HAPPY 3rd "NAPPIVERSARY" TO ME!!!!

This past Wednesday (May 7) marked three years since I did the big chop and became, from then on, fully natural. May 7 is my nappiversary (combination of the word nappy with anniversary to mark the day you big chop and become au naturale) and on this day I like to take pictures, look at old pictures of my hair, and reflect on my natural hair journey so far.
To most people, cutting your hair is not really a big deal, but something like this in the black community, to go against the grain and accept your natural hair texture that isn't particularly seen as beautiful in society, is a big deal. Besides, it's just fun to see how far you have come and how your hair has grown.


Here is a collage I posted on my Instagram (link under About Me tab). In the first row are some pictures during my first year of being natural after the big chop. The second row is the second year. The third row is the third. What I love about this collage is not only does it show my progress so far, but it shows me enjoying my hair and texture and experimenting through the years.

Nappiversary 2013 VS. Nappiversary 2014

However, I must admit I do love it when I can see how much my hair has grown.


So what have I learned this year about my hair? This year I just learned to enjoy my hair more. The second year I did a lot of protective styles and of course, I saw a lot of growth, but this year around, I didn't want to take my hair too seriously. Sometimes I had let my hair go extra days without washing or allowed my hair to become a tangled dry mess, but I had FUN with it. It's not as much growth that I am used to but c'est la vie (that's life in French).

Are you natural? Are you transitioning? Tell me about what you're experiencing in the comments below.

High Puff Tutorial

For about two days last week, I was rocking a cute hairstyle. It was a spin on your everyday puff on natural hair; it was more pulled to the front of my head. I don't know what made me do this style, but all I know is that my hair was really raggedy and I needed something to make it look cute. This style is on my Instagram and I got compliments on the style, so I decided to share it here with you guys by giving you the steps to achieve this style.

The first step (starting with the picture at the top of he "L") is I take down my twists. I keep my hair twisted at night so my hair can fit under my bonnet and to also keep my twist-outs nice and defined. While taking down my twists, I'm moisturizing my hair. Then, I put my hair in a ponytail towards the front part of my head, as far as I can go, with an ouchless band. Next, I shape my hair, pulling, fluffing and all downwards for the look. The next step is optional: add a scarf for at least 10-15 minutes so the hair in the back will be smoothed down. Finally, VOILA. You have my high puff (end results are the last picture at the end of the "L" and the biggest picture)!!

What do you think about the hairstyle? Will you try it out? Comment and tell me how the style works out for you.

Braids Are Back!

Janet Jackson as Justice

I remember growing up, around every winter or summer, girls start getting their braids and twists put in. I remember when everyone had micros, then kinky twists, and now we have come right back around to signature 90s style, BOX BRAIDS. And not just any box braids, Patra braids, better known to everyone as Poetic Justice braids. If you don't get the reference, where have you been?


The style that Janet Jackson's character Justice wears in the movie, Poetic Justice, seems to be making a comeback. Every girl I know, natural and relaxed, are getting the box braids as their go-to summer style. Even celebrities have been seen rocking these styles. Model/actress Tae Heckard (pictured left) showed off her larger than most Patra braids on Instagram. Brandy returned to the braids for a bit, a style that was especially her signature style back in the 90s. Even Janet Jackson was seen rocking the braids again awhile ago.


Box braids are everywhere, in all different sizes, lengths (mostly booty crack length LOL) and unfortunately shades. I love the browns and dark reds, but unless you want to look like Joi (played by Paula Jai Parker) from Friday, then I say be careful with the blonde. However, if that's the look you are going for, go right ahead. There are no rules.

Do you plan on getting box braids? Are you going the DIY route? Comment down below what you think about the style and whether you're getting them or not. 

Dads Doing Their Daughter's Hair

Yesterday was Father's Day. Of course all over Facebook, the love of fathers was all over the place. Seeing pictures of dads with their gorgeous sons and/or daughters was enough to give me a cavity with all that sweetness. This one picture I found floating around in particular really stole my heart (at the bottom).

It's just something about fathers who actually do their daughter's hair, especially natural hair. It is so cute and moments like these are very special and rare, considering that a lot of us may come from a single-parent household (mother lead). I never had this experience with my stepdad. Well, I never allowed him to; I'm not crazy. LOL.

Have your dad or any male in your life (brother, uncle, etc) ever tried to do your hair? Tell me your funny stories in the comment section below.

Natural Hair Dictionary: Abbreviations, Terms and What They Mean

Twist-Out.           Braid-Out.                    TWA.                   ACV.              LOC.

If you are looking into going natural or starting out your transition, you are probably wondering "What the heck do all this stuff mean?" I know. I know. I was in the same position when I first start transitioning back in 2010, but I'm about to save you some trouble from wondering all around Google and YouTube for these terms and abbreviations. This is my little Natural Hair Dictionary.

ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar. Commonly used in the term "ACV rinse," apple cider vinegar diluted with water is used as an alternative to shampoo when it comes to cleansing the scalp.

BC: Big Chop. This is when you have been transitioning and then decide to go ahead and cut the relaxed ends of your hair off and become completely natural.

Braid-Out: Similar to a twist-out process (just braid it, leave in for a while, then unbraid it). It's what we use to call crinkles back in the day.

DC: Deep Conditioning. When dealing with your natural hair, moisture is key. Usually followed by a conditioner, a deep conditioner is used to give your hair that extra "umph".

LOC: Leave-In Conditioner, Oil, Conditioner. LOC is a method used by some naturalistas when it comes to applying products to their hair after they have washed their hair.

Protective Style: It's a style that you keep in your hair for a long period of time to protect your hair or give yourself a break from dealing with your hair. It can be anything like mini-twists, braids, weave, wig... you name it!

Transitioning: The process where one decides to stop relaxing and grow out their natural hair. Transitioning is usually done when you are not comfortable with being bald or having a low-cut ceasar (starting completely over) and the process can take any amount of time you want until you are comfortable with the length of your natural hair (or "new growth") or you just get tired of the two textures.

TWA: Teeny Weeny Afro. A TWA is what most naturalistas have when they do their big chop. Your hair is not cut too low like a guys but it's not long enough to put in a puff.

Twist-Out: It's just a style when you twist your hair then you untwist it.

If you have anymore you would like to add or want to know about, please comment down below.