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!

Well, I'm still in the transition. I've had a lot of breakage and shedding so we had to cut off about an inch today. I'm still determined to transition without the big chop, though. I believe that I will need to wash and condition my hair more than I used to. That's okay. I now that I will have my long hair back and it will be healthier than ever. Sometimes, you have to get rid of the old to get the new. It's coming. In the meantime, at least the dead ends are gone. June 23 will be 3 months without the touch up. Here we go!

Well, yesterday marked 2 months without putting any new relaxer on my head! So far, I'm making it okay. I need a trim so my hair isn't holding any style well but it's not so bad for now. Now, I realize that I still have a lot further to go in this journey. My hair feels dry and I have to laugh because it's probably in shock without new relaxer in it but I'm happy. I know that this relatively short period of time of transition will yield years of healthy and happy hair! I have been hearing a lot about Deign Essentials for the hair. I bought some Carol's Daughter cream moisturizer. Maybe I put too much in my hair but it make it feel a little oily. Not blaming the product, just the user!

Now, for my nails. Another journey. I was told about Nail Life which can be purchased at Sally's. I'm going to use hat and will keep my nails shorter. Here are a couple of pictures of them. Brace yourselves:

The first has what appears like some white film over the nails. That's simply the product (No Chip stuff) that couldn't be totally taken off The next picture shows my nails with the Nail Life on them. It's like a clear polish. The good thing is that you can see the new growth toward the bottom of my nail beds so it's only a matter of time before my nails are strong and healthy. Until then, they need the TLC.

Now, for the skin care. I can't WAIT until our SOul PUrpose skincare line comes out! It'll start shipping next month. Many of the products are based in Vitamin C. We also have other awesome products in it, like the Rose Water and Glycerin elixir. I just can't wait. The Caudulie products that I have been using are almost out and I'm not buying another thing until my skincare comes from SOul PUrpose! Ooh, I love this company!

Moving Right Along

March 23, 2012. I have that day written down as a significant day, although I wasn't aware of it when it occurred. That was the last time that I received a touch up. I went back to get my hair done last weekend and advised that I only wanted color. I also got a deep conditioner but now relaxer. So we're moving on! Here's a picture of my hair the day after it was done:

Looking healthy and shiny! My hairdresser was pleased with the fact that he was able to get it fairly straight. Of course, there isn't much new growth yet so I haven't even really begun the journey yet. Well he hasn't either, I suppose. So, we'll go through this together. I've got back ups, just in case, though. I am enjoying talking with people about their experiences. I feel like I've joined a new family, in a way. And my appetite for information on transitioning the hair and natural hair care if insatiable!

For the record, I have the names of several places that can do "natural" hair to get it pretty straight, if you are looking for a straight hairstyle. They are:

1) Maxine's on Rush: Quiana or Michelle. Supposed to be good but prices are high.
2) Bella Mia, South Loop: Don't recall the stylist's name but she's supposed to be pretty good.
3) Nina's, Matteson
4) Yehia, various locations: I'm concerned about the amount of heat that they use. They also use Brazilian straighteners but I'm concerned with the formaldehyde in it.
5) Law's Concept, Bronzeville
6) AJES, West Loop: Known for doing natural hair but high prices
7) Toss, South Loop: Of course I'm going to mention them because I've been with Robert since 1996! I don't know if he does a lot of natural hair but I know that John does (straight styles) as does another women in there who does dreads and twists.

I've also read that Carol's Daughter has a new line of shampoos and conditioners that are good for hair in transition. May check it out!

Now, the nails! I feel liberated, of sorts! I removed the no-chip manicure. Verdict: I LOVE how it makes my nails look but I can't keep it on too long. Makes the nails weak. Here's how they look right now:

I'll keep on getting regular manicures to help to build them back up but I'm probably going to check out salons that specialize in natural nail care.

Onward and upward!

Wow! I have to laugh because it looks like I end up writing on my blog for a little bit and then put it down for a year before picking it up again. Life happens. Conflicting priorities, etc. Either way, here it is, almost a year later, and I'm writing again! LOL!

It's a little bit different from the last time. I was trying to journal a bit but not with a purpose. More so, to just express thoughts. Now, I'm on a mission. I'm still trying to muster the courage to maintain the commitment to this but I'm going to do it, some way. My "mission" is to move more towards the natural. What do I mean? No I'm not going all the way, giving up everything synthetic. In today's age, it's a bit difficult to avoid that. But I am being more conscientious about some things and that does call for change from some of the "processing" that I have endured for so long.

So, here's a picture of me that was taken around 4:00 pm today. Not particularly my most shining moment. I look worn out. My hair looks crazy, skin is dull and lifeless. Nails look like claws. No, I'm not being hard on myself. I'm just being real and recognizing the need for change. So, that's what's going to happen. Change is a-coming.

First, I have decided to grow the perm out of my hair. The relaxer has taken it's toll and I have breakage in various spots. It's a hard call because I've had a relaxer for so many years (30+) but I'm seeing people who I know who have grown their relaxers out and their hair looks so healthy. It's maintenance but I know that it will be worth it when I can get through it. Now, I'm not a totally natural gal. I still intend on wearing straight hairstyles. I don't see myself in braids, twists or dreadlocks (although I find nothing wrong with those dos). They simply aren't my style. But there are hair stylists who specialize in styling hair without relaxers and it looks like the people have relaxers after they are done! I'm going to see if my hairdresser will work it without breaking my checkbook! Otherwise, I have done some research and found the names of some others who specialize in this. So I've got options. Oh, and I will be coloring the gray! Not ready to sport it yet! I have been using a cellophane. We'll see if that will work on the gray without a relaxer.

Second, I have been getting a "no chip" manicure since the beginning of the year. While I love how it looks, I've decided to go back to my natural nails. Thus the reason why I'm showing them now. Because they will look very different within the next couple of weeks.

Third, I will be using the Soul Purpose skin care line as soon as it comes out in June. The one for normal to oily skin has a Vitamin C cream in it which will help with my complexion. And we will have a gentle fade cream in the collection which will help with the dark spots. I'll still use medication from the dermatologist until my skin is back in order but I will be using the other products to help with this in the meantime. And I have started my mission to drink 64 oz of water a day, which will work wonders on the skin.

So, between all of this, eating better, getting rest and exercising, I should look much better! Easier said than done. That's why I call this a journey. My blog will highlight my challenges and triumphs as I make my way through!

Can't wait to keep you filled in on it all!