2nd professional retwist

I found a home! A stylist I like and have faith in ...she whipped this up in a sec this evening and for $25 bucks less than my first stylist to boot. I will admit these styles are taking some getting used to but I'm embracing it all...

I am 14 weeks :)

my first retwist

I didn't like this style Sunday when I got it but everyone else did and it's grown on me...I have to get used to the loc look. I am on the hunt for a new stylist already - the one I have works at a very unprofessional shop with too high prices.

I want someone I can stick with long term and that won't happen at this current shop.

I am 2 months into my journey.

8 week update - loc extensions

So it has been 8 weeks since the loc extensions were put in.

How am I feeling? I am liking it and I haven't regretted it yet but I will admit I miss my relaxed hair some days. Then I think of how rarely it would look like what I wanted it to (once a week and after a fresh relaxer) and how even in a bun my locs are rocking, and I am content with my choice.

I was worried about how the folks at work would react and it's been all positive. I even got a compliment this week when I finally was able to coax the hair into a bun.





Yup my kitchen sink in full effect :-)

Loc extensions

So I am into week 3 of these loc extensions and I am no longer itching. That, and I'm loving it!

Here are the promised pics

Day 1 - crazy itch!!! I actually prayed about it lol





Today, 2 weeks and 2 days later



Some new growth. I don't retwist until 8 weeks so I have plenty to go but I am considering getting a shampoo in another 2 weeks. In the meantime, Seabreeze and oil mix.

An update to surpass all updates

Where has Shar been? I couldn't begin to tell you the full story. I am just going to try to update you as best as possible.

So you know I was attempting to transition and failing miserably - after 6 months I texlaxed. That was April 2011. Then I texlaxed again in June 2011. Then I really just wasn't happy with my hair. I didn't like the relaxed ends anymore, I was annoyed at the texlaxed part cause they looked odd and dry - not quite natural, not quite relaxed.

After hemming and hawing, I sat down for 14 hours last Sunday and had loc extensions installed. Yup. How am I liking them? I love the idea of them - don't care what persons with locs say about the "journey." That's the good part about my journey - it's mine, so you can sniff at my extensions all you want. In 2 years, you'll have nothing to sniff at. Now why did I specify I liked the IDEA of them? Well cause them babies are irritating the skin off me!!! My scalp is irritated and itching. The lady installed them too tight so I was in pain Monday and Tuesday. They have loosened since but I think the tightness bruised my scalp because spraying Sea Breeze burns it. Then I use oil sheen. For now, that's all I'm doing.

This weekend I plan to make an oil spray with my hot6 and castor oil.

I can't wash these babies for 3 more weeks so I better sit still and embrace the itch. Can your body/scalp be allergic to human kinky hair? **sigh** Anyhoo, for the pretty penny I paid, these aren't going anywhere.

So there you are! All updated! The next thing I owe you - photos. Good news - finally got a camera so we are in business.

Hope you have been having happy & fruitful hair journeys. Leave me a comment and let me know how it's going!

Pics from my iPhone

So here we go:

The following show roots at 6 month, braid out on 6 month post hair, then my cut after texlax, my texlax texture wet & dry

Long overdue update

So I quit lol...my natural journey became a texlaxed journey yesterday. I did 1/4 cup EVOO in 1 cup Motions relaxer. 6 months to the day.

This is why I did it:

1. I was rocking buns constantly because braid outs and twist outs took waaaay too much time and didn't last past 5-6 hours. My buns were cute but everyday made me feel BLAH

2. The length of time washing and detangling was taking. I definitely was not looking forward to battling my 4/5/6 month roots each week.

3. I just was not enjoying the transition process. Except the curious feel of my roots, that is. That was nice :) and the feeling that I did not need a darn relaxer...

...till it turned out that I did cause I don't wanna be bothered with the time consuming process.

Now it's texlaxed, I feel great! Hopefully I can still see the thickness when I have more texlaxed hair.

Result of my 6 month stretch? Damaged relaxed ends. I know 24/7 buns sound like a treat for my ends but no, in fact they look awful. So Friday, I'm going to get them trimmed - hope not too much. Then I shall share length check.

FYI - my bff did the opposite of me and did a BC :-D She looks FAB!! She is loving her hair and getting used to caring for it.

Truth of the matter

My hair and I are merely coexisting.

There is no love anymore because I don't know what to do with it now that it has about 2 inches of thick, curly roots. Ok, I did texlax it but the texlax is soooo light everyone thinks it is just natural (and trust me it feels and looks that way besides I haven't done that since December). My default style is straight so I feel like I should go get blow outs but what is the purpose of weekly blow outs? Is that better than a relaxer? My other option is braids, weaves, or wigs but honestly, I don't really want to do that...this texlax/natural journey is stealing my hair swag :-/

Day 4 of curls

This was the last day of the style. Been rocking buns ever since...today is wash day thank goodness. I am still thinking up styles for tonight. Top of the list is braid out.

Tonight I am going to get batteries for my broke down camera so I can get better pics. Boy, do I need a camers! My current one has to be taped up lol.

I'm accepting style ideas everyone - pls comment!

Day 2 of curls

Forgot to take a day 3 pic but I'm still rocking the curls today so I'll update y'all. I am pleased with this style.

Curls on 4 months post hair

I haven't relaxed since Oct 15th...so I'm somewhere at 4 months post.

My hair qas a BEAST to detangle but patience is key. A friend suggested a detangler...Any recommendations?

I may go purchase material and sew headbands. The scarves in the store are so silky I think they're gonna slip right off my head. I think cotton and cotton blends may work best. I'm gonna do some research.

Anyhoo, I was very proud of my curls yesterday :-) I am not loving that Jason poo - makes my hair feel like locs I swear

Week 19 update

Sooo, what's been going on?

1. I kicked the Nature's Gate Organics Herbal Blend Moisturizing Conditioner - Chamomile and Lemon Verbena to the curb. I'll be going to get my HE LTR leave in again because I have yet to discover anything that works as well.

2. The roots are kicking! And because I have to be using the IC fantasia gel daily to get my buns slick, I do vinegar rinse or use my new shampoo each week because I feel I have a lot of product build up. For shampoo, I use the Jason Aloe Vera 84% Shampoo. I've only used it once. It's ok so far. At least I don't have all those sulfates and alcohols in my hair. I must say I thought my hair felt I little straw-like after but I'll be using it for awhile so I'll see how I grow to like it.

3. I've discovered 2 other site I'm frequenting these past few weeks:

Mummy's Girl

TaterTotz Public Fotki

They're giving me courage that I can handle these 2 textures for a year or more. I def don't think I texlaxed right cause my roots are very curly but, I think I'm keeping it. I love it!

Here are some pics... on the weekend I try to do something with my hair but in the week, it is strictly buns. As it warms up, I will do scarfs or so to stop all the gel action. My poor hedges :(

Week 15 Update

First my wig...Oakland Girl by FreeTresses.

I got the wig. Tried it on and was super super impressed. I could hardly believe how natural it looked. But alas, I think I'll save it for special occasions because I haven't mastered the whole scarf then wig cap thing - it kept sliding off. Plus I messed with it all day the 2 days I wore it. Distracting. Always checking if it was on correctly and running to the bathroom.

Yes ppl, it's my face again. It pops up every now and again.

Then my hair....holy roots!

Last night during my detangle, I was just super overwhelmed by my hair. I know it has some texlax to it but it is very very slight. Actually it just prolly makes my hair another natural texture. It is nowhere near a normal texlax. I like it that way but I think calling it texlaxed is super misleading. I will be taking pics of my texture as soon as I have a working camera. These pics have all been taken with my iPhone...

Anyhoo, I bought a couple new prods in the last month. So here are the reviews:

1. Nature's Gate Jojoba Revitalizing Conditioner for damaged hair

I always buy prods for damaged hair so my hair can get mucho nutrients. I've been using this for the last 3 weekends. I don't DC with it, I condish with it after my DC. It really softens my hair and makes detanging a breeze. One weekend I ran the comb through my hair in the shower it was so soft. I almost never do that - I have been detangling in 6 or so sections recently. I think I'm gonna start washing in plaits pretty soon. Anyhoo, all I can say is I double triple recommend this conditioner (even tho it has cetyl alcohol...).

2. John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum Extra Strength formula

Yea, like I said, I always get the strongest protection or whatever for my hair. I got this because I decided to be bold and flat iron my hair last weekend. I airdried with only it in my hair and then used my IC fantasia heat protectant and flat ironed in tiny pieces with one pass on the second to highest setting. It took forever. I did okay for my first time - The roots weren't as flat as I'd like. Also, my flat iron is a cheapo (Bed Head Tigi) so I may hold off flat ironing till I can get something better. I do think it was too small...I couldn't bump my hair. Maybe I need a bigger one to do bumps??? Next time I want straight hair, I'll go to the salon. I have no complaints about this product but I am no pro so what can I say...

Because my hair was still thick at the roots, I had to put it up. This bun made me proud all day!!! Used those 2 small combs at the side and pins :)

3. Nature's Gate Organics Herbal Blend Moisturizing Conditioner - Chamomile and Lemon Verbena

I am using this as a leave-in. Used it last night to detangle...worked fine. It is def not as thick as my HE LTR leave-in so I felt shafted for some reason but it worked well I think to detangle my hair. Won't say anything yet re: recommendations since I only used it once.

Soooo, in other news, the back of my hair felt like a dry matted mess last night before my wash. This week, I will be trying to do my spray at least every other day to lock in moisture.

I've been browsing elsewhere...

Yup. Getting ideas on transitioning and styles for textured hair.

All Naptural
Texture Playground
Newly Natural

My texlax was very weak and so it is def more textured than not. Especially when it's dry. But you know what? I like it. I think I'll be keeping it this way.

Week 13: how it's been going

What have I been doing:
1. Braid and twists outs the last 2 weeks - all air drying (tempted to roller set but haven't as yet)
2. Cowashing and Deep conditioning once per week - no time for more
3. M&S with mango butter and carrot oil/JBCO
4. Tie down my hair every night and as much as possible to keep edges flat. I also use the IC fantasia gel. I

I need to update regimen and products. I plan to revamp my product list and stick with a few staples. I don't have the time or money unfortunately to be a PJ lol.

My friend did my flat twists on 80% dry hair...yay!

3 days later @ work

Update

Just some pics.

First my Sat braid out...I did 6 plaits on 80% dry hair Thurs night and then pulled them out a day later. I really need to learn how to braid. I tried but it was too lose and uneven. Not even near what I could do in someone else's hair.

Sunday bun and off to Barnes & Noble :)

This is my hair tonight after a m&s session with wave nouv and carrot oil, mango butter at the edges and IC fantasia gel (use at night so I don't have to use in morning or have a tight ponytail to get the slickness). I am still combing once a week so I finger combed this. I have a new product - conditioner - I plan on using this weekend.