Monday, January 30, 2012

Bringing Life to a Dead Weave!

As you guys read a couple of weeks back, i was unhappy with my hair that i purchased from Hair by Belle Bre. After reviewing the hair on my site and YouTube channel, i decided to make a post about the hair on BlackHairMedia.com. After making the thread, the members began to give me suggestions on how i can make the hair better. One suggestion was trying a bleach bath. She sent me a link to a video on how to perform a bleach bath on the hair:




After trying what was demonstrated in the above video, i let the hair hair dry overnight. This weekend i thought i'd test the hair out to see if the bleach bath made my hair better......AND IT DID!!!!!

I'm in love with this hair all over again! The only sucky part about the bleach bath is that it took the red ombre i had at the ends (my ends are a caramel color now). I'm rocking it pin straight today and there are absolutely NO TANGLES!!!! This hair looks so natural on me. When i get home i will take pictures and post them below. For now....enjoy the YouTube video.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Healthy Hair Journey: Austro-Afrikana


1. Have you always been natural? No. My hair was relaxed when I was probably about 6. My mum had 3 girls' hair to look after plus her own and she said mine was the driest and the most difficult. I was always so jealous of my sisters' hair.



2. How many years have you been natural? I transitioned for 3 years and it has been 7 months since I trimmed off the last bits so I have 43 months of natural hair growth.


I transitioned for 3 years and was left with this:

3. Why did you decide to go natural? I initially wanted to stretch for 6 months however, after the stretch I had gained and retained 3 inches and my hair was the longest it had ever been (SL). I was scared that relaxing my hair would cause me to lose my progress plus my hair straightened pretty easily so I decided to just not bother relaxing.

4. When and how did you transition into natural hair? I started at the end of May 2008 and used the crown and glory braid regimen - keeping my hair in braids for 6 weeks at a time and then out for 6 weeks, in which time I was always in a bun.

5. What is your regimen? I pre-poo, wash and DC with steam every 1 to 2 weeks. I moisturize, seal and air dry in 8 twists and the next day I style in a bun. I wear braid outs and twist outs in summer only and straighten twice a year.

6. What products are currently your staples?

Hairveda
Sitrinillah deep conditioner
shikaki swirl shampoo bar
cocasta shikakai oil
almond glaze

Komaza care
Protein strengthener
califa leave in

Aubrey organics
honeysuckle rose conditioner
jojoba and aloe conditioner
GPB conditioner

Moisture spritz
3 parts Aloe vera juice
2 parts Vegetable Glycerine

IC Fantasia
Gel for colour-treated hair

7. What advice can you give to those think of going natural? Don't do it because everyone else is doing it and don't not do it because you are scared what people will say. If you are not prepared for months or even years of trial and error then you are not ready. If your reason for not going natural is that you don't want short hair then do a long term transition - no one is forcing you to BC!

8. What's the best thing about being natural compared to being relaxed? I can do more styles, my hair is softer, my hair looks better than relaxed when I straighten and most importantly it makes me stand out from the crowd...in a good way!

9. Would you ever consider going back to relaxers? Never! I don't think you could pay me to relax my hair.

10. If you had 1 product to recommend, what would it be?
Hairveda sitrinillah DC. It's so moisturising it is unreal. If I could recommend an appliance/tool it would be a steamer.

11. What's one trick you found that works with your hair? My moisture spray is better than any leave in so any product I like tends to have aloe vera and glycerine as ingredients.

12. In what ways (if any) has going natural affected you? I actually love my hair. I used to do more styles when I was relaxed, normally using fake pieces, because I was trying so hard to make my hair look good - everyone complimented me on my hair but I always thought "you wouldn't be saying that if you saw what my hair looks like down". I feel more confident and beautiful with natural hair.

13. What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learned from? Not to blow dry every week as this means that I use silicones every week so need sulfates to get them out and they also block out moisture so it results in dry hair.

14. What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair? Can I have 3? Keeping it stretched while drying, steaming and giving it a break from manipulation with braids.

15. How did you figure out proper protein/moisture balance? Trial and error. I knew my hair was fine but was always focusing on trying to get my hair soft when I should have really focused more on strengthening. This is why I incorporate protein every week in some form.

16. Anything else you want to add? Not all mixed race girls have long hair effortlessly and not all mixed race girls have type 3 hair!

17. What is your nightly routine? If I am in a bun I do not undo this at night - I just tie my silk scarf on. If I am wearing a twist out or braid out I re-twist re-braid at night. I tend to moisturise and seal at night on braid/twist outs to prevent frizzy oily hair.



Just for Fun!
1. Do random people attempt to lay hands in your mane (aka have you been weave checked)? No. Maybe because I rarely wear my hair out, rarely straighten and never go out lol. I would hate if anyone touched my hair, mainly because I would be embarrassed that they would then have oily hands lol.

2. What is your hair pet peeve? On me, I hate fuzziness when I bun, that's why I use gel. On others, I hate full weaves; the ones that are jet black, plastic looking and where there is too much hair on the top.

4. What is the hair product, tool, or accessory that you absolutely can not live with out? My steamer. I don't think I've steamed without it since my SO got it for me. If it died...I would have to wait to DC until I got another one!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

For my next hairstyle...


My 2012 Hair Challenges

I've joined 2 hair challenges on Long Hair Care Forum:
1. 2012 Up Your Water Intake Challenge
2. BSL 2012 Challenge

I plan on drinking 10 glasses of water a day for the "Up Your Water Intake Challenge". We have 12 ounce cups here at work, so i will drink 7 of those bad boys a day. That's equivalent to almost 11 glasses of water.


1 US cup = 8 US fluid ounces


For the BSL Challenge we were asked to answer the following questions:

What is your goal date for BSL? October 25, 2012 (my Bday...lol)

What brings you to this challenge/whats your length story? it's been 3 yrs at this HHJ and i can't seem to get past BSB for nada!!!! I had a huge setback in Jan 2011 and now I'm trimming all the damaged ends. (see hair journey here)

Whats your current length? APL


Relaxed/Natural/Texlaxed/Transitioning? Relaxed
 

Whats your reggie/What are you doing to make it to BSL?
This year I plan to:

  1. Continue to relax twice a year. My first relaxer for the year will be March 24th
  2. Stick to what helped my hair at the beginning of my journey: Amla Oil. This will be my pre-poo staple as well as rosemary oil.
  3. Low manipulation
  4. No huge trims!!! Every time I trim I'm pushed back to APL :-( Dusting only!!!
  5. Continue to use my Nioxin vitamins daily. My hair has gotten so much thicker since using it.

What do you plan to do once you make BSL? Possibly...possibly...retire from wearing weaves ....possibly...



What will your goals or challenges be this year??

The Benefits of Sulfur and Your Hair

I recently started adding sulfur to my oil mix and have seen great result. My new mixture contains Jamaician Black Castor Oil, Peppermint Oil, Grover's Blend and Wild Growth.

I believe that adding sulfur (Glover's Medicated Ointment) to my oil mixture has help speed the growth of my hair a tad bit. You may be asking how does sulfur help with the growth of your hair?

Sulphur is usually found in protein type foods, such as fish, meat, nuts, and vegetables. It is also often used as a nutritional supplement to provide the right amount of sulphur for growth into one’s body. The mineral of sulfur is one that has been used for beauty as well as health. If you are experiencing problems with hair loss, then finding sulfur as a way to promote hair growth can help you in solving the problem. Getting sulfur through foods, supplements or creams can all add to your daily intake of sulfur. As a result, your hair will be able to receive the nutrients it needs and slow hair loss.

NappyNelle (a member on Long Hair Care Forum) states:
Sulfur speeds up the length of your hair growth cycle, by extending the anagen phase. When the anagen phase is sped up, so are the other phases, which makes your hair seem to shed faster than it would normally. The sulfur is allowing that follicle to return to the active growth stage. About 10-15% of your hair is in the telogen or shedding phase at an given time. Your hair won't thin because of sulfur use unless you are allergic, already thinning at a high rate, or neglecting your hair in other ways.

Sulfur will extend the length of your anagen phase (by months, years, etc), by speeding up (shorten the length of time of) the other stages (inactive follicles, shedding/release) to get you back to the anagen (active growth) phase. It is like the sulfur is directly feeding your dermal papilla to increase your growth potential.



Here's a list of products that contain Sulfur:
  • Sulu Max   
  • Boundless Tresses        
  • Bee Mine        
  • Shapley’s Original M-T-G formula      
  • Claudie's Hair Revitalizer      
  • Glovers Medicated Ointment
  • Sulfur 8


Side But IMPORTANT Note
Please do a small patch test when using sulfur based products for the first time. This will avoid potential setbacks from an allergic reaction.

Sulfur application should be ceased at least one week prior to and one week following any sort of chemical process. I made the mistake of leaving it in my hair and my scalp burned really bad when i relaxed!!!!

Friday, January 13, 2012

New Hair Coming Soon!!!

So i took Courtney's advice and went ahead and purchased from Genesis Virgin Hair's Vendor on AliExpress. I saved sooo much money on 4 bundles of hair ladies!!!!!

I purchased 1 Bundle of 16 inches, 1 Bundle of 18 inches and 2 Bundles of 22 inches and with shipping the total price was $250!!!! Since the hair comes from China; Juan the vendor is on vacation for the Chinese New Year from today till 2/3 (i missed the 1/12 deadline). A lot of ladies on Black Hair Media rave about this vendor and Courtney was nice enough to send me the link.

I plan on making it into (if you couldn't guess) a 3/4 wig and doing a red Ombre like i did on the Belle by Bre hair. My plan is to rock out with this kinky hair till my new baby arrives in the mail.

Side note: Who else sneaks to buy hair and not tell their significant other about it? (Raising Hands) He will kill me when/if he finds out...lol

hmmm...i think i will make a poll on this...

Link to vendor: http://www.aliexpress.com/fm-store/313334

Sample of what the hair looks like: (Got this image from a member on Black Hair Media)


✧ D.I.Y~ 3/4 Straight Wig ✧

Check out my shout out from a good friend of mine!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Kinky is BACK!!!

I got tired of my latest 3/4 wig (Hair by Belle Bre). I really didnt like this hair. It tangled like no one's business and shed more than a cat! The owner tried to help solve my problems by giving me product suggestions and also sent me another bundle of 22 inches.

I would give the business a 4.5 out of 5 as far as professionalism and a 3.5 out of 5 for quality.
Pros: Hair is true to length and holds a curl well
Cons: Tangles and Mattes. Needs a lot of moisture! Sheds even though i sealed the wefts

So now it's back to my lovely Mongolian Kinky Curly until i find another vendor. I'm looking into buying some Genesis Virgin Hair when she gets it in stock :-/

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Let's go BSL/MBL!!!

Are we ready to start our 2012 goals??? My goal is to hit BSL or MBL this year. I'm determined to do it. I had a huge setback last year when I colored hair and have been trimming away the damaged ends since.


This year I plan to:
1) Continue to relax twice a year. My first relaxer for the year will be March 24th

2) Stick to what helped my hair at the beginning of my journey: Amla Oil. This will be my pre-poo staple as well as rosemary oil.

3) Low manipulation

4) No huge trims!!! Every time I trim I'm pushed back to APL :-( Dusting only!!!

5) Continue to use my Nioxin vitamins daily. My hair has gotten so much thicker since using it.


What's your hair goal? What length are you trying to have by the end of the year.

Here's some pics. The first was taken in October when I had another trim done to get rid of the damaged hair from my setback. The second picture was taken yesterday when I took my 3/4 wig off to color the hair and to moisturize my scalp and hair.


New color for the new year

I got bored with my 3/4 so I decided to do a red ombré on it last night as everyone rang the new year in at parties. Lol

First I bleached the hair with Loreal Quick Blue bleaching powder and mixed it with Loreal's 40 Creme Developer. I applied it to my ends only and then wrapped it with foil. I left the bleach on for 30 mins and then colored it with Revlon Colorsilk: #48 Burgundy.

Do you like?

See more of the outfit at my style blog
http://styledelacreme.blogspot.com/