The Virtuous Journey: Is That All You?

Is that all of your hair? I have heard that a few times since getting my hair flat ironed this last time. I don't mind the question because I use to be the weave/wig queen! I knew all about different yaki, remi, indian wet and wavy hair that would make your head spin. I love change and not sure the real reason I wore the extra hair but I enjoyed the quick change it allowed me to achieve in an afternoon instead of trying to grow my hair unsuccessfully for years.

I have the honor of receiving the gray hair genes in the family and have had strands since middle school at age 13. With trying to dye my hair (I don't mind gray but the amount I have is comparison to a senior citizen) and get relaxers my hair was not healthy at all and stuck at shoulder length or above for many years. I had to make a decision between dying my hair often to keep up with the gray or getting relaxers since doing both was thinning my hair out. I decided that cutting it all off and starting over with no relaxers was going to be my best bet. I did the "big chop" for New Years 2008. I was so self conscious of my short hair. I mean it was so short I could barely get comb twists (pictures to come when I get home to my desk top). SO I was hiding my hair for about 2 years and in the process not letting it get the moisture and care it needed. Finally listening to a friend (thanks Anneka) I went to a really good stylist who would teach me to care for my natural tresses. I also was a googling fool looking up everything on how to make your own moisturizers, conditioners, etc. This was really helpful this year in Germany. Although there are a lot of people of color here, there aren't any products in stores for their hair textures. I made my own moisture hair dress and was protecting my hair from the cold winter here in Germany by wearing two strand twists and braid outs. So I want to show you my hair growth from my arrival in Germany until now.

July 2011