Au Naturale by Mz. Sixx Headlines

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

My Method of Co- Washing My Hair

I'm often been asked how do I "wash"my hair? When I tell people I wash my hair with conditioner I oftentimes get a "confused" look. So below I've outlined my routine. There is no WRONG or RIGHT way to this method.




First, find a conditioner that works for your hair type. I'm a 3B/3C. My co-wash mix consist of Hello Hydration conditioner, mixed with VO5 Moisture Milk ( Strawberries and Creme), with Alma oil, Grapeseed oil, or Evoo Oil added. You can use conditioner right out the bottle- I'm a mixologist- so I mix EVERYTHING!

Get to know your ingredients. The long, hard-to-pronounce ingredients on the label can be overwhelming. But with familiarity, you can learn to spot which ingredients you want to keep and which you want to avoid. Ingredients like propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol and panthenol are common. Search online for ingredients lists. One such list can be found at http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/ingredients.html.

Recommended: Alot of naturals co-wash in the shower- I do not. If you choose to co-wash in the shower, purchase an extended shower head/hose. I co-wash my hair in the sink- I don't like the feel of wet hair on my shoulders or back-again this is preference

Rinse the hair with warm water. Avoid water that is too hot (if it initially stings your back, it's too hot). Cleansing results from the action of water plus cleanser (shampoo and/or conditioner) and agitation (hand movements through the hair). Warm water will clean hair well while hot water can be damaging. While rinsing with water, gently comb your hair with your fingers.

Apply your conditioner. This can be done in several ways.




(1) I pour my conditioner mix into a bottle with an applicator tip ( similar to the type of bottle hair dye comes in), I finger part my hair and apply the conditioner ( because of the applicator tip- it come out in a "line" formation". Work the condition from root to the tips, continue until all the hair is covered.




(2) Pour conditioner mix into a large clean spray bottle and mix with water (optional: add a little coconut milk). Shake well and spray liberally onto the hair. This mixture will be more dilute than a direct application. I use this method when I need to mist my hair or to re freshen twist outs/braids outs.

Rinse your hair well, with warm water. Ease your fingers through each section while the water flows through to remove any remaining conditioner. I do not rinse all the conditioner out- this step is optional

Optional: Apply product and comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb with rounded-edge teeth (detangling comb). This step is optional, I only comb my hair once a week during my weekly detangling session. Comb from the TIPS first, ensuring there are no snags then work your way to the roots. I don't always add product- depending on how much conditioner is left on my hair- this step varies for me.

It's time to dry. Just as with the application, there are several ways to dry your hair.

(1) Dry with a t-shirt, simply dab and pat your hair dry, or grab sections and squeeze excess water into the t-shirt. I t-shirt dry in the colder months

(2) Shake and go. Lay your t-shirt across the back of your shoulders (lengthwise shoulder to shoulder). Grab the bottom corners of the t-shirt and raise it up to your head, almost over your head. Think of Batman's cape raised up as he jumps off a tall building! With the shirt raised, shake your head from side to side (ear to shoulder) and left to right (like saying no), shaking excess water into the towel. This is called the "no touch" method. For me- the less I manipulate my hair- the more my curls pop. You also want to avoid the frizzes. I shake and go in the warmer months

For me, co washing my hair is the way to go! I rarely apply commercial shampoo to my hair. Shampooing is too harsh and it strips my hair of much needed oils and moisture. In place of shampooing I do the ACV rinse ( click here for recipe) & Baking Soda Rinse. If you co- wash- share your method? What conditioners do you use?

Monday, July 18, 2011

Naturalistas & The 2011 Reggae Wine Festival


This pass Saturday I toured, tasted an assortment of fruit & speciality wines, and had a picnic at Maryland's oldest winery, Berrywine Plantations/Linganore Winecellars at the 2011 Reggae Wine Festival. My social club-Majestic Divas (http://www.majesticdivas.org/ ) sponsored a bus. We picked up passengers in Greenbelt MD & Baltimore, MD. For the ride we enjoyed a continental breakfast and mimosa's. It was truly a day of fellowship, fun, and relaxation. I highly recommend for your safety that anyone that attend the wine festival in the future, have a designated driver or ride one of the excursion motor coaches from a city near you. There is unlimited wine tasting and bottles of wine available for purchase. You can EASILY drink past your *limit*.

What a perfect way to spend a Saturday- listening and dancing to hot Caribbean sounds while enjoying friends and family under the sun. There were 2 great Reggae Bands (Image Band & Stryker Band) that provided us with live entertainment. The Image Band (from Washington, DC) was my favorite (http://www.imageband.com/).

They are one of the largest and best Soca and Reggae bands in the Caribbean community in the DC area. By the time Image Band took to the stage-everyone was in P-A-R-T-Y mode. The guys had taken off there shirts, ladies had their shoes off, and hips were winding everywhere!!!!! I ran into friends, co workers, and folks I'd met at the year previous at the wine festival. It was a very relaxing day, and I enjoyed having a "girls day" with my mini me. Mini Me ran into a few classmates, her 2nd grade teacher and her 6th grade teacher.

As we were sipping wine, munching on the delicious food from our picnic baskets, we came across a caucasian lady that was going from tent to tent with her chair asking to take pictures so that she could send them to her friends in Colorado ( and rub it in about how many friends she had made). She was a sweetie-she worked the entire section and EVERYONE took pictures with her!!!!! It was truly a testament that diversity is is amazing and WE CAN ALL GET ALONG!


I ran into a vendor selling natural hair and skin products. The body cream wash was DIVINE- her products can be found locally at Browns market (Forestville, MD) or online at: http://www.zuresh.com/ . In addition to hair and skin care products she also has jewelry and organic cosmetics. Those items can be purchased at http://www.zureshface.com/

There weren't as many vendors this year as years past. One of my favorite vendors was the almond man, Jimmy. He has the best cinnamon roasted almonds ever. You get them hot out of the mixture. Jimmy also has pecan as well.





The art was beautiful. I've recently gotten "into" art and I'm looking to treat myself to an original painting in the near future. Below is a pic of one of my favorite pieces at the festival.






After chilling under my tent, sipping on the many flavors of red wine, white wine, sweet wine, and dry wine, and ate a few snacks-I decided to walk around and snap a few pictures of the naturals that was there. There were some BEAUTIFUL heads of natural hair of all textures, hues, and styles gracing the winery. I must admit I was very intimidated to walk up to strangers and ask them if I could snap a picture- I was shot down a few times, but most obliged. Fam, I've never seen so much beauty in one place!!!!! My daughter was amazed at how many ladies was rocking natural hair. This was her first experience being surround by so many naturalistas- I felt like I was one among a sea of queens.












You’ve not attended a wine festival until you attend a Linganore Reggae Wine Festival. This event is one of the BIGGEST of the summer (in addition to Wine in the Woods ( Columbia, MD), and the Caribbean Wine Festival-another festival held annually at Linganore) which drew +15,000 people of from all races, genders and cultures.



I hope to see ya'll at the next festival October 15-16. I will be there celebrating my 40th birthday. For additional information on Linganore Wine Cellers Festival schedule Click Here

Thursday, July 14, 2011

All Twisted Up

Style: Two Strand Twist (Protective Style)

Complete: 2 Hours

Products Used: Grape seed Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, Lemon Souffle ( product of Au'Naturale)

Tools Used: Rat tail comb, duck clips, my fingers

Reason for style: Protective Style for the month of July

How To Achieve style:

Wash and condition hair-allow hair to "air dry" 25%-50%(this step is optional, but it aid with reducing shrinkage)

Take rat tail comb to separate & part hair-Use duck clips to hold sections into place

Section hair into 1 inch (or smaller sections) and twist hair ( apply styling product, & aloe vera gel onto each twist)







Continue this process throughout the remainder of the head

Apply natural oil of choice to the twisted strands & scalp as needed

Finger style, pin up, or pull twists into a ponytail or bun

At night- cover hair with a satin bonnet and/or sleep on a satin pillow case



Check out Kristi's You Tube Video for styling twist- and subscribe to her


you tube channel Enjoying The Journey's Thank Kristi for twist styling options

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

My Natural Hair Montage

This is my very first You Tube video.. Take a look at my pictorial of my hair journey-enjoy :)


Monday, July 11, 2011

Wake up your natural with accessories

I love ...love...love.. hair accessories! I get bored very easily and to keep from doing drastic things to my hair ( such as cut it, shave it, or color it)I normally accessorize. My flower has become my signature look- the bigger the better, the bolder- brighter- the saucier I feel ( lol..lol..)

I typically find pocket friendly accessories at stores such as Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Craigslist, ETSY.COM, thrift stores, consignment shops, and flea markets. My accessories normally range from .50 -$6 unique items and multi purposed items are my fav finds. Accessories that can double as a brooch, shoe clip, belt, or necklace will always find its way into my collection. Below are a few things that I'm lusting over ( and ya"ll know I'm saucy enough to rock em all).











Couture Headbands







Flowers






Head Bands and Hair Clips











What do you do to " change" your look? How do you accessorize? Where do you find accessories?

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

DMV Natural Hair Meetup-Register Today!





Calling all Kinky* Coily* Curly* Twisted*



Naturalista's in the DMV




Join (kee-Kee) of Chi Chi Sophistication Hairstyling and myself for a natural hair meetup for the ladies of the DMV ( DC*MD*VA). This event is open to naturals, loc rockers, transitioners and those curious about going natural. Gather to commune and support one another in your quest for chemical-free hair! Discuss hair care and maintenance, products, product swap, and home styling methods. This will be a fun event filled with giveaways, great food, great company and Lots of natural hair talk!!!!






Mark your calendars


Saturday August 6, 2011 (6pm-9pm)
Jasper's
9640 Lottsford Road Largo MD 20774




**SPACE IS LIMITED**
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY









Hope to see ya there!!!!!!!

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