Wash Day Chronicles: 33 Weeks Post (Plus a few texture shots)

Wednesday, April 9, 2013

Yesterday was a good wash day.
{1} I started with using the Coconut Water Cleansing Conditioner from Naturelle Grow. Parting my hair into four sections I applied the conditioner through the entire length of my hair and I also focused on the cleansing my scalp. I clipped each section back up and allowed the conditioner to sit on my hair while I finished my other shower duties.

{2} After rinsing the cleansing conditioner out, I t-shirt dried for a few minutes then proceeded to apply the Mango and Coconut Water Infused Deep Conditioner. I sat under my steamer for 20 minutes. Afterwards I let my hair cool down and then rinsed it out in the shower. Getting in and out of the shower is a pain in the rear but I noticed less knots when I do it this way versus rinsing in the sink.

{3} I t-shirt dried for about 20 or so minutes. Applied my Hairitage Hydration Marshmallow Springs Leave-In and my Simplicity Oil to detangle my hair.

{4} I stretched my roots out using the tension method. After that was done I let the rest of my hair air dry. This morning my hair was soft, very well moisturized, and easier to manage.

So, yeah, like I said it was a good wash day. If they continue to go like this, I can see myself making it to August without a hitch.

Below are a few texture shots. Please bare with the quality as I am doing this myself. lol There is no product in my hair.

This is my texture at the top of my top of my head. As you can see my curl pattern is kinda just there. There are no waves or coils in this section. But right at the temple on the right (not pictured), there is a very small section that is coily.

Another shot of the top section

Now as we move to the back, the texture is looser. I wish I could have gotten a better pic. This does it no justice.

Another shot of the back

Message: Enjoy YOUR Hair Journey

Being on hair journey can be quite the rollercoaster. From trying to figure out what techniques and products work best for you hair to wondering if you should get that next relaxer or go natural. Yes, social media can be a big help but it can also be a bit of a distraction. You have one blog telling you that heat is the absolute devil for your hair and another telling you that there is nothing wrong with using heat. You have one person telling you that you should stop relaxing your hair and being natural is the best way to go and someone showing you that when used responsibly that relaxing and having healthy hair can be achieved. There are so many conflicting views and they can cause confusion especially when if you are just starting your journey. My advice would be to enjoy your hair. Do what you feel is best for your hair. All the information that is floating around are just GUIDELINES. There is no natural hair rule book. There is not relaxed hair rule book. Just guidelines. Don't let the views of others deter you from what it is you want to achieve with your hair. If you want to relax, do it! You want to go natural, do it! You want to wear your natural hair straight majority of the time, do it! You want to wear that afro, go for it! You want to transition for 2 years, do it! Make sure you are doing it for you because if you are not, you will not be happy with your decisions.

What I love about our hair is the versatility. We have options. Natural, relaxed, locs, weaves, wigs, braids, etc. We can do it all! Why keep each other in boxes. Do you and be happy. Enjoy your hair and enjoy the journey. I use to set a time frame for how long I would go without using heat in my hair. Not anymore. If like getting my hair straightened. I'm going to do it. Why? Because I can and I don't need anyone else's approval. Don't look for that approval or validation from anyone but yourself.

What Has Been Helping Me During This Stretch (32 weeks post)

I am currently 32 weeks post. That is a feat in itself for me. I went from panicking if I went past the 4 week mark to being 8 months post. I've pretty much just decided to continue to go with the flow and follow my hair's lead. Just like Jeni from Just Grow Already, I am at a point where I have no clue what I want to do with my hair. I don't have an overwhelming sense to relax my hair or to decide to just go natural. Me and my hair are just chilling to say the least. lol I'm over the whole relaxer prepping and not being able to scratch my head. The latter being the most annoying because my scalp decides to itch like crazy the week of my relaxers. It's nothing but the devil I tell ya. lol I am not cutting my relaxed ends off anytime soon because I am still trying to grow my hair out. Anyway, I digress from the point of this post.

Here are some things that have been helping me get through this stretch.

1. Detangling in the shower... I have start my detangling sessions in the shower. I wash my hair in 4 sections. Under running water, I gently pull my hair apart to release any tangles that I come across. This helps to make detangling after I have applied my leave-ins much easier.

2. Midweek Cowashing - Doing this helps to give my hair the boost of moisture it needs. Moisture is definitely a must when stretching.

3. Deep Conditioning with steam - This is another thing that helps with adding moisture to your hair. I try to steam at least once a week but I have been steaming twice a week lately.

4. Tension Blow Dry Method - I am an avid air dryer and being this far into a stretch, the shrinkage is outrageous. But using the tension method helps to stretch it out and also makes bunning a lot easier.

5. Getting my hair straightened - Whenever I feel like my hair is getting on my nerves and I need a break from it, I go to the shop and get it done. This gives me the chance to enjoy my hair and to see how my hair is progressing.

These are just some of things I do help with stretching. What do you do to help with stretching?