More hair progress photos. I made MBL as of Oct. 10, 2011.

The photos added on 10/25/11 are from when I blow-dried my hair using the tension method (just pulled the curls taught and dried), and lightly flat-ironed with a crappy ceramic old Conair iron...did the edges with a Maxius Mini-glide. I've ordered a new flat-iron and new styling blow-dryer, so I'll upload pics of a better straightening result as soon as the urge to straighten hits me again (maybe for the holidays).

My hair stretched with a poor straightening result reaches MBL, so I'm pretty sure it is longer than shown in the pics just stretching. I could not get my hair any straighter than this with the tools I used and the flat-iron was at the highest heat level of 20 and this is the result. :o/

As you can see, my hair is VERY resistant to heat and is not "trained" AT ALL. This is the first time I have used any type of heat on my hair since being completely natural. The last time I used heat was June 2010 while still on my transition.

Thought about heat training due to SSK's but I think my hair is healthier in the curly state, SSK's or not. I get to add much more moisture while it's curly than straight. Due to reversion, nothing with water or glycerin in it can touch my hair for the duration of the straight style.

Same old curly/wavy bun for the forseeable future!

Here are the most recent pics of my hair natural. I don't usually straighten, so you won't find any pics of my hair pressed here. I've grown from APL to BSL in LESS THAN 3 months! Can't believe it.

I was APL Jan. 24, 2011 (see Jan-April '11 album below), and now I'm BSL securely as of April 6, 2011. YES! Since going natural my hair grows SO FAST. I cannot believe the growth rate I'm getting.

Here, I will post pics of my newly natural hair. My texture is 3c/4a. I BC'd on 01-11-2011 after 1 day shy of an 18 month transition. I just couldn't see myself hanging onto those thin ends for another 1.5 years (planned to trans. 3 yrs, no BC)! Heck, after Christmas, I wanted to BC on my 18 month mark (01-12-2011), but I got so frustrated with looking at the messy, scraggly ends attached to my thick, natural hair that I said, "No more waiting! Time for y'all to go!" on Jan. 11, 2011.

I found that my longer texlaxed ends were becoming entangled in the natural hair, and that made each wash and detangle HELL. So, to save the health of my natural hair, I just got up one day and started cutting. I feel so relieved to be done with my transition. I had lots of breakage of the texlaxed hair from the natural hair...way more than I expected, and it was mainly due to tangling after washing, no matter what I tried!

I plan to grow my natural hair as long as I can...with my first goal of BSL (hopefully by Dec. 2011 unstretched). My ultimate goal is HL or longer natural, non-heat-trained hair. It will take a few years to get there, but I'm in it for the long haul. I have nothing but time and products on my hands! :o)

**NEW PICS POSTED 03/31/2011.**

New pics of my transitioning hair! Now 16 months, 2 weeks post. Still keeping it braided and moisturized beneath my wigs...I must say my hair is really growing well, or at least I think so! (I tend to be a slow-grower at times, and have lots of shedding in winter).
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Regimen from early August-Dec. 2010:

Diluted shampoo/CW while in cornrows/box braids about once every 2 weeks. Keep hair braided for 4-8 weeks in between take-downs and re-braiding. Moisturized and allowed to air-dry, and I wear my hair like this (braided) underneath my wigs.

I do a full diluted shampoo or CW about once every 4-6 wks (full meaning with my hair out of braids). I then re-braid while partially dry or damp and continue the same regimen for the next month.

I love the convenience of getting up, slapping on a wig, and being out the door! Gotta love that. And, the fact that I can change my look on a moment's notice is an added caveat! :o)

P.S. I've noticed since transitioning past month 5, I've been "tender-headed." So, this is another reason I avoid combing and manipulation.

Since my hair sheds, I like to take a large long-toothed comb (which reaches through the thick NG and long texlaxed hair to the scalp) to remove all shed- hair from it being braided up for 4-6 wks before a wash.

Included are pics of my newest wig (purchased late Nov. 2009). Will come back later to add more pics of my own hair once I take it down. The length is currently MBL stretched, BSL unstretched (lots of NG). I am about 26 weeks post relaxer (6 mos+). Transitioning without a BC this time!

My color is growing out (Oriental Black by Bigen), but I won't touch it up until April or May (in time for summer). :-) Also, I'm on a sulfur challenge, wig challenge, vitamin challenge, and a bunch of others, courtesy of the lovely ladies at LHCF! See ya'll around!
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Here are pictures of my natural hair wet and dry. New length shots of my hair unstretched. There are also pics of the length and texture up close. And, the newest addition to my wig family... ;-)

Update on what's been up with my hair in the past 3 years...

I first cut my hair from MBL to a Mohawk cut. I'm talking only 3-4 inches in length in the top and very short (an inch or so) on the sides! That was September 10, 2007. I also relaxed my hair that day. I grew my hair out and basically transitioned to natural from 9/10/07 to 11/2008. But, I cut off all the relaxed hair that remained from my Mohawk cut in late June 2008. It was then a TWA (about 4 inches in length). My transition was 9 mos long (during my pregnancy with my daughter). ☺

So, I went from growing a short natural (TWA) beginning in June 2008 to having a relaxer in November 2008. I only did that virgin relaxer application in 11/08. Kept growing until now, which is March 28, 2009. I just did a touch-up on March 9, 2009, and I am APL. My hair seems to be healthy, and I am just doing protective styles to grow it out quickly.

I just went thru so much, and got tired of my long hair. That's why I went in the bathroom in Sept. 07 and chopped it all off. Felt good about it, didn't miss it. Now I am cool with my hair, just patiently growing it back out! Hope to have some new album pictures soon!

Most of you know me from LHCF as Jewell, and I just re-subscribed after being on hiatus since late 2006. I am also on BHM, and Diaspora Hair Care (if its even still around)?

Thanks!

UPDATE: July 22, 2009. Texlaxed with Optimum Multi-mineral Reduced PH Creme Relaxer (Lye) in Regular. I use the main relaxer system, steps 1-4. Left it on for the exact processing time of 15 mins. Came out just right.

In this album, I've reached BSL! I'll post actual length pics here when I have my hair down and straight, cuz its nearly always "up" and unstraightened.

Here are recent pics of my hair. Its been combed out from the roots and that's it. No product added yet. I proceeded to oil my hair and massage my scalp. Re-braided in a half french braid on each side and a plait underneath each one (four braids total). Enjoy!

ETA: My hair isn't natural, but largely tex-laxed with natural roots (new growth). I am currently 19 weeks post tex-laxer. Not sure about whether I want to continue and transition for a long time or just go ahead and touch-up. Last time I BC'd at 13 months b/c I was about to be induced (into labor, that is) and was just sick of the two textures. Yes, I actually went into the bathroom in my L&D room and snipped off the relaxed/highlighted hair.

I felt so free, but regretted how "choppy" it looked. It grew out quickly, but this time (if I keep this up) I am transitioning w/o a BC. Hope to end up like "The Makeup Virgin" on YouTube with long natural hair in some years, and just a few tex-laxed ends left. Her hair is da-bomb diggity as Sylver2 (Ra) would say. lol

*THESE ARE PICS OF MY OLD HAIR, (relaxed with lye for many years) which is now in a ponytail in a plastic bag in my closet or a box somewhere. (I chopped off about 14 inches).

I haven't updated this album in nearly 3 years! Since then I have cut my hair off twice! Now I am a little past APL, growing it back out as long as I can.

My stylist did these highlights using Avlon MoisturColor Powder Oil Moisturizing Lightener. Its the honey blonde version. My hair did turn blonde at the roots in most places because that is where my natural light brown color is.

However, since I used to dye my hair black, the ends turned a cinnamon color. I am sure when I go for a touch-up in a couple months, it will come out lighter. I love the color, though. She used the cap method/frosting kit (threading the hair through the holes). That hurt my scalp, but produced nice results.

Various protective styles I wear when I want to give my hair a break. I love twists on natural hair, twists with hair added, braids with hair added, wigs (full, lace, or half), and drawstring ponytails.

My fave go-to style on most days is a bun with a scrunchie and "ouchless" (rubber-like) elastic from Scunci...I think they're called "Evolution" elastics. No fabric and no hard seams with glue (those seams can snag and cut through your hair).

They are made of a polyurethane-like material that seems to be infinitely stretchy and doesn't catch, snag, or damage hair. If I don't do that style (to give my hair a break from pulling it back), I put my hair up loosely in a plastic clip. I can't wait until it gets longer so I can do the clips more often...right now the shrinkage leaves pieces on the side sticking off (and I don't like to use a ton of clips and pins).

**NEW PHOTOS ADDED: Oct. 27, 2011.**

Products, tools, and supplies I use on my hair.

Album created in April 2006, but new items/pics added 03/31/11. I still have and use all of the products herein, except the NTM serum and shampoo (I use poo very sparingly these days).

One staple that is not pictured is Roux Porosity Control Corrector & Conditioner.♥ I use this every wash to balance my pH and control breakage/porosity. Wonderful results and smoothness EACH time!

A welcomed addition to my arsenal, indeed.

Here I have pics of the items I use on my skin (I have had some compliments there), teeth**, and products I use are not to exemplify any particular brand--I've simply found what works for me, and I keep using it!

**I'd like to think that my teeth are pretty decent, so I included that care in this album. I use a professional-grade carbamide peroxide system to whiten my teeth yearly.

I also use professional-grade remineralizing gel (flouride gel) to replace minerals lost during whitening. I do this myself because I don't believe in paying a dentist hundreds of dollars for something I can buy online and do myself! (However, I'm not down-playing the use of a dentist for whitening, and I do go regularly for professional care and cleaning; but I find the whitening and flouride products they use online, so I can't fathom paying $300 for a $14.99 whitening kit I can use at home)!


I use a body scrub once every couple of weeks since my skin tends to be dry. I find that Avon Moisture Therapy body lotions with Shea Butter work really well for my skin, as well as that of my DD, who is a toddler.