The Quest

If you've been a faithful reader, by now you're well aware of the fact that I do not like doing my hair. It pains me, yet ironically I'm on a mission to grow Sheeba to waist length (and beyond).

Enter 'The Quest'.

I plan on wearing my hair in a protective style 2-3 months at a time for a full year. This wasn't really planned, I sort of fell into this as my laziness increased, by the time I realized how how long I had hidden my hair, 4 months had lapsed. 

Kind of like finding out you're with child a full trimester in. (Bad reference? Sorry it was the only one that came to mind).

Anywhoo-

This all began in March with 'Sophia' my Brazilian Kinky Curly install (March- mid-May). Then I wore Sheeba in twisted up-dos from mid-May til June. I'm wearing 'Coco' my NHA Mongolian install for all of July, andI plan on welcoming August with Havana twists or faux locs... that'll be a game time decision.

I'm looking forward to doing my hair to not do my hair. You should join me...

Weavie Wonder

Every two months or so, I find a new protective style to hide my hair under. And every time I tell my family or my lovebug that I'm getting my hair 'did,' I always receive a similar reply: "Why?" or "You have all this beautiful hair, why do you cover it up with this fake stuff?"

I'd love to switch places with them for a few days, just so they understand the struggle I encounter when I wash and style my hair. 

I usually reply that I want to give my hair a rest from being constantly manipulated or because I'm getting tired of doing my hair regularly, but it's really because I want my hair to grow undisturbed. I have found that my hair sprouts when I've hidden it for 2-3 months at a time.

Over the past four years, I have worn braids, kinky twists, Senegalese twists, and sew-ins. As my hair

got longer I found it difficult to find someone in the DMV area to style my hair the way I liked at a reasonable price, so whenever I would go home to visit my mother, I also get my hair done by a close friend for the lowski-woahski.

But times have changed, and sometimes our schedules do not align as they once did, so I've taken to the mean streets of YouTube to teach myself the art of wig-making... I praise baby Jesus for wig tutorials, because they've revolutionized my protective style game. I have since revamped my Brazilian Kinky Curly (Sophia) and am in the process of wigging my Mongolian Kinky Curly to debut over the weekend using this tutorial. I'll update this post once I've installed my new hair.

Here are a few links and steps to get you started:

1. Purchase good quality hair, I use vendors from the UK/ France and LOVE not only the customer service but the price and quality. Desir Hair and EHM Hair Company have done me well. They have sales frequently so stalk their page before you buy. I also have Halley Curls in my stash for when I want a straight look. I have heard of people purchasing hair from Ali Express, and my only comment on that is you get what you pay for, so proceed with caution. Princess Hair Shop, Sheena's Emporium, Wagman's and etc. are also a few other places to look for hair. I now prefer purchasing curly hair since Sheeba's long and I don't want to worry about my braid pattern being ultra flat, but at the end of the day, I recommend buying what you can afford and will make you feel/look good.

2. Wash and SEAL SEAL SEAL your wefts prior to installing. Seal both sides, I made the mistake of only sealing one side of my Braz and had hair shedding daily. I use a combination of Dritz Fray Check and Aleene's Fabric Fusion. I seal one side with the Dritz, and the other with Aleene's. There's no real reason for my method, I just like having one side shiny and the other matte, ESPECIALLY when I'm working in the front of my wig.

3. Customize your wig head. The ones at the beauty supply store run for about $2.99, but since I have a big head I use packing tape to increase the circumference and nape size. Creating a wig head to the specs of your head make it easier to lay your tracks and ensure a proper fit.

4. Purchase a dome cap and wig clips. My first few attempts at wig making were with the netted wig cap, but it didn't really feel 'secure' when I wore it. I was in fear that my hair would fall off in the wind or if I had to sprint for the bus. Dome caps are tighter and make me feel like it's sewn in.

My next project (after the Mongolian KC wig) shall be fantastical, I've stalked the Internets and haven't seen one like it. Stay tuned loves, but until then... happy growing.

EDIT: 07/07/13 - As promised, here is my newest install 'Coco'. I followed the YouTube tut posted
above, but sewed it in a side part pattern instead of a side-swoop. My hair is braided underneath so I actually have no leave-out. I love her, she's soft, she's beautiful, she's Sheeba's twin if I was ever brave enough to rock a wash-n-go.

The Fall Out

I'm in the mood to write today, so you're getting a two for one special.

I love a good deal. Don't you?

I wanted to touch on a subject that's usually unspoken of in natural hair circles ( or at least in mine), and that is the unintentional dangers of being natural. While visiting my linesister the other day, she shared with me a story of how she almost fell out while washing her hair. While I stared at her in disbelief, it wasn't because of the shock associated with her story, but because I, too, have shared the same experience. Only, I actually fell out - several times - while washing my hair.

You see washing my hair with warm water creates a 'sauna-like' environment in my bathroom. And if I haven't eaten or drank a few cups of water prior to washing my hair, I get dizzy, and have on an unfortunate occasion or two fallen out in the bathroom.

No one talks about this side of being natural, no one shares their horror stories, no one warns newly napptural nubians of these 'dangers'.

Now while I have built upper arm strength washing, detangling, and twisting Sheeba, I have also strained my neck, aggravated lymph nodes in my neck, induced migraines from tight styles, slipped on conditioner in the tub and nearly blinded my self during ACV rinses. I'm actually laughing as I write this, but the natural plight is anything but funny.

While I have gotten better at reducing my life endangering washday encounters and washing my hair with cooler water to prevent steaming myself, as my hair gets longer, it's going to take longer to twist, thereby causing my wrists, fingers, and forearms to hurt. In comparison to my scalp being burned by heat and chemicals, I actually prefer the 'circuit training' Sheeba has  put me through.

Now if only I could hire a professional natural stylist. She'd be a life saver in every sense of the word.

Have you met Daniel?

I fast... a lot. For the past 10 years, I've fasted from certain foods during Lent. For the past year, I have made this a regular habit. Each month, I along with several people worldwide, complete a Daniel's Fast known as holdFAST during the first three days of the month. There have also been times throughout the year when I've completed 21 and 40 day Daniel's fasts and have planned out fasting menus for others.

For those unfamiliar with this type of fast, it's in reference to the Old Testament book of Daniel. In this piece of scripture, Daniel "ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine" (Daniel 10:2-3) for three weeks.  The fast itself requires that you only eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes. No dairy, no sugar, no meat. My rule of thumb is if it doesn't grow that way, I have no business eating it. I do, however, incorporate foods derived from allowable items (brown rice pasta, yellow corn meal, etc.)

If you're still reading and I haven't lost your attention, I bring up the subject of fasting because it not only has improved my walk with God and spiritual life, but has also improved my health.

Being that this is a hair blog, I wanted to share a side effect of having a plant based eating preference. When I stopped eating dairy, processed food, and meat and started eating fruits, veggies, and nuts/ legumes, my hair grew like weeds, my skin was soft, dewy, and clear, and I had tons of energy.

Throughout these past few years, I have met several who don't know when to fast, how to fast, or what to fast from. Fasting isn't impossible, it just takes discipline, (tons of) prayer, and strength. 

Not ready to take the plunge? Here are a few baby steps to get you on your way:

1. Begin by drinking half your weight in water daily (if you weight 10 lbs, drink 5 oz of water) or 64oz of water - whichever is greater. 

2. Once you've mastered drinking more water, move onto reading food labels to identify disallowed foods (you would be surprised at how man things contain processed sugar, cane juice, additives, and corn syrup).

3. Begin eating more leafy greens. I make my own salads and green smoothies with Romaine, Spinach, or Kale. If you ever move onto completing the full Daniels, or eating raw this will be your source of protein. 

Here's a sample weekly menu that I use, I'm a leftover fanatic so my dinners often double as lunch the next day. I don't measure when making my meals, and often google the recipes. If any dish piques your interest, I can provide my recipe.

Happy fasting, happy eating, happy living.