Hey, all-out-there! How is your journey in nappy hair appreciation ? Mine's great for the most part. I have had times during this month when I want someone else to style my hair for me but haven't got the time to get it done. Between my research and volunteer work, and obligations to my family...time gets filled up, at least for the moment. I have been told that I am talented to be able to do my own hair the way I do it. But such comments are from persons who have not even tried to embrace their natural kinky/coily/curly hair. I am not against those who process (relax, cream, hot press, etc) but I don't like it when they say to me "Wow, imagine if you relaxed your hair now!" . Really? If I did, my hair would be either shorter or unhealthy because of the damage that relaxing puts my hair through. But I am calm cause I know that they don't mean any harm or bad when they express themselves as such. Well, did a slight change for December. Plaits instead of twists. Took me a while to do it though, was doing more than one things at one time. My hair was in a crazy braid-out style all day, so when it was time for me to take on this task, there were some knots. Not to fear cause water was there ! I used water to moisten and loosen tangles, being as gentle as possible. I wasn't at my own home, so I did not have the arsenal of my conditioner to assist. I have received some compliments on the "change" but personally I really prefer the twists. Interesting length though, I wish I had a picture like this of when I last did my hair like this in August. Oh well.
October and November, I rocked twists but kept them off of my clothes as much as possible. I had read elsewhere that, once our hair ends start brushing our shoulders and clothes, it becomes likely to break more there. In this picture, my hair looks a bit unkept because I tend to co-wash with the twists as is, where is. But the slightly fuzzy look is one of the aspects of being natural that must be embraced.
Actually for November I added some flat twists at the front to keep the hair out of my eyes and cut back on dependance on headbands. Also, I noticed that I had some breakage at the front due to maybe how I remove my headbands at the end of a tiring day.
In essence my routine is as such:
- Before getting into the shower, I use my spray bottle with water and maybe some conditioner, to dampen my hair then section it into big loose-as-possible plaits, 8 is good.
- Start with diluting some of my shampoo with water, a bit under the 1:1 ratio.
- Sometimes I'll combine the shampoo with the conditioner
- Wet my hair under the shower (my best place to clean my hair), and then add the dil. shampoo.
- Lather, rinse and repeat. Due to the large plaits, I find that I am better able to cleanse my scalp properly and not harshly as there is not matting involved.
- I then add my budget conditioner (which is actually tremendous), leave it in and proceed with shower duties.
- Rinse and then add my organic hair mayonnaise. Pulling out each plait for optimal application and replaiting.
- Get out of the shower, put on a plastic shower cap. Leave in for half an hour and rely on my body heat to work its wonders with the mayonnaise.
- Rinse, moisturize and then twist as the hair air dries.
One Life, One Love.
Well, to start I say a few things about my hair. I have 4a type hair but with few strands that are 3c type. For most of my teen years my hair was processed. I've have mild relaxers, jherry curl, dry curl, and strong relaxers (what we in Jamaica call "cream"). All of which was done because my was considered difficult to handle. Now I've reached a stage where I must explore more and where necessary change up some of the inherited ideals I know. That includes my hair. So, in December 2005...I decided to stop processing my hair. Transitioned to natural for almost a year, then did a big chop (cut of all the processed ends) in October 2006. Wow! What a relief that was ! Now this blog may serve as a journal of sorts regarding hair in a state that God intended.One Love.
