*Disclaimer* I wrote the following post on January 15, 2015. There is a March 2015 update.

As of January 2, 2015 I unfollowed 97% of the hair pages that I was following on Instagram. I was trying to “Keep up with the Jones’” and try styles and products that really did not suit my hair type or preferable style but I had just had to follow them because they were “popular.” I’m officially done. On December 30, 2014 I was so hyped to get crochet braids because they were the new “It” hairstyle. I did some research, bought some hair, and went to the salon Tuesday at 9am. I showed them the hair and they said it wasn’t suitable for the style I wanted. I went back to a beauty supply store and bought the proper hair and spent 4 hours getting my hair done. Although I have a small head, I have a lot of hair. The process wasn’t as painful as box braids or senagelese twists. Everyone that came into the salon kept complimenting the hair and how the style was coming out so I was excited to see it.

So around 1:30 I was done. I looked in the mirror and I was not happy. I managed to smile, paid the money and kept it moving. I was miserable. It was way too much hair and did not look like the styles that I see on the gram. I met up with my mom and sis and did not want to take my hat off. Once I did there was a lonnnnngggg pause…then my sister said “It’s not that bad.” I said, “But it is bad though?” It was a mess. I tried to restyle it, but on headbands and I just wasn’t happy. Usually when I like a hairstyle I like it and you know it. I was not feeling confident at all. My boyfriend wasn’t a fan, my line sister said “Fix it Jesus” lol. I wasn’t upset with them because I hated it too.

Yeah…my hair did not look like this…

I went to a game night on Friday January 2, 2015 and some people didn’t even recognize me. So Saturday January 3, 2015 around 12pm I cut the bulk of the hair and took out the crochet twists. I needed help because of the “closure” the stylists did at the top. It was a mess.

I went to my salon got a wash and set and now I am back to square one.

My hair is the thinnest that it has ever been. It’s not crazy thin, but I’m used to having thicker hair. The front stops around my cheeks and the back grazes the shoulders. The front of my hair is so thin and short because my ends were badly damaged and fuzzy, so they had to go. Remember a few years ago I didn’t relax my hair for about 6 months and then started to texlax for a few months, then I went back to my regular relaxers. I had 52 different textures, mainly in the front. My hair dresser did perm my ends, but did not want to over process them, so she would trim my ends often. That’s why I have two different lengths. I am going to go back to what I was doing before I was encapsulated by all of this blogging stuff: protective styles, co-washes, marley buns, texlaxing, relaxer stretches, etc. That stuff works for some people, but not for me. I’m going back to my old regimen. Wash and sets and deep conditions every week and a half or two weeks, relaxers every 8-10 weeks, trims, moisturize and seal when necessary. All of that in addition to having healthier diet and taking my vitamins.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. So I’m going back to my old ways.

*UPDATE  March 11, 2015*

I. AM. LOVING. MY. HAIR. Based on how my year started off, I did not expect to be saying that so soon. I stopped doing what I saw and did what was best for me. Being a blogger I would often get invites to various events and get tons of products that really weren’t for me. I would see results on other bloggers, but they were natural and it worked for them. Instead of trying to keep up with that lifestyle I went back to what I knew worked; my Dominican wash and sets and deep conditions. Spare me with the heat damage and all of that other stuff. My hair is the healthiest that it is has been in years. I am retaining length and my hair is much fuller. Most importantly, I’m happy with the results and progress.

What are your hair goals and regimens?