Bc to 8 months

I had gotten my first relaxer when i was about 6...i'm guessing. My mom doesn't remember and neither do i, so i had to be really young. I'm not sure who's idea it was to relax my hair either, it could have been my mother, she's white and i'm sure this was a new hair experience for her. Maybe it was a "well meaning" hairdresser or maybe even a stranger on the street saw the white woman with the black baby and thought to offer some "advice".

I was about 9 or 10 in these pics and my hair was doing really well with the relaxer!

I kept my hair relaxed for 15 years with very little problems. When i was younger my mom would probably wash and condition my hair every week or 2 weeks. I don't remember her ever using deep conditioner, and i doubt she ever did. We would use pert shampoo and white rain conditioner, then she would put my hair in 4 ponytails, braid it to the end and leave it. Every now and then she would loose the ponytail holder (but leave the braid), resmooth it and tie it back up. I recently asked her what hairdressing she used on my hair but she didn't remember. I do remember pink lotion though...who can ever forget that distinct smell! This seemed to be a good regimen for me at that time, my hair really seemed healthy and was growing nicely.

Around the age of 12 i started going to the salon every 2 weeks to get my hair washed and conditioned. My hair was still growing and was really healthy.

Then, i'm not sure what happened, but my hair slowly started to break off. My hair home care was not really the best, just grease really, so i'm sure now that was the culprit. By the time i decided to go natural i was a few inches below shoulder length. My hair was in OK shape, but i had really thin, see through ends.

The first time i went natural was in 2005. I transitioned for about 4 months and then chopped it off myself. I liked it. So did my mom and boyfriend...my dad didn't even notice LOL

After a year i bleached my hair platinum blonde and with continued co washing and dc my hair did pretty well. I lived with wash & go's and everything was great...until i flat ironed it.

I flat ironed my hair after 2 years being natural and was so surprised at how long it was...of course that made me just want to relax it again! So about 2 months after flat ironing it, i went and got a relaxer. I cried and cried and blamed my boyfriend for letting me do that! I felt so weird with straight hair! It just felt so wimpy and short, so i ran out and bought a weave to make a ponytail and i never showed my relaxed hair from then on.

That same month i became pregnant with my son. 4 months after getting that relaxer i big chopped again! I don't know if it was the hormones or my dissatisfaction with my relaxed hair, but it was no more, i cut it down to about 1/2 an inch. I wore a wig for a couple months until it grew a bit. Then i relaxed again a few months after my son was born! I was in a crazy cycle of natural and relaxed, natural and relaxed. But this is my final time, i am finished for sure with relaxing. I am happy with my hair and don't see a need in relaxing anymore. I didn't have a problem with relaxing, its just that my natural hair fits me and my life now.

I did my final bc April 1 2008

I joined longhaircareforum.com and nappturality.com and from this point i tried my best to treat my hair right. I deep conditioned and cowashed and my hair was doing really well! Then i decided i didn't like my dark colored hair. I ran some hair bleach through it and though it was cuteish...it looked kind of dusty to me after awhile.

So i put a rinse over it. Now as my hair grows i can see the ends are frizzier where the color still is.

In December it made 8 months since my chop and i think my hair is doing pretty. Its grown quite a bit and is really soft!

Right now i'm not sure of the length since i have been wigging it with half wigs and phony ponies since December 15th. i will probably release her on the 16th of February for my wedding anniversary and see where she is at!

A little off topic...

I know this doesn't really have anything to do with hair...but i guess in a way it does!

Just so you know, i am a stay at home mom, and have been for the last 2 years. Even though i love being with my son i sometimes wish i made money of my own. Especially when i see a new hair product i want to buy!!

So, i wanted to try and make a little money at home. I heard about surveys and thought that it was a good idea! Only problem is that i live in the Bahamas and all these surveys are only for people who live in the US or Canada. I was really discouraged.

I kept looking and came across hits4pay and was so happy when they automatically redirect me since they saw my ip was not located in the states! I got $10 right away just for signing up! Then they send you ads to read...thats all. It takes about a minute for each ad and you earn anywhere from a few cents to $5.00.

So if you are looking to make a few extra $$ for whatever you can always give this a try!

Still Reading Commercial Emails For Free? Receive Emails On Topics That Interests You And Get Paid For It! Get $10 Just to signup! http://hits4pay.com/members/index.cgi?leijah

Gimme some half wigs!

I am so hooked on half wigs lately! I just love 'em. My favorite way to wear it is with all my hair underneath and a headband, this makes it easier for me since i then don't have to blend the hairline! I love the curly hairstyles since they match my style more than the straight, plus the frizzier they get the more natural they look!

Here are some of the ones i like, and hope to try out one day:

This is the one i am wearing in my other post!

I also like phony ponies alot, but the only downside with that for me is that i have to flat twist my hairline since my hair is not long enough there to reach my ponytail. I still like 'em though and try to wear them often!

10 Hair Product Ingredients to Stay Clear From!

10 INGREDIENTS TO AVOID PUTTING ON YOUR HAIR!

This was pretty cool to read. I was surprised to see that some of the products that i am using contain some of these ingredients. I haven't noticed a problem, but then again, maybe effects are not shown right away. Who knows what can show up 10,20, 0r even 30 years from now. I don't think its possible for me, personally, to ban all these products, but i will make a conscience effort to reduce the amount of products that contain these ingredients from my bathroom.


1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Natural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders. It further hinders normal skin respiration/transpiration by keeping oxygen out. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age. Holding in large a mounts of moisture in the skin can "flood" the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Petrolatum - A petroleum-based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.Honestly, this stuff belongs in your engine, not on your hair. Regardless of "Well, my Grandma used vaseline on her hair and it grew ", the bottom line is this stuff is bad. It was bad for Grandma and it is bad for you. Period.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of makeup, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says, "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of ad ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste," Studies show its danger potential to be great when used in personal-care products. Toxicity - A serious problem with these chemicals is that they may be contaminated with NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine), one of the nitrosamines and a potent carcinogen, according to a 1978 FDA report.Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may be more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Contains ether.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure, and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."
8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic."

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home). For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

www.nappturality.com

Hair Color

I like haircolor...ALOT. If i could i would probably color my hair every color i like. I usually go towards blonde colors for some reason, my husband keeps telling me i should dye it red. Reds are not really my favorite, but maybe one day. For his sake at least.

I dyed my hair a very light blonde a few years back. Well, it was more yellow and white...but it was still cute! I didn't get any damage from it either, surpringly. I was bleaching it every 2 weeks! I'm surprised my hair didn't just up and leave me. Maybe it was because of all the cowashing i did or maybe it was the protein gel i used daily...who knows, but my hair was bangin at that time.

Silly me though i could have mixed this bleached head with relaxer and everything would turn out fine...right? LOL, umm, yeah sure. I relaxed my hair and i was too happy to look in the mirror and see that my hair was now way past my armpits. Not for long though...that hairdresser brought my hair right up to above my shoulders stating that my hair was damaged. Sure i had a few split ends from my abuse of bleach...but why she had to do me like that!!

Now i am natural again, and the hair color is really inticing me. I want to color my hair so bad, but i'm not sure. I really don't want to damage my hair and from all the horror stories i have heard, it seems like a given. Like my first experiance with color was a fluke.

I don't know what im gonna do...maybe i will color it for the christmas. What color do you all like? These are just a few and i got a long while before christmas comes around again...but it's still cool to know what color family i should stay around.

Maybe Jet Black

In the Blonde family

Or the Red family

Before i started i cowashed with VO5 Honeydew Smoothie. I then dried my hair a bit in an old t-shirt.

I add some Organics Texture My Way Hair Moisturizer. I love this stuff! I havn't found anything to match this yet!

Gather my hair in a ponytail using an old pantyhose i cut up.

Then i put on my wig cap. It's not tight, but it helps to hold the bun down. Plus, with the curly hair, it has alot of volume so it hides any bump i may have from the bun!

I put the half wig on statring from the top. I pull it over the rest of my head and tighten with the little tabs at the back.

I finish it off with either a headband or a little clip!

Protective Styles.

I was never one to like protective styles. I was always a wash and go girl, and a puff was my trademark. By visiting different hair sites, i learned alot about the benefits of protecting my hair from the elements and how i can retain length and moisture by doing protective styles.
I tried twists and box braids on my natural hair...these were not styles for me. I LOVE how they look on others, but i didn't like how they looked on me. I guess the fact that i'm not too good at doing them is kind of the reason behind this as well.:/
I tried headwraps for awhile, but i got bored with it real quick since i only have a black fabric. Maybe if i had tons of colors it would have been different, but fabric is mucho expensive around here, so that just wasn't happening.:(
Then i got turned onto half wigs and phony ponies (which i loved when i was relaxed). I didn't think i could pull this off with natural hair, but so far i have been loving it! My hair has been so much softer and easier to detangle since doing these protective styles. I'm not going to keep it up forever, probably until December and then i will see how much my hair has grown!

Here are some of my favorite protective styles:

My half wig when it was brand new. Now it is a bit frizzy, but it looks more real.

My straight half wig.

A Bun made with braiding hair

Growing hair on a budget.

This is pretty much a cheap girls way of growing long natural hair. I am a stay at home mom, so in other words i don't make money! With only one income coming through my husband, $$ has to be budgeted and at the end of the day there isn't alot put toward hair products.
Before i got married, and had a kid, i lived at home with my mother. Boy, was i a product junkie then! It was easy since i was working and had no bills to pay. Almost all my money was spent on clothing, shoes, makeup...and hair products. Now i'm lucky if i even buy a new hair product every month!
April 2008 i had cut off all my relaxed hair in an attempt to go natural. I thought it would have been easier on the wallet since i didnt have to get a relaxer every couple months and pay for salon services. It took some getting use to, having short hair. It also took some time trying to figure out which products agreed with my hair. Not so easy when you don't have the $. And it seemed like everything i tried, my hair HATED. What a waste i would think everytime i gave a hair product to my sister to try after it proved worthless on my hair.
Well, i have basically found out what is my hairfriend now. I LOVE VO5 Honeydew Smoothie conditioner. The slip it gives me is incredible! It even beats out my first love, Suave Tropical Coconut condish. Oh and buy the way, most of my product is conditioner since i co-wash my hair (don't use shampoo). The Honeydew Smootie also smells delish, it's so good i usually spend some time sniffing it before i use it! Love it. My other product is a moisturizer. Organics Texture My Way Curl Keeper Moisturizing Hair Lotion. This stuff is Awesome. It leaves my hair moisturized for awhile, this is something no other moisturizer has done for me yet! So this is definetly a keeper. My other produc is a Cholesterol Deep Conditioner, but i don't use any specific brand, anything i just pick up at the beauty supply store.
So there it is. My 3 products. These are the only things i use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
More on these products and my hair goals to come!