My Hair.....Is Me

Don't Call it a Comeback!

2012-02-27T14:21:00.000-06:00

Man! So many things have happened since my last post!!

The biggest is that I recently (last Thursday) did a BIG CHOP!

YEP, I cut my hair!! I can't believe it. My friends can't believe it...but I did it!! The reason that I had to big chop was because I did not take care of my hair after I colored it and as a result, the colored part was extremely dry and had began to break in several areas!

Nobody fault but my own...I went in and told my stylist to cut all of the color off and she kept asking was I sure...I told her to hurry and do it before I changed my mind....and she did!

Now, I have to relearn short hair. I miss my poof so bad, but I'd rather have healthy hair, than a big, split-end infested poof any day!!

Have you ever did a re-chop or second big chop??

National Infertility Awareness Week & the RARE SOIL Project Website

2011-04-25T23:10:00.000-05:00

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This week, April 24-30, 2011 is National Infertility Awareness Week.

I didn't even know such a week existed until last night, and as soon as I found out, I knew that it was something that I wanted to showcase on my blogs. This is such an issue that is near and dear to me…there are so many myths surrounding infertility...I will tackle one of those myths in the next few days on my other website, Musings of L. Michelle.

Today's post is about this great website that I was recently made aware of and had the opportunity to briefly visit.

The Rare Soil Project

For over two years, the RARE SOIL Project has been working with African-American women and communities teaching about the impact of infertility and involuntary childlessness. The RARE SOIL Project works with women to help them overcome the shame and isolation associated with infertility.

The mission of the RARE SOIL Project is to offer hope, support, and information to African American women who are living childlessness not by choice (CNBC) as a result of infertility, and raise public awareness about the impact of infertility and involuntary childlessness, through education and advocacy.

FROM THE RARE SOIL SITE:

7.3 million American women have had trouble conceiving a pregnancy or carrying a pregnancy to term
1 in 8 women and men are diagnosed with infertility

The RARE SOIL Project refers to infertility broadly, including all fertility impairments:

Infertility is a medical diagnosis given when a couple has not conceived a pregnancy despite trying for 12 months.
Impaired fecundity is medical term when a woman experiences difficulties conceiving or bringing a pregnancy to term during their lifetime (i.e., recurrent miscarriages)
Involuntary Childlessness is a chronic condition that occurs when a woman/couple desires to have genetic children, but cannot conceive, or maintain a pregnancy to birth.

Because I was just made aware of the site last night, I haven’t had an opportunity to through the site completely, but for what I have perused, I think it is an awesome tool. If you suffer from issues surrounding infertility, or know someone that does, please go to this website or pass it on. I know that I will definitely be going through it more in detail in the next few days, and passing it on to some very dear blogger friends that are battling issues with conception. You can also find the RARE SOIL Project on Facebook, please click the link and "Like" the page.

Be blessed everyone and let's unite for awareness surrounding infertility!

MONIEK!!!! Hair Update

2011-04-22T10:42:00.000-05:00

Remember my best friend Moniek who bravely let ME do her Big Chop last summer?

Well this is her update! I am LOVING her hair!! I see it several times a week and I did not realize that it had grown out this much!

She makes me want to pick my hair all the way out to see where I am!!

Congrats Moniek on staying the course and keeping your hair natural!!!

Wordless Wednesday: TOTAL Inspiration

2011-04-20T11:19:00.000-05:00

I can't wait for the new CD, coming this Summer!!!!

My Fuzzy, Poofy, Natural Hair!

2011-04-18T20:55:00.002-05:00

"Bad" Hair Day -- 4/18/11

I have completely fallen off the wagon with taking good care of my hair, and it shows! Blame the warm Texas winter and the ability to continually “wash and go”. And just me being lazy <--the real reason :( One other thing that I just thought about was that I have been working out more and when I wipe my face, I often wipe the sweat back into my hair...gotta stop doing that.

I feel that my ends look ratty and my hair is dull and lifeless. I do know that it growing, because I have a full inch of new growth (look closely at the picture, LOL). I last colored at the beginning of January. I actually don’t know when I will have time to do something to it. One thing that I have learned about my personal life is that I need to make short, attainable goals. So, for this week, the goal is to wash, DEEP condition, and twist my hair. Let’s hope I make it...it's Monday night...and I am sitting here. LOL

This morning my hair straight pissed me off. I have a new schedule at work, so now I have to be at work at 7:00 a.m. Which means I need to be out of the house no later than 6:30 a.m. Which means that I need to get up between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Actually, I need to be up no later than 5:30 a.m., but if I take a shower at night, I can get up a little later. But this morning I realized that I have to plan for the time to do my hair. This is what happened this morning. I showered last night and when I got up this morning at 5:50 a.m., I didn’t know what to do with my hair. I decided to mist it with filtered water and then attempt to pull it back into a ponytail (yes! I can finally pull my hair all the way back!!!). This was a #fail, because I had gobs of product on it from the past few days. Gel, and Shea Moisture, Olive Oil, Tea Tree Oil and just loads of all types of stuff. So what does my hair do? Nothing, it just looks a shitty mess. At this point it’s 6:20 a.m. (usually I am OUT of the house by this time, or at least walking through picking up my purse and keys) and I am stressing, so I do like any other seasoned naturalista would…I turn on the shower and stick my head under the water and using water only to “wash” the built up products out of my hair! I didn’t use any shampoo or any conditioner and I tell ya’ll, this worked well to be a "quick fix." I styled using some Blue Duchess Curl Activator Gel and EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel. It’s a little poofy and frizzy around the edges, but for the most part, I like it. And I was out of the house by 6:32 a.m. and at work at 7:00 a.m. on the dot. Now I just need to either learn to trim my ends or schedule an appt.

What’s going on with your hair these days? Did your hair survive the winter?

My Ode to Walgreens!

2011-03-30T12:58:00.000-05:00

Partial store display at Capital Plaza Walgreen's::Austin, Texas

Dear Walgreens,
Thank you sooooo much for recognizing that Shea Moisture is a great product and choosing to carry it in ALL of your stores. With your buy one, get one free sale this week, I have probably gotten enough Curl Smoothie to last me a few months. You surely came out with a vengeance! Target has messed up now!!

Sincerly,
L. Michelle

Did you go to Walgreen's yet to take advantage of the BOGO on Shea Moisture??? If not, WHAT are you waiting for??? If they don't have it on the shelves yet, ask the person at the beauty counter if they will be getting it in. Usually (in my experience) they have it in the store and are willing to show you what they have and let you make a purchase, they just haven't adjusted the shelves to put the product on it. I've probably stopped at every Walgreen's that I've come across and they all have it! WOOT!

My Best Advice About....Co-Washing

2011-03-22T08:00:00.002-05:00

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Spring is finally here!!

With the warmer weather, this means that we naturals can take advantage of sunny days and rock fresh wash and go's or if you want a new style mid week and don't have the time for a full shampoo, condition, detangle sessions, a co-wash is most assuredly the way to go!

Here's a few tips that I have found helpful when doing daily/weekly co-washes:

Cheapie conditioners can be your friend. Yesterday, I told you all what my favorite "go-to" conditioners are. I have been using the V05 Free Me Freesia for the past four years and I love it. Some of my other favorites are Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and Organix Coconut. These conditioners are generally a little more watery (with the exception of HH), which works well when you are in a hurry. All of these conditioners are affordable and can generally be found at Target, Wal-Mart, or even the grocery store. When I say cheap, I mean less than $5.00.
Every co-washing session does not have to be time consuming. That's the purpose of co-washing....well at least it is for me. I co-wash in the morning before work, after working out, or any other time that I don't have time to shampoo, detangle, and deep condition (SDD). Usually to do the SDD, it takes me at least 45 minutes, but co-washing only takes however much time I chose to spend in the shower.
Ditch the towel and start using an old cotton t-shirt. I have found that this one technique has caused my hair to not be as frizzy and I don't get the drippies. I generally wrap the t-shirt around my hair as soon as I get out of the shower and then proceed to do whatever else I need to do bodywise (about 5 minutes). Once I remove the t-shirt, my hair is still damp but not dripping. LOVE it!

What advice do you have regarding co-washing?? Or have you found that co-washing is just not for you??

I've Been Featured!

2011-03-21T09:05:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite blogs, (and last week's Wordless Wednesday) Robyn's Nest featured me today in a non-hair related post. For those of you that didn't start from the beginning of my blog, you may not know that I am a Breast Cancer survivor. Robyn gave me the chance to tell my story.

Please click the link below to be taken to her blog and my story of survival!

Robyn's Nest Blog

Conditioner!

2011-03-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

What is your "go-to" conditioner?

You know, the one you reach for for those daily/weekly co-washes?

As the weather starts to heat up, I find that I love co-washing my hair every few days.

My go-to conditioners are either V05 Free Me Freesia or Suave Naturals Coconut. These products are cheap, smell good, and great for my spur of the moment co-washes. I do have millions of other conditioners that I use for specific purposes: detangling or a little extra conditioning (not deep conditioning...there's different stuff for that..LOL)

So, what's your "go-to" conditioner and why do you like it?

Wordless Wednesday: Hair Inspiration

2011-03-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

The beautiful Robyn of Robyn's Nest.

Great blog and GREAT HAIR! Check her out ya'll :o)

Robyn's Nest: A Personal Journey

Giveaway on Big Beautyful Mess!

2011-03-11T20:00:00.000-06:00

Click the picture to enter a great giveaway on a great fashion blog, Big Beautyful Mess!

Rock the Red Pump: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

2011-03-10T08:00:00.002-06:00

Today, in honor of National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I am rocking my red pumps!

HIV/AIDS awareness is such an important cause, and it's something that definitely affects our community.

So, get involved, get tested, and rock your RED pump to show your support!

For more information, click the link: RED PUMP PROJECT

Wordless Wednesday: Naturals Around Facebook

2011-03-09T11:15:00.000-06:00

This picture of my longtime friend Tisha caught my eye the other day, and she agreed to let me post it here.

I love the fullness of her hair!

Please feel free to EMAIL me pictures to post!

Make sure you get the person's permission first if the picture is not of yourself :o)

Sunday Sweets

2011-03-06T17:04:00.000-06:00

This song was sang at church today and it thoroughly blessed my soul...So, I just had to share it with you. Meditate on the words and enjoy!!

Natural Hair: There are NO RULES!!

2011-03-06T16:00:00.000-06:00

Milan over at A Grl Can Mac, posted a great video on YouTube concerning how so many people have "rules" for natural hair. I stand with her in debunking the myth!! If it works for your hair, let it work for your hair! Rules Schmules. I've often said that when I was little, my grandmother pressed my hair weekly with the Bergamont blue or green grease (I loved the blue because it smelled better) and my hair was really thick and long.

What myths have you heard that you shouldn't do to natural hair that you decided to do anyway?

Video posted with permission from Milan

My Next Journey?

2011-03-06T15:59:00.000-06:00

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Today a lady at church asked me if I could do her hair. I told her that I don't do hair and then she asked again if I could do her hair. I told her that I would do some research and then get with her next Sunday. She said, what are you researching? Just tell me when, where, and how much. LOL!! As well, I have a Soror coming over at later today so that I can deep condition and wrap her hair. I've been mentioning that I would like to do a little something extra....and I feel like God is speaking to me loud and clear. But I will pray one more time just for confirmation.

Happy Friday!!!

2011-03-04T07:55:00.000-06:00

The photographer at church snapped this picture of Moniek and I a few weeks ago while we were waiting to be seated at our church's annual Love and Unity Luncheon. We go to the best church there is, and if you're ever in Austin, drop by St. James Baptist Church for a visit!

Natural Hair v. Relaxed Hair

2011-03-03T09:54:00.000-06:00

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Although I don’t blog as much anymore (yes, I am working on it!), I do still keep up with natural hair blogs and such through my Google Reader. One recurring theme that I continue to see in the natural hair blogosphere is the natural vs. relaxed hair debacle.

I am in a closed natural hair group on Facebook and one night I commented, “I am tired of the natural vs. relaxed hair debacle.” What followed was about 15 comments (so far) regarding my statement. It was very good dialogue and helped me to see just what some naturals think about relaxed hair. One group member stated that some people that have relaxers are not aware of the harmful effects of continued use of relaxers, and this is why she tries to encourage people to go natural. While education of the effects of relaxers is great, I also feel that just as we educate ladies on maintaining healthy hair, EVEN with a relaxer can be helpful too.

I have the privilege of advising an undergraduate chapter through my Sorority, and last year my undergrads had a forum on campus discussing the body, hygiene, hair, etc. They asked me to talk a little about hair. At that time, there were a few transitioners in the room but no 100% naturals (except for the guys). I didn’t want to turn them off by telling them that natural hair is the way to go, because *I* do not feel that everyone has within them the desire to care for natural hair. This does NOT mean that everyone can’t BE natural, because everyone does have that ability, people just don’t have the desire. SO, I talked to them about proper hair care, educated them about co-washing and wrapping their hair to use less heat, and stretching their relaxers to 8-10 weeks instead of every 4-6 weeks. After a few side-eyes, I did have some of them come up after to ask about the co-washing. Weeks later, when I was on campus again, a few told me that they had started co-washing and saw a big improvement. See what I mean?

Education is key in this hair thing whether it’s relaxed or natural!!

It reminds me so much of the scene from School Daze! Go on and swear, see if I care, good or bad hair!!!

What say you MHIM? Do you play into the debacle? Are you a natural nazi?

Don’t be shamed if you are :o) I admit that sometimes I get a little frustrated with some NATURALS!

Ask L. Michelle

2011-03-02T21:42:00.000-06:00

A few ~~days~~ weeks ago, I posted a brief update about my hair and it garnered one comment that I wanted to make sure to answer. Rae, one of my newest sorority sisters and a regular here on MHIM wrote,
"I'll be celebrating my 2 yr anniversary in a couple of months and there are still some things I don't know when it comes to natural hair. And now that my hair is getting longer & fuller (yay), I'm finding myself researching AGAIN just as I did two years ago. Could you possibly give a refresher course on natural hair care? For example, what exactly does it mean to "seal in moisture?" I would like to invest in some coconut oil so that I can seal in moisture, but I don't know what that means. Your expertise is greatly appreciated. Look forward to hearing from you!"

First off, thanks so much Rae for being so dedicated to my site, even when I may not be and thanks for your confidence in me!
Whenever I co-wash/detangle/deep condition my hair, I always end the routine by adding in oil while my hair is still damp. I pour the oil in my hands and then rub it into my hair just as I would when applying product. I make sure to apply it to all part of my hair and then I finish styling it. Some of the oils that I use are:

Castor
Shea Butter Oil
Coconut Oil
Vitamin E Oil
Olive Oil

I don't have a huge preference, but when it was colder, I was using the Castor Oil pretty heavy, but now that it's warming up, I am using the Olive Oil and not as frequently. (I would probably use the Castor Oil every 1-2 days). As well, I always made sure that my hair was damp (or freshly washed) before applying the oil. Because if it's drying, the oil will just sit in my hair and be greasy, and that's NOT cute! LOL

By doing this, it helped my hair to stay soft during the day and less brittle during this unusually cold Texas winter.

Do any of you seal the moisture into your hair using these oils or any other?

My Birthday Photo Shoot

2011-02-16T06:33:00.000-06:00

#34 was awesome!

Check out some of the other pictures from this great day!

H. Green Photography

Sunday Sweets: A Season of Love

2011-02-13T14:56:00.001-06:00

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This is a good word right here and the scripture of today's sermon. I can't wait to be married!

I Corinthian 7:1-9

¹Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
²Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
³Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
⁴The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
⁵Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
⁶But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
⁷For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
⁸I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
⁹But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Hair

2011-02-07T21:17:00.000-06:00

It's winter and Texas actually got some cold weather this year, so I have been trying to wear my hair in protective styles. Those that know me know that's major for me because I hate doing my own hair, but I have ventured into twists, flat twists, and twist outs. It's been pretty fun and I can see the difference in growth. That could also be because I use Castor Oil daily to seal in moisture.
I have been giving a LOT of natural hair advice lately. Most people are asking what to do in cold weather, combating dryness, and styling techniques. I hope that they are listening to me. I haven't been blogging much because my hair just isn't doing much lately!! It's not shedding, it's growing, and it's moisturized. What more could I ask for??

What do you ladies want to see on the blog?

Sunday Sweets: A Season of Love

2011-02-06T00:00:00.002-06:00

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Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12 (New Living Translation)

My Open Letter to @Marshalls...(or Why I Will Probably Never Shop at @Marshalls Again)

2011-01-05T22:34:00.003-06:00

I went to Marshalls here in Austin this evening and I had a horrible experience. I decided to blog about it because I am big on customer service...and this lady I dealt with tonight...whew wee....just read for yourself...this is what I sent through the Marshalls website. I am so angry that my lips are STILL tingling!!!! I am also posting this on my Musings blog.

I had the unfortunate occurrence to visit the Mueller location of Marshalls around 8:00 p.m. this evening in Austin, Texas. While browsing in the store, I came across the "Clearance Rack" in the Women's Department and proceeded to look through it for a black sweater or cardigan. I found exactly what I was looking for in a black button-down sweater with ruffles down the front. The label on the inside of it said, "Red" (brand). This sweater, was still showing to be $29.99 (no red "Clearance" tag was on it). However, there was another Peach "Red" brand sweater that did have a clearance tag on it. There was also a gray ruffled “Red” brand sweater, just like the black one on the clearance rack also for $29.99. I proceeded to take both the Peach colored sweater and the Black button-down ruffled sweater to the customer service desk to ask if the associate (Debra) could scan the item so that I could see, if the $29.99 price was actually correct. However she refused to, and called over Janice to tell me that the item was not on clearance. I tried to explain to Janice that there were several items on the clearance rack that did not have the red "Clearance" sticker. I even took Janice to the clearance rack to show her that there were several items that did not have the red "Clearance" sticker. She told me that the store had just had inventory today and that there may be things out of place. This does not reconcile with me, as a person that has worked in retail before DURING an inventory, I am knowledgeable that a store's management team ensures that all things are in their correct locations, so that the inventory workers can properly assess the store's merchandise. I UNDERSTAND THIS...however, what I don't understand is her lack of customer service and piss poor attitude regarding this situation. On your website, it states that, "At Marshalls we put a high value on our customers, and we want to make sure you're satisfied." I AM NOT SATISFIED tonight. Initially all I asked was that the item be scanned to show me the price. If that associate (Debra) had scanned the item as I requested and shown me that it was indeed $29.99, it is quite possible that I would have just said, well it was on the clearance rack with several other items, and you all may need to check that out. But noooo…she refused to scan the item, then Janice refused to scan the item, and after I showed Janice that there were at least TWENTY items in various sizes on the rack with no red “Clearance” tags, she tried to insult my intelligence by telling me that just because items are on the clearance rack does not mean that they are on clearance, if they don’t have the red “Clearance” sticker. She further tried to insult my intelligence by telling me that she would give me $1.00 off, which would then make the item on clearance. Marshalls…is this what you mean by “we put a high value on our customers??” Because if it is, I will not frequent this or any other Marshall brand store EVER again. As an individual that holds a Masters’ degree in Organizational Leadership and Ethics, it is highly apparent to me that managerial and high regard for customers are skills that are lacking at the Mueller Regional location in Austin, Texas. As well you may need to check the inventory roll at this store, because it’s sure to be a mess.

Sunday Sweets: Happy New Year!

2011-01-02T22:58:00.001-06:00

**Okay, the picture post function is acting bootleg today and I don't want to hold back the Word, just because the picture is not working..so just pretend that you see a Cherry Cheesecake right here** :)

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (KJV)

My Hair.....Is Me

Don't Call it a Comeback!

National Infertility Awareness Week & the RARE SOIL Project Website

MONIEK!!!! Hair Update

Wordless Wednesday: TOTAL Inspiration

My Fuzzy, Poofy, Natural Hair!

My Ode to Walgreens!

My Best Advice About....Co-Washing

I've Been Featured!

Conditioner!

Wordless Wednesday: Hair Inspiration

Giveaway on Big Beautyful Mess!

Rock the Red Pump: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Wordless Wednesday: Naturals Around Facebook

Sunday Sweets

Natural Hair: There are NO RULES!!

My Next Journey?

Happy Friday!!!

Natural Hair v. Relaxed Hair

Ask L. Michelle

My Birthday Photo Shoot

Sunday Sweets: A Season of Love

Hair

Sunday Sweets: A Season of Love

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses. Proverbs 10:12 (New Living Translation)

My Open Letter to @Marshalls...(or Why I Will Probably Never Shop at @Marshalls Again)

Sunday Sweets: Happy New Year!

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12 (New Living Translation)