Wig Review: Model Model Mint Slice

Happy Hump Day lovelies!

Well, I am back yall! I finally got a new laptop and now I don't feel so...naked anymore (#firstworldproblems). Anyway, I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did. I wound up going home to VA and went on a wig shopping spree. I finding that now that I am using more heat on my hair, I have to trim it more (I had my hair trimmed in September...then really had to do it again in November---no bueno). And I don't like that. So, I figure I'm gonna pump that breaks on the heat styling for a bit. I have a conference to attend in the middle of December and I'll probably straighten my hair then. And when I say straighten, I mean rollerset.


Anyway, I love going home to VA because I am able to get wigs that I would otherwise have to order online. Three beauty supply stores that are up the street from my mother's house carry Outre, Model Model, Bobbi, Boss, etc. As you guys can guess, I tend to go a little wig crazy when I go home. This trip, I purchased three wigs: Model Model Super Mingo, Model Model Mint Slice, and FreeTress London Girl. For the time being, I am wearing Model Model Mint Slice.

Model Model Mint Slice is a half wig that can also be worn as a ponytail (if that's what you choose to do).True to this function, Mint Slice has 3 combs: one lonnnnnnng comb in the front and two smaller combs in the back. However, it also has a drawstring in the back for tightening the wig a bit or wearing it as a ponytail. Mint Slice is a synthetic half wig and heat cannot be used on it. I purchased Mint Slice in color 1B and found that it is pretty much true to color. The style of the wig reminds me of FreeTress Samara Girl but only with a looser texture and slightly more layered. This hair has a lot of volume and is very long (the wig is layered but the longest length is MBL-ish) which means that this wig is a lot of hair! However, it definitely makes me feel very diva-esque.


While I like this wig, I really don't like the fact that this wig tangles easily! You have to be very careful in separating the curls or else you'll get a frizzy, tangly mess. For this reason alone, I don't see this wig lasting longer than a month with everyday wear. This wig is also pretty snug so for those who have bigger heads and they may find this wig uncomfortable. However, I do like that it is easy to blend. I simply straightened a small section of my bangs an proceeded to blend. If you're looking for a heat free way to blend, simply setting your hair on some perm rods will do the trick.

Bottom Line: Model Model Mint Slice is a decent half wig for the price ($25). I think that this would be an excellent wig for half wig newbies to wear since it is so easy to blend. However,I see it more as a special occasion wig rather than an every day wig. Either way, give Mint Slice a chance. You won't be disappointed.

My Hair is Straightened..Now What?

Happy Monday lovelies!

I have to let you guys know off the bat that my posting will be kind of spotty for awhile (hopefully no longer than a week). My laptop died after 4 years of faithful service this past weekend. So now, I have to wait until I go home to get one. Therefore, my posting will be based on when and if I can get to a computer.

Now that we got that out of the way....


Y'all know how it is when you get your hair straightened. Your hair is flowing in the wind. You're slangin it every which way...y'know whippin your hurr back and forth.

And you do this for a day or two. Maybe even four. Then it happens.

Your hair begins to revert. If your hair is anything like mine, this reversion begins in the center of your head at the roots. As a result, your hair as a little volume to it. Maybe a little too much considering that the rest of your hair is bone straight. I don't know about you but I don't like looking like an extra from Dynasty or Dallas (the 80s one, not the recent one)

So what do you do?!? WHAT DO YOU DO!?

Well, one option may be to run to you flat iron and 'touch up' those roots. However, this option may not be the best in the long run. Repeatedly putting too much heat on your hair? No es bueno. You gotta learn how to work with your rebelling hair. Your hair isn't gonna be straight all the time. Thems the breaks. However, I do understand that you may not be ready to hide your hair in a bun. Sometimes, you just want to wear your hair out for a week or two. Trust me, I get it.

So what are your options?

1) Bantu knot out...kinda

Something I do once my hair begins to revert is to put my hair in 2 or 4 large bantu knots (the number depends on how curly I want my hair) before I go to bed at night. In the morning, I unravel them, creating a bantu knot out of loose curls. I find that when I do this, it gives me a few extra days to wear my hair out. Also, this is a good option for the ladies that work out. Put your hair into bantu knots prior to your workout session and you still have a cute style afterwards. However, this may not work if you sweat in your hair a lot. In which case, I don't know what to say about that. If you follow me on twitter or Instagram (sweetesttaboo85), you saw this style on me late last week. I absolutely loved it!

2) Flexriod set it

Another option for generating curls if you don't mind sleeping on flexirods. For this, I typically apply a little moisturizer, find the largest flexirods I can find, and commence to rolling my hair. For this I typically have no more than 6 flexirods in my hair since sleeping in them is a pain in my behind. However, this again gives you some more wear out of your hair as it goes about its reversion process. Remove the flexirods in the morning, fluff your hair, and be on your way!


3) Braidout

If you somehow wound up straightening your hair during the summer (or even during the winter), doing a braidout on reverting hair is a great option as well. Again, it allows you to mask those reverting roots while giving you a cute summery hairstyle.


That's it. Those are the three styling options I cycle through before I decide to put my hair in a bun or a Gibson tuck or whatever until my next wash day. They still allow you to wear your hair, gives your hair a little variety, and allows you to enjoy your hair!

Do you have any ways to extend your blowout that I missed? I would love to hear them!!

Fall 2012/Winter 2013 Hair Regimen

Hey there once again lovelies!

As I was washing my hair this past weekend, it totally dawned on me that I haven't shared what I plan to do with my hair now that the weather has cooled down (finally!).

I really want to take the time to enjoy my hair. I've been growing my hair out all these years and have been hiding it. And that's no fun for anyone. I mean, I've gotten me some bangs and have my hair layered...I need to wear it out dangit!

The game plan is this: I will straighten my hair 2x a month. 2 weeks out of the month I will wear my hair out and 2 weeks I will bun. I will only use heat on the days I straighten my hair (except if I have to touch up my bangs). I figure this particular regimen gives the perfect balance of heat use.

Since I will be using heat, I have to modify my regimen a bit. When using heat, I am a firm believer of 'you got to put in what you take out.' This means I have to keep my protein/moisture levels in check! I plan to do this by using great DCs and steaming.

So here is what I plan to do:

Wash Day
--Hot Oil treatment with Kemi Oyl or Jamaican Black Castor Oil

--Wash with Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo or Mizani Thermasmooth Shampoo ( I will clarify my hair as needed with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo)

--Apply ORS Replenishing Conditioner or Aubrey Organics GPB to my hair

--Steam hair for 30 min

--Blowout using Mizani Thermasmooth Serum (Step 3)<--will wait until hair is 80% dry via air drying --Flat Iron using Beyond the Zone Heat Protectant **Will wrap hair nightly for 1 week. Prior to wrapping, I will moisturize using KeraCare Cream Hairdress and will seal ends using Kemi Oyl** **My hair will stay wrapped as long as I am in my apt** **Will not use heat to 'touch up my hair.' The only exception is for my bangs** Week 2 I will bun my hair, moisturize as needed, and leave my hair alone until wash day. Soooo..as you can see my regimen is pretty simple. As I get further into my stretch ( around 12-15 weeks post or so), I will incorporate wigs into the regimen if I don't feel like stretching. I'm really excited about this regimen and I am curious to see what effect this will have on my hair!

Thank the LAWD for Anti-Humectants!

Happy Monday lovelies!

Can you believe it's November already? 2012 has really flown by!

Anyway, for autumn and winter, I have resolved to straighten my hair 2x a month (wear my hair out and straight for 1 week, bun the next, wash, repeat). I gotta learn how to enjoy my hair more..otherwise, what am I growing it out for?

In the past, the biggest issue for me and straightening my hair was reversion. My hair would be straight immediately following a blow out but then..when I stepped outside with my locks a flowin'...that moisture would hit my hair,my hair would say 'haaaayyyy boo,' and then puff up.

It's extremely frustrating. Hours of work down the drain in a matter of minutes.


Recently, I found a way to prevent that: anti-humectants. Simply stated, anti-humectants block moisture from your hair (so you really have to take care to get the moisture you need to your hair BEFORE you apply this product). They are typically silicone-based so if your hair is sensitive to cones, take heed. All you have to do with anti-humectants is apply a little to your hair post flat ironing and BAM! Sleek hair!

I have only tried 2 anti-humectants thus far and they are:

Fantasia IC Frizz Buster: Now I have had this particular bottle of Frizz Buster since the beginning of my journey. I tried using it as a heat protectant and I don't recall being too thrilled with it. Recently, however, I have been using it as an anti-humectant. I LOVE it! I can get a good week of wearing my hair straight with minimal reversion using this product. I also love how it's readily available (you can find it in Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, etc.) and relatively inexpensive (costs about $8 or $9+tax). Make sure you get the serum and not the Frizz Buster in the jar though.

Mizani Thermasmooth Shine Extend Anti Humidity Spritz (Step 4): Now if you have been following my blog for awhile, you know that I have sung the praises of Mizani Thermasmooth from the highest of mountaintops. I love that system for straightening. I really do--just the first 3 steps though. I have not been impressed by this spritz. I just think my hair needs something heavier (like a serum) and not liquid-y to keep it from reverting too quickly. When I use this spritz, I get a day or two of sleek hair and then it's back to light and fluffy. This is the only step of the Thermasmooth system that I'm 'meh' about.

I really REALLY want to try:

Aveda Brillant Anti Humectant Pomade: The innanets have been singing thee PRAISES of this pomade....so you know I have to try it! It's a little pricey ($20) but I must try it! I've just been to lazy to go to the Aveda store to get it.


Bottom Line: Get a good anti-humectant! You won't be sorry!

What anti-humectants have you tried?

Look of the Day 10-22-12: Textured Bun

Happy Monday lovelies!


Soooooooo....that flexirod set I did this weekend was a TOTAL bust. Even after separating the curls, I looked like I was ready to board the good ship Lollipop and that simply was not gonna fly.

Typically, when I have a failed braid out or bantu knot out, I immediately put my hair into a bun. I actually like having some texture to a bun. It makes my hair look messy but neat (if that makes any sense lol). Anyway, check it out!

Sunday Chat: Have You Ever Just Wanted...to Say Something?

I know what you're thinking and yes, I am actually posting a Sunday Chat on a Sunday! Let's clap it up for that! * claps*


Now...on to the topic.

Giving unsolicited hair advice is always a tough thing for me. In my day to day, I see so many women whose hair is just beyond damaged and dry and whatever else adjective you can think of. Oftentimes, they will talk to me about hair their hair and how it is so difficult to do anything with it and really just ponder cutting their hair off. Meanwhile, I'm sitting there thinking "Well if you would stop relaxing it every time a curl pops up and moisturize it a bit, you'd be ok." But folks ain't trying to hear me though.

Once upon a time not long ago, when people wore pajamas and lived life slow, I actually tried to give hair advice that wasn't necessarily asked for. The response I got to my advice? "Well I don't have good hair like you."

o.O

Whatever.

So from that point on, I stopped giving advice that wasn't asked for. However, sometimes it's hard not to when you see that someone's hair is so damaged. I just want to be helpful and present some options they hadn't thought of. Instead, I have to just sit back and wait for those folks to come to me and asked their questions.


How do you deal with wanting to give advice? Have you ever received hair advice that you never asked for?

Wash Day 10/20/12 Or "Why I Stopped Doing Flexirod Sets In The First Place"

Happy Sunday lovelies!

I hope all of you are having a great day thus far. Right now, I'm currently in lab but I have some down time to update this here blog (I know, exciting right?).

Yesterday was my wash day. This particular was day was different because I decided to actually *DO* something to my hair. Any other wash day typically ends with my hair air drying in a ponytail or bun only to be placed in a bun. Not this time! I was going to enjoy my hair! Since I straightened my hair last week and really didn't feel like going through that whole process again, I decided to flexirod my hair.

Now, the last time I flexirod set my hair was AGES ago! I had to be SL the last time I did a set but since I have the large rods, I figured that I can give the rod set a go. As per usual, I washed my hair with Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo. I then slathered on some ORS Replenishing Conditioner and steamed my hair for 30 minutes. Then I began to flexirod my hair.

Here is what I used:

I used Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave In for....my leave in (lol). I then sectioned my hair into 4 sections and then sectioned those sections into 3 sections. For each of the smaller sections, I saturated my hair with Kinky Curly Spiral Spritz. Typically, when I do flexirod sets, I like to use products that will provide hold but won't make my hair crunchy. So, if I didn't have any Spiral Spritz available, I would have used a super diluted setting lotion (foam, liquid...it doesn't matter). Anyway, I then place end papers on my ends (some people don't do this, though) and proceeded to put the rods in my hair. In total, I used about 17 flexirods and it took me around 20 minutes to set my hair.

After that, I got under my dryer. That raggedy behind Conair.

Then I remembered why I stopped doing rod sets.

I hate that damn dryer.

I sat under that thing for 2 hours. 2 HOURS Y'ALL!! And my hair still wasn't dry. There were some sections that were. But the back? Nah they weren't dry. In fact, there is a section in the back that still isn't dry as I type this. The rods around the perimeter of my hair? Nope. 2 hours and it was like nothing happened. I had to eventually get from under the dryer because I eventually blew a fuse and figured it was a wrap for that. So I went to bed. Woke up. And got back under the dryer this morning.

Long story short, my hair ain't completely dry but I didn't have all day to sit under the dryer...I have things to do. However, I realized that I stop doing flexirods because the dry time is ridiculous! I just don't have 2 days to etch out just to dry my hair! It's time for a new dryer man smh.

However, I do have pics of the sections that are dry:

Now, I am not going to leave my hair like that! I still have to separate my curls but will do that tomorrow before I head to lab.

Anyway, what did you do to your hair this weekend?