My Natural Hair Journey: Deep Conditioning Protein Treatment

 

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I have goals and ambitions for my hair just like I do in every other area of my life, so I'm learning what it takes to reach these goals and maintain them. My current hair goals are to strengthen & retain length and achieve bra-strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I've been natural for over 10 years, but my hair has never been longer than my collarbone/shoulders (except my post-partum  hair). This "lack" of growth is not relevant to my hair's growth rate at all. In fact, my hair grows very quickly. Actually my lack of apparent hair growth is due to my retention levels and my inconsistencies including inconsistent protective styling, inconsistent diet, and inconsistent exercise levels. Let's not even begin to discuss my stress levels... PHEW!!. All of these things and more work together to grow longer, stronger, healthier hair, and all or most of these things have been working against me.

Now that my life is in a different place and I can focus more on me, I am making a point to devote more time to my self care and maintenance. I am also a part of the Hair Luv community where I receive encouragement and great tips and tricks on how to grow my hair longer, stronger, and healthier!

Today, I washed, deep conditioned/protein treated, finger detangled, and moisturized my hair. I used my liquefied black soap as shampoo and I created my own deep conditioning yogurt protein treatment (recipe below). Followed by my hair and scalp oil and whipped Shea butter (Shea butter, hemp oil, sunflower oil). My hair is supple, moist, and silky! I then separated my hair into four equal sections and twisted each section of my hair into four two-strand twists. It feels so great! My hair is in love! This was the first time I'd ever finger detangled successfully, and I loved it. No combs for the next 90 days! I will definitely be sticking to this routine!

Deep Conditioning Yogurt Protein Treatment
1 cup (8 oz) plain yogurt (shown in the picture)
1 tsp honey (I had Fischer's Raw Honey on hand)
1/8 cup (1 oz - 1.5 oz) Avocado oil
15 drops Lemon essential oil
8 drops Rosemary essential oil

This recipe is not exact; however, this is my base. You can adjust this recipe as needed for your hair. My hair and scalp loved this entire regimen, so I will definitely be sticking to it! For additional benefits and an even better scent, try peppermint, lavender, ylang ylang, or clary sage essential oils. Please research safe usage rates and usage recommendations before using any essential oil as some essential oils are not safe fro pregnant women and others.

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

I would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

would like to be bra strap length by February 2015 and midback length by December 2015. I typically braid my hair, twist it, or wear it out. - See more at: http://www.hairluv.org/mail/view.php?id=8&page=1#sthash.L5CW01Cz.dpuf

My Naturally Curly Hair Journey

My hair now

My hair is naturally curly and wavy. I made the decision to start getting relaxers in the 5th grade, approximately the year 2001. I begged my mom to let me relax my hair so I could "fit in" and play like the other kids. It's a little hard to run and play with a press and curl in Alabama heat and humidity. My mom finally agreed and my hair shrank from a thick, curly, soft mass to a thin, soft, greasy mess! I continued to relax my hair for about 3 years. Around the summer before eighth grade, I made the decision to stop getting my hair relaxed. This was around 2004.

I didn't know how to go natural and nobody else was doing it at the time. I was a pioneer and I didn't even know it! I did a lot of braid outs before I knew they had a name, but I straightened my hair almost everyday! I didn't even know that heat damage was a thing. My original transition did not include a big chop. I just trimmed my ends and gradually grew my relaxed hair out. By the time I figured out what heat damage was, my hair was a dry thinning mess!!

Freshman Big Chop

My freshman year of college, I big chopped. I went from collar bone/shoulder length hair to about an inch and a half of hair! At first I was in shock, but it grew on me. I fell in love with my short hair. My hair grew fast and got thicker. It has never been quite as thick as it was in child hood due to several determining factors: stress, nutrition, proper care, etc.

During my junior year of college, I gave birth to my handsome baby boy, and for the first time, my hair was as thick, long, and luscious. I had probably reached bra strap length or longer! I was excited, but with a newborn, my hair care regimen was pitiful to say the least. A few months after my son was born, I found out his father was cheating on me while I was pregnant. I was beyond devastated. So, I decided that I needed to transform myself. Big chop number two came about.

Post-partum big chop

I cut about six inches off (to this day I don't know why I cut my hair and kept that relationship)!!! My hair continued to grow, but my stress levels were extremely high. Between having a small child, undergrad, and a long distance relationship, I struggled to manage everything going on in my life.

Then in August of 2013, after leaving my son's father/fiancee, I colored my hair. It was a huge decision because I used a permanent color. I knew that moisturizing was my new best friend, but I was still under tremendous stress. The color caused my hair to become thin and brittle. There is a very visible difference between my virgin hair and my color treated ends! I've had to trim and clip fairy knots and tangles from wearing my hair out too often, from not properly securing it at night before bed, and from several bouts of improper moisturization.

My hair now

Pictured to the left is my hair now. I am working very hard now to remember to properly moisturize my hair, twist or braid before bed, eat healthy, drink water, exercise, and take my multivitamin supplement. I started taking It Works! Hair, Skin, and Nails supplements mid-September, and I truly can say that those supplements are the best that I've ever used! They taste great and they have 5,000 units of Biotin! For more details on the Hair, Skin, and Nails supplements, visit http://shantawilkerson.sharewraps.com or the Beautiful Outside website. My journey has been long and filled with ups and downs, but I am very happy with my hair today! I love the me I see when I look into the mirror, and that's what it's all about!