'A HA' MOMENT: SENSITIVE SCALP

So talking to my mom this weekend, I was explaining to her my Sensitive Scalp issue. I was telling her how dry/itchy my scalp has been, how I hate the winter b/c it doesn't agree with my hair, and how I would be scratching my head for forever and it would still be itchy, etc... ya know having a complaint session. Then she said to me "Well, ya know your scalp is skin so maybe you're scratching too hard." *WHOA* I mean it hit me like a ton of bricks!!! I thought about that for a second and you know what...she was right!!

All those "digging" sessions of mine when I was scratching my head like nobody's business, how could I not notice that being the cause of my head being sore after?? Then furthermore, as I instinctively did it again, I noticed I wasn't using the meat of my finger, I was using my nail **A-HA MOMENT**

Each and every time I had a digging session, I would complain about how sore my head would be and then 2 days later those scabs would start appearing. Well DUUUUHHH *inmyJoeyvoice* if you sit there and scratch your scalp with your nail, it's breaking the skin...your scalp has to heal itself therefore you wind up with scabs. 1+1 = 2!!!

I was so excited about this revelation, I had to share :)

So ladies, in short, DO NOT scratch your head with your nails...massage your head with your finger!!

FROM YOURS TRULY....

TO EVERYONE!!!

HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY IS FILLED WITH JOY, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND GOOD FOOD :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADAM CJ!!!

How could I NOT shout her out today?? She was a pioneer in the game and did it so well she became a millionaire! *iAspire*

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations....I have built my own factory on my own ground."

Madam Walker, National Negro Business League Convention, July 1912

African-American Businesswoman.Philanthropist.Millionaire...and stylish I must say. GON' HEAD MADAM CJ, we see you in that fedora LOLOL :)

WE SALUTE YOU!!!

PRODUCT HEAVEN: TARJAY [TARGET]

Well this little store is giving folks a run for their money in the Natural Hair Care department...who knew? You can find conditioners, gels, etc... there. Now, of course there has been talk that some of the ingredients in products sold at Tarjay are different than if you were to go directly to the site, but I'll leave that up to you to decide where you wanna spend your money. I'm just excited that Tarjay is expanding.

A variety of products in the natural hair care department is only in select areas namely the one on Warrensville Center Road and Cedar Road. I swear the Man is gonna make sure that I have to go out my way to get stuff *sigh*

They have the following products that I'm super excited I don't have to buy online:

**Shea Moisture

**Bumble and Bumble (B.B.)

**Frederick Fekkai

**Miss Jessie's **WARNING** if you open it, you CANNOT return it to the store

**Curls

**CHI

And while we're talking about products, don't be afraid to try out products that aren't normally geared towards African Americans... I've found SEVERAL products that work on my hair ie. CurlySexyHair, Bed Head is next. It's all a part of the process :)

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

INQUIRING MINDS: HAIR LENGTH

A friend and I measure our hair every 3 months (I just started when I bc'd). Do you measure yours? what is your technique?

Also, how do you monitor what the stylist "trims" off. They want to make it even all over which is a problem. I have 8 inches of hair in some places and 7 in others. Just cause it's uneven doesnt mean it's not healthy, does it?

So many questions!! I love it.

Here goes it:

Do I measure my hair?

YES!! This is a must! This is how I know if what I'm doing is working or not.

How?

I stretch my hair while it's wet to see where it lands. I take a picture and then after about 3-6 months, I compare them. Also as I'm styling I'll take pics to see the difference between then and the next time I style it in the same style. I love how I can gradually see the progress my hair is taking. It's inspiring. OR I'll get it straightened and take a pic. Like I did when I got my hair straightened for the first time in 6 months :)

There are also specifically made t-shirts that you can buy online with inch line markers on the back to help with length checks. Mane and Chic has some cute length check tees. Check them out.

How do you monitor what the stylist "trims" off? Just cause it's uneven doesnt mean it's not healthy, does it?

Tough one...Well I consider a trim as 1/4" to 1/2" anything more it's a cut. There shouldn't be a lot of hair on you or the ground when they're finished. You should be able to see through the strands. Talking to your stylist is the best way to communicate how you want your hair, but then again they are the professional, so if you feel they're leaning towards making your hair even all over (which I don't recommend) discuss it with them. Open and honest communication is key in this process. My hair is longer and grows faster on the right side...no clue why, but it is what it is, so I had to talk with my stylist b/c I have a "thing" for things being balanced *LIBRA* and she explained to me that she understands that, but she didn't want to chop it even b/c when I came back to get it trimmed again, I'd just be going through the same process all over again...sooooooo what's the point. Very wise she is... My hair is still healthy and so will yours. Uneven does not mean unhealthy UNLESS you have split ends...that's a whole 'nother issue.

Hope this helps you guys out!

WELL. UM. OK. IDK.

sOOOOOOOOOOOO What is wrong with this picture?!?!? I'm just sayin... Mighty Fine is selling this shirt for $25, just in time for the holidays and while I do think the shirt is cute, I cannot get past why whoever in their stupidity thought it was ok and furthermore their boss agreed to ok and put this particular model in a shirt that is supposed to be (I presume) targeting African Americans?!! I've looked at their site and I KNOW they have black models, but worst case, they could have just grabbed a black chick off the street. I don't know, I'm having mixed feelings, but feel free to support them.

SENSITIVE SCALP?

Ok, so here lately when I leave my bobby pins in too long (meaning after 5 hrs) or my Goody bands in too long or whatever, my scalp is super tender. When I was a kid I was considered "tender-headed" but I as I got older I didn't think I was still that way. WRONG!! I am. I don't know if many of you are experiencing this but certain products/tools make my scalp sore and I wind up having little random scabs in my head :( SO NOT CUTE.

Here are some tips to combat sensitive scalp:

• Try using a medicated conditioner, one similar to something like Selsun Blue, but for sensitive scalp. I think I'm gonna try the Frederic Fekkai line or the Aubrey Organics line

• You are what you eat! If you've been eating a lot of red meats, they can produce extra oils that can cause itchy and dry scalp. Try adding more whole fruits/veggies and fish into your diet
  
  
• Switch up your products - Maybe the products you have been using to either wash or style your hair have been leaving residue on your scalp. It's Winter, so that mean less washing, but try incorporating some clarifying poo or the Lemon/Water mixture to your regimen
  
  
• Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Extract oils are great for sensitive scalp. Tea Tree is antiseptic, antibiotic, and antifungal while the Aloe Vera reduces inflammation.
  
  
• Massage your scalp in sections for about 10 mins. before you wash your hair. This is great way to open up your pores and get your blood circulating in your scalp and reduce sensitivity

I'll keep you guys posted on my results!! And don't forget to keep me posted on your results as well :)

SEMI-HOMEMADE HAIR ACCESSORY

So guys, I was in DESPERATE need of a neutral/tan colored flower. Now I KNOW I have one somewhere, but for whatever reason my flowers have been coming up MIA *hmmm* So when I was running around trying to figure out what to do I looked in my potpourri basket and I saw one. I snapped a little black ponytail holder around the base and stuck it in with bobby pins. YAY!!! GO ME!!

My first homemade hair accessory...what ya think??

BOGO @ MISS JESSIE'S

For all my Miss Jessie's fans!!! This sale is directly at their site, soooooo it's the real deal baby! Might as well stock up on your fav Miss Jessie's staples!! ENJOY!!!

YOU GO GIRL!!!

In case you haven't heard, fabulous news reporter Rochelle Ritchie decided to BC and do a series on her local news station about it. And when she showed up like this:

the station's rating went through the roof!! Congrats girl!!

See there are perks to being Natural these days, lololol! More info here.