Processed to Curly: Part 4

Hi loves!!

Well it's that time of week again.  Hair update time!  I know you are all so excited, so first some pictures.

The middle/back 

I don't know what to call this, wavy? curly? messy?

the top/front

Ugh, this part is just awful.  It's straight, frizzy, dry, damaged.

Another side view

It's curly/wavy kinda.  It's just so odd and awkward.

The front.

Ugh, it's is really terrible. The roots are kinky, the ends are basically straight, and it just sticks out in all directions with no shape or style.

So this week I did the olive oil/conditioner treatment again, but let it sit in my hair for about an hour.  I like how soft and shiny it made my hair, but it also made it clumpy and greasy looking.  (One reason why I was hesitant to give it another go when recommended.)

I think it has come down to the basics of needing a good haircut and product regimen to help fix my hair.  The front is literally so fried that split ends just happen, no heat induced splitting here.  Also, the fact that my hair doesn't really have shape or style is really making me want to take hot tools to it again. But I promised you all 6 weeks of no heat, and I plan to stick to my word.  This hasn't been easy at all.  I know that sounds terribly vain, but I am realizing a woman should do what makes HER look and feel pretty, regardless of if it seems to conform to society or not.  Example:  One of my good friends has stopped wearing makeup daily and feels so much better and at ease, which is great.  But my hair, which I have never had issues with, is giving me some stress and anxiety.  So I really think it is up to women to do what makes them feel best!!  But this is a point I am just now understanding.  I always thought I was prettier with my hair curled or straight with wavy ends, but I always kind of did that because I thought that was how guys would like to see me.  I am now realizing that I like my hair "done" and ready to go at a moments notice.  I feel better physically, psychologically, and emotionally.  When my hair is "natural" or gobbiditaly goop, I am so frustrated, and it honestly takes me way longer to get ready and find something I am comfortable in to wear because I don't want to look sloppy and unkept.  Now, I realize some people like and use this look, but it is not one I prefer, or like at all.

Phew, OK, great to have that off my chest.  Now time to schedule a haircut and see if the next two weeks can actually have progress!

xoxo,

-J-

book worm

Hi loves!!!

This may (or may not) come as a shock to you.

I have never read Harry Potter. 

I don't know what sparked my current interest after all these years, but I am dying to read the books now!  All of them.  I have read the first book, but that was in 6th grade when I received books 1 & 2 for Christmas.  I was planning on reading 2 but it was stolen from me.  Maybe that has something to do with why I never read them.  I was so upset about the book being stolen that I just stopped.  Or maybe it was the hype over them.  I don't know.  I had friends who lived for the books, but I never put much effort into the craze.  Until now. Now I am dying to read them.  I probably will not buy them, but I will certainly check them out from the library!!!

So at 24, I am planning to read the series that, for most in my generation, defined our generation.  I am really looking forward to reading them, but also quite scared I may be let down.  (I highly doubt it, but where high hopes lie...)

I will keep you updated as I read them.  I have heard that they don't get really good until book 3, but I am hoping books 1 & 2 will not be terrible.  I don't recall book 1 being too bad, but I was 11/12 when I read it so..... Needless to say it has been awhile.

Let me know your experiences with the books! I'd love to hear about how you loved (or loathed) the series!!

I plan on watching the movies after I have read all the books and understand the language and plot more thoroughly.

Until next time!

xoxo
-j-

Processed to Curly: Part 2

Hi lovelies!

I know you all are SUPER concerned about my hair. It's a crucial topic for a lot of women, and I honestly have never had complaints or issues with my hair... Until now.  I very rarely have I had "bad hair days" or serious salon blunders, and I know I am very fortunate in that.  But now my hair has morphed into a semi-untamable beast.  (If you have curly locks like I do, you understand every day is a new day to "tame the beast.")

Week 1 is behind me, and I've got to say, it has been FRUSTRATING!  I spent all of 10 days washing my hair with a baking soda mixture and apple cider vinegar/water mixture before turning back to shampoo and conditioner.  In the past two days I have added argon oil & a mild frizz tamer.

Baking Soda & ACV Rinse:
I've got to say, for all those advocates out there, this did absolutely nothing for my hair.  Maybe I didn't keep with it long enough.  Maybe my hair is too damaged for this routine right now.  Who knows!?! (A hairdresser probably.)  It dried my already damaged and brittle locks WAY too much for my hair to anywhere close to manageable.  My hair just became very frizzy, kinda kinky, but mostly limp and straight.  Here are some pictures of my hair using this routine:

Top 

(how awful is that?! It looks, and feels, like straw!)

Middle 

(Not too bad, still pretty frizzy and limp)

Bottom

(Oh sweet shine and body!)

Shampoo & Conditioner:

After seeing my hair the day I took those pictures, I snapped, wholeheartedly snapped.  I just want what my hair used to be back.  Maybe this is repayment for a couple years of styling twice a week.  

So, the next day I ran errands and made sure one of my stops was a beauty salon to purchase S & C.  I am currently using Paul Mitchell(R) Awapuhi Shampoo & The Detangler. These are two products I grew up using, and in silly teenage angst or whatever, I abandoned them at the first chance I had to buy "my own products."  Silly, silly me.  Sometimes mother does know best.  But I have gone back to them, and so far my hair is more manageable.  It is still unruly, but I honestly think it needs a cut. 

I have only washed twice with the S & C, but I can tell a minor difference, that I think, in time will be far greater.

*Side note: I will be doing a blog about Paul Mitchell products, and in it I will describe the benefits of both products listed above.*

Finishing Products:

I have only been using any finishing products the last two days.  One day was a wash day, the other was just a normal shower.  (Wash days are days I S&C my hair.  Typically twice a week, on non-consecutive days.  "Normal" days are days I exclude S&C from my routine, or add a tiny bit of C to the ends.)  

The products I have been using are: A sample size of Redken(R) Argon-6 & Davines(R) MOMO / fluid Moisturizing Anti-Frizz Protective Fluid.  How I use these products: I place a quarter size dollop of MOMO in the palm of my hand and add 3-4 drops of the Argon-6.  My hair is noticeably softer, and mildly less frizzy.  The hairline around my face, and crown areas, are deeply damaged, so there is still quite a halo of frizz in these areas.  However, the rest of my hair is reacting quite nicely to these finishers.  However, I may not continue with them once they are gone.  I prefer Moroccan Oil(R), and I haven't found a Davines(R) retailer where I currently live.

Hopefully, I will have some progress to show and tell about in next week's, Part 3!!

xoxo,

-J-