Detangling and De-fattening

Things got a bit overwhelming for me and I had to take a break.  My hair has reached the transitioning mark of ten months.  Things just weren't working out!  My hot water wasn't lasting long enough to wash my hair in six sections.  The sink proved to be uncomfortable and ineffective. I couldn't rinse my hair well.  Pre-pooing, washing, detangling, deep conditioning and hoping for miracles was taking up too much of my dang on time. 

I didn't wear my hair out like this because the back wasn't defined.

Next thing you know, my husband dropped 20 pounds doing P90X.  I couldn't have him looking sexier than me. No, SirREE!  So I had to jump on the bandwagon.  I've been doing a modified version of P90X with my boo for about two months.  Working out an hour, five days a week and complaining about my soreness, took up my blogging time.

I used my time off to try to work out a hair routine that would take up less time and be more effective for me. I decided to wash my hair in two sections, half on top and half on the bottom.  That worked out well for the bottom part, but I made the top half all tangled up and difficult. That mis-step led to a four hour detangling session. Ugh!

The next time around I decided to wash in three sections. I once again divided my hair in half with a portion on top and another on the bottom, then I split the top portion in half.  This seemed to work out well for me. I also instant conditioned in the shower, then detangled with my deep conditioner. Detangling was only two hours. I am not one of the lucky girls who can grab a big section and rake the comb through. I have to take small sections because the back of my hair dreads.  Since I don't have the luxury of a shampoo bowl and an extra set of hands, I can't work out most of the knots at the bowl, like a stylist would.

So! Since it takes forever and a day just to wash and detangle my hair, I had to drop plans for uniform styles... that includes roller sets.  I couldn't spend all day on that style, only to pop in the p90x tapes and sweat like a demon.  Puffed out natural hair on top and shiny relaxed spirals on the bottom.. is not a good look. Not to mention it caused lots of tangles. OMG!

I've been a bunning queen. Here's a look at some of my styles... or lack thereof. 

The flat twist in the front is my crutch and will remain that way for a while.    I plan to cut like three inches of my hair this month.  That should help with the knots that I encounter during detangling (I fear it will cause issues with the bunning).  I'm still following all of the ladies in the roller setting challenge and drooling with a just a tiny bit of jealousy.

I should add that I haven't lost a single pound doing P90x, but my stomach is flatter and I am so close to having "Angela-Basset-What's Love Got to Do With It" arms that I can taste it.  Well.. my stomach was flatter until I fell off the wagon when I realized I hadn't lost a pound.  I was still exercising, but I was over-indulging. Oh wells.. I'm back on the wagon now.

My dog cracks me up. I just figured I'd share this.

Curlformers Day 2-4

My first curlformer set of the year was a definite success. I got four days of curls!

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

I didn't wash my hair this week. I know that's bad. My hair will spend the week in French twists. 

At the moment my hair is still really soft. I added some Olive oil to my scalp to deal with itchiness and moisturized with Original Moxie Leave-in. It's crazy how much easier it is to style my hair, when it's properly detangled during the wash session. I feel like such an idiot. I have been abusing and ripping my hair for six months. Thank goodness I had a good amount to start off with or I'd be bald now. But on the flip side, I have lots of broken pieces which means I can't wear a slicked back bun.  All of those little pieces stick up. My goal now is to be more careful and continue to detangle gently and thoroughly.

For the first time in months, I don't feel the urge to buy a new product or try something that's working for someone else.  It looks like perfecting my techniques (washing, detangling) may be a little more important than trying tons of products. However, I have plenty under my sink to last a while.

The six month roller setting challenge is barely a month old and it has already helped me so much. I hope this continues.

Side note: I'm slightly concerned that my last press may have caused a bit of heat damage to my new growth. I don't know. I may just be paranoid.

First 2012 Curlformer Set

My hair was beyond dirty for the start of the new year, so I had to get down to business.  I came up with a plan that I intend to stick to during the entire six month roller setting challenge.

My hair was straight for three weeks.

Prepoo:
olive oil on my ridiculously itchy scalp and a little on my hair
water/aloe vera gel mix to dampen hair
ORS Mayo on length of hair
Sat under dryer with medium heat for 30 minutes

Wash: (I wash my hair in six sections. It's just easier because when all of my hair is free and wet, it is intimidating)
One wash with Creme of Nature Professional Scalp Relief Shampoo
One wash with Creme of Nature Professional  Detangling and Conditioning shampoo

Condition:
Creme of Nature Moisture Extreme Conditioner

This is 34 weeks after my last relaxer

My new growth has no curl pattern. It's safe to say I have a z pattern.

I left the conditioner in my hair while I detangled and I sprayed the water/Aloe Vera gel wherever I needed a bit more slip.  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER THOROUGHLY DETANGLED MY HAIR.  I didn't realize it before and I couldn't figure out why my hair wasn't cooperating with me. It was because I wasn't cooperating with it.  It took me two hours. I ended up with 12 braids. I sat under the dryer another 20 minutes (I really just needed to sit down for a bit).

I rinsed my hair in the braids, used a t-shirt to dry them and added Original Moxie Leave-in and coconut oil.  I sat under the dryer another 15 minutes, ate a great dinner with the hubby (lamb chops and black eyed peas), then took on the two hour process of putting in those curlformers.  It was easier to install them with detangled hair *hanging head in shame.*

There are about 50 curlformers in my head.

I set the curlformers with generic chi serum and Bee Mine curly butter.  I slept in the curlers, which was not comfortable, took them out in the morning and went to work.

Excuse the dirty mirror and plastic caps in this shot

I had to pull those curls out of my face. I knew they would break out my forehead.

I look like the black Shirley Temple from the back.

I'm hoping to get at least three days out of this set, but we'll see.

Nail Polish

So since I began my hair journey, I've been watching way more YouTube than I'd ever imagined.  Each time I click on a new hair video, two things jump out at me: one, these chicks can do some makeup and two,  their nails look awesome.

I CANNOT deal with makeup. My mother didn't wear it when I was growing up, so I never really played with it as a child.  Plus, I do not need to add another step to my "get ready" routine.  BUT NAIL POLISH!  I can do nail polish... or so I thought.

If you look closely, you will see I jacked up this manicure!! I have polish all over my cuticles and let's just say that I didn't come close to staying in the lines.  To make matters worse, I had a Christmas Eve dinner to get to, so I didn't have time to take off this stuff.  So, yes I went out like this.  Luckily, it was a dinner filled with friends who could care less about my terrible first attempt at "fancy polish."

Don't fear, this won't be my last attempt at this.  Like my hair journey, I am hoping this "situation" will only get better with time.

French Twist Obsession

I have become obsessed with French Twists since Naptural 85 posted her set of French Twist videos on YouTube.  I watched The Help last night and it only made me love the style more.  Ladies rocked the heck out of that style back in the day.

 I love having my hair off my neck and neat.  I also love that I don't have to touch my hair for two days or more, if I do everything right.

I have been searching high and low for new techniques to help me master it.  Right now, I can only do it if I have a hump up top.  I am tired of the hump, but unless my hair is pressed, it ain't laying flat.  So, I need the hump to style the volume.

I'm really excited about my upcoming roller setting challenge because when the curls fall, I will make sure they fall into a french twist of some sort.

I am going to kick off the new year with a hot oil treatment for my scalp and I am going to stick to one set of products.  I'll focus more on purchasing accessories, instead of more hair products. I can honestly say, I HAVE ENOUGH.  I know I have said this before, but I plan to stick to it this time.  Since going to the shop is no longer an option, I have to do this right.  Plus, when I go back home I want my old stylist from childhood to do my hair.  I already know she'll be disappointed in the state it is in, but I want to tell and show her that I am truly in a state of repair.

Goals

I just signed up for a six month roller setting challenge, thanks to Ebonyprincess.  It seems simple enough for me, but of course I got too excited.  I hopped on Sally's website and ordered some Creme of Nature products.

((Yes, my editor is a dog.  She sits over my shoulder.  Unfortunately, she's not a good editor. LOL!))

I've been reading everywhere that the company has changed the formula, but I feel like I need to give an old and trusted name a try.  My hair isn't totally in love with any of the shampoos and conditioners I've been using.  Of course, I really haven't given any of them a real chance because I am a product junky.  I mean I seriously have a real problem.  Plus, after my last trip to the salon, I know I have to find something that really works because that place charges an arm and a leg.

There used to be a time when I said I would always set aside money for my hair because it is part of hygiene, but I won't allow stylists to take advantage of me.  The last over priced place I visited, had three separate people working on my hair.  How does anyone develop a personal relationship with your hair to help you keep it healthy?  They say it's in an effort to put an end to eight hour days in the salon. Whatever!  Until I can find a good stylist who is not trying to rob me, I'll just keep ripping out hair.

Now, I should add that at this point, I've ripped out so much that I don't have much to spare.  But I am looking at this as a learning period.  As I've mentioned before, this is the first time that I've really tried to care for my own hair.  I've only been doing this five months.  It can only go up from here... I hope.

Anyway... I've totally digressed from the point of this post.  The other day I was looking through old pictures when I was younger, slimmer and had longer, healthier hair.  I looked a lot better when I was lighter.  I stood on the scale today and  let's just say I have surpassed the safe zone.

I am going to drink and eat all that I can because in 2012, I'm bringing the slim sexy back.  OMG!  Just five years ago, it was so easy to stay slim.  It looks like the 30s are going to kick my tail.

I should add that the dog/editor pictured above isn't helping me stay fit.  She hates walking and she's friggin' lazy.  WTF?!

Ok... back to my point:  Aside from sticking to roller setting my hair for six months, I will also get a better handle on my diet.  It appears that junk food and Starbucks lead to weight gain.  Why didn't anyone tell me?  LOL!

I'm Straight Again

I made good on my pledge to get my hair pressed and trimmed every two months, but I didn't get as much cut as I was supposed to.  I only trimmed an inch.  For the first time in my life, I had scissor fright.  Ugh!  I was a bit disappointed in myself.

I won't be going back to this particular shop because they boosted their prices significantly.  So.. I have two months to find a new stylist to help me out.

Sooo my hubby has fallen in love with my Suave Naturals conditioner, so I think I will have to get myself more new cheapy conditioner.  I think I'm going to try the Herbal Essence Hello Hydration.  Everyone keeps saying it has great slip and I am having a hard time adequately detangling my new growth.  My hair is shoulder length and I have about three inches of new growth now.  The ends will be detangled, but not the new growth.  I don't think that's good for the hair or my scalp.

I'm hoping this press lasts at least two weeks.  By that time, I should be ready to return to the curlformers. I have a new technique that will hopefully help me out a little bit.

Ok.. so back to the cheapy conditioner. I know I said I wouldn't buy anything else for three months, but this purchase won't be more than five dollars.  Plus, I'm really doing this so my hubby can have the Suave Naturals... yeah.. I'm sticking to that.