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Textured Updo [Inspired by MsVaughnTV]

I'd watched MsVaughnTV's UpDo with Jamaican Braiding Hair a while back and really liked it but didn't think I would be doing it because I don't like to use weave. No real reason why, just personal preference. This weekend I was playing around with my hair and had the idea that I could achieve her updo with my current length. I am happy to say that it worked and I really like the style. See my rendition below:

To achieve this look:

Products
Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo
Herbal Essence Long-term Relationship Conditioner
Giovanni Direct Leave-In Conditioner
Raw Shea Butter
Fantasia Aloe Vera Gel

Tools
Hair Clips
Hair pins
Bobby Pins
Wide tooth comb
Soft boar bristle brush

[My]Steps
Wash, Condition, and Detangle hair into two top sections.
Leave front section (bang area) loose and secure the back portion with a ponytail holder
Cornrow the front section forward
Plait the hair in the ponytail
For a neat set, let the hair dry completely before removing all braids
Remove braids and pin into place as desired
To maintain at night you can wrap your hair in a satin bonnet

Sunday Style: Curly 'fro

"Ultimate independence is total dependence on the word of God."

Wanna see a #fail? I have yet to master the curly 'fro, maybe my hair just doesn't want to do that particular style. It never comes out looking like a curly 'fro. This Sunday it just looked...that's it. Just looked.

I attempted to achieve the curly 'fro by flat twisting and doing bantu knots at the end of the twists. This method didn't work the way I imagined it would so back to the drawing board I go.

Sunday message
Ultimate Freedom
John 8:1-11; 31-32
The woman in the text was granted the ultimate freedom is when Jesus free her after she was caught in the act of adultery. The woman represents you and me in that she dead and caught up in her sin. The men that brought the woman to Jesus wanted to know what he would do but instead of answering them Jesus acted as if he did not hear them. Sometime you have to act like you don't hear your adversaries. However, just because you act like you don't hear them it does not mean that they will go away. Jesus stood up on the woman's behalf in this text without directly judging her. When Jesus stands up on you behalf - your enemies will have to leave you alone. The woman was freed from the bondage of sin - that is the ultimate freedom.

I love this song!

Coconut Oil + My Hair = winning combination

I've mentioned my love for coconut oil before. But I recently read some new information and wanted to post this topic again. That's just how much I love coconut oil.

One of the oils that I love to use on my hair is coconut oil. My hair has responded well to this oil since the day I first started using it.When ever I come across information about using coconut oil I am very intrigued.

Studies have been conducted comparing the effectiveness of coconut oil to other oils. What was found is great news for a coconut oil lover:

The findings clearly indicate the strong impact that coconut oil application has to hair as compared to application of both sunflower and mineral oils. Among three oils, coconut oil was the only oil found to reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product.

Audrey Sivasothy states that "coconut oil benefits black hair in two important ways. First, coconut oil's hydrophobic oil characteristics allow it to inhibit the penetration of water from the surrounding air and environment. Second, coconut oil is able to bind to the natural protein structure of the hair. This helps the hair retain its natural moisture content and reinforces the hair fiber, making it stronger."

Another interesting finding is that coconut oil works better as a prepoo compared to using it after your wash session. The reason being cause coconut oil is more likely to penetrate wet hair fibers. I have not used coconut oil as a prepoo but I will be trying that this weekend.

How do I use coconut oil?
I typically use coconut oil on my hair as a sealer. I apply my leave-in conditioner and then coconut oil before my hair dries. One of the benefits of using coconut oil is that it strengthens my nails when I use it to style my hair. Styling my hair can sometimes take up to an hour so it's almost like soaking my nails in the oil for an hour. I have used coconut oil in my skin but I prefer it on my hair. It can really leave the skin shiny and I'm not a fan on the shiny look on me. I purchase my coconut oil from Whole Foods and I have opted to use and stick with unrefined coconut oil. One jar will last me a while so this is a product I can afford to use consistently.

Read more
Coconut oil for healthy natural hair
The Benefits of Coconut Oil in Black Hair
Coconut Oil for Hair