Hair Update - Looking back a year ago

I started my blog last year with the idea of sharing my thoughts and ideas. I had hoped to not only write about my hair but to also bring up topics like politics, movies, etc.

But since I took on a new job as of early this year, I realized that I cannot discuss a lot of topics I would like. I am way too jaded, biased and leery to write about government and politics (at this time). As far as movies, I watch plenty and don't have the time to get my thoughts down.

So since I became really intrigued about my incoming natural hair, I thought I would focus on my hair and experience with transitioning. This was a huge step for me. I had my first relaxer at age 19, my last relaxer was at age 41. So I literally had to reacquaint myself to doing my own hair.

You see, even though I dont have pics up and post regularly, I am really trying to share my true honest opinion of what I am experiencing with my hair. If I get a product from a p.r. firm, I post that. If I make a purchase, I post that also.

I also do not post too often because I try to give products a chance to work. I don't want to share bad information. If I shampoo one evening and I didn't care for the shampoo, I can't share that right away. I may have been too tired to have really formed a decent opinion. So I really try to use a product a few times to get the best results and then I share.

I just looked at my earlier posts of my transitioning and saw how far I have come. Along with fighting off my urge to relax my hair, I did know to increase the conditioners but I still would sit under the dryer.

I now do things I never thought I would, like wash and go's. Although I loved the results of other sisters that would do this, I NEVER thought I would run out the door with drippy hair. I NEVER thought I would purchase something as pricey as KCCC, much less love it (I still like it but have found other products that get me satisfying results). I also NEVER thought I would find drugstore products that I LOVE.

Anyway, I realize that I am having a ball playing with my hair. It is not the length I would like it to be (past my shoulder would be desired). But I am glad that after a year, I am in the right direction. I am not afraid to try different products. Most importantly I am not a slave to my hair. I am letting it do its thing while I work on what I need to do (increase exercise, drink more water, vitamins, correct my diet).

What is up with my hair now? After having a lot of straight hair come out last month, I decided to go back to my wash and go's. I do it daily. I comb though my conditioner, use a shine spray and that's it. On the weekends, I shampoo, deep condition with a cap for about 10-30 minutes, rinse, apply my leave in conditioner and that's it. I no longer use a towel on my hair (except when coloring or when I was at the salon). I have also decided that I will be laying off of the salons. I don't mind spending $$ on products when I have cut back on spending $$ going to the salon.

I have a full and thick hairline, what a difference from my relaxed hair. My hair in the back is thick and growing. I still have straight ends from my last perm. But it all blends in after I style it. I've learned that the most growth I've had was when I stopped using heat. I use products that feel good and give me results. I don't pour over ingredients (not sure how wise that is). I think that most of the commercial products are much superior to the products of back in the day. I also think that depending on your hair and what you want to do, its really an individual choice. My mom used Prell, conditioner, hair grease and sponge rollers on me when growing up. Besides the conditioner, none of these items are recommended for healthy hair even though my hair was really healthy, thick, swinging and past my shoulders.

So whoever is reading this, enjoy, continue to stop by, contribute and share. I look forward to it. Also, do what works for you and don't stress. It is just hair. And to quote Chris Rock, "its whats inside your head that is important". And yes, I saw Good Hair and will write about it soon.

Moroccan Oil Products - Yay!!

Ok, so the thing I have really enjoyed out of my whole transitioning process is trying new products.

I was going to slow down a bit with the reviews because, really.... how many conditioners can one person try? But when I check my blog stats, everyone comes into my blog looking for product reviews!

Well, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a most raved about set of products; Moroccan Oil. Thank you Anne for sending these items to me to try out!

I have shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, deep conditioner oil treatment and shine spray.

I will be using all of these and letting you know how well they work on transitioning hair.

After washing my hair this weekend, I haven't done anything to it besides using a drop of olive oil and putting my hair in about 10 twists and wearing my silk scarf in the evening.

In the morning, I use a bit of shea butter (applied lightly on my hair) and lightly comb. That's it.

Since I just received the MO products, I've tried the Shine Spray and Styling Creme a couple of times. And I can't give a full review now, but I really like the way my hair feels.

I am not a product person. I don't like my hair to feel weighed down and heavy. I shouldn't have to touch my hair and feel like I want to shampoo it right then and there. I also like the scent, its smells nice and not overwhelming. Also, my hands weren't oily after applying to my hair.

These products seem to soften my hair and give it a bit of shine. So I already give the styling products a big thumbs up!!

I can't wait for the weekend to try the shampoo and conditioner!

Feel free to check out their site for details on ingredients, usage, etc.

http://www.moroccanoil.com/index.php

hair decision

I had my last relaxer the first week of October. So for the past few months, I've been reading everyone's hair blogs on how to care for hair - whether curly, natural, transitioning using heat or not using heat or just stretching their relaxers.

At one point I was ready to big chop then the next moment I was about to go back to relaxing. I didn't know if I was transitioning, stretching or what I was doing. This also goes back to the point that I cannot style my own hair. Never have! I grew up with pigtails, pony tails, and roller sets. So trying to figure out how to style my hair has a lot to do with my decision.

As an adult I relied on salons to care for my hair. When I couldn't go to the salon or a stylist moved - I was stuck!

Even now, I scour all the sites for styles and I'm still stuck, but I am no longer intimidated by my hair. I got rid of the fear and I get in the bathroom shampoo, condition, blow dry, sit under the dryer, etc.

I've reflected on how my mom cared for my hair growing up - when my hair was the healthiest, strongest, thicker and longer. And while her regimen is considered taboo these days (hot comb, plenty of grease) - it worked!

So, the decision I've come to... is that I will remain natural. I will not relax anymore. I will not big chop. I will work with my hair as much as I can. I will visit the new Dominican salon that I found right in my own neighborhood right in upstate NY. So I don't feel that I have to make a trip to Rosalina's in Harlem.

Now... have I had major growth or any hair breakthroughs? No. My kitchen (hair at the nape) is still not looking the way I want it which limits my styling choices. But I do have less breakage. My hair is still very dry.

My next step is to continue moisturizing my hair, continue to try new products as needed and make the occasional salon visit.

So far in my hair journey I've found a few products and regimens that have helped a bit.

* moisturizing my scalp
* deep conditioning every time I wash at home or at the salon
* occasional temporary color (i dont mind my grey but sometimes its a bit much)
* silk scarf and satin pillow
* taking biotin daily
* simple styles (i know... boring, but so am I)
* only experiment with hair on wash day
* wash hair every two weeks (I started this in February, before I washed weekly)
* more water, veggies and fruit and exercise daily
* not to measure growth or worry about my hair
* no more bad hair dressers (I will not tolerate any salon that is ghetto, makes me wait to long, is too pricey or the stylist is rude)

I was getting to the point where I was obsessing about my hair, products and growth. This was unhealthy. I reviewed many other hair blogs and realized that with care, gentleness, the right products and most importantly... time - which could be years - that hair will be healthy and grow. So for me to think that in a couple of months I could grow my hair... not happening (I was fooling myself). Now am I planting the seeds for future stronger hair - I hope so!

I have a few more product reviews and other ideas - so keep checking and feel free to comment on any of my postings. I welcome all ideas, thoughts, products and your experiences!

my hair, my life...

When I relaxed my hair in June 2008, although my hair looked good - it wasn't. I knew my kitchen (hair at the back of my head) was a mess. my ends were raggedy and i was really ready to just chop my hair off. The stylist even suggested that I lay off the relaxers a bit.

So i started to just let my hair go. Yes, I am a mess like that. I have a job in a casual environment - so I thought - let me just leave my hair alone.

Well, of course as things would have it... I get called for a job interview. Its more $, growth and I do need to get away from the people I work with before.... well, moving on...

So early October, I head into Manhattan to my favorite salon, Rosalina's. Its on Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem.

I got the works - relaxer, deep conditioner, some color and my eyebrows done! Yes, when I am able to get to NYC - I take full advantage!

I looked great and yes the hair was in a bit more better shape.

So I think that I may be onto something.... I neglect my hair but once relaxed I could see it struggling to get healthy.

So I get to work online - researching, checking everyone's website, blogs, pics, hair diaries. This helps in one aspect. I realize that we all want beautiful hair. I realize it can be done. Even relaxed african-american hair. I also realize that I have to work at it.

I have to eat better, exercise, take better care of my hair, relearn how to do my hair and experiment. And this is what i plan to do. I also learned that I do not have to relax my hair as often.

So just as I've decided that I will let my hair be - meaning chemical free and the above regimen.... I may have a job offer.

Now what to do? Just as I've accepted my transitioning hair and am still struggling to style it, I still havent been able to manage my hair. Although I am a huge fan of all hairstyles - particularly natural. I am not a fan of walking around a professional setting with messy hair - no matter what the length, texture, etc.

So until i get final word on this job or unless my kitchen grows in rapidly and stronger, I guess I will be returning to the salons. Which I must add, I hate the salons in my current area (upstate NY).

But I too will continue the active process of growing my hair - healthy!

I will wrap in my silk scarf. I will shampoo, deep condition weekly and use very little heat.

So if you see me in the streets, try no to laugh too hard! I'm just trying to grow out my hair!!

Peace