Operation Wedding Hair: The Plan

I figure I have to have a plan if I'm going to make it to my goal for June 1st.  I'm not going to be changing up my regimen drastically but there will be a few key changes.  Like JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) scalp massages on the regular, when I say on the regular I mean just about daily.  I don't want to scare myself off, but I'm aiming for 6 times a week.  Plus, I'll be exclusively protecting styling for the entire time.  Which means buns, buns, and more buns.

Daily:  

• Scalp massages using JBCO, focusing on the nape and outside regions of my hair since the middle grows faster.  
• Moisturize the ends of my hair and seal using an oil 
• Wear hair in a bun or another style with ends protected 
• Sleep on satin 

Weekly: 

• Pre-Poo with a mix of JBCO and Coconut oil overnight & then before shampoo steam it 
• Shampoo, Condition, & Deep Condition with heat 
• Rollerset (at the salon) or gentle blow dry (by me) 

Monthly: 

• Henna Treatments followed by extensive deep conditioning 

The above photo was taken on September 9th, 2011 and will serve as my "start" photo for Operation Wedding Hair!  

Hair Diary: 1 Year Length Comparison

Here is a 1 year comparison from May 2010 to May 2011. The biggest difference is thickness and an increase in the health of my hair. Back in 2010, my hair was a little bit longer than APL and very light feeling. Now my hair is just above BSL and it's heavier feeling. When I touch it and gather it into a low pony or bun I can really tell that there is more hair there, which is probably because the nape has grow in significantly.

I'm currently planning my summer regimen and I'll share it once it's ready.

AHS - Hair Update with Pics

So I haven't updated with a length shot in some time, I couldn't even remember so I had to look back. It was November of 2010 and I was not quite BSL, since then I've had a few trims and I've been trying to allow the nape area and back of my hair to totally catch up with the rest of my hair because it's growing in like crazy. Until it really started growing in I didn't realize how much of it was damaged and unhealthy, when I look at my hair when it's down it's thicker looking and it's because there really is more hair there.

The quality of this picture isn't the greatest because it was snapped with a camera phone, but you get the picture. I'm still hovering right above BSL (bra strap length) but with multiple trims, including a few therapeutic self-trimming episodes (I can't help it!) I'm happy with the length. Like I said earlier, I'm really focusing on getting the back to be the same length as the top. In this photo, I'm 7 weeks post relaxer and as of right now I have no plans on relaxing yet.

For this photo, I had my hair roller set on purple rollers. I sat under the overhead dryer for about 1 hr. and then I had my roots and edges blow out some to give it that polished look but I did not have the entire length of my hair blow dried. I actually went to a local Dominican Salon on $8.00 Doobie day and ended up paying $13.00 including the $5.00 to blow the roots only. Not a bad deal huh? I have already deep conditioned with my own deep conditioner overnight, so in the AM I just went in with my plastic cap on and they took it from there. As you can see from the front it looks way shorter and my bang has grow out a bunch too.

Signature Hair Look

Way back in 2008 I told you guys that a side part was the critical ingredient in my signature hairstyle. Well guess what, 3 years later and that's still the case! Some things never change ... When I want to switch it up, I switch the sides or the depth of the part but that's about it.

Ladies, what's your signature hair look?

Increased Thickness

Quick hair update via photo... It's a camera phone pic so the quality isn't that great but I noticed that my hair seems to be thicker. I've been using JBCO on the back area to help it grow in better and it looks like it's working.

Length Update

I haven't been taking too many pictures of my hair lately, but as I was cleaning out the photo gallery of my phone I saw this photo and decided to share. I can't tell you exactly when it was taken but it was before my birthday (September 10th).

First Edition: Guess Whose Hair!

Guess whose hair this is!  Here's a clue.... she's been featured right here on The Anti Hair Slave before. 

Here's another clue... it's not me! She is related to me...

The answer, more pictures, and her hair care regimen after the JUMP!

If you guessed, GRAM!  Then you are RIGHT!!!! Yup ladies that's my grandmother.  I swear as she gets older her hair just gets longer and thicker and these pics were taken after they stylists cut about 2-3 inches off her hair. 

Isn't gram supercute?!!?  I know!  Okay so basically, Gram uses whatever shampoo and conditioner is in the house.  She leaves her conditioner on for a least 5 minutes with no heat, then she blows and curls her hair.  She does that once a week and she might touch up her bangs once during the week if needed with the curling iron.  She loves Biosilk for shine and that's pretty much it.  How simple is that?!?  None of this moisturizing and sealing every night or using growth aids.  One thing she does do it put her hair in a ponytail and cover it with a scarf before bed. 

She is self-relaxed and she touches it up every 8 weeks and self-trims as needed.  She also colors her hair, either she'll do it herself or I'll put it in for her.