Its My Journey

Almost 2 years since I blogged. So much has happened ever since, but I decided to keep this blog active and LIVE!!! Still on a hair journey, which has been a very successful journey. Now I am on my Vegan and fitness lifestyle.  This blog will be of many things dealing with myself. Such as hair, Vegan dishes, Fitness inspiration, Married life, beauty and much MORE. I want to thank those that have been loyal in supporting my achievements in life and that continue to encourage and motivate me. Since my last post here on this blog, I was trying hard to keep track of my weight loss and maintain a fit body. Today, I have achieved my goal and more- and I just want to tell you that you too can live a very successful life. You too, can achieve all of your heart's desires. Stay dedicated , positive , self motivated , and most importantly disciplined !        Fitness and healthy Lifestyle Success                     ...

Oh My!! It has been over a year since I have posted on my blog--- So much has happened since then... I am still on my Natural hair journey, constantly caring for my hair :) As of August 2014, I achieved what used to be my ultimate goal (Waist length). I am very excited about that- However, I have yet to straighten my hair to allow others to see my true length. That can definitely wait because I am still not heat friendly. As of today I started a 6 months castor oil challenge-I have done these challenges before and got nothing but great results so I am at it once again. My current goals with my hair is to maintain it's health and allow it to grow as long as possible. Now that my hair is much longer wash days are obviously that- a whole day dedicated to my hair alone. Tangles have gotten much more severe since the hair is at a longer length and the detangling time is up by a good 85% compared to when my hair was shorter. I am still very grateful to have achieved my goal...

Once I made the decision to become very serious in taking good care for my hair, I can say that GOD has truly helped me along the way with his/her blessings! Its amazing what our hair can do when in proper care. My hair journey has been nothing but an excitement to me, I have enjoyed every single stage- from my BIG CHOP to my current length, I never complained. I fell in love with my hair the minute that I did my BC. Lets just take a sneak peak......   Top pic: Late November 2011- bottom Pic: end of June 2013 right pic: my flat ironed hair July 2013---  Its been proven that with proper care and techniques we can all grow our hair!!   There are so many factors that played a major part in my hair growth- for 1 I drink a lot water daily! Water has always been my favorite drink, I DO NOT DRINK SODA and hardly ever drink juice unless it is freshly squeezed.... I am extremely gentle with my hair when managing ...

Done with Eco Styler gel pink and Castor Oil (since I am still on a Castor Oil challenge)- I love the results! Twisted Sista! Next day results (Twist Out) My Twist Out in the sun!    Day 2 Twist Out

2 years post relaxer- 1 year and 5 month Natural (above pic)   My ultimate goal is waist length where my hair (stretched) can cover up my tattoo. Unsure how long it will take but I am very patient with my hair..... Current length stretched is BSL.     

Who says you need to blow dry and flat iron your hair to stretch it out and see length? I say you don't! I simply did a simple roller set and took them down. I love how my hair feels when I roller set. I can feel the volume and thickness of my natural hair without having to straighten it all the way. Roller sets are a good way to see some length, but unfortunately for those that want to rid of shrinkage altogether, this method will not determine our hair's full length but it is, however, a good alterative to straight styles.......   VIDEO COMING SOON............    

      I often get many questions as to how I preserve my wash and go- why does it lasts me so many days without having to refresh my hair. All I do is the Pineapple method seen in this picture. I simply wrap my curls in a regular or very high ponytail (I do not double wrap or tie my hair)- Next, I put on my satin scarf and boom! I'm ready for bed. In the morning I simply take my hair down and shake my hair to bring all my curls back down. I do not manipulate it or add any products until its time to wash and refresh my WnG which I do so on a weekly basis! Hopes this helps all those that have asked me.     Check the video above to get an idea as to how I wrap my hair at night to preserve my curls :)    

  Most ask, " what is the difference between a ponytail and a puff?"   The answer is simple, a puff is when your hair is not long enough to grab it into a ponytail- a puff is giving the illusion of a ponytail. A ponytail is when u can actually grab and wrap/tie up your hair. I kind of miss my puff days sometimes but am very happy with my hair growth :)   

March 2, 2013 I celebrated 2 years since my last relaxer! I can't even begin to express how happy and excited I am to have made the decision to return back to my Natural roots! Im loving the journey and so far have not experienced any crazy setbacks! Left pic was my last relaxer back in March 2011- right picture is my all natural hair 2 years later. Whats the difference? My natural hair is much thicker and has surpass the length of my relaxed hair!! Im loving this journey!! My ultimate goal is Waist Length so i still have a long way to go- but I am, however, enjoying every stage of my hair growth! *Entery was types via my iphone- sorry for any typos* Lol Stay Blessed!- VannieC

First, lets take a look at my previous roller set back in February of this year: I have come a long way and still have a long way to go! I dont do a lot of roller setting mainly because I have to use a rat tail comb- I dont use any styling tools! I only use them when I do my roller sets which is why I don't do then as frequently! Im loving the thickness and fullness of my hair, and the bounce is awesome. I set my hair with my gray rollers. After having washed my hair I did my roller set applying my Giovanni's leave in conditioner and coconut oil. I have reached yet another goal. Last year after my big chop, I remember being extremely anxious to graduate back to roller setting my hair with the gray rollers.... A year later, I have accomplished this short term goal! Im more than excited :) Also, I am still living heat free, I allowed my hair to completely air dry before taking the rollers down! *Note: pos...

Today marks my 1 year Naturalversary. So far, it has been a marvelous experience- Time really does fly by quick, just "yesterday" I remember doing my Big chop and rocking my TWA and today ( a year later) I am at Arm pit length. Being Natural has taught me so much. The very first thing that it taught me was how beautiful I am, that I dont need long hair to feel confident and secure. I never, in my wildest dream, thought that I would go back to may natural hair, let alone chop off all my hair to go natural! Life has so many surprises in store for us all and it becomes a wonderful experience when we can just sit back and allow God to do what he does best. I say that God had a lot to do with my progress- cause I prayed and had faith that he would show me new things while on this journey and its been deeper than "just hair"--- Current Length October 2012: Here is a quick video recap of my 1 year journey- from my Big chop till now:   Follow me on In...

My short term goal after I did my big chop was to reach apl before my 1 year naturalversary! Yesterday after having my husband stretch out my curl just for the heck of it- I found out that I am finally Arm Pit Length! I am more than happy and will only continue to fully care for my natural hair so I can retain longer lengths! My next short term goal is BSL- ;) Cant wait to write yet another blog post claiming this length! Peace- VannieC

I am absolutely in love with this gel! Its gives great hold and allows for me to have preserved wash and go's for as long as I want before washing my hair! The smell is light and with the new technique that I am using when I do my wash and go's drying time has minimized! My curls hang a lot more with the new technique. Although I still experience shrinkage (which comes with the territory of being natural) I must say that I am very pleased with the dry ending results. Here is my day 3 hair WNG: I have yet to try the other Eco Styler gels but so far I am more than pleased with what the Eco Styler gel Olive Oil can do for my hair. I get a lot of questions as to whether or not it makes my hair crunchy, hard, flaky, or dry and my answer to all of these is no. It does give a good hold but not crunchy at all, I always get movement with my hair- its never stiff. I also want everyone to be aware that I apply my leave in conditioner and oi...

I have finally perfected my wash and go's! I've had great wash and go days but I was constantly struggling with trying to eliminate frizz. Today as I browsed through YouTube I payed close attention to Mahogonaycurls technique and how she achieves her wash and go styles. One technique in particular was what caught my attention and had the little voice in my head say, "try it! I really believe this will work for your hair as well". I did not even finish watching the video when I found myself in the bathroom trying this new technique. The technique is simple, all I did was apply Eco styler gel on my dry hair (you can also do it on wet or damp hair, just wanted to minimize my shrinkage- why I chose to apply the gel on dry hair) and section it off in really small sections. Apply the gel and continue until fully done- my hair looks and feels very moisturized, which is exactly what I've been longing for with my wash and go's. I will continue to do this technique- m...

I have been asked many times how I achieve my twist out and finally decided to show you all in this video how I achieve the look: Twisted my hair with: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie (available at Target & Walgreens or online) Twists lasted me 7 days Twisted on wet hair

Just a quick update. Nothing much to say but how happy I am with my hair's health and growth :) 3 Months away from being 1 year Natural! Thank you Jesus.

 

Hair grows! All one has to do is care for it, nourish it and be extra careful when handling it! I am loving every stage of my natural hair! I still remember how excited and happy I was the day of my BIG CHOP! I would not change my decision for anything in the world! I have become way more creative in doing hairstyles with my natural hair than when I was relaxed. My go to style are wash and go's! Its so easy to just wake up in the morning, remove your satin bonnet, spritz your hair with water, shake and go about your day! I also enjoy rocking my two strand twists and twist outs! I am very pleased with my hair growth progress in only 7 months! Its been an amazing journey- Cant wait to see me next year! :) Peace & God Bless!

   What the Videos below to see how I achieved this Wash and Go using Eco styler Gel and Coconut oil! <p><br></p>