Blow and Go

I'm 19 months into my journey! I decided to treat myself to one of the...or should I say THE best natural hair stylist in DC, the lovely Amanda of Bang Salon! She bangs...ok I had to do it!

I hadn't had my hair did since thanksgiving for my first end trim and since then winter and color have hit my hair. But I was surprised that I had virtually no damage! She just trimmed maybe 1/2 inch and blew it out and gave me the most awesomest flat iron ever. No going over pieces multiple times. This sister is bad!

My hair has so much body and movement. I'm so interested in seeing how long it lasts. I sweat so much in my head, but I'm going to try and maintain it without putting any additional heat.

Below are my photos. I'm so freaking proud of my growth!

Two strand twist out success

So I think I've finally mastered the two strand twist out! Finally only 18 months into the journey, lol.

I've been doing them on wet hair. I use herbal essences hello hydration mixed with castor oil and coconut oil. It my own made up leave in and works well to define my twist out.

The secret is... The blow dryer! I've finally figured out how to "stretch" it once I in twist it. This gives it great fullness and body. I'm so proud of this hair!

New Year New Color

So...I get bored and I start feeling like I've had the same hairdo forever. This prompted me to switch my style up. I colored it!

I did a lot of research which led me to basically do it my own way. I used dark and lovely #379. It was light enough with no booster which is good because I didn't want the extra damage.

It has been about 2 weeks and no damage as far as I can see! No extra breaking or dryness. Just new hair!

I've been DP with my queen Helene once a week and using castor out to seal. I'm still mostly wearing only poofs and using co wash and conditioner only to style.

I'm pumped and excited about the new look. Below is a photo montage of my new hair and my most recent trip home!

My Hairy Moments

Being that one of the main purposes of this blog was to follow my hair's moments, I feel I should recap where I'd been and where I am up to this point. Here is a photo montage of my hair journey which started a little before this blog...

Last Perm Circa 2009

Shaved it all off 2010

3 Months Into My Natural Hair Journey Nov -2010

4 Months Into Journey - December 2010

 5 Months into Journey Random Braids - January 2011

6 Months In Wash and Go - February 2011

6 Months Again - Late February 2011

 

9 Months In - May 2011

9 Months In - May 2011

10 Months In - June 2011

11 Months In - July 2011

1 Year Down! - August 2011

14 Months In - October 2011

 

14 Months In - October 2011

15 Months In - November 2011

16 Months In (My first straightening at a salon!) - December 2011

17 Months In (My first ponytail/bun so geeked) - Jan 2012

Let's Get Straight!

So its T minus 20 minutes and I'm on my way to the hair dresser to get my hair straightened (blown out and flat iron) and trimmed for the first time since starting this journey. Aside from my quick little home projects that were #fails.

It has been almost 15 months into my journey and I'm quite excited to see how starting off with a bald head to now will go. I'm so nervous and my sphinture is tight...inappropriate I know.

I can't wait to post pictures of my before and after shots. It should be interesting. I really can't wait to just run my fingers through my hair for a couple of days. Its been raining here so hopefully it doesn't ruin it too.

Ahhhhh, if i could scream outloud I would but I won't but I want to...

Scared Straight

So, a couple of weeks ago I did this...



I straightened the fro! This is me in the city outside of work. I wore a hat most of the time I had it straight because I didn't love the thinness of my hair. I felt naked without my naps! I liked the look with the hat though and it worked for a couple of days.

I straightened it not because I wanted to, but because I needed to get my ends clipped. I went to Salon Revive in DC and they were ok. I went to them because they got good yelps but I felt my service was a little rushed. I've only been to the hairdresser in DC a few times and every time I've had to go home and do something more to it.

Anyhoo, I'm glad I went. My curls look great since I did it and I feel its so much easier to detangle! I will try to scare myself to straighten at least 3 or 4 times a year.

We'll see!

Grease is Back!!!

YEAHHHHHH!!!

So if you follow natural hair blogs, you will see grease is all the rave right now. I remember a few months after I first started my journey Nikki Mae put out a "taboo" post about using mineral oils and this was like forbidden fruit. Now Curly Nikki has come out and said it and its like, secret grease users are coming out the wood work. People confessing to using vaseline, Dax, Blue Magic...its a revolution. And I love the revolution!!!

I was a big grease user pre BC. Me and Lil' K swore by Blue Magic's Coconut Oil (BMCO). I loved it for her hair, it kept it moist long, however, I would do the naughty and grease both our scalps. Which I learned through being natural actually causes our dry hair. I stopped doing that and we both benefit from a little raw coconut oil on the scalp after a wash.

Now that grease has been tried and true by naturals I love, I had to give it a try. And what better time to try it before going to Cancun, Mexico for my bday with the hubby! I did a wet twistout with my BMCO and whalah! Best twist out ever!!

The reason I don't do twist outs much is because its too much frizz for me and they don't come out that good, but this was moist, shiny and great! It was so soft. I didn't even use a hold product. Just Giovanni Direct Leave In and a lil dab of grease on each twist!

Even when we got to Mexico I decided to pull it up and put it in a puff and whahlah! Best puff ever!

It maintained a curly look and not super dry and uneven. I love this grease factor.

Of course after washing everyday and getting in the pool, ocean, the BMCO was no match, but my hair still did well (better than I thought) for 5 days in Mexico. I wore it up mostly with one quick lunch down (i'd just washed it and didn't feel like putting it up).

So I stamp my approval, grease has helped me get the hair I want and seal in the moisture like only Blue Magic can do! I'm so glad its back in full effect!

My Natural Soro: Monique

Before I took the leap to natural hair, sometime in June/July of 2010, I saw this young lady on facebook. Now, she is not just some regular random lady, she is f'ing amazing! She is from my hometown Detroit and we went to high school together. We both used to rock the old Halle Berry hair style back in the day  and I always loved her spirit. She was always so sweet, but you knew she didn't take no stuff...and today, she took that amazing spirit and is now a lawyer in California! I love to brag on my Detroit, Cass Tech (fired up) folks. Detroit gets a bad wrap, but I know so many successful men and women who are born and breed in the D!

I saw Monique and her hair on facebook and it was like, wow! So beautiful. She has what I call good hair! Thick, full, and healthy! Mo is so creative with her styles. She became one of my first natural hair crushes! Its my pleasure to bring to you her interview. I'm sure we can all learn a lot from this fierce Chica!

How long have you been natural?
I have been natural since October 29, 2009; so almost 2 years now.

Did you transition or just big chop?
I transitioned for all of 2 weeks. I had zillions for about 3 months before those transitional 2 weeks. After removing the zillions I decided that I wouldn’t perm my hair anymore and started transitioning. After another 2 weeks of dealing with 2 different textures, I couldn’t take it anymore and took the scissors to my head one
day after work.

Why did you go natural?
I live in Southern California... Orange County to be exact. Needless to say resources for black hair care are few and far between. It was very difficult for me to find a stylist to maintain my permed hair. And even when I finally did you know nobody does hair like they do it in the D  or even the Chi for that matter (which is where I was living before I came here). So, though my hair was growing, it was thin, limp and just plain not fly lol. So I decided to get zillions to tide me over till I finished studying for and taking the Cali bar exam. After I finished that, I took the zillions down and saw this mass of multi-textured hair atop my head and I said to myself, why not try to rock your natural texture? So I went for it.

It also helped that one of my best friends has been natural for about 8 years now and has the absolute flyest curls on the planet. I really wanted to see what my hair would do in its natural state.

Were you attached when you made the decision? If so, did your mate have an opinion?
I was engaged at the time (now married) to a wonderful, understanding and open-minded man! My husband is white, not that it matters much, but I think that made him more open to embracing all the different sides of me. He didn’t really have a preference of which hair style I rocked as long as I was happy so there was no bias there towards relaxed or natural, he just wanted me happy. So he was very encouraging. And then once I went natural – oh Lord!!! He quickly developed an opinion – which was and is still DO NOT EVER PERM YOUR HAIR AGAIN lol! He LOVES my natural hair, which is so funny cause let me be perfectly honest in saying that I don’t have that cute, curly ringlet natural hair – I’ve got that break yo comb, straight up kinky with a twist natural hair lol. And he loves every bit of it! Couldn’t ask for a better mate!

What is your favorite style so far?
Given the texture of my hair I’ve come to the determination that curl definition is not something that is meant for me lol. So I’m partial to twists. But my hair is also still fine and thin so individual 2 strand twists still don’t quite look right on me at the moment – maybe with a little more length they will look better. So my go to style is often flat twists going up the back and the sides with single twists in the front.  I love this style:
 1) because it lasts me about a week or two and
 2) it’sa great protective style.

I can untwist the front to make it a little funky or leave it in twists and be on my way. Very low maintenance. The only problem with it is that my hair is very dry so when it is up in flat twits it gets even more dry because
I’m not able to get in their and really moisturize. But now, I have figured out how to keep my hair moisturized during while in twists – I drench my head while in the shower (still twisted), then rub jojoba oil or shea butter on my hair or use qhemet biologics burdock root butter cream and then put a plastic cap on and put my heat therapy wrap on for about an hour. I do this once a week and simply spray with an oil/water mixture in between treatments.


So you recently had a baby, congrats mama! He looks adorable! Tell us about your hair during your pregnancy and afterward.

During my pregnancy, I’d been rocking a puff simply because I didn't have have the energy to spend the 2 hours necessary to do flat twists lol. As of today (10/21/11) I am now 1 week away from being natural for 2 years and I’ve given birth to a beautiful baby boy who is now 7 weeks old. I am happy to say that, though I didn’t get the benefit of the pregnancy hair growth spurt, I also haven’t experienced the hair shed either. About a week after giving birth I decided to revisit the whole head two strand twist style and am happy to say it looked sooo fetch! I rocked it for 3 weeks!!!!!! Now I am back to my flat twists for a few weeks – basically anything low maintenance works best for me at the moment.

What are your favorite products?
As I said above, I’ve been wearing a puff a lot lately. I don’t really use any products on it, just water to refresh. So I don’t really have a “favorite” product. I have tried so very many products over the years that I can tell you which ones I DON’T like quicker than I can tell you which ones I do lol. For instance, my hair HATES Carol’s Daughter and Miss Jessies – neither do anything beneficial for my hair, in fact I think they make it a bit worse. I used to like Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in but after a while my hair seemed to get used to it and the benefits stopped so I stopped using it. I do occasionally use Organic Root Stimulator's Loc and Twist Gel and this other pudding that they have to do my twists – I like the hold that both products provide and my twist outs are defined and moisturized and I can actually achieve 2nd day hair with them (but nothing longer than that). I also like Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream as my moisturizer. I still haven’t found that mixture of perfect products that always work for me, I just find that every couple of months I have to switch it up. I’ve also been relying heavily on the “Now” brand shea butter – I find that it emulsifies the best.

What is your regimen and what do you do with your hair at night?
Again, pregnancy laziness is brutal lol. I’m lucky if I wash my hair twice a month. Depending on how I’ve been wearing it and whether I’ve been putting products in it, I will shampoo or co-wash. Post pregnancy – my hair is usually in twists so I just wrap it up with a satin scarf and go to bed. In the morning I spritz it with an oil/water mix.

Do you have any advice for newly naturals?
Going natural is not for the faint at heart so be sure that its something you really want to do. Don’t compare your hair to anyone else’s – hair envy is the most discouraging thing about being natural so love YOUR hair for what it is and you will find joy and fall in love with it the way I did with mine. Also get to know YOUR hair, what it likes, what it doesn’t like, etc. and be careful who you let in your head – I made the grave mistake of trusting a “natural hair stylist’s” jjudgment over my own, despite knowing that my hair doesn’t like excessive heat. It resulted in major damage to my hair and a HUGE setback for Cleo’s (that's my afro's name) growth, I am still cutting off straight pieces that never curled back up from being straightened in March!!!! It’s OCTOBER!!! Also, there are a TON of natural hair resources out there so you are not alone – Curly Nikki is my go-to place for info.

What have you learned about yourself throughout the journey?
I have learned to see the beauty in myself that I never saw before. It was a very long and difficult journey filled with dips in my confidence, hair envy and doubt, but then I came out on the other side with such a feeling of fierceness, self awareness and love that it was well worth the journey. Today, I can truly say “I am not my hair” and really mean it. After I realized that, the door opened to so many possibilities, allowing me to become more creative and adventurous and funky with my hair and I’m loving every minute!!

Will this thing last forever eva?
Fa eva eva, fa eva eva lol!

Thank you again Monique for sharing your story! I wanted to put "I heard that" in so many sections of her interview, but I will just say one big "I heard that" right now!

I heart her hair!!!

Is Weave "Natural"?

So, the great debate...Can you wear weave most of the time (80-90%) and still call yourself a Natural?

Dun, dun, dunnnnnnnn

I don't comment much on weave because I'm at a "to each its own" place in my life. I've worn weaves, braids, etc and I get it. But what I don't get is the Weavers saying they are Naturals. To me, that is an oxymoron. Its like saying I'm against drinking, but I have wine with dinner.

Recently, one of my favorite natural chicks, Curly Nikki, completed a few celebrity interviews. These "Natural" hair celebrities say they wear weave all the time, for work, for convenience etc but their hair is natural underneath. These interviews can be found by clicking this link. This first were with Mo and Kita, Terrell Owens home girls and the other was with Angela Simmons (from Run's House). These women all talk about how they have flowing natural hair going down their back, but to the world and for "work" they choose to keep it weaved all the time.

I ask the question...whats the f'in point???? If you live your life publically as a weaved girl and only you only see your natural hair between track installs, why call yourself a natural? Just not getting a perm doesn't make you natural. Maybe they would be considered in the transitioning stage. Transisition because they haven't come to grips with their natural hair. I don't get how you say "oh, I have long big beautiful hair, however, its not good enough to show to the world"? Aren't you buying in and perpetuating the same image of beautiful (silky, long, straight hair that never poofs up and nor has any emotion) that we, "The Naturals" (yes I say this like we are a crew) are all about?

Kita and Mo have even gone as far to speaking to young girls and have a new company about "Defining their pretty" which includes the sales of the hair they wear to the masses. I get it, they feel prettier with somebody elses hair that behaves better than their own; however, is this the message we want to promote? That our young girls have to hid their naps, or kinks, or poofs to be accepted? How are they showing they feel pretty just being themselves if they never take the weave away and just get naked?

Again, I'm not judging the weaves as a whole. I think they are a great way to help your hair grow and protect your hair, and give your natural tresses a break. But if you spend 90% or more of your life in somebody elses hair, what are you saying about your own? Angela Simmons even goes as far to say she goes to the hairdresser 2-3 times a week to get her weave tightened up. Why not give that same tender loving care to your own hair?

These women for the most part, never wear their hair out. They say if they do, they have to add additional tracks here and there for fullness, or whatever. Some of them have never even tried to manipulate their hair in its natural state without pressing, perming, etc. So I ask, why not give it a chance? Why are we so down on what we have? What makes straighter hair, thinner hair better? Aren't we trying to get past that by categorizing ourselves as "Natural"?

I guess every one's reason for going "Natural" is different. Mine reason was to show my daughter that her hair is good no matter what length or what texture it is. I want to teach young girls that you don't have to change yourself or assimilate into society. Society can accept you as you are as long as you accept who you are.

For the grown women out there, I'm in no way taking anything from you. I know a lot of women currently transitioning with braids and weaves and its great. But to make a lifestyle of doing only that seems a little fraudulent IF you are too claiming to be "Natural". If you are a weave girl, just be proud of that. If you are a lace front, be proud of that. But double dipping as a lifestyle...ehhhh, I'm not feeling that.
Don't say your are a weave girl, don't say you are a "natural" girl, just say...It's Complicated!

Pigtails and Ponys

So, guess what! I can finally get my hair in ponytails! Not one big one yet, but I can do pigtails!!! I've been wanting a pony tail for sooooo long!

This weekend DH gave me a whole day to do me and he kept the kid! Whew, that was awesome...and rare so I took my time getting ready. Here is my latest photo shoot on my way to run errands.

This is also after my 7lb weight loss!

And of course no photo shoot would be right if Lil' K doesn't jump in the pix too!

That cheese she is working in the pix cracks me up every time! I love it!

Vest - Macy's
Top - Ross
Belt - Forever 21
Boots - Random store on South St. in Philly
Legging - Forever 21
Necklace - H&M
Bracelet - Vintage (gift from my mom)

Perm Envy

Lately...I've been feeling quite envious of chicas I see with perms! What is that about? I don't know, maybe the grass is always greener syndrome, who knows. 

Anyhoo, its not the long permed hair, its the short, tight hair style I used to wear. Shaved in the back, short on the sides, long in the front. I'm sure I'm going to get over it, especially since I've committed myself to at least 2 years of growing my hair out in its natural state.

I've tried to straighten my hair since going natural on more than one occasion and the results were very tragic...

Its just not a good look on me yet. I look like an old lady. It poofs up almost instantly and I can't do anything with it.

I know this too will pass, but I wonder, do any other natural chicks sometimes long to go back? Hear the creamy crack calling them? Or is it just me?

My Natural Soro: Tyee

So, I talk about my "Natural Soros" as women who are connected to me through our hair journey, but this lady is connected to me through so much more. This lady is my sister, my best friend. I used to want to be her when I was growing up and practically was her (through the use of her I.D) until I turned of age, lol. I love her so much and am sooooo proud of her journey and her daughter, my niece's journey. You guys have seen her featured in a couple of my post also. Here is her natural hair story...enjoy!

How long have you been natural?
I started my journey September 2010

Did you transition or go straight bc?
I transitioned.

Why did you go natural?
I was with my family for my niece 2nd birthday in Maryland. My sister was talking how she was starting the journey. She suggested we start with her (that sister is me:-) We talked about perms and chemicals that we have used the majority of our lives and how going natural wasn't easy, but so rewarding. I never second guessed it because I knew I wanted to change my look.  This came at the perfect time of my life!

Were you attached when you made the decision? If so, did your mate have an opinion?
No.

What is your favorite style so far?
I do the two strand twist and roll with curl rods. I let this air dry, undo the twists and fluff it out.

What are your favorite products?
Creme of nature detangling shampoo, suave naturals conditioner are what I'm using for my wash and condition routine. I have a really dry scalp so I use 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 cup of water after I shampoo.  I leave this on for a couple of minutes, then rinse and condition.  I also use Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in conditioner and Ultra Sheen/Ultra Care Serum (coconut, avocado and castor oil), plus shea butter for moisture and sealing.

What is your regimen and what do you do with your hair at night?
I oil my hair every night and sleep on a satin pillow case. I tried to use a satin wrap, but I get hot at night and this would make my hair very frizzy in the morning.

Do you have any advice for newly naturals?
Don't get frustrated! The journey can be difficult. Check out youtube because they have SOOOO many videos and tutorials on styles. Don't give up!  My sister helped me a lot with finding suitable products, but you will need to try different products because what works for some, doesn't work for all.  Its all trial and error, but so rewarding! You learn so much about your hair. Don't be scared or think you're not attractive. There is nothing sexier than a woman who goes natural (and fells confident and secure about herself). Have fun with it!


What have you learned about yourself throughout the journey?
I learned that I have natural beauty! I have never felt more sexy. My natural look is so me. I feel free. When I was perming my hair, it would take me so long to get ready and leave the house.  I had to flat iron and style my hair. Now, I wake up, run oil through my hair, fluff it, and GO! I love my hair! I can't keep my hands out of it.  It has been so empowering, and I realized how beautiful my hair is without the perm. The natural waves and curls are amazing, and now my hair is so healthy and thick. I thank my beautiful sister Rae for bringing this journey to my life. I always used to see women with natural styles and thought, that would never look right on my head. I think I was afraid to change. This is my pure essence, the real me!

Will this thing last forever eva?
This is forever me! I will never go back! I have found what I've been looking for in myself.

I'm soooooo incredibly proud of my sister for letting me interview her and for going through this journey with me! Its so much better when you have a friend, or sister to go through everything with! Life, hair, whatever, life is better when your sister is holding your hand:-)