Daily Archives: December 7, 2011

Dec7

November GOC Update: Charelle

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by Charelle (Tenth Wave) of the newly created blog, CandyCurl

Hair

November was a month of protective styling and low manipulation for me. I did some mini twists and left them in for two weeks. This was a real accomplishment for me, because I don’t remember the last time that I went more than a week without washing my hair. It usually gets VERY itchy two or three days after my last shampoo. When I finally took the twists out, I wore a twist out for two days. I liked the twists overall, but it left some of my hair tangled, so I had to be very careful about taking them out. I would definitely do them again.

I’ve gone another month without straightening my hair, yippee!!! Initially, I planned to straighten my hair every two months during the challenge, which I thought was reasonable since I’d been straightening about once a month since April, before which I was straightening once a week. However, I’ve seen how much my hair has thrived without heat and I feel like I can definitely go longer. I want to retain as much length as possible!!! So my new goal is to make it to the end of the challenge without straightening! Now, straightening will be a reward, instead of part of my regimen.

I also finally made my “grow-out t-shirt” this month. It was much easier and quicker than I thought it would be and I was very excited once it was done.

Lastly, I’ve been experimenting with some products this month. I used the ApHogee Keratin 2 Min Reconstructor, because it had been sitting in my bathroom for months (it belonged to my roommate) and it was highly recommended by Shelli, so I gave it a whirl. Definitely a great product, I use it now every two weeks. I also have been using the ApHogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer. It’s a leave-in spray that you can use on wet or dry hair to reduce breakage. I love this product and highly recommend it! I also made my Kimmaytube leave-in this month, and it was wonderful! I used 2 tbs of DevaCurl One, 2 tbsp of Trader Joe’s Jojoba Oil, 2 tbsp of Jamaican Black Castor Oil, and 2 tbsp of Vitamin Shoppe Aloe Vera Juice (whole leaf). It’s so moisturizing, my life has changed forever, that is some good ish! I also made a shea butter mix with coconut oil and olive oil and I’m loving that too! November was definitely a breakthrough month and I think I’m done with buying new products (for now)!


Fitness

Another month of no gym. Yes, I’m very ashamed! But I’ve been eating well! So, once again, I’ll try next month to get back to working out, or at least go to yoga or something!

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Your bun is looking fab and loving the big hair and voluptuous lips in the last pic! Also, it’s really awesome reading how you are trying new things and experiencing success! It’s not about you wearing mini-twists for two weeks or not straightening your hair for several months. It’s that you thought you couldn’t do these things and you are discovering that you can push yourself beyond pre-conceived limitations! That’s what I think is so important here. It’s not the hairstyles that are meaningful per se, it’s the process that is helping you achieve your goals and inspiring you to set more. Well done lady! 

What things have you done since you began your natural hair journey that you didn’t think were previously possible? What have you learned about yourself in the process?

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Dec7

Lead Hair Experiment: Michelle’s Update

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TO BE lead hair or NOT TO BE lead hair? That is the question!

Do you remember that, a few months back, I wrote a post entitled, Chicoro’s Lead Hair Theory? And, do you remember that I asked for guinea pigs to participate in a lead hair experiment? And then, remember how I never wrote anything else about the experiment? Ummmm … yeah … my bad! *lol*

See, I ultimately did enlist two viable volunteers. The first is our very own Michelle of Radiant Brown Beauty and the GOC First Wave. Below are her October and December length check comparison photos and thoughts.

M i c h e l l e

Attached is my hair growth comparison photos from October and December 2011. Not real impressive. There’s a little over a 1/2 inch of length (maybe about 1/4 inch a month, but I think that it was more). I had some breakage, so this could be better. I’m 95% sure that all the over-manipulation of my strands caused hair breakage in the back. I know better for next time. The sides and front of my hair have not incurred any breakage. They are growing nicely. My crown is also growing in (you’ll notice it in the non-lead hair photo).

Here are my take-aways or, rather, my update:

  • Stick with big twists and buns and cutting down on braids (except the occasional fishtail).
  • Cut back from washing twice weekly to once weekly..
  • Increase my protein treatments from once a month to weekly.
  • Added a new vitamin to my regimen.
  • Working on improving exercise, which is sporadic due to my schedule.

Stretching my lead hair. At 7 in Oct; at 8 in Dec.

Hair not stretched at all. You’ll notice the hair filled in and grew in some of the spaces.

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I definitely see an increase in length and thickness Michelle! One component of Chicoro’s theory and method that I didn’t know when I wrote the prior post is the concept of goal points. However, Misha explained it in the comments on that post and I’ve since read the concept in Grow It! In order to really the test the theory, I would suggest the following:

  • Set your first goal point length (which should not be more than two to four inches longer than the bulk of your hair).
  • Keep your lead hairs at that length to evaluate whether the shorter lengths grow to fill in your perimeter and create full thickness at (or beyond) your goal point. 
  • Once the bulk of your hair reaches your goal point, trim all hair even at that point. 
  • Then, you start over again by setting a new goal point.

This may not be your cup of tea, but just wanted to suggest it, as well as explain it for the benefit of those not familiar with the process. Can’t wait for your update at the end of January!

Tomorrow, I’ll share the starting point of our other Lead Hair experiment volunteer. So, stay tuned!

Dec7

Quick Two Twist Updo: Afro Puffy Twists

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Okay, I exercised three days in a row … trying to get back on my grind. Hot yoga KICKED MY BUTT on Sunday and Monday. I was on the floor half of the class! And my shoulders and quads are so frickin’ sore! Downward dog is a rest position my a@#$! I was beat the frick up! Check out my face after class!

LOL!!  Anywho, just wanted to share this super quick and easy updo that I whipped my hair into for class and then adorned with a couple of flowers to wear to work the next day.

How did I do it? Well, I’m glad that you asked!

  1. Separated hair into two even sections, a top and a bottom half.
  2. Two-strand twisted top section towards the right and wrapped end around to top right side, securing against head with a small jaw clip.
  3. Two strand twisted the bottom section towards the left and wrapped end around to the top left of the twist, securing against head with a second small jaw clip.

Optional:

  • For workout, slap on a sweatband.
  • For work, adorn with flower hair clips, “hiding” the small jaw clips in the process or wear a decorative headband.

Voilà! That’s it!

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Hope you like! Lata G8tas!!