Close to the Edge...Control!!!

Good Hair, Bad Habits

I am still trying to be consistent with this blogging thing. I have found myself at yet another frustrating crossroad with my hair. About a year and half ago (November 2013) I decided to stop relaxing because my hair was thinning and transition back natural. I could not bare the idea of Big Chopping so I held on to what I knew was over-processed relaxed hair and began to grow out my relaxer.  I thought my patience levels were pretty high.

But girls was I truly tested. I had a good idea of my natural texture and curl pattern because over the years I couldn't seem to forget the times when I was a youngster; my mother's struggle to detangle  and style my hair on those horrid wash days. Vivid memories of a sore scalp, severe shrinkage, hot comb (burns) presses, and breaking both combs and brushes, yes brushes. Those memories have somewhat faded but never forgotten. 

Unfortunately after one year of transitioning, I went crawling back to the creamy crack. I was an emotional mess during my transition. Even some of my girlfriends were transitioning and we would encourage one another when we felt any one of us were close to the edge. I felt defeated. My hair was the kinkiest of them all and felt like I could not truly relate to anyone. I wanted to stand tall and be proud of my strands however kinky coily they turn out to be.

However, I have learned so much and I am still learning how to manage the condition of my (relaxed) hair with minimal compromise in my style. I would like to share some of the experiences and challenges I faced during that time, currently, and going forward. I am currently 4 months post relaxer and trying to stretch to six. Protective styling, exercising regularly, and still be cute is running it's course. Your girl can't seem to catch a break these days.


* Logo and photos to come

Xoxoxoxo

Begin Again

Hello Ladies,

I'm back!!! Good Hair Bad Habits (GHBH) doesn't have much traffic or hits just yet. But I have decided to continue to blog and document my journey for myself or anyone facing similar challenges in their healthy hair journey. My objective here is to learn what works best with my hair (with some help from you all ;) and in turn I will be able to possibly pass on my combined knowledge I have attained. 

Chances are...You have stumbled across my blog looking for some help, answers, or just plain ol' reassurance that your hair is worth it. That it is worth the fight and the frustration. I am trying to convince myself of that too. You are not alone. 

Here are some my  current GROWTH stats...

Goal: Healthy Neck Length
Relaxer/texturizer (last):  Texturizer 12/20/2013
Overall condition: Poor... Majority of my hair is relaxed from prior years
Water intake: 3 glasses a day... Please bare with me I'm a work in progress... sad
Texture (Natural Curl Pattern): 4a/b/c ( mixture...I not quite sure yet)
Hair Length: Neck Length but some areas are shorter

Disclaimer: Picture and texture shot soon to come. I will also cite and/or acknowledge other hair blogs and website that have I visited that have largely impacted GHBH blog as well. Thanks for stopping by! 

To Perm or Not to Perm...That is the Question!

One of the Bad Habits we tend to do is Over- Process our hair. Some African -American hair tends to be coarse in texture and when our natural texture starts to grow out from the root it can be very frustrating to maintain certain looks and styles with two different textures. It very important to stick to the recommeded stretch between perms (8-10 weeks) if not longer. My recommendation would be 10-12 weeks, so that your new growth can grow out to at least an inch; minimizing your chances of over- processing the hair is that already relaxed. Over- processing your hair can be one of the leading causes of breakage prevent you from retaining length.

Here are some Do's and Don'ts to consider to prevent Over- Processing:

Do- Wait until the recommended time between stretches, usually indicated on the box of the relaxer. (If your still not sure, do a simple internet search or ask your beautician who may be more familiar with your hair).

Do- A Protein treatment before you Neutralize(Shampoo). This helps to bring your Ph levels back to range that is considered optimal for relaxed hair.

Do - Deep Condition with every wash (Especially after a perm). Your scalp and hair will love you for this, since you've just stripped your hair during the chemical process. A deep condition will put some of those much needed nutrients back into the hair.

Don't- Style your hair in tight braids, twists, or apply too much heat immediately after a perm. (When the hair has just been chemically relaxed; the hair has undergone a stressfull process and the scalp may need some time to recuperate).

Don't- ever put the relaxer on the ends of your hair. (Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and it has surely been process already- if your ends are a bit shabby; you most likely need a trim).

Don't- Leave the perm on the hair too long. (Perming the hair to Bone Straight can do more harm that good. It can eventually lead to thining, flat, and life-less hair). Try   Tex-laxing or aTexturizer.

If you have an event or special occasion that you would like to attend but you're
in-between stretches. You can Co- Wash your hair and wear a braid/twist-out style. Be sure you wear a scarf and Edge control product( Weave- Aide) to keep the edges down. Slap on Half- A- Wig, a cute handband, and call it day!

Most importantly, embrace your natural texture. If it's not bone straight, So what!
If Beyonce can rock it....So can you.

The Introduction

I am created this blog in an effort to help myself, as well as, others who long have struggled with achieving long healthy hair without sacrificing style. I know many of you share my story and throughout years have caused great unintential harm and damage to your hair.
I am a self proclaimed (unlicensed) Weave-ologist!

I have over 15 years of experience of styling, weaving, and relaxing my own hair as well as many friends, family, and clients. With that being said, I have struggled with caring for my own hair because it did not act like the silky remy virgin weave I have grown accustom to wearing. It seem to never grow, never-ending split ends, breakage, and shredding glore.

In my opinion I had BAD HAIR. Since my natural hair is very course in texure, often dry, sandy browish color; I have found it quite frustrating to deal with at times. Through my journey I have discovered that I didn't have bad hair at all. I had Bad Habits ( Hence the title). For many of us ladies, hair is probably one the most important aspects of our appearace. In my opinion, no other community have been hit hardest, than the african- american community. 

 

However, there is been no greater time to care for our hair. The hair business has evolved and weaves are no longer the only options. There are Half- Wigs ( my favorite), Full Wigs, Closure pieces, Braided styles, Ethnic hair products, etc. all easily accessible and affordable. We still have to remeber that underneath that fly hair style our hair is still there and needs some love too!