Ho ho ho...

Hey y'all.

What can i say i havent blogged in yonks...I feel useless! However Nigeria has me in love... i only got access to the net today...I've barely been indoors so please forgive moi! Not sure when I'll get this opp again so i'm wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year....and I cant wait to get back to blogging in 2011

x naija kisses

Christmas Wishlist

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

more neck accessories

Prints...i've been told i don't have enough! 

some hot leopard heels

more african prints...nigeria here i come!!!

to wear a few more braid/twist outs in the new year!

sources {a,b,c,d,e}

Hot comb vs Straighteners

Which do you prefer???

sources

I've been reading quite a few debates on a few hair forums, and lets just say some women get quite mean and argumentative when the hot comb vs straighteners topic comes to light!

Like it or not... there simply is no right answer as to which is better. Each hot comb and pair of straighteners are different and most importantly so is our hair.

I only ever recall using a hot comb in my hair at the hairdressers and i've always been quite scared of them. I definitely wouldn't use them for myself at home because of fear of burning my hair and self! But this doesn't necessarily mean they are bad... in fact those who prefer them would argue that they are better than straighteners because you can control their temperature. I definitely agree, but then this only holds true in a case where one has non adjustable heat settings on their straighteners e.g previous me and my GHDS! Hence the reason why i've purchased my 2nd pair with a low, medium and high heat setting option.

Now these new straighteners...hot dang i think i've found my Clyde. Tested out on a strand and me likey!

When i do use them properly (end of this week!) I intend on using the low setting. A friend thinks this may be too low, but my days of thin hair are over so if they don't straighten as much i'm not so worried as long as my hair is straight enough! I guess those who like über straight/ no volume hair would just use the high temp setting.

Conclusion: I've not had much experience with hot combs but i do prefer straighteners, i've used them for years and my hair has survived and should ideally do even better now with selective heat temps. All in all less heat is happier hair so keep it on the DL.

Choice is yours...

x edF x

Scalp Massages

fusion models

Another post on massages! What is the addicition you ask?! I'm a feind for them honestly. Got a new thai massage place 'Bua Siam' for anyone living in Munich (i wish!) It's my new fortnightly hot spot. In fact no lie i've been spending too many dollar dollar bills there, perhaps i should consider shares... 

But yes if you've been for a good old massage you'll know how amazing they can be at easing and relaxing your muscles plus unblocking those stress nerves. I took a friend when she visited and she feel asleep during the massage! For those who don't know... thai massages aren't easing going...how do you sleep when someone stands on your back!!! Anyway point is massages are great and work just aswell for your scalp. I know i go on and on about it, but they really are fab!

Research has it that those who have more massages/visits etc are less prone to stress related health issues/ illnesses. 

So once a week/ whenever you oil your scalp/ before studying and even just to give yourself a quick treat ...massage your head with a fair amount of pressure in a circular motion. This increases blood circulation to your scalp and works a treat at night before bed. If your lucky..a.k.a you got it like that, get gsomeone to do it for you- its sooooo much better.

Here's some info I found on scalp massage benefits

• It provides deep relaxation to the head and scalp which allows blood circulation to flow more easily to the hair roots.

• Improved circulation, which results from scalp massage, provides hair roots with nourishment to help trigger hair growth.  Why? When the scalp or head it constricted or tight due to stress and tension, it blocks adequate blood flow to the hair roots.

• When scalp massage is repeated on a regular basis, it will help to actually strengthen the roots of the hair which will help hair growth.

• When a good moisturizing oil like jojoba is used as the base, it can help add moisture and conditioning to the scalp and the hair enhancing natural textures and making it move vibrant.

• Moisturized hair is less likely to split and break, which is a wonderful benefit of the oils used for scalp massage. 
• Scalp massage adds natural luster and shine to the hair.

• In some cases, scalp massage can relieve itchy scalps, prevent flaking and help with chronic dandruff.  Of course this is dependent on other factors but is a possible benefit.
• Regular scalp massage can help protect hair from environmental toxins and other weather conditions by helping to strengthen the follicles.

• It can help eliminate depression or other stressful or negative emotions.

• Scalp massage can also help alleviate chronic insomnia and provide restful sleep.

• In some cases, scalp massage can slow hair loss conditions. 

• The benefits of scalp massage also help provide a glow to the complexion of the face.

• Regular scalp massage has proven to help in some cases of chronic headaches or migraines.

source: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip000425.htm

Ralph Waldo Emmerson: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else, is the Greatest accomplishment

A brief thought...

'Looking back over the past year I have to say its been one of the best growth wise. I'm no longer so phased by things these days and that's because I've dropped a lot of baggage getting here. I've never been miss friends galore but i've also never been the person with 2 friends and everyone else is an acquaintance type of person. 

But honestly I made the decision to only have a few nearest and dearest who I knew I could really give myself to as a friend, i decided if i didn't want people to talk negatively about me i had to makesure i didnt do the same, and almost like magic alakazam...life became better. I can't remeber the last time i've heard that someone has had something awful to say about me, and if they have...psssh i ain't heard so hey!!!

The point is, I know where I want to be in the next 5 years, I really do..and there are somethings in life we have to drop in order to establish the 'me' that we dream of for the future. Everyone around me is great, and thats not because social situations permit me to meet them, its because i allow myself to be in the midst of great people. It's just automatic now! Thank God.

A very wise man at church spoke about decluttering your home. A clutter free home is essential for a happy family. De-clutter your life and see how happy it makes you.

2011 is a few doors away. Open it knowing that greatness is yours if you have the right key ! Leave old baggage/fears behind and be ready for your 2011 story, cos I know I am'

Peace 'n' Love

x edF x

p.s i love this artists work..what dyou think...fab right?!

sources

x edF

Baggying

Moisture is no.1 when it comes to healthy hair. Afro carribean hair lacks this especially due to its coarseness. However as with most things in life there is a way around dry and brittle hair...and baggying most definitely is a G when it comes to giving moisture highs! I also briefly mentioned it in a previous 'Length Retention' post.

What is bun baggy-ing/ baggying?

Baggying is when you moisturize your whole head of hair and then wear a shower cap and allow your hair to generate heat via your body heat. Bun baggy-ing is exactly the same except you only baggy your ponytail and then bun it and then use your shower cap etc.

I lurrrrveee baggying and did it at least once fortnightly when i started my hair journey. Since the start of my 2nd year hair journey I've started doing this once every week , especially because we all know mr weather man isn't very happy this time of the year.

Some people moisturize, seal and then baggy, but I moisturize, baggy and then seal so that my hair gets all the moisture it needs. I can always seal afterwards!

I prefer to use a Leave-in to baggy so it'll either be:

*Herbal Essences beautiful ends (LTR in the U.S)

*AtOne Botanical Hair and scalp leave in

or

*S Curl no drip 

Quick tips:
*Baggying does not mean you should over moisturize e.g use the whole bottle of S-curl! Too much moisture can also lead to breakage so please just moisturize as usual. Think dime size amounts per 1/4 section (4 partings).

*Do not baggy everyday. Once a week or once fortnightly should be okay. Your scalp and hair needs to breathe...stretch...shake...

Your hair should feel softer and look more moisturized after...let me know how it goes :)


Added Q i totally forgot to add (thanks anonymous!)

How long should u baggy?

Personally i baggy for around about an hour/2 hours. I don't baggy overnight because a lot of heat is produced when we sleep, and i wouldn't want to over heat my hair. Imagine what having a nightmare would do to you!!! I can't overheating/ warming would definitely occur so i guess its really a matter of trial and error!

x edF x

Hairstyling: Gel

I've never used hair gel...tell a lie I used to when i was 14 and thought i was a gangster supermodel...then knowledge came and taught me a few things! But really, ever since then i've been very much so against using hair gel. It usually makes your hair quite hard, leaves residue behind and can clog your pores. However earlier this year a friend introduced me to the Eco styler hair gel, which to my knowledge is widely used in America.

It's alcohol free and comes in various types including an olive oil based gel. I used some and it was as promised non flaking and didn't leave the sides of my hair hard.

There are many products used for finishing and styling which work in the same way as gel but aren't gel, however I still prefer to use something very close to home which is my leave in conditioner!

AtOne Hair and Scalp Treatment Leave-In Conditioner

So lets just say this is kind of a review!

I took these pics today to show you how good my leave-in conditioner is at taming all of those fly aways and giving a clean and slick finish. Unlike many leave-in conditioners, it is not a spray leave-in, in fact it has a lotion type consistency which I love, almost like the S curl no drip but a little thicker.

How i use it?
I squeeze a dime size amount into my hand and then apply the leave-in to the needed areas. I then use a soft bristle brush to style as wanted.
Then to finish i apply coconut oil on top of the leave-in and then wear a headscarf to enhance the finish.

Results:
Slick soft hair!

P.s it also contains Aloe vera :)

x edF x

100 Blog posts later

I've reached my 100th blog (this is 101!!!) It feels so good, especially knowing that I've not grown bored of it and that i still love to blog as much as I did when I started if not even more . Unlike other bloggers my goal wasn't to reach 100 and then do something fun e.g a giveaway! Instead I've got another goal and when i reach it...which is likely to be very soon! You will definitely know about it!

But on that note I just want to say thank you to everyone that reads the blog and those that comment and facebook me. Its nice to know the hair-love connection is mutual and it makes me very happy!

my love always x

Fi

p.s did u know if u celebrate a 100th year anniversary its called a centennial anniversary? I guess its my centennialth blog anniversary (so not a word!)