Relaxed Hair Journey Update: I’m Starting Over

A few months back, I decided to start my healthy hair journey and I was excited but I didn’t fully prepare myself for all of the work that it required. Which lead me back to following into some of the same, old bad habits. I would wash my hair and throw it in a few braids and wear wigs.

What I’ve learned is this doesn’t work for my hair. My hair wants and needs to breathe. Within the last 6 months I’ve experienced a lot shedding and hair thinning. I will say that I have been under a tremendous amount of stress which has led to some of this.

I took a big leap of faith and visited a salon to get my hair accessed. Luckily, I knew the stylist and felt like I could trust her with my hair. My hair was washed, deep conditioned, blown out and cut (1-2 inches).

Stylist: Yolanda Jamison

The stylist and I came up with a plan of action on how to take care of my hair going forward. We would cut and relax on my next visit and we did just that!

I’m excited to see what my hair does in the next few months and I’ll be back with an update very soon! I’ve also added a multivitamin to my regimen and I’m drinking my water!

If you’re on this journey, too, don’t get discouraged. We all have to live and learn and currently, I’m learning to take better care of myself.

Relaxed Hair Journey: Month 1 Update

It’s officially been a month since I’ve had my relaxer. I don’t know how to style my hair just yet so I’ve kept it in braids and wore wigs. I’m going to start looking for cute hairstyles to wear. Wish me luck because wigs are life!

I’m also learning how to let my hair air dry. This has been frustrating. I’ve washed my hair twice but the first time I did it I used a prepoo and I’m so excited that I did. I will continue using that. I’m also considering adding a rice water rinse to routine as a lot of people have seen great results from that.

Pre Poo Ingredients:

Love Beauty & Planet Argan Oil & Lavender Smooth & Serene Conditioner 

Black Jamaican Castor Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil

Avocado Oil

I’m currently using a little bit of everything until I run out and decide which hair products I would like to continue using. So stay tuned for and update and let me know what you’re using.

I also cut my hair shortly after this video. Seeing my split ends drove me nuts. That’s exactly what this hair journey is supposed to be about seeing things and making changes!

Becoming My Own Hair Goals

This will be the start of the documentation for my HEALTHY HAIR CARE journey! For so long, I’ve said that I’ll start wearing my real hair once I reach this length or if my hair gets styled this way and I had to realize I wasn’t taking any steps in the right direction to help me achieve those goals.

It hit me like a ton of bricks when I read on Instagram that “women will take better care of their extensions/weaves than they do their real hair.” I am guilty as charged. I don’t care for my hair like I should under my wigs and that all changes TODAY!!!

I’ve tried doing the natural hair thing and that just wasn’t for me. I think we all our own paths and you’ll learn which one is yours. With me relaxing my hair I have to learn how to make sure my hair remains healthy.

I stumbled upon Hairlicious on Youtube when trying to find great hair care tips for relaxed hair so I’m going to start by following some of her recommendations.

Over the course of 3 months I will do the following steps and see what type of results I can achieve.

Helpful Information:

I’m 3 months postpartum.

Currently taking my prenatal vitamins and coconut oil capsules.

Last Relaxer & Trim: April 18, 2019

Step 1: Identify my hair care needs/goals

My hair is thinner in the front than the back.

I want my hair to be thicker overall.  

Step 2: Create a Wash Day Routine

Wash hair 1x a week (unless in a protective style)

Deep condition 20-30 minutes 1x a week (w/ add ons)

Apply Leave-in and detangle

Air dry

Moisturize and seal with Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Step 3: Protective Styles

Braids

Wigs

Deep Conditioner Additions:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Avocado Oil

Coconut Oil

I’m excited and nervous but I know it will all be worth it in the end. I will do a 1 month update on or around May 18th to do a check in and then I’ll do my final check in around July 18th to conclude my 3 month reboot and length check.

 Are you team natural or relaxed?