Its Been A Long Time....I Shouldn'ta Left You ;)

Hello World!!!! I have arrived....again....lol. Well, I'm finally back from a years long hiatus. I didn't intend to stay away that long, and for that my dear friends I apologize. My life went into overdrive when I moved to Florida for my Disney College Program season (Shoutouts to my fellow Fall 2010 Alumni! Dream it, do it, Disney yall haha ;) I meant to give weekly updates on how my hair was fairing in a new climate with all that humidity n whatnot, and what styles I was rockin. It so didn't happen....sorry lol.

Like a fool, I flat-ironed my hair not realizing the humidity would tear up my steamed 'do (my maxi glide has a steam feature). Day 1 I was fine, but the next morning at registration was a whole new story lol. My poor little housing ID picture. I couldn't wear my white headband I had on b/c it would clash with the background and stuff so they made me take it off. My hair expanded like crazy and looked a mess without my headband :-/ Long story short, my styles only consisted of flat-ironed sleekness with headbands (the humidity and other things kept me from wearing my usual middle part), wash-n-go ponytails, and wash-n-go curliness. I did try new products while I was gone though, so a product review of the Kinky Curly products I used will be coming soon!

This year is a new year, and a new me. I have so much to update its not even funny. You ladies (and gents if you're out there) get to look forward to hearing about my last three henna applications, my new favorite conditioner, length retention, and my go-to twisted style!

Be back soon, with pics and more :)

It's Henna Time......Yet Again

Hello world!

In an effort to keep this dear old blog of mine updated, I have decided to embark on a new challenge. This challenge will be tweaked in the coming days but as of now I just know it as my Glow and Grow Challenge. I just ordered 500g of Jamila Summer Crop BAQ Henna; from a different site too :-\ I used to order my henna from mehandi.com but earlier this year I became aware of Butters N Bars through the CurlyNikki network. Well, over at Butters N Bars they have a little sale going on (15% off ayurvedic products) and my trusty Yemeni Henna from mehandi has gone up in price (its like $9 per 100g now....yikes!!!).

With things being the way they are right now I can't afford to treat my tresses to superb burgandy tones and such with more applications of the Yemen henna so I snatched up the deal on Jamila henna :) I should receive my new stash sometime next week so I will def have pics and reviews to the best of my ability (my comp hates when I try to upload pics to blogger....works better from a campus comp smh)

Anywho.....as I said before my new personal challenge for my hair is gonna be called Glow and Grow. I am going to regularly use henna in my hair care regimen to retain length and also see what type of henna glow I can maintain in the process. My hair is already naturally dark but in the sunlight and rare movements of indoor lighting my hair glows a pretty reddish/orangish color. Its so pretty that my sister has asked me to hook her up with henna! I want to henna my hair more than just once every 2-3 months. I am going to see what happens if I henna my hair every other week. Since the effects of henna build up with each use, I should see results fast--being that these next few applications would be my 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Obviously there wouldn't be a dramatic change in length overnight, but I'm sure the added strength from the new applications will have a great effect on my length retention. My hair is about an inch or less away from being APL and just last summer my hair was barely grazing shoulder length.......

2 Henna treatments and many protective styles and such later, I'm at APL.
Let's see what 3 consecutive henna treatments (more may be in the works, depending on funds and such), buns, twists, DC treatments, improved nutrition and exercise regimens, etc have in store for my hair this summer. Who knows, my hair may grow alot more by the end of the summer than what's normal for me lol

Goodnight :)
~Lena

Henna Pics 1

Hello,

As promised I have returned with pics of my first henna treatment. Because my camera sucks so (and my skin sucks, and my hairstyles are not happening right now--too busy) I don't have any really good pics of my hair after the application. I have many before's though.


Sooo.....drumroll please....lol



I prepared my mix the night before my application:
200 g BAQ Henna from Mehandi.com--from the Yemen crop, 2 cups ReaLemon Lemon Juice, a washable plastic bowl and a stainless steel spoon for mixing:

I mixed the juice and the henna until it was a consistency of mashed-potatoey yogurt stuff lol Some sites said until mashed potato-like...some said until yogurt-like....I compromised; I covered it to let it sit overnight in the kitchen:

Zzz....Zzzzzzzz....Zzzzzz....ZZzzzzzz (after 12 hours--8 hours sleep, 4 hours chill time)

My henna paste is thick and dark green/brownish---it reminded me of chocolate cake batter and pudding at one point haha
I prepped my supplies for battle:

Tomorrow I will post the rest of the pics from my henna adventure......my hair before, during, and after :)

Auburn Angel

Hey Hey......

I finally took the plunge!!! lol I did my first henna treatment on Friday and I.....am.....in....love! My hair is super soft and the auburn tint that I see in certain lighting is amazing. I never thought I would see my hair any other color than dark brown/black but after henna, I have :) My hubby has even noticed a difference--he complimented that my hair looks healthier. After one treatment? Amazing isn't it!!

After my disasterous run-in with my beloved Herbal Essences (I know in my heart of hearts it was one of the reasons my skin was breaking out!) I figured I should stop jumping on product bandwagons and stop thinking that my hair and skin were able to handle everything I threw at them. But....I was determined at some point to try henna treatments to strengthen my hair and obtain the strength and length that I long for.

Instead of trying to create my own special henna mix(i.e by adding honey, oils, spices, etc) I decided to keep it simple and add the recommended acidic juice to my powder. For my 200g of BAQ Henna from Yemen, I added about 2 cups of ReaLemon lemon juice. I let it sit overnight and then I washed my hair and applied. Saran wrapped and shower capped for 4.5 hours and rinsed. And rinsed. And rinsed. Until the water ran clear. I should have tried to wash it more ( really "scratch" my scalp) because I soon found out while twisting my hair that there was still some henna left; my hands are now orange until it fades lmao.

I have plenty of pics to share of my process but the only thing I can't show in pics is my auburn tint; it doesn't seem to want to show up for me lol

Pics coming soon......

~Lena