2 Years In...I'm about to start a regimen

I turned 2 years natural on June 24, 2012. During these two years (even during my super short transition), I didn't have a regimen. I feel like my hair has grown A LOT and is fairly healthy despite the number of times it's been bleached >_<. I just want to attempt a regimen and see if that can help things move a little easier and faster when it comes to retention and reaching my goal (Full APL to Full BSL by Dec. 2012).

I will:
Co-wash with Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner 2x a week (Sunday & Wednesday)
Wash with Shampoo 2x a month (August 15th & August 31st)
Follow shampoo washes with Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise for 15 minutes w/ plastic cap
Moisturize hair as needed with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Seal hair daily with Pure Coconut Oil
NO Wash & Goes! I get too many knots doing that. :(
NO length checks (except the 1st and 31st)

 Since it's the first of the month, I think now is a good time to keep track of shedding. I will use a ziplock bag to keep all of the hair that I shed the ENTIRE month. (I only really shed when I detangle and I never detangle unless I'm washing my hair). I plan to do this every month for the rest of the year to make sure it's consistent.

 **Fingers Crossed**



Transitioning Tips

Congratulations, you’ve chosen to transition. :) Dealing with two textures can be extremely difficult, but it will be worth it. It doesn’t matter if you plan to transition long term or short term. You want to take care of both your natural and relaxed hair. If you don’t pay enough attention to your relaxed ends, your hair will break off and that will make transitioning tough. Nobody wants to walk around with damaged, broken off hair! Use these simple tips and you’ll be able to transition as long as you please.

This first tip is a no-brainer, but. . .DON’T give in and relax your hair.  If being natural is what you really want, you’ll more than likely just end up starting over again and you’ll lose all of that new growth you had before you relaxed.

Keep your hair moisturized! Your hair is extremely weak at the line of demarcation (the point where your relaxed hair meets your new growth). If it’s not properly moisturized. . .*snap*. Your hair will break.

Try protective styles. Styles like braids, twists, pin-ups, and buns help keep your hands out of your hair and help you to become more patient. Also, while your hair is tucked away, time is passing! You’re so much closer to being fully natural.

Avoid heat! Blowdryers work by drying the hair from the inside out. Yes, your hair dries faster than when air drying, but your hair will appreciate you more if you allow it to keep its natural moisture. Another source of heat to avoid is the flat iron. Hair gets heat damaged for several different reasons. You could damage your hair by flat ironing your hair too often, using too high of a heat setting, or your hair could just not be in prime condition for straightening to begin with. Heat damaged natural hair tends to take on a looser texture than it should have (sometimes the hair become bone straight >_<). You CANNOT undo heat damage. You will just have to cut the hair.

Fake it ‘til you make it.  Try styles that disguise your new growth. Rod sets, braid outs, twist outs, and even natural weaves help keep you from needing to use heat.

Deep Condition. Deep conditioning helps moisturize the hair while adding a barrier around the shaft to help prevent damage. If you must flat iron your hair, make sure to deep condition (either under a dryer or overnight) before hand.

Be patient! Going natural is not about the destination, but about the journey. Love your hair at every step of the way because if you take proper care of your hair, you won’t be at each stage long.

Embrace what you have! One of the biggest issues a lot of ladies have about going natural in the first place is texture. Unfortunately, a lot of people are brought up believing that there is an ideal type of hair. This is not true. You were given the hair that looks best on YOU.  Once you embrace your hair and stop wishing for what someone else has, you will be much better off.

How Does It Feel to Be 2 Years Natural?


It's been like 2 weeks since I turned two years natural >_<! I hyped up the day so much that when it came I kind of forgot. lol. I made the video three days in advance so I could upload it ON the day, but I didn't even realize it was the day until my cousin said, "Oh my god. You're two years natural." I had talked about it to her so much.

I had to rush to upload the video, update my FB status, tweet about it, post a pic on Instagram...I'm THAT kind of person. Now that the day has come & gone, I don't know. . .it still doesn't feel like much to me.

I set a goal, reached it, and set a new one. Now I'm impatiently waiting for December. I keep saying, "BSL or longer in December. Hurry up, December." BUT, when December gets here. . .Nothing.

I remember being anxious to reach my collar bone. My hair is well past my collar bone now and this post is probably the first time since then that I've even thought about a dang collar bone. lol 


The First of Many

I’m finally finished with most of the site and this is my first post! I’ve been looking at so many blogs lately and I was going back and forth with the idea of starting my own. There are already so many dedicated to natural hair, but I couldn’t find (at the time) any based around natural hair and fitness that was run by a college student. I know how important it to have someone to relate to so I figured, why not?

Since this is my first post I want to give yall some background info about me. I live in Tennessee & I’m 20 (will be 21 in August). I'm a senior in college majoring in Political Science & Spanish and I love art and DIY projects. I don’t know what I plan to do with a degree in Political Science (or Spanish), but hopefully, I’ll be guided to whatever I’m destined to do.

I’ve been natural since June 2010 and I’ve been hair obsessed ever since. Before you even think it, let me tell you: “I am NOT a natural hair nazi.” I do my own share of damage to my hair and I happen to love looking at relaxed/texlaxed hair journey blogs and videos. Well-cared for hair = healthy hair = good hair. I support just about every thing that a person may do to THEIR hair.

As for fitness, I’m still on Level: Beginner. I desperately want to run a 5k, but I have a long way to go. Insanity Fitness DVDs are my exercise of choice these days. Baby Ruths (and any other chocolate) are my weaknesses, but I’m trying!

As you can see, I have a long way to go in just about all areas of my life and that’s just fine with me. It’s not about perfection. It’s about working towards a goal. Care to join me?


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