Hey what's up! Hope you all are having an amazing 2012 thus far. I know I am very eager to see what this New Year will bring. After such a challenging 2011, I am definitely game for some fun and smiling and all around good vibes.
I didn't really keep up with the blog last year due to so many challenges that came my way. I was so depressed and discouraged, the last thing I wanted was to come on here and try to be cheery. My relationships with family and friends, the direction of my career and education path, my natural hair journey and overall physical well-being were all just taking a hit. But I am still here, ready for whatever is coming next.
I have to be honest though, the idea of a blog is still so weird to me, despite having this one for a few years now. As I said in my last post, I am more introverted and immediate when it comes to my thoughts--I will journal tons of things before they'll ever make it to this blog. All kinds of theories, discoveries, etc.
So that said, I think I am going to try to get more of that on here and share it with you...But first let's get caught up from last year.
Natural Hair Struggles/Realizations:
Ok, so I finally got a trim late October/early November. The first one since I BC'd in February. And what a surprise, she only trimmed off about 1/2". I just knew I would need more off, but I didn't so I was happy. But...*dum dum dum* my hair was not happy with me. Don't get me wrong, it was healthy and in good shape, but having a trim just knocked my routine over. I'd just gotten used to how it was hanging and laying and to have a trim was a styling shock--even though shape of the hair was much better, it wasn't responding to my styling techniques.
Anyways, I had such a hard time styling that I just gave up and started twisting. At first I did some medium-large twists and tried those for a few days, then the next set I made them smaller and wore those. Trying to figure out what would work for me since I have fine hair and some sections are less dense than others. So after a little bit of practice and strategy, I figured out how small to make them and to part them at an angle. It took me 6 hours!! I was so happy with them, I left them in for 3 weeks--and didn't wash them at all. So not like me, lol, but I didn't even care.
Oddly enough, once I finally took the twists out and clarified my hair and scalp something serious, I just threw some random products in there (no planning at all) and my hair turned out GREAT and I got 3, 4, and even 5 day hair, which never, ever happened before.
I plan on putting some twists back in again this coming weekend. I want to leave them in for at least 2 weeks, but no more than 3. I think my hair (and my sanity) do well with this, so yeah.
There is one particular blog that has really helped me stay motivated when I was frustrated with my hair:
Naturally Obsessed.
I was so inspired by her hair; I wanted to set better goals for myself,
but at the same time keep it simple, since that's really all my hair
requires...
Nail Care Reconciliation:
During the summer and fall seasons when I was trying to figure out what hair styles and products were working for me and what could I stick with, I ended up
seriously neglecting my nails. Rinsing and conditioning everyday is ok for my hair, but absolutely devastating for my nails. I naturally have thinner, weaker nails that are peelie-prone so keeping them water-logged is the worse thing I could do. So when I had my hair in twists, I was able to reconcile them and figure out a game plan. Now my nails are my 2nd highest beauty priority (after skin; hair is #3...or 4 lol). So look for NOTDs more often from me :)
Here's the blog that helped me figure out how to get my nail situation in order:
LoodieLoodieLoodie
Skin Care/Makeup...aka BlahBlahBlah lol:
I have been so lazy with the skin care, it's really quite sad. Luckily the products I use allow my skin to bounce back, but the problem is that I haven't been consistent enough for it to matter (being depressed can do that). So since I have been slacking on that, I haven't been wearing makeup, as that would just make matter worse. So while that is a work in progress, I doubt I will be doing any FOTDs, maybe EOTDs here and there since I've changed the way I do my eye makeup...again lol.
So hopefully this year will bring exciting revelations and lessons to learn and share! Or at least some funny stories :p
xoxo
