1 Year Post-relaxer, Semi-BC, and the Newly Natural Blues

February 16, 2011...the last time this scalp of mine experienced the all-familiar singe of a "good perm" as I sat in that large, swiveling salon chair. And giiirrrrllll, the results were fab! The salon owner did an amazing job layering my hair, and the relaxer came out with the just right amount of bounce.

Boom!! Pow!! Loved that cut!

I know you're probably wondering, "Well if you loved your relaxed hair so much, then why'd you go natural, Kimora???". While I loved the look of my relaxed hair, I just couldn't deal with the breakage! So I decided to give it a break for a while by stretching my relaxer... 8 months later, I decided to just go ahead and transition to natural!

1 year post-relaxer! Woohoo! Bun poppin!

I'd cut off anywhere from 1/4", to 1/2" every other month, and planned to do so until all of the relaxer was gone... But all of a sudden the wind must've blown just right, and the planets must've aligned for the first time in several millennia, because something (probably some otherworldly force, I'm sure...) convinced me a week ago to cut off the rest of my relaxed ends.

WHAT. WAS. I. THINKING????? Aye dios mio!!

If you recall reading my previous blog, I made it clear that I did not want a TWA. Although, 6 inches of natural hair is by no means your typical TWA, that son of a *&^%$ called shrinkage took my precious length away!!! So, after the newly natural excitement wore off, and my first all-natural twist-out was a supreme disappointing flop, I was left with hair that I had noooo idea how to deal with!

*Cue the world's smallest violin*

And this is where I am... one week later.. still clueless.. missing my transitioning hair.. missing my easy bun when I had no other styling option. I'm going to keep it 100% real right now and say that, even though I LOVE the softness and the strength of my hair (no breakage, YAY!), I'm not completely loving this natural thing at the moment. It's all unicorns and floating hearts while I'm washing it, but reality sets in once I need to figure out what to do with my hair after the shower. I'm also feeling several other things: I'm feeling bamboozled by all of these Youtube vids that make it look so effortless to do these natural styles, and disappointed that me, Kimora, the do-it-yourself diva, and Jackie of all trades isn't able to pull of a style with the hair that grows outta her own head! Also, what's up with those newly-natural ladies whose hair is just poppin' straight outta the gate??!! Can somebody please tell me where they do that at???

So one week later, me and the dreaded "wash day" meet again. But this time I'm going to attempt a flexi-rod set, and say a Hail Mary or two in the process, that maybe this time, I'll get it right. Even though I'm a bit down, I'm definitely not out.

My reason for this blog--besides having a public forum to complain on--is to throw it out there into the "innerwebs" that its not always roses and butterflies when you go back to your natural texture. There surely is a learning curve. I gotta keep it real to let other newly-natural ladies know that it can be tough, but I'm sticking with it because relaxing my hair again isn't even an option.

Hair-1 Kimora-0

*What was your natural journey like? Did you ever experience the newly-natural blues??*

"Shedding, biotin, and pH, OH MY!": Has black haircare become an obsession??

Nowadays it seems like everyone is on some type of hair journey. Since starting my own, about 2 years ago, I've come across many fads and lots of new terminology. It's been well-known within the black community that black women tend to take their hair seriously, but while looking through discussions on hair boards, I've always asked myself: Do black women take this hair journey thing TOO seriously??

There has been a relatively recent push towards black women reclaiming their crown and glory by doing away with weaves, "stretching" their relaxers, transitioning to natural, not depending on hairdressers, and just taking better care of their hair. While most are simply searching for ways to obtain more healthy, luscious locks, there are lots of women that are trying to prove that black girls can have long hair, too. That's all fine and dandy, but, I've also been noticing a sort of frantic, obsessive, "go-to-any-lengths-to-get-long-hair" trend in the online haircare communities, which sorta concerns me. Many take this hair thing just a bit too seriously. Here's a few topics I've noticed over the last two years or so.

• "Can I make BSL in 5 months if I'm EL?" (Not happening.)
• "I don't wear my hair out EVER because I want to stop one hair from ever breaking off my head!" (A hair journey should be enjoyable, not a jail sentence.)
• "What hair type am I?? HELP!!!! I need to know NOW!!" (Knowing or not knowing your hair type will not, in any way, stop you from being successful with your hair journey)
• "If I take 20,000 units of biotin will my hair grow faster??" (Biotin is water soluble, so that excessive amount that you're putting in your body will only be flushed down the toilet.)
• "I need to buy litmus strips to make sure all of my products are pH balanced!" (With all due respect to those who test the pH of their products, this is highly unnecessary, as most women with long hair don't turn into Bill Nye the science guy in order to obtain their hair goals.)
• "I had 50 shed hairs today! I counted it in the shower! Should I put garlic in my hair to stop the shedding???" (Shedding is natural and if you didn't shed, that would be a problem.)

The point is: the hair journey isn't just a means to an end, it's a change in the way you take care of your hair. If you use the basics to care for your hair (i.e., keep your hair and scalp clean and moisturized, use protein if necessary, and avoid excessive heat usage, rough manipulation, over-manipulation, and damaging chemicals or products), you're on your way to that goal of APL, BSL, or even, WL hair. It won't happen in 2 months, it may not happen in a year, but as long as you employ those steadfast hair rules, along with some tweaking for your personal hair needs, you'll get there! Don't be so fast to jump on every hair bandwagon that promises immediate or rushed results. Relax. Enjoy the hair journey and learn along the way.

Have you ever succumb to any of these crazy hair trends?? I know I have! I'd love to hear your story!

Product Junky-ism? Nope! Just a few of my faves!

Shame on me. I've been blogging for over a year and have yet to dedicate a blog to my favorite products?? Tisk Tisk.





Here's some of my "staples", how I use them, and why I love them:






*Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO):


Coconut oil is one of my favorite, favorite, favorite products ever of all time. I get mine from GNC (Now Brand), because I know they're 100% natural with no additives.

HOW I USE IT:
Pre-poo: I apply a generous amount of coconut oil to my hair before a wash. Put on a shower cap and leave it in my hair for about 1 hour.
Deep Condition: I apply a generous amount of coconut oil to my conditioner, put on a shower cap, and either sit under the dryer for 20 minutes or just leave the conditioner/EVCO mix in my hair for an hour or so. Sometimes, overnight.
Moisturizer: I mentioned in a previous blog how coconut oil is one of the few oils that penetrate the hair shaft. For that reason, I use it as a moisturizer often.

WHY I LOVE IT:
It's lightly scented, 100% natural, gives the hair a beautiful sheen, and prevents protein loss from within the hair shaft. It is also one of the few oils that is able to moisturize. It's versatile (I also use it on my face as a moisturizer or my skin if it is really dry), and easy to find! It's also edible and full of nutrients!


*Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-in Conditioning Cream


HOW I USE IT:
I use this as my daily moisturizer. I part my hair into medium-sized sections, and apply a pea-sized amount to each section. It keeps my tresses highly moisturized without weighing it down.

WHY I LOVE IT:
It works! I've gone through many "moisturizing" products and this, by far, is THE most moisturizing, in my opinion. It's also crazy cheap!


*Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

My baby!

HOW I USE IT:
Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor is my light protein of choice. I apply it to my hair after a shampoo, as a conditioner. Sometimes, I put on a shower cap, and sit under the dryer for 20 minutes or so.

WHY I LOVE IT:
Most hair needs protein, and this provides it without drying out the hair, or making the hair brittle. It smells good, but not overpowering. My hair always feels much much stronger after I put this protein conditioner in.


*Hair One Sulfate-free Cleanser

HOW I USE IT:
Shampoo/Hair cleanser: I apply the Hair One just as the instructions indicate on the label. I wet my hair, then apply a good amount of the Hair One, as per the instructions, to the front, back and middle of my hair. I massage it into my hair and scalp and leave the Hair One on for 5 minutes or so for it to do it's cleansing work, while it moisturizes my hair.
Conditioner: After a regular shampoo, I apply the Hair One throughout my whole head, put on a shower cap, and leave it in for 10-30 minutes.
Leave-in conditioner: After shampooing and conditioning my hair, I take about 3 pumps of the Hair One, and rub it throughout my hair as a leave-in conditioner. It provides that extra moisture after a wash, and aids in detangling.

WHY I LOVE IT:
It's extremely versatile, and it's fantastic in all of its intended uses. I love it as a sulfate-free shampoo/hair cleanser because your hair gets really clean without drying out, and without harsh sulfates/detergents. It can be found at Sally Beauty Supply.

BEWARE!!! Many shampoos claim to be sulfate-free, but in fact, are not! Most shampoos that claim to be sulfate-free contain the sulfate "Ammonium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)". Why do they claim to be sulfate-free, then? Because most times, when people speak of sulfates, they are referring "Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS)"--which is more harsh than ALS. However, ALS is still a harsh detergent. If you are looking to go sulfate-free, please read your labels!

These are my favorite products that I own! I've tried many things on my journey but none have had the staying power of these 4 products I just listed. It's all about finding what works for your hair, not following hair trends. And remember, keep it simple! Your hair product list shouldn't be looking like your grocery receipt! When choosing a product, don't be stuck on a certain name or brand. Read your labels, know your ingredients, and expand your horizons. Sometimes "black" hair products aren't necessarily the best for our hair!

What are your "staples"?