Four months in...

I am four months into my transition from relaxed to natural. I celebrated my four month anniversary on Nov. 3rd. Yay Me!!! In all honesty though, it feels like it has been at least twelve months. I must say that this is definitely some work. But hey, noone said it would be an easy transition or that I wouldn't have to put in some effort. At this point in the game, relaxing my hair would be an easy way out. Simply slap some chemicals in my hair and VOILA, hair that is straight and easy to manage. As tempting as it sounds, I am going to opt out and take the road less traveled. I am determined to succeed and in the words of Donald Kendall, "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."

Here we go again...

I recently had the "why are you going natural" conversation...again! I guess at this point I really want to understand why everyone is so against natural hair. Ok, maybe it's not for everyone, but for those of us who have chosen to go on this journey, a little less negativity would be greatly appreciated. I am fully aware that my hair is "nappy" but I am at a place where I am okay with that. Right now it's about showing my hair some love. I could care less about looking different from my peers. If I happen to be in the mood for straight hair, I will use a little heat and straighten it, but the overall goal here is to get to know and love my naturally un-straightened hair. I've been telling God that He did it wrong for over 20 years now. Dissatisfied with what I was given, I took matters into my own hands and proceeded to "fix" my hair with the help of a tub of creamy crack (it is addictive). The problem with that is that my hair was never broken, so it didn't need to be "fixed" in the first place. God did good, and it's time for me to appreciate what He gave me. I am content with my decision to go natural. I can't say that I will never relax again, BUT, I can say that I will take much better care of my hair going forward. Whether relaxed or natural, I'm gonna do me. :-)

Still I Press...

It's been almost a month since I've blogged and during that time I have run through the full range of emotions. From picking up the scissors in frustration to pre-pooing as a show of love for my hair, I've been there this month. I have began wearing fewer twist outs as I am trying to manipulate my hair less. I've been doing a simple pony tail during the week and twisting it out or flat ironing on the weekend. Yes, I have reintroduced heat back into my regimen, but not on a routine basis. I am trying to use as little heat as possible, so I won't be flat ironing frequently. It definitely takes longer to do now. I think that once I find the right product to use during heat styling I will fare much better. I also got "the question" again recently. Someone asked me if I was going natural, I affirmed and they in turn asked "why?" Sometimes I ask my self that question, but it's ok for me to do it...lol! I am reminded of the freedom of going natural when I can air dry and go, or when I don't have to scramble to get an umbrella when I go out in the rain. It's all good though. I am still pressing and soon, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon I will be free not only from the relaxer in my hair but from the mindset that comes with it. I'll get there, but until then...Still I press.

P.S. I love the bit of sage wisdom I received from a friend recently...Good hair is hair that looks good on you! I love it!!!!!!

Pre-Poo?

Ok, so I tried something new. Not too long ago I had a horrible time detangling my hair after a regular wash/condition. A friend of mine (Binti's Mom) suggested that I "pre-poo", so I gave it a try. Loved It!!!!! I love how soft all of my hair (naptural & relaxed) feels and how defined my naptural curls are. This is what I did: I worked my "pre-poo" treatment (1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup olive oil) into my hair one section at a time. I then covered it with a plastic cap, waited a while, and shampooed/conditioned my hair as usual. It took no time for me to detangle and there was very little hair in the comb afterwards. Yay me!!! Bottom line...it has a funny sounding name but the "pre-poo" worked wonders for my hair. It's definitely a keeper. Thanks Binti's Mom!!

Still I press...

I now see why some people do the big chop. My hair is so hard to detangle. Surprisingly, it is not the new growth rather the relaxed part or the point where the two meet. I was this close to pulling out my scissors last Saturday and going at it. I finally got it detangled in the shower while slowly rinsing the conditioner out. I am now in search of a better conditioner. I have been using Cholesterol and Pantene Relaxed and Natural, however, they are becoming less and less effective as the weeks go by. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated? Still I press...

Bad Hair!!!

I am sitting here with a head full of wet hair...and yes I am getting ready to walk into work! Argh!!! Apparently I didn't give my hair enough time to dry last night. I finished twisting it up around midnight (not unusual for me) and slept for the next 7 hours. Why is my hair wet like I just towel dried it?? Oh well guess I will have to get it washed a bit earlier next time. Now to figure out what I'm going to do with my hair right now...

Natural on the go...

Well I spent this past weekend (Thur - Sun) at a Women's Conference in NC. To my surprise I was able to where my twist out with only one re -twist Thursday night. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the staying power my hair had. I brought my satin pillowcase with me and slept on that instead of using a satin hair bonnet. Every morning I fluffed with a nickel spot of Generic Silk Infusion. My hair sprang back to life each morning like never before. I am not sure if it was the lack of the twist crushing satin bonnet or the "Silk Remedy" by Generic Value Products. In the pic are the remnants of my 4 day twist out.

It's my hair...

It's my hair and I'll go natural if I want to!!! Yeah it might be nappy, but it's mine! It might not measure up to YOUR standard of "good", but it's mine! Yeah, it might take longer to detangle it, but it's mine! Now I realize that going natural is not for everyone so I don't practice condemnation of those who are not...so why so much negativity toward the natural hair? Nobody has a problem with my hair being broke off, dry and unhealthy, just as long as it's straight. Well guess what? God didn't give me straight hair and for the first time I'm okay with that. You say I don't have "good" hair...well let me check with the one who created my "bad" hair and get His take on it! "Good" or "bad", it's mine! Mine! Mine! Mine! For those who don't like it, don't look at it! In the words of a wise man...YOU don't have to wear it! I think I'm finished venting for now...

Mayonnaise???

Yesterday I amped up my cholesterol treatment with a touch of Duke's. It wasn't as icky as I thought it would be. My hair was very soft afterwards and had lots of shine to it. Still mastering that twist out but overall I liked how my hair turned out (more defined than usual). These pics are my before (way beyond my comfort zone - I'm getting there!) and after. I used four nice size twists for this twist out.



What I Used: Lustrasilk Herbal Cholesterol Deep Conditioning Cream - Duke's Regular Mayo

Aw nuts!!!

Over the past couple of years I have suddenly developed allergies to nuts. Can you imagine no more cashews, peanuts, almonds, macadamias, snickers, reese's cups/pieces, payday's, salt water taffy, pecan pie....ok I have not fully come to accept this allergy. Anyway my allergic reactions generally come in the form of itchy red bump breakouts on my face, arms and legs. I used to be able to eat a little bit and be okay, but now eating a little bit causes my face to start itching. Having decided to go natural, I have become more aware of product ingredients and it seems that a lot of hair products contain almond oil, walnut oil and shea [nut] butter...say it ain't so! I am wondering now if that is why I have been having a lot more outbreaks without actually eating nuts directly. Well I am officially the test subject of my own research project now. The plan is to minimize my usage of any products with any form of nuts in them and see if my theory is correct. This puts a nice size dent in my "Product Junkie" grab bag :-(. Anyway a friend of mine said that Hair Whip by CoCo Blossom Salon and Spa is GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have to try it...maybe, gotta check that label first!