Category: natural hair

Protective Style Challenge and Youtube Channel Updates

Posted on by Michelle
curlyincolorado.com protective style challenge

Here’s my latest Youtube Video where I go over a few updates for my channel and natural hair

journey.  I even speak a little bit about what I’m doing with my hair now for moisture during the colder weather.

WATCH MY LATEST HAIR UPDATE ON YOUTUBE

My Protective Style Challenge 

This weekend I posted a video to help keep all of my viewers up to date on my protective style challenge.  I started wearing my natural hair in protective hair styles in hopes to retain more length this year.  I would like to see my hair at least a few inches longer so I thought putting it away would help speed things up.

One Name to Rule Them All

Last month I took the plunge and renamed my Youtube Channel.  It was something that I was contemplating for some time now.  It feels good to have one name across all of my social media platforms as well.  Just makes things so much easier for me.

Winter Hair Routine and New Products

Lately I have been playing around with a couple of moisturizers to help boost my curly styles.  I’m having great success and mention both in my new video.

Be sure to stop by my Youtube Channel for more hair tutorials and curly hair updates!

Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor on Natural Curly Hair

Posted on by Michelle

When my hair was relaxed, I never took the time to deep condition my hair.  I had a pretty simple regimen which included shampoo, conditioner and a leave-in conditioner.  If I had been introduced to do the idea of using a light protein treatment, my hair might have been a lot stronger.  Since I was clueless back then, my color treated, chemically straightened hair broke off like mad.

I heard about the Aphogee line when I was doing research on how to keep my hair from breaking.  The two step protein treatment sounded a little too involved for me.  However the conditioner like Keratin 2 minute Reconstructor I thought was worth a try.  I started using it once a month during my transitioning period and experienced a lot more length retention.

 

WATCH HOW I USE 
APHOGEE’S KERATIN 2 MINUTE RECONSTRUCTOR

After doing my big chop I figured I didn’t need the product anymore.  I started wearing my natural hair straight once a month and quickly learned that my hair still needed protein.  That’s why I still use the light protein treatment by Aphogee.  It is my go to product when my curls need a little help.  Now, don’t get me wrong, this product will not bring severely heat damaged hair back from the brink.  It will however help strengthen damaged hair and lessen the chance of breakage.  Take a look at my video to watch a quick demonstration of how I use the product.

DISCLAIMER:  If your hair is protein sensitive then this product may not work for you.    Be sure to read the product instructions prior to using this product.  I consider this to be a light protein treatment but if used too often it can lead to dryness and breakage.  Always follow a protein treatment with a moisture deep conditioning.

Upcoming Natural Hair Event by Colorado Urban Naturals

Posted on by Michelle

It’s a new year and we can expect lots of new events by the local group Colorado Urban Naturals.  This is the same organization that coordinated the Denver Natural Hair Care Expo last summer.  The event will be a smaller workshop on how to make a head wrap using your own fabric.  There will also be some discussion on natural hair color options for natural hair.  Tickets are still available for this event which is only two weeks away!

NATURAL HAIR EVENT BY 
COLORADO URBAN NATURALS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH
6:00-8:00 P.M.
at Pangaea Salon 4924 E. Colfax Ave.

ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES ON THIS EVENT

Back to The Curly Girl Method & Switching to Wetline Xtreme Gel

Posted on by Michelle
curlyincolorado.com curly girl method wetline xtreme hair gel
My new wash and go product line-up

I recently decided to make some major changes in my hair routine as far as my products go.  After using chemical hair dye to semi permanently cover my gray hair, I switched to a sulphate free shampoo.  When I did this, I noticed that my beloved Aussie Moist conditioner was causing a lot more build-up.  This was because it contains a silicone and sulphate free shampoo isn’t capable of removing heavy silicones.

This change in my cleansing routine meant that I needed to go back to silicone free conditioners or at least lighter silicone versions that were easier to cleanse out.  I decided to go with my old favorites Tresemme Naturals Conditioner for detangling/conditioning and Paul Mitchell’s The Conditioner as a leave-in.  This basically put me right back at Curly Girl status which is fine but what about the gel?

I really like to use a heavy gel after I apply my leave-ins for
extra curl definition and hold.  It also guarantees me a wash and go style that will last a few days.  Normally, my gel of choice is Eco Styler gel.  However, my hair was not liking the product very much lately.  It was like it kept zapping the moisture from my hair no matter what products I paired with it.  The other day I went to reach for it to do my hair, but realized I was completely out.  I usually stay stocked on this product so that was surprising.  Then I remembered that I still had some Wetline Xtreme gel leftover from a trial I did this summer.  It was all I had so I had no other choice but to use it.

curlyincolorado.com curly girl method wetline xtreme hair gel
My wash and go still has lots of definition
after using Wetline Xtreme gel

I used it three times the first week and I still can’t believe the difference!  My hair feels way better than when I use Eco gel and all I have to use is my leave-in conditioner and grapeseed oil underneath.  With Eco I had to also use a third, moisturizing product.  I think it has something to do with how Wetline gel is protein and glycerin free.  I have often suspected that I might need a glycerin free product but it’s possible the protein was causing problems as well.  The other plus is that I still get the same curl definition as before.  I am so glad that I stumbled upon this discovery.  I’m pretty sure that my hair is too!

My Bali Girl Synthetic Wig by Freetress

Posted on by Michelle
curlyincolorado.com bali girl synthetic wig by freetress
I’m wearing Bali Girl,
a synthetic wig by Freetress

I had this brilliant idea this summer that I would give protective styling a try.  It’s a great way to retain length while rocking a style that keeps your hair up and out of the way.  I like to change things up though so these styles never last for me.  That’s why I figured I would just try a wig so that I could wear my own hair whenever I wanted.  Thing is, the Freetress Bali Girl wig I picked up this summer was only my second ever!  The last wig I bought, I wore a couple times and then put it away.

I was pretty excited with this one though because the front of it looked similar to my hair when I wear it straight.  My husband didn’t even realize it was a wig until I told him.  Still, I just had to tweak it a bit here and there.  It was longer than I expected and it also had long bangs.  Check out my video to see how I adjusted it.

Update on My Bali Girl Synthetic Full Cap Wig by Freetress
WATCH MY INITIAL REVIEW ON THE BALI GIRL WIG HERE