I Thought My Hair Was Normal Porosity....WTF?

Hello lovelies!

Well here I am, 8 months natural and still learning all manner of new things about my hair. To be more specific: I'm learning that what was true for my relaxed/transitioning hair is not necessarily true for my natural hair.

Over the past 8 months, I have been the stereotypical wash and go natural because (let's face it), I'm lazy. However, one thing I have noticed is that my hair gets dry rather quickly. Like tumbleweed dry. I could put the most moisturizing of DCs and moisturizers in my hair and my hair would just soak that ish up. This really perplexed me for awhile because I am not used to my hair doing this. Then today I figured it out.

My hair is high porosity.


Waaayyyyy back at the start of my journey when my hair was relaxed and super damaged, my hair did this exact same 'soak up all the moisture' routine. With love and care, I got my hair to normal-ish porosity and moisturizing my hair wasn't a super big issue. The problem was, I have carried this routine with me even though the condition of my hair (going from relaxed to natural) has changed. I failed to adjust!!!

So what to do with this newfound knowledge? Well, I have to treat my hair like the high porosity hair that it is. I have a plan of action based on a few things I have noticed. Product-wise, thick DCs and moisturizers make my hair sing. Here are the products that are working thus far:

DCs
TGIN Honey Hair Mask
Camille Rose Algae Renew DC
Kandy Kurls Hair Mask
Alikay Naturals Honey and Sage DC
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil masque


Moisturizers
Oyin Hair Dew
Oyin Whipped Pudding
Camille Rose Moisture Milk
Kinky Curly Knot Today (I swear this product is bae)

See the trend here? My hair just doesn't respond well to thin DCs or moisturizers (I'm looking at you Mielle Organics Babbasu DC....my hair just laughed at it. Now it's sitting my my bathroom collecting dust. Same goes for liquid leave ins.....waste o'time). Now the trick is making sure my hair holds on to the moisture that I give it for longer than a few hours. Which brings me to my next point.......

I'm also not sure why I shifted from regularly using protein conditioners. I know their benefits in helping my hair hold on to moisture but for some reason I just stopped. In this sense, I need to get back to what I know works (Komaza Protein Treatment here I come!).

I also am willing to give the Shea Moisture High Porosity line a go. I've used the finishing elixir on my hair this week and I am noticing a difference in the appearance and moisture levels of my hair. I've also seen the rave reviews of the deep conditioner. I'll purchase it this weekend and give it a go.

So the moral of the story is this: you can be that natural that thinks being natural is enough for your hair so you don't have to do anything extra or you can be that natural who is so used to routine that you fail to adjust your routine to meet the new needs of your hair. Both ends of the spectrum are equally terrible and can result in much frustration. Thus, a big lesson my my natural journey that I'd give to any new natural is to 'ADJUST if you MUST!'

Just something to think about......

7 Months Natural: Progress Check!!

Hello lovelies!

The last time that I checked in, I informed all of you that I was fully natural. Then I disappeared again lol. I have to admit, I am spending a LOT of time trying to figure out what works best for my hair and really trying to nail down styles that I can do. Due to my hectic schedule this past summer, that style was a wash and go puff. Unfortunately for y'all, that means there really isn't much for me to report (sucks I know!).

However, last weekend I wore my hair out and free and I noticed that my hair is much bigger than it was when I first BCed. Being natural, it's really hard to discern progress (without straightening) because my hair still doesn't touch my shoulders when it is in a fro so I didn't really do any type of length check. Last weekend changed all of that. At 7 months post, I have a big afro! I was floored.

So clearly, my hair grows OUT before it grows DOWN (hmmm.....I think I noticed that when I was relaxed too!). As further proof of my progress, I stretched my hair and saw that the longest portions of my hair are APLish (compared to the CL it was when I first did the big chop). Additionally (and this is perhaps the most important finding), I can do my twist outs using a flat twist with a bantu knot at the end (the same way I did them when I was transitioning). When I first chopped, I could not do this AT ALL and doing 2 strand twist outs on my hair are always a fail. Either way, I am excited about my progress and I am amazed that how I was able to achieve that progress so quickly. Shoot, it took me a year to reach APL from SL when I was relaxed.


So what have I been doing? What have I learned in the past 7 months?

1) Washing and DCing my hair 1x a week works best for my hair. Washing daily makes my hair revolt something terrible.

2) Shea butter? I use that s**t for everything. My hair loves any product that has it.

3) Finger detangling is done every time I wash my hair. I rarely use combs.

4) Low manipulation works. I think I have retained so much by wearing a weekly puff, putting my hair in twists, and/or wearing head wraps ( I have been slowly accumulating pretty head wraps for this purpose).



Those are the 4 main things that I have done. Product wise, I'm still all over the place. Thus far, my hair loves Camille Rose products (the shampoo, the deep conditioner, the hair milk, and the curl maker gel); Kinky Curly Leave In and Curling Custard; Oyin Hair Dew, Whipped Pudding and Burnt Sugar Pomade;and Kandy Kurls Peppermint Cowash and Hair Masque. I've had some products that didn't live up to the hype for my hair (ex: Mielle Organics Cowash and the Babassu DC). All and all, I'm still figuring this all out. I am aiming to get my hair straightened in February (which will mark 1 year of being fully natural) but I am terrified of heat damage! Either way, I'll figure something out. I know that thus far, I am loving this natural hair journey!

My Natural Regimen/Products I Use

Hi lovelies!

Even though the products I use for my natural hair are still a work in progress, I figured that I would post what I use at this particular moment in time. These products are the ones that I will consistently re-up on ( and not the ones that I am experimenting with)



Shampoo: Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse

Conditioning Cleanser: Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Co-Wash/ Miss Jessie's Co-Wash

Rinse Out Conditioner: Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle

Deep Conditioner: Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask

Leave-In: Kinky Curly Knot Today/ Oyin Juices N Berries

Moisturizer: Oyin Hair Dew/ Oyin Whipped Pudding

Gels: Olive Oil Eco-Styler ( for slicking my hair into a puff)/ Kinky Curly Curling Custard/ Miss Jessie's Coily Custard


I currently wash my hair with shampoo or a conditioning cleanser about once a week and I follow that up with a DC using my heat cap for 30 minutes. From there, I rinse the DC out, completely saturate my hair with water and apply my Kinky Curly Curling Custard (sometimes I'll apply Kinky Curly Knot Today before this step). Afterwards, I will either leave my hair out or put it in a puff and let my hair air dry.

Two to three times a week, I repeat this process but instead of using a shampoo or conditioning cleanser, I use a regular degular conditioner. I moisturize my hair as needed with water or a little bit of leave in

That's it!! This whole process does not take up my entire day and it seems that my hair is thriving from it. I am sure once winter rolls around, I will be sitting under a dryer to get my hair dry before I step outside.

I'm Natural Now! ( And Other Random Updates...) *sorry about photo size!!!*

It has been awhile since I have been here.


But so much has happened over since the last time that I wrote.

When I last left you, I was transitioning. I was pretty much getting through the transition by wigging it up or doing the occasional twist out. Styling my hair during my transitioning stage wasn't the issue ( like so many folks think that it would be). Detangling on wash day was. My relaxed ends loved to tangle and give me grief. As a result, I was prone to leaving my hair alone for long stretches of time. I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT.

* My hair at various stages in my transition*

Fast forward to a random Friday night in February where I began to get really curious about my curl pattern. I knew that my relaxed ends were keeping me from seeing my coils, so I cut them. And kept cutting. After 13 months of transitioning, I did the BC and my hair looked like this:

The picture in the top left corner is my hair the day of my BC

I wasn't immediately comfortable with my texture so I continued to wig for another month. In that time, I began trying new products and really having to figure out what works best for my natural hair. As a relaxed head (and a transitioning head), my hair needed slightly more protein than moisture. However, as a natural, my hair needs more moisture than protein. As a result, my PJism is back in full effect! I love to try new cowashes and deep conditioners because I know that is what my hair adores. By the time March rolled around, I was ready to try my hand at my first wash and go puff:

*The first puff

I absolutely loved it! Plus I got compliments of approval from my 7th grade students (if you've ever been around 7th graders, you know that they can be the most blunt people on Earth!) which felt pretty good. March through May were spent trying to find ways to get the coils in my puff more defined. I found myself doing more cowashing than ever and actually seeing the benefits of doing it (as a relaxed head, I cowashed every now and then but it wasn't the groundbreaking experience that it is now.).

*My puff. My easy breezy go-to style*


Even though I love my wash and go puff, the process to get my coils defined took an hour. A FREAKING HOUR!!! For a wash and go, that is way too long. In June, LHCF introduced me to the Dickey method for wash and go's. This method takes a hot 15 minutes and had my coils POPPIN'! This is a method that I have been using exclusively this month and I can use it to actually wear my hair out. Prior to this method, my hair kinda looked like a mullet ( which is not cute.). So this summer, I've have been wearing my natural hair out more frequently.

There it is!! My hair! Through the course of the past 4 months, I have found out that my hair is primarily 4b, with some 4a sprinkled here and there. It does extraordinarily well with moisture and I can typically get away with just finger detangling my hair. As I am still a newbie, my staple products for my natural hair are still being determined but I can make a list of the products that work for my hair. Wash and go's are my staple because my hair isn't quite the length that I want it to be for twist outs and even though my natural hair makes a fro, it's actually SL when stretched. I am finding that I am once again in an awkward stage....and I am loving every minute of it!

9/8/15 LOTD: Transitioning Updo

Hello lovelies!

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend!! I'm here just to show you guys how I am styling my hair at 9 months ( 9 months, y'all!!) post relaxer.

Typically on wash days, my faithful standby is a twist out. I can't help it. It is a style that I know will give me a reliable outcome. This week, however, I am positively tired of twist outs. Since I had so much free time on my hands, I looked up updos for transitioning hair and what you see below is the result. I saw this style on Mo Knows Hair and I just knew I had to replicate the style!

I got so many compliments from adults and my students (and if you're around any 7th grader for a reasonable amount of time, you know that they are the most honest people on Earth, lol!) which was a good definite plus. I plan on wearing this throughout the week and will continue with my wash days as scheduled. I will say that transitioning is really not that difficult once you hit 9 months, especially if you aren't forcing your hair to be straight.

Anyway, enough of my yammering...check out the pics!

First Impressions: Creme of Nature with Argan Oil Moisturizing Milk Masque

Hello lovelies!

Today I am back with a product that I received in July's Curl Kit but I didn't get a chance to try it until recently. If you been following my transition ( and I know you have!), you know that I have mentioned how my new growth needs increasingly more moisture. My current mission has centered around finding super moisturizing products for my hair and let me tell you, this product definitely makes the cut!



Price: ~$6.99 for 11.4 oz +tax (from local BSS--I received mine from a Curl Kit I ordered)

Ingredients: Water (Water) (Eau), Glycerin, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Polyquaternium-37, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cicaprylyl Carbonate, Mica, Cetrimonium Chloride, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinose Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ceteareth-20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylisothiazolinone, Cl77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Cl19140 (Yellow 5), Cl 14700 (red 4), Cl 42090 (Blue 1)

Their claims (per the label): No Frizz, No Shrinkage, No Dryness! It's time to reclaim healthy curls with our Moisturizing Milk Masque, packed with repairing nutrients from Argan Oil and Argan Butter. This essential deep treatment is formulated for all curl types to strengthen, restore, and hydrate distressed hair, preventing damage.

*No: Sulfates, Parabens, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum*

**Perfect for: Deep Conditioning or Co-Washing**

I have to admit that I was excited to use this product because it says that it is for all curl types and transitioners. As someone who is 8 (almost 9 months) into their transition, I really wanted to see how beneficial this product would be for my hair. I used this product as a deep conditioner, immediately following my protein treatment with Komaza Protein Strengthener. I applied this to my hair in sections (to ensure that every part of my hair got the moisturizing goodness) and DCed with a heat cap for about an hour.

When I first opened the product, I couldn't believe how thick this conditioner is! It really is like a butter! I initially thought that with my hair and the thickness of this conditioner, I was going to run through that jar in a wash and a half. To my surprise, a little really went a long way! This conditioner spreads easily and my hair absorbs it with no problem. I can see one jar lasting me 4-5 washes (since I wash my hair weekly, about a month).

As far as smell goes, this product smells like any other Creme of Nature with Argan Oil product---kinda sweet, kinda medicinal. The smell doesn't bother me too much and it goes away once you rinse the product out of your hair. It may bother those who are sensitive to scents, however. If you look at the ingredients, you see that fragrance is pretty high up in the list (it's the 5th ingredient!!). This means that there is a scent and a lot of it. So for my scent sensitive folks...you've been warned!

Another potential red flag is that this product contains isopropyl alcohol and it's high in the ingredient listing (the 12th ingredient). Isopropyl alcohol can be found in holding hair sprays and can be drying to the hair. It seems counterintuitive to put a drying ingredient in a product that claims to moisturize hair and that alone can make you reconsider putting this product in your hair.

Ok but how did the product perform!?!


After I DCed for an hour (with heat) and rinsed my hair out, I was blown away by how soft my hair was, especially my new growth. My comb was able to glide through my hair with absolutely no problems. I also saw my new growth begin to curl up--which is my indicator that it is moisturized. To that end, the claim that this conditioner hydrates hair is absolutely, 100% true. My hair definitely got some moisture. As far as strengthening, I can really speak to that since I do a protein treatment prior to deep conditioning....so I know my hair is being strengthened but not by this product. Quickly glancing at the ingredient list, I don't see any ingredients that would suggest strengthening capabilities. For that reason alone, you should consider this product a moisturizing deep conditioner.

Finally, I have only used this product as a deep conditioner, not a co-wash. Going forward, I would only use this product as a deep conditioner. While I'm sure that it would be great as a co-wash, I prefer to use cheapie conditioners that I can run through and repurchase without putting a significant dent in my pocketbook. If I were to use this as a co-wash daily, I could see myself running through a jar a week, easily. Over time, that adds up!


Bottom Line: This is a solid moisturizing DC for those who are transitioning. It provides hair with the moisture that it needs and a little goes a long way. It is a great DC to add to your rotation! However, there are 2 red flags with the amount of fragrance added and the presence of a hair drying alcohol. These two ingredients alone may be enough for some to pass on this product.

8 Months In and Miles To Go

Happy Thursday lovelies!!

I'm back with an update on my hair thus far. Last Wednesday, I removed my box braids and got to see my hair for the first time since June!! After washing my hair, giving it a much needed protein treatment, and deep conditioning it, I prepped my hair for a twist out that I rocked for about 5 days while I was home in VA for my birthday weekend. When I returned back to NC last night, my hair needed a wash in the worst way so that's how I spent my evening. Here's what I noticed:


* It takes A LOT more time to do my hair on wash days.

I'm finding that I have to do everything in sections. I have to wash my hair in sections, apply my protein treatment in sections, apply my deep conditioner in sections, and detangle and add my moisturizer in sections! I understand why I have to do this. I have a lot of new growth happening and if I didn't section my hair, it would make for a very frustrating wash day. I'm also finding that sectioning my hair is the only way I can ensure that my hair (both the new growth and the relaxed portions) are getting what they need.


* My new growth needs moisture more than my relaxed hair ever did*

I found out pretty late in the game that my relaxed hair needed equal amounts of protein and moisture...I couldn't venture too far in either direction. Now, however, I'm finding that my new growth drinks in moisture! I still use protein (primarily to strengthen the infamous line of demarcation) and I'm finding that the addition of protein allows my new growth to better accept the moisture that I am giving it. My once properly moisturized, my new growth curls with delight and that's how I know my hair is loving what I am doing to it.


* Oyin products may become a staple for my hair*

I've been using Oyin Hair Dew, Greg Juice, and Burnt Sugar Pomade for awhile now. Recently, I have added the Whipped Pudding to the list. Last night, I detangled my hair using Greg Juice, followed up by adding Hair Dew and Whipped Pudding, then sealed by using a tiny bit of Burnt Sugar Pomade. This combination is the best thing ever as far as my hair is concerned. Moisture like what!! I think these products may be staples for awhile.


* Not trying to keep my hair straight= somewhat easy transition*

Years ago, when I first called myself transitioning, I still was trying to maintain a straight style. As a result, I was constantly blow drying and flat ironing as a way of blending my 2 textures. My hair wasn't having it. It was constantly reverting and I was constantly flat ironing it straight. It was frustrating and one day I figured that since I was trying to keep my hair straight, it would be more beneficial to just relax. Which I did. This go round, I am not trying to make my hair do anything that it does not want to do. Meaning, I am not straightening it. I have no desire to right now. When I want to wear my hair out, I know how to do a great bantu knot out or twist out that looks good but blends the 2 textures as well. When I take out styling stress, it make it that much more easier for me to focus on the actual care of my hair. If it were up to me, this tidbit of info would be one of my top 5 tips to transitioners. Work with your hair and not against it.


School will be back in session soon and I'll probably be wigging it up for awhile. The first few weeks of school are so hectic that I just need an easy breezy style until I get back in the swing of things. I'm thinking that wigging will take me through month 9 (maybe even month 10). My wig of choice is Tammy and I probably won't break out a curlier wig (Outre Ulla) until December of so).

Also, last Thursday (August 6th) was my 30th birthday!! While I spent the day reflecting on all the progress that I made mentally, emotionally, and career wise during that decade known as my 20s, one of my friends brought up the incredible hair journey I went on as well. I was 22 when I started taking the steps necessary to care for my hair and I have entered my 30s with a wealth of knowledge of all the practices needed for me to have a healthy head of (relaxed) hair. Now I begin the new decade of my life learning to care for my natural hair after 18 years of relaxing (first relaxer was at age 12). It's gonna be an interesting journey but I am so ready for it! I leave you with a collage of my hair from age 20 to 29....it's crazy to see where I started from!

7/20/15 LOTD: Ion't Know What to Call This...

Happy Monday lovelies!


As I sit here dragging my feet for a training I don't want to go to, I figure I would stop by with a post that shows my hair for the day. As you can see, the box braids are still going strong. However, I am constantly looking for ways to style them that doesn't involve a high bun (nothing agains high buns, I just get bored with them after awhile). Today, I did something simple: I flat twisted the front of my hair and brought that back into 2 buns. Add a couple bobby pins and BAM!!! I have a hairstyle where the braids aren't in my face and is not in a high bun!


Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think!!

T.A.S. Question of the Week: Are You Experiencing Breakage/ Increased Shedding During Your Transition?

Image from: Clip arts

Happy Wednesday lovelies!!


Ever since I announced my unofficial/official transition, a question that I have been getting a lot is if I'm getting more breakage and/or shedding than normal. Since this seems to be a common question, I figured I should make a post detailing my experience thus far.


Am I experiencing increased breakage?

Prior to transitioning, I would experience minimal breakage when I would do normal hair care practices like combing my hair or heat styling. More often than not, this breakage would come from the ends of my hair (which makes sense-my ends are the oldest, weakest part of my hair). This type of breakage is expected. However, I felt that I could do more to minimize the breakage that I saw. Last year, I figured my hair would benefit from me doing protein treatments (which would strengthen my hair) weekly. As you guys saw in my various posts, use of Komaza Protein Strengthener, Apoghee 2-Min Keratin Reconstructor and/or the Sally's GVP Protein Reconstructor had great results for me. I still saw some breakage due to styling but it was wayyyyyy less than it was before.

This is a practice that I continue to use now that I am transitioning but with a different focus.


As a transitioner, my focus has been to prevent any and all breakage at the line of demarcation. Therefore, on wash days you can find me applying my protein treatment like a relaxer to my new growth. Yes, this makes the process take a little bit longer but it is so worth it. So far, I'm not having any of the breakage.

In addition to my protein treatments, I am consistent in giving my hair the moisture it needs via deep conditioning with a moisturizing DC. This keeps my hair from becoming dry and (as a result) prone to breakage. Furthermore, the protein treatments also aid in imparting moisture because it allows my hair to readily accept whatever moisture I am giving it.

So to summarize a long story: when it comes to breakage during your transition, it is STILL important for you to maintain some sort of moisture/protein balance. The need for that doesn't go away just because you are transitioning.




What about shedding?

First, let me say that shedding is a normal process. It will happen whether you want it to or not. In terms of shedding, my hair tends to shed more in the winter than in the summer. That's just what it is. I accept and embrace that.

So if you thought I was about to tell you ways to stop your regular run of the mill shedding.......sorry?

But I will tell you how I keep my shedding to a range that is acceptable for my head of hair.

A big thing for me is diet. If your diet is crap and you aren't getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs, there is a strong chance your hair isn't getting the vitamins and minerals it needs. That can result in increased shedding. While I do have a weakness for certain junk foods (just last night I was craving a nice slice of caramel cake), I try to ensure that I am drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet (with lots of fruit and veggies), and I take a multivitamin for good measure. The key take away is this: shedding is a normal, internal process. It's your scalp's way of saying "Hey, everything is all good over here!" The only time your hair is going to have abnormal shedding is if there is something going on internally: poor diet, illness, hormone fluctuations (due to birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, etc), anemia and other chronic disorders. Your hair is not going to decide to shed like crazy because you are growing a relaxer out. I cannot stress that enough.

Bottom line: my shedding is normal (for me) even though I'm transitioning. In addition to diet, I also try to watch how I style my hair. I know that finding hairstyles during your transition is hard. However, you don't want to resort to styles that place unnecessary stress on the hair follicle (ahem....braids that are too tight).



Hopefully that answers the breakage/shedding question! I know quite a few of you are transitioning also and I am interested to hear what your experiences have been. Tell your story in the comments below!!

Transitioning: Months 0-6

Happy Monday lovelies!

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend! I spent my weekend back home in VA and let me tell you....it was a much needed trip!! This weekend marked 6 months since my last relaxer! This got me to thinking. When I started my blog, I documented the growth of my hair from a short cut to the length it is now (which is something you rarely see in the blog world) and even shared how I styled my hair at every length. Why should my transitioning journey be any different? Something that has helped me tremendously is knowing how to style my hair during this time and I think that by sharing my experience I can a) help those who are stretching relaxers and need a way to style their hair, b) help those who are transitioning but really don't know how to style their hair other than straight, and c) keep a log of my hair styles so that when I get deep in this transition I have something that I can reference. Either way it's a win-win

Now with out further ado, here are the first 6 months of my transition.

Months 0-3: The "This Is No Different Than A Regular Stretch" stage

This stage of my transition was really, really easy because I really just started out stretching relaxer like I usually do. During this time, I wore my hair straight but opted to keep my hair in buns the majority of the time ( I'm a teacher and most mornings, I'm all for styles that don't take too much time and won't irritate me by the middle of the day).

* Some of the styles I wore at the beginning of the year. I wore buns for the most part*


As far as a regimen goes, I washed my hair weekly with Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo and did a protein treatment with Komaza Protein Strengthener. I would follow up with a moisturizing DC, would moisturize, and air dry my hair (except during the times I would straighten my hair). My hair pretty much thrived with this regimen and I noticed no significant difference in hair shedding or breakage.



Months 3-6: The "New Growth is Making Itself Known" stage


This stage of my transition really marked the beginning of me really taking the time to learn with my new growth responds to. Style-wise, I wore buns but twist-outs began to have a special place in my heart during this time. For me, twist outs are a style that blend my 2 textures flawlessly and it's a pretty easy style to get together on wash day. Every now an again I would do a bantu knot out or a braid out but I always come back to twist outs. In June, I decided that my hair needed a break and got box braids that should last me until August. I generally stay away from direct heat because I don't want to be bothered. However, I did have to blow dry my hair (on low heat) prior to getting brads.

*I'm going to spare you the multiple photos of me with a twist out but that was my main style. Other pics are of the box braids I am wearing currently*


My regimen has not changed (still wash, protein treatment, and moisturizing DC weekly) and my hair is still doing good with that. I'm thinking about doing a protein treatment weekly for the duration of my transition. I think that is was is minimizing any breakage that could occur along the line of demarcation (point where my new growth and relaxed hair meet). I'm finding that my new growth is easy to comb (when wet) but my relaxed hair gives me the most grief because it tangles. During this time, I found 3 hair products my hair loves: Oyin Hair Dew, Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade and Oyin Juices N Berries. I've found that my new growth responds very well to these products (I mean they keep my hair moisturized for days!!). I do realize that as my transition progresses, I may need to shift my products to ones that benefit my new growth vs. those that benefit my relaxed hair.



So all in all, this transition has been pretty easy. I know once I'm out of these braids, I need to have a strong game plan in place for what I want to do to my hair and be open to any potential adjustments that I will have to make. Stay tuned to see how that turns out!

Summer, Braids, and My Plan To Get Past That 8th Month Hump....

Happy Sunday Lovelies!


Temperatures in Eastern NC have soared well into the 90s and you know what that means: summer is officially here!! If you've followed this blog for a certain amount of time, you know that the summer months for me generally mean braids, braids, and more braids. This summer is no different. With the temperatures being set on Hell's Furnace, I just didn't feel like being bothered with my hair on a daily basis. So, I began my search for a hair braider here in Greenville.

A random side note here: one of the sucky things about moving (I moved to NC about 10 months ago) is finding stylists that you can depend on. Back in Birmingham, I knew exactly were to go for any of my hair needs. Being in Greenville, reset the stylist clock so to speak. After a (not so) exhaustive search, I found a braider who I will probably go to fairly frequently for my braiding needs (check out her page here).



Anyway, on Thursday, I washed my hair, followed up with a protein treatment and DC, and blow dried my hair on low heat. Then for the next 10 (yes, 10!) hours, I proceeded to get my box braids installed using Xpressions hair. Check 'em out!

Daily upkeep will be fairly simple. I will be using Oyin Juices N Berries as my braid spray to moisturize my braids and (if necessary) will be using Curls Control Paste to slick down my edges (my baby hair NEVER gets braided up. I value my edges thank you very much). For cleansing, I will use ORS Herbal Cleanse for my scalp and a quick cleanse of my braids weekly. I plan on washing my braids using the methods described in this post but I'm still trying to figure out the frequency since I don't want my braids to frizz. I plan on putting my braids in a bun and other cute styles but I am currently wearing them down because I don't want to put too much tension on my edges right now (side note: I know a lot of women like to immediately put their braids into a bun. Please don't do this. It causes a great amount of tension on your hair. Give it a few days. *PSA over*)

The plan is to keep these in for about 2 months (which should take me through most of August). Around that time, I should be at or close to 8 months post--the month when I said 'eff it' to transitioning before. Following braid take out, I'll do twist outs for 2 weeks, then get my hair cornrowed so that I can wear my Tammy half wig for a while. If I can make it past month 8 still feeling 'whatever' about relaxing, I will schedule my first transitioning chop. This plan should take me to the end of 2015 and to 1 year post-relaxer. As you can see, I'm feeling pretty excited about this part of my hair journey. I am so anxious to see my hair's natural texture and to see how my hair will thrive without the presence of a relaxer (especially my crown!). I am already seeing what my natural hair responds to compared to my relaxed hair (lots of moisture vs. lots of protein) and I am so excited about sharing all of this with you!

Anyway, what are your summer hair plans? Let me know in the comments below!!

First Impressions: Oyin Hair Dew and Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade

Happy Sunday lovelies!

I just had to stop by with these 2 new instant staples of mine! As you all know, I am officially unofficially transitioning. While I am just a mere 22 weeks post relaxer (about 5 months post), I am finding that I have to tweak my regimen a bit to fit my hair's changing needs. Awhile back, I found myself in Target, taking a stroll down the hair care aisle, when I laid my eyes on the Oyin Handmade products. During my my time on LHCF, I knew this was a solid product line and I wanted to see what the hype was all about. I walked out with Juices N Berries, Frank Juice, Hair Dew, and the Burnt Sugar Pomade.

My (hair) life hasn't been the same since.

This review is about the Hair Dew and Burnt Sugar pomade- 2 products that make my hair sing.


Price: $13.99+ tax for 8.4 fl oz (Hair Dew)/ 4 fl oz (Burnt Sugar Pomade (at Target) (Note: You can also get these products from Oyin's website. You can also get larger sizes of products which is a plus.

Ingredients:

Hair Dew-purified water, ricinus communis (castor) oil, olea europaea (olive) oil, aloe barbadensis leaf juice (organic), olea europaea (olive) oil, behentrimonium methosulfate (and) cetearyl alcohol (emulsifier derived from colza oil), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cetyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol (and) caprylyl glycol (preservative), squalane (from olive oil), fragrance, and love!


Burnt Sugar Pomade- castor oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, organic virgin coconut oil, mango seed oil, olive oil, unrefined hempseed oil, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, broccoli seed oil, fragrance... and love!

Their Claims (per the website):


Hair Dew-this creamy, conditioning leave-in is light enough for every day. it's great on 'naked' hair immediately after a cleanse, or as a way to reinvigorate tired hair all the way through your hair care cycle. for seriously protective hair experience, try using hair dew on moist hair (or over a quick spritz of one of our Juices herbal leave-ins) and then seal ends with one of the Sugar Pomades before gently manipulating hair into a protective style like braids, twists, or an updo. days of moisture, sheen, and hair happiness!

Burnt Sugar Pomade- Similar in texture to an old school 'hair grease,' This blend of oils, butters, and veggie waxes acts as a humectant and protectant for hair, increasing shine to a high glossy sheen and locking in moisture. It's packed with essential fatty acids to nourish scalp, and actually sinks into your hair and skin for a long lasting, non-greasy feeling. It's great for braids, imparts shine and moisture to loose hair, brushes nicely into the hairline for a glossy finish, and adds luster to locks! Contains virgin coconut cream, mango oil, and hempseed oil in a base of nourishing castor oil.
HOW TO USE Rub between your fingers or palms to soften/liquefy. Use to moisturize scalp, to twist locs, to seal the ends of twists or braids, to polish a pulled-back style or an updo, to add weight to the canopy of your hair, to weigh down flyaways or control frizz, or to create waves on super short cuts. Store in a cool, dry place, and use within one year.





I use these products to moisturize my hair prior to doing twist outs, bantu knot outs, braid outs, etc. I use these products in particular because they are glycerin free. I put a lot of time into my twist outs and I hate for them to be made into a frizzy mess by humid conditions (which is a pretty frequent thing in Eastern NC). Furthermore, I don't want to encourage the frizziness by using products with glycerin in them (glycerin is a humectant-meaning it can pull the moisture from that humid air, provide that moisture to your hair, and frizziness will ensue). Oyin Hair Dew and Burnt Sugar Pomade ensure that my hair is moisturized without adding glycerin to the mix. I typically apply the Hair Dew to my damp hair, seal with the Burnt Sugar Pomade, and then proceed with whatever style I plan on doing.


But what do you get when you open the product/ jar?

Let's start with the the Hair Dew. Oyin Hair Dew is white in color and isn't particularly runny or thick. It has a good consistency that makes it easy to spread throughout my hair. It also absorbs into my hair quite nicely. There have been times where I have been a little heavy handed with the product and I am left with the tell tale sign of "too much product application" (read: a white caste of product). Fortunately, by the time my hair dries, that white cast has gone away.

In terms of scent, I think Hair Dew smells AH-MAZING! To me, it smells like cookies and on more than one occasion, I wind up craving a snickerdoodle. However, as always, I caution those who may be sensitive to scent as this may be overwhelming to them.

When I use this product alone, my hair feels exceptionally moisturized. However, the bottle suggests using this product with the Burnt Sugar Pomade. Of course you know that I had to oblige.

Clearly this stuff gets used by me! I love it!
The Burnt Sugar Pomade is brown in color and THICK!! It can have a tendency to be a little gritty but that problem is solved by popping the container in the microwave to melt the product and then letting it solidify again in the refrigerator. When they say this product is like hair grease...they mean it! A little definitely goes a long way with this product. And I'm not just saying that. Because there are so many oils and butters in this product, you can be heavy handed with it if you want to...you'll wind up with weighed down hair. Just saying'. I usually apply this after I've applied the Hair Dew to my hair and I find that I don't have to use much. My hair absorbs it with relative ease which is a plus in my book.

Burnt Sugar Pomade un-smeared and smeared. This product spreads pretty easily
Much like the Hair Dew, this product smells like cookies. So it really intensifies the cookie cravings that I have. Those scent sensitive may want to avoid this product or try the sugar berries pomade.

In combination with the Hair Dew, my hair is moisturized for DAYS!! My little new growth curls up in satisfaction while my relaxed ends are neutral to it. As long as I don't use too much, my relaxed hair is fine.

In terms of twist outs, these 2 products make for the most defined twist outs I have ever done. Which is confusing. Great.....but confusing (although I suspect my giving my hair all the moisture it can stand prior to the twist out+ the butters in the pomade may have something to do with this). Let me explain. The Burnt Sugar Pomade is touted as a humectant pomade. But it also claims to control frizz. If you saw my brief mention of humectants being destroyers of twist outs, you'd understand why this is confusing too. However, Oyin was true to it's word about fighting frizz. My hair does not frizz up with this product. Which makes my current favorite style something that I can do pretty consistently.


Bottom Line: BUY. THESE. PRODUCTS. Buy them now. Especially if you are transitioning. Especially if you like moisturized hair. Or cookies. Or great twist/braid/bantu knot outs. Or all three.

My Unofficially Officially Transitioning Hair Plan

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.


I've stated that I'm not really desiring a relaxer (and probably won't) so that puts me on the path of transitioning.


However, I don't have clear plan of what I want to do or how to get there.


Right now, I am currently 5 months post. Which really just feels like a long relaxer stretch to me. To get me through the last couple of months, I have been doing twist outs like they are going out of style (I REALLY like twist outs y'all). To guide me with actually handling my hair, I just follow the things that my mother did with my hair when I was a little girl--mainly only combing my hair when wet and keeping it moisturized (seriously, my mom did this. It's the reason why I didn't get a relaxer until I begged for one in middle school. My mom was really my first example in working with my hair and not against it). So far, everything is working out great.

Then I think of the first time I called myself transitioning. Yep it happened. Right at the start of my hair journey. All I knew was my hair was unhealthy and relaxers had a role in that. By month 8, I was back to relaxers. I had no clue on how to handle my hair, let alone 2 different textures. I had even less of a clue on how to style it. I was used to my hair being straight, so I was trying to beat my new growth into straight submission and using a TON of heat. All those years ago, I knew what I wanted to do but had no idea on how to get there so I went back to what I knew.


This go 'round, I think I am in a better position to transition. I tend to wear my hair in more curly styles than straight (the last time my flat iron got used was in February I think). If my hair isn't out, I know to bun it, wig it, or do something protective. I know that I have to modify my products to meet my hair's changing needs and I have a resource for potential products to try (LHCF, other blogs, etc.), and I am becoming versed in how to handle the 2 textures. Ultimately, I think that 7 years after failed transition, I am able to approach this as a "I just don't feel like relaxing anymore" scenario vs a "my hair is breaking off like crazy, let me try this natural thing but I have no clue what to do" scenario.

Hope that makes sense.

Now that I have the tools, I want to come up with a plan.

Right now, I want to transition for at least a year and a half. I know that whenever I cut those last relaxed ends off, I want some hair to work with. I'm thinking that once I get past month 8 (which was the month I went back to relaxers in the past), I will get my first trim. I'll then trim quarterly after that.

While I love my twist outs, I do want to hide my hair for the summer. So, 2 weeks from now, I will be getting box braids which should last me until mid-August (2 months). I'll then wear my own hair out for 2 or 3 weeks (I still want to get to know my hair) and get another set of braids that will last me until November. After that set of braids, I'll wig it up (with Outre Tammy, of course) until the New Year. This plan will bring me to 1 year post relaxer. And that's about how far I can plan out right now. In December, I figure out what I want to do for the remaining months of my transition. Right now I'm just concerned about getting through the year.

I'll be continuing with my regimen: wash, protein treatment, DC weekly as that seems to be working for my hair. I will adjust my products as needed so that they can meet the needs of my transitioning hair.


This is just a rough draft of what I want to do. For those who are transitioning or have transitioned: what do you think? Am I leaving anything out? What are your suggestions for a easy transition?

It All Starts With Not Relaxing......

Happy Tuesday lovelies.


Welp. It is June 2nd and I am nowhere near getting my relaxer that I was due to get last month. With each passing day, it looks like I may be bidding adieu to my relaxed days.

And I am actually fine with that.


Let me explain.

Lately, I have been on a major twist out kick, especially with the weather warming up. I have noticed that my twist outs look 10x better the further I get into my stretch. I'm also loving the curly/ coilyness of my new growth. It makes me kind of wonder what it would be like to have a whole head of the stuff. Kind of a shallow reason but eh.

Perhaps the most important reason why I have not ran back to my relaxers is that it really is not difficult to do my hair. I keep my new growth well moisturized, limit my detangling sessions to wash day, and since I'm not trying to maintain straight hair styling is a breeze. Ultimately, I'm not feeling particularly moved to relax.



I do have mixed feelings about this potential transition. I've been relaxed for so long and this blog was started with relaxed heads in minds. On the other hand, I have yet to experience my natural hair as an adult and I'm curious about it. Furthermore, I have noticed my students fascination with my hair. How amazing would it be for my students to grow up knowing that natural hair is beautiful? It gives me all the more reason to transition.

While I'm going to wait until the end of summer to officially announce if I'm transitioning (hey, I may get to month 8 and say NOPE!!), I just want the put y'all on notice since I am way behind on a relaxer and a length check!

So, I may be another relaxed hair blogger that is joining the natural train......


P.S.--Take a look at my best twist out thus far!! Can ya see why I'm contemplating the natural life? Lol!