Transitioning Update: Braidout Success!!

So after my mini chop I kept my hair straight for a full gross 6 weeks lol. I am somewhat ashamed (somewhat not) about that because that means I didn't wash my hair the entire six weeks I wore it straight. I maintained it with oil and by wrapping my hair and that's pretty much what I did.

Part of my reasoning in my head for this was honestly, I was nervous. I knew once I washed my hair and it reverted that with the shrinkage it'd be a lot shorter and I wasn't sure how it'd look if I tried braid outs or Bantu Knots on them. 

WELP!!

Something had to give because I was starting to become ashamed of my dirtiness lmao (it really wasn't that bad only I knew I hadn't washed my hair but I just feel like 6 weeks is too long if you aren't protective styling lol). So yesterday I washed my hair, and used my new hooded bonnet to deep condition (review coming soon =D) and then after that I braided my hair into 8 plaits and air-dried overnight. This morning I unbraided (and my boyfriend HAD to get involved as usual lol) and I have been super excited all day! I can't wait til my natural hair is longer and it looks fuller. I feel like this was pretty successful for me.

Anyone else having a good hair day? 

My Lame Excuse for a Length Check [5.5 months post!]

Dirty mirror, looking HIT and all LOL. Sorry, you guys get the general idea right? LOL. this was me rushing and making sure I had pictures to show you guys (and really my momma) cause I plan on mini-chopping tomorrow and then no one will see my progess.  But see all that beautiful new growth *cheeses* I'll try to catch some pictures of my length tomorrow when my hair is actually dry so you guys MAY be able to see it but you know how they do at the hair salon... they're always anxious with the scissors! 

Wish me luck beauties!

Transitioning Problems {The Line of Demarcation}

I haven't posted about my hair in a while because I had a sew-in for almost 6 weeks. I've pretty much established that sew-ins are a bad idea for me... I actually blogged about that when I took out my last sew-in this life update where I briefly mentioned how I wanted my hair to be thicker and how sew-ins are still preventing that. Yea.... still a bad idea. My scalp cannot handle not being washed weekly. By the time I took my hair down, the buildup was so horrible even though it had been washed while I had the hair installed. So yea I need access to my scalp.

Anywho... the line of demarcation is the point in your hair where your new growth, and relaxed hair meet. 

Pic courtesy of diryprettythangs.com

This is the most delicate part of your hair. It's the point that needs to be moisturized the most and it's the point that has to be treated the most delicately. On my head, it also happens to be MULTIPLE points on my hair shafts. I guess all the self relaxing there are multiple points where my hair is a different texture so I definitely have some breakage. I'm ready to chop it all off but everyone is SO opposed to it. I will be doing a mini chop next month for my birthday and ill also be 7 months post relaxer (so a hair update with pictures will finally be posted) so I'm super excited about that  because I know with less relaxed ends the hair will be much easier to manage. 

What do you guys do to manage the two textures? How are you managing taking care of the line of demarcation?

Product Review // SheaMoisture Organic African Black Soap Purification Masque

MY SCALP IS DRY!

&& when I say dry, I mean like Sahara Desert dry. When I started transitioning in July I decided that I was going to begin with cowashing and I was going to do it once a week because I know for a fact my hair needs the moisture and if I leave it much longer I'll be patting away at my head like nobody's business!

Sooooo it began, and really cowashing and deep conditioning weekly (or week and a half-ly LOL) hasn't been that bad.. it works for me personally. BUT MY FRICKEN SCALP! At first I thought it was only because of the perms... I was one of those girls who come hell or high water was going to get her touch-up every two months faithfully! && I would be scratching at my scalp the night before KNOWING that I'd be picking scabs out after my grandma permed my hair the next day. I thought that's where the itchiness came from. NOPE. I guess I just have dry scalp. I don't really know the cause of it. What I do know is when I first started this whole process... It would be only a couple days after my wash day and I'd be looking like King Bey up there ^^ (and head patting has to be one of my boyfriends biggest pet peeves LOL... he HATES when I do it).

But oh SheaMoisture.... =D

... I picked this up from Duane Reade when it was on sale for $5.99 (I think its regularly double that price but I don't really know cause I'm unfortunately not THAT conscious of price when I really want something) and it has changed my life! From my first use I was hooked!

1. It definitely gives your scalp that tingly feeling while it soaks into your hair (I think that's the tea tree oil?) which in my book, tingly = working!
2. It smells super yummy.

And most importantly I went a full week without feeling like I wanted to dig my brains out, which is what I NEED! Something in this wonderful concoction is definitely doing my scalp justice and it left my hair feeling moisturized too. That's all I need in life. I'll definitely be keeping this around, otherwise I'll go bald from the scratching! SheaMoisture never seems to fail me =)


* All opinions stated in this post are mine, and as previously stated are an OPINION. I am not a professional in any way, just merely sharing what works for me and products that I enjoy. I was not compensated in any way, nor did the company reach out to me to share my opinions in this post.*

Hair Update: What My Hair Loves Right Now! (&& updated navi bar)

**So its really common for girls (and maybe guys too!) that are transitioning to natural hair to spend a lot of time searching blogs/google/YouTube for methods that work for other people and to just have someone to relate to during their transition.... at least im praying that's normal cause that's what I spend half my free internet time doing now LOL. that being said I've updated my navi bar so that anyone who stumbles upon this lovely blog can take a peek at my hair posts if that's all they'd like to read =)**

I am officially three months relaxer free (as of two days ago lol)! It's getting harder... I'm not even gonna lie.. Ive already had my "OK tanay, are you on drugs?" moment... that moment where you just want to go to the closest store and pick up that beautiful box that made your hair so easy to comb through but so lifelessly straight... yea I wanted to do it... but I knew sooo much that after my hair was straight... I'd hate it.. and I'd be very very upset. so I'm sticking it out. I spend half my life touching my new growth... begging bf to touch it... or looking at hair on my laptop/ipad.. so much so that whenever I'm on the computer at home my grandma asks me if I'm looking at "big hair" again lol. I'm also itching to cut it already but I can already tell how real my shrinkage is going to be so I'm sticking with my initial goal which is to cut either at 1yr, dec 2014, or feb 2015 right before my 25th birthday depending all on my hair growth but I'm so sure I wont make it passed a year lol.

Top 6 things making my hair(life) easier right now:



 

[1 My Sock Bun] I am almost positive it'd be impossible for me to live without it! It helps me on my roughest of rough hair days.

[2 Goody Ouchless Detangling Comb] There is no such thing as ouchless detangling.. I promise you that! But prior to growing out my relaxer I combed my hair with a small rat-tail comb and that would definitely be a no-go around here now!

[3 Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie] When I first tried this I hated it! I didn't understand the hype.. I thought everyone was crazy.. then the other day I took a shower without covering my hair which ended with me looking crazy lol.. my boyfriend has this in his house (don't ask me why he's a weirdo) and I applied less than before.. to my damp hair.. and it was amazeballs! The first time in a long time I didn't feel extremely dry. He wont let me take it home so I have to have some extra for when I'm doing my hair here.

[4 Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask] This is great for me because my hair is dry dry dry! But I am a true lazy girl (not as bad now actually) so when it comes to doing my hair the fact that I can get a good DC and only wait 15 minutes?! Score for me! (my roots love it the relaxed ends aren't much of a fan)

[5 Coconut Oil] I honestly don't even know if this is the brand of coconut oil I have because it was given to me by a friend and its not in the original container anymore but my hair likes it! It's definitely helping to keep it moisturized and shiny and it doesn't weight the hair down.

[6 GNC Ultra Nourish-Hair] There's a good possibility that this isn't even making my hair life easier but I felt like I should include it since I just started taking them. I've only been taking them for a week now so its impossible for me to know the effects thus far but I have hopes that I'll see some hair progress from this.

 

xo - Tanay

 



Let's Talk..... Life Update

Hey blog beauties!!

So much is always going on. It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that is LIFE! I know I owe you guys a hair post but honestly this is another post coming from my cellphone and  I cant seem to get into a consistent schedule to have time to sit in front of the computer.

Currently I work full-time but only 4 days a week.. That means every shift I work is between 10-12 hours. It's a lot for me. By the end of those days the only thing I feel motivated enough to do is sleep. I haven't opened the computer in so long that I even do my homework assignments on my cell phone! This is another reason I reaaallllllyyyy want an iPad. At least I'll have bigger screen space to type and I can organize my thoughts a little better. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.  I'm trying to get it as a gift *hint hint* LOL.

As far as hair... I'm transitioning to natural. I wanted to write this long elaborate post about what it really meant for me but time is not on my side right now. So the short and sweet version... I want healthier hair.... I want my hair to grow.. && as much as I love  my extensions... They aren't doing anything for the thickening of my hair... So I'm giving them a rest. I already have moments where I'm like... Hmmm maybe I should rethink this... But I know the end result will make me feel better... So I'm sticking it out!!

P.S. I've recently had the pleasure of getting to know the beautiful Miya a little more.. && it's nice to make new blog friends! Give her a visit... She has big things coming soon that could interest a lot of people.

Catch up soon! Promise it won't be long.
xXNay