After the chop. Video #2

My first video!!!

I am not my hair!!!!

Yeah I know that line is so cliche but it's fitting. On Sunday I decided to finally cut my hair after over a year of going back and forth about it. I told my cousin I would wait until after her wedding and took some more time to think on it. I was torn for so many reasons. I love having long hair. I love the looks on folks faces when they see my hair. Especially other black women who never thought this "type" of hair could grow so long. I was one of them. I was the little girl who had a decent length of hair but envied those who had long hair and appeared to be "mixed." I too believed my hair wouldn't grow "that" long. But as I got older, I realized a lot of it had nothing to do with genetics and more to do with the care and nurturing of my hair. I had plenty of examples in my own family.

But then the itch to cut was calling me. I got tired of fighting with it. In these last months, I'd begun to slack on my hair. I knew then I had to do it. I'm a hair snob. I like seeing healthy hair whether relaxed or natural and I know my hair wasn't being done right. It wasn't right for me to treat it like that. So instead of going down the same path, I decided to let it go.

I think everyone else took the cut harder than I did. But I get it, I really do. I know I have been an inspiration for so many people. I know I have given out countless tips, and a lot of advice to women over the years. I know they would come to my blog just to look at my pics and use them for encouragement. I get it.

It's amazing how my identity was intertwined with the length of my hair. That is one of the first things people comment on when they meet me or see me. The day I cut my hair, I went to the store. I saw this girl with long hair and she looked at mine. I would be lying if I said I wasn't insecure for a moment. I wonder if folks see me and think I've always had short hair. Should I carry around a picture of myself with long hair to prove I had short hair by choice? I quickly shook off any feelings of insecurity and continued on. I know and that's all that matters.

Today is day 3 and I have no regrets about my decision. I've been overwhelmed by the response from people when I tell them about donating my hair. When I look in the mirror, or rub my hands over my head, I smile. I smile because I love the way I look and feel. I love knowing my hair is going to bless someone who is battling cancer. I love it because this is another beginning for me. I love it because I am showing my daughters that there is more to me, to them than what is on the outside. I love it because I know my hair is going to grow back. I love it because I did it for ME and not for anyone else.

I am a wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, mentor, business owner, blogger, student, and minister. I am honest, loving, giving, happy, blessed, free, and kind. I listen to people, I pray for them, I give of my time to others, and try to be a blessing when I can. I am a child of the Most High. I am so much more than the hair on my head. Q

Some hair pics

It's been a minute I know. But I'm playing catch up. Here are some pics of my hair over the past couple of months.

The contest is over

Thank you so much to everyone who retweeted, posted, and passed along the link. I received a lot of really great titles. I wasn't expecting so many. Yall made this really hard. I had some friends help me narrow down to 3 favorites and the Supremes and I will make our selection from there. The new blog will be up and ready to go on Wednesday. Stay tuned!!!! Q

A new blog and a contest

Hey ladies and gentlemen. As promised, I have decided to start a blog dedicated to the Supremes' hair. I am stumped about what to name it so I decided to hold a contest to drum up interest and to come up with a name for the new site. This will be the featured post for the next week. All you have to do is leave me a comment with your name suggestion for the new blog. The Supremes and I will select a name we all like and agree upon and the winner will receive a gift basket from my girl who owns Jasmine's. The winner will receive in their choice of scent, a body wash, scrub and lotion set. The contest begins today and will end next Saturday January 30,2010 at 12:00am. I will announce the winner on the following Monday when the blog debuts. Good luck and spread the word. Thanks and good luck. Q

Still playing with my curls

The day before yesterday I did Princess B's hair like mine. We were looking too identical (LOL) so I decided to change mine up a bit. I have to admit, I have hand in hair disease. My hair is so soft and my curls just bounce so I can't help but touch it. I haven't done anything to my hair since I took the rollers out. I simply sleep with a satin bonnet at night and that's it. Today I decided to do a little updo today. Here are some pics. Q

First hair pics of 2010

Yesterday I decided to play with my hair. It's been a minute since I've taken pics and decided to play with a new style. I cowashed my hair with the Body works conditioner. I mixed the honey and the banana together. It was already in twists when I washed it. I took them apart individually, combed them, applied some Afroveda curly custard and retwisted them. Then I set each on perm rods. I later sat under the dryer for about 35 minutes. This morning, I took the twists apart and I love the way my hair looks, feels, and smells. I think I am going to take them apart a little more because I want a big curly look. I'll probably add a headband and a cute flower. But here are some pics. Q

Here are pics with the rollers in:



After I took them out:



The semi-final result:

My 6 month press and trim

Yes it's that time again. Some of you may or may not know but I cut my hair back to bsl a few months ago so I was anxious to see how much growth I got. I decided to go a different route this time. I did a protein treatment at home the night before, detangled my hair and let it dry in braids. The next day, I took them down and gently combed through. I put my hair in 4 sections and headed to the salon. I got my hair flatironed and then trimmed. I lost at least 2 inches probably 3 but it's alright. I didn't get a hard press and I had her lightly bump the ends. I am still planning on donating my hair but I'm letting it grow over the winter right now. I am a few inches past bsl again so I'm happy. Enjoy. Q

More braid out pics

So I decided to post some more pics of my b-day braid out. The first pic is of the braids I started with. I washed, conditioned, and blowdried my hair. I applied some avocado butter to seal and braided. Then I took them out. I wore it pulled back in a head band and I took some pics of the side as well. Q

My b-day hair

I went to Baltimore this weekend for a wedding. I decided to rock another blowdried braid out since this will probably be the last one in a long while. I used Jasmine's shealoe butter on my hair and it gave me incredible shine. Here are some pics. Q

I cut my hair

I forgot to post about my cut. I've been thinking about it for a minute esp since I think I hit my terminal length. Plus I got a little lazy and wasn't caring for my ends like I should. I am at bra strap length again so it's still long but manageable. I will post pics when I get a break. I'm also looking into going the all natural route. I am becoming more concerned about how certain chemicals interact with my thyroid condition. It's going to be hard finding a substitute for my beloved pantene hair mask and aphogee, but I am determined. I will be slowly getting rid of my products. Pray for me!!! Q

Todays braid out

I washed my hair last night. I did about 10 braids in my hair and let it dry overnight. Today I wore a nice little braid out. My shirt was yellow so of course I had a rock a matching flower. Neicy Nash ain't got nothing on me!!! Q

My hair regimen *Updated 6/2*

*I updated my regimen and changed the order and hopefully this makes it easier to understand.*

A friend of mine was asking me about my hair today. Suddenly it clicked that I haven't posted my regimen here. Funny how I have been featured on other sites but yet neglected to put my info right here. It sounds like a lot when it's typed out but it's really simple.

Winter- I wash or co-wash my hair while in braids or twists at least once a week. Then I detangle if needed, put some oil or butter on my hair and ends, and style. If my scalp is dry or I am seeing dandruff, I will apply some sulfur 8 grease to my scalp.

Spring and Summer- I do a lot of conditioner washes and wear a lot of wash n gos. Having a micro fiber hair towel is key to soaking up all the water.

Once a week I take out the braids or twists, I apply castor oil and let it soak in. Then I put my hair in 4 loose braids, wash and, apply conditioner. I rinse each braid individually and rebraid to avoid a head full of tangles. I apply castor oil or avocado butter to my hair, detangle with my bone comb and then rebraid or twist.

I apply a dime sized amount castor oil or avocado butter to my ends every night and sleep with my satin bonnet or scarf. Occasionally, I will spray my ends at night with some water mixed with fermodyl 619 and then put on the butter and/or oil on my ends to seal.

Once a month I clarify and do a protein deep condition. I follow it up with a moisturizing dc and then proceed with detangling and styling.

Every 6 months, I go to my beautician. She flat irons,then presses, trims and curls my hair. That is the only time I trim my hair and I usually lose about 1/2 to 1 full inch each time. I wear my hair straight for a week or so just for dh and then the first wash after, I do a deep condition with protein and moisture.

Products:
Shampoos- Suave biobasics, humectant, Hair One, and Envia ultra hydrating
Conditioners- Suave biobasics, humectant, Envia, Hair One, The Body Shop's honey conditioner, and pantene relaxed and natural hair mask
Protein- ion reconstructor, 2 minute aphogee, and Jasmine's
Moisturizing dc- I'll use the pantene mask or the Body's Shop's conditioner and let it sit on my head for about 30 minutes.
Styling aids- castor oil, avocado butter, coconut oil, hairveda and afroveda products
Leave ins- I will leave a little of the Hair One on my hair
Must have tools- bone comb, micro fiber hair towel, denman brush, satin bonnet, and scarf

Keys to healthy hair:
Find what works and stick to it.
Proper moisture and protein balance.
If you can't wash or cowash often, spritz your hair to add moisture back to it.
Take care of your ends for retention.
Baby your hair. Don't just rake through it and abuse it.
Play around with different styles.

Hope this info helps. Q

Low twistout puff

That's the best way to describe my hairstyle today. I did a couple of big twists a few days ago. Today I took them out with my fingers, applied some whipped baggy cream, and used a satin scarf to push my hair back into a low sitting puff. Pop in a flower, and some nice earrings and I was good to go. I'm happy to be nappy again!!! Q

Hair pics

Here are some pics of me playing with my curls. Q

I've been featured

I have been blessed to have my hair featured on several blogs. I am always honored when someone asks to feature me on my site. Not only are these blogs great, but the women have beautiful hair as well. If you are looking for some great info on hair, please check out these 2 women.

Here is my feature on LongHairDon'tCare

Here I am on Curly Nikki

Ladies, thank you once again for the honor!!! Q

My hairveda twists

As you all know, I purchased some products from Hairveda. I had been using them mainly on the Supremes and occassionally on myself but I wanted to try them on my twists. I washed, conditioned, applied avocado butter on my hair and whipped baggy cream on my ends, braided, and then let my hair air dry. Today I took the braids out and applied my MT/castor oil mix to my scalp. I used my fingers to part and then I sprayed each section with Hydrasoft and then applied whipped gelly to the length. I twisted each section and applied a little more of the gelly to the ends. Both products are made by Hairveda and they smell great as well. My twists are soft, shiny, and bouncy. I wish they were a little tighter but so far I like them. Here are some pics. Q

Blessings all around me

Earlier this week I was communicating with someone via private messaging. They mention a book they were using during their time in the word and I mentioned I was looking into adding some new items as well. I'd planned on going to Borders some time this week. On the forum, another member had some Hairveda, hydrasoft for sale. I quickly scoop them up from her. She sent me a message asking if it was okay for her to include some other items. Me being me, I told her to go right ahead!!! That was on the 30th.

Yesterday I arrived home to find a box waiting for me. I figured it was from the young lady but I wasn't going to open it. My curiosity got the best of me and I sat down last night to open it. What I found brought tears to my eyes. Not only did she send me the hydrasoft that she only charged me for the shipping, she included 2 jars of Virgin coconut oil, a scalp massaging brush and a nlt bible promise book. Along with the book was a message card with a scripture that blessed me and was right on time. It was a small way of God letting me know He loves me.

Thank you so much D for blessing me. You are so sweet, wonderful and generous and I look forward to meeting you one day and giving you a big hug. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask. Muah!!! Q

Here is a pic of my items.

End of year hair pic

So I was asked to be the Feature of the month for hair blog named Long Hair Don't Care. I wanted to give the owner a recent hair pic so I pulled out the old Maxiglide. Yeah I only did a small section. There is no way in heck I was doing all of that. Thanks girlie for choosing me!!!! Enjoy and goodbye 2008!!! Q