jlowman1: SHORT UPDATE 3/18 =)

I finally decided to get on board. At the time of the BnB challenge I was only transitioning so I didn't feel I had much to share. As I began reading others threads, I was like I really missed out on a great opportunity so I didn't want to pass that up this time. I have learned so many things from the curlies on CurlyNikki.

My Story: My last perm was some time in August of 09. Every time I washed my hair, my roommates and friends would always say "Why do you get perms?" I eventually asked myself this same question. When I started college, to save money I would do my own perms. I always would have scabs in the top of my head and my hair started to break off. It got shorter and shorter. Something had to change... I came to a point in my life where I was (and still am) trying to find myself. What better way than to start the New Year off with a new haircut and a new attitude? I big chopped on December 18, 2009 and have never looked back. I have more confidence now than I have ever had in my life.

I'm four months natural and loving every minute of it! My hair amazes me everyday. I just want a full head of healthy curls and I wont stop until I get there. With your help, I can definitely attain that goal!

Awww!! A beautiful story to go with a beautiful sista! Welcome to Curl Street!!

welcome JL; i love the story. dont worry at 28 im only half way there to finding myself...oh wait...i just turned 29! EEEK!!

Thanks you all!

Sweet...I stalked your thread! I definitely can relate to your shrinkage issues. I wore a huge afro all weekend and I just cowashed and Im back down to hardly anything... lol

Nubie... I your sense of humor. Everytime I come across one of your posts, I laugh so hard!

Yay!! Welcome to the Curl Street Journal!!! I'm glad you didnt make me hunt you down!!!

You already have a full head of healthy curls!!! I remember when you BC!!! Looking at that avatar.....I'm like You are doing a great job. Keep doing what you're doing!

Thanks so much Lynn! My avatar is my version of your chunky twistout puff! Of course mine isnt nearly as good as yours but I looove the style and its a definite change from my wash and gos...

Welcome!!

@SheeTacular...Thanks so much!

So I really enjoyed Carol's Daughter's Lisa's Hair Elixir... BUT Its like $20 a bottle plus shipping and I didnt want to keep purchasing it. The original ingredients are: Soybean Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sage Oil, and Rosemary Oil. I figured I would make my own and see how it turned out. My finished product smells EXACTLY like her product.


My mix included equal parts (2 ounces) of Castor Oil (subbed for Soybean Oil), Sweet Almond Oil and Olive Oil. Then I added 10 drops each of Peppermint, Sage and Rosemary essential oils. I also added in an ounce of avocado oil at the end. I never use it and decided to throw it in...

SCRATCH THOSE 10 DROPS OF ESSENTIAL OIL. CUT IT DOWN TO ABOUT 2 OF EACH! I just used the original one to oil my scalp and the smell was soooo overpowering. I poured out about half and filled it from halfway with castor oil to cut the smell and its much less potent!

Here's a pic of the finished product:


I'll probably use this to oil my scalp and as a pre poo! We'll see how it goes...

Hey Jlowman,

You've had some good growth since your BC!

@krazy coils... Thanks! I have lots of shrinkage so sometimes I have to go back to my pics right after my big chop to remind myself it really is growing! lol

Hi Jlowman~

Welcome to CSJ. I enjoyed reading about your journey here, and I think from December to May you've had quite a bit of growth!!!

You did a very good job with your version of Lynn's chunky twist-out. Your hair looks very moist/shiny which means you are taking good care of your hair. .

What is your regiment now that your are 100% natural?

Have a great weekend!!

KNH

@kinkynappyhappy... Thanks so much for the warm welcome! That's become my favorite style actually because its so simple and quick.

For now, because Im still trying to find my favorite products, it is:

Prepoo(weekly): EVCO & EVOO
Shampoo(weekly): Kinky Curly Come Clean or Hello Hydration
Deep Condition(weekly): Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Def. Mask
Cowash(daily or every 2-3 days): Giovanni Smooth As Silk or Tresseme Naturals
Leave-In(daily): Giovanni Direct, Tresseme Naturals or Hello Hydration
Seal(daily): EVCO or EVOO
Protein Treatments(monthly): Lekair Choloesterol and an egg

I like your regiment..it took me about 3 months to realize I needed one.

I finally narrowed down my favorites, but I will try a different conditioner in a minute!!! I just bought Yes to Cucumbers today...LOL

That is so on my list of conditioners to try. I want to try some Qhemet products and Karen Body Beautiful's Hair Milk. Soooo many products, soooo little money! lol

Alright for making your own stuff!! Get it!

Thanks Sweet! Im a control freak so anytime I can make my own stuff and see EXACTLY whats going in is great for me!

Look at you making Jlowman1 Hair Elixir 1.0! LOL!!

@lynnieluve... So silly! lol

Hey ya'll! I hope all the Mother's had a wonderful and special Mother's Day.

Well this weekend I decided to do a rollerset. I was iffy about how it would turn out. I pre-pooed with castor oil and a little Giovanni Direct Leave In. Next, I shampooed with Kinky Curly Knot Today. I then cowashed with Giovanni Smooth as Silk and used Direct Leave In on Wet Hair. To set my hair I used Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. I used this when I was a permie and my roller sets always were bouncy and shiny. I applied EVOO to my hands and started separating my curls one by one but got tired so I started to rake my fingers through them, which made them fuzzy. Here's the pics:



Front:

Back:


I added a headband to jazz it up a bit:



And here's my second day hair:




OK, LESSONS LEARNED:
1. I'll probably put in more rollers next time to make it fuller.
2. I wont run my fingers through because it caused LOTS of frizz. I will gently separate them one by one.
3. Be patient! Things dont always turn out great the first time. Keep trying and get better!

The rollerset is cute and it looks very soft!

@krazy coils... thanks. It was very soft and fluffy. I attribute that to the Giovanni SAS and the Direct Leave In. They always make my hair feel great.

Great job on that roller set jlowman. I liked it, thought it was very pretty. You're going to make me give it a go one of these days!

@poeticlyspkng... Thanks so much! It was a nice change from my usual wash and gos. Go for it!

Great job with the roller set!!