Protective Styles and Me

Hey Dolls,

  So I wanted to talk a little about natural hair, in particular protective styling (PS). I guess you can say that I'm a bit addicted to protective styles. But before I get in too deep, let me give you guys a brief history on my natural hair. I wore sew ins for most of my Sophomore year of college and on February 16,2008 I was officially natural. On January 13th, 2013 ( 2 months after giving birth to my beautiful baby girl), I Big Chopped. Having a newborn and an all day wash day wasn't working for me anymore. I enjoyed my short hair and the "lower" maintenance of it, but by the summer of 2013 I was ready for a change.  Honestly, I didn't want to deal with putting all this time and effort into a twist out just for humidity to completely disrespect my hair and all my hard work. On top of being a full time mom to a very busy, at the time almost one year old,  I soon discovered trying to carve out time to do my hair was becoming a bit of a challenge. July of 2013 is when I did my first installment of Chunky Marley Twist, and I've been hooked since. My PS allow me to worry less about my hair without neglecting it. I have a few Do's and Don'ts when it comes to prep and maintenance of MY protective styles. I moisturize my hair twice a week with S Curl No Drip Leave in moisturizer ( I saw you chuckle), and organic coconut oil. Also between each installment I allow my hair to breath for a few days. Prior to my install I make sure that my hair is clean and moisturize thoroughly. I shampoo, followed by a moisture balance shampoo,deep condition, then add my leave in and oil.  Now for my Don'ts. I do not shampoo my hair while it's in a protective style. I know, this may have a few people gasping for air but I've done it in the past and it doesn't work for me. Last, I do not keep my styles in past 8 weeks.
I can definitely see a difference in my hair, I am retaining length and my hair is full and healthy.

Marley Chunky Twist

Las Mogan Wig by Vanessa

Crochet  Braid w/ Kanekalon

Medium Twist w/ natural hair

Yarn Twist

Curls Night Out!

Hey Dolls,

So I thought for my first post I would talk about an event that I recently attended. I had the great pleasure of enjoying other Kinky, Coily, Curly brothers and sisters at  "Curls,Cocktails, and Conversation. This was the 1st event that the natural group CurlyCle (@curlycle) put together, and let me say it was AMAZING! I got to enjoy great food prepared by the phenomenal Chef Eric Wells, delicious drinks, and stimulating conversation all in the intimate setting of Ligali's Bistro located in Tremont. I had the pleasure of meeting  hair guru Hey Curlie (@hey_curlie), entrepreneur Carmella Marie (@carmellamarie), and artist such as Maria Lynn (@naturalroots) and Jee (@jee_naildit). Then when I thought the event couldn't get any better I received a FABULOUS Glam goody bag, filled with full and sample size products. I have to give a major thank you to the 3 beauties that put this all together Nicole L. (@nicolelynamor), Brittany S. (@afrofrenchchick), and Tosha S. (@toshastudmire). You ladies saw a void in our city and decided to fill it, and for that I thank you.

Well lovelies, remember to always love the natural you, and stay true to who you are.

XOXO,

J'adore TajaMarie

FOUNDERS: L-R Tosha, Nicole, and Brittany

Curlies!

TL- Maria Lynn, TR Me and Nicole,
BL Carmella Marie, BR Tosha and Brittany

Liagli's Bistro Chef Eric Wells

Lagali's Bistro

L- Hey Curlie, R- Glam Goody Bag
(pics courtesy of @Hey_curlie)