Tutorial: Simple Two Strand Twists

Hello Ladies: 

This is a very simple style and the reason why so many mothers love the Two Strands Twists style is because of it's flexibility; the fact that it's a great protective style, it looks great on toddlers, teenagers and even adults.  

The smaller the sections you use to do the twists the longer they will last, at least, that has been my experience when I do my daughter's hair.  

The tools you will need:

1.  Styling products: 
    a.  Spray bottle with your favorite mix;
    b.  Curly Butter or your favorite moisturizer;
    c.  Eco Styler Gel;

2. Rat Tail Comb  & Hair Clips for sectioning;

3. Rubber bands  

95% of the time, Ms. Bree's hair is banded for at least a day prior to styling.  After washing her hair I moisturize it by using Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer.  This process makes sectioning the hair easier since it keeps her hair detangled and it also keeps her hair moisturized.   

I did not have the need to use my wide tooth comb but it's always wise to have one handy, just in case you encounter a tangle/knot.  

Step 1:  Using the tail part of your comb part the top section first.  Start the line right above the right ear straight across to the left ear; clip the hair out of your way using a hair clip. 

Step 2:  Now, you are left with the bottom part.  Part a smaller section of hair by using the tail part of your comb (parting from left to right). 

Step 3:  Part a small section (like doing box braids but in this case you are doing box twists); spritz a little bit of water or your favorite mix (we do not want to get the hair to wet but you'll want it damp);

Step 4:  Apply your favorite moisturizer or butter starting from the roots to the ends. Then apply a little bit of Eco Styler Gel to the section, again, from the roots to the ends of the hair;

Step 5:  Secure the section by using rubber band;

Step 6:  Split the section in half and twist the right section before you bring the piece over to the left piece, then bring the right piece over the left piece and continue until the entire section is twisted.  

OPTIONAL:  You can use rubber bands to secure the ends until the twists are 100% dry, or you can use barrettes or beads to finish the twists. 

Step 7:  Continue to make the sections and repeat 3, 4 & 5 until the entire bottom section is twisted.   

Once you are finished with the bottom section, it's time to get the top section done.  

Step 8:  Spritz water or your favorite mix on the top section; apply moisturizer or your favorite butter and secure the hair with a cloth cover band;

Step 9:  Divide the hair into equal parts, this will help you create twists that look the same in thickness; 

Step 10:  Repeat step 3, 4 & 5.  

I styled her hair Saturday Morning and these pictures were taken Monday night. is you can see in the above picture, her ends looked dry.  

I moisturize her ends and scalp as needed.  To moisturize her ends I simply damp her ends with a bit of water and apply a dab of Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer and coil her ends using my index finger. 

STYLE UPDATES

4th Day Twists:

This was my first time using rubber bands at the base of her twists.  It is important to constantly check for any bumps around each parting line and around the hair line.  

Should you spot any stress bumps, immediately undo the style and massage the scalp with jojoba oil, and give the scalp and hair a break.

After wearing her twists for a few days, I decided her hair had enough and I removed all rubber bands and unraveled the twists.

Cover Page Beauty: Introducing Korrie Kelley

Hello lovelies...

Welcome to our Cover Page series... Today I am introducing you to an amazing lady who slowly transitioned and is now loving her natural hair! 

Let us begin this wonderful interview, can you tell us your name and which state do you represent?

   My name is Korrie Kelley and I was born and raised in Mississippi!!!

How long has your natural hair been free of relaxers/texturizers or any type of chemicals? Did you transitioned or did you do a Big Chop?

    I started transitioning in June of 2011!
    I was too much of a chicken to do a BC (big chop) so I just started growing out my relaxer, and cutting the relaxed ends every two months. It was so neat to see the curls popping out all over my head! I had no idea what my curl pattern was! It was fun:)



Goodness, look at all that hair, I love the color, tell me Korrie, What made you go back natural?
   

   My cousin did the big chop a few years ago, and watching her hair come to life really inspired me! It changed her also..gave her a certain confidence that she didn't have before. I liked that!

We all know how important it is to establish a routine, what is your routine? how did you come up with it?
   

    Trial and error!!! A lot of Youtube watching and book reading. Kind of gathering different info, and then seeing what worked for me. My wash and go routine is pretty easy. I am a believer in sectioning my hair. I used to free fall it when washing, but the knots and tangles increased so I had to re-evaluate what I was doing. I started out sectioning in the beginning and had to go back to that. I co-wash every 5 days with either Tresseme naturals or As I am coconut co-wash.

    Right now I'm experimenting with several different products for my page, but I do have some favorites that are re-ordered regularly. Kinky Curly knot today is an awesome detangler/leave in, Kinky Curly curling custard is a must for my wash and go's. For sealing I use jojoba or sweet almond oil. I'm loving twist outs right now, and I really think my hair is growing because of it so my musts for those are the Bee Mine Curly Butter!!! IT IS AWESOME!!!!!

I love jojoba oil and it is not secret that I love BEE MINE Natural and Organ Hair products.  Tell us, what products are currently working for you? 

      Tresseme Naturals has amazing slip, and it's my must have for a co-wash. As I said above the Bee Mine Curling butter! I'm in the process of getting and trying more of their products so stay tuned....



We all have experienced hair challenges at a certain point in this long journey, have you faced any challenges when it comes to styling your hair? How did you overcome them?

    In the beginning yes! I did not like the two texture thing with transitioning, it was a pain! Now, I've kinda gotten a good routine going. Learning to be patient and thoughtful with my hair..not rushing, pulling or snagging. TLC goes a long way!

Tell us, what is your favorite hair style? I love wearing my hair wild and free! 



What is your "To Go" Style??
    

     My husband loves it like that and also, when I wear my hair in a low, romantic looking ponytail with tendrils framing my face and how can I forget, I love a high bun (pineapple)



At the beginning my daughter was not "in love" with her hair but her feelings have completely changed now, how do you feel about your hair now?

   I LOVE IT!!! I hate that it took me this long to wise up! I feel more confident, free..just plain ole me:) Best decision ever!!! Have this HUGE accessory to ROCK now!
I received awful awful hair tips, and I'm glad I didn't follow any of them, tell us, what is the worst tip anyone has ever given you?

    To be honest, I haven't gotten any bad tips. I really just do my own thing, and the people around me just love what I do :)




I remember, one of the best tips I ever received was from a stranger at a store, what was the best advise you have been given?

       Everyone's hair is different. Learn and listen to what your hair needs. It will tell you. That is so true too I have found. Also finger detangling! Being comb free for a year now!

Some of our readers may or may not know this, but you own a Facebook Fan page under the name of "Korrie's Korner"; what is the main objective of your page, and what inspire you to create it?

      My objective is to encourage women to embrace their naturalness and God given beauty. Since I was a teenager I always helped my friends with their hair, make up or skin care needs..just kind of grew from there. I love helping women feel good about themselves! It's my passion:)



Do you have any advice that you would like to share with our readers?

If you're thinking about going natural GO FOR IT! Be patient and to give your hair lots of love. It’s not about whether or not you have “good” hair. We all have good hair! Everyone is different and that is what I love. Be unique. Embrace your “youness”.

Thank you Korrie for this amazing interview, the fabulous tips and the beautiful pictures.  Your hair is beautiful!  

Make sure you check her page out Korrie's Korner.  And don't forget that you can save on your next Bee Mine Product's purchase by using our code: 

You can see our Bee Mine Natural and Organic Hair Products' review here: Bee Mine Natural & Organic Hair Products- Our Review


and you can see Korrie's product review here: Bee Hold Curly Butter 

If you want to be part of our Cover Page Beauty Series email us at caramelcurlznswirls@yahoo.com 

Tutorial: Cornrows into Different Styles

Hello everyone:

This is a very simple style and what I love about it is the fact that:

1. It's a fabulous protective style;

2. It can last for weeks;

3. and it can easily be modified into different styles.  

I am up for the "easy styles" specially when our weekends are full of activities.  What makes this style look more complex is the way the sections are divided but this style is simple enough even for beginners. 

The products I used are:

Rait Tail Comb;

Hair Clips;

Spray Bottle with Water;

Oil Mix Bottle (castor oil and jojoba oil);

Eco Styler Gel with Argan Oil;

Curls- Paste (for the front section);

Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer;

Bee Mine Curly Butter.

After wearing her hair straight for a week, I washed her hair using our moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioned her hair with Bee Mine Bee.U.ti.Ful Deep Conditioner.  

Once I rinsed all the conditioner out, her hair was ready for banding.  I applied My oil mix first, then Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer  to each section and began banding her hair.   Ms. Bree's hair was banded for a day or so before we began styling her hair.  

*  I began by parting her hair from ear to ear;

*  Divided the bottom section into two by parting it diagonally (from right to left as you can see on the above picture);

* Before cornrowing each section: 

     I parted the section as thick as I wanted each cornrow to be;
     Then I damped the hair with water;
     I applied Bee Mine Curly Butter and a dash of Eco Styler Gel with Argan Oil and began cornrowing downward. 

* I followed the same above steps to cornrow the bottom left section (damp hair and applied the products);

   

  For this section, part each line from right to left on a angle.  You will still braid this section downward. 

*Front section:  I parted the front section from her left temple toward the back in a diagonally line.  

* Then began cornrowing down towards the hair line. 
      (Note: This is a great option for those who are worried about the hair line.)

* Again, I damped each section before cornrowing it and applied the products. 

This is what her styled looked like once I was finished with three sections.  I could have stopped there, but banded hair without styling it's not a good idea, at least not for me.   But I can't deny that it looked pretty.

Now, let's move on to the final step:

*The front right section, it's done the same way;

* Part each section in an angle, before cornrowing each section, I damped the hair and applied the products. 

This is a view from above, each section is braided in different direction but still braided toward the hairline. 

 This is the final product: 

Now, this style can easily be modified into different ones: 


A.  Cornrows into Side Pony Tails: 

B.  Lose Cornrows:

C.  Cornrows Braided into a One Big Braid: 

All the above styles are great protective styles and are definitely school friendly.  

Our New Sponsor: SNAPAHOLICS!

Hello everyone.. 

INTRODUCING:

Please help me welcome our latest Sponsor!!  

This fabulous online store is owned by Kathleen Johnson, who became the new owner of Snapaholics just a few a months ago and she has added some amazing items to the store.  

  Kathleen's business is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah and you can see her website and her entire stock of hair tools and accessories by clicking: www.snapaholics.com and don't forget to follow her Facebook page www.facebook.com/snapaholicshaircare to make sure you know about all the latest sales. 

 Snapaholics offers hair accessories of all kinds, they specialize in "hard-to-find bling", as well as tools, satin pillow cases and sleep caps, and get this... they also have the "BEAD BARRETTE"!!  So, make sure you browse through the entire selection!!

Tell her, we sent you!! 

Shea Terra Products Review

Acne, is not something we like to discuss but it is a problem that does not only happen during our teenage years but it can very well continue to adulthood.  It can be triggered by many things including the food we eat or by medication that we may be taking.  Whether we are young or old, acne is often bothersome and does affect how we see ourselves.

I have tried products like "Clean & Clear", "Proactiv" and the latest from "Clinique".  I have to admit that Clinique products did keep my skin cleared of acne.  However, the scars from past blemishes remained and were very dark.  I would often use concealers in an attempt to even my facial skin tone.  


I have heard of "Black Soap" before as I'm sure you have too. Due to it's high popularity, the selections of black soap products available not just in store but online are increasing rapidly.  

Due to the wide selection of products, I was very indecisive as to which kind of black soap or which brand to try.  This is when our friend, Cheryl, owner of Foxy Mango came to my rescue.  

Let's begin our review:

Shea Terra 

Rose Hips Black Soap Facial Wash

Ingredients:

The ingredients found in this facial wash are spring water, Yoruban black soap (cocoa pod ash, plaintain peel ash, palm kernels, camwood bark), certified organic sunflower oil, certified organic coconut oil, potassium hydroxide (electrocuted alts-what makes oil into soap) certified organic rose hips oil, Kalahari mineral salts.

This product is made with authentic black soap-not dye, it's 100% natural, the product is very effective yet gentle, it naturally treats acne and has no synthetic fragrance. 

How to Use:  (Instructions on label) Apply small amount of Rose Hips Black soap Wash to entire face.  Allow to set for 5 minutes.  Rinse Off and Repeat.  This time use the palms of your hands to work away the dead skin as you rinse the soap off. 

How I use it:

After removing all my make up, I splashed water on my face and dry the excess water, keeping my face damped a little bit.

I have seen better results when I do it this way:  once my face is damped, I pumped a small amount on the palm of my hand, using my finger I start applying it all over my face.  

Once you have applied the soap, you may or may not experience a small tingling/stinging during application or while you let the soap sit for five to ten minutes.  

Important Note: 

This product is black in color so you may want to be careful with your clothing and/or towels; 
This product has a consistency of a thick syrup and a little bit goes a long way;
This product produces no lather and it will feel like a "mud mask" while you let it sit on your face; 

Once you have let the wash sit for five to ten minutes, rinse it all off, pad your face dry and you are all done!!

My Opinion:

You will immediately feel the difference and you will see the benefits of this product. It's scent is so light it won't bother you at all.  

This amazing product will clean your face and will leave it feeling soft.  Some people have compare the results of this soap to a single microderm abrasion.  This product will in act clean your pores and get rid off all dead skin.  

I use it once a day, mostly during the evenings after I have worn my make up for at least ten hours.  

If your skin feels a little bit dry after a few minutes, I would recommend using natural oils to moisturize the skin, like Jojoba Oil, unrefined shea butter or in my case, I use Shea Terra Tamanu Oil.  (and this is where our second product review starts).

SHEA TERRA ORGANICS

TAMANU OIL

Ingredients:

This products contains only 100% Pure Tamanu Oil;

* It's 100% Natural;

*Natural topical anti-biotic;

*Offers natural, speedy healing of skin with little to no scaring;

*All natural anti-aging serum.

How to Use: (the below instructions can be found on their website)

Daily Usage: Massage a few drops into each of the five facial points. Lightly massage under eyes.   

Healing:  Apply to wound several times a day until healed.

How I use it:  

After I wash my face with Shea Terra Rose Hips Black Soap, I make sure my face is 100% dry.

 Two pumps of oil on the palm of my hand and using my finger I start applying the oil to my face and neck in circular motions.

My Opinion:

Since the dark spots are mainly along my jaw line I make sure to spend extra time on that area.   I started using this oil on a daily basis approximately 24 days ago and the results are amazing. 

 The picture below was taken eight (8) days after I began using the Tamanu Oil.  As you can see the dark spots have drastically faded.  

This oil can be used in many different ways, although it is very popular as an anti-aging skin care product including but not limited for the use on Eczema; Psoriasis; Skin rashes;
Athletes foot; and Dermatitis just to name a few.  

The scent of this product is very strong but it is not so bad to me.  After using this product a few days, you will find that the scent is not as bad but do expect your partner/spouse to be able to smell it on your skin.

I will suggest you keep your mind open to it, remember, this is a 100% natural product and has no fragrance added to it.  

This product should always be stored in room temperature but if you are in cool temperatures make sure you shake the bottle well before using it.