Natural Hair Care: Organizing/Cleaning Out That Cabinet!!!

If you're not someone who's rocking a short style (and sticking with it) then I'm sure, not only have you bought your share of products that you love and enjoy but also experimenting with products you have seen just browsing. Whether it be online, in a store or word of mouth.

After awhile you start to run out of places where to PUT these products that you keep purchasing. You tell yourself "Hey I really need to slow down." But then again, never fails, something catches your eye that says: 'Can help pop your curls, increase moisture', and you're like "OMG I Need This In My Life!"

Been there, done that. And I am still guilty of it when it comes to Youtube videos and I see things that make me go "Why haven't I seen this yet!"

Well two weeks ago I started the dreaded task. The task of Cleaning out my Cabinet.

The first thing you should do when Organizing is Making sure you Separate all your Staple hair products before going through your "Eh, I barely used this after trying it" products.
Then ask yourself:
Am I going to use this product again in the very near future?
Did I enjoy this Product?
Is this something I could give to a friend to use?

A Good portion of this stuff I was not able to even get in this Cabinet before hand. It was all over my counter in my bathroom. Off my sink.

I tossed out items that I don't care to use and cleaned out jars that just had a Dab of product in it. I have Yellow and Ivory Shea Butter that I plan on making into some Butter Creams once I use up the Shea Butter products I have. I have Coconut Oil that I LOVE to mix with my other oils. Figured can wash and reuse the containers with my own product.

I bought a Vinyl Shoe Organizer that hangs off your Door.

You can get these practically anywhere. Walmart, Target, JCPenney's. I bought mine from Bed Bath & Beyond. It was about $13-15 dollars. Not very expensive. Probably can find cheaper online perhaps.

This Dramatically help freed up the space on my Counter, as well as some space in my Cabinet. I had Spray Bottles that had my Pre-Poo sprays or Moisture Sprays that I couldn't fit in there before.
Not done filling that up :-). Also if a reminder for me to try the products I bought that I NEVER tried.

One-N-Only Argan Hair Mask and never used it, ever. I bought V05 Conditioner for Co-Washing and NEVER USED IT! So Now that they are IN SIGHT they are no longer Out of Mind!

I also bought some Trays:

Came with 3 trays. Was $20.00 at Bed Bath & Beyond. 

I put all my clips in this tray. Let me tell you before I had Wicker Baskets and I just put all my stuff in them and the organization was horrendous. I now use one of those Baskets for my Flexi-Rods :-).

Now for my Blow Dryer, Flat Iron - I bought this Rod Hook for $6.00:

To hang them out of the way, as well with my Rod Iron.

Going through my other Organizing bins I cleaned out things I don't need and also found things I didn't know I had - I bought a Straightening Comb (not a Hot Comb but a Comb with straightening handle on it for when you Flat Iron your hair) and didn't remember doing so. I ordered one online and while in the mist of waiting for it to arrive, I found the one I originally purchased - OOPS! Lol.

Just some Ideas on how to un-clutter your Cabinets and Counters. Hope this was helpful :-).

Personal Hair Challenge/Starting Week 5

Haven't really had much to update on as far as length because I'm still rocking my Crochet Braids.

Fun webcam picture for you all with my Harry Potter shirt (Absolutely LOVE me some Potter, Books and all).
It's been 3 weeks or so since I've put these in, and let me say that I am STILL enjoying them. I love them, I do. I feel a certain type of way, confidence wise. I'm not even going to lie, haha.

Meanwhile since last update I've Crochet my moms hair, and I'm trying my best to take my Supplements on the daily. I haven't been as strict my eating because well dammit it is the holiday season, come on now! lol

I was concerned that once my hair starts growing if it would ruin the style. I was also worried about how much build up would I get on my Scalp. How much DANDRUFF I would get since I am not actually washing my scalp, but doing the Witch Hazel Method of wiping the scalp with a cotton swap.
How dry would my hair be?

Well I've been Oiling my scalp with my JBCO Extra Dark, Avocado Oil, EVOO, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil w/Essential Oils mixture in a bottle and spraying my hair the best I can with Shea Moistures Moisture Mist spray they have.
I try to do this every other day.
My hair doesn't smell. I was putting Beautiful Textures Mousse on it every other day to help with the frizzing and to calm this Diana Ross/Chaka Khan hair DOWN, lol.
I haven't had any Flaking. My New growth actually lays down some of the hair since it's not sticking out at the braid from my scalp.

I will probably rock again for another week or two and then will take down my hair, Hot Oil Treatment, Shampoo, DC my hair and quite possibly Install my 2nd Crochet Braids.

I am very very pleased with myself on how my hair came out. I was so apprehensive but I am happy. I will keep it long.

Also, I organized my Cabinet, now to figure out what did I do with the Burdock Oil I bought!

Natural Hair: Productive Winter Styling - Crochet Braids.

It's getting colder. Much colder. I live in Northern Illinois. I can get quite cold here. Luckily with it just now hitting December it hasn't hit the peak of how cold it can get. I'm enjoying the High 30s for now. But regardless of the temperature, the air is dry as well. Cold + dry hair = Dry and Brittle Natural Hair, which is a No-No in anyone's book. One can easily say "just add more moisturizer/wash your hair more" Yeah, I'm sorry but you move slower in the colder weather and one just simply does not have time for that! The Less manipulation the better.

I want my hair to be Styled the Weekend before Thanksgiving. It was also my Birthday Weekend (Nov. 25th). I've done Marley Twists. Thought about doing them again but I don't like how my hair is still out in a way because it's twisted in the hair, I'm always messing with the twists and if the twists are dry, my hair is dry. Also, the Weighted of the hair, PULLING, tension, No no.
I thought about Box Braids, but it's the same concept. I thought about Cornrows but I don't look good with just hair plaited on my scalp.
I came across Crochet Braids. 
Now I NEVER had any type of loose weave, outside of a Wig. I've always had either Braids, Synthetic Dreads or Marley Twists. Never a Glue/Sew-In, No Tracks. And when I FIRST saw this style I thought it was one of those.
Also saw someone saying these are backing a Comeback. Now people should KNOW that styles never die. Just because one loses it's popularity doesn't mean no one is wearing it at all!

Luckily we live in the days of the Internet and Youtube. I came across some Tutorials and I just LOVED the fact that I could Protect my hair, NOT have to add any glue to my hair and Rock this style! I love the fact that I could easily oil and moisturize my hair and scalp underneath the hair that is just Crochet through with a Latch Hook:

All you need is Bulk Hair of your Choice, A Latch Hook and Patience. Oh and maybe some Mousse if you bought some hair with Curls and to help soften them up when splitting them.

The hair I bought, Water Wave. Can get in Freetress or Model Model. Same name under both. I noticed that people seem to CUT the hair in half, so that it's shorter, also they buy less packs. I bought 6 Packs, 5 of a #2, one of a #30 I believe. I ended up needing 7-8 Packs of #2 because I DID NOT cut the hair and I just love me some big hair. Mind you it seems most people use 2-3 backs with it cut so I used triple.

I broke each twist into 2-3 pieces, Using the Mousse to smooth it out.

I am by all means, not the best Braider in the world, I don't cornrow my hair often. Think this is the 3rd time in maybe 4 years. It's not hard, I know, lol. I tried my best with my thick hair.

You noticed I didn't get all my hair on my edges because I didn't want that stress and actually me having them out and smoothed down HELP with the Natural look at the end.

I watched AfricanExport's Crochet Braid video on how she Latch Hooked her daughters hair.

Starting at the back of my head, which was the most complicated. Not only because it's hard to see the back of your head even with mirrors but because your hair, if your cornrow it back is now kinda in a cluster back there. You are trying to crochet your hair and cover it up back there.

Was almost done with my hair, you see how full the right side is.

Finished product.

How long did it take: With JUST The Crocheting Process, 8 hours. MIND YOU - This was my very first time doing these. I had a hard time with the back because I wasn't sure HOW I would crochet it but it ended up very cute and I love it.

Also getting them out is a BREEZE. You just cut slightly above the Knot, pull the Knot and it comes out, like nothing. So much better than braiding. So much better than twisting, lol.

I clean my Scalp with WITCH HAZEL on a Cotton Ball. I only use Oils on my scalp. No Butters. I spray my Cornrows with a Mist for added moisture.

Can keep for 1-2 Months. I would do a Month, then Hot Oil treatment, wash hair, deep condition and do again.