Hair Post - december

JC of The Natural Haven put up a post http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-you-happy-with-your-hair.html#comment-form asking if readers were happy with their hair. She gave us 4 questions to answer which I really liked 'cos it forces me to review my hair journey so far. Here goes

1. Your texture - It's alright I guess. I don't think I am in love with it. I have Nigerian hair. It is 4b or a...not sure, fine strands. Wish my hair was mega thick and not so wiry. However, in it's natural state it is thicker than when straight so happy with that part. Always had to keep bumping my hair when straight so it won't look so flat against my scalp.

2. Your products (or knowledge of what products you should pick to suit your hair's needs)- After 3yrs being natural (counting from last texturizer in 2008), I am still struggling with the right products but I feel like I am closer and closer. I am half minded about Henna (supposed to be good for strengthening, thickening and conditioning). But it is so messy and time consuming. I have tried different products for washing (black soap, karen BB or curls), styling (afroveda, KKK, gels), conditioning (herbal essence, natural oils, aloe vera juice, many other brands) but my goal is to simplify, consolidate into 1 brand, and stop being a product junkie. I just tried keracare natural textures for the first time and think I may have found it! I also tried hot oil treatments for the first time twice and loved it. So now I am thinking of eliminating henna or doing henna gloss only, because of question 3, and hopefully will be able to stick with just keracare natural textures as my brand and hot oil treatments.

3. Your techniques (i.e are you happy and confident with your wash day and styling?) - No No No. I still lose a noticeable amount of hair during wash days, and even more so when I henna monthly. I think because my fine, type 4 strands are already prone to tangling and breakage, and to get henna out properly i have to wash the hair loose multiple times. I also wonder if henna is too heavy for my fine strands. Unlike others, I feel like on non-henna wash days when I put the hair in 6 loose twists, and get out of the shower and unravel the hair, there is still conditioner/shampoo within the twist unlike when i do it loose. I don't know what I am doing wrong. The best wash day I have had was last week, when I tried a hot oil tmt for the first time, but I also tried keracare natural textures cleansing cream so i don't know what helped. I still lost a little hair though. I am happy with my styling, especially twist outs.

4. Your length (are you able to maintain or gain length?)- After 3 yrs of being natural, I feel stuck in a rut. The rut of 6-8 inches, which it takes some people less than a year to achieve. Well to give myself some slack, I have had 3 major trims. The first 2 because of texturizing twice, so as my hair grew, the ends got thin. Most recent trim was August 26 'cos my ends were just so tangly, I don't think i had trimmed in more than a year. The best thing I feel i have discovered is crotchet braids, the modern kind :) as a protective style. If any of you are looking for a way to have curly extensions without sewing, gluing or tiny cornrows, youtube crotchet braids and be amazed! I hope crotcheting for my protective styles helps me retain length and not damage my edges.

I will post quarterly updates ...maybe, just to see if I am making progress.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Grant us, Father, hearts of worship
At this time of Jesus’ birth;
We would see anew His glory
Shine throughout this sin-cursed earth. —D. De Haan


I hope you guys are having a wonderful christmas days, especially those of you lucky enough to be spending it with your immediate families. As for me I am chilling here at home, will do some studying, drink some wine, talk on the phone with loved ones. I was just reflecting on how awesome xmas was when I lived in Nigeria. We would go to church in our brand new clothes, which I actually liked on that day (hated going to church as a kid) 'cos I loved the christmas songs. We would then feast at home, receive some visitors, and also find time to visit others. Frankly, i don't know how our stomachs supported all the feasting. If we happened to be in the village there would be masquerades to see and palm wine to drink. We also got simple Christmas gifts which in retrospect I think is awesome, 'cos xmas for me does not center around gifts as is the culture here. There's been all sorts of ruckus in the news about that. Fedex getting in trouble for the way gifts were being delivered, spouses contemplating divorce because the appropriate gift was not given, children being belligerent in stores.

Thankfully, that is all balanced out by news of charitable people and charitable events. Something about xmas brings out the humanity and charity of others unlike any other religious holiday. That should tell you something about the behind the scenes power of God even in those that don't believe. Makes me smile. When I think of xmas, I think of festivity with friends and loved ones. I actually can't wait to build traditions, decorate, feast with my own future family one day. Till that day comes, I will enjoy this time God has given me to have a quiet, joyful xmas where I don't have to shower or cook anything unless I want to :)

Lastly, i just want to remember the Amajor, Emengini and Oyelowo families who have tragically lost young loved ones this season. I also remember my baby's friend who is suffering from throat cancer. I hope Christmas brings renewed faith, love and hope for all these families.

Tosin

So yesterday a link was posted on the internet which is slowly but surely becoming viral:

helpbringtosinhome.com

A very scary, unfortunate sounding case. People have responded by trying to make the linkand case public. However, now this case has gotten weird.  A supposed detective ( i see no reason why he would lie) left this comment:

DETECTIVE'S COMMENT: "My name is Detective David Osborne and I’m investigating this case. We have been in constant contact with Tosin’s family regarding the investigation. They are upset about individuals making speculations and posting comments, which are simply untrue. This type of behavior does not help them through this very difficult process, nor does it help the investigation. If anyone has information they can call me personally at 843-720-2395. I will not respond to any comments."

AND THEN THE FAMILY FRIEND OLUBUNMI'S COMMENT:"My name is Olubunmi K and I am a good friend of Tosin { }. I am writing to request that you take down the post regarding Tosin. There are quite a few inaccuracies in the report, and at this very sensitive time, we are asking that everyone respect her family's wishes, including taking down this post. Thank you for your sensitivity and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Bunmi"

AM I MISSING SOMETHING? IF YOU LOOK AT AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE COMMENTS, PEOPLE HAVE NOT MADE ANY INSINUATIONS OR NEGATIVE COMMENTS OR SPECULATIONS. THE ONLY SPECULATION COULD BE: http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/dec/10/no-sign-found-of-reported-ravenel-bridge-jumper/ 
SINCE HER CAR WAS SUPPOSEDLY FOUND ABANDONED WITH THE KEYS IN IT, BUT NOTHING NEGATIVE WAS SAID WHEN I SAW THAT COMMENT JUST ANOTHER PLEA TO PLS FIND HER. WHETHER THE WOMAN OFF THE BRIDGE IS TOSIN OR NOT, NO ONE KNOWS AND THAT IS NOT TTHE ISSUE,  THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE IS FINDING HER!


AGAIN I SAY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESPONSES HAVE BEEN PRAYERS AND SUGGESTIONS AND EFFORTS TO FIND TOSIN. COMMENTS FROM FRIEND AND DETECTIVE MAKE IT SEEM LIKE THEY DON'T WANT US TO DO SO AND THAT IS CONFUSING THE HECK OUT OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!