My Natural Hair Journey - An Update

In the last 8 months I've learned a lot about my hair. The things I thought it loved I've discovered it actually doesn't. For instance, almost every product I owned had protein in it. I didn't think that was such a big deal. Wrong! I kept wondering why my hair would love a product the first two times I would use it and then renig by the 3rd time. Also, a lot of the products that folks are in love with my hair turned it's nose up at. Coconut oil? Forget about it! My hair doesn't want it anywhere near my head. I've discovered that there are 2 things that I need:

• Heavy, thick & creamy conditioners
• Jojoba oil for my ends

I have the latter, but I'm still working on finding the former. So far this year I have declared Mixed Chicks conditioner as a staple and that's it. I use it for deep conditioning and my hair seems to really like it. I still need to find a new co-washer and a new leave in conditioner so if you're a 4a/b like myself, and like really thick and creamy conditioners, please leave me your suggestions.

This was me last year around summer time:

and this is me today:

Although my hair has grown, it hasn't grown drastically. What has happened is that it has thickened up a lot! I love that! Unfortunately this fall I stopped taking care of my hair the way I use to and had to chop off 2 inches in November. I had to retrim my hair again last week because the ends were so dry and splitting. The reason for the second trim is that i was having a hard time keeping my hair moisturized. So much so that I was starting to go into panic mode! Now that I use mixed chicks as as deep conditioner, all seems to be right with the world. My hair can stand to be a bit more moisturized still, so the hunt is on. I don't think I will have to worry about trimming my hair so soon this time though.

My goal for the next 3 months is to find conditioners that really moisturize my hair, bun my hair as much as possible so I can stop playing with it and pulling strands out, and work on reaching APL by June. I should be able to do all of those things, I just have to be dedicated.

~HG