Workout Slump

This morning I woke with every intention to workout. My son had other plans, he decided to wake up too and STAY up for an hour?! Which in turn made me dose off trying to put him back to sleep. Well I guess better luck tomorrow...
It seems like every time I get back on my workout regimen something knocks me off track. Maybe I'm not diligent enough. Let change that to definitely not diligent. Its a work in progress. I get easily bored of the same exercise routine so I am always on the search for something new...
What do you do when you find yourself in a workout slump?

Heat damage

Heat damage is prevalent in many new naturals because some tend to be at a loss of how to style their hair. I know that for me this is the case. Although I have cleaned up my act, I have suffered damage in only one spot. It’s a small patch in the front of my hair. It’s completely damaged. So now, what I do is use two heat protectants and a serum. The serum I use as a finishing product.
I deep condition with my Cholesterol and use a leave in conditioner then I use:
John Frieda Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray followed by GVP Thermal Protection Spray and finish up with John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum, Thermal Protection Formula.
It may be excessive for some but it has truly helped me combat heat damage. It doesn’t matter what protectant you use as long as you use one.

To Weave or Not to Weave

Ok...I think I have finally gotten a true handle on being natural. Most important things that can be done for natural hair is Moisture and Protective Styling (protein is necessary as well). I'm still struggling with finding protective styles that I like to wear. My protective style as of late has been weaves. I love the versatility. Wearing a weave has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage: It’s a good protective style if you are constantly moisturizing the hair underneath, which I do with SCurl spray.
I only leave my weaves on for about a week. Take it down deep condition my hair with Cholesterol use a leave in conditioner like H.E. Long Term Relationship or Giovanni Direct.

I seal my ends with Shea Butter, braid my hair up, and start again.

Disadvantage: People (I’ve been guilty of this in the past) tend to neglect their hair underneath. If you aren’t moisturizing your hair, the weave and thread are sucking out additional moisture making this an unfavorable environment for your hair. Not deep conditioning and not handling the weave with care puts extra stress on your hair.

Disadvantage: If you get a straight, weave and you leave your hair out. You are compelled to straighten your hair. This can lead to heat damage, especially if you aren’t using a heat protectant and straightening dirty hair.
Therefore, if you are looking for a good protective style weaving is an option but it has to be done with care. Just because your hair is natural, it won’t just grow on its own if it not taking care of, a weave is not a hair neglect pass. So good luck and happy weaving.

Nappiversary (Nappy Anniversary)

February 16TH has made it one year since I officially BC and started on my 100% natural journey. I have had my share of ups and downs. Well I couldn’t celebrate because I had tons of laundry, a rambunctious toddler and a house to clean. So last night I gave myself a deep conditioning treatment using Lustrasilk Cholesterol and added olive oil. I then added heat and a plastic cap and slept on it for a fewer hours (about 4). When I rinsed it out, I noticed some shedding (dreaded winter cold). However, I realized I haven’t done a protein treatment in forever so my scale was tipping in the moisture side, which isn’t so bad, but it was heavy on that side. Therefore, I decided to whip up something. I didn’t measure anything out because I was in a rush. While I had Giovanni Tea Tree conditioner in my hair, I added this mixture:

• 3-4 scoops of real mayo
• 1 egg
• Olive oil (don’t know exactly how much)
• Honey (don’t know how much)

I mixed these all up, applied to hair left it on for about 5-10 minutes. I rinsed with Giovanni Tea Tree shampoo (mistake, it’s kind of drying I should have used my Carol’s Daughter Tui). I made sure to rinse with cold water (didn’t want an omelet in my hair). I rinsed and then finished off with Tui Hair Smoothie. For the most part my hair feels great. I have slight shedding but I guess I’m ok. I’m going to blame it on the dreaded cold.
Overall, I can say that going natural was a great decision. I have learned so much about myself during this time and being natural has inspired me to evaluate different aspects of my life. I am such an advocate, always trying to convince friends and family to make the leap. I will admit it’s not easy and sometimes you don’t get it right the first time around. This is actually my second attempt, but the only one with a BC. One of my friends transitioned for about a year and then decided to relax, incidentally I hadn’t spoken to her in months, and when I did, she had given in a few days prior to the relaxer. She has decided to start her journey again. Being natural isn’t a hairstyle it’s a way of life and it takes some adjustment. So I tell anyone who is considering being natural to take their time, don’t get discouraged and be patient. Good Luck! As for me I’m sipping on Green Tea and hopeful to see many naturalistic (entirely: mind, body and soul) years to come.

Product Review

Carol's Daughter Tui hair collection. Absolutely love it!!! Here's the thing I have been looking at her products for the past 5 years (I know a long time). It seems like whenever I'm ready to try it I hear a bad review, someone saying her products are overrated or that the formula has changed. So I took my time and waited. Well a few weeks ago I purchased Tui Gift Set at Sephora. It included the Tui Herbal Shampoo, Tui Hair Smoothie, Tui Hair oil and Hair Milk. Let me let you know how wonderful this stuff really is. The smell is intoxicating.

I started with a fresh pallet, I rinsed my hair with baking soda and water. I then shampooed with the Tui Herbal Shampoo, it lathers up wonderfully. Then I used the Hair Smoothie, left it on for about 15 mins and rinsed with warm water about 90% of it out then added a cold water burst. Now the first time I did it, I just did a twist set with the Hair Milk my results really sucked.!!! (yea you read right it sucked)

So I rewashed my hair the next day this time adding Hair Oil to my hair prior to washing, followed the steps, here's what I did change: while my hair was still wet I applied Shea Butter and then sealed with Hair Milk. I did my twist out and it was fabulous!!!

Sometimes you have to tweak products use the new with the old and you can truly achieve great results.

These are my staples. Simple!

Tui Shampoo, Hair Oil, Smoothie, Shea Butter and Hair Milk. Its helped keep my hair moisturized during these cold winter months.