Coconut Oil + Braidouts + ORS Packs

Due to the shortest layer on the left side of my hair being thinner and shorter from a wrapping mishap last Winter Break, I've quit bunning until further notice. I still get good length retention as long as I keep my ends moisturized, and I've been wearing braidouts everyday. I still cowash everyday, and if I don't happen to leave the house, I don't even undo the braids or take off my scarf.

I'll probably wear buns a COUPLE times a week when school starts back up, and I'll most likely go back to bunning from December 08 through February 08. I've been doing the lo-mani thing, only combing once a week on wash day, because this new growth is still killing me, and I'm also debating about the curls this week, because every little centimeter counts. We'll see.

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On another note, my aunt gave me a jar of pure, organic, unrefined coconut oil, because she had an extra gar. I can't wait to really use it, I've been keeping it in the fridge, and I'm PRAYING that when I pack it up to go back home at the end of the Summer, it won't spill in my bag. :[

I used a bit on one side of my hair today, it has a nice [not great] smell, and seemed to give a good shine. I'll keep you posted.


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It was a turning point today when I used 2 ORS packs on my dry hair, and that was mixed with a TAD of some other cheapie condish and EVOO. :[

My hair DRANK IT UP. I used to stretch using one on wet hair, so if I keep up applying it dry like a relaxer, I suspect I'll run through it.

Stretching + Revamped Regi + My New Love

This stretch is killing me. I'm doing the low-mani thing only combing once a week, and fingercombing when necessary. I might try to go 2 weeks.

It's almost 8 weeks, and I'm trying to go for 12. Sigh.

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My regimen for the summer has made a change. It's gone from cowashing and buns daily to:

Cowash daily or every other day.
DC weekly.
Clarify .. about every 3 weeks.

On August 1st I'm getting my hair done. Spiral curls so I can't see the length. I'm kind of afraid so I might skip the Dominicans and get my cousins friend to do it.

After I wear my hair curly for a week, I'll resume the cowashing challenge, which ends on August 13th.

After the cowashing challenge ends, I'll do gelled weave ponytails with a baggy underneath for the rest of the summer. My summer ends on the 22nd of August, since I'm leaving Philly the 23rd and going back to school on the 25th.

My next progress pics will be August 22nd, when I get my blowout.


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Fantasia IC gel is the best. It holds my thick 4b edges like no other, stands against humidity and sweat, doesn't flake, and has no alcohol.

I'm buying some more before I leave to take back.

The Importance of Silk and Satin Scarves

I recently [as of the past 2 weeks] started rubbing EVOO into my face, and not rinsing or wiping off, and going to sleep at night. I haven't had a new breakout since. But last night, I laid my cheek on my cotton sheets, then about 15 minutes later, got up to turn the AC on. I touched my cheek that was on the sheets, and it was bone-dry, but the rest of my face was still oily.

I thought to myself, if it dries out oily skin like this, in such a short time, imagine what it does to hair!

So, I let it serve as a reminder to tie my hair down, even for the shortest of naps.

My First Braidout <3

So after my usual co-wash, I used a little VO5 Vanilla Mint Tea Conditioner on my damp hair, parted in 6 sections, braided it up, and tied it down.

The next morning I made sure it was dry on top and took off my scarf to let the ends dry some more.

Personally, I think it looked way better in person, especially from the front. But I did get alot of positive feedback.

I took pictures, but don't feel like uploading so .. maybe later!

End of the Summer is Rapidly Approaching ..

I have a personal Better Me by September challenge going on, and I'm trying to see results before school starts.

My main objectives are:

-Smoother, Scar-Free [or close] Legs.

-No More Dark Underarms.

-More even, clearer skin.

-Smooth, Blemish Free back.

-And of course, longer, thicker, stronger nails and hair.

Steps I'm taking to achieve these goals:

Legs:

Gentle exfoliating daily with new shower spongey thing. :] Weekly exfoliation with EVOO and sugar. Lemon juice on scars. Lotioned and oiled immediately following bathing.


Underarms:

Rubbed with lemon juice.

Face:

Regular facials. [OCM, Steam, Honey Mask, EVOO before bed.] Weekly exfoliation. Lots and lots of water.

Back:

Neutrogena Clear Body Wash and a back brush after rinsing conditioner out.

Nails and Hair:

Nails- Rubbing EVOO on them and cuticles nightly. Paint with hardener.

Hair- Continue co-washing and bunning.

Regimen when school starts back up ..

This will be in effect from September through February 2009. Then Spring 2009 and on will be seasons of low-manipulation and less protective styling.

Self-relax hair every 3 months.

For the first 6 weeks of the stretch, I will shampoo, DC, and rollerset then wrap weekly. I may wear the hair down for a day or so, but will wear buns for the rest of the week, moisturizing the ends daily, and putting the hair in 5 pincurls at night.

For the second 6 weeks of the stretch, I will be cowashing daily or every other day, and bunning.

Current Regimen.

For the summer of 2008, I'm co-washing daily, I occasionally skip a day, and bunning.

My conditioners of choice are VO5 and Suave, basically any flavors.

It's the most boring thing ever, but I want some serious growth retention this summer, so I can get back to the fun stuff for school.


I got a dominican blowout when I first got to Philly on June 14th, and I'm getting spiral curls on August 2nd, [I don't want to see the real length yet] and another dom. blowout right before I leave around August 25th, when school starts.

Everytime I step outside anyway, I'm glad my hair is up, cuz it's too hot for all that extra ish.

Words to Remember.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

Hmm ..

I'm thinking of starting a blog. A different one. If not for the public just to keep my thoughts together. Whatever. We'll see.