New wash day routines & product introduction..

Hey all, my wash day routine hadn't felt like a nourishing time for my hair since I bc'd. So I came to the realization that my hair is no longer in the state it was when I began this journey, not when I bought these products and certainly not when I transitioned for 18months. So its time to re-evaluate my staple products and my routines so that I can see the results that I am looking for.

So, let's talk products... After I bc'ed, I began looking for all natural products because I am officially all natural. I kept hearing about Trader Joes having great all natural shampoos and conditioners and they are well respected and used in the NHC, so I wanted to try them...(product review coming soon). So here is the list of products that I am using currently.

Shampoo: Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo by Trader Joes
Condish: Balanced Moisturizing Nourish Spa by Trader Joes
Leave in condish: Olive Miracle by African Pride (found @ Walmart) **newest product**
Scalp: Olive oil formula Gro Therapy by Palmer (found @ Target)
SN: Because I am a recovering PJ, all of these items were introduced over time. I did not buy all new products and throw everything out in one day. My shampoo and condish I have been using for over a month, my grease I have been using sing I was transitioning but my leave in is very new...again, look for product reviews on all these items very soon.

Now, let's talk routines...
New routine: pre-poo...yes, pre-poo. Usually I detangle prior to washing my hair or wash, deep condish and style. But I washed my hair and rocked a wash-n-go for a couple days and ky hair felt crunchy and if you don't know, crunchy is not a good thing! So after watching YouTube vids on how to do it, I decided to pre-poo my hair, with an old staple product...Cantu Shea Butter leave in condish...(recycling products...I will also do a new product review on my new way of using it...)

Here is what I did:
I section my hair into 4 sections. For each section I finger detangled GENTLY, applied EVOO to mail the ends (my crunchiest area (is that even a word LOL) using the "folding hands method". Then I applied the Cantu condish, lightly detangled my hair - mostly the ends, applied a bit more Cantu to my ends and twisted that section. When all 4 sections we done, I wore a plastic cap on my head for 2 hours. I let my hair down and washed and. conditioned as usual. To style I used my Olive Miracle to twist my hair...stay tuned for pictures.

The Challenge has officially begun...

In my last post I issued a challenge to not only myself but to my readers as well to join me in the Curly Chic Challenge where for the next 3 months we will co-wash, curl and care food out curly hair. So here is some background information...

In the weeks that I have been 100% Au'Naturale, I have worn only a selected few hair styles which were wash n gos, buns, and twistouts. When I was transitioning, I feel like I was taking more risks with hair dos and was always changing it up...well now that I have bc'd, I feel that I am being very "safe" with my hair do selections. So I wouls like to challenge myself and others that may be feeling the same way as I do to think and create hair dos that force you outside of the box... So here is what I did... my expected routine for this challenge changed a bit so I will explain what I did and why it is important for my natural hair that I do this...

Shampooed: with an organic Tea Tree shampoo. This cleans my hair and scalp, I mean realllllly cleans it without stripping away the essential oils that are needed by my hair. It stops my scalp from itching and the minty smell is very invigorating...I love it! However, for this challenge I am shampooing every 3 wash days...I will Co-wash on the other 2 wash days.

Co-wash: with an organic moisture rich condish. My hair gets really dry so cowashing is the best thing for my hair...

Deep condish: with Pantene Relaxed and Natural condish. The same reason, my hair dries out on me and my natural curl pattern doesn't seem as excited to curl anymore and that's when I know I need to deep condish. Now for this challenge I will deep condish every other wash day. I am not sure how often I will need a wash day but when it comes I will deep condish. Also before I wash out the deep conditioner, I will apply a palm full of regular conditioner to help reactive the conditioner that has been sitting on my hair and scalp for hours.

Detangle with deep condish in my hair: with my wide tooth comb and then twist hair into 10-15 twist before rinsing conditioner out. This makes it easier to Detangle and prevents my hair from getting tangled during the rinse cycle.

Apply a leave in conditioner: I use Cantu Shea butter. It helps with styling and frizz.

Lock in moisture with oil: I use EVOO. It shines and softens my hair.

Remoisturize my ends: I use Root Stimulators Coconut Oil...only because I could not find the organic coconut oil. This shines and smoothes out the ends of my hair but it is very heavy so I always go light when using this product.

So now you have the information you need to get started. Today is the first day of my challenge and I did not do a length check...dang it! I have already styled my hair (look for pics soon). Make sure you leave comments and let me know if you are joining.

Be Happy to Be CURLY!

Progressing

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I posted about the things I am working on creatively...so let's do it...

My hair is always a "work in progress" however currently I straightened it and realized it is either:
1. Time for me to get my ends clipped OR
2. It's time for a hair cut into a style OR BOTH...

So after 2 days of unhappy straight-Ness I went back to curly...But my hair is getting longer and is healthier as well. But after watching some of my favorite YouTubers, I decided to do a challenge...on my hair...
This will not be like my failed 30 days of blogging challenge. But this will be a fun, experimental based challenge that I am calling My Curly Chic Challenge...

This will be a hair do challenge that will challenge me as a DIY hair Stylist, will chart hair growth by Tue week and it will attempt to make my tresses manageable and long lasting...

I skipped my last scheduled length check because I didn't feel like doing it. But I will certainly do one at the beginning of this challenge.

It is my hope that others will join me in my Curly Chic Challenge or My CCC. The 3 C's will also stand for what I will do to my hair during this Curly Chic Challenge and that is Co-wash, Curl and Care for my curls especially at night...

So Here is the routine...in my mind...
I will start with Shampooed hair i am expecting to co-wash 2 times before shampooing again.
I will co -wash, Detangle and style in a curly fashion trying out different curly hair styles.
I will also care for my curls at night using different ways as well.

I am not sure how often I will need to wash and style my hair but just know that for the first time of the challenge I will shampoo and co-wash.
So, good luck to me, and any of you trying my CCC

I AM LOVING DAY 3 HAIR!!!

My super defined day 3 twist out...
Retwisted on day 2 with poof at the top...regimine to get this hair coming this afternoon but I just wanted to share the look...
Happy Curls Today!

Length Check...

Today is length check day...YAY!!!

So when I BC'd I did NOT check my length :(

But I will do it today and from here on out - Im thinking every month...on the 14th- my BC day... hmmm...

The Results:

Front headline right side: 7 1/2 inches
Front headline Left side: 7 1/2 inches
Back headline Right side: 8 inches
Back headline Left side: 7 1/2 inches
Crown Right side 9 inches
Crown Left side 9 1/3 inches
Back quad Left side 9 inches
Back quad Right side 8 1/2 inches

Although I didn't check I can tell that my hair has grown tremendously since that life changing Friday night one week ago when I BC'd...

Have you checked your length lately?

Rx for Brown Skin Review

Up one night watching info-mercials I came across RX for Brown Skin.
I had heard about it before but was pretty skeptical however, I checked it out and it was pretty expensive! So, I never pursued it.

Then I heard more about it prior to the info-mercial, but the the info in the info-mecial baited me in and I ordered it!.

What's included:

1. Intensive Exfoliating Serum-It says it will revitalize dull skin, improve skins texture, gently exfoliate dead skin for brighter tone and boost skin cell turnover for enhanced renewal.
2. Advanced Botanical Brightner-helps brighten skin discoloration and skin tone, powerfully hydrates and promotes radiance and reduces hyperpigmentation and uneven texture
3. Age Block-Protects skin and enhance a youthful look, hydrates and nourishes skin with a lightweight formula

I have to say, I love this stuff! My skin looks very fresh, the texture is very smooth, much smoother than it was before and I LOVE the Serum! LOVE IT! Howver, I am concerned about the price after the trial offer. The trial is $25 (including the shipping and handling. However after the trial the price changes to $50 per month for a 2 month supply...$50 a month is alot! But the question is, is it worth it to you? Everyone's economic states are in different places right now and I am still deciding if I will contiue after the trial, but I have to say, the condition that my skin is in is certainly playing a huge part!

Have you tried RX for Brown Skin? Also, Would you pay $50 a month for the items described?

OMG...I BC!

It's true! I BC!!!
After 18 months of transitioning I couldn't take it aanymore!!
So, on Friday night, Scissors in hand, I decided that enough was enough and so...I chopped!
Here are some pics thoughout my journey that lead to my BC:
Mini Chop @ 14 Months (June)

Plus Curl Pattern Check:

-As you can see lots of permed ends and only a little natural curls

On National Afro Day (4th of July)+ new georgeous hair color @15 months

16 months and pressed out (August)-Sisters Wedding

17 Months Bantu Knots minus plucking it out equals curly Que's(September)

18 Months Big Chop

OMG...

My first 100% Natural hair do and the feeling of excitement!

Thanks for sharing my journey!