Diary of a SupaNatural

Curvy Curly Bantu-Knots

2012-03-08T20:18:00.000-05:00

So I've been in some sort of a style rut lately. I'm at a place where I'm getting tired of the twist-outs and braid outs, but I'm not quite at a place where I want flat-ironed, straight hair. Bantu-Knots where my staple style when I was transitioning and after reading A Curl's Best Friend's blog post, I decided to re-visit the style with my 100% natural hair. The products I've been using to moisturize and condition my hair have been working awesome! So awesome, my hair has fluffed into it's own afro without me picking out my coils. This style would be fine, but I need something a little more conservative because my students get distracted easily, lol.

I started off with hair that was way over it's week old twist out.

I refreshed and detangled with a combination of Giovanni Direct Leave-In, my Coconut-Olive Oil Mix, and my Veggie Glycerin Mix.

Once detangled, I wrapped my hair in about 17 bantu knots. I didn't twist the hair first, I don't like the style of twisted bantu knots on my hair. I prefer to coil the hair on itself and then wrap the knot.

This is the result from letting it air dry over night. I will admit that my hair wasn't 100% dry the next morning, but I didn't mind, it just gave me bigger hair by the end of the day.

This is a close up of the definition.

I love the results! It just reminded me why I loved doing bantu knot-outs during my transition. These products and this style will be added to my arsenal from now on. I can't believe I've slept on this style so long just because I was done with my transition.

What styles have you re-visited? What was your experience? Be sure to comment below!

Until the next post,
-Alanna

Bringing Fluffy Back

2012-02-29T17:23:00.000-05:00

Valentine's Day marked 3 years since my last relaxer. As my hair grows longer, I'm finding it harder to maintain the light, fluffy, cottony, goodness that I love so much. The products I've been using seem to be weighing my tresses down and my moisturizing routine just isn't working the same. This month, I decided to stop what I've been doing for a minute and start from scratch.

I kept my castile soap, but I stoppped with the ORS conditioner and went back to the basics with my Aussie Moist. I even ventured out and tried the Asssie 3 Minute Miracle moist. I LOVE this stuff!!

For my leave in, I used Giovanni Direct Leave-in. This happened to have a coupon attached to it in Target. $1.50 off on the spot!! This leave in is very light. So far with these products, my hair is still very light and soft.

To seal in the moisture, I mixed a small amount of coconut oil and olive oil in a container. I dipped my fingers in it and sealed each section as I twisted my hair. I did this because my latest batch of hair butter contained the yellow shea butter and my hair seems to hate that stuff. My skin loves it, but my hair hates it! I don't know what it is, but it left me with greasy helmet hair. I really need to order some white shea butter, ASAP! The next day was ok, but I still thought it had the potential to be softer, so I followed up that night with a spritz of veggie glycerin and water on each twist.

So far I think I'm moving in the right direction. It could be this unpredictable Winter weather that's reaking havoc on my head. I'm going through another trial and error phase, eventually I'll get it right!

Have you noticed any difference in your hair as it grows? Is there any advice you can give me on how to work with mine? Let me know down below!

Until the next post,
-Alanna

What the New Year has taught me so far...

2012-01-31T20:50:00.000-05:00

I'm not really one for making resolutions every December. I just try to work on being a better Me overall through out the year. Whether it's my health, aspirations, or interests, I'm not opposed to learning something new that can enhance that aspect of my life. 2012 has definitely put me on to some new things and here's what I've learned so far....

Health: I've learned that although I may not be able to work out, I can still maintain healthy habits!
The greater part of 2011 has been about me working on changing my eating habits and making the attempt to get more exercise. Unfortunately, I've spent the end of 2011 and beginning of 2012 suffering from a Sickle Cell Crisis. This has been a vicious cycle for me when it comes to working out, so I've stuck to changing my eating habits as a way to maintain my health. My Fitness Pal has become a useful tool in making progress and sticking to it. I've been able to track my meals and the amount of calories I'm eating, helping to maintain a healthy calorie intake while shedding a few pounds, (If you look to the right of this blog, I've posted a widget to keep track of my weight loss progress). I've also been able to track the amount of water I'm drinking which is extremely important for a person with Sickle Cell Disease. The more water, the better!!

Aspirations: I've learned that in time, you can find yourself in place you never imagined you would be and that progression is a result of perseverance.
One of the things I've always aspired to be was a better advocate for Sickle Cell Disease. I've always modeled myself to be patient when being asked about my experience with it and to educate myself as much as possible so that I may be able to answer as many questions as I can in a clear and concise manner. I was honored when I was asked to attend a Sickle Cell Disease/AIDS Awareness panel discussion hosted this month by the students of Bennett College for Women and North Carolina A&T State University (my Alma-Mater). The students were extremely supportive and I could feel the sincerity in their hearts as I answered some of their questions. The fact that they had the desire to host such an informative session spoke volumes to me. This is progress! The students that attend these schools today are our leaders for tomorrow and we need the support from our leaders to continue to make progress with Sickle Cell Disease and AIDS research. Special shout out goes to the two schools. I love you Guys and I'll always be accessible to my Bennett and Aggie Families!

Interests: I've learned that A Tribe Called Quest is STILL one of the Illest (yes, I said ILLEST) groups alive!
Ok, so I've been a fan of A Tribe Called Quest since I was 10 years old. I can remember being one of those kids who recorded their songs, along with Leaders of the New School, Black Sheep, the Pharcyde and etc. from the radio. Shout out to the 80's babies who's parents constantly reminded them that they weren't the only child, so the only way you were gonna get that new song on cassette was to record it yourself and hope the announcer doesn't come on before the song goes off! LOL. But I digress... Over the course of 20 years, ATCQ has blessed our ears with 5 studio albums, 5 compilation albums, 13 singles and leaving us wanting more. 2011 marked the release of the documentary: Beats Rhymes and Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, directed by Michael Rapaport. It hit Sundance and few select theaters across the country, and of course these theaters were located nowhere near where I reside, so I was excited to see that Amazon had it. The doc was on my wish list for my "After Christmas Gift" and by the end of January, I was enlightened! Being that I was so young when I fell in love with their music, I had no idea things were rocky behind the scenes. I won't tell the story because I encourage you to see it if you haven't already. I will say that these Gentlemen have come a long way and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 6th studio album. I am truly ATCQ fan for life!!!

It's just January and life is already finding ways to school me for the year. I'm looking forward to the next eleven months and the lessons just waiting for me to learn.

How has the New Year treated you so far? Leave your comments below.

As Always,
-Alanna

My Tea Rinse Experience

2011-12-05T01:50:00.002-05:00

So, lately I've been experiencing some shedding. A little more than usual. It's been happening for a while now, even before my genie locs. I guess you can imagine how much shedding I had once I took them down. After doing some research, I learned that black tea rinses could help because the caffeine in the tea blocks the DHT hormone that causes hair loss. I also learned that Chamomile can help prevent dandruff and soothe irritation on the scalp.There are so many different benefits associated with herbal, green, and black teas, it's just a matter of looking for the solution to whatever problem you may be having. Tea is great for both the inside AND outside of the body.

It's too early to tell if the tea aided with my shedding, but my hair seemed to detangle a little easier, it's feeling extra soft today and it has great shine. This could also be a result of my hairbutta mix and aloe vera gel added to the process. Overall, I'm not complaining! I think this is something I will add to my regimen. Now keep in mind, black tea can darken your hair over a period of time and chamomile tea has a tendency to lighten blonde hair after being used for a while. I'm not concerned because my hair is dark already and I'm not working with blonde hair. If your hair is color treated in anyway, you may want do your research before attempting this process or adding it to your regimen. Also, you do not have to use the most expensive tea that's sold in stores. We want to stay as cost effective as possible when searching for health remedies. Start with items you may already have in your kitchen. I plan to use Walmart's Great Value Brand of tea when I run out of what I already have here. Buying off brands and using coupons are great ways to stay within a sensible price range. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Have you ever tried a tea rinse before? What was you experience?

Until the next post,
-Alanna

Do you know what today is? It's my Natural-Versary! 2 Years Natural!

2011-11-27T22:12:00.001-05:00

Today is a special day, not just any day! It's been two years since I've done the Big-Chop and I can't see myself ever going back! Natural hair has taught me to be more versatile in my style, not just with hairstyles but with clothing as well. I've gained so much confidence and I've definitely become comfortable in my own skin over the course of 2 years. I may not be the trendiest, most glamorous girl in the whole wide world, but I'm uniquely made in God's Image and that's alright with me.

As my Natural Hair New Year rolls in, I plan to continue with taking care of it with my Castile Soap Shampoo and Deep Conditioning. One thing I plan to add to my regimen is a black tea rinse. I've been experiencing some shedding, more than usual, and I've heard that the black tea minimizes the shedding and helps strengthen the ends of the hair. I'll keep you updated on what I plan to use, my technique, and my progress.

Have you ever tried a tea rinse? What was your experience?
Do you have any Natural Hair New Year resolutions? Post them below!

Until the next post,
-Alanna

December 2009

October 2011

Genie Locs

2011-10-31T21:11:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again. That time when we're continually searching for protective styles to protect our strands from the elements. My style of choice for the next month or so happens to be yarn braids aka Genie Locs. I saw Blaque Onyx post her tutorials on this style about 2 years ago, at the time, I was still transitioning and I was more interested in kinky twists. I revisited the idea of Genie Locs when I saw Nina, Beautiful Brown Babydoll, and Ambrosia, XgoldN, post videos of their results. I like the style because it gives you the look of mature locs without the time and commitment it takes to develop them.

I washed, deep conditioned, moisturized, and sealed the night before and allowed it to air dry. While deep conditioning, I pre cut my yarn to the desired length. This saved a lot of time the next day and helped with keeping them uniform. I used acrylic yarn (wool yarn will loc your hair for real) and I was able to light the ends with a lighter in order to seal them.

I moisturized my scalp and hair with my whipped shea butter prior to installing the extension and I moisturize my hair with a spray of leave-in conditioner and water everyday to keep my real hair from drying out from the yarn.

The whole process took about 14 hours (give or take). I love the results! I've always wanted to know what it would be like to wear locs. Maybe when I'm old enough to be a Grandma I'll loc it up, but for now I enjoy the versatility of my loose natural hair.

What's your protective style for the season?

Tell us about it!

Until the next post,

-Alanna

Life with Sickle Cell Disease

2011-09-29T18:40:00.002-04:00

September is Sickle Cell Awareness month so I thought I would share my story...

I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia, I inherited the most common form of the disease which is the SS hemoglobin. Just to give a little background: "Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can each that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disease. There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell disease." (Source: sicklecelldisease.org)

In the beginning, I grew up not knowing my health was any different from the average child. My Mom did a great job of being over protective without hindering me from normal activities. I didn't attend preschool, but I can remember her teaching me how to write my name and a few other things before I started kindergarten. I'd have my hematologist appointments about every 3 months and we'd ride the train from the Bronx to Manhattan. This was around the time I developed my interest in being creative. The hematology clinic had an activity room for us to play in while we waited. This was always the highlight of my visit, I would create something fun and new every visit. The whole time I thought it was normal to miss a day of school to go to the doctor that often lol, I didn't realize it was unusual until about the 2nd grade lol (don't judge me). I didn't care, it was more quality time with my Mom. During the Summer months when my brother would go out and play with the neighborhood kids, my Mom knew it wasn't good for me to be out in the heat playing for long periods of time, so she would find other things for me to do like play cards with her or we'd sit on the stoop while she did my hair.

During my childhood my pain crises and hospital stays would come and go, but my experience with harsher complications didn't come until my adolescence. My family also changed environments around this time, moving from NYC to Hampton, VA. I think the worse thing about being a preteen with sickle cell disease would be the growing pains, physically and literally. Physically, the body is changing and growing, during this time I think I experienced more pain in my back, ribs, and chest area and I became more prone to pneumonia. This made the hospital stays and recovery time a little longer. In the literal sense, I had to be home schooled for a while which cut off my interaction with my peers. Being creative was sort of an outlet for me, kinda like my therapy at this point. When I'd finally get back to going to school, the transition wasn't too hard. I was lucky enough to have great friends who understood what I was going through and they looked out for me.

By high school, things were a little different. I can remember having my pain crises during certain seasons. Your Girl did some of EVERYTHING during this time, lol. I was a flag twirler in one of the flyest high school bands in the area (Hampton High), one of my paintings was showcased in the high school's exhibit, I took photography, design, I acted in FAME the school play AND I had a part time job at KFC! Looking back now, I still don't know how I did it all. Those years went by and College started off with a high note. I moved back North and I attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia. I was blessed to have a roommate and a boyfriend there that helped me through those days when I wasn't feeling well. I ended up in the hospital a week before graduation which was the week during September 11th. I watched the attacks from my hospital bed.

About nine months after graduating, around the time I moved back to the Bronx, I experienced the worse complications of my life. I was 21 and it looked like I wouldn't see another year. My lungs had "sickled up" and I was suffering from what was called acute chest syndrome in sickle cell patients. The pain was the worse I've ever experienced and I was sent to ICU and put on a respirator. The recovery time took weeks to get the strength back in my legs and months to get my breathing back to normal. This particular episode scared me, my family, and our close friends, but I survived it.

It's over nine years later and despite the complications I've had throughout the years, I've been inducted into 5 honor societies, obtained both my BS and MS degrees with highest honors, and I'm continuing to pursue a career in a field I love so much. My pain crisis and complications are unpredictable. They can hit me during the middle of the night, or while I'm driving during the middle of the day. Something this unpredictable can easily put someone in fear. I refuse to live in fear, so I've decided to live everyday as the Best Alanna I can be. I hear God when he tells me to wake up and live, he'll take care of the rest.

Butter Love

2011-09-27T10:22:00.000-04:00

When it comes to healthy hair, flawless skin, and an overall youthful appearance, are we really hiding a big secret? I like to believe it's just genetic, (Yal know that good black don't crack!) but outsiders looking in believe that people of color are holding out on the divine secrets to beauty. The reality is that we've used these beauty practices out in the open for years, but with the "movement" of natural hair and healthier lifestyles, mainstream hasn't really taken notice until now.

Who didn't have a Grandmother that used Cocoa Butter for the skin or a Mama that greased their scalp using hair grease that contained Bergamot? We have a way of doing things so much, that it becomes second nature, especially when our habits are something our families nurture into our way of living. It's not something we usually "put people on to" because most of our friends and family already know and are doing the same thing.

As mainstream begins to manufacture products containing what they think is the divine secret, we OGs (Original Girls) know what it is... and we'll continue to use the real thing!

What do you all think about this video? Should we be an open book about EVERYTHING we use? Or should we behave like this Curly Nikki reader posted: White people been hiding the the tax breaks for years... we got to hide something !!! LOL.... As for the other secrets /home remedies... If you ask nicely maybe ..We'll share :) LOL

Until the next post ;0)

-Alanna

Stimulator for the Stimulus Packaged Natural

2011-09-08T11:43:00.003-04:00

Much like a lot of naturals out there, I've fallen in love with the puddings, creams, lotions, and potions that we buy online. Unfortunately, these products are beginning to fall out of my price range and are no longer conducive with my budget. I'm coming closer to the 2 year natural mark and as my hair grows, it requires more product. I'm only able to get 2 uses out of an 8 oz jar of Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner that costs about $11. As much as my hair loves this stuff, my wallet isn't so happy. So what's a natural to do?

Well I began considering my local Beauty Supply Store. For a while, I was anti-bss because I had a hard time giving money to businesses that monopolized off of the black hair care market. After visiting a couple of times with my sisters and a close friend, I realized some of the stores they patronized were actually run by friendly, respectful owners. There are only 2 BSS in Greensboro I patronize. Only because I know they value me as a customer and I can live with putting my money into the small businesses of the community. So with that being said, I went back to the basics with bss visits, youtube and blog posts, searching for a more affordable way to maintain my hair.

A few months ago, a good friend of mine came to visit me in the hospital and do my hair. While she was there, she put me on to the Organic Root Stimulator Smooth-N-Hold Pudding. I noticed how her waves were popping and she said her Mom actually introduced her to the product. I was kinda reluctant to try it since I already had a staple styling product, but since the Summer was approaching, I knew I would need something to slick my curls up into a ponytail when the time came. This product did exactly that. Some naturals like to compare it to Miss Jessie's, I don't know about all that, but I do know you get your money's worth at about $4 a Jar and it does what it says it will do on the package. To be honest, ORS is not an all natural company, the ingredients in their products are not all natural, but since I clarify once a week, I'm not worried about it. The ingredients in the pudding are water, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond oil). It doesn't contain alcohol, so it won't dry out the hair or cause any flaking. (All that's Gold has a review for the Girl's version of this product).

The next thing on my list was a good deep conditioner. I had to do something about replacing my mixed chicks. What's great about Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner is that it comes in trial packets. The down side is that I wasn't thinking and I only bought one pack, lol. After trying it the first time, I wasn't 100% pleased with the results. I won't blame it on the product because there were other factors involved, like 1- not having enough product and 2- I had just got out of the hospital and my hair was suffering from the affects of medication, not being combed in over a week, and serious bed-head. I got better results the second time trying it from the bottle. I won't compare it to Mixed Chicks, but the product did what it said it would do and I prefer spending $7 compared to $11. I'll be searching amazon and some other places for bigger bottles/cheaper prices. The ingredients in this product are Water , Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean) , Glycerin , Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (Olive) , Hydrolyzed Collagen , Quaternium-80 , Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil (Orange) , Citral , d-Limonene , Linalool , Polyquaternium-37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate , Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Panthenol , Silk Amino Acids , PEG-9 Dimethicone , Anthemis Nobilis Extract (Chamomile) , Salvia Officinalis Extract (Sage) , Urtica Dioica Extract (Nettle) , Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract (Rosemary) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice , Achilea Millefolium Extract (Yarrow) , Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Juice (Kiwi) , Dimethicone , Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans , EDTA , Triethanolamine , DMDM Hydantoin , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , CI 15985 (Yellow #6) , CI 19140 (Yellow #5).

The 3rd and final product I'll put yal on to today is the Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel. I figured, I haven't been let down by this company yet, so why not? I actually love the results of this product. It starts off with a hard hold that goes away after a day or 2 and it leaves the hair with a nice sheen and softness. Right now I'm rocking some twists I did using this product and so far, so good. I will advise you to use a good leave-in conditioner/moisturizer before hand just in case. The leave-in I used was the Palmer's Coconut Oil Replenishing Hair Milk. I combed it through my clean wet hair and then styled my twists with the Lock and Twist Gel. I spent $3.98 on the product at the BSS. The ingredients are Water Aqua, Coconut Milk Cocos Nucifera Extract, Soybean Oil Glycine Soja, PVP, Polyquaternium 37, Propyl Paraben, Methyl Paraben, DMDM Hydantoin, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance Parfum, Sucrose.

I hope this sheds a little light on cost effective hair products. As I said before, I know they're not 100% natural, but I haven't had any adverse effects and they do exactly what they claim to do. Nothing more, Nothing less.

Are you on a search to find more affordable products? What areas have you explored?

See ya next post.
-Alanna

My Life as a Pescetarian

2011-08-31T20:21:00.001-04:00

It's been a little over 2 months since I've made the decision that I needed to adjust my eating habits. As you know, I've just turned 30 and the junk I was putting into my body at the time was taking it's toll on me. Something had to give! I was feeling groggy, my digestion was off track, and I just had this weighed down feeling all the time. My initial thought was to try the master cleanse, but after doing my research I realized that it wasn't the best option because technically I'd be fasting. Fasting is fine for a person who doesn't have to take medication everyday like I do. So the best option for me ended up being a raw fruit and veggie cleanse.

My plan was to detox with raw fruits and veggies for a week, incorporate seafood the 2nd week, add chicken the 3rd week, and finally red meat the 4th and final week. Doing so, I would adjust my portion sizes, keeping fruits and veggies as my entree and not my side order. That was the plan, but something happened around week 2 and I've been on my vegetarian/seafood diet ever since.

The term for this type of diet is called Pescetarian. It's derived of Pesce meaning fish in Italian and Tarian which comes from Vegetarian. In simple terms, a Pescetarian is a Vegetarian who eats Seafood. I'm not exactly sure what happened that second week, but I felt as though I was at a good stopping place with my eating habits. My energy was different. I really didn't have the urge to eat meat. I was actually content. If you would have told me on my Birthday that I'd be a Pescetarian by the end of the year, I probably would have laughed, but now I really can't see my self being any other way. I'm not sure if this will actually last forever, but I do know that it's a good habit to carry. I've become a little more adventurous with my cooking. I actually stop to think what I'll eat before I go to eat out which keeps me away from most fast food restaurants, and my body is reflecting all the good stuff I'm eating.

For all those who want great looking hair, nails, and skin, my advice would be to watch what you eat and listen to your body. What you put IN your body is just as important as what you put ON your body.

Have you ever done a detox or changed your diet in some way?
Leave a response.

Until the next post!
-Alanna

Lunch during my detox.

Vegetable Spaghetti with Whole Wheat Pasta

Salmon Cakes, Rice, and Corn.

Summer Shampoo

2011-07-05T00:03:00.000-04:00

I love using Sweet Orange and Vanilla essential oils together. It reminds me of the cream-sickles I used to buy from the ice cream truck. What are some of your favorite scents?

Enjoy!

-Alanna

The Beauty Within

2011-06-14T15:26:00.001-04:00

It's times like this where I find myself proud to be who I am. It's a beautiful thing to see women of all different shapes, sizes, tones, textures, and ages come together to be celebrated by whom other than the Dead Prez!! Dead Prez are known to push the envelope and spread the messages that popular culture needs to hear. In a society were European sets the standard of beauty, we definitely need to hear that natural hair is beautiful too!! They dedicate this video "not to America's Top Model, but to the Natural Girls right next door." We Natural Girls next door are causing a movement, embracing who we are and not relying on a product in a box to define us. I personally would like to thank Dead Prez, the directors, and the production team for coming together and creating such a beautiful example of who we truly are...

Until the next post,

-Alanna

Rainy Day Play in Urban Decay

2011-05-17T20:09:00.000-04:00

So, after watching Tonidaley80's video, I decided to try my hand at Urban Decay's Roller Girl make-up palette.

Notice the cool Afro Roller Girl featured on the front of the palette.

Back of palette

Inside

Shades

Gloss included in Crush.

I don't wear make-up often, so I was surprised to find that this actually looked good on me. Since it was raining and I really had no place to go, I decided to play around and later do some editing with Photoshop. Take a look...

Special Thanks to Tonidaley80 for the inspiration.
Until the next post,
-Alanna

So this is what 30 looks like...

2011-04-30T22:53:00.001-04:00

April 20th 2011 market my 30th year of living. I'm truly blessed because there were quite a few health care professionals in the 80's that believed a person born with Sickle Cell Disease wouldn't live to see a day after their 20's. Some also believed that we wouldn't live a great quality of life. Boy am I happy to have proved them WRONG! In my short 30 years on Earth, I've lived in 5 different states and cruised to Cozumel Mexico and Cayman Islands. I've obtained my Associate, Bachelor, and Master degrees. I've been inducted into 5 honor societies, taking the position as President of one the same month I witnessed our first African American President be inaugurated. I also initiated the largest number of inductees into the honorary that same year. These tasks have not been the easiest working through pain crises, leg ulcers, extensive procedures and monthly treatments. The obstacles have given me the ability to appreciate these accomplishments a lot more. I don't take any of my experiences lightly. God put me through these experiences for a reason.

I'm loving the Woman I've become. Beautifully made in God's image, I'm comfortable in my own skin. I've learned to stop second guessing myself and to trust my gut feelings as my intuition continues to grow stronger. I'm an Artist who has a craft in a multitude of mediums. My talent reflects my individuality and uniqueness. Not only have I been a daughter, sister, cousin, and girlfriend, but I've become a teacher and mentor as well. I exude love and confidence because I'm constantly surrounded by love and a strong support system.

In the future, I can see myself as a wife and a mother. I have no clue who that husband is right now, lol, but I do know we'll have to be equals. My standards are high (as they should be) so I'm enjoying my single life at the moment. No rush, when the time comes for me to meet "the one," it'll happen. Most women think 30 and start hearing a time clock ticking, lol. I've never been one to put my life on a timeline, so I won't start now. My focus is to continue moving forward, putting passion into EVERYTHING I do in order to breed the best results. I'm looking forward to many more years of proving the nay-sayers wrong, leaving my mark, and letting everyone know: Alanna IS here!!!

The MisEducation of Natural Hair

2011-03-30T15:25:00.000-04:00

One of my biggest pet-peeves when it comes to having natural hair is being told, "Oh you got that good hair" or "Oh my hair doesn't curl like that stuff you got, you got a good grade of hair". What the hell is a good grade of hair? How do you grade hair in the first place? Yes, Andre Walker and LOIS have given us systems to use when typing our hair, but that doesn't mean one type is any better than the next!

I thought about this post when I got those two particular statements in the same week. I've heard them before, but I usually reply to the person by telling them that anyone with natural hair can style their hair the way I do. The ending result may look a little different, but that doesn't mean it looks bad. It all depends on the products used in relationship to what the hair needs to look good. ie: If your hair needs moisture, set your twists/braids with a moisturizing product. I also explained to them that kinkier textures tend to hold styles a lot firmer and maybe even longer than looser curl patterns. (For the record, I classify myself as a 3C with maybe a 3B in parts of the crown area). What irritates me the most is that my hair is usually manipulated in some way when I get approached, making it hard to tell what one's hair type is. I'm either sporting my twists or rocking a twist-out. I haven't worn a wash-n-go since the Summer, so I'm being judged off a style that's not my true texture. When researching hair texture and the typing process, it's usually judged by the hair strand in it's natural state, not manipulated, and usually without any product.

In one of my current conversations, I was approached by a woman who has the ends of her hair dyed red. She asked me what type of conditioner I use because she's dealing with the tips of her hair being dry. I explained to her that it was probably the color drying her hair out and that she should consider using more moisterizing conditioners like Aussie Moist or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. Her first response was "Isn't that stuff made for white people?" Then she follows up with "but wait, you got that good stuff so you can use their products." My first instinct was to walk away and no longer continue with the conversation, but I realized the poor thang didn't know any better and she needed to be informed. First of all, products are not made just for certain nationalities, just because they do more marketing toward that crowd doesn't mean it's just for them. I had to explain to her that they also make products geared toward curly hair, and what we have is curly hair.

Seems simple right? Well, sometimes common sense ain't so common! This is where we get back to reading labels to figure out what we need. I'm not necessarily talking about the ingredients label, I'm talkin about the label on the front of the product in BIG BOLD PRINT. If your hair is dry and color treated, then you'll probably want a gentle moisturizing conditioner geared toward color treated hair. If you're looking for better curl definition and a little luster, then you want a product that's created for that purpose. If you're not sure what's going on and you have a bit of a hot mess situation, then I suggest a good standard product and a lot of trial and error. I mean, you're already a hot mess, so it can't get any worse.

Bottom line, if you have hair on your head and it's HEALTHY, then you my friend have some GOOD HAIR! Let's not set ourselves back to a place where we only find one particular texture beautiful. We've evolved into a time where we're accepting ourselves for who we are and feeling comfortable in our own skin. We come in so many different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. God has created us in His image and that alone makes us all imperfectly flawless!

I'd love to hear your feedback on this topic. Have you ever been approached by an uninformed natural? Drop a comment below!

Until my next entry,

-Alanna

Beware of the Sneaky Little Lye!!!

2011-02-24T22:03:00.000-05:00

After watching Chris Rock question the meaning of "Good Hair," we all learned that sodium hydroxide was the main ingredient in some chemical relaxers. We also learned that it's extremely dangerous, not only to our skin and hair, but to our lungs and respiratory system as well. What some of us don't know, it that it's also an ingredient in some of the conditioners we think are safe. After reading the following facebook status, I began some investigating of my own...

For the past 6 months, I've been a part of the My Black is Beautiful mailing list. I also participate in the P&G sampler where I'll get samples of their products. Pantene happens to be a product of P&G. I've heard in the past that Pantene wasn't good for "our" hair, but I never got a straight reason as to why, so I shrugged it off and continued receiving the free samples that P&G would send. Today, I learned the true reason as to why Pantene isn't good for "our" hair...

This is what the Frizzy to Smooth conditioner sample looks like. Here are the ingredients....

My initial reaction was "Oh Hell No!" I put this crap in my hair twice!! Fortunately, I haven't experienced any damage but can you imagine what the change in hair texture would be if this product was used regularly over a period of time? A person would have to go through a second big chop!

Naturals, the moral of the story is easy. Be mindful of what you put in your hair! Don't be afraid to read the ingredients before you take the product to the check out line. If you're like me and get free samples, read the label before you bust the seal on the product and put it in your hair!

Has anyone seen this ingredient in any other hair products out there? Drop a comment and let us know about your experience.

Until Next Time!

-Alanna

Don't Call it a Comeback... Braids have been here for Years!

2011-02-10T12:00:00.000-05:00

There's a new hype out about long waist-length braids making a comeback as the latest fashion trend. It kinda reminds me of the whole Bo Derek era, where she took something that was of our culture and made it popular. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate celebrities like Solange and Willow embracing their own natural style, but we everyday, around the way girls have been rocking our braids for centuries. Braids have been our source of low maintenance, protective styling for years. We've used it as an option for transitioning, growing our hair out, or to just acheive a new look. Not only have my Sisters and I embraced them through out our lives, but so have our peers, friends, and role models. YouTubers like tonidaley80 and Torridiana777 have perfected the talent of doing their own. I'm happy to see braids take their place in the spotlight this season, but please, we everyday girls know better.

I'm leaving you with some pics of me and my baby Sisters, enjoy!

Until Next time,

-Alanna

Thank God I'm Natural - Shea Butter Recipe

2011-01-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

I haven't forgotten about you all, I do plan to post the recipe for my Homemade Hair-Butta. I'm revamping it because my hair has grown and it doesn't need as much oil. I'm finding that the oil is beginning to weigh my hair down and I'm liking to style my hair big and fluffy. If you'd like to see my current recipe anyway, here's the link.

Today I came across a recipe for a pomade posted on Chris-Tia E. Donaldson's Thank God I'm Natural site. I like the combination of Ylang-Ylang and Vanilla. I may be borrowing that idea in one of my mixtures. Anyhoo, here's the link. Enjoy!

-Alanna

Supanatural’s Survival Guide for the Transitioner/Newbie Natural

2011-01-15T15:50:00.001-05:00

Valentine’s Day will mark 2 years since my last relaxer. Throughout that time, I’ve learned a lot about how to take care of my hair, what it likes, what it doesn’t like, what works, and what combinations lead to resulting in a HOT MESS. Since my big chop, I’ve become more comfortable and confident with my hair. I get more compliments along with a lot of questions from family, friends and ladies I tend to meet in public. The most common questions are about what I use for my hair, and can it be expensive? My hope is that by the end of this blog entry, I’ll be able to answer some of your questions and shed a little light on what to get, where to get it from, and how much it could cost you.

Let’s start off with Materials…

Materials are super important when it comes to washing, detangling, styling, and protecting your hair. They can tend to be pricey, but they don’t have to be if you know where to find cheaper alternatives. These are just a few standard materials that will become staples in the natural’s tool box, so you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth!

Wide tooth comb for detangling by Goody’s Mosaic Collection- $1.50+ tax purchased at Walmart.
Rat-tailed wide tooth comb for parting and detangling small sections by Goody’s Mosaic Collection - $1.50+ tax purchased at Walmart.
Afro pick by Goody’s Mosaic Collection- $1.50+ tax purchased at Walmart.
“Denman” style brush for detangling and defining curls by Annie- $1.69+ tax purchased at the local beauty supply store. (For those of you in the Greensboro, NC area, it was purchased at the beauty supply store on Randleman road next to The Rush)
Claw clips for separating while styling- 3 for $1+ tax purchased at the local beauty supply store. (This was purchased at Beauty World on Bessemer Ave in Greensboro)
Bobby pins/straight pins and small rubber bands for styling- $1+ tax per box purchased at the local beauty supply store.
Pocket Bonnet for preventing breakage and saving hairstyles by Stay on Satin- $2.49+ tax at Sally Beauty Supply.
Spray bottles. I actually have 4 of these. I have a large one that I use for my shampoo mixture which I found in the bathroom cleaning section of the dollar store. I have a medium sized one that I use for plain water just to keep my hair damp when styling, I found this one in Target in the $1 section. I have an 8oz bottle that I found in Walmart’s travel section; I use this one for my peppermint scalp energizer mix for itchy scalp. The last one is a 3oz travel sized bottle that came in a travel kit I bought from the dollar store. I use this one to mix small amounts of conditioner and water for styling my wash-n-go’s on vacation.
Small plastic containers with lids for storing hair butter, shea-loe, and oil mixtures. Most of the time, I just recycle containers from products I buy or I’ll just reuse the shea butter container so this would be free and environmentally friendly.

Shampoo and Conditioners…

This is one of those areas where a newbie natural will try a number of different things to find out what works best for their hair. The products I’ll mention here are great because they’re fool proof and you’ll be able to tell if your hair likes or dislikes them and from there adjust accordingly.

As I stated in my top 5 must haves, I haven’t really used shampoo since I began transitioning. What I use is Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap, I bought the 32oz bottle well over a year and a half ago and I’m just now finishing up the bottle. Now Target sells the 32 oz for around about $14, but if you factor in that price over the course of 18 months, that’s about 78 cents a month for shampoo. Dr. Bronner sells a variety of scents, but my suggestion is if you plan to by the 32 oz, buy the unscented. This way, you can create different scents with essential oils. 18 months is a long time to go using the same scent over and over. How to make the shampoo:

Using the large spray bottle, measure in the castile soap to about a 3^rd of the way up in the spray bottle. Add a little olive oil for slip, couple drops of tea tree oil to preserve the mixture and essential oil for scent. Swirl together, and then fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water. Give it a good shake, and you’re ready to go!

For conditioner, I use either Aussie Moist or Herbal Essences. Both of these products are great for moisture, co-washes, and the tightly curly technique. A liter of Aussie Moist and the 23.7oz bottle of Herbal Essences are in the $5-$6 price range but it’s about 10 cents cheaper to buy these products from Walmart as oppose to Target, and since I saved so much in shampoo, I can splurge in Target once in a while, lol.

Styling Products…

With product lines like Miss Jessie’s, Kinky Curly, Jane Carter Solution, Mixed Chicks, Carol’s Daughter, and Uncle Funky’s Daughter, the options and pricing can tend to be a little overwhelming for the newbie natural. One would have to take out a second job and consider selling an organ on the black market just to afford the styling products from these lines. Throw in tax and the cost of shipping from their site and you’ve just spent your lunch money for the next two weeks easy!

Going natural doesn’t have to be expensive. The money saved by making your own products can be used to treat yourself to something you might like to try from these product lines. Plus, it gives you a chance to save up by waiting until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to purchase discounted products.

My staple product is my Homemade Hairbutta. It’s great because it can be used on my hair and skin and it mixes well with aloe vera gel and other products without creating a residue. I like it because it’s better for greasing the scalp since products with petroleum tend to clog the pores and dry out the hair. One batch of this lasts me about 6 months, and I’ll probably shop for the ingredients about once a year. This saves me time and money when it comes to shopping for something to style my hair. These ingredients can be used individually, or mixed together (excluding the essential oils, they MUST be mixed with a carrier oil). Here are the ingredients, I’ll post the recipe in another blog post:

Shea Butter, 1lb- $8 + tax from http://www.butters-n-bars.com/ (they also host black Friday sales)
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 12oz- about $8 + tax from the vitamin section of Walmart.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 25.5oz- it’s been a while since I purchased this, so I don’t remember the cost, but I did buy the cheaper Great Value brand from Walmart.
Carrier oils like Jojoba Oil or Vitamin E oil, and Almond Oil, and Essential oils for stimulating growth and fragrance. These oils can be purchased at health foods stores. It’s been almost 2 years since I’ve purchased these, but I do remember getting them from GNC, the Vitamin Shoppe, and I’ve also seen them sold in the House of Health on Lee St. in Greensboro. I would suggest looking out for sales and comparing prices on Amazon.com. Amazon tends to sell some a little cheaper, but if you factor in the cost of shipping, you may end up paying the same price you’d pay if you bought it from the store.

Aloe Vera Gel for styling and defining curls by Fruit of the Earth- about $3 from the skin care section in Walmart.

Keep in mind; I didn’t buy ALL of these items at once. I obtained these things over the course of a few months. It’s important for you to get to know your hair by taking care of it and styling it on your own. It’s ok to consult a stylist from time to time, but it’s up to you to know your hair better than anyone else! As you continue on your journey, you’ll develop a feel of what works better, what combinations will work, and how much or how little to use. And with proper budgeting and a good sense of how much things should cost, you’ll be able to enjoy being natural without the fear of cost getting in the way.

I hope this has been helpful. Please feel free to ask questions and comment on the post so we can help each other out.

Until the next post,

-Alanna

OyinHandmade’s Hair Dew

2011-01-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

My new staple product of the season has become OyinHandmade’s Hair Dew. I’ve been searching for a good leave-in moisturizer for a while and I now I’ve found it!

So to give you all a description, I’ll start off by saying that the scent is amazing! If any of you are familiar with Oyin’s Burnt Sugar Pomade, they've used the same warm sugar cookie, sweet vanilla scent. The product is a thick texture, but not so thick that it weighs your hair down. It actually goes on kind of light and it works well with my hair butta and aloe vera gel mixture.

Overall, this product has been amazing for my protective styling throughout the cold weeks of this year’s winter. I’m looking forward to seeing how my hair likes it as the seasons change.

Happy New Year, my computer is fixed so hopefully I won’t have so much time between posts J.

-Alanna

So Excited to be Featured as this week's Honey Love!

2010-12-06T16:42:00.002-05:00

Erin of Oyin Handmade was nice enough to feature me in their blog this week. Click here to read more: Alanna from NC

So THIS is what 1 Year Natural Looks Like...

2010-12-01T14:19:00.001-05:00

How I Stumbled Upon My Inner Tracee Ellis Ross

2010-10-13T22:22:00.002-04:00

You've watched her style evolve throughout the seasons of Girlfriends. From rocking her curls in it's natural state, to flaunting the roller sets that make you wanna attempt that same style at least once.Oh, don't act like I'm the only one! I bet if you're anything like me, you've experienced the EPIC FAIL when it comes to roller sets, I'm talking Hot Frizzy Mess people! From there, you come to the conclusion that you and Tracee are NOT hair twins and that you should probably move on cause it ain't gonna happen.

Well, this is how I felt after my first attempt. My second attempt went a little better because I went into it knowing better. I was actually looking to achieve bigger coils as oppose to chunky waves. This time, I used setting lotion instead of wrap foam, olive oil, large orange perm rods, end papers, clips, a fine tooth comb and a bit more patience.

Initially, I allowed my hair to air dry, then I used my bonnet dryer for about an hour before bed, and then I slept allowing my hair to air dry some more.

The curls were a little tighter than I desired, so I finger combed them out and wore them for a couple days, hoping they would drop a little. Sadly, this did not happen, lol.

After the second day, I started missing my big hair and I was tired of looking like a 12 year old, so I decided to experiment just to see what would happen if I tried to physically stretch my roller set. This time, I used some Garnier Fructise Sleek and Shine Serum to finger comb through my hair. Once I was able to section my hair into long sections, I flat twisted my hair, working from the crown, down.

The twists were far from perfect, but that's OK because I didn't want to see large parts when I took them down the next morning. I slept with my satin bonnet and here are the results...

I know my hair may not look exactly like Ms. Ellis-Ross', but that's what makes it special. It's virtually impossible to recreate what she has, with natural hair, there's no such thing as a carbon copy. The trick is to find what works for you and rock it knowing that it's all yours! Flyness comes in all types, textures, shapes, sizes and colors. I think I could stand next to Tracee on the red carpet and shine just as bright as she does.

What do you guys think?

Until the next time,

-Alanna

Top 5 Must-Haves for My Hair Regimen

2010-09-11T20:18:00.002-04:00

August 27th marked the 9 month Anniversary of my BC. Over the course of these past 9 months, I've gotten a good idea of what it takes to keep my hair happy. So with that being said, I give you the Top 5 Must - Haves for my Hair Regimen:

Castile Soap Shampoo: I've been using this concoction since I began transitioning and I've been making my own shampoo ever since! The shampoo consists of 25% Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap, a lil extra virgin olive oil (depending on what your hair likes), and about 75% water (filtered or distilled). My last purchase was the unscented baby soap, so I put a few drops of my own essential oil to give it some fragrance. Since Dr. Bronner sells a variety of scents, you can buy the scent you like and skip that step. I'll warn you that the mixture is a very loose liquid, but it lathers just as well, if not better, than ordinary shampoo. I like it because it doesn't dry my hair out like regular shampoo and I know my hair is clean and clarified when I use it.

Herbal Essence's Conditioners: These conditioners are great for the Tightly Curly Method and Wash & Gos. I get the slip I want, which is great for detangling, and the scents aren't over powering. I like the versatility of these conditioners because they're safe enough to use them as wash out or leave in conditioners.

Annie's version of the Denman Brush: OK, so besides my initial love affair with the price ($1.69 @ the BSS), I fell even further in love with this brush's ability to detangle and define my curls all at once. This thing glides through my hair like a hot knife through butta! It has all the qualities of a Denman, including the rubber cushion and its ease of cleaning. Pair that with it being a fraction of the cost, and it's definitely a keeper!

Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula with Vitamine E Replenishing Hair Milk: This has become one of my staple leave-in conditioners. I usually like to use this after I've washed out my deep conditioner and right before I'm ready to style my hair. It's nice and light and it doesn't react with any other products I use. If I'm in a rush, it works well with my IC Fantasia Gel for a wash and go, and it's also a great product to combine with a lil shea butter for a chunky twist out.

Oyin Handmade: Am I the only one out there who admits to being an Oyin Junkie?? I am lovin me some Oyin right now!! These have to got be the best smelling products ever invented!! From the Honey Hemp Conditioner and Burnt Sugar Pomade, to the Juices & Berries and Shine & Define! My hair indulges in Oyin! There are so many great things to say about the products, I don't know where to start. The Honey Hemp Conditioner can be used as a wash out or, a leave in. Sometimes I use it as a leave in with a lil almond oil. The Burnt Sugar Pomade is ideal for my flat twists, making it effortless to gather every stray hair for a clean, sleek style. Shine & Define was my gateway junkie product. It was one of the first products I ever tried from Oyin, and has become a staple for my signature twists. This product does exactly what it's titled to do, it leaves the hair shiny and ultra defined. The icing on the Oyin cake has to be Juices and Berries. I love it when my hair smells good and this product doesn't disappoint! It's great for those final days before washing when you need to make sure you're not walking around with stinky hair, lol. It's also a humectant,so it's helping the humidity help your hair!

I'm looking forward to the months to come. I still can't believe it's been 9 months already. I can remember being 3 months post BC and not having a clue about to what to use on my hair. I went through stages of trial and error like every natural newbie does and those stages have given me the experience and fearlessness to try more things. If you're a transitioner or a newbie natural, I promise you that you'll get the hang of things and have your own Top 5 very soon. For those of you who already know, please share with the rest of us.

I'll see ya next post!

-Alanna

Hair Therapy Wrap

2010-09-10T22:37:00.000-04:00

One of http://www.curlmart.com 's hot sellers is the Hair Therapy Wrap. I've seen this product reviewed some time ago by a couple of YouTubers and I used one of CurlMart's 15% discounted weekends as an opportunity to review it for myself. I have to say that I went into this review semi-biased just because it's a product that doesn't have to be plugged in in order to function. This gives a busy consumer like myself the ability to multitask, workout, and even chill and watch TV or read a book without the immobility and loud noise that you'd get from a dryer.

The deep conditioner I chose to try with this product was Silk Elements' Mega Silk Intense Conditioning Mayonnaise. I chose this conditioner because the last brand I used did NOTHING for my hair. I wasn't sure how well this one would work, so I used it a couple of times before writing this review.

After coating my hair with the conditioner, I covered it up with a plastic cap and and microwaved the wrap for eight-10 second intervals. I was then able to deep condition for about 30 minutes or more.

So far, I can't complain about the results. I do feel a difference after rinsing it out, and my hair seems to maintain a nice healthy shine throughout the week. The scent isn't over powering and it's a nice thick consistency that my hair seems to like.

These two products were a great combination together. My hair was nicely moisturized and it carried it's shine throughout the week. I can see myself adding this process to my regimen.

Until the next time,

-Alanna

My HairStory

2010-08-22T23:25:00.003-04:00

My HairStory begins during my adolescence. A time where a young girl is looking for her identity in the pages of magazines and in the lime light of pop culture. More specifically, it was the 90's. A time where groups like TLC, 702, and artists like Aaliyah were the epitome of straight hair.

My first relaxer was PCJ, unfortunately, it didn't take and I was stuck with a permanent blow out. I can remember peers constantly taunting me about my big hair and asking "why don't you get a perm?" The day to day teasing made me want to fit in just so I wouldn't stand out so much. Finally, my Mom tried relaxing my hair again with Dark and Lovely's Beautiful Beginnings, it worked and I remained relaxing for 14 years.

I decided to go natural because I've been living with Sickle Cell Anemia all my life. Most people wouldn't know I have this illness because I appear to be very healthy on the outside, but in order to maintain my health, I have to take a variety of medications. Theses medications have the potential to make my hair shed more than usual and adverse side effects can cause patches of hair to fall out. I've been blessed enough to not have that happen, going natural has made me more aware of the chemicals I allow to make contact with my body.

My last relaxer was Valentine's Day 2009, but I made the final decision to go Natural on March 22, 2009, so I guess I would consider that the date I began transitioning. I transitioned for about 10 months. Throughout that time, I wore roller sets, straw sets, Bantu knot outs, hats, and twists.

I treated my hair as if all of it were natural. I also began making my own shampoo and shea butter mixtures instead of buying them. This gave me new avenues to explore when learning about my natural hair. My goal was to transition for a complete year post relaxer and BC on Valentine's Day 2010. Things did not turn out that way! LOL I ended up Big Chopping the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, 2009 with the loving support of my sister and my best friend. My BigChop Video

I'm about 9 months into being 100% natural now, and when I think about it, I wouldn't have it any other way! I love my natural hair! I feel like I've finally found myself and I'm no longer that little girl flipping through the pages of magazines to find an identity.

Would you like to share your HairStory with the rest of us? Shoot me and email with your photos to Tauries81@gmail.com

See ya next post!

Alanna

Welcome to my Diary!

2010-08-06T14:04:00.002-04:00

I decided to start this blog as a way to express myself as an individual who happens to have natural hair. My goal is to develop a zone where other individuals feel comfortable enough to express themselves and share their experiences along the way. Here, you can find topics related to transitioning, the Big Chop, product reviews and anything else that may be useful to the world of natural hair. My YouTube channel has been doing well and I'd like another avenue to connect to those who are interested in the times that I'm not able to post a video.

I encourage any feedback you may have about making this blog one of the bests!

Bye for now,
-Alanna