A lifestyle blog catering to women on the various journey's of life, spiritual, health, hair, financial, and personal development. Let's grow together!
I've been so busy over the past 4 months that my 3 year post relaxer date passed me right on by and I forgot to acknowledge it. My last relaxer was in June of 2000. Recently, I went into Taji Natural Hair Styling for a much needed trim. They did a light blow out on my hair before my ends were trimmed and I was able to see my length in a very stretched state. As those of you who follow me know, I don't heat style my natural hair so the only time that I do get to see it in a semi-straight state is when I go in for my trims. Here are some pictures before my trim. I've come a long way baby! It's healthy and I'm happy with my progress. Every head of hair is different and you will achieve lengths at different rates than others. I don't have a length goal, because honestly, I don't want to spend all day styling my hair and as it is I'm always looking to shorten my regimen. Shoulder length when in a twist out would make me more than happy. Enjoy the photos!
After 2 years into this natural hair journey, I can honestly say I've
tried not to become a product junkie, but I've done my fair share of
experimenting to determine what works with my hair. Here are my HG
(holy grail) natural hair products and some of the honorable mentions if I can't get
my hands on these products right away.
Deep Conditioner - Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Deep Conditioner (HG) www.curlmart.com (locally in Raleigh @ Nyenzo)
Aubrey Organics HoneySuckle Rose - Whole Foods
Moisturizer - Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream (HG) (locally in Raleigh @Nyenzo)
KeraCare Butter Cream - this also double as a styler b/c it has beeswax & emulsifying was in the ingredient list so it give a slight hold (local beauty supply store)
Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie (Target & Walgreens)
Leave in Conditioners - Koils by Nature Moisturizing Shealoe Leave In (HG) Conditioner(www.koilsbynature.com)
Giovanni Direct Moisture Leave In Conditioner (Target & Whole Foods)
Stylers - Koils
by Nature Herbal Soothing Curl Defining Gel in Peppermint
(www.koilsbynature.com) This provides long lasting corkscrew definition
twistouts.
Taji's Natural Hair Styling Aloe Jelly (Taji's Salon) This provides a large chunky fluffy twist out.
Entwine Couture's Creme` Jelly Styler also provides a soft, defined, twist out. It can be a little sticky though.
Heavy Gels - Ecostyler Olive Oil Gel for slicked up styles (Sallys, Beauty Supply store) & Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste for edges (Target)
Oils/Butters - Coconut (HG), Argon, Castor Oil, Koils by Nature Nourishing Hair & Body Butter
Have you discovered which products work on your hair? Are you loyal to one brand or do you find use multiple brands?
One of the most important things you can do for your hair, whether relaxed or natural, is to create a regimen our routine which you follow to care for your hair. Here is the regimen that I now follow for cleansing and styling my hair. I do this every 7 - 10 days unless I have my hair in some type of cornrowed style or a style with hair added (ie. extensions).
1. Prepoo & detangle
I have found that this step drastically reduces my detangling later on and preps my hair for cleansing. I use water, castor oil & Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture conditioner in my detangling cocktail. I don't sit under heat as some do. To see this in action check out this video.
2. Shampoo (with a no sulfate shampoo)
After detangling, I leave my loose hair in 4 sections and shampoo each section focusing on the scalp and smoothing the cleanser through the hair. I rinse each section, clamp out of the way and continue until the whole head is complete.
3. Deep Condition
I apply the deep conditioner in sections, gently detangle and then break each section into 2 and create 2 jumbo twists. After I finish, I don a plastic cap and apply my Hair Therapy Wrap for 30 minutes. I love this thing because it's cordless which means I can clean up or otherwise move around while my hair is being deep conditioned. I rinse my hair with cool water with my hair in the twists after my deep conditioning.
4. Apply leave in, sealant, and styling products
After deep conditioning, I apply my leave in product, oil to seal in the moisture, & then my styling product to each twist. Because my hair is already in twists, it's still detangled and I can break those twists even smaller after these products are applied to style my hair in my go to style...the twist out.
5. Moisturize As Needed
In the winter, I moisturize using the LOC method. I lightly spritz with water, add my moistuizer, and then seal with my oil of choice before retwisting at night. In the summer, I lightly spritz with my moisturizing mist, add my moisturizer and then seal with my oil of choice.
6. Trim Ends every 6 Months
I don't "dust" my hair, which is snipping the ends while in twists. I really don't want to play with scissors in my hair. If I have a single strand knot and I find it, I'll snip it with hair shears. Otherwise, I leave my trims to the professionals.
This routine helps keep my hair moisturized, minimizes split ends,breakage, and helps me to keep my hair healthy! Check out my next post which features the products that I use to keep my hair healthy and looking great!
What is YOUR healthy hair routine?
NaturallyNita is a women's lifestyle blog. After chronicling her natural hair journey 2.5 years ago, Nita realized that there were many other life journey's where she could share her lesson's learned with others. This blog focuses not only on natural hair but also health/fitness, business, finances, spiritual & personal growth.www.naturallynita.blogspot.com
As I stated before, I have been blessed to have a lot of support from my family and friends in my transition to natural hair. One person who was pushing me to the very end was Lateshia. I watched a lot of Youtube videos about going natural but it was she who was the tangible, real life example of the process that let me know "Hey, I can do this!" I interviewed her recently on how her journey is going so far. Read her responses below.
NN: What made you decide to go natural?.
L: I have always wanted to go natural but I thought my hair was too thin and wouldn't look right. Plus my hair was so thin (practically nonexistent) at the temple area, I was just scared to do it.
NN: How did you know it was time to big chop? How long was your transition? What was your big chop date?
L:Well suffering from severe anemia, stress, and not to mention chemical overhaul my hair started to thin out really, really bad. I always wore my hair short so I would never go longer than 7 weeks without a fresh relaxer. Anytime I saw curls in the back (of my head) I'd slap some on creamy crack.. Finally after visiting my dermatologist April 6, 2010 and being diagnosed with Non-scarring Alopecia, it was a no brainer for me. There are some things I have control over and I could definitely live without the relaxers so it was a done deal for me. Because I'd always worn my hair short, I wouldn't say I had a big chop date, but I say May 1st 2010 is my official natural date. All I needed to do was cut the few relaxed ends off and keep it moving. I did that over a 2 month period. I've worn two strand twists with extensions and faux fros for the first 7 months. During that time my hair was totally natural, but I wanted to keep my hands out of it and let it grow.
NN: What do you love the most about your all natural hair? What is your greatest frustration?
L: I love that my hair is thicker than its ever been. Where I had no hair where I'd been relaxing, I now have healthy hair. I love that's is mine, mine, and all mine. My greatest frustration is realizing I have very tightly curled hair and getting my hair to stretch is a challenge.
NN: How are you coming on establishing a hair regimen? What products is your hair loving right now?
L: Now this was the biggest challenge for me. Because my hair is so tight and needs lots of moisture, I realize I cannot shampoo my hair as often as I did when it was shorter. Now I'm trying to stick with shampooing every 1 to 2 weeks depending on the style I'm wearing. Right now I'm rocking my fro so when I get up I just fluff it out, refresh, and keep it moving. Right now, my hair is loving Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo, Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Conditioner, Kinky-Curly Curling Custard, and Kinky-Curly Styling Spritz(to refresh curls). For added moisture for hair and scalp, I use Coconut Oil or Cantu Hair and Scalp Oil. For 2 strand twists or braid outs I use Jane Carter's Wrap and Roll.
Thanks Lateshia for being MY cheeleader and motivator!
I had invited a few girlfriends to come witness the transformation (and hold my hand, LOL).
I'd picked out a style that I felt would look cute on me.
I was ready.
THEN..
None of my girls were able to come. And imagine this! We had one of the coldest weeks of the month leading up to my hair appt. And I'm about to cut all of my hair off?? (I really can't stand being cold you guys!) I almost changed my mind.
Then I remembered my reasons for doing this:
1. Achieving healthy hair
2. To learn how to care for and maintain my own hair for the first time in my life
3. Learn that beauty has less to do with what is external but more to do with what is internal
PLUS, I'd reached my transition goal - 6 months! I was still a little nervous until I walked into the salon. But when I came in the door, there was Taji, my stylist, smiling. Let me interject here to say, that if you are going to patronize a stylist as a natural (or anyone who provides a personal service for that matter), make sure it is someone who understands what you're trying to accomplish and is truly supportive of your goals. Ensure it is someone who listens to YOU as the customer and doesn't push their own preferences when you've clearly stated what you desire. A supportive, knowledgeable stylist is just as much if not equally as important as supportive friends and family on your journey. Taji met all of these criteria for me.
With my confidence renewed, Taji whipped out the scissors and said, "Do we need to do anything before I get started?" I responded in my signature jovial way, "Nope! We don't have to pray or hold hands singing Kumbaya my Lord. I'm not going to cry. I'm ready!" And I meant it this time.
Before the cut ......
After the cut....
That's a genuine smile! I love my curls and coils!
With leave in conditioner - 6.5 months of new growth
Thanks to Taji for not only being supportive, but making this a fun and enjoyable experience. AND for making me look fab!
Styled - Faux hawk with comb twists...
Hair by Taji Shabu, Taji Natural Hair Styling http://www.tajishabu.com/
I am so happy that I made this decision. I haven't regretted one moment and look forward to continuing to learn as my hair continues to grow!
Ahh the beginning....and to think it didn't start off with me willingly wanting to "go natural". It began with a trip to my dermatologist. My hair was thinning in the nape of my head - again. After some evaluation, he simply said to me, "Trinita, you might want to think about going natural". I, very defiantly stated, 'Natural is not for me. My hair is "straight from the motherland", it's tight, it would be impossible to do." Amazing how I was so certain of my hair texture when I hadn't seen more than 6 weeks of new growth since I was probably 12 years old. He told me that he would never tell someone what they MUST do with their hair, only make recommendations based on his evaluation.
Well, I was planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas at the time and was already planning to get a full sew in for ease of hair care on my trip. So I got my last retouch on June 10, 2010, not knowing at the time it would be my last. While researching the best virgin hair for my sew in, I stumbled across a Youtube Vlogger who was using sew ins as a protective style for her natural hair. I purchased the hair she recommended and started following her site. It was about this time that I received the results back from the scalp biopsy that my dermatologist had performed during my visit - chemical (or scarring) alopecia. I had a conversation with myself. I said, "Self." Myself said, "Yes." I had the realization that if I continued to use relaxers, I was going to create so much permanent damage I wouldn't have any hair. And so, my natural hair journey began....reluctantly.
Below are two pictures of my relaxed hair prior to my virgin Indian hair installation. My hair has never been longer than shoulder length. Here it was about mid-neck length straight. I wore it curled to camouflage the thining I was experiencing in the back.
Everyone transitions differently. Some big chop (cut off all their relaxed ends) immediately. Others, transition for a full year, carefully nursing the two textures of hair (relaxed and new growth). Since I was already planning to get a full sew in for my trip, I utilized weaves for the duration of my transition, 6.5 months. I had two installations of virgin Indian hair, and then a faux Afro weave install leading up to my big chop. This allowed me to transition without dealing with the two textures, and to give myself time to follow others natural hair journey on Youtube.
This time was very valuable to me because I was able to change my mindset about how I personally felt about natural hair. I realized that my natural hair journey was not only a physical transformation but also an emotional one. I realized I had negative emotions connected to my natural hair. I didn't believe it was pretty...I didn't think I would be attractive without relaxed hair. I had to reassess why I believed that way. I asked myself several questions: Why was I so adamant that my mom give me a relaxer before I was a teenager? Why I was so fearful of what my hair would look like when the relaxer ends was cut off? What were my personal defininitions of beauty? I answered these questions for myself. I continued to follow other's journey online. I was so inspired and encouraged. Other friends who were going natural were also encouraging me. Finally, I looked to my Father to see what He said about me. I determined to make a positive confession about God's creation: Psalm 139:14; I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful; I know that full well. (NIV)
I scheduled my big chop.
Below are pictures of my transitional phase:
June 2010 - Notice how thin my hair is in the nape of my head.
July 2010 - damaged ends, thin hair
July 2010 - Newly installed Virgin Indian Hair
July 2010 Side view of same install
September 2010 - 2nd hair install (Note: This hair was less quality than the first and pushed me closer to the BC - HATED IT!!! LOLOL!)
November 2010 - Faux Afro with Human Kinky Hair (getting myself adjusted to the natural "look")
