One Year

It has been twelve months since my last relaxer. I tried to take pictures to show the difference in textures, but I'm not a good photographer.

I'm getting better thanks to all the ladies in the roller setting challenge. I hope things keep going the way they are right now.  If they do, I'll be okay.

This is how my hair turned out. Curlformer curls in a banana clip ponytail.

Shampoo: Quantum Clarifying & Creme of Nature

Instant conditioner: Paul Mitchell's The Detangler

Deep Conditioner: Jessicurl Deep Treatment

Leave ins: Argan Oil & Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

Styler: ORS Loc & Twist gel

Come on, Carol!

I am a product junkie. I love reading about them.  I love purchasing them and I love trying them, but sometimes I think these companies go a bit too far.

Carol's Daughter has launched something called the Transitioning Movement. The company has a website to answer all of your questions and of course, a new product to peddle.  This is where things get sketchy for me.






CD is offering a Transitioning Kit for $40, but get this, it only has three products: a shampoo, scalp spray and conditioner.  Oh... and there are four ounces of the first two products and 5.5 ounces of the conditioner.  That breaks down to $13.33 for each product.  That's $13.33 for FOUR to FIVE ounces of product.  Come on, Carol!

I know there are other over priced brands and products out there, but it was just something about this kit that pissed me off. I would use it up in two or three uses (the conditioner for sure).  I mean even to this stone cold product junkie, that price point is a turn off.  Maybe I'm just cheap...at this moment.

I just feel like it should be a bit more affordable. After all, the sizes amount to about two samples of each product. Some companies charge $2-$3 for a two ounce sample (excluding Ms. Jessies lol!).

I guess I would have to try it to see if it's worth the money, but I'm not.  At least not right now. I'm in a  good transitioning space at the moment. I can think a bit more clearly before each purchase:-)

Perfecting The Set?

If you've seen one of my curlformer sets, you've seen them all.  Case in point, my last wash day (May 13):

The frizz in the top is from the hair I ripped out in the early days of my journey.

However, I think I may have found the secret to a "good" set. For me, that means a set that will give me curls for at least three days, despite my exercise regimen.  When I say "curls", I don't mean I can wear my hair down.  I can never wear my hair down past day one. The front never holds up as well.  I can get a good roll and tuck with the back down or a good banana clip ponytail out of the set.

So without further ado, the secret is:

DON'T USE A CREAM BASED LEAVE IN. 

Something about it doesn't allow the curls to really set. It does not matter how long you let them dry.
Koos of Feisty House said this in one of her posts, but I didn't believe her. I thought that she, like me, was a bit heavy handed. It's not true. I've done three sets without and a leave-in and two with a leave-in.  The latter had bad results.

Happy "curlformering!"

Let's Play Ball

The hubby and I hit AT&T park to see the San Francisco Giants play a little baseball this weekend.
It was a beautiful day.

Once again, I didn't have time to take adequate pictures of my hair because we were on the move, but here are a couple of shots:

The Rundown:

Wash: 2 rounds clarifying shampoo & 1 round moisturizing one
Instant Condition: Paul Mitchell the Detangler
Deep Condition: Jessicurl
Leave-ins: Argan Oil & Kinky Curly Knot Today
Curlformer set: Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum & Motions foaming wrap lotion


The foaming wrap lotion is a new addition. I usually use some type of gel, but I decided to give it a shot. I liked how it worked this time, but I need to use it a few more times before I can sing or silence any praises.

I got day two hair, but barely held on for day three due to exercising. The scale still hasn't changed for me, but hubby continues to lose weight.  However, I am fitting into jeans that wouldn't move past my hips at the beginning of the year.  I am apparently losing inches around the waist and stomach areas.  I would show you my super buff arms, but you may not be able to handle it. LOL! I know I need to get better control of what I'm eating, but I'm a junk food junkie. I can't help it.

Bad Feel

Soooo...

The curls started out so perfect. I thought I was in love.  Day 2 was blah and Day 3 (pics of all three days are below)?  Well, I'm in a tuck & roll.

Something didn't go right during the last wash. At this point, I'm ok if the curls don't last because I using the curlformers to stretch that new growth (11 months of it).  However, my hair is hard. It feels awful. I truly wish I could do a mid-week wash, but I don't have that luxury.  *sigh*  I shouldn't even be typing this up, but I felt so bad about the feel of my hair that I had to get it out.  Now... off to get ready for work.