Embracing Nappiness

I have broken one of the "Natural Commandments"

2011-11-05T19:37:00.004-05:00

I am using hair grease!! This has been the buzz of many hair blogs and boards recently and what caused me to take a second look at grease. Before I really took the time to learn the how to take care of the hair I was hiding under wigs and weaves I would wash it, comb out the knots with no conditioner. (Yeah I should be shot) Grease it with Sulfar 8, twist and put it back under my multitude of wigs.

Well as you have seen I have made no qualms in sharing that I have been having issues with what I loving call "crispy crown syndrome" to the point I went to a dermatologist. So I went to buy Sulfar 8, but the Sally's near my apartment in Chicago SUCKS! So I remembered in my "relaxed days" I tried the Profective line so I picked up a jar of Profectiv Root Health Daily Anti Dryness Strengthener. I have to say that so far I am impressed with it. It's very light creme and a little goes a long way. The ingredients aren't perfect, but right now my itchy scalp as subsided and that is all that matters to me.

CityGirl81 & Shea Moisture Together Forever

2011-11-05T19:20:00.001-05:00

My recent buy from Walgreens.com buy one get on free sale

So I tried the Curl Smoothie when I found it locally at Walgreens and I was in LOVE. I am not to keen on paying shipping which is why I didn't try it before. So after I lost my damn mind last weekend buying up Shea Moisture products, I tried the Deep Treatment Masque last night. OMG! I did add a little EVOO, Jojoba, Tea Tree and Castor on top. I slept in it overnight. I washed it out this morning and LOVE the feeling of my hair.

After washing it out I parted my hair in six sections applied my curl smoothie and finger raked it thru each section and then applied the castor oil on top. Because the winter winds of the Windy City have been BRUTAL I have been wearing a wig. However, I decided to take some time this weekend to do my two strand twist smaller so they will last through the week with my workouts and co washing at night. Would I rock them as a day-to-day style, nah, I ain't that good yet. However, I will snatch that wig off at the gym and get my sweat on in Zumba!

I love Shea Moisture products, I adore the black soap for my skin and especially for my face! I highly recommend this line and it's not too hard on the pocket book either.

Tyra, you should be ashamed of yourself

2011-09-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

Business woman extraordinaire Tyra Banks gets a HUGE C'mon Son from me for her TypeF youtube channel. I am not a fashion industry insider, but the foolishness that is being exemplified worldwide on this channel is setting the natural hair movement back 100 years. The resident expert, Joann Robertson is utterly laughable and unbelievable with her so called tips. Take a look at this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdkQDJzXNlQ&feature=related

Where do I start? Where are your edges? Why is your hair so dry? When is the last time you detangled? This woman in a joke. I went to her website, where she has a nice shiny straight weave on and I am sure this woman has no idea how to take care of natural hair. I already side eye Tyra for a lot of things, but after this tomfoolery, I just can't. Tyra, you fail for this on so many levels. I am so glad that there are many women on youtube that have provided me good advice and message boards out there that have people who really are interested in sharing positive advice on natural hair and not throwing bullshit together like what is being promoted on the TypeF site. They definitely have the F right as in FAIL!

Hair Update

2011-09-18T22:59:00.001-05:00

So I had a follow up with my dermatologist and she is very happy with my progress. I have to be honest, I am happy too! My hair no longer breaks at a simple touch! It has the same texture as the rest of my hair and the itching is minimal. Thank you Dr. Brooke Jackson! I have a follow up at the end of the year. My hair is retaining moisture and length. A little at a time, so I am not stressing about it. As the Fall approaches, it's time for another wig so I am hunting for a new style. It's starting to get cool here in Chicago, so no more wash n go's! Until later darlings! Have a wonderful day!

I think I am losing my hair!

2011-06-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

*please note the flash makes it look worse

So for the winter my hair had been hidden, but in February I had my second professional blowout as a natural by a Caucasian sister. ( I will discuss later) And she was concerned that one section of my hair was so short and breaking when the rest was thriving. Mind you the first blowout I had was from an African American that noticed the same issue, but said nothing other than "what happened here." The Caucasian stylist recommended I see a dermatologist.

So fast forward, this past week I went to see Dr. Brooke Jackson of the Skin and Wellness Center here in Chicago. I have to say the mere fact I had no idea she was 4a/b natural herself was a shock when I met her, but I was so glad I choose her because she truly understood. I am a Zeta and she is a AKA, and while we laughed at that with each other she was very insightful, understanding and gave me hope I wasn't going bald. PHEW!

She did discuss my hair history, which we both agreed I have done a whole lot of mess to my hair!!! After she did an examination she said, the hair is growing there, but it breaks as fast as it grows. UUGHHH!! She said the area is lacking sufficient blood circulation and that the crown area is very common for this issue. However, she felt with a little TLC my hair can grow back because it's not bald, but there is just extreme breakage. she currently has me on two topical treatments and I have a follow up in a few weeks, but I will say the feeling of the hair in this area has already started to change.

I am glad that Gloria of Noel Rose in Lincoln Park, Chicago told me to look into a dermatologist. I feel so much better knowing there is hope for that part of my hair. I will keep you all posted!

I have been MIA!

2011-06-05T14:12:00.000-05:00

I feel horrible, but life has been what it is, life. Lots of personal and professional drama, but I am back because after a recent experience with my hair I feel I must share with everyone my journey, especially us 4B girls, since we have to rep really hard. So I will be posting more frequently.

M. I. A.

2010-11-19T18:51:00.001-06:00

Hello natural ladies. I have been ghost for a while. I have been working out heavily and focusing on work. Now that the Fall/Winter is here in Chicago, I am protecting my natural hair. I love this wig! I have two. I get many compliments with it, but I miss my natural hair, however, the wind and the cold, no bueno!

The big difference this time is I am maintaining what is under the wig! Anywho, just wanted to check in! Stay fabulous!

My crown is making me crazy

2010-08-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

I baby my crown and yet I wonder will it ever catch up with the rest of my hair? I have tried to be as gentle as possible. I haven't applied heat in months. I think my crown just doesn't want to cooperate with me. UUGGHH! Other than that with the Midwest Winter coming on, wash and go's are a no no, so it's time to get back to my creamy butter moisturizes and back to bantu knot outs, because my twist outs look horrible.

Crispy Crown Syndrome

2010-07-04T17:39:00.000-05:00

First of all Happy 4th of July everyone! Being that I live in a city where I really don't know anyone I celebrated by making oven baked ribs, corn on the cob and broccoli/cauliflower with cheese. Not traditional I know, but I am trying to watch what I eat because I am training to run my first 5K in September. So now let's get back to the title. On many hair boards I read of the infamous cowlick crown! DRIVES ME CRAZY. I think I my have finally found the permanent relief.....jheri curl juice....ROFL! Think I am joking? Between SCurl and Long Aid Curl Activator gel, my hair has NEVER been softer! And the "crispy crown" is under control! I can't believe after all these years I am back to "soul glo", but hey, my hair likes it and I am giving it what it wants. So for those of you that have "crispy crown syndrome" give it a try! :-)

Are you taking your B vitamins?

2010-05-30T17:33:00.001-05:00

Not only are B vitamins great for your overall health, but for your "hair" health as well. Hair loss occurs when the diet is inadequate in the B vitamins - especially B6, biotin, inositol and folic acid; and the minerals magnesium, sulfur and zinc. The B vitamins, especially B5 (pantothenic acid and B3 (niacin), are especially important for hair growth. With that in mind I would like to recommend the B-Complex that I currently use.

Solaray B-Complex Chewable has been in my life for the past four years. I prefer chewables because the most absorption occurs in the mouth, even though some studies say liquid is best. The taste is very good for a vitamin...LOL.

However, nothing is better than both a good exercise and diet regimen to keep the hair lovely! Happy Memorial Day!

My Ode to Elasta QP Mango and Olive Oil Butter

2010-05-02T11:49:00.000-05:00

So the other day I was leaving the gym and slicking some of this product in my hair. I put a little too much at the crown (my trouble spot) and I noticed the next day that it was no longer "rough" as it normally would be. So I thought it was a fluke, did it again. Same results! OMG! Now I know many of 4A/B girls experience this, but I think I may have found a winner! VERY excited! I know that all of the ingredients may turn some people off, so you can always result to making it from scratch, which I may consider, but for now I am very happy. WOOHOO!

I have been so SLACKING!

2010-04-01T14:22:00.001-05:00

Work has been kicking my butt and I have been slacking. Last night I was SOOO tired I went to sleep without covering my hair. (SHAMEFUL) The funny thing is the nights I go to the gym, I always co-wash so I am good. It's the nights I don't go where I sometimes slack. I NEED to do better.

Anyway, I know a lot of us worry about hair loss, however have you ever considered that you may have an iron deficiency? I would employ you to check out this article via WebMD by clicking here

Now I found out years ago that I have low iron. I personally use a chewable iron supplement. You can purchase it at the Vitamin Shoppe or VitaCost.com. I can always tell when I am not up to par on my iron, because I feel VERY tired. Since I have stepped up my workout game, I have to be diligent in my vitamin supplements. Now that Spring is hopefully coming upon us in the Midwest and throughout the country, it's time to get ready for our summer regimens. I will be back soon with more. Also, FYI, I have started a YouTube channel! :-) It's called Love, Life and Hair. I am too lazy to manage two YouTube accounts so I put it all in one. Anyway, be back soon! Happy Hair Days!

Natural Hair Haters

2010-02-14T01:07:00.000-06:00

OK, I am apart of a few hair boards and I have to admit, it annoys me to NO end women who get on these boards saying how much they hate their hair. Really, so why are you here? These boards are about acceptance, if you hate it that much, get a relaxer and shut it! I mean really, if you don't want to learn how to work with you hair, why are you bitching about it? Now, sometimes when I read some of these post, I have to take a step back and remember, my natural journey was an accident. Truth is, it took me over four years to actually get to know MY hair, but at the same time over the past few months its been fun. I love playing with it. I have good days and bad days, but the truth is I love my natural hair. I wish my mom would have never permed it, but I realize in the 80's the type of info that is available now wasn't there. I love playing in my hair and taking care of it. I actually had a good friend of mine email me saying, "I am going natural, perms are breaking my hair."

I have been more than happy to provide her with sites and information to help her. To be honest I was honored she felt she could come to me. I remember I was in Sally's one night and the cashier asked me what conditioner do you use?(I had my curls in their natural state) When I told here VO5, she was shocked. Honestly, to me natural hair is fun and learning how to take care of it was a lesson I can't forget. I love my hair and I don't want any texture changing chemicals near it.

GVP Conditioning Balm - Compare to Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm

2010-01-23T09:13:00.000-06:00

OMG! This stuff is the BIDNESS right here!!! Ok, so I have had a problem with the crown of my hair. No matter what I do, this section was ALWAYS DRY. So I decided to try this after reading so many good reviews on it. I went on vacation last week to San Juan so I decided to use only this product for a week as a Cowash and Leave In. Within two days the dry crown started to cooperate. By the end of the week I couldn't even feel out the spot anymore. It was no longer a dry brittle mess! This product will be replacing Giovanni as my leave in. My hair has NEVER felt this good. It's only 5.99 regularly at Sally's, but it was on sale for $5 for January. And oh yeah, I will be picking up some more before the sale is over. Anywho, give it a try. Hopefully you will have as much luck with this as I have.

INGREDIENTS: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Myristyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Oleate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Hexyl Cinnamal, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwack) Extract, Methyl-2-Octynoate

The Harsh Chicago Winter and My Hair

2010-01-09T22:30:00.000-06:00

So this is my first winter since being natural I am actually wearing my real hair. Let me just say that the harsh Chicago winter and my hair are not friends! I have been trying the twist n curl, which to me looks weird, but I get many compliments. Even had a girl that wanted to go natural tell me that she is surprised by all the styles that I have. I told her, girl, YOUTUBE! She was like you are the second person to tell me that. Without Youtube and NaturallyCurly.com, I don't know where I would be. So yesterday when I left the gym I did my usual cowash after a workout and then I applied my deep conditioner the Hask Placenta Henna n' Placenta. I was able to find the professional size at a local BSS so I got the big bottle! :-) I left it on overnight and washed it out today. Followed by my Giovanni Smooth As Silk, which I actually use as a leave in, my shea butter mix and sealed the ends with Castor oil in two strand twist. I realized to make it through this winter and wear my hair, conditioning is the name of the game. The dry winter air can reek havoc if you do not take care of you hair. I cannot believe it, I would rather wear my real hair than a wig, talk about acceptance. I am loving my natural hair.

Hask Placenta Henna n' Placenta with Olive Oil

2009-12-28T22:08:00.001-06:00

Not that I would call myself a "Product Junkie" per se, but I was in Sally's two weeks ago and I was looking for a deep conditioning treatment. I liked the one bought a month ago, but I don't know I was feeling adventurous. Plus after couple a days, I dunno, I didn't feel like the ION was truly what I needed so I tried this product and wow! It's been almost two weeks and my hair is still feeling good and it doesn't too mushy or hard. I will be repurchasing this for my weekend DC. I would definitely give it a try if you are looking for a DC.

INGREDIENTS: Purified Water, Acetamide MEA, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Olive Fruit Oil, Propylene Glycol, Henna Extract, Isostearyl Ethylimidazolinium Ethoslufate, Citrci Acid, Placental Protein, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Myristyl Acetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Blue #1, Yellow 10, Green 5 Fragrance.

Exercise and Natural Hair

2009-12-22T10:01:00.004-06:00

So even before I embraced my natural tresses exercising was a must for me and the main reason I went natural. About five years ago, my doctor basically told me, you HAVE to lose this weight. I was 23 with high blood pressure, border line diabetic, knee pains and tipping the scale at almost 340. Anywho, now that I have embraced the natural lifestyle, exercising and hair care have become easier. After all, I co wash after I workout. Something I should have done years ago. While browsing youtube I came across this video by the lovely DPrincess28 that I found very inspirational and informative. Not only to us naturals, but to black women period. Take a look at the video.

(used by permission of DPrincess28)

She makes a lot of valid points that I think we all can take advantage of. Health BEFORE vanity! Amen sister you better preach! Check out DPrincess28's Blog. So as I continue my quest towards healthy hair, watching her video reminded me how important overall health should be my number one priority and then hair will follow.

Roux Porosity Control Corrector Conditioner

2009-12-22T09:48:00.002-06:00

OH MY GOD! This stuff is a secret that I am so glad I uncovered. So the crown of my hair has been in a league of its own for a while. So doing some research I discovered this product. Last week I decided to pick up the sample 2oz bottle from Sally's. Let me say that the crown of my head has not felt this smooth in forever. Literally it melted away the tangled, dry mess that once was there. OMG! I cannot say enough good things about this. I have used it twice, in the crown area as the main focus and I am very pleased with the results. I never thought I would be able to bring some order back to that part of my hair. That particular section of my hair is highly porous and now that I have better understanding as to why it acts the way it does, I am now able to maintain it appropriately. Last night I did bantu knots and as I took them down this morning I was prepared for the middle section to have not taken shape, but it did! Ladies, give this product a try. You will not be disappointed.

ION Anti Frizz Solutions Extreme Moisture Creme

2009-12-13T15:58:00.004-06:00

So I was in Sally's a few weeks ago looking for a deep conditioner treatment. Now I know that all of the ingredients are not exactly "Curly Girl", but I was willing to but myself out there a little bit, after all "natural" products are relative anyway, but then again there are some products that I will never let touch my hair again. So Saturday I did my hot oil treatment. (Coconut, EVOO and Castor Oil) I was being so lazy that I actually kept the rinse in my hair all day and went to sleep with it. I know, awful. Woke up this morning finally washed it out and rinse my hair with my Nature's Gate Lavender and Aloe Organic shampoo. (No Sulfates) I then finally used the deep conditioner and let it sit on my hair for hours. Now the directions say five minutes, but I was in the middle of a Law and Order Marathon that I just couldn't pull myself away from...LOL So anyway, I just detatangled and washed it out and my hair feels FANTASTIC! I followed up with my Giovanni Direct Leave-in, Shea Butter mix and sealed the ends with Castor oil. My hair is in four plaits now, as it's cold as a mother in Chicago and I am not feeling hat hair so I will be wearing my wig. Anywho, I will definitely use this product again. I liked the feeling.

INGREDIENTS: WATER ,CETEARYL ALCOHOL ,GLYCERIN ,CETYL ESTERS ,BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE ,AMODIMETHICONE ,SODIUM PCA ,FRAGRANCE ,IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA ,METHYLPARABEN ,TRIDECETH-12 ,CETRIMONIUM CHLORIDE ,CYCLOMETHICONE ,PROPYLPARABEN ,HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL ,YELLOW 5 ,SILK AMINO ACIDS

Hair Hibernation for the Winter

2009-12-09T11:39:00.004-06:00

OK, so I am in the Midwest and the snow is showing us no mercy. At least we had a great summer. So I worked out last night did a cowash when I got home. I then moisturized and braided it in four sections. So tied it down with a silk head wrap. (gotta protect that hair at night!) So I woke up this morning, looked outside and was like I am not going to do my hair to mess it up with the hood of my coat. So I had one new wig I had never worn and well, I am wearing it today. What do you think?

I am one of those people who never hid the fact I wore fake hair. I got so many compliments this morning. OMG you cut your hair it's so cute. I am like thanks, it's a wig...LOL. I get the response, really, but it looks so real! I don't know if i will keep this up the whole winter, but for the next few days I will be "wigin it." Trying to fix my style when I get to work, I don't have for time for all that. And honestly, now that I know how to care for my natural hair, I think this may be the perfect time to just leave my hair alone and let it do its thing. Of course I won't go months, yeah I said, months with out shampooing AND conditioning cause lord knows I use to skip conditioning. My poor hair. Anywho, lets see how the weather goes and that will determine if I am hitting up the wig shop for the winter...LOL.

Oh what is with the crown of my hair???

2009-11-19T00:38:00.000-06:00

So the other day I was at work and I felt a part of my hair that was extremely hard and dry. This definitely got my attention b/c my hair has been thriving since embracing how to take care of MY hair. So on LHCF and NC I am realizing I am not the only person that is having this issue. I mean I can condition and baby it until it comes home and it's still dry. Now, being that I hadn't taken care of my hair in YEARS prior to July this may have been brewing and I didn't realize the depth. I mean its dry, no curl pattern, frizzy, hard, OMG! It's like that part of my hair doesn't belong on my head. Now that I have been doing some research, it may be possible that I have a scalp condition so I am going to make an appointment with a dermatologist. I mean I know my years of relaxing and weaving me have contributed to this, but in the past few months my hair has been revitalized due to conditioning and other positive things I had been doing to my hair. I don't know, but I will keep you posted. I know one thing, is it annoys me to NO end. My hair could be rocking, but that one spot annoys me. UURRGHHH!

My Ode to Shea Butter

2009-11-14T02:11:00.000-06:00

Ladies, let me just say that purchasing Shea Butter was one of the best things I could have done for my hair and skin. WOW, my hair has been rejuvenated. I created a mix of shea butter, coconut oil, EVOO and jojoba oil. I use it on my hair, face and body. Man, my hair is so soft and so is my skin is as well. I am so so so glad I made the investment in Shea Butter. Now that I know that my body and hair loves Shea Butter I will buy more once I run out of my mix. Today I was looking at my hair and man, I had big hair going on today, but I loved it. I never realized how much potential my natural hair had. I am so glad I discovered it.

butters-n-bars.com Unrefined Shea Butter

2009-11-03T00:25:00.000-06:00

So after "stalking" Rustic Beauty's channel on youtube....LOL. She listed where she got her Shea Butter from. Out of curiosity went to the site and let me say the prices are very reasonable, shipping was FAST! Ordered on 10/28, got it today. For my hair I mixed it with my Giovanni 50:50 and for the skin mixed it with EVOO. My skin feels FANTASTIC, I will give you and update on the hair tomorrow, but right now it feels really good and I got great control while doing my braids for my braid out tomorrow. I am really starting to get into understanding what I put on and in my body. I will continue to discover natural alternatives. Lets be real, before modern science, people where cleaning and maintaining their personal hygiene without all the chemicals we use today. I want to go back to that and get in touch with the natural way of life.

Shea Moisture African Black Soap

2009-11-01T16:22:00.002-06:00

OMG! I didn't know! So I was in Target yesterday and decided to pick up a bar after reading about it on the hair boards. OMG I didn't know. In two uses I have noticed the black spots on my face clearing up. My skin feel so freakin' soft and I haven't even applied lotion. OMG! I think I will have to keep this in rotation. Fabulous stuff. I would suggest you try it ladies. If it is not in your local Target you can get online at sheamoisture.com, I am very excited I decided to try this product.

I want my "kinks" back

2009-10-20T08:36:00.000-05:00

So last night I was feeling adventurous and started to flat iron my hair, half way thru I was like, I want my kinks back. I don't want to rock straight hair. Is that weird or what? It's like, ok I just pulled it back in a bun and dressed it up with a head tie, but I think I am really starting to accept my hair. I think that is so important. I am not trying to strive for a hair type that is not mine. Now that winter is coming I need to learn more about protective styling. I was so windy yesterday my twist out looked a hot a$$ mess by the end of the day. Either way I think I am going to return the flat iron, I am just not feeling the straight look.

Three months and counting without a wig

2009-10-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't believe I have made it this far. These past 90 days have been such an amazing experience. Some days I look at my style and say da hell? Then there are other days I am like YAH! my hair is rockin. I am trying to keep my PJism under control. I am still trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn't work, but will say the one thing my hair loves is conditioner! More than likely since I was so bad with conditioning my hair for so years it's probably in shock at all the intention its getting. I have been able to get my itchy scalp under control. OMG what a relief. I think one of the best things I could have done learning that "greasing my scalp" was crazy! Also eliminating mineral oil and petrolatum products has helped me eliminate that greasing feeling. I can run my hand through my hair without feeling like I just ate a two piece from Popeyes. It's also nice that now that when I actually detangle my hair it doesn't come out in clumps so bad I have to go by Drano. I think my hair is starting to like me again...lol. As for shrinkage now that researched how to take of my hair, I don't really notice it as much, what I do notice is my hair type is all over the place. I thought I was 4B without a doubt, but when it's wet I see some curls so loose that I am like is that really my hair. I have no idea what is going on up there, but as long at is soft and moisturized then I am all good! In three more months i am going to do a length check, kinda excited.

My Weekly "baggying"

2009-10-02T20:38:00.004-05:00

This has become my weekly ritual. Thanks to the ladies at naturallycurly.com. I call this my deep conditioning method. Here is what I do:

Mix jojoba, castor and EVOO in an applicator bottle and set in warm water.
Section hair and oil my scalp
Apply AO Honeysuckle Conditioner
De-tangle
Pull into pineapple ponytail
Cover with local grocery store plastic bag and put a goody head tie around it
Leave in overnight
Wash out with Non Sulfate Shampoo
Condition with co wash conditioner and rinse
Apply Leave in
Style as desired

Since discovering this, I have made this a weekly ritual. I have so enjoyed playing with my hair and learning different things about and most of all nurturing my natural hair. To me it has become an intimate relationship I want to bring to marriage. Silly I know, but I have never cared for my hair the way I do now and I love it. It's soft and cooperating and I want to keep it that way.

The Bantu Knot Out

2009-09-28T10:17:00.003-05:00

I guess this style works for me, because every time I wear it I get many compliments about my hair. Even my biggest "hater" of my natural hair loves it like this. So how to I achieve this lovely style? Well first of all thanks to all the wonderful ladies on youtube that did tutorials. So this is what I normally do:

Co wash
Towel Dry - I leave the hair a little damp
Apply Leave - in
Apply Gel
Section hair
Twist
Create the Knot and secure with bobby pins
Tie up hair with silk wrap
Unravel in the morning
Fluff and go

I will have to post a picture later on my fotki. Yesterday I was playing with my hair and I realized that naturals have it the best, we can be straight, wavy, curly, short hair one day, long hair another, there are so many options I have with my natural hair I never had with a relaxer. Some times the best things are unplanned and that is how I feel about my natural hair.

The "transition".....

2009-09-23T12:29:00.004-05:00

What transition? I never planned to go natural. I was getting my hair braided constantly and one day I had an epiphany. Why on earth are you perming your hair and you never wear it straight? So with that being said, no more relaxers.

As for the big chop.....lol. This actually didn't bother me, I guess because I didn't realize it was such a big deal. I was in the bathroom one day and the line of demarcation was just too obvious. So, pulled out my shears and got to cutting away and that was that, back to braids.

Fast forward 3.5 years, I had become a wig maven. I could pick them so good no one in my office knew I had a wig until I would make silly comments like, "I am so ready to flip my wig" or "Sorry I am late I couldn't find my hair." Yeah I am total nut job, never let the "fake hair" thing bother me. So one of my coworkers had surgery and I sat with her at the hospital and her stylist came to visit. I started talking to her and was skeptical she could get my nappy mess straight. Her response, trust me it can't be that bad.

July 10, 2009.......

This was the eye opening day for me. In all the years of being natural I had never seen my hair straight, to be honest, never thought about it. Walked into the salon (Aveda) and the stylist was waiting for me. She laughed at me and was like your hair not bad. So then she asked me are you ready? Lady, lets rock and roll. As she starting straightening she purposely turned me away from the mirror and when she let me see the finished product the look of shock on my face almost scared her...LOL. My hair had never been that long in my life. I mean seriously! I was permed from age 5 to 24 and my hair has never been as long and healthy as it is today.

So a blowout helped me to embrace my hair, I am glad it did. I am enjoying learning all that my hair has to offer.

In the beginning.....

2009-09-22T10:47:00.001-05:00

My hair was dry, greasy and horrible. The few times I would wash my hair and try to detangle, mind you not with a conditioner sometimes (God I was horrible) my hair would come out in CLUMPS. I am surprised I have as much hair as I do now. So when I went to a professional for the first time in years, she noticed one spot had breakage, which that spot was also troublesome when I was relaxed. Even my brother who is growing locs has the same issue. It may be hereditary, who knows. Anywho, she said for the most part my hair was healthy, but needed a cut, not surprising. My hair hadn’t seen scissors in over a year. She noticed my hair was very oily, she didn’t even have to put any additional product on it after the blow out. As you can guess my hair was not really a concern to me. However, seeing it blown out and realizing it was down my back I was like well, let me invest some effort into my hair and wow all the things I was doing wrong. Where should I start!?!?

1. Greasing my scalp: I don’t think there are too many black women who haven’t made this mistake.
2. Mineral Oil & Petrolatum: I am mad at “African Hair Products” when I found out how detrimental these products were to my hair I rid myself of all of them IMMEDIATELY!
3. Not deep conditioning: Lord my hair was always SO dry.

Well, now that I know better I will do better. It’s been almost three months of “discovering” the natural hair lifestyle and I have no intention of going back to my old ways. Things I have noticed about my hair in this short time.

1. Conditioner and water are my hair’s best friends, I co wash almost daily.
2. Jojoba, Castor and EVOO love my hair.
3. My hair is so soft and is no longer “oily” thanks to baking soda clarifying.

So I welcome you to follow me on my journey. I don’t have a “length” goal right now I am just trying to figure out the right products and regimen for my hair to get me back on track.