2 weeks natural + texture shots

Ok so I've been away for two weeks. I was sick with the flu the first week and then I decided to give myself a little vacay from blogging for a little bit more but realized that going more than two weeks might be too long to be away from my readers. Even though I'm natural now I still have left over topics that I'll be posting from my transitioning days. In these two weeks though, I did learn quite a few things about my hair such as how to moisturize and battle those dreaded single strand knots. I will definitely be coming back with more now. Here are my texture shots.

This is a big two strand twist out. I only had the twists in for about an hour. This is how it looked when I got back home after about four hours. More details later on how I achieved it.

I BIG CHOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so ends my 17 month transition. I've been complaining on here quite a bit about wanting to big chop so I finally did it. In my last post on Monday I ranted and I was feeling quite miserable about my hair that day. I was doing it so I could go out that night but was feeling extra sick of it at the time plus I was feeling a little tired and physically sick. About half hour after posting I got even sicker and realized I had been hit with the flu. So home I stayed. I couldn't even finish blow drying so I walked around the house looking like a troll the last 24 hours with half my hair blow dried and the other half looking like a bird's nest. I have another event scheduled in the morning but I'm still sick so I doubt I'll go. This flu has thrown a big 'ole monkey wrench in my Social Media Week.


Now on to the pictures, 'cause I know that's why you're here.

I started at 8:30pm and ended at about 10:30pm Valentine's day 2012. My last big chop was June 23rd 2008 at 2am. Can you tell I'm a stickler for documenting these things? The relaxed ends were getting too thin so I didn't feel the need to hold on to them anymore. My hair is not the length I want it to be which is armpit but it's close so I'll take it. I put my hair in my wash day pony tails and snipped away. Some straight ends are still in there somewhere but I'll leave those to fall off on their own and I may have clipped more natural hair off in some areas. Eh well...


Thank you for indulging in my flu induced big chop. Ta-ta-da-da!!!!! Single strand knots here I come!!!!!!!

So tired...

of blow drying. I'm blow drying my hair right now but I'm taking a few minutes break because working with these two textures is getting annoying and I want to big chop but my new growth is not at the length I need it to be right now. On the other hand my last wash session was a disaster because I forgot to use heat protectant and now I see heat damage. I wasn't even going to flat iron, just blow dry but I wanted to do a length check and trim. This is some B.S.

RANT OVER.

Weekend Review: Darker Than Brown Monthly Dinner

I went to the Darker Than Brown monthly dinner on Saturday and had a lot of fun. It was held at Vapiano Restaurant. I've been trying to get into one of their meet ups and they were always full or I was too busy. I did go to one though, which was their Good Will meetup late last year. There must have been about I don't know, forty Ladies at this meet up. They had three raffles for hair products and a Huetiful Steamer!!! I didn't win  anything. Not even the steamer. Bummer. I met a lot of great women though. I always love these events because of this; trying to do more instead of being a home body. The event is impeccably organized. I never got the feeling that things were rushed or not planned well; every thing was seamless. Nneka did a great job and I look forward to another one.

The dining concept over at Vapiano is umm, different. When you enter you get a card which you cannot lose. Everything you buy is scanned onto this card throughout the time you're there. The food is served cafeteria style where you get a tray, pick what you want from the menu, and it is cooked at the station in front of you. When the meal is done cooking the chef scans the price of the meal unto the card. You pay the cashier on the way out. I like this concept because you pay only for what you eat. No splitting checks. I'm sure we all know some people who can be a little janky in these bill splitting situations. So this is a nice place to go. Plus the food was delicious.

ME
Shirt - thrited, Jeans - American Eagle, Belt - don't remember
Boots - JCPenney, Necklace - don't remember

Nneka the organizer 

Me and a good friend

Don't mind the napkin. It was red sauce and
I can be a clumsy eater.

Huetiful Steamer winner. Lucky girl!!!

Hair product winner

Hair product winner. I think it was Kynx.

Whitney Houston dead at 48

I don't know how to feel about this as she died so young. The cause of death is unknown at the moment. I hope it's a prank. It would be a mean one but hey. I actually heard some guys talking about it a few minutes ago as I was walking home so I had to Google it. I was really hoping that she would make a come back or be able to do something else as she had gone through so much. I remember those evenings when I was a child my mom and aunt would argue with my uncles for the radio so they could play Whitney Houston songs or when my aunt would be dancing around the room singing one of her songs. Sad. My condolences to her entire family.

REST IN PEACE WHITNEY

This relaxer right here.

I bought this relaxer and neutralizing shampoo about March/April of last year. I was in Georgia and heat heat and humidity were getting to my head man. Working with the two textures was getting difficult. I thought I was going to relax but then I thought about all the time I already spent transitioning and changed my mind. I put it at the back of my bathroom cupboard, moved back to New York and it's been on my dresser for months. I barely notice it. I have absolutely no urge to relax.

First Award. Versatile Blogger. Yay me!!

1. I must thank the blogger who nominated me for the award and provide a link back to them in my post.
2. I must share 7 random things about myself.
3. I must pass the award along to 15 recently discovered blogs I enjoy reading.
4. I must contact my chosen bloggers via Facebook, twitter, email etc, to let them know about the award.
5. I must add the versatile Blogger award picture on my blog post.


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I want to say Thank You to Ebony from Longing 4 Length for giving me this award. You are a big sweetheart!! She's a blogger chronicling her healthy relaxed her journey to great lengths. In order for me to accept this nomination, I must do the following:




Seven random things about me:
1.) I like to thrift shop. I'm mad I only recently discovered it.

Some of my last heist.

2.) I dislike disrespectful, ungrateful, can't be happy for you Debbie Downers.
3.) I want to start my own business one day.
4.) My degree is in health care but more of a business/admin person.
5.) I'm a little lazy.
6.) I HAVE to eat sushi once a week.
7.) I like to sew every once in a while. I can't put a garment together but I can sew the hell out of a bag.


My 15 Versatile Blogger nominees:
1.) Six foot long hair
2.) Cotton and Curls
3.) Precious Curls
4.) Just Grow Already
5.) God's Favorite Shoes
6.) Sapodilla
7.) Hair and Skin Care Gossip
8.) OutsaPop
9.) I Spy DIY
10.) For the Fabulous and Frugal
11.) One and Twenty Self Esteem
12.) Healthy Hair by Ren
13.) Natural Hair Info
14.) Chocolate Laced
15.) Adored Austin


So there goes it. Off to contact my nominees. Thanks again Ebony.

My Transition Regimen - Basics

What works for me? 

Well initially I had no clue what I was doing. My first transition ended when I was only 3 months post relaxer. This time I've lasted 17 months and counting. I thought about big chopping sooner on more than one occasion but I'm glad I didn't, I love my hair. I love my big transitioning soon to be natural hair!! I call it Big Sexy. It would not have gotten so long if I had still been relaxing. I tried and it didn't work for me. Now when I flatiron my hair looks so much fuller and healthier than when it was relaxed. I will however be wearing it in it's natural state way more than flat ironing. I've only been doing that because it's colder and because it helps me to work with the two textures if I make them one plus cold season is the only time I can enjoy my flat ironed hair without fear of reversion. I normally like to blow dry and wear braid out or simple pinned up styles because I like the fullness. Plus the thought of a blow dry then flatiron is tiring.

Big chop, 3 month post relaxer. June 23, 2008.

The main key though to my transition journey was finding my protein/moisture balance as witnessed on my wash days. I always concentrate on working my Nexxus Emergencee/Aloxxi reconstructor into the demarcation area as this is the weakest part and I'm trying to hold on to my relaxed ends as long as I can. I also do the same with my conditioner. I don't deviate from my regimen much. Most times change occurs when I run out of a regular product and decide to use up a different product from my stash.

Additionally I always work with my hair in sections if it's not blown out or flat ironed. I DO NOT let all my hair tangle up for any reason, I will experience potentially more breakage than I am comfortable with at the demarcation area. Also finger combing as much as I can even after a wash and air dry reduces breakage immensely. I have seen the major difference it made compared to using a comb even if it was a big tooth comb. It takes longer but it’s worth it for me.

My Products

Suave Professionals for deep condition and cowash

 Scunci No-Slip Grip Evolution Hair Elastics

My own herbal oils that I steep 

Nexxus emergence for protein    

  Grape seed, castor, olive oils

IC fantasia heat protector

 Kid’s organics moisturizer

          Castile soap for shampoo            

         Split ender for trims

CHI flat iron  

         Fingers

         Comb 

I photographed some of the products I'm trying to use up along with my staples.

Megatek, Suave conditioner, nexxus aloxxi(renamed from emergencee),
castile soap, suave professionals, porosity control shampoo.

IC fantasia heat protector, amla oil, nexxus humectress,
random oil, hair elastics.

Random mystery oils

Blow dryer, split ender, CHI flat iron

Wash Day

1. Section hair in about 15 pony tails

2. Wash with unscented castile soap

3.  Apply Nexxus Emergencee, shower cap, leave in for 20 to 30 minutes under steam cap

4. Apply Suave Professionals Humectant Conditioner for dry hair

5. Overnight DC for about 6 to 8 hours.

6. Rinse and check scalp for conditioner build up.

7. If there is buildup, take my very soft tooth brush and scrub my scalp gently to remove as    much conditioner as I can.

8. ACV rinse if needed for porosity. 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to 64oz of water. This is what works for ME. It may not be standard for someone else so try at your own risk.

9. Air dry to about 70% or 80%.

10. Blow dry and flat iron, or detangle and braid back up. I finger comb when I blow dry to detangle. I use a comb only if I feel it's needed. This was acheived with a Revlon Amber Waves Professional Ionic Dryer RV672AW and FHI flatiron.

Can also be found here in more detail.

Daily Blow dry/Flat iron maintenance regimen

Daily maintenance of these styles is pretty simple. I put my hair into 4 to 6 sections by finger combing. I never use a comb unless I feel like I need to which is about 1% of the time. About two times a week I apply an herbal oil mix to my scalp only and massage. Most times I don't bother to ad to my ends because the oil applied to the scalp makes it's way down the strands. When I do I use coconut oil or grape seed oil. I wear a satin head tie to bed but sometimes I do fall asleep without one. This is how I wear my hair when I'm not in protective style mode.

Daily Protective Style mode regimen

When I am in protective style mode I wear my hair in about 10 or 12 plaits. Once a day I moisturize with Kids Organics Moisture and seal with an oil mostly coconut or grape seed. If I run out I'll use whatever oil I have in my stash of products to use up. I add megatek to the length once a week to keep up with the protein balance concentrating mostly on the demarcation area. I also finger detangled each section twice a week. When going out I wear either a wig or a head wrap. I prefer to use a du rag instead of a wig cap.

These are the basics for me so the best thing I can say is maybe build from this if you want to and most importantly, listen to your hair. Remember that everyone's hair is different and what what may work for one may not work for all.

Product Sighting - Viviscal and Nexxus Humectress

So I was browsing through Riteaid  and to my surprise I saw Viviscal in the shelves. I've only known it to be available online, never saw it in a local store before.

Viviscal Extra Strength Scalp Cleanser $50.99

PIC

I also saw Nexxus Humectress at Marshalls.

PIC

Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner 3oz. - $2.99. Normally $4.99 elsewhere.

Product Review: Suave Professionals Humectant Conditioner For Dry Hair

Suave Professionals Humectant Conditioner For Dry Hair

What they say:

Deeply Moisturizes as well as Nexxus®*.

Suave Professionals Humectant Conditioner restores moisture to dry or damaged hair - for less than the more expensive brands. 

• Humectant Formula with Panthenol and Keratin replenishes moisture as well as Nexxus® Humectress®**.
• Moisturizing Formula restores hair leaving it soft and manageable

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Centrimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Fragrance (Parfum) (Parfum), Quaternium 18, Potassium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, TEA Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate, DMDM Hydantoin, Glycerin, Panthenol, Hair Keratin Amino Acids, Sodium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

Price: 

$3.40 for 12.6oz.

Directions:

For best results- use with Suave Humectant Shampoo. Apply conditioner, distrubute evenly and rinse. Gentle enough for color-treated hair.

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What I say:

Hair with the conditioner in it.

Consistency

• Nice smell
• Nice consistency(not too thick, not to thin)
• Good for deep condition, and wash and go
• A little goes a long way but I like to drench my hair in it
• Works best for me by itself. No oils added.
• Lots of slip
• Hair feels soft and hydrated.
• Way cheaper than Nexxus Humectress($3.49 for 12.6oz. to $4.99 for 3oz.)

I use it on my wash days and ever since then I've never been able to replace it. It has really made a huge difference in the moisture level of my hair when I deep condition. I actually stumbled upon it when I was looking for my long used Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Mask. I find that I'm not able to wash it all out but that's because my hair is very thick. I have  to do a comparison to Nexxus Emergencee as I feel the two are great in their own ways. Overall, it works great on my type 4ab kinky hair. 

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

I made some changes

Well alot of changes. I was getting bored with my layout plus I was seeing a few people making changes so I decided to switch things up a bit. It's way more plain than the previous design but I think I like this. I was going to add a picture to my heading but felt text was better for now since I need better pictures. I spent hours learning my way around some design options like making headers, blogger template desginer advanced, and converting pdf files to jpeg with the help of Picasa and Office Convert Pdf to Jpg Jpeg Tiff Free.  It was annoying and tiring but I'm happy for now. What do you guys think? Anything I can do different? Questions, suggestions, comments welcome.

This is what it looked like before.

Natural/Curly Hair Volunteers Needed (NYC)

I was browsing craigslist and found this ad for Naturally Curly Event Curls Unleashed! Hosted by Taren Guy. Unfortunately all spots are filled but I still keep checking. Anyhoo the poster of the ad wants 50 male and female volunteers with natural hair to participate in an interview. Here are the details:-

 

Natural/Curly Hair Volunteers Needed (NYC)

A free-lance photographer stationed in Brooklyn is looking for 50 volunteers male and female to participate in a natural hair journey review. This project will contain both video, photography and written content. The volunteers must reside in New York City to be eligible for the photo shoot portion of the project. All volunteers are encouraged to submit a statement of 50 words or less that may describe a political, cultural or social views on the natural hair community, their journey or that of a family or friend. If you are interested in participating in this project or know of anyone who would be interested please use the contact information listed below.

Email your inquiries to sunflower.nbklyn@yahoo.com

To view work of the photography please visit www.toniamjohnson.com

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Click here to see the ad.

Anyone interested? Good luck if you are!!!