HAIR JOURNEY 1 YEAR IN

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

MAY 2010 - BEFORE THE JOURNEY

JUNE 2011 - 1 YEAR INTO MY HAIR JOURNEY 

1 YEAR HAIR-VERSARY !!!!

I reached 1 year on my hair journey in June and I am so excited to see that I have not only met my first long term hair length goal of BSL ( bra strap length ) but I have much healthier hair over all. My hair is longer than it has ever been my entire life and healthier than I could have ever imagined! My hair holds heat well now, does not frizz with humidity or even when I spritz water on my flat ironed hair...it's silky easy to manage and has great movement too.  I took a heat pass for my Bday celebration and to conduct a thorough length check.  I have used heat about 3 times since my journey has stared. I have been diligent with my regimen and bunning. This no heat diet along with daily moisturizing and frequent washing is what I can attribute my success to through out this process.  I have learned so much and hopefully I have helped others learn through sharing my personal experiences.  I am amazed at how much length I was able to  retain over he course of one year. It may be a little hard to see the number lines on my LC shirt, but I started a little above the #1 mark line and I am currently grazing the #8 line!

I guess I should set new goals at this point...so full MBL (mid back length) *which for me is officially dream hair length* is what I hope to reach by May 2012.  I am amazed at how much length I was able to  retain over he course of one year. It may be a little hard to see the number lines on my LC shirt, but I started a little above the #1 mark line and I am currently grazing the #8 line!

June 2010                         December 2011                   June 2011

Because It's Ladies Night!

I am finally on the first break from school in a over a year...YES! Now I get to devote time to my family and friends for once.  Also I have time to blog much more often with you all! I know I said I would not flat it again until June but...I could resist this time lol. I am only 3 weeks post and I am going out with my sisters for a night on the town, so I want to show off my new length and look as fly as possible... Above are the pics of the night out and below is tonight's regimen.

Pre Poo was done  overnight with EVOO and Lisa's Hair Elixir by Carol's Daughter  ( CD)

DC on dry hair for 30 minutes (short on time) with Curl Ecstasy Deep Conditioner by Curls

Shampoo once with Tui Shampoo another CD fav.

Final Rinse with Suave's Shea & Almond Conditioner

Leave Ins applied Jane Carter Solution and Nirobi Setting Foam and a light spray of Shea Moisture's Coconut and Hibiscus Moisture Sray

Apply my Paul Mitchell Soft Style Heat protector to damp hair then dry for 40 mins under hooded dryer and flat ironed with my FHI.

** Overall my hair came out a little flat and blah...I think I have forgotten how to style it down lol!  I will for sure switch back to my Mizani setting foam as my hair is much softer and primed for the flat iron when I used this. I was going for strait and sleek but did not build any volume at the root like I normally would, so my hair looks thinner than it usually would. 

My Hair Idols

These women inspire me and keep me motivated. Relaxed or natural these women sport their own healthy hair and I love them for it!

Jada Pinkett Smith ( natural)

Amel Larrieux ( Natural)

Amerie ( Natural)

Kenya Moore ( Relaxed)

Pilar Sanders ( Natural)

Wanakee Pugh (Relaxed)

My Decision to Texlax

So much has happened since my last post in September!  I made the decision to transition from relaxed to texlaxed.  I had been pondering for a while if I would make the transition...but this all came to be by mistake.  My first attempt at self relaxing (in a few years) was in Spetmeber and because I am soooo paranoid about over processing my hair I rinsed my Phyto relaxer too soon. What I got was still wavy ( but much looser pattern) roots that were very soft and manageable.  I decided then no more bone straight hair!

For those of you that do not know what texlaxing is...it is still relaxing, but the chemicals are left on for a shorter period of time to purposely under-process the hair.  This way more peptide bonds are left in tact and the curl pattern is loosened up a bit, not completely taken out.  I made this decision because it will leave me with stronger hair, allow me more versatility with styling (wear curly or straight), and it will allow me to have much thicker hair.  I will not have to worry so much about over-processing in an attempt to get it bone straight...all in all I think is the best decision I have made for my hair besides the decision to start this healthy hair journey.

A great side to this is discovering that my natural texture is so beautiful.  I love the wave pattern!  I still want to texlax rather than go all natural because I want to enjoy the length with looser elongated curls and allow for easier manageability.  The picture below is the top view of my hair after a co-wash and I am about 9 week post. There is also about 3 months of previously texlaxed hair in there too : ) I am still using my PhytoSpecific relaxer to texlax. Will texlax again around Christmas....6 month progress pics will be posted then, how exciting!

Before the Journey

Here are pictures of my hair before the start of my hair journey ( HHJ started May 6, 2010). As you can see my hair is shoulder length, thin ends and severely damaged edges. My new Hair Regimen is listed below. I will follow it faithfully! I will post updated pics every relaxer. I am aiming for a 5 month stretch after my June relaxer.

Hair Regimen as of May 2010

- Shampoo once every 2 weeks with Keracare Hydrating Shampoo

- CoWash 2 x a week with Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner or Herbal Essences Hello Hydration.

- Clarify with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse once per month

- Black Tea Rinse 2 x a month


- Prepoo (over night or for 2 hours) before every CoWash and Shampoo with EVCO, EVOO, a touch of HE Hello Hydration and Honey.


- DC at least once a week for 1hr with heat, alternating between a deep moisture mask (Phytojojoba or Bio Infusion Olive Oil DC) or Protein conditioner (Elasta QP Intense, or PhytoKarite). I also add EVCO or EVOO and Wildgrowth Light Moisturizing Oil to my DC.


- Oil Scalp 2 to 3 x week with JBCO or EVCO


- Protein Treatments 2x month Alphogee 2 min Reconstructor and Sprtiz twice a week with Alphogee green tea keratin leave in.


- Moisturize Daily with Jane Cater Solution Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner, Suave Professional Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner. Seal with EVCO or JBCO


- NO HEAT, air dry always ( With the exception of relaxer day, will roller set and flat iron root only). I will Bun hair and wear phony ponies until I reach my short term HHJ goal of BSL. After that point I will wear some other no heat styles occasionally ( Braid Outs, Bantu Knots out). I plan to wear protective styles 98% of the time until my Long term Goal (WSL) is accomplished. 

- Tie hair up in satin scarf every night


- Relax with PhytoRelaxer every 3 to 5 months, Trim every relaxer.