It's my first year!

It's my first year post BC. And I dyed my hair "shocking blue" by Manic Panic. You can't tell indoors, but it is subtle. Here's some pics.

11 Months Post Big Chop!

My how time flies!!! It's been forever since I blogged and even longer since I cut my hair. And I'm so excited about this journey I been on. I didn't think it would be so much fun, but it was. So much learned so much tried. Just a complete roller coaster. But I have not straightened/flat ironed my hair in OVER a year and I'm def feeling the itch, but I'll wait until my birthday. On another note I've been on  a protective style challenge since January and I'm planning on continuing it until the end of March aka my 1st anniversary. So first I did a sew in for 5 weeks. First time with a full weave and it was fun, but that drove me crazy!!! I then did a DC and let my hair breath for a week. In that time I found my hair can now go into a small puff. Yayyyyyy!!!

That same night I did Havana/Marley twist. Took me no time, but I plan on keeping this 5 weeks also. So until then see you after March! Unless I come up with some DIY idea.

Summer 2012 Product kit

Since it's Summer and I've learned a lot about my curly hair I have changed my product kits.

Wash n' Gos

• Mixed Chicks "Sulfate free" shampoo (Biweekly)
• As I am Coconut Co-Wash (Co wash)
• Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (Conditioner/Detangler)
• Curls Unleashed Leave-In Conditioner
• EVOO (Seal ends)
• CURLS Goddess curls OR One 'n Only Argan Oil Curl cream (Styler)

Twist out

• Same as above except for styler
• Shea Moisture Organic curl enhancing smoothie (Styler)

4 Months Post BC

Four months since I've cut my hair and seven months since I've put a flat iron to it. Pretty amazing journey so far.

BIG CHOP!!!

Ok after a year of transitioning (I was planning on another year) I had a horrible crisis which gave me the courage to BC (Big Chop) my hair. Still can't believe I did it, but I'm LOVING it!

Decorating

Redoing my room. I have a long way to go, but I'm coming along. Sewing pillows and curtains.

New Product Review

Ok I'm reviewing a few products I've used this past weekend... I've acutally had them for awhile but since I have so many I just got around to them.

Mixed Chicks Sulfate free shampoo- I've read mixed reviews on this (no pun intended) and they all varied. Some said it dried their out and some say it was great, well in my case I'm going for great! I've never used Sulfate free poo so I was lost about it but for my first experience it was a good one. It still lathered up like I look for in a shampoo and my hair felt clean, but I didn't have that "squeaky clean" sound and feel I usually get when I shampoo with regular poos. I loved it!

Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner- I put this on my hair after I shampooed. And I must say it wasn't anything spectacular aside from my hair masque. I actually like my hair masque better, but that's just me. To me it's just a regular old deep conditionder.

Curls Unleashed Leave In Conditioner- this is a new line by Organic Root Stimulator I seen at Sallys. I needed a leave in since I was wearing Wash and Gos and I'm glad I grabbed it. This product is amazing! It smells organic and full of natural products and it's so moisturizing I can just use this on my curls without a curl cream or gel and get similair results.

Twisted Sista Curl Activator- today is actually my first day using this but I wanted to see how it held up to my Argan oil curl creme and Ecco styler gel. And so far it defines pretty well and defrizzes. As far as my hair feels it's not as soft as my curl creme, but not a hard as the Ecco Gel. It's pretty decent.

DIY Fever #2

Ok so if you didn't know March was NATIONAL CRAFT month and I took every advantage of that. Now previously I did my headboard and then decided to tackle my closet: Repair, Paint, Customize shelving, and organize. Well here it goes....

Paint

Customize

Organize

Senegalese Twist

This is my go to Protective Style for the month of March... Senegalese Twist.

Blow Out & Ends trimmed

I finally I blew my hair out and got a MUCH NEEDED trim: (I was tired so I look horrid don't judge me)

Before Trim

After Trim

DIY Fever

Lately I've been antsy (since my hair is twisted up and I can't play around with it) I decided to take up Home Decor. Which is a love of mine since I use to want to go to school for Interior Design. I wanted this Upholstered headboard for YEARS! and I found one I loved around December, but $300 for some fabric and plywood wasn't to my liking. So I decided to do it on my own. Now I'm in no mood to start a "How-To" blog too much work for my schedule. But I will def show you pictures of my process and the final look

Step 1 (Cut your plywood into whatever shape you choose)

Step 2 (Apply Foam. I used 2inch all the way down)

Step 3 (Batting)

Step 4 (Apply Fabric. I used Suede)

Step 5 (Sew the bottoms for "tufted" look)

Final Look (It's hung!)

Product Review

This is my reviews on all the many products I've used over the months.

Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel: This product applies hold to hair while adding moisture without build up. And it does just that! I was slightly skepitcal with it being a lock gel, but when I applied it for my flexi rod set my hair was soft and very manageable. I didn't have any hard or flaky feel. I will def use this again. Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $4

Knot Today Kinky Curly Leave-In: Used to detangle and condition curly, wavy, or kniky hair. I'm not a guru of Leave-in's and detanglers, but this product doesn't work with as much ease as the other girls say it does. I have to spray sections with water then apply and then comb. But once my hair dries it feels like build up and dried out. Where can you buy it? Target- $12

One 'n Only Argan Oil Curl Creme: Enhances and defines curly hair, Eliminates frizz humidity resistent, leaves curls bouncy. It left my hair soft and my braid out defined and smells yummy too! Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $10

Proclaim Argan Oil Intense Moisturizing Conditioner: Infuses moisture into hair and helps repair dry, damged hair without weighing it down. Provides brilliant shine and gently detangles. This really made my hair soft and gave me so much extra moisture. Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $7

Silken Child Leave-In Detangler: Smooths, eliminates frizz and adds shines and body to hair, provides nautral moisture balances and manageability. Instantly detangles. Love! Love! Love! This detangler even though it's geared for kids this really made my detangling process smooth and my hair soft. Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $4

Silk Elements Megasilk Leave-In Moisturizing creme: Contains olive oil and shea butter. Helps restore hair's natural moisture balance. Exceptionally rich hair moisturizer that helps transforms dry, lifeless hair into soft, shiny mangable hair. Used on my scalp and hair to maintian shine during the week on my braid and twist outs and it does the job. Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $6

Proclaim Intense Hydrating Hair Masque: This hair masque is made to condition and defrizz your tresses. And when I put it in for 20 mintues with a plastic cap (No Heat) OMG my curls weren't frizzy even after I roughed it up with the towel and you can see the sign and moisture also. I used it when I co-washed with the Proclaim Intense Moisturizing Conditioner, works wonders! Where can you buy it? Sallys Beauty Supply- $8

Update Product Kit

• "Mixed Chicks" Sulfate Free Shampoo: Biweekly
• "Mixed Chicks" DEEP conditioner: Biweekly w/ poo
• Knot Today Kinky Curly Leave-In detangler
• Silker Child Leave-In detangler
• Silk Elements Leave-In Moisturizing Leave In creme: Scalp& Hair treatment use as needed for moisture
• Carols Daughter Hair Balm: Sealant of moisture
• One 'n Only Argan Oil curl creme: define curl
• Organice Root Stimulator Lock & Twist gel: Hold for rod sets
• Proclaim Instense moisturizing conditioner: Co-wash w/ this biweekly
• Proclaim Hair Masque: Deep conditioning treatment as needed
• Silk Elements Mixed Silk Shampoo: Low Sulfate shampoo used 6-8 weeks to prevent product buildup.

Washing Regimen

Ok I have a "Washing" Regimen I follow that may seen extensive, but it's what I have to do. Everything is done in a biweekly format. Week #1 & #2:

Wash Day w/ poo (Shampoo)

- "Mixed Chicks" Sulfate Free Shampoo

- "Mixed Chicks" DEEP conditioner

-Knot Today Kinky Curl Leave-In Detangler OR Silken Child Leave-In Detangler

-Carols Daughter Hair Balm

-Argan Oil

Wash hair w/ poo, then apply DEEP conditioner w/ plastic cap for 30-45 minutes. Rinse out w/ cold water. Then seperate hair into 4 section using fingers, apply Detangler to damp small sections and detangle w/ wide tooth comb (end to root). Then apply CD Hair Balm to ends to seal in moisture. Apply Argan Oil for shine. Style as desired.

Week #2 & #4:

Co-Wash (Conditioner Wash)

-Proclaim Argan Oil Intense Moisturizing Conditioner

-Knot Today Kinky Curly Leave-In

-Carols Daughter Hair Balm

Wash hair w/ conditioner and let sit for 30 minutes. And follow detangleing process as above. Then style as desired.

When I feel is needed which is Once maybe twice a month I do a treatment which ranges depending on what I feel is needed.

-Silk Elements Reconstructer

-Olive Oil Hot Oil treatment

-Aphogee 2-in-1 Protein treatment

-Proclaim Hair Masque

And that is my hair washing regimen

Curlmart.com

Ok so last week I ordered some products from Curlmart.com and today I recieved my package. SOOOOOO happy with the whole process. The website makes it easy to shop with how they catergorize it. But the best part was the free samples!!! I ordered the Mixed Chicks Sulfate free shampoo, Mixed Chicks DEEP conditioner, Carols Daughter Hair Balm, and a Denman brush. But the extras are awesome!

• Curly Hair Solutions "Curl Keeper"
• Twisted Sista "Curl Activator"
• Hair Rules "Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner"
• Curly Hair Solutions "Extenzz"
• Ampro "Pro styl Olive Oil Gel"

Braid-Out & Curl

I tried a new style a few weeks ago (via Kairox146 on Youtube)... It's a Braid-Out and Curl at the end. I used the One 'n Only Argan Oil Curl Creme and my Orange Flexi Rods. Check out the results: Braid & Curl

Natural curl pattern & Heat damaged hair

Flexi Rod Craze!!!

While on Youtube I found a few tutorials on using Flexi Rods. And I instantly fell in love!!! So I ran to Sallys Beauty Supply store (Which I pretty much visit 2-3 times a week) and bought some. I started out with (20) Blue and (20) Orange. And I liked it,but everyone elses reaction was WAY more heightened than mine they LOVED it. Now I want to try the other sizes (Larger),but I'll pace myself. And oh yeah I've given up the flat iron until my birthday in April (I'm 3 weeks strong) to see how much more growth I'll get without it!!! Here's some photos:

My CURRENT Product Kit

My current regimen as of January 20, 2012 consist of these products:

*Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing Shampoo

*Creme of Nature Deep Conditioner

*Knot Today Kinky Curl Leave-In Conditoner (Detangler)

*One 'n Only Argan Oil (Seal/Protectant)

*One 'n Only Argan Curl creme (Define curl)

*Aphogee 2-in-1 protein treatment (Once a month treatment)

*Olive Oil Hot oil treatment (Bi-weekly treatment)

I plan on ordering a whole new group of products next week, since these ones are just about finished. I'll do an update then and how they work on my hair. They're more high quality products. So we'll see.

My wish list:

These are the 3 (investment) products on my list that I'm dying for!!! Maybe I'll add them to my birthday list since I don't have anything else on it lol: Versace Versense, Curlformers, and a floor hood hair dryer

HAIR MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

Ok Blogspot world... It's been AGES, but I'm back not only to show my progress to the world. But also this is a better more organized way for me to see my progress personally. About 7 months ago (June 15th, 2011) I decided I was going to transition into a natural hair state. I haven't had a relaxer in a long while, but I was an EXTREME addict to the Domincians and Heat "treatment" life. I washed and conditioned my hair religiously, but followed that up with Blow drying at extreme temps and flat ironing at the highest temp level (410 degrees). Now I have a REALLY good grade of hair that can withstand some wear and tear, but I wanted my nautral curls back and that fullness. So I decided enough was enough. Now lets begin this journey of "Hair Mission Impossible" even though I'm 7 months late (HEHEHE). I'm going to post pictures of my hair last June (Straigthened) and then the last time I washed it with the new growth and you can see the New curl pattern and the heat damged hair difference. I'm still learning of new transition styles and products to use. So that will be documented on the blog as well. It's a learning process for me too. I'm excited!!!

June 2011 (Extreme heat damage had NO curls at all) January 2012 (It's pinned up, but this is my natural curl pattern)