Well...Well....Well.....

So it seriously feels like I am a trifling mother who has abandoned her baby in hopes that Jesus will her pick up and raise her right.

Please forgive my absence.

But I'm back!!!

I'm going to post like crazy today. Take some pictures this weekend of this wild hair. It's currently in mini-twists (thank the Lawwwdddd) and I will be taking them out to wash, deep condition, and refresh. These mini-twists have literally saved my life. I have been soooo close to cutting my hair OFF soooo many days.

After your hair gets to a certain length (which I am mentally at....physically almost there!), it gets so much more tangled and becomes more of a hassle to deal with. My single strand knots have increased (probably because I was lacking on the protective styling) and the length difference between the front of my hair and the back is becoming more apparent. I would love to wear low buns but they just don't work because my bangs/front of my hair/the part I HAD to chop because of heat damage still have some catching up to do.

For the remainder of the summer, I will put myself on a set regimen to really get the most moisture and protection for my hair. The MOST important thing that I have decided to do this summer is continue to wear scarves and turbans. Natural women have the urge to wear their hair out and free during the summer however, this is when your hair is most susceptible to dryness and damage. Even if you moisturize your hair regularly, exposing your hair to the sun allows the sun to evaporate all the moisture you just put in. Usually I moisturize and seal then put of my headwrap of choice. Also, the direct sunlight to my hair makes my scalp really hot....it literally feels like my head is on fire. NEGATIVE!!! I'll continue to wear my headwraps ALL year around. Woot!

If you do wear your hair out & about...PLEASE remember to seal your hair with some type of oil. This will give you an extra layer of protection against 'moisture evaporation'.

I'm about to run out to grab lunch with my mommy. Be back soon!!!!

*Awww.....it feels great to post again*

Love, Peace, and Soul Glo

Nia*

Hello ladies!!!

Just dropping by very quickly to let ou know that i will be doing a big chop once I get back from Sweden. I really feel like i need a fresh start on EVERYTHING after these 6 months. I plan on doing the Master cleanse for 30 days(I am going to try) only eat seafood, veggies and fruits. I also want to use all natural products as much as possible. I am not my hair and I don't believe long hair is for everyone. I will experiment with regimen and see how my hair improves and progresses but I have realized that my hair is just to fine and curly to maintain any length passed my shoulder. I lose tons of hair everyday in the shower, detangling or even running my fingers over my hair. It hasn't begun to look thin but I think starting over fresh will be the best thing for me. Besides, I want to start working out ALOT and who wants to deal with sweaty long hair everyday. Not I.

Hope you guys are enjoying your summer!!


Cecile

Wild Thang.....

My hair does whatever it wants!

Nia*

My Version Of.....

This Curly Girl Method has been ALL over Youtube and hair blogs lately. So naturally I decided to give it a try.

But of course I'm doing my own version. I won't be doing any type of Wash-N-Go's. Those are just not my style. I will doing a rotation of mini/2-strand twists and twist out styles. I am still actually trying to get used to wearing my hair out and about. Protective styles are what I live for!

I love the finger detangling aspect of the method. I was losing so much hair when I was combming/brushing my hair. Like clumps seriously. Now....I'm really taking time with my hair and since I keep my hair stretched like 99% of the time....it's becoming easier to do and manage.

I'm going to have to find a good, organic conditioner and stock UP!

Happy hair journeys!!!

N*

SUMMA SUMMA SUMMMMAAAA TIME!!!

I have to strategically devise a plan for my hair this summer. Plan made. Mini twists the entire summer. Whew!! That was easy. What are YOUR plans? :-) Nia*

2 Things....

1. Congrats to Felicia and Thomas on their engagement!!!

2. Because we have a wedding to attend within the next year....we really need to get on our hair regimen/challenge. Felicia and I shared a vision (literally) about our hair on her wedding day. We have a lot of work to do!!!!

I had cornrows for 17 days....the longest time I've ever kept cornrows in. I was soooo ready to take them out but I wasn't ready to tackle my hair again so I put in mini-twists again. I took down one braid and twisted the section. I made everything much easier to control.

Hope all is well.

Love, Peace, and Shea Butter!

Nia*

Updated Regimen

March 1st-July 1st

•Protective styles throughout the week
•Only wear hair OUT 1 day of the week
•Implement some type of purifying clay (if you can)
•Deep condition once a week
•Protein treatments every 6 weeks
•Continue to take vitamins/Biotin
•Reintroduction glycerin into the regimen starting May once it gets warmer
•NO heat!!!!!! (Felicia....this means you! Lol)
•Cleanse hair every other week (I figure that since deep conditioning will happen once a week, it will rid the hair and scalp of loose debris as well as introducing moisture so shampooing every week won't really be necessary)
•Continue to massage scalp daily
Once the challenge is over, to reward ourselves, we should be a celebration style for the 4th of July. This can be ANY style we want. Flat iron that shit out of your hair if you want to!!!!! You deserve it.

Once again:

1. Detangle
2. Wash
3. Condition
4. Moisturize
5. Protect & Seal
6. GROW!!!!!!

Detangle- After taking down twist (protective style), section hair into 4 sections. Clip each section. Continue to finger comb through hair. Take each section and smooth down hair strand. Helps cuticle to be stimulated and helps get hair in one direction.

Wash- Rinse one section of the hair (usually start from the back right). Use conditioner or Olive Oil to saturate hair. Will aid in removing shed hair and detangling. Smooth hands down hair to remove shed hair. DON’T THROW THE HAIR AWAY! Remember: Need to track shedding and broken hairs. After shed hairs are removed, begin to detangle from the ends to the roots. Should be easy if Moist/Seal happened throughout the week. Wring out hair to remove excess conditioner. Add shampoo/cleansing cream to the scalp. Spray water (water/Glycerin mixture also works) if scalp/hair needs to be dampened. Concentrate your shampoo on your scalp. Scalp health is VERY important to healthy hair growth. Massage scalp. Once your massage your entire scalp, run the shampoo/cleansing cream down the hair shaft. Remember: Do not scratch scalp. Slightly rinse section with warm water. Twist section and replace clip. Continue with the other 3 sections.

Condition- Start with back right section again and add conditioner. Spray water/glycerin mixture if hair needs to be dampened. Rub conditioner through hair section. Finger combing throughout section. Twist section. Repeat on remaining sections. Put shower cap over head and wait 10-15 minutes. Rinse each section individually, re-twist section, and replace clip.

YAY……..CLEAN HAIR!!!!!!

Leave-in conditioner:

1 oz. of Leave-In conditioner
2 teaspoons of Castor Oil
2 teaspoons of Jojoba Oil
2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Juice

Distribute through each section and re-twist.

Deep Conditioner:

Any type of conditioner can be used
Add any oil you would like (I prefer Olive Oil because it’s cheaper and adds shine)
Distribute throughout hair
Cover hair with shower cap or plastic bag

1 Avocado
½ to 1 can of Coconut Milk
Olive Oil
Mix until creamy. Adjust amount of coconut milk until creamy consistency is achieved.
The remainder can be stored in the fridge.

1 Avocado
1/4 cup Shea Butter (or more)
Olive Oil
1-2 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Avocado
3 tablespoons of Mayo
Olive Oil
Honey

*ALL of these mixtures need to be mixed well. If not, there is a chance you will be picking ingredients, especially the Avocado) out of your hair. Deep conditioners work the best with heat. Covering hair with shower cap or plastic bag and sitting under the dryer for 30 minutes (covering hair for an hour with a towel is just as good). I like using Olive Oil in my mixtures. It’s the cheapest and easiest to find. I don’t really measure how much I put into the mixture. It’s good for my hair so ‘too much’ is impossible.

If you would prefer something store bought, please check this link. http://www.afrobella.com/2010/11/02/autumn-5-deep-conditioners-for-natural-kinks-and-curl/

Moisturize- After twisting hair with any type of Twist Cream or Shea Butter mixture, let dry for about 30 minutes before adding any additional moisture. Apply Butter Crème or Thick Moisturizer. Stretch hair with ponytail holder and add scarf. During the week, add moisture with water/oil or moisturizer. Listen to what your hair needs. Moisturize hair one day before pre-poo to avoid excess oil build up on scalp. Alternate with sealing.

Sealing-While your hair is in a protective styling, dampen hair with water. You can add a moisturizer to your twists/braids/hair. Make sure you smooth it down the entire length of your hair, especially focusing on your edges. Seal the moisture in your hair with an oil mixture or Shea Butter. You can also apply the oil mixture or Shea Butter directly after you mist your hair with water. It is totally up to you. Again, listen to your hair. If it’s thirsty, give it more moisture.

Here are some sealing process/products that I have tried before. Still working with my hair to figure out which one it likes the best. Personally, I prefer misting with water and sealing with Shea Butter/Oil mixture.

· Water/Glycerin/Aloe Vera Juice
· Hawaiian Silky 14-n-1 Miracle worker
· Oil Blend (Jojoba Oil/Castor Oil/Avocado Oil/Safflower Oil/Grapeseed Oil/Olive Oil)

OR

· Water
· Butter Crème/Thick Moisturizer
· Oil Blend

OR

· Water/Aloe Vera Juice
· Hair Milk or light moisturizer
· Jojoba Oil

Wrap hair with plastic to retain moisture. Atleast an hour.

Protect- Protective styles need to be worn throughout the week. Because your hair is already in twisted sections during your washing routine.....it will be easy to style your hair from here. Remember to work in sections!!! Protective style pictures and videos will be posted VERY soon.

**Hair regimen needs to be adjusted during the colder months when hair is more susceptible to dryness and breakage because of extreme bold and fabrics (especially wool from hats and scarves). Removing glycerin from the routine is essential. Glycerin attracts water and moisture. Using glycerin in colder months only attracts extremely cold air and moisture. This cold moisture in the air is too frigid for the hair. It makes the hair weak and more prone to breakage.

GROW- Well………hopefully!!!!!

10-4
Nia