Creative Me

I am so loving my hair!





I am continuing my research on conditioning, moisturizing, product and styling. As I mentioned previous post, I don't want to become a "product junkie". So I have been using Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and Shea Moisture Deep Conditioning and Curl Enhancer. I have also started to like ECO styler gel.





One thing I have learned is the difference between conditioning and deep conditioning. Conditioning is just a regular shampoo/condition that we would normally do when using a relaxer, but a deep condition is needed to make the hair stronger especially after using so many products and it has to sit on the hear a length of time while using heat, be it a hair dryer or a hot towel. I have been using my deep conditioner, but not applying the heat. This will be my next experiment to see it I notice a change in my hair.





So...back to not being a "product junkie" or "accessory junkie" which I am. I decided to make my own accessories. I have save a couple of dollars which I can use towards my product fund to try new products. I purchased flat jewels from JoAnns Fabric, hair clips from the dollar store and Walmart and hot glue guns I already had stashed in my "creative me" box, which my husband has been trying to get rid of for years. I did purchase a few cheap head bands, but I wanted to focus on some "bling" accessories.

Next thought: Protective styling.

Bad Hair Day

Well, it's been a few days but I have so much to share.

Last week was actually a bad hair week to start and to end on Friday, it was a really bad day. I didn't take as much care to my transitioning hair as I usually doing. Following my routine, of wash, condition, water soak and then gel. All I could think was, "next week will be my big chop, just wait a little while. Then Friday came...I called my best girl to get her natural stylist name and number. I called to make my appointment for my BC that afternoon.

Salon of choice...Running Water Natural Hair Salon. While I waited for the stylist, she informed me that the owner will cut my hair. Now I'm thinking, hmmm, that's nice, the owner is actually considerate and wants to make sure I have "quality service" :). To the shampoo bowl I went. The stylist shampooed, conditioned and conditioned and I sat for a while with the conditioner. My thought's....wow, my hair really feels clean, squicky clean and she released the water from my hair. Then I waited for the owner to finish twisting a new transitioning client's hair. While sitting, I wasn't chicking out, I was actually really excited that I was getting ready to have my big chop.

When the owner was finished, I showed him a style that I liked, he said ok. Then...CHOP!!! Suprising I was calm, but I would have never thought I would hear a pair of scissors cut the way his scissors. Then my chest started to hurt, lol. But I made my self calm down and then it was over. My permed ends were no more, I am now a Hair Naturalist!

Next thought...more research on what to do...keeping my natural hair moisturized!

New Product

During my research on natural hair, I found out there are lots of products out there that gravitate to going natural. I said I didn't want to be "a product junkie", but in order to know what works for your hair and what doesn't, being "a product junkie" really isn't that bad, expensive, but not bad.

My first products to use was the Deep Conditioner by Shea Moisture. This past weekend I went to one of my favorite stores "Target" to find a new product. Keeping with the same line, I decided to try the Curl Enhancing Smoothie by Shea Moisture. I shampooed and conditioned with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration (my new love) and then used the Curl Smoothie. My hair felt greasy after applying, but as it dried, by natrual hair curled to nice soft curls, while my permed ends where straight. Through out the day, I was very pleased with the results. The next morning, I used a spray bottle with water to bring it back to life, and the results were still pleasing.

I will keep the Shea Moisture products in mind.

Next thought....BC day is getting closer, I think I may do it this time.

Oh yeah! I think the hubs is enjoying going through this transition with me! No complaints yet.

Discussion

A lot has happend since my last post.

To review, I set the date for my Big Chop and I was thinking about what my deployed husband would think of coming home to a wife with short hair.

I did go to the salon, but I didn't get the Big Chop. After the stylist ask what was I going to do with it once I get it cut, my reply was "I don't know". So after conversation, she thought it would be best if I would wait to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. I agreed. So after shampoo and condition, she roller set my hair using very small rollers because I am still dedicated to working out. I didn't want to get something so fresh, that the next day it would be flat. I was pleased with the roller set and added a few flat twist to the front and the back so it would have some type of style. Before leaving I did set my next appointment for Aug 21 (my mom's birthday), which I am planning to have my big chop then.

After my appointment, I found out that my husband would possibly be returning home early. So with that in mind, I really wanted my hair to be nice for the first reveal of me, losing 20 pounds since he left and me with shorter hair.

Unfortunaltly he didn't come home to the following week, but I was able to style my hair back in my second "transition" style (the last pictures I posted). Although pleased with my weight, he was actully pleased with my new hair.

After having the conversation about why I decided to go natural and showing him how my hair actually looks while not styled, his response was "I don't care, if that's what you want to do". YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I know I shouldn't let his response determine what I want to do with my own hair, but it is nice, to have the support, esepcially from a spouse.

I did find another hair style (post pics later). It more like an afro. I shampoo and condition my hair, apply Curlz Products purchased from Target (will add actul name in next post) section hair in parts, two strand twist and then banto twist. The next morning, I combed all the twist out, jelled hair up like putting in a poiny tail, then used a shoe string to tie the pony tail.

Next thought: BIG CHOP - Saturday, August 21 and daily moisturizing.