How Does it Look ? My Protective Style Challenge - 09/25/11

Flat Twist to one side w/ Individual 2 strand twists set on Rod curlers

  Well I have decided that each week or two that I would chronicle my new Protective Style Challenge.   The official challenge is from October 1st- January 1, 2012.   This challenge came by way of a Blogger who at this time I can not remember which one...LOL.  Any Who, I did this challenge for 6 months last year but this year I feel I know even more about my hair and my tendencies.

Well I feel that this year I have damaged my hair with trying to highlight my hair twice by two different stylist and I can see (of course I hide it) the damage from the color and processing.   I however plan on trying to strengthen my hair with this challenge.   I want to color my hair BLACK again and began some Amla/Bramhi/Ayurvedic powder treatments and deep conditioning treatments to help my hair get stronger.   I may even cut it if it definitely warrants it to re-jump start my journey again.

BACK VIEW.... I DON'T KNOW WHY I BOTHER TO PAY A STYLIST

Well I did not wash my hair this weekend but I did this twist style that I only plan on wearing for one week.  I attempted this to see just how well I would be able to part and flat twist but I plan on creating lots of twist styles both flat and individual twists along with my hair care regimen of deep conditioning and major treatments to give my hair the break and special treatment it needs.    Stay tuned to see next week what my process will be.  I am going to be experimenting with some major deep treatments, prepoo and natural products that I already have in my Stash to create something that works for me.   I am due for a bit of a trim, so I may definitely incorporate a good trim in to this weeks Hair Day.

The plan is to chronicle my protective style challenge on my blog and to challenge my styling skills as well as to hold me to my challenge.   I will not have a particular wash schedule but:

1.  I will do deep conditioning treatment at least 3 times per month.
2.  Prepoo with Vatika Oil and Conditioner prior to using No Sulfate Shampoo.
3.  Deep condition with my Heat Therapy Wrap ( just bought)
4.  Keep my hair twisted, braided, bun, and my ends protected as much as possible with only 2 days loose hair. (if even that long, mostly prior to wash day).
5.  Moisturize and seal in the AM and the PM.


I will not indicate which products will be used but I will continue to use all natural products to prevent buildup.  I will do rinsing or co washing while in these styles only when necessary.  I may also utilize my steamer while in protective styles to add even more moisture if deemed necessary.  Yesterday when doing this style, my hair felt weak to me.   Although it may just have been because I was going from one style to another without washing but to me my hair felt fragile.  I did not like that feeling.  My hair deserves better and I am going to give it the Attention.

Some things I will be paying attention to:

1.  My diet
2.  My nails when styling.  Do not damage hair because of raggedy nails!
3.  Root to tip thickness, curl reaction and porosity.
4.  Protecting ends and special moisture and seal of last 1/2 of strands.  Extra moisture and care.
5.  My hair reaction to my regimen on a weekly basis.  updates, updates, and documenting.

Goal:  Healthy Body, Healthy Hair, Healthy Spirit, Healthy Mind = Happy Me!

UPDATES - Hair / Weight..... September....

Twist out after 8 day old twist/braid style

Hello Everyone,

At least it hasn't taken me as long to post something.  I have been doing my usual, working, bowling and supporting my wonderful College Sophomore Daughter.  My weight journey has not ended but I am beginning today to rededicate my focus on this because I want to have a healthy and long life for my Family.

SALON STYLIST TWISTS/BRAID STYLE

My hair in the picture above is a well shrunken twist out because I moisturize and seal my twists every day.  I went to a stylist to have it done ($40) and I was pleased with the service but found myself splitting the twists in 1/2 to transform into mini twists which I prefer much better.  She used Design Essential Curly Cream on my my hair that was slightly blown dry.   While the stylist was washing my hair she noticed that I had some pieces of my hair that were straighter than normal and we both contributed that to Color Damage.   Although not totally straight, these sections are about 2.5 inches from the root which helped me to determine the cause.  I knew I was having a slight difficulty in keeping some of my twists more taut and opted for rope twisting when necessary (twist each strand before twisting together). Now that I know the culprit, I can try to pay close attention and baby my strands and make sure that I am doing the best to strengthen the weakened areas.

This past Saturday I dedicated my morning and afternoon to a hair day.  Here is what I did and the products that I used.

Pre-poo - Yes to Tomatoes/Vatika Oil  1hr pre-poo
Shampoo - Lush Curly Wurly
Masque - Butters n bars Original Hair Masque ( Boy did my curls Pop!)
Deep Conditioner - ORS Hair Mayonaise/ Olive Oil - Heat Cap for 30 mins/ Sit 30 mins.
Leave In Conditioner - Hairveda Whipped Creme  Ends Hydration
Styling: Oyin Whipped Pudding and Burnt Sugar Pomade
Oil:  Hairveda AvoSoya Oil with Neem
Moisture: Aloe Vera Gel/ Aloe Vera Juice/H20  ( to curl the ends)

My hair when finished was super moisturized, shiny, soft and NICE!  At night I usually twist all in 5 twists, 2 on each side and a big one in the back and put a scarf on and then a satan bonnet.  The ones in the back I try to band a little to delay the shrinkage after moisturizing at night.  I did my hair very similar to what the stylist did with basically a braided fan with twisted ends for 2 inches then individual twists all over.   This style keeps the twists out of my face when bowling and exercising and helps with my edges (growth and retention).  I pay special attention to the edges around the front of my head due to thin edges and fine strands.  With this style I am able to do several up do's because the majority of my hair is still mini twisted.

"Shrinkage is a Mutha tho".  The sides of my hair are Collar bone length and beyond but still shrinks to jaw length.  This is why I feel like my hair is not growing, although I know different truthfully.

As for my weight, I have gained 4 pounds and I am on a mission to lose those 4 plus more by the end of September.  My eating habits will be put back on track as well as I will be using a combination of Cardio (treadmill) as well as strengthening.

My lunch Thursday ( Jumbo Shrimp Salad/Jumbo lump Crab Meat Club

  

on Wheat Toast (LOL)

Pictured Above - You see how I gained that 4 pounds...LOL.  must be the Mayo and Old Bay Seasoning

I have been surprised by my ability to run on the treadmill whereas I cannot on the actual track/field.  Not as much pressure on  my knees.   I have cut back the amount of time on my cardio to 1 hour as oppose to 90 mins and are doing 2 30 minute sessions.  Once in the Morning and Once in the evening.  I need to get my butt in the gym that I am paying for because I have not gone once since paying the $150 to the campus gym.
I sure could do my strength training with weights at least 2 times a week if not more.

I do bicep curls, pushups, lunges and lots of stomach crunches while home but need to hit the gym because of the nice equipment and for what I paid for the membership.  I would like to get some weights for home but feel almost redundant in that I have paid for the gym with all its resources.

I had started to feel frumpy again as only a 5'9.5" girl could although no one could see those 4 pounds but me.  I have been finding it hard to wake in the morning due to the fact it is dark outside at 5 and decided to move my cardio in doors during the week at least 3-5 days or go out at 6am-7am or just go out on Weekends when I don't have as much time constraint.   On my treadmill I am able to incline and do interval training much easier without worrying about my pores opening and catching bronchitis or pneumonia.  Trying to get my body used to the treadmill for much more rough weather ahead.

Well I guess that is a lot for updating but I will try to be much better.  Please if your interested in logging a weight loss journey, seeking motivation and help or just logging your exercis and foods, I encourage everyone to use www.Myfitnesspal.com  It is a very useful tool and it is also helpful for all ages for reviews of all kinds of diets (discouraged)/lifestyle changes (preferred), Exercise Regimens (DVD's/Programs/Equipment) and a whole lot of good folks and great conversation of like minds.   Also I have met quite a few Naturals on there.   Healthy Living = Healthy Hair.... it all goes together.   Have a Blessed Day!

Texture Change... Yes/ No?

Well I decided to post twice today after thinking about my hair.  I remember posting that I thought my texture had changed from when I first went natural.  With the recent big chop of my daughters hair and the transitioning of a friend's hair,  I began to think whether a person should do a big chop or transition and what the benefits and disadvantages truly are.

Big Chop (Cutting your hair down less than 3 inches)
Disadvantage - If you like length then you don't have it any more!  A person may decide to wear weaves, extension braids, lace fronts and wigs until their hair gets more length.   A person may not take care and learn their natural hair and its true potential because they are hiding it away.  A person may become even more about growth than healthy hair in their Journey.

Advantages - A person may learn their hair in the different growth stages and how to care for and style their hair in all its stages.  A person does not have to worry about taking care of the two textures and finding products and styles that work for both.  A person can still wear a weave/lace front or wigs to have length.

Transitioning
Disadvantages - A person may not be able to really know their texture without having the weight of the perm hair weighing it down.   The texture may seem to change when it really hasn't.  The breakage and the taking care of the two textures and finding products and styles that work for both.

Advantages - Can retain length (if thats what your in to) and can change your mind and retain the length if you decide to stop your natural hair journey.  You can get a glimpse of your natural hair texture in a larger quantity than a shorter length.  Experimentation.

I would say that I was part transitioner and part big chopper due to the fact that I wore my hair in mini box braids for two months before cutting my perm completely off to less than 3 inches.  My hair started off very coily and dense and grew up and out but as it started to retain length, I noticed that my strands were not as thick or dense and that my hair waved out and the root and then coiled.   As my length got longer, the wave pattern continued and my hair grew out and down and now I cannot stand my hair up like I used to without product and major manipulation or a cut.  I was able to learn my hair in its various stages and style and care for it accordingly.

I know this post may be kind of all over the place but just a thought I had and decided to post.  I really wish my daughter would embrace the opportunity to learn her hair at the shorter length and continue to progress through her length retention.

Have a great evening... I will get over this~!

Need to Post for August... Update on Hair and Weight Loss Journey

Well I know I have been really bad about updating my blog although I view and comment on everyone else's almost daily.  I have had some kind of Month of August with my Hair and my Weight.

In the picture above I have pulled an Old Faux Puff right out of the closet and put my hair away.  I love the faux puff and most people think it is mine and really compliment me on this look.

I have been teetering back and forth about what to do about my hair.  I enjoy trying to grow it but I also would love a little more effortless look with a shorter cut.   The shorter cut would allow me to really let my coils pop and give an illusion of more fullness/density and allow the hair to stand up and out.  Of course I don't do length checks but sometimes I feel my hair is not growing to its full potential although I know that I am not spending very much time with caring for it.   In the summer months its just too darn easy to wash n go.  I try to use good products and believe me, don't get it twisted, I will use cones in the summer months to combat the frizz and lock in the moisture and not let the humidity take control of my hair in the DMV.

I have got to take more time on my mane to reach maximum potential.  I have decided not to cut my hair until Spring of 2012 Dependent upon my growth over the fall and winter months.   It is much easier to sport hats and beanies etc and keep your hair looking nice with Twists and braids.  It also is great protection for the ends. (In these two pics my hair is shrunken with moisturizing by spritzing with water and aloe vera gel and sealing with Only One Argan Treatment Oil (cones)).   The sides of my hair are some of the most coily/curly and shrink more than the back but hey, the hair in the back is looser curls/coils and grows the fastest.

My hair in this picture to the left is a twist out that were not from the previous twists but larger ones.  I have been finding that when twisting my hair, the twists want to gap a little bit, so I have been practicing a technique of twisting the hair in the twist to create more of a rope twist instead of the regular two strands.  This technique gives more definition to the twists and the twist out results although more time consuming.  I may have to try braiding the roots then rope twisting the strands to get less frizz but with finer strands, I fear that it will create a more scalpy twist style.  I don't want that.

This past week I ordered some product from Hairveda which I have not received yet but wanted to try due to the Sale ending August 31st.  With Irene coming to town that has made my order delayed although we are both in Maryland.   This past weekend the Baltimore Meetup was to take place but was canceled because of Irene.  I still showed up at the Oyin (Exit the Apple) and got more Whipped Pudding,BSP and 16 oz Hair Dew and now they have postponed until this weekend.  I will go to the meetup but I am done buying product (Unless there is a good discount offered).   From Hairveda, I oredered the Whipped Cream, Whipped Jelly, some samples of  Avosoya Light Oil, Almond glaze and acai berry phyto conditioner.  I was hopping to receive so I could order more things if I liked them.  I may still order some of the Super Friends (Duo) because at 30% off the product junkie in me needs a fix!

The above picture is of my Daughter Bria who went natural on July 27th.  She has a very dense curl pattern and has not quite embraced her Natural hair yet. (Hence, still rocking the lace front/weaves).  She wants her hair to be my length Today and that is not going to happen.  When I took her back to her college campus and saw all the naturals walking around, I could not believe that she still wanted to wear that "Hairy Hat".   She is in to make up Like I am in to Natural hair and I wish she could focus on her hair for a minute but she hasn't yet.  Hopefully when she comes home for Christmas Break I can change her mind.   Her natural hair brings out her features but she likes longer hair and is used to hair past her shoulders.  I can sympathize with her and her insecurity but wish she would embrace now and learn her hair.  Oh Well.

Sorry that you have to turn your head cause I could not get that picture to post upright.

In the Month of August I gained 3 pounds and was really lazy with my food intake even though not as lazy with my exercise.  I am on a mission again to get rid of the 3 plus 7 more pounds in the month of September and I promise to post more often.   Until then I will continue to Lurk other peoples blogs and try to focus more time on my hair and weight journey as I am home alone with my dog Cocoa until the Winter College Break!    God Bless and I will promise a blog at least once/twice a week for the month of September.  Bowling Season has started as well so I will be a busy person!  Ciao for now!

I'm Back!

Click Photo to Enlarge

Well I'm back , even though I really haven't been any where.

Typically I update my blog while at work and I really have not had good cell phone reception to be able to upload my photos.   I have still been Stalking Jazzwife and Sabrina P. on their blogs and have been continuing with my Natural Hair Journey as well as my Weight Loss Journey.   Lets get to Weight loss first.

Well I am down only about 15 pounds total since April 4, 2011, but I am down at least one dress size.   I have been continuing my Brisk Walking in the morning at 5am and have added weights to my hands, pushups and other Strengthening and Toning exercises.   Even the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (Not consistently doing at this time). I havent used my new GF Evolve Grill yet but have been sticking to a consistent Caloric Intake.   Still Logging my diaries on Myfitnesspal.com.... a wonderful tool for people who not just want a diet but motivation to make lifestyle changes.   I'm looking pretty good if I do say so myself.

Click Photo to Enlarge

As for my Hair:

It is thriving!

My summer routine of Wash N Go's is keeping my hair moisturized, nourished and Looking Sweet!   Notice the pics above.   This is my new style that got rave reviews from people around me at work and play (love the curls/shrinkage).  It was a style I tried one day after having an old wash and go and decided after working out that I did not feel like doing my hair all over again so decided to pin to one side and adorn.  ( You know I feel really sexy with my hair pulled to one side) .   This has become a style that I have worn to Work, Funerals and/or a Night on the town.   It is very sophisticated and super curly and cute.   

My hair in the Summer really thrives with WNG's better than the twist styles.   I have little to no shedding, ssk's and tangles.   Gotta love that for length retention.

Here are the products that I am using.

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

Aussie 3 minute Miracle

Curl Junkie Assurance Smoothing Lotion (Leave-In)

Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle(finisher)

Ecco Styler Olive Oil Gel ( keep frizz down, rake through sections)

One N Only Argan Oil Treatment (Sealant- Yes it has cones)

I know some of these may have cones but I find that in the super humid summer/fall of Maryland these cones help to keep the moisture in and frizz at bay!  My hair has been super moisturized, frizz free and has great sheen.  My ends are looking great and I have had a demi color put over my highlights with no drying effects.

Gotta keep up with what works and don't get caught up in the hype... do whats best for your hair.

I find that my hair and Glycerin products are not good during this time and reframe from products with Glycerin within the first 4-5 Ingredients.  Maybe I will see how the Winter regimen evolves by the end of this summer.

I am not spending a lot of time on wash day at all and really just Shampoo to rid myself of the cones after 3-4 days.  I did decide today to maybe add a bit of protein treatment once a month to see the effects as well.  I am a little afraid and this is maybe just an egg/mayo protein treatment.

I am enjoying my summer, getting fit, bowling (OK) and feeling great.   My company moved to new offices where we get all the natural daylight and the entire front wall and door is all glass.  These offices are Laid Out... Upscale.

I hope everyone's summer is going well and I will continue to update my blog more often even if its without photos.   Remember check out myfitnesspal.com as a good health and fitness tool.   There are many naturals on their as well.   I think Natural hair automatically gives a consciousness for so much more regarding Lifestyle choices.   

I know.. Bathroom Shot (Don't Judge me!)

Talk to you again Real soon!

Back In Twists.... The Switch Up!

Well I switched my hair up a bit and decided to go with some mini twists.  I have just been a little tired with the WNG and wanted something that I could just keep moisturized and wrap up at night.

I have been putting about 6 twist in my hair to get a great wave and curl pattern to my twists.   I have been using my Hair Dew and Grapeseed Oil to keep moisturized and they have been looking pretty nice.  My hair color is very light at the root and I am not liking the brightness as much as it shows immensely with my hair in twists.   I may go and get a darker rinse added to the roots only to make me feel alot better before I go to Detroit at the end of the month.

I have been finishing up my bowling leagues and right now I have come in 3rd place in at least two of my leagues and I am $2000 dollars to richer for it.... I finish my Saturday league this week and I am hoping for another "Comma" in my prize money as I prepare for my trip to Detroit.    Of course everything is already paid for and all that is left is for shopping or entertainment while there.   A good outing there could yield a couple thousand as well so I must be fit and trim and ready to make that money.

I will give an update on my weight by the end of the week.   I have been doing very well with my diet and exercise this week. 

BTW - My Daughters Athletic Banquet was last night and she was named most outstanding performer on the Bowling Team this year.   Also her coach is picking up whatever Financial aid does not for next year (College Sophmore) and that includes on campus Meals & Housing..... Way To Go Bria!   I am proud of my daughter and I am praying for continued success. 

Well Down Only 1 pound this week but it my TOM!

 

Hair set with Curl Junkie products and a bit of Eco Styling Gel

The Weight - Well I am one more pound down after a week.   I was still not as discipline as I would have liked to have been with my Dinner meals but my walking routine and my breakfast and lunch have been great.   I have until 5/25/2011 before I leave for my next bowling trip and believe me, I am going to be a size smaller before I go.

I do see myself toning quite a bit and I see the difference a bit in my face.  I will take it one week at a time and my weigh ins for the challenge of 15 by June 4th is on Fridays.   Seeing as though it was my TOM, I was surprised to see any loss at all.  So I am expecting more discipline and a bigger loss next Friday.

Sorry about the close up (LOL)- Nose looks Huge!

The Hair - well it is hanging in there.  I like the Eco Styler ( heavier) and the curls in the bottle as a finisher and of course the Assurance smoothing lotion by Curl Junkie as a leave-in/detangler.  I have been wearing my WNG as I walk and workout at home.   The luxury of doing a WNG successfully without Frizz has been wonderful. 

I will be playing with styles this weekend!

Here is 2nd day hair.  Wasn't trying too hard because its Friday and my Office is moving!

Have a Blessed Weekend and Be a Blessing to someone else!