Big Chop

I big chopped 9/8/2012 and it has been such an amazing experience. I've learned to care for my hair and watch it grow. My goal is BSL by the end of summer. I've had so much success with hair growth and retention and I could list the products that I use but your health plays a huge part as well. Hair vitamins, natural products, and heat free styling only go so far. I wanted to do a series on health tips that not only help with hair growth but also with overall health. I think we forget our body is a machine working to keep us going. We can't just focus on hair we must focus on the body as a whole.

Hydration is key. You must drink water every single day. It is so important not just for healthy hair but for clear skin, better metabolism, and helps energize muscles. If you want healthy hair drinking water is a must. The amount of water you should drink daily varies from person to person. I personally try to drink at least 2 liters a day. If you take your weight and divide it by 2 that's the numbers of ounces of water you should be drinking daily.

I know a lot of you don't like the taste of water but don't let that stop you from drinking it and staying healthy. It should be health over taste but if you're not quite there yet try making your own vitamin waters. Adding fresh fruit, fresh herbs, and even some veggies to water is a great way to add flavor to water and also add vitamins.

 Vitamin water recipe.<http://www.theyummylife.com/Flavored_Water> 

Sassy Water Recipe.<http://www.asweetsimplelife.com/home/2012/1/16/sassy-water.html/>

-Demetra

He Say She Say They Say I Heard...

I could write a post telling you what to do, what to buy, how to do it, how often etc... 

You can come on here and rant and rave about how frustrated you are because you tried a method someone else told you worked for them, and you expected the same results. I guess this post is for the newbies because I see a lot of frustration on here because some of you had high expectations for your hair, and a couple months later, you're frustrated because your hair isn't growing as fast as you want it to, and it's curls aren't as defined as you were hoping they would be. Some have become complete product junkies and just layer products over each other to get a slick bun, or a shiny twist out. Well I need to tell you something...

Stop.

Your hair isn't the issue. Or a burden. Your hair is doing what it's supposed to. The sooner you realize that shrinkage happens to everyone and that it's not a bad thing, that nobody's curl pattern is the same, and 100 products won't make life easier, the more enjoyable this journey will be for you. Give your hair a chance. Just love it, and take care of it, and you'll be rewarded. Trust me. 

Never take assume all advice or information will apply to your hair. Just because something works for some people and/or the informant has done their research, doesn't mean it will always work for you. If you just want to experiment and see if it works, that's fine. But don't expect everything to work; and don't get upset if it doesn't. Just move on to the next thing. Most, if not all, natural vets have gone through trial and error. We didn't just know what to do, and what to use. You don't get to dodge the mistakes either!

Patience really, really is the key to success with your hair. Be adventurous, be curious, and don't be hard on yourself or your hair when it doesn't turn out how you want. Have fun. Ask questions. Learn about other's experiences, and share your own. You'll be surprised what you learn -- even from yourself!

- Lauren

Summer Time lovin', lovin' in The Summer Time

My brother had his high school graduation last week, so you know that's the symbol of summer.

Summer freedom to go to the beach, travel, work, or lay around in the A/C. But I'll be working hard to bring you guys fresh ideas, products, stories, videos, and more all summer long and beyond.

While I'm doing that though, there will always be video projects going on, giving you a chance to help others in their hair journey. Sometimes reading someone's words doesn't help. Actually seeing their hair, while listening to them tell you about their experiences and give advice works better for some. For those that are camera shy, I have a section for you to tell your own story of your journey and/or send in pictures to accompany them, so that you can contribute in your own way.

I'm also coming up with products to help some of you out (especially my 4c ladies) and I'd really appreciate if I got a couple of ladies willing to try them out, when I create them.....

Anyways, explore the site, and I hope you see something you'd like to get involved in!

I hope to get this page full of activity before 2013 ends and I can't do it without you!

- Lauren