Oil Cocktail

Upon leaving my hair appointment, my loctitian told me to use a few key items on my new baby locs-oil for 'moisture' and sea breeze 'cleansing' and dry scalp. Man oh man, my scalp is THIRSTY! I had to reformulate my oil cocktail mixture, since it ran out some time ago. I forgot the essentials that I used when I was relaxed, but here is the version that I am using right now. (This was what I had lying around my bathroom).

Equal Parts (about 1/4 cup)
Amla (Ayurvedic Oil from Indian Amla Plant)
Vatika (Enriched Indian Coconut Oil)
Sweet Almond
EVOO
Grapseed

Back in the day, I used to SWEAR by Keracare Essential Oils for the Hair. Everytime I smell it I think of the hair salon and my perfect roller sets and up-do's! The ingrediants on the label include Sunflower Seed, Peanut, Castor, Coconut, Jojoba, Sesame, Aloe Vera, Almond and Olive oils. I have made a vow NOT to purchase any more hair products for the month of April. After I've used a good portion of my homemade cocktail, I'll add some of the other essentials that I just posted. Wish me luck!

I'm OFFICIALLY Loc'ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned, I'll be conducting a giveaway very, very soon...

Loc Album

My name is Erin Indecisive. I am locing my hair. The twists are binding together, and I'm not going to fight it. While I am blogging here, I will document through images on Fotki. Feel free to check out my journey, thus far.

http://www.public.fotki.com/ScandalousLocs/

The Twist-Out Experiment

On day 15 of my 30 day twisting challenge, I decided to try something new. I took roughly 10-15 twists and twisted them again. Then, I put each of the twists into a knot around itself. Here are the results. I only left them in for 3-4 hours, because it was something that I was just fooling around with randomly during the afternoon.

Just took the twists out of the knots. The Medusa look is not what's up. Still need to do most of my makeup.

Untwisted the larger sections, and there is hair everywhere! I love the effect! Had I left it in longer, I'm sure it would have had way more bounce!

I threw it back in a band for a few minutes while playing around with styles. Later on, I pinned it up for a very cute look. I received compliments all day. Who says naturals can't be fly?!

Knots!

I can't believe that I micro twisted my hair and haven't updated on it! WTF?! Today I put them in knots. I took a group of 10-12 twists, then twisted them, then put them into knots. I'm hoping for some kind of effect, although I don't know what it will be. Hmmm....

Texture.

I'm in the process of doing my micro twists! While parting my hair, here's what I found. Man, these babies are one of the reasons why I'm not ready to loc!

Mega-Tek

Okay, yet again, I have fallen for another product from my fellow LHCF PJ's. After reading post after post about it, I searched for places that carried it. I went to a garden center and found it! Yes, this is yet another product that was (apparently) created for humans, then marketed for animals. Yikes. But, it smells pretty darn good. Much better than that funky MTG i used a few years back.

So, I am hearing that many people mix their Mega-Tek, and many people use it raw. It's creamy and white, so I hear that people are getting lots of flakes. Flakes are NOT what's up. I am going to use it on my scalp overnight, and then wash out in the morning. I'm trying to rock twists and twist outs for most of the Spring/Summer. Eh, we will see how it goes!

Can you see the stains from the semi-perm color on my forehead?! I'm so pissed!!!

Semi-Permanent Color

Since the color bug bit me, I tried a few semi-perm colors in my hair. Basically, it was a waste of time, energy and $10. I keep forgetting that semi-perm colors only really show up in the light. After I finished the process, I DC'ed extra hard. My hair is dry, brittle, and it's really agitating me. Luckily, the color only lasts for 6-8 shampoos. I haven't shampooed my hair 6-8 times in the last few months!!!!!!!!!! But, it looks like I will be doing a pretty good share of it. I am doing a story on Dark and Lovely color, which I really want to use to permanently color my hair for the Spring/Summer. I typically go to Hair On You, the salon I went to back in my relaxed days. I am starting to think that I should just let her do it, just like she used to. My hair was NEVER this dry when she colored it!

Oh well. Mission: Failed.

Edit: Two days later, my hair still feels like straw. Even when I slathered in my super moist Giovanni Condish, my hair STILL felt brittle. I have GOT to get this color out of my hair. This is disturbing.

Spring Color?

I think I am ready for some hair color! I already have some brown in my hair, but I want some REAL color. I need to make sure that my hair is highly moisturized and is conditioned like crazy if I do it. Don't want any regrets! If I don't loc, I'm definitely going to get some color. Here are some color inspirations from the Essence Style Gallery.

The Chlorella Experiment

Man oh man, if you're going to be a member of Long Hair Care Forum, you had better be ready to spend!!! I went into a forum about Chlorella, a "superfood" with a host of benefits for the body. This whole situation stemmed from others using it for detoxing the body, weight loss, etc. Some members noticed that they were also getting clearer skin, longer nails, lashes and hair! Since I had been looking for a good detox plan, this was pretty much a good start.

I was up for hours researching this last night, and when I went to GNC this afternoon, I settled upon Kyo Chlorella. One of the videos that I viewed on Youtube ( which was VERY informative) said that people don't benefit from pills as much (vs. powder, since many people use this for quicker results) because the cell walls aren't broken. So, I made sure the pills that I purchased had pre-broken cell walls. Many people are mixing the powder with juices and smoothies, but I know those will NOT settle with my stomach. Yuck.

So, today I am starting out taking three 3g pills a day. The package says that you should take 6 a day. Each brand's dosage is different! I am really on a health kick lately, and I (now) believe what I put into my body will result in how my body works! This goes for my hair as well! More water, less junk, more fruits and veggies, less crap. I think this change will be a life saver...

Happy 2 Year Birthday, Hair!

I cannot believe that I cut off the remainder of my relaxed ends 2 years ago!! Wow, it's been a CRAZY journey, but so worth it. My and my fro have a personality of our own!!! ; )
I went back and forth about going natural for years, and I still think it is one of the best decisions I have made. My hair is thicker, healthier and more fun than I ever thought it would be. It's really life changing, from the way you maintain it to the guys that are attracted to you and the stereotypes that people cast. Looking at this picture, I didn't even realize that my edges looked that bad. Yikes!!! Oh well, happy birthday hair! The present to myself??? A super thick, creamy, moisturizing deep conditioner!

Remember my cries for help and motivation just a few months prior?!?! Wow, I've come a LONG way!!!!



Here's a photo album of my entire natural hair journey, up til last August, when I decided to start blogging about my hair. Maybe it will inspire someone, or give someone hope!

The Aphogee Treatment Tutorial

Okay, so you've already heard me talk about Aphogee Treatments, I'm sure. The goal of this treatment is to stop breakage dead in its tracks. Salons all over the place swear by it. It has saved my hair on more than one occasion! They have renamed and repackaged their products, which was throwing me off. Couldn't figure out why nobody had the bottles of the stuff! Anywho, here's a trial packet of the product, and what it really looks like. It's a liquid, very thin, very watery. It basically spilled all down my face, floor, shirt, and everywhere else.

The directions say to use the treatment of freshly washed hair. I used Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo. This, as well as the conditioner are cult faves of mine. I'll never live without them.

The Aphogee Balancing Moisturizer is a MUST if you're going to use the treatment. Seriously, it says so on the package! This is a bottle that I've had for a bit over a year. I liked to use it before or after a co-wash to give my hair some added moisture.

Just for some added punch, I used the last of my Redken Real Control Intense Renewal Masque. It sure was sad to see it go. This is one of the first masques that I have found that may work wonders on relaxed and natural heads. I added about a tablespoon of grapeseed oil and EVOO to the masque for some extra love.

Hair is freshly shampooed. I must admit, it feels kind of nice to cleanse my hair. I do this about once a month, since I am an avid co-washer.

Time to get it on! This mess stinks. It smells overly fragrant, obnoxiously even. It's like the treatment stank on it's own, so they overpowered it with a perfume-ish scent to hide the original stank. lol

Kind of blurry, but this is my hair with the stank in it.

Came down to my room to let my hair dry. Directions specifically say NOT to manipulate the hair as it gets hard. You can sit under the dryer, air dry or blow dry. Once the hair is hard, and I mean REALLY hard, it's time to wash it out!! Then, follow with balancing moisturizer. After this, I opt to moisturize the hell out of my hair, adding the masque. Afterward, hair feeling stronger and ready for war, I twisted my hair in 10 sections for a twist-out tomorrow.

Hey everyone!

I haven't used this blog in over 3 years, but I thought I should come on over and update you! If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen my loc progress. I've been loc'd for 4 years now! This is a style I created a few weeks ago at a blog conference.

Also, I have a lifestyle blog called Peace, Love: Erin Joy right here on Blogger. It's a lifestyle blog that covers family, food, decor and the journey to my wedding in March. I post there every couple days, so I hope you'll follow me there! I'm still blogging about makeup on my beauty blog, Scandalous Beauty, and I've got new videos coming to my YouTube channel soon!