Hair Hair Hair rant

So as I may have stated before my hair is a mixture of textures (thanks fam). Its NOT a bad thing at all. Its majority 4A 4B Kinky Curly Thick that shrinks something awful. It LOVES moisture..such as H2O and moisturizing agents. I'm attempting to ramp up on sealing methods for the winter. As the cold hair can be harsh. AND with lighter coloring..yeah I do NOT want any damage or breakage.

I am also thinking of taking it dark for a while. We will see.

Even though I have been into hair and doing hair since 1999. Its always a learning experience. Heck I'm still learning my hair and scalp. My scalp right now is funny. Particularly to meds (sadly I have health issues that I have to live with) So changing up what I use to use, trail and error can get a bit nerving. Right now I took out my 3/4 wig so my scalp can quote unquote breathe as it was acting all haywire on me. Therefore, I'm doing wash and go's, twist out and natural hair styles basically that works for me. I'm adventuring out to the many creative styling of natural hair...its really interesting to say the least. If you have not tried any natural styles or stuck on how to go about even starting out.. YOUTUBE will be and can be your friend for ideas.

I'm also looking to wash/co-wash in braids so that my hair will not tangle as much. And steam about once a week to 2 weeks. As that helps your hair, scalp and skin. So stay tuned to my update

Hair Steamer

So I finally used my hair steamer that I purchased off EBAY. Easy to install and use to be quite honest. What I did prior to detangle my twist out style was a day or 2 before, put conditioner (Pomegranate green tea from Organix I believe). I shampooed 2 days later (Garnier Fructis Anti Dandruff Dry Scalp) and deep conditioned (Miracle 7 Deep conditioner) in a shower/process cap while putting together the Steamer. I then took the cap off while under the steamer for about 15-20mins. 

After the steamer I placed the process cap back on while my hair cooled off and rinsed. I toweled dried and oiled (Vitale Olive Oil Virgin Oil) then blowed dried until my hair was a bit damp, braided in 2 plaits, placed the cap back on and wrapped it up with a bandanna to continue to moisturize my hair and scalp. In the morning I did my hair...cornrowed for a weave with the 3/4 wig I made previously and sewed that on in. 

Can we say WOOOW. My hair feels so soft and my scalp feels refreshing.. not like the usual after a fresh shampoo. But I can feel and sense that the steamer helped out a bit as I suffer from scalp problems/dandruff/dry scalp from medication. I am planning on doing this about once a week or every other week. So I highly recommend a steamer to those that are about healthy hair and scalp. Do your research before making a purchase as the one I purchased was under $100. SO it was affordable for me.

Update on 3/4th wig and the Silk Elements Smoothing Treatment

Hello readers.

So I did make the 3/4th wig with my EPRT hair. And of course took pics and uploaded via my fotki. (check out link in my profile). I can say that it is VERY convenient. As if I really need to oil/grease or wash my actual hair I am able to take it out in a flash and sew it back on. I have added this to my services if one is interested. 

Moving along to the update on how my hair reacted to the Silk Elements Smoothing Treatment System....my first wash after the initial treatment, my hair felt a little hard. SO I moisturized and moisturized. I have not experienced any breakage and my hair does revert back to my natural texture. It did flat iron/straighten like a dream and lasted without poofing quickly and this was about a week to a week and half ago. Today I took my 3/4th off and co-washed my hair with Silicon Mix and Miracle 7 Deep Conditioner. My hair is just so soft. I love it. 

With all this said, the Silk Elements Smoothing Treatment System (in the silver kit) works. However, keep in mind as I mentioned before, you have to moisture moisture moisture as I believe it takes away your natural oils from your hair. In other works, tends to dry your hair out. It is NOT to repair already damaged hair neither..something to keep in mind if anyone believes that this is a miracle product. It only temporary smooths your hair cuticles when you are natural or curly/frizzy type hair, so that you can wear straight styles longer without major upkeep. 

What I am doing as of now is, well indecisive. I might resew the 3/4th EPRT wig or a short wig that my mother purchased for me a while ago that I am currently coloring to what my hair color is. After that, I will spike curl it. Just trying out something new as I feel like this is my personal re-invention stage of my life. Therefore we shall see how that goes!

Being Natural...being accepted

So there has been a lot of mess going on tonight regarding a youtuber experience at a natural hair show about being natural, the textures, being accepted or not being accepted, etc.

My honest opinion and again its MY opinion > I feel that natural hair comes in a ARRAY of textures, curls, kinky, fine, etc. It should not come to a point where just because your this complexion or have a looser curl or wave or kinkier hair that people should treat you any ole way. Nor should they exclude you from being natural. Being natural means to maintain your texture of hair (kinky, wavy, curl, poof) that you were - quote unquote - born with, without a chemical process to change/alter it.

Why can't we as women just accept, give props and all to one another instead of ready to tear one down. And we wonder why this world, society, economy is already twisted. Its just getting worse like were living in hell in other words. Okay I could have taken that one a bit out of context with the hell part, but seriously. 

If YOU love yourself(hair included lol), accept yourself in every aspect, then why worry about what the next woman is doing. Is it jealousy by nature? Envy? General misconception that we are born to be catty amongst our fellow women vs men?
I personally congratulate and compliment others instead of looking at them with my nose up as if I am better than them. No one is perfect but Jesus. 

My texture is a mixture of 3c/4a. And I am proud of my texture, I rock it out at times and I could care less on what others may think or say. I have come across people that LOVE my hair, others that want to touch and ask how can they achieve my look (I usually have a 'say what' expression and laugh), then others may look at me sideways. I take the negative as.. well.. ignorance/lack of knowledge, diversity etc.

You have to do YOU first and far most, is basically my rant on this. People (the right people) will accept you as long as you are yourself and have a positive personality and mindframe.  

What to do

Well I am planning on allowing my sides that I cut during spring/summer to grow back. (Glad I didnt shave it nor cut it too short) I am planning on making a 3/4th 'U'wig with my EPRT (Extensions Plus Relaxed Texture hair) that I recently colored to my red hues and sewing that in probably this week if not tomorrow.

I am excited as this may be my winter style for real and to give my hair a rest again. At least I can say that from me doing that Silk Elements Kera Minerals Smoothing Treatment on my hair, that when I flat iron my leave out hair that I would not have to repeat straightening it often.

However, what I have learned is that when using this or similar treatment, moisture after the first wash is a must. I finally shampooed my hair this morning as it needed it. And conditioned. During the shampoo I can feel my hair kinda stiffening/hardening up a little and I personally do not like that. And I feel that its more so has to do with the treatment as this is not a normal every wash issue. So I oiled my scalp and massaged it it before twisting the front back and wrapping me hair up for bed.
As I got ready for work, I unfortuantly do not have enough time to truly 'play' with my hair, I did fluff my curls a bit and put a dime size care free curls and left out the house. So yes when I get home in the morning I will be truly moisturing my hair before braiding it up if I do a weave or twisting it up for a twist out updo. Its not brittle feelnig but its not its usual self neither. No biggie as I will get it back right ASAP. I just take it all as a learning experience as I have not lost any hair, no damage so I am good to go.

Products

Here is a run down of the products that I use on my hair, that actually works. I can say that it has been trial and error throughout the years. But this far I am pleased with what I use. 

Shampoo and Conditioners

- Rite Aid brand Renewal Sulfate-free Color Protect Moisturizing Shampoo Rosemary & Juniper (my hair loves this mixed with a bit of Garnier or Perfect Results)

- Rite Aid brand Renewal Sulfate-free Color Protect Conditioner Rosemary and Mint  (great stuff, however I use a bit of the Silicon Mix for my ends)

- Garnier Fructis Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Dry Scalp ( I usually use this when I experience dandruff) 

- Perfect Results Therapeutic Revitalizing Shampoo ( Awesome as it gives you that tingling feeling, great for itchy scalps)

- Perfect Results Triple Silk Conditioner Therapeutic (Same as the shampoo, I mix with Silicon Mix and/or Silk Elements)

- Kinky Curly Knot Today (my go to detangle my hair before or after a shampoo)

- Silicon Mix Deep Conditioner (great sealant when using other conditioners, I use this as the final run down on my hair)

- Miracle 7 Deep Conditioner (recently purchased, but worked well on my Extensions Plus hair that I colored/lightened)

- Silk Elements Mega Conditioner (great to use alone or mix)

Hair Moisturizers, Oil and Styling Products

- Perfect Results Vitamin E Hair & Scalp Treatment (love love love this. I use it as a air dry oil or before blow drying. Also as a regular oiling of hair and scalp when needed)

- ORS Tea Tree Oil (I use when oiling scalp, mix with Sulfur 8 to eliminate that strong smell)

- Beyond Zone Stiff Head (I use when attempting to slick my sides down, more like a thick pomade)

- Care Free Curl Gold Activator (my hair loves this mixed with H20 in spray bottle. Great re-freshener)

- One n' Only Argan Oil Treatment (my hair also loves this as a leave in, or heat protectant)

- Eco Styler with Argan Oil (use this when I want to style with less frizz or for a style to last longer)

- Sulfur 8 reg and light (mixed with ORS to oil scalp when itching or dandruff occurs. 

As you can see, I like to mix a few products into my own co-cation and it works for me. I try NOT to be a product junkieee but umm yeah imagine that right. LOL
Anyhow, there you have it. Interested in any of the products I mentioned, they can be purchased at your local BSS, drugstores, Sally's Beauty, and online. Good luck on your product discovery. :0) 

My Natural Hair...the beginning

Hello readers,

Where can I start... I am natural, since about 2005 give/take. I transitioned with various braiding styles/techniques, and sew in weaves which eventually allowed me to cut off all of my relaxed ends. During this time, I did NOT really know how my hair would act but I was ready for the task. Fast forwarded 6yrs and now I know my hair, know what it likes, don't like and I listen to it at times LOL.

I can say that in beginning it was a learning process. But patience was my best friend. I learned and trained my hair..what products to use, etc. It is a trail and error. When people mentioned that they use sulfate free shampoos, PH balance products, its really for the good of your hair. Now the mineral oil ingredient issue of  'saying no' well that vary person to person. My hair or shall I say scalp likes it and still grows, those who are more so had issues with it, will not commend it.

Therefore, being and accepting your natural hair gives you a great outlook on life that if you can successfully combat that then you can do anything. That a maturity level has risen because naturals really do not care about what others say or think majority of times as society or media was once stuck on the straight hair is where its at. Any hair texture and style, if it accompanies ones beauty along with POSITIVE attitude can and should be where its at. Just do YOU! Love YOU! 

...well that's it as my hair blog continues. Stay tuned and be blessed.