The Differences in Natural Oils

Picture By: netsnake

While reading different natural hair care blogs and websites you might notice that each writer or subscriber has different preferences of oil. Some praise coconut oil, others olive or argon. The reality is that all of these oils are great sealants (oil is NOT a moisturizer!) for natural hair. But there are little differences about these oils that may be helpful to some new or even veteran curlies.

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (commonly referred to as EVOO) is the mega oil. You will hear a lot of positive things about it on various blogs because it can do so much!

Consistency:

This oil is heavier in consistency than other oils, so heavy handed people beware. A little really goes a long way, so don't be tempted to use too much while sealing or styling. This is also another benefit of olive oil. Using a little each time you do your hair will make it last a long time. I'm all about saving money.

Benefits:

Like I said, it is the mega oil. EVOO seals in moisture, is great when added to deep conditioners (or on its own for a hot oil treatment) and it both prevents split ends and improves the strength of the hair. Conditioning? Strengthens? What does that equal? Hair Growth Babeh.

2. Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another favorite in the natural community. Beware that all coconut oil is not created equal. The best kinds are usually more expensive and it is best to get it online or from a health food store. And don't fall for cheap products in the hair stores with a huge Coconut Oil label on the front. Read the ingredients. It's 90% petroleum and fragrance. Not the best quality.

Consistency:

Coconut Oil is kinda weird because it is solid at room temperature, but when melted slightly, it is a very light oil. A little goes a long way with this oil and the lightness prevents it from weighing down you hair when used in moderation. Because this product is solid at room temperature, some naturals find it easier to use for sealing/stylig and for deep conditioning treatments since it is not as messy as oils in their liquid form.

Benefits:

Coconut oil smells better than most oils naturals use on their hair. This may not be a big thing for some, but others prefer a sweet smelling oil over the not so sweet smell of others. It also is great for dry hair because it conditions and penetrates the hair shaft well. It is also another oil that strengthens the hair which means less breakage/split ends.

3. Grapeseed Oil

Now this oil is my personal favorite on the list. I used this oil to seal my freshly conditioned hair along with my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. The result was ridiculous moisture. My hair felt better than it had my entire natural life.

Consistency:

Light. This oil is super light and you only need a little to properly sel your hair.

Benefits:

There are many benefits of grape seed oil use. The first is that is is odorless, so if you don't like the smell of olive or coconut oil, then grapeseed oil is a smart alternative. This oil works as a heat protectant for naturals who may blowdry or flat iron their hair from time to time. The hair shaft absorbs grape seed oil much faster than heavier oils and is great for deep conditioning or hot oil treatments. It strengthens, adds shine, and once again- it is good for hair growth.

I will do a part two of this post soon because that is all I have time to do now. (I've got stacks on stack of homework lol). But what are some of your favorite oils curlies?

Much Love :)

Whatcha Man Gotta Do With Me?

Picture by: Sam Howzit

Men. They come in all shapes, colors, sizes and levels of maturity. And with a variation of lame or stupid pick up lines.

Men, while approaching a lady (not a female, a lady) and expressing interest, if the young lady replies that she has a boyfriend/fiance/husband DO NOT reply with: "Whatcha man gotta do with me?" or "What does that have to do with me and you?" or "So? This is college."

You're already showing your lack of respect for monogamous relationships and therefore any decent woman will immediately lose interest.

Or perhaps you're not even looking for a decent woman which is why you thought that line would work?

Ladies have you had experiences with lame or inappropriate pick up lines?

:)

Long Distance Dating in College

Picture By: zoetnet

College life is great. You meet a lot of cool people and learn all kinds of interesting things. But something that could put a slight  (or major) damper on your college experiences is doing it without your number one partner in crime by your side.

With 4,186 different colleges and universities in the United States, the chances of you and your current or potential beau attending the same college may be slim.

However, with new and rising technologies it's quite possible to maintain a happy, healthy relationship when the love of your life is away- be it 1 hour or 20.

1. Set Boundaries/ Establish Trust

The very first thing to do when beginning a long term relationship is to make sure you trust each other and that you know what pushes the others buttons. Establishing some rules does not mean you don't trust your partne. It's just a way to ensure that the pair of you are on the same page as far as what constitutes as cheating or what you would be uncomfortable with.

Different people and couples have varying beliefs about cheating. Some couples think texting another girl/boy constantly is cheating while others agree that only sexual physical contact is off limits. The important thing is for a long distance couple is to explain what makes each of you uncomfortable in an open, calm, non-accusatory way so that there is no confusion/accusations down the line.

Once the rules are set, you have to trust that your partner will stick by them. Trust is a huge part of any relationship, and if you feel as if you can't trust your boyfriend/girlfriend, then you need to go ahead and have that conversation as well.

2. Cell Phones vs. Text Messaging

Thanks to the use of cell phones, it's common for couples in college to communicate by talking on the phone or texting. Some people dislike texting as a way to get in contact with their mate because:

• messages can be misconstrued or misinterpreted
• they feel it is impersonal
• they are too busy to text constantly
• they would rather hear a voice than a text tone.

Despite this, some couples don't mind maintaining conversations through text:

• you are able to do homework/watch tv/hang out while texting
• you can have constant communication throughout the day instead of an hour conversation before bed.

In reality it is really up to you and your boyfriend/girlfriend and whatever the pair of you are comfortable with. Some couples talk on the phone once a week while others text all day. Either one is normal and acceptable as long as you both are happy with it.



3. Video Chat

Video chatting is a great way to talk to your partner if hearing their voice over the phone just isn't enough. It's popular for those in long distance relationships who just want some face time.


Do you guys know any other cool ways to keep in contact with your partner or do you have any more tips? Feel free to comment! :)

 

Youtube Obsession!!!

Thanks NappySexyFly for posting these videos or else I never would have found them. These really show off the beauty of natural hair.

Subscribe! I know I am lol.

Who Wears Short Shorts?: Racial Double Standards

Photo By: Jemingway

Sorry guys. It's the best pic I can find wihtout being overtly gross. And I was going to find a pic to use (preferably for free) of a black girl in shorts and have you compare the two photos. However I don't think there are many pics of black women on the internet that are both free to use and non pornographic. (seriously I googled free pics of black women (okay in hindsight it sounds stupid) but I got several porn sites in return.)

I've notived the double standard of black/white girl codes of dress. Most commonly (from my eperiences, anyway) tis deals with shorts, skirts, any type clothing that reveals the legs. It's unfortunately really common for people to disapprove of a black woman wearing short shorts, short skirts, etc., while white women often do with no reperussions. No one says they look like a ho or that they should cover up.

A friend of mine stated that this was the same way in her high school. The black girls in her school were told to go home or that they need to change if they are seen wearing shorts or skirts at school, while non black students were allowed full freedom of dress. One teacher stated that this rule was because non black students "had more curvacious figures" than their black peers, and therefore was less of a threat to disrupting education.

I call BS on the whole thing. I'm black. I have little to no curves as is the case for many black girls/women. And yet we still don't have free license as far as dress wihtout getting the side eye.

I believe this standard goes even farther than trendy clothing. This has alot to do with how black women are and have been portrayed for a very long time. Black women are viewed as un-feminine sex objects, therefore we are taught that we are not as appealing as our non black counterparts, and are not granted the same benefit of being thought of as innocent until proven slutty.

This topic remind me of an article on Beyond Black & White, where the author Christelyn Karazin explains why she doesn't believe black women can participate in the feminist movement of the Slut Walk in the same way that a white woman can. The Slut Walk movement is an attempt to 'shock' society by showing womn of all races marching down the street in scantily clad wear.

While this may jerk at the hearts of those who view non black women as innocent, pure, and virginal. What will it say about black women who have never had the privilage of being thought as such? The jist of this is that since black women are already viewed as sluts, hos, tricks etc., there will be no shock value from seeing a black woman struttin' down the street in lingerie. That simply would be reinforcing the already overdone stereotype of the oversexualized black woman. Kind of counterproductive for a feminist movement.

I've even heard people say (when I bring up this argument randomly) that white women are just allowed to wear these things because when black girls do it it's probably to gain male attention. (This person was not black.)

I guess I can see this point because I know quite alot of thirsty, fresh, hot, and whatever other slang term to mean just plain FAST girls around campus who actually do dress for male attention. And these people may be getting their information from various rap videos or club visits.
Whatever.

 But to assume the entire black female population are wearing shorts or skirts to gain a man is insulting and racist and just plain stupid. I wear shorts/skirts/dresses because I live in the south and it's 90-100 degrees and I just refuse to be uncomfortable in that kind of heat and I don't give a rats balls what guy looks or doesn't look because I don't value myself based on that.

So what about you guys? Have you gotten side eyes for your choice of dress while surrounded by non blacks who are doing the same? What are your experiences with Racial Double Standards?

Don't hesitate :)



Blogs I'm Obsessed With

Photo By: Rob Pearce

There are times when you're thinking something random or you're feeling some type of way and a friend says exactly what you're thinking and feeling at the moment.

It's the "That's what I'm talkin bout!" moment that people often share and relish in. The acknowledgement that you are not the only human being in the world with this particular pet peeve o thought or belief.

With that being said, I've recently found some great women who are bloggers and I CANT STOP READING their posts. I honestly think I've read every article on each of their sites. I hope I can be as good as them one day but sometimes I get a bit spazzish as I write and I'm not sure if my point is getting across. (Maybe you've noticed? Lol).

But anyways I was doing random link clickage starting at BitchMedia which led me to Blogher which led me to Yes, We're Together. That blog site led me to Beyond Black & White and then on that site I found Living Single and Christian and finally that site led me (somehow I don't quite remember lol) to Politically Unapologetic. All of these links lead to many great, smart female writers so feel free to click away and mention who sent you their way. :)



Booquisha?

It's late.

I have class in the morning.

But I had to hop out of bed as soon as I heard this. I'm flipping through channels and I land on Lifetime and see yet another stage mom show. This time it's Abbey Lee's Dance Company show and cool we'll see how this goes.

One of the dance moms, Holly, the only black one, s a little black girl in the dance crew, and she is offended that her daughter's costume is the only animal print one. Okay I can see the offensiveness there.
But then the Company director (Abbey Lee I guess). asked her to have an afro for the performance.

I can kind of see the offense in that. Maybe the mom thought her daughter would be the object of ridicule being the only brown girl with afro hair. But Holly's reaction was uncalled for none the less.

"I'm not Booquisha! We don't wear afros!"

Now that was offensive. Afro does NOT equal ghetto. And to have a black woman say so is even more so offensive. Honey we know what you and your daughter's hair looks like without a perm. An it ain't straight.

She goes on to complain to the white Dance moms about how black people have "worked so hard to get past all that, It's the 21st century"

Get past what exactly? Our own blackness? The soft, beautiful, versatile hair that God blessed us with?

You're right Dance Mom Holly. It is the 21st century. So time to get rid of your hangups and get with the natural movement. Maybe the Dance Lady wanted you daughter to have an afro to Celebrate the difference between her and the other girls.

And maybe you should learn to celebrate black hair too.

I AM ASHAMED

GROOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSS!!!

Sorry if you couldn't get through a full four minutes of that. But I just had to write about it.

This. Is. Ridic.

There is not enough money in the world to make me do anything like this (not that I could move like that anyway lol) but still. Black women participating in things like this is what sets us back. It's what makes guys call us slurs rather than names. And people just accept it. SMDH!!!

Rap Video Girls!

I don’t have to point out the disgusting image of black women that is portrayed by the rap community (and yes, I know it’s not all of them but A LOT of them). I mean just look at the video. It says it all. 

 And women claim to like and accept this music despite the message because they ‘like the beat’Is this how girls run the world? Running what exactly? How can you be empowered as a woman while accepting that the culture most popular with black men says you’re best suited on your back or on your knees?

And men are sold this kind of lifestyle because it appeals to them. A life of being rich and getting hoes probably sounds a hell of a lot better than the situation a lot of young black men are in. So they become fed this sense of entitlement that that is the life they deserve and therefore those types of females (note I didn’t say WOMEN) are those that they deserve.

And what do black women do to retaliate? Do we band together and as one fight this objectification of women?

Nope.

A lot of women would rather conform to the idea of what a bad man (not necessarily a black man because there are rotten bananas in each bunch) than lose the chance to be in a relationship.

You can’t simultaneously beg for better treatment and accept bullshit at the same time.

Youtube Obsession

The 7th episode is finally here.


The Misadventures of An Awkward Black Girl

Click it.

Now.

Penis on a Pedestal?

Picture by: terren in Virginia

And the winner is....?

I live in the south. And a lot of people have their own personal opinions about interracial relationships. Specifically MY interracial relationship.

My boyfriend is white and I'm obviously black and I've written about certain annoyances we've encountered just because we're not the same skin tone. And I understand the historical reasons why some people don't agree with interracial relationships, but those reasons can be just as stupid or hurtful as anything else.

But I've found myself meeting a strange reaction from some black women that I find just as taxing as the free love haters. Of course there are lots of african american women who feel as if any relationship that is not black on black is wrong, but alot of the time I get this reaction:

"You date a white boy? For REAL? How can I get one?"

or

"You need to train ME on how to get one!"

Sighs.

Are white men really such a commodity that some women feel as if it is a sign of 'coming up' if you get a white man to be interested in you? I honestly don't think so. I love my babe to death bt if I'd met a black, hispanic, asian, purple, green, blue man who matched me as perfectly as he did prior to our dating relationship, then I would be with them. My attraction has nothing to do with his skin tone but whats inside him is what atracts me the most.

And it perplexes (and worries) me that soem black women actually believe that by dating outside theri race, they will actually find a man that deserves them and will treat them right. White guys cheat and abuse just like black does, hispanic, asian, etc guys do and it has nothing to do with skin tone but the hurtful and hateful person inside of them.

Another reason this worries me because that whole white man can do know wrong mentality is what alot of black women who see the beauty in interracial relationships are bombarded with from family members and others in the black community. The disgusting accusation that because a black woman is with a white man (or any other race than black) is because she secretly or outwardly hates black men and believes that other races are superior. Maybe some black woman actually feel this way, but that is not the case with me and I'm sure a number of women don't agree with that either.

So my question is why do some women put certain men on a pedestal? This doesn't have to just be about white men, but any race of man. I hate the whole 'my (insert race her) man is better thn yours because (insert stereotype here). So be honest and do NOT be hurtful while commenting because like it or not, Love knows no race.

:)



Transitioning Styles

This one is for my lovely suite mate Shanice who is currently transitioning from relaxed to natural and is having some trouble with styling.

But first!!! Some back ground information.


Transitioning in the natural community is a term often used to describe the process of growing out one's permed hair and cutting it gradually rather than cutting their hair off all at once.

This process can be difficult for a lot of naturals because the line at which the permed hair and new natural hair meet is a very fragile area and there can be lots of breakage as a result.

With that being said it's difficult to find hairstyles that will both protect the transitioning hair from breakage as well as make the two textures blend and look uniform since half the hair is curly while the other is straight.

1. Cornrows

This transitioning style is a good one since cornrows usually allows for hair protection and both textures are able to work with this hairstyle. A word of caution goes with this hair style choice. If the cornrows are done too tightly, then it can do more harm than good. Also some naturals may not like how cornrows look on them.

2.Bantu Knots

This is a good style for both transitioning and current naturals since it allows the ends of our hair to be tucked away which will reduce breakage. Some naturals have and easier time with this than others and the ability to do this depends on hair length (if I'm wrong feel free to correct me). But the style is cute and unique if done right, and you can even do a Bantu knot out, which is like a twist out, but the resulting curl is different and much looser.

3. Weaves!!!!!!!
Lol a lot of naturals go for this option when transitioning because there are so many different options to go with. You can do sew ins or microbraids (though be cautious of tight braiding and edge breakage) or boxbraids- any kind of weave style you can think of. This style choice can be good, since the ends are hidden and therefore protected, which reduces breakage. I would advise you to do your research before you get anything done. I'm not only talking about making sure your hairdresser is certified but also finding out the best ways to care for your natural or transitioning hair while it is in this style as far as washing, conditioning, and maintaining the look.


What are your favorite transitioning styles?

Everyone Likes Me (and other lies I told myself in highschool)

i dunno why i chose balloons

This piece is not a pity piece though I understand that the title may be misleading. It's not one of those annoying articles where the girl  goes "Oh! I'm so ugly and unpopular! Somebody please comment and tell me otherwise!" The truth is I don't believe either of those things and it's not because I'm conceited but because I know exactly who and what I am. Which brings me to the first thing on my list:

1. I know exactly who and what I am

I understand that there are some people who feel like they know who they are and what they want at age 16, 18..21....whatever. But I'm just not that person. Sure I know and understand somethings about myself but I'm only 20 years old. My brain hasn't even fully developed yet and I'm definitely not done maturing, but in high school I thought I was. I'm sure plenty of young girls feel that same way. You get one grade closer to college freedom and they think they know everything and more than everyone. You're one hundred percent sure that you want to be a model, actress, hairstylist, scientist, engineer when you get older. Your style is indie chic with a single dread or pink streak in the front of your head to show everyone you're an individual and you're damn sure not gonna change anytime soon.

But it's not true. Most college students change their majors at least once and lots of people who decide college is not their ideal life path find that they become interested in new things as they grow.

Me? I've known I've wanted to be a writer since elementary school and that's about the only thing that has remained the same. My ambitions, clothes, beliefs have changed so often since then. And not that I was being untrue to who I was or "fake" as the young kids say. But I believe each phase was just a little piece of who I actually am. For example I used to think that I was shy and quiet only to realize my Sophomore year of college that I'm quite opinionated and outspoken. Sure at times I'm still shy but it's no longer something I would label myself as since it doesn't happen as frequently.

 So will I ever know and understand each piece that makes up the puzzle of me? No. I don't think I will and I kind of like it that way. Take THAT high school me.

2. Everyone Likes Me

This next number kind of goes hand in hand with the first. Since I've explored many different aspects of my personality, I've found myself in a wide range of different groups of people who I could identify myself with at the time. That being said I've always had at least one close friend in my life with lots of associates, and honestly, that's okay with me. I'd much rather have a single best friend than a thousand facebook ones.

Anyway, I'm not sure how i happened. I guess I've always been pretty well liked and I never stepped on anyones toes on purpose, therefore at some point I got it into my head that everyone likes me. Imagine my surprise when people tell me that so and so thinks I'm stuck up or the old playground accusation of "she thinks she's allll that!". Even in college some of my friends have told me that when they first saw me they thought I might be prissy and a little stuck up.

I'm not sure how anyone got these ideas even now. I don't talk about myself or my goals excessively and even so a lot of these people make this assumption based on my appearance which I think is kind of stupid. I try to appear put together and confident because I am. That doesn't mean I'm stuck up. But I digress. My point is (trust me there is one haha) that everyone is not going to like you and the more people you meet and the more friends you make the more people you're going to piss off. Sometimes for doing nothing at all. But the important thing is for you to be okay with that. I know some friends who thrive off the approval of others. But as long as you're happy with yourself you really shouldn't care. Ugh That didn't sound too cheesy did it?

3. Keeping it Real Doesn't Mean be a Douche 

I would love to say that this one doesn't apply to me and it was really my ex best friend who everyone hated and grew up ugly and hunchbacked, but the truth is in high school it Was me. I wasn't exactly the 'mean girl' because I was a nerd so what could I do? But I was pretty mean to people I thought were beneath me by being not as smart or ugly or whatever I was against that day.

Thankfully I'm not that way now and I honestly did it to make myself feel better. But I've found that some college aged people and even those who are older have yet to learn this particular lesson. There is a distinct difference between being 'real' and being 'an asshole'. I hope no one gets offended by my language I'm really not a sailor but I feel the word fits here. Being 'real' does not mean you whisper to your friends that the girl across the lunchroom looks like a fat cow. That's called being rude.

Being real is telling your friends she has a booger hanging out of her nose or that her boobs pop out too much in her dress. Being real is saying what you feel in your heart like 'Twilight is a stupid series and pickles are gross' as opposed to pretending to like Twilight or pickles.

Talking about people behind their backs or acting like a douche bag does not make you a real it just makes you a horrible person.

Super Natural vs. Tales of a DRC

Aww isn't she cute? I was thinking of changing my blog title to Super Natrural!!! (get it lol I'm a dork). But I'm not sure if I want to change the name/logo at all. I kind of like 'Tales of a Dorm Room Curly'. The title is meant to sound like 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing' (Am I the only one who loved that book as a kid?) Anyway, 'Tales of a Dorm Room Curly' might be a kind of hard title for people to remember so I just wondered what you guys thought? Super Natural or Tales of a Dorm Room Curly?

Any feedback is appreciated!!

:)

Money Saving Tips for the Frugal College Curly

Me dabbling in photography

I've written articles before about how to save money on college textbooks. But this blog isn't just for curlies in college, but for curlies who need to save a buck as well lol.

I know al ot of people are turned off by the idea of natural hair because they feel it is too expensive and taking care of straighter hair is just less work/time/effort/money. But curly veterans know that this simply isn't true. Please don't fall for the sites that tell you that individuals with natural hair can only use the most expensive products. Natural hair can be just as happy and healthy with these simple tips.

1. Buy the cheapie products.

I know different naturals like different things. Some like super thick conditioners others don't care. Some only want sulfate free shampoos while others prefer to co-wash. Whatever your preference I'm sure you can find a cheap product that will float your boat. Here is a list of some curly favorites for cheap shampoos/conditioners that get the job done:

Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration Shampoo

Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration Conditioner

Aussie Moist Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner

VO5 Moisture Milk Strawberries and Cream

Trader Joe's Refresh Citrus Shampoo

2. Another tip on how to stretch a dollar is to stretch your amount of product. You can always add natural oils or honey to your conditioners in order to make them last a little longer. These items also give your products an extra boost so that although cheap, they'll still work great. Just be sure to use oils that will actually penetrate your hair shaft. Some examples of these are:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Coconut Oil

Grapeseed Oil

Jojoba Oil

3. My third and final tip is to DIY. Do it yourself.  I know plenty of women in the african american community who spend hundreds of dollars on their hair. I understand that juggling jobs, children, and alone time can be taxing and some people do not posses the skill needed to deal with their own hair. It just seems so much easier to have somebody else do it. But it never hurts to try. Try doing something new or different to your hair. You might surprise yourself with what you can actually accomplish on your own.

I also know some people worry about 'messing their hair up'. But I've found that doing your own hair allows you to figure out what your hair likes, which in turn will even help you communicate with your hairdresser better about what you need.

Hairstyle of the Day

Stay Curly! :)

Yarn Braid Tutorial...Kinda

So I just finished doing my older sister's yarn braids so I thought this time I'd post some pics to show how I did it and what I used.

For this job we used both black and dark brown acrylic yarn.  Some brands of black yarn becomes a dark blue or purple color once its washed. So we used Red Heart Super Saver brand because it's a lot of yarn and other hair blogs say this yarn retains color best after being washed.

We tied a single strong of each color yarn on to a leg of a chair and since she wanted her braids to be long, we wrapped the yarn around all four legs of the chair. If you want shorter braids, you can wrap the yarn over just two or three of the chair legs. Once we  had a good amount of wrapped yarn, we cut the yarn.

Before braiding, I would part her hair and fold two or three strands of the yarn in half. Then I braid it into her hair just like one would do for any type of single strand braid such as box and micro braids. Here is an example of some braids once I did a few.

In this next picture, I'm showing you how much of her hair I'm putting in each braid.

Before braiding the yarn into her hair, I'd spray the yarn with my special leave in conditioning mix. In this bottle is a combination of mostly water, glycerin, dollar conditioner and grape seed oil.

 At the end of each braid, I double knotted the end, and my sister would burn the end with a lighter before cutting the excess yarn off.

And here's the finished product!

Stay Curly!!!! :)

Music Obsession

I'm not a Gleek or anything (despite the double Glee posts) but I LOVE this rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'Aint No Way'...Enjoy :)

Music Obsession?

Why is this song stuck in my head????? LOL. I feel like such a dork. Just thought I'd share it with ya'll.

eBooking It This Semester?

Photo by: Wonderlane

College can be just a little bit expensive. With tuition, meal plans, living arrangements, etc, it can be hard to imagine those care free high school days of free textbooks and and room and board was with mom and pop.

I've written another article already about school textbooks and how one can save money by renting rather than buying the books. But I just thought of another option for those who are lucky enough to have some form of higher technology. A lot of websites allow you to buy eBooks, and even eTextbooks that you can view on your laptop, i pad, nook, etc.

eBooks are typically way cheaper than buying  (and in some cases even renting) the textbooks you need online. Some eBooks even give you the even cheaper option of renting them rather than buying an entire textbook for your computer. I know a lot of people who complain about lugging around their huge textbooks, so this s great alternative to having to physically carry and care for your books.

As always there's always a downside to everything. If your computer crashed or something it'd kind of suck to not be able to use the book. (If anyone has any information on how this would still work, don't hesitate to correct me).

Also, I know for me that I mush prefer a print copy of my books/newspapers/magazines than an electronic copy. If I'm on the computer too long at night I can't fall asleep for HOURS. So that's definitely something to consider. You'll be using your textbooks for homework and studying, so if you have no problem with using computers late at night, then I say go for the eTextbooks. But, if you do have trouble, it might not be the best idea for someone who has early classes the next day.

I hoped this helped someone at least!

:)

Tip of the Day for: The College Crowd

I'm in college as I've said before and that means I'm BROKE. Luckily I have a few money saving tips that will hope both conventional and noncoventional students save a few extra bucks while earning that degree.


1.  Don't buy. RENT

It's no secret to those in college that the school book store is a known Rip-off. Those textbooks cost hundred of dollars, the hook being that once the semester is over, the school book store will buy them back. WRONG. Please don't fall for this trick. They'll buy the books back, but will only give you maybe 30 dollars for a 200 dollar book. Or even worse, they won't take it back at all because they're ordering a whole new set for next semester.

True, buying the used book is also an option, but if you really want to save money on a book you're only going to need for a single semester, I suggest you either buy online or rent.

There are lost of sites out there that will sell you different textbooks for way cheaper than the bookstore at your current college. It will make a HUGE difference on your overall textbook bill.

Try sites like Chegg, or CollegeBookRenter or Amazon before you buy from anywhere else. Alot of the time you can even check out what books you need on your school website. That way you can order your books before classes begin, ensuring your books make it to your house/apartment/dorm/whatever on time.

Anyways, that's my bit. Adios Curlies!

How I Retain Moisture

As curlies, we all know moisture is extremely important for our hair. But in the past I've had major problems with actually keeping the moisture in my hair.

At first, I had the same mentality as many newly naturals have: that water is the enemy. I grew up thinking this for SO long since I dreaded washing my hair once I got a perm because it'd no longer be sleek and straight. But through reading various hair blogs and watching YouTube videos, I realized:

• Water is the only real moisturizer for you hair.

I used to try and pile oil and cream based products on these curls and the results were semi moisture but then it'd be sooooo dry. Then I thought I'd learned a little thing or two about sealing my hair. So I'd wet it and then seal it with some form of oil. Which worked for awhile, and I understand may work for some people. But my hair would STILL be dry after a while. I was beginning to think that I just had freakishly dry hair  before I discovered the best possible way to seal my hair.

• The best way to seal in moisture is to wet the hair with water, apply a cream based moisturizer or leave in conditioner while damp, then seal with oil.

I discovered this method by accident (I was just fooling around with my hair products but when I woke up the next morning with shiny, moisturized locks I KNEW) and a post on another blog I like confirmed that this method is a must, well along with the usual tips such as:

• Sleeping with a silk scarf/pillow so moisture won't get sucked out of out hair.
• Low or no heat styling
• Protective Styling

But I also found another tip that helps my hair stay moisturized: No towel drying. I'm not sure which blog I read this tip from, but instead of using towels that are designed to soak up moisture (and can ultimately make our hair too dry). Naturals and other with dry hair also have the option of using an old t-shirt. It has the same effect (they both soak up access moisture) but the t-shirt method doesn't dry your hair out completely.

Well I've talked entirely too much already!!!

Stay Curly!!

Genie Locs

So my protective style of the moment is Genie Locs. Observe:

I did them myself and they didn't even take that long. I used Red Heart Brand 100% Acrylic (any other kind of yarn used usually bleeds or rubs your hair the wrong way). I bought two rolls and they were about $2.88 each at Walmart.

SO Here are some facts about Genie Locs if I've lost you lol.

• Genie Locs are also called Yarn Braids since they're braided with yarn (a duh statement I know)
• They're popular among naturals for numerous reasons.
• the yarn is closer to the appearance of natural hair than weave is, so it blends better
• they look like locs, so one can enjoy the look and feel of having long, swingin locs without having to transform their own hair
• they are alot softer then weave
• you can wash/deep condition your hair while wearing these
• the moisture retention is crazy! Genie locs hold moisture really well, making it an excellent protective style.

I love the look and feel of my Genie Locs and I've gotten numerous compliments on them. But there's a downside to everything so here are some cautions about the trend.

• It is alot of hair. (er...yarn) so it's kind of hot to have it all piled up on your head. Some naturals may prefer to wait until the weather cools down to try this particular style.
• Since it is yarn, it soaks up water like a motha motha so when you do wash your hair it'll be really heavy and really wet. Which means drying time will be forever unless you wring them out.

And that's really all I've got. If you've heard of or if you've got some more positives (or negatives) from your own experiences with Genie Locs, feel free to comment.

Also if you're interested, heres a link to someone who knows alot more about it than I do lol.

BlackOnyx


Stay curly! :P

Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't posted in sooo long!!! Sorry!!! I know I'm lame but I've been waiting on my new netbook to come in (my ol laptop was moving waaaay too slow lol). But now that she's here I can start blogging again with up to date pics and tips so look out for me!!!