Product Review- Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer

Hey All!

I have been meaning to do this review for a little bit now, so I've finally sat down and made myself do it! This is a product that I have been curious about trying since the beginning of my transition in 2009. I have been using  Elasta QP's Olive Oil & Mango Butter for a few weeks now and I have got to say, I love it! Now it is technically Curly Girl Approved  though it does have natural ingredients, (I'll do a post on what makes a product Curly Girl Approved soon) because it has cones, but I have never been one to only use all natural products. It all boils down to personal choice.


I use it in my L.O.C method, and it works wonderfully. I have very fine 4a hair, so a quarter size dallop is enough to moisturize my whole head, sometimes less. I have used it on dry hair and it perks up my thirsty strands. I can say that it's great for styling as well because I always do the L.O.C method after cowashing.

The product comes in a yellow 8.25oz jar. Apparently not only is it a "New & Improved" formula, but also 80% free. (Lol) So I'm assuming it was once sold in a smaller packaging. Once you open it, is a light yellow, think banana pudding. It actually could fool you into thinking it actually is banana pudding sans the scent and packaging. The scent is of mango, kind of hair product-y, but mango which is something I love. I need something that smells good after using Vidal Sassoon's Color Protecting Conditioner. My hair loves it, but I hate the smell.

Like I said, it smells great, it's good for moisturizing even on dry hair. I would be mindful about the amount you use because it is a pudding texture it's hard to tell how much you need.  It is spreadable, meaning you can rub it in between your hands before applying, it is also a good way to keep track of how much you are using. I would stick to a nickel-quarter size, though really it depends on your hair's porosity. Oh another thing I should mention is the shine/sheen, this products leaves my hair with the loveliest gloss. It is sold in any BSS or your local Rite Aid/CVS etc. It retails for $3.99 USD, so very easy on the pockets of curly/kinkies on a budget!

On the Jar it also states that it can be used as a thermal (heat) protectant as well, I have yet to test this theory as I am staying away from heat since contracting heat damage. Yes y'all I said contracting, because there is no cure for heat damage. (Lol)

The ingredients are as follows...

Ingredients:
 Water/Aqua/Eau, Olea Europoea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Capric Caprylic Triglycerides, PEG-75 Lanolin, Behentrimonium, Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Mangifera Indica (Mango) seed butter, Theobroma (Cocao) Seed Butter, Cocoa Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Unoleic Acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Hydrolyzed Silk, CI 19140 (FD&C Yellow 5)


I'm not sure if it will work for my hair during the warmer months, but right now this product and I are best of  friends! 5/5 for me.

Flat Iron Regimen (No Heat Damage!)

Hey All!

I am pleased to announce, that my flat iron regimen was a complete success! How do I know,  because I did not suffer from any Heat Damage! I have 100% reversion. Now, I feel comfortable enough to share my regimen. I was afraid that I used too much heat, but apparently my delicate strands can handle it. It was a two day process.


Flat Iron Regimen
Day 1
Wash my hair. I used Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple. Yes I use sulfates, (LOL) I know, I am horrible
Cowashed quickly, because I used a sulfate poo.
Protein Treatment using Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner, mixed with Mayonnaise, for extra umph. Covered with baggy for 1 hour.
Moisturizing DC I used Suave Professionals Almond & Shea Conditioner mixed with Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil, and Shea Butter. I ended up heating everything up in the microwave because the Shea Butter would not melt (Lol). I covered with a baggy for an hour.
Rinsed and Detagled with Tangle Teezer
Oiled scalp with my Sulfur infused Olive oil
Moisturized using Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin Restructurizer (Sprayed in sections)
Sealed using Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil (Sprayed in sections)
Put my hair into plaits (10) covered with a satin scarf, and let it air dry overnight.

Day 2
Undo plaits
Paddle brushed hair
Blow dryed hair using paddle brush
Combed out each strand before...
Flat ironing 

Sidenote**: I used two flat irons. Just to draw a comparison to the two, to see if one is better than the other.. My MaxiGlide Xpress on level 7 about 420 degrees, and my other I received from Cosmetology school, to which I have used on clients. It is a Diane Jetz #4010, which to my surprise, works amazingly. (I will do this regimen again this weekend minus the protein treatment, using the two flat irons so I can give a proper review next post, with pictures!)


I would say I was done in a little over an hour, and my hair came out silky straight. You would think I had gotten a fresh relaxer, and that is saying a lot because I have 4a hair.

Oh, and to finish, I sprayed my hair with....

Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Perfect. It is not a sheen spray, but a flat ironing spray; which means you could use during the flat ironing process, I prefer to use it after, as I find it helps block humidity!


 It worked for me, so I wanted to share the wealth! I will be back with pictures!


~Naomi

I can do a review on the spray at a  later post as well.

Anyway, that is my Flat Iron Regimen. I kept my hair straight for 2 weeks, with flat ironing my edges and nape in between, and again, still did not suffer from heat damage. This is what works for me!

Oh and hair burns at 450 degress, so do not use your iron that high! (You will know because that is when your hair will start smelling like you are cooking it. Lol)

Yarn Braids Be Gone! (Update)

Hey All!

I am back...officially! (LOL) I have taken nearly a year long hiatus from haircare due to my beloved Yarn Braids. It has only been 4 days and I miss them terribly. I kept them in way past their due date (4 months), and my poor edges paid for it; not to mention I made my bald spots worse. Gosh darn Traction Alopecia. (A form of Alopecia, Alopecia meaning hair loss, that is caused from pulling, or force being applied to the hair, caused by braids in my case.) My hair started to lock within the braid, making it extra difficult to remove them. It felt like I was really trying to undo Locs. The process took me about 3 days on and off. I lost a lot of hair in the process.


Honestly, I have forgotten how to care for my 4a hair, and my old regimen. I feel like a Natural Newb, though I am a 3 year veteran. Besides the hair falling out, I also cut my hair back up to SL back in March. Did not enjoy that too much, but it was needed, and I actually liked the Bob look. As far as length goes, I am about where I use to be, APL, I will know for sure when I straighten my hair, which I will be doing for the holidays.

I did NOT miss the mission of trying to hide my bald spots, and I have seemed to misplace all of my headbands, so it seems as though I have to start a new collection. As you can see, I am in sort of a hair funk at the moment, hopefully it does not last too long. I have to stock up on a bunch of products, and perhaps trying some new ones, since my hair has seemed to redefine the word DRY. (Lol) Oh and I will doing Hairdrenaline again, that may help get my hair to grow back.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an update on me, and the status of my hair. When I find a new regimen, you guys will be the first to know!






~Naomi 

Hairdrenalin- The Potion Regimen

Hey All!



I have an idea for my Regimen for my Homemade "Potion".  I have only used it all of...twice (lol) but once leaving on overnight, and Tuesday night, leaving in for 3 hours or so, and cowashing it out.

I now know that my Homemade "Potion" is super thick, so it takes more than 1 cowash to get the oil and the scent off of my scalp. It smells like baked onion & garlic, not a smell you want to walk around people with!

Besides the scent, the "Potion" does tingle/itch, which I see as a good thing, but even if it does not, that does not exactly mean that it is not working. My batch just does.

I used one of my two favorite cowashing conditioners, VO5 Moisturizing Milks Strawberries & Cream, and it took 3 cowashes, and vigorous rubbing to get smell out. Only a faint amount remained, but with use of my leave in, which I like to call my Creamy Olive Aloe Mix ( Aloe Vera Gel, Olive Oil, Dilluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie), and my castor oil mix ( Home Health Castor Oil,Hollywood Beauty Tea Tree Oil, Olive Oil, Sunny Isle Rosemary JBCO) the scent was non existent.

So I think I will be using my "Potion" 3-4x a week
Overnight on Saturday's leaking into Sunday.

For a few hours on
Tuesday, Thursday, and maybe Friday's.

I hate restyling my hair though, especially since I am a lover of Low Manipulation Styling, but doing it this often will encourage me to bun more often, which is great for protecting my ends and will help with retention (gaining and keeping length).

I am also hoping that this will help speed up the growth on my bald area's so I can really start to experiment with styling!


Just wanted to share!

~Naomi

Braid Removal, Regimen & Reviews!

Hey All.

I recently removed my Yarn Braids, that I kept in for 2 months. To prep for taking them out, I cut all my ends off Thursday night, to make it easier to remove the braids. I started on Friday, and only did about 2 hours that night. I started up again on Saturday, and went at it for about 7 hours, with help from DF, and then finished up on Sunday, which took about an hour and a half.

So altogether it took a little over 10 hours to take them out. Here's all of it...

I say I got about an inch of new growth.

Now washing was a breeze! I did not prepoo, as I usually would because I had so much build up!

I used a Shampoo Bar from Lush, that I received as a gift- Stimulating Spice Shampoo.

This bar is suppose to help stimulate your hair follicles to encourage hair growth.  It was my first time using it, so I cannot speak on that part, but it did have a pleasant tingling sensation. It smells like spiced peppermint, and gives off a lot of lather. To use, all I had to do was wet my hair, and 'stroke' my hair with the bar a couple of times. The lather was a pretty pink hue. 

After only one washing my hair felt clean, but to be on the safe side since I had not washed my hair in a month (Yes, I know I am horrible!) I wanted to make sure I washed away all the build up.

You can order from Lush's site, or pick up a Shampoo Bar from one of their stores. This particular shampoo bar will run you $9.95 USD, and also an extra $3.95 USD if you buy the tin for the Shampoo bar.

I really like it so far, it left my hair clean, without feeling stripped. It's a bit pricier than my usual poo's but this is the first one I like. I really love the ingredients too, it is practically all natural!

Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerine, Nettle Infusion, Peppermint Infusion, Nettle Absolute, Rosemary Absolute, Bay Oil, Clove Bud Oil, Cinnamon Leaf Oil, Cinnamal,  Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, D&C Red 30, Cinnamon Sticks

Now Cowashing was the pain! I had to saturate my hair with conditioner, (I used Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut)and work on combing out the knots with my wide tooth comb, before even thinking, I could just comb it through under some water. I say it took a good 10 minutes to get most of the knots and kinks out. Here's what came out....

Pretty much a fist full of hair came out, which I am hoping is just shed hair, we will see next wash.

As of right now, I'm giving this poo 5/5! It is everything that I want in shampoo!


Moving along, after that whole detangling session, I did a protein treatment, which my hair desperately needed! I used Tropical Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Mayonnaise Protein Conditioner (from the makers of Tropical Isle Living JBCO) which I also received as a gift.

I used my fingertips to distribute the conditioner from root to tip in sections, and then put on a plastic bag, and let it work it's magic for an hour. Going for that hour started to feel like forever once it started dripping down my neck. That is one of the first things I noticed about this product, it has a really thin/watery consistency. Much like if you used regular Mayonnaise from your fridge, which I have to say disappointed me. It looks creamy in the container, and I expected to go on creamy as well.

Well after rinsing, my hair did not feel hard, but it did feel stronger, I'll have to use it a bit more to see if my hair really likes it, especially for the $13.99 that it retails for, not including shipping fees. Not to mention it is only 8 ounces!  As these line of products are hard to find in stores! To be honest, call yourself lucky if you can!

Two distributers that sell Tropical Isle Living Products are Sams247 and Jamaican Oils

I like it, I will warn you that it does smell like JBCO. As it is one of the main ingredients, which of course I like. This too is also natural.


Ingredients: Mayonnaise, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Mustard Oil, Grape seed Oil, Lavender, Pimento Oil.

I'm giving this a 4/5 so far, simply because I wish it were thicker, and cheaper.

After my protein treatment, I followed with a moisturizing DC. I used Roux Porosity Control Extreme Pak Moisturizing Treatment. It is meant to "deliver intense conditioning to dry, porous or damaged hair".

This was also a gift. You can find it at most Bss, Sally Beauty, and Drug stores (CVS/Rite Aid/Walgreens) and it costs about $1.99 USD a pack.

One pack was juuuust enough to coat my hair, not saturate, but it was good enough, I put a plastic bag on my head and let it sit for an hour and a half, and rinsed.  I deep condition on wet hair, as I like my hair to be clean prior to deep conditioning, also your hair uses less product when it is wet.

It sort of smells like like regular body lotion, like Jergens or something similar. It also had thin consistency. It did leave my hair soft, though weirdly enough, it did not do much to detangle, but like I said before, I did not have enough conditioner to begin with, so should I ever use this deep conditioner again, I will be using two packs.

This conditioner is good for those with relaxed hair to use after doing a touch up, or those who bleach, as this product is acidic, and makes the hair cuticles to lay flat, which causes shine, and hair to appear healthy.

Ingredients: Water, Lauryldimonim Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, Dihydroxyethyl Tallow Glycinate, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Cyclomethicone, Stearmidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Ceteraryl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Pantehnol, Lactic Acid, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazoldinyl Urea.

I cannot properly rate this as I did not have an adequate amount of conditioner, but I did like it.

I oiled my scalp with my JBCO mixture, used my Super Moisturizing Coconut Leave In, and then put hair in twist for a twist out, using a product I will review sometime this week!

I did use too much though, so I did not wear my hair out, and just put enough out for 'bangs.

Anyway, that was my wash day!

I will be doing a length check sometime next month, so keep an eye out!

~Naomi

Happy New Year!/HAIR Goals for 2011!

As the new year approaches, I have been making new year resolutions/goals. You know, important things like deciding when to start school, saving for a car, but my favorite goals, are hair related!


Here are my goals as they stand

1. Get a staple moisuturizing Deep Conditioner
2. Retain ALL of my length (easier said than done!)
3. Reach APL by Summer 2011, and BSL by Dec 2011

Things I will be doing to help achieve my goals

1.  Making sure to sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet (I tend to fall asleep before I can, but this step is vital! It is what protects your hair at night, and helps prevent split ends and breakage!)
2. Oiling my scalp more often with JBCO/Castor Oil
3. Protecting my ends by doing protective styles
4. Less manipulation
5. Moisturizing and Sealing more often

I think that is all, oh, and to adjust my regimen as needed!

Those are my goals thus far, I hope you guys make and achieve your (hair) goals this year. Happy New Year!

Drying Yarn Braids

After washing my Yarn Braids yesterday, it took about 12 hours for them to dry fully. I washed them at noon yesterday and they were done drying around midnight.

So for those of you who have yarn braids, or are looking to get them, they do take quite some time to dry!I would definitely set a wash day on a day when you have no other plans. I

had to ring my braids out multiple times to get water, as the yarn was trying to retain the moisture, which is a good thing, but not to the point where they're heavy and full of water. Even after doing that they stayed damp throughout the day.

I am sure the length and amount of yarn you used has something to do with the drying time as well.


Just wanted to give you all an update!


Naomi~

Washing Yarn Braids

A process that I was dreading......turned out to be quite simple!


Prior to shampooing I oiled my scalp with my Lavender JBCO mixture, and then coated my braids, concentrating on the top half (where my hair is) with Soybean Oil (Vegetable Oil). I did so by oiling my braids in sections. I made four sections and when I was done with one, I would twist it, and put the length of my twist on top of my head.

It was hard to balance, but I repeated with the other three sections, and then made a bun on top of my head by tucking the ends, and securing with an elastic band. Like so...

I put on my satin scarf, and bonnet, and then went to bed. I decided to wash in the shower since it would be the easiest.

I let the water run over my hair, and then washed my hair in for sections, three times each. Using about a quarter size of Suave Professionals Shea & Almond shampoo. (The hair got sooo heavy!)

The first two times I concentrated on my roots, rubbing with my finger tips (not scratching!) rinsing after each wash, the third time, I focused on the hair, by using both my hands and rubbing the hair between both my palms, and then rinsed.

Since I did not plan on deep conditioning, I followed with putting Suave Professionals Shea & Almond conditioner on my roots, and the top half of my hair, as this is where my real hair is. I then twisted my hair in sections, as I did to prepoo, and tucked the ends and secured with a elastic band.


 I did not keep time, but I am sure the conditioner stayed in my hair for about 10-15 minutes. I rinsed with cool water, and then rung my hair out.

I then oiled my scalp with my JBCO mixture, and then sprayed my hair with my leave in (diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie & Castor Oil).


To keep my hair out of my face I took the front sections and braided my hair, and left the back loose. It is still pretty wet now, so I am going to have to ring it out some more, but I want leave it down so it can dry fully. Here is how it looks...

It actually was an enjoyable experience. It felt nice to let water touch my scalp again! I'll be doing this process every two weeks, until I take these braids out.


Anyway, just wanted to share my experience with you all!


Naomi~

(Yarn) Braid Regimen

Hey all!

I am loving my braids so far! I have been experimenting with styles here and there, which I have yet to take a photo of! I will make sure to do next time.

Lately my favorite style so far is a high bun.

Anyway, my regimen so far.....


-Moisturize 4x a week (Using diluted VO5 Moisturizing Milks Passion Fruit Smoothie Conditioner with Home Health Castor Oil)

- Wash 2x a month (Have yet to decide on shampoo)

- Deep Condition 2x a month (Have yet to decide on dc)

-Oil scalp 1x a week (Using a mixture of Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and Home Health Castor Oil)



I have yet to wash or deep condition my braids, which is why I have not set products for them. I have never deep conditioned my hair while it is in braids, so I am nervous about doing so. I may baggy with oils overnight, in place of deep conditioning.

Either way, I want to ensure my hair gets moisture while in braids, as I want it to grow! However, I do not want to get product build up, which is why I do not oil my scalp too often, and am weary of deep conditioning.

I will be washing my braids and I also want to do a moisturizing treatment next weekend, so I have some time to think about whether I will be deep conditioning or baggying. I plan on keeping my braids for 7 more weeks, and I will be rebraiding my edges in time for Christmas, so they will look fresh for the holiday!

Hair- Back To School Edition

As you all know, school is back, some of you may have started school already, or starting this week, but that means busy schedules!

If you already have a regimen that works for you, great, if not, it is great time to form one, since you will have limited time to spend pampering your hair. So here are my suggestions for styling and a simplified regimen for you busy ladies & gents.


Shingling- Takes more time than wash n go's , but is similar in that it does give you defined curls. This method you can use a diffuser or a dryer to dry the curls to have it set.

Rod/Roller Sets- My favorite, depending on the size you can get tighter or looser curls, and can last for a week.

Two Strand Twists- A great style because it is two in one, it takes some time to install depending your hair density and length, but it is worth it, because this style can lasts for weeks with proper upkeep. The second style from these twist, is the twist out! Which can also last a week,with the proper care, or retwisting at night


Flat Twists- Like two strands, can lasts weeks if cared for properly. You can also do the twist out style.

Bantu Knot/Twist/Braid Outs- Are styles that can be installed overnight, and can last up to a week, and can be worn in different ways. Bantu Knots gives you curls, twists gives more of a wavy curl, and braid/plaits give you more of a crimped look.

There are also quick styling options like

Puffs- Forever simple, all it takes is a headband, and maybe a leave in for shine and moisture, and you are set for the day.

Wash n Go's- Are a life saver if you are looking for defined curls, but are in a rush, because this style can be worn damp and dries during the day. To achieve this style you can use Kinky Curly Curling Custard, or use a cheaper alternative, Olive Oil Eco Styler Gel, which is what I use. It does not flake, but I recommend using an oil or conditioner on the hair before applying.

Ponytails & Buns... which goes under the category of protective styling, as your ends are not brushing up against anything and are protected.

 There are other protective styling options such as Individual/Box Braids, Kinky/Spring/Senegalese Twists, and Cornrows. With these I would pay careful attention to how it is installed, if not done by yourself, as if it is two tight, it can cause more damage than good. However, it is a good option because it eliminates most of things done in a weekly regimen, like cowashing every other day, etc.



As for a regimen, I say get it Simple

Wash Weekly or at least Every 2 weeks-as product can build up on the scalp, clarify once a month to get rid of product that is left over in deposits

Cowash according to your styling Schedule- For instance, if you do a style and it lasts 3 days, cowash on the last day, or on the day you intend on restyling.

 Deep Condition weekly- If you are short on time, investing in a hooded dryer may be a better option, as the time is cut in half because the heat is helping the conditioner penetrate the scalp faster so instead of an hour without heat, you can do an half hour with heat. You can always heat up the conditioner, or just put on plastic bag/shower cap, and leave it in for an hour or two if you are not pressed for time.



Anyway, I hope those tips help you curly/kinky ladies and gents out there!


Until Next Time, Naomi ~

Update: Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut

I like it! I cowashed with it yesterday and it left my hair soft, moisturized, and fluffy! I think it gives my hair a different kind of soft feel, than VO5 conditioners, I'm going to cowash with VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia, on Sunday, and see how my hair feels afterwards, and will compare the two, and ultimately decide of the two, which I like better, which will be difficult because I love a lot of the VO5 conditioners, but we'll see, stay tuned!





Until Next Time, Naomi~

Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner Review

Sometime last week I went to Walgreens on lunch break to get another bottle of VO5 Herbal Escapes Free Me Freesia, and the PJ (product junkie) got the best of me, I broke down and purchased Suave's Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner. Their 15 ounce was on sale for $1.00 USD, so I figured I was not loosing much if my hair did not like it, also I have been wanting to try this for myself since this conditioner is a staple for many natural and transitioning ladies.

I wore rod set curls all of last week, which has been the longest time I've ever kept a rod set. I believe I can contribute that to using  (Olive Oil Eco Styler) gel. I usually use Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion, which is great, and holds my curls well, does not leave my hair crunchy, but it does not give my hair sheen. The gel left a little crunch, but that could be because I did not use anything on top of the gel, but I like curls to be a little crunchy because I think the last longer that way, and my hair had nice sheen.

Anyway, back to the review. Since single strand knots usually decide to come along when I wet my hair and it has not been combed or moisturized in a few days, which was the case yesterday. So, I decided to use Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner as a pre poo by saturating my hair in the conditioner, and wearing a shower cap, for a little over an hour. 


I would say it did a fairly well job at softening my hair, I also did not have to do much work in terms of detangling my hair, I think it would be better if you add an oil to it, for extra moisturizing properties!


I went about my regular wash day regimen...cayenne treatment, clarifying (1-2x a month). I conditioned with Suave again to see how it would  do after my hair had be clarified. Now it did not do so great hair, it was not horrible, but there was a few kinks I had to work out with my wide tooth comb. It could be how I washed my hair that affected how tangly it was, which I will have to try again to see if my theory is true.


So far I like the product, I think it will serve as a better prepoo, than a cowashing conditioner, but again, we'll see, it could be that I just have a bad shampooing method that causes tangles, I'll post again sometime soon to see if my experience differs next time.

Ingredients: Water , Cetyl Alcohol , Cetrimonium Chloride , Potassium Chloride , Fragrance , Distearyldimonium Chloride , Disodium EDTA , Glycerin , 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Propylene Glycol , Tocopheryl Acetate , Silk Amino Acids , Honey , Urtica Dioica Extract , Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract , Cocos Nucifera Extract


So far I'll rate this product: 3 maybe 3.5 out of 5


If you have any suggestions or recipes for or using this product, please share! I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.


Until Next Time, Naomi ~

Uneven Hair Growth

As you all know I have been natural for the past six months, and everything has been going well. My bald spots are growing hair, thanks to my cayenne pepper treatments, my hair is healthier than it's ever been, I experience little to no shedding or breakage, I have no heat damage, no split ends that I know of, but yet my hair decided it wanted to grow unevenly.

I BCed at home, and I believe my hair was EL (Ear Length) or close to NL (Neck Length) since then the back has grown to be about SL (Shoulder Length), but yet the front only reaches about CL (Chin Length) /EL, I know this because I decided to flat iron my hair, since I am not home, and cannot style it everyday because I do not have my beloved products! 

I am sure this is pretty common, but I am frustrated! I am hoping my hair becomes even by the end of this year, I refuse to claim SL until then! I also have a piece of hair that broken off while I was relaxed due to hair care ignorance lol. To help influence growth, I will keep up with my reggie, I have not been trimming/dusting (dusting means to trim a tiny amount of hair, small enough to resemble dust, hence the name), because I really haven't felt a need to, my ends are not not split, they are uneven in places, but I want to give it a chance to catch up, especially because it has been so long since I have retained length.

While I was relaxed, my hair never surpassed EL, which was really upsetting, because of how badly broken off it was, I cut my hair short back in 2007 so my hair would look decent. What I did not know, was cutting my hair was not going to solve the problem if I still had the same bad habits, you know, relaxing every 4 weeks, not sealing, not deep conditioning,washing/cowashing, basically not doing anything, and relying only on my visits to the salon, and the "advisory" of the beautician.

Anyway, I am entering myself in my own challenge! The retaining length for even hair challenge! Lol, my goal, like I stated before is to get my hair close or the same length all around without trimming or dusting. I hope it works, I am giving myself until the end of this year to complete this challenge! You all are welcome to join me, or set your own personal challenge, and share your experiences!

Until Next Time, HHG TO ALL! Naomi <3