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!

Getting beyond the box...

I've spent my life, trying to please everyone else
No more of that, gotta look out for self.
I'm getting out of the box, it's time to break free
From this point on, ima do me....

Mastering the twist out...

Well I have adopted the famed twist out as my style of choice for the time being. It's relatively low maintenance and...well, I just like it. Hopefully I will be able to master the art of the twist out sooner than later. I do flat twists and have been playing around with the number of twists that I do (usually 4 -6). Mind you that I am new to this and am working with mostly relaxed hair. The "plan" is to trim monthly until I have achieved enough natural length to be somewhat comfortable when I go for the big chop. Suggestions are definitely welcomed, especially other styling options. The twist out in the picture was done with 4 big twists...it's somewhat fuzzy but I think I actually like the "wild" hair look...lol! Well I gotta go make some money...peace out peeps!