Weeks 1-4 Without Heat | .:: Grow With Me::.

Five weeks ago I decided to banish heat from my hair regimen in the hopes of maximizing my growth retention.  Determined to do this for at least 10 weeks successfully, I immediately started brainstorming on how I could reconfigure my hair regimen to meet the needs of my new hair goal: Soft, Smooth and Manageable Air Dried Hair.  And because this challenge was meant to be a short term plan, I knew I wanted to find what I needed in my current stash of hair products--I don't need to be experimenting with any new hair products (see below for shameful evidence).

In my defense this includes skin care products as well. :) :)

After the jump you'll see what I've been doing with my hair from week to week.  I'm still fine tuning my hair regimen but I'm getting closer to my goal with each week.  For more on my thought process as I put together this air dried hair regimen, check out the video below:

Note to Self: Air drying is not so bad.

The buns on the bottom and the right have a slap bracelet bun trinket in them. The top left is a wet bun - no filler.

I actually kind of like it...a lot.  No, my hair isn't as smooth and shiny as when I put heat on it with my hooded dryer or flat iron.  But it gets straight enough for me to successfully make a smooth/sleek bun and what else does a girl like me need on a hair journey any way...  

Fake it Until You Make It.

When I first started my hair journey I remember watching a youtube video where the hair vlogger was talking about the things she did to get her hair to longer lengths -- products, regimen, etc.  But one tip really stood out to me -- act like your hair is long from day one.  And I mean it makes sense, as you embark on your healthy hair journey the length will be added gradually.  It's not like on Day 271 you will have long hair and will have to instantaneously change up how you treat your hair.  So, why not act like it's long from Day 1.  That way when long hair sneaks up on you, you'll already be prepared to handle it.

Poll: Do You Do Hot Oil Treatments in the Warmer Months? (How To)

Why I like Hot Oil Treatments?

There are many benefits of doing a hot oil treatment on your hair prior to washing it.  Especially when you are careful to choose the oil you want to use for the process.  But the main reason that I like hot oil treatments is because they promote a properly moisturized scalp and hair.  

New Buys: Clean Pores, No Dark Spots & Ceramides!

I get so excited when I find new things to try out especially when it fits into the confines of what I want/expect when it comes to certain beauty products.  These three new additions have me giddy and I really hope that they don't let me down.  They are all drug store brands and really affordable, so I'd love for them to become staples.  Check out my initial thoughts and hopes for these products below:

My Personal No Heat Challenge | .::Grow With Me::.

I'm one week into my no heat challenge and I've got about 9 more weeks to go.  Since my decision to try this out, I've been brainstorming on how I should change my regimen to give me the best air dried hair.  And I know what you're thinking, "Kim, you've done this heat free thing before. You've got this." Yes, you're right but I haven't gone heat free for more than 2-3 weeks at a time since 2011 and I've always felt like I could do better when it comes to air drying.  I've never been able to nail down a regimen that provides me with consistently good results.  I made a video(see below) discussing the possible changes to my regimen and I'm still not positive on what final regimen I will end up with, but I'm looking forward to testing out new combinations.  

DQ'd: Protective Styling Challenge (Final Update)

The Protective Styling Challenge ends on April 15th, but I already know that I'm no longer contending for a prize because I've broken one of the rules several times over.  I'm not sure what happened but I completely missed the "only one heat pass" rule.  I've been rollersetting all through the challenge (oops!) and for the past three weeks, I blow dried/flat ironed my hair (not to mention the curling iron I used last weekend :/ ).  So I'm officially disqualified from the challenge.  But I did want to post an update on my final results because I did abide by all of the other rules [(1)less than 7 days not PSing; (2) deep condition at least twice a month, (3) hide your ends with your protective styles and (4) only one heat pass].  Unfortunately I did trim my hair so there are no gains in length, but I finished strong and that's what really counts.  Thanks for another great challenge, Ebony!

Reader Question: Can Relaxed Hair Grow While Using Heat?

I got this question last week on my tumblr page and decided to share my thoughts on the topic here.  Below is my response/personal feelings on the topic.  For the other relaxed head out there, what are your thoughts based on your personal experience?  Does the same hold true for you?  How much heat are able to apply to your hair and still see growth/retention?

Relaxer Update and Trim: March 2013

I relaxed my hair at 15 weeks post yesterday and my ends looked the same as they did last week.   As promised, I filmed my relaxer day and how I trim my hair for you guys.  Below are some pictures and the video, too:

This Hair Journey Stuff Just Got Real.

No one likes to talk about the downside to being on a hair journey, but I'm about to lay it all out there.  When you work so hard to make sure that your hair has everything that it needs to thrive and become the best that it can be, you develop an extreme attachment to your hair.  The last thing that you want to do is trim your ends.  I mean you've invested all that time, energy and money.  And just to let it go like that almost seems inhumane.  I seriously have gone through all of the stages of grief in the past 36 hours...and I'm not completely certain that I've stopped recycling through stages two, three and four.  First I was in absolute denial about my ends.  See evidence below, where I'm all excited about my straight hair that's longer than it's ever been.  Look at the smile of denial. Smh.

Anger.  ...Wait a minute.  Why do the ends look so... NOOO!!! Why me?!?!  Not again!  I'm going to have to chop it all OFF!!! *shakes fist in the air then hangs head in shame*

Bargaining.  You know maybe all of it doesn't have to go, maybe I did something wrong when I was flat ironing it...maybe it's the way that the picture's taken....maybe I used too much product and the hairs are just sticking together...maybe it's just an illusion...next week when I relax, it'll look way better... (See Below where I take length pictures from various places and positions in search of the "truth"):