Relaxer Update

Well since my relaxer on July 29th, which was on a friday and I was also 12 weeks post...sigh...I wanted to go longer but my hair was crying for help so I had to end my stretch. I didn't take pics because I do have a SD card for my phone so I can't take pictures yet and I don't like using my husband phone when I'n trying to take the pictures myself...so I'll just talk about it I guess. For my relaxer I used the ORS olive oil lye relaxer. I actually like it because It really does a good job of making my hair straight when I do it right. I based my scalp with grease and put olive oil on the relaxed part of my hair.

One thing that you will know about me which is sort of my weakness is that I am a scratcher...I will stratch my scalp for the fun of it and I am really trying to stop because I am seeing that it's unessecary manipulation
to my hair and it does more harm than good but this is a habit that I had since I was a little girl in elementary school and I am 26 years old now so yeah it's a lifelong habit I've developed. Well my smart butt had a scratching moment the day of my relaxer day and no matter how much vasenline I put in the areas where I knew I was stracthing the most, I still got burned. The first one I've gotten since I started self-relaxing. I just had to keep nursing it until it went away. I know now that if I did some heavy scratching (which I need to knock off on) on my scalp I need to wait a few days before I relax. Well other than that my hair was good and I got some good length....I am sooooooo close to APL. I think one more stretch, maybe another 12-14 weeks I'll make it there even though I still need a trim. So all I did was blow dry, flat iron, bump the ends and wrapped my hair. I still hate the fact that I had to used heat tools and I am aware what consistent heat will do to my ends.

As of Friday I will be 3 weeks post relaxer and all I've been doing is rocking a ponytail or a wrap and just bumping the ends (ugh more heat :( ) so I haven't been really creative this month mainly because I've been sick so I have been trying to avoid messing with my hair all together. So far so good my hair is doing ok. Just have to limit the manipulation of my hair that's all.


Until Next time Be Blessed!!

Hair Journey- Stretch Update and Protective Styles

Well, this stretching period wasn't a good one. My hair has been so dry and as a result I think I may have suffered from breakage which isn't good at all so I'm gonna have to tighten up on my moisture balance. I think switching my moisturizers was a bad ideal...I was using Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship but I don't think it's great for moisturizing new growth. My new growth is usually managable but not this time. I miss my S-Curl so bad my roots weren't as moisturize like it usually is. The S-curl makes my new growth so shiny and soft and manageable so I got paid today and when I go to the beauty supply store to get my tools to relax my hair tonight I'm getting the S-Curl. Also I ran out of Castor oil and Olive Oil so I have to get more of that and also I need another Moisturizing Conditioner I was using Queen Helene but I may use the Cream of Nature brand. I see now that my hair still needs more moisture than protien....I will still alernate between the moisture and protien levels so I won't get an overload of both. I am still searching for a new leave in....The Garnier Frutis is ok but it makes my hair wet and leaves my hair feel residue-y like I don't know so until I buy the all ingredients for the Kimmaytube Leave-In I will stick to my Elasta QP leave-in. So I had to get that out cause my hair is in a ponytail and it's a big frizzball I am so disappointed I hope this next stretch will be better.

And futher along with that my protectuve styles weren't as great either. I have been wearing either a bun or a drawstring ponytail that my husband hates. And to be honest I really don't like it anymore either...So I have been doing some research on Hairlista, Youtube, Google, and a few blogs to get some ideals on how to keep my hair looking good but still be protected. I have found some channels on youtube that I've subscribed to and they have a gift with styling their hair. I don't have it yet it'd gonna take me a while but I'm not giving up. And I also have some friends and family members who would love to do my hair for me lol (Tamika & Shamika no relation). And when I stretching I think cornrows & twists will be my bestfriends so I won't have to worry about my edges. I'm practicing on how to cornrow and twist so me styling it on my own right now isn't a first option. I am considering adding half wigs and sew-ins to my protective styles as well. I'm a little nervous about this cause I never owned a wig before and I hate the fake shiny look with wigs as well. Ponytails will still be my staple but I think I won't limit myself to just using drawstrings and I am also considering making my own clip on extensions because I refuse to pay $100 for any and I don't like using glue either. So I'm adding extensions. My husband doesn't really care for weave and honestly neither do I but with being shoulder length it's not really easy to keep up with and also that length is the most vurnerable because it right at your shoulders of course duh lol. But anywho your ends are rubbing against your clothes and causing friction which will cause split ends and breakage so I'm coming up with some simple styles like for church and work and for concerts so my hair will be straight and safe during this time until I reach APL and I'll have more liberty.

"MMO" Journey Series- My Hair Journey

In February of 2008 I cut my hair completely off due to boredom and breakage...I always liked short cuts but it was too expensive to keep up with and I didn't want it short any more. So through 2008-2009 I wore braids and ponytails (thanks to my sister in law Tamika) or I just brushed down lol I know right not so good....so in 2009 I did managed to get my my hair to about neck lenght. I was always able to get my hair to at least shoulder length but then it would break off and then I would have to cut it again. Since 2004 that was sort of like a cycle. By the end of 2009 early 2010 I was looking on Youtube lol trying to learn how to wrap my hair. That was when I came across Sunshyne's channel from Hairlista and I was amazed at how long her hair was and also the fact that she was a sistah. She wasn't mixed ...I used to think in order for black girls to have long hair they had to either have two things: either you had to have some other ethnic background or money to have a real good hairstylist that knew how to take care of your hair. Ms. Sunshyne has 4B hair I believe and her hair is past her bra strap when I saw that I was hooked and was determined that if she could do then so could I.

I know this picture was already posted but this was the last pic I really had before I started my hair journey. As you can see my hair is different lengths..short in the front and long in the back. I don't know why but it always grew like that. My hair was dry and very hard to managed at the time and always breaking off..well that was before I knew better. I didn't know half of what I know now about Healthy Hair Care lol or at least of what I think I know. Well after watching Hairliscous(lol i know i spelled that wrong) I joined Hairlista.com which is her social website. I joined in December of 2009 but I really didn't get serious about it yet because I guess wasn't shopping for any good products and I really didn't know my hair at all. All I knew was that it was thick and it was breaking lol. Like I said youtube became my inspiration and I found other people as well like UloveMegz and Tracyee from K-I-S-S(Keep It Simple Sistah) I saw so many progressions and success from these ladies. Before Youtube and Hairlista I didn't know anything about my hair and the fact that all these years my hair was travailing lol for help and I didn't even know. So after all of the info I read I finally made up my mind that I wanted to take better care if my hair. So in October of 2010 which was my last relaxer at the time, I officially started my hair journey and became obscessed with anything hair care related.

My goal is to reach APL which is Arm Pit Length I haven't reached it yet but I'm not giving up I know it's possible. I believe the last 9 months was a time of trial and error, a moment for me to learn what products work and what didn't work....the few setbacks that I have to overcome. I had my last relaxer May 7th 2011, I remember because I had to take pictures that day I blow dried it and bump the ends and didn't use a flat iron...here's a pic on the left. As you can tell from the last pic the front has grown a lot longer and thicker. I thank God for the sources that I found and I have stuck with since October of last year. I now know how to balance my moisture and protien and how to keep my hair moisuturized and sealed. Staying away from constant heat and trying to limit how much I manipulate my hair. Since then I have stretched my relaxer since this picture and here's a picture of that.

Front (i just washed my hair and airdried)

Back (lol I'm horrible at taking pictures with this phone)

I know it doesn't look like I have lenght but boy is it thick OMG. Since May was my last relaxer I am about 11 weeks post as of now. These pictures were taken Wednesday. I have so much new grow and I have to keep it moisturized on a daily basis or else I will have a problem. I planned to relax my hair in September but my new growth is too coarse and is sucking up all the moisture I put on it so I will be relaxing in August I think maybe either this week or next week when I'm 13 weeks. This saturday I'll 12 weeks, afterwards I will bw getting a trim. But I am jumping off on my journey in September with everything and keeping up with my regimen.

My Hair Health/Length Goals

• Short Term - To reach APL by April 2012
• To stop Breakage and Shedding
• To learn how to airdry my hair the right way
• Eliminate how much I'm using heat and how much I manipulate my hair
• to grow my nape and my edges ( i have thick edges they're just shorter than the rest of my hair)
• Reduce my relaxers to 3-2x a year (after I reach APL)
• My Long term Length is BSL by October 2012

Hair Styling Goals:

• Learn how to cornroll and twist (Still practing but I need a baby doll or something to pratice on I'm manipulating my hair too much)
• Learn how to do a prefect braid out, and twist out
• Learn how to style with weave
• Learn how to do a good rollerset and flexi rod set

My wishlist

A hooded dryer/ and rollers for my hair length

A better blow dryer with a comb attachment

A new flat iron

The Split Ender/ sheer scissors for my dustings

As far a my regimen and what I plan to revise well here it is.....

Shampoo 1x a week

Deep Condition 2x a week

Cowash 1x a week (after I'm 6 weeks post...and I need a conditioner for this I think it will be either VO5 or Elasta QP)

Use a Leave-In/ Airdry (After I get a new blow dryer I'll blow dry on cool)

Moisturize and Seal Daily

Hard Protien Treatment ( It was a week before relaxer which is every 3-4 months so I may just still do that but also add every 7 weeks to it)

I need a trim after my relaxers

And I do protective styles ( as of now buns and pony tails but there will be more)

My Products:

M- moisture  P- protien

Shampoos

Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo(M)

Cream of Nature Detangling Shampoo (M)

Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair (P)

Conditioners

Queen Helene Cream Cholesterol (M)

Elasta QP Conditioner(M)

Aphogee Keratin 2 min reconstructor(P)

Leave- Ins

Elasta QP H-2

Aphogee Keratin Green Tea Reconstructorizer

Aphogee Pro Vitamin Leave In

Garnier Frutis

(I do Plan on Using Kimmaytube's Leave-In I have heard great reviews and also wanna try Giovanni Leave in)

Moisturizers

Herbal Essences LTR

S-Curl (going back to my first love)

Oils

Castor Oil

Olive Oil

Jojoba Oil(plan to buy)

It's Pretty Detailed but I am on my way to APL and I'm determined to get there. My next Hair post will be on my relaxer update. Until then Be Blessed....

Introducing my "Make Me Over" Journey

I think I am going somewhere with this blogging thingy lol. Since after few months I see that I only have like one follower lol, I think that this will be the place where I’m going to post this challenge that I have been thinking about doing for a while and the more I’ve been pondering on it the more I want to do it…and I called it the “Make me Over” Challenge or Journey cause that’s what it’s gonna feel like.

After watching Youtube, Hairlista, KISS, and so many blogs, I realized that I wanted to change….I’m 26 years old and I have no kids and so there’s some things about me that I don’t like and would like to fix. Lol don’t get me wrong I love myself I can look in the mirror and tell myself that I’m beautiful. It may not mean much to others but for me it was a very big accomplishment because I had low self esteem on every level. But with God, maturity, self evaluation, a loving family, and a loving, devoted husband…my confidence is a whole lot better. So now there are some habits and ways about myself that I have with myself that I wanna break and I realize that I need to treat my body, health, mind, and spirit a whole lot better than I have been over the last some odd years….since adolescent years. So I am planning to out myself on a Journey to get myself together for the rest of what God has purposed for me and I have to have myself in place to receive it and I’m not missing it this time…so to whoever’s reading this (lol mainly me cause this is who this is for) this will be a long road but I willing to stay determined.

Lord God ,

Thank you for loving me and keeping me God when I didn’t love myself

For thinking of me and knowing me long before I was born,

Please forgive me God for the abuse I have done to myself by not taking care of this creation you made

You knew what I needed and what I could handle even when I was wishing I didn’t have it

The big legs, the tall frame

Thank you Lord for giving me what I need

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made, this is my body this is my temple

Lord please guide me and keep me dedicated on this journey

Keep my encouraged during the times when I want to give up

God keep me surrounded around people who will support me and hold me accountable when I slack off

Lord I give you the glory and all of the praise because It’s only you Lord that will make this possible

You worthy Lord and are able to do All things

In Jesus’ Name

Amen

Everything that’s in God’s Perfect Will is the best plan and the Word does say that He wants us to prosper and be in good health so I am going to succeed and I will achieve my goals so keep praying for me.

These are my goals during this Journey

• Stay on my Hair Journey….but create a more detailed regimen and routine and make more short term goals
• To begin my Spiritual Journey by walking in the Lord’s Will and strengthen my relationship with Him…asking the Lord to show me my purpose in life, strengthening my prayer life, fasting more, reading and studying the Word and spending more time with the Lord, becoming an effective Praise and Worship leader and being available to His Will and sensitive to the Spirit…
• Start my weight loss Journey as well as improving my overall health…
• Embrace my love for Make Up LOL J
• Learn how to dress better, develop my own style, as well as dressing for church, learning how to dress according to my shape
• Be more organized
• Be a better wife to my husband
• Learn how to love myself even the more
• Develop more strength in my singing

There’s always more but these are what’s been the main things I’ve striving for so I am excited.

I’ve set myself for a nine month challenge to get a head start to make a huge lifestyle change cause basically that’s how you’re gonna be able to seen success is to change lol mainly break your old habits so nine months I believe will be long enough….Hey it work for the pregnant ladies out there. I am making this as detailed as possible so for me to understand. Every since May I have been researching and planning for this. My starting month is September the reason for that month is because that is when I will be getting my relaxer after a 4 month stretch and I will be getting a trim to get rid of my split ends…so this is the first post of this journey so Let’s Get It!!!!!

Stay Blessed!!!

Keisha W.

My Makeup Wishlist

I have been into makeup since I was about 20 but now I'm deep into makeup I love it. I love that I have the ability to add more personality and attention to my eyes and evenness (if that's a word) to my skin tone. I have been dabbling with drugstore makeup for a year now and i have had my hit and misses with my makeup now that I can that have tried them all I want to the good quality makeup.


One thing that you know about me is that I am cheap....I like to save some kind of money out what i buy. But i have learned that cheap isn't always good. I will post a pic of my makeup bag soon....I have become a product junkie definately. I would buy cheap makeup and if i don't like it then I won't use it and buy something else. I don't wanna keep doing so if i purchase what i really want then maybe I can build my personal makeup kit. So here what i want in my dream makeup kit.


Foundations
And I will do a post about my deal with foundation...

• 

MAC Studio Tech Foundation $29.50

I have watching YT for a while and MAC is popular. My makeup artist used this for my wedding and it look great in the photos...i don't know why i didn't get this when i went to the MAC counter I got StudioFix in NW45 and it was too light and I was so mad that I spent almost $30 and i don't even use it. So I want to try this again. (Bought it!!!)

MAC StudioFix Powder

I really like this powder. I actually have this powder but it's in NW50 and that's too dark and one of my friends gave it to me. But I like powder foundation a dupe for this to me would be Ruby Kiss Blemish Control Powder from the beauty supply store in chestnut for $4.....i just want it.

MAC's Translucent Powder

I have the NYC setting powder and I'm getting weary with it....I've heard great reviews about this.

Iman Second to None Cream to Power Foundation

I actually like Iman’s products because of the value of it but I wasn’t going to get it again after buying two of the stick foundations in Earth 5&6 and how about Earth 6 is lighter than Earth 5 so I wasn’t going to buy the sticks again. So I still wanted to try the Cream to Powder even though I just bought MAC’s studio tech which I do love but it’s not a full coverage foundation and for $30 I’m gonna make it last a while so I wanted an alternate foundation and wanted to give them another shot.

These are the foundations that I want so I'll move on to eye shawdows and eyeliners which isn't much...

Another Chance with Curves Ahead Makeup :)

Sorry I’ve been MIA but I’ve been really busy and plus I’m still brainstorming on how I wanna do this thing lol but I wanted to post the giveaway that Curves Ahead Makeup is doing for her birthday…she’s so sweet. She giving away a $100 gift card from sephora I’ve never bought anything there so with this card I this will help start a new relationship other than the drug store….lol I’m trying to up grade on my makeup game. So wish me luck…

Friday, July 8, 2011

Its My birthday giveaway $100 sephora gift card

10:25 AM | Posted by Curves ahead makeup | | Edit Post

the time has came and I never thought I would see the day the that it would be my 1st year of blogging .  I gained 899 friends and a  experience of a lifetime . 


my official start date was 5/03 but no matter what I did I couldn't get one follow hahah so I gave it a rest and started it back up 07/08 and then the rest is history . Blogger has opened up my creative side and allowed me to showcase my passion for make up my passion for home deco and fashion . And for that I'm grateful . 


My blog has become a everyday part of my life my followers and the blogs I follow have as well they are part of my everyday . I could have a bad day but my comments always put a smile on my face and all the inspiration I get from the most amazing fashionista on blogger . Its truly been a life experience that I'll cherish forever . And hopeful for the many years of blogging to come . And to continue meeting the beautiful ladies I have had the pleasure to meet . 


I know when I started blog I never would have thought I would have gotten the amazing positive response and I'm grateful for each and everyone of you ladies . And today being my birthday I wanted to thank you ladies for making my life everyday a sweeter !!!!


So that being said I have a one year giveaway for you ladies and I thought and thought what I should do !! 

this is from her blog curves ahead makeup

Diva in Deep thought's iGIGI Giveaway Birthday Edition

One of the blogs that I follow, Yolanda from Diva in Deep Thought has a giveaway. Yesterday was her birthday and she is doing a give away for the fabulous iGIGI clothing line. Truthfully it's nowhere close to my budget but if i was able to get one and I'm speaking that I will, I would get this one I love wrap dresses. I love how it hugs my curves and it give me some kind of shape so I would love to get this dress. Thanks Yolanda for this giveaway and Happy Birthday