IntelligentBeauty;-)

Hey Chrs, I was wondering where you were . Thank you so much for the compliments. I am so happy to hear you say that to me because I was secretly a little worried about going fully natural. That's why I am trying all these different DCs because I know dryness is an issue right after the BC. So I want to have an arsenal of DC concoctions to be ready...

ChrsLvsBks wrote:Okay, so how have I been missing all your posts. I apologize for missing all these days. I was trying to use iPod to keep up with BnB threads. I must have lost track throughout the days.

You are doing a marvelous job on your hair. I love the first day and subsequent days' styles. You will have no problems once fully natural and have no problems making it until March.

Your skin is flawless and even toned--beautiful!

I've been thinking the same thing.

Oh, thanks Lynn.

CC - I'm gonna have my arsenal of supplies ready too, when I BC. Can never have too much.

TRUE THAT, BLONDBYDESIRE!!!

Lynnieluve wrote:

ChrsLvsBks wrote:Okay, so how have I been missing all your posts. I apologize for missing all these days. I was trying to use iPod to keep up with BnB threads. I must have lost track throughout the days.

You are doing a marvelous job on your hair. I love the first day and subsequent days' styles. You will have no problems once fully natural and have no problems making it until March.

Your skin is flawless and even toned--beautiful!

I've been thinking the same thing.

I second that. Or third that. Whatever, I TOTALLY agree.

Thanks TJ.

I know thats right girl! make sure ur prepared hun!!!

O Happy day, O happy day
When Jesus washed, when Jesus washed, when Jesus washed'
(Washed my sins away)
O happy day, O happy day-----a song


Marvelous Monday ladies,

I want to give a hair update (what Dajewel called "hair revelations").

Coming to a close on 9 months of transitioning, I have exactly 4 inches of new growth all around evenly. So according to the normal standards of hair growth (1/2 inch per month), I am right on target. By 1 year BC, I should have 5 and half to 6 inches. (i don't know if I like that)

My TRANSITIONAL hair:
HATES protein--result dry, stiff, the absolute worst to deal with
HATES oil rinses--result dry, stiff, not nice
LOVES overnight vatika oil on dry hair---soft and beautiful (go figure)
LOVES my whipped shea butter mixtures so much I don't need a leave in condish anymore, especially my last mix--must apply generously to hair section by section
LOVES coconut milk and honey--very moisturizing
LOVES to be cowashed--feels sooo good

Things I have try over this 9 month transition:
Henna--love the color and conditioning properties
Amla and shikakai (spell check) powders as a paste treatment--strenghtens my hair, gives a nice dark shine (huh??lol)
Bentonite clay/ACV--love it but will not use again until I am 100% natural because it gives FANASTIC curl definition and I don't need that with relaxed ends:-(. I think this will be the first treatment I will do after I BC.
Oil rinses--will not try again until I am 100% natural for reasons stated above
Cowashing--cheapie condish to scalp, rinse, then nice rich condish to hair, then rinse again-LOVE IT!!
Yogurt deep condish--great for long term transitioners for helping to detangle and great for naturals who want to loosen their curls.
The tighter the curl, the longer you leave it in. Will not try again because I am BC in March and what to see what my curls look like without being loosened.
PrePoo--oil on dry hair overnight--excellent


Products I have tried over my 9 months of transition
MISS JESSIE'S CURLY MERGUINE--thumbs down--hair was too stiff and stinky
MISS JESSIE'S CURLY PUDDING---thumbs down--same reasons above
MISS JESSIE'S RECOVERY DT--thumbs down--was a complete joke(actual heard my hair laughing )
TRESEMME MOISTURE RICH--thumbs up--works especially great after a henna tx
REVLON DETANGLE SHAMPOO IN RED BOTTLE--thumbs up--diluted with water, excellent detangler if I must poo...lol
Aubrey organics condish--thumbs UP--excellent non protein condish--but don't leave it in lobger than 45 mins, hair becomes yucky!!!
ORGANIC ROOT STIMULATOR OLIVE OIL DEEP REPLENISH--thumbs down--hair becomes to stiff and dry due to proteins
TRADER JOE'S NOURISH SPA CONDISH--thumbs up--excellent cheapie condish
TRADER JOE'S TEA TREE TINGLE CONDISH-THUMBS UP--but only as a cheapie cowash scalp rinse out for me because has a little bit of protein
Devacurl One Condish--thumbs up--nice as a leave in for twist outs or a dc (but don;t dc over 45 mins, yucky hair)
Devacare One Heaven deep tx condish--thumbs down--too expensive, not worth the money, nice though
Herbal essence HYDRALICOUS (SPELL CHECK)--thumbs up--perfect as a leave in on roller sets
pantene relaxed and natural condish--thumbs down--dries out my hair--maybe a cheapie condish for cowash
HE TOTALLY TWISTED--thumbs down--used as a cheapie condish on cowash and it made my scalp itch (huh??lol)
GIOVANNI 50/50 CONDISH--THUMBS UP--but TJOE'S is inexpensive with a similar formulation, I saw no difference.
JANE CARTER NOURISH AND SHINE--thumbs up--nice for body and scalp
JANE CARTER NOURISH SPRAY--thumbs down-- did not do much as a refresh spritzer but will have to revist when 100%

PRODUCTS STILL WANT TO TRY:

AUSSIE MOIST CONDISH
MORE OF MY OWN WHIPPED SHEA MIXTURES
MORE HOMEMADE DC WITH OTHER MANUFACTURED PRODUCT
RHAUSSOUL CLAY--WHEN i AM 100% NATURAL
BAKING SODA CLEANSER
BROWN SUGAR SCRUB CLEANSER FOR SCALP
ACV RINSE
TEA RINSES


I will post pics of my braid n curl results for sunday and today, later. Hair feels very soft especially in the roots.
HAVE A MARVELOUS DAY

Wow, you have tried a lot of stuff.

WOW, I agree you have tried a lot. I also feel that by working with two textures that you have learned a lot. You can help the naturals as well as relaxed. Great info!

Good info...you have tried a lot of things. I hope the products work the same for you when you are 100% natural.

Cant wait to see the pics!

Wow, I'm impressed with how diligent you've been in keeping track of what your hair likes and what it doesn't. I think that's great.

Looking forward to the braid n curl pics!

Thanks ladies, I guess I am not that "cautious" after all....lol.
No, but I make sure to research everything before I try it. I pretty much know when something is very good to try when a majority of naturalistas with various textures have come to a consensus that this is a great treatment or product. And even then I read the ingredients and analyze and analyze...lol. Then once I try it, I write it down in a notebook. So when I am natural, I can retry some of the items and treatments.

Here are my pics from Sunday:




Sorry for the tired face. I came in from work that morning, went straight to church to work with children 3-12, then came back home to sleep and go back to work later on that night. So this is the after church face...lol . JUST LOOK AT THE HAIR






This is my monday morning hair after working 10 hours last night.


S
SORRY FOR THE TIRED FACE AGAIN...LOL AND I AM ALSO LETTING MY EYEBROWS GROW OUT TOO. NO CUT UNTIL MARCH.

Love the last pic! Pretty! Your hair looks good too.

Your pics are beautiful, I am so loving your hair. Good job on keeping such well notes on your hair care/treaments/likes and dislikes.

Thanks Lynn and HumanNature.
I am still tossed on whether I like it or not. I think it looks hard and very chucky. But it is really soft and getting frizzy. I think I may have separated the curls too much. Anyway, the verdict is I like the twist n rod set much better. So I see a ROSA PARKS ROLL coming out of this braid n rod set in the near future...lol

"LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN"
MATTHEW 5:16

TERRIFC TUESDAY DOLLS,

I am really feeling this scripture as it relates to hair as well. I have a facebook page and some of the ladies have been inquiring about my hair. People seem to like my avatar (it is similar to the one on here). So it has really been given me the opportunity to share my journey with some of them. So I decided to make a hair album of the past nine months. Well they love it! And I am getting more questions and discussions about natural hair. Two of the ladies said that I am starting a "hair revolution" in our circle....lol. Really? a revolution? for appreciating, loving, embracing, and taking care of the natural God given hair that comes out of our scalp. Others commented saying they have been thinking about going natural and now seeing all the styles I was able to do, they are inspired to try it. I also got quite a few private messages asking for help. Of course I referred them to this site along with some others that has helped me along the way. I just feel so blessed to be able to share what I know so far. I know that there is so much more for me to learn about natural haircare. But I am surprised by how much I was able to absorb and do for and to my hair in 9 months. And then to be able to share that info with others in a way that they are inspired and motivated to act upon what I stated. It is significant in my eyes. And I am so grateful.


Now on to my hair....lol. I neglected to list all the hairstyles I have tried so far. I will procceed to do this now
BANTU KNOTS
FRENCH ROLL
ROSA PARK ROLL (reverse roll)
CORNROWS IN A BUN
TWIST-N-CURL
BRAID-N-CURL
TWIST-N-ROD SET
BRAID-N-ROD SET
ROD SET
ROLLER SET
PONYTAILS
FAKE PONYTAILS
TWIST FRONT BACK OUT BRAID-N-CURL
TWIST FRONT BACK OUT BRAID-N-ROD SET
BRAIDS (lasted like 1 day...lol. didnt come out good)
ROD SET IN FRONT WITH BACK PINNED UP
FROHAWK
SIDE HAWK

I will post pics of my hair today later. Have a Terrfic Tuesday dolls.

You are so meticulous with your products, styles and general hair like and dislikes! I'm impressed! I want to be like you when I grow up!

BTW, I'm LMBO @ actually heard my hair laughing...at Miss Jessies Recovery Cream. It had no effect on my hair either!

Keep up the good work chica! And continue to let that beautiful light shine!

---Reese

wow ::: i feel like its been so long since i stopped by your page
your hair update has some good info in it & def shows how much hair knowledge you've gained!

Based on yesterday's and today's post, you are definitely equipped for your BC.

Lynnieluve wrote:Based on yesterday's and today's post, you are definitely equipped for your BC.

Agreed!

Freestyles wrote:You are so meticulous with your products, styles and general hair like and dislikes! I'm impressed! I want to be like you when I grow up!

BTW, I'm LMBO @ actually heard my hair laughing...at Miss Jessies Recovery Cream. It had no effect on my hair either!

Keep up the good work chica! And continue to let that beautiful light shine!

---Reese

Thanks so much Freestyle. I guess I am pretty "cautious"...lol. I only got one shot for this hair to please my husband or he will send me packing. So I need to take good notes...lol (just kidding)
Seriously, that is the way I am. Anything I am really interested in, I engross myself in it until I get it. I can't help it sometimes, though I wish I could, because I become borderline obessed....lol
And I am glad I am not the only one that recovery creme had no effect on. It seems everyone else I speak to or read about thinks it as a miracle condish.....lol

Thanks for your support and kind words, girlfriend.

Thanks for your kind words and support Kea, Lynn, and Tia.

Ok so here are my pics today;-] I really don't know what was going on in the back of my hair but whatever...lol. This style was done with 4 flat twists in the front with my whipped shea mix and a little IC gel and covered the front with a scarf for like 10 mins. The twists were held done with hair pins then an ouchless headband for security. Then I took some of the hair around the band and reverse tucked it under the head band to cover the pins and headband. For the back I just shook with my head upside down and my fingers lifting the hair from the root.