The Straw Set

This is my favorite style, by far.  This is a straw set.  It is probably the closest style to my natural curl.  Youtube has lots of videos on how to do this and the end results. I used eHow to get the the style.  I did alter it a little.  I had tried to do the style right after washing my hair but my hair just would not dry.  So, I blow dried my hair (which is not good) out and then went through and added the straws.  Yes straws, drinking straws.

     Its is so low maintenance.  I wrap it with a scarf at night, shake my head in the morning and finger through it and go.  It also last pretty long the picture on top is the first day. The picture on bottom is a week later. I prefer for the curls to eventually stretch out.  Make sure your ends are clipped when you do this style.

Materials:
1. Straws
2. Twist and Lock Gel
3. Bobby Pins

The Bantu Knot Out.

     I officially love this hairstyle.  It was very simple.  I was afraid when I was knotting that I was not doing right. But it didn't take many knots for this style to come out.

     I  love that fact that in the morning, I just needed to fluff it and go (unlike my rod style that stretched out).  I like this one best.  I still want the straw, but I'll wait until I have more new growth.

So...

     So, I did the rod style and I loved it but, when I woke of the next morning the curls were stretched out A LOT.  It was still nice but I prefer for my curls to be a bit closer to my head.

     So I was looking for another low maintainance protective style and I came across the bantu knot.  The same young woman that I got the rod style came up with this one as well.  Her video shows how to make the bantu knots, how to twist them out, and the end product.  Still curly, and I hope that maybe this style will last at least through the weekend.  I don't want to have to keep worrying about my protective style.

Here's and an example of the bantu knots and the twist out:

Sucess!

     Ok, so this was my end result after I decided to reco-wash my hair and let the rods stay in overnight.  Note to self: if I want to continue this style, I need a hooded dryer.
    
     I did not pull the curls out as far as I did with the my last attempt.  I really like the result.  Now I went to sleep with the rods in and in the morning, some of my hair was still damp after 10+ hours.  Does anyone have a remedy to that or why some of my hair can just holds moisture for so long?  Can I possible turn that into a good thing?

Here are comparison shots.  I'll let you be the judge

First Attempt At Rods

So from this angle, it looked like I had did it right but it came out as a frizzy mess.  I don't know if I used too much product, didn't let the curls sit long enough or what but I am attempting again.  I just started, so its possible that I have too much relaxed hair for this style but before I pulled the curls out (which I did not snap a pic of, sorry :-/ ),  It looked as tho the style would have suited me well. This time around I think I won't pull them as hard and see what happens.

Best Product Ever

About 5 years ago, (so half way into my creamy crack phase) I discovered the healthy miracle that is olive oil. It has always kept my hair moisturized, shiny and weightless. My hair is already flat, it can at least blow in the wind [LOL :-)]. I literally use ANY product that has olive oil in it and my hair is beautiful. So in my transition I made sure grab lots of olive oil products. Can't go wrong with a good thing

First Co-Wash

     So, these are just some pics I snapped before and after my first co-wash. A co-wash is basically washing your hair with conditioner.  While researching,  a lot of people says that shampoo can strip natural hair of essential oils, so co-washing is a way to clean your hair and keep the needed moisture.  Of course, I still to shampoo (especially if I am doing something that cause me to sweat), but I as I transition I will need to do it less often than I do now.
     You can tell from the photos, but  the hair on the left side of my head is noticeably shorter than the hair on my right.  Any pointers on how to correct this or why its happened (My stylist never could and I would always chop the right to match the left for it only to grow past the left by the time for my next trim)?

Treating My Hair Like Its Natural

So, I've been researching for days on how I can possibly transition without doing the big chop or BC as I have been reading. So protective styles are my main focus. I haven't had a relaxer in about 7 weeks before I decided to go natural and Youtube has proved very helpful. They are many videos there with other women transitioning or have transitioned and even how to style your hair at home. I'm trying this one: Cold Wave Rod Set Hairstyle. This style essentially, blends to the 2 textures. Also, other videos say it holds well in humidity and I live in lovely humid Florida, so that's perfect. The young woman in the video has been transitioning for four months. She not only shows what she's doing, but what products she's using. I also believe her face shape is similar to mine so I figured any woman transitioning with a round face would appreciate the style.

My Hair The Day I Decided

Ok so this is me the day I had decided no more relaxers. Kind of interesting that I chose this day to do it, two days before, I had gotten my hair lighten to a reddish tint which I think I will continue while I transition. I think its a beautiful color, plus me coloring my hair was my coping mechanism after my last breakup. A lot of women chop their hair after a very bad break up. I felt like its my hair, not his.

Creamy Crack

OK, so here is my relaxed hair. I have been on the creamy crack for about 10 years. This picture so the longest my hair has gotten being relaxed. You can't tell from this picture, but my hair is very thin. As a child it was very thick. I want the thickness back. I feel like I do not have anything to loose by going natural. I can press my hair or flat iron it straight if I want and still have my natural coif. With my relaxer, I can't get the natural coil back

Reason for Transitioning

So after years of considering I decided to grow out my relaxer. Like a lot of women who transition, as a child I had thick, curly hair. I got my first relaxer in the 6th grade. At the time, I was one of the only girls in my grade who hadn't gotten on the "creamy crack".

So of course, I've been on the creamy crack for years. Trying and experimenting with different styles, I've watched my once thick hair thin out. From coloring to weaving and just wearing the wrap, I can honestly say I've worn the relaxer style to death.

It took me awhile to get the courage to finally say I was going to go natural. I kept saying my face was too round (Its a perfect circle and I have fat cheeks), but when it came down to it, I said "Its my natural hair! How could it not look right for the shape of my face?"

So I'm going to share my journey, pass on what I learn and I hope other natural women or "transitioners" can give me pointers.