Guest Blog: Hair Growth

Hello Ladies,

                         I'm new to the natural world and at 9 months of trial and error I'm starting to get the hang of this thing.  First, I want to say the natural hair isn't a phase or some experiment. I decided to go natural because the perms were breaking my hair off. It seemed like every 6 to 8 weeks my stylist was hacking my hair off due to split ends or breakage. There were times when she wouldn't cut my hair and people would say to me, " Stop cutting your hair". I was so frustrated because it was thin and not growing. So, here I am after 1.5 years of transitioning. I didn't have the guts to cut off all my hair. I truly admire you sisters who are able to take that step. Nevertheless, I still didn't have the length I wanted and so I began my journey of being a product junky and tricks to add length. But, I have narrowed down my regimen and I'm happy to share what I have found that really works. Now, I started using this product in April 2011 and it's now September 2011 so I have given it a fairly long time. I've used it consistently and I am very, very happy with the results. My hair has grown and is growing much thicker as the product has promised. So, what is it? I'm glad you asked it's EMU OIL.  Now, many of you have or may not have heard of this oil.  If you refuse to use any animal by-products than this isn't for you because it does come from a bird native to Australia.  Emu Oil contains the essential acids Omega 3, 6, 9 and nutrients that your skin, scalp and hair need to reproduce healthy cells over and over, so using Emu Oil for Hair will keep your Hair growing healthy. Emu Oil gives your  scalp essential fatty acids that the cells must have to keep from becoming fragile and resulting in a variety of scalp problems. Now, it is expensive and it's only sold on-line, but shop around and find the best deal. I get mine from www.emuoilnaturally.com.  I use the conditioner and oil but they also have shampoo, yes Sulfate free.  Please by all means shop around you don't have to buy it from my contact. I only suggest that you give it a try for at least 4 to 6 months, you will not be disappointed. 

 

I'm getting so many comments now on the growth and thickness of my hair. I will never go anywhere without my Emu Oil, this is my staple.  Thanks ladies,  and remember " Live By Faith, Walk In Love and Forgive Always".   I just want to acknowledge our friend and sister in Christ Rae for going after her dreams, and allowing God to use her to bless others. We love you Rae always.

Peace,   Shanequa

Product Review: Kinky Curly

Kinky Curly System (Knot Today & Curly Custard)



Big Chop Kinky Curly 07/08



Here is a photo on the day of my big chop (BC), back in December of 2008 or 2007. I did a lot of research before I had the BC, my first product of choice was the Kinky Curly System. I co-washed with Dove and applied the Knot Today leave in conditioner and the Curling Custard. I wasn’t bold enough to walk out the house oh natural, so I tied a scarf around my head to give it a little pizzazz. My hair felt great, it was moisture rich, it looked shiny and healthy, and it was soft to the touch. My hair probably lasted about 4-5 days before it began to flake. The product instructions warn against using too much custard and not touching it before it dries completely. Trial and error, I did have a few spots where I clumped way to much product in one. What you see is what you get, if you see product buildup on the hair after applying, it will not magically disappear once it dries. I actually really liked this system on my newly short curly fro, it was a wash and go delight.

Kinky Curly 2011

Now that brings us to present day 2011. I tried the kinky curly system on my long natural hair; not such a glorious experience. The product boasts it will not cause shrinkage and it doesn’t, but it also did not help in the curl department. My hair looked stringy, the front of my hair kind of just flopped, no waves and no curls. I was no longer impressed and I waited a long time for the product to get to my local Target store, what a disappointment. See picture for yourself. In all fairness, I tried the system when my hair was shoulder length and it gave me the most beautiful curls. My hair had curls as if I used flexi rod rollers, it only lasted 3 days before it started flaking, but it looked so good I didn’t want to wash it out. I used the buddy system and had my friends and family on flake dutyJ

In The Beginning...

Before Pic:processed hair

BC: Week 1

In December 2008 or 2007 my memory is a little fuzzy, I had the Big Chop (BC), and what I considered a TWA (teenie weenie afro).

 Most people would have considered my 4-5 inches of natural growth, bigger than a TWA. I procrastinated and waited as long as I could before I committed to the BC. When I finally did all the research I thought necessary, I went to my trusted beautician and let her cut. You should have seen the faces in the salon as she snipped away. I honestly had no idea what I was in for; it was a shot in the dark. I couldn’t tell my hair type when I was transitioning, I didn’t know how fast my hair would grow, I didn’t know what maintenance was necessary since everyone’s routines, regimes and processes are different. Overall I was ready for a change! When I jumped in the shower and washed everything including my hair within 15 minutes as oppose to 1+ hours, I couldn’t believe short hair was so manageable. I wanted to scream from the mountain top. My comb ran through my hair like butter, there was no need for sectioning and struggling to comb through each section. I used a fraction of shampoo and conditioner, there was no blow drying (breaking dryer combs), no flat ironing, I had moments of euphoria people. Please don’t get me wrong, I was thankful to have long hair, it was just a chore maintaining it and I could never find a hairdresser that would style my hair any better than I could do for myself. There are some natural hair drawbacks, you become a product junkie. You have to try every product in the world that claims to be natural. Then you get a grip and realize it is costing you a grip and you just find products that work for you. There are some ingredients to avoid (future post), but find items that work with you and your particular hair type.

Next post: product review of Kinky Curly

Questionable Braid Out

Questionable Fro



Dysfunctional

 Fro



Loved this look!

Transitioning



Before Natural Conversion

 I have been natural for 3.5 years now. I transitioned for six (6) months. I wore my hair in muslin head wraps, or I wore it in a ponytail with a flat ironed bang. Not so funny fact, my bang never made it through the whole day. I often looked quite crazy with fuzzy and wavy roots and a straight bottom half swoop. Can you say middle school hair? My transitioning period was an interesting time; I was used to having long, flowing relaxed hair that seemed pretty healthy (see before pic). It was quite a change to have this bird’s nest growing under those head wraps. My poor hair dresser had to untangle and make sense of that catastrophe, when I so easily neglected my hair between salon visits.  I don’t have a before pic (think teased pompadour), but below is the transition pic (think miracle). Guess what? I have the nerve to be tender headed.

My next post will be a journey from my relaxed hair to an all natural crown. You won’t want to miss that, there were a good number of questionable hair daysJ



Flexirod set during transition.