Yarn Braids (again)!

I began researching natural hair around November of last year. I knew a few people who had BC'd here at school and I was curious. I liked the idea of starting something new and having healthier hair so I began to transition for the first time in December of 2009. I only last until February. I got frustrated, rushed home and got my mom to give me a relaxer. I had been doing research on youtube prior to this, but I just didn't have the patience to deal with my hair.

Around my 19th birthday, I did a self evaluation, choosing the things about myself that I didn't like or that I was not pleased with, and trying to find different ways to improve/change them. The big picture of it all was that I was not happy with myself as a person mentally and emotionally. I have always dealt with self-esteem issues and I never felt completely happy with myself unless I had a fresh relaxer and my hair was bone straight. I realized that this attitude was not good for my self image and in no way helped me to love myself for who I truly was.

I started looking into transitioning again around the end of March. I ate, breathed and slept natural hair topics: Transitioning, BC'ing, Youtube, Forums, Blogs, Pictures.....I spent almost all of my free time on the internet doing as much research as I could. My boyfriend was even finding videos on Youtube for me to wach because he saw how interested I was in the subject.

On April 13, 2010, I still had not made up my mind. I did my relaxer that night in my dorm room (nothing new for me because I've been doing my on for a year and a half now). I followed my normal routine of conditioning, air drying and then flat ironing. My hair was extremely dry and brittle. It was breaking off in very scary amounts and my scalp was very sore. I had never had this kind of reaction to a relaxer before. I waited about a week, but my hair was still damaged. This was devastating to me. I was so in love with my hair and to see so much of it in the sink and on the floor was something I could not get used to. It was then that I made the decision to stop getting relaxers and to begin my transition.

It is not only a Healthy Hair Journey for me, but also a journey to true self love and acceptance.

I wish you much success on your journey. It's fun getting to know your hair. When do you plan to BC?
SN: I want to start a journal, but I have to get my thoughts together. I will soon!

Thank you so much!

It took me a while to start mine. The more I got used to posting on other threads, the more comfortable I became with starting my own journal.

I plan to BC on New Year's. I have been known to get scissor happy so it may happen a month or two before then, but I'm really pushing for the New Year.

That is a great story hun. I am so sorry about the relaxer reaction. Welcome to the street.

Thanks. My hair has really grown back a lot since I stopped using heat. My ends are still a little uneven and damaged so I'll probably do another trim next month.

Welcome to Curl Street!

Beautiful story and I wish you much luck on your transitioning journey. We'll all be watching and helping you along the way!

jlowman1 wrote:Welcome to Curl Street!

Beautiful story and I wish you much luck on your transitioning journey. We'll all be watching and helping you along the way!

Thanks. The forum has helped me so much already!

Question....How did you get your Curl Street Link in you signature? I can't seem to post mine without putting the whole website. I just want it to say "Curl Street Journal" or something like that.

Ebbz wrote:

jlowman1 wrote:Welcome to Curl Street!

Beautiful story and I wish you much luck on your transitioning journey. We'll all be watching and helping you along the way!

Thanks. The forum has helped me so much already!

Question....How did you get your Curl Street Link in you signature? I can't seem to post mine without putting the whole website. I just want it to say "Curl Street Journal" or something like that.

I went to this site: http://www.ironspider.ca/format_text/hyperlinks.htm

Go down to example 1B and copy the code. Then just replace the link and the title with whatever you'd like...

Welcome. I'll be looking forward to following your progress and journey.

Do you have 2 CSJ threads? I thought I saw another for you.

Thanks!
Yeah I do. I thought they would both post on the same one but I was wrong. I'll be using this one though.

I am home for the weekend (Sumter, SC) and I took a trip to my favorite beauty supply store here in town. I purchased:

A half wig (Sensationnel Instant Weave HZ 7019 in Color 2)
Hawaiian Silky 14 n 1 ( I loved their relaxers and the reviews on here for it are awesome)
Two plain wide headbands (for the half wig)
Creme of Nature Kiwi and Citrus Shampoo

I also went to the mall and bought four pairs of earrings (to draw attention away from bad hair days)
and two tams (black and grey).

I plan to wash with the Creme of Nature tonight and my Suave Naturals and follow up with an overnight DC using my Lustrasilk. I'll be using the Hawaiian Silky for braid outs and bantu knot outs. I'll probably try a braid out tomorrow.

My purchases today really gave me an extra boost of confidence because now I have so many options for it.

Here's me in the wig and a pair of my new earrings!

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You look beautiful. Good luck in your journey.

MomnWife wrote:You look beautiful. Good luck in your journey.

Thank You

cute look!

Welcome! Can't wait to see your growth!

Congratulations on making a life changing decision!! You won't regret it!!! Welcome to Curl Street!!!

Thank you so much ladies! Once I find my camera I will take some close ups of my hair.

I can feels curls trying to form in my new growth! yay! I tried the Hawaiian Silky 14 n 1 but idk how I feel about it yet. I don't really care for the smell of it though.

The Creme of Nature Shampoo was a little drying but my scalp felt great afterwards and the dry feeling went away after I conditioned and DC'd, so I'll be using that again. I'll just pre-poo the next time.

I picked up some Suave Humectant Conditioner because I was on my way back to school today and realized I left my Suave Naturals at home . I've wanted to try the Humectant for a while so I'll try that in a few days and see how I like it.

This stuff is great! I love this even more than Suave Naturals. Its thicker than Suave Naturals and the smell is great too. I co-washed with it and it left my hair feeling so soft. Great slip! And detangling was very easy. This is my new co-wash conditioner! I will probably try a little as a leave in at some point as well.

I'm still trying to decide on the Hawaiian Silky 14n1. I have been wearing my hair in a braid out for the past two days. I only used Hawaiian Silky to style it and it felt a little dry when I took it out, even after applying some of my moisturizer to it. I used it as a leave in tonight after my co wash and applied my Africa's Best Herbal Oil as a sealant. It has hydrolized wheat protein in it, so I'm thinking this may be what's causing my hair to feel dry after using it. My hair does not respond well to protein. But the way my hair feels tomorrow will probably determine whether or not I will continue to use it.

Sumter, SC. I have family there and in Manning. I'll be having a book signing in Sumter in late August at the Waldenbooks.

I'm enjoying your journal. What did you use as a leave-in after you cowashed with the Suave Humectant? You said you used the Hawaiian 14 and 1 for styling.

I only used the Hawaiian Silky after I co-washed and I just rubbed some oil over it. I didn't want to use anything else because I wanted to see how the 14 n 1 was really working with my hair. My hair was soft this morning when I woke up, but nothing extraordinary. I'll keep using it but I don't know if I'll buy it again.

And yes, I've lived in Sumter all of my life. I always wanted to get away from it, but once I moved away for school, I realized how much I missed it. I would love to come to your book signing but my fall semester for school starts on August 18th, so I may be back here in Hartsville for school.

I have purchased some of everything. LOL. I'm a true PJ, but I'm a collector by nature. The good news is the stuff I can't use I can pass on to my sister or use in my boys hair. I spray a little water in my little one's hair every morning and put some ORS olive oil in it. I would have never thought to do that before this journey and his little hair is so shiny.

I think it takes going away to appreciate home period. I know it was like that for me. Now that I live in Atlanta I long for those trips to SC to visit my parents, because the pace is so much more restful. I live in the suburbs, but the rush rush energy of the city is everywhere.

I haven't even seen Hawaiian Silky in the store. I'll have to look at the ingredients. I think I like the Giovanni Leave-In and I am loving Shea Moisture's curl milk and smoothie.

Yes it is very slow paced, but I can't handle the city. There's too much going on and I feel like I'm always missing something. I've only seen Hawaiian Silky in beauty supply stores. I've never seen it any place else.

You've moved!!! lol

Glad to hear that you've noticed come curls. Isn't it a great feeling??