Week 8 Hair

I tucked the end in and added a clip when I went out. It's flat twisted down for a faux french braid (my twists are in) and then the front of my hair is also flat twisted.

Not too eventful this week, thankfully! I'm still getting over the hair fiasco from last week. I wore my hair in an updo for most of the week. I had my twists in and then I put them in an updo that same day because we went out. I didn't take pictures (not sure why!) but I got the inspiration from this youtube video. I have to say, although we have different hair types, it looked pretty darn close!

 (See minute 1:55-3:55 for the style tutorial)

Yesterday I did another take on the freestyle updo from last week. The only difference is that I left the right side out, so it was like a swoop. I was going to take pictures but was too lazy. I will get better about taking pictures! I plan to do the same updo today with my twists so I will be sure to take a picture for next week.

I left the twisted updo in for at least 3 days. I did it on a Sunday and slept with it in on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I didn't touch it, add more product, or anything, until that afternoon on Wednesday. 

I just sprayed it with my spritz and then added my moisturizer. I did the same on Thursday. I took out my twists Saturday and did my updo and then twisted them in big twists for bed. I didn't apply any extra product.

When I took my twists down they were super moisturized and I didn't have any problems with knots. So I will mimick what I did to my hair for the same results this week. 

I am finding that manipulating my hair almost not at all between wash days works best for me. Meaning, not adding any extra product or touching it, helps my hair thrive. 

I am sure to moisturize and seal enough on Sunday. With that my hair lasts 3 days or more without doing anything to it. This is including exercising and sweating. 

This week I'm a lot happier with my hair.

For wash day today I'm using the same routine but trying some other products I have in my arsenal.

Week 9 Hair

• Shampoo
• Detangle with Trader Jo Nourish Spa conditioner
• Deep condition with my Bear Fruit Hair Banana and Avocado product
• Herbal rinse
• Kimmaytube leave in
• Twists with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and seal with my scalp oil

Debate/Discussion: Black women do not exercise because of their hair

Last month I was browsing the web for health and fitness news. I stumbled upon two articles, quoting two different reports, which stated that the majority of black women don't exercise because of their hair.

Meaning, that they choose not to engage in physical activity to avoid "messing up" their hair. The first article quoted that about 30% of black women use this as an excuse. While the second article stated that this is extremely detrimental to black women because 77% are overweight and 49% are obese.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not sure whether these websites are reputable or the organizations that conducted this research. 

However, that's not really my concern in bringing up this topic for discussion.

I want to know if people out there really believe this. I, personally, have heard fellow black women say they "can't" or have to "postpone" exercise because they recently "got their hair done." As a black woman myself, I frequently schedule my exercise around my hair. 

In fact, I'm sure a lot of women do that regardless of race.

As many may know I am dedicated to health and fitness. I subscribe to many newsletters and magazines giving tips and tricks on how to stay fit. Often there are beauty tips for women on how to take care of their hair before and/or after a workout. Why? Well, because looking good is just as important as feeling good. I think we can all agree to that! However, I never find these tips for MY type of hair. Never for a black woman's hair type. 

This is an issue.

Just like we need help on how to perform exercises correctly to avoid injury, so too do we need tips on how to maintain our lifestyles with exercise. Hair is important. There are numerous studies that explain the importance hair has on self image and others' perception of ourselves. So these newsletters and things are providing a useful tool for its readers. I just think there is a large group of women left out.

I don't engage in exercise to make a political statement. 

I go because I believe it is essential to my health and I love it! Then again, when I go to the gym, run, or look at these exercise resources, I can't help noticing how women who look like me are not represented. Or at least not as much as I would prefer.

Everyone is different. Everyone has to find what works for them, their body, their hair, and their lifestyle. I just think that everyone needs motivation. 

Maybe if black women were more represented in fitness magazines and articles about fitness, they (we) might be less "afraid" or "nervous" to exercise.

Bottom line: hair cannot be an excuse not to exercise.  

Heck, NO excuse is a good excuse not to exercise!  

(Ok, maybe if you have some sort of health issue...)

What do others think? What do you do to take care of your hair while exercising? How do you overcome excuses in general?

Protective Style #1

Today I wore a simple, don't-feel-like-doing-my-hair, style. Saturday, after I washed, deep conditioned, and applied my leave in (full details of my wash routine next week), I put medium-sized twists in my hair. I only went over the in-laws house on Saturday to see some of their extended family that came into town. So I wore the same style. Sunday was supposed to be a run day. However, I ended up opting to rest so that I could do weights and intervals on the static bike today. It is already pretty hot in Córdoba so I was sweating buckets like I usually do. As a result, to refresh my hair for the style I spritzed with some water and applied more of my leave in conditioner.

The hair clip in the photo I got from luvnaturals, which is an online store owned by a pretty well-known youtuber. You should check out her videos if you haven't already. I usually twist the front that way because I don't know what else to do with it. That hair only reaches my chin. So isn't long enough to go back in a ponytail like the rest of my hair. I don't know how to flat twist and I don't cornrow my own hair well enough yet to wear it out of the house. So to protect my ends, and still have it look decent, I create a twist bang. I think it looks cute.

My goal for this summer is to wear protective styles exclusively. The weather here is very dry and my hair type is prone to extreme dryness. Plus, I move around the city via motorcycle, meaning I have to wear a helmet. Protective styles are the most comfortable with the helmet and don't get desheveled as easily. I also make sure to wear a satin scarf over my head so my hair doesn't catch on the inner material of the helmet and create split ends.

So this is one of my favorite protective styles because it is super easy and is flattering to my hair type. Bear in mind that these photos were taken at the end of a long day including yoga, rain, and class. Next time I'll make sure to take pics when the style is fresh. Also, there is a lot of shrinkage due to twisting when my hair was wet. I might redo the twists in the front tomorrow to make them longer.

To maintain it for the night I will spritz with more water, probably apply some shea butter, and put on my satin cap. In the morning, I will again refresh with water, and if need be, add more product. Although, usually when I add shea butter I don't need to reapply. I'm not running until tomorrow night so my hair won't dry out as a result of sweating.

Usually, I shampoo/condition once a week (again, a full regimen outline will be given this weekend) but I am noticing some build up on my scalp. I might rinse my scalp with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. I'll also use my ph testing trips (also purchased at luvnaturals) to make sure I don't disturb my hair's natural levels. So....

Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!