Some kids yelled this out at me as I walked by today. Thanks for your help guys, I didn't know that. lol. There was a time when only Black people knew what "nappy" meant (for the most part) - now it's a household word! Moving on...
Today is the last day of my latest staple style - the shrunken puff. Tomorrow I will be getting my hair done at Exavia's, and of course I had to commemorate this infrequent occasion by taking some pictures. The last time I went to Exavia's was May of 2006. I'm going to get the same hairstyle, so we'll see if it looks any different one year later.
My first time around wearing my hair naturally, I always blew my hair out to wear a puff. I didn't really know how to do it otherwise. Now I know better, and still have yet to put any heat to my hair, though I am determined to do a blow out one of these days. In the meantime, I decided to go with another semi-protective style and wear the shrunken puff. It does mean no combing and little manipulation, but there is some stress on the hair because of the scarf (unlike fully protective styles).
Click to Enlarge (and pretend you don't see the lint in the back)
So here's how I do it:
1) Shampoo my hair with Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and lightly squeeze out excess moisture with my hands
2) Put a nickel sized amount of Knot Today from Kinky Curly in the palm of my hand and rub them together
3) Slide/pat my hands over my wet hair - I usually do this in the shower (I don't rub or massage; this would just make my hair look cottony instead of coily)
4) Brush the front, back and sides back with a boar bristle brush
5) Use a long scarf (one that goes around my head twice) to gradually gather my hair up in the puff - I wrap it around once, then pull it up up up while tightening it gently
6) Wrap a second scarf around the edges and remove when mostly dry for smooth sides and hairline - I find that Knot Today makes my hair "lay" really well
7) When my puff is dry (well, partially, hours later), I pull on it gently to stretch it a bit - this works well the first day, then less and less throughout the week
* For the rest of the week I just take my scarf off, dip my head in the sink or shower, and re-tie the scarf to "refresh" the puff (These pics show the 4th day)
Looking forward to my hair appointment tomorrow - more pics coming soon!
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7 comments:
This style looks great on you, but of course, change is nice. I like how you say to pat slide and not massage - I will try this this week and see how it goes. Thank you for having pictures and your steps. Some of us really need the breakdown and the inspiration of seeing others look nice naturally.
Thank you so much for posting your pictures and directions! I'm a high school teacher who decided to cut her shoulder length hair in November. Today I was standing at my classroom door when I heard a student say, "That stuff is nappy! She needs to throw some perm in that mess!" It's always validating when I see other women proudly wearing their natural hair texture regardless of others' expectations.
>> This style looks great on you, but of course, change is nice. I like how you say to pat slide and not massage
Thanks sharonesq! I got the tip about pat-sliding from Nekea - the same Nekea that helped me out with my Wash-n-go fro. For our hair texture, it seems to work better. When I massage products into my hair, it seems to break the "curl pattern," which is ok depending on what I'm trying to do.
>> Today I was standing at my classroom door when I heard a student say, "That stuff is nappy! She needs to throw some perm in that mess!"
My mom is a teacher, and also gets silly comments like this from her students. Luckily, she is at a point in life where she doesn't care, and comes right back at them with a response. One student asked her why she wears her hair "like that," and she said, "Do I ask you why you wear your hair like THAT?" Recently a student was pulling on her hair, realized how long it was, and inevitably asked why she doesn't get a perm. Can't remember what she said to that one, but I find it interesting that perms are often considered the default state for our hair. Gradually, they've started to learn about natural hair by watching her styles and asking questions, so I'll take that as a good thing.
I really like this style on you. Too cute!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures and the "comb your hair, it's nappy" story. Quite a trip indeed.
Wow i agree that is such a cute style! I also just wanna thank you soo much for your information on hairstyles tips products and EVERYTHING! As a 5-Month newbie to the beautiful positive world of "La Natural" Naturally you has been the Biggest of Big helps! Thank you so much!
>> I really like this style on you. Too cute!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures and the "comb your hair, it's nappy" story.
Thanks Aya! I almost turned around when I heard this comment flying at the back of my head, followed by giggles. Then I thought better of it and just kept walking, chuckling to myself about it. This is the first negative comment I have gotten about my hair from a stranger since several years ago when some guy on the street said "I bet you looked good before you put them locs in your hair." lol. Thanks guy. We can't take these comments seriously or personally, especially when they come from strangers. I just try to share what I know with as many people as possible, and as for the rest, well...
>> Wow i agree that is such a cute style! I also just wanna thank you soo much for your information on hairstyles tips products and EVERYTHING!
Thanks estevez! This style was my staple throughout the winter (which seemed to last until very recently here in Philly). Now that the sun is shining and the weather is sweet, I'm going for something a bit "funkier." Right now I'm wearing a wild twist out fro. It's a few days old but I will try to post a pic of it anyway.
Wow, where do you live that kids would make a comment like that in the first place? And second, your hair looks good girl! I can't for this weekend until I take my braid extensions out and go back to natural. I have no perm, NO chemical, and I'm loving it. I miss seeing my hair out of braids.
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