What I did...

Spent hours reading. The most important reads?

Beginners Guide to Texlaxing - Assoc Content

How to Texlax - Assoc Content

Happy Hair Journey

Detangled the braided hair with mix of V05 silky moisture conditioner, water, JBCO and based with honey shield.

Then instead of 1/8 cup oil for one kit/tup relaxer I did 1 cup relaxer (I have a huge tub of Motions lye) and 1 cup conditioner. Yup! Equal parts. I want to be as natural as possible because I haven't given up yet. Matter of fact, now it's all rinsed out, it doesn't look much different from my natural hair. It WAS easier to comb though.

This is when I took those blasted braids out

After my texlax

Failure #1

This transition is not as easy as I thought. I skipped my birthday relaxer which was a shocker in itself. But then I needed a plan. I felt like I have read everything on the internet but nothing's helping. Why? I don't think any of those successful naturalistas have my hair and I have read months worth of information. Where is my hair type? Even I'm not sure what that is :-( Anyhow, eventually I decide to get braids with human hair (wet n wavy was suggested to me by braider). So this past Friday (Dec 24th) I got them in and I thought they were tight but she insisted she wasn't doing them tight. Hmm, ok.

So Sat goes by and they're uncomfortable but my friend was nice enough to keep massaging my scalp. Then comes Sunday. I bear them well enough. Then the itching started. I mean it wouldn't stop. So after good ole fashion itching for hours, I decide to use warm water. Didn't work. Then the sprays - oil sheen and oils. Didn't work. Then a hot rag. Nope. So first thing I do in my frustration is remove the four tightest at the front - there is like NO hair there - what the hell did she even braid??! Then I remove the five at the back. Then I say flip this! I don't care how much I spent, me and my hair will not suffer for it.I took em all out 3 days after I had em put in. The end. Braids are not for me. So I am about to spend some hours on the internet now reading about texlaxing/texturizing, and other ideas because braiding is OUT and so is a full on relaxer.

Sorry my blogs are few and far between. I guess as more starts happening it'll pick up. Also, work and sch have been quite the chore. Hope all the hair journeys are going well :-)

No relaxer next week

That is something I know for sure. I will see how the rest of the year and 2011 progresses.

I am nervous to even say it because I know I may not stick with it - I have hair frustration when the strands are cooperating. So I may give up. I won't lie. But it is time to make an attempt at no relaxing.

Right now my plan is ponytails and curls until the roots become unmanageable then braids. Same regimen of weekly DCs and mild protein. Strong protein every 2-3 months. I'll update the side bar. I need to find a sulphate-free poo or just stick with ACV rinses for now.

One interesting reaction from a friend of mine: "I can see why so&so (a friend of mine with a looser hair type) would go natural but not you (yours truly). Your hair is real black hair."

My reaction: well I'm glad it is since I am black after all *internally flipping her the bird*

I didn't disappear

It's a combination of 2 things:

1. I am trying to make a big hair decision and I don't wanna say unless I know I'm at least 75% sure but I can't seem to make up my mind :( cowardice.

2. Work. I have some new job responsibilities and they're clashing with my old work and school and my temporary 2nd job. Luckily no more 2nd job after Dec 16th.

Here are some pics from my trip to the salon:

Oh! I forgot to tell you how someone complimented my friends locs - they really do look good - but then asked how she got it to grow. She said because it's natural. Ahmm no, both natural and relaxed hair grows. Locs grow faster (with care) because there is less manipulation and stress on the hair, her hair isn't growing so quickly just because it's natural. Come on now.