Make it last forever...

Star,

So today I realized that I woke up with the same pony/bun I've been rocking since Sunday! You have to know why this is exciting!

See.....I can NEVER rock a pony/bun for more than a day. I sleep entirely too hard, and I literally change clothes 2-3 times a day LOL (don't ask... just a girly thing). My buns have never survived the battlefield that I call my day. I wrap it at night, and the scarf slips off. I end up bare on the satin pillow, and that honestly doesn't help keep it in place either. LOL!

Anyway, to the point.... I'm on day three, and this thing still looks good. I wake up, add a little shea butter to my life, put the wrap back on until I'm ready to walk out and voila!

The only difference that I have made is that I add a little butter and water right before I go to sleep. I do a slight run with a boar brush, and then wrap. I sleep wild, and after seeing how well how this has worked I guess I have concluded that....when my hair is completely dry my scarf will never stay in place. So.... from now on moisturize before you lay it down.

I took these first thing this morning! :-)

~Ceez

I want a Pony!...

Star,

So, a few months back I had more than enough hair to throw into a thick cute bun, but in my case it was "hair today... gone tomorrow". Let me remind you that before a few months back I wouldn't let anyone put any kind of scissors anywhere NEAR my head, so my hair actually paid the price in the end. It grew out uneven, broken, surprisingly not too many splits, but nonetheless a good amount of the ends had to go. I can't say that I regret it because now I don't have an issue with keeping my ends hydrated. Nor do I have an issue with piles of frizz where there should be definition. I'm loving the state that my hair is in, but I'm praying for my pony! LOL! It's somewhat back in effect. After the trim I actually couldn't get it into the scunci at all. Now I'm halfway there. Go head! Go head! I'm not exactly sure what is promoting all of this growth (meaning I'm not sure if it's exercise alone), but I like it, so I'm not gonna stop! :-) I want my pony back pony back pony back pony

back! LOL

See pics below.

~Ceez

Good Eats...

Sup Star,

So.... I'm one of those people who are big on healthy eating, but usually fall off of the wagon after about a month.... beeeeeggging for excess dairy and sweets!

With this said... all the talk about a healthy diet and hair growth got me to wondering, so I tried conducting my own research. tehehehe.

I was always sure that this theory had validity, but I was more sure that it was valid in conjunction with decent hair care as well. I believed it had more to do with the actual hair care.

Soooo... I tried it....

I started working out on March 24, 2009 with my trainer. He keeps me on a STRICT diet with a daily intake of 1500 calories that consists of all the necessary food groups. I continue to take a mutivitamin, but, in order to see how effective this would be I stopped taking Biotin and MSM.

Down to the skinny...

I think this theory may have truth to it! I work 1 hour sessions 4-5 times a week. I watch what I eat... the most dairy I have eaten is cottage cheese lately (which I have come to enjoy...along with pineapples LOL). I have not taken MSM or biotin, but I have kept up with my mutivitamins.

I feel bad because I didn't take the best beginning photo's, but that's because I'm my own photographer in most cases

("The boy" isn't always around. LOL).

I'm posting both before, and after. I would say I've gotten about 2-2 1/2 inches of growth in one month... well, actually one month is tomorrow. :-)

So, this theory is...

SO TRUE

• I wet my hair for the before pic because I figured that the water would stretch it for me.
• I "renched" around and stretched it a little for the after shot LOL.... again, I'm my own photographer in some cases so bear with me. :-)

*if you have never heard "rench around" then you or your immediate family are probably not from the south. LOL

Before...

A little past... maybe sitting right on my shoulders.

After...

Well past my shoulders... about an inch or 2 away from APL. Great! :-)

I went to put on a white tee so you guys could see better....

I guess now that I see the correlation, I'm motivated to stay on the wagon this time! :-)

My 2 cents...

I think that decent hair care is still sufficient for healthy hair growth, but there is no denying that working up a good sweat can increase your progress. :-) Me... I'm a bit of an instant gratification kind of chick, so this works for me! :-)

~Ceez

Stylin' and Profilin'...

Stars,

Well... when it comes to styling, I admit, I'm a little lazy. I don't twist like most before bed, and sometimes don't even bother throwing it up. I have busy days, and even busier nights, not to mention I've never been nice with a comb and brush! LOL! I envy the girls who have no

problem in this arena, but I'm another case.... "See Imma let it do what it do babay!"

So, all jokes aside... I made an attempt to twist in order

to style this morning, and the results were self astonishing. I actually can't believe that I did it... I'm feeling really unbrella ella ella ay right now! Chhhheeeea! LOL!

Night:

I sectioned my hair into 4.

Added an itty tiny bit of DevaCare One Conditioner to a section

Then twisted

Once I finished twisting the section

I rolled and tucked

finished the other 3

....and that's about it...LOL, and the best part is that it only took about 5-8 minutes. LOL

Morning:

I unrolled and untwisted each section

I fluffed it (not so much to avoid excess frizzies)

and added 3 clips to the side

played with the look

... and again... that's about it! LOL Took 10 minutes top!

Results below:

Pic 1: taking the twist out

Pic 2: light fluffing

Pic 3: end result

Pic 4: side clips

Pic 5: front action

Pic 6: side action

~Ceez

Still in love...

Stars,

I told you I would come back and review Herbal Essences Hydralicious after I tried it again right?

Well... safe to say that this stuff is....

the sugar honey iced tea baby!!!!

Now....my hair isn't too fond of wash and go's, but for lack of time I did one with this stuff today....... Whoo child!

Nice!

My hair feels nice, and babay does it look nice. Let me try to explain it...

Ok! If I won the lottery.... then I look like I feel....

or maybe something like....

I'm in LOVE! I'm about to have the baby, and the daddy's name is Hydralicious*! LOL

*Not to be mistaken with Delicious on 110th and Inglewood... that can be YO baby daddy! LOL LOL LOL

That's how serious it is!

My results below:

Conditioned....

Stars,

This is directed at one of my friends in particular... you know who you are, but for now we'll just call her Jo...LOL! We had an intense conversation about textured hair yesterday and I don't believe that I said everything that I really wanted to say for fear of being pinned as a "radical natural". She knows that I'm putting this out there so... for the record I'm NOT putting her on blast! LOL.

The conversation went a little something like this.... (btw not all verbatim... more like my best recollection, but the statements in quotes are verbatim LOL)

Me: I like being natural. I feel like there is so much more to me now. What's funny is 5 years ago you would have never heard the word natural come out of my mouth... well in reference to me anyway.

Jo: Yea, your hair is cute, but girl everybody ain't growing hair like that... "You know I got that nappy *expletive* " [laughs]

Me: "No, I don't know... explain."

Jo: "My hair doesn't grown like that. I think you got white or something in you, cuz regular black people don't have hair like that."

Me: "Wait, so regardless of my ancestry... black people don't have curly hair or wavy hair? I actually thought black hair was typically defined as tightly packed curled or coiled hair?

Jo: "Girl that's just another way to say nappy." [laughs]

Me: "WOW! Are you really serious right now?"

Jo: Yes, all I'm saying is that most black peoples hair doesn't grow like that. "Think about most of the black women you know. It's either short and spiked, shoulder length, or weaved up."

Me: "Okay, so then why do you think that is?"

Jo: "I don't really know, and to be honest I don't really care."

Me: No seriously, let's talk about this... I'd like to know why you feel the way you do.

Jo: "Why, so you can try to convert me into a nappy zulu dashiki wearing chick?" [laughs] (the way she said this was *HAAAALARIOUS* spelled wrong on purpose)

Me: "No, I just think it's interesting." I mean I can understand where you're coming from because I used to perm too, "but I don't ever think I thought that my hair wouldn't grow. I knew that growing it could be more of a challenge, but I don't think I ever thought my hair wouldn't grow."

Jo: "I wasn't saying it like that. I meant it won't grow like that. My *expletive* grows straight nappy!" [laughs]

Me: "Oh, so again... you're saying that black people don't typically have waves right? Well then what about dudes? Remember when guys used to brag on their waves... Unless they're rocking texturizers [laughs]... that's all natural. How do you explain that?"

Jo: "That's different."

Me: "No, it's kinda not."

Jo: "Whatever. All I know is dealing with 1 inch of hair is different from dealing with 10."

Me: "That's true, but the point is that it does grow like that it's all in how you care for it. Remember how the guys used to walk around with their brushes. They slept in the wave caps, kept their grease in the car? [laughs] It's the same thing, only it's longer. You have to learn to pamper your hair the same way. I spend more time with my hair now than I ever did before. That's ALL I do."

Jo: "Okay... like I said... your hair ain't regular. You can keep talking, but that's real."

Me: "Okay "Jo"" I'm not even about to go there with you tonight [laughs] Matter of fact Imma put this up on my blog. I want to remember this conversation when you're natural [laughs]"

It went on a little further, but that's the jist of it.

I want to keep this really short, but I do want to make this point...

Those feelings of inadequacy are much deeper rooted than your hair. I wish that you and others who feel this way would truly wake up and see that. You say that you see it. You talk about it like you know it exists, yet you do nothing to stop it. I personally don't think you notice it. I think you have been conditioned. You are conditioned because your ancestors were conditioned. Feelings of inadequacy have been passed down through generations of our people. I for one will NOT continue that "tradition". This feeling is NOT inherent...... it is learned, and it is up to you to recognize it so that you may change it. Change it for the betterment of yourself, but most importantly for the betterment of your children. We as a people HAVE to wake up!

Forgive me for getting all preachy. LOL

*Call me radical if you'd like... I speak the TRUTH! If you won't say it... hand me the mic; I WILL!

Truthfully,

~Ceez

Comments Function Fixed...

The problem with comments has been fixed thank you for bringing it to my attention! :-)

Summer Hairapy...

Stars,

Issue:

It's that time again! The intense tag team duo Sun & Heat are back!

Have you thought about how you're going to protect your hair,

your color, and your style from the harmful effects of the sun?

Reason:

Were you aware that prolonged exposure to the sun can weaken hair strength, and inflict

complete devastation on your hair? The UV rays from the sun break down the keratin and

melanin in the cuticle and cortex of the hair, and as a result your hair gradually becomes weaker

and drier. This effect will look somewhat like highlights in the hair, which is called sun bleaching.

After extended exposure to the sun, hair will lack moisture and flexibility... especially at the ends

(which we know can be a problem).

My 2 cents:

This doesn't mean you have to cover up or wear hats and scarves everyday... only that you

should take measures to be sure that your hair is properly cared for. So, this summer when

you're applying your spf 30 don't forget about those delicate strands. Make sure you keep a

hydrating spray with you, or grab a fly sun hat! If you're taking a trip to the beach... make sure

you rinse that salt water out with fresh water as soon as possible. Don't let salt dry on your hair.

The salt will absorb the sunscreen, open the cuticle, and allow the sun to bleach out pigment.

If you have colored or tinted hair you should be attentive to this matter. I know that there are

sunscreens for hair (they usually come in the form of leave-ins), but to be honest I haven't

reviewed any. I mainly keep my hydrating spray on hand, and apply it frequently... this is something you

can mix at home! Quick and easy! :-)

Tip:

Sunflower extract protects the structure of hair, provides UVA and UVB protection, and prevents

hair color fade!

Now that you're equipped... Enjoy the sun :-)

~Ceez

Process of elimination...

Issue:

What products will work best for me?

Reason:

I ask because being that I am African American, typically my hair is characterized as delicate, and in my experience, instructions always accompany delicates. But, in this case those instructions vary so much that it's hard to know what, and who to trust.... and I don't play when it comes to my hair! LOL

My 2 cents:

Just like silk, or satin there are special ways to care for your hair. For instance... I wouldn't use my Tide detergent, or my Clorox bleach on a silk shirt, or even throw it in the washing machine for that matter. Would you?

Well, I approach my hair in the same way... it is easier for me to decide what goes into my hair based on what doesn't work for it rather than what does.... Now, that may seem a@@ backwards to some, but in my mind I've set a standard.

For example: If my perfect man has no children, has never been married, and has never been in trouble with the law... then that is my standard. I may not be sure of exactly what I want, but I do know what I don't! I may sound really crazy right now, but I see my hair and it's products as relationships. LOL! Being so close with my hair I understand what it needs, what it wants, and most importantly what it doesn't!

The reason this is a good starting point for me is because I continue to determine what I don't want until I realize what I do! If that makes any since.... LOL... or better yet... Process of elimination!

Example: I know that my hair has a rocky relationship with gels... some are nice to it, other's aren't! When I would use certain gels my hair would look great when I left the house, but over time it became crunchy, flat, and dry. I tried to control this by reducing the amount I used, but this never helped.

One day I decided to examine and compare the makeup of these gel products in order to spot the culprit(s).I found that they all contained some sort of hydrolyzed protein (wheat or plain hydrolyzed). This was funny because I am a Curlynikki reader, and if you have ever read through her site you'd know that she tends to avoid proteins if she can.... I now see what she meant. LOL!

So, now that I know my hair hates this ingredient... out it goes! No ifs, ands, or buts! (I'm strict that way...LOL)

Me personally...I still don't use gels, but if you find that you are having this same problem, and you would like to continue using gels; fortunately there are a few products out there which do not contain this ingredient (AO B5 Design Gel is one).

Summary:

This post is not just about my gels (that's just an example). I apply this method to anything I use... If I get less than stellar results I tend to compare it to something that has worked well for me in the past. I spot possible culprits, research, and eliminate based on information. I actually do the same with products that perform well. Except in this case I spot, research, and incorporate. LOL!

Again... knowing what I don't want helps me to find what I DO!

Hope this helps someone!

~Ceez

Comments...

It was brought to my attention that some aren't able to post comments... That blows! I'm actually not really sure why....., but until I can get the problem resolved feel free to leave your comments on the TagBoard to the right! :-)

~Ceez

Keep it trim...

Star,

Issue:

Up until a year ago my principal objective was to achieve length, so trimming anything on my head was completely out of the question!!!

Reason:

I once read that the idea of trimming was only a myth... that the hair on your head is actually dead, and it grows from the scalp. It said that since hair really grows from the scalp the fact that the ends may be split, broken, or uneven wouldn't inhibit growth.... :-/ ....

To some degree the above (bad advice) is true, but if your goal is to achieve long, luscious, thick, healthy hair..... it would be wise to take the "loss" before you impede your progress....*note: It's funny how much easier it is to believe something that you want to hear over something you need to hear.

My Two Cents:

Typically a trim involves 1/8 of an inch to 1 inch of hair being cut. Trimming also known as dusting (depending on the amount of hair cut) is the most effective way to remove and prevent splits, diminish breakage, and in some cases enhance appearance. If your hair is damaged trimming is necessary to achieve healthy hair!

If you do not trim you will most likely experience thin ends, dryness, frizzy ends, tangles and more!

Summary:

• If there is damage at the ends of your hair, and you refuse to remove it... it will eventually break and remove itself (you do not want this to happen).
• Tangling happens when you have thin ends intermixing with thicker ends... and if you have natural African American hair you may form knots that only add to this problem... that is if you don't keep the ends clean (trimmed).
• Splitting can and most likely will lead to more splitting!
• When the ends are badly damaged dryness will transpire since the ends are no longer able to retain moisture.... think about it have you ever noticed that no matter how much moisture you add .... your ends still appear to be dry? Well, it may be time for a trim!

Advice:

Candidly speaking, trimming has nothing to do with hair growth! Nevertheless, trimming has everything to do with retaining length! If you have bad ends and you never trim them; you will soon become frustrated because it will seem as though your hair just won't grow. Well....I hate to be the one to break it, but you hair is growing, only it's breaking at the ends. Find a great stylist whom you trust (meaning he/she isn't scissor happy). If that hair is bad it's gotta go.... if you keep it healthy there is no need!

~Ceez

.

Henna This, Henna That...

Hey Stars,

Well....I decided to document my henna process! I wanted to be as detailed as possible, so I couldn't cheat time. It's not the shortest video in the world, but it is informative... and quite entertaining if you ask me.

One point I would like to make is that....

**My hair is NEVER dry after I henna.... watch the video, and you'll know why! :-)**

Music by N.E.R.D.

*Note: a lot of my process is simply preference... if it works for you GREAT! :-)

Let me know about it! :-)

~Ceez

Find the time...

April 18th here....

Problem...

I recently discovered that my biggest issue with upkeep was finding the time.

My resolve...

1. set a hair schedule
2. bought a planner
3. bought post it's, and...
4. incorporated my hair schedule into my work schedule :-)

Nothing to complicated, just decent time management skills... beat that!

I created a hair schedule that I could stick to

Wrote it in the planner

Put the days and actions on post it's

Then, posted them on my bathroom mirror (just in case).

for example:

Monday is: Co-wash

Wednesday is : Co-wash

and so on....

Once I organized a schedule I was surprised with how much more free time I had! :-)

If you are a curly with the same problem I suggest you try it...

you can thank me later! :-)

~Ceez

What about me?

This is the story... I've been natural for about 3 years now. My journey to natural was quite a bit different from most. My big chop was needed and recommended, but quite unintentional....:-/

Relaxers made it all bad for my sexy.... this is the part of the story I'm sure you know. The top middle of my head was badly broken off, my edges were dreadfully thin, and my ends were always terribly split, which never allowed my poor hair to grow to its potential :-(. Due to impossible time constraints I was forced to let my perm grow out for about 6 or 7 months (wigs were the thing of that time I guess LOL) then took it to my aunt (my lifetime beautician :-) ) who proceeded to chop it all off.

Reason: She refused to try to manage an unhealthy head hair.... :-/

She told me that in order to get my sexy back (I added that LOL) I'd have to sacrifice those raggedy strings on my head.

In no way do I ever regret the decision to cut it.

I felt amazing. The problem was that I knew I never wanted to perm again, but I'm always on the road for work. At this point I still wasn't considering myself natural... just "nursing my hair back to health".

Then, one day...... 2 years later that is.... (LOL) during a wash I realized that the two may just be synonymous....

Why hadn't I figured this out before now? Well....I usually kept it twisted under lace wigs (wonderful protective style, if professionally applied) only taking the wigs off once a week to wash. Well.... one week I was routinely washing my hair, and noticed these curls fall onto my shoulder. That tripped me out, and excited me to be quite honest.... I think it took maybe 5 or 6 months for me to realize that I couldn't do this on my own, so I googled natural hair care, and came across a few great sites and....

voila!

here I am today! Au Naturale

(I'm about to DT in this pic... using DevaCare Heaven In Hair... which was not that great for me btw LOL... I was experimenting with a new DC ... maybe I'll have to try it again) :-)

That's really enough about me for today, so I'll come back later with my co-wash and DT routine since today is that day! :-)

XOXOXO

~Carla

As I proceed...

To give my hair what it needs.... :-)

I guess this is more of a personal journal for myself, my friends, my family, and whoever else cares LOL... you're more than welcome to tune in if you'd like. I feel that I've learned so much from the Natural Stars (i.e. Curlynikki, Zhara, Wes, and the lovely ladies of the forums) that it would be fun to document my own journey. I'm not crazy on pictures... especially when I'm "in process" (meaning getting cute LOL), but I think writing about my experiences from day to day will motivate me to capture the moments yanno. :-) If nothing else I hope that my journey can inspire my friends to see that relaxed is not the only way to be fly from day to day.

*disclaimer... I have no issues with relaxed hair.

I don't really have a goal, nor is there any method to this madness.... I would simply like to watch my progress. I think it would be interesting and MORE than cool to look at this 2 years from now, and see how far I've come... I'd like to thank the people mentioned above for the inspiration. :-)

(sorry for the crazy pic... good hair shot tho. LOL)