Tomorrow Tomorrow!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day ladies!!!

YIPPPPEEEEE!!!!!

I will be posting the calendars as soon as I figure out how. :-? In the mean time, in between time......make sure you are moisturizing your hair and sleeping with your hair covered.

I will post 2 sets of calendars. One will be completely filled out. This will be my regimen. The other set of calendars will be blank. Please adjust the regimen to fit your hair and lifestyle. One suggestion with the calendars, please leave space at the bottom of each date to write down pertinent information. I used to write down if I wore my hair out, or if I wore a bun, or even if I found some split ends. This will help you adjust your regimen for the rest of the week, if needed.

I'm going to wash my hair once a week, every Sunday. My hair loves to be clean...or maybe I just really like washing my hair.
:-/
Nevertheless, depending on how severe the weather gets, I might start washing it only twice a month. I will keep deep conditioning once a week though. My hair is loving that. All I do is add some Olive Oil to my conditioner, cover with a cap, and keeping it in for some hours or overnight. I rinse, re-twist and put my turban back on. Yes, I have been wearing a turban for WEEKS now. Some might consider my hair raggedy....I like to think that my hair is going on a hiatus.

HA!

Nia.

Hello Everyone!!

I am Cecile. Like Felicia, I have been natural all my life. Well, all but one year in 7th or 8th grade. I had never heard of a relaxer and wanted to see my hair straight. Not a great idea. I've had braids, dreads, and afros. I cut my shoulder length dreads in oct of 2008. My hair now is collarbone length.

I have never really TRIED to grow my hair, I'm not the type of person who enjoys doing hair. I do like to color my hair every so often and I LOVE wearing wigs while letting my hair rest.

My usual M.O has been wetting my hair everyday, not moisturizzing and just brushing and combing my hair like there's no tomorrow. It was not until about a year ago that I started aying attention to my hair and became interested in natural products and acually being nice to my hair. Now I can't wait to see how long my hair can grow WITH loving care, go figure.
I will be in cold Sweden for the winter and most of summer, so this challenge is right on time.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Ok....3 things

Numero Uno: I think EVERYONE should introduce themselves on the blog. Just so we know who is who. Include a picture of yourself. Please and thanks!

The only way you can post on this blog is that you have a Gmail account. This brings me to......

Numéro deux: Please create a Gmail account so that you can interact with this blog. I have sent everyone a link to become a part of the administration of this blog.

THIRDLY: I created a short survey for my boss. We work in Hair Care and we are constantly trying to get opinions and perceptions about Black women dealing with their hair. Check the survey, send it to friends. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/myhair.

Thanks mamacitas!

Let's Get' Er Done!

Nia.

Progess Report

Soooo........

I think we all should take some beginning pictures of our hair challenge. I haven't taken pictures of my hair since the 80s. Most of the time when our hair grows....we really don't realize the progress.

Now, let's not be creepo, hair stalkers. I don't want us to take pictures of our hair every month. I think that potential 2-3 inches that our hair might grow in this 4-month's time will be much more exciting when we take our AFTER pictures.

Let me know what you think.

P.S. This black girl has no boooootayyyyy. So sad!

Nia*

Trimming Our Hair

I am definitely thinking about adding this to the calendar. Got some information from my friend Melanie E. about trimming hair on a lunar cycle. Check out the information that I've found. Sounds interesting!

Rules For Using Moon Phases For Hair Care:

Trim or cut your hair during the New Moon Phase

To Grow Your Hair Faster

Trim ends during the New Moon or during the First Phase of the Moon when the light of the moon is increasing.

The best astrological signs for faster, longer and healthier hair is the New Moon in Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces.

When possible start a hair growth program with the New Moon in one of the most beneficial signs.  Start by trimming a tiny bit of hair from your ends during the New Moon or First Phase of the Waxing (increasing) Moon.

These dates are also helpful if you are starting a specific hair growth program and want faster results.  This would include starting a hair vitamin program or a new hair healthy diet, exercise, scalp or other hair care program designed to get your hair stronger and longer as quickly as possible.

To Grow Your Hair Thicker & Fuller

Trim ends during the Full Moon especially when the Full Moon is in Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn or Pisces.  The Full Moon in Leo is especially beneficial since Leo is the sign of the Lion which is born with a full lush mane.

Trim or cut your hair during the Full Moon Phase

To Grow Your Hair Slower

Trim ends after the Full Moon when the light is decreasing.  This is true during the 3rd and 4th quarters of the Waning Moon.  This is especially true when the Moon is in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius or Aquarius, which also slows growth.

To Grow Hair Bushier

Trim or cut your hair with the Moon in Leo

To Treat Your Hair Chemically (Color or Perm)

Have chemical applications (straightening, relaxing, color, perm) applied during the Moon in Aquarius for the absolute best results.

There are other Moon phases that you can use for hair care. However, at this point I only want to cover the very simple process of cutting the hair for faster, thicker or bushier growth. I have thrown in the chemical processing as a general reference point.

Full Moon	Sept. 12, 2011	19° Pices/Virgo
New Moon	Sept. 27, 2011	4° Libra
Full Moon	Oct. 12, 2011	18° Aries/Libra
New Moon	Oct. 26, 2011	3° Scorpio
Full Moon	Nov. 10, 2011	18° Taurus/Scorpio
Solar Eclipse	Nov. 25, 2011	3° Sagittarius
Lunar Eclipse	Dec. 10, 2011	18° Gemini/Sagittarius
New Moon	Dec. 24, 2011	3° Capricorn

*Information found at: http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip001.htm

I was going to trim my hair on the 27th of September, but based on this info, I think I am going to wait until October. I haven't trimmed my hair since May, so I'm sure I'm due for one. I don't like trimming my hair, but I found 2 split ends in my shed hair. Hmmmm.....I don't like that.....AT ALL!

Until soon,

Nia*

The Low Down on this Hair Get Down

Soooooo...................

I'm here to let everyone know about the 4-month hair challenge that I've been so excited about. Challenge will start on October 1st, 2011.

More than anything, it's about protective styling and moisturization. I know it's especially diffiicult to manage our hair in the colder months, so this challenge is happening at the RIGHT time.

I will provide a calender for all 4 months very soon. Still trying to figure out what's easier in terms of posting the calendar on the blog. I want to make it accessible for people that aren't a part of our blog, but happen to stumble across it.

For the challenge, you will need:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Leave-In Conditioner
Deep Conditioner (We will be posting D-I-Y recipes)
Protein packets (available at Sally and most beauty supply stores, usually for $.99)
A blend of oils used for sealing/moisturization (List and link to vendor in the post 'Oil Retailer')
Vitamins (which you should be taking them anyway. Don't make me call your mother!!!)

Simple, right?!

Again, I'm not recommending any specific brands or products. Honestly, our challenge is about information and technique, rather than becoming a natural hair label whore. Of course there will be product reviews....if you're using something that you want to suggest to others....please feel free!

Ok ladies......let's get this party started right!!!!

Nia*

Oil Retailer

The Oils We’ll Be Using in our Healthy Hair 4-month challenge

Castor Oil- Promotes hair growth; Has germicidal, insecticidal, and fungicial properties protect scalp from infections; Cleanses scalp of impurities; Retains moisture; Can be used in Hot Oil Treatments; Penetrates easily; Smoothes cuticle layer.

Jojoba Oil- Resembles Sebum; However, if there is too much sebum on the scalp, Jojoba oil can dissolve and take out the sebum, allowing the hair to be cleansed; Provides all day moisturization; It does not evaporate like water-based moisturizers; Helps develop new hair cell growth.

Argan Oil- Moisturizes hair; Penetrates the hair shaft and enhances elasticity; Prevents breakage; Contains Vitamin E; Gives shine; Effective antioxidant; Cures brittle hair and increases the life of color treated hair; Strengthens hair by repairing the damaged cellular membrane; Restores smoothness of hair.

Grapeseed Oil- has moisturizing benefits for the scalp; Reduces brittleness, breakage and helps to protect the hair ends from splitting; Easily absorbed; Smooths hair cuticle.


Please follow this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290608361811#ht_2528wt_1357
to purchase the oils listed above! The AWESOME vendor (Thansk Shopgirl9926) has provided us with a fantastic package that includes a %15 DISCOUNT and FREE SHIPPING!! Included in this package will be one 8oz bottle of each: Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil, Grapeseed Oil, and Argan Oil for only $37.08. Fantastic right??

If you think about it....if she were to charge shipping, it could easily be $10 each order!
So for $27, you will be getting all of the oils you'll need for the next 4 months (the bottles of each oil will last longer than that. Atleast 6 months). So that's about $7 a bottle. Having these specific oils will make this journey an absolute success!

If you are in need of any other products than those that have been mentioned above, please visit the following sites to purchase them. They have great deals on just about everything you’ll need.

Anita Grant: https://www.anitagrant.com/
Sage Natural Ceuticals: http://www.sagenaturalceuticals.com/shop/index.php

Nia and Felicia