My Update: Changes for '08!

I'm going to make this short, sweet and simple.

New sections are being added to Hairs My Story. I just cannot write about hair twenty-four seven and honestly, you don't want to read about hair twenty-four seven. There will also be additional writers coming soon. If you want to submit an article to be publish, let me know here.
The article must be in Microsoft Word format. Please include all photos. Nothing offensive or vulgar, or too sexually-explicit. If you want to write a promo about your product, organization, whatever... submit it!

I hope you stick around to see what's in store for 2008 and beyond. Let's make this a GOOD year.

How long should I wait after a relaxer before treating my hair?

Last night, my hair started to smell a little from the Sulfur in my hairdressing (Growth Specifics Grease). I washed my hair with Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Shampoo, and deep conditioned twice. The first treatment I applied was Paul Mitchell's Super Strong Treatment and left it on for about 40 minutes.
After I rinsed the hair, I used a mix of Pantene Nourishing Mask and Pantene Relaxed and Natural Mask. I would estimate that I had this one for about an hour, transitioning back and forth between the dryer and no-heat [I was watching Wife Sway with my mother and grandmother. [Wasn't the girl with pageantry obsession dumb as a box of rocks? Girrrrrl...Somebody PLEASE get this girl a Leap Frog reader and the accompanying books].
After all of this, I towel blotted my hair (you are no fool. You should know that I rinse all of these conditioners out) and sat under the dryer with the big rollers and clips. I got a good amount of body, but I still wanted more. So, I used the heat roller setter to finish drying and curl my hair. Wrapped it and popped into bed.

Hair is strong and clean. Not too much breakage and very soft. Its been 4 days since my relaxer touch-up when I washed it.Hair is still straight and hell didn't freeze over. No real reversion of the hair. Under processed parts are still wavy and my hair was never going to get bone-straight. Bottom line: 4 days, tops and your hair will be fine. Although, I've heard of ladies washing even sooner. Heck! I think I might have washed sooner and saw no big changed in texture. Usually the stylist says 48 hours after you get a relaxer you shouldn't get hair wet.

Sad News....

Well, I got my relaxer this morning. Here's how it went:

Prep: All last week, I had my hair in cornrows. Friday, I finally took my cornrows loose and wore my hair in crinkled waves for those past 2 days ( Friday and Saturday).

I got to my salon (mind you, I'm in Fort Lauderdale now) at 11, on time, thank you. My stylist mixed Elucence relaxer and based my scalp with the Elucence base. It started to burn right away (because of the scalp irritation from the braids). I think my relaxer stayed on for about 10 minutes and then it started to become unbearable.
It's been a while since I've had my hair burn and a good thing I was adamant that she washed this one out right away. I didn't like it at all. I much prefer the Mizani or Revlon to Elucence.
She washed my hair with the neutralizer and a shampoo of some sort. She then deep conditioned my hair with Keracare Humecto. It didn't work at all. My hair still feels dry and is still breaking. I found this to be a complete waste of time and money. My hair had little to no slip and moisture was fleeting. I guess I miss that old family feeling of thoroughly-conditioned hair. I have not seen little splits of hair in quite some time, so these little hairs all over the place are quite the nuisance
Here comes the clincher:
After my stylist roller set my hair and brushed it loose, t was very shiny and black. She asked if I wanted a trim and I said, "yes, but only a little." I saw hairs about a 1/2 inch to a full inch long. I'm not sure if it was breakage from the under processed relaxer or what, but I know I damn sure enough didn't like it. but the time she was done... all of my hard work was over. So, the past couple of months was for naught.
However, my hair is thick. Just not thick and shoulder-length. I am afraid to look for someone new,but this is truly ridiculous and it happens to me all the time. An 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch is a necessary trim, yet people just don't understand that.

Tomorrow is the BIG day

We'll see if I make it to Shoulder-length or if I fell short. Moment of truth. I don't have a camera right now, so I'm not sure how I am going to be able to upload these photos. But, as soon as I get my camera back, I will post them.


Credit

Happy Holidays

Source

FOR THE RECORD

The sylist, Jay, that I keep mentioning is at that Hair Cutter Salon in the Publix Plaza.

9100-7 MERRILL ROAD

JACKSONVILLE

FL

32225

(904) 744-9542

HAMADI CONTEST WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS

Jody Samuels- Hamadi Lemon Mint Shampoo











Inez Spiger- Hamadi Shea Cream

Sherhonda Johnson- Hamadi Lemon Mint Shampoo

Close to semester's end: CRUNCH TIME

Hey readers,
Its getting close to crunch time and I really need to focus on schoolwork. Plus, I'm doing more research on certain topic for the blog. Look out for them around Thanksgiving break.
Also, my hair is doing GREAT. I can wear it in a ponytail again! My ends are getting better because of the coconut oil that I have been adding into my Mizani conditioners. I'm trying to use up all the products I have already in my closet, so I am deep-condtioning more than once to week to combat the crazy winter weather.
Don't forget! Contest for the Hamadi Beauty giveaway ends next weekend.

I think I've written so much that my faithful follwers shouldn't be bored. Keep reading and keep telling your friends all about Hairs My Story.
Leanne@hairsmystory.com

This I Promise You: My commitment to the readers

Hello Readers,
I am LeAnne and I am a student at a university in northern Florida (hint). I am current going into my junior year and studying Public Relation and journalism.
I love this blog. Anyone who knows me know how hard I worked to make this happen. I spend painstaking hours creating the write-up for the HTML; researching and creating contacts; and advertising while helping up-and-coming business in the beauty industry.

Why? Well, I would be lying if I said it didn't help to write my knowledge down. This is practice for school , while helping to encourage others with my true documented story of my hair struggle. I found with other blogs and websites, they were written for those who already know and understand the basics of hair care. It took me a while on LHCF, Black Hair Media and other forums to understand how to baggy, what type of conditioners to use, etc.
If you know anything about the black hair movement, then you've figured out that we have taken over Fotki. But, even with visiting people's personal photo albums, I felt that I didn't get a good scope of their struggle. One minute they had no hair, next minute the hair is down their backs. So, what happened in-between?
For me, deciding whether or not to sugar-coat my growth experience was the hardest hurdle. I wasn't sure if I was ready to show the whole world to see my bad hair days. To let everyone mock my techniques when they don't work or my dedication to hair. But, I do it anyway because I hope readers will get that growing hair and maintaining its because is NO walk in the park.
My hair is my crowning glory, and not everyday I am not going to want to wear a bun or twists. Not everyone is meant to go natural and that is who I write for. Some times, I want straight flowing and luscious hair. Some days I want texture and boldness to my relaxed tresses.
Will I ever stop relaxing or chemically-treating? Yes, possibly, but never for any particular political reason. I love the natural look and I love the versatility of the curls. Will i ever dedicate this blog to natural hair. Probably not for a long time. There just isn't enough resources on relaxed or chemically-treated hair but, there is a much bigger demographic for that particular style than natural.

Am i willing to expand to beauty and skin care? Yes; not everyday I will want to write about hair. Some days, topics on hair might be sparse, and I want people to always have something interesting to read on the blog. So, If you don't want to see more hair product reviews, then I want you to read on new make-up techniques. I am going to allow other beauty categories to take-over? Never.
I am so happy that I have a strong following and I appreciate your loyal readership. You can expect new articles every evening (that's when I am usually free). If anyone wants to sponsor the blog or donate products to be reviewed, then email me. Anyone wants to submit an article, please let me know. They must be written in Word format.

Love always,
LeAnne

Hair updates

This is my progress so far( both for the month of October). Its been a little slow these last couple of months. I had a few "boo-hoo" moments of breakage from trying new products that didn't agree with my hair. Nonetheless, I've seen the growth. I am still using Lenzi's Request ( I actually need to buy a new bottle), but I stopped taking Maxihair vitamins (not sure why). My hair is thickening up nicely, and absolutely loving Mizani. My next relaxer touch-up is in January, and I am hoping to have made it to shoulder-length by then. I must say, my ends are horrendous, but I plan on getting them trimmed when it reach my shoulder. What do you think?

MIDTERMS: brief hiatus

THE SITE HAS NOT SHUT DOWN. I HAVE MIDTERMS AND TESTS THIS WEEK. CHECK BACK THIS WEEKEND. ALSO! I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THE WINNERS OF THE MIXED CHICKS CONTEST:

Alicia H., UK
Danielle Grimes, GA
Karian, NY
Michelle S., TX wins a full-size bottle of Leave-In Conditioner for referring the most people to the site.