The Residence of JcanAlena79: MISSION MAJOR CHOP ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Hi Everyone!!

I've been posting on here for at least a month now and *just* realized what this thread was about ! It seemed like there are some others who joined this month so I thought I'd just jump right on in!!!
Today is actually an exciting day in my Healthy Hair Journey. I go for my Devacut !!! I have been natural for about 5 years now (started transitioning 6 years ago). During my transition I got into the habit of rollersetting/flatironing to bridge the two textures so I continued doing that even after cutting off the relaxed ends (my hair was in a short bob at that point). I didn't really go natural to wear my hair in its natural curly state all the time ... I just realized that my hair could be straightened without using harsh chemical relaxers and last the same 2 weeks as when I had a relaxer in so I just stopped. I "went natural" because I wanted healthy, natural hair that would give me the versatility of wearing it curly if I felt like it or straight if I felt like it. I wanted no part of chemical relaxers. However, I had no knowledge of proper moisturizing or the effect of sulfates or any of that stuff so the curly look would ever only last a few days (usually 1-2) --- usually as a bridge between overdue salon visits. I didn't have the right products and was not moisturizing my hair. I later discovered Miss Jessie's and it helped tremendously, but I just wasn't comfortable in my curly girl skin and always ended up going back to the heat.

However I recently started Bikram yoga, which, as you may know means SWEAT. Going 2-3 times a week meant that heat straightening my hair was just not practical. I love yoga and since discovering the hair forums and vids and blogs and the wealth of information regarding how to care for and style my hair in its natural curly state, I have truly embraced it. I actually wasn't able to go to yoga for two weeks but I chose not to go to the salon ... b/c I ... (get this) ... didn't WANT to !! What started as a matter of practicality has now become a full-fledged choice and there's no turning back, lol!!! Do I think I'll never straighten again? I'm sure at some point for an occasion here or there... but for the most part, I'M IN LOVE WITH MY CURLS!!!

So ... back to my cut today. My hair was always cut for straight styles. In it's natural curly state however, the shape of my hair just does. not. work. In fact, there is no shape. To make matters worse, my curl pattern varies from a very loose 3b to a very tight 3c. See here:

So, my goal in going for my Devacut today is for my hair to get a fresh start. Fresh, healthy ends and a fresh, flattering shape. I realize I'll also probably lose some length, but health-over-length, and if done well, I won't have to bring scissors near my hair for the foreseeable future. I've read great reviews of the stylist, so I really hope I'm able to achieve my goals. Once this step is complete, it's healthy full waist length full speed ahead!!!

Welcome to my journey!!

Welcome to the challenge!! Your hair is beautiful!

I loved your story!! I can't wait to see the cut! Welcome to the family!!

Welcome to the challenge!!!! Your hair is looking fabulous and I've heard about that Deva cut. Hopefully it all works out for you! Looking forward to more pics too

Welcome to the challenge!!

Thanks ladies!

So ... I have a couple of things to report.

1) I went for my Devacut. I screwed up my hair the night before with castor oil (anyone in the DMV want abt 6oz.? this thing is the devil on my hair) so after attempting to rinse it out my hair was a dry, curly mess with a big poof in the back. She cut it in that state. Would be fine if that's how my hair always is. But it's very different when moisturized and styled per me. Nevertheless, the back turned out great ... nice shape with several inches gone from the crown to reduce the 'bulk'. The front (my main concern) is meh. BUT, in all honesty it was hard to tell b/c the prods she used ("Curls" line) were just not moisturizing enough to fix the situation caused by the castor oil. So, I came home, cowashed, put in my styling prods and twisted. Will see how it looks when I take it down in the a.m. I promise u'll get pics then .

2) I've seen Aussie Moist and Cantu Shea Leave-in mentioned only 10 trillion times on the various hair boards/blogs I frequent. Always forgot about them when I did go to a store/BSS. HOLY MOISTURE MACKREL!!! I will not be spending another dime on any other product (as far as co-washes and leave-ins go). I'm straight. Aussie Moist and Cantu Shea Leave-In are the truth!!! Cantu is water based, but seems thick enough to use alone (but, since I wasn't sure about it, I did seal w/my shea butter/oil mix). I've decided I *do* need a true "leave-in" that conditions, not just moisturizes. Cantu really seems like it's everything everyone says it is. My hair is still damp and in twists but I loved how it felt when I put the Cantu in and was manipulating it. As far as the Aussie Moist goes? I'mmma need to find out where I can buy that in BULK, lol!

Welcome and have fun here .

Can't wait to see your pics

Running late for church, but after taking the twists out, my conclusion is that she f*d up my hair ... I have never seen a more untidy cut in my life. It's really horrible. *I* could have done better (and I've been know to do some madness to my hair). I'll posts some pics later when I have a little more time. She is available to "fix" it for the next two weeks. Ugh ... I told everyone at work about it and they are going to be like, "what? *that's* what you were going on about?" I gave the woman pictures for God's sake. She's not in the salon again until Tuesday. I was sooo excited about this and now I'm pushing back tears. That's all.

Hi Jcanalena!

First, I want to say welcome to the challenge. Second, I want to say...I'm soo sorry about your salon visit. As I was reading through your thread I could tell how excited you were about this appointment.

One thing I've discovered about natural hair...it is very forgiving. My hair is no way near your length, but I've given myself several trims..(LOL) and I've been able to hide the mistakes with my puff style.

I hope you still have most of your length, and I know Chrs, JCurl and Tia will jump in here and give you some good style suggestions.

Hang in there and you are in the right place for great information and support!!!

Awww...thanks KinkyNappyHappy!! I'm feeling a lot more encouraged ... largely because my friend came over with a pair of shears from her local BSS and we fixed it. Yes, my friend and I, in my powder room were able to accomplish what a "professional" Deva-trained stylist could not. Never doubt your skills in a pinch ladies!!! And always have an extra pair of eyes and hands nearby :-)!!!

I know I'm failing right now without pics but I can't find the charger for my camera (again). I can't wait to show the "before", the "after 'Devacut'", and the "after the "do-it-my-damn-self" cut.

well well well JC, welcome to the thread!! i see ur in the dmv area so dont forget to keep up with us at the dc curly meetup forum cuz we should be planning another meet up this spring!

cant wait to see the devacurl pics, chrs is suppose to be checkin them out too...chrs confirm?

also where is the bikram yoga being done, i need to find one of those to try out...

and u can often find the big value size aussie moist at target for $5!

NubieNatty wrote:well well well JC, welcome to the thread!! i see ur in the dmv area so dont forget to keep up with us at the dc curly meetup forum cuz we should be planning another meet up this spring!

cant wait to see the devacurl pics, chrs is suppose to be checkin them out too...chrs confirm?

also where is the bikram yoga being done, i need to find one of those to try out...

and u can often find the big value size aussie moist at target for $5!

Thanks for the deal tip re: Target!! I wrote in the DC meetup thread ... wanted to meet the few who were going to the Baltimore Natural Hair Show, but was recently invited to a spiritual retreat in VA, so I'm not sure yet what's going to happen this Sat.

I go to the Bikram Studio in Columbia ... it's black-owned and the owner is an awesome yogi. (I think she may be a natural sista too ...) The people are diverse and at all different levels and down to earth (not those "oh, I'm vegan and drive a hybrid and do yoga and live in perfect harmony with the universe and am therefore better than you" types that were at the Dupont studio when I went many years ago.

The Devacut pics are disappointing ... the "do-it-my-damn-self" pics are phenomenal (if I may say so myself, lol)

Lol @ "do it my damn self" Way to recover...I am excited about the upcoming pics!!

I was so looking forward to hearing a good report about the overall cut. I may do cut mine again myself based on the experiences I have heard others have. Man, so sad, why can't people cut hair properly.

I am glad you were able to get a better cut.

I wanted to go to a Deva trained salon but I'm scared.

I'm sorry about your hair cutting experience. I'm glad you and your friend were able to fix it. I cant wait to see the pics.

My hair needs to be shaped (I am getting to the in between phase, not really a TWA but not long either). I ended up trimming/dusting my ends myself last night. When I was relaxed, I didnt really care too much about hair cuts but now that I am natural, I dont trust anyone in my head.

So ... I did take a pic on Sunday before my camera died. I thought it didn't "take", but it turns out it did. It's not the *best* pic of the cut, but you can still see the difference, so ... here goes ...

INSPIRATION for the cut (I showed the stylist these pics)





BEFORE



AFTER DEVACUT ---- Was she looking at the same pics I was looking at???? WTF???!!!!


AFTER THE "DO-IT-MY-DAMN-SELF" RESURRECTION CUT



I lost a good bit of length, but I expected that in the front ... that was necessary IN THE FRONT to get the shape I wanted. Why she hacked the back of my head I will never know, b/c ACCORDING TO THE INSPIRATION PICS, the back is supposed to be longer than the front!!!

I went back and looked at the pics of the ladies who went to and recommended this particular stylist and their shape was very different that mine ... the back was significantly cut, much more than the front. But, you know what? How she's done other people's cuts shouldn't impact mine because she should have cut for what I wanted. Not what she's done before. Okay. rant over.

Thank God for good friends, mirrors and a professional pair of hair scissors!!

Oh .... I forgot to show you how she massacred the little length I had in the back:

BEFORE



AFTER

AWW MAN. That stylist was way off. What WAS she looking at?
That's ridiculous!!! But at least you were able to recover. Good job!!!

Intelligentbeauty wrote:AWW MAN. That stylist was way off. What WAS she looking at?
That's ridiculous!!! But at least you were able to recover. Good job!!!

Giiiirrrrllllll, your guess is as good as mine!!!!! There's a two-week window to go back for her to "fix it", but I just 1) didn't trust her to truly fix it and 2) was not walking out of the house looking like Edward Scissorhands came at me blindfolded for a week until I could get back there!

Thanks for the compliment on the recovery!! I really am luvin' my curly halo . The funny thing is that it annoyed me *that* much more that I could accomplish in my bathroom what she couldn't in her salon. Hair grows back, so I'm just going to enjoy the limited time I have with my curly halo l!

jcanalena79 wrote:

Intelligentbeauty wrote:AWW MAN. That stylist was way off. What WAS she looking at?
That's ridiculous!!! But at least you were able to recover. Good job!!!

Giiiirrrrllllll, your guess is as good as mine!!!!! There's a two-week window to go back for her to "fix it", but I just 1) didn't trust her to truly fix it and 2) was not walking out of the house looking like Edward Scissorhands came at me blindfolded for a week until I could get back there!

Thanks for the compliment on the recovery!! I really am luvin' my curly halo . The funny thing is that it annoyed me *that* much more that I could accomplish in my bathroom what she couldn't in her salon. Hair grows back, so I'm just going to enjoy the limited time I have with my curly halo l!

That would have been the clincher for me too. That is just absurd.

WOW....what a difference a friend, professional scissors and the lighting of your own bathroom made!!!

I'm glad it wasn't worse that it was. I don't understand what happens between what we tell them and what they do!!! I really have issues with professional stylist!!!

I don't know when I'm going to let another CUT my hair!!! Lord knows I need to because I've been cutting my hair myself, and there are different lengths all over...

WOW!!! That's a BIG difference. I see why you were/are so upset. You and your friend did a really good job .

So can I make an appointment with you two to shape up my hair now?

Welcome - I just read you who thread. Sorry about the mishap with the stylist. I'm glad it wasn't any worse and you were able to recover.

Are you doing the hot yoga?

Your hair is beautiful nontheless. Great definition.

KinkyNappyHappy wrote:WOW....what a difference a friend, professional scissors and the lighting of your own bathroom made!!!

I'm glad it wasn't worse that it was. I don't understand what happens between what we tell them and what they do!!! I really have issues with professional stylist!!!

I don't know when I'm going to let another CUT my hair!!! Lord knows I need to because I've been cutting my hair myself, and there are different lengths all over...

There are good ones out there, I'm sure. And she did a good job on two other ladies on here ... so, just pray before going in, lol.

Lynnieluve wrote:WOW!!! That's a BIG difference. I see why you were/are so upset. You and your friend did a really good job .

So can I make an appointment with you two to shape up my hair now?

LOL, sure! Next time you travel to MD. My friend pretty much held up pieces of my hair so I could keep things straight and keep the layers consistent. She was too scared to actually use the scissors. I suspect that was the case with the stylist too ... I've had a long history of stylists being afraid to cut my hair. I cut cursed out once by one who said "What is wrong with you? Why don't you like long hair?" Lawdy ... it's like they don't know hair grows back.

BlondeByDesire wrote:Welcome - I just read you who thread. Sorry about the mishap with the stylist. I'm glad it wasn't any worse and you were able to recover.

Are you doing the hot yoga?

Your hair is beautiful nontheless. Great definition.

Yes, Bikram is the hot yoga and I it! Thanks for the compliment!

My cousin attend this class faithfully ...