Brazilian Blowout Q & A

I've been OD'ing on Brazilian Blowout posts this week so I promise this will be the last one. I've been getting a ton of questions from people and just wanted to answer a few things in one place to make it a bit easier.

Q. Is this a chemical process?
A. Yes, this is a chemical process, however... unlike relaxers and texturizers the Brazilian Blowout does not contain any harsh chemicals (like formaldehyde), nor does it penetrate your hair shaft. Thus, there is no permanent change to your hair texture.

Q. Is this like other keratin treatments out there?
A. My first inclination is to say no. Please don't get this confused with the Brazilian Keratin treatment which contains formaldehyde as well as have a 4 day wait period after the treatment. A fellow natural blogger, Mane and Chic, blogged about her experience with the Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola. To my knowledge, the Brazilian Blowout is the only one out there not consisting of a wait period* after the treatment.
*wait period consists of 72 - 96 hrs where you aren't able to wet hair or use any hair ties, etc. This is considered the "processing" time.


Q. How long do results last?
A. Results last anywhere from 12 weeks to 5 months. The treatment coats each strand of hair, slowly wearing away as you wash. Depending on the frequency that you wash your hair, this treatment can last a longer or shorter amount of time. My 1st Brazilian Blowout I co-washed my hair probably 3 times a week and shampooed (sulfate-free) once a week. My results lasted about 3 months. This time I'm making a conscious effort to only co-wash once a week and shampoo as needed.

Q. Is this only for those that want to wear their hair straight?
A. Definitely not! The beauty with the Brazilian Blowout is that you can style your hair curly or straight from the moment you leave the salon. So far (aside from when I first got my 2nd Brazilian Blowout done) I've been wearing curly styles.

Q. Is this treatment right for me?
A. It depends on what results you're looking to achieve. I think it's important to do your research as everyone has different goals in mind. If you're someone that is not looking to experience any change in your current curl pattern, this is not for you. While the Brazilian Blowout does not cause any permanent changes to your curl pattern, you will notice a temporary loosening of the curls. For me, I love the look I get from the blowout. Some people don't want to see any changes in their curls.

Q. I found a salon that does it... now what?
A. Make sure to search salons that are certified to perform the official Brazilian Blowout via their website (click here). Next, make sure the salon is familiar with black hair. There are many salons that are certified to perform the treatment but are clueless as to what to do with natural hair so you can have success in one area and then screw yourself in the other.

If you're in Arizona, I recommend going to Apricot Lounge Salon. Co-owner Kim Allison is my stylist and has performed tons of Brazilian Blowouts. You can call the salon and schedule a consultation to go over your hair goals/expectations and see if this is the right treatment for you.

Q. How much does this cost?
A. Prices can range from $250 - $400. The Brazilian Blowout isn't available over the counter or online so this isn't something you can play kitchen beautician with. If you want to get it done you'll need to shell out the cash to have it done professionally. It's not cheap so make sure you do your homework and put the time into researching things. I believe you get what you pay for.


I just want to stress that I am only one person speaking about my experience with the Brazilian Blowout treatment. I can only vouch for the treatment I experienced performed by Kim Allison at the Apricot Lounge Salon. If you want to receive results similar to mine I'd say go to Kim lol. However, this isn't realistic for those living outside of Arizona so be sure to do your research. Ask to have a consultation with any potential stylist, ask questions and see pictures. I did my research and came prepared with questions when I had my consultation with Kim earlier this year. I also saw tons of photos of clients she had performed the treatment on, paying special attention to those with natural hair. Everything isn't for everyone so just because I had success with this doesn't necessarily mean it's a fit for you.

I think that answers everything but again, if you have more questions feel free to ask away!

Brazilian Blowout Results on Natural Hair (Chicago)

Last year I wrote numerous posts raving about my experience getting the Brazilian Blowout on my natural, African American hair. It had been well over a year since my last treatment, mainly due to military life and all the moving, but I finally received my third treatment over the weekend.

The search to find a salon carrying the official Brazilian Blowout line was rather difficult, so when a girlfriend referred me to stylist Danyel Nicole I was in heaven. Danyel works at Lakshmi Hair Salon, a neighborhood spot nestled in East Pilsen.


My main  motivation for seeking out Danyel Nicole was 1) She used the official Brazilian Blowout product line and 2) She's familiar with black hair care, as a number of her clients are natural and 3) I was referred to her by a friend whose hair judgment I trust.

The actual Brazilian Blowout? I loved my results - - as I expected. Again, this was my third time getting the treatment done, and all three times have been using the original Brazilian Blowout formula - - NOT the "Zero" line they just released.. but the Original with the "trace amounts of formaldehyde". I wanted to stick with what I knew had already worked well for me. The only difference I noticed this time around were a few fumes, which I NEVER experienced with the lovely Kim @ Apricot Lounge Salon in Scottsdale, AZ. I had read some reviews where people complained about fumes, but my prior two times that never happened to me. This time I did sense a few, but didn't realize what it was until after the fact. It took a while to make the connection lol... Now, the fumes weren't something that overpowered me or really alarmed me, but in the sake of being honest with my readers I DID experience them for the first time, this third time. I believe this was due to Danyel Nicole's technique, or lack thereof if you will.

In comparison to the previous treatments I received, Kim took her time and worked her way through my hair. She wasn't overbooked or working under the gun, and therefore was able to really be neat with her application. On the other hand, I think Danyel Nicole provided me with the same overall amazeballs results, but her technique seemed a bit rushed and not as neat. I want to really phrase that carefully because she didn't have stuff all over the place or things dripping in my eye lol... not at all. She just worked really fast and I think slightly rushing through may have caused some of the fumes. With that said, I would still recommend Danyel as a stylist.

Once the treatment was done she blew my hair out using a technique with all of these round brushes. I had seen it on TV before, but thought it would tangle my hair. Well, it probably would if I was doing it lol... but Danyel worked her way through my hair with those brushes and the body I had was AMAZEBALLS!!! I would seriously go back to her for a regular wash/blowout ANY time. My hair was doing thangs. Yes, THANGS!! I had what Tyra Banks calls wind in the hair... when you walk and create your own wind. It was next level amazing.

If you talk to me in person about the Brazilian Blowout I may border on sounding like an infomercial lol, but the treatment really is that good. Example: Saturday night I ended up going out with friends to dinner, a bar, and then passing out on my girlfriend's couch. Any other time I would have woken up to a shrunken ball of yarn (aka my fro lol) but with the Brazilian Blowout I woke up with smooth, frizz free strands and was once again reminded of how much I love the treatment. Another reason why I love it? I can get my idea of blown out perfection using a round brush, no flat iron! Even my "after" pic below was using round brushes. Salon Fresh!

If you're interested in booking a consultation with Danyel you can reach her via phone (312-404-0853) or email. She's having a  $199 Brazilian Blowout special until the end of the year. Tell her I sent you :) No, seriously... tell her I sent you lol... I'm all about that referral life.

Arizona Folks: I still live for Kim Allison and the Apricot Lounge Salon. If you're in the valley, please book an appointment with Kim ASAP as her hands were dipped in the fountains of the Gods at Mt. Olympus lol... she's really that good! Salon #: 480-947-3833

Getting the treatment applied. You can see my hair in its natural state.

Blown out and getting treatment sealed in via flat iron

Finished product!!! Blow out with round brushes... 

Any questions? Feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email!

My Brazilian Blowout Experience on Natural, African-American hair

** 5/3/11 - - I just wanted to write an update that OSHA released reports stating that although the Brazilian Blowout line was marketed as being "formaldehyde free" they did find trace amounts of formaldehyde being released in the air at salons they tested. The amount of formaldehyde was below their "action level" and therefore didn't require salons to stop administering the treatment. I did want to update my blog with this information to make sure everyone had all the information when deciding if this treatment was for them. I standby my postings from last year that I had a great experience with the Brazilian Blowout and did not experience any damage with my hair, nor did I have issues with fumes, smells, or the air quality. Again, please make sure that you do your research and arm yourself with as much information as possible when deciding if this treatment is right for  you **


I started transitioning in May 09 and did my big chop last month. I had straightened my hair occasionally during my transition and it was always fairly easy. Boy oh boy was it a completely different story after the big chop!!! It was such a task to blow dry and flat iron my hair, just to have it only last a day or 2 at the most... I had no other option but to wear it curly. After much research I decided to get the Brazilian Blowout! Last week I went to the Apricot Lounge Salon in Scottsdale, AZ and was helped by salon co-owner Kimberly Allison. Kim (as she's referred to by her clients) actually has been styling a friend of mine's hair for a while now and came highly recommended. I had a consultation a few weeks before my appt and then I was set to get it done. The process took about 90 mins and was rather easy. During this time I was able to pick Kim's brain while she worked on my hair and am eager to share the results and information I learned with all of my blog readers.

Here are the basics:

The Brazilian Blowout is not a straightening system, but a smoothing system. The hair is coated with a protective layer that seals the cuticle. This results in smoother, softer, easier to manage frizz-free hair. I like to stress that this product (unlike some other Keratin treatments out there) does not contain Formaldehyde or any other harsh chemicals that break the bonds of the hair nor is there a wait time. So, once you get the treatment done you can literally go swimming, workout, put your hair into a ponytail, whatever you'd like to do. Also, since the bonds of the hair are not broken, there is no line of demarcation as your hair grows out. In fact, the treatment wears away at about the same rate as your hair growth.

For black hair the results last anywhere from 4-5 months. On Caucasian hair results last about 12 weeks. The reason for this is because the treatment coats your hair, the more you wash it, the quicker it wears away... but minimum results are 12 weeks. For Black hair the results are better and more dramatic on natural hair. On relaxed hair, since the hair has already been compromised the results are not as dramatic... but the treatment does still provide protection to relaxed hair (more so as a conditioning treatment). Sometimes relaxers can leave your hair feeling dry and rough, this treatment helps to fight that. I'd also like to stress that you can color and relax your hair while using the Brazilian Blowout treatment... However, it is recommended that you get your relaxer or color 2 weeks before the treatment for best results.

The Process:

The process only takes 90 minutes and includes the following - -

1. Clarifying Shampoo to prep hair for the application of the Brazilian Blowout treatment

2. The Brazilian Blowout treatment is applied

3. Hair is blown out

4. Hair is flat ironed to seal in treatment (heat used is like 400 degrees. It didn't bother me and I didn't find it to be that extreme... but I did used to have an unhealthy obsession with my flat iron lol)

5. Ends are trimmed

6. 7 min rinse is done to remove any buildup of the BBO treatment

7. 8 min under the dryer - Masque is applied to hair and a heat cap is used to penetrate the hair

8. Anti-Frizz Serum is applied

9. Round brush is used to blow dry hair

10. Styling is finished

After Care:

Caring for your Brazilian Blowout is not difficult but you must use a sulfate free shampoo (I'm using the Moroccan Oil line) and it's recommended to use the Brazilian Blowout Anti-Frizz serum, which can be used daily. There is no wait period with this product so immediately after you leave the salon you can really do whatever you'd like.

My Experience:

I absolutely LOVED my Brazilian Blowout and plan on getting this done again in the future. I was shocked at how amazingly soft my hair was afterwards. It felt softer, lighter and the shine was out of this world. There was no annoying/strong product smell and the process was pretty easy. I was in and out in 90 mins. I definitely did my research before getting it done and would highly recommend this treatment to other women, both natural and relaxed. Please keep in mind that while this will not permanently change your curl pattern, it will temporarily be loosened!! If you do not want to see a change in your curl pattern then this is not the treatment for you!!! I would actually recommend this treatment as a great option for those that like the option of styling their hair both curly and straight. I have many friends that have been natural for years but never wear their hair in its curly state. This is made for you!! It will give you the freedom to not be intimidated by your curl pattern while making it easier for you to style your own hair. From what I've experienced this past week styling is much easier... but still required. Yes, a wash and go is now a realistic option for me, but this treatment isn't like a free pass into the world of not caring for your hair. You'll still have to DO your hair, it's just easier. I wouldn't recommend this to people that are transitioning because you'll still have to deal with the 2 different textures. I think you should go thru your transition process and then this would be a great option.

Where to get it done:

The best way to guarantee that you're getting the official Brazilian Blowout treatment is to click here and visit their site. You can do a search of salons that have undergone training and been certified to do the treatment. For all my Chicago friends click here for Chicago locations. Like I said before, I visited Kimberly Allison at the Apricot Lounge Salon in Scottsdale, AZ. If you're in the AZ area or will be anytime soon, I'd highly recommend her. She's not only an amazing stylist, but she's personable and full of information. You can also contact her to schedule a consultation (which I did) and she can discuss with you in person what options you have.

I'd like to add that this treatment isn't cheap. It ranges in cost from $250 - $500. I paid $325 for my treatment, which is what Allison charges (includes trim). I can't count how much $ I've blown on hair products/treatments/relaxers/weaves... all that stuff over the years and honestly, nothing compares to this!!! It sounds corny, but this treatment allows you to have the freedom to easily manage your hair while still maintaining its health. This treatment doesn't equal straight hair, nor does it mean you're going to be using tons of heat everyday. You can continue to style your hair however you'd like. I know some have been put off by the cost, but I look at this as an investment in yourself... and with the summer quickly approaching this is the perfect styling option. You can feel free to hop in the pool, head to the beach.. just live life and not be ruled by whatever your hair is doing that day.

Morning of my blowout...

Washed and ready for the treatment

After the treatment...

Soft, shiny, smooth and frizz free!!

Inside of my Dr.'s office. The lighting was bad but my shine was ridiculous

My hair was so soft and light. It's hard to describe how light my hair felt.

3 days later after a crazy workout I washed my hair. Fresh out the shower my curls were popping!! No product was on my hair...

I decided to try a perm rod set. My curls were much easier to manage while doing the set.

and I used my soft bonnet that I bought from sally's!! I love this thing. It only took 15 mins to dry my perm rods.
The results of my set... my hair was still super soft and easy to manage.

Brazilian Blowout Results on Natural, African American Hair: Round 2 part III

Now that you've seen the results you're probably curious about the actual process. Depending upon the length of your hair it can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours (start to finish).

THE PROCESS

The morning of my blowout I usually do very little to my hair. It's not necessary to prep the hair in any way for the treatment so I just roll out of bed, shower and go.

Upon arriving to the salon my hair was washed multiple times with the Brazilian Blowout anti-residue shampoo. This strips the hair of any dirt/oil and preps it for the treatment.

After towel drying and dividing the hair into sections, the Brazilian Blowout Professional Treatment was applied and hair was blow dried with a round brush.

After hair is blow dried a flat iron is used to further straighten the hair and seal in the product. I also get my ends trimmed at this point.

Some people have been concerned with experiencing heat damage due to the level of heat that is used (about 400 degrees), but I have not experienced this. My hair can take heat rather well and keep in mind that you have a licensed professional performing this treatment. The Brazilian Blowout technique is not available over the counter and salons must undergo the official Brazilian Blowout training to obtain certification to perform this. If you want to find a salon that is certified to do this technique, click here.


Next, the hair is rinsed to remove any product build-up or residue. The Brazilian Blowout masque is applied to hair and you sit under the dryer for a few minutes. This helps to further seal in the treatment. The hair is then rinsed again and you're ready to be styled.


The Brazilian Blowout does not have a waiting period like some Keratin Treatments out there so you have the option of styling your hair curly or straight. I typically choose to have it styled straight, but below you'll see it styled curly (flat twists) 2 days after I got the treatment done.



I hope this answers most of the questions people have... but feel free to ask anything you're curious about in the comments section!

Brazilian Blowout Update: 3 months

I'm currently rocking my summer weave for the next few months, but I wanted to give everyone an update on how my Brazilian Blowout was holding up at the 3 month mark.

<---- This is my hair blown out @ 3 months. You can see that it still gets pretty straight. I used my round brush and concentrated nozzle on my dryer. A flat iron isn't necessary. This is my hair curly. My curl pattern is pretty much back to normal. I don't have any frizz, but there's definitely more shrinkage if I don't do flat twists. ----->

Overall, I've been really pleased with the Brazilian Blowout. Again, I want to stress to people that my stylist Kim @ the Apricot Lounge Salon used the official Brazilian Blowout treatment. This is not something you can buy in stores or online. It has to be performed by a professional stylist that has been certified by the company. This treatment does NOT have formaldehyde and does NOT permanently alter your hair texture. Also, there is NO waiting period. You get the treatment sealed with heat, but you can have your hair styled curly when you leave the salon (as well as opting to rock it straight).

There are many treatments out there claiming to provide you with a Brazilian Blowout but they're really just Keratin Treatments. The easiest way I can explain it is that the official Brazilian Blowout is an iPod and the others are just mp3 players. They're not the same thing... and even if you call your mp3 player an iPod, folks that have an iPod know the difference.

If you're someone that likes the option of straightening your hair as well as having your curls be more manageable w/ less shrinkage and frizz, I'd recommend this treatment to you. Yes, it's pricey (over $200) but well worth the investment. The results can last anywhere between 12 weeks to 5 months... it really just depends on how you care for your hair. Again, think of this as a conditioning treatment that coats each strand of hair... the more you wash your hair, the quicker it will wear away. I was someone that washed my hair probably 3 times a week so I think my results lasting 3 months was great. I'd definitely continue to get this process done.

To locate a salon in your area certified in the official Brazilian Blowout process click here.

Brazilian Blowout Results on Natural, African American hair: Round 2 part II

Pictures of my blown out locks are nice but let's face it - - everyone wants to know what my curls are doing. Below you'll see the state of my hair prior to both Brazilian Blowouts. The picture on the left was a month after my big chop in March, while the photo on the right was my hair last week.



When I previously blogged about the results from my 1st Brazilian Blowout, one of the top questions I received was regarding my curl pattern and if it would be permanently changed. I'm here to tell you and show you that the August 2010 pic is proof that your hair does return to it's original state.

Again, the blowout is a smoothing (not straightening) treatment that coats your hair shaft with a protective protein layer. This helps to smooth and reduce frizz. I must stress to everyone your curls are not going anywhere. This isn't a relaxer, texturizer or anything harsh and permanent. Since there is no chemical change to the composition of your hair there is no line of demarcation or permanent change to your curl pattern. This is a conditioning and smoothing treatment that gives you fabulous results lasting anywhere from 12 weeks to 4 months. Over time as you wash your hair the protective layer around the hair shaft fades away.

*I must advise everyone that your curl pattern will be temporarily loosened. If you are someone that does not want to see any change in your curl pattern this is definitely not the treatment for you

As for my results: The Brazilian Blowout helped to smooth my hair, make it softer, less frizzy and WAY more manageable. My curls were still there just more defined. Take a look below and you can see the difference for yourself. The picture on the left was taken the morning of my blowout before I went to the salon. On the right is a picture I took Saturday night (flat twists).


One of the pros of the Brazilian Blowout is the absence of any wait period after the treatment is done. You can choose to leave the salon with your hair styled curly or dry, as well as do whatever you'd like immediately after. No 72hr wait period or need to avoid hair ties and scarves.

This isn't just a treatment for those wanting to rock their hair straight. Based on the pic above you can see that your curls will be in full effect.

For a list of salons authorized to perform the Brazilian Blowout click here.

Brazilian Blowout Update

It's been about 2 months since I got my Brazilian Blowout and I just wanted to update everyone on my experience.

- Blowing my hair out is still a breeze. The key to getting a great look has been using a round brush. I wish I discovered this sooner!!

- My curl pattern has become more defined and I really do love it. I find myself wearing my hair curly most of the time, but when I straighten I still get the shine and bounce that I love.

Overall I'm still a happy camper. I'm glad I got the blowout done and still recommend it to my friends - - but done professionally of course. No kitchen beautician with this folks...

Brazilian Blowout - 2 months

Brazilian Blowout - 2 months

Brazilian Blowout Results on Natural, African American hair: Round 2 Part I

Last week I headed to Apricot Lounge Salon for my 2nd Brazilian Blowout and once again I was blown away by the results. Since everyone loves a good photo comparison, below you'll see the progress my hair has made since my 1st blowout in March and the 2nd blowout I received last week, in August. Both photos were taken the same day after my blowouts were done.



I'm not someone that is length obsessed but it was pretty cool seeing how much my hair had grown. More than the growth, I was impressed at the actual health of it. I hadn't had my ends trimmed since my 1st blowout in March and I didn't need to have much taken off. Before I even get into the whole process again, let me just say that this really did inspire me. Why? When I decided to go natural last year (or just stop relaxing) it was mainly because I didn't want to cough up the $ for a touch up and re-up on my summer weave lol. I planned on being a long term transitioner and cutting my hair wasn't on my radar. In February while my husband and I were on his Air Force Base I found myself feeling irritated with the 2 textures (and slightly spontaneous) and had him cut the relaxed ends off in the bathroom... with basic, dull scissors you keep laying around the house lol. Yes, it was a mess but in that moment it was exactly what I wanted to do. I'm going on a bit of a tangent... but this is all to say that when I cut my hair and saw how short it really was, I NEVER thought it would grow out. Adding to my frustration, I remember seeing tons of pics online of curly heads that were full and gorgeous and fighting the urge to have curl envy. It sounds ridiculous but I thought it'd take forever for my hair to grow back.

When I was younger I had hair all the way down my back, but when the relaxers started the length disappeared and as an adult I never thought my hair would grown longer that 6 inches or so. The idea that ALL of the hair in the above picture is from growth I've experienced since May 2009 blows me away. Maybe some people don't find that cool, but for someone that never thought their hair would grow for real, the proof is in the photos. In the past 14 months my hair has grown out to the length that it was when I would get it relaxed and I'm in heaven. I think I was thrown off because in it's curly state my hair grows out and not down so I was always clueless to the length. I know some naturals swear by it, but measuring my hair seemed a little intense so comparing these photos was the first time I realized how much progress I had made.

I have so much info to cover regarding the Brazilian Blowout that I'll be breaking it into various postings this week. Stay tuned!

Brazilian Blowout on Natural Hair (Seattle)

It had been about a year since my last Brazilian Blowout treatment, and I couldn't wait to get another! Being in Seattle it took a bit of digging and research to find a salon that could do both my natural, curly hair... and the original Brazilian Blowout treatment. I struck gold when I came across multiple Yelp reviews for Vasuda Salon located in downtown Seattle. I worked with a stylist by the name of Erica, and she rocked it out with my treatment.

I'll be doing a full review with before/after pics, but in the meantime here is a quick video showing the movement of the hair. If you're interested in a consultation or learning more about the treatment with the Vasuda Salon, leave your email in the comments section! I can send you a code for 10% off!! Who doesn't love free stuff lol.

Where to go for Brazilian Blowouts in Scottsdale/Phoenix Arizona

** Click here for post and pics of my 1st Brazilian Blowout at Apricot Lounge Salon **

** Click here for post and pics of my 2nd Brazilian Blowout at Apricot Lounge Salon **

After transitioning for 9 months (with the hopes of going a full year) I ended up doing a spur of the moment big chop with my husband in the bathroom last month. It was quite liberating and slightly scary to have my husband cut off my straight ends, but I loved the end result.

With a few trips planned for the next couple of months, I was debating between a sew-in or the Brazilian Blow Out. I’ve been hearing lots of women raving about their results from the Brazilian Blow Out treatment and couldn't help but become curious to learn more.

My girlfriend recommended her amazing stylist and owner of the Apricot Lounge Salon, Kimberly Allison, to me… and after a consultation I’ve decided to give it a try! I’m excited to not only have the process done, but be able to pick Kimberly’s brain as she’s worked with celebs like Keyshia Cole. My appt is for Thursday so I'm looking forward to being able to share my results with everyone!!

Below are a few before and after photos of Brazilian Blow Outs that Kimberly has done already. For more info visit their site or facebook page.

Apricot Lounge Salon 

7329 E Stetson Drive, 

Suite 24

Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Phone: 480-947-3833 - tell them Ishea sent you!  

All photos belong to Apricot Lounge Salon

Curly hair before

Shiny, frizz free hair after... and her curl pattern isn't lost.

Natural Hair Before

After the treatment, the curl pattern is loosened for 10-12 weeks, but not permanently lost (like with a relaxer or texturizer... you'll get your curls back)

Hair can be blown out with just a round brush. No flat iron was used to style her hair. Hair is left shinier and healthier.

Relaxed hair before the Brazilian Blow Out

After - So much shine

Before

After

Operation: Don't Eff Up My New Growth

So... I've decided to "long term transition" my hair back to being 100% healthy and THICK! I've acknowledged the texture changes I experienced due to color, heat, life... who knows what else. Everything, perhaps? But a portion of my hair is comprised of ends that are technically "healthy" (no splits, etc) but thin. I have NO desire to be part of the TWA club, so a long term transition is on the menu. In all honesty, part of me feels a bit silly calling this a long term transition since I've been relaxer free for years now and originally transitioned back in 2009, but alas I want all-over thick hair. I've fallen in love with the thickness of my new growth and for once am my own hair lust.

Where to start? Like most things I just slowly started doing healthier things and then one day decided to actually "title" my new habits. I last colored my hair back in March/April, so all of the growth since then has been color free. I got my Brazilian Blowout last month, but through trial and error know that was never the cause to any permanent hair changes.

For those that are curious, you can check out my previous posts back in 2010 documenting the Brazilian Blowouts I received on freshly big chopped, natural hair... no color, no anything! The growth retention was awesome and I never experienced permanent changes to my texture.

You can also see that fresh off my big chop, and Pre- Brazilian Blowout, the front texture of my curls was always looser than the rest of my hair (picture to the right). It actually looks a little strange... but you know, hair can have a mind of its own!

Anyways, check out the below video to see my official start at documenting my journey. For the style in the video I used various sized  perm rods on flat twists. This was done on stretched hair, not blown out hair. The goal is to phase out the wispy, thinner ends and have thick, solid hair on my entire head.

Where are you on your hair journey?

Happy New Year



New Year's Eve

I started writing this post on January 2nd, but my life force has been on shenanigans as of late so I'm finally finding the time to post this now! The new year is in full swing and I'm slightly ashamed to admit I spent the first few days on a 72 hr champagne diet. Yes... I solely survived on champagne, orange juice, and restaurant food for 3 days. It was kind of amazing. Oh, and a hookah! Can't forget about the hookah. I'm not a smoker, but I'm always down to light up a hookah. Homemade cocktails, great friends, and a hookah - - what better way to start 2012!

Dominican Republic

Adding to my blogging struggles was my highly anticipated trip to the Dominican Republic with my bestie LadyLa83. We spent 5 days frolicking on the beaches of the DR and taking our ratchet shenanigans international! I had a lovely time, learned so much, and actually appreciated the fact we were without cell phones and internet access. It was refreshing to be unplugged from the matrix for a few days, and I don't think we could've done it any other way - - cold turkey like an addict.

I got back to the states last week and intended to blog about my trip, but realized that there's a certain beauty in keeping some things just between the people that were there. I'll share a few funny moments in another post, but I won't be my usual self and OD on Facebook albums lol.

I can't believe that I'm boarding another flight in the AM to head East for work. This is my first official business trip and I'm looking forward to it, but slightly dreading having to fly again - - only because we were JUST flying and I literally just washed the sand out of my clothes from the DR vacation. Nevertheless, I'm blessed to have a job and will rise to the occasion. Maybe the down time in the hotel will allow me to crank out a few blog posts.

If you're still reading my blog, muchas gracias. I always realize that when I get busy living life, I sometimes start to slack on my blogging... which is a good thing because everyone needs to pull their head out of the computer long enough to enjoy the people around them... plus I'm getting TONS of blog material lol.

So, what posts are in store?

1) Update on my hair color/Brazilian Blowout

2) Brazilian Blowout (the company) sent me a wonderful, handwritten thank you card for the posts I've written along with the entire line of products

3) Finally posting my full review/video (hopefully) of the curlformers

4) Art of the Ninja Vanish

5) Interior Design and Apartment hunt updates

6) A few random things about life, love, and reality TV lol