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Hair Challenges for Length

Posted on by Michelle

I am a member of K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Sista), a gathering place where ladies (and men) learn more about caring for their hair.  It’s a place where you can ask other members for advice and find out what people have done to reach their healthy hair goals.  After lurking through all of the hair challenges, I finally decided to join in on a few.  What is a hair challenge you ask?  From what I gather, it’s when a group of ladies (and men in some cases) decide to all do something that will benefit their hair over a set period of time.  At K.I.S.S., everyone is striving for longer, healthier hair and a hair challenge is that extra, little bit of motivation we sometimes need to achieve our goal. 

“Bunning” for Length
I have always had my own goals for where I want my hair to be by the end of year 1, 2, 3 etc.  I keep track of my progress by taking photos each week. I was getting pretty antsy once my hair reached my shoulders.  The dreaded “Shoulder Length” can be hard to get past because the ends of your hair are constantly rubbing against your clothing.  This means wearing it up most of the time or you will be doomed to this length forever…muuaaahahaha.  I love to wear my hair down so this in itself is a challenge for me.
In July, I joined my first hair challenge group called “Shoulder Length to APL (arm pit length) by Dec. 2010”.  It was comforting to know that others were in the same boat as me.  It’s a place where we can share progress pics and encourage each other.  The second challenge I entered was the one started by K.I.S.S. founder, Traycee, called, “The Bunning Challenge”.  All I have to do is wear my hair in a bun or up-do M-F and then I can wear it down on the weekends.  The third and more recent is the, “Ultimate Hair Growth Challenge”.  This one is new territory for me.  I realized I only have 3 months until December to reach my goal of APL and I may not reach it unless I up my game.  In this challenge each participant was asked to pick their poison (growth aid) and multivitamin, apply the aid several times per week (vitamins as directed) and voila…hair growth on a whole ‘nother level!

My husband teased a little when I told him what I had been up to.  His hair is Mid-Back Length with little to no effort so he didn’t see the point of all these “challenges”.  I tried to explain that it just helps to know that there is support out there for those of us who need it.  So far, it’s actually kinda fun and I’m learning a lot.  For now, I’m just trying not to be impatient for the length that is to come.  All in all, I know it’ll be
worth it.

Indian Store Haul…Henna and Amla

Posted on by Michelle

I started using Henna at the beginning of the year and immediately noticed its’ benefits. Unfortunately, I wasn’t too sure about the brand I used so I later found out that it possibly had sand in it as a filler. This is sometimes the case when buying from a local store because manufacturers have been known to add things to packaged Henna.





Henna, Amla Powder and Amla Oil
from Ananda Bazaar in South Aurora
Since then I’ve been ordering all of my Henna online to make sure I’m getting quality, 100% pure henna to dye my hair. This can be costly though so, I have been

 determined to find it locally to save on shipping. I kept checking out different stores and finding mostly groceries and dvd’s.

Today I decided to head back to the Ananda Bazaar in Aurora where I found the Henna I used on my first application. I was amazed to find that the shopkeeper is now selling the Henna brands I have been hearing everyone rave about. We’re talkin’ Reshma, Jamila and Hesh varieties. He also now carries Neem oil, Shikaki, Amla powder and Dabur’s Amla oil. For about $16, I left out of there with 5 boxes of product (less than half of what I would pay online). I wanted to by more but at least now I know where to go when I need my Henna fix..lol.

After opening the henna boxes I was happy to see henna of a fine, powdery consistency without all of the additives I found in that first package. The Amla is to help darken the color so that the henna won’t be so red. I’ve also heard that it will keep the henna from loosening my curl pattern. It is already looser than before so I don’t want to lose my curls completely. Now I can’t wait to do my next application so I can cover up these stubborn grey hairs!

YouTube is a Natural Girls Best Friend

Posted on by Michelle

I’m a YouTube fanatic!  I love it so much I even started making my own videos.  Before I decided to go natural, I discovered tons of videos where ladies would explain what they did for longer, healthier hair.  When I noticed how damaged my own hair was, I turned to the internet for an answer.  All of these videos kept popping up.  Some were about the best flat iron to use, while others showcased hair styles that required little to no heat.

Not knowing where to begin, I used the YouTube search bar to locate videos on growing african american hair longer.  I found a video by Saleemah Cartwright, founder of  Hydratherma Naturals.  It was a picture slideshow of her hair from completely shaved to length down her back! I later found MacherieHair’s video (no longer posted)on how she does a silk wrap after doing a rollerset for straight and bouncy hair.  This one was a shocker!  In the beginning her hair is completely wrapped in saran wrap.  Then she starts to comb it out…whooaa!  Her hair was long, healthy and full of body.  So that was all it took…I was completely hooked. The videos about growing healthy hair led me to where I am today.

The Natural Hair community on YouTube is growing larger by the minute.  I joined in the Fall of 2008 and can see that there are a lot of new naturals hitting up the site.  It’s fun to share our experiences and give advice to those who are starting their journey.   It’s a great resource for naturals because you get to see how others care for their natural hair.  Since everyones’ hair texture is unique, you get a better idea of how a style or technique may work for you. 

I still check out YouTube videos when I’m looking for a cute new style or to watch product reviews.  I stop by each day to respond to comments and questions from my own subscribers.  You can check out my YouTube Channel here.  See you on the Tube!

My Favorite Transitioning Style

Posted on by Michelle

Once I decided to go Natural, I considered how long I should go before doing the Big Chop.  At only 3 months post relaxer, I was certain that I wanted to grow my natural texture out a lot more before this step.  Normally I wore my hair straight but I was beginning to see how damaging all of the heat was.  The next best thing was Rollersetting. 

My Hood Dryer
I personally had never Rollerset my hair before.  I had seen it done in the salon but that was about it.  From what I could see on YouTube, there were a lot of ladies who did it each week instead of using flatirons and blowdryers.  I also kept hearing about how handy it was to have a hooded dryer at home for this style and to do deep treatments.  I figured I would give it a go.
I went to my local Sally’s beauty supply and purchased the Ion hooded dryer with multiple heat settings for about $40.  When I got home, my husband thought I had gone mad.  I explained that it was an investment and that I would get a lot of use out of it. 

My Curly Fro
As for the rollersetting, I really didn’t know how it would turn out but it was worth a try.  I watched plenty of videos before going for it.  I used the small grey perm rods so that the two textures of my hair would blend together better.  The end result was a cute and curly little afro.  The style often lasted  a whole week which meant less stress on my hair.

It’s almost 2 years later and I still rollerset my hair.  I didn’t realize it then but it’s a technique that can also be used on Natural hair.  I’m glad that I learned how to do it during my transitioning phase because now it’s one of my staple styles.

Transitioning into Natural Hair

Posted on by Michelle

Once I finally decided that I was “going natural” and needed to grow out my relaxer, I looked for information on styles that would help with my transition.  The last time I applied relaxer to my hair was in July 2008.  It was now October and my new growth was coming in thick and wavy.  At the time, all I did was wear my hair straight.  This was harder and harder to accomplish the more my natural hair grew.  I looked to the internet and found tons of videos on how to do different styles while transitioning.  I figured why not just start doing my hair as if I were already natural.  That way, I would have some idea of what to do when I cut off the relaxed ends.

Braids with Perm Rods on the ends
Previously, in August ’08, I went back to a darker hair color.  With that out of the way, I began focusing on teaching myself how to style my hair without using any heat.  This was all very new for me.  Some styles turned out great and others were complete disasters.  In the months before my “Big Chop“, I taught myself how to Flat Twist, Roller set with perm rods and even do my own braid extensions.  Some days I just wore it up in a bun to give my hair a break.  
Now when I look back on my transition, which ended up being for 9 months, I realize that my plan worked.  I use these styles all of the time.  I don’t do extenstions anymore, but I enjoy wearing my hair in small individual braids from time to time.  
The “Braid-out” with Satin Scarf Headband
My advice to Transitioners; “Do your hair as if you are already natural,”.  Once you decide to go natural, you might as well start your journey and begin using products and techniques that will help you later on.  Not only will you know what to do once you do the Big Chop, but you’ll have some idea of how you’ll look wearing your
natural hair.