First blowout was on 8/19/10
Second blowout was on 3/23/11
Im so happy. I could kick myself for waiting so long to do this..
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
What An Amazing Journey So Far!!
Decided to post pictures of my hair growth after talking to my buddy online who after seeing my latest picture couldn't believe how long my hair had gotten, within this short period of time. I'm so glad I took pictures because at times even I thought my hair wasn't growing. Having curls makes it hard to tell my real length.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Anticipated LP from Marsha Ambrosius Due Soon "FLOETRY"
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Structure Of Hair
The hair comes in three main parts: the cuticle, the cortex, and the medulla.
The Cuticle
♥ The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft.
♥ It is composed of overlapping scale-like cells that lift and lay flat to regulate the absorption and release of moisture.
♥ The cuticle is transparent and its purpose is to protect the inner structures of the hair from damage.
♥ Relaxers, hair color, permanent waves, harsh combing and brushing, and using shampoos or other hair products with harsh chemicals can damage the outer layer of the hair. The cuticle serves as protection to the inner, more fragile parts of the hair. So we must be sure to treat the cuticle gently.
The Cortex
♥ The cortex is the inner layer of the hair.
♥ This part gives the hair its elasticity and shape.
♥ It also contains the pigment that gives the hair its color. This is seen through the transparent cuticle.
♥ The cortex contains fiber-like substances made of keratin and other substances.
♥ When you wet your hair or moisturize it, it goes through the cuticles and into the cortex. This moisture in the cortex helps the hair retain its health.
♥ Water actually provides the means for the necessary hydrogen bonding between the keratin fibers to occur. This bonding is essential for the maintenance of hair strength and elasticity. Without moisture in the cortex, the hair becomes thin, frizzy, and much more prone to permanent damage and breakage. Thus, the cuticle layer performs a very important duty by protecting this delicate interior of the hair and helping it maintain the proper balance of moisture.
The Cortex
♥ The cortex is the inner layer of the hair.
♥ This part gives the hair its elasticity and shape.
♥ It also contains the pigment that gives the hair its color. This is seen through the transparent cuticle.
♥ The cortex contains fiber-like substances made of keratin and other substances.
♥ When you wet your hair or moisturize it, it goes through the cuticles and into the cortex. This moisture in the cortex helps the hair retain its health.
♥ Water actually provides the means for the necessary hydrogen bonding between the keratin fibers to occur. This bonding is essential for the maintenance of hair strength and elasticity. Without moisture in the cortex, the hair becomes thin, frizzy, and much more prone to permanent damage and breakage. Thus, the cuticle layer performs a very important duty by protecting this delicate interior of the hair and helping it maintain the proper balance of moisture.
The Medulla
♥ The medulla is the core and the innermost part of the hair.
♥ It is composed of round, loosely bound cells containing the protein keratin.
♥ The medulla makes up the chemical composition of the hair.
♥ Sometimes, the medulla is not continuous in the hair strand (may start at one part of the hair and then stop abruptly and then start again in the same strand), may be fragmented, and sometimes isn't even present. Coarser hair usually has more of its medulla, while finer hair usually has little to no medulla. The medulla really serves no critical purpose.
Originally Posted by:
Precious Curls
Twitter, Facebook and Youtube Cash Oh My!
I signed up for a opportunity to earn extra cash online. You never know how these things are going to work out, but I've found you'll never know until you take action. This particular opportunity was attractive because the company pays you every Friday directly in your Paypal Account and you only need $2 to get paid. This is rare as most companies require you earn anywhere from $50-$100 and generally they pay you on a 30-60 day cycle.
Turn your Twitter, Facebook and Youtube Activity into weekly cash details at http://mylikes.com/signup?token=laylaraye
Become an Influencer on MyLikes and earn money or help your favorite charity by recommending what you like. Create Sponsored Likes for advertisers/sponsors that you Like, post them on Twitter and/or embed it your Blog. You get paid per click and your cost-per-click is set and constantly adjusted based on how influential you are and how relevant your Likes are. There are three simple steps to get started.
Step 1- Choose advertisers relevant to your audience
Step 2- Create and post sponsored likes to your website or Twitter
Step 3- The more influential you are and the more relevant your likes, the more you earn per click
Turn your Twitter, Facebook and Youtube Activity into weekly cash details at http://mylikes.com/signup?token=laylaraye
Turn your Twitter, Facebook and Youtube Activity into weekly cash details at http://mylikes.com/signup?token=laylaraye
Become an Influencer on MyLikes and earn money or help your favorite charity by recommending what you like. Create Sponsored Likes for advertisers/sponsors that you Like, post them on Twitter and/or embed it your Blog. You get paid per click and your cost-per-click is set and constantly adjusted based on how influential you are and how relevant your Likes are. There are three simple steps to get started.
Step 1- Choose advertisers relevant to your audience
Step 2- Create and post sponsored likes to your website or Twitter
Step 3- The more influential you are and the more relevant your likes, the more you earn per click
Turn your Twitter, Facebook and Youtube Activity into weekly cash details at http://mylikes.com/signup?token=laylaraye
Friday, February 4, 2011
NYX Luxury - Sponsored Post
Up to 70% off on NYX cosmetics Cute cupcake lipgloss and more. Sign up for HauteLook and check it out >>
Thursday, February 3, 2011
DONUT BUN PROTECTIVE STYLE
While surfing the internet today I found what I think will be my staple protective hair style when my hair grows out a little more. I found a easy to do Donut Bun tutorial by See My Healthy Hair Grow. I've seen this done with a sock but the mesh donut insert looks to be of less work and looks very uniformed.
Here are the tools if you want to purchase:
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
HAIR TYPE AND TEXTURE??
I read this article by Gennifer Miller
When this type of hair is wet, it appears to be pretty straight. As it dries, the hair goes back to its curly state. When curly hair is wet it usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Humidity tends to make this type of curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier. Type 3 hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy.
Andre defines two subtypes of curly hair. First, there is type 3A hair which is very loosely curled and usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair is, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair is the more defined the curl. Then, there is type 3B hair which has a medium amount of curl to tight corkscrews. It's not unusual to see a mixture of these types existing on the same head. Curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part. Lastly there is a type 3C, is hair type that is not in Andre Walker's book, but many people suggest that it should be. This type of hair can be described as tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.
Type 2
A relatively unusual type, wavy hair tends to be coarse, with a definite S pattern to it. There are three Type 2 subtypes: A- Fine /thin, B -medium-textured, and C - thick and coarse. Type 2A is very easy to handle, blowing out into a straighter style or taking on curlier looks with relative ease. Types 2B and 2C are a little more resistant to styling and have a tendency to frizz.
Type 1
Type 1 is naturally straight hair.
Understanding Your Hair Type and Texture!
Part of learning how to take better care of your hair is understanding what type of hair you have. Nowadays, we try and refrain from using terms like "good hair" and "bad hair". They just tend to downplay the natural beauty and versatility of coarse hair.
Instead, we look for creative ways to describe different hair types and textures. One of the most popular methods of classification was created by Andre Walker, a stylist and author of Andre Talks Hair. His system was summarized well on a site called Diaspora Hair Care forum. Type 4
According to Andre Walker, if your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very fragile. Similar to Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of these strands densely packed together. Type 4 hair that is healthy won't shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel silkier than it will look shiny.
Type 4 hairs looks tough and durable, but looks can be deceiving. If you have Type 4 hair, you already know that it is the most fragile hair around. There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an S pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a Z pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter Z). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture.
Type 3Instead, we look for creative ways to describe different hair types and textures. One of the most popular methods of classification was created by Andre Walker, a stylist and author of Andre Talks Hair. His system was summarized well on a site called Diaspora Hair Care forum. Type 4
According to Andre Walker, if your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very fragile. Similar to Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of these strands densely packed together. Type 4 hair that is healthy won't shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel silkier than it will look shiny.
Type 4 hairs looks tough and durable, but looks can be deceiving. If you have Type 4 hair, you already know that it is the most fragile hair around. There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an S pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a Z pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter Z). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture.
When this type of hair is wet, it appears to be pretty straight. As it dries, the hair goes back to its curly state. When curly hair is wet it usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Humidity tends to make this type of curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier. Type 3 hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy.
Andre defines two subtypes of curly hair. First, there is type 3A hair which is very loosely curled and usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair is, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair is the more defined the curl. Then, there is type 3B hair which has a medium amount of curl to tight corkscrews. It's not unusual to see a mixture of these types existing on the same head. Curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part. Lastly there is a type 3C, is hair type that is not in Andre Walker's book, but many people suggest that it should be. This type of hair can be described as tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.
Type 2
A relatively unusual type, wavy hair tends to be coarse, with a definite S pattern to it. There are three Type 2 subtypes: A- Fine /thin, B -medium-textured, and C - thick and coarse. Type 2A is very easy to handle, blowing out into a straighter style or taking on curlier looks with relative ease. Types 2B and 2C are a little more resistant to styling and have a tendency to frizz.
Type 1
Type 1 is naturally straight hair.
I find this more confusing than anything specially when you have many different textures in your head like myself. I really don't use this type and texture thing. To me its another form of separation"the bad and good hair mess" For me it's better to just really take that time out and pay attention to what my hair needs. With that being said, finding the product that works best for me. For me its a trial and error thing. I am not a PROFESSIONAL but I know All products do not work for all people. I do think when u find that one product that does work you don't let it go unless your hair changes or requires something else. Hope you guys enjoy this article and please tell me what you think about this texture and type thing.
Monday, January 31, 2011
MEGA-TEK 2011 CHALLENGE!! LONGER,FULLER HAIR
Since I've started my natural hair journey one of my issues with my hair is that I have a fine grade of hair and would love for it to be a little thicker. I then heard so much about Mega-Tek and how it makes your hair thicker, stronger and longer. After reading many blogs and watching many videos on this product of how good the results were. I decided to join the ladies of Hairlista.com in the MEGA-TEK 2011 CHALLENGE. The challenge starts Feb 15, 2011 and ends on May 15. If your interested in the challenge you may want to check out this link for rules and instructions http://www.hairlista.com/group/megatek2011challenge. I've also read and heard that this product is a strong in protein and that many women were experiencing shedding. What is recommended is taking garlic pills and adding castor oil to the Mega-Tek. I will be using Jamaican Black Castor oil. You can purchase them here:
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Dumb Dummy - Sponsored Post
I just watched the new "Dumb Dummy" video by @WhoJt ...Man you have to watch it too! Check It Out Here =>
MY HAIR REGIMEN WITH PRODUCTS I LOVE TO USE
After thinking about when I was a teenager and how my hair grew then, I remembered two times my hair grew the most. One was when my mother insisted I keep my hair cornrowed and the other was later in my teen when I had a Jeri curl. Adding two and two together i figured keeping my hair moisturized, braided and not manipulating it to much would be my answer to better growth. These are some of the things i use for my hair:
1. To keep my hair on my scalp instead of being ripped out by a regular pillow case I now where a satin bonnet to bed.
2. I wash my hair once a week with a shampoo that doesnt have drying chemicals in it. Right now I have two favorites that leaves my hair so soft and manageable. My first choice is Giovanni's Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner
For Backup when i run out of Giovanni I use Organix Coconut Milk Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner.
For my deep conditioning days where I use body heat or hair dryer for 30 minutes to 1hr. I chose something old school Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream. I was looking for a conditioner that was reasonable in price and actually had at least 30 min sitting time on the Label. I didn't think having that criteria would make finding something that hard, well it was I didn't find to much of anything that had 30 minutes on the label until spotting Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream this did not cost more than a few dollars and most definitely does the job for my hair. My hair always feels well moisturized and soft after using it. As they say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
In between washes I use a spray bottle full of mostly water and part vegetable glycerine,jojoba oil.
For the times I want my curls really define I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler and Kinky-Curly Curl Custard Gel. If used properly it does exactly what it says it does. Keys to using this is you must use both products and with the curl custard a little goes a long way.
At this current time I do wash-n-gos, blow outs or cornrows under wigs
1. To keep my hair on my scalp instead of being ripped out by a regular pillow case I now where a satin bonnet to bed.
2. I wash my hair once a week with a shampoo that doesnt have drying chemicals in it. Right now I have two favorites that leaves my hair so soft and manageable. My first choice is Giovanni's Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner
For Backup when i run out of Giovanni I use Organix Coconut Milk Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner.
For my deep conditioning days where I use body heat or hair dryer for 30 minutes to 1hr. I chose something old school Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream. I was looking for a conditioner that was reasonable in price and actually had at least 30 min sitting time on the Label. I didn't think having that criteria would make finding something that hard, well it was I didn't find to much of anything that had 30 minutes on the label until spotting Queen Helene Cholesterol Cream this did not cost more than a few dollars and most definitely does the job for my hair. My hair always feels well moisturized and soft after using it. As they say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I also use neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in Cream.
In between washes I use a spray bottle full of mostly water and part vegetable glycerine,jojoba oil.
For the times I want my curls really define I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave in Conditioner/Detangler and Kinky-Curly Curl Custard Gel. If used properly it does exactly what it says it does. Keys to using this is you must use both products and with the curl custard a little goes a long way.
At this current time I do wash-n-gos, blow outs or cornrows under wigs
Make Over $200 a Day Online! - Sponsored Post
Breaking News: Stay at Home Mom Shares Secret to Making Over $200 a Day Online! See Details.. [Retweet]
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My Natural Hair Journey
This is my natural hair timeline thus far... It didn't come to my attention until writing this blog that i never really wore my hair out since 1995 wow!! Sorry i don't have any pictures that far back but this gives you an idea of what i wore. this is a half sensational wig.
My last perm was in November 2009. I transitioned for about 6 months due to me already not liking short hair. I figure letting it grow a bit before i cut it, would help me not to feel to bad. I wore these micro braids for that time.
In May 2010 I did the chop. I washed my hair and cut off all straight ends and a week later I put back in the micro braids for two more months.
In July i took them out and trimmed my hair of any straight ends I didn't get before and this is how it came out.
This is my first blow out.I wanted to see how much it really grew in 6 months
In August I tried finger coils with evo gel
Most of the time I did wash in goes but in November 2010 I tried a Mohawk blow out. I was in ahhh when i saw how long it was. After this I believe i did another dusting of my ends.
At the End of December I took a few more pictures checking my growth.
This is where my hair is as of January 2011.
My journey Continues.........
One Of My Natural Hair Inspirations
Shortly after doing my big chop, I watched the BET Awards show of 2010 Where I saw a gorgeous beauty perform a jazz rendition of Prince's If I Was your Girlfriend. I couldn't do anything but stare at her natural beauty. She was so pretty and her hair was big and awesome. "I'm a lover of huge hair" I thought to myself if only I could grow my hair out that huge I would rock the hell out of it and no one could tell me anything...lol. Esperanza Spalding is one of my inspiration to keep my natural hair journey going.
Esperanza Spalding
MY NATURAL HAIR TAKE OVER INCENTIVE
As a baby in my hair journey i felt i needed a theme song for an incentive to help me with my New Year's resolution "To stay away from perms" Every woman should have one, music always has had a way of making one smile and creating a rainbow on a cloudy day. Here is mine:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
