Return from Vacation Updates w/pics

I'm back from vacation. I had a beautiful time with fam and friends. I feel relaxed and rejuvenated, besides being a little jet-lagged. I also feel giddy everytime I open my bathroom closet, as it is are now stocked with products! You'd think I'd won a sweepstakes or something!

Being in the States for vacation made me realize, I would be a total product junky if I were living there. I know in my hair goals post, I discussed finding one or two staple products, however, that's easy to say living in Europe, where options are significantly smaller. So when I got home and hit the aisles of Target, Walgreens and CVS, I kind of went wild--- like literally cray cray! I just started grabbing up products as if they were disappearing. Some of the finds that I am loving at the moment are: Tressemme Naturals and Brahmi Oil. I will try Giovanni "Smooth as Silk" for the first time today, I've heard really good things about so I'm excited!

I know in my "gray hair discovery"post, I mentioned that I would henna my hair. I don't know why but there is just a little voice in the back of my head that is telling me not to henna. I listened to it and decided against it. I guess I'm just not ready. I must have a hair committment issue and the idea of having to retouch and re-henna on regular basis makes me a little weary. I did however, decide to get highlights! I wanted a new look and to brighten things up a bit. I got light brown and honey colored highlights only in my crown and the front of my hair. I really love the look and think it adds great dimension to my hair. The highlights didn't at all loosed my curl pattern and I haven't experienced any unusual dryness. I'll upload pics later of my highlights on flat-ironed and natural hair.

Besides the color, I've just been enjoying an easier more laidback approach to my hair in the summer. Twice a week co-washes and pulling it back into a high puff. This was my vacation approach at least, I'm hoping it carries over to my everyday approach. Simplicity is lovely.

I feel like my hair responded so well to the climate back in the States. It loved humidity and salty, moist, ocean air. Everytime I went to beach, I could not stop caressing my hair. Oh well, a girl, or at least her hair, can't have it all, but can be spoiled from time to time with a nice beach vacation.

How are you liking your summer hair routines?

Xoxo

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My hair highlighted and flatironed in an updo.

My summer to-go-to style wash and puff

My highlighted natural hair

Hair goals update

Products/ Goals
I am on a quest to streamline my products and find products where I live (tired of having an overweight suitcase). The other day, while shopping at a new store, I found this:

Garnier mild conditioner with avocado oil and shea butter

I had seen the shampoo in my local grocery store, but never the conditioner. This morning I used it for the first time and let me just say, not only was it creamy and moisturizing but it also gave my hair the perfect slip for detangling. Now that's what I call 2 in 1! The leave-in smells heavenly, it's creamy but not too thick or heavy and leaves my hair feeling super soft. I am not sure whether I prefer Garnier's Triple Moisture leave-in or this one, it's only day 1, so I'll give it some time.

Hair goals/ length
Today, I did a length check and was surprised to see that the back of my hair is just past shoulder length, the sides are collarbone length and the front of my hair is jaw length (guess shrinkage in the front is more intense than the back)! So it looks like I've reached my hair goal, before the end of the year. I hope to get 3 more inches before the end of the year, that would be great!

Thick dandruff
I've never had an issue with dandruff, but the past 2 months I've noticed thick white flakes near my hair line and the center of my hair. I don't think it's related to stress nor diet, I have a healthy diet, exercise and try to keep stress to a minimum. My suspicion is that it may be due to product build-up on my scalp.  I've taken measures to combat it head on and so far so good. Here's what I do, to ensure a healthy moisturized scalp:

• While shampooing (1 x per week), I give myself a head massage (using the tips of my fingers, not nails). I put pressure on my scalp and move my fingers in a circular motion, to break up any dirt or grime.
• Make sure I completely rinse out conditioner and shampoo.
• Do not apply any leave-ins or heavy oils near or on my scalp.
• Lightly rub jojoba infused with peppermint essential oil on my scalp 1 -2 times per week. Jojoba is great because it's light  and mimics the sebum found in human skin). The peppermint tingles and refreshes my scalp. Research shows that it reduces itching and dandruff; it moisturizes the scalp and stimulates growth follicles--- again 2 for 1!

Styling goals
I think at the end of this week, I will do a light blow out, then set my hair on flexi-rods. I'm excited to to try a new style!

Carpe Diem: 9 month update

 

First and foremost, Happy New Year Everyone!! I hope you are having a wonderful start in 2012 and are enjoying keeping up with your resolutions! I for one can already feel spring approaching as the days gradually grow longer. I can't wait, it's my second favorite season next to fall! Can't wait to leave my house and not worry about my hair being damp and it being too cold outside. 

My resolutions for 2012 are:

• To finish my thesis.
• Find a permanent job after I finish my thesis.
• Take a fun class with my husband (we've decided on tango, hope I don't break any toes).
• Exercise at least 3 xs per week.
• Continue eating healthy and to learn a bit about herbal remedies. I've recently started making my own tea using ginger, honey and cloves-- it's great for digestion and circulation (my fingers and toes are always cold and I've noticed results already)!
• Do things I love and do them often!
• Learn to keep an orchid alive, I've killed 2 in a matter of months!

I'm really enjoying my short natural hair! At first when I transition chopped I was so caught up on my hair growing that I almost forgot to enjoy rocking my new cut! The other day I thought to myself, long hair will be so lovely, but boy oh boy is it going to be a big hassle when it comes to washing. So my new motto is "rock what I've got". Besides, my hair can only grow down from here! Well, I guess it can also grow upwards and horizontally too, lol! I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's growing everyday and it's healthy so I shouldn't worry about the length, just let it do its thing.

I really love my curls. I like how they spring back every time I pull them out or how I can twirl my finger around my curl and watch it curl up even more. I really enjoy when my husband leans over and smells my hair and enjoys the scent of my product. I know it's cheesy, but these are the things I enjoy. 

On another note, I realize the other day that although my last relaxer was March 5th that does not make me 10 months natural. Since my new growth didn't normally start to grow/reveal itself until about 6 weeks post relaxer. I will estimate that I am currently 9 months natural. Not very important, but just thought this estimate was more accurate. 

My new regimen is working wonderfully! I've added a bit of an extreme deep conditioner to my regimen, will report more later! Shampooing once a week has also been amazing, it's just what my hair needed! I am going to make one of those little regimen calendars to post it to the blog soon. So yay for good hair news!

Here are some pictures comparing my hair from the beginning of December up until now:

December

            

January

December

January (poofy and loving it)