Two weeks ago, I was approached for the first time with questions about transitioning to natural hair! Coincidentally, it was my sister's friend from high school. I provided some basics and directed her to natural hair sites such as Curly Nikki and BGLH and youtube videos. Thinking back to my own transition, I remember feeling overwhelmed by all of the information. I bought products unsure of how they would work on my hair. And I found myself confused by conflicting ideologies of bloggers and vloggers. That's when I really started to think. What is some of the basic information and specific resources you would provide to a transitioner or new natural? It doesn't have to all inclusive...just a springboard to get them started. This is where I need your help. If your hair is "natural", are there any specific blog posts or videos that you think would be particularly helpful? If you are a transitioner or new natural, what information would you find helpful? And here are some pics...
In the midst of all the baby hoopla, I forgot to celebrate my one year no lye anniversary. Last year, on April 26, 2010, I cut my hair into a Rihanna cut. I later decided that I was over relaxers and it was inadvertently was my last.
My new easy breezy hairstyle is to rock twists for a few days and then rock a twist-out. In the coming weeks, I'll have to do some product reviews and regimen updates. I don't try new products often, but I have tons of products that I have used over an extended period of time. I can provide some detailed reviews for those products.
The biggest lesson(s), I've learned over the last year is:
Keep it simple and if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Do you have any specific hair questions you would like me to answer?
I'd like to introduce you to my new favorite hairstyle. I finally came to the realization that my hair is finally long enough to do updos with ease...so I went for it. It was actually quite simple... Step One: Dampen Hair, with particular attention to any section you plan on parting. (You don't want to hear snap, crackle, pop) Step Two: Use scrunchies to hold your sections Step Three: Apply styling products. ( I used Margherites' Hair Magic and Eco Styler gel) Step Four: Tuck and roll to your heart's desire Step Five: Seal with an oil Optional: * Add Accesories * Lay down edges with a headtie
I was bored so I tried a different hairstyle yesterday and I'm wearing again today...
According to the urban dictionary, this word means better than great. But I'm adding a new definition, because I surely haven't felt better than great over the last few weeks. And for the record...if I disappear from the blog, you can guess one of three things. I'm sick. I'm exhausted. I'm in labor (real or "practice").
But enough with the formalities. Back to my mattastic hair....
Because I've been feeling under the weather, I've been neglecting my hair. Straight...abuse. I literally let my hair dry up, mat, knot, and just covered it with a bonnet and/or hat. I paid dearly for my actions. Last week, I lost more hair than usual. This week, my detangling session -- which included coconut oil, hair oil, deep conditioning, and lots of patience -- took all day. I was determined not to lose a lot of hair! ` To avoid the aggravation this week, I roller set my hair and sat under the dryer. (Sorry no pics.)
On April 28, 2011, it will be one year since my last relaxer. Throughout my journey, I'm always placed with new challenges. My newest challenge is matting. In fact, my hair is very prone to matting. When I was a kid, my past shoulder length hair shriveled up to a small twa on wash day. It's just what my hair does. And as my hair grows back, I'm learning the hard way that I can't be lazy (sigh). I must keep my hair stretched and detangled. I don't have wash and go hair. I can't just spritz my hair with water to refresh. (I can spritz and retwist though.) Big twists for a twist-outs result in matting [points above]. (Don't be fooled. The top is the only defined part of my hair. The rest is matted.)
LESSON LEARNED: I'm one of those people who if I did nothing to my hair, I would have one large dreadlock on my head...lol. I'm referencing kimmaytube, btw. Coincidentally, the same day I decided to stop my matt-causing habits...I found this video.
Check it out...
Does anyone else struggle with hair that is prone to matting/tangling/single-strand knots? Any tips?
Today, I reached a major milestone! I achieved my first puff! (Doing a little happy dance...) Before I explain how I achieved this look, I must first make a confession. I haven't washed my hair in almost two weeks. (Don't judge me. I did cleanse my scalp with some astringent when it started to itch though.) Yes... this is my curl revision from my rod set. It started to revert on its own... so I helped it along with steam and water spritzes. Don't worry. I plan on washing and deep conditioning this weekend.
Step 1: Spritz with water/conditioner mix.
Step 2: Add Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for more moisture and curl definition.
Step 3: Seal with Hot Six Oil spray (or oil/oil mixture of your choice).
Step 4: Used Let's Jam to smooth edges (Yes, I know it has alcohol...and it's not Cetyl which is fatty and moisturizing either. But I don't like ecostyler...sorry.)
Step 5: Used sock to pull hair into puff. (You can use a stocking or shoe string as an alternative.)
Step 6: Put on a headtie to smooth edges. Drove to work and took it off upon arrival.
* On another note...
Don't I look like I have crazy eyes in this pic? Nadette has a theory that people who have crazy eyes are usually... crazy! I've tested this theory time and time again. And she is very right. I promise I'm not crazy though. I have a family member in the hospital and I think I was trying too hard to smile. After a couple attempts, I finally gave up and settled on this picture.
It's hard to believe, but I've been all natural for almost three weeks! In these past few weeks, I've learned a lot about not only my hair, but about myself as well:
I've learned to not be so sensitive. So when my mom smiled and said I looked like a pickinanny (meaning, pickininny), I wasn't offended. I actually thought it was funny and I was happy that she didn't gawk at my hair all night. (My mom has a tendency to poke, prod, and stare. Imagine my mom inspecting my face after a break out. Not fun. At all.)
A lot of my appearance is wrapped up in my hair. I never realized how much I loved my long, thick hair... until it was gone. I know I am not my hair, but I am. I am! Patiently waiting for it to grow back. I will NEVER cut it again.
Overuse and abuse of oil will result in a breakout. I can't remember the last time I had a breakout, but last week I tried a mixture of olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. Fail! Major fail! Every time I touched my hair, I would have a handful of oil. That same oil dripped onto my face and caused a major breakout on my forehead and temples. I immediately stopped using olive oil and attacked the breakout with Salicylic acid (Neutrogena astringent). My face is clear once again. Now, I stick to my hot six oil/spray, coconut oil, and shea butter. No more trips to the kitchen for me.
Wash and Gos are not for me. In my hair, wash and gos resulted in a shrunken, matted mess. And that's ok. They are just not for me. Instead, I do a flat twist-out and for the next 2-3 days, I use Cantu Shea butter. I get the same results as a wash and go and it's less time consuming.
My hair loves water-based products and conditioners. The key to moisture in my hair is deep conditioning, the use of water-based hair creams, and great leave-in conditioners. Then seal lightly with oil and shea butter when appropriate.
The Denman brush is worth all the hype. At least to me. I thoroughly detangle first with my shower comb, of course. Running the brush through my hair softens and smooths the texture. It results in great twist-outs. And it doesn't pull out my hair either...
I learned to curb my PJIsm. Over the fast months, I would randomly buy products because I heard about it on a blog, or YouTube. I've curbed that habit. Instead, I'm focusing on how to use those products and particular techniques. I hate Cantu Shea Butter as a leave-in. It has been in my cabinet for months. But on YouTube, someone mentioned that it is a great alternative for wash and gos. So I tried it and it worked. Try looking up how others use the products you already have. Also, look up techniques. Don't be so quick to run to the store. Take the time to learn more about your hair, develop a routine, and figure out what is missing. The only products I am really interested in purchasing are Shea Moisture (as an alternative to Cantu Shea Butter since it flakes and I'm not fond of the smell), and Aloe Vera Gel (my Bee Mine product has Shea and Aloe Vera Gel. Love it!)
DO ME! No matter what someone suggests on a blog, forum or on YouTube, I have to DO ME! I have to take the time to learn my hair and what works for me. Some disapprove of cones, my hair has no problem with them. Some don't believe in washing hair, I do. Some disapprove of straightening natural hair, but I like the versatility. It's my hair so I'm going to DO ME!
What lessons have you learned on your hair journey? (Whether it is a natural or healthy hair journey)
In the past, I've talked about learning how to my love myself, and knowing my worth, but my struggle with the concept of the BC has me questioning, "Am I as confident as I think I am?" Quite frankly, it's easy to be confident about your outward appearance if you meet society's standards of beauty. But what if you don't? At various points in my life, I've been underweight, had buck teeth, had braces, bad skin, and hair all over the place. As I got older, I learned to hold my head up high, despite my "malfunction" at the time. I knew how to feign confidence, even when I looked in the mirror and didn't like what I saw. But was I truly confident? Or did I only regain my confidence once I corrected that "malfunction". Right now, I think my "fake" TWA is adorable. (I call it fake because of my relaxed ends.) Those same relaxed ends I want to keep for length, are the same relaxed ends that take forever to curl and dry. I don't mind taking time to do my hair. The problem is...it's not long enough for a ponytail; and I can't simply wash and go. And THAT is what drives me nuts. There are days I just want something quick and neat. But to look presentable, my only option is a roller set. Plus, my natural roots are taking over and they need nurturing (water) that is very different than my relaxed ends. After a day of checking out TWA and Big Chop videos, I noticed a recurring theme...Confidence. I'm beautiful. I just need to make the appointment. My hair will grow back. I need to let go of the West Indian concept that "your hair is your beauty". It's not. I'm about to learn what true confidence is...
I got mad one day and cut off the relaxed ends in the back.
