My Journey

My first “official blog” about coily hair–go figure :-) I created a website many years ago titled “My Cottony Hair Journey” as a way to share my experience growing out my naturally coily hair. It’s funny that I’m just now starting with a blog, but there’s a first time for everything. I’m really not even sure how far this will go, like who will even read this. But I love writing, especially writing from my personal experiences. So even if this remains unseen by anyone, I will continue just for the sake of enjoyment.

What type of hair is coily hair? I feel that the term “coily” best fits my type of hair. My “curls” can be as small as that tiny little spring inside of your pen, therefore I deem the texture of my hair to be “coily”–not as big to call them curls, not as defined to call it wavy or anything else. Why not “kinky?” The term “kinky” describes the “state” of hair, as in your hair in its uncombed state is “kinky.” But to say that I have a “kinky” texture is like saying my hair is always uncombed and tangled, which is not true. Wavy hair can be “kinky,” and so can straight hair. But by all means, if you want to describe your own hair as kinky, be my guest (whever I’m virtually talking to).

I hope to use this blog to talk about my coily hair experience, because by God I’ve had quite an experience. I would love to share it with everyone who is willing to learn or take something with them as a result. I hope this will be a great experience for everyone (again, whoever may be reading this, I guess).

12 Years Natural = 5 Takeaways + 1 Photoshoot

12 Years Natural = 5 Takeaways + 1 Photoshoot

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting! This summer marked 12 YEARS LIVING WITH NATURALLY COILY HAIR!!  Whoo hoo!!! Many of you who know my journey or who have... 

Compliments on my two stranded twists

Compliments on my two stranded twists

As many of you may already know, I've been quietly growing my coily hair by stretching out a two stranded twist style I did in March. So that makes it 5 months that I've been wearing these twists (more... 

Against All Odds:  ‘Braids By SaBrina’ Celebrates 15 Years

Against All Odds: ‘Braids By SaBrina’ Celebrates 15 Years

SaBrina Reece, owner of 'Braids by SaBrina,' celebrated 15 years of service last Saturday with an open house celebration in Los Angeles.   During this celebration, she received awards from the City of... 

CoilyHair.com Celebrates The 100th Annual International Women’s Day

CoilyHair.com Celebrates The 100th Annual International Women’s Day

Today (March 8, 2011) marks 100 years of celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria,... 

My Messy Fro

My Messy Fro

Front of messy fro (woah) Back of messy fro I had woken up one morning when paparazzi saw my hair as a subject interesting enough to take pics of.  So here we are, photos of my "just-out-of-bed-leave-me-alone"... 

FLASHBACK:  My First Online Journal Entry

FLASHBACK: My First Online Journal Entry

My first online natural hair journal. Looking back to my first online journal entry. Oct 10, 2003 This was the year I decided to do my own hair journal. I have been ... 

2010 Healthy Scalp ♥ Hair Challenge!

2010 Healthy Scalp ♥ Hair Challenge!

Now that you've had a chance to make or break your new year's resolutions, it's time to take on a real challenge--promoting a healthier scalp to grow healthier hair! IT'S TIME!!! WILL YOU JOIN ME? How... 

Too Tired

Too Tired

Some days I either have absolutely no time or I'm too tired to do anything to my hair.  A day like this, I just decided that pushing my hot mess back into a ponytail with no combing, no brushing, gel,... 

Natural Hair Break:  Caring for your hair AFTER the weave…

Natural Hair Break: Caring for your hair AFTER the weave…

Wow, I am forever missing my natural hair when it's weaved up!  As of this month I am back to natural, until my next weave... hey, I'm on a growth challenge here :-) Many naturals make so many mistakes... 

Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day

Nov 11, 2003 I discovered a new style this weekend.  I first saw it in my Natural Woman/Natural Hair book and then on an online personal picture journal. ... 

Stylin’ in Flat Twists in 2003

Stylin’ in Flat Twists in 2003

Nov 15, 2003 Today I attempted the flat twists once again.  Luckily for me, when I don't get something right that makes me want to go back and re-do ... 

Stylin’ at Church

Stylin’ at Church

Nov 16, 2003 My flat twist-out came out wonderful. Although my 'rents were chasing me around the house with their hairspray, I told myself I loved it and I ... 

Styling with Gel

Styling with Gel

Nov 19, 2003 Wow is all I can really say right now.  This doesn't even look like my hair.  I'm taking pics so you all can see this craziness.  Last night I combed... 

Celebration Hairstyle

Celebration Hairstyle

Nov 22, 2003 For my 2yr celebration w/b/f, I decided to wear my natural hair out.  It looked blow-dried out, without the use of a blowdryer.  (trying ... 

Try, Try Again

Try, Try Again

Nov 26, 2003 I wanted to do another twist-out for Thanksgiving, so on this day I washed my hair.. um.. with conditioner--yeah, I thought I'd give it another ... 

Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 27, 2003 I did my Flat Twist-Out, and I must say, it came out great!  The only thing I rubbed over my twists was my CD Amen oil, and that's it.  It ... 

No Conditioner

No Conditioner

Nov 30, 2003 I failed to travel with conditioner and I refused to buy a new one (gotta slow down in my spending)!  So, come Sunday I really needed to... 

Bad Hair Day

Bad Hair Day

Dec 1, 2003 I didn't get to wash my hair before the start of my day, and I was just too darn tired to wash it this evening.   In fact, I'm going to ... 

Better Hair Day

Better Hair Day

Dec 2, 2003 I finally washed my hair this morning, put my moisturizing products in my wet hair, and slicked it back in a pony puff, with two clips on ... 

It’s Raining!

It’s Raining!

Dec 11, 2003 Who hoo! I was just so happy when I felt the rain falling because my new found hairstyle won't be affected by it!  Perfect timing to... 

New Style.. the Wasn ‘N Go

New Style.. the Wasn ‘N Go

Dec 20, 2003 Yep, I was wondering if I could actually pull off wearing my hair out after washing it, with no pulling and no combing. I wanted to see... 

Feb. 2004 – Update

Feb. 2004 – Update

I feel like I'm on the right track with my hair. I've been using protective styles to keep away from my hair as long as I could.   So far, I've worn... 

June 2004 – Update

June 2004 – Update

Wow, I desperately needed to update my website...  I've still been working with my hair, but I've done too much to remember it all.  I actually bought a new blow dryer.   I haven't used one in such... 

Co-Wash Day

Co-Wash Day

Aug. 2004: For most of this summer, I have been leaving my hair in two ponytails because my hair has gotten too thick to pull into one ponytail.   I'll wash my hair in those same ponytails and keep them... 

What I’ve Leaned in 2005 – Direct Heat

What I’ve Leaned in 2005 – Direct Heat

Direct Heat: My hair has not been able to take heat very well.  Blow drying drys out my hair, along with pressing.  If I press it with low heat, my hair will not straighten any more ... 

What I Learned in 2005 – Hair Products

What I Learned in 2005 – Hair Products

Products: My hair appreciates moisturizing products. So far, this means shampoos and conditioners that don't contain drying ingredients and also have more natural ingredients... 

What I Learned in 2005 – Manipulation

What I Learned in 2005 – Manipulation

Manipulating: I use a wide-tooth hard plastic comb for combing my hair on a regular basis. I brush my hair with a hard plastic bristled brush for smoothing the hair.... 

Analyzing 2004

Analyzing 2004

Journal entry from Nov. 2006: I figure that it would be good to reflect on where I left off in 2004 and add my comments to my "2004 goal": 2004: "VO5 conditioner washes every other... 

Summer 2009 Update

Summer 2009 Update

My summer look for 2009 Hey everyone!  It feels like it's been AGES since I've updated my blog.  Reality is that I've been busy paying bills and making ends meet during this downturn in our economy. ... 

Hennalucent in 2003

Hennalucent in 2003

Today is the last day I will be in my apartment until early January, so I wanted to give one last entry *sniff* and update with as many more pics today....