Hair

Take Back Your Hair Challenge: 2011 Edition
Subscriber Results

June 1st marked the end of this year's Take Back Your Hair Challenge. I shared my results in the TBYHC 2011 Edition Wrap Up post. Well ladies and gents, today is the day I'm going to share the results achieved by some of my subbies who participated this time around.

First up, we have the lovely Ebony, who is rocking a thick, gorgeous fro. Here are her before and after photos, followed by a description of her experience, as told in her own words:

Before

After

"The day you announced the challenge I had just done a blowout/braidout, so I counted that as my first heat use. My goal for the challenge was to work more with my curls because I wear a lot of twistouts and braidouts. I also wanted to get more disciplined with my regimen.

I took the first challenge in 2009 when I was 2 months into my transition and it was seamless. I think because I was so excited about the transition it was fun, but I feel you this time about those deep conditioning treatments. It was so much harder for me this time to factor them in. I can also see some growth around the edges! I was wearing a bonnet with an elastic band on it and it was too small for my head, so I think it was rubbing against my edges and causing breakage. I purchased a larger bonnet with the thick cloth band and it really helped.

I ended the challenge the same way I began: with a blowout/braidout! Thank you so much for these challenges! It's good to know that somewhere someone's on the exact same journey you're on. Keep 'em coming!!!"

Next up, we have Ursula_c. You can keep up with her fabulous curls on her YouTube channel under the screenname Yuh8nme1982. Below are her comparison photos and a description of her results:

"Thank you so much for having this challenge. It was a 'real' challenge. I had so much fun. This challenge has really gotten me into researching different essential oils and deep conditioners. Besides the no heat challenge, I also started taking more vitamins and doing scalp massages. Although this wasn't part of the challenge, I also started exercising again and watching my diet. With this combo I have gained a little bit of length and some motivation that had left me for a minute to just get my health game back on track. Thank you so much for the challenge.

P.S. Did I mention I trimmed my hair for the first time (me, myself, and I) in the after photos. not too shabby. I took some pointers from one of your videos and added my own lil' twist."

And last but not least, we have the fabulous tweety67454. This young diva used this challenge as an opportunity to get her hair back on a healthy track and complete her transition from relaxed to natural. Get the deets after viewing these before and after photos:

Before

After

"On May 21, 2010, I decided that would be my last relaxer. I wanted to transition instead of doing the big chop. In the first picture, which was taken on March 1st, the first day of the challenge, I put my hair in a bun. The 2nd picture is what my hair looked like after I straightened it for a date. After wearing the straight style for 3 weeks, I washed it and was tired of looking at my stringy relaxed ends.

I cut all of my relaxed ends on April 26, 2011. I'm rocking a twistout in the third and fourth pictures, and on May 6, 2011, I straightened it. So just like you, my mini hair journey was not about length but rather the health of my hair."

So, that's it for this year's TBYHC. I know that a lot more of you out there participated, based on comments left under the "Take Back Your Hair" Challenge: 2011 Edition video, but apparently there were only three souls brave enough to share their results. It's all good though. I just hope that those of you who did participate achieved the results you desired. Until the next challenge...

XOXO

Hair

TBYHC 2011 Edition Wrap Up

Hey ladies and gents! The end of the TBYHC 2011 Edition is finally here! I am so excited to share my results, so please check out the following video I put together to summarize my experience this time around:



Result Pics:

Length Before & After


Edges Before & After

The Final Look:




Remember, I'm just as excited to hear about your results as I am to share mine, so please forward your before and after photos with a small note detailing your results to DPrincess_28@yahoo.com. Happy hair growing!

Hair & Makeup

TBYHC 2011: Another Quick Hair & Makeup Look

Hey ladies! We're winding down this year's Take Back Your Hair Challenge. The following video features another quick hair and makeup look. Enjoy!



Pics of the finished look:




Hair pre-rinse




Items used:

Hair
Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

Makeup
Eyes
-Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
-NYX Jumbo Eye pencil in Milk
-Urb eye shadow by Urban Decay
-Maybelline eye shadow quad in Seashore Frosts
-Line Stiletto eyeliner in black by Maybelline (upper lash line)
-Smolder eye kohl by MAC (lower lash line)
-Lycra Lash Extender mascara in black by Rimmel London

Face
-Pur Mineral 4-in-1 powder foundation in Deeper
-Blot powder in dark by MAC
-Loverush blush by MAC
-Gold bronzer by Icing

Lips
-N.Y.C. lip gloss in Plaza Punch

P.S. After I rinsed out the conditioner, I applied pure coconut oil and Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker to my hair and hit the sack! Good luck with the rest of the challenge ladies ;-).

Hair

TBYHC 2011 Edition: May Check-In

Hey ladies and gents (I'm trying to remember that I have male subbies too ;-)),

May marks the last month of the Take Back Your Hair Challenge. I hope you're all doing well and that your locks are being treated like royalty. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for this challenge to wrap because this no heat thing has been tough for me. In any case, check out this short vid of me checking in with peeps to see how they're handling this year's healthy hair challenge.



XOXO,

DPrincess28

TBYHC Check In

Hey divas,

Just checkin' in witcha to see how you're doing with the challenge. I must admit that I was a bad gal last month because I forgot to do a protein deep conditioning treatment! It's hard remembering to do a deep conditioning treatment period, but particularly a protein treatment because I've come to the conclusion that my hair can't tolerate a lot of protein. I've grown accustomed to doing a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment once a month because I find it essential in prepping my hair for heat. Needless to say, I will be doing a protein deep conditioning treatment Thursday or Friday of this week.

How are things going for you lovely ladies?

XOXO,

DPrincess28

P.S. Hope you all enjoyed a blessed Easter Sunday!

Hair

TBYHC 2011: Quick Hair & Makeup

Hey divas! Just thought I'd record this quick video of me doing one of my favorite go-to makeup and hair looks. The hair style featured in the vid is a simple look that I'll be rocking from time to time throughout this challenge. Hope you're all doing well and taking good care of your hair. Enjoy!

Hair products used:

-H2o
-Pure coconut oil (to keep curls moisturized)
-Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding (just a tiny amount dabbed on tendrils to keep them defined)

Makeup products used:

N.Y.C. eye shadow palette (Great for beginners!)

Eyes
-Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
-Micabella eye shadow powder dust in Earth
-817A South Street Seaport palette by N.Y.C.
-Line Stiletto eyeliner in black by Maybelline (upper lash line)
-Smolder eye kohl by MAC (lower lash line)

Face
-Pur Mineral 4-in-1 powder foundation in Deeper
-Blot powder in dark by MAC
-Loverush blush by MAC

Lips
-Sweetie lipstick by MAC
-Star Nova lip gloss by MAC

Pics of the finished look:

Hair

TBYHC 2011: DPrincess28's Hair Care Log

Hey divas! I figured I'd share with you what I've done thus far in order to kick off this fabulous challenge, which, by the way, I'm so thrilled that many of you have decided to join me on. Okay, so...let's get started!

I flat ironed my hair on Friday, February 25, and rocked the straight look for a week:

FYI, I haven't trimmed my hair since I cut it in December (for details, see Hair Cut 12.10.10), and don't plan on doing so until this challenge wraps in June.

On Thursday, March 3rd, I saturated my hair with EVOO as I was preparing for bed:

Once I got my hair nice and oily, I then put it up in a loose ponytail and tied a plastic grocery bag around my head (I ran out of processing caps, so this was the next best thing!):


I placed my satin bonnet on top and went to bed:

The next morning, I woke up (thank God!) and shampooed my hair with a sulfate-free cleanser. Afterwards, I applied Aphogee's 2 Minute Reconstructor treatment to my hair, because I haven't done a protein treatment in a while. This challenge calls for two deep conditioning treatments each month, and I believe that protein should be used following heat styling, as it can serve to strengthen the hair. Plus, I already did a moisturizing deep conditioning treatment prior to heat styling, so I needed some protein to balance things out.

Instead of simply applying the deep conditioner while I was in the shower, I instead waited until after I exited the shower to apply it. I combed the conditioner through from root to tip with my wide-toothed shower comb:

This was done on slightly towel dried hair because the hair can absorb more of the conditioner when it's not already saturated with water. Next up is a pic of what my hair looked like after I saturated it with the conditoner. I applied it to the hair in sections, which is why you see that funky part going down the middle:

After sitting under my hooded dryer for ten minutes on medium heat, I rinsed the condish out with cold water. Afterwards, I applied some sulfate-free moisturizing conditioner, and rinsed it out immediately. Here I am with squeaky clean, deep conditioned locks:

*Hi*

After my hair was clean, it was ready to be styled, so I decided to apply some of the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding I recently purchased and featured in my latest Product Haul. This is what my natural curls looked like after my hair was completely air dried with the product:

As you can see, my curls were a little frizzy, but hey, they always look better in subsequent days. To refresh my curls on day two, I simply spritzed my hair with H2O and added some of the pure Coconut Oil that was also featured in my latest Product Haul, and went on about my bizness. By day three, I felt that my curls needed a little boost, so I allowed my hair to get wet in the shower, and further spritzed my curls with H2O upon exiting the shower. Afterwards, I applied more of the Curly Pudding (I didn't apply nearly as much as I had on the first day. In fact, I didn't even part through my hair like I did on day one, and simply used my fingers to scrunch and pull on parts that I felt needed more definition). Here's what my hair ended up looking like once dry on day 3:

I love how elongated my curls are! I will continue to rock my natural curls for the rest of this week, and then come wash day, I plan to try out a different heat-free style, such as a braidout or twists. I'm not yet sure what I'm gonna do, but I'll definitely keep y'all posted.

What have you ladies done to kick off this challenge?

XOXO,

DPrincess28

Hair

"Take Back Your Hair" Challenge: 2011 Edition

In 2009, many of you joined me in participating in the "Take Back Your Hair" Challenge. Great results were achieved in just three short months, as we saw either an improvement in the health of our hair, added length, or both. Well, I feel inspired to do the challenge again. In fact, I'm starting today. Will you join me?

The rules are the same, but if you need to refresh your memory, get the deets (written in pink) here: "Take Back Your Hair" Challenge.

P.S. If you wish to particpate, don't feel pressured to start today. Just be sure to track your official start and end date. You don't have to straighten your hair to check length if that's what you wish to achieve (thickness and or an improvement in health--no splits, breakage, etc.--may be your goal), as stretching out your curls will suffice.

Good luck divas!

XOXO,

DPrincess28

P.P.S. In case you missed the video, here it is: