In Pursuit of a Curl Pattern: Coping skills

Hi Folks!  Kiki is back with another update!  She has not fired up the blow dryer of flat iron despite second guessing her curly journey and not knowing what to do with her hair. 

 

Let's see what she's up to this week!  Here is Kiki in her own words:

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Whew,  what's going to happen today?  

 

Will I succumb to temptation and keep straightening my hair?  Do I keep doing what has worked and what will end this journey of suspense?   LOL!   What are my options?  Go back to using heat so I can do something with my hair OR find someone to braid my hair again.   At this time, I am willing to do both but I am resolved to fight for my curl pattern until I succeed or am defeated.  I admit, I don't mind being defeated, but I will try to continue with this journey. 

 

It is Friday at 9am and if I am not going to use heat, the only place I can go is the infamous African Braiding shop near my house.  I hate to give my money to this shop.  They are so trifling but that's another story on another day, another blog.

 

This is what I decided to do:

 

Kinky twists

Kinky twists

 

Well, well well! Who is that and where has she been?  Is this the "me"  that, after having decades of long hair, made a very serious declaration to no longer have hair that passes my shoulders????  WHAT?!  Yep!  Who would have known that on Day 25, Kenya  would return.  Her husband sure did not see that one coming.   Look at his face... Happy, Happy, Happy .   

 

Happy Husband

 

 He keeps staring at me.  Stalker!   I don't have the heart to tell him that it is so temporary, I still don't want long hair and it's not mine.  LOL!    Enjoy it James! 

 

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Wow Kiki!!! You are STILL holding strong and I love it!! I'm also glad that the hubby is happy....even if it's only temporary!

 

Kiki is finding ways to cope and is determined to get her curls back.  Transitioning can be tough....but the end result is SO worth it.  Keep it up! 

 

Peace and blessings!

 

In Pursuit of a Curl Pattern: Kiki's Heat Break

Hi Folks! Kiki is back! 
 
Let's get an update on her curl pattern pursuit.  Here is Kiki in her own words......

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Ok, so it's only Day 24 and I am 6 days early in taking the "boy" braids down.  I am doing some serious thinking.  As I am removing the braids, it is obvious that my hair is not long enough for a wet set.  It is still hot where I live and my straight - or damaged, as they say -  hair will not hold a curl.  I don't think that my planned wet set is an option right now.  Am I taking these boy braids out too soon?   TOO LATE!  Why didn't I just wait until 30 days like I planned?  Because I am impatient on this DARN journey that my sister has inspired.   But where is she now?  In a different state.... So, I'ma have ta figure this one out.   Thanks for the support sis! I hope you read this!! :)

Taking the braids out.......

 

The boy braids are gone and it may look like I am smiling but that is not a smile.  It's an eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee , meaning "what the blankity blank have I gotten myself into?  What the blank am I going to do?"  I have no clue so I do what anyone would do - wash, condition and check it out, because heat is not an option........ REALLY?  IS THIS REALLY POSSIBLE?

 

 

 This is how I look after a good wash/condition/detangle/deep condition and just plain ole hoping.

I got nothing!  LOL!  I may have 1/2 inch curl pattern growing in.  I have the same straight - or damaged, as they say - mess that I had on Day 1.  I am not worried though.  I understand that patience is needed for the journey.   Impatience is really not an option for this journey, is it?   I feel so lost at this time.   Since I was 10, I have been doing my hair and I always knew what I was going to do with it.  I have had many different styles, textures, and products.   I have been creative, ordinary, just me and I've worn hats, scarves, braids, and a  wig twice.    But I have never not (excuse that double negative) used any form of heat.   At some point from the time I washed my hair until my hair was completely styled, some form of heat was used.  I am searching through the crevasses of my mind, trying to discover how to not use heat on this head of Day 24 hair.  I don't think that not using any heat it is possible.  So,  I resolve to use minimum heat and sit under my hair dryer on the low cool setting until hair is just dry.

 

I have long way to go!

 

Here is my 1/2 inch curl pattern....

 

Okay..so my hair is dried now and YES, I have a long way to go to get 6 inches of curls.   The temptation to use heat is VERY HIGH at this point.  I am telling you, so high and then I turn around to see this....

 

 

Stalker Husband.....

Seriously, Dude!   Would you quit watching me? I have to laugh at this point.  His face just says what I have been thinking "blankity blank".     So, I am thinking, whatever, I am blowing my hair and tomorrow I am going to have straight, soft, shiny and bouncy hair.   Why am I doing this and my sister won't even return my phone calls?     I went into the bathroom and 5 minutes later this is how I looked.......

 

Ms. Hatti Mattie

 

 I went to bed looking like Ms. Hatti Mattie from the peanut farm.  I am moving on to Day 25.   I can't tell you how I did it.  My sister has so inspired me that when hope is lost the residual effects of inspiration must be getting through!!!!!   I don't have a plan for tomorrow but we will see what happens tomorrow when it comes.....Only Hope and Inspiration know......

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WOW Kiki!!!  I'm loving the 1/2 inch of curls that I see...and poor HUBBY! He's just trying to figure out what's going on.....LOL!  Thanks for sharing your journey! Hang in there! What you are experiencing is common with women who decide to transition without doing the big chop.  I went through a VERY similar journey when I transitioned.  The interesting thing is that I had a chemical relaxer and Kiki's hair is just heat damaged and very much like a chemical relaxer.  This is a good example of permanent heat damage.  To get the curls back....you gotta grow them in.

Any words of encouragement for Kiki??

Please share!

Peace and blessings!

In Pursuit of a Curl Pattern: Kiki's Curly Journey Begins!!

 

Hi Folks! Today is special on The Natural Journey For Life! My first GUEST POST!! :)

 

Remember no curl Kiki? Well Kiki has made a life changing decision and wants to share it with us! Keep reading to get the inside scoop!

 

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Kiki's Curl Journey:

 

On August 20th, I decided to seriously pursue my natural curl pattern! Since I made that choice 24 hours ago (this post was written on 8/21/13), my hair life has been a roller coaster. What a way to start, huh?

 

Last night, I decided to try the wash and go to see what happens. I washed, conditioned and used a product that has been successful at keeping moisture and curls for some.... I was surprised when the sides and back of my hair curled up. They were not tight curls by any means but they were still curls. The only problem area that I saw was the front "bang area". That hair was as straight as a line! I just kept manipulating, moving, shaping and tucking until that portion was swooped over to one side. My hair had shape, wave like curls and style. I was geeked.... "This will be better than I imagined"... I thought. (roller coaster up)

 

My hair was mostly dry when I went to bed and I was pleased. However, morning came and things were very different. I woke up to find that all of my curly wisps were straight!!!! My head was a poofy straight mess!!!! Of course, I put on my poofy hat and went about my day. (roller coaster down)

 

A few hours later, I was determined to get braids. Something quick.... so I went to the African hair shop in the mall and yes, they could give me 6 chunky cornrows. "Great", I thought. Doing this style would give me time to figure out the next step, give my hair a heat break and allow me to look presentable to the world.    90 minutes and $80 later, I was done! Everything seemed good. When I looked in the mirror I was satisfied. (roller coaster up)

 

Kiki and her chunky cornrows........I'm liking this look!

 

However, when I got home to document this phase in my pursuit, I did not like what the camera was showing me. This hair style looks horrible on me!  The chunky braids are not chunky or high enough to balance my face. I realized that this is what I would look like if I had did the BIG CHOP. My hair is now flatter than it has EVER been. I am not sure if I look better up close or far away (see pics)! I look like a big headed boy!!! My hair life definitely needs something going on horizontally. (roller coaster down)

 

 

Now, as I have been pondering how I can stop looking like a boy, I realize that looking like a boy is not so bad. First of all, I won't be using heat for 30 days. I don't have to worry about what to do with my hair and I have time to plan my next adventure - wet sets. I can make use of my many hats that I enjoy wearing anyway and buy a few more, of course.  I'll save the sparkly one for church and dare anyone to say something to me or look at me funny! LOL!   And the best part is I can get rid of the boy look anytime I want to. Also, my husband is out of town this week. By the time he gets back and makes his "I hate it" comments, I won't care about looking like a boy anymore. LOL! (roller coaster stopped and I'm getting off)

 

30 Day adventure prep - Wet sets...these are Kiki's supplies......
 

In closing, that was my Day 1. What I learned is what I always knew. If you're a woman, no matter what hair you have, you must keep a collection of cute coverings - hats, scarfs or wigs - they are the default and can save the day.

 



Coping skills.....remember if you see Kiki in church wearing the sparkly one (far left)...just turn your head and keep praising the Lord!

 

 

 

The End

This post was written by Kiki on August 21st, 2013

 

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Wow! I feel like I was on a roller coaster too!  I'm proud of Kiki for taking this first step in regaining her curls!!! Whoop Whoop! Thank you for letting us be a part of your curl journey!!!

 

Any comments or encouragement for Kiki?

 

 

Peace and blessings!

 

 

 

What happened to my curls??

Years ago, when I had longer hair I would blow dry my hair to lengthen my twists, and sometimes straighten it with a hot comb.  I didn't think the blow drying affected my hair, but when I straightened it, I lost some of my curl. There were some spots that took months (yes months) for the curls to return. Below is an example of the blow dried twist out.

Blow dried twist out - to lengthen the twist (for more styling options)

Heat can and will affect your curl pattern.  The effects of heat damage are especially seen when blow dryers, flat irons and hot combs are used frequently.  Now, every one's hair is different and some hair can take more or less heat before "changing".  Frequent heat is also damaging for relaxed hair too.  Even with the use of products that are supposed to "protect" the hair strands.

I've spoken to a number of women who have altered their curl pattern and are attempting to get the curl back into their natural tresses.  The key to getting your curl pattern back is to STOP using heat on your hair. 

The Science of Black Hair (Papers for The Journey) provides good information on how heat can negatively affect your hair:

1. Healthy hair burns at 451 deg F (the same temperature that will burn paper).  If hair has been previously damaged it will burn at lower temperatures.  Water leaves the hair shaft between 122 to 248 deg F.  Hair proteins break down around 311 deg F and as temperature increases the keratin present begins to melt.  Damage occurring during heat styling is cumulative and the negative impact builds every time heat is introduced.

2.  Typical flat irons and blow dryers operate within 212 to 338 deg F.  This temperature range falls outside of the burning temperature range but the health of your hair will affect the maximum heat tolerance and how it responds to heat.

3. Heat can disturb the moisture balance in textured hair and adds stress to dry tresses.

4. Deep conditioning is necessary for hair that experiences regular heat styling. 

5. At the beginning of a healthy hair regime heat should be avoided all together.  Taking a break from the heat will re-establish protein and moisture levels and allow the hair to be strengthened.

So! For you ladies who are trying to regain your curls......take a HEAT BREAK.  Give your hair a rest and feed it with moisture and protein building products.  Also using protective styles gives your hair a chance to bounce back. 

Now let's take a look at a woman named Ki-Ki who does not have a relaxer, but has straightened her hair for years using blow dryers and flat irons.  Currently her curl pattern is COMPLETELY gone and she as a layered cut that makes it hard to utilize natural styles.  Here is what Ki-Ki had to say about her "Blow Out" style:

When to use:  "When there is no curl pattern, hair strands dry inconsistently, hair is different lengths, and hair cut is good."

 

Hopes of transitioning:  "None, and  I will not start from scratch (the big chop)."

 

Future hopes:  "Cease THE BLOW OUT when all hair is shoulder length and braids or cute sets (like straws or twist outs) are possible."

 

 

I think Ki-Ki should stop putting heat on her hair altogether and wear braids or even a wig to give her hair a HEAT BREAK. 

 

What do you think? Any advice for Ki-Ki??

 

Peace and blessings!