Hair Health | Anemia Damage | Growth Check 2

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Curlies!

Thank you for reading and following my blog!

My staple products have changed.  Here is my updated staples list...

Cleanser - Edens Body Works Cleansing Conditioner
Conditioner - DIY Coconut Milk Conditioner (recipe below)
Leave-in & Styler - DIY Shealoe butter (recipe below)
Other - Suave gel for smoothing edges

I am going to end 2014 with... 

• a growth check on growing out my anemia damaged hair.
• recipes for moisturizing and nourishing hair products.
• a new flat twist out style.

Anemia Damaged Growth Check
From the picture below you can see that my hair is now half thick/healthy and half thin/damaged!

My original plan was to grow it out for 2 years and then cut off all the thin/damaged hair.  However, dealing with two textures is becoming too much.  I have lots to tangles, knots, and dryness.  I am going to my hair stylist in January and will ask her to cut off 1-2 inches or maybe if I am brave to cut half of the thin/damaged parts off.


DIY Shealoe Butter (by Alex of TheGoodHairBlog)
I made this cream and my hair loves it!  I use it for wash and go styles, twist outs, and lately a flat twist out.  I found the recipe on Pinterest.

The Perfect Natural Hair Cream- DIY!  
8 oz of raw natural Shea butter 
4 oz of raw coconut oil 
4 oz of Aloe Vera gel 
1 Tbs of jojoba oil 
1 Tbs of Jamaican Black Castor Oil. 

This mix is one of my favorites to use on my hair for sealing in moisture, it also yields amazing twist outs.

The Perfect Natural Conditioner - DIY
4 oz coconut milk (from the can)
2 Tbs. honey

I apply to freshly washed hair hair a leave on for about 30 mintues.  I use my Hot Head cap to apply heat.

This leaves my hair soft and easy to detangle.  However, I am going to add coconut oil and olive oil next time for moisture during the winter.

Flat Twist Out
I finally tried a flat-twist twist out!  After cleasning and conditioning my hair, I applied my diy hair cream (recipe above) and made about 7 flat twists.  I got inspiration from a video by Afro Bang.

Overall, I love the how it turned out.  It took less time than a regular twist out!  I think this may be a staple for me especially with the two textures I have going on.

Thank you for reading!  Please continue to follow my natural hair journey!

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Hair Health | Anemia Damage | Growth Check 1

Hi Curlies!

I am back for the promised growth check of my anemia-damaged hair grow out.  If you missed the back story of my hair check it out here.

I updated my weekly routine.  I have begun using products by Eden Bodyworks.  I did not think I would find anything to top Shea Moisture.  Well let me tell you; I am in LOVE with the cowash and deep conditioner by Eden Bodyworks.  I have began doing mid week conditioner rinses; which has helped with dryness and shedding.  Here's my update routine...

On the weekend:

1. Prepoo and gently detangle with coconut oil
2. Cleanse with either Eden Coconut Shea Cleansing Cowash
3. Deep Condition with Eden Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner for 30 min with my HotHead cap.  LOVE this cap!
4. Rinse out conditioner in the shower and apply cool aloe vera juice to seal cuticle.
5. Apply my homemade oil mixture to seal in moisture.
6. Once out of the shower I apply Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk as leave-in & styler.
7. Twist in about 12 twists.  I now use smaller twists to be able to blend the two textures of my hair.
8. Dry overnight or all day.  Untwist, fluff, and style.

Mid-week (usually Wednesday)

1. Divide hair into 4 sections.
2. In the shower, thoroughly rinse each section and apply Herbal Essence Hello Hydration to each section and put into a bantu knot.
3. Finish my shower.
4. Undo each bantu knot and rinse out conditioner, apply aloe vera and my oil mix.
5. Once out of the shower I apply Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk as leave-in & styler.
6. Twist in about 12 twists. 
7. Dry overnight.  Untwist, fluff, and style the next morning.  Sometime it is still damp but it dries by the time I get to work.

 Growth Check - August 2014

I am really excited by my growth!  I cannot wait to have my healthy natural hair back.  I goal is cut off any and all damage by August 2015.  

Thank you reading!  Check back in November for my next growth check :)  
Like my page on Facebook for inspiring natural hair pictures and more!

Hair Health | Anemia Damage

Hi Curlies!

In the past year I had some health issues with a fibroid and anemia.  My hair got really thin from excessive shedding due to the anemia.  Fast forward to now and I am no longer severely anemic and my hair is growing back! Yay!  However, it is like growing out a perm all over again.  I have thick curly healthy hair for about 4 inches then its thinner for rest of my hair about 8 inches or so.  

I have decided to document my return to healthy hair as it may help someone else!  There is so much information out there about transitioning from relaxers and/or growing out heat damage, but nothing about dealing with other hair traumas.

I plan on growing my hair for another year and then cutting off the thinner ends.  I will post my progress every 3 months or so and update my weekly routine, if needed.

My current routine is as follows...

1. Prepoo and gently detangle with coconut oil
2. Cleanse with either Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo OR Shea Moisture Coconut Hibiscus Co-Wash
3. Deep Condition with Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque for 30 min with heat
4. Apply Shea Moisture Transitioning Milk OR Curl & Style Milk as leave-in
5. Apply Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothing Cream
6. Twist or Braid and allow to dry
7. Untwist or unbraid, fluff, and style

Here's my re-growth so far..

December 2013

 May 2014

June 2014

Stay tuned! Next growth check is August 2014! :)

Flax Seed Gel Twist Out

Hi Curlies,

Another week and another hair style :)

I decided to try making some flax seed gel and do a twist out. 

Products
Organic Coconut oil - de-tangle and prepoo
Tresemme Naturals - cowash and leave-in
Flax Seed Gel - Styler

Here's a video on how to make the flax seed gel.  I bought my flax seeds from H.E.B (grocery store) in the bulk natural section.

After co-washing my hair, I applied leave-in and flax seed gel in sections then put my hair into about 12 twists and allowed it air dry overnight.  My hair turned out really soft, shiny, and the style held for 4 days!  By day 3 I had a little frizz in the crown, but my hair always does that.

Overall, I love the gel!  Great hold and yet my hair was soft and touchable!

Perm Rod Set

Hi Curlies!

Well after seeing so many beautiful perm rod sets on YouTube I decided to try one for myself.  I couldn't find enough of the same size perm rods in the beauty supply store so I ordered them from Amazon.com.  Below are the products I used and my results.  Let me know what you think!  I will do a video tutorial soon :)

Products
Organic Coconut oil - de-tangle and prepoo
Tresemme Naturals - cowash and leave-in
Suave Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse - Styler
Orange Perm Rods - about 30

After cowashing my hair, I applied leave-in and the put my hair into six large twists to stretch it and let it dry a little bit.  I rolled my hair when it was about 75% dry.

Here is my hair rolled, with rollers out, and then styled.

Overall I LOVED the results.  However, my roots were still frizzy and not very smooth.  
I will try using a wrap and set mousse/foam next time.

Messy Curly Bun

Hi Curlies,

Here is my latest tutorial video.  It shows how to do a messy curly bun.  Hope you like it!

Messy Curly Bun