Sidetracked from Healthy Habits

I was excited about finally taking the leap into the world outside of "natural hair by choice". So I transitioned for almost a year, did a big chop and was happy with the progress of hair knowledge and health. I've watched youtube videos and learned so much. But...

Rocking a Fluffy Twist Out with some Colour!

I got lazy. After finding what works for my hair, I got sidetracked from keeping up with the programme. The result? After having permanently coloured my half of my head, I slacked off on the required deep conditioning and moisturising to protect those strands. So now, my hair progress has stabilized (in a sense). Now I've got the same length as I did 2 or 3 years ago because my breakage (ends) is almost on par with the growth (roots).

How about you? Have you kept up with the routines that you found to work for your hair? Do you find that you've deviated from them and found maybe better ones? 

To lock or not to lock

It's been a while. My hair has grown but now it's resting and that can be frustrating. I am a bit impatient. My hair is basically the same length as it was in my February 2008 pictures (http://public.fotki.com/Jamsteph/second-year-oct-200/feb-2008/). When stretched, that's about 2.5 inches below shoulders.

My question is to lock or not to lock ? This hair of mine takes more time to detangle now, but when it's done I enjoy it. Every now and then I wonder if I should lock. I've always held the notion to lock when I'm thirty (four years from now). When I wear my twists in a fuzzy state, I get compliments that locks fit me. I like the styling options I have as a non-locked head, but have not been able to explore them.

What do you think?

Different Shampoo

Roughly from the start of my natural hair journey, the shampoo of choice was Creme of Nature Detangling/Conditioning Shampoo. I must admit I did notice a improved difference when compared to times when I am out of that shampoo and had to reach for whatever old bottle was in the house. I have used the normal formula (red) as well as the ultra moisturizing (green) and found the latter to be better. As you may already know, I alternate with a "no-poo" method using the Suave Naturals Conditioner (Coconut) which has yielded good results. However I felt the need to explore other options.

I dug back into my memory back and recalled a time when an aunt (vegetarian) of mine visited from overseas and brought an interesting "all-purpose" soap. Using it occasionally during her one month stay with us was not a bad experience. However at that time, we had not located any store in Jamaica that had it. Also, I only used it as a bath soap and having processed hair back then, using it as shampoo was not an option (my shampooings were done at salon). Recently, I was unable to remember the correct name for the product because it had many words on it. But ah through the "help" of the internet I was able to find the name ! It's Dr Bronner's Castile Soap (well, in short).

This time around I was able to locate it at a Nature store in Kingston, but wow what an exorbitant price. Funnily I was able to actually purchase a bottle a month later --- last evening to be exact. Hence I have used it for the first time, as a shampoo, and was surprised to notice a difference in how my hair coils responded. I was reluctant to use it as bath soap due to the fact that I went online and realised that the price I paid was truly ridiculous compared to what it was advertised. Oh well, I guess I learn from my mistakes. I still went ahead and used it in my shower and am a bit amazed, in terms of the lack of dryness that I usually encounter. YEAY !!!

Anyway, I had one concern with this "new" product (new to me as shampoo, that is), but that could be attributed to my technique. I will look out for it when next I shampoo with Dr Bronner's Eucalyptus Liquid Soap. Oh, the problem was that one section of my head collected the residue that wash removed from other parts of head. Because I washed my hair in the position where my face faces the sink, the "residue collect" area is the top front of my hair. Does that sound clear ? I did a second wash but needed a third (which, as I said could be because a flaw in my technique).

The journey continues...

Stand

"Today you stand at the beginning of a grand adventure, with the very real and present opportunity to shape this year into the best one ever.... know who you are" !

I've been hearing about the prevalence of the "hate-me-as-God-made-me" mentality. Sure it has always been an undercurrent of our society but with the trends about, there is a recent surge.

It saddens my heart to hear some the examples that are about. I heard the other day about boys in their first year of high school bleaching their skins to have a lighter tone. Damaging themselves physically and emotionally.

Parents and future parents out there, take the responsibility to be loving of yourself and in turn show (be an example for) children how to do the SAME. Not just the parents task, but they should have the strongest influence. This world is bigger than yourself. Explore it and enjoy it. Stop hurting it.

Just some thoughts.

Nappy-Headed

NAPPY-HEADED by Latasha Willis

I came to this world with nappy hair

And when I was too young to really care

I loved to twirl each curl in my hand

And appreciate the texture of every strand.

But when I got older I was told

That the straightest hair was just like gold.

My hair got ironed with a metal comb

And the smell of burning grease made me moan.

I got a relaxer to run from the smoke,

But the pain of my overcooked scalp was no joke.

I even tried a Jheri curl to give myself a break

But being a target of jokes made my heart ache.

Oh, the day I turned my back on chemicals and heat,

I felt so free - oh, what a treat!

I trimmed off what was left of the damaged mess

And saw in the mirror what I thought was success.

But society said I had lost my mind

And that I would run back to tradition in time.

I got the strangest looks everywhere

And even loved ones frowned at my nappy hair.

I can't get a black brother to take me out for a meal

Since my hair lacks European appeal.

But when I look at my origin,

The continent of Africa, where my ancestors had been

And the beauty of the people who live there,

I saw nothing wrong with my nappy hair.

God gave me this hair

So I should not be ashamed

It is part of who I am

Ain't nothin' wrong with it, I exclaimed.

So I will wear my Afro, my twists and my coils!

I will not allow my confidence to be soiled.

Even if my hair is locked and dreaded,

I am proud of being nappy-headed.

Superwoman

I know I might be late in hearing about this song but I LOVE IT. It can pick us up as sisters when we're not feeling too hot. It goes beyond the lyrics because we can all think of various emotional moments while listening. And you know what ? A smile ends up on my face by the end of the song. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Alicia Keys, Superwoman (live @ CGI)
Uploaded by kurb35

Some Plaits

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.

Nov 2007 Hair Routine

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:

1. 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.
   
2. 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
3. Wet my hair under the shower (my best place to clean my hair), and then add the dil. shampoo.
4. 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.
5. I then add my budget conditioner (which is actually tremendous), leave it in and proceed with shower duties.
6. Rinse and then add my organic hair mayonnaise. Pulling out each plait for optimal application and replaiting.
7. 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.
8. Rinse, moisturize and then twist as the hair air dries.
   

One Life, One Love.

Hair we start

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.