Perfect Wash and Go

Wow am I excited! After 3 years of making do, I finally achieved the perfect wash and go and discovered the secret. Like I always say, "know your hair". I have just discovered that my hair really doesn't like lots of product especially creamy stuff. I cringe at the amount of money I have spent on all kinds of product especially creamy stuff because I had this notion that they must be more nourishing hmmm....

Hair Update

I took out my weave today and did a length check. I usually do so by a method called 'shingling'. This is achieved by raking gel through the hair to define curls. I know I should really measure the length using a tape or something but I really cant be bothered so here are the results before and after drying (shrinkage). Feel free to compare with older photos. See pictures after the cut.

Hair update

I said before that braids would be a no no for me (well tiny braids) right? However, the weather in Lagos has been so hot and humid that I am unable to deal with the frizz so I've found myself looking for a protective style. Braids are always the obvious choice. It's about the most practical thing to do right about now. Then I remember my last experience.  What am I to do???? :(

Well the last time, I had 2 strand twists. So this time, I decided to get 3 strand medium sized braids. We would just have to see how it goes.  It's day 4 today. So far, so good. See pics from this and the previous one after the cut.

Hair Update

So I seem to have ignored my own advice of not putting pressure on your edges.

I thought it would be a great idea to braid my hair because of the unbearable heat that we have been enduring in Lagos lately so when I saw my friend's absolutly fabulous braids, I thought yeah, I have to do same. I thought I knew the drill - I usually do. I asked the braider to leave my hairline well alone and I thought she did. It took eight hours and the result was reaaaaally nice. Practically everyone commented. Unfortunately, as the days went by, I noticed that my baby hair was being pulled off! (horror!!) I tried to take down those on the first line but with every one I took down, I noticed my hair coming off with the attachment :( I tried my very best to manage it but the braids were so tiny that even beyond the hairline, there were issues. So after one week of haven endured the eight hour process of installing, I had to sit my ass down and take it all down. All by myself! My hair did take a beating but I at least have learnt a valuable lesson. My hair will NEVER be ready for tiny braids.

I'm not certain I have a picture because I was too busy taking them down one after the other, but if I do find a picture, I will be sure to update. One of the damage caused as well. Bottom line is, know your hair!

The salon experience

I had worn my hair out for a few weeks and decided to get a protective hair style in for a bit. There's this curly, natural looking extension I usually wear which I install myself. So, I'm sat at home getting my hair done when a friend comes by. He sees me doing my hair myself and at first cannot believe it. He then moves from disbelief to wonder - he wonders why I take all that trouble; would it not be easier and maybe faster to get it done in a salon? He goes a step further to say that I am being stingy and don't care about the survival of the people who do it for a living! (buahahahaha!!) I found that sooooo funny.... but it got me thinking. I am indeed very particular about how my hair is handled (even more so since I've begun to keep it in it's natural state) but I thought maybe

Hair update

Its already been over a year since I did the big chop! (one year and three months) It feels like yesterday.

This morning, a friend sent me the picture below from the early days on my hair journey; I had to LOL!!

 I must say its been very exciting. My friends and family have had nothing but compliments for me (lucky me lol) The one thing that surprises me though is the fact that everyone just takes it for granted that this is a passing phase. They keep saying to me "oh your hair has really grown. It will be so long when you relax it." I initially used to protest and try to explain to them that it is a decision I have taken for the long run but they never listen so these days I just smile.

Like me, everyone is amazed at how quickly my hair has grown, and they keep asking me for my regimen. I tell them the truth, but I suspect that they do not believe me so I'm going to say it here lol.

1. I often wear protective styles e.g braids, twists, and crocheted in extensions. When I do, I keep them in for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of six.
2. I do not allow pressure on my edges. When I have my hair braided or twisted in the salon, I am very particular (infact I bet I can be described as a pain! lol)
3. I keep my hair moisturized ALL the time with good old oil (be it olive, castor or shea butter)
4. When my hair isn't in a protective style, I wash and condition it at least once a week. Sometimes twice, it depends on how physically active the week went.
5. I always use a leave in conditioner
6. I hardly ever use heat on my hair. I generally let it air dry. 
7. I have never really done a deep condition (believe!) so I cant comment on that.
8. I always put my hair in two strand twists (to put it away) and wear a satin scarf (silk is said to be better but I aint got one lol) over it at bedtime

So there you have it; my hair regimen!

Here are some of my protective styles

 Here are some pictures of my journey so far

And here is my sister. My number one hair inspiration!

So there you have it guys, I hope this has been enjoyable. Please feel free to comment.

Have you met your body double?

In the midst of the busy busy life I have just jumped into, I absolutely have to share this!

I have recently gone into a new business venture  which requires me liaising with businesses in a different time zone so I find myself having to keep awake in the wee hours of the morning. In the middle of one of these nocturnal virtual  business days, I decided to "keep busy" on facebook (lol). I went straight to one of my favourite pages (Black Girl With Long Hair) to feed my new addiction - Natural hair. There I was, looking through pictures of my co travellers on the natural hair journey (mind you, I have never posted a picture on this page) and lo and behold, I come face to face with a picture of two women, one of which I was sure was ME! You cannot imagine how stunned I was. I stared at this picture for the longest time and finally asked the person sitting next to me to take a look. His reaction was same as mine. I could not believe my eyes. I decided then to save the picture to my computer so as to keep it for records.

The next day, I went back to the picture and needless to say my amazement had not reduced. I then decided to ask a family member. I sent the picture to my sister without any explanation. All I said was "what to you think?" Here is the conversation that followed.

Sis:  Lol is that all your hair? It's loads!! And your friend is natural too?" 
Me: You wont believe! I saw that picture on facebook. It's not me at all.
Sis: Huh? It's not you? It's you kissing her (I guess trying to identify the one in the picture who she was SO sure was me)
Me: I swear! my eyes almost popped out when I saw it. The resemblance is too much! Incredible.
Sis: Hmmmmm.........that's incredible. But you have a blue dress like that.
Me: That's why I had to show you. I couldn't believe it.
Sis: Wow!

I'm guessing she still doesn't believe it. What do you all think? I am considering tracking this Lady down. Good idea?

Been so long.....

Wow!
I cant believe its been 5 whole months since the last time I was here. Well.... I shall be back as soon as possible to fill you in on all that has happened. Least of which is the progress I have recorded on my natural hair journey.
Hold your breath!! :D

Hair

So I chopped off all my hair at the beginning of this year and boy am I relieved!

 I recently watched the documentary by Chris Rock "Good hair" and it was such an eye opener. I saw the origins of all this human hair that we wear, I saw the effects of relaxers on our health and body etc
I had been toying with the idea of going 'natural' for a few months but didn't really have the guts to do it until I saw this documentary. I just could no longer bring myself to wear hair that has been sacrificed at temples for whatever reasons. Neither could I sit and allow relaxer be applied to my hair and scalp. Just the thought of it made me cringe and feel physical pain!

I have now been wearing my hair in its natural state for 5 weeks and I have never been so happy and confident about my hair. Some people who are on or have taken this same journey have had unpleasant experiences with people making snide comments but truth be told, I have had nothing but compliments.

For me, its more than just the new found fear or wariness of relaxing/altering my hair texture or wearing dodgy weaves or damaging my scalp. It is more of a spiritual move. It is a step forward in embracing who I am . I don't know where this journey will take me, but I'm sure looking forward to the ride.

Back to my roots

So I did my big chop today yay!!!

I am sooooooooooooo loving my hair! I Wish I had done it earlier.