Thriftanista in the City

Pantene provided me with compensation and product for review. The opinions I have shared are my own. One of the great things about having loc'd natural hair is that it is super low maintenance. There's no combing or brushing required. Wash day can be a bit of a struggle. It's easier now that I have shorter hair. Curling (my style of choice) is the hardest part but once the curls are in there's not much I have to do to it. My one hair care goal is to keep my hair moisturized at all times. Dryness does become an issue but I can solve that problem in 4 easy steps.

Tada!! This is my holiday hairstyle inspired by a slew of Pinterest pins and the generous products from Pantene . Before starting my updo, I washed and conditioned my hair with Pantene Pro-V Clarifying Shampoo and Deep Conditioner.

This is the season for food, drinks and parties. This is also the season for my beloved sequins! Sequins are perfect for the holiday but they do tend to get snagged and tangled in my hair. Also, a loc or two always ends up in my sips and dips! That's why my most coveted holiday hair are chic updos or low chignons. all Holiday Hair Inspiration images were found on Pinterest

I have not done anything to my hair since the cut. I wash n' go and periodically spritz it with my homemade hair "juice". I would still need a whole day to do the pipe cleaner curls. I just have a million other things I need to do and want to do. Today, the nap gods were with V and I had a bit of extra time to play after my shower. I love turbans. I own 2 and have tried to make them work but my hair is just to dang big - pre and post cut. I experimented with a scrap fabric I bought at a thrift store. I made a little side twisty flowery thing to get the turban style. I likey! Feels good to have my hair out of my face too. Do you rock turbans? Do they work for you?

The Before - Cousin It Locs I felt like a big ball of hair. This is how I left the salon. Bantu knots hurt. My scalp was pulsating. I think I'll stick with pipe cleaner curls. The After I have bangs and layers. Some locs are really short and I whimper silently when I touch them. The longest ones are just below my shoulders. My hair feels light and airy! I still got some hair pulls but not as many since there aren't so many hanging at her level. When I bend down hair doesn't come rushing to the front of my face and falling all over the Queen's face covering her eyes and getting in her mouth. No hair in my food or drinks either.

The last time I talked about my hair I was thinking about cutting my locs short but worried about the change and letting go. I think I'm past it now. I had a trim about 3 weeks ago. There were pieces hitting the "danger" zone. See how much was cut off? Very little. I missed those little pieces but I got over it. I always do. It is just hair -- I'm holding my breath just a little bit while writing this. A lil trim Today I had a consultation with a stylist. I bit the bullet and took a drive to the land of locticians. We agreed on a layered cut with bangs or shorter hair framing the face in front. I'm going to take some images with me of what my vision is. Below is a small sample of the the pics I've bookmarked. Love the cut and the bangs Source Length and shape is just right Source   Color? That would be new. Source Love the bangs Source This is NOT my inspiration. Wowza that's a lot of hair! Source Have a dramatic hair cha...

Queen V: Yes, I see myself. Queen V: Where are you going? Mama V (15 minutes later): Really?

I like to hold on to things. Old pictures, old diaries, old mementos. I have to talk myself into throwing things out. When it comes to my hair, I have a hard time cutting it. I cut my hair in college and I cut my hair a year after growing my perm out. Since I've had locs, the most I've ever cut is 7 inches but normally I just try to keep it from reaching my behind. That's the scary length for me. I've never been one for "styling" my hair but I need a change. Little Miss pulls my hair every time she's near me and it's such a task to do the wash, twist, and curl. I saw this picture and I think this should be my new look. Isn't her hair cute ? She's cute, her hair's cute, and her dress is cute. I want to be her friend. Source I'm trying to find a stylist who cuts locs and in my neighborhood. It's like a needle in a haystack. I haven't had any luck so far. More time to think and get comfortable with the change, I ...

30 minutes to wash, 4 hours to twist and curl on pipe cleaners, 2 hours under the hair dryer, and 1 hour to take it all down Curlylocs!

I am writing this Friday night after a cocktail so I'm feeling super motivated to make my hair "purty" and when I'm done...... What about you? Have any fun weekend plans? Any events I should know about (if you're local). A place to showcase my fresh and fabu hair? Do share. Update: Go  here  to see the finished look. SN: Just in case you missed my last post , my address has changed to windycitymama.com .

This is what my hair looked like in 2006. This was the only time I've ever had my locs washed, twisted, and styled by a professional. It cost me $20 in Nairobi, Kenya (can't beat that with a stick). I am going to DIY it tomorrow since loc maintenance is on my " Get It Together " list. If all goes well, I will be able to see my scalp again! He doesn't know it yet* but Little Miss will be planted in his loving arms for the day. This is an 8 hour job. Dare I try to recreate the front? I probably should crop that butt out of this photo. ....and when its all done I'll be one Sexy MF (of course not as sexy as Prince). *Update: he has been informed and has offered to pay for me to have someone else do it (less time). No thanks! This is apart of my mom-cation. I'm doing it myself!