Coming Soon

Hello,

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything in a month.

Here's what to expect within the next two weeks:

• A review of 3 products in the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus line - shampoo, conditioner and gel
• A Curlformers Review
• An interview with the awesome blogger, Simbi Akanni, from SimSpirituallyInspired

See you soon!

Sammy

SammyWithTheBigHair is Now On Facebook

Hello, people!

So, I have set up a Facebook page for this blog and my other blog, ♥ ❤ ❥ ❣ ❦ ❧SammyWithTheBod♥ ❤ ❥ ❣ ❦ ❧

Feel free to 'Like' the page.

It'll be running better and with more updates in the near future

SammyWithTheBigHair Facebook Page

~Sammy

Anjola Fagbemi is Naturally Glamorous

I have know Anjola for YEARS! I recently reconnected with Anjola via Facebook and realised that she was natural now and guess what! She has amazing hair! Sooooo.... I decided to interview her and I was glad when she agreed to do the interview.

Anjola is a wonderful person so I hope you enjoy this interview and when you're done reading it, you go check her out online (the links will be left down below), subscribe to her YouTube channel and 'Like' her Facebook page.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello guys! I’m Anjola Fagbemi of TheBejewelledBud. A self proclaimed fashion enthusiast and modish minimalist. I am a Fashion and Lifestyle blogger who is currently in University. I also produce video content on YouTube and I am a photographer!

How long have you been natural?

I just did my big chop in January 2014, so I've been “natural” for about five months now and I love my hair! (Well sometimes I feel like copping it off too lol.)

When did you get your first relaxer and why'd you get it? 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had straight hair. I had no say in the decision to relax it because I was really young and my mum made the decision. It was second nature to get a relaxer as soon as I had growth so I just kept getting it in because it was normal to me.

What made you decide to go natural?

I had a friend in A levels who was trying her best to convince me to transition and go natural. She was ahead of the craze and was one of the first people I had seen who was actively taking charge of her hair. When she big chopped, I was utterly and absolutely convinced because she had the most magnificent afro. I took on the challenge because I wanted to see how big my afro could get!

How did your family and friends react to the idea of you going natural?

Oh my gosh, you would have thought the sky was falling because they were all opposed to it. My mum fought it so hard, and my cousins joked that it was because she had worked so hard to grow my relaxed hair to the beautiful, long position it was at that moment in time. The hair dressers advised me against it; my aunties didn’t want me to, and my friends had no clue because I had just changed schools and they were basically clueless about my journey.

What's your hair journey been like so far (and how has it changed your perception on some things)?

At first, it was just a huge relief to chop all the dead ends off because my mum had finally agreed to let me get rid of it. But then, I had no clue of what to do with it so I ended up wearing a hat to church the next day because I couldn’t get it to look right. But, so far my hair has taught me how to be patient! There are so many days (like today) were I feel like chopping it all off, and other days were I absolutely love it. 

What is your daily hair regimen (including your night-time routine)?

It’s summer time and I’ve hardly stayed at one location for a week so having a regimen has been really tough! Right now I have a weave in so it is very low maintenance but before that I had a bunch of regimens! My old regimen consisted of deep conditioning and washing my hair ever weekend ( If I was lazy I could skip a week of doing anything to it). After which, I would twist my hair or bantu it into a style it would remain in for the rest of the week!

Do you think you might be changing or incorporating new things to your regimen soon? If so, what do you have in mind?

My most recent one is the no-comb regimen combined with a minimal product regimen. Not combing the hair as often reduces breakage and reducing the amount of products used increases the amount of moisture the hair strands receive.

What are your go-to hairstyles, which is your fav. and how do you achieve it?

At one point in time, I could only pull my hair up in high buns because it was so short and it is still my go-to. I haven’t got the length to rock that many styles yet.

What are your must-have hair accessories and tools?

Huge hair ties and a ribbon. A ribbon is one of the only things that can squeeze all my hair in at times! 

How do you deal with hair issues such as: breakage and length retention?

To combat breakage I hardly comb my hair; and if I do, I do so gently- working my way from my ends to my roots.

What products do you currently use, and how are they working for you?  

I currently use Argan oil based products, and I find that they moisturize really well!

Hand-In-Hair syndrome -  an issue I have now only that....it's not my hand. Do you have this issue? Do people ask before touching your hair or do they just randomly reach out and touch (or grab) it? How does this make you feel? What is your reaction to this?

It bothered me a lot before but don’t really care anymore. Random people just stick their hands in my hair, and it was a shock at first; but, now I just stand there (while quietly thinking of how messy my style is going to end up).

What do you love the most about being naturally curly?

I can defy gravity. That’s pretty cool, huh?

Any to say to the natural teens, parents, kids and grandparents?

You guys are so beautiful! I admire your courage and willingness to find your definition of beauty even though it is different from what the society might portray it as. I think you are strong for stepping out on a limb to learn more about who you are through your hair, and you are awesome.

Where can we find you online?

My fashion and lifestyle blog: bejewelledbud.com

My YouTube channel where I share more hair related things:  TheBejewelledBud

My Tumblr, for my creative expression: TheBejewelledBud

And of course Facebook: TheBejeweledBud

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I hope you enjoyed reading this interview and you check out Anjola online soon! :)

My New Hair Regimen (starting this summer)

Picture got from P.S Love Charli

Hey!

So, my hair regimen is going to be quite different this year. For one, I will be switching up products and caring for my hair much better than I have these past 2 years. I guess it is this weave that is pushing me a whole lot towards making this decision and I guess that is a good thing, but at the same time, I wish I didn't get this weave (the itch is real! but not as bad as it was on Sunday).

Okay! So, here's what my new regimen (or plans for my hair) will look like:

• I will switch products to the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus line (I pray that works for me) and also invest in some bentonite clay or amla powder. I will co-wash in between the week, wash with a clay/mud once a week and wash with an actual shampoo once a month, every other month or if I feel it is really needed. Also, I will deep condition my hair at least once a month probably using the Midas Naturals Shine Conditioner. If not, I will use the deep conditioner in the Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus line (or I will alternate between these two products)
• I will wear my hair short (shrunken) more often to minimise how much I have to retwist overnight or do whatever to maintain a stretched style (to minimise how often I have to manipulate my hair, in general)
• I will protective style once in a while, but not with crochet braids as often as I have these past 2 years and definitely not with a weave. I probably will invest in a kinky/curly wig as that way, I won't have my hair covered directly with extensions for a prolonged period of time, I can properly moisturise it and keep my scalp thoroughly clean.
• I will seal I moisture using extra virgin olive/coconut oil and if I feel I need a heavier sealant, with some shea butter too.
• As a gel, I will probably use a lighter flaxseed gel than the one I initially made and probably use a spray bottle or bottle with a dispenser head for it.
• I will not wear my hair out and short all the time. If I don't have a wig on, I probably will just put my hair in two cornrows or I will stretch my hair out (I'll probably invest in curlformers for that) and just try to maintain the stretch in a very low manipulation method.

I might invest in a blow dryer (with a diffuser) this summer, but I probably won't use it till autumn/fall. I am just purchasing it to use while at uni in case I need to speed up the rate at which my hair dries (as my hair takes almost a full 24hrs to dry) and to stretch out my curls a little. I will definitely not use the blow dryer on my hair daily as, in case you didn't know this, I heat damaged my hair at the start of my natural hair journey and I don't want to do that again.

Hopefully, this new regimen gets me to my desired/goal hair length within the next 2 years (waist/hip length).

Blog again soon!

~Sammy

p.s I might invest in some Jamaican black castor oil too to help with my edges that have been tortured by this weave.

My Hair Salon Experience (after about 3 years)

Picture got from Keller Williams on KWSA

Hallo!

Wie gehts?
Been working on my German lately. I love that language :)

Anyways! So, I went to a hair salon! O.M.Geeez!
I also got a weave for the first time in years! O.M.MAJOR. GEEEEZ!

Here's my experience:

Once upon a time (yesterday, actually), in a city known as 'Southampton' lived a girl named, 'Samantha.' Due to it being difficult for her aunt to help her reinstall her crochet braids this time, she went in search of a hair salon that could help her get her hair done before returning to her school in Somerset. Samantha was being very brave by doing this as she had not been to a hair salon in years.
She searched for and wide, in and near the city centre (mostly on foot) looking for a particular salon her mum had found online, but had changed address without updating their website. Eventually, she found the place, but only one person worked there and that person had a client who was possibly on their way and therefore referred her to another salon which was about 5 minutes away, but gave her the wrong street name. So, Samantha, walked over to the wrong street and walked down it and thought to herself, "this street is starting to look pretty dodgy," so she turned around and headed back up the street and to a store known as 'Afro City' where she asked where the salon was and was pointed in the right direction. Sam quickly found the salon walked in and....

Okay! So, extension were picked out and I was placed in a chair with a giant bib-like thing placed round my neck (you know those things put over guys when they get their hair cut?). My scarf was taken off my hair and the stylist/owner of the salon was like, "WOW! Your hair is big and long!" and went on to say, "I've been trying to grow out my hair. How did you do it?" That should have been a red flag for me. It made me feel a little iffy.

Soooo the lady used a product on my hair that contained petrolatum and all sorts of other chemicals that I do not use on my hair and are definitely not CG friendly and I was like, "Sam, it's just once, your hair will be fine." Next I knew, the blow drier was out with a comb attachment on it and she went through my hair, but only made one or so passes of the the hair drier on it (unless she felt she had to comb from the ends up) and I said to myself, "Sam, you haven't used heat on your hair in 4 years, but this is just once. Your hair will be fine." I kinda liked seeing my hair stretched out like that, but mainly because it hanged longer and I could be like, "giiirrrrrrl, APL hair! You did it!"

A lady walked into the salon and the first thing she said was, "look at all that hair! Your hair is huge! It's long too!" and once again, I was asked what the secret was. In case you are wondering, I just told them that I use all-natural products on my hair  and mentioned a few brands before they went on to talk about the products that were in the store (not CG friendly) and other stuff, partially in a different language.

So, the stylist started cornrowing my hair in preparation for the weave and the cornrowing was fine, didn't hurt and I was like, "okay, this is good. Not so bad, not so bad," but then....BUT THEN....OH! HONEY BOO-BOO CHILD! BUT THEN! She started sewing in the weave and I was like, "OUCH!" Why the heck did no one tell me that weaves hurt like crazy?! I don't know if it's that the weave is pulling two cornrows closer together or whatever, but it hurts and when she got to the front, it was like the weave started pulling at my edges and stuff and like pretty much, I am praying that my hairline doesn't recede. This girl does not want to lose her edges after growing them out.

Okay! So, the weave was done and honey, it was not big. My hair is naturally big, as you must have been able to tell from the name of this blog and from the comment made about my hair that I mentioned above. My crochet braids have always been big. Honey, this thing was not big. It looked okay and better from the back, but I didn't like how thin it looked because I am not used to thin-looking hair. The stylist said that I could separate the curls in order to achieve a bigger look and I have done a bit of this, but it's still not as big as I want it to be. I am not used to this.

Final verdict:
This salon experience was not a total disaster. The people who worked in the salon (both black African) were really nice and friendly people. They offered me a cup of tea, gave me advice on life as they found out that I am just finishing college and we had nice conversations. You will have a nice salon experience if you go there (as long as you do not get a weave). People have been commenting since yesterday on how they love my hair even though I am not really feeling it 'cause of how thin it looks (and my brain may just be over-reacting, I don't know).


ANYWAYS, if you would like me to upload a list of natural hair salons in Southampton and in London, let me know. Also, if you would like me to do some research to find some natural hair salons in your area or country, let me know too and I would love to help you find them.

Product Review: Flaxseed gel

Picture from LetMeLetYouKnow

So, I tried this out for the first time a few days ago. I made it using 1 part flaxseeds to 8 parts water followed by a bit of extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil after straining out the gel.

This product acts like a gel, yes, it did it's job. HOWEVER, it left my hair flaky and looking dirty. It was so bad that I had to cowash my hair TWICE (after covering it up to go for a mini party to celebrate my friend's court wedding). The flakes were crazy!

Despite the flaking, the gel left my hair feeling soft, moisturised and nice, actually. I liked what it did for my hair.

I'm sorry, I'm jumping around here.

Applying the gel was not really messy. It was an easy application. I do plan on retrying this product before I completely write it off. The next time I use it, I'll use less on each section and pray that that leads to no flakes and still defined curls and a good hold and set.

So, this was a short review. Shorter than even I expected.

Remember, products work differently for people and I know quite a number of ladies who did not experience flaking from using this gel (and I know others who got dry hair from it. Not sure how that happened, but hey! we all have different hair!) :)

My Hair :)

Hello people!

So, I have taken down my 5 month long protective style. Oh me, oh my! I have never kept a protective style in for that long before!

The shed hair has been pretty crazy. I'm surprised I still have hair on my head! Actually, it's not been that bad for 5 months. I used to get more shed hair than this in a week back when my natural hair journey started.

Anyways, I am blogging from the comfort of my bathroom. I just finished washing my hair and decided to just not leave here while my hair is deep conditioning  because I feel too lazy to. I mean, to leave, I have to open the door, make myself busy in my room, walk back in here.... too much work. Haha! Jokes.

So, what products have I used on my hair this fine day? What are my plans for my hair?
Okay! So, after taking down my crochet braids, I went heavy with the coconut oil and detangled my hair a bit, putting it up in bantu knots as I worked section by section then I donned on two plastic bags and an old T-shirt tied over as a turban as I went down to the kitchen to make my first batch of flaxseed gel EVER and to stuff my face with some fruits too :)

About 2 or so hours later, I went back up to wash my hair. I started off by taking down each bantu knot and giving my hair a really good rinse (by the way, I wash my hair every now and then while protective styling especially because I work out often and sweat when I do). Next, I used some of my BeeMine Botanicals Shampoo on my hair (I divided my hair into 4 sections while doing this) and after rinsing it all out. I possibly would have needed to go over one more time, but instead of using the BeeMine Shampoo, this time, I used the Terressential Mud Wash in the Cool Mint version on my scalp and the Lavender version on my hair itself and let it sit for a few minutes while I took a nice shower and body brushed. After rinding out all this wonderful smelling mud, I worked some of my Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner into each of the 4 sections, but didn't go heavy with it as I wanted to use some of the Shine Conditioner I got from Midas Natural. So, I used the Restorative Conditioner and then over it, the Shine Conditioner and then donned on a silver Conditioner Cap my mum got for me about a year ago (but I never used till today). And well, here am I, blogging with a silver cap on my head.

Anyways, I'm going to rinse this out any time soon and after that, I will seal in the moisture with some extra virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil or both and maybe some shea butter too and then working in small sections and using my flaxseed gel (ohmigosh! I made flaxseed gel!), I will try to define my curls and I'll totally work some short hair today as it seems like although my hair is past armpit length, my shrinkage is still SO REAL that my shrunken hair is around neck level (yeeeeaah).

So, today will be short hair day and because my friend's wedding is on Saturday, I am probably going to thread my hair to stretch it out and I may or may not rock a twist out or a bantu knot out to the wedding.....or I could rock a braid out. I haven't done that in years.

Anyways, those are my immediate plans for my hair and what I've done with it so far. I am going to get a protective style done again soon (next month), but I will be taking it out in July as I have protective styled A WHOLE LOT for the past two years and I just want to spend more time to my hair and take this glorious birds nest of mine to uni :)

So, that's it for now! Expect more blog posts from me soon. I'll start blogging more frequently.

~Sammy

p.s My tools are my fingers. That's what I've been using to detangle my hair so far. :)