COWashing

Hello Saints! I have been on my natural hair journey for 3 months and have been COWashing (conditioner only washing) my hair 1-2x weekly in place of shampooing weekly. Cowashing is a great alternative to daily or weekly shampooing to help increase moisture and condition the hair in between washes. 

Update: Natural Journey

Hello there Saints! So sorry for being MIA. Tis' the season for preparation of the upcoming holidays. Well, here I am 2 months later fully natural and LOVING IT!!! I could not have imagine that I could see myself wear my homegrown natural hair. It is such an amazing accomplishment for me! I feel so free and uninhibited being a naturalista. :o)

Now, let me get to the nitty gritty of my natural journey 2 months in. First off, all is well. I'm retaining length still and my hair is growing quite well. I did have a problem area that I really was not aware of until I cut the remaining relaxed ends off. It's an area in my crow that the hair broke off and the texture is on the course side as if it was not getting enough TLC. Given that I have been giving that specific area the TLC it needs to get it going again. It is beginning to soften up and the texture is starting to feel more like the rest of my hair which is good thing. I make sure, when I moisturize, I pay additional attention to that area as well as when I cleanse and oil my scalp.

TRANSITION HAS ENDED!!!!

Newly Natural Flat Twist Out

 Hello Saints! Yes, after 10.5 months I have officially ended my transition to natural last night August 17, 2013! After cowashing my hair, my husband came in the bathroom and I told him how I was done with these straggly straight ends. As I have blogged before, my plan was to transition until January 2014 however all that is no more. I am beyond excited about being completely natural. It almost feels strange to say that I am natural. WOW! I have never EVER in my adult life have had my hair in it's all natural texture. This is history in the making. When I was in elementary I was pressed out. Then eventually my whole family got Jheri Curls. Yes, including my dad and brothers! LOL Then in high school I started relaxing and have been relaxed up until last year when began I texlaxing. I texlaxed twice and now here I am today all natural. This will be truly a great and adventurous natural journey. :o)

Operation: Length Retention

Sensationnel Up-Do

Hello Saints! Now that I am confident in caring for my transitioning hair, I have now began focusing on ways to retain my length. I had mentioned before in a previous post about Operation: Length Retention, so in this post I will share with you what I plan on doing through out my transition to help retain length and commitments I am making to see it happen.

What is Operation: Length Retention?

It is methods, styles and products I am using and/or doing to help minimize breakage in order to retain length. Our hair is always growing however if we are not protecting our strands from breaking, we will not see the growth that is happening. I do not believe there is anything that can make the hair grow, however I do believe there are products and supplements that can help strength our hair and keep our scalp healthy for growth.

Transitioning to Natural: 10 Months Post

Hello Saints! Another month down which now puts me at 10 months post! That is absolutely amazing to me. It truly is. I may sound as if this transitioning to natural is an easy thing but it surely is not! Transitioning hair takes alot of commitment and dedication. The hair is battling with two totally different textures and somehow I have to figure out how to give both textures the care and needs that are required. Now at 10 months post, my natural texture is truly overruling what is left of my relaxed ends. I have trimmed my ends some but I'm going to go to a salon and get a professional trim soon. It will more than likely be after the kids go back to school which is this month. 

The BEST Flat Twist Out EVER!

Hello Saints! Last month I ordered for the first time the Ouidad $5 sample pack which included two gels, a leave-in, shampoo and conditioner. I got an additional free sample of my choice plus free shipping with this offer. At the time of this special, Ouidad was also offering a 5 day Deal of the Day. Each day they had a special package offer or free products with a purchase. On day 4 of the special, with ANY purchase you would receive their Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner 6oz and Sun Shield Sun & Sport Leave-In Spray 8.5oz for FREE. Those two products together is $37. Talk about savings!! So needless I took advantage on this day and ordered my daughter and I the $5 sample pack and received an additional sample and the 2 full size leave-ins for free and free shipping too! I could not pass this deal up! :o)

Transitioning to Natural: 8 Months Post

Hello Saints! Today is my 8th month in my journey to natural.  My hair's current length is shoulder length and all is well. I'm still on my regular standard hair care regimen with trying various products here and there.

Daily

Every day I moisturize with S-Curl No Drip and seal with 100% sweet almond oil.  Before bed I will pull my hair back into a loose bun or do flat 2-strand twists then cover with my satin scarf or bonnet. 

Extra Virgin Coconut How To's

Hello Saints! How I love me some pure extra virgin coconut oil. I started using it when I started my hair care journey in 2011. It is such a versatile oil. It is one of the ingredients I use in my oil mix I use for my face and body. I have used coconut oil as an overnite treatment before my wash day. It can be used for cooking but I have yet to cook with it though. Whatever way I use it, I always purchase extra virgin coconut oil. There's several brands to choose from but my personal choice has been Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. 

Protecting the Fruit of My Labor

Hello Saints! I am still faithfully on my transition to natural hair. All is going well. I am getting better at coming up with styles to help blend the two textures and minimize manipulation to prevent breakage. Finding different styles for my transitioning hair is probably the most difficult part of my transition. On days that I do not know what to do with my hair I put on a half wig or drawstring ponytail. 

This photo is my latest transitioning style. This is a flat two-strand twist  style I have been wearing this week. It is quick and very easy for me to do. I have not always known how to do flat two-strand twists until recently.  When you ask the Lord for help, He will always respond according to His will and plan. :o)

Transitioning: 6 Months Post

Hello Saints! Wow, it's been 6 months already! This is not my record in stretching. My record is 7 months. So, after I get over into my 8th month then I will be cooking! LOL 

All is going GREAT with my transition. I have been experimenting still with styles to blend the two textures. There is still no issues with breakage or shedding (Thank God).  I did trim more off in March. I will not be putting scissors to my hair again until I am ready to cut the remaining relaxer off my ends (can someone say Challenge??!). I have minimized using direct heat to 1x every 2 months or so which is a huge change in my hair care. I have learned to survive without having to always blow dry or flat iron my hair. Having limited direct heat in my hair care is doing wonders for the health of my hair.

Transitioning: 5 Months Post

Hello Saints! I am 5 months post texlax and still going strong with the transition to natural. I have not had to change nor add any additional treatments or care thus far through the transition.  Right now I am going through trial and error with styles that will be able to blend the two textures.  While still figuring that out I have learned within these past five months that my hair does not require protein as much. I definitely have to make sure I stay up on my moisture.  The moisture needs has increased but the need for protein has decreased.  I no longer  do weekly protein treatments with Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor.

Shampoo Day Essentials

Hello Saints!  In order for me to have a sucessful shampoo day, these are my must have items:

1. Comb for detangling
2. Salon mixing bowl
3. Teaspoon
4. Application brush
5. Plastic cap
6. T-shirt

Okay, now I will share why these are my essentials for my shampoo day. 

TRANSITIONING! It's Official

Hello Saints! You read the title right. I have decided to officially transition to natural.  It was not a difficult decision considering I had stopped relaxing my hair a year ago and began to texlax (texturize).  I have texlaxed twice with my last (2nd) touch up being four months ago. 

It began when I started stretching  my relaxer touch up then went from there.  The longer I stretched the more I loved seeing my natural textured new growth. I flat iron my hair a week ago and really missed my full, fluffy hair.  That moment is when I said "No more chemically altering my natural texture." I also realized above all I need to be an example to my girls about loving their own natural textured hair.

New Formula: S-Curl No Drip

Hello Saints! I was in need of my staple moisturizer S-Curl No Drip and found out that Luster's has changed the ingredients. I was kind of concerned because I did not know if the change was for the better or the worse. The new formula is now paraben free which is good. However they have added DMDM Hydantoin (formaldehyde preservative) in it's place. The new fragrance is wonderful. Definitely will take the new smell. The other new ingredients are Argan oil and Olive oil. Those are some great oils for hair care so thumbs up on those as well.

Get LOSS!

Hello Saints! Happy New Year by the way! Well now that the holidays are done I come into the new year with extra pounds that I thought I would leave back in 2012. It's only 5 pounds but those few extra pounds can make a difference in how clothes feel when you put them on. So, I'm going back to the drawing board in full. I'm going to start on Phase 1 of the '17 Day Diet' by Dr. Mike Moreno. My husband has decided that he too is going to join in on the journey as well. If you have not heard of the '17 Day Diet' I highly recommend taking a look into it. I started reading and actively doing the diet and I loss pounds quickly and safely. The book is easy reading and there is nothing in there for food that you do not already eat. Dr. Moreno helps us to eat right and get more healthy eating in our lifestyle. By time you get to phase 4 you are able to put back the treats that we liked back in the day every now and then.

BEE MINE All the Time

Hello Saints! I pray all is well with everyone. The holidays are over but the the hair journey must go one! LOL

So, for a while I was looking for a moisturizing deep conditioner. I wanted it to be protein free since I like use Aphogee Two Minute for my weekly protein treatment and I follow up with a moistruizing deep conditioning. I had tried various sample packs from Sally Beauty and others from department stores like Walmart. I had some great results but I was not too impresed with some of the ingredients. Sometimes my hair would be moisturized after the rinse but once completely dry it was dull and bone dry as if I had not deep condition.