My 2 year NAPPIVERSERY!

Boy oh boy oh boy. How fast these past two years have zoomed by. I seriously can not believe that there was a point in time where I thought my hair would never grow. Silly me. :] I am 2 years into this and I have not looked back. I made a video discussing various topics. If ya don't want to watch it, you can read a quick summary of said topics below. :D



Regimen & Products: MY regimen is so simple compared to other naturalistas it's ridiculous. I wash my hair once a week with One N' Only Argon oil shampoo and conditioner. I've been using this same brand for about a year and a half now. It just works! When the shampoo runs out I'll use anything, but I will not use a different conditioner...EVER! After washing my hair, I twist it with my home made shea butter mixture, and then rock the twist out for the remainder of the time until it is die for another wash. That's it. Shampoo. Conditioner, and Shea Butter.
Protective Stylnig & Styles: I don't do protective styles to much. I think they are ugly and I just like wearing my hair. Although in the summer, if I don't go out, I'll keep my 2 strand twists in until it's time to wash, but that't it. I don't really mix up styles to much either. You will usually see me with my hair in a head band, or bandana...some times a hat. I'm just to lazy to find new styles, and plus, I'm going to college and I don't have time for the extra. BUUUUT, I plan on changing that within the next year or 2 when my hair gets longer. I would like to learn how to do a donut. That would be nice. :) I find that I can retain length with out protective styling. My hair went from 1.5 inches to 10. I'm on track, doing quite well.

Tips: Sleep with a silk pillow. If you want to maintain a decent twist out for a few days, pineapple your hair. Find a good oil and worship it. Oh, and rock your hair with confidence please. Find a good oil and love it.Trim your own ends regularly. 
Transitioning: Trans'ing sucks! I had to big chop, the two different textures were bugging the hell out of me. I would advise every one who wants to go natural to do the same. When I first cut my hair, it has to have been about 1.5 inches and it it is up to 10.5 inches! :) Yay, me. I'm on track and retaining length.
Dating <3: Dating for me has not been an issue at all. I know there are some naturals out there who have a hard time dating or finding some one who accepts their hair. But me? I've been doing just fine. My ex's/current boyfriend liked me for me and not because of my hair, and they've all been black if that matter to anyone. :) 

The proof is in the pudding people!

How to Make Whipped Shea Butter - The Simple Way

You simply can not have natural hair and have never heard of shea butter. Sorrynotsorry, but no. It is not possible. Weather you use it in your regimen or not, you know what this yellow stuff is. I know you do!

I'm sure 'whipped shea butter' tutorials have been done and made probably 622 times, but I promise you that my tutorial is nothing but simple, only four easy steps to follow. My tutorial does not involve every oil that you can possibly find in your pantry! (though, if that's what you want, go for it). All you really need is two main ingredients. 

I will be using 100% natural shea butter and my oil of choice is coconut oil. You can substitute for any oil you'd like. In the past I've used olive oil and sometimes argon oil. I stick with the coco'o' (haha) because it's very light. Shea butter is already thick and sticky, olive oil and other heavier counter parts just make my hair feel weighed down. And you don't want that! You want airy, light, bouncy locks! Oh, and please, use 100% natural shea butter...please! So here we go:

Step One: You will need a large bowl. Fill your bowl half way with shea butter.

• Step Two: To soften it up, and to get it ready for whipping, microwave your shea butter for 20-30 seconds. It's okay if it's not entirely melted.
• Step Three: Add your oil of choice. About 4 table spoons will do.

After that, it's time to get whipping...or blending if you don't have a beater (is that what their called? idk).

Step Four: Put your machine settings on the highest possible, and whip for 5 minutes. The more air, the better.

Voila, the final product! It should look creamy and it should feel creamy. It will not remain like this: do not be alarmed. It will solidify, but when you rub it between your fingers, it'll melt back to that desired consistency. It'll also darken a little bit.

I looooooooooooooooooove shea butter. It has been my staple product for me for the last 1.5 years. I promise you, I have not spent any money on natural hair products AT ALL. I do not buy moisturizers, leave ins, sealents, none of that. I use shea butter for ev-ry-thing. OH! You can find natural shea butter online or your local asian beauty supply. :)

AND look what it does to my hair!

On the left you see my hair dry, limp...not cute looking. Add water and shea butter then BOOM! Curls instantly be popping. In other words, it's great for defining those curls in hiding. ^_^;

Hope this helped. :D

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Review

This product was sent to me from Influenster to review.

Product Information:  

The search for strong, beautiful hair is finally over. Introducing CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™, a new line of shampoos and conditioners that will change the way women care for their hair. 99% percent of hair’s natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp. For years women have been treating the ends of their hair, rather than the source — the scalp. One small change like feeding scalp* can make a big difference. FEED SCALP* with new CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™.

NEW CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ is available in a range of six shampoos and five conditioners to meet different scalp and hair needs. The line is infused with Nutrum 10TM technology, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ nourishes the scalp, and creates the right foundation for strong, beautiful hair from root to tip. CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ gives women stronger**, more beautiful hair in just 7 days. For more information, please visit the site at http://www.clearhaircare.com/.

Where to Buy

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ products are available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Suggested retail price: $4.99 – $5.99

*Disclaimer: refers to stratum corneum

**Disclaimer: Less breakage upon combing vs. non conditioning shampoo

I know you've seen this commercial before

My Thoughts:
Upon opening the bottle, I noticed that shampoo smelled nice. But that is a given, I mean like, have you smelled a shampoo that was funky? Me neither. I also noticed that the shampoo was extra thick (pictured below).

I was genuinely shocked when I poured the shampoo out of the bottle, I was like "Omg, did I just accidentally condition my hair first? -_-". So, I checked the bottles and yep, it was the shampoo. Ususally shampoos are clear-translucent, so yeah, I was momentarily confused. Now, I was hesitant to use these products because I have been using the same shampoo and conditioner brand for a year. Not only that, but I peeped the ingredients: the shampoo has sulfates (ugh, makes ya hair dry), and the conditioner has silicones (ugh, also makes your hair dry), and honestly I'm still to scared to try the conditioner. :/
BUUUUUT, to my surprise the shampoo is freaking amazing!  Yep. I actually did not cringe when I rinsed it out. I personally do not like my hair to feel "squeeky clean", because it is just a sure fire sign that all of the natural and added oils in my hair have been stripped from my strands! and when all the oils have been stripped from my fragile natural hair, it becomes dry and brittle and the Sahara desert.
Due to the heavy shea butter I use, it tends to create build up on my scalp and I noticed that the shampoo I am currently using could not cleanse it well because it does not contain clarifying ingredients such as sulfates. The Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy not only cleansed my scalp, but it did not leave my hair dry. Do you know how hard it is to find a shampoo that cleanses while it helps your hair retain moisture?! It is very hard. I did not have that dreadful squeeky clean feeling, my hair felt balanced! Not to oily, but not to dry.
I will certainly add this product to my regimen, though it may not be my number one choice, it definatley has a place in my shower caddy. The price is pretty darn decent too! The argon oil shampoo I currently use is 10 bucks or so, but Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy is half that. Pow. Thank yew influenster!
Here is some natural hair porn:Sopping wet with conditioner of course.I'm 2 years natural. yay me. :)detailed post coming soon.

1.5 years of being natural: I've come a long way~

My hair has grown soooo much in the past year. I can't believe it! I can't believe that there was actually a time where I thought my TWA would never grow.

Look at me now
Lil' ol' me went from this:

(6 months)
TO THIS:

(1 year and 6 months):') I'm sorry, but I just heard all the natural haired angels singing. In about a year, my hair has just been sprouting from my follicles like weeds.

I owe it all to my minimal regimen.I know that there's plenty of girls who swear by slathering on multiple products. Me? I only swear by 3.
Shampoo. Conditioner. and Shea butter.I wash my hair once week, and add Shea butter right after. During the week: I leave it the hell alone.I do not add extra products. I do not over style it. None of that. I just let it be.

Thus, my hair has grown 11 centimeters (about 6 inches) in just a quick year, and that length includes, cuts, trims and all. IDK, I'm just happy right now. So content with my hair...and life of course. ^_^;

Happy 2012 - Let's stat off with a hair post

This January marks year and a half anniversary since I chopped off all my hair (you can check that out in my older posts).  More details about that later.

And my new years resolution is to:

BlOG MORE ABOUT MY CRAZY SEXY NATURAL HAIR

I wear this lazy style a lot. I just slick the bandana round my head, poof my hair up and boom, I'm off to conquer my day.

 This is my go to style when I go to work, the grocery store and when I'm around town running errands. You know how you don't want to get to dolled up, but still want to look decent? Yeah.

Sometimes I like to get a little crazy and flare out the tips of the bandana to create bunny ears. 

I can tell that this is going to be a very promising year for my blog. ^_^;

Let's talk about Silk Scrunchies

Yes, Scrunchies are so 1980's, but for natural haired girls, they still have a purpose!

As a natural, I love stretching my hair to showcase it's actual length. 

You can stretch you hair in many ways: You can do twist out's, braid outs, coils and the list goes on.

But you can also use scrunchies!

What's so great about these babies is that they're made out of silk.

Unlike other bands, these have no metal on them, so they don't snag and pull at your hair causing breakage and split ends.

Also, because of they're silk material, they don't absorb moisture and leave your hair dry.

I've only been able to find these at my local Chinese Beauty Supply shop.

The best part of all is:

They're only $1 each!

and now, here's some hair porn!:

7 month BC anniversery!

My hair is growing YAY!

7 months post BC.

I haven't really been updating my hair progress as much as I used to. But I still do take pictures!

I've stopped obsessively measuring my hair. But look at it! It's gotten so bug, this picture makes me so excited! :D (excuse the kawaii face, i wasn't feel that picture).

MY twist outs are beginning to turn out quite nicely as well.

I will have pictures of that and the product I use to twist my hair, I'll also be putting up a frohawk tutorial soon! So, be on the look out.

6 months Natural

Aye Loves. So as of Januray 2nd, 2011 I am exactly 6months Natural! No measurements this time (I lost my ruler) But here's a snazzy pic!

 Besides all of the knots and tangles I keep getting, everything is coming along pretty well. I'm in need of a trim. 

I'm planning on doing my very first attempt at twist outs tonight. Wish me luck!

5 Month Update, another month, another centimeter~

Happy 5 Months to me!

It seems like yesterday that I chopped all my hair off, I still cant believe that I have come this far!

Last last month, my hair has grown 1 cm, just as the month before. In the picture, you see the my hair is like .2 cm away from 8. That's because my ends were being stubborn and kept curly back up (Darn that 4A hair).

I think mt hair is growing pretty well seeing as how I trimmed the hell out of my ends a couple weeks ago.

Haha, I can't wait until next month to see it at 9.

Close up:

Stretched it as much as possible.

My Natural Hair Inspiration: Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae is my natural hair inspiration!

 I have many others, but I look up to her the most. She's is soooooo pretty and her hair is fierce! I feel like we're hair twins! Her hair isnt completely curly, but it isnt completely kinky either (About half 4A half 4B) Just like mine! Personally, I think that she look wayyy better with her hair like this; in a just a plain ol' fro instead of her little fro-hawk thingy. She gives me realisitc expectations of what my hair will look like in the future.  Usually, in hair magazines, most of the natural girls have their silky looking, shiny, highly defined curly hair. Because of this, I expected my hair to look like thiers. It's nice to see someone in the media who I can look up to. :) 

MORE PICTURES OF THIS FIERCE NATURAL HAIRED CHICK!

I can't wait for my hair to grow~ :)

Water Challenge: Faster hair growth from just drinking water?! (continued)

So remember when I posted that picture of that girl who claims that her hair grew much faster from just drinking 62 oz. of water a day? Well. Guess what? I tried it out. Over the past month, I have been drowning myself in water, roughly 3 bottles a day just to see some results.

Well, you've been waiting, and here they are!

I'm gonna say my hair was 6cm, ya cant really see it because my finger, but

My hair grew one whole centimeter. Woopty-fucking-doo! </sarcasm>. I mean like seriously, I was expecting atleast 2 or 3. That water thing was a waste of time, and I gained like 5 extra piunds. Dont do it. On to better news. New Haul!

Reviews coming soon, of corse.

 



Stretchy, Stretchy~ 4A Natural Hair

Today is my 3.5 month anniversery, after my BC wise.

I'm still doing that water thing for my hair growth, so far I've been drowing myself in watter for about 2 weeks. I'm not seeing any major improvement like that girl did, but when the month is up, I'll update ya.

Here's my hair now!
Unstretched and Stretched

Excuse the low quality pics (blogger makes them worse), but I'm pretty sure that the majority of my hair is 4A. I have very tightly coiled hair except for around my edges and the crown of my head, wich might be a 4B. Idk. What do you think?
Leave comments. :) and Oh yeah, here's me a few weeks ago at homecoming!

Next up: A product review~

My Natural Hair Journey Intro

I've always loved the look of big, poofy, hair, or fro's ever since I could remember at the age of 5 or so. I just didn't know how to achieve it. I never knew what natural hair really was up until a year ago.

(13 years old; Relaxed)

I just always thought that my hair was natural since I didnt wear weaves, or extensions. I was wrong. Horribly Wrong. My mother had started relaxing my hair at a really young age. 4-5 I believe. I'd never even known what my natural hair looked like! Shame.

(14 years old; Relaxed)

But I must say, my hair was pretty long. Up until my mom started to get lazy while she was doing my perms. She'd take to long, and as a result, I got chemichal burns, and my hair became shorter and brittle.

                             

(16 years old; Relaxed)

I'd had enough. So, I decided to get kinky twist, while I transitioned. I'd only started transitiong for about 2 months. When I took them out, my hair was completely ate off. The breakage was horrible. I decided it was time. Might as well cut it all off and start over again.

(16 years old; Kinky Twist)

So, here I am! :) Natural and happy...sort of.

and my journey begins!

(16 years old; Natural; 1 Month after Big Chop)