I was looking through some pictures of me and my hair. I got my big chop on August 30, 2013. The pictures of my hair turn my stomach. I looked crazy. There was nothing I could do but just look crazy. I stayed inside a bit more because I didn't want to go outside looking like I was looking. Now nearly 7 months after my big chop and I'm feeling a little bit better about my hair. IT'S GROWING...no it's not down my back, or even long enough to pull into a pony tail. But I can rock a Peter Cotton Tail!!! LOL...
My hair has definitely grown. I'm able to do twist outs, braid outs and once in awhile Bantu knots. Now just because I said I can do them does not mean that I look cute in any of these styles, but I'm working on it. Each day I rise with the intent of doing something different to my hair, only to end up in my Peter Cottontail! And that's ok!!! As long as a I have a go to style, I'm ok. I'm definitely a lot more patient with this journey; with this process. And NO...please don't get it wrong, by no means am I saying that I'm happy, that I look cute and I have this under control. If I did, Id'd be lying. What I am saying is that it's growing (which makes me happy) and I'm feeling better. Not cute, just a little better. I've got awhile before I get to cute.
I was talking to one of my girlfriends and she said she feels sad for me. She reads my blog and feels sad for me. Thanks Tam....you should!! You know why??? Because I didn't chose this, it chose me. And so while I'm one of the chosen ones, I have to figure out how to get in where I fit in. So please stay tuned.....my hair journey is on going, and going to a higher level. In a few months, I may be able to take a picture and post it up and not be embarrassed.
Until then.....keep reading and following me.
~Hair Love
Monday, March 10, 2014
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Protective Styles - Forever?
So right now I'm rocking corn rows. This is isn't my first go round with corn rows, and most definitely won't be the last. And while I love these braids, right now…I'm OVER IT!! For a natural chick, braids are one of the protective styles used to grow your hair. Now, we know my hair is short, and it's going to take a long time for my hair to get to a length that I'm going to be happy with. So does this mean I'm going to have to wear my hair in braids forever? UMMMM……can't do it!!! I don't have the time or the wherewithal to sit and get my hair braided every few weeks. Nor do I want to see, what little edges I have, disappear because I've been wearing braids to much. So what is a girl to do?
Yeah…I know…embrace my natural hair and wear it out. But ya'll know…I'm not there yet. I keep looking at different youtube videos praying that someone is going to show me a hairstyle that my hair will do that looks cute. And I keep praying that one day soon I'm going to wake up, see my natural hair, and love it. That day is coming…BUT IT JUST AIN'T HERE YET!!
It's been a year since my last perm. I'm supposing that I will have to wear protective styles for at least another year. Hopefully my hair will double the length in length. Crazy thinking? Nope…Hopeful!! But a year of protective styles? Geez!!!!! This journey has got to take a turn for the good soon….Please Lord!!!
My hair has been one of my most prized possessions. Now it's almost a curse. I need help, I know. But remember…I'm telling my truth. Looking in the mirror, I don't see my old self…I see…well, I'll keep that to myself. I'm not super excited with what I see. But I'm working on loving what I see. Time will tell and time will hopefully help me to begin to feel better. Until then...
Hair love~
Yeah…I know…embrace my natural hair and wear it out. But ya'll know…I'm not there yet. I keep looking at different youtube videos praying that someone is going to show me a hairstyle that my hair will do that looks cute. And I keep praying that one day soon I'm going to wake up, see my natural hair, and love it. That day is coming…BUT IT JUST AIN'T HERE YET!!
It's been a year since my last perm. I'm supposing that I will have to wear protective styles for at least another year. Hopefully my hair will double the length in length. Crazy thinking? Nope…Hopeful!! But a year of protective styles? Geez!!!!! This journey has got to take a turn for the good soon….Please Lord!!!
My hair has been one of my most prized possessions. Now it's almost a curse. I need help, I know. But remember…I'm telling my truth. Looking in the mirror, I don't see my old self…I see…well, I'll keep that to myself. I'm not super excited with what I see. But I'm working on loving what I see. Time will tell and time will hopefully help me to begin to feel better. Until then...
Hair love~
Monday, January 27, 2014
Protective Style - Corn Rows
Hey there,
It's Monday and back to feeling cute again. Wanna know why? Because my natural hair IS NOT out! That's right, I said it. I know for all of my naturalistas, that's probably blasphemous talk - sorry ladies…but that's truly how I feel. And this blog is about keeping it real on MY hair journey.
So last week, I took down my tree braids because they were old and it was time. I looked forward to seeing my hair, washing my hair, and trying some new product for my hair. I went to Target and bought some Shea Moisture conditioner and some Argon oil, and was ready. I washed my hair, conditioned it, put all of the moisturizing products I could in it, flat twisted it and went about my business. In the morning, I was excited to see how it was going to turn out.
This is what my hair looked like. A HOT MESS!! And let's understand something…the front was laid down with some edge gel. The back was a thick mess. There was nothing else I could do but wear it like this. AND I ABSOLUTELY HATED IT!! I immediately called my girlfriend to see if she could braid my hair. She told me yes. And we made a date. I went to by my $6 hair for my cornrows, and ended up stopping into my beauticians place so she could see my hair. She said…"what a cute wash and go." UMMMM….HELLO… This was not a wash and go. I twisted my hair the night before. Her answer - NO YOU DIDN'T…Shut up Keisha. That's a wash and go!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? I clearly don't know what the hell I'm doing when it comes to MY NATURAL HAIR!! She felt so sorry for me that she washed my hair and conditioned it for me as I got ready to go and get it braided. She told me that she's going to twist it the next time, and then in the morning, I'm going to go back to her so she can untwist it and show me how to do it. I can't wait so she can see that my hair ain't gonna do it!!!
Here's what I think is happening…MY HAIR IS REBELLING!! I've had a perm for over 30 years. I think my hair is soooooo mad at me that it's decided to do it's own thing until further notice. Wellll…..I'm taking back my power…I'm wearing protective styles until my hair can get it's self together and simmer down. I WILL NOT WALK AROUND LOOKING A HOT DAMN MESS!! I can be cute with braids, tree braids, weaves, and whatever other protective style I chose. So this months protective style..corn rows….
I feel so much better, and can look people in the eye again. And I look cute…so I think. LOL…
Reminder…I'm on a natural hair journey. It's going to take some time for my hair to grow to a length that is cute on me. Until then, I will keep it ALL THE WAY REAL about this journey. It ain't easy, it ain't fun…But it's MY journey and I'm going to stick to it for the health of my hair and scalp. Stay with me.
Hair love~
PS - Corn rows done by Natina Gurley…hit me if you want her information. She's amazing!!
It's Monday and back to feeling cute again. Wanna know why? Because my natural hair IS NOT out! That's right, I said it. I know for all of my naturalistas, that's probably blasphemous talk - sorry ladies…but that's truly how I feel. And this blog is about keeping it real on MY hair journey.
So last week, I took down my tree braids because they were old and it was time. I looked forward to seeing my hair, washing my hair, and trying some new product for my hair. I went to Target and bought some Shea Moisture conditioner and some Argon oil, and was ready. I washed my hair, conditioned it, put all of the moisturizing products I could in it, flat twisted it and went about my business. In the morning, I was excited to see how it was going to turn out.
Here's what I think is happening…MY HAIR IS REBELLING!! I've had a perm for over 30 years. I think my hair is soooooo mad at me that it's decided to do it's own thing until further notice. Wellll…..I'm taking back my power…I'm wearing protective styles until my hair can get it's self together and simmer down. I WILL NOT WALK AROUND LOOKING A HOT DAMN MESS!! I can be cute with braids, tree braids, weaves, and whatever other protective style I chose. So this months protective style..corn rows….
Reminder…I'm on a natural hair journey. It's going to take some time for my hair to grow to a length that is cute on me. Until then, I will keep it ALL THE WAY REAL about this journey. It ain't easy, it ain't fun…But it's MY journey and I'm going to stick to it for the health of my hair and scalp. Stay with me.
Hair love~
PS - Corn rows done by Natina Gurley…hit me if you want her information. She's amazing!!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Somebody Done Told ME Wrong!!
SOMEBODY DONE TOLD ME WRONG!! This hair journey is BS!! Every week I look at various youtube videos of women who showcase their natural hair styles. They give suggestions on how to do your hair, tutorials on how to get a certain look, and tutorials on various products that they feel are best for natural hair. All of the youtube videos I've watched (over 100) have a woman, who in the end is candidly talking about how much she enjoys her hair, her journey and the entire process. Ummmm……that is some BULLSHIT!! Please forgive my french, but there is no way that everyone that has experienced this journey has had a great time. And if they are truthful about it, this journey is one that is extremely hard. Ok…maybe it's hard for me. So let me tell MY truth.
As I shared before, I'm going through this journey as a result of my scalp allergy towards the perm chemicals. My hair was beginning to fall out, and my dermatologist suggested I stop with the chemicals or suffer the consequence of total hair loss. Only a fool would continue with the perm. So I stopped. I got my last perm in January 2013. Since then, my hair has grown out of most of the perm and then in August I did the BIG CHOP and cut out the remainder of the perm. From then, my hair has been au natural!! Now let's remember, I've had a perm since I was about 11 or 12, so my hair has been trained with a perm. Now without a perm, my hair has a mind of its own. I have several different curl patterns in my hair, it's very coily (some of my friends get mad when I say nappy), and in my opinion... UGLY! Yes it's grown a bit since I got it all cut off….thank God…but it's still NOT MY CUP OF TEA!! I'm just going to keep it real…I AM MY HAIR!! There, I said it. Many women are trying to fight that thought…I've tried….but it's just not my truth. I LOVE HAIR! I love how I look when my hair is cute. I get confidence from my hair. And I'm ok with that. Yes I'm confident in other areas, but let's keep it real…society is JUDGEMENTAL!! Women are judged on their looks, their bodies, and how they carry themselves. And then we are judged on everything else. So when I walk into a room and my hair is not on point, someone can see my insecurity and immediately will judge me. So why lie…I AM MY HAIR and everything else that makes me.
So…I will continue on this journey. I have yet to learn how to make my hair cute. We will go through this together. If you have tips, pics, websites or you tubes that I should look at, PLEASE put it out there for me. I'M DESPERATE.
The journey AND the struggle is real….LOL
Hair love~
As I shared before, I'm going through this journey as a result of my scalp allergy towards the perm chemicals. My hair was beginning to fall out, and my dermatologist suggested I stop with the chemicals or suffer the consequence of total hair loss. Only a fool would continue with the perm. So I stopped. I got my last perm in January 2013. Since then, my hair has grown out of most of the perm and then in August I did the BIG CHOP and cut out the remainder of the perm. From then, my hair has been au natural!! Now let's remember, I've had a perm since I was about 11 or 12, so my hair has been trained with a perm. Now without a perm, my hair has a mind of its own. I have several different curl patterns in my hair, it's very coily (some of my friends get mad when I say nappy), and in my opinion... UGLY! Yes it's grown a bit since I got it all cut off….thank God…but it's still NOT MY CUP OF TEA!! I'm just going to keep it real…I AM MY HAIR!! There, I said it. Many women are trying to fight that thought…I've tried….but it's just not my truth. I LOVE HAIR! I love how I look when my hair is cute. I get confidence from my hair. And I'm ok with that. Yes I'm confident in other areas, but let's keep it real…society is JUDGEMENTAL!! Women are judged on their looks, their bodies, and how they carry themselves. And then we are judged on everything else. So when I walk into a room and my hair is not on point, someone can see my insecurity and immediately will judge me. So why lie…I AM MY HAIR and everything else that makes me.
So…I will continue on this journey. I have yet to learn how to make my hair cute. We will go through this together. If you have tips, pics, websites or you tubes that I should look at, PLEASE put it out there for me. I'M DESPERATE.
The journey AND the struggle is real….LOL
Hair love~
Friday, December 27, 2013
My New Protective Style
Hey there people,
I'm back. Yes, it's been a minute. My girlfriend busted me out and said I'm really not a blogger because I only post once in awhile. I didn't know I had to blog everyday??? Well, if that's the definition, then I'm not a blogger, and this is not a blog. So let's call it a journal. I don't have to journal everyday, only when I have something to say. Well….today I have something to say. LOL
So two months ago, I found a new protective style. It's called Tree Braiding. Woohoo, woohoo…I found braids that I like. It's braids but it looks like a weave. I can have the best of both worlds but can touch my scalp and scratch it when it itches. When I rock a weave, I have to beat my head because I can't get to my scalp. I AM LOVING TREE BRAIDS!!
Ok, but there is a story around my tree braids. My first tree braids were done by a woman in a shop in downtown Oakland. I won't give the name to protect the innocent….but just know I will NEVER go back there again. I got to my appointment a few minutes early only to find that my braider was running late - 30 dag on minutes to be exact. This was my first time at this shop and the first time with this woman. I was BEYOND annoyed. On top of that, when I walked into the shop, everyone just stopped and stared at me. I turned around to see if they were looking at someone behind me. I asked, "is something wrong?" Someone finally said no. I was like, (to myself), well WTF are ya'll staring at. Oh well…I walked in and was instantly annoyed. Needless to say, when the woman finally showed up, she finished my hair in 6 hours. It was so cute. I was quite happy and in love with my hair again. I went home and took pictures. I thought, Yeah baby…I'm cute again. Let's do it!! But guess what happened???
Three days later, 2 braids came out. And then the next day, another 2 braids came out. And then the next day, 1 braid came out. And then the next day 2 braids came out. AND THEN…everyday after, 1 to 2 braids came out. I'm like WTH??? I just paid $200+ dollars to get my hair done and THIS is what happens??? So I called the shop owner and left a message about what was going on. I wanted to come in and have them put in the three braids that had come out smack dab in the front of my head. The shop owner called me back and left a message. I left her 3 more messages before I drove all the way to the shop…only to find it closed - ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS!! This was ridiculous. I finally gave up and just dealt with looking crazy. But let's understand… I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THAT BRAID SHOP AGAIN!!
I took my hair down after 5 weeks to find that my hair had grown. WOOHOO!!! Now…I have to find another shop that does Tree Braids. I just love it!! Protective styles will be working for awhile until my hair really begins to grow. I'm tired of looking like Roj from What's Happening, or Florida from Good Times. I wanna look cute. I LOVE HAIR!!
I found another shop!! HELL YES!! This woman Cynthia at Sankofa, she called me back, and made an appointment for the day after I called. While she took 9 hours to do my hair, I LOVE MY HAIR!! I told her what happened with my last Tree Braids and she assured me that my hair was not going to come out and that if they did by chance, she would always be available to put them back in. Instead of straight hair, this time I got curly hair. My hair turned out fabulous and BIG!! I love it!! She loved it!! She was super sweet; started on time; and did amazing work. I'm loving my protective style today!! Go TREE BRAIDS!!
Please stay with me on this journey. One day I WILL LOVE MY HAIR!!
~Hair Love
I'm back. Yes, it's been a minute. My girlfriend busted me out and said I'm really not a blogger because I only post once in awhile. I didn't know I had to blog everyday??? Well, if that's the definition, then I'm not a blogger, and this is not a blog. So let's call it a journal. I don't have to journal everyday, only when I have something to say. Well….today I have something to say. LOL
So two months ago, I found a new protective style. It's called Tree Braiding. Woohoo, woohoo…I found braids that I like. It's braids but it looks like a weave. I can have the best of both worlds but can touch my scalp and scratch it when it itches. When I rock a weave, I have to beat my head because I can't get to my scalp. I AM LOVING TREE BRAIDS!!
Ok, but there is a story around my tree braids. My first tree braids were done by a woman in a shop in downtown Oakland. I won't give the name to protect the innocent….but just know I will NEVER go back there again. I got to my appointment a few minutes early only to find that my braider was running late - 30 dag on minutes to be exact. This was my first time at this shop and the first time with this woman. I was BEYOND annoyed. On top of that, when I walked into the shop, everyone just stopped and stared at me. I turned around to see if they were looking at someone behind me. I asked, "is something wrong?" Someone finally said no. I was like, (to myself), well WTF are ya'll staring at. Oh well…I walked in and was instantly annoyed. Needless to say, when the woman finally showed up, she finished my hair in 6 hours. It was so cute. I was quite happy and in love with my hair again. I went home and took pictures. I thought, Yeah baby…I'm cute again. Let's do it!! But guess what happened???
Three days later, 2 braids came out. And then the next day, another 2 braids came out. And then the next day, 1 braid came out. And then the next day 2 braids came out. AND THEN…everyday after, 1 to 2 braids came out. I'm like WTH??? I just paid $200+ dollars to get my hair done and THIS is what happens??? So I called the shop owner and left a message about what was going on. I wanted to come in and have them put in the three braids that had come out smack dab in the front of my head. The shop owner called me back and left a message. I left her 3 more messages before I drove all the way to the shop…only to find it closed - ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS!! This was ridiculous. I finally gave up and just dealt with looking crazy. But let's understand… I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THAT BRAID SHOP AGAIN!!
I took my hair down after 5 weeks to find that my hair had grown. WOOHOO!!! Now…I have to find another shop that does Tree Braids. I just love it!! Protective styles will be working for awhile until my hair really begins to grow. I'm tired of looking like Roj from What's Happening, or Florida from Good Times. I wanna look cute. I LOVE HAIR!!
I found another shop!! HELL YES!! This woman Cynthia at Sankofa, she called me back, and made an appointment for the day after I called. While she took 9 hours to do my hair, I LOVE MY HAIR!! I told her what happened with my last Tree Braids and she assured me that my hair was not going to come out and that if they did by chance, she would always be available to put them back in. Instead of straight hair, this time I got curly hair. My hair turned out fabulous and BIG!! I love it!! She loved it!! She was super sweet; started on time; and did amazing work. I'm loving my protective style today!! Go TREE BRAIDS!!
Please stay with me on this journey. One day I WILL LOVE MY HAIR!!
~Hair Love
First set of Tree Braids
Blow out…My hair has grown!! Woohoo!!
New set of Tree Braids - Absolutely Love it!!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Shaped Up
Well…it's official. I am a NATURAL CHICK!! I have absolutely no perm in my hair. It's been three months and it has definitely been interesting. A few days after my big chop, I realized that I was on my own with my hair; that my hair stylist wasn't coming over every morning to do my hair so it would look cute. WTH….. she left me out in the cold. Sooooo what was I to do? Walk around lookin like Roger from What's Happening? I don't think so. I finally did something with it… I BRAIDED IT!!
Braids are considered protective styles for natural chicks. I braided my hair for one month, took it down hoping to do something else with it, but I realized, my hair hadn't grown enough and so I needed to braid it back up. And so, I braided my hair again and wore it for yet another month. After two months, I took the braids out, and realized that my hair had grown. BUT I STILL LOOKED LIKE ROGER FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING!! And so, my hair stylist went to cutting. I brought in a picture of a style and hoped for the best.
When all was said and done, I had a new style, one which I can actually say, I liked! My hair stylist made my afro look cute. And she cute a lot of my hair. My hair is starting to grow!! Woohoo!!
It's been a few weeks and I'm enjoying my hairstyle…most days. I'm still trying to figure out which product to use that will make my hair look the way I want it too. But until then, I can deal with what I have. I'm watching the top of my hair grow and am amazed at how fast it is growing. I can't wait to see what I look like in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years.
So here's to having healthy hair and scalp!!
Hair Love~
Braids are considered protective styles for natural chicks. I braided my hair for one month, took it down hoping to do something else with it, but I realized, my hair hadn't grown enough and so I needed to braid it back up. And so, I braided my hair again and wore it for yet another month. After two months, I took the braids out, and realized that my hair had grown. BUT I STILL LOOKED LIKE ROGER FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING!! And so, my hair stylist went to cutting. I brought in a picture of a style and hoped for the best.
When all was said and done, I had a new style, one which I can actually say, I liked! My hair stylist made my afro look cute. And she cute a lot of my hair. My hair is starting to grow!! Woohoo!!
It's been a few weeks and I'm enjoying my hairstyle…most days. I'm still trying to figure out which product to use that will make my hair look the way I want it too. But until then, I can deal with what I have. I'm watching the top of my hair grow and am amazed at how fast it is growing. I can't wait to see what I look like in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years.
So here's to having healthy hair and scalp!!
Hair Love~
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Big Chop
So, August 30, 2013, I finally did the BIG CHOP. WOW!!! It was....it was.....I'm depressed. I sat there and watched my stylist cut out all of the perm in my hair. While I wanted to cry, I held back the tears and just watched as 32 years of perming, straightening, curling, flat ironing, blow drying....get cut out and fall to the floor. I've had a perm since I was 11. This has been my life. My hair has been a BIG part of my life. I LOVE HAIR!! I love doing new things with my hair. From a weave, to braids, to a wig, to curly, to straight, I love it all. And now....I'm just trying to find a way to style my TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). And I have yet to figure this out. I know that this journey will take time and patience - the one thing that I am lacking in. I'm clear that this part of my journey is to really work on me in the area of patience. But dang if I didn't wish we could work on another area right now because my hair looking crazy requires way more than patience.
Ok, so I will stop complaining. Let me talk about the positive aspects of my BIG CHOP. I no longer have to deal with 2 different textures in my hair. Boy was I looking like Ronald McDonald when I had two textures. I now can see my curl patterns in my hair. And I must say, I thought my hair was much more curlier than it is. Let's get real, I thought my was going to look like taco meat. LOL...But it doesn't. It's actually not as tight as I thought. So this getting to know my hair is quite interesting, and I'm excited to see what I can really do with my hair, and what other changes it will go through.
So please stay with me on this journey. I'm thankful for all of the encouragement I've been getting. I'm in two hair groups on Facebook, and these ladies have all of the expertise. Plus I subscribe to many YouTube video naturalistas who give great advice. Plus...my friends....they are truly encouraging.
Stay tuned for more to come on this journey.
~Hair love
Ok, so I will stop complaining. Let me talk about the positive aspects of my BIG CHOP. I no longer have to deal with 2 different textures in my hair. Boy was I looking like Ronald McDonald when I had two textures. I now can see my curl patterns in my hair. And I must say, I thought my hair was much more curlier than it is. Let's get real, I thought my was going to look like taco meat. LOL...But it doesn't. It's actually not as tight as I thought. So this getting to know my hair is quite interesting, and I'm excited to see what I can really do with my hair, and what other changes it will go through.
So please stay with me on this journey. I'm thankful for all of the encouragement I've been getting. I'm in two hair groups on Facebook, and these ladies have all of the expertise. Plus I subscribe to many YouTube video naturalistas who give great advice. Plus...my friends....they are truly encouraging.
Stay tuned for more to come on this journey.
~Hair love
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