[Hair]i.am--WORLD! | Relaxed Hair Blog

Q&A: Mesh Rollers

2012-02-15T09:31:00.001-05:00

Okay. I am soooo late with these questions from my mesh roller set posts, it's shameful! I was originally planning on doing a video, but since I KILLED my camera while trying to do a relaxer video (and I'm too poor to buy a new one right now! #collegestudentincome!) I will have to try to explain as best I can with pictures taken on my phone...

EbonyCPrincess asks:

Do you put your end papers on the roller or on your hair? HELPPPPPP!

Ebony, I put the end papers on my actual hair. I pull the end paper allll the way to the end of the section of soaking we hair and hold it down, length wise, with my index finger. After my hair is secured on the roller, I proceed to rolling it up as normal, taking care to hold on to my hair as I roll (since the hair doesn't "stick" like it does to magnetic rollers). Here is a pictorial demonstration:

HTH!

Carolyn asks:

I never came across mesh rollers before. Do they have a smooth finish or are they rough to the touch?

The rollers themselves are NOT smooth to the touch. They basically consist of a net-like, mesh covering over a wire (kind of like a slinky) frame. HTH!

Alx asks:

Do you think the mesh rollers work better than the regular magnetic snap rollers?

I've never used snap-on rollers. I will say that I prefer mesh rollers to magnetic rollers because of the drying time. I'm able to achieve an almost identical look to magnetics with half the drying time. However, I will say that magnetic rollers give me better curly looks (if I'm not planning on combing out the curls) because the hair lays sooo smooth on them. However, after getting the hang of mesh rollers, I can roll my hair on them much faster than magnetic rollers! Overall, I think that neither is "better", it's just based on your personal preference. HTH!!

Quick Pics: Curly Sue 'Do!!

2012-02-13T13:31:00.003-05:00

I am an entire week late with this (lol!) but last Monday, I did a set using smaller-sized magnetic rollers (1 1/8" and 1 3/8"... sn: they took about an hour to dry under my LCL Beauty dryer). I wore the curly set out for one day and I bunned for a few days before co-washing. I really loved the curly look and I will be doing another set like this before the end of the month.

Without further ado, here are the pichas!

Freshly done hair.

Shirley Temple curls! =)

Separated curls.

Preserved overnight with 5 flexi-rods

After the first day, curls held up so great!!

Random: IDK why setting lotion for me = fuzzy wuzzy hair!!

What are your hair plans this week?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Giveaway Winners Announced!!

2012-02-12T15:37:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter my first giveaway!!! The winners have been selected via Random.org and are as follows:

I've e-mailed the three of you, so please look out for it and reply with your addresses so I can ship your prizes off!!!

Congrats ladies!!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

2 awards + I've been featured!

2012-02-11T17:17:00.000-05:00

Hey ladies! Life has been busy over here in Shika-land (if you couldn't tell by my absense here and on twitter!) but I'm back! And while I was gone, several awesome things happened! I have been featured by Miss Kiki over on My Hair Grows Too!! My first feature!!! =) Check out KiKi's awesome blog and my feature post by clicking here! (and thanks so much, again, KiKi!!)

In addition, two readers (who also have awesome blogs that I frequent!) awarded me!

Miss Blutiful_Blaq over at Blutiful Blaq Hair awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award! (Thank you soooo much girl!! & if you haven't, plaese check out her blog by clicking on the link above!!) Here are the requirements for the award:

1. I must thank the blogger who nominated me for the award and provide a link back to them in my post. (check!)
2. I must share 7 random things about myself.
3. I must pass the award along to 15 recently discovered blogs I enjoy reading.
3. I must contact my chosen bloggers via Facebook, twitter, email etc, to let them know about the award.
4. I must add the versatile Blogger award picture on my blog post.

Miss Special K over at Healthy Hair by Special K (check her out if you haven't! Her blog is so cute!) also awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger Award! The requirements are as follows:

Link back to the person who gave you this award

Answer the questions below

Award 10 other blogs and let them know in a comment or email

Share 7 random thoughts about yourself

7 Random Things About Me

I am the biggest Beyonce STAN ever!! I cried when I found out she was preggo, and now that the Blue Ivy pics have dropped, I feel like I've known her forever! And check out all her hair!!!!
Did you know it's possible to be shy and talk too much at the same time? That's me! I'm really shy and really private (even my close friends and family say I'm so secretive sometimes!!) but get me started and I will talk you to DEATH!!
I'm a TRUE Scorpio... every single Scorpio "trait" that you read about describes me!
I LOVE to do my own hair but I HATE to do other people's hair!
When I'm not wearing gel nails or gel nail polish, I change my nail color every other day!
I'm a blush-o-holic!! I love me some blush (almost too much!!)
I'm not a jewelry girl... I often forget to put on even earrings on a regular basis (how weird is it: nails and hair done, makeup done, cute outfit, and NO EARRINGS!)

Thanks so much ladies! You really made my week!!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Tagtime: LYT's Haircare Bloopers

2012-02-07T12:39:00.001-05:00

I'm fiiinnallly doing LoveYourTresses hair bloopers tag! (thanks for tagging me Fiona!! Click here to check her out her blog!)

Weak edges + braids = weak edges!
I don't know who told me that getting my hair braided when I was trying to get my edges together was a good idea. Long story short, I got my hair braided and ended up with great retention for every part of my hair but my edges. Lesson: weaves (with leave-out including my perimeter) do a much better job of giving my edges a rest than box braids (no matter how much I LOVE the style!).
Banana + hair = bad news!
Need I say more? Finding bits of banana in your hair a week and a half after using the banana is no fun! Lesson: use banana baby food instead of real bananas when doing a caramel treatment (read about my SUCCESSFUL caramel treatment here).
Chipped nails + wash day = breakage!
Need I saw more?
Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Bear....
So since glycerin is a humectant, that means it draws moisture from the air into your hair. Well, moisture on afro-textured hair (or any hair with curl to it really...) leads to FUZZINESS!! Why I chose to use a glycerin based leave-in and expect my hair to stay cute at 25+ weeks post relaxer, I will never understand. (read about that disaster here!)
Lanolin = Mineral Oil
Yeah, I didn't know that.

I'm sure there are more bloopers that I have not thought about too!! LOL, that's the beauty of a hair journey: the lessons we learn!

PS: don't forget to enter the HIA: Shika's Favorite Things giveaway!!! =)

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Weekend Hair Chatter: Hemp Seed Oil

2012-02-05T18:40:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to share my official NEW FAVORITE OIL! (hence the reason I'm featuring it in my giveaway and why you should enter!)

Hemp Seed Oil is the bee's knees!! I love it!! I use it to pre 'poo, as a H.O.T., and I use it mixed in my DC's! It's #dabombdotocom!

What are your favorite oils and what purposes do you use them for?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Q&A: Caruso Rollers

2012-02-04T17:00:00.001-05:00

On my review for the Caruso Professional ProSet Steam Hairsetter, an anonymous reader asked:

Can you give detailed steps? Did you wash and air dry? Did you wash and blow your hair out? Do you have to flat iron first or ca your roll from a blow dried state?

I mostly use my Carusos on hair that has already been straightened (either flat ironed or roller wrapped). Typically I use them on hair that's not freshly washed (maybe 2-3 days after wash day...).

My blow-dried hair is not very straight, I'm sure it is possible to use them but I'm not a fan of hair THAT big!

My best advice would be to play with them on YOUR hair and determine the look that you like the best!

HTH!!

PS: don't forget to enter my giveaway!!! Pretty please!! =)

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

HIA's First Giveaway: Shika's favorite things!

2012-02-03T19:39:00.002-05:00

To celebrate 2 years (and one month!) in the blogoshpere and in appreciation of the wonderful ladies that follow the blog and actively (and consistently) participate, I'm doing a giveaway! (Yay!!)

No, I'm not giving away cars, men, or houses (I ain't Oprah! lol) but I did manage to get a few things that I like (and wanted to share with you guys!).

Note: I purchased all the prizes with my own, hard earned money! I'm sorry to say that this challenge will only be open to US followers and you must be 18 or older (or have parental permission!) to enter! All three winners will be randomly selected!!

The contest will be open for a week (and you can earn entries every day by tweeting about the contest daily or sharing it on Facebook daily!)

Here are the prizes:

"Grand" prize: 100grams of Cassia, an 8 fl. oz bottle of Hemp Seed Oil,
and a few items from the CON Argan Oil Line (the shampoo, intensive
conditioning treatment, and the liquid leave-in)

100g of Cassia & a 24 fl oz bottle of Hemp Seed Oil

100 g of Cassia

Here's how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck ladies!!!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Q&A: ACV Rinses Part 2

2012-02-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

I got a few questions on my recent post on ACV rinses and I wanted to answer them so that anyone else with the same questions can see them too!!

LaQT asked:

How do you perform your rinse?

I have used two methods. I've mixed the ACV solution in a big cup (like the 64oz cups that you get at QuickTrip!) and just poured it over my head. I don't like that method and haven't used it in a while because I feel like it wastes a lot of product (even though ACV is super cheap and you don't need that much of it to do the rinse lol).

Nowadays, I use a more precise method. I mix two cups of water with one teaspoon of ACV in my measuring cup and pour the solution into a spray bottle. When I'm done washing and conditioning my hair, I turn the water as cool as I can handle and then rinse my hair with water only, then I spray the ACV solution directly onto my hair (taking care to get the ends!) and then rinse it out under the cool, running water.

And that's it! Easy as pie! HTH!

also...

Anything Hair asked:

Does the organic ACV work better or serve a different purpose?

Photo credit: "the mother"

I'm not 100% sure but I would venture to say that it does. I think the ACV that I have works fine for closing the hair shaft (because of the pH) but I think a lot of the people who were noticing hair growth benefits and help with scalp conditions were probably using the kind with "the mother" (why it's called that, I have no clue!) which shows that the vinegar has not been overly processed and all of the natural goodness is still in tact. I would do a google search with "apple cider vinegar the mother" for more information on that. HTH!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

ECP Rollersetting Challenge: 1/1/12 thru 1/31/12

2012-01-31T09:48:00.001-05:00

Month one of no direct heat: check!!

So far, this roller-setting challenge has been sooo fun for me (probably because I got my new dryer!). I've done so many sets since the start of the challenge... and this is the month that I fell in love with mesh rollers!!

What worked:

My new LCL beauty dryer

ACV rinses

Mesh rollers (!)

Using a liquid leave in followed by a creamy leave-in, followed by a serum to roller-set

What didn't work:

Setting lotion

Rainy Atlanta weather

My NG and second day hair!

Here's is my month 1, in review (in pictures!):

My date-night roller-set from the beginning of the year.

My first "real" set of the challenge--curlformers

Random roller-set pic... I believe from December...

Mesh Mania!

My failed pin-curls... sigh.

Mesh set before wrapping it...

My weekend roller-wrap (used mesh rollers for this one too...)

Dry flexi-rod set...

The new love of my life!!

And there you have it! One month down, about 5 to go!! (click here to see all of my full posts for the ECP Rollersetting Challenge!)

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Mobile Quickie: 2nd Day Hair Victory

2012-01-30T13:22:00.001-05:00

HAPPY MONDAY!

Disclaimer: I am posting today from my phone... please excuse any typos!!

So since getting rid of my NG, I have been able to have decent, non-bunned hair past the first day it's done!

I rocked my roller wrap all weekend and decided to do a dry, flexirod set for today. I love it!! #thatwasall!

I relaxed!! + Roller wrap entry

2012-01-29T18:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA this past week... school and work... the usual suspects, have been occupying my life!!

I relaxed about a week ago (01/23)!

I used Mizani Butter Blends Rhelaxer in Mild. This time, however, I mixed in about 1/4 cup of olive oil and hemp seed oil (mixed together) before applying it. Honestly, the results were the same as usual... in fact, my hair processed a bit straighter than I usually like (which I was annoyed about because now I have to consider if I want to "correct" the rest of my "tex-laxed" hair or just leave my hair as it is (unless I start experiencing breakage). Anyway, I did my mid-step protein treatment with apHogee 2 Minute Reconstructor and the neutralized like crazy. After that I DC'd with a random mix of products and roller-set.

I don't have pics of that roller-set because A.) it wasn't all that great and B.) I guess I forgot! But on Friday, I shampoo'd again (ugh! My scalp was kinda itchy!) and did another roller-wrap which turned out AWESOME!! So much body and bounce, I was in hair heaven! Here's all the pics:

My shrinkage before the relaxer! #hateit!

My hair--pre-sectioned and twisted!

13 weeks of NG!

Friday's roller-wrap! I thought I was hot stuff!

My "thickness" shot...

Not really a length shot... just a view from the back.

What did you ladies do to your hair this weekend? Any challengers submit their roller-wrap pics yet??

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Rave: Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses

2012-01-23T09:29:00.032-05:00

"Apple cider vinegar, produced through the fermentation of fresh apple cider is a rich source of minerals (particularly potassium), vitamins, enzymes and amino acids." (Source)

One of the most important steps in my regimen that I don't believe I've addressed at length here on HIA is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinses. By doing just a little internet research, I have seen that ACV rinses are beneficial for those who suffer from scalp conditions such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Some people have also testified that it has helped their hair growth by cleansing the scalp of debris. However, for me, the most important benefit is that with it's acidic pH, it helps to close the hair shaft which results in smooth, soft hair with better moisture retention. Below I've included pictures of what the hair shaft looks like when its open versus when it's closed:

Open hair shaft. (Credit)

Closed hair shaft. (Credit)

This is the only benefit of those that I found in my research that I can testify to! And boy, can I tell the difference when doing the ACV rinses and when I don't!

I've been doing ACV rinses consistently for about 12 weeks now (since my last relaxer) and I am definitely sure that this step is a staple in my regimen at this point!

I will note, however, that I do not use organic ACV, I use the regular one that you find next to the white vinegar in the grocery store. However I do plan on switching to the "real" stuff in the near future!

Here are some helpful links to start you out researching on the benefits of ACV (found from a simple Google search):

Do any of you ladies incorporate ACV rinses to your regimen? How does it work for you?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Quick Pic: 32 mins under the dryer?? #winning!

2012-01-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

On Thursday night I did another mesh roller-set. This time, it was with the intention of doing a silk-wrap in order to ensure that my roots were fairly stretched out for my relaxer on 1/23 (Monday).

The first time I used my new dryer with mesh rollers, I estimated the drying time at about 30 minutes (read about that here!). This time, I purposely measured, to ensure that I had not exaggerated in my excitement! I went under the dryer at 12:23am and was completely dry at 12:55am. That's 32 minutes drying time--confirmed!

Anyway, here's a few pics from my set:

When I took the rollers down, I was in love with the loose curls (not so much with the puffy roots! I'm 12 weeks post, ya'll!) I decided to LIGHTLY iron out the ROOTS ONLY!

Pre-flat iron

Post-flat iron

Remember, my intention was to do a silk wrap. So I wrapped my hair up that night and then in the morning used the saran wrap method to smooth it out a bit more... the results were a semi-fail... my hair was not as flowy and bouncy as I wanted (but then again I have a crap load of NG and I did not completely straighten the roots. Here are the final results:

I have to constantly remind myself that NG=the appearance of scraggly ends!!

In the end I pinned up half of my hair. The result was cute and my hair had that "thick" look to it (lol as I've gone deeper and deeper into my stretch I've had several people ask me if I'm natural, lol!).

Of course, my second day hair (today!) is a hot mess and has been placed into a bun!

What are you ladies doing with your hair for the weekend?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Next day hair: Messy Side Bun

2012-01-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

Since I am almost 12 weeks post, next day hair has not been my friend (SN: See my original rollerset here!)! Not sure if the amount of NG I have has anything to do with the fact that my next-day hair looks a hot mess but regardless...

This morning, I decided to put my hair in a low, side bun since yeasterday's curls were not cooperating.

Here is what my "style" looked like:

Am I the only one that struggles with next day hair with plenty of NG??

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Got my LCL Beauty dryer! + Mesh Roller Experience (tons of pics!)

2012-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

If you follow me on twitter, you saw my threats to the FedEx guy about delivering my darn dryer! Welp! At about 6pm yesterday my dryer was finally delivered to my mom's house (because FedEx doesn't like leaving packages at me apartment which is really annoying to me!). As soon as I left class, I hustled and bustled to her house to pick my "baby" up!

Ain't the box purrty!!

All the parts spread out on the floor! (can you tell how excited I was!)

My baby all put together!! So cute!!

After I put it together, I decided to try my first mesh roller-set. Since I just shampooed my hair a few days ago, I decided to just DC using the Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Treatment Pack (which I bought in my BSS haul) and co-wash afterward with VO-5's clarifying conditioner. I did an ACV rinse (a staple in my regimen!!) and used the Creme of Nature Argan Oil Strength and Shine Leave in Conditioner and GVP Silk Remedy serum. I then rolled my hair up on my Annie mesh rollers.

The rolling process was sooo easy! I used end-papers and was able to roll my entire head up in under an hour using a mohawk rolling pattern:

Get this! My hair dried in THIRTY MINUTES! Yup! Thirty minutes!! (I love this dryer!!) The curls were so cute when I took them down and pincurled them! However, by morning they were a #hotmessdotcom!!

My curls were all dented from the pins! #notcute!

However I was able to save the set using my trusty Caruso Rollers. Here is my final look:

Had to flat iron the root ONLY ALONG MY PART!

**takes deep breath!**

And that was my first experience with my LCL Beauty, Pro-1028 dryer!!

Have you guys any hair fails-turned-triumphs lately?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Quickie: Hair-spiration

2012-01-12T16:06:00.000-05:00

Happy Almost-weekend!!

I was on YouTube today and came across some lovely hair inspiration (hair-spiration!) that I thought I would share with you all!

Her ends post trim are awesome! **insert LHCF drool smiley**.

Have you found any hair-spiration this week?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

1st Set of the ECP Rollerset Challenge

2012-01-10T18:28:00.002-05:00

I had so many great plans for my mesh rollerset Sunday night but alas... life happened and due to time constraints I had to do another curlformers set.

This time I used my extra long and wide (click here to see my set with the extra wide and long curlformers!) with a couple of long and narrow.

It took about 30-45 minutes to set my hair and I sat under the dryer for 30 mins. After 30 mins I hit the hay (with the curlformers still in my head lol) because I wanted the curls to be fresh on Monday.

The next morning I took the curlformers out at had this look (check the narrower, elongated curls that the long and narrow gave me vs. the short, shrunken curl from the extra long and wide...)

I was not a big fan of how short my hair was looking with the super tight curls. However, nature (i.e. a muggy, wet day in the 'A) fixed that for me and after a few hours out and about my curls fell to a more wearable look.

And there you have it! My first set of the challenge!! My dryer is supposed to arrive sometime this week so I will likely do my mesh rollerset at some point after I get it.

To all my hairnista's in academia, happy "back to school" week!!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Hair Tool Review: Huetiful Hair Steamer

2012-01-09T09:08:00.005-05:00

Retails for $114.95 + S&H at BeHuetiful.com

According to them: "Huetiful Hair Steamers are designed specifically to resolve the most challenging hair frustrations – dry hair, breakage, split ends, and scalp itch/discomfort. A Huetiful brand hair steamer can resolve all of these frustrations and allow you to stop buying multiple deep conditioners and hair treatments that never seem to completely restore enough moisture back to your dry hair.
It (1) Restores moisture to your dry hair 5x better than deep conditioners or hair treatments alone (2) Replenishes moisture lost from chemical or heat treatments, and (3) Reduces future breakage and split ends caused by dry hair."

According to me: I bought my steamer in September of 2010 at the World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta, GA. It has taken me this long to review it because I wanted to be sure that I was reviewing it after more than just a few uses.

Source

Positives

Softness, softness, softness! My hair got as soft in 20 minutes as it would in twice as long under my hair dryer! And the softness lasted for DAYS!
Moisture retention: My hair felt very moisturized for almost a week after with very light moisturizing and sealing. While my hair tends to retain moisture well when I am keeping up with my regimen, it has never retained it as well as since I started steaming regularly!
This thing is so quiet compared to my hooded dryer! When under the dryer, I can't even think about watching TV! I have to have headphones in to hear and even with the headphones I can still hear the super loud dryer. The steamer is almost as quiet as a mouse so I can watch TV (or hear if someone is talking to me!) which I love.

Negatives

The biggest con for this Huetiful steamer, in my opinion, is the fact that the steam does not seem to hit my nape very well at all. The middle and top of my head reap the most benefits from the steamer but usually my nape is cool and dry at the end of the steaming session.
The size of the unit is a big contributor to my first negative aspect of the dryer. My entire head cannot fit under the hood of the steamer... in addition, I have to strategically pin my hair in order for more strands to get some steam action
The fact that the Huetiful steamer is NOT a floor model is a MAAAJOR con for me. The lack of ability to easily adjust the height and angle makes it quite difficult to use and not worth the money.

Overall, I would recommend getting A steamer, I'm just not sure I would recommend this Huetiful, tabletop model to everyone. The steamer itself does WONDERS on my hair, however, the specifications of Huetiful's model are something to think about. Personally, the steamer was a spur of the moment purchase for me (it was on sale for $99 at the hair show and the ladies and gentleman there did an AWESOME job selling it!). While some people may prefer the compactness of this model, had I had more time to consider I would have probably gotten a larger, rolling floor model but aside from that, the steamer definitely does what it is supposed to do very well! I give it 3/5 stars.

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Hair Chatter

2012-01-07T18:05:00.000-05:00

When I started making this U-Part wig, I thought it would be a breeze... uhm... I was wrong!!!!! I'm halfway finished and finding it very difficult to motivate myself to complete the task!!
Since I will not be receiving my Salons R Us dryer until later into next week, I'm trying to decide how to set my hair this week... I'm debating between a Curlformers set or using my new mesh rollers... thoughts?
I'm low key excited to try the Nairobi shampoo I just bought... it's supposed to help with dandruff and dry, flakey scalp (which I battle with on and off)
Did I mention that I am counting down the days until I get my new Salons R Us dryer (and I ~~stalk~~ obsessively track it on FedEx's website daily?)

What are your random, weekend hair thoughts?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Beauty Supply Store Haul in Pictures

2012-01-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

In preparation for the next six months of roller-setting, I headed to the BSS today to get some more rollers and tools for rollersets! (I also bought some items that I will be using to make my first U-Part wig... more info on that coming soon...!)

I decided to try the wire-mesh rollers that I have been reading about on the forums
for the longest! I also got the slide-in roller-clips which should help with roller-placement
which is one of my biggest frustrations while roller-setting.

I also got a few hair products... the Nairobi shampoo for dandruff (hopefully
this will help with my scalp issues!) and I also got a couple of the CON Argan Oil
conditioning paks.

Lastly, I got some more magnetic rollers to supplement the ones I already have.

Roller setting ladies: what have been your last minute challenge buys?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

2012 Hair Plans (Reggie and Goals!)

2012-01-03T18:00:00.001-05:00

I have had writers block when it came to this post for the past two weeks.

For pretty much all of 2011, I can honestly say that my GROWTH journey has taken a back seat to my quest for perfect ends and to get rid of my layers. Well, I still have a few layers (my longest layer in the back is almost a full inch longer than the next layer up!) and my ends have their moments (splits/weathering). But in 2012 I think I am going to be back on the growth train!

I have to be disciplined (no "easy outs" by flat ironing! and no trimming just to get the "thick ends" high!). Here are my goals for 2012.

Reach bra-strap length... touching by May, FULL by December.
Maintain my regimen... no getting lazy!!
Limit heat usage... 6 direct heat passes (only 1 prior to June 21st, 2012)
Thicken up my edges (my biggest problem area!) by cutting down on tight buns and ponytails
Resolve my scalp issues (itching, flaking, severe sensitivity to relaxers, etc)

I decided that I will no longer attempt to stretch my relaxers for more than 16 weeks and will try to relax every 10-12 weeks.

What are your major 2012 goals??

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Quick Pic: Date Night Look

2012-01-02T14:41:00.000-05:00

Last night was date night and I was tired of my pin straight (except for my roots haha) hair so I pulled out my hot rollers (review coming soon!) to jazz it up a bit. I used various, random sizes to create a messy, loose curls look. As my hair dropped, it looked even better!

I loved it!!

Would you guys be interested in a Caruso vs. Hot Roller comparison?

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

Final Pic Updates + Official ECP Challenge Entry Post

2011-12-31T23:39:00.000-05:00

My final pics originally taken on 12/30 were quite shoddy! My ends looked awful because the ends of my hair were flipped up, making it look like my ends were thinned out! =(

After wrapping overnight and doing a saran wrap this morning, my hair (still slightly flipped out...) looks a lot better...

On Camera with flash (as you can see the right side is still flippy =/ )


Camera Phone Pic

So my heart is eased, my ends are not suck-y one month after a trim (though they are a little thinner than I usually like... but alas... )

This post will also function as my starting pic/post for ECP's rollersetting challenge...

My goals for the challenge are as follows:

Retain Every INCH! (TRIMMING ONLY AS NEEDED!!!!!!)
Use only ONE heat pass (gotta choose wisely!)
Roller-set every two weeks at least
Keep up with my regimen

I plan to use the following types of rollers-sets:

Magnetic Rollers
Roller/silk wraps
Curlformers
Caruso Rollers
Hot Rollers
Flexi-rods
Perm-Rods

My starting pics are above.

Good luck to all you ladies who are also in this challenge!! Happy New Year!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com

2011 Recap! (Did I reach my goals?)

2011-12-31T06:31:00.002-05:00

Last December, I set out a road plan that was supposed to get me to my two goals for this year: reaching Bra Strap Length and having to trim my hair only once or twice. (If you need a refresher, check out this post!)

Just as a refresher, this is where my hair was at the end of 2010:

In 2011 I...

Got my hair in another sew-in and kept it in for about 4-5 weeks
A few weeks after I took out the sew-in, I got box braids and kept them in until the end of March.
In April, I had my first relaxer of 2011 and my first trim of the year as well. The trim put my length at "grazing" APL... I as a bit disappointed as I felt the stylist took off too much hair but got over it when I saw how healthy my hair looked and felt.
In May, I started realizing that that hair was getting "long"! #excited!
For the summer, I was bunning a lot but started having issues keeping up with my regimen... I was very cruel to my hair, washing it every two weeks (but sometimes once a month!) and started having scalp issues.
In the fall, however, once the weather changed, I started following my regimen more closely. But I started an addictive relationship with heat, flat ironing my hair three times from the middle of October to the end of November!
The day before Thanksgiving I got another trim of about 1-2". I also trimmed about 3" off my bangs myself (into layers, and I LOVE them!)
For the month of December I have been direct-heat free, experimenting with different no-heat styles in preparation for the Rollersetting Challenge hosted by Ebony C. Princess!

And (drum roll please!) this is where I am now, at the end of 2011:

LET ME EXPLAIN! (LOL), my hair looks HORRIBLE in my "year end picture" because A. I am 10 weeks post relaxer and B. I straightened my hair at 2AM! I did a horrible job, my ends were flipped up in some places leaving the ending picture lacking. =/

Now, due to trimming and the fact that I did not really take vitamins and/or use GAs this year, my retention ended up at a whopping 2"! Sigh... must re-evaluate my addiction to the scissors for 2012 (more to come on those 2012 goals in a later post!). However, the health of my hair has progressed in leaps and bounds since the start of my HHJ in 2009! (Check out my HairStory to see where I started!)

I hope that 2011 gave you guys better growth results than it gave me!

♥,

Questions? Additional comments? Email me at HairIAmWORLD@gmail.com