I’m excited for this event & will be sure to check it out this coming weekend! I’ve been vying for the Huetiful Steamer for AGES now, and to have the opportunity to not only try it out, but get an AMAZING discount is just right up my alley.

The Pop Up Store will be going down in BK’s own Karen’s Body Beautiful. Please click here for directions & to RSVP. To peep an amazing review of the steamer check out Natural Selection!

If you’re planning on attending, hope to see you there!

Just got back from a short trip to Florida visiting the Fam & currently sorting through a ton of pics and topics to post on the blog. It’s been a while since I had the chance to mentally detox from the hustle & bustle everyday-ness of NYC, so while the visit was short with the folks, I thoroughly enjoyed basking in the sun, walking along the sandy beach….and just breathing a ton easier.

Summer is indeed here!! I’m much excited to plan out a few outdoor picnics, attend more than a few FREE outdoor concerts & simply enjoy these short weeks of beautiful weather. Posting might be slightly spotty in these parts for a while (no worries…). I’ve been considering a slight sprucing up of the blog recently & feel Summer is the ideal time to take on that task. I’m still very much in love with the current layout, but deep down am a creature that thrives on change & seeing things through newer eyes.

& with that said, I would love your input on what you would like to see here on Back To Curly! I’ve already got a few things lined up as far as introducing you guys to a few new brands, but think it’s time to hear from YOU! If you’d like to see interviews, more product reviews, beauty pieces (short/long), tutorials, hair stories, inspirational pieces…let me know! Drop a comment down below and fill me in on what inspires you, what you’d love to see more of. You can also send me a note & we chat it up (chai@backtocurly.com).

:Happy Summer Solstice:

It’s safe to say that I’ve been slightly enamored with the care & color of my nails lately. With a busy schedule mixed with school, work, blogging and tiny remnants of a social life, I recently turned to reinventing my mood by indulging in a myriad of nail colors. At this point, the polish collections is seriously reaching epic proportions.

But while visiting the fam in Florida for a few days, I stumbled into a local nail salon which was offering an incredible sale: 20% off all services, including the newly popular Shellac manicure!  Like a moth to a flame…

What is Shellac?  Apart from being a savior to those prone to nicks and scratches minutes after leaving a nail salon, Shellac offers you two weeks worth of manicure bliss, with zero chipping, quick drying time when applied & a cost effective alternative to the other popular Calgel set.

I was definitely skeptical at first, but was blown away after my nail technician began to quickly buff my newly vamped nails with alcohol swabs, leaving it with the glossiest finish. No more than five minutes after the last of the top-coat was applied, my nails were 100% dry, and felt free of smudges, annoying air bubbles, with the benefit of smoother ridges.

Who it’s ideal for:

• if you delve in work that requires a ton of lifting, leaving nails brittle and chip prone – Shellac is a great alternative
• you’re a no fuss person who’s tire of seeing chipped nails and having flyaway hairs caught in the ridges of your nails
• if you’re curious, and love the idea of a having more options when it comes to the care of your nails

What’s the process like?

Very simple! Shellac is similar to a regular lacquer polish in that you apply a base coat + nail coat + top coat. In order to achive the quick drying time, a UV light is used immediately after each coat of base/nail/top coat are applied. This helps to seal in the color, which resembles more of a gel like finish than a paint one.

The main downside I found to the Shellac, is the lack of color choices. Much of the selection (which is roughly about 30 shades) is pretty monotone, and lacking on the adventurous tip. The system itself is still picking up steam in the nail care world, so hopefully we’ll see a more diverse array of colors in the future!

So far, I’m very happy with the process. Because of the discount I spent about $25. The average cost does range across the board, but if you’re looking to find a Shellac Salon in your area, click here.

If you’ve recently tried Shellac, please share your experiences! I’ll be actively searching for a new salon once back in NYC, and definitely recommend you give it a shot this Summer!

I mentioned before how horrible I tend to be when it comes to length checks, but recently noticed a good difference in how my twists looked this time last year, compared to present. 

What was once a less-than chin length bob (which I absolutely ADORED!), is now grazing the back of my collar, forcing me to rock the pin up look as much as possible. Currently hanging in Southern Florida visiting the folks, so yea…these are definitely in. Expected temps here are to be in the mid to high 90 degrees. Not.a.typo.

I’m dying with the humidity, which begs the question….How do naturals/curlies deal w/the humidity below the equator!! I’ve been bleeding sweat since the moment the plane touched down, & headed to the nearest ice cream parlor to cool.it.DOWN! A friend recently turned me on to Magnum Ice Cream bars, which I’ve yet to try…but my word, the things I’ve heard! The Double Chocolate dipped in Belgian milk chocolate is currently chilling in my freezer….#foodie till the end;).

A few weeks ago on a day when the world was apparently supposed to end….roughly around 6pm EST., I decided to trek out to SOHO to enjoy the festivities over at the annual BUST Craftacular event. This was my first go at a crafts fair, and while the venue was hawter than all get OUT…I came away with a bag-full of goodies. Enough to make me smile & share a few with you guys.

I’ve always loved headbands with bold colors and patterns & was instantly drawn to this one. The Designer is Michelle Courtois, who’s based out in Brooklyn, NY.

It’s growing more difficult to find a head-tie to support the thickness of my hair, in the past I’ve broken more than a few cheapies. This one, also from Courtois Designs, fits almost effortlessly around any high or low bun I’m trying to create. LOVE.IT.

Spotted this cute printed turban as I was exhausted and about to flee the fair. Theif & Bandit has been on my Etsy Fav list for a few months now, and I was thrilled to walk by their table which was filled with pops of color & cool finds. I snagged this turban in hopes of wearing it during the Summer.

I’m late to the turban trend, but think it’s a #win#win for gals like me who’s agita grows two fold when excess in heat & hair mix.

This cute piece found on Miss Riot’s Shop, love the colors!

To check out pics from the event, & to learn more about the vendors present click here. Are you guys fans of hair accessories? Where do you score your finds?

I’ve taken to updating the weekly process shenanigans to about a bi-weekly status, mainly due to the redundancy of it all. While on the Healthy Hair Challenge I’ve tried to stick to a strict “hair plan” using a short list of products & lets face it….it can get kind of boring. This past weekend really was no different, and while I continue to notice small growth spurts in my hair, I’m kind of itching to try a few new products, call it the PJ in me if you will;)! What’s new on the natural hair market? Have you guys tried something stellar lately? I’ve got a whole list of new goodies I’ve been meaning to try, & before it gets ridiculously too long, just might sneak in something fresh to help combat the impending humidity ridden days.

So while I’m vying to try something new in the PJ dept., the two-strand twist saga doth continues! Seriously though, because Spring decided to abandon this side of the east coast, the weather is pretty perfect for this kind of style. I’ve been tying them back/up/down/to the side during the week & rocking a pretty awesome Fro-Out for the weekend to galavant around BK. Sweet!

Products Used:

• Pre-Poo: Oyin Handmade Blended Body Oil (amazing for hair too!)
• Cleanse: TheraNeem Scalp Therape
• Deep Condition: Shea Moisture Black Soap Balancing Conditioner
• Style: Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Ambrosia + EO Rose & Chamomile Moisture Rich Condish

Kept the twists on the smaller side this week so’s to play with a few more up-do’s.  I find it much harder to manipulate the hair with pins when they’re larger in diameter, & these work well without adding too much extra time to the washing session.

The weather in NYC will reach somewhere in the 90 degree mark come mid-week, and I’m making EARLY hair provisions! The twisted-up-do is back, & shall remain until further notice.

Ironic isn’t it? I realized that while on the quest for healthier longer hair, that I’m growing even more concerned about how HOT the Fro will make me. & Maybe….just maybe this is something I’ve yet to mention…but I am a female who sweats. A LOT! & in the Summer HAWT months, I would more than likely give up my last dollar for an air conditioned room to lay my head. Hair.Makes. ME. HOT!

*end rant*

Like I said, Provisions! A few weeks ago I attended the BUST Craftacular in NYC and picked up a few hair accessories that will help fight the agita. Will share my finds in an upcoming post! It was my first time attending the fair, & had so much fun learning about small business, vendors and just the vast amount of people sharing their creativity. All that goodness…plus the Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck has officially touched down in NYC!!

Provisions + Nutella Toasted Almond Ice Cream toped w/A Red Velvet Cookie = an awesome Summer!