So, I decided to install some mini twists for the fall and winter, just to give my hair a break. I didn't want to get box braids since they would be too much stress on my hair, and I've noticed my hair is thinning in the crown area (blog post coming soon with more info). 

I prepped my hair Saturday morning with a hot oil treatment. I used coconut oil, JBCO, and a few drops of peppermint oil. I left this on my hair for about twenty minutes.  I washed my hair using  the Mill Creek Botanicals Biotin Shampoo, and conditioned with the Mill Creek Botanicals Biotin Conditioner. I sat under the dryer for about 15 minutes with the conditioner,and kept it on for an additional 15 minutes before washing it out. I haven't given my hair this kind of treatment in a while! Hot oil treatment and a deep condition?? My hair was in heaven! Since my life is pretty hectic with school, work, and wedding planning, I haven't really been able to care for my hair the way I want to, so my hair was thanking me for this!

I did a blow out on my hair just to stretch it so my twists won't have too much shrinkage. To prep for my blowout, I used my Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream and sealed with some Grape Seed oil. I would usually use coconut oil, but since Grape Seed oil can be used as a heat protectant, I reached for that instead. I blow dried on medium heat, so my hair wasn't as stretched as it would be if it were blow dried on high heat.

It took me four hours to twist my hair. I used the Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream to moisturize (a little goes a long way), and some Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel for a little hold. I twisted my hair in sections just to make it easier. I used the African threading method to stretch the twists a bit. I got this technique from 11mjsmommy on Youtube. I will link her mini twist video below. 

Overall, I love the results! I plan on keeping these in for about three-four weeks. After that, I'll wash and condition my hair again and re-twist my hair. This is definitely a low manipulation hair style! I don't have to do much with it but wake up, style if I want, and go! And since my hair is thinning, I don't want to pull on my hair constantly by twisting it every night, etc... I'm working on getting the health of my hair back to what it was, so I want as little manipulation as possible. 

What styles are you doing to protect you hair in the fall and winter? 

Introduce yourself: Hi I’m Laqwanda, and I have been 100% natural for 9 months.

What made you decide to go natural? My daughter asked me one day why her hair wasn’t flat. After a discussion with her, I wanted to give her a better reflection of herself through me.

Did you Big Chop or did you Transition? I transitioned for 16 months (Aug 2011 to Dec 2012). My transitioning styles were: flat ironing 0-6 months, sew in month 7, updos/bantu knot outs/perm rod sets 8-11 months, mini twists 12-16.

What were some of your fears/concerns going into going natural? During a very difficult time in my life, I got a really short haircut on a whim. Due to the timing, I began to have negative thoughts about my appearance. I feared that once I cut off the remainder of my relaxed ends I would experience those emotions again.

Name some reasons why you are happy about your decision to go natural. First, I love it when my daughter tells people that I cut my hair so that I could have curls like her. When I cut off my relaxed ends, I was in a better place emotionally giving me the ability to look at myself and see beauty regardless of the length and texture of my hair.

What are some of your favorite hair products? Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition (shampoo,
conditioner, & deep conditioner).
Style: G.F. Curl Calm Down, Flax Seed Gel
Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Almond Oil

Current hair regimen? I co-wash every 7 to 10 days depending on the style I am wearing (more during the spring due to allergies) and dc every two weeks. I shampoo at least once a month applying it directly to my scalp. If my scalp is dry, I massage my scalp with a toothbrush. I also do not use heat.

What do you enjoy the most about being natural? Versatility

What advice would you give to someone who is considering going natural or a newly natural?
Natural hair journeys are just that, journeys. Take your time in discovering what your hair needs. Do not become frustrated if you cannot find what you are searching for immediately or if those needs change. You are far from being alone so seek help, ask questions, and do your research. However, remember regardless of how many articles you read or the number of people who respond to your questions the final decision regarding your hair will always lie with the person you see when you look in the mirror. It is your hair so do what works best for you.
Make sure to follow Laqwanda on all of her social networks!
Youtube: Regal Fro
Instagram: @ regal_fro

Hey curls! 

So a few days ago I decided to give my hair a little TLC and do a much needed protein treatment. For the whole month of August, I haven't really done much to my hair. I rocked some really chunky box braids for about three weeks since I was going to Florida and didn't want to deal with my hair. I knew I would be in water almost every day, and I didn't want to have style and wash my hair every day. Who wants to worry about hair when on vacation? I certainly didn't, so the chunky box braids were perfect for vacation! Even though my hair was in braids, I did co-wash with the braids every time I got out the pool to prevent my hair from drying out.

Even after coming home from vacation, I wasn't really up for doing my hair! I took my braids out the same day I came home, but didn't get to deep condition as long as I should have. My version of deep conditioning that day was leaving some Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner in my hair for about five minutes while washing up in the shower. I should have mixed in some oils and left it in for about 30 minutes, but hey, we all have our lazy days sometimes when it comes to our hair, right? My hair still felt pretty moisturized after washing, but after being in chlorine every day for a week, I could have given my hair a little more TLC.

Back to the point, I decided it was time to give my hair time the love and attention it deserved. My hair felt didn't feel as strong as it could have been, and I had a little breakage, so I knew it was time for some protein. Besides, I had been using moisturizing conditioners on my hair prior to Wednesday's wash session, so it was time to balance that moisture out. 

The ingredients for this egg and mayonnaise protein treatment are as follows:

2 eggs (or one, depending on the thickness and length of your hair)

2 tablespoons of mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon grapeseed oil

1/4 teaspoon sweet almond oil

1/4 teaspoon JBCO

This treatment was very loose and a little messy, but nothing too serious. My mom called this a hair dressing once she saw what I was putting into this concoction lol. 

I left this mixture on my hair for about twenty minutes and rinsed with cool water. I started to rinse with warm water, but I didn't want the egg that was in my hair to cook. You don't want pieces of egg stuck in your hair! It can be a pain to get out. 

 I followed up with Tressemme Naturals Vibrantly Smooth Conditioner for some moisture. Tressemme Naturals Conditioners have become a staple in my hair regimen.A blog post on my staple hair products is coming soon!

When all was done, my hair felt really good! It didn't feel dry at all. It felt stronger yet it was still moisturized. Next time I try this, I'll try just the egg and the mayonnaise without the oils to see what my results are. 

So, what are some of your favorite DIY hair treatments?