The Mane Choice Manetabolism Plus Multivitamins

Hello there Saints! I know I know. I have been off the blogging scene for a hot minute. I had a heavy plate I needed to clear but none the less here I am back on the blogging scene. Did you all miss me?? OF COURSE! :oD

Well today I want to share with you these wonderful healthy hair growth and retention vitamins I have been taking called Manetabolism Plus by The Mane Choice. I had been eyeing this company for at least a good year regarding their hair care line and needless to say their vitamins. We all know there are plenty of vitamins on the marker for hair, skin and nails but not all are the same nor will give the results we hope for.

Black Friday: Bee Mine Organics

Hello Saints! Bee Mine organic products are the staple brand for me and my family's hair care. I have been using there products since I began my healthy hair care journey in 2011. I had learned about Bee Mine through the Hairlicious blog by Sunshyne. She is a relaxed hair and beauty blogger with the most beautiful relaxed hair I have ever seen. She has been my encouragement through my own hair care journey.

This year I have been ordering the special edition CurlBox Natural by CurlBox. This pass May Natural Box featured all Bee Mine products so needless to say I was FLOORED seeing my staple brand in my box!  There were 5 FULL sized products.  They were Deja's Hair Milk, Luscious Moisturizer, Curly Butter, Juicy Daily Spritz and Daily Conditioner. This special edition box does NOT require a subscription but just like the subscription box, they do sell out fast.  If you would like to learn more about CurlBox please click here.

CurlBox Natural

Hello there Saints! CurlBox. For $20 (plus $5 shipping) a month you would recieve a pakage with samples and/or full sized products for hair care to try. I learned about monthly hair care subscriptions through various blogs and social media on the web. I am not a full blown product junkie. Lets just say I'm a "watered down" product junkie (Teehee). So, I like to try various hair products here and there. And if you are like me, who is fruggle when it come to spending funds, you are always on the lookout for getting the most bang for your bucks.

2015 Updates

Hey there Saints! I know, long time no posts from me. Well, I'm not going to lie, I went into pout mode after my heat damage episode in December 2013. Even with my blog posts in 2014, my heart just was not in it like I know it should be. I felt if I am going to blog, it has to be all or nothing.  I want my blog posts to be encourgaing and uplifting to the readers. So, with that being said lets get to the update! :o)

Crochet Braids: Take Care of Your OWN Hair Too

Hello there Saints! I am about to remove my crochet braids for the month of August this week. Needless to say this is my one and only long-term go to protective style! I have been amazed how well my hair does when I just leave it ALONE.  I was not a believer in wearing protective styles long term until I found the right one for me. I will not snub protective styles anymore. Whatever protective style you choose to wear, Saints, wear it well and make sure to take care of your own hair too.

Updates!

Hello there Saints! Your girl is still out here. Alot has been going on with our family but it is all good things here and there. None the less I want to give a few updates on what has been happening with me. ;o)

Hair Care

I'm still transitioning out of my heat damaged hair. It has been 5 months since my dreadful set back but none the less it is growing out. I am transitioning through it with crochet braid extensions. I'm currently on my 3rd install of crochets and still very much enjoying this protective style. I shampoo my scalp once weekly, moisturize and seal daily, and oil my scalp 2 to 3 times weekly. Very low maintenance for me with crochets.

Weight Loss Journey

Well, after all the holidays last year, the food has stayed with me. So, I am now on a weight loss journey as well. I have gained 15lbs since November

Long Term Protective Style: Crochet Braid Extensions

Hello there Saints! I'm still out here. I have been hibernating (aka pouting) since I heat damaged my hair in December 2013. After ending my transition to natural in August 2013, four months later I heat damaged my hair majorly! How did you do that CBCLady? I had the bright idea to flat iron my hair in order self trim.  I actually flat ironed twice in the same week. The second flat iron with my GVP flat iron from Sally Beauty was the straw that broke the camel's back. The flat iron itself is awesome however I did not keep my temperature down and the end result...HEAT DAMAGE.

Yes, Saints, I am now currently transitioning out of the heat damage.  I was on the line to just buzz all my hair off when I realized I had damaged my hair. After counseling with my husband and the Lord (of course), I decided to transition out of the heat damage. How are you transitioning out of your heat damage, CBCLady?  Keep reading to find out... ;o)

VO5 Conditioner & Eco Styler Gel

Hello Saints and Happy New Year! Process of elimination continues.... So, for awhile I had been wearing my hair in flat twist outs and recently wash n' goes. When I put my leave-in and/or curly pudding in my hair then apply my Eco Styler Gel I would end up with little white clumps in my hair. My hair looked ashy and white for some reason. I did not have it before but now I did. So, I had to recap. I washed my little girls hair (she's 7yrs old) last week. Shampoo'd, oil rinsed, AVC rinsed and then conditioned her hair with VO5 Moisture Milk Conditioner. When I began to twist her hair I applied her leave-in, curly butter and sealed with my whipped shea butter. As soon as I put the Eco gel on, her hair clumped with little white balls. I remembered whenever I used VO5 conditioner and gel in her hair, it did not mix well at all. 

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.