Happy New Year, Curl Chaserz! As 2014 opens with promise, it's important to build on what we learned from 2013 in all aspects of life including our precious curls, kinks, waves. Whether you've been natural for 5 minutes, 5 years, or your entire life, the journey too hair greatness is never ending. I've learned a lot about both myself and my curls over the past two years. I thought I had my hair down to a science until I cut my relaxed ends off completely. That's when the game changed...and continues to change as we head into the new year. So what have I learn so far? I've learned:
1. My hair really, really hates Shea Butter products...period! It makes my hair super oily and my scalp itchy. No bueno! I found this especially odd considering that Shea Moisture products saved my life during my transition and the first two months of full-fledged naturalness.
2. All natural products are my dearest friends. They keep my hair and skin happy which is a blessing.
3. Deep conditioners are not a necessary evil. Let me clarify that...store bought DC's are not necessary. My curls totally dig puréed banana, honey, and Jojoba oil homemade deep conditioner.
4. I don't need to deep condition every week even in winter. My hair isn't short on moisture, and buildup can be a beast.
5. I can protect my hair without it taking forever to put into a fancy style that won't last a week. Sister/rope twists in the very front and back make for a stylish and protective style.
6. Henna can be a blessing and a curse.
7. Rinse out conditioners are not a must for me as long as I have a detangling leave-in conditioner handy.
8. Deep treatments are most effective when done before I cleanse.
1. My hair really, really hates Shea Butter products...period! It makes my hair super oily and my scalp itchy. No bueno! I found this especially odd considering that Shea Moisture products saved my life during my transition and the first two months of full-fledged naturalness.
2. All natural products are my dearest friends. They keep my hair and skin happy which is a blessing.
3. Deep conditioners are not a necessary evil. Let me clarify that...store bought DC's are not necessary. My curls totally dig puréed banana, honey, and Jojoba oil homemade deep conditioner.
4. I don't need to deep condition every week even in winter. My hair isn't short on moisture, and buildup can be a beast.
5. I can protect my hair without it taking forever to put into a fancy style that won't last a week. Sister/rope twists in the very front and back make for a stylish and protective style.
6. Henna can be a blessing and a curse.
7. Rinse out conditioners are not a must for me as long as I have a detangling leave-in conditioner handy.
8. Deep treatments are most effective when done before I cleanse.
While what I've learned about my curls so far has been helpful, I know I've still got a lot to learn about "Jada". To keep my journey on track, I've come up with a list of hair resolutions. I decided to share them on the off chance that they might help you as well which brings me to #1.
1. Stress less about hair length goals. I'm happy to say that I made my December length goal, mid-back length at longest point, but I want to put more effort into enjoying my hair this year. It won't be this length forever, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
2. Figure out the best cleansing schedule for my hair. I've been cleansing for my troubled scalp's sake, but my hair usually still looks and feels great.
3. Find the best/effective solution for my scalp issues and stick with it.
4. Experiment with more styles. I'm creative by nature and easy bored with the same ole styles...Nuff said.
5. Protect my hairline and ends more vigorously.
6. Learn more about Jada. This almost goes without saying...I don't know everything I need to know about that sassy lady atop my oft' furrowed brow.
7. Use my wide-toothed comb for wash-n-go styles and my trusty Denman for twists, coils, braids, etc. The brush is better for smoothing my ends for protective styling while the comb provides better separation for down and out styles.
8. Take Jada to her 1st play date/meet up. I haven't been able to find any local ones, so I may have to start my own. When you're as shy as I am in person, organizing a meet up seems rather intimidating to say the least.
What about you, fellow Chaserz? What are your hair resolutions for the New Year? Any ideas for organizing a good meet up? Leave your answers in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Later Days, Curl Chaserz,
~PJ
1. Stress less about hair length goals. I'm happy to say that I made my December length goal, mid-back length at longest point, but I want to put more effort into enjoying my hair this year. It won't be this length forever, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
2. Figure out the best cleansing schedule for my hair. I've been cleansing for my troubled scalp's sake, but my hair usually still looks and feels great.
3. Find the best/effective solution for my scalp issues and stick with it.
4. Experiment with more styles. I'm creative by nature and easy bored with the same ole styles...Nuff said.
5. Protect my hairline and ends more vigorously.
6. Learn more about Jada. This almost goes without saying...I don't know everything I need to know about that sassy lady atop my oft' furrowed brow.
7. Use my wide-toothed comb for wash-n-go styles and my trusty Denman for twists, coils, braids, etc. The brush is better for smoothing my ends for protective styling while the comb provides better separation for down and out styles.
8. Take Jada to her 1st play date/meet up. I haven't been able to find any local ones, so I may have to start my own. When you're as shy as I am in person, organizing a meet up seems rather intimidating to say the least.
What about you, fellow Chaserz? What are your hair resolutions for the New Year? Any ideas for organizing a good meet up? Leave your answers in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
Later Days, Curl Chaserz,
~PJ