M.I.A, AWOL... Whatever you want to call it...

I have been Missing In Action, Absent Without Leave... Tired? Or plain old Lazy?

Regardless, I have definitely fallen off the haircare bandwagon recently, (and perhaps the self care wagon too!) with so many things going on for me right now I just don't have time for myself! 

But, unless I want to look about 40 years older than I am, I'm going to have to make some time, life is too short to be wandering around looking like a wrinkled washed out old lady!

So, what's been happening with me?

...Five Thoughts For The Week...

Here are my five random thoughts this week...

1. I've just noticed in my last five thoughts for the week, I was surprised it was September. Continuing this theme I am equally surprised it is October.

2. Does time speed up as you get older?  When I was younger it took AGES for Christmas and Birthdays to come round each year. These days they are so fast! I turn around and I'm a year older o_O

...African Black Soap...

Soo, I ordered my African Black Soap along with my Bentonite clay sometime in August. I've already blogged about my Bentonite clay experience (see here), so why has it taken me so long to post about my black soap experiences?

I don't like it!!

I have actually tried so hard to like it, but it's just not happening.

Interview with a Curly Girl... Kadian

If you remember I got really really excited when I found Ace Your Face, well I've managed to get an interview with the owner of the website and a beautiful head of natural curls...

Kadian

Tell us  a random fact about yourself?

I speak a bit of Hindi. I actually used to be more fluent, but haven't used it much since graduate school. If you don't use it, you start to lose it. However, I can still read and write in the language pretty well. I love going into Asian shops and picking up bits of conversation, especially since they usually think I have no idea what's happening. The next language I'm dying to learn is Japanese. I like the way my mouth feels when I form the words. I think the language sounds kind of sexy.

...RedKen Extreme Anti Snap Leave-in Treatment...

RedKen Extreme Anti-Snap Leave In Treatment

Source

What it says it does: "Extreme Anti Snap with Interlock Protein Network and Fortifying Complex delivers protein and ceramide to help fortify weakened areas, protect internal strength and reinforce surface protection and shine. Hair is healthy looking and resilient."

...Five Thoughts For The Week...

I've realised I don't blog as much as I thought I would when I started this blog so I've decided to do a weekly post - five random thoughts I'm having that week.

Here are my thoughts for this week:

1. I cannot believe it is September already!

My August Healthy Challenge didn't go so well. But I did drink green tea religiously and now have an acquired taste along with what a clearer complexion which I am going to put down to the beneficial effects of green tea :)

However, I went jogging ONCE throughout the whole of the month. Yes, it is shocking but really not for me as I usually do even less exercise which is more shocking. Its still my goal to increase this to at least once a week!

Big Brands Jumping on the Natural Hair Wagon

Is it just me, or are there looooads of product lines now catering for natural and transitioning hair? I mean LOADS! And some are even in the UK!

I love this! 

But I'm secretly a little sceptical about some of the lines and feel like some brands are jumping on this natural hair hype... Part of the reason I went natural was for health thus I am very conscious of what I put on my hair and skin so although I want a product that will moisturise and add hold, and I also want it as natural as possible... This is where I think some of these lines are going wrong, I mean the products look like they may do what I want them to but I'm not really sold on some of the ingredients. I don't want something that is going to cause my skin to break out in a rash or give me spots :(

Nonetheless there are some I really want to try and others that I don't...  

Cantu Shea Butter Naturals Line

... One of My Favourite Conditioners...

Naked Rescue Intensive Care Conditioner

What it says it does: "Hair in distress from styling and colouring abuse needs all the help it can get. So we use shea nut butter (such a smooth operator) which, together with olive and brassicacae oil extracts, works really hard to help repair and improve the appearance of split, snapped or frizzy hair. Using plant based conditioning ingredients, this effective formulation throws a lifeline to weakened hair without petrochemical residue build up." 

Bentonite Clay... My alternative to Terressentials mud wash....

I ordered my clay! It arrived last week and I used it on Monday... Sorry for the delay in posting - I've been a busy bee this week!

...Ask Me A Question...

I KNOW how hard transitioning can be, especially if you're going it alone or when family and friends may not be as supportive as you would like...

 

Although I don't claim to be an expert,  I've been through it, the highs and lows and I always think it's better to learn from someone else's mistakes rather than repeating someone else's. I had a transitioning buddy throughout most of my transition and she was amazingly helpful 

- Thanks Chadae & EVERYONE else who helped me :)

So, I'm willing to lend an ear to anyone who's currently struggling or needs a little advice or just a chat :)

Like a said - no expert but feel free to leave me a comment or email me here

...Ace Your Face...

I have just discovered this blog, literally like yesterday and have been glued to it.

As someone who doesn't wear a lot of make-up (multiple reasons - one being I don't know how to properly apply it -__-) I really appreciate this site. I need make-up tutorials in my life!

Plus, I bloody looove Kadian's hair - amazing!
Interview coming soon!! :) :) :)

Bentonite Clay...

So, I still can't find terressentials mud wash in the UK and I refuse to pay extortionate delivery charges. I have been looking for alternatives to this and discovered Bentonite Clay... 

New Product...

Hemp Hand Protector

I've been on a mission, looking for something natural to soothe my dry and itchy skin... I popped in to the BodyShop this weekend and stumbled upon the Hemp Hand Protector.

Eczema woes...

My Eczema is getting worse.

This is highly frustrating seeing as I'm finding it super difficult to get an appointment at my Doctor's Surgery, add to that the fact the receptionist who works there is absolutely horrid; I'm in a bad mood.

...No Poo...

I have given up shampoo. 

For the past 6 weeks I have forgone shampoo and stuck to washing my hair with conditioner (co-washing) and so far my hair loves it!  I wanted to try using a no-sulfate shampoo but so far my conditioner (herbal essences fresh balance conditioner) is working just fine for me :)

My Biggest Bun Ever.

 

 Whilst looking through my transition pictures this afternoon I found these pictures.

Healthy Challenge Update

Going Strong with the Green Tea!

I'm actually pleasantly surprised, the tea bags I have are a mixture of green tea and lemon and not as bad as I remember green tea tasting. I think I could actually last the month :)

In Pictures... My Hair: Relaxed To Natural

May 2010 - my last relaxer. 

 I grew my hair out for 19 months (also called transitioning) before I was comfortable cutting away the relaxed ends of my hair and becoming au naturale. 

Transitioning was a big thing for me,  before I relaxed my hair my Mum used to do my hair, so I couldn't quite recall what my natural hair was like, I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know whether I would be able to cope with it, or if I'd even like it! Lots of my friends couldn't understand why I wanted to do it as I had "nice, long hair which I was going to ruin". 

 But it was something I wanted to do, I wanted healthy hair and felt my hair would be much healthier sans relaxer. So, I gave myself 6 months to begin with, if I couldn't cope within that time I'd continue relaxing. What can I say... 6 months FLEW by.

Wishlist

The things I want/need/adore:

Source: amazon.com

1. Terressentials Mud Wash.

...Healthy Skin From the Inside Out...

I am one of those unfortunate souls who suffers from sensitive skin, eczema and food allergies.

Sad Times.