Be natural

I'm almost six months natural (July 22, 2010) and since I won't be able to post during my travels, I thought I'd post now. I've been in China almost five months so most of my natural lessons have happened here. It's been an amazing time of discovery and I just wanted to share four things that I have learned so far...

1. Ignore the haters/naysayers:
People will try to get you down about your new experiences. "Why did you do that?", "What were you thinking?", "You know your hair is never going to grow back, right?", etc. Everyone has an opinion about your hair but at the end of the day it's YOURS! If YOU like it then that's all the matters! You chose to B.C., transition, or loc your hair, so enjoy it plan and simple, naysayers be damned!

2. Do what works for you:
Every one's hair is different and although we are all natural doesn't mean our hair all likes the same things. My hair doesn't like olive oil at all. It completely dries my hair and makes it crunchy. I kept putting it in my hair, thinking "everyone raves about it". At the end of the day I'm going to trade with someone else and move on. Try the product/s a few times and if you notice that it's not working for your hair swap or return it if you can. There's no shame in trying a product and finding that it doesn't work for you. Don't try to force your hair to be something that it's not. Love your hair for what it is; not what you think it should be!

3. Big earrings are your friend:
This may seem like a silly one, but it's true! I went to a private school for most of my life (elementary school-until graduation from high school), meaning no earrings bigger than a quarter. In college, I wore bigger ones but they were usually hidden by my flat relaxed hair. After my B.C., I went earring crazy! Since my hair was really short, it helped me feel girly and beautiful. Sometimes something small can make a big difference!

4. Enjoy it:
As each month passes, I am more and more thankful that I'm natural. I'm learning more about my hair now than I ever did when I was relaxed. I was too dependent on others doing my hair instead of taking care of it myself. Now, I know how to work with it and when to back off. I feel marvelous knowing that my hair is healthy and growing normally.

Being natural isn't just about cutting your hair; it's about what you do after that. So go with the flow, try new styles, and enjoy this process while you're in it. Don't force yourself or our hair to be something it's not, just be natural.

I'm back, again!

I know, I know...I promised to update once a week and then 4 months later a finally post! It's been a bit crazy on my end with teaching, studying Chinese, and surviving daily life in Nanchang. Some days, I feel as if I'm in the Twilight Zone. I'm starting to FINALLY figure out the language (besides saying Ni Hao which means Hello) and culture. Classes have ended for the semester so I can relax and start blogging again! And if I haven't mentioned it yet, I'm really sorry!

Back to glorious natural hair talk! It's been five months since I B.C.'ed. I completely love my natural hair! After my third month I stopped using combs (I saw a challenge for it but can't remember who/where I saw it). Only finger-combing has helped my hair tremendously! I haven't noticed as much hair on my bathroom floor since I stopped using combs. My hair also started to grow in thicker after I stopped. Sometimes it is a hassle to not comb it though; especially when you're in a rush. But I've noticed that the more time I spend taking care of my hair, the less damage I have, so power to the fingers!

I also added Shea Butter into my regimen just gives me just the right amount of moisture. It makes my curls shiny and gives them a POP that they didn't have before. Some people don't care for the smell, but it doesn't bother me. It's kind of become my crack. I started using it on my body as well and it's truly amazing. My skin is less dry and cracked and has a glow. My favorite thing about Shea Butter is that you don't need a lot...a little goes a long way.

What do you think? Done any challenges lately? Let me know!

Two Months Since the B.C. and Counting

I B.C'ed (Big Chopped) my hair on July 22, 2010 and it's been an fascinating journey so far. I decided to do the B.C., mainly because I was getting tired of relaxing my hair. It had become more expensive and I noticed hair-loss at my temples. I started to wonder if the chemicals in the relaxer was causing my hair loss? What is in the relaxer? What did my natural hair look like? How would I get my hair relaxed in China? Why am I relaxing my hair in the first place? I had no answers to any of the questions, so I decided to do some research on natural hair. And the rest as they say was history.

The best thing about having natural hair is the freedom. I "listen" to what my hair wants and learn more about it each day. The thing that really surprises me, is how soft and tightly coiled it is. I had my hair straightened for so long that I never imagined that it could be so curly. I'm re-learning everything, which is/can be annoying at times, but necessary to having healthy hair. My relaxed hair was extremely dry and flaky. It's hard to be confident and carefree with itchy scalp. Now, I'm reading shampoo and conditioner labels throughly and asking questions, something I would've never done before.

The biggest difference from two months ago and now is my attitude. Doing my hair before was a chore and now it's just a blessing to have healthy hair.

My Hair Journey in China...

I haven't posted in quite a while, but I'm back and I will try to post once a week!

Everyone has asked about my hair and China, so here it goes. Once I settled into my new apartment, I realized that I needed to get back to co-washing my hair every two days and shampooing twice a week because of the heat in Nanchang. We've had humid high 90 (almost 100) degree weather since I've been here. With all the running around we've been doing (residency permits, photos, getting to know you dinners, etc.) my hair was tired, dry, and flaky. Once I started my regimen again, my hair started to look like its normal happy "self". I haven't been putting too much gel in my hair, partly because I don't want to waste it. China is a wonderful country but you won't find any black haircare products. If you did find something, you wouldn't know what's in it, unless you can read Chinese characters (which I can't). I brought enough of everything, but I just want to make sure that I'm not using too much of one thing, before I can have more items shipped from the States.

No one has said anything negative or positive about my hair. A lot of the women that I've seen so far have all different types of hairstyles( I'll take pictures to show everyone). I'm learning to "listen to what my hair wants". If it's itchy is time for a "poo", if it's dry time for a deep conditioning treatment, etc. All-in-all, I think I'll be fine as long as I have good products and a good regimen to see myself through.

Carol's Daughter Product Review

Hey Wonderful People! It's been a while since I've posted anything, life keeps getting in the way of writing, but I'm back! I've decided to do a product review, since I hadn't done one yet, and because it hopefully helps anyone who's thinking about buying the product!

I have Hair Milk, Healthy Hair Butter, and Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner.

Positives:
1. My hair really loves the Black Vanilla, which keeps it shiny.
2. Makes my hair soft.

Negatives:
1. It doesn't moisturize my hair like I thought it would. It keeps it shiny though. I have to keep applying to my hair because it still feels dry.
2. EXPENSIVE! Hair Milk (depending on size 2-10 oz) $9-$20 , Black Vanilla $12 for an 8 fl oz, and Hair Butter (depending on size 4-8 oz) $10.50-$16.50. I really cannot afford to pay for CD products on a foreign teacher's salary.
3. The Hair Butter and Hair Milk have a watery consistency, feels like pouring water on my hands.
4. Strong scent. I love the smell but after a few hours I feel like a walking Scent Shop.
5. Hair Milk promises to control frizz....doesn't on my hair.

I'm not trying to knock CD products! I just really really wanted CD to work for me, but I'm starting to realize that my hair isn't feeling it! All-in-all, I'm still learning about what my hair likes and dislikes. I'm just excited to try different products and see what happens.

Tip for other Broke-Newly Naturals: Buy a smaller size, just in case your hair doesn't like it! You won't break the bank or later cry because you spent 20 bucks on something that didn't work for you. Try to trade with another newly natural, who doesn't like the products that they bought either. That way, you really haven't lost anything.

If you have any tips to share, feel free to comment!

My Regimen

This will probably change in a matter of days, but I'm going to tell y'all anyway!

Shampoo-ing: I haven't really figured out how much I should do this yet. My hair really likes the co-washing. If my hair feels gross, I'll "poo" otherwise, co-washing is my new bff.

Co-Wash Days: Co-Washing every other day with Organix Passionfruit Guava.
Finger comb and lightly pat dry. Apply Hair Milk by Carol's Daughter then mix jojoba, castor, and peppermint oils in order to seal in moisture. I can only go a day without co-washing my hair, any longer and my hair/scalp starts to revolt.

Deep Conditioning: Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Deep Replenishing Conditioner. I leave it in my hair for about an hour. My hair was extremely soft and moisturized after using this, I will buy more. It also smells really really good!

Every other day: Wet with water then apply hair milk and seal with mixed oils (above).I made a spritz that I only used two days lol. It's made with water, jojoba oil, coconut oil, castor oil, rosemary essential oil, lavender essential oil, and aloe vera juice. My hair just wasn't feeling it, so I'm going to only use lavender, rosemary, aloe vera juice, and water and see how the works instead. Nighttime: Apply Hair Butter by Carol's Daughter and peppermint oil to seal. I put a silk cap on to protect my hair at night or when I'm laying down on a pillow (I try to anyway).

Styling: I've only used Isoplus Styling Gel for two days; I'm going to make my own hair gel later today (I'll let you know how it works out).

Combing: Once a week on a co-wash day.

Things I want to try: Honey as a deep conditioner, Olive Oil as a moisturizer, Shea Butter as a moisturizer/making my own shea butter moisturizer, and/or Giovanni hair line.

My tips: Put castor oil on your edges/ temples (if your hair likes castor oil). It helps it (your hair) lay flat and supposedly helps with hair growth.

Any tips to share? Let me know :)

6 Week Healthy Hair Challenge

I am a member of Natural Sunshine.com, and the creator suggested a water challenge in order to have healthier hair. Sounds easy, right? The first week was hard, I'm not even going to lie. I've literally floated to the bathroom the past week, but my hair hopefully is loving it! I think that people should try the challenge. You have to get 8 glasses (64 ounces) a day anyway, so why not see how it helps your hair? Take some notes on the benefits/changes in your hair, skin, focus, etc.

Techinques: Some websites suggest an 8x8 or drinking 8 glasses by 8 pm. Others carry a 64 ounce bottle and drink from that all day. I have a 23.7 ounce bottle and drink 3 bottles a day, which is comes to about 8.7 ounces.

Benefits: My skin is less dry, which has been a problem for me, especially around my mouth. It's amazing what water can do for your skin. Since I'm drinking so much water, I really don't have a taste for anything else. I was a heavy iced tea drinker, last week I only had 3 cups all week!

Let me know how you make out! Check out http://naturalsunshine.ning.com/ for more information.