Grandma's hair

If I ever had my grandmother's hair texture, I would go natural and stay natural!

She's a weirdo like me. Lol.

Hair Update

Hello! I finally have a little break to update my hair blog with some pics.

Here are some pics on my relaxer and officially hitting APL.

Currently:
I just got a relaxer during Thanksgiving break (~11 weeks since my previous touch-up). I waited a week before starting to co-wash again mid-week. Let me tell you, these winter months are making my scalp dry! I have never had dandruff before on this hair and I think it's due to two things:
1. this colder weather
2. I haven't been drinking as much water as I should.

So I'm going to start consuming more water during these months. And I'm going to really have to up my moisture regimen for my hair and my face.

This week, I wore two French braids for a couple days and yesterday for the last day of classes, I wore a cute syle. It kind of looks like Kimbella's curly to the side hairstyle on Love & Hip Hop.
http://www.carltonjordan.com/files/images/2011/12/kimbella-emily.jpeg

I did things I wouldn't normally do for the last day of school: I wore make-up, ate breakfast in class, and actually "tried" to put effort in my wardrobe. I figure I would end the semester with a 'bang'. Lol.

Anyways, that is the update.

OVERALL UPDATE: Hair pictures

I haven't made a post in months!

Here are some pictures of what's been going with my hair since August.

 

 

I bought the High Beam temporary hair color spray. You just spray it and it gives color that washes or brushes off. I usually use it when I'm going out for an evening event and want to spice up my look without getting a permanent color.

This is new! I am finally APL. Took me forever, that's all I'm going to say.

A picture's worth a thousand words

  Even if I update my blog with words, I'm realizing that we're living in a century where no one really likes to read. So I won't bore you and will just update you with pictures! That's why I visit most sites anyway. The above is a bun I learned from Traycee for a conference I was going to. It's kind of weird that my hairline goes all the way down my neck. It always rubs against my shirt so it's always breaking.

Below is a loose French braid I did for classes. My hair has grown since last semester because my braid would never reach that far down. Two thumbs up for progress!

Below is my new growth (or lack thereof). I am one week short of three months post. My hair grows dumb slow. Now that I remember, I did straighten my roots out to be able to avoid a relaxer this long but I don't think I even have an inch of new growth. It is what it is.

That's all for now. I'm about to deep condition and officially get back on my hair journey before I take a break and never come back. lol.

Thoughts on my mind...

I'm going to be real, I haven't been taking care of my hair these past couple of weeks because I've been moving. I haven't tied it up some nights, haven't M&S other nights. My hair has survived the ordeal but the part of my body that has been taking a beating? My nails! That's right. I guess the oils for my hair have also improved the condition of my nails and hands during my hair journey. I didn't notice it until I stopped and I would get little hangnails and poor cuticles.

Now that I've been getting back into the hair thing, my nails are back to normal. I don't know if anyone else is having that issue.

*stares at nails*

Say cheese!

Here's a little information about my camera:

• It's Fujifilm in the S1600 series. 
• I bought on eBay for ~$150.
• I think it's 12mp.
• it has a 15x zoom.
• It is battery-operated
• it has panoramic view.

I had a friend who said my camera was less superior because it was made by Fuji but I have found little to complain about it. It's my baby and I was able to get all the functionality I needed without spending too much cash. With good lighting and auto settings, you can do amazing things with this camera. I have no regrets making this purchase. I just wish I had more time to play around with it. :-)

The routine

I'm about two weeks post and I noticed some slight shedding and breakage. So I decided to do a protein treatment today. I usually DC with ORS hair mayo on dry hair first, but I was anxious to hop in the shower. I washed with a moisturizing shampoo first. Then, I applied the hair mayo and left my hair in a cap for one hour (no heat). I rinsed it out and towel dried with a bit of leave-in. I applied Shea Butter and let it air dry. After about two hours, I moisturized with ORS hair lotion and sealed with coconut oil.

I have the best-smelling hair products! My roommate noticed the smell and asked "What is that?" Lol. My hair is soft and moisturized and the protein has stopped the breakage dead in its tracks. The HHJ proceeds and I am learning to love my hair!

(I usually deep condition every two weeks.)

Who got me on my hair journey?

Ulovmegz!

She showed me that it was totally possible for black girls to a) retain length and b) can maintain it with quality care.

She led me to Traycee who led me to KISS.biz. Shout out to Traycee and ulovmegz!

Ponytail length

My current ponytail length.

Eyebrows

Before:

After:

Minor cleanup. I got a wax and shaped it up a bit. (My eyebrows grow very slowly.)

Lip color - "Wine with Everyting"

I love the color. I only own 2 colors and they are both rouge tones.

Nail haul

I went to Forever 21 and bought two new nail polishes.

 

This fun one is called Mango and it's a summer color. (I wear it on my toes b/c I feel it's too funky for the office.)

This one is a light pink. It's a neutral color that is more acceptable for work.

Great colors, go on great and a good add to my collection!

Monthly protein treatment

Everytime I get fed up with my hair (stringy, breaks easy, unmanageable), it always means I am in need of a protein treatment.

This is my hair before. [Sporting 2-3 different textures at the moment. :-) ] 

Application: I apply the hair mayo like I would a relaxer with a an applicator brush.

I dampen my hair a little with water mixed with oil so the conditioner clings to my hair better.

I left it on for 3 hours (got lost in a little t.v.) and rinsed it out and followed up with Aphogee moisturizing shampoo (not a protein shampoo).

My hair texture before and after:
Before: stringy, thin, breaking a little. You can even see some flyaways.

After the wash, much more smoother and stronger.

My roots are better too. I am currently airdrying.



This was my total breakage:

(Not bad at all. No hair in the shower.)

Products used:
ORS Hair Mayo

Never fails, never fails... It is a very good product and a good fix-me-up.

6-month Bunning Challenge (End)

It is approaching June and this will mark 6 months into my hair journey. It will also end my 6 month bunninng challenge.

My hair did grow, I am grazing APL. So the consistent bunning does work. BUT, my ends are thin and I feel that it is attributed to my use of a bun sock.

There is length but I lost thickness. (Win and lose I suppose)

**You see the thin ends? I am not pleased. (The last thick black line that you see is APL.)
These next six months, I will be doing braid-outs! This should regain my hair's thickness. I am also attempting to transition for the summer so I will not be relaxing until August. (**rolling eyes* I'll see how that goes. lol)

My problem area - The Nape

It has actually shown progress b/c it used to be bad. Hair goal for the nape? full SL

Made a HHJ length check t-shirt

I got 4/$10 tees at a Walgreens in downtown Baltimore to work out in temporarily during a business trip and I figured I could use one of them to make a length check t-shirt.

It outlines my major hair goals:
1) full SL - probably already there. I will check in the morning.
2) full APL - 3-6 months? My hair growth changes with the seasons and I'm in different locations.
3) BSL - a year? *shrug*

Starting my Hair Journey

 I had my last wrap and set fail. Sitting under the dryer for so  long and all that heat finally got to me & seeing the breakage of my hair was a killer.
I am embarking on my hair journey today. I have already washed my hair for the week and I am beginning my daily moisture and seal routine. Each Tuesday or Thursday (depending on the demands of my week) , I will co-wash. Once a month, I will begin a protein treatment as well as clarifying.

My long-term goal is to see 6 inches by the end of the year, so an inch by the end of February is my short-term goal.

Thanks!
-Chels