Hair Success! What Twists and Twists Outs Have Reaped!

coconut oil to the twists the night after I wash and then two days later, castor oil to seal after I spritz the ends with water. tlynn

Wow...it IS just you...but didn't your mom ever tell you that if you didn't have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself? Trust me, it's grown. But hey, let's see your hair so we can all judge, shall we? SheThrives11

Christelyn All I implied is that I couldn't tell the difference between your hair length in the 2009 pic verses the 2011 pic. I apologize if my statement offended you. I've been natural for 4 years, and I always tell women they should do so if they want healthy hair, not just for length. I see that you are sensitive in regards to hair length, so I won't comment any more on this thread.

Also, I'm friends with you on facebook, so you can check my profile pic to see my hair if it really interests you that much. Perhaps I can recommend the forum nappturality.com where you can view my profile as well as other black women sharing our natural hair reflections and journey. You may already be a member, but I find the forum great for sharing pics.

Christelyn SheThrives11 LMAO!!!!!

SheThrives11 What in the bloody?

SheThrives11 http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8232/bowiedisapproves.gif

ForestElfQueen SheThrives11 Lol Good one lol

ForestElfQueenSheThrives11

lolz....ur too funny

ForestElfQueenSheThrives11 This gif is still funny lol

blackpanthershaySheThrives11glamdollChristelyn the gall, really. <shakes head>

sigh. such is the innernetz. -.-

What I mean by "heat" is an products that manipulate the texture of the hair through the mechanical process of heat and tension. That's blow drying on high using a comb or blow dry brush, pressing with a comb or flat ironing. It was a hard thing to admit and I denied it for a long time, mostly because I wanted to do what I wanted to do,but the fact is that heat on ANY hair type is damaging. So I only blow dry and straighten every 3-4 months so I can get 1/4 inch trim. Otherwise, I wear my hair naturally and twist and twist out. You know what was REALLY cool, though? Going into Super Cuts and having "Becky" compliment me on how healthy my hair looked! Patricia Kayden

Christelyn

Okay. Will be more careful with the hot pressing. Thanks!!

MadamCJCPA what is MTG and Alter ego?

MTG is a sulphur and mineral oil mixture used on horses (it is safe for human usage as well) to help grow out their hair. Hence the name of Shapeley's Mane, Tail, Groom. It smells something awful full strength so I mixed some tea tree and peppermint essential oils into the bottle. The sulphur in it helps you hair grow out super fast, but it also speeds up the shedding process. I only use it during the summer when I more active with exercising and washing my hair 3x a week vs. once in the winter, but for some reason when I use it over the summer the accelerated growth doesn't kick in until winter.

Alter Ego is an Italian brand of shampoo and conditioner (check out Amazon.com) that is infused with garlic (garlic is supposed to slow down the shedding process) I usually pre-poo my hair with garlic infused olive oil and the conditioner for an hour, then shampoo as normal, and follow up with a deep conditioner of either protein or moisture dependent upon how my hair feels and with that I sit under my heating cap for about 30 minutes rinse it out, and I'm done after that I just braid my hair up and either sit under my hood dryer or let it air dry. I try to do a little as possible with my hair due to the shedding so I usually just wear a low ponytail or a fishtail french braid. I pin up and tie up my hair in a silk scraf and satin cap and of course I have my satin pillowcases.

MSM is a form of sulfur and besides eggs, you can get great hair from eating onions, which I'm doing a lot of as I'm eating green leafy veggies MadamCJCPA

MadamCJCPA Thanks Madam! I am such a low hair maintenance lady. Too many steps and I am done lol

Christelyn Well, not sure if MSM is recommend while preggo, but I do eat boiled eggs like their going out of style. I crave protein a lot; a steak burrito and boiled eggs, but not at the same time luckily. My doctor says it is no biggie as the steak is good for iron and protein, so I just indulge for now. The hubby isn't too happy though since he is the one I usually send out to get them from my fave restaurant when I start craving burritos.

Oh...yes...the DREADED shedding. It's not necessarily that I lost length, but I definitely lost my thickness. I also nearly went bald around my temples! It doesn't alarm me, because it happens every time I have a young-un. The Babster is 2.5 years old and I went through my shedding stage when I weaned her from the breast at 15 months. I have now gotten all the thickness back, but I mainly attribute it to low-manipulation hair techniques, eating raw, unprocessed foods, and taking MSM powder, green veggie/fruit powders, my protein shakes (CLICK mixed with Amazing Grass) MadamCJCPA

Christelyn That is what I am afraid of, I lost a lot of hair when I had my son but that was ten years ago. I am thin on top where I part my hair in the middle at the front from just natural shedding; I am terrified of how I will look come next year. Unfortunately, I cannot remember whether my post-partum hair loss started while I was still nursing or not, but I want to say it did.

Hm....I don't know...how does one test this? Ren

Christelyn Ren

The strand water glass test mentioned in this article might be helpful?

http://blackgirllonghair.com/2011/10/how-to-deal-with-high-porosity-hair/

Audrey Davis Sivasothy talks about this a little in her book as well.

Well, I have some big ideas on expanding the BB&W brand to include these aspects, because quite honestly I think empowering black women to take control of their hair, health, and beauty is very much a part of BWE. It may seem like "fluff," but like Khadija said, "Beauty is a weapon." AIO

Christelyn

Chris, I so agree with you that empowering Black women to take control of their hair, health, and beauty is very much a part of BWE. No there is nothing "Fluff" about it. Yes beauty most definetly is a weapon, Khadija is 100% right on the money with that. As a male, let me tell you that it is a real pleasure to see Black women embracing your unique beauty and your natural femininity. It puts a smile on my face and warms my heart anytime I see it. Black women have sadly had this robbed of them and you wanting them to help them get it back is very worthy and noble, so please go for it!

http://www.janecartersolution.com

You hold out. Naptural85 swirls. Her she is with here Brazilian hubby of seven years. What an adorable couple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWsjn6nWXiU&feature=related ncatina

Brenda55

Surprise!

ncatina

LOL,LOL.

And congrats on your hair growth, Christelyn.

I have no idea! I couldn't even begin to wonder. I eat a very healthy diet (with the exception of vodka) so I'm not sure what it could be. Toni_M

Christelyn Toni_M Hi Christelyn,

Some time ago (maybe last year) did you write a comment about Green Vibrance? I think it was you, but I could be wrong. This stuff is the bomb. Its a very healthy choice. It makes my nails grow, makes me feel better, I get a lot of nutrients in one packet.

Although its an acquired taste...it works.

Christelyn Toni_M Here is the link. I get mine at wholefoods.

http://www.vibranthealth.us/

YES! I'm not using Green Vibrance at the moment, but things with a very similar formulation. These powders, I believe, are a missing element in hair and skin health. mahogany Toni_M