How I Retwist My Locs + How I Style My Protective Style

This post is not sponsored, however it may contain affiliate links. I may gain a commission if you shop through these links. These views and opinions are my own and I will always give an honest review.

Hey dolls,

Today I’m finally going to share how I retwist my locs, and the products that I use to get the job done.  Disclaimer: this is my first video so please bear with me regarding the quality and editing. I’m sure that I’ll improve as time goes on but you know, we all gotta start some where.

There are pros and cons to DIY loc retwisting. The cons for me are that the more my hair grows, the longer the wash, condition and retwist process as well. Trust me when I tell you that it does not necessarily become less time consuming with practice… because MOOAARR HAIRRR! Lol. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to tackle all this hair when I need to, but it ain't gonna wash, retwist, or style itself.

The pros for me outweigh the cons, especially when I’m in the mood to DImY.  I save money. I know what is being used on my hair and scalp. I honestly do not feel pressured to style or wash my hair every two weeks (when I’m not working out).  There's no one to get mad at but myself if my hair isn’t done the way I like, and because I don’t like being mad at myself… you see where I’m going with this. Maintaining my hair myself has also given me an intimate knowledge of my hair and what it needs from day to day. It's also been a learning experience. If I don't treat my hair with love, it wont be healthy and this will show - a lesson that applies to life in general.

I go as in depth and detailed as I possibly can (given my novice status with video editing). In this video I share:

🌸 My retwist method:  Spoiler alert: I palm roll! I get as detailed with this as I can, and I also share tips on how to minimize stress & tension on the hair which can lead to breakage.

🌸 My special retwist method for my edges: My method is not necessarily revolutionary, however I’ve found my method to help keep the strays in the loc and not flying everywhere (can we say edges laid). If you like gelling down your baby hairs I have to let you know right now, my method ain’t for you.

🌸 An easy protective style for locs, and a couple suggestions on how to style that protective style. IT’S A LOC STYLE INCEPTION!!!

Please bear in mind that this is how *I* reloc my hair.  This is what works for me and my type & texture hair. Watch the video and check out my product list.

Retwist Product List:

🔼Scunci Hair ties: http://amzn.to/1YQH8jn 

🔼Goody hair ties: http://amzn.to/1Ud6xon

🔼Large Hair clips: http://amzn.to/231G7GC

🔼Small Hair clips: http://amzn.to/1YQGYJ2

🔼Spray Bottle: http://amzn.to/1YQGToD

🔼Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera Gel: http://amzn.to/1YQHruA

🔼Nature’s Essential "My Everything" Oil: http://www.naturesessentialoils.net

🔼My homemade oil mixture: I'll do a post on this soon

Uneven Double Buns... Whatevs!

What’s your favorite product to use for retwisting? Leave a comment below.

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. This means that I'll earn commission if you purchase on Amazon through any of the links in this post. My reviews and recommendations are based on my honest opinion and experience.

Must-Have Items You Need to Cop This Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Weekend!!

This is a short list of must-have items you probably don't know you need. They are gifts that keep on giving! I've fielded numerous questions relating to all the products I mention below, so this post is long overdue.


Q: What do you use to retwist and style your locs?
Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel for Sunburn


Ok clearly it's not July for us here in North America, so I can imagine you'd like to know why the hell I'm recommending a remedy for sunburn. I promise it's not a cruel joke. This alcohol-free gel *is* good for relieving sunburn, and calming the sting of mild burns and irritations. It's also exceptionally great for retwisting and styling #locs #naturalhair. I usually mix it with a few drops of hair oil before retwisting my locs, and I find that with normal maintenance and care my style can hold for 3-4 weeks at a time. . . Not that you should go that long with a style, do what works for you.

If you're looking for a rock solid hold that sounds like you're knocking on someone's car window when ever you touch your head, which usually means dry hair due to the presence of alcohol, this is not for you. I've never had an issue with this product flaking either. So if you're looking for a good restyling product, try this.

Q: What other healthy stuff do you use a magic bullet for besides drinking your vegetables?
Magic Bullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender Mixer System


You've probably seen at least one Nutribullet commercial by now. I'm all about the convenience and efficiency of a liquified serving of veggies and fruit. Even if you aren't into exercise, incorporating Nutribullet recipes into your diet by replacing one or two meals a day can get you on the right track to healthier living. You can even try out the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender,
 a more affordable, less powerful option. But what I really love about the Nutribullet are the endless possibilities. Feel free to browse through my Instagram for smoothie recipes. Here is another idea for your Nutribullet:

A wet seasoning mix that you can store in the fridge for about 6 months. Try blending these fresh ingredients: garlic, onion, basil, thyme, mint, scallion, a fresh spicy pepper like scotch bonnet (optional, ground black pepper or cayenne powder may be used instead), basil, parsley or cilantro, oregano, a couple Tbsps of water to keep mixture moist, finely ground sea salt (to taste - you can always mix in more at the end, a pinch of clove (optional). This is easy to whip up when we run out of our Bajan Seasoning at home and need something to tie us over. Feel free to add other favorite herbs like rosemary, fennel, turmeric, dried chilies to experiment. Try to use as many fresh herbs as possible. The benefit of making your own seasoning is that you know and control what goes in it. This seasoning is great on meats, fish, in soups and sauces.

Q: How do you get your makeup to look on point but still look natural?

Like this?

Maybelline The Nudes New York Eyeshadow Palette


A significant part of my au naturale makeup is due to this palette. If you follow me on Instagram you already know how I feel about this palette. It really is EVERYTHING! I've been using The Nudes for over 6 months now and I have absolutely zero criticisms of this palette.


- This palette is suitable for all skin tones. ALL. And is great on dark skin from cocoa to coffee bean and beyond.
- Mattes and shimmer for day to night, or subtle to glam.
- Great for travel. Literally the only palette you need when travelling.
- If you're creative, resourceful, and really into packing light, you can highlight and/or  contour with select shadows in this palette. I really can't rave enough about it.

Q: What are you using on your face?

Dermatouch Natural Skin Care Skin Perfecting System:

This is my #1 Black Friday recommendation. Why? Because it's effective, it actually rotates, it does the same thing as the hundred dollar spin brush systems, DOESN'T COST $100, and it works! I use this spin brush religiously to exfoliate my face, and alternate between the soft and firm brush heads depending on what my skin needs.

Frankly, every skin type can benefit from exfoliation. As a matter of fact, the brush pictured is the men's brush, which is basically the brush ... in black. Fellas, exfoliation is essential to diminishing ingrown hairs, keeping your skin smooth and your facial hair situation looking and feeling good. #beardgang membership stays intact.

If you've been looking for a spin brush to test before you splurge on an expensive brand, simply can't afford to splurge (no shame there), or if you are doubtful whether an exfoliating brush will work for you, this is a good place to start.

My Bonus Recommendation? My oil cleansing recipe to improve skin found here. This oil cleanse recipe works well in conjunction with regular exfoliation with the Dermatouch, to help fade blemishes.

Have you tried any of these products? Leave a comment and share your experience.

Beetle Juice! Beetle Juice! Beetle Juice!

Hi Lovers,

As I have mentioned in a previous post, where I profiled the fabulosity of Ka'oir cosmetics, I love a vibrant lip color. One can never go wrong with the classic look of a vivacious red, the flirtatious nature of a pretty pink, or the sultriness of a bordeaux shade. Regardless of one's skin tone there is a perfect shade of red (or any other color for that matter) out there for you.

In the past few months, however, cosmetic fanatics have been thrust into a sea of panic as studies revealed that some of our most beloved brands of lipsticks contained a significant enough amount of lead to cause the FDA to publish an extensive list detailing the quantity of lead in each of the 400 guilty perps.

Photo: www.makeupgeek.com

What to do? Throw them all away and start from scratch? For some that is definitely a solution, but for others that may just not even make the list of options - however silly it may seem  that risking one's health comes second only to your favorite lippy.

So many of us buried our heads in the sand and pressed on with the rougiest of lips for the sake of fashion (I didn't bury my head but I damn sure wasn't about to sacrifice my perfect red lip! *hangs head in shame*), but then a few weeks ago came the great hullabullo over an ingredient used to put the "berry" color in Starbucks' strawberry flavored beverages....

I came across a post about this project online. By the time this is posted there will be 3 days left in the Kick Starter campaign. This project is very important as an honest and artistic look into a very significant aspect of black culture - hair. I have posted the video for your viewing pleasure and some copy from the Kick Starter page for a more in depth look into the process behind the project.

Watch the video and show some support by donating or simply just spreading the word!

"AFROS" - 'A Celebration Of Natural Hair' A Photo & Lifestyle Book  

Watch for a quick look at the dopeness! 

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

"AFROS" - 'A Celebration Of Natural Hair' A Photo & Lifestyle Book

A coffee table book project by Michael July

This is a book that captures the spirit and essence of the Afro today as well as paying homage to the historic significance of natural hair iconic voyagers like Angela Davis, Jimi Hendrix and others. Over the course of a five year period photographer Michael July approached a wide variety of beautiful, creative and intelligent individuals from all walks of life and asked them would they be willing to participate as subject models for a coffee table book he was putting together entitled "Afros - A Celebration Of Natural Hair". Traveling all across the United States from New York to California he was able to capture the créme de la créme of Afros. People of virtually every shade, ethnicity, country and age group. "AFROS - A Celebration Of Natural Hair" intent is to show pictorially the power, beauty and glorious nature of the 'Fro and also to document in words the deeper and at times whimsical "hairstory" of each of its models. The author shot the majority of these individuals at his photo studio in Brooklyn using colorful & vibrant backdrops personally tailored to each model's own sense of style and fashion. As a result he succeeded, along with the assistance of two remarkably talented book designers, Darhil Crooks & Monica Whittick in creating a coffee table book that will have massive international appeal for many years to come.

The money raised through Kickstarter pledges will all go toward printing and shipping costs. Once the project has been successfully funded we will immediately go to press and you can expect your copy to ship in July -- a great way to kick off Summer!

A word from Michael July:

   Just wanted to give you some information about myself and the Afro Book project. I am a freelance professional photographer and writer whom over the years worked with Giant Step, Essence, Okay Player, Urb and other publications. I'm in the final stage of completing a book "AFROS" - 'A Celebration of Natural Hair'. The basics of the book is to capture the essence of the Afro or "natural" as it exists in today's culture. In addition to photos, the book contains quotes from each individual on why they choose to wear their hair natural and/or what does natural hair mean to them, their occupation & where they hail from as well as researched information regarding the history of the Afro. There will be archival sections that will feature vintage Afro picks, combs, rakes, natural hair care products, Afro inspired artwork, and a directory of some of the most popular blogs and sites related to natural hair world-wide. The book will contains 450 pages. So far I have people like Toure, Renee Neufville, Dr. Cornel West, Celia Faussart of Les Nubians, Michaela angela Davis, Cherokee, Jesse Boykins III, Cody ChesnuTT and Reggie Watts and hundreds of other beautiful folks. The progress of the coffee table book has been turning out incredibly well. Primarily it was shot in the metropolitan area of New York, but I have also shot across the country in places like Atlanta, D.C., Philly, California, New Jersey, Miami & Maryland.

   I have been doing photography for about 7 years, 6 years professionally. Primarily concerts, fashion shows, portfolios & whatever interests me. Prior to that I was doing the same thing but with video. I am based out of Brooklyn, NY where I have a full photography studio. Ideally I prefer to capture people as they are, that is as naturally as possible. Although with most of the book's models I was able to do something far more colorful and creative.

   After 5 and a half years of shooting I have over 240 subjects. People of all nationalities: African-Americans, Asians, Caucasians, Africans, South Americans & Europeans. From the ages of 8 months to 80 years old. I was fortunate to work with two extremely experienced and respected book designers, Darhil Crooks, Creative Director of Ebony Magazine and Monica Whittick of Big Blu Design, Inc., on the layout, design & formatting of the book. As well as a great copy editor, Angela Watford of Eyes Dotted, formally with Vibe Media Group. I'm in the final editing stages now and expect to go to print in April. The book is now 99% finished and ready for print. I have a tentative release date targeted for mid June 2012. I will be self-publishing the book through Natural Light Press. I do have an extensive background in artist management, public relations, sales, promotion and marketing. I have already received a large number of offers from across the the United States and abroad to do book launches, signings, speaking engagements and exhibitions at universities, bookstores, galleries, museums, hair shows, public schools, festivals and hair salons. I'm looking forward to doing an extensive promotional tour in the United States and Canada for the first year and then to tour overseas for at least 6 months beginning at the end of 2012. All of these contacts have only been through word of mouth since I only recently created my first internet presence: a facebook page. Next month I will begin putting together an official website for the book.

 How I am doing this:  I am looking through Kickstarter to raise $20,000 in total towards the printing and binding of the actual book. This will supplement some of the money I have manage to save. Once that goal is reached in April, I will travel overseas to personally oversee the printing of the first 4000 to 5000 copies of the book. This is generally a 2 to 3 month process before the book is delivered to the USA. This will be a self-published 9" x 12", 450 page full-color photographic book. I have recently received an offer from a major photo book distributor to distribute and launch the book at their mega bookstore & gallery space once the printing is completed which I am considering.

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK AT MY $50 AND UP PLEDGE REWARDS - YOU'LL ESSENTIALLY BE PRE-ORDERING A FIRST EDITION COPY OF THE BOOK!

My long term goal:

By creating this book my hope is to show how beautiful and diverse natural hair is and that it should be embraced and celebrated by everyone worldwide whether they choose to wear theirs natural or not. My true target audience are young people who struggle with their self-identity because of negative media messages, peer pressure and lack of natural role models. That through these pages they may be encourage to see and accept their own individual God-given beauty and hopefully a more positive and wholesome identity. Your donation will go towards that goal.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.