Sick of these damn braids.

That's it. I'm so sick of them. I think they are making my face breakout. Either these braids or all the junk I am eating. Le sigh. My goal is to make it at least 6 weeks (Nov. 28) before taking them out.

Le sigh.

And no I still haven't started up with the vitamins. I fear they may make my face breakout worst than it is now.

Still in braids... 3 weeks and counting.

So, I've had these braids in for nearly 3 weeks now. I'm not sure how much growth I was expecting but whatever amount that was... I was expecting a whole lot more than what I have.

I haven't used any growth aids and only remembered to take my vitamins once within these past few weeks. Oh le sigh.

I'm mainly concerned with my front edges. I feel like there is NO new growth there. Maybe my temples are so damaged that the hair there won't grow back?? (And by no growth I clearly mean only 2 centimeters of growth... I guess it's something but not nearly "sisterlock" length.)

The center (middle of my head) has more growth but it hasn't reached a half inch yet.

Sigh. I gotta be better about the biotin vitamins. I also need to be better about moisturizing the braids at least every other night.

My goal is to leave the braids in until December 5 or 12th... that would make 7 or 8 weeks. I was planning on getting the front refreshed this weekend (before I left for my business trip) but it'll have to wait until I get back.

Quick Update: Self Trim and Microbraids

Gone for while... gone again soon. Here for a quick update:

I trimmed 3 inches or so of my ends. By myself. Okay. I sort of lied. Not entirely by myself. Phase 1: My sister braided my hair into about 15 or so plaits and I told her how much to trim off the ends. Surprisingly, the home-trim didn't come out too rough. Actually, it wasn't as short as I would've liked. So, phase 2: I combed my hair into a ponytail and trimmed off another inch of the ponytail amount.

The pic below shows some of what I snipped during phase 1. I don't have a pic for the inch I snipped for phase 2.



That following weekend, I got microbraids installed. With synthetic hair. Oh, my scalp itches so... and my face seems to be breaking out a bit. (Due to the hair?) Anyhoo, the braids are super convenient (after I cut them... yep... didn't need all that excess hair just swanging). I'm hoping to keep these braids in for at least 6 weeks. Hopefully, 8.

I'm also praying that I have enough new growth to get the sisterlocks started sooner rather than later. January 2010................

Braids.

I'm doing the unthinkable. I'm going to get extension braids. I decided this transitioning is getting the best of me. I have been washing my hair on average 2 times a week... letting it airdry and then putting it up into a ponytail.

I prob have at least half an inch (maybe even more) of new growth in the middle of my head but I feel like my hair line isn't growing, ugh! The closer to the edges/hairline around my head, the less new growth I have.

I admit, I was really good about taking my vitamins but have stopped. I will begin taking those regularly again soon. And, lastly, I will have extension braids installed Saturday, October 17. I plan to leave them in for 2 months, refreshing the edges around the 4 week mark. So much for NOT spending money on my hair this fall.

I plan to take care of my hair when it is braided up by moisturizing and sealing at least every other day. Another blogger moisturized with s-curl and followed up with some oil. I've also read about people deep conditioning their braids? Interesting. Perhaps I can experiment with that around the 4 week mark... just before I go get a refresh done (in case the braids end up a hot mess).

I just hope that the braids don't cause too much stress on my hairline (it's already so weak). If the braids are too tight, I will unravel that front section and just wear the other braids swooped in such a fashion to cover the bee'd'bees (lol).

I can follow these instructions for shampooing and conditioning: http://www.blackhairinformation.com/Styling/how_to_wash_and_deep_condition_mirco_braids.htm.

Downside of Sisterlocks

I love this blog post... The Downside of Sisterlocks (Brunsli's blog).

My favorite excerpts:

"Another fake problem I have is no longer needing hours to get my hair done. So I have to go to the matinee movies alone because my friends are sitting at the Dominican salon on Saturday morning waiting for a wash and set"

"The negative that I found with Sisterlocks is that I am getting to work on time. I don't have to worry about my hair in the morning. Now I am working 8 hours oppose to the 6.5 hours or 7 hours."

"When I found out I would no longer have to use a plastic bag over my head on those days I didn't have an umbrella I was devastated. I absolutely adore the appearance of a Wal-Mart bag on anyone's head rain or shine."