Meet My New Protective Style!!

I worked on my hair for approx 16 hours between Friday and Saturday, and here's the results!!

Started out with a fresh wash, condition, deep condition, and blow out

It's long, but it can be longer ;)

  

A few braids in and I'm feeling much more confident

One quarter down and I'm already sleepy...

The back is complete! I'm sure it's after 3a now lol :/

I'm liking it so far!

Fresh face and on bag #5

Only one quarter left to go...I'm missing my loose hair!

Last two braids!! I think it's close to 7p here

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! I'm delirious but I'm glad to be DONE!!!



Tonight :) Still trying to find a way to wear them lol!



It was a well worth it project, although I went to the beauty supply store way too many times and spent way too much money...not sure how I did that lol!  I used 8 bags of the Equal Freetress Marley braid hair...$5.99-$6.99/bag (between the 2 stores I went to, neither BSS store had everything I needed)...20 pieces per bag...160 braids total.  That's a LOT of hair!!  I thought I was not going to like the hair at first, it seemed rough but then again I'm used to my own texture.  The braids are a bit bulky, and I'm still trying to find a way to style the hair without it looking crazy.  My plan is to keep these end through the end of June, but who knows what'll happen.  I do miss my hair, but my plan is to get a good & professional trim when I take them down.  I didn't do much videoing during the installation because it was hard enough trying to look at myself in the camera and braid straight smh!!!  I did take lots of pics and was able to record some of the important steps. 

So these Kinky Twists are here for a little while...if anyone has styling options for these bulky braids/twists I will be greatly appreciative :)  Hope everyone has a great night!

Lisa Michelle





Goal Setting (among other things) in 2012

I usually try to at least THINK about what I want to accomplish for the next year by Christmas...this year I seem to be having a bit of a late start lol!  So many great things, unimaginable things, awesomely exciting things happened to me in the latter half of 2011 that I have to say THANK YOU LORD for...I know I'm blessed :)  From starting this blog, to doing the NC.com photo shoot, to writing for NC.com, to attending my first BIG natural hair event as a VIP blogger, to meeting SO MANY gorgeous naturals AND making connections to last a lifetime...2011 was good to me!

Because I experienced so much positivity in 2011 surrounding This Hair of Mine, I know I have to aim big for 2012.  And by aim, I really mean set goals because things don't just happen on their own.  I know I have to open my mouth and speak certain things into existence, or at least my intentions, and BELIEVE in my capability to achieve them.  I am very much an Aquarius and sometimes (well ALL the time) I find myself making lists and spreadsheets to make sure I keep the most important things in front of me.  I plan on taking better care of myself first...if I can't get and keep it together there's not going to be much going for me with this blog!  In 2010 I made a tremendous effort to get healthy, lose weight, and build confidence...I am proud to say I achieved all of those, however, I was not able to stay on track through 2011.  I fell off the wagon...HARD...I'm talking I haven't seen the inside of my gym in months AND I gained back almost everything that I worked my ass off to lose.  2012 is not going to be that way.  My running coach and good friend said that I simply took a break, and now the break has to be over.  My break is officially over!!!

When it comes to hair goals, I know I need to keep it simple or I will not be able to make them happen.  As my hair has gotten longer, I've managed to get overwhelmed quite easily with the task of maintaining it.  Simple things aren't always so simple with my hair and I'm sure someone out there can relate.  Sometimes I just despise the process of doing my hair...and that's just the plain truth!  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my hair...absolutely LOVE this hair of mine and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Sometimes I wish I could cut it off and rock my almost fade again...who knows, I might venture down that path again in the future.  I've seen some hot TWAs lately and I wish I knew how to do something other than a puff when I went through that stage.  But my main hair goal is to be consistent with my hair...I think that is what gets me down sometimes with my hair.  In 2009 when I first became a healthy natural, I would consistently co-wash my hair Wednesdays and Sundays...even if I was having a great hair day!  It pained me to do it, but my hair really thrived with this routine.  I really want to get back to that.  My problem today is that, when I'm having a good hair day, I don't want to mess it up.  I want to make it last (that's going to be a whole 'nother post!) and that isn't always the best thing for my hair.  I'm going to take some time to really listen to my hair because the longer it gets the more attention it needs and I've gotten away from that.  Sunday will be my pamper day...if I stay in the house I'm going to be deep conditioning and that's all there is to it!  No matter how it looked the day before, even if I'm rocking the fiercest twist out ever in life I'm still going to deep condition it.  Why?  Because I love my hair and I know it needs it :)  Long hair isn't always a walk in the park, next to the ocean breeze, under a clear sky, with a cherry on top...you get where I'm going?  It takes work and by golly I'm going to work for my hair.  This WILL be my best hair year ever...just watch and see!

Styling and products will be on the list too.  I have so many products to go through it's not even funny...I have been product hoarding.  I have a fear/phobia that I would use up something before realizing how to really use it and then not have it anymore.  I know it's silly but that's really how I feel.  This weekend, while my wonderful Texans beat the crap out of Cincinnati in their first playoff run (GO TEXANS!!) I will be compiling all, and I do mean ALL of my products, on my living room floor.  You must start with admitting you have a problem, and this will be my confession.  And yes, I will share my beautiful dark twisted addiction with y'all, just please don't laugh!  I will be listing (back to my lists again) all of the products I have, the ones I've used and the ones I've yet to use, and will organize and start using them...I will not be afraid!  Matter of fact, I will probably have to record this because it's going to be EPIC!

I've also got to start experimenting with new styles and fashion too!  What better than a new year to cultivate a new style sense.  I'm a voyeur, an observer, and my eyes are always open.  Not to say that I'll always be pushing the envelope, but I just won't be scared to take a peek over the ledge :)  I tried quite a few new and different hair styles that I wouldn't have imagined in the years prior.  I'm actually envious (yep, I said it) of the ladies I've been watching on YouTube and blogs that come up with all these creative styles.  I'm not calling anybody out on this post, but I will make a post of some of my HAIRspirations so y'all can be envious too...yep, I said that too!  Bantu knot outs, flexi rod sets, finger  coils, perfecting flat twists, braided/twisted updos...these are just a few of the styles I want to do this year.  I've been a nail polish junkie too so I'm going to make an effort to do my nails weekly too...just call Sunday my "Pretty Pamper Me" day :)

I don't know how this "intended to be simple hair goals for 2012" post grew into such a gargantuan, mammoth, mega rant but I think I need to get back to this.  This blog, when I first started it, really soothed my soul and I think I had gotten away from that.  So if you see me rambling pay me no mind...if you want to add to my ramble please feel free!  This blog is a place for everyone to be themselves, no judgement passed.  With that being said, I hope everyone has a great Friday, a wonderful weekend, and a fantastic 2012!

Hello 2012!!

Hey! Hey! Hey! What do you say! 2012 is here today!

I'm in a great mood...maxing and relaxing in probably one of my favorite Christmas presents... FOOTIE PAJAMAS :)  Yes, I'm grown but they are THE best!  I hope an pray everyone had a great New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, I know I did!  Seems like the week between Christmas and New Year's always goes by the fastest, maybe it's just anticipation? 

Christmas was great and a bit bittersweet for me, but I always have a good ole time kicking around with my family.  The hair?  Oh, it was something like a hot mess but I didn't have the time nor patience to do anything fabulous with it.  I didn't have time to wash so this was just an old twist out SCREAMING for some TLC and detangling lol!  Crazy hair and all, I just couldn't resist a few webcam snaps :)  Can you tell we had a good time?

Check out the PJs

Take 2: Me & baby cousin Jayda

Take 3: Introducing Sis (l) Jayda (m) and ME!

I, in true Lisa fashion, waited til the last minute to try and do my hair before the Natural Resources Salon photo shoot.  A quick wash and detangle was all I had time for, but the unfortunately the shoot didn't pan out for me.  However, my friend Jessica was able to participate and I must say I can't wait to see the final pics!  In the meantime, enjoy a few pics from the shoot :)

 Jessica's style for the photo shoot.  S!!

Flawless and ready for the cameras!

 Naturally Nicky serving up all kinds of  FIERCE!

Fabulous twist out...another natural beauty. Hair, jewelry, outfit...CHECK!

Now that my hair was half done and with no real styling options in mind, I was left to come up with some sort of style for New Years...last minute Lisa again, I know!  I had intentions of going out to celebrate a friend's birthday Friday but that didn't happen since it took me forever to come up with a style.  I still wasn't fully satisfied with it but since I love y'all I'll share :)

Decided to revisit the braided pompadour style

The back was a little big but I didn't have the patience to work it out lol!

Since I wasn't completely satisfied with this look for the New Year's Eve party I took to messing around with it...not always the best choice with only a few hours left in the year right?  Unfortunately I didn't have any webcam snaps of the end style, but basically instead of a pompadour I had the hair in the front hanging to the side, left the braid intact and created a high bun.  I've got to do better taking phone pics but this is one snapped by a nice guy on the way out of the event (pardon the photo quality lol!)

NYE 2012 with my girls and random gentleman

I brought in 2012 with a couple of my favorite girls and I hope this joy continues throughout the year.  I wish happiness, health and prosperity to each of you who's eyes this may reach.  I do believe in putting positive affirmations into the universe and I do believe 2012 should be a great year for This Hair of Mine :) 

Thank you so much for your continued support, I hope to become even more interactive with y'all.  Please feel free to email me any questions or topics you'd like to discuss on This Hair of Mine, I'm open to all your comments, concerns and feedback!  I would like to participate in more natural hair events and meet-ups and I hope to meet more of you guys out and about.  It really makes my day :) 

Natural Resources Salon Demos!

I finally got the demonstrations Tamika was so kind to do for us during Nappy Love Houston's visit to Natural Resources Salon earlier this month.  She took us through several quick and easy styles, each taking well under 5 minutes to execute.  She is such a professional, and so kind to actually show us styles that we can do on our own hair.  I highly recommend you take a trip to Natural Resources Salon if you are looking for a stylist in the Houston area.  There's something to be said for her honesty, transparency, and her ability to teach as she styles.  A big thank you goes out to Tamika and the Natural Resources Salon stylists for making it an educational and fun experience!

Do you go to a salon, and if so what do you look for in a stylist?

Lisa Michelle :)

Weekend Hair-do

Hey Naturals!! I did this video while in New Orleans for the weekend.  I tried the Naptural85 method again, this time on stretched hair with fantastic results AGAIN!! My hair was super soft and fluffy...I did not add any holding product to my hair so by the end of the night, including riding (and falling off) the bull in Bourbon Cowboy, walking the equivalent of 3 miles (or something like that lol!) Saturday night, and not going to sleep until 5ish in the AM, my hair had grown in size but it was still fly!  So peep the video, just a quick look at my twist takedown process, and let me know what you think :)

Lisa Michelle :)

My Tight Twist Out

I dusted my ends earlier last week, and the video it coming!!  I am learning the movie editor a little better, even threw in some little details (as you'll see on this video lol!)  I just wanted to post the results before I ran out the house to enjoy my Texans winning their season opener vs Indianapolis Colts (GO TEXANS!!!)  I'm so happy football season is back  in action...and I though I didn't have enough free time before!

This style was achieved after a fresh wash and condition with Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo and Moisture Balancing Conditioner, Darcy's Botanicals Peach Kernel Hydrating Milk to twist, Jamaican Black Castor Oil to seal the ends, and I used Boutique de Fleurtzy Nurturing Treatment Oil to take the twists down.  I achieved a pretty awesome twist out :)  I usually fluff a bit for a twist out but since my hair was twisted in smaller sections the twist out is more compact.  I got a lot of compliments this weekend and at work today so it must not be too bad lol!

Saturday evening, twists pulled back

Fresh Twist Out

And my TEXANS won!! So It was actually pretty nice to be able to wear my hair out without too much frizz...100 degrees walking to and from the stadium, partying at the sports bar after, sleep on my satin pillow case and BAM!! Day 2 hair...

I guess that's enough for tonight :)  And I did get an acceptance email for the NaturallyCurly.com photo shoot coming up on September 25th so I'm BEYOND excited!! Don't forget to subscribe & check out my facebook page This Hair Of Mine.

Lisa Michelle :)

Lazy...With a Side of Randomness

I've been lazy. There I've said it...and it's the God honest truth. I haven't been to the gym, and I haven't done anything with my hair all week. I feel shamed, but it happens to everyone. It's just been one of those weeks I guess you could say. I was off Saturday and had every intention of doing some major clean up when I turned on the TV and one of my favorite movies of all time was on, Crooklyn.  SO here comes the randomness lol!  I managed to catch the movie when Troy was staying with her relatives, and her Aunt had taken her "beads and braids" out  only to then press her hair.  Now, I've never (not that I can recall) worn "beads and braids" but I have worn braids, and I REMEMBER having my hair pressed.  I felt for Troy as she sat through her experience...and you can see the poofs of smoke so you KNOW she was really getting her hair pressed.  The times I pressed my hair I felt I was doing better for my hair than relaxing it, but I was really doing both together (pressing in between relaxers).  I'll make sure to post some pictures back from high school when I was the one responsible for my hair.  Now that I know better, I don't know WHAT my younger self was thinking!  I braided my hair for my sister's wedding in 2009, and that was the last time I had any kind of heat in my hair.  I'm preparing myself for this protein treatment I'm going to do tomorrow night (will definitely record it, not sure how good the editing will be but I'm real, so hey, who cares right? lol!) and I have to heat my hair completely dry before I rinse it out.  I had a hide and seek mission in my closet to find my freaking blow dryer...but I found it.  My hair is in need of some extra TLC right about now (while I'm watching TLC- Behind the Music Remastered!)  Can't wait to try this out tomorrow and report back to y'all.

Thank you SO MUCH to y'all reading, subscribing, and following my blog.  I've recently started my Facebook page, This Hair of Mine.  If you're on Facebook please support that as well.  Again, I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but I'm really speaking from what I feel and what I know.  Not trying to sell y'all anything, I just want to pass on the info that I've learned and am constantly learning.  I'm going to try and get in the bed by 10pm so I'll just leave y'all with a snippet of what I would say is one of the funniest parts of Crooklyn, being a Natural gal :) 

(Sorry about the sound but you get the idea!)

If you have a "fun" pressing or perm story please share, I'd love to hear!!

G'night folks!

Lisa Michelle

My "lazy" hair 'do

Walk Down Memory Lane

July 30th, 2004

Today my goal was kind of two fold, the first was to get more technologically organized (backing up files & photos, etc) and to work on my next post.  Somehow I managed to spend the majority of my day on the techno tasks, hence posting past my designated bedtime (yet again!)  Any who, I forgot what it was that made me buy my laptop...until I started searching for photos & backing up my desktop.  Talk about SLOW!! (mental note, that's next on the list to upgrade)  Long story short I was successful in completing the first task :) As I started going through my old photos I came across my BIG CHOP picture, taken by myself post cut.  I remember I had talked about wanting to cut my hair, how I was just tired of it...it was hot & I didn't have the patience for it anymore. So on this particular day I took a stroll into my local beauty college (shout out Vogue on Airport Blvd in Austin!) and let them cut my hair off.  It was definitely different, but I loved it!  I promptly left when they asked to trim it and went to my PawPaw's barbershop (East End Barber Shop off 12th St) so that HE could do the honors.  I was proud to walk in, a beautiful Black woman, rocking my fierce hairstyle.  Not too many were brave enough to do that, but to still turn heads and feel attractive with my edge up and fade made me that special girl.  That was a great day, and I never questioned the decision to cut my hair without much of any transition period.  Matter of fact, up until a couple weeks ago I actually thought my Natural anniversary was August...shame on me!

Back to the walk down memory lane...I found lots of pictures and I can say I was never really scared or afraid to cut my hair, and I always envied those who could rock a curly style.  Now I may be someone else's hair inspiration...go figure! Can't wait to get the rest of my pictures organized, but for now it's bedtime!

Lisa Michelle