Natural Queen Lori O!

Introducing Lori Owens, mother, wife, woman of God, world traveler and lover of natural Afro hair!

 Lori O's hair stats

Completely natural since 2012

Type 4 curly hair/thick density

20 inches and getting longer every month

Her hair care regimen

I have been able to grow my hair to 20 inches and counting thanks to the CoilyQueens Regimen.  I actually implemented the CQR into my life for awhile now. The CQR taught me to wash my hair 1-2 times a week. I wet my hair however, in the past I had to section my hair in 6 sections. The CQR has my hair in such great condition I no longer have to shampoo it in sections.  I use coconut oil to detangle my hair in the shower. Then I shampoo my hair using a sulfate free shampoo or clay wash and conditioner. I use an Apple cider vinegar rinse two times per month. I like using Dr. Miracles deep conditioner then I rinse with cool to cold water. I add my leave in conditioner, moisturizing cream and seal with an oil preferably (avocado, olive oil, grapeseed oil or cold pressed castor oil). Then lastly, I style my hair. 

Why did she return to her natural?

"I became frustrated with relaxer burns and itchy scalp. No matter how much I would grease my scalp it would continue to be dry. Length was also a big issue. My hair would get to a certain length and then always break off"

Her natural hair challenges

How long it take her hair to dry. I would love for my hair to dry within an hour but in reality it takes 8+ hours to dry.

Natural hair rewards

" My biggest reward being natural is being free to be my true self the way God intended for me to be inside and out. I assure you it is a confidence builder. I feel like a proud hair natural. I can express myself also through my hair." 

Her signature style

"My signature style is usually the flat twist but, right now I'm trying wash in go's."

Ultimate hair goal

To grow waist length, healthy, easy to style hair. If you would like to follow her natural hair journey, you can find her on FB in the Black Hair Love (for coily queens) group. 

One of her favorite scriptures

  My GOD shall supply ALL my needs according too his riches and GLORY by Chist Jesus. He didn't say some needs he said ALL of your and my needs. So before you say something to someone else or complain about it. Pray about it and leave it there with God. Phil. 4:19

You grow Lori O!!!

Shea Moisture JBCO Strengthen & Gro Leave-In Conditioner

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Looking for a good leave-in conditioner? You must try the JBCO Shea Moisture strengthen, grow & restore leave in conditioner. This leave in does what you want a leave-in to do. It comes in a jar but it is the consistency of a lotion. This is a water based leave in and it is very wet to the touch. It is extremely moisturizing. This is a leave-in that leaves your hair moisturized for days.

ORDER HERE

The top 10 ingredients:

1.  Water (moisture & helps the other products absorb)
2.  Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (conditions hair and scalp)
3. Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (strengthens hair and growth)
4.  Stearyl Alcohol (moisture)
5. Cetyl Alcohol (conditions + sheen)
6. Behentrimonium Chloride (detangler+much slip+no build up)
7.  Hydroxyethylcellulose (product thickener nontoxic)
8. Panthenol (improves hair texture and strength)
9. Vegetable Glycerin  (humectant=moisture)
10.  Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, 

PROS:

Very hydrating

Long lasting moisture

No harsh ingredients sitting on your hair

Great detangler

Large jar, regular price is less than $1 per ounce

CONS:

This is a strengthening leave in,  but the protein is the thirteenth ingredient. So this is a very mild protein leave in conditioner. You would use this leave in as a maintenance strengthening leave in. This would not give you enough protection if you are already experiencing moderate to severe breakage. 

Although this product is titled Jamaican Black Castor Oil leave in conditioner.  Castor seed oil is 12th on the ingredient list. So you are not getting a lot of JBCO in this product. 

MORE PROS: GOOD FOR ALL HAIR TYPES

The jar states that it is great for color treated or heat styled hair in addition to natural hair. 

16 ounces for only $10.99

February week one style tip

Want more hang time or stretch with your twist outs?

Follow these easy steps:

1. Best to start with clean hair.

2. After you wash and deep condition hair smooth hair back into a ponytail bun. Let it dry 24 hours.

3. When you take your bun down, your coily hair will be stretched. Using only a little leave in conditioner, set your hair in about 14 flat twists.

Stretched hair

4. Part your hair the way you want it to fall. I chose a middle part with 7 flat twists on each side. Be sure to smooth your hair as you create your flat twists.  Let it set overnight.

Flat twists

5. Apply some coconut oil or grape seed oil or castor oil to hands and gently remove your flat twists. You should not have to separate your twists that much. The flat twists are already set. Just fill in spaces gently using your fingers no picks. 

Flat twist out

The main key to keeping your stretch is to use less product. The more product you use the more shrinkage you will have.

Visit youtube for tutorials on flat twisting your hair.

If you find that you still have to many spaces in your hair, then make your parts smaller next time. 

Next time instead of making 7 flat twists on each side you can try 10 on each side.

To maintain this style just set hair in large twists or very large flat twists. 

You can do two flat twist on each side. Then shake and fluff in the morning.