Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

update: 7 months post!!


I am sooo excited to have reached 7 months post relaxer now! I never would have thought I would get this far. I was one of those people who right at 6 weeks was slapping another relaxer in my head. I think there are a couple things that have helped me. First before committing to transitioning I stretched my relaxers waiting longer and longer between each one so I could get use to my new growth. And second finding products and techniques that work for me. I am soooo excited to see my new growth get longer and longer. I get tempted to big chop because I am loving my new growth so much but I still plan to hang in there at least for another year and a half.

Monday, July 11, 2011

wash day struggles


One of the biggest struggles I have going through my transition is battling tangles on wash day. With the combination of my two textures combined with my hair length wash day is truly a major challenge. It is a whole day process for me. I have learned to have a lot of patience and allow myself plenty of time on my wash days. Sometimes that means not being able to wash my hair until a couple of weeks have passed because I was not able to find the time to set aside. And this is okay if it means I will finally have the time to care for my hair properly when wash day finally does come. One great thing is that I feel like I am in a place where I have found the right products to help make my wash day as easy as possible. Finding the right products are a huge step in a long term transitioner's journey. And what works for one person may not work for you. So keep that in mind when you choose your products. Long term transitioning is not easy but it can be done.

Monday, June 6, 2011

find hair twin...check!!


Have you ever felt so happy you just felt like dancing. Well this is how I felt when I finally found my hair twin yesterday!! For those of you who do not know what a hair twin is it is a person that you find who has just about or exactly the same hair texture/type that you have. It is always nice having a hair twin because what works for them usually works for you. So if there is a product or healthy hair regimen that is working for them they can recommend it to you and it usually works. So I encourage everyone to go out and find your hair twin! It's a wonderful feeling!!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

adventures of a transitioner's wash day

So here is the video I promised using Aloe Vera Juice to detangle and loosen my 4 month old new growth. I love Aloe Vera Juice!!


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

my new detangler staple!




I normally dread wash day because I know how long of a process it takes. When I wash my hair I have to make sure I have a big chunk of my day free. I am always looking for new ways to help my whole wash day process. I was so excited to find a tip on using Aloe Vera Juice prior to washing my hair. The tip stated that by using Aloe Vera Juice prior to washing it would help with making my detangling process easier. So I figured why not try it, it's a natural ingredient. I must say after trying this method I am hooked. I simply put some Aloe Vera Juice in a spray bottle and sprayed mainly on my new growth. I then worked the excess juice down the strands of my hair to the ends. It immediately loosened up my new growth and moistened it very well. I couldn't believe it! The true test, however, was to be after I got done washing.

I first shampooed my hair as usual then did my deep conditioning under a hooded dryer. I then rinsed out the conditioner. I could immediately feel the difference in my hair. It was so moisturized and as it dried the tangles just melted away. My hair felt so soft and I had half the shedding that I normally do. I did everything exactly the same as always on my wash day except the Aloe Vera Juice so I know that the Aloe Vera Juice had assisted in a great wash day experience. Because I have the two textures right now I can say that it works great on both natural and relaxed hair. Aloe Vera Juice is a great detangler and moisturizer and I plan to make it one of my pre-wash staples. I documented the entire Aloe Vera Juice wash day process and will be posting a video within the next few days. Talk to you all later!!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

deep conditioning with a towel


This is a quick tutorial on how I deep condition my hair using a towel in the shower. This is a great method to use when you are in a rush and don't want to use your hooded dryer or steamer. Even if you don't have a hooded dryer or steamer you can use this method each time you want to deep condition your hair.

Friday, May 27, 2011

quick castor oil moisturizing routine

Since my transition I have been learning new ways to maintain my hair's health. Now that I am dealing with two textures I understand that what my new growth may need might not be what my relaxed hair wants. So now I have been trying to find products that work on both my new growth and relaxed her.

My newest found love it Castor Oil. I never really thought about using it before because it is a thicker oil, almost like syrup, that I always felt would weigh down my relaxed hair. But Castor Oil has worked like a charm on my new growth and relaxed strands.

One thing I like to do with my Castor Oil is take a spray bottle of regular water and when my new growth feels dry I mist it with the spray bottle. I don't drench my new growth but just mist it enough that I can feel my new growth loosen up and get moist. I then follow up by sealing with the Castor Oil. The way that I apply it is almost like the old school way you would grease your scalp. I just go through my hair sectioning it and rubbing in very small amounts of Castor Oil. When I am done I then apply they remaining Castor Oil that is left on my hands to the rest of my hair and ends. By doing this I am applying just the right amount of Castor Oil without weighing down my relaxed strands.

I have been learning other ways to use Castor Oil and plan to share them with you as I try them out. For now I know that my hair loves Castor Oil and it is now one of my staples!

Monday, May 23, 2011

updo quicky

So I was really rushed one day and had to think of something quick to do with my hair. It needed to be washed and I am transitioning so my new growth was not having a good day. I came up with this quick style that worked as a great up-do as well as a protective style. I just made one long french braid down the back of my head and then wrapped the hanging part of the braid around the braid actually attached to my head. I secured it with a few bobby pins and a beaded butterfly clip and was good to go!


Sunday, May 22, 2011

naturally motivated!!

So I recently had an experience that has really motivated me to start a new journey in my life. Below is a post I recently started on one of my most favorite hair boards Long Hair Care Forum.

Hello Everyone! I just had to come here and vent because I know everyone here can provide much support. So here is the story. I just passed out spring pictures of my 11 year old daughter to my family. Well, my grandmother gets hers and her exact words are, "Oh no Hope, you should be so ashamed of yourself letting her take a picture like this." I ask her what does she mean and she proceeds to tell me, "well just look at her hair, it's so nappy!" My jaw dropped. I could not believe it! I am so glad my daughter was not standing there because I have worked so hard making sure that she is proud of her natural hair and the style she wore for that picture was a style she did all on her own. She was so proud of it and I was happy for her.

I am so so so so pissed off because my family is the type that uses the phrases "good hair" "bad hair" and it just irks me to the core! Recently my cousin's wife who has a baby girl saw some moisturizer I put in my 2 year old's hair. She stated, "oh I use that same stuff in my hair but not in Natalia's hair because she has good hair." CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!! So was she trying to say my 2 year old has "bad hair"? My daughter's hair is very healthy and no where near being "bad hair." We need to stop this cycle of giving our young black women the impression that their beautiful natural hair is not wonderful and is something bad!

Before this incident I made the decision that I was going to go natural. As a child I had beautiful natural hair and my mom put a relaxer in it and from age of 9 I have always had relaxed hair. Now that this has happened I am now very determined to go natural. I want to be a role model for my daughters and not only tell them how beautiful their hair is but walk the talk. I just don't know how to get rid of this anger that is inside of me now. I don't think I have been this mad in sooooo long. I think this was just the final straw. Below is the school pic my grandma received and other pics of my daughter's hair. The last was my hair that they considered nappy enough that they just had to put a perm in it. The cycle must stop!











So sticking to my mission I have started my YouTube channel and posted my first video. I really want to help others learn how to care for their hair whether it is natural, relaxed, or texlaxed. I think YouTube will really help me and doing this. And I will for sure be using this blog as well. So enjoy the ride everyone and any advice is appreciated!


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