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)

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. 

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. 

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.

Hair Care: Six Months Later

Hello there Saints! I pray all is well with everyone this day. So sorry for the silence. We had a death in our family right before Thanksgiving so my family and I have been away. To God be the glory. The Lord is still in control. I will be posting details of the death of my nephew Ernest Hoskins, Jr. at a later date.  There are still pending events right now but none the less justice will prevail in the name of Jesus! :o)

So, in May of this year I took the plung and cut my grazing shoulder length hair to ear length. It was a tough decision but a much needed decision. My hair was a mess at the start of my journey in August 2011. My hair broke off so bad in the hair line/edges and various spots in my crown. The right side had broke off the worse. That side broke from

Ear Length = HIGH MAINTENANCE!

So this Sunday will be a month since I cut my grazing shoulder length hair to ear length. Let me tell you, this is a high mantenance length for me! I am doing all I can to keep from using heat on my hair. My first week I was a mess. I was in tears trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I work out 5+ days a week so I cowash my hair every other day. It is a must since I sweat like rain drops. It has been almost 4 months since I texlaxed my hair, so that is an added trial to the situation (yes, it's a situation to me). What did I do? I did the best thing I know to do....I PRAYED! 

New Hair Cut!

Hello Saints! Yes I took the plung and cut my hair. It is now ear length. It was just grazing my shoulders when I cut it this pass Thursday. Although it's supper cute, it is really taking some getting use to for me. Having short, 3 months post relaxed, 4a/b-ish type hair is really high matenance for me. None the less I keep having to tell myself it will grow back which it will. It will grow back now nice and even too. I pray I will NEVER have to cut my hair to this length again. (tearing up) It was not a set back by any means but a rather huge step forward is the ultimate care for my hair.

Day 7: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! Well it has been 1 week since I started my hair fast. I have faithfully not used any hair appliances nor styling products. It has just been various oils, water, my aloe vera mix (which has all pure/natural ingredients) and shea butter. I have not used shampoo of any kind. I have either rinsed my hair with water only or used my organic conditioner by Alba. I did the GHE (green house effect) every day from serval hours to overnite. All is going well and my hair is feeling tremendously moist and strong. I am not having any issue with shedding that concerns me nor breakage. I have 2 weeks to go! I will be doing a heavy protein treatment using Aphogee 2 Step once I complete my hair fast a few days before putting my relaxer in (I actually texlax though). Over the weekend I co-washed and wore my drawstring ponytail when I was out and about.

Day 3: 21 Day Hair Fast

Hello Saints! I'm at day 3 of my hair fast and I'm feeling pretty good. I know it has only been three days but I have been tempted to do a little something to my hair but I'm determined to make it through. Prayer is truly helping me. Although, to some my exemptions I have set for my hair fast is easy breezy to them. Although, I do not use heat on my hair daily and sometimes not even weekly but I have that option to do so if I please (with moderation of course *smile*). Now setting a hair fast and not use ANY hair tools?? Not even to do a cool air dry?? Yes I do need Jesus to give me strength (LOL). I have confidence in myself that I will make it through 21 full days of mainly water, oils and a plastic cap for my hair routine!

Birthday No. 6!

Hello Saints! Today is my little girl's 6th birthday today! I'm a proud proud mom. She is my little diva with a diva attitude to match but she's still my princess. I thank the Lord every day for her and my other children. God has truly blessed my husband and I with wonderful children.

For Miss C's birthday hair I gave her two-strand twists. Since her ends do not curl (I caused heat damage unknowingly a few months back) I used flexi rods to create cute spirals. It came out beautifully! I love it. I have various problem areas I'm working out with Miss C's hair but none the less her hair is beautiful Lord willing it will always remain natural. I pray when she gets of age that she will not want to chemically treat her hair in any way. I will keep hope alive. (LOL)

I pray all is well with everyone this day. Be blessed! :o)