Photo Dump Wednesday: September Hair Progress

We have been doing really well with our hair. Ever since I abandoned the whole notion of water washing only, things have significantly improved as far as my hair goes. 
I co-wash every weekend and either clay wash or use a sulfate free shampoo once a month. 

I have also been doing more co-washing with JOE and JAE. Their hair isn't overly dry so I don't feel the need to fully wash it with shampoo all the time. 
Speaking of, I recently tried the Cantu baby hair shampoo on JAE's hair and it turned out and I love it. No tangles and didn't overly dry her hair. 

I recently purchased the Mane Choice 3 in 1 leave in conditioner. I sooooo wanted to like this product since I have used the vitamins and have nothing but great things to say about it. Sadly, I can't give it raving reviews. It makes me sad because I really truly am a believer in their line but this product did not work well in my hair. For the first time, I had a product that sat on my hair. As in you could see it on my hair. I thought perhaps it would get better over the course of the day but it didn't. I tried it both when wet, damp and dry and got the same results so I won't be using it on my hair as a leave in.

Anyways, on to pictures since I know that's about 90% the reason you're reading this :-). 

First JAE. I haven't been doing too much with her hair. I am still learning her hair type and what it needs. I do use my oil mix on her scalp and leave in conditioner every week. For the most part, her hair is a lot straighter than JOE's was at this stage so doing her hair is somewhat of a breeze compared to her older sister. 

With that said, I primarily just either put her hair in a high pony tail OR clip part of it with a hair clip.

JOE's hair continues to grow and grow and grow. e still struggle with tangles all the time. I gave her a trim a few weeks ago and that was "an incident" because she was terrified that I would cut her hair. I had to show her how much I was taking off and it was just about an inch off. She needed it. She doesn't have single strand nuts which is great. However, the ends of her hair was pretty thin so I wanted to get rid of it before it started to cause more split ends.

I primarily put her hair up though because JAE loves pulling on it. 

  

 

Not a hair update but I totally couldn't resist. Check out this ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL baby model in AyoBE Boutique wear! She is just sooooo cute!!! Oh and her momma is too :-). Hey Peg!!!

Now, onto my hair. If you recall, I started my journey back in 2013. Details below.

Last texlax: 10/2013

Decision to go natural: 02/2014

Big Chop: 10/2014

Last flat iron: 12/31/2015

So far, things are going really well! I am currently have surpassed the length I was before I started the transition process. 

I am so glad I made the decision to go natural. I was VERY unsure of it when I started but honestly, it has been THE EASIEST thing for me. I don't do much and find that I like it more in its natural state. Also, I don't have to deal with scalp burns which is something I had to contend with ALL THE TIME when my hair was texlaxed :-).

The below picture was taken in early August. My hair has grown a little more since then. I am now at mid-back length when stretched at the back!!! I often stretch it just to play with it and am always shocked when I stretch it. 

A co-worker of mine actually was looking at it a couple of weeks ago and decided to stretch it. She was shocked to see how long it was. LOL...I love the shrinkage because it makes it more manageable and my hair doesn't get caught in my tops thereby causing friction/breakage.

Last year, I set the below goals for my hair:

1. My first goal will be to have healthy natural hair after postpartum shedding is done with me. Hopefully, I'll be at armpit length when stretched by the end of September. I am basing this date on the fact that my shedding often happens between 3 - 6 months postpartum. Accomplished.
2. My second goal is to grow my hair to bra strap length when stretched by the end of the year. This is where it was towards the end of my first pregnancy. Accomplished.
3. My third goal is to grow my hair to full mid-back length when stretched by the end of June 2016. I had a couple of set backs from heat damage and breakage but I reached this goal in August.    

When people say natural hair is so versatile, THIS is what they mean. I love that I can style it in many ways and it stays put :-). With the aid of pins and such :-D.

 Check out my curls in all of its glory :-). I am wearing the Capella African Print hair fascinator. Go get one. There are 3 different options to choose from :-).

 

 

I recently made more of my shea butter mix. I don't like making it often because it leaves EVERYTHING oily! Thankfully, I only make it once a year and am able to keep the excess in the fridge. 

I love this mix because it is all natural. I only use pure oils. As in oils with no additives. I use it on my hair, on my ashy knees, on my feet. I love it!

So part of my journey includes trimming my hair. I don't subscribe to trimming my hair on a regular schedule. However, I do believe that when you see signs that it is time, you get it done. 

I noticed quite a few single strand nuts in my hair around July. But I was always too busy to get this done. Finally, last week, I was able to trim my hair. 

Last week was my first trim. I like the way it turned out. Check out my photo bomber.

I love that I can do this and still retain length.

I did my second trim this past weekend to ensure I got everything. I decided to leave the twists in overnight instead of taking it apart and I am glad I did because I liked the way it turned out. 

Overall, I love this journey I am on. My new goal are:

1. Maintain my current length at  mid-back length or slightly longer.  
2. Get my hair straightened at the end of the year without heat damage. 

Do you have any hair goals? If so, how is it coming along?