21 Questions Hair Tag

Here's my response to Ms. Fancy Flair Lady's 21 Questions Hair Tag.

Although she tagged me a couple weeks ago, I've only been able to complete it this week. Sorry for the late post! Hope you enjoy =)

1. Why did you start taking better care of your hair?

Last year around this time I was experiencing major shedding, plus a severe flare-up of seborrhoeic dermatitis. This led me first to watching videos on youtube (shout out to ulovemegz!) and then hair blogs to find a solution to my hair issues. Then I decided to start my own blog this year =)

2. What are your 2 favourite hair products?

This is a hard one! If I had to choose only two they would be Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in Cream.

3. Who's hair did you admire as a child?

My mother's! From the braids she wore, to the times that her hair was relaxed or natural, I loved watching my mother take care of her hair.

4. What is your ultimate goal length?

Right I haven't decided on an ultimate goal. I definitely want to get at least to bra strap length. Maybe after I reach that goal I'll go for waist length.

5. How are you going to celebrate when you reach your ultimate goal?

I'm going to do a bombshell hair style! lol Like a retro or pin-up style with bouncy curls. I'll probably wear a matching outfit and makeup and wear that all day =P

6. Two styles you want to try at your goal length?

A fish tail braid and super curl hair using a curling iron or even flexi rods.

7. Which do you prefer: Health or Length?

Both are important to me, but I know health is what matters more overall.

8. Which do you prefer: hair ties with no metal parts or butterfly clips?

Hair ties. Butterfly clips are too uncomfortable for my scalp.

9. What products do you prefer: salon brands, organic brands, BSS brands, Drugstore brands, or other?

All of the above! Brand doesn't matter as long as the product does what it's supposed to, and doesn't have too many harmful ingredients.

10. Which product/technique do you think is over-rated?

Extended relaxer stretches. I admire the women who gan go 3-6 months or longer on a stretch but just 9 weeks post is a headache for me. Plus it damages my hair more than increases its health.

11. Which product/technique do you think is under-rated?

Pincurls!

12. What is your favourite part of your hair regimen?

On wash days, it's taking my rollers down from my hair and enjoying the curls =)

13. What is the most annoying part of your hair regimen?

Detangling after washing my hair at 8-9 weeks post relaxer. Ouch!

14. Oils or butters?

Oils. I've never tried hair butters.

15. Buns or ponytails?

Buns! Especially big buns from an old braid-out.

16. Wigs or weaves?

Neither. I don't particularly like them. (don't hate! =)

17. What is your opinion of growth aids?

Although I don't use any, I would prefer "natural" growth aids like castor oil. I don't like the idea or using a pill, cream or gel.

18. At what length do you consider hair long?

Arm pit length.

19. When is the last time you visited a salon?

About seven weeks ago for my last relaxer.

20. What do you like to surf most often: Youtube channels, personal blogs, or hair forums?

Oh gosh, who can choose among those?? I think I surf personal blogs most often.

21. And finally, what piece of advice would you give to someone just starting out on their hair journey?

I would advise him/her to be armed with as much information before starting a hair journey. Besides hair blogs and forums, The Science of Black Hair by Audrey-Davis Sivasothy is a priceless book about healthy hair care.  Knowing as much as possible before the journey would make it a lot easier to be prepared for possible setbacks, as well as to prevent them.


Love!
~Hatter

A different hairdresser and vitamins

Today I visited my sister's hairdresser in the hope of having a more pleasant experience than I ususally have at my stylist. In part, I did. The lady sounded like she studied the Science of Black Hair. *applause please* Unlike my hairdresser back home, she talked to me about moisture/protein levels, detangling properly, gentle care and the dryness and fragile nature of black hair. In short, she sounded knowledgeable and professional... quite unlike my stylist!

Unfortunately, I emerged quite disturbed at her opinion that my hair seems to be doing poorly. I have noticed over the past month or so that my hair is breaking more than usual, but that was about it. However, after emerging from the deep conditioner, my hair was hard, tangly and rough. Let me tell you, I think she just used the wrong products, but what did she blame? Swollen cuticles from bum bum bummmmm... airdrying.
Yesss I have been airdrying my hair everytime I wash. Isn't that good? According to the hairdresser its not good for my hair seeing as it's so dry. =(
I wasn't sure what to believe, but I did agree with her that I need to learn how to rollerset my hair after washing. Ughh

On the other hand! Today I also bought vitamins to help support my hair's health.

One A Day Teen Advantage complete multivitamin for Her

This one is packed full of the good stuff: Vitamin Bs, Iron, Biotin (yaaay!) plus calcium and other goodies for overal health.
I'll be honest with you, I've known vitamins are good for hair journeys but I finally bought them because of how beautiful my sister's hair has been since she's been on them! She uses Centrum vitamins for women though. Seeing as she's a....young adult -.-
Boom! Come at me vitamins! Pleease help to strengthen my hair and promote growth!

Happy hair day!
Hatter~

Hair craze

For some weeks now I've wanted to create a blog documenting my hair journey, and now I've finally gotten the opportunity to do so. I realize (translation- I'm quite overwhelmed) that there are already quite a few women who are documenting their hair journeys via the blogsphere. However, I hope that my little blog will make a dot on the map, and, besides inspiring me to stick to my hair goals, will inspire someone else out there who's desperatlely striving to achieve healthy relaxed hair.

I actually started my hair journey in December 2011, after stumbling (ok, tripping) across a ginormous amount of information from blogs I've read online. I mean really, who can't get addicted to reading this stuff? Anyway, back in December 2011 I was quite frustrated with my hair because of the heavy shedding I was experiencing. I felt like I was losing handfulls of hair every wash day and about half that every day. To make matters worse? Last Thursday my collarbone-length tresses were chopped off to shoulder length because of the accursed "split ends". And I never thought it would be this hard to grow long, healthy relaxed hair. So where to find a solution to the hair drama? The web, of course! =)
The Science of Black Hair was my first hair-epiphany.

I ordered it from amazon.com and seriously, I felt like I could tackle any problem I came accross with my hair after reading this book! In reality? No...not yet anyway. But I'm on the road!

I highly recommend it to ANYONE who wants to learn how to take better care of their hair- whether relaxed or natural. After reading, I was shocked at the hair trauma I was (inadvertently) inflicting on my delicate tresses. So now, armed with information on how to supply adequate moisture and protein to my hair, what to look for in the ingredient lists of shampoos, conditioners etc, and why that comb might not be the best to be ripping through my hair, I am ready for this hair journey baby! Oh, and before I do the churn-the-butter-dance, I must express how grateful I am to the author of the book, Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, for realizing that black women do need a guide to providing the care that our hair needs, and not the stereotypical ideas and black hair care myths that have left many of us with broken, short, pathetic, unhealthy strands.

Love ~
Hatter!