Saturday, May 11, 2013

10 Weeks Post and No Plans to Relax Just Yet

I just had to share this because I cannot believe that I'm not mid relaxer at this point. I usually couldn't wait to crack open that tub of relaxer and go to town on these naps! Lol!  I must be ill or something. But seriously, I've been doing really well. I haven't used any heat since the last time I flat ironed. I've been trying to use some more creativity with my styles. Early in the week I used my curlformers to achieve heatless curls. Before that I tried out a "twist" and curl which did not turn out the way I hoped, but I still got compliments.  I washed my hair on Thursday night and allowed my hair to air dry in a bun. Heat free, kinky roots, and still not relaxing.

It seems to be getting easier for me getting through my wash day with the longer stretch.  Before I was just so worried about causing a lot of breakage.  I would also worry about how I would style my hair with all that new growth popping.  Using all of the proper techniques my wash days have been a breeze. Washing in sections, DC-ing, proper detangling, using my Magic Star Jumbo Rake, and making sure I have the time to dedicate to my hair. Age in ATL shared some amazing wash day tips on her blog for stretchers and transitioners which I definitely incorporate into my wash days.  Check out her two part post here and here.

On my wash days I have been trying to incorporate a lot more moisture lately.  It is SO important to keep your new growth moisturized; but you also need protein to add strength. I've been trying to use the wet strand test to determine what my hair needs.  The last couple of washes the strand snapped without any stretching from what I could tell, so I  think I need to take a little break from protein.  Last night I DC'd with a new deep conditioner (I am a severe product junkie; well I may have witnessed worse lol). I tried out the ORS Curls Unleashed Moisturizing Conditioner and so far I really like it.  Could become a possible staple.  I will do an official review after a couple more uses. I've also tried to throw in a co-wash here and there. Keeping my hair soft and moisturized is helping with my stretching and getting through my wash day.  I think I had about 5 shed hairs and VERY minimal breakage during my wash.  I could not believe I did not find a clump of hair in the shower with 10 wks of new growth. No clumped, matted, or tangled hair.  No ripping, tearing, or breaking (which I would have experienced pre-HHJ.).  I must be doing something right.

I guess one other reason I'm not slapping that cream on my head is because now that I'm self relaxing I don't look forward to it as much.  Relaxer day can be long and exhausting. This may be my motivation for stretching....or even going natural. Hmmm....

Tiny curl I tried to capture at 8 wks post;
just makes me want a head full of curls :-)
I am still trying to see how long I can go.  If I don't relax next weekend, I will definitely be relaxing for sure at  12 weeks post. Another week down, two more to go???

How is your stretch going?



Thanks for reading,
   Andrea

12 comments:

  1. Keep it up Andrea! Looks like your stretch is going great, if aint broke dont fix it lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! Thank you, Jas! I am still shocked that I have gone this long. It's really not so bad.

      Delete
  2. Congrats on your stretch so far. Those curls could really tempt a girl to lean towards the natural side. I'm 13weeks post without any issues and have 3 more weeks to go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Tomi! I'm starting to get the hang of it now that I know how to handle my hair properly. I feel like I may even be able to go past 12. I'm learning a lot from all you pros! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad the posts helped sis! You are on the right track by keeping an eye on what your hair needs (protein vs. moisture). That is SO important when stretching. Stretching becomes so much easier each time you do it and have the products to help. Congrats on continuing your stretch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Your tips are really helping.

      Delete
  5. Congrats Andrea! You are becoming a pro at stretching yourself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Melanie! I just had to ease into it. lol

      Delete
  6. Get it! Practice makes perfect!

    www.savingourstrands.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Come on over to the transitioning side Andrea! The weather's beautiful :p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl if I keep checking out all these natural hair blogs I just might! lol

      Delete

Thoughts and suggestions are welcome. :)

Featured Post...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020!!!!

Happy Holidays to the one person that might be reading this!  Mine have been a bit busy with studying for exams. I'm trying to cram a lo...

Popular Posts