I'VE MOVED

It's been almost 5 years. Wow.
I am now at

thatgirlshel.com

Totally new content, but I'm still around!

I hope to see you on the new site soon!

Natural Beautie: Redefined

Meet the M.I.A. lady behind this blog:

Name: Shelby, or just Shel.

Age: 22, often mistaken for 16

Located: The heart of TN, Nashville.

Years Natural: 4

Years Loc;d: 1

Years it took to love myself: a lifetime.

A few years ago I started this blog because I was newly natural and that was the cool thing to do; start a blog to document your journey, all the while in hopes of encouraging others on the exciting journey to nappturality (totally made that up).

As the years went on and I started college, and did more things to my hair faster than I could document them, this blog fell to the wayside. There were better bloggers who posted quality posts and did it quite often and consistently. That is something I just can't seem to do.

Now, here I am, four years later wanting to reinvent this blog. No longer will this be my hair journey, but it will be our journey to loving the beauty that we posse naturally; from our appearance, to our gifts and talents, and even our flaws. Let's go on a journey to love ourselves just the way we are, while also loving the person we will eventually become.

xo

3 Styles to do on Starter Locs with a Braidout

I started my loc journey!

Wash n' Go Mega Puff

Head over to my Youtube to see how I achieve this look! :)

Havana Twists with Marley Hair + Semi Permament Hair Dye Experience

I Flat Ironed my Natural Hair!

Which is a really big deal for me! I've never truly flat ironed my hair since I've been natural. For a few weeks I've had this itch to do. So...I did it one night without any thoughts!

After I washed my hair, with Shea Moisture all natural shampoo of course, I applied Extra Virgin Olive Oil all over to seal in the moisture. 

I sectioned of small sections of my hair starting from the bottom (now I'm here)! 

Gold' N Hot Blow Dryer. Click to buy.

Silk'n Sleek Straighten Polisher. Click to buy.

Applied a little more olive oil to make sure the strands are fully covered, and the applied the Silk 'N Sleek Straightening Polish. 

I then blow dried that section using the Gold 'N Hot (picture and price below). 

I twisted up that section after it was completely dry and continued this pattern with the rest of my head. 

One 'N Only Argan Heat Flat Iron. Click to buy.

I then flat ironed my hair using Argan  Heat by One 'N Only. I used it on the 20-25 heat setting. After I unraveled a twist (starting from the bottom, ayy!), I combed it out. As I pulled the comb through my hair, the flat iron immediately followed. I did this all over boo until it looked like the photo below! ^_^

Can't you tell I was felling myself? ;)

Zury HT-Saja Wig Review

Price: $$$$$

Pros: Looks natural, movement, shine, low maintenance, very affordable. 

Cons: Sheds just a little, tangles around nape, elastic bands can be too tight.

I would recommend any women to buy this wig; for fun, protective styling, or just a new looks.

Wait! Don't leave, I'll be back soon!

I know I've been gone a little over a year, but I'll be back very soon with:

New Styles
Reviews

Products

Regimen

Hair Journey

Goals

In the meantime, you can still find me on the interwebz!

Twitter

Youtube

Instagram

Keek

Tumblr

Ask.fm

Genie Locs/Yarn braids Style #2.

Swoop Bang with Weave Basket in back into low pony.

Genie Locs/Yarn braids Style #1.

Two Strand Twist Bun in front with Bun in back.

The Yarn Braids are back!

Yes, the genie locs are back! I actually wanted to try something different than just black "locs" so I decided to add a few "hi lights". I have a few pieces of brown, red, and "blonde". I'll post better pictures in posts prior to this one.

I fell in love with them all over again! I cannot wait to loc my hair.

I again used Red Heart Super Saver yarn. The colors I used were Black, Claret (red), Coffee (brown), and Buff (blonde).

I burned the ends of my braids to seal them, except the Buff yarn. Since it's so light, if I were to burn them they would be black on the ends and looking straight tacky! Therefore I just dipped them in boiling water.

I crinkled my hair too! I love it so much more than straight locs. It gives it more shape, texture, and volume. I did so by plaiting my hair, I looked like Janet, and dipping them in boiling water, blow dried them dry, and unraveled the braids. I came out perfect!I'm pleased. :)

I plan on having them in for about 2 months, and I plan on getting more creative with hairstyles so for the next few weeks I will have "Yarn Braid Style" posts.

God bless! :)

2 Strand Flat Twist Out

1. Blow dry hair to stretch.
2. 2 strand 6 flat twists.
3. Take down in morning, and it should lay perfectly. :)

Braid out: Updo w/ a BANG!

Update: Back to black and natural hair milestone!

Okay, I know I've been gone for about 4 months, but a lot has happened with my hair!

First, I installed my own box braids. I was somewhat pleased with them, it was my first time, but they could have been better. I used 100% kanekalon hair in colors 30 and 1B. It took about 16-19 hours. (Crazy, I know!) I loved this style in buns and fish tail braids which were my to-go style for the 3 weeks that I had them in.

I then dyed my hair black. As you may know, I had the blonde in the front. I dyed it red/blonde in November of 2010, so I had about 6 inches of black new growth and I was not happy with the look. So...all black it is!

                                                                                                           I then started experimenting with turbans which are my winter staples and must haves! I have them in all colors, patterns, and fabrics.

My natural hair milestone! THE HIGH BUN! When I was relaxed, buns were my thang! I didn't leave the house without a bun 80% of the time. So when I cut my hair to go natural I was very upset that I could no longer wear a bun. But after a year and a half, it's possible! :D 












SUPER TACKY POST. GET OVER IT! :)

Yarn Braids: Regal Twist Bun.

The video should explain everything. :)

Genie Locs/Yarn braids.

I installed my genie locs myself. It took me about 2 days, but that's with eating, sleeping, watching TV, etc...

Things you should know about genie locs/yarn braids:

• Never use wool yarn. It will actually loc your hair. Always use acrylic yarn. The best brand is Red Heart Super Saver. It's about $2.50 for the smaller size and $5 for the bigger ones. I bought two smaller spools and used 1 and 1/6th. Lol.
• Always spray a conditioner or moisturizer on the yarn before you install it.
• If you want your hair to be 2 feet, use 4 foot long strands of yarn. Want 3 feet? Then use 6 feet. You see where I'm going with this?
• There are two methods to seal your ends. The lighter method, just burn the ends of the strands. The boiling water method, knot the ends of the strands and dip into boiling water. I used the burn method.

Here are a few pics. :)

Braid out #2.

I did a braid out today!

About two days ago, I moisturized my hair with raw shea butter and plaited my hair. There were about 13-15 plaits. I kept them in for 2 days, because sadly I don't leave the comfort of my own home.

I used coconut oil on my fingers to take them out. I then used a pick at my roots for fullness and to hide the ugly parts. I think it came out beautiful! I've never been as successful with braidouts as I was today. *claps*

Stay tuned for yarn braids/genie locs! :)

Twist Updo!

HOW TO ACHIEVE THE TWIST UPDO.

1. Part your hair in two sections; front and back. (Part from ear to ear)
2. Part the front section into three sections; left side, top, right side.
3. Twist four flat twists in a swooping motion on the left and right sides.
4. For the top section, create very small single twists to the side you want your bang to lay.
5. Pin the bang to the side with bobby pins. (My bang is in a swirl motion)
6. Create chunky twists for the whole back section.
7. Pin up back in any desired way.

Works best on dry or damp, stretched hair.

:) 

One Year Nappiversary!

Here are side by side comparison pictures:

Wash N Gos.

July 7th, 2010 to May 27th, 2011.

Fros.

July 31th, 2010 to May 6th, 2011.

Back (wet)

June 3rd, 2010 to May 27th, 2011.

Measurements:

Front- 7 inches.

Sides- about 8 inches.

Crown- 8 inches.

Back- 6-7 inches.