New Experience Diary: Senegalese Twists, My Beard ( Yes, My Beard) & A Long Lasting Polish

Senega What?

For those of you who don’t know, I have a slight obsession with changing my hair (in addition to my obsession with good lipgloss and gum!) You can’t blame me though, I got it honestly. My mom had my sisters and I looking fly growing up. We always had a new do and fresh clothes. Clearly I have my priorities straight 🙂 So anyway, I’m in NYC and I see almost everyone with these long beautiful twists. I do my research and I discover the Senegalese twists. I just want to share with you a little bit about my experience with the hair and any useful tips that you might be able to use. First things first, I was extremely apprehensive about getting this style because I didn’t know how it would be received in a professional setting. For the first time ever, I have a hair style that’s down to my lower back! You don’t have to get them this long but I figured, what the hell? As far as the diminished professionalism, I haven’t noticed anything yet. I was super nervous, but it isn’t that bad. I’ve had them in for about a month and I had them freshened up twice. The first time was because my stylist had to tighten some of the middle twists because my hair is so short and the second time was for routine maintenance.

I found that the best hair to use for this style is the Kankekalon braiding hair which can be found online or in your local beauty supply store. The hair is very long. So long that we had to cut each pack in half in order for it to reach my back. If we wouldn’t have cut it, it literally would have went past my ankles! I only needed about 4 packs and the hair was $5.00 a pack. It’s pretty versatile but I haven’t done much with it. Any ladies interested in my hair stylist just shoot me an email to: terri@MochaGirlsPitStop.com. My stylist is located in the Bronx.

Say No to Rogaine

You’re probably already cracking up at this subtitle if you have a good imagination, but I’ll tell you the story anyway. So, I went to see my dermatologist a few months ago for my acne and my edges. For the past 6 plus years I’ve struggled with thin edges. One side is nearly bald and the other is… getting there. I’ve had to restrict my hair styles and I felt like I tried almost everything but nothing ever worked. My edges have become a huge insecurity. When I met with my dermatologist, she recommended Rogaine with no hesitation. She even told me that I could use Men’s Rogaine because it’s stronger! Against my better judgement,  I bought the Men’s Rogaine. Funny thing is, while in CVS I stood with both boxes in hand, Women’s Rogaine and Men’s Rogaine, contemplating, hard. I chose the Men’s box because it was stronger and I was desperate. Despite the warning on the label that read “Not for women,” I bought it, I used it faithfully and within a month I had a beard. Haha, very funny. I not only had a beard, but I had a mustache, forehead hair and cheek hair. It wasn’t too thick but it was definitely visible. Visible enough for my younger brother to make a comment! Gross! I was petrified when I started to notice this foreign body hair. I swear I was using the Rogaine for a month ( on my edges only) and it seemed like I woke up one day and BAM… I was a man. Oh yea, I had to start shaving my face too. Luckily I think the hair stopped growing but man was this a devastating experience. I told a few of my girlfriends this story and they nearly laughed themselves to death. Yea, so, moral of the story, don’t use Men’s Rogaine if you were thinking of using it. My fiance’s mom sent me a few hair growth products so as soon as I see results from those, I’ll share.

My Nail Polish Lasted for 3 Weeks!

Lately I’ve been pretty busy and I haven’t had much time to get my nails done. I tried to “go natural” with my nails by taking off the acrylic and wearing my real nails, but it’s hard. My nails are thin, the polish chips and the nails snag onto everything! I’ve been using Shellac polish on and off for a few years now but there’s a new combo that has been working well for me. When I go to the nail shop I get acrylic put on my real nails, no tips and then I get the Shellac color polish. Shellac can be used on your real nails but it just doesn’t work well for me. And, it lasts for 3 weeks on acrylic. I think this is my new go to method until I find something better.