Awkward Moments & Triumphs 2

That awkward moment when you haven't finished your hair, but its time to leave for a job meeting.

That triumphant moment when you can throw something together to be presentable to the outside world.

Click here to see this style completed.

Style Tutorial: Braided Protective Style

I began this style by parting my hair horizontally in small sections. My hair is dense, so small sections still makes medium sized braids. I made a slanted part in the center, splitting each row in two sections.

  

The back of my hair was very difficult, since I had been wearing a twist out all day and hadn't blown it out as I usually do. I also haven't braided my hair in a while, I generally prefer flat twisting, but it doesn't last as long. Sorry I didn't continue taking pictures of the process, I was frustrated. Side note: I hadn't finished my hair before bed and had to go to a meeting with my director in the morning. I made this quick bang to mask my unfinished 'do. Shhh... don't tell on me! 

I thought I would change this style up often (I love versatile protective styles) but I only wore it this way for about ten days, then with the ends unraveled for a couple days. Its similar to another braided style I did last year. 

What would you do to switch this up in a versatile way?

A Random Thought About Strawllers, Drinking Straws and Perm Rods

Exhibit A: Strawllers

Isn't it funny how inventions come about? This is what I thought as I read an archived article on Ebony.com about Strawllers, thin hair rollers made for straw sets. Strawllers are the durable and ventilated alternative to drinking straws, used by many women whether transitioning or fully natural. I chuckled myself thinking how drinking straws are a DIY alternative to thin perm rods, which are also used to achieve tight pencil curls. A knockoff of a knockoff. Hmm...

Exhibit B: Drinking Straws

Exhibit C: Perm Rods

Style Tutorial: Twisted Pin Curl Side-do

I actually wore this style nearly a month ago, but forgot I had taken pictures to share with everyone. Unfortunately I did not get video or still shots throughout the process. It was an impromptu style. I will still give step by step instructions.

Similar to my Rolling Side Puff, this is a "side-do" (like updo, but to the side...yeah I'm making that a thing). I used flat twists here so the style would last longer.

The flat twists went 2/3 of the way across my head. The last third was left for loose twists. Then I pinned the ends of the flat twists and each loose twist into pin curls.

I've been waiting a year to do this style. My hair wasn't quite long enough for the full effect last year. I got the idea from MahoganyKnots on YouTube. Check out her excellent tutorial for details.

Style Tutorial: Rolling Side Puff

I was going through old videos from my YouTube channel and came across this gem. Sometimes I can't tell if my hair has really grown that much, but comparing the current length to my length in this video from nearly two years ago I can really note the difference.

This was part of my quick styling series... when I was working an office job and really needed to cut down on my styling time in the mornings. I used rolling twists in this style, which are quicker than flat twists- but not as secure so they don't last as long. I think I kept this style for three days by wearing a silk scarf at night.

What are your favorite quick styles that take 15 minutes or less?

Rolling Side Puff

Awkward Moments & Triumphs 1

That awkward moment when you've put in your doofy wash twists you wouldn't dare been seen wearing, then realize you're out of your staple product.

That triumphant moment when you can improvise with something in your kitchen.

Why I Love the Kitchen Salon...

I live for moments like this: doing my goddaughter's hair!

What do you love most about a kitchen salon or DIY hair care?

Style Tutorial: Fold & Tuck Updo

 

So I've been wanting to try my hand at this fold and tuck technique ever since I first saw this tutorial by Lovingyourhair on YouTube. I tried my hand at it today after taking down my twists from wash day (two days ago). I love it with the texture of the twist out! I like the messy look, so I kept my finger parts from the twists to make the rolls. This style took me 10 minutes and 10 bobby pins! What do you guys think?

 

Cassandra Jackson Thinks Natural Hair is the End of Black Beauty Culture

Cassandra Jackson: Is Natural Hair the End of Black Beauty Culture?
(via Huffington Post)

Right now, the beauty shop is still there, but I am not. I will not take my daughter there because I want her to love her perfect springy curls. She will hear me laugh with my sister about the time that she 'kissed' my ear with a hot straightening comb, but my daughter will never know how such a tool of pain could evoke such warm intimacy. I want her to love her hair as it grew out of her head, but I also want her to know a place where tired black women can shame a man with a word and look. But I cannot have it both ways.

Cassandra Jackson raises many interesting points about the loss of an integral element of Black female culture. Yet I would argue that it is possible to have both the liberation of natural hair and the solidarity of salon culture. There are many women who can't/won't do their own hair, and there are those who just prefer the pampering of a salon. These are the women who will maintain the salon culture. In fact they are probably the women who have been maintaining the salon culture through all of these generations, as I would argue a DIY kinda gal is the same whether her hair is worn naturally or processed.

At the moment there are few mainstream salons that cater to natural hair and those that specialize are usually overpriced. I hope to see more hair stylists offer services for natural hair. If more stylists were able to do natural hair, the overall price would probably decrease. Furthermore, the stigma of naturally kinky hair being difficult to manage would desist.

I don't see the growing natural haired population as a threat to salon culture, but rather as an opportunity to return to the original "kitchen salon" culture of Black womanhood. The bonding that Jackson refers to was never about getting kinky hair permed or even pressed, but about women coming together in a sacred space.

What do you guys think? Is it possible for salon culture to survive the migration of Black women to their natural texture?

Style Tutorial: Curly Sue (Mini Twist Flexi Rod Roller Set)

I've been rocking mini twists for two weeks now and have kept them in a bun most of the time. Two weeks is a long time for me to wear one style, I love to switch it up every other day or so! So I decided to roller set my twists with flexi rods and without heat.

The night before I had co-washed my twists, but had kept them in a bun since then. I lightly spritzed clumps of 5 or 6 twists with water. Then I applied a dime-sized amount of Jane Carter Solution Wrap & Roll foam and wrapped each section tightly around a flexi rod. My hair was damp but not at all saturated.

I applied a scarf and let my hair set overnight. In the morning I took out the rollers. My hair was still well moisturized from being in a bun after co-washing, so I didn't feel the need to add any oil to my hands before unrolling. I will probably spritz and seal my twists tonight before bed.

I separated the twists in each clump and that was it! The takedown process took about 15 minutes total (unrolling and separating). The rolling took a little over an hour... but there was a movie and snacking involved. 8-D

YES!!! The flexi rods are uncomfortable to sleep in. I usually try to use them in the morning if I don't have to leave the house until later in the day. For those who need quicker results, you can use a hooded dryer. For touch-ups or bangs, a blow dryer with a diffuser can set the curls in as little as five minutes. Flexi rods take a while to dry so consider these guidelines when using them:

1. Dampen, don't saturate the hair. If you just washed your hair, blot or plop it to absorb most of the water.
2. Use small sections of hair. The less hair on the roller, the faster the dry time.
3. A foam or mousse product is lighter than a gel or cream, and dries much quicker.
4. Give yourself the adequate amount of time for the curls to set. If you are really in a rush, try a ventilated roller. Flexi rods make awesome long-lasting curls, but they take a while to work their magic.
5. Clean your flexi rods after each use. Think about the product buildup your hair would have if you never cleaned it. The same applies to your hair tools. I just dump them in the sink with some warm water and a little Dr. Bronner's soap. Be sure to set them out on a towel to dry thoroughly before storing.

What are your favorite curling hair tools? Do you have a "quick set" method?

DIY Recipe: Accidental Herbal Hair Rinse

I've been on a quest to make an all natural hair lotion that isn't too greasy but has a thick creamy texture. The inspiration for this quest is my fond memory of Luster's Pink Lotion- you know the one! I looooved this stuff, and swore it transformed my texture each time I slathered it on. Of course it did not, in fact it just created build up and attracted dirt because I piled it on daily. But that first application... on clean hair... with a hard boar bristle brush... couldn't no one tell me I didn't "have Indian in my family." o_O

I don't want to live in that delusional world anymore, but I do want to find the perfect recipe for a thick creamy lotion. The one I'm about to share with you... is not it! I found a recipe online that was inaccurately described as a nettle hair lotion. Then I personalized it by adding horsetail and chamomile. The consistency was not at all creamy... it was basically tea. It did however make a wonderful hair rinse to use after conditioning and I did see an increase in sheen and strength in my strands after using it for about a month. Check it out and tell me how it works out for you!

I used 2 teaspoons each of dried nettle and horsetail leaves.

I added in 2 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers.

I placed all of the herbs in a tea bag and steeped in boiling hot water for about an hour (long enough for the mixture to cool down).

I used this mixture on one of my "mega-cleaning" days. I also decided to try the condition-first method. I rather liked it. This was my regimen:

- pre-poo castor oil treatment

- coconut honey avocado deep conditioner

- baking soda rinse

- ACV rinse

- herbal rinse

Have you tried any herbal hair rinses? Have you tried any other recipes for hair lotions? Please share them with us!

Kitchen Testimonials: Ellie and Unathi

While hanging with my homegirl Ellie we got onto the topic of hair care regimens (duh!) and she mentioned that she had been making her own cleansing and conditioning products for hair and home. I asked (ok, nudged) her to share what has been working for her and this is what she shared:

Since we're having "church" in the kitchen salon, I thought I'd share another testimonial with you. This is from Unathi who attended my first kitchen salon class at NYC's Cuchifritos via The Trade School. Seems like it wasn't too bad... maybe I should try another?

Have any of you tried some of the recipes from the blog? Let us know what worked, and even what didn't work! If you have a recipe, question or comment send it to submissions.thekitchensalon@gmail.com.

The Kitchen Salon Featured in Liberated Strands Magazine

* SQUEAL * It's here it's here! Liberated Strands #2 has arrived and it features an article I wrote about protective styling. See "Fight Hair in Hand" on pg. 93 for my protective styling tutorial and DIY hair care tips.

Thanks to Angela Clay for the opportunity. KS fam, this whole magazine is full of stunning photos of gorgeous women with a variety of manes. Check it out and tell us what you think. ♥

 

Open publication - Free publishing

Style Tutorial: Fro Today, Gone Tomorrow | Another Twisted Updo

I love sporting my fro on warm sunny days. This year's early spring weather convinced me to ditch my usual winter protective styling and rock wild twist outs.

Now that my rehearsal and performance schedule is picking up I have to go back to protective styling. Here's a style I reluctantly did to keep my hair up and out the way for a while, yet another twisted updo. What do you think?

FREE Kitchen Salon Class in NYC 4/6

Don't have money? No problem! Let's Barter... 

FREE Kitchen Salon Class - Friday Apr 6

The Kitchen Salon

12:00pm to 1:30pm

Cuchifritos
120 Essex Street
New York

Do you want outstanding hair without an outrageous price? Want to be able to pronounce all of the ingredients listed on your hair and body products? Then perhaps you should consider starting your own DIY kitchen salon. What started as a quest for healthy long natural hair has completely shifted my approach to my nutrition and expanded an already growing interest in reusing and recycling. It's amazing how much I've learned about the multifaceted uses of common items that are always in my kitchen and bathroom. The more I learn the more I want to share, which is why I started a blog called The Kitchen Salon (thekitchensalon.blogspot.com). If you want to save money and look great while being healthier or more eco-friendly, check out what you can do with your own kitchen salon!

About the teacher, Pia Monique Murray

Dancer. Thinker. Choreographer. Dreamer. Educator. Administrator. Daughter. Wife. Friend. So welcome to The Kitchen Salon, my blog series on DIY hair products made from all natural ingredients, mostly items that can be found in your kitchen and bathroom. I will not claim to be the originator of the ideas, but I do put my own personal spin on every recipe I come across (cause that's how I do... even as I kid I never followed directions too closely).

Join 

Searching for Nature in Un-Natural Ways

I read an article on The Natural Haven about a natural ingredient in the Shea Moisture (SM) product that mimics parabens but isn't scientifically defined as such. The japanese honeysuckle extract found in some of their products looks (on a molecular level) and behaves in the same way as a paraben; easily seeping into skin and binding to certain cells.

Shea Moisture products

BTW: Visit The Natural Haven if you haven't already. Its run by JC, a scientist who really knows her stuff! Though it takes me a while to digest all of the information because I'm relying on Wikipedia and memories of past chemistry classes to explain it, I appreciate her honest research. She offers a lot of raw data so that you can form your own opinions about natural hair methods and products.

But where was I? Oh yes- SM! This product line has BLOWN UP in the natural hair community, especially because of its slogan "Culturally authentic products made with indigenous ingredients since 1912." (1912?! Why did it take 100 years for this product line to grow so popular?)

A reader asked JC about the japanese honeysuckle extract, if it was a paraben or not and if the SM manufacturers were being dishonest or deceitful about it. According to JC's research, the extract is indeed natural and parabens are scientifically defined as synthetic products. Therefore SM is not legally required to categorize it as such. However the two substances are nearly identical in properties and behavior which is not implied by the "paraben-free" tag on the Shea Moisture line.

I can understand a consumer's frustration if they had been happily slathering their strands with the security of a paraben-free product and then learned that an ingredient has the same properties as a paraben. Consumers would have to minor in chemistry classes to understand it all! But that's just it, you have to become an educated consumer in order to make informed decisions- about anything.

Another way is to stop searching for nature in a bottle guaranteed to last for 6 months to a year. I mean ultimately isn't that what's happening? We wouldn't expect the tomato we buy at the market to last for a year, but we want natural hair products to have long shelf lives without the compromise of preservatives. Its a little silly, no?

DIY Winter Hair Mask

If you feel duped by Shea Moisture or any other product line you thought was delivering you just fruits and berries in a bottle might I suggest one way to be absolutely sure you know each and every ingredient in your product? CREATE YOUR OWN KITCHEN SALON!

DIY Recipe: Lemon Honey Facial Scrub

I love my coffee facial scrub but its too harsh for frequent use. For gentler but equally effective exfoliation I used brown sugar for this facial scrub. Try it and tell me what you think:

2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark, not granulated)

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (I used the juice from a quarter lemon)

Secure your hair so that it doesn't fall in your face. Rinse your face with warm water to open your pores.

Using a quarter of a lemon, rub the pulp side on your face. Lemon is a natural astringent but use sparingly as it can sting sensitive skin or be too drying for dry skin. You can choose to skip this step, but if you have oily skin this should be helpful.

Apply lemon honey facial scrub using your finger tips. I like to massage in gentle circular motions, avoiding my eyes. Rinse with cool water to close your pores. (I'm wearing a shower cap because I was rinsing in the shower.)

Over 3,000 Views... THANK YOU!

Over 3,000 Views... THANK YOU!

We're cooking in The Kitchen Salon now!

 
Thanks for all of your interest and support. Gratitude Giveaway COMING SOON!

I Don't Know What You Been Told, But I Love My Blow Dryer (Though Its Old)

I know many naturals have sworn off of heat styling, and I do go for long stretches of time without using any heat. Recently I've been impatient with drying time and I've been enjoying the look of blow dried hair. So for the past month I've been blow drying my hair after my weekly washes. AND (are you ready for this?) I haven't been using protective styling that much. As it turns out heat doesn't have to be my arch nemesis. Are there other naturalistas who would defend their blow dryers like a play cousin in the hood?

Before we were so close I was afraid of blow dryers. Like, I would cross the street and grab hold of my purse if I saw one... they scared me so much! For years blow dryers meant tired arms, lots of breakage, somewhat straight roots and crunchy frizzy ends. There is nothing attractive about any of that. But I no longer have that association with my blow dryer even though it is the same ole' dryer from high school! But the results are drastically different.

What changed? I learned about deep conditioning, diffusers/comb attachments and heat protectants. Now that I am diligent about the use of all three, I can blow dry my hair in a fraction of the time, I have much less breakage and my hair is smooth from root to tip. I deep condition my hair in twists after detangling. I finger detangle again while adding my homemade heat protectant. I prefer my comb attachment over a diffuser and separate comb, its seamless and wide-toothed and concentrates the heat on my strands for faster results with less effort. And um yes, I am using a $1.99 comb attachment from the beauty supply store!

All three things in conjunction improved the experience but I think I owe the majority of my success to my homemade heat protectant. Its worked so well for me I just had to share the recipe with you all. Click here for the full recipe and post your results if you use it.