Tips for Newbies(Recent BCers)

Basically, I was writing a friend from school and the facebook note started to get kinda long. She was transitioning for I think around a year. Her finally transition style was a sewin. When she took hair down...it wasn't what she expected. Boy do I know the feeling.

I know that during the end of my transition I bought alot of products and still have not used them. I don't advise it. I wish now that I would have figured out my hair type and read product reviews for girls like me. Here are some things and some tips to ponder on.

Think about health of your hair. What does it look like right now? Feel free to ask questions. There are so many naturals all around that will be willing to listen and give your feedback.


~*1*~ Did you BC(Big Chop) and immediately after get your hair braided or twisted up? If so, you haven't really seen and learned your new natural hair.

Congrats to the ladies who get major growth from weave protective styles cuz child they just don't work for me.

If you have had your braids in for 2+ months or close you might what to take them out to see if your hair is growing in the way you anticipated.

~*2*~Don't become a product junkie just because your curious. I know it's hard but in the long run your bound to have wasted money on stuff u didn't need in the first place. *Look at product reviews first*

~*3*~ Treat your hair like a delicate piece of lace..it's old and should be handled with care
*When washing or cowashing your hair it's important to remember your goal is not to have your hands all in your head with a head full of suds. Keep your shampoo use and a minimum...your hair doesn't need to be squeaky clean like a dirty shirt.
*Try to only detangle(With a wide tooth comb or denman brush) your hair when its wet with a moisturizer or conditioner. Comb from the ends up and the smallest sections as possible. You will get less tangles that way. Try to finger comb instead when possible.

~*4*~ Try to keep manipulation to bare minimum you will reap the benefits later.

~*5*~ Your hair is not the same as anyone else's. Embrace it...love it...don't wish it was different.

Again...please ask if you wanna know something and can't find the answer. We're in this thing together. Happy Holidays and be blessed.

Old Ppl Rapping in the church choir

This is hilarious

Yes Success!!

Alrighty...so I tried something new and absolutely loved it. Last week I went looking for Bentonite Clay to no avail...I go to school in the middle Hickville, Indiana (Knowing how this place is that probably is the name of a real town here) and I can't find unique products. I think I will purchase some over the break. Well, I stopped by CVS and bought some Dr. Miracle Deep Conditioner. So here what I did in my process:

*Coated my hair with ACV and Baking soda
*Shampooed with Tea Tree Milk by Organix
*Condished with Dr. Miracle and my pre-poo (I love it so much I think I will use it as my main conditioner
*Sectioned my hair in four parts with rubber bands
*Coated and detangled each section
*Washed it out

I was supposed to leave in the conditioner for 30min since I didn't have a hooded dryer, but I only left it in long enough to detangle my whole head. My hair turned out GREAT! It was so full of life.

I then moisturized w/:
*Shea butter
*My bff's mother's grow creme

My old roommate saw my wet hair was so impressed(and secretly envious). We haven't had a perm for about the same time and my hair is longer and healthy.


Anyways...this is finals week so I need to keep studying. God Bless all the students for finals.

No not again..effects or stress

Well, I've been so happy because I haven't been stressing as much as normal. I'm usually tripping about life on a day to day basis with no time to take a fresh breath of air.

Ugh, its coming back again. The last time this happened I lost tons of hair and had serious breakage. And always had headaches. No not again. I can't let this happen. This time its not so much from the stress of school and money. I'm still struggling with money, but my personal relationship is really starting to make me question myself and life...A LOT. I know that he loves me...but the fact that he isn't very verbal or affectionate is starting to do something with my nerves.

My headaches have returned in full blown(particularly right above my left eye) and I refuse to let my hair suffer. This weekend is going to consist of some serious TLC.

End of the Semester Wishes

So, I don't know about you all but I have two weeks of school left and things have been truly chaotic. I'm praying that my grades reflect my effort that I've put forth this semester.

I'm hoping that these next couple of weeks I continue to care for my hair as I've since my BC. I would hate for it to become a mess because I'm so terribly busy and stressed.

I've been getting a lot of compliments on my hair and it's made me feel so good. I've had individuals ask me to do their hair...I didn't think I had a talent. Also, the females on my paternal side of the family had a get together on Black Friday and it was great. It turns out that at least 5 members of my family has natural hair and I didn't even know. They been hiding it for years under wigs and I was so so surprised. I hope that I can be a large enough encouragement for them begin to wear their hair out.

My last wish is that I'm looking forward to finding some additional or replacing my shampoo and conditioner so I'll be working on this also.

Video of the Day

Artist: Brandy
Song: Long Distance

I'm going through a long distance MESS right now so this song really means something to me.

Time Out for a Video

Kevin Rudolf - New Music - More Music Videos

Artist:
Kevin Rudolf

Song: Let It Rock


I might have to make this an everyday thing.

I'm really feeling this song. The beat and the energy are amazing.

How my Wknd plan came thru...

Well,

I decided to do my hair on Saturday after work inside of on Friday. It turned out pretty well. Here's a pic.


This pic was taken when my twists were a couple days old. I might take it down before tomorrow because I don't feel like getting any smart comments about "my afrocentric hair" from folks at home. I really need to keep this hair style til at least Saturday because Chicagoland winters are extreme...we shall see

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (big whoop) I'm not really very excited for some reason but I'm sure it will be good times over all.

Everyone be blessed and have I hope you have a great holiday. Gives thanks for those you love and care about.

Time Out For a Video

Artist: Ne Yo
Song: Mad


I don't normally post videos but I saw this one and I really liked it. I've always lived by the model "Don't go to bed mad."

My Wknd Hair Plan

I don't know about u, but I have to make a defined plan when I want to do my hair. So, I get off tonight at six and I'm anticipating a house guest. My hair plan consists of prepooing, washing and conditioning my hair. If it starts to get late then I will style it tomorrow.

When I do get around to styling tomorrow. I will twist my hair and I'm hoping it turns out cute. :)


I'm praying that it goes as planned.

It's Only A Test (Imma take a testimony break)

Recently, I've noticed all the ways that my life is beginning to change. I can say that they Lord is transforming my frame of mind and I'm excited about it. All my life I've been a follower of a very strict religion Pentecostal Apostolic. My family has not always supported my lifestyle and the way that I choose to live my life. I could get all wrapped up in what the "saints" say is right and wrong and live my life unhappily. I realize that God purposely made me this way and I shouldn't be ashamed of myself just because Sister so and so said ur not supposed to do that.

Anyways, I've been really trusting in God and I've been so happy. B.I.O. wrote a great blog about God being faithful. I was so thankful for it and having continuously been praying about my situation. It seems as soon as you reach closer to your spiritual pinnacle the Devil works harder and harder. My car almost got totaled at 6:30 am yesterday morning over the dumbest thing. I hit a curb. Can u believe it? The tire place told me it would cost over 2000 to get the work done. I'm broke I didn't have that type of money. Today, I got a phone call that the work came up to under 600. Thank you Lord. Its still pricey but its works.

50 Facts You May NOT Know About Our New President!

I DIDNT FACT CHECK THESE POINTS, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE. I SNATCHED THESE FROM A SITE I FREQUENT........... • He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
• He was known as “O’Bomber” at high school for his skill at basketball
• His name means “one who is blessed” in Swahili
• His favourite meal is wife Michelle’s shrimp linguini
• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father
• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed
• He has read every Harry Potter book
• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali
• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can’t stand ice cream
• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars
• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia
• He can speak Spanish
• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead
• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea
• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn’t
• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name
• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister’s fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived
• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy
• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.
7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books
• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck
• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.
• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees
• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He doesn’t drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol
• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician
• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
• His daughters’ ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)
• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal
• His house in Chicago has four fire places
• Daughter Malia’s godmother is Jesse Jackson’s daughter Santita
• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300
• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits
• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes
• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)
• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire
• He was given the code name “Renegade” by his Secret Service handlers
• He was nicknamed “Bar” by his late grandmother
• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds
• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso
• His speciality as a cook is chilli
• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were “street urchins”
• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

Exceptionally Happy

I am in such a good mood right now. I don't have any particular reason to be exceptionally happy but I am. Maybe its the fact that some how I actually had time to do my hair this weekend. Plus, school this semester is coming along quite well. Also, my hair is healthier than its ever been. And I've been taking my vitamins and drinking plenty of water. All I know is that I am happy go lucky right now lol.

Last week when I tried to twist my hair it just didn't work out for me. So, I ended up finger coiling my hair which turned out really cute. This week I wanted to try a different approach. I've been reading about clarifying and prepooing alot lately so I tried doing both for the first time. I probably shouldn't have tried them both in the same weekend but I was so anxious. So Saturday for my first prepoo, I melted unrefined shea butter and mixed some of my conditioners that I don't use very often with essential oils(jojoba, castor, coconut and EVOO). It smelled heavenly. On Sunday I covered my hair with baking soda and massaged my scalp.

I then continued with my regular regimen. I decided to try small twists in my hair this time and absolutely loved it. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before on here but the front of my hair always gives me the blues when I twist. I thought that my hair was 3c in the front but I've finally accepted the fact that its 3b(or probably even lower). Every time I twist my hair I always end up with these funky bunny tails near the end of the twist because that part of my hair is so straight. Here is a pic with the bunny tails. Do you see how the ends are not curled under but are beginning to uncurl?
























A lovely person at my Cultural Center on campus gave me so lock and twist gel that she wasn't using anymore. So last night I decided to try it out. I LOVED IT. I was able to get rid of the bunny tails for once. Here's a pic of that too.



I'm challenging myself to keep my styles up longer so I can actually benefit from wearing my protective styles. This weeks challenge: I will keep these twists til Sunday (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't get sick of it.)

Protective Style Time?!

So I think I might have a little problem. I live in Indiana :( and its starting to get cold outside. Everywhere I read, "Protective styles protective styles protective styles." Well I don't know about you but I hate wearing hairstyles for more than a couple of days. Thats the whole point of wearing your hair in protective styles. It's supposedly great for your hair because your not pulling and bothering your delicate all the time, your ends stay protected. I've heard, "The longer you keep your hair braided..the healthier it gets." It sounds good, but I can't do the long style thing.

I washed my hair on Saturday and I could not think of a way to style my hair. I think I have discovered that the front my hair(3c) does not work well being styled wet. At the time, I was trying to fight with my hair and flat twist it anyway. Of course, it didn't work.

I opted to coiling my hair like I did last week(pic are from last week). It turned out nice...but is coiling hair really a protective style?

Response to Conjurethis's Being an Amercian

If you haven't read her blog about being an American please do. Click here to read it. It really hit home. Hmm...being an American. Personally, I grew up in an environment where there wasnt anything but black people. It wasn't the suburbs and it wasn't the country. It was a place that is often ignored by rest of "America." We didn't learn anything is school and almost every one I knew had multiple babies before out of high school. I've always been different because I've always been an individual. I want to make my own history and not live life settling like some many others. I chose to go away to school and get educated. I'm often called "white" because everyone is so "black." I have tons to say about that but that would be a long story. Anyway....I've never felt like "an American." After 22 years of feeling this way, I just take it as loss. I know that my ancestors and I had to work harder than whites to get what we have and I honestly don't think it will be different for my children. I pray for a change, but I don't think that it can be done by just Obama. I mean don't get me wrong...I love the man but there's only so much he can do to change "America."

Jam Packed but still looking Stylish

So recently I've noticed....my days are extremely jammed packed. I don't have time for anything at all. I like to wash my hair every 5 days and retwist my hair but I don't have time!! ugh I usually like a busy life but I don't have any time to chill in the week

Sorry for the rant. Anyways I managed to do a twist out(I squeezed it in between studyin and surf the net on campus). Omg it turned out really good. I love it. Or should I say loved it. I expected to last a while and it would have if I wore my bonnet last night. I think I'll fit my wash and DC on Sunday night.

Absolutely Uneventful Wknd...but I'm happy bout my hair :)

Well my weekend was uneventful because not at all happened. I went home for the weekend to celebrate belated birthdays for my family. I washed and conditioned my hair on Thursday. Then I twisted my hair, and I actually like it for a change. I don't know about u but utterly hate the way my hair hangs. I don't mind the curls but it looks so short. I decided that I am going to start wearing hats like all the time. The cute ones that only cover the back of your head. I've been getting tons of compliments about them. I'll post pics soon of them soon.

A Classic Wknd

This wknd was very interesting for me. I attended a Wynton Marsalis jazz concert on Friday which was great. A pic from that night is the one with the blue polo. On Saturday I went to the Circle Centre football game in Indianapolis with an old church friend. Then ended the night going out to a club with my cousin...great great wknd.

Typically, I use many products on my hair and I wash my hair once a week. I wash my hair with Organix-Coconut Milk shampoo then deep condition with the Coconut Milk conditioner. This time I coated my entire head with the product and combed through it(always always start combing from the tips Not from the root) then I applied a Coconut oil and water spritz. I've been trying something new with my hair. For the last two weeks, I've been using a hair creme made a friend's mother. Also, I have made a spritz that includes pure aloe vera gel, glycerin, rose water, and regular water. This stuff makes your hair sooo soft.

Recap

I haven't blogged in quite a long time. I thought it was time to try something new since my life has changed so drastically. Well this blog will be mostly about me and my college life living with natural hair.

So, let's recap on the months before my BC(big chop). I haven't had a relaxer since sometime in December. I have always been an individual who has never been afraid to be different. I have always been interested in getting rid of my relaxer but I was so tied to "normal" tradition. Even though I didn't get a relaxer until middle school it feels like my hair has always been straight and manageable(I felt like my hair had always been relaxed). I was just confused. Honestly, I was scared. I was scared about what ppl would think. I was scared that I would have nappy hair. I was scared that natural hair wasn't for everyone. Now when I think about that that was a bunch of bs. Anyways one day I had a convo with a close friend and she told me that she was letting her perm out. I decided then...hey I'll do it too. Let me mention, we didn't have this conversation until at least April of this year. Did you notice those months don't add up....I didn't have a perm since Dec 07 and I didn't decide to quite perms til April 08. Truthfully, I was trying to see how long I could last with out relaxer since I didn't want one anyway. I know this all sounds confusing. I was really going through a deep thinking process. I had been transitioned many months...transitioning mostly my mind.

Transitioning:

Dec to Feb
I went to the stylist every two weeks for a wash and flat iron

Feb to April
I wore nubians twist for a protective style

April
I began cutting off the perm but only little by little

May
I wore a weave corn rows and pony tails

June to July
I wore a sew-in that I absolutely hated. I will never do it again.

July 16
BC!!!!! My hair was around 3 1/2 after cut.


I will post pics