Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Hair Kitty Kitty's Top Ten Workout Songs

Hello Beautiful Ones,

What's one thing that keeps me motivated?... Listening to music. Whether if I am in the gym, cooking, running, or walking, I love to have my music going. It keeps me positive and gives me the encouragement to stay active.

Here are my Top Ten Workout Songs, RIGHT NOW!!

  1. "Put It Down", Brandy ft Chris Brown
  2. "Till I Die", Chris Brown, ft Big Sean & Wiz Khalifa
  3. "I.F.U", Usher
  4. "Pop That", French Montana ft Drake, Rick Ross, & Lil Wayne
  5. "Energy", Keri Hilson
  6. "Do It Like You", Diggy
  7. "My Homies Still", Lil Wayne ft Big Sean
  8. "Kanye's Workout Plan", Kanye West
  9. "Mr. Nice Watch", J Cole ft Jay Z
  10. "Out of the Blue", Ryan Leslie

Help me with my workout playlist.

Please share some of your favorite songs to work out to. I'd love to download them!
Let's Get Moving Ladies!




Luv,


Hair Kitty Kitty



Photo Credit:
necolebitchie.com

Friday, July 27, 2012

A New Hair Journey Begins...

Heat Damage Blues


Hello Beautiful Ones,

I CUT MY HAIR OFF!


I did the BIG CHOP! As you may know my  hair goal was to achieve armpit length hair by April 2013. Well, now I have to set new hair goals because I cut many inches of hair.

I was in denial about the condition of my hair. I am fully natural. My last full relaxer was the Summer of 2007. I have been completely relaxer free for about 2 1/2 years (I used to occasionally relax my edges when I wore straight (yaki) weave styles.  In October 2011, just coming out of a four year stretch of wearing sew-ins, I wanted to wear my own hair.  I enjoyed seeing my curl pattern for the first time in life. However, I did not anything about styling, caring for, or maintaining  my natural hair. Everyone I knew wore weaves, a press, or had a chemical relaxer. So from advice of family and friends that advised me to straighten my hair, because it would be easy to manage... "it would be so thick and pretty". I was convince since I had not heat applied to my hair in years it would easily revert back to its natural kinky state. WRONG!

I made my appointment with a new stylist that was recommended to me, which is never advisable. I clearly expressed to him that I only wanted a blow out and a light press with a low heat setting, because I believed my hair would not be strong enough to withstand high heat based on my texture and the fact I had been wearing sew-ins for years. After that initial press of high-heat and a lack of heat protectant, the damage was done. My hair was bone, silky straight as if I had a chemical relaxer.  I wanted to cry, because I knew my hair would not revert as easily as I was led to believe. I was right!

Over the last nine months of extreme care: protein treatments, moisturizing treatments, protective styling, etc. I realized my hair was not going to be as kinky as it was before. It was heat-damaged. The ends were loose curls and some were permanently straight.
I cut some hair four weeks and realized yesterday this hair had to go. This is the hair on the left side of my head, where the damage existed. I already cut the right side when I took this photo.

It started with a little snip here and there...

I almost reached my goal of full armpit length

My bangs grew out considerably

Today, I was ready to get rid of the damage, start this process over and move on.

The moral of my story is trust your instinct. You know what is best for your hair. Never let others convince you to undergo a process, because they are curious of the results. It is not their fault,  I have to take responsibility and should have done what was best for my hair . Always go to a professional you know and trust. He/she needs to have your best interest in mind. Consultations are always recommended.

My new hair goals will be outlined soon.

I am a little sad because I like creative styles and  know I cannot do those right now. No one said this natural journey would be easy.



My hairspiration for the cut was YouTuber,  LethalPleazures: youtube.com/lethalpleazure
The cut is very short on the sides and back, but longer and fuller at the crown and top of my head. I cut and styled my hair on my own.It is recommended you go to a professional to get a hair cut.




I'm ready to begin this new hair journey... Wish me luck!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Tip of the Week

Hello Beautiful Ones,

Here is the tip of the week:







FAITH
_________________________

FEAR


Faith over Fear

Remember, Faith is a 24-Hour Commitment

Photo Credit:
maxlindatravel.wordpress.com

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

July is Hair Kitty Kitty's Reader Appreciation Month!

Hair Kitty Kitty & SteelPeach Present…

Best Make-Up Look Photo Submission Giveaway

We Want to See Your Best Summer Makeup Look
The winner will receive a Free Accessory & a $10 Purchase Credit toward their 1st purchase of $25 or More from SteelPeach!!! The Bonus Prize is Mary Kay Nourishine Lip Gloss (Shade of Your Choice)!!!

               

*Prizes include free shipping in the continental United States. All products are brand-new, unopened, and unused.
Rules &Requirements:
You must meet all requirements to be considered. One photo per entry. Only one photo will be selected as the winning photo and the winner’s photo will be posted on SteelPeach’s Facebook Page & Hair Kitty Kitty on Thursday, August 16, 2012. Winner will be contacted by email on Sunday, August 12, 2012 by 7:00 p.m. and will be asked for shipping info you will have until Wednesday, August 15th  by 8:00p.m. EST to reply to receive gift and free shipping.
 Photos of the ones not chosen will be discarded and not used for any purpose.
Luv,
AkeinaSingletary                                         Catherine "Cat"Starks                                          
SteelPeach, CEO/Owner                            Hair Kitty Kitty        
www.steelpeach.com                                  luvhairkittykitty.blogspot.com/

Boost Your Metabolism

What is Metabolism?
The rate you burn calories you consume    
----------------------------------------------------


Any Movement Speeds Up Metabolism…
You Can Increase Your Metabolism just by fidgeting (starts fidgeting... Ha ha) 

Every increase in body temperature increases metabolism by +14%
Eating protein appears to do the same thing (Smiles)

When you sleep, your metabolic rate decreases by -10%  
When you fast more than 12 hours, your metabolic rate decreases by -40% (All frowns)

Adequate sleep helps regulate your metabolism (Great News)
You can control your metabolism by:
*exercising
*Eating steadily throughout the day: 5-6 small meals and snacks
*Staying Hydrated (Sip Away)





This information is great for us women who are especially 25+ years who are trying to maintain our weight or accelerated weight loss.






Sunday, July 22, 2012

The Winners Are...

June Product Giveaway Contest Winners


My sincerest apologies to the delay of this announcement


Drum Roll Please...


The Best Protective Styler is:


Stefanie

Stefanie's Box Braids are Rockin'

Here is what Stefanie has to say about Hair Kitty Kitty:

"Your blog posts are very fresh and the talk about the topics that every woman in the 18-35 age range are interested in. They are well written and provide all necessary and detailed information on the topics. My favorite post is the big chop hairspiration.".

Stefanie Wins:
                           
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Best Straight Styler:


Tiffany


Before Pic in Curly State



After Pictures: Beautifully Pressed

Tiffany's Straight Tresses... Simply Gorgeous!

Here is what Tiffany has to say about Hair Kitty Kitty:

"I like the frequency and the diversity of posts that I see on Hair Kitty".

Tiffany wins:


Thanks to all the wonderful beauties who entered the contest in June. Your entries were greatly appreciated. To anyone who has visited my blog your readership means everything to me.


DIY Smoothie

Hello Beautiful Ones,

I love smoothies!

I want to mix it up and give you guys variety in your diet. If you are following Hair Kitty Kitty's meal plan, where it says protein shake, you can try this recipe... Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE THUNDER SMOOTHIE



  • 1 Tbsp of Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Cup of Fat Free Milk (Skim Milk)
  • 1 Scoop of Chocolate Whey Protein Powder at least 20 grams of protein per serving
  • 4 Ice Cubes
  • 1/2 Bag of Yoplait Chocolate Banana Smoothie Mix








Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings. Serve immediately.

It tastes as good as a Wendy's Chocolate Frosty MINUS the high-fat content!!

It's great after a strength training workout!
You can drink as a snack, or drink as a quick & easy meal!


Each serving: About 270 calories, 30 g protein, Carbs 24 g, Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0 g, Sodium 220 mg; Fiber 5 g

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Tip of the Week

Hello Beautiful Ones,

Here is the tip of the week:






Poster credit:

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Protective Style Challenge

Hello Beautiful Ones,

Are you still protecting your hair?

Protective styles are hairstyles that are used to protect the ends of your hair, which is the oldest and weakest part of the hair strand. Preserving and retaining the ends of our hair gives us the length some of us desire. Protective styles are great because they require little maintenance and it requires low manipulation to the hair, which aids in hair preservation and hair growth. Protective styles are not limited to natural hair. Beauties with straight hair can wear nice protective styles also.

When I set my hair goals, I challenged myself this year to wear protective styles 90% of the time to achieve full armpit length by April 2013.

It's a WIG!!!

Another Fabulous Glamour Wig personally made by my stylist Alkhyseam Watson.
 

Preparation:
Followed my K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple, Sexy regimen. I used Carol's Daughter Monoi Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask. I actully kept the same braids from my previous protective style. My stylist, Al, just braided a small portion of the loose hair.  He sown the hair to a cap and placed clips on the wig so I can secure the wig on my head. It is so cute and lightweight. It really does look natural.

Before and After...




For a custom-made wig, call Al at 404-455-1243. Tell him CAT referred you for a special discount.


Maintenance:
Moisturize every evening by spritzing with water and moisturizing with Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl  Style Milk; seal with virgin coconut on the ends 2-3 times per week. I two-strand twist the front part of my hair that is loose every night. I undo the twist after I have showered and blend my hair with the wig. Sometimes, I lightly use African Royal Braid Spray in the morning on the braided part.  I tie with a scarf nightly and cover with a satin bonnet. Apply a finger tip amount of Olive Oil Ecostyler gel to my edges in the morning.


Show me your protective styles. If you want length & healthy hair, join me on my protective style challenge!

Good luck on your hair journey!

Luv,

Hair Kitty Kitty