Hi everyone, I usually wouldn't do things like this but I thought that the contest was pretty interesting and would take me out of my comfort zone so I'll give it a go. I'll start by sharing my natural hair story. I've been natural my whole life-the women in my family don't get perms we just sit at the stove every two week, for hours on end, getting out hair hot combed to "silky perfection." And so it was no surprise when I was five years old that my mom pulled a chair up to the stove for my "initiation" into the wonderful world of the press and curl. In the summers when even the strongest pressing stood no match to the summer heat we would rock cornrow extensions-AKA straight backs. As I got older weave ponytails got to be popular too so I rocked them like no other. Never once concerned about my hair health I was simply a teenager who wanted to look like everyone else. When I was of age I started doing my own hair which signaled a turn for the worst. Too much heat, too much tension, and too many harmful products left me with barely there hair. I was convinced that my hair could not grow so I wore weaves a braids and was on the path to cutting all off and rocking a short chic style. That's when I came across natural hair videos on YouTube and my like has never been the same. I decided to attempt to embrace my hair one last time before I cut off and went to the place of no return. And to my surprise I LOVED my natural hair. All the years I thought my hair was ugly, unattractive, and horrid but when I embraced my natural texture I saw it's beauty and versatility. My hair is healthy and strong and I have developed a self-confidence that I NEVER thought I could find. I'm so glad I discovered my natural texture There's my hair story now tell me yours!!!

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Hair Update: Just took out my yarn braids this week after having them in since the week of December 12th. This was my second time putting them and I definitely lliked them much better this time. This time I experimented with color, I made them a little longer, and I wore them crinkled and striaght. I was sad to see them go but it was time. I'm loving having my natural hair free again.

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Keep up the great work...can't wait to hear about your progress!!!

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Soooo...I flat ironed my hair back in September and I was WAY too hype and didn't want to wait to get the right heat protectant and I used the wrong one So of course I got heat damage I was going to snip away little by little but I've been wearing my hair out lately (not protective styling) and I got FED UP with striaght pieces!!!! So I snipped away. Now I'm thinking I was a little to hasty with my impulse decision because the front of my hair is extremely loose curl pattern and some pieces are straight no matter what *sigh* I'll post some pics when I get home later today.

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What do you mean you used the wrong heat protectant, what did you use?

Heat can be done, it's really just important to remember that healthy hair burns at 450F. If the hair is fine, it burns at a lesser temperature. If it's unhealthy it also burns at a lesser temp and it's cumulative, so with more damage, the less temperature it can handle.

I'm avoiding heat for now, don't have much desire to wear it straight though.

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Last perm: April 2, 2012 ... I'm Transitioning!
Wiry texture, SO pattern, mostly sharpy-sized and pen-sized curls
Low porosity, coarse strands, high density, normal elasticity

Rhassoul clay ✔ Jane Carter Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner ✔
Komaza Califia Moisturizing Cream ✔ Oils ✘ Hydrolyzed protein ✘
Yes to Carrots Shampoo ✔

Usually when I striaghten my hair I use Grapeseed Oil and some other heat protectant. I was using a heat protectant spray so my stretched hair was reverting and it took more work to straighten it. So last time I wanted to try Silk Elements Megasilk Heat Protectant Spray but I didn't have time to get to the store before I planned to straighten so I just used Grapeseed oil. The front of my hais is super delicate and that area and some of my sides became damaged I only flat iron once per year other than that it's curly.

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It could have been the products you had in your hair before you flat ironed it. Was it freshly washed and product free besides the grape seed oil. I say this because I have found certain products that I use to use in my hair would put some barrier on my hair and that flat iron could not penetrate it whatsoever. One of those products was mega hair growth whatever was in it my hair hated it even when I was relaxed and I couldn't flat iron my hair until it was completely cleaned out.

Nope my hair was clean and dry I used the same Leave In I used the last time I flat ironed. My hair is VERY soft and delicate and maybe I needed some extra added product (IDK just guessing) Like i said I also had it REALLY stretched and I didn;t streatch that much before so my hair was even more delicate.

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Here is my Hair of the Day...flat twist out!!!

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Very pretty!

Twists look funny on me now (transitioning) but I wonder if the perm might blend better if they're flat twisted...hmm, I may try it!

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Last perm: April 2, 2012 ... I'm Transitioning!
Wiry texture, SO pattern, mostly sharpy-sized and pen-sized curls
Low porosity, coarse strands, high density, normal elasticity

Rhassoul clay ✔ Jane Carter Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner ✔
Komaza Califia Moisturizing Cream ✔ Oils ✘ Hydrolyzed protein ✘
Yes to Carrots Shampoo ✔