26 Months To The Day! I'm Back!

I've been on hiatus for 26 months. I can't believe it's been that long since I posted anything hair related. The things I've done, the things I've seen, the places I've been, the things that have happened to me. I experienced life at its fullest (breakups, death, cross country moves, new relationships, etc.), and I'm still experiencing it. Life happens everyday and I refuse to sleep through it as the days come and go.

I can't believe, after arduously growing my hair out for three years, that I cut all that progress off in October 2012! What the F was I thinking? Here's a brief journey in pictures, 2011-2013:

2011:

2012:

 

the pinnacle of curly:

 

Then I chopped and straightened my hair. I thought I could give myself a pixie cut: 

 

I tucked in one last lace wig wearing. This was a virgin brazillian natural straight from Rex. It WAS beautiful... and as always, why did I cut it? I'm NEVER cutting a wig (or my hair) again:

 then I cut it: 

 

 

Jan - Feb 2013: I succumbed to the creamy crack once again, but I know my pixie was laid! Funny how with each picture, my hair kept getting shorter and shorter (I was channeling Gennifer Goodwin, but then I saw Charlize Theron on the Oscars, and I was done!) By this time, I knew I was going to do the super short, curly grow out.

 

 

And now, back to square one for the third time. As they say, third time's a charm. April 2013. I stopped flat ironing and sitting under a hair dryer to straighten, and noticed that I hadn't relaxed the curl completely straight. I took the scissors and chopped off all the straight ends. I don't care that it's all uneven. It actually is but I don't comb my hair that often. It curls up when wet. It's been a couple of months since I relaxed my hair, so I wanted to release the curl a bit with my first textlax of the year.

Before>

 After>

 

I left the MILD relaxer (still using Silk Elements MILD) on for five minutes, then rinsed it out, then washed with SE Neutralizing Shampoo. I followed up with Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizer. I'm happy with the results. I have to stop here, because this is a crucial period in textlaxing. This is where the hair is lifted off of the scalp, and the ends have the bend. I can't textlax again for at least 2-3 months. This is a crucial time in textlaxing.

                                     

It was April 2009 when I started my original "natural" hair growth journey. Just imagine where my hair would be if I hadn't messed it up with that first time all over bleaching in November 2009, then forgetting that I bleached and used Color Fix in August 2010. I watched my hair break off strand by strand. I will still textlax, because I love how my curl looks, but no drastic things like bleaching and the Color Fix. Here we go again, but now, I know what my hair can do, and what not to do. It's just a matter of letting the time pass, and leaving my hair alone. I'm still co-washing, and I still love Finesse Moisturizing conditioner, and Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing conditioner. I'll need to buy more Mega-Tek conditioner. I don't know if it worked or not... but I think it did.

 

 

What started all of this over for me is that I got a Rex lace wig itch today. I haven't felt that "kick" since last year when I got the virgin brazillian. This time, I'm leaning towards 12-14", nothing too long, and I'm really leaning towards a wavy. I shouldn't have cut that brazillian. In it's natural state, is WAS wavy.... or at least it was before I washed it. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get the Tootsie's Method of attachment down where it looked natural to me, so I abandoned it. If I partake in another wig adventure, it'll still be Hair Direct white adhesive for me (which I still have), SuperTape and Vapon, my old tried and true staples. I'm in Georgia now, so I don't know what summer time heat feels like here. We'll see... if I choose to go down this road. I'm not planning on doing any new videos, as there's nothing else new to do. For now, I'll just stick with posting pictures. Stay tuned. 

The Rex virgin malaysian natural straight is holding up. This is one of my better apps, if I must say. The highlights are from spraying Sun-In on it. I still need to ventilate a little bit more in the back (when I'm in the mood for hair all over the place - don't know why I didn't use my drawing cards). Honestly, I can't wait until I recover from last year's hair disaster, and I don't want to wear wigs everyday... notice I said "want to" as opposed to "have to". This is totally a choice on my part right now. It's winter and I don't want to wet my head everyday to spring my curls to life. Wigs are a great option as a hairstyling tool. I'm loving the shorter lengths nowadays. 14"-16". I may even try a 12" loose curly soon.

On the natural hair front, it's growing in nicely, from my self hack job on 12/22/2010:
I know it will grow. You know it will grow. I have to get out of my own way... by hiding it under my lace wigs. My edges are intact. The glueless option is still on my list.

On other fronts, I will be able to exchange my new iPad 1 for the new iPad 2 on Saturday. Once I get it, I will trick it out with a new skin from DecalGirl:

This skin is so me. It probably won't fit the iPad 2, but I already ordered it, and I'm going to cut it to fit.

Off to work I go...

Can't Believe It's March Already!

I kicked off the month of March by purchasing my first iPad:

I'm in love. Apple knows how to do it! The joke was on me though, as I purchased this on Tuesday, then the new iPad 2 came out on Wednesday. I'll be able to replace this next Saturday - I can't wait. By then, I'll have the pink portfolio cover and the clear plastic protectors. Eventhough I love my Kindle, and it still works fine, everything on the iPad is in color. I even bought Sims 3 Ambitions from the App Store. I'll have to wipe it clean on Friday and redo all my downloads. I'm so excited.

Today was re-app day. I'm wearing my Rex virgin malaysian natural straight. I had to reventilate the back nape. I rubbed a spot bald. I got out my ventilating needle and the bulk virgin malaysian natural straight and got to work. It took me about an hour to fill the spot:

Before:

After:

I need to break down and buy the glueless wigs from Rex. I can't wait until my natural hair is back to the length before I cut it. I loved the freedom of not having to deal with the glue and tape. I can do this... I've done it before. I just have to keep my eyes on the prize and not get "hair" bored.

Stay tuned.

Ending to a Great Week

Work was pretty good tonight, for a Saturday. Even with the birthday feast, I managed to lose another pound, but time will tell on Monday if that pound stays off. I wasn't completely disciplined for the rest of the week, but I won't beat myself up about it.

My LF applications have been really realistic lately, and my hair is growing back healthy - such a relief to comb my hair and not see any left in the sink or the comb (note to self: never use Color Fix ever again, and I'm too old for copper colored hair). I'm taking 5000 mcgs of Biotin everyday; any more than that then I'll start breaking out.

I'm back on the Apple Macbook Pro train also. I had a slight setback, but it looks like I can order it on May 6th (5 pay periods). Who knows when they'll ship it, since it will be custom made. Saving is a kick in the pants, but when I have it, I'll own it outright. I'm so obsessed with that laptop, it's all I can think about.

Also, early congratulations to Natalie Portman for winning Best Actress for tomorrow's Academy Awards. I know she's going to win. She's one of my favorite actresses. Black Swan was a helluva movie. Can't wait til that bad boy comes out on DVD. Trust me, she's going to win. If she doesn't, I'll eat my shoe (wonder how many WW points that is?)

Stay tuned.

New Product Review: Shielo Hydrate

Today was wig removal day, which was a perfect time to try out the samples that were sent to me from Shielo. They sent me HYDRATE Moisturizing Shampoo, HYDRATE Vibrancy Conditioner, and Anti-Aging Complexion Scrub. I'm trying to be on Teri LaFlesh's Curly Girl method (no shampoo), but I have to shampoo the gunk from my hairline, and the conditioner left in it from the week before. The shampoo was good. It lathered up nicely, it felt silky on my curls, it had a mild scent, and it rinsed well. I give it a thumbs up. The conditioner was to die for. It felt so silky on my hair. I was actually mad that the sample was actually enough to barely cover my curls. I'm definitely going to order more of the conditioner. I used the scrub to clean my face, as well as my hairline. I wasn't a fan of the little scrubby beads, so although it left my face squeaky clean, I'll pass on it. The Vibrancy Conditioner is a winner.

My birthday was yesterday. 45... FORTY FIVE. I still feel 23 though. I had a great day. Very calming in the morning, beading in the afternoon, and my favorite meal in the evening (Outback Steakhouse, 3.5 lbs of Alaskan King Crab legs, drawn butter, sweet potato with butter and brown sugar, and broccoli (dipped in the same drawn butter). I didn't even bother counting my Weight Watcher points. Today is a new day, and I'm back on track. I love Weight Watchers because you can still eat the foods you like as long as you stay within your daily points. It teaches moderation. I'm only going to weigh in on Sundays. Stay tuned.

Sunday, Feb 20, 2009 Weekly Update

I'm still so in love with my 14" Virgin Malaysian Loose Curly from Rex. I haven't gotten the glueless version yet - ran into a little bit of "lackoffundsitis". I was going to put my virgin malaysian straight on, but I forgot that I need to ventilate the center nape bald spot. My lackoffundsitis also is preventing me from getting my beloved 17" Apple MacBook Pro... looks like the earliest I can get it is in mid May.... I won't think about it now, I'll think about it tomorrow.

I joined Weight Watchers online tonight. This is my 2nd attempt (1st being 2009). My doctor wants me to lose at least 33 lbs. You know ain't no shame in my game... I'm at 211 lbs right now (at 5'7"). I'm also inspired by Jennifer Hudson (when she was on Oprah last week). Of course I'm quite a bit older than her, and I'm not trying to get down to a size 6. I'm being realistic. I want to lose my muffin top, and be a healthy weight for my age/height. I'm not all caught up in a certain magical number. The only thing that gets on my nerves about WW is the updating the online tracker. Food is not at the forefront of my mind, and I won't become obsessed with food. It's hard enough for me to remind myself to eat. Just as long as I don't have to give up my champagne.... and my birthday is Tuesday. I plan on being extremely satisfied on Outback Steakhouse's king crab legs.... I'm going to use my weekly points allowance for Tuesday night... is that wrong? I'll definitely keep you all posted on my progress. My short term goal is to lose 33 lbs. My long term goal is to get to 150 lbs. I'm going to make this fun. I'll make some kind of tracker to add to my gadgets on this page.

Tuesday night/Wednesday/Thursday wig routine

It's Tuesday night (actually Wednesday morning 1:28am) and I just removed the Rex Virgin Malaysian Natural Straight. I used the CreaClip on it again on Sunday night, just to shorten it and shore up the ends a little bit. Think Charlotte's hair on Sex and the City. I love her hair, and Carrie's hair, (all seasons) and Miranda's hair (just during the sixth season). Anyway, during my usual routine of removal, I started out with the 91-99% alcohol to loosen up the edges.... let me digress for a moment. Tell me, why is it that during the wearing time, sometimes, if I look at my front hairline, it wants to pop up, but when it's time to remove, it's like the wig won't budge? One of the mysteries of the wig wearing universe... anyway, back to my removal routine. I discovered that when I use my cheapie co-washing conditioner to remove the glue and tape, the clean up is a breeze. I bought some extra bottles of the 79 cents VO5 (Moisturizing) Conditioner and I liberally slather it all around my hairline (after I've removed the wig). The glue that's left on my skin practically slides off. This is a more gentle way to remove the glue gunk than just straight alcohol. Just wanted to share.

I also want to share another glorious find: Organix has come out with a new conditioner (and I'm sure shampoo, but I'm not interested in the shampoo) called Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil, in the robin's egg blue bottle with the gold cap. It smells wonderful. I'm definitely going to stock up on this conditioner, just for the smell. I making this my leave in. .

Macbook Pro update: I'm really close to placing the order. I've got car issues, I'm getting back a little less than I thought I was, refund-wise, and I just found out I have Type 2 diabetes (wasn't expecting that news). I hope to place the order maybe by 2/11 and have it by 2/25 (in time for my birthday), so I can blog more often. I've decided to get the 14" virgin malaysian loose curly for the glueless cap wig experiment, and if that works out, then I'll get the 16" virgin malaysian natural straight. That's all I need for my wig rotation, a straight unit and a loose curly unit. I'm pretty conservative in my hair looks. I'll keep you all posted.