Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

So 2012 is here and as I am thinking of resolutions, I figured I should come up with some hair resolutions. So here goes:

1. I noticed recently that the front of my hair grows faster than the back. I think this is due to moisture. The front of my hair is rarely dry. I am going to spend 2012 focused on the back of my hair and keeping it properly moisturized.
2. I will check my hair to see if a trim is required every 4 months. If my ends are rough and a trim is necessary, it will happen on medium sized twists.
3. I will cut down on heat to my hair. Direct heat will only be applied every 2 months (this includes flat ironing and blow drying). I will need to find alternative ways of stretching my hair.
4. I will drink more water. I am trying for 8 glass per day. This should help to keep my hair healthy and hopefully helo with growth.
5. Regularly do length checks on my hair to determine growth progress. I didn’t do this regularly last year so I can’t truly tell how much my hair grew.
6. Post to this blog regularly. Post at least once per week to document my hair journey including sharing my thoughts and feelings on my hair throughout the year.

Great article that I wanted to share!

Do Women Choose Beauty Over Health? The Surgeon General (And Advertisers) Say So

Are we truly afraid to mess up our new do or is hair just another excuse among many not to exercise?

I know I am guilty of spending much more on hair/beauty products then my health. For example, I am reluctant to spend the money out of my Health Spending account to see the allergist for the allergies I have been struggling with, but I will spend the same amount, with no regrets, on hair products in a month. It’s not all at one time, so it’s a little easier to swallow, but the money for the allergist is money set aside for health so what gives?

After reading this article, I am going to pay more attention to my priorities. At least until the next “must have” hair product hits the shelves…lol

So I am back!!! I was gone for a while because I wasn’t feeling so great about my hair. I didn’t think I could help others when I was in such a bad state!!! I had been dying my hair blond since April of 2010. It looked great at first but then I noticed that it was extremely dry and broken off. Additionally, my hair was different colors since trying to get my roots died the same shade blond every 8 weeks was a major task.

I was so scared that I would have to get all of my hair cut off that I refused to visit a salon. After some time, things were so bad that I forced myself to make an appointment. I had to go to a same day salon (Hair Cuttery), so I wouldn’t talk myself out of what I thought had to be done. (SB: I loved the salon and will be going back every 8 weeks for a trim). I prepared myself for yet another Big Chop (I was just above APL). When I sat in the chair, I immediately told the beautician my issues. To my surprise, she laughed. She told me that blond die tends to be drying and will wreck havoc on someone’s hair, but all I needed was about a 2 inch trim. I was sooo relieved. I proceeded to go back to my dark brown original color (the end result was a little darker then my natural color) and I will not be going blond anytime soon…if ever.

WHEW! I feel much better about myself and I can go back to my old hobby of caring for natural hair. My hair looks and feels great which means I look and feel great! Look out for more blogging in the upcoming months as I get back on track with my healthy hair regimen.

Below are some pics of my new hair. I’m lovin it. Photos were taken with a phone cam. I promise to take better pics with my nixon soon 🙂

I LOVE this video! I am so happy that Sesame Street has taken notice and decided to help our girls feel better about their hair. I definitely try hard to instill a love of hair in my daughter. I try to make hair time enjoyable. I allow her to choose different styles (many were shown in this video) and I make hair time a special time we spend together bonding and talking about different topics. Lately, she has been learning to read, so she reads to me while I finish her requested style. She loves to show off her finished hair to her dad and her brothers when she’s done! I work hard to ensure she remains in love with her hair in it’s natural state.

We watched this video together and the smile on her face drove home the fact that this video is special. I asked afterward if she loved her hair and I got a shy smile. My 2 year old son even enjoyed singing the song and wanted to see the video again and again. I was always a huge fan of Sesame Street, since I was a small child. Videos like this just serve to remind me the reason why I love them so. I think everyone should enjoy this video with the little girls in their lives. It wouldn’t hurt to share with some bigger girls as well 🙂

The Story Behind the Video

Joey Mazzarino, the head writer and a puppeteer at Sesame Street, wrote this song in response to his daughter. Joey and his wife have an adopted Ethiopian-born daughter named Segi. He noticed that she was beginning to experience hair issues (issues that most Black women can identify with).

“She was going through this phase where she really wanted like the long, blond hair. … She would look at Barbies and really want the hair.”

Mazzarino decided he wanted to do something to help other young girls appreciate their beauty and embrace their differences. He wrote the song and, with the help of Sesame Street, created this adorable Muppet character. She showcases the variety of ways she can wear her hair while singing its praises and dancing.

“I just want kids to know their hair is beautiful,” Mazzarino said. “I just hope little kids, little girls see this and really feel positive and great about themselves.”

Lyrics

Don’t need a trip to the beauty shop,
’cause I love what I got on top.
It’s curly and it’s brown and it’s right up there!
You know what I love? That’s right, my hair!
I really love my hair.
I love my hair. I love my hair.
There’s nothing else that can compare with my hair.
I love my hair, so I must declare:
I really, really, really love my hair.
Wear a clippy or in a bow
Or let it sit in an afro
My hair looks good in a cornrow
It does so many things you know, that’s why I let it grow
I love my hair, I love my hair
I love it and I have to share
I love my hair, I love my hair!
I want to make the world aware I love my hair.
I wear it up. I wear down. I wear it twisted all around.
I wear braids and pigtails too.
I love all the things my hair can do.
In barrettes or flying free, ever perfect tresses you’ll see
My hair is part of me, an awesome part of me
I really love my hair!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my natural hair. I didn’t always feel this way. It has definitely been a long, long journey. I enjoy playing in my hair and researching and trying new techniques. A former “Product Junkie”, I have recently become very interested in natural hair products. I’ve found that the same natural hair products are usually also great for the skin.

I am asked, constantly, about hair due to the variety of styles I try on myself and my daughter. I find myself writing notes and emails to give to different people who send me questions, so I have decided to consolidate all that information and start a natural hair blog. This blog will be dedicated to natural hair and natural products with some fashion and style thrown in (because I like it)! Bear with me as I get the site up and running. I hope you enjoy and feel free to contact me with any questions or article ideas!