Singin’ in the Rain with Gotye at Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Red Rocks Ampitheatre in
Morrison, Colorado

Here in Colorado it is pretty much common knowledge that Red Rocks Ampitheatre is one of the best places to take in a live show.   This week the hubby and I made another trek up the winding ramp that leads to the open air venue surrounded by massive red rocks to see the musician, Gotye.  The weather was not the best but fun was had by all once the show started.

There were two opening acts before the much awaited headliner.  After warming the crowd up with a couple of tunes,  Gotye (a.k.a Wally) remarked, as most singers do, at how the altitude made singing a challenge.  Still,  he managed to hit all the notes in perfect pitch.  The show was full of beat driven tracks such as, “Easy Way Out,” and, “Thanks for Your Time.”

Prior to the show this week of course I kept thinking, “what am I gonna do with my hair?”  With the venue in mind it was a no brainer.  A Wash n’ Go was pretty much my only option because there was the chance it might rain.  I decided this before realizing that I was completely out of my staple styler, Eco Gel.  That’s when I remembered that I still had some Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) I bought a long time ago.  I couldn’t remember all of the do’s and dont’s for using this product so I went online to check which leave-ins it paired well with.  I found a video on YouTube explaining how the Tresemme Naturals conditioner I love so much works as a leave-in under the KCCC.

On the way to the concert rockin’ my curly fro-
So excited!

Before applying the products, I co-washed my hair with Suave Naturals in Coconut flavor.  Then, with my hair still dripping wet, I applied the Tresemme conditioner in sections. After that, I used very little of the gel on each of the sections and wet the hair before raking it through.  I noticed some crazy curl definition right away which usually means tons of shrinkage.  This was what I was going for though and was happy with the final result.  The next day (the morning of the concert) I re-wet my hair to reactive the curls.  I ended up with a coily afro that was a lot of fun to wear.

At the concert there was plenty of wind and rain throughout but I didn’t have a care in the world because my curly fro held up just fine.  Which left me with plenty of headspace for remembering all the words to, “Heart’s a Mess” and “Save Me,” my two favorite Gotye songs.

Waiting for the show to begin
Red Rocks all around

Enjoying Your TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro)

A wash n’ go style with Eco Styler Gel
 at 3 months Natural

Sometimes I find people in hair forums who are trying to figure out what to do with their TWA a.k.a. “Teeny Weeny Afro”.  Everytime I see this I think to myself, don’t they realize how good they’ve got it?  When I was new to being natural and my hair was shorter than ever, I embraced it.  It was so much fun!  Now don’t get me wrong, it took some getting used to.  However, after a nine month transition, it seemed like my hair wasn’t short for very long. 

When I think back on it, all I can remember is how easy it was.  My routine was pretty simple.  Each day I either re-wet my hair with my homemade spritz or co-washed it in the shower with a cheapie conditioner.  I didn’t really use a lot of products.  I moisturized my hair with leave-in conditioner, my aloe/glycerin/water spray or shea butter.  I tried a few different hair gels and realized that Eco Styler worked the best for making my curls pop.  Other than that, I played around with finger coils, the conditioner only method, and hair accessories.  This was also the time when I started wearing earings more often which turned out to be a great compliment to my short hair. 

Using a large, snap barrett
for something different
My only piece of advice for anyone who is wondering about caring for their short fro is to consider what season you’ll be doing the Big Chop.  Why?  Think about it, the only way to work with your newly natural hair will be when it’s wet or damp.  So, doing the BC during the winter months is probably not the way to go unless there’s no way around it.  This is precisely why I decided to cut the last of my relaxed ends off in May of 2009.  By the fall, I had enough hair to do braid outs, blow-outs, and individual braids.   Other than that, I think you should enjoy your short and sassy TWA.  It’s fun and easy to care for.  Ultimately though, for anyone who is going Natural for the long haul, it is also just the beginning.

The Puff-My New Favorite Style

Wash n’ Go Puff Using
Suave Naturals Coconut Conditioner
and Eco Styler (Argan Oil) Gel

I remember looking through tons of photos and videos of natural hairstyles while I was transitioning.  I was always impressed with how big and fluffy natural hair can get. 

Now, nearly two years later (since the BC), I’m finally starting to see some big hair on my own head.  I just recently noticed that I actually have a decent size puff goin’ on so it’s my go-to style when I want something easy.  I have to be careful though because the headbands I use can be tight at first.  I really wish that I could wear the style everyday but I don’t want to lose my edges or cause any breakage. 



Braid-out Pony Puff
Using a Banana Clip



What I find that works is I’ll wash my hair (usually at night) and then prep it for a braid-out or wash n’ go.  Then, I’ll wear it down the following day.  The day after that, if the style is not as cute as the first day, I’ll put it up in a puff.  When my hair is stretched from braids and twists, I can usually fit my hair into a banana clip that I place horizontally to make a full pony-puff.  After a wash n’ go, I’ll just re-wet my hair and then push it back with a headband until it stops (right at the crown).  I’m definitely looking forward to wearing my hair like this during the summertime. It’s so easy and keeps my hair off of my shoulders.  I just hope that it will also help me get to APL.  Fingers crossed.