Want length? You must first love your shrinkage!

Yes, that's what I said! Love your shrinkage! That's where you'll get loads of length! I'm not going to get into the science of hair with you but let me explain myself the best way I know how.

OUR kinky, curly, coil hair loves moisture! When it gets that moisture and you see how it makes it happy, you seal it in for it like the good nurturing mama that you are! Your hair is even happier it hugs that moisture and all the good sealant (your oil, butter and butter mix) so tightly to make them last as much as possible! The sealant, loving that kind of love, feeds your hair during that time with all the good nutrients that it has. Hair, the glutton that it is, let it all in. That's how it gets all the good nutrients that are in sealant into the hair! That's what HELP your hair grow!

Are you with me so far? I hope so! If you let them enjoy each other like that, rest assure you'll experience growth. I guarantee you that! If you keep pulling and tugging and combing your hair, it will throw a tantrum like a spoiled little brat in the mall!

In other words, in your quest to achieve length you dry twist/braid your hair everyday because you want to see length, you dislike shrinkage. Of course you comb it out, you brush your edges, you pull it back to get that perfect smooth style. By doing all that, your hair doesn't like it. It will not grow as fast as when you leave it alone!

If you want length, let your hair be. Do not manipulate it too much. Do not comb it out too often. Leave it in a protective style as long as you can and making sure your ends are protected (provided you have the length of course). Avoid pulling on your edges often. Avoid blow drying or any heat as much as possible, if you do, use a very low setting.

Disclaimer: This was written by a very tired and in pain person. Whatever typos made, will be corrected some time in the very near future. I just couldn't go to bed without writing this while it was clear in my head doing dishes.

Your thoughts and comments are always genuinely welcomed!

My Rhassoul Clay experience and then some

As mentioned in Naturally Yours (on Facebook), I was minding my own business buying some Herbatint with my cousin when right below it I saw something called Ghassoul Clay.  I was like eh? Could it be? I picked it up to read in the back.  Needless to say what kind of ruckus I made in the store!  I wasted no time picking it up and wanted to try it.  Since I wasn't due yet to wash my hair, I thought I would plan it all out and go for it!

I finally got some time on Sunday and decided if I was going to wash my hair, I have to go all the way.  I got my herbs out and decided to do an infusion.  Wait a minute! Can't forget my scalp, I'm determined to make that  dermatitis a thing of the past.  I've been getting great results with my ACV treatments (I will do another post about that) that now I've decided to maintain it prophylactically for at least another 2-3 months.  But this time, I decided instead of using plain ACV and water, I will infuse it!  Must I say... HEAVEN!!!  Anyway, that's for another post! Let's get back to the Rhassoul wash and my infused tea!

Since Rhassoul has some conditioning and strengthening effects, I decided to add some herbs with similar properties.  I've settled on the following:

• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Rose Buds
• Rosehip
• Blue Malva
• Marshmallow Roots
• Burdock Roots
• Horsetail
• Nettle
• Sage
• Cooltsfoot

While my tea was warming up, I decided to use the ACV infusion on my hair.  I always use ACV and water on my hair to detangle it before I wash and to let it penetrate on my scalp for any residual fungal (itchy) bugs that might have lingered on for the past week or so.  Also, my hair would be damped for the application. 

I started mixing by added the infused tea to about 3-4 spoonful of Rhassoul Clay.  It is important to place ANY clay in non metallic container and to stir with non metallic spoon.  I also added some of my infused ACV, AVG (Aloe Vera Gel, I know.. read my last post), about 1 tsp of my infused scalp oil.  I think the latter wasn't needed, at least not even that much!  I kept adding my infused tea until I get a yogurt like consistency.  I didn't want to make as much as I did last time with the Bentonite Clay, lesson learned!

Application was a breeze.  It wasn't messy at all!  I applied it as if I was applying a relaxer and it felt like it on my hair.  From the consistency of the mixed clay, you can tell it was much finer than Bentonite.  It didn't weigh down my hair as the Bentonite did.  I also applied it all over my face. Once I was done, I put my plastic cap on and left it for 50 mins.  That was not intentional!  It was supposed to be 30 mins but I got to cleaning and started cooking, didn't see  time flying away.  

When it was time to rinse, I made sure I didn't make the same mistake I did last time by shampooing my hair.  I took away all my shampoos and conditioners.  Rinsing it off was a breeze!  I thought I'd have residues left on my hair and scalp.  They washed away quite fast.  My hair feels.. please give me a moment to find the right words here.. you know when your hair was relaxed, you have just finished with that conditioner that your hair oh so loves?  You know how silky smooth it feels to the touch as the water runs through it?  That's EXACTLY the feeling I had but as I ran my hand down on my hair I felt waves after waves of curls under my fingers.. smooth bumps of curls.  You got me?  I don't know how else to explain it.  My curls were loosen but not BOING BOING like as it did with the Bentonite.  Don't get me wrong, I love the BOING BOING curls but deep down, I knew I wouldn't do the Bentonite Clay hair mask too often because I love my tight shrinky curls.  But I love these even more!!! Now I understand what everyone is writing about!

As for styling, I did my regular twists.  But since I had my infusing tea, I said why  not try the Slippery Elm.  That thing is DA BOMB! Curls were popping like crazy! I still need to experiment with it more.  I found out that a little goes a long way, no need to boil it or add hot water to it.  It mixes like Metamucil.  The only thing I don't like about it is that it makes lump! I need to find a way to beat this!

Mistake I made this time? NONE! Can you believe it!?! It was a great mixing day for me! I've learned from my previous mistakes. Well, I wouldn't call the Slippery Elm a mistake, it was expected and I wasn't ready to take my blender out to mix it.

Oh! I forgot to mention something very important.  If you're easily grossed out, stop reading.  I had a new pus filled pimple on my face (something I haven't had in a long time).  After my mask and while I was doing my hair, I moved closed to the mirror to see my curl definition with the Slippery Elm and I noticed that not only the pus is gone, but it looked like it was 2-3 days pus free.. know what I mean?  You know when the skin is peeling off a pimple as it is healing? That's what it looked like! So when they say that it sucks toxins away, it sure does!

I'm seriously considering going store-bought shampooless.   I have my black soap which my hair loves; now the clay that it loves!  Why must I deny myself of that?  There are no "this product is going to make your hair great, but.." about them.  MY hair loves them so I'm going to stick with them!  I will let you know in the coming weeks what I've decided.

My Fenugreek mask experience

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm going to post my experiences and experiments here from now on so it can remain as a reference instead of getting lost in the group's timeline and be gone from sight.

Now on to my Fenugreek mask experience.

I was really looking forward to it you know! After reading about all the good things it has in it and what it can do to your hair, I was super excited!

I followed the instruction as per this site. I let it soak for 2 days instead of one because I didn't have the time. It soaked up more than 1/2 of the 2 cups of water I used.  At the touch, it feels a bit slippery.  I guess that's where it's emollient properties lie.

I was ready to blend.  I thought it was soft enough so it wouldn't be a problem.  WRONG!! I didn't add enough water.  I started with just a tad, that didn't work.  Also, I think because I did that in the chopper part of my new hand held blender.  That thing ain't got no power! If you see a GE hand held blender at Wal-Mart for $29.99CAD, don't buy it! Piece of crap! It broke pureeing kidney beans IN boiled water!  Anyway, let's go back to the Fenugreek mask.  I switched to the blender, it just sits there.  I added Aloe Vera Gel (the lady gave me the wrong bottle, going to stick to TAU where I can choose my own product!), water.. it was like a lump of dough.  It just stick together.  Switched over the hand mixer, added more AVG, 1 tbsp of my scalp infusion oil, 2 tbsp of my shea butter mix, 2 drops of my lavender essential oil  to see if that will help.  At the touch, it feels fine.  I said to myself, tomorrow is the day!

When applying it, it feels so smooth.  It just slides on your hair making it so easy to spread.  I also applied the paste on my scalp because it is great for dandruff.  I kept it for 30 mins and was ready to wash.  My hair was so soft when I was undo the braids.  I said let me use my black soap.

Mistake #1
When you have any type of oils on your hair, DO NOT USE black soap.  I knew that but since I made the mask the night before, I totally forgot what was in it.  Didn't clean my scalp and hair well at all.

Mistake #2
Which should have been mistake #1 since I hinted the problem way ahead, I got chunks of the seeds stuck in my hair.  It was horrid!  But once I shook them off most did fall.  So I had to wash my hair again with a shampoo to clear up residue from my scalp which helped gets the chunks out.  Since I had to do that, I thought I'd add some honey to my conditioner to soften my hair again.  I left it on for 20 mins and rinsed it out.

When it came time style my hair, I had no choice to get the Tangle Teezer out.  It did help get the rest out.  As you know, no comb or tangle teezer has touched my hair in about 4 months now. I noticed though I had to rinse the tangle teezer  out from time to time so what I took out did not settle back on my hair.

Will I do it again? Yes! I have some substantial amount left over that I will reblend to make it finer.  I also promised some to my friend, my niece and sister. I love the feel of it on my hair! You can tell by the touch of it it has some emollient properties (it's the lecithin in it) even if you didn't read up on it.  I guess you can say, I'm learning from all this.  I will let you know how it goes next time.  I might wash my hair again next week because I'm about to take my twists out tonight.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of this seed for your natural hair, you can read it up here.

Divorcing the creamy crack: My BIG CHOP story

Today, May 7th 2011, my divorce finalized. Yes I am newly divorced from Mr Creamy Crack. I've spent the last 12 months transitioning.

Not taking anyone from dumbos but some people do not know what the term transitioning means (believe me I was shocked to find out today!), it means when you are separating yourself from Mrs Creamy Crack. It is the time period when you decide you will no longer want to relax your hair. I've tried to transition before but my lovely sister convinced me last year to relax my hair to go on a cruise after 10 months of no relaxer. I remembered I got a lot of : "Ah Mica tet la grinn wi la! Fok ou mete pemanant!" from friends and family. My sister, at the time, could braid my hair for me.

I don't know about you, but nobody but my sister touches my hair! Mwen pe peny! This time around, she couldn't braid my hair for me. She developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and soon after she had triple bypass heart surgery. I had my epiphany when my niece came to see her at the hospital and she had some twist outs! I was in love with her hair! I remember telling them both that I am so not going back.

Needless to say that this journey was a trying period for me. After my sister's convalescence and me coming back home, I started doing research on all things for natural hair. Instead, I found all things natural! Light bulbs were constantly flashing in my head. My immediate sounding boards were Martine, Malou and Arcelle. I'm always hitting them out with my newest discoveries and they encouraged me in my journey.

I first discovered bantu knot outs! This was a God sent! Imagine that I could not braid my hair (nobody touches my hair but me and my sister, remember!), I could only put it in a ponytail and a head band. I started to sport it every weekend. I was also learning about natural products, that's when I decided no more commercial pomades for my hair!

I made my own finger blended shea pomade. I live in Montreal, Canada. There are organic stores but finding certain organic ingredients, se tet neg! I did with what I could find. My first hair butter was just with Shea Butter, Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Jojoba Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil (Martine gave me a bottle), Sweet Almond Oil... I think that's it! As I told you it was finger blended pronto. When I used it on my hair it was another epiphany! Sooooooo soft! My natural and relaxed textures became best buddies! My hair just shines. But something was still missing.

I had a spritz I made with only EVOO and water. It worked! I learned that natural hair - like any other kinky curly natural hair - loves water! It's THE moisturizer for our hair! But my style wouldn't hold for 2 days like others were saying. During my research, I stumbled upon some other spritz adding Aloe Vera Gel. I had purchased Aloe Vera Juice but didn't know how to incorporate it. When I tried that spritz, not only had an epiphany but it sets my soul on fire! I felt like I was in control and I could do this transitioning business forever! The only thing is, I didn't want to keep those relaxed ends forever!

Before I could chop, my friend Martine was going to NY. While there, I sent her a message asking her to get me Miss Jessie's. I did some further research; I saw they aren't natural at all. I told her back off! Then I did a comparison with Kinky Curly, they own hands down. So I sent her an emergency text message, begging her to find Kinky Curly Knot Today for me. I wasn't ready to try the Custard because I didn't big chop yet. I believe 2 mins later, I sent another text asking her to find something I just discovered: Tangle Teezer. She's a good friend wi, she went and got it for me. She came online and said to me: "Mica, pou jan ou konn ap rele nan zorey mwen nan telephone le wap penyen tet ou, sa bagay sa ka fe pou ou?" Mwen di'l konsa: "Pitit, mwen yon fi tet li pi grinn pase swear by it, it might be my answer! Bring it, si'l pa bon ma bay ti moun yo li!"

When she finally brought me the products I was so happy. Now I washed my hair, conditioned, I saw my butt in front of the TV ready to do my bantu knots. The only time a comb touched my hair is before washing and when I have my conditioner in. I started to part with my fingers and I said let me try the Kinky Curly Knot Today (KCKT) and my Tangle Teezer. I always start with the back of my head. Yes, another epiphany! These 2 set my soul on fiyahhh!!! I got on the phone and called Martine to thank her! When she answered, I was like I GOT CURLS!!!! LOL. I placed a dime size of KCKT on my hair, then saturate my hair with my own made pomade and used the tangle teezer! My hair just shrunk into those curls! That was another moment for me! I knew the day was coming sooner than expected!

I know it was a matter of days before I cut it off. My sister has a cold and we have someone very dear to us dying of cancer. So we haven't had the time. Today I called her and said: "I'm cutting it!" She said: "wait until this week, I'll come over and do it for you.. Unless you want to come over now!" I called my niece to pick me up and off I go. Mind you, I had to honor a contract before 4 and arrived at my sister 2:30. Mwen di'l mete sizo! Koupe yo! I don't want to make this long and go into my relationship with my sister. But I'm sure you can understand that overall I trust completely and her opinion matters to me! She was extremely supportive during this journey. By the time I looked in the mirror I giggled! It wasn't due to shock, but more of "FINALLY!!!" giggle.

She helped me with the twisting. I was concerned about her tunnel. But in hindsight, I think she wanted to feel my hair again to compare the texture. She told me that it is very very nice now but it was much nicer: softer and curlier. Hopefully, it will grow back that way!

Let me briefly talk about curl pattern of your natural hair. By 4-6 months, depending on your growth, you should be able to see what your curl pattern looks like. In my case, I found out that I have very curly hair in the back, very coily on the crown and what I call red kou jibis in the front. The reason I call it that is because the front of my hair does not curl at all.. no curl, no springy thingy happen. I had read somewhere that your relaxed hair weighs your natural hair down. I witnessed that day! That front part where I thought I had no curl definition surprised me today! I DO!!! I have a beautiful different textured big ole natural head and I am loving it!

To you who are afraid of embarking on the journey, ask yourself if getting burnt from the relaxer worth it. I always got burnt in the back of my head as soon as the relaxer touched it! Se kouri rinse! I hate those patches! Are you willing to spend hours under a hooded dryer? Are you willing to get burnt by a curling iron? I just couldn't do it anymore! You don't have to embark in this journey alone. If you have any question, just feel free to ask. If you are not comfortable making your own products, there lots of places selling natural products. If you don't know how to style your hair while transitioning, there are lots of videos and infos over the web. Be careful when braiding your hair with extension when undoing the braids; if done in a rush, it might break your hair. Personally I prefer twisting because it takes less time and easier to unbraid (tried it last year during my first transition). Bantu knots worked for me. If your hair is much longer, you can do a twist out. Maintain your style with the spritz.

Here's the link for the spritz' video. Don't watch it as it will make your eyes jerk a lot! Just take down the recipe from the bottom of the page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcc3oDwBBng

My transional hair journey

I've been saying to myself you have to start blogging again. Lazy me can't get to open a tab and do so. Something is always holding me back. Either editing, playing or researching something about my hair.

Yeah, my hair! I've been transitioning for the past 10 months. I transitioned before last year for 8 months until my sister convinced me that relaxed hair would look much better on the cruise. Deep down instead, I knew it would be better if my hair was braided in case I was going to the beach. I remember I got to Lababie (what Royal Caribbean calls Labadee but my spelling is the legit one), I had to get in the water! I wanted to submerge myself from head to toe in my home sea (can one claim such thing?!). I didn't get the full effect. I knew that relaxer was going to be last! I knew from the moment she took the roller out, I didn't like the limpness that I felt. I wanted this thick kinky texture back.

I did get it back but I was miserable with it. I'm picky about my whole head: I don't like to have just anyone touch my face or my hair. My sister has been the one doing my hair since I was a baby, I trust her with the relaxer and the braiding. But this time, she couldn't braid anymore due to carpal tunnel. I had to go through this journey with no braids and kept my hair as I was usually wear it: in a ponytail. Thus the beginning of my misery! I can't tell you how many combs I broke, how many times I've screamed WOYYY, how many tears I've shed and how many "Why am I doing this again?" I've said! It wasn't until my sister was in the hospital for her bypass that I saw my niece's hair that I got to touch and feel her hair that I said to myself, I AM DOING THIS!!! It was a turning point for me.

I started to do some researching sparringly. I had to take care of my sister post-op and take care of ME as well. It wasn't until the month of February that I've started looking religiously about it. All my research led me to all natural products. I took notes and see what they are great for. From the beginning, I knew I wasn't going to invest in all the hyped products, I was going to make my own. Needless to say I procrastinated. I had the unrefined Shea Butter for a few months now and I was dying to use it.

I finally bought the necessary products on March 19th. I remember sitting in the hospital visiting someone and said to my sister: "I'm ready!" It was understood that if I was going to do the big chop, my sister would be the one. Nobody would touch my hair! I'm very particular about that!

When I got home, I washed my hair, conditioned, took my phone to take some pics, found the scissors, sat down... I'm ready! My sister took the scissors, NADA! It wouldn't cut my hair! I called my boyfriend to find out where the other pair of scissors were, he didn't answer! I have to tell you I was livid! I was so mentally prepared for this! The longer time passed, the more I kept saying to myself what the heck am I doing?

I still haven't cut my hair, not because that I'm scared but it's just not the time yet. I am tired of the unruliness of my relaxed hair. They don't hold anything for long! I have to keep cool and be patient! It's not the time yet. Besides, I'm only a few weeks shy of one year, so I might as well wait right?

In the meantime, I'm doing all the research I can on natural products period! I also HOPE that I will post more regularly. It has been on my mind but when I get here, I just froze! For instance, this post took me 2 weeks to write. Not because I froze, just sheer forgetfulness! When I'm out and about, I get tons of ideas but no access to a PC. I will try my darnest to post more often! I promise!

Work update

Oh boy! It has been a long time since I posted something. I've been sorting my work situation, went back and that didn't work well. That's not quite true, it went better than expected since I worked 2 days for 4 hours each. However, I did cough! The most I've lasted prior was 1½hr with a lot of wheezing. On day 2, I was getting close before my 4 hour time frame arrived. Now my problem is that the new agent - which happens to be a woman - is denying my case saying I have no allergies. Tell me my allergist's name, missy! Where is the allergist paper? I'm praying for you! I've asked God to give you everything you deserve.

I better stop before I start saying things that will undo my prayers.

My first MAC Pro visit

I have been dreading this moment for years. I have been putting off going to the MAC Pro store for fear I would get too excited and spend money I don't have! Yes, it is possible to spend money you don't have!

Last Tuesday, since public transportation was free, I decided to make the trip to MAC Pro on St Denis Street. I thought it would be bigger than that! It was a teeny tiny bit of a place. I wasn't impressed at all. I figured I'd do my Back 2 MAC and head out. I said to myself chillax gurl! I took my time and started looking around. Let me tell you, they are right when they say that the MAC Pro products are more pigmented. Me, being the person that I am, I marched straight to the bright colors. I've always wanted to see Azalea, OH MY!! This baby is bright and beautiful! Azalea is this bright fuschia/magenta/reddish pink color that a brown sugar MUST have if you are not afraid of some colors on your cheeks. A little big goes a long way on my fat cheeks I'm telling you! There was also Rhubbard, I wonder if I should get that as well because it's slightly more tamed and on the plummer side of Azalea. I found out that was it discontinued, so I HAVE to get it soon. What I actually got - because it was the only thing on stock in a "case" - was Devil. Talk about beautiful bright intense orange color! OH MY!!! I said that already didn't I? That's how mesmerized I was by Azalea and Devil... Rhubbard too!

So I decided that I would get them aside from my 2 shadows for my back 2 MAC. Oh, what did I choose? I don't remember! LOL.. I had to go look at the empty boxes. I got Gorgeous Gold, Atlantic Blue which is a very beautiful violet blue color and it's not the same as Violet Trance though, Plumage. I wanted to get Naval or Prussian instead of Plumage but I figured with Plumage I'm killing two birds (green and blue dark matte color) with one stone.

Now I'm thinking of going back soon to get a palette for my blushes. At first, I didn't think that was necessary since most of my blushes are mineralized. Now it seems that I have an equal number of mineralized and regular blushes. Getting Azalea and Rhubbard will make it 6 regular blushes; therefore, I'll have enough to fill a palette. No rush though.

Enough rambling!