Growth Update: 22 Months Post-Relaxer

Hi all!

I haven't updated in a while mostly because there hasn't been a whole lot of *new* going on with my hair. 

I'm doing my usual straw sets and caring for my hair the same way I have been the past year or so and I really haven't experimented with any others styles or methods lately. So that's the reason for the lack of recent posts. But, it's been 22 months since my last relaxer! I'm SO CLOSE to my initial two-year goal!

I've really been trying to play with my hair right after I wash it to get more familiar with my natural 

un-manipulated (is that a word? lol!) texture. 

Here's what it looks like: 

 I really need to trim some more off of the left side (pictured below) because it seems that I've left more straight ends on that side than the left. But, I do like the shape of my hair right now. 

Here's the right side. As I said, here you can hardly even see the straight pieces, whereas on the left they're much more visible:

 Here's the front view so you can see the lopsided shape I'm talking about. This is EASILY taken care of though! Just need to trim off more of the straight stuff. I'm happy regardless because my hair has definitely grown a lot! =) 

And here's what my straw set looks like at 21 months...

...and 22 months!

It gets bigger (and healthier) by the day. =)

Well, that's all for now!

Have a great week and THANK YOU for checking in! =)

Click Here For My Straw Set Tutorial

Curly Fro-hawk

Hi all!

I hope you had a wonderful Easter!!!

I experimented with my hair this weekend and finally tried my hand at a mohawk on a 5-day old straw set.

All I used were bobby pins and a mirror! lol. Then I dressed it up with a flower.

I like how it turned out, but it's definitely something I would wear out and not on an average school day.

Results:

A few other angles:

That's all for now! 

A BIG THANK YOU to my readers! =) 

Thanks for keeping up with me on my journey.

Length Check

Hi!

This week..before I started one of my straw sets, I got a huge itch for chopping off my ends.

So I cut all of the relaxer off from the bottom section of my hair. 

Before:

After (Shrunken):

After (Stretched):

There's a LOT of length there, but man, does my hair deliver a serious dose of shrinkage! lol.

When I saw how much shorter my hair was without the ends, I decided to only cut the relaxer from that bottom layer completely and just do a light trim of the rest of it. My itch and temporary curiosity were satisfied. 

Here's how this particular straw set turned out:

I actually really like how it turned out with my trim!

Anyway, for those who celebrate: happy Easter weekend!

Have a safe, fun and blessed one! 

=)

Click Here For My Straw Set Tutorial

Growth Update: Transitioning Hair, 18 Months Post-Relaxer

Hi all!

Finally a new video!

I know I haven't made one in months, and I apologize (especially to my YouTube subscribers) for that! My computer had been out of  commission forever: no audio, buggy when connecting to the internet. It was VERY difficult to make videos with it that way. Now that it's up and running again, I'm hoping the videos will be more regular like they used to be! And if there's anything YOU want to see in a future video, please let me know! =)

Anyway, this video is just a photo montage update on my transition. I am now 18 months (a year and a half!!) post-relaxer. Just 6 months away from my initial goal! =)

How far along are you guys, and how much further do you plan to go?

Enjoy! 

Mission: Curl Definition, Accomplished! =]

Hi all!

Remember this very frustrated post?

I wasn't crazy about having loose, frizzy, undefined, waves (1st photo) that frame my face and at the crown of my head, but tight, defined ringlets (2nd photo) everywhere else.

Well, I've discovered a method for defining those stubborn curls!

If I physically curl the hair around my fingers while in the shower, it helps my curls find their form and they look just the same when they dry.

LOVING the curl definition!  

I've really been trying to get a handle on how to best make my curls pop now that it's getting closer and closer to the goal date that I've set to chop my processed ends. Which, by the way, is in 6 months! =) And speaking of 6 months, I'm hoping to make another video soon! I haven't made one in that long. lol. Yeesh! 

Anyway, thanks again for checking in! =]

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Hair

Hello!

Yesterday was my birthday, and I wanted to do something different and fun with my hair. I decided on going for a modern head-to-toe version of the 1940's pin-up era.I found a tutorial  for this updo on YouTube. You can watch it by clicking here. I modified it a bit because what she did just wasn't working for me. My hair would not stay and jest kept falling apart, but I really liked the style she came up with. So, I just created my own method to get the same style. I was weary about wearing my hair to school like this, because I thought it might be a bit much, but I still did. I was going out with my boyfriend right after class anyway and shoot...it was Valentine's Day! Lol. I got a bunch of compliments on it though. My professor said it made me look like a "movie star." =) I do like the way it turned out and I'll probably use it again for special occasions. 

And here's the finished pin-up look with the outfit! =)

I hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's Day and spent it with the people you LOVE. <3

That's all for now! =)

My Top 10 Favorite YouTube Comments

This is why I have this blog and post corresponding videos. THIS is why I do this. =]

from someone excited about trying henna:

10

from another long term transitioner:

9

from a mother:

8

from a 12-year-old:

7

from another Latina with similar hair:

6

from someone about to do their first straw set:

5

from a 14-year-old struggling with styling:

4

from a "hair twin":

3

from someone searching for help transitioning:

2

from a 16-year-old with zero transitioning support:

1

I'm still earning myself and I'm so glad that sharing what I've learned is helping people. 

Even if these 10 were the only ones, the fact that they look to me for help and advice is so rewarding. 

Thank YOU! 

<3

More Than Half My Hair is Natural.

Hi!

I've been gone soooooo long. Updating is really hard now that I have limited internet access. My computer ONCE AGAIN is out of commission (kind of.) I can only use the internet when I'm in "safe mode" (which is the most basic and primitive settings a computer can operate in,) so it's been tough. This is also why I haven't been making videos lately...while I can use the internet in "safe mode," the audio doesn't work in it. 

-_- 

Grrr.

Anyway, I'm finally checking in with a growth update. As of today, I am 16 months post-relaxer!!!

More than half my hair is natural. =]

My curl pattern is pretty crazy:

 The curls towards the nape of my neck are really tight and defined. 

I love them, and they pop really easily.

But the hair that immediately frames my face and sits all around the crown of my head, not so much definition.

The curls there are a lot looser and I wouldn't even call them curls- they're waves.

They are also drier than the rest of my hair and tend to get more frizzy.

I don't really know what to do with them and it's pretty dang frustrating. 

The bad thing about long-term transitioning is that I don't know why the hair at the top of my head is like this.

I don't know if it's actually really curly, but because the hair at my crown has more "dead weight" (longer relaxed ends) it's just being weighed down and my curl pattern can't take control...I would know this if I had big chopped.I also don't know if it's due to too much manipulation from slicking it back with gel when I wear buns OR if my hair is just naturally mixed textures. I think this is the answer. I'm guessing both manipulation and the fact that I live in sunny L.A and the sun is always beating down on (and drying out) that spot on my head have caused these curls to be drier and looser. *Sigh* If that's the case, I know I'm not alone because multiple textures, and specifically, looser curls at the crown, seem to be a common issue. 

Anyway, I decided to "trim" my hair, to get rid of more of those limp strings. 

One side trimmed.

There's definitely still a good amount of relaxed ends still hanging on, but with this trim, I certainly have more natural hair than processed hair on my head. 

Anyway, I'll be updating again soon! I'm trying to get back to updating at least weekly or bi-monthly!

I'm sorry for such a long hiatus! Thank you for sticking with me! =)

Have a great week!

Curl Pattern!

Hi all!

Now that I'm a full year into my transition, it's much easier to see my true curl pattern.

So I took a few strands out of my comb and laid them against a sheet of paper.

Here's my curl pattern nice and clear, it looks like a little bed spring! =)

Most of my spirals are around these sizes:

The really tight ones on the left and the ones that are a bit looser on the right.

And here they are with respect to the diameter of a pencil:

I don't know..I'd still say I'm probably a 3C?

It's exciting to see my natural curls for once and not the weighed-down curls that look like waves

or the curls I create with straws to blend the roots with the ends.

I can't wait to cut it!

Well, that's all for now.

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!



1 Year of Growth!!!

Hi all! I'm sorry for the hiatus! I just moved and started the teaching credential at a new school. On top of this, my computer decided to crash and is now out of commission for who knows how long.

Here's a quick hair growth update!

September 20th made it one year since my last relaxer!!! :)

I've got another year to go to hit my time goal. It flies by though, so I'm not too worried (yet.) Here are 2 quick pics of my new growth and of the point it reaches (my fingertips) when stretched!

Happy October! :)

Ethnic Background Does NOT Dictate Hair Type

Hi all!

I definitely frequent YouTube hair Vlogs more than I do hair blogs. After watching a video by MsAriella89 (LOVE her videos,) I found that I agreed with her position; your ethnic/racial makeup doesn't matter when it comes to your hair type. There's not a specific type of "biracial hair." You could be mixed and have the coiliest, kinkiest curls. Likewise, you might be born to two Black parents and have a head full of much looser ones. I decided to share how my sisters and I are a PERFECT example of this. Each of us has very different hair even though we have the same parents and come from the same ethnic background.

Here's the video MsAriella89 posted:

Here's my video response. It includes a very short Q&A session with my sisters:

Another look at our hair and hair types. 

Remember, this is my hair in a straw set. 

My natural curls are close to a 3C/4A.

Sister in the middle has 3B curls.

Sister on the far right has 2B curls/waves.

So again, there's no such thing as "biracial hair!" 

Individuals, regardless of their racial makeup, have different hair.

Finally Took Out my Flat Iron 11 Months Post-Relaxer

The 20th, it marked the 11-months post relaxer mark!
Since I consciously began transitioning to natural hair, I've only flat ironed my hair once.
What I mean by consciously is that after I got my last relaxer, I flat-ironed it for 2 weeks straight because I had not yet decided that relaxer would be my last.

I went to a house party thrown by my coworkers this past weekend and decided to try it again. So, this was my 2nd time flat ironing.

After I straightened everything, I curled my ends in with the same flat iron.

Doing this tends to camouflage any dry or split ends and makes my hair look even healthier.

Plus, I like the added volume/bounce.

I do like the look. A lot actually.
But, I'm not feelin all the time and effort it takes to get it this way.
It took approx. 3 hours from start to finish.
And for all that trouble..it came out in the humid house. -_-
I think I'll definitley rock this look again, but only if I'm spending the day somewhere.
Like at a museum or a park or something.
But I doubt I'll ever flat iron it for any type of party or night out dancing.
I'll just end up sweating it out, and that's not worth all the trouble to me.

In other news, I'm moving this weekend! So I'll be really busy. But I'll update as soon as I can!

Thanks for reading!
Until next time! =)

Feather Extensions For Curly Hair (Part 2)

Hi all!

I promised I'd try curling my feather extensions and share the results. Here's how they turned out:

Here's the same photos in the video for a better view. =)

A sidenote: This hair accessory is not my favorite thing ever, but after searching high and low for pictures and video of feathers for curly hair, I decided I'd give it a shot anyway for any curly-heads out there who might be curious. =)

 That's all for now! =)

CLICK HERE  to see the feathers in their natural, straight form.

4 Easy, Stylish Ways to Bun Your Transitioning Hair

I'm currently 10 1/2 months post relaxer. Woot! When I'm too lazy/tired to set my hair at night, or running short on time to do it in the morning, I don't want to sacrifice my transitioning hair to a boring bun. Here are 4 of my favorite ways to make a bun stylish in 10 minutes or less.

Feather Extensions For Curly Hair (Part 1) + Cute New Tank

Hi all!

It seems like one of the latest hair trends is feather extensions. A variety of different colored and sized feathers can be seen on celebrities from Hilary Duff to Jennifer Love Hewitt to Selena Gomez.

Disclaimer: I do not own this image. 

Disclaimer: I do not own this image. 

Disclaimer: I do not own this image. 

So I wondered...how would they look on curly  hair. And not just Taylor Swift curly, but super-tight, pencil or straw like circumference curls (or even tighter)? I searched and searched for examples online, but couldn't find anything. So I decided to go ahead and buy some on e-bay and give it a shot. These feathers can be washed, blow dried, curled or straightened and otherwise treated like your own hair. The way they're shown in these photos is before I altered them in any way. I intend to show you all how I curled them into tight little curls in a later post and video, but I actually (surprisingly) like how they look straight out of the package too! What do you think?

UPDATE: CLICK HERE to see the feathers after I curled them.

This weekend I also had the chance to debut my new natural hair top.
It was originally a large t-shirt that I modified into a tank. I love the way it came out.
Here's a photo of it on. Bad quality, but you get the idea.

Here's a close-up of the image detail.

I bought the t-shirt from Zazzle.com. They have several style, size and color options. Here's the link to the one I modified: http://www.zazzle.com/afros_are_love_tshirt-235225762294239588

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

That's all for now. =)