transitioning hair

Hey my loves!

I’m here today with another hair chronicles post. I think these will be a little more frequent now that I am experimenting with different things regarding my hair. If you have been following this blog for a while or if you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter you know I rarely keep a hairstyle for more than two months, unless it is my signature doobie wrap. Well for the 1st part of 2013 (January-March) I wore my signature wrap. From March until May I had a weave. From May to the end of June I had a weave and cornrow combination going on. From June until August I had my poetic justice box braids. I took my braids out last week and now I’m at that stage where I have no idea what I want to do with my hair. I have only relaxed my hair twice this year, once in January and once in March. I am currently 5 months and 2 weeks post relaxer and this is the longest that I have been without a relaxer since my middle school days. I usually stretch my relaxer for about 3 months, but I’ve been doing a lot more protective styling than usual.

I say all of that to say I have no idea what to do with my hair now. I’m not sure if I want to long term transition natural, big chop, texlax/texturize my hair, protective style, or get another relaxer. Since I took out my braids I’ve worn a bun for a week and now I’m rocking a flexi rod set. Anyway so yesterday I co-washed my hair, but before that I did an avocado hair mask. My friend Melissa mentioned she used one and her hair came out great. So I decided to put my own little mask together.

Ingredients:

2 small avocados

1/4 cup of olive oil

2 Tbsp of natural honey

1 egg

Rationale: The avocado hair mask is a great deep conditioner. It adds shine and moisture to dry and brittle hair. The egg is great for protein hair repair. Honey is great for moisture and olive oil is great for making your hair more manageable, softer, and it adds shine, just like avocados.

Method

I mixed all of the ingredients in my Ninja blender and let cool in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Make sure there are no lumps in the mix. It should be a smooth paste. Before I let it cool I was tempted to taste it because it smelled so good lol. While the mix was cooling I detangled my hair and separated it into four sections. I then applied the mixture to each section similar to how my relaxers are applied. I focused mainly on my new growth and the line of demarcation and then worked my way down to my ends. My hair is pretty long and VERY THICK. So I used a lot of the mix to make sure all of my hair was coated. I had less than 1/4 left after applying a generous amount to all four sections. I then covered my hair with a plastic cap for about 45-minutes. I then rinsed my hair. Make sure you rinse your hair THOROUGHLY. You do not want to find little bits of avocado in your hair throughout the week lol.

Results

My hair was much softer than my previous wash. It was also smoother and silkier. Then I co-washed my hair Pantene’s Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Conditioner (the only one in my house). My hair felt incredible once I was done with the wash process. My hair was not tangled and it was easy to comb through. I applied a leave-in conditioner, sealed my hair with a mix of oils and then blow dried my hair. I think I’m going to continue using the avocado mask each time I wash my hair because it made my hair easy to manage with the two different textures.

Have you ever used a DIY hair mask? What’s your go to recipe?

Over the past few years we have seen a surge in African-American women saying goodby to their relaxed hair and embracing their natural locks. There also has been, what one may view as, a nasty fight between #TeamNatural and #TeamRelaxed. Within the past year it seems like what some may have viewed as “hype” has now become more accepted in to the mainstream. Many women of color were afraid to rock their natural with the fear of being judged and ostracized. I never promoted or condoned the entire #TeamRelaxed or #TeamNatural feud. It seemed like parties from both ends were attacking each other instead of promoting #TeamHealthyHair. We have so many options when it comes to hair and I feel that people should do what fits their lifestle- activities and budget, and whatever they prefer.

With more and more research linking relaxers to cancer, fibroids and other health issues, many women are making the switch and beginning to transition. Even though a lot of the research has been found inconclusive, women all over the world are not taking any chances and are beginning to transition.

With the natural hair market now in the spotligh of African-American Hair Care brands are taking notice. Carol’s Daughter has always been one step ahead. For years they’ve created hair care products that would suit the natural diva. In an interview with Huffington Post Black Voices Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter revealed

“We’re so excited about the upcoming launch of the ‘Transitioning Movement.’ Carol’s Daughter has always been a champion of embracing your individual beauty, and this is one more way that we’re giving women the encouragement and tools they need to make it happen”

Take a look at a promo video for the upcoming campaign which will launch in April.

Also Carol’s Daughter “Transitioning Movement” is also looking for “Transitioning Beauties of the Week.” If you are transitioning or are considering transitioning and want to know more about the movement visit the website at www.transitioningmovement.com

Check out the video with spokesperson Solange Knowles