Salon Stories: Not what I PICTURED edition

Yesterday was graduation picture day.  My mom warned me to make sure I did whatever to get my hair right because she “didn’t want to hear my mouth”….oh the love.  My hair comes out best on 2nd or 3rd day hair.  Originally I planned to wear an updo.  See…I chose an updo because that’s my go to whenever I’m having a bad hair day, and then VOILA…it’s a good hair day.  In our last senior meeting I heard that we wouldn’t take pictures with the caps on.  It was what I wanted to hear so I’d know if I could do an up do.

As instructed I experimented a bit…a few days before.  It was all wrong…way wrong.  Knowing this instead of rewashing my hair I simply re-twisted on the old hair.  Typically re-twisting on old hair, in bigger twists resembles 2nd or 3rd day hair…follow?  Doesn’t matter because that went to hell too!  The girls told me so.  After shaking and fluffage, Bird cocked her hair and said “it looks like you just woke up.”  Gotta love it.  It was so bad that the up do looked like crap too.

I was upset and cried to my compadres on FB.  I had running around to do so, so I made the best of it and ran out. I left it down, it didn’t look any better up. When I got home I decided to take the crap part…the front and re-twist.  The danger in that is, sometimes when you re-set, it doesn’t blend.  The older hair will look fuller, while the reset hair looks tighter. Follow?  I took a chance.  It came out better than expected, but then the sides which were good before turned to frizz.  I’m sure from the drying process on top.  Another mess.

I was late, nothing more I could do.  I started to tear up at my hair aka “the disaster” as I applied my make up.  When I got to the picture session somehow a new confidence came through!  I’mma make this hair work!  It did! A day that started so low ended on a high.  I’m a soon to be grad!

Mid-Afternoon crisis

Tuesday afternoon I sat on my couch, and thought “I wanna cut my hair.”  All out of the blue.  I didn’t like the way my ends felt…they felt dry, and looked wimpy.  I considered doing a big chop.  After I got talked out of that idea, I took a walk to the bathroom.

This is the result of my bathroom visit..  About 3.5 inches from the ends of my hair in the sink.  I grabbed, cut, and repeated.  A bit impulsive I’d say, and alot uneven now.

Since I colored my hair the second time, I’ve religiously deep conditioned,but it’s still dry. *sigh*  I like my color.  I have to find a way to combat this.  I’m sure the winter weather isn’t helping.  I’m on another mission.  I’ll report back with my holy grail.

Don’t try this at home.

Salon Stories: We’re both happy edition

I mentioned awhile ago how I’ve been struggling with Bird’s hair.  I’ve turned it all around. YAY!!!  We’re doing much better. Washing and detangling has been a breeze. I wash/condition/detangle her hair in sections. Cantu leave-in or Aussie Moist work really well.

Afterwards I rub shea butter all over. At this point, I’m still amazed at how detangled her hair is. Then I section her hair in whatever style I choose, and rub Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme through. I LOVE this stuff

It’s pricey, but there’s still a bogo special running. I normally put her hair in twists. Her twists last for days, and the smell is delish. We are both happy that washing and styling is no longer a nightmare.

NerdGirl, how u dew’in?

Salon Stories: Hair Healthy edition

I usually have braids in Bird’s hair. During the spring I got her hair pressed a few times. She has a very tight curl pattern. I remember when she was a baby she had so much hair, so dense…good luck finding her scalp. The older she’s gotten the drier it’s gotten. I’ve struggled finding the perfect regimen for her hair. What works for me or T doesn’t really fly for her. I started using blue magic’s coconut oil (grease right?) on her scalp every few days and I noticed a difference.

Recently I noticed that she has breakage right about where I’d part it if I were doing a half and half style. I don’t understand it but now I have to change up again.

Alot of y’all have boys, easy breezy. I know NerdGirl has her hands FULL!

Bird and I are gonna work this thing out.

My Salon Stories: Misson Fail edition

I let the color sit for about 40 minutes. I rinsed, shampooed, and deep conditioned. After my final rinse I used Kinky Curly’s Knot Today as my leave-in conditioner. Then I went to sleep, letting my hair air dry. As you can see, it did not take. I was so looking forward to waking up a firecracker. I’m no longer a dusty black, that’s the plus.

I’m going to wait a couple of weeks, and then have my color lifted and re-dyed. That is a harsh chemical treatment, I would never be able to do it if my hair was relaxed, unless I had a super short haircut. I’ve been wanting a change for awhile. I’ve become bored with my tresses. Going back to a sharp short cut was a consideration. From 1999-2001 I had one of those super short cuts, but I don’t want to do a big chop.

Me and my ‘T’ face at 2 years old

Salon Stories: Call me Red edition

I’m trying it on for size. My hair is so dark that it may not even take. The box lies and says if you’re this dark you should get this color

I’m working the mess out of this color

My fingers are crossed. This may be my last night a brunette

kibbles n bits

My exam was last Monday and I feel really good about it.  Such a load has been lifted.  When I arrived, I was really happy to see that the room was filled with so many diverse people.  That made me smile.  I also observed a woman sitting on the floor diagramming and timing herself.  If you don’t have it by now….. 

The test flew by for me although I was there from 12:30-6:00. 

Bird and I went to visit my grandmother on Sunday.  She’s not doing well, and I almost wished that the end would….

We were in the elevator leaving when a spanish man who knew no english spoke to an english Bird who spoke no spanish…lol, and then he gave her allll of the change out of his pocket.  It was so funny to watch.

I love basketball, but I only watch during the playoffs and finals.  I don’t know the last time I’ve felt this competitive watching the finals.  I’m sure I have, but it hasn’t been in a looooong time. bleep bleep bleep bleep you Fakers…go Celtics!!

I have been having the weirdest dreams.  The other night I dreamt I received my lsat score in the mail.  I opened the letter, spotted the score and then hooted, then my dream looped again.  I opened the letter, spotted the score, it was less so I was a bit disappointed…then it looped again.  It did this several times until I was completely devastated.

I still want to go to NC for law school.  With my health issues my mother is totally against it.  I understand her concerns, but staying in NY isn’t so great for my health either.  I’m still working with my new doctor to get stabilized.  She’s been tweaking my medication, hopefully I’ll be like new way before law school comes…then both of our minds can be at ease.

I spoke with my cousin who said that there’s virtually no traffic there.  I confirmed it with my friend as well…that’s unheard of!

I feel like I’m busier now then when I worked.  My to-do list is endless, but I’m REALLY enjoying my time off.  I hope to do some really fun things with the girls this summer.  I just spoke with T’s dance teacher.  She is one of very few students who were hand selected to attend a dance program this summer.  She is so happy, and I’m thrilled for her.

When I got home last night Bird had this waiting for me.

I got my hair cut on Friday.  I went to a she she salon, for what they did I could have gone to a local and gotten the same quality hair cut.  It’s a good cut, but ya kno…it’s a standard cut.  I also wanted to go funky with highlights.  They did a strand test and my hair didn’t survive it *sigh*.

My hair was finished with a blow out.  I went to choir rehearsal that night and this woman stopped me and seemed sad that my hair was straight..she said that I was the reason she put braids in..she wants to transition.  That was so nice.  I would have never known.

Do you use Aloe Vera? I love it, and use it for almost everything.  It reminds me of EVOO in that way.  I’ve been using it as a gel for our hair.  It works so well, and it’s natural. 

I’m enrolled in summer classes.  I see the end in sight!

I’m going to take a few short temp assignments this summer.   I don’t want anything long term or perm yet. 

It is 11:59am and I haven’t had anything to eat yet.  I’mma go rectify that right now.

Talk to me!

Salon Stories: What it ‘do?

This is the best way for me to salvage my ‘do when it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do.

Salon Stories – Hurr remix

I’m getting bored with my hair…well the color.  I haven’t used indigo in a minute so after many washes its back to dark brown/dusty black.  If I stay conservative I’ll just indigo again…if not I’m thinking red.  I’ll think on it more, I know that hair coloring isn’t the best.

Check out Ms. Goode.  I guess she got bored too.  She’s gone short, and added color.  I like.  Do you think this is a good look for her?

Salon Stories – Up and away edition

Last night I had every intention of conditioning and detangling my tresses.  What do you think happened?? NOT.A.THANG. 

My class was cancelled last night…that was an unexpected treat.  God showed me favor.  I came home and relaxed.  Before I went to sleep I sprayed my hair with a mix of water, giovanni’s leave in direct conditioner and coconut oil.  I did a few messy bantu twists and went to bed.

This morning it was uh…not great but it had a nice curl here and there.  Instead of pulling it into a pony I did an updo.  The back is to the side and rolled under.  I like it.  I’ve done this before I’m sure, but I’ll probably do it more often as a protective style.  I think its sassy enough to wear to church.

It reminds me of this updo…which I love.