Funny how something can be in front of your eyes but you don't pay attention to it. As mentioned, I don't want to give away the secrets in the book that I mentioned regarding growing your hair long but let me just say that many of the ingredients that she mentions in one of the secrets can be found in the Soul Purpose Hair Butter. It's easier to use and smells much better. So, I'll be using what I already have, thank you very much! And, oh yes. The Soul Purpose Nurture Skincare Line will be out by August 7. OMG! I can't wait. Finally, I signed up for yoga classes at Chaturanga Yoga in Hyde Park and I went to the gym to work out yesterday. So, am I trying to make positive changes in my life? You bet! All of this will lead to better results not just in my hair but also in my skin, nails, body, spirit, etc.

Onward and upward!

Well. 4 months and counting. I admit that I've had some set backs that have been discouraging but I'm going to keep my chin up and keep on moving forward. I've shown you the unevenness of my hair in an earlier photo. Well, I had to take the chop to get it in better shape so I feel like I've gone backwards in terms of the length but the cut looks good and I'll be able to grow it better so it will be where I want it to be soon. I'm starting the 6 month challenge so I've got to get my health and everything else in place. Massage the scalp, take my vitamins, exercise and relieve stress. I'm going to go sign up for yoga today and will be hitting the health club, too. Can't play around. I have a picture of myself (I'll attach it) where my hair looks =crazy and I look like I'm 3 months pregnant because my abs are so out of control. Nothing will get better if I don't make some changes so I'm doing them now. The Soul Purpose skin care line is coming out shortly and that will help with my skin. Can't wait. It'll feel like the new me after being disciplined and working out!

This is he picture with my godson, Romero, that made me see that I need to make some changes. The hat is to hide my hair. You can see my belly.

These are pictures of my hair from the front after I got it cut again. It's cute. Just shorter than planned. Much more even now, though.

Now this is the back of my hair. Very full after 4 months without a perm. Again, shorter than desired (although we've had a hot summer so it's been a bit of a relief). I'll take pictures each month to show the progress. Count this as month 1!

Well, I have bought the book, Grow It Long! I like it! Great information. Very poor editing. Blatant typos. But, if you can get beyond those, then the information provided in invaluable. It's great for everyone and it will help not only the hair but the rest of the body, too. There is a 6 month challenge in it. Grow your hair 6 inches in 6 months. I'm on it! No worries. Between following the advice in the book, exercising, using my Soul Purpose skin care line (as soon as it comes out) and everything else, I'm going to look like a new person! Can't wait!

And...I'm getting the Design Essential Strengthening System in my hair next week! Can't wait! It will make my hair stronger and more manageable. With the active ingredient being cysteine amino acid (which is a part of protein), I can't wait to get it! It will definitely help because the hair is just protein!

I'll start the count for the 6 months after I get the system in my hair. In the meantime, here's a look at my hair and nails. I decided not to cheat. My hair isn't the best that it's looked but I have to show it to you so that you can truly see the before and after:

While my nails are getting better, you can clearly see the unevenness and breakage on one side of my head. We're going to have to even that out (yuck! More cutting!). Then it's on to sets and other alternative hairstyles to take care of my hair while it's growing out. Well, at least I can say that I haven't had to do the big chop! July 23 will be 4 months without the perm! I'm on my way!

Hey there! Nothing really big to report. I'm still in the transition. Not giving up! I'm approaching month 4. July 23 will be the date, in fact. More shedding, some breaking. It just looks rough! I tried to wash it myself the other night and I looked like the Heat Miser! That's done. I have an appointment to get my hair done on Saturday. I'm going to ask for the twist out (braiding it, letting it dry and then unravelling the braids). My hair looked good when I did it like that when my hair was longer so it will probably be pretty cute with it being a little bit shorter. I know that I'll get through this but I've made up my mind on a couple of things:

1) I will try the Design Essentials Strengthening System as soon as the young lady starts offering it. She advised that she will be offering it soon. I'm hoping that it will be this summer, i.e before the end of the month. Not sure how much longer I can go with my hair like this. Basically, it works like a keratin treatment without the harmful formaldehyde because the active ingredient is cysteine amino acid, which is part of what makes up the hair, anyway. It makes the hair smooth and silky when you blow it dry but still allows for some curl when you want to where it naturally. And, perhaps best of all, it washes out after 3 months so, if you don't like it, you don't have to go back to it. So I wouldn't have to go through the transition again.

2) I am going to get this book called Grow It Long. There are a lot of books and other information out there about going natural. This one seems to take it and advises on how to help it grow healthy, too. It's currently at my nape. By this time next year, I'm hoping that it will be at least at my shoulders if not beyond. I'm going to see if I can get it to bra length. It's been there before but it seems like it gets there and then starts breaking - probably because the hair has had perm for so long. So I can only imagine how healthy it will be without perm!

I'm not giving up! I'm still moving forward. I'll take pictures after I get it done this weekend. Pictures each month, in fact, to show the growth!