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!