Overdue JBCO Challenge.....FAIL!

Yeah. I failed the JBCO Winter Challenge. 

The first time I dropped the ball, I should have recognized and announced my defeat, but I didn't. Well, let me tell ya ==>> LIFE HAPPENS. BIG TIME! So many "life things" going on in those last few weeks of the challenge sent me on a serious roller coaster. I am just BARELY breaking out of the funky crazy rut! Everything around me just seemed to fall apart. As if seams didn't exist. Like water running through my fingers.

But God Is Good.

I was hearing His voice, Lound & Clear, but had to be slapped in the head to listen to his instructions. I knew what I was going to have to do. My praise, a closer relationship with God has been revealed to me. Amen.

But, All was not lost from the JBCO Winter Challenge. Though I fell off the wagon, trying to develop a hair regimen, I did enjoy the beneficial results of the JBCO. I haven't done a length check since the challenge ended, but my hair is like, SUPER FLUFFY! and SUPER SOFT! 

Now, dont get me wrong! Im not gonna fool myself. I dont think I have had that much length since I failed to continue and finish the challenge. During the challenge, I learned to properly detangle my mane without a comb. I learned to recognize when, feel, and understand my hair needs when protein deficient. AND.... make my own homemade protein deep conditioner thanks to Vlogger Napturally85, and my hair is loving me! Im still applying my JBCO, but probly not as often during the week as I should or would like. Remember, my roller coaster is barely slowing down, when it does finally stop, I hope my feet and stomach are still beneath me when I step out, then its on!

Me returning just to give you this update is a very good thing and should show you that I am beginning to do well and get back on track. I dont feel that I have lost focus. My dream is to still grow my mane, longer and healthier. For God's plan with me, I think this blog and my goals will be just a small portion of the tools I will need to meet his plan.

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These little thoughts of mine help to understand why I have to do things the way I do them. It may be a bit OCD, but educating, teaching, and learning the how to the why of it makes easier to implement.. Since we gals like to 'share', I like to know what i'm talking about and not steer wrong. ;-p

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ 

Miss EM

JBCO Challenge Day 40

Happy New Years! Welcome to 2013! Can you believe it?! We survived the Mayan Apocalypse and the End of the World! *lol* Only God is ever knowing of or pending existence. Oh! And I haven't made any real New Years resolutions, either.

Update on JBCO Challenge!

Christmas almost snuck up on me HARD! But, I kept pretty straight with regimen. New Years created a greater muck,on the other hand, took a beastly wipe out of me. The last application of JBCO I applied to my scalp was, sadly, December 31. Since then, I have not applied JBCO, cowashed or protected my hair very well to not at all. :-( I was FLAT on maintenance. The weird side effect, besides hair dry and matted, my scalp is VERY dry, flaky, and ITCHY ITCHY ITCHY!!! Much of it I attribute to not a very healthy diet or intake of water. That's a whole other story, but water intake I can definitely correct. Today I have planned a deep hot oil treatment with JBCO followed by poo/cowash, a protein DC, and ACV rinse. Its gonna be the Works! Not quite sure it will be in that order, but want to make sure i'm not left with egg in my hair.

Ive checked int to all JBCO Check Ins except Week 6 :-) I could probly still do it now, but battling with "whats the point?" nagging at me. I think I have decided that "Ol' Hag" has GOT to GO! Yeah, i'm gonna go ahead and check in for Week 6. Better late than never and can try to stay on the wagon the best I can. I have general copies of my Check In posts and am sharing them with you today, with some progress pics, first. Let me know what you think :-D

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You all remember where I started? Here is a collage of KCCM's JBCO Challenge Week 1 Pics. *ugh, scary, yet so brave* 

With my head, you'd see why I so very camera shy. I mean, I am not my hair. Remember these pics! They are base for Week 5 Length Check pics just below.

Now the back of my head, I was concerned about middle more than nape. Week 5 pics are of both compared to Week 1 middle.

Look at that side stretch! Clean!

My front has got a little cleaner length, but look at my brows > I have brows!

And the big reveal.............

Compared to before pic, I couldn't get pig tails back here!

Everything is pulled up!

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Weekly CheckIns Q&A's

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Week 2

1. Where do you live?

Manor, TEXAS!

2. Are other members of your family naturals too? Who? Were they natural before you or vice versa? Do you all support each other?

Yes, my mother. She went natural after I did only because I had gone from relaxing to hotcombing my hair and she had like the results of my hair. I dont know about supporting each other, but do know that we just do what we can for the times.

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 1)

day 1~ I applied straight to my scalp and twisted hair. 

day2~ I applied to sectioned parts (scalp), edges and eyebrows

day3~ no castor oil application, massaged itchy spots *wish i got warning about cleansing 1st*

day4~ pre-poo w/ my oil mix (itch relief!), ACV rinse & DC/Protein treatment; LOC method with castor oil for my oil

day 5~ no application, but surprised of hair moisture

day 6/7~ repeat of LOC method

4. (optional) Share a pic of the bottle of castor oil you are using. *I did supply my pic*

~~~

Week 3

1. Since going natural have you ever felt really overwhelmed? If so, Why? If not, What have you done to make this journey run smoothly?

Ive been natural for almost 2 decades. I didnt take hair care seriously before going natural, and was somewhat interested after going natural. Overwhelmed was not on the list.

2. Do you see any change in your hair since using the castor oil?

yes, my hair stays moisturized longer and keeps a shine, too. ive also noticed in my twists, the hold for pattern is tighter.

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 2). Did you use it any different than week 1? 

after i twisted my hair, dry with JBCO, the application stopped their. I massaged my scalp most the week and only applied JBCO once to edges and eybrows.

4. (optional) Share a pic of your hair before you went naturalDo you Tweet? Do you Instagram? If so use hashtag #KCCMcastoroil so we all can follow the condo and check out your pics. Feel free to include me in the convo @BlakIzBeautyful (this is my name on IG too!)

ill be surprised if i find an existing pic of me before i went natural!

~~~

Week 4

1. There are so many products on the market, what are your favorites for washing? 

~ Carol's Daughter Tui Herbal Shampoo, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner, Dove Intense Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

What are your favorites for moisturizing/styling?

~ Cantu Shea Leave-in Conditioner, pretty much it for product buys; otherwise its AVJ/H2O spritz, H2O spritz, JBCO *really liking how my hair stays moisturized longer with it*

What qualities does a product have to have in order to become one of your favorites?

~Almost all ingredients have to be naturally derived or provide great slip and moisture to my hair during and after shampoo, reduced or no alcohol content, and cannot leave my hair feeling dry and/or stripped.

2. Since using the castor oil, has your hair seen any of the benefits listed in the list above? 

~ OMGosh, YES!!

Which ones?

~ i have noticed increased darkening of my edges cuz my widows peak is growing back very visibily! my hair seems to have an even thickness all around, one side no longer feels thinner than the other when i grab a handful or put in pigtails

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 3). Did you find yourself losing momentum or are you still going hard?

~ last week i used my JBCO to do small twists on my head, took hrs! I kept the twists up all week,i couldnt figure how i wanted to apply more JBCO to parted sections but managed 1x, otherwise just applied to edges, eyebrows, & lashes. seems like each time i apply to brows and lashes, old hairs wanna fall out/shed.

4. (optional) Share a pic of your natural hair in one of your favorite styles!

~ sorry, I dont have pic of small twists :(

~~~

Week 5

Length Check-In!

Wanna put your pics together in a collage? Go to fotoflexer.com or picmonkey.com (I chose fotoflexer.com)

Check In Questions:

1. What are your favorite natural hair styles? How long does it take you to style your hair this way? Which products do you use to get the best results of this style?y

~ My favorite hairstyle is "let it be". I either like to wear my hair in its natural fro with an elastic headband/bandana or pull it back into a cute flat roll front or ponytails just to feel i can do something with it. Any less than 5 min to do. Once in a while i will try twists but hate that i feel i cant get a handle on my hair. Forget braids of any sort!

~ Products I keep minimal. I have a lot of products but have only been using JBCO, Cantu Shea Leave-in, and CD Mimosa Hair Honey or Loc Butter for twists.

2. How did you do last week (week 4)? Did you follow through with your goals? Any challenges thus far?

~ Last week wasnt that bad! Following another participant, I changed up my application by putting my oil in an applicator bottle. I added Jojoba and Apricot oils and CD Hair Elixir (just to use up whats left) to make consistency a little bit thinner and fluid. During the week, i applied to sectioned hair or random spots. Also applied directly to edges and brows. Made challenge much more manageable.

3. Based on your length check pics, can you see a difference in thickness or length yet? For those of you focusing on  your edges, are they growing in?

~Oh My Yes! Last week, the thickness became very prominent, i thought i was losing my mind! It felt so sudden! Plus, my problem spot for the back of my head was a real shocker! It has grown out more than I expected! I found this out when i parted my hair into four sections and was able to get 4 full, puffy pig tails! Normally i can only get 2 on top of my head, but 2 full ones for the back of my head?! No fuzzy loose uneven edges?! Knock Me OVER!! And my edges? My widows peak is coming back!!

4. Post your length check pics!

5. (Optional) How was your Christmas? What did you get?

My Christmas was great! For the last 10 yrs ive been cooking, this is the first that I prepared ahead, got plenty of sleep, and was not riddled with pain from standing all day. Granted, the sacrifice was minimal food to display, but it was worth it to enjoy family and great conversation. Christmas was for the kids because noone has had much money, but my parents, uncle, brother and his wife, and neighbor(!) still bestowed to me some cute jammies, gloves &hat, designer roller parfumes (allergic reaction to spray parfumes), exercise ball, gift cards and lotto scratch offs :) Definately Fun!!

~~~

Week 6

1. What goals do you have for your hair this new year? What goals do you have for your life this year?

~ My goals for my hair and life in 2013 are better than past years. My goals are intended! I intend for my hair goal to reach my shoulders or longer. I will be grateful if achieved by Summer. My life goals I intend to be much healthier. Healthier in the Lord, in my family, in what we eat. Another goal is that I will be able to find work that I have a willing conviction for!

2. Do you prefer “all natural”/”organic” products or are you open to using anything? Why? 

~ I wish I can say one or the other, but I find that I lean more toward natural. Since paying attention to product labels for my body, I try to stay away from products that have or have too much alcohol or cones in them. My skin gets very dry and I have found that my hair responds better to my direction since cutting those out. I know I cant get away from all of the bad stuff, so for now, got a good thing going

3. How did you do last week (week 5)? Did you follow through with your goals? Any challenges thus far?

~ Week 5 was so rewarding! The length check was awesome to do because I was able to see the changes in my hair! The side effect, after Christmas celebrations, all the excitement left me at the same time. It was a downhill slope. I did nothing to my hair in week 6. Nothing. You name it. Nothing!

4. (optional) Share a picture of your favorite hair moisturizer.

~ I cant say I have a favorite. I just use what is on hand the best I can. No pics.

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These little thoughts of mine help to understand why I have to do things the way I do them. It may be a bit OCD, but educating, teaching, and learning the how to the why of it makes easier to implement.. Since we gals like to 'share', I like to know what i'm talking about and not steer wrong. ;-p

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ 

Miss EM

Merry Christmas!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I know I have neglected to keep you informed for more than a week on my hair journey and JBCO challenge. I am a single mother and the holiday season moves pretty fast! Those who do visit and view my posts regularly, I thank you for continuing to hold me accountable. 

That said, I have neglected in JBCO applications, but not enough to forfeit challenge. I've only found that my protective style of mini twists posed a little challenge in applying for some part, the other part, motherhood and making baby happy :-) So, being "creative" in maintenance.

All in all, 'Tis the reason for the season that we remember how our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born, so that he would grow to become our savior and salvation, our King. Be merry in the celebration of his birth and worship Him everlasting Joy! Amen!

~ Miss EM

JBCO Challenge Day 9 Into Day 10, and Day 11

That's right. Challenge day 9 rolled into Challenge day 10! The day was a wonderful long day with Sunday school, church service and kids play day. I don't know what got into me. I just decided I was going to put my hair up into small twists and see how it looked. Little did I know that, doing them by myself, was going to take all night, all the next day, and leave me with a very, very, VERY sore neck and back on day 11.

Im not going to say it was a mistake, but i'm sure you are thinking 'why didn't she get some help?' or 'she should have known better'. After a point, I was thinking these same things and then some. But I take it all as a learning curve. In my youth, I never needed anything to motivate me to stay up all night, so never really bothered me that sleep was absolutely necessary. 

Well, in my 'old age', sleep is very much necessary! I wanted twists. I didn't want the project to take me many days to do because I knew, eventually (and lazy enough or too many distractions), I would take it all down because what I had started and slept on would get all fuzzy and dull looking before I began on the next section. And it would probably be days or even weeks before I took to task again. Besides, I can do my daughter's and my mom's hair quickly and in just a couple/few hours. How hard can it be?

HARD!!!

When I do do my mom and daughter's hair its usually twists with some sort of thickness to them so I can be done quickly and not fuss with a squirmy worm or fussy bitty. And their hair is pretty much even length all around. Another reason I felt curious I could do small twists all across my head.

Well, with enough thinking about it, taking kids home, put to bed, and all chores pretty much done, I just got started. I grabbed my little dish of JBCO, grab my brush-like comb (has 3 rows, hard teeth), several hair clips, my laptop and set up at my dining room table, and got to work. To keep me entertained, I streamed a series of SyFy 'Eureka' episodes, figuring I would be done by the time the last episode ran. Whole hearted NOT!

But, I digress. I sectioned my hair into four sections: back, front, and ears. The cross-point I placed high up, almost right on top of, my head. I started twisting with the back, getting the hardest part out of the way, debated which ear was the next hardest, and finished with the front. With each section I divided into rows, oiled and massaged the row with JBCO, then split that row into smaller sections, one at a time. I used my fingers and nails to stretch and smooth out hair, working tangles and knots out to the end. Sometimes I would get a small dip of JBCO to help in the process if I felt there wasn't enough residual already. After working knots to ends, I would use my special comb to work the knots out, then began the twisting. I applied some more JBCO on the twist ends and just twirled and twirled. I guess this is sealing the ends? I did this for my entire head! 

I didn't lose a lot of hair. Which was kinda interesting. The back of my hair seemed to experience just breakage while the ears and top experienced whole strands. All together the ends of my twists are just a little fuzzy and the hair loss came to the size of a small bouncy ball or soda bottle cap.  

I would assume this kind of twisting is considered a dry-twist, because I did not wet my hair in anyway. I'm not used to doing my hair in such an intense fashion. Yes, I have done twists to my own hair before and those turned out bulky, disproportionate, dry, and fuzzy looking when done. Its kinda difficult to sport that with some confidence :\ Especially if the entire back of your hair is short and the sides and top of your head have various lengths of long hair. Just let me have the basic wet, comb, headband process any day and I would be fine. 

Although the motivation to finish and get my hair done took many, many, many long hours (36 hrs, to be exact) and technique perhaps contributed, my hair is done. The payoff results are GREAT! 

Day 11~ Guess what? I slept all day! But woke with pain all through my neck, shoulders and back. Surprised my tush is alright. My head, of course, is a little itchy. We finally got a cold front that sticks, so massaging a small spot with a cold finger does the trick, lol. 

I want to try and trim the ends of my twists and reseal with JBCO. It will be a 'feel as you go' for the back and some of sides and top, the rest I will get to see the results. I hope it goes well!

JBCO Challenge Day 7 & Day 8

Day 7~ I was feeling good and cute today :-} Now, i'm in Texas and the Summer dresses are still out, so I put one of my new ones on. Diva! LOC'd it up, hair clipped two flat pony tails to the top of my head and handled business for my day! Boo Yaaah! Still sick, but i'm makin' it! For bed, I took my clips out and put on my bonnet. Day over.

Day 8, Week 2 KCCM Check In!~ 

I had just barely woken up and got moving when my neighbor's daughter came over extending an invitation for a shopping day,,, "leave in 20 minutes." Somehow the word "shopping" works better than a cup of coffee, because we 'moved'!

Washed, dressed, spritzed my hair and clipped in my pigtails. I don't think I remembered to do my castor oil application, but with what little I do feel in my hair and all the moisture retained, I didn't find it a problem. 

I want to avoid an every other day topical application and get back to the scalp and roots, just to get the cleansing process out of the way and done with.

Now for the Week 2 Check-In, here's how I answered:

1. Where do you live?

Manor, TEXAS!

2. Are other members of your family naturals too? Who? Were they natural before you or vice versa? Do you all support each other?

Yes, my mother. She went natural after I did only because I had gone from relaxing to hotcombing my hair and she had like the results of my hair. I dont know about supporting each other, but do know that we just do what we can for the times.

3. How did you use Castor Oil in your hair last week (week 1)

day 1~ I applied straight to my scalp and twisted hair. 

day2~ I applied to sectioned parts (scalp), edges and eyebrows

day3~ no castor oil application, massaged itchy spots *wish i got warning about cleansing 1st*

day4~ pre-poo w/ my oil mix (itch relief!), ACV rinse & DC/Protein treatment; LOC method with castor oil for my oil

day 5~ no application, but surprised of hair moisture

day 6/7~ repeat of LOC method

4. (optional) Share a pic of the bottle of castor oil you are using. *I did supply my pic*

I am still excited and enjoying this challenge. The first week was hard as far as a regimen and maintenance. But as I mentioned, the education I have learned recently and understanding how I have already been partial in the LOC method practice, has made implementing the challenge a little bit easier. This coming week I hope to focus more on my scalp, getting this castor oil cleansing in progress and on track.

Tonight, i'm just going to put my bonnet on and call it a night. Ponder whether to twist my hair up sometime tomorrow while deciding where to put my Christmas tree.

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These little thoughts of mine help to understand why I have to do things the way I do them. It may be a bit OCD, but educating, teaching, and learning the how to the why of it makes easier to implement.. Since we gals like to 'share', I like to know what i'm talking about and not steer wrong. ;-p

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ 

Miss EM

JBCO Challenge Day 5 & Day 6

Day 5~ I didn't do anything for day 5. Home sick all day.

Day 6~ I pretty much did a LOC method before running out to do errands.

I spritzed my hair with Aloe Vera Juice (AVJ) and water, rubbed about nickel size amount of JBCO in my hands and rubbed into my hair in a kind of section/layered process and massaged in. I finished with my Cantu Shea leave-in conditioner, wrapped with a satin scarf then went about my day.

Normally, when getting ready to head out, I just wet or spritz my hair with water; pick, brush, or comb through my hair to style; then slap on a headband and be done. I would end up having major shrinkage or lots of frizz. Not to mention, a great deal of breakage and shedding. 

The past few months that I have been researching how to better care for our (my daughter and mine) natural hair, the more I discovered I was doing so much wrong and harm to my hair and learned many styles I could practice with her hair, keeping our regular routines simple, practical, and practice-able. 

Being introduced to and learning the LOC method, I found my regular get up and go method could still be maintained with only a couple additional steps. Knowing now how important moisture is, I no longer dread starting the comb out of my hair. 
The moisture helps the hair to absorb and utilize the natural oils, in my opinion, helping the hair to better repair itself instead of how other oils that aren't so good, plug holes and cracks in follicles,  adding no real benefit except maybe shininess. Adding a cream/butter (thick) base on top of that helps to prevent moisture from evaporating too quickly allowing your hair to transition accordingly to our daily ever changing environment.

These little thoughts of mine help to understand why I have to do things the way I do them. It may be a bit OCD, but educating, teaching, and learning the how to the why of it makes easier to implement. Since we gals like to 'share', I like to understand what i'm talking about and not steer wrong. ;-p

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~
Miss EM

JBCO Challenge Day 3 & Day 4

Day 3~ No additional application today. Scalp had been itchy, different spots, all day. I tried carefully to be delicate in scratching, then remembered scratching can leave scars on the scalp for germs so resorted to massaging the areas. I can still feel the slickness of the castor oil in my hair, probably on the shafts themselves. I think massaging helps to redistribute the oil to my scalp. Still, I've chosen not to do anything to my head. Twists are holding their own, but feel a bit looser. Roots are showing some definite curl definition. Is my hair growing already?

Day 4~ Woke up to an itchy head! Massaging grants me the most relief. While the house is empty, something has to be done today.

I have some left over oil mix that i will use as a pre-poo. I have CD's Tui Herbal Shampoo, which I find (any shampoo, really) to be a great clarifier to remove any build up gently.

I have my shower spray bottle filled with ACV rinse. I haven't used the ACV rinse for a long while and think i'm quite overdue. My mix is heavily concentrated with ACV, like half H2O and half ACV. Rule of thumb, 2/3 H2O, 1/3 ACV. 

I have a DC/Protein recipe from YouTube Channel Naptural85. It consists of:

2 eggs

6 scoops of mayo

2 T honey

It's pretty basic and I will apply after my ACV rinse. After that, a simple LOC method where my oil will be my castor oil. So, i'm ready to get started!

Results (as I go):

1. Applied my oil mix and instant cool relief of the itching! My applicator bottle with nozzle tip helped to get right under my twists, just massaged the oil in, put on a plastic and foil caps and let sit for 15-20 minutes while making my DC mix. Excellent.

2. ACV rinse was deeply gratifying for my itchy spots. My scalp feels fully clean and I LOVE the fact that the rinse seems to always perk up the coils at my roots :-D

3. This is my first time doing a DC recipe and may have to adjust the recipe for my short hair. Mixing it up was no problem. The problem, I get easily distracted and let it sit too long. Went from a nice thick consistency to very very runny. And, I let my hair air dry too long after towel blotting. So as I was applying the mixture to my hair, it already felt dry and brittle. I kept applying the mixture til I could feel the slip in my hair, then added my caps back. Application may have been too much, very drippy and have a LOT left over.

4. L: fresh rinsed wet hair, pick out some egg

    O: Sunny Isle JBCO, topical applied

    C: Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioner

My hair doesn't feel dry or brittle, but it does feel as if it is taking to the added moisture. Sometime I will get the ends trimmed to remove some of the fuzz and see the difference in the new maintenance plan.

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ Miss EM

JBCO Challenge Day 1 & Day 2

last nights twist up

JBCO

Day 1~ Began my challenge last night. Yay! Im using Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO). I poured about and ounce into a container. Its got a pretty rich caramel color. Smell is a nice sweet fruity nut smell. It actually kinda wakens the senses :-) Making me hungry, too, lol!

I parted, combed, and detangled my hair into five sections, misting each section before applying the JBCO. A little goes a LONG way! Now because my hair is uneven and still quite short in the back and sides, I finished off with some semi-thick small twists and covered with a satin bonnet. It feels so weird having somewhat large gaps between twists. And the satin bonnet has been the only wrap/protective style that stays while I sleep! Hurray!

I didn't take my twists down, left them as is and just covered with a knit cap as style for church. Even I have to say I was very pleased with the very clean, toned down, Bohemian look.

twists & scalp still moisturized

Day 2~ Since it is Sunday, I've chosen not to do too much with my hair tonight. My hair is still twisted up. I have chosen to only use the JBCO on the parts of my twisted sections, front, side, and back edges, remembering to massage my scalp as I applied. It kinda feels like it helps to exfoliate as well as encourage blood circulation. I even applied some to my eyebrows  to also gauge the promotion of growth and actually 'have' some eyebrows, lol!

I must admit, I hadn't co-washed or pre-poo'd for a couple of days, and after last nights prep, my twists and hair are holding up and very moisturized. I'm quite curious how long the moisture retains itself? 

Im not gonna push it. For my regimen, I will do a basic ACV rinse & cowash (CW) just to prevent any potential build up, followed by a DC and hot oil treatment (HOT), all this week.

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ Miss EM

I'm Ready for a Challenge!!!!

Hey!! Im Back!! Ive been a bit discouraged since my last post. I know. I had fallen back into that "its too much work" mode. And a lot has to do with my personal life recently being an emotional roller coaster as of late. 
It always seems that nothing is going right or you are always in the wrong, making it very difficult to divulge your focus elsewhere, where it is truly needed. At my last Ladies Bible Study, we kinda touched on this subject in our discussion. As women, we naturally are brought up to multitask, assist, advise and make amends in almost everything we do in work, family, and home. Naturally, we have a tendency to focus or pinpoint what is not quite right until we figure out what is odd about it in the first place. Men, sometimes I wish I had their focus, naturally see the problem and immediately tend to fixing it, asking questions later, lol! 
Well, that's life! And just about anything and sometimes everything else takes a back simmer. In my case, its beauty and regime. Many friends tell me I got it or its potential "if you do this...". I never had the need to see it in myself, but always noticed when someone would point out my hair and either like or scrutinize it. 
Over 30 and a single mom, I still have my crush moments and want to be recognized and all ideas end at the pinnacle of my head. But I learned a long time ago outward appearance does not count for much if your inward appearance (and intellect) is not sought after, too. Therefore, the love I put into my head is for me and myself first and only. Its my pride and joy. I also find that my love for my hair reflects how I see respect for myself, hold the last vestige of innocence, and value what makes me me.

So, On With IT!! I've registered for KinkyCurlyCoilyMe (KCCM) Castor Oil Winter Hair Challenge!!!

Im so excited and today is the first check-in day of the challenge! I just wanted to share with you the questions and my answers to this check-in:

1. How long have you been natural? Did you Big Chop or Transition? Why did you choose this method? If you are not natural, do you think it is something you would consider in your future, why/why not?

2. Is this your first time participating in the Castor Oil Challenge?

3. What is motivating you to participate in this challenge?

1. I have been natural, ive calculated, a little over 13yrs. My hair had been relaxed since i was a child, so i think when i finally BC, i was tired of all the breakage and maintenance and bleached and dyed the ends of my TWA a bright electric blue. :-D it wasnt really a choice, i just did it. Wasnt really into fashion or styles, so it didnt matter to me cuz i wasnt all routine with taking care of my hair.

2. Yes, this will be my first time participating in the and any hair challenge. ive tried on my own and knew only to oil my head. didnt work cuz i thought it too much work.

3. i like this challenge cuz i will be held accountable by others. plus, my hair has been short all my life, even with relaxer. I've only experienced it long, to my shoulders, once in my life. I would like that experience again and then some. I want to know that i can achieve diversity with my hair beyond what i currently can.

Today is the first day i am applying the castor oil to my hair and scalp! Yay! So excited!! I started my own blog when i decided to start caring for my natural hair. Its "Mane Control" at:http://exewoods.blogspot.com/
Ive been discouraged, so i hope i can document my check-ins and routine there as well. Id appreciate the help in accountability, ladies!!

Here is an updated pic, before I start applying the Jamaican Black Castor Oil~

Beginning/Before/Start

Anyone who has been keeping up with my posts or checking in or wanting some help in some way, this is a great way to start at the basics of scalp and hair health and maintenance. Come, try it along with me, start where ever you can and work your way out.

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control!

July Fry, Here In Texas!

I hope you all are enjoying your Summer festivities! I surely have. I can't believe I skipped a whole month in this mane adventure. What I can say is June, didn't miss much. The whole month of June was a steady process of ensuring my hair and scalp were properly oiled and succeeded with CO hair washes with maybe 2 actual poos for build up cleansing. My hair has been very curly and moisturized, especially with the practice of protective styling with different types of scarves. 

My favorite is my solid blue linen scarf (or imagine fabric like a cheese cloth). It is very long, I would say about 3-4 feet. It scrunches very easily and holds the scrunch, making it sometimes difficult to make even when I fold it in half longways. 

I have a purple printed silk scarf that I absolutely love putting on my head when my hair is wet and oiled.

I also have a brown satin and a black silk-like mesh scarves. The brown satin is kinda thick and tends to soak up a lot of water from my head. With this Texas summer heat, it works, leaving my head very cool and protected when I am outside. Both scarves I try to reserve for night sleeping because they stay on the best.

At the end of the day, my hair is matted down tight with curly waves, but I can pull a silky curly rooted strand from underneath and it just tickles me that I know my hair is loving the moisture!

Yesterday, I got a chance to condition my scalp with Coconut Oil, with the help of my mom :D I let it soak in and heat under a plastic cap while re-twisting some of her twists with Carols Daughter (CD) Loc Butter for 30 minutes. For my moms hair, it being very corse, the CD Loc Butter softens it like a baby and helps to get some of her unruly gray hairs and put them in check. 

The only drawback I didn't like about conditioning with the Coconut Oil is how, topically, it left my hair feeling a little dry before and after rinsing. My scalp and roots didn't feel dry, thank goodness, but I kinda wonder if the addition of a plastic cap may have emphasized where my hair was most damaged by lack of moisture on the extension of the hair? I will kinda play with when and where on my head I apply the Coconut Oil to see how it works best. So far, root and scalp are happy campers.

I just recently purchased CD's 3-piece Chocolat Starter kit. It comes with the Chocolat Shampoo, Conditioner, and Blow Dry Cream. The shampoo did enhance the dry feeling felt earlier with the Coconut Oil. Eerrh. The conditioner wasn't too bad. It helped resolve some of the dry feeling and after massaging in and combing through, it seemed like my hair kinda had a stretching moment. Kinda startled me, in a good way. I was pressed for time when I applied the blow dry cream and did not get a chance to actually use the blow dryer on my hair, but the result for the evening were very very tight kinky curls. I have to give the CD Chocolat regime another chance, done right, in order to give accurate results how it works for me. Maybe without the Coconut Oil conditioning, too.

What I have noticed up to this point, is the hair on the back of my head has grown beautifully! Ive got about a good two inches of growth. The way it feels, it is almost just enough to get started on twists for my hair. 

Why I don't do it now? My hair is still at uneven lengths: top long, sides reasonably long and back very short. I do not wish to embark on an uneven style that I do not feel comfortable sporting, knowing this little oddity is like someone disliking how their nose is shaped. Its an imperfection you can grow to love, manage or deal with. My case, i'm managing!

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control!

Memorial Day Appreciation

Happy Memorial Day! 

To our Military Forces who volunteer their lives

to protect our freedom to live as we do, say as we say, and overall,

conducting our lives to the fullest,

Thank You! 

You are our family, our friends. 

Young and Old. 

Your duties maintain an existence to look forward to for generations to come. 

We love you. 

We cherish you. 

May God Bless you. 

Its Been A LONG TIME!

Its been quite a while since my last entry. I don't know if apologies are in order, but I am sorry. I could go on and on about whats been going on, giving excuses as to why I haven't posted, but truth is,, I am Human *and a Gemini :P *! 
Yep. Life interferes with plans and goals. I myself get caught up in it until knocked down. The hard part is figuring out what to do in the highs and lows and maintain inertia.
I can tell you that I have not done any further research for new ways to get my Mane on. Been sticking to my Shea mix as a topical application for my hair. The ACV rinse I have used twice and each time, my hair recoils into thick little curls, especially on the back of my head where the hair is really short. Running my fingers through them tight little curls feels soo awesome! The oil spray I made didn't really work for me so poured the remainder into a spare bottle and place an applicator tip to it. Works much better. 
The really new thing i can report is that I used my Shea mix for flat ironing my hair and it turned out pretty good! My hair, was a little frowie, but didn't sweat back after 5-10 minutes. It actually lasted a good two days! My hair has grown, some. I think because of hiatus in commitment on a daily basis contributed to the some stunt of growth.
Summertime is coming. There isn't a better time than now to practice protective style wrapping. I'm gonna hop in the shower, wash, ACV, condition, massage and wrap my head and head on out to the book store and find me something good.

Be Good To Your Mane,
Miss EM

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control!

Shea Figures?

Happy "Leap" Day!

I started this blog with the intention, I would begin regular hair experiences, weekly. But as I mentioned before, i'm not very high maintenance and am quickly discovering that my hair is. So after some research and distracting activities I realize that "we" have to come to a mutual agreement on necessity, needs, and requirements.

Since my last post, I have been playing with Shea butter. I remembered I had bought some at a past arts and crafts festival, but never had time to just focus on how to use it. I remember being curious and understanding it had useful healing properties for my then "REALLY" dry skin. Of course, I put it away and essentially forgot about it. Since I have been doing more and more research on natural tresses, hair care and products, I've begun a new found love for my little stash and adventure  into other essential oils. 

Ultimately, with all my Shea research, I was led to create my own personal Shea butter creme mix. Using it by itself, just didn't feel right to me, at first. There are many wonderful websites and YouTube videos on just the "perfect" concoction. And all pretty much suggested to use ingredients to you your own liking. So, I did. Here are the ingredients for my Shea butter creme:

• 1 C  Shea butter (unrefined; double boiler melt)
• 1 T  Coconut Oil (virgin)
• 1 T  Olive Oil
• 1 T  Castor Oil
• 1 T  Jojoba Oil

As any good cook I stopped myself at 5 ingredients, because being my first mix, I wasn't sure exactly how much it all made. It was a LOT (fills a 9oz container). I have enough to last me a lifetime and still have plenty extra unrefined Shea butter.

I love how it makes my hair feel so soft! I've applied it to my hair different ways, trying to find my groove and mane agreement. I've applied it as a topical after a shower, sectioned and applied to my scalp wet, damp, and dry like I used to oil my hair. I've even spritzed my hair with a little water and oil mixture and applied the Shea then wrapped my hair with a scarf. I do feel my hair taking to the extra moisture. Also, my curly roots are becoming very bold and can feel the coils extending down the shaft to the damaged dry hair. So something is working.

Of course, me and my habit, I only use the Shea creme about twice a week. And the euphoria of excitement I get goes too and the little word "maintenance" begins its little argument with me. It is such a motivator. So far, I like what I have discovered and will keep as tools of my regimen. Back to researching I will go until that happy median is found for me and my mane.

As promised, I took a pic of where my hair is currently at. My hair has been short most all my life, natural kink for many years, a brief stint of growth when pregnant with baby, then reverted back. Here I am today. My beginning point.

If you have any suggestions or ideas, even how to make this a more positive experience, please comment below. I'm welcoming all recommendations a sporting try.

Thank you for viewing and Take Back Your Mane Control! ~ Miss EM