Erica and Phoenix

Talk about peer pressure, lol. SweetDrk1 and Lynnieluv said I had to get a journal going. I guess I'll give a little background. I got my first perm at the age of 10 (against my mother's objections). Always had long, thick healthy hair for the most part. By college I was known as the girl with "great hair." I was layered and loving it. Add classes, work and 3 kids and by the time I was applying to law school I was experiencing cyclical shedding due to stress. Fast forward and I'm sitting at a dinner with Dick Gregory who is speaking about the connection between relaxers and the high rate of fibroids in Black women. At the time, I was experiencing painful symptoms of fibroids and I was willing to try anything. Decided right then that I was letting go of my relaxer. Thought I would be a long term transitioner but one day, after about 2 or 3 months, I started dreaming of the BC! Stayed up late watching BC videos on youtube. Woke up, cut off a section in the back so I couldn't change my mind once I got to the shop and off I went. The BC was one of the most liberating moments of my life. I'm loving the natural, nappy me and the self reflection and growth that comes along with embracing who you are completely.

Phoenix is the name of my 'fro. Through all the heat she just kept on rising!

you can view a video of my BC here on my youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/ericathurman#p/u/12/LV72G7SF4f0

Here is a photo journal of my natural hair journey.
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2316356&id=22910509&l=ba5566442b

You have some MAD growth girl. I actually had to go back and look at the dates of your natural hair journey because I could not believe how fast you hair grew. The last pic (I think it's your avatar pic) is RIGHTEOUS, very classic!).

Welcome Natural beauty!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!! Just checked out your photo journal...beautiful hair! And I agree with HumanNature, GREAT GROWTH! Love it!

---Reese

LOVE YOUR AVATAR!!! WELCOME

yeahhhhh she is here!!! I am so happy you did iti!! O MY WORD your hair has grown and you already know how I feel about that hot damn avatar!!!

You know that is the first I heard of the connection between perms and fibroids..very interesting. Welcome..I look forward to reading your progress!!

*smooches*

Oh and I love the name Phoenix!!!

Hey sis...Phoenix is lovely. I just watched some of your videos...you have a new subscriber. Good luck on your journey...I look forward to it.

Welcome!!!! Phoenix is lovely-I think that every time I see your avatar

Welcome, I'll have to wait until I get home to view the YT videos and hair pics.

Thanks ladies! Also, I am personally blaming SweetDrk1 and Lynnieluve for all the extra time I will now be spending on this site, lol.

Welcome Erica and Pheonix!! I was a YT fan long before I knew you were here. I'm so glad you gave in to the peer pressure. It'll be pay off I promise. **Whispering "I'm the one that taught Sweetdrk how to put on the pressure, don't tell anyone"***

Welcome again!!!

I guess I should post my current regimen.

Co-wash (weekly during the winter)
-Suave Coconut Naturals

Rinse out conditioner
-Giovanni 50/50 (Sometimes mixed with Smooth as Silk for crown area)
-Ken Paves Daily Conditioner (If I'm wearing a wash and go, this holds curls really well)
*I alternate depending on the style I'm wearing

Leave-in conditioner
-Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat

Twist hair using:
-Giovanni Vitapro Leave-in
-Coconut Oil or Africa's Best Herbal Oil
-Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter
-Unrefined Shea Butter (apply to ends)

Untwist hair using:
-Unrefined shea butter (apply to fingers before untwisting hair to reduce frizz)

Edges
-Carol's Daughter Hair Milk
-Ken Paves Curl Balm (Love this product!)
-Ken Paves Shine Serum
*I alternate between using the hair milk and curl balm

Deep conditioner
-Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing
-Avocado Oil
-Coconut Milk

Shampoos (occasionally, maybe once every 2 months)
-Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit and Beet
-Carol's Daughter Khoret Amen Herbal Shampoo

None of these products cause build-up. I never need to use a sulfate shampoo.

LOL we bully with love and pure selfishness, I want your hair! Wait I just noticed Lynn hasn't been here. Let me go get her. Shee is telling the truth LOL!! She twisted my arm and MADE me go to riteaid and purchase stuff!!

I love the detail you have listed...you use all that stuff when you twist your hair?

Now that coconut milk, you use that alone or mix it with something?

and I became a subscriber on YT today!!

hey, Hey, HEY!!! Welcome Erica and Phoenix!!! I'm so happy you decided to join us. Of course you already know I love your hair.

I was looking at your hair journey pics and I was like, "I know her from somewhere." Then I realized, I watched your BC video several times before I self BC'd.

This is good peer pressure. I know you have some valuable info you could share with the rest of us curlies.

**headed over to YT to subscribe to your channel**

Now that you have been welcomed, spill the beans. What did you purchase from TJ Maxx.....body wash only, right?

Welcome! I enjoyed your BC video. Your hair looks awesome now, but it also looked super cute short!

@Lynnie-- LOL, I did go to the hair section but I'm so sure I saw that smiley looking at me. I was so proud of myself. I didn't buy any hair products. *Peanut Butter Jelly Time*

@ Sweet, yes I use all of that to twist. It keeps my hair moisturized for days. All I have to do during the week is untwist with shea butter on my hands and I'm good to go. I have really dry skin/scalp/hair issues and this combination (found it by accident) keeps Phoenix looking shiny and feeling moisturized. I don't mix the coconut milk with anything although I would love to find a way to thicken it up. Applying it is so messy.

@Travel, thanks. I almost cut it all off last week. I liked it short but decided that winter may not be the best time to BC again (especially since I hate wearing hats).

@Chrs, thanks!

Not much going on today. Working on my thesis so I spent most of the day in the house. I did discover that this twist-out looks cute with a headband too (I use the leg of a pair of stockings-- buy them at the dollar store). I wish I had more time to experiment.

Good job Erica!! I am staying away from TJMaxx and Marshall's until this challenge is over.

So...as I stated in the Use Your Stash challenge thread, I have fallen off the wagon. Bought the 33.5oz bottle of Giovanni 50/50 conditioner with the pump. In an attempt to atone for this transgression, I'm going to give away the Giovanni. In the next week, I'll do a youtube video with the details of the give away.

**gonna see if I can win that Giovanni 50/50 conditioner**

Me, too Lynnieluve. May I the best person win .

Hey Sis, just checking in on you...that giveaway sounds like a good idea.

lol@Chrs

Thanks Sweet. you had me looking for scarves, I am loving that one in your avatar.

My hair was so big today. I'm really mastering the art of the twist out. This time I tried a different routine. I cowashed with Suave Coconut Naturals, used Giovanni 50/50 as a rinse out and Giovannit Tea Tree as a leave in. I allowed my hair to air dry as it was (this was actually by accident since I was writing). I didn't feel like rewetting my hair to twist it so I just dry twisted and because it was so well moisturized I only added Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter to the ends. Can you say big hair?! I loved it. Twisting it dry really stretched my hair. Got so many compliments. Went to a dinner and a young lady said, "I would love to go natural but my hair won't do that." I said, "honey, you've probably had a perm all your life. You've never even seen your natural hair, you have no idea what it will do. Let go of that relaxer and you'll see." I'm about to twist my hair for the night and do some more work.