2 years natural as of May 2011!

I am happy to say that despite one too many hair cuts, I am finally APL (armpit length)! The greatest part is I didn't even realize it for a while. Actually, I was getting frustrated because I didn't think I had retained much length since my last cut/color in March.

The nape is apl and the front (bangs) is midneck. As soon as I get a chance, I'll post pics.

Current products: not much has changed though I do try random stuff every once in a while.
Poo: any of the Organix brand.
Condish: Herbal Essence brands (hello hydration or ltr)
Moisturizer: Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie
sealant: Grape seed oil (love love love more on this later)
DC: DRP -11, ORS, and whatever other conditioner or oil I feel like adding

Styling: still not that big on styling but I've tried a few things and I'll make separate post about those. Still mainly wash n go. I'm going to post my wash n go routine also b/c everyone seems to have these extremely difficult or long processes and I just don't understand why. *shrug*

Tangles and color

I haven't had a chance to take some good pictures yet but I finally got my hair dyed. I got it done during my salon trip last Saturday. It took a moment for me to adjust to the new color as I've never dyed my hair. But now, I love it! It was a spur of the moment decision so I didn't get the chance to deep condition before hand. I will do a serious dc this weekend though. Maybe an overnight treatment.

I believe I'd said before that I'd been mainly wearing wng. They are quick and easy which works well with my schedule. My hair has been getting horribly tangled these days though. I know the cause is not properly protecting my hair while I sleep. I've been sleeping at a friend's house more than my own b/c it allows me to get a bit more sleep. I rarely have a scarf with me and no satin pillow case. That means I'm sleeping directly on a cotton pillow case. I've only had the time to detangle once a week and I'm normally rushing through it on my way out the door. Bad for my hair.

I have been luck enough to detangle twice since my coloring. I'm not sure if it's the color but my Herbal Essence Hello Hydration is not working like it normally does. My hair has been even harder to detangle since then. It seems my beloved condish isn't giving me the same slip since I've colored. It was the same the 2nd time I detangled also. I used even more condish than I normally do. I'm going to take my time and detangle when I deep condish this weekend. Separating my hair into sections and going through it more carefully. That will let me know if it's my hair/color/condish combo not working or if I'm just not being careful enough with my hair.

Still disappointed

because my old stylist never returned my phone call. Hmmm....guess she just doesn't want to deal with natural hair. Guess it's back to the drawing board. I have to find somebody to color these coils!

Color

I'm going to look into finding someone to color my hair some time between Friday and next Wednesday. I'll be off work so that's as good a time as any. I've decided I want a chestnut type of color. I want to speak to whomever will do the color prior to having it done just to be sure though.

I'll be doing 2 deep moisturizing condish to prepare my hair for this. That's also why I did the protein tonight after work.

I'm hoping to go to a natual salon for the color. If I can't find one, I'll get in contact with my old stylist. I'll feel safe with her doing it because she knows my hair but at the same time, she doesn't really know my hair anymore since it's natural. When I told her I was going natural her response was "wow....good luck" said in a tone like "you have lost your mind!" Her response kept me from going to her for my BC even though I wholeheartedly trusted her with scissors. I rocked very short hair the entire time I went to her.

The shop that did my BC only had locticians. I loved the shop but I know they don't have what is really needed for my loose hair. I've heard there are some other shops around so I'll be on the look out and making calls this week.

Natural Hair Groupie...

Okay, so I totally felt like a groupie a few minutes ago. I posted before how I've been wanting to color my hair. I was getting nowhere fast so I posted question on the Facebook Natural Hair Group. I checked the replies today and I got a response from a woman who was interviewed on one of the blogs I read. I want to say it was Black Girl Long Hair but I don't really remember. She gave me a few tips. So I replied with "OMG! I feel like a celebrity just replied to my question as I was just reading an interview you did." LOL! But I totally meant that. It was pretty cool. I'm a total groupie! lol!

And now for randomness:

Still don't know what I'll do for color but will be professionally done.

I was at a party on Saturday. I saw at least 5 other naturals, most of us with TWAs. One chick was sporting a real frohawk. She's brave, I can't cut off the side of my hair. I just did my first bc. I'm not ready for another when the style gets old in a few months.

I think it's funny how I used to be so frustrated with the top of my hair. Thinking it was getting straighter and that I must still have permed ends. Then suddenly, my curl pattern changed in the front and I love that part of my hair. It's got deep waves and a lot of spirals. I still have a hard time getting it to hold a style but I love the way it is without manipulation. And I'm noticing spirals in the very back which I didn't think would ever be tightly curls.

Oh yeah, I'm a horrible naturlista because I missed my 3 month bc on the 19th. I remembered a few days later. I took picts the week before but didn't post. May do that later.

And lastly, I used to be really excited about doing styles like braid outs and twist and other styles that require a certain amount of length. Not so much anymore. I want my hair to grow out but I love my texture so much, I don't know if I ever want to do anything to manuipulate it. I'm sure I'll try those styles at least once but I've got a feeling I won't be the girl doing a twist out every Sunday. I am excited about my hair being long enough to do a bunch of small single strand twist and wearing those for a period of time. I'm pretty sure once I have enough hair, that will be my protective style staple for the cold winter months.

To Dye or Not to Dye...

That is the question....well...one of them. I've decided to dye my hair. I've never done it before, with the exception of highlights. I have no idea what color or what brand to use. I have a homegirl whose opinion I asked. She said she would research and get back to me. hmm...not to thrilled about that response. Then I talked to a homeboy who is very fashion forward. He's got an eye for what looks best on people. He immediately started naming colors and suggesting highlights with a particular color. He said he needed to get a good look at my base color since he'd never really checked it out and then we'd go looking for colors. Yay him!

I was caught up at first with not using chemicals or using very little to color my hair. But I've reazlied I cannot get away from it. I'll just have to take really good care of my hair once this is complete. And I read that coloring can loosen curls. I am very worried about this because I'm so in love with the recent texture change. My curls are getting tighter and I have a great deal of spirals. I know it's simply the change as it grows and it could change later but right now, I'm in love.

Ok, update. Just got a response from a forum and a girl said she never had issues with her curl pattern loosening. Makes me less worried about getting color.