Protective styling for awhile

I have decided that I'm going to do some protective styles for awhile. Here is my hair in chunky twists so that I can stretch my hair in preparation for mini twists. I will be starting on these in the morning...Haven't decided how long I will keep them in.

Experiment update

I know this update is kind of late but after leaving the conditioner in over night and rinse out the next morning I'm kind of on the fence about how I feel about the results. My hair was soft and felt moisturized but not quite like I like it. I will be playing around with this (maybe add a thicker base) and see how I like it. But for the most part it is effective if you don't need/want a lot of moisture.

Experiment...

So tonight I decided to wash my hair with Elasta Qp Intensive Treatment Stimulating Shampoo (this wasn't the experiment I just like the tingle and I needed to shampoo my hair). Now here is the experiment: I needed a deep conditioner AND I wanted to try out a new product that I picked up earlier today (V05 Tea Therapy Calming Chamomile). Normally I use V05 as a cowash conditioner but I had never used the Tea Therapy "flavors". Instead of using this for cowashing, I decided that I would mix up my own deep conditioner. So I squirted out some of the conditioner, added some honey and some EVOO, mixed it in a small bowl, then applied the mixture to my hair in sections, twisted each section (6 in all), placed a conditioning cap on my head covered with a satin bonnet, and I'm leaving it on overnight. I will rinse it out in the morning and come back to report how my "experiment" turned out.

Tracking my hair growth

Just wanted to share how I've been tracking my growth. Unfortunately I haven't been taking any pictures (I most definitely need to and will be) but I have been using a spreadsheet that was mentioned over at naturallycurly.com.
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/growing-out/105669-hair-growth-chart.html

This chart is great!!! It is helping me make realistic goals and allowing me to know approximately when I will reach those goals.

Braids/twists: Protective & transitioning style

So I've been searching the internet, watching vids on youtube, and looking at a book I've had for a couple of years (Hair Talk: Stylish Braids From African Roots by Duyan James) and I have come up with some braid styles I would like to try this year. First, it will either be yarn braids or hair lacing/individual tree braids (Haven't quite decided yet, but I plan to braid my hair at the end of this month). Other types of braids/twists i would like to do this year unless I find one I really like (in no particular order): nubian twists,kinky twists, pixies, individual braids with the ends left out (can't deal with the itty bitty micro braids),senegalese twists, and cornrows. I am determined to learn how to do these myself (youtube is about to be a very useful tool...)

2010 New Year Update

First, let me say Happy New Year to everyone. It's been awhile since I've wrote anything here. I'm a full time graduate student and I work full time so I have been busy. I'm on break now so I decided to let everyone know what I've been up to. I have decided to transition again (I started transitionin back in June '05, BC'd in February'06 and re-relaxed in April '08. As of today, I am 8 weeks (2 months post). I really miss my curls. I plan to transition for awhile this time around. Last time I transitioned for 8 months, this time I plan to transition for 1.5-2 years and gradually trim my ends. With this transition, I plan to remain natural for the rest of my life. I've been seeing, through my own personal research, pictures of women who are permanently bald due to relaxer damage. I do not want to lose my hair and compromise my health because of a chemical so that is really motivating me to transition and remain natural. I plan to try to update this blog at least once a week to document my transition. (Oh and in other news, I've convinced my mom to transition with me, but won't be documenting her progress because she doesn't want me to post her's online, so gotta respect mama). Until later...

Hear ye, Hear ye....

Wow it's been a while since I've posted. Well, hmmm...., Long Hair Dreams just may have to become Short Hair Dreams. I've never had short hair before, but I'm getting tired of my hair and I've been loving all the short haircuts I've been seeing lately. I feel that it's time for a change.I've already began chopping at my hair. A few weeks ago it was between APL and BSL, even all the way around. Now it's layered between SL and APL with a long bang (I did the whole cut all by myself.) I'm thinking about getting a angled chin length bob to kind of gradually ease into short hair. Then after awhile I would like to try a Rihanna-esque short cut.I'm almost 22 and have the rest of my life to have long hair. Right now I just want to have fun and experiment with my hair.

New Goal!!!!!

So, I've realized that I only have about 1.5" til I'm touching BSL. I'm pretty confident that I'll reach that goal so I've changed my goal for this year. I am going to go for MBL by December 31,2009. I only have 4.5" til I hit this goal so I believe it is pretty realistic for me (12" mark on my t-shirt). Hopefully I can get to MBL or close to it.
(Also, I have 9" til I get to WL, my ultimate goal for now)

Aug. 15,2008-Dec. 31,2008 Progress

I know I'm a bit late with this...but here is my progress for the end of 2008. I would have liked to see more progress but I can't complain. I retained about 1.5 inches in 4 months (after a dusting)!!!! This year I hope to see even more progress.

Morrocan Method (2009 Lunar Haircutting Calendar)

I was on BHM (Black Hair Media) earlier and saw a post about using the Lunar Calendar to help benefit in the health and growth of the hair. It seems very interesting so I've decided that I'm gonna give it a try in the upcoming year. It can't hurt...if anything I'll have even healthy ends at the end of the year. Also, a member mentioned the Vermont Cocktail which is supposed to help promote growth progress. I'm also gonna try this as this is an all natural "growth aid". I will keep you all updated on my progress with this method. For more information on this method you can visit www.morroccomethod.com You'll find the calendar and the recipe plus other beneficial info.

Postponed tutorial

I had been having computer trouble and then I got lazy and didn't do my rollerset and pincurls (I just washed and bunned it).So I will post the tutorial as soon as I put it together. I now have nothing but time since the semester is over so hopefully it'll be up soon.

Rollerset and pincurls

I've received some requests on how I do my ponytail rollerset and pincurls. I plan to do another set this weekend, so I will attempt to make a tutorial and post it here and in my fotki.

My Regimen as of 12/3/08

My regimen has gotten even simpler. I’m continuously trying to improve it (it’s getting better, though I may need to try to add in a light protein somewhere)

1. I no longer cowash (it’s much too cold). Now I shampoo with Creme of Nature Shampoo every 3-4 days. I’m still massaging my scalp (when I remember to do it)
2. I deep condition with Elasta QP-DPR with a plastic cap under the hooded dryer.
3. I use Neutragena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave in Crème
4. I moisturize with Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing Lotion and seal with Castor oil.
5. Every 12 weeks I relax (texlax) and trim every other touch up (every 24 weeks)*I'm considering transitioning...*
6. As for protein, I use Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment or Duo Texevery 6-7 weeks to ensure that my hair remains strong (this depends on how heavy a protein I need).
7. I’ve been drinking my water, however not enough (I’m working on it…)
***My exercising has been almost nonexistent. With school, work, and a student organization, I’ve been too busy to hit the gym or squeeze in any exercise. Finals are over next Wednesday for me, I will be hitting the gym Thursday morning (I miss my trainer and I’ll have no excuse for not going)***

Rollerset/Pincurl Results

See Previous Post

First attempt at ponytail rollerset and pincurls

Yesterday I washed my hair with Creme of Nature shampoo (red label); did a protein treatment with DuoTex; deep conditioned with Elasta Qp DPR-11, extra virgin olive oil, and porosity control; moisturized with Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in cream; followed by Wave Nouveau Moisturizing Finishing lotion; and sealed with Castor oil. I made about 10-12 ponytails and set my hair on red and green magnetic rollers. I sat under the dryer for 45 minutes, let my hair cool, and proceeded to pincurl each curl as I removed the roller. This morning when I woke up and took out my pincurls, I was in LOVE. My hair was so silky soft and looked really good. This is definitely a style I will be doing again.

Pics coming soon

Touch up time!!!

So I had my touch up done yesterday with ORS Professional lye relaxer and I must say it feels pretty good. When I washed and conditioned my hair it felt sooo silky. The best part of it all....it didn't burn. The only problem I have (and that's probably my fault) is that when I ran the relaxer over my hair after touching up the roots (for a corrective) it wasn't left on long (like 1.5-2 minutes) so it didn't straighten the underprocessed areas like I wanted. But all in all it seems fine (However, the verdict is still out on this one. We'll see how I'm liking it come wash day ;))

Making the Switch

I was natural for 2 years and 10 months before I decided to relax again in April 2008. My relaxer of choice...Elasta Qp Mild lye. It underprocessed me, but for awhile it seemed to be fine and I just dealt with it. Twelve weeks later I did a retouch. It was okay for about 2.5-3 weeks and now my hair looks like it's never seen a relaxer, so.....I'm going to try ORS Olive Oil Professional Normal lye relaxer (I also will do a corrective). I've heard some pretty good things about this relaxer (plus I've been relaxing my best friend's hair with the no-lye version and it's doing really well). I'm due for a touchup this weekend (12 weeks post) and can't wait to see the results. Hopefully it will straighten rather than texlax.

Recovering from what appeared to be a disaster

Ok, so a few weeks ago I was having an issue with my ends (as you can see). My ends were so dry and frizzy that I began to panic because I didn't know what to do. I decided to seek help and advice from the ladies over at BHM. I went ahead and did an Aphogee 2 Step Protein treatment and followed that up with a shot of moisture from Elasta QP DPR-11. Fast forward to the present, I've been shampooing with Queen Helene Mint Julep shampoo (as needed), deep conditioning with Elasta QP DPR-11, moisturizing with Care Free Curl Gold, sealing with African Best oil, and keeping my hair pulled up (trying to work on completely hiding my ends). Well.....I'm seeing improvement, however it's still not the way I would like, but I have HOPE once again!!! Hopefully with time, my ends will be fully recovered.

My Regimen as of 9/04/2008

My regimen is fairly simple right now. There is still room for improvement but until I figure out what needs improving, this is what I'm doing.

1. I cowash with Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship conditioner (at least until it gets cold outside) and massage my scalp every other day. I shampoo on Saturdays with Creme of Nature Shampoo.

2. I deep condition with either ORS Replenishing or Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol.

3. I use either Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship leave-in or Profectiv Break free as my leave-in.

4. Depending on what my hair needs, I use Care Free Curl Gold (moisture) or Profectiv Mega Growth (protein) and seal with coconut oil (spring/summer) or castor oil (year round)

5. Every 12 weeks I relax (texlax) with Elasta QP Mild lye relaxer and trim every other touch up (every 24 weeks)

6. As for protein, I use Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment every 6-7 weeks to ensure that my hair remains strong.

7. I recently began taking The Vitamin Shoppe Elements for Hair vitamins. It is too soon to tell if they are working, so I will keep you all updated on my results with these vitamins.

** I will be starting an exercise regimen within the next 2 weeks as well as continuing to massage my scalp.

I Wanna Be BSL in 2009 Challenge

I am a member over at BHM and started a challenge to help myself and others reach BSL by December 31, 2009. I have been on this hair journey since 2005 and have yet to reach BSL (It's all my fault though cause I kept cutting my hair). I now am going to make the commitment to grow my hair to BSL and beyond. I have set my first goal to be touching BSL by May 2009 (when I graduate from college, yea!!) and my second goal is to be a full, thick BSL by December 31, 2009. With some hard work and determination, I am convinced that I, as well as the ladies on the challenge with me, will reach BSL next year.

The rules for the challenge:
-Low-manipulation/protective styles (roller sets, pin curls, buns, phony ponies, braids, sew-ins, wigs, etc.)
-Deep condition at least 1x a week
-Moisturize and seal ends
-Protein treatment as needed
-Limited heat usage
-Stretch relaxers at least 10 weeks
-Trim/dust ends as needed
-Massage scalp at least 2x a week or excercise at least 3 x a week
-Drink plenty of water (you should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces)
-Eat healthy (limit junk food)
-Get plenty of sleep (at least 6-8 hours)
-OPTIONAL: Take your vitamins (I know that not everyone can or wants to take vitamins,but make sure you are getting your nutrients from what you eat)
-Check in at least once a month

For the complete challenge, check out: http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=150547