Since Starting My Journey

I have been on my hair journey for a while now (a year and a half to be exact) and I have noticed something. I am so leery of hairstylists now. It's gotten progressively worse for me. Let me give you some examples

* I won't get my hair braided

Why? The last time I got my hair kinky twisted, they were pulling my hair so tight, braiding so hard, and ripping a rattail comb through my hair--even when I asked them to stop. I kept mentally apologizing to my hair, praying that it wouldn't break off. I haven't had my hair braided since.

*I don't think I'm going back to my stylist

Why? Last time I got my hair relaxed there, the relaxer began to burn. When I brought it to their attention, they asked if I wanted to keep it on longer. Uh hello? I just said that this chemical you put on my hair is starting to burn! Wash it out!

What about you? Have you become more leery of stylists since starting your journey?

Why Didn't Y'all Tell Me??

Yesterday I caved.

After 14 weeks and 2 days of stretching, I could not take it anymore. I relaxed. I figured since I did a protein treatment last week, my hair should be good for relaxing. I went to Sally's and purchased the Silk Elements Relaxer, Mild Strength. Now before I continue on, I should say that I have self-relaxed in the past.....but back then I didn't really know what I was doing. Back then, I would leave the relaxer on for as long as 30 min in the name of getting it straight (I did this every 4 weeks back then too....yeah I know, yikes!). But now I know better. I have been enlightened. Anyway, relaxer purchased, I went home and parted my hair into 4 sections and applied grease to my scalp. I then went on to apply it. Around 18minutes in, my scalp started to tingle so I washed it out. I noticed immediately that I texlaxed my hair. I can definitely tell that the curl was loosened but my hair wasn't bone straight either. I was so happy because this is what I wanted! Yay!!

Anyway, I did all the conditioning, neutralizing, and more conditioning (yes, in that order) and went on to blow dry and flat iron my hair. I could see the difference in my hair immediately. My hair feels thicker.....fuller even. I love it! I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.....well actually I have but I didn't like it then (this was before I knew better). Why didn't you guys tell me that my hair would feel this amazing!?

I can't post pictures now because I am at work but as soon as I get home I will post some!

Cross Wrapping=Fail

I attempted to cross wrap the other day.

I have been on my hair journey for a while now and I have heard how regular wrapping puts so much stress on your hair and blah blah blah. So, I decided to cross wrap. Now my hair isn't insanely long.....I mean the longest part of my hair is neck length....and my hair is layered. Either way I thought it would be enough to work with.

Anyway, before I got ready for bed one night, I parted my hair right down the middle (like I was making ponytails). I grabbed one side and began clipping it back. I did the same thing with the other side. I then covered my hair with my mesh wrap thing, removed the clips, and put my bonnet on. When I woke up the next morning......my hair was the flattest thing you have ever seen!! I wound up having to pull out the flat iron just to get some "bump" in my hair! Ooooo! I was so mad!

So lesson learned. At this length, I can't cross wrap. It just doesn't work for me. Maybe when my hair begins to touch shoulder length I will try it again.

I Was Supposed to Relax this Weekend But.....

....I forgot......

I mean I genuinely forgot. I didn't realize this until I had just rinsed my DC out of my hair. SMH. I can be so scatter brained sometimes. So I am now 13 weeks and some odd days post. I don't plan to relax this weekend either. I might as well just relax at 16 weeks and call it a day.

Anyway.....

I am loving the Thermasmooth line! I think that is what is making this stretch a lot bearable for me. I found that I really have to make sure I target my roots but other than that, I flat iron on my wash day and I am done for the week! I love it! I have been using it for the past 2 weeks but I think this weekend I will give the heat a break and rock the flexirod set. I might get slightly larger rods since my hair is longer but we shall see!