INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCA

PJ-1: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN NATURAL?
FRANCESCA: I've been "natural" since the winter of 2010.  The reason I put natural in quotation marks is that I still have a slight problem of relaxing my edges, which I'm trying to stop.

PJ-1: WHY DECIDE TO GO NATURAL?
FRANCESCA: Initially I chose to become natural because I really wanted a new look, I wanted dreadlocks.

PJ-1: DID YOU DO A BIG CHOP OR TRANSITION?
FRANCESCA: I'm still in the transition mode.  I don't know when I'll bring myself to do the "big chop" because I'm not comfortable yet with short hair.

 PJ-1: WHAT DO YOU DO ON 'BAD HAIR' DAYS?
FRANCESCA: On a bad hair day I might tie a turban like scarf on my head or put a hat on.

PJ-1: DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE HAIR STYLE?
FRANCESCA: Yes I do, since I been going natural I normally keep my hair in Bob Marley twists or kinky twists.  I like this hairstyle because of its natural look and gives me the feeling of how I would look when I do decide to lock my hair.

PJ-1: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING IN THEIR TRANSITION?
FRANCESCA: This advice is something I'm still trying to accept and use but, there will be a time where you'll feel unattractive and you want to grab the "creamy crack" and slather it on.  But, if you know you have a goal and this is what you want to do let confidence be your hairstyle on those days.

PJ-1: WHAT PRODUCT(S) ARE YOU REALLY FEELING RIGHT NOW?
FRANCESCA: I'm not too familiar with most of the products out there but right now I like this shea butter leave in conditioner.  Whenever I twist my natural hair I put a little bit of it in my hair the night before and it smells good and feels nice the next morning.  Right now I can't remember the name.

PJ-1: DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR HAIR SINCE ITS NATURAL VS WHEN IT WAS RELAXED? IF SO, WHAT?
FRANCESCA: Ha, the difference is very obvious.  My hair is stronger now, while it was relaxed I colored it a lot and that contributed to it breaking.  Now, I still like to color it but the effects aren't as harsh as when I was completely relaxed.

PJ-1: DID YOU RECEIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS WHEN YOU DECIDED TO GO NATURAL? IF SO, HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH IT? FRANCESCA: My best friend was completely against it.  We used to go to the salon together, get our nails done together, and shop together.  But, with this new hair transition a new style sort of came with it, we still get along just the same even though we don't see eye to eye on what's fashionably "in" now.

PJ-1: I LOVE MY NATURAL HAIR BECAUSE
FRANCESCA: its a representation of me slowly getting rid of artificial things in my life.

RELAXED

I twist my hair very often too avoid "bad hair" days. No hair is bad hair though.  Oh and I look really mean in this pic, sorry.

Natural

DEAR SUMMER....

IT IS OFFICIAL, YOU HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED. WOOWHOOOO.....AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, ANYTHING GOES IN 2011 FASHION WISE. THERE WAS A TIME WHERE YOU  WERE THE ONLY SEASON THAT OWNED THE COLOR WHITE. WE ONLY WORE WHITE BETWEEN THE HOLIDAYS OF MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY. IF WE WERE CAUGHT WEARING WHITE ANYTIME OUTSIDE OF THOSE MONTHS, WE WERE LIABLE TO HAVE THE FASHION POLICE CALLED ON US.....BUT NOW, I'M SAD TO REPORT (SAD FOR YOU BUT HAPPY FOR FASHION) THAT WHITE HAS GAVE UP ITS COMMITMENT TO JUST YOU. WHITE IS NOW FLIRTING AND DATING OTHER SEASONS. PLEASE DON'T BE UPSET, JUST THINK OF IT AS SHARING....BUT BECAUSE YOU  HAD IT FIRST, I'VE FOUND YOU SOME EXCLUSIVE HOTT ACCESSORIES THAT WE WOULD ONLY WANT TO SPORT WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING....OH AND SUMMER, THE WINTER DEFINITELY WORE WHITE OUT THIS WINTER WITH ALL THE SNOW SO PLEASE DON'T LEAVE SO FAST, ITS TIME TO SHOW WINTER WHAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH................

CURLING WAND METHOD

WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS LOOK?

Here are the tools needed:
- Shampoo
-Conditioner
- Leave in conditioner (optional but highly recommended when applying heat)
- Towel (t-shirt optional)
- Blow dryer
- Rat tail comb
- Flat iron (optional~to get a little straighter than the blow dryer)
- Light sheen or oil mist
-Curling wand

Shampoo and condition hair........apply leave in (optional) and towel blot hair......Hand blow dry hair in four sections (more if your hair is thicker).........with a rat tail comb, section off medium size pieces of hair and run flat iron over hair once (this step is optional).......Clip all hair up out of your way except for the section you're working on. Spray each section, comb with rat tail comb to evenly distribute spray and to even your hair out, wrap hair around top of the curly wand and continue to wrap down the wand until your hair ends......And TADA, mission complete!

~Send photos in if you try it~

TIME HEALS ALL BALD SPOTS

After roughly 6 1/2 months, I am happy to report my bald spots have finally started growing back in. I was told to give it a while (with any specific time frame) and I'll start to see growth but that wasn't a good enough answer for me. I needed to know when, if ever, it was going to grow back. I made several trips to the dermatologist, primary care doctor, beauty supply store for products, and the list goes on. Nothing had seemed to be working. So after about 4 months of that, I stopped. I left it alone and went on to caring for my hair as I did before the discovery of the bald spots. The other day I went to check on them and i could find them. So I started parting my hair in itsy bitsy sections so I can target right in on them and I STILL could find them. What I did find was little patches of hair that was drastically shorter than the rest of my hair...That's when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.....
So sometimes it's just best to leave thing alone and let things be. I also found other short pieces of hair in the very middle crown area. I'm not sure what caused the breakage but I decided to give the twist outs and wetting my hair everyday a break. I gave my hair a good 4 hour oil treatment (cayenne pepper/EVOO mix and coconut oil), shampooed my hair b/c of product build up and deep conditioned my hair. I then applied some Chi Silk Infusion in my hair and blow dried it and flat ironed. Results are posted below. It's been a while since I applied heat to my hair so I had to switch up. Plus I like to do a length check ever once in a while. My hair is almost back to original length prior to me going natural. Check it out and feel free to ask questions and or comment.
CHOW.......
PJ-1

Freshly blow dried

Leela James watch out ~lol~

Freshly flat ironed

No I'm not naked...Tube shirt

Showing how lite (weightless) my hair is

Products used to acheive the look.....Point! Blank! Period!

50 CENT- THIS JUST IN

WAIT!!!! DID CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON PUT A S-CURL IN HIS HAIR??? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THE OFFICAL 2011 SUMMER HEAD ACCESORY

If you haven't picked your straw hat up yet then you are notpoppin.com lol.... The straw hats/fedoras are the official summer head accessory. It's a great accessory for tons of outfits and it's also sun blocker that protects you hair from direct heat. They look great on girls, guys, and kids...Pics are below to get some ideas on how you can wear your hat.....

CHINESE HAIR HEALTH

My cousin sent this article to me and I thought it was worth sharing:

HAIR and skin are the mirrors of one's health. People with nice hair look energetic and healthy. Some people with white, thin or varicolored hair, or baldness are disconsolate. Whether the hair is healthy or withered is connected with general health. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the hair has close relations with the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and brain. Dark, sleek, soft and fast-growing hair is evidences of energy, a body full of vital energy and blood, and a healthy brain. Sparse or white hair indicates disease and decrepitude. An old saying goes like this: "A person gets old first in the hair."

Hair is not only an indicator of health, its elasticity and toughness also protects the head and brain, and it has the function of metabolism. This is why people want beautiful hair. The following instructions can achieve results:

1. Comb and massage the hair regularly. Ancient specialists in health held that hair should be combed frequently. This should not be merely regarded as beautifying yourself; it is important to prevent aging and disease. A Chinese book on the causes of various diseases says, "Hair will not turn white if it is combed regularly." Another on longevity says, " Frequent combing improves the eyesight and relieves colds. The hair should be combed 120 times. " It is best to comb it three times a day, morning, noon and before going to bed. Comb backward from the forehead, forward from the back of the head, and then comb it from left to right and right to left, 45 times. Fingers can play the same role. Massage your head softly with your fingers, first from forehead to the top of the head, then downward to the back, from the temples to the top of the head 10 times. After massage the scalp will feel hot and tight.

Medical research has pointed out that regular combing or massage has the following five effects: (1) it smoothes arteries and veins; (2) improves the circulation of the blood in the head; (3) nourishes the hair and prevents loss; (4) improves the eyesight, improves health and helps prevent cerebral hemorrhage; and (5) invigorates the function of the brain, refreshes the body and relieves fatigue.

2. Wash the hair frequently. Cao Cishan, health specialist in the Qing Dynasty, wrote in a medical book, "Hair should be combed but not washed regularly. One will get a cold if it is washed in a wind." The ancients believed that the elderly and weak should wash their hair less often than people in good health. It is hygienically necessary to wash the hair. Since the sebaceous glands secrete a large quantity of esters, which not only keeps the hair supple but is bacterostatic, excessive washing or washing with ordinary soap will remove this protector of the hair and shorten its life. Serious overwashing may lead to ringworm.
Generally speaking, dry hair should be washed once every 10 to 15 days. If it is not so dry, once a week is good. Greasy hair should be washed every five days. The water should not be too hot but about 37°C . Hot water is harmful because it tends to turn the hair dry and fragile. But if the water is too cold, it doesn't wash clean. Different shampoos should be used for different types of hair. Neutral or dry hair should use toilet soap or neutral shampoo, greasy hair should use ordinary soap or laundry soap, or a shampoo containing more alkaline. Babies' hair should be washed with a special baby soap because their skin is very delicate.

Having your hair done can keep your hair in style, but almost every solution used contains sodium bicarbonate and ammonia which will damage your hair to some degree. Moreover, permed hair will turn yellow, fragile and lose its gloss. So hair should not be done with chemicals more than once in 5 months, even longer if the hair is normally dry. Children and those who are weak, allergic to chemicals, pregnant or lying in should not have their hair done with chemicals,

3. Be pleasant. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the mental factor has much to do with changes in the condition of the hair. The hair will turn white or fall if one is narrow-minded, burdened with anxiety or mentally too tired. An old Chinese saying goes like this: "Laugh once and be ten years younger, but worry will turn your hair white." It is said that in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-467 B. C.) Wu Zixu fled from the State of Chu to the State of Wu. As he traveled, he came to Zhaoguan Pass where he knew he might be arrested. He was so nervous that his hair and beard turned white overnight. He escaped the following day because this had changed him beyond recognition. The story exaggerates but tells us that hair condition has a close relation with spirit. Therefore, people should try to refrain from being upset, train a strong will, stay broad-minded, optimistic and calm in order to meet the complications of life. This can not only keep your hair in good condition but is conducive to good physical and mental health.

4. Take care of your hair. Those who work in strong sunshine or dusty places should wear caps. But caps should not be so tight that they affect sweat drainage. On rainy days the hair should be protected. The hair should not become muggy, so caps should not be worn a long time. If your work requires a cap, safety helmets with ventilation help ensure healthy hair growth.

5. Pay attention to diet. A variety of diets that keep a balance between acid and base helps prevent baldness and white hair. Eat foods containing proper protein, iodine, calcium and vitamins B, A and E such as in milk, fish, eggs, coarse grain, green vegetables, fruit, especially melons. Those with gray, dry and thin hair should take Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment. Those whose hair has fallen or turned white early for their age because of physical weakness should eat walnuts and take Shouwu Yanshoii Dan and the tonic Qi Bao Met Xu Dan to build up the kidneys.

Very important for beautiful, health hair: Give up smoking, drinking and over-eating. Do physical training regularly, strike a proper balance between work and rest, use your brain rationally and live a regular life with good habits and customs.