UPDATE!!

I havent posted since LAST YEAR && sooo soo much has changed since then... A quick update::

1. I havent gotten locs yet... I will..but not until years into the future
2. In 2 weeks itll make a year on my naturalversary!

So, since I have alot of friends and associates going natural or inquisitive about my journey, Im going to post my regimen, my lil tips and findings. Itll cover the basics about natural hair, products, and myths::

A YEAR 100% NATURAL!! ^__^

I learned you have to work WITH your hair. you cant fight it to make it do what you want it to. Dont look at other ppls hair and think you can copy to a T. natural hair is meant to show freedom.if a style isnt working, make it work to suit YOU. trust me, sometimes i do a style once, love it, try again, my hairs like no bitch u gon learn today lmao. its frustrating i know, but once u learn that ur hair is free, itll become easier to say fuck it. throw an accessory in that bitch and walk like u the shit lol. 

MOISTURE is highly important. Im mixed, so my hair isnt kinky its curly. like legit spirals grow outta my head. regardless of your curl pattern, all natural hair needs to be kept moisturized in order for it to be soft and more managable. it also brings out any curl u may have, weather it be an S curl or Z curl. to keep it moisturized natural oils are good to use mixxed with water. also deep conditioning a few times a week is good. && I mean serious deep condition. like leaving it on for a good hour (the longer the better). also keeping your scalp moisturized is highly important however..

products // product buildup:: black chicks are notorious for being product junkie. we buy anything that sounds like itll help our hair, or sounds like itll work miracles. dont be fooled girl. them niggas is liars lmao. anything with MINERAL OIL, PETROLEUM, or any word that is so scientific u gtta struggle to read it is trash. those things contain the same ingredients that are in dishwashing soap and drain products. the thing with bad products is that they dont moisturize the hair, fix breakage, none of that. they simply coat the hair with a shine to make it look better. the problem and or damage is still there, its just covered up. product buildup is something else u gtta watch for because itll clog the pores on ur scalp and ur hair wont grow. ever scratch ur head n have crap under ur fingernails? thats buildup. to remove it u just need apple cider vinegar rinse.

shampoos/conditioners:: if ur products have SODIUM LAUREL SULFATES, SULFATES, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATES, its bad. that ingredient strips all the moisture from ur hair, which is why u cant just shampoo ur hair. hairs to dry and knotted. most conditioners do the trick of adding moistures and make ur hair easy to detangle.

u need to detangle ur hair every once in a whiile. but never comb ur hair dry. causes extreme damage. only comb when drenched in conditioner. 

brushes: be careful when brushing ur hair. brushes cause alotta damage and split ends. 

coloring:: if u dye ur hair, u need to take extra time and care to moisturize. natural hair doesnt mean more durable and if too dry from dying it will dry up and fall off. 

heat: try to limit heat as much as possible. no product can save ur hair from heat damage


my regimen is:: detangle 3 times a week, this ties in with deep conditioning. i only comb my hair when its deep conditioned. water and oil to soak in my hair twice a week . 

the hairstyles i rock are:: the frohawk, the puff, a fro, half pinned up, the side pinned up, twist outs, bantu knots.. theres so many options. if in doubt, youtube girl. they got soo many style videos. 

if ur transitioning, moisture is deff important to keep ur hair from breaking. the connecting strands of the two textures are very weak. to deal with the textures u have to decide if u want them to match and how. will u make the permed hair match the natural, or straighten out the natural to match the perm. all up to u!


As I continue my research, Ill continue to post... Im looking at my old pics down below AMAZED at the growth!!

No locs yet..still rockin afro =)

SOOOOO.... I know I posted that I was going to loc my hair...well I still havent done it yet...I love my hair and find that every time I go to loc it I find another style with my fro I wanna do ...I still want locs very much but I think Ill wait a while... anywhoo..I know I havent blogged in a while. but Ill be back on it !=)

LOCing News

So.... Ive decided to loc my hair. for a long time, i was between getting traditional locs or sisterlocs. i weighed the pros and cons heavily, since this is a permanent desicion...

 so with sisterlocs, its very pretty. the main issue however is the cost. itll cost 100+ dollars every 4-6 weeks, and retightning needs to be consistant for hair health and look and to prevent damage, doubling , etc. the initial cost just to get them is a staggaring 300+ dollars....in a year, thats over 1200$... I dont have that kind of money...then on top of that, if you want to retighten yourself, you have to take a class [which aint free] to learn. PLUS you end up having 400+ micro locs in your hair. like...what? thts a LOT of maintenence, which is why I can understand why it costs so much. AND when you wash them you have to braid and band them..making the washing process longer...

im not saying that traditional locs arent pretty, because I love them. theyre downright gorgeous. with rastas in the family, i have a genuine appreciation for them. [and you know rastas do freeform locs]... but traditional locs make much more sence. theyre gorgeous, not costly, && i can retighten myself...

so the verdict? traditional locs it is. ive seen that you can get them started by yourself or with a friend, but because i want them looking as neat and nice as possible, im going to find a loctician.

2 WEEKS!!!! =)

dont think i dont love and appreciate my natural hair. but from the getgo i was never planning on letting my hair loose too long anyways. ive wanted locs for over 6 years now. sooooo Its really about time.  ill continue to update about natural hair however, and tips n tricks. please believe I wont abandon the ones depending on my blog...

ONE LOVE 

BIG CHOP BABY!!!

So I was doing my routine of once weekly clarifying, deep conditioning, and moisturizing my hair when I saw those permed ends. I couldnt take it anymore, I took my trusty scissors and cut those dreaded ends off & I feel like I lost 10 pnds lol. I am now rockin a TWA [teeny weeny afro] & am so far getting good comments from people. I honestly was scared at first but why should I care about what others think? I love myself, & so does God, thats enough & thats all I need. 

So now I enjoy waking up, spraying it with some of my own moisturizing concoction of caster oil, shea butter, water [distilled], olive oil, some leave in conditioner. it works well with my hair, and gives it that curly look. I love it, especially adding my hair accessories [which I need to add sommore things to lol] 

any negatives...well I have a big head so sometimes I feel like hmmmm did I cut it to early? F*** it its me & I love it.. I dont regret my spur of the moment cut.. I love it. I find strength in relying on my confidence to stand by my own image of beauty. God gave me these curls, so Im embracing them. I wish more women would realize straight hair does not equal beauty. Dont allow societys fleeting standards of beauty tell u different. Kinks & Napps runs in our blood. accept it. 

Knowledge is definetly power. I feel good knowing that Im taking proper care of my hair. 

My research never ends on ways to keep my hair styled, moisturized, new products out there and new findings on random stuff. I love learning more and more.

Natural is beautiful. Dont work against your hair. Work with it and believe me, the journey becomes that much more beautiful...

Peace && Love <3<3

Products

Ive been doing alot of research on products, and I realize alot of things Ive used were no good for my hair. There are alot of things in "black" products [owned by whites or people looking for product not for our roots]. Heres a list of ingredients that if seen, BACK AWAY!! LOL, Once again, my comments will be [in brackets, bold, && italics =]

• 1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics [uhhhm...seriously!] This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. [ANTI FREEZE?!? Omfg] Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off.
• MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: [the most overlooked ingredient, its in alotta things being used today....watch out for this !!!] The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin's natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin's ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this "plastic wrap," which can promote acne and other disorders. It further hinders normal skin respiration/transpiration by keeping oxygen out. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age. Holding in large a mounts of moisture in the skin can "flood" the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Petrolatum - A petroleum-based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.
  Honestly, this stuff belongs in your engine,[ u mean my car??? - ___- ] not on your hair. Regardless of "Well, my Grandma used vaseline on her hair and it grew ", the bottom line is this stuff is bad. It was bad for Grandma and it is bad for you. Period.
• 3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG's are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG's contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic
• 4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a "surfactant" or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. [more anti-freeze?? oh jeesh....] There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. [Toxic huh... erhmmm] The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.
• 5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.
  Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says, "...in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death." According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in children's eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of ad ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food." According to the American College of Toxicity report, "SLS stays in the body for up to five days..." Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste," Studies show its danger potential to be great when used in personal-care products. Toxicity - A serious problem with these chemicals is that they may be contaminated with NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine), one of the nitrosamines and a potent carcinogen, according to a 1978 FDA report.
• 
  Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may be more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Contains ether.
  6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child's World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair. 
  7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said "repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers - liver and kidney cancers." John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children." 
  8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer's dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: "Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic." 
  9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. "Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes," (Home Safe Home).
  For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.
  10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair 
  Where did I get this info from? Not from my brain, All copied & reposted from this wonderful website Nappturality
  Please people !! watch out for these ingredients in anything you use, not only just with hair products. Dont let labels fool you into thinking your buying something good for your hair and its all a gimmick!
  
  
  **Much Love<3<3**

The Lye you believed was the Truth [about Perms]

Lord. Perms. Relaxers. Chemicals. The staple of all african american hair products. What I grew up on. I hated my nappy hair when I was a child; and begged my mom for a perm. I regret the day I did, and always will. Here is the truth of perms. Please take no offence to what I post, but please be able to handle the truth. Ill post links as to where I got my info from. also my input on the info will be in italics 





Sodium Hydroxide is the strongest type of principal chemical used in some chemical relaxers because it provides the most long lasting and dramatic effects. However, this same sodium hydroxide is found in drain cleaners [drain cleaners??? tuhh hell??] which well demonstrates the strength of this chemical. It is what is used in products that are referred to as “lye” relaxers. The strength varies from a pH factor of 10 to 14. With higher pH, the faster the straightening solution will take hold, but the more potential the damage.[wow...uhm..]


Guanidine Hydroxide is the other common option of relaxer chemical used today. This is what is referred to as “no-lye” relaxers. [meaning theres no Sodium Hydroxide in it..but..keep reading..] This label can be misleading to some consumers. It does not imply that there aren't any strong chemicals used or that the chemicals used are somehow less potentially damaging. Some have mistakenly thought that with “no-lye” relaxers there are less steps and all the worry of chemical hair straightening is removed. Although this type of chemical hair relaxer can be less damaging than its counterpart, the hair and scalp should be in top condition before attempting treatment, and this type also requires special care when applied.


This process which produces the desired effect of “straighter” hair at the same time leaves hair weak and extremely susceptible to breaking and further damage [You dont say....] One must keep in mind that relaxers do not help the hair, but actually strip it [it does not HELP. it STRIPS] So by applying chemicals to the hair, even if it is to achieve a desired effect, is never really to the benefit of your hair health. Due to this, it is first strongly recommended that it be applied only under the direction of a hair care professional with a record of success with healthy hair care and chemical straightening, and that the client regularly obtains conditioning treatments before and after the process[ to keep u from balding I bet...lmfao j.p =] Click to go to the Article for the above info 



*************************


Hair Damage 
Sodium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide both have a very high pH factor, meaning they are highly alkaline products. When applied to the hair, they immediately strip it of all moisture, because any retention of moisture would reduce the effectiveness of the straightener.  This is why a deep-conditioning treatment is always applied to the hair after the chemical process [OHH thats why...!!] These treatments are designed to drive moisture back into the hair shaft and to coat the hair strand to make it look shiny and appear healthy, or in other words -- to camouflage the damage [hiding the bullshit huh...lolll]  But no hair that has undergone a chemical relaxer is healthy [OH Really...hmmm]  It’s been purposely and permanently damaged by the chemicals... and hair can’t be damaged and healthy at the same time [there you have it folks....there it is str8]


Relaxed hair is always dry. [FORREAL?!?!] This is why we’re constantly putting something on it.. oiling our hair and scalp two or three times a week. There are several reasons for this: 1) Start with the moisture-stripping process of the chemical relaxer that I spoke about in the above paragraph; 2) Add the steady regimen of hot-comb touch-ups, curling irons & flat irons (all work with heat which is drying to the hair) and hair sprays and styling/holding gels, (these contain alcohol which is drying to the hair). The natural oils our scalps produce can’t serve our hair’s needs. The scalp can’t manufacturer enough natural moisture to replenish the moisture we’re stripping from our hair on a daily basis; and 3) The products we usually use in an attempt to fight dryness (usually petroleum-based products, or "grease") don’t really add moisture to the hair at all. They simply coat the hair with petroleum to provide shine. At the same time, they clog the pores of the scalp so that the scalp can’t secrete its own natural moisture. [AKA watch out for the products you use...those are lies too. smh do I need to say more on that paragraph?? re-read it again people...]


The article goes on to further discuss how theres also the fact of skin absorption, & how its caustic. the link is here...read it its very informative . 


Please stop living the lye. I see nothing positive about it. We were given brown skin for a reason. Our hair is kinky for a reason . Remove the kinks from your mind, not your hair-Marcus Garvey. 


Peaceee <3<3

Beginning of my journey

Welcome welcome everyone =)

I began my napptural journey December 2010, because after doing my wash n blow routine, my hair was above my shoulders.

The problem?

I have pretty nice hair. It was down my back. So how did it reach above my shoulders? Was it my own error? Was it the crack? I will say however, I was furious. I used the "I cut it" excuse because I was embarrassed of what really happened. It was then I decided to change this ideology of straight hair because God did not give me straight hair. My ancestors did not have straight hair. [Although the Indians in my family do lol]. I had to shed that crack. I needed knowledge on how to do this journey because I had no support. My family still till this day look at my head as if there are snakes crawling out of it.

I will post the research I found on Perms & the actual truth.

Also, I was a product junkie but this is the black womans problem! there are products that come from our homeland that are MADE for us. specifically for us, and highly beneficial for our hair and skin but we choose to believe the lies. Ladies Ladies [Gents too] please LET THAT GO. Ill have a post on products and ingredients to avoid.

No disrespect to the Lye-ers out there, its your life live it how you choose. You can still take tips on products and the things u put in ur hair if you want. Just know that no matter what you think, perms are never the best choice [in my humble opinion]

My choice of products? I use all natural oils, water, shea butters, veggie glycerin, etc. I use the 'no poo' method to keep my hair clean because shampoos are also unhealthy, stripping hair of natural oils . also full of silicones no good for hair. but more on that later.

I will do more to my blog as time goes by. Ill make sure to keep it 100 & post my good times, styles, frustrations, etc. Enjoy

Let Go, Let God <3