Update 12/15

I cannot wait for my hair to grow long enough so that I can put into protective style mini twists. If there is any strategy that I can vouch for and say that it helped grow my hair during my previous journey, it would be doing mini twists. I loved doing them, because of their ease, their flexibility in styling and because of how much thicker my hair would be after I took them down. They are the perfect low manipulation hair style that offer styling options so you won't ever feel bored about keeping them in for 3-4 weeks. I cannot wait to put these tresses in twists but ofcourse I need some good length for that, which is soon.

I'll try and get back to my youtube recording. Since I have started my job, I have been so busy (doing a course every monday evening after work) and just wanting to relax after work, but I have been so inspired by this post on Humans of New York. I think it is the best post I have ever read. This man still feels energised and not only is he active, he refers to discipline as being key in his life. If you want to be consistent, be better at something, you require discipline. And I believe that's what school and university is for, to instil discipline by routine. That's why I need discipline for my natural hair regimen to flourish and for my youtube channel to flourish. Consistency is key in every aspect of life.

My goal for next year is to be consistent.

What has happened 2015

Here are a few pictures to highlight the events that have taken place so far this year:
- Found the love of my life (didn't know, now I do haha)
- I finished my finals
- I cut my hair!
- I celebrated my birthday
- I graduated
- I passed my driving and earned my driving licence
- I got my first job

And it was all amazing. It is definitely worthwhile to take some time to look back and reflect on the great moments, and really appreciate them and be grateful for them.

My birthday 

My hair profile: You will never stop learning..

I'm almost approaching my 2 years of growth stage and I still feel like I have a lot to learn about my hair. No matter how much knowledge and information you have acquired and how much you know about other people's hair regimen, you need to definitely learn about your own hair. And this learning, is continuous. I thought that I would stop when my hair reached a years of growth but no, there are many changes that I have had to make and habbits that I had to stop throughout this year.

I guess it is up to me to embrace it, and thank God that I have not hit a set back like many women have in this hair journey.

Most of all, I've stuck to my minimalist regimen, and I've realised that it is just hair. It's just hair. Learn about it, don't argue with it, and let it grow.  If it doesn't like something, stop. If it does, you know what to do. I will talk more about this in the following post.

All I know about my hair is that it is: tightly coiled (looser in some parts), and has thin/fine strands. In terms of density and thickness, I think it will come with time but I don't mind.

I can't use hair pins for too long otherwise the section that holds it starts to loosen up and eventually break. I knowwww, this hair. Ugh. What can I do.

I can't wrap a satin scarf tight around my edges otherwise they break off to.

I can't touch my hair at all. Even the tiniest bit of manipulation through the hands-in-hair-syndrome (that I WILL break free from soon) breaks it off.

This is my hair profile. I have to accept it, that way, it won't be as stressful and I won't want to scream.

Life in the living.

BIG HAIR.. DON'T CARE... RIGHT?

I have been thinking lately, although I am over it now, I felt it was important to still write about it:

My hair isn't that big (yet) but sometimes I feel self-concious about leaving the house with my hair styled out - in a bantu knot out or a twist out.
The following thoughts go through my head:

''I hope this hair isn't too big''
''I hope it won't intimidate anyone''
''I hope it isn't too curly''

It's interesting to the point that it doesn't sadden me. I am happy because these thoughts are merely evidence of how beautiful, great and wonderful my hair is. My hair that defies gravity, my hair that society tried to say wasn't beautiful - this same hair is on my head. I get lots of compliments about my hair, but these sneaky thoughts try to creep in before I leave the house and make me question my style of choice.

I refuse.
I refuse to bow down to this society that says there is only one type of beautiful hair.
I refuse to succumb to anyone that says straight hair is the only appropriate hair.
I refuse to think that my hair is ''too big'' or ''too curly'' or ''too messy''.
I refuse to feel self-concious.

Typing these positive convictions up empowers me at this moment. I believe it. My hair is beautiful, it is growing and I am simply adjusting to it. I promise to wear my hair however I like and be overly content with it. As I empower myself to rock my hair, I am in turn empowering other women to do the same. This isn't just for or about me.

YES!

4C HAIR FRUSTRATIONS

My, there have been days where I have wanted to break down and cry on my wash days (forgetting that I only ever handle this hair properly every 30 days). Yesterday was one of them. I had to stop halfway, with one half of my hair twisted up and the rest to go. I couldn't do it anymore. I was just frustrated. And as usual, I call up Lisa and express how badly I want to texturise these kinks because its all too much. I had a photoshoot and during the make-over, my hair hand to be converted into a voluminous afro. Pain! So much tangles. No matter what you do with this hair, tangles and shed hair are constantly sticking their tongues out at you.

• Detangling takes so long with this super kinky hair
• It breaks easily when soaked
• My arms get tired
• My legs get tired
• I need a drink

Ugh. THE STRUGGLE.

But, looking back now, my hair grows regardless. I just need to learn how to better manage the struggles. I now detangle first with my fingers, then with the wide tooth comb and then with the small toothed comb. I know it takes longer, but its worth having less-tangled hair. I also went shopping for new products (see previous posts) to make my hair softer. Shea Moisture wasn't doing enough for me. The shampoo and conditioner are just, meh.

Although difficult, I have learned so much on my wash days over the past 1.5 years of my journey:

- To be patient

- Things are fragile

- The pain is only temporary

- The next time you face the challenge, you will be better prepared

Awesome right? How we can turn these things into positives?

Girl, when you see me with long flowing hair just know that it has been a JOURNEY. It wasn't easy. But it will all be worth it. Long, healthy hair that defies societal standards and stereotypes will all be worth it.

My friend, Sarah...

More of Sarah...

Finally??

 

I am very happy. My aunt taught me how to start properly. Practice makes perfect.

Btw, if you are looking to improve your braiding skills, purchase one of these huge hair dolls on ebay! I got mine for £20 and they are worth it! I've learned how to cornrow with them!

Book arrived!

This year's hair goal! HappyNewYear 2013 guys!

Hair goals for this year:

• Thickness - I want to focus on the thickness/health of my hair. Prior to my journey, my hair was very thin from all the over-relaxing and improper use. I have noticed substantial thickness after starting this journey. After attaining the right thickness, I shall focus even more on length. When I put my hair down, going out, I always wrap a beautiful satin scarf around my shoulders. I never let it rub against my cotton clothes, especially in this cold season.
• From shoulder to armpit length? Just before armpit length is my ultimate goal for this year. (check my progress) Hair is meant to grow six inches/15cms a year on average. Hopefully with the right steps, my hair can grow that long by December!
• Grow out my edges/temple/nape

Note: I did about an inch of a trim in November. 

Book to buy: The Science of Black Hair *IMPORTANT HAIR EDUCATION*

See, many of us have carried out various online researches ranging from blogs to vlogs and youtube channels etc. However, it is important to be able to have a nearby source of information that is portable. One that you can look for whenever you're in need of a quick reference or advice. Well, The Science of Black hair is a good one. I've read reviews and ofcourse, my Lisa told me about it and I really want to read it! I shall buy it one day! It is equipped with so much information that will be essential throughout your journey or if you are at the start of one or considering beginning one. I am excited! If you want to know the basics about healthy hair care, check out the links below!

Click here for the details on Amazon

I checked out the authors website! Some really useful basic information is on there which I shall read now:

Regimen building basics

About shampoos

About conditioners

A guide to length planning

Relaxer prep

My lovely girl!

This is my lovely girl Lisa! I love her so much! She's the first person I met to have been on a natural hair journey, completed dedicated and excited for it! We work at the same place and we ended up recognising that we are both on a journey. She's currently on her 8th month and her hair is amazing! It feels good to know you have someone that you can share your hair experiences with, ask questions, hair shop together and share advice with! It makes it even more exciting because she is natural while I am relaxed, kind of like a fitting puzzle. We text each other everytime regarding our hair stuff and she's the first to notice my growth!

Back to using shea butter! She helped me with my solidcold shea butter by placing it on the heater. Remember my past shea butter post? Well, I whipped up a shea butter cream, however it had kinda flopped because it was solid. I attempted to rub it on my hair (in its solid form) and my hair cut off. So I completely stopped it and put it aside! But, where would I be without my Lisa? She told me I just needed to rub it between my hands until it transformed into a oily substance before rubbing it into my hair. Thank you lisa! :D I rubbed the shea butter in my hair and it felt really good. She sold form had been in a cup for many weeks now, but I finally made use of it tonight. I shall be using it as my pre-sleep moisturiser before wrapping silk.

My natural hair buddy <3 FOLLOW HER TUMBLR

Comments!

I am very happy! I have been receiving various compliments regarding my hair. My friends and my aunts have noticed my hair growth, thickness and improvement. It's good to know people take regard and it makes me want to be even more determined! I shall reach my length!

So I told my mum...

My mum came back from her holiday in Nigeria today. I broke the news to her about me going natural. She was sooo happy about it! I didn't know she would be this pleased. She told me how she had been praying for me to come to the realisation. I liked it because if she had told insisted on me going natural I probably would've brushed it off, I came to my own realisation. She did always prefer me leaving my natural hair out.
So I explained my whole journey to her, showed her the products I bought and just everything. She was really happy. I'm happy too. I have completely stopped the whole sowing weave into my hair using needles and threads, natural all the way.

Yay! My mum supports me all the way. This will make everything much easier!

My hairdoll braids..

I'm so happy I finally learned how to braid! Quickly too! Thank you doll! I have been experimenting with different styles.

Family notice

My mum is not aware about my decision to go natural. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She didn't let me use weave until I was like 14 and I understood her plight. Apparently it makes a girl look older than she is and when a girl shows her natural hair it tends to make her look younger. My mum would probably like my decision, sometimes she wants me to leave my hair out instead of fixing weaves upon weaves. Don't worry, I'm progressing.