M-I-A

Hey, hey, hey!! I know it's been a minute since I've posted.. but I've been trying to come up with what I wanted to discuss first.

So.. I decided I would just show a few pics of my hair and what I've been doing over the past month.. I've got two protective styles I'm going to be working on in the next few weeks, so I'll keep you updated.

A curly fro..

There's a puff back there!

And then... I got it straightened!!

And some new color :)

I didn't keep the straight hair too long because I wanted more versatility..so I twisted it and got this..

When I got my hair straightened, I wanted to stay away from heat damage so I had a natural hair stylist straighten it.. she did a good job.. I'll go back to her to get my hair done professionally.. I can say though, that my curl texture is definitely looser than before..and I'm ok with that.. for the moment. Once I put it in a protective style and keep my hands out of my hair, all should be well.. I'll post some pics of those protective styles soon!

Naturally,

Ash

My Hair Regimen

Hola! I know it's been a few weeks since I've posted and I am so sorry! But.. I'm back on target!

Last time, I gave you my hair story.. today, I just want to tell you what I do to take care of my hair. One important thing to remember is that your hair journey and hair regimen.. is just that.. Yours! One thing I've spent so much time doing is researching what other individuals did but never establishing MY own recipe for MY hair. Until, probably about 3-4 months ago! I finally decided, I needed to do my hair, for me.. and learn my hair, for me.. and I'm happy with my regimen and hopefully, so is my hair! :)

For me, I wash my hair weekly. Mostly on Saturdays, for church. Yes, I was raised that way--get your hair done Saturday for church on Sunday. It may sound silly, but hey.. it works, lol!

I wash using Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Aloe Vera Shampoo- my natural hair stylist recommended it for moisture, but I love the way it smells and my hair feels clean and free after I wash.

I then D/C (Deep Condition) using their Deep Stimulating Conditioner. This smells good too but my hair also feels soft after I wash the conditioner out.

For a leave-in, it depends on how I'm feeling and what style I choose..

If I'm protecting my hair (which is most important, in maintaining hair growth), I use my Prettydimples01 Shea Butter or Kimmaytube's Leave-In conditioner. Now, I've used Kimmaytube's method most recently and I can say, my curls have been defined and my hair does feel moisturized, but, my hair sometime feels too greasy. so, the jury is still out on this product. If I want I get my hair braided and then a style, I use Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner. Quick, clean and contains Shea butter.. can't go wrong with that!

For styling.. I stick with either the sheabutter mix or.. Miss Jessie's products!! I love, love, love their stuff! Now, it is extremely expensive but I believe so worth it! I found them at the beauty supply store, here in Durham.. so, I buy the travel size (2 oz) until I can afford to add them to my budget. For Christmas, I did catch the BOGO, sale and got the Curly Pudding for me and the Baby Buttercreme for my daughter.. Her hair loves it!!

Now, upon mad..MAD research, I've come to learn that protective styling helps retain moisture and promotes growth. So, especially during this harsh winter we're having, keeping our hands out of our hair, is productive for not only your hair, but helps retain moisture and promotes growth.

So.. that's how I take care of my hair.. Share your favorite products.. I'd love to maybe try them.. depends on the cost! :)

Oh.. and Happy Valentine's Day!

~Ash

Why I'm Natural

Happy Friday Family!! It's going to be a great day in your neighborhood! Whoo!!

Today, I wanted to talk briefly about my hair journey and why I decided to let go of the 'creamy crack', in addition to one important tip to help get adjusted to the new you.

I started the process in October of 2007.. that was my last relaxer and for 7-8 months, I wore braids.. kinky braids and micros to keep my hands out of my hair. At the time, I had know idea I was transitioning.. I just knew I wanted to go natural. Now, let me first tell you that my hair has gone through every style you can think of.. braids, sew-ins, honey blond streaks, short and bobbed, long and wrapped.. you name, I've had it. Jeremy (my husband) had been growing locs for about a year at that time, so I would go with him to get his hair re-tightened and when I told his loctician (who eventually became my stylist) that I wanted to go natural she didn't believe me.. Jeremy didn't even believe me, either! And I went back and forth for a while.. until June, 2008..

We miscarried. I felt like my lifestyle-- weight, hair process, eating habits, caused us to miscarry. So, I took action.. I stopped eating red meat, exercised and cut the relaxer of of my hair.. And immediately after, I felt relieved. But the next day, I had a sorority event to attend and a soror asked me, 'Soror, why did you cut your hair?' I couldn't come up with a response and started becoming a little self-conscious as I started going out in public. Soon thereafter, I felt like a boy! I had to work an etiquette dinner and I felt like my hair was a distraction.. I tried on my suit 40 different times and cried for three days after that. I felt like I made the biggest mistake.. But I remembered something Anji told me when she cut my hair.. 'get used to the new you.. get used to seeing your hair in its natural state..' so I sucked it up and learned to love my hair.. the way it was. Fro and all.. Eventually, I added color, coils and it started growing..and growing.. and growing.

That wasn't brief.. at all.. but you get the point.. :).. If you are thinking about or just did the BC (big chop)--Remember one thing.. learn your hair without styling it first... run your fingers through it.. love your hair, naturally!

Shoot me some questions-- email me and check out my facebook Fro-to Album-- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=6845599&aid=2683935. I look forward to your questions, thoughts, etc..

Next Friday, I'll be out of town.. but I'll post when I get back.. See you soon! :)

Fro'd Out,
Ash G.

Welcome & Prettydimples01

Welcome to Loving Your Hair, Naturally!

This blog is created to give details about natural hair journeys. Recently, having natural hair has become more popular and many of my friends or people that I know, ask questions and exchange ideas, products and help learn to love natural hair. Thus, I decided to write about it.
So.. please tell someone about this blog and leave comments, ideas, tutorials, etc.

Now.. in an effort to get this thing started. I introduce to some and present to others.. prettydimples01-- check her website out--

http://www.heavilyrooted.com/ and her YouTube channel--http://www.youtube.com/user/PRETTYDIMPLES01 for styling tutorials.

I first found prettydimples01, last year. I was tired of doing the same o same o, to my hair and I wanted to try new styles.. that I could do myself. So, I went to my third favorite past time-- YouTube! And typed in hair styles and her channel came up. She talked about her Shea Butter Mix and I bought it.. and I loved it!!! It smelled good and was inexpensive for a nice amount (I think 4 oz). I also tried a couple of her styles and I think they came out pretty cute!

And.. on Christmas Eve.. I met her!! :). She was in NC and I made an appointment to get my hair done and I was so cute! She did a mini-twist protective style and I loved it and got compliments from co-workers! See!

She's a very nice young lady and very funny, I might add. She tells it like it is and is very helpful and knowledgeable when it comes to hair.. So, with that said.. check her out and buy some Shea butter.. it helps with moisture and smells soo good!! And tell her I sent you!

Thanks for reading and I'll be back next week! Oh.. follow and tell someone else!

Fro-to-licious,

Ash G.