HELP! I'm Shrinking!

I've been growing my hair out for some time now, and I have to admit: it can be discouraging sometimes. However, while showing some of my friends how my hair is doing since I've been 'washing and going' I measured my stretched and non-stretched hair. I have 50 - 65% shrinkage at any point on my head. The shrinkage is incredible and OH-SO-REAL! Lol

I just love the versatility that my hair has! I've been incorporating henna treatments to strengthen my strands. I haven't been able to rest my laurels on co-washing, and I don't know if I'll ever get there. I will admit, that I'm glad to re-embrace my natural hair.

In a later blog, I'll share what I was told about NOT having relaxed hair. Stay tuned...

The Shrinkage is So Real! 7/3/14

I Can Wash and Go TOO!!

I never knew I could do it. I never knew I could achieve any type of curl pattern for an extended period of time, but I can. My previous post featured a video of Anthony Dickie's wash and go method. Well, I tried it for an entire week (and took a few photos). I am now going on my third week of washing and going, and I LOVE IT; so much so, that I purchased and read his book Hair Rules! I also purchased and now use the Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream which I love!! Stay tuned for product and book reviews soon. I have been reading a few books about hair for some time, and have not provided any reviews...my bad.

Day 1

Day 3

Day 9 (Rear View)

Now back to the matter at hand: the wash and go's will likely be my natural-hairstyle-staple for the summer. I am noticing less fall-out and shedding. The cleansing cream is such a good detangling product, that I don't need to use a comb. My fingers do the job just fine. I have also incorporated some awesome conditioners (which aid in further detangling) and the perfect styling product to capture the curl without a lot of build-up and flaking. I used the method as described by the guru himself. However, I found a few products that work best for me - of which I've highlighted in my wash n go regimen below.

Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream Moisture-Rich No-Suds Shampoo

Power & Influence of the Natural Hair Movement

Did you know that YOU are changing how hair care products are being marketed recently? Yes. YOU-the one who decided to accept the way your hair grows out of your scalp-yeah, YOU. Have you perused through your local hair care retailer to see numerous product lines (once marketed to women with chemically-treated afro/ethnic hair), now expanding to include products to style afro/ethnic hair in it's natural texture (e.g., Aphogee)? It is unprecedented to be able to walk into your corner drug store or pharmacy and find a multitude of products specifically designed to further enhance and beautify your hair. Anyone who was hesitant to take the natural plunge, now has the tools and resources readily available. It's incredible. And all you had to do was make the (sometimes brave) decision to wear your hair just how it is.

I wonder what other change you could influence by deciding how (and on what) you are going to spend your money???? Hmmm....

It doesn't stop there...just go to YouTube and search 'natural hair, 3/4/a-c, or anything related to natural beauty'. You will find tubers who show everything from how to care for and style one's own natural hair,  to DIY natural hair care products. You've (in some way) helped to create a rich and supportive community. A community who strives to promote individuality and esteem, without demeaning others whom have not yet made the decision to follow suit. 

Who knows, I may try my hand at creating a tutorial, vlog, etc.  

;-)

By the way, I saw some very interesting footage come across one of my social media feeds...Have you seen the Huffington Post-Black Voices feature on Anthony Dickie's hair regimen method? Did I totally miss this?

Anthony Dickie, sir, please clone yourself! Thank you.

I never thought to do this, but I may give it a try. Have you tried this technique? What techniques do you use to spruce your look?

It's ALL GOOD - I Couldn't Agree More!

Just sharing a web video of one gentleman's take on "Good Hair." By now, most of us have heard the term - widely used in the African American community - to differentiate hair types. The problem with the term is that it suggests that there is something inherently "wrong" with hair types that don't fall into the "Good Hair" category. In case you don't already know, or are still breaking the mind-set: the BEST hair is the healthy kind that grows out of your scalp, sheds naturally and regrows. No matter how you accessorize or treat your hair, make sure it's always protected and restored to the healthiest state possible (nothing against my natural hair journeyers). He puts it best in the last few seconds of the video, by encouraging us all to take care of our GOOD HAIR - it's ALL GOOD and I couldn't agree more!

Take a look:

 

Protective Maintenance

It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it...my previous blog (entered nearly a month ago) declared the stance I was taking against what I had been advised by some - NOT to braid my hair. Though all the reasons varied, they were thoroughly considered. As some of you may have guessed, I went ahead and braided my hair. With temperature indexes reaching +120 degrees here in DC, I was especially thankful for my braided hair. The DC humidity would have shrunken the "S-T-R-E-T-C-H" I touted earlier (that would not have been pretty). I've also been very busy (on the makeup front) working weddings and other special events, so it's been a help not to have to worry too much about my hair. I have been worrying about the hair of my clients --I have been spreading the protective love. Yep! Weaves and braids. When styling hair, I like to share some of my regimen (for protective maintenance) with clients. So, it's only fair that I share the same information with my readers...

Hair-ducation: Hair Growth Support

On my quest to learn more about growing healthy hair, I've stumbled upon a universe of information. I will attempt to share the information specific to growing and maintaining healthy hair between visits/consultations with your professional hair care provider. I should provide some overview first.

The Hair Growth Cycle
Each hair on our heads has its own cycle. The cycle mainly has three phases: Growth-Transition, Rest/Sleep and Re-growth/Shed. The cycle can last anywhere from two to six years. Obviously, each hair starts growing at different times; otherwise, we would all loose a head-full of hair simultaneously (thank goodness that's not the case).

UPDATE: Black Castor Oil

One of my earlier entries highlighted a product that promotes healthy hair growth. Days after my post, my sisters of blogdom from the UK (Long Hair Journal) gave the product a review and offered some alternate ingredients that are effective and not expensive. So, for those of you, who are starting on your own hair growth journeys, may find this helpful - I did. I'm still working on my own version. We'll see how things go in a month or so.

Until then...

Black Castor Oil...

This is in response to the requests for additional information about the hair oil referenced. I got the ingredients and instructions from YouTube videos. The instructions come in a Part 1 and Part 2 (watch your speaker volume). However, I should mention that I added my own twist to what is directed, and I am still waiting to see how my version works.

Basic Ingredients:

My Personal Hair Growth Challenge...

For most of my life, I have had the hardest time growing my hair out. I would try protective hairstyles (e.g., braids, weaves, etc.), but [maybe] weeks after I removed the style and paid for my hair to get some TLC (i.e., deep conditioned, trimmed), it would either stop growing or start breaking. My stylist (at the time) would wonder with me as to what the issue could be. We both resolved that that's just how my hair was. But, not so...

Hair-ducation: a Recent Science?

Not really, and the holistic education of hair is still evolving beyond the basics. Let me first recognize the knowledge of our professional cosmetologists - they bring a much needed degree of attention to our hair. However, when it comes to knowing and being educated about one's own hair, there's a significant gap.

For example...

I was recently on the phone with a friend and we began discussing hair. She started telling me that her hair was 4c and she was looking for 3c (clearly, I've been under some rock)...