My SisterLocks: Wet versus Set

 My SisterLocks feel like loose hair when they are wet.  When I get full shoulder length, I may just wash and go, who knows?

For now, I perm rod them and wear it curly.  I had to grab the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding as my moisturizer.  My locks soaked it right up!

This article is important because I had one "former hairstylist" to ask me if I cut my hair when she saw me in my curly look.  I told her "no."  This particular hairstylist has "Halle Berry" type of hair and her hair never shrinks.  I did not feel like schooling her on my type of hair and how it shrinks.

Anyway, my length is looking good at 3.5 months!

Miss Jessie's Updated their Product Guide

The Miss Jessie's quick product guide on the left with the two women of color is the latest edition. The version on the right is the old edition. The new version includes their latest conditioner called the Super Sweetback Treatment.

Now, compare the descriptions of the Curly pudding and the Curly Meringue. The curly pudding was described as soft hold in the old version of the product guide but described as medium hold in the new product guide. I do not think that the formula changed. I just think the previous version of the product guide was in error, and they corrected it in the newer guide.
Unfortunately, I can imagine that some people bought the wrong product based on the product guide description, and Miss Jessie's products are not cheap. I do not believe there is any product under $10.
For the record, having some experience with Miss Jessie's products, Curly Meringue is soft hold and Curly Pudding is medium hold with oil moisturizers. I hope that this helps!

Loose Lids can cause product spoilage!

I accidently either dropped this jar of Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding and then maybe twisted the top entirely too tight. Regardless, the cracked lid caused this product to change its consistency. The batch code on this jar was GT643B. The lid was able to stay on the jar securely despite the crack, but obviously, there was extra air getting into the jar. Luckily, I had begun using a new jar, but I had this jar stored away to give to someone as a sample if need arose. I began Winter cleaning and came across the jar and of course, I was in shock at the condition of the product inside!

Lesson learned: Keep your products sealed especially the more natural products!

Product Review: KeraCare Twist and Define Cream

No, this is not me, although we both have great smiles. Lol! My cheerful model pictured has type 4c hair, and it is all natural and in an updo in the back. She has no chemicals in her hair. We used KeraCare Cleansing Cream, Uncle Funky Daughter's Richee Rich Conditioner, and Keracare Twist and Define cream. I "shingled" and double strand twisted the hair into cornrows. I did not have to use any perm rods on the ends of the cornrows because the type 4c curl pattern naturally curls back on itself at the ends. The drying time was at least an hour. We loved the elongation of the curl pattern that the Twist and Define cream gave, but there was some minor crystallization residue in the hair. I am thinking that in the future to skip the deep conditioning process and follow with the KeraCare Natural Textures Leave-in Conditioner. Then use the KeraCare Twist and Define cream.

The crystallization that formed in some areas was tolerable, but it reminded me that even when I was experimenting this summer with the KeraCare's Defining Custard, I used to have challenges with crystallization. I am almost convinced that when it comes to the natural, curly hair product lines, one really needs to stick with all the products within the same line.

I also have to admit that I had to use "Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding" around the hairline because the KeraCare Twist and Define Cream did not seem to want to lay some of the shorter, kinkier hairline down. Miss Jessie's "Curly Pudding" is my best edge tamer for natural and relaxed hair.

My model can further finish this style off with a colorful scarf or a loose headband.

Wash n' go Regimen for Type 3 curl pattern!

This combination seems to work great for Type 3 curl pattern, but not enough hold for a Type 4 curl pattern. I tried this combination twice, and twice I shrink into an "afro" within a few hours. Reminder: I have type 4 curl pattern. Actually, the difference between the regimens for Type 3 and Type 4 curl patterns is the last product used.

In detail, the regimen goes like this: 1) KeraCare Cleansing Cream: shampoo between 1 and 3 times as needed. 2) Towel blot. Skip the deep conditioning step if your hair is healthy and not too porous. Deep conditioning sometimes makes the hair strands too soft. 3) Use the Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner to give you volume and shape. 4) Miss Jessie's Quick Curls helps give added control. The "Quick Curls" do not seem to hold Type 4 hair, but does great on Type 3!

Some folks may find the KeraCare cleansing cream and the Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner to be sufficient as well. Two products instead of three . . .

These articles are designed to help you eliminate some trial and error! Have fun being natural!

Shingling: A Natural Hair Styling Technique

Shingling seems to work best on Type 3c to Type 4a curl patterns. Typically, this curl pattern is coarse, frizzy, and a finger size in curl diameter. The combination of the KeraCare Cleansing Cream as a curl wash and Design Essentials Defining Creme Gel as a shingling cream has been a perfect combination. A rinse out conditioner is optional. Please see separate article on KeraCare cleansing cream.
Shingling involves combing the Design Essentials Defining Creme Gel through the hair one section at a time. The defining creme gel is a thick creme but oily enough to work and distribute product down the hair shaft. Just apply at root and comb down repeatedly until you get the product through each section from root to end without adding too much product. A wide tooth, seamless comb is more ideal than the comb used in this picture. This picture was taken from the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding literature. Sometimes the Curly Pudding is too light to control the coarser hair. The Design Essentials Defining Cream Gel gives more control and shine on some curl patterns.
This is an overview of Shingling 101 as presented by Miss Jessie's product line featuring their "Curly Pudding" styling aid. Please see my separate article on "seamless combs." Hair must dry under platform dryer or air dry without touching. Hair can be left loose or section the hair by cornrows and double strand twist set/flat twists, then let hair dry in the cornrows. Dryer time: An hour to an hour and a half. When completely dried, pull the cornrows apart and style. Typically, I do not need perm rods on the ends because the curl pattern seems to coil on its own without unravelling.

Pictured is when drying loose. If you use the cornrow method, then you can leave out some of the beginning of the twist/cornrows along the hairline in order to give style and keep hair off of the face. You can achieve a bob style as well.

Please note: IF you are using permanent haircolor or lightening your hair, then the color will texturize your hair by making it softer. These products and techniques may not work well on color-treated hair because the color treated hair is no longer "natural." Sorry.

Maintenance: Do not use water. It will break the seal on the hair. "Hair Milk" or some "oily" cream is good to keep the hair from shrinking back up!