AJ's CORNER

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Natural Hair on The Corner- High Buns, Animal Prints, Red Lips and My Edges 

Hey there honeybuns long time no connect. I’ve been slacking in my blogging. Anywho, I’m currently rocking some ass dusting braids. Today, I wrapped them up in a messy bun. But that’s not the good part about this post. The good part is someone had thee nerve to ask me why my braids were fuzzy around the sides and looking as if they were growing out already. Its only been two weeks they said. I had to break something very important down to them. 

I like my edges. Bottom line! I don’t braid my hair too tight (I do my braids myself for any newcomers) and those fuzzy pieces around the sides means I still have my EDGES. Be good to your edges and they will be good to you. Traction alopecia is real. But it won’t get me. 

Ease up on tight styles. The buns, the braids, the twists and make sure their not pulling on your edges. Traction alopecia in most cases is not reversable and can happen very quickly. Let’s keep our hair and scalps healthy. Until next time. 

xo Brandis

PS- I think the red lip gave the animal print a kick. I love meshing odd color combos.

Natural Hair on the Corner- Chunky Single Braids Brandy posted a pic of model/actress Lashontae in these chunky braids. These are hella awesome. My last round of braids were thick but not this thick. I wonder if they’re really heavy. Heavy are not they’re dope as shit. After braiding my friend’s hair to her butt, I decided I wanted some. Yes, I’m rocking some that touch my maximus right now and I love them. I’ll post a pic as soon as I can get a decent one. I suck at selfies. Xo Brandis

Natural Hair on the Corner- Chunky Single Braids

Brandy posted a pic of model/actress Lashontae in these chunky braids. These are hella awesome. My last round of braids were thick but not this thick. I wonder if they’re really heavy. Heavy are not they’re dope as shit.

After braiding my friend’s hair to her butt, I decided I wanted some. Yes, I’m rocking some that touch my maximus right now and I love them. I’ll post a pic as soon as I can get a decent one. I suck at selfies.

Xo Brandis

Natural Hair on The Corner- Butt Length Braids to Transition I’m transitioning my friend to natural. She wanted braids. So I gave her braids down to her assets. I’m tired but they look great. I wish I had a better picture of them. Ok off to shower and sleep. Xo Brandis PS- you can use witch hazel or sea breeze on a cotton ball to clean your scalp while rocking braids. You should also mix some oil with leave in conditioner and water in a spray bottle and spritz to moisturize.

Natural Hair on The Corner- Butt Length Braids to Transition

I’m transitioning my friend to natural. She wanted braids. So I gave her braids down to her assets. I’m tired but they look great. I wish I had a better picture of them.

Ok off to shower and sleep.

Xo Brandis

PS- you can use witch hazel or sea breeze on a cotton ball to clean your scalp while rocking braids. You should also mix some oil with leave in conditioner and water in a spray bottle and spritz to moisturize.

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Natural Hair on The Corner- Anu Essentials Products

So the other day I woke up with a massive fro that was both dry and brittle. I had worn my hair out for a few days but my true mishap was going to bed without covering my hair the night before. I was exhausted and figured it needed to be washed anyway so what the heck. I stood tugging at my strands and looking in my hair closet like what we gone do now Craig?

I like to switch up my products so my hair wouldn’t get immune to their ingredients and don’t work. So instead of reaching for that other conditioner I’ve been using for the past month or so, I grabbed Anu Essentials Moisture Rich Conditioner. It was still in the gift bag that I got from the product’s launch event. I put a little on my dry and tired tresses. My hair immediately became soft. I mean super soft. I kept the conditioner in for almost an hour then washed with the Nourishing Cleansing Gel Shampoo. I must say this shampoo works wonders. It cleans but don’t strip the hair leaving it feeling dry. Also, a little goes a long way. Just a small amount lathered my entire head. I then used some of the herbal oil on my strands before I blew them out and flat ironed for my cut.

The best part of using these products is the smell. Infused with natural oils and containing no parabens or sulfates, these products are excellent for your hair. After all they are made by Anu Prestonia, owner of Khamit Kinks salon in Brooklyn NY. She has decades in the hair game and is well versed in health and wellness. I was told your hair looks and smells delicious by a friend a few nights ago. I can get with that.

A few days ago I posted a few picks of me right after I cut my hair. Click through the pics above to see the pic of me that was posted to Anu Essentials Instagram account. I’m very flattered. Having healthy hair is very important to me and using products like this maintains its health. It has never felt or looked better. Team natural everything all day.

Log onto http://anuessentials.com for more products and visit Khamit Kinks in Brooklyn to get your coif did. They’ve mastered natural hair styling. Trust!

xo Brandis 

PS- I used a little of the soft set gel to do a straw set in a transitioner’s hair and it worked great. Cop some of that too.

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Fashion and Beauty Met Natural Hair- Eden BodyWorks’ Style With Eden Event

When I think about Eden BodyWorks, I can hear Biggie Smalls singing “and another one” as in another fab event. About a year ago, Eden BodyWorks launched its new Jojoba Monoi line with a Brunch with Eden series. This year, Eden BodyWorks kicked off its Style with Eden series to announce its new Coconut Oil and Shea Butter infused products at Pranna in NYC. 

The event was attended by NYC’s stylistas and natural hair lovers. Bloggers, beauty, fashion and media mavens mingled and gagged over each others hair and accessories while enjoying delicious bites and cocktails. There was also an informational panel in true Eden fashion (always educating on the importance of natural, healthy, beauty practices) that included Felicia Leatherwood, Natural Hair Stylist and Founder of Loving Your Hair with Natural Care, Kela Walker, Style Contributor to Black Enterprise and Founder of Kela’s Kloset, Latisha Daring, Owner and Designer of Asytyn LLC, and Milly Almodovar, Beauty Editor for Cosmo Latina and Founder of Beauty Logic Blog. 

The event took place on the first day of Spring but the weather didn’t get the memo. Because it was so cold out, I opted for my trusty black wrap dress, black and gold Cesare Pacoitti boots, bright necklace and a bright lip. I tried to throw spring in there with the lip and necklace although it was clearly winter outside. (rolls eyes extra hard)

Overall, the night was amazing as everyone networked and connected. Click through the pics to see how everything shaped up. As soon as I try the new Coconut Shea products I will do a review. There were new additions like curly puddings in soft and medium hold as well as a co wash, leave in conditioner, and shampoo. The products are slated to hit Walmart stores in the beginning of April. 

Check out Eden BodyWorks’ facebook page to see when Style with Eden will hit a city near you. Attending one of their events is so worth it. Until next time lovelies.

xo Brandis 

In the pictures- 

1. Moi dressed in all black with a few pops of color.

2. Style with Eden banner that featured designs by Ashaka Givens.

3. Eden BodyWorks Founder Jasmine and Kela Walker.

4. Event Coordinator and PR Powerhouse behind the night, Renae Bluitt and guest.

5. Eden BodyWorks social media maven Elisa gives a big grin.

6. Guests dined on delectables like firecracker shrimp, beef sliders, chicken wraps and sweet potato fries. 

7. Product shot

Natural Hair on The Corner- A Fresh Cut So spring is suppose to be in the air here on the east coast but it seems as though Mother Nature hasn’t gotten the memo. Maybe she’s still going through some ish and taking it out on the rest of us. She really needs a hug. Anyway, whether spring is on its way soon or not, it was time to say good bye to those dry winter ends. My ends were just there, chilling. Not doing much of nothing. They weren’t responding well to deep conditioning treatments, which I apply weekly. Nor were they absorbing any moisturizers. Diagnosis, its time to go. I knew winter played a rough game with my hair this year with its harsh temps and unpredictable precipitation. I knew a cut must be had but I was trying to hold out until my bday in May. If you’ve read this blog before you would know I have no problem cutting my hair at all. I actually wonder how long it would be if I didn’t cut so much over the last 6 years? A few of my good friends threatened to take my scissors. Trust, they won’t do it. Who do you think maintains their ends? But that’s another conversation. Either who, damage ends lead to a full head of damaged hair. Your ends should be clipped regularly. You can not retain length with damaged ends. Ie: splits and fairy knots. Get a good clip or cut and watch your tresses transform. I washed my hair, blew it dry, and went over small sections once with a flat iron. I don’t believe in cutting curly hair. The cut is never precise and you can’t see the damaged ends correctly. (I’m a little OCD when it comes to even cuts) Oh and remember to use a heat protectant before applying heat. But ahh go head and get a fresh clip or cut for spring. Your hair will thank you. Trust. xo Brandis

Natural Hair on The Corner- A Fresh Cut

So spring is suppose to be in the air here on the east coast but it seems as though Mother Nature hasn’t gotten the memo. Maybe she’s still going through some ish and taking it out on the rest of us. She really needs a hug. Anyway, whether spring is on its way soon or not, it was time to say good bye to those dry winter ends.

My ends were just there, chilling. Not doing much of nothing. They weren’t responding well to deep conditioning treatments, which I apply weekly. Nor were they absorbing any moisturizers. Diagnosis, its time to go.

I knew winter played a rough game with my hair this year with its harsh temps and unpredictable precipitation. I knew a cut must be had but I was trying to hold out until my bday in May. If you’ve read this blog before you would know I have no problem cutting my hair at all. I actually wonder how long it would be if I didn’t cut so much over the last 6 years? A few of my good friends threatened to take my scissors. Trust, they won’t do it. Who do you think maintains their ends? But that’s another conversation.

Either who, damage ends lead to a full head of damaged hair. Your ends should be clipped regularly. You can not retain length with damaged ends. Ie: splits and fairy knots. Get a good clip or cut and watch your tresses transform. I washed my hair, blew it dry, and went over small sections once with a flat iron. I don’t believe in cutting curly hair. The cut is never precise and you can’t see the damaged ends correctly. (I’m a little OCD when it comes to even cuts) Oh and remember to use a heat protectant before applying heat.

But ahh go head and get a fresh clip or cut for spring. Your hair will thank you. Trust.

xo Brandis

Natural Hair on The Corner- My Love/Hate Relationship with Protective Styling What is the deal with protective styling? I bumped into someone who complimented me on my hair that was out, flying wild and completely big. I said the most sincerest thanks. She then asked what protective styles do I wear? She said, “I know you don’t wear all that hair out all the time.” I giggled. My relationship with protective styling is a little sometimeish. I do protective styling to give my hair a break once in a while. Actually, its really because I’m being lazy or just want to change my look. Or for that one instance when I dyed my hair and had to completely grow it back out. (I don’t get along with dyes but that’s another conversation) However, my thing with protective styling is, why grow out your hair to keep it braided, twisted or in a bun? That’s absolute madness to me. What’s the point? If you’re going to go through the trouble of growing your hair, then show it honey. Let all your hard work be known. While I may put two peasant braids (a la Tracee Ellis Ross) or flat twist in my hair every once and a while, the bottomline is I love my hair out. It may shrink up (like in the picture above) but I adore it. Natural hair is very versatile. It can be worn in many different ways. Protective styling is a great way to retain length but when is enough, enough. Also, if done in excess and not handled correctly you can be doing more harm than good to your tresses. If your hair is already long and healthy, let it out. Have fun with it. I know I have a ball with mine. Do you constantly wear your hair in protective styles or do you let your fro flow? xo Brandis

Natural Hair on The Corner- My Love/Hate Relationship with Protective Styling

What is the deal with protective styling? I bumped into someone who complimented me on my hair that was out, flying wild and completely big. I said the most sincerest thanks. She then asked what protective styles do I wear? She said, “I know you don’t wear all that hair out all the time.” I giggled. My relationship with protective styling is a little sometimeish.

I do protective styling to give my hair a break once in a while. Actually, its really because I’m being lazy or just want to change my look. Or for that one instance when I dyed my hair and had to completely grow it back out. (I don’t get along with dyes but that’s another conversation) However, my thing with protective styling is, why grow out your hair to keep it braided, twisted or in a bun? That’s absolute madness to me. What’s the point? If you’re going to go through the trouble of growing your hair, then show it honey. Let all your hard work be known.

While I may put two peasant braids (a la Tracee Ellis Ross) or flat twist in my hair every once and a while, the bottomline is I love my hair out. It may shrink up (like in the picture above) but I adore it. Natural hair is very versatile. It can be worn in many different ways. Protective styling is a great way to retain length but when is enough, enough. Also, if done in excess and not handled correctly you can be doing more harm than good to your tresses. If your hair is already long and healthy, let it out. Have fun with it. I know I have a ball with mine.

Do you constantly wear your hair in protective styles or do you let your fro flow?

xo Brandis

Natural Hair on The Corner- My Hair’s Current State This winter came with its chilled temps and brisk winds and caused all types of dryness for my tresses. Even in protective styles my hair became very dry. I rationalized the dryness with the fact that I was constantly going from one extreme to the next. Indoors where it was warm, especially in my apartment, then outside to freeze.  However, I’ve had a few saving graces. Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme and Super Sweetback Treatment, Karen’s Body Beautiful Naturally Chic Leave-in Conditioner, and my whipped shea butter (raw shea butter, jamaican black castor oil, virgin olive oil and water). My biggest discovery, my hair loves water. Water makes it super soft and it absorbs moisturizers better when wet. After growing out a dye job that was done in June of 2010, my hair now reaches my armpit when you stretch the back down and to under my chin where I once had bangs. It took about 5 cuts (like inches not just clipping my ends) and some protective styling to grow it out. Its doing great but its been a learning experience.  I grew up in a salon. Its a family trade. Although I’ve never gone to beauty school, I know a lot about how to take care of hair and how to style it. My natural hair started to flourish when I blocked out the majority of info that was on blogs and you tube and simply asked myself how did you get mid-back length hair before. There’s so much info online that its crazy. Everyone is an expert. It bothers me because with all the info out there new naturals can’t decide what advice they should take. Here’s my bottom line. Natural hair is not stressful but it does require patience. It shouldn’t take 500 products and 14 hours to wash and style your hair. I don’t believe in co-washing, I know its necessary to have a clean scalp. I use peppermint soap and clarify once a month with apple cider vinegar. Deep conditioning is a must. I do it every week. I use heat and my hair is not heat damaged at all. I blow dry with a comb attachment on a low setting. This was a big deal because everywhere I looked said do not use heat. My hair was cut a lot over the years because of tangles and knots. When I started to blow dry, I got way fewer knots and my hair was able to retain length. Leave in conditioners are also mandatory. Lastly, you should clip your ends every few months and clip knots whenever you find them. Moral of this hair story is, my hair is doing well. I want everyone’s hair to do well. I went natural before it was trendy. Its actually a trend that I appreciate because it promotes hair health. I only ask that you seek information from a credible source. Don’t follow the girl with mixed heritage regimen because that won’t work for your kinks and coils. Like everything else in life you have to do you. If you have questions, feel free to ask but the bottom line is you have to find what works for you. I’m working on having a big, disrespectful, taking up people’s personal space fro this spring/summer. I hope you’ll join me. Lol xo Brandis 

Natural Hair on The Corner- My Hair’s Current State

This winter came with its chilled temps and brisk winds and caused all types of dryness for my tresses. Even in protective styles my hair became very dry. I rationalized the dryness with the fact that I was constantly going from one extreme to the next. Indoors where it was warm, especially in my apartment, then outside to freeze. 

However, I’ve had a few saving graces. Miss Jessies Curly Buttercreme and Super Sweetback Treatment, Karen’s Body Beautiful Naturally Chic Leave-in Conditioner, and my whipped shea butter (raw shea butter, jamaican black castor oil, virgin olive oil and water). My biggest discovery, my hair loves water. Water makes it super soft and it absorbs moisturizers better when wet.

After growing out a dye job that was done in June of 2010, my hair now reaches my armpit when you stretch the back down and to under my chin where I once had bangs. It took about 5 cuts (like inches not just clipping my ends) and some protective styling to grow it out. Its doing great but its been a learning experience. 

I grew up in a salon. Its a family trade. Although I’ve never gone to beauty school, I know a lot about how to take care of hair and how to style it. My natural hair started to flourish when I blocked out the majority of info that was on blogs and you tube and simply asked myself how did you get mid-back length hair before. There’s so much info online that its crazy. Everyone is an expert. It bothers me because with all the info out there new naturals can’t decide what advice they should take. Here’s my bottom line.

Natural hair is not stressful but it does require patience. It shouldn’t take 500 products and 14 hours to wash and style your hair. I don’t believe in co-washing, I know its necessary to have a clean scalp. I use peppermint soap and clarify once a month with apple cider vinegar. Deep conditioning is a must. I do it every week. I use heat and my hair is not heat damaged at all. I blow dry with a comb attachment on a low setting. This was a big deal because everywhere I looked said do not use heat. My hair was cut a lot over the years because of tangles and knots. When I started to blow dry, I got way fewer knots and my hair was able to retain length. Leave in conditioners are also mandatory. Lastly, you should clip your ends every few months and clip knots whenever you find them.

Moral of this hair story is, my hair is doing well. I want everyone’s hair to do well. I went natural before it was trendy. Its actually a trend that I appreciate because it promotes hair health. I only ask that you seek information from a credible source. Don’t follow the girl with mixed heritage regimen because that won’t work for your kinks and coils. Like everything else in life you have to do you.

If you have questions, feel free to ask but the bottom line is you have to find what works for you. I’m working on having a big, disrespectful, taking up people’s personal space fro this spring/summer. I hope you’ll join me. Lol

xo Brandis