Lye Self-Relaxer, Finally!

      Okay okay okay I have coarse hair. The first step is admitting it. Last touch-up, barely did anything to my hair. I decided this time to use a lye relaxer because I hate the way no-lye ORS made my hair feel. I used Silk Elements lye relaxer in the brown jar. I didn't add anything to it. I based my scalp with Vaseline and grape-seed oil. Coated my strands with Garnier Fructice Fight the Fall and grape-seed oil. Dividing my hair in sections while detangling the roots took forever and a half. I think I was basing and detangling for two hours.

       Okay so the jar says 15-18 for normal hair and 15-22 for coarse hair. I did a test strand for the first time in my whole hair journey. However I became impatient and washed the relaxer out after 10 minutes. 

Smoothed it a lot, rinsed it out and it wasn't really relaxed. So I decided to work for the 15-18 minute slot.

       I have a huge fear of bone straight hair (laughing out loud). And the thought of overprocessing, oh heck no! So it took me ten minutes to apply to the back of my hair ( I should have done the front first, to learn how the back would take). After the 10 minutes, I went back to the beginning and applied more Silk Elements to the roots and the old underprocessed hair. Smoothed and smoothed and smoothed for 7-8 minutes. Rinsed it out, Agebeautiful Strengthening Treatment for my mid-protein, neutralized 3 times once for over five minutes. Rinsing the relaxer out, I could still feel mucho texture...sigh. Took a break before I finished the other half of my hair.

       Applied the relaxer for 11 minutes, went back smoothed and smoothed for 8 minutes. The front of my hair takes to relaxers much better than the crown and back so I was a little concerned that I left the front on too long. Did the same rinsing pattern as earlier. Deep conditioned with KeraPro and ORS for 45 minutes. 

Forgot to tea rinse and I totally think I needed it. I feel as if I experience more shedding during touch ups. 

       Okay I scratch my head. I do. Nothing crazy, if it itches I scratch it (nothing chronic). I know there's no scratching before a touch-up, I could never follow that rule. That being said I did base really well but I still felt some burning in certain places. I could of based my neck better, lesson learned. 

       Man I never smoothed so much in my life. I have to make some changes now that I can admit my hair is crazy coarse. I always knew it was thick but gee wiz. I did the best smoothing, it's just my hair needed more processing time. I'd hate to go over 22 minutes. Sigh I don't know. 

Lol that back of my hair is so resistant. 

My hair looks red huh?

 Never in my life have my ends looked so bad and uneven.
I want to cut my ends to my armpit.
Flat ironed 3 days after the touch-up.

This is the texture I want all around, but the back has a
mind of its own. 

I planned on cutting my hair months ago. Like a serious cut. I want to start fresh. The healthiest part of my hair is almost 4-5 inches longer than the crappiest part. The crappy part (crown and back) is so unhealthy. I know it's debatable, cutting all over or just the unhealthy part. I hate thin looking ends like nothing other. So I have my scissor in tow... 

Love&peace 

Aku

Touch-up in 12 Hours!

          In about 12 hours I will base my scalp and start the touch up process. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I wanted to section off my hair in one inch sections tonight but I have all day tomorrow, soooooo time for bed. Going to get a good nights rest so I can be bright eyed tomorrow. My last wash was 3 days ago more of a co-wash. I rinsed it out with Apple Cider Vinegar.  I actually did a hard protein using my Aphogee 2 Step. Detangled the next day.

Sigh, tomorrow could go great or terribly terribly wrong.
Aku

2013 Liebster Blog Award!

        The first time I heard or noticed the Liebster Blog Award was when Uchenna Ezeonyeka (natural and healthy) and KLP (Saving Our Strands) nominated me (Thanks ladies!). I researched and researched (Google search). I learned The Liebster Award is a blogger to blogger award chain letter that allows readers to get to know just a tad bit more about other bloggers that they follow. There are many different rules I came across. I'm going to stick with these:

Requirements:

1. Thank and link back to the blogger(s) who presented the award to you
2. Paste the award on your blog
3. Each person must post 11 random things about themselves (optional).
4. Answer the 11 questions that the tagger set for you.
5. Choose 5 bloggers who you would like to give the Liebster Award (they have less than 200 followers)
6. Let the recipients know about their nomination by leaving a comment on their blogs.
7. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you have tagged with the award to answer.

KLP's questions: 

1. Why did you start blogging?

       I had a lot of free time and it is so much easier to track my hair's progress.
2. Who was your first hair crush?

       Shorty2Sweet59. Years ago I watched her video and learned about texlaxing. Her hair left me in awe!
3. What are your favorite ways of using products that suck?

      I like to give them away to my sister and hope they can work for her.
4. What was it like when you received your first follower?

      It made me smile. It is such a great feeling, from the first follower to the next, they always make me smile.
5. What has your hair taught you about life?

       Some people can treat you differently depending on how your hair looks. I know when my hair hair looks one way, people take notice. 
6. Where do you see your blog in 5 years?

       OMG ummmmm hmmmmm not sure. Hopefully I will have really mastered my hair and I'll be able to help others.
7. What's the best thing about blogging?

       All the lovely bloggers. Everyone is so friendly and it's another way to socailize. 
8. What does your blog name mean to you?

       It's not all about my hair, honest. This names means exactly what it says, I get so fixated on my hair but my life consists of more than my hair.
9. How do you deal with negative feedback on or about your blog?

      0_0 I haven't had any yet...but I would try and take the high road.
10. How personal do you get on your blog?

       I try to keep it professional but I love sharing. I think about future businesses and companies that I want to work for who may stumble onto my blog. I don't want to be inappropiate. My baby sisters read my blog too!
11. How many pushups can you do?

      Twenty and more with a rest.

Uchenna Ezeonyeka's questions:

1. What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
   Sense of humor. I love to laugh and I love making others laugh.
2. Why did you start blogging?
   I had a lot of free time and it is so much easier to track my hair's progress.
3. What you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
   I would've told myself “Don't half-ass school!” I guess I'm hardest on myself. Currently trying to maintain a 3.5 GPA on my Master's.
4. One interesting fact about yourself
   I'm a huge Bob Marley and Knicks fan!
5. How many times do you post per week?
   One :( I want to post twice but it doesn't happen.
6. How do you balance life, blog, social media ?
   I prioritize in my head or at least I try to, school first.
7. What are three things you cannot live without?
   Music, fruits and movies
8. What is your most prized possession?
   Oh man these questions are hard. I don't think I have one. I love being alive more than anything.
9. Describe yourself in three words.
   Easily excited
   Inquisitive
   compassionate
   4 words sorry
10. What is your guiltiest pleasure?
    At the moment, Army Wives on Netflix...don't judge me lol

         I don't follow many people (shame on me, I still feel so new to the hair community) and the people I do follow have already been awarded. Everyone who has read this post please share your answers to my 11 questions in the comment section. I'm very interested in reading your answers and link your blog while you're at it. 

Nominations

Frankie at hairmemoirs

Janae Francis at Caring for my Hair

11 questions for everyone

1. Why did you start blogging?
2. When did you start blogging?
3. Guilty pleasure?
4. Favorite cookie?
5. Chocolate or Vanilla?
6. How do you balance life, blogging and social media?
7. Who is your hair crush?
8.  Last movie you watched?
9. Do you work-out?
10. Favorite hairstyle?
11. Any siblings?

Bantu Knots Take 2!

1. Deep Condition/ Prepoo with KeraPro Restorative Treatment For Extra Dry Hair
2. Shampooed and Rinsed with very watered down Miss Jessie's Creme De La Curl Cleansing Cream (trail size)
3. Mango Black Tea rinse
4. Jump out the shower, Towel dry for five minutes, applied my oil mix (Castor, avocado, sweet almond, grape seed and olive oil) and Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer
5. T-shirt dried for two hours
6. Separated my hair in four sections and banded each section with one-two hair ties 
7. Proceeded to apply jumbo Bantu knots to each section. I used my LottaBody Set-in Lotion as a holding product. The leave-in for this wash was non-existent. Just sticking to my oils these past two washes.

Bantu Knots after Ladies Night Out!

The take down.

Babilon Kay did the most loveliest Bantu knot curly fro. I didn't pick my hair as much as she did because I was running late but I will be doing Bantu knots again. I want to get that curly fro. It's been three days and I didn't keep up with the knots. 

The Fall semester of school is finally over for me. I have a week till the Winter session begins so perhaps I'll touch-up my hair one of these days. 

Wash Day- Strenghtening Treatment AKA More Protein?

This wash I wanted to skip the shampoo. But I prepooed pretty heavy, super heavy with Hello Hydration and castor oil so shampoo would be needed. I was hoping to detangle my hair with all the amount of conditioner I used but it didn't really happen. Clumpy hair. Here's the wash-

• Rinsing my hair was a breeze
• Shampooed with watered down Creamy Aloe Clarifying Shampoo
• I could have stopped right there but I decided to try my new buy. I towel dried and applied AgeBeautiful Strengthening Treatment. 
• Sat under my hooded dryer for 30 minutes. 
• Rinse, oil rinse, rinse 
• Towel dry.
•  Aphogee. Keretin Reconstructor
• And T-shirt dried for an hour
• I took my time detangling. I'd say about two hours it took me. It was all good I had mucho TV shows to watch. 
• My hair was huge 
• Bunned and went to bed. 

Pre-poo

Texture

BIG HAIR

It's a jungle back there

The huge hair is getting to me. Hidden under all that hair is an afro. By the third day, I'm having so much trouble putting my hair up before the gym. Currently baggying my hair and in the morning it may be more manageable. It looks like I need something more for my new growth, let the research begin! 

I don't know if it's my camera or my phone or my laptop but my pictures don't look clear and the color is off. Another research topic!

LoveandPeace

Aku

Wash Day-Just a Little Protein

I finished my staple shampoo. It was a sad moment. My Giovanni Smooth as Silk. I don't know what I'll use next wash. This wash I focused on protein. I really wanted to do another hard protein treatment but it hasn't even been four weeks. 

Washed with Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo. After, that I deep conditioned with ORS Replenishing Conditioner and Joico K-pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor. I applied my Jazzing Clear rinse and sat with my hooded dryer for a half hour. Brewed some Mango Black tea before my trip back to the shower. 

This wash I had more shed hair than the previous wash days. What are you going to do? Rinsed out my dc's and clear rinse. Did my tea rinse and hopped out the shower. T-shirt dried for an hour. Applied my Hello Hydration mix and sealed with grape seed oil.

Looks nice, but it wasn't detangled. 

This wash I did the dumbest thing, I skipped properly and thoroughly detangling my hair and put two French braids in. It was not easy but I wanted to go to bed and have a braid-out the next day. SMH two days later, I'm still detangling.

I finally purchased castor oil (Walmart brand) which I used to detangle. I went to Sally's to buy more Aphogee (2 Minute and 2-Step). Instead I purchased AgeBeautiful Intense Straightening Treatment. Probably should of bought shampoo, but I'm sure I have shampoo in my stash that needs to be used up. 

Almost 9 weeks post. Subconsciously prepping for a touch-up but not sure when I'll do it. Some parts of my hair have about an inch (less) of new growth and other parts are just chilling. Do I skip those parts when I touch up my hair?  After this touch-up, I plan on a super long stretch. 

One more week left of my semester!
Goodnight readers
OneLove
Aku

My First Ladies Night-In!

     So last weekend I planned a last minute Ladies Night at my home. I invited two ladies that I'm just starting to get to know and another lady who I've never met but heard about. It was time to put myself out there.

      Back story-I moved away from all my friends and family several months ago. When I decided to move, I wasn't too worried about making new friends. However, I miss my friends a lot. So after several months of being friendless, I became even more homesick. Blogging has helped and I'm grateful for it. At the moment I don't work, instead I'm working on my Masters degree at home.-End of back story. 

      So I've never hosted anything like this but I felt like a natural. I made two lists, and I just kept adding more and more stuff as my excitement increased. Food and games were my must have.

       I picked up some flowers and a pumpkin for added decor. I picked up a fruit tray and made a honey-yogurt dip to go with it. I added carrots just in case people hated fruits. I bought crescent rolls and Lil' Smokers and decided to roll up some pigs in a blanket with the help of my partner (he helped a lot). I decided to have the ladies wear red and black tops, I wanted black and orange but do you own an orange top? I had red and black plates and sauce bowls to go with my theme.

    

  At the grocery store I couldn't decide between pumpkin muffin mix or pumpkin cookies mix. Cookies! With cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles. Lemonade Spritzer (lemonade and club soda) and Apple Cider Sangria for my wine lovers.

    
      So food and drinks were set. Now what would I do when the ladies stopped eating? Icebreaker games! After we got to know one another, I had Jenga, Boggle, CatchPhrase, and 2 deck of cards. We didn't use any of them. We did a lot of getting to know one another over food. We ended up playing a two games of Famous Face (not sure the real name of the game, so many variations).

          Now believe it or not, there are people in the world who have not watched Grease. I KNOW I KNOW CRAZY?! Two of the ladies had never gotten around to watch this classic. I did plan for a movie at the end of the night and we all agreed on Grease. I had to constrain myself from singing and dancing to all the music. It wasn't easy.

       My all time favorite blogger is Rachel Wilkerson. She has written many posts about making new friends. The amount of attention that today's culture spends on how to find a boyfriend or a husband is pretty crazy to me. Not too much material how how to find friends and make the relationship work. A friendship, just like a romantic relationship takes effort. I am no relationship expert, this is just common sense. What I love most about Rachel's posts are her readers and the comments they leave about moving to a new city alone or making (or not making) new friends.

        Even my friends I left back home, staying connected to them requires effort. We all have our own lives and we all get busy. I try to text or call people who haven't seen me in months. I know when I visit, it'll be great times.

        

        I've never had trouble finding friends, I think that it is mostly due to the fact I love being my own best friend. I do a lot of things solo even before I moved away. But really there is nothing like ladies night. You and a bunch of other ladies who have some common interests. The conversations are fun and you learn so much about yourself and others. The ladies had a great time and we all look forward to doing it again. Next time I will ask for their help instead of running the show.  

So I say all this to say cherish the good 

friends you have and don't be

 afraid of making new ones!

pEACE&lOVE