What my son said....

So by now you should know that I am pretty much stagnate in "protective" styles aided by extensions and half wigs. However I am starting to venture into weaves especially for the brute winters we have in the UK. Yes I know its not as bad as other places but it is bad enough for me to feel it. Right now I am stil on the hunt for winter boots that can fit my calves. 

 Anyway as I prepped my own natural hair to be washed, I showed my husband how long the back was. It is almost APL. I dare not say it is APL because when I get it trimmed this month it will be just between. I also noted to him how the middle is shorter and the front even shorter. He claims he has the same issue. My sons always love seeing my hair and often comment on my various hairstyles. So today my oldest seeing my hair in its natural state said this to me: 

 Son " Mum why do you wear hair when you have hair?" 

 Me " Because I like to change styles often without damaging my hair" 

 Not sure if he was unimpressed with my answer he replied 

 Son "Only bald people are supposed to put hair on their head"

I can understand his analogy and at only 7yrs old I Am in awe of his observance and questions. I am slowly building up a healthy hair routine to see if I can get my middle and sides and hairline to reach the same lengths as the back of my hair. I air dried my hair today but on those dark winter nights this may not be possible depending on time of day. I will finally invest in some rollers and may try a rollerset challenge. I am inspired by EbonyCPrincess who although was natural and is now relaxed her blog and youtube channel is all about healthy haircare whatever the texture.

One more thing I revisited an old friend from my relaxed days. That is ORS Hair Mayonnaise. I left it on for about 30 minutes and my hair was so manageable and easy to detangle. I will try use this once every month or every other month depending,

Dr Miracle's Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioner

I have noticed that my hair care was lacking deep treatments. When I was younger and permed my entire school life I would get my hair steamed in between touch ups. Roll on to the natural hair me and I have surely slacked in this area. For the last few years I have only had a deep treatment once a year at the salon when my hair is being trimmed professionally. On a whim I bought a few treatments and so far have only tried one. I do not know why these treatment packs just do not come in a bottle or a jar. Would be so much cheaper than paying 99p or more per treatment.

The Dr Miracle's Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment claims to help breakage and dry scalp. As you know I have suffered from breakage and I am slowly recovering. My breakage has slowed but still anything that says it will help breakage is a good thing so I hope. 

I left the treatment on for 30 minutes. It tingled as promised but the sensation was not annoying to me. Once rinsed out my hair felt really soft and well conditioned. My hair is often dry so this feeling was a welcome relief. I will definitely try this product again at some point. However if there is a jar or bottle equivalent or similar I would prefer that. 

It is clear to me I need to improve moisture levels in my hair. Still working on that moisture and seal. Surprisingly using products I have is working okay. Any good conditioning tips and moisture retention balance etc suggestions? I want to have at least 1 or 2 regular products to use for deep conditioning my hair.

I got hair huh!

When I took my hair out of the weave I caused damage to my hair. It is not too bad and I know better next time. I accidentally cut my hair at the back whilst removing the thread and tracks. So that means a whole length of hair is gone. Now because the X-pression hair mirrored m own it was hard to tell. Thankfully it was at the back so no one will see. 

I took this picture after combing out my hair after the weave was taken out. I shampooed my hair and conditioned it and used Miss Jessie's Sweetback Treatment. However I feel although I love that product I need a better product that is cheaper for deep conditioning treatments. This pictue lets me know I have a whole lot of hair. Just do not be fooled. It looks thick and lush. But it is simply dense and fine. my plaits have no oomph to them which is why I stopped doing twists and braids on my own hair unless it is bulked with extensions.

One of my friends who shaved off her hair and wore a TWA for over a year has been growing her hair out. She wears it in a fro with pride. I used to think my face would not suit such a style. However I took my hair out of big plaits and it was styled like a chunky curly fro. I looked in the mirror and thought wow it looks good and would be perfect for this summer with a maxi dress on. However the summer in the UK is not quite here. 

If you know of any good hair treatments that can be done weekly or bi-weekly please let me know. If it is not sold in the UK I will find a way to get hold of it.

Trimmed and treated

I was not able to take pictures yesterday. However I finally went to the hairdresser and sorted out my split ends. The breakage was so sporadic that he had to trim what needed to and then blend where was necessary. So for now my hair is at different lengths or layered. My stylist took off 1 1/2 inches. I also had a deep treatment too which was much needed. 

One thing though. My stylist does not believe that you can grow your hair by following any set routine. He feels that from his experience your hair will grow to its own desired length then stop and brake off. I think he meant natural shedding. I have however seen otherwise on others. I should sort out my hairs breakage and prove him wrong. But more so show myself with a little determination my hair can grow longer and healthier. 

What home treatments do you recommend? 

Soft Hood Dryer

I bought this a few years ago for about £20. Now I could be wrong by a few or many pound coins. It is a Vidal Sassoon soft hooded dryer. The soft hood is made of some durable plastic that when you attach the dryer part to it, the hood inflates and distributes hot hair to your head. I like the fact that it is something that can be tucked away unlike the traditional hood dryer that is on a stand. I used it a few weeks ago to give my hair a deep hair treatment which it has not had in a long while. 

You have to hold a square dryer attachment in your hand or you can use the the strap to keep it out the way I guess. The hood gets really hot on the 1st setting alone. I am not able to manage the heat on the second setting unless I have a towel placed on my shoulders. For convenience this is quite good. Though I will probably one day invest in a traditional hooded dryer. Just because I am very conscious of the fact the dryer attachment lays by my chest and I am not overly keen on that at all. However it does what it does.  I have not used this to actually dry my hair, just for treatments.

treatments please

Ok well i want to dye my hair. I'm thinking of 2-3 shades of highlights all over. My friend says my hair is long but its just shoulder length when stretched.

my aim for the next 3 months is to have treatments every two weeks. I am not sure which treatments to do or try. The easiest would be hairdresser as i am due a trim and dont like snipping my ends myself.

I would love some colour suggestions

Transitioning begins

Today my hair is styled in flat twists at the front and the back is left out. On Saturday just gone I began my intensive treatment regime at the hairdressers. My hairdresser assessed my scalp as I have been experiencing dry itchy scalp. This has been intense since my last relaxer. So fingers cross my hair will be fine. By the time my treatment program ends it will be April. I am also going to the gym. I wonder if this will have any effects on my hair. I am told that I will need to do weekly hair washes as opposed to fortnightly. I will just have to see how my hair turns out when its au natural
Funny thing is that whilst telling my friends about my adventure into the natural sisterhood many are shocked many amazed others just say that they have heard this before. True. But I am determined. This is just another of those things I am doing for self.