As a happy go lucky student in university with more time on my hands and little spare change for salons, I minimized my relaxer touch-ups. I instead invested in some good hair products and dedicated some good hours giving my hair love. My hair thanked me for it, and got almost to my bra strap, and for long after that, I was one of those people who get their egos stroked at the salon by new stylists and when other people gush over the blackness and fullness of my hair.
But I lost that good habit when I got into the adult world, there was less time and more money, and what I thought were good salons. It wasn't long before I found my way back to monthly relaxer schedules and I spent less and less time giving my hair its needed nutrition. Coupled with my share of hair accidents over the years, mostly caused by product misuse - relaxers being the worst culprit- my hair got stuck at shoulder length.
Some accidents also included bad hair maintenance, too much heat, leaving braids or weaves for longer than I should, removing them badly, poor conditioning, etc. A combination of all that led to my big chop, and my decision after that to go without chemical relaxers, and to be more intentional about maintaining my hair. Some of the products I got recently include the following;
I have used the Cantu Shea butter for almost 2 months now and I testify to its goodness. This bottle is almost finished and I will be getting another one, and no, I was not paid for this review :)
The other two are new purchases and I'm yet to see the outcomes. Who else has used these products, and what do you think?
The other two are new purchases and I'm yet to see the outcomes. Who else has used these products, and what do you think?
Myne, you just keep doing what I call 'America wonder' to this your hair. But you make me emvy your efforts at maintaining your hair. I have very dark and bulky hair texture too, but i must say that I have not made time for it in a long time now.
ReplyDeleteLOL...the picture is of the twist out to the last style I showed. Here, not to pay attention to hair is to be ready to shell out some good money to stylists. Me, I'm still managing, I no fit :)
DeleteMyne, I copied you and twisted My hair. Please do not ask to see it. Poor twisting skills plus my scanty hair did not help matters at all. Pics will definitely remain in my folder. Lol!
DeleteYours was too perfect and got me inspired. The very next day, I did the twist out just like you did here.
Story, story.'response... Because the twist were not good enough to be exposed, on Sunday, I tied my head jeje and went to church. To confirm my fears that I have started gaining again, a lady tapped me from behind, whispered in my ear that the zipper on my skirt had bursted open.
I had no choice than to use the scarf like a wrapper around my waist. I kept my face straight until service ended and walked out with a smile. I guess the twists refused to remain hidden.
Eya, you got me laughing, but sorry o. The twists did want to be seen and so I'm asking nicely that you post the pictures :)
Delete@Eya, I can't stop laughing. The twist definitely didn't want to be hidden.
DeleteEya!! Lollll this is too funny lollll
DeleteWow your twist out is looking good. Your hair has really grown. I also cut my relaxed hair off due to breakage, etc. I can't wait for it to get as long as yours. I need to get that Cantu Leave-in - seems like every natural I know has it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The Cantu is good, or like I hear, any good Shea Butter product. All the best with your hair journey.
DeleteMyne, your hair looks really healthy. Love those twists. My hair's neither straight nor curly, something kinda in the middle. So a few years ago I got this bright idea to straighten it, like I did once in a while during university days. Since I couldn't find a perm from that era, I went to a beauty salon and bought what I thought was the same thing. Not so fast. I'd bought an acid perm. (Combing in a perm straight, straight is opposite of paying a salon to do it.) Anyway, I fried my hair, totally fried it. It was a fright. And it took a bit for me to get it healthy again. But lesson learned!
ReplyDeleteOh no, that must have been a shocker for you. I have learnt my lesson too, and it's helping along the way. I wish we could learn without such drastic events :)
DeleteYou are beautiful and your twist out is lovely.
ReplyDeletewow, thanks myne. You just read my mind on the direction i need to take for my newly cut afro. there are not too many salons that tend to natural hair down here so i might have to go this road on my own.my resolve weakens when i see a gorgeous peruvian fringe walk past me. i go dey waka small small till my hair grow reach your own twist. Abeg pray for me. lol
ReplyDeleteFrom ur post I see a more money/less time vs more time/less money. I haven't viewed it this way before. I recently decided to be intentional about retaining my ends, cos once you can do that, you are on your way to good hair growth.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really intesting topic,at least for me, seeing as how my hair stopped growing some years back. You mentioned something about too much heat and leaving ur weave on for too long being bad,I always thought heat was good for hair growth. I really would appreciate it if you could do a piece on maintaining the african hair and recommend good hair products.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Myne!! Your hair is beautiful! I have also started looking after my hair and even adding prayers to my hair care regime lol x
ReplyDeletewww.spynaija.blogspot.com
Eya's story is quite funny :) yup yup, those twists sure had a mind of their own! Myne, your hair is lovely! Personally I love my hair, but the wahala plenty, so I'm waiting till I've got a salary, so I can splurge on my hair! Right now the hair has the texture of Expressions attachment, feels more synthetic than some weave-ons :) I try to space out the relaxing process by 2-3 months, no matter how it hurts. As it is, carrying it natural is not my preferred option, at least until I start to feed it properly. It's got red, gold, brown and a bit of black in it. And no, I didn't dye it.
ReplyDeletePls how do you use the Cantu Shea butter? I have heard nice things about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat part of ur regimen does it fall into?
Thanks.
The Cantu Shea Butter is really nice. I use it as a conditioner especially when I want to co-wash.
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