One Year Post Big Chop! My Reflections...

(My hair a month or so before I did the big chop a year ago)

So tomorrow will mark one year since I have cut off my relaxed ends. I can not believe it has been a year. I am reluctant to take pictures because since the BC I have cut my hair twice and I fear that I will be discouraged by my length.

My thoughts...one year later.
I love being natural. My only regret is that I did not transition and stick with it sooner. I am STILL learning my hair but I have identified some products that work well for me.

What I would do different
Looking back...I would have transition YEARS ago. My transition was very plesant. As I have mentioned I used protective styles and weaves as my staple while transitioning. The only thing I would change...I wish I had discovered Henna and Amla sooner. But other than that, my transition was very pleasant.

Favorite products for my natural hair
Over this past year I have experimented ALLOT. My fav products thus far are:
Dulhan Henna
Reshma Henna
Hesh Amla
Tresseme Conditioner
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration
Fantascia IC Gel
Pantene Relaxed and Natural Mask
DevaCurl One Condition

Favorite style
I thought I would enjoy straight styles more than textured styles. Currently my favorite style is my puff. It is so easy and it looks good. I would love to wear more twisted styles as my hair grows longer... I also look forward to doing more braids outs soon. The only thing stopping me...is laziness. :-)

Well...that's it for now. I have neglected my blog and I promise to come back and update more. I have LOTS to share. :-)

Amla Paste vs Henna Treatment

I am torn. Tonight is my weekly spa treatment and I can not decide which treatment I want to do. I can say this that since I have started using the Ayurvedic powders my hair is looking GREAT. A few months ago I started raving about Henna. As I have previously stated, I was always afraid to henna my hair because I did not want to change the color of my hair nor did I want to loosen my curl pattern. Well after viewing VERY inspiring pictures on www.curlynikki.com, I decided to follow her lead and give it a try. My first experience with henna was pleasant. My second experience with henna was even better. My third experience with henna left me in LOVE with henna! So I started applying henna to my hair once a week and finally stretched it out to once every 2 weeks.
Well ofcourse my curls started to loosen and my puff was not looking as curly as usual. So hennaforhair.com mentioned using Amla powder in your henna. So I altered my henna recipe to include: green tea,honey, henna and amla powder. The Amla was added to prevent the loosening of my curl and keep my hair color from becoming TOO red. Well it worked. My hair still has/had a reddish tint but it was very subtle.
Well before I even started with henna a friend mentioned Amla powder and oil. I never got into it or even researched it. Well after seeing how well it worked with Henna I got curious. After doing a little research I decided to try it as a paste alone. I mixed Amla powder,coconut oil and olive oil and applied it to my hair for one hour. After I rinsed it out my hair was SUPER soft and MAD curly. I then applied a deep conditioner (last few times I used Elasta QP DPR 11) and was in love. I have been wearing a protective style so all I can account for is:
1. My hair had started shedding allot and it has decreased DRASTICALLY
2. My hair is not a s red anymore...looks similar to my 1B instant weave
3. My curls are POPPIN!
4. My hair feels fuller...but again I am in a bun baggied up. So who knows?

Well both henna and Amla have similar results...one is just WAY easier. I am also not sure if my shedding was from the brand of henna that I used or what...but I do know that Amla has helped decrease that drastically. I also know that if I henna...it will roll over into my Saturday morning. Whereas if I choose Amla I will be done tonight...Hmmmm what to choose.

I am feeling rather lazy and I plan to rreeaaalllyy be into work and watching the game tonight...maybe I will henna ONCE a month and AMLA every week or every other week. But my question is...if Amla is doing me so well...should I really continue with Henna.

Man...color me confused because Henna is also VERY good to my hair. I will let you know what I decide and take photos of my results.

Oh...and before I go. I am happy to report that my edges (temple area) are filling back in. I was looking at my little fuzz this morning. I am SO happy that my hair is obedient! LOL