Micro Twist Takedown on CNapp Hair

PHOTO: (L) Putting in twists, (R) After 4 weeks

So, as some of you probably already know, I've been wearing my real hair in micro twists for 4 weeks.

This weekend is takedown time!

Here's the GAME PLAN:

*Soak my twists with unrefined shea butter whipped with coconut oil + olive oil + etc.
Because my hair loves to shrink and has super tiny coils that coil upon themselves, wetting my twists with conditioner or water for the takedown process is a big no-no. Whipped shea butter lubricates my strands while allowing my hair to remain stretched. Applying this mixture will also act as a "prepoo" before my wash.

*Take down a twist & finger detangle
After I take down a twist, I finger detangle to remove shed hair, lint, etc. This will make the washing and comb detangling much easier.

*Put loose hair in 10-15 big twists, then clarify
Washing my hair in a loose state (especially after a micro twist takedown) is just asking for trouble. Loose hair that loves to shrink + loves to coil upon itself = tangles and knots when wet. I use 10-15 twists (as opposed to, say 5-10) because my hair is really dense. It also makes the detangling process more efficient.

*Deep condition, then comb detangle each twist
I need a thick deep conditioner to temporarily loosen my tight and tiny coils, provide hang, and coat my dense strands for detangling. For my hair, conditioners containing cholesterol and an oil are ideal. (I like to mix Lustrasilk cholesterol with olive oil.) After the conditioner sits for about an hour, comb detangling will remove whatever shed hair and tangles the finger detangling missed. I use a wide tooth comb first, and then the D3 (Denman) if necessary. (If you have hair like mine, never use the D3 on undetangled tresses.)

*Thoroughly rinse, then "seal", and airdry in the big twists
I "seal," or lock, the water into my strands by applying the whipped shea butter mixture. Then I airdry my hair in a stretched state to minimize shrinkage and knotting.

*Style once dry!
Styling my hair after it's airdried and stretched is a preference. It allows me to show more length and have a neater, longer-lasting style. It's also easier.

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FOR INFO ON MAINTAINING CNAPP HAIR

Exercise: Mind, Body, and Chronicles

Exercise. Important for lowering the risk of certain health problems, such obesity and heart disease. Critical for managing or even lowering the risk of developing diabetes. Helpful in reducing symptoms of depression by boosting serotonin and reducing stress. Exercise. (To read an earlier post about "Exercise & Hair Growth," click here.)

LOO'S EXERCISE CHRONICLES:
Alright, readers. I am not the most determined when it comes to exercising. The only way I can get myself to work out regularly is to participate as a member of some sort of team or group. In high school and college, it was track and field. (Besides, track and field was fun in itself so that doesn't really count.) Nowadays? It's attending the group exercises at the local gym. Funnily enough, knowing that I've paid for a gym membership isn't enough incentive to get me running on the elliptical machine or doing bench presses. I thrive on GROUP exercise for some reason. Maybe, it's the energy of the people? the 'team' motivation? Well whatever it is, I whipped out the group schedule and made a commitment to drop in at least 2x a week. So far, it's actually been a FUN experience. Exercise + fun = good for the body + mood. Here are some of my highlights:

*GROUP AEROBICS: I dropped into this class by accident intending to walk into SALSA. However, the upbeat music and ambiance quickly put me in the mood for a cardiovascular workout. The class incorporated a lot of kickboxing, which boosted my serotonin and allowed me to release the day's stress. I enjoyed the class though my body was sore the next day!

*GROUP YOGA: Though this class is offered on Saturday mornings, I was eager to attend it. What I like about yoga is that it's relaxing and relinquishes the stress from your body and mind. I left the class feeling refreshed and rejuvenated for the day. I will certainly attend group yoga more often.

*GROUP STRIPTEASE: This was actually held at another gym and cost $10 for the day. Attendees were told to bring high heels and be prepared to use chairs. Whoa! At the end of it all, I was really glad I participated. I never knew stripping could be so fun and such a workout. (Plus I learned some amazing, seductive moves.) My hamstrings and quads were sore for the next few days. I must say; strippers work hard for their money!

Next week, I'll try out the GROUP SALSA and GROUP CYCLING. Stay tuned ...

SOME READS:
EXERCISE & DIABETES
EXERCISE, SEROTONIN, & DEPRESSION
INFLUENCING SEROTONIN

2010 Hair Buys!

If you followed the blog last year, you may remember my Honey Lemon highlight experiment. Well since then, I've been wanting to try henna coloring and 2010 is the year to do it!

Pictured above is my hair with henna. Since I am a first-time user, I didn't want to botch my hair so I bought an easy-to-use Henna Melt kit from www.thehairshebang.etsy.com. I recommend this kit because it comes already mixed with the necessary ingredients to give you a nice wine burgundy color. The seller offers different embossments, including flowers, herbs, etc. (The photo below is an example.) Henna itself also contributes to the hair's natural shine and thickness.

I used the mix on clean, damp hair and left it on for an hour. Then I rinsed, did a light shampoo, and deep conditioned. The result? My hair now has a subtle natural-looking burgundy tone to it, especially the sections that were previously highlighted with the honey lemon treatment. I love it and will post pics soon. For those wanting a more dramatic color change, be sure to leave the henna mix on for much longer.

UPDATE - THE RESULT (Actual color is more subtle):

Other 2010 Hair Buys:
Jane Carter Nourish & Shine - so far, I like the mango smell and shine.
Hair One - I like the conditioner cleanser concept. If you are not a fan of cones, though, steer clear.

Countdown to MBL ... Let's Grow!

A new series documenting my journey to longer, healthier hair. It'll take coconut oil, twists, low manipulation, and internal health to get there! I've got 30 weeks.

WEEK 4/30

So I haven't combed my hair in four weeks now? I can't remember ... I know it's been at least two weeks. The plan remains: a fingers-only routine for the rest of the year. The few times that I have visited the comb, my kinks have screamed for mercy. It doesn't matter whether my hair is drenched in conditioner and/or oil or whether I use the widest teeth in the world; they can't handle such manipulation anymore. Stretching my hair helps to ease the process, but even still, a few unstretched strands fight the comb. I've faced it; This mass of kinks just isn't meant to be combed, and I'm fine with that.

I just wrapped up week #2 in these twists, and I'm feeling confident that my hair won't lock this go around. What's different? Well, I'm not overdoing the washing this time. Four weeks of twists with four washes is my limit. What else? I'm redoing my twists in the front and back weekly. Those areas tend to lock faster (and look more frizzy) by the week's end. My hair can tolerate 4 weeks in twists so long as there is a good balance -- no neglect and no overmanipulation.

Grocery list: cucumbers, more spinach, celery, salmon, tomato sauce, more bananas

WORTHWHILE LABELS TO CHECK OUT:
COMBS & BRUSHES
LENGTH RETENTION
NATURAL HAIR
BUNNING

Countdown to MBL ... Let's Grow!

A new series documenting my journey to longer, healthier hair. It'll take coconut oil, twists, low manipulation, and internal health to get there! I've got 30 weeks.

WEEK 3/30

I'm wrapping up week #1 of a new set of twists. The other night, I did my usual wash routine and airdried overnight. Yesterday I redid the perimeter of my twists.

The twist challenge started on Tuesday. My goal for the end of the challenge (December 22) is to grow and retain two inches of hair.

I'm starting slow on the green smoothie challenge but I'll fix that. I made a couple banana blueberry smoothies without the green. (The full recipe can be found here.) This weekend, I'll get down to the "real" green smoothies by adding spinach, kale, basil, etc.

**The style above is a twist fishtail with a twistout pompadour on my hair. To create the pompadour, I undid about five twists in the front and pinned down the resulting twistout. The fishtail is simply a french braid created by overbraiding (not underbraiding) and tucking the end under. The funky look is great for a night out without having to take down all the twists. When I'm done with the look, I just retwist those five sections in front.


MORE GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPES

Countdown to MBL ... Let's Grow!

A new series documenting my journey to longer, healthier hair. It'll take coconut oil, twists, low manipulation, and internal health to get there! I've got 30 weeks.

WEEK 2/30

The new wash day regimen is still working out well for me. My hair is doing just fine with a simple prepoo, wash, 5-minute condition, and seal.

As for twisting, I've switched from doing that weekly to bi-weekly to tri-weekly for the sake of time management and low manipulation. On the weeks that I wash but don't twist, I'll just redo the perimeter. That's the plan for now. Eventually, I'll work my way up to wearing a set of twists for four to five weeks with minimal takedown woes. Thanks to all the nappturals (you know who are) who shared their routines with me!

Twist Routine Recap:
*Twist tri-weekly
*Wash weekly (see details here)
*Redo edges/nape weekly

Last week, I splurged on bananas, blueberries, carrots, red lettuce, tuna, roasted nori, celery, and other health goodies. I noticed I've been slacking on my vegetable/fruit intake for two weeks now so I thought I'd get back on track. I'm also learning how to make my own sushi after being inspired by a veteran napptural who's wise in the ways of raw dishes (as well as hair care).

The twist challenge starts in a few days. Yay! I also jumped aboard a green smoothie challenge. Now this should be fun too!

How's your healthy hair journey going?

Countdown to MBL ... Let's Grow!

A new series documenting my journey to longer, healthier hair. It'll take coconut oil, twists, low manipulation, and internal health to get there! I've got 30 weeks.

WEEK 1/30

The coconut oil prepoos seem to be working well already. My ends feel stronger than before I started them. Twisting on dry hair has also decreased my knotting and tangling.

I joined a twist challenge that starts in September. It will give me the motivation and accountability I need to maintain this protective styling routine. The challenge should also be loads of fun!

This Sunday I continue my new weekly washing routine so that MBL can be a reality in thirty weeks:

- Prepoo with Coconut Oil for 20 minutes
- Wash with Creme of Nature (green bottle)
- Condition with V05 for 5 minutes
- Rinse 80-90% of the conditioner out
- Seal with Coconut Oil and homemade Whipped Shea Butter mixture
- Airdry
- Re-twist (big twists) on dry, stretched hair the next day & wear for the week
*EDITED: I now retwist every 3-4 weeks

I normally detangle with a comb 1x a month or so, but now I'm aiming for a no comb routine. We'll see how that goes.

This Sunday I also need to restock on wild salmon, red lettuce, and carrots.