Tuesday 30 March 2010

Loving my hair

So, my hair's feeling lovely. I've started a new hair care regime. It might sound strange but I've got rid of all my hair products. Yes all of them. I know I took the big step of getting rid of the relaxers but I took it a bit further. For the past three weeks I've been treating my hair with products you find around the house and I must say I'm loving the results. My hair is sooooo soft, none greasy and isn't stripped of all its oils after a wash.


The first week I did the natural yogurt treatment. Left it on for about three hours. It kind of loosened the curls a little. It gave my hair its life back. I've only done this once; it's quite the messy business. The following week I treated my hair with virgin olive oil. Did it on the Friday night and covered it with a shower cap and my night cap and left it on over night. What I did was warm the oil for a short while in the microwave, then parted my hair and massaged the oil into my scalp then worked from the root to the tip of my hair. The result: soft shiny hair. The following morning I washed it out with my shampoo then deep conditioned it with virgin coconut oil. The results were fantastic.

The following week I went a step further. I didn't use any shampoo at all and cleansed my hair with baking soda and rinsed it with apple cider vinegar. Boy, don't like the smell of the vinegar but it did wonders for my hair. I added a drop of Lavender to the water for fragrance then finally deep conditioned it with coconut oil. I must admit that it felt weird washing my hair without the foam but the baking soda didn't strip my hair of all its oil. I've noticed less breakage, less dandraff and my hair is getting healthier as I let it air dry instead of using any type of dryer unless it's absolutely necessary.

These have all been trials that have worked perfectly for me. So not only is my new hair care doing a great job, it's damn cheap :-).

If using home products is not your thing, always try to use organic products. Especially for afro hair as it easily dries out. There are a number of online stores that sell great hair products that are chemical free.

Beauty4ashes.co.uk is one. They have absolutely fabulous hair care products for all hair types.
Harmony curls is also a great for curly girls.

If you are looking to loosen your curls without wanting to use chemicals then try naturalaxer. It won't straighten the hair or perm it. It will just make your beautiful afro manageable ;-).

So keep loving your hair!!!

Sunday 28 March 2010

Transition


I finally did it. I got rid of all my relaxers and unnecessary products that just build up grease in my hair. I must be honest, going back to an afro is not easy. I've never really had one except when I was really young and once when I thought I could go natural. I've always weakened and gone back to the relaxer. But this time I'm determine to stick it out.


It is hard work though, what to do with your hair every morning is a mission on its own. Sometimes I wonder if I've made the right decision but I know I have when I hear my daughter say, ' I'm loving that afro!' This is what it's all about, loving me. As I am. There is nothing wrong with straight hair, but the chemicals that go into making it straight can't be any good. For me I think going straight was deeper than I'd like to admit. It's true, society paints a pretty picture about straight hair, that it almost alienates you when you go natural.

At first people look at you funny or find it strange to see you with your natural hair, but hey, this is me. So I'm rocking my afro with pride. Each one of us has a choice of how we choose to live our lives. For me, it's going natural and learning new ways of how to manage my hair. It has opened up new ideas that I would never have got otherwise. You see, it's like being introduced to myself all over again, but this time I'll actually learn how to manage my hair in its natural state.

Stay true to yourself. Love to all.

Saturday 27 March 2010

OMG

I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote on this blog. I have been writing though, my book. It's finished and I'm actively seeking an agent. Got my first response, not negative, just not what they are looking for at the moment. I'll wait a while yet before sending it off to more agents.

Life has been great, I've done some amazing things. I'm training for the Leeds 10k at the moment. Will be running for cancer research, which is pretty cool. It's seems like divorce was the best thing that happened to me. Sometimes your life begins when you are rid of the heavy load.

Have I found love? Well that's a story for another post. I have met some interesting people though, each one with a lesson to teach. I must say that the past three years have been a wonderful experience. Life has so much to offer and sometimes at the time you don't realise it, but each downfall brings with it a triumph.

So, I can't wait to share all my new experiences with the world. I'm at the beginning of transitioning with my hair. I'll be sharing that too. But for now, I'm just saying HIYA. :-).

Take care, be present and in the moment. Today is all we've got. Peace.