew for sure was that I'd have to shampoo to remove all of the gel/castor oil/dirt/sweat that was bound to be on my hair and scalp. 

Here's what I used:

Pre-shampoo/Strengthening Treatment- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner (review here)
Shampoo- Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review here)
Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here) + Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (shop it!)
Clay Rinse- Here's the dets on my recipe
Leave-Ins- Castor Oil (shop it!)+ Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here)
Styler- Eco Styler Krystal Gel (shop it!)


And here's how I did it:


I usually start my wash day with a pre-shampoo. My pre-shampoo sessions allow me to detangle/remove shed hair before I get into the shower and it gives my hair an extra boost of either moisture or protein. Because I already had a ton of build up on my hair, I wasn't sure that my pre-shampoo session would even be effective. But habits are hard to break. So I started by spraying my hair with my DIY moisturizing mist. This concoction is not just moisturizing---it's also fantastic at detangling my hair. After I sprayed each section, I slathered on a little warmed Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner. After a week of wearing my hair out, I wanted to add a little protein to my hair for strength and to combat breakage. I covered with a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for about 20 minutes.

With my hair secured in about 7 sections (4 in the back and 3 in the front), I rinsed the conditioner then shampooed with Jessicurl Cleansing Cream (review here). I expected tangles and a week's worth of shed hair, but surprisingly the process was quick and tangle-free.

I t-shirt dried for a few minutes then applied my FAVEEEE deep conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment (review here). Next, I layered on a little Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (shop it!) to seal in the conditioner. I covered with a plastic cap and left it in overnight.


RELATED: Why I Deep Condition Overnight 

Wet hair after deep conditioning + castor oil

The next morning, I rinsed the conditioner then did my Clay Rinse treatment. Clay rinsing defines my curls giving them extra poppage. Made up word but whatevs... After applying the clay rinse in sections, I rinsed then applied some regular old castor oil (I used this one) to my soaking wet hair.
I rinsed my hair again to get my curls to clump up again. Out of the shower, I applied my moisturizing leave in, Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) then sectioned off my hair to prep for applying the gel.


RELATED: How I Get My Curls To POP!

My Wash and Go Technique #2

I used the same exact technique from last week. Starting with the back, I spritzed it with water until it was soaking wet then finger detangled until my hair clumped into curls. Then I smoothed a little gel on the roots--but not on my scalp. Next, I raked a little more gel through all the way until the ends and gently shook out the curls. (aka the rake and shake technique)

The application process took me about 35-40 minutes to do. I let my hair air dry for a couple of hours. (about 3-4 hours) But that wasn't nearly enough time for it to dry, so I sat under my hooded dryer---set on cool--- for about 30 minutes.

My hair was a little damp at the roots, so I banded my hair using some extra wide hair ties. (these are my faves) Then let my hair dry overnight.

The next morning, all I had to do was remove the bands---which is super easy and doesn't cause breakage---shake my hair out a little then fluff.

Surprisingly, my hair actually felt more moisturized after this wash and go than it was after last week's wash and go. I attribute the extra moisture to applying regular old castor oil to my hair while it was soaking wet. I think that this technique helped seal my hair. Regular castor oil has a less pungent scent than JBCO so I'm glad that I switched plus it's soo much cheaper and the packaging makes it easier to use in the shower. Next week, I plan to switch to ribbon ties instead of the regular hair ties that I've been using. The regular hair ties leave dents in my hair--which I don't really mind, but I do worry if ribbon ties will work better. I also plan to apply just a little more gel to my roots. I noticed a little more frizz at the roots on day one than I had last time.

I wonder if I can get another 5 days out of this wash and go too!

Fingers crossed!

How was your #washdayexperience? Is your hair ready for the summer?

An InLinkz Link-up

How To Use Lush Henna on Natural Hair

Henna has been on my must try list for years. No really. YEARS. Why? Because it looks messy, time consuming, and seems a little more complicated than this chemistry flunking chica can handle. Plus I was just plan scurred.

RELATED: Why I have henna on the brain


Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I'm in Lush and I see their Caca henna collection. They did all the hard work for you. Pick your color, chop up the amount of henna you need, add water and then apply. Like---have you ever seen a henna recipe that simple?

So I picked up a block of the Caca Rouge and did a happy dance. Here's how I got started, prepped the henna, and applied my henna.

START WITH A STRAND TEST

 

Have y'all seen this video by Chemese? She had a severe allergic reaction to what she thought was henna. Yeah---enough said. So the day before I decided to do a strand test. I started by chopping off a tiny bit of the henna block, adding a little warm water to it and applying it to a small section of my nape. I left it on for about 3 hours then rinsed. I also tested a patch on the inside of my arm just to make sure.

PREP YOUR HENNA BLOCK

 

The next day, I moved ahead with a full application. Here's how to prep the henna:

1. Break the henna into pieces. 
2. Put your pieces into a glass bowl
3. Add boiling water a few tablespoons at a time. 
4. Then mix and add water until you have a cake batter consistency.  Keep the henna mixture warm for easily application. (I just placed my bowl in a warm water bath to keep it warm)

APPLY YOUR HENNA

 

When I did the strand test, I noticed that it was really difficult to apply the henna to my hair dry. So I decided for the full application, to apply the henna to freshly co washed hair. (I also did this because my hair had a ton of product in it from my previous wash and go style. I didn't want the product buildup to prevent the henna from absorbing into my hair.) Starting with damp clean hair, I applied Lush's Ultrabalm to my hairline and ears to prevent staining. Then I:

5. Apply the warm henna in sections to your hair, cover hair with cling film and leave for 3 hours.
6. Wash the henna from your hair using warm water then deep condition. 

After application, I hopped under my hooded dryer for an hour then I let the henna sit on my hair for 3 more hours. The Lush salesgirl told me that heat would activate the henna even more and allow my hair to absorb more color.

I rinsed the henna for what felt like FOREVER until the water ran clean. Then I did my usual clay rinse.

RELATED: How to get your curls to POP!

I've done two henna treatments over the last month. Here are what my results look like so far:

HENNA RESULTS

The first time that I henna'd it was pretty much impossible to catch the subtle color on camera. But the second time, I really saw a difference, especially in sun. It actually reminds me of what my color looks like after a summer at the beach. The effect of henna on your hair color is cumulative--meaning that each time you do a treatment, your color will get deeper and richer. Which is exactly what I'm looking for! The process was actually easier than I thought it would be and my hair feels thicker and dare I say fuller (as if my hair wasn't already stupid full) than before.

How was your #washdayexperience? Would you ever consider using henna on your hair?

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

Jessicurl Hairveda Eden Bodyworks Giveaway!

It's giveaway time!!! Here's your chance to win a set of my long time FAVORITE products from Jessicurl PLUS two of my bloggy-partner-in-crime Jen's faves from Hairveda and Eden Bodyworks.

You can check out our GLOWING reviews of all of the products here:

Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner
Jessicurl Deep Treatment
Hairveda Deep Conditioning Masque
Eden Bodyworks Coconut Shea Cowash

Pero, lo siento, this giveaway is only open to our continental US friends.

Enter daily!
Buena Suerte
KLP

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Wash and Go FAIL | The #WashDayExperience

Last spring, I attempted my first wash and go. It was pretty terrible. My hair took hours to dry, my curls were stupid frizzy, and by the time that it dried---my hair felt like straw. I tried a couple more times before I gave up and moved on to curlformers.

But the problem is---I LOVE my curl pattern. My curls are tiny and stupid coily and ever so kinky. And when moisturized my curls pop like crazy. Ugh...Do you guys understand how much I just wanna wake up like this? Perfectly moisturized, just the right amount of shrinkage, and curls for ddaaayyyssssss....

So I gotta find a technique + product that will help my curls hold this pattern instead of frizzing up completely. (No shade to frizz---I do love a good fuzzy frizzy high puff every now and again...lol)

So I'm determined to figure get this wash and go situation right for the summer. And how perfect is this week's #WashDayExperience theme: Summer Prep!?!

Here's what I used:

Deep Condition- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here)
Leave-Ins- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Why EVCO is AMAZING here) + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + EccoStyler Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gel (buy it here)

And here's how I did it:

I started my spritzing the ends of my hair with my DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here). Then I slathered my hair in Jessicurl Deep Treatment (review here). My hair was super dry so I sealed in the conditioner with a little Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (here's the kind that I use $) then left it in overnight.

RELATED: Why I Deep Condition Overnight

The next morning, I rinsed the conditioner, t-shirt dried for a couple of minutes then applied little more Extra Virgin Coconut Oil + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) as my leave ins.

My Wash and Go Technique #1

I put my hair into 5 sections then secured each with a hair clip. Starting with the back, I spritzed it with water until it was soaking wet then finger detangled until my hair clumped into curls. Then I smoothed a little gel on the roots. Next, I raked a little more gel through all the way until the ends and gently shook out the curls. (aka the rake and shake technique)

The application process took me about 35-40 minutes to do. Then used a diffuser to dry the ends and the concentration nozzle to stretch the roots.

Everything seemed to be going well. Until I realized two things:

FLAKES and MORE FLAKES

That gel cast is NOT a joke.

I also noticed that I stretched my roots a bit too much which made the top of my hair really flat. It was impossible to get a presentable pic of how bad it really was.

So I pulled it up into a high puff and called it a day.

I'm thinking that I'll try a new gel next week, do a clay rinse (to get those curls re-hydrated), and try not to blow-fry my roots again. Do you have any tips on getting your wash and go just right? Dimelo!

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

May #WashDayExperience Themes

Your #WashDayExperience themes are back for May! I don't know about you but my wash days have been...

Boring

Monotonous

...and completely uninspiring lately.

Which is why I love #WashDayExperience themes! They actually give my wash days purpose and intention. For anyone new to the #WashDayExperience, you're probably totally confused! So let me back up for a second...

W H A T   I S   T H E   # W A S H D A Y E X P E R I E N C E?

The #washdayexperience is a place for ladies who are striving for healthier hair to share the hows, whats, whens, and whys of their weekly wash day ritual. It doesn't matter what state your hair is in: natural, colored, relaxed, texlaxed, curly, straight, or loc'd---ALL ARE WELCOME. You may share via blog/vlog, Insta, G+, Twitter, and Facebook.

# W A S H D A Y E X P E R I E N C E   T H E M E S

Wash day can be one part "omgosh I'm not here for this" and 4 parts "but I just don't wannnaaaaa". So Jen and I created a few themes to spice it up a bit. Here are your themes for May:

Week 1: Summer Hair Prep
Goodbye winter and hello summer! What are you doing to revive your hair for the summer? Which styles do you plan to try?

Week 2: Hair Color & Care
Are you thinking about coloring your hair (or have you already)? Henna? A Rinse? Permanent color? How are you caring for your color?

Week 3: Voluminous Curls
Big hair don't care! What is your favorite technique for big bad voluminous curls?

Week 4: Next Day Hair
Yes, your hair is perfect on wash day---but how do you style it the day after? What's your favorite next day hair style?

HOW TO JOIN THE # W A S H D A Y E X P E R I E N C E

Our look might have changed over the last year, but the rules for all this positivity are still the same:

1. Share the direct link to your #WashDayExperience linkup. We go live every Wednesday.
2. Add the #WashDayExperience badge to your post
3. Give the chica that linked up before you a little comment love. 

Stupid easy! Will you join the madness? Share a link to your blog below!

Besitos!
KLP

PS: The themes aren't mandatory---just a way to have a little more fun! Si que claro, you can join without adhering to the themes!

Kurly Klips are BACK! | The #WashDayExperience

These Kurly Klips are EVERTHING.

E V E R Y T H I N G !!!!!

They're perfect for bad hair days, I don't feel like doing my hair days, and omgosh what's wrong with my hair days.

Just the kinda days that I've been having.

I've been washing my hair. But not really styling it. Which basically means that it's been the puff life for the last 2-3 weeks.

RELATED: How I get the perfect high puff

To get myself out of the rut + a quick protective style---I brought my Kurly Klips back into rotation.

I know that it won't be long until I'm bored with them again (Just like last time). But that's cool. I trimmed my hair about a week ago and I picked up some Lush Caca Rouge Henna last weekend. 

Yep yep...I'm ready to get my curls on fleek for the summer!

How did you style your hair this week? Anyone else trying to get their hair summer ready?

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

10 Quick and Easy Updos For Natural Hair

I LIVE and DIE for a quick and easy updo. Especially since I stopped relaxing my hair. I just don't have time for crazy complicated hair styles.

I'm guilty of hitting the snooze button one too many times. I often forget to set my hair the night before. And don't get me started on all of my failed wash and gos. Nonetheless, I refuse to walk out of the house looking a hot mess. So instead of giving you a boring #washdayexperience this week, I decided to share 10 of my favorite super  quick and easy updos: 

1/ SWIRLED CROWN BRAID (tutorial)

The perfect way to elevate a humble dutch braid. The key to this style is gently fluffing the sides of the braid to give it volume and make it look thicker.

2/ KNOTTED UPDO (tutorial)

Not a braid. Not a bun. All protective. Stupid simple. This Knotted Updo is perfect for any length hair. I used a technique called banding to stretch my curls.

RELATED: How to stretch natural (and transitioning) hair without heat! 

3/ TWO STRAND TWIST UPDO (tutorial)

The final chop of my texlaxed ends left my bangs super short which made styles other than a high bun difficult. After a little trial and error, I realized that two strand twisting my bangs first + a few well placed hair pins was all I needed to create a cute "not a boring bun" look. 

4/ FLAT TWIST BUN (tutorial)

I love using curlformers to stretch my hair then pulling the curls up into a protective style. And this Flat twist Bun is the perfect example of that. This style is chic but simple and the longer that you leave it in, the more voluminous it makes your hair look. So if you have hair on the finer side---this style is for you!


RELATED: How to use Curlformers on Natural Hair

5/ FISHTAIL BANANA CLIP (tutorial)

Banana clips are a fun way to put your hair into a quick updo. Then you can pin your ends up to turn the updo into a protective style.

6/ SWIRLED FLAT TWIST BUN (tutorial)

Make one large flat twist then two single twists then BOOM you gotta super cute hairstyle! Again, the length of your hair doesn't matter for this style.

7/ HIGH PUFF (tutorial)

Of course this list wouldn't be complete without my high puff. It's the style that I love to hate. It's the epitome of easy but it makes me soooo lazy with my hair. 

8/ FLUFFY TOP KNOT (tutorial)

As I got deeper in my relaxer stretch turned transition, pulling my hair into a high bun got harder and harder. That is until I worked my hair into this gorgeous fluffy top knot.

9/ HEAD WRAP SCARF BUN (tutorial)

This style has two steps: Bantu knot your bangs then wrap your hair in your favorite printed scarf. Easy peasy!

10/ CURLY UPSWEEP (tutorial)

Necessity is the mother of invention. All I had was a failed twist out, 5 minutes, and a stretched out hair tie; and it was all I needed to create this style. I pulled my hair into a high puff leaving down a large section to give myself a curly bang.

What's your favorite updo? Link it up below!

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

5 Reasons Why Curlformers Are AWESOME! | The #WashDayExperience

The biggest reason that I caved and picked up Curlformers was because I wanted an easy way to stretch my hair so that I could work my hair into some of my favorite updos. I live for a simple, chic updo!

I also understand that this isn't everyone's motivation, especially when you see the price tag ($60USD+) for a curlformer kit. However, if for some reason I lost my kit today---I'd replace it in a heart beat. Here are 5 reasons why I don't even want to function without my curlformers:

SIMPLE INSTALLATION

Yes, there is a learning curve to using curlformers, but once you get into your own rhythm, they are stupid easy to work with. Honestly, I think that they are easier than magnetic rollers, perm rods, or even bantu knots because you're guaranteed a perfectly uniform curl every time. No fumbling with end papers, no worrying about even sections, and no wondering if you're twisting your hair in the right direction. I mean---the fact that they are color coded (one color for clockwise and another for counter-clockwise) makes installation easy peasy.

HEAT FREE

After spending years addicted to using heat to straighten my hair---I'm trying to stay as far away from direct heat as much as possible. I love that I don't have to use heat in order for my curlformers to set. Whether I install + air dry (4-5 hrs) or install + hooded dryer (30+45 mins), I can get the look of hot curlers, curling wands or flat iron curls without fear of burning my hair.

RELATED: 8 Tips for Sleek & Smooth Curlformer sets

SMOOTH & SLEEK CURLS

The best thing about Curlformers is that you can achieve a glossy curl from root to tip. The curls are glossy and moisturized. My hair feels smooth and bouncy.

GENTLE

My natural curl pattern is so tightly coiled that rarely do I get to see the full length of my hair without some sort of manipulation. Luckily for me, the gentle tension from the curlformer rod stretches my hair (without yanking it out at the root).

LESS TANGLES

And because my hair is in a stretched state, I've noticed that I have much less breakage from tangles. My hair stays moisturized longer from root to tip. I see less tangles/breakage from installing curlformers than I do for any other style that set recently (including a flat twist out and banding) 

Curlformers are perfect for relaxed girls who are trying to stay away from the heat and even for those of us who are transitioning because it blends all the textures in your hair SEAMLESSLY!

Do the results not speak for themselves? What are your tips for getting smooth and sleek curls?

Besitos!
KLP

An InLinkz Link-up

How To Get The Perfect High Puff on Natural Hair

In honor of lazy day hair style week, I'm sharing with you guys my laziest boringest style ever:

The high puff.

Yes, yes, I know that I swore off my high puffs in my Worse of 2015 list. But...

I just can't quit it.

This must be what Cookie Monster feels like when he goes on a diet...

The good news is that I figured out a way to rock my worse/best style without damaging my hair (so far).

But first, I had to promise myself was to never NEVER...

Like ever...

Go more than a day without re-moisturizing my curls.

I'm just so prone to laziness...

Anywhos---here are my secrets to the perfect high puff:

1. Start with stretched hair- My hair was previously stretched using curlformers.
2. Moisturize- I lightly mist my hair with my DIY Hair Moisturizer and applied my favorite leave-in conditioner.
3. Seal with a oil or butter- Because I know that my ends dry out fast, I liberally added this hair butter to my ends.The butter also defines my ends so that they don't get tooo frizzy.
4. Lay your edges- I'm not much of an edge control girl, but when I wear a puff, I like my edges neat and laid. Today I used a little Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste.
5. Gentle metal free extra wide hair tie- my secret to a giant high puff is to center it at the very top of my head with an extra wide hair tie. The density of my hair keeps the hair tie in place without it being too tight. This is my current fave hair tie.

Viola. My stupid easy uber lazy high puff!

What's your lazy day style? Share the dets in the linkup collection below!

An InLinkz Link-up

[Hairstyle] Curly Upsweep for Natural Hair | The #WashDayExperience

I ditched my Curlformers this week to start testing out styles for our upcoming family photo shoot. Ay dios mio, our pics from last year were EVERYTHING and more to me---but I'm kinda thinking that I want to try something different this year. Give me a shout if you have suggestions!

Here's what I used during this #WashDayExperience:

Pre-shampoo/Strengthening Treatment- DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here) + Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner (review here)

Clay Rinse- Here's the dets on my recipe

Deep Condition- Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here)
Leave-Ins- Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Why EVCO is AMAZING here) + Jessicurl Too Shea Conditioner (why I love this stuff here) + Camille Rose Twisting Butter (shop it)

RELATED: My Minimalist Natural Hair Regimen

And here's how I did it:

This week's #WashDayExperience is all about deep conditioning hacks, so started with one of NEW favorite hacks: warming up the conditioner.

First, I spritzed the ends of my hair with my DIY Moisturizing Mist (tutorial here). Then I slathered my hair in warmed Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner (review here) as I detangled. I love this conditioner because it helps makes breakage disappear, defines my curls and it has a TON of slip. This is what my shed hair after detangling looked like:

Hopefully I can continue this breakage-free trend that I have going here! I let the conditioner sit for about 20 minutes before I hopped in the shower, rinsed the conditioner section by section then applied my Clay Rinse with a narrow tip applicator bottle. I'm still on a mission to get the curls in the front of my hair to clump as well as the curls in the back. Fingers crossed that consistency will do the trick!

Next, I deep conditioned with my all time fave conditioner Jessicurl Deep Treatment Conditioner (review here), coated my ends in Extra Virgin Coconut oil to seal in the conditioner (which is another deep conditioning hack!) and plopped under my hooded dryer for about 30 minutes.

Instead of curlformers, this week I attempted a flat twist out. Have you ever started styling your hair and then about half way into it you KNOW that you made a critical error? Yeah...that was me. I knew that my flat twist sections were too small but it was too late for me to turn back. I put a couple of perm rods on the ends and reminded myself that I could always rock a curly puff.

*le sigh*

Anywhos, the next morning, I unraveled my hair.

It wasn't soooooo bad---more texture than I wanted.

Not as voluminous as I was expecting.

Yerp. Up it went into this quick curly upsweep. At least my bangs looked marvelous dah-ling!

I'm definitely going to try again---with bigger sections and I'll probably ditch the perm rods. They had the ends of my curls looking all kinds of cray cray!

How was your #washdayexperience? Share your style this week and your favorite deep conditioning hacks with our healthy hair tribe!

Besitos!

KLP

An InLinkz Link-up