The Transition: Still In Progress

 

 BC DATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2012!!!!! 

My Solution to My "Product Robbery" Post : I Refuse to Go Broke, Going Natural

"Okay Jen, you had your moment to get all worked up about the prices of natural haircare products, so what are you going to do about it?"

Good question.  I'm going 'natural' naturally.  Water, Oils, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Mayo, Egg, Milk, Avocado; and I'll keep researching for more natural products that I can use in my hair and go from there.  This feels more natural to me.  Besides if I'm going to pay high prices for products with these ingredients, why not just invest in these ingredients myself?  And Yes, it's far less expensive in the long run!  In the same respect it will take a lot more planning and structure to my regimen than I currently have going on--and that's good because honestly, I really don't have a regimen yet.  I wash my hair, moisturize it, and twist it at night, that's it really.  Not much Deep Conditioning (DC), no hot oil treatments to date, so I like the thought of having to give my hair more TLC than I currently do.  Besides, I'm all natural skin care, why not be all natural hair care?  I'm simple. And this seems simple enough for me.  Yes, I will still use gels, and some "stylers" because I understand the chemistry of products and what makes them effective for achieving desired results, but my staples will not be any particular store, Internet, trade-show...overall manufactured product. 
I don't know how this will work out.  It sounds great in theory, but I know my schedule.  I'm going to have to work to make it work, but I'm up for the challenge!  And I will update my many successes, and hopefully very few failures--if any--on my blog.  Let's see how this goes.

I Refuse to Go Broke, Being Natural. #RANT

Hmmm, so I'm 'shopping' for natural hair care products to use in my hair, and I'm disgusted...no DISGUSTED!!!!! by the prices of some of these products.  Hey, lemme tell ya something...some of these companies are just trying to get over (OVAH) and take advantage of folk's desire to use optimum products in their hair.  Hmmmmmmmmm, I was natural for 17 years of my life, had long, thick, beautiful, bushy hair, and my momma used products from Wal-Mart and such.
One would think natural hair is a new phenomenon.  Like women haven't been natural for years, with luscious, long, healthy hair.  Seriously.  I appreciate a great product, I do and I will pay for it.  Yes I will, have and do--less occasionally as I have in the past, but I will as long as it works, or I perceive the effectiveness of such a product...but there's no justification for some of these prices...BUT this is just my personal opinion.  It's neither here nor there, nor does it dispute the reputability or justification for such perceivably inflated prices.  I'm just confused as to how and why natural hair care products are so much more expensive than any other haircare products I've purchased.
OK, so it's time for a disclaimer:  DO YOU!!  Pay whatever you will for whatever product you desire.

But I do detect a little opportunism in the natural hair care market.

I Can Hardly Stand It...Hardly

TODAY after getting my daily fix of YouTube 'Naturals' I made up my mind that I was going to BC and DC.  "MmmmHmmm.  Yes, Honey."

I just got 'life' watching those natural hair journey montages...and I was ready to rid myself of the dueling textures, and be FREEEE!  So the plan was to go out, run my errands, and come home to BC and DC... 

Well, by the time I got back in I had a change of heart. It may be strange, and probably unfounded but I feel like my relaxed ends protect my hair.  As long as they are healthy I feel I don't have to worry about causing split ends or damage to the natural hair that grows above them.  Also, I want to remain true to my plan and transition for a full year before BC'ing.  Yeah, it'd be nice to just cut off my relaxed ends and have the ability to rock twist-outs, bantu knot-outs, and mini twists without having to try to blend my textures, or worry about having twists in my hair that are plump at the top and thin at the ends.  But I'm going to be patient and endure this transition as closely to plan as possible.  Because once I cut my ends, it's no turning back.  My relaxed ends are my security blanket, and right now, at this point in my transition I still need them.  I keep getting excited about the growth, and each day I grow more confident about a BC, and I know when the time is right, I will just do it...and upload pictures;)  Until then... nothing new with my hair.  I'm still transitioning.

I Just Have to Take a Moment to Say: I LOVE MY KINKY COILS!!

Here's a picture:  Ah, I'm in love!!!!!!!!!

I have on scarf halter...just lounging around the house.

Just so you know...

Style before 'look' in picture above:

Curly 'Fro...Bantu Knot-Out

This is the result of a simple bantu knot out.  OMG I was so excited with how great it turned out.

My Puff: X's Two

Bantu Knot-Out Puff

Bantu Knot-Out Puff, After Wetting. 
*Ha, I don't know why I thought I could just spritz it with water and go.  I must have thought the water would reactivate the curliness of the style.  I've got to get reacclimated with my natural hair.*

Length and Curl Check

My Curls Unstretched.  Definitely 4c.  I don't see the typing system as derogatory for very tight, kinky curls.  I love my tiny spirals. 

My Curls Stretched

Back Length Unstretched (Pre-trim)

Back Length Unstretched (After Trim)



Front Length Stretched (Pre-trim)

Front Length Stretched (After Trim)

Front Length Unstretched (After Trim)

No More Braids... :( & :)

Why is it that when my hair is out I want braids, but then when my hair is braided I miss my curls.  We are so peculiar #human nature. 

I had to say good-bye to my braids.  My new growth just made me antsy to see my new length.  Wow.  I'm really impressed.  Now I just keep thinking to myself..."rentention...rentention."  I still do not want to BC, but I am going to trim my relaxed ends substantially (about 2 inches) because I do not want to lose my length drastically, but I also do not want to jeopardize the healthy natural hair and new growth that I have attained.  Who knows I may just go ahead and BC, but I'm not feeling it right now (pre-trim).

Because I have gained a substantial amount of new growth and chemical-free hair I am going to be creating a regimen for my hair.  I will update my blog with that info as well.  There are so many successful ladies on the YT discussing natural hair so I do not at this time feel like I have anything 'new' or pertinent to say about my hair that isn't already being said, or hasn't already been said by someone else.  But the moment I do think of something you can bet I will upload videos on YT. 

It has been over a month since my last post, before this one, so I have a lot of making up to do.  I wore my braids for 8 weeks (2 months) and besides a few style variation, and a cut the last 2 weeks of wearing them I really didn't have anything to post that I felt would be insightful or worth sharing.  But that should change now that the braids are gone and I'll probably not be wearing them again for a while.

I'm almost ready to start advertising my blog, because school is wrapping up in the next three weeks--yes, I'm so excited. YAY!!!  Hey, it's only up from here.  I'm pumped. 

Later!
 

I Whip My Hair!!

Yes!  I'm wearing braids again.  Yes, I did them myself.  They are more filled in than last time, smaller, and Instead of using the full length of the hair, I cut the hair in half, so they aren't waist length, but still have great length (bra strap length).

Here are some pics:

Yes!  I'm loving these braids!

Protective Styles Galore!

I'm still transitioning so wearing my hair down is not an option that I have very often, or for very long when I can actually wear it down in a twist out or similar style.  Here are some of the protective styles I've been wearing in my hair. 

I loved this bun!  I got this style from MsRosieVelt on the YT

This style was inspired by SimplYounique

 Most of my protective styles include two strand twists and flat twists.  I cannot cornrow.  I'm trying to learn, but right now I cannot.  Also, I know I threw mad shade at my hair net in an earlier post, but that net is a life saver.  I just wet my hair, add gel, slick back--which create waves and curls on the front, sides, and back, pin dow the hair that will be under the net, and add my net.  Pretty simple, yet very presentable: LIFESAVER!  I'm telling you!

A Good Twist Out Gone Bad...Then Reformed.

I thought my twist out was really cute when I first took it down.  I left the house for a few hours and returned.  Finally having the time to take a pic this is what I captured: 

At the time I thought it was cute, so I dressed for work and during a bathroom break noticed this in the mirror:

Same look?  Well, I was not feeling it anymore. But hope is never lost because I keep bobbie and hair pins on me at ALL times.  I didn't have a lot of time to perfect the look (bathroom break) but I like it much better than the pic above.

Feel free to follow, and comment with tips, ideas, whatever.  I"m off to work.  Later! : )

Curl Type Update, Length Check, Post Braids Style, Etc, Etc.

So I took those braids out that night...and ended up with this:

 

It all looks natural, no?  ((I know it's messy, but I loved this 'fro!'))



Oh, how I missed my hair.
 Thanks to the BRX spray my hair was nice and soft, and conditioned.  It was very easy to detangle my hair after removing the braids, which took a few hours.  I took a few breaks to complete other tasks I had around my room.

After I washed it, OMG, I am so tenderheaded.  I immediately thought, "how am I going to handle being fully natural?"  Saying it hurt to detangle my hair is an understatement.  I sprayed some of the sheen spray onto my hair, hoping for some relief and it worked a bit.  This is a few days old twist out.   (Don't judge me.  I finished taking my braids out at about 2 or 3 AM and I was sleepy so this half-hearted twistout was better than nada!)

Know what?  I'm not going to post the pic...not suitable.  Sorry peeps.

Aint-e-way.  I really enjoyed Mothers' Day at home with my family, especially my wonderful mother.  What I did to my hair was co-wash and detangle it and do another twist out...hey, I procrastinated because I didn't know if I wanted to twist my hair up with extension, rod it, or what...so by 3 AM the twist out was an obvious solution.  Oh, I forgot to mention I trimmed my own ends, and nearly 'trimmed' the back of my hair right to new growth length---the very thing I tried to avoid, but oh well...Needless to say I was very careful trimming the rest of my hair.  This is the twist out that I wore for Mothers' Day:

Ignore the silly kool-aid smile, just note the hair.  Thx!
















Then the twist out got old and I just pulled it back and wore a thick hair net, pinned toghtly.  I even got asked where I found the tight fitting hair net...does that count as a compliment?  Probably not.  ((Yes, I have a pic.))

But then of course that only worked for a few days.  I started to feel a little bummy so I buckled down early one morning and came up with this little diddy.  One minute I like it, the next I don't...then I do all over again.  I know one thing, I'm keeping this style until it expires.  By the way, I'm totally loving it today.

The back is just twisted up into the bang.  ((Like upside down, slanted cornrows, but twisted.))

OK, so length check:  My last length check was February 13, 2011: Here's the Happs!

I also need to update my curl texture from the same post.  I figured my curl type was 3c, 4b then, but I can see definite spiral, not zig-zag so at this time I update my curl pattern to 3c, 4a.  This is subject to change because the curl pattern is easier to detect as the hair obtains length.  My curls are tight, but they are definitely spiral, and my hair is very thick, as you can see.  I love my kinky curls!!!

Handful, unstretched

Handful, Streched

Section, Unstretched

Section, Stretched

Twist, Unstretched

Twist, Stretched

So, well that's all for now!  Til next time...

**This post was drafted on 05/16/11**

It's Time To Say Buh-Bye!

Ok, so here's a final picture of my braids because they will be gone in the next 48 hours.  I will miss them.

I can't deny the fact that the new growth is just making them look dated...these braids are near expiration.  I cherish them because I did them myself, but *sigh* I will braid my hair up again, one day.  Plus, I'll make them look even better, and improve upon what I did this time.

Update, and BRX Braid & Extension Sheen Spray

I'm still wearing my braids.  I'm still loving them, my new growth is amazing.  New growth also means that these braids days are numbered.  : (.  I'm going to miss them, and how easy it has been getting ready in the morning, but truth be told I miss my hair!  I want to see the actual difference in my natural texture's length compared to before the braids.  Then I will really be able to decide whether I want to BC or keep transitioning. 
It's getting hot!!!  Today the temperature is at 77 degrees, with a little"April Shower" mixed in.  Easter Sunday the temperature was a wopping 83 degrees.  And in SC it gets much hotter than that in the summertime.  Whew!!!  So I guess that's another pro for a BC.  We shall see.

I ran out of my Sulfur 8 Braid Spray.  I searched the hair stores, Wal-Marts, and Family Dollar.  I stopped there because I honestly didn't know where else to look.  NO LUCK.  Frustrated and feeling defeated I 'settled' for African Royale BRX Braid & Extension Sheen Spray.  Well, I am glad that I settled for this spray.  It is conditioning like the Sulfur 8 spray.  It also works to soften the hair and soothe itching and dry scalp.  While I'm partial to the Sulfur 8 spray, I'm liking the African ROyale BRX Sheen Spray almost as much. 

Peace and Blessings!!

To BC or Keep it Braided?

Hey, hey hey!!

I am still wearing my braids (and loving them), but I'm facing somewhat of a conundrum.  Initially, I thought that once my braids started to grow out I would touch up the front rows with new, fresh braids in order to keep the look and protection for at least another 6 weeks. I'm just a little freaked about the possible damage to my edges.  I DON'T WANT WEAK or BALD EDGES!!!  You know how you can see the shedded strands of hair with the white follicle bulb within the braids (btw the white bulbs indicate fairly young hair--or new hair growth), well, as much as I tried to avoid them, yes, I see a bit (minimal, but still).  So I don't know if I want to sacrifice any more of my edges for the convenience of braids.  HOWEVER, I have a  lot of new growth (3/4 of an inch) in less than 4 weeks!!  That really excites me.

What is a girl to do?  Do I take out my braids and BC, or do I re-braid the front rows and keep my braids a little longer???!!!  The only reason I'm considering a BC now is because I have approximately 3 inches of natural hair now, which I'm more comfortable with than just cutting all of my hair off.  It looks beautiful on many women who do a BC, but I don't think it will look so hot on me.  I could be wrong, but I'm afraid to find out. 

I don't know what to do.  I'll keep doing my research, and keep you posted.  A wonderful compromise would be finding a great protective style that will not stress my edges, but can also stand the test of time...I don't want to have to do my hair every week, or day...that's why I'm wearing braids. 

WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?!?!?!?

Guess what I did?!

I braided my own hair!!!  I am quite proud of myself.  I learned how to braid via YouTube (of course).  Special shout-outs to all of the YTers who helped me accomplish such a feat: Truestorydotlife, AkiyiaKelly, and PureBrownSugar3380.  These ladies were amazingly helpful to me.  Check these ladies out!!! 

I still have a lot of room for improvement, but I am proud of myself.  I was aiming for the Poetic Justice box braid look and size.  I used 7 packs of hair, they are extremely long (waist length) and I didn't cut the weft.  It took me four days to braid my hair; between work, school, and events I really didn't have a lot of time to braid in one setting.  I braided the back first, three or four rows, the sides, and the front and wore it pinned up until I finished.  The first after picture shows my hair unfinished and pinned up actually.  I really like wearing braids because it takes a lot of stress out of coping with the two textures of my hair; relaxed and natural.  And braids are a protective style, so it also takes the stress off of my hair.  I see lots of new growth already and it's only been three weeks!  My goal is 6 weeks.  I've been researching over the web and most people say braids can be worn between 4-8 weeks without matting or locking, but if I can wear it for longer I will--as long as they look neat, of course. 

Remember to keep your hair well moisturized, and your scalp clean!  Water is a great moisturizer, and it's 100% natural!!!  ; )
I also use a blend of oils: tea tree, carrot, vitamin E, Coconut, and Olive oils.  Use whatever works well for your hair.  For the itching I use Sulfur8 braid spray.

BEFOREs

AFTERs