Funky, Wild, & Free (Hair)

People are obsessed with my hair. No, really. Obsessed! I rarely go a day without someone stopping me on the street to ask a question about my “funky” mane. Conversations typically go like this:

Obsessed Stranger: How long did it take to get your hair like that?

Disgruntled Tracee: About 13 years?

Obsessed Stranger: Ooh, your hair is so pretty. Can I touch your hair?

Disgruntled Tracee: Absolutely not.

Obsessed Stranger: Can you tell me how you get it like that?

And that’s where I go radio silent like Jack Bauer. If I explained my hair techniques to every Kim, Kate, and Mary that asked me I would be hoarse. So I decided to present you with a gift on this fine Thanksgiving. I’m going to show you in a few easy steps how to make your hair fun, wild, and free.

Step One: Make a Product-ion

A great natural hairdo’ depends on the products you choose. I love the Shea Moisture line. I’m also a fan of pure shea butter and olive oil. Test different products to see which work best for you.

Step Two: Wash n’ Roll

There is something very exhilarating that happens when the water hits my tresses. I know I’m washing away all of the impurities and getting a fresh new start. Maybe it’s just me, but this is my favorite part!

Step Three: Be Conditioned

Natural hair must stay moist. Trust me, you don’t want dry, brittle hair! That’s not attractive…unless you’re entering a dry, brittle hair contest. Mix conditioner with pure olive oil and apply a liberal amount to your locs. Cover your hair with a plastic conditioning cap; let it sit for about 30 minutes. You can use the time to do a few planks and push-ups. So not only will your hair look good, but your core and arms will be fab, too!

Step Four: Wash n’ Roll…Again

Wash the conditioner out. Grab the biggest comb you have and begin to detangle your hair in smallish to mediumish sections. The size of the sections depends on how tight or loose you want your curls to be. After you comb through the sections, 2-strand twist your hair.

Step Five: Dry, Baby, Dry!

If you have (more) time to burn you can let your hair air dry. This works brilliantly at night before going to bed. But if you’re doing your hair in preparation to paint the town red, sit under a hairdryer for about an hour. At the end of the allotted time, unravel your twists. Apply a generous amount of Moroccan Oil or your fave finishing product to your hair and run your fingers through the curls to loosen them up.

Step Six: Talk to the Mirror

Check out your new ‘do. You look marvelous, right? Now give me your address so I can come and harass you about your hair routine. 😉

 Post Script

If you want really big hair, you would blow dry your hair and 2-strand OR flat twist it when it’s dry. Then you would spritz the twists with water and sit under the dryer for 30 – 45 minutes. Once dry you would follow the same styling directions listed above. You can also opt to forgo the twist altogether and just let it run wild & free.