Snip! Snip! Chop! Chop!

Lord have mercy...it has been a while, but if there was ever a time to resume...it is now. Let me just say...a lot has changed since the last time. The biggest...well most visible: I Cut My Hair!! (well it's been cut for a month now, but the pics are from then). What the masses do not know is that this has actually been a long time coming. So many people have lamented over the big chop, so here is the why:

Although I have been natural most of my life, I've only been deep conditioning, finger detangling, and including phrases like 'the LOC method' in my vocabulary, now haircabulary, for about three years now. By the time I became aware of all of this the damage was already done. My hair was split up and down...and sideways. Miraculously it never actually looked damaged...which is why no one believes me when I tell them this.

I tried to press forward without cutting it, but as I came to know in time, no amount of coconut oil could get rid of split ends. the only solution: a good pair of scissors. So while I came to terms with the decision I had made, I decided to try everything I dared to on my hair since it was all coming off soon anyway. I coloured, I got a blowout, and I texturized (basically a permanent blowout...I'm not a fan). Even though I had already decided to cut, it was still difficult to commit the actual deed, but the two textures I had now acquired as a result of the new growth coming in after texturizing was making styling increasingly burdensome.

One wash day, after longingly staring at my kinks at the roots and the vast difference that were my straggly ends, I made up my mind that the hair was going...that very day. It wasn't difficult to distinguish the healthy hair from the unhealthy hair, so I decided a home job would suffice, and so I solicited my mother's help. At first she refused...she could not comprehend why I wanted to cut off all my 'good hair'. After much persuasion she finally gave in, although she quarrelled the entire time before stopping mid cut and announcing, "I'm not cutting anymore! I don't know why you doing this..."

Needless to say, I had to struggle with the scissors and the bathroom mirror to complete the job, but all in all I feel like I did ok. Words cannot describe the freedom that I have experienced since then, wash day is a breeze! Although I am completely loving my new hair, and I'm definitely tempted to keep it short forever, I do miss throwing my hair up into a top bun, or my favourite two flat twists. But until it grows back out I'll be enjoying this big chop!

Apologies for the poor quality, but it is literally the only pic I have showing the length after the blowout. It was slightly above armpit length.

When coping with two/multiple textures I strongly suggest curls...they camouflage the inconsistencies.

The chop! My hair is about two inches long...just hitting the bridge of my nose.

Colour Me Red...ish!

For years I have wanted to play with colour in my hair, but was so afraid of the damage that would be wrought. My hair can be compared to a desert most times, and so I have to put in extra time, effort and moisturizer to ensure it stays hydrated. This prone to dry-ness syndrome that is the natural state of my hair, coupled with dye, did not seem like it would be one of my better plans. So I shelved it.

But HALLEGLORY! I took it off the shelf!!!

After a year of protective styling and avidly caring for my tresses, I decided that my hair was strong enough to handle the blast of colour. Although the decision was made I was still quite nervous about the process as well as the results, so I consulted with some natural hair gurus I have in my friend circle. I was advised to look for semi-permanent as well as ammonia free dye. For weeks I searched for the perfect color combinations that would give me my desired look (bright deep red...I know it sounds strange but I could picture it in my mind). In the end I ended up with Copper Penny, Bright Red and Burgundy from a brand called Via. Well to say the results were below expectations were an understatement. There was more dye on my clothes than in my hair! The only times you could catch a glimpse of the colour was in the sunlight, and I had to give up on white/light coloured clothing, because once it came into contact with my hair...it was all over. Unfortunately my job requires me to wear a WHITE lab coat at all times, so the collar and  upper back of my lab coat were constantly stained in a light shade of pink.

First attempt...barely there

After the long wait for colour I decided I would not settle for half-way. Go big or go home...right? So I did some more investigating and was informed by a co-worker that the brand Textures and Tones works well for natural hair. I became excited all over again  because I actually saw the results in her hair. However, for the sake of my hair I waited about two months to try out the Textures and Tones. This was perfect timing since that time frame fell in line with my BIRTHDAY!!! So the plan was red hair for b-day. Again I had to hunt for just the right colour combinations, which in the end did not matter anyway, because although I bought Bright Burgundy and Ruby Rage, I mixed two bottles of Ruby Rage accidentally (mixed while I was not wearing my glasses...and now you all know I'm as blind as a bat). I realised too late and had no choice but to go with it. In the end it turned out amaze-balls!! I'm super excited about my red hair and can't stop checking it out in mirrors or any reflective surface really...vain much! LOL!

The Red Hair!

Toco Weekends

I do believe after this weekend I am seriously considering moving to the country...Toco to be exact. The air is so fresh and clean, every time I inhaled it was like a spa day for my nostrils and lungs. The people are extra friendly, and hop into any taxi before 8 a.m. and I can almost guarantee you will hear gospel in some form or fashion. It's like, despite personal beliefs and religion, everyone just respects that the first thing I want to hear in the morning is most certainly not profanities or anything concerning 'bending bumpas' or the like.

Where I stayed was 5 minutes walking distance from the beach which was the proverbial cherry on top of an already awesome cake. Needless to say a beach adventure was had, unfortunately my bathing suit did not accompany me that weekend, so I climbed trees and played in the sand. 

I don't consider myself a city/country girl, but I do work in the city and frequent it a lot otherwise, so this mini get away was quite welcomed. Isn't it refreshing to know that you dont even have to go to tobago to get those R&R vibes going? So how about you switch off those data plans, take a break from Shonda Land and head on up to toco. I promise you, you will begin considering the country lifestyle as well.

More Toco weekends need to be had.