Natural Hair Care Woes

I've never been one to want to go the hair salon. In fact, I hate it. Even when I found a hair dresser that would get me in and out in an hour, I still dreaded going. All that money and for what? I rarely wear my own hair. Mainly because I have struggled to keep it healthy and growing. Normally the back of my hair grows, but the front...well, the growth is quite stunted. So in January, I decided I would go natural. No more relaxers. That way I could care for it at home more, and just go to the hair salon when I needed a trim.

Since that time, things have honestly gone quite well! I had half of a "big chop" in May. I got my hair cut to about earlobe length to get rid of half of the relaxed hair. Then I would deep condition and co-wash twice a week. Since then my hair has grown about 2.5 inches, and I've gotten about an inch of growth in the front! How exciting is that!

But I'm lazy. When it comes to girlie things, I'm pure lazy. The only thing I can get myself excited to do is my makeup. But hair? nails? facials??? Ha! Yeah, I'd prefer to watch tv. As a matter of fact, I slacked off for about 3 weeks with my hair, and I'm paying the price. I washed and conditinoed it and when it dried, it DDRRRIIIEEDDD! I mean, it felt so dry and brittle I was afraid that it was all going to snap off! I didn't understand what it wanted. It hates plain oils. It prefers creams. I tried giving it that, but nope, still wasn't satisfied. Well, today I decided I would try again. I co-washed with Organiz Shea Butter Conditioner, and then DC'd with Protectiv MegaGrowth Deep Strengthening Growth Conditioner for about 30 minutes. I rinsed, gently massaged Organics Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion in it and let it air dry. It feels much, much, MUCH better!

I got kind of frustrated with myself for not staying on top of my hair. My dream is to one day wear only my own hair, and have it be natural and beautiful, whether I wear it curly or blow dried straight. However, I need something to keep me on track so I can stay committed! That's when I remembered reading about a challenge on the K.I.S.S. blog. You can read more about that here. The hair part of the challenge is as follows:

Deep Condition at least 1x weekly


Heat no more than 2x monthly

Moisturize and seal nightly
 
I can do that. I WILL do that! I HAVE to do that, if I ever want to have my hair be all me. The challenge also has a fitness and spiritual component to it, so check it out!
 
Here's to loving my hair so that it will love me right back. Wish me luck!
 
~HG