After the Loving Your Hair With Natural Care Workshop, I felt invigorated and renewed. I felt even more determined to solve my own natural hair issues.

Felicia had great advice about finding the right hairdresser, and I knew I still needed the right one. My hair was strong but I could tell that the ends were damaged. In 2009 I did a box hair color and the difference in that color versus the new growth was super noticeable. And not cute. Plus my hair was so big it just kinda flopped into a random center part. I admitted to her that I was getting frustrated with it and needed a change. Felicia volunteered to be part of it. So a few days after the workshop, before she headed back to Los Angeles, she came to my casa and cut my hair. And here it is, step by step!

The before photo is not the cutest photo I’ve ever posted of myself on this here blog. None of these photos are – I’m not wearing makeup in most of them. But here goes!

Felicia instructed me to wash and condition my hair with the Lawrence Ray Concepts products she’d brought, and then she proceeded to blow my hair out with a hair dryer.

WOW. I hadn’t blown out my hair in like four years!

Then she started styling it.

Felicia is a big fan of retro hairstyles – the bouffants and pinned updo’s of the fifties and sixties. So we experimented with a little of that, so she could show me the versatility of my hair.

We were working with some time constraints, so we decided to do a simple, elegant style that included a big fabulous twist, and a sunshine yellow flower by Ododo Originals.

Here’s a video testimonial all about Felicia, where you can see the style from different angles!

I kept the style for a day or so, and then I carefully untwisted my hair. And I wound up with THIS style which I LOVED!!

The very next day I washed my hair and got the curly curly curls back just in time for the Marcus Samuelsson event – and if you’ve seen my MAC or Marshalls video, you’ve seen my new haircut, I just didn’t announce it yet!

Like I said in the video, I’m not sure how often I’ll be blowing my hair out and styling it like Felicia did, but it was nice to do something different. My hair is now shorter, but bouncy and full of life and it has a SHAPE which is all I was dreaming of!

Once again I’d like to thank Felicia Leatherwood for being AWESOME. If you want her to bring the Loving Your Hair workshop to your town, join her Facebook page and ask her! And let her know you read about her right here on Afrobella =)

COMMENTS

Macafouchette says:

June 16, 2010, 2:22 pm

I love the 60s up-do and the result after twisting it. Your hair looks very healthy and shines in those styles.

Robin says:

June 16, 2010, 3:06 pm

Bella, You are always right on time!! I've been meaning to tweet or fb you and ask if you've ever considered an alternate styling technique. I'm trying to be on a no straightening strike. But sometimes you just need a change. I think I'll be trying out that retro look. You're so cute!! No need to apologize for no makeup :-) Love the new blog look too. Good job!

sandra says:

June 16, 2010, 4:44 pm

Yes...lovely hairdo. one of the fallacies about "natural" hair is that it cannot be styled straight. A gentle blow up yields many textural style as long as you condition the hair and don't apply a lot of heat. Another master of these techniques is Pamela Ferrell. Her book "Where beauty touches me" is chocked full of different styles. Here is a link to her website for more information and another link to a video showing a simple style chignon. enjoy: 1) link to her website http://www.cornrowsandco.com/company.cfm?companyID=2 2) link to a video of a chic natural simple style http://www.5min.com/Video/Learn-how-to-Cornrow-Hair---Finishing-the-Style-142077659 Thank you Afrobella. I also love Felicia's hairstyle too.

bella says:

June 16, 2010, 4:55 pm

Thanks!! I loved the retro look and the twistout was amazing!! I don't know if I can do it myself though...

Felicia L. says:

June 16, 2010, 5:51 pm

Thank you soooo much Afrobella...I love U and I love this Blog Site! It's my favorite!

Starla says:

June 16, 2010, 8:55 pm

Bella, how did she blow it out. The scariest thing about the blow-out is doing it incorrectly and causing damage!! You're great, by the way!!!

Carol says:

June 16, 2010, 10:05 pm

This is awesome!

bella says:

June 17, 2010, 7:24 am

I'm gonna check her out! Thanks for the links!!

bella says:

June 17, 2010, 7:25 am

Thanks Starla!! Felicia brought her own blowdryer (I actually don't even have one!) and kept the dryer on a lower heat setting. She was very careful, and we did use some LRC leave in conditioner before attempting the blow out! It's not something I might do on my own, but I love the look she gave me =)

warrior11209 says:

June 17, 2010, 9:19 am

I noticed that your hair looked different in the videos- the cut brought your hair to another level of greatness :-) Both hairdos are really pretty. No need to apologize about not wearing makeup - you are beautiful either way - smooth skin and your positive atitude shines through.

BlackBetty says:

June 17, 2010, 12:18 pm

Nice styles Bella. To fake the blowout, try a curly twist out (2 strand twist then curl the ends), or a roller set. NO direct heat, easy to do and great for your hair.

Niki says:

June 17, 2010, 1:37 pm

Super cute! This is giving me some ideas for styles. Looking forward to experimenting!

Tamika says:

June 19, 2010, 7:20 pm

Definitely LOVE the wavy do! Very beautiful!

Mel says:

June 22, 2010, 8:14 pm

Hey, I'm looking for new hairstyles but every time I take out my hair I notice a lot of breakage that I never had before. What would be good to use on hair to prevent breakage for a college student on a budget? (And by budget I mean no more than $20 per product.)I've tried Carol's Daughter and it just wasn't working for me. And what do you use on your skin?

Mzpastrychef says:

June 24, 2010, 4:36 pm

OMG I am so late to the party..lol You got your hair cut!!!!! How does it look now when it curled back up?? ( I cant see the video at work.hehe ..*sneak**sneak) Take Pictures!!