Six Month Update

Here's my baby fro six months after Big Chop number 2.

5 (and a half) Tips to Length Retention.

(May 2015)

People use to always ask me what I used in my hair to make  it grow. It tripped me out because although my strands are thick,  I've never had "good hair".   Before learning how to care for my hair I assumed  that damaged and broken off hair was just my cross to bear.

It wasn't until my early 20's that I  even thought about trying to grow out my hair. Since then I have spent countless hours testing and researching every tip, trick and easy hair fix under the sun. I've taken all the vitamins, tried all the techniques, I even mixed yeast infection creams and other kitchen concoctions all in an effort to get my hair to grow faster.

After putting in my 10,000 hours, I've learned that the rate that my hair grows isn't the problem> My problem (and probably yours too) was with retention. It doesn't matter how fast your hair grows if it is breaking off just as quickly. The best way for your locs to prosper is to focus on maintaining the hair that you have. Unless there is an underlying medical reason, most people have a growth rate of about 1/2 an inch a month. That's 6 inches a year! Bitch do you know how much 6 inches is?!?!  A lot of these miracle vitamin and creams might get you an extra inch a year, but as for me and my budget, the results don't justify the cost. I'd rather spend my time and coins keeping my hair happy and healthy. That's the only way it will thrive.

Here's what I learned:

1. Be Consistent! Set a regimen and stick to it. You can adjust it to fit your hair needs as often as that changes, but  you need to be intentional if you want to see results.
2. Wrap it up! Bonnets, scarfs satin pillow cases. Use them Every.Single. Night.
3.  Deep Condition! It forgives all hair sins. Do it weekly
4.  Be kind to your ends! Protective  and low manipulation styles are great for this. This one is hard for people sometimes but if you are trying to maximize retention than you've got to find some styles that you like, that are also gentle on your hair. PUT THE FLAT IRON DOWN! Braidouts, twistouts, braids, buns Rollersets, wigs, sew-ins.
5. CUT IT! I know this seems counterproductive but if the ends are split you gotta get rid of them. There is no un-spliting ends, THEY ONLY GET WORSE. I don't subscribe to the trim every 3 month notion, but I do think it's important to keep the ends of your hair healthy. I normally cut spilts when I see them, and dust when I feel like my knots/splits are getting out of control. 

Bonus tip for relaxed heads.  Stretch your relaxers!

Hope this helps!
Peace
Erika

Big Chop #2

So this happened back in February. I was getting so lazy with my hair I needed a break from it. I am going to try to get back into the swing of blogging regularly.  I turned 29 last week and I want to spend my 29th year on the planet doing the things I love. I love writing and blogging and even if no one reads it, it makes me happy. It will also hold me accountable for my grow out process, and I'm hoping it helps me find my voice. If I'm lucky it will help me find my purpose.

So, now that that's out of the way, lets talk hair. My new Short 'do, summer time regimen is pretty simple.

1. Wash and Deep Condition  ACV rinse Once weekly
2. Co-Wash, restyle every 2-3 days in between
3. Moisturize and seal daily
4. Satin Bonnet every night NO EXCEPTIONS
5. Drink more water (I downloaded a water reminder app)

DAS' IT!

These are the products in my current rotation. I must warn you that it changes frequently, so don't get too caught up in what I use in my hair because at the end of the day, products don't matter nearly as much as how you treat your hair.

*Spray Bottle contains water and the YT Conditioner. 

**Not Picture Coconut Oil

Yes To Carrots Conditioner

Shea Moisture Shampoo

Shea Moisture Deep Conditioner

Shea Moisture Moisturizer (I don't like this for daily use, It makes my hair hard)

Shea Moisture Edge Control

Eden BodyWorks Curl Defining Cream

Coconut Oil

Peace
Erika

New Vlog!

New Vlog!

My Heart Is Heavy

I grew up in a Baptist church. I was there every Sunday morning at 9:30 am for Sunday school, and stayed through the 11 am service. If there was an evening service that week, I was there for that. I was there every Wednesday night at 7:14 pm for bible study. I was married at that church. I love my church.

One of my favorite things about my church is that we have a "come as you are" policy. No judgment. No pretense. If you are in need of spiritual guidance then you are welcome. 

What happened in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17th, 2015 could have happened at my church. My great grandmother would have been there. My grandmother would have been there. My mother, my sisters, My pastor, the man who has been my spiritual leader my entire life would have been there. My heart is heavy. 

Racism isn't dead. A man walked into a church, prayed with people who went out of their way to make him feel welcome and he then executed them. Their only crime, being black. 

I keep hearing people say things like why does everyone focus color or why are you making everything about race and it drives me insane. Black people didn't create the institution of racism in America. It isn't solely up to us to fix all racial issues in this country. We see race because in 2015,  a man walked into a church and slaughtered its members because they were black.  I would be a fool not to think that my race has an impact on how people perceive me. 

I dread the day I have to sit my son down and explain to him that there are people in this world that hate him because of what he looks like. I can't picture the look on his face when I tell him that he has to be twice as good and twice as smart as his white peers in order to have the same opportunities. How am I supposed to tell him that the color of his skin makes people feel intimidated and that in order for some people to accept him he will have to go out of his way to make others feel comfortable? How do I tell him all of that in one breath, and then explain to him that his blackness is something to be celebrated in the next?

This is not a think piece on racism in America.

 This isn't a proposed solution to the race problem in this country.

This is one  black woman trying to make sense of the emotions coursing through her veins.

My thoughts and prayers are with the congregation of The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. 

I hope you find peace. 

  

Quick Tip:Using Coconut Oil in the Winter

Ok I have rededicated myself to this blog.
 I have no excuses, I'm just lazy.
 Any-who, I'm back with a quick trick to help you  and your hair get through this winter unscathed. I saw this when I was  browsing Pinterest and I literally jumped up and ran into the kitchen to try it out. It's so simple yet genius I can't believe that I have never heard of doing it before.

You know coconut oil right?
You know how it's hard and sooooo annoying to deal with in the wintertime right?
Are you like me and you pretty much give up on it until the weather warms back up?
Well now you don't have to, and no this doesn't involve a microwave or a hot water bath.

ok here's the tip..

take the coconut oil and WHIP IT!!!
Thats it.
That's All
Put as much or as little as you like in a bowl, and beat it with your electric mixer.Iit shouldn't take more than 5 minutes, more if you use a lot and less if you use a little. To be safe, just stop when you get a fluffy, frosting like consistency.

I did this a few days ago and my oil has stayed pretty much the same as the day I whipped it, and let me tell you it makes applying the stuff 100 times easier!

The mixture  melts into your hand, it's like a little slice of heaven

No need to thank me.
Peace
Erika