Natural Hair Do's and Don'ts: Being a Product Junkie

This is more of a tip than anything else but ladies, especially my newly transitioning ladies, do not believe the hype of product buying ! You do not need to become a product junkie
when going/being natural. It is all too easy to fall prey and victim of the "best cowasher" or the "newest curl definer" when going through this journey.

 A well known myth of the curlygirl natural hair community is that "being natural is expensive
and too much work". This does not have to be the case. The problem is that up until you start going natural, a lot of us (especially women of color) are not used to taking care of our OWN hair. Therefore the sudden transition can seem daunting or appear to be a lot of work. This
is where the whole "product junkie" can emerge.

 You know, that girl who needs to buy every and all new products for hair that will help "ease" the journey. I happen to be the admitted product junkie. I have a huge shelf in my bathroom full of products plus a storage cabinet in my room full of more. I also receive the monthly hair product subscription for natural hair called the CurlBox which provides me with samples and full sized products to test on my hair. Now, I am happy with being a product junkie because one of my favorite things to do is test out new products to let you guys know if they work or not, so I am a whole different story. However, I realize that being natural actually does not require all these "expensive" products and maintenance that people make it out to be.

You don't need much to care for natural hair. Some staples that are good to incorporate in a simple regimen would be oil, MOISTURIZER, conditioner, and shampoo. Most girls say
they already own these four products anyways. The enticement of the natural world is just
very alluring and wanting to try those products that your favorite YouTuber is promoting can
be very exciting. Well, I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way! 

Like I said, you can get away with doing very little and spending very little. Heck, you can even make your own moisturizing mask from ingredients in your kitchen if you do not want to buy more product or are in a pinch. We tend to take the easy way out though and just buy a bottle of liquid magic for our hair off the shelf.

 I will leave you guys with one last message though: There is no miracle product. There is nothing better that you can do for your hair than actually taking care of it. Products can help but you need to learn and feel for your OWN hair in order to know what she wants. Listen to
her and she will tell you.

YT: Crizzycruz1
Instagram: @crizzycruz

Wash and Go's: How I Style Them

      So now that I am officially a college student, I find myself doing wash and go's everyday. In the morning before class, I shower and condition and then slather in some Eco Styler so that I can head out the door on time. I prefer this because of the definition my hair gets and I like the "wet look" that results.

I try to switch it up a bit with different hairstyles like my all time favorite frohawk.

                                  

                           

I achieve this simple-to-do (yet dramatic) look with just some bobby pins on either side of my head. 

I am also a big fan of the regular afro but I tend to make a part on one side secured by a bobby pin to add some interest. And usually a headband or 2 if I am going for my favorite boho-chic look. 

                                 

If I am feeling a little bit more playful, I even do the afropuffs! 

                 

    For me, this is the true beauty of natural hair. The freedom and versatility to be able to achieve all these different looks is simply amazing. I have never been more in love with my natural self than when I went fully natural. I would recommend this to ANY girl. You will feel beautiful and learn to love your locks! 

    For my lovelies out there thinking about going through this journey, the sooner the better ! And for those already in the midst of this crazy ride, hang in there ! You will be rewarded !

                           

To be updated on a more regular basis, check out my Instagram @crizzycruz and if you want to see me in action, sub me on YouTube: crizzycruz1. ❤

All NATURAL !

Guess WHAT guys??

I finally did it ! I cut off all of my hair that was relaxed and straight. I am now proud to say that I am 100% natural. It is an amazing feeling.
I am proud of myself for sticking with it and for being so determined. Transitioning is really different than big-chopping because you have to deal with BOTH textures simultaneously. At times, it was a hassle, but I am so happy to say that I got through it. My hair now is so much thicker, shinier, and healthier than my straight hair was once the breakage and heat-damage started.

It is about a year and four months of growth which I think is awesome. My favorite feeling is being able to wet my hair in the shower whenever I want to (not just when I am about to go to the salon to get a perm).
I recommend this journey for anyone and everyone!

My natural curl pattern is pretty small. Tight waves and small coils in other areas. My hair definitely has afro-tendancies but it just makes me love it even more!

Check out my video on Youtube below for a quick recap and follow me on instagram.com/crizzycruz so you can see what's up on the latest front.

Starting from the bottom...

Transitioning from relaxed and heat damaged hair to naturally curly hair has NOT been easy to say the least. I started around 4/28/12 and although I was ready to dive in and embrace the change, it has been quite an unexpected experience. I've gone through over conditioning, breakage, and struggles for hair styles. My saving grace? YOUTUBE!
 As for many other transitioners and naturals alike, Youtube has been a sanctuary for anyone looking to learn about the difficult yet rewarding process of shedding your chemically processed or heat attacked hair and trading it in for what the good Lord gave ya. I love Youtube for the access and I would not be here without it. I'm loving how my real hair has been looking lately. I recently cut about two more inches of straight ends all around.

MY MAIN GOAL: To be 100% natural by the end of the summer!